Sixth Sense (A Psychic Crystal Mystery) by Marilyn Baron Page B

are geniuses? That serial killers have to be smart to be sadistic?”
    Commander Jones frowned at Jack, fidgeted, and rubbed his chin. “That’s not it at all. Certainly he’s capable, physically. He’s strong as an ox, like yourself, but he’s privileged. He wouldn’t get his hands dirty. He could have any woman in town, if he wanted. He’s Sydney’s most eligible bachelor.”
    “Just because a person is rich doesn’t mean he can’t be a sick bastard,” Jack countered. “Maybe if we paid the Lord Mayor a visit, we could let Kate meet this Taylor person and see for herself if she gets any kind of vibe or strange feeling.”
    “I’m afraid that would be quite out of the question,” Commander Jones objected, raising his voice. “We can’t just walk into the Lord Mayor’s home and arrest his son on a feeling. We need hard evidence.”
    “How can we gather evidence if we can’t see where the suspect lives?” Jack said.
    “He’s not the suspect,” the Commander repeated.
    “Yet,” said Jack. “I’m not telling you how to do your job, but—”
    “It certainly sounds that way.”
    “Where does the Lord Mayor live?” Jack asked.
    “The Lord Mayor and his son live in inner-city Redfern in a converted warehouse. Very upscale. In fact, they’re having a party there right now. My boss is one of the guests.”
    “Then get him on the phone,” Jack pressed.
    “That’s out of the question.”
    “Just find out if the son’s at the party. Kate and I could go over there. He doesn’t know either of us.”
    “On what pretense?”
    “You could get us invited.”
    “On a fishing expedition?”
    Jack pulled on his beard. “We’d need a warrant to search the place.”
    “That’s harassment. We don’t know that the boy is even involved.” Commander Jones pulled a handkerchief out of his pants pocket and wiped the beads of perspiration from his forehead. “It could cost me my job if we’re wrong.”
    “And it could cost a girl her life if Kate’s right.”
    “We’d be getting a search warrant based on a hunch,” the commander argued.
    Jack pulled the commander aside, out of Katherine’s hearing range. “Look, I was the first one to think Crystal Ball Kate was a fake. But you saw her in there. What if she’s right? Are you willing to gamble on a young girl’s life? The papers will crucify you if we lose another one.” Like they did to me .
    Commander Jones appeared to consider Jack’s position. “I suppose I could get a warrant to keep in my back pocket and drive to his house on an urgent matter I need to discuss with the boss. Then you and Miss Crystal can have a look around. If you find something, don’t be a hero. I’ll send some squad cars over for backup.”
    “How far away is this warehouse?” Jack inquired.
    “Not far from here. We’ll take my car,” Commander Jones said, barking orders as he flew into action, alerting his team, calling the judge about a warrant.
    “Come on Kate,” Jack said, taking her hand and leading her out of the station as they followed the commander to his car. “Let’s go catch a killer.”

Chapter Six
    Catch a killer? The reality of what she was up against hit her like a sharp slap in the face. She had no experience with crime or criminals. Jack Hale was right. She was out of her league. She wished she were anywhere but in the back seat of an unmarked squad car, sitting next to the macho cop who had absolutely no confidence in her abilities, hurtling her way into the dead of night to hunt down a serial killer.
    “No sirens,” instructed Commander Jones to his team over the radio, slowing the unmarked car as he approached the vicinity of the Lord Mayor’s home. He pulled into the driveway and ordered the valet to make sure his car was accessible.
    Jack, Katherine, and the commander got out of the car and approached a woman holding a clipboard in front of an open door.
    “Michael Jones to see Chief Commissioner Williams on urgent business,”