Invitation to Die

by Jaden Skye

  “Okay, okay,” the woman said quickly. “I’ve heard of you.”

  “Tell me now.” Tracy was worked up. “Do people who attend sign in? Did she ever?”

  “I’m checking,” the woman answered fitfully. “It would be on the computer.”

  Tracy glanced at Tad, even more excited. He had moved away quite a bit by now and was glancing out a window disinterestedly. His reaction was odd and Tracy noted it, but she wanted to stay focused on this call.

  “Yes,” the woman answered, “I do have a record of Tina attending meetings here from time to time. Not that often.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us that before?” Tracy demanded alarmed.

  “I don’t understand.” The woman became nervous. “The police knew Tina attended at the other church site. What difference does it make?”

  “It’s okay, it’s all right,” Tracy wanted to calm her. “Thank you so much for helping.” She hung up the phone.

  She stared at Tad and he stared back at her blankly. “Tina attended recovery meetings at this church from time to time,” Tracy breathed. It was huge, overwhelming.

  “So what?” Tad asked again.

  “So what? I’ve found it! This is the connection between the three women.” Tracy was exhilarated.

  “I don’t get it.” Tad looked confused.

  “This is where the killer met all three women, at the church!” gasped Tracy.

  “How did he meet them exactly?” Tad demanded.

  “Obviously, he’s involved with this church. He comes here, or works here.” Tracy was positive. “Something about each one of them called out to him. He lulled them all into a sense of safety.”

  “You still want to take a walk?” asked Tad, suddenly looking out of sorts.

  “What’s wrong, Tad?” Tracy had to address it.

  “I don’t believe that whore came into this church!” he declared.

  Tracy felt revolted by him.

  “You’re giving her too much credit, Tracy,” he went on. “It’ll backfire on you. I’ve seen it happen.”

  There was something wrong with him, Tracy realized. She had to move forward with this information first.

  “I have to call the FBI and tell them,” breathed Tracy.

  “Why do you have to tell them for? You told me.” Tad smiled. “I heard what you said, I got the point.”

  “First I’ll call in my information,” she said, “and then we’ll continue our walk.”

  “Call in whatever you want,” Tad spoke heavily. “It won’t matter to them. They’ll just toss it aside.”

  Tracy immediately put the call into Hunter, and to her delight, he picked right up.

  “Hunter,” she said as if he’d never told her she was off the case.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked quickly.

  “Hold onto your chair, I have more information,” Tracy plowed on.

  “Tracy, you’re no longer on the case.” He spoke laboriously.

  “Hunter”—her voice became more strident. “I found the linkage between the three women.”

  Hunter grew silent on the other end.

  “It’s the church! They all were involved with it. Shannon taught in the nursery school, Candace was getting married there, and Tina attended recovery meetings there from time to time.”

  “Where did you hear that?” Hunter sounded discombobulated.

  “It was simple. I called the main office. The woman in charge checked her computer and told me immediately,” said Tracy. “The killer’s involved with the church. Surround the place. Search up and down. He’s working there, someone nondescript in a low-key role. He comes in and out without being noticed, but he’s aware of everything that goes on there. Go over the place with a fine-tooth comb!”

  Hunter’s reaction was not what she’d been expecting.

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  “Tracy, stop!” Hunter gathered himself together quickly. “You’re no longer on the case.”

  “But I’m giving you the information you’ve been waiting for,” Tracy insisted.

  “Stay away from the church.” Hunter now sounded threatening. “Pastor Boyd’s upset enough as it is. There’s no need to bathe his church in more publicity.”

  “You’re not hearing what I’m saying,” Tracy breathed.

  “You’re not hearing me.” Hunter became emphatic.

  “You want nothing more to do with me?” Tracy’s voice became thinner.

  “That’s not what I’m saying,” he objected. “I respect you, I value you, I just want you to go home now.”

  Tracy began trembling. “But I can’t,” she said.

  Tad came and stood closer to her then.

  “Please, Tracy, why are you making it so difficult?” Hunter demanded.

  “Because I can’t leave until I find the killer,” Tracy replied and quickly hung up.

  “They’re idiots,” Tad spoke gently. “Don’t pay attention to any of them. Call someone else who can help,” he suggested. “If you’re convinced the killer’s at the church, go and see the pastor yourself.”

  “I’ll call Kevin, Candace’s father,” Tracy had a sudden flash. “He’s close to the pastor and also to the FBI. I’ll tell him what I found and let him make the arrangements.”

  Tad didn’t like that suggestion. “Why pull him into it?” he grumbled. “He’s been an idiot from day one.”

  “He just lost his daughter,” Tracy answered. “It’ll make him feel better to be involved in the search.”

  “Who says he lost his daughter?” Tad’s eyes opened wide. “Who says she’s not still alive somewhere, begging for her life?”

  Tracy stopped and stared at Tad. “Why would she be begging for her life?”

  “That’s what they all do, isn’t it?” Tad’s voice got louder. “They beg for their lives and there’s no one to hear them. They beg and beg until they die.”

  Tracy shivered deeply. “That’s horrible, Tad.”

  “Yeah, it’s horrible, but it’s true, isn’t it? We’re all begging for our lives every day, aren’t we? You think there’s such a big difference between them and us?”

  Thankfully, it started to rain hard again and Tracy and Tad had to cut their walk short.

  “When am I going to see you again?” Tad asked quickly.

  “Very soon,” Tracy promised. “You helped me a lot today. In fact, you’re my right-hand man.”

  Tad grinned, delighted. Her right hand man. That was something, it was special. And before

  long, he’d be much more than that, too.

  As soon as Tracy and Tad parted, she immediately put in a call to Kevin to let him know the church was the link between the three victims. Thrilled, Kevin promised to arrange a meeting at the church with Pastor Boyd for Tracy and him. He’d also put in a call to Hunter. The FBI had to realize how big this was. He’d do it all immediately, arrange the meeting for that very night.

  *

  The meeting with Pastor Boyd was set for right after dinner, so Tracy had a little while to go back to her room and collect herself before it took place. On her way back, Kevin called again to say that Hunter knew about the meeting. And, he was going to put a bug on Kevin so the FBI so he could hear everything that went on.

  Tracy was pleased to hear that. It was the right thing to do. And whether or not the FBI went along with her, one thing she was positive of. The killer was a Multiple Personality! The more she thought about it, the clearer it became. It made complete sense he’d be working at a church. Multiples often engaged in charitable activities, were thought to be kind and endearing. And, of course, a part of them was.

  Tracy got up then, went to the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face, freshened her makeup, and changed into a lovely beige dress with a short, matching jacket. She wanted to look and feel good for the meeting with the pastor tonight.

  *

  The church doors were open until all hours. Tracy walked up the stairs and into the main hallway by herself. Now it was mostly empty,
except for a few cleaning people around. Kevin had said he’d be there to meet her, and true to his word, a few minutes later Tracy saw him walk in.

  “We’ll go into Pastor Boyd’s office in a few minutes,” Kevin said. “He’s cooperating, but refuses to believe the killer could be here, right under his nose. I told him there’s a good chance, but nothing’s positive, of course.”

  “Of course,” Tracy had to concur.

  “Thanks for doing this, Tracy, thanks so much.” Kevin’s voice was trembling. “We’re getting closer to Candace, we’ve moving in. I know I’m gonna see her soon.”

  “I hope so, Kevin,” Tracy murmured as Pastor Boyd stepped out of his office and beckoned them in.

  Tracy and Kevin went in immediately and sat down.

  “This is startling news, you realize,” the pastor said straight to Kevin, completely avoiding Tracy’s eyes. “I cannot believe that the killer is here underfoot, that it could even be a trusted worker.”

  “Your church is the link between the victims,” Tracy informed him calmly. “It’s the only link we can find. We have to pursue it.”

  “Tracy has also suggested that the killer is a Multiple Personality,” Kevin informed him.

  “We all have many ways of viewing life’s suffering.” The pastor turned away. “In all my years I have never met such a person.”

  You wouldn’t know it if you had, thought Tracy, but decided not to say any more about it right now.

  “I need you to go over your memory carefully,” Tracy said instead. “Is there anyone working at the church who has exhibited odd qualities? Someone who is changeable, who works in the shadows? Someone whose moods are more volatile than most?”

  “No one I can think of, no one at all,” Pastor Boyd replied as there was a small knock on his door. “Come in,” he called out. “That’s our cleaning help, Caleb. He comes every night at about this hour. I forgot to cancel for this evening.”

  A lanky, balding man in his fifties walked into the room with a broom and tray. He looked at Tracy and Kevin, startled.

  “It’s fine, Caleb,” said the pastor, “just a quick, late meeting tonight. “You can come back in a few minutes.”

  Kevin stood up, went over to Caleb, and extended his hand. “Caleb’s been working at the church for years,” Kevin informed Tracy. “He may as well join the meeting. He knows everyone who works here.”

  “How do you do?” said Tracy.

  “Maybe you can help us, Caleb,” Kevin continued. “We’re looking for someone at the church who’s involved with my daughter’s disappearance. It could be anyone.”

  Caleb became uneasy. “The police have already talked to me,” he replied. “They talked to all of us. I told them whatever I knew. Nothing. What else can I say?”

  “We’re double checking the church again now,” Kevin replied abruptly.

  The pastor stood up then, disconcerted. “Bear with us, Caleb,” he entreated him, “Kevin’s daughter’s life is at stake.”

  “I realize,” Caleb replied, looking upset. “”I wish I could help, but I can’t.”

  “You knew Wayne and Candace, didn’t you?” Kevin continued.

  “I did know them.” Caleb leaned on his broom. “Candace was a beautiful girl.”

  “She still is, she’s alive,” Kevin insisted.

  “I never knew what she saw in Wayne though.” Caleb’s face became blotchy as he rambled on.

  “Neither did I.” Kevin grew more disconcerted.

  “Wayne was loud and angry,” Caleb went on. “He wanted one thing after another. Nothing anyone gave him was good enough for him.”

  “Just what I said, exactly,” Kevin called out.

  “What was Candace’s reaction to Wayne’s behavior?” asked Tracy.

  “Bring him in and ask him. Don’t ask me.” Caleb shivered. “But he’s out of town now, no one can find him!”

  “How do you know that?” Pastor Boyd was alarmed.

  “No one’s talking about anything else,” Caleb mumbled.

  “There’s rumor and gossip everywhere,” the pastor echoed.

  Tracy and Kevin exchanged a quick look. Wayne should not have left town. Tracy needed to pursue this further.

  “What did Candace do when Wayne acted that way?” Tracy focused on Caleb. Obviously this guy knew more than she’d thought.

  “Candace didn’t do much about it,” said Caleb, “but a few times I saw her biting her lips when Wayne started carrying on. Once I even saw them bleed.”

  “Oh God.” Kevin turned to the pastor. “I told you this marriage shouldn’t go on.”

  Pastor Boyd turned pale, as Tracy moved closer to Caleb. She wanted to up the ante now, try to see if Caleb might also have known anything about Shannon. Could he possibly have known Tina as well?

  “What about Shannon’s husband, Jeffrey? Did you know him, too, Caleb?” Tracy asked.

  “Caleb only worked here at the main church,” Pastor Boyd was quick to interject.

  “Once in a while I went to the nursery school, too,” Caleb quickly corrected him.

  “I didn’t realize that,” said Pastor Logan.

  “Only once in a while,” repeated Caleb. “Sometimes they needed an extra hand and I was willing to help.”

  “Of course you were, Caleb, of course,” murmured Pastor Logan.

  “Did you know Shannon, or her husband, Jeffrey Glaze?” Tracy repeated.

  “In passing,” answered Caleb. “That guy wasn’t a winner either! Such beautiful women and such lousy men. It’s an old story, isn’t it?”

  “Lousy, why?” Tracy was beginning to feel nervous.

  “The morning Shannon disappeared I was helping out at the school. I heard them say that Jeffrey was coming to pick her up, but he never came. He just left her there waiting.” Caleb’s face grew flushed and irate.

  “Wait a minute.” Tracy was alarmed. “You were at the nursery school the day Shannon went missing?”

  “I was helping out,” Caleb said quietly.

  “Does anyone else know that?” Tracy was appalled.

  “How do I know? It’s not such a big deal. I only went for an hour to give a hand,” Caleb mumbled. “I was there before it all broke. There was a kid’s birthday party there that day. I helped clean up the candy wrappers and pastries.”

  “Does anyone know you were there the day Shannon went missing?” Tracy’s voice became more strident.

  “You know it now,” Caleb replied, irritated.

  Tracy was dumbfounded. It was easy to see why he would not have been noticed, though.

  “You saw Shannon that day?” She had to be certain.

  “Sure,” Caleb said, “I saw her waiting outside. I even asked her if I could get her a taxi, but she said, she was waiting for her husband. She waited for a while, but I never saw him come.”

  “Why didn’t you tell anyone?” Tracy was horrified. They still didn’t know who was the last to see Shannon alive. Some of the teachers saw her leave her classroom, but no one spotted her getting into a car.

  “No one asked me,” Caleb mumbled. “The topic never came up.”

  “That’s because Shannon worked at the school,” the pastor interjected, agitated. “Most of the time Caleb worked here at the church.”

  Caleb looked confused and nervous. “I even saw her call someone on the phone,” he remarked as his tiny blue eyes darted back and forth frantically.

  “You’re positive about all this?” Tracy’s heart started pounding. Caleb was admitting that he was the last one to see Shannon alive.

  “I just told you!” Caleb yelled. “You think I’m a liar or something?”

  “Oh my God,” Tracy breathed. “You were the last one to see Shannon alive.”

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  Kevin dashed over at Caleb, furious.

  “Step back, Kevin!” Alarmed, Pastor Boyd jumped out from behind his desk to pull Kevin away.

  Tracy moved in for the kill. “Did you want to get revenge on these lousy me
n, Caleb?” Her voice became rough and edgy. If Caleb was the Multiple and she shocked him enough, it could cause him to switch into his alternate personality. “Were you protecting the women from the men by kidnapping and killing them?”

  In a moment of horror, Caleb grabbed his throat, suddenly realizing what Tracy was asking him.

  “You’re blaming me?? You think I did it?” Stunned, he bolted for the door, tore it open, and started to run.

  Caleb ran, however, right into the arms of two FBI officers, whom Hunter had stationed outside.

  “It’s not Caleb, it’s not Caleb,” Pastor Boyd began shouting. “Let him go this instant.”

  The FBI officers held onto Caleb tighter.

  “Caleb was the last to see Shannon alive,” Kevin called out. “He ran when accused. He fits Tracy’s profile.”

  “Okay, okay, we’re taking him in,” the FBI replied.

  *

  Not only did the news spread fast that they finally had a suspect, but Tracy’s phone ran off the hook. Everyone was congratulating her.

  “My God,” said Hunter, “you have to forgive us. This is beyond imagination. You were right about everything, including the church.”

  Tracy was not as excited as everyone else. “Caleb’s a possibility only,” she responded. Tracy knew how important it was to have a suspect finally, but in her mind the case was far from closed.

  “You’re reinstated,” Hunter went on, “and I’m sorry again, really. Can we have dinner tonight to celebrate?” Hunter was beside himself.

  “There’s nothing to celebrate yet,” said Tracy. “Caleb’s only a suspect.”

  “He’s the first one we have.” Hunter sounded victorious. “We’ve been hunting for the last guy to see Shannon alive. Caleb’s it and he ran like hell when you asked him if he’d killed her. It’s not looking good for him.”

  “No, it isn’t,” agreed Tracy.

  “Let’s have dinner and celebrate,” Hunter insisted. “You’ve got to accept my apology.”

  “I accept it,” said Tracy. She was glad they took Caleb in, but refused to rush to judgment. “I plan to go back to the church tomorrow and keep looking around,” Tracy continued.