by Alan Russell
“Where?” I asked.
“Albuquerque,” he said.
“Is there any significance to this trail of murders?”
“Follow the map, Detective. It tells you the killer is progressing along a certain route.”
“Am I going to find in this latest homicide that I’m still part of your discussion with the killer?”
“Regrettably, you’ve given me no choice.”
“What do you mean?”
“When our paths first crossed, you were doing your job. I respected that. I respected you. Both of us experienced the baptism of fire. We were marked as brethren. Since then I’ve done nothing but save you from those who would do you harm. And that is why your betrayal is so terribly unforgivable.”
He stared me down with eyes that blazed with hatred and disappointment. I wasn’t surprised that he knew about Las Vegas and the investigation, and I wasn’t surprised by his ferocity; what surprised me was that I had apparently managed to hurt him so deeply.
“I’ve always been doing my job,” I said. “Then and now.”
“We met on the battlefield and you brought in your prisoner. Wasn’t that enough?”
“No,” I said. “I should have killed you when I had the chance. That would have been justice. Years later I’m still dealing with the families of your victims. I see firsthand the pain you caused, and how it’s still so hurtful. To my thinking, justice delayed has been justice denied.”
“You’ve opened Pandora’s box, Detective. You’ve inspired even more evil in the world in the form of this avenging murderer. Did you think I wouldn’t find out about your Las Vegas investigation?”
“I assumed you would hear about it sooner or later.”
“You think by getting me convicted in Nevada that I’ll be moved to Nevada’s death row, is that right?”
“That’s the hope.”
“If you hope to live, then you must cease and desist in your efforts. The pale horse rides the land. It comes at a trot. With each death, it comes closer. The countdown has begun.”
“Is that so?”
“Houston, we have a problem,” he said.
“Are we done here?” I asked.
“We are,” he said.
I called to the waiting correctional officer, and he radioed his team. During the time it took for the officers to gather, Haines and I stared at one another.
After his shackles were reapplied, Haines began shuffling down the hallway. That’s when he decided to start talking again.
“Can you feel it, Detective Gideon? It’s out there. It’s stalking you. And I’m the only one who can commute your death sentence. Yes, you’re right, the two of us have found a way to talk. And there’s so much to talk about. Know that if you kill me, you kill yourself. Once again, the two of us are walking through the fire and need each other to survive. Will you dream tonight? If so, perhaps you will sense that the killer is drawing nigh. With each murder, he moves closer to you. Something wicked this way comes. And you will only avoid certain death through my salvation.”
It seemed to me I listened to the sounds of his chains for a long time before they could be heard no more.
Acknowledgments
Thanks go to Will Richter for being my Los Angeles tour guide. Whenever I am thinking up a scene, I invariably ask Will, “Where do you think would be a good spot for this to take place?” Will has even been kind enough to go with me to some of these sites. It is a strange life being a mystery writer and considering the right locations for your mayhem.
Once again I must acknowledge our family vet, Dr. Sue Spray. I call upon Sue to vet the vet scenes. It’s a good thing I don’t have anyone vet my wordplay.
When you write about a cop, it’s nice to have the resource of cops. Thank you to longtime sheriff’s deputies Dave Putnam and Russell Moore for cheerfully answering my law enforcement questions.
Kudos to Brilliance Audio for their desire to have the Gideon & Sirius novels continue. That meant a lot to this author, and provided incentive to keep going.
Finally, thank you to my loyal readers. It was hearing from you that made all the difference. Because of the many notes you sent asking when the next Gideon & Sirius novel would be coming out, I was determined to keep writing their tales (and tails). Luckily, we found a way to do that. Gideon’s Rescue is my fifteenth published novel. I am sure this book would not have been written if not for you. Readers who want to reach me can write to [email protected]. Please also visit my website at alanrussell.net, follow me on my author page at Amazon, or like me on Facebook at Alan Russell Mystery Author.
And, yes, there will be at least two more Gideon & Sirius novels. Please look for them in the not-too-distant future!
Alan Russell
July 17, 2018
About the Author
Critical acclaim has greeted bestselling author Alan Russell’s novels from coast to coast. Publishers Weekly calls him “one of the best writers in the mystery field today.” The New York Times says, “He has a gift for dialogue,” while the Los Angeles Times calls him a “crime fiction rara avis.” Russell’s novels have ranged from whodunits to comedic capers to suspense, and his works have been nominated for most of the major awards in crime fiction. He has been awarded a Lefty, a Critics’ Choice Award, and the Odin Award for Lifetime Achievement from the San Diego Writers and Editors Guild. A California native, Russell is a former collegiate basketball player who nowadays plays under the rim. The proud father of three children, Russell resides with his wife in Southern California.