“Were you at her funeral?”
“Yeah. She was in one of my classes, and it was a small community.”
“Do you remember the last time you saw Kara?”
Madison shook his head. “What does Kara have to do with Diane?”
He ignored the question. “When was the last time you saw Kara?”
“The night of the Halloween party. She was there with Diane and Tessa.”
“I understand you caused a fight between Kara and Tessa?”
“I might have stirred it up between them, but it wasn’t that big a deal.”
“It was a big enough deal for Tessa to leave the party distracted enough to get hit by a car. It was enough of a big deal for Kara to leave the party alone and end up with the guy who fed her the pills that killed her.”
“What the hell? I didn’t have any connection to that. I was young and trying to hook up.”
“Do you remember what Tessa, Elena, and Diane were wearing at the Halloween party?”
“Sure. Doll costumes.”
“What did you think about the outfits?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Sure you do. How did they look to you?”
“Sexy as hell. Half the guys at the party couldn’t stop looking at them.”
Sharp flexed the fingers of his right hand. “Do you have a fetish for dolls?”
Madison rose, his gaze hardening with a survivor’s glint. “Do you have any solid evidence connecting me to Diane’s murder?”
“Not yet. But I’d like a DNA sample from you.”
Madison shook his head. “Cops get DNA samples from suspects.”
Sharp considered reaching for his cuffs but knew the instant he detained Madison, he’d have to read him his Miranda rights, and the whole dynamics of this interaction would change. “They also use DNA to weed out the innocent. I’m looking for a killer, and I need to keep my focus on the target.”
“You mean me?”
“DNA will rule you out.”
Madison balled up his fists. “I’m not some fucking monster!”
“I’m not arresting you. I’m asking you to come to the station with me and answer a few questions. I need help solving this case.”
Madison shook his head. “I’ll meet you downtown as soon as I get ahold of my attorney.”
Sharp chewed on two or three choice words before nodding. “I’ll wait while you call.”
When Tessa didn’t come home by seven as the Dollmaker had expected, he backtracked to her office, where he found her car. Her routine was still new and remained unpredictable, so it was important he kept a close eye on her so he could figure out her pattern. Watching and planning for his next doll offered him a thrill as tantalizing as the transformation process.
He sat for another thirty minutes, waiting and watching. To calm his nerves, he dug a small sketchbook from his glove box and sketched her face. At first he drew her as she was. Pretty, in an ordinary sort of way. And then he reimagined her new face on the opposite page. He made her face appear more round. He thinned and arched the brows. He stippled her cheeks with freckles. Transformed her lips into a heart shape. She would be so pretty. He was rock hard with anticipation.
When the office door opened and she exited, he closed the book and sat straighter. A breeze teased her hair as she walked toward her car. So beautiful. So sweet.
He reached for the handle of his door, wondering if he could make some kind of contact with her. He wouldn’t take her now. He would just talk to her. Say hello. He was sure she wouldn’t be afraid of him. Just then, a city police patrol car pulled up. She waved to the officer, who remained stationed near her car while she got into her vehicle and locked the door.
Annoyance bubbled before he chased it away. He could yield to frustration, or he could simply focus on the prize. He’d get his Serenity soon. Very soon.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Tuesday, October 11, 9:30 a.m.
It had been a frustrating night with Madison. The man had lawyered up immediately and was released within the hour. Madison had refused to answer any questions or give DNA. However, Sharp had given him coffee in a paper cup, and when Madison left it behind, Sharp had collected it and sent it for testing. He’d know within a day or two if the DNA was a match.
Now Sharp stood outside the funeral home staring at the large collection of mourners. Terrance Raymond Dillon had been eighteen, but the loss of his life touched hundreds of people. Today’s showing was far different than Roger’s final send-off.
He watched countless mourners stream into the simple building. He didn’t always make it to the funerals of his homicide victims, but when they were young, he did his best to attend. He was here searching for a killer, and he was also saying good-bye again to Kara.
As he stepped on the curb, he spotted Tessa. She wore her hair loose around her shoulders. Dress-up hair, as she’d once said. Her dress was simple and black, but it skimmed her slim body, reminding him of how much he enjoyed her shape. Dark heels, another rarity for her, made her long legs look even more beautiful. She stood with her hands tightly clasping her purse. Dark glasses covered her eyes.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“You said you were going to be here, and I wanted to come as well.” She checked her watch. “I knew you’d be early.”
He glanced around to make sure no one was listening and lowered his voice as he took her elbow in hand. “You used to lecture me about coming to these. Said it wasn’t healthy.”
“Well, now I’m not lecturing. Now I’m walking a mile in your shoes and am here to lend my powers of observation. I’m all eyes and ears, Agent Sharp.”
“You don’t need to be here.”
Her smile was bright. “Well, let’s go inside.”
He muttered a curse.
“Who should I be looking for?” she asked, already scanning the crowd.
He guided her toward the door. “You don’t look for anyone. That’s my job.”
“Today, it’s also my job.”
She’d never been one to argue, but when she dug in her heels, no amount of persuasion made her change course. She was back in his life. And like it or not, seemed determined to stay. “Focus on the funeral.”
Tessa drew in a breath. “What was it you said? Killers return out of genuine grief, and some also want to savor the pain they’ve caused.”
“Something like that.” He pulled off his sunglasses. “I found Madison.”
“Where?”
“He went back to his own place.”
“Is he under arrest?”
“His attorney arrived about an hour after he did at the station. He’s out now. But not before he accepted a cup of coffee and drank from it.”
“You have his DNA?”
“I do.”
“You should have results in days.”
Sharp shook his head. “Looking forward to it.”