Across State Lines

by C. J. Johnson

  “Okay, sounds good. I’ll get you the warrants to walk through for Tubby and William. I’ll wait to hear from you regarding Corey.”

  Frankie stood to leave.

  “Wait, are you the one working on Alexandre Kristof?”

  “Yes, my partner and I have been working on it,” Frankie said.

  “What’s your gut feeling on that one?”

  Chapter 86

  Frankie sat back down and decided she’d see what this prosecutor was made of. She explained to Sam how she and Mia first learned of Kristof, then explained the details of the search warrant, photographs, and videos. She saved the underage girls for last.

  “Julia had started dancing at the Shady Lady but had not started doing private parties. They hadn’t initiated Emma yet. And I’m pretty sure Kristof is connected to a series of homicides involving young women who all have a rose tattoo on their wrist.”

  “Similar to Heather and Julia?”

  Sam had been listening.

  “Yep. Julia only had a rose stem, but according to Tessa, it’s because she

  had not been fully turned out. The rosebud comes later.”

  “Tessa is the one in jail, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, I’m going to go through the file again. I feel like it may have been under-charged. Did anything come back on the liquid in the rum bottle?”

  It dawned on Frankie she had not seen the results yet.

  “I don’t know. I’ll email the lab tonight. If it’s not GHB, I’ll be surprised.”

  “That’s what I was thinking too, but it’s possible GHB wasn’t what he used. I worked on a case in Philly where the guy was using liquid Benadryl, like what you’d carry on an ambulance. He drugged over twenty women before he was apprehended in Idaho.”

  “Really? Did he get prosecuted?”

  “Yep. He will be in prison for the rest of his life.”

  “Nice. Do you have the photographs from Kristof’s case file?”

  Sam grabbed a binder and flipped it open to a section labeled “Photographs.”

  “What are you looking for?”

  “I’m not sure, but I’ll know it when I see it. There’s a nagging in the back of my memory. Something I saw but did not realize at the time was important,” Frankie scanned the photographs. “Wait, there it is.”

  Frankie pointed at vials in the small refrigerator by the pool. Frankie had seen the same vials in the refrigerator in the kitchen.

  “Please tell me you recovered these,” Sam stated.

  “I’m pretty sure we took everything from the bar fridge, but we did not take the ones from the kitchen. I guess we assumed he was diabetic, and that was his insulin.”

  “Is he diabetic?”

  “I’m not sure. I can check with the jail. They should know.”

  “Okay and see if you can get Keeley back in for an interview. She would know if he was diabetic and maybe she will be willing to submit to a hair follicle test. Does she have long or short hair?”

  “It’s pretty long.”

  “Good. How soon do you think you can set up an interview with her? I’d like to sit in.”

  Frankie wasn’t sure she’d ever had a prosecutor want to sit in on an interview. This was new territory for her. It was obvious this woman wanted to work as a team.

  “Let me call her now. When’s good for you?”

  “Is tonight too soon?”

  “Not for me. We have a full squad working, so we should be good to go.”

  “Good. Let’s see if she can come down tonight.”

  Chapter 87

  “Keeley, my name is Samantha Ryan. I’m the prosecutor assigned to your case. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us tonight.”

  “Sure. I don’t understand. I mean, Alexandre has been charged, right? Is he still in jail? Why did you need to talk to me again?”

  Frankie sensed Keeley was nervous, but before she could say anything, Sam said, “You are correct. He’s been charged and he is still in jail. But I think there is more that we can do. Would you mind answering a few more questions for us?”

  “Sure.”

  “What can you tell us about Alexandre’s health?” Sam asked.

  With a puzzled expression, Keeley asked, “What do you mean?”

  “Were you aware of him taking any medications or having a chronic illness?”

  “Not that I know of. He seemed to be in good shape. We’ve been dating for a while and I don’t even remember him going to the doctor.”

  “Did he ever mention having any allergies?

  Frankie noticed Sam asked questions that did not immediately give away the reason she was asking. She could have asked if Alexandre required insulin or took Benadryl, but instead, she left the questions open.

  “I think he was allergic to cats. Or at least that was the excuse he gave for not coming to my house. I don’t think he took any allergy medication, though.”

  “Did he ever tell you he needed insulin or that he ever took Benadryl?”

  “No. And I would have remembered the insulin for sure. Why are you asking?”

  Frankie pulled out the photo of the outdoor refrigerator and laid it on the table in front of Keeley. She pointed at the bottles in the door and asked, “Do you have any idea what these bottles might contain?”

  Keeley shook her head.

  Sam softened her voice and asked, “Have you ever heard of a hair follicle test for drugs?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Basically, we would have a lab technician collect hair samples from you and have it tested for drugs.”

  “I don’t use drugs.”

  “We understand. But it’s possible drugs were used on you.”

  Sam and Frankie waited while the information sunk in.

  Keeley exhaled loudly and said, “What do you need me to do?”

  Frankie provided directions to Keeley than, almost as an afterthought asked, “Were you at the 4th of July party last summer?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Do you remember a girl named Candi being there? Or being in a hot tub with her?”

  Keeley gave the question some thought before shrugging her shoulders.

  “Do you remember being in the hot tub after everyone else left?

  “I don’t remember much. After everyone left, Alexandre handed me a glass of a new red blend he was trying out. We got into the hot tub alone. I don’t remember anything else until the next morning. I guess I had more to drink than I realized.”

  Chapter 88

  Frankie, Mia, and Sam sat in the squad room after Keeley left. They discussed the case and what would happen next. Frankie looked at the clock only to find it was after 10 PM. She was about to ask if Sam and Mia wanted to grab a beer when the phone rang.

  “It’s probably just Killer.”

  “Killer?” Sam asked.

  Frankie could hear Mia explaining the reporter and his nickname as she answered the phone.

  “Okay. Yeah, come to 4, and I’ll give you a May-I.” Frankie disconnected the call and said, “Guess who they are bringing in?”

  “No way,” Mia said.

  “Yep. Mac and Payne found Corey on 69th and Askew. Apparently, he was hiding out at his grandmother’s house. Of course, grandma had no idea he was there.”

  “Of course not.”

  Frankie looked to Mia and said, “Do you want to stay? I can handle this if you want to go home and spend time with Erik.”

  “And miss this? No way. He’s the final piece to the puzzle.”

  “Good, you know I appreciate….”

  “Mind if I stick around and watch?” Sam interrupted.

  “Unless he invokes, we will probably be in there 3 or 4 hours.”

  “I don’t mind if you don’t,” Sam said with a smile.

  Frankie nodded.

  Thirty minutes later, she and Mia were inside the interview room asking Corey basic biographical questions, attempting to build a rapport. Frankie was treading ligh
tly at first, not wanting him to invoke his right to an attorney before giving them something they could work with.

  Once the small talk had run dry, Frankie pulled out a photograph of Heather and asked Corey if he recognized the girl.

  “I think she might have been at a party I was at.”

  The questions and answers were benign at first. Do you know her? When was the last time you saw her? I saw her at a party. The day after the party. No, I didn’t have sex with her. No, I never laid a hand on her. She drove us back to the block and that was it.

  It never ceased to amaze Frankie that criminals could be so stupid. Did Corey really think she didn’t have the answers to the questions she asked? Frankie let him lock himself into his lies. That would do nothing but work in their favor.

  Once Frankie had him locked into this story, she brought out the photograph of Heather after the kidnapping.

  “Corey, how did this happen?”

  Corey’s legs, which were stretched out in front of his body, began to bounce lightly. He tapped his hands on his knees and said, “How the hell do I know?”

  Frankie and Mia questioned Corey further, challenging his answers until he finally admitted to slapping her with an open hand.

  “Corey, those black eyes didn’t come from an open hand. Why did you hit her in the face? I mean, what could she have done that pissed you off that badly?”

  Corey pulled his body up into a full, seated position. His face contorted in anger. The slight bounce in his leg became more fervent. Finally, Corey slammed his hand onto the table and said, “The bitch had it coming.”

  Chapter 89

  Frankie jumped slightly, hoping Corey didn’t notice. She wasn’t expecting Corey’s sudden outburst of anger. Her eyes stayed fixed on his face. Her expression was unwavering.

  “That girl told us she’d take us back to the block after the party. Bitch didn’t keep her word, so when she finally showed back up, I was mad. I had stuffs to do and she messed it up.”

  Frankie wanted to know what he had to do that was so important and made him so mad but waited. Somehow, she knew if she just let him talk, he’d take them there. Frankie let silence fall over the room, and eventually, Corey began to talk again.

  “That girl came to the door like she ain’t done nothin’ wrong. She sure was surprised to see me though. That look on her face,” Corey smirked. “I wiped it right off. She didn’t know what was comin’. She started begging me. Said she’d do whatever I wanted. She was sorry for not coming back.”

  “Did you take her into the bedroom?”

  Corey laughed, “Naw man, she took me into the bedroom. Like I said, she told me she’d do whatever I wanted. She was beggin’ me for it. Guess she didn’t get enough the night before.”

  “So, you are saying there was physical contact the night before?” Frankie asked.

  “What you mean, physical contact? We had sex if that’s what you mean. And it was with her content.”

  “Her content?” Mia asked.

  “Yeah, you know, she agreed to it.”

  “Okay. So she took you into the bedroom. What happened next?”

  “Man, I told you, I gave her what she wanted.”

  “Did you hit her in the bedroom?”

  “Man, I never laid a hand on that girl.”

  “What happened after you gave her what she wanted?”

  “I went out to see where Tubby was. I told you I had stuffs to do, and I was already late.”

  “But you had time to rape her?” Mia asked.

  Corey shot Mia a look. She just cocked her head as if to say, “Well?”

  “It wasn’t no rape. We had sex. Bitch had already made me late, so I gave her what she wanted.”

  “Did she follow you out of the bedroom?” Frankie asked.

  “I don’t think so. William went in and got him some, then we all left together.”

  “You were already late, but you had time to let William get some?” Mia asked.

  Corey glared at Mia as he said, “We was waitin’ on Tubby to get back.”

  “What happened when Tubby and Audrey got back?” Frankie asked.

  “We got in the car and came back to the city.”

  Frankie began asking details about who was driving and who was sitting where. Corey’s version was similar to Tubby’s, except he said Heather willingly got into the trunk.

  “We had the middle seat down, and she laid there with her head out.”

  Frankie and Mia looked at one another.

  “Tell us about going to Bruce’s house.”

  “Ain’t nothin’ to tell. We went to his house. Girl said we could use her car, and she’d hang out with him. Guess she got tired of waiting ‘cause when we went back to get her, she was gone.”

  “Do you know if Tubby was ever alone with her?”

  “I don’t know, maybe. Yeah, I think he was. That girl, I think she’s a nymphomaniac or something.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I went into the livin’ room to tell him we was leaving, and that girl was sucking his dick.”

  “Is it possible she was being forced to do that?” Frankie asked.

  “Looked to me like she was enjoying it,” Corey said.

  “Did anyone use any drugs at Bruce’s house?”

  “Naw man, ain’t none of us use drugs.”

  Frankie fought back laughter. She was pretty certain if they screened his urine it

  would tell a different story.

  “Did anyone ever put duct tape on her?”Mia asked.

  “No, nobody needed to put no duct tape on her.”

  “Why did she have duct tape on her when she got to the hospital?”

  “Man, I don’t know. Maybe Big Bruce put it on her.”

  Frankie pulled out a lab report and asked, “Says here that your fingerprints were on the duct tape that was taken from her body. DNA should be back soon as well. Any reason why your DNA will be there?”

  Chapter 90

  Corey’s story suddenly changed. Tubby put duct tape on her, but she got into the trunk on her own. He did put the seat down and gave her a drink of soda, and a few drags from his cigarette when they stopped at the gas station. When they got to Big Bruce’s house, he helped her get out of the trunk and that must be how his fingerprints (and possibly DNA) got onto the tape.

  “Did you stop by some trailers and threaten to put a shirt over her head?”

  Corey appeared to give the question some thought before answering, “That bitch would not shut her mouth. She was driving me crazy.”

  Frankie saw an in, “She does talk a lot. I mean, there’ve been a few times I wouldn’t have minded….”

  “Yeah. She was on my nerves, so I told her I was going to put a shirt over her head. I didn’t do it, though.”

  “Did you put your gun against her face and threaten to kill her? Maybe tell her you’d put her body in the Missouri River, and no one would find her?”

  Corey smirked but did not answer.

  Frankie retrieved a photograph from the second assault. She flipped it over and laid it on the table in front of Corey.

  Corey stared at the photo. His face growing ashen. Corey picked the photograph up and turned it over, pushing it away and towards Frankie.

  “What happened that day?”

  Corey mumbled to himself.

  “Why did you go to her apartment?”

  Corey mumbled something under his breath.

  “What was that? We couldn’t quite hear you.”

  “I wasn’t at her apartment.”

  “So, we won’t find your DNA on her body or your fingerprints in her apartment?”

  “Naw, I don’t think so.”

  “Did you beat and rape that girl again?” Frankie asked.

  “I ain’t been at her apartment.”

  “We talked to Tubby. We have his version of events, and now we need yours.”

  “Man, I said I wasn’t there. Now, I’m done talkin’. You can take me upstairs
.”

  “Okay. We can take you back upstairs, but I have one more question for you. What did you miss the day after the party that was so important you hurt that girl?”

  “Man I told you I. Had. Stuffs. To. Do. I had abortions to get taken care of. I needed to take my girl for an appointment and ‘cause that bitch didn’t come back she missed it. Now…” Corey stopped.

  “Now what?”

  “Now I’m gonna be put on child support and man, I ain’t got no time for that.”

  “How far along is she?”

  “I don’t know, we ain’t cool no more. She say she’s going to put me on child support, though. I don’t even think the kid’s mine. I’m gonna make her have a fraternity test or something.”

  “Do you mean paternity test?” Mia asked.

  “Yeah, that test that says if you’re the dad. That one.”

  Frankie stood up and asked, “You ready to go?”

  Chapter 91

  Frankie looked at the clock when they returned to the squad room. 2:00 AM. And Sam was still there. To herself, Frankie thought, “This girl either has no life or she’s hardcore.”

  “I need to check the state statutes, but I definitely plan to charge him. I’m going to ask for a $500,000 bond.” Sam was standing by the monitor with her designer bag slung over her shoulder. “Thank you for letting me watch. That guy is an idiot and a creep. I’m glad he gave you enough for me to charge him. Make sure you include the abortion piece in the probable cause statement. Also, don’t forget to include the lab results. Were his fingerprints really on the duct tape?”

  “Yes. We are hoping for DNA too, but it will probably be a few months before it comes back.”

  “Well, all that can do is help. Alright, I’m out. I have an 8:30 meeting, and it looks like a warrant to type. Have a good night ladies!”

  After she was certain she had left the floor, Mia asked, “Is she for real?”

  “I think so. I did a little internet search on her, and her background is pretty impressive. She’s spent her entire career prosecuting sexual assault and domestic violence cases. She’s from Pennsylvania but has published articles and done training workshops all over the country. I have no idea why she came to Kansas City, but I hope she stays. She’s a badass.”