Killing Ways Page 21

  ‘He would have had a hard time getting close to her,’ said Joe. ‘You were right before. We were all hyper-vigilant. Anna was depressed. She barely went outside the door, she just about managed to work from home. She became a recluse, almost. If she went outside, she risked having panic attacks …’

  Hmm. Depressed does not equal hyper-vigilant in my experience.

  ‘But you still went to work,’ said Ren. ‘She was alone …’

  ‘He just wouldn’t have had the balls,’ said Joe. ‘He’s a sick fuck, but he wanted to be a free sick fuck.’

  ‘Maybe something else stopped him from coming back to kill Anna,’ said Ren.

  ‘Like what?’ said Joe.

  Stop talking, stop talking.

  ‘Grace,’ said Ren. ‘Maybe Anna’s pregnancy changed something.’

  ‘Like, he didn’t want to kill a pregnant woman?’ said Joe.

  ‘Maybe pregnancy repels a man who hates his mama.’ Or maybe he wanted her to carry her baby to term, so he could wait, wait to take them both away? Your wife and your child. Then, when Anna died, he needed you to develop that bond with Grace, and take her from you when she was older? He just wants to keep causing you more pain? Take away your little girl. Your little Anna. The only physical link left.

  ‘What are you thinking?’ said Joe.

  ‘Nothing,’ said Ren.

  ‘You need to tell me if you have a theory,’ said Joe.

  ‘I don’t. I’m … processing. I presume you’ve taken steps to keep your family safe.’

  Joe had drifted somewhere deep and dark. He zoned back in. ‘Camille is not just a nanny. She’s … trained.’

  Jesus Christ.

  ‘And Shaun’s big enough and bold enough,’ said Joe. ‘He boxes.’

  ‘Oh, so do I,’ said Ren. ‘Maybe we could spar some time.’

  Joe raised his eyebrows.

  ‘What?’ said Ren. ‘He’d be too embarrassed to fight an old lady? I’d beat the shit out of him without thinking twice.’

  Joe laughed.

  Wow. He laughs.

  ‘Shaun’s a good kid,’ said Joe. ‘He turned out well. It was touch and go for a while. He’s been through a lot. He went off the rails in his teens when we came back from Ireland. He was drinking, in with the wrong crowd, we were arguing all the time. Then he just got his shit together. When we lost Anna … it was like a switch went on in his brain. Something changed in him. And Grace was a big part of that. He was crazy about her, this little baby who only had us, and he saw life in a different way, I guess.’

  ‘I’m sure you were a big part of him getting his shit together too,’ said Ren.

  ‘I don’t know,’ said Joe. ‘Do you have kids?’

  ‘I love kids, but no,’ said Ren. ‘I just get to observe.’ And make judgments.

  Shaun Lucchesi stood up when he saw Ren and Joe coming. He was dark-haired, broad, handsome, all-American, like his dad.

  ‘Shaun, this is Ren Bryce from the FBI,’ said Joe.

  Shaun shot a glance at his dad, then back at Ren. ‘Hi,’ he said, shaking her hand firmly, sullen and abrupt.

  Could use manners.

  ‘Hi, Ren!’ said Grace.

  ‘Hello there, Grace,’ said Ren. ‘Are you having fun in Denver?’

  She nodded. ‘Yes! Camille and me’ve been to lots of places. Shaun’s taking me to the movies tonight.’

  ‘Good for you,’ said Ren. How adorable: twenty-six-year-old taking his little sister out.

  Shaun picked Grace up and hugged her.

  Oh, I think your big brother adores you.

  ‘OK, let’s go get something to eat,’ said Joe. ‘Ren would you like to—’

  ‘We’re going to eat by the movie theater,’ said Shaun, setting Grace down gently.

  ‘I thought maybe we could all eat together,’ said Joe.

  ‘Nah – you two go ahead,’ said Shaun.

  You two. What the heck is he getting at?

  Joe looked embarrassed. He bent down and kissed Grace on the head. ‘Love you, sweetheart. You have fun. Popcorn only for her, Shaun. No candy. Sorry, sweetheart.’

  She flung her arms around his legs. ‘Love you, love you, love you, Daddy.’

  Joe beamed. ‘Love you way more.’

  ‘I’d love to stay for dinner,’ said Ren, ‘but I’m going to have to get back home. You guys eat together, I’ll see you tomorrow at the office.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ said Joe.

  ‘Absolutely.’

  She had a sudden flash of Grace Lucchesi. Camille. And the black shadow of Duke Rawlins behind them. Why did Joe take them along? It’s nuts.

  Ren left them, tired and drained. Janine had sent her a text.

  Think we’ll give Devin some time to rest …

  Ren texted back: OK. I’ll go see Annie and Wonderdog Misty instead. J

  Annie was thrilled to see her, and Ren quickly felt at home, and cozy, and loved. Misty nearly passed out with the excitement. Ren sat with Annie, drinking tea and chatting about her travels.

  The doorbell rang.

  ‘Let me get that,’ said Ren. ‘You stay where you are.’

  It was Devin’s ten-year-old brother holding a squishy package wrapped in white plastic.

  Ren opened the door. ‘Hey, there, Jack. Come in. How’s Devin doing?’

  ‘Hey, Ren. Mom saw your car, told me to come over. She says she’s sorry she’s too tired. Devin’s doing just fine, thank you!’ He beamed the family smile – wide, and extra curled up at the edges.

  ‘That’s good to hear,’ said Ren.

  He held out the package. ‘Mom said to give you this, and that she’s really sorry.’

  Ren frowned. ‘About what?’

  ‘Thanks!’ said Jack. ‘Bye!’ He turned and ran.

  ‘Thanks, Jack!’ said Ren. ‘Tell your mom thanks.’

  She opened the package. She recognized her black Marmot rain jacket. It was folded up with an envelope on top. She put the envelope aside, and shook out the jacket. It was shredded in three places.

  What happened here?

  She opened the envelope. It was a $100 store voucher for REI.

  What the what?

  Ren called Devin’s mom. ‘It’s Ren, Liz – what’s this voucher about?’

  ‘Oh, hi, Ren. Did Jack not explain? Devin was wearing your jacket the day of the accident – the one she borrowed a while back. That’s a good jacket, Ren. I hope you can replace it.’

  ‘Liz, you shouldn’t have. Poor Dev. I hope she wasn’t worrying about my jacket in the middle of all this. I can’t accept this.’

  ‘I’m afraid you have no choice,’ said Liz. ‘Do you have any word on the driver?’

  ‘No,’ said Ren. ‘Nothing. Unfortunately, there are a lot of kids joyriding, and fleeing the scenes of accidents …’

  ‘It’s terrible,’ said Liz. She paused. ‘I just want to say thank you for everything you do for Devin. She loves you. You’re the big sister she never had.’

  Ren laughed. ‘Well, we have been mistaken for sisters at the park a few times, which I take as a huge compliment. Really, it’s just the long dark hair …’

  A shiver ran down Ren’s spine. Oh. My. God. This wasn’t an accident at all. This was deliberate. She was wearing my jacket. Someone thought Devin was me.

  42

  He was a hunter. He understood camouflage. When he stepped out of the car, he looked like all the other regular men who parked here, got out of their cars, and went through their stretches. It was a very nice neighborhood, and he made sure that he looked like a very nice man.

  He watched as she set out on her run. She was fit-mom pretty. It was clear she looked after herself. She wouldn’t be doing this at eight a.m. if she didn’t. High, blonde ponytail swishing back and forth, swimmer’s shoulders, tanned skin, sweet tight ass.

  He bet her husband slammed that every night. Most men would love a chance at that ass.

  He began to run behind her. Though she was fit, he could tell
that her heart wasn’t in it. Her shoulders were a little too low, she wasn’t raising her knees very high. She could trip if she wasn’t careful.

  Just as he said it, she fell. He was amazed. He felt a surge of power. He heard her say to herself out loud, ‘Seriously? Seriously? You have got to be kidding me.’

  He looked around. There was no one in sight. Not one person.

  He crouched down beside her. ‘Are you OK?’ He reached out a gloved hand.

  She looked up, tears in her eyes. She grabbed his hand and let him pull her up.

  ‘Ugh,’ she said. ‘I don’t think the gods are smiling down on me at the moment.’ She wiped her tears away. ‘Thank you, thanks.’

  ‘Is anything broken?’ he said.

  ‘No,’ she said. ‘Just a little sprain, and a grazed knee. I’ll live to fight another day. Thanks, again.’

  She was nodding her dismissal.

  He just stared at her. There was a tiny flicker on her face.

  ‘Karen?’ he said.

  She tried to withdraw her hand. He wouldn’t let her.

  ‘Karen Dettling?’ he said. He reached into his pocket. ‘Your husband and I go back a long way …’

  43

  Ren went into Safe Streets at eight a.m. and called Glenn Buddy.

  ‘It’s Ren – did you get anything on that hit-and-run driver?’

  ‘Nada,’ said Glenn. ‘Not yet.’

  ‘She was wearing my jacket at the time, Glenn – she has the same dark shoulder-length hair. She was walking Misty on the street where I used to live. You heard Joe Lucchesi – Rawlins is targeting law enforcement. I’m worried, this was meant for me. If Rawlins was working on old information on where I live …’

  ‘Sounds to me like Rawlins is not the type to leave a job unfinished,’ said Glenn.

  ‘That’s my concern,’ said Ren. ‘What if he comes back again? Devin is only—’

  ‘Ren, my dear, if he comes back again, it’ll be you he targets. And he won’t miss. So, relax.’

  ‘Thanks, Glenn. Thanks for that.’

  Joe Lucchesi appeared in the bullpen.

  ‘Morning,’ he said.

  ‘Hey,’ said Ren. ‘Did you enjoy your evening?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Joe. ‘I went to the movie in the end, took my mind off everything for a couple hours.’

  ‘I bet it didn’t take your mind off anything,’ said Ren.

  Joe paused. Then nodded. ‘No. You’re right.’ He walked out of the room.

  Ren looked at Everett. ‘He’s a cheery fellow.’

  She went to the kitchen to make coffee. Gary was standing at the machine. She told him about Devin.

  ‘That’s not Rawlins’ style. You know it isn’t.’

  ‘I hope it isn’t,’ said Ren. ‘But what if he’s targeting people who mean something to people? I don’t have kids or close family in Denver.’

  ‘This is a hit-and-run,’ said Gary. ‘Nothing more exciting than that.’ He poured her coffee. ‘So,’ he said, ‘what do you make of Joe Lucchesi?’

  ‘He’s intense,’ said Ren. ‘Abrupt. But very good. He’s cold, though.’

  ‘He’s had a hard time of it,’ said Gary. ‘I’m guessing he had a very different pre-Duke Rawlins’ life.’

  ‘It’s so depressing.’

  ‘And it’s exactly why you cannot, under any circumstances, personally engage Duke Rawlins if you don’t have to …’

  Of course I have to. It’s irrefuckingsistible not to. It’s Duke Rawlins, for fuck’s sake. It’s the Greatest Psycho on Earth.

  Gary’s cell phone started to ring.

  ‘It’s Claire,’ he said. ‘I better take it.’

  Ren went into the bullpen. By the time she sat down at her desk, Gary was calling her to come to his office.When she walked in, he was ghostly.

  ‘Karen didn’t come back from her run this morning,’ he said.

  Oh. Fuck.

  ‘I’ve no way of contacting her, because she doesn’t carry her cell when she runs – she lost her armband.’

  ‘I’m sure it’s nothing,’ said Ren. ‘She probably met a friend, got stuck into a conversation, lost track of time – it happens.’

  He looked at her like he wanted to believe her. They stared at each other. Ren wondered if they were thinking the same thing.

  Duke Rawlins.

  Then Ren wondered if they shared the same follow-up thought.

  What if Karen’s found out about the affair? Because if we put out a BOLO for Karen Dettling and it turns out she’s running away from her cheating FBI agent husband in the middle of a serial killer investigation, well …

  ‘Where does she normally go running?’ said Ren. ‘Can we go check wherever that is?’

  ‘I’ll call around her friends,’ said Gary.

  When Cheating Attacks.

  Fifteen minutes later, Gary called Ren and Joe into his office.

  ‘That was her,’ he said. ‘I got hold of her. She’s OK. She’s fine.’ His voice cracked.

  ‘Oh, thank God,’ said Ren.

  Joe was perplexed. Gary explained what had happened.

  Safe to explain to him now you know it wasn’t your cheating that caused this.

  ‘It’s not good, guys. It’s … Duke Rawlins.’

  ‘What?’ said Joe.

  What?

  Gary let out a breath, struggled to compose himself.

  ‘Take your time,’ said Ren.

  ‘Karen was running in the park,’ said Gary. ‘She fell and this guy who had been running behind her stopped and helped her up. She said he seemed like a regular guy. But then he called her Karen, said he and “her husband” went a long way back. Then he gave her an envelope, and ran back to wherever he came from. When he was gone, she looked at it, and it had your name on it.’ He pointed to Joe.

  ‘My name?’ said Joe.

  ‘What the fuck?’ said Ren. ‘Where is it?’

  ‘I’m going home now to get it,’ said Gary. ‘I told her to put it into a paper bag.’

  Joe was stunned. ‘Is your wife OK?’

  ‘She’s very shaken,’ said Gary. ‘But she’ll be fine. She’s made of strong stuff.’

  Not from what I saw.

  ‘He didn’t hurt her …’ said Joe.

  ‘No,’ said Gary.

  There was a short silence.

  Are we all thinking how Anna Lucchesi was not so fortunate?

  ‘Is there anything I can do?’ said Ren.

  ‘Yeah …’ said Joe.

  ‘No,’ said Gary. ‘Thank you both. I’ll check on things at home, bring you back the letter.’

  44

  Gary arrived back within the hour, and handed Joe the envelope from Duke Rawlins. Joe opened it with a gloved hand and looked inside. There was a second envelope with a single sheet of paper in it. He pulled it out. He looked up, confused.

  What is it?

  ‘Well, that’s my wife’s signature,’ said Joe. ‘It’s a FedEx shipment slip, dated, like, seven years ago. Why is Duke Rawlins sending me this?’

  Ren handed him two evidence bags – he put the slip inside one and the envelope inside the other.

  ‘Does it say what she was signing for?’ said Ren.

  ‘No,’ said Joe. ‘It was after we came back from Ireland – Anna was working from home most of the time, she was always getting deliveries to the house of interiors things. I don’t know why this one matters.’

  Ren read the slip. ‘I would venture this is just his way of fucking with you, just his way of letting you know he went through your garbage once … or got into your house.’

  Joe shook his head. ‘There is no way he could have gotten into my house. Anna was on high alert. She knew what he looked like, obviously. She wouldn’t have opened the door to him.’

  ‘If he was in a FedEx uniform with a baseball cap pulled down over his eyes?’ said Ren.

  ‘That would have looked weird to her,’ said Joe. ‘She wouldn’t have fallen for that.’

  Ren ha
nded the slip to Everett. ‘I’ll see if I can get anything else on this,’ he said.

  Oh. Fuck. ‘Is it … could it be his way of letting you know if he got that close before, he could do it again?’ Like now? With Grace?

  ‘I’d like to see him try,’ said Joe.

  ‘What’s security like at your hotel?’ said Everett.

  ‘Tight,’ said Joe. ‘But it’s a hotel. There are ways and means. But, like I said, I’m not so worried about him coming after me there.’

  Really?!

  ‘There are three options,’ said Ren. ‘We track Duke Rawlins down, Duke Rawlins comes our way, or …’

  Ren locked eyes with Joe. Or we draw him our way. I know you know what I’m thinking.

  ‘There is just one option,’ said Gary. ‘We track the motherfucker down.’

  ‘We need to work out where his head is at,’ said Ren. ‘Who are the people who might still be significant in his life, for better or worse? We have his mother’s husband, Vincent Farraday, who he no doubt despises. I’m sure he feels the same way about the Farraday twins – Chloe and Robin. We have Rawlins’ ex-wife Samantha “Sammi” Rawlins, we have Geoff Riggs, father of Donald Riggs.’

  ‘The Riggs family is hugely significant to Duke Rawlins’ life,’ said Joe. ‘They were very close. The Riggs house was a refuge for Rawlins in many ways, which, when you consider that Geoff Riggs was a hard core alcoholic, is quite something. I don’t know if Rawlins would still consider it a safe place to go if he was in trouble, but I do know that he has gone back to visit Geoff Riggs in the past.’

  Ren went into the bullpen. Janine was sitting at her desk, doing her frowny staring at the screen. Ren filled her in on Karen and the letter for Joe Lucchesi.

  ‘That is bizarre,’ said Janine.

  ‘I know.’

  ‘I’m scheduling a few things for tomorrow,’ said Ren. ‘Am I right in saying you have a day off?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Janine. ‘A most welcome one.’

  ‘Have you plans?’

  ‘I do. I’m meeting Terri for lunch, we might do a little shopping, nothing crazy.’