Malice

by C. M. Sutter

  I flipped over my sheet of paper and grabbed a pen. “Meanwhile, I’ll put a description together. We can’t state his name to the public yet, only that the man in the screen shot is a person of interest. We’ll include his description and his vehicle information. Everything we have on Ed is circumstantial. We don’t have prints, a weapon, or a motive. He doesn’t even have a record that we can find, so we have to be careful how we involve the public. There’s no way we can afford to have this go sideways. All we need is one person who recognizes him and knows where he’s hunkered down. Let’s put up a new tip line number so we know that if and when information comes in, it’s from the most recent broadcast.”

  J.T. checked the time. “We can get this up on the evening news if we hurry.”

  “Check out what I have,” Leon said. “Do you think this will work?”

  J.T., Hardy, and I stared at Ed’s image over Leon’s shoulder.

  “Too bad he’s wearing that damn hat, but go ahead. It’s all we have.”

  Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and Franklin entered the conference room. “The kids confirmed that it’s the same truck. They said the truck was parked facing them when they rode in on their bikes. They noticed there wasn’t a front plate.”

  Hardy slapped his hands together. “The rope is tightening around your neck, Ed Tanner, you just don’t know it yet.”

  “I’m going downstairs to pay William Stewart a visit.” I pushed back my chair and stood. “Where is that picture of Jackie and Tara together?”

  “Andrews spoke up. “It’s in my desk drawer in the bull pen.”

  I tipped my chin toward the door. “I’ll walk with you.”

  “Jade.”

  I turned to see what J.T. wanted.

  “Stewart won’t talk to anyone without his attorney present.”

  I shrugged. “I can still try.”

  I joined Andrews in the bull pen momentarily while he retrieved the framed picture from his desk. He handed it to me.

  “Thanks, Fred. Tell the others I won’t be long.” I turned and headed for the elevator.

  Downstairs, I signed in and asked to see William Stewart. The officer behind the counter made a call and told me it would be about ten minutes. I texted Amber while I waited and told her we were making progress on the case and hoped to be home in a few days.

  “Agent Monroe?”

  “Yes, that’s me.” I looked up to see a guard standing ten feet away. “You can see Mr. Stewart now. He’s agreed to give you only five minutes since his attorney isn’t present.”

  “Great, thanks.”

  “What’s that in your hand?”

  “A framed picture. I need to ask him something about it.”

  “The photograph needs to come out of the glass.”

  “Oh, of course. Sorry,” I pulled off the back of the frame and slid the photograph out. “Here you go.” I handed the frame to him.

  “Right this way.”

  I followed the guard to interrogation room two, where he opened the door and allowed me through. Mr. Stewart sat at the table on the side that faced me.

  “I’ll be watching through the window, ma’am.”

  “That’s fine, and I won’t be long.” I took a seat across from Mr. Stewart.

  He huffed at the sight of me. “I thought you’d be that other FBI agent. You do realize he’s nicer than you, right?”

  “So I’ve been told, but I have tough skin. Harsh comments roll right off my back.”

  “What do you want? I have better things to do.”

  “Really, like what? Have you been staring out your two-inch-by-eight-inch slot of a window or dreading tomorrow when the SEC comes to pay you a visit?”

  “See what I mean? You’re a bitch.”

  I chuckled. “I’ve been called worse. Actually, I do have a serious reason to be here, William, and I hope we can put our sarcasm aside for a few minutes.”

  “Whatever. I’m not talking about my case without my attorney.”

  “I’m not here about that.” I pulled out the photograph from my pocket. “Do you know the woman with the dark hair? Were you having an affair with her?”

  “Affair? I’ve only had one af—”

  “You caught yourself, didn’t you? So you have had an affair? Only one?”

  “That was several years ago, and it’s none of your business.”

  “Please, look at the picture.” I handed the photograph to William and watched his expression.

  “That’s strange. She’s a dead ringer for my wife, Pam, but no, I’ve never met her.”

  “Her name is Jackie Stern. Does that name ring a bell with you?”

  “Can’t say that it does.”

  “Have you ever been to 4830 Crenshaw Lane on the southeast side of town?”

  “Is that where she lives?”

  “Please answer my question.”

  “Nope, never have.”

  “How about some other woman, then? Is there an angry husband who found out you were messing around with their wife and now they’re coming after your real estate company?”

  “We’re done. I said I wasn’t going to talk about my businesses unless my attorney was present. Now you’re crossing the line. Guard!”

  The guard entered and asked me to leave. I snatched the picture off the table but turned before walking out. I looked back at Mr. Stewart and smiled. “Good luck with the SEC tomorrow.”

  “Fu—”

  The door slammed at my back.

  I had been gone for only a half hour and returned to the conference room, where everyone was still hard at work.

  Hardy furrowed his forehead when I entered. “Care to share your findings?”

  “It was a bust. I wanted to know if William Stewart knew Jackie. I thought about the cheating aspect. Maybe Jackie had a boyfriend nobody knew about or Mr. Stewart’s wife found out that he was cheating and went after Jackie. He started to say he’s never cheated but caught himself. He finally admitted he had, but he said it was a few years ago. I did find something peculiar, though, and I’m not sure how we can connect it to this case.”

  J.T. scratched his cheek then gave me a nod. “What’s that?”

  “He said Jackie is a dead ringer for his wife.”

  “Nice play on words,” Hardy said. “Hmm, maybe we have something and we don’t even know it. So Ed kidnaps Jackie instead of killing her right away like the others, then he kills her anyway but goes back to where he dumped her to have a second look and, finally, ends up at her house earlier today just in time to zap you in the stomach.”

  I instinctively touched the spot just above my bellybutton. It still hurt.

  “But Ed did go back to Sarah’s house too,” Andrews said.

  “Speaking of that, did you guys get everything set up with Channel 4?” I asked.

  J.T. shuffled his papers. “Yep, and it airs in a half hour. Let’s think more about the connection with Stewart’s wife looking just like Jackie. What could that possibly mean to Ed?”

  “Maybe Ed was having an affair with Stewart’s wife.”

  “That makes no sense at all, Franklin,” Hardy said. “It wouldn’t connect Jackie to anyone.”

  “Oh yeah.”

  “Not so fast. Franklin might be on the right track. Maybe Ed is infatuated with Stewart’s wife, and Jackie reminded him of her. There’s a reason he chose Jackie, and the fact that her house was for sale with Scenic View sealed the deal for him. He may have been stalking her because he couldn’t get close to Stewart’s wife. I need to see what she looks like.” I woke up my laptop and typed the words Pamela Stewart, Omaha, Nebraska, into the search bar. The guys crowded around my computer and waited. I clicked on Images, and dozens of photographs came up of her and William at fund-raisers, galas, dinner parties, and so on. “Wow.” I pulled out the picture of Jackie and placed it on the table next to my computer. “I can’t believe the similarities.”

  “You need to talk to Stewart again.”

  I smirked. “I
don’t think so. As I left the interrogation room, he told me what I could do with myself.” I smiled at J.T. “He said he likes you much better, anyway.”

  “Okay, forget him. Let’s go pay Mrs. Stewart a visit. Make sure to tape the Channel 4 news while we’re gone. Grab that photograph, Jade.”

  J.T. got the home address from the interview notes that were filed, and we left while the rest of the group continued their efforts to track down Ed Tanner.

  Chapter 48

  The GPS system called out the directions that led us to the northwest lake community of Newport Landing near Bennington. We arrived at a beautiful home nestled against a large lake and tucked among tall pines. The home, primarily brick, was a two-story traditional with white columns and a wide welcoming porch.

  “What do you think?” I shielded my eyes as J.T. parked the Explorer, and we got out.

  He pointed toward the rear of the home. “There’s a car back there by the garage. Let’s see if anyone answers the door.”

  We followed the brick sidewalk to the front door, and J.T. pressed the bell. We waited for what seemed to be a few minutes. The fluttering curtain at the bay window on my right caught my eye. I tipped my head to get a better look then elbowed J.T. The setting sun lit up the young girl’s golden-blond hair. She peered out at us with a curious smile. I waved, and she disappeared.

  Moments later, the door opened only slightly, and a strangely familiar face stared out at us. It was uncanny how much Pam Stewart resembled Jackie. They could have been sisters.

  “Mrs. Stewart?”

  “Yes, how may I help you?”

  I pulled out my badge, and J.T. did the same. “We’re from the FBI, and we need a few minutes of your time.”

  “What is this in reference to? William said not to speak to anyone about the predicament he’s in.”

  I led the conversation in hopes that as one woman speaking to another, I would make her more comfortable and willing to talk. “This isn’t actually about William’s side business. May we come in?”

  “I suppose.” She looked over her shoulder. “My kids are home, and I don’t want to upset them.”

  “Can we find a spot to speak privately, then?”

  “Give me a minute.” She turned the corner and left J.T. and me standing in the foyer. Moments later, she returned and ushered us through the house and into the library. “This has been a difficult time for our family. I’m sure you understand. My kids have been wondering where William went.”

  I thought it odd how she worded that statement. “How old are your children?”

  “Missy is four, and Lucas is six. They don’t understand any of this. I’m sorry, so why are you here?”

  “How long have you and William been married?” J.T. asked.

  She gave us a bewildered look. “Two and a half years. Why?”

  I was sure my own face now wore a bewildered expression. “So you were married before?”

  “Yes. Is there a reason my personal life is important to the FBI?”

  “Do you recognize this woman, Mrs. Stewart?” I pulled out the picture of Jackie and passed it across the coffee table to her.

  She held it to the light. “Wow.”

  “Ma’am?”

  “Um, oh, I’m just stunned, that’s all. It’s almost like looking in the mirror, but they do say that everyone has a twin out there somewhere. So what did you ask me?”

  “If you recognized her. Her name is Jackie Stern.”

  “No I don’t. Should I? Does William?”

  “We haven’t put the connection together yet, ma’am. Have you always lived in this area?”

  “William and I?”

  “No, Mrs. Stewart, just you,” I said.

  “I’m originally from Little Rock, and that’s where I met my first husband. He was native to Omaha, so we eventually moved back here.”

  “And that’s when William came into the picture?”

  She began to fidget, and I knew I’d hit a nerve. “Where are you going with this questioning?”

  “Has anyone ever stalked you or had an obsession with you that you’re aware of?”

  She snickered. “Is mental instability and harassment considered an obsession? We keep our dirty laundry out of the public eye as much as possible, agents. William has an enormous reputation to uphold.”

  I turned my head and gave J.T. an eye roll. “Ma’am, you do realize his arrest is going to become public as early as tomorrow, don’t you? The SEC will be taking over his case.”

  “It’s all a misunderstanding. I’m sure it will get swept under the rug.”

  I sighed. That woman was in serious denial. “Okay, back to the person who’s mentally unstable. You said they’ve been harassing you?”

  “Yes, and it’s escalating.”

  J.T. raised his brows. “And you haven’t called the police?”

  “Like I said, William doesn’t need that kind of publicity. I married a very wealthy, well-respected man in the Omaha area.” She looked over her shoulder then continued in a whisper. “It’s my problem, not his. The person who’s been harassing me is my ex-husband. It’s only been by telephone, though. We had a very contentious divorce, and I was awarded full custody of our children. He’s been severely depressed and unstable for years, but he always took his meds. Frankly, I think he’s dangerous. Anyway, after the divorce, he moved back to Little Rock, where he still had a few friends. He doesn’t have family living in Omaha anymore.”

  “How long has it been since you’ve seen your ex?” I asked.

  “Three years. The only communication we have is when he calls me. He’s malicious and threatens to kill me if I won’t let him see the kids. He insults me with demeaning names and tells me to shut up every time I try to speak. He snarls about hating my voice. That’s usually when I hang up on him. Thank God he doesn’t live here anymore. I’d always be looking over my shoulder.”

  I gave J.T. a concerned glance.

  “I’ve changed my phone number dozens of times, but somehow he always finds out what it is. Ed is definitely psychotic and getting worse. I’m sure he’s stopped his medication.”

  My head almost spun off my shoulders. “Did you say Ed?”

  “Yes, my ex-husband. He despises me and hates William even more. He considers William his archenemy and would do anything to ruin his reputation. It’s all about jealousy.”

  I looked her straight in the eyes. “Because you and William were having an affair, weren’t you?”

  She nodded and dropped her head to her chest. “Ed had nothing going for him, and William had everything. I was sick of our ho-hum life together, and I knew William could raise the kids in the lifestyle they deserved. That’s why I shoulder the brunt of Ed’s hatred and try to shelter William from all of it.”

  I felt my stomach lurch. “What is your ex-husband’s last name, Pam?”

  “Tanner. His name is Ed Tanner.”

  I told Pam to stay put as J.T. and I went outside to call the precinct. I swatted a branch out of my way as we stepped around to the side of the house to talk. “Son of a bitch, I didn’t see that coming. It’s obvious that Ed isn’t in Little Rock and Pam is as dense as a doorknob. Doesn’t she own a TV?”

  “Jade, we haven’t given the news anything for days.”

  I felt like ripping out my hair. “You’re right, but why did William say he didn’t have any enemies? If he would have told us about Ed right away, chances are Jackie and Marilyn wouldn’t have died. Killing people was how Ed wanted to ruin William’s reputation? Why not just kill William?”

  “First off, it could be true that William didn’t know how dangerous Ed was, and as far as killing William instead? Maybe ruining him financially and taking down his oversized ego, along with destroying his company, was more satisfying to Ed. It’s obvious he didn’t know the real estate business was just one of William’s many corporations. The irony of it all is that William is about to ruin his own reputation without Ed’s help.” J.T. pulled out his cell phon
e and made the call to Hardy. “Cap, I have you on speakerphone. Jade and I just had an interesting conversation with Pam Stewart. You aren’t going to believe this.”

  “At this point, I’ll believe anything.”

  “Ed Tanner is her ex-husband.” J.T.’s eyes bulged at the choice words flowing from the other end of the phone call.

  Hardy cursed into his phone. “Can this case get any more convoluted? What the hell? And William said he had no enemies, that lying son of—”

  “Cap, apparently the wife knew how dangerous Ed was, but she was under the assumption he was in Little Rock. He moved back there after their divorce. She said he calls, screams at her, and makes threats. She hangs up on him, changes her phone number, but he still finds a way to reach her. She’s been keeping all of that to herself.”

  “What the hell for? She could have gotten law enforcement involved.”

  I took my turn. “That’s exactly what she didn’t want. No police, no television coverage, and no newspaper articles. She didn’t want to tarnish William’s sterling reputation and his over-the-top ego. Sounds like she thought he’d regret his decision to marry her if the entire town got wind of her dirty laundry and crazy ex-husband.”

  “Right, and that’s all at the cost of five lives that we know of for sure.”

  “Anything come in on the tip line? We have to get Ed in custody as soon as possible since he may be ready to strike again. I’m sure he’s pissed that there was no coverage of Marilyn or Jackie’s deaths. And his sign never got on the air, either. He could be a ticking time bomb by now,” J.T. said.

  “And if he sees his face on TV instead of only being known as the Scenic View Serial Killer, he may feel like a caged rat,” Hardy added. “I have four officers answering calls on the tip line. Finish up at the Stewart house and head back. I have an idea that might help.”

  Chapter 49

  I’m sure I’m not the only one who saw my face on the news coverage.

  Ed was livid, and he knew it was just a matter of time. He paced back and forth and peered out the window every few minutes.