Wolfman is Back

by Dwayne Clayden

  “Are the houses is still occupied?”

  “Some are. Most of the people moved out. Then the junkies moved in. The cops kick them out, but they’re back the next day.”

  Griffin picked up the picture. “Thanks. Have a nice day.”

  They left the store, walked to the curb, and surveyed the road. It was a dead end. There was no way to tell if the last three houses were occupied.

  “We need the addresses for the warrants,” Brad said. “Do we drive by or walk by?”

  Griffin laughed. “I know you’re growing your hair long, but you still announce ‘cop’ with neon lights.”

  “You’re no better.”

  “At least I look older than twenty.”

  “Okay, so what’s your plan?” Brad asked.

  “We get a cruiser to drive by. In this area marked police cars are common. Our Crown Victoria shouts detectives. I’ll get dispatch to keep cruisers in this area until we get the warrant.”

  Brad nodded. “We can get Blighe to help us with the warrant. Judge Gray will sign right away.”

  At dusk, Brad, Griffin, TSU, K9, and about twenty uniformed cops met a few blocks from the convenience store.

  Brad and Griffin described the plan and split the group into two teams. K9 would stand by near the middle house, ready when called.

  Brad and Griffin, with Steele and Zerr, took the last house. Sergeant Knight and TSU, the second last. The uniformed cops were sent to the alley behind the houses in case someone decided to run.

  Darkness had settled in. Everyone was in place and waiting. Griffin gave the command. “Execute.”

  Steele ran to the last house with Brad, Zerr, and Griffin close behind. Steele swung a ram at the front door lock. Zerr entered to the right, Steele to the left. Brad followed Zerr, and Griffin backed up Steele.

  Brad’s flashlight swept over the living room. At first pass, nothing seemed out of place. Couch, stuffed chair, coffee table, and junk food wrappers and containers everywhere. They worked their way to the kitchen. That’s when Brad recognized an odor—dried blood. In the kitchen, their flashlights lit a chair in the middle of the room. Ropes hung from the back struts and the chair legs. The smell came from under the chair—blood, lots of blood. Brad’s stomach rolled.

  “Brad. Come to the far bedroom.”

  In the bedroom, the odor was overpowering. Brad swung his flashlight around the room. Suddenly the ceiling light came on.

  “Always check about power,” Griffin said.

  Brad wished the light hadn’t worked. He faced a blood-soaked bed. Ropes hung from the headboard and footboard. Blood spattered the walls and window. “Oh shit. He killed her here. We need to back out and get Ident here.”

  Zerr pushed past Brad and Griffin. Brad reached to hold him back, but was too late. Zerr stopped at the side of the bed, staring at the blood-encrusted detective badge.

  Chapter Sixty-Two

  Wednesday Late Afternoon

  Wolfe had waited several blocks away from Blighe’s house on a stolen Honda motorcycle. Not as nice as his Harley, but the Honda was less likely to draw attention. The full-face helmet was a bonus. He followed the Crown Victoria as they passed. He rode slowly and glanced as she got out of the car and was escorted to her house. He continued down the street and rode for about five minutes. He stopped in a small strip mall and slid off the helmet.

  The prosecutor’s security detail drove her to work and back now. Her routines had changed. The cops likely changed them. After he escaped the first time, she was never home before seven and the family dinner was never before eight. Now she was home by five at the latest. Cops drove the kids to school and back. Wolfe guessed they stayed with the kids all day. Instead of two cops watching the house, now there were four. K9 circled the house continuously when she was home.

  He looked at his watch. About now the night shift was talking with the day shift. Soon the night shift would start their patrol of the neighborhood. But the fuckin’ K9 would still be there.

  He was out of options. He mulled over the idea of grabbing her near her office. That might have worked when she was driving herself, and the protection was lax, leaving her alone when she parked. He could have grabbed her as she got out of the car, tossed her in a van, and taken her to an abandoned place like he did with the cop. He shook his head. That might have worked then. Not now. He’d never get close. Lucky for him there was another option.

  Chapter Sixty-Three

  Wednesday Late Afternoon

  Brad parked and keyed his portable radio. “Dispatch, Coulter. I’m off duty at my house.”

  “Roger,” dispatch said.

  He grabbed the files off the passenger seat and got out of the car. Two uniformed cops walked toward him.

  “Welcome home, Detective,” one cop said.

  “Thanks,” Brad replied. “I’m glad to be home.”

  “All quiet here,” the cop said. “Nobody’s been by all day. We walked around the house different times throughout the day. Nothing to report. Well, except your dog barks at us every time we walk around the back.”

  “He’s like a roving alarm system,” Brad said. “Thanks for your help, guys. Are you guys here all night?”

  “Until we’re relieved at eleven.”

  Brad nodded. “We might order pizza. If we do, I’ll buy you guys one.”

  “That’s great,” one cop said. “No pineapple, though.”

  Brad trudged up the steps to the front door, pulled out his keys, unlocked the door, and stepped inside. He turned to the alarm panel on the right and canceled the alarm. He closed and locked the front door then reset the alarm.

  “Hey Maggie,” Brad said. “I’m home.”

  Lobo came bounding from the back of the house, tail wagging. He jumped up and down on his paws and ran around Brad.

  “Hey buddy.” Brad knelt. “I am so happy to see you.”

  Lobo ran circles around Brad. “Sorry, boy. I can’t take you for a walk tonight. I’m exhausted.”

  Lobo ran around Brad a couple more times, then sat by the front door.

  “Not tonight, sorry.” Brad tossed his keys onto a table.

  Lobo cocked his head to the side, stared at Brad, then headed to the back of the house.

  Maggie stopped at the front door, holding a laundry basket. “Well this is a treat, you’re home early. I didn’t make dinner.”

  “We decided to shut it down early. Everybody is dead on their feet. We’ll get a good sleep tonight and tackle the problem tomorrow.”

  “Still no leads?” Maggie asked.

  Brad shook his head. “The girl from the barn, Billy-Lou, regained consciousness today.”

  “That’s good news. What did she tell you?”

  “She doesn’t remember anything about the attack. Last thing she remembers is carrying a bag of feed into the barn, then nothing until she woke up.”

  “Is she going to be okay?” Maggie asked.

  “I’m not the one to ask. But I think it’s a blessing she doesn’t remember the attack. Doesn’t help us convict Wolfe, but I’m glad she’s awake.”

  Brad held up a stack of files. “I’m gonna look at these for half an hour. Then I’m done for the night.”

  “Do you have to?” Maggie said. “Leave it for the night, please.”

  “Half an hour,” Brad said. “I promise.”

  “Half an hour, no more.”

  “Half an hour,” Brad confirmed. “What do you want to do for dinner?”

  “I’m not sure,” Maggie said.

  “Why don’t you order a pizza in about twenty minutes. Get one for the guys outside, too. I’ll be in the study.”

  “Okay,” she said. “I’ll feed Lobo and put him outside.”

  Brad took the files into the study and set them on his desk. The top file was Tina’s autopsy report. Nothing he didn’t already know. He needed to put it aside, but he kept re-reading it. Finally, he threw it to the floor. For the next half hour, he flipped through the folders, reading th
e reports, not that he needed to. Everything was etched into his memory. There had to be a clue here somewhere, something he was missing. He shut the last file, sat back in his chair and closed his eyes.

  His mind flipped through the pages of the autopsy reports, crime scene photos, and worst of all, Jeter Wolfe, grinning.

  He leaned back in his chair. He was startled awake when Maggie called, “I’ve ordered the pizza. You better be done with work.”

  He picked the autopsy file off the floor and set it on top of the others. Then dispatch called him on the radio.

  “Go ahead, dispatch.”

  “We have a reported sighting of Wolfe around the crown prosecutor’s house.”

  Brad sat upright, grabbed the radio, and raced out of the study. He scooped up his keys as he ran to the front door and keyed his radio. “I’m on my way. Let the rest of the team know.”

  “I’m working on that, Detective,” dispatch said.

  “Maggie,” Brad yelled from the front door.

  She rushed to the door. “What’s happening?”

  “Wolfe’s been spotted. I’m heading to Blighe’s place. I don’t know when I’ll be back. Be sure to reset the alarm when I leave.”

  The cops started toward him.

  “I’ve gotta go. Keep your eyes open.”

  Brad ran to his car, opened the door, jumped in, and raced away.

  “Dispatch, I’m en-route. Six minutes away. Do you have any more information?”

  “The protection detail is checking the area, but they don’t have any sightings,” dispatch said. “The prosecutor is safe in the house and under guard now. I have district units on the way.”

  “What’s the ETA on my team?”

  “Griffin will be there in about eight. Zerr and Steele should arrive at the same time you do.”

  The exhaustion he felt less than thirty minutes ago was gone. Senses were on high alert. Traffic was light as he raced toward the prosecutor’s house. His brain was firing. This might be the opportunity to finally get Wolfe. His hands clutched the steering wheel tighter. His heart pounded. Anticipation and excitement changed to anger as his mind ran through the possibilities of what he would do when he found Wolfe. I hope you will have a gun, bastard. He knew that revenge wasn’t enough. It didn’t take away the pain and didn’t take away the sadness, or the anger. But taking that nan permanently off the streets was something he would do without hesitation.

  Brad turned right toward the prosecutor’s house and the red-and-blue lights of the district cars. He pulled to the curb, slammed the car into park, and raced toward the cops. “What’ve you got?”

  One cop shook his head. “We have nothing, sir. We’ve walked around the house a dozen times. Wolfe’s not here. We’ve expanded our search into the neighborhood, spreading out from the house. But no reports of anybody seeing Wolfe.”

  Shit. Brad’s eyes roamed over the house and yard. He turned a full 360 degrees. The cop was right, there was nothing suspicious.

  Brad turned to the senior guy on the protection detail. “I want to see inside.”

  “I’m telling you, there’s nothing to see.”

  “I need to look for myself.”

  “For Christ’s sake, suit yourself.”

  Griffin followed Brad into the house. Blighe stood by the kitchen counter, wine glass in her hand.

  “Are you okay?” Brad asked.

  “What do you think? We’re getting ready to have dinner and a hundred cops descended on my house.”

  “We're cautious.”

  “Well, you scared the shit out of me and terrified my kids.”

  “Where are the kids now?” Brad asked.

  “They’re in the basement watching TV with a couple of cops watching them.”

  “Griffin and I are going to check your house.”

  “The other cops already did that.”

  Brad nodded. “I know. I’ll feel better if I check.”

  Blighe waved her glass in the air. “Suit yourself.” She took a big gulp of wine.

  Brad and Griffin searched every room, checked every window and looked in every closet. Nothing.

  They walked around the outside of the house with K9 following. Whoever had replaced the doors and secured the windows knew what they were doing. Blighe was safe.

  They headed back to the front of the house.

  “What do you guys have?” Brad asked Steele and Zerr.

  “Nothing,” Steele said. “We checked the outside a couple of times, and we checked a few blocks in each direction. Either it was a false alarm, or Wolfman is long gone.”

  “Yeah, I think you’re right,” Brad said. “Let’s head back home and get that sleep we need.”

  Chapter Sixty-Four

  As Brad drove home, the exhaustion hit again. He’d probably go straight to bed. As he approached his house, he saw a pizza delivery car parked behind the cruiser. I am kinda hungry, so a couple of pieces of pizza will be great, but then sleep for sure.

  He picked up his portable radio and keyed the mic. “Dispatch, Coulter. I’m off duty at my house.”

  “Roger, Detective,” dispatch said. “Have a good night, sir.”

  Brad tossed the radio to the passenger seat, tried to organize his thoughts, then he shook his head. This is crazy. I need to shut my brain off for the night. He got out of the car and looked for the cops. Lobo barked from the deck. He was probably barking at the cops. They must be doing a walk around. He stumbled up the sidewalk. The tantalizing odor of pizza was strong and his stomach grumbled. Brad willed his feet to move one after the other, then grabbed the handrail and pulled himself up the steps. Lifting his head, he reached for the door handle. What the hell!

  The door was ajar.

  He drew his gun, slowly opened the door, and slipped into the house. A pizza box lay open on the floor. Lobo barked non-stop. Brad stopped in the entrance and listened—voices came from upstairs.

  Something was wrong. His brain raced through options. He reached for his portable radio—he’d left it in the car. Get to a phone and call for backup. Let Lobo in, he was good backup.

  A woman screamed.

  Brad kicked off his shoes and crept up the stairs, stepping over the boards that creaked. The voices grew louder as he reached the landing outside the master bedroom. One voice was distinctly male—Wolfe—the other, Maggie.

  Gun at his side, he took a quick look inside. Annie, wearing a T-shirt and shorts, was tied to the bed. Tape covered her mouth, her eyes wide with terror. She glanced toward the door and vigorously shook her head.

  “I’m gonna enjoy you bitches one at a time.”

  “The police will be here any minute,” Maggie said. “You won’t get away with this.”

  Bastard. What has he done to them?

  “The cops are already here. Coulter, why don’t you come in and join us?”

  “Brad, no—”

  A loud slap echoed in the room, then Maggie cried out in pain.

  Brad’s breath caught in his throat. He steadied his gun and sidestepped into the room. Brad let out a gasp. Maggie and Wolfe were in the far corner of the room. Maggie, wearing a dark-red camisole, was tied to a chair. Blood dripped from her nose and mouth. Her face was red and puffy. Wolfe stood behind her with a hunting knife to her throat.

  “Welcome home, pig,” Wolfman said. “Set the gun on the floor.”

  Brad shook his head, gun aimed at Wolfe. “You know it doesn’t work that way.”

  “Have it your way.” Wolfe cut the side of Maggie’s neck. She screamed. Blood flowed. Then he placed the knife on the other side of her neck.

  “Wait.” Brad held his gun out in front of him.

  “Gun on the floor.”

  Brad knelt and set the gun down.

  “Kick it over to me.”

  Brad hesitated.

  Wolfe pressed the blade into Maggie’s flesh. She cried out in pain. Lobo’s barking was frantic.

  “Okay.” Brad kicked the gun toward Wolfe.

&nbs
p; Wolfe put the knife over Maggie’s throat. “You’ve got no chances left. My next cut will be back to her spine. Now face the wall and get on the floor.”

  Brad stared at Maggie. Blood flowed from both sides of her neck and tears streamed. Her eyes pleaded, frightened.

  When Brad was on the floor, Wolfe said, “Take out your cuffs, slowly, with one hand. Keep the other hand on your head.”

  Brad reached behind his back and pulled out the cuffs.

  “Good, now put the cuffs on one hand, then put both hands behind your back.”

  Wolfe picked up Brad’s gun, placed it against Brad’s head, and knelt. Grabbing the loose cuff, he slapped it on Brad’s other wrist and squeezed it tight. Wolfe grabbed Brad by his shirt collar, dragged him over to Maggie, and shoved him against the wall.

  “You two can watch the show.” Wolfe lit a cigarette. “Annie’s first. I’ve missed her. We didn’t spend enough time together. That fuckin’ Pickens took her away. I shoulda killed him. We’ll make up for lost time tonight. We’ve got plenty.”

  Brad struggled against the cuffs. “Leave her alone.”

  Wolfe sat on the bed next to Annie. “Does this upset you?” He slapped her a few times.

  “Wolfe, stop,” Brad yelled. “What do you want?”

  “I didn’t take you for a stupid guy. What do I want? I’ve got everything I want right here. I suppose it would be better if the prosecutor were here. This works fine for me.”

  “You don’t have to do this,” Brad pleaded.

  Wolfe turned to Annie. “You’re older and your tits have grown.” He rubbed his hands over her breasts through her T-shirt. “Worth the wait.”

  “I’m going to kill you, Wolfe.”

  “Not gonna happen, pig. The three of you are gonna die, slowly, painfully.”

  “Fuck you, Wolfe.”

  “You get a front-row seat while I take my time with Annie. Then you’ll know what’s gonna happen to your paramedic lady. You’re gonna lose your mind.”

  “You’re going to lose your mind when I blow your brains out.”