Critical Instinct(39)
“What would a science teacher want with a 3D printer?” he asked. He could understand why an art studio would want one, but not a science teacher.
Haneburg joined him at the back of the room. “I can show you Denise’s whole proposal if you want. But basically she argued that it could be used to interest students in a number of different aspects of science. Architects and engineers use them on a regular basis now. Any company developing prototypes for just about anything. Medical fields use them for making prosthetic limbs and I’m sure other things.”
Brett spun around at Haneburg’s words. “Physical therapists would use these? Nurses?”
Haneburg shrugged. “Maybe. They might not use the printer themselves, but would definitely come in contact with what the printers can produce. Especially if it involved prosthetics.”
Brett glanced at Alex before looking back at Haneburg. He was listening now also. “And a Nike Research and Development executive?”
She nodded. “Without a doubt. A company like Nike would probably own multiple high end 3D printers for prototypes of shoes and other products. Like I said, Denise made a very compelling case for having one to teach students what sort of STEM jobs were out there. That’s what got her the grant. The printers aren’t cheap.”
Alex joined them, his thinking now exactly where Brett’s was. “Boeing would also use one.”
The fifth victim had been a receptionist for Boeing.
“Absolutely. Why?” the Principal asked.
They didn’t provide her with any details, just got the name of the company who had sold and set up the 3D printer for the school. They were rushing back out to their car less than ten minutes later, on their way to FormLabs3D back in Portland.
The link between all the victims was found. And once they saw it, it couldn’t be denied.
The northwest division of FormLabs3D, part of a much larger company, sold or serviced printers connected to the workplace of each victim, including the art studio connected to Paige. Charles Sevier, FormLabs3D’s manager, was able to immediately confirm this.
“Boyd Anderson is the regional salesman for northern California, Oregon and Washington State. He’s one of our best sales people, has an excellent record. He would’ve been at all those locations.”
Brett gave Alex a grim smile. “Is Anderson on the road right now? We’ll need his home address.”
“What’s this all about? Is Boyd in trouble?”
“We just need to talk to him about a case we’re working on. He might have some pertinent information.” Alex was careful not to leak anything important. The last thing they wanted was for the manager to let Anderson know they were looking for him in connection to the murders. He would take to ground.
“Boyd is out two weeks at a time on sales and service routes, then has one week off.”
“Where is he now?” Brett asked. “On the road?”
Charles shifted uneasily on his feet. “He should’ve been here this morning. Normally he would’ve come here to check in before going back out on his route. Actually he should’ve been here yesterday, but I thought maybe I had his schedule confused. Boyd has never missed a day, so I honestly hadn’t checked yet.”
“But he didn’t come in?” Alex asked.
“No. Like I said, it’s the first time in the eight years he’s worked for us that he hasn’t shown up. I know he made it back to Portland last week. Turned in his normal files and receipts — he’s meticulous about that. Everything is always in perfect order and he follows the rules to a T. But I haven’t heard or seen anything since then. Here’s his address.”
“Do you pay your employees on a two-week pay schedule?” Brett asked as they turned to leave.
“Yeah. The first and fifteenth of each month. Why?”
“Anything particular about paydays that you remember with Anderson?”
“Not that I recall. He has direct deposit like everyone else.” Charles shifted some papers around on his desk. “Although I will say, the only time I ever saw Boyd get angry was about four years ago when I told him about the notice I’d received that the federal government would be garnishing his wages to pay alimony he owed his ex-wife. Not that I could blame him. They’d already been divorced a while.”
Payday. A constant reminder of his ex-wife taking advantage of him. Definitely enough to trigger something.
Alex was already getting out his phone. “I’ll see where she’s located and have her brought in if she’s local.”
They were out the door and running back towards the car. Time was of the essence now. Charles Sevier would begin to try to contact Boyd Anderson, if only to spread the gossip that detectives were looking for him. Anderson would run.
Of course, they had to face the fact that Denise Rubio’s death happening on a non-payday date and Anderson’s absence from his normal work pattern meant the man might already be gone.
Chapter Thirty
Boyd Anderson’s house on the outer suburbs of Portland was empty. Frustration pooled through Brett as they had to wait to get a warrant to enter the premises. But given the tie they now had between the dates and locations the women were killed and Anderson’s itinerary, the warrant didn’t take very long.
It also meant that Captain Ameling was going to know for certain what they’d been doing today when he’d expressly told them not to pursue this.
Brett didn’t give a rat’s ass. All he cared about was capturing this killer and breaking whatever psychic link he had with Paige.
Brett called her while they were waiting.
“Hi.” As much as he wanted to arrest Anderson right at this moment, just hearing Paige’s voice, husky and soft, had him wishing he could be back there with her.
“How are you feeling?”
“Much better. No reoccurrences of crazy. Sleep really helped, once I was… exhausted enough to actually fall asleep.” He could almost hear her blush.
Brett opened the car door and got out, not wanting to have this entire conversation in front of Alex. “I’m happy to help with the exhaustion option any time I’m needed.”
“Is that part of the Portland PD detective job description?”
He smiled. “Just doing what I can to protect and to serve.”
“Thanks. As long as you’re not offering that to every citizen who calls you.”
“Only the beautiful ones with impressive artistic talents.” She sounded so relaxed, he hated to stop their light banter, but he wanted to see if she recognized Boyd Anderson. “I’m sending you a photo. Do you recognize this guy?”
A few moments later Paige responded. “Yes. Vaguely. I feel like I met him at the studio. Would that be right? Is he an agent or a buyer? I can’t remember his name or anything about him.”
There wasn’t anything particularly memorable about the man. Brown hair, cut pretty close to his head. Brown eyes with soft jaw and cheeks. Nothing that screamed serial killer.
“He works for a 3D printer company. Probably sold your art studio the printer they used for your art shows.”
Tension pooled in her voice. “Brett, is he…”
“We don’t know for sure. We just know that he was in the areas at the right times. He’s the connection we’ve been looking for.”
He heard her shuddery release of breath. “I should remember him. If he’s the man who attacked me… I should recognize him.”
“Hey. Don’t beat yourself up. You can’t force your mind to see what it refuses to.”
“Just be careful, Brett. He’s dangerous.”
“I will. We’re going to get him, Paige. And once he’s in jail, the only thing you’re going to be drawing in your sleep is me. Naked.”
Her laugh was small, but at least it was there. “Deal.”
“I’ll call you when I have more info.”
Alex got out of the car and tilted his phone back and forth at Brett.
They had their warrant.
Brett said his goodbyes to Paige and they entered the premises, using force to open the front door, weapons drawn.
Once they established no one was inside they began to look around. The house was ordinary in almost every way. Relatively tidy, two bedrooms and two baths. No evidence of anyone else living or visiting other than one male individual.
Dude washed his dishes. Did his laundry. Lived a pretty ordinary life. Highly organized. Nothing to suggest he was a killer.
Alex searched the bedroom, Brett took the home office.
The first thing he noticed was the weight and exercise machine in the corner. Obviously used often.
“We’ve got a pretty high end home gym here,” Brett called out, grimacing.
He heard Alex’s ugly curse from the other room at that news. They both knew why Anderson would be working out. It took strength and endurance to overpower and batter women the way he did. Obviously he wanted to be up to the task.
Fury burned in the back of Brett’s throat. These women —Paige— were all so petite. Subduing them wouldn’t be a problem for almost any man. Anderson made himself stronger because he wanted to be able to cause them more damage.
Brett forced himself away from the workout equipment and turned towards the computer desk in the other half of the room. He found nothing in any of the drawers. The computer itself was password protected. Brett looked around to see if the password was written anywhere —amazing how often that happened— but couldn’t find anything. They would need to bring in the department experts to get them in through some sort of back door.