Maggie thought that was an interesting comment considering how many people probably tried to argue their way out of speeding tickets.
It might not mean anything except for a killer having fun, another sick piece to a puzzle. He could have found Louis’ speeding ticket attached to the kitchen bulletin board or taken it from the counter. Ganza was right – they’d seen stranger things. Except traffic tickets came in duplicate. The violator received a copy and the issuing officer kept a copy. And one of the lines at the bottom that was not smeared identified this as the officer’s copy.
The other part of the ticket that was still readable was the officer’s signature: Warren County Deputy D. Wilson.
Chapter 19
He handed the note to Loner himself. Told him that the unit secretary had taken the phone message and asked him to deliver it since she couldn’t leave her station. The asshole barely glanced at him. Probably wouldn’t have recognized him anyway. His eyes looked bloodshot. His fingernails were chewed down to the quick. It looked like he had changed clothes but they were already wrinkled from hours of sitting. Even his previous hat sat haphazardly on floor next to the folding chair.
Stucky walked away, suppressing a smile. He wished he could have watched the asshole’s face as he read the note, but there were some things you sacrificed for a greater reward.
He found his clothes where he’d left them in the supply closet. He put on scrubs and stuffed his clothes in a laundry bag with the stash of other items. On his nightly rounds he had acquired quite a treasure trove of surgical instruments. It was always good to restock his supply. On his way out he grabbed a towel though he doubted he’d need it.
Again, he walked confidently down the hallways, passing the reception desk, through the lobby and out the front door.
Chapter 20
Maggie was almost there when her cell phone rang.
“You know something,” Cunningham said without a greeting.
“Ganza and I found a traffic ticket.” She explained it to him. “It may be a coincidence but --”
“Deputy Wilson is posted outside of Katie’s door right now,” Cunningham interrupted. “Son of a bitch! We left him up there with her.”
“I’m pulling into one of the parking lots now, Sir.”
“Room 233. Approach with caution.” And he clicked off.
She chose the wrong lot. This was one was full and then she saw why. It was the employees lot. She tried to speed around the lanes to get back to the exit. She’d find the front door and just leave her vehicle there. As she took the last turn at the back of the lot she saw a Warren County Sheriff’s cruiser parked. It had to be Wilson’s. But someone was in the front seat.
Instead of exiting the lot, she turned into another lane of parked vehicles and simply stopped where she still had a view from the back of the cruiser. She called Cunningham again and immediately got his voice message.
“Wilson’s cruiser is here in the employee parking lot. I think he’s sitting in it. I’m going to check it out.”
What if he already had taken Katie? Was it possibly he had her in the back of the vehicle?
She stepped out and closed her door as softly as possible. Her fingers reached into her jacket and unsnapped her holster. She took the long way around so she could approach from the back of his vehicle. He looked like he was bent over the steering wheel with his hat pushed low over his forehead. Maybe he was reading something? Or was he on the phone?
At the last minute she realized he might see her in his rearview side mirror. She moved to the right. Slowly she slid the revolver from her holster and held it at her side. Twenty more feet and she’d be at the passenger window. It looked like he still hadn’t lifted his head.
She needed to slow down. Keep low.
Her heart was pounding so hard her chest hurt. Her palms were sweaty.
She wanted to get a peek into the backseat but realized she couldn’t risk it. She remembered Wilson’s cocky attitude. He wouldn’t go quietly. She needed to be prepared. If Katie was in the backseat she might get caught in the exchange. That is if the girl was still alive.
A few more steps. She felt a trickle of sweat slide down her back. A quick glance around showed no one else coming or going. No shift change. He had timed this perfectly. Of course, he had.
She had to do this now before he looked up. Maggie took a couple of measured breaths and rushed the last steps.
“Hands up, Deputy Wilson!” she shouted as she took her stance outside the passenger window, feet spread, arms out with her gun pointed directly at his head.
He didn’t move.
“Deputy Wilson, put your hands where I can see them.”
Nothing.
She stole a quick glance into the back. Nothing on the seat. She couldn’t see if Katie was somewhere on the floor. Or the trunk. She hadn’t thought about the trunk until now.