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She swallowed hard at that statement. She didn’t want to come off as some damsel in distress though. She needed to feel somewhat in control here.
“Why not have some of the local detectives and their protective custody program watch over me? Why you, an outsider and independent investigator? Do you think something fishy is going on around here and perhaps this is an inside job with other agendas?”
Sandman squinted his eyes at her. Donald cleared his throat.
“Grace, some of the same ideas were tossed around between myself, Jim, and Sandman only yesterday. We just don’t know and we’re being extra cautious. He’ll take care of you. Jim and Pete agreed. Pete’s known Sandman’s brothers for years,” Donald told her and she knew he was trying to ease her concerns.
“We’re discussing and investigating many possibilities. The truth of the matter is, Grace, as we keep digging, we keep finding similar connections and murders that have taken place around the country. By the end of this week we could be looking at over twenty-five connected homicides. Not all of them have been women, but they show similarities that myself and the other detectives are not willing to dismiss as a connection of some sort,” Sandman told her.
She was shocked and so was Donald as he leaned forward in his chair.
“When did this come about?” Donald asked.
“We started making the connections before visiting Grace at her mom’s house. Then more information came available in New York and Pennsylvania. It looks like this individual has been killing in various ways for more than a decade. Unfortunately it’s taken this long to link all of the murders. There also seems to be some sort of connection to illegal business dealings but I’d rather not divulge unproven information at this time. We’re looking into it.”
“How come the government can’t come up with some kind of profile for this killer? Don’t you have an idea of his type of personality, possible lifestyle, an age or profession he may be in? I thought that was part of a government agent’s job. Investigate personalities by putting information in your complicated, hi-tech computers that spit out lists of suspects or potential criminals. How could someone get away with this for so long?” she asked in annoyance.
“First, Grace, I’m not a government agent. I’m what local authorities and the government call in when there’s an investigation with this magnitude and no exact leads in a case. It’s my specialty. So you understand, Grace, it doesn’t matter what type of profile we come up with or what information is spit out of our computers. The fact of the matter is, you’re our only clue and I’m not letting you out of my sight,” Sandman told her as someone else knocked on the door.
Detective Jim Warner came to the door just as Grace’s cell phone rang. She answered it and began speaking to her mother.
Grace told her what was going on and about staying in a safe location. Sandman stopped her from telling her mother exactly where they would be. Grace was annoyed with him but respected his advice, not telling her mom too much. The investigator seemed like he didn’t want to take any chances at all.
She tried to focus on her mom’s questions as she stared at the cabinet behind Donald’s desk. It appeared that he had gained some awards in the community over the years and was involved in politics now, too. Some sort of new building and affordable housing award was displayed in the center of the other awards. Donald had always had a big heart and enjoyed volunteering at community centers and fundraising for the poor. She figured that he must have helped raise money for the new affordable housing neighborhood being constructed about a half mile from Grace’s mom’s house.
“What do you mean a safe place? Can’t I see you? Where are you going to be?” her mom asked her, bringing her back to the conversation.
“I can’t say, Mom. They want me to be protected and I suppose I won’t be able to see you. I’m sure I can call you or something.” Grace glanced at Sandman, who nodded then continued his conversation with Jim. The man was somehow able to converse with Donald and Jim while also eavesdropping on her phone call with her mother. Geesh, the man was good at his job.
“I can’t believe this is happenin
g. I finally have you home again where you belong and this happens. I’m so scared and so worried about you. Oh God,” her mom said as she began to cry.
“Oh, Mom, don’t cry…please…it will be okay,” Grace said and she noticed that Donald appeared upset and Sandman looked at her, too. She turned away.
“It will be all right, Mom. Investigator Sandstone is very special. The departments and the government know that this is a unique situation and so they sent in the best. I think he’s a trained killer, you know. Most of his file is classified, spy-like stuff. It will be like being with 007 and the Terminator at the same time.” She joked around with her mom, trying to make her laugh, and hoped that the investigator couldn’t hear her. She didn’t want him to think that she was impressed with him. When she heard her mom sniffle then giggle, Grace felt a bit of relief.
“Oh, Grace. I love you honey. Please be safe.”
“I will, Mom, I love you, too,” Grace said and hung up the phone.
Grace paused for a moment, closing her eyes, picturing her mom inside her head. Why was this happening to her family? Why did she come back to America? Right now she should be making plans with her family to celebrate, spend time together, and get to know everyone again. She needed to contact her boss, set up some small jobs, and prepare for the big photo shoot she had in a few weeks. There was so much going on in her life right now. This was supposed to be a positive time and someone was out to destroy her and her family.
Just then her cell phone rang again. She looked at Sandman and Donald who seemed concerned from her previous conversation and she answered.
“Hello.”
“Miss Thompson, this is Brian Watson with People of Houston Eyewitness News. I’d like to set up an interview with you and perhaps your family in regards to some information we received from one of our sources. We were told that the serial killer has tried to contact you and even sent physical evidence to your brother’s house where you have been staying. Is this true, Miss Thompson? And if so do you know who the serial killer is? And what does he want with you?”
Grace didn’t know how to respond. He was speaking so quickly. She looked toward Sandman and Donald as she asked the caller, “Who is this?”
“Give me the phone, Grace,” Sandman told her as he took the phone from her hand.
“Miss Thompson has no comment at this time. Please don’t call this number again,” Sandman said then hung up the phone. He asked what the reporter had said and she told him. She asked how the reporter was able to get her unlisted number.
“I don’t know how he got the number, but I’m going to have to hold onto this for now.” Sandman took the phone and placed it into his back pocket.
“What? Now you’re going to screen my calls, too?” she asked, all annoyed.
