Before the Cradle Falls by James F. David

Author:James F. David [David, James F.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Forge Books
Published: 2002-01-16T05:00:00+00:00

30

Phone Calls

Thursday, 7:45 A.M.

“I’ve been thinking about jobs that would keep Cradle Robber on the West Coast,” Segal said over the phone. “I’ve got a couple of ideas.”

Inspector Segal had called in from her hotel before the start of the day shift, knowing Kyle would be in early.

“You should talk with Danforth,” Kyle said.

“I will when he gets in but I need someone to brainstorm with first.”

Kyle had come straight to the bureau from breakfast at Sherrie’s house. He hadn’t bothered to try to sleep. He spent the early morning hours writing a report on the killings at the Domino Garage.

“Last night I saw an ad on TV for Les Misérables,” Segal said. “It’s playing in Portland next week and it was in San Francisco a few weeks ago. I got to wondering if Cradle Robber might be with one of the touring companies? They usually work the big metropolitan areas on the coast.”

“True, but they tour all across the country and the West Coast is usually the last stop,” Kyle said. “The murders didn’t start until San Diego. I suppose it’s possible Cradle Robber joined the company late in the tour.”

“Or something happened in San Diego that set him off,” Segal suggested.

“It’s a good theory. Be sure to mention it to Danforth,” Kyle said.

“I have another idea too. Don’t you have some sort of festival coming up pretty soon?”

“The Rose Festival,” Kyle said. “It starts this weekend.”

“There are vendors that work festivals. They follow them around the country.”

“You think Cradle Robber’s selling curly fries?”

“Or scones, or maybe he’s a ride operator,” Segal said. “He could have worked the Pasadena Tournament of Roses in January, then moved to San Francisco—we’ve always got some festival or another going in the valley. Same with San Diego.”

The more Kyle thought about Segal’s idea, the more he liked it. If he was following the festivals, after Portland’s Rose Festival he would move to Seattle for the Seafair.

“The Fun Center opens this week,” Kyle said. “Most of the vendors are already setting up in Waterfront Park.”

They brainstormed a few more ideas, then Segal hung up to try to reach Danforth. The phone rang as soon as she hung up.

“Sommers,” Kyle answered.

“Talk to me or I’ll come down there,” Sherrie said.

Kyle almost hung up but knew Sherrie wouldn’t make an idle threat. She would love to come to the station and make an ugly scene.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Kyle said, stalling, trying to think of a way to pacify her.

“You need to know what you’re getting into,” Sherrie said.

Kyle didn’t answer.

“I’m coming down,” Sherrie said.

“No,” Kyle said sharply. “I’ll come by after shift.”

“Meet me for lunch or I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

“All right. Meet me at noon in Waterfront Park across from the Firehouse Museum.”

“Be there, Kyle, or I’ll pay a visit to Captain Harding.”

Sherrie hung up without a good-bye. Kyle felt like he was being blackmailed but saw no way out. He would have to meet Sherrie.

Just before eight, Cassidy wandered into his cubicle, slipping into the victim’s chair.

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