DETECTIVE GRAY DULAC – WAHREDUA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

And those cold, luminous channels in Hazard’s brain wouldn’t slow down. Dulac’s obsession with Somers. Dulac’s aggressive dislike of Hazard. Dulac’s insistence on worming his way into their lives. Dulac’s timing, showing up just before the first killings. Dulac’s disappearance. Dulac’s computer, where he had been checking the Missouri State Beekeeper’s Association website, making sure Kleinheider hadn’t popped up. And Kleinheider’s last act, the stringy old farmer’s final effort, had been to find Dulac’s business card. Because Kleinheider wanted to name his killer.

Hazard left everything and escaped from the house. Stripping off the booties and gloves, he jogged back to the minivan, and then he called the Golden City police and reported Kleinheider’s death. He knew he’d have to wait, he’d have to talk to the police, he’d lose hours. But he had to make sure they found Dulac’s card. Had to make sure they did this right.

When he called Somers, his fiancé didn’t pick up. Hazard placed the call again.

“Ree, really busy here.”

“Have you heard from Dulac?”

“No.” Somers’s voice got lower. “Why? Did you find something?”

“Maybe.” Hazard knew he was being a coward, but he also knew that Somers wouldn’t believe him. Not yet. Somers believed Hazard had an irrational dislike of Dulac, and just that morning, Somers had exhibited more irrational behavior when he had learned how closely Hazard was considering their circle of friends as suspects. Hazard also knew he’d blown some of his credit by making his accusation against Darnell hard and fast and then being proven wrong. So he tried to choose his words carefully. “If you see him, hold on to him, ok?”

“What? Why?”

“Remember our conversation this morning? Well, I found some stuff on his computer.”

“What?”

“John, if he shows up, don’t go anywhere alone with him. If he shows up and it’s just the two of you, call me and put me on speakerphone and then get somewhere public.”

“Why does it sound like you’re accusing Dulac of something?”

“I’m not accusing him of anything. I’m asking you to take sensible precautions until we have more information. As I said, I just want to ask him some questions.”

“Ok, well, normally, I would make you tell me everything, because I hate this mysterious bullshit, but I literally stepped out of a meeting with Park, Riggle, Engels, and some blowhard from the Highway Patrol. Park’s been watching me the whole time like she thinks I’m responsible for every bad thing since the Lindbergh baby.” Somers hesitated. “Are you safe?”

“Of course.”

“Of course,” Somers said. “Great. Well, I love you.”

“John, I was serious. What I said about those precautions.”

“I know. You take care of yourself too. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

As Hazard disconnected, he thought he heard Somers mumbling, “Of course,” like it was some sort of new swear.

Hazard found a bottle of water, moved the minivan into a patch of shade from a sweetgum tree, and waited for the Golden City police. And while he waited, he started building his case against Gray Dulac.