Roadside Crosses

Dance logged off and told TJ and Boling about what Chilton had written.

Boling wasn't sure it would have much effect-the boy, in his assessment, was past reasoning with. "But we'll hope."

Dance doled out assignments; TJ retreated to his chair at the coffee table to contact the Scandinavian proxy, and Boling to his corner to check out the names of possible victims from a new batch of Internet addresses-including those who'd posted to threads other than "Roadside Crosses." He'd identified thirteen more.

Charles Overby, in a politician's blue suit and white shirt, stepped into Dance's office. His greeting: "Kathryn…say, Kathryn, what's this about the kid posting threats?"

"Right, Charles. We're trying to find out where he hacked in from."

"Six reporters have already called me. And a couple of them got my home phone number. I've put them off but I can't wait anymore. I'm holding a press conference in twenty minutes. What can I tell them?"

"That the investigation is continuing. We're getting some manpower help from San Benito for the search. There've been sightings but nothing's pa

"Hamilton called me too. He's pretty upset."

Sacramento's Hamilton Royce, of the too-blue suit, the quick eyes and the ruddy complexion.

Agent in Charge Overby had had a rather eventful morning, it seemed.

"Anything more?"

"Chilton's stopped the posts on the thread and asked Travis to surrender."

"Anything tech, I mean?"

"Well, he's helping us trace the boy's uploads."

"Good. So we're doing something."

He meant: something the viewers of prime-time TV would appreciate. As opposed to the sweaty, unstylish police work they'd been engaged in the last forty-eight hours. Dance caught Boling's eye, which said he too was taken aback by the comment. They looked away from each other immediately before a shared look of shock bloomed.

Overby glanced at his watch. "All right. My turn in the barrel." He wandered off to the press conference.

"Does he know what that expression means?" Boling asked her.

"About the barrel? I don't know, myself."

TJ gave a chortling laugh but said nothing. He smiled at Boling, who said, "It's a joke I won't repeat. It involves horny sailors out to sea for a long time."

"Thanks for not sharing." Dance dropped into her desk chair, sipped the coffee that had materialized and, what the hell, went for half of the doughnut that also had appeared as a gift from the gods.

"Has Travis-well, Stryker-been back online?" she called to Jon Boling.

"Nope. Haven't heard from Irv. But he'll be sure to let us know. I don't think he's ever slept. He's got Red Bull in his veins."

Dance picked up the phone and called Peter Be

Sandy soil…So helpful, Dance reflected cynically, in an area that boasted more than fifteen miles of the most beautiful beaches and dunes in the state.

DESPITE HIS ABILITY to report that the CBI was "doing something techie," Charles Overby got T-boned at the press conference.

The TV in Dance's office was on and they were able to watch the crash live.

Dance's briefing to Overby had been accurate, except for one small detail, albeit one she hadn't known.

"Agent Overby," a reporter asked, "what are you doing to protect the community in light of the new cross?"

Deer in the headlights.

"Uh-oh," TJ whispered.

Shocked, Dance looked from him to Boling. Then back to the screen.

The reporter continued that she'd heard a report a half hour earlier on a radio sca

Overby sputtered in response, "I was briefed just before coming here by the agent in charge of the case, and she apparently wasn't aware of it."

There were two senior women agents in the Monterey office of the CBI. It would be easy to find out who the "she" in question was.

Oh, you son of a bitch, Charles.

She heard another reporter ask, "Agent Overby, what do you say to the fact that the town, the whole Peninsula's in a panic? There've been reports of homeowners shooting at i

A pause. "Well, that's not good."

Oh, brother…

Dance shut the TV off. She called the MCSO and learned that, yes, another cross, with today's date, had been found near China Cove. A bouquet of red roses too. Crime Scene was collecting the evidence and searching the area.

"There were no witnesses, Agent Dance," the deputy added.

After she hung up, Dance turned to TJ. "What do the Swedes tell us?"

TJ had phoned the proxy service company and left two urgent messages. They had not returned his call yet, despite it being a business day in Stockholm and only past lunchtime.

Five minutes later Overby stormed into the office. "Another cross? Another cross? What the hell happened?"

"I just found out about it myself, Charles."

"How the hell did they hear?"

"The press? Sca

Overby rubbed his ta

"Michael's people are ru

"If there's evidence."

"He's a teenager, Charles, not a pro. He's going to leave some clues that'll lead us to where he's hiding. Sooner or later."

"But if he left a cross that means he's also going to try to kill somebody today."

"We're contacting as many people as we can find who might be at risk."

"And the computer tracing? What's going on there?"

TJ said, "The company's not calling us back. We've got Legal putting together a foreign warrant request."

The head of the office grimaced. "That's just great. Where's the proxy?"

"Sweden."

"They're better than the Bulgarians," Overby said, "but it'll be a month before they even get around to responding. Send the request, to cover our asses, but don't waste time on it."

"Yes, sir."

Overby stormed off, fishing his mobile out of his pocket.

Dance snagged her own phone and called Rey Carraneo and Albert Stemple into her office. When they arrived she a