Marissa clamps her hands down on her narrow hips and paces in front of the whiteboard, covered with coloured marker. "Hay Marissa?" Jason breathes, hovering in the doorway.
"Hmm?" Marissa's lips tighten at the corners.
"We found seven more bodies," Jason says cautiously.
Marissa whirls around on her heels, raising her eyebrows, "What?"
"The guys searching the area around the cave found seven more bodies," Jason says, "They're in the autopsy room."
Swallowing anxiously she follows him out of the room. "Do we know who they are?" Marissa asks.
"All of them are female. So far Michael has only managed to identify two of the bodies. Helen Moore was sixteen when she went missing in June 2002. Katy White went missing in February 2006 when she was eighteen," Jason replies.
Marissa follows him into the room lit by fluorescent lights. Michael darts between silver autopsy tables, scribbling notes and taking quick, precise photographs.
Marissa's gaze flickers over the skeletal and rotting bodies. "Holy shit," she draws in a sharp breath. She cringes before recomposing herself. "So what do you have for me?"
Michael hesitates, glancing at the body of a girl. "Well they all look like they were bashed. Some were killed within the first twenty-four hours of being kidnapped while others were tortured for days. I'm still waiting for DNA results."
"Are you thinking psychotic serial killer?" Jason murmurs. Marissa nods, circling one of the autopsy tables. "Any ideas for a motive?" Jason asks, letting his gaze dart between Marissa and Michael. "These creeps have no motive," Marissa mutters tightly. Michael shrugs, sliding the clipboard onto the bench and folding his arms across his chest.
"Well it's not sexual. There's no sign of rape or any other form of sexual abuse. It could be religious going by the stigmata or maybe he gets a rush out of it," Michael breathes.
"How long do you think this girl's got?" Marissa sighs.
"I think we're looking for a body," Jason says soberly.
"Thanks for the optimism," she tucks a strand of her blond hair that has come loose from her ponytail, "Michael can you send me the results?"
Michael nods, "Sure."
"Thanks," Jason says, trailing behind Marissa.
The hall seems claustrophobic. "Keep it under wraps?" Jason assumes.
"For now at least. We need this guy to think he's still untouchable. Maybe he'll slip up then. If the media get a hold of it he might get spooked and run on us."
"Yep."
"Oh and Jason?"
"Hmm?"
"Heidi's here. I let her into your office," Marissa says.
***
Jason gently pushes the heavy office door open. Heidi's figure is cloaked in shadows. Her back is to him and her hands lightly drift over thick folders. "Hi," Jason breathes.
Heidi draws in a sharp breath and flashes around. A faint smile plays with the corners of her lips, "You scared me."
"Sorry," Jason apologizes, sliding his arms around her waist. He lightly kisses her forehead. "What are you doing here?" his voice remains soft with a lack of accusation.
"Marissa let me in," a mischievous gleam sparks inside her eyes.
"I should be working," Jason mumbles, kissing the edge of her jaw.
YOU ARE READING
Salvation
Teen FictionShe's his prize, his beautiful, flawless prize. She's his trophy, a girl he stole from the world. He holds her captive in the harsh shadows of the basement and tortures her. He loves her, charishes her every breath and lives off her every scream. He...
