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“No, he was alone.”
“What did you tell him? What you told me?”
“Not everything, no, I mean, he didn’t ask the same questions.”
“Did you tell him about the visitor?”
“Yes, I did mention that.”
“All right. I understand.”
“So about my money? Can you put in a good word for me?”
“I can do better than that.” Clarisse reached into her pocket and took out a certified check in the amount of five thousand dollars made out to Gross. It was drawn on an account that would be closed as soon as the check was cashed.
When Gross saw the amount she exclaimed, “My God, I don’t understand.”
“It’s a new program at the VEC. Sort of like a whistleblower thing. But I do need you to sign this NDA,” she added, drawing out a piece of paper from her bag. “It basically says you must not tell anyone about what we discussed, or even the fact of my visit. If you do, you have to pay the money back. That includes talking to the police if they come by again. But that doesn’t matter, because I will inform them. But you can say nothing. Do you understand?”
With her eyes on the check Gross said, “Yes, ma’am, I’ll mention it to no one. Cross my heart.”
Gross signed the document and Clarisse took her leave. As she was getting into her car she thought,After all this time they were right there at Stormfield. Both of them. What an exhilarating and terrifying thing to contemplate.
CHAPTER49
THE NEXT DAY CLARISSE MADEthe call.
“Long time, no hear,” answered Gibson.
“Been busy. As I’m sure you have.”
“I’ve been making some inquiries, as I said.”
“And?”
“Heard of The Plains, Virginia?” Gibson asked.
“Tell me.”
And Gibson did. Daryl Oxblood’s being murdered. The phrase on the wall. But she didn’t mention that someone had tried to rub it off. She didn’t talk about Julia Frazier. She said nothing of a comic book with initials inside a heart.
“What do you take that to mean?” Clarisse asked.
“The murders are connected. Or else it’s a copycat. But I don’t see it that way.”
“So who was Daryl Oxblood, really?”
“Cops are running his prints right now,” replied Gibson.
Okay, then they’ll know. The noose is tightening, and not in a good way for me.
“So that’s why I was picked by you? So you can piggyback on ProEye resources?”
“It’s a good reason, don’t you think?” replied Clarisse.
“Francine and Douglas Langhorne?”
“What about them?” asked Clarisse.
