fingerprints? Some other evidence?” she asked, her words a jumble as she tried to make sense of this new information.
“Something like that sweetheart.” He didn’t want to lie to her, but wasn’t ready to
disclose what Montgomery told him in confidence.
“What does this mean then? The slayer is after me now? Dalia told me she had a bad
feeling about this. That it was no ordinary burglary, and she was right. I’m really afraid, Mark.”
Maya’s voice rose as she moved, trying to stand.
“Baby it’s going to be okay. Nothing is going to happen to you. The slayer isn’t targeting
you. She likes you. She feels connected to you.” Mark tried calming her, holding her in his arms in a light restrain.
“For now.” Maya turned and looked at him, her expression tight. “But Mark, when
someone has a personality disorder because of a neurosis, anything can happen to change their feelings, which in turn can change their behaviors. The bad thing about obsessions and mania are they’re always changing, and what was once considered pleasing and acceptable to them, can
turn to disgusting, and unacceptable overnight.”
Mark thought about what she said. Psychology was her area of expertise, and she
confirmed what he believed to be true. He knew what he had to do to protect Maya.
“Maya we’re close to catching her, I believe it’s going to happen soon. However, until we
do, I’d like for you to move out of your home, as well as Dalia and the other family you have in the third wing.” Her instant look of dismay made his heart ache.
“Where will we all go that’s any safer? I don’t want to leave my home. I don’t want to
force Dalia and the Johnson’s to have to find somewhere else to go. All of them are in school, and the Johnson’s have the children. They couldn’t afford anything else for what they pay me, that’s decent.” Agitated, she moved away from Mark, and paced.
Mark stood up and physically took her by the arms to stop her. “If you listen for a minute
I think I can help.”
He walked them back to the chair. After he’d sat her down, he sat on the end of her desk
and took both of her hands between his before speaking. “You, of course, will stay with me.”
When she looked at him with raised eyebrows, he hastily amended his demand. “I’d like
for you to stay with me, not only for personal reasons, but because I’d feel better knowing where you were. As far as your tenant’s are concerned, my family owns a unit of condominiums and
has several vacancies right now. The Johnson’s, as well as Dalia, are more than welcome to stay there for the same price they pay you for rent.”
Her doubtful expression prompted him to ask, “You do charge rent don’t you, Maya?”
“I do,” she said. “Dalia and the Johnson’s do pay, but I could probably charge more,” She
admitted.
“What do you do with the money?” Mark intuitively asked.
“For the Johnson’s, I put a small amount of their rent in their name, in a college fund for the girls. For Dalia, I place a percentage of the money in an account in her name for a down payment on a house if she wants.”
Mark only smiled at her, his head tilted to the side as he observed her almost self-
conscious expression. For whatever reason, she wasn’t comfortable talking about her private philanthropy so he left it alone.
“Whatever arrangements you have with them and in the same amount will continue,” he
assured her. “When I walked in you and Dalia were discussing your upcoming fundraiser?”
“Yes, and Dalia thinks we should postpone the event. I suppose you think she’s right
about putting the fundraiser off until later?”
Mark saw the dejected look, and knew he would do anything in his power to help her
continue her fundraiser. He surprised her with his next words.
“As of now I don’t see a problem with the fundraiser continuing.” When a smile spread
across her features, he held up a cautioning hand. “With a few stipulations.”
“What type of stipulations?” Maya demanded.
“Not too many. The same ones you’re going to have to abide by until we catch the slayer .
No more late nights Maya, increased security around Imani House, and a personal security guard assigned to you.” He sat back and crossed his arms over his chest, ready for a battle with her.
“Those sound fair, Mark. I’m not sure how I’ll be able to lessen my work hours without
getting too far behind,” she said, thinking out loud. “But I’ll try. As far as the security guard is concerned don’t you think that’s too much?”
“No,” he stated emphatically. “That’s a non-negotiable stipulation sweetheart, until we
catch this killer.”
“Well I have a stipulation of my own regarding the guard. I don’t want him ‘reporting’
back to you on my whereabouts every five minutes. I love you, Mark, and I don’t have anything to hide, it’s the principal of it. I hope you understand.”
“I love you too, baby, you know that. And neither am I trying to keep tabs on you. I’m
only concerned with your safety. He’s your guard, there for your protection, not to ‘report’ your activities to me,” he reassured her.
“Then I appreciate you protecting me, and will gladly accept a guard. Where do we go
from here?”
“Montgomery and I want to interview the staff, and residents. Try and find out who saw
what, or anything out of the ordinary. If you could give me a printout of all the staff including volunteers, as well as all of the residents we could get started with the interviewing,” Mark asked her as they walked out of her office. As they entered Dalia’s office, as Montgomery and Dalia were entering.
“Dalia could you give Mark a print out of all staff and residents? There’s evidence that
the slayer committed the burglary. Mark and Agent Montgomery are going to start
