Girl on a Mission: The Dead Do Speak
Chapters 65 & 66
Previously on Girl on a Mission:
Liza navigates delicate waters at school, determined to shield her friends from the fallout of Boyd’s brutal attack and the mob's involvement. Despite Cody's plea to stay close, Liza pushes him away, prioritizing their safety over her own emotional needs. Meanwhile, Detective Jerry’s intuition triggers after meeting Officer Michael, Esta Flannery’s nephew, leading Jerry to surveil Michael’s home discreetly. Torn by his instincts and wary of internal police backlash, Jerry wonders if Michael holds hidden truths connected to the elusive Play Dead Killer.
Chapter 65
Mary was in her office. She’d been on the phone since this morning, calling her contacts and scheduling pickups and drop-offs for the week.
So far, she’s had moderate success, although she’d enjoy the peace of mind if she could confirm deliveries from at least three more of her contacts because that would guarantee a smooth operation for the coming weekend. Considering how many people came yesterday, she could assume the same number would be at their doorstep come Sunday afternoon.
Hopefully, James’ contacts will come through.
She took a moment to pause and think, leaning back in her chair when her mind went blank, noticing how her hand was trembling. Not uncontrollably, but the shake was there.
She had left the gun at home. Mary didn’t trust herself to leave the house with it. What if she misjudges someone? What if she’s paranoid and winds up shooting someone?
Now that she was in her office, she cursed herself for not having it. The food pantry had become a place of contention. She was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. If Larry wasn’t here with her, she wasn’t certain if she would be.
Thank the heavens for Larry.
He was here before she even keyed in the door. According to Larry, Father Tiernan had called him this morning to request he come in early.
“What happened yesterday?” he’d asked when she first arrived. Mary brought him up to speed. Of course, he apologized, as if it were his fault. “I thought I checked everything.”
He apologized multiple times. Larry was a good man, but at the time she believed he was withholding information, although Mary scoffed it off to paranoia, but still the instincts were nagging at her. She left the office, found Larry counting boxed goods and juice boxes in the clubhouse and pressed him for information.
Larry looked guilty as charged. “I didn’t want to say anything. I can see the incident has you shaken up.” She waited for him to continue. Larry cleared his throat. “Did you… did you see the press conference last night?” His eyes narrowed. He looked like he was expecting a punch to the gut. Mary had no recollection of the press conference and told him so.
When he didn’t answer right away, she pressed him further. “What press conference? What happened?”
“There’s a serial killer in the city.” Now she felt like she got punched in the gut. “He targets… older women.”
Her jaw dropped. She had no response; the information sinking into her skin, tightening around her heart.
Is that what happened last night? Is she being stalked by a serial killer?
She was blinking and staring at Larry but not seeing Larry, lost in her thoughts.
Larry cleared his throat. “Maybe I should stay with you for a while, Mary? At least, until this all blows over and they catch the bastard.”
Shock! Mary believed she was experiencing the state of shock. Every thought drained from her mind, the same as the blood that drained from her face. She was certain she just turned a whiter shade of pale.
“Mary? Are you okay?”
She blinked her shock away and looked at Larry dead in his eyes. “Yes,” she said. “I think that would be a good idea.”
Chapter 66
“Liza,” said Hans. “I heard about your father. I’m so sorry.”
Liza took a seat in front of Hans’ desk. “Bad news travels fast.” And to think, she told Mr. Campbell to keep a lid on the situation. You can’t trust anyone nowadays.
“Unfortunately.” Hans was still standing, rolling his tongue inside his cheek, staring Liza down. He looked like he was thinking. Liza could see the cogs in his brain turning. He was so weird.
Hans was in his late thirties-maybe early thirties-with dark hair-minus a few grays-and brown eyes. He wore black-framed glasses, was thin as a rail and clean shaven. Liza despised his stare. It curled her spine. Everyone knew Hans was a perv, but his current stare was a bit too revealing. One year was long enough to have Hans as a teacher, but the fact that he was now teaching senior year civics was the disappointment of the year.
Hazel eyes popped into Liza’s mind from Detective Hallowell’s press conference. If Hans had hazel eyes, she would have called Hallowell herself.
Hans nodded and took his seat. “What can I do for you, Liza? I assume that considering the circumstances, you’re requesting to take your schoolwork home?” He raised his hands with a shrug.
“Would that be, ok?”
Another shrug. “Of course.” He paused. “Liza, you’ve always been a stellar student, despite what you go through at home and all the obstacles life has tossed your way. Which comes with a certain air of integrity on your part.”
Was that a compliment or an insult?
She nodded. “Thank you,” she said, not knowing how to respond, then silence. The uncomfortable kind. “So, can I get this week’s assignments?”
“Of course.” He paused, then opened one of his desk drawers, rifling through his files. After he found what he was looking for, he reviewed all the assignments with Liza.
She gathered the assignments into a folder Mr. Campbell had given her.
“Perfect,” she said, standing and offering her hand. Hans stood, too, shaking her hand.
She couldn’t wait to get away from him.
“Thank you very much. I’ll be in next Monday to hand in the assignments and pick up anything new.”
“You’re welcome.” Liza was about to walk out the door, but Hans continued. “Listen, I’m on the job fair and career committee. I know this might not be the right time, but...” He bobbed his head left to right. “Considering. If you need to find employment, let me know. A couple extra dollars could go a long way in such a situation. We have multiple positions that need to be filled. Some earn more than others, but there are always options.”
The last thing Liza was thinking about right now was employment. Plus, if she needs money, she’ll take a few shifts at the club. Grandpa Tommy would be more than accommodating.
“Thank you, but for right now, I can handle it.”
Hans nodded. “Understood.” He opened his desk drawer again and took out a business card. “Since you’re not at school, if you change your mind, call me.” He handed her the card. “I’m usually there after school hours. Just call and you’ll be transferred over.”
Liza looked at the card. Career Servies and Employment with his name, Hans Middleton, and the office phone number. She placed it in her coat pocket. “I’ll keep that in mind,” she said, then paused. Hans smiled and nodded.
Another uncomfortable pause. “Well, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
And with that, she left. On her way back to the hospital, Hans’ strange behavior had gone from her mind, replaced with her father and his current predicament.
She couldn’t wait to return to the hospital. Anything was better than remaining in Hans’ presence.
