The Naturals, #1
The Naturals
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
Chapter 31
Overview
Cassie, Dean, Sloane, Locke, and Briggs investigate Genevieve Ridgerton’s disappearance at Club Muse and determine that the killer likely drugged Genevieve and removed her through an emergency exit within seconds. Cassie realizes the crime scene itself was staged to lead her to a hidden message.
The message links the case directly to Cassie’s mother, Lorelai, and threatens a “plus one,” suggesting another victim. By decoding “Kola and Thorn” as North Oakland, the team gains a possible new location, and Cassie suspects the clue may point to a theater.
Summary
Cassie goes to Club Muse with Agent Locke, Agent Briggs, Dean, and Sloane after Director Sterling permits limited Natural involvement. The team examines how Genevieve Ridgerton, underage and reportedly drunk, disappeared from the bathroom line three nights earlier. Dean and Cassie reconstruct Genevieve’s movements while Sloane measures the route to the nearest emergency exit.
The reconstruction suggests the killer likely drugged Genevieve, entered or intercepted her in the bathroom, and led her out through the emergency exit in about nine seconds. Locke confirms that two earlier victims had GHB in their systems, supporting the theory that the UNSUB used drugs and careful timing. Outside, plainclothes agents pose as volunteers to watch for suspicious people, with Michael and Lia set to analyze video remotely.
Although Briggs wants Cassie to make more public appearances as bait, Cassie realizes the UNSUB may not be nearby at all. Because the killer wanted Cassie at this scene, Cassie believes there is something inside the bathroom specifically meant for her. Cassie searches the graffiti and finds writing matching the killer’s cards: “For a good time, call 567-3524. Guaranteed plus one. Kola and Thorn.”
Cassie first calls the number, but it is not in service. Sloane deduces that 567-3524 corresponds to letters on a phone keypad and identifies the only meaningful single-word match as “Lorelai,” Cassie’s mother’s name. This proves to Cassie that the current case is tied to Lorelai’s disappearance and that “plus one” may mean another victim.
Sloane and Dean then work through “Kola and Thorn” as a possible anagram, and Dean identifies “North Oakland,” a location in Arlington. Cassie, shaken by the mention of Lorelai and remembering the theater dressing room where her mother vanished, tells Briggs that they may be looking for a theater on North Oakland.
Who Appears
- Cassie HobbesProfiles Genevieve’s abduction, finds the killer’s message, and connects it to Lorelai.
- Dean ReddingHelps Cassie reconstruct the abduction and decodes “Kola and Thorn” as North Oakland.
- Sloane TavishCalculates the escape route and decodes the keypad number as Lorelai.
- Agent LockeSupervises the crime-scene visit and uses Cassie’s presence to draw attention.
- Agent BriggsManages the operation, presses Cassie to appear outside, and mobilizes follow-up on the clues.
- Genevieve RidgertonKidnapped victim whose disappearance from Club Muse is reconstructed by the team.
- The UNSUBLeaves a hidden coded message tying Genevieve’s abduction to Cassie and Lorelai.