A man who Adelaide now recognized as Donald Regan approached and after expressing her condolences to him, she said goodbye to Julie and Bill.

  Once she was outside, she took her cell phone from her purse and called Daniel. Briefly she told him about what she’d learned from the Regans. “It’s possible Patty was being followed, Daniel. A lot of planning obviously went in to these killings, including the killer knowing the perfect time to catch his victims alone when no one else was around. He may have stalked them before he killed them so he could learn their habits.”

  Daniel was silent for a moment. “We’ll talk to Gayle’s mother, Mark and her friends and see if she said anything to them about feeling she was being watched. By the way, I heard from several people at Dora’s Diner where I was having lunch that you’re now part of the investigation. I guess that was true.”

  Adelaide sighed. “I can’t help it if people open up to me, Daniel. Oh, and you might want to know that I was cornered by Julie Simpson after the service. When I asked her how she found out about the Valentine cards left with the bodies, she got all smug and said she had to protect her source. But I think I rattled her a little.”

  “How could you tell? She always acts like someone just lit a match to her shoe,” Daniel snapped. “By the way, since you’re now part of this investigation, you should know that I sent an officer to interview Gayle’s ex-boyfriend, Roy Baines, earlier today. Turns out that he has an alibi for the time of both murders. He was at home with his wife and two dinner guests the night Patty was killed and he and his wife were at a basketball game last night. All thoughts of Gayle, good or bad, have been washed from his mind, according to him.”

  Adelaide wasn’t surprised. She had a feeling these murders weren’t about bad breakups or alimony payments. Something much deeper and more sinister was at work in her beloved town of Crescent Falls.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The call from his mother disturbed Daniel in several ways. First, he didn’t really want her getting involved in this investigation. The last time she’d taken it upon herself to go after a killer she’d almost died. But he knew he could do nothing to stop her. The second thing that bothered him was her conversation with Julie Simpson. Obviously the woman was getting inside information. They’d known that for some time. He’d hoped to put off pursuing this until after these murders were solved, but now realized that wasn’t possible.

  Luke came into the office and closed the door behind him. He was carrying a large manila envelope and a smaller one. “How did it go with Roy Baines?”

  Daniel signaled for Luke to sit down. “Before I get into that, tell me what you found out at the ME’s office.”

  Luke put both envelopes on Daniel’s desk. “They were just finishing the autopsy when I got there. I waited for the report.”

  Daniel opened the smaller envelope and took out a single sheet of paper. He scanned it quickly. “Same as Patty. Stabbed between the sixth and seventh vertebrae. Lots of internal bleeding. Time of death between eleven and eleven-thirty.” He tossed the report onto his desk. “What about lab results?”

  Luke pointed to the larger envelope, which Daniel opened. Inside were several sheets of paper and two evidence bags, one containing the icepick, the other containing the Valentine card. Daniel read the lab results. “Just as we suspected. No fingerprints on the ice pick. It’s been around a while. Even some rust on the shaft. Nice. The card also clean of prints. The blood is all Gayle’s.” Frustration welled up inside of Daniel. He read further. “The particulates found on her coat came from the ground around the Dumpster. Same with her slacks, except for some things you’d find in normal wear. No stray hairs, nothing under her fingernails, nothing, nothing, nothing.” Daniel slammed the report down on his desk. ”Either this killer is very lucky or he’s a lot smarter than all of us put together.”

  “Now, tell me about Baines,” Luke said.

  Briefly he told Luke what Ed had found out. “Besides, Baines didn’t even know Patty Regan. Why would he kill her? Another interesting thing. A couple of weeks before she was killed, Patty told her mother she had the feeling she was being watched. That information is courtesy of my mother, by the way.”

  “Why didn’t the parents mention that to us when we first talked to them?”

  Daniel shrugged. “You know how that goes. People think of things later, things they didn’t recall when they are in shock after hearing bad news.”

  Luke got up. “I’ll talk to Gayle Nelson’s mother again. See if she confided something similar to her.”

  “I’ll tackle Cardosa, although I’m sure if Gayle said anything to him about a feeling of being watched, he’d have told us. Also, she was good friends with Brie Hunter. I’ll drop by the boutique today and have a chat with her.”

  Luke hesitated at the doorway. “You know, one of these murders could be a red herring.”

  “Except we do have a common denominator.”

  “Bob Jackson.”

  Daniel nodded. “He was their neighbor, was romantically involved with one victim and found both bodies. That’s too many coincidences to suit me.”

  Luke left the office and went to one of the desks in the nearly empty squad room, where he sat down and began pecking away on the computer keyboard.

  Moments after Luke left his office, Daniel saw Ed Lucas come strolling into the squad room. Getting up from behind his desk, he went to the door and motioned for the officer to join him.

  Ed settled his well-muscled frame into one of the chairs opposite Daniel’s desk. “I need to get back out on patrol. I just came in to pick up a new ticket book.”

  Daniel knew how Ed felt about him. The man never tried very hard to hide his animosity. “Then I won’t take up any more of your valuable time than necessary. As you and everyone else on the force knows, the local press, including TV and radio stations, got hold of some information about the two murders that we wanted kept out of the media. Namely, the Valentine cards left with both bodies. We suspect the leak could be a cop. I was just wondering, Ed, if you can think of anyone in this department who would disrespect the badge enough to reveal that information.” Ed seemed overly cool, considering what he’d just heard. But Daniel did see something flash in the man’s eyes.

  “Why blame a cop? It could be someone in the ME’s office, or one of those paramedics, a lab technician. You’re pretty quick to pin the blame on one of us.” He got up and exited the office, leaving the door open behind him.

  Daniel watched Ed leave the squad room without getting a new ticket book. Did he just forget, or was he lying about his reason for coming in? Daniel got up from behind his desk and walked out into the squad room, where he approached Luke who was just finishing his report. He leaned over the man’s shoulder. “I think Ed is our leak.”

  “I’ve suspected as much for a little while,” Luke turned off the computer, got up and turned to face Daniel. “Let’s put a tail on him. I have some buddies in the Rosewood PD who owe me favors who would do it in their off time.”

  Daniel thought a moment. “No. Let’s not follow Ed. Let’s follow Julie. Sooner or later, she’s bound to meet her source.”

  Luke nodded briefly and left the squad room.

  Moments later, Daniel was in the kitchenette next to his office pouring himself another mug of coffee when Judy Hess joined him. As always when he saw the petite redhead, his pulse quickened just a little. Today, she was out of uniform, wearing instead a navy blue dress that fit her just right.

  “So how was the funeral?” He held the coffee decanter out and she nodded. After pouring her a mug full and handing it to her, he motioned that she should follow him into his office.

  Judy took a seat across from the desk. Instead of going to his swivel chair, Daniel sat down next to her as she began talking. “The parents are devastated. So is the brother. I got a chance to talk to Dick Jackson. He said his brother is so broken up he can barely function, even though he’s trying to put on a brave front. Bob’s grief seemed genuine to me, Daniel. Zelda was there, by the way, hovering over her boys like a mother hen. I didn’t see anyone who seemed out of place. Everyone there seemed to be very supportive of the family.” She exhaled slowly then took a sip of her coffee.

  “Patty had the feeling she was being watched a couple of weeks before she died.”

  Judy’s eyes widened. “And we know this how?”

  “My mother was at the funeral today.”

  Judy nodded. “Say no more. I saw her having a long conversation with the Regans.”

  Daniel met Judy’s gaze, again feeling that he could get lost in those emerald green eyes. “Evidently she’s decided to help with the investigation, even though I’ve told her to steer clear.”

  “Are you surprised?”

  Daniel got a whiff of Judy’s cologne. It was fresh, slightly floral. “Nothing would surprise me at this point.” He put his mug on the edge of the desk. He then brought her up to speed on the crime reports. “Also, there’s something else I’d like to discuss with you. I’d like your honest opinion on who you think could be leaking information about this investigation to the press.”

  Judy shifted slightly in her seat, crossing her shapely legs in the process. Daniel had an almost overwhelming desire to reach over touch her. Of course, he didn’t.

  “You know me, Daniel. I’m not going to accuse anyone until I have proof. I would advise you, though, to look for the person who most wants you to fail at this job.”

  “I guess we all know who that is.”

  “There are a lot of us who have your back. Just remember that.” She leaned toward him a little. “I will always be here for you, as long as you want me to be.”

  “Then you’ll be here for a very long time, Judy,” Daniel replied softly. Their gazes locked and he watched a flush rise from her neck up to her cheeks. After a few seconds of silence, he added, “By the way, you look very nice today.”

  Judy stood abruptly. “I really should change and get back on patrol.” She headed for the door.

  He rose also and followed her out into the squad room. “Tell you what, take the rest of the day off.”

  Judy turned, a smile playing at her lips. “Gee thanks, boss. It’s only an hour till shift change.”

  The casual lilt was back in her voice now that they were not in the privacy of his office, but he could see the intenseness still lurking in her eyes. He was sure it matched his own. It was then he realized his mother had been right all along. Judy Hess was the woman for him. Sadly, he also realized he could do nothing about it.

  Daniel left the station, deciding to walk the two blocks to Brie’s Boutique. As he turned onto Main Street he noticed that the building that once housed Jerry Hatfield’s insurance office now had a new tenant. He opened the front door and walked inside. Mark Cardosa was unpacking a cardboard box, placing its contents in one of many file cabinets lining the opposite wall.

  “I heard you were relocating your office. How are things going?” Daniel shut the door against a sudden gust of cold air.

  Mark looked over his shoulder and viewed Daniel with suspicion. “If you came to badger me some more about Gayle’s murder, forget it. I didn’t kill her and I didn’t kill Patty Regan.” He slammed the file drawer shut for emphasis.

  Although the man was dressed casually in a pair of jeans and sweatshirt, his hair was neatly styled. He was clean shaven and his eyes were clear. Hardly the appearance of a grief-stricken fiancé. “Tell me, counselor, when a lawyer needs a lawyer, who does he hire?”

  Mark made a huffing noise. He opened another file drawer and began taking things from a nearby box and putting them inside. “If you’re asking me if I’ve retained counsel, the answer is no. Should I?”

  Daniel didn’t really want to play cat and mouse with the jerk. Truthfully, he didn’t see Cardosa as a viable suspect anyway. “I didn’t know you were moving into your new digs already. I planned on contacting you later, but since I’m here now, I’d like to ask you something.”

  “So ask.” He didn’t stop his filing.

  “Did Gayle say anything to you recently about a feeling she was being watched?”

  Mark turned slowly around, a look of consternation on his face. “Are you saying someone was following her?”

  “That’s what we’re trying to figure out. It’s a possibility.”

  Mark’s eyes narrowed. “She told someone this?”

  “I’m asking if she told you.”

  Mark exhaled slowly. “No. She didn’t say anything like that to me.”

  The front door opened and a blonde wearing ski pants and a red parka walked into the office. To say she was pretty was putting it mildly. She was beautiful. She pulled the hood of the parka off her head releasing a cascade of thick blonde hair. Her eyes were large and deep blue. In fact, she reminded him of a younger version of Susan Hatfield, except the eyes lacked that violet tinge.

  She smiled, exhibiting perfect teeth. “I love this town. I’m going to be so happy living and working here.” Her voice had a little-girl quality.

  Mark went to the woman, helping her off with her coat. “This is Janet Webster, my new secretary.” He hung the coat on a nearby coat rack.

  It was then Daniel really took a look around the office. It was richly decorated in tones of maroon and gold. The furniture was heavy and obviously expensive. The two desks looked to be made of heavy teakwood. The reception area contained lushly upholstered furniture and teakwood tables that matched the desks. The walls were covered with oil paintings in ornate frames. In one corner was a credenza on top of which sat a silver coffee service and china cups and saucers.

  “Didn’t know you had a secretary,” Daniel said.

  Mark glanced at Daniel. “I just settled in Crescent Falls not long ago, if you recall. I decided to wait and hire someone after I got office space.”

  Daniel became quickly aware of the body language between the two. She’s more than just your secretary, that’s for sure. The sexual tension in the air is thick enough to choke on. Wonder if she’s from Marietta. Maybe she’s the reason Cardosa hightailed it down there last night. Let’s find out.

  Mark’s cell phone rang and he quickly answered it. He stepped away from Daniel and Janet Webster to take the call.

  Daniel flashed the woman his most friendly smile. “So, where do you hail from, Miss Webster?”

  Janet Webster’s gaze kept flitting to Mark as she shuffled through some papers on the desktop. “I’m from…” She stopped, seeming ill at ease.

  “Marietta? It’s okay. Mark already told me all about it.” He kept the smile plastered on his face. Hopefully she wouldn’t realize he was lying.

  The woman breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, I’m so glad. I tried to tell him he should admit he was in Marietta with me. We can’t help it we fell in love. He just felt so bad about…you know…I mean, he did have feelings for Gayle, but once we met…it was in January when I interviewed for this job…we didn’t mean for it to happen, it just…” She stopped, a horrified look on her face.

  Daniel turned around to find Mark standing a few feet away, staring at them. “You could have just told me the truth, Cardosa. There’s no law against juggling two women, even when one of them is making wedding plans.” Daniel could hear the disdain in his own voice.

  Janet Webster looked near tears. “He said he knew. He said you’d told him everything, Mark, I swear.” She began to cry.

  Mark’s look was stormy and Daniel could see the fury nesting there. “So, you have my alibi, McBride. Now go find out who really killed Gayle.”

  Daniel turned and looked at Janet, wanting to make sure she realized how things worked. “If you’re lying, Miss Webster, we’ll find out. If that is the case, I’ll see to it you spend time in jail, no matter how slick your attorney is.”

  Her eyes widened in fear. Her lips trembled. “It’s true. He got to my place at a little after ten and left just after midnight. He was helping me pack to move.”

  Daniel went to the door, swinging it open. A blast of frigid air swept into the office. He stood sideways in the open doorway for a moment, his gaze fixed on Mark Cardoza. “Gayle Nelson was a decent woman who had the bad fortune to fall for the wrong man. You’re nothing but a slick huckster with a law degree, Cardoza. You might think you have town council bamboozled by your flashy dog and pony show, but it won’t be long before even your buddy Lloyd Fletcher will realize what a mistake they made hiring you as this town’s attorney. As for the citizens of Crescent Falls, they’ll see through you quick enough. So I wouldn’t get too comfortable in this expensively furnished office if I were you.” He turned to go.

  Mark’s voice was low and even but cut across the room like a machete through sugar cane. “You’ll be out of a job, McBride, long before I’m ever out of clients, I can promise you that.”

  Daniel closed the door and didn’t look back.

  When he entered Brie’s Boutique a few minutes later he found the owner behind the sales counter, a look of dismay on her face. She was rummaging through some boxes, as though looking for something.

  “Lose something?” Daniel asked.

  She started, putting a hand over her heart. “Oh, Lord, you scared me. I’m jumpy as a cat lately. This whole thing with Gayle…I still can’t get over it. And I must say, Daniel, that I’m a little nervous. A lot of the women in town are. I hear them talking when they come into the store. Some are saying it looks like it’s open season on single women who live alone, especially the ones at Mulberry Manor.”

  Daniel had always liked Brie. She’d been two years behind him in high school, but they had dated briefly during his senior year. She’d been on the cheerleading squad and was a homecoming attendant.

  “Gayle’s case is why I’m here Brie. I need to ask you something.”

  Brie smiled up at Daniel. “You know you can ask me anything. I’m powerless to resist you.”

  “Don’t let Tim hear you say that,” Daniel replied.

 

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