“Well, you’ll never convince Leonard unless you have.”
“Cold, hard facts. I know.”
“And since you don’t, I wish you’d let it rest. We’ve got enough to worry about without you chasing ghosts.”
Chasing ghosts? Delta felt as if she was chasing shadows—shadows that were looming over her like clouds covering the moon. No, there was something more to this case than anyone knew.
But Leonard was right about one thing.
Hunches weren’t enough. If Delta was going to get this psycho off her beat, she’d have to have evidence—she’d have to put the pieces together and catch him before he killed again.
Because one thing she was sure of.
He would kill again.
When the shift was over, Delta sauntered over to Connie’s desk and plopped down next to her as she had done practically every work night for the last three years.
“Did you get them?”
Connie nodded.
“Excellent. You got everything?”
“Well, not exactly. There’s a lock on one of the files that keeps me from downloading the data, but girl, do I have some interesting information for you.”
Delta scooted closer. She so loved when Connie got the goods. “Go on.”
Turning the monitor off, Connie faced Delta. “The dog was poisoned by some chemical compound unfamiliar to the coroner or the M.E. According to the report, the tech guys spent eight hours searching
through medical journals trying to find out just what it was.”
“And?”
“And the coroner couldn’t place it because it’s an extremely old compound not listed in any modern journals.”
Delta knew where this was heading.
“The compound found was a substance and a mixture used well before the Middle Ages by alchemists.”
“No kidding?”
“The compound took awhile longer to unravel because of the interaction of the chemicals together. Once the coroner separated them, he looked into possible origins of the compound.”
“And he came up with chemicals used a long time ago.”
“Yep.”
Delta’s eyes lit up. “Excellent!”
“Hold your camels,
ma amie
, that’s not all. The report lists the dagger as an artifact from the fifth or sixth century. They had some experts take a look at it. Apparently, it’s from an island off the Greek coast, and, get this, the gems on the handle are real.”
“No way.”
“Scout’s honor.”
“You were kicked out of the scouts.”
“Okay, blood oath and you can have my firstborn. Our murderer left behind jewels worth over a hundred thousand dollars.” Delta leaned back and shook her head. “You’re telling me he left a dagger worth a hundred thousand dollars in the back of a dead man?”
“Yep.”
“Whoa. Why wouldn’t he take it?”
Connie shrugged. “I’ve been thinking about it all night. I think he wants us to know about his little penchant for old things. Maybe he’s trying to throw us off track. Perhaps he has things on his mind other than murder or money.”
Delta nodded. “Well, money certainly isn’t a motive or even an issue if he left something that valuable. Assuming, of course, he was aware of its value.”
“True. And I doubt the perp would have left something that valuable in the back of someone he hated. That doesn’t fit the profiles.”
“Right. So, if money isn’t the motive, then what?”
“What do we have left? Love, revenge, passionate outbreaks, things of that nature. Something more emotional than physical.
Delta rubbed her hands together. “Excellent! Damn, you’re good.”
Connie grinned. “Well, that’s what Gina says. I’m having Eddie check past unsolveds to see if there are any other weird murders where ancient weaponry was used. It may prove nothing, but it’s worth a try.” Delta patted Connie on the back. “Good work. And the psych profile?”
“Should have it for you by later this morning.”
Delta rose and clapped her hands together. “All right! Con, I owe you.”
“Yes, you do. Megan called and said she enjoyed the visit and wants you not to tarry on your way home. She mentioned something about `just bells’.” A sly grin crept across Connie’s face.
“Say no more.”
With that, Delta headed out the door.
Delta answered the phone on the first ring. “Did you get it?”
“It took some doing, but Eddie and I were able to slip in the back door of the system. When will cops ever learn how to lock computer files?”
“Would it make any difference to you?” Delta poured herself a cup of coffee and picked up the note Megan left for her. “Hang on a minute, Con. I’m reading a note from Megan.” Reading the little love letter Megan slipped under her coffee mug made Delta warm inside. Last night had been a wonderful evening for them. When she got home, Megan was indeed wearing only bells that she had bought at Sarah’s Bare Necessities. Just the thought of Megan playing with the little tasseled bells on her nipples aroused Delta. Finishing the note, Delta sighed. If only their relationship could always be so good.
“Have a nice night?” Connie asked.
“Remember `just bells’?”
“Mmm. Sounds like it was better than good.”
Delta grinned. “Bingo. Now, what have you got for me?”
“Nothing quite as enticing, I can assure you, but it’s pretty interesting stuff. Got a pen ready?”
Delta picked up the purple pen Megan had written the note with. “Shoot.”
“I just had enough time to get the highlights, so if this appears brief, you know why. There’s more, but I figured you’d want only the major details.”
“Right.”
“The psych report indicates that we’re dealing with a very insecure man of about forty years old. He has had some abuse in his life, possibly from his father or someone else in his family. He may have been in love with his mother or someone who he highly respected and felt demasculinized by that woman.”
Delta sipped her coffee. “God, however do they come up with this shit?” Delta wrote the word `emotion’ on the paper and circled it. “Go ahead.”
“He has an IQ of around 130 or 140, and has attended college. He isn’t from around here but knows someone who is and may be staying with them. He is an only child, probably molested little girls when he was younger or tortured small animals.”
“And what kind of underwear does he wear?” Delta quipped.
“Briefs. Anyway, they say it’s possible our guy’s a martial arts instructor or may even be from the Orient. He’s single, has few friends, and is well-traveled.”
“And why is he killing and stealing weird things?”
“The shrinks think he’s trying to punish someone, and this is his way of acting out his superiority complex. According to them, he’ll continue on his little crime spree until he’s caught.”
“Oh, don’t give me that `he wants to get caught’line. They say that about everybody.”
“On the contrary, Del. According to them, he
doesn’t
want to be caught. He wants to be superior. The report says he is angry enough to both stab someone and shoot someone in the face. The report also says he is possibly impotent. Maiming makes him feel more powerful and secure. The crimes are his way of excelling. Weird, huh?”
“Very.” Delta looked at her pad and circled a few more words. “So Leonard will be checking out all of the martial arts studios.”
“Most likely.”
“But he’s not from around here. That lead’s a dead end.”
“He’ll check it anyway.”
“What’s your best guess on how to approach it?”
“The weapons. I’ll bet they’re not that hard to track down. The problem lies in whether or not he’s purchased them here in the States or abroad.”
“Anything else?”
“That’s about it for now. We’ll just have to see what Leonard and his men come up with.”
Delta finished her coffee and set the mug in the sink. “Why does that worry me?”
“Because he’s taking a different angle than we are. And Del, that’s not a bad idea. The more bases we all cover, the better.”
“You really think so?”
“Why not? Let him dig for his clues. We can take or leave those that don’t apply to our theories and then see who comes up the winner. Leonard isn’t going to jump to any conclusions, Delta. You know that.”
“Maybe not, but the psych report supports Leonard’s theory that the two murders are related.” Delta sighed. “That’s why I hate those damned things. Sometimes they just go in circles.”
“And sometimes they’re right on the money. Take it for what it’s worth. Like Gina said, psychiatry isn’t an exact science, so don’t expect that from psych reports.”
“I know, I know. I guess I just wanted the report to support our idea that the murders aren’t related, that’s all.”
“Why the vested interest?”
“He’s attacked me, killed a dog and murdered someone on my beat. If he’s declaring war, for whatever twisted reason, then I think we should answer back, don’t you?”
“You bet. If there’s someone out there who has no compunction about attacking a cop, then everyone needs to be more alert. Let Leonard do his thing, Del, and we’ll do ours.” Connie leaned away from the phone and yelled at one of the dogs. “On a more pleasant topic, were those your bells I heard ringing in the night?”
Delta smiled. “You’re a pig.”
“Are things better, then?”
The thought of Megan’s firm, naked body lying on top of the turquoise satin sheets made Delta’s smile grow. “They’re not any worse.”
“You didn’t answer the question.”
Delta doodled for a moment before answering. “You know, Con, we love each other and we’re attracted to each other, but times like last night are so few and far between.”
“Because?”
“I spend too much time at work, and her life is opening up in directions she never knew existed. we’re not connecting on any level except physically.”
“But what did that physical experience say to your heart?”
“That we’re in love. That we want to be together, that—”
“Then, hang with it, Del. Stop trying to find immediate answers. Let Megan experience what she needs to experience without you getting paranoid and scared.”
“What about the other side of the problem? She thinks I work too much.”
“You do.”
“So, I should stop working so hard?”
Connie chuckled. “You’ll do that only if you stop breathing. No, Delta, don’t do what doesn’t feel good or right for you, either. It’s that transitional stage you’re in. Everyone goes through it. You just have to learn how to ride the bumps.”
Delta thought about this for a minute. “This bump feels more like a mountain.”
“They always do. Listen, give yourself a break. Just make sure you keep the lines of communication open and talk your feelings through with her.”
They did talk much last night. As a matter of fact, talking was the last thing on Delta’s mind. “I’ll give it my best shot. The idea of losing Megan just scares me so much.”
“And you know what you do when you’re scared?”
“What?”
“You throw yourself into your work.”
“Like I’m doing now?”
“Bingo. Why don’t you two come over for dinner tonight and be a little sociable? It might do you both a world of good.”
“Sounds good.”
“Until then, stop thinking about this murder case and try relaxing
your brains for awhile. I swear to God, Delta Stevens, you’re as type-A
as they get.”
Delta grinned. “Is that from another psych profile?”
“Might as well be. We’ll see you around six, okay?”
“Six, it is. Oh, and thanks for the info.”
After Delta hung up, she re-read Megan’s note. Life, it seemed, was just one huge puzzle. If she could find the missing pieces to the murders, she could solve the case and save others from dying. If she could fit the pieces of her job and her relationship together, she could save herself and Megan from any more heartache.
Oh, if only it were that easy.
Megan danced into the kitchen, bearing a plastic baggy full of chicken parts. Her long, blonde hair, knotted in a French braid down her back, bounced freely behind her.
“Aren’t you in a fine mood,” Connie noted, planting a kiss on Megan’s cheek before returning to peeling potatoes.
“Why of course! You’re looking at a gal who scored the highest grade in her boring econ class.” Megan twirled around once more and held her face out for Gina to kiss the other cheek.
“That’s fantastic!” Gina cried, taking the baggy from her and giving her a hug. “Our genius.”
“Let’s celebrate.” Opening the refrigerator, Connie pulled out two bottles of champagne.
“You knew,” Megan said, throwing a suspicious look toward Delta, as she came through the front door bearing a bag of groceries. “Delta Stevens, you told!”