Karen Rose - I’m Watching You

„Mid-January, Kristen. Doesn’t that strike you as strange?“

The nurse considered them. „If you’re talking about your vigilante, I’m inclined to agree with Miss Mayhew. From everything I’ve read in the paper, the killer is highly intelligent, calculating. While this Timothy was highly functioning, we’re talking two different planes.“

Abe frowned. „I know. But I hate coincidences. If he comes back, will you call me?“

The nurse took his card. „Of course.“

Wednesday, February 25,

9:05 p.m.

The elevator dinged and there they were. Zoe narrowed her eyes when Reagan put his arm around Mayhew’s shoulders. She’d known there was more going on than Reagan just guarding Mayhew’s house. Now her mind scrambled as to how to make the most of it.

„Here they come,“ Zoe hissed. „Scott, are you ready?“

„Rolling,“ he said tersely and she stepped in front of the couple, gauging their reactions. Mayhew’s eyes flared and Reagan’s teeth clenched. Very, very good.

„Miss Mayhew, can you comment on the condition of Vincent Potremski?“

„No.“ She and Reagan started walking and Zoe sidestepped them.

„How do you respond to recent allegations of impropriety in John Alden’s office?“

Mayhew stopped dead and shot her a look of complete incredulity. She shook her head, sending her curls bounding. „No comment, Miss Richardson. Now if you’ll excuse us.“ They started walking again, but Zoe spied the telltale tremble in Mayhew’s hands that she’d come to look for in times of stress. Mayhew might look poised, but she wasn’t.

„Isn’t it true that your friend was nearly beaten to death because of you? That this is your fault? That he’ll probably be a vegetable for the rest of his life?“ she asked to Mayhew’s back and once again Mayhew stopped dead. But when she turned, there was no incredulity on her face, only rage. Zoe waited, senses tingling. She’d broken Mayhew’s control. Finally.

Mayhew advanced a step and Reagan tugged at her shoulder. „Kristen,“ he said quietly, but clearly enough to be heard. „She’s not worth it.“

For a moment it looked as though Reagan had won and Zoe felt the pang of disappointment. But then Mayhew took another trembling step forward. „First of all, Miss Richardson, the correct term is ‘persistent vegetative state,’ and I’m sure the families of those so afflicted would appreciate your consideration in this regard. Secondly, you wield a great deal of power with that microphone, Miss Richardson, and you, sir, with your camera. I’d hope that you’d use it to help bring justice to innocent victims rather than further fanning the flames.“ She walked away, Reagan’s arm around her again, his hold proprietary and Zoe saw Mayhew lean against him.

And for just a brief moment, Zoe wished for someone to lean on, too. Then the brief moment was annihilated by the fire of fury. Little pompous bitch. „Stop film,“ she snapped. Scott lowered his camera, his gaze still on Mayhew’s retreating back, his expression one of respect, making her even angrier. „Don’t say a damn word,“ she hissed and pushed past him.

She had a piece to prepare.

Wednesday, February 25,

10:30 p.m.

„Who is Leah Broderick? Please.“

He looked down at Hillman with contempt. The man was arrogant and powerful when he sat high above the courtroom. But now, when threatened, Hillman became a quivering mass of nothing. He wished Leah could be here to see him now.

He’d transferred Hillman from his van to his basement with relative ease. Hillman had resisted lying down on the table, though, and a little persuasion in the form of a blow to his head had been necessary. Hillman regained consciousness and spent the next hour fruitlessly pulling at his bonds. Then the begging had begun. It was rewarding to see such arrogance reduced.

He took out his gun and ignoring Hillman’s pleas for mercy, methodically put a bullet in the judge’s left knee. Hillman’s scream was high and shrill, his body writhing. Hillman began to sob and again he wished Leah could be here.

„Just a precaution, Judge Hillman. I can’t have you running away.“ The right knee exploded with the same force as the left and Hillman screamed again. He bent to inspect his work. Blood flowed, so he packed both knees with gauze. „I don’t want you to bleed to death, Judge. Not just yet anyway. I’ll check on you later. For now, I have a special treat.“ He walked over to the stereo and hit the play button. „I’ve taken the liberty of recording the transcript of a certain trial. Listen closely. Then you’ll know what you’ve done.“

Then he went upstairs to lie down on his bed, more exhausted than he should be. He had time for a few hours of sleep, then he had to get back to the hunt.

Wednesday, February 25,

11:40 p.m.

„How’s Kristen?“ Mia asked by way of greeting.

„She’s fine.“ Way better than fine , Abe thought. „She’s waiting at our desks.“

Mia’s eyes went sly. „Hope I didn’t disturb anything. You know, calling so late.“

Abe shook his head, willing his face not to break into a self-satisfied grin and not entirely succeeding. „Not really. I was dozing.“ Next to Kristen, in her bed. His hand cupping her bare breast, her butt tucked snugly against his groin. Life was good.

Mia tucked her tongue in her cheek. „On Kristen’s sofa.“

„Absolutely,“ he lied and saw her swallow her grin. He pointed to the window that looked into the interview room. „Who we got?“

„Craig Dunning. Driver and bodyguard to the Honorable Edmund Hillman.“

„Who is missing.“

Mia nodded. „Yep.“ She pushed the door open and sat down next to the thirty-something man who nervously twisted his chauffeur cap in his hands like a Frisbee. „This is my partner, Mr. Dunning.“

Abe extended his hand. „Detective Reagan.“

Dunning’s hand was damp, but his grip was punishing. „I’ve seen you on TV.“

„The life of celebrity,“ Abe said dryly. „So you last saw Judge Hillman when?“

„About five o’clock.“

„And you were where?“ Abe asked.

Dunning shifted uncomfortably. „In the parking lot of the limo company.“

Mia rolled her eyes. „Come on, Dunning, it’s late. Let’s have the story.“

Dunning glared, but complied. „Every Wednesday I pick up Judge Hillman at court and drive him to the limo yard. We… We switch cars. He takes my car and I sit with the limo until he returns. Tonight he never came back.“

Mia gestured impatiently. „And he goes where?“

Dunning hesitated. „To meet his girlfriend.“

Abe shook his head. „First Alden and now Hillman. Don’t any of those guys sleep with their own wives? Okay, Mr. Dunning, let’s have the details. What time does Judge Hillman normally return? And where does he meet this woman, and what is her name?“

„Her name is Rosemary Quincy, and they meet at a hotel in Rosemont. He’s normally back by six-thirty, seven at the latest.“

Mia ran her tongue over her teeth, clearly biting back what probably would have been a fitting assessment of Hillman’s staying power. „So how long did you wait?“

Again Dunning shifted. „Until nine-thirty. Then I went home. But at ten-thirty Rosemary called. She was leaving the hotel and saw his car – my car, that is – still in the lot. She said he’d left hours before, and she was scared, what with all the killings.“

„Why didn’t she call us herself?“ Mia asked.

Dunning shrugged. „She was hoping to keep her name out of it.“

„That’s not likely,“ Abe said. „What about Mrs. Hillman? Does she know?“