Chapter 27
Morris called Natalie to tell her that the Nightmare Man was back. “He butchered a young woman in West Hollywood last night. There were a few twisted alterations from his past methods, but otherwise it’s him.”
“The city wants you leading the investigation, and you accepted.”
Natalie said this in a purely matter-of-fact tone, without a hint of hurt or accusation. Still, he felt a pang of guilt. When he left the force, he had promised her he was done dealing with murderers, especially serial killers, but he had still ended up being dragged into those other serial killer investigations, all of which had taken a toll on him, and on her also. He knew full well the worry and stress he was going to put her through while he chased the Nightmare Man.
“They do, and I did,” he admitted. “I’m sorry, Nat. I know I made you that promise.”
“Hon, I relieved you from it after you stopped that last madman from wreaking havoc and killing thousands. You’re too good at what you do for me to keep you from hunting these monsters. That would be the height of selfishness.”
“Nat, that’s not true at all. You’ve got every right to want to lead a normal life.”
“I’m quite happy with my life. I’ve got a wonderful daughter, a husband I love, and a bull terrier I adore, even if he is getting a little tubby. And speaking of Parker, how about picking up the little guy?”
Morris heard over the phone a familiar grunt, and he could see in his mind’s eye Parker lying on his side by Natalie’s feet, stretching his legs, and grunting on hearing his name.
“I’d rather he stay with you.”
“Uh uh. Morris, darling, I don’t need the protection. This madman never strikes until late at night, right? So I’ll be just fine. But I’ll feel better knowing Parker’s keeping you company, especially since you’ll be out late like you always are when you’re hunting these killers.”
“Charlie Bogle will be keep me company.”
“Charlie’s a good guy, but it’s not the same. Parker helps keep you even-keeled and calm. Anyway, this is something I’m insisting on. It’s not open for discussion.”
“Your foot’s down,” he said.
“Exactly.”
They’d been married long enough for him to know when he had a chance of changing her mind, and this wasn’t one of those times. “I’ll swing by within the hour,” he promised. “Could you give Rachel a call? You can use the pretense of letting her know that I’ll be installing a new lock on her apartment door, but see if you can talk her into moving back home for a few weeks, or at least while the Nightmare Man is still at large. I’d try, but I know our daughter well enough to know that I wouldn’t get anywhere.”
“But I might if I act as if I’m scared to be home alone and want her company?”
“That’s what I was thinking.”
“It won’t work, hon. She’ll see through my subterfuge. But I’ll give it a shot. Maybe she’ll take pity on us. Is there anything I should tell Rachel to look out for?”
“We don’t know how he gets into his victims’ homes,” he said. “What’s that term new age types use for paying attention to what’s going on around you?”
“Mindfulness.”
“That’s what Rachel needs to be.”
“You can be mindful, but you practice mindfulness.”
Morris smiled at his wife’s precision. “However you explain it to our daughter, she can’t let her guard down. She has to be aware if there’s someone lurking in the hallway waiting to force his way in when she opens her door, and she can’t let anyone inside her apartment that she doesn’t know. At least the lock I ordered for her can’t be picked, so that’s one less thing we have to worry about. Hopefully, you’ll be able to work your magic and she’ll come home tonight so that will be something else off our minds. I’ll see you soon.”
“The little guy and I will be waiting.”
Morris had other calls to make. The first was a quick one to Marty Wright. After that he called Polk to let him know the Nightmare Man was back and that they were going to be working the case.
Polk let out a low whistle as if he were sorting out in his mind the ramifications. “I was a patrolman when he surfaced the last time. When was that again?”
“2001.”
“Seventeen years later, and the bastard’s back, huh? You were part of that 2001 investigation, weren’t you?”
“Low man on the totem pole.”
“I was a kid when this lunatic first struck. What year was that?”
“1984.”
Polk let out another low whistle. “This guy’s like cicadas, has to come out every seventeen years to annoy the shit out of everyone. So what do you want me to do? Drop my tail on the lady Penza and head back to the office?”
“Keep following her for now.”
“Are you sure? We’ve got a lunatic on the loose. As much as I enjoy following this blond babe from her condo to a Pilates studio to a nail salon, then an intimate apparel shop, and now a bikini wax salon, I’d rather be putting my detective prowess to better use, namely, helping you catch this Nightmare Man joker.”
“This might be related. It’s complicated.”
“Boss, if you say so. But this is a story I’m going to want to hear when you have time.”
“Later. You have my word. I’m guessing from her routine today she’s got a hot date planned for tonight. If it’s not with Big Joe, you’ll be able to wrap up your tail on her today.”
“One can hope. I’ve got my camera ready if the opportunity arises.”
After Polk, Morris next called Bogle to fill him in on what had happened and to get an update on Bobby Gallo. Bogle was still tailing him, and the gangster was still causing mayhem. After that, Morris had quick calls with Fred Lemmon and Annie Walsh. He then headed to the Wilcox Avenue precinct. He needed the crime scene photos for what he had in mind, but he also needed to fill Walsh in on why it was so important that they find Benjamin Chandler.