Face Off (Dr. Evelyn Talbot Novels)

by Brenda Novak

  * * *

  Waiting for those manifests wasn’t easy. Evelyn had expected there to be a holdup over the weekend, since everything moved more slowly then. But both Monday and Tuesday passed with nothing—no news on the DNA culled from the blood on the tree or in the snow the night Amarok was shot. Nothing from the airlines, either.

  Despite the pressures of her own job, she’d checked in with Ashton twice, since they were still waiting for a supervisor at the lab to verify the DNA results that were supposed to have come in on Monday, and she seemed to be calling Amarok every few hours. He assured her again and again that he was hounding every airline employee he could contact who might have some say in the matter. They all told him they’d received a copy of the warrant and were doing their best to expedite the process, but none of the information arrived until Wednesday.

  She was having lunch when Amarok called her at Hanover House to say he’d finally received the manifests from Southwest and two other large carriers. “I’ve got a few of the files,” he said.

  The hesitancy in his voice made her uneasy. “That’s good news, isn’t it?”

  “It is, except there’s a lot more to go through than I was expecting—and I don’t have everything yet. There are nearly fifty airlines at Sky Harbor alone.”

  “Chances are, he would’ve taken one of the major airlines for the sake of convenience,” Evelyn pointed out.

  “Yeah, but the logistics are crazy. And I’m missing the manifests from Delta altogether.” He sighed. “This sounded easier than it’s turning out to be.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying it’s more of a long shot than I wanted to believe, and I’m afraid I might’ve gotten your hopes up too high. I can do what I initially planned but not as thoroughly and not as quickly.”

  “Wherever Jasper is, we have to catch him before he strikes again, Amarok. I have no idea what his cooling-off period is like. It’s different for every serial killer, but without something to interrupt them—a new girlfriend or wife, a stint in jail, an illness, something—the kills usually accelerate. And he’s been out there doing whatever he wants for more than twenty years, so I’d imagine his bloodlust is pretty intense. If he hasn’t taken a victim since Sierra, he’ll be getting the urge to kill again soon.” For all they knew, he’d already killed another victim. There could be another body somewhere, maybe more than one.

  “Considering how much the person who shot at me was bleeding that night, I can’t believe he didn’t go to a hospital,” Amarok said.

  “If it was Jasper, he’d only go if he absolutely had to. That tells us whoever it was must not have been hurt badly enough that he had no other choice.”

  “I’ve checked with every business in the area. No one’s even called in sick.”

  “Maybe the person who killed Sierra and Katherine doesn’t have a job. Maybe he has the money he needs, so he doesn’t have to work. We’ve talked about that. He could be hiding out, waiting for the chance to make his next move.”

  “That means he could be almost any stranger who stops to get gas or have a drink at the Moosehead.”

  “Those tire impressions haven’t turned up anything?”

  “Not yet. Dunnigan, the expert, is still working through them. If I’d sent him a set of photos from the primary suspect’s car, he would’ve jumped all over it. He’s a nice guy, but he’s busy working on other cases, too, and the photos I sent were so random that he has to do them in his spare time.”

  “Well, don’t get discouraged. We should hear from Ashton soon. And I’ll help you with the manifests this evening.”

  “That’s okay. Phil’s willing to help. You have plenty of other stuff to work on. Call me as soon as you hear from Ashton,” he said.

  Just then Penny poked her head into Evelyn’s office to say the attorney was on line two.

  “He’s calling me now,” she told Amarok. “I’ll get back to you in a few.”

  After he hung up, she switched over. “Ashton?”

  “I’m afraid I have some unpleasant news,” the attorney said.

  She tightened her grip on the phone. “What kind of unpleasant news?”

  “He’s there. Jasper’s in Alaska. The DNA tests prove it.”

  So she and Amarok had been right. Jasper had followed her to Hilltop, and he could have only one reason for doing that. He was planning to kill her. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he stay in the Lower 48 and continue to satisfy himself by murdering women who looked like her?

  “Evelyn?”

  She blinked and her office came back into view. “Yes, I’m here.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I hate that you have to deal with this—with him—again.”

  “Don’t be sorry. I’m glad he’s here.”

  “Because…”

  She could hear the surprise in his voice. “I want to get him as badly as he wants to get me.”

  “But are you prepared? How will you see him coming? How will you defend yourself?”

  She thought of the manifests. Would they be able to use those to identify him?

  If not, they wouldn’t have a lot to go on besides the tire evidence, which wasn’t particularly effective without a suspect who had a vehicle to compare against the impression Amarok had taken at the cabin. “I’ll just have to be careful.”

  “This is crazy. As long as I’ve dealt with the criminal justice system, I’ve never come up against a situation quite like this.”

  “Have you told Tim about the DNA evidence found in the house where Charlotte was killed?”

  “I have.”

  “He must be relieved.”

  “He is. He’s also grateful to you.”

  “If he’s innocent, he doesn’t belong in jail.” She paused. “I’d better go. I need to let Amarok know that we’re facing exactly what we thought we were.”

  “Okay. Be safe, and please stay in touch.”

  “I will.” She hung up and called Amarok. “Jasper’s here,” she said as soon as he answered.

  He muttered a curse. “Then I shot the bastard.”

  “You did.”

  “If only I’d seen him better!”

  “He could be seriously injured. Maybe that injury’s the reason I’m still breathing.”

  Amarok didn’t respond.

  “What are you thinking?” she asked.

  “I’m thinking we could be running out of time. Don’t go anywhere alone.”

  “I won’t,” she promised.

  * * *

  It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and Jasper had just finished the last shift he would ever work at Hanover House. He’d loved being so close to Evelyn for the past eight months, had taken great pleasure in creating his torture chamber while waving and smiling at her as they both entered or exited the prison. Imagining and anticipating the day she’d learn that the man who’d saved her from Lyman Bishop was the same man who’d nearly killed her before—and would kill her in the end—had been beyond titillating. But he’d hated everything else about having a real job, although he had to admit he’d miss the freedom that came with supporting himself.

  Still, he was more than ready to go back to the good old days when he let someone else pay the bills. He’d been through two marriages so far and neither wife had any inkling of who he was deep inside or what he’d done.

  And yet … his first wife must have realized she was dealing with someone dangerous. The day she left him, she abandoned everything she’d owned before they met. The only reason she’d make such a sacrifice was because she understood things would not end well for her if she upset him too much. So he guessed she understood what he was capable of, if not what he’d actually done. He hadn’t heard from her since, so it wasn’t as though she’d ever caused him any trouble. He had no idea where she’d gone. As soon as she had the chance, she moved out of the area where they’d been living at the time, without leaving a forwarding address. She’d run instead of standing up and fighting—unlike Evelyn, who�
�d been so visible in her crusade against him. Maybe that was why Evelyn mattered infinitely more than anyone else. She was the only one who’d ever really dared to defy him. Even his parents had played along.

  He stopped to get a bite to eat at The Dinky Diner. Then he went over to the gas station, where he filled his tank before driving partway down Nektoralik Road. He figured it wouldn’t hurt to go through what he was about to tell Amarok. He just hoped Amarok wouldn’t leave the trooper post while he was driving around, frittering away thirty or so minutes. Jasper had rolled by and seen Amarok’s truck in the lot. He’d been tempted to stop while he had the chance to catch him there. But he’d known he couldn’t deviate from his plan, couldn’t send Amarok out of town too early. Tonight timing would be everything. He’d visited Spenard Road again last night and left Amarok a little present at the shack near the cabin he’d burned down, one that would keep the trooper busy for a couple of hours, at least. But Jasper would still need to make the most of every second Amarok was away, couldn’t waste that time waiting for Evelyn to leave work.

  Everything had to come together at once.

  After three miles, Jasper turned around. It was starting to get dark. It would be five o’clock when he reached the trooper post, which would be just about perfect. Although Evelyn often stayed late at the prison, he’d walked up to see her before leaving Hanover House himself, told her he’d been talking to Brianne, who was worried about her safety, and that he’d be happy to act as an escort to be sure she got home and remained safe until Amarok could join her. And she’d said that wouldn’t be necessary today, that Amarok would be meeting her at their house as soon as she left at five thirty.

  That was valuable information to have. But Amarok could always head home a little early, which was why Jasper wanted to get to the trooper post barely after five. Hopefully Amarok wouldn’t leave that early. And if he did? Jasper would have to catch him at his house.

  Either way, everything was going to be fine, he told himself—and he knew that was true when he rounded the corner to see Amarok’s truck still in the lot.

  It hadn’t moved.

  * * *

  Amarok was so deeply immersed in cross-referencing the flight manifests that he didn’t want to be interrupted. That was part of the reason he’d sent Phil, who had a tendency to talk too much, to get himself some dinner. Amarok would soon be eating with Evelyn, who’d said she’d cook, but he was craving a bit of solitude so he could make some good progress before he had to pack up and move everything to the house.

  When the door opened and Makita barked, he assumed it was Phil returning, so he was surprised to hear Andy Smith’s voice.

  “Sergeant?”

  Amarok pulled himself away from the computer work he’d been doing, trying to get the manifest files ready for cross-referencing, and silenced his dog with a quick, “Makita!” Then he looked at the CO. “What can I do for you?”

  “I think I might’ve seen the man responsible for the murders we’ve had here recently.”

  Forgetting about the manifests, Amarok got to his feet. This was the first time he’d had anyone—other than Sam, whose reports had been dubious, at best—come forward with possible information. “What do you mean? Where did you see him? What made you think it might be the man I’m looking for?”

  Smith appeared to be a little rattled by what he’d just seen. “I was buying some gas and this guy—about my age, I guess—climbs out from behind the wheel of a Ford Excursion at the other pump.”

  There was only one gas station in town, and it had exactly two pumps. Amarok could see why Andy might notice the other driver. “Go on.…”

  “He accidentally dropped the gas nozzle, and when he bent over, I saw that he had a bandage around his middle. You’d told us to look out for anyone who’d been hurt, remember?”

  “Of course I remember.”

  “So that caught my attention right away. He stood up and pulled his shirt down really fast, but still … I thought it didn’t mean anything. Finding the guy who killed those girls, seeing him at a gas station, just seemed too easy, you know? I didn’t think I could be that lucky, but I kept watching him, in case.”

  “And?” Amarok was eager to get to the bottom line.

  “By the time he finished pumping the gas and got back in, I’d convinced myself that I was being a paranoid idiot, so I turned away to take the nozzle out of my own tank. But when I glanced over as he was leaving, I noticed something in the back of his truck.”

  Amarok felt his pulse kick up. “What’d you see?”

  “I can’t be positive. The windows in an Excursion are tinted, and it was already almost dark out, but I thought I saw someone in there.”

  “Someone?”

  “A woman. With long, blond hair. She appeared out of nowhere, as if she’d somehow just managed to sit up, and she pressed her hands against the window like … like they were tied and she was pleading with me to save her. I tried to get a clearer look, to be sure my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me after seeing that bandage, but the vehicle was already in the street. I couldn’t make out anything behind the dark glass. So I got in my own truck and followed him.”

  “Where’d he go?” Amarok asked.

  “Down Nektoralik Road. He was driving pretty fast, too. It freaked me out, knowing the cabin where Sierra Yerbowitz went missing is down that way. I kept asking myself if I should continue to follow him and try to help, if there was a woman bound in the back of his SUV, or if I should come back to get you.”

  Amarok tensed. “You should’ve come here immediately! Maybe I could’ve caught him before he got too far out of town.”

  “I know, but no one wants to be the asshole who raised a false alarm. I just wasn’t sure. I’m still not, to be honest.”

  “Did he see you?”

  “I think he did. That’s why I turned around. The way he kept looking back at me in his side mirror made me suspect him even more.”

  Amarok would give anything for another chance at Jasper. He hoped he wasn’t getting this information too late. He hated to contemplate the disappointment he’d feel if Jasper slipped through his fingers. “I’m glad you came back. At least I know which direction he was heading.”

  “So you think it might be him?”

  “I do.”

  “The bastard who tried to kill Evelyn?”

  “Yes. He’s here in Alaska. He’s the one who murdered those women.”

  “I’d heard that, but I wasn’t aware you knew for sure.”

  “DNA confirmed it today. Did you happen to get the guy’s license plate?”

  “Only the first three digits. There was so much mud on the rest of the plate I couldn’t make out any more. The whole truck was filthy, as though he’d been four-wheeling.”

  Amarok grabbed his coat and hat and scooped his keys off his desk. “Write down every detail you remember about the man you saw, his truck, the woman in the back—all of it. Put it on that pad right there.” He gestured to indicate Phil’s desk. “I’ll call Phil once he’s back from dinner and have him read it to me while I take Nektoralik to the cabins that are out that way. If I hope to catch him, I can’t waste any more time.”

  “You’re going after him, then?”

  “I don’t have any choice. I have to try and save that woman.” Amarok was about to walk out. He’d never been in more of a hurry. But, at the last second, he remembered that he’d left his new satellite phone, which he was now glad he’d rented despite the expense, in the drawer of his desk. He returned to get it as Phil came in, holding a soda.

  Phil didn’t have a chance to say anything; Amarok spoke first. “Phil, can you take over with the manifests? Keep working until you’re done. I don’t care how late it is. No one’ll be safe until we learn Jasper’s alias and track him down. I’ll call you in a few minutes to get the information Andy here is about to give you.”

  Phil set his drink on the filing cabinet near the water cooler. “Whoa! What’s happening? Where are
you going?”

  “I believe Andy just saw Jasper. The guy had an injury and everything.”

  “Where’s he at?”

  “With any luck, he’s still driving toward the Barrymore cabin.”

  “But why would he go there? It’s so burned-out, it’s not safe to go inside.”

  “There’s also the woodshed, or that smaller, shack-like cabin behind it. He might even be going to a cabin past those two, which is why I have to get on the road. I can’t let him get too far ahead of me.” He might already be too late, but he had to try.

  “Shouldn’t I go with you?” Phil asked. “I don’t think it’s safe to go alone. We know what this guy is capable of.”

  Amarok shook his head. “Makita will go with me, right, boy?”

  His dog had jumped to attention the second he’d started to put on his coat.

  “Besides, I’m not some defenseless woman who’s been bound and gagged,” Amarok added. “I have no doubt I can take him one-on-one, and you need to keep working on the manifests, just in case I can’t find him.” He started for the door again, but this time it was the memory of Sandy Ledstetter swinging from a tree in the middle of town while Bishop went after Evelyn that made him pause. He couldn’t leave Evelyn alone, wouldn’t take that risk, regardless of what he had to do for his job. “Actually, I’ve changed my mind, Phil.” He glanced at his watch. “Don’t worry about the manifests right now. Evelyn’s heading home to make dinner. Can you go over and stay with her until I get back?”

  “Why don’t I do that?” Andy piped up. “I don’t know anything about these manifests you’re talking about, so I can’t help there, but I could certainly keep Evelyn company for a few hours.”

  Amarok felt a wave of relief. He knew Evelyn didn’t care for Andy Smith, but Smith was one of her COs—he was still in uniform—so at least she’d feel safe with him. Besides, she’d had dinner with Andy and Brianne last Saturday. Surely she could bear a few more hours of his company. “That’d be great,” he said. “I’ll check in when I can.”

  28

  Evelyn was eager to get home. She wanted to help Amarok with those manifests, wanted to be sure the night ended with an answer one way or another. Either they established that there was at least one person who’d made all three flights—to San Diego, Boston and Phoenix—or they established that they’d have to try something else.