The sound of tires crunching on the asphalt parking lot in front of the restaurant set Natalies nerves humming. Unsheathing her Glock 19, she eased her way back to the front and flattened her body against the side of the building to avoid being seen as long as possible.
The engine cut off and she heard a car door open. She darted a quick look around the corner of the building.
There was no mistaking the tall, broad-shouldered, dark-haired man walking to the front of the building. J. D. Cooper stopped in front of the door and tested the lock. The handle rattled in his hand but didnt open.
Trespassing son of a
Natalie eased away from the building, edging into the darkening woods behind her. Shed left her car down the road, not wanting to be seen snooping around what was, technically, still a crime scene, since she was on administrative leave.
But if she didnt get to look around, shed be damned if J. D. Cooper got to, either.
When she reached her car, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911. Im calling from Sedge Road, near Annabelles. I just saw a man trying to break into the restaurant.
Chapter Three
Look, if youll just call the Chickasaw County Sheriffs Department and ask for Aaron Cooper, hell vouch for me. J.D. winced as the handcuffs around his wrists bit into his flesh, glad Gabe couldnt see him now. Although he might have need of the bail Gabe had mentioned any minute now.
We tried. He wasnt in the office. Deputy Doyle Massey, one of the departments investigators, had taken custody of him once he reached the station. Massey was a broad-shouldered man in his mid-thirties, with sandy brown hair and eyes the color of tree moss. He looked impatient, making J.D. wonder just how much work an investigator got in a department this size.
Then ask for Riley Patterson. Or call the Gossamer Ridge Police Department and ask for Kristen Cooper.
Massey glanced at J.D. How many cops are you related to?
Do auxiliary deputies count, too?
Massey grinned. You must be the black sheep of the family.
Funny.
What were you doing snooping around there, anyway? Massey unlocked the cuffs behind his back.
J.D. rubbed his sore wrists. Am I under arrest? Nobody had read him his rights, but clearly he wasnt free to go.
Massey led him to a small interview room. Take a seat.
J.D. sat across from the deputy, wondering how much he should say about his real reason for being at Annabelles. His own family was sympathetic to his quest for justice, but hed found over the years that the local cops would prefer he just butt out.
At the scene, you said you were just curious about the place because it had been a murder scene. How did you know that, you being a newcomer to town and all?
Oh, what the hell. If he lied, hed just look as though he was hiding things. Twelve years ago, my wife was murdered in Gossamer Ridge, in a secluded area, late at night. She was raped and stabbed to death. The killer left no evidence behind.
The deputys eyes gave a small flicker. Go on.
Thereve been similar murders. In Mississippi five or six years ago. Up in Millbridge, Alabama, in the last six months
Are you talking about the murders that college kid committed? He was already in jail when Carrie Gray was killed.
This must be how Alicia felt, J.D. thought, trying to explain her theory about the serial killer pair to Gabe the first time. There are two people involved. Marlon Dysonthe college studentwas only one of the two killers. The other one is the guy who actually does the stabbings.
Massey frowned. So the kid was just along for the ride?
The theory is, he procured the victims. Followed them, scouted out their schedules, getting to know them so that he and the alpha killer could get the drop on them more easily
Alpha killer?
Thats the theory. The alpha killer wields the knife. The beta does the legwork beforehand.
Whose theory?
Here we go, J.D. thought. A criminal psychology doctoral student figured it out.
A student? Massey sounded skeptical.
J.D. pressed his lips together tightly, growing annoyed. A doctoral student. An instructor, really. And shes a hell of a lot smarter than
She?
Yes, she.
Let me guessnew girlfriend? Got you a pretty little young thing who comes up with this fancy idea, so you thought youd snoop around to impress her by handing her a new case to ponder?
J.D. stared at Massey, repulsed. The girls barely six years older than my daughter.
And youre listening to her theories? Massey snapped back.
This interview clearly wasnt getting J.D. anywhere. Maybe he should play the apology card and see if he could get them to just let him go without any further trouble.
Fineyou dont buy the serial killer pair theory. But do you at least get that I wasnt there to cause any trouble or do anything illegal? he asked Deputy Massey.
You were already doing something illegaltrespassing.
How did you know? J.D. asked.
Know what?
That I was trespassing.
Masseys eyes narrowed. A 911 call.
J.D. tried to hide his surprise. Who would have called 911? The place was in the middle of nowhere, on a road that had seen absolutely no traffic in the short time J.D. was there looking around, at least until the deputies rolled up, sirens blaring.
Unless
Dont suppose you know who called it in?
Massey looked suspicious. What does it matter? Was she wrong? He stopped, flushing as he realized he had just spilled more than hed intended.
So a woman had called it in. A woman whod apparently been sneaking around the restaurant herself, if shed been in position to see J.D. looking around the property.
Now, who did he know who had a reason to be at the restaurantand whod probably be more than happy to call in a prowler report just to get J.D. out of her way?
Doesnt matter, he told Massey aloud. Youre right, she saw what she saw.
Why do you carry a gun? Massey asked.
J.D. was surprised the deputy hadnt asked that question first. I have a permit for concealed carry.
I know. We looked it up. But why the CCW permit?
Last November, some drug enforcers came gunning for my brother. They were sent by a drug lord named Eladio Cordero
Massey spat out a profanity. Luke Coopers your brother?
Yeah, J.D. said with a nod. I carry the SIG for my own protection.
Way I heard it, your family took out most of the bad guys by yourselves before the law arrived. Masseys smile was grim but satisfied. Id have liked to have a piece of that.
Am I free to go now? J.D. asked. You wont catch me trespassing again.
Leaving town?
Not right away, J.D. answered honestly. I have to wait until my kids finished visiting his grandparents.
They live in the area? Massey asked.
Yeah, J.D. answered, realizing he should have dropped his in-laws names from the beginning. George and Lois Teague. Do you know them?
Masseys eyes lit up. Why sure, everybody around here knows Doc Teague. Hes been treating most of the town since we were kids. Youre Doc Teagues The deputys voice faltered as he put the clues together. Youre Brendas husband. The sailor.
They live in the area? Massey asked.
Yeah, J.D. answered, realizing he should have dropped his in-laws names from the beginning. George and Lois Teague. Do you know them?
Masseys eyes lit up. Why sure, everybody around here knows Doc Teague. Hes been treating most of the town since we were kids. Youre Doc Teagues The deputys voice faltered as he put the clues together. Youre Brendas husband. The sailor.
Yes.
The deputys expression grew grim. I went to school a few years behind Brenda, but I knew her. Nicest person youd ever want to know.
J.D.s heart contracted. Yeah, she was.
I guess I cant blame you for going to extremes to find the bastard who killed her, Massey said, his demeanor completely changed. But I cant really have you out there interfering with an ongoing murder investigation, Mr. Cooper. You understand?
J.D. nodded. I understand. He hadnt really figured the local lawmen would buy into Alicia Solanos two-killer theory without a lot more evidence. Hed just wanted to make the deputy understand he wasnt a threat to law and order in Terrebonne.
Im going to let you go now, but you cant just be going around trespassing on private property, you hear? Let us handle it. I promise you, if theres any chance at all the perp were looking for was behind Brendas murder, Ill personally bring the son of a bitch down. All right?
The tight sensation in J.D.s chest spread to his gut. Everybody really had loved Brenda. She was one of those people who just made life better. She should have died in her nineties, after a long, full and happy life, not at the painfully young age of twenty-eight in the parking lot of an Alabama trucking company.
All right, he said aloud.
Massey walked J.D. out to his truck, which another deputy had brought to the station. He returned J.D.s weapon and holster to him. Take care, Mr. Cooper. No offense, but Id rather not see you in here again.
Same here, J.D. thought as he climbed into the truck.
Hed just be a lot more careful next time.
His cell phone rang before he reached the motel. He thumbed it on and answered.
It was Gabe. Youre set to talk to Dyson tomorrow morning at ten. Youll have to set out earlyits a three-hour drive.
J.D.s stomach dropped. Hed been pushing for a face-to-face with Dyson for a month, but now that the time was imminent, he wasnt sure he knew what to ask. Ill be there, he told Gabe and hung up, his knuckles whitening on the steering wheel.
The Millbridge police had already checked Dysons background, on Alicias request. Dyson had been a teenager, living with his mother in North Carolina, at the time of Brendas murder. He didnt have any long, unexplained absences in his history. The kid wasnt in on Brendas murder.
But J.D. was pretty sure Dyson knew about all the murders. When hed been stalking Alicia, hed left her a note warning her shed be victim number twenty-two. Fortunately, thanks to Alicias level head and killer swing with a crowbar, Dyson hadnt been able to keep that promise.
Apparently it had been Carrie Grays tragic misfortune to become the twenty-second victim instead.
Back at the motel, he decided not to overthink what he would say to Dyson the next day. Instead, he took his mind off the trip to Millbridge with a phone call to his daughter, Cissy, who was staying at his parents place while he was down here in Terrebonne. Shed wanted to stay alone at the house; but with Eladio Cordero still gunning for Luke and anyone he loved, he didnt like the idea of his nineteen-year-old daughter staying alone, even though she was as good a shot as he was these days.
She answered on the second ring, a little out of breath. Hi, Daddy. Are you and Mike on your way home?
Miss us?
Well, you, maybe. Not the brat. But her voice was affectionate, belying her words. Actually, its kind of fun hanging with Grandma and Daddy Mike. Ive really missed them while I was at college. Cissy was a student at Mill Valley University in Millbridge, renting a place in the same apartment complex where Alicia Solano had lived when she was in Millbridgewhich was rare these days, as Alicia was actively seeking a job closer to Gossamer Ridge in anticipation of earning her doctorate later this summer.
You can always transfer to a college closer to home, J.D. reminded her, hoping shed agree.
Of course, his independent-minded girl-child didnt. No, I like it in Millbridge. I have friends there. Besides, its a three-hour driveIll be home all the time.
Like you were the last two years?
Youre such a dad.
J.D. grinned. Although there was a guilty little niggle in the center of his chest more than happy to remind him he hadnt been much of a good dad after Brenda died: spending more time chasing elusive justice than comforting his children. Im going to be out of pocket awhile tomorrow, so I thought Id check in tonight and let you know.
Alicia got you set up to visit Marlon Dyson?
He sighed. Does she tell you everything?
Better than telling me nothing. She softened her sharp retort by adding, You ready for it? You want me to drive down?
He didnt know whether to be touched by the concern in her voice or insulted. He was a grown manher fatherand his daughter shouldnt feel he needed her to hold his hand. Im ready. You stay up there and keep an eye on old Rowdy.
His old mixed-hound was getting on up in years now. Hed still been a puppy when Brenda died, but these days, he was starting to slow down. He was really more Mikes dog than J.D.s these days, although thered been nights right after Brendas murder when J.D. hadnt been sure he could get through the long, bleak hours without that pup by his side.
Call me if you need me. I can be in Millbridge in three hours. Terrebonne in six.
Ill call you if I need you, he promised. Ciss?
Yeah?
You know I love you, dont you?
Her voice cracked a little. Of course I do.
Good. Cause I do.
I love you, too. Call me when you get done, okay?
Will do. He hung up the phone and laid his head back against the pillows of the motel bed, staring at the ceiling above, where waning daylight painted a crisscross of lengthening shadows over the sheetrock.
Hed spent half the afternoon, it seemed, assuring everyone he knew that he was fine, ready to visit Marlon Dyson and see if he could get information the police had, so far, been unable to obtain.
But he wasnt fine. He wasnt sure he was ready.
And he was lonely as hell.
MORNING CAME ENTIRELY too early for Natalie, in no small part because her sleep had consisted of one long nightmare, a relentless replay of the same harrowing image: she was Carrie, and she was trapped in the cluttered kitchen of Annabelles, the back door blocked by a junk pile of old appliances stored there for eventual removal, and the front door blocked by a darkened silhouette wielding a sharp, deadly knife.
She ran and ran and never got anywhere, and still the dark figure came toward her, in calm, unhurried paces. He knew she was trapped. He knew he could do what he wanted to her, and nobody would be close enough to hear her screams.
Waking for good at 5:30 a.m., she dragged herself from bed and showered, then contemplated what to do with the rest of her day, now that she didnt have a job to go to. Her mother had told her she should come by the house more often, but by now, the town grapevine would surely have made its way to her parents, and the last thing she wanted to do with her day was spend it listening to her fathers litany of I-told-you-sos.