And she sensed Peter’s hesitation before answering her.
“It’s a little worse than the media knows. John just called me, Grace, and they think the killer could be the same person who killed Clara.”
Grace was speechless. She was shocked by her brother’s words and she began to shake. That panicky feeling filled her instantly. Her ears buzzed and she couldn’t even hear what her brother was saying now. It couldn’t be true.
“Honey, are you okay? Talk to me. Say something.” He raised his voice to her.
“Talk to me, Grace. It’s okay. John’s on his way. He should be there any second. He’s bringing his friends.”
* * * *
Peter knew his sister was scared and he feared her reaction to the news.
He couldn’t help to think that she would just pack up and go. She left because of Clara’s murder and now she finally returned and this happened.
He had just heard from Donald and they were sending two special agents over to his mother’s house to ask some questions. Of course they wanted Grace there as well.
“It can’t be. They caught the guy who killed Clara. He’s in prison. They found the evidence in his house.”
Someone knocking on the hotel room door interrupted her thoughts.
“Hold on, Peter, someone’s at the door. It must be John.”
“Stay on the line and use the peephole,” he directed her.
“Oh God, this is really happening.”
* * * *
Grace put down the phone and answered the door. It was her brother John along with two other guys she didn’t recognize.
“Are you all right?” John asked, pulling his sister into an embrace.
Over her shoulder he could see the phone off the hook.
Grace didn’t answer.
“Is someone on the phone?”
Grace nodded. “It’s Peter.”
John picked it up, speaking to his brother before hanging it back up.
“Johnny, this can’t be happening. It just can’t be happening. Peter’s wrong. He has to be.” John took Grace’s hands into his own and stared down into her eyes. She knew that serious look. He was in police mode. He was concerned.
“It is happening, Grace. The word is out. We have friends who are working the case. They got the wrong guy three years ago. The investigators feel that the real killer planted the evidence in Stew Parker’s house. The detectives know that there have been nine other homicides in the past three years with similar patterns and evidence left behind. These killings have been occurring around the surrounding states as well as Florida. The federal government is involved now.” John led Grace to the co
uch.
“Nine murders? Jesus, John. How come the detectives can’t catch this guy?”
“It’s a work in progress. As they get close, they lose their lead or something else happens elsewhere and throws them off. Two men have been arrested, and then the charges were dropped after lack of evidence. Whoever is responsible is resourceful.”
She was silent a few minutes
Grace looked up at the other two men who accompanied her brother.
“I’m sorry for being so rude. My name is Grace.” She reached out her hand to greet the men.