"Can't we at least try?" Betsy was beside herself with frustration when she heard what mayhem our nemesis had wrought. The rest of us were equally distraught, especially Howie.
With so many problems pending, I desperately needed time to think things through. Between Howie's bold pronouncement, and what seemed like attacks on all quarters, I knew strong decisions were imperative and I was the problem solver in residence.
"Go ahead," I said. "Give it a shot. Catching this bastard is goal-one considering the havoc he is wrecking. Just give me some space. I have some phone calls to make."
Quinn, Martha and especially Betsy looked perturbed at me for not updating them on my tete-a-tete with Howie but that could wait. I needed council before I treed that bear at our door. The four trudged down stairs with Betsy bringing up the rear. She turned my way with a scowl as she followed.
I immediately telephoned Merrill Cooms. It took me thirty minutes to convey all that was happening. I'm sure he could read the frustration in my voice. I finished my discourse with a request for words of wisdom.
"Let's take it one at a time," said our benefactor. "I feel terrible about the woman who was murdered. I presume it will be tied to the call center eventually. I'll start a scholarship in her name, as a hero of the tip line, which she was. It's the least I can do."
"Once again, your generosity blows my mind," I said. "It's beyond words." He ignored my compliment and moved ahead.
"Warning that Boston woman sounds prudent, though I'm not sure she has a clue to finding the so-called Psychic tipster. She certainly is adapting her career to documenting his or her works and doing a good job of it as far as I can see."
"Perhaps you should exercise caution yourself, Mr. Cooms. This killer seems to demonstrate amazing ingenuity." I couldn't hazard a guess how the killer might trace our friend but he'd certainly displayed amazing ingenuity in the past.
"I dear say I'm amply protected. My security system is top notch though I've had little need to utilize it. This newspaper woman, however, may not suspect she's in danger."
"I plan to warn her but there's another matter. You once mentioned considering the dissemination of miss information. If we were to spread any false crumbs, she would be the best source."
"Narrow down the field to another pasture, so to speak?" Excellent idea! This killer of Miss Washington is your most dire threat to date. Perhaps it's time to send him down the wrong trail. At the same time you'd be leading that greedy army who are chasing the million dollar reward. It would be nice to see Uncle Sam's grasping dogs coaxed to bay at the wrong tree as well." I agreed with Merrill Cooms to give the matter serious thought.