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“What are we going to do next?” asked Peter.
“Let’s find Eric and ask him a few questions about Donald’s behavior the other day. Then I’ll start talking to his family and close friends. Maybe he had another place to go to. I’ll get his mom’s number in Pennsylvania. I’m sure Lancaster has already got her place swarming with agents,” Frank added. Both men went their separate ways, hoping their baby sister would arrive safely.
* * * *
Donald was beginning to regain consciousness. His arms were tied tightly behind his back and his legs were tied together with masking tape. The pain in his shoulders and back was excruciating and his vision was blurred as he tried to regain his bearings. He wondered where he was and how he got there? The last thing he remembered was going outside to throw the garbage out, then the sharp pain in the back of his head, which radiated to his neck and shoulders. Then it hit him.
“The killer,” he said out loud and wondered if anyone knew where he was. Who was the killer and what did he want with him? He asked himself numerous questions as his head throbbed with pain.
Now that he didn’t show up for questioning, Lancaster would think that he was the serial killer. “Damn it,” he said out loud again.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t spend my last hours before committing suicide cursing and damning everything.” The voice came out of nowhere. Then suddenly Donald focused on the silhouette image behind the sheer curtain. “Who are you? Why are you talking about suicide?” Donald demanded as he tried to break the restraints around his wrists.
“You couldn’t take the fact that you
have murdered so many innocent women, especially that female police officer. Then of course you tortured your own daughter-in-law. Your son would hate you forever for doing that. Finally you killed Grace and there was no reason to continue to live. It’s all in the letter you wrote, Donald. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already?” the voice asked sarcastically.
“Whoever you are you’re not going to pin these murders on me. You don’t even have Grace. She’s safe and somewhere you will never find her.”
“You’ve been resting, Donald, so you haven’t heard the latest news. Grace has escaped the protection of one, Special Investigator Sandstone. She’s traveling alone in disguise, I assume in order to avoid being captured by agents. She will find you, the serial killer, and I will be here waiting for her,” the voice said.
“No way, asshole. You’ll never get away with this. Grace will not come he…” Donald was about to say “here” when he realized where he was. Donald looked up toward the curtain where the real serial killer stood, and as he did, the figure appeared. Donald was shocked to see his face.
“No…it can’t be…No!” Donald yelled and the killer laughed, as if excited and invigorated after revealing himself.
Chapter 17
Sandman, Duke, and Jay arrived at the precinct receiving police escorts as they pushed their way through the crowd of people and reporters. Grace’s escape had made the news. Now everyone knew she was missing and began to assume the serial killer had her. Questions were being thrown at them about Donald and the rest of the Thompson family. It was a zoo outside, and finally Sandman and his brothers were inside. They immediately headed upstairs to the main conference room where Agent Lancaster, the captain, Frank, John, and other brass were gathered for updates and new information.
“You got through that mess huh?” asked Frank as he shook Sandman’s hand and then his brothers’ as Sandman introduced them.
“It’s crazy out there. How long has this been going on?” Sandman asked.
“Since you let our only fucking clue escape your personal custody!” yelled Lancaster. The room became silent.
Sandman knew Lancaster well. One glance around the room showed it was obvious that the agent wasn’t well liked.
“I didn’t let her escape. She’s one very stubborn, determined young lady who doesn’t easily take no for an answer,” Sandman said and hoped Lancaster would drop it.
“Yeah, well, if she dies, it’s on your conscience, not mine,” Lancaster snapped back then turned around, giving Sandman his back.
“Don’t listen to him. We don’t blame you one bit,” said Frank. “We know our sister, and when she’s determined to do something, she does it. There still hasn’t been any sign of her. Whether she took a train or a bus, she would be here by now. I just know it.”
“She has probably seen the news broadcasts and knows to stay clear of town and out of sight,” added John.
“I hope you’re both right about this. I know we’ll all feel better once we hear from her,” Sandman added.
“She’s one tough cookie your sister. She’s really smart and aware of the danger she’s in. She only left because she didn’t want anyone else to get hurt. She feels responsible,” Duke told her brothers and they understood completely. A few hours later Sandman, Duke, Jay, Frank, and John sat in Donald’s office hoping to hear from Grace. They’d heard about numerous false sightings of both Grace and Donald and knew time was running out.
John called his mother to see how she was holding up. Peter and the family were staying with her to keep her company.
“Eric still hasn’t come home, Johnny. I’m beginning to worry now. Have you seen him or heard from him?” Sarah asked. Eric hadn’t called her all day, and Richie, the teenage boy who helped run the hardware store, said Eric never came into work. Richie also said his girlfriend Michelle was missing. She hadn’t shown up at her job either. Sarah told the story to John and he said he would check into it.
“Mom said Eric hasn’t come home yet, and when she called the hardware store, Richie said Eric never came to work today,” John told the others.
“Oh shit. This is not good,” said Frank, thinking something bad could have happened to Eric as well.
“It gets worse. Richie said his girlfriend Michelle never arrived at work yesterday either,” John added.
