Left_VVN to_TO Die_VV0 "_" Goddamn_UH ,_, son_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 bitch_NN1 ._. "_" 
Ivor_NP1 Hicks_NP1 usually_RR did_VDD n't_XX mind_VVI the_AT cold_NN1 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX like_VVI the_AT thought_NN1 that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ being_VBG forced_VVN to_TO hike_VVI in_II this_DD1 section_NN1 of_IO the_AT mountains_NN2 after_II the_AT recent_JJ blizzard_NN1 ._. 
For_IF the_AT love_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 ,_, there_EX could_VM be_VBI an_AT1 avalanche_NN1 if_CS he_PPHS1 coughed_VVD too_RG hard_RR ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ liable_JJ to_TO 'cause_CS his_APPGE lungs_NN2 felt_VVD heavy_JJ ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 he_PPHS1 might_VM be_VBI coming_VVG down_RP with_IW something_PN1 ._. 
Probably_RR from_II the_AT damned_JJ aliens_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 decided_VVD ,_, though_CS he_PPHS1 quickly_RR rid_VVD himself_PPX1 of_IO the_AT thought_NN1 ._. 
Criminy_NN1 ,_, no_PN121 one_PN122 wanted_VVD to_TO believe_VVI that_CST he_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN abducted_VVN in_II the_AT late_JJ seventies_MC2 ,_, used_VVN for_IF an_AT1 experiment_NN1 that_CST involved_VVD his_APPGE lungs_NN2 ,_, blood_NN1 and_CC testicles_NN2 ._. 
The_AT blasted_JJ ETs_NP2 had_VHD left_VVN his_APPGE drained_JJ and_CC exhausted_JJ body_NN1 in_II a_AT1 snowbank_NN1 two_MC miles_NNU2 from_II his_APPGE mountain_NN1 home_RL ._. 
When_CS he_PPHS1 'd_VM come_VVI out_II21 of_II22 the_AT drug-induced_JJ coma_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 'd_VHD found_VVN himself_PPX1 half_RR frozen_VVN ,_, lying_VVG in_II his_APPGE jockey_NN1 shorts_NN2 ,_, an_AT1 empty_JJ bottle_NN1 of_IO rye_NN1 whiskey_NN1 on_II the_AT other_JJ side_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 hollowed-out_JJ log_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ home_NN1 to_II a_AT1 porcupine_NN1 and_CC beetles_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB not_XX one_MC1 of_IO them_PPHO2 damned_JJ law_NN1 enforcement_NN1 boys_NN2 wanted_VVD to_TO listen_VVI to_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
At_II the_AT time_NNT1 ,_, the_AT deputy_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD complained_VVN to_II ,_, a_AT1 smartass_NN1 kid_NN1 of_IO about_RG thirty_MC ,_, had_VHD n't_XX even_RR bothered_VVN to_TO swallow_VVI his_APPGE smile_NN1 of_IO disbelief_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 just_RR took_VVD a_AT1 quick_JJ statement_NN1 ,_, then_RT hauled_VVD Ivor_NP1 to_II the_AT local_JJ clinic_NN1 for_IF treatment_NN1 of_IO frostbite_NN1 and_CC exposure_NN1 ._. 
Doc_NN1 Norwood_NP1 had_VHD n't_XX been_VBN so_RG outwardly_RR disbelieving_VVG ,_, but_CCB when_RRQ he_PPHS1 'd_VHD sent_VVN Ivor_NP1 to_II the_AT hospital_NN1 in_II Missoula_NP1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD suggested_VVN psychiatric_JJ testing_NN1 ._. 
Damned_JJ fools_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 'd_VM all_DB just_RR played_VVN into_II the_AT aliens_NN2 '_GE hands_NN2 ._. 
Crytor_NN1 ,_, the_AT leader_NN1 of_IO the_AT pod_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS had_VHD teleported_VVN him_PPHO1 into_II their_APPGE mother_NN1 ship_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ probably_RR still_RR laughing_VVG at_II the_AT earthlings_NN2 '_GE simpleton_NN1 explanation_NN1 of_IO alcohol_NN1 ,_, dehydration_NN1 and_CC hallucinations_NN2 that_CST the_AT doctors_NN2 were_VBDR sure_JJ had_VHD been_VBN the_AT cause_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE "_" confusion_NN1 ._. "_" 
Well_RR ,_, they_PPHS2 were_VBDR just_RR dumb_JJ asses_NN2 all_DB around_RP ._. 
Using_VVG a_AT1 walking_NN1 stick_NN1 ,_, Ivor_NP1 trudged_VVD up_RP Cross_NN1 Creek_NN1 Pass_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE hiking_NN1 boots_NN2 crunching_VVG in_II the_AT snow_NN1 ,_, the_AT sky_NN1 as_CSA wide_JJ and_CC blue_JJ as_II an_AT1 ocean_NN1 ,_, not_XX that_CST he_PPHS1 'd_VHD ever_RR really_RR seen_VVN one_PN1 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 'd_VHD seen_VVN himself_PPX1 Flathead_NP1 Lake_NNL1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ one_MC1 big-ass_JJ lake_NN1 ._. 
Must_VM be_VBI the_AT same_DA ,_, only_RR much_RR ,_, much_RR larger_JJR ,_, if_CS those_DD2 televised_JJ fishing_NN1 excursions_NN2 on_II the_AT Fish_NN and_CC Game_NN1 Channel_NN1 could_VM be_VBI believed_VVN ._. 
Breathing_VVG heavily_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 trudged_VVD up_RP the_AT trail_NN1 ,_, winding_VVG through_II an_AT1 outcropping_NN1 of_IO snow-dusted_JJ boulders_NN2 and_CC ancient_JJ hemlocks_NN2 with_IW branches_NN2 that_CST appeared_VVD to_TO scrape_VVI the_AT sky_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 stopped_VVD to_TO catch_VVI his_APPGE breath_NN1 ,_, watching_VVG it_PPH1 fog_NN1 and_CC cursing_VVG the_AT aliens_NN2 who_PNQS had_VHD forced_VVN him_PPHO1 up_II the_AT mountain_NN1 trail_NN1 when_CS his_APPGE arthritis_NN1 was_VBDZ acting_VVG up_RP ._. 
The_AT pain_NN1 now_RT was_VBDZ exacerbated_VVN ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ certain_JJ ,_, by_II the_AT experiments_NN2 they_PPHS2 'd_VHD done_VDN on_II him_PPHO1 and_CC the_AT invisible_JJ chip_NN1 they_PPHS2 'd_VHD slipped_VVN into_II his_APPGE body_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM goin'_VVG ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM goin'_VVG ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD when_RRQ he_PPHS1 felt_VVD that_DD1 little_JJ pinch_NN1 at_II his_APPGE temple_NN1 ,_, the_AT prod_NN1 they_PPHS2 used_VMK to_TO urge_VVI him_PPHO1 on_RP ,_, the_AT one_PN1 that_CST had_VHD pushed_VVN him_PPHO1 out_II21 of_II22 bed_NN1 before_II the_AT sun_NN1 climbed_VVD over_II the_AT mountain_NN1 crest_NN1 ._. 
Hell_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX even_RR had_VHN a_AT1 swallow_NN1 of_IO coffee_NN1 ,_, much_RR less_RRR a_AT1 sip_NN1 of_IO Jim_NP1 Beam_NN1 ._. 
Crytor_NN1 ,_, damn_VV0 his_APPGE orange_JJ reptilian_JJ hide_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ a_AT1 more_RGR intense_JJ taskmaster_NN1 than_CSN Lila_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN ,_, God_NP1 rest_VV0 her_APPGE soul_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 made_VVD the_AT sign_NN1 of_IO the_AT cross_NN1 over_II his_APPGE chest_NN1 in_II memory_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE dead_JJ wife_NN1 ,_, though_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ not_XX a_AT1 Catholic_NN1 ,_, never_RR had_VHD been_VBN and_CC had_VHD no_AT intention_NN1 of_IO becoming_VVG one_PN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 just_RR seemed_VVD like_II the_AT right_NN1 ,_, reverent_JJ thing_NN1 to_TO do_VDI ._. 
Even_RR Crytor_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX seem_VVI to_TO mind_VVI ._. 
Through_II a_AT1 stand_NN1 of_IO fir_NN1 he_PPHS1 noticed_VVD elk_NN1 tracks_NN2 and_CC dung_NN1 in_II the_AT snow_NN1 and_CC wished_VVD he_PPHS1 'd_VHD brought_VVN his_APPGE rifle_NN1 ,_, though_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX hunting_VVG season_NNT1 ._. 
Who_PNQS would_VM ever_RR find_VVI out_RP ?_? 
Well_RR ,_, besides_II Crytor_NP1 ._. 
Rounding_VVG a_AT1 bend_NN1 in_II the_AT path_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 caught_VVD a_AT1 glimpse_NN1 of_IO the_AT valley_NN1 below_RL ._. 
And_CC he_PPHS1 stopped_VVD short_JJ ,_, nearly_RR slipping_VVG ._. 
His_APPGE seventy-six-year-old_JJ heart_NN1 almost_RR quit_VVN on_II him_PPHO1 as_CSA his_APPGE gaze_NN1 ,_, as_RG good_JJ as_CSA it_PPH1 ever_RR was_VBDZ ,_, focused_VVN on_II a_AT1 solitary_JJ pine_NN1 tree_NN1 and_CC the_AT naked_JJ woman_NN1 lashed_VVN to_II the_AT trunk_NN1 ._. 
"_" Holy_JJ Mother_NNB Mary_NP1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 whispered_VVD and_CC headed_VVN faster_RRR down_RP the_AT hillside_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE walking_NN1 stick_NN1 digging_VVG deep_RR through_II the_AT snow_NN1 to_II the_AT frozen_JJ ground_NN1 below_RL as_CSA he_PPHS1 hurried_VVD downward_RL ._. 
No_AT wonder_NN1 the_AT aliens_NN2 had_VHD wanted_VVN him_PPHO1 to_TO see_VVI this_DD1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 'd_VHD probably_RR abducted_VVN her_PPHO1 ,_, did_VDD what_DDQ they_PPHS2 wanted_VVD and_CC left_VVD her_PPHO1 here_RL in_II this_DD1 frigid_JJ ,_, unpopulated_JJ valley_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ what_DDQ they_PPHS2 did_VDD ,_, you_PPY know_VV0 ._. 
He_PPHS1 wished_VVD he_PPHS1 had_VHD a_AT1 cell_NN1 phone_NN1 ,_, though_CS he_PPHS1 thought_VVD he_PPHS1 'd_VHD heard_VVN that_CST the_AT damned_JJ things_NN2 did_VDD n't_XX work_VVI up_RP here_RL ._. 
Too_RG remote_JJ ._. 
No_AT towers_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 slid_VVD and_CC caught_VVD himself_PPX1 ,_, moving_VVG quickly_RR along_II the_AT familiar_JJ trail_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ probably_RR still_RR alive_JJ ._. 
Just_RR stunned_VVN into_II submission_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM wrap_VVI her_PPHO1 in_II his_APPGE jacket_NN1 ,_, and_CC hike_VV0 back_RP and_CC get_VV0 help_NN1 ._. 
Digging_VVG his_APPGE stick_NN1 deep_RR and_CC fast_RR into_II the_AT snow_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 descended_VVD rapidly_RR ,_, hurrying_VVG down_RP the_AT switchbacks_NN2 to_II the_AT valley_NN1 floor_NN1 ,_, where_CS a_AT1 snow_NN1 owl_NN1 hooted_VVD softly_RR in_II an_AT1 otherwise_RR eerily_RR quiet_JJ canyon_NN1 ._. 
"_" Hey_UH !_! "_" he_PPHS1 cried_VVD ,_, half-running_NN1 ,_, nearly_RR out_II21 of_II22 breath_NN1 ._. 
"_" Hey_UH !_! "_" 
But_CCB before_CS he_PPHS1 reached_VVD the_AT woman_NN1 strapped_VVN to_II the_AT tree_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 stopped_VVD short_JJ and_CC froze_VVD ._. 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ no_AT return_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 body_NN1 from_II an_AT1 alien_JJ ship_NN1 ._. 
Hell_NN1 no_UH ._. 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ the_AT work_NN1 of_IO the_AT very_JJ devil_NN1 ._. 
The_AT hairs_NN2 on_II the_AT back_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE wrinkled_JJ neck_NN1 lifted_VVD ._. 
This_DD1 woman_NN1 ,_, an_AT1 Asian_JJ woman_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ as_RG dead_JJ as_CSA dead_JJ can_VM be_VBI ._. 
Her_APPGE skin_NN1 was_VBDZ blue_JJ ,_, snow_NN1 dusting_VVG her_APPGE dark_NN1 ,_, shiny_JJ hair_NN1 ,_, her_APPGE eyes_NN2 staring_VVG without_IW life_NN1 ._. 
Blood_NN1 lay_VVD on_II her_APPGE skin_NN1 ,_, dark_JJ and_CC frozen_JJ ._. 
A_AT1 gag_NN1 covered_VVD her_APPGE lips_NN2 ._. 
The_AT bindings_NN2 strapping_VVG her_PPHO1 to_II the_AT tree_NN1 had_VHD cut_VVN deep_JJ bruises_NN2 and_CC welts_VVZ into_II her_APPGE arms_NN2 and_CC chest_NN1 and_CC waist_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX quite_RG hog-tied_JJ ._. 
But_CCB close_VV0 enough_RR ._. 
Somewhere_RL a_AT1 tree_NN1 branch_NN1 groaned_VVD with_IW the_AT weight_NN1 of_IO snow_NN1 and_CC Ivor_NP1 felt_VVD as_CS21 if_CS22 unseen_JJ eyes_NN2 might_VM be_VBI watching_VVG ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD never_RR felt_VVN more_RRR fear_VV0 in_II his_APPGE life_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX even_RR as_CSA Crytor_NP1 's_GE prisoner_NN1 ._. 
Again_RT ,_, wishing_VVG he_PPHS1 had_VHD his_APPGE hunting_NN1 rifle_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 stepped_VVD backward_RL slowly_RR ,_, easing_VVG out_II the_AT way_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VM come_VVI ,_, until_CS ,_, at_II the_AT edge_NN1 of_IO the_AT mountain_NN1 trail_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 turned_VVD and_CC started_VVD running_VVG as_RG fast_RR as_CSA his_APPGE legs_NN2 dared_VVN carry_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. 
Who_NP1 or_CC whatever_DDQV had_VHD done_VDN this_DD1 to_II the_AT woman_NN1 was_VBDZ the_AT purest_JJT and_CC deadliest_JJT form_NN1 of_IO evil_NN1 ._. 
And_CC it_PPH1 lingered_VVD ._. 
God_NP1 in_II heaven_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ still_RR here_RL ._. 
Detective_NN1 Selena_NP1 Alvarez_NP1 dropped_VVD into_II the_AT chair_NN1 at_II her_APPGE desk_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX yet_RR seven_MC ,_, but_CCB she_PPHS1 had_VHD piles_NN2 of_IO paperwork_NN1 to_TO sift_VVI through_RP ,_, and_CC the_AT unsolved_JJ case_NN1 of_IO the_AT two_MC dead_JJ women_NN2 found_VVD nearly_RR a_AT1 month_NNT1 apart_RL ,_, linked_VVN by_II the_AT way_NN1 their_APPGE bodies_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN left_VVN in_II the_AT snow_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ uppermost_JJ in_II her_APPGE mind_NN1 ._. 
The_AT images_NN2 of_IO those_DD2 bodies_NN2 --_JJ naked_JJ ,_, tied_VVN to_II trees_NN2 ,_, gagged_VVN and_CC left_VVN in_II the_AT snow_NN1 to_TO die_VVI --_NN1 chilled_VVN her_PPHO1 to_II her_APPGE bones_NN2 ._. 
For_IF years_NNT2 any_DD dead_JJ bodies_NN2 discovered_VVD in_RP and_CC around_II Pinewood_NP1 County_NN1 were_VBDR few_DA2 and_CC far_RR between_RL ,_, usually_RR the_AT result_NN1 of_IO hunting_NN1 ,_, fishing_NN1 ,_, skiing_NN1 or_CC hiking_VVG accidents_NN2 ._. 
One_MC1 time_NNT1 a_AT1 jogger_NN1 was_VBDZ mauled_VVN nearly_RR to_II death_NN1 by_II a_AT1 cougar_NN1 ,_, and_CC there_EX had_VHD always_RR been_VBN the_AT domestic_JJ disputes_NN2 gone_VVN bad_JJ ,_, fueled_VVN by_II alcohol_NN1 or_CC drugs_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 firearm_NN1 or_CC other_JJ weapon_NN1 in_II handy_JJ reach_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB murder_NN1 had_VHD never_RR been_VBN common_JJ in_II this_DD1 part_NN1 of_IO the_AT country_NN1 ._. 
Multiple_JJ murders_NN2 rarer_JJR still_RR ._. 
A_AT1 serial_JJ killer_NN1 in_II this_DD1 neck_NN1 of_IO the_AT woods_NN2 ?_? 
Unheard_JJ of_IO ._. 
But_CCB one_PN1 was_VBDZ here_RL ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD only_RR to_II look_NN1 on_II her_APPGE computer_NN1 screen_NN1 and_CC see_VV0 the_AT dead_JJ bodies_NN2 of_IO Theresa_NP1 Charleton_NP1 and_CC Nina_NP1 Salvadore_NP1 ,_, two_MC women_NN2 with_IW little_DA1 in_RR21 common_RR22 ,_, to_TO know_VVI that_CST a_AT1 psychopath_NN1 was_VBDZ either_RR nearby_RL or_CC had_VHD passed_VVN through_RP ._. 
She_PPHS1 clicked_VVD her_APPGE mouse_NN1 and_CC the_AT dead_JJ body_NN1 of_IO the_AT first_MD victim_NN1 ,_, Theresa_NP1 Charleton_NP1 ,_, came_VVD into_II view_NN1 on_II her_APPGE monitor_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 few_DA2 more_DAR clicks_NN2 and_CC she_PPHS1 split_VVD the_AT screen_NN1 with_IW several_DA2 images_NN2 :_: the_AT woman_NN1 's_GE driver_NN1 's_GE license_NN1 picture_NN1 ,_, procured_VVN from_II the_AT Idaho_NP1 DMV_NP1 ;_; a_AT1 photo_NN1 of_IO the_AT wrecked_JJ green_JJ Ford_NN1 Eclipse_NN1 ,_, labeled_VVD Crime_NN1 Scene_NN1 One_MC1 ;_; and_CC another_DD1 shot_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 lonely_JJ hemlock_NN1 tree_NN1 in_II a_AT1 snowy_JJ valley_NN1 with_IW the_AT woman_NN1 lashed_VVN to_II the_AT trunk_NN1 ,_, tagged_VVN as_CSA Crime_NN1 Scene_NN1 Two_MC ._. 
The_AT final_JJ image_NN1 was_VBDZ of_IO the_AT note_NN1 left_VVD nailed_VVN above_II the_AT woman_NN1 's_GE head_NN1 :_: her_APPGE initials_NN2 ,_, T_ZZ1 C_ZZ1 ,_, in_II block_NN1 letters_NN2 ,_, written_VVN below_II a_AT1 star_NN1 that_CST had_VHD been_VBN not_XX only_RR drawn_VVN on_II the_AT white_JJ paper_NN1 but_CCB also_RR carved_VVN into_II the_AT bole_NN1 of_IO the_AT tree_NN1 about_RG five_MC inches_NNU2 above_II her_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
The_AT lab_NN1 had_VHD found_VVN traces_NN2 of_IO blood_NN1 in_II the_AT carving_NN1 ,_, blood_NN1 belonging_VVG to_II the_AT victim_NN1 ._. 
Alvarez_NP1 's_GE jaw_NN1 tightened_VVN as_CSA she_PPHS1 stared_VVD at_II what_DDQ had_VHD been_VBN left_VVN of_IO the_AT schoolteacher_NN1 from_II Boise_NP1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VHD had_VHN no_AT known_JJ enemies_NN2 ._. 
Married_JJ for_IF two_MC years_NNT2 ,_, no_AT children_NN2 ,_, the_AT husband_NN1 devastated_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD claimed_VVN she_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN visiting_VVG her_APPGE parents_NN2 in_II Whitefish_NP1 and_CC his_APPGE story_NN1 had_VHD checked_VVN out_RP ._. 
The_AT victim_NN1 's_GE parents_NN2 and_CC brother_NN1 were_VBDR beside_II them_PPHO2 selves_NN2 with_IW grief_NN1 and_CC anger_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE brother_NN1 had_VHD insisted_VVN the_AT police_NN2 "_" find_VV0 the_AT monster_NN1 who_PNQS did_VDD this_DD1 !_! "_" 
"_" We_PPIS2 're_VBR working_VVG on_II it_PPH1 ,_, "_" Alvarez_NP1 said_VVD to_II herself_PPX1 as_CSA she_PPHS1 opened_VVD a_AT1 file_NN1 and_CC saw_VVD a_AT1 copy_NN1 of_IO the_AT note_NN1 ._. 
The_AT star_NN1 ,_, similar_JJ to_II the_AT one_PN1 cut_VVN into_II the_AT tree_NN1 over_II the_AT victim_NN1 's_GE head_NN1 ,_, had_VHD been_VBN drawn_VVN high_JJ over_II the_AT letters_NN2 :_: TC_NP1 Why_RRQ ?_? 
Alvarez_NP1 wondered_VVD ._. 
What_DDQ did_VDD it_PPH1 mean_VVI to_II the_AT killer_NN1 ?_? 
The_AT sheriff_NN1 's_GE department_NN1 had_VHD checked_VVN on_II the_AT people_NN who_PNQS had_VHD seen_VVN her_APPGE last_MD and_CC come_VV0 up_RP with_IW nothing_PN1 so_RG far_RR ._. 
They_PPHS2 'd_VHD thought_VVN the_AT incident_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 single_JJ murder_NN1 --_NN1 until_CS the_AT next_MD victim_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN found_VVN in_II an_AT1 identical_JJ situation_NN1 ._. 
Again_RT Alvarez_NP1 clicked_VVD her_APPGE mouse_NN1 and_CC another_DD1 image_NN1 ,_, so_RG similar_JJ to_II the_AT first_MD that_CST it_PPH1 turned_VVD her_APPGE blood_NN1 to_II ice_NN1 ,_, flickered_VVD onto_II the_AT screen_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 naked_JJ woman_NN1 with_IW long_JJ dark_JJ hair_NN1 was_VBDZ bound_VVN to_II the_AT trunk_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 fir_NN1 tree_NN1 ._. 
Different_JJ location_NN1 ,_, but_CCB eerily_RR similar_JJ ._. 
Victim_NN1 number_NN1 two_MC was_VBDZ Nina_NP1 Salvadore_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 single_JJ mother_NN1 and_CC computer_NN1 programmer_NN1 from_II Redding_NP1 ,_, California_NP1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 ,_, too_RR ,_, had_VHD been_VBN found_VVN tied_VVN to_II a_AT1 tree_NN1 in_II a_AT1 tiny_JJ valley_NN1 within_II the_AT wilds_NN2 of_IO the_AT Bitterroots_NN2 ._. 
Her_APPGE body_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN two_MC miles_NNU2 from_II her_APPGE vehicle_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 Ford_NN1 Focus_NN1 wrecked_VVN into_II a_AT1 nearly_RR unidentifiable_JJ crush_NN1 of_IO red_JJ paint_NN1 ,_, metal_NN1 and_CC plastic_NN1 ,_, found_VVD several_DA2 weeks_NNT2 earlier_RRR ._. 
The_AT star_NN1 cut_VVN into_II the_AT tree_NN1 over_II Salvadore_NP1 's_GE body_NN1 was_VBDZ located_VVN in_II a_AT1 slightly_RR different_JJ position_NN1 in_II31 relation_II32 to_II33 her_APPGE body_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT note_NN1 that_CST had_VHD been_VBN left_VVN at_II the_AT scene_NN1 was_VBDZ slightly_RR different_JJ as_RR21 well_RR22 ._. 
This_DD1 time_NNT1 ,_, though_CS the_AT star_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN drawn_VVN on_II a_AT1 standard-size_JJ piece_NN1 of_IO printer_NN1 paper_NN1 ,_, new_JJ letters_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN written_VVN on_II it_PPH1 ._. 
It_PPH1 appeared_VVD that_CST both_DB2 sets_NN2 of_IO the_AT victims_NN2 '_GE initials_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN interwoven_VVN :_: T_NP1 SCN_NP1 Was_VBDZ the_AT killer_NN1 playing_VVG with_IW them_PPHO2 ?_? 
Trying_VVG to_TO communicate_VVI ?_? 
If_CS he_PPHS1 wanted_VVD credit_NN1 for_IF both_DB2 killings_NN2 ,_, why_RRQ not_XX write_VVI T_ZZ1 C_ZZ1 N_ZZ1 S_ZZ1 ,_, the_AT order_NN1 of_IO the_AT women_NN2 's_GE first_MD and_CC last_MD names_NN2 ?_? 
Why_RRQ mix_VVI the_AT initials_NN2 up_RP ?_? 
Alvarez_NP1 narrowed_VVD her_APPGE eyes_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 computer_NN1 wizard_NN1 and_CC had_VHD run_VVN several_DA2 programs_NN2 trying_VVG to_TO find_VVI out_RP if_CS the_AT four_MC letters_NN2 meant_VVD anything_PN1 ._. 
So_RG far_RR ,_, she_PPHS1 'd_VM come_VVI up_RP dry_JJ ._. 
"_" Bastard_NN1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 muttered_VVD ,_, trying_VVG to_TO imagine_VVI what_DDQ kind_NN1 of_IO monster_NN1 would_VM do_VDI something_PN1 so_RG brutal_JJ and_CC cruel_JJ as_II21 to_II22 leave_NN1 a_AT1 woman_NN1 to_TO freeze_VVI in_II the_AT wilds_NN2 of_IO Montana_NP1 in_II the_AT winter_NNT1 ._. 
Interviews_NN2 with_IW those_DD2 closest_RRT to_II Nina_NP1 Salvadore_NP1 had_VHD provided_VVN no_AT additional_JJ clues_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN on_II her_APPGE way_NN1 back_RP to_II California_NP1 ,_, though_CS she_PPHS1 'd_VHD planned_VVN to_TO meet_VVI up_RP with_IW friends_NN2 in_II Oregon_NP1 first_MD ,_, and_CC had_VHD driven_VVN from_II Helena_NP1 ,_, Montana_NP1 ,_, where_CS she_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN visiting_VVG her_APPGE sister_NN1 ._. 
The_AT missing_JJ persons_NN2 report_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN filed_VVN in_II Oregon_NP1 first_MD ,_, when_CS she_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX arrived_VVN in_II the_AT small_JJ town_NN1 of_IO Seaside_NN1 and_CC had_VHD been_VBN missing_VVG for_IF twenty-four_MC hours_NNT2 ._. 
In_II Helena_NP1 ,_, Nina_NP1 's_GE sister_NN1 had_VHD filed_VVN a_AT1 similar_JJ report_NN1 that_CST same_DA day_NNT1 ._. 
Despite_II combing_VVG the_AT crime_NN1 scenes_NN2 ,_, bodies_NN2 and_CC wrecked_JJ cars_NN2 ,_, and_CC working_VVG with_IW police_NN2 in_II the_AT hometowns_NN2 where_RRQ the_AT women_NN2 had_VHD lived_VVN ,_, the_AT department_NN1 had_VHD no_AT suspects_NN2 ._. 
After_II staring_VVG at_II the_AT screen_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 few_DA2 minutes_NNT2 ,_, she_PPHS1 gave_VVD up_RP ,_, left_VVD her_APPGE cubicle_NN1 and_CC made_VVD her_APPGE way_NN1 down_RP a_AT1 long_JJ hallway_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 veered_VVD to_II the_AT left_JJ and_CC through_II a_AT1 doorway_NN1 to_II the_AT lunchroom_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 windowless_JJ area_NN1 complete_JJ with_IW small_JJ kitchen_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 few_DA2 scattered_JJ tables_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 glass_NN1 pot_NN1 of_IO congealing_VVG coffee_NN1 sat_VVD on_II a_AT1 warmer_JJR ._. 
Left_VVN over_RP from_II the_AT night_NNT1 shift_NN1 ._. 
Selena_NP1 dumped_VVD the_AT dark_JJ liquid_NN1 and_CC the_AT pre-measured_JJ packet_NN1 of_IO grounds_NN2 and_CC started_VVD over_RP ,_, rinsing_VVG the_AT pot_NN1 ,_, filling_VVG the_AT reservoir_NN1 with_IW water_NN1 and_CC finding_VVG a_AT1 fresh_JJ package_NN1 of_IO dark_JJ roast_NN1 in_II a_AT1 drawer_NN1 ._. 
