chapter 39

Our flight back to San Francisco left at 4:00 P.M. I hated, hated to leave without a name. Especially when I felt we were so close.

Somebody famous.

Kinky.

Why were they protecting her?

Anyway, we had accomplished a lot in just two days, it was clear to me that all three murders were committed by the same person. We had a strong lead tying him to San Francisco, a possible identity, a confirmed description. The trail was warm here, and would grow ever hotter when we got home.

Both investigations would proceed locally. Cleveland would contact Seattle police to do a search of the brides home. Maybe something in her personal effects, and address book, E-mail in her computer, would divulge who her San Francisco lover was.

Waiting to board our plan out of Cleveland, I called my voice mail for massages. One each from Alice and Fatimah inquiring about my trip, our case. Reporters pushing for my comments on the Cleveland crime.

Then I heard the throaty voice of Pascalin Shortley. She had left her California number.

I punched the number as fast as I could. A housekeeper answered, and I could hear the wail of a baby crying.

When Pascalin got on the phone, I could tell that some of her cool veneer had cracked. " I was thinking," she began, there was something I didn't mention yesterday,"

"Yes? That's good to hear."

"This guy I told you about? The one Hannah was hooked up with in San Francisco? I was telling you the truth. I never knew his name."

"Okay, I hear you."

"But there were some things. . . I said he didn't treat her well. He was into intense sex games. Props, scenarios, maybe even a little filming. Problem was, Hannah liked the games."

There was a long pause before Pascalin went on well... I think he pushed her, forced her, to do more than she was comfortable with. I remarks on Her faces, bruises on her legs. Mostly it was her spirit that was broken. None of us were exactly bringing home Tom cruise then, but there was a time when Hannah was real scared. She was in his control."

I began to see where this was heading. "It's why she moved away, isn't it?" I said.

I could hear Pascalin shortley sigh on the other end.

Yes it was."

Then why did she continue to see him from Seattle? You said she was involved with him right up to the end."

"I never said," Pascalin shortley replied, " that Hannah knew what was good for her."

Now I saw Hannah Simon life taken on the shape of tragic inevitability. I was sure she fled San Francisco, tried to break away from the grip of this man. But she couldn't break free.

Was that true of the other murdered brides?

I need a name, Ms. shortley. Whoever this was, he might have killed your friend. There are four others. The longer he's out there, the greater the chance he will do it again,"

"I told you, I don't know his name, inspector."

I raised my voice above the sin in the terminal. "Pascalin, someone must know. You knew her for years, parties together."

Pascalin hesitates. "In her own way, Hannah was loyal, she said his name was well known. Some kind of celebrity. Someone I would know. She was protecting him. Or maybe protecting herself."

My mind raced to the film and music businesses. She was into a bad scene. She was over her head, and like many people who feel trapped, she ran. She just couldn't get far enough away.

"She must have told you something," I pressed. "What he did? Where they would meet? You guys were like sisters," wicked sisters" I swear, inspector, I have been racking my brain."

"Then someone must know. Who tell me."

I heard Pascalin let out a mirthless laugh.

"Ask her sister."

Before we boarded, I beeped Jude and left a detailed message on his voicemail. Hannah's lover was probably someone famous. It was why she had moved away from San Francisco. The profile fit the pattern of our killer. Her sister, Hilary, might know the killer's name.

On board, all I could think about was that we were getting close. Gebriel was there beside me. As the plane rose, I leaned into his arm, surrendering to total exhaustion.

All my physical troubles seemed a million miles away. I remembered something I'd said to Fatimah. I had told her that finding this bastard gave me the resolve to go on. The red-bearded man in my dream who had gotten always

We are going to get him," I said to Gabriel. " we can't let let him kill another bride and groom."

Eight the next morning, I was at my desk.

There were several ways I could go with this investigation. Hilary Simon was the most direct assuming, as Pascalin had implied, that she was able to give us a name. It was clear that in a twisted way she was trying to save her family the added pain of having Hannah publicly branded as some individuals of pathetic sexual victim, cheating in her husband to be right up until their vows.

Sooner or later a name would emerge. From her, or from Seattle.

Before I did anything else, I called Kelvin's office and rescheduled the blood treatment I had canceled for five o'clock today. After a brief wait, the receptionist said the doctor would see me himself.

Maybe it was good news. Truth was, I was feeling a little stronger. Maybe the treatment as beginning to do their work.

It was hard picking up where I had left off in San Francisco. The best leads were now in Cleveland. I read some report on the evidence Isaiah was tracking down, held a meeting of the task force at ten.

Actually, the most promising leads- the hair and the Bridal Boutique At Saks- has come from my meeting with Fatimah and Alice. I couldn't resist calling fatima a little before noon.

Bring me up to date," she said excitedly. "I thought we were partners."

"I will," I replied. "Get Alice. Meet me for lunch."