Page 34

“ I can’t believe Inez was the real killer all along.” Hannah had found out that Inez’s first name was Tillie. Which explained why Henry referred to her as T, no doubt a nickname.

Zeke half-listened to the details of the case while holding Sierra’s hand. So far, they’d chosen to wait to tell the team about their engagement. There were things that needed to be settled here. Maybe they’d spill the news on the flight home.

“How is Henry?” Zeke asked. “Will he make it?”

“Deb’s been keeping up with his status through her friend at the hospital,” Patrick told them. “He’s going to make it.”

“I’d like to speak to him once he wakes up.” Zeke wanted to get his side of the story down. “Cooper and I can go over there after he’s awake.”

“I’m going with you,” Sierra told him.

Zeke worried that seeing the man who had taken her might be too much for her, but he shouldn’t be concerned. Sierra was tough. Still, he remembered her sobbing after he’d set her free. He’d seen a different side of his fiancée then. She did have a vulnerable side after all.

Inez had succumbed to her injuries. Zeke would have to tell Henry about his cousin’s death. He wondered how he would take it.

During his surgery to repair the damage done by the bullets, the team had learned that Henry was suffering from stage four stomach cancer. His time here on earth would be short. Zeke doubted if he’d ever see the inside of a prison.

The bodies of the previous victims had been removed from Henry’s basement. The fire hadn’t reached them. From what Lindsey said, Zeke believed he’d deliberately preserved the basement and its evidence. There were trophies from each of the victims. The barrels at Inez’s place had confirmed Colleen’s remains were inside one and Inez’s husband, Terrance, was in the other.

They’d found out that it was Inez who called Terrance’s former employer and told them he was quitting. She’d probably killed him by then. Perhaps he’d discovered his wife’s secrets and she had no choice.

This case was unlike many of the ones they’d worked before because Henry appeared to be an unwilling partner in Inez’s crimes. All because of her jealousy.

Deb came into the room. “He’s awake.”

Patrick thanked her. “Shall we get his side of the story?”

Zeke rose with Sierra. Hannah noticed the ring on her finger and stopped them. “Hold on a second.” She came over and clasped Sierra’s ring finger. “What is this?” She looked from Sierra to her brother, waiting for an answer.

Megan squealed. “That’s an engagement ring. Are you two engaged?” She practically climbed over the table to get to them.

Sierra laughed. “Looks like our secret is out. Yes, we’re engaged. We didn’t want to say anything until the case was over.”

“Details.” Hannah ignored Zeke trying to pull Sierra from the room.

“Later. We’ll tell you everything later.”

Hannah’s face fell. “Alright. But I want everything.”

Zeke promised her.

“Congratulations.” Cooper gave them both a hug. “I knew it would all work out. You should have seen this guy moping around after you, Sierra.”

“I did not mope.” Zeke got in the back with Sierra.

“You kind of did.” Cooper grinned at him.

“Congratulations,” Patrick told them as they drove through the early afternoon traffic until they reached the hospital.

Deb had given them Henry’s room number. The four went inside to where Henry stared into space. When they entered the room, he turned toward them.

“I’m glad you’re here. I want to confess everything.”

Henry barely let Patrick get his recorder ready before he told the tale much like Inez had shared in the basement. “I should have known she needed more help than I could give her. I thought I was helping her by keeping her secrets and in the beginning, I confess, I enjoyed killing, too.” He hung his head. “But soon, the thrill faded, and I felt awful. When I met Maggie, she was such a beautiful person inside and out. She made me want to do better. I couldn’t be that awful person again.”

“What happened to cause Inez to want to kill again?” Patrick asked when Henry grew silent.

He glanced at Patrick. “Terrance, her husband, discovered the place where she kept Colleen hidden right before Dawn was taken. He threatened to turn her in. She killed him.” He shrugged. “That brought her desire to kill back. I thought I could change her. If I took the women and then let them go. . .But I only helped make her worse. I’m sorry to all those women’s families. I’d like to apologize to them personally.”

Henry swallowed before continuing. “Their cars are all hidden in my mine. There’s a shaft that’s been closed off. You’ll find them all there.”

That explained why they hadn’t found any of the victims’ vehicles. Henry took care of them.

Zeke noticed Henry had been reading the Bible. Was it possible for a serial killer to become a Christian? God’s grace was available to them all. Henry’s time on earth was limited. As a Christian, Zeke didn’t want to see anyone die without receiving eternal life.

“Do you believe what you’ve read there?” He indicated the Bible.

Henry smiled. “I do. I just don’t think it applies to me. I’m not worthy of God’s grace.”

The human part of Zeke wanted to agree with him. But in God’s sight, Zeke’s sins were no different. “God’s grace is a gift.” Zeke went over as Patrick ended the recording. “God doesn’t want anyone to perish, Henry. Ask Him for forgiveness. Trust Him. He keeps His promises.”

Henry broke down and wept. “I want that for real this time. I want to see my Maggie again.”

“And you will.”

When they left the hospital a short time later, Zeke was certain Henry was now part of the family of God. It didn’t mean that his crimes here on earth wouldn’t have to be paid for, but when he left this earth, Zeke believed without a shadow of doubt heaven would welcome him home.