Branded for Murder by Dick C. Waters Read Free Book Online Page A

developed out of that discussion—was that the killer had to track each of the victims for a period of time, always picking a woman who lived alone, or timing his attack when the man was elsewhere.
    After the meeting I sat looking at the latest strangling case file, I could almost picture the killer now. However, I was having a problem with why my cousin would have let someone into her home. She wasn’t stupid and would have been very cautious.
    Mike’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “Scott, you look miles away. Is this investigation going to be too much for you?”
    “I’m sorry Mike. I’m trying to think why my…why any of these women would have opened their door to this stranger. You would almost think they all knew this person, but that would be impossible.” I could feel Mike studying me.
    “It’s a key puzzle piece. What are your plans for tomorrow and the weekend?” Mike asked.
    I thought about Jackie’s wake and funeral. “I was going to talk with you about that. I have something I need to take care of at my parents if I can be excused for tomorrow and this weekend? I can come back Sunday afternoon if you want me to.” Mike looked like he was trying to read between the lines.
    “No Scott that’s fine. It’s nice to have you working with us, and I really would like to spend some time maybe after work someday next week to get to know you better. That is if you would like to do that?”
    “That sounds fine to me. I would like that.” I could feel my face flushing again.
    Mike noticed Paddy waving to him from the conference room door, and nodded to him. “Okay, why don’t you come in Monday morning and we’ll update you on what might have been learned in the meantime, and if you can make it, plan on a couple of beers following work at my favorite nearby pub.”
    We shook hands. “Okay, see you Monday morning.”
    I could sense he was interested in what was taking me away for the weekend. I felt guilty not sharing the details with him. He probably thinks I’m having a problem coping with the gruesome case details. However, I knew I would be thinking about those details for hours on my drive to Maine.

Chapter 11
     
    I finished my school work and had taken my final. It was Friday. I was glad the week was coming to a close. The wake for Jackie was tomorrow morning in Woburn Massachusetts, with a small family gathering on Sunday morning in Maine just prior to the funeral service.
    I knew this was going to be a rough weekend for all of us. I was not going to go to my parents’ house until Saturday night. My parents and relatives would be coming to the wake in Woburn, since most of her friends were in the towns around there. After my brief conversation with Mike at the task force office yesterday, I sensed he had some questions about my being away this weekend. I was wondering if anyone from the task force would be at the wake tomorrow. I hoped not.
    I knew I would tell Mike about Jackie being a family member, but not until he was happy I was helping with the investigations. His offer to spend some time together would be nice. I hope it would help us develop a better personal relationship so when I tell him, it would not end my connection with the team.
    I haven’t stopped thinking about what I saw in those folders and what I heard at the team meeting. It is still awful that Jackie had to be one of the victims. I never did open her folder. I guess at some time I’m going to have to. I knew I couldn’t even force myself to see her that way. Maybe after this weekend’s services, I would change my mind. Why are there so many monsters among us? Is God testing our faith? If so, what other tests does he have in store for me? I still believe, but I have questions about why things like this happen.
     
    *.*.*
     
    I decided to check out my preferred study hall library to see if my future friend is there. I brought along some course material, but I knew I couldn’t really do that much studying. There’s