Tunnel Vision Part 10

The main hospital was configured in three circles joined by carpeted corridors. Just off the elevator was a bank of pay phones. Bleary-eyed family members leaned against the wall, explaining the situations of their particular loved ones to someone else. As she proceeded down the hall, she saw a waiting room off the main corridor. She looked inside and found a cl.u.s.ter of vending machines offering candy, cold food and weak coffee. She searched through her pockets and managed to come up with enough change for one cup. She could see the bottom of the cup through the coffee, but at least it was hot. She carried it carefully as she approached the nurseas station in the center of one of the circular wings of the building. A young woman dressed in jeans and a western shirt topped by a navy blue smock greeted her at the desk.

aCan I help you, maaam?a the clerk asked.

aWhich room is Maggie Westonas?a she asked quietly as she glanced around the circle.

aUnless youare a family member, youall have to come back during regular visiting hours.a She brought out her badge for what seemed like the hundredth time that evening and showed it to the clerk.

aI doubt youall be able to speak to her, officer. Sheas been sedated and should be asleep.a aI know. I wonat be here long. Thereall be a uniformed officer stationed outside her room in a little while.a aLet me check with the charge nurse.a The woman looked around until she spotted an older woman coming out of one of the rooms. She went to the far side of the station and spoke in a low voice to the nurse. The nurse looked around her at Brodie and their conversation continued for a few more seconds.

aYou can go in for a few minutes, officer, but please donat try to wake her,a the clerk said as she returned.

aThanks. Which room?a aFour sixteen. Itas a private room.a Brodie walked around the nurseas station. Most of the doors leading into rooms were closed. Nurses were busy waking patients up for blood pressure checks or medication in some of the rooms. The door to Maggieas room was slightly ajar and she pushed it open slowly, just enough to squeeze in. Except for corridor light filtering in through the partially opened door, the room was dark. It took a few minutes for her eyes to completely adjust to the dim lighting. Maggie was asleep and despite the swelling and bruising on her face, she seemed peaceful. A steady drip of clear liquid ran down the IV tubing into her arm, a green light blinking steadily on the machine controlling the drip.She set her coffee on the rolling tray and put her hand out to touch Maggie, but drew it back, clenching it into a fist before it made contact.

aDonat touch her!a a manas voice ordered. aYouave already done enough!a Brodie looked up and saw Sean and Liam standing in the doorway to the room. She took a step away from the bed.

aWe need to talk, Brodie,a Sean said, anger in his voice.

aNot in here.a She took a last glance at the sleeping form on the hospital bed and followed Sean out of the room. Liam fell in behind her and her muscles tensed. Sean walked past the elevators and shoved open the door to the stairwell. She hesitated, but Liamas hand on her back forced her forward. They made their way down two flights of stairs before Sean stopped on the cramped landing and whirled around, the back of his hand striking Brodieas face with all the pent up anger inside him. She fell to her knees and tasted blood in her mouth. aYouare a gutless b.i.t.c.h, you know that Brodie?a he hissed.

aI didnata,a she started.

aDidnat what? Beat the s.h.i.t out of my sister again?a His arm came around and struck her a second time. Her gla.s.ses flew off her face from the force of the blow. She drew a hand across her mouth and stared at the blood on it. Hands grabbed her from behind and dragged her up. aI didnat hurt Maggie,a she managed. aMaybe you should do something about Tim hitting her.a aIam gonna mess you up, Brodie.a Sean was talking through clenched teeth. A strong blow caught her in the abdomen and dropped her back to her knees. She wrapped one arm around her waist and tried to catch her breath.

aYou tore our family apart!a he yelled as his foot came up and struck the side of her head. She fell onto her side and covered her body the best she could from further blows. She was gasping for air as a foot caught her in the abdomen.

She didnat know how much time had pa.s.sed when she heard a voice close to her ear. aI should kill you right now, b.i.t.c.h. If you report this to anyone, weall both swear you fell down the stairs. Itas your word against ours. Am I making myself clear?a Brodie nodded her head the best she could. She heard heavy footsteps going up the stairwell as tears rolled from her eyes.

Chapter Ten.

aWHAT THE h.e.l.l happened to you?a Nicholls asked when he saw Brodieas face the next morning.

aBar fight,a she mumbled, wincing from her split and swollen lip.

aYouare too f.u.c.kina old for that s.h.i.t. What the h.e.l.l were youaa aYou got the report on Maggieas attack?a she interrupted.

aYeah. Not much there,a he said, shaking his head. aLooks like she was grabbed from behind and dragged behind some bushes. Probably never saw her attacker. Forensics got a few shots of some footprints, but a lot of people have been through there. Itas a shortcut to the university.a Brodie flipped through the folder. Blood was found at the scene, but it was probably Maggieas. A few old cigarette b.u.t.ts and candy bars were found and taken for fingerprinting and DNA testing.a aWhenas Maggie being released from the hospital?a Nicholls asked.

aProbably in a few days. Theyare running some tests to make sure there wasnat a more serious brain injury than the first scans showed.a A WEEK LATER, Brodie, accompanied by Nicholls, knocked at the door of Maggieas duplex and waited. Maggie had spent four days in the hospital and although she had already been home three days, Brodie had been reluctant to visit her until her own injuries had faded. She had gone to the hospital twice, but only to inquire about her status in an official capacity. She didnat feel like having another confrontation with Tim or any other member of the Weston family. There was nothing to be gained by upsetting Maggie. Other than the lingering soreness to her ribs Brodie appeared to be back to normal except for a couple of small bruises on her jaw. The door finally opened and Maggieas face peeked around the door. When she saw who it was, she opened the door all the way. She was dressed in an oversized velour bathrobe and slippers. Her hair hung loosely around her face.

aJesus, Weston, you look like a f.u.c.kina racc.o.o.n,a Nicholls said with a smile.

aThanks, Nicholls,a Maggie said as she attempted a slight smile. aI feel much better now. Come in.a aYou and RB could have pa.s.sed for twins a week ago,a he said as he entered the house and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

Brodie waited until she was inside before removing her sungla.s.ses.

Maggie stared at her. aWhat are you talking about?a aBrodie hoisted a few after your attack and lost a fist fight,a Nicholls said.

aIt was nothing,a Brodie said. aIave been in worse.a aPlease, sit down,a Maggie said, continuing to stare at Brodie. aCan I get you something to drink?a aIall get it. Whereas the kitchen?a Nicholls asked. Maggie pointed over her shoulder and he followed the direction of her finger. She took a step closer to Brodie and brought her hand up to touch her lieutenantas face. Brodie caught her wrist and stopped Maggieas hand.

aSo howare you feeling, Maggie?a Brodie asked, shifting the conversation back to Maggie.

aSore, but other than that, and a case of humiliation, Iam okay,a Maggie answered as she lowered her body slowly onto the couch.

aYouare not okay, but youall survive.a aThe beer looked enticing, but unfortunately I remembered we were still on duty,a Nicholls said as he came out of the kitchen carrying three gla.s.ses.

aItas Sunday,a Maggie said.

aRB couldnat quit thinking about the murders, so here we are. Besides, sheas driving us all nuts demanding reports and every other d.a.m.n thing on your case. When are you coming back so we can get a break?a aThe doctors say by next Monday, I hope.a aGive her the files,a Brodie ordered.

aWhat files?a Maggie asked.

aThe ones from the Brauner and Garcia cases,a Nicholls said as he opened his briefcase and handed her a stack of manila folders. aSince youare just sittina around all day watchina your bruises change color, you might as well do a little work to take your mind off your aches and pains.a aWeave been over these a thousand times already,a she said looking at the stack.

aWell, now itall be a thousand and one,a Brodie said. aThere are a few new things. Nicholls and I finished the interviews with everyone we could get hold of. Somewhere in those files is something thatas trying to catch our attention, but we just havenat seen it yet. Go over them again and write down anything we might have overlooked. It could be something so obvious that we bypa.s.sed it or it could be something more obscure.a aYou mean like a gut feeling?a aYeah. So far your hunches have been pretty d.a.m.n good and itas been a few days since youave looked through them so youare more detached than Nicholls and I are right now. Youave had other things on your mind besides the cases.a aIam nearly cross-eyed from reading them,a Nicholls said. aI know whatas on the next page before I even turn it. I can recite it in my sleep.a aWe get the idea, Nicholls,a Brodie frowned.

aOkay,a Maggie said looking at the folders. aBut if you two havenat found anything, I might overlook it, too.a Brodie got up and slid her sungla.s.ses back on.

aWe better get going.a aWhere are you off to now?a Maggie asked.

aNicholls is going to attempt to show me the value of computers in police work,a Brodie smirked.

aProbably going to be like trying to teach a dinosaur to use a litter box,a he quipped.

aOuch!a Maggie laughed. aThatas harsh, Nicholls.a aIf thatas a crack about my age, Nicholls, we could go a few rounds in the gym,a Brodie said. aAfter last week I obviously need some work-out time.a BRODIE LEFT THE office that evening as the sun was setting and drove to a fast food chicken joint. She placed her order and then found herself driving toward Maggieas duplex. At first she drove past, then circled the block and stopped in front, sitting in the car a few minutes finishing a cigarette. As she crushed it out in the ashtray, she took a deep breath, picked up the chicken and walked to the front door, waving at the police car parked across the street.

aRoyce,a Maggie said when she saw her at the door. aI havenat gone over the files yet. I didnat know you wanted feedback so quickly.a aI donat, but I thought you might not feel like cooking so I picked up some chicken.a aYou must have a full-service police department if you make deliveries.a aThe sooner I can get you back to work, the better.a aIam sorry. Come in.a Brodie entered the living room and carried the boxes of chicken into the kitchen. She looked through a couple of cabinets before finding plates, filled two with food, taking soft drinks from the refrigerator before carrying the plates and drinks back into the living room. Maggie was sitting on the couch when she handed her a plate.

aLooks good,a Maggie said as she took it.

aThanks.a aHope you donat mind if I kinda poked around in the kitchen.a Brodie said as she sat down in the chair across from Maggie.

aAs long as you didnat find my secret stash of drugs.a aYou mean those painkillers over the sink?a aYeah.a Maggie smiled. aThey work great.a They ate silently for a few minutes before Maggie broke the silence.

aDid you find anything interesting on the computer?a aDonat know yet. I had Nicholls put out a search for similar crimes through NCIC. It could be a while before we get a reply, so we decided to call it a day.a aI appreciate you bringing dinner to me. I really didnat feel like cooking and Iam getting a little tired of soup.a aNo problem.a The silence between them grew awkward. Brodie began to wish she had dropped dinner off and gone on home. In less than half an hour they had finished their food and she carried their plates back into the kitchen. She cleaned up what little mess there was and turned to go back into the living room and make her excuses about getting home. When she turned, Maggie was standing in the doorway, watching her.

aI think I put everything back where it belonged,a she said as she wiped her hands on a dishtowel.

aIf I canat find something Iall let you know,a Maggie said, her voice soft, almost a whisper.

aWell, I better get going. Give us a call if you find anything in the files.a aI will. And Iam sorry.a aDonat worry. You wonat be out long. It wonat affect your training.a aIam scared, Royce. Iave never been hurt on the job before.a aThereas no evidence your attack was job-related. Probably a junkie looking for money for his next fix.a When she looked at Maggie, she saw tears pooling in her eyes. aYouall never forget it happened, Maggie, but I guarantee youall get over it eventually,a she said softly.

aPromise?a She went to where Maggie was standing and took her in her arms. aI promise.a Maggie cried softly as she held her. When she stopped, she raised her head and looked at Brodie, who wiped away the tears that had run down Maggieas face, being careful not to press too hard against the bruised areas. Letting her hand rest on the side of Maggieas face momentarily, she leaned down and kissed her cheek. As she backed away, Maggieas grip tightened around her arms.

aIt sounds stupid, Royceabut Iam afraid to be alone. I know there are police officers outside, but the slightest sound wakes me up.a aItas not stupid. Go lie down. Iall stay until you go to sleep.a aWill youacould you hold me?a aI donat want to hurt you, Maggie.a aYou wonat,a Maggie said as she took Brodieas hand and led her toward the bedroom.

Turning the bed down, Maggie slipped her robe off, revealing only an Austin Police Academy t-shirt and briefs. Brodie slipped her shoes off and as she leaned back on the pillows, Maggie rolled into her arms. She closed her eyes and held Maggie, lightly stroking her hair and back. In spite of the enormous pleasure she felt holding Maggie in her arms again, a surge of guilt flowed through her. She knew she was on the verge of having to make a difficult decision. At that moment she didnat know what she wanted and desperately wished her life was less complicated. It was nearly midnight before she woke up. She tried to slide her arm from under Maggieas body and slip out of bed. Maggie mumbled to herself as Brodie moved and it took her nearly ten minutes to extricate herself and sit up on the side of the bed. She needed a cigarette, but before she could stand, she felt Maggieas hand touch her back. When she looked over her shoulder Maggie was awake and looking at her.

aGo back to sleep,a Brodie whispered, even though there was no one else in the house.

aDo you have to go?a aYeah. Will you be all right?a aIam fine,a Maggie said as she readjusted herself on the bed.

Brodie stood up and looked around for her shoes. She slipped them on and picked up her jacket. Maggie sat up on the bed and drew her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them.

aDo you need anything before I go?a aNo. Iall finish looking over those files in the morning.a aTake your time. Brauner and Garcia arenat going anywhere.a Maggie leaned against the headboard of the bed and closed her eyes. Brodie moved to her side of the bed and sat down on the edge.

aWill you come back?a Maggie asked, her eyes still closed.

Touching her face lightly with her fingertips, Brodie said, aProbably not.a IT WAS AFTER three in the morning by the time Brodie pulled into her driveway. She was exhausted, but she was almost afraid to go to bed. Three hours sleep wouldnat help and she reminded herself that either way she would undoubtedly be irritable later in the day. She entered her house briefly to let Max outside before leaving again. She drove to an all-night restaurant near the highway leading to Austin, ordered breakfast and downed several cups of coffee. An hour later she entered the police station. The desk officer looked surprised to see her.

aWhatare you doina here, Brodie?a aCouldnat sleep, Don, so I figured I might as well get some paperwork done.a aWeare sending out for some food in a little while. Can we get something for you?a aNo, thanks. I already ate. Looks like it was a calm night.a aPretty boring. Had to slap myself a while ago to stay awake.a As she walked into the squad room the sound of her feet moving across the linoleum floor echoed in the empty room. When she got to Nichollsas desk she saw a stack of computer printouts in the basket behind the ancient dot matrix printer. She picked up the papers and tore them from the paper still feeding into the machine and carried them to her desk. Halfway through the stack, she began to get drowsy. Functioning on no sleep wasnat so bad when she was involved in something physically active, but now the words and numbers on the printouts were beginning to run together. She put the papers down and went down the hallway to the bathroom. She splashed water on her face and looked at herself in the mirror. A little more than three weeks earlier, her life had been relatively simple. She had a job she liked, a comfortable house, enjoyed the affections of a beautiful woman, and even managed to sleep peacefully at least one night a week. Now she was no longer sure she knew the woman she saw looking back at her.

She grabbed her jacket from the back of her chair and, suddenly wide awake, walked out of the squad room.

aWhen Nicholls comes in, tell him something came up and I wonat be in until around noon.a aSure thing, Brodie,a the desk sergeant nodded without looking up.

THE ILLUMINATED DIAL on her wrist.w.a.tch showed five thirty-five as Brodie took a long drag on her cigarette and waited. She blinked as the porch light flipped on and the front door opened.

aRB?a Camille said.

aSorry if I woke you up,a she said.

aNo, no. I was already up.a Brodie flicked her cigarette into the flowerbed next to the front entry of Camilleas townhouse before entering.

aIs something wrong?a Camille asked as she closed the front door. aDid you have the nightmare again?a aNo,a Brodie said. aBeen up all night thinking, and needed to talk to you.a Camille smiled and pushed her hair back from her face. aCome to the kitchen. I just made a pot of coffee.a aSounds good,a Brodie said as she followed Camille down the main hallway and into the kitchen.

aIs it your cases?a aWeave actually made some progress there.

Someone attacked Weston though,a Brodie said as she looked at the liquid in her cup and frowned. aWeare not sure if itas related to the cases yet.a aOh, sweetie, Iam sorry. Is she okay?a aSheall recover.a aDo you feel responsible, RB?a aThere wasnat anything I could have done to prevent it.a aLetas go sit someplace where we can be more comfortable,a Camille suggested.

Brodie leaned back on the couch in Camilleas office and set her coffee on the end table. Camille sat next to her. aWant to talk about it?a Brodie sat up quickly when a woman, yawning and wearing a bathrobe, wandered into the room. Her dark hair was disheveled and she coughed lightly to clear her throat. She walked to the couch and leaned down to kiss Camille lightly. Glancing at Brodie, she asked, aEverything all right, darling?a Smiling up at the woman, Camille pressed her hand against the brunetteas cheek.

Brodie looked at the two women. aMaybe I should call your office and make an appointment.a aThe coffeeas ready. Iall join you in the bedroom in a few minutes,a Camille said as the woman bent down to kiss her once again. Brodie thought there was something possessive about the kiss, something telling her she had been replaced.

She watched the woman leave the room and smiled at Camille. aWhere did you meet her? Sheas lovely.a aAt the conference I attended in San Diego a few months ago,a Camille answered as her eyes followed the departing figure. aWeave spoken on the phone a few times since. Then she appeared at my office about a week ago.a A wistful smile crossed her lips and she shook her head. aSorry. Where were we?a aActually, I wanted to speak to you about usabut it doesnat seem necessary now.a aDonat you mean about you and Maggie? I donat need a degree in psychology to know youare still attracted to her. What are you looking for, RB? My blessing?a aOf course not. I never meant to hurt you, but I know I did.a aYouare not in love with me. I think, deep inside, Iave always known that. I wonat lie and say I wasnat a little hurt. I guess I hoped youad eventually come around, be the one I was looking for, but when Maggie arrived, I knew it was time to move on.a aWhat were you looking for?a Camille propped her head against her hand and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, they were crystal clear. aSomeone who needs me as much as I need them. Someone who is willing to give themselves to me and our relationship completely.a aI couldnat give you that. I hope youave found it now,a Brodie said quietly. aIam sorry. I never intended to use you.a aI suppose, in a way, we were using each other, although Iad prefer to think weave both been waiting for the real thing to come along. You canat be afraid to commit to someone because you might get hurt again.a aCan we still be friends?a aOf course. Now why donat you go home and lie down?a Camille asked. aIam sure the department can get along without you for a few hours.a aThanks, Camille, but Iall be okay.a aDonat be ridiculous,a she said firmly as she stood and pulled Brodie up from the couch. aYouare too tired to be of much use to anyone right now. As your psychologist, Iam prescribing rest. So get up and haul your a.s.s out of here.a Glancing in the direction the other woman had gone, she added, aAnd let me get back to entertaining my guest.a Brodie laughed as she hugged her. aDoctoras orders, huh?a Kissing Brodieas cheek, she said, aAbsolutely.a BY ELEVEN FORTY-FIVE, feeling somewhat more refreshed after a short nap and a long shower, Brodie sat down at her desk.

aLong night, RB?a Nicholls asked, looking up from a stack of computer printouts.

aYeah,a she answered. aWhatare you looking through?a aWe got the print-outs back from NCIC on similar crimes, but so far itas not looking too promising. Beheading is a pretty rare occurrence even among the criminal element.a aSend it through again and narrow the search to murdered janitorial or maintenance workers at any university. This might have been our guyas first foray into beheading, but I guarantee itas not his first murder.a While Nicholls punched information into his computer, she looked through a stack of case folders on her desk. aWhereas the file on Maggieas attack?a she asked.

He picked up a folder on his desk and handed it to her. aStill pretty sketchy,a he said as he returned to his computer terminal.

She read the responding officeras report and glanced through the forensic report. Nicholls had been right; there wasnat much new in the report. Without a description from Maggie, the perp could have been anyone. Removing the stack of crime scene photos, she looked over each shot carefully. On her second look through the black and white photos, she paused at a shot of a footprint found at the scene.

aYou got a magnifying gla.s.s?a she asked.

aI think so,a he said as he rummaged through his desk drawers, finally producing a small magnifying gla.s.s.

aGet this from a cereal box?a she chuckled as she took it and leaned over the picture.

aYou find something?a he asked.

aItas another one of those woman things Maggieas so fond of,a she said. aShe still has the folder from the Brauner scene, doesnat she?a aYeah, why?a aLetas go see how sheas doing,a she said as she stood up and closed the file on Maggieas a.s.sault.

aLOOK AT THESE two pictures,a Brodie said as she set a picture from Maggieas file next to one from the Brauner file. Maggie and Nicholls looked at the pictures, but it was Maggie who saw it first.

aIt looks like the same shoe pattern,a she said.

aMight not be the same guy, but itas apparently a very popular shoe among the local criminal element,a Brodie said.

aWell, Iall be d.a.m.ned,a Nicholls breathed. aThe attack on Maggie is related to the Brauner and Garcia cases?a aMaybe. Maggie,a Brodie said, ayou must have heard or seen something our killer doesnat want you to remember.a aAnd he thought head shut me up before I figured out what it was,a she frowned. aIad feel better if I knew what the h.e.l.l it was, but I honestly have no idea, Royce.a aHave you found anything in the files that has tripped your trigger?a Nicholls asked.

aNo, nothing,a Maggie shook her head. aI still have a few more reports and notes to read, but so far I havenat found anything that even remotely makes me want to look elsewhere.a aThere has to be something,a Brodie said. aThe guy was desperate enough to risk attacking a police officer near her own home.a aThink he followed her?a Nicholls asked.

aIf he thinks youare a threat because you know something, he could try again,a Brodie said as she looked at Maggie. aMaybe you should think about staying with your folks for a while.a aNo way in h.e.l.l! There is a patrol car outside now. He wouldnat risk it.a Unable to convince their trainee to move someplace safer, even temporarily, Brodie and Nicholls left Maggie to continue scouring the files half an hour later. As Brodie settled into the pa.s.senger seat Nicholls glanced at her. aWhatas up with you and Weston?a aWhat do you mean?a aCome on, Brodie. Iam not blind. I see the way you look at each other. You f.u.c.kina her?a aYeah. I sneak over here every d.a.m.n night and grab a fast roll in the hay right under the noses of a couple of our patrolmen, all while Iam trying to avoid the bruises and cracked ribs from her beating. Very hot stuff.a aIam serious, Brodie. When did she start calling you by your first name? Something no one else is allowed to do.a aLook, Nicholls, you know I knew Maggie years ago. She used my first name back then.a aStraight up. Are you f.u.c.king Weston?a aNo. Now drop it!a MAGGIEaS DOCTOR CLEARED her to return to duty the beginning of the following week, and she would be glad to get back. She could only take so much sitting around the house and the idea that her attacker might know where she lived hadnat helped her sleep pattern much either. She had read the case files a half dozen times without a clue as to what she was looking for. Failing to find anything obvious, she began to concentrate on minor facts. It was easy to skip over small things trying to get the bigger picture. Propping her feet up on her coffee table, she flipped open the file on Cruz Garcia, whom they now believed had been the first victim. There wasnat anything in the forensics reports that she didnat already know. His wallet and keys had never been found and presumably were disposed of by the killer. Through Garciaas cousin, his wife had described the wallet and it contents. The university had provided a list of keys Garcia carried with him while on the job, as well as their serial numbers. The university security office had changed all the locks involved, rendering the keys useless.

In the back of the file were pictures taken when Garciaas various parts had been found. Among the pictures was the family photo she and Brodie had gotten from Garciaas wife when they were still trying to identify him. Garcia, his wife and their children were dressed up. What was it the cousin had said?

The picture had been taken the previous Christmas before midnight ma.s.s, something like that. They were an attractive family, Maggie thought, as she looked at the picture. They were the picture of health and happiness. It was a shame some maniac had ruined all of that. She slid the picture back into the file and then pulled it out again.

THE NEXT MORNING, Maggie walked purposefully into the squad room.

aWhat are you doing here?a Brodie asked. aThe doc hasnat released you for duty yet.a Maggie slapped the picture of the Garcia family on the desk in front of her training officer. aDaryll Chambers killed Cruz Garcia and Elliott Brauner,a she said flatly. aSon of a b.i.t.c.h was probably my attacker, too.a aAnd how did you determine that?a Brodie asked, picking up the picture.

aMrs. Garciaas necklace,a Maggie said as she pointed to the picture. aThere was something familiar about it so I went to see Mrs. Garcia last night. The medallion on the necklace is Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mr. Garcia had the same medallion. The necklaces were wedding gifts and they always wore them.a aSo?a Brodie prompted.

aSo Mr. Garcia broke his necklace a couple of times at work and finally decided to carry the medallion on his key ring, which is still missing. When I first interviewed Chambers about Brauner, I saw this exact medallion on his key ring. The day before I was attacked I spoke to Chambers and saw the medallion again and asked him about it. He said it had been a gift from his mother. He said she had picked it up in Costa Rica.a aCould be true,a Brodie said. aReligious medallions arenat exactly a rarity among Hispanics and Our Lady of Guadalupe is probably the most popular religious figure in Mexico.a aIn Mexico, not Costa Rica. These two were handmade by Garciaas brother whoas a silversmith in Mexico and, according to the wife, were a one-of-akind matching set. I saw Mrs. Garciaas necklace and the medallion is identical to the one Chambers had. Iam telling you, Royce, Heas our guy,a she said forcefully.

aNicholls, do you have that report we just got in from NCIC?a Brodie asked.

aYeah, and there was a similar incident at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. Janitor killed and keys taken. Perp never apprehended,a he answered.

aChambers is from New York,a Brodie said.

aWhen I interviewed him he said so. Call that university and see if Mr. Chambers was a student there at the time their janitor was murdered,a she instructed. aHow was that one killed?a aAcid to the face,a Nicholls said.

aCharming,a she muttered.

Nicholls hung the phone up several minutes later and shrugged, aDaryll Chambers was never a student at Clarkson.a as.h.i.t,a Maggie said as she slammed her hand down on Brodieas desk. aIt has to be him! We need to see his university records. Wait, his girlfriend, I met her the same day I asked him about the medallion. She works in admissions at the university.a Brodie stood up and slipped her jacket on.

aNicholls, Maggie and I will be at the university. Iall call if we find anything you can follow up on.a Brodie backed her Camaro out of its parking s.p.a.ce and shifted into drive. aYouare meant for this job, Maggie. Another hunch?a she smiled.