“So, basically, the same as the last woman?” asked Callie pausing. “Was she also sexually assaulted?” asked Callie, taking the crime scene photos from her brother.
“Yeah, this time not as bad as the last victim, but still, it wasn’t pretty,” answered Nate.
“Something about that bothers me,” said Callie, not quite sure why it nagged at her.
Quinn took her hand in his. “We lucked out on this one though,” he added.
“Did someone see the killer leave the body?” asked Callie, as she twined her finger together with his.
“Not quite, but he did leave us a calling card.” Quinn pulled up a photo and showed her. “We found the wrench that was used to knock Jonnie out, and there are a couple of clear prints on the handle.”
“Well, hell, big guy, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
Didn't he know it? “Come on. Let’s make these coffees to go. We’ll drop you off at the station, so you can start doing the legwork, and then I have warrants to pick up. I want to get the sales receipts from Larson’s and get to Ed’s shop sometime today.”
“Ed’s?”
“Oh, did I forget to tell you? The wrench had his name carved into it,” grinned Quinn.
“Oh wow. We got very lucky.”
Yeah, he really hoped so.
Chapter Nine
C allie rode with Quinn to the station. They excitedly discussed the possibility that Ed could be the killer. He was, after all, the town womanizer and everyone was aware of it. While driving, Callie offered him some insight into the entire situation.
“As someone who once profiled killers, I can tell you that he fits, and doesn’t at that same time.”
“What do you mean?”
“The part about this that makes him appear to be a viable suspect for me, is that he’s a womanizer. He would think nothing about using and discarding women. Look at his wife. It takes an egotistical man to do what he does. His affairs aren’t hidden. His wife, Beulah, is well aware of them.”
“So, he could be the killer?”
She thought about it. “My only sticking point is that wrench. That seems careless. So far, our killer has been taunting us. Why would he leave his wrench there? In fact, why wouldn’t he want to point the finger away from him?”
“So, you don’t think it’s him?”
“I think it could be him, but it’s going to come down to that tool. If he’s the killer, leaving it was genius. It would then make him look too guilty, and try to skew anything that I could come up with.”
“Maybe that’s why he’s assaulting women with a bat? Then it also moves suspicion.”
“It could be.” She didn't sound convinced.
“Ed’s not a genius, Callie. He’s some horny guy that likes to have his way with most of the women in town.”
“I’m just trying to give you some perspective. That tool is going to be key in either clearing him, or hanging him.”
He thought about it. “Your job used to be hard,” he said.
“Yeah, but I loved it.”
The tone in her voice worried him. “Do you miss it?”
She wouldn’t lie. “Yes, I do.”
He didn't say anything more. At one time, he worried a man would take her away, but now there were more spirits chasing them.
He would be battling the ghosts of careers past.
Deep down, Quinn was off balance. Something was coming, and he doubted he was ready for it.
Once at the station, he helped her down from his truck and escorted her into the building.
“While we’re gone, you’re not to leave the building. Do we have a deal?” he asked, walking in with her, hand in hand, oblivious to the stares.
“Uh, in order for it to be a deal, Quinn, I would have to be negotiating something with you in return.”
“You are. I’ll keep my cool, and you’ll stay in the station,” he replied.
It made her laugh.
“Callie,” he said seriously.
“Trust me, Quinn. I’m not going anywhere. In fact, I’ll order food and sit in there until you get back,” she said, agreeably.
“That’s my girl,” he replied, patting her on the ass.
“Quinn,” she said sternly.
He just laughed, placing all the files in front of her on the conference room table. “You can start here, and feel free to solve it for me,” he grinned.
“Oh, I’ll get right on it, big guy. Be careful,” she demanded.
Quinn winked before closing the door. The smile immediately vanished. He had a plan. Hunting up his most trustworthy, non-eligible deputy, he opted to further ensure her safety.
“Hey, Sheriff! What’s up?”
“I need you to stick close to Callie,” he said. He noticed that Nate and Luke had finally arrived. “Someone tried to kill her yesterday, and I’m not taking any chances.”
“Okay, boss.”
Nate met him at the deputy’s desk. “Are you giving her a guard?”
“Yeah, I am. In fact, I don’t want her going anywhere alone. If she needs to go to the ladies’ room, then you send in a female deputy to pretend she has to pee.”
“Okay, I’ll watch her. You want me to do it from afar or up close?” he asked Quinn, hoping he would say either. It would be an easy choice in his mind.
“You can go in there if you want. Hell, sit there with her and play gin for all I care, but she isn’t to be left alone, no matter what.”
“Okay, I’ll go entertain her,” said Jimmy Lee, standing up.
“Thank you, and don’t let her know you’re her personal escort.” Quinn waited until the young man was gone. “Are you two ready?”
“Where to first?” asked Nate.
“I need to swing by the judge’s quarters at the courthouse to pick up the warrants. Then, I thought we could hit Larson’s Sporting Goods for the receipts and a sample baseball bat. If that doesn’t take too long, wrap the night up with stopping at Ed’s, right before he closes.”
“Sounds good to me, Quinn,” said Luke, following them out.
Quinn wanted to get back as soon as possible. Even with a guard, he still didn’t like leaving Callie alone. He was paranoid now, since she was almost killed. Then, there were the three words that changed the game for him.
She loved him.
Possibly, or so he hoped it wasn’t the drugs speaking.
He desperately wanted to hear it again in the worst way.
Yeah, he couldn’t be away from her for too long.
His heart couldn’t bear it.
Callie sat in the conference room, flipping through the files of each murder, when Jimmy Lee knocked at the door. She smiled, waiting for him to tell her what he needed. The young man looked nervous as hell. He reminded her of a puppy.
“Ma’am, Sheriff Gaines asked me to come in here and help you out. He said you had a paperwork nightmare,” Jimmy Lee added, pulling out a chair.
Oh, that was a big ol’ lie, if she ever heard one. “Oh, did he now?” she inquired, smiling. “I suppose you’re to follow me to the ladies’ room too?”
The look on his face said it all.
“No, ma’am,” he insisted, shaking his head emphatically.
“Jimmy Lee, it’s okay. I know what he’s up to, and I have no plans on trying to escape protective custody. You can play babysitter.”
“Man, you’re smart,” he said, grinning. “He didn’t think you’d catch on that fast.”
“Yeah, well, intelligence has nothing to do with it. Trust me. I would like to say that it does, but Quinn is quite transparent,” she added. “Now are you really here to help me?”
“If you want me to.”
“Okay, I need to go through all of this, piece by piece,” she said, handing him a marker for the evidence board. “I’ll need you to do the walking, since I’m still not one hundred percent yet.”
“I know, ma’am. The entire station heard the sheriff was frantic.”
“I guess he
was.”
“He never gets this worked up over a woman,” Jimmy Lee offered. “I hope you don’t mind me saying that.”
“Not at all, Jimmy Lee.”
“He’s been back here for a few years, and I don’t think I’ve seen one lady ever come by here to see him. In fact, he barely dated until someone would bust his ass about being over the hill.”
That intrigued her. “Really?”
“Well, nothing long term.” The man blushed.
Callie patted him on the arm. “If you’re alluding to him having a sex life before me, I’m really okay with it. Quinn is entitled to a past.”
He started blushing. “Ma’am, I know we shouldn’t be discussing that part of his life, but he wasn’t really doing that either. Most of the talk was rumors. I don’t think he went that far with anyone.”
This confirmed what Quinn had shared. “How do you know?”
He laughed. “Myrtle Springs is small. If someone got with the sheriff, there would be talk, especially since lots of ladies tried and were shot down.”
Callie grinned. “I happen to agree that he is quite the commodity.”
He stared at her.
The young man was sweet. “I meant that I think he’s pretty sexy too. I’m lucky to have been given the chance to be his girlfriend.”
He nodded.
“I’m sorry that someone hurt you,” he said. “You’re really nice, ma’am, and I’m happy for the sheriff.”
She patted him on the arm. “Why don’t you call me Callie? Everyone else does.”
“Okay.” He looked pleased. “Where do we start?”
She pointed to the biggest pile.
“Right about here.”
Quinn exited the judge’s quarters with the two warrants in hand, and an unhappy look on his face.
“What happened?” asked Nate.
“He wouldn’t sign the DNA warrant for Ed James. He said we don’t have enough, and that I’m reaching. We’re welcome to come back later when we have something more substantial than a wrench with a name carved on it.”
“I really can’t blame him,” said Luke. “At least he gave us the basic warrant without too much of a song and dance.”
“Yeah, I would have hated to illegally obtain a sample of his fingerprints,” said Quinn, grinning.
Luke laughed, and even Nate’s mouth curled up at the corners.
“The lab technicians are meeting us at the body shop at five, so let’s get to the sporting goods store. I want to get it done so we can make it there on time. Besides, I don’t want Callie alone all day. I need to get back to her, and fast.” He noticed that Nate tensed at his words.
“Nate, are you ever going to adjust to me being with her? I mean, is there something about me that’s so bad, you don’t want me near your sister?”
“I’ve been looking out for her for a long time. The idea of some man pawing at her, or worse, just bugs the shit out of me. Besides, I’ve been here a day or so. Already, I’ve heard the talk.”
That intrigued him. “Care to share?”
“There are rumors of you being a lady’s man. I don’t want her heart broken.”
Quinn shook his head. “It’s all gossip. My last girlfriend was three years ago, back in Atlanta. I was with her for almost a year, and she cheated on me, not the other way around.”
He listened to what the man was saying. “She’s my sister. I have to worry.”
“I understand what you’re saying. I’d do the same with my sisters. Then again, mine are vicious and can take care of themselves,” he said grinning.
“Sisters? Are they married?” asked Luke.
“One is, why?”
He rubbed his hands together. “Can you introduce me?”
“No offense, but I’m not letting you anywhere near my family, Luke,” he replied.
“Why not?”
He shook his head. “Call it a hunch.”
Callie sat there in silence, studying the files in front of her. She was comparing all the information that she had there, against the profile that was building in her mind. Sitting up, she knew that something looked off.
She grabbed a marker, figuring it was time to utilize the whiteboard.
“Jimmy, can you read me the locations of where the bodies were left?” she asked.
“Sure thing, Callie,” he said, digging through the papers. “First body was Sissy Parker, and she was left at Walker’s Point.” He watched her write the place down on the board. When Callie looked over, signaling that she was ready, he read off the next name. “Aimee Jo Wilkes was placed in Harper’s Grove.”
Again, she mimicked the previous actions. “Next?”
“Then, there was Sammie Jean Hargrove, and they deposited her body in the dumpster at ‘Ollie’s Wilde Hare’.”
“Okay, next?”
“The last victim we found was Jonnie Sharp, and she was found in her Mercedes at ‘Richard’s Glen’,” he said, joining her at the board. “Do you see something?” he asked.
“Oh, yeah, Jimmy Lee, I do. I’m beginning to see a pattern. I need you to do a little task for me.”
“Sure thing, Callie, what is it?”
“I need a listing of every place in town that starts with the letters ‘E’ or ‘S’.”
“Why?” The man looked at her like she was crazy. “I don’t understand,” he said confused.
Callie underlined the letters that stuck out to her. “Do you see it now?”
“Oh, my God!” he exclaimed, his mouth hanging open. “The sheriff was right. You’re a genius.”
Callie laughed, “Not a genius, Jimmy Lee. I’m just damn good at puzzles.”
“You should do this for a living.”
She laughed at the irony of that. “Yeah, so I’ve been told.”
The three men moved through Larson’s Sporting Goods Store, looking around. It seemed to be fairly busy, as there were plenty of customers shopping. Clerks were running around and waiting on shoppers, but there was one specific person who Quinn needed to see. When she came around a corner, he started toward her.
“Hi, Sheriff. Can I get you something today?” the young woman asked, smiling cheerily.
“Yeah, Ellen, I’d like to introduce you to Special Agent Mars and Director Carter. They’re here working on the serial killings for the FBI.”
“Nice to meet you,” she said, shaking their outstretched hands. “What brings you here to Larson’s? I can’t imagine what we have to do with a serial killer.”
“Well, we have a warrant for your sales receipts. We need all the slips for the last three months.”
“All of them Sheriff? Do you know how many that’s going to be?”
He was well aware. “Yeah, I figured it would be a ton, but I’ll have some deputies start to sort them as soon as I get back to the station.”
“I think I need to call Mr. Larson, Sheriff. He’ll want to know about this.”
“You can call him, but we’ll just tag along to the office, if you don’t mind. It’s not that we don’t trust you, but it’s procedure.”
“That’s no problem. Follow me,” she said, escorting them to the back room. “It shouldn’t take too long. The boss only lives a mile away,” she added, picking up the phone to make the call.
When she hung up, they could tell by the look on the woman’s face that Mr. Larson wasn’t thrilled.
“He said that he’ll be right here.” What Ellen didn't mention was all the profanities that he threw out too. She doubted that the man would be coming alone. She hoped the sheriff and FBI were ready.
“Maybe you can help us with something else while we wait?” suggested Nate, leaning forward on the desk.
“Sure, what can I do now?”
“You’re pretty versed with all the sporting goods that you sell here, right?” continued Nate.
“Sure, I know all of our stuff. I do the ordering. What are you looking for?” She glanced from man to man.
“We have a question about a ba
seball bat.”
She looked confused. “You want to buy one?”
No one said anything, letting her assume.
“We carry some high-quality ones. Does the FBI have a league?” she inquired.
“Of course we do. In fact, we play in a tournament and need some really good equipment,” picked up Luke, as he poured on the charm.
“Well, we sell both wood and aluminum. What’s your preference?”
“It needs to be wood. Can you show me your most popular seller while we wait for Mr. Larson to get here?” This wasn’t the first time that Luke had to flirt with a lady to get them what they needed. Out of the two of them, it was kind of his thing. Nate was more the intimidator.
“Okay,” she said, smiling back. “Right this way.”
Luke followed her, wiggling his eyebrows at the two men still standing in the office.
“He’s one big flirt,” said Quinn, smirking.
“I use him to charm the women. It’s his true talent,” he said, following them out to the baseball bats. Hopefully, his partner could get them some dirt. It was obvious this town was fraught with gossipmongers.
It was only time before word spread.
“Keep him away from my Callie, or I’ll have to hurt him,” Quinn warned.
Nate couldn’t help but grin. “Please. My sister can take him in her sleep.”
Ten minutes later, Luke pulled out his credit card and bought three different bats that Ellen recommended. Larson’s carried five varieties of wood bat, but two of them didn’t have any polyurethane on them. Just as Luke was signing the slip, old man Larson came storming into the place with his son, the local lawyer, right behind him.
“Great,” muttered Quinn, as Larson was going off on a tangent. “Listen, we have a warrant for your last three months’ worth of receipts. It’s signed by the judge, so you really don’t have a choice in the matter.” He handed it to the man’s lawyer to verify.
“Sheriff, can I ask why you’re here with a warrant, and does it have anything to do with the killings that are happening in the town?” his son, Jordan Larson, inquired.
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