Alex Kava Bundle - Alex Kava [104]
Now he did have her attention. She sat up and stared at him.
“How long was he there?”
“The last three years.”
“Well, that rules him out on the Wood River murder.”
“Maybe, but isn’t that just a little too strange of a coincidence? Three years in the seminary, he should know a little about administering last rites.”
“Was he here during the first murders?”
“I’m having Hal check it out. But I did talk to the head guy at the seminary. Father Vincent wouldn’t give me the details, but he did say Howard was asked to leave due to improper conduct.” He said it as if it were some sort of proof.
“Improper conduct at a seminary could be anything from breaking a vow of silence to spitting on the sidewalk. I don’t know, Nick. Howard just doesn’t seem sharp enough to pull this off.”
“Maybe that’s what he wants everyone to believe.”
Maggie watched Nick fold his paper napkin over and over again, his fingers revealing his internal turmoil. Underneath the table, she heard his foot nervously tapping.
“Both Howard and Keller would have had the opportunity to get rid of Father Francis.”
“Jesus, Maggie. I thought you believed that only because you were drunk last night. You really don’t think it was an accident?”
“Father Francis told me yesterday morning that he had something very important to tell me. I know someone was listening in on our conversation. I could hear the click.”
“So maybe it’s a coincidence.”
“I learned a long time ago that there are few coincidences. An autopsy might show whether he was pushed or whether he simply fell.”
“Without any evidence, we can’t just order an autopsy.” Nick fidgeted with the cellular phone, and Maggie could feel his restlessness.
“Maybe I can talk to Father Francis’ family. Or the archdiocese.”
“Thing is, Maggie, we don’t have time to wait for permission or for autopsies or even search warrants. I’d like to just scare the living crap out of Howard.”
She couldn’t believe he still thought it was Howard. Or was it simply his desperation, grabbing for easy answers. Instead of arguing, she said, “Whether it’s Howard or Keller, we need to be very careful. If he panics…”
She stopped herself, remembering this was Timmy, Nick’s nephew, they were talking about and not an anonymous victim. She hadn’t shared with Nick her discovery of the killer’s acceleration. She glanced at him and saw the realization there in his eyes. Somehow he already knew.
“We don’t have much time,” he said as though reading her mind. He was getting good at it. “He’s speeding things up, isn’t he?”
She nodded.
“Let’s get out of here.” He threw a wad of bills on the table without counting it out and wrestled back into his jacket, waiting while she did the same.
“Where are we going?”
“I need to impound a pickup, and you need to apologize to Father Keller for last night.”
CHAPTER 61
Father Keller looked quite official this time when he answered the rectory door, still dressed from morning mass. However, Nick immediately noticed the white Nikes peeking out from under the black floor-length cassock.
“Sheriff Morrelli, Agent O’Dell. I’m sorry, but this is a surprise.”
“Can we come in for a few minutes, Father?” Nick rubbed his hands together to ward off the cold. Although the sun had made its first appearance in days, the piles of snow and sharp wind kept the temperature well below freezing. Even for Nebraska, this was unusual Halloween weather.
Father Keller hesitated. At first, Nick thought he’d protest as he glanced at Maggie, checking to see if it was safe to let her in. Then he smiled and moved away from the door, leading them into the living room where a fire blazed in the grand fireplace. Only this morning there was a faint scent of something scorched—something not meant to burn. Immediately, Nick wondered if Keller was trying to hide something.
“I’m not sure how I can be of help to the two of you. Last night—”
“Actually, Father Keller,” Maggie interrupted, this morning back to her cool, calm self. “I wanted