A First Love to Die For

Chapter Twenty-Nine- Suspicious

(Josie's POV)

I wasn't sure what it said about me that I liked that Lincoln was able to hop from romance mode to cop mode instantly, but I did. Along with a whole lot of other things, I realized that I liked that he understood the nature of our jobs. I was constantly having to put my life on hold, and it was obvious he was too. He docked his boat at the marina, and we walked to the station from there.

Sam met us at the door. I was hoping that at some point, I would be able to question him by casually bringing up the information that Addy had shared. For now, I was too interested in hearing the tip that had been phoned in.

Lincoln directed us to his office. We had discussed the fact that we wanted to get my team on the line. Lee had asked my dad to come in and cover the bar for a "break", that way he would be ready in case there was anything that he was needed for. Duncan, Trigg and Lucy were joining us on video as well.

As they popped up on my screen, Lincoln and Sam pulled up the tip. A frail voice broadcasted throughout the room.

I was watching the news and saw the house that Chantelle lived in. I drove past that girl's house that night and I swear I saw Harold leaving it carrying a bag. Why would he have been at Chantelle's house? I felt I needed to let you know.

I typically listened the first time cold, without wanting to take notes or talk about it. I held up my finger as it ended explaining. "I don't want anyone to say anything that might skew anyone else's opinion. We're going to listen again and write down what we're thinking."

We were on our third play of it and I still was holding off on sharing. The problem was that it still felt off to me. The caller was without a doubt trying to distort their voice, the information felt too leading.

But that's why they call them "leads", sometimes they lead you right where you need to go and, in this case, I thought It would give us what we needed to get a search warrant for Harold's place.

It was Lee that spoke first. "Fucking Harold, yup that makes sense."

I thought about it for a moment before I shared. "We know that all our girls were found naked. If Harold left Chantelle's place with a bag, we have to assume he was taking her clothes with him. We know the outfit she was wearing wasn't found at the scene. That tip gives us enough for a search warrant. Let's see if we can turn anything up."

I was about to ask if anyone else felt that it was too convenient when Lincoln spoke up, "Does it make too much sense? Does anyone else think there's something off here?"

I was impressed that he had realized it too. Often it was so exciting to have a suspect, that it was easier to just accept that you were on the right track. "Absolutely, but it doesn't hurt for us to search his house anyway. I'll get on the phone to Charlie right now and see if we can get a search warrant for Harold's place. He clicks all our criteria and now we have something that we could look for."

It was Lee who piped up. "If he is our guy, he might not have anything at home, and we run the risk of him making sure to 'clean up shop' as soon as the officer leaves. I say we get the warrant but then conduct the search while he's not home. Do it well he is out and unaware. He comes into the bar every night. What if we get into his house then?"

I knew the answer but figured that I would throw it out anyway. "Lucy, once we get our warrant, think you can get in and search without him knowing that you had been there?"

She scoffed, "Who do you think you're talking to?"

I addressed the entire group. "I'm on the warrant. We keep watch on Stephie and Harold until we have our killer. Everyone stays vigilant."

I clicked the end call button and then we were left with just Sam, Lincoln and I. I turned fully towards Sam and made sure to be looking him in the eyes. "Look I need to clear the air for a minute. Addy told me that she was pretty sure you had hooked up with one of the girls in the picture. She couldn't confirm it, but she was pretty sure that she recalled something."

He blushed and seemed to be fumbling for a way to explain before he stuttered out. "We kissed. I didn't know until we had all the pictures of the victims. I had given her my number. She never called and I just assumed that she wasn't into me. It felt weird to share and then I wasn't sure if I would not be able to help with the case and then more time passed. I'm sorry, I know I should have shared."

He was reaching for his badge and I could tell immediately that he thought I was going to ask for it. "Stop. Leave that on. From now on, not just for this case, you share everything relevant. Details like these can tie everyone up or worse get you penalized for nothing. You always share, understand?"

He nodded and left, looking like he was about to lose whatever he had in his stomach.

Lincoln and I shared a look and then I said, "Sorry. I kind of just decided it made more sense to have his help than put him on the sidelines... that okay?"

"It was the right move. He'll beat himself up more for it. It'll teach him more than being reprimanded ever could."

The fact that we shared leadership styles was not lost on me. He gave me a little smile like he was thinking the same thing and then offered me his office to call Charlie. He walked out and I sat there for a moment, breathing in his scent and feeling oddly at home in his space.

Shit.

I pulled out my phone and dialed, refocusing on why I was here.