“Walsh is right. It’s too early to bombard their office just yet. Palmero is coordinating with Riverside County too. I might make the suggestion they get the field office there involved in this too. This could span miles and years and is a lot to take on. We’ll need those teams to do some of the legwork. In the meantime, I like where Walsh is going with this. But I’ll defer to you.”
Kate noticed and understood how difficult it must have been for Nick to concede. He was always in charge, since the day they met.
“I agree,” Fisher replied. “Why don’t you and I make a call after this to Palmero and let him know the plan and get his take. Thank you all for the valuable input. Let’s get to work.”
Theo Bishop waited at the counter of the National Registry Office for EMTs in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Here you are, sir. You are now officially registered in the state of North Carolina.”
Bishop took the documents from the young woman behind the counter. “Thank you so much. I look forward to serving the people of Charlotte. Have a nice day.” He walked to his car and stepped inside, peering at the certification before setting it on the passenger seat.
The chance that he would sail into another EMT position in Baltimore was a long shot. Word got around quickly inside the community and he was certain Pete Fryer had something to do with his being fired. His best option was to pick up and move. He’d done it before, just like Philly. No big deal. It wasn’t like he had any ties in Baltimore. What ties he did have were far away and he wasn’t the type to stay in touch. No family visits at Christmas. No birthdays to celebrate. Now he would be starting fresh in a new city. This time, he would be more careful.
The job interview had already been lined up and Bishop was on his way. Now that he had the paperwork, this should be a no-brainer. Most of these guys were impressed with Bishop because he was a doctor, even if he wasn’t practicing. And it seemed no one questioned his reasoning for not currently practicing. Either that, or they just didn’t care. It was probably the latter, but Bishop felt he was better than any of them. He could identify just about any medical situation they would come across.
Where he messed up with Pete, though, was his vagueness as to what transpired when the old woman croaked. Bishop saw it in Pete’s eyes then. He knew the time was coming that he would have to pick up and leave again. Still, they could prove nothing. Bishop had gone to great lengths to ensure he left nothing behind and no witnesses.
The look in her eyes when she figured out his intentions. The thought of it now excited him. Her frail fingers clasping his wrist. She saw her imminent demise in his face, and it was the shot of adrenaline he needed. The power of taking a life. It was exhilarating.
Bishop arrived at the Charlotte Fire and EMS station where he was to interview with the paramedic and if he passed that test, he would interview with the fire chief himself. “Hello, I’m here to meet with Mr. Davenport with EMS. I’m Dr. Theodore Bishop here for an interview.”
One of the firefighters wiped down the engine and gazed at Bishop. “You’re a doctor?”
“I am.”
The firefighter eyed him, then tossed his head toward the back of the station. “Head that way. Down the hall, third door on the right. Good luck, Doctor.”
Bishop smiled and headed toward the door marked EMS and knocked.
“Come in.”
He opened the door. “Hello, Mr. Davenport? I’m Dr. Theodore Bishop here for the EMT position.”
“Yes, hi there. Why don’t you close the door and come on in?”
Bishop offered a nod and a smile before closing the door. He sat down in a chair across from Davenport’s desk.
“I understand you have the new certification from the state?” Davenport asked.
“Yes, sir. It’s right here.” Bishop handed him the document. “I’m also registered with the National Registry. They’ll have my employment history as well.”
Davenport perused the details. “I had a chance to reach out to your previous employer in Baltimore. A Ray Zimmerman.”
Bishop’s mouth dried and his eyes flickered for a moment. “Oh, good. He was an excellent supervisor and a good man.”
“Unfortunately, he has yet to return my call, so I’ll have to take your word for it. Tell me, Dr. Bishop, why are you an EMT when you’re clearly a medical doctor?”
“It’s a bit of a long story, but I’ll just say that the cost of being a doctor acts as a hindrance. And frankly, I prefer to get out there and help where I’m needed most. Working in a family practice and writing prescriptions for antibiotics isn’t the most exciting thing I’ve ever done.” Bishop watched Davenport’s reaction. Was he going to buy it, or keep pushing this line of questioning? Not that Bishop couldn’t handle it. He’d been here plenty of times before. But the question remained, would Davenport give two shits about Bishop’s past or did he just need a warm body in a truck?
“I’m sure your talents would be put to better use in an emergency situation. The kind we face every day. So, are you opposed to the night shift?”
Davenport cleared the way. Bishop relaxed his shoulders and wore a friendly smile. “Don’t mind the night shift at all, sir.”
7
Kate positioned herself in front of the whiteboard in her office. Photographs of the five victims were attached with magnets. Under each photo was a brief description and cause of death. There was no regional connection to the victims. The killer had used the cover of a natural disaster to hide his intentions.
“He would need the means, the money and time.”
“Talking to yourself again, hey Reid?”
Kate spun around. “Eva. I guess I am.” She turned back to
