Package Deal(65)

When he returned to his house, he picked up the phone. “Mike, I need the name of that detective you know in Madison.”

“Talk to me.”

“I found a box of stuff I think may relate to a crime that was committed there. I found it in Carlton’s apartment.”

“Have the police been there?”

“I think they were once—when they went to talk to him. But if you’re asking if there was crime scene tape there, the answer is no. Last time I talked to them, they said they had no evidence against him. He wasn’t around when they went to his apartment or his campus office. And they wouldn’t take my word for it or even pay much attention to my notes.”

Mike gave him the name. “That scarf could be significant. Don’t touch the stuff. If there are fingerprints on any of those items, we don’t want them messed up because you’ve had your paws all over them, though I guess maybe you’ve done that already?”

“No, I didn’t touch anything except the corner of the newspapers. I made a copy of them—to show to the local cops. Remember when I did those ride-alongs with the Chicago cops? We talked about preserving evidence and what messes things up.”

Mike hummed into the phone then said, “The detective in Madison—Stan—may want to come get the box or maybe he’ll have you send it. Better ask him how he wants you to handle it.”

Marcus’ next call was to the detective.

“This is Stan McCall.” The man sounded tired.

“My brother, Mike Dunbar, is a police officer in Omaha. Says he knows you and gave me your name.” Marcus briefed the detective on what he had found.

“Where is this box?” The voice evinced interest. “In your possession?”

“Yes. I’m at my house and I’m looking at it. No one else has touched it since I took it out of the guy’s apartment.”

“You’re all the way out on the West Coast?”

“Yes. Mike said he thought you might want to come pick it up, or maybe I could send it to you.”

“I’m not sure we can get out there right now. We’re tied up with a big double murder investigation here.”

Marcus heard mumbling in the background.

“Here’s what I want you to do,” the detective continued. “Write down where you found it, the date and time, if you remember—”

“I already did that.I stuck that on a note on the box after I found it.”

“Good. Can you take it to the post office tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Send it to me certified, return receipt requested. Write me a letter and include where you’ve kept the box since you removed it from the apartment, who has access to your place, whether that box has been under lock and key while in your possession, and how long you’ve had it. Date and sign that letter and give us your full address and phone number, email, too, in case we want to get back to you. Tape that letter to the outside of the box. I don’t know if the DA or the judge will accept it as evidence, but that information may help convince them.”

“Got it. If the box is what you need, I hope you can put this guy away.”

“Is he still living there?”

Marcus sighed. “I wish I knew. No one has seen him in weeks. I don’t know where he is and the cops here won’t do anything without a complaint from the girl’s mother. We believe he went after a child here.”

Stan was silent for a moment. “Send us what you have. I’ll get back to you.”

Marcus finished the letter Stan wanted and taped it to the box. Then he pulled out his notes and began typing the article he had been planning to write for several weeks.

The next day, he mailed the box to the detective. Following his visit to the post office, Marcus headed for Amanda’s house, eager to read with Cecelia. He tucked his unfinished article in his pocket.

An hour after reading with Cecelia, a session punctuated by fits of giggles from her and lots of lower-pitched laughter from him, he approached Amanda.After giving her a kiss, he pulled the papers out of his pocket. “I have something I want you to read.”

“You look serious.”

“I am.”He blew into his coffee cup while she read the piece.

Her face changed from interest to concern as she read, and she shook her head when she got to the part about psychiatric assistance. “This town is too small to include that. People will find out you’re talking about Cece. I can’t have that.”

“Amanda. Parents need to know about such services. You said yourself how much progress Cece has made since she had those sessions with the play therapist. You were lucky to learn about her, and only because we dug around and called the Seattle association. I have to keep it in there.”