Page 70 of No Quarter

“And what about his address?” Valerie asked.

“They’ve already been over there,” Charlie answered. “He was nowhere to be found.”

“They’ve checked the grounds, extensively,” Valerie thought out loud. “And the weather is pretty bad, so I think we can rule out hunkering down outdoors.”

Charlie leaned forward: “Family?”

“He had a paternal grandmother,” Doctor Whitmore said. “But as far as I’m aware, she died recently at Buford Nursing Home.”

Valerie’s mind started to process this new piece of information.

“Did she have a history of being overbearing?” Will asked.

“Why, yes, as a matter of fact,” Doctor Whitmore replied.

Will stood up and started to pace. “Controlling? Demanding that he turn to her for his every need?”

“Yes,” Doctor Whitmore said again, surprised. “It’s as if you’ve read his case file already.”

“No,” Will said, smiling. “It would fit with some serial killer profiles. An overbearing mother figure. Domineering.”

“Emasculating,” Valerie added.

“The killer,” Will continued. “Could have developed a number of pathological personality traits because of this. A deep sense of anger toward women. And yet a fascination with them.”

“And a need to wield power over them where he could,” Charlie added. “Just to inflate their self-worth.”

“I see,” Doctor Whitmore replied. “I wish I had known this before.”

“Tell me, Doctor,” Valerie said, the warmth of the fire glowing in the faces around her. “Do you now if Saldana’s grandmother died in that house?”

“Actually,” he said. “If memory serves me, she died at Buford Nursing Home. Saldana used to visit there every Sunday until she passed.”

“And do you know if she was cremated or buried nearby?” Valerie needed to know this. It was imperative.

“She was buried at Buford Cemetery.”

Valerie stood up. “If this is all correct, and what Will says about Saldana’s relationship to his grandmother rings true, thenthere are three possible places where he might hide out when under threat. Like a kid running to a parent for comfort.”

She turned to Charlie and Will.

“Charlie, you head over to the nursing home. Will, grab Sam Teller and get him to accompany you to the house where the grandmother used to live.”

“And where are you going?” Charlie asked.

“I’ll go to the cemetery.”

“I thought you said it was unlikely that he would be outside in this weather?” Doctor Whitmore asked.

“There’ll be some buildings inside the cemetery for storage or internment,” she said.

“Right,” Doctor Whitmore said. “Allow me to accompany you.”

“I think you’ve seen enough action for tonight, Doctor Whitmore,” Valerie said.

“Please,” his eyes pleaded. “At least let me help. I might be able to talk to him.”

Valerie sighed. “Okay. Everyone stay in touch and keep your eyes open. We still have a few hours of darkness, and I don’t want anyone else getting hurt.”

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