Killing Ways

39

In a flawlessly casual move, Ren raised a finger. ‘Could you please excuse me for one moment? Thank you.’

She moved quickly to the ladies’ room, retching as she pushed through the outer door, making it into a stall just before she threw up.

Oh dear God. He knows who I am. I had no clue. He didn’t seem that fucked up to me. Why not? I have a good radar. What’s going on? Jesus Christ.

She gathered herself, went over to the sink, washed her face, washed her hands, over and over. She brushed her teeth, reapplied foundation.

Duke Rawlins. I met Duke Rawlins. I can’t tell anyone this. They don’t know about bipolar support. Oh, I could tell Janine now. But she would worry. Gary... is never going to hear this. “The rule is you walk in there alone, you walk out alone.”

Oh, God. I am on Duke Rawlins’ radar.

Ren took a deep breath and walked back into the room where Joe Lucchesi was plotting Rawlins’ downfall. He frowned, went back to talking.

‘If Duke Rawlins is the killer,’ said Joe, ‘then it’s likely the woman he’s been killing over and over is his mama: skinny, blonde Wanda Rawlins, a former prostitute and junkie.’

‘Well, that’s not going to fuck him up one bit,’ said Ren. ‘And where’s Wanda Rawlins now? Why doesn’t he just go and kill her?’

‘He may already have,’ said Joe. ‘Wanda Rawlins disappeared six years ago. Her husband, Vincent Farraday — who married her after she became a born-again Christian — was hauled in about the disappearance, questioned relentlessly, but nothing came of it. It caused quite a stir at the time — he was a pretty famous local country singer.’

‘Do you think Farraday was guilty?’ said Ren.

‘No,’ said Joe. ‘He loved that woman for God-knows-what reason. He was a broken man after that, his whole family came apart. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rawlins framed him. Years back, the DA in Stinger’s Creek reckoned that Rawlins framed his own uncle Bill for one of the murders. So I can’t see him having a problem framing his mama’s husband who he despised.’

‘You say “family” — does Wanda have any more children?’

‘Twin girls,’ said Joe. ‘Robin and Chloe Farraday. They would be about twenty-six years old now.’

‘Do you know where they live?’ said Ren.

‘Denison, Texas, last I heard,’ said Joe.

‘Do they have any relationship with Duke Rawlins?’ said Ren.

‘Highly unlikely,’ said Joe.

Disdain! I love it!

‘And he had a wife, I read,’ said Ren. ‘Samantha “Sammi” Rawlins.’

‘Nah — he’s done with her,’ said Joe.

Disdain again! I love it even more!

He paused. ‘Right, well, I’m sure I’ve talked enough. I’d like to see what you’ve got, if that’s OK with you.’

Greaaaat.

Ren’s cell phone started to ring.

She looked at the screen.

Annie Lowell.

Why am I sensing bad news?

‘Excuse me for one second,’ said Ren. ‘I better take this.’

She picked up.

‘Oh, Ren, sweetheart — Devin’s been hurt. She got hit by a car. She was taking Misty for a walk... the driver didn’t stop.’

‘Oh my God — is she all right?’

‘She’s conscious, she’s talking, she’s got a broken leg,’ said Annie. ‘It happened just this afternoon. I’ve been on the phone with her mother, the whole family is at the hospital.’

‘I don’t believe it,’ said Ren. ‘And the driver didn’t stop?’

‘No!’ said Annie.

‘And is Misty all right?’ said Ren.

‘I’ve got Misty, don’t worry — not a scratch on her. She ran to the nearest house, barked her heart out. And the driver just drove away! Can you imagine?’

‘That’s terrible!’ said Ren. ‘How are you doing?’

‘Well, I’m very upset,’ said Annie. ‘Devin’s like a granddaughter to me.’

‘Oh, Annie. What can I do to help? Should I go to the hospital?’

‘No, no — not today. They know you’re busy, Ren. I think they’d prefer if you were working on that terrible case of yours, to be honest. They’re very selfless people. They knew you’d be worried — they said wait until you have an hour off some evening, then maybe stop by if she’s still at the hospital, or stop by the house. I’m OK to look after Misty here, but I can’t walk her for any length, obviously.’

‘No, no — don’t worry about that,’ said Ren. ‘Janine or I will swing by to do that. Thank you so much, Annie. That’s such awful news. I’ll make sure I talk to Denver PD about what we can do to find out who did this.’

‘You take care of yourself, sweetheart, and I’ll see you soon.’

‘You too, Annie. I’ll text Devin, but send my love if you’re talking to her.’

Ren went into the bullpen and let Janine know about the accident. ‘We’ll stop by after work.’

‘Might be a bit soon,’ said Janine.

‘No,’ said Ren. ‘She’ll be happy to have visitors.’

‘She could be in pain.’

‘We’ll cheer her up!’

‘OK,’ said Janine. ‘You go ahead and see Joe Lucchesi — he’s in the kitchen — I think he’s getting antsy. I can call Glenn Buddy about Devin.’

‘Thank you.’