"I just got the official results in," Lieutenant Kauker said to Logan. "The footprints match."
"So it's definitely the same person causing problems at the Townsend and Burroughs residences," Logan concluded. "Think it could be someone targeting women who are living alone?"
"Looks like it. So far it looks like a male, under 200 pounds, wears a size 11 shoes. Doesn't narrow down our search much."
"Isn't it odd that he actually broke into the Townsend house and didn't seem to do anything, but obviously tampered with the gas line at Ms. Burroughs' house without breaking in?"
"Maybe the difference was with who was home at the time. Maybe Ms. Townsend came home before he had a chance to do anything and he fled while she was calling us at the neighbors."
"Do you think the Summers case is tied in with this? Could the man that was stalking and abducted her be the same one who has turned his attentions to Ms. Townsend and Ms. Boroughs?" Logan asked.
"I don't know, without the evidence to compare, it's hard to say. I think the Summers case is a different situation though. She wasn't living alone when she was abducted."
"But she was when her apartment was broken into and when she was receiving the stalker's notes. Maybe the abduction was the next step and the break in was just to gather information."
"But why try to asphyxiate Ms. Burroughs with a broken gas line?"
"I don't know. Unless the perp was trying to knock her out before abducting her."
"I don't think so," the lieutenant shook his head. "Vanessa Summers comes from a wealthy family, one he could get a ransom out of, the same with Ms. Townsend, but Ms. Burroughs has no one. Even if he was trying to kidnap her, what would be his motive?"
"I have no idea," Logan said, looking at the evidence chart for the Summers' case. "I still think there's some kind of connection, but what could it be? What suspect would be tied to all three women? I'm not sure if we're any closer to narrowing down our suspect as when we started."
"At least we've eliminated one suspect. Justin Jordan's alibi checked out."
Lucy wearily walked into the entryway to answer the ringing doorbell, her confrontation with Craig still weighing heavily on her mind and her heart. "Justin, hello. I wasn't expecting to see you."
"Is this a bad time?" he asked.
"No, not at all. I'm glad you're here. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk when you stopped by before, but Craig . . ."
"I have to apologize for intruding. I don't want to cause any problems for you. That's the last thing I want to do."
"Don't worry, you haven't."
"Is your husband here now?"
"No . . . I threw him out."
"Threw him out? Are you saying it's over between the two of you?"
"Yes," Lucy said unsurely. "Yes, it's over."
"I'm sorry. I hope I didn't do anything to interfere with your marriage."
Lucy hesitated a moment, trying to imagine how things would have been if he had never come into her life. She could hardly picture her life any other way. "No, it didn't have anything to do with you. Craig and I had problems, we probably did from the start, and I'm sure we would have had the same problems no matter what."
"Still I can't help feeling partially responsible after what happened. I'm truly sorry if I hurt you in anyway."
"You haven't, I swear. You have nothing to apologize for. I have no regrets about what happened and I think I will be better off without Craig in my life. Please don't apologize."
"In that case, at least let me thank you for confirming my whereabouts with the police. I never wanted to put you in that position, knowing it would be awkward for you to admit that we were together that night, but I had no choice. Thank you for speaking up for me."
"It was nothing. It was the least I could do for you."
"Still, thank you." After a moment of awkward silence, Justin started to leave. "That's what I came by to tell you, that and goodbye. I couldn't leave town without making my apologies and saying goodbye."
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