Dangerous Mercy: A Novel (33 page)

Adele put her hand over her heart. “Goodness, that’s a horrible accusation. Why am I just hearing about this?”

“I didn’t want to alarm you. But I told you once before I didn’t trust him. Like I said, I can’t prove he killed Flynn. It’s just a gut feeling based on a conversation I had with him the morning of the murder. And his attitude. He couldn’t stand the guy.”

“Did you tell the sheriff?”

“Yes. He knows. He must have doubts. Maybe you should ask him.”

“It’s my understanding that no one really liked Flynn,” she said. “Why do you think
Noah
killed him?”

“I know things. That’s all.”

“You’re scaring me, Murray. Why are you just now telling me this?”

He sighed. “I guess because you’re digging into areas that could reveal things you’re better off not knowing.”

“I told you the report didn’t reveal anything that gave me pause. But if there was something to fear, how could I be better off not knowing?”

Murray cracked his knuckles. “Even a private investigator can’t find out everything about a person. You’re too trusting.”

“So I’ve been told. But the fact is I do trust Noah. And I trust you. I’m basing it on more than the report from Danny. I have a feeling about people. And my trust is based on more than a piece of paper.”

“Then why pay someone to look into private matters?”

Adele traced the rim of her glass with her finger. “Though I think I read people pretty well, it’s probably best for me not to rely strictly on my own instincts in such matters.”

“Have you ever been burned?”

“Yes, a couple of times. Once a trusted employee stole a valuable ring and I didn’t find out for many years. But even that resolved itself in time. I just don’t believe I need to stop being kind to people because I might get burned. What kind of adventure is that?”

Her cell phone rang. “I’d better see who it is, hon. I haven’t checked my messages all afternoon.”

“I should go.”

“Wait just a moment,” she said. “I’d like to give you some chocolate chip cookies to take with you.” She picked up her cell phone and put it to her ear. “Hello.”

“Hi, Adele, it’s Zoe. Are you busy?”

“Just sitting here having a glass of raspberry tea.”

“By yourself?”

“With a friend.”

“Adele, I want you to act completely normal and not react to anything I say. But I need to know if you’re with Murray Hamelin.”

“Yes. As a matter of fact, I am.”

“Is Isabel there?”

“No, she quit. I haven’t had a chance to tell you.”

“Okay,” Zoe said. “Listen carefully. I want you to smile while I’m talking to you and remain calm. Sheriff Prejean asked me to call. He didn’t want to alarm you, but he’s looking for Murray. They want to question him.”

“I see. And why is that?”

“Adele, he’s a murder suspect. Smile and say you understand what I’m telling you.”

“I understand exactly. I can’t imagine that’s accurate, though.”

“You have to trust me. I don’t have time to explain except to say that as soon as I confirm with the sheriff that Murray is there with you, deputies are coming to take him in for questioning. Do you understand?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I need you to keep him from leaving. Can you do that?”

Adele felt as if her heart would pound out of her chest. She glanced over at Murray. Was she smiling? She wasn’t even sure.

“I … I don’t know. I think so.”

“Try. They’ll be there shortly.”

“All right, Zoe. I’ll put that on my calendar for Monday afternoon. Good-bye.”

Adele disconnected the call, aware that her hand was shaking. There must be some mistake. Stall. She needed to stall. Take her time getting the cookies. How could she act normal? How could she deceive Murray?

“Who was that?” he said. “Why do you look upset?”

“It was just Zoe.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Everything’s fine.” Adele stood. “Let me get those cookies for you.”

A second later, Murray jumped to his feet and grabbed her wrists. “I heard what she said, Adele. You had the phone on speaker.”

“I did?”

“Looks like you’re not the only one who’s been digging into my personal business. I need to get out of here
now
. And you’re coming with me.”

CHAPTER 35

Jude slowed his squad car in front of the corner house at Magnolia Lane and Cypress Way and then pulled into the driveway. The July sun had dropped low in the western sky, but the temperature and humidity still hovered in the upper nineties.

He scanned the tall hedge in back and didn’t see any sign of Chief Detective Gil Marcel’s team.

“Where’s Hamelin’s truck, I wonder?”

“Maybe it’s in the garage,” Kyle said. “I’ll go check.”

Jude got out, glanced up and down both streets, and then spoke into his shoulder mike. “Gil, are you in place?”

“Copy that. We’ve got the back covered. We have a visual on the house but don’t see any sign of movement inside.”

“Do you see Hamelin’s truck?”

“Negative.”

Kyle waved from the garage window. “It’s empty.”

“He must’ve parked it somewhere else,” Jude said to Gil. “He has to be here. It hasn’t been five minutes since Zoe called Adele Woodmore. Stay in place. I’m going to ring the doorbell. Be prepared in case he tries to run.”

“Copy.”

Jude walked up on the brick porch of the neat-as-a-pin white frame house with green shutters and rang the bell. Kyle came up the steps and stood beside him.

“If Hamelin spots us out here,” she said, “he might not let her answer the door.”

“Let’s just hope she’s still alive to answer the door.” Jude rang the bell a second time. “Come on, lady. Open it.”

“Think you should call and see what’s keeping Zoe?” Kyle said.

He glanced at his watch. “She should be here any second with the key. But if Mrs. Woodmore doesn’t answer this door, we’re not waiting for Zoe.”

Jude rang the bell a third time and then put his hand on the doorknob, surprised when it turned.

“It’s unlocked.” He pushed open the door about a foot. “Mrs. Woodmore? It’s Sheriff Prejean, are you there? Mrs. Woodmore?”

The house was pin-drop still except for the pendulum swinging on her grandfather clock.

“I don’t like the feel of this.” Jude spoke into his shoulder mike. “Gil, we’re going in.”

“Copy that.”

Jude drew his gun and took a step inside the house. “Mrs. Woodmore, it’s Sheriff Prejean. Are you here? Mrs. Woodmore?”

He walked softly into the kitchen and saw two glasses on the table with ice cubes and motioned for Kyle to take note.

They walked ever so stealthily from room to room until the entire house was cleared.

Jude lowered his weapon and spat out a swear word under his breath. “Gil, there’s no one in the house. Do you copy?”

“Copy that, Sheriff. Nothing out back either.”

“What’s wrong? Has something happened to Adele?”

Jude turned to the familiar voice just as Zoe rushed through the open front door.

“Adele isn’t here,” he said. “The door was open, and we’ve searched the house.”

“But she was here less than five minutes ago. She wouldn’t have just left without telling me.” Zoe walked up to him, her blue-gray eyes wide and animated. “Has Murray taken her
hostage?”

“We don’t know.” Jude put his hand on her shoulder. “There’s nothing here to indicate a struggle. You said she’d made friends with him. She might’ve gone willingly. We have to assume they’re together. Are you sure Adele wouldn’t have told him we were coming?”

“She understood exactly what I was saying. I can’t imagine she would’ve told him.” Zoe took a step toward Jude. “Just how dangerous
is
this guy?”

“Until we question him, we can’t be sure.”

Zoe folded her arms tightly across her chest, her eyes turned to slits. “Stop trying to spare my feelings, and just tell me straight-out. You know Adele is like a mother to me!”

Jude’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen. “Hang on a minute.” He put the phone to his ear. “Yeah, Aimee. What’s up?”

“We found a backpack Hamelin had in his locker at Haven House. He’s got stacks of one-hundred-dollar bills and some note cards that match the notes we have in evidence. We also discovered a bottle of ketamine and several unused needles. Size ten shoes. We also have a bag of dirty clothes. We should have his DNA in short order. Want to bet it’s a match?”

“Great work!” Jude said.

“Sheriff, we also found a pair of amethyst earrings. We’re sending a picture to Barry Stein’s iPhone to see if they belonged to Jeanette. She had a February birthday, and amethyst was her birthstone. If these belong to her, we’ve got our Bathtub Killer.”

“Excellent work, Aimee! We came up empty at Adele Woodmore’s. But I’ll put out an APB on Hamelin’s truck and get a warrant for his arrest. They can’t have gone far.” Jude disconnected the call and put the phone back on his belt clip.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Zoe said. “How dangerous is Murray Hamelin? Do you think he killed Flynn Gillis?”

Jude searched her eyes. No point in trying to be low key about the situation. “Zoe, the evidence suggests worse … he could be the Bathtub Killer.”

Zoe’s knees gave out, and Kyle caught her. “Come over here and sit. I’m Kyle. I’m with the FBI. Let me explain what’s happening.”

Zoe stood in the kitchen at the eatery and rested in Pierce’s embrace. “Go ahead and say ‘I told you so.’ I have it coming.”

“I’m not going to rub it in,” Pierce said. “I wanted to be wrong.”

“If anything happens to Adele …” Zoe’s voice cracked. “I should have tried harder to get her to stay away from Murray.”

“Ultimately, it was her choice, babe. Isabel tried more than once. You told me what she said to the sheriff. Adele was willing to let her quit rather than give up whatever it was she thought she had with this Murray character.”

“I don’t want to lose her.” Zoe began to sob. “You know what she means to me. She’s only lived here six months. It’s not enough time. I can’t lose her.”

Pierce held her tighter. “Don’t look for the worst-case scenario. Maybe he won’t hurt her. She’s the sweetest thing on the planet. Maybe she’s won him over.”

“And maybe all he wanted was her money, like Isabel said.”

Pierce sighed. “I’m
so
sorry this is happening.”

There was a loud knock, and then Vanessa Langley burst into the kitchen. “I heard about Adele. I can’t believe this!”

She came over and hugged the two of them. “Ethan offered to watch after the guests so I could come keep vigil with you. I called Pastor Auger and got the prayer chain going.”

“The prayer chain at Saint Catherine’s is on their knees too,” Pierce said.

“Do you need me to watch Grace for you?”

“Maddie came over to watch her and offered to stay all night if we need her to. It would really help me, though, if you’d stay with Zoe until I get off.” Pierce kissed the top of Zoe’s head. “Babe, I need to prepare these orders before our customers walk out. Are you all right hanging with Vanessa while we’re waiting for news?”

Zoe nodded. “I called Father Sam. He was going to call Hebert and Tex. They’ll be here any minute. We can sit with them.”

“Good.” Pierce tilted her chin. “You want something to eat? I can fix you a seafood salad that’s to die for.”

“I can’t. Not now.” Zoe stroked his cheek. “I’ll be fine. I need to get out of here and let you fill orders. Maybe Vanessa would like something.”

“No, thanks. I’ve already had dinner. I just came to help any way I can.”

“Just take care of Zoe,” Pierce said. “And come get me the minute you hear something.”

“We will.”

Adele sat in the passenger seat of Murray’s truck, fanning herself with the memorial folder from Jeanette Stein’s funeral and swatting mosquitoes. How far had Murray driven around the rookery? It seemed as if he had gone considerably farther than he had earlier in the evening. All she could tell for sure was that they were on a gravel road and parked in close proximity to the big pond.

Lord, no matter what he’s done, I don’t believe this boy is all bad. Help me to help him.

Murray reached in the open passenger-side window, took a can out of the glove box, and shook it. “Here, use this. I can’t do anything about the heat, but we don’t have to get eaten alive by these monster mosquitoes.”

Adele took the can of insect repellent and covered herself in the fine mist. “The little devils have always liked me. They never took a bite out of Alfred. Funny how that is.” She handed the can back to Murray. “Thank you, hon.”

He walked away without commenting and leaned on the front fender, his profile to her, and sprayed himself with insect repellent.

Adele moved her gaze around the thick, hazy blackness and couldn’t make out much of anything. Where was the full moon when she needed it? She could hear the chirping of egrets, herons, and ibis in the rookery, though they were considerably less noisy than they had been earlier.

“So what are you planning to do with me, Murray?”

He didn’t answer.

“Maybe it would help to talk. Zoe said you were a murder suspect. Is it Flynn Gillis? Is that why you wanted me to think Noah did it? I won’t be angry if you lied. Talk to me.”

Murray said nothing.

“You’re either guilty or you aren’t,” Adele said. “I’d just like to know which it is. It’s not going to change the things I like about you.”

He charged over to her open window and tossed the can of insect repellent on the seat. “Let’s get something straight, Adele. I couldn’t care less whether you like me or not! I’m not the person you think I am. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be.”

“I’m trying to figure out what
this
is.”

“Please … just shut up and let me think!”

“Are you going to kill me?”

Murray pushed away from the sill and walked away. She heard him swear as he disappeared into the trees.

She picked up the memorial folder and began to fan herself again. No one would find them out here—at least not tonight. Was there any way to escape? Even if she knew which direction to go, how far could she make it in the dark on this uneven terrain, trying to balance with a cane?

Fear seized her, as much for Murray as for herself. If death were to find her this very night, she had no fear of judgment. But if death were to find Murray now, while he was an enemy of God, there would be no spiritual defense lawyer to cut a deal. There was only one sentence for the unsaved.

Lord, please don’t let this end badly for either of us.