Our next obvious step in all of this is to find out who might have been involved if there was indeed a third party. Can you think of anyone in this same group that might have had something against Joseph and Edwin? Maybe anyone that might have wanted to hurt themor anyone else at all, for that matter?

Becky sipped from her water again. Jack was pretty sure she was simply stalling this time. When she was done, a frown crept along her mouth. Even if I thought there might be such a threat in the group, I cant give you that sort of information. As Im sure you know, its very private.

We understand and appreciate that, Rachel said. But if there is indeed someone facilitating all of this, theres a very good chance they could hurt someone tonight. So far, were talking about one victim a night for the last three nights.

With all due respect, Jack added, would you rather give us a potential name now or wake up tomorrow morning to find that theres been a fourththat there probably is someone behind all of this and you could have helped prevent the death of the fourth victim?

The bluntness of the comment seemed to shock Becky momentarily. Her face scrunched up a bit and it was clear that she had not appreciated his comment. Still, Jack could tell she was going to give a name. She could see it in the slight sadness in her eyesa sadness that started to look more like guilt the longer she did not speak.

I thought of this myself just last night and a bit this morning, she finally answered. About five or six months ago, there was this one man that came to the meetings. He came off and on, a week here and a week there, never anything consistent. He was clearly depressed but there were some other mental issues there, too. He stopped coming to the meetings altogether when I recommended he see a therapist or maybe even go to the hospital. The thing with him, though, was that hed sometimes sort of poke fun at the problems other people were having. And that caused some issues. There was one night as I was leaving, I caught him and Edwin having words in the parking lot. I had no delusion that it would break into a fight, but there was a lot of shouting and name-calling.

Was that the only time anything like that happened between them? Jack asked.

Of that magnitude, yes. But there were instances here and there during the meetings where this other man would get antagonistic towards him.

And what about Joseph Staunton? Rachel asked. Did he ever have any interactions with this man?

No. I dont believe so. I cant even recall if they were ever in a meeting together. If you like, I can see if I can find my attendance sheets to confirm.

What is this mans name? Rachel asked.