AllFreeNovel
Share Us
25
When Alex got home from work, she wasn’t hungry, so she sat down to watch the evening news before calling Logan. She didn’t want to bother him in case he was eating his dinner.
All the local stations had, of course, picked up the story about Tracy and the missing women, yet tonight she saw nothing more about it. Maybe they’d covered it all at five.
Before she could pick up her phone to call Logan, he called her. She was encouraged when she heard his voice. He sounded good.
“Nothing important happened today,” she said. “At least not that I know about. Bethany and I are working on a profile for a guy who shot people in a grocery store in St. Louis this morning and then escaped.”
“I heard about it on the national news this afternoon. They don’t know who he is?”
“No. He wore a ski mask and gloves. All they have to go on are his clothes, his height, and the way he moved. Of course, they should know more after the ballistics report.”
“Has anyone died?”
“Not that I know of. It’s a miracle. Eight people are in the hospital.”
Logan paused a moment before saying, “Any idea why he did it?”
“Not yet. The police are checking for connections related to each victim, of course. Also former store employees. But I don’t know...”
Logan laughed warmly. “You have a hunch?”
Alex smiled to herself. He knew her. Knew what she was thinking. They worked together so well. She blinked back the tears that filled her eyes. Then she cleared her throat to rid herself of the lump that had formed. Finally, she said, “The shootings were so random. I mean, it seems as if he didn’t have a specific target.”
“So what are you thinking?”
Alex sighed. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m nuts, but there’s something about this guy. The security tape shows him acting as if he’d rather be anywhere else than in that store. He didn’t shoot anyone in the head. Or the chest. He hit legs, shoulders, arms . . .”
“You think someone made him do it?”
“I wonder if it was a gang initiation. Or maybe someone paid him to shoot up the store, like a disgruntled ex-employee. But in the end, he just couldn’t kill anyone.”
“That’s quite a hunch.”
“You mean a wild theory. I mentioned it to Jeff. Not sure if he plans to pass it along. He may think I’ve lost it.” She sighed. “It was his body language, you know? He seemed hesitant. After all, most spree killers are determined. They think they’re on a mission to acquire some kind of twisted justice they think they deserve. This guy was just ... different.”
“I wish I was working this with you,” Logan said.
“I do too. Why don’t I bring over some dinner? We—”
“No.”
Alex was surprised by his sudden and emphatic response.
“I appreciate it, Alex,” he said. “But I need some time before my surgery. I need to pack, pray, and prepare. Not necessarily in that order.”
“But maybe I can help you.”
“Thank you. Really. But I need this time to myself. I hope you understand.”
“Not completely, but I’ve never been through anything like this. I’ll wait until Wednesday to see you, then. I’ve asked Jeff for some time off after you get home so I can help you while you recover.”
During a long pause Alex wondered if Logan was about to turn down that offer as well.
“I’m really grateful,” he said. “Thank you. That would be wonderful.”
“Good. Well, I guess I’d better let you get to it. But, Logan, please, if you need me, call. I can be there within ten minutes. I ... I just want you to know you’re not alone.”
