by W L Knightly
“The guys might be pissed if you take them from their darts and beer, but I think the man’s life is more important.”
“I’ll drive by later, and surely, he’ll be back before too late. I’ll get some of the patrols to check in.”
“That’s a good idea. Maybe I’ll do it myself. It’s not like I have anything else to do.”
“You should go to Blue’s. Unwind a bit.”
“Are you going?” she asked. “Or will you have a date?”
“I’m sure I’ll be there alone,” he said, knowing that he would rather take a chance on seeing Jo unwind than being with Leigh. “It might be fun.”
“I don’t know. Me and alcohol are a bad mix. I’ll think about it though.” She didn’t look too enthused, and he would be shocked if she showed up.
He was still going to take a chance on her.
Chapter 16
Kyle
Kyle stood in the window of his room at the Rockford staring down into the parking lot. He lit a cigarette and smiled when Stan, who had been parked down there for most of the day, finally gave up and drove away.
He let out a long trail of smoke as he walked over and plopped down on the couch. He had a shit morning fighting with Kendra, and he had not gotten to see her since their last argument. He just loved her so much, and if he could just convince her to leave that asshole and take him for all he was worth in the process, then his own problems might go away. He wanted them to live happily ever after together, but she just couldn’t get past what she thought she’d be giving up. And she always had to point out his problems, like she wasn’t the one person who could make him a better man.
He looked down to the coffee table and then cut a line of coke, which he had already laid out since the last one. He put his cigarette down on the edge of the table and then snorted the line up his nostril, wiping the excess away with the back of his hand and then pinching his nose as he closed his eyes. “Fuck,” he said, taking a deep breath.
He raked his fingertips up his thighs and let out a grunt of satisfaction. Then he looked down at his phone as it chirped out a notification. It was dear old Dad texting him to call when he had a chance.
No time like the present. “That was fast,” said the old man when he answered.
“Well, curiosity got the best of me.” He snorted, and his voice was still a bit draggy from the drugs.
“You’re high. I can always tell when you’re doing lines.”
“Just one. I needed something to do in this boring place. Whoever said the Rockford was the place to be lied.”
“It’s a bring your own entertainment establishment. Perhaps you should give up on Kendra and get a woman who isn’t distracted by her husband.”
“Perhaps you should mind your own fucking business. Is that what you wanted? To remind me of my troubles with Kendra?”
“No, I wanted to see if you were still in town. I talked to your dealer, and he let me know all about the debt you owe Spinks. You know I’m done trying to bail you out. I’m going to release some of your money, and I want Spinks paid off with it. If you can’t handle that, I’ll do it myself.”
“I can handle it.” He smiled, knowing that he wasn’t going to give Spinks all of his money. Sure, he’d pay him some of what he owed, maybe nearly all, but he had to line his own pockets too. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Good, you can take care of Stan too. I need him to do a job for me, but since he’s in debt with you, he’s not feeling very generous.”
“What do you need Stan for?” He knew his father must have something pretty big lined up for the man.”
“I’m trying to stop Madden from his killing spree while I still have a friend left in the city.”
“What exactly has Madden been up to? Why would anyone be afraid of that guy? I just don’t get it.”
“Because you’re too self-absorbed to care about anyone but yourself.”
“I asked you to enlighten me, and you didn’t take me seriously. You never do.”
“That’s because you need to leave town and not get involved.”
“I just want to know what he’s doing. You said he’s killing people. How?”
“I’m not feeding your morbid curiosity, son. If you want to get off to true crime, turn on a fucking TV now and then. The news will tell you plenty.”
“Excuse me for being interested. You know murder has always fascinated me, and I need to know what I’m getting myself into.” He looked down and saw the cigarette had burned down into the wooden table, and he picked it up, leaving the yellow mark as he took another drag.
“You need to go home, Kyle.”
“Tell me what he does to the people he kills. You said torture, but what did you mean? Shooting kneecaps? Stabbing?”
“He’s been hanging his victims, and then he guts them. He’s already made his way through half of the people involved in getting you off, and Preston is most likely next, then us.”
“Your serious. You think Madden is going to have the balls to come for us? I’m pretty sure I can handle him.” I sure handled his wife. He could still feel the rush he got when the life faded from her eyes. Such energy was coming from her and then nothing, like her switch had been turned off. It had made his dick hard. He looked down at his boxers which were tenting in the front, and he smiled, but the blood rush was short lived as his father continued.
“You think you can handle it. I’m telling you not to worry about it. I’m going to get it taken care of.”
“That’s why you need Stan? You’re going to get him to take care of it? What about Clay? I thought he was your go-to man.” He took another drag from his cigarette and then leaned up to use the ashtray.
“Don’t worry about it, Kyle.”
“So, when I pay him, he’s going to help you?”
“Kyle, don’t fuck with this.”
“I’m not. Why would I? I told you, all I care about is getting Kendra. Once I convince her to go home with me, I’m out of here. Drop the money, and I’ll handle business.”
“Kyle, this is serious. I’m trying to give you a chance to be a man and take care of it on your own with your own money. Do the right thing.”
“Damn, you really don’t have any faith in me, do you? I said I’ve got this. Stop worrying.” He took one more drag and snuffed out the cigarette. “Drop the money, and you’ll see.”
“It’s done. I did it this morning. It should go through at four.”
He glanced over at the clock and smiled. “I’ll check it soon and make sure I take care of Stan first. I’ll let you know when it’s done.”
“Sounds good. Then get out while you can. I don’t want that asshole coming for you. When he does, don’t underestimate him, son.”
“Thanks for caring, Dad.” He smiled and hung up the phone, thinking about the fact that Bodin had taken Mathews’s job.
When he’d first learned about it, he had felt indirectly responsible for Tate getting the job, but the more he thought about it, this could work in his favor. He had been thinking of a way to get rid of Tate, and with the Hangman killing cops, judges, and lawyers, who would think anyone else could be responsible for another judge’s death?
He had hoped for a way to get rid of Tate Bodin, and this was the perfect opportunity to do it. Kendra would be so heartbroken over the death that she would need Kyle’s comfort and strength, and no one would even be looking his way. The theories of it linking to his case would be compromised, and the detectives, including his sister, would have to look in another direction.
It was almost too perfect to be true, but it was, and he was the clever bastard who had masterminded it.
It had been so long since he had killed, but he had always thought of his first. Madden’s wife. She had come into the room that night and found him in her closet, and while she had screamed and tried to get away, he knew that he couldn’t allow her to get away. His life would be over. He’d go to prison and lose his money. So he ran after her, grabbing her and
putting his hand over her mouth. He had pushed her down on the bed and climbed on top of her, and while he held her down, he could feel his cock harden against her thigh.
What happened next had been an afterthought. He hadn’t planned on killing her with the knife, but she wouldn’t shut up, and he was afraid that there was someone else in the house. He stuck the knife through her before he realized what he’d done, and he looked up to see the little girl, wide-eyed in the door. He didn’t even have to chase her. She came at him as if she could help her mother, the little girl’s spirit so strong that she was ready to take him on.
He stabbed her too, and it wasn’t until she was in a pile on the floor that he’d picked her up and put her next to her mother. It was where all children should be.
He felt a great deal of satisfaction when he realized there was no one else in the house, and while he wanted to hang around and marvel at what he’d done, he’d had to get out of there. He ran out to his car, threw the weapons in the back, and then drove away.
When he got across town, he pulled over in a parking lot and gripped his scorching erection. Even though his hands still had blood on them, he spit in his palm and worked it into his flesh as he stroked. It felt so good, and he imagined himself on top of the woman, straddling her to hold her down, his cock pressing against her thigh as she tried hard to fight against him.
He hadn’t raped her, and he cursed himself for an opportunity missed, but he would never forget the feel of power he had, and it wouldn’t be the last time he got off to it.
He’d cleaned himself up in the car, using old fast food napkins which he would later burn, and then he drove out of the state toward Montana to get rid of the knives; all but the one he’d used to kill the woman and her little girl.
That one, he had a hard time letting go of. So, he buried it in the mountains, and just knowing it was there exhilarated him.
His blood was pumping with the coke and the memories, and Kyle closed his eyes and thought of Kendra as he slipped his hand down his pants. As he worked himself, he thought of the life fading out of Tate Bodin and how he and Kendra would be together for good after he was gone. She would need him again, and once he got her back, he would make sure she’d never leave him.
He’d kill her if she tried. His release came thinking of the power he’d have over her.
Chapter 17
Jake
After having dinner at Speed’s and going home to clean up a bit, Jake found himself sitting in his car in the parking lot of Blue’s, not sure what he was doing there. He had a feeling the night was going to end badly no matter what he did, and especially if Jo actually showed up, but wasn’t he a glutton for punishment?
He got out of the car minutes later when he saw Sam arrive, but by the time he joined him at his car, Dannie had already gotten out of hers and walked over to greet them both. “It’s about time you got here. I wasn’t going in this place without you.” Dannie looked over her shoulder at Blue’s like it was the last place on earth she wanted to be. “How late does this tournament go anyway?”
“Until it ends,” said Sam, earning a dirty look from the woman.
“Did you find enough for your team and still give the chief her extra?”
“Yeah, Lang volunteered to pull a double. He’s out there with Rourke, so I’m not afraid of him getting into anything he’s not supposed to.”
“Good. I didn’t want to have to commit to a late night.” He hadn’t really wanted to play on the team, but he was trying not to leave the man’s team short either.
“Nah, you’re in the clear.” He clapped Jake on the shoulder.
“Lucky you,” mumbled Dannie as they headed inside.
They went into the crowded bar, where the lights were dim as the music pulsed from the speakers. He looked around to see if Jo was there. When he didn’t see her, he turned his attention toward the waitress who had walked up to the table where Sam and some of his teammates shook hands.
Officer Corbin slammed his beer on the table after taking a large pull from the bottle. “Damn, Jake’s here? What the hell, man? Have you gotten any word on the asshole who killed our chief?” The man looked as if Jake had no right to be there, and he glanced around to see if any of the others had the same opinion.
Sam stepped over near Corbin. “Hey, man. Everyone needs a break now and then. I wanted us to do this tournament to unwind a bit.”
“And I just asked if he’s done anything to find this guy,” said Corbin with a shrug. “Innocent enough.”
“As a matter of fact, I have been working on it, and I’m in a good place, or else I wouldn’t be here.”
“Fair enough. I just want to see justice, you know?”
Jake understood. Justice was the driving force behind the Hangman’s plan, and it was all because he couldn’t get the justice he deserved from the department, but Jake wasn’t going to beat that into Corbin’s mind without a fist. And he really didn’t want to get into it.
After a few hours of listening to the jabs and sucking down as many beers as he could while he watched the tournament and listened to Dannie bitch and complain between hanging all over Sam, he gave up hope that Jo was going to come out to play. It was probably best she didn’t, considering how drunk he was.
“Who are you looking for?” asked Dannie, picking her nails while Sam got up and prepared for his upcoming turn.
Jake shrugged. “No one.”
“Come on. You’ve been staring at the door all night. Did you get stood up?”
“No.” His eyes met those of a young woman across the room. She had been there with her friends all night, and he had caught her staring at him several times. Now their eyes lingered, and she gave him a seductive look, then a sultry smile.
“You like Jo, don’t you?”
“Easy on the personal life,” said Sam. “I thought the same thing, but he denies it.”
Dannie looked across the room and nudged Sam. “Well, I guess if he did like Jo, she’s about to have some competition.”
Jake took another swig of beer. Once it washed down his throat, he turned toward Dannie. “There’s nothing going on with me and my partner.”
“Hey, I don’t blame you if you want her. She’s a beautiful girl. But I think she’s just a tad out of your league.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Sam. “You’re just being mean.” He walked over to the others, and she turned toward Jake.
“I’m not trying to be mean, but Jo? She’s got money. She has to come from it, at least. I mean, have you seen her handbags and shoes? And I hear she lives across town in that fancy neighborhood. Where do you live?”
“Across town in the woods.” He wondered if there could be any truth to what she was saying. Instead of saying another word to her, he watched as the woman he’d been exchanging glances with got up and went to the bar.
As he walked away to join her, he heard Dannie mumble beneath her breath. “Rude.”
“I’ll have another,” he said to Logan, the bartender, as he passed him the bottle. “Can I buy you a drink?”
“Sure,” said the girl. “I’ll have the same.” She turned to face him and smiled. “I wondered how long it would take you to come say hi to me.”
“Did you have a bet with your friends or something?”
She glanced back at her group, who were all watching. “Nah. But we did wonder if you would.”
“Do you have a name?”
“I do,” she said with a giggle. “I’m Monica. My friends call me Moni.”
“Because you like to moan?”
Her face turned red. “Well, something like that.”
“I’d love to hear it.” He took another drink and then leaned in closer. “Do you want to get out of here?”
“I just met you, and you’re already trying to get me to go home with you?”
“We don’t have to go home.” He was up for going anywhere she wanted.
She laughed. “I didn’t say I was opposed to it.�
�� She looked him up and down as if sizing him up. “Are you a cop?”
“I’m a detective.”
“Ah, then you’re trained to read clues, right?”
“Mhm,” he said, leaning closer.
“Then you should know what this means, right?” She leaned in and kissed him, and he put his arms around her and pulled her closer.
She was soft, warm, and smelled like a flower, which for some reason made his dick hard, or maybe that was what she was doing with her tongue. He pulled away, and she grinned. “Well?”
He’d had too much to drink to make any major decisions, and just enough to make poor ones. “Come on. Let’s go back to my place.”
She might not be who he wanted, but she would do for a bit of fun. She went to tell her friends goodnight, and then he waved to Sam across the room before he walked her out.
“This is your car?” She wasn’t sure whether to like it or not, but he was used to that response. Most women had no idea what kind of car it was, and all they saw was a hunk of junk.
“Yeah, get in. You’ll love the ride.” He opened her door and stood there as she sized him and the car up.
“That’s what I’m counting on,” she said, sliding into the seat.
They hadn’t even made it out of the parking lot, and she had her hands on his cock, stroking him through his pants.
“If you’re not careful, you’re going to end things before they begin.” She was working him like she had a purpose, and it was way too soon for that kind of action.
He convinced her to calm down until they got to the house, and when they went inside, she made a beeline for the bedroom as he went to the kitchen for drinks. “Do you want wine?” he asked, looking across the living room to where she crawled up into his bed.
“Nope. I’m good.” She took off her shirt, and he brought the bottle to the room, taking a drink before putting the bottle on the table.
