5th Wheel by Kate Calloway

Author:Kate Calloway [Calloway, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Fiction, Lesbian, Mystery & Detective, Women Sleuths, Lesbians, Women Detectives
ISBN: 9781562802189
Google: gFhaAAAAMAAJ
Amazon: 1562802186
Publisher: Naiad Pr
Published: 1998-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

On Wednesday morning, it looked like the clouds had decided to settle in for the winter. If there was a sun up there, it wasn't going to show itself anytime soon. I'd finally reached Martha and we were sitting in a booth at the Tea Kettle Cafe, on the north end of Kings Harbor, warming our hands around coffee mugs.

"Okay, kiddo," she said. "I know that look. What have you found? And please tell me it's good news."

"First, tell me what Sally Thompson was like. Personality-wise."

She arched an eyebrow, then took out the small green notepad she carried in her jacket pocket, and flipped pages.

"Her mother said she was the perfect child," she said, "if that helps."

"Go on."

"Let's see. A co-worker, Diana Paige, described her as a real take-charge lady. Always on the go. A physical fitness buff. Her landlady had nothing but praise for her. Always paid the rent on time. The bus driver, who may have been the last one to see her alive, said she was haughty, if you can believe that. Since when do bus drivers use words like haughty? Anyway, I asked him what he meant and he said she had her nose in the air a lot. Thought she was too good to ride the bus."

"Yes!" I pounded my fist on the table, causing coffee to slosh out of our cups.

"You care to explain your sudden enthusiasm?" Martha said, wiping up the spill.

I told her about reading Lisa Lane's diary and her description of Sarah Ringer as a strong, dynamic, sometimes uppity woman. I told her that Dr. Monroe had described Sarah as headstrong and gutsy. Then I told her about my trip to Gold Beach and what the oh-so-pleasant video clerk had said about Tracy Lee being all of those things and more.

"You're saying our guy goes after uppity women?"

"Pushy broads, maybe. Women he sees as a threat."

"To his manhood?"

"Maybe. All three were dominant, independent types. Tracy Lee was known to put men in their place, according to the creep I talked to last night. Maybe she put our guy in his place. Maybe they all did."

The waitress set a platter piled high with pancakes in front of Martha, who continued to stare at me with amazement. "Shit," she muttered.

"There a problem, hon? You did say the high stack?" The waitress set my plate of eggs and bacon in front of me and looked anxiously at Martha.

"No, this is fine. I was thinking of something else."

The waitress sashayed away, and Martha sighed. "I can't believe I didn't see this," she grumbled.

"If we're right," I said, giving her equal credit for the idea since I could tell she was miffed at herself, "then I'll bet this guy stalks them. He finds someone who fits the mold, then follows them around, planning his attack. It's not like he sees a blonde and grabs her. He waits for someone to set him off, then stalks her."

Martha was nodding, starting to work on her pancakes. "I'll bet he trolls for them.

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