End of the Line

by C. M. Sutter

  He glanced through the window again and saw Brad turn the corner. He would be home in under two minutes. Richard opened the closet and climbed inside to wait for the perfect opportunity to end Brad’s life.

  Chapter 30

  The phone on my desk rang—Lutz was calling.

  “What’s up, Boss?”

  “Abrams just called me. Patrol has eyes on the truck belonging to Kevin Tibbs.”

  “That’s awesome. So where is Kevin?”

  “They don’t know. The truck is parked, and it’s empty. Abrams has given them permission to sit on it and watch for Kevin until our officers can relieve them.”

  I had my pen ready. “Where is the truck parked?”

  Lutz chuckled. “No way, McCord. You’re a homicide detective, and the fastest way to get Kevin released back to the streets without learning anything from him would be if you picked him up. He’s a truant and could possibly have pot in his vehicle, and neither are reasons for a homicide detective to haul him in. Let the system do it the right way. I’ll have a couple of officers head out, take over for Patrol, and bring him in for questioning when he gets back to his truck. You can talk to him after he’s in an interrogation room and with his mother present. That’s when you’ll discuss his choice of friends, especially Manny, since he’s linked to a recent murder investigation. You can’t say he murdered anyone since we don’t have evidence to support that yet, but you can hint around about Kevin avoiding juvy in exchange for telling you where Manny lives.”

  “Yeah, yeah, don’t worry. I’ll play by the rules.”

  I looked over at Frank. “Patrol has eyes on Kevin’s truck. Lutz is sending officers out to watch it, and when Kevin returns, they’ll bring him in.”

  “Good. Maybe we’ll have those killers in custody before morning.”

  “That’s my hope too. Say, did you have time to call Gina and talk to her about the agencies that can help her find a job or further her education?”

  “Yep, and she’s hopeful something will work out. I also told her about the money Leslie had in her bank account. I’m going to help her set up something so she can use that money for paying bills and school costs—not for squandering.”

  “Good job, pal. She’s lucky to have someone like you on her side. Did she say if she’s contacted her parents about Leslie’s death?”

  Frank shook his head. “She said she didn’t because if they caught wind that Leslie had money in the bank, they’d try to get it and waste it on drugs.”

  I sighed. “Some people should never be parents.”

  Chapter 31

  Richard left the bedroom and closet doors slightly ajar since a creaking hinge would definitely reveal that Brad wasn’t in the house alone. The element of surprise was everything. He’d been in the closet for a half hour as Brad turned on the TV, opened and closed cabinet doors in the kitchen, and talked to somebody on his phone.

  Come on, damn it. You need to sit your ass down on the toilet or take a shower. There’s no other way to catch you off guard.

  Richard tried to hear the phone conversation from Brad’s end of the call. He crept out of the closet and stood behind the bedroom door to be closer. He pressed his ear against the one inch of air space where the hinges connected the door to the frame and listened.

  “Yeah, I guess a celebratory beer or two can’t hurt. I have to grab a shower and some cash from Manny’s room, and then I’ll meet you at seven thirty. Later after Manny gets home, we’ll hit the streets in search of another whore to rip off. Don’t worry. Nobody is going to die tonight.”

  Richard smirked when he heard that comment.

  Don’t count on it, asshole.

  He would have to kill Brad right away if he came into Manny’s room to grab the cash, but killing him in the bathroom would be easier. Brad wouldn’t have enough room to fight back. Richard returned to the closet and waited. Seconds later, he heard Brad end the call, walk into the bathroom, and start the shower.

  Bad decision for you, Brad, but good for me. You just made my job a lot easier.

  It took a few minutes, but Brad finally went into the bathroom. Richard stepped out of the closet again, that time armed to the teeth, and crept to the bedroom door. Peeking out cautiously, he saw that the bathroom door was left open, and it sounded like Brad had already climbed into the shower.

  It’s showtime.

  Inching forward in his stocking feet to avoid making noise, Richard carried the mallet in one hand and the carving knife in the other. He looked around the bathroom door and heard Brad’s movements on the other side of the shower curtain. He had to get as close as possible and thrust the knife blindly through the curtain in the spot where he assumed Brad was standing. No matter what, the surprise would likely cause Brad to slip and fall, and Richard would take advantage of that opportunity to finish him off.

  A shadow darkened the center of the shower curtain.

  That has to be where he’s standing.

  Richard took aim and swung. The knife sliced through the plastic curtain and connected with Brad on the other side. Brad yelled out, flailed, and ripped the curtain from the rod as he got tangled in it. As he fell to the floor of the bathtub, he swatted and kicked at his assailant while trying to defend himself. Blood swirled down the drain, and without a weapon to use, Brad began to fade. He was no match against Richard. The stabbing and bludgeoning continued until whatever fight Brad had left in him was gone. Lying motionless at the bottom of the tub, he took his last breath as blood bubbled from his mouth.

  Reaching over Brad, Richard turned off the faucet. His clothes, now soaking wet, were tinted pink from the mix of blood and water.

  He looked at himself in the mirror and cursed. “Son of a bitch. I can’t go outside looking like this.” Richard stripped off his clothes and left them in a pile on the bathroom floor. He stared at Brad’s dead body.

  “You’re too tall and skinny. I’ll never fit in your clothes, but Manny might be a different story since he’s closer to my size.”

  Back in Manny’s room, Richard went through the drawers and closet until he found everything he needed. Once dressed in clean, dry clothes, he thoroughly washed the knife and mallet and returned them to the drawer, then he scooped up his wet clothing and dropped them into a garbage bag. Before leaving, he emptied Brad’s wallet of cash, grabbed his own knife and Leslie’s wallet and phone, and slipped out the door just as darkness took over.

  I’ll find a dumpster for my clothes, grab a bite to eat, and be back here by the time Manny heads home. He’ll have no idea I’ll be watching him only feet away in the bushes, and while he’s fumbling in the dark with his keys to unlock the front door, I’ll slit his throat.

  Chapter 32

  Patience wasn’t my strong suit, and waiting to hear if our officers had spotted Kevin Tibbs was getting the best of me. I paced the bullpen, filled my coffee cup for the third time, and tried to stay busy at my desk with the stack of paperwork that had grown several inches higher over the past few days.

  I turned at the sound of the door opening. Lutz’s eyes widened when he saw me still there after seven o’clock.

  “What the hell are you doing here, McCord?”

  I chuckled. “Isn’t that like the pot calling the kettle black?”

  “I was leaving this warrant on your desk so you’d have it first thing in the morning. RailGears is all yours, and you and Frank can head there right after roll call. So again, why are you still here?”

  “I’m planning to talk to Kevin Tibbs when he’s brought in, remember?”

  Lutz looked around. “Of course I remember that, and I also know there are four detectives sitting here who will let us know when the officers round him up, so go home.” I began to protest, but Lutz held up his hand. “That’s an order, Jesse, not a request. If Kevin is brought in, I’ll be contacted, and so will you. That’s a promise.” He jerked his head toward the door in a not-so-subtle hint.

  With a sigh, I grabbed my jacket off the chairback
and left.

  Once home, I sat in my recliner and wondered why more tip-line calls hadn’t come in from the enhanced photo. I assumed it was because criminals ran with criminals, and those types had no intention of squealing each other out. The original tips that came in were all we’d get, and they were dwindling to nothing.

  I smiled at Bandit, who sawed logs as he slept at the end of the couch. “Man, to have a dog’s life. Come on, boy. Let’s hit the sheets.” Eight hours of sleep was more than I could hope for, but by going to bed at nine o’clock, there was a chance that I’d get my wish.

  Chapter 33

  Richard pressed the button for the lighted dial on his watch. It was coming up on midnight. He watched from the tree cover of the dead-end street as people came and went—likely the residents of those few houses. Somebody had banged on Brad’s door an hour back, possibly the person he had spoken to on the phone earlier. Richard sighed with relief when the man eventually drove away. Since then, all had been quiet.

  I need to get into place and be ready to spring out when Manny gets home.

  By that time of night, most lights in the neighboring houses had gone out. The area was a working-class neighborhood, and people had to get up early, so by midnight, the majority of them were likely fast asleep. The upstairs tenant at Brad’s house had never shown up that day or night—possibly out of town—which worked perfectly for Richard.

  He checked his surroundings before stepping out onto the sidewalk. With only a hundred feet to go before hiding behind the shrubbery beside the front porch, Richard didn’t feel too exposed, yet he still walked at a fast clip.

  A minute later, he settled into a spot, well-hidden but unobstructed enough that he could spring out and catch Manny off guard. His folding tactical knife with the six-inch blade would work well, just like it had with Callie. From his vantage point, he could see to the end of the street and would know when Manny was approaching. He placed the opened knife on the edge of the porch and waited.

  Richard thought back on the job he loved best—killing women, preferably blondes, but most women would do. He could envision anyone being blonde in his mind.

  Cheating, nasty bitches just like Amy are what get my juices flowing. I have to be in control, to overpower them and to show them who’s boss. I need to make them bleed and watch them die.

  Richard sucked in a deep breath. He longed to get back to it, and as soon as Manny was dead, he would focus on the girls on the train.

  A distant voice caught his attention. Richard squinted toward the end of the street and saw him. Manny crossed to his side and headed for the house as he talked on the phone. Preparing himself, Richard picked up his knife, crouched in the bushes, and stayed out of sight. He was ready to end Manny’s life. Through the shrubbery, Richard saw movement only feet away as Manny stepped up to the porch, still talking on the phone.

  “Yeah, hold on a second. I have to find my house key. Brad forgot to turn on the porch light again, damn him.”

  Manny pocketed his phone as he fumbled with the key and felt for the slot in the doorknob. It was time to act. Springing out of the brush, Richard lunged at the man and tackled him. After falling off the porch, Manny quickly got his feet under him and had only a second to stand. He swung at his attacker and connected once, but Richard had the advantage—his tactical knife—and plunged it deep into Manny’s gut over and over again until the fighting stopped. Richard pulled the phone from Manny’s pocket and disconnected the call. With a final slice across the neck to make sure he would die, Richard watched Manny bleed out.

  “You could have been an equal match if you’d had a weapon. Good thing for me, you didn’t.” Richard wiped his bloody knife and hands on the grass, turned off Locations on Manny’s phone, and powered it down before pocketing it. He took to the sidewalk and disappeared into the night.

  After a good night’s sleep, he would be raring to go tomorrow, and that redhead kept popping into his mind.

  Chapter 34

  I woke to my ringing phone at one o’clock. I hoped it was Lutz calling to tell me they had Kevin Tibbs in custody.

  I took a swallow of water, cleared my throat, and looked at the screen before answering.

  “Hey, Boss. Tell me something good.”

  “You got your wish. The night shift officers are bringing Kevin Tibbs in. I’m already at the station, and they should be here in twenty minutes or so. Jefferson said he thinks the kid is high. Ranting about a friend who sounded like he was in trouble.”

  I yawned and stretched. “Probably a ploy to take the focus off himself. Is somebody going to call his mom?”

  “Yep, I’ll take care of that.”

  “Good enough. I’m on my way and should be there in under a half hour.” I hung up and rolled my neck as I headed to the bathroom. Each vertebra cracked. A quick rinse in the shower was all I needed, and I’d grab a coffee and a doughnut to go at the twenty-four-hour corner gas station. Before leaving, I filled Bandit’s bowl with kibbles, left the kitchen light on, and set the alarms. I was excited to get my chance at Kevin Tibbs.

  Arriving at the district at 1:35, I parked my Camaro and entered through the back door. I would check in with the night shift officer in charge of the jail wing, make sure Kevin Tibbs was seated in an interrogation room, then wait for his mom to show up. Upstairs, I planned to brainstorm with Lutz and figure out what to offer Kevin for worthwhile information.

  Officer Brian Jennings was manning the jail wing. He told me Kevin was in box one and extremely agitated.

  “I wonder what’s up his ass other than the fact that he was picked up.”

  “Don’t know other than he keeps saying he needs to check on his friend.”

  I smirked. “Well, that isn’t happening. So where is his truck?”

  “We locked it up and left it where it was. Guess the mom can worry about it.”

  “Any drugs inside?”

  “Yep, we found two joints and a small amount of weed in a baggie, which we took into custody.”

  “Good enough. Call me when the mom shows up.”

  “Will do.”

  Upstairs, I saw Lutz at the end of the hallway, and he waved at me to join him in the cafeteria. Two hot coffees were necessary to get our brains functioning. With our coffees in hand, we continued to the bullpen, where I was expecting the call from Officer Jennings as soon as Kevin Tibbs’s mother showed up. I was certain she wouldn’t be in the best mood.

  Lutz blew over his coffee. “The officers found pot in Kevin’s vehicle.”

  I nodded. “Jennings told me that, and we can use it as leverage. Being under eighteen, Kevin could face some time in juvy if his record warrants it.”

  “Have you looked to see if he has any priors?”

  “Not yet. What we do know is he was in possession of weed, is a truant, and hangs with a dangerous crowd.” I fired up my computer. “Might as well check since we have to wait for the mom, anyway. The more ammunition we have to work with, the better.”

  I typed his name into the justice department’s youthful offender database, and several possession charges popped up, along with misdemeanor destruction of property.

  “Graffiti on a bus stop shelter?” I rolled my eyes. “Kids have too much free time on their hands.”

  “Or they have parents who don’t have time to participate in their lives.”

  I huffed. “Yeah, that too.”

  “We need to get him on the right track, and the only way to do that is by instilling fear in him. In less than a year, Kevin will be considered an adult in the eyes of the law. Right now, he’s protected under the youthful offenders bill, but when he turns eighteen, he won’t be. His crimes will be held against him. We can send him to juvy until that time, or at least have him believe we can. After that, he’ll be held accountable for every wrongdoing, and his criminal record will begin.”

  The plan was worth a shot. We needed to know where Manny lived, his last name, and the full name of the guy who stabbed Leslie, and we wa
nted it all that night.

  It was pushing two o’clock when my desk phone finally rang. Jennings said Mrs. Tibbs had arrived and was waiting for us downstairs.

  “Time to go, Boss.”

  We grabbed our coffees and headed to the lower level of our building, where we would compel Kevin to tell us what we wanted to know.

  Sitting on one of three steel chairs at the end of the tiled hallway, Mrs. Tibbs looked tired and aggravated. I couldn’t blame her, and I knew she wasn’t pleased with us for bringing Kevin in during the middle of the night, but we had a job to do. The kid was lucky we hadn’t slapped a curfew violation on him, too, but he was seventeen, and curfew applied only through the age of sixteen.

  When we reached her, I introduced her to Lutz, and she gave him a curt nod.

  “Give us just a minute, ma’am. We need to make sure Kevin is minding his p’s and q’s, and then we’ll come get you.”

  “How long is this going to take? I doubt if I’m going to get any more sleep tonight, and I need to be at work by seven.”

  I scratched my cheek. “We don’t know. That’s entirely up to Kevin.”

  Lutz and I made a stop in the observation room first. We watched Kevin through the glass as he squirmed in his chair, probably cursing the fact that he was there.

  “Yeah, he’s definitely pissed,” I said.

  The kid had greasy black hair, tattoos on his neck and the knuckles on both hands, ear gauges, and a lip ring. I hoped someday he’d regret those choices and clean up his act instead of going farther down the wrong road.

  I shook my head. “I’ll get his mom.”

  Lutz sighed as he pulled open the door. “Kids these days.”