by J. T. Lewis
Having no clue yet as to how the murderer had found out about us so quickly, I knew that from here on out we needed to be on our guard. But there was an even more pressing worry that had me a little nervous, May.
I was uncertain how much risk we may have put on May, and for that matter Raven, with their involvement in the case. My gut instinct told me that it was improbable that anyone would make the connection, but at the very least we needed to take precautions.
From here on out, we all needed to assume we were being watched, so meetings with my old friends would need to be planned with extreme care. Inviting May over for a consultation was now out of the question, and even visiting their houses might be unadvisable.
“Thanks for coming on such short notice,” Allen started, looking at Abby with concern.
“Are you ok Abby? You look like hell!”
Covered in little scratches on her face and arms, Abby looked like she had been attacked by an angry housecat.
“I’m fine,” Abby said with a smile, “I can hardly feel them now.”
Nodding absently at her statement, Allen looked down at a report in front of him on the desk. Looking back up quickly with a determined look on his face, “Just what the hell have you guys gotten yourself mixed up with?”
“We were hired to look into a string of murders Allen. A case that, I believe, you declined to investigate when it was brought to you.”
A moment’s hesitation was coupled with a thoughtful look.
“Raven Forester’s crackpot theory?”
I nodded, “Not looking like a theory anymore from where I’m sitting Allen. It’s shaping up to be a full-on and highly-synchronized plan aimed at taking out well-to-do men from this region while they are traveling overseas. To what end we don’t yet know, nor why or how they are chosen for that matter.”
Nodding again, Allen stood up and walked to the window behind his desk, clasping his hands behind his back as he gave my words some thought.
“So they found out about your investigation, and then went after Abby?”
“That’s my thinking,” I admitted, “Although we don’t as yet know how they found out so quickly. We don’t even really know who’s behind it yet.”
Allen was silent for a couple of minutes as Abby and I sat and waited. I was getting antsy and was about to bring it to his attention before he turned back around and made his way quickly to his desk.
“Well, Raven’s case has caught my attention now, since we are going to have to investigate the attack. I’d appreciate having everything you have so my investigators can have a look at it.”
Abby and I looked at each other, both of us understanding the implications of his request.
“We can’t do that Allen,” I finally uttered, “At least, not without a warrant. Technically, our clients’ own that information, but I’m relatively sure we don’t have anything yet that would help you anyway.”
“Clients?” Allen asked, “More than one?”
Nodding, I sat up straighter in my chair, “Two to be exact.”
“Who’s the other one?” Allen spit out quickly.
“I’ll have to ask if they mind if I tell you Allen, part of our contract includes a non-disclosure agreement. You guessed Raven, or I couldn’t have mentioned her either.”
A pained look crossed my very old friend’s face then, “It’s not as if we’re working at cross purposes here Gabe, if anything, having more people on this should be a plus for you, especially if they are gunning for you now.”
I was confused, uncertain if I was more embarrassed or angry.
“I got different rules to follow now Allen, I’m not exactly in your world anymore you know.”
Seeming exasperated, to his credit Allen nevertheless kept his cool as he looked at us through suspicious eyes.
“Alright, I’ll talk to my investigators and we’ll decide if I need to obtain a warrant for your records. In the mean time….be careful…both of you! We don’t know much about this guy, and without your help we know even less.”
With that, he dismissed us with a wave as he reached over to answer his ringing phone, the interview over.
As Abby and I got out of our chairs, I was struck by one thought that I wasn’t sure how to process.
It sure is different on this side of the badge!
Chapter 43
September 21, 1999
I had asked Preacher to meet us outside the courthouse after our meeting to fill him in on what was going on. Standing out in a powder blue jacket and Elvis glasses, I saw him sitting across the courtyard on a park bench.
Waving as we approached, I could see that he had been studying his Bible, which he closed as we approached. As he stood to greet us, his magically appearing ink pen suddenly fell to the ground.
Smiling, I bent over to pick it up, thinking that I would finally get to see the hiding place of the writing implement. As I stood and held out the pen to Preacher, he stood stock still, a look of shocked confusion on his face.
Also noticing his look, Abby asked, “Preacher, what’s the matter?”
He remained still, looking at me with the strangest expression on his face. Finally seeming to snap out of it, he looked first at Abby, and then back to me.
“The mark, on the back of your neck,” he said, pointing in the general direction of my collar. “Did you know it was there?”
I recognized immediately that he was referring to my birthmark. It’s funny, but I hadn’t even thought of it in years. Lately however, it had been giving me some discomfort, a burning sensation seemed to emanate out of it periodically.
“Just a birthmark Preacher,” I explained, “I’ve always had it.”
Nodding slightly, he looked over at Abby, “Have you ever seen it?”
Abby interest was piqued, “No, let me see Gabe.”
Sighing with exasperation, I leaned over so she could look. “Can we get this over with quickly please? We have a case to solve you know.”
“Wow, that’s really bright blue!” Abby said excitedly.
Bright blue?
Having seen it in the mirror a hundred times, I remembered it being a very pale blue, almost no color to it at all.
“Odd shape,” Abby continued, still looking intently at it, “Wonder if that means anything.”
Looking back at Preacher, Abby noticed him nodding imperceptibly, mumbling, “Indeed it does.”
I pushed Abby away gently before righting myself, looking Preacher directly in the eye.
“What’d you say?”
Preacher snapped out of his daze, returning my look intently. “I said, it means something. It’s the mark of an angel.”
“Cool!” Abby said as she looked at me. “That explains a lot actually.”
She giggled then, winking at me, and I had to smile in return. But looking back at Preacher, he wasn’t smiling.
“It’s just a birthmark Preacher, it doesn’t mean anything. Come on, let’s go get some coffee and go over what we know.”
I was turning when I heard his response.
“There are prophesies,” he started, “About those that wear that symbol.”
The birthmark was burning like crazy now, and I was getting pissed. I held up one hand to his face as I rubbed my neck with the other.
“Preacher, respectfully, shut up.”
I was in no mood for any religious hocus pocus at that moment. After everything I had been through in the last couple of years, plus dealing with the Monk (1) last year, I wasn’t sure what I even believed any more.
“Look Preacher, we have a case, a case that may have just turned dangerous. I’m convinced that whoever we are looking for is behind Abby’s attack last night. You and I are probably in their sights too, and May and Raven could be in danger also. We need to come up with a plan on how to handle this, and not worry about some ancient story.”
Preacher nodded, “Sorry Gabe, I got carried away.”
I gripped his shoulder, “No worries Preacher. If it hel
ps, I will be glad to sit down with you when this case is over and listen to your prophesy then. Is it a deal?”
Preacher smiled, “Yessir, it’s a deal.”
We started off toward a restaurant to get our coffee. Abby sidled up beside Preacher as we walked, taking his arm in hers.
Leaning into his ear, she whispered, “You can tell me later!”
Chapter 44
September 21, 1999
I ordered the drinks as Abby and Preacher found a seat in the little coffee shop at the library. Situated across the street from the courthouse, it was an easy choice to head there for our coffee.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t given much thought to how quiet the library would be, forcing us to more or less whisper the whole time.
Abby and I spent a few minutes on the details of the night before, bringing Preacher up to speed. I also again expressed my concerns about Raven and May, as well as the target that was now most likely on the three of us.
Feeling suddenly paranoid, I did a quick scan of our surroundings. No one appeared to be interested in our little group at all. We definitely hadn’t been overly vigilant up to that point in the investigation. The attack on Abby had changed that though…very quickly.
“Wonder how they back-tracked us so quickly,” Preacher mumbled, deep in thought. “We’ve only been working the case for five days.”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, “It’s not like we have told anyone, or even been anyplace more than a few hours at a time.”
Abby leaned forward suddenly, excited.
“Exactly!”
All of the people around us looked up at her sudden outburst, a few even shushing her with angry looks on their faces.
Sorry, she mumbled apologetically to the crowd as she leaned into the table closer toward Preacher and I.
“We haven’t been anyplace!” she whispered. Looking at me, “You have been to both May’s and Raven’s houses, but Preacher and I have been to a few courthouses…”
“I know,” I replied, confused. “I just said that.”
“You don’t understand Gabe. The only place Preacher and I have been is to a few courthouses. That has to be where he found out about us!”
Preacher was nodding knowingly as she spoke, but I was having trouble wrapping my head around the idea.
“But how, Abby? It’s not like they send out a newsletter of the people that visit or anything.”
“That wouldn’t matter anyway,” Abby intoned, “I never gave them my name, and I paid for the copies in cash. I think Preacher did too, didn’t you P?”
Preacher nodded, “Yep!”
Abby’s abbreviated naming of Preacher gave me a little smile as I listened to my daughter’s explanation.
“So, again I ask, how did they find us out?”
“I believe he either has someone on the inside that would let him know if any of the murdered men’s names came up, or he was at one of them when we went there.”
“You think one of the guys we are looking for just happened to be there when one of you were visiting a courthouse?” I asked with disbelief. “What’re the chances of that happening?”
Abby shrugged. “I’m just saying…it’s possible.”
Leaning in then even closer, “But I’m almost positive about something else.”
I looked over at Preacher, who seemed to be enjoying our back and forth. Or was he just enjoying my confusion?
I sighed loudly, exasperated at my daughter’s stringing out of her answers.
“Dammit Abby,” I whispered loudly, causing a few heads to turn in my direction. “Will you quit beating around the bush and tell me what it is you think you know?”
Grinning then, Abby let her answer hang for a few more seconds before finally giving up the coup de gras.
“The only people that would have known me are the locals. I’m pretty certain that someone in our courthouse gave them my name.”
Chapter 45
September 21, 1999
Abby sat across from the girl, a perplexed look showing on her face as she listened to her witness’ story.
“You don’t remember?” Abby asked again, “at all?”
“Well…,” Jessica Jones started, the befuddled look on her face already adding to her story. “It’s not like I can’t remember anything…but some of it is kind of…well…blurry.”
Sighing inwardly, Abby decided she needed to try a different tactic. Absently tapping her pencil on the notebook in front of her, Abby mulled over her options.
“Ok, let’s start over at the beginning.”
Jessica nodded anxiously, wanting to help as much as possible.
***
After they had finished their coffee at the library’s coffee shop, Abby had volunteered to go back to the Recorder’s office and see if she could dig up anything. If her theory was true, then hopefully someone there would remember if anyone had asked around about her.
Abby knew that there was also a small chance that someone in the office was actually working with whoever had attacked her, but she thought that scenario unlikely. Nevertheless, she determined to keep an eye out for any odd or questionable reactions to her questions.
The four women who worked in the Recorder’s office barely acknowledged Abby’s presence when she entered the old, high-ceilinged room. Although Abby didn’t know any of them well, she had had dealings with all of them at one point or another.
After a few minutes, Mary Ann, the oldest of the four women had made her way over to help. As her eyes focused on her newest customer, surprise showed on her face at the cuts all over Abby’s face.
“What the hell happened to you Abby?” Mary Ann asked with concern, “It looks like you had a wrestling match with a raccoon, and he won!”
Abby smiled at the woman’s reaction, telling her that she had fallen into a thorn bush. Having decided on the walk over that the direct approach would be the best, Abby dove right in. Leaning forward conspiratorially, Abby asked Mary Ann if she could remember anyone who might have been asking about her at their office lately.
Mary Ann’s eyes grew wide, “Is this about a case?” she questioned with interest.
Abby nodded, “But it’s kind of hush, hush, if you know what I mean.”
Mary Ann smiled. “I haven’t, but I’ll ask the others if you want me to.”
Abby nodded, and Mary Ann made her way around the office, discreetly asking the other women the same question. When she returned, she was shaking her head.
“That doesn’t ring a bell with anyone Abby, I’m sorry we couldn’t be of more help.”
Nodding absently, Abby left the office and made her way toward the elevator as she tried to fathom her next move. She had really hoped that there would be a connection here, so much so that she didn’t really have a plan of what to do next.
As she reached out to push the button for ‘up’ on the elevator, a hand suddenly reached out and grasped her wrist.
Mad that she had let her guard down, Abby started to react defensively when she noticed who it was.
“Jessica?”
Abby didn’t know the tall girl now gripping her wrist very well, but she realized that she had a hell of a grip…and she worked at the Recorder’s office.
“Umm…” Jessica started, “I may know something about what you were asking about.”
“That’s fantastic!” Abby said excitedly. “There was someone asking around about me?”
“Well…the thing is,” Jessica stammered nervously with her eyes down at the floor, “I think I do. The problem is…I don’t remember.”
***
That had been an hour ago. Abby asked if she could sit down for a few minutes to talk about it, and Jessica had agreed to meet her for lunch.
So far though, the only thing Abby had gotten from their lunch was a couple of bites of her burger.
“So this guy called you on Saturday,” Abby started again, looking up from her notes, “And his name is Bill….Bill what?”
“
Jones! His name is Bill Jones,” Jessica said excitedly, seeming pleased that she had finally remembered something.
Nodding, Abby continued, having decided to try and pull out one detail at a time. “And he asked you out?”
“Yes! I have wanted to go out with him for a long time…he’s really cute!”
“Ok,” Abby started writing, “This is good. What does he look like?”
“Spencer Tracy.”
Abby groaned inwardly, “Umm…Spencer Tracy?”
“Yeah, you know…the young one…before he got all old and died and stuff.”
This was like pulling teeth, Abby lamented to herself. “Since it’s been awhile since I’ve seen the young Spencer Tracy, can you describe him for me in your own words?”
“Dreamy!”
Balling her fist under the table, Abby worked to calm herself. “Can you use a few more words please?” she finally got out. “Like, if I wanted to find him in a crowd?”
“Oh…ok!” Jessica smiled, “Well…dreamy, but you already know that. But he’s tall like me, 5’ 10” or 5’ 11”, blonde hair, broad shoulders, and great teeth. He uses something in his hair, like a gel or something…looks just like Spencer’s…you know…when he was younger. In fact, when I think about him at night…you know…in bed…I call him Spencer.”
Abby stopped her writing when Jessica got to the last part of the description, wanting to roll her eyes.
“Ok, let’s get back to your date. Where did you go?”
“He took me to the Country Club! I’d never been there before…it’s really nice!”
“And you started with drinks?” Abby asked patiently.
“Well…I started at my house. I had a Gin and Tonic before the date to calm my nerves and get in the mood. And then I had a couple of tiny sips from my flask as we were driving….that was Peach Brandy.”
This was the part that Abby hated about her job…when she had to use her patience. She had little enough of it, and Jessica was using it up rapidly.