Sure enough, two sets of photos and clippings were arranged in a V and an I on one side of the cross.

A second Roman numeral I was on the other.

VII

“Seven?” asked Frankel.

He glanced down at Leeds with the freshly carved V in the middle of his forehead.

“This is definitely the Roman numeral five,” observed Frankel. He looked back up at Grant. “But if he’s moved on to seven already, what the hell happened to six?”

Chapter 10

10

As dusk fell over Far Rockaway, the Neponsit Health Care Center was teeming with people for the first time since it had closed its doors decades earlier. The crime scene was led by Marcus, the medical examiner Grant had last seen talking about a Manhattan souvenir pulled out of a holy man’s stomach.

Marcus was carefully studying Timothy Alan Leeds’s mouth when Grant appeared beside him. “Just wondering if he left us another gift like Father Peters.”

“I think you were saved the trouble this time, Doctor,” Grant said, motioning toward the stone wall. A steady stream of flashbulbs illuminated the morbid photo and clipping gallery, each bright pop shoving the killer’s message in Grant’s face.

VII.

Grant didn’t need a cheat sheet to remember the Seventh Commandment.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

The fact that the killer had either skipped the Sixth (Thou shalt not kill) or committed another murder they’d yet to come across was simply maddening.

It had been difficult enough hunting a fifth victim with everyone having a set of parents. And though the number was certain to be much less, Grant imagined the number of adulterers in New York City would still be staggering. And none would want to own up to their transgressions—an affair was something both parties did their utmost to keep from being discovered.

The medical examiner took one look at the wall display.

“I wouldn’t want to be you guys,” Marcus said. This was clearly meant to include Frankel as well, who had taken that moment to join the ME and Grant.

“I’d rather be anyone than me just about now,” Frankel conceded.

Grant managed a sad smile.

“What can you tell us so far?” asked Frankel.

“Nothing earth shattering. I see a couple of bruises developing on either side of the head. Administered separately, I’d guess.” Marcus pointed out the spots and continued. “Lines up with your theory he was dragged from the parking lot. No way of telling yet which blow was administered first, but playing fast and loose? I’d say he needed to subdue Leeds a couple of times. That would account for the second bruise. Not that either was the killing blow.”

“Any idea what was used to decapitate him?” Frankel asked.

Marcus shook his head.