But Quinn wondered if her doubts would return if the character assassination by an unknown party continued.
He suspected Michel Giovanni was behind the calls—as his sick way of trying to make Selene run back to him and his cowardly abusive ways. Quinn knew Selene wouldn’t succumb to Michel’s emotional intimidation. She was too clever to fall for that trap again.
But what if someone else had made the calls—someone who knew more about him than his wife did?
Quinn was suddenly afraid that his past sins might ruin his future.
So he did what he always did when things got too tough: bottled it up inside and hoped it would go away. Something told him that wasn’t going to happen any time soon.
CHAPTER FORTY
Detective Cramer leafed through the stacks of paper on his desk. He was waiting for Quinn Herrera to return his call, and hoped that he’d have the information he needed. A few minutes later, Quinn called.
“I need a list of everyone who was at the last community meeting. Can you help me out?” Cramer said.
“Yeah,” Quinn said. “Selene keeps pretty good records. I’m sure she has a list of meeting attendees. I’d be happy to e-mail it to you...or I can bring it in—”
“E-mail is fine,” Cramer said. “It will be easier to work with that way.”
“Can I ask why you want to know who was at the meeting? Or is that official police business?”
Cramer wrestled with how much he should tell him. Technically, every adult male at the meeting was a suspect. Including the director. But since Cramer didn’t believe Quinn was the killer, he didn’t see any reason not to share some information with him.
“We think it’s possible that whoever murdered Lynda Franklin was at the last meeting,” Cramer told him.
“What? You mean the killer lives in The Woods?” Quinn asked.
“Not necessarily,” Cramer said. “But since the meetings are open to the public and have been well publicized by the local media, anyone who wanted to come—including a serial killer—could have. Perhaps to mock the whole idea of the community trying to protect themselves from someone who’s right there in front of them.”
“You mean someone like Michel Giovanni?” Quinn asked.
“Maybe. Or someone who has a problem with good looking women, in particular.”
Cramer was leaning more towards the latter. Maybe the killer had been snubbed and decided to take it out on all attractive women. Giovanni certainly couldn’t be ruled out either. But, so far, his obsession with Selene hadn’t appeared to rise to the level of murder. And Giovanni didn’t match the composite of the man they were looking for, even though he couldn’t account for his whereabouts during any of the murders.
“Well, I’ll do whatever I can to help,” Quinn said.
“I appreciate that. You can start by not mentioning my request to anyone else, other than Selene. If the killer is living in The Woods, I wouldn’t want to tip his hand.”
“I understand. No problem,” Quinn said.
After hanging up, Cramer wondered who amongst them could be a killer in disguise. They’d already run into a few stumbling blocks trying to identify him. One of the cameras at the community center wasn’t working. And the only prints on the newsletter at Lynda Franklin’s apartment belonged to her.
But they weren’t exactly back to square one either. As soon as he got the list of names from Quinn, he’d start matching them up to the images he had from the working cameras. Then he’d order criminal record checks.
Cramer also had another idea. His wife had been bugging him about getting together with their neighbors for several months now. Maybe this was a good time to show them some hospitality.
He gathered the serial killer task force in the conference room to share his plan with them.
“You want to do what?” Geoffrey Rawlings asked in disbelief.
Cramer calmly repeated himself. “You heard me—I want to have a Labor Day barbecue at my house. We’ll invite all the neighbors in hopes of flushing out the killer.”
“You really think the son of a bitch would dare show up at your house?” he asked.
“Look, I know it’s a long shot, but why the hell not?” Cramer said. “He doesn’t know we suspect someone in The Woods. If he’s as slick and self-confident as I think he is, he won’t miss the chance to revel in his achievements.”
So it was settled and the plan was formalized. Dennis Cramer and his wife would host a big holiday picnic at the department’s expense.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Labor Day weekend in Bluffs Bay kicked off with the annual Saturday parade down Main Street. There had been some talk of canceling this year’s parade in light of the murders in The Woods community, which had affected the entire city. But the people living in The Woods had insisted that the parade go on, sending a message to the killer that he would not make them prisoners of fear.
Selene had personally lobbied the mayor and police chief not to break tradition. She put her faith in law enforcement and human nature that The Woods Strangler would be caught soon. She hoped the list of names she and Quinn had given Dennis Cramer would be helpful. It was still hard to fathom that the killer could be one of them.
In the meantime, they had to get on with their lives and not be reduced to looking over their shoulders at every turn, petrified at what or who might be looming there.
Selene glanced around uneasily as she stood on the sidewalk beside Quinn and the Bonets. She still hadn’t ruled out Michel as a suspect. She hadn’t received a call from the anonymous caller in over a week, nor had she had any contact with her ex.
Selene watched as a group of firefighters, including Julian McKenzie, rode by on a fire truck, waving at the crowd. She waved at him, but wasn’t sure he even noticed. The Woods High School marching band came next, followed by some wonderful floats.
She glanced to her left and spotted Todd Foxworth holding hands with a beautiful, model-thin woman. Selene smiled. Maybe it was possible after all for Todd to settle down with one woman.
Beyond them, Selene thought she saw Michel looking at her with a sly grin on his lips. She blinked with despair, and he was gone. Had she imagined it? Was she getting so paranoid about her ex-husband, the caller, and The Woods Strangler that she was starting to see things?
Her legs felt wobbly.
“Are you all right, darling?” Quinn asked.
Selene turned to him, trying to still her erratic heartbeat. They had not discussed the unknown caller’s allegations about him again. She’d been satisfied with Quinn’s defense and wasn’t going to let some lunatic caller have her doubt Quinn’s innocence ever again. He’d have to find someone else to play mind games with.
“I’m fine—just a little tired,” she told him.
“What you need is to get off your feet and get some food in your stomach,” Quinn said. “Marvin and Elisa are talking about heading over to the ethnic festival on St. Clair. You want to go with them? I’m willing to sample as many dishes as you want—as long as I can pronounce them and they’ve been sufficiently cooked.”
Selene laughed, feeling better already. “I’m game.”
Marvin overheard their conversation. “So what are we waiting for? Let’s get outta here.”
“Maybe we can think of a way to take part in the parade next year,” Elisa said to Selene as they made their way through the crowd.
“Sounds like a good plan,” Selene said. She made a mental note to that effect.
* * *
Michel Giovanni kept his distance as he watched Selene. He was pretty sure she’d spotted him. He had to be more careful. The last thing he needed was her complaining to the cops that he’d violated the restraining order, giving them an excuse to arrest him. He touched the gun in his jacket pocket, keeping it handy just in case.
Selene and the others headed away from the parade route. Michel followed them, dismissing anyone who got in his way with a scathing look. It was nearly impossible for him to stand b
ack and watch the best part of his life move on without going after her.
All in good time.
He’d had Selene right where he wanted her in the basement: scared, vulnerable, and ready to listen to reason.
Then that asshole came out of nowhere and blindsided me.
Now a judge tells him he can’t get within five hundred feet of Selene or he’ll go to jail. He wanted to tell the judge to go to hell.
He wasn’t about to let a stupid piece of paper come between him and Selene.
Not in this lifetime.
But he wasn’t prepared to do anything reckless either.
Michel knew he was caught between a rock and a hard place. He watched Quinn Herrera put his arm around Selene, as if he was staking a claim on his private property.
But Michel still had a trick or two up his sleeve. This wasn’t over yet. He hadn’t returned to Bluffs Bay to get his woman back, only to give up the fight too easily.
No, there was another way he could win her back.
With a nice bundle of cash to go along with it.
He thought about the four hundred grand they were offering as reward money. It could be all his and he’d also get Selene for his trouble.
The people in The Woods were looking for a hero to rescue them from a scary monster. Michel believed he could be their hero. Then he could tear that damned restraining order into tiny pieces. Hell, they’d probably even elect him as the next mayor of Bluffs Bay. And no one would give a damn about what went on behind closed doors between him and Selene.
Except someone who had more to lose than he did...
Michel sipped a soft drink as he watched them turn onto a street, heading toward an underground garage.
He turned to watch the parade, blending in with the crowd. Though his thoughts were definitely elsewhere...
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
On Sunday morning, Selene supervised S.A.W. House staff and volunteers as they loaded debris from the basement into two giant dumpsters. Restoration was set to begin in a few days.
Selene thanked God every day that no one had been hurt in the fire. She was also grateful that only the basement had sustained major damage. In an effort to dissuade the arsonist from striking again, she’d hired a security guard. Staff and residents were instructed to be extra diligent and on the lookout for anyone lurking around who seemed suspicious.
By afternoon, Selene was back in her office trying to get caught up on paperwork.
Maria Lopez knocked once on the open door and came in. “Selene, there’s a woman here to see you. She’s the one who came with that abused cop.”
Selene raised a brow. “Has she been beaten, too?”
“Not that I could see,” Maria said. “But you never know what’s underneath—”
“Send her in...”
Selene watched as Kay Fuentes walked through the door. She looked tense. Selene stood and shook her trembling hand.
“How are you, Ms. Herrera?”
“Can’t complain too much,” Selene said. “Would you like to sit down?”
Kay hesitated, and shook her head. “I’m worried about Ashley—”
“What’s happened to her?”
“I don’t know,” Kay said. “I haven’t been able to reach her in over a week. I tried calling, but there was no answer. When I went to her house, she wouldn’t open the door, though I’m sure she was home.”
“Maybe she just went out of town or something,” Selene said. She couldn’t imagine Ashley Leighton being on vacation right in the middle of a criminal investigation. Unless she’d been forced to go away.
“No, Ashley would’ve told me if she was going somewhere,” Kay said. “Besides, her car was parked in the driveway. And so was Robert’s.”
“Hmm... So you think she’s hurt or being held against her will?”
Kay shrugged. “Maybe. I know she’s scared to death of her husband, even though she carries a badge and a gun. Robert has some kind of hold on her that makes her stay with him no matter how bad he treats her.”
“Did you go to the police?” Selene asked.
“And say what? A nosey woman thinks her best friend is in trouble, but has no proof. They’d probably put me away, while Robert charms them into thinking he’s some kind of pillar of the community instead of the devil’s son in disguise.”
She didn’t normally get involved when a victim seemed unwilling to help herself. But, in this case, she believed Ashley was crying out for help in her own way.
Selene was troubled by Robert Leighton’s cavalier attitude regarding the abuse. She also suspected he was behind the fire at S.A.W. House and possibly even the phone calls she’d been receiving. Maybe it wasn’t even so farfetched to think he could actually be The Woods Strangler.
“Okay, I’ll see what I can do,” Selene said. “I have a friend on the police force who might be able to help.”
Kay smiled. “Thank you. Ashley’s a good woman and I just don’t wanna see something bad happen to her.”
“Neither do I,” Selene said. “In the meantime, if you happen to get in touch with her, please let me know.”
After seeing Kay out, Selene called Maria back in.
“Trouble...?” Maria asked.
“I think so. I want you to try to reach Ashley Leighton at home or work. If you don’t get an adequate response, try again. She could be in danger.”
“Will do,” Maria said.
Selene sat down at her desk and turned her attention to the backyard barbecue at Dennis Cramer’s house tomorrow. It would be a perfect time to ask him about Ashley and, while she was at it, get an update on the serial killer investigation.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
The smell of barbecuing ribs permeated the air on this warm evening. Several expensive cars filled the driveway and others lined the curb in front of the Cramer’s striking two-story home.
Selene and Quinn had decided to walk the two blocks from their place, enjoying the opportunity to stretch their legs.
“You sure they didn’t invite the whole damn city?” Quinn whispered.
Selene chuckled. “You don’t have to worry. I’m sure there will be enough food left for you.”
“I’ll settle for some stimulating conversation.”
Me, too. Selene thought about Ashley Leighton. Maybe Dennis knows something.
The backyard was as impressive as the front of the house with attractive landscaping, swimming pool, and spa. There were several young people splashing about in the pool and the spa looked like it was practically overflowing with people.
Julian McKenzie and his wife, Loraine, were the first to approach Selene and Quinn.
“Well look who’s here,” Julian said, grinning. “What’s up?” Sweat glistened on his upper lip and forehead.
Quinn and Julian shook hands. “We’re good, man.”
Loraine gave Selene a quick hug and said, “Nice to see you.”
“Good to see you, too.” Selene felt a tad guilty that they didn’t get together more often. “So, how are your lovely daughters doing?”
“Growing up way too fast, I’m afraid. Hard to keep up with sometimes.”
Julian put his arm around Loraine. “Yeah, pretty soon I’ll have to get a second job just to pay for their clothes and electronic toys.”
Selene chuckled. She thought about the joy children would bring to the household. After being afraid to have kids with her abusive husband, she was looking forward to it with Quinn. They both wanted children, but planned to wait until they’d been married for at least a year.
“Did you learn anything more about the fire at S.A.W. House?” Selene asked Julian.
“Not really,” he said. “All we know is that it was definitely arson. No clues yet as to who did it. Could’ve been some kids fooling around...”
More likely, it was an adult who was not fooling around, Selene thought.
They made their way past the McKenzies and ran into Todd Foxworth.
“Quinn...Selene, I thou
ght you’d gotten lost or something,” Todd teased, smiling broadly.
He had his arm around the gorgeous woman Selene had seen him with at the parade.
“We took the long way here,” Quinn joked. He looked at Todd’s date. “I don’t believe we’ve met...”
“This is Cyndi Gordon,” Todd said. “And these are the Herreras—Quinn and Selene,” he said to Cyndi.
“Nice to meet you.” Cyndi flashed an effervescent smile.
Todd pulled Cyndi closer. “These folks are the pride of The Woods. They keep our close knit community together.”
Selene wasn’t sure if Todd was trying to impress his girlfriend or actually believed that. In her opinion, it took the whole neighborhood working together to keep them safe and sound.
* * *
Cramer played the part of chef to perfection, complete with an apron splattered with barbecue sauce and oversized grill mitts. He, along with his undercover colleagues, was also taking mental notes on every man in attendance. He hated to think that one of them might be a serial killer, but it now seemed like a real possibility.
Cramer promised himself he would try to keep an open mind as he surveyed his guests. He wondered if it could be Todd Foxworth behind the cool and sophisticated ladies’ man façade. Or maybe there was a darker side to Julian McKenzie. How about Marvin Bonet? He was nice and had a lovely wife. But what if he wasn’t so nice when it came to catching attractive women alone?
Then there was George Zavella, Cramer’s next-door neighbor. He lived alone and seemed to have a problem with the opposite sex. And Les Bastos, who was the perfect family man and a civic leader. Maybe he wasn’t so perfect after all and was really a monster.
The list went on. Which one of them was the killer?
Cramer was well aware that they could be looking in the wrong direction and the killer might not even be a member of their community.
He saw Quinn and Selene Herrera heading his way. What if Quinn is the killer? Who would ever think that was possible?
Killer in The Woods: A Psychological Thriller Page 14