Michael McGarrity - Everyone Dies

“Are Grace and the children all right?”

“Everyone’s safe.”

“And the damage?”

“According to the reports, it’s all blown to hell. From what I saw, that’s just about right.”

Kerney searched Clayton’s face looking for anger, shock, or outrage. All he saw was a slight tightness at the corners of Clayton’s mouth. He scanned the group behind Clayton. The officers gazed at him silently.

“Tell us what you know,” Clayton said as he rejoined the group.

“This guy isn’t going to be easy to catch,” Kerney said as he followed along and handed Clayton a manila folder he’d carried with him. “We’ve had two sightings, and have an inconclusive shot of him on a surveillance video tape. That folder contains a copy of a police artist’s sketch of the perp along with physical descriptions we got from witnesses.”

Clayton studied the material before passing it around. “This is it? You haven’t made an ID?”

“He’s still an unknown subject,” Kerney replied.

“And you’ve got nothing from forensics?”

“We have a lot of evidence, but nothing that allows us to identify him yet,” Kerney replied. “So far, he’s killed three times. His victims have been a former assistant district attorney, a former forensic psychologist, and an unidentified woman whose body he left in a van outside the municipal court in Santa Fe earlier tonight.

“Before he strikes, he likes to get his victim’s attention. He’s left dead rats at houses, killed a pet dog, and swiped a number of valuable paintings belonging to one of the victims. After the first homicide, he’s been leaving messages at the crime scenes. I’m his final target.”

“You know that for sure?” Clayton asked.

“I do.”

“How?”

“He slaughtered my horse, left poisoned rats outside my house, and called me.”

“What did he say when he called?” Hewitt asked.

“That everyone will die. Then he asked if I’d figured out who was next on his list before he comes after me. He also said he planned to wipe out my bloodline completely. That’s why I called Grace and told her to get the children and leave the house.”

“So who else is on his list?” Hewitt asked.

“My wife and our unborn child. But since he missed taking out Clayton and his family, he may try again before he moves on.”

The hush in the room was broken only by the cough of one of the officers. The men tensed and exchanged hard looks. A killer who had targeted two cops was bad enough. But to go after their families went beyond the unthinkable.

Clayton bit his lip. “How did the perp find out that I’m your son?”

“I don’t know,” Kerney said. “But I plan to look into it. Who have you told on your end?”

“It’s common knowledge on the Rez,” Clayton replied.

“That could mean a couple of thousand people know about it.”

“At least.”

“You can’t waste time trying to interview the entire tribe,” Kerney said. “I’ll work my list and see where it goes.”

Clayton nodded. “When do we get all of your case material?”

“One of my detectives is en route. You should have it soon. What have you got going?”

“We’re patrolling the tribal roads that lead to the trails into the mountains behind us,” Paul Hewitt said. “But nobody has been spotted, and the perp’s had more than enough time to clear the area. The feds are on the way, and once they get here, it’s their ball game. So for now, we’ll seal off the crime scene and get the sketch distributed to all personnel. That’s the best we can do until daylight.”

Kerney nodded and turned to Clayton. “I’d like a minute of your time.”

The officers, including Paul Hewitt, took the cue and filed out.

“Thanks for calling Grace,” Clayton said when they were alone.

“How is she doing?”

“She’s pretty shook up, but coping.”

“And the children?”

“Hannah’s too young to know what really happened, but Wendell’s taking it hard.”

“What about you?”

Clayton glanced away. “I’m trying not to think about it.” The strain showed clearly in his eyes.

Kerney changed the subject. “Aren’t you and the sheriff outside your jurisdiction?”

“No, all department officers are cross-deputized under an agreement with the tribal government.”

“Do you want me to talk to Grace?” Kerney asked.

“Yeah, she wants to know what’s going on. She’s at the back of the house with her parents and my mother.”

“I’d like to help out financially. After all, I’m the reason you’re all in this mess.”

Clayton shook his head. “We’ll be okay.”

He took Kerney into a family room where Grace, her parents, and Clayton’s mother, Isabel Istee, were waiting. Clayton introduced him to his in-laws, Orlin and Lillian Chatto, while Isabel took Hannah and Wendell out of the room. When she returned, Grace raised her dark eyes to Kerney’s face.

“Why has this happened?” she asked. She wore borrowed clothes that hung loosely on her slender frame, and her narrow-eyed gaze held a tangible pain.

“It’s complicated,” Kerney replied. “To put it simply we have a killer who’s seeking revenge. Who he is and why he’s doing it are still unknown.”

“Why did he try to kill us?” Grace asked.

“Because I’m Clayton’s father,” Kerney replied. “He wants all my blood relatives dead before he attempts to kill me. But I’m not his only target. He’s already murdered three people, and we believe the killings have something to do with an old criminal investigation of mine. Two of the victims worked with the courts. One was a former prosecutor and the other was an ex-forensic psychologist.”

“And that’s all you know?”

“It narrows down the field considerably,” Kerney answered. “We’re reviewing every possible suspect.”

“Will he try to hurt us again?”

“We won’t let him do that,” Kerney replied. “You’ll be protected.”

Grace looked at Clayton for confirmation, who nodded his head. “If you don’t know who he is, how can you stop him?” she asked in a disbelieving tone.

“He’ll make a mistake,” Kerney replied, “or the evidence we’ve collected and the work we’re doing will lead us to him.”

“You’re sure of that?”

“I am.”

“You said he wants to kill everyone related to you.”

“Yes.”

“Including Sara?”

Kerney nodded. “She has twenty-four-hour police protection, just as you and the children will have as soon as you leave here.”

“And your baby. Has he been born yet?”

“He’s due any day.”

“Yet, with all of that you came here.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Kerney looked at Clayton. “Because for the sake of us all we have to catch this man.”

“Yes, you must,” Grace said, forcing a smile. “You saved our lives.”

“I think it was more a question of lucky timing,” Kerney said, as he looked directly at Clayton. “I would like to help you and your family recover from this.”

Orlin Chatto stood up before Clayton could respond. Probably Kerney’s age, he was barrel-chested with a slim waist. His nose was broad above a round, full chin.

“Perhaps such talk should wait,” he said, “until all of us have had time to think about what has happened.”

“Yes, of course,” Kerney replied, getting to his feet.

Orlin nodded. “It is late and we should go. Grace and the children will stay with us.”

“You’ll have a police escort and an officer will be on duty outside the house,” Clayton said to his wife.

“Will I see you in the morning?” Grace asked him.

“As soon as I can get free,” he said.