“I couldn’t sleep,” Christine Johnson said to me. I recognized the line I had used once at her house.
I remembered Damon’s line, She’s even tougher than you are, Daddy.
“Hello, Christine. How are you? God, I’m glad it’s you,” I whispered.
“As opposed to?” she asked.
“Everyone else,” I said.
I took Christine’s hand in mine, and we went inside the house on Fifth Street.
Home.
Where there are still rules, and everybody is safe, and the dragonslayer is alive and well.
CHAPTER
115
IT REALLY DOESN’T END—the cruel, relentless nightmare, the roller-coaster ride from hell.
It was Christmas Eve and the stockings were hung from the chimney with care. Damon, Jannie, and I had almost finished decorating the tree—the final touch being long strings of popcorn and shiny red cranberries.
The damn telephone rang and I picked it up. Nat King Cole sang carols in the background. A fresh layer of snow glistened on the tiny patch of lawn outside.
“Hello,” I said.
“Why hello. If it isn’t Doctor/Detective Cross himself. What a neat treat.”
I didn’t have to ask who the caller was—I recognized the voice. The sound of it had been in my nightmares for a while—years.
“Long time, no talk,” Gary Soneji said. “I’ve missed you, Dr. Cross. Have you missed me?”
Gary Soneji had kidnapped two young children in Washington a few years back, then he’d led us on an incredible search that lasted for months. Of all the murderers I’d known, Soneji was the brightest. He had even fooled some of us into believing that he was a split personality. He’d escaped from prison twice.
“I’ve thought of you,” I finally told him the truth, “often.”
“Well, I just called to wish you and yours a happy and holy holiday season. I’ve been born again, you see.”
I didn’t say anything to Soneji. I waited. The kids had picked up that something was wrong about the phone call. They watched me, until I waved for them to finish up with the Christmas tree.
“Oh, there’s one other thing, Dr. Cross,” Soneji whispered after a long pause.
I knew there was something. “What is it, Gary? What’s the one other thing?”
“Are you enjoying her? I just had to ask. I have to know. Do you like her?”
I held my breath. He knew about Christine, goddamn him!
“You see, I was the one who left little Rosie the cat for your family. Nice touch, don’t you think? So whenever you see the little cutie, you just think—Gary’s in the house! Gary’s real close! I am, you know. Have a joyous and safe New Year. I’ll be seeing you soon.”
Gary Soneji hung up the phone with a gentle click.
And then so did I. I went back to the beautiful tree and Jannie and Damon and Nat King Cole.
Until next time.
Detective Alex Cross is in love—but his happiness is threatened by a series of chilling murders.