TIL DEATH

by Annette Dashofy

  He read the articles twice more. Despite the location size discrepancy, there were definite similarities. Too many to ignore.

  He picked up his phone and scrolled through his contacts for one he hadn’t called in years.

  The voice that answered the phone resonated with authority. “Special Agent Ethan McCoy.”

  “Ethan, you son of a bitch. How’re you doing?”

  A pause. “Pete Adams?”

  Pete chuckled.

  “Good lord, how long’s it been?”

  “Too long.”

  “Last I heard, you were heading up a department in Monongahela County.”

  “Still am. How’s life with the FBI?”

  “Never a dull moment.” Another pause. “You must need something.”

  Busted. “As a matter of fact, I do.” Pete listed the towns and dates in the newspaper stories. “Mean anything to you?”

  Ethan swore.

  “I take that as a yes.”

  “You take it correctly. We’ve been after this guy over five years.”

  “Five? The Yellow Springs homicide is dated eleven years ago.”

  “He wasn’t on our radar then. He spaces his killings out, both timewise and location-wise. He’d murdered at least six women before we caught wind of him.”

  “Six? I only know of these four.” Or five, if Elizabeth Landis was truly one of the victims.

  “We’ve linked him to ten murders to date.”

  Pete pinched the bridge of his nose, warding off a blossoming headache. “You’re telling me he’s still at large?”

  “Unfortunately. As you’re aware, he prefers Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, but he’s also ventured into Maryland, Virginia, and New York.”

  “Why have I only learned about these killings this morning?”

  “Same reason it took us so long to catch onto him. He’s never escalated. There have been no sexual assaults, and there’s never been any pattern to the length of time between murders. There’s very little to tie them together other than a deserted parking lot, a female victim, and a single gunshot to the head. The victims have nothing in common. No shell casings have ever been found. Ballistics match with two victims here, three there, but he swaps guns every couple of kills. Not that we’ve ever found one of his murder weapons.”

  Pete growled. “I may have.”

  Six

  Zoe’s fitting went well…or would have if not for Kimberly screeching over Patsy’s phone. The neckline was too low, the bodice was too tight, the shoes Zoe had chosen didn’t have a high enough heel.

  Unlike her mother, Zoe loved the dress, its fit, and the shoes. Patsy was pleased with her dress as well. Zoe had yet to hear from her other bridesmaid, her best friend Rose out in New Mexico, who was supposed to send photos tomorrow.

  Exhausted from dealing with a mystery death, the medical emergency during autopsy, Franklin’s ex, Dr. Davis, and Kimberly, Zoe decided to make one more stop before heading home.

  She entered the polished wooden doors at Golden Oaks Assisted Living and veered to the left in search of Pete’s dad. The dining room had already cleared out after the lunch crowd. A trio of elderly residents played cards with the entertainment director at the Bistro, Harry Adams’ favorite spot in the place. At the moment, however, he wasn’t there.

  The young woman facilitating the card game smiled at Zoe. “Can I help you with something?”

  “I’m looking for Harry Adams. I thought he might be here.”

  “He’s probably in his room. Do you know where it is?”

  “Sure do.”

  The woman winked. “Would you like to take him a milkshake?”

  Obviously, the entertainment director knew Harry well. “Yes, please. And one for me too.”

  A few minutes later, Zoe climbed the staircase. Harry often forgot who she was, but he never forgot his love of chocolate shakes. She became his new best friend every time she brought him one.

  She found him seated at a table in a small family gathering area near his room. He and a young woman in a Golden Oaks polo shirt flanked a checkerboard. From the looks of the stack of checkers in front of Harry, he was winning.

  “Hi, handsome.” Zoe bent down to plant a kiss on her soon-to-be father-in-law’s forehead and placed the Styrofoam cup on the table in front of him.

  “Well, hello, Sunshine.” He beamed at the cup. “Is this for me?”

  “Yes, it is.” Zoe looked at Harry’s checker-mate. “Hey there, Jenna. I’m sorry. I should’ve brought one for you too. I’d give you mine, but I already drank part of it.”

  Jenna leaned back and patted her stomach. “Don’t worry about it. Those things are lethal to my diet. I’m still trying to lose the baby weight, and Wylie’ll be a year old next month.”

  Zoe claimed a third chair. “How is the little guy?”

  “He’s an angel.” Jenna’s face glowed. “I’ve always wanted to be a mom. I’d about given up on finding someone to be the dad. But Ian’s the best thing that’s happened to me. Or second best now. Wylie’s the first. I’ve never been happier.”

  Jenna had been on Golden Oaks’ staff since the day Harry’d moved in—other than the stint of maternity leave. Zoe admired the easy way she had with the residents. Especially Pete’s father.

  Jenna tapped the board with a fingernail. “It’s your move, Harry.”

  He took a long draw on the straw and set the cup down. “Am I red or black?”

  “Red.”

  He studied the board, reached out, and used a red disk to jump three of Jenna’s. “I win.”

  She threw both hands up. “I surrender. You beat me every time.”

  Harry gave her an impish grin and picked up his cup.

  Jenna climbed to her feet. “I’ll leave you two to visit.”

  Zoe rose too. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to you a minute.”

  “Sure.” Jenna glanced at Harry, who happily sucked on his straw, and motioned for Zoe to follow. They moved to the edge of the seating area, keeping him in sight.

  “How’s he doing?” Zoe asked.

  “About the same.” Jenna crossed her arms. “But that’s good. With Alzheimer’s, there is no getting ‘better.’”

  “I know.”

  “I get the feeling there’s a specific reason you’re asking.”

  Zoe looked down at the petite young woman. “Nothing gets by you.”

  “That’s my job. What’s up?”

  Zoe inhaled. “I’m getting married the Saturday after next. I lost my dad when I was eight. My stepdad and I haven’t spoken in a long time. I recently found out I have a half-brother, but he—well, it’s complicated. I haven’t said anything to anyone yet, but I’ve been hoping Harry might walk me down the aisle.”

  “And you’re wondering if he’ll be up to it?”

  “Physically, I know he is. But he seems more confused lately. I don’t want to ask him to do something that’s gonna stress him out.” Zoe shook her head. “And if I ask him today, he’s not gonna remember.”

  Jenna thought about it. “I realize this is your big day you’re talking about, and you want to have everything planned out as much as possible. But do you think you could play it by ear? You and Pete intend to have Harry there anyway, right?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then see how Harry is that day. He’ll already be in a suit. If he’s having a good day, ask him right before the ceremony. Not only won’t he remember if you ask him today, he’s not going to remember that you didn’t ask him earlier.”

  Zoe rolled her eyes. Why hadn’t she thought of that? “Brilliant.”

  “Is there someone—an understanding friend—you can ask to be a pinch hitter in case it doesn’t work out?”

  A few ideas came to mind, including Franklin, if he was up to the tas
k. “Or I could walk myself down the aisle.”

  “There you go.” Jenna beamed. “Strong independent women don’t need a man to give them away.”

  The enticing aromas of pepperoni and cheese wafted from the kitchen, luring Pete through the maze of packed boxes in his living room. He found Zoe hanging her long Columbia winter coat on one of the hooks next to the door. More boxes, including the one holding the pizza, covered the table. He’d be glad when they got all their stuff moved to her farm.

  He closed the distance between them and pulled her to him, pressing a kiss to her lips, still chilled from being outside. “Hey, beautiful.”

  She gave him that sexy smile that set him on fire. “Hey yourself.” She nodded in the direction of the pizza. “Hungry?”

  “Starved.” He kissed her again, deeper this time. The curves of her body melting against him stirred a more intense hunger.

  She wiggled free. “That wasn’t what I meant. Get the paper plates before our supper gets cold.”

  He watched her walk away. “We still have a microwave, you know.”

  Not taking the hint, Zoe moved the pizza to the kitchen counter and retrieved a pair of paper plates from an otherwise empty cabinet, the contents of which were packed away in one of those boxes.

  He had no idea which one.

  She slid a large slice onto a plate, trailing cheese. Pinching off the gooey threads, she handed the first serving to him and licked her fingers.

  Using the counter as their table, they ate standing up. “How was your day,” Pete asked.

  “We autopsied a young woman who, other than being dead, appeared to be perfectly healthy.”

  “Heart attack?”

  “There was no sign of coronary or vascular disease. No arterial blockages. We’ll have to wait for toxicology. Speaking of heart attacks, did you hear Franklin had one in the middle of the autopsy?”

  Pete choked. “No. Is he going to be all right?”

  “I hope so. He has no memory of taking too much insulin and swears he remembered to eat, but I’ve seen him forget. He gets wrapped up in his work.”

  Pete grinned at Zoe as she took a huge bite. “Forgetting to eat is something you never need to worry about.”

  She gave him an exaggerated frown and a playful punch. “I resent that,” she mumbled around the mouthful. “You better not be hinting that I’m getting fat.”

  “Oh, hell no.” He held up the hand not holding pizza. “I’m not an idiot. Besides, you have the metabolism of a hummingbird.”

  “It’s not that. It’s all the barn work I do. Speaking of not getting fat, I had my final fitting on my wedding dress. Mother hates it.”

  “Why am I not surprised?” He chewed. Swallowed. “The important question is, are you happy with it?”

  “Absolutely.” She wiped her fingers on a paper napkin. “What about you? How’d your day go?”

  “You know about the meeting with Frattini. I assume Baronick came to see you.”

  “I was surprised you sent him instead of coming yourself.”

  “I was going to.” Pete took a bite, chewed, and swallowed before answering. “Anthony Imperatore changed my plans.” He gave her the abbreviated version of his conversation with the attorney and his client.

  Zoe picked a piece of pepperoni from her slice and studied it. “Do you think there’s anything to this serial killer theory?”

  “I don’t know.” Pete mulled over the new development yet again. “I called a guy I went through the academy with. Ethan McCoy. He’s FBI now. He confirmed there is a serial killer on the loose whose MO matches the Landis homicide.”

  Zoe’s baby blues came up. “You mean Dustin Landis might really be innocent?”

  “I’m not willing to go that far, but I’m meeting Ethan in the morning to go over the details of the Landis case.” Pete winced. “I have to get up early to drive to the Greenwood Community Center in Brunswick.”

  She popped the pepperoni in her mouth. “Why?”

  “To play in a pickup game of basketball.”

  Zoe snorted. “What?”

  “Ethan’s leaving for Quantico after lunch. I suggested coffee, but he’s a fitness fanatic. Told me it was shoot some hoops or wait until he gets back in two weeks.”

  “In two weeks, we’ll be on our honeymoon.”

  “Exactly. So I have to drive to Brunswick, play basketball while discussing the case, and try to get back here before my shift. If I’m late again, Abby and Seth will never let me forget it.” Abby and Seth. Pete let what was left of his slice drop back into the box. “Dammit.”

  Zoe looked at him, puzzled. “Something wrong with the pizza?”

  “I was supposed to call Abby.”

  “Why?”

  “Trouble in paradise.” When Zoe gave him a blank stare, he explained about his junior officer’s request.

  Zoe remained silent after he’d finished relaying what his secretary had told him. Finally, she asked, “What are you going to do?”

  “Talk to Abby.”

  “And say what?”

  “I figure I’ll start with ‘hello’ and go from there.”

  Zoe rolled her eyes at him. “Men are so clueless.”

  “I would take offense at that if it wasn’t so true.”

  “Let me talk to her. It’s easier to discuss relationship problems with another woman. One who isn’t her boss.”

  He leaned over and kissed Zoe’s forehead. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”

  “No, I don’t believe you have.”

  Pete picked up his half-eaten slice of pizza. “I just did.”

  “You’re such a romantic. Another reason I should be the one to talk to Abby.”

  Time to change the subject. “I stopped at the garage today and talked to Melvin. Your truck should be ready by tomorrow evening.”

  Zoe shoved the last of her slice into her mouth rather than respond. Her over-twenty-year-old Chevy Silverado had been a bone of contention between them for years. He’d been after her to sell it and buy something more reliable. She argued she needed it for the farm. Lately, the old beast spent most of its time at Bud Kramer’s Garage. Wiring, rotted gas lines, and now, problems with the transfer case.

  Pete looked around at the mountains of boxes. “Since we’ll have your truck back on the road, is there any chance you can ask your brother if he’d like to drive down from Erie to help us move this weekend?”

  She didn’t lift her gaze from her pizza. “I’ll call him.”

  “Don’t pressure him. He offered. But if he can’t or doesn’t want to, we’ll still have plenty of manpower.”

  Zoe’s half-brother had issues with law enforcement. Understandable considering his son—Zoe’s nephew—was currently sitting in the Monongahela County Jail awaiting trial on a number of charges. Parents always wanted to believe their kids were misunderstood angels. At least Scott was making the effort to accept having a cop as a brother-in-law.

  Seven

  Zoe shivered in the pre-dawn chill at the locked front door of the Police Department and pressed the buzzer. Nancy wouldn’t be in to man the front desk for another hour, but the Vance Township cruiser parked in the lot told Zoe the graveyard shift officers were inside working on their end-of-shift reports.

  The lock clicked and the vertical blinds blocking Zoe’s view swayed as Abby pushed open the door. Dark circles shadowed her tired, but concerned, eyes.

  “Zoe? Is everything okay?” Abby glanced over Zoe’s shoulder. “Is the Chief all right?”

  “He’s fine. He’s in Brunswick playing basketball with an old friend.” Zoe stepped inside. “I wanted to catch you before he gets here.” She looked down the hallway toward the bullpen. Lights shined from the rear of the building but no sign of Seth. “Can we talk for a few minutes? Just us?”

  “Sure.
” Abby led the way to the conference room and flipped the light switch.

  Once they were both seated at the long table, Zoe swiveled her chair to face the young officer. “How’s it going?” She kept her tone light in case the “issues” had already been resolved.

  Abby lowered her eyes, indicating such was not the case. “Great,” she said flatly. “Just great.”

  Zoe studied her. “I heard you wanted to change your shift.”

  “Did the chief send you to talk me out of it?”

  “I offered to talk to you, but not to talk you out of anything.” Zoe gave her an understanding smile. “What’s going on?”

  Abby picked up a pen from the table. “I’ve always known getting emotionally involved with a coworker is a bad idea.”

  “Because if things go south, you’re still stuck with them.”

  “Or you have to quit a job you love to get away from them.”

  Abby’s threat startled Zoe. “You’re thinking of quitting?”

  “No. Maybe.” Abby examined the pen as if it held all of life’s answers before once again looking at Zoe. “No. I just need a different shift. I’m ready to go out alone without a partner babysitting me.”

  Zoe opened her mouth but didn’t verbalize the thoughts tumbling through her head. She liked and trusted Abby and knew Pete did too. He hadn’t partnered her with Seth because he felt she needed a babysitter. Abby might be young, but she had a good head on her shoulders. And growing up with a goofball like Wayne for a brother, she was quite capable of taking care of herself. “Pete knows that. And he doesn’t want to lose you. If a different shift is what you need, I’m sure that’s what you’ll get.”

  Some of the tension drained from Abby’s face. “Good.”

  “Between us girls though, what happened? I thought you and Seth were such a great couple. And I don’t mean on duty.”

  Abby’s jaw tightened again. “I thought so too. Apparently, he needs more space than he’s been getting.”

  Zoe tried a smile. “Too much of a good thing?”