Page 56 of Go Home
“Cast out your demons for twelve dollars ninety-nine cents…” Something struck Marcus; he reached in his jacket pocket for a piece of paper.“Before I forget.The vehicle that was following you.”
“The SUV,” Kate said.“Thank you for believing me.”
“It’s actually a 2021 Jeep Renegade.Cute.”
Kate rolled her eyes.Marcus was such a boy.
“Registered to a Tavone Willem Kelly.”
“Spell out the first two names.”
“T-A-V…” Marcus obliged.
“The name sounds familiar.”
“It should.He lives downstairs from you.”
The tall kid who went running every morning.That was weird.Alternatively, it was completely innocuous.There was a big public library near to Gabe”s favorite café and on more than one occasion, she’d seen the kid – Tavone Kelly – with a big backpack full of books.She also remembered literally driving everywhere once she got her driver’s license, just because she could.Tavone was probably the same: flushed with the freedom and the newness of it all.
On top of that, she had no proof that the kid was following her.She saw him.Actually, though, she didn’t see him, because if she’d seen him, she’d have recognized him.It could have been the same for him – that he saw her, without recognizing her.That was all.She should say something next time she saw him, though.Break the ice.She would do that.
“You want me to have a word with him?”
“No.But thank you.And why would you think I don’t want you to care?”
Marcus opened his mouth to answer.But she would never hear that answer because her phone rang.
It was Winters.“There’s a third.In his own home.I’ll tell you the address.
It was less than fifteen minutes away.They drove there in tense silence, arriving at the top of the street where the victim had lived, just as a light rain began to fall.A burly, genial looking biker-cop pulled them over.
“Have to park up here, boys, and walk down.Sorry, ma’am,” he added.“It’s wild down there.”
Crime scenes were often like that.Numerous mobile units competing for space alongside firetrucks, forensics, local news crews, and neighbors hopeful of appearing on TV.Lots of people with clipboards.Kate waved to a cop she knew – Enriquez.
“Seems like same MO as the other two,” said Enriquez, offering her some gum.“Diesel.Swift loss of consciousness.Think that might be deliberate?”
“What might?”
“Diesel’s got a higher flashpoint than gas, takes longer to go up but creates more fumes en route.Maybe what he’s aiming for.Ensures that they’re knocked out way before the fire gets to them.”
“A humane serial killer?”Marcus questioned.Enriquez shrugged.
“He’s ex-P.D.,” she said.“Lieutenant Leonard Palmer.Retired ten months ago.”
Kate opened her mouth to say something but then stopped.“Can you get an ID photo for him?”
“Sure,” replied Enriquez, already on the phone.They flashed their warrant cards at the guy on the cordon and went inside.
“Cameras all over the show,” Marcus said, pointing to the ceiling.“You think he had anything particular to fear, or was he just paranoid?”
“Both,” Kate said.“Every retired cop’s got a few enemies.”
One of the techs from before squeezed past them, gave a nod of greeting.
“Go see the fire-pit,” she said.“Something for you, I think.”
They picked their way through the blackened shell of the kitchen and made it outside.They could hear loud sobbing from the house next door – a traumatized neighbor, they guessed.
