“Okay, so I was wrong. I thought I was doing the right thing. You were lonely after Tammy Burckhardt broke up with you,” he raised his palms. “I just thought you two could help one another. She was just coming off a breakup, her father was a good friend of our family, and the fact that she grew up much like you did…I don’t know, Zach. No one told me how to be a father. Hell, I’m not even sure I knew how to be a good husband despite the deep love I had for your mother. I was young and selfish. She was a good woman and I miss her every day of my life, and no matter what happens in my future, I will continue to miss her. No one could ever take her place. She’ll always have a permanent place in my heart that will go with me to my grave.”
“Not even the woman I saw you with?”
“No, not even Joan. She’s a wonderful woman. She brings out the best in me and I feel more alive than I’ve felt in years. I’m back in a happy place right now in my love life.” Alan pulled in a deep breath and released it. “The only thing missing is my son, and I’d move heaven and hell to have you back in my life.”
Zach was amazed to hear his father, the man who he’d always regarded as uptight and guarded, was actually showing his emotions for the first time since he was a young boy. “Are you in love with her?” Zach asked.
“I like her a great deal. I don’t know. Maybe it’s a little more than like, but I won’t do anything until I’m sure of my feelings. For right now, we’re dating. She wants me to move in with her, and frankly, I have considered it. I don’t want to be alone anymore and I don’t want to share our home with another woman. Our home was your mother’s pride and joy and I won’t do anything to destroy that memory. I think once I’m out of the house, I won’t see your mother in every room like I do now. Joanie is trying really hard. She knows how much I loved your mother and she never wants to come between that, but if she cleans up after we’ve had dinner, I get upset if she doesn’t put things back where your mother had them, and that’s not fair.” He opened his eyes wide. “You know what I mean?” Zach nodded in agreement. “You’re a young guy, do you have any advice for your old man?”
“Hell, I can’t even convince Jessie to marry me. I’m the last one who should be giving you advice.”
“Is she your partner?” Zach nodded. “You have good taste; I’ll give you that. She’s a beautiful woman. Doesn’t she want to get married?”
“She was abandoned by her father when she was a kid, had a few breakups along the way and she’s afraid to trust. She was very close to her father; hasn’t seen him since she was seven years old when he walked out. The other problem is she’s lived alone for so long; being flexible isn’t her strong suit.” Alan laughed.
Feeling slightly more relaxed, Zach was happy he’d decided to meet his father. Despite the warm feeling though, he was taking it one step at a time. There was no point in dropping his guard down only to have them trampled on again.
“Well,” Zach said, checking his watch, he noticed the time. “I have a very busy day tomorrow.”
“Can we talk again soon? I have a lot more I want to discuss. Like I mentioned before, I’m thinking about selling the house and I’d like to hear your thoughts. And I’d really like your help to plan something special for your mother.” He rubbed his forearms. “Do you believe she’s been gone for ten years?”
“It is hard to believe, but yes, time has a way of flying.”
“Do you feel any better?” he asked.
“Somewhat.”
“Okay, tonight turned out better than I expected, so I’ll take the ‘somewhat’ as a positive sign.” He rose from his seat and draped his scarf around his neck, then slipped his arms into his beige coat and buttoned it.
“Can I help you carry these books outside?”
“I’d like that. Thank you.” Zach zipped his jacket while Alan paid the tab, then picked up both books and followed him out to the parking lot to Alan’s black Maybach.”
“Nice car,” Zach said.
“Yeah. I like it. I hadn’t thought about buying one before, but seeing Sawyer’s changed my mind.” He shut the door and turned to Zach. Rather than extending his hand, he didn’t give Zach a choice and pulled him into a hug. “I love you, son, and I’ve missed you as much as I’ve missed your mother.” Zach felt his heart sink. “Thank you for seeing me.”
“Thank you.”
16
HE ADJUSTED THE DIAL on his binoculars to get a clearer picture of her when she entered the living room with her glass of wine. Just watching her was turning him on. He watched her sit down on the sofa and cross her long legs, one over the other, and bounce her foot up and down. Sizzling heat rippled through his stomach at the sight of her.
“Ooooh,” he mumbled, “you’re a pretty thing, aren’t you? I’ll bet that detective boyfriend of yours has a really good time with you.” He snickered. “Oh, that’s right. You dumped him, didn’t you? What’s the matter, darling? He not giving you what you need? Don’t you worry, pretty lady. I know how to satisfy my women.” A delicious shudder heated his body. He swallowed hard and licked his lips. Just the sight of her filled him with rapture. Yeah, this one was perfect. The more he stared, the more excited he became and the more he longed to devour every part of her. Longed to smell her hair, to kiss her plump lips, and to fill her with his need.
He moved the binoculars up and down to see the length of her. His shallow breathing caught his attention and made him want to rush the process just to be near her sooner. But he couldn’t do that. He had to control his need for right now. This was not the right time. “God, you’re beautiful,” he said. A moan escaped his mouth just before he began photographing her, the clicking sound echoing in the silence as he took one picture after the other. Now he could memorialize her face on his wall…the way he did all the others. Only this one would be different. This one was going to stay. This one was going to love him.
A sudden flash of anger assailed him when he reminisced about the others. He thought they would stay too, but after they’d stopped loving him, they were gone in a flash. They were no longer of any use to him. And yes, he fixed them all so they would never hurt another person—ever. He sighed as he focused on her beautiful face again. This one would be different.
A sudden disconcerting feeling encompassed Jessie while she sat watching the special broadcast about the Red Reaper. The host of the show was using a comparison between the twenty-five women he was accused of killing and the recent deaths of two more women. Had he returned, or was this person a copycat? She unconsciously reached for her hair clip sitting on the end table, twisted her long red locks and pinned her hair in place. Reaching for her wine glass, she took a sip while she continued to watch family members share words of regret because they’d neglected to pay attention. But the fact that all the women had complained about a feeling of being watched sent a chill down her spine.
“Enough for one night,” Jessie said aloud to no one in particular, and clicked off the television. She eyed her holster hanging off the end of the sofa and decided she’d feel more comfortable having her gun close by and slid across the sofa to get it. She removed her Glock from the holster and checked the magazine, then stuck the barrel of the gun into the waistband of her slacks before walking to the front windows to shut the blinds. When she reached the last window, her body stiffened when she heard a noise. Nervous, she shut the blind tight and prayed it was the frozen snow falling off her roof. But maybe someone was out there watching her. She shook her head annoyed she’d let that broadcast get to her? Her imagination was racing out of control, and her hand instinctively went to her gun and remained on top ready to use it if necessary. Once they caught Ralph Morton and whoever this mystery man was, she’d rest a whole lot easier. So would everyone else.
The more she thought about this mystery detective asking questions, the more she thought it was the Reaper. Who else would have found out which witnesses to interview? He was probably pissed at Morton for copying his MO. Could she be right? She’d asked Harlan and Charlene if
they’d hired private investigators and each said they hadn’t. There was one thing for sure, whoever this mystery guy was, he was no dummy. He’d done his research the same they had.
Jessie checked the front door a second time telling herself one could never be too careful and promised herself, detective or not, she was going to get a bolt for the original door she’d insisted on keeping. Her carpenter tried to talk her into replacing the door insisting the wood was old and cracking, but she’d refused, saying it held too many memories for her. And just like everything else in her life, she’d meant to get that bolt, but she hadn’t taken the time. Finished, she grabbed her wine glass, shut out the lights and walked into the kitchen placing her glass in the sink.
One more check on the backdoor to make sure it was locked and she quickly walked to her bedroom in the darkness so she could get a good look outside. Standing close to the folds of the drapes, she peered outside. Again, she thought she saw something move. A sense of panic surged through her. Why was she doing this to herself? She was a cop. She knew how to use her gun.
Jessie forced herself to control her breathing and watched for a few more minutes. When things looked more normal, she grinned realizing it was just the leaves dancing to the beat of the wind. She remained a while longer, then slowly made her way through the rest of her darkened house to check each room. She blew out a relieved breath convinced it was the suspicious nature of a policeman’s mentality that was causing her fear and headed for her bedroom. Flipping on the light switch, she stripped down and stepped under the spray of water in the shower. The pressure of the pelting water against her body felt good. Showers always relaxed her the same way a warm glass of milk did when she was a child. She’d get a good night’s sleep tonight.
Jessie toweled off, then rubbed cream with her favorite scent, cucumber melon, onto her elbows and legs. When she was finished, she reached into her drawer for a clean nightgown, but the only thing left was the sexy lingerie she’d purchased when she and Zach had become a couple. Jessie blinked her eyes shut, frustrated that her commitment issues always had a way of ruining her entire day. She wasn’t going to let that happen tonight. She was tired and cranky and come hell or high water, she was going to get a good night’s sleep.
Jessie stepped into the nightgown and pulled the straps up over her shoulders and practically jumped into bed, pulling the covers up close to her neck to keep the cold air from touching her bare arms. She tossed and turned for almost an hour before getting up and taking a sleeping pill, then crawled back under the covers and prayed the pill would work soon. The warmth of the down comforter was like being enveloped in Zach’s arms and she found herself dozing off as soon as her head hit the pillow.
17
THE STREAM OF LIGHT filtered in through the crack of the drapes and awoke Jessie from a sound sleep. She was so comfortable, the last thing she wanted to do was get out of bed. She stretched her arms overhead and reminded herself she had a lot of work to do today. Kicking off the covers, she tossed her legs over the side of the bed, slipped her feet into her slippers and shuffled off to the kitchen to make coffee. A slight breeze hit her and she found herself rubbing her arms to warm up. She groaned when she realized the furnace was running wild. Maybe the contractor was right about that too. She should have replaced that old furnace in the basement. She sighed. Houses were like a money pit.
Still groggy, she sashayed over to the thermostat when she noticed the front door was wide open. She stopped dead in her tracks. How did that happen? She’d checked that door before going to bed. Using the fabric of her nightgown as a rubber glove, she inspected the door for any unusual marks, but there weren’t any. How did the lock come undone? There wasn’t any sign of a break in, just fresh snow that had drifted inside.
She rushed to the basement door and opened it, reaching for the broom to sweep the snow out, still confused and wondering if it had been the wind? Had the wind been that forceful that it blew the door wide open? She’d just replaced that lock. That was it. She was going to call the guy today to get that bolt. She’d wasted enough time.
Zach was the first person to come to mind. Should she call him? No, his crazy protectiveness would only kick into action. She’d handle it herself. Slamming the door, she locked it again. She’d call for a taxi today. There was no way she was going to walk to the subway to take the train into work—not today.
18
“I HAD A MESSAGE from Harlan Hawkins on my phone this morning,” Jessie said when she saw Zach. “He was thanking me for getting his wife’s body released. I think it’s a good idea for us to attend the funeral this afternoon. It’s a good way to check everyone out, meet the daughters and schedule their interviews. I’m wondering if Morton might even be there.”
“Or our mystery man,” Zach said. “Yeah, we should go, but first, I want to stop and talk to Tom Gunnerson—to be prepared for anything that might come down the pike. He and his partner handled the ‘Reaper’ murders.”
Jessie took in a quick breath still feeling tense about the so-called mystery man and wondered if he was the one watching her or if she was imagining it. Chances were her over active imagination had gotten the best of her.
“Hey,” Zach said, “you’re not listening to me. What’s up?”
“Nothing. Did you watch the special on the Reaper last night?”
“Hell no. But I did do some profiling on him. Geez, I hope we’re the ones to catch this bastard. I heard from one of the other guys this morning that the captain is furious about the news leak to the media. He has a meeting with the mayor this morning and the network to see what can be done.”
“Yeah? You think he can get them to retract that story after the damage has already been done?”
“I don’t know, but he’s got a lot of connections, and I heard he’s a personal friend of the commissioner.”
“Then, it shall be done. Anyway, I did watch it…boy,” her eyes widened, “he’s one scary dude. I keep wondering if he is our mystery man.” She shrugged.
“Why? The only thing the mystery man has done so far is ask our witnesses questions. He hasn’t killed anyone.”
“That’s true, but aren’t you curious about him getting to the witnesses before us?”
“Well, we’ll deal with it when it happens. So, you want to go to the funeral?”
She nodded in agreement and stopped to answer her phone. Zach was watching her facial expression.
“What’s wrong, Jessie? I know that look?”
“I’ll tell you in the car.” They walked out to their vehicle in silence. She just wasn’t sure she wanted to share it with him, but she’d been down this road before with Harwell’s wife sending those threatening letters and thinking it was nothing. This might just be something. Zach pulled into the traffic and turned to her. “What gives?” He pointed his finger at her. “And don’t you give me a bullshit story either. Something is wrong.”
“Okay, okay,” she said. “Like I said, I watched the special last night and when the families were interviewed by the reporter, they all said the same thing. They regretted not listening to their daughters about the feeling they had that someone was watching them.”
“Yeah, I remember that happening. What about it?” his brows rose above his sunglasses.
She huffed. “Well, after the special I sat watching the news and had this strange feeling that I was being watched.”
“Were the blinds open?”
“Yes, and I went over to the window to shut them, my hand on my gun, and when I got to the last window, I could swear I heard a noise outside. It freaked me out, but then I figured it was probably just a piece of ice falling off the roof. So I shut out all the lights and tiptoed into each room and checked outside. Looking out the kitchen window, again I thought I saw something move. The noise in the back was more like something banging against the house.” She finished telling him what she’d done. “Then, this morning, the wind blew my door wide open, and there was snow in my entryway.”
/> “Nah, that front door of yours is much too heavy for the wind to blow it open. Didn’t you lock it or check it before you went to bed?”
“I did. Twice. The same thing with the back door.” She took a breath. “When I was having the remodel done, the contractor wanted me to buy a new door and I refused because it holds a lot of memories. I should have gotten a bolt for it, but that didn’t happen. I called a locksmith this morning to change the lock figuring it was faulty.”
“Yeah?”
“He just called and said there’s nothing wrong with the lock.” Before she could say another word, Zach had turned the car around and was heading in the direction of her house. “I already examined the door for prints and there weren’t any. I don’t know if there were footprints on the floor because the snow covered it.”
“Did you ever change the storm cellar doors?”
She looked surprised. “No. I didn’t. Why? You think someone was in my house while I was sleeping?”
“Did you check to see if there were footprints coming from your cellar door into your hallway?”
“No.” She closed her eyes. “I can’t believe I didn’t check that. I’m one dumbass cop, aren’t I?”
Zach pulled into her driveway and cut the engine. “C’mon, let’s go check the locks on your house.” Together they walked around to the back of the house where her basement was located. “Do you lock these exterior access doors to the basement?”
“No, there is no lock for them, but the door leading into the basement was locked.”
Zach pulled the doors open and walked down the stairs to the door and flashed his light on the lock. “Do you have a bolt on this door?” She sucked in her breath. “How the hell could you not have a bolt on this door?” She shook her head like a child being chastised. “Okay, I’m calling the guys in to check everything.”
“Oh Zach, do you really think that’s necessary?”
Deadly Obsessions (Kensington-Gerard Detective series Book 3) Page 14