Midnight Caller - By Diane Burke Page 0,42
do it again.”
Tony gestured toward the food. “Please. Enjoy your meal.”
The man didn’t need a second invitation. He bit into his sandwich with gusto and actually smacked his lips. His facial expression was one of pure delight. “I love this place. Don’t get to come here often. The quality of the food and the smells of fresh meats and pickles remind me of the old-fashioned delis when I was a kid. I don’t drive too much anymore. Go to the doctor’s and the pharmacy and grocery store, but that’s all within a couple of miles of my house. So this is a real treat.”
“If I’m not being too personal,” Tony asked. “How are things going with you and Tess?”
“Better than you and Erin.” The man chuckled and took a swig of his drink.
“Do you see Tess often?” Tony asked.
“I manage to pop in once or twice a week. And she pops over to my place now and again. Just because we’ve got a little snow on the roof doesn’t mean we don’t play the same courting games you kids do.” Patrick grinned.
“So, Tess wouldn’t find it unusual behavior if you popped in every day or stayed for longer visits?” Tony finished the last of his lunch, pushed his plate aside and folded his hands on the table.
“No, I suppose not. She might even welcome it if she thought I was doing some matchmaking for you. She’s taken a shine to you, you know.”
Tony sighed deeply. “Mr. Fitzgerald, I wish that was all I was asking.”
Patrick’s grin faded. He gulped down the rest of his drink and stacked the empty plates. He sat back in his chair and looked Tony straight in the eye. “What’s this all about?”
“Mr. Fitzgerald—”
“Fitz.”
“Sorry. Fitz. What I’m about to tell you is confidential. You can’t mention this conversation to anyone, not even Tess. Do you think you can keep things quiet?”
“If you have to ask, you’ve taken the wrong old man to lunch.”
Tony smiled and nodded. He leaned forward, lowered his voice and told the man everything. He noticed a slight tremor in the old man’s hands, but his stoic expression and calm, level voice told him he had not misjudged him.
“How can I help? What do you want me to do?” Patrick asked.
“Not much more than what you’re already doing. I want you to stop by as often as possible. Keep alert to anything unusual, no matter how trivial, and let me know about it. I’ve already spoken to both Erin and Tess. They know our victims received anonymous calls. They also know that each victim had a handicapped child.”
The blood drained from Patrick’s face but he remained calm.
“Carol fit the victim’s profile. So does Erin. Both Erin and Tess have assured me they’ll be on guard for anything out of the ordinary.” Tony drew a business card out of his wallet. “This is the number to my cell phone. Call me any hour, night or day.”
Patrick accepted the business card and slipped it into his pocket.
“My sergeant is being kept in the loop. Although we don’t have the manpower for 24/7 surveillance, there will be an increased police presence patrolling your street. But I need more. I need to have eyes and ears inside the house when I can’t be there myself.”
Patrick nodded. “I understand.” He closed his eyes and slightly bowed his head for a moment as though in silent prayer.
Tony gave Patrick time to process the information and glanced around the room. The cash register dinged. The sound of laughter and conversation drifted from neighboring tables. A young boy running in the aisle accidentally bounced off the edge of their table on the way to the restroom. Everything seemed so normal and uncomplicated. So why did his stomach feel like he had swallowed a burning iron ball?
“Funny thing, this life of ours,” Patrick said. “Each day slips into another until thousands of days have passed. But you still think you have forever.” He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed moist eyes. “You think you can fall in love, maybe even marry and you’ll just keep on ticking like a Timex watch. For a moment, you forget that you’re not in charge, God is.” Patrick shoved the handkerchief in his pocket and stood. “We’ve been here long enough, son. Let’s head home. We’ve got work to do.”
ELEVEN
Erin barely felt the light breeze on her face, barely noticed the thick cotton ball clouds on this bright sunny day as she sat on