Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Gary grabbed his coat, his stomach churning.
Something had lit a fire under the killer’s ass, that was for sure.
Three victims in the space of twenty days.
Based on the information Riley had provided over the phone, there seemed little doubt the body discovered that morning was the work of their man.
He knew the cause of his upset stomach wasn’t only the latest development. Why should spending a weekend with Dan make me feel guilty? All they’d done the previous day was visit Beacon Hill, the harbor, Back Bay….
A week had passed since Dan first walked into the precinct, a seemingly innocuous yet at the same time cataclysmic event that had rocked Gary’s world to its foundations. Feelings he’d thought long dead had resurfaced, forcing him to acknowledge the truth.
He wanted to be near Dan. To be closer to him.
He’s important to me.
“What’s wrong?” Dan’s voice broke into his thoughts.
He jumped. “Jesus, don’t sneak up on a guy like that.”
Dan arched his eyebrows. “You make me sound like a ninja. Want me to ring a bell as I approach?”
“Works for me. And what’s wrong is Riley called. We’ve got another one. He’s at the scene.”
“Then I’m coming too.”
Gary wasn’t about to argue.
They hurried out to Gary’s car. “Do you want details, or would you prefer to go in blind?” he asked as he got behind the wheel.
“What’s the name of the victim? And is Riley certain this is the seventh victim?”
“A guy called Jack Noonan. Lives in Dorchester. And yeah, this is our man—unfortunately.”
Dan fell silent as the car sped along Dorchester Avenue, and Gary didn’t feel the need to fill the air with conversation. They’d talked enough over the weekend, although after Saturday, he’d been careful to steer conversations toward safe topics.
He did not want to bring up the visit to Forest Park.
I should never have agreed to take him there. What was I thinking? It was the last place on earth to take someone who was more intuitive than anyone Gary had ever met.
“By the way….” Dan cleared his throat. “Thank you for giving up your weekend. I appreciated it.”
He frowned. “I didn’t give up my weekend. I chose to spend it with you.”
“Okay, but….”
“But what?”
“When we were in Forest Park, there was a moment—okay, several moments—when I got the feeling you didn’t want to be there.”
Shit.
“Look, that wasn’t you, all right? That was me. You did enjoy seeing Boston, though?”
There was a moment’s hesitation before Dan spoke. “Okay, I’d better come clean. I’ve been to Boston many, many times.”
Gary frowned. “Then… why did you say yes when I suggested showing you around? And then you let me take you to all the tourist spots….”
“I said yes because I got to spend the day with you. Besides, I’d never seen it with you as my guide.
That made all the difference.” He pointed through the windshield.
“I’m guessing this is our stop.” Three police cars, Del’s vehicle, and an ambulance were parked up ahead.
Dan sighed. “I was also hoping you’d enjoy Boston more than you enjoyed Springfield. ”
Maybe I should just tell him. Gary had to decide which was better—revealing his past voluntarily, or Dan finding out in his own unique way.
He came perilously close to doing that on Saturday.
“Gary.” He turned, and his throat tightened. Dan’s hazel eyes were warm. “You need to trust me.”
That look threatened to unravel him.
“Not now,” he croaked. He swallowed. “Come on. Let’s see what surprises Kris Lee Arill has in store for us this time.”
The officer at the door let them in, and they creaked their way up a wooden staircase to the second floor.
As soon as they emerged into the living room, Gary’s senses were on alert.
Three police officers went quiet and regarded him with impassive expressions.
Rob, Riley, and Lewis stood by the fireplace, locked in a quiet discussion, but as he approached, all conversation ceased.
Gary’s scalp prickled. Something’s up.
He turned to Dan. “Can you wait here a sec?”
Dan nodded. “Give me a shout when you need me.”
Gary followed Riley and Lewis into the bedroom. “What’s going on?” he demanded in a low voice. Del stood by the bed, on which a man lay facedown. Gary glanced at the body, and cold washed over him.
Oh God.
A letter O had been carved into the victim’s lower back, but that wasn’t what sucked the breath from Gary’s lungs. A sheet of paper was stapled to the victim’s back, and even at a distance, Gary recognized Dan’s face.
He walked over to the bed slowly, his gaze locked on the white paper.
At the top had been typed Robin Fields, but the letters were almost obliterated by another word in slashes of vibrant red—Fake.
Dan’s photo was below it, obviously the one from the newspaper, and below that were more letters in red.
Ha Ha Ha.
Christ.
Del coughed. “Our killer doesn’t seem to rate Mr. Porter’s abilities very highly.”
Riley moved to Gary’s side. “You have to tell him. He needs to know.”
Lewis’s splutter broke the quiet. “Are you for real? He needs to walk away from this case, like, yesterday. He’s a target.” His words rang out, and Gary had no doubt the volume was deliberate.
“So now you’re worried about him?” He suppressed his rising ire. “Don’t exaggerate. Dan’s not a target. Far from it. The killer is simply telling us he doesn’t see Dan as a threat, and it’s not going to slow him down.” He knew Riley was right, however. Dan had to know.
He scanned the room. “Same MO, I see.” It was all there: the GHB, rope, cuffs, soiled condom…. “No phone?”
“No. No sign of it.” Lewis’s face contorted. “Jesus. This guy is only twenty-five. He’s so young.”
“I agree.” Del gazed at the body, his eyes dull. “I’ll be performing the autopsy tomorrow.”
“I won’t be there, but I’m sure Riley will.” Gary’s chest constricted. “I have a funeral to attend.”
“I’ll be there,” Riley assured Del.
“What do we know about the victim?” Gary asked.
“He lived here with two roommates, according to the lady downstairs. She rents out the apartment. Both of them were away this weekend.”
“When did death occur, approximately?”
Del stroked his chin. “Last night. I can’t be more specific than that right now.”
“And did she see anyone?”
“She heard footsteps on the stairs, but she didn’t pay any attention to them,” Lewis reported. “She said there were always guys coming and going. But she didn’t hear anything suspicious.” He pulled a face. “The invisibility cloak strikes again.”
“The officers have already processed this room. Before I have the body removed, do you want to invite Mr. Porter to…?” Del arched his eyebrows. “I’m not sure what verb I’d use to describe what he does.”
“I’ll go get him.” Gary turned and headed for the door, only to find Dan standing on the other side, his brow furrowed.
“What’s going on?” Dan gestured to the officers. “I’m getting some strange glances out here,” he added under his breath.
Gary stood aside. “Come see for yourself.”
Dan walked into the bedroom and over to the bed. He stood there in silence, staring at the victim, his body language affording no clue to his thoughts. Gary forced himself to watch without comment. At last, Dan turned to face him.
“You were going to try to hide this from me, weren’t you?
” Dan rolled his eyes. “If the whole of Boston knows about my involvement, it’s a safe bet the killer does too.
And he thinks I can’t help you.” Before Gary could respond, Dan forged ahead.
“So let’s prove him wrong.” He glanced at Riley. “Is it safe to touch stuff in here?”
“Yup. Already dusted for prints. Do you want us to leave you alone to concentrate?”
Dan shook his head. “By now you know what to expect.”
Del asked his assistants to withdraw but made no move to follow them. Gary gave him an inquiring glance, and he shrugged. “I’m curious. How did Shakespeare put it? Something about more things in heaven and earth…. But if Mr. Porter wants me to leave, I’ll do so.”
Dan waved his hand. “You can stay. Just give me a moment. This could all be for nothing.”
“Let’s hope what we’ve had so far doesn’t turn out to be a flash in the pan,” Lewis murmured. Gary aimed a glare in his direction, but Lewis wasn’t looking.
Dan touched the victim, and Gary couldn’t miss his flinch. “There it is again.”
“There’s what?”
“Surprise.” Dan met his gaze. “He knew the killer.” He picked up the cuffs and closed his eyes, and it felt as if the air became electrically charged. The hairs on Gary’s arms stood to attention.
Then Dan opened his eyes, and Gary knew. “You felt something.”
“It was more a case of hearing something. A phrase. Except it feels more important than that. Almost as if….” He stared at the body again.
“As if what?” There was an undercurrent of excitement in Riley’s voice.
Dan took a step back. “It’s a mantra.”
“What is?” Gary demanded.
Dan expelled a breath. “It’s as if the killer was repeating it, over and over, while he was…
.” He shuddered, then inhaled deeply. “I’m doing this for you.
” He returned to the bed and laid his hand on the victim’s back.
Dan jerked his head up to stare at Gary.
“I’m not getting any feeling of pleasure from the act. Raping them—”
“Then it was rape?” Riley’s face fell. Gary caught Del’s sharp intake of breath.
Dan nodded. “It was against their will. But isn’t rape more about power than sex?
” He stepped back, scraping his fingers through his hair.
“This feels as if it’s a means to an end.
It’s one of many steps he goes through before he kills them.
” His eyes locked on Gary’s. “But that mantra—his motive lies in there. I’m sure of it.
” Then his shoulders slumped. “God. That wiped me out.”
“Take Dan back to the precinct,” Riley suggested. “Lewis and I can finish up here.” He peered at Dan. “Unless you want to go back to the hotel?”
Dan’s expression was grim. “Not today. I want to spend some time with all the evidence from the crime scenes.” Another glance at the body. “So he thinks I’m a joke, does he? He won’t be laughing when I help you catch him.” His facial muscles were tight, his jaw set.
Gary regarded him with warm approval.
Looks like the killer isn’t the only one with a fire lit under him.
“Dan. Dan.”
He blinked. “What’s up?”
Gary stood beside him, a twinkle in his eyes. “Do you know what time it is?”
He glanced at his phone and blinked again. “Seriously?”
“Time to call a halt. For one thing, you need a decent meal inside you, not a couple of protein bars.” He gestured to the evidence bags piled high on the table. “Did you get anything?”
“Not really.” His neck was bent, his shoulders drooped. “I didn’t want to leave until I—”
“Enough.” Gary’s voice was low and firm. “Leave it for tonight. You can spend all day in here tomorrow. I won’t be around, so that’ll be one less person to distract you.”
Dan regarded him steadily but said nothing.
He couldn’t deny Gary was a distraction, albeit a welcome one at times.
Then he remembered where Gary would be, and his heart quaked.
You shouldn’t be alone. Not tomorrow. Not when it’s time to finally say goodbye.
Then cold surged through him. And what about when it’s time for me to leave? What if I don’t want to say goodbye?
Gary grabbed Dan’s jacket from the back of the chair. “And now I’ll take you to the hotel.”
He was too tired to argue.
As they walked to the car, he was aware of Gary’s scrutiny. When they reached the parking lot and Gary still hadn’t spoken, Dan came to an abrupt halt at the gate. “Why don’t you come right out and say whatever’s on your mind?”
Gary lowered his gaze. “Maybe Lewis is right. Maybe you need to walk away from this.”
He was shocked into silence.
Gary aimed his key fob at the car and clicked. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
The car sped through the Boston streets, and with every mile Dan’s mind lurched further into panic mode.
I can’t go. Not yet.
He didn’t dare speak for fear he’d blurt out something that was better off hidden, but the nearer they got to the hotel, the tighter his chest became.
Fuck it.
“I can’t,” he blurted.
“Can’t what?”
“Walk away from this.”
“Why not?”
Dan swallowed. “Because… I haven’t done enough yet. I haven’t given you something concrete to work with, something that brings you closer to catching him.”
“I disagree.”
“Go on, then. Tell me precisely what information I’ve provided that has given you—”
“Dan.”
He wasn’t listening. “I can’t leave yet because I have to help you find Cory’s killer. That’s… that’s very important to me.”
Gary frowned. “Why Cory’s killer in particular?”
“Because….” Heat bloomed in his face. “Because he was important to you.”
They stopped at the lights, and Gary glanced at him. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”
He resisted the urge to laugh out loud. You have no idea. “Not here. When we’re at the hotel.” When you’re not behind the wheel of a vehicle. What Dan had to tell him was going to be a shock, and he didn’t want to be responsible for Gary losing control.
His mind was made up.
He was going to tell Gary about his vision.
What terrified him was how Gary would react.