Kim let go of Tracy to step into the powder room where he examined himself in the mirror. He was surprised to see how much blood was involved. Over his shoulder, he saw Tracy’s face. She’d come up behind him.
“Gosh, it was close,” Kim said, redirecting his attention to his wound. “This could have been serious. First he cut my hand, and now right between the eyes.”
“Are you suggesting this was the same man who attacked you last night?” Tracy asked with astonishment.
“There’s no doubt,” Kim said. “I would have had trouble describing him, but I didn’t have any trouble recognizing him.”
Tracy shuddered and then couldn’t stop. Kim could see in the mirror that she was shivering despite her coat.
Kim spun around and grasped her shoulders. “What’s the matter? You’re okay, aren’t you? I mean, you didn’t get cut or anything?”
“Physically I’m all right,” Tracy managed. “It’s just the reality of what happened is finally dawning on me. That man wanted to kill us.”
“He wanted to kill me,” Kim said. “I have a feeling you were a surprise, and enough of one to have saved my life. Thank God you weren’t hurt.”
Tracy twisted out of Kim’s grasp. “I’ll call the police,” she said on her way to the family room.
Kim caught up to her, and grabbing her arm, he pulled her to a stop. “Don’t bother to call the police,” he said.
Tracy eyed Kim’s hand clasped around her upper arm then looked up into his face. She was incredulous. “What do you mean, don’t bother?” she questioned.
“Come on,” Kim urged, gently pulling her back toward the stairs. “Let’s get my gun. I doubt the guy will be back, but there’s no sense in taking any chance of not being prepared.”
Tracy held back. “Why don’t you want to call the police?” she questioned. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
“They won’t do anything,” Kim said. “We’ll end up spending a lot of time for nothing. Undoubtedly they’ll attribute this episode to a failed burglary, whereas we know what it is about.”
“We do?” Tracy asked.
“Of course,” Kim said. “I said it was the same guy from Higgins and Hancock. Obviously what I was afraid had happened to Marsha, did happen, and the people responsible, whether they’re from Higgins and Hancock or the meat industry in general, are afraid of me.”
“That seems like all the more reason to call the police,” Tracy said.
“No!” Kim said emphatically. “Not only won’t they do anything, they might cause trouble. Above all, I don’t want them interfering in my attempt to get evidence for Kelly Anderson. In their eyes, I’m already a felon. They think I’m a nutcase.”
“They don’t think I’m a nutcase,” Tracy said.
“They might,” Kim said. “As soon as you tell them you’ve been spending time with me.”
“You think so?” Tracy questioned. That was a point she’d not considered.
“Come on,” Kim urged. “Let’s get the gun.”
Tracy followed Kim out to the foyer. They started up the stairs. She was confused but for the moment allowed Kim’s determination to sway her. Yet the attack by the man with the knife terrified her.
“I’m having serious second thoughts about your getting more involved in all this,” Tracy said.
“Not me,” Kim said. “I feel even more committed. Any residual benefit of doubt I’d felt has flown out the window now that I know what they’re willing to do to protect themselves.”
They passed the broken door to the bathroom. Tracy could hear the shower still running. She shuddered anew at the image of the killer separated from her by a mere layer of glass.
Tracy followed Kim into the bedroom. He went directly to the bedside table and took out a small Smith & Wesson thirty-eight-caliber pistol. He checked the cylinder. It was loaded. He slipped the gun into his jacket pocket and looked over at the open door to the walk-in closet.
“That prick must have been hiding in there,” Kim said. He walked over and switched on the light. Most of the drawers had been emptied onto the floor. Kim pulled out the drawer where he kept his minimal jewelry. “That’s nice,” he added. “He helped himself to my father’s Piaget.”