Armed and Dangerous by Jo Davis Page B

and sighed. “Ain’t that a kick in the teeth? I had one murder, and suddenly we have the potential for several more.”
    â€œVanessa and her sister were the first ones from the club to disappear three weeks ago,” Daisy reminded them. “But the body is fresh. This means the killer is holding them somewhere, and I’m guessing it’s someplace close by and convenient.”
    â€œHow do we know this is Vanessa?” Shane asked, studying the woman.
    The naked victim was lying on her back, arms and legs sprawled. Dark hair was spread around her face, wet and tangled from the river. Her eyes were open, staring at a horror she could no longer suffer. Ligature marks were visible around her wrists and ankles, as were cuts made from a knife or other sharp object. Bruising on her torso may or may not have indicated internal bleeding. The signs of abuse were sickening.
    â€œI gave Chris a call. He said Vanessa had a tattoo of a serpent on her ankle, which this victim does.” Taylor pointed to the spot where the tattoo could be seen, then dug out his phone. “Her picture matches the one Chris texted to me, too. The ME should be able to confirm her identity without much problem.”
    Shane and Daisy took turns studying the photo on Taylor’s phone. The vibrant, smiling young lady in the picture looked to be the same person as their corpse. Death, however, had robbed that lovely spark that made her human, leaving her a cold, waxy shell. It always angered Shane to see such a waste of a beautiful life. No matter how many cases he closed, the desire to see the monster responsible either dead or behind bars never waned.
    Daisy’s musing cut into his thoughts. “What’s the significance of the rosary, I wonder?”
    Taylor shrugged. “Maybe it’s a sign that he cares about her. Could be about cleansing, or seeing her to heaven.”
    â€œOr it could be he’s just a nut bag,” Shane muttered.
    â€œThat, too.”
    â€œOr the killer could be a she,” Daisy said slowly. Both men stared at her.
    â€œWhat makes you say that?” Shane asked curiously.
    â€œLook at her hands.” Crouching, she pointed without touching the victim’s hand. “Her nails are perfect, and recently done.”
    Taylor got a closer look. “How do you know it was recent?”
    â€œSee her cuticles? The nail polish goes all the way back, so it never had a chance to grow out. The polish isn’t chipped, either. If Vanessa had been struggling, she would’ve messed up her nails.”
    â€œThen it could be that after torturing and killing her, the murderer expressed some care and remorse by making her presentable. Pretty smart, sugar,” Shane praised her.
    â€œJust because the killer made her pretty doesn’t mean it’s a woman. Many killers focus on their victim’s appearance after the murder.”
    â€œI was just speculating out loud, that’s all.” Daisy shrugged.
    â€œOr the killers could be a team,” Taylor suggested. “One did the torturing and killing, one the aftercare.”
    Shane nodded. “Makes sense. But what’s with the change in MO? Except for the wrists, the first victim had no marks anywhere else on her body, unlike this one.”
    â€œThe ME said Nikki Thompson was suffocated,” Taylor said grimly. “Probably with a pillow or something similar.”
    â€œThat obviously didn’t satisfy our murderer. He’s become more brutal in his treatment of his captives, which means he’s losing control.” Shane paused. “Which doesn’t fit with the careful presentation before dumping them in the water. I’m starting to think you’re right, and we’re dealing with two killers.”
    â€œOnce we rule out the usual suspects, you never know,” Daisy said, standing. She looked at Taylor. “Is Chris running through Vanessa’s personal