Chapter
Eighteen
“You upset about something, Sarge?”
Kevin noticed Leon had been especially pensive ever since the feds hit town. They had Ann Barton’s body, and Dorothy Fisher’s grave had been covered up again. However, the area around the grave was still a crime scene and would be until they’d gone over everything with a fine-toothed comb. The FBI had no more need for the police, so as far as their department was concerned, everything was back to normal. Or was it? Leon leaned back in his cheap office chair, his feet resting on top of his old scarred desk. Kevin was surprised Leon had found an empty space. His desk was always covered with case files. Leon was a bulldog when it came to catching law-breakers. Minor crimes. Major crimes. Didn’t make any difference. Each situation was a challenge he took seriously. But nothing bothered him more than the Blue-Eyed Killer case.
Leon sighed deeply and looked out the window next to him. “It just doesn’t feel right,” he said in a low voice.
“First of all, burying a body in someone else’s plot isn’t easy. I mean, it can be done, but . . .”
“Well, the killer could have looked for a fresh grave. One that was easy to dig up.”
Leon’s right eyebrow shot up as he looked at Kevin. “So you’re saying the Blue-Eyed Killer murdered Ann Barton and then carried her remains into a cemetery, dug up a grave, and dumped the body because it was so easy?”
Kevin felt his face flush. “Of course not, Sarge. Seems like someone would have seen him. But, well, he could have done it at night, right? If he worked in the dark, no one would notice.”
“I suppose. Still, it was a pretty bold thing to do. I’m surprised no one noticed that the ground had been disturbed.” Leon grunted. “And why not put Ann’s necklace with her body? Why bury it in the dirt a few feet away?”
Kevin thought for a moment. “He probably meant to keep it. You know, as a keepsake or something. But he dropped it without realizing it.”
Leon paused. “Maybe,” he said finally. “I guess that makes some sense, although it’s pretty careless, and B.E.K. has never been sloppy. But why reveal Ann’s whereabouts now? Gerard’s claiming he’s not the Blue-Eyed Killer, and the Bodine guy is dead. So who called the station? Who put that song sheet on the grave? The whole thing is screwy.”
“I guess the feds know what they’re doing,” Kevin said. “They’ll figure it out.”
“I hope so.” Leon grabbed a telephone book out of his desk drawer and began turning the pages.
“What are you looking for, Sarge?” Kevin asked.
“Just wonderin’ if Dorothy Fisher has any relatives still living in Garden City. I’d like to know why the killer chose her grave.”
Kevin shook his head and went back to filling out reports. When something didn’t sit right with Leon, he’d go after it with a vengeance. It was useless to try to talk him out of it. Kevin had learned a long time ago that it was best to just leave him and let him follow his gut.
“Kate! Kate, it’s me!”
Tony tightened his grip around her, trying to calm her, but Kate seemed to be fighting for her life. Finally, he managed to turn her around so she could see it was him.
She was soaked to the skin, clad only in sweatpants and a T-shirt, her feet bare and bleeding. Her hair was plastered against her head and her face was cut and bruised, but to Tony, she was still beautiful beyond belief. He chided himself for allowing such an inappropriate thought to enter his mind. The only thing that mattered was that he’d found her alive.
“It’s me, Kate,” he said again. “It’s Tony. You’re okay. I’ve got you.”
Slowly the panic drained from her face, and a spark of recognition appeared in her eyes. “Tony? Is it really you?”
“Yeah, it’s really me.” She wrapped her arms around him, and he held her tightly against his chest. He could feel her tremble. “You’re fine. It’s going to be all right.”
As he released her, she began to cry. “I . . . I thought . . .”
“I know. You thought I was Gerard. I’m sorry I frightened you. I didn’t want to yell your name because I didn’t want to give away our location.”
Kate took a shuddering breath and stepped back. “I’m sure my screaming took care of that,” she said, her voice breaking. “I’m sorry.”
Tony smiled at her. “Not your fault. You’ve been through a lot. I doubt anyone can hear us over the rain, anyway.”
Although he wanted to reassure her, Tony wasn’t certain his assessment was correct. If Gerard was anywhere nearby, he certainly could have heard Kate’s scream. They needed to move out of this area as quickly as possible. If Gerard had a gun and was hidden among the trees, Kate was vulnerable.
For the first time, Kate looked past Tony and noticed Bobby.
“Bobby, is that you?” she asked. “Why are you here?”
Bobby smiled shyly. “I offered to come. I know the roads and thought maybe I could help.”
Kate seemed touched. “Thanks, Bobby. I really appreciate it. You’re a good friend.”
“Look, we can stand here in the rain bonding, or we can get moving and try to find some help,” Tony said.
“You’re here alone?” Kate asked, looking panicked. “Didn’t anyone come with you and Bobby?”
“No. I was supposed to wait for backup, but Bobby saw the man who took you drive up this way, so we decided not to wait. I was afraid we wouldn’t find you in time.” He reached over and pushed a wet lock of hair off of her face. “Don’t worry. I’m sure help is on its way. We’ll be fine.”
“But . . . don’t you know where the police are? Can’t you call them?”
“Uh, no. Bobby doesn’t have a cell phone, and I lost mine. Sorry.”
Kate just stared at him, and Tony realized he wasn’t giving her a reason to have much confidence in his ability to rescue her.
“Look, I told people where we would be and they know that you were abducted. Someone will be here soon, Kate. I’m sure of it.”
“I doubt anyone will venture up here until the rain ends,” Kate said. “The roads are too dangerous. We’ve had people stranded in these mountains before during heavy rains. Help won’t come until the roads are passable.”
Tony glanced around the area. “I had no idea a little rain would cause this many problems.” He looked at Bobby. “Can you find that cabin from here?”
Bobby nodded. “Yeah. If we can get back to the road, we can follow it part of the way. From there, we take a path through the woods.”
Tony frowned at him. “I can’t believe someone built a cabin they couldn’t reach by car. Sounds pretty inconvenient.”
Bobby shrugged. “The owner wanted something isolated—and he got it. Built it a couple of years ago but only comes once a year to stay there. Rich people. I don’t get it. Coulda just stayed at my place and saved himself a lot of money.”
“Well, right now I’m grateful to him. Hope he won’t mind us breaking in.”
Bobby grinned. “We don’t have to. I help watch over the place and get it ready for his visits. I have the key.”
Even though their situation was still desperate, Tony smiled. “Bobby, you’re a blessing in disguise. Lead the way.”
Tony was amused to see that Bobby looked embarrassed. He really was thankful for this strange man who had turned out to be a lifesaver. If not for Bobby, Tony never would have found Kate. And now, also because of him, they could get out of the rain and into a place where they could hunker down until help came. He felt a little guilty for being suspicious of him earlier. Tony’s training had taught him not to take anyone at face value. It was a quality that could protect him—but sometimes, if he didn’t rein it in, it made it difficult to trust anyone.
“Shouldn’t we head back to town?” Kate asked, still shivering. “You drove here, right?”
Tony shook his head. “Car’s stuck in the mud. I’m afraid we can’t get it out until the rain stops and the ground dries some. Besides, if we tried, we’d be right out in the open—easy pickings. Visible if Gerard is looking for us. I think we need to get to the cabin. Look for a phone. Give ourselves a chance to regroup.”
Kate seemed to hesitate. “Okay, it’s just . . . I don’t know. I think we need people. People who can get us safely off this mountain. Who can locate Gerard.”
“Look, let’s debate this later,” Tony said. “Once we’re dry and . . .” He turned to look at Bobby. “I don’t suppose this guy has food in his cabin?”
“Yeah, there’s some food,” Bobby said. “Nothing fresh, but there’s nonperishable stuff. Most of it’s from last year, but it should be okay.”
Tony led Kate over to an old tree stump and told her to sit down. He quickly removed his shoes and socks. “I’d give you my shoes, but they’re much too big for you,” he said. “Put these socks on. They’re wet, but they’ll help to protect your feet.”
“Thanks, Tony.” She quickly pulled on the socks, then gingerly stood up.
“Lead the way, Bobby,” Tony said after he put his shoes back on. “Let’s get out of here.”
Tony put his arm around Kate so she could lean against him, and the trio began to make their way through the woods, Tony praying they could get to safety before Gerard found them.
He stood behind a tree and watched as they headed toward the cabin. Even though he’d had to adjust to unfortunate circumstances, everything was falling perfectly into place. Soon he’d have Kate all to himself.