He glanced at his brothers. They looked pissed off but hopefully would save their questions for later. Sandman didn’t want Grace to know about the letter.
“This isn’t the killer’s MO. Jamie should be dead. He didn’t kill her and there’s a reason. Did he leave another poem?” she asked and Sandman looked at his brothers for help.
“She has a right to know. Tell her, Sandman,” Duke whispered.
Sandman remained silent. The information could send Grace over the edge. Grace begged him to tell her more, but this time Sandman held his ground.
* * * *
The words from the killer’s letter stared out at Sandman, Duke, and Big Jay from his laptop. Frank had e-mailed the note along with the other evidence found at Jamie’s house.
The killer wanted her, wanted to perform sick sexual acts as he had done with the others. He said he desired Grace and that she was his treasure. The sick son of a bitch had killed over thirty young women.
“We can’t let this sick fuck get to Grace,” Duke stated firmly.
“We need fucking answers,” Big Jay added.
They heard the door open and knew that Grace had returned from going to the bathroom. Sandman closed down his laptop.
* * * *
Grace overhead part of their conversation. The killer did leave another letter. He mentioned her in it. He was taunting her and wanted Grace to return home.
“Can I talk to Tod or Donald? What about my mother? Any word from her or my brothers?” she asked.
Grace couldn’t stand being away like this. She wanted to be home. She wanted to stop this guy. What was Sandman not telling her?
“Frank should be calling me back soon. There’s something you should know, Grace, about Donald.” Sandman looked at Big Jay and Duke. Neither man looked happy. They kind of appeared pissed off to Grace.
She was shocked when he explained how the federal agents believed Donald was the killer. Just as Sandman and Duke explained why the agents believed Donald was part of the investigation and a potential suspect, the phone rang.
Big Jay took her hand and led her out of the room. They were blocking her out, keeping her from the investigation. She wanted to go home. She wanted to help. The situation was out of control.
Chapter 15
“Peter, I just don’t get it. Why would the agents be looking at Donald?” Frank asked as John joined his two brothers. “There’s no way he could be the killer.”
“Apparently Agent Lancaster has enough evidence to obtain a search warrant,” Peter told them.
“What? When did this happen?” John asked.
“Just a little while ago. I got a call from a friend of mine. He knows how close Donald is to the family. He was giving me a heads-up,” Peter stated.
“This has turned into a major mess. There is no way it’s him. No way,” John said, and both Frank and Peter agreed.
“What did Sandman tell Grace? You know she’ll want to come home,” Peter said.
“Well that’s not an option. She’s staying put in the safety of Sandman and his brothers’ arms for all I care, but far from here. This killer means business and now we have our family to protect. I think Mom should have one of us by her at all times or maybe one of the agents,” Frank said.
“Donald had stationed a guy there already,” John told them. He didn’t want to think Donald had something to do with this. He was like a father to him.
“We can believe in our hearts that Donald’s not the killer but we have to be smart about this. I don’t think we should trust anyone,” Frank added.
“I agree. I know you don’t want to consider this but the FBI may want to use Grace as bait. The killer wants her, he’s killing other innocent people because of it and they might feel it’s the only way to smoke the guy out,” Peter said.
“You’ve got to be kidding me? There’s no fucking way our little sister is going to be bait for this monster. The FBI can just kiss my ass.” Frank raised his voice as he stood up from his chair knocking it over onto the floor.
“Calm down, Frank. I’m just telling you what they’re going to say. She’ll be safe with Sandman and his brothers and I’m sure that Agent Lancaster will keep her there while he’s investigating Donald. When that turns up to be a dead end, Grace could be coming home sooner,” Peter stated.
“I don’t believe this. We lost one sister to this fuck head. We’re not going to lose another. And Donald is innocent. The killer probably planted some evidence on him just like Stew Parker,” John said to his brothers.
“I’m sure Lancaster covered that already. I spoke to Donald a little while ago. He was going to cooperate and speak to the agents first thing in the morning,” Peter told them.
“He might need you to defend him, Peter,” John said.
“I’ve already offered my services but he says he doesn’t want to go that far yet. ‘One step at a time’ were his exact words.” Peter shook his head.
Both Frank and John smiled. That was Donald all right, very easygoing, always taking his time, never in a rush to make a judgment.
“I’m going to head over to the hospital and see how Jamie’s doing. If she regains consciousness soon, maybe she’ll be able to help with the case,” Frank said, sounding hopeful as he headed toward the door.
“Give them our best and tell Tod I’ll be there in the morning,” Peter said then he looked at John who nodded his head.
* * * *
“Peter, you keep someone on Lindsey. There’s no telling if this asshole is liable to go after your wife,” Frank said.
“I thought about that already. Your roommates volunteered. I think they still feel responsible for Grace getting that envelope when she was staying with you guys.”
“They’re a good group of guys and they do feel responsible. They’ll help out. We all will. Have you spoken with Jim and Teddie?”
“Yes, they asked me to look into something they came across. Well actually, Grace picked up on something with Sandman and his brothers while going through some files. There was this old case and a letter left behind. I think Jim and Teddie are looking into the connection between the other victims and real estate property.”
“Real estate property? What do they think that has to do with this case, Pete?”
“Not sure, but it could make matters worse for Donald. They found a link between the three victims and a charity group. Not sure where it may lead, but hopefully not as more potential evidence in a case against Donald.”
“Well, Pete, they don’t have enough to lock him up. Let’s hope for the best.”
“Let’s hope that we can find the real killer and get Grace home where she belongs.”
“At least she’s with Sandman. He’s a good guy. Jim and a bunch of guys swear he’s the best.”
Frank stood up.
“You heard what Grace told Mom the other day.”
“No, what?”
“She said she was in love.”
“No shit? With Sandman?”
“Her exact words were Sandman and his two brothers.”
John was shocked.
“Holy fuck. Big Jay and Duke are huge. Plus they always look so damn pissed off.”
“You aren’t worried about the whole ménage thing?” Pete asked.
“Hell no. Look at Jim, Teddie and Deanna. Never mind a bunch of our other friends. It happens. I just hope they truly love her.”
“If they don’t and they hurt her, we’ll kick their asses.”
“I think we’ll need our own army to try. I have hopes that this will work out. Grace could use a happily ever after.”
“Do they really exist?” Pete asked and John nodded his head.
“I sure hope so, for Grace.
* * * *
“Donald is not the killer,” Grace told Sandman, Big Jay, and Duke as they stood in the office. Sandman just got word that some other evidence pointed to Donald.
“Wasn’t he in the office when that bomb went off?” Big Jay asked.
> “Yes, he was. What, did the Agent forget that little tidbit?” Grace asked with an attitude.
“You and I both know, Big Jay, that he could have planned it that way. It would cover him for an alibi at the time,” Sandman replied.
“Sandman, you don’t actually think Donald could be the killer? Jamie is his daughter-in-law and Tod is his son,” Grace added.
“Maybe that’s why she’s not dead,” Duke said, sending Grace into shock.
“Damn you. I see now how easily you could turn your back on someone.” She turned her back toward the wall.
The men knew how upset she was.
“I need to look at this from an investigative perspective, Grace. He has the capability, the resources, and after a full investigation there may be more evidence that can connect him to the other killings,” Sandman stated firmly.
“It’s not true, Goddamn it. It’s just not true. You’re wrong, Investigator Sandstone.” She stormed out the slider doors and onto the porch.
“Just give her a few minutes to cool down. She has every right to be pissed off,” Duke stated as he stopped Sandman from following Grace.
“She’s not the only one who’s pissed off. I want to get this guy and kill him myself,” Sandman said then slammed his fist down on the table.
“I’m right there with you, partner, but what you need to do is stay professional, stay focused,” Duke told his brother.
“I’m trying. Really I am but this guy is getting to everyone. I don’t really think Donald is guilty. But as investigators when evidence emerges we have to look into everything. Every tiny detail or possibility. That’s how we’re going to find the real killer,” Sandman said as he headed toward the porch.
Grace stood by the railing staring out toward the woods.
“Grace. We need to talk.” He closed the sliding glass door.
“There’s nothing to talk about. I want to go home and I want you to take me there first thing in the morning. It gives you plenty of time to make the arrangements,” she said to him, still not looking at him.
“No,” he stated firmly, making her jump. She was startled as she turned toward him.
“You are staying right here with me where I can protect you and keep you safe.” He moved closer.
“You can’t make me. If I want to leave right now, I can. You have nothing to legally hold me here,” she told him, not backing down.
“Legally hold you here? For Christ’s sake, Grace, there’s a Goddamn killer out there who’s raping and torturing women. Tying them up like some kind of animal, beating them…Damn it. You only think you’re tough enough to handle this. Well you’re not.” He was so angry all he wanted to do was shake some sense into her.
“I’m tough enough to handle this. He went after Jamie. What about my mom or my sister-in-law Lindsey?”
“They’re being protected. He wants you. Only you. He wants you to come home so he can have his way with you,” Sandman told her.
“Is that what you didn’t want to tell me? He said it in the letter, didn’t he? He left a letter next to Jamie. Sandman, tell me?” she asked as she grabbed his arm.
Sandman grabbed Grace, putting her hands behind her back, pulling her close to him.
“I love you, Grace. I’m not going to hand you over to him like some piece of meat.” He slowly let go of her hands. He looked into her eyes and he could see that her anger was overpowering her fear. She wasn’t thinking straight and he knew that he needed to calm her down. Any decisions made out of anger were never the right ones.
“I need to go home. If there’s even the slightest way I can put a stop to this. I have to try,” she told him as she stared into his eyes.
Sandman took a deep breath as he held Grace close to him, hugging her against his chest.
“We’ll talk about it. Let’s not make any rash decisions. I’ll call Jim and Agent Lancaster in the morning and we’ll take it from there,” Sandman told her as he held her in his arms and kissed the top of her head.
* * * *
Early the next morning Sarah turned on the television as she made Eric his breakfast.
“The attempted murder of Jamie Friedman is being investigated currently by the FBI, specifically Agent Lancaster and Agent Sullivan who’re in charge of the case. We caught up with Agent Lancaster early this morning on his way into the Houston Police Department.” The reporter turned the microphone toward the agent.
The reporter began asking the agent questions starting off with why he felt the killer let Jamie live.
“I’d rather not give my personal or professional opinion at this time. However, I do strongly believe by this afternoon we certainly will have more for you,” Agent Lancaster said as he headed up the stairs.
“Well there you go. It looks like there may be a possible break in the case. More information in thirty minutes.” The reporter continued to talk as they went to another report from the main news desk.
“What was that all about? Do they have a suspect?” Eric asked, fastening his tie. He had a board meeting this morning at city hall. Everyone had been very supportive to him and his family during this time, and the election was looking promising because of it.
“I don’t know, Eric. That agent sounded like he might know something but the boys haven’t called,” she said as she prepared the scrambled eggs.
Eric went over to the refrigerator and took out the butter for his toast.
Sarah placed the plate in front of Eric, and then poured his coffee.
“Thanks, honey. Come sit down and join me,” he told her with a smile.
“I can’t eat, Eric. I’m so worried about Grace and Jamie. I’m going to the hospital to stay with Tod all day. The poor thing is still out of it.” She kept busy cleaning dishes in the kitchen sink.
Eric patted her hand. “You’re so wonderful, you know that.” He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.
“Are you nervous about the meeting today?” she asked. She knew the elections were just around the corner and he didn’t want his competition catching up to him in votes.
“No, I’m not. I really think I have a good shot at this, Sarah. I know it’s negative and a real bad situation that’s going on right now, but our family name is out there. The people are backing us up, they’re backing me up. I think they figure I’m the real thing. Everything that’s happened in our lives, the tragedy, the loss of Clara and now Grace being chased by some madman. The public feels for us and they’re showing their support in the polls,” Eric said then continued to eat.
Sarah could understand what he was saying but it didn’t make her feel any better about it. This was not the way to win an election. She couldn’t lose her only daughter to the same person who took Clara.
“I don’t like that, Eric. People should not vote for you because they feel sorry for us or because we lost Clara and now Grace is not safe. It’s just not right.” She threw the dishtowel down on the kitchen counter.
“I would like to win this election, Sarah. I want to be town councilman and who knows, maybe mayor or governor next. You know this is my dream. Don’t ruin it.” He rose from the table and headed out the door.
Sarah was not surprised by his attitude. He did want this position. He had been after it for the past two years and finally it was looking promising. She went about clearing the table. She wanted to clean up so she could get to the hospital. Thank God the man hadn’t killed Jamie, too.
* * * *
“How’s she doing, Tod?” Frank asked as John shook Tod’s hand.
“She’s the same. No change since I found her,” Tod told them as he looked at Jamie. Her face was bruised and her eyes were swollen shut. The men couldn’t even imagine what she went through.
“My mom’s on her way over. She wants to keep you company,” John said as he looked at his poor cousin. He was so angry and he didn’t know what to do or how to handle it.
“My mother-in-law is a mess. She can’t handle looking at Jamie like this. She j
ust keeps crying,” Tod said as he put his hands in his pocket.
“My aunt Julie is pretty tough but seeing her own daughter like this has got to be the worst. That’s why my mom wanted to come. She figured she could help both of you,” Frank told Tod.
“I don’t know how she’s being this strong. She must be worried sick about Grace. Hey Grace isn’t coming back, right?” Tod asked.
“As far as we know Sandman’s going to keep her in hiding. We told him not to tell her everything but I’m sure our sister will get it out of him,” John said.
“She shouldn’t come home with this guy on the loose. You guys read that letter. He’s obsessed with Grace. Make sure she knows we don’t want her to take a chance and come home,” Tod said and Frank and John agreed.
The hospital door opened and Sarah walked into the room.
“Hey, Mom.” Frank greeted his mother, kissing her on the cheek.
“Hi, Frank, Johnny,” she said as John gave her a kiss. Then she gave Tod a big hug and kiss on the cheek.
“How are you holding up, Tod?” she asked as she put her purse on the table.
“I’m hanging in there, Aunt Sarah,” he told her as the men watched Sarah fix Jamie’s covers then gently caress her hair.
“And how is my favorite niece today? I can’t wait to hear that beautiful voice of yours. We love you, honey, and you’re safe now. Everything is going to be okay.” Sarah pulled the chair next to the bed.
Just then Frank’s cell phone rang and he went outside to answer it.
He was walking down the hallway and headed out the front door when his brother Peter started rambling on in a panic.
“Okay now I know I heard Donald correctly last night but right now he’s an hour late to work. He’s supposed to be at the precinct being questioned by Agent Lancaster,” Peter stated, sounding worried.
“What do you mean he’s not there? Did you try his house? His cell phone?” Frank asked, and of course Peter had done both already.
The American Soldier Collection 3: Amazing Grace (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 21
