by Nancy Mehl
Thankfully, authorities in Wichita had picked Jimmy up, and he would be here tomorrow. Logan was grateful he was safe, and that he would probably be put into WITSEC. If the Circle was as large as he’d intimated, that was the only way to keep him away from those who would see his cooperation with law enforcement as betrayal.
“Where was the family when Adam was between seven and twelve?” Alex asked suddenly. “I know we’re concentrating more on who he is and where he is now, but this bothers me, Logan. I think it’s important.”
“Why? Because of the missing mother?”
“That’s one reason. Where is she? Why can’t anyone find her?”
“You think she’s dead?”
Alex rubbed her forehead as if the action would release the answers they were looking for. “If she’s dead, where’s the death certificate?”
“If she was murdered . . .”
“It’s possible. We don’t know enough about the father to draw that conclusion. Of course, Adam’s world was so small that if his father did kill his mother, think how horrifying that would have been to him.”
“Maybe that’s what made Adam so twisted.”
“Maybe,” Alex said slowly. “But I think reading that awful nursery rhyme to him didn’t help. And bringing him up on that warped book.” She stopped and took a deep, quivering breath.
Logan was touched to realize she was feeling compassion for the boy Walker had been. He found it ironic that both Adam and Alex had been handed harsh circumstances as children. Alex had become an FBI agent, and Adam made plans to destroy. The angel and the destroyer.
“I don’t know if we’ll ever find answers to some of these questions,” Logan said. He studied Alex for a moment. “Do you think we’ve described him correctly?”
She sighed. “Yeah, I do. But I keep getting the feeling that we’re missing something.”
“If he plans to unleash the virus here, don’t you think he’ll move his family out of the area first? Maybe figuring that out will help us find him.”
“But we can’t stop every vehicle with a family inside. I wish we had some kind of description for the wife and kids.”
“I don’t see how we’ll get that if we can’t find anyone who’s met them.”
Two of the analysts had left to pick up pizza. They came in the back door carrying several large boxes, which they brought to the table where he and Alex were working. When working at a CP, pizza was a staple. Good thing he liked it. They’d ordered several different kinds, including vegetarian for those who wanted it.
They grabbed some paper plates, utensils, and napkins from a small cart in the corner, and everyone began to form a queue. Small talk broke out, interspersed with laughter as weary workers took a much-needed break.
Logan got up, leaned over, and grabbed two plates. He opened the boxes closest to him and found pepperoni pizza and supreme pizza. He slid one of each kind onto both plates, then sat back down and handed one plate to Alex. Although he had cut into the line, no one cared or got upset. They were a team, each one looking out for the others.
Logan prayed silently over his food and then lifted a piece of pepperoni pizza, guiding it to his mouth. He’d just taken a bite when Harrison walked up to the table.
“Eat quickly, everyone,” he said, his face tight and solemn. “We just found number five.”
25
After Harrison and Karen briefed the teams about the discovery of the fifth body, Logan and Alex headed to the hotel the FBI had booked for them. Monty had his own car rental and said he’d be returning to the hotel soon.
Alex was more concerned about the sixth sacrifice than the last one. It was important to Walker. He wouldn’t risk choosing a woman he wasn’t convinced was a virgin. Would he really kill a child, then? But how could he when he had two of his own? She started bouncing scenarios off Logan, trying to open up the possibilities.
“What about nuns?” she asked.
“Yeah, but some of them decide to be nuns after living rather promiscuous lives, right?”
Alex looked over at him. “How would I know? Are you asking me that because I’m a woman?” He’d looked at her with surprise, and she felt bad that her joke had upset him. “I’m not being serious,” she said, “and I have no idea. It’s certainly a possibility, though. Surely he’d have the same question.”
“I’m still afraid he’ll choose a child,” Logan said. “Harrison asked the local police to issue a warning to local schools.”
“If that gets out . . .”
“The press will cause a panic.” He shrugged. “But if it saves a life, I can live with that.”
“But it might also cause Walker to leave town and hunt somewhere else. And if that happens we could lose him.”
Logan looked over at her. “We can’t be absolutely sure he’s near Kansas City, can we?”
“That’s true, but most serial killers live near or in their comfort zones. You know that.”
“Yeah.” Logan stopped at a red light. “What about the new letter? Have you come up with anything else that will help us?”
“No, but Harrison has people looking through The Book, trying to find that passage. We should know more tomorrow.”
“‘The Master selects a young woman, a virgin washed in blood. . . .’” Logan shook his head. “You know, when a person becomes a Christian, we say they’re ‘washed in the blood.’ Of course, we’re talking about someone who receives the forgiveness of Christ and has become new inside.”
“So if a prostitute became a Christian, she would be seen as a virgin?”
“Actually, yes. Once someone gives their life to Christ, they receive His righteousness and become a new creation.” He cleared his throat. “But why would someone like Walker believe that?”
“Right. Based on what his coworker said, we know he hates Christians. In his mind, they’re the enemy. They compete with his . . . religion.” She gasped slightly. “That new creation thing would put someone like Jimmy right in Walker’s cross hairs, wouldn’t it?”
“As the virgin?” Logan asked dryly.
“Hardly. But if he finds out Jimmy lied about why he quit going to meetings . . .”
“I see your point,” Logan said, any hint of humor gone from his voice. “I’m glad he’s safe for now.”
“I could be wrong about this, but the idea bothers me. What if he’s looking for a single woman who’s a Christian? Would that fulfill his desire to find a virgin?”
“Maybe, but how would he know someone like that? He doesn’t have any friends. Never even connected to the people at work. So where does he find her?”
Alex could tell they got the same answer at the same time.
“At church!” Logan said, his voice strained. “And it’s Wednesday night. Church night.”
Alex pulled the phone out of her purse and called Harrison.
Adam could barely contain his disgust with these people who were worshiping a god that didn’t exist. How could they believe this drivel? It was repulsive. At least he’d been taught the truth. He knew exactly who he was and what he was called to do.
He forced himself to sit through the music as the words to the songs were projected onto screens on the wall. Most of them stood while they sang, but he couldn’t bring himself to do that. If he had to, he’d limp out when the service was over so they’d think he couldn’t stand comfortably. Many of them also raised their hands while they sang. What did that mean? At first he was afraid he would be volunteering for something if he followed suit, but when no one came around to recruit them, he decided to raise his right hand several times just to fit in.
It felt as if the music would go on forever. Yet Adam had to admit that he might have been touched by some of the songs if he didn’t know the Master. But he had truth on his side, so he could stay strong through the attempts to play with his emotions.
Finally, the music stopped, and a man stepped onto the platform. He asked for first-time visitors to raise their hands. Of course, Adam
didn’t. He wanted no record of his visit. As he looked around at the people, he almost wished he’d brought the virus with him. He would get great satisfaction from infecting these silly sheep. But they didn’t fit into his plan. He wanted people who would leave the city and spread the virus before they even knew they were infected. People at hospitals too. He was confident he had time. The police were stupid. They’d never figure out his full plan fast enough. Yet he still felt an urgency inside. A feeling that he needed to move as quickly as possible.
After greeting the people, the man on the platform walked over to a lectern where he opened what Adam assumed was a Bible and began to read.
“‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.’”
Adam wanted to laugh. Everyone knew that Bible verse. It was repeated constantly. It was even on billboards. But it meant nothing to Adam. It didn’t make any sense.
“What does this really mean?” the man asked. “Do you realize this one Scripture sums up everything between the covers of this book?”
Adam tried to focus on something else as the man spoke. He assumed he was the church’s pastor, but he didn’t really care. Yet Adam found himself listening more and more. The man talked about what love was—and what it wasn’t. Some of the things he said made Adam uncomfortable. Anger, hate, selfishness weren’t love. Putting others before yourself and laying down your life for others was love. Supposedly, Jesus had done just that. It seemed Jesus didn’t care how bad you’d been. He loved you anyway. His offer of eternal life applied to everyone. Not just the good people. The angels. It even applied to bad people, the people Adam had been taught were demons, like him. Some of what the pastor said was confusing, but one thing was clear. This pastor believed God loved everyone—all people. But Adam knew better. People were either angels or demons. There weren’t just people.
With great effort, he tuned out the message and waited. Then about thirty minutes after the pastor had started speaking, the members of the band returned to the stage and began to play and sing softly. Something about surrendering to God.
This was the moment Adam had been waiting for. When his research about Christianity would pay off. He watched the crowd, waiting for those who would “answer the call of God,” as the preacher called it. As he waited, something he couldn’t identify began to fill the room, and he had a strange feeling. He looked around him. What was it? Then he felt something drop onto his shirt. He looked down and saw a wet spot. He put one hand up to his face and found his cheek wet.
Anger coursed through him. The man on the platform must be an angel, trying to stop him from his mission. He wouldn’t allow it. He hardened himself against what he was feeling. Something he’d never experienced before. Angels were tricky. You had to be careful around them. As he sat there, trying to watch who would respond to the call the pastor had given, a man with long brown hair walked up to him. He knelt down and said, “Adam, God loves you. There’s nothing He won’t forgive if you’ll put yourself in His hands.”
Then the man stood and walked away. Adam sat rooted to his seat. He found it hard to breathe. Who was that man, and how did he know Adam’s name? It was impossible. Once again, he hardened himself against the thoughts that tried to take over his mind. It wouldn’t do the angels any good. He’d never bend. He knew who he was and what he had to do.
As several people stood and walked toward the front of the room, he watched them carefully. A young blond woman slowly approached the pastor. Adam rejected her. She looked too much like Sally. But then a twentysomething woman with dark brown hair that hung to her shoulders made her way up front. She reached out for one of the people the pastor had called “prayer partners.” An older man took her hands and leaned close to her, probably to be sure he could hear what she was saying above the music. Adam wished he could listen in on their conversation. For just a moment, he thought about standing next to them, but he didn’t want to get too close to anyone.
Every minute or so he glanced around, trying to find the man who’d spoken to him, but he didn’t see him anywhere. If his final sacrifice didn’t have to be a virgin, he would have seriously considered following the man home and adding him to the Train Man’s body count.
Now the young woman with the dark hair was weeping, and then she and her prayer partner prayed. Finally, she looked up. The man said something to her, and she smiled. In fact, she laughed, right along with him. What was so funny? Adam couldn’t understand this. He wanted to run out. He felt odd in here. Ill at ease. But he needed his final sacrifice. He hoped the Master would accept her.
At first, Adam couldn’t work out how to make certain a woman was really a virgin. He wouldn’t choose a child. He was certain the sacred book was talking about an adult. That had to be right. Adam would do anything for the Master, but he wouldn’t hurt a child. Every time he thought about it, all he could see in his mind was Gabby. Thankfully, he’d not only found another way, but he believed this was actually what the Master wanted. A virgin washed in blood. He smiled to himself. And here she was. Washed in the blood of “the Lamb.” Perfect.
One by one, the new converts made their way back to their seats. People smiled at them. Patted them on the back as they walked by. The atmosphere was joyous, excited. Adam glanced at his watch. How much longer would he be forced to sit here?
Finally, the pastor released the crowd. Adam moved to a pew not far from the young woman he’d chosen, who was now talking with some older woman. He took a card from a pocket on the back of the pew in front of him, then lowered his head and pretended to fill out a questionnaire just so whoever might be encouraged to talk to him would decide to leave him alone. It offered free counseling and encouraged the reader to go through a special class before joining the church. It also asked for a name, address, and phone number, and Adam wrote in nonsensical words.
Finally, the young woman he’d chosen made her way to the doors at the back of the sanctuary. Adam stuck the questionnaire into the wooden pocket and stood. As he followed her, he spotted the man who’d spoken to him. He was standing next to one of the exit doors.
“This is your last chance, Adam,” he said as Adam walked by.
Fury exploded inside him. Who was this guy? How did he know him? He didn’t look familiar. How dare he try to stop the prophecy from happening?
He ignored the man and strode outside. The woman was walking toward the parking lot. If he were a praying man, he’d pray that she would leave alone. He smiled when she got into a compact car by herself, then he slid inside the car he’d been using since right after the last sacrifice.
Hanging back as far as he could, Adam followed her car until she turned into the driveway of a small house on a dark street. He made a note of the address and drove away still smiling. He hadn’t been ready to take her tonight, but he’d come back.
He’d make his last sacrifice soon. As he drove home, he couldn’t wait to tell Sally what he’d found.
26
Alex had told Harrison she and Logan would return to the CP if they were needed, but he’d said they should get a good night’s sleep and come back in the morning. Meanwhile, he’d call the Kansas City chief of police and inform him that the Train Man may be targeting women attending Christian churches in the area. If their guess was right, Alex hoped an increased presence around those churches would cause Walker to wait for a more opportune moment. That would give them more time to find him.
The police had sent out a BOLO for Adam Walker. Alex wanted to believe they had a jump on him, but she was certain they didn’t. Adam was probably aware that they knew who he was. That the missing Ebola sample had been reported. He hadn’t tried to hide his identity. And even though they had no direct evidence tying him to the Train Man, he was smart enough to know it wasn’t hard to connect the dots after he’d left a copy of the poem in his desk.
This hotel had indoor corridors. She and Logan stood outside her room still talki
ng, but Alex was so tired she suggested they go inside. She was committed to helping investigators find the Train Man, but she was exhausted. She hoped Logan wouldn’t stay long.
Their rooms in this extended stay hotel were smaller, but she still had a kitchenette along one wall, a desk in the small living area, and another fireplace. Overall, it was nicer than the hotel in Wichita. As she put her bag on the king-sized bed, she thought a fire sounded nice.
Before she had a chance to say so, Logan asked, “Do you mind if I start a fire?”
She smiled. “That would be great.” Alex opened her bag and took out the can of disinfectant spray she always had with her. She kept a smaller can in her purse. “The room might smell for a few minutes.”
Logan, who was tearing open a packaged log, turned and frowned at her. “You really do have a germ phobia, don’t you? You know the hotels clean the rooms before their guests check in.”
Alex shook her head. “You’d be shocked to learn how many germs are left behind by maintenance staff who rush through a cleaning.” She quickly sprayed the room and the bathroom. By the time she was finished, Logan had the fire going.
“So now I sit down on a wet couch?” he asked. “I think I’m getting used to it, though.”
“Very funny. It dries quickly.”
“Actually, it smells pretty good.”
Alex grinned at him. “Lilac Spring. I like it.”
“When I smelled this scent at Quantico, I thought it was you.”
Alex laughed. “I have cologne with the same scent. I like lilacs.” She walked over to the kitchen. “Let me see what we’ve got to drink.” She opened the fridge. Water. Then she checked a basket with lots of packets stuffed inside. The last thing she wanted was coffee. She hoped to get a good night’s sleep. She needed it. She spotted something that seemed to fit the bill. “How about a cup of hot chocolate?” she asked.
