“Holy crap,” Johnnie said. “But there are two Samuels here, two books in the Bible. Are there two on the list?”
“Nope, just the one,” Patty said. “Maybe he’ll move on to Kings.” She scanned the list. “There’s no King on here.”
Boggs took a bite of chicken. “But we still don’t know who it is.”
“And there’s his other list,” Toni added. “Who knows how he’s picking those? But I’m pretty sure this is how he’s doing the first list.”
“And we don’t have a damn thing on our suspects, except that they have access to a dark color van with the plates ending with six, six, six,” Vicky said. “That’s not enough to get a search warrant.”
“What about staking out Harriet’s place?”Johnnie asked.“I’ll do it. All he has to do is come to the door and I’ll accidentally shoot him.”
“Aside from the fact that you don’t have any jurisdiction and you just can’t shoot someone,” Vicky began, “I sent over a uniform to stay inside with backup on the next block. If anyone comes near Harriet’s place, we’ll know about it.” She turned to Toni. “Did you get the sign-out sheet from Charlie?”
“Yeah, but it’s useless. There were a couple scribbles and a few legible names, but none for the times we need.”
“Is Charlie still on the lookout for our Peeping Tom?”
“He sure is.” Toni thought for a minute. “He didn’t leave any messages for me on Friday, so I had the receptionist fax me the sheet. But he called today and wanted to meet. He said he’s got information about Frank Watson and something about it implicated someone else. Maybe even the mayor.”
“When are you supposed to meet with him?” Vicky asked.
“I told him tomorrow. He doesn’t want to meet at the clinic. He’s afraid that one of his clients will see us talking.”
“That makes sense. We don’t want to tip off Mevin,” Patty said.
“Do you think I should call him and move up the time?”
“I don’t think so,” Vicky said. “All he knows is that we’re looking for a Peeping Tom. I doubt he’s got real info on the mayor.”
“Yeah, I bet you’re right,” Toni said. “I wish I didn’t have to meet him at all. He makes me sick.”
“How do you think I feel?” Vicky added. “He won’t even give me the time of day.”
The gang nibbled at the food, but mostly sat in silence. It seemed they were all trying to figure out what they could do to find the maniac. The sound of Vicky’s phone made Toni jump.
Vicky glanced at the name on her phone and hopped off the stool. “It’s personal,” she called over her shoulder as she walked across the living room.
“Ah, young love,” Johnnie said.
Patty hit her in the arm.
Vicky returned a few minutes later with a huge grin on her face.
“What?” Toni asked.
“I just bought myself a house!” Vicky exclaimed. “Can you believe it?”
Toni hopped off her own stool and hugged her. “That is so fabulous. When is the closing date?”
“I still have to have the inspection, but it looks like I can be in before Christmas. That would be the best present ever.”
After Vicky described the house in detail, they got back to the task at hand. Again, they recounted everything they knew.
“This may sound strange,” Toni began, “but something doesn’t feel right.”
“Well, we do have a crazy person running around,” Johnnie said.
Toni rolled her eyes. “I know. But I mean that all three suspects seem equal to me almost. Well, at least Mevin and Peter do. I’m not sure about weird Joe anymore.”
“I know what you mean, babe,” Boggs added. “It seems like we have the exact same information as we did at the beginning.”
“Do you think Cathy could try again?” Toni asked.
Patty was already dialing her phone. “Can’t hurt to ask,” she said. After a short conversation, she closed her phone. “She can come over now.”
When Cathy arrived, Toni started to tell her about the books in the Bible.
“No, don’t tell me,” Cathy said, stopping her in mid-sentence. “It works better if I don’t know anything. Then I don’t get in my own way.” She closed her eyes for a moment, then looked back at Toni, who was sitting next to her at the island.
“I’m getting that this man feels betrayed,” she began. “And that’s dangerous, for all of you, but especially you, Toni.”
Boggs, who had been standing, leaning against the kitchen counter, now walked over and put her hands on Toni’s shoulders in a protective sort of way.
“Go on.” Toni felt sick to her stomach. The same way she felt when she thought about Maggie. A wave of nausea cascaded over her body. She swallowed hard and waited for Cathy to continue.
“I see a badge,” Cathy said. “He’s using a badge. I don’t know if it’s his or not, but he’s using one.” She took a deep breath. “And he’s planning on killing again very soon. Like in a day or two. I’m sorry, that’s all I have.” She looked disappointed.
“That is huge,” Toni said. The nausea was lifting.
“It’s got to be Peter,” Boggs said. “Son of a bitch.”
“I don’t know what the information means,” Cathy said. “I just give what I get. I hope it helps.”
“More than you know,” Vicky said. “Now we just have to figure out what to do.”
“I wish I had more to tell you,” Cathy said. “Or that I could stay, but I have to scoot. I’ll see you all on Thanksgiving.” She kissed Toni on the cheek. “Be careful, okay?”
Toni nodded and Boggs walked Cathy out. When she returned, her face looked angry. “I can’t believe I’ve worked with this guy all this time,” she grunted.
“Is this enough to have him watched?” Patty asked.
Vicky was already dialing her phone. “I’m hoping Captain Billings will back us up on a hunch. We just need a couple days.”
They waited while Vicky talked to the captain.
“He’s going to put some of his own guys on Peter’s house,” Vicky said. “He said he trusted our hunches.” She smiled. “Can’t get a better boss than that.”
“What can we do?” Patty asked.
“I’m going to let Sam in on this,” Boggs said. “Is that okay?”
“Yeah, good idea,” Vicky replied.
Boggs pulled out her phone and called. After relaying their information to Sam, she nodded to the group. She listened to Sam for several minutes before ringing off. “Get this,” she said. “Sam said that Peter called him right after work tonight and said he needed a couple personal days. He won’t be back in the office until next Monday.”
“Holy crap,” Vicky said. “It’s got to be him.” She called Captain Billings again and filled him in.
“Well, I guess I feel better about this,” Toni said. “It sure sounds like it’s him.” “What’s wrong, babe?” Boggs asked, sitting down next to her.
“It just feels like I’m still missing something.” Toni knew that sounded stupid, but she couldn’t shake the feeling.
“But you figured out the whole Bible book thing,” Johnnie said. “Maybe that’s what it was.”
“I guess so,” Toni said. “You’re probably right.” But she knew that wasn’t it. There was something else. Something just didn’t feel right. Something obvious that she was still missing. Maybe it’s just my imagination, she thought.
The rest of the gang joked and laughed for the first time in what seemed like ages. They all seemed sure that Peter was the maniac and as soon as they nabbed him, they’d find all sorts of evidence in his house. Toni joined in, but couldn’t shake the feeling. Why did Cathy think I was in danger? If Captain Billings is having Peter watched, I’m safe, right?
Patty and Johnnie were the first to leave. Vicky stayed back. After Boggs walked them out, she continued to sit at the island.
“What’s up?” Toni asked.
“I’m trying to ge
t up the nerve to ask Claire to move in with me,” Vicky said. “I’m a nervous wreck.”
Toni rubbed her shoulders. “It’ll turn out fine,” she said. “Does she know you put in an offer on the house?”
“No, not yet.” Vicky grinned. “I was going to tell her, but I, um, guess I never did.”
“Afraid of the next step?” Toni asked.
“Exactly,”Vicky said.“But now that we’re pretty sure it’s Peter, and we’ve got him under surveillance, I think I feel better.”
Boggs glanced at her watch. “What time does she get off?”
“She’s on until eleven tonight,” Vicky said. “But she’s off Wednesday and Thursday. Maybe Tuesday night would be a good time. Or Thanksgiving?”
“Chicken,” Boggs said. “Why not tonight?”
Vicky looked panic-stricken. “Tonight?”
“Give her a break,” Toni said. “Do it whenever you think is right, Vic. Don’t let her rush you.”
“Maybe I could ask her tomorrow night,” Vicky said. “She’s going to come over to my place after she gets off work.”
“That sounds perfect,” Toni said. “Just perfect.”
Vicky grinned, but then a frown took over her face. “What do I say? How should I ask her? I mean should I just come right out and say it? Crap.”
“Just blurt it out,” Boggs said. “That’s the quickest way.”
“Or you could give her a key,” Toni suggested. “That would say it all.”
Vicky relaxed a bit. “I like the key idea. Then I wouldn’t have to say anything.” She grinned. “Okay, gotta run. I’ll talk to you guys tomorrow. I’ll let you know what happens with the surveillance.” She got up to leave. “You guys are working tomorrow, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, we just have Wednesday off,” Boggs said.
“And I’m going to meet with Charlie tomorrow,” Toni said. “Ick.”
“Maybe he has some decent info,” Vicky said at the door. “Just pass along what he tells you, okay?”
“Will do,” Toni said. “Be safe.”
Boggs made sure the door was locked and the alarm was set. “Ready for bed?”
“Absolutely. This has been one long day.” Toni kissed Boggs as they were standing in the foyer. “I’m glad we just have one more day, then off for five.”
Boggs took her arm and led her up the stairs. “And now that they’ve got Peter the asshole under surveillance, we can relax a bit.”
“I’m still nervous about all this,” Toni said.
“We’re okay, babe. Captain Billings has it under control now. Don’t worry.”
“Okay, I guess you’re right.”
But as she got ready for bed, Toni still couldn’t shake the feeling. Everything made sense with Peter being the maniac, but she still thought she was missing something. What it was she had no idea. She tried to push the thoughts from her mind as she crawled into bed next to Boggs and the boys.
Chapter 18
Toni and Boggs took separate cars to work on Tuesday. Toni needed to meet with Charlie, and Boggs had several interviews to do in the afternoon.Vicky had called before they left and informed them that Peter had not left his house all night. Somehow, that made Toni feel a little better.
She sat at her desk, doing research for her trial in two weeks. But for whatever reason, she wasn’t able to concentrate. She was finished with court for the day. She gave up, closed out her research on the computer and pulled out her Thanksgiving list. It looked like they would have more than enough food, and the turkeys and ham were thawing nicely in the refrigerator. She was planning on stopping at the grocery store on the way home. There was no way in hell she was going anywhere near a grocery store on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. She added a couple more things to her grocery list.
“Working hard?” Anne Mulhoney asked from the doorway.
Toni grinned as she looked up from her list. “Actually, I was adding a couple things to my grocery list,” she said.
“Please don’t tell me you’re going tomorrow?” Anne said.
“Oh, no. I’m going after work today. It will be a total madhouse tomorrow.”
“Today too,” Anne said. “Do you have anything on the docket this afternoon?”
“No,” Toni replied. “Do you need me to do something for you?”
“Not at all,” Anne said, smiling. “Why don’t you call it a day? It’s almost one o’clock. Unless you rode in with Boggs.”
“No, we took separate cars today,” Toni said. “Are you sure?”
Anne waved her hand. “Of course. I know you’re having your first Thanksgiving and there’s lots to do. I almost wish Bill and I weren’t having the kids over. Yours sounds more fun. The kids have lives of their own now. Not married, but we’re hopeful.” She smiled again.
“Well, like I said, if you want to pop over for dessert, please feel free. You don’t have to call or anything,” Toni said. “We’ll be there stuffing ourselves all day.”
“We might just do that,” Anne said. “Thank you. Now get on out of here. Have a great time and I’ll see you either Thursday evening or Monday morning.” She left with another wave.
Toni called Boggs and told her what Anne said.
“That’s great,” Boggs said. “You can probably beat most of the rush at the grocery store.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” Toni said. “Can you think of anything else we need?”
“Hmm. I don’t think so. Wait. I’ll stop at Sam’s and get some wine and beer. It’s cheaper there, okay?”
“Perfect. So I’ll see you at home about when? Six?”
“Maybe earlier,” Boggs said. “I’ve only got two more interviews to do, then I can head over to Sam’s. I’ll call you and let you know. Want me to pick us up something for dinner?”
“I guess so, or we can have something easy, like soup,” Toni said.
“Soup sounds good to me,” Boggs said. “It’s kind of chilly out here today. I’ll see you soon, babe. I love you.”
“I love you, too, sweetie.” Toni smiled as she hung up the phone. She went over her list before getting ready to leave and meet Charlie.
The man had stayed home today. He didn’t need to work anymore. His full-time job was his mission for God. He felt good about that. He spent most of his morning praying in his sanctuary. It was quiet and peaceful. After going through his routine, he went to work on his lists. He’d heard that the woman died in the hospital, so he was pleased with that. He could move on to the next deviant on God’s list. It would be easy, just as the others had been. He twisted his ring as he thought.
He also added several more people to his personal list. This was even more fun because he could do them in whatever order he pleased. He had never felt so good, so powerful. God had chosen him, and only him, to carry out this mission. He checked his gym bag to make sure it was ready. There were five Bibles, two stones and his myrrh oil. His gun was inside, along with the silencer. He needed more insulin. He would get that out of the refrigerator in the garage on his way out. He was pleased that the insulin supply kept coming. He had contacted the company after his wife had died, telling them it was no longer needed. They’d assured him it would stop, but it never did. It came every month, regular as clockwork. Now he knew it was being sent by God.
He glanced at his watch. It was after one o’clock. He needed to make things ready. He thought about taking the zip drive with him, but decided against it. Nothing would go wrong. It never did. When it was time for him to tell the world, he would. He put the zip drive in his desk drawer and headed downstairs.
“I need to run some errands, Mother,” he said, smiling.
She was sitting in her faded green recliner, watching a soap opera, as she always did in the afternoon. She waved to him and nodded, but never took her eyes off the television. He made himself a quick sandwich. I need my strength, he told himself. He sat at the kitchen table and said a prayer before eating. Fifteen minutes later he went out through the kitche
n door to the garage and retrieved another vial of insulin. He smiled as he left through the back of the house. This was perfect, absolutely perfect.
Toni drove over to Jeff’s Diner on Third Street. There was only one other vehicle in the parking lot. I wonder what the food is like here. She parked in front and waited for a couple minutes. It was only ten minutes until two. She didn’t think she’d get there that quick, so she waited. It was getting cold, so she headed inside.
She had to wait a while before a waitress appeared. She looked like she was eighty years old, if she was a day.
“Just you, honey?” the old woman asked.
“I’m meeting someone,” Toni said.
“What?” the woman yelled.
“I’m meeting someone,” Toni yelled back.
The woman nodded and walked away.
Toni wondered if she should follow. The woman was talking, mostly to herself, so Toni hurried to catch up. The waitress stopped in front of a booth in the back.
“You want a soda or something,” the waitress asked.
“Coffee would be good.”
“What?” the woman yelled again.
“COFFEE.” Toni shook her head. Why do people yell when they can’t hear you?
The waitress disappeared and returned with an old diner mug of coffee. She spilled it as she set it on the table. She didn’t seem to notice and left. Toni laughed out loud. She took a sip and decided it was one of the best cups of coffee she’d ever had. Well, I’ll be damned. She was still enjoying the coffee when she heard the diner door open and looked up. It was Charlie. He sat across from her.
“Thanks for meeting me, Toni,” he said.
“How did you ever find this place?” she asked. “The coffee is amazing.”
“I know. I used to eat here when I worked a beat. I think it’s the same waitress.” He smiled.
The waitress appeared with another cup of coffee. “Hiya, Charlie. How’s tricks?”
“Same as always, Lilly. Thanks.”
She set down his mug, along with some cream and a spoon. She gave him a wink and left. Toni noticed that she didn’t have a spoon, and the waitress never bothered to ask. Oh, well.
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