Grace couldn’t stand being away like this. She wanted to be home. She wanted to stop this guy. What was Sandman not telling her?
“Frank should be calling me back soon. There’s something you should know, Grace, about Donald.” Sandman looked at Big Jay and Duke. Neither man looked happy. They kind of appeared pissed off to Grace.
She was shocked when he explained how the federal agents believed Donald was the killer. Just as Sandman and Duke explained why the agents believed Donald was part of the investigation and a potential suspect, the phone rang.
Big Jay took her hand and led her out of the room. They were blocking her out, keeping her from the investigation. She wanted to go home. She wanted to help. The situation was out of control.
Chapter 15
“Peter, I just don’t get it. Why would the agents be looking at Donald?” Frank asked as John joined his two brothers. “There’s no way he could be the killer.”
“Apparently Agent Lancaster has enough evidence to obtain a search warrant,” Peter told them.
“What? When did this happen?” John asked.
“Just a little while ago. I got a call from a friend of mine. He knows how close Donald is to the family. He was giving me a heads-up,” Peter stated.
“This has turned into a major mess. There is no way it’s him. No way,” John said, and both Frank and Peter agreed.
“What did Sandman tell Grace? You know she’ll want to come home,” Peter said.
“Well that’s not an option. She’s staying put in the safety of Sandman and his brothers’ arms for all I care, but far from here. This killer means business and now we have our family to protect. I think Mom should have one of us by her at all times or maybe one of the agents,” Frank said.
“Donald had stationed a guy there already,” John told them. He didn’t want to think Donald had something to do with this. He was like a father to him.
“We can believe in our hearts that Donald’s not the killer but we have to be smart about this. I don’t think we should trust anyone,” Frank added.
“I agree. I know you don’t want to consider this but the FBI may want to use Grace as bait. The killer wants her, he’s killing other innocent people because of it and they might feel it’s the only way to smoke the guy out,” Peter said.
“You’ve got to be kidding me? There’s no fucking way our little sister is going to be bait for this monster. The FBI can just kiss my ass.” Frank raised his voice as he stood up from his chair knocking it over onto the floor.
“Calm down, Frank. I’m just telling you what they’re going to say. She’ll be safe with Sandman and his brothers and I’m sure that Agent Lancaster will keep her there while he’s investigating Donald. When that turns up to be a dead end, Grace could be coming home sooner,” Peter stated.
“I don’t believe this. We lost one sister to this fuck head. We’re not going to lose another. And Donald is innocent. The killer probably planted some evidence on him just like Stew Parker,” John said to his brothers.
“I’m sure Lancaster covered that already. I spoke to Donald a little while ago. He was going to cooperate and speak to the agents first thing in the morning,” Peter told them.
“He might need you to defend him, Peter,” John said.
“I’ve already offered my services but he says he doesn’t want to go that far yet. ‘One step at a time’ were his exact words.” Peter shook his head.
Both Frank and John smiled. That was Donald all right, very easygoing, always taking his time, never in a rush to make a judgment.
“I’m going to head over to the hospital and see how Jamie’s doing. If she regains consciousness soon, maybe she’ll be able to help with the case,” Frank said, sounding hopeful as he headed toward the door.
“Give them our best and tell Tod I’ll be there in the morning,” Peter said then he looked at John who nodded his head.
* * * *
“Peter, you keep someone on Lindsey. There’s no telling if this asshole is liable to go after your wife,” Frank said.
“I thought about that already. Your roommates volunteered. I think they still feel responsible for Grace getting that envelope when she was staying with you guys.”
“They’re a good group of guys and they do feel responsible. They’ll help out. We all will. Have you spoken with Jim and Teddie?”
“Yes, they asked me to look into something they came across. Well actually, Grace picked up on something with Sandman and his brothers while going through some files. There was this old case and a letter left behind. I think Jim and Teddie are looking into the connection between the other victims and real estate property.”
“Real estate property? What do they think that has to do with this case, Pete?”