Taurus

by A P Morgan

  A shower would be a welcome relief and keep my muscles from tightening up before I went home to an empty house.

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  Days continued to move slowly and nothing was coming up in my searches. I’d assisted on a few cases, but nothing time consuming enough to make me forget that we were working blind on a ticking clock.

  I’d gathered a list of weapons and motives to search for, but nothing was making the headlines. I was a good thing I was having dinner with Jerome over at his house. It would keep me busy for a short while.

  We’d finished dinner and were cleaning up the kitchen before watching a movie when a news station teased a breaking story about five murders in California. As soon as I heard the words, I knew we’d found it.

  “Jerome, don’t hate me. I’m going to have to postpone the rest of the evening. This is the break we’ve been waiting for and I’ve got some calls to make.”

  “You’re going to California then?” He tried to cover his frown, by walking closer to wrap me in his arms.

  “Not necessarily. We can make a few inquiries about the details and see if it matches. Plus, we’ll have to get permission to go out there and help. Not all departments appreciate outside help and might just use the information that we can provide without having us go out there.” I inhaled the seductive scent of his cologne that made me want to rip his clothes off right then.

  “I’d suggest going to the bedroom for a goodbye, but I don’t think your heart would be in it at the moment. Just remember to call me so that I don’t worry about what’s happening out there.”

  Considering his offer for all of five seconds, I knew that he’d at least learned something about me over the past few weeks. I’d feel guilty that I’d spent time doing something for me instead of helping save lives.

  Instead of answering, I just pulled his head down to my mouth for steam filled kiss.

  “That will just have to hold us for the next few weeks and hey if things aren’t terribly crazy maybe we can try that new thing all the kids are doing these days, phone sex or sexting?” I winked at him as I pulled myself from the warmth of his arms. It was going to take all of my focus to walk away.

  “Ha, you know it’s been around for years right?” He called after me.

  I waited until I got to the car before I texted him, “Yep, but since I’ve never done it before it should be fun. No pictures. Those can be copied and destroy lives so words only.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Stay safe.”

  “Will do. Laters.” I typed in before putting the phone in its spot and Jerome out of my mind. I had a killer to catch and thinking about my personal life couldn’t get in the way.

  Chapter 3

  Ryan

  It seemed like only a few days had passed since I’d come back from Wisconsin. I’d gone back to work because that’s what had to be done, but my heart wasn’t in it. I’d lost a friend, a brother in arms and I could have saved him.

  Leslie was all ready to go after this person again and I was trying to one day at a time. Were we really the ones that should be chasing this killer with a vendetta against us? Wasn’t that the way people got hurt?

  Shea knew something was wrong, but I hadn’t opened up to her yet. I was supposed to be strong for her and I couldn’t let her see that I was questioning things.

  The expression: Fake it till you make it, was just going to have to do for the moment. I just kept hoping that the past two months were fluke and the notes we’d found on the dead bodies had been done beforehand.

  I laid my keys on the counter and listened for signs that Shea was back from work. Silence.

  Whew, I wouldn’t have to pretend that I was okay. Closing my eyes, I leaned on the counter and tried to block out the sight of his casket going into the ground.

  When we’d first met back in college it had been through a random drawing of roommates. We happened to click even though we were from different parts of the country. We laughed, dated and played sports for four years together. Even going to police training together and working as beat cops for a while in the college town had only made our friendship stronger.

  People always laughed at the idea of two best friends that were that close, but when you’d been shot at and chased bad guys together, it was like losing a piece of yourself.

  I don’t even remember getting a beer or moving to the couch, but that’s where Shea found me when she got home a little while later.

  She didn’t say anything. Instead, she slipped of her coat and shoes walking over to the couch to sit right beside me. Taking the beer from my hand, she placed it on the table and pulled me over until I was leaning against her.

  I couldn’t hold it in any long and tears start falling down my cheeks.

  She just sat there patting me and providing the best form of comfort. I wasn’t ready to talk about it yet, not holding it would help. I don’t know how long we stayed like that, but my phone rang.

  Leslie’s name popped up.

  “Go ahead, answer it.” She held the phone out to me.

  “It probably means that we’re going to face another serial killer and I’m just not sure that I can do that.”

  “Are you still blaming yourself for what happened?” She took my face between her hands and turned it gently to face her, “You couldn’t have known what was going to happen. It was not your fault and Jesse would have agreed. You did everything that you could. Are you just going to sit around here while a killer gets away with murder?”

  “No. I’m just not sure I can handle it right now.”

  “This person is pure evil. You have a chance to stop that. If you don’t then Leslie will go by herself and you know that Flora said you’re both connected. Jesse would want you to have your partner’s back and she’s still new. You can teach her a lot.” She gave me a quick kiss, “Now, return her call while I go back a bag for you.”

  “You don’t even know that I’m going anywhere yet.” I protested.

  She got up from the couch taking the room temperature beer with her, “Call her back. If you don’t have to leave then I’ll order pizza and we’ll cuddle, but if you do I’ll give you a raincheck.”

  “Okay, but Shea?”

  “Yeah?” She stopped at the edge of the room.

  “I love you.” I picked up the phone to call Leslie.

  “I know, I love you too.” Then she disappeared down the hall so I could take the call.

  “Leslie what’s up?” I asked dreading her answer.

  “He’s back. The zodiac killer or his minions that is. They found five bodies out in California. I’m headed to the office to find out who’s in charge and how to contact them.”

  I rubbed my temples trying to calm the ache that was starting to build. “I’m going to get something to eat and I’ll meet you over there in about an hour.”

  “If I find out something before then, I’ll let you know. We finally have a place.”

  “Yeah, we do.” I groaned disconnecting the call. “Here we go again.”

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  A short shower, fresh clothes and a kiss from Shea later and I was headed to the Dallas office for more information. In the back seat was a newly packed suitcase in case we needed to go somewhere in a hurry.

  Leslie had stars in her eyes from the last two cases because there was almost no way that another police force were going to welcome us to help find their killer. They might let us give them information and then they’d make us cool our heels waiting to see if anything came of it. Our personal connections had worked in our favor, but this time we wouldn’t be so lucky.

  My visitor badge was still good at the Dallas station and I signed in before they let me back to the homicide department’s area. Leslie was talking animatedly to someone on the phone and the rest of the room was empty. Ten at night during the week wasn’t really a busy time, but those who were working must be out on a case.

  She waved me to a seat and listened into her conversation.

  “Yes, ma’am. I�
�m one of the detectives that worked on those two cases. I’m sure you’ve been getting lots of call all night since it hit the news with tips, but I just have one question to ask you. Was there a symbol near the bodies that were discovered? On a business card with the Aries sign of the Zodiac symbols?”

  “No, ma’am, I don’t know the killer and you can call the Dallas station to verify that I’m actually detective. I’ve got Ryan Fox right here as well, we both worked on the inner city task for to take down the Aquarius Killer here in the Dallas Ft. Worth Area.”

  “She looking us up in the system.” Leslie whispered to me as she waited for the Agent to come back on the phone.

  “I understand completely ma’am. We’ll be here looking for Agent Collins to get here. We’ll fill him in from our end and then see what the next step is. Thank you for hearing me out. I look forward to meeting you, but wish it was under different circumstances.”

  “Well, did you eat before you came over?” She looked at me as she put her phone in her pocket.

  “No, I couldn’t make myself stop once I got going. Let’s go get something from the food truck real quick because this could take a while.” I suddenly felt better, maybe I just need to dive back into work. Having time to think about things certainly hadn’t worked, so I’d try this and make sure that Leslie stayed safe. It couldn’t hurt to eat just a little bit either and it would kill time until the agent arrived.

  ---------

  When Agent Collins arrived, we’d finished eating and were going over all of the reports I’d been searching through the past few days.

  “Nice to meet you, sir.” I offered my hand, “Hope we can help with what’s going on in California.”

  “Sorry it took so long. I had to do a few background checks to make sure you were legit and to study what you were talking about. I’m not sure why we weren’t flagged when this happened.”

  “Honestly, we didn’t think we had an issue with things until we got called in on the second case because of my friend, Jesse. We were hoping that it was just a coincidence, but knew that it might not be.” I admitted.

  “I’m sorry for your loss. After consulting with Agent Collins on the case she’s working, we both feel that your input may be useful out in California. It’s not normal for us to bring in consultants, but if we can find this guy before he drops twenty-five more bodies then it would be a relief.” Agent Collins stood near the desk expecting protests.

  “We weren’t going to presume, but I think this killer has been attempting to communicate with us. Leslie has been pretty anxious waiting for the other shoe to drop. Can you tell us what method is being used?”

  “What I’m going to do is catch you to speed on what I know while I drive you to the airport for the next flight. One of our local L.A. agents will meet you there and get you to a hotel for the night. It’s a two hour drive up the coast from L.A. You’ll be able to catch a few hours of sleep and then check in with Agent Perez.”

  “Good thing we packed already.”

  “My boss is contacting your respective bosses and letting them know of the updates and that we’ll be borrowing you for the foreseeable future. If this is a serial killer that keeps coming back in a new place each month, we are going to need to put together a task force so that we can anticipate where to move next.”

  We stopped in the parking area to collect our luggage and head to the airport.

  “What do you know so far?” Leslie’s anxiety was starting to rub off on me.

  “They found five freshly buried bodies when a local hunter ran across one of them. He knew that he didn’t have the manpower to properly cover all the bases so he called us in to help. Agent Perez said you mentioned the symbol that they’d found.”

  “Yes, it should be the Aries symbol. So far the two killers have stuck to a pattern of sorts. There’s been one male killer who murdered females and a female killer that murdered males. If the pattern holds true then we’ll have a male killer that uses the same weapon.” Leslie explain our theory to Agent Collins.

  “That is what sold us on having you come out there and help with the profile. I know that you’re new to being a detective, but if you keep up this kind of work, you might just find that you’re moving to the Bureau for your future.”

  “Let’s just worry about taking down this killer before anyone starts career jumping.” I casually added.

  Leslie turned to give me a smile. “Did the killer leave business cards with the bodies?”

  “Actually, no. He, and we are going to assume it’s a he from what they know so far, carved the symbol into the trees where they were buried. If the Sheriff hadn’t been looking around, they might not have seen it and brought you guys into the picture.”

  “That’s different from the last two, but I guess it makes sense if you look at the fact that a business card would have gotten wet and ruined, but a carving would be permanent.” Leslie agreed.

  “They are hoping to have some identifications on the bodies in the next twenty-four hours. Nothing matched the prints we did and now we’re looking for missing women in the entire state.”

  “Maybe they’ll know more when we get there in the morning, some of the murdered women may not have even been reported missing yet.” I pointed out knowing it could take a few days before a job and family general started worrying.

  “Exactly, these five women, if your theory is correct would have been murdered at the start of the new astrological sign on what the twentieth of March?”

  “Yes. You’re familiar with the Zodiac signs?” Leslie leaned forward intently.

  “I’m an Aries myself, but I don’t know much more about it than that.” He pulled up to the drop off area, “Here you go. I really hope that you both can make a difference and get this killer before the month is over.”

  “Thank you for the lift. Who’s meeting us in L.A.?” I didn’t want to get in the wrong car with a stranger.

  Agent Collins consulted his phone, “Agent Gavin Watson should be there to meet you. Good Luck.”

  Checking our weapons took the longest amount of time, but after our last experience there was no way we were going to travel without them. Having the FBI behind us made getting clearance much easier and the lines through security were almost empty at this time of night.

  “Are you going to be okay with doing this again so soon after everything?” Leslie asked as we headed to our gate.

  “I wasn’t. I didn’t want to do this again, but I worked through it with Shea. Jesse wouldn’t want me to give up. I’ve got to make his death count for something. I’m not sure that I can be as excited as you are about this, but I’m ready to get to work.”

  “Hey, I’m not happy so much as tired of sitting around letting this killer have the upper hand.” She held her ticket out to the boarding agent, “It’s a good thing that we have connections or we’d have never have made this flight.”

  “True, but there are flights to L.A. pretty frequently.” I put my suitcase in the overhead bin and chose the seat next to the window. The FBI hadn’t splurged for first class seats, but it didn’t look like it was a full flight.

  Leslie sat in the outer seat and when no one else arrived to sit between us I was relived. She closed her eyes and was out before the plane took off, but I was trapped with my thoughts of how to catch this killer.

  Three hours later and no closer to solving it, we landed in L.A.

  I’d traveled, but L.A. wasn’t someplace that I’d been before. Thankfully, we didn’t even have to look around after collecting our weapons, Agent Watson was standing there. He would have been hard to miss because he was in what most people think of as FBI attire and in case we hadn’t seen him, the jacket with the words FBI were a dead giveaway.

  “Hi, I’m Ryan and this is Leslie.”

  “Great to meet you. I’m here to take you to the hotel for the rest of the night. Agent Collins is coming to back to L.A. in the morning so that you can meet before you head out. She may not need you out there,
but have you do some foot work here in town first. I’m pretty much your tour guide until we catch this killer.”

  “Well, she slept on the flight, but I’m exhausted so even a few hours of sleep would be wonderful.” I moaned because the full work day and now travelling were starting to wear on me. Maybe I’d actually sleep for more than an hour or two tonight.

  “You’re in luck because with the time change from Texas you gained about two more hours of sleep.”

  “Here’s my card and I have both of your numbers. Everything is set up and they did get you separate rooms. All you have to do is sign in and get some rest. I’ll be here in the morning about eight to take you to meet Agent Perez for breakfast and to discuss the case.”

  We gathered our bags and made it to the lobby where Leslie signed us in. She seemed to have gotten a little rest on the plane and I let her take charge because I simply didn’t have the energy to discuss anything else for the night.

  “Night.” She handed me the key to my room.

  “Night. See you in the morning. Thanks for being diligent to find this guy.” I slid the card into the lock and opened the door as the light flashed green.

  “No worries.”

  The door closed behind me. I only stopped long enough to take off my shoes, place my weapon under the pillow before I stretched out on top of the blankets.

  My eyes didn’t close as quickly as I thought and I lay there staring at the ceiling cursing the killer for my sleepless night.

  Chapter 4

  Leslie

  I woke up early probably because back home it was two hours earlier and I would already be at work. I texted Jerome to let him know I was in California about to head into a meeting.

  Ryan hadn’t been much help last night, but I could tell that he hadn’t recovered from the trip to Wisconsin. It was going to take some counseling and time before he could live with what happened. I just wanted a chance to keep what had happened to Jesse from happening to others.