“Because they didn’t hear, presumably. And if Peter wasn’t the one they weren’t hearing, Mary, then who was?”
She shook her head. Then she frowned. “I think Harry Tennant might have been more psychotic, and even smarter in his demented way, than you might want to believe, Detective.”
“Why is that?” Jake asked.
She smiled sadly at them both. “I think he heard voices. He talked about Lazarus.”
“Lazarus?” Marty said.
“Lazarus…who rose from the dead,” Jake said. He smiled at Mary, speaking softly. “Mary, you’ve never mentioned this to me before.”
“I never thought of it before. I believed that Harry was really crazy. And so much time has passed…I don’t know what is going on now, Detective Dilessio, but I know that I spoke the truth years ago when I told the police I didn’t believe Peter had ever killed anyone. I believed that Harry was responsible. He just acted crazy. One night…I woke up, and he was out by the canal, staring at the water. And he said that Lazarus had risen. That Lazarus had told him to go to the water. I admit, he gave me the creeps. So I left him there and hurried back to the dorm. Would you all like some herbal tea?”
They thanked her and declined. Jake rose and started to reach into his pocket.
“I have your card, Detective, and honestly, if I can remember anything else that might be helpful, I swear I’ll call you.” She stood as well, smiled, and gave him a little kiss on his cheek. “I promise. I know you’re trying your best.”
“Thanks.”
“You didn’t ask me the one question you usually do,” she said.
He arched a brow.
She gazed at him with tremendous empathy. “I swear, I never saw your partner, Detective Dilessio. If she ever came out to the property, I never saw her. And I pray that you believe me. I wouldn’t lie. It’s against everything in my faith.”
“I know that, Mary,” Jake said. “Thanks. And don’t forget—”
“I’ll call you. No problem. I like to see you, Detective.”
They left. Marty had turned down tea, but he wanted coffee. Jake agreed. There was a Starbucks down the street. Marty ordered espresso. Jake opted for a double.
“We’re not getting anywhere,” Marty said. “Bordon had complete control of that cult. I think those girls were hypnotized. They lived on the property owned by the People for Principle but never saw, heard or spoke any evil.”
“I keep going in circles. There’s got to be a straight line in there somewhere, though. And we’re going to get to it,” Jake said, a grim look on his face.
The class began clapping. Ashley quickly set her pencil down and did the same. To her amazement, they were breaking for the afternoon. Feeling guilty, she clapped hard. When they were dismissed and the class began to rise, she started to join them to file out, then remembered that she wanted to ask Sergeant Brennan if he could get her whatever information there was to be had on Stuart’s accident. She wadded up the papers with her sketches and tossed them into the trash can as she approached the front of the room. Murray and Brennan were talking to one another again as she approached, but both men saw her coming and fell silent, awaiting her question.
“Hello. Montague, isn’t it?” Captain Murray said.
“Yes, sir.”
“You’re more than halfway through. Are you still pleased to be in the academy?”
“Oh, yes, very pleased,” she said.
“Well, good, I’m glad to hear it. Sergeant Brennan says this is one of the best classes he’s ever taught.”
“Thank you, on behalf of all of us,” she said.
“Did you have a question about any of the material covered today?” Brennan asked her.
“Actually, I have a question about something that happened a few days ago. There was an accident on I-95. I was traveling north with some friends and went by just a few minutes after it occurred. When I got home, I found out that the man who was struck was an old friend of mine, and the papers have reported that he was apparently high on heroin. That just doesn’t sound right to me. I was hoping that maybe one of you could direct me to the officer in charge of the investigation, and that he or she might be willing to talk to me.”
She was glad that neither of them was inclined to inform her that apparently her old friend had gotten into drugs. They both continued to stare at her politely. Murray answered.
“Yes, I heard about the incident you’re talking about. It was handled by Miami-Dade and FHP. I’ll find out what officer was assigned to the investigation. I’m sure that whoever it is won’t have a problem discussing the known facts with you. I’ll make a few calls and give Sergeant Brennan the information for you.”
“Thank you very much, sir,” she told him.
“No problem.”