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25
After Harrison and Karen briefed the teams about the discovery of the fifth body, Logan and Alex headed to the hotel the FBI had booked for them. Monty had his own car rental and said he’d be returning to the hotel soon.
Alex was more concerned about the sixth sacrifice than the last one. It was important to Walker. He wouldn’t risk choosing a woman he wasn’t convinced was a virgin. Would he really kill a child, then? But how could he when he had two of his own? She started bouncing scenarios off Logan, trying to open up the possibilities.
“What about nuns?” she asked.
“Yeah, but some of them decide to be nuns after living rather promiscuous lives, right?”
Alex looked over at him. “How would I know? Are you asking me that because I’m a woman?” He’d looked at her with surprise, and she felt bad that her joke had upset him. “I’m not being serious,” she said, “and I have no idea. It’s certainly a possibility, though. Surely he’d have the same question.”
“I’m still afraid he’ll choose a child,” Logan said. “Harrison asked the local police to issue a warning to local schools.”
“If that gets out...”
“The press will cause a panic.” He shrugged. “But if it saves a life, I can live with that.”
“But it might also cause Walker to leave town and hunt somewhere else. And if that happens we could lose him.”
Logan looked over at her. “We can’t be absolutely sure he’s near Kansas City, can we?”
“That’s true, but most serial killers live near or in their comfort zones. You know that.”
“Yeah.” Logan stopped at a red light. “What about the new letter? Have you come up with anything else that will help us?”
“No, but Harrison has people looking through The Book, trying to find that passage. We should know more tomorrow.”
“‘The Master selects a young woman, a virgin washed in blood....’” Logan shook his head. “You know, when a person becomes a Christian, we say they’re ‘washed in the blood.’ Of course, we’re talking about someone who receives the forgiveness of Christ and has become new inside.”
“So if a prostitute became a Christian, she would be seen as a virgin?”
“Actually, yes. Once someone gives their life to Christ, they receive His righteousness and become a new creation.” He cleared his throat. “But why would someone like Walker believe that?”
“Right. Based on what his coworker said, we know he hates Christians. In his mind, they’re the enemy. They compete with his ... religion.” She gasped slightly. “That new creation thing would put someone like Jimmy right in Walker’s cross hairs, wouldn’t it?”
“As the virgin?” Logan asked dryly.
“Hardly. But if he finds out Jimmy lied about why he quit going to meetings...”
“I see your point,” Logan said, any hint of humor gone from his voice. “I’m glad he’s safe for now.”
“I could be wrong about this, but the idea bothers me. What if he’s looking for a single woman who’s a Christian? Would that fulfill his desire to find a virgin?”
“Maybe, but how would he know someone like that? He doesn’t have any friends. Never even connected to the people at work. So where does he find her?”
Alex could tell they got the same answer at the same time.
“At church!” Logan said, his voice strained. “And it’s Wednesday night. Church night.”
Alex pulled the phone out of her purse and called Harrison.
Adam could barely contain his disgust with these people who were worshiping a god that didn’t exist. How could they believe this drivel? It was repulsive. At least he’d been taught the truth. He knew exactly who he was and what he was called to do.
He forced himself to sit through the music as the words to the songs were projected onto screens on the wall. Most of them stood while they sang, but he couldn’t bring himself to do that. If he had to, he’d limp out when the service was over so they’d think he couldn’t stand comfortably. Many of them also raised their hands while they sang. What did that mean? At first he was afraid he would be volunteering for something if he followed suit, but when no one came around to recruit them, he decided to raise his right hand several times just to fit in.
It felt as if the music would go on forever. Yet Adam had to admit that he might have been touched by some of the songs if he didn’t know the Master. But he had truth on his side, so he could stay strong through the attempts to play with his emotions.
Finally, the music stopped, and a man stepped onto the platform. He asked for first-time visitors to raise their hands. Of course, Adam didn’t. He wanted no record of his visit. As he looked around at the people, he almost wished he’d brought the virus with him. He would get great satisfaction from infecting these silly sheep. But they didn’t fit into his plan. He wanted people who would leave the city and spread the virus before they even knew they were infected. People at hospitals too. He was confident he had time. The police were stupid. They’d never figure out his full plan fast enough. Yet he still felt an urgency inside. A feeling that he needed to move as quickly as possible.
