“I just don’t see how this tragedy rates an FBI investigation,” Ray said.“My initial investigation found no reason to suspect this was anything more than a burglary gone wrong.”
Kate regarded Ray and decided that some stereotypes still held true.Detective Ray Morrow was a bull of a man, an inch taller than Marcus and a good forty pounds heavier.Most of that was fat, but his hands were the size of Thanksgiving turkeys, and the callouses on the fingertips hinted at real strength underneath the bulk.He had a handlebar mustache that connected to mutton chops.No beard.The facial hair and the head hair were the same shade of polished stainless steel, though most of the head hair was hidden underneath a wide-brimmed cowboy hat.He looked exactly the way Kate would imagine a grumpy, old-fashioned middle-aged cop looked.
“You have that in common with the local departments in four other cities, Detective Morrow,” Marcus replied.“It wasn’t until the sixth victim exhibiting the same pattern that someone got wise to the fact that we’re dealing with a serial killer.”
“What pattern?Breaking and entering?Manual strangulation?That’s too many murders to count!”
“These particular scenes are unique in two ways,” Kate explained.“First, they all occurred in dioceses where a visiting priest was recently in the area, and second, the killer is leaving an object at each scene positioned to send a message.”
“What message?”
“We believe it’s related to the eighth commandment,” Kate replied.
“Like the ten commandments?”
“Exactly.”
“Which one’s the eighth?”
“Thou shalt not steal.”
A flash of triumph crossed Morrow’s face.He lifted his chin and folded his arms over his chest.“Well, we ran Mr.Delaney’s background.He has no criminal record.”
His eyes flicked to the left when he said that.Kate held his gaze.“You’re certain of that?”
“I am.”
“Nothing sealed or expunged?”
“Well, if it’s expunged, then by definition, it wouldn’t be on his record.”
“So sealed then.”
Morrow shot daggers at her.“I’m not opening a sealed record.”
“You sure are.”
“No, I’m…” Morrow rolled his eyes.“Respectfully, ma’am, I don’t believe this case warrants a federal investigation.”
Marcus lost his patience.“Okay, so we’ll look around, decide, ‘Oh gosh, looks like there’s nothing here,’ then move on.Or we’ll find something, and maybe it’ll help us find a serial killer.Why is this such a big deal?”
Morrow flashed Marcus a look he probably thought was mean but came across as petulant.“We like handling our own problems here.We don’t like Washington meddling in our business.”
“Well, you’re in luck,” Kate said.“We’re from Portland, Maine.”Before Morrow could work that thought out in his head, she added, “I want to look at that sealed record.”
“You’ll have to talk to the court, then,” Morrow replied stiffly.“As far as I’m concerned, this case is closed.”
Kate glared at Morrow, but if Morrow wasn’t willing to budge, Kate couldn’t force him, and in the case of a sealed record, she couldn’t claim obstruction.She made no attempt to hide the sarcasm in her voice when she said, “Thank you for your time, detective.”
Outside, Marcus asked, “Wonder what stick crawled up his ass and died?”
Kate chuckled.“I don’t think that’s the phrase you’re looking for.”
“It’s exactly the phrase I’m looking for.The guy acts like we’re here specifically to make sure he loses his job.”
“Maybe he thinks he will.People don’t like hearing that their local police department dismissed a case that turned out to be a notorious serial killer.”
“Well, heshouldlose his job.”Marcus sighed.“And I guess we should head to the courthouse.”
