Shadow of Vengeance Read Online Free Page B

like your advice.”
      Seriously interesting. Most times when he offered his opinion, she’d somehow find a way to either dismiss him or cut him down.  
    “When I get to Bola I plan to investigate my brother’s beating,” she continued. “I know where to start, and have already begun a list of the people I want to interview.”
    “Are you planning on running this investigation on behalf of CORE?” Ian asked.
    She tapped the pencil to her lips. “Are you okay with that? If not, I can—”
    Ian waved a hand. “Our resources are yours.”
    She tucked the pencil behind her ear. “Thank you. I have a feeling I’m going to need it. Sean’s beating…based on what the sheriff told me, I don’t think it was random.”
    “Why’s that?” Owen asked.
    “The sheriff said they found a note stuffed in Sean’s pocket. It said, ‘Welcome to Hell Week. You have seven days to find him.’”
    “But they obviously found your brother,” Owen countered.
    “Right. They found Sean. His roommate, Josh Conway, is missing.”
    “Could this roommate have gone home for the weekend?” he asked.
    “No. Sean told me his parents are overseas.”
    “Didn’t you tell me that Sean planned to join a fraternity?” Ian asked.  
    “Yes. The Eta Tau Zetas”
    “Based on the Hell Week reference,” Ian began. “Is it possible that this could have been a hazing gone bad?”
      She nodded, and hugged herself. “I thought about that, only…”
    “What?” Owen asked.
    “The sheriff said that over the last twenty years, nine male students from Wexman University have gone missing. Josh makes ten. These students always disappear in January. And with every one of these missing boys, the same note was left behind.”
    Owen rubbed his jaw, both confused and disturbed. “You’re telling us that nine guys go missing, the same time of year, with the same message left behind…have any of the bodies been discovered?”
    “No.”
    “Does this sheriff realize he has a possible serial killer in his county?” he asked, surprised that Bola, Michigan’s local law enforcement, hell, even the university, hadn’t pieced the obvious together and asked for outside help.
    “He’s well aware.”
    Irritated at the sheriff’s ineptness, he leaned forward and asked, “Then why not bring in the Michigan State Police?”      
    “The sheriff tried that route. I’m still confused as to what happened when they participated in the investigation.” She faced Ian. “I have vacation time, and you said I can use CORE’s resources. The sheriff can’t afford to pay us, but if it’s okay with you, I want to investigate what’s happening in Bola and find Sean’s roommate.”
    “Of course,” Ian said. “But there’s no need to worry about vacation time and fees. Not when family is involved. Besides, this is an interesting case.”
    “Very interesting,” Owen said. “A possible serial killer who targets victims at a certain time of year…strange, too.”
    Ian nodded, and removed the cold case file from the desk. “Agreed. This case can wait a few more weeks. Rachel has just handed you your next assignment.”
      Excitement pumped through Owen’s veins. He’d gladly take the case. What had and was happening in Bola sounded like a huge puzzle with a lot of missing pieces.
    “I didn’t hand him anything,” Rachel said. “And I told you I’d like to conduct this investigation.”
    “You can.” Ian smiled. “Only you’ll do it with Owen.”

Chapter 2
    Rachel finished securing the El Camino’s truck bed cover as Owen approached.  
    “We’ll take my car,” he said.  
    “If Ian wants you tagging along with me, we go in my car.” Because she had zero field experience, she’d suspected Ian might want her to have assistance on this case. But did that assistance have to come from Owen? She didn’t have a problem dealing with his arrogance. Except for her, the entire CORE team was filled with cocky, alpha males and she’d grown