The ringing of the phone snapped him out of his self-recriminations.
He grabbed the receiver.
“Hello?” “Lee?”
The voice was deep, resonant, and cultivated. He recognized it at once.
“Hello, Diesel. How are you?” “More to the point, how are you?” “I’m okay.” “You don’t sound it.”
Lee smiled, in spite of the feelings raised by Diesel’s voice. He had met the man through his late friend Eddie Pepitone. He missed Eddie, and he knew Diesel did, too.
“How’s Rhino?” he asked, trying to steady his voice.
“Oh, he’s very pleased with himself. He’s lost five pounds this month and is unbearable to live with.”
Diesel and Rhino (a.k.a. John Rhinehardt Jr.) were the most unlikely couple Lee had ever met. Diesel was a giant of a man, with shiny mahogany skin, whereas Rhino was tiny, muscular, and pale as a ghost. Lee was grateful for Diesel and Rhino’s continued presence in his life. They were good men and all he had left of Eddie.
“Are you both still working at Bellevue?” he asked.
“Actually, I’ve had a promotion. I’m now in charge of all the other orderlies.”
“Congratulations—that’s great.”
“Yes, it’s great if you don’t have to live with John K. Reinhardt Jr., I suppose. He’s never forgiven me for it.”
“You mean because now you’re his boss?”
“Something like that,” Diesel answered. “He said to say hi, by the way. But I actually called to see if you were investigating these bizarre killings.”
Lee wasn’t sure how to respond. His assignment to the case wasn’t exactly a secret, but it wasn’t something the NYPD would broadcast to the public. Luckily, Diesel saved him from having to answer.
“I can see by your hesitation that you are,” Diesel continued smoothly. “I just called to offer our services. If there’s anything we can do—anything at all—don’t hesitate to ask. I think Eddie would have wanted …” Diesel began, but his voice trailed off, the silence on the line between them like a physical presence. “I’m sorry—I don’t know what Eddie would have wanted. Maybe I’d just like to think I know.”
“Yeah,” Lee agreed. “I know.”
“I think he would want us to keep in touch, anyway.”
“I agree,” Lee said. “I’m glad to hear from you. But this killer is dangerous, and I don’t think—”
“Hey, look,” said Diesel, “Rhino and I can take care of ourselves. I’m just saying that if you can use us as a resource, we’re here for you.”
“I appreciate that.”
“There are some things Eddie didn’t tell you about us. We have certain … skills, let’s say, that might be of use to you at some point.”
That was all very mysterious, and Lee was intrigued, but he heard the click of call waiting on the other line.
“Thanks,” he said. “I’m sorry, but I have an incoming call.”
“No problem. You know where to find us.”
“Yes—give my best to Rhino,” Lee said. “I’ll talk to you soon.” He clicked the receiver and picked up the other call.
The voice he heard had the same reptilian coldness as before.
“I know about the red dress.”
Ripples of terror slithered across the surface of Lee’s skin. He clutched the edge of the piano to steady himself. “Who are you?” “Does it matter?”
“If you know something,” Lee said, trying to keep his voice from shaking, “why don’t you go to the police?”
The caller chuckled—a low, unpleasant sound, like two rocks knocking together.
“What would be the fun in that?”
“Look,” Lee said, but the line went dead. He immediately dialed *69, but a recording told him that the caller had blocked his number when he called.
He stood there for a moment, then picked up his martini glass and gulped down its contents. As he did, he made a grim vow. If this caller really did know something about his sister’s murder, Lee swore to himself that he would hunt him down, no matter the cost.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The largest of the five buildings comprising the campus of John Jay College of Criminal Justice is Haaren Hall, a handsome, imposing redbrick and gray-stone building on the west side of Tenth Avenue. The building spans the entire block between Fifty-fifth and Fifty-sixth Streets, the sidewalk outside busy with the comings and goings of students and faculty from early in the morning until well after dark. The building, originally the home of a public high school, houses a fully equipped theater, as well as a swimming pool and a gym.
Around twilight the next day, Lee stood across the street on Tenth Avenue staring at the entrance, thinking about all the times he had mounted the broad