Читать книгу Copycat - Erica Spindler, Erica Spindler - Страница 25

Friday, March 10, 2006 4:20 p.m.

Julie Entzel’s mother was still in her bathrobe and bed slippers when she answered the door. When she saw them, a look of fear came into her eyes, followed by one of hope.

“Have you found out something?” she asked.

“Nothing definite yet,” M.C. said gently. “We wanted to ask you a few more questions.”

Margie Entzel looked crushed. She nodded and wordlessly opened the door wider. She shuffled deeper into the house, to a small family room. The television was on. The Weather Channel.

She picked up the remote, hit Mute, then looked at them. “I like watchin’ it ‘cause I don’t have to think.”

Kitt murmured her understanding and leaned forward. “Mrs. Entzel, I’m Detective Lundgren. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

The woman’s throat worked; she struggled to speak. “I seen you on TV the other night. Today, I seen where another girl got killed.”

“Yes.” Kitt glanced at her partner, then back at Margie Entzel. “We are going to catch him. Soon. You can help us.”

The mother clasped her hands on her lap, expression growing determined. “How?”

“We’re trying to find a link between your daughter and the other girl who was killed. Did you know her or the family?”

She shook her head that she didn’t. They ran through the list of possible places their paths intersected: school, church, pediatrician, the places they shopped, restaurants they frequented. M.C. took notes while Kitt listened and prodded the mother’s memory.

“Any out-of-the-ordinary stops or events in the past few months?”

Margie Entzel thought, expression tight with effort. “Girls’ softball tryouts. My uncle Edward’s seventieth birthday … Julie’s birthday party.”

“When was that?”

“Her birthday was January 21. It was a Saturday. She was so … excited to be having her party on her birthday. That doesn’t happen that … often.”

Marianne Vest’s tenth birthday had been in February.

Kitt glanced at M.C. She hadn’t made the connection yet.

“You had a party for her? Where?”

She plucked a tissue from the box and dabbed her eyes. “The Fun Zone. She loved it there.”

This time M.C. looked at Kitt. Kitt sent her the slightest nod, which she returned. M.C. closed her notebook and stood. “We’ll talk to the other girl’s family, cross-reference this list. Hopefully, something will intersect.”

Kitt stood and held out her hand. “Thank you, Mrs. Entzel. We’ll be in touch.”

Margie Entzel took her hand. Hers was damp. “I wish I could have helped more,” she said.

“You helped more than you know. If you think of anything else, don’t hesitate to call.”

They waited until they were in the car to speak. Kitt started the car, then looked at M.C. “Julie Entzel’s birthday was in January, Marianne Vest’s in February. Coincidence?”

“I bet not. Or maybe I should say, I hope not.”

Within the hour, their hunch proved correct. Marianne Vest had also had her tenth birthday party at the Fun Zone.