Etched in Glass

by Nyxie Marrs

  I make sure I look this glass over as carefully as I can. What would be the reason for this? If no one’s caught on to him by now, why continue to do it?

  “That's the mystery isn't it? No bartender or manager is repeated in the bars I've been to. So I figured it's not them. I can only imagine he orders the drink himself, and somehow switches it with the victim’s drink.”

  “Good thought.” I sit down at her small desk and looked through her papers. “We really should get those other cases and look through them. Have you ever spoken to the friends the other victims were with?”

  She shakes her head. “I've not had access to many. Only thing I do know is the women have been in groups. Only two have been solitary. I would figure a lone woman would be easier to take than one in a group.” Is she reflecting on her operation? Maybe rethinking how she’s approached this.

  “Good point. Maybe he likes the excitement of taking a woman who's with people. He does get them alone at some point though. This last victim was going into the hallway for the restroom.”

  She takes in a deep breath. That shake tells me she’s uncomfortable with that thought. I can only hope she has a plan just in case he did take her bait. Sure, she might be able to fight, or just has the attitude to seem that way, but she could seriously get hurt.

  “Let's look at those other files. It might help me narrow it down. How can thirty-nine women go missing and it not be seen as a serial killer? You have to figure he can't possibly keep every woman he’s taken locked away. All these women disappear and it's not considered suspicious?” Her tone definitely matches mine on that thought. Concerned, and pissed off.

  At least we’re on the same page with this investigation. Fed up with nothing being done, and questioning abductions. I have a feeling she’s going to be a huge asset to this case.

  I get up. “That's why you have me.” I wink and a smile pulls on her lips, the very same smile that’s been in my dreams is even better in person. “Let's go. Hope Rocky doesn't mind me stealing you.”

  “Pft. He probably won't notice.” She says dismissively.

  Well if that isn't the saddest thing I've heard. She's smart, she's focused, and should be utilized. Well, I'm definitely taking her seriously. She's the only one so far that's had enough information to go on to even start searching for a suspect, or other victims. She’s good with the details.

  “Good for me then. Contrary to what you may think, I value a woman's opinion and perspective. I just don't think they should get into bar fights.”

  She rolls her eyes and heads out of the room. I take the cup with me to see if we can get anything off of it. Maybe compare it to the other one we have. See what the similarities are.

  “I can drive and meet you there.” She says as she turns around by the kitchen.

  I shake my head. “No. You'd find a way to ditch me. I figure that much. Besides, I'm taking you out to lunch, won't take 'no' for an answer.” I tried to say it lightly so she wouldn’t be offended.

  Pulling my jacket off of the couch, she pushes it against my chest. “Well that's not very gentlemanly of you. 'No' means no, Miles.” That smart ass grin she has right now is perfect, playful, and my favorite.

  I look around her empty kitchen. I would assume there’s not much here to eat. Judging by her disheveled appearance, I’d say she didn’t sleep much either, but she’s hiding it. “Yeah. But all I see are crackers and water. I'm guessing you didn't exactly eat. Besides, I've got to take my new partner out, you've done excellent work. I owe you.” She blushes. Bet she tried real hard to not do that.

  “New partner huh? Wouldn't your current partner be upset?” She teases as we walk out and she locks the door.

  “Not really. He’ll be helping us too.” I follow her down the steps. She's pretty fast when she’s on a mission.

  “Great. Asshole number three?” More jokes. I'm glad I'm passed the anger she has. Well, I hope I am. This may just be a brief lapse.

  “Yeah. You go ahead and tell him that. Your crew really won't mind we’re taking you away?” I ask as we step outside the building. She stops and waits for me to walk to my car.

  “You saw them last night. As long as I turn in a report, one they want anyways, they don't care.” One they want? What exactly do they expect from a case like this?

  “Well, I, and I'm sure Redmond, respect the hell out of you. Don't worry about us. Maybe your ‘asshole’ count should go to them?” I open her door again and she studies my face as I smile.

  “I've got other names for them.” She winks as she gets into the car. Well, I didn't think that hard ass from yesterday could lighten up. It looks good too.

  Chapter 9

  Talia

  I don't even know if it's day, night, or how many days I've been in here. The woman next to me was right, there's a group of women in here and all individually caged. I see a little bit more every time the light spills through the door when he opens it.

  My stomach growls, it's been hours, or days since I ate. I'm not sure. He comes in, throws a plate of bread, if I'm lucky, and a small cup of water.

  We are literally animals to him. Caged animals probably waiting to be slaughtered.

  “Hey.” I whisper.

  “Yeah.” My cell neighbor says weakly. She isn't sounding so good, so I've been giving her some of my water and bread.

  “Here. You take some.” I say as I push my hand through the small opening of my cage, it's enough for my hand to get through, and she's able to grab it.

  “Thanks. You really should keep more to yourself. I'll be fine. Just feeling weak. Can't blame me, right.”

  “Every time he comes in here, I watch him. Don't worry. I'll find a way out of this for all of us.”

  She snickers mockingly. “Some of these women have been here for months. It's useless. Just waiting to be murdered is all we can do.”

  I sit on the dirty mattress, the only warm thing in here. Well, it’s not as cold as everything else. I wrap my arms around my knees and curl up on the small bed. I need to find a way out of here. There has to be some sort of weakness, some way to be free. I doubt any of us are strong enough to overpower him. This evil man keeps our rations small and infrequent, I’m sure to make sure we stay weak.

  Each time that door opens I get a glimpse of what my jail looks like. Makeshift cages, and cramped. I’ll see the other women in here, but each one has an anorexic look. My body shakes at that thought. I need to get us out of here.

  When the door opens, the light is so bright my eyes can’t adjust in time to see out. I can't even have hope that if I escape my cage I'd get free easily. I can dream.

  Chapter 10

  Vega

  Mile's isn't so bad. At least he's not dismissing me. We walk up behind Redmond who’s near the back looking over evidence as soon as we get to the precinct.

  “When do you expect the report from the M.E.?” I ask sternly, making him jump.

  Miles looks pleased as Redmond’s shocked face met us. His brawny shoulders tensing up, then relaxing as soon as his amber eyes found me. Of course, asshole number three. His ink-like hair is shaved close to his head, and his light brown skin holds a slight olive undertone. Where the hell did this precinct pick up detectives? I swear those Amber eyes against his oliveish skin and black hair made him glow with gorgeousness, even under these fluorescent lights.

  “Holy sh-. Miles, your friend here scared the crap out of me.”

  “Vega, Red. Red, Vega. FBI.” He says as he motions between us. Redmond nods at me as if that's the only greeting he can express at the moment.

  “Uh. Should be soon actually. To answer your question. Other than that we have nothing.” He turns back to the evidence and the case files. Well that answer is not going to work for me. I need my hands on those files.

  I look to Miles hoping I can transfer my frustration. I need to get on with my search, but I’m not sure I want anyone else to know what I’m doing. At least he sensed the confliction I’m having. He nods and
looks back to Redmond.

  I let out the sigh my lungs trapped and my mind is nearly jumping with joy to get new information.

  “Let us take a look at the cold cases. See if there’s something we missed.” Asking Redmond, who absentmindedly hands over a thick stack of files. “Come on Vega. We'll go somewhere where we can concentrate.” His voice holds a hint of seduction that grabbed my attention. That reaction in my body needs to stop.

  I don’t care if he is trying to get us alone. I want those files.

  Redmond turns around quickly with shock on his face, or is that admiration?

  “Need help?” He asks eagerly as he keeps his focus on Miles.

  “Only if you think you can be helpful.” I reply. Leaving his mouth gaped and Miles chuckling.

  “It's fine. I'll wait for the report. Then I'll come find you guys.”

  We’re able to use their small office to lay out our files. Finally I can see if there are other victims around here. Miles sits across from me and starts reading a file while I rummage through these things like a crazy woman. I’ve got useful information that may have more clues to this case sitting in front of me, I’m not wasting any time. These cases may help, and hopefully it’s information to move forward. He peers up at me from over a file, and I can see that smile in his eyes as he watches me.

  “You know. I've been through these files twice. But after looking at your information I think we may find what we need.”

  I smile, internally of course. Someone other than me has faith in finding evidence.

  “Yeah. But no other bodies have been found. Which makes me question where else we need to look. Are there other cities that may also have women disappearing, or bodies showing up? I couldn't imagine all thirty-nine are from here without more questions being raised.” I say while I search and shuffle through papers.

  “You're right. I have thought about that too. Maybe look at our neighboring cities. See if they've found anything or had disappearances like these. I’ll get a call in to a few other areas, see if we can at least get missing person’s reports that fit with these.” I pause my search for a second. Just hearing I’m right about this nearly took my breath. I’m glad someone is finally listening to me.

  “If he only kept it local that would give him away, wouldn't it? With that many women, it would narrow our search radius.” He nods and a slight smile forms on his face.

  “Good thing we're on the same page. Ever hear from your coworkers?” Even his voice holds hate when mentioning those men. Didn’t take long for those boys to make a nasty impression.

  I scoff. “They'd probably prefer I work with you. Just to let you know, they don't think highly of your work on this case.” I glare at him. Their work wasn’t bad, there just isn’t a lot.

  “Not my problem. As long as they get results I don't care what they think.”

  I sit back and shuffle through a few files. Separating them by their situations, and what similarities I can find. Then I'll go back through them and see if we can find those other women.

  Miles sat his file down and stares at me. I continue to scan the current file I'm holding. I’m just waiting for a question to come from him. That concentrated look can only mean he’s trying to put things together. I just hope it’s not a personal question.

  “Out of your research, you said all but two women were at bars with a group?”

  I nod with a silent breath of tension leaving my body. Not personal. Good.

  “What were the circumstances of the two who were alone?”

  I place my file down and look at him as I lean into my chair.

  “Abrasive attitude. The bartenders said that the women were obviously upset, refused to take drinks sent their way or socialize with anyone at the bar.”

  He leans back and rubs his chin. “Ah. So that explains your attitude then.” Smiling like he thinks that isn’t who I am. That my attitude at the bar was a façade. Ha.

  I lean my forearms on the table, trying to look as intimidating as possible as I stare at him. “I happen to fit that description, decided it would work for me. Unfortunately, I either am not his type or I’m at the wrong bar. You know. The last girl, thirty-nine. That was only a few blocks from the bar I was at that night.” His smile fades, replaced with a cold stare that displays his annoyance with my research and baiting activities.

  “Yeah. Well, you'd let me know if you are going to do it again. Right? I can serve as back up.”

  Backup? I don't have to tell him a darn thing. Before I can protest he holds up his hand like he was going to stop me from talking anyways. I’m sure he can see I’m going to refuse his assistance. There’s none needed.

  “Look. I don't want you to go in there alone. If something happened it'd be nice to know I can help catch this guy and make sure you are okay too.”

  The sincerity is new to hear. He definitely doesn't want me out there alone, but I don’t need help of any kind.

  The longer he keeps that cold stare on me, the more I realize I have been a little worried. Am I in over my head if I actually found the guy? Probably. My judgement is clouded by the abduction of my sister. I want to be reckless and get rid of this guy any way I can. Of course putting me in the abductee seat and hoping for the best is the only plan I can come up with. Well, the quickest way to catch him.

  I nod while staring at the desk we are sitting at. I want to say, sure. It would be nice to have a partner in this, but this is putting his life and job at risk too. He couldn't be so invested into this case that he'd risk all of that. What if he has a family? Elara and I only have each other. No one other than friends to notify if something happened to us.

  “Vega?” He softly says waiting for an actual response from me.

  I feel myself falling back into that dream where I can't change it. Where I'm helpless knowing she was taken and there's nothing I can do. My palms start to sweat and my face cools quickly like all my blood drained from me. I can't look at him. I can't. I’m sure the small tremble in my body is noticeable as I stare off. I need to get this feeling out and back to reality.

  His warm hand unexpectedly swallows mine making me jump.

  “Fuck.” Mutter as I retract my hand from under his. Contact is not something I was ready for. No. I need to refocus this energy into my search.

  “Sorry.” That soft voice, with concern in his eyes is all I can think about. “Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

  Do I need anything? Why am I considering having someone tag along to my game of 'catch the killer'? I shake my head and finally look him in the eyes.

  “I'm fine.” Even I felt the ice from that cold tone. I need distance. This isn't going to go well for me and I just need to stop this now. I can't have him involved. “I think I need to go.” I stand up.

  He places a hand on my shoulder as I try to walk by him. He isn't trying to forcefully stop me, but my body stills at the contact. I close my eyes and I can feel his warmth surround me. I can't do this. Not now.

  “Vega. Please stay. Help me go through these. I'm sorry if I upset you.” His soft tone makes my body shiver without my conscious thought, and his hand grips on me like he wants to help. So what if he does?

  “I can't have you do this with me. My lack of common sense is the reason I'm doing this. I'm sure you have other people in your life that would hate for you to do this. Elara is all I have. Without her, I've got no one. Which is why I don't care what happens to me, just as long as that bastard is dead and those women are safe.”

  Well, damn. I'm surprised I held it together and strongly put out those words. I’m proud of myself for that one, but I know the tears are visible and ready to break free. His reaction with a slight pain in his eyes is interesting. Maybe my reckless plan is more than I can handle, but I need progress on this case. I can’t trust anyone else but myself to get that information, even if it puts me in danger.

  “Vega. You've got me to help you. To get your sister and those other women out of there. There's no reason to do th
is alone. I don't know anyone else who would want to do this. If you've got a lack of common sense, then so do I.”

  I swear I'm on the verge of tears. I blink my eyes a mile a minute as I try to keep those drops of sadness from falling. Just as I'm about to respond, Redmond rushes into the room. He takes a second to watch my water-filled eyes and Miles' large hand on my shoulder. He clears his throat a few times, takes a couple more steps into the office and closes the door.

  “Everything okay?” He asks. Uncertain about what he just walked in on as he looks between us. I nod. Miles doesn't move his hand but looks to Redmond with an expression showing his discontent. Like he wants to tell Redmond to get the hell out of here.

  “M.E. report?” Miles grumbles uncomfortably.

  “Yeah. Died of asphyxiation. Severely malnourished, marks consistent with severe abuse. A few broken bones, with rope burns around her ankles and wrists.” He stops and looks at me.

  All I can think of is that Elara may be going through all of that right now. I close my eyes at that thought. I know the jolt in me traveled through to Miles.

  “Obvious signs of rape, torture, and struggle.” I quietly say as my watery eyes found him. He nods. Of course. “Anything weird? Other than the marking I found.” He shakes his head.

  “No. But got an ID. Molly Barnes. Five-six, honey colored hair, pale blue eyes, twenty two years old. Found a missing person’s report from the next town over. They're sending us the file they have, maybe we can speak to the last people who saw her?” He tries to avoid my eyes, and looks mostly at Miles. I see that question on his face, and I agree, it’s confusing.

  “I’m coming with you two when you do the interview. I'd like to get some more information.” They look at me and nod. Maybe Redmond figures the FBI wants in on their process. Either way, I'm going with them.

  “Should have the information in a few minutes. We can look it over and figure out a plan in a bit. What do you think?” It’s a general question for us both, but he looks to Miles like he has an answer to another unasked question. Lovely.