Harmful Intent (38 page)

“Obviously you couldn't ask him directly,” Kelly said, coming around the couch with the tea. “But maybe you could just be suggestive and see if he implicates himself.”

Jeffrey nodded. As much as he hated to admit it, Kelly might have hit on something. “I did find something in the drawer of his nightstand that might be significant in this regard,” Jeffrey said.

“And what was that?”

“A bunch of kinky Polaroids. Nudie pictures.”

“Of whom?”

“Himself,” Jeffrey said. “There were other things in his apartment—handcuffs, lingerie, violent porn videos—that make me think that in addition to being a serial killer, Nurse Harding has a gender-identity problem and some serious sexual hangups. I took some of the Polaroids with me on a hunch. Maybe we can use them as leverage.”

“How so?”

“I'm not sure,” Jeffrey said. “But I can't imagine he'd want too many people seeing them. He's probably pretty vain.”

“You think he is gay?” Kelly asked.

“I think there is a chance,” Jeffrey said. “But I have the feeling he's not at all sure, like he's confused and fighting it. It could be the problem that's driving him to do crazy things. That is, if he's doing them.”

“He sounds charming,” Kelly said.

“The kind of son only a mother could love,” Jeffrey said. He reached into his pockets, searching for the three Polaroids. Finding them, he extended them toward Kelly. “Take a gander,” he said.

Kelly took the photos. She took one look and gave them back to Jeffrey. “Ugh!” she said.

“Now the only question is whether a tape recording would be admissible in court if we happen to get lucky. Maybe it's time I give old Randolph a call.”

“Who's Randolph?” Kelly asked. She checked to see if the tea had adequately steeped, then poured two cups.

“My lawyer.”

Jeffrey went into the kitchen and called Randolph's office. After identifying himself, he was put on hold. Kelly brought a
cup of tea over to him and put it on the counter. He took a sip. It was very hot.

When Randolph came on the line he was not particularly friendly. “Where are you, Jeffrey?” he asked abruptly.

“Still in Boston.”

“The court is aware of your attempted flight to South America,” Randolph said. “You're about to forfeit your bail. I cannot urge you more strenuously to give yourself up.”

“Randolph, I have other things on my mind right now.”

“I'm not sure you understand the gravity of your situation,” Randolph said. “There is a formal warrant out for your apprehension and arrest.”

“
Shut up for a minute, will you, Randolph!
” Jeffrey yelled. “And let me tell you something. I've had a full appreciation of the seriousness of this affair from day one. If anyone has erred in that regard it is you, not I. You lawyers think of this as all a game, all in a day's work. Well, let me tell you something: it's my life that's in the balance. And let me tell you something else. I'm not running around on Ipanema Beach having a good time these days. I think I'm onto something that can potentially negate my conviction. At the moment all I want to do is ask you a legal question and maybe get something for all the money I've thrown at you.”

There was a momentary silence. Jeffrey was afraid the man had hung up on him.

“Are you still there, Randolph?”

“What is your question?”

“Is a tape recording admissible as evidence in court?” Jeffrey asked.

“Does the person know he is being tape-recorded?” Randolph asked.

“No,” Jeffrey said. “He doesn't.”

“Then it would not be admissible,” Randolph said.

“Why the hell not?”

“It has to do with the right to privacy,” Randolph said, starting to explain the law to Jeffrey.

Disgusted, Jeffrey hung up on the man. “Still batting zero,” he told Kelly. Jeffrey carried his tea over to the couch and sat down next to her.

“I can't believe that man,” Jeffrey said. “You'd think he'd be able to come through on one thing.”

“He didn't make the law.”

“I'm not so sure,” Jeffrey said. “Seems to me most of the
lawmakers are lawyers. It's like a private club. They make their own rules and thumb their noses at the rest of us.”

“So what if you can't tape-record?” Kelly said. “I can listen on the extension. I'm no tape recorder, but I certainly could be introduced as evidence. I could be a witness.”

Jeffrey studied her face with admiration. “That's right—I never thought of that. Now all we have to think about is what I'll say to Trent Harding.”

Devlin was jolted out of his indecision by his car phone. He was still sitting in his car two doors down from Kelly Everson's house. Twenty-five minutes earlier he'd seen the car pull into the drive and disappear into the garage. He'd caught a glimpse of the driver: a cute brunette with long hair. He'd guessed she was Kelly.

Earlier he'd gone up to the house and rung the bell, but no one had come to the door. The place seemed empty. He hadn't heard so much as a pin drop, not like he had on his first visit. Devlin had retired to the car to wait. But now that Kelly had come home, he didn't know whether to go right up there and talk to her or sit tight for a while to see if she had any visitors or went anyplace. Unable to decide, he sat some more, which he knew was a decision in itself. One thing for sure was that she'd not opened any of the drawn drapes. That didn't seem normal at all.

It was Mosconi on the phone. Devlin had to hold the phone at arm's length while Michael carried on. The bond was about to be forfeited.

“Why haven't you found the doctor yet?” Mosconi demanded after his hysterical monologue had run out of steam.

Devlin told him that his week still wasn't up, but the reminder fell on deaf ears.

“I've put in calls to some other bounty hunters.”

“Now why did you do that?” Devlin asked. “I told you I'd get him, and I will. I've made some progress, so when those calls come back, tell the men they're not needed.”

“Can you promise me something in the next twenty-four hours?”

“I have a good lead. I have a feeling I'll be seeing the doctor tonight.”

“You didn't answer my question,” Michael said. “I want some results in twenty-four hours. Otherwise I'm out of business.”

“All right,” Devlin said. “Twenty-four hours.”

“You're not giving me a load of crap just to humor me, are you, Devlin?”

“Would I ever do that?”

“All the time,” Michael said. “But this time I'm going to hold you to it. Understand?”

“Have you found out anything else about the doctor's trial?” Devlin asked. Mosconi had already told Devlin the essentials of the case earlier that afternoon. When Devlin had heard more of the story, he felt something close to sympathy for Rhodes. To have made a mistake once with something like morphine and then to get over it only to have it kicked in your face at the first wrong turn seemed unfair. Knowing what kind of “murderer” Rhodes was, Devlin even felt guilty about having shot at him back at the Essex. Part of the reason Devlin had played such hardball had been because he thought he'd been dealing with a real criminal—a bona fide bad guy of the white-collar variety Devlin always had it in for. But knowing more about the nature of the crime made Devlin feel like he was just another hit of the bad luck already plaguing the guy.

But Devlin wasn't about to let his empathy get out of control. He would be professional about this, he reminded himself. He had to be. He'd bring in Dr. Jeffrey Rhodes all right, but he'd be sure to bring him in alive, not dead.

“Quit worrying about the man's conviction,” Mosconi snapped. “Just bring the bastard in or I'm getting somebody else. You hear me?”

Devlin hung up his car phone. Sometimes Mosconi could get on his nerves and this was one of them. Devlin certainly didn't want to lose the reward on this case, and he disliked being threatened with the possibility. He also hated to have been forced into a promise that he might not be able to deliver on. He'd try his best. But now he didn't have the luxury of waiting for things to happen. He had to make them happen. He started his car and drove into Kelly's driveway. Getting out, he went to the front door and rang the bell.

* * *

Jeffrey had been deep in thought when the doorbell rang and it startled him. Kelly got up and started for the door. Jeffrey leaned over the back of the couch and said, “Make sure who it is.”

Kelly stopped at the door to the dining room. “I always make sure who it is,” she said with an edge to her voice.

Jeffrey nodded. He was sorry both their nerves were getting so frayed. Maybe he should do Kelly the favor of moving to a hotel after all. The situation was fraught with more tension than he could expect her to endure. For the moment, he turned his thoughts back to Trent Harding and what he might say to him on the telephone. There had to be a way to bait the guy. If he could only get him talking . . .

Just then Kelly tiptoed back into the room. “At the door,” she whispered. “It's not anyone I know. I think it might be that Devlin character. Ponytail, denim clothes, Maltese cross earring. I think you should come see.”

“Oh, no!” Jeffrey said as he lifted himself from the couch and followed Kelly through the dining room and into the foyer. He wasn't up to another confrontation. Just as they arrived at the door, its chimes were rung again several times in rapid succession. Jeffrey warily advanced and gingerly put his eye to the peephole.

Jeffrey's blood ran cold. It was Devlin, all right! Jeffrey ducked away from the door and motioned Kelly to follow him into the dining room.

“It's Devlin, all right,” he whispered. “Maybe if we stay quiet he'll think no one is at home and go away like he did last time.”

“But we just drove in,” Kelly said. “If he'd seen the car, he'd know someone is home. Then if we pretend otherwise, he'll guess you are here.”

Jeffrey looked at her with renewed admiration. “Why do I have the feeling you're better at this stuff than I am?” he asked.

“We can't let him get suspicious,” Kelly said. She started back toward the door. “You hide. I'll talk to him, but I won't let him in.”

Jeffrey nodded. What else could he do? Kelly was right. Devlin had probably been watching the house. Jeffrey only hoped he'd crouched low enough in the car so Devlin hadn't seen him.

Frantically, he searched for a place to hide. He didn't want to go back to the pantry. Instead, he slipped into the hall closet built under the stairs and pushed in behind the coats.

Kelly went to the door and called out: “Who is it?”

“Sorry to bother you, ma'am,” Devlin called through the door. “I'm working for law enforcement and I'm looking for a dangerous man, a convicted felon. I would like to talk to you for a moment.”

“I'm afraid this is a bad time,” Kelly said. “I've just come from the shower and I'm all alone. I don't like to open the door to strangers. I hope you understand.”

“I can understand,” Devlin said. “Especially the way I look. The man I'm looking for is named Jeffrey Rhodes, although he has used aliases. The reason I want to talk to you is because someone specifically told me that you were recently seen with this man.”

“Oh!” Kelly said, nonplussed that someone had told that to Devlin. “Who told you such a thing?” she stammered. Kelly quickly tried to guess who Devlin possibly could have been talking with. A neighbor? Polly Arnsdorf?

“I'm not at liberty to say,” Devlin said. “But the fact is that you know him, isn't that true?”

Kelly quickly regained her composure, realizing that Devlin had been fishing, trying to get her to commit herself just as she and Jeffrey had thought of trying to do to Trent Harding.

“I've heard the name,” Kelly said. “Some years ago, before my husband died, I believe he did some research with a Jeffrey Rhodes. But I haven't seen the man since my husband's funeral.”

“In that case, I'm sorry to bother you,” Devlin said. “Perhaps my contact isn't reliable. I tell you what. I'll slip a telephone number under the door. If you see or hear from Jeffrey Rhodes, give me a call.”

Kelly looked down as a card came under the door.

“Did you get it?” Devlin asked.

“I did, and I'll be sure to call if I see him.” Kelly pulled aside the lace curtain over the sidelight of the door and watched Devlin descend the few steps in front of her house. He disappeared from view. Then she heard a car start. A black Buick Regal backed into the street and accelerated away. Kelly waited a moment, then went out the door and peeked around the corner of the house. She watched the car disappear toward Boston. Running back into the house, she closed and locked the front door. Then she opened the door to the front closet. Jeffrey was way in under the stair. He blinked when he emerged into the light.

* * *

Devlin had to smile. Sometimes even smart people could be so dumb. He could tell Kelly had been thrown the minute he'd told her she'd been seen with Jeffrey Rhodes. She'd recovered, but too late. Devlin knew she'd been lying, which meant she was trying to hide something. Besides, he'd seen her peeking around the side of her house as he'd driven away.

As soon as he was well out of sight of Kelly's house, he pulled a quick U-turn. Then he maneuvered through the small side streets until he approached her house from the opposite direction. Devlin pulled into the crushed-gravel drive of a nearby home that looked deserted and killed his engine. He had a good view of Kelly's house through a stand of birch trees.

From the way Kelly had acted, he knew she knew something. The question was how much. Devlin thought there was a good possibility she'd be getting in touch with Jeffrey to warn him that Devlin had been there. Devlin wished he'd had an opportunity to put a bug on her phone. He thought about going around the back of her house and finding her telephone junction box, but he couldn't do that in the daylight. He'd have to wait for dark for that kind of stunt.

If he was really lucky, and Devlin thought he was due for a little luck, Kelly would go visit Jeffrey, wherever the hell the guy was hiding. There was a slim chance that the doc would even show up there on Kelly's doorstep. Devlin would wait and see. Whatever else might happen, one thing was for sure: the next time he ran into him, the good doctor wasn't getting away.

 

“Didn't you hear what he said?” Kelly asked.

“No,” Jeffrey said. “I could hear you, but not him.”

“He said that someone told him they'd seen us together. I said that I hadn't been in touch with you since Chris's funeral. He left his name and number in case I heard from you. I'm sure he doesn't know you're here. If he did, he wouldn't have given up so easily, and he certainly wouldn't have bothered leaving his telephone number.”

“But it's the second time he's come here,” Jeffrey said. “He must know something, otherwise he wouldn't keep coming back. We've been lucky so far. He carries a gun, which he thinks nothing of shooting at will.”

“He's fishing,” Kelly said confidently. “I'm telling you, he doesn't know you're here. Trust me!”

“It's Devlin I don't trust. He's real trouble. I feel guilty about jeopardizing your safety.”

“You're not jeopardizing my safety.
I'm
jeopardizing my safety. I'm an active participant in this. You're not about to scare me out of it any more than Devlin or Harding are. Besides,” she said, softening a bit, “you need me.”

Jeffrey studied Kelly's face. He looked deep into her dark-brown eyes, noticing flecks of gold. For the first time he almost felt everything he'd gone through in the last few days had been worth it just to reach this moment with her. He'd always thought of her as attractive; suddenly she was beautiful. Beautiful, warm, caring, and oh, so feminine.

They were sitting on the gingham couch, having come there after Kelly had pulled Jeffrey from the depths of the front closet. With the curtains of the family room still drawn, the only source of the late-afternoon light was the mullioned casement windows over the sink. It made the illumination in the room gentle and even. The sound of songbirds drifted in from the backyard.

“Despite the danger, you really want me to stay?” Jeffrey queried. He had one arm over the back of the couch.

“You can be so thickheaded,” Kelly said with a smile. “Just like a man.” She laughed her crystalline laugh. Her eyes and teeth sparkled in the soft light. “So it's settled,” she said. Playfully she leaned her head against Jeffrey's arm and reached out with her hand. She ever so gently touched the end of his nose, then the tip of his upper lip. “I have some idea of how alone you must have been feeling these days, these months. I know because I've felt the same. I could see it in your eyes the night you came here from the airport.”

“It was that obvious?” Jeffrey asked. But he didn't expect an answer. It was a rhetorical question, as he felt a change coming over him. The universe was shrinking. Suddenly the room was all there was. Time slowed, then stopped. Gently leaning forward, Jeffrey kissed Kelly's upturned mouth. As if in slow motion they came together in a tender, emotional, love-starved way. At first their coupling was slow, then eager, then ravenous. It was a joyous union, as mutual need was sated by mutual gratification.

Eventually the sound of the songbirds re-entered their consciousness. As overwhelming and as unexpected as their love-making had been, reality drifted back in stages. For a brief instant they'd been the only people on the earth, and space and time had stood still. With some embarrassment akin to a loss of innocence they pulled apart enough to look into each other's eyes. They giggled. They felt like teenagers.

“So,” Kelly said, at last breaking the silence. “You'll stay?”

Both laughed.

“I'll stay,” Jeffrey agreed.

“How about some dinner?”

“Wow, what a transition,” Jeffrey said. “I haven't been thinking much about food. Are you hungry?”

“I'm always hungry,” Kelly admitted, detaching herself.

They made dinner together, Kelly doing the lion's share of the work but giving Jeffrey odd jobs like cleaning and spindrying the lettuce.

Jeffrey was amazed at how calm he felt. The fear of Devlin was still there, but it was now under control. With Kelly by his side he didn't feel as if he was alone. Plus he decided she was right. Devlin couldn't have known he was there. If he had, he would have come through the door whether Kelly had opened it or not.