“I know who killed those chaplains.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Faith’s heart thudded.“What?”
“Well, I heard about your trouble getting a warrant for the Langley Art Academy, so—”
“How did you hear about that?”
“It’s rude to interrupt,” Bridgette replied peevishly, “but since it’s a good story, I’ll tell you.I was in the coffee shop when your partner called for that warrant.”
Faith recalled the woman Jessica had nearly collided with.Now she remembered where she’d heard that voice.
She kicked herself.She and Jessica had talked quietly, but not especially carefully.They just assumed no one in the crowded cafeteria was listening in.
Now, thanks to that mistake, classified details about the case were in the hands of the news media.
“Listen, Miss Thurston.Eavesdropping on a private conversation between federal agents is a crime.That information—”
“It’s not a crime, actually.It falls under plain sight laws.I know it’s hearing, not sight, but the point is it’s not illegal.Therealpoint is that I infiltrated the academy myself, and I know who your killer is.”
Faith hated everything about this, but she couldn’t afford to pass up a lead no matter where it came from.“Okay, go ahead.”
“Well, the class is still going on, so I have like, ten seconds to talk.The instructor’s talking with a French accent, but I’m pretty sure he’s from Boston.Anyway, we were learning about color theory, and I saw one of the soldiers walk in.He’s ahunk.Most soldiers are, but this guy’s like an eleven out of ten.”
Faith pressed her fingertips to her left temple.“Bridgette, please get to the point.”
“I am.So, I excuse myself to use the restroom and flag this guy down.We start talking, and I can tell he’s interested in me, so I kind of flaunt it a little, you know?”
“Pretend I’m you, and you’re an informant who needs to give you a really important scoop now or your biggest rival is going to get the story first.”
“Okay, fine,” Bridgette said in an injured tone.“Jesus.So, this guy tells me about his veteran art class, and I mention that I know come guys at the VA who take it.He says he’s one of them and yeah, most of them take it just to give themselves something to do.Obviously, he doesn’t want to tell me it’s his therapist telling him to take it.Guys think they’re weak if they go to therapy.It’s weird.”
Faith gave up trying to hurry Bridgette along and settled in for a frustrating and long-winded expression.She heard the door open behind her and turned to see Carrie and Julie talking in low voices as they headed for the parking lot.They saw Faith and gave her a pair of nervous smiles while Bridgette droned on about nothing important.
“So, we were talking about how some artists are eccentric.You know, how Van Gogh cut off his ear as a present for a hooker?Anyway, he tells me that there was this guy in their class who wasn’t from the VA.A loner named Sullivan.”
Faith perked up.“Sullivan.Is that a first name or a last name?”
Faith caught movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to see that Julie had stiffened at the sound of that name.Carrie was white as a sheet looking between her friend and Faith.Interesting.
“Last name.First name is Jimmy.So, this guy, apparently, was a real head case.Used to mutter to himself and got pissed off anytime anyone talked about religion.I guess he was normal when you talked to him, but when he was left to himself, he got real weird.”
Faith heard voices from the other end, and Bridgette said, “Oop.I got to get going.I think they’re wondering what I’m doing out here.Anyway, I think you might want to follow up on this Jimmy guy.”
“Jimmy Sullivan,” Faith repeated, watching the two volunteers from the VA Records office.
Julie jumped and brought her hand to her mouth.Carrie put an arm around her and led her away, watching Faith warily.
“I’ll do that,” Faith told Bridgette.“Thank you.”
“Hold on!This is big info.I think I should get credit for the help, and an exclusive—”
“Yeah, yeah, we’ll talk about it.Thank you.”
Faith hung up and trotted after the girls, who were making good time toward a late-model crossover SUV.“Hey!”she called.“Girls?Can I talk to you?”
Carrie reached for a key fob and pressed the unlock button.Faith picked up speed to a jog, and Carrie fumbled with the rear passenger door while Julie argued with her under her breath.
