“Threatening?”
“Strongly worded,” Chief said.“I wouldn’t say threatening, but it was vitriolic.He called him a liar and said that if God existed, He should punish all chaplains for being filthy liars who preyed on people’s suffering.”
“And you didn’t feel a need to tell us this?”Jessica asked.
Chief shrugged.“I didn’t want to believe it, I guess.”
Jessica frowned, but Faith stepped in before she could scold the poor old man later.“Thank you for helping us with this information, Chief.If we can, we’ll leave you out of the rest of the process.”
Chief nodded.“I just can’t believe it,” he said dejectedly.“He was a good kid.”
Faith didn’t offer an opinion.She and Jessica left the Records office, Turk in tow, and headed for the VA clinic in Capitol Heights, a suburb of D.C.located in Maryland almost directly opposite the capital from Arlington.According to Chief, Thomas’s treatments lasted until three in the afternoon, giving them plenty of time to catch him before he went home.
Faith controlled her excitement until they were in the car, but she really was hopeful about this lead.They had the records searches and a history of hostile behavior toward chaplains.Maybe God would hear Faith’s prayers and help them put a stop to this violence before it claimed any more victims.
Or maybe somewhere the real killer was silently mocking their efforts while preparing their next work of art.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The VA clinic in Capitol Heights was part of a medical center attached to the University of Maryland.The seven-story building housed specialist offices for the University and the Veterans Association along with numerous independent medical specialists in practices ranging from dental to sports medicine to mental health treatment.The VA clinic occupied eight spaces on the first floor with the physical therapist’s office being the one nearest the lobby.
The receptionist at the clinic, like Angelique at the Art Academy and Dr.Paulson at the VA, was reluctant to cooperate.
“Without a warrant, I can’t provide you information on our patients.”
“You can tell us if he’s still here, though,” Faith said.“That’s not too much to ask.”
The receptionist, a heavyset woman with dyed red hair and dark brown eyes ringed by a liberal cake of makeup, pursed her lips.“Ma’am, you understand how the law works.If you want to receive information from our office, you need to file a court injunction to—”
Turk barked, and Faith followed his gaze to see a tall, slender man in his early forties step out of the physical therapist’s office.A beaming doctor smiled and waved at him as he exited.“See you next week, Thomas!”
The receptionist stared daggers at Faith, who couldn’t resist a slightly smug smile.“Thank you for your help.”
The agents approached Thomas, but before Faith could introduce herself, the receptionist called sternly, “Not here.If youhaveto do this, go somewhere else.We’re trying to help people here.”
Faith was trying to be patient, but she was nearing her limit.She looked at the receptionist, and her eyes must have shown her frustration because the woman paled slightly.“So am I.”
“What’s this about?”Thomas asked, blinking at Faith and Jessica.He looked down at Turk.“Is this a drug thing?‘Cause I got a card for the weed.”
“It’s not a drug thing,” Faith replied, “It’s a murder thing.”
“Oh my God,outside!”the receptionist snapped.
The blood drained from Thomas’s face a little bit.“What?”
“We’ll talk,” Faith said.“Let’s step outside so your friend doesn’t feel a need to obstruct any further.”
The receptionist muttered something under her breath as Faith and Jessica led Thomas from the office.Turk followed, tail switching from side to side, alert as he usually was when in the presence of a suspect.
“Food court’s that way,” Thomas offered, gesturing to a dining room in the center of the building.“I usually grab a hoagie before I head home.We can talk there.Nobody pays attention to a damned thing anyone else says when they’re eating.”
He started toward the food court without waiting for the agents to agree.He walked stiffly, limbs bending as little as possible.Faith and Jessica shared a look.Chief hadn’t mentioned anything about a physical disability.Their killer had to be at least a little physically fit.Thomas’s movements hadn’t yet suggested he couldn’t handle the murders, but it was concerning that he was so clearly impaired.
Doesn’t take much effort to sneak up on someone with a wire and throttle them.
Turk stayed within a yard of Thomas at all times, ready to drag him to the ground the instant he tried to run.Faith had a feeling that wasn’t going to be a problem.
“You guys want something?”Thomas asked with a touch of sarcasm.
