“That’s true,” SA Prince said. “We’ve met a lot of psychopaths and you’re right, there’s always something off about them. I’d venture a guess that this killer is no doubt already being given a wide berth from people he’s running into down there.” He turned to Snow. “It might not take as long as you think to pick this bastard out, Lincoln, but I agree, it would be a good thing if whoever volunteers to do this isn’t alone.” He looked back at me. “It’d be dangerous, Patsy, but if yourboyfriend knows how to move in that world like he belongs, it’d be really helpful.”
I stared at him for several long seconds before slowly nodding. I felt sick in the pit of my stomach, but I was confident that I could protect Wes as long as I stuck to him like glue. “I’ll be armed and have him feckin’ wrapped up in Kevlar from head to toe.” I glanced at Candy as some of the others smiled at me. “I’ll ask if that’s what ya would be wanting me to do, boss.”
Candy frowned at me but he finally nodded. “Thank you, Patsy.” He looked at Snow. “If I allow this, I’ll still send in two others to back Good up.” He looked at the group and pointed. “Smith, I want you and Hampstead down there with them. You’ll act as backup for Patsy and Mr. Chaudry.” He glanced at Lincoln. “They’ll maintain a distance so they don’t blow Patsy’s cover, but they’ll stay within shouting distance if he or Mr. Chaudry find themselves in jeopardy. Better yet, I’ll give them all coms so they can stay in contact.”
Snow looked relieved. “Okay.”
“But, Lincoln…I can only authorize this for seventy-two hours and only if SAC Bradley signs off on it. If we haven’t gotten anything by then, I’ll have no choice but to call it off. I have to keep the team available for active duty.”
Lincoln nodded. “Thank you, Captain Sorensen.” He looked at me. “When do you think we’ll know if your friend will be willing to help, Patsy?”
“He’ll be willin’ the second I ask, it’s me ya have to worry about,” I said.
“How so?” Snow asked.
I shook my head. “I know this was my idea but I honestly don’t know how I’m goin’ to ask him. It’s a lot to ask of someoneya care so much about.” It felt strange to know that my feelings for Wes were out in the open even though I suspect, most everyone had probably sussed out my feelings for Wes days ago
“Time is of the essence, Patsy,” Lincoln said. “This killer strikes at night and for all we know, he might already be planning to go out tonight.”
I nodded. “I’ll go home after this, if that’s okay, Candy.”
“It’s fine with me, Patsy. If he agrees, please bring him back to the office so we can sit him down with Lincoln’s team to brief him on the particulars and the dangers involved. I think it’s best that Leo gives Mr. Chaudry the profile as well. He’ll need to know who he’s dealing with in order to help him point out a suspect to you. And it’s only fair that he knows how this guy operates. He might change his mind when he learns how dangerous this operation could get. I’m certain SAC Bradley will want to speak to him as well.”
I nodded, standing up. “Grand. I’ll call ya after I talk to him, boss.”
“Thanks, Patsy.”
“Yes, thank you, Patsy,” Snow said. He shook my hand as I left the room, still feeling a wee bit sick in the pit of my stomach.
Chapter Fifteen
CASSIDY
“Thanks so much for meeting with us, Kershaw.”
I liked the look of Detective Lance Kershaw the moment I met him. He was an older guy with thinning, gray hair and a ready smile. Though he looked very much like Peter Falk’s Columbo character with sloppy clothing, coffee stains on his dress shirt, and a tie that was askew from being tugged on too many times, his eyes were intelligent, missing nothing.
“Like I told you on the phone, I have a murder to solve, and you two may just hold the key to that.”
“How so?” Mike asked.
“Come on back to my office and I’ll fill you in on my case. When I’m finished, I think we might just solve your case as well.”
I was intrigued. We followed him back to a private office, something exceedingly rare in any police precinct since most of us detectives were relegated to sharing desk space with all the other detectives and uniformed officers. As soon as I walked in, I could tell that Kershaw and his partner got special consideration because they’d been around a long time. The office had two desks piled high with case folders and one whole wall lined with filing cabinets. I could only speculate on what they housed, but if they were old case files, they’d most likely solved hundreds of cases over the years.
Other walls were peppered with framed pictures of the detectives, together and alone, some with different captains andpast mayors, presenting them with awards and plaques. They told a story of two fine detectives dating back even longer than the thirty years Mike had been on the job. Some of them had to be decades old judging by their youth in older photos. Their private space because of jobs well done was highly deserved.
“Have a seat,” Kershaw said.
We took seats in front of his desk. He pulled out the police sketches from Patsy and Napoleon I’d faxed over as soon as we’d finished up with them this morning. “These are decent likenesses,” he said, “those FBI guys have some incredible recall, don’t they?”
I nodded as something occurred to me as I watched him stare at the sketches he’d laid out on the desk. “If you say so, Kershaw.” There was something about the way he examined the photos. “Do they look familiar to you?”
He glanced up at me then over at Mike. “You’re kidding, right?” The trace of a smile played at the corners of his mouth.
I pursed my lips, and Mike shrugged. “They don’t look familiar to me.” He glanced back at Kershaw, and I did too.
“I don’t recognize them either. I take it you do?”
