Evil Never Dies

“Tommy has agreed to install the cameras if we can get access,” Hayley added.

“Not a bad idea,” Lizzy said. “Although illegally obtained evidence won’t be admissible in court.”

“Unless we say that the videos were sent to us by an anonymous person.”

“Well, even then, probably. Still, it’s worth a shot. Let’s set up surveillance on the homes to see which ones are empty and go from there.” Lizzy opened her file and looked through her notes. “Owen Dunham. I’ve been meaning to ask you two about him.”

Hayley shrugged it off. “We dealt with that problem.”

Lizzy lifted a brow. “So what happened? The plan was to place stolen items in the trunk of his car.”

Lizzy turned to Kitally. “Hayley seems to have lost her voice, so why don’t you fill me in.”

Kitally crinkled her nose but didn’t say a word.

“One of you better tell me what’s going on or the meeting is over.”

Hayley grunted. “I cut off his balls and tossed them in the river.”

Lizzy looked perplexed. “You’re kidding, right?”

Hayley shook her head.

Kitally refused to make eye contact.

Lizzy looked over her shoulder as if she thought someone might have overheard. Then she turned back to face Hayley and said in a low voice, “What would possess you to do such a thing? You don’t think you’re going to be the first person investigators think of? Three years ago, you cut off a man’s penis and now someone’s testicles, and you don’t think anyone is going to put two and two together?”

Silence.

“What is your ridiculous fetish with male body parts anyhow?”

Hayley refused to answer such a ridiculous question. Lizzy wasn’t herself and hadn’t been for a while now. If it were up to Hayley, every convicted rapist would have his testicles removed. “Owen Dunham and I do not share any co

“I guess I should be happy you didn’t kill the man,” Lizzy said as she looked deep into Hayley’s eyes. “Because you’re not a killer. Don’t you ever forget that.”

“Hayley threatened to come back and remove whatever was left if he went to the police,” Kitally added. “I think Dunham got the message loud and clear.”

Hayley stared back at Lizzy, unblinking, refusing to look away as she waited for her to move on to the next guy on the list. Because, clearly, Lizzy would not be able to handle the truth. The harsh reality was that Hayley had gone back that very night and taken care of Dunham for good. Kitally and Lizzy would never know what happened. It only mattered that Dunham would never have a chance to hurt anyone else again.

Lizzy’s shoulders visibly relaxed before she said, “So all evidence was removed?”

“Trust me,” Hayley said. “It’s all been taken care of.”

“I’d like you both to stay away from Dunham and Holmes for now.” Lizzy looked over their list. “What’s going on with the Ghost?”

“Nothing so far. There hasn’t been a sighting in days.”

“Well, good. Maybe she’s lost interest.”

“What about Scott Shaffer—number four on the list?” she asked next.

“As far I can tell, he’s been lying low and staying out of trouble,” Hayley said. “I’ll keep an eye on him and let you both know when he’s on the prowl again.”

“Sounds good. Other than doing surveillance on Wayne Be

“The missing girl?”

Lizzy nodded.

“Where does—or did—she work?”

“At the mall. It’s all in the file, along with a short list of people who might have seen Miriam with Be

“What exactly do we want to know?” Kitally asked.

“We need to talk to anyone who might have been in close contact with Miriam before she disappeared. Did she mention going away for a while? Do any of her coworkers know what she used to do after she left work? Did she ever talk to anyone about Wayne Be

They heard the rattle of keys before the front door opened. It was Jessica, home early. She left her belongings on the table and joined them in the living room. “Hey, what’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Hayley said.

“You all look pretty serious for it to be nothing.”

Lizzy shrugged. “Just getting up-to-date on a few things.”

“That’s right,” Kitally said, her voice a little too cheerful. “We were talking about Lizzy’s newest client, Gus. He lost his wife, and he thinks someone at the Shady Oaks Nursing Home is responsible. In fact,” she said, turning to Lizzy, “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about the note that was written on the stationery in your file. I’m pretty sure I found a match.”

Jessica stepped closer and picked up the list of names. “What is this?”

Lizzy snatched the paper out of her hand and tucked it inside the file on her lap.

“What’s going on?” Jessica demanded.

A phone rang.

It was Lizzy’s cell. She picked up the call as she came to her feet and walked away from the group as she listened. When she returned, she had her coat and keys. “I have to go. I’ve got a live one.”

“Does it have to do with Wayne Be

Lizzy nodded.

“President of SRT? That Wayne Be

“One and the same,” Lizzy said. “He’s using his nonprofit organization to take advantage of young vulnerable women.”

“And he’s getting away with it,” Kitally added.

Jessica followed Lizzy to the door. “So who was that on the phone?”

“A girl named Olimpia Padula who says Be

“Mind if I come along?”

Lizzy shrugged and then turned back to Hayley. “You two get busy working on the things we discussed. We’ll talk later.”

“What about Gus and the nursing home?” Kitally asked.

“Take care of it,” Lizzy said before she left the room. “You can fill me in later.”

Moments after Lizzy and Jessica left the house, Kitally saw Salma peer into the living room. “Is it safe?”

Kitally smiled. “Yeah, they’re gone. You can come out of hiding.”

Salma came in and eased herself into a chair with an enormous sigh. Kitally knew it wasn’t possible, but it seemed as if the girl’s belly had expanded since the last time she’d seen her.

“Your boss can be scary at times,” Salma said.

“She’s really not so bad,” Hayley said. “She’s just angry at the world right now.”

“I don’t know if angry is the right word,” Kitally said. “When I look into her eyes, I don’t see the same Lizzy Gardner. This new Lizzy seems possessed.”

Hayley sighed. “She’ll be fine. She just needs time.”

“Well, I didn’t want to tell you this in front of Lizzy,” Salma said, “but I’ve been meaning to talk to you about the Ghost.”

That got Hayley’s attention. “Yeah, what about her?”

“I think I know who you’re looking for.”

“Do you know her name?” Kitally asked.

“No, but before I slept in the park, I was living with a friend who was dating a guy who lived on Fedora Street. He had a roommate who looks just like the person you two were discussing the other day: ski

“How so?”

“She has a dozen pairs of white sneakers, and if she gets a scuff mark, she throws a tantrum.”