CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
Faith scanned the small crowd at the dog park, looking for anyone suspicious.Only about two hundred people had arrived with maybe half that many dogs, decent enough to justify the seventy or so police and sheriff’s officers providing security or passing out sandwiches and snacks to the attendees.Actually, not remotely decent enough, so they had sent a dozen or so to escort Amanda Wright and her news team.Everyone was upbeat, following Meyers’s instructions to stay happy.They wanted their killer to feel comfortable watching Faith.
He wouldn’t approach, though.Not with all of these cops.She lifted her eyes and looked beyond the crowd, scanning the park beyond.They had set up the stage so it faced the park, believing it more likely that their killer would hide among the trees or walk along one of the paths rather than park in the lot and walk directly to the dog park.If anything, Jessica and Turk were waiting in the car, so they’d see him if he showed up there.
Turk protested vehemently to being left behind, but Faith couldn’t have him scaring off the killer.The killer might have been fine beating off a couple of pets, but Turk was a trained K9, and he wouldn’t react the same way a civilian dog would.He had encountered his share of violent men, and he wouldn’t show fear to a club.Faith couldn’t be sure the killer would remain brave if Turk caught his scent and came after him.
And they needed the killer to be brave.Just brave enough to come close enough that they could catch him before he ditched his gun.
Faith’s smile faded briefly as it hit her just how much a shot in the dark this little plan of hers was.A lot needed to go right in order for it to work.She was beginning to understand why Jessica was resistant to it.
“Okay, Bold,” Amanda whispered.“We’re going to get started.You’re sure you guys can stop this madman before he mows down the whole park?”
He definitely wasn’t going to mow down the whole park, but Faith just replied, “I’m sure.”
Amanda sighed and shook her head, then smiled and waved at her camera man.He gave her a thumbs up.
Amanda turned to the crowd and said, “All right, ladies and gentlemen!Welcome to Veterans Memorial Park!”
She lifted her hands exuberantly, and an uncertain cheer rose from the crowd, many of whom were no doubt here only for the free food.That was fine.It would only make Faith’s joy stand out more.Or Amanda’s, but Amanda’s smile looked a lot faker than Faith’s.Just in case, Faith would make sure the police escort stayed with them all the way to the news van.
“I’m here with the woman of the hour, Miss Natasha Declan!”
Faith beamed at the crowd and waved.She brightened when she saw a Scottish terrier wagging his tail exuberantly at her.The dog looked like it was going to explode with excitement, and Faith mirrored it, clapping her hands, then placing them over her heart.
“Well, I was going to ask if you were happy to be here,” Amanda said, “but I guess we know the answer to that!”
“Oh my gosh,yes!”Faith exclaimed.“I just love dogs so much!”She flipped her hand, “And I guess people are okay, too.”
The crowd laughed politely, and now some real smiles came to their faces.Who didn’t love a woman who loved dogs?
“Just so you know,” Jessica said over the radio earpiece in Faith’s ear.“Turk is personally offended that you’re playing with other dogs while he’s stuck in the car.”
Faith laughed and turned her bright smile to Amanda.They had a brief interview that mirrored the one Faith had taken on the network that morning, extolling the virtues of her fake charity and promising to have a website up by the end of the week.She felt a little bad about that lie.Some of these people would probably try to look her up so they could donate.She wondered if she could work with the Prince William County Animal Rescue Society to put up a link to their page.
That’s for later.Focus on the job.
The interview concluded with the announcement of the award.The Prince William County Sheriff’s Office band—a tuba, a drummer, a trombone, and two trumpets—played a barely listenable rendition of what sounded like circus tent music while Amanda placed a cheap brass medal around Faith’s neck.
Faith made sure to look like she was bursting with joy even as she was tensing with anxiety.She didn’t see any sign of anyone suspicious.
“Okay, well,” Amanda said, a little tense herself as she realized this had all been for no reason.“Enjoy your lunch, everyone!Miss Declan, will you be joining us?”
“I think I’ll enjoy a moment of meditation,” Faith replied, “but I’ll be back soon.Save some oatmeal raisin cookies for me!”
Someone cracked a joke about letting her haveallthe oatmeal raisin cookies.Faith didn’t get it, but she laughed anyway.
Then she slipped off the stage and headed into the park.The Sheriff’s deputies made sure to look the other way so she could reach the first bend in the path and be hidden by the trees before they “realized” she was gone.
She looked around, scanning for literally anyone or anything as the noise of the celebration faded in the background.She saw nothing.
She sighed.What a damned waste of time.How could she have thought this was going to work?Was she that desperate?
Yes.Yes, she was.And sleep deprived.And still disturbed by the unwelcome reminder of Trammell that this case brought her.And worried about David, who was possibly just “being a man” like Jessica seemed to think or was struggling with some mystery that he didn’t want to share with her.
To sum up, she wasn’t at her best.She was failing the people she had promised to protect.
She shouldn’t have taken this case.She wasn’t asked to.She just happened to be there to discover Iris Caldwell, but she should have let Meyers run with it instead of inserting herself just because dogs were involved.He might not have gotten to the killer any faster than she would, but he could have—
