Killer By Number (The Alphabet Killer Series Book 3) by Jeff VanOudenhove

Author:Jeff VanOudenhove [VanOudenhove, Jeff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JAVO Publication
Published: 2025-05-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Cover

Jim

Why did I put myself in this situation? It was too risky. Did I think an overcoat and baseball cap would keep those who knew me from recognizing me? Fat chance. So, I stayed clear of people, keeping my head down. I was just an anonymous visitor, wandering through the corridors like everyone else. Except this visitor was supposed to be dead, and nobody was the wiser.

Marion would throw a fit if she knew I came here. She’d worked so hard, risked everything - her career, her reputation, to ensure my “death” went off without a hitch. Her bosses weren’t pleased, but they came around. They’d since taken advantage of the debt I owed. For the past three years, I’d been behind the scenes as a sort of liaison, occasionally helping them with cases. I’d kept a close eye on the FBI’s progress after Ben escaped prison, but I wasn’t getting involved. A part of me was happy he’d gotten out. I’d hoped he’d run off someplace and start a new life for himself, leaving all the darkness behind. I thought Ben could learn to be good again. I was wrong.

It’s bad enough I had to convince Marion’s superiors to let me in on this case. Then I talked Marion into letting me tell Mick I was alive. He was the only detective I could trust and the only one who knew Ben like I knew Ben. Maybe even better since he’d visited Ben all those times in prison. But now, how would the FBI feel, how would Marion feel, if they knew I was risking it all to check on a friend? Was he a friend? Or just a respected colleague?

Frank and I had had our share of bad blood over the years, especially after he’d had an affair with my wife, but he was always a straight-shooter. He expected only the best from his officers. It was that obstinance that made us.., that made me a better detective. He didn’t have manners, he didn’t have class, but he always had my back. He was passionate about cleaning the streets of Southbridge, and he demanded the same passion from his subordinates. No matter what my personal feelings were about him and my late wife’s infidelity, I respected him professionally. I hoped he’d recover from the heart attack, but I had to come and see him in case.., well, this could be the last opportunity I get to pay my respects. To hell with the FBI. They couldn’t keep me away.

The young woman at the reception desk told me Frank was on the second floor, Room 217. I had to be careful; it was still visiting hours. I took a chance that all available officers were out searching for Ben’s whereabouts. There could be some stragglers, but I remained cautious, keeping my head to the floor, only glancing up to look at room numbers. After Room 215, the hallway opened up to a large vestibule. A circular nurse’s station was in the center of the floor, where two nurses sat at monitors.

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