Inside the cubby was a journal, a whetstone, and—wrapped in a microfiber polishing cloth—a short-handledpugio.Kate pulled the knife out and removed the polishing cloth.The knife had been cleaned, and the blade gleamed dully in the light, but flecks of blood remained on the hilt.
Kate’s heart leaped with satisfaction.They’d caught her in time.If her knife was here, then Emily Warren wasn’t out there murdering anyone else.
She smiled at Marcus and saw the same relief on his face.“Well, looks like you were worried for nothing, Kitty.”
“Because I’m so relieved, I won’t turn your head inside out for calling me Kitty,” Kate replied.“Iwillhand this to you and ask you to send someone to get that blood tested to confirm it matches at least one of our victims.”
“Will do, Kitty-cat.”
“Don’t push it.”
Kate lifted the journal from the cubby and opened it.The first page revealed stenographer’s shorthand, the same style used at each crime scene.
The journal was new, the leather still taut and free of stress cracks.At first glance, Kate could only make out portions of the script, but what she could read revealed the depths of Emily’s insanity.
And her obsession with Cox.
“God will recompense on his own head the wicked.God is good and just.God is right to do this.”
“The Lawgiver is God’s instrument.I am God’s tool.The Lawgiver speaksinthrough me.Not my will but thine be done.”
“I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and God please, oh, it’s so good but it’s not, and my soul give to you all to you, why and the blade pierces so deep, and the blood, and oh, it’s good, but it’s not, and sinner!I am a sinner going to hell.”
Near the end was a more tragic entry, slightly more coherent and self-aware than the others.
“The Lawgiver has ruined me.He has used me as a scapegoat to accomplish what he couldn’t.He has sacrificed my soul to save his.He lies, but he still speaks God’s truth.”
After that were three pages of repeated phrases begging God to spare her this cup ending with an ink blotch where her pen had broken.
She folded the journal and was about to hand it to another officer to be booked into evidence when she saw a corner of paper sticking out of the back.She pulled it, and it came out, then tore slightly.She cursed and opened the journal to find a small slit in the back cover where that paper had been folded and placed inside.She used her own knife to carefully widen the hole, then pulled the paper the rest of the way out.
Though not much older than the journal, the paper showed more damage.Aside from the tear Kate had just given it, the creases were frayed from being folded and unfolded many times and browned as though they’d been held to an open flame.When she opened it, she discovered a small hole that had indeed been caused by flame.
When she saw the handwriting inside the note, her throat closed.The words written inside weren’t stenography but plain English, and the handwriting wasn’t Emily’s but a far more recognizable script that Kate knew instantly.
The signature at the bottom was genuine.
My Disciple,
To say I do not envy the task set before you is an understatement.And yet, I admire you for the trust God has placed in you to carry out this most important task.I admit I was surprised when it was revealed to me that you had been chosen for this purpose, but God’s wisdom is unfathomable.We must trust Him that all steps He takes are for the furthering of His will and the establishing of His kingdom.
I won’t offer false consolation or false hope.You know the penalty you will pay for carrying out this task.God’s commandments are inviolate.His choice to use you to correct the error of the sixth commandment does not preclude you from the judgment you will earn by breaking it in its correction.I will only say that I am proud of you.So, few could do what I know you will do without hesitation.
And should Satan fill you with fear, remember this.God asks the greatest sacrifices of His greatest servants.Your name may not be written in the Book of Life, but God will remember you for your actions even if the rest of His kingdom is fated to forget.
Yours for as long as God wills it,
The Lawgiver
Kate finally drew in breath, a ragged gasp that caused the officers in the room to look at her with concern.“You all right?”one of them asked.
She swallowed and nodded.“Yes,” she said, a little hoarsely.That wasn’t entirely true, but she didn’t feel like explaining the truth right now.
She folded the letter and asked for a plastic evidence bag.Once the letter and journal were carefully placed inside, she got to her feet and said, “Okay.We’ll keep a pair of officers here in case she returns before she’s caught.The rest of us can go back to the precinct until we hear—”
Marcus burst into the apartment just as one of the officer’s radios crackled.“Kate, they found her.”
“What?”
