It crossed her mind that removing the firing pin was the Calligrapher's way of teasing her or saying hello. He wanted her attention.
Whatever his reason was for removing the firing pin, Jules would have to be more careful.
Addy brought more hot coffee, then settled down on the sleeping bag.
"You're not going out there again, are you?"
"I'm not going anywhere for a while, Addy."
Addy bit her lower lip and looked pensive in a miserable way. "I get scared when you go out. I don't like it. I'm not sure what would happen to me if … if something happened to you."
"You'd be all right, Addy," Jules told her. "You've made friends here and the people here are nice. They've already accepted you. You're part of the community."
Not everyone in Gideon was nice, but Jules couldn't tell Addy about it. She would keep her eye on Addy and keep her out of harm's way.
"Will you tell me what happened?"
Jules had no interest in reliving it, but she knew Addy would keep pestering her. "Remember the men in the car in Arizona?"
Addy's eyebrows pinched inward into tight folds. "Yes."
"They grabbed me in Cedar during the supply run. They took me to Arizona, to the Shell Station we stopped at. One of them hit me in the leg with my crowbar. After that, they put me in the grocery mart with the infected man. Then Caleb came and … well … he took care of them. That's it."
"Were you scared?" she asked.
"I suppose. It felt unreal, and I was so busy trying to stay alive, I didn't have time to be afraid. It still doesn't seem real. I'm worn out more than anything. Mentally as much as physically."
"So, you're not going out again. Right?"
Jules laughed. "No, Addy. Other than the porta-potty, I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me. You okay with that?"
Addy brightened. "Sure. Yes. Nikki and I can take care of you. It'll be fun."
Jules looked at her mangled thigh. "Yeah. Sure."
"I'll go tell Nikki," she said excitedly.
A few minutes later, Heath and Mayor Nichols came to the tent. They'd waited up for Jules and Caleb the previous night.
"How are you feeling, Jules?" Heath asked, a note of concern in his voice.
"I've been better, but your wife tells me I'll live." Jules managed a weak smile. "Go ahead and have a seat."
They sat on Addy's sleeping bag.
"Glad Angela could be of help," Heath said.
Mayor Nichols struggled to pull his legs underneath him in a cross-legged sitting posture. He managed to get one leg underneath him but gave up trying to fit the other leg under him. "I can't tell you how sorry I am that this has happened to you, Jules. I guess whoever this serial killer is really wants you dead."
"I'm not so sure about that," Jules told them. "I think this may have been his way of drawing attention to himself. The Calligrapher craves attention. After each killing, he would notify the local police of the location of his crime scenes. He couldn't wait to show off his handiwork. Removing the firing pin from my gun was his way of getting our attention and showing us how clever he can be. He doesn't want me dead. He wants to play.
"Another thing. I believe there's a very good chance he would have been one of the volunteers on the supply run. He wouldn't have been able to stay away. He would have needed to see what was going to happen."
"Jules, do you have any idea who might have had access to your Glock?" Heath asked.
"The morning after the supply run where Sophie was killed, Addy and I went bathing with the women. I left my gun in the tent. My mind was elsewhere and I didn't think I'd need it. Anyone could have snuck in and removed the firing pin."
"Wonderful," Heath said.
"Do you think we should warn people?" Mayor Nichols asked.
Heath stole a glance at Jules before answering. "That could be a double-edged sword," he told the mayor. "If we don't say anything, someone could end up being an easy target. On the other hand, if we warn people, it might cause a panic and people might overreact. People might be suspicious of one another. Not sure we want everyone in camp packing twenty-four hours a day and looking over their shoulder."
"Maybe something in-between could work," Jules suggested. "Something that wouldn't necessarily cause a panic. We could tell people we need to be prepared in case the group from Cedar City comes calling. We could double the guard and have a curfew. Tell everyone to sleep with their weapons handy. Since the Calligrapher seems to like the cover of night, that might work best. Might discourage him."
Heath nodded, as much to himself as to Jules. "Yes. I like it. We could station a guard by the dam too. Limit his avenues of movement."
"Sounds good," the mayor agreed. "So, we have a plan."
Jules couldn't wait to get started, her pain suddenly mitigated by her desire to find the Calligrapher. "Your wife will be back soon with Dallin. After she works her magic, we should get started. Is there any way we could get a computer with a database program? It would help if we could get things organized."
Heath smiled bemusedly and shook his head. "There's no slowing you down, is there, Jules?"
Jules gave Heath a weary look.
"Sure," he said. "Not a problem. I'll have Dallin grab a laptop."
"We have to find him before he gets any ideas," Jules told them. "He might already have something in mind. Or someone.
"And I almost forgot. Caleb knows something's up. On the drive back, he asked a lot of questions. He knows whatever's going on has to do with the FBI and my being in Gideon. He figured that out himself. But he's not aware there's a serial killer on the loose."
*****
Angela gave the codeine a half hour to take effect before she began to stitch Jules up.
Addy looked on curiously.
"Sorry, Jules," Angela warned. "I'll do my best, but you're going to have a scar. Nothing significant though."
Jules took a breath as Angela firmly threaded the needle through her skin and pulled the skin together snugly. Jules witnessed the stitching as if the leg being stitched belonged to someone else. The codeine helped with the illusion, though she could still feel a pinch each time the needle penetrated her skin.
"Ew, doesn't that hurt?" Addy asked.
"Not that bad," Jules answered.
"How long will this take to heal?" Jules asked Angela. "That depends on how good a patient you're going to be."
Jules frowned. "Not sure I'll be a very good patient."
"If you stay off your leg and take it easy, you'll be walking without a limp in maybe a week."
When Angela had finished her stitching, she spread on a generous layer of Polysporin and dressed the wounds.
Dallin had scavenged ice from the local gas station. He'd stored them in a cooler and dropped the cooler off in Jules' tent. Angela broke one of the bags open and wrapped a dozen or so cubes into a clean towel. She handed the ice pack to Jules.
Angela wore a reserved smile as she talked. "Stay off your leg and don't touch my artwork. Keep your leg iced, fifteen minutes on, fifteen minutes off. Take longer breaks when you need them. Ice your leg the rest of today and tomorrow. Try to be stingy with the codeine but give yourself enough to ease the pain. Codeine can be addictive. And above all, take it easy. Let Addy get you whatever you need. The cane will help you get around, but again, staying off your leg for the next couple of days will be the best medicine."
Jules asked Addy to get her some coffee. Addy smiled and left the tent.
The cold from the ice pack filtered through the towel and began to numb Jules' leg. "Okay," she said. "I'll try to be a good patient. And thank you for all your help, Angela."
Angela began to gather her things. "Not a problem. I'll be in to check on you a couple times a day till everything looks good."
"There's something I'd like to ask you, Angela." Jules paused. "Why are you and Heath in separate tents?"
Angela tilted her head and stared directly at Jules. "Why are you interested?"
&n
bsp; "Part of it is curiosity. I'll admit that. But Heath and I are working on something together, and I want to be able to understand him better. Nothing personal."
"It is personal," Angela stated firmly. "Not that it's any big secret. There are times Heath likes to think he's still in high school or college. He's closing in on forty. That may have something to do with it. He was an athlete. Very popular. He sometimes misses that." Angela continued to fill her bag. "It's not unusual for women, especially young women, to flirt with him. I understand that. It's human nature. But there are times he tends to encourage it, and I'm not all right with that. He doesn't act on it. If he did, Bethany and I wouldn't be here. Heath loves me. I know that. And he loves his daughter. But Heath needs to get his priorities straight, and he's well aware of that. In the meantime, he'll be in his tent and Bethany and I will be in ours."
"I'm sorry I felt the need to ask. Thank you for telling me. I know I could have asked someone else, but I wasn't looking for gossip or innuendo."
Angela smiled at Jules. "That's all right. I don't like talking about it, but I'd rather you asked me than someone else."
"I won't mention it to anyone. You have my word on that. And thanks again for all you've done for me."
Angela stood up but paused at the tent opening and turned. "Maybe you could tell me what's going on, Jules?" she asked. "I know my husband well. Something's bothering him. I understand a lot has been going on with the supply runs, but this is different. He's been acting a little strange—out of sorts. Heath doesn't get agitated easily. And I've noticed the two of you having some … well … let's just call them cryptic conversations. Call me curious."
Jules knew she couldn't tell Angela, and it wasn't because she didn't trust her. The more she'd gotten to know Angela, the more she trusted her. But it wasn't her place to tell Angela. If Heath wanted her to know, he could tell her.
"Yes. There is something going on, but I think it's better if Heath tells you."
Angela smiled quietly and left the tent.
Chapter 27
The Database
They talked secretively in hushed voices. Dallin had procured a laptop and Jules was creating a suspect database from a list of the survivors Mayor Nichols had provided.
The computer was propped up on Jules' good leg as she lay on her back. She'd rolled up part of her sleeping bag for neck support. It was awkward, but she was managing.
Jules created three category databases for suspects: likely, possible, and unlikely. To begin with, everyone would be placed in the unlikely category. When she had enough information, those who met a list of specified criteria would be placed into the possible and likely categories.
"Wh-What about women?" Dallin asked. "Are they suspects too?"
Jules grimaced. The pain in her leg was beginning to spike. The codeine Angela had given her earlier had worn off. She didn't want to take more because she wanted to be as alert as possible.
"Yes," she told Dallin. "For now, we'll place them in the unlikely category. The nature of these killings suggests a male perpetrator, and that's where we'll concentrate our efforts. The murders are sexual in nature and the suspect would have to have considerable strength to overwhelm the victims and be able to move their bodies. Also, over ninety percent of serial killers are male. So, there's that. For now, our primary focus will be on male suspects."
There was an irritated edge to Jules' voice. She was aware of it but wasn't going to stop.
"As we go through the list," Jules started, "we'll move suspects who meet certain criteria into the likely file. We'll start with five primary criteria: Those who volunteered for the supply run, those who are right-handed, those who are proficient with firearms, those who are in the likely age-range for a serial killer, around twenty-five to forty-five, and those who have access to Gideon. We'll also have a list for secondary criteria. We'll address that later.
There was one other specific criteria Jules would keep to herself. For Jules, the database list was an information-gathering tool, nothing more. She would have her own list of suspects that she would keep to herself.
"First, has anyone in Gideon ever been charged or accused of a sexually-based crime of any kind?"
"No. I can't recall any, and I'm sure I would have. By the way, why right-handed?" Heath asked.
"The needle marks," Jules told them. "Since the needle marks on the victims were located on the back right side of the neck, and taking into account the angle of entry, it's highly likely the unsub is right-handed. For now, we'll keep anyone who's left-handed in the unlikely category."
"Let me see if I've got this right," Heath said in a cutting undertone. "That would mean everyone on my crew except for Dallin since he's left-handed and Tom Abernathy since he's too old is a likely suspect. Have I got that right, Jules?"
"If they meet the criteria, then yes. No one gets a pass, Heath. Until we're able to unequivocally clear someone, everyone's a suspect. The Calligrapher is a psychopath, which means there's a very real possibility it's going to be someone we don't suspect. Someone you don't suspect."
Mayor Nichols spoke up, his voice calm and even. "I think we need to listen to Jules, Heath. She's the expert."
Heath made no effort to hide his annoyance. "My guys volunteered for that supply run because they're stand-up guys. That's who they are. And now she's going to target them for it?"
Jules took a breath. Besides the constant pain in her thigh, she was getting a headache. She leaned on an elbow and popped a couple codeine tablets and downed them with water.
"Look, Heath," she started, trying to remain calm. "We need to take things one step at a time. First, we compile the database and gather as much information as we can on everyone. After that, the elimination process can start. That's how it works. I'm not picking on your team, I'm picking on everyone. That's the way it has to be."
"Yeah. Well, I don't think it's going to be as simple as you'd like to think, Jules," he said. "Just so you know, outside of Mayor Nichols here, every man I know in Gideon is a hunter. The mountains here are filled with game. That means everyone in Gideon is proficient with weapons. And most of the people on your list there are going to be right-handed too. And we don't know for certain that your unsub was actually on the supply run, do we?"
Jules labored to keep her voice at an even keel. "Do we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was there? No. But speaking as a behavioral analyst, I believe the chances he was on the supply run are very high. He would have had an undeniable urge to witness what would happen. He wouldn't have been able to help himself.
"And not everyone has access to Gideon. That doesn't mean those who have access are guilty. It only means it would have been easier for them to leave evidence at George Albrecht's house than someone who didn't have access. It might mean something, it might not. But we should take it into consideration. It would be foolish not to."
"I'll just say this. The Calligrapher, or whatever you want to call him, is not one of my guys. You can count on that."
Heath was as animated as Jules had ever seen him.
"Yes, Heath, we've been through this. For now, everyone's a suspect. You know that. Has to be that way. Even your guys. It doesn't mean anything. We'll be looking closely at everyone. Right now, I'm getting tired. Tomorrow, we'll get into specifics and move people into the appropriate categories."
"If you like, Jules, I could stay and help you with people's ages and any other relevant information," Lawrence Nichols offered.
"No thanks. I think I'll be taking a nap now. I'm wiped out. We'll get back to it in the morning."
"Sure, no problem. We understand," the mayor said. "Dallin, why don't you take the computer back into Gideon and get that battery charged up."
Dallin retrieved the computer and the three of them got up to leave.
"Just one more thing …" Jules started. She couldn't put it off any longer.
They all stopped and looked at her.
"Who's AJ?" she asked.
Ch
apter 28
Audrey Jean
No one answered. They stared quizzically at Jules as if they hadn't understood the question.
Dallin was the first to speak up.
"You-You mean Audrey Jean?" Dallin asked, looking confused.
"Could be," Jules said slowly. "Did people call her AJ?"
"I believe her friends did," Heath answered. He gave Jules a questioning look. "Audrey Jean is Caleb's daughter. Why are you asking about her?"
Jules sensed she should have brought it up earlier.
"We … the FBI … had reason to believe that someone with the initials AJ may have been the Calligrapher's first victim. Do you know what happened to Audrey?"
Heath exhaled audibly. "Audrey left after she graduated from high school a couple years back. Packed a suitcase and took off. Caleb asked us to see if we could find out where she'd gone. Dallin and I spent a couple days doing what we could. Talked to her friends. They knew she was taking off but didn't know where she was headed. She didn't have a car, so we checked the bus stations in Cedar and St. George. Couldn't find a thing. She was gone. Just like her mother."
"Her mother?" Jules asked.
"Yes. About a dozen years ago. Francine. Bit of a restless soul. Always hated it here in Gideon. One day she up and left. Audrey would have been about eight at the time."
"Any problems in their marriage?"
"Just that she didn't want to be here and Caleb did. Not much beyond that."
Apocalypse Journeys (Book 2): Finding AJ Page 20
