Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

upsetting visit, kept her awake.
    By the time she reached her office in the morning, she knew she had to seek someone else's advice and Philip was the most logical person, since she had already confided in him.
    His reaction took her by surprise.
    "Bobbi was absolutely right," he firmly pronounced. "You mustn't talk to anyone else—especially not the authorities. And considering the fact that Bobbi did threaten you, I'd avoid the women in that group from now on. You could be putting yourself in serious danger, to say nothing about the fact that you could also be implicating a lot of innocent people who could be hurt by any action you take at this point."
    He rose from his chair and came around his desk to where she was standing, too nervous to sit. When he spoke again, his voice was hushed, almost secretive. "I'm sure it didn't occur to you, but those women are not the only ones that could become suspects. If you reveal what you know, sooner or later, the investigation would turn to the loved ones who might have acted against the men on behalf of the victims."
    "What do you mean?"
    "Just for a minute, pretend you're an FBI agent, and you don't know me personally. Couldn't it be possible that I committed those murders to get revenge for you?"
    "Philip, really—"
    "Now, think about it. Everyone knows I'm totally devoted to you. I've often said I'd do anything for you. The first murder occurred shortly after you joined the Little Sister Society. Add the fact that I have no alibi for the times of either murder. It just so happens, I was home alone."
    She made a face at him. "That's ridiculous. You know Billy O'Day didn't do anything to me."
    He shrugged. "Can we prove that? Or better yet, couldn't someone suggest that I might purposely choose him to make it look like the murders had nothing to do with you?"
    "I still don't think—"
    "Then consider something else. Your father was completely irrational when I first spoke to him about you. He made threats. If the bureau started checking on your parents, what do you think they'd come up with?"
    "But he was in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the murders occurred in Washington and Philadelphia."
    "Not far enough to eliminate him as a suspect."
    "Philip, please tell me you don't really believe that Pop—"
    He touched his fingers to her lips. "Of course not. I was only making a point. Every one of the women who were hurt probably have someone in their life who would like to see those men punished. But I think you should know, I called your parents the evening Ziegler was killed, mainly to see how Bernie had taken the news of Ziegler's appointment. They weren't at their house or the restaurant. I didn't think much of it at the time, but now..." He shook his head. "Who knows what someone else would think? Please promise me, you won't try to do anything about this on your own."
    She remembered that her parents had gone away this past weekend as well. Where had her father said? The Poconos. Perhaps an hour's drive from Philadelphia. She shook her head and wondered how she could even think of such a thing.
    Considering all the complications Philip had brought up made her more confused than she already was, but she reluctantly gave him her promise not to do anything that would put herself or her loved ones at risk. To herself she amended, until I can reach David.
    David would never advise her to do nothing. She didn't have the nerve to act on her own, but surely he would offer support and advise her of the wisest course to take. She only hoped she hadn't waited too long to turn to him for help.

Chapter 16

    Jerry Frampton reread the article on the front page of his morning newspaper. It said a lot about Billy O'Day's career, but very little about how he died. The little it did say, however, combined with what he knew was enough to make him suspicious.
    He had thought it was terribly ironic that Tim was killed right after he was vindicated by the Senate committee and got the appointment he'd wanted so badly. It hadn't occurred to Jerry that Cheryl Wallace could have anything to do with that murder. He figured, after the embarrassment of the hearing, she would have no choice but to crawl back into her hole and never come out again.
    But now, with O'Day being what the news called "butchered in a manner similar to the murder of Senator Ziegler," Jerry was not so sure about Wallace's forfeit of the game. It could be that she had decided to change the rules.
    Considering the time between his