Murders of the Zodiac Boxed Set

by Paris Morgan

  “This heat doesn’t help. How did we survive this when we were younger?” I groaned, looking at my phone to see what the temperature read. “One hundred and one degrees.”

  “Yep, it’s hot, but it is Texas in August. What did you expect?” She laughed at me as the door opened and a wave of cold air hit. “You only had to endure it from the car to the house and you’re melting.”

  “I spend a lot time indoors these days,” I defended myself, soaking up the cool air. “My body hasn’t adjusted to the heat this year. With us flying all over the country, my heat tolerance has gone way down.”

  “Texas is one of the few places that you can have all the weather conditions in the same week. I’ll be glad that the baby will come in October. I know it’s still hot then, but it’s more of a tolerable heat at eighty or eighty-five on a bad day.” She walked over to the refrigerator and took out a cold bottle of water. “Here. This will help a little bit.

  I gulped it down while she looked at me in surprise.

  “Honey, I don’t think I’ve seen you this worked up or nervous since the week you were planning to propose. Is there anything I need to know about?” She eased into the couch, putting her feet up next to her.

  “No. I’m just a little over worried. It’s normal with the baby coming, but having this menace hanging over us isn’t helping.”

  “How’s Leslie adjusting?”

  “It’s only been one day, but she seems a little more relaxed. She’s went to therapy and did some meditation, both of which helped a little.” I wasn’t going to mention the extra things that had bothered me the most.

  “She’s your partner, so it’s only natural that you’d be concerned about what she’s going through. She was there for you when Jesse died, and now you’ve got the chance to be there for her.” Shea’s voice didn’t hold an ounce of jealousy.

  “Yeah, I guess that’s it.” I took her hand and gave the back a kiss. “Not much we can do about it right now, though.”

  “Nope. Worrying never helped solve problems for me anyways.”

  Galen came into the room. “Oh, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “You’re not. I just got in, and I’m cooling down before we head to the doctor’s appointment.” I stood and shook his hand.

  Most of Flora’s family was very friendly if they decided they liked you, and then they’d hug you all the time, and that wasn’t something I was comfortable with.

  He took it before taking a seat at the table. “I’m going home tomorrow.”

  “What?” I looked at him in shock. “Why? Did something happen?”

  It was a sad state of affairs that the first thing we all continued to ask each other was ‘did something happen?’ Too many times, something had, and it had changed our lives over the past few months.

  “No. It’s just time for Lex and I to go home and get him ready for school. We need a few weeks to settle in with just the two of us and establish a routine,” Galen explained.

  “Oh, that makes sense, I guess.”

  “He’s going to have an adjustment period, and we need to have a few things worked out before he goes into a class with thirty other students.” He nodded toward the main house. “They’ve been amazing with helping him learn to control his gifts, but being around all these people that are sensitives is actually making it worse.”

  “Gotcha.” I shook my head. “At least we’ll have the baby from the beginning, and I can’t imagine having to learn ten years’ worth of parenting skills in one day.”

  “It’s been a little bit of a learning curve, but I think we can handle it. I’m glad I missed all of the gross stuff, like potty training and diapers. Then again, I missed his first steps and words, so it’s a mixed blessing.” Galen frowned. “Anyway, just wanted to let you know.”

  “Thanks. Are you going to continue working with us from up there?”

  “Yeah, I think so. I’m already invested, and I’ll need something to do while Lex is at school. I’m pretty sure both Adam and Agent Watson will welcome me back. If this case ever ends, or rather, when it ends, then I’ll go back to working cold cases so I don’t have to leave unless we want a visit Texas to see family.”

  “I’ll bet your mother will be excited about that, though.” Shea added. “Having family is always important.”

  Her words hit home, even though I knew she wasn’t saying them in regards to me. Nevertheless, it still felt like a jab to the heart. Do or die, I was going to find a way to stay with my family when the baby was born.

  ***

  As we approached the doctor’s office, I was more prepared for what to expect, and wasn’t nearly as nervous this time around.

  Shea kept up a constant chatter with the nurse, and then with me about things to do in the next couple of months until the baby arrived.

  “I might take up some kind of craft. The Demeter family can make just about anything. A few of the ladies are making a baby blanket for her.”

  “Oh, wow. That takes talent. It’ll give you something to do while we’re waiting around to catch this madman.” Impressed by the skill it took to do that kind of thing, I hoped it would keep Shea busy so that I wouldn’t feel as guilty.

  “Flora’s cousins have been crocheting and knitting since they were small children. You should see the things they can do in a short time. It’s amazing.” Shea sounded slightly jealous.

  “I’ll bet if you work at it, by the time our baby gets here, you’ll be almost an expert as well.”

  She swatted at me. “You have no clue how much work goes into something like that. I’ve always taken for granted things that are sold in the stores, but I’m going to be on the lookout for handmade items in the future.”

  “Ah, how are we doing today? Making future plans?” The doctor chuckled as he entered the room. “You might want to plan for a lack of sleep and a change of lifestyle for your near future.”

  “That’s what we’ve been told,” I agreed with a frown.

  He slapped my back. “Cheer up. It’s not nearly as bad as you’ve heard. It’s way worse. Now, if you have parents, you might stand a chance because they’ll take the little one off your hands here and there.”

  “One can only hope.” I withheld the groan that wanted to come out.

  “Let’s see when this joyous event is going to happen, shall we?”

  He proceeded to do a thorough exam with very little comment, except the occasional “hmm” or “ah.”

  “Well, Doc, what’s the verdict?” My nervousness edged up the longer he didn’t speak.

  “She’s doing good for being about twenty-eight—excuse me, twenty-nine weeks. I’m a little concerned about the swelling in your ankles, but that’s caused by this horrible heat.” He patted her leg comfortingly. “Stay out of the heat as much as you can, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated. If you can put your feet up, that should make a huge difference in reducing the swelling.”

  “Yes, sir. I’m on a leave of absence from my job, so I can certainly do that. Is there anything else I need to be concerned about?” Shea gripped my hand tighter.

  “No. Most of what you’re going to experience is perfectly normal for first-time mothers. If you think you’re having contractions, time them. Most of the time they’re just Braxton Hicks, which is how your body gets ready for the baby to come. Unless they are under two minutes apart, I wouldn’t worry about going to the hospital. Take it easy, and after an hour or so, they should let up. If not, then come on in and we’ll take a look.” He opened the door. “You’re always welcome to call and ask questions.”

  With those parting words, he disappeared, and the nurse came into the room. “Once you’re dressed, come on out and we’ll schedule your appointment for next month.”

  Shea turned to me. “I’m glad that I have the midwife, who has been much more informative than he was. Do you think it’s because he’s delivered a lot of babies, so he doesn’t worry about the small stuff?”

  “It might be that he’s jus
t brusque in nature. But I agree, he wasn’t very helpful.” I cast a worried glance around, knowing that I wasn’t going to be very helpful either.

  “Well, it’s just a little over two months. We can handle it until then. As long as he’s there to catch our baby when she’s ready to come out, then I’ll be fine.” Shea smiled, sliding her feet into her shoes.

  Until he’d mentioned it, I hadn’t even noticed that her feet were swollen. I wasn’t doing very good with this whole pregnancy thing.

  Still, I had two months to change all that, and I was going to spend as much time with her as I could, starting with a meal and an evening of cuddling.

  ***

  Galen was true to his word, and as soon as breakfast was finished, he loaded a car with he and his son’s stuff. Flora had volunteered to drive them to the airport so I could stay with Shea a little longer.

  He’d been over to thank our hosts the night before, but had saved the last goodbyes for today.

  “We’re going to miss you being on the team, but I know I’d do the same thing if I was in your shoes. Honestly, I’d love to forget that we ever heard of this killer and go back to dealing with gang murders and pissed off wives who killed off their husbands.” I held out my hand, but Galen ignored it and wrapped me up in a bear hug.

  “You’re always going to be part of our family, so if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

  He released me and gave Shea a hug as well before patting her stomach. “May your little one find happiness and an easy entry into the world. Blessings upon you both.”

  I cocked my head, wondering if he’d seen something that would help me sleep at night. Surely, if there was a problem, he’d have said something to Flora at least.

  Lex just stood to the side, and then hurried out the door without saying anything.

  “He’s used to leaving and not getting a chance to say goodbye. He’s going to miss this. We’ll be back around Thanksgiving or Christmas, depending on where the case is at. Then we’ll get to see that little cutie you’re carrying.” Galen offered in a way to apologize for his son.

  I slung an arm around Shea as we followed them out onto the porch. “We understand. It’s okay.”

  We stood there as the car turned the corner and moved up the drive.

  “Honey, I’m sorry that you have to stay here instead of our home. I wish I was a better provider for our family.”

  Shea paused in the middle of the doorway. “Ryan Fox, how dare you! This place is perfect, and these people have been wonderful to us by taking us in and giving us a safe place to stay while that man plots our destruction.”

  “Oh, babe, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m very thankful that the Demeter family was able to help us out, but that in and of itself makes me feel terrible. Like I can’t provide for you myself. You should be home, decorating the nursery, and having lunch with your friend instead of stuck out here in the middle of nowhere,” I groaned, sinking into a kitchen chair.

  Shea came in and closed the door softly behind her. She moved over until she was standing directly in front of me.

  “Ryan, you listen to me. This is the best thing that could have happened to me. I’m surrounded by women who’ve already had babies and families. That doctor today would have been absolutely terrifying if I hadn’t already been talking to them about having our baby.”

  She lifted my head up until I was looking at her. “We’re safe.” She patted her stomach. “Flora and the others have kept me occupied. I would have been going crazy if I’d been sitting in our house alone. There wouldn’t be updates about you being okay, and I’d be pacing the floor, hoping that today wasn’t the day they gave me the bad news.

  “We’re going to make it. Don’t you worry one little bit about me and the baby. We’ve got this. I need you to focus on Leslie and get this guy so when our baby makes an appearance into this world for the first time, you’ll be there, and we can take her home with us.”

  I just shook my head in disbelief as I gently placed an ear to her stomach.

  “I don’t deserve you. You’re amazing. I’m sorry I’ve put you through all of this.”

  “Never apologize for being who you are. I wouldn’t have gotten engaged or be having your baby if I wasn’t up for this.” She put a hand through my hair. “Sure, I worry. That’s what I would do if you were a school teacher or bus driver. I love you for being you. Don’t ever think differently.”

  She continued to soothe me, making me feel even worse.

  “Just remember that this guy is messing with your head. He wants you to doubt yourself. He knows what the constant pressure to capture him is doing to you, Leslie and the others.” She reached down and took my hand, pulling me up out of the chair.

  My bewildered expression simply amused her. “Huh?”

  “I’m a pregnant woman who has the house to herself with the love of her life, and I’m going to take advantage of it. Besides, it’s a good chance to prove that you’re my man and make me scream if you want to.” She giggled as she pulled me toward the bedroom. “Are you up for it, Mr. Fox?”

  “Uh, yes, ma’am. At your service.” I couldn’t keep the grin off my face as I pulled the door shut behind us.

  ***

  Chapter 4

  Leslie

  Several days went by without anything else happening out of the ordinary. Ryan joined us, and then Adam left for his turn of being off duty. It was a strange feeling to have my coworkers scheduling protection details around me.

  The therapist was beginning to grow on me, and I knocked on his door with an actual smile on my face.

  He opened the door, a phone held to his ear as he motioned me inside.

  “I understand. We’ll get right on it. Yeah, everyone needs to help.” He put the phone on the desk and slipped off his sandals, quickly exchanging them for sneakers.

  “Today’s session is canceled, I’m afraid. We have an emergency.”

  “Is there something I can do to help?” I offered.

  “No.” He stopped. “Actually, you can. I wouldn’t ask most of the residents this, but one of our guests is missing and we need to find her.”

  “Well, I do have the skill set for that. Who is it?” I switched from patient to cop in seconds.

  “It’s Kara. She was supposed to be at Yoga, and nobody saw her leave. While residents are allowed to leave, she told Peggy that she’d go with her and never showed up.” Lu put the phone inside his back pocket.

  “Where are they searching?”

  “The staff is conducting a thorough search of all the rooms in the building, but they’re asking for volunteers to look through the woods. She does like to go for walks, and might have forgotten the time.” Lu pulled the door closed after us. “Want to join me?”

  “Yeah. Let me text Ryan and Adam. Two more eyes that are trained in this kind of thing would be helpful.” My fingers flew over the phone’s keyboard. “Done. They’ll meet us out there.”

  “She’s such a sweet girl. I hope nothing dreadful has happened to her.”

  “Me too,” I muttered out loud while thinking about all the things that could have happened. The Zodiac Master might have started his plan for the Virgos and made Kara his first victim.

  The Happy Hills Facility shared the large acreage with a group of hot springs and retreat areas. There were lots of places where a small deviance from the path could have you walking for miles before finding a trail again.

  We met up with the guys at the edge of the path that led into the woods.

  “Any idea where she might have gone or why?”

  “Not really. I know she likes to take walks, but I’m not her therapist.” Lu grimaced.

  “It’s okay. We’ll fan out and start calling her name. If she just got lost, she can’t be too far off the path,” Adam assured.

  “We should split up so we can cover more ground. What was she wearing?” I turned to Lu for more details.

  “Uh, they said a blue dress with flowers.”


  “Should’ve figured. I haven’t seen her without flowers since we first met.” I took the lead and started down the trail, scanning the edges for anything that stood out.

  A hundred yards into the woods, the path split, and so did Ryan and Adam with a wave.

  I could feel fear taking over and making my heart beat faster. I had gotten past the thought that the Zodiac Master was going to be a deciding factor in my life, but all those exercises went out the window when faced with the thought that I might have put Kara in danger simply because I’d talked to her.

  “Kara?” I yelled. “We should spread out and keep the trail in sight so we can look farther on each side.”

  “That’s a great idea. You take the left and I’ll take the right. Just don’t get out of sight of the path and each other, okay?” Lu shivered in the shadows of the trees.

  “We’ll find her,” I pronounced confidently. “We have to.”

  “You can tell yourself that, but if he’s taken her, or worse, then you’re going to be a worse mess than when you got here,” Mary Ann announced loudly.

  “Geeze. Now you come out of the closet so you can what? Make things worse?” I asked out loud, hoping Lu hadn’t heard me.

  “Nope. I’m here to help you pick up on any psychic readings. This is similar to that other place where you found all those bodies, isn’t it?”

  I put fingers in my ears to block out the sound, even though I knew it wouldn’t do any good.

  “How are you going to hear Kara with your fingers blocking the sound?” she asked smugly.

  “Don’t make me put you back in the closet. If you have something to add, or see something I’ve missed, then speak up. Otherwise, keep quiet,” I threatened quietly.

  “Whatever,” she huffed in my head, but stayed silent as I walked farther, looking for any sign of Kara.

  Walking through the woods felt amazing, and I realized that I’d neglected to do any exercise in the past few days. When we found Kara, I’d make sure that I added it back into my daily routine.