Bone Music (Burning Girl #1)(102)

The Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. The largest refugee camp in the world. Pemberton went there on a volunteer mission with a group called Global Healers two years ago. Guess who’s one of their biggest donors.

“Denny Bryant,” Luke answers.

“Who doesn’t call or text him again after getting the picture of the refugee camp.”

Correct.

“So whatever connects those two at that refugee camp, it shut Denny up, even though he’s got Robbery Homicide breathing down his neck,” Charlotte says.

To the screen, Luke says, “Well, you’ve certainly uncovered a conspiracy around how they got the bodies in that exhibit; I’ll say that much.”

It’s more than that.

“Yeah, if you take out the rule of law and allow only the circumstantial to be your guide.”

Blow me. This is good work.

Luke takes a deep breath, turns to Charley. “Can I just play devil’s advocate here for a second?”

Charlotte nods. Her thoughts are clouded with images of refugee camps, bodies posed like mannequins, only with all their muscles and tendons exposed, disturbing details that take on a ghostly presence all around her now. Despite their agreement that he wouldn’t lecture her on the subject of her, she’d love for Luke to shine a beam of clarifying light through this spectral fog.

“All this proves is that there’s something Pemberton and Bryant got up to that they don’t want exposed by a warrant. It doesn’t prove either of them is the Mask Maker.”

“I know that,” she answers. “But whatever they’ve done, it’s bad enough they’re willing to obstruct an investigation into a serial killer to keep it hidden.”

“Still.”

“I get what you’re saying. But it’s enough to start following him—don’t you think?”

Luke looks to the screen, then gets to his feet and gestures for her to follow.

Seriously???

“Shut up, Bailey. You went missing for months. I can step out for five minutes.”

In the adjacent hallway, he stands as close to her as possible, drops his voice to a whisper.

“The contact lenses. Are you going to do what they say? Are you going to wear them while you work?”

“All things considered, I don’t think I have a choice.”

“Why’s that?”

“I’m afraid of what kind of package they’ll send next if their gift isn’t exactly received. Know what I mean?”

Luke seems to suppress a shiver. “OK. Well, that means if we start following this guy, then Graydon’s following this guy, too.”

“OK.”

“I’m just saying, it’s something to consider in terms of possible guilt. It might be the same as leaking his name to the media.”

“They want to see Zypraxon in action. They’re not interested in getting involved in a criminal investigation.”

“Maybe.”

“Then why watch us from afar? Why not meet with me or abduct me? You’re right. They want to keep their hands clean.”

“I agree, but . . .”

“But what?”

“It would help me if I had some idea of what you were planning to do, Charley.”

Her deep breath feels like it adds ten pounds to her frame.

Marty hadn’t pressed over the past two days, and it was easier to her to believe her idea wasn’t bonkers when she didn’t have to discuss it out loud.

“It’s like Kayla said, I’m going to bait him, just like I did those guys at the bar. That way I can be absolutely sure it’s him.”

“And then?”

“I’m not going to kill him, Luke. Once I’m absolutely sure he’s the guy, I’m going to overpower him and restrain him and leave him there right next to undeniable proof of who he is and what he’s done. Then we’ll call law enforcement and let them know what’s waiting for them.”

There. She’d said it. And it doesn’t sound crazy. Given everything she’s been through these past few days, it sounds relatively simple and sane.

“Are we going to be waiting for them?” he asks.

“Nope.”

His shoulders sag. His chest rises and falls from what looks like his first deep breath in days. She realizes their fight two days ago left him with the conviction she was out to kill the guy. How else could he have interpreted her words? She’d be the end of him; isn’t that exactly what she’s said?

Maybe she should have cut Luke some slack. He’s certainly cutting her some now.

“So,” she says.

“So,” he says.

“Are you in?”

“I’m in.”

“Good.”

“We’ll see.” When she flinches, he adds, “If I’m any good at this, I mean. Not if you’re—”

“I get it.”

But she didn’t get it until he said it, and she’s glad he did.

When they return to the desk, the message waiting for them is: Hope you used protection.

“Cute, for a ten-year-old,” Luke says.

“We’re going after Pemberton,” Charley says. “What can you give us on him?”

Lots. But it’s what I can’t give you on him that’s worth looking into.