CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
As soon as she was out of the prison, May got on her phone.
She dialed Owen's number while racing to her car. He picked up on the first ring, sounding stressed.
"May. How did it go? Did you get an address for Dirk? Is he involved?"
"I didn’t get an address because his father doesn't know where he's staying. He hasn't been in touch for years, beyond sending emails. But the emails he has sent recently make it clear he's the killer."
"If they couldn’t trace the emails he sent with the threats from the cabin, they might not be able to trace these ones either,” Owen acknowledged. “Not quickly, anyway. Most likely he's using the dark web like he did when he set up the police killings. The only reason he made a ‘mistake’ that time was to lure the police to the bomb site. So where does that leave us?"
May climbed into her car.
"His father and I discussed who he might target next."
"That was a good idea," Owen said.
"There are two possible targets. They're both women and probably both a similar age. One is the key witness in the case, Sybil Hardy, and the other is the judge - Judge Zackary. So he could be planning on taking either of these down next. They both played an important role in the case, obviously."
"So we need to get to these two people as soon as we can?" Owen said. “The FBI has given up on questioning William for the moment, as he’s started contradicting himself with his versions. So we have lots of manpower available.”
"We are going to need it. I guess the judge will be at the courtrooms? Dirk’s case was tried at the Willow courthouse."
"That's correct. And Sybil Hardy is a company director who owns a business opposite the roadhouse diner."
"Okay, okay." She could hear that Owen was thinking frantically about the best way forward. "So we need to get to these sites as fast as possible. Explain to these people that they are in danger, and get them out and to safety, while we hunt for this guy. That's the most important thing for now, right?"
"Yes, it is. I am sure he plans to target both. I just don't know who he'll choose first."
"Well, we have to try and cover both bases. So let's see who's closest to what."
She heard the clicking of keys. Owen was pulling up a map.
"It looks like you're closest to the diner. It's on the way back from the prison you've just been to. About twenty minutes away I should think?"
"Okay. So I'll head straight there," May said.
"And I'm closest to the courthouse. Probably half an hour away. I'll go there immediately and I'll call Kerry and ask her to meet me there, and see if the FBI can send a full team to both locations. The more people we have, the better, right?"
"We also need to get the bomb squad to both premises," May suggested. "That might be important."
"Absolutely. The bomb squad," Owen agreed.
He sounded a hundred times calmer than May felt.
"You start driving," he told her. "I'll make plans this side, and then go straight to the courthouse."
"Okay. I'll call you soon." May thought quickly and then added, "Be careful, Owen. Stay safe."
But he'd already disconnected and she felt a strange chill of fear that he hadn't heard her last words. She knew they were both heading into a very dangerous situation. But she’d wanted him to hear her warning.
She started her car, activating the light and the siren, because there wasn't a moment to waste and she would have to speed to this scene.
They needed to get these two women out of harm's way.
May was too late to save the other murdered people; they hadn't had enough information to be able to act. But she wouldn't let that happen to these two. Not now that the potential victims had names and faces. They were known to her, and there was a chance of saving them.
May's stomach clenched with anxiety and she drove with a fierce determination.