WATCHING (10 page)

***

“
Narrow the search parameters to those of males, only children, adopted or fostered by members of more religious parents,
”
Hell said, mind running through the scenarios.
“
Those who may have adopted through church agencies or had references from fellow congregationers. Those who may have taken in large numbers of children. And those who homeschooled their children. Also have K.D. check into hospital records for the same time period. We are looking for a cross-reference. These parents would have felt that to
sp
are
the rod
would have
spoiled the child
.
”

“
One of the victims
—
Hailey Ann
—
was highly active in her church
,
”
Brockman said.
“
I
’
ll take Ana and
Dakon
. Do another round of interviews. I
’
ll give you my Tompkins to help your Sparks get the records together
.
”

“
Excellent. Georgia
—
let
’
s roll
.
”
Hell spared one more glance for the diner. Most of the PAVAD agents were busily eating, files clutched in hands and determined looks on faces. Their dedication was evident. The diner had become an extension of the St. Louis bullpen in many eyes. Hell felt a keen sense of pride, knowing he was a part of the best division in the nation.

“
Hellbrook? Keep close tabs on Georgia
.
”
Brockman stood when Hell did, pulling out his wallet and dumping enough cash on the table to cover the four breakfasts. Hell thought that was fitting since the other man had eaten off three of the plates.

“
Excuse me
?
”
Hell heard the indignant breath from the woman sliding out of the booth behind him. She turned to Brockman with a look of irritation on her face, and her lips thinning. It was nice to see any kind of tension between her and Brockman.

“
Now don
’
t menace me, love. You heard me, Hell. We know this bastard wants small female brunettes
—
well, the
only
two I
’
ve seen playing for our side are these two. And Georgia has a higher likelihood of crossing the UNSUB
’
s path than Julia
.
”
Brockman nodded toward the medical examiner as she stood.
“
I figure this one
’
s safe in the precinct in Rapid City, although I can donate my Wilkins to go with her. But Georgia..
.
”

“
Can take care of herself
,
”
Georgia said as the medical examiner crossed her arms and glowered up at Brockman. Brockman now had two angry females glaring at him.

“
By not being stupid
.
”
Brockman smiled down at Georgia, then brushed a kiss against her forehead.
“
Which we all know she is not
.
”

“
I
’
ll be careful
.
”
Georgia gave in, surprising Hell at how quick the capitulation came.
“
You know I will
.
”

“
Good
.
”

“
Can we get going now
?
”
Georgia asked, looking at Hell.
“
Every minute we stand here is a minute wasted
.
”

Chapter
11

****

He wasn
’
t exactly the kind of guy who
’
d frequented many libraries, yet that was the assignment he and his had been given. Canvassing the area because the great Hellbrook and Brockman finally determined this bastard watched the victims for a time before he acted.

He snorted. Big surprise there, he could have figured that out days ago.

He kept the boy with him and sent his other two to the library
’
s second floor fiction section. The first victim, Hailey Ann, had been researching a social studies project. He and the boy would focus their attention on the visitors to the library
’
s nonfiction section.

The library wasn
’
t very full, half a dozen patrons at most. That was a shocker in itself, as it wasn
’
t even noon. The first three they spoke with gave them nothing they didn
’
t already have, and the next three knew nothing at all.

Another wasted fucking day. He bet Hellbrook was getting somewhere. Front of the action, center of attention. Glory hound.
He
wasn
’
t stuck in a damned
Podunk
library interviewing old men who had nothing better to do than hang out in the fishing magazines all damned day.

“
What do we do now, boss
?
”
the boy asked after they
’
d finished with the last patron.

He tossed the boy a book from the nearest shelf.
“
You brush up a bit while I go get us some lunch
.
”

“
Spanish
for
Dummies
?
”
The boy read the title before tossing the book to the table. He pulled some money from his wallet.

He waved it away. The kid still had student loans to pay.
“
It
’
s on me this time
.
”

Not like he couldn
’
t spare it. His bills were paid, thanks to the insurance policy Linda had named him on.

When he returned with four value meals from the nearest McDonalds the boy had the Spanish book open and was practicing his verbs aloud, oblivious to the looks he was getting from the library staff and patrons. He smiled. The kid certainly knew how to follow orders.

He dropped the food, ignoring the library
’
s No Food sign—not like they
’
d kick him and his out—on the table. The boy dropped the book and attacked the food. Kid would have a heart attack y the time he hit forty, with all the French fries and junk he ate. He thought about lecturing again, but well, dammit—wasn
’
t his kid to worry about. Boy was at least twenty-six
or
twenty-seven years old. He wasn
’
t his damned mother.

He looked around the library. Damned place was now half
full—women and children.

“
Home-schoolers,
”
the boy said.
“
We
’
ve talked to all of
’
em already
.
”

His team knew what to do.
“
Anything good
?
”

“
No, nothing we don
’
t already know.
Nobody saw nothing
and
when will you stop them
type stuff
.
”

“
Figures
.
”
He ate his chicken sandwich slowly, taking time to savor it. He didn
’
t allow himself fast food very often. He
’
d almost finished when movement caught his attention
.

A thirty-something woman and six kids ranging from teens to infant had taken over the largest table. He studied them, more out of boredom than anything else. The oldest wasn
’
t the mother
’
s. He
’
d bet good money on it. Didn
’
t share a single physical feature with the mother or the other kids for that matter, dark where they were all fair. The three boys were dressed conservatively in polos and khakis. The girls were much more modest, in plain long-sleeved shirts and long skirts.

Their hair was scraped back ruthlessly. All the children were pale, as if they saw little sunlight. Neither the mother nor the eldest girl wore a hint of make-up. He brushed them off as some of those
ultra-
fanatic
over
religious types.

He hated talking to those kind of nuts—always made him feel they thought they were better than he and his.

He nodded at two of his agents. They knew what to do. And they did it. He and the boy went back to observing.

They made the mother uneasy when badges were flashed. The oldest girl
’
s eyes widened and she paled. She lowered her head when the mother shot her a sharp look. They
’
d be little help. He kept half an ear on their conversation—it was a small library after all—as he mulled over what they already knew.

Hellbrook had said this guy was known to the locals.

The girls would have seen the guy around. He would have been at the library at least once in order to grab the first girl. Why? Just to chose his first victim?

He called the boy back to the table from where he
’
d wandered over to the dating manuals. Did the kid think he needed help with that little local redhead? Funny. If the boy truly didn
’
t have those skills, he could give him a few pointers.

“
Yeah, boss
?
”

“
Get the list of everyone who checked out or returned any materials for the entire month leading to Hailey
’
s visit
.
”

“
Gotcha, boss
.
”

The woman
’
s voice rose and drew his attention again. She had the oldest girl by the arm. Her voice was snappish and had him feeling for the girl. Bad enough to be the odd one out in a dozen kids, but to have that look sent her direction. He felt for her. The woman shook her again.
“
See to the lessons, Hannah!
”

“
Yes, ma
’
am
.
”
She nodded a few times then approached his table. She pointed to the Spanish book the boy had left.
“
Excuse me, sir. Can I have that book? It
’
s time for Ezra
’
s Spanish lesson
.
”

He nodded, another rush of sympathy hitting him. Her words had been so hesitant.

“
Thank you
.
”
She reached for the book and he slid it a bit closer. Her hand closed on the spine as her shirt sleeve fell back.

Bruises—long, finger-shaped marks—covered the little girl
’
s skin.

He said nothing. He had to remind himself that she wasn
’
t why they were there today.

But
dammit
!
he hated when kids were hurt. Especially by those who should have protected them.

***

Twenty minutes later he gave orders to his three to carry one without him. He
’
d head back and catch up with those local agents. See if they
’
d learned anything new.

The girl, Hannah, was by the restroom, clutching the baby against her with one hand, and holding the littlest girl by the other. She stopped when she saw him, to let him pass in front of her.

Her head lowered, as did the little girl
’
s.
“
Sir, excuse us, we didn
’
t mean to get in your way
.
”

“
You didn
’
t. It
’
s ok, honey. You
’
ve got your hands full there. How old is the baby
?
”

“
He
’
s three months old this week
.
”

“
He
’
s beautiful
.
”

“
Thank you
.
”
Polite and differential, she lead the child around him.

His hand shot out, stopping short of touching her arm. She just looked at him, fear in pretty hazel eyes. Hazel, like his Linda
’
s had been. Linda would have wanted him to help this girl. He knew it.

He dropped his hand to his pocket and pulled out his business card. He handed it to her.
“
You need any help, you call this number, you hear me? Anything, anytime. I
’
ll do what I can. Everybody deserves to be safe. Even you and those two there
.
If someone is hurting you, there are people out there who can and
will
help.
”