by Erin Wade
CHAPTER 3
Slow dancing with Java was an exercise in self-control. Kat watched as Barbie almost climbed the lithe frame of their team leader. The smaller woman slid her hand behind Java’s back and found the hem of her pullover. She slipped her fingers beneath the top and slid her hand up Java’s back pressing skin against skin.
Java locked gazes with Kat and grinned sheepishly. Time to save her ass, Kat thought. She sipped one last swallow of her wine then walked to the dancers. “Cutting in.” She dared Barbie to deny her request.
“It’s about time,” Java released her breath. “I thought you were going to let her seduce me.” She pulled Kat into her arms and reveled in the feel of the brunette. “You on the other hand are welcome to succeed.”
“You shouldn’t ride me so hard in front of them,” Kat whispered in her ear as their bodies melded, and Java moved her gracefully around the dancefloor. “It’s a turn on you know.”
“Meant for you and no one else,” Java pointed out.
“Note to Java,” the blonde grinned, “don’t ride Kat so hard in public. What about in private?”
“In private, you can ride me as hard as you like.” Kat bit Java’s ear hard.
“Ouch,” Java squealed jumping away from Kat. “That hurt.”
“I’m going to the lady’s room,” Kat smirked. “Go charm our teammates.”
Java ambled to the table where the others were laughing at her.
“She scratches and bites,” Chris poked fun at her boss and the others laughed as Java continued rubbing her ear.
Java finished her drink then followed Kat into the foyer of the immaculate lady’s room. The brunette was washing her hands at the sink next to the wall. She dried her hands and turned to face the woman that often made her heart race.
“You shouldn’t be in here,” she purred as Java backed her to the wall.
“I don’t want to be anywhere else,” Java whispered in her ear as she pressed her body against Kat’s. “You drive me crazy.”
Kat raised hands Java knew were lethal weapons. She caught Kat’s wrists in her left hand and forced them against the wall above Kat’s head.
“Someone is living dangerously,” Kat mumbled.
“You know you’ve wanted this all day,” Java kissed her neck and shoulder.
“Sometimes I could kill you,” Kat threatened.
“And other times?” Java continued to kiss and gently suck Kat’s neck.
“Other times I could fuc—," Soft lips pressed against Kat’s— “your brains out.”
“I’m hoping this is one of those other times,” Java pressed her lower body harder against Kat and let her free hand edge under Kat’s sweater.
Kat couldn’t stop her foolish heart’s acceleration as Java’s soft hand moved closer to her breast. “I hate you,” she mumbled as she sucked Java’s lip between her teeth. “Hate you.”
“Incoming,” Kat whispered.
Java groaned loudly and braced herself for the inevitable.
Kat’s movement was imperceptible. One-minute Java had Kat’s hands pinned to the wall over her head and the next minute Java lay on the floor curled into the fetal position whimpering like a scared puppy.
“I won’t be so gentle next time, Java,” Kat kicked at her team leader as she headed for the door and their shocked team members.
“Oh, I thought we were alone,” Kat shot a hot glance at her two teammates pretending to notice them for the first time. “You might want to help your boss; you know the one with five hands.”
CHAPTER 4
Beau Braxton wished there was something he could put up his nose to block the stench of blood but that was just a myth, so he shook his head, held his breath then stepped into the bedroom of the middle-class home in Rayne, Louisiana.
The message Beau’s eyes sent to his brain was far worse than the smell of blood. A mother and her three children were lined up on a king-sized bed that was now a blood-drenched resting place for them.
“Dear God,” Beau exhaled glancing at his partner.
“Yeah,” Lou Davenport snorted. “What kind of monster would do this? There are brains splattered all over the walls and blood is everywhere.”
“Any witnesses?” Beau croaked taking shallow breaths.
“Not a soul so far,” Lou said. “Penny just arrived. Her people are in the other rooms and she’s pissed about the local authorities contaminating the crime scene. She’s banned them from entering the house. She said the children were slaughtered in their rooms and moved in here.”
“Good,” Beau nodded. “Penny will go over this place with a fine-toothed comb. Do we have any idea how many killers there were?”
“At least two,” Penny huffed as she entered the room. “I’ve got the prints from a man’s shoe and a woman’s boot. Looks like a couple, out for a little Friday evening massacre.”
Penny Short was the forty-five-year-old medical director for Orleans Parish. A tough, no-nonsense woman who had single-handedly straightened out the mess the Coroner’s office had become after twenty years of neglect.
“Don’t get too excited though. I suspect the woman’s footprint belongs to that local officer standing over there.”
Penny pointed an accusing finger toward a petite female wearing the police uniform of the local sheriff’s department.
Beau groaned loudly as he looked at the officer’s shoes covered in blood. “How badly have the locals contaminated the crime scene?”
“Enough that I’m going to be forced to fingerprint and check the shoes of everyone who arrived before I did,” Penny groused. “It’s not like I have time to waste clearing the local law enforcement officers. I should consider them all suspects and have them arrested, but that would just increase your workload.”
“Please don’t do that, Penny?” Lou pleaded.
“Why have we been assigned to this case?” Penny asked. “This is way out of our jurisdiction.”
“You know we’re part of the statewide metro squad,” Beau snorted. “When the perps are classified as serial killers, it becomes ours and yours.”
“Serial killers!” Penny smirked. “Since when?”
“As of this case,” Beau informed her. “This is the third murder with the same MO.”
“Damn,” Penny cursed. “I hate serial killers. They’re so frickin’ crazy they tend to outsmart us normal folks.
“I’ll need the other two cases ASAP so I can compare them to make sure this is the work of the same loon before we start a panic among our fellow citizens.”
“The files have been sent to your office,” Beau shrugged. “I had them sent to you as I drove to this location.”
“So, you’ve already classified this the work of a serial killer?” Penny frowned. “What do you need me for?”
“Come on Penny,” Beau flashed a smile, “tell me I’m wrong?”
Penny glanced at the tall detective. “You know you’re right,” she grumbled.
“Yeah, I’m headed to a meeting with SKIRT right now. Is there any chance you could brief us in the morning?”
“SKIRT!” Penny snorted. “What the hell is SKIRT?”
“Serial Killers Investigative Resolution Team,” Beau laughed. “I’m the liaison between them and the rest of the law enforcement community in the state.”
“Ah, yes, that’s the new group Java’s heading up,” Penny shook her head. “How’d you get so lucky?”
“Java requested you and me,” Beau grinned. “This should be fun.”
“Yeah!” Penny chuckled. “Or at least a lot of kick-ass action. Do you have any suspects?”
“Not yet,” Beau grimaced, “but believe me you’ll be the first to know when I do.”
CHAPTER 5
Beau Braxton stood in the doorway surveying the clientele of New Orleans’ most elite supper club. He wondered how the FBI justified the expense of belonging to the members-only private club. His eyes focused on the four women across the room. They were laughing and talking
.
Beau knew Java, Kat and Chris. He was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the newest team member. He searched his mind for a name. Barbie, yes Barbie Wallace. Geeze, I hope she’s straight! He thought.
Java caught his eye and waved him over to their table. He’d had a crush on the blonde during their first case together but soon learned that he wasn’t playing on the same team as Java. Hell, he didn’t even have the right uniform much less the game plan. Although she was every man’s wet dream, Java was tough as nails and very much a woman’s woman.
His eyes moved to Kat Lace. It was no secret Java was crazy about Kat, but the brunette rarely gave her the time of day unless one considered the fact that Kat had taken a bullet for Java during their last case. Kat may hate Java but didn’t hesitate to die for her. Both women are FBI through and through. Beau thought.
The women greeted Beau warmly as he pulled out a chair to join them. Java introduced Barbie as Chris ordered him a drink.
“If I recall correctly,” Chris smiled, “you’re a Ragin’ Cajuns Lager man.”
“I am,” Beau grinned like it was his birthday. He was pleased that the red-haired beauty remembered his beer of choice.
“Dance with me, Java,” Barbie caught Java’s hand and stood up.
“Not right now Barbie. My coffee will get cold.” Java sipped her favorite drink.
“You and your coffee,” Barbie huffed. “Does your coffee always come first?”
“I can think of only one thing I’d miss my coffee for,” Java raised her brows at Kat who sneered back at her. “Besides, I’m pretty sure Beau has information we need.”
Beau took a long drink of his beer and squinted his eyes as the red murder scene flashed in front of him.
“I know your team’s top priority is the four women’s heads found in Louisiana and Texas,” Beau exhaled, “and I’m sorry to tell you that I have nothing on those crimes. Not a single lead.
“The thing I’m most disturbed over right now is the murder of thirteen people in the past five days. I know you’ve been following the murders and are aware of the debauchery involved.”
“I’ve been following the reports,” Java frowned, “but it’s not our case. We’re strictly serial killers.”
“It is now,” Beau rubbed his temples.
“The scene I just left is definitely number three,” he tried not to gag. “Even more gruesome than the other two. Three children involved. Penny’s going to meet with us in the morning and further validate it, but I’d bet my retirement it’s the same perp or perps.”
Java nodded solemnly. “We’ll go over all the details in the morning. Right now, let’s enjoy dinner and the excellent camaraderie.”
##
The next morning Beau arrived as Java was unlocking the office door. She balanced two large styrofoam cups of coffee on a laptop bag as she turned the knob and pushed the door open.
“What the hell is going on, Beau?” She grunted as she placed the coffee and computer bag on the table at the front of the room. “We’ve got one case involving four women’s heads and another case with three separate murder scenes where families are axed to death. Are the two cases related?”
“I don’t think so, Java. The MO on the decapitations is completely different from the ax murders. I’m certain it’s two different psychos.”
“I’d like to visit the murder scene after Penny briefs us,” Java informed him. “While it’s still fresh.”
“I thought you’d want to do that,” Beau agreed. “I had the house sealed and posted two guards to keep out the looky-loos.”
“I appreciate that. Thanks Beau.”
Penny and Kat entered with the others following behind. Java shook hands with Penny. “It’s good to be working with you again,” she said.
“You know I’m up to my neck in dead bodies,” Penny growled, “And I received a memo this morning that we’re being assigned to the ax murder cases.”
“You have to admit the case is a puzzler, Penny.”
“I know, Java. I’m all in on it. This bastard has massacred thirteen people in five days. Most serial killers rest and savor their kill. Each kill just seems to make him want to kill again. It’s like a shark on a feeding frenzy.”
“So, you are calling it a serial killing?” Java grimaced.
“Oh, yes,” Penny exhaled. “The Basher has a need to kill and kill again.”
“The Basher?” Kat questioned.
“Yeah, he doesn’t hack ‘em like you’d expect with an ax. He uses the blunt side and bludgeons them to death. That bit of information cannot go outside this room,” Penny cautioned. “It’s the only way we will know when we encounter copycat killers and we always do.”
Penny opened her laptop, plugged it into the projector, and waited for her slide show to load. “I can’t believe we haven’t caught him. He seems to randomly select his victims. I can’t figure out how he kills so many without anyone putting up a fight.”
“I’ve wondered about that too,” Beau joined in. “Did toxicology show any barbiturates in their systems?”
“You will find this hard to believe,” Penny shook her head. “The bodies from the first two murders haven’t been worked yet. I’ve called for them to be delivered to my morgue as soon as possible.”
“Penny, you’re the best,” Java complimented. “Everyone’s here so let’s get on with the show.”
Penny flashed the presentation on the whiteboard and Beau turned out the lights. Java slid a cup of coffee to Kat. “Peace offering,” she smiled as Kat took the cup letting her fingers linger around Java’s longer than necessary.
“We believe the killer or killers’ first victims were the family in West Crowley, LA,” Penny started. “The Martins, a husband and wife and their small son, were murdered around January first. The second murders were four days later in Gonzales. The Dailey family consisted of two sisters and four children under the age of five. Our latest murder—the third—was yesterday in Rayne.
“I haven’t had time to complete the autopsy on yesterday’s kill and I’m waiting for the bodies from the first two murders, but from the written reports from local authorities, the mode of operation seems to be the same.
“In all three murders the victims were beaten to death with the blunt side of the ax not the sharp edge as one would expect. I’ve only the bodies in my morgue to go by but from the force of the blows I’d say we’re looking for a strong man capable of crushing an adult’s skull with a single blow.
“Although the victims were killed in various rooms of the house, all of them were lined up across the bed meaning the killer had to carry them to the bed to arrange them in his bizarre ritual.
“Until I can complete autopsies on all the bodies that’s all the information I have. Any questions?”
“All the children were small,” Kat thought out loud, “so a large, strong woman could have carried them, or two killers would have no problem moving the bodies.”
“True,” Penny nodded.
“At the recent murder in Rayne,” Beau said, “the killer left the ax leaning against the headboard of the bed. Has the ax been left in all the murders?”
“Yes,” Penny answered. “They probably didn’t want to be caught with it. It wasn’t wiped clean, but blood was intentionally smeared all over it effectively destroying any fingerprints.”
“Are all the axes the same?” Java asked.
“No, each one is different and very common,” Penny answered. “They could have been purchased anywhere.”
“All three murders were committed close to the Amtrak stations,” Barbie noted. “I’d think they were riding the train but that would mean they’d have to hide the ax in route to the crime. After the crime they’d be covered in blood and brains which would draw a lot of attention. So, I’m guessing they are using their own vehicle to get to the murder scene.
“Were there any tire prints?”
“None were pulled from the first two murder scenes,” Penny huffed,
“and the one we worked yesterday was overrun by the local authorities. Honest to God, they drove their vehicles right into the driveway and parked all along the curb. If there was any evidence, they wiped it out.”
Java thumbed through Penny’s report then asked a question. “Voodoo dolls. This says that voodoo dolls were left at each crime scene. Is that true?”
“Yes,” Penny shrugged. “All identical. You know, the fancy-dressed ones that look like voodoo priests. The kind one can purchase at any high-end tourist trap in Louisiana.”
“Can you shoot us over a photo of it—front and back?” Java requested.
Penny flashed a phone number on the white board. “My cellphone,” she quipped. “Each of you text me and I’ll set up a group text, so all of you receive info as I get it.”
Penny’s phone dinged five times as the team responded. “One voodoo doll coming up,” she grinned thankful for modern technology. Everyone’s phone dinged as the picture of the doll showed up on their screen.
“Hum, pretty cute,” Barbie commented. “Most of the ones I’ve seen looked like a burlap bag. This one actually has on decent clothes.”
“It looks like that priest that leads the Christ’s Sanctity Church,” Chris noted. “You know the mulatto fellow with the spikey hair.”
“Handsome dude,” Barbie added.
“Maybe we should pay him a visit,” Java scowled.
“To summarize the similarities in this case,” Penny raised her voice, “All the families were mixed. In each case the children’s father was black, and the mother was white or visa-versa. All were killed with the blunt side of the ax. All the bodies were lying on their backs and lined up on the bed. All murders were committed sometime after midnight. Each victim’s arms were crossed over a voodoo doll.”
CHAPTER 6
Java was stacking drink glasses in the bar when Barbie Wallace arrived. “You’re early, Barbie.”
“I just wanted to get the lay of the land before others arrived.” Barbie tied on an apron that said, “Java’s Place.” “Is it okay if I walk through the restaurant?”
