“And stop the next one.”

She took a deep breath. “Absolutely.”

“We went back a few days of video to evaluate the camera angles near the bathroom. We figured there had to be some sort of reconnaissance before the shooting.”

“And?” His tone told her he had more good news.

“Four days before the shooting we’ve got Justin Yoder and a tall guy with a cap in the area. Together.”

“Together, like . . .”

“Christ, no. I mean they were talking and had purposefully met up. We found them near the bathroom. The second guy was gesturing like he was giving Justin directions. Justin nodded and asked questions. They spent a good five minutes in that area, looking around and pointing at the various shops and even at the roof line.”

“Pointing at the cameras?”

“They did, but they were also indicating other spots. It really made my skin crawl to watch it. I felt like the second guy was pointing out places where a sniper would be.”

“But there was no one up there the mornings of the shootings,” Ava said. “At least not that we noticed. Are you saying there might have been others watching from up there?”

“I don’t know. It was really odd. The two of them were laughing and grinning like they were planning a party.”

Ava’s stomach churned. “You could see the other guy’s face?”

“No. Every time he pointed up, he carefully kept his chin down, never lifting his face where the camera could see it. We’ve got views of the lower part of his face, the back of his head, and some partial side shots, but we can’t see the upper half of his face. We need it.”

“It’s definitely the same guy I talked to that morning?” Ava asked. The memory of his face was a blur to her. The adrenaline from the shooting and worrying about Misty had wiped her mind of his image.

“Yes. And we tracked them on a few other camera views. Near the movie theater and down the main aisle. They were clearly making plans and followed the same path as the gunman that day.”

“But they looked like they were planning something fun?” Who plans a terror act and laughs while doing it?

“Yes. It makes me wonder if Justin Yoder didn’t know what he was getting into. He didn’t act like someone who knew he’d be shot in the head in four days.”

“We’re missing something,” Ava said slowly. “Logically, Justin thinks something else is going to happen and is excited for the plan, but how did our mystery man keep Justin from mentioning it to anyone? There were shots and screams and terror for a solid five minutes before Justin was shot in the head. The other men in that bathroom didn’t see or hear Justin. What made him cooperate?”

“That’s what everyone asked after seeing those clips today. No one has a good theory.”

“We need to know more about the three young men.”

“We’re digging,” said Zander. “But nothing has turned up yet. The only thing in common so far is that they’re male and they died the same way.”

“And they agreed to our mystery shooter’s plan.”

Zander pulled into the driveway of her house. Mason immediately stepped out of the front door and strode toward her side of the car. His shoulders were stiff and rigid. The outdoor house lights shone on his face, illuminating a clenched jaw. Guilt swamped her for worrying him. She stepped out of the car and was pulled into a tight hug.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “You okay?”

Her throat closed and tears heated her eyes. “Not yet. I will be.”

He kissed her hard and then looked at Zander. “Thanks.”

Ava glanced at the FBI agent. He’d stepped out of his car but simply stood there with his door open. She couldn’t see his eyes.

“Not a problem. See you tomorrow sometime. Night, Ava.”

He was back in his car and had closed his door before her reply left her lips. The two of them watched him leave, and then Mason guided her toward the house. “You heard about the videos of Justin Yoder and the shooter at the Rivertown Mall?” she asked.

“Yes. I got an update.”

“We were right. Now we just need to figure out—”

He stopped her at the door and faced her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Not tonight. No more work talk. I need to hear what happened today with your sister.”

Her energy dissipated, evaporating at his words. Hospital. The image instantly made her limbs and head heavy as if she’d been dipped in thick glue.

Mason’s eyes widened and his fingertips dug into her shoulders. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “I think I need to go to bed.” They moved into the house, and Bingo greeted her with his full-body tail wag and sniffing nose. She wondered what scents the hospital visit had left on her clothing. That cloying heavy odor of disinfectant. Did Bingo find it as repulsive as she did? She set her purse on the hall table and kicked off her shoes.

I need to get out of these clothes.

The disinfectant smell overwhelmed her senses, and she lifted the hem of her shirt to pull it over her head as she dashed up the stairs to their bedroom. It gagged her as the soft weave of the shirt brushed over her face. Holding her breath, she moved into the closet and threw the offensive blouse into the laundry basket.

I still smell it.

Her fingers shook as she unbuttoned her capris, and she whipped them off, adding them to the laundry basket. The odor lingered in the still air of the closet.