Night Mask by William W. Johnstone

case.”
    â€œShit!” Leo cussed, which was something he did not do very often. But this case was causing him to swear more than Lani had ever heard him do.
    â€œThe judge said it isn’t against the law to change one’s name. And after reviewing the files, he further stated that since the boys had committed no crimes prior to the name change, they have every right to expect privacy. Our people are appealing.”
    â€œThat’ll take two or three years!”
    Lani shrugged her shoulders. “You know how it goes, Leo.”
    â€œLet’s get out of here, Lani. Catch a plane to Rochester first thing in the morning.”
    She reached for the phone. “I’ll make the reservations.”
    * * *
    Damn cat! the Ripper thought, inspecting the face in the mirror. It would be days before the deep claw marks would finally fade. And Denning was still alive. Damn the man! And the Ripper had learned that two county pigs, Leo Franks and Lani Prejean, were now traveling all over the country, backtracking the movements of the Longwood boys. But that little matter was going to be taken care of, very soon. Permanently. No more oinkies.
    The face in the mirror sighed in frustration. The urge to strike was building within. Strong now. Almost overpowering. It would have to be soon. If not, the Other would take control, and the Other was not nearly as cautious as conditions warranted.
    The face in the mirror smiled. Pretty Tammy would soon be added to the collection of faces, and if everything went as planned, Dick Hale would find his butt in jail, and those bad boys in lockup knew what to do with a cherry-butt like Dick.
    The face in the mirror laughed and laughed and laughed. This was such fun.
    * * *
    The Rochester detective dropped a thin file on the desk. “That’s it,” he said. “But since that happened, the remains of seven more have been found, and we think they’re all connected.”
    â€œAnd there might be seven more undiscovered around here,” Leo said.
    â€œOr seventy,” the detective said. “How’s it going with you guys?”
    â€œSlow and frustrating,” Lani said, opening the file.
    â€œAin’t it always? Take your time. Use my desk. I’ve punched up on computer what we know about the other nine. Coffee is over there.” He pointed. “The one who drains the pot makes fresh. Have fun. I got to go work a rape that will probably turn out to be an unsatisfying scrape, and now she’s got a grudge against his ass. No offense, Lani.”
    â€œNone taken. I know what you mean.” The detective walked away, and Lani and Leo looked down at the photos of the dead girl, before and after. Before was pretty and vibrant, after was awful.
    â€œLeo,” Lani said. “What does this guy do with the faces?”
    Leo looked at his doughnut. “I don’t know. You have a guess?”
    â€œHe saves some of them.”
    â€œGood God, Lani!” He laid the doughnut aside.
    â€œHe preserves them to take out and look at from time to time.”
    â€œI worry about you, Lani. I really do. You have a weird mind.”
    â€œIt’s the only explanation that makes any sense.” She closed the file. “The cops would know the person is missing. There would be a full description: age, height, weight, hair coloring, scars, and marks. He’s not trying to disguise the victim to prevent ID. He loves these faces, Leo.”
    Leo grimaced, burped, and put a paper napkin over the doughnut.
    â€œRemember what Zanetis said? Since ’72, they have discovered five more bodies in the Albany area. That’s seven over there. Eight here. I’ll bet you when we’re through, we’ll have a total of three or four hundred bodies over a twenty-year period.”
    Leo sighed and settled back in his chair. “He’s been a busy boy.”
    â€œLet’s go talk to the medical examiner.”
    â€œYes,”