The rain outside had gradually stopped, leaving a damp stillness in the air. Jubal ended a phone call and returned to the bedroom, his expression dark. Just as he entered, he saw Jack gently closing the deceased's eyelids. Jubal sighed heavily.
"The ERT team is en route. Pittsburgh's office has also sent another team, but they'll need some time to get here."
Jack's gaze roamed the room, finally settling on a photo frame on the bedside table. "Can someone get me a casual photo of Madison Hargrove and the attempted rape victim from before?"
"I've got them here," Hannah said, pulling a tablet from her waistband and opening the images.
Jack took the tablet and placed it next to the photo frame. As the photos were compared side by side, the team's eyes widened as they grasped his implication.
"They look like sisters," JJ murmured.
"Ronnie's actions seem random at first glance, but his choice of victims isn't. These girls share a very specific look: the classic 'All-American sweetheart' face," Jack explained, glancing meaningfully at Hannah.
Hannah's features fit the type. Unlike the over-stylized internet trends of Jack's past life, the traditional American sweetheart look called to mind characters like Rachel from Friends—played by Jennifer Aniston—or actresses like Meg Ryan and Amanda Seyfried.
Defining features included:
Lively, expressive eyes. A petite, delicate nose. Full, inviting lips. A charming chin. Golden locks complemented by a healthy glow and soft, rounded cheeks.
In addition to facial features, the true hallmark of the "American sweetheart" was an approachable, girl-next-door vibe. This excluded women like Scarlett Johansson or Taylor Swift, despite their beauty.
"So, he's essentially reenacting the same crime over and over," Aubrey concluded. "He's targeting women who resemble one specific person—like he's fixated on someone."
An hour and a half later, the FBI officially handed the crime scene over to the county police, state troopers, and the ERT team. Back at the command vehicle, the team resumed their discussion in the onboard conference room.
"An ex-girlfriend?" Hannah suggested.
"A prom date who stood him up?" JJ guessed as she climbed aboard.
"Or maybe a family member," Jack said grimly. He turned to Alice, who was still working at the computer. "Does Ronnie have any sisters or female cousins?"
"None that we could find," Alice replied, her voice heavy. "He never knew his father, and his mother has been dragging him from state to state since childhood. She's currently missing, but if she gets arrested again, we might track her down."
Despite not being directly involved in the earlier action, the photos and videos sent back from the scene had clearly shaken Alice, pulling her mood back into a slump.
"Am I the only one wondering this?" Clay broke in. "Raylene doesn't fit Ronnie's victim type at all."
The group turned to the screen showing Raylene Parker's photo. Her round face, brown hair, and unremarkable features gave her a wild, almost deranged expression.
"That's because Raylene serves a different role for Ronnie," JJ said, pouring herself a glass of water.
"Like what? A backup... outlet for his urges?" Aubrey snapped, his patience wearing thin.
"More like a witness or accomplice," JJ clarified. "Her purpose is to validate his actions emotionally, to be someone who acknowledges and supports his crimes. Raylene might be his emotional partner, but the victims are his physical targets."
"Speaking of Raylene," Alice interjected, pulling up a screenshot on the monitor. "Jack was right. Even if they don't have social media, they can still appear in someone else's posts. I prioritized searching profiles of people her age from West Virginia, and I found this."
The screen displayed a Facebook profile featuring a picture of Raylene with a young man. The two stood close, smiling as they held up a paper snowflake between them.
Jubal leaned in to read the details on the page. "Bo Parsons, Harrisville, West Virginia. According to this, they were recently engaged."
"Who wants to take a trip?" Jack asked, raising an eyebrow.
Hannah slung an arm around JJ's shoulders and volunteered. "We'll go."
By that evening, the two had returned. Meanwhile, Jack had set up a makeshift grilling station outside the command vehicle. He was frying steaks on a skillet, the sizzling meat filling the air with mouthwatering aromas.
Pennsylvania and West Virginia each had their iconic foods. Pennsylvania was famous for Philly cheesesteaks, while West Virginia was known for pepperoni rolls.
Philly Cheesesteaks: Sliced beef, melted cheese, and onions stuffed into a soft hoagie roll. A calorie bomb, but irresistibly delicious.
Pepperoni Rolls: Similar to croissants, but stuffed with slices of spicy Italian salami (pepperoni) seasoned with garlic, pepper, and wine.
A good meal could lift team morale, so Jack used the command vehicle's oven and grill to prepare dinner. Folding tables and chairs were set up alongside a small campfire, creating a cozy outdoor dining area.
The smell of roasted meat and fresh bread brought smiles to everyone's faces. Hungry after their trip, Hannah's eyes lit up, and she looked ready to tackle Jack for the food.
After the meal, the team lounged lazily in reclining chairs, their sluggish minds and bodies relaxed by the satisfying meal.
Jack tossed beers to Hannah and JJ. "So, what did you find? Besides the lead about Ronnie's mother possibly being in Ravenswood, anything else?"
JJ pulled out an evidence bag containing the paper snowflake from earlier. "Bo Parsons is disabled. He suffered a traumatic stroke during a football game at 16 and now works at his father's music shop.
"He met Raylene at a therapeutic equestrian camp for brain injury survivors. They only knew each other for three months. All he knew about her past was that she lost her parents in a car accident and had been moving between care facilities.
"This snowflake is something Raylene made for him before they got engaged. Poor guy—now all he has left is his music."
"What about Ronnie?" Jubal pressed. "Did he know Ronnie?"
JJ's expression turned strange, a mix of hesitation and disbelief. "Bo said he and Raylene were shopping at Walmart when they ran into Ronnie.
"Ronnie approached Raylene and claimed they had known each other as kids. The next day, Raylene disappeared, leaving behind a note saying she was going to have Ronnie's child."
(End of Chapter)
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