“Okay, why? What’s happened?” Clara asked, looking from the screen to Jackson.
“We traced some of the letters at last. There are no cameras at the mailbox facility where the bulk of letters—between Tate Morley and who we believe to be his accomplice—were going. But our agents there found a survivalist who takes pictures of anyone using the same mail company. A kook, I’m assuming, or, who knows? Maybe they believe Big Brother should be watching. I’m amazed we got anything, but...we sent someone persuasive. No corkscrews—just a lot of charm,” Angela said. “Clara, Tate Morley has been carrying on a letter correspondence—romantic correspondence—with Becca Marle. She called herself Jane. They’ve been exchanging letters for more than a year.”
It took Clara a moment to speak. “Was that research? Was she hoping to start her own reality show? Or—was she crazy? One of those women smitten with a killer?”
“We don’t know her thinking on the matter,” Angela said. “She wrote to other convicted killers, so maybe it was research. But, her most ardent letters were to Tate Morley, so...he was either her main focus of research or...or the one who responded to her best. And she is an accomplice.”
Clara digested the information. “Then Becca set up the room herself. And she’s gone to meet up with him?”
“Possibly,” Angela said. “It’s hard to tell. We found other letters to him, and email—it truly is frightening to see how some men and women become obsessed with such killers. Some because they believe they can ‘fix’ them, and some because they’re suffering some kind of mental disease themselves and admire the work of serial killers. Law enforcement is often after people like that,” Angela added softly.
Clara swallowed. Thor was an agent, a representative of the law. He put his life in danger every day. He had chosen to do so. He was very good at what he did. But now, Tate Morley himself might well be out there, a trap set, along with Becca! And, apparently, both were damned good at...killing. If, of course, Becca was his accomplice.
“They know this, right? You said that Thor and Mike and the other police and agents...they all know this?”
“They know,” Angela assured her. “But remember, too, that alone would never stand up in a court of law. We know that she’s been corresponding with him, but he corresponded with others, as well. Still, with this information, we’re going to process the room at the Alaska Hut, and then let you and Tommy and Nate leave the island. We’ll get you on the Fate with the rest of your coworkers.”
“I see,” Clara murmured.
“Jackson will go with you, and I’m heading out either this afternoon or tomorrow myself.”
“Angela, that’s great!” Clara said. “I mean, it’s not great that the case is so bad, just that...” Just that there was nothing like having another agent close to her—a woman she knew, liked and trusted completely.
“I passed the academy, too, you know,” Angela said, smiling. “I’ve always wanted to come to Alaska.” She was silent and looked toward Jackson. “And I’ll be glad to see this man put away—for good this time.”
Tate Morley’s victims had haunted both of the men who had pursued him.
Clara understood; Angela needed to be here.
“What are they saying to the others?” Clara asked. “I think Kimball will feel justified. Tommy and Nate won’t accept it easily.”
“We’re not making this common knowledge. They’re still looking for Becca. We’re just saying that the decision has been made to bring all visitors back to the mainland. That’s our official line for the moment,” Jackson said. “Enfield is assigning a man to stay here on the island. If we don’t have anything with which to charge Kimball, he and Emmy will soon be free to return to New York or go wherever Kimball wants to be. And, as far as Tommy and Nate go...” He shrugged. “We don’t have anything on them, either. You’re all right with everything?”
Clara scarcely remembered why she was in Alaska...what she did for a living. She’d almost forgotten that next week, she was supposed to be taking part in Annabelle Lee, and that she loved what she did and the people with whom she worked.
She nodded at Jackson. Yes, she was ready to board the Fate. And sail far away from the cold and the fear and the...death.
If only she could.
She managed a smile for Jackson. “With any luck,” she murmured, “we’ll actually do this show.” She nodded. “And Angela is coming.”
“She’s always wanted to see Alaska,” Jackson said. “I don’t actually think that she meant like this.”
*
Thor had law enforcement members assigned to specific areas across the island.