Later, as Bella slept, Nathan eased open the case file of victim number two, a p********e named Cindy. His hands started to shake, and his pulse quickened as he looked at her most recent mug shot. The resemblance was eerie; he had to do a double take to make sure it wasn’t Bella.
He closed the file and stared into space, his mind working what he knew so far like puzzle pieces.
***
* * * *
The next morning over breakfast Nathan blurted out, “Bella, please come back to Virginia with me. Today.”
“Look, I know this case has got you rattled, but I can’t leave yet. I’ve got finals the next three days. I’ve got this week at Metzger to get through. Then I can go,” she retorted, a hand on her hip. “I’ll be fine, really. I talked to Grandpa this morning and he’s flying out to drive back with me
