I glanced back at Cody to see his reaction.
Cody sat back with his head rested on his pillow. “You won’t catch this one.” His tone was full of certainty and despair. We were finally heading into my territory, and that was the opportunity I’d been looking for.
I put my arm on Cody’s bed and leaned forward. “I promise you, Cody. I will catch the creep that hurt your family… and your friends.”
Cody shifted his eyes towards me and said, “My mom always told me to never make promises I couldn’t keep.”
“Your mom was a smart woman, but—”
“I don’t want to talk anymore.” Cody rolled over on his side with his back to me.
Damn. I chewed on the inside of my lower lip and took a risk.
“Can I just ask you one question? And then I’ll leave.” He didn’t answer.
“Will your grandparents be coming to visit you soon? I’m sure you’ll feel a lot better spending time with them, instead of staying cooped up in here. I’m sure their food is way better, too.” Cody breathed a loud and heavy sigh.
“All right, sorry. I’ll leave you alone now.” I drank the rest of my soda and tossed the can in the trash.
“I don’t have anyone else.”
“You mean your grandparents live in another country or some—”
“They’re dead.”
Cody’s tone made my skin crawl. It was so blunt and without emotion. “I’m sorry, Cody. All of them? Your mom’s and your dad’s parents?”
“Stepdad,” Cody stated with disdain. “I don’t know anything about his family, and I really don’t care.”
“Okay.” I found that a bit odd.
“Mom told me that Tony was beaten a lot when he was a kid, so he left them.”
“You mean he ran away?”
“He was a real jerk.” Cody turned back toward me, but still focused his attention on the television screen.
“What about aunts or uncles? Anybody that I can call?”
He gazed into my eyes and said, “I don’t have anybody else.”
That made me understand. Cody had come from a small, estranged family. His mother was either widowed or divorced, or Cody’s real dad had been one of those deadbeat types who leave as soon as he finds out his girlfriend is pregnant. Then Cody’s stepdad had come into the picture, and from what Cody had said, that man had also been estranged from his family. He’d probably been an only child, and had lived in an abusive home. Probably hadn’t had a big family, and when he’d left home, he either hadn’t kept in touch with his parents, or they simply hadn’t cared.
“Your mom didn’t have any brothers or sisters did she?” Cody shook his head, confirming my assumption.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Realizing that I was dealing with an orphan, I grieved for him. I wanted to find the monster that had committed such a horrendous crime that much more. “I promise I’ll catch the creep that did this. And… um… I want you to know that you do have somebody else.”
I couldn’t believe those words had just come out of my mouth. Cody’s forehead wrinkled. He shifted his eyes towards me, but he didn’t respond.
“Until we figure this thing out, I’m here. And as far as I’m concerned, every member of the Austin Police Department is your family now. You’re not alone.”
Cody shook his head slightly and returned his focus on the television. That’s not quite the reaction I’d expected but—
My phone rang, distracting me from my thoughts. I checked the screen and answered the phone. “Hey, Chief, what do you have for me?”
“We found Jackson Smith.”
“Excuse me?” I stood up. “What do you mean you found Jackson Smith?”
That also got Cody’s attention. I glanced back at him and took a few steps away.
“Officer Tripp just arrested him for assault.”
“You sure it’s the same Jackson Smith that—?”
“Positivo.”
Cody was somber as he gazed at me. I returned a suspicious glare. “I’ll be at the station in twenty.” I ended the call and asked Cody directly, “What do you know about Jackson Smith?”
Cody remained silent.
“It’s the way you were looking at me. Why did—?”
“Leave me alone!” Cody yelled. “Just leave me alone!”
I stood there speechless as the boy curled up under the covers.
Moments later, the head nurse entered the room. “What’s going on in here?”
“Nothing.” I shook my head in hopeless frustration. “Anyway, I was just leaving.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Pamela chimed with one hand on her hip. “I think that’s a good idea, Detective.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
The Reunion
On the way to the police station, I called Sandra Thomas to inform her of Jackson’s arrest. Despite her nephew’s arrest, Mrs. Thomas expressed some relief. At least he was no longer missing. She informed me that she and her husband would be at the police station as soon as possible.
Chief Hernandez met me in the garage and handed me a folder with Jackson’s arrest report. As we entered the building, I thumbed through the contents and examined the photograph. It was definitely the same kid. Jackson’s preliminary arrest report indicated an altercation with another teen at Barton Creek Mall. The argument had turned physical and Jackson had ended up ramming the other boy’s head repeatedly against a bench. Two men—mall shoppers—had broken up the fight. Mall security subdued Jackson until police arrived.
“I thought this kid was some sort of esteemed star football player,” I said, skimming through a few other notes. “It says here that Jackson beat the boy enough to send him to the hospital.”
“He’s big for his age,” the chief said while we waited for an elevator. “Easily outweighed the other kid.”
“So, where does this leave us with our John Doe? I thought for sure it was him.”
“I don’t know. Without prints, DNA, or missing persons to go by, we’re stuck.”
As we rode the elevator to the third floor, I thought about Cody’s reaction when I’d mentioned Jackson Smith. That bothered me. The kid had seemed very disturbed, and for him to yell like that suggested he was hiding something from me.
“He’s in Room Four,” Chief Hernandez informed me, interrupting my thoughts. “I asked Officer Tripp to hold off transporting him to Juvie until you had a chance to talk to him.”
The elevator chimed and the doors opened onto the third floor.
“What about his aunt and uncle?” I asked, stepping out. “Have they arrived yet?”
“Not yet, pero I don’t see a problem with you having a chat with him until they arrive.” He grabbed my shoulder. “Just watch yourself, okay? Simple questioning, until his aunt and uncle arrive.” I gave the chief a slight grin. “I’ll try to be civil.”
“I mean it, Aaron. Don’t let your past experiences with delinquent youth interfere.”
“Don’t worry, boss. I promise not to throw any chairs or put him in a headlock.”
He shook his head and smirked. He pointed an index and middle finger at his eyes, and then at me.
Jackson was sitting on the other side of a long metal table with his hands cuffed behind his back. Officer Tripp was leaning against the wall, appearing very bored. Jackson glared at me with disdain.
“Officer Tripp, you can remove the restraints from him now.”
The officer pulled his keys out of his pocket and stepped behind Jackson.
“I’m not saying a damn thing to you, pig!” Jackson spit on the table and wiped some of the dribble off his chin onto his shirt.
“Still want me to remove them?” Officer Tripp said. I nodded.
“Jackson Smith,” I said as I set the arrest report on the table. “I’m glad you’re here and—”
“Screw you!” Jackson showed me both of his middle fingers, as soon as Officer Tripp removed his cuffs.
I inhaled a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Jackson was already g
etting on my last nerve. “Look, kid, I don’t want to get into a pissing match with you. I just want to talk about where you’ve been the past several days.” I paused to allow him to let out more aggression.
He just stared at me with malevolent eyes.
“You want me to stay in the room?” Officer Tripp asked, with his hand on the door handle.
“No, that’s okay. I’ll take it from here.” I waited for Officer Tripp to leave the room and then asked Jackson, “Do your parents know where you’ve been?”
Jackson crossed his arms and rested his back against the chair.
“Oookaaay,” I said, my tone drawn out. “Maybe you and your parents aren’t on speaking terms, for some reason. Maybe you ran away from home. I get that.” Jackson laughed.
“Did I say something funny?”
Jackson placed his hands on the table and pushed the chair back. He started to rise from his chair, but I ordered him to sit back down. He hesitated as if trying to decide whether or not to do as I said before settling back into his chair.
“Right now, I don’t care if you’ve been ditching school, doing drugs, or whatever. That’s not my concern. I am, however, very disturbed about the three boys we found mutilated at Memorial Heights Cemetery.”
“You think I killed them?” Jackson smirked. “That it?”
“Actually, I thought you were one of them.”
“Well, I’m here,” he said, his arms stretched to his sides. “Alive and kicking.”
The door opened behind me.
“Detective?” Officer Tripp said from the doorway. “Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are here.”
I glanced at Jackson, and then instructed the officer to let them in the room. Out in the hallway, I heard officer Tripp inform Jackson’s aunt and uncle that they could enter.
Jackson’s aunt rushed towards Jackson and hugged him. “Oh, thank God you’re okay!”
Jackson returned the gesture with nonchalance.
“Where’ve you been? Ever since we heard about… we’ve been trying to contact you and your parents. We’ve been worried sick, Jackson.”
I greeted Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, and then the couple took seats on either side of their nephew. “I guess, now that we know Jackson’s okay,” said Mr. Thomas, “we don’t have to worry about that DNA test.” He sounded relieved.
I forced a smile and agreed. I took a seat across from the trio. “Have you heard from your brother?” I asked Jackson’s aunt.
“No, I haven’t, but I called him about an hour ago. I got his voicemail.”
“Okay. Is that a good thing?”
“I believe it is. It rang several times before going to voicemail.”
“I still don’t follow.”
Mr. Thomas answered for his wife, “Before, the phone would go straight to voicemail. You know, like it does when the phone is turned off.”
“Ah, I understand.”
“What’re you talking about?” Jackson asked.
Mrs. Thomas turned to her nephew, “Your mom, dad, and Austin have been missing several days now.”
“Missing?” Jackson pointed a thumb at me. “Is that was this jerkoff told you?”
“Jackson!” Mrs. Thomas scolded him. “Apologize right now. What’s gotten into you?”
Jackson smiled and mocked, “I’m sorry, Mr. Policeman.”
“That’s not an apology, young man,” his aunt said. “Don’t worry about it,” I said. “He obviously has issues with authority.”
“No, just with you,” Jackson corrected.
Jackson’s uncle slapped the back of his head with enough force to make the teen jerk forward. He glared at his uncle with condemnation.
“I apologize for my nephew’s behavior,” Mr. Thomas said, squeezing Jackson’s shoulder. “He really is a good kid.”
“Yeah, I can tell,” I said with sarcasm. “Now about your parents, Jackson…”
“I’m telling you, Mr. Sanders,” Jackson said with obvious faux politeness. “They aren’t missing. Mom’s been at home with my little brother and Dad’s away on business.”
“No, they’re not.”
“You been at my house or something?”
“As a matter of fact, I have, and nobody’s home. The cars are there, but no parents. And no little brother.”
“That’s bullshit.”
Mr. Thomas slapped Jackson across the back of his head again.
Jackson’s face turned red as he glared at his uncle. “Hit me one more time and–”
“I don’t think you understand how serious this issue is, Jackson.” I said. “But let’s forget about your parents for a second. Tell me about Jason Dexter.”
“That’s one of Austin’s friends. Ask him.”
“Who’s Jason Dexter?” Mrs. Thomas asked.
I ignored her question for the moment. “You know, I’d love to do that, Jackson, but it’s a tad bit difficult, considering the fact I have no idea where your brother is right now.”
Mr. Thomas answered his wife’s question. “That’s one of the boys that, uh…”
“Oh, let me guess,” Jackson said. “Jason’s one of the kids that got chopped up at that cemetery. What the hell’s that gotta do with me?”
“He was supposed to be staying at your house this weekend.”
“Says who?” Jackson said. “You? And what difference does it make anyway? He’s dead. Not like I had anything to do with it.”
“Whoa-whoa-whoa,” Jackson’s uncle interrupted. “Is that what this is about? Is Jackson a suspect?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Good, then let me go.” Jackson said.
“You’re still under arrest. Let’s not forget about that kid you put in the hospital.”
Jackson laughed. “Yeah, well, he deserved it.”
I rubbed my hand on my forehead feeling nerves unsettling.
“Where’ve you been the last few days? And don’t tell me a friend’s house or out of town on a school football trip.”
“Nowhere. Home and school. That’s it.”
“You haven’t been to school in over a week. I checked.”
“Then what the hell you want me to tell you, man?” Jackson’s nostrils flared.
“Your brother’s friend is dead, Jackson. Meanwhile, I’m thinking your remains are in a refrigerator at the morgue waiting for identification. But then you get yourself arrested for beating the crap out of some poor kid at the mall. I try to ask you some simple questions about your family, and where you’ve been, and you’ve given me nothing but attitude. So, you tell me. What is it that you think I want?” I raised my eyebrows and glared at the teen. I glanced at his aunt and uncle, who sat next to him, showing signs of growing distress.
Jackson’s face turned beat red and he yelled, “Go to hell, asshole!”
“Should I be worried about your parents? Your little brother?”
Mr. Thomas furrowed his brow. “What are you getting at? Do you think they’re dead? You think… You think Jackson… murdered his own family?”
Chief Hernandez and Officer Tripp entered the room.
“Detective, can I speak with you outside?” Chief Hernandez said.
“I think this meeting is over,” Mr. Thomas said as he stood. “Just tell me where to pay Jackson’s bail so we can take him home.” Jackson smirked and rose from his chair.
“You’re not going anywhere until bail is set.” I pointed at the chair. “You’re planting your butt right back in that seat… or in Juvie.”
“Judge Ramirez approved his bail ten minutes ago,” the chief corrected. To Jackson’s aunt and uncle he said, “Officer Tripp will show you where to post bail for your nephew. Once you take care of that, we’ll have an officer bring him down and release him into your custody.”
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas followed the police officer out of the interview room.
“Detective?” Chief Hernandez said. “A moment, please?”
Jackson smiled at me and waved, as the chief and I stepped into the hallway.
The chief pulled the door shut behind me. “Have you completely lost it?” he asked. He tapped his temple with two fingers. “¿Qué estabas haciendo ahí? What the hell were you doing in there, Aaron?”
“That kid is hiding something. I’m just fishing for information, David. And what if he did have something to do with—?”
“Ya para esto,” the chief stressed in Spanish with his palm jerked outward. “Do you honestly believe that a fourteen-year-old kid butchered up those boys? You’re really reaching there, Aaron.”
“Why? There’re plenty of cases of kids murdering their entire families. And that boy,” I said, pointing at the door, “has already proven that he’s capable of violence.”
The chief put both hands on his hips and stared down the hall.
“Look, I know I might’ve been able to handle that better, but you know we have to get a little extreme sometimes, just to see if a suspect bites.”
“Sí, pero on what grounds?” the chief said, with fire in his eyes. “What evidence do you have? Nada. You don’t have squat, Aaron. And your charade in there didn’t help us any. I won’t be surprised if we get slapped with a harassment suit.”
“Harassment? I did nothing wrong in there.”
The chief folded his arms over his chest and took a deep breath. “I think you need to take some time off.”
“What? Because I ruffled some brat kid’s feathers a little? Come on, man.”
The chief stared into my eyes without saying a word.
“I don’t need any time off.”
“I think you do.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “You’ve hit one roadblock after another with this case, and I think it’s wearing you down.” His cell phone rang. “Just take a few days. Es todo. It’ll do you some good.”
He answered his phone, walked halfway down the hall, and stopped. With his phone pressed to his ear, he shot me an angry glare. He then flipped his phone shut and headed back towards me, his phone clenched in his hand.
“What happened?”
He held his phone up and said, “That was the front desk.”
“Okay.”
“You really screwed up this time, Aaron.” He let me process that for a moment. I could tell he was pissed.
Devil's Nightmare (Devil's Nightmare, Book 1) Page 7
