divorces during the intervening years. And if she did have Iler for a last name, she would probably have an initial rather than her first name in the phone directory. Many single women preferred that listing as a safety measure against unwanted male callers. Or she might not have a landline, only a cell phone, which meant her number wouldn’t be listed.
Dantzler’s search didn’t come up completely empty. There was a listing for L. Iler on 590 Longview Drive. Not Angie, but maybe her mother or a sister. At least it was a starting point.
He ripped a piece of paper from a legal pad and wrote down the name, address, and phone number. First thing in the morning he would dispatch Laurie to make contact with L. Iler. Then he would get with Eric and find out what pertinent information, if any, had been gleaned from the obits page. Hopefully, Eric would uncover the clue Eli only hinted at.
Later in the day, Dantzler was scheduled to meet with Brother Isaac Whitehouse at the Church of the Holy Father on Southland Drive. Isaac was Eli’s oldest child. Thinking about that meeting, Dantzler couldn’t help but wonder how close-or how far-the apple had fallen from the tree. How alike or different were father and son. Judging by Isaac’s chosen profession it appeared they were more alike than different. Both were men of God. That a son followed his father into the ministry wasn’t all that unusual. It was rare but it happened. The Reverend Billy Graham had a son
The path Isaac Whitehouse chose was not much different from the one taken by the biblical Isaac, who continued to love and honor his father, Abraham, even though the old man had been willing to offer his beloved son as a sacrifice to Yahweh. Despite their fathers’ questionable and unholy actions, the two Isaacs did not turn their backs and walk away. Their love and devotion remained steadfast. On the surface, at least.
But, Dantzler wondered, what feelings and emotions did the two Isaacs keep buried deep in their heart of hearts? Was love for their father enough to drive away other more natural, more human feelings? Feelings that had to accompany them throughout the remainder of their tormented lives? The terror, confusion, and memories that surely lingered from those horrible moments the biblical Isaac spent bound on that altar of death, waiting to be executed, mystified by his father’s actions? The pain and embarrassment young Isaac Whitehouse carried like a yoke on his shoulders for having a father sent to prison for murdering two innocent men?
How does anyone cope with such dreadful, life-altering experiences? It couldn’t be easy, not even for the best of children. Yet, both Isaacs somehow managed to do so.
The biblical Isaac went on to become a dutiful son, but one much closer to his mother than to the father who was ready to kill him. So, apparently, had young Isaac Whitehouse. But at what cost? What price had he paid for his father’s sins? How scarred was he by his father’s actions?
Having lost both parents at a young age-his father killed in Vietnam, his mother murdered-Dantzler knew plenty about pain, suffering, and the scars left by certain events, especially those beyond your control or understanding. Tomorrow, hopefully, he would find out how well the son of Eli Whitehouse disguised his own scars.
Dantzler grabbed a pen and legal pad and began jotting down random thoughts concerning the case:
two vics murdered execution style
Eli’s.22 the murder weapon; his prints on the gun; gun found at scene
Eli had no alibi for time of murders
vics had no apparent connection to Eli
drugs found at scene; a decoy? Yes. Why?
Eli put up little in way of defense; accepted his sentence quietly
Charlie/Dan-did they look at all possibilities? Did they miss something? Were bodies moved?
Greg Spurlock-hiding something?
phone call warning me off case; how did the caller know about meeting with Eli?
obits, obits, obits-that’s where the answer is
Dantzler put the pen down and closed his eyes for more than a minute. This was standard procedure when he worked a difficult, complex case like this one. First, he would rapidly make a list of known facts or lingering questions, let his mind digest what he’d written, and then circle the one fact he deemed the most crucial at this stage of the investigation. He opened his eyes and smiled. The choice this time was easy.
He drew a circle around the entry and underlined it three times.
CHAPTER TWELVE
While on his way to work the next morning, Dantzler reflected on the previous night with Laurie. What did it mean, her showing up unexpectedly? Did it mean anything or nothing? Was she looking to kick-start the relationship, or was what transpired last night nothing more than an isolated evening of passion? A one-night stand for old time’s sake? Dantzler could only ponder his many questions. Answers eluded him. Laurie had never been particularly hard to read, but this time she had him wondering.
There was no denying they each had strong feelings for the other. And he certainly enjoyed her company. She was smart, sexy, and talented, and she gave as good as she got. Independent-minded and strong-willed, she could hold her own with the toughest of men. And, damn, she was beautiful. There were plenty of upsides to having a relationship with Laurie Dunn.
Still… despite those feelings, Dantzler always had serious reservations regarding their relationship. For one thing, there was the twelve-year age difference. Not a major issue for her, but one that nagged at him. More troublesome, though, was the fact that he was her superior at work. In-house love affairs were always dicey at best, disastrous at worst. Richard Bird, head of Lexington Homicide, made no bones about how he felt, advising them both in no uncertain terms that it was a no-win proposition, and one he strongly suggested should be stopped before things got out of hand.
Dantzler’s instinct was to agree wholeheartedly with Bird. His heart, however, tugged in the opposite direction. He wanted a relationship, unwise as it might be. Maybe the best approach to take was to let matters unfold as they will. Don’t force the issue either way. That seemed to be the smart thing to do. Give it time and space, see what happens. He resolved to do exactly that.
Bruce Rawlinson, the desk sergeant, looked up when Dantzler walked into the building. Rawlinson, a world- class needler, never missed an opportunity to crack wise with Dantzler.
“Hey, Ace,” Rawlinson yelled. “How come I haven’t seen you hanging around with the lovely Miss Dunn lately? She wise up and put your ancient ass on the pavement?”
Dantzler was in no mood for inane early morning banter. “Is Eric here yet?”
“Just left,” Rawlinson said, shaking his head. “Told me to let you know the information you need is on the table in the War Room. Said he would call you later, in case you have any questions.”
“Thanks.”
“Hey, Ace,” Rawlinson said. “If the lovely Miss Dunn ever decides to look my way, she won’t be disappointed.”
“Bruce, if the ‘lovely Miss Dunn’ ever looks your way, it could only mean the End Times have finally arrived. God would not tolerate such a mismatch.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”
