Dead End

by Nancy Mehl

  “Do you think he’ll come to Anamosa?”

  Kaely was pretty sure Kenny would be out of a job if that happened. “I have no idea. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. One step at a time, okay?”

  “Okay. But I can’t go back to work right now. Not until you catch this guy.” Kaely felt compassion for the grief-stricken prison guard, but there really wasn’t much she could do to help him.

  “I’m sure you have friends,” Noah said. “But if you need to talk . . .” He pulled out his wallet and took out a card. “Call me.”

  “Thanks, Agent Hunter. And I’m sorry about your wife.”

  “I appreciate that.” Noah smiled at Kenny and turned to look at Kaely. “Who called?”

  “Jason. He’ll be here tomorrow afternoon. He’ll rent a car at the airport and then check into the hotel across from ours. I’ll call him when we get back to our hotel. Then we can all get together for dinner.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “I’d better go,” Kenny said. “I have a lot of things to do. Planning a funeral is . . . tough. I wasn’t prepared. Never thought I’d be doing this now.”

  He stood and shook hands with both of them. “Thank you for working so hard to find this piece of scum. And again, if I can do anything to help you, call me. Day or night.”

  “We will. Thanks, Kenny,” Noah said. “We’ll be praying for you.”

  “Thank you. That means more than you know.”

  With that, Kenny left. Kaely watched him through the glass windows that surrounded them. “Poor guy,” she said as Noah sat down.

  “I know.”

  “You’re going to pray for him?”

  Noah grunted. “I can pray if I want to.”

  “Of course you can,” Kaely said. She smiled as she took another sip of her coffee.

  Thirty-One

  So . . . what do you think?” Noah asked Kaely after getting another cup of coffee.

  “I think we need to follow up on Raymond and the doctor. She’s certainly smart enough to be our UNSUB. Maybe Raymond is carrying out her instructions.”

  “Obviously our UNSUB was watching Kenny’s home and followed Marie to the store,” Noah said. “The police and the FBI will have followed up on that. Asking neighbors if they noticed anything. Is it too much to hope someone saw the UNSUB?”

  “Maybe. I’d love to know.”

  “But we can’t ask the FBI about it because we’re only supposed to be working inside the prison.” Noah knew he sounded glum.

  Kaely pulled out her phone and scrolled through her numbers before selecting one and making a call. “Chief Sawyer,” she said, nodding at Noah. “We just met with Kenny. He mentioned a couple of people you might want to follow up on.”

  Noah listened as she brought the chief up to date on Raymond Cooper and Dr. Engle. Then she said, “I wonder if you found anything helpful when Kenny’s neighbors were questioned.”

  Noah grinned. She was giving him something and hoping he’d reciprocate. But would the chief really share information with them about the investigation? Kaely was quiet for a while. Finally, she said, “Thank you. Talk to you soon.” Then she hung up and shrugged.

  “Nothing. One lady walking her dog saw Marie leave the house. Another neighbor knows when Kenny left to go check on Marie because he accidentally set off his alarm when he unlocked his car. I guess he does that frequently. She was watching her favorite TV show, so she was able to give the police a pretty precise time. The store confirms that Kenneth showed up there when he said he did and asked them to page his wife. The police have ruled him out as a suspect.” She sighed. “Unfortunately, no one noticed anything else. No car that shouldn’t have been there. No one who might have followed Marie.”

  “People don’t pay attention,” Noah said. “The UNSUB could have been there, but unless people have a reason to watch for something unusual, they don’t see anything. Our guy could have waited until the dog walker turned the corner before taking off after Marie.”

  “That’s what I was thinking.” Kaely looked at her watch. “I’d like to head back to the hotel, if it’s okay with you. I want to prepare for my interview with my father tomorrow.”

  “Kaely . . .” Would she get angry if he asked what she intended to do tonight?

  She frowned at him. “What?”

  “I’m concerned. Are you going to profile our UNSUB?”

  She looked away from him. Noah noticed she was chewing on her lower lip, a clear sign that she was thinking. Then she took a drink of her coffee. Stalling. When she put down her cup, she finally met his gaze. “I don’t know. I’d like to try.”

  “I told you I don’t want you to do that.”

  Kaely smiled. “The UNSUB isn’t actually there, you know.” The smile slipped from her face. “It’s true I let my own concerns filter into the last profile, the one in Darkwater, but I won’t let that happen this time.”

  Noah ran a finger against the side of his cup. How far could he push this without watching her shut down? “Look, I just don’t want you to risk it, okay?”

  Kaely started to say something, but Noah shook his head. “No. Listen to me. If it should get out of control again . . .” He reached over and took her hand. “I’m worried about you, Kaely. Please.”

  “I really appreciate your concern. But I told you I’d let you know if I decide to work a profile, and I will. I promise.” She pulled her hand away from his. “Remember, you’re right next door. If I need you, I’ll call for you.”

  “Let me be there with you. I won’t interfere.”

  For a moment, he thought he’d gotten through to her, but then he saw a familiar look on her face. Resolve. She had no intention of giving in. Kaely Quinn was determined to face her demons alone. Noah sighed inwardly. There was no way their relationship could ever become anything more than what it was, a friendship along with a strong undercurrent of something else. Something more powerful that would never be explored unless Kaely lowered her defenses.

  “All right,” he said, an edge to his voice he hadn’t intended. “We’d better go.”

  She didn’t say anything, just picked up her cup and headed for the door.

  Noah lagged behind, watching her walk out of the shop. Then he took his own cup to the counter and asked for a refill. He knew Kaely was waiting on him, but he didn’t care. He wasn’t at her beck and call.

  His last victim had been carefully selected to let Kaely Quinn know he was close to her. He wanted to watch her squirm. Blame herself for talking to one of the guards at the prison. Putting someone’s wife in danger.

  But now the game was going to change. He would be shadowing her closely. Waiting for an opportunity to do something unexpected. A line from an old movie came to mind. He would make her an offer she couldn’t refuse. And when he did, she would come to him willingly.

  And then he would kill her.

  When they got back to the hotel, Kaely went to her room, first telling Noah she intended to order room service for dinner. She needed an evening alone. He seemed almost dismissive, but she knew he was worried about her. Although she trusted Noah, she had to take back her life. She’d allowed this assignment to shake her, and she couldn’t afford to be less than her best.

  “Maybe you should have taken him up on his offer.”

  Kaely looked at the couch to see Georgie wearing an accusatory expression.

  “No. I don’t need that. I’m okay.”

  “You’re not sure that’s true or I wouldn’t be here.”

  Kaely shook her head. “Time for you to go.” She watched, waiting for Georgie to disappear. Strangely, she continued to sit there, staring at her.

  Finally, Georgie said, “So are you going to meet with me?”

  “Meet with you? It seems I’m doing that now.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “The real you?” Kaely sighed as she sat down on a chair. “I don’t know. What should I do?”

  “I thought you wanted me to leave. Now you’re as
king for advice?”

  Kaely glared at the image of Georgie, who seemed unshaken by her obvious disapproval. “Yes, I am. What do you think?”

  Georgie hung her head for a moment. When she looked up, Kaely was surprised to see tears in her eyes. But of course, she knew why they were there.

  “You’re afraid you’ll disappear if I talk to the real Georgie,” Kaely said softly. It wasn’t said as a question. The thought had been in Kaely’s mind ever since she’d received Georganna’s message. She reached into her pocket and took out the note with her phone number. She stared at it for a while and then put it back into her pocket. She still wasn’t sure what to do.

  “I’m not going to call . . . just yet,” she told Georgie, whose expression hadn’t changed.

  “Don’t profile the UNSUB tonight. You don’t have control. You know you don’t.”

  Kaely shook her head. “You’re wrong.” She was angry. “I’m not crazy. I don’t care what Dr. Engle thinks or what Noah thinks. I don’t even care what you think.” She found herself standing but didn’t remember getting up. “I’m tired of everyone trying to take care of me. First it was Solomon, then Noah. Even you. It’s got to stop.”

  “Why are you so upset?” Georgie asked, her brown eyes sparkling with concern.

  “Get out!” Kaely shouted.

  When Georgie disappeared, sadness washed over Kaely. Then tears rolled down her cheeks, which made her even angrier. Why was she crying again? Why couldn’t she control these stupid emotions? Something Dr. Engle said floated into her thoughts. “What you’ve been through . . . having your life ravaged by finding out who your dad really was. It had to be devastating. Children who suddenly discover their parent isn’t the person they thought they were . . . that they’re capable of great evil . . . It can cause a child to fracture. To create unhealthy ways to protect themselves.”

  Was she fractured? Could the doctor be right? She thought she’d created Georgie because she wanted someone to talk to. But could the truth be that Georgie existed to protect her?

  Even as the thoughts came to her, she rejected them. No. She was fine. She didn’t need Dr. Engle’s input. The truth was she didn’t need anyone except God. She reminded herself that she was a skilled, trained behavioral analyst for the FBI. She was strong and self-sufficient. She’d be fine.

  She found her notebook and a pen. Then she sat down at the table in the room and began to write down everything she could think of that pertained to this case. No matter what Georgie said, tonight she was going to attempt to talk to the Copycat Killer.

  Thirty-Two

  He picked up the phone and called his disciple. After he gave his instruction, he heard only hesitation. “Are you refusing my order?” he asked. “Do I need to remind you that I know where your family lives?”

  “No, I’m not refusing. I’m sorry. But I don’t want to get caught.”

  “You won’t if you do this right.” He ran through the plan he’d designed.

  “All right. I’ll take care of it.”

  “You’d better. And remember, I have ears inside the prison. If you try to betray me—”

  “I won’t. I promise.”

  “Don’t forget, you have a lot to gain from this. The money I give you will get rid of all that debt and help you keep your house. I’m sure your wife and kids will appreciate that.”

  “I know. You’re right.”

  “Okay. Do it tonight. And make sure it’s done correctly. I want him dead.”

  “I understand.”

  “Toss this phone. Use one of the others I gave you. And remember, we only connect by phone. Never in person.”

  “I know. And I’ll take care of the phone.”

  He hung up. He was excited to see this part of his plan finally happen. Tonight, after all these years, justice would begin. He felt tears forming in his eyes. Stunned, he lifted his finger and wiped away the dampness that trickled down his cheek. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d really cried. When tears weren’t used to manipulate someone. Maybe as a child, but never as an adult.

  He shook his head. The anger that had fueled him ever since he’d found the truth overpowered all his other emotions. But he had been denied long enough, and he had more to do before the wrongs in his life would finally be set right. Now he was passing judgment on those who had taken what belonged to him.

  His soft laughter was tinged with hate and bitterness—and anticipation. They’ll never see me coming.

  Ed opened his eyes, awakened from a deep sleep when someone called his name. Somehow, light flooded his cell, almost so bright he couldn’t see. Was it morning already? He sat up and swung his feet over the edge of his bed, realizing that the light wasn’t coming from the sun. His cell had no windows. How could this happen? But he wasn’t afraid. Quite the opposite. The light was warm. Comforting.

  Then suddenly his past played in front of him like a television show. His childhood. The abuse he and his sister had endured. The grief that had shattered him into a million pieces, the only love he’d known ripped from his heart.

  Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he pushed himself out of his bunk and fell to his knees.

  The same voice that called his name said, “‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’”

  Ed cried out as the Deliverer touched his tortured soul. “Oh, God. Forgive me.” He couldn’t believe that the One who had seen all the evil he’d done loved him anyway. Between sobs, Ed whispered the words his son had taught him. What Jason had called the sinner’s prayer. And at that moment, he felt God breathe life into him. The light in his cell entered his body, and Ed Oliphant felt the joy of becoming a brand-new creation.

  Noah couldn’t relax. He couldn’t shake what Kaely had told him about the last time she’d profiled an UNSUB. That he’d told her she was going to die. And soon. Noah went to the refrigerator and took out the sandwich and beer he’d ordered earlier. He sat down on the couch and put his food on the coffee table. He unscrewed the top of the beer and took a long drink. It was true he hadn’t had much to do with God since Tracy died, but that had started to change. Even though Kaely admitted she had a lot of healing still to do, he could see something in her that he wanted.

  “So, God,” he said aloud but in a low voice, “why does this threat from an invisible UNSUB scare me so much? Either Kaely is coming up with this stuff on her own, which is deeply troubling, or . . .”

  Like Kaely, Tracy had believed in demonic influence, which Noah had always dismissed with skepticism. After a while, she quit mentioning it. But he hadn’t forgotten her words. “We’re in a battle, Noah,” she’d said. “Good versus evil. Denying evil exists won’t make it go away.”

  At the time, it seemed ridiculous. But Tracy wasn’t a ridiculous person. She was smart. And realistic. He couldn’t keep ignoring what she’d said. He trusted her.

  He took another chug of his beer and sat the bottle down. Kaely was truly frightened by what she’d heard, so how could the words have come from her? What possibility did that leave besides demonic influence?

  He quickly finished his meal and then put his tray in the hallway. He was pretty sure Kaely was going to work a profile tonight. He glanced at his watch. A little after ten. Had she already started? The possibility chilled him. Somehow, deep inside, he knew she shouldn’t do this.

  He planned to follow his gut, but before he did, it was time to take care of something he’d put off for too long. He needed to be completely prepared, and he could almost hear Tracy pleading with him on her deathbed. Tonight, her most ardent prayer would be answered.

  Noah sat down on the couch and bowed his head.

  Kaely finished her notes and spread them out on the table, glad she’d taken the time to change into sweats and eat a bite from room service. She could hear Georgie still whispering in her ear, but she ignored her pleas to stop. This is what Kaely did. More women were going to die i
f she didn’t confront this UNSUB. Mr. Hoover looked up at her from the chair where he’d curled up to sleep. Then he put his head down and nodded off again.

  She hadn’t even begun her profile when she felt something dark and malevolent forming in the chair across from her. She started to talk to it, but for some reason her vocal cords felt almost frozen. She tried to get words out, but they were only gasps that didn’t make sense. Fear began to roll over her when suddenly her phone rang. She’d meant to turn if off but had forgotten. She grabbed for it as if it were a life preserver and she was drowning in a sea of shadows. Just as quickly as the image across from her appeared, it vanished.

  Kaely felt a release and stood up. Deciding she needed some air, she grabbed her cell and walked onto the balcony, quickly closing the door behind her so Mr. Hoover wouldn’t follow her.

  When she answered the phone, she listened to the man on the other end. When he finished, she acknowledged the message and hung up, then put the phone in her pocket and dropped to her knees. She couldn’t stop sobs from pushing their way up from somewhere inside the deepest part of her. They came in waves.

  When she heard the sliding doors from the next unit open, she was also aware of Noah’s voice, but she couldn’t make out his words. Only seconds later, he came up behind her and picked her up before going inside.

  “Shut the door,” she sputtered. “Mr. Hoover.”

  Noah managed to lean against the glass door and slide it shut. Then he carried Kaely to the couch and put her down. He sat down next to her, and she leaned her head on his shoulder, her sobs uncontrolled. It felt like emotional vomiting, but she let it come until nothing was left.

  Noah took a napkin from the coffee table and wiped her face. “Can you tell me what’s wrong?” he asked, gently.