Read When a Heart Stops for Free Online

needs us to see right away.”

6
    MONDAY, 12:40 P.M.
    In Rick Shelton’s office, Serena stood next to the man and listened as he said, “I was in a meeting all morning and didn’t get to this until just now.”
    With gloved hands, Rick lifted the top of the box. Serena felt dizzy and realized she was holding her breath. Letting it out slowly, she focused on deep, even breaths while Rick drew out a miniature doll.
    Dominic shifted beside her and the musky scent of his cologne drifted to her. For some reason it comforted her.
    â€œIt’s beautiful—blue eyes, black hair, distinct features. Almost more like a sculpture,” she said.
    â€œBut that’s not all,” Rick said. “There’s a note to go with the gift.” He reached behind him and pulled a plastic baggie from the shelf. Inside, a 4 × 6 index card stared back at them.
    â€œWhat does it say?” Dominic asked.
    Rick glanced at Serena, then read in singsong fashion: “Eenie meenie miney moe, a killin’ I will go. But it’s my game, it’s my fun, the next to die, someone you know.”
    â€œSomeone who knows?” Dominic asked.
    Rick shrugged.
    â€œAnd look at the outfit . . .” Serena leaned closer.
    â€œDressed in a pink jogging suit just like our victim,” Dominic said.
    â€œRight,” Rick said. “Of course I’ll go over all of this with a fine-tooth comb looking for prints, hairs, fibers, whatever I can find.” He paused. “Actually, for fingerprints, I’ll use an EDAX Eagle II XPL MXRF instrument with a 40 W rhodium anode—” He broke off at Dominic’s yawn.
    Crestfallen, Rick whined, “You too? Hunter influenced you, didn’t he?” Suspicion darkened his gaze and Serena grew confused.
    â€œWhat does Hunter have to do with anything?” she asked.
    Rick pursed his lips. “Because Hunter is an old fogey at the ripe old age of thirtysomething. I try my best to explain how this new technology works and he tunes me totally out.” He turned his attention back to the man at her side. “He got to you, didn’t he?”
    Dominic raised a brow, the picture of pure innocence. “No, man, I’m just tired. Been a long day already.”
    With a beleaguered sigh, Rick laid the doll flat on the evidence examination table. “I did some research while I was waiting on you two to get here.” He lifted his gaze to Serena. “You know how I said something seemed familiar about this killing?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI started looking stuff up. Past crimes where a doll was left behind.”
    A bad feeling started in her gut. “And?”
    Rick motioned them over to his computer. He wiggled the mouse and the screen lit up. “Here.”
    Serena leaned in to read. “The Doll Maker Killer.” She frowned. “I don’t remember this.”
    â€œThat’s because it was before your time. You’re a few years younger than I am. You’re what? Twenty-eight?”
    â€œJust turned twenty-nine last week. Why?”
    â€œThis guy was killing people back from ’92 to ’95. You would have been a child.”
    She quirked a brow at him. “As would you. You’re only three years older than I am.”
    â€œYes,” he conceded with a nod, “but I generally remember just about everything I read and I remember reading about this guy a couple of years ago. Drake Lindell. He was trying to get parole, made a plea that he’d been rehabilitated, found God and all that jazz.”
    â€œHow many did he kill?” Dominic’s quiet question made her jerk.
    Rick rubbed his eyes. “The FBI says nine that they know of, but they suspect more.”
    â€œHow did he get his victims?”
    â€œSome just wouldn’t come home. Others left to go to lunch from work and were never heard from again. Several were snatched from their homes. There didn’t