Robert Walker - Grave Instinct

“ This could lead to something,” muttered Jessica, hopeful it was so.

“ Bingo time, if you ask me!” J.T. added.

“ Like Daryl, stealing brains from dead people,” said Eriq.

“ Another coincidence, New Jersey's home for this guy. Not far from Morristown. Cahil's stomping grounds,” said Jessica.

“ Place must breed brain-eaters,” replied J.T.

Jessica held her breath and read on. Erdman claimed that Kenyon lost his position at the hospital in mid-May. That's pretty close to when the first killing took place back in June. “Traumatic event like being fired could have triggered latent violent aggressiveness.”

They attempted to locate and speak to Erdman, but the hospital said that he had left with no forwarding address. Jessica identified herself as an FBI agent and pressed the operator to put her on with the senior most person at the hospital. After some confusion and several transfers, a Dr. Bondesen came on, saying that he could speak for Mt. Holyoke Hospital. She questioned him about Erdman's allegations against Dr. Kenyon. The man began stammering before he could say, “Neither of these gentlemen work here any longer and-”

“ Doctor, I want to know exactly what went on there. We are hunting a brain-stealing killer you know in the press as the Skull-digger. We need your complete and honest cooperation, sir.”

Bondesen cleared his throat and said, “Erdman found it difficult to work in the morgue where Dr. Kenyon had previously worked. Nightmares, you know, over what he allegedly saw.”

“ 'Allegedly? Did you or did you not fire Grant Kenyon over these allegations?”

“ We did fire him, but not due to Erdman's wild accusations. More to the point, he was fired because he was exhibiting shoddy work. His mind never seemed on the job at hand, you see.”

“ Didn't anyone there, aside from Erdman, think that Kenyon's behavior might be connected to the Skull-digger case?”

“ But you have someone in custody for those awful murders.”

“ There may be accomplices,” she gave the standard reply.

“ But you see, we… we sealed all information on the allegations against Kenyon as a courtesy to Dr. Kenyon, and we gave Grant's position to Dr. Erdman-all this in return for both men remaining silent.”

“ To protect the integrity of the hospital.”

“ And the families involved.”

Eriq picked up another phone and came on the line, bursting into the conversation, introducing himself and adding, “Well, now, Dr. Bondesen, you can expect all that was sealed regarding this case open to scrutiny by the FBI, the press and the world if you fail to cooperate now. I will have a field representative sent within the hour to take charge of both Kenyon's file and Erdman's. Is that clear?”

“ Ahhh, yes, quite clear.”

“ And I want social security numbers on both Kenyon and Erdman. Can you give them to me now please?” Eriq requested.

After hanging up, with the numbers in hand, Eriq turned to Dana, “Get us a location fix on a Dr. Mitchell Erdman. Also get a location on this guy Kenyon.”

Dana stroked in Erdman's number and began the search. “He's out of the country on a passport. Philippines, it appears.”

J.T. said, “I'll see what I can do to get in touch with him.”

Dana then attempted to locate Kenyon.

Eriq was on the phone with the closest FBI field office to Holyoke, New Jersey. He informed the agent there to immediately get to the hospital, speak to Bondesen only, and take charge of the two personnel files in question.

Jessica watched as Dana's screen instantly filled with information on Kenyon, down to a map of precisely where he lived in Holyoke, New Jersey. His telephone number was also listed.

Jessica returned to the phone and dialed the number. A woman answered.

After Jessica introduced herself, Mrs. Kenyon gasped into the phone and pleaded, “Have you found Grant? Have you? Is he alive… please tell me he's alive!”

“ Are you saying he is not currently at this residence, Mrs. Kenyon?”

“ I reported him missing months ago! I thought that's what you were calling about.”

“ This is the FBI ma'am. Do you know a Dr. Erdman, Mrs. Kenyon, a man who once worked with your husband?”

“ He was my husband's assistant, yes.”

“ And there was some unpleasantness between them to cause Dr. Kenyon to leave his position.” “Yes, but…”

“ And then Dr. Kenyon simply disappeared?”

“ Yes… yes, that's about it, yes.”

“ Can you give me any details about what happened at the hospital between your husband and Dr. Erdman?”

“ Erdman stole Grant's job. That's what he told me. Said Erdman had backstabbed him. I only know that he lied about Grant.”

“ About the brains you mean? Taking them from the morgue?”

“ Nothing mysterious, really. He was conducting a series of experiments. So he needed the… needed them for study.”

“ What sort of study?”

“ Something to do with some sort of bacterial infection and any number of debilitating diseases, like Lupus, Alzheimer's. Grant told me that men had within their skulls three brains, not one: the mammalian brain, the reptilian brain and the human brain. And that many brain disorders mimicked animal disorders, and he was out to find a cure.”

“ I see.” Jessica realized the woman was in denial.

“ Mrs. Kenyon, what kind of vehicle does your husband drive?”

“ He left me the car. He took the van.”

“ I'll need the license plate number, make and model of the van, and any distinguishing marks. A scratch, a dent or missing fender. And we'll need any credit card numbers you have that are his.”

“ What is this all about?”

“ We want to find your missing husband, Mrs. Kenyon, and we can do that if he uses a credit card. And if he contacts you, we want to know. Call me immediately at either of these numbers,” Jessica relayed her cell phone number and her office number. “And I'd like to send agents to your house to-”

“ My God… You people think he's the Skull-digger, don't you?”

“ Have you had such thoughts, Mrs. Kenyon?”

“ Is he a suspect?”

Jessica decided to be direct with her. “He's a suspect, yes.”

“ I thought so. It's that awful Dr. Erdman at work again. He's trying to ruin Grant. I know it. If anyone's a killer, it's Erdman.”

“ We suspect that your husband made numerous contacts via E-mail to a man named Cahil, a man we have in custody in connection with the murders, Mrs. Kenyon.”

“ Cahil? The man who robbed children's graves?”

“ How did you know?”

“ Ten years ago, it was all over the news. Grant was fascinated with the case.”

“ Mrs. Kenyon, exactly when did your husband disappear?”

“ Two days after losing his job, May eighteenth.”

Jessica thought, How perfect… two weeks before the discovery of the first victim. More and more, Jessica believed she had found the Seeker. “Mrs. Kenyon, do you have a computer in the house that your husband would have used? And do you know his password? Is he using the name Seeker when he logs on?”

“ I… no, he has a laptop, but he doesn't let me near it. Says all his research is in there, and no, he would never tell me his password or call name.”

“ We believe your husband is dangerous, Mrs. Kenyon, and we fear he will strike again. He already has in fact.”

“ That's sheer nonsense.” Mrs. Kenyon began weeping. She groaned. “I'm certain you people are wrong. I know Erdman must have lied to you, too. Grant would never harm anyone, ever. I'd stake my life on it.”

Jessica heard a child crying in the background. “And your child's life, Mrs. Kenyon? Would you take that risk?”