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Chapter 35

Amelia walked briskly through the parking lot to where Quinn had parked, and was quite relieved to discover that his car was still there. Quinn himself was sitting in the driver’s seat, staring straight ahead, apparently lost in thought. He failed to acknowledge Amelia’s presence when she opened the passenger side door and slid into the seat next to him. After what seemed like an eternity of silence, Amelia started to say something to Quinn.

“Charlie, I—”

“You’re right.” Quinn’s voice was low and he sounded defeated.

Amelia was startled into momentary silence. She quickly recovered and tried again.

“Charlie, I...what do you mean?”

“You’re right. I’m dragging you along on a wild goose chase, upsetting innocent people and probably putting us in danger, as well. I’m sorry.” He sounded so miserable that Amelia immediately felt a rush of guilt.

“Look, Charlie, I’m sorry, too. You have helped me out, and I’ve been a bit ungrateful.”

“A bit?” He looked at her with a little half smile on his face. Amelia almost laughed out loud with relief.

“Yeah, I deserved that.” Her face sobered. “But look, Charlie, we both know there is something else going on here, and I meant what I said. I have a lot at stake here, too, and I’ll help you find the real connection, any way I can.”

“Real connection? I suppose we’re back to square one in that area.” Quinn lapsed into silence once more.

“What...what else have you looked into during your investigation?”

Quinn sighed. “The usual: friends, family, business associates. We tried to find a history of violence in the family or a history of problems in the community, neither of which turned up anything. Quite the opposite, actually. They were from all outward appearances the perfect family. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?” he muttered ruefully.

“Well, maybe that’s it. The killer is just targeting ‘perfect’ families. There’s no other connection.”

“Then how did the killer pick these two particular families, and why? Something has to connect them. Some organization? Schooling? Maybe further back in history the families had a connection. I don’t believe that the killer just picked them at random.”

“So how do we check? Old records? It will be Hell trying to get them from Pine Mountain, that’s for sure.”

“And getting the proper paperwork takes time. Something tells me we don’t have that.”

“What about old news stories? Maybe the two families were featured in some sort of article and the killer picked them that way?”

“I thought of that, before, and I tried looking in the local papers. Unfortunately the online editions only go back five years. We’d have to go back much further than that, I’m afraid.”

Amelia thought for a moment. Suddenly she had an idea.

“The University has an archive, covering this whole area and going back to the first official records. It’s as good a place to start as any.”

“But wouldn’t that be closed to people outside the University? We’d still need official access.”

“Alumni have access. At least those that pay their yearly dues to the alumni association do.”

“Do you know of any?”

Silently Amelia opened her wallet and pulled out a card. Quinn took it from her and read the front.

“‘Reliance University Alumni Association Member. Amelia Harding, Class of 1992’.” He stared at her for a moment before continuing.

“You’re really willing to help me, after everything that’s happened?”

She nodded. He handed the card back to her, and started the engine.

“I guess that settles it. We’re going fishing.”



Tigg stared at Todd Ulster with what she hoped was an innocent but puzzled expression. Finally, she managed to sign a response.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand...”

“You recognized that picture, didn’t you? Did you send it to me?”

“I’ve never seen that...drawing before in my life.” Technically, not a lie, thought Tigg, struggling to remain calm. “Besides, I didn’t know anything about your...” What the Hell was that word? “...website until just now. Why are you so upset with me?”

Ulster appeared to calm slightly, but still held Tigg’s gaze.

“Some things about you just don’t add up.”

“What do you mean?” Tigg asked, her feeling of unease intensifying.

“Your ‘accent’. You sign like someone who has grown up signing, but you told me you’re not a CODA and have no deaf relatives. How did you learn?”

“I...studied.”

“No, you wouldn’t learn that way in a class. Plus, you’re kitchen signs are very familiar.”

“Kitchen signs? I don’t...”

“Don’t tell me that. I thought at first it was a coincidence. You use signs that aren’t standard, but are like those used within a family. A family I knew.”

Oh, Hell. Tigg shifted nervously on her feet, trying to maintain her innocent expression.

“When I used the name sign for my friend, you didn’t ask me to clarify, yet you did for other words.”

“I knew someone with that name, must have been a coincidence that they had the same sign.”

“No. Someone trained would not assume that. You knew the name sign for my friend. The one only his family and close deaf friends used. How did you know that?”

Christ Tigg, how did you get yourself into this? Next time leave the lying to Pendergast.

“I don’t know,” replied Tigg. “Really, I don’t.”

Ulster retreated two steps and gazed intently at Tigg.

“There’s something else,” signed Ulster.

“What?”

“You sign like a woman.”

“Is that supposed to be an insult?”

“No. You’re signing frame is what a woman would use, not a man. It’s not something that’s taught, it’s a natural tendency.”

Damn it. Something else I forgot. You’re doing just great, here Tigg. Maybe you should have stayed home.

“So why are you so interested in my...signing habits?”

“At first I thought you had to be a close friend of the Eastman family, and it was just a coincidence that you showed up here. But then the questions your boss asked were a little too direct. He seemed to know ahead of time what I would say and he didn’t seem all that surprised by my answers.”

“So?”

“So then I wondered why he would be interested in me. I haven’t lived here that long, I don’t know the town. Obviously he’s looking for something specific. Something to do with what happened to Lucas’ family.”

“That’s quite a leap. Why would we be looking into something that happened...a long time ago?”

“I thought something must have happened to get your attention. You, the friend of the family, wanted to find out what really happened. You convinced your boss to look into it because he had more authority. But he started out asking about the other family.”

Ulster’s face hardened. “I thought maybe it was just a ruse, a way to get in the door and to eventually ask about the past. Then when I showed that picture, you reacted to it. You knew about both families. But what the recent murders have to do with the old I didn’t know. Finally I decided they must be connected somehow, and they only one who could have made a connection must have known both. Which brings us back to you. Who the Hell are you?”

“I’m...Who do you think I am?”

“I told you, an old friend of the family, someone close to them. Either that, or...”

Suddenly, Tigg couldn’t take it any more. The need to actually tell someone, to let him know what she had been through, had been welling up inside her since she first saw her old friend. She felt the control she had forced on herself crack. I can tell him. I know he’ll keep a secret. He has to. I just hope he won’t be too angry with me. She took a deep breath and responded.

“Or what? A family member?”

Ulster’s eyes widened in surprise. He studied her for a moment before replying. “No. You can’t be family. You’re too young to be Lucas’ uncle. All the rest of the family is dead, except maybe...no, you can’t be...”

“Can’t be who...Toddie?”

Todd Ulster stared at Tigg, unmoving, color draining from his face. Finally, he was able to sign a tentative response.

“Eleanor?”

Tigg nodded slowly, waiting for the burst of angry questions she was sure would follow. Suddenly, Todd lunged forward and embraced her. Tigg stiffened, caught off guard by both Todd’s response and the first physical display of affection she had experienced in a long time. Eventually she returned his embrace, thinking God, I hope Pendergast doesn’t walk in here right now. After a few moments she broke away, surprised to see tears in his eyes.

“Todd? Are you OK? I’m sorry...”

“It’s OK. I just can’t believe...what happened? Why did you disappear? Where have you been...? Why are you dressed up like a...?”

“I had to leave, to hide, to stay safe. I’m still hiding. That’s why I’m in disguise.”

“Hide? From who?”

“The killer.”

“Do you know who—?”

“No,” signed Tigg showing her frustration and fear in her expression. “But the killer probably doesn’t know that. If I’d stayed around...I really would be dead.”

“And the rest of your family, did any of them—?”

“No. They’re...all gone.” Tigg felt her eyes begin to sting, and angrily wiped her sleeve across her face, trying desperately to bring the surge of emotion under control.

“But you’re here now. Why? What is going on, and what does this have to do with the other family?”

“It’s the same killer.”

A look of horror crossed Todd’s face.

“Do you mean that your family, they were killed like...that picture showed...?”

“Yes. That’s how...I last saw them.” Todd looked as though he might become ill. He leaned heavily against the kitchen counter and took several deep breaths before looking back at Tigg. Slowly his expression changed to one of anger.

“You’re here to find the bastard who did this, aren’t you. Somehow you think you can catch him?”

“My boss does. I...I’m doing what I can to help.”

“I want to help, too.”

“No. It’s better than no one knows you’re aware of the connection.”

“Why the Hell not?”

“Because the killer goes after anyone who might know something about both cases. He’s already killed one of the cops involved in the old case, and tried to kill another. You would be in danger, and I’m not doing that to you. I can’t...”

Todd’s expression darkened.

“Now you’re worried about me? You didn’t think what you disappearing would do to me? What thinking I had lost both of my best friends would do to me? Now, after years of mourning, you show up, and you don’t worry what that’s doing to me? But I want to help you and you...”

“I know! I’m sorry. I didn’t think anyone would—.”

“Care?” Tigg looked at the floor, unable to take anymore. He’s right...he’s right...I didn’t... She felt a light tap on her wrist and looked up. Todd was looking at her, his expression a mix of anger and misery.

“I’m sorry, Eleanor. I just...you don’t know what it...what I...oh, never mind.”

“What? What happened?”

“No one really seemed to question what the cops said had happened. No one would speak up for Lucas, and when I tried I...became an outcast. People acted like I would do the same thing or something. It was...”

“Awful.”

“Awful, yes. I always hoped that you would get better, and then you could tell them they were wrong, but when you didn’t, and you disappeared, it was just...I gave up. I stopped defending him. I just let it drop. I let him down, Eleanor. What kind of friend am I?”

“A good friend. For believing he would never do such a thing. That’s really all any of us could have done.”

“But now you are doing something. I want to help. I want to make up for not doing anything before. Please.”

“Todd...there’s nothing you can do. P—my boss is supposedly very good at this sort of thing. My uncle is working on it, too. Maybe if you get anything else related to the case, take it to the Sheriff, and he’ll get it to us, but be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you. OK?”

“OK.” He reached out and touched her wrist briefly before continuing. “You’ll find the killer. I have faith in you. He’ll finally be brought to justice.”

Tigg merely nodded. She took several deep breaths and when she felt composed enough she motioned for Todd to head back to the study.

When they reached the room, Pendergast we still seated on the sofa, idly scratching the ears of the dog sitting at his feet. He rose as they entered.

“Is everything all right?” he asked, glancing back and forth between the two.

“Yes, fine. Did you have any more questions for...Mr. Ulster?”

“No, I’m afraid we will have to cut the interview short. Sheriff Mathies phoned and said he has arranged for us to meet with some, ah, subjects which may be of use to our study. Thank you, Mr. Ulster, for your time.”

“No problem.” He turned and led Pendergast and Tigg down the hall to the front door, which he opened for them. Pendergast stepped through and headed toward the truck. Todd tapped Tigg’s shoulder as she walked past and she turned to face him.

“Good luck.” For the first time he gave her a genuine smile.

“Thank you.” Tigg turned and walked to the truck. She turned and waved to Ulster, who was standing motionless in the doorway of the house. She climbed into the truck, shutting the door and turning to watch the house as Pendergast pulled away from the curb and headed into town. She watched Todd slowly turn and walk back into the house.

Survivor’s guilt. That’s what that shrink called it. Something we have in common. I never realized how bad it would be for him...

A line from one of John’s favorite poems surfaced in her mind, and she repeated it softly to herself.

“It’s dead easy to die, it’s the keeping-on-living that’s hard...”

“I beg your pardon?” asked Pendergast, startling her out of her reverie.

“Nothing.”

He gave her a piercing stare and then returned his attention to the road.

“I fear we will have much to discuss later. But for now, let us focus our attention on the task at hand.”

“Yes,” muttered Tigg. “We’ve got to keep our focus.”

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