The Judge's List (The Whistler #2)(39)

“I tried to dissuade the witness from filing the complaint, but I couldn’t stop her. She’s terrified of going to the police because she is afraid of Ross Bannick. She is convinced she might become another one of his targets.”

Sadelle gave Darren a look of uncertainty, then both returned to the complaint. When they finished, they contemplated the allegations and there was a long silence. Finally, Darren said to Lacy, “You used the word ‘targets.’ As if there might be more to the story.”

Lacy smiled and said, “There are eight dead bodies. The three you have in this complaint, plus five others. According to Betty’s theory, the killings began in 1991 and have continued, at least until Verno five months ago. Betty believes Bannick is still at it and might be getting careless.”

“She’s an expert on serial killers?” Darren asked.

“Well, I’m not sure how one becomes an expert in such matters, but she knows a lot. She’s been stalking—her word, not mine—Bannick for over twenty years.”

“And what got her started?”

“He murdered her father, victim number two, 1992.”

Another long silence as Darren and Sadelle stared at the conference table.

“Is she credible?” Sadelle asked.

“At times, yes. Quite. She believes that Bannick kills out of revenge and keeps a list of potential victims. She sees him as methodical, patient, and brilliant.”

“What’s his rap sheet with us?” Darren asked.

“A near perfect record on the bench, no complaints at all. High ratings from the bar.”

Sadelle took in oxygen and said, “Revenge would mean that he knew all of his victims, right?”

“That’s correct.”

Darren began chuckling and when both women stared at him he said, “Sorry, but I can’t help but think of the other four files on my desk right now. One involves a ninety-year-old judge who can’t make it to court anymore. May be on life support. Another has a judge speaking before a Rotary Club and commenting on a pending case.”

“We get the picture, Darren,” Lacy said. “We’ve all handled those cases.”

“I know, I’m sorry. It’s just that now we’re supposed to solve eight murders.”

“No. The complaint covers only three.”

Sadelle looked at her copy of the complaint again and said, “Okay, the first two here. Lanny Verno and Mike Dunwoody. What was Bannick’s connection, or alleged connection, to those two?”

“No connection to Dunwoody. He just showed up at the crime scene not long after Verno went down. Verno and Bannick had a spat in Pensacola city court some thirteen years ago. Verno won. Got his name on the blacklist.”

“Why did Betty choose to include this case?”

“It’s active, ongoing, with two dead bodies at the same scene. Maybe the cops in Mississippi know something.”

“And the other, Perry Kronke?”

“It’s an active case and the only one in Florida. Betty claims the police down in Marathon have no leads. Bannick knows what he’s doing and leaves nothing behind, nothing but the rope around the neck.”

“All eight were strangled?” Darren asked.

“Not Dunwoody. The other seven were choked with the same type of rope. Tied and secured with the same weird sailor’s knot.”

“What was Kronke’s connection?”

“How’d he make the list?”

“Whatever.”

“Bannick finished law school at the University of Miami. He clerked for a big firm there and met Kronke, a senior partner. Betty believes the firm yanked a job offer at the last minute and Bannick got stiffed. Must’ve really upset him.”

“He waited twenty-one years?” Sadelle asked.

“That’s what Betty thinks.”

“And they found him in his fishing boat with a rope around his neck?”

“Yes, according to a preliminary police report. As I said, the case is still active, even though it’s now two years old with no leads, and the police are guarding the file.”

All three sipped their coffee and tried to arrange their thoughts. After a while, Lacy said, “We have forty-five days to assess, to do something. Who has an idea?”

Sadelle wheezed and said, “I think it’s time for me to retire.”

This got a laugh from the other two, though she was not known for her humor. Her colleagues at BJC fully expected her to die before she retired.

Lacy said, “Your letter of resignation is hereby rejected. You gotta stick with me on this one. Darren?”

“I don’t know. These murders are being investigated by homicide detectives who are trained and experienced. And they’re not finding any clues? They have no suspects? What the hell are we supposed to do? I’m seduced by the idea of such exciting work, but this is for someone else.”

Lacy listened and nodded. Sadelle said, “I’m sure you have a plan.”

“Yes. Betty is afraid to deal with the police because she wants to remain anonymous. So, she’s using us to go to the police. She knows we have limited jurisdiction, limited resources, limited everything. She also knows that the law requires us to investigate every complaint, so we can’t just kick the can. I say we do it quietly, safely, careful not to tip our hand to Bannick, and after about thirty days we reevaluate. At that time we’ll probably dump it on the state police.”