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“And I’d alsoimagine that some of them feel like they owe him a favor,” Jessie added.
Parker nodded inagreement.
“That’s why, outof an abundance of caution, we’d like to leave that unit outside your housetonight,” she said. “Same with the one at Kat Gentry’s building. It might beoverkill but I’d rather not take the chance.”
“I think we’reboth okay with all that, right?” Ryan said, looking at Jessie.
She nodded. “Ifyou’re going all out,” she said, “you may want to have a unit accompany us toour last stop of the evening.”
“Where is that?”Parker asked.
“I’m going to seeMark Haddonfield at Twin Towers,” Jessie said.
The captain shookher head in disapproval.
“I was hopingyou’d change your mind about that,” she said. “Don’t you worry that you’re justfeeding into his delusions of grandeur by meeting with him in person?”
“After whathappened to Janice Lemmon, I have to do something to make this stop,” Jessiesaid. “The doctors say that she’ll be okay, but that doesn’t change anything.People are using Haddonfield’s manifesto as a guidebook to go after the folks Icare about. And if playing to his ego keeps them safe, then it’s a trade-offI’m willing to make.”
“Are you good withthis?” Parker asked Ryan.
“Captain,” hereplied, sounding amused, “I would think that by now, you’d know it’s not mycall.”
“All right,”Parker said, despite her lack of enthusiasm. “Give me a minute to coordinatewith Sergeant Crowley. He’s on dispatch duty tonight. He’llhave a squad car accompany you there.”
“Better hurry,”Jessie said. “I’m heading over there now. And once that’s done I’m checking inon my sister and my best friend. As far as I’m concerned, my work day isofficially over.”
“And you thinkHaddonfield’s delusional?” Ryan cracked.
“What does thatmean?” Jessie asked.
“I’ve known you along time, Jessie Hunt. Your work day is never officially over.”
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
Mark Haddonfieldknew something was up.
As the guardescorted him down the hallway, both his wrists and ankles manacled, heinitially thought that he was going to the Twin Towers Correctional Facilityvisiting room. But it was 6:35, well after visiting hours. Sure enough, theypassed by the darkened room without stopping.
The guard finallyhad him come to a halt outside a conference room further down the hall. Markwas familiar with it. The room was typically used for inmates who were meetingwith lawyers in preparation for a court proceeding. His trial was coming up soon,but he was still surprised. His lawyer hadn’t shown much of a predilection forworking extra hours.
He stood at thedoor for a couple of minutes, waiting quietly and studying himself in the glasswindow. Even though he’d been in jail for three months now, he didn’t think helooked much different than before. He was still a tall, skinny, twenty-one-year-oldformer college student with pale skin, curly blond hair, and glasses.
Eventually, asecond guard stepped out of the conference room and held the door open for him.He entered slowly. When he saw who was seated at the table, he didn’t know howto react.
Jessie Hunt wasstaring back at him in all her glory. Her brown hair was tied back in aponytail. She wore a navy sweater and tan slacks. She looked tired to him, asif she hadn’t gotten any sleep last night. Despite that, she was still asbeautiful in real life as she was in his dreams. He found himself both elatedto see her and worried for her welfare.
“Ms. Hunt,” hesaid, unable to hold back a smile, “I can honestly say that I didn’t expect tosee you tonight.”
She shrugged athim, clearly not as enthused to be here as he was.
“I’m not as fullof surprises as you, but I try,” she said, her voice as weary-sounding as shelooked. “Have a seat.”
One of the guardsmotioned for him to sit in the chair across from her that was bolted to theground.
“To what do I owethe honor?” he asked.
She sighedheavily, as if not entirely certain that she wanted to answer. Finally, sheseemed to almost physically shake off whatever reservations she had. The air ofexhaustion enveloping her disappeared, and she stared at him with her eyesfocused, her body taut.
