Page 173 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Two

Speaking with Robertson, Jackson made it clear that theywould be looking into his family’s tomb further, with or without hispermission. And that it would be extremely helpful if he came out to possiblysave a lot of disruption to the tomb.

Jackson heard the man swearing at him before the call ended.

Calling Jefferson Moore was a bit different.

“I can’t wait to get back in that tomb!” the man told him.“So cool.”

“Great guy,” Brodie said sarcastically after Jackson endedthe call. “Murders are taking place, but visiting a tomb sounds like greatfun.”

Jackson looked over at him. “Whatever gets him there.”

* * * *

“Oh, my God. You’re here! I’m so glad to see you.”Debbie Nolan hugged Angela as if she were a long lost and beloved relative.

Angela hugged her in return. “Hey, it’s okay. I assume theytold you we found Officer Owen Whittaker. He’s going to make it.”

Debbie nodded, looking worried. “Yes, yes, but he doesn’tknow what happened, either. Well, I guess my house was easy enough to get into,but nobody will be getting in here with the gate and the alarm and the dooralarm and... it’s great when the dogs are here, too.But... hey, I wanted a visit from you more than anyone else.”

“The Krewe is a unique unit of law enforcement,” Angelaassured her. “Each of our agents is excellent, qualified, and talented, and youare in the best hands possible with any of our people watching over you.”

“I’m sure. I just... I just wanted you. Anyway, I think Ishould buy a dog. A big dog like one of the guys your agents have. A bigDoberman, maybe. Or a Great Dane or an Irish wolfhound. What do you think?”

“I think it’s a great idea if you want to take care of adog,” Angela said.

“I was going to make tea. Would you like some?” Debbieasked.

“All right. But, Debbie, what we really need to do is talk.I’d like to get you to lie down and close your eyes. Then I’ll ask you somequestions and tell you to think not just visually but with allof your senses. I keep thinking if the killer is coming after you, hethinks you know more than you do.”

“It’s not just random?” Debbie said.

“No. We got a shooter yesterday who was full of drugs lacedwith fentanyl. And when we found Officer Whittaker, he had drugs and fentanylin his system, too.”

“So, other than cops, this guy goes after junkies?”

“Maybe. Or maybe those who have helped him, who aren’t sohelpful anymore. We believe they intended for the shooter in the woods to dieafter he created the chaos.”

“And you found Owen Whittaker.”

“We did.” Angela frowned. She’d just told her that.

“No, no. You found Officer Whittaker. Inthat tree! Who knows to find someone in a tree?” Debbie said, shaking her headwith admiration.

“The important thing is that he is safe and well.”

“Yeah, but he doesn’t know what happened.” She’d mentionedthat already, too. Angela tried to keep her expression blank.

“This is crazy. I don’t know how he was taken. He doesn’tknow how he was taken. There was a car, the car was abandoned, and he was in atree.” Debbie shook her head and headed into the kitchen. Angela followed,watching her put the kettle on to boil.

“We’ll find out. Our people are there today with the dogs,tearing through the forest. Oh, and we dug up more older victims of whoever ourunknown killer is. We are getting closer and closer. We will have answerssoon.”

“I believe in you,” Debbie said. “Would you grab some cups?They’re up in there on the left. Oh.” She laughed. “You probably know. This isyour safe house.”

“I do know. And sure,” Angela said,reaching for the cups.

Her hand raked over something sharp, and she frowned, lookingdown at her palm. No big mark, just a little scratch. She ignored it and said,“It’s not so much believing in me. There is a whole system at work. Severalteams are working different angles. And, in allhonesty, that’s why I’m here. Don’t get me wrong, we seriously care about yoursafety. But we do need something from you. Special Agent Patrick Law is alsoDoctor Law. He specializes in... listening to and understanding people. Hebelieves we didn’t get everything we might be able to get from you.”

“I thought... I thought they figured out it was drugsmugglers or something. I don’t do drugs.”