Crush - Alan Jacobson [40]
Vail shook her head. “I’m not a politician, okay? I’m a cop. But I see what’s going on here. Understand this: I’m not worried about tourism levels or income to the state, or the federal government. I’m concerned with catching this guy before he kills again.”
“Thank you, Agent Vail,” Brix said. “And we appreciate your input. But this is our community, and we have to live with all the various interests and forces that govern our local economy. Putting out a public notice may save the life of one person, but it’ll have a profound effect on thousands of people’s lives. If not tens of thousands. A lot of family businesses depend on the wine-growing and wine-selling economy. Sales tax on purchases, bed-and-breakfast room taxes, income taxes from the booming trade of people just being in town: restaurants, gift shops, stores. We tip that scale the wrong way, we may never recover.”
Nance added, “There’s a lot of competition from wine regions all over the world now. Washington state, Argentina, Chile, France, Italy. Not to mention other areas in California. We don’t want to jump the gun and cripple the Napa Valley in a way it might not be able to recover from financially.”
“We need more to go on before we go public,” Prisco said.
“And we need to be sure that going public is the right thing,” Fuller said. “I mean, contacting this guy may be the wrong way to go. He could look at it as a challenge, and really go off the deep end. And go on a killing spree. You see what I’m thinking?”
A killing spree? What the hell is Fuller talking about?
“What I’m thinking is that a little knowledge is very dangerous,” Vail said. “You’ve asked me here to help. I hate to say it, but sooner or later you’re going to have to go public with this. It’s our best chance at catching this killer.”
“I want you to promise,” Nance said, “that you won’t act without seeking the proper permission from the sheriff, whose office is spear-heading this investigation and who personally bears ultimate responsibility for the disposition of the case and its impact on the community.” He looked over at Owens, who did not react one way or another. “Do I need to make myself clearer, or do you understand what I’m saying?”
Vail stifled a chuckle. “I’m not an imbecile, Mr. Nance. I understand what’s driving you and I know exactly where you’re coming from. As to promising you what I will or will not do, I’m not going to do any such thing. I’m part of this task force. I don’t work for you and I don’t work for Congressman Church. I work for the federal government. And for the victims, for the People. I’m sorry if that bothers you.” She rose from her chair and pushed it tight against the table. “No, check that. I’m not sorry at all.”
VAIL WALKED OUTSIDE and descended the first flight of stairs directly ahead of her. She turned and leaned against the metal railing and looked up at the three flags blowing hard in the wind. The sky was now deep blue, a few barely visible clouds dotting the expanse. She closed her eyes and let the gentle breeze slink through her red hair. This was supposed to be a vacation. What the hell was I thinking? All I can do is advise, I can’t make these people do the right thing.
She put her head back. The coolness of the evening’s arrival relaxed her, cleared her mind.
“You have a knack.”
Vail opened her eyes and spun around. Dixon was standing there. “A knack?”
“For pissing people off. I thought I was the only one.”
“Oh, no, I’ve perfected it.” Vail grinned, then let the smile fade. “I don’t do it on purpose. But I challenge people. I don’t hold back what I’m thinking. Good or bad, it’s who I am.” She took a deep breath and looked around. “I’m not trying to piss anyone off. This is something I know about and feel strongly about. I do have a knack, a kind of sixth sense, I guess. I don’t know how to describe it. I just understand these killers. It’s not like reading a textbook, like Fuller. I’ve seen it, I’ve been down in the trenches.”
“I hear you.”
“There’s a saying in my unit, one of our profilers started using it maybe