Michael McGarrity - The Judas judge

"I want the team to go back over everything again one more time. All of it-the parks, motels, eateries, gas stations, convenience stores-the works. This time, have them concentrate on Penelope Gibben, Kay Murray, Eric Langsford, and his sister. They are the only ones who stand to profit from Langsford's murder."

"Gibben and Murray have solid alibis, Chief," Lee said.

"Seemingly solid alibis," Kerney replied.

"We'll work it again," Lee said without much enthusiasm.

"Let's take a closer look at the Langsford family." Kerney handed Lee a copy of the names Colby Trumble, the high school principal, had provided. "Friends, neighbors, school chums, relatives, teachers, business associates-whoever knew them. Let's see if we can turn up any more private family scandals. You know the routine."

"You still think this wasn't a spree killing?" Lee asked.

"Give me the killer's motive that triggered the event," Kerney said.

"Was it simple robbery? If we had one confirmed report that a victim's credit card had been used, any stolen items had been pawned or sold, or a check had been forged, maybe I'd buy it. But even that wouldn't explain why the perp used two bullets on Langsford and one with everybody else.

"Aside from all of that," Kerney continued, "we may have a murderer who is systematically wiping out the Langsford family. Changing his MO with each crime. Up to now, the killings have been widely spaced apart. But that could change."

"You think he's going after Linda Langsford?"

"The phone calls made to her residence on the night of the murders bother me. Spree killers get off on bloodletting, so why stop to make the phone calls unless there's a reason? With this type of killer, you'd expect him to be spraying bullets around, pumping round after round into his victims. That didn't happen."

"Good points," Lee said.

"Let's assume the killer had some firearms training. Contact every gun dealer, weapons instructor, and shooting range in the state. Find out if any of our possible suspects have experience with handguns."

"Including Linda Langsford?" Lee asked. Kerney shrugged. "Why not?"

"You want gun sales records searched also?"

"You bet. Start with Brady Bill felony checks."

The phone rang and Lee grabbed the receiver. He listened, gave a terse thanks, and hung up.

"That was the Roswell district commander. Eric Langsford took five hundred dollars out of his sister's purse and split. Surveillance didn't even know he was gone. He left out the back door."

"When?" Kerney asked.

"No more than an hour ago. Linda Langsford just called it in."

"Find him."

The message light on the motel telephone blinked at Kerney. He called the front desk, and the clerk told him Kay Murray was in the lobby waiting to speak to him.

She rose quickly from the chair when Kerney entered the lobby. Her long brown hair fell in soft curls around her face, and she wore tight-fitting, faded blue jeans and expensive high-heeled boots that made her look alluring and provocative.

With apprehensive eyes, she smiled shyly as Kerney approached.

"I've treated you badly and I've come to apologize," she said.

"There's no need for that."

"At least let me buy you a drink to make amends."

Kerney nodded in the direction of the motel restaurant, and her expression lightened.

They settled at a table in the almost empty lounge, where the smell of alcohol and cigarettes blended with the aroma of greasy restaurant food.

With cheap paneling, mass-produced seafaring prints on the walls, a fishing net hung from the ceiling, and low-end captain's chairs and tables, the decor matched the menu.

"I know you have a job to do," Kay said, after the bartender brought the drinks. "But I'm very protective of my personal life." Kerney said nothing. "Does that make any sense?"

"Of course it does."

"I'm a private person. It's the way I survive."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me, Ms. Murray," Kerney said, hoping she would.

"Please, call me Kay. I know I've been impossible with you, and I want you to understand why. I'm not conventional in the way I live, and I stay away from those who are quick to judge."

She reached out and touched Kerney's hand. "I know you weren't doing that. But your questions made me feel that way. I had to settle myself down and get it clear in my mind that you were just doing your job. Will you forgive me?"

Kerney felt an unexpected arousal at her touch. He pulled his hand back and picked up his drink. "Of course."

"So now what?"

"Excuse me?"

"Now that you know all my secrets, are they safe with you?"

"I doubt I know all of your secrets," Kerney said.

Murray laughed. "No, you don't."

Kerney switched the wineglass to his left hand so she could clearly see his wedding band. She didn't seem to notice. "Would you mind a few questions?" he asked.

"About?"

"Judge Langsford."

"Go ahead."

"Eric characterized his father as cruel, heartless, and controlling."

"That's unfair. Eric and his father were as different as night and day.

Vernon was vigorous and virile-very charming with women. Eric has almost no sexuality at all. There's no spark to him. He's virtually a eunuch. At the most, sexually amorphous."

"Did Vernon favor Linda?"

"He doted on her. She was his only daughter."

"Why did you become Vernon's lover?" Kerney asked.

The question brought an amused smile to Kay's face. "You change subjects neatly. He always interested me sexually. I particularly liked the way he treated Penelope. I got to see them together a lot when I lived with her."

"What drew him to you?"

"I was his type."

"What type is that?"

"You could say a younger version of Penelope." Kay smiled as she leaned forward. "See? Now you know another secret about me. I like men. Do you know what a single woman really needs?"

"What's that?"

"A good mechanic and a great lover."

Kerney smiled. "I hope you've found both."

"I keep my antennae up for likely prospects," she said with a lilt.

"Did you get to know the judge's family while you lived with Penelope?"

"Only through her. Vernon was very good at compartmentalizing his life, if you know what I mean. And Penelope was, in some ways, a throwback."

"How so?"

"She was more a courtesan than a mistress, and very honest about her needs. She had all the freedom she wanted, none of the burdens of a wife, and a reliable lover who wasn't overly intrusive. I came to appreciate her view of life."

"So did Vernon, apparently."

Kay leaned back and searched Kerney's face with her eyes. "You mean the money he left us in his will. You make it sound almost immoral. Would you be more approving of us if Vernon hadn't been a rich, generous man?"

"I only note it."

"Why bring it up at all? You know I am clearly not a suspect."

"You do have a good alibi. I wasn't accusing you."

"There isn't one person you're investigating who had a dire need for Vernon's money."

"Except Eric."

"Vernon would have provided for him even more than he did. All Eric needed to do was get off drugs and clean himself up."

"Which, if my reading of Eric is correct, would have meant caving in to his father's wishes. That's something I don't think he was willing to do."

Kay gave Kerney a weighty look. "That's an interesting concept."

"Maybe the family liked having Eric be the oddball, to keep things in a crazy kind of balance."

"What benefit would Eric possibly get out of that?"

"Attention."

"Did you come up with this theory all by yourself?" Her tone was playfully mocking, as though she was talking to a misinformed child.

"No. Eric's former therapist reminded me of the concept." Kerney switched gears. "No one seems to want to talk about Arthur. Penelope told me his death devastated Marsha Langsford, and that Vernon was about to leave her when she was killed."