Doyle called Monday evening, wanting to meet Tuesday morning. I told him I couldn't. I had a series of test scheduled at Robert Wood on Tuesday and wouldn't be available. Especially since the 10:30 test was a Dobutamine Stress Test which usually wipes me out.
We agreed to meet at 11:30 this morning at Merrill Park, in the first parking area on the right.
As it turned out, the Stress Test took 2 hours, but went well.
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I was up and out early. It was cold, but the sun was out and I was feeling good.
I've been on a dry streak lately. It happens sometimes. Some days there are no opportunities. Some days there are, but other factors enter in. These can be definable - like being too close to a potentially populated area or a person/car suddenly appears in the distance. These can also be undefinable - just a sense that there's something that could go wrong.
And there are my rules. I leave people on phones or people walking dogs alone.
And, to be honest, I've noticed an increased police presence in the various towns that I drive through.
Anyway, I headed up Rahway and turned onto Freeman. Up ahead was the dip in the road under the train tracks. That's where I saw this woman.
This is the same spot that I'd had my first Event, on foot, years ago. I lowered the passenger side window while looking around. We were on our own.
Point, press, Flash.
I continued on towards St. George Avenue, stopping at Shoprite to see what was on sale. I picked up some stuff, went home to drop them off, and headed to Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast.
I stopped at a couple of libraries and bought some sale books that looked interesting, including one that is autographed by the author. That's a pretty exciting find. I hope the book is good.
I stopped at my favorite thrift store and got three pairs of brand name sweat pants for $12. In this kind of weather, I wear them around the house and to bed.
after that stop, I headed towards the park. I got there around 11:15. Of course, Doyle was already there, sitting at one of the picnic tables facing the lot. I parked and walked over. He was drinking a coffee, and there was an extra for me. He stood, and we shook hands.
"It's been a while. How're ya doin', Denny?" He grinned, broadly.
"Good, Doyle." I couldn't help but grin back at him. "How's things with you?"
He sat down and gestured to the extra coffee as he picked up and drank from his. I did the same.
"Well, we're back to normal - if you can call anything we do normal - after the shut down, and the NSA problems have bypassed us lately, but now we have the new Secret Service vice scandal starting to pop up. I guess it's always something. So .... " He drank from his coffee, "..How'd your tests go?"
I drank from my coffee, too. After all, it was cold out here.
"I should get the blood work results in a couple of days. I don't expect a problem with the chest x-ray. I admit that I was "pre-stressed" about the Stress Test. I even arranged for my son-in-law to pick me up because I remember my reaction after the last one. But, I gotta say, it went well. I sent a text to my son-in-law not to worry and I got home on my own."
"So, what's next?"
"Well, I meet with the doctor next week for my annual checkup. Everything should be good and he'll let me know if there are any other tests he wants for this year. I'm hoping that he forgets about the colonoscopy he mentioned last year."
We both laughed at that - me not as loud.
"So, Doyle, in case you haven't noticed, it's cold out here - even with the coffee. What's up?"
"Have you noticed that there are more cops around lately, especially around here?"
"Sure I have. I was even thinking about that earlier. Does that have anything to do with this meeting?"
"Yeah, Denny, it does." He drank some more coffee, then took a deep breath. "Someone has contacted local authorities about the possibility of a serial killer operating in the area. According to what we've heard, they've been pointed to certain 'coincidences' in deaths across several townships on the same day. You know what I'm talking about, right, Denny?"
I had to agree that I did. I could feel my heart amping up. This was worse then the stress test.
"So ... what happens now? Am I in any danger? Do you know who the informant is?"
He went to touch my hand, to reassure me, but pulled back. I understood. We're guys.
"You don't have anything to worry about right now, Denny, but it's probably best that you dial things back. You know, not so many in one day, space things out, that kinda thing. And .. No .. we don't know who the informant is, but I have my suspicions."
"Who? Who is it? Who do you think it is?"
"Gordon."
One word. One name. A whole lot of questions.
"Why would he do that?"
"He'd been incredibly active up until last week, staging Events across the entire state. Almost one a day, bouncing from one county to another. Then he abruptly stopped. Our shrinks think that he has some kinda agenda. They think he was trying to attract your attention by what he's doing because he thinks we're telling you of his daily activity. They think he's trying to egg you on into some sorta competition. But you've been kinda quiet lately, so he's changed his game plan. They think that he thinks that you've gotten bored and that the increased police pressure will energize you."
We both finished our coffees, and threw the cups into the nearby trash basket. I stopped noticing the cold about 10 minutes ago.
"What should I do now, Doyle?" I tried not to sound desperate.
"Dial things back. I know you haven't been too active but, when you get out there, you tend to do multiples. Don't get me wrong, we don't want you to stop. I think Gordon is trying to bait you, but I don't think he intends to hurt you. I think he's trying to get your attention. To counter that, I think you shouldn't do more then one Event on any given day."
He stood up.
"Denny, I'm not sure what Gordon is planning. I'm not sure I trust what the shrinks are telling me. I am sure that I can count on you to do the right thing.You have so far. And we still have your back."
He looked at his watch, checked his phone, then stuck out his hand.
"I gotta go now, Denny, but don't worry ... I've given clear instructions that you be monitored around the clock." He grinned again. "You got my word on that."
I shook his hand and he got into his car and drove away.
I sat there for a while, trying to digest the whole situation, but I couldn't get my head around it and it was getting colder. I got into my car and headed out also. Then I saw this guy.
There was no one else around but ...
I drove on by. Just doing what Doyle suggested ...
dialing it back.
