Between Limestone Ruins

Chapter Five

"Ah, Miss Morris, what can I do for you? Looking for a job yet?" Agent Masters chuckled.

Hannah didn't hear the pleasantries, she had too much to say and didn't want to forget anything. She dove into the pressing issue: "The Algonquin murders. The Mont-Tremblant murders. It's the same guy." That was not even close to what Agent Masters had expected, demonstrated by his mouth gaping in response like a fish along moment before snapping shut.

"You're sure? It's the same guy at both parks? One is federal one is provincial and they're hours apart, that's a bizarre connection to look into." His hand shot out to take the folder Hannah hugged closely to her body despite his words implying she was mistaken. An entire sleepless night of research into the two cases piled into her folder would prove her right.

She handed the folder over and sat down, and he began to flip through with feigned restraint.

"The victim profile is exactly the same," she began to explain. "Female, blonde, blue eyed, same in physical size, accomplished, college aged. All bodies were scattered in the wilderness, with some body parts belonging to one victim ending up closer to another. I'm sure Agent Masters."

He stared at her for a long moment, searching for any piece of doubt. Satisfied Hannah was indeed certain he redirected his attention to her folder. Several silent minutes except for the flipping of pages passed and Hannah waited as patiently as she could muster.

Suddenly Agent Masters closed the folder and exhaled, "Honestly? I think you've got something. The problem is Walker isn't going to be pleased to see you. Two tours of Afghanistan made him a miserable son-of-a-bitch long before that case found him and hitting dead ends for years didn't make him any happier. I don't envy you."

"Walker...?"

"Agent Alec Walker, the lead on the Algonquin case. You'll have to give this to him directly, it will be his choice to pursue this as a lead."

"Shouldn't a new lead on a tough case be a good thing?" Hannah asked, perplexed. "it means you can catch this guy."

"New leads often turn into wild goose chases, Morris. And Walker has been down a few too many of those. He's on the 18th floor, office number 1806. I'll call ahead and tell him to expect you. Do you want some advice?"

"Please," Hannah said, suddenly doubting she even knew her own name.

"Keep it factual, keep it quick, call his bullshit."

Hannah laughed. "All things I can do, Sir."

"Good luck Hannah."

Hannah got all the way to office 1806 with her fist raised to knock before she faltered. What if this guy didn't believe her? How much longer could this guy roam the streets? Hannah decided she'd cross that bridge when she came to it. She took a deep breath and knocked.

Three short knocks were greeted with Walker's low voice, "come in." She let the door swing open.

Oh shit.

It was the guy from the elevator. Sharp and inquisitive, his emerald eyes met her face and the recognition was instant, followed quickly with confusion, and then even faster fury. Hannah figured she better get talking.

"Agent Walker? My name is Dr. Morris. I have some information for you. Regarding the murders in Algonquin Park?"

"Are you asking me or tell me, Morris?"