Hunting the Shadows by Alexia Reed Page A

glanced toward the board. “Throats are all cut. To make sure the victim didn’t make a sound?”
    “Duct taping the victim’s mouth would have achieved that as well.” Rick reached for some papers. “Sounds more like a ritual. Or he’s treating them like farm animals sent off to the slaughterhouse. The victims mean nothing to him personally.”
    J.C. nodded at that assessment. “What about the burn mark on their skin?”
    Cameron furrowed a brow. “Elemental possibly. Someone with control of fire or electricity.”
    “Anyone know how many psychics are here with that ability?” J.C. asked.
    “Ten counting me,” Cameron murmured. “Two who only have the ability to manipulate fire. I can tell you now though, most wouldn’t be capable of these murders. Five of them are children.”
    “That doesn’t rule you out,” J.C. said flatly. “Go back to your room, Cameron. We’ll deal with you later.”
    “You know he couldn’t have done it, right?”
    J.C. looked over at Rick. “No, actually, I don’t. Hell, you could be the killer for all I know. We don’t know anything about the identity of this monster. He could be anyone. If I suspected you, you’d be off the case like Cameron.”
    “Duly noted.”
    “Good. What else about the victims?” He looked toward Darilynn.
    “Nothing. We found no alien traces of fabric that could have come from the assailant’s clothing. The blood found on the victims was their own.”
    “What can we assume about the killer?”
    “That he’s controlling. Hence the ritualistic way of the kill.” She flipped through her notepad. “Possibly does it for the thrill. What better challenge than someone who is specially trained in psychic warfare?”
    Ariadne leaned forward in her seat, tapping an open page of the file. “Also, look at these dates. He stopped for two years. Why? The hunting ground hasn’t changed. Why start again?”
    “He could have been locked up.” J.C. moved over toward the computer and ran a search of all the agents incarcerated but now released. He ran through the list quickly, sorting them out by ability until one name popped out. “And we have a name. Ryzak, Tristan. He’s an electrokinetic. The dates match up.”
    “I’m going with.” Rick was already closing his files. “I know Tristan. He was a patient of mine once.”
    J.C. nodded. “All right, Rick, you’re with me. The rest of you, find me proof. If it’s him, I want this bastard to fry.”
    J.C. was already headed for the door with Rick behind him. They ran down the halls. According to the system, Tristan had logged into his quarters within the last five minutes in the south wing, third floor.
    “What’s the plan?”
    He threw his weight against the corridor door, taking the stairs two by two. Behind him, Rick started to lag, breath puffing from his lungs. “We bring him in for questioning. I want this done right.”
    “What was he incarcerated for?”
    “Shouldn’t you know? He was your patient.”
    Rick shook his head. “I stopped treating him awhile ago when I handed him off to another scientist.”
    “The file didn’t say much. He attacked some guards about two years ago and was just released for good behavior. The timing fits enough to bring him in for questioning.” They passed the second floor and kept going up.
    At the third landing, he pushed the door open. Tristan’s room was the second one on the left. He waited by the door until Rick got there, counting down from three on his fingers. At one, he kicked the door in. Rick moved in with his gun drawn.
    “Tristan Ryzak, you’re coming with us.”
    Tristan was a pale, gaunt man. His gaze flicked from Rick to J.C., then back again to Rick. He licked his lips. “I…no, no, no. I won’t go back. You can’t make me.”
    “You’re being investigated for the murder of nine specialized agents.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I saw nothing. I swear.” Tristan began to pace, whispering to himself.