Finding the suspicious employee at the UNR was like finding the damn needle in the haystack. There were over one hundred people to check out and at this point we couldn't rule out females. A strong woman was equally able to inflict the wounds, and considering the precise placement, I was beginning to think there was a common kill site. The only one who didn't fit the profile was Haloke, until I dug into her autopsy a bit further and found the broken lower right mandible listed.

There was a massive crack on the back of her skull as well indicating a huge amount of anger and adrenaline expended in the attack. From everything I knew about Chidi from his mother and all the cousins, he wasn't capable of this level of violence against anything.

Someone truly had a hatred for women. All of the victims in the younger group were in the nineteen to twenty-year-old age range, and with what Maureen put together, all of them were on scholarships or grants. So, intelligent women as well.

I looked up to see who was knocking at my door, and waved Maureen in.

"We have a couple of people of interest now. Joey found one and I found one. Meixing says to let her run the rest of the list. She's put together some sort of script thingy to sort them by the things which interest us. Like height, to get the right angle on the wound. She's added mental health records as well."

"I take it I shouldn't ask how she managed to get access to those?"

"Not an issue. As long as we don't want the particulars of why the visits occurred the fact that they happened is grey. And we don't have to reveal how we came up with them as a suspect, especially once we start taking a closer look." She settled into the corner of my couch beside the orchid, shedding her shoes and pulling her legs up under her.

"She put past criminal arrests in there as well. Lots of minor assaults, but there are a few Meixing is digging deeper on. These two live alone, have multiple arrests with assaults against women, and a history of forced anger management through the courts."

"Send everything you have on them to me. It's a place to start. They need to have a place to keep the girls. I'm making a leap here, but other than Haloke who was violently assaulted when there is no indication of the same with the rest, the placement of the stab wound is too precisely the same. They needed a place to bring them," I leaned back against my chair, stretching my arms over my head.

"Yep. The autopsies are showing drug residue in the hip joint and other blood producing marrow rich areas. Haloke's didn't. That's a refinement our second perp added after her."

"That's new," I hadn't had a chance to go through all my email yet.

"Just came in. Toxicology always takes time," Maureen shrugged her shoulders. "It drove my Dad nuts and Grandpa too. Restricted list drugs too...one of them is propofol and traces of ketamine."

"That's huge. Meixing needs to refine her cull criteria to include medical or pharmaceutical knowledge or ability to procure those meds."

"I think she's already on it. I can't believe how fast she is when it comes to programming and doing searches."

"Speaking of your grandfather, are you okay with me asking Edison to stand as my father?"

"He's so excited, and honored. He's researching the proper clothing for the Navajo ceremony."

"I'll give him Aponi's contact information. I don't think there's anything special, but she would know." I sat forward to access my keyboard and find the appropriate information.

"Aponi?"

"Chayton's mother. She's an amazing woman, and I already love her to death. I'm not going to have the usual mother-in-law problems."

"Lucky you." She used the corner of her cardigan to wipe the dust off the orchid's leaves. "Meixing said it's important to keep their leaves clean."

There was a small spray bottle sitting beside the plant as well, and just as I was wondering what it was for, she picked it up and used it to put a fine mist into the air, letting it settle on the plant.

"Orchids love humidity, but not wet roots," Maureen explained. "We're all learning to do this with the plants whenever we think of it."

"Is there a limit to how often?"

"No. Unless you can see water beads like these." She pointed to the miniscule drops on the leaves and flowers. "You are free to spray them. But clean the leaves first. You can use a damp tissue or any soft cloth, like my sweater."

"I can't wait to see how they do." I said. "Can you get the backgrounds done on those two names?"

"I'll find out what I can. Employment more on their criminal, family etcetera." She stood up and turned back as she went through the door. "The devil's in the details."

"Absolutely. Thanks Maureen."

Joey and Marcel turned into my office before I was able to locate the newest email from Dr. Morrison.

"I'm wondering and I know this is kind of pushy, but are you asking us all to be guests at both ceremonies?" Marcel looked pretty sheepish as he asked.

"Everyone from this office is invited the civil ceremony at the courthouse. But more importantly, we'll be having a reception and small party in the evening afterward. September 21st, I'll be sending out invites pretty quick. I'm cheating though, so watch for a meeting notice."

"Man, I'm thinking my brother would love to come too," Joey said. "At least to the party. He needs to get out of his shell a bit."

"Elaine too?" I asked.

"Why not?" Joey looked surprised that I remembered her. "I have her email if you don't."

"I've got it. I'll add it to my guest list for the reception. I'm hoping we'll have the Meadow Murders solved by then and we can celebrate that at the same time. And a wedding is always a good excuse too."

"But I'm just thinking, I'm going to expand our search of suspects to hospitals and in particular anyone who handles suppling anesthetics and moving them there," Joey said.

Marcel nodded. "Once they have a list, I'll open files for them."

"You can start with the two Maureen just brought to me. Chayton and I are going to be in the field interviewing them."

"Done already," Marcel grinned.

"Thanks."

As those two left, Chayton entered.

"I heard the last of that. Propofol and ketamine? You might be looking for a veterinary type either a doc or an assistant. Easier to get the drugs there. Especially if you are the one doing the ordering. Ask your vet the next time he comes out to check Star or if one of the goats has a problem."

I stood up. "I'm going to talk to Meixing. The toxicology is a huge factor. We're barking up the wrong tree with employees at the university. They aren't the only ones with access to the area. The park is amazing and a great place to exercise, walk your dog and just plain relax. And there are plenty of places to plan an ambush."

"Don't forget Kinta Tsosie this afternoon."

"Leaving after this, right?" I was looking to confirm he had blocked the time out as well.

"Yup. We need to be at Malia's by 13:30."

"Just let me update the research team on this new info and swing their search in that direction. Your point about the veterinary aspect is important too."

"I'll rap up my planning for our mission to rescue Spunky's sister. Details on the yacht are coming in. Someone at the marina coughed up the information they used to pay their moorage fees."

"Awesome news. Be right back."

Things were looking up on two fronts. Three if you counted wedding planning.