Victoria

by Laura Marie Henion

  "Her hair was dyed brown. It was done there in the motel room."

  "The killer wanted her to be a brunette?"

  "I guess so, and if there is a connection then the killer is still out there."

  "Tell me everything about this girl, where she worked, who she hung out with. I think the agents are going to want to talk with you."

  "I can be over there in twenty minutes. I'm waiting on word from the lab. We found fingerprints on the box of hair color as well as in the bathroom and on the bed. The woman worked at a restaurant and bar called Mallorie's in New Jersey."

  "What? Did you say Mallorie's?"

  "Yeah, why? You know the place?"

  "Yes, I do. Get over here as soon as you can, bring everything you've got and don't wait on the lab, the FBI agents will get that moving along ASAP."

  * * * *

  Don went right to Colt and investigator Warren with the news. They were extremely interested and everyone was looking for Detective Kafrey.

  "So, whoever killed this Casey woman could be responsible for killing the others,” Colt stated.

  "There are a lot of similarities. Except, this time, he screwed up and may have left prints. We could get him; connect him with the other murders.” Phelps looked at Colt, then Warren.

  "Get me everything you've got and let me know when Detective Shay arrives. We'll start trying to figure out who this guy is.” Warren was certain the killer was still out there.

  "I'll call the lab and get them to move more quickly on the prints.” Colt flipped open his cell phone as the men parted.

  * * * *

  Victoria sat in Tod's unmarked, navy blue Caprice police car. She could hear the dispatcher and other officers talking over the airways. There was a fender bender down on 9W near the shopping center and someone locked their keys in their car in front of Louie's pizza place. Victoria smiled as they passed each location and headed further out of town.

  "Where are we going? I thought you said deli sandwiches and the park?” Victoria asked.

  "Don't worry about it. It will be nice, you'll see.” Tod winked.

  The uneasy feeling returned. This time it was worse.

  Tod kept driving down the highway, then into the Valley Point Motel parking lot. It was a dive located outside of town with nothing around it. What the hell was he thinking?

  "Tod, why are we here? I don't understand.” Victoria was in a panic, and he pulled the car around to the back of the building. There wasn't a car in sight.

  "Why did you have to get involved with the DA and FBI, Tory? Why did you get involved with Bret Collins?” Victoria watched Tod closely, and it appeared he tried to control his emotions. Was he angry with her still?

  "I don't understand why you're so angry, Tod. My being involved has helped you and has helped the case. The agents are going to find who really killed my father."

  "They would have never caught him if it weren't for you."

  Shocked at his statement, Victoria turned toward Tod.

  "Why would you say something like that? Why wouldn't you...?"

  Victoria didn't finish her sentence. She knew the answer and fear took hold of her as she grabbed the handle to the door.

  Tod snatched her arm, pulling her against him and across the seat.

  "Oh, no, you don't, my little darling. You and I have plans and you're not running out on them."

  Victoria's mind spun. It didn't make sense and even as she spoke the words, they didn't seem real.

  "You ... you killed my father?” Her voice was shaky. Her whole body shook.

  He smiled wide, seemingly enjoying her show of fear.

  "It's ironic how things wound up. I was in love with you from the moment we met, Tory. Do you remember that night at the wedding? You looked so beautiful in your long evening gown, your shiny brown hair, and your eyes, how they sparkled with pride and love for your father.

  "Oh, yes, Daddy's little girl was precious. You were the one for me. I knew it that very moment. I couldn't help but be jealous of him, and he stood in the way of other business I had. He'd still be alive if he had turned his back a few times, looked the other way, and minded his own business. Then he hired Linda, that slut, to paint a pretty picture for him and your mother. Linda was a bimbo, a con artist, and she sunk her claws into your father, telling him about Bret."

  "I don't understand any of this. I thought my father was helping Linda get away from Bret."

  "Who told you that, the agents? They don't know shit. I had Bret take the picture of your father and Linda, that way I could use it against him later if needed. Linda had her own agenda. Bret couldn't keep up with Linda's spending habits, and he couldn't make her keep her mouth shut. She blabbed everything to your dad about the payoffs, the corruption, and she lied, saying that Bret raped her. Your father knew too much, he had to die."

  "How could you do that to him, to me?” she cried.

  Tod smiled deeply. “I knew you would need consoling, baby. I would be the one you'd turn to."

  "That's sick! You're sick!” she yelled, then tried grabbing for the door again. This time, Tod grabbed her by the hair, pulling her head back.

  "Shut your mouth! Keep it shut!” Tod screamed at her, before turning off the ignition.

  "Linda couldn't keep her mouth shut, either.” Tod implied he had killed her, as well.

  She put everything together. Obviously, Ronnie Chappa was working for Tod and Bret. However, Bret never mentioned a name. He didn't confide that in her, and she wondered if the agents could get that out of him.

  "Let me go, Tod. Please don't do this.” Victoria cried as she tried to get away from his hold.

  Again, he grabbed her by the hair, pulling her head back against the passenger's seat. His face was so close to hers, his gaze penetrated through her. The fear was enormous.

  "Don't be afraid. We're going to have some fun, you and I, and I'm going to take you far away from this place, this town. We're going to be together. The way we're supposed to be,” he whispered then kissed her lips.

  Victoria tried to turn away, but he grabbed her cheeks. She could feel them bruising, her jaw aching as she complied.

  "Now, let's go to our room. You have to get ready for our special night."

  The call came across the police scanner. They were looking for Tod, asking him to call into the station.

  Victoria grabbed for the receiver as Tod slammed his fist against her forearm, then punched her in the cheek. He ripped the wire out of the radio. It would be of no use now.

  He pulled her across the seat and got out of the car, holding her by the waist, she kicked and screamed, struggling to get free.

  "Don't fight it, baby."

  Victoria settled down. She needed to stay focused. Her cheek throbbed from the hit and there was already a bruise on her forearm. She waited to make a move as Tod locked the doors to the car.

  Suddenly, Victoria heard her cell phone ringing, and she was hopeful as she tried to retrieve it, but the disappointment set in as Tod pulled it from his pocket. He had taken it from her purse without her knowing. How the hell did he do that?

  Tod opened up the phone with one hand, revealing the Caller ID.

  "Oh, how precious, it's Steven calling. Oh, well, you're too busy to talk right now. You're with the man you belong to."

  Victoria's heart ached. Oh, God, she wished Steven was here right now. She wished someone knew Tod was the killer.

  "Don't get any ideas. Let's go."

  * * * *

  "Why isn't she answering? Damn it, I don't like this one bit.” Steven stood in Patrick's office along with Don Phelps, Colt, and Investigator Warren.

  "What's going on?” Peter walked into the office along with Brian and Connor.

  "We can't get in touch with Victoria. Andy left the Sheriff's Department and went to her office to get her out of there and they said she left,” Steven stated in a panic.

  "What's going on, why do you need to find her?” Peter asked.

  None
of the men wanted to be the bearer of bad news.

  "We found out who the killer is.” Steven shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

  "And?” Peter waited impatiently for a response.

  "And it's Detective Tod Kafrey,” Colt answered.

  Peter was obviously stunned, just as everyone else had been.

  The men explained to him about Tod working for Bret Collins. Bret broke down this morning, saying he had a phone number to reach Tod. It was a number to a cell phone that redirected all its calls to Tod's personal cell phone. It was the same number listed on calls made to Bret Collins. In addition, the detective from Creek Valley had tracked a call that went from the motel room to Victoria's cell phone. The woman's hair dyed brown to match Victoria's. They further explained about Ronnie Chappa's role in contaminating evidence.

  "Are you sure?” Peter asked.

  "We have his prints on the box of hair dye and all over the motel room. He raped the woman, leaving evidence of semen and other bodily fluids that are sure to match his DNA. He's out for revenge against Victoria now. She destroyed everything he planned. He used Casey and killed her. Tod knew your sister was working for us, bringing Bret down, never mind the fact that he's obsessed with your sister.” Warren looked at Peter and glanced at the others in the room.

  "Now what do we do? Where is she? Who did she leave with?” Peter asked in a panic again.

  "Debbie said she left with Tod over forty minutes ago,” Steven stated, then dialed her cell phone again. This time it went right to her voice mail.

  "We need all the men you got. Let's check Kafrey's house, put an APB out on his car, both personal and police car. Keep this within law enforcement personnel only. We need to find out everything about Tod Kafrey,” Investigator Warren commanded and everyone spread out, taking it upon themselves to locate Tod Kafrey and Victoria Mardullo.

  "What about Mom, Uncle Patrick? She'll be so scared."

  Steven watched Peter noting the state of panic he appeared to be in, and Steven couldn't deny that he was feeling the same way. More than likely, this moment was bringing back bad memories.

  Tod was responsible. The family, and all who were currently present in the office and the department had trusted him. This was insane.

  "Uncle Jack and Alex are at Mom's house, and Andy is headed there now.” Uncle Patrick added, placing his hand on Steven's shoulder.

  "We're going to find her, Steven. She's one tough cookie and we're not far behind. Thank God, Don started putting things together."

  "I can't just sit here. I'm going to help get information on Tod's family. Come on Peter, let's work together.” Steven walked out of the office.

  * * * *

  Victoria awoke wincing from the throbbing pain that radiated from her ribcage, armpits, shoulders, and neck, then into the back of her head. She slowly opened her eyes but hadn't the strength to move. She wore a black, one-piece dress. There were no socks or shoes on her feet like there had been before.

  Instantly, she panicked and out of habit, attempted to bring her hands to her chest, but they fell back down to the bed. Her wrists were tied to the bedposts with a thick rope, allowing her about twelve inches of leeway.

  She tried to think about what happened and how she had gotten into this room and what he may have done to her. Her hair was damp against her shoulders and there was a smell of soap heavy in the air. It was obvious she was clean. Fear engulfed her, not remembering taking a shower or bathing herself. What had he done to her? Did he undress her and give her a shower? Did he rape her? She began to cry as she attempted to loosen her wrists from the ropes that bound them.

  She tried with little success to calm herself as she scanned the room and moved her legs, which remained free. They were sore and she recalled the way he had tackled her earlier when she'd attempted to escape. He was angry as hell, full of rage, and she'd acted as if she was weak, obedient, and almost defeated.

  She needed to be strong. She needed to fight the tired feelings that were overwhelming her.

  As exhausted as she was, Victoria planned her next move in her head. One mistake was all he had to make. Please don't let me pass out again.

  She recalled the conversation they had after her failed attempt to escape.

  "Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?” Victoria asked and Tod increased his grip on her arm.

  "You're hurting me!"

  "It's nothing compared to what will come if you try anything like that again."

  He smiled as he placed his hand against her throat. Would he strangle her?

  No.

  Instead, he let his hand slide from her neck to her chest, fondling her, then touching her ribcage as she inhaled and exhaled trying to control her rapid breathing.

  Victoria attempted to fight him off. She didn't want to think about him getting her alone in that motel room. She used her weight and strength to wrestle with him.

  Tod continued to laugh as he apparently allowed her to believe she was actually winning, allowing her to take position above him. He stared into her eyes, laughing at her, as if enjoying her spirit. They rolled around a few times in the dirt, then finally, he took control as his fist slammed into her jaw and she had difficulty recovering. He got off her, pulling her up by her hair as she cried out in pain. She took another shot at him as she kicked her legs, but he held her at a distance.

  "Its over, honey. You lost. Now be a good girl and walk nicely back to the room,” he told her in a charming, patronizing way.

  Once again, she allowed her anger to control her next move. There she was, sprinting across the parking lot. Faster, faster, damn it!

  He was cursing at her, and she could feel him right behind her, but she continued to run. Would she make it? “Please ... please ... please!” she begged right before she felt the blow to the back of her head.

  The memories of what happened next flashed through her mind.

  She must have suffered a concussion, she recalled passing in and out of consciousness. Vaguely, she remembered lying across the bed, untied, sleepy while Tod emerged from the shower.

  His hair had dripped on her neck as he touched her, attempting to wake her.

  Victoria recalled pretending unconsciousness, but then falling into another deep sleep.

  What had happened next? How did he get her into the shower without her waking?

  The thoughts were frightening as she began to cry.

  The sound of Tod's voice made her jump.

  "Oh, you're awake. I missed your voice,” he spoke softly as he walked toward the bed and sat down practically on top of her. Her whole body shook. She was losing it and he knew it.

  He gently rubbed her bruised cheek, and she shuddered at his touch.

  "What's wrong, Tory my love? After what we just shared, how could you be like this? Wasn't the bath wonderful?” he teased rubbing the palm of his hand along her inner thigh.

  She felt nauseous, like hurling, and knew her face showed every emotion as he laughed. That sick, carnival clown laugh sent chills through her entire body.

  "Don't fret, my little darling. Did you think I would make love to you while you were unconscious? No, no, no. Ah, ah, ah,” he said with a condescending tone deep in his throat, pointing his finger in her face as if he were reprimanding a small child. She didn't believe him. It was obvious he had touched her, and the tears streamed down her cheeks.

  He reached over and wiped them away before they could reach their destination on the bedspread.

  "Now, now. We didn't go all the way.” he patronized, and petted her hair.

  All the while, her blood continued to boil.

  "You see, I want you to be completely conscious when I make love to you. I want to hear you plead for more and tell me that you love me. You do, don't you?” He took her face into his hand. He was gentle at first, until she didn't respond to his question. He clenched his polished teeth.

  "Tell me you love me."

  She closed her eyes and could feel th
e knot in her throat.

  "Tell me!” he demanded as he squeezed his thumb into the bruise in her cheek, and she screamed out in pain.

  "I ... I ... love ... you.” She sobbed as he pushed her face away from him and rose from the bed.

  "Bullshit! You love that fucking Marine. I should have killed him when I had the chance.” Tod walked across the room and opened the duffle bag. He pulled out a t-shirt then walked back toward the bed.

  Maybe he won't touch me? He's getting dressed. That's sure to be a good sign.

  "You love him, right? Your precious Steven, he's stood in the way all this time, but not anymore. You are never going to see him again, or your family. You belong to me now.” He caressed her hair.

  "No! Never! I'll never belong to you. I hate you!” she screamed, then closed her eyes, expecting his raised hand to hit her. Instead, he grabbed the ceramic lamp and threw it across the room. It slammed against the door, scattering pieces along the ugly, outdated, industrial carpeting.

  "You make me so angry, Tory. Stop upsetting me or you'll wind up like the others."

  Her teeth clenched. She knew he would kill her no matter what. She closed her eyes and prayed.

  * * * *

  The hours passed, time appeared to be running out, and the evidence against Tod Kafrey continued to increase.

  "I can't believe this is happening. I should have never let her out of my sight. I should have trusted my instincts. I knew something more was up with that guy.” Steven sat next to Peter in the conference room.

  "Don't beat yourself up. None of us should have let her out of our sights. You weren't the only one who ignored a suspicious feeling,” Peter stated, then looked at Steven.

  "You mean you didn't like the guy, either?"

  "No, I really didn't and I didn't trust him. He was the lead investigator for my dad's murder case. Thinking back, he did always seem to give Tory most of his concern and attention. I figured he was interested in her, but Tory never accepted an invitation. There was just something about him that I couldn't put my finger on."

  "I know exactly what you mean. We have to find that car. We have to find Victoria. It's a bad combination his obsession with Victoria and he's killed three others that we know of. Let's not sit around here doing nothing. Let's track down that car.” Steven rose from his seat.