Jessica bit her lower lip and considered the inherent warning that Kim was passing along: You don't catch one maniac by presupposing him to be the same as the last. She knew that, had always known that and had proven it time and again, both in the lab and in the field. But lately all the monsters roaming the black patches of the planet had converged into a single satanic creature for Jessica, and as with everything else in her life, her professional acumen had fallen serious prey to the Matisak syndrome she was under. And somehow Kim Desinor both knew this and understood, acknowledging Jessica's painful response.
“ Well, it appears we have much work to do,” Zanek said, having regained his professional distance on matters. “I believe, Commissioner Stephens, that you will be pleased with the team of Coran and Desinor.”
The two women exchanged a final look before Stephens and Zanek shook on it.
8
A wise man's heart is like a broad hearth that keeps the coals (his passions) from burning the house.
The New Orleans police commissioner approached Kim Faith Desinor where she rested now on Paul Zanek's couch. Jessica and Paul looked on as Stephens said, “I have one last envelope I would like you to take a look at, Dr. Desinor.” Zanek stepped in protectively, a cold glare for Stephens, and without a word the other man amended himself, saying, “That is, if you're up to it?”
“ I think she's had enough for one day, Stephens.”
“ No,” Kim breathlessly said, “no, let's finish this now, Paul.” She pulled herself up to a sitting position, took a deep breath, closed her eyes and silently counted to ten as she exhaled.
Jessica had to admire the woman's courage and stamina. Stephens now brought the second stack of photos to her. This time the victims were face up, having been turned to pose for the camera, their wounds thrown bare for the camera to catch, each in his deathly state: each young man's chest ripped open, each heart removed and replaced by the monster's idea of a receipt for the large muscle, the eye of the queen on a dirty, stained and frilled playing card staring up from three of the photos. Bile and blood had discolored most of the “cards,” but from closely angled shots Kim could see that the cards were stitched together with meticulous care, the original colors a rainbow of tints.
Each of these shots also showed the devastation done to the lower portion of the body about the privates.
“ You see why you must help us, Doctor?” Stephens sounded even more desperate than before.
Kim wiped her brow with a handkerchief offered her earlier by Zanek. “How are the local guys going to handle help from an outsider, a woman and a psychic at that?” she wanted to know.
“ You're not entirely an outsider,” replied Jessica. “Didn't you grow up in the city?”
Zanek quickly added, “And so far as anyone will know, you're an independent psychic detective called in by the NOPD. And Stephens will run interference for you with the detectives and the press, if it comes to that.”
“ It's not the press I'm worried about. They'll paint some lurid pictures, but that I'm used to.”
“ Anyone else gives you a problem, let us know,” Stephens assured her.
Kim looked around at the three high-ranking law-enforcement officials who'd cornered her. “It doesn't appear I have much choice…”
“ Then you'll do it? You'll come to New Orleans?”
“ Just remember this, Stephens,” cautioned Zanek. “We're very serious about keeping Dr. Desinor's association with the Bureau in-house. The Bureau is no more in the business of psychic detection than it is into UFO investigation. Are you clear on that?”
“ Completely understood… no problem, Chief Zanek.”
“ Dr. Desinor's introduction into the case must be handled with delicacy and tact, and one hell of a good cover. She'll retain her name, but we've arranged a bogus front, a separate identity. She's been working as a psychic detective out of Florida for the past several years, and since this closely shadows her real life there two years ago, she won't have any problem maintaining this cover. Kim,” he continued, turning to her, “we've arranged to open a storefront detective agency in the Miami-Dade area. That meet with your approval?”
Just how much attention had Paul given this step both Kim and Jessica now wondered simultaneously, and when their eyes met, it was as if their thoughts were spoken.
“ Here's the paperwork,” Paul continued. “Dr. Coran'll run you through your paces, and Dr. Desinor, please make sure you learn exactly who you are, what you've been doing for the past several years, understood? Kept it fairly simple, actually, returning you to your old haunts in Florida.”
It sounded like “where I discovered you” to Kim. She had stopped listening by now anyway as Paul turned to Stephens, continuing on. “But it's a no-go if you can't insure that Dr. Desinor will remain incognito. And of course, you'll make arrangements for Dr. Coran's introduction into the case as well.”
“ Consider all arrangements made, and believe me, I've already sounded out the governor, the mayor and my people on the importance of secrecy, and everyone agrees there'll be no problem. Really, a psychic in our city…well, it's really no big deal in the Big Easy.”
Kim took a deep breath and stood, finding Jessica's arm and the strength she required. The feeling had returned to her body, but a slight dizziness remained. “I'll have to see to sorting out a few things downstairs first, make sure the lab's in good hands, all that before I go jetting off,” Kim said.
“ Not to worry,” countered Paul. “I've talked to Dr. To-kutsu, and he'll give your apologies to your colleagues, your techs and your trainee.”
Dr. Haruo “Harry” Tokutsu was senior assistant in the operation of the unit which had been built around Kim. He was an ambitious man even by Japanese-American standards, and he was a gifted psychic in his own right.
“ Time I get back, Harry'll be dug in like a badger,” she half joked, and watched for Paul's reaction. But the man's granite features gave nothing away this time.
“ Your flight to New Orleans with Commissioner Stephens here has been arranged. You just need to be packed and at the airstrip at 1400 hours, Kim.”
“ Two P.M.? Today?”
“ It's all arranged.”
“ I'll need more time than that.”
“ Just pack a bag.”
“ I'll take a flight out tomorrow morning,” she declared, holding firmly to her ground against Zanek, which Jessica found herself helplessly smiling at. She could like this woman. Anyone who could hold her own with Paul Nathan Zanek in the man's own office was to be admired.
“ All right,” Zanek relented. “We'll arrange a flight out for you tomorrow then.”
Dr. Desinor said her good-byes, asking that Stephens leave the rosary beads with its crystal cross in her possession for the time being. “You can leave it with Chief Zanek, if you will.” It appeared she didn't relish the idea of handling the object again in the immediate future.
She then exited, still a bit shaken from the session. Jessica didn't fail to miss the long, parting look which lingered between Paul Zanek and the psychic before Kim disappeared.
Stephens next picked up his items and envelopes, all save the unusual rosary. Jessica lifted the long black beads and the shimmering, crystal cross, surprised at its weight, and she assured Paul that she'd personally keep it for Dr. Desinor.
“ I think she intends to use it again for insights into your case,” said Zanek, shaking hands with Stephens before returning to his seat behind the big desk.