He and Julia were more alike then she’d ever likely know.
Except for her habitual graveyard visits. When his grandma Leticia dragged him to the cemetery to visit his own mother’s grave on the outskirts of Plaquemine, where they had once lived, it was like Chinese water torture for him. He could care less that his mother’s body was rotting in the ground.
The bitch.
But he did like the succulent scenery around the place, especially the Spanish moss that dripped off the branches of the giant Bald Cyprus and the sumac shrubs’ upward spiral of spiky flowers and leaves that looked like waist-high, exploding lanterns.
His grandma Leticia just loved the sumac and would bring a little pair of shears to snip off the red drupes which she would later crush and turn into a delicious spice that tasted like the most heavenly burst of citrusy lemon that she’d rub on her catfish before she popped them under the broiler.
A cool autumn breeze gusted through the graveyard, and MMK shivered in delight as he kicked away the leaves that covered the marker of Benjamin Gooden Jr., and found what he came for.
The baseball Julia had left behind.
During the TV interview, Julia had painted her brother in an unemotional tone as her great protector. The Magic Man Killer knew from his expertise in the dark arts and the occult that the dead were just the same as they were in the living, but sometimes their power and instincts grew stronger when they passed through to the spiritual world.
MMK couldn’t run the risk of the dead boy coming between him and his Julia.
He carefully slid the ball into his pocket and replaced it with a small mojo bag filled with black magic herbs and rested it against Ben Gooden’s marker.
Inside was a potent cocktail.
Asafoetida, the devil’s incense, to ensure the child’s spirit wouldn’t try and protect his sister.
Ground blueberry, which caused strife to an enemy when left upon its door.
And knotweed, to paralyze the little boy on the other side of the crossroads, should he try and come for him.
MMK looked out to the road far away in the distance, where a sheriff’s car appeared.
He tempered his breathing and turned around slowly, making a steady retreat back to the woods. Once he was inside the safety of the trees, he peered back out and saw the law enforcement vehicle pass by and then turn down Julia’s street.
The Magic Man Killer cupped his hand around the cool roundness of the baseball in his pocket and returned to his Buick.
It was almost showtime for Raven’s Poe.
CHAPTER 15
Julia scoured the scant hits on her computer screen as she tapped the end of her pink-and-gold Make It Happen pen back and forth on her home office desk in frustration. Her stable of sources hadn’t shed any light on the elusive Raven’s Poe reference, so Julia was scrambling as a last resort to Internet searches.
A rookie move, just like letting a source e-mail you responses to questions instead of a live interview, where you could follow up and drill them. But sometimes you’re forced to work with what you’ve got.
She grabbed a set of headphones and put them on Will, who was snuggled on her lap, her youngest son playing learning games on his LeapPad. If she could track down a lead, Julia hoped to make calls about the newly minted MMK, and she didn’t want her youngest son to hear any of it. Conversations about murder and death and slashed throats weren’t good topics for three-year-olds. She dabbed a Kleenex under Will’s runny nose and hoped Facebook would bring her luck, since Google was striking out for her in a big way.
Julia’s cell phone rang and she immediately recognized the person she’d been ignoring for most of the day, her editor, Virginia. Julia realized she couldn’t keep this up much longer, so she took the bullet and answered.
“Hey, Virg. Sorry I haven’t checked in yet. I’ve been busy running some leads.”
“Jesus Christ, Julia. I’m about to go into an editorial meeting. I have you down for writing the lead story for tomorrow’s paper, and I have no updates on the website yet. You can’t tell me you still don’t have anything. I need something from you before I go into that meeting, or my ass is going to get handed to me. What are the cops telling you? We already ran a story that the killer called you directly. This has turned into a national story and our online subscriptions nearly doubled in a day.”
“So glad I can help the paper make money,” Julia said dryly.
“Come on, Julia. You know how this works. I had Thom Derry write a story to feed the beast about other killers who’ve reached out to the press. But your story is way more compelling. The Virginia Tech killer sent a video and statement to NBC after the attack. And the Zodiac Killer, he mailed letters to the San Francisco Chronicle. But the Magic Man Killer reached out to you directly. You actually spoke to the man who slit those women’s throats. The cops think the killer is dressing up the women to look like you. This makes an already-big story explode, and you’re at the center of it. This puts a big spotlight on us. What can you give me?”
Julia bit the side of her lip as she weighed her options. Her natural instinct as a reporter told her to jump on the story and tell Virginia about the clues left behind at Roseline’s and the bookstore. Julia was hitting a wall trying to find the next victim, and if she wrote a story about the clues, it could help spread the word and possibly save the next woman in the killer’s crosshairs. But he had given her a warning.
She was stuck. The only thing Julia knew she could do with the least amount of collateral damage was to try and buy some time.
“I don’t have anything new. I’m working on it,” Julia lied as her mind scrambled for a tidbit she could feed to Virginia to get her off her back. “I heard the Detroit cops are stepping up patrols in the parks with running trails in the city, especially during the early-morning hours. The cops told me they’re getting grilled from the public and City Hall about not doing enough to catch the killer. I’m working another angle, but maybe one of your new reporters could do a ride-along when the cops are patrolling one of the parks. It would be a decent color piece for us and it might buy some goodwill with the public for the Detroit PD.”
“You think your sources would go for it?”
“If you pitch it right. Call Corporal Gary Smith and drop my name. Just be sure the reporter you pick isn’t too green or pushy. I don’t want it coming back to me. When you talk to him, Smith should be able to give you a statement on where the cops are in the investigation. Run that story online and in tomorrow’s paper, and then you can have the ride-along story on the paper’s website in the afternoon. That should cover you until I get something more.”
“The ride-along isn’t a bad idea. I’ll have Thom call Corporal Smith. What’s the angle you’re working?”
“Got to go, Virginia. I’ve got another call I’ve been waiting for,” Julia lied again as a knock sounded on her office door and Helen poked her head inside. “We’ll talk later.”
Julia hung up on Virginia and gave Helen a thumbs-up. “Your timing was perfect.”
“How is the boy?” Helen asked.
“Runny nose, but still no fever.”
“Good. Remind me, how many people will be here for dinner? I think eight, but maybe you said ten?”
“I forgot about dinner. Don’t worry about it. I’ll call everyone and cancel. Prejean should still be with the cops, so I’ll call Navarro and let them know.”
“You will do no such thing. I have been cooking for the past three hours preparing for this meal. You all eat. Then you work. I will put the boys to bed after dinner, so you can feel free to discuss your dead women. Such talk,” Helen said and shook her head. “You’ll all think better after you’ve had my food. We go to the apartment tomorrow?”
“Yes. Navarro is bringing by the keys tonight. I’ll pack up a bag for the kids. I’m hoping we’ll only be there for a few days. Navarro is staying over tonight, and he’ll be staying with us in the apartment, too.”
“For security re
asons only, no? A man staying over at an unmarried woman’s house, people will talk. Perhaps he should make you an honest woman.”
“One step at a time, my friend.”
The front doorbell rang and Julia looked at the time on her computer: 6:30 PM, and she was no further ahead on pinpointing the killer’s next victim.
“I’ll get it,” Helen said. “You keep working.”
“No. I’m done here. Take Will, please.”
“You are worried.”
“No, just cautious.”
“Fine. If you need me, the boys and I will be in the kitchen making dinner.”
Julia handed Will to Helen and was relieved when she saw the recently dispatched police detail still parked in front of her house and Prejean on her doorstep carrying a large bag in his hand.
“Did you bring dinner?” Julia asked, and welcomed her friend inside.
“No, something better. Toys. Where your kids at?”
Julia called for her children, who tore into the living room, but then became subdued when they saw the stranger.
“Boys, this is my old friend Doug Prejean. Mom knew him way before either of you were born. Prejean, the handsome kid with the dark hair, that’s Logan. And the little boy hiding behind his brother with the blond hair is Will.”
“Very nice to meet you, gentlemen,” Prejean said. “Now, down South where I come from, you don’t venture into a new place you’ve been cordially invited unless you bring a little something with you. You look into this bag and you’ll find a present each. Go on. Don’t be shy. Most kids I know would be tearing in to get their gift. Your mamma taught you good manners.”
Logan looked to Julia for permission and she nodded her consent.
“Thank you, sir,” Logan said. “Is this mine?”
Logan held up a black-and-purple box with a child on the cover who was wearing a large black hat and carrying a floppy-looking white rabbit. The box promised One hundred spellbinding tricks inside!
“A magic set?” Julia asked Prejean.
“Every little boy should have a magic set at least once in their lives,” Prejean said. He then leaned into Julia and whispered, “I had no idea what to get Logan. The owner of the toy store recommended the magic kit and I didn’t realize what a stupid idea it was, considering the investigation, until I was driving over here. My bad, okay?”
“The irony doesn’t elude me, but thank you.”
“And for the very smart little boy who’s hiding behind his brother, I’ve got something for you, too. Someone told me you like superheroes. Is that right?”
Prejean dug into the bag and pulled out an Iron Man figure.
“For me?” Will asked.
“For you. Iron Man is my favorite Avenger.”
“The boys and I will set the table and leave you two to talk,” Helen said.
“You must be the lovely Helen I’ve been hearing so much about,” Prejean said. He lifted up Helen’s hand and gave it a kiss.
“Ah, another handsome and charming police officer in this house. Just what we need,” Helen said, and rolled her eyes, but Julia could see the older woman’s cheeks flush over the compliment.
Julia waited until Helen and her boys were out of sight before she launched into Prejean.
“Tell me you and the Detroit cops got something. I struck out.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. You beat the cops on finding Roseline. We just picked it up from there. We tracked down a woman whose name is Raven Jones. She teaches English lit classes at Wayne State.”
“Washington mentioned her.”
“She probably didn’t tell you Miss Raven teaches a class on true crime and occult novels and how they fit into popular culture. You win a new car if you can guess the title of one of the books her students are assigned this semester.”
“Something Wicked This Way Comes. Great work. How did you find her?”
“It was Russell’s idea. I guess his ex-wife is a professor at the school, so he gave his ex a call and she told him about Miss Raven. We went down and talked to her on campus. She’s divorced, but on good terms with her former husband, and she said no other male has given her any reason to think twice, except for one student, Taylor Aberdie, who was in the military, midthirties or so, who dropped out of school recently. She said the guy was a really good student, but intense to the point that it made her feel uncomfortable sometimes.”
“Did you pick up the suspect?”
“That’s the thing. Navarro talked to the school administrator, and it turns out Taylor Aberdie wasn’t his real name.”
“Don’t students need to provide ID to register, like a driver’s license?”
“Two forms of ID, to be exact. Taylor gave the school his license and a military ID. Both were bogus. So was the address Taylor gave as his place of residence. Navarro checked. It’s matched to a Sunoco station somewhere downtown. A team coming in for the next shift is going to keep an eye on Ms. Jones, and the cops are trying to track down the real ID of the male student.”
“Sounds promising. I’m guessing Raven Jones fits the profile?”
“Well, some. She’s a single mom. But she’s not a runner. And she’s older than the other victims.”
“How old?” Julia asked.
“Forty-five.”
“I don’t know, Prejean. The killer is methodical. How old are her kids?”
“She’s got one son. He’s twenty-two.”
“Heather Burns and April Young had young kids. I get the name and the book reference to the English teacher, but the other connections aren’t there. What’s her body type?”
“She’s a lot curvier than you. No offense.”
“None taken.”
The doorbell rang and Julia looked out to see Navarro on her doorstep.
“Your cop. He’s a solid investigator, but he’s too nice to people,” Prejean said.
“He’s not nice to the bad guys. That’s all that matters.”
Navarro leaned in and gave Julia a kiss on the cheek and then turned and nodded at Prejean.
“Did Prejean tell you about the professor?” Navarro asked.
“She’s not the one,” Julia said.
“Chief Washington likes her for the next victim.”
“Well, the chief’s wrong. We can’t stop looking and we’re running out of time,” Julia answered.
A galloping of little boys’ feet running as fast as they could resounded down the hallway and Logan appeared with his magic hat in hand, with Will just steps behind.
“Hey, Uncle Ray!” Logan said, and threw his arms around Navarro. “I’m learning magic.”
“A gift from Prejean,” Julia explained.
“If it’s okay by you, Julia. I’ve been thinking. I can bunk here until the case is over, just to keep an eye on things,” Prejean said.
“I’ve got it covered. I’m staying here tonight and then I’ll be with Julia and her boys in the temporary place in the city,” Navarro said.
“We’ll just be staying there for a short time while we do some repairs on the house,” Julia said, repeating the white lie she had told Logan and Will.
“Uncle Ray’s sleeping over again? Awesome,” Logan said. “Can I show you my magic set, Uncle Ray?”
Logan didn’t wait for Navarro’s response. Instead, he grabbed the detective by the hand and led him to the kitchen with Will close on their heels.
“I’m guessing I can’t smoke in the house?” Prejean asked.
“I thought you gave up that nasty habit.”
“I did. I only sneak in one when I’m working a tough case. I hear your front porch has a hell of a view. Want to join me?”
Prejean grabbed a jacket from Julia’s coatrack and motioned toward the front door.
“You blow smoke in my face, you’re done.”
Prejean draped the jacket around Julia’s shoulders and the two went outside into the crisp night air.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to the cold if I move her
e. If it gets less than forty-five degrees in New Orleans, they start talking about closing the schools,” Prejean said. He dug a Lucky Strike out from his coat pocket, sparked a match from a pack with Barrel Proof Bar, Magazine Street, New Orleans across its top, and then inhaled deeply.
“So you weren’t kidding about moving here.”
“It’s a strong possibility. I talked to Washington about a transfer. Claudette is actually in Ann Arbor this weekend, getting the house in order to sell. We’ll split half the money on the sale, and I could buy a condo in the city.”
“It sounds like you’ve got it figured out.”
“I’m getting there. And for the record, I’ve got doubts about the lady professor, too. The Detroit cops are going the other way, though.”
“I’ll talk to Navarro. That woman is out there, like a sitting duck. We have to do something. Did the cops get a print on the notes or on the Ray Bradbury book?”
“No. The killer’s smart. But we know that already,” Prejean said. “So Navarro is staying over?”
“Yes. Am I about to get another lecture?”
“Don’t get me wrong. I like Navarro. He’s a decent guy. Your kids seem to like him a whole lot. Logan’s face sure lit up bright when he saw ‘Uncle Ray,’ didn’t it? Your cop friend is getting deeper into your life. Just be careful.”
“What’s your point?”
“Most cops under the age of fifty are players, especially if they’re good-looking.”
“So Navarro’s a player? What about you? Were you unfaithful to Claudette?” Julia asked. “Not a fair assumption to make on a man, is it?”
Prejean stubbed out his cigarette and focused on the lights of an approaching car. “I spent the afternoon with Navarro. I saw the way women looked at him, especially the female professor at the college. She gave him her card, and I’m sure she wanted him to call her for more than this case. I got a good sense about these things. I’d be fine with him as a cop partner, but not as a partner for one of my girls.”
“Lay off Navarro. I’m not having this conversation with you again.”
“I thought things were going to be different when I got here.”
You Fit the Pattern Page 15