Lucky Thirteen (14 page)

17

Face to Face with an Angel

R
a
y
frowned. He sat back in his chair, formed a fist, and rested his chin on it with his elbow against the arm of the chair. “Before we go anywhere, why don’t you at least tell me how you became involved in all of this?” he suggested.

“I got off my meds.”

“Can you be a little more specific? Walter Bertram told us what happened to you. He seemed to think your problems really started with the death of your mother.”

“I guess he’s right
. Mom would call everyday to make sure I had taken my meds because she knew that when I get busy working, I forget to even eat.

Ray sniggered
. “And they call me a workaholic.”

Raif scowled
. “I’m not a workaholic. I just get involved with my designs.”

Ray leaned forward and waved a hand
. “I’m not judging you.”
I know how involved I can become in a case, especially one like this one
. “Please, go on.”

His brother
nodded. “I realized I had run out of my medication and the prescription had expired when I started hearing voices, so I went to the health department for a quick fix so to speak. There was this new nurse, Latrice. She has a hypnotic voice when your mind is already playing tricks on you. Somehow she convinced me she would be able to make the voices stop. All I had to do was bring her Larkin. Actually”—He paused—“I took Larkin to the old monastery. I’m supposed to take care of her until Halloween.”

Raif shifted his position
. “She talked about Larkin being the one who will purify the country and unleash somebody to run things. When I wasn’t lucid, I was desperate for the voices to stop. I would’ve done anything.” He stopped and waited for some form of reply.

“I’m listening,”
Ray assured.

“I guess you know I paid that kid to upset Larkin, but she wasn’t supposed to get hurt
. Latrice was livid. Larkin is supposed to be pure and unblemished. However, Latrice didn’t count on Larkin’s persuasive personality. She got me back on my meds, and now I think Latrice is planning to hurt her.”

“Kill her,” interrupted Ray
. “Sacrifice her for some whacked-out religious thought. Then, she plans to kill
you
. Journey said he thought there might be a woman’s hand at work here. Well, I’ll be damned if I let that bitch hurt anyone else, most of all, my newfound brother.” The detective glanced at his watch. “We’ve already wasted twenty minutes talking. Let’s get this show on the road.” They stood. “Okay, Raif, lead the way. I’d like to meet this paragon of virtue or angel or whatever she is. Chris needs to come with us. You’ll like her. She’s pretty much an angel, too.”

Ray took a pair of handcuffs from his desk drawer and sighed. “I’m not going to use these unless I have to. I want to believe you, but my first priority is the victim here. I have to make sure you’re on the up-and-up, so don’t forget there will be two guns pointing at you, okay?”

Raif nodded. “You’re being more than fair.”

A quick stop across the hall resulted in introductions, a nutshell story, and the beginning of an investigation into a nurse named Latrice at the health department.

♣♣♣

Chris stopped in the door of the station. “Ray, there’s a reporter across the street.”

“Damn it
! Distract him while I get Raif into the car.”

“How?”

“Flirt with him.” He splayed fingers in the air. “Whatever it takes.”

“I despise that jerk.”
Chris’s eyebrows creased.

“Do it anyway.”
He gave her a cheesy grin and pretended to bat coquettish lashes.

“Oh, you owe me big time.”
Chris glared at Ray, but walked to the reporter’s car. “Trying to catch a byline?” she asked with a grin.

“Agent Milovich
, nice to see you again,” the reporter replied. “Got anything for me?”

“Yeah
. We got three FBI boys today. That should be a lot of help.”

“That
is
good news. Names?”

“Lawrence
Dantzler is the team leader. Then, we have Patrick Swift, and Steve Journey, the profiler. In a day or two, we’ll have a profile to release. I’ll call you when it’s ready.” She dipped her head closer to the open window and heard a car pull up.

With Raif lying in the back seat of the car, Ray
called through to open passenger window, “You ready to go, partner?”

“Yeah.”
She stood straight and half turned.

“You really gonna call?” asked the reporter.

“As soon as the profile’s ready to be released,” assured Chris over her shoulder. She slid into the passenger seat.

Ray peeled away. “One more
minute won’t make a difference.” Chris snapped her seatbelt and looked over her shoulder. “You can get up, Mr. Gautier.”

“Raif.”

She dipped her head. “I’m Chris. Where’s your Altima?”

“Left it in the parking lot,” Ray informed. “Is
Clark Kent salivating over the tidbit you gave him or you?”

“Shut up,” she retorted. “All I told him is that we got the FBI team today. Now, just drive.”

♣♣♣

At dusk, the black Mustang parked in the alley behind the old monastery.

Larkin had put on a jade green sweater and jeans from the outfits Ray had bought for her
. When she heard voices outside the door, she flung it open with one word, “Ray?”

The stu
nned captive stood face to face with two men whose faces she could not tell apart.
Detective Reynolds from the news. That’s where I saw the face.

Raif went into the room, calming a confused woman
. “It’s all right, Larkin. Neither of us is crazy. Sit down, and I’ll explain.”

She
complied as Raif continued. “First, this is Detective Raiford Reynolds and his partner Christine Milovich.”

“Raiford?” asked Larkin
. “How is that possible?” She placed both hands to her temples and shook her head vigorously as if the action would clear her thoughts.

“Long story,” he went on
. “Suffice it to say twins placed for adoption to two different families who ironically chose the same name. However, from now on, he’s Ray, and I’m
Raif
.”

“Why?”

“Do you remember I told you Ray wasn’t what I had wanted to be called?”

She nodded.

“Well, Raif is the short name I always wanted, but it wasn’t what my folks called me. It would’ve been too uppity for them, and I didn’t want to upset them.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yep. Now, I’m turning you over to my brother so we can decide what to do next.”

“If you say so
.” Larkin turned her gaze to another face. “Well, Detective, what do we do to get this crazy woman and protect Ray…Raif at the same time?”

“You really are an angel, aren’t you?” said Ray, mesmerized.

“What?” Larkin barked.
What does he mean by that?

“I’m sorry
,” the detective said. “That was inappropriate. First of all, what are you doing here? Why weren’t you out that door and gone the second Raif turned his back?” He pointed toward the exit.

No angel here,
she thought.
I refuse to tell him a voice told me to stay. He’ll think I’m nuts.
She said, “I gave him my word. I’m not a liar. I don’t deceive people, Detective. I promised…
Raif
I’d be here when he brought you.”

“What if he hadn’t?”

“I had faith in him. He’s not the same man who brought me here. I almost ran the day he took off my shackle, but something told me to stay.” Larkin wanted to bite her tongue.
Dang it! I just told him.

Ray looked at his brother
.
Does she hear voices too?
“Is she always like this—angelic?” the detective asked.

Raif nodded.

“Don’t talk about me as if I weren’t here,” said Larkin in a tone that was anything but saintly.

Raif smiled
. “Oh, Ray, she can be very assertive.”

“So I see,”
the detective acknowledged. “Why don’t you tell us what you know?”

“I think I know your connection
among the victims.”

Ray looked taken aback
. “How?”

“I’m smarter than you think.
” Larkin laughed. “Tell me about your twelve victims and what else you’ve figured out, especially some little something you
didn’t
release to the press. Then, I’ll know for sure.”

“I’m
grasping at straws. I’ll give you every detail, if you can give me a connection.”

18

The Deadly Virtue

“O
h
,
by the way, it’s twenty-four victims,” corrected Ray.

“What?”
Larkin asked, dipping her head to the side.

“If this Latrice woman
is
our killer, she has also killed the other twelve men she coerced or tricked into helping her.”

“But of course
. She didn’t use Raif for anyone but me,” said Larkin. “Then maybe both of us should consider ourselves lucky thirteen.” She gave Raif a significant look. “Tell me everything, Ray. May I call you Ray?”

He nodded and pointed from himself to his partner
. “Ray and Chris.”

“Good,” she said with a sharp downward thrust of her chin
. “Now, tell me everything. Don’t leave out details the way you do for the press. I’m a big girl. I can handle the disgusting.”

“If you insist
. It’s not pretty.”
I’m already so knee-deep in shit, I don’t guess telling her can hurt.
He cleared his throat. “I’ll start at the beginning with all the things they had in common and then, I’ll be specific to each victim. Is that all right?”

“Sure.”

Ray looked for a place to sit.

Larkin smirked
. “Floor or bed?”

Ray sat at the foot of the bed and began
. “Each victim had her throat cut with a sharp blade and most of her blood was drained from her body. Each was dressed posthumously in a white wedding dress. It had to have been post mortem because there was very little blood on the dresses. Either that or the killer is extremely exacting and meticulous. I can’t imagine they didn’t struggle. The only evidence of any abuse was bruising around one wrist. The victims were carried to the cemetery and arranged as if lying in a coffin. This is the part we didn’t release to the press.” He looked up at the ceiling as if he needed help to go on with this grisly tale. After his unuttered prayer he delved in. “All of them had their pubic area shaved, but none were sexually assaulted. However, we did divulge that each one had a different drawing painstakingly painted on them. We just left out that they were painted across their pubic area.”

Larkin involuntarily rubbed her bruised wrist.

“I’m so sorry,” whispered Raif.

“Oh, no
.” She shook her wavy auburn hair negatively. “I’ve already forgiven you. I was just thinking I really am lucky thirteen. I won’t die and neither will you. Please, go on, Ray.”

Raif folded himself onto the floor to listen
. Chris grimaced as she looked at the packed dirt floor. “Hold up,” said Raif. He got his blanket and partially unfolded it for Chris to sit on. She smiled at his chivalry and sat down as he offered her his hand. He sank down beside her. He whispered, “What’s wrong?” to the grimace on her face.

“It stinks to high heaven in here.”

“I guess we’re used to it. Would you like some water? There’s some in the fridge.”

“Sure. Thanks.”

Raif got a sealed bottle for each person and sat back down.

Ray began, “I’ve gone over this so many times
, it’s seared into my memory. The first victim was LaQuesha Brown, a nineteen-year-old African American cashier at Wal-Mart.” He scowled. “You know, it might be easier if you read my notes.” He pulled a notepad from his back pocket. His scowl deepened. “You might have a hard time with my writing.”

Larkin held out her hand
. “I’m a teacher,” she reminded. “Your handwriting can’t be any worse than some I have to read on a daily basis.”

As she opened the notepad,
Ray’s folded and frayed chart fell out. She scanned it and found his corresponding notes in the notepad. He interrupted her reading.
I won’t mention blonde for a female should have an E at the end.
“Um, my notes about the male victims are toward the back. I copied information from Baker’s files.”

“Thanks,” she said
. “Who’s Baker?”

“Another detective. He’s been investigating the deaths of the men.
He brought his investigation to my attention when he noticed the matching dates.”

“Ah.”
Larkin read for a moment. “Hmmm.”

“What?” Ray asked eagerly
.

“I have a hunch, but let me finish reading
. Raif, come sit by me. Read with me.”

Larkin sat
cross-legged on the bed. Raif sat beside her, his legs stretched straight and crossed at the ankles, and looked over her shoulder. He laughed lightly. “Well, I see one difference in us, my brother.”

“What’s that?” asked Ray.

“I have meticulous handwriting. Some of my teachers used to say I wrote like a girl.”

“I just write fast when taking notes
,” Ray grumped.

“Hush.”
Larkin snickered. “Let me look at this.” She read quietly for a time, pointing occasionally to an item for Raif to consider. She asked, “Ray, have you connected any dots?”

“Only that they were all killed on some form of holiday
. Other than the obvious ones, some are Wiccan sabbats.”

“Yes, I see that
. The drawings have to do with moon phases and seasons for some of the dates. The men”—She looked at Raif and patted his leg—“The men were all someone with a need. Raif, even you had the need for your medication. Latrice lied to you to get you to help her. I know now, having gotten to know the real you, that under normal circumstances you wouldn’t have listened to her at all.”

“I apologize
again
.”

“No need
.” She smiled at Raif and turned her attention to Ray. “Tell me about this little note about the reporter. You seem to think you’re somehow responsible for her murder.”

“What?”
Chris said, her voice higher than normal.

Ray rubbed his head as he felt a creeping migraine
. “I met the woman when she was stalked by a fan, a construction worker who was put under a restraining order. I might’ve also been one of the last people to see her on the day she disappeared.”

“How does that make you responsible?”
Chris asked. “She was bitchy. I met her, too, remember?”

With some exasperation, Ray said, “Chief Gerard held a press conference in the afternoon and insisted that I attend
. McCall asked very pointed questions the chief tried to sidestep. She cornered me as I tried to leave through the back door. I’m afraid I was very rude to her. She returned to the station and prepared her story for the five o’clock news. She was last seen after the broadcast.”

“Yes,” Larkin interrupted the argument
. “I usually listen to my TV rather than actually watch, except for
Lost
. I watch that religiously, but I remember your comment. You said that instead of accusing the local police of not doing their job, maybe she should look into why the feds had only seen fit to send one agent.”

“That’s exactly what I said, and threatening to go to the press finally got three more agents
. I should’ve pushed it then, but I didn’t,” Ray said. “And she was killed June 21
st
and had a sun with a face painted on her. McCall lived alone with her Rottweiler.”

“That’s because only a dog could love her,”
Chris grunted.

The two law officials exchanged stabbing glares.

“Ray,” Larkin interrupted again, “McCall’s death was
not
your fault.”

He cocked his head to the side
. “I didn’t say it was.”

“No, but you think you should’ve been able to do more
. You’ve done your job well. Don’t blame yourself for this psychopath’s work.”

Ray nodded
. “Until now, I
have
felt useless and frustrated. But now, I have something to go on.” Annoyance tinged his voice.

“I hope I can give you more
. You mentioned knowing about the solstices and equinoxes. The sun’s face represents the summer solstice. I have another question. Your notes say you think Molly Jensen’s employer was in love with her, but he wasn’t a suspect. Why?”

“He was so torn up over the girl’s death I’m certain he was in love with her even though he was twenty years older and recently divorced.”

“Was there any evidence they were sleeping together?”

“No
. From what I could gather, his divorce was ugly, and his ex-wife was looking for something to drag him back to court.”

“Okay,” Larkin said under her breath and read on
. “Here.” She pointed. “You note you think Rochelle Waters was lesbian. What evidence do you have?”

“She lived with a roommate who may or may not have been her girlfriend
. The evidence supports that she was probably lesbian. The girl relocated here with Rochelle and worked as a telemarketer.”

Chris interjected from her place on the floor
, “According to Rochelle’s coworkers, they were affectionate during the company picnic on the last day Rochelle was seen.”

“Explain affectionate
. I hug my female friends often,” said Larkin. “That doesn’t make me gay, just affectionate.”

Chris said, “More intimately affectionate than hugs
. They kissed in public. Then, I asked. The girlfriend confirmed.”

Ray looked shocked. “You asked?”

“How else do you get the truth?” Chris rolled her eyes.

Larkin looked back and forth between the two officers.
“Okay,” she said. “My intuition grows stronger. And all these women were found in the same place?”

“Yes,” said Ray
. “We’ve been staking out the cemetery since the third victim and haven’t seen a thing. Of course, it’s a big place with several entrances, and I only have four officers to help me.

“Finally, the
FBI has sent someone besides Chris, though she’s awesome.” He nodded toward her. “The FBI profiler says the killer has probably had some kind of medical or scientific training, is very religious, probably raised Catholic, and patriotic, perhaps even former military. Journey, the profiler, also believes it could be a woman who needs an accomplice and then gets rid of the man. Assuming Latrice is the woman, and Baker’s victims were her accomplices, the men have been someone who could be easily manipulated as you’ve already pointed out. Sorry, Raif, but even you were manipulated when you were confused.”

“
That’s the past.” Raif nodded. “But no more.”

“No, no more,” assured Ray
. “Well, Larkin, you know everything I know. What do you think?”

“One question
.” She held a finger aloft. “Had any of the women ever been married?”

“No, why?”

“The seven deadly virtues,” she replied softly.

“Excuse me,” said Ray
. “I’ve heard of the seven deadly sins, but not the seven deadly virtues.”

“I have,”
Chris said. “In the musical,
Camelot
, Mordred sings about them.”

“Yes!” said Larkin excitedly
. “The seven deadly virtues: courage, purity, humility, honesty, diligence, charity, and fidelity. I think my theory is right. We’re looking at the deadly virtue of purity.” She shifted to sit on her knees.

“Ray, you said that none of the women were sexually assaulted
. They were sacrifices. They had to be pure. They were wearing wedding dresses. Were they all virgins?”

“What?”

Slowly and with precise articulation, Larkin repeated, “Were…they…all…virgins, Ray?”

Before he could respond, Chris was already
on her cell phone. “Dantzler, look through the M.E. reports quickly. Were all the victims virgins?” She stood and paced.

Everyone waited in silence
. “Thanks,” Chris said after several minutes. She disconnected and looked at those with her. “Ten reports of ‘intact hymen.’”

“Which two
weren’t?” asked the detective.

“Waters and Winters.” Chris shrugged. “Broken hymen doesn’t mean they weren’t virgins. Winters was an equestrian. Horseback riding is notorious for breaking the hymen, even in small children. Water
s?”

“She was gay,” said Ray.

“And?” argued Chris. “She might not have ever been with a man. This loon might equate virginity with heterosexual sex only.”

Ray turned to Larkin
. “How did you think of that? Are you?” He shook his head and hand at the same time. “That’s none of my business.”

Larkin
laughed. “Why is that so hard to believe, Ray? Because I’m twenty-seven? I must not be normal. Maybe not in our society, but it’s my
choice
to wait until marriage.”

Ray’s mouth gaped
. Larkin laughed again, even harder than the first time, but she could feel a burn in her cheeks. “You should see your face. All of you should see your faces.”