“But the nurse was from Spokane, wasn’t she?”

“Yes.”

“So you really don’t know.”

“I wouldn’t be out here at midnight if I didn’t think that there is a threat to you, however small.”

“I’m going to my sisters’ tomorrow morning. I’ll stay with her for the night. Okay?”

“That’s good, but maybe you can go there tonight?”

“I’m not going to wake her up in the middle of the night. I’ll check all my doors, keep them locked, not open them for anyone.”

“Even if someone says they’re a cop.”

Ogdenburg looked at him oddly. “Oh. I see your point.”

“Are you certain there isn’t any place you can go tonight? I can escort you.”

“I mean, if you really, really think so, I guess I could find a hotel or something.”

It was clear he didn’t want to leave. Andy was torn. Should he insist? He had no real authority. And hadn’t the profiler said that if the killer couldn’t get to his specific target, that he may have a backup? Andy’s head ached.

“It’s up to you, Mr. Ogdenburg. We are fully staffed tonight and we’ll patrol your street regularly, but I am happy to take you to your sister’s or a hotel, if you want.”

“I promise, I’ll keep all the doors locked, and if anyone comes to the house, I’ll call 911, okay?”

“Please do. Even if you think it’s nothing, better safe than sorry.”

Andy finished checking his house, looking in every closet and large cabinet, checking the doors and windows, and ensuring that Ogdenburg was alone. The two officers came to the door. One said, “No sign of anyone. We checked all the cars parked on the street or visible in a driveway—there were six. All registered to local addresses.”

“Did you take down the plates?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” Andy glanced at his watch. It was nearly twelve-thirty. Ogdenburg was safe for now, and he was aware of the threat. “Please be alert, Mr. Ogdenburg,” he said.

“I will. Thank you for coming out. I really do appreciate the alert.”

Andy left, told his officers they needed to check on one more person, and then they could all go home for the night.

Everyone would be back working bright and early in the morning. The killer was still out there, and Andy didn’t know if these warnings would deter him. If not early in the morning, the killer still had the rest of the day—and night—to kill.

Andy took a final look at Ogdenburg’s house and drove off.

Jeffrey Ogdenburg checked all his doors and windows again. Liberty Lake was a safe town, but he considered that if the police had come out at midnight to check on his well-being, they had cause to be concerned.

He poured himself a glass of milk and pulled two cookies out of the jar—homemade chocolate chip, from his sister. She had never cooked when they were growing up, and still didn’t cook well—except for baking. Somehow having kids had jump-started her baking genes and she made amazing cookies, pies, cakes—he gained five pounds every time he went over for dinner because of dessert.