The Hangman (Forgotten Files Book 3)

“Why was that?” Julia asked.

“Had to do with his undercover work. He was never a fan of the paper trail. He worried a careless administrator could get him killed.”

“Did he mention that Tamara Brown was one of his confidential informants?” Julia asked.

“No. He never said a word,” Ken said. “But he didn’t talk about his undercover work. I sensed it was a part of his life he wanted to leave behind, so I never pressed. Can you two pull those old files from the narcotics investigations?”

“Jim’s undercover files are still sealed, and it’s going to take someone with a higher pay grade to gain access,” Novak said.

Ken rubbed the top of his head. “I knew the murders really troubled him, and he took them harder than I did. It never occurred to me Jim had a personal connection to the victims.”

“Do you think Jim killed those women?” Novak asked.

Julia held her breath, afraid to move until he answered. Time slowed. When Ken glanced in her direction, his face tensed and she nodded. “Be honest, please.”

Ken threaded his hands together, and she had the sense he was about to speak when Wendy entered the room with a tray of coffee cups. She said, “Jim didn’t kill anyone. He was a good cop and not a serial killer.”

Ken straightened as she set the tray down. Whatever thoughts he’d been ready to share had filtered away.

Frustration jabbed at Julia. “Ken, what do you think? Did Jim kill those women?”

Ken glanced at Wendy, who laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, and then back to Julia. “Jim was a great cop, kiddo. He believed in justice.”

“You should talk to Neil Rogers,” Wendy said. “He was the forensic technician on all three murders. I worked with him on several cases, and if anyone knew the details as well as or better than Ken and Jim, it was Neil.”

Novak scribbled the name. “I read some of his reports. Solid work. We’ll find him.” He accepted a mug of coffee from Wendy.

Ken frowned, and his hand began to shake. He slid it into his pants pocket.

“Look,” Wendy said. “I think it’s time we take a break. Ken and I’ll talk about it later, and I’ll dig through the attic and see what I can find in his file boxes. But for now, he needs his rest.”

Novak released a breath. “Sure. We can talk later.”

Julia was frustrated. A critical piece of the puzzle had just danced inches from their reach. “You were a big help, Ken. Thanks. We’ll come back another time.”

“I must have some notes on her in my files,” Ken said, clenching his fists. “I know the answers are there.”

Julia patted him on the shoulder. “And we’ll get at them. Just not today. Not now.”

She and Novak showed themselves out. The sun was higher in the cloudless sky, but a wind added to the chill as it cut through her light jacket.

“He became agitated,” Julia said.

“Yes, he did.”

“Like he thought Jim might have been involved in Rita’s death?” Julia pulled up her collar to guard against the wind.

“Next time, I’ll talk to him alone without you or Wendy.” No hint of hesitation. He was telling her what was going to happen.

“What happened to team?”

“If I were cutting you out, I wouldn’t be telling you what I was going to do.”

“Ken is family.”

“I understand that. But I still need to talk to him. He’ll be more candid with me and less embarrassed if we’re alone. I’m a fellow cop. He thinks of you like a daughter and doesn’t want to hurt you.”

She understood the logic and what needed to be done. But she didn’t like it. She checked her watch. “I’m calling Neil Rogers.”

“We’ll talk to the guy together.” He adjusted his cuffs. “Foolish to double up efforts.”

She could have used distance from Novak right now, but he was right. Territorial cops weren’t as effective. “You’re annoyingly logical.”

The edges of his lips lifted as he fished keys from his pocket. “See, that wasn’t so hard.”

She slid into the front seat of Novak’s car. He had a relaxed confidence that she admired. Sure, she was confident, but not calm or tranquil. He wasn’t rattled easily, and she was a little jealous of that.

Novak called Neil Rogers and explained the situation. “Great. We’ll be by in a half hour. Thanks.”

When he hung up, she settled back into her seat.

Novak’s phone rang. “Hey, kiddo,” he said. His face and demeanor softened when he spoke.

Julia guessed it was his daughter. Feeling awkward, as if she were now intruding on a family conversation, she looked out her passenger-side window.

“You made it back without any issues?” he asked.

Julia didn’t want to be curious, but she was.

“All right,” he said. “Do you ever get instant messages for parties?” He frowned. “Do me a favor and watch out for any from the Hangman. He’s very bad news. Yeah, I know I’ve said it before. Just be careful. Okay. Have a good time this weekend. And remember . . .”

She could hear Bella groan like she imagined a teenager would when talking to a protective father.

“But I enjoy hearing you run through the safety rules all the time. Run ’em again,” he said. And then, “Love you.”

He hung up and clipped his phone back in its holster. “My kid,” he said. He scowled as he drove. “Why did you become a cop?”

No challenge, but genuine curiosity was enough to make her answer. “My mother always said I was like my father. She said some people are wired for this kind of work. Like me, you, and maybe Bella.” When he frowned, she said, “Cheer up. Bella might not be suited for police work. One thing to say you want the job, but it’s another to do it.”

“She’s a lot like me.”

“Tell you what. If she still has an interest, she can shadow me for a few days over the holiday break. I’ll take her to an overnight stakeout on the coldest night. I fill her up with sludgy coffee and stale candy bars.”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“What, you don’t trust me with your kid?”

“I don’t know you that well, Julia.”

It was a fair statement. “You mean, am I too much like my old man?”

“You hold a lot of feelings in tightly. Sounds like he did the same, and it cost him in the end.”

“It’s never crossed my mind to do what he did.”

He shot her a glare as if she’d hit a nerve.

“I’m not Jim. Not your late wife.”

“You could open up more.”

“Look, part of the reason I can do what I do is because I can keep my feelings in check. You’re the same. You’d have to be to do the job.”

He stared ahead, silent.

“If Bella wants to see what being a cop is like, I’m a great resource. And I would never put her in danger.”

“No offense intended, but you take chances.”

“And you don’t?”

“Calculated risks.”

“They’re the same in my book.”