Chapter 27

Julius Leech's house was a four-story brownstone on Beacon Street that had neat black shutters and a glossy black front door with an ornate brass lion head knocker.

"This guy Delaware gets to live in Leech's house while his boss gets an eight-by-ten concrete cell for the rest of his life? And Leech pays the guy to do it? Nice life if you can get it." Though Aaron couldn't imagine reporting to a man he despised.

"Leech needs someone on the outside he can trust to manage his properties."

"Why not simply sell up?"

"Another of those ‘old money' habits—holding on to property. Plus, the man has a billion dollars in hedge funds and financial investments. Even after he was made to pay damages to the victims' families in civil court, it barely dented his holdings. He doesn't need the money so why would he sell the house he considers his home?"

"Hanging on to the illusion he might have a life to go back to one day?"

"Exactly." Frazer nodded.

Aaron eyed the well-kept building. "I can't see this Delaware character doing anything to jeopardize living this luxury lifestyle on someone else's dime."

"And therein lies his problem. I suspect Delaware doesn't much want to join his boss in prison, so if he aids Leech's continued evasion of the authorities, it could end badly for him."

"But giving Leech up to the authorities would mean he'd probably lose his cushy job. He's stuck between a rock and a hard place."

"Let's see what happens when we squeeze." Frazer stepped forward and knocked on the door.

"Is this the same house where Detectives Monroe and Harper interviewed Leech after the second double-homicide?"

"Correct. Leech's Maserati was spotted near both murder locations, and the detectives followed up."

"Unbelievable."

"They were convinced Leech was their guy after he held on to a letter opener during their questioning. But every piece of evidence that linked the crimes to Leech was circumstantial."

"You don't think he was innocent?" Aaron couldn't disguise his incredulity.

Frazer's gaze was flinty. "Leech is a killer. I just don't know if he acted alone."

Aaron frowned. The door opened to a lanky man with sandy blond hair cut in a short, conservative style. He had tanned skin and a bright white smile. His blue eyes widened. "Can I help you?"

"Mr. Delaware?" Frazer flashed his badge.

"Ah, the FBI. I've been expecting a visit since news of the accident."

Accident was an interesting term to describe the circumstances.

"May we come in?"

Aaron followed Frazer inside and looked around the grand foyer with its black and white checkered marble floor.

"No one's been to see you?" Frazer said.

"A US Marshal came by on Monday night. Told me to call if Mr. Leech made contact, but unfortunately, I haven't heard from my employer." Delaware led the way into a large room with all white walls and dark furniture that created an otherworldly decor. Delaware sat behind the desk that was placed in front of an ornate cast-iron fireplace with a white marble mantel, a fire burning in the grate.

"Would you have expected him to contact you in an event such as this?"

Delaware steepled his fingers. "I would, yes. I'm sure he's confused and scared after what appears to be a terrible vehicular crash."

So, they were going with a dazed and confused defense? Might have worked if Leech hadn't murdered Sylvie Pomerol and Bart Tranter in their home night before last—assuming Delaware wasn't another member of the tinfoil-hat brigade.

"You believe he's still alive?" asked Frazer.

Blake Delaware clasped his hands together. "I certainly hope so."

Aaron checked out some of the fine antiques dotted around the room, probably worth a small fortune. Of course, he hoped so.

"Would you call yourselves friends?" Frazer sat in an uncomfortable-looking chair.

"I wouldn't presume to call myself a friend of my employer, but we've worked closely together for many years. We are certainly friendly."

"I remember at the first trial, you looked almost disappointed when Leech was released."

"Ah. I thought your face was familiar. The profiler from the Behavioral Analysis Unit." Delaware eyed Frazer differently then. "I was in shock. We all were. Joyous shock, but still it came as a complete surprise for Mr. Leech to suddenly be released after having been denied bail all that time."

"He was relieved?"

Delaware looked at him with easy humor. "Wouldn't you be?"

"Certainly. He wanted his freedom?"

"More than anything."

"And yet a few hours later, Julius Leech went to Counselor Harper's home and brutally slaughtered her family."

Delaware drew himself up. "That's what he was convicted of, but he always denied it."

"He denied the other murders too."

Delaware's eyes darted to the side. "And he was acquitted of those crimes."

"Not acquitted. The case was dismissed," Frazer corrected the other man.

As far as Aaron was aware, the DA's office had never pursued anyone else for the murders.

"Where were you immediately after the trial?" asked Frazer.

"Mr. Leech told me to take the week off. I'd been in court every day and been working non-stop for months. He said he didn't need me. I was at the airport on my way to the Caribbean when I received the call about the new murders and his beating and arrest." He gave a small humorless smile. "Needless to say, the vacation was canceled."

"I'm sure you made up for it afterwards," Aaron said tightly.

"What about the night before? Where were you then?" asked Frazer.

Delaware pulled another face. "Hmm. Probably here. It was a difficult period. Most of my friends had dropped me, so I didn't spend a lot of time socializing."

"Anyone who could verify that?" Frazer asked.

"Like I said, I was alone at that time."

"No alibi."

"For what? If I'd planned to commit a crime, I would have arranged an alibi." The smile looked more strained now. The conviviality force. "I'm curious what it is you think I might have done?"

Frazer ignored the question. Aaron knew he was referring to the death of Detective Monroe. Maybe Frazer didn't like the suicide verdict any more than Aaron did. "What do you know about Julius Leech's friends?"

"Mr. Leech's friends?" Delaware stared down at the desk. "Most of the people who claimed to be his friends dropped him like a stone during the first trial."

"Not everyone though."

Delaware looked up. "No. Not everyone."

"Anyone who visited him in prison?"

Anyone who might be harboring him now?

Delaware's expression grew amused. "The FBI must have access to all this information. Why ask me?"

"We have access to names and dates. We don't know the nuances of personal relationships."

"I suppose you don't, but I don't necessarily know the nuances either. I don't know exactly who visits him in prison aside from a few people he's mentioned. Myself—I go every two weeks except in January. My wife and I?—"

"You're married?"

"Yes. We met two years ago and married a year ago this coming April."

"And she's okay with you working for a convicted serial killer?" Aaron found it hard to believe.

Delaware glanced between Aaron and Frazer. "I told her from the beginning. She was a little concerned, especially as Mr. Leech wanted me to live in his homes as part of the terms of my employment, but she came around."

This was why he was single. He didn't understand women.

"We have our own quarters." Delaware made an impatient sound. "My wife wanted to be able to decorate her own living space."

"What's to stop you living in the whole place and decorating however you want. Leech would never know."

"My integrity?" Delaware arched his brow.

"Not sure how you maintain personal integrity when working for a convicted child killer," muttered Aaron.

"You could have quit. Why didn't you?" Frazer asked Delaware who'd started to sweat.

He pursed his lips. "Is it wrong that I feel a strong sense of loyalty to my employer?"

Before they could open their mouths to reply he continued. "I know that probably seems absurd to you. Maybe he did kill those people. I saw all the circumstantial evidence the police presented—but then that one detective who'd been so vehement on the stand admitted to lying…and then killed himself. Well, it raised a lot of questions."

Had this man orchestrated Monroe's death? If so, he was a hell of an actor.

Wood cracked on the fire. Delaware jolted. "Julius Leech was never a monster to me. He was never loud or mean or violent. He was always more than generous to me and the rest of the staff. He still pays the butler and the cook, neither of whom work anymore. They both moved away, but Mr. Leech provides for them because they'd been in his employ for many years and the chances of them getting another job at their age under the circumstances… He treated everyone more than fairly."

Everyone except the people he stabbed and raped and smothered to death.

"He's obviously generous with his money," Frazer agreed.

Aaron bet Frazer would be investigating the cook and the butler next and any properties they might own.

"It's not only about the money." Delaware raised his hands and looked around. "Who else would manage his affairs? Some soulless corporation or entitled suit who doesn't mind skimming a little off the surface?"

"What does it matter if he's locked up and never getting out?" challenged Aaron.

"But he is out," Frazer said softly, "and now it matters a great deal."

Sweat beaded on Blake Delaware's temple.

"You ever skim money, Blake? Just a little here and there?" asked Aaron.

Was he scared of what his boss might do if he found out? He certainly wasn't voicing any sympathy for the victims.

Delaware shook his head but didn't meet their eyes. "Mr. Leech is more than magnanimous with regards to my salary and bonuses. Not to mention I live rent free and use his transportation wherever I want to go in the world. I save most of what I earn."

"You must be very grateful to the man," said Frazer.

"I am very grateful."

"And I suspect you'd do anything for him—and to protect your lifestyle."

Blake Delaware jutted out his chin but said nothing.

"Has Julius Leech attempted to get in contact with you?—and before you answer let me remind you that lying to a federal agent is a felony offense."

Delaware swallowed, but he wouldn't meet their eyes now. "Not as far as I am aware."

Frazer crossed his legs and appeared to admire the polish on his shoes. "Do you know a man called Graham Burns?"

"I don't think so." Delaware frowned.

Frazer reeled off the cell number. "Are you sure?"

Delaware paled. "It's not a number I recognize, but I do receive wrong number and spam calls from time to time. Who is Graham Burns?"

Frazer shrugged. "No matter. Would you mind if we searched the premises?"

Delaware put down his pen and leaned back. "Considering everything the government has put Mr. Leech through, I think he'd have many objections and want me to say, ‘get a warrant.'"

"I can talk to Hope Harper about doing exactly that."

At Hope's name Delaware's eyes narrowed, and he opened his mouth as if to say something.

"Blake?" A woman knocked on the open door and poked her head inside. "Is everything all right?"

She had curly hair and rosy cheeks.

Delaware stood. "Melissa. These men are from the FBI."

"Have you found Mr. Leech yet?" Her eyes were round, and she sucked in her lips.

"Mrs. Delaware?" Frazer stood and shook her hand as he introduced himself. "We offered to conduct a search of the premises, but your husband wants us to get a warrant."

Her hand went to the front of her neck where a chunky gold necklace rested. "You don't think he's here, do you?"

"He's not here, Melissa." Delaware sounded resigned.

"Then why don't you let them search, Blake? I don't understand."

Aaron hid a smile.

"Because Mr. Leech wouldn't want me to."

Her eyes were wide and imploring. "Well, if he's not here, he won't know, will he? What harm can it do?"

Exasperated, Blake threw his hands up. "Fine. Search the place. But Julius Leech is not here, and you're wasting your time. Not to mention mine."

"And managing the affairs of a serial killer is so much more important than catching one and keeping people safe," Aaron muttered.

"Did he really murder two people yesterday?" Melissa asked.

"Technically, the day before yesterday," Frazer answered.

Melissa's eyes shot to her husband. "You swore he wasn't dangerous."

Blake's expression turned pained, and he looked away. "I don't think he is."

"Then why did the murders begin again after he got out of prison?" she asked.

Finally, a person who was logical and not blinded by Leech's polite manners and endless supply of cash.

"I can't say."

"Can't or won't?" Aaron poked.

Melissa's frightened gaze shot to her husband. He stood and walked over to her. Took her hands in his. "Julius Leech isn't a fool. Why would he come here when he knows the FBI will be questioning me and watching the place?"

She bit her lip again. "I would feel safer after having the FBI look around. Just in case."

"Of course." He clasped her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. "Shall we start from the top and work our way down? Or from the ground floor up?"

"Let's do ground up." Aaron swept his gaze over the room. No hiding places. "And if you two could stay here?—"

"But—"

"Less chance of someone being accidentally shot that way." Frazer smiled cheerfully.

Melissa grabbed her husband's hand. "We'll stay here until you're finished. There's a garage and a pool house."

Blake's expression grew pissed. "Any damage, and I will be billing you. Trust me, you can't afford to break anything in this house."

Aaron and Frazer left the room.

"Ever get the feeling some people value property more than human life?"

Frazer smiled. "Every damned day."

They cleared the Delawares' apartment first, a cozy two bedroom with a large kitchen and comfy living room. But it struck Aaron that they were more caretakers of a museum than living in a real home.

They were quick but thorough as they worked their way through the outside buildings that were largely empty, the enormous kitchen, dining room, up the stairs to an informal den/library combo that Aaron wanted for his own. They reached what had to be the master bedroom on the third floor.

Aaron and Frazer checked the giant walk-in closet. It was weird seeing all Leech's clothes hanging there, neatly pressed. Not a lick of dust anywhere.

"It's as if they're expecting him back any moment." Aaron shook his head.

"A week ago, I'd have said that's a preposterous idea. Now I'm not so sure."

"Do you think he's here?" The guy could have some sort of bolt hole in a wall or floor like a miniature safe room. In a house this size, it would be almost impossible to find without the right gadgets.

"Mrs. Delaware didn't look too excited at the prospect of her husband's boss coming home."

"I can't say I blame her."

Frazer felt along the walls as if looking for a secret compartment. Aaron checked out the massive en suite bathroom with its huge whirlpool tub and walk-in shower.

"I don't understand." Aaron checked out of the window at the back of the property with its narrow garden and pool. "I mean, really don't understand. The guy has got everything he could ever want, and he sacrifices it all because he gets a taste for killing?"

Frazer quirked a brow as they moved to the next room. A guest bedroom. The bed was stripped.

"Murder has never been restricted to the poor or needy."

Aaron frowned. "I didn't mean to suggest it was. Just the guy had everything money could buy. Why couldn't he be satisfied?"

"He didn't have what mattered the most."

"What was that?"

"He didn't have someone who loved him."

Aaron's chest tightened. "So he started killing? Because people didn't love him enough despite his obscene wealth?"

"I think he started to kill because the victims represented his parents in some way—and they hadn't loved him enough not to murder one another."

"And once he started, he couldn't stop?"

"Some people get a taste for it." Frazer shrugged. "It's why I have a job."

They cleared the rest of the house including an attic that was as clean and spotless as everywhere else. They headed down the beautifully crafted stairs and heard raised voices coming from inside the office.

"Trouble in paradise?" Aaron suggested.

"Apparently."

Melissa Delaware opened the door and stormed into the foyer. She spotted them and stopped abruptly.

"The house is clear, Mrs. Delaware."

She crossed her arms high over her chest. "Call me Melissa. And, thank you."

Blake Delaware came to the office door, looking harried. "No one hiding in the attic?" His tone was sarcastic.

Frazer ignored him. "What happens if Leech dies?"

Blake shook his head as if to clear it. "I assume I will have to find a new employer, although I'd be in no rush."

Melissa put a hand over her abdomen. "We're expecting a baby. Blake will have plenty of things to keep him busy with or without running Mr. Leech's affairs."

"Does Julius Leech know about the baby?" asked Frazer.

"No one knows." Blake pursed his lips and shook his head. "It's early days. We haven't even told our families yet."

Melissa Delaware's lips pinched with worry.

Frazer nodded. "Who holds the will?"

"That is held by Beasley, Waterman, Vander and Company."

"Do you know what's in it?"

Delaware shook his head.

Frazer stared at him for another long moment. "Get in touch with us the moment you hear from Leech. Aiding and abetting an escaped convict will earn you prison time, and that certainly won't look good on your resumé or be good for your baby."

Delaware nodded, but his eyes didn't connect with theirs, and his wife's face looked stricken.

Aaron rolled his shoulders as they left the house. "Why do I feel like I need a shower?"

"Because you have a rigid moral code and a fixed idea of right and wrong. The idea of working for a man who has murdered ten people in cold blood is abhorrent to you."

"And not to you?" Aaron scoffed.

They walked toward the shiny Beemer. "Some might argue working for the US government is no better."

"Come on. That's not the same thing."

Frazer smiled. "If you say so."

"Would you honestly be employed by someone you know is a stone-cold killer?" Aaron frowned up at the heavy clouds.

"I would never work for a man like Leech, and I can't see leaving my current employer for a few years yet—assuming they want to keep me." Frazer's eyes were icy cool as they met his across the top of the car. "Satisfied?"

Aaron grunted.

"Maybe you should ask yourself why you are so offended by me observing you have a rigid moral code and a fixed idea of right and wrong."

"I wasn't offended." Aaron climbed into the vehicle, appreciating the heated seats. But perhaps he was lying. "I guess I don't want to be seen as boring or incapable of nuance."

"Are you boring and incapable of nuance?"

"No."

Frazer stared at him. "Whatever she did to you, you have to know that she was the problem, not you."

Aaron grunted again, hating that the profiler knew too much about him.

Frazer smiled, and Aaron realized the other man had neatly deflected the conversation away from himself and his own "nuances."

Aaron's phone buzzed, and he pulled it out of his pocket. "Uh-oh, I need to get back to the courthouse."