Page 38 of If She Remembered
Kate's profiling training kicked in as she analyzed the psychological framework.Margaret had lost her daughter at the exact moment when Sarah was seeking comfort and support from her mother.The tragedy had robbed Margaret of the chance to help her child through a difficult transition, leaving her with unresolved maternal instincts and a distorted perception of parent-child relationships.
By killing empty-nesters whose adult children were returning home, Margaret was potentially acting out a twisted form of mercy.In her damaged psyche, she might believe she was sparing these parents the eventual pain of watching their children struggle, fail, or disappoint them again.
"Kate?"Allen's voice seemed to come from very far away."You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I think I may have just found our killer," Kate said, already reaching for her phone to call New Beginnings Home Design.“I’m sorry, but do you mind…”
“I’ve got Michael.Do your thing.”
Kate stood up from the table and walked into the dining room to make sure things were quiet.She placed the call, and the phone rang twice before she realized that it wasn't even eight in the morning yet.Surely, it would be too early for someone to answer, right?
So she was surprised when a cheerful female voice answered."New Beginnings Home Design, this is Jennifer.How can I help you?"
"Hi Jennifer, my name is Kate Wise.I'm trying to reach Margaret Holloway about a potential emergency consultation."
"Oh my.An emergency?”
“Well, that may be.Bit of an over-exaggeration,” she said, trying to inject humor into her voice.It felt like the ruse she and DeMarco had walked through in order to meet with Michael Torres.
“Well, Ms.Holloway is out with a client right now.Early, I know, but that’s just the way it is around here sometimes.”
“Do you know when she’ll be back?”
“She's not scheduled to be back in the office until after lunch."
Kate felt her heart start to thrum wildly in her chest.If Margaret was currently in someone's home, she might be in the process of selecting her next victim or tampering with more medication.
"This really is sort of an emergency," Kate pressed, injecting urgency into her voice."Could you possibly give me the address where she's working today?I have a family situation that requires immediate attention."
Jennifer hesitated."Well, I'm not supposed to give out client addresses..."
"Please?”
“Are you a former client?”
“Well, my sister is…” She left it at that, not wanting to dig too deep of a lie.
"Okay, let me check her schedule.She's at the Pemberton residence this morning."Jennifer provided an address in one of Richmond's most exclusive neighborhoods.“I’d expect you could probably swing by around ten or so.She should be done by then.”
Kate was already rushing upstairs to gather her things."Thank you so much, Jennifer.You may have just saved me a ton of trouble.I really do appreciate it."
She ended the call as she quickly got dressed.Her mind was rushing in a hundred places at once: she needed to call Demarco, she needed to explain to Allen why she’d be gone again today, she hoped she wasn't just overreacting.These thoughts carried her back downstairs in a sort of tidal wave and were still pushing her when she hurried into the living room, where Allen was on his laptop and Michael was playing on the floor.
"I have to go," Kate said, grabbing her badge and gun from the counter."I’m pretty sure I just located the killer, and they might be working on another victim right now."
Allen nodded, looking at her with a strange mix of pride and concern."That sounds promising… and a bit dangerous.Be careful, Kate.”
She rushed over to him and kissed him.“I always try to be,” she said.She then kissed Michael on the top of his head and told him she had to be off to work.Fortunately, he was too engrossed in stacking two plastic blocks together that he barely even noticed.
"I love you both," Kate said, heading for the door."I'll call you when I know more."
She rushed to the garage and as soon as she was in her car, she dialed DeMarco's number.Her hands were shaking slightly with adrenaline as she started the engine.The phone rang once in her ear before DeMarco picked up.
"Kate?I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so early.What’s up?"
"I found her," Kate said, pulling out of her driveway faster than she normally would."I found our killer."
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
