Chapter 4

Early afternoon, Laurel settled into her seat at the conference room table, careful not to catch her sweater on the rough edges. Walter and Ena had left for their vacation, and she calculated how to cover Walter's excellent legwork.

"Just one more sec." Nester typed rapidly on his laptop next to her.

She reached for her herbal tea and took a sip.

"Have you given up lattes?" he asked.

She looked down at the tea. "My mom insists I compare the new batches being released this spring. I promised to try one blend each day and give her my honest opinion." She probably needed to tell her team about her pregnancy, but not quite yet. Of course, they'd noticed she hadn't been drinking her normal lattes.

Moderate caffeine consumption was considered safe for most pregnant women. Yet she was aware that, as a stimulant, caffeine could cross the placenta, and a fetus couldn't metabolize it efficiently. So she erred on the side of caution. Plus, she enjoyed her mother's new blends and found herself agreeable to giving detailed notes at the end of every day.

"Here we go." Nester clicked his mouse again and gestured toward the screen mounted on the far wall. "I have gone through all of the jail's visitor logs for Jason Abbott. He was visited by both his ex-fiancée, Haylee Johnson, and Dr. Abigail Caine in the last week." Nester pointed to the screen. "Also, attorney Melissa Cutting, who happens to be Haylee's aunt, visited. As you know, visits with counsel are not recorded."

Laurel took another sip of the huckleberry-flavored brew. "I thought we put a ban on Abigail visiting Jason Abbott after his last suicide attempt."

"We did, but as his attorney, Melissa Cutting had it lifted."

Laurel took a deep breath. "We were not notified of this?"

Nester shook his head. "Nope. No one let us know."

That did not compute. "Why would Melissa do that? When you're finished here, call her and schedule an interview."

"Sure," Nester said. "Also, Fish and Wildlife has arranged for Haylee Johnson to be interviewed on Friday because that's the soonest she'd agree to meet. I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that Melissa Cutting will accompany Haylee as her attorney." He frowned, his dark eyes sparkling. "Dollars to doughnuts . . . Where do you think that phrase comes from?"

Laurel reached for a notepad near the center of the table and pulled the paper toward her. "I believe the phrase is an American idiom that originated in the late nineteenth century to do with a bet or wager in which the speaker is confident of the outcome."

"Of course." One side of Nester's upper lip quirked.

Laurel warmed to the subject. "The speaker of the phrase is saying they're willing to bet something of higher value against lesser value. At that time, doughnuts were relatively inexpensive."

"Unlike now," Nester groused.

Laurel nodded. "Yes, I have noticed pastry price increases."

"The price of everything has increased lately, hasn't it?"

Unfortunately, he made a true statement. "Yes, and I don't see economic hope in the near future."

"Here's the first video." Nester clicked the button.

The visiting room of the Genesis city jail came into view, with Jason Abbott in an orange jumpsuit, his handcuffs attached to a bar on the table, sitting across from ex-girlfriend Haylee Johnson.

Teacup in hand, Laurel sat back to watch. Even after a couple months in jail, Jason Abbott appeared handsome with symmetrical features, dark hair, deep blue eyes, and a neatly trimmed beard. He looked as if he could be a double for Jamie Dornan, a young actor she'd seen in an older streaming British crime drama the previous week.

Across from Abbott, Haylee had her long blond hair up in an intricate twist and her blue eyes expertly lined and shadowed. For her visit, she wore a black dress with a row of pearls adorning her neck. "That's an odd outfit to visit somebody in jail," Laurel said.

"Yeah, she looks hot," Nester replied.

Laurel glanced at him. "Please expand on that statement."

He frowned. "Haylee is trying to appear . . . well, something for Jason."

"A black dress connotes class, as do the pearls," Laurel mused. "She's wearing a more adult-type outfit than she wore before he went to jail." If Laurel remembered correctly, Haylee had always sported jeans and a sweatshirt. "She's trying to impress him?"

"Yeah," Nester said. "Maybe she's trying to show him that she's more sophisticated, classier, and . . . I don't know, educated?"

Laurel's chin dropped. "Jason Abbott murdered highly successful women. Why in the world would Haylee want to look like one of them?"

Nester lifted his shoulder. "I don't know. I mean, she obviously wants his interest."

Laurel had spent much of her life studying various sciences, but there wasn't one that explained human behavior, not completely. She was coming as close as possible. "I don't understand this."

"Me neither," Nester said.

That was something at least. "Let's play the video," she said.

He clicked a button.

"How are you, Jason?" Haylee asked, her voice tinny on the recording.

"I'm fine. Lonely. I've missed you." His voice remained deep and soothing.

Laurel's stomach rolled. Jason had absolutely no interest in Haylee other than using her, and he never had. How could the woman not see that?

Haylee leaned toward him. "I've started school."

Jason perked up. "You have? What are you studying?"

She straightened her shoulders and pushed her breasts out. "I'm going to cosmetology school."

Nester frowned. "Isn't she a landscaper?"

"She worked in a greenhouse and had a green thumb," Laurel said. Haylee's lack of a formal education had seemed to bother the woman.

"Why does she want to impress him?" Nester asked.

Laurel shook her head. "I can't explain her motivations here."

Haylee hopped in her seat. "I thought that would make you happy."

Abbott smiled, slow and sure. "I love that you want to make me happy, Haylee."

The young woman clasped her hands together. "I've talked to my aunt, and it's a good field for me to pursue."

"Well then, I'm proud of you. If I ever get out of here, maybe I can help with your schooling."

"I would love that," the girl gushed. Apparently, she'd forgiven him for holding a gun to her head and threatening to kill her if the FBI didn't leave them alone. "Do you think you'll get out?"

"I do." Abbott turned his head to look directly at the camera. "I'm too smart for them to keep me in here. Besides, your aunt is an excellent attorney. How is your lawsuit against the FBI going?"

Haylee shifted in her seat. "My aunt isn't sure there's a great case there, because you did have a gun on me when I got hurt. But there's a chance we can prove that Laurel Snow or that terrible Abigail Caine was at fault. You were drugged at the time, correct?"

"Yes. Abigail had drugged me. I don't even remember trying to hurt you." Tears filled his eyes. "I'm so very sorry."

"What a liar," Nester muttered.

Laurel nodded. "He's proficient at it. Those look like real tears." Abbott certainly knew how to mirror true emotions.

Haylee plucked at her pearls. "Please tell me you're not still thinking about Abigail. About either of them. What a terrible family they come from."

"Not at all," Jason said smoothly. "In fact, I've forgotten about both of them."

Haylee preened. "That's so good to hear."

Abbott looked at the camera again. "However, I doubt they've forgotten about me."

Laurel watched the rest of the video, not finding any clue other than Abbott's obvious stares at the camera. He'd already planned on escaping at that juncture.

Nester ended the video. "What do you think?"

The human brain would always remain a mystery. "I have no idea. What about you? Did you catch subtext or hints that I might've missed?" As hard as she tried, she still missed latent meanings and sarcasm. She lacked Huck's instincts when it came to people, but she had studied facial expressions and micro-expressions.

"I didn't see anything," Nester said. "I don't think Haylee would've been able to completely mask the truth if she knew Abbott planned to escape."

"I agree," Laurel said, somewhat relieved. "All right. Any more videos?"

Nester quickly typed. "Oh, yeah. Here is your wonderful sister."

"Half sister," Laurel corrected quickly.

"This video was taken two days before the one featuring Haylee."

Laurel watched as Abigail confidently strode into the interview room. Like Laurel, Abigail had natural auburn-colored hair and heterochromatic eyes. They'd inherited those traits from their father, whom Laurel still intended to see in prison somehow.

A trusted pastor in the local church, he had sexually assaulted Laurel's mother when she was only seventeen, resulting in Laurel, who hadn't known she had a half sister until just a few months ago.

For the meeting, Abigail wore a deep green skirt suit with a red power shirt beneath the jacket.

"Was this around Christmas time?" Nester chortled.

Laurel looked at him. "Excuse me?"

"The red and the green. What's up with the red and the green?"

"Oh." Laurel studied her half sister. She was more prone to wear black than green. "The red is for power. The pencil skirt is because it makes her look like a successful and professional female, which we know is one of Jason Abbott's triggers." Laurel studied the woman who looked so much like her. "The color green is known to have a calming effect, so perhaps she wants him to concentrate. Please amplify the audio."

Nester clicked several buttons.

"Jason, don't you look lovely in orange," Abigail drawled, gracefully taking a seat.

"What's up with the red and green?" He sneered. "Still in the Christmas spirit, even though it's long past?"

Her smile was catlike. "I'm more of an avenging angel than a whimsical one. However, I'm sorry I haven't had time to visit. But, you know, success takes precedence." She covered her mouth with her hand, showing sharpened red nails. "Oh, excuse me. You don't know. Success has always remained outside your purview, hasn't it?"

Jason paled but met her stare. "I'm not letting you mess with my head this time."

"Now, Jason, I just want to help you. I always have." She tapped her nails on the table.

"Right, you want to help me. You experimented on me! It's your fault those women died."

Abigail's eyebrows rose, and she leaned toward him as if unafraid of his outburst. "Really? I don't recall raping them, strangling them, or cutting off their hands. I believe that was you, correct?"

He gulped. "I never would've done those horrible things if I hadn't gone through all that behavioral therapy with you, or been on the drugs you shot into my system."

"Are you suggesting that you're just a little wind-up toy that I spun in the direction I wanted?" she asked. "Are you that weak?"

He straightened. "No, I'm not weak. You know I'm not weak."

"Yes, I do," Abigail said placatingly. "I think you're smarter than anyone gives you credit for. Definitely smarter than your mother ever thought."

Jason just stared at her.

"I can't believe you're still in here, in fact." Abigail looked around the dismal room. "Some birds are not meant to be caged, Jason. I would think you are one of them."

"I agree. My attorney is good, and I will get out of here." He leaned forward slightly. "Do you think you could help with my case?"

Abigail looked toward the door and then back, her face set in intriguing lines.

"Stop the video," Laurel said.

Nester froze it in place.

Laurel leaned forward. "Her eyebrows are drawn together and raised. Her eyelids have drooped, and the corners of her mouth are pulled down slightly." She looked at Nester. "Those micro-expressions show concern or sympathy, correct?"

Nester cocked his head and studied the screen. "Yeah, I'd say sympathy, maybe empathy. I thought she didn't feel those things as a, what? Psychopath, sociopath, narcissistic nut job?"

"I've never employed definitive labels," Laurel said. "But yes, she's proficient at simulating authenticity, isn't she?"

"Well, yeah. Don't people like her mirror real expressions, real feelings?"

"They do," Laurel agreed, taking another sip of her tea. She could study Abigail for years, but that wouldn't put her half sister in prison where she belonged. "Please proceed with the video."

Nester pressed the button, and the video continued.

"I wish I could help you," Abigail said. "But I think you need to help yourself."

Nester sucked in air. "Did she just say what I think she said?"

Laurel didn't reply.

"Help myself. What do you mean?" Jason asked.

"Come on, Jason, you can get out of here," Abigail said. "Just work with your attorney and study the law. You know what to do."

Nester coughed. "She just pretty much told him to escape, right?"

"Those weren't the words that she used," Laurel said. "She's telling him to learn the law."

Abigail leaned forward. "I am very sorry that you ended up in the hospital; I should have tried to visit you. I hope you're not still having such terrible suicidal thoughts. You belong on this earth. Jason. There's a lot of good you can still do."

"Thank you," Jason said, his body relaxing for the first time. "I appreciate that." His eyes gleamed in a different way.

"What's his expression?" Laurel asked Nester.

Nester paused the video again. "Um, interest? Like a light bulb just ignited above his head?"

"Yes. His eyes widened, his eyebrows rose, and his lips curved in a slight smile. Do you see those markers?"

"Yeah," Nester said. "Also, his head tilted slightly. She pretty much just told him how to escape, didn't she?"

"Not in a way that we'll ever be able to prove." Laurel looked at Nester, her mind reeling with this new information and trying to form a rational conclusion. "The question is, why would Abigail want Jason released from custody?"

Nester studied the screen. "So she can finally kill him?"