Dead End

by Nancy Mehl

  “I think they expect you to eat where they serve the food.”

  Noah winked at her. “I bet I can coax them to give me a couple of to-go boxes. What are you hungry for? And don’t tell me you’re not hungry. You’re going to eat. Can’t have you passing out again today.”

  A shadow flickered across her face. Noah knew she was embarrassed by what happened, but he didn’t care. She had to take care of herself.

  “Okay. I hear you.” She was quiet for a moment and then said, “How about scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast?”

  “Will you actually eat all that?”

  She grinned. “Not sure, but I’ll give it my best effort.”

  He put down his cup and stood. “That’s all I can ask for, I guess. Be right back.”

  When he went downstairs, the women running the kitchen weren’t the least bit surprised that he wanted breakfast to-go. “A lot of people pick up food and eat it in their rooms,” a grandmotherly woman told him with a smile. “We don’t mind.”

  She handed him two to-go boxes, and when he’d filled them, she put them in a bag. He added a couple of containers of orange juice and some additional packets of coffee. The food smelled great, and by the time he knocked on Kaely’s door, his stomach was growling. When she let him in, she was dressed and ready to go. She wore dark blue slacks and a tucked-in, cream-colored blouse, with a lilac jacket that was the perfect choice for her outfit. She’d pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She looked great. The consummate FBI agent. No one would know that a storm that brewed behind her dark eyes . . . except him.

  Noah came close to pointing out that his blue slacks and cream-colored shirt almost made them twins, but he kept quiet. Kaely would probably change clothes if he mentioned it. She didn’t like to draw attention to herself. Besides, his jacket was dark blue and matched his slacks, so there was a notable difference.

  He set the bag on the table, where Kaely had set out two plates, utensils, and two coffee cups with fresh coffee.

  Before long, they were eating, and Noah was grateful to see Kaely actually enjoying her food.

  “Talked to my brother last night,” she said.

  “About his visits?”

  She nodded. “He’d told me a few months ago that he was thinking about going, but he never mentioned that he’d followed up on it.”

  Noah swallowed a forkful of scrambled eggs. Pretty good. “Are you angry with him because he visited your father?”

  She shook her head. “Jason thinks Ed can find Jesus.”

  “You don’t?”

  Kaely didn’t answer for a moment. Finally, she met his gaze. “My heart says yes. My head says no. It’s my training. Psychopaths don’t see the need for salvation. They have no remorse. They worship only themselves.” She shrugged and went back to her eggs. “Jason is welcome to try.”

  “At some point we’ll be interviewing staff and prisoners,” Noah said, changing the subject. He didn’t know what to say about Ed Oliphant’s need for Jesus. Was it possible? He wanted to believe it, but like Kaely, he had his doubts. “Are you up for it?”

  Kaely put down her fork and frowned at him. “What do you mean?”

  Uh oh. Tread lightly here. “You weren’t feeling well yesterday. Just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

  Kaely lowered her head and stared at her plate. Noah wasn’t trying to upset her. Why couldn’t she see he just wanted to help? Sometimes her pride kept her from being honest—a trait he didn’t admire.

  “I’m fine, Noah. Thanks for asking.” When she looked up, he could see sincerity in her expression. “I really believe God will get me through this. I’m trying to be . . . more transparent.” She sighed. “I don’t like feeling out of control—or weak. In fact, I hate it. I think it’s because of my dad. When he was arrested, I felt I had no power over my own life. I get a little testy when I think someone is trying to manipulate me.”

  “I’m not trying to manipulate you. I thought you knew me better than that.”

  “I do.” She tossed him a smile that made his heart beat faster. “I’m sorry to put you through this. I realize I have a tendency to bury hurt. I’m not completely unaware of it. But this . . . this is the big one. The thing I haven’t been brave enough to completely face. My father . . . ” She sighed again. “I’ve worked through a lot of it, but it seems the hurt is still there. I tried to convince myself I’d dealt with everything. I really thought I had. Except there’s always been a loop in my mind.”

  “A loop?”

  She nodded. “When my dad was brought to court the first time, he pleaded guilty. Mom asked him to. She didn’t want the process to drag on and on. The media was all over us. That’s why we were moved to a safe house for a while. After they found my dad’s stash, Jason and I didn’t want to live in our house anyway. It’s like he took our home away, along with everything else.”

  “But what’s this loop you mentioned?”

  Again, Kaely stared at her plate for a moment. When she finally spoke, her voice was so low he could barely hear her. “When he was brought into court, he had to admit to everything he’d done. I turned on the TV that day to find it being televised. Mom was out, and I watched even though I knew she’d never want me to.” She took a deep, trembling breath. “It was horrible. How could this man be my father? Although he had his faults and could be controlling, he had taken care of us. He told us not to be afraid of thunder, and he took us on vacations. He showed up at our school functions.”

  She looked up at Noah, and he could see the bewilderment in her expression. Even after all these years of studying the motives of serial killers, she still couldn’t understand her father’s actions.

  “That’s what runs on a loop through my brain. When I joined the Bureau, I looked up my father’s case. The things I saw, the things he did . . .” She shook her head slowly. “They’re in my mind. They play over and over. I try to stop them, but I can’t always do it.”

  Noah cleared his throat and looked at her, his gaze locked on hers. “I’ll be here for you, Kaely. Whatever it takes. However long it takes. You’ll make it through this, and you won’t be alone.”

  She blinked several times, and her eyes grew shiny. “You said you didn’t trust me. Couldn’t be close to me.”

  “I know, and I meant it. Problem is, I can’t . . .” He looked away for a moment. Her dark eyes had the power to pull him in, make him forget everything. “Just please promise me you won’t take crazy chances anymore. I can’t deal with it.”

  “I’ll try, Noah. I really will. For you.”

  Even as she said it, in his heart Noah knew her promise could be easily broken.

  Twenty-One

  When they arrived at the prison a few hours later, they were led to the room where Kaely had talked to Ed. The same guard opened the door and let them inside.

  “Thanks, Kenny,” Kaely said, smiling.

  “I was told you’ve requested phone records and any mail sent to Ed,” he said. “Also copies of any letters he mailed out. Not sure you’ll find anything to help you. Ed doesn’t communicate much with anyone, but I wanted you to know we’re gettin’ all that together for you.”

  “Thanks,” Noah said. “What about the prisoners and guards?”

  Kenny was quiet as Noah and Kaely sat down at the same table. It made her feel a little unsettled, but thankfully, she wasn’t seeing her father today.

  Finally, Kenny said, “He does talk to some prisoners from time to time. He’s allowed out in the yard for an hour a day. That would be the only time he could make any connections, but if he’d developed any real relationships, we’d know about it. There’s nothin’ like that. He isn’t friendly with any of the guards, including me.” He glanced back at the door as if wanting to make sure it was closed, then looked at Kaely. “He’s had a few run-ins, but nothin’ serious. We all get along pretty well with those who’ve been here a long time. Except for your dad. Basically, he doesn’t want much to do with any of us.”

  “Ke
nny, can you think of anyone else he might talk to?” Kaely asked. “It’s really important that we know.”

  Kenny shuffled his feet a couple of times, looking extremely uncomfortable. “Look, I have to be careful. Some inmates and . . . others don’t like anyone talkin’ to law enforcement. Their motto is ‘Snitches get stitches.’”

  “But who would care if you talk to us about my father?” Kaely asked. “If none of them are close to him . . .”

  Kenny took a step closer and lowered his voice. “There was an incident once. Another inmate took Ed’s cigarettes, a member of a violent gang. We have several of them here, and they stick together. Your dad didn’t say anything, but two days later the gang member was found dead in his cell. The medical examiner said it was natural causes, but I don’t buy it.”

  “But how could Ed kill someone if he spends so much time in isolation?” Noah asked with a frown.

  “I have no idea, but it happened. The warden didn’t follow up on it for the reason you just mentioned. And because there wasn’t any proof. But it certainly made some of us nervous.” Kenny rubbed the back of his neck, obviously trying to soothe himself.

  It was clear to Kaely that Kenny was afraid of her father. Still, she couldn’t see how Ed could have possibly caused the gang member’s death. It seemed like a stretch.

  “How could you get in trouble for talking to us?” she asked. “It’s just us in here, and we have no intention of saying anything.”

  Kenny shrugged. “If someone told Ed I was in here longer than I should be or if the wrong person saw something on the cameras . . .”

  “Okay, Kenny,” Noah said. “Don’t let us keep you any longer. I’m sure everything will be all right.”

  Even though he’d been given permission to leave, Kenny didn’t move. Noah and Kaely stayed quiet, waiting for him to either walk out the door or share whatever else was on his mind.

  “My wife, Marie, tells me I need to be braver. Say what I think. Sometimes I . . . well, I’m a little insecure, I guess.”

  “How long have you been married?” Kaely asked, trying to relax the uptight guard.

  He smiled. “Two years. She’s wonderful. Saved my life in a way. Love can do that.”

  “Yes, it can,” Noah said. She noticed he said that slowly. Was he thinking about Tracy?

  “Look,” Kenny said, his voice almost a whisper. “I think you need to talk to his therapist, Dr. Engle.”

  The door to the room suddenly opened, and a large man wearing a guard’s uniform walked in.

  “The records these people asked for are ready,” he said in a loud voice. “What’s takin’ so long?”

  Kenny’s eyes widened, and he stepped back from the table as he turned to face the other guard. “Just tryin’ to find out what they need today. I’ll fetch the records.” He fastened frightened eyes on Kaely. “Would either of you like some coffee?”

  “That would be great. Thank you,” Kaely said. “And thanks for filling us in on some of the history of this prison. We appreciate it.”

  Kenny obviously realized what Kaely was trying to do and nodded. “You’re welcome,” he said, looking a little more relaxed. “I’ll be back as soon as I can with the records and your coffee.”

  He turned around and hurried past the huge guard, who glared at him as he walked past. Kaely glanced at his badge. Raymond Cooper.

  “Thank you for helping with the records,” Kaely said. “We appreciate your time.”

  He frowned at her. “I didn’t get ’em. I don’t work with records. They just told me they were ready.”

  Kaely smiled at him. “Oh. Well, then, thanks for letting us know.”

  Cooper shrugged. “Whatever.” He scowled at them and walked out, pulling the door shut behind him.

  “Wow. Not everyone’s glad we’re here,” Noah said.

  “Obviously. I want to know more about this Dr. Engle.” She chewed her bottom lip for a few moments before saying, “Who would know more about my father than his therapist? Of course, we probably won’t get much out of her.”

  “Unless she’s heard something that could put someone in danger.”

  Kaely nodded. “Right.”

  “I hope we didn’t get Kenny in trouble.”

  “He’ll be okay. I don’t think anyone would hurt him with us here. Especially that guard. We’d be all over him. It would be too obvious.”

  “Yeah, maybe.” He sighed. “This place. It makes me nervous. I mean, so many criminals in one place.”

  “Yeah, prisons are like that.”

  Noah laughed. “Okay. But you know what I mean.”

  “I do, but we need to focus on our work. Before another woman dies.”

  Someone knocked lightly on the door, and then a guard entered with two cups of coffee and a bag. “Kenny asked me to bring this to you,” she said. “He’s getting the records you asked for.” She was young and pretty, and she reminded Kaely of the kind of women her father had chosen to kill. Most of them had dark hair, although in a pinch, her father would go with a blonde. Dark blond, though. Never anyone with red hair. Kaely had always wondered why. Was it because his daughter had auburn hair? Even thinking about it made her feel sick.

  “Thank you,” Kaely said.

  The guard put the cups on the table and handed the bag to Kaely. “I didn’t know how you take your coffee, so here are some packets of sugar and artificial sweetener. I also got cream and spoons.”

  Noah grinned at her. “Wow. Thanks. This makes you my favorite person today.”

  The girl, whose name tag read Megan, smiled nervously. Kaely was amused to notice she was a little tense around Noah. She was used to seeing women react to him. His wavy black hair framed his handsome face and his gray-blue eyes seemed to see right into a person’s heart. Kaely swung her gaze from Noah to the young guard, noticing Megan’s red cheeks as she fled the room.

  “I think you have an admirer,” Kaely said.

  “Well, it’s easy to understand. I mean, I wore my dark blue suit today. What do you expect?”

  “Oh brother.” Kaely laughed and took the plastic lid off her coffee cup. She’d had two cups at the hotel, but she usually drank at least three a day. The smell of the rich coffee relaxed her. She took a sip. Good and hot, just the way she liked it.

  A few minutes later, Kenny walked in with a cardboard box that he sat on the table in front of them. “There’s a lot of information in there,” he said. “The names of prisoners and guards who may have had contact with Ed in the last year. My name is in there too.” He wiped his upper lip with his hand. Kaely noticed he was sweating. Why?

  “Is everything okay, Kenny?” she asked.

  He nodded. “If you could maybe interview the other guards first, I’d appreciate it.”

  “Has someone threatened you?” Noah asked.

  He shook his head. “No. I’d better get back to work. Here’s my cell phone number if you need anything else.” He handed Noah a piece of paper and then quickly left the room.

  “He certainly seemed nervous. I hope everything’s okay,” Kaely said.

  Noah put his finger to his lips and scooted the piece of paper toward her. He’d turned it over. Someone had written Stay away from the FBI unless you want to die on the back.

  Twenty-Two

  Kaely carefully slid the note into her inside jacket pocket. They would have to secure it once they left the prison. For now, they couldn’t act suspiciously. They had no way to know who was watching. Noah nodded slightly to let her know he understood that talking about it now might do more harm than good.

  Then they spent several hours going through records of visits, mail received, and a list of guards and inmates. What they found was interesting. The entire time he’d been in prison, Ed had written only one letter—sent to Kaely via the Des Moines PD right after his incarceration. They—maybe just Chief Sawyer—were the only ones who knew where she was. Although someone had made a copy, she had no intention of reading it.

  “I threw it
away right after it arrived,” she said. I didn’t care what he had to say then, and I don’t care now.” She hoped Noah wouldn’t make a big deal out of it.

  He shrugged. “I can’t imagine it has anything to do with what’s going on now. It’s your choice.”

  Looking through the letters sent to her father from sick women and sycophants made Kaely feel ill. She’d run across this behavior before, but she still had a hard time believing anyone could romanticize her father and what he’d done. She read marriage proposals, twisted expressions of love, and attempts to witness to him complete with promises to pray for him. But her father had never read any of these letters unless, as she’d been told, the writer included money. Besides the letters, he’d told prison officials he wanted letters from his family or one friend, a man who used to be close to their family. He’d written twice after her father was incarcerated. Kaely scanned those letters briefly, but since the man couldn’t possibly be the copycat, she ignored them.

  A couple of odd letters praised his killings. One man even wanted to be just like him. But her father had never read these letters either. Regardless, Kaely wrote down their names and addresses since it wouldn’t hurt to check them out.

  A little after noon, they decided to take a lunch break at a diner a few blocks from the prison. They notified the warden they were leaving and checked out. Kaely took a deep breath of fresh air as they walked to the parking lot. Being inside the gray, gothic-style building made her feel claustrophobic. Architecturally, it was impressive, and under different circumstances, Kaely would have found it compelling. But its beauty had been stained by the depravity housed inside.

  When they got to the car, Kaely popped the trunk and opened her Go Bag. She carefully removed the note from Kenny and slid it into a plastic evidence bag. Then she put the bag in her pocket. “We need to get this to Sawyer,” she told Noah.

  “Let’s get lunch, and then we’ll call him. I’m starving.”

  “All right.”

  When they got into the car, Kaely sighed and leaned back into the seat, her head against the soft leather.