Authors: Michael Brandman

Killing the Blues (17 page)

BOOK: Killing the Blues

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“Sad day,” he said.

“He was your friend,” she said.

“He was,” Jesse said.

“Uncle Carter says he was a good cop.”

“He was.”

“I'm sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.”

They walked together for a ways.

“Don't think you can make up with me, Jesse,” she said.

“You're not still angry, are you,” Jesse said.

“Of course I'm still angry.”

“Surely you're not going to hold me responsible for a matter which is essentially out of my hands,” Jesse said.

“That's not what my uncle thinks.”

“Hansen told you it would be all right to play amplified music for as long as you like?”

“Something like that, yes.”

“Then he's misstating the law.”

“Or interpreting it differently than you,” Alexis said.

“There's no interpretation required. The town rules are eminently clear.”

“Apparently not to Selectman Hansen.”

“Does that mean you plan on defying the law?”

“This country was built upon people defying the law,” Alexis said.

“So you are planning to defy it.”

“I didn't say that.”

“You didn't have to.”

“Don't get in my way, Jesse.”

“I don't particularly appreciate that remark.”

“There's no appreciation required,” she said.

“That's what you think,” Jesse said.

He glared at her for a few minutes.

Then he walked away.

Y
ou came to see me for information,” Dix said.

“Yes,” Jesse said.

“Not for treatment.”

“Yes.”

“What kind of information?”

“I'm not certain.”

“You came to me for information, but you're not certain what information you came for?”

“Yes.”

“Again with the one-word answers.”

“You used to be a cop, right?”

“Right.”

“Did you ever experience serial behavior,” Jesse said.

“You mean like the behavior behind the killings and the fires?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“No you didn't experience this kind of behavior,” Jesse said.

“Yes,” Dix said.

Jesse didn't say anything.

“Serial behavior comes in all sizes,” Dix said. “What you're dealing with seems to be coming in all sizes at once.”

“Which means?”

“It takes many shapes, but it seems to have one objective.”

“Which is?”

“My guess is that it's aimed at you personally,” Dix said.

“At me?”

“Exactly.”

“Because?”

“You tell me.”

Jesse didn't say anything.

Dix didn't say anything.

Jesse suddenly blurted the name: “Rollo Nurse.”

“Bingo,” Dix said.

“You knew it was Rollo Nurse?”

“I wasn't certain.”

“I kept circling, but I couldn't pin it down,” Jesse said.

“It became clear the instant you blurted it out,” Dix said.

Jesse didn't say anything.

“It makes sense,” Dix said.

“It does,” Jesse said. “I couldn't make the connection.”

“Now you have.”

“He killed Steve Lesnick.”

“Killed?”

“Broke his neck before he set fire to the car,” Jesse said.

“What are you gonna do?”

“I'm gonna take him down.”

“Which means?”

“I'm going to find him and apprehend him.”

“And if you can't successfully do that,” Dix said.

“Then I'll kill him.”

“Just as you feared.”

W
hen Julie Knoller meandered onto Sixth Street in Lincoln Village, she thought it odd that a Paradise police cruiser was parked in front of her house, and Jesse Stone leaning against it.

“What are you doing here,” she said.

“Waiting for you,” he said.

“Waiting for me why?”

“I wanted to talk with you.”

“What about?”

“Mr. Tauber.”

“Mr. Tauber my homeroom teacher?”

“None other.”

“What about Mr. Tauber?”

“Do you like him?”

“Not much.”

“Is he a good teacher?”

“I only have him for homeroom.”

“Is he a good homeroom teacher?”

“He doesn't really teach in homeroom,” Julie said.

“What does he do there?”

“During school he mostly checks attendance and makes announcements. Stuff like that.”

“And after school?”

“He supervises detention.”

“Detention as in staying after school?”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever had detention?”

“You're kidding, right?”

“Have you ever had it?”

“Of course I've had it.”

“Because?”

“They say I have attitude issues,” Julie said.

“I can't imagine why.”

“Was that meant as a put-down, Chief Stone?”

“Jesse.”

“You want me to call you Jesse?”

“It's my name.”

“Okay, Jesse,” Julie said, after a moment. “Was that a put-down?”

“An observation.”

Julie didn't say anything.

“What does one do in detention,” Jesse said.

“Mostly homework. Except if you're willing to please Mr. Tauber. Then you get to go home early.”

“What does that mean?”

“I don't want to talk about it.”

“You don't want to talk about what it means to please Mr. Tauber.”

“No.”

“Why?”

Julie didn't say anything.

“Does this embarrass you for some reason,” Jesse said.

“It might.”

“And you don't want to tell me why?”

“No.”

“Have you ever told anyone?”

“No.”

“Would it help if you told someone,” Jesse said.

“It would make things worse.”

“Because?”

“Because he told us it would.”

“Mr. Tauber said that if you told anyone about pleasing him, it would make things worse for you?”

“Yes.”

“In what way?”

“Our grades would be lowered. We would get into trouble with the other teachers.”

“So Mr. Tauber threatened you?”

“Yes.”

“What did he do to you, Julie?”

Julie didn't say anything.

“He obviously did something which he knew would reflect badly on him. What did he do, Julie?”

After several moments she said, “He made us sit on his lap.”

“And what did he do when you sat on his lap,” Jesse said.

“You know, stuff.”

“What kind of stuff?”

“He would touch me.”

“Touch you.”

“He liked to touch my boobies.”

“Mr. Tauber touched your breasts?”

“Yes.”

“Did he do the same with any of the other girls,” Jesse said.

“I think so.”

“Who else?”

“Maybe Lesly and Bonnie.”

“Did they tell anyone?”

“No.”

“Because he instructed them not to?”

“I guess.”

“There are consequences for that kind of behavior,” Jesse said.

“Which means?”

“Let's just say that I don't think he'll be doing it again.”

“Who's gonna stop him?”

“I am.”

They were quiet.

“Was that all you wanted,” Julie said.

“Lisa Barry,” Jesse said.

“What about her?”

“Will you speak to a therapist?”

“The shrink?”

“Yes.”

“Maybe. If you make me.”

“You're a smart girl, Julie. One day you'll be a smart woman. This could be a defining moment for you,” Jesse said.

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“What you did to Lisa Barry was cruel and hurtful. As you grow up and you reflect on your actions, which you will, you'll be ashamed of them. It will gnaw at you.”

Julie didn't say anything.

“Talk to a therapist. He or she can help you understand the real cause of what you did.”

“I don't know about seeing a shrink.”

After a moment, Jesse said, “I see a shrink.”

“You?”

“Me.”

“Wow.”

“I like to think of it as a learning experience. Just like a class. Only this class is one where you learn about yourself.”

“So it's a good thing?”

“If you meet it head-on, it could be one of the best things you'll ever do.”

“You're a strange guy.”

“Me?”

“Talking to me like this.”

“Like how?”

“Like I'm a grown-up.”

“In many cultures you would not only be regarded a grown-up, but you'd probably already be married.”

“Really?”

“You could look it up.”

“I like you, Chief Stone.”

“Jesse,” he said.

“Jesse,” she said.

“I like you, too, Julie.”

S
o forensics confirmed he was dead before the explosion,”

Healy said.

“Yes,” Jesse said.

Jesse was in his office, drinking coffee, speaking with Healy on the phone.

“What did you make of that,” Healy said.

“I had an epiphany,” Jesse said.

“Meaning?”

“A sudden realization.”

“I wasn't asking for the definition of the word,” Healy said.

“With you, one never knows.”

“What was your epiphany?”

“Rollo Nurse,” Jesse said.

“Who's Rollo Nurse?”

“The ex-con who Captain Cronjager thought might be coming for me.”

Healy didn't say anything.

“I believe he's here.”

“In Paradise?”

“Yes.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I'm gonna find him. I'm gonna step up the night patrols. Check all the motels and residential hotels. Ask around town about him.”

“A start,” Healy said.

“A start,” Jesse said.

“You'll be on alert?”

“I'm always on alert,” Jesse said.

“Except when you're not,” Healy said.

J
esse gave instructions to Perkins, Suitcase, and Bauer to increase the number of cars on night patrol from two to eight. He ordered two officers per vehicle. No more solo patrols.

He distributed copies of the photo taken of Rollo Nurse at his release from Lompoc State Prison. It had been faxed by Captain Cronjager at Jesse's request. He ordered that these photos be shown at every residence facility that might cater to transients, as well as convenience stores and liquor shops.

He made certain everyone knew that Rollo Nurse was to be considered armed and dangerous. Appropriate caution should be exercised in any potential exchange with him.

Jesse let them know he would also be part of the night-patrol team.

S
tuart Tauber pulled his late-model Taurus into the driveway of his house. He got out and was heading for the front door when he spotted Jesse, across the street, leaning against his cruiser. Tauber walked cautiously toward him.

“You again,” he said.

“Yep,” Jesse said.

Tauber crossed the street and approached him.

“What do you want this time,” he said.

“I wanted to see where you live.”

“You've seen it. Now you can leave.”

“Do you have kids, Mr. Tauber?”

“That would be none of your business.”

“Records say you have a son.”

“If you already knew, why did you ask?”

“Is your son in any danger?”

“What's that supposed to mean?”