“I need to talk to him,” Noah said. “He thought I was asking for a new partner today. He took Rachel Ward’s death hard. I want him to know he’s got my support.”
“And you’ll be able to tell him that, after he’s stabilized,” Abbott said. “For now, the best thing you can do is your job.”
“You’re right. We were going to check on that couple who phoned in the Martha tip. The Bolyards. I still have time to do that. Eve can stay with me while I talk to them.”
“No problem,” she said. “I have my laptop. I can keep busy wherever.”
Abbott walked with them, waiting until Eve was in Noah’s car and her door shut before motioning Noah a few feet away. “If Jack survives, he won’t be on his feet for a while. You’re going to need a new partner to see you through this investigation.”
Noah didn’t want to consider either option, but knew Abbott was right. “Who?”
“I don’t know yet. If this had been next year, I’d say Olivia, because Kane’s up for retirement soon. I’ll make some calls and let you know as soon as I do.” He looked over Noah’s shoulder to where Eve waited in the car. “She needs to go to a safe house.”
Noah thought of all the years she’d hidden in that shelter. “I don’t think she’ll go.”
“Convince her,” Abbott said tersely. “I can’t have you carting her around with you. If you can’t find a safe place outside, we’ll find a safe house and keep her inside.”
Noah nodded, once more knowing Abbott was right. “Anything else?”
“Just focus on your own case. Five women dead.”
“I haven’t forgotten them, Bruce,” Noah said levelly, then was saved anything further when a sleek Mercedes drove up.
Carleton Pierce got out, his face tight with concern. “What’s going on?”
Abbott’s brows bunched. “What are you doing here, Carleton?”
“I have business with Jack.”
“What kind of business? Why did he call you?” Abbott pressed, but Carleton’s eyes were fixed on the gurney being pushed out Jack’s front door, the body bag zipped.
“Oh my God. Did Jack…?”
“Why did he call you, Carleton?” Abbott asked again.
Carleton’s eyes never left the body bag on the gurney. “I can’t tell you that.”
“That’s not Jack,” Noah said and Carleton’s startled gaze swung to meet his.
“Then who is it?”
“Jack’s girlfriend,” Abbott said. “Why did Jack call you? I need to know.”
Carleton’s shoulders had sagged in relief, but now they were straight again. “Bruce, don’t ask me. I can’t tell you. Where is Jack?”
“Probably in the emergency room by now,” Abbott said darkly. Carleton’s eyes grew wide again. “Why?”
Abbott’s jaw was tight. “He may have mixed alcohol and downers.”
Carleton let out a quiet breath. “Dammit. What’s Jack’s prognosis?”
“Not good.” Abbott watched as the MEs loaded Katie’s body into the rig. “But better than hers at the moment. I don’t mean to be rude, Carleton, but we have work to do.”
“Fine. If Jack survives, tell him I stopped by, won’t you? I’ll see you both tomorrow at morning meeting.” He drove away without another word.
“Unhappy shrink,” Noah noted.
“Not my job to keep him happy,” Abbott snapped.
“He’s not allowed to divulge patient information, Bruce. You know that. That he was here means Jack was more affected than either of us thought.”
“I know,” Abbott said grimly. “And that’s not good for Jack.”
“When Jack wakes up, tell him I don’t believe he did this, okay?”
Abbott’s angry expression sagged. “Sure. Now go and do your job. Keep me posted. And follow my orders on the safe house for Eve.”
“Your uncle seemed nice,” Liza offered quietly. They’d left the hospital when visiting hours were over and were in Tom’s car, headed downtown. “I’m glad he’ll be okay.”
Tom’s jaw was hard. “I can’t believe somebody tried to kill him. Or Eve.”
“You’re lucky to have a family,” she said and watched his shoulders sag.
“Don’t give up hope. Lindsay may still be out there. How’s your mom?”
“She’s okay. I still haven’t told her. She’s pretty fragile right now.” Liza felt terrible lying to him, but if he knew her mom was dead, he’d force her to live somewhere else. For now, she needed the freedom to move and search. “If you need to be with your family, it’s okay. I can look for this Jonesy guy myself.” Olivia had never called with information on the one person that prostitute said might have seen Lindsay.
“I’ll go with. I’m worried about Eve. I don’t want to be worrying about you, too.”
Wednesday, February 24, 9:25 p.m.
“You were remarkably calm,” Noah commented as they drove away from Jack’s.
“Not really,” she said honestly. “But I didn’t think I was helping you by falling apart. Why was Pierce here and what did Abbott say to make you so upset?”
“Carleton said he had a meeting with Jack tonight.”
“Meeting meaning appointment. Not good for refuting Jack’s attempt at suicide.”
“Exactly. Neither of us is terribly thrilled at the moment.”
“And? Noah, I want to know what Abbott said. I know he was talking about me.”
He glanced over at her. “What makes you say that?”
“Because he looked me square in the eye while he was talking to you.”
Noah sighed. “He wants you to go to a safe house.”
Eve smiled mildly even though her insides churned at the thought. “No,” she said, then moved on before he could argue. “How about you? Are you all right?”
He said nothing for a moment. “No. I haven’t had the best relationship with Jack.”
“I could tell. Sal told me that Jack went through partners pretty quickly.”
“The last few years, that’s been true,” he said, guilt in his voice.
“Noah, even if Katie was a plant, Jack allowed her into his home. His bed. He let down his guard with a woman he barely knew.”
Noah aimed a long look at her, before turning back to the road. “I meant to tell you. Amy Millhouse was the first victim. Her brother altered the scene, which was why we missed it. He said she sold real estate, but mostly hung out in the casino. High roller.”
“The dancer friend of Rachel’s said he picked her up in the casino, so we know he’s been hunting there. It makes sense that he’d go there for Amy. He went to where the heavy users were. I have one other red-zone case that never leaves the casino. She was there last night, all night, just like normal. But she could be at risk.”
“Natalie,” he remembered. “She plays at the table with the avatar who cheats.”
“Dasich,” she said darkly. “I need to check on Natalie. She should be there now.”
“You can access the game from here? Right now?”
She drew her laptop from her bag. “I’ve got a wireless card, so I’m good anywhere.”
“After you check on Natalie, see if Amy Millhouse has a black wreath on her door.”
“Will do.” Eve navigated Greer first to the casino, where Natalie’s avatar sat in her usual place. Unfortunately for Natalie, Dasich was there, too, and had the lion’s share of chips. “Natalie’s losing, but she’s safe. I’ll go to Amy’s now.”
She sent Greer on to Amy’s house and frowned. “Yes, there’s a black wreath on Amy’s door. There wasn’t one this morning.” She turned to Noah, troubled. “He put the wreaths on Christy’s and Rachel’s doors as soon as he killed them, but waited on Martha and Samantha until you realized they were there. Amy didn’t have a wreath this morning. How did he know you knew? None of the press picked up on that yet.”
“How did he find out about any of them?” he asked irritably.