Bumpus woofed for attention so Molly paraded him, allowing me to catch Betsy up with what was happening.
"Martha didn't run home and relate to Quinn what you told her?" she asked.
"His cell phone was off," I answered. I then told her I'd called Brennan.
She agreed it was time to beseech the former FBI agent for help. I knew she remained frightened and I sensed his knowledge of the apparent closeness of the Delabama killer gave at least a modicum of comfort.
"You realize that might mean identifying ourselves," I told her.
She nodded. "If this monster is truly stalking us, it's worth the risk of being more forward with Mr. Brennan. He hasn't given us any reason to distrust him. Where else could we turn without admitting everything we've done, and are still doing?" qqq
"It may simply be someone trying to locate Howie, but not intending to harm him or anyone," I said, no truly believing what I said.
"Howie always has the option of quitting and denying he's the tipster if someone comes close to revealing him. He's never spoken on the phone; it's only Julie's word and I'm sure she'd retract anything she said earlier."
We were startled by the ring of my cell phone. A full hour hadn't passed so I hoped it wasn't Daniel Brennan with Molly due back any moment. I answered, to Quinn's cherry voice.
"Forget Vermont. We think it was some local. Yeah, he was on a bike but it wasn't electric. He wore a pulled up hoodie, but he was taller than our guy and Howie thought he was younger. Howie didn't get a good look at him because the girl's scream and the father must have scared the shit out of him. He peddled off like Lance Armstrong." I was as relieved as a school kid passing a final.
"What about Julie's break in?" I asked when I'd caught my breath.
"We don't know when it happened so we tried twice to hit the time and struck out and called it quits. Howie is kind of tired and the old lady, his mother, isn't doing well."
"Quinn . . ."
"We didn't get around to the other one; the newspaper lady."
"Quinn, I really want you to try again. It would make some people feel much safer." I hoped he could read the tone of my voice. I looked up to see Molly and Bumpus approaching.
"Seriously? It's gonna take some time. I'd rather be . . ."
"Quinn, consider it a personal favor . . . from the guy you appointed boss." Before he could respond I asked if Julie was nearby. He mumbled she was in the next room. I passed the phone to Molly who'd just arrived. Betsy and I moved away to give mother and daughter space. Bumpus followed, slapping our legs with his tail.