“There’s one other thing …” Derek paused. “It’s apparent that he’s killing more frequently now, and that’s not likely to change. He will continue killing until he’s caught, and he’s probably not going to put much, if any, time between the murder of one woman and the abduction of another.”
“Not what I wanted to hear, but what I expected.”
“I’ll fax my report to you.” He called out the fax number Jim had given him to confirm it was correct, then said goodbye.
Jim hit the off button on the phone, then dialed the sheriff’s office. Lisa Wiley answered on the third ring. “This is Jim Norton. I need to speak to the sheriff on official business.”
He’d added the bit about official business because he wasn’t sure Bernie would take his call otherwise. Not that he’d called her since Saturday night, but all things considered, he didn’t know how she would react.
“Jim, what’s up?” Bernie asked.
Well, at least she’d called him Jim and not Captain Norton. “Derek Lawrence is faxing our killer’s profile to me and I thought you might want to come over so we can take a look at it together.”
“I’ll be over in about five minutes. Put on a fresh pot of coffee.”
“I’ll go do that now. See you in five minutes.” When she hung up, he smiled. She’d sounded like her old self, not angry or upset. But don’t assume you two can go back to where you were before the Robyn incident. You’ll have to rebuild her trust in you, just as you’ll have to rebuild it with Kevin.
Both Ron and John were working other assignments today and were out and about, so when Jim walked into the outer office, he expected to find it empty. Instead, he found Robyn Granger standing there in skintight jeans, a tank top, and sandals. She offered him a let’s-be-friends smile.
“What are you doing here?” he asked on his way to the coffeemaker.
“I came by to apologize. Again.”
“That’s not necessary.” He lifted the nearly empty coffeepot and took it into the adjacent bathroom.
“I talked to Kevin this morning over at Mom and Dad’s,” Robyn said. “I told him that what happened between us Saturday night was all my fault.”
Jim dumped the black liquid into the sink and rinsed out the pot and then the sink. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Oh, yes, I did. I had orders from Mom to do what I could to make things right between you and Kevin.”
“Did you do any good?” Jim refilled the pot with fresh, cool water and came back into the outer office.
“I think so. Well, maybe. A little.”
“Thanks.” Jim put a new filter in the coffeemaker and measured the ground coffee, then poured the water into the reservoir.
“Mind if I ask you a question?”
“Depends.” Jim turned to face Robyn.
“Did you leave your ex-wife or did she leave you?”
“I left her.”
“And you filed for divorce?”
“Yeah, why do you ask?”
“My bet is that you wouldn’t have left her and filed for divorce without a really good reason. Right?”
Jim narrowed his gaze. “What’s this all about?”
“It’s about the fact that your son blames you for the divorce. He thinks it’s all your fault. If that’s not true, why haven’t you told him?”
“Because I will not bad-mouth his mother. She is his mother and he loves her.”
Smiling, Robyn shook her head. “Jim Norton, you’re a good man. Much too good for the likes of me.” She walked over and kissed his cheek.
Naturally, Bernie chose that moment to arrive—earlier than the five minutes she’d told him. When she saw Robyn kissing Jim, she halted in the open doorway.
“Excuse me. I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s not what you think.” Robyn turned to face her sister, a pleasant smile on her face. “Not this time.” She glanced at Jim and sighed. “If you ever change your mind about the two of us, give me a call.”
Jim didn’t respond; he was too busy studying Bernie’s face, trying to discern her reaction. Other than the fact she wasn’t smiling, he couldn’t tell if she was upset, disappointed, concerned or what.
“See you later, big sister,” Robyn said as she headed for the door.
“Yeah, later.” Bernie spoke to her sister, but kept her gaze on Jim.
As soon as Robyn left, Bernie closed the door and walked into the outer office.
“Have you received the fax from Derek Lawrence?” she asked.
“Not yet, but it should be coming through soon.” Jim nodded to the coffeemaker. “It’s perking. Why don’t you go on into my office and I’ll bring us both a cup as soon as it’s ready.”
A phone rang twice, then the fax machine clicked in and began processing the message.
“You get the coffee,” Bernie said. “And I’ll get the fax.”
Jim nodded. “Bernie?”
With her back to him as she walked toward the fax machine positioned on a small stand between John’s and Ron’s desks, she paused. “Hmm …?”
“About Robyn and me …”
Bernie’s shoulders tensed as she continued walking toward the fax machine. “You and Robyn are none of my business.”
“That’s just it—there is no Robyn and me. There really never was.”
Bernie stood over the fax machine as the report from Derek Lawrence printed out.
When she didn’t respond to his declaration, Jim wondered if he should elaborate or just let it drop. He watched the coffeemaker as the liquid dripped into the glass pot. Come on, will you, fill up as quick as you can.
The fax machine clicked off just about the time the coffeepot filled almost to the rim. Jim glanced over at Bernie and saw her collecting the faxed pages. He turned over two clean cups, lifted the pot and poured the coffee.
He and Bernie met at the partially open door to his office. He stood back and waited for her to enter.
“Take my chair,” he told her.
When she sat in his chair and laid the thin stack of papers on the desk, he placed both cups of coffee on his desk, side by side, then dragged up another chair. He sat down beside Bernie and picked up his cup.
She eased her cup to her lips, took a couple of sips, and then set down the cup before focusing on the profile. After she scanned the first page, she handed it to Jim.
“Mr. Lawrence has pegged our serial killer as an organized, violent offender,” Bernie said. “No surprise there. Highly intelligent, socially and sexually competent.”
Jim read the first page. “Controlled moods. Maintains a stereotypical masculine image, is charming. Possibly an only child who suffered some type of abuse as a child or teenager.”
Bernie read aloud. “This type usually moves the body from the murder scene and disposes of the body to advertise the crime.” Bernie continued reading, then handed Jim the second page. “He’s got our guy down pat. It all fits.” She gave Jim the third and final page of the report.
Jim read over the listing of other characteristics. Plans the offense. Personalizes the victim.