***
Miriam set her cell phone down on the counter. Ana had not yet been dropped off by Jessica’s mom, and while she waited, her mind was swimming, sorting through all the obstacles the case presented. O’Leary had called her only twenty minutes before—a courtesy call—to let her know that another girl had been abducted. A girl who fit the same profile as the others: ten to twelve years old, pure, and innocent.
Things were different for Miriam after the call. She not only wanted to catch the Snatcher, she also wanted to kill him. That was her purpose.
Her mind raced with questions, mainly: Who could take care of Ana in her absence? Freddy, Ana’s father, entered her mind. It wasn’t the most appealing choice, but it was reasonable, given the short notice. She walked to the stove and stirred the Hamburger Helper, not sure exactly what she had just agreed to.
Another girl had been taken, and Miriam knew she could not let her fade away into obscurity. Her anger, sadness, and shame resurfaced from the year before, though she felt ready. She was going to find the monster who had haunted her dreams and end his reign of terror once and for all.
On the Case
O’Leary stopped at a diner, waiting as patiently as possible to give Miriam the time she needed. He was anxious and unrelenting but had made his mind up and decided to stick with it, waiting. Miriam would be an asset to the investigation. That was what he believed, no matter how impractical it appeared. He took a corner booth and placed his satchel next to him, full of files from the case.
He pulled one file out and examined it carefully—the criminal profile for the Snatcher that he’d initially devised. His suspect was thought to be a Caucasian male in his late thirties to early fifties, average height and build, and someone who could blend into the community without being noticed. He was believed to be an intelligent, cautious man who rarely took chances. A family man, perhaps. Someone who kept his activities as private as possible. Someone who didn’t arouse suspicion. And ultimately a psychopath who would never stop.
In her report, Miriam claimed that the driver who shot her partner had long blonde hair. She assumed the driver to be Betsy Cole, the owner of the vehicle. And no one at the department could blame her for making that assumption.
O’Leary believed that they were dealing with a suspect who frequently changed appearances, even wearing disguises and wigs. The subject fit the profile of a potential sociopath—charming and charismatic. Someone who could manipulate and earn the trust of his captives. Judging by the intervals between the crimes, the lack of evidence, and the baffling disappearance of his victims, O’Leary believed they were dealing with someone who knew exactly what he was doing.
The victims had all been abducted close to their homes and never seen again. And with the exception of Jenny’s kidnapping, there were no witnesses. He thought to himself as a waitress came to the table asking him if he wanted another Coke. He shook his head and thanked her. He’d had yet seen a picture of Emily, but he couldn’t get her out of his mind.