Dead End

by Nancy Mehl

  “I want to sit down with my father again,” Kaely said. “He’s talking to me. I believe I can get you the information you want.”

  “Actually, he’s already asked for another meeting,” Sawyer said.

  “He has?”

  Sawyer nodded. “Since it’s become clear that our UNSUB is most likely someone inside the prison”—he glanced at Harper—“or someone closely associated with the UNSUB’s contact, you’re still our best hope to find the person we’re looking for. When do you want to talk to your father again?”

  Kaely breathed a sigh of relief. The case was still theirs. “I’d like to see him tomorrow. Today is too soon. He needs time to think about Marie Beck’s death. I think this might be another misstep from our copycat.” She looked at Sawyer. “You need to get that information to him. Please contact Warden Galloway. He can find a way to let Ed know what happened. I’m not sure he wanted Marie Beck killed. He never chose people he knew or had any connection to as his victims. First there was the note in the victims’ mouths. Now this. If these moves belong solely to the UNSUB, it won’t sit well with my father. I want to use his anger to make him turn on his protégé.”

  “That sounds good,” Sawyer said. “But Warden Galloway wants Ed to stay shackled this time. And I agree with him. After what happened last time, we can’t take chances.”

  Kaely felt their talk would go better with her father unshackled, but with Chief Sawyer and the warden in agreement, she had no choice. Besides, after the tragedy following the note Kenny received, Kaely was forced to go along with whatever guidelines the warden put down. “All right. Whatever you say.”

  “Okay. Good.” Sawyer swung his gaze to Noah. “Tomorrow you’ll start talking to some of the inmates, Agent Hunter.” Then he turned to face Kaely again. “And we’ll make sure your father is ready for an interview as well, Agent Quinn. Since Warden Galloway won’t be on duty, you’ll be coordinating with Deputy Warden Clark. We’ve set up an interview for both of you with Kenneth Beck this afternoon. He asked for you since he knows you. We think that, under the circumstances, it’s best to agree to his request. He’s been through a lot. I’m grateful he’s willing to talk to us so soon after losing his wife.”

  “That’s great,” Kaely said. Kenny might be the best witness so far. He knew people at the prison. Knew her father. The police had interviewed friends and relatives of previous victims and hadn’t been able to find anything helpful. No one had seen anything. No one knew anyone who might want the victim dead. Kaely would like to see those interviews, but if Sawyer wanted her to go over them, he’d ask. And he hadn’t. Kaely had no authority to request the records, so her choices were limited. Kenny was her best chance to locate the UNSUB. Or at least find someone else who might have the information they needed.

  “What time is he going to be at the prison?” Noah asked.

  “We can’t risk your being seen with him there,” Sawyer said. “Too dangerous. He’ll be at Nona’s Coffee Shop and Bakery. Two o’clock.” He looked at Kaely. “Do you know it?”

  She shook her head. “No. Sorry.”

  “Okay,” Sawyer said. “I’ll text the address to you. After you talk to him, call me. Let me know anything you learn from him that helps.”

  “We will,” Kaely said. “And will you keep us updated if you discover something helpful? I know you don’t have to, but anything you can tell me that will help me with my father . . .”

  “Of course,” Sawyer said. “I’m putting pressure on Warden Galloway to set up those interviews with the guards as soon as possible. I’m confident they’ll begin on Monday.”

  “Thank you.”

  Harper stood. “And we’ll contact you if we find anything helpful as well.” Then she walked away, heading toward the guy working on the laptop. It seemed their conversation was over.

  “That’s just the way she is,” Sawyer said. “Don’t take it personally.”

  Bell also got up and left. Kaely looked at Noah, who rolled his eyes.

  “That guy wants to run the show,” Sawyer said, too quietly for anyone else to hear. “Every time Harper pulls rank, his nose gets out of joint.” He shook his head. “I think he’s a smart man with good insight, but he’s not really a team player.”

  “ASAC Harper seems competent,” Noah said.

  “She is. I’m thankful to be working with her.” Sawyer pulled a copy of the newspaper Kaely had seen the day before from under the files in front of him. “Interesting article.”

  She sighed. “I suppose everyone here hates my guts.”

  He shook his head. “Actually, Harper addressed the team. Told them this wasn’t your fault—and threatened the career of anyone who even entertained the thought of contacting the media. She’s determined to find out who was behind this.”

  “We have an idea but no proof,” Noah said.

  “Wanna share?”

  Kaely shook her head. “Not now. If the person is innocent, having the full power of ASAC Pauline Harper after him . . . I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

  Sawyer laughed. “I understand.” He stood and faced them. “Good luck with your father tomorrow.” He lowered his voice again. “To be honest, we’re not getting anywhere here. This guy is outthinking us, staying one step ahead. Harper and Bell are both frustrated, and so am I. I’m praying you two find something to help us.”

  “Well, we believe the killer is connected to the prison,” Noah said. “Once we find out how he used the laptop, we’ll be able to narrow down who he might be. If he did it directly, then he has to be on-site. I heard what Harper said about other possibilities, but I just don’t think so. This person would have to have contact with Ed, the UNSUB, Kenny—and be able to get information out of the prison. Our UNSUB is inside Anamosa.”

  “I agree,” Sawyer said. “But there are a lot of people in that prison.”

  “But not many who have access to the office where the computer was,” Kaely said. “It’s really important for us to learn how that message got there.”

  Sawyer nodded. “You’re right.”

  Kaely sighed. “I can’t stop thinking about Marie Beck.”

  “Best to take Pauline’s advice. Hindsight is twenty-twenty. The best thing we can do for her now is find her killer.”

  Noah and Kaely shook hands with the chief and said good-bye, and then they were almost to the door when a woman stopped them.

  “Agent Quinn, we received a call from someone who says she knows you. She’s asking you to call her.” The agent looked down at a piece of paper. “Do you know someone named Georganna Williamson? She says you knew her as Georganna Hobson.”

  Kaely felt herself sway. Noah grabbed her as she reached for the piece of paper. Georganna Hobson? Georgie.

  Twenty-Eight

  Noah held on to Kaely all the way to the car. She’d been the last one to drive, and he held out his hand for the keys. She pulled them out of her pocket and handed them to him without any argument. Once they were both inside the car, he said, “Your face went completely white in there. What’s wrong. Are you sick?”

  Without saying a word, Kaely handed him the note she’d been given by the agent inside the CP.

  He read it and frowned. “I’m sorry. I heard what the agent said, but I don’t understand . . .” His eyes widened as he looked over the note once again. “Georganna?” He searched her face. “Is this . . . Georgie? The real Georgie?”

  She nodded.

  Noah was silent for a moment. Then he said, “So reality is invading unreality. Wow. That’s . . .” He shook his head. “I don’t know what that’s like, I guess. But I mean, couldn’t this be a good thing? You could be getting your friend back.”

  “I . . . I don’t know. I mean, if I talk to the real Georgie, what will happen to the only Georgie I know?”

  “Uh, can I remind you that the Georgie you know isn’t real? How can anything happen to her?”

  Noah was surprised to see tears in Kaely’s eyes. “Why are you crying?” he ask
ed as gently as he could. He wasn’t sure how to handle this, but he felt the need to tread carefully. “Maybe you won’t need her anymore, Kaely. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a real friend?”

  Kaely shook her head. “You don’t get it.”

  “I’m trying to. You have to admit, this is a rather strange situation. I’m not sure what to say here, but I want to help.”

  Kaely touched his arm. “I’m sorry. I know that.” She took the note from his hand, then folded it before sliding it into her pocket. She looked at her watch. “We have three hours until we meet with Kenny. I’d like to go someplace where we can talk for a while. Lay out the whole case. I need to see it.”

  “Sure. I think that’s a good idea. I noticed a Thai restaurant not too far from here. How does that sound?”

  “Good. I love Thai food.” She took a deep breath, obviously trying to calm herself. “Again, sorry for the emotional reaction. I was just . . . surprised. I assume Georganna saw the article in the paper and realized I’m in town.”

  Noah started the car and headed toward the street in front of the CP. “You said her parents came between you two after your father was arrested?”

  “Yeah. Like I told you before, they were wonderful people. Her house was my second home. I loved it there. They were such a happy family. So much joy. Georganna has two brothers. They were really funny, and they used to tease us. It was great.” She was quiet for a moment. “I’m certain her parents were just concerned about her. If there had been more time, I think they would have relented. But we left for the safe house soon after, so they never had a chance to change their minds. Then, after my father was sentenced, we moved to Nebraska.”

  “There wasn’t a trail, so they couldn’t find you.”

  “Right.” She sighed. “I’m not sure if I should return her call.”

  “Of course, it’s up to you, but I hope you do. She went to a lot of trouble trying to get that message to you. If we leave here and you don’t contact her . . .”

  “I might regret it for a long time,” Kaely finished for him. She sighed again. “You’re right. But for now, let’s concentrate on finding our UNSUB, okay?”

  “Sure. No pressure from me.”

  “Thanks, Noah. I really don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  He didn’t say anything. He was still shaken about the message Kaely had gotten from her invisible UNSUB in Darkwater. The comment had to have come from her own fears. But what did it mean? Was this some kind of self-fulfilling prophecy? He tried to push away his concerns so he could concentrate on the here and now. He realized that was getting harder and harder to do.

  They were almost to the restaurant when Kaely’s phone rang. She took it out of her pocket and smiled. “Jason.”

  “Tell him I said hello.” Noah liked Kaely’s younger brother. He was always so positive, and Kaely needed that kind of encouragement in her life.

  “Hi there, brother,” she said into her phone. She listened for a moment before saying, “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. This isn’t the place for a family reunion. My meetings with Dad are only to learn how he’s controlling a vicious serial killer.”

  Obviously, Jason wanted to come to Anamosa while Kaely was here. Interesting. It seemed as if the past was converging on her. Noah hoped she’d tell him to come. He could use some backup with Kaely.

  “Well, it seems as if you’re determined, so come on.” Kaely gave him the name and address of their hotel. “You can probably stay with me,” she told him, “but let me check on that.” She paused a moment. “I’ll have to contact the FBI and tell them you’re coming.”

  After a few seconds of silence, she said, “Okay. I understand. There’s another hotel right across the street from us.” She turned toward Noah. “What’s the name of that place?”

  “Northbrook Inn.” He was surprised she didn’t know. Kaely’s eidetic memory was extraordinary. They saw that hotel every time they left their own building. Forgetting the name of the hotel was one more sign she wasn’t firing on all cylinders.

  After talking to Jason a few more minutes, Kaely ended the call and slid her phone back into her pocket.

  “He’s coming, then?” Noah asked.

  She nodded. “I wish he wouldn’t. This isn’t the time for a visit. I’m not here for that. I’m not sure he’ll understand.”

  “Jason’s pretty easygoing. I think he’ll respect what you’re trying to do.”

  “Well, he didn’t respect me enough to tell me he was visiting our father.”

  “You know why he didn’t.”

  “Yeah, I do. I haven’t said anything to him yet, but we’ll talk about it when he gets here.”

  “By the way, what’s the latest update on your mom?”

  Kaely’s mother had been diagnosed with cancer, but the last time Kaely had talked with her, an alternative treatment seemed to be having good results.

  “She’s still doing great,” Kaely said with a smile. “Her doctor expects a complete recovery.”

  “I’m thrilled to hear that.” Why hadn’t she told him sooner? As soon as he asked himself the question, he knew the answer. It was because he’d drawn back from her over the last few months. She probably hadn’t felt comfortable sharing anything so personal. Great. Now he felt guilty.

  “She’s started going back to church,” Kaely continued. “She’s found a small congregation near her house where the people have really welcomed her. She was bitter about the way our church acted after my father was arrested. They turned their backs on us.”

  “I’m sorry about that. That’s not how churches should be.”

  “You said you went to church with Tracy before she died. How did they treat you?”

  Noah shrugged. “They were great. Brought over enough food to keep me eating for months. I had to use a friend’s freezer to store some of it. They did everything they could to help me.” He shook his head. “I was the one who walked away from them. It wasn’t anything they did. I was angry because Tracy believed so strongly that God would heal her. And then He didn’t.”

  Kaely was quiet for a moment. “Those kinds of situations are hard to understand.”

  “I’m so sick and tired of hearing that.” Noah hadn’t meant his tone to be so harsh. Kaely turned her face away from him. He’d upset her. This wasn’t the time to express his anger toward God.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “Still have some issues.” He tried to tamp down his irritation. Christians always seemed to have the answers—until life went south. Then all they could say was Some things are hard to understand. What a cop-out.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice soft. “I seem to be apologizing a lot today.” She fastened her dark eyes on him. “We live in a fallen world, Noah, with an evil enemy who seeks to destroy us. But the truth is he really can’t. Maybe it seems to you that Tracy lost her battle. In a way you’re right, but you have to remember that Tracy isn’t dead. She’s in heaven, healed and whole. Her prayers were answered. Maybe not the way you wanted, but still, the enemy didn’t win. He lost.”

  She paused. “I know you miss her. You know, this life goes by so fast. Like the blink of an eye. But eternity is . . . forever. Maybe that doesn’t help you, but it’s the truth.” She touched his arm again. “God didn’t kill her, Noah. He loves her, and He loves you. I can’t tell you what happened, but I can say you’re mad at the wrong person. It’s the devil who kills, steals, and destroys. God welcomed her into heaven. Tracy is happier than she’s ever been.”

  Maybe Kaely was right. Maybe the anger he’d had toward God was misplaced. He’d never thought about how his pain might not be His fault.

  He stared straight ahead. He couldn’t think about this now. He almost found it amusing. Kaely didn’t want to think about Georgie, and he didn’t want to think about Tracy. How long could they ignore what confused and hurt them? The job couldn’t always come first. Eventually they’d both have to deal with some harsh truths—or they’d never be completely whole.<
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  Twenty-Nine

  Noah pulled into the parking lot of the Thai place he’d seen. On the way there, Kaely had called Solomon to tell him Jason was determined to come to Anamosa. When she’d hung up, she told Noah that although Solomon wasn’t crazy about the idea, there was no way he could stop Jason. The FBI was just watching over him, not putting him in custody.

  Noah didn’t say anything, but he honestly felt Jason would be safer here with him and Kaely.

  Soon they were sitting at a corner table in the restaurant, both munching on crab Rangoon. He ordered the Nam Tok Beef and Kaely asked for pineapple fried rice. The food was exceptional. About halfway through their lunch, Kaely took out a notebook.

  “Okay,” she said, “let’s start from the beginning. Someone buries six new bodies next to nine older ones in an abandoned rail yard in Des Moines, the city where the so-called Raggedy Man killed fourteen women. The older bodies appear to be his work, which brings his total to . . . twenty-three.”

  Kaely stumbled over her last words. It was obviously difficult for her to face the evil acts committed by her father. Noah really couldn’t imagine how it felt to have a dad who was a serial killer. His father was . . . a father. Kind, caring, funny. He still questioned Noah about his car, making sure he was taking care of it. “Have you changed your oil lately?” he’d ask when they talked on the phone. “Remember to have it checked regularly. And keep a tire pressure gauge in your glove compartment.” Although he didn’t say I love you often, he constantly showed Noah love through his actions. Just thinking about his dad made him a little homesick. Time for a visit.

  Kaely had fallen silent, probably thinking about the women who were dead because of Ed Oliphant.

  Noah gently picked up the thread. “We know our UNSUB has had some kind of contact with your father because of the wire angel in the victims’ hands as well as knowing where his other bodies were buried. Only your father could have told him those things.”

  Kaely took a deep breath. “Right. The wire angel component was never released to the public. But of course, some people knew about it. Law enforcement involved with the case. Anyone connected to the court who could access the records. But no one knew about the field except my father. That sealed it.”