The 24th Letter

EIGHTY-NINE

O’Brien called Detective Dan Grant. “Dan, FBI got a better read on part of the letter that Sam Spelling left behind. Spelling may have left the knife that killed Alexandria Cole at his mother’s house. Tranquility Trail, St. Augustine.”

“I’ll see if I can get a search warrant.”

“You don’t have time!”

“Judge Franklin will sign it. His house isn’t far from-”

“Dan, you don’t have time. An FBI agent, Christian Manerou, killed Alexandria. And he killed Sam Spelling, Johnson, Johnson’s wife, and Father Callahan. He knows Spelling’s mother’s address. You’re closer to St. Augustine than I am. Take back-up with you. Go!”

O’Brien called Tucker Houston. “Tucker, FBI managed to pull an address from the sheet of paper under the letter Sam Spelling wrote. It’s his mother’s address in St. Augustine. The knife is probably there.”

“Excellent, Sean! CNN is using Six’s studio to do a live interview with me. I’m getting Charlie William’s name across the nation. It’s now in the hands of the nine justices, or the Governor of Florida. “

“Listen Tucker. I believe an FBI agent, Christian Manerou, killed Alexandria Cole. He had a secret affair going on with her. I suspect he’d cut a deal with Russo. Once Manerou had access to her, he got her strung out on heroin, and when things

Lowe, Tom

The 24th Letter ((Mystery/Thriller)) became testy, he stabbed her and framed Charlie Williams. He’s gone on a killing spree eliminating anyone with a tie to his name.”

“Can you prove this?”

“We’ve collected possible DNA samples from three of the four crime scenes. It’s being processed now. All we need is a sample from Manerou.”

“Is he here in Miami?”

“He was. But one of the agents in the bureau shared Spelling’s mother’s address with Manerou before she knew he was the killer.”

Tucker was silent for a moment. “What are you going to do now?

“I’m going to get to Spelling’s mother’s place before Manerou does.”

“I can’t incriminate this Manerou until I have something solid. But Sean, you’ve given me a lot to throw at Governor Owens.”

“Throw a fast pitch because they strap Charlie to the gurney in eleven hours.”