Kelly was dying to call the Acid Man, see if he was at home. Impatience was an old weakness of hers. She had to force herself not to act impulsively. Calling now could alert him that she was in contact with Matt, give him an edge she might need. Tomorrow morning she could have the local FBI agent check with his around-the-clock help, get the information that way.

Kelly got out of bed and went online and tapped into her office files. The agent in the Midwest who had followed up on the case had made a notation on the doctor who had operated on the Acid Man. Of course Kelly knew the hospital where the doctor worked—she had spent plenty of time there. She was able to dial the number from memory. Even when she identified herself as an FBI agent, the hospital operator did not want to page Dr. Jack White. Seemed the guy was an asshole, at least when it came to being disturbed in the middle of the night.

“This is an emergency situation,” Kelly said impatiently. “Lives could be at stake. You’re to page him until he calls my number. Is that understood?”

“But he left strict instruction that he wasn’t to be disturbed. He’s not on call.”

“We’re not talking about sick people here. This is a criminal investigation. If you force me to explain again, I’ll see that you’re arrested.”

That got the woman’s attention. Kelly instructed her to have Dr. White call her other number. That way she was able to keep the operator on the line to make sure she was not forgotten. The doctor was stubborn. He did not respond until paged a dozen times. He started out by insulting Kelly but she cut him off quick.

“I don’t have time for your attitude,” she said. “This is a serious matter. You are to answer my questions clearly and honestly. Six months ago you operated on Professor Gene Banks. When he arrived at the hospital, he had a bullet lodged in his neck. It was I who put that bullet in him. I was also a patient in your hospital for some time. Does this ring a bell, Dr. White?”

He spoke dryly. “I remember him as well as you. What do you want?”

“What I am about to tell you is highly confidential. You’re not to discuss it with anyone. That includes your wife or kids or associates at the hospital. You know Gene Banks had security around him in the days after his surgery. What you do not know is that he was a serial killer. His MO was very unique, and yet it has resurfaced in another incident in the last twenty-four hours. What I need to know is if it is medically possible he has regained the use of his limbs.”

“No.”