Dexter: St. Bernard part 5
*************** The Plan **************
"….and what was your bid again for the extra inside work," Dexter asked?
The man he'd just spoken to was about six foot two, two hundred and ten pounds, and was none other than Lin Stiles himself.
"Well if you're wanting it insolated on the inside then that's going to be an extra two hundred," he said.
Dexter took out a pen and wrote the amount spoken on a note pad. Of course he had no real concern about having a storage shed constructed, this was just a ploy….A way to get Mr. Stiles in a face to face meeting.
"He's average looking….but he's bigger than I am," Dexter thought to himself, "but not as fit. Probably does most his hunting from a deer stand."
Dexter was sizing-up Lin Stiles. It was always good to get a look at your opponent before you make a move. Get an idea of what you may be up against (should things turn south or your quarry become violent. This wasn't his first rodeo).
Anyway, Dexter usually drugged his target with a needle and a small dose of "Etorphine" to make certain he'd taken the fight out of them. In this way he could control the situation. However, he had to factor in everything. Which also included "Murphy's Law". The presumption that if something can go wrong….it will. Something unplanned. It had happened in his past. Anyway, what if the altercation turned physical?
"So, how's he look bro, do you think you could take him? He is bigger than you."
Deb was back.
"Oh I think so," he answered his sister out loud.
"What was that," Stiles asked?
Dexter looked up from writing on his pad.
"I was just thinking out loud." Dexter answered. "This is doable. I only need to check my finances first though. See if I have the funds available to get this thing started. Could be a while before I'm actually ready to get it done. You know….working at a fish and game store will never make me a rich."
"So he'd put it out there." Dexter was thinking. "The Intel that I work at a sporting goods store here in Iron Lake. The only one in town. Let's see if he takes the bait?"
"You work at Fred's?"
"Fish on the line", Dexter smiled.
"Yes, you know him?"
"Well, not personal like. I've been to his store a few times. Has a great assortment of goods. I used to live in Iron Lake….a few months back."
"Yes I know. That's why you're Mr. Stiles. Are you a killer?"
"Yeah, I got your name from a couple of the locals. They like your work. So, you enjoy wetting a hook (fishing)," Dexter asked?
"A little. But mainly I hunt…..and you?"
"The same," Dexter answered. "Hadn't had much success here lately. I guess the beasts have me registered on their radar."
"Well then, you should come to Redfield. Great hunting over there. Give me a call and maybe we can set something up."
"Just what I wanted," Dex was thinking. "A reason to be in Redfield and a good excuse to be around Lin. He just opened the door for me."
"That my friend sounds like a plan."
"Okay good," Lin replied. "Well you have my number. Give me a buzz whenever you're ready to build your shed. That is… if you want me for the job. Good to meet you Jim."
They shook hands and then the man got back into his truck. He started the engine and drove away.
"Nice to meet you too, Lin," Dexter said.
**** Appealing to Everyone's' Dark Side ****
"Don't you think that you're jumping the gun a little bit here big brother?"
Deb had returned.
"So, am I doing something wrong?"
"Well first of all you are missing the main clue."
"Oh yeah, and what might that be Deb?"
"The anonymous letter."
"Okay the letter. I know what it says, clue me in on what I haven't done yet."
"Dexter, you really are losing your edge. The letter was sent by someone who knows who you're looking for. Maybe it's someone who has a personal relationship with the perpetrator. Find the person who sent the letter and they will lead you to your culprit. Right now you're just throwing darts in the dark. What if Stiles isn't your guy? Going this route could take you a long time to get anywhere. And taking a long time means allowing whoever it is to do more harm."
She was right again.
"That was true. Tiptoeing around like he was doing could take him weeks….or even months to get where he wanted to be. Finding out who sent the letter would be like knocking on the perpetrator's door on his house."
"So, you're helping me now?"
"In your dreams. But I can't let you do it alone. Not if you're determined to stop this," she answered. "Once this guy gets found, whoever he may be, we can get back to log cabin life. Well, you can, I'll just be there to keep you on the path of the straight and narrow," she laughed.
"So find the sender of that letter and it's possible that I'll find my guy. But what if it is Lin, a married man with kids?"
"So, what does that have to do with anything? Being married and having kids….like that would keep a fellow from being a serial killer? Com'mon Dex, use your head."
"No, I'm sure that it wouldn't. Killers come in all shapes and sizes….and different backgrounds. I guess I just happen to appeal to everyone's dark side."
"Said by one who truly has one of the darkest," Debra reminded him.
Dexter smiled. He loved his sister.
****** Rendezvous with the Evidence ******
"So the letter," Dexter was thinking. "I need to get a look at it…up close and personal like. And to do that I'll need to go to the station after work. Maybe get into Angela's office and do a little snooping."
If there was one thing slack about the Iron Lake police department (although there were several) it was that they were sloppy. Which in this case worked out well for him. Not the best organized place in town. Rather average….one might say.
Papers laying around, reports needing to be filed. Teddy and Esther always seemed to be a little behind on this duty. Could be that the letter was still in Angela's office. Just lying around somewhere. Or tucked into her desk drawer. He needed to find out. He gave Chief Bishop a call on her cell.
"Hey Angela, I think I may have left something in your office the other day. Mind if I swing by after work?"
"Go ahead Jim. I won't be there. I have a parent/teacher meeting this afternoon with Tess."
"Perfect," Dexter thought.
"Okay, is everything alright with Audrey?"
"Yeah, it's just an annual conference. An update on how she's doing. Nothing out of the ordinary."
"Good, see you later then."
"Sure, bye."
"Bye."
"So, I'll have the office to myself, great. I'll just have to keep an eye out for Teddy, Esther, and Login….if he's around," Dexter's lips turned into that half-smile he sometimes had. "Not that hard to do. Did I say that I love this town?" He grinned.
End Part 5