Jack Beale 00 - Dangerous Shoals

the paper on Tom’s desk.
    “What am I looking at?”
    “That photo,” said Jack.
    Tom looked and then said, “Hey, isn’t that Beverly?”
    “Yes, it is, but look at the other one.”
    “What has gotten into you this morning?”
    Jack’s patience had run out and he pointed to the figure behind Tim and Jane. “It’s him.”
    “Who?” asked Tom.
    “Kurt. He’s still around.”
    After this outburst, for the next few moments, all that could be heard in the room was their collective breathing as Tom looked closely at the picture.
    “Are you sure it’s him?”
    “As sure as I can be,” replied Jack. “What are we going to do?”
    “When was this photo taken?” asked Tom as he began rustling through the paper.
    “Last week sometime. They were in line for a show at the Casino. The schedule is in there somewhere.”
    “Other than this picture, you haven’t seen him at all, right?”
    “That’s correct.”
    “Good.”
    “What’s so good about it? This proves he’s still around. He must not have found what he was looking for. It’s just a matter of time before he comes after Max and me.”
    “What the hell … ?” Tom’s voice cut in. He was reading intently something a few pages back in the paper that Jack hadn’t seen yet.
    “What?”
    “There’s an article here about some young woman who disappeared last week down at the beach. She disappeared the same night that picture was taken.”
    “So.”
    “I heard about it, of course, but that’s all. Not much was made of it at the time. Missing person, and all that. They assume she ran off with someone she met at a bar. Her friends said it’s not uncommon for her to do that after a night on the town. Sometimes she’s gone for weeks.”
    “Do you think they’re related?”
    “I doubt it, but anything is possible. I’ll give my friend Bob Frazier down in Hampton a call and see what’s up.” He reached for the phone.
    Jack watched as the expression on Tom’s face changed and his voice turned somber. “I see … Keep me posted … Thanks Bob.”
    Tom placed the phone back on the receiver, leaned back in his chair, and exhaled loudly.
    “So? What did he have to say?”
    “You’re not going to believe this, but they just found that woman’s body. She had been horribly sliced up.”
    Silence filled the room.

CHAPTER 63
    JACK AND TOM spent the rest of the morning discussing the photo of Kurt, what it might mean, what they knew about Kurt (or more accurately what they didn’t know about him), the dead girl who went missing from Hampton Beach, Daniel’s death, and anything else that seemed even remotely connected.
    “Jack, I don’t know what else to say. Just be careful, and keep a close eye on Max. Who knows what this guy is capable of.”
    “Thanks, Tom. I will.” He was about to walk out of Tom’s office when he turned back and asked, “Can I use your phone? I left mine in the truck.”
    “Sure.” Tom turned the phone so it faced the front of his desk.
    Jack dialed and after listening a moment he said, “It’s me. I’ll be back soon. Nothing important. Bye.” Then he hung up the phone.
    “Max?” asked Tom.
    “Yeah. She wasn’t there. She’s probably out with Patti.” His nonchalance didn’t fool Tom.
    “You’re worried, aren’t you?”
    “Hard not to be. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.” With that he turned and walked out, leaving Tom shaking his head.
    * * *
    By the time Jack pulled into his drive, the sun was nearly at its zenith and the day was perfect. A light breeze was blowing off the water, which tempered the warmth of the sun. As he crossed Courtney’s yard, he looked up and saw only a few scattered puffy clouds in an azure sky. Cat sauntered across the grass, talking softly as she greeted him.
    “Hey, Cat,” he said as he squatted down to scratch her head. As soon as he touched her, she flopped onto the ground, mrowed softly, and scrinched her eyes shut. He rubbed her belly and she began to knead with her paws, totally content. He marveled at how she could be so relaxed without a care in the world and he felt a twinge of jealousy. He smiled. “Okay, Cat, I can’t spend my whole afternoon lazing about like you. I need some lunch and then I’ve got things to do.” When he stood, she lifted her head, opened her eyes, looked at him, stretched, and then mrowed once as if to say “Okay.” With that, she closed her eyes and put her head down, making no effort to get up.
    As Jack opened the door,