Ava and Zander sat up straighter. Why hadn’t she said that first thing?

“The case is seven years old and I’m not sure what to think about it,” Nora said. “Louis Samuelson was barely involved. His name is in the file because he provided some of the necessary legwork at the scene. He helped with the perimeter after a murder-suicide case out in rural Clackamas County. Schefte was one of the OSP investigators. A husband killed his wife and then himself in this case.”

“That’s a pretty weak connection,” said Zander. “There must have been a couple dozen cops from several departments that helped with the perimeter. Any FBI involvement? Any other officers from that case that have died?”

“Those are the questions I wanted answered before I presented it here,” said Nora. “I asked one of the IT guys to search for the answers a few hours ago and I just got a reply.” She scanned her computer screen. “There was some very light FBI involvement. The brother of the husband was being watched for domestic terrorism in Central Oregon.”

“That’s Vance Weldon’s department,” Ava pointed out.

“But the husband had virtually no ties to his brother,” Nora continued. “It appeared they were estranged. The FBI reviewed this case and moved on, classifying it as not relevant to any of their investigations. Vance didn’t work out of the Portland office at that time.”

“What was the outcome of the case?” asked Henry.

“It was exactly as appeared,” said Nora. “Everything indicated the husband killed the wife and then shot himself. He was deep in debt and his home was about to be foreclosed on.”

“We need to find out what the brother is doing right now,” said Ava. “And find out what bank was foreclosing. This is a lead we can’t set aside even if Weldon doesn’t appear to have been involved.”

“Any other deaths associated with the officers that worked that scene?” Zander asked.

“Two have died, but they’d also retired since that incident.”

“They say cops often don’t live long after retirement,” Ava said quietly to Zander. She planned to make certain Mason lived a long and healthy life after his.

“Causes of death?” Zander asked.

“Working on it. It wasn’t readily available, but out of the hundred or so names even remotely associated with the case—I’m talking evidence technicians and support staff, too—I don’t see two deaths as unusual,” stated Nora.

“Not two. There are four deaths counting Schefte and Samuelson,” Ava pointed out. Nora nodded in agreement.

“Mason’s name is associated with the case. It looks like he helped out at some point,” Nora added.

Chills shot up Ava’s back, and she sucked in a breath.

Mason worked a lot of cases with Denny Schefte. It doesn’t mean anything.

All eyes in the room turned to her.

She didn’t move and kept her gaze locked on Nora. “That doesn’t surprise me,” she said with a calm she didn’t feel.

Nora nodded and sympathy flickered in her eyes. Being in a relationship with a cop meant you dealt with danger and the unknown every day. Ava understood. Both she and Mason did.

But it didn’t mean she wasn’t affected.

“We need to follow up on the protesters at the memorial and on the cause of death of those two officers,” Nora stated. “Louis Samuelson’s memorial hasn’t been scheduled yet. According to his father, the immediate family didn’t like how public Denny Schefte’s memorial became and wants to do something privately.”

“Can’t blame them,” said Henry. “That sort of publicity isn’t for everyone.”

“They don’t want OSP to do anything,” Nora said. “I realize it’s not about us, but it can be helpful for other officers. We’ll respect their wishes.”

“Any new evidence out of either autopsy?” Zander asked.

Nora pulled out a sheet of paper. “According to the medical examiner, Denny didn’t have any flesh under his nails or any defensive wounds on his arms.”

“He didn’t fight back,” muttered Henry. “Or he never saw it coming.”

“There was one long dark hair found on his shirt,” Nora stated.

“DNA?” asked Ava.

“No follicle to remove it from.”

Crap.

“It’s a bit unusual,” said Zander. “Obviously there were no women with them, but he could have picked it up from a previous guest in his cabin or even off a chair at the bar.”

Nora nodded and gave a small grin. “They found one on Louis Samuelson’s body, too,” she said triumphantly.

A chorus of confusion sounded in the room.

Nora likes a little drama. Ava didn’t know whether to admire her or shake her for making them wait for the information.

“Again, no follicle. But visually it’s very similar to the one found on Denny.”

“A woman?” Ava said slowly. She tried to imagine herself lifting Louis Samuelson onto the spikes on his living room wall and then driving more through his wrists.

“Holy shit,” said Henry. “I can’t see it.”

“Could be a guy with long hair,” said Zander. “I assume both hairs haven’t been analyzed by trace yet?”

Nora nodded. “Correct. As soon as the second one was brought to my attention this morning, I requested a comparison.”