Page 52 of Line of Sight (Second Sight #4)

The office of Senator Jason Kelly, York, Maine

SENATOR JASON Kelly rose to meet them as they walked into his office.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen. And thank you for coming all this way. I realize Maine is hardly in your backyard.” He shook hands with Gary before gesturing to the couch and two armchairs at one end of his office.

“This is usually when I take a break, so I hope you’ll join me for tea.

” A squat teapot sat on the low table, along with cups, saucers, a milk jug, a bowl of lemon slices, and another containing lumps of sugar.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with us, Senator.” Gary took a seat. “We understand how busy you are.”

Jason Kelly gave him an incredulous stare. “Of course I agreed. You said on the phone you’ve reopened my wife’s case. I want to do everything in my power to help you in your investigations. Although I’m not sure if I can offer you any new information.”

“Right now we’re reinterviewing all the people connected with our cases,” Dan told him.

Jason arched his eyebrows. “Cases?”

He nodded. “We’re investigating five that we believe to be connected.”

“Except now it’s six, with the death of Sean Nichols,” Riley added.

Jason sighed. “I was at the funeral. Horrible business.” He stilled. “But what can his death have to do with Heather?”

Gary ignored the question. “You were at a wedding when your wife was killed.”

Jason gave a nod. “It still sickens me. There I was, enjoying myself, drinking champagne, and in the meantime Heather was….” He winced.

“Forgive me. I know it was five years ago, but I still find it difficult to speak of that day. I remember waking up to that dreadful phone call the following morning, when they… when they found her.” He grimaced.

“It had to be the work of a madman. Someone who targeted Heather for no earthly reason that makes any sense.”

“You weren’t worried when she didn’t call you that evening?” Riley asked.

“I assumed she was working and that she’d gone to bed exhausted.” Another sigh fell from his lips. “My wife worked far too hard.”

“After her death, you continued in your campaign.” Dan didn’t break eye contact.

“Of course. Heather was my most ardent supporter. She would have wanted me to continue.”

Gary tried a different tack. “I believe you were with Greg Collins in New York when his stepbrother was murdered.”

He frowned. “What does that have to do with Heather’s death?”

“Like I said, we’re investigating a number of cases, all of them connected in some way to you and your college friends.” Gary stared at him. “Greg, Jennifer Sullivan, Amy Walsh, my brother, Brad….”

Jason’s frown deepened. “I’m afraid you’ve lost me.

I understand how I’m part of your investigations—Heather was my wife—but I don’t recall any of the people you mentioned being involved in any murders.

” He stared at Gary. “Are you saying Greg is somehow implicated in his stepbrother’s death? Because that’s an impossibility.”

“We know you were with Greg, just like you were with him and the others when three more murders occurred. Including your wife’s.”

Give him his due, Jason Kelly didn’t so much as flinch.

“Forgive me, but I’m still a little lost. What murders are you talking about? I knew about Scott, Greg’s stepbrother. Greg was heartbroken. That young man had so much to live for.” His brows furrowed. “But I can’t think of any deaths connected in any way to Jennifer or Amy, so I can’t help you.”

To Gary’s surprise, Dan stood. “I think you’re right, Senator. You don’t have any new information for us. And as we know what a busy man you are, we won’t take up any more of your valuable time.”

Gary followed his lead, and he and Riley rose to their feet.

“Thank you for all you’re doing,” the senator said as he shook Gary’s hand once more before showing them to the door.

Once they were in the hallway, heading for the elevator, Gary turned to Dan.

“Want to tell me why you cut the interview short? I went along with it because I trust your instincts, but I am curious.”

“Two things. He wouldn’t shake hands with me.”

Riley chuckled. “Anyone who’s read the papers wouldn’t shake hands with you. People have secrets they wanna keep hidden.”

“But more importantly, Senator Kelly is nowhere near as nervous as Amy Walsh or Jennifer Sullivan.” Dan glanced back at the senator’s office. “We’re not going to crack this guy. We’d be wasting our time and his.” He met Gary’s gaze. “And we’ve got better things to do.”

Gary nodded. “Such as working out who the mystery guy is.”

IT WAS already six thirty by the time they walked into their office. Dan noticed the package on his desk immediately. “How sweet. Another gift. Wonder which book it is this time.”

He tore off the wrapping paper and stared at the copy of the works of Edgar Allan Poe.

Riley glanced at it. “Now that guy wrote some creepy shit.”

“Any messages in it?”

Dan rolled his eyes. “As if he’d send us a book without a cryptic line or two.

What would be the point?” He opened the cover, and sure enough a single sheet of paper lay there.

Dan took it and handed the book to Riley.

“See if he’s highlighted anything.” He read aloud, “Mr. Porter, I don’t know if you’re familiar with Poe’s work, but it’s a favorite of mine.

Brad loved it too, so it was fitting that it played a part in his death.

And although it’s the wrong tense, I have a favorite line, which sums up my feelings with regard to your investigations.

” Dan snorted. “See? This guy’s getting predictable. ”

“Found it.” Riley peered at the page and intoned, “I smiled—for what had I to fear?”

Gary scowled. “I can’t tell you how badly I want to be the one to wipe that smile from his face.”

“And I wanna be there when you do.” Riley dropped the book onto Dan’s desk.

Dan said nothing, his stomach roiling.

That’s it. This guy isn’t afraid of being caught. He thinks he’s unstoppable.

And how did you stop someone like that?