“What an awful idea,” Angela said. “But if that were the case we’d be back to square one. We still wouldn’t know who was behind it. Who would be paying him and why?”
“I’d still guess it’s some misguided mercy killer,” David said. “All the victims had potentially fatal illnesses.”
“I think we’re getting too speculative,” Angela said. “We’ve got too much information and we’re straining to put it all into the same theory. Most of this information probably isn’t related.”
“You’re probably right,” David said. “But I just had an idea. If we were to determine Van Slyke was the culprit, then his psychiatric problems could work in our favor.”
“What do you mean?” Angela asked.
“Van Slyke had a psychotic break under the stress of a submarine patrol. I don’t find that all that surprising. I might have had one, too. Anyway, when he had his psychotic break, he had paranoid symptoms and turned against his authority figures. His history indicates he’d done that before. If we confronted him I’m sure he’d get stressed out. Then we could evoke his paranoia toward whoever is paying him. All we’d have to say is that this, quote, ‘authority figure’ is planning on letting Van Slyke take the blame if anything goes wrong. And since we’re talking with him, obviously things are going wrong.”
Angela flashed David an expression of disbelief. “You amaze me sometimes,” she said. “Especially since you think you are so rational. That’s the most convoluted and ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard. Van Slyke’s history documented mania with belligerence. And you’re suggesting that you could safely evoke this individual’s schizophrenic paranoia? That’s absurd. He’d explode in violence, and it would be directed at everyone, particularly you.”
“It was just an idea,” David said defensively.
“Well, I’m not going to get myself worked up,” Angela said. “This is all too speculative and theoretical.”
“Okay,” David said soothingly. “The next candidate is Peter Ullhof. Obviously he has medical training. The fact that he’s been arrested in connection with the abortion issue suggests that he has some strong feelings about moral issues in medicine. But after that, there’s not much.”
“What about Joe Forbs?” Angela asked.
“The only thing that makes him suspicious is his inability to handle his personal finances,” David said.
“And what about the last person? Claudette Maurice.”
“She’s clean,” David said. “The only thing I’m curious about is where she has the tattoo.”
“I’m exhausted,” Angela said. She tossed the papers she had in her hands onto the coffee table. “Maybe after a good night’s sleep, something will come to us.”
25
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Nikki awoke in the middle of the night with another nightmare and ended up sleeping in the master bedroom. David and Angela both slept restlessly. Even Rusty seemed unable to sleep soundly, growling and barking on several occasions during the night. Each time David leaped out of bed and grabbed the shotgun. But each time it proved to be a false alarm.
The only bright spot the next morning was Nikki’s health. Her lungs were completely clear. Nevertheless, the Wilsons didn’t even consider sending her to school.
They tried phoning Calhoun again but got the answering machine with the same message. They discussed calling the police about the investigator but couldn’t make up their minds. They admitted they didn’t know Calhoun that well, that his behavior was eccentric, and that they were probably jumping to conclusions. They were also reluctant to call the local police considering the experiences they’d had with them, particularly the previous night.
“The one thing I do know,” Angela said, “I don’t want to spend another night in this house. Maybe we should pack everything up and leave this town to its own devices and secrets.”
“If we’re thinking of doing that, then I’d better call Sherwood,” David said.
“Do it,” Angela said. “I’m serious about not wanting to spend another night here.”
David phoned the bank to make an appointment to see the president. The first opening available was that afternoon at three o’clock. Although David would have preferred an earlier time, he took what he could get.
“We really should speak to a lawyer,” Angela said.
“You’re right,” David said. “Let’s call Joe Cox.”