Golden rays of the afternoon sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. The light danced with floating specks of dust, transforming them into tiny, shimmering motes suspended in midair. Joe reclined in his oversized chair as Rachel explained her recent discovery.
"Jerry suggests releasing a picture to the media. To see if anyone recognizes her. I'm afraid it'll scare the townsfolk, but if we don't warn them, more people could die."
"She's targeting defense lawyers, correct?"
"Defense lawyers and the people they let escape." Her latest victim comes to mind. Rachel quickly adds, "Well, except for Rebecca Clark. But we believe Rebecca's snooping into the disappearances led to her death."
"Have you found a connection?"
Rachel shakes her head. "We couldn't find a link between the recent killings and the disappearances, but we do know it's the same killer. The bullet that killed Rebecca matches the ones used on the DAs."
"Then why not start by warning the defense attorneys? Ask the attorneys to provide a list of cases they lost. So we can warn those acquitted."
"I'll get the team on it," Rachel said as she headed to the door. Joe calls after her.
"I think we should inform the public without causing unnecessary alarm. Maybe we should give them a way to distinguish between real cops and the killer. It'd have to be subtle so the killer doesn't catch on."
After a moment of thought, Rachel said, "I've got it, Joe. We'll have the paper print a release explaining that all female officers will wear a specific pin on their hats, and they'll show their badge as they approach people."
"That's a terrific idea. Do you know what would work better than the Carroll County News?"
"What?"
"Something you're always complaining about." Mimicking her voice, Joe said, "I wish they'd keep their noses out of everyone's business and their big traps shut."
"The town grapevine?" Rachel smirks. "For the record, I don't sound anything like that."
Joe raised an eyebrow. "Okay, maybe a little. And you're right—Mrs. Evans and her group of busybodies will have everyone in town informed by the end of the day."
"She'll probably spread the news to everyone within a hundred-mile radius."
"Maybe as far as Missouri." Rachel laughs. "Now we just need the pins."
Joe walks to a shelf, pulls down a box, and dusts it off. Reaching into the container, he holds up a pin. "Will these do?"
Rachel inspects the purple-and-gold pins celebrating Berryville's 150th anniversary. "They're perfect. Wait, I don't remember a celebration."
"There wasn't one," Joe said, tossing the pin back into the box with a sad expression. "The captain had it all planned out, but when the Twin Towers fell, he canceled it. Said, "It didn't feel right to celebrate after so many lives were lost."
"Maybe we should do something this year—it's Berryville's 175th anniversary."
"Let's focus on catching this imposter first. I'll tell the squad what's going on. You handle the assignments."
"Sounds like a plan."
Back at her workstation, Rachel explains the strategy. "Jerry, I need you to tell Mrs. Evans what's happening. Ask her to get the word out as soon as possible. Jeff and Kirk go to the courthouse. Inform everyone, increase security, and instruct them to report any female officer without a pin. I'll head to my dad's office and fill him in."
Meanwhile, Joe climbs onto a desk, holding a megaphone and the box of pins. "Listen up, everyone! We've got a serial killer posing as a female cop. From now on, all female officers must wear one of these pins on their hats." He holds one up for emphasis. "Be sure to show them your badges as you approach.
"How will the public know?" someone asked.
"We'll let everyone know through word of mouth so the killer doesn't catch on. Any other questions? No? Then get back to work—and stay safe."
Unbeknownst to them, the killer had already taken a pin. Fastening it to her hat, she muttered, "Nice try, Captain. But you won't outsmart me."
***
Tony is heading out the door when his phone rings. "Hello," he says, scooping his keys off the table; he heads towards the door.
"This is Mrs. Andrews," came the voice on the other end. "I'm the administrator at North Arkansas Regional in Harrison. Your half-brother asked me to call you on his behalf."
Tony's face pales. Happy childhood memories flood his mind. Gripping the banister, he asks, "What happened?"
"Your brother has become gravely ill," Mrs. Andrews replies gently. "The doctors don't believe he'll make it through the day. We're doing all we—"
"I'm on my way."
Tony arrives at the hospital shortly thereafter. Stepping into the room, he sees his ailing brother hooked to a network of machines. A nurse fluffs the pillow and then straightens the sheet. Turning, she gives Tony a sympathetic glance before leaving the room.
"You're here," Tim said weakly, offering a frail smile.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Tony asks, his voice trembling.
You have so much going on with your health that I didn't want to burden you with mine."
Tony's mind wandered back to their lunch a few weeks prior. He recalls how he went on and on about his own struggles without asking about his brother's. "I should've asked."
"You're here now, and that's all that matters."
"Do you need anything? Water? Food? I could run to the deli on the corner…"
"Stop," Tim interrupts. "What I need most right now is your company."
Tony nods. "I can do that." He pulls a chair over to the bedside and sits down. The clock ticks in the heavy silence as both search for something to say. Tony recalls happier times. "We had a long run, you and I."
In a soft whisper of a voice, Tim says, "We were like Holmes and Watson, you and I."
"We saved so many kids and made sure Dad would never hurt us again."
"That we did, Watson. That we did."
"You'll be pleased to know the kids we helped are doing well."
Tim's smile faltered. "I wish I could keep going, but as you can see, I don't have the strength anymore."
"Me neither. That's why Nadia's taking over now."
"Little Nadia?"
"She's not so little anymore." Tony pulls out his phone and shows Tim a picture.
"She looks like her mother," Tim says, his smile returning.
"And she's twice as tough. She can take down men three times her size without breaking a sweat."
"I'm glad to know that our mission is in capable hands," Tim says quietly, his strength fading. The smile lingers for just a moment before fading completely. Alarms blare as Tim takes his final breath.
"I'll see you soon," Tony whispers. He wipes a tear from his cheek then heads for the door.