Alex had told Harrison she and Logan would return to the CP if they were needed, but he’d said they should get a good night’s sleep and come back in the morning. Meanwhile, he’d call the Kansas City chief of police and inform him that the Train Man may be targeting women attending Christian churches in the area. If their guess was right, Alex hoped an increased presence around those churches would cause Walker to wait for a more opportune moment. That would give them more time to find him.
The police had sent out a BOLO for Adam Walker. Alex wanted to believe they had a jump on him, but she was certain they didn’t. Adam was probably aware that they knew who he was. That the missing Ebola sample had been reported. He hadn’t tried to hide his identity. And even though they had no direct evidence tying him to the Train Man, he was smart enough to know it wasn’t hard to connect the dots after he’d left a copy of the poem in his desk.
This hotel had indoor corridors. She and Logan stood outside her room still talking, but Alex was so tired she suggested they go inside. She was committed to helping investigators find the Train Man, but she was exhausted. She hoped Logan wouldn’t stay long.
Their rooms in this extended stay hotel were smaller, but she still had a kitchenette along one wall, a desk in the small living area, and another fireplace. Overall, it was nicer than the hotel in Wichita. As she put her bag on the king-sized bed, she thought a fire sounded nice.
Before she had a chance to say so, Logan asked, “Do you mind if I start a fire?”
She smiled. “That would be great.” Alex opened her bag and took out the can of disinfectant spray she always had with her. She kept a smaller can in her purse. “The room might smell for a few minutes.”
Logan, who was tearing open a packaged log, turned and frowned at her. “You really do have a germ phobia, don’t you? You know the hotels clean the rooms before their guests check in.”
Alex shook her head. “You’d be shocked to learn how many germs are left behind by maintenance staff who rush through a cleaning.” She quickly sprayed the room and the bathroom. By the time she was finished, Logan had the fire going.
“So now I sit down on a wet couch?” he asked. “I think I’m getting used to it, though.”
“Very funny. It dries quickly.”
“Actually, it smells pretty good.”
Alex grinned at him. “Lilac Spring. I like it.”
“When I smelled this scent at Quantico, I thought it was you.”
Alex laughed. “I have cologne with the same scent. I like lilacs.” She walked over to the kitchen. “Let me see what we’ve got to drink.” She opened the fridge. Water. Then she checked a basket with lots of packets stuffed inside. The last thing she wanted was coffee. She hoped to get a good night’s sleep. She needed it. She spotted something that seemed to fit the bill. “How about a cup of hot chocolate?” she asked.
“Perfect.”
As the fire blazed and warmed the room, Alex took two cups from the shelf next to the sink. She examined them carefully. They looked clean, but you never knew. She rinsed them both with hot water. Then she took a bottle of water from the refrigerator and filled each cup before putting them in the microwave. As she waited for the water to heat, she glanced around. The counter looked clean, but when Logan left, she’d sanitize it. You couldn’t be too careful.
When the microwave dinged, she took the cups out and stirred in the chocolate mix. When the little clumps of powder had finally dissolved, she carried the cups back to where Logan waited on the couch. He stood when she neared.
“I’m sorry. I should have offered to help,” he said. “Must be the fumes.”
“Ha-ha.” As she handed him a cup, she could see the redness in his eyes. He was exhausted just like she was. They’d had no sleep the night before, and it showed.
Alex sat down in a chair across from him, next to the fireplace. It had a matching ottoman. She stretched her legs out and leaned back into the overstuffed cushion. It was still a little damp, but that didn’t bother her. She was confident the germs were gone. The chair was so comfortable she was pretty sure she could spend the night there if she felt like it.
“I’m concerned that we’re too late to save this last victim,” Logan said.
“But the ME said victim number five had been dead for less than forty-eight hours. We’re getting faster.”
“But wasn’t that because Walker sent us those clues for Union Station in his letter?”
She frowned. “Maybe.”
“I think he’s accelerating his plan, Alex. He was impatient for us to find his fifth victim so he gave us clues. And I think he’s going to speed up this next one too. He’s in a hurry to bring this judgment on the world.”
“But Stephen said they couldn’t find any message with the guy at Union Station.”
“That’s because he already gave it to us.”
“He did?”
“Yeah, in his last letter. He capitalized all the letters when he said, ‘LONG LIVE THE MASTER!’ That was the message.”
Alex sighed, trying to release all the tension from her body. “You’re right. I should have seen it, and you could be right about his escalation. I don’t know how many churches are in the Kansas City area, but the KCPD can’t cover them all. Some of the victims were purposely chosen away from his base of operations. He didn’t want investigators to know where he lived.”
“That makes sense.” Logan took a sip of his hot chocolate. “Hey, not bad,” he said with a smile.
Alex nodded. “Could be worse.” She set her cup on the lamp table next to her chair. “You know, I think we need to consider whether Adam has changed his appearance. He must know we’ve discovered his identity. The stakes are high. He can’t take a chance that someone will pick him up and stop his destiny. I really don’t think he looks like the photo we have from his employee file and driver’s license.”
Logan was quiet for a moment. “You’re right,” he said finally. “He has short, dark hair and is clean shaven in those photos. So his choices would be to dye his hair lighter, grow his hair longer, and grow a beard, which would also cover that scar on his chin. Maybe he hasn’t made all those changes, but at least he’s probably grown a beard.”
“I think longer hair and a beard are a given. But he might also dye his hair. The police are looking for a dark-haired man. They might want to look for someone with blond hair. Or gray. Could he be trying to look older?”
“That would take a lot of effort,” Logan said slowly. “Adding wrinkles, dying his hair gray . . . I’m gonna bet on blond hair. Not red, of course. Too easy to spot.”
“So we’re betting now?”
Logan chuckled. “No. I have a feeling I wouldn’t win against you.”
“Maybe we should call Harrison,” Alex said. “I’m afraid the police might walk right past Walker because he doesn’t fit the photo they have.”
Logan shrugged. “I have to believe Harrison has thought of that, but if you feel it’s important . . .”
Alex picked up her phone and called. As she waited for Harrison to pick up, she wondered if he was home in bed. It was almost eleven at night. However, he picked up on the second ring and sounded awake. Alex shared their concerns.
“Yeah, we thought of that,” Harrison said. “The chief has an artist working on possibilities. What’s your opinion? How will he have changed his looks?”
“We think he’ll have blond hair. Not sure if he’s had time to grow it out much, though, so he could be wearing a wig. We also think he’ll have a beard. Maybe a mustache too.”
“Glasses?”
“A real possibility.”
“This helps. Thanks, Alex. I’ll contact the chief.”
“Great. See you in the morning.”
“Okay. And thank you for all the great work you’ve done. It’s appreciated.”
“Just doing my job, sir. Good night.”
She clicked off and had barely opened her mouth to tell Logan what Harrison said when she realized her partner was asleep. She rose from her chair and went over to him.
“Hey, Logan. Better get up and go to your own room,” she said. “I guarantee your bed will be more comfortable than this couch.”
His eyes fluttered open, and he chuckled softly. “Wow. Sorry. Big, strong FBI agent brought down by a nice fire and a cup of hot chocolate. I suddenly feel a little vulnerable.”
Alex laughed. “I won’t tell anyone.”
“Thanks.” He got to his feet, then grabbed his bag and walked to the door.“Good night, Alex,” he said. “I’m just down the hall if you need me.”
“Thanks. Same here.”
He grinned at her and opened the door. She stepped into the hall to watch him go, curious to know where his room was. He was just about to unlock one of the doors when Alex noticed someone walking toward him. It was Mike.
“Hey,” Logan said. “Did you get sent to this hotel too?”
Mike smiled. “Yeah, but I’m surprised. I assumed all the nonessential personnel would end up at Cowboy Bob’s Motel and Gift Shop a few miles from the CP. I was prepared to battle mice and other little varmints.”
Logan laughed. Alex forced a smile, but Mike’s words stirred the fear inside her. The thing she couldn’t face.
“Are you going back to the CP in the morning?” Logan asked.
“That’s the plan.”
“Why don’t we all go to breakfast first?”
“That would be great.” Mike shrugged. “I have to admit I feel a little out of place among all these experts. In particular, you guys really make me feel dumb. I’d love to hear more about what you’re thinking.”
“You’re not dumb,” Alex said. “We’re just strong in different areas.” She pretended to stifle a yawn. “Sorry, boys. Hitting the sack. What time do we get together in the morning?”
“Six a.m. in the lobby?” Logan said. “Let’s eat at the Waffle Palace across the street. I think we’ll get better food than what they offer here. The idea of dry bagels and soured cream cheese doesn’t thrill me.” He looked at his watch. “Wow. It is late, but I’ll call Monty on his cell and let him know.” He looked down the hall. “I assume his room is somewhere on this floor.”
Alex nodded. “Sounds great. Good night.”
She closed the door, then locked it, turned around, and leaned against it. She put her hands up to the sides of her head and slowly slid down until she sat on the floor. She couldn’t stop trembling, and she sat there until she brought the monster under control once again.
Why was it getting harder to fight it?