Alex Kava Bundle - Alex Kava [648]
“They’re here,” he said, and Nick thought he actually sounded relieved.
CHAPTER 49
Omaha, Nebraska
Maggie checked her cell phone for messages, contemplating whether or not to turn the phone off for their interview with Father Gallagher. Still no word from Gwen. She was starting to get worried. It wasn’t like Gwen. Something was going on with her. It wasn’t just exhaustion. It was something more and it bugged Maggie that she couldn’t figure it out. No, what bugged her more was that Gwen wasn’t telling her. She wondered if she should try calling her again, but Pakula was already pointing out Our Lady of Sorrow High School up ahead.
The school’s campus lived up to Maggie’s expectations of a small parochial high school. It was a series of old redbrick buildings in pristine condition despite being used since probably the early 1900s. The campus was located in central Omaha, but set off from busy intersections by huge maples that lined the property on one side and Memorial Park on the other.
It surprised Maggie that Detective Carmichael didn’t accompany them. She had seemed to be chomping at the bit to question FatherTony Gallagher again. After all, it was her digging that created the new suspicions. When Maggie asked Pakula, he threw her a look as if it was a sore subject. Then he muttered something about needing to keep an open mind. She could tell that it didn’t help matters that he had to come out here to question the priest on his turf instead of on Pakula’s. Again the detective had muttered something about “that bastard attorney” Father Gallagher had watching out for him.
But as Detective Pakula pulled in to the school parking lot, Maggie’s phone started ringing. From the caller ID she knew it was Racine. She had already missed two calls from the detective. This would be a third.
“Do you mind if I get this?” she asked Pakula. “I’ll make it quick.”
“No, go ahead.”
“Maggie O’Dell.”
“O’Dell, it’s about time,” Racine said but she sounded relieved instead of pissed, which was what Maggie had expected.
“I talked to Bonzado last night.” She thought she’d beat Racine to the punch. “He filled me in on the tattoo.”
“We have another victim,” Racine said without preface.
Maggie leaned back against the car seat. That wasn’t at all what she’d expected to hear. “It’s awfully soon.”
“It gets worse. The victim was your friend’s assistant.”
“Excuse me?”
“Dr. Patterson. The victim worked for her.”
“When did this happen? Is Gwen okay? I haven’t heard from her. Why didn’t she call me?”
A look from Pakula told Maggie she needed to calm down. He had just shut off the ignition and now waved at the school’s front door.
“I’ll wait outside for you,” he said.
“I was hoping she had talked to you,” Racine was saying as Pakula left the car. “Because she didn’t have much to say to me.”
“She was probably upset, Racine.”
“I’m sure she was, but there was something strange going on. I don’t think your friend’s being totally up front with me. I’m not sure what it is she’s not telling us, but she’s definitely holding something back.”
“That doesn’t sound like Gwen.” But Maggie already wondered if this had anything to do with Gwen’s recent demeanor. No, how could she predict something like this? That was crazy. “Is she okay?”
“I don’t know her, so it’s difficult for me to tell, but I’d say she’s pretty upset. She was the one who found her.”
“Gwen found Dena? She found her…her head?”
“In the woman’s brownstone. Actually in the garbage can.”
“Jesus, Racine! Why didn’t you tell me that in the beginning?”
“She said Dena didn’t show up for work, didn’t answer any of her calls. Dr. Patterson said she went to check on her.”
Maggie couldn’t imagine what Gwen must be going through.
“This one is weird, O’Dell,” Racine said in almost a whisper. “He’s never just left them in their homes. Something doesn’t feel right about it.”
“Look, Racine, I have an interview I need to get to. Can I call you back later?” She checked her watch.
“Sure. I’ll fill you in then.”
“And Racine?”
“Yeah?