10

It took a while for Willow to fall asleep for the night, but then Nettie sat next to her bed and prayed for her. As she called upon the God she loved, she couldn’t help but think about Alex.

She’d seen the same deep-seated pain in Alex she’d observed in Willow, which in Willow’s case had apparently led to a form of mental illness. But losing both parents and living with a mentally ill aunt would be traumatic for anyone. Alex carried that emotional injury like a suit of armor. No one could get in. Nettie wished Alex realized how much alike she and Willow were.

Willow had trusted Nettie enough to share her history. Willow and Alex’s mother had been raised by parents who were absent most of the time, focused on their careers. The sisters were often left to fend for themselves, and Willow had become her younger sibling’s caregiver, doing the best she could in a role she was unsuited for. Then Alex’s mother went off on her own, leaving Willow alone in her emotionally unstable state. She eventually cut off all contact.

Nettie was certain Willow became involved in the Circle when her sister all but abandoned her. She was looking for something to belong to. She’d wanted her life to be important. Willow had no self-esteem before The Book came into her life. It made her feel special.

Willow mumbled something in her sleep, and Nettie reached over to brush her friend’s hair from her face. Even though she hadn’t reacted well to Alex’s visit, when they talked later, Willow had cried, telling Nettie she’d failed her niece. Nettie told her about the forgiveness of Christ and was able to pray with her to receive a different life full of love, hope, and grace. Finally, Willow was free of the destructive cult that had imprisoned her mind for so many years.

Nettie believed God had sent her to Willow for just that purpose. She smiled. She was content. She’d obeyed Him, and now Willow LeGrand had changed books. Her name was written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Tomorrow she’d call Alex and tell her it was Willow’s love for her that finally changed her life. She hoped Alex would be pleased.

She rose from the chair and tiptoed out of the room, making her way to her own bedroom. She got ready for bed and turned on the TV so she could catch her favorite show before going to sleep, but she was so tired that she began to nod off.

She heard the sound of a footstep in her room only at the last moment. By then it was too late.

Logan, Monty, and Alex had been going through the information gathered so far on Adam Walker, but they were still waiting on another copy of The Book. It was late, and they were all tired. Thankfully, a nearby table had a coffee maker. Logan wasn’t sure how many cups he’d had since they’d arrived at the CP.

Monty was out in the larger room, consulting with some of the local agents. Alex was quiet and focused. She hadn’t said much yet. Logan wanted to talk about what he’d seen so far, but he’d decided to be patient. He didn’t want to disrupt her process.

When her phone rang, they both jumped. Who would be calling her at two in the morning?

She picked it up and stared at the display. “It’s Mike,” she said. “Hey, Mike, what’s up?” She listened for a long time. Logan watched as her expression changed. “I understand,” she said, her voice low. She disconnected the call and stared at her phone as if she’d never seen it before.

“Alex, what is it?” Logan asked.

He watched as she took a deep breath and looked up to meet his gaze. Her expression had hardened. Her armor was firmly in place.

“The police got a call from Willow’s neighbor, who said she heard screams. Willow is dead. Nettie’s in serious condition. She’s in the hospital.”

The news hit Logan like a punch in the gut. Had they made a fatal mistake? Should they have put Willow’s house under surveillance? It hadn’t occurred to him that the two women would be in any real danger. The Circle sounded like a bunch of nuts, not people who would do something like this. Besides, how could anyone possibly know the FBI had The Book? Maybe this a crime that had nothing to do with the Circle.

“Willow seemed so afraid when I mentioned The Book,” Alex said. “I thought it was because she was . . . well, you know . . . not all there. Especially after the stroke. I never took the Circle seriously until the Train Man. I should have done something. I should have gotten them protection.”

“Listen, it never occurred to me they were vulnerable.” Logan frowned. “Besides, how would anyone know we had that book? It doesn’t make sense.”

Alex shrugged. “Maybe they told someone. A friend who wasn’t a friend. Or maybe someone saw us take it out of the house.”

“No one could know what was in that evidence bag. That can’t be it. And besides, what good would it do to kill Nettie and your aunt? Even if someone knew they’d given us that book, killing them makes no sense. They weren’t any threat.” He paused for a moment. “Could someone have been afraid Willow would reveal the names of people in the Circle?”

Alex shook her head slowly. “I don’t know. As I’ve said, no one uses their real name in the Circle. It’s not impossible, but in Willow’s current state, it’s unlikely she could have led us to anyone else. And I didn’t get the impression that Nettie had anything to do with the Circle. She hated it.” She sighed. “Giving someone else The Book is the worst sin a member of the Circle can commit, though. Willow told me that. It’s my fault. Maybe this was an act of revenge. Punishment. Why didn’t I listen? This was preventable.”

“That’s ridiculous. Of course it’s not your fault. You know better than that. The fault lies with whoever did this. If the Circle committed this crime—and we don’t know that for certain—they need to be disbanded forever. This isn’t some kind of religion. It’s a very dangerous cult.”

“I agree,” Alex said. Another long sigh escaped her lips.

At that moment, Harrison came into the room. Logan told him about Willow and Nettie.

“I want to go back there,” Alex said before Harrison could respond. “We might be able to find something to help us locate Walker.”

“Our agents at the RA can do that. The local police will be involved too,” Harrison said, frowning. “I think you can do more good here.”

Alex stood. “You don’t understand, sir. They don’t know anything about the Circle or The Book. I do. This attack has to be connected to Walker. I know we’re focusing on the virus and you have other people investigating the murders here, but they’re all connected. I’m certain of it. Besides, we can share techniques to help investigators ask the right questions of neighbors and others who might have seen something around my aunt’s house during the time of the assault.”

Harrison still looked skeptical. Logan wasn’t sure who was right, but he had to admit Alex had made a good point.

“All right,” Harrison finally said. “But I need you to keep working on this assessment. Do what you need to do in Wichita and come right back.” He looked at Logan. “Go with her. I’ll contact Keith and let you know when to meet him.”

Alex and Logan arrived at the airport just as Keith got there, barely back from Quantico. Logan could tell he was tired. Hopefully he could sleep on the plane while they were in Wichita.

Alex was quiet, and Logan didn't try to start a conversation. He sensed that she was dealing with emotions he probably wouldn't understand. All he could do was make himself available if she needed him.

When they landed in Wichita, Mike was waiting for them.

“I’m so sorry, Alex,” Mike said when she slid into the front seat next to him. “I was certain you’d want to know right away. One of our agents picked up the report and called me. He knew we were friends. I hated making that call. You don’t have to go to the house, you know. We can go somewhere else. Get some coffee. Talk.”

“No, I want to go. I need to see.”

“Do you think this is the guy you’re looking for?” Mike asked as he started driving away from the plane. “Would he do this?”

“No,” Alex said without any hesitation. “Walker has an agenda. A calling. He has to kill two more people, but he has to do it big. Leave a message behind. Killing a couple of helpless old women doesn’t fit his signature. He wouldn’t do anything to contaminate his last sacrifices. They’re the only thing keeping him from releasing a deadly virus that will finish out his destiny.”

“How dangerous is this virus?” Mike asked. “Kansas City’s keeping a lot of this on the down-low.”

“We don’t know. It’s possible . . . Well, it could be catastrophic.”

Mike turned his head to stare at her. “We need to warn people, Alex.”

She reached over and put her hand on his shoulder. “Listen, we don’t have all the facts yet. We’re not sure what we’re dealing with. Going public now would be a big mistake. We could lose him and the virus. If it comes to it, I’m sure the right decision will be made. But for now, we can’t make assumptions.”

Mike was quiet, then said, “All right. Just do everything you can to help us find this guy, Alex.”

“We will. I promise.”

Logan couldn’t help but worry. Would they be able to offer anything that would help investigators find Walker? He hoped so. But would it be in time? Was Mike right? Should the public be warned? Frankly, he was grateful that decision would come from someone with a higher pay grade than his.

He didn’t have friends or family in this area of the country. He was thankful for that. But Adam Walker’s actions could devastate other families. Logan was trying not to think about the actual results from releasing such a deadly virus. It was overwhelming, and he needed to stay focused.

He could see Alex’s face reflected in the windshield. She looked tired. It would be hours before they would get some sleep. They’d been booked into an extended stay hotel in Kansas City with no idea when they’d actually get there.

They finally arrived at Willow’s house. Cars lined the street—both marked police cars and unmarked cars that probably belonged to detectives assigned to the case. The coroner’s car was there too. A couple of vans from local news stations were parked across the street from the house, but it was clear the police had told them to stay out of the way. If they hadn’t been corralled, they’d be in the front yard, hounding law enforcement with questions. It had to be below freezing, but several reporters stood outside, talking to the cameramen they’d brought with them.

Mike double parked so they could leave when they needed to. Without saying a word, Alex opened her door, got out, and headed toward the house.

Logan hurried after her. He’d seen some terrible things over the years, but this was the first time an agent he knew had lost someone involved in a case he was working. He wondered how this would affect Alex. Her armor fit snugly, but was it strong enough to protect her from this?