by Joanne Fluke
* * *
“I’m sorry, Doug. There’s just no connection.”
Greg Raleigh, one of the detectives on Doug’s team, placed the case file on Doug’s desk. Doug paged through it, then sighed. Greg had explored every possibility that he’d suggested, but they’d come up with zip.
“How about college? Or high school?”
“I tried that.” Greg nodded. “Woodard’s the only one who went to college, and all three victims come from different high schools.”
“A sports connection?” Doug doubted that even as he posed the question. He wasn’t surprised when Greg shook his head.
“Woodard wasn’t interested in sports. He didn’t even attend his kids’ T-Ball games. Turner was on a soccer team, but Rossini never attended any matches. There’s just no common thread.”
Doug started to frown. He wasn’t willing to let his theory go without checking every possibility. “There has to be a connection. We just haven’t found it yet. Clubs?”
“Just some kind of church leadership group for the reverend ‘men of Christ’ . . . or something like that. His wife said there was a yearly conference in Baltimore.” Doug lifted his eyebrows, but Greg shook his head. “I know what you’re thinking, but neither of the other two victims ever set foot in Maryland.”
Doug sighed. “There’s got to be something. How about Rossini? He must have belonged to a couple of clubs. Car salesmen always join everything in sight. It’s a way to make contacts.”
“You’re right. He was in Rotary, Lions, Toastmasters, all the big ones. But the only club Turner ever came close to was that swinging sex thing with his friends.”
“How about that sex thing?” Doug looked thoughtful. “Rossini was a bachelor, and he didn’t live that far away.”
“Nope. There’s no connection there, Doug. Believe me, I checked.”
“Self-help groups?” Doug brightened as he thought of it. “Turner had a substance-abuse problem.”
“That’s true, but the other two didn’t. And Mrs. Woodard said the reverend didn’t do substance-abuse counseling. He referred anybody with a drug problem to a shrink he knew.”
Doug nodded. “And you checked with the shrink?”
“Of course I did. He didn’t recognize Turner’s picture, but he went through all his patient files. Nobody matched the description.”
“How about the church itself?” Doug shook two aspirins out of the bottle on his desk. “Did Turner or Rossini ever go there?”
Greg shook his head. “I went to both services on Sunday, and I showed the pictures to everyone there. Nobody remembered seeing them.”
“We’ve got to be overlooking something.” Doug popped the aspirins into his mouth and swallowed them with a swig of cold coffee. “Any ideas?”
“No. I tried everything I could think of, but I came up with nothing to show for it. Are you sure these weren’t random killings?”
“I don’t think so.” Doug shook his head. “Still, it’s always possible the connection is only in the killer’s mind.”
Greg thought about that for a minute, but he still looked puzzled. “I don’t get it. What do you mean?”
“Maybe they all looked like members of her family . . . or her former boyfriends . . . or neighbors she had. She’d see the connection, but we’d never find it.”
“I think I get it now.” Greg gave a nod. “If she was a waitress, the victims could have looked like former customers who stiffed her on the tip.”
“Exactly. And that gives me an idea. Did any of the victims go to the same restaurants?”
“I don’t know.” Greg jotted “restaurants” down on his pad. “I’ll check it out. We haven’t tried that angle before.”
“Get right on it. And while you’re doing that, I’m going to talk to a friend of mine to see if she’s got any fresh ideas.”
Greg started to grin. “A woman friend with fresh ideas? That sounds interesting.”
“She’s not that kind of a friend.” Doug shook his head. There were times when Greg’s adolescent humor got to him, but his colleague was young. With a little more experience, he’d make a good detective. “My friend is married, and she’s seven months pregnant. Before you bother to ask, the baby’s not mine.”
Greg shrugged and got to his feet. “Too bad. I think you’d make a great father. I’ll catch you later, boss. I’m going to check on those restaurants.”
After Greg had left, Doug stared at the door without seeing it for a long thoughtful moment. Then he straightened his shoulders and sighed. Greg was right. He’d do his best to be a good father, especially if Jill were the woman carrying his child.
* * *
Connie sat there in a daze for a moment. Then she asked the important question. “Are you sure?”
“I’m certain, Mrs. Webster.” The doctor used the fake name that Connie had given him. “We can prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection, but the damage is already done. I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but I’m afraid you’ll never be able to conceive another child.”
Somehow, Connie managed to listen to his lecture on safe sex. After picking up her prescription at the pharmacy, she drove back to Jill’s house. She gripped the wheel tightly and fought to stifle her scream of outrage. Mark Turner hadn’t given her the infection that had left her barren. The doctor had told her she’d contracted the infection approximately six weeks ago. That meant Neil had infected her.
“He’s a rotten bastard!” Connie was so angry she almost missed seeing the brake lights flash on in front of her, and she narrowly avoided slamming into the car ahead. “He cheated on me!”
There was the sound of a chuckle, and Connie’s eyes widened as she heard a familiar voice.
Calm down, Connie. I don’t want you to have an accident. And what did you expect? Neil cheated on his wife with you. It’s only natural for him to cheat on you with someone else.
“Alan!” Connie’s hands began to shake. His voice was clear in her ear, and she hadn’t even brought along his picture! “Are you mad at me, Alan? I tried my best. I really did. I slept with him every chance I got.”
Don’t worry, Connie. It’s not your fault. You had no way of knowing he was having a second affair.
“Maybe not.” Connie sighed deeply. “But he ruined everything for us. How can I have your baby if I can’t get pregnant?”
You could have Jill’s baby. Count back, darling. Count back to when Jill conceived, and you’ll see what I mean.
Connie pulled over to the side of the road, even though she knew she’d have trouble getting back out in the heavy, rush-hour traffic. Jill was seven months pregnant and this was July. She had conceived sometime in December.
That’s right, Connie. Alan sounded very excited. It was December. And Neil had his transplant the day after Thanksgiving. What does that mean to us?
“She’s carrying your baby!” Connie’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “But what can I do? I can’t just take Jill’s baby . . . can I?”
It’s not Jill’s baby, it’s ours. Of course you can take it. Listen to me and I’ll tell you exactly what to do.
Connie heard him out, and then she nodded. Alan was right. Part of him was alive in Neil’s body the night Neil impregnated his wife. Jill was carrying the child that should have been Connie’s. And since Jill was pregnant with Alan’s baby, they were entitled to take it. Just as soon as Jill gave birth, the baby would be theirs.
Be very careful, Connie. You’ve got to make sure Jill trusts you completely. If she suspects you, she’ll call that detective friend of hers, and that would spoil everything.
“Don’t worry, darling. She’ll never guess.” Connie smiled confidently as she waited for a break in traffic. But then her smile turned to a frown as she thought of another problem. “What will I do about Neil? He’ll be at the hospital when Jill has our baby.”
Alan had another answer that made Connie’s frown disappear . He won’t be around to cause a problem. Just listen to me, and I
’ll tell you exactly what to do.
As Connie listened to her beloved’s voice, she gave a huge sigh of relief. Alan’s plan would work perfectly. She had no doubt about that.
“Alan? Are you still there?” But his voice had faded away to less than a whisper. He was gone, but she knew exactly what she had to do to bring him back. Once she’d taken Jill’s baby, Alan would be with her again. And then he and Connie and their darling baby could live together forever.
* * *
Jill jotted some notes on a pad as Doug told her what his detectives had done. “How about barbers? They could have gone to the same barber shop. Or bank. They might have had checking or savings accounts at the same branch. Maybe they even used the same ATM.”
“Thanks, Jill.” Doug grinned at her. “Anything else?”
She was smiling as she glanced at her notes again. Doug really wanted her advice, and that made her feel good. “All three men owned cars, didn’t they? They might have used the same service station or the same mechanic. And you told me Turner had a closet full of silk shirts. They have to be dry cleaned. These men might have used the same place. And don’t forget dentists and doctors. You might find something there.”
“Okay. I’ll give Greg your ideas.” Doug’s voice was warm. “If you think of anything else, will you write it down for me?”
Jill nodded. “I’d be glad to. I’m leaving early today so drop by before four to pick it up. Neil and I are going to a baby class at the hospital.”
“A baby class?” Doug looked puzzled. “What’s that?”
“It’s a class for new mothers. They teach us breathing techniques to use when we’re in labor, and they take us through the whole process, step by step. Tonight’s graduation, so we’re supposed to bring our husbands. We’re going on a tour of the delivery room and the nursery. And they’re going to show the husbands what to do if they want to be present during the delivery.”
“Is Neil going to be in the delivery room?”
“No way!” Jill gave a little laugh. “He’s always been squeamish. He’d probably faint. Some husbands do, you know. He says he’d rather wait until the baby’s in the nursery and I’m back in a regular room.”
Doug nodded. “Are you disappointed?”
“A little, I guess. But it doesn’t really matter. Connie says she’ll be with me if I want her. How about you, Doug? If you were married and your wife was having a baby, would you want to be in the delivery room?”
“Absolutely.” Doug looked very sure. “I’d want to be with her every minute.”
“It wouldn’t bother you, seeing your wife like that?’
Doug looked shocked. “Of course it would! But if she wanted me, I’d be there.”
Jill was thoughtful as he left her office. He’d make a great husband for some lucky woman—considerate and loving. And he’d make a wonderful father.
A frown crossed Jill’s face as she thought about Neil’s reaction to the baby class. Although husbands were encouraged to come with their wives, he hadn’t gone to a single meeting. He’d already told her that he felt uncomfortable around infants because they were so small and you had to be careful how you held them. Since he didn’t feel confident enough to change a diaper or feed their baby a bottle, he’d offered to hire a nanny to help her.
Jill guessed that was better than nothing. Neil had admitted his faults, and he was trying to compensate for them. But she was almost sure that he wouldn’t have much to do with the baby for the first year or so. He’d be fine once the child was walking and talking, but she couldn’t help comparing Neil’s attitude to Doug’s.
Doug would change the baby’s diapers. Jill was almost sure of it. And he’d take turns feeding the baby and getting up in the middle of the night. He wouldn’t hire a nanny to take over for him. He’d enjoy helping out and getting to know his child.
Jill smiled as she imagined life as Doug’s wife. He’d hold her hand in the labor room and rub her back between contractions. He’d help her with her breathing exercises and encourage her when she was tired. And he’d be at her side in the delivery room, telling her how much he loved her.
After the baby was born, Doug would spend hours on the phone, calling everyone with the good news. He’d pass out cigars at work and take so many snapshots, the nurses would probably confiscate his camera. He’d bring her flowers. He might even sleep in so that he could hold the baby for the night feeding. And once they got home, it would be even better.
Jill began to dream about how wonderful their life would be. Doug would enjoy spending time with the baby so much, he’d urge her to go shopping or take in a movie so that he could stay home and babysit. He’d learn all the nursery rhymes and the silly little songs babies loved to hear, and he’d buy every toy and gadget on the market for the baby’s room.
But he wouldn’t ignore Jill. He’d love her even more than he had before. He’d tell her she was beautiful, even though she hadn’t lost all the weight she’d gained during her pregnancy. He’d smile at her every time she walked into the room, and he’d never miss an opportunity to touch her. There would be a gentle hand on her shoulder when she was cooking dinner, or a loving caress when she brushed past him. And he’d make love to her passionately and tenderly when they were alone in their bedroom at night.
Jill was lost in her happy dream as she glanced out the window. The sky was overcast, but the grass was bright green and the leaves on the trees were glistening. The flower beds in front of the building were vivid with red and purple and pink blooms. The brick window ledge was a lovely shade of deep red.
“What are you smiling about?” Jill’s secretary stuck her head in the doorway.
“Why shouldn’t I smile? It’s a beautiful day!” Jill’s voice was soft.
“I guess it is, if you’re a duck.” Her secretary frowned as the first few drops of rain splattered against the windowpane. “Personally, I hate weather like this. Do you want me to type up your notes on the Foxworthy case?”
“Yes, Mary. Thanks.” Jill waited until her secretary had left and then glanced out the window again. Mary was right. It was cold and rainy, now that she was no longer imagining life as Doug’s wife.
CHAPTER 31
Jill turned to Neil with a frown. “But, honey . . . You know tonight’s class is important. We’re doing the countdown to delivery and the tour of the hospital. It’s our last meeting. We’re supposed to bring our husbands.”
“I’m sorry, Jill.” Neil looked a little guilty. “I feel really rotten, springing this on you at the last minute, but I have to present the budget. Everybody in the department is counting on me to get more money for next year.”
Jill couldn’t help being disappointed, but she nodded anyway. “Okay. I understand. But it’s Connie’s night off, and you’re not supposed to drive yet. How will you get there?”
“That’s no problem. I’ll take a cab. Harris says the department will pay for it. Are you terribly upset with me, honey?”
Jill debated for a moment, then decided to be perfectly honest. “Not terribly, but I am upset. I really wanted you there tonight. What happened to Professor Harris? I thought he was supposed to present the budget.”
“He was, but his wife’s sick. When he called to tell me, I offered to do it. Since I worked on it with him, I’m the only one who’s prepared to answer their questions.”
Jill looked concerned. “Is Harris’s wife all right?”
“She’ll be fine in a couple of days. The doctor says it’s a bad case of the flu. He put her on antibiotics, but she’s still running a fever and she’s flat on her back in bed.”
“That’s too bad.” Although Jill had never met Mrs. Harris, she couldn’t help feeling sympathetic.
“Look, Jill. I didn’t realize this class was so important to you or I never would have told Harris I’d do it. Do you want me to call him back and tell him I can’t?”
“Of course not.” Jill sighed again. She really wanted Neil to go with her, but if she insist
ed, she’d feel like a bitch for dragging Professor Harris away from his sick wife. “What time do you have to be there?”
“At seven. Would you call a cab while I get dressed?”
Jill nodded and picked up the phone. “Your tweed jacket’s at the cleaner’s, but you can wear your blazer.”
“Good idea.” Neil nodded and started up the stairs. “What time do you have to leave?”
“I don’t have to be there until eight. Do you want me to help you dress?”
“No, I can handle it.” Neil turned around to smile at her. “Connie put a halogen bulb in my closet, and now I can see just fine.”
Jill nodded and dialed the number for the cab company. She’d never thought of putting a halogen bulb in Neil’s closet, but it made good sense. Connie was an absolute marvel. She did all sorts of things to make their lives easier. Sometimes Jill wondered how they’d ever managed to exist without her.
* * *
“What’s the matter, Jill? You sound kind of down.” Doug frowned as he paced the floor in his small living room.
“My car won’t start, and Neil’s gone off to a meeting. He took a cab, so his Mercedes is here, but I can’t find the extra set of keys.”
Doug nodded. “And tonight’s that baby class you were telling me about?”
“That’s right. I guess I’ll just have to miss it.”
Doug reached for his jacket and started to put it on. “No, you won’t. I’m off tonight. I’ll pick you up in twenty minutes.”
“You will?” Jill sounded delighted. “But, Doug . . . it’s really out of your way. And you’d have to come to pick me up again—unless you want to sit in.”
“That sounds good to me.”
“Are you sure you’re interested?” Jill sounded doubtful. “It might be boring for you. Before we tour the hospital, they’re going to teach all the husbands how to diaper a baby and give them a lesson on burping.”
Doug laughed. “That might come in handy. If you need me to babysit, I’ll be prepared.”