Page 82 of Secrets in the Dark
“Before he kills again. So, obviously, we’re all thinking about the possibility of using Rick Fields. Of letting him out of here and seeing if Jesse Miller will answer a call—or come after him,” Edmund said.
“Obviously, yes, we’re all thinking about the possibilities,” Della said. “And on the one hand, I feel desperate, too, as if we need to utilize any means to stop Miller. But, on the other hand, I don’t know if we dare put this man in harm’s way.”
They were all silent.
“If we were just to release him—though I’m assuming at the least he could be held for assault, especially if Stacey is willing to press charges—those charges could be dismissed, or he could be out on bail. Our legal systems may have different titles and syntax, but they’re similar, and I’m assuming that in this situation—”
“Yes, he could walk quickly,” Edmund said.
“And be in trouble,” Della said.
“She’s right. If he walks, he could be in danger from Jesse Miller without our protection,” Mason said. “Maybe our best way to keep him safe is to use him.”
“He failed Jesse Miller—that’s how Miller will see it. Maybe we need to let him know that. If he realizes that he needs to fear for his own life, he might be a great deal more willing to help us in any way possible,” Della said.
Edmund let out an impatient oath. “I really think the man might be an idiot. I’m still not certain that he believes Kenneth Rippon is Jesse Miller. Even the stupid play on the name! You’d think the idiot would get it! But, of course... Let me take the phone to tech. If it is still active, they might be able to find his location, but that might be too much to hope for. When he saw that we had Rick Fields in custody, he undoubtedly dumped the phone.”
“Most likely,” Della agreed.
Mason handed the phone to Edmund.
“So, we promise him protection—and if he lets us know if he sees the man, if Jesse Miller tries to contact him in any way?” Della asked.
Edmund nodded and looked at Mason, arching a brow.
“What?” Della asked.
“We’re both thinking that you should go in and talk to him.” He grinned at her. “We’ve silently agreed that he likes you best.”
“All right.”
“Maybe we’ll show him the headlines,” Edmund said.
“Headlines?”
“Oh, that’s right! He emailed the papers again—the old King of the Rippers! He’s furious—and becoming more and more unhinged, I believe. Sorry—we were late this morning and I was here and you were going in and... Anyway, I have an actual physical copy of the paper.”
He turned back to the desk that faced the one-way mirror and picked up the copy of the daily paper that lay there and handed it to Mason.
“They think they’re so clever, they think they’re so smart, but Jack is forever, it’s all just the start. The day wasn’t right, it just wasn’t the night, but trust me, the blood, it will run deep and bright, she can’t see that I’m coming, she shines like a light, but Jack is here, he’ll put out the light,” he read aloud. “Jack even knows his Mary Kelly, her body will be nothing but jelly. Jack is back, but gone in a flash, they just can’t see, what will be, well it will be!”
“Is he unraveling?” Della murmured. “Or simply furious, more dangerous than ever?”
“I believe he is unraveling. Which may make him lose the facade of being the nicest guy in the world. But...”
“When we offer protection to Rick Fields, we’d better give it to him!” Della announced.
Mason nodded. “I’m also afraid that Stacey Kerry may be in greater danger from him.”
“Trust me,” Edmund said quietly. “She will be protected, I swear it, and every man and woman here will vow the same.”
Mason nodded. It was hard enough to fear that the man would kill again before they could apprehend him.
He knew that Edmund was telling the truth and that he was disturbed.
Because it was worse when you knew someone, and that someone might well be targeted by the killer they were hunting.
But they could do it. Jesse Miller was one man. Of course, he was one man who didn’t offend others, who came off as the nicest guy in the world. Rick Fields had proven to them that like Stephan Dante, Jesse Miller could lure others into acting for him.
