with. It might be quicker than questioning pimps and hookers.”
Eve shivered. “To see if any of them look like Jane.”
“It would narrow the field. No copycat would know the women had similar facial characteristics. How's Jane?”
“Fine. The same.”
“And you?”
“Impatient as hell.”
“Me, too. Let me get to work so that I can get back there.” He paused. “I miss you. This is the first time I've been away from you for more than a few hours in years. I'd forgotten how empty I feel when I'm away from you.” He didn't wait for her to answer. “I'll let you know when I find out something.” He hung up.
She slowly pressed the disconnect. She missed him, too. He'd only been gone nine or ten hours and she was experiencing that same emptiness. Jesus, he was gone that long on cases here in town. She was being stupid.
“Was that Joe?” Jane stood in the doorway. “Is it a copycat?”
“He's not sure. It could be the real thing. They believe the victim could have been a hooker. Joe's staying over to check the mug books.” She moved toward the kitchen. “I'm opening a can of tomato soup for supper. Do you want to make some grilled cheese sandwiches?”
“Sure.” Jane wrinkled her nose. “He's looking for my face. Right? It's really depressing how many people must look like me. I guess everyone wants to think they're an original.” She opened the refrigerator and got out the cheese. “Maybe I should think about plastic surgery.”
“Don't you dare. Your face is unique. Everyone is unique. Who should know better than me? Do you know how many faces I've reconstructed?”
“I don't want to guess.” She began making the grilled cheese sandwiches. “You know I never actually saw the Caroline Halliburton reconstruction, just the photo. You must have thought she looked a lot like me.”
“Yes. But there were differences. Your lower lip is fuller. Your brows are more arched.” She studied her. “And no one has a smile like yours.”
Jane laughed. “But you never have your reconstructions smile.”
“Exactly.” She poured the soup into a pot. “So you're unique.”
“And so are you.” Jane's smile lingered as she shook her head. “I was kidding about the plastic surgery.”
“I know.” She turned the flame down. “But it must be annoying to think you're one of a—”
The phone rang.
“I'll get it.” Jane turned away from the stove.
“No!” Eve hurried to the wall phone. “I'll answer. You watch the cheese sandwiches.”
“Okay.” A slight frown wrinkled Jane's brow. “Whatever you say.”
“Hello.”
“Susie?” It was a woman's voice.
Relief surged through Eve. “No, you must have the wrong number.”
“Not again? This is the third time. There must be a crossed line. I've been having all kinds of connection problems reaching my daughter, Susie. Sometimes the call doesn't even go through.” She sighed. “I must have some kind of bad phone karma. Sorry to bother you.”
“That's okay. I hope you reach her.” Eve hung up and turned back to the stove. “Wrong number.”
“The way you jumped for the phone I thought you might have thought it was Joe again. Everything's okay with him, isn't it?”
“He wants to come home. Otherwise he's fine.”
And she was fine too. That other call must have been a genuine wrong number just as she'd supposed. She smiled luminously. “Are those sandwiches done? I'm starved.”
Janis Decker.
He'd almost missed her.
Joe leaned forward, his gaze on the photo on the monitor. She bore only a faint resemblance to Jane but it might have been enough for Aldo. Age twenty-nine. Picked up for prostitution three times in the last five years.
“Find something?” Detective Hal Probst of CLTPD was looking over his shoulder.
“Maybe.” He pressed the button to print out the report. “Will you ask the Vice boys to circulate this and see if they can find anyone who knows anything about her? It might be smart to check her fingerprints against the victim's.”
“No problem. I'll have them get on it right away.” Probst took the sheet from the printer. “The sooner we get some action going, the better. This case is a little too gory for our fine local politicians. They're going to be on our ass big-time. I wish you'd kept this joker in Atlanta.”
“She may not be the one.” He rubbed his eyes. “Four hours of staring at this computer screen may be making me see double.”
Probst tilted his head, studying the mug sheet. “She does look a little like that reconstruction that appeared in the newspaper.”
“Emphasis on ‘little.'” Joe leaned back in the chair. “If it's our man, he wasn't choosy this time. How soon can you have the fingerprint match?”
“A few hours. It will take longer to get a report from Vice but we'll—” Probst's cell phone rang. “Probst.” He listened. “Okay, I'm on it.” He looked at Joe as he hung up. “We may have another set of prints to match up. There's a report in from Richmond PD. Some hikers found the body of a woman near a lake outside of town.”
Joe stiffened. “Same MO?”
Probst nodded. “Far as we can tell. No face.”
Richmond, Virginia,” Eve repeated. “That's not far from Washington. He's moving up the coast.” And away from Atlanta, she added thankfully to herself. “When was she killed?”
“Within the last twenty-four hours.”
“You're going there?”
“I have to follow the trail. There are indications that he may be getting reckless. He wasn't careful when he picked Janis Decker and he left us fingerprints to work with. Reckless men make mistakes. They stumble and if you're there you can reel them in.” He paused. “Unless you'd rather I come home. If you're nervous, say the word.”
“Of course I'm nervous. That doesn't mean you have to come running back here. I can take care of Jane.” She added fiercely, “You get that bastard.”
“I'll get him. I'll call you when I find out more after I get to Richmond.”
She drew a deep breath as she hung up the phone. Charlotte and now Richmond. Each city was a giant step away from Atlanta, away from Jane. She moved out onto the porch and sat down on the porch swing beside Jane. “Nice night.”
“You're in a good mood.”
“I shouldn't be. There was another killing in Richmond. Same MO. Joe's on his way there now. He thinks Aldo may be getting careless.”
“I hope he's right.” Jane looked out at the lake. “He's crazy, you know. I could see it that night. I know most serial killers have a screw loose, but they have a sense of self-preservation. I don't believe Aldo does.”
“Then he should be easier to catch.”
“I said crazy, not stupid.” She patted Eve's hand. “But Joe will get him either way. He's not about to let that twerp get the—”
The phone rang.
“Dammit, I was just getting comfortable.” Eve groaned. “What do you bet it's our lady looking for Susie?”
“No bet.” Jane chuckled. “How many times has she called?”
“Four times this afternoon.” She sighed. “I shouldn't be so impatient. I'm sure it's not her fault and she's always very nice.”
“Sit still. I'll get it.” Jane jumped up and headed for the door. “Be right back.”
