by Robin Mahle
“I follow you,” Walsh added.
“Emergency calls must be very chaotic, right? Lots of opportunities to overlook things, make so-called mistakes.”
He nodded. “You know what you’re saying, here, right?”
“That this unsub has killed a lot more people than we could possibly imagine. He would have had the means, the opportunity and a job that put him in a position of power over people when they need him the most.”
“You think the unsub currently works in the medical field? Either a doctor or a paramedic. Something like that,” Walsh continued.
Kate nodded. “I realize this gets us no closer to knowing who this is, but this case could be a hell of a lot bigger than any of us know. Duncan is asking around about the doctors who worked at the triage clinics in Oakview and in Riverside. I think one of them must have recalled who brought in the victims.”
“You’re assuming it was the unsub who brought them in.”
“It would have to be,” Kate said. “This person wouldn’t risk someone else trying to revive his victims. He would wait until there was no possible chance these people could be saved. He kept them nearby, not allowing anyone else to intervene. Then, when all was said and done, he made up his story as to what happened, and handed off his victim to the appropriate people.”
“Say you’re right,” Walsh began. “That would mean a lot of alone time with the victims to take his shot. A doctor might have that opportunity, but someone like a first-responder, an EMT, they’re partnered up, from what I understand.”
“Who’s to say the partner wasn’t needed elsewhere? Maybe the partner turned his or her back for just long enough. The possibility also exists a partner could be in on it,” she replied.
“It’s a possibility. I’ll grant you. But like you said, it doesn’t get us any closer to finding the unsub.”
“Maybe we’ll know more once Duncan has a chance to speak to some of these doctors. And, we’re still waiting on Palmero and his team to finish going through their lists. I know we have a long way to go, but what I know of this unsub right now tells me he won’t pass up on any opportunity to kill.”
Hours had passed when Fisher walked into Kate’s office to see her still peering at her board. “How’s it going in here?”
Kate turned around. “Hey. It’s going. I’m making progress.” She pointed to the board. “You should’ve seen this a couple of hours ago. I was beginning to wonder if I was on the right track.”
Fisher gazed at the board that now had question marks, scribbles and more photos plastered around it. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”
“What’s going on?” she asked. “Do you have anything new?”
“Actually, no. I wanted to stop by to see you on a different matter.” Fisher pulled the toothpick from his mouth. “I just got off the phone with Agent Jonathan Surrey from the Denver Field Office.”
She peered at him with raised brows. “Oh yeah?”
“Yep. He said they just captured the man who killed those three women and didn’t hesitate to give you credit for the work you did on the profile.”
“That’s great news. I was beginning to wonder because I hadn’t heard from my contact in a few days. I’m glad I could help. Surrey is an excellent profiler in his own right. I only built on the information he had.”
“Somehow, I figured you’d shift the praise onto someone else,” Fisher said. “It’s what I’ve come to expect from you, Reid.”
“I don’t understand.” She squared up with him. “Surrey had a lot of information already.”
“I know that. I’m just saying that’s what you do. You defer.” He folded his arms. “Don’t. You don’t need to.”
“Okay, I just wanted to give credit…”
“Reid, Surrey wanted you to know how much he appreciated your help. Take the compliment.”
“Sorry.” Her cheeks flushed as she turned away from him and back to her whiteboard.
Fisher pressed on. “I’ve looked at Surrey’s file. He has a lot of experience and is very well respected.”
“I have no doubt.”
He placed the toothpick between his lips again and pushed it around before continuing. “I think he’d be interested in making a move to Quantico. What would you say to that?”
Her shoulders shrugged. “I’d say ‘great.’”
“Well, he’d be a candidate worth considering is what I’m getting at. Assuming he’d be interested.”
At this, Kate captured his gaze. “Who wouldn’t be interested in making a move like that? This is where the best of the best come.”
He cracked a crooked smile. “I’ll remind you that you said that.”
Nick pulled out of the Quantico parking garage at 9:30 in the evening. Kate sat in the passenger seat and scrolled through her cell phone.
“Fisher mentioned you were forging ahead with your profile on the Houston case,” Nick said.
Kate pulled her attention from the phone. “There are still a lot of variables, but I’m doing my best to narrow down the details.”
“Good. He also mentioned the Denver Field Office captured their suspect, thanks in large part, to the work you did.” Nick glanced at her. “Fisher was impressed.”
“I’ve worked with him for almost a year and a half already. Why do I feel like I’m starting over? Like he didn’t already know that I was good at my job.”
“He’s looking at it from a different perspective now. Before, you were an apprentice, learning the craft. Now you’re on your own, taking charge and running things the way you want to run them.”
She eyed him. “That’s not entirely the case, though, is it? I think he just wants to see me either sink or swim and so far, I’m keeping my head above water. But Fisher wants to bring someone in over me. Not that I have a problem with that. I don’t deserve to be the lead profiler. Not yet.” Kate revealed a hint of a smile.
It was enough to loosen tensions between them as Nick continued the drive home. “I have a meeting later tonight.”
“Tonight? It’s already after 9,” she said. “Have you eaten dinner yet?”
“No.” He laughed. “Have you?”
“Well, no.”
“I have to get in the meetings when I can. You know what our schedules are like. It’s part of the agreement with the Bureau—and you.”
“Right.” Kate gazed through the passenger window at the night sky. “Maybe we should pick up some food on the way home then.” She kept her sights on the stars above while her head spun with ideas about the killer. “Angel of Mercy.”
“What’s that?” Nick asked.
“This killer.” She peered back at him. “He’s an angel of mercy. Angel of death, however you want to look at it. This isn’t new. There are many documented cases of serial killers who were nurses or doctors. Killing their victims because they could, or to look like a hero. First inducing a life-threatening situation, then attempting to save the victim.”
“This unsub isn’t trying to save any of them, though. He’s doing this simply because he can,” Nick added.
“Someone has to remember seeing him,” Kate replied. “Otherwise, we’ll be waiting for the next batch of murders. Who knows if they’ll even be discovered? It can take years to find a trail and it’s usually after several victims have already died.”
“I know. You mentioned before that Duncan was working with Palmero to find the doctors who worked at those locations. You have to give her time to do her job. We have no other choice right now.”
They arrived home and Kate held two bags of fast food while Nick opened the door. She set down the bags and pulled out two burgers and two fries. “You want a soda or something?”
“I’ll take some water, thanks.” Nick grabbed his food and sat down at the breakfast bar.
“Here.” Kate handed over a bottle of water and sat down next to him.
He started into his food before noticing she wasn’t eating. “I thought you were hungry.”
“
Yeah, me too.” She dropped the burger onto its paper wrapper.
“We’re not okay, are we, Kate?” He wiped his mouth and turned to her. “Do you think we’ll ever be okay?”
“I don’t think I can answer that right now. I know I put you on a pedestal. I always have and that’s not fair to you. I get that. But to me, you’re the best agent I’ve ever known. You’ve been my biggest advocate since the beginning, pushing me to be better. Insisting there’s some greater purpose for me.”
“Because there is,” he replied.
“Stop. Please. Whether there is or not isn’t the real issue. You know, there was a time, not so long ago, when you said to me you were afraid to work beside me because it might compromise your actions in the field. That you might hesitate out of fear I could be hurt.”
“I remember,” Nick said. “But I think I’ve done a pretty good job of overcoming that fear, that hesitation.”
“I’m not so sure. I think the reason you did what you did in Rio was a direct result of the dangerous situation I faced. And not only me, but our entire team. That, combined with what Quinn was trying to do. It all boiled down to the fact that I was right there with you and you felt impotent about both situations. So you walked inside that bar.”
“Kate, I’d been forced to drink with a drug runner. The desire came flooding back and I found it too great a pull on me.”
“I’m sure that was part of it too. But if you had been in control of the situation both regarding the case and Quinn, I don’t think you would’ve come close to opening that door and walking inside the bar. I was your downfall. And I don’t know if I can live with that.”
“I see.” Nick closed his eyes and appeared to consider his next words. “I don’t view it that way, but since you do, I guess it’s starting to make more sense the way we’ve been around each other lately. I don’t blame you for my selfish actions. I don’t blame you for my being demoted. I’m at your mercy and you’ll have to decide if you want to see this through.” Nick stood up and snatched his keys. “I have to go to my meeting.” He kissed her cheek. “I hope you’re still here when I get home.”
Bishop walked up the first flight of stairs to his studio apartment in the area known as Lakewood inside Charlotte. The rent was cheap and so was the apartment. He closed the door and secured the deadbolt and chain above. The sofa converted to a bed and as he sat down, the springs pushed against his backside. With the remote in his hands, he clicked on the old television. A 27-inch Panasonic that must’ve weighed 30 pounds. It sat atop a rickety credenza that looked to be on the verge of collapse.
The 10 o’clock news had just started. He’d spent the day preparing for his new job that started tomorrow night. Food was in his fridge, two towels hung over the rod in his bathroom and a pillow and blanket rested next to him on the sofa bed. More importantly, he had unpacked his boxes, what few he brought with him, and placed his scrapbook on the oak-laminated coffee table.
Next to his feet lay a black medical bag. The one he’d bought during his residency in Providence. He unzipped it and took stock of the contents. Syringes, gauze, chloroform to be used only in cases of emergency, and bottles of pills used to treat a variety of ailments from diabetes to liver disease. The collection had been amassed over several months, since his time working in Baltimore. It was difficult to steal from the trucks as everything had to be accounted for at the end of each shift. The chief had been meticulous about record-keeping. But Bishop had found a way to slip one or two things every other week or so, writing it off as being used on patients or sometimes, being stolen by patients. They handled their fair share of drug addicts who sometimes got aggressive, or so Bishop told Pete when Pete wasn’t looking. He’d been far too trusting of Bishop to the point that Bishop felt bad for the guy. Turned out, though, Pete wasn’t as dumb as Bishop thought. It was his fault he had to pull up roots once again. Maybe it was for the best. Can’t stay in one place for too long without risking exposure.
Bishop picked up the large soda and sipped it through the straw before retrieving the scrapbook. He opened it and then the file next to it which contained news clippings. Mostly from the internet that he printed himself. Who bought newspapers anymore?
With a glue stick in hand, Bishop pasted the clippings under the heading he’d created that read, “Hurricane Edward.” He’d also printed images from his phone and plastered them inside the scrapbook too.
Upon admiring his handiwork, Bishop turned the page and began a new section. “Wildfires – California/Riverside.”
8
Waiting around for answers from other people left Kate feeling helpless. As a new day arrived, word still hadn’t come from Agent Mitch Palmero in Houston about any leads on identifying the angel of mercy or death, as the case seemed to be. Inside the breakroom, Kate poured coffee into her mug and added cream and sugar.
“There you are.” Walsh entered wearing a grin. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“You found me.” She sipped on the steaming hot beverage.
Walsh gave her a sideways glance. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. I’m sorry. I didn’t sleep well last night. Couldn’t shut off my brain.” Kate set down her mug. “What’s up?”
“I thought you might like to know that Palmero is heading our way this morning. Apparently, he gathered a few leads and wants us to take a look. He also wanted to start putting names to faces and with this new information, get the ball rolling on an actual investigation.”
“I thought Duncan was working with him?”
“She was—is. But Palmero made the call to Fisher and he authorized the flight. I just happened to be in the room when he took the call. I was on my way to see Duncan and give her the news,” Walsh replied.
“That is good news. Probably the best I’ve heard in days.”
“I’m glad I could bring a ray of sunshine to you, Kate.” Walsh glanced at his phone. “Listen, I have a few things to take care of this morning before he gets here, so I’m going to run out.” He started toward the doorway.
“When’s he due to arrive?” Kate asked.
“Midday. You have time to polish up your profile.” He nodded before disappearing.
Kate walked into the hall and started toward her office. “Hi.” She spotted Nick approach. “I’m sorry I left without you this morning. I wanted to jump on a couple of theories that kept me up most of the night.”
“It’s fine.”
She noticed the look on his face was anything but fine.
“I was actually coming to tell you that my buddy in Houston, Palmero, is heading our way as we speak,” he added.
“I just heard the news from Levi. His visit is overdue. I was heading back to my office to finalize my draft.”
“Then I guess I’ll see you in the conference room at 1 o’clock.” Nick started ahead.
Kate didn’t know there was a scheduled meeting but didn’t bother pursuing the conversation. He was clearly pissed that she took off without him this morning. It was no lie that she hadn’t slept a wink and it had been a good call for her to steer clear of any human contact in that state.
When she returned to her office, a sticky note was placed on her computer. She pulled it off and read the message before leaving her office once again in search of the writer of said message. Duncan was on the lookout for her and asked her to come to her office when available. No better time than the present.
“Morning. You were looking for me?” Kate walked inside to see Duncan at her desk.
“Hey. Come on in. I popped in at your office but couldn’t find you. Take a seat.”
“Thanks. I needed a coffee and was in the breakroom.” Kate sat down. “You heard about Palmero?”
“I did, which was why I wanted to talk. I’ve been going back and forth with Palmero on his team’s progress and I know for a fact he’s been keeping them focused. But he mentioned something to me just yesterday.”
“What was that?”
“He’s been coordinating with the FBI office in Riverside, California as well.”
“Of course,” Kate replied.
“Apparently, there was some concern on the part of the local authorities in Riverside that there might be someone who knows more than he or she is letting on,” Duncan said.
“I’m not sure I get where this is going. About what, exactly?”
“His contact there says the local detective thinks one of the witnesses is reluctant. He thinks this witness might have a description for us.”
“Then why isn’t he volunteering to see a sketch artist?” Kate asked.
“I believe it’s because he’s illegal. At least, that’s what the detective seems to believe.”
“We’re not looking to have anyone deported. Haven’t the locals there made that clear? We have a possible serial killer on our hands. This information could prove critical.” Kate shifted in her seat with growing irritation.
“Hey, you’re preaching to the choir, Reid,” Duncan added. “What I’m getting at here, is Palmero wants us to pull some strings to help out this witness. He says his hands are tied and so are the Riverside agent’s.”
“What makes him think we can do anything about it?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because we’re here in Washington,” Duncan replied.
“It’s not like we personally know the higher-ups in ICE or DHS. I have no idea who those guys are,” Kate added.
“All I’m saying is that we need to look into this. See if we can help out this guy so he’ll cooperate. I realize it’s a situation where we have a lot of moving parts, but I don’t know what else to do. I don’t want to risk the man fleeing and we get nothing from him.”
“So he’s using what he knows as leverage.” Kate nodded. “Smart. Then I suggest we get on it and see what we can do. Let’s try to have an answer for Palmero by the time he gets here.”
