Free Silent Justice by John C. Dalglish Page B

all in the backyard grilling; it’s our regular get together. Bobby was due home anytime from work, and when I came in to get some ice d tea, I glanced out the window to see if he was driving up.”
    She paused to wipe away fresh tears.
    “I saw his car was in the driveway, with the door open, so I went to meet him at the front door. That’s when I found him.”
    “What did he say?”
    “Well, he was in a lot of pain. I screamed for the kids, and Kyle called 911. While I sat with Bobby, I pressed a towel on his side to slow the bleeding. The arrow was lying on the ground . He had already pulled it out, and he just kept staring at it. I asked him what happened, and he said he was leaning into the car to get his cooler, when he felt a stabbing pain.”
    “He never saw anything or anyone?”
    “Not that he told me.”
    Jason stood up as Vanessa came in the room.
    “Thanks for staying to answer questions. Go and see Bobby at the hospital.”
    Jason turned a s Vanessa motioned for him to come outside.
    “The arrow has been taken downtown , but I got a look at it. Same as the others.”
    “Did you find a name on it?”
    “Officer Lisa White.”
     
    *******
     
    The Hunter paced the floor, anger boiling inside. A missed kill was not acceptable. The target had been lucky, but The Hunter knew who was to blame. Training required every arrow be released at the optimum moment, and this time, The Hunter had made a bad decision.
    It was unacceptable, and it would have to be made right, but not immediately. Targets must be hit in order, and the next target on the map must come before any effort to atone for a miss.
    The Hunter took out a piece of paper and ran it into the old typewriter. Needing to vent the anger and frustration, The Hunter began to type.

 

     
    Chapter 9
     
    The next morning, Jason went by the hospital on the way to the station. Bobby was in satisfactory condition, and Lisa was there with him.
    “Have either of you come up with a possible shooter?”
    They hadn’t.
    Jason explained the current theory about the shootings , and the connection between the cases. Lisa didn’t like to think Bobby was targeted because of her job, but Jason was quick to point out they were dealing with a nut case, and it was in no way her fault.
    Vanessa was at her desk when Jason got to the station.
    “How’s Bobby?”
    “Good, considering. They weren’t able to add anything new to what we already have.”
    Vanessa tossed a color eight-by-ten photo onto Jason’s desk.
    “I went by the scene this morning , and found where the shooter was standing. That picture is of a clump of trees about sixty yards away from the Whites’ driveway. Canvas of the neighborhood didn’t turn up any leads.”
    Jason examined the photo.
    “Our shooter is getting in and out of places without raising any suspicion. Why?”
    “I don’t know , but apparently no one is giving this person a second look.”
    Jason glanced at the lieutenant’s office and noticed the door was shut again.
    “Who’s in with Patton?”
    “Captain Garza.”
    “Again! That’s three times in two days, John must be miserable.”
    “No doubt. The lieutenant’s probably updating him on last night before the press conference.”
    “The press conference . Crap! I’d managed to forget about it.”
    “I’m afraid amnesia is not an excuse to skip out.”
    The door opened, and the captain came out, seemingly in a better mood than he was the day before.
    “Detectives, good work on the theory. The city will be relieved to know the madman isn’t just picking random targets.”
    Together, Jason and Vanessa said, “Thank you.”
    The captain went for the elevator as Lieutenant Patton came out of his office. Stopping next to the detective’s desk, he smiled down at them.
    “I have good news for you two.”
    Vanessa looked up from her chair. “Really? Do tell.”
    “Captain Garza has excused you both from the press conference.”
    Jason let out a “Yes!” and