“Sheriff Vang.”
“Fwam, it’s Cole. I’m headed your way.”
“Cool. We have the church diagram pretty much filled in.” He hesitated then before adding, “I penciled in me, Mary, and the kids. We came in ten minutes early and all the pews were already taken. We stood up in the back of church. So, I was standing the whole time. I know how that must look…”
“It looks like you were in Mass that Sunday along with a lot of other people. I know you, Fwam, and I don’t see you as a suspect. Plus, I think the killer misled us with the boots he wore for the Martin murder.”
“What do you mean?”
Cole filled Fwam in on his theory that the killer took out the liners of the winter boots he wore in an effort to mislead. He thought the killer might be five-six to five-eight or so and in the neighborhood of one hundred and fifty pounds. “Sorry, buddy, but you aren’t that tall or that svelte.”
“Hell, it was damn cold the night Martin was shot. You’d have to be a tough son of a bitch to sit there with nothing between your feet and the frost but a little rubber and a thin pair of socks. You could get frostbite and maybe lose a couple toes.”
“I’ve been thinking about that. I’m convinced the killer is in law enforcement. We got another email from him that reinforces that. I also believe the killer was in St. Gabriel’s for that Christmas sermon. And now I’m convinced the guy is five foot seven and one fifty give or take. Remind you of anyone?”
Fwam blurted, “Randall Hubbard. My deputy.”
“It fits. When he picked us up at the airport, he had on big orthopedic shoes and kind of shuffled. He had either just shined the hell out of those shoes or they were brand new. Has he always worn big, cushiony shoes like that?”
“Come to think of it, no. I mean, I don’t go around looking at people’s shoes all the time, but I’d notice that. Plus, there’s never been anything wrong with the way Deputy Hubbard walks. If he’s shuffling now, it means something’s afoot.”
“Pun intended?”
“What?”
“Never mind.”
“Damn. I hope you’re wrong about this,” Fwam said. “Hubbard’s not the most social guy, but he’s smart, tough, and loyal. He’s had my back in more than a few bad situations over the years and he was always rock solid. No weak knees with Randall when the shit hit the fan.”
“Which means he’s got all the makings of our killer. The guy who took down Drs. Smith, Martin, and Sadana was smart and wicked tough. Loyal? That’s probably a good description, too. He’s loyal to his cause and to the God he believes called him to this work. But we have to stop him .”
“Yeah. You know, you said a minute ago you think the killer is in law enforcement and that’s got me thinking. Specifically, I’m thinking about the deer blood. You wouldn’t have to kill a deer with a bow or rifle to get your hands on deer blood if you’re in law enforcement around here. There are twenty thousand car, deer collisions in the state every year. This past year we had one hundred here in Crawford County alone. My guys get called out to the scene typically. The driver who hits the deer can legally claim it these days, but they rarely do. So a lot of time it’s officers like Randall or me who end up gutting the deer and either keeping it or giving it to our local food pantry. If he wanted to save deer blood over the past month he would’ve had opportunity.” He sighed. “What do you need me to do?”
“I’m going to be there in less than an hour and a half,” Cole said. “Check your payroll and see if the deputy was off on the days of the three murders. Then bring Chief Mara and the State Troopers up to date. In an hour, quietly pull together eight or so of the best officers you have combined. Wait for me at the courthouse. I think Hubbard is still on the road, thirty minutes or so outside of Prairie. Don’t call him. If he comes into the courthouse then see if you can take him into custody without anyone getting hurt. But I don’t see him making it easy for us.”