"Watch your back," he said.
"I will."
Denise gave me a look as I ended the call. "I'll go with you.”
"You sure you're feeling up to it?”
"I'm fine. I can handle myself."
I gave her a look. I knew she could handle herself, but I wasn’t keen on putting her in harm’s way again. But this was just a knock and talk. What could go wrong?
We left the station and hopped in her banana-yellow SUV. I didn't think she wanted to ride over to Jamaica Village on the back of my bike. Plus, I only had one helmet.
We pulled to the curb at 705 Duncrest Trail.
The rundown apartment complex had a total of four coral colored buildings with white trim, two units up, and two units down. No covered or gated parking. A few withering palm trees dotted the landscape, and the sidewalks were cracked with weeds sprouting through. Not the most well-maintained place on the island.
I muttered to Denise as we strolled the pathway toward Building C, "Just remember, this guy is a serial rapist and murderer, most likely. You don't want to catch his eye.”
"I can't help it, psychos find me irresistible," she said in a cutesy voice.
I chuckled. I think just about any man on the planet would find Denise irresistible.
We found Earl's building and climbed the steps. I banged on the door to unit #202.
The sound of a television on inside filtered down the hallway.
A few moments later, footsteps shuffled to the door, and the peephole flickered. "What do you want?” a gruff voice asked through the door.
I flashed my badge to the peephole and said, "Coconut County. We just have a few questions for you.”
There was a long pause, and I thought he was going to tell us to get lost. To my surprise, the deadbolt unlatched, and Earl pulled open the door.
He looked pretty much the same as he did in his mug shot, only 15 years older. He had a medium frame and still had the shaggy brown hair which was trending toward gray. Hestill wore the same style mustache and goatee, and his narrow eyes darted between the two of us. The resemblance to Ray was still apparent. Even 15 years on, it might be easy to mistake the two.
"Enjoying the free world?" I asked.
"I’d enjoy it a hell of a lot more if two cops weren’t at my door.”
I flashed a disarming smile. “How do you like Coconut Key?”
"Beats the correctional facility.”
"I bet. Why not go back to Pineapple Bay?”
Earl shrugged. "I didn't feel like it had anything left to offer me.”
"Wanted some fresh meat, eh?”
Earl glared at me. “I wanted a fresh start. I don't think I could get one in Pineapple Bay.”
"It seems like you're off to a helluva start here,” I said.
Earl's eyes narrowed at me. "What do you mean by that?”
I showed him a picture of Abigail on my phone. "Do you recognize this girl?”
A hint flashed in his eyes, then he denied it. "No."
