Serial Separation by Dick C. Waters Read Free Book Online Page A

doing
finger pushups, which he always thought looked like a spider on a mirror.
    “Do you think it’s too far fetched
for someone in that league to have a vendetta against these men . . . maybe
trying to throw us off, giving the impression the killings were sexually
motivated?” Paddy questioned.
    He didn’t answer Paddy but wondered
what would anyone have against hockey players serious enough to kill them?
Would Scott also be in danger? Having Scott close by might be beneficial for
them and Scott.
    “It’s so unusual to have male
victims. I’ve never seen something like this. If a guy is going to kill another
guy, he’s going to beat him to death, shoot him, or knife him. He’s not going
to mutilate and save body parts. It could happen, but it seems so unlikely.”
    Paddy put his glasses back on the
end of his nose, and he looked like Santa Claus in the argyle sweater. “Mike,
the task force kickoff meeting has been moved to tomorrow morning. The AG will
be present along with the other dignitaries, and the press. Colleen is making
calls now to extend the invitations. I don’t want to bring up the connection to
that earlier hockey league, at this time . . . not with the press present.
We’ll cover that in our team meeting.”
    “I understand.”
    Paddy continued. “I’ve considered
your appeal to bring Scott on board. If you can reach Scott, see if he can come
in for the task force meeting in the morning. Caution him about keeping the
hockey connection to himself. In addition, see if he can return later at twelve thirty for an interview with the other Harvard student I mentioned, Mercedes
Strong.”
    “Great. I think he can be a help
again. Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome, but I’m counting
on you to guide his efforts. The kickoff session is eight thirty in the conference room. I think it would be beneficial for Scott to hear what we have
learned so far. It might help him to recollect something we might think is
unrelated.”
    “Okay.”
    “You better let him know he’s not
going to be alone in that interview, but don’t specifically mention who is
going to be in the interview with him.”
    “Thanks, Paddy. I appreciate your
letting Scott help.”
    “You know, I have my reservations,
but my gut is telling me something different. Just tell him to keep a low
profile, and his assistance could be temporary.”

Chapter 14
     
    I was reviewing some preparation
material for one of my new courses. The phone made me jump. I thought Lisa had
beaten me to the punch.
    “Hello there.”
    “Hello there yourself.”
    “Hello . . . is that you . . . Mike?”
    “Yes, who were you expecting?”
    “I thought it was Lisa calling me.
And I’m glad I still have an opportunity to beat her to the punch. What’s up?
Some good news, I hope?”
    “Yes, you could say that. Paddy has
consented to let you join the task team, on a temporary basis, and wanted me to
call you to alert you to a couple of things.”
    “Great . I know you had your
hands full convincing him, and thank you for it.”
    “He’s concerned with your
participation, as you know, but he thinks you might be able to shed some light
on the connection to the hockey league. We can talk about that when I see you.
The task force kickoff meeting is tomorrow at eight thirty, and he wants you to be here, but he wants you to keep a low profile. Okay?”
    “Okay, sure.”
    “He also wants you not to mention
the hockey league at that session.”
    That comment caught me off guard.
“Okay.”
    “Paddy also has an interview
scheduled for you and someone else at twelve thirty tomorrow in his office. So,
after the task force meeting, you’ll have time to do your thing and then come
back for the other meeting with Paddy.”
    I tried not to sound too concerned.
“An interview?”
    “Well, that’s what Paddy called it,
so I’m just passing it along. I also want to see if you have time tomorrow
night to have a beer, or whatever, with me?”
    “I’d love