Iris Johansen - Quinn

“He tore her apart,” he said savagely. “Couldn’t you tell?”

He didn’t wait for an answer. He was striding down the hall to the living room.

Eve’s was sitting frozen, her face paper white. “Did we… get a location?”

“Yes, a convenience store on Cobb Parkway.”

“So he could jump in his car and get away. So it was all for nothing.”

“We could get a description.”

She reached up a shaking hand to her forehead. “And there’s something else… I’m having trouble thinking. He hates me. I think he was telling the truth about shadowing me until he finds a way to kill me. We’ve got that advantage.”

The desire to reach out, to comfort, was an ache inside him. But he couldn’t touch her right now. He didn’t have the control, and she would realize the truth.

And that realization would rob her of what little comfort he could give her.

“Some advantage,” he said tersely. “Did it occur to you that your logic is a little twisted?”

She nodded. “I guess it is. It’s all I’ve got.” She looked up at him. “You heard what he said about Bonnie?”

“Yes.”

“I’m trying to remember what you told me. That he’d probably say anything to hurt me. He could be lying.”

“Yes, he could.”

“But what if he’s not?” she whispered. “What if she’s… gone?” She swallowed. “What if he did the same things to her that he did to Janey Bristol? I can’t stand the thought of…” She stopped to steady her voice. “But I don’t know that, and I can’t let him break me and keep me from going after him. I have to hold on, don’t I?”

He nodded. “You have to hold on with all your strength.”

She got to her feet. “Then I can’t just sit here. I want to go to that convenience store and talk to the clerk. I want to know what a monster looks like.”

“Slindak will be taking care of that. And don’t expect Zeus to look like a monster. Most of the serial killers I’ve seen have looked like your next-door neighbor.”

“I still want to go. I need to go.”

He hesitated. “Why not? Stay here a minute and let me look around outside.” He grabbed his flashlight, left the house, made a quick tour of the perimeter, then came back. “Let’s go.”

“I told McVey what we were doing. He wants to stay here and transcribe his notes from the phone call.”

“Good. He’s not invited. I can take only small doses of McVey.” He held the door for her, and his hand cupped her elbow as they walked down the driveway to the car. “And he probably couldn’t resist getting in the way while we’re questioning the clerk.”

“You’re too hard on him. McVey is just doing his job.”

“It surprises me that you defend him considering what a beating you took from the media. He’d probably be after you like a vulture if he-”

“What’s that?” Eve was standing next to the car, staring at the windshield wipers.

Joe froze, his gaze following hers. A piece of paper was folded beneath one windshield wiper. “I don’t know. I didn’t notice it when I came by the car when I was out checking the perimeter. But then I wasn’t looking for it. I was hunting bigger-” Eve was reaching for the piece of paper. “No, let me get it.”

She already had it and was cautiously unfolding it. “Give me some light, Joe.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his flashlight.

She inhaled sharply as the beam illuminated the message on the paper. It was printed in large letters with a black pencil.

Stupid Bitch.

Do you think anyone can keep you safe?

“He was here,” she said. “He was outside all the time.”

“He was here. But not all the time. He wasn’t here the last time I checked the perimeter before you got the phone call. I don’t make mistakes like that. But he came very soon after, checked out the house, and decided that he didn’t want to chance an attack on you with me and McVey on the premises. Then he took off for the convenience store to make his call.” He carefully took the paper from her. “I’ll put this in the glove box and give it to Slindak to check for prints and analyze the handwriting.” He shrugged. “If there are any prints. He may be arrogant, but he was very savvy about the trace. He was probably wearing gloves. But he may have screwed up on the note.”

“Yet he was so reckless about leaving evidence at those crime sites.”

“Maybe he’s recognizing that it’s not the same ball game. He’s willing to play, but he knows the rules may be different.” He opened the passenger door and put the note in the glove box. “You’ve taught him that, Eve.”

“Have I?” Eve got into the car. “That supersize ego was one of our best weapons against him. I just hope that he won’t become cautious and take off. That would ruin everything.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Joe said grimly as he started the car. “You’ve seen to it that Zeus is wholeheartedly committed to do at least one more kill before he goes to a different hunting ground.”

TWO PATROL CARS AND SLINDAK’S gray Honda were parked in the lot of the convenience store when Joe arrived.

Slindak strolled over to the car as Joe opened the door. “Pretty much a waste of time. The store manager said someone used the outside phone booth to make a call, but he was busy and only got a quick glimpse of him.”

“Model of his car?”

“He was parked down the street, and the manager didn’t notice the model. You’re sure it was Zeus?”

“I’m sure. Did you dust the phone booth for fingerprints?”

“We’ve taped off the booth, and the forensic team will be here soon.” He glanced at Eve. “Hello, Ms. Duncan. You don’t look too well. Could I have someone see you home?”

“I’m fine.” She got out of the car. “It’s… been a difficult night.”

“I can imagine,” Slindak said dryly. “I’m sorry, but you brought it on yourself.”

“I know that.” She watched another patrol car pull into the parking lot. “Forensics?”

“Yes, and I had them roust a sketch artist we use occasionally out of his bed. Kim isn’t going to be pleased.”

“Artist?” Eve nodded. “I’ve heard that you can sometimes get an accurate facsimile from a description.”

“Sometimes. In this case it’s important that we try to do it right away since the manager said he only got a fleeting glimpse. Memory tends to fade quickly, and we need him fresh.”

“May I go and watch him?”

Slindak shrugged. “Why not?”

“And I sketch a little myself. Could I have a pad and see what I can do?”

“I’ll ask Kim Chen.” He gestured to the small, spare man of Asian descent who had gotten out of the patrol car. “As long as you don’t get in his way, I don’t think he’d object.”

“Thank you. I’ll ask him myself.”

Joe and Slindak watched her walk over to the artist.

“I thought she was close to fainting when you pulled in,” Slindak said. “She bounced back pretty quickly. Is she always like that?”

“When she has a purpose. I’m glad she found one right now.” He was watching the play of intense emotion across Eve’s face as she spoke to Kim Chen. “And I’ll be interested to see what she does with that sketch. I saw a sketch she’d done of her daughter in her house. It was remarkable.”

“It’s not the same thing.”

Joe knew that, but Eve had a talent that he’d never seen in a police artist. “Her sketch came alive. It was as if Bonnie’s personality was leaping from the page. Let’s see if she can do the same thing with a description.”

“Don’t hold your breath.”