Time to relax and decompress in the wine bar was exactly what I needed, even if it was for only an hour. J.T. was gracious enough to join me and share a mezzo liter of red table wine while we discussed the case.
I took a sip then rolled my aching neck. Tension had always settled in my neck and shoulders. “We need to put that sketch and description on the Illinois news stations. This time I want to include the name John Pratt. Even if it’s an alias and not his actual name, it might ring a bell with somebody.”
J.T. agreed. “Certainly can’t hurt. You caught the part about him buying paper, envelopes, and stamps, right? I guess it wasn’t his manifesto after all. He wouldn’t need stamps for that. It sounds like he’s going to send a letter to someone, or already did.”
I watched as two young ladies walked past the wine bar. They couldn’t be more than twenty by the way they behaved and dressed. They giggled, delighted about something, and appeared carefree. They were obviously enjoying their night. I hoped they would always be safe and joyful. It made me think of the dead girls in the park, Jane, and the torment Amber, my own sister, had endured over the last year and a half. It seemed like women of that age group wore targets on their backs and were stalked by every sick predator that roamed the streets. The thought disgusted me.
“Jade?”
“Oh, sorry, what?”
“I said Jane will see her parents tomorrow. At least that’s one positive thing in this gruesome investigation.”
“Right. That’s definitely a good thing.”
“Is something wrong? You seem distracted.”
“Did you email me those pictures you took of the composite?”
“No, but I’ll do it now if you want them.”
I nodded. “Yes. I want to give them a closer look.”
J.T. reached for his phone, tapped a few keys, and placed it back on the table.
“There, all done. Was there something different about Jane’s version compared to Doc Wilson’s?”
I shook my head. “Nah, other than his beard being a bit fuller, but that makes sense. I’d say Jane’s version would be the most reliable one, anyway. She saw him during the day and for a longer period of time.”
J.T. gave me a questioning stare. “Then what?”
I pressed my temples. “I don’t know, maybe I’m exhausted. There’s just something about this guy that gives me the creeps. It’s like we’re never going to catch him. We don’t have a good sketch, and he’s always one step ahead of us.”
“Jade, if it’s any consolation, he gives me the creeps too, and look, I’m a big, strong, tough guy.” He grinned and squeezed my hand. “It’ll be okay. We are going to catch this monster. We always do.”
“Yeah? Then why are some criminals on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list for years?”
“Okay, you got me there. I’ll rephrase that comment. We try to catch all of these criminals, and eventually we do. Better?”
I smiled. “Yes, better. I’m done.” I stood and reached for the check. “The bed is calling my name, and tomorrow will come early enough. We need to intercept Jane’s parents before they get to her room in the morning. I’d like to have a sit-down with them and Dr. Adams so they know what she’s been through and what to expect.”
J.T. pushed back his chair and stuck out his hand. “Absolutely, now give me that check. You can cover breakfast.”
I waited as J.T. paid the bill. We rode the elevator together silently to the third floor and parted ways at our rooms.
“Good night, J.T.,” I said as I slipped the key card into the door lock.
“Good night, Jade.”
I pushed the door open. “J.T.?”
He turned toward me as he was walking away. “Yeah?”
“You’ll bang on my door in the morning, right?”
“Why break tradition? Of course I will, at seven o’clock sharp.” He gave me a thoughtful smile. “Get some rest.”
I nodded and closed the door at my back. I wanted to study the composite closer, but I was fading quickly. Five to six hours of sleep each night was catching up with me, and that nagging pain popped up every so often too. A good night’s sleep of hopefully eight hours would definitely refresh me. I knew there would be time tomorrow when I was more alert to go over the composite and the gift shop video again. I washed up, brushed my teeth, and sent Amber a quick text then turned off the light. The morning would arrive soon enough.