Alex Kava Bundle - Alex Kava [78]
Yes, she needed to leave, and she needed to do it quickly—today—while she still felt in control. She would tie up a few loose ends and then get the hell out. Get out while she was still in one piece. Get out before she started coming apart at the seams.
She decided to make a quick phone call while she waited for her computer to connect on the other line. She found the number in the thin directory and dialed. After several rings, a deep male voice answered, “St. Margaret’s rectory.”
“Father Francis, please.”
“May I tell him who’s calling?”
She couldn’t tell whether or not the voice belonged to Howard.
“This is Special Agent Maggie O’Dell. Is this Mr. Howard?”
There was a brief pause. Instead of answering her question, he said, “One moment, please.”
It took several moments. She turned to see the computer screen. Finally, the connection was completed. Quantico’s royal-blue logo blinked across the screen.
“Maggie O’Dell, what a pleasure to talk with you again.” Father Francis’ high-pitched voice was almost singsong.
“Father Francis, I wonder if I might ask you a few more questions.”
“Why, certainly.” There was a faint click-click.
“Father Francis?”
“I’m still here.”
And so was someone else. She’d ask the questions, anyway. Make the intruder sweat.
“What can you tell me about the church’s summer camp?”
“Summer camp? That’s really Father Keller’s project. You might speak to him about it.”
“Yes, of course. I will. Did he start the project, or was it something St. Margaret’s has been doing for years?”
“Father Keller started it when he first came. I believe that was the summer of 1990. It was an instant success. Of course, he had a track record. He had been running one at his previous parish.”
“Really? Where was that?”
“Up in Maine. Let’s see, I usually have a very good memory. Wood something. Wood River. Yes, Wood River, Maine. We were quite lucky to get him.”
“Yes, I’m sure you were. I look forward to talking to him. Thanks for your help, Father.”
“Agent O’Dell,” he stopped her. “Is that all you needed to ask me?”
“Yes, but you’ve been very helpful.”
“Actually, I was wondering if you found the answers to your other questions. Your inquiries about Ronald Jeffreys?”
She hesitated. She didn’t want to sound abrupt, but she didn’t want to discuss what she knew with someone listening. “Yes, I think we did find the answers. Thanks again for your help.”
“Agent O’Dell.” He sounded concerned, the lilt no longer present in his voice. If she wasn’t mistaken, he suddenly sounded distressed. “I may have some additional information, though I’m not certain of its importance.”
“Father Francis, I can’t talk right now. I’m expecting an important phone call,” she interrupted before he revealed anything more. “Could I meet you perhaps later?”
“Yes, that would be nice. I have morning confessions and then rounds at the hospital this afternoon, so I won’t be free until after four o’clock.”
“As a matter of fact, I’ll be at the hospital this afternoon. Why don’t I meet you in the cafeteria about four-fifteen?”
“I look forward to it. Goodbye, Maggie O’Dell.”
She waited for him to hang up, then heard the second set of clicks. There was no mistake. Someone had been listening.
CHAPTER 43
Nick stormed into the sheriff’s department, slamming the door so hard the glass rattled. Everyone came to a halt in mid-sentence and midstride. They stared at him as though he had gone mad. He felt as if perhaps he had.
“Listen up, everybody!” He yelled over the ringing in his ear. He waited for those sauntering in from the conference room with their mugs of coffee and glazed doughnuts. “If we have another breach of confidence from this department, I personally will kick the ass of whoever is responsible and see to it that that person never works in law enforcement ever again.”
His jaw hurt like hell, especially when he clenched his teeth. The tip of his tongue found a sharp edge where a tooth had chipped. The corner of his mouth bled again, and he wiped at it with the sleeve of his shirt.