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7
Merrie checked her watch. Shoot. She was running late. Caring for her mother while trying to make enough money to support them both was wearing her down. It wasn’t her mom’s fault she was sick. The chemo treatments were so hard on her that she couldn’t live alone, so Merrie had moved in with her. Into the house she’d left years ago.
She missed her apartment and her social life ... such as it was. And it wasn’t much. Thirty years old and still not married. She’d wasted so many years waiting for Paul to get serious and propose. Why hadn’t she realized he was never going to commit? He wanted someone to fawn over him. Stay home and raise a family. Not that it wouldn’t be wonderful, but she liked having some independence. Paul never understood why she enjoyed selling real estate. It was a challenge, but when she found the right house for someone, it was not only financially rewarding but also personally satisfying. Watching the excitement on the buyer’s face. Seeing a family begin their lives in a nice house she’d helped them find. Of course, she’d like to be on the other side one day. Would it ever happen?
She pulled up in front of the attractive two-story house with the beautiful lawn and blooming rose bushes. Maybe she’d even have a house like this someday.
Merrie got out of the car and hurried up to the man waiting for her on the front porch. When he turned and smiled, her heart fluttered. Dark hair, blue eyes, good-looking. Maybe ditching Paul wasn’t a mistake after all.
She suddenly remembered all the warnings her mother had given her about meeting with male clients alone. She had pepper spray in her purse, but thankfully she’d never had to use it. This man hardly looked like a threat.
She greeted him and then began her spiel about the house as she took the key from the lockbox and slid it in. Once they were inside, she remarked on the main floor’s open concept. But when she turned to see if the prospective buyer was properly impressed, he was staring at her oddly. Then she froze as he reached for her. Before she knew what was happening, she felt a sting in her neck and slid to the floor.
As she fought the feeling of heaviness overtaking her, she heard the man softly sing, “Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do....”
“Find anything?” Jeff asked as Alex and Logan entered his office.
“Yes,” Logan said. “I searched for the names of the four missing women on the internet, and I found something for every single one of them.”
Jeff motioned for them to sit down. Alex’s stomach was tied in knots. Was this really another serial killer? Could she face this again? Part of her said no. That enough was enough. But the desire to stop evil was stronger. She wanted to win. Wanted to send the enemy back into the darkness.
“Sarah Breedlove, thirty-two and a local author, had a book signing at a small bookstore,” Alex said. “Her picture was in the local newspaper. She’s the one who’s been missing the longest, four weeks.”
“Amy Tharp was interviewed on TV about summer school classes at the school where she teaches,” Logan added. “Marla Bess works for a dog rescue organization. She was interviewed on the same station a couple of weeks earlier.”
“And last but not least,” Alex said, “Rhonda Brooks, who works for a restaurant in Dale City. A diner left her a tip for a thousand dollars. The local paper picked up the story, and it was also featured on the TV news. These three women have been gone three weeks or less.”
“Was Rhonda interviewed on the same station as the others?” Jeff asked.
Logan shook his head. “No. Different channel.”
“Well, that’s interesting,” Jeff said.
Alex nodded. “The police need to know that we have a serial. We have no idea if he’s killing these women or simply kidnapping them. If he is, he must have someplace to hold them. Of course, kidnapping several women and then keeping them is really unusual. I’ve heard of it only once. In Kentucky. A man named Claude Monroe kidnapped four women. They all died before they could be found.” She shrugged. “If there’s any good news, he kept them alive for several weeks. If this guy is following Claude’s example, we have a chance to get them back.”
Logan sighed. “Or they could all be dead and buried somewhere around here. Lots of forest area in the county. They would be hard to find.”
“Put all this together in a report,” Jeff said sharply. “I’ll send it to Chief Dixon.”
“Will do,” Logan said.
“I’m going to suggest they set up a task force. I get the feeling they’re going to need all the help they can get. By the way, I heard from the hospital. Mr. Abbott is going to be fine. He didn’t have a heart attack. It was just stress.” He frowned at Logan. “Speaking of people not feeling well, you don’t look so good. Are you feeling okay?”
Logan nodded. “Just a stupid headache. Been having them for a while. My doctor has me on medication that helps. It won’t interfere with my work.”
Jeff blew out a quick breath. “I’m not worried about your job performance. I’m concerned about you.” He glanced at his watch. “Send me that report, but it doesn’t need to be too detailed. Then why don’t you head home? Take your medicine and get some rest.” He focused his gaze on Alex. “Go with him. Make sure he has something healthy to eat and takes it easy the rest of the evening.”
Alex was surprised by Jeff’s request—and Logan looked rather startled as well—but her concern for Logan outweighed any hesitation. “Sure. I know a place that makes a great chicken noodle soup.”
“If it’s the grocery store and the soup is in a can, forget it,” Logan said with a grin.
Alex noticed that even smiling made him wince, and that worried her. “No, not in a can. I promise you’ll love it.”
“Okay.” He nodded at Jeff. “Thanks, Boss. Sorry about this. I’ll be fine by tomorrow.”
“You said your doctor has this covered?” Jeff asked.
“Yeah. He thinks I might have injured my back in that warehouse a few months back and it’s causing this pain. Not sure why it’s kicking up now, but they can do all kinds of things. After an MRI he’ll probably give me an injection or something that should help to get me back to normal.”
