Dead End

by Nancy Mehl

  He couldn’t make out everything Kaely was saying, and of course he couldn’t hear Georgie, but he knew that was who Kaely was talking to. When Kaely grew silent, Noah walked away. He sat down on the edge of his bed, wondering what to do. Should he contact Solomon? Tell him he didn’t think Kaely was . . . what? Capable of handling this assignment? That she was too fragile? Maybe mentally unstable? It felt disloyal. As if he were turning his back on her. The truth was he wanted to trust Kaely Quinn as an agent, but he feared he was watching his friend disintegrate right before his eyes.

  Twelve

  Kaely had asked Noah to drive them to the prison so she could look over the file Sawyer gave her. As she read through it, she shared its contents with Noah, but there wasn’t much to talk about. Information about the last murder wasn’t in the file. They had been told, however, that forensics hadn’t found any useable DNA or fingerprints, nothing left behind from the UNSUB that could point to him. Yet the MO was still similar to her father’s original killings.

  “Why were so many of the bodies found at the train yard buried?” Noah asked.

  Kaely was silent for a moment. “I really don’t know. Serial killers have been known to change their MO, but it’s usually because they’re afraid of getting caught. From the age of the original bodies, they were killed long before—”

  Noah was used to Kaely halting in the middle of a sentence. It meant she’d realized something. He used to tease her. Tell her she reminded him of Agatha Christie’s character, Hercule Poirot. Poirot would refer to his “little gray cells,” meaning he had to think. And his thinking led to the truth—and an arrest. Noah was quiet, allowing her to process her thoughts without interruption.

  Finally, she said, “I believe the women in the field were killed before my father made himself known.”

  Noah’s mouth dropped open. “What are you saying? That they were . . . practice?”

  Kaely looked at him and nodded. With all the evil she’d seen, she still had the ability to look horrified by the terrible things people were capable of.

  “When he was ready, when he felt capable of getting away with his crimes, he began to leave the bodies on display.”

  What she was saying began to filter through his mind. “You’re saying the reason our copycat killer left this new body in public is that he’s through practicing—just like your father was. He’s moved on?”

  Kaely nodded again. “No one but my father knew about this killing field, Noah. He had to tell his apprentice about it. He probably instructed him to follow his own pattern. It’s terrible, but it makes a sick kind of sense.”

  “I still find it hard to believe someone just stumbled over the last body buried there.”

  Kaely snorted. “Trust me. Our UNSUB had a plan to reveal his work. That wasn’t it.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “First of all, he’s proud of what he’s done. Second, it proves he knows things about my father no one else does. And the last victim in the field, Rebecca Jergens, was buried in a very shallow grave. Not like the others. He wanted her to be found. I’m certain if someone hadn’t accidentally discovered her, the UNSUB would have alerted the authorities some other way.”

  “I didn’t realize Rebecca Jergens was buried differently than the others.”

  Kaely went back to looking through the information the chief provided. “It’s going to be hard to identify the older bodies. I suspect they’re prostitutes.”

  “Women already missing or hiding from their families.”

  “Yes, but regardless, I’m sure the families of some of these women have been looking for them. The others, though . . .” She shook her head. “So sad. Tossed away like trash so my father could hone his skills. They deserved better.”

  “They may have lived lives that put them in danger, Kaely.”

  “That’s true, but many times prostitutes have been sexually exploited as children. Or they’re addicted to drugs.” When she turned to look at him, he could see the compassion in her face. It touched him.

  “Maybe they’ll be identified,” he said. “It’s not impossible.”

  “I hope so. I would hate to see these women buried in unmarked graves without anyone there to mourn them.”

  Noah shifted his gaze back to the highway. “This guy. The Copycat Killer. Is he exactly like your father? I mean, other than the Scripture and using a stun gun?”

  “No. My father didn’t need to pattern himself after anyone. And their signatures are different. My father killed out of deep-seated anger. This guy has a plan. He wants something, but I’m not sure what it is.” She took a deep breath. “Did you know there are different kinds of psychopaths?”

  Noah grunted. “No. What kind is your dad?”

  “He’s a tyrannical psychopath. Obsessed with control. But he also has some traits of a malevolent psychopath. The worst kind.”

  Noah raised his eyebrows. “And the copycat?”

  “I don’t know yet. The explosive psychopath can’t control his rage. The new deaths seem like controlled kills, so I would probably rule that out. And the abrasive psychopath is defiant. He has his own views and isn’t easily led. If this guy has that quality, then eventually his relationship with my father will splinter. That will help us catch him. If at any point my father feels slighted, he may tell us who he is.”

  “Wow. Different kinds of psychopaths. That makes it even harder to understand them.”

  “Sounds like it, but they all have one thing in common. They’re inspired by evil.” She sighed again, this time more deeply. “I’ve realized that Satan is the king of psychopaths.”

  “I don’t understand. Blame it on my lack of religious education.”

  Kaely laughed lightly even though the subject wasn’t humorous. “Psychopaths don’t have the ability to love. To care for others.” She paused for a moment, then said, “Think about it. The devil knows he’s destined for destruction. That in the end God will throw him into eternal fire.”

  “If you believe in that sort of thing.”

  “Yes, if you believe in that sort of thing,” Kaely repeated, her voice growing soft. “Why doesn’t he fall on his knees before God? Beg for forgiveness? God is merciful. Maybe He would pardon him.”

  Confused, Noah just shrugged. Where was this going?”

  Kaely turned her head and stared out the car window, watching the scenery go by. Noah didn’t say anything, just waited.

  Finally, Kaely looked at him. “Satan is the king of the psychopaths because his spirit is dead and because he has no access to God. There’s no compassion in him. No conviction. He has no ability to accept forgiveness and no ability to change. He can appear as an angel of light, but it’s a learned behavior. A trick to deceive. And Satan is a liar. He doesn’t care about the truth.”

  “Are you saying psychopaths like your father are really . . . possessed by the devil?”

  Kaely hesitated before saying, “Some of them. Or at least influenced by him.”

  “But people aren’t the devil, Kaely. At least that’s what Tracy believed. She said no one was beyond the love of God. No one.”

  Kaely frowned at him. “You’re not arguing with me. You’re letting Tracy argue with me.”

  Noah felt a quick flash of resentment at her comment, but then he realized she was right and laughed. “So how did she do?”

  “Pretty well. And she’s right.”

  “So maybe there’s hope for your father?”

  Kaely shrugged. “I can’t go into this interview thinking about that. I have to view him logically. We’ll be playing a game, and for me to win, I can’t let him manipulate me.”

  Noah didn’t respond. What was there to say?

  “I . . . I’ve let the job get in the way lately,” Kaely said. “I haven’t spent the time with God I should have. I’m trying to fix that.” She shook her head and turned back toward the window. “I tend to get a little focused on solving cases. The past few months it’s almost all I’ve done. At work
. At home. It’s affected me. Made me weaker. Like I said, I’m working to change that. Hopefully, I’ll be up to this today.” She flipped through the file again before saying, “I wonder if we’re going to hear from this UNSUB.”

  “Your dad never communicated with the police, did he?”

  “No. But this guy has already added a new component. He’s proud of what he’s doing. I think he’ll feel compelled to let the police know he’s smarter than they are. That he’s better than my father.”

  “Why do you think your father never communicated with the authorities?”

  “His kills were left out in public. That was his way of making a statement. He didn’t need to tell authorities he was responsible. His ego was satisfied. The police knew who he was.”

  “With the red ribbon and the wire angel?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why did he use those things?”

  She shrugged. “I have no idea. He never told anyone.”

  “You’re a profiler. Sorry, a behavioral analyst. Don’t you have any ideas about it?”

  Kaely grabbed the container in the cup holder in front of her and took a long drink of coffee. When she put it back, she said, “I haven’t really profiled my father, Noah. Not completely, anyway. It’s too . . . too painful. I’ve spent twenty years trying to forget about him.”

  Noah felt guilty. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”

  “You’re not the first one to ask that. After all these years I should be able to answer your question.” She rubbed her hands together as if she were cold. “My guess is that the red ribbon signifies his disdain for his victims. Red . . . like red light districts. And the angel? Maybe he was referencing the devil. The fallen angel. Maybe that’s how he sees women in general. Fallen.”

  “But the women he killed weren’t prostitutes, at least not the ones he displayed.”

  “Frankly, I think he sees all women as cheap and worthless. He was a serial adulterer. He pretended to love my mother, but he didn’t have the capacity. He certainly didn’t value her.”

  “I wonder if he loved his family in some other way. I mean, not the right way but—”

  “You’re the profiler now?” Kaely’s remark was sharp. Edged with annoyance.

  “Sorry. You’re right. I think I need to shut up. You need time to prepare, not listen to me blither on and on.”

  Kaely reached over and touched his arm. “No, I’m sorry. And you’re wrong. Your blithering is keeping me sane.” She smiled. “Blither on. But maybe after I finish reading this file?”

  Noah nodded. As Kaely concentrated on the coroner’s report on the bodies they’d removed from the old rail yard, he had to fight a strong urge to turn the car around and head back to St. Louis. Why couldn’t he shake this feeling of disaster that kept his body constantly tense?

  Thirteen

  Kaely and Noah checked in at the prison, turning in their weapons, which was standard procedure. Kaely tried to shake off a feeling of vulnerability as Georgie kept trying to talk to her, whispering in her ear. But Kaely wouldn’t listen. She couldn’t allow her here. Not now. Instead, she was determined to hold on to God with everything she had. He was the only one who could get her through this. She wasn’t sure how He would do it, but she was convinced He wouldn’t abandon her. The only reason she was here was to save lives—if she could.

  Noah didn’t say anything as they passed through the various doors, getting closer and closer to the room where she would meet with her father. Kaely’s heart beat so loudly she could hear it in her ears. She kept gulping breaths, fighting to keep away the terror that sought to overpower her.

  She whispered a Scripture as they approached the final door. “‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.’” She knew Noah heard her, but he still didn’t say anything. A tall, thin, dour-faced guard unlocked the door that took them to a hallway just outside the room where her father no doubt waited. The guard told them to stay where they were until someone came to assist them. Kaely thanked him for his help. When he walked back through the solid metal door and pulled it shut, the clang made Kaely jump.

  She wore black slacks and a soft blue blouse with darker lace on the bodice, but as they waited outside the room, she changed her mind about her hair. She pulled out the tie that held it back and let it fall around her shoulders. Then she ran her fingers through the curls, trying to shape her hair into place. She needed her father to see something of the child she used to be, although, again, right now making herself more vulnerable was the last thing she desired. She’d rather her father realized that she was okay, that she’d recovered from him, even though she didn’t feel that way at the moment.

  “When I was a kid, I never tied my hair back,” she said to Noah when she noticed he was staring at her. She was surprised at how small her voice sounded. Would her father see her as a frightened child?

  Noah suddenly grabbed one of her hands. “That’s not what I’m concerned about,” he said. “You’re shaking like a leaf in a strong wind. We can walk away, Kaely. Seriously. Let’s just go.”

  She looked up into his stormy blue eyes. “I can’t. I have to do this. If I don’t . . . I’m afraid I’ll lose myself. I’m putting myself in God’s hands. I have to believe He’ll see me through.”

  He took her other hand. “Look, I know this will sound strange coming from me, but Tracy used to pray something . . . Maybe it will help you.” Noah closed his eyes. “Thank you, God, that you have not given Kaely a spirit of fear . . .” He halted a moment, obviously trying to remember the rest.

  “But of power and of love and of a sound mind,” Kaely finished for him. She took a deep breath and let the words flow through her body, then felt it relax.

  “I . . . I pray this in the name of Jesus,” Noah said. “Amen.”

  Kaely opened her eyes and met his gaze. “I can’t believe you just prayed for me,” she whispered. “Why?”

  He released her hands. “Look, I’m still not completely sure about God, but I am certain of one thing. You. You make me do things I never thought I could do. Believe it or not, I’ve prayed for you before.” He stared down at the floor. “Let’s just say that God and I are talking again. That’s all I can say for now, but we’ve started having regular conversations for the first time since Tracy died. And it’s because of you.”

  Kaely glanced around to see if they were still alone. “But I’m such a bad example, Noah. You know that.”

  He let loose a long, soft sigh. “But you fight, Kaely. I’ve never known anyone who fights so hard to find her way. When you fall down, you get up and try again. It isn’t your success as a Christian that’s touched me. It’s your struggle. If your relationship with God is that important to you . . . Well, maybe a relationship with Him should be important to me too.”

  From somewhere deep inside, she knew God was affirming Noah’s words. That God loved her willingness to seek after Him no matter how many times she messed up. And that He treasured her. It was at that moment she truly knew she could face her earthly father because she was secure in her heavenly Father’s love and approval. Even with all her weaknesses, He accepted her. And she could stand secure on His word because it was spoken out of His love. He had made her strong. He had indeed prepared her hands for war. And she was going to win.

  She smiled at Noah. “I will never be able to thank you enough for what you just said. And for your friendship.” She wrapped her arms around him. At first, she felt resistance, but then he relaxed and returned her hug. It felt so reassuring that she could have spent all day in his arms. But it was time to do what she’d come to do. She gently pulled away just as the door at the end of the hallway slid open.

  John Howard, Bell, and Chief Sawyer walked in together. Another man joined them, and Bell gestured toward him. “Special Agents Quinn and Hunter, this is Warden Galloway.”

  “Nice to meet you, agents,” he said in a perfunctory tone. His tall, slender frame made him seem rathe
r frail, but Kaely saw steel in his eyes. He was a man in charge. A man to be reckoned with. She noticed a slight twang. Texas? Kaely could tell he wasn’t thrilled with what was going on but felt he had no choice.

  “Nice to meet you, too, sir,” Noah said. He turned to look at John. “I thought you weren’t going to be here today.”

  “I decided this was more important than what I had on my schedule. I’m here to support Agent Quinn.” He searched her face. “I can only guess how difficult this is for you.”

  “Thank you,” Kaely said. “I’m glad you’re here.” She really was. John Howard was a calming influence. Smart. Professional. Yet compassionate. The kind of agent she longed to be.

  He smiled at her. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “We have your food coming,” Sawyer said. “It will be here in the next few minutes. Why don’t you use a code word or phrase to let us know when you’re ready for it?”

  Kaely nodded. “How about when I mention my brother? I don’t believe he knows Jason is married. I could bring that up.”

  All three men fell silent, and Sawyer looked at Warden Galloway.

  “What is it?” Kaely asked. “Tell me now before I go in there. I don’t want any surprises.”

  “Your brother’s been here to see your father twice,” Galloway said.

  “I’m sorry,” John said. “We just found out. Arrangements were made through your father’s therapist.”

  “But you knew,” Kaely said to Sawyer. “You told me no one visited him.”

  Sawyer looked guilty. “I’m sorry. Your brother didn’t want anyone to know. Especially you.”

  “Especially me?”

  “For crying out loud,” Noah said. “Didn’t it occur to any of you that she would need this information before she faced her father?”

  “I should have told you yesterday,” Sawyer said. “Hitting you with it at the last minute was a mistake.”