by Wanda Dyson
Carl leaned against the machine behind him. He was dressed as he always was in jogging pants and a sleeveless muscle shirt with the name of the gym on the front. “Just saw the news. Must have been bad.”
JJ rolled his shoulders to ease the tension. “Bad enough.”
“They say you have a psychic on the team.”
JJ swung his leg over the bench and stood up. “That’s a rumor. And the truth.”
“You kidding?” Carl followed JJ to another machine and watched as JJ lay down on his stomach and hooked his feet under the bar. “You really using a psychic?”
JJ slowly lifted his feet, pulling his leg muscles so tight they strained visibly. “Not my idea, believe me. Some quack higher up got it in his head that she could actually help.”
He slowly lowered his legs, his face tight.
Carl sat down on the machine next to JJ. “You think we have a serial killer on the loose?”
JJ stopped. He turned his head and stared up at Carl. “Honestly?”
“Wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want an honest answer.”
“Yeah. I think we do. He’s already taken two little girls. I think there were others. And if we don’t stop him, there will be more.”
“Two? I thought there were three.”
“Two. The baby is a different case. She doesn’t fit the profile. The others were little girls, both over five years of age. Matthews was a baby. Just seven months old. My gut tells me it’s different.”
“What is this psychic woman like?”
JJ slowly started lifting leg weights again. “She faints at the sight of a body bag.”
chapter 12
Tuesday, April 18
Fainting was embarrassing enough. Worse still, it had been captured on camera.
And now it was on the front page. Right there with the sensational story describing her discovery of Gina Sarentino. Or more accurately, Gina’s body.
Zoe tossed the paper on the table and walked over to pour herself another cup of coffee. It was bad enough that she usually got lightheaded and passed out after finding a body, but to fall into the arms of a man who detested her, that was too much. She could imagine him smirking as he lifted her into the squad car.
At least he’d been considerate enough to have someone else drive her home so she could avoid the further embarrassment of facing him afterward.
Taking a deep breath, she sank into a chair and glanced at the paper again.
Psychic Falls for Detective after Finding Missing Child.
Zoe growled and swept the paper to the floor. She wasn’t falling for anyone, least of all that arrogant. . .
That wasn’t fair and she knew it. He was just a wounded soul, searching for some peace in his life. For a way to prove that he wasn’t what he really thought he was.
The back door squeaked open. “Zoe?”
“In here, Daria.”
Zoe’s best friend stuck her head around the corner. “Hey, girl. Up for company?”
Zoe waved her over. “Come on in. Coffee’s on if you want any.”
Daria picked the paper off the floor and dropped down in the chair next to Zoe, tossing her handbag on the table. “I guess you aren’t as crazy about the guy as they say.” She grinned in that irrepressible way that usually brought a smile to Zoe’s face. When it came to fun, Daria was first in line.
They had known each other since high school. Short and perky, Daria had dark hair in a spiky cut that made her appear fairy-like. Her flashing brown eyes never seemed to see the bad in anyone. She loved people, loved her salon, loved to talk, loved to laugh, and was the perfect friend for Zoe, whose life often crossed a line from which only Daria could bring her back.
“I think it’s safe to say that he and I are not on the best of terms.” Zoe wrapped her hands around her coffee mug. “Why aren’t you at the shop?”
“I’m going to work eleven to closing. Should be a light day. I don’t think I have more than a couple of cuts, a perm, and two frostings scheduled.” She reached over and fingered the ends of Zoe’s hair. “Speaking of which, aren’t you due for a trim?”
Zoe shrugged with indifference. “I guess. I leave that stuff to you.”
Daria frowned. “You have a few split ends. I’ll drop over soon and trim it for you.”
“Whatever’s convenient for you.” And convenient was not always easy to manage for Daria. In addition to running her own salon, she also dabbled in photography for salon magazines. When she wasn’t at the shop, she was in her studio, managing temperamental models and stubborn lighting. She’d been begging Zoe for years to model her hair, but Zoe wasn’t interested.
Daria dropped Zoe’s hair and folded her arms on the table in front of her. “Now tell me how you really are.”
“Angry at myself for picking that exact moment to pass out.”
“Like you can control that.”
“Upset about the little girl.”
“As you should be.”
“And ticked at myself for saying something to JJ that I shouldn’t have said.”
Daria tilted her head. “Who is JJ?”
Zoe nodded toward the paper. “The detective.”
“You’re on a first-name basis with the guy?” Daria’s surprise lifted her eyebrows. “Since when do you get that close to the police?”
“I’m sure he doesn’t think I’m on a first-name basis with him. He still calls me Miss Shefford in that icy voice of his. He has nothing but disdain for me, and I only made matters worse.”
“How?” Daria reached over and picked up the paper, studying the man a little more critically.
“I saw something about his past and threw it in his face.”
Daria dropped the paper as if it burned her fingers. “You? Since when do you use what you see against someone?”
“Since he made me angry.”
“Since when can anyone make you that angry?”
Zoe made a face as she frowned. “He can.”
“Wow. I’m impressed. I didn’t think anyone could make you lose control.” Daria squinted at the grainy photograph. “He looks like he might be attractive.”
Zoe glanced over at the photograph and then pulled her eyes away. “He has some good qualities.” She sipped from her mug. “Give me an hour and I might think of one.”
Daria laughed lightly, her eyes sparkling with interest. “I absolutely must meet this man.”
At that moment, the doorbell rang. Zoe sighed and stood up. “Be right back.”
Zoe opened the door and groaned silently. Turning on her heel, she strode back into the kitchen with JJ following her.
Daria stood up and tilted her head back to look up at him. “I’m Daria Cicala. You must be the very nice man who helped my friend.”
Zoe rolled her eyes and struggled not to laugh as her friend all but simpered.
JJ shook Daria’s hand. “I don’t know that I was much help.”
“We’re just having coffee. Would you care for some?”
JJ shook his head. “I just need to talk to Miss Shefford for a moment.”
“Miss Shefford?” Daria laughed again, letting her fingertips slide across his arm ever so gently. “Honey, no one calls Zoe that.”
“I do.” Dismissively, JJ turned to Zoe, who was still struggling to keep her expression bland and unreadable. Leave it to Daria to put a little sunshine in her life. “Mrs. Terrance called. She was hoping you might be able to help.”
“I can try.” She walked over to the table and picked up her mug to keep her hands from shaking. Another child. How she dreaded this. “Have you been able to find out anything yet from Gina’s. . .”
She let the word remain unsaid and took another sip of coffee that was too cool to enjoy.
“Not yet. Forensics is working overtime and the crime scene guys are out there again today.”
Zoe nodded. “When did you want to go see the Terrances?”
“Now, if you can get away.” He glanced over at Daria.
Daria picked up her purse. “I was on my way out anyway. Zoe, I’ll call you later. Mr. Detective, it was nice meeting you.”
JJ closed his eyes for a second and then opened them again as a flicker of remorse shadowed his face. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me. I’m JJ Johnson.”
Daria smiled again, a little more teeth showing. “Nice to meet you, JJ. And what does JJ stand for?”
JJ actually looked uncomfortable as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Josiah. Josiah Johnson.”
“Josiah. I like that. See ya.” She waved airily and made her exit.
The moment the door closed behind Daria, Zoe felt the walls begin to close in on her. He was much too close and the tension was much too thick. She needed to get out. Josiah. She preferred it to JJ any day of the week. No, kiddo, stick to Detective Sir. It’s far safer. “Let me get my purse and we’ll go.”
He followed her into the living room. “About yesterday?”
Zoe grabbed her purse and felt the tension slide down her spine as she locked the front door and pulled it closed behind them. “What about it?”
“Do you make a habit of fainting at the sight of maple trees?”
He had noticed the trees. Now, why did that surprise her?
“No,” she admitted as she climbed into his car. Fastening her seat belt, she was dismayed to find herself inhaling his scent and finding it pleasant. She exhaled impatiently. “I usually pass out after finding a child. Sometimes within minutes; sometimes it’s hours later.”
She turned sideways in her seat. “And about. . .”
“What?”
“What I said to you. That was wrong of me. I want to apologize. I don’t normally do things like that. I really don’t. I lost my temper and there is no excuse. So I’m sorry.”
JJ brushed her off as if it didn’t matter in the least. She knew it did. That aggravated her. The least he could do was accept her apology.
But he didn’t reprieve her. Or give her absolution. He just ignored her on the drive to the Terrances’ modest home twenty-five minutes away in Emmitt Falls. She figured it was about the most miserable twenty-five-minute drive she’d ever experienced.
By the time they pulled up in front of the split-level home, she was regretting her apology and ready to poke at him again. Even his hostile barbs were better than this cold silence.
“So, Josiah, when I get done solving this case for you, what else would you like me to do?” She followed him up the walk, barely noticing the pansies that lined the path to the front door.
JJ stopped and turned around to look at her. His green eyes went icy, like shards of glass that would leave a hundred slices in her skin. “Don’t push me, Shefford.”
“Should I conjure up some lightning bolts instead?” She tilted her head, cold stare meeting frosty glare. “Or perhaps you would prefer fire?” She raised her hands in a dramatic wave. “Oh, spirits of darkness. . .”
“I would prefer you back off.”
“Then try being human.” She marched past him and rang the doorbell. By the time JJ made it to the door, Mrs. Terrance had swung it open and was standing there wringing her hands.
Zoe graced the little woman with a gentle smile as she reached out and took the woman’s hands in a gesture of compassion and understanding. “Hello. I’m Zoe.”
#
He stared at the newspaper, panic welling up inside, encircling his throat like tentacles, squeezing slowly, cutting off his air.
They’d found Gina. His little wildflower, planted so carefully in the woods. They’d found her and dug her up. They’d disturbed his garden!
Anger, black anger, oozed through him, filling every part of his body until he felt he was drowning in it. They had dared to touch his garden!
No. . .that woman had. She was the one who had seen the beauty of his garden and destroyed it. She was the one who had taken away one of his wildflowers. She was the one who was a danger to him. She understood his garden.
The police were no threat. He was too smart for them.
But this woman. She was a problem. She wouldn’t stop until she’d found all his wildflowers, and he couldn’t allow that. No. He’d have to stop her. And then she would be part of his garden. A weed among the precious wildflowers.
He folded the newspaper carefully, set it on the table, and signaled the waitress for his check. She would have to be stopped soon.
Very soon.
Slowly he smiled and the anger abated.
Yes. It was only right that she join his wildflowers.
#
JJ watched as Zoe spoke with Mrs. Terrance. She kept her voice soft and reassuring. Compassion dripped from her every word. JJ had to give the lady credit; she knew how to sell herself. After a few moments, Mrs. Terrance led Zoe back to her daughter’s room. Zoe went from item to item; teddy bear to Barbie doll, hair ribbons to roller blades.
Tears glistening in her eyes, Zoe shook her head regretfully and took Mrs. Terrance’s hand again. “I’m sorry. I’m not picking up anything right now. I can try again another time.”
Obviously disappointed, Mrs. Terrance merely nodded as she clutched the teddy bear that Zoe had held a few minutes earlier. “I was hoping. Anything.” She seemed to struggle just to speak. “It’s the waiting.”
“I know how you feel,” Zoe said softly. “I know.”
As soon as they got back outside, JJ went after her with both barrels. “Lady, I’ll give you credit. You sure know how to play people, don’t you? Telling that woman you can try again and you know how she feels. You are truly one of the best cons I think I’ve ever come across.”
“Not now, Detective.”
“I know how you feel,” he said sarcastically, aping her words but not her tone. “As if you could ever understand what these women are going through. You’re just using their moment of weakness to feed your own ego.”
“You are so clueless. Can we drop this now?”
“Oh, yeah. We can drop this. Heaven forbid you actually answer a critic.”
“You’re not a critic, Detective. You’re a bully.”
#
Detective Gerry Otis could feel his instincts kicking like a frisky colt on a spring day. He found Matt Casto pouring over crime scene evidence at his desk.
“Matt.” Gerry tossed down a file in front of Matt. “We were right. Matthews is an alias. He was born Theodore Matthew Bateman. His father, Thomas Bateman, was an electrician, killed in a car accident February 1960. The mother, Carol Bateman, married one Lou Jernigan in July of ’61.”
Matt blinked but said nothing.
“In June of ’62, Carol Bateman Jernigan gave birth to a baby girl, Marsha Diane.” Gerry tipped his head toward the file. “That’s all I found so far.”
“What about the sister? Half-sister. Marsha. Anything on her?”
“Nothing so far.”
“The parents?”
“Both deceased in a fire in ’78.”
Matt tipped back his head. “Same year our Mr. Matthews turned twenty-one and changed his name.”
“Yep.”
“I’ll let JJ know. In the meantime,” Matt picked up the file and handed it back to Gerry, “find the sister. And see if you can find out why Matthews changed his name. There has to be something there. I can feel it. I’m going out to lunch.”
“Where is JJ? He’s been gone for hours.”
Matt grinned as he stood up and stretched then grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair. “Out with our Miss Zoe.”
“Oh, boy. He’ll be in a fine temper when he gets back. She can get him on the bad side of a mood faster than anyone I ever met.”
“I’m sure he has the same effect on her.” Matt headed for the door. “I’m off to lunch. If JJ gets back before I do, let him know where I am.”
#
“Paula! Wait up!”
Paula stopped, half turning, her hand pausing on the handle of the glass door. “Hey, James.”
James Parnell, one
of the dispatchers at Heart-Care Medical Transport, walked quickly toward her. “Are you on your way to lunch?”
Paula nodded as she pushed open the door and stepped onto the sidewalk, James right behind her. “I was thinking about hitting the deli for a quick sub,” she said.
“I got a better idea.” He ran his fingers through his wavy blond hair, his blue eyes twinkling. “I’ll treat you to lunch at Hunan Heaven. All you can eat buffet. Whattya say?”
“Chinese? Okay.” Paula stepped sideways as a businessman hurried past her, his briefcase nearly clipping her leg. “But you don’t have to treat.”
“I insist.” He held out his elbow. “Shall we?”
Paula laughed as she tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. Since the restaurant was less than two blocks away, they walked, talking business as they weaved in and out of the lunch crowd on the sidewalks.
“How’s it going in your department? Ours seems busy enough.”
Paula frowned. “Yeah, you schedule the runs and then we have to fight tooth and nail to get Medicare and Medicaid to pay us.”
“I thought these people were covered for their medical transportation.”
“They’re supposed to be, but the Meds like to make us squirm for every dime, delaying as much as possible before paying. Last week they denied over five thousand, citing changes in the mileage codes. Thing is, they didn’t tell us they were changing the codes.”
James shook his head as he dropped Paula’s arm and reached over to pull open the restaurant door. “The games they play.”
#
Zoe felt anger swirling around inside like a violent storm. She wanted to get out of the car. Away from him. Away from his bitterness and those eyes that stripped her down to doubts.
JJ glared at her as they waited at a red light. “You prey on innocent people in their lowest moments. . .”
Zoe felt the insult like the snap of a whip lashing across her heart. He wanted to hurt her and he’d succeeded, but she’d die before she’d let him know just how much. He wanted revenge for what she’d said to him before, and she’d let him have his moment. But it would be the last time.
