Murders of the Zodiac Boxed Set

by Paris Morgan

  “It’s what the hotel had, so it’s not that amazing, but it’s a start.” He started for the shower, stripping off his pants, and I leaned against the door admiring him as I took a sip of coffee.

  “Like what you see?” he grinned confidently as he stepped behind the curtain, cutting off my view.

  “Eh, it’s all right,” I called over my shoulder, trying to hold back a grin. He needed someone to keep him from getting a big head.

  This having someone around was going to take a little getting used to again. While Chris and I had spent a few nights together, it wasn’t the same as being with someone twenty-four seven. We were going to have to discuss how to act in public if we didn’t want to upset his brother. Then again, I was tired of trying to keep my life on the down-low because of the feelings of a madman. It was time to take back my life and make the world a safer place for everyone.

  If he was threatened by Noah, then maybe seeing us together would be the thing that made him come out of hiding so we could stop him. Nothing else had worked, so maybe it was time to hit him where it hurt.

  ***

  “Good morning,” Adam greeted us cheerfully. Ryan simply ignored the fact that we were holding hands.

  “Morning. After we order, I’ve got an idea, and I want to see what you both think of it.”

  “Sure, we’ve got time. I had the rental car company pick up the second car this morning, so we’ll all be riding together from this point on.”

  “Agreed. I’ve been thinking about the fact that the ZM isn’t happy that I’m with Noah. The fact that they’re related makes things even more interesting.” I spoke without thinking that Ryan or Adam might not know that piece of information.

  “Uh, I hadn’t really planned to tell anyone,” Noah sputtered as he tried to recover from my words.

  “Again, last to know,” Ryan complained. “It seems like it’s all about the three of you these days.”

  “Exactly, it’s about the three of us. The Zodiac Master, who wants me, his brother, who needs me, and then me. I’m the top of the triangle, but the whole time, I think we’ve been looking at this the wrong way.”

  “How so?” Adam asked, looking thoughtful.

  “The Zodiac Master is doing this for attention. He’s wanted to connect to his dad. Now that he knows about Noah, he’s going to want a closer connection to him. If he thinks that I’ve chosen Noah over him, he’s going to try to meet with him, or even try to take him out.”

  Noah gave me a horrified look. “You’re suggesting that we play up our relationship and see if my brother takes the bait?”

  “Why not? If it ends this, then I’m all for it. Do you really want to start a relationship knowing that someone out there is trying to kill either one of us? Let’s nip this in the bud by giving him a chance to do just that. You’ve already got me chipped.” I nodded at Adam. “Do the same thing to Noah.”

  “I’m not sure if I’m hurt or excited by the idea. It does sound like it would work. From what he said to Leslie last night and my phone call the day before, he’s really watching to see what we’re going to do next.”

  The waitress brought our orders, and I waited for everyone to get settled before I suggested my idea.

  “So, we do what we planned for today. We go find Sarah Mackenzie and put her in jail while making sure that we hold hands or touch as much as possible.” I couldn’t tell if they liked the idea or not from their expressions. “Well?”

  “Lay on the PDA. I’m not one for flaunting a relationship, but I guess I can go outside my comfort zone once more. It’s not like I haven’t been acting for the past year undercover anyway.” Noah shrugged, not disagreeing with my idea.

  “The Zodiac Master is jealous, and this is going to send him over the edge. I tried not caring, but I wasn’t pushing the right buttons.”

  “I’ve just got one question for the two of you. I don’t want the bedroom details, but what exactly does this connection between you do? You can hear each other, right?” Ryan inquired.

  I took a bite of food and thought about his question. “Yes. I could project my thoughts and Noah could answer. When I screamed for help, though, you didn’t hear me, did you?” I asked Adam.

  “No, I couldn’t. I could feel that something wasn’t right, but had no specific thing to go on.”

  “The ZM could hear me. I’m not sure if it was because I was near him, or just the fact that we’re all three connected, but he heard me.”

  “I could hear you, but I didn’t hear him.”

  A light bulb went off. “He can hear psychically, but he can’t communicate. Whatever makes your genes pass things off to the next generation, must have skipped that part of him. He has to work to be able to use any type of psychic ability, whereas we both can use it freely. Well, now that I’ve let those walls down. He wants the power he senses in me for himself.”

  “Like a power boost.” Noah’s excitement filled his voice. “He can’t access it, and he needs you to be able to make his gifts work. Was he touching you when you called out for me?”

  “Yes, he was trying to hold my hand. That’s how he could hear, but when we talk normally, he can’t because he’s not physically touching me.” I shook my head in amazement. “This explains so much.”

  “Back to my original question: what does your connection do?” Adam redirected us back to the topic.

  “Um, I’m not sure beyond knowing if something is wrong. That’s how I knew Leslie was in trouble. The panic she felt right as she passed out made me feel I needed to check on her.”

  “Same for me,” I agreed. “When he was talking to his mother, it was like I’d been sucker-punched. It’s why I fainted. I could feel his emotions.”

  “So you both share some emotional connections? How about now that you’ve fully connected?”

  I glanced at Noah, not sure if I wanted to be this open, but Ryan pretty much knew everything, and Adam wasn’t much different as far as being myself went.

  “It’s like a warm, fuzzy blanket. I know where it is, and that if I need it, I can grab it to keep me warm. That piece that’s missing is Noah, and he fits perfectly, so it’s not like I have to ask what he’s thinking, I just kind of know.” I wasn’t sure what I expected Adam to say, but it wasn’t the words he spoke next.

  “You’re not one person anymore. It’s like yin and yang. You fit perfectly, and now you share thoughts and emotions. I’m going to bet that if we tried to have you do some psychic exercises, you’d each be able to do something that only the other one was capable of before.” He nodded, as if working it out in his brain while he was talking to us. “You can steal each other’s energy. I should say borrow, since steal implies you don’t have permission. I think watching the two of you is going to be very interesting.”

  “Honestly, I’d rather we didn’t let anyone know that isn’t sitting at this table. Some people are going to figure it out, but I don’t want to become some lab rat,” Noah suggested.

  “There’s going to be some people who can just see the connection, but may not know what it means.”

  “Heck, I could see the glow around you and I don’t have psychic gifts. Anyone that has them is going to be able to tell. You’re not going to be able to keep it under wraps for very long,” Ryan pointed out.

  “Rats! As Noah just said, that’s exactly what I don’t want to be—a lab rat,” I growled.

  Ryan laughed. “Sounds like you would fit in just fine. Keep growling, and the scientists will be so happy to do all kinds of experiments on you.”

  I tossed the first thing I could find that wouldn’t do permanent damage to him—the stack of napkins.

  “Hey, now,” Ryan protested as they fluttered everywhere. “You’re causing more work for the waitress.”

  “Oh, sorry.” I looked up, flustered.

  Adam rolled his eyes at our antics. “I’ll leave a larger tip. Finish eating, children.”

  “Yes, sir,” we all chimed together, like we were kids who had j
ust been reprimanded.

  ***

  Three hours later, we stopped to gas up and stretch our legs before we got into Jackson, Mississippi. I took advantage of the opportunity to call Mac.

  “Leslie, what’s up, chica?”

  “Just driving, for like, forever. These roads are terrible.”

  “I can only imagine. How are you holding up? Adam told me you’d been kidnapped, and then recovered only hours later.”

  “Fine, I guess. It’s just…so many things are changing. Mac, we’re wanting to keep that switch turned on for a while. We’re also wanting to add one to Noah as well. Can you hook us up?”

  “Anything for you.”

  I could just imagine Mac making a sweeping bow.

  “Things with Barbie going well?”

  “You could say that,” he hedged.

  Barbie’s voice called from the background, “Hey, Leslie! He’s doing great.”

  “Personal space a little short these days, huh? I know the feeling. Speaking of which, all three guys are standing there looking at me, so I guess I need to go.” I deliberately walked inside and away from the three of them, staying in sight considering how I’d disappeared only last night.

  “There is this last thing I need from you. I’m pretty sure that we’ve got more than one killer. Can you cross-check all the cities where Sarah Mackenzie has been, and find out if we have another killer? Look for an accident involving a bus. Or several of that type of thing. Maybe something involving allergies?”

  “You’ve got a hunch?” Mac guessed.

  “Nope, just been talking to ghosts,” I grumbled.

  “Cool, ghosts. Guess they have the lowdown on things like that, huh?” Mac sounded excited.

  “Uh, something like that. Eyewitness testimonies and all that goes with it.” I shrugged, even though he couldn’t see it.

  “No worries. We’ve got you covered. I’m scouring the videos as we speak. I’ll find it for you, if there’s anything to find, that is,” he assured me.

  “All right. Now I’m getting death stares from my team. Gotta go.” I hung up and grabbed a bag of chips.

  “Ready to go yet, princess?” Ryan made a sweeping bow.

  “What’s with you today?” I asked, getting pissed off. Then it dawned on me. “You’re jealous.”

  “Who, me?” Ryan looked around the small convenience store as if I would be accusing a stranger of that.

  “Yes. You managed to keep it under wraps when I started hanging out with Adam because you saw the consequences of what would happen if I didn’t.” I laid a hand on his arm. “I’m still going to be your partner. Things have just changed a little bit. You have a baby now. They couldn’t stay the same forever.”

  “That doesn’t mean you have to go out with the first guy you meet that has special gifts.” He lowered his voice, even though he and I were the only ones inside, except for the clerk.

  “Noah isn’t the first guy I’ve met with special gifts. He’s the first one I’ve cared about. I can’t explain it, really, but I know he’s going to work.”

  “Are you sure that isn’t just because of your special connection?” he asked doubtfully.

  I slid the money onto the counter to pay for my chips, and nodded at the clerk to keep the change.

  “Come on,” I urged Ryan, waiting to answer his question once we were outside. “I was afraid of that too. It seemed like I didn’t have a choice, or if I did, I had to be without something I really wanted. How did you know Shea was the one for you?”

  “Well, we just fit. She made me happy because I loved her,” Ryan answered, realizing where my question was headed.

  “Something clicked. Even if it was because of fate, I’m not unhappy about it.”

  Ryan stopped to stand in front of me. “Just don’t forget who your other friends are as you’re discovering this new relationship.”

  “I won’t, I promise.” I felt relieved that we’d talked about it. “I don’t want to lose my partner. We’ve gone through too much to let a little thing like a boy come between us.”

  “Dude, I’ve got a girlfriend, so he’s all yours.” He lowered his voice and leaned in while giving Noah a look. “I’m not sure what you see in him, but have at it.”

  “Didn’t really need your permission, but I’ll take it.” I went back toward the car where Adam and Noah were waiting.

  “Is everyone good here?” Adam inquired as we all piled into the car.

  “Yep. Carry on,” I snickered. “Evidently, I’m a princess now, because I have bodyguards. I don’t think it suits me, do you?” I took my finger and tipped my nose up in the air.

  “Oh, good heavens. That’s all we need is you on an ego trip.” Adam sighed as he started the car. “Why does being in charge mean tending to children?”

  ***

  “Mac texted me all of Sarah Mackenzie’s information this morning, and they’ve found her vehicle. They’re waiting on us to arrive,” Adam announced as we made our way through the historic streets of Jackson.

  “You the one in charge?” A patrol officer asked as we parked in front of his squad car. “I’m Dane Jenkins.”

  “Yes. Where did you find the vehicle?”

  “Just over there. No one’s been in or out of the house it’s parked in front of.”

  “Thanks, Officer Jenkins. Stay back here, and if you can tell we need it, please call for backup.” Adam motioned us forward. “Ryan, you and Leslie take the back, and we’ll take the front.”

  We hurried into place while Adam knocked on the front door, keeping us informed by our earpieces.

  A young woman in her twenties answered, “May I help you?”

  “Yes, we’re looking for this woman.” Adam held up his phone to show her Sarah’s picture.

  “She’s upstairs in her room.” The woman pointed to the staircase.

  “Thank you. Can we talk to her?” Adam smiled politely.

  “Let me see if she’ll come down.” She closed the door most of the way and hurried up the stairs.

  Ryan and I stood with our arms crossed as we watched Sarah climb out the window, and try to shimmy down the drainpipe at the back of the house.

  “Going somewhere?” I inquired with my gun drawn.

  She turned and gave a nervous start. “Uh…no.”

  “Sarah Mackenzie, you are under arrest for murders committed in Alabama.” I slapped the cuffs on her as Ryan read her the charges and her rights.

  “See, we’ve still got it.” I grabbed her upper arm and led her out to the waiting squad car.

  “Looks like she was home.” Officer Jenkins held open the back door for us to put her inside.

  “I’ll ride with you,” Ryan volunteered. “We’ve had a few problems with our suspects reaching their location. Nothing against you, they just tend to die on us.”

  Sarah piped up from behind the barrier. “I have no plans to kill myself. He never said I had to die if I got caught.”

  I rolled my eyes at her stupidity. She was talking without a lawyer present, and it would be a piece of cake if she made it to the station intact.

  “We’ll be right behind you,” Adam informed them as we got back into the rental car.

  Both cars made it to the station in one piece, and we were given a room to interview our suspect in.

  Uncertain if there was any way for the Zodiac Master to get a hold of her, we wanted to make sure that we had a taped confession.

  “You do have the right to an attorney, you know,” Ryan informed her again for the camera.

  “I don’t need a lawyer.” She jangled the cuffs for us, wanting us to unlock them.

  “We’re going to let you keep those on during the interview.” I took a seat across from her. “Now, how did you meet the Zodiac Master?”

  “He interviewed me. I answered his ad in the paper, and he interviewed all the women who showed up.”

  I exchanged glances with Adam before continuing.

  “An ad from what paper? Where did y
ou go to be interviewed?” I fired off quickly.

  “Why, the big one in Dallas, of course. Depending on where we lived, he would meet us and give us an assignment.”

  “Where were you living when you answered the ad?” I couldn’t believe that she was actually talking to me.

  “Oh, the house you just left,” she answered, like I was extremely stupid.

  “I see. So you answered an ad in a newspaper, went to an interview, and started killing people?” I couldn’t even make sense of the chaos in someone’s life that would make them think this was okay.

  “Well, yeah. It was a job. Although, I haven’t been paid anything, except for the tips from the places I delivered the food to. Nice of them to tip me when they weren’t going to be needing the money anymore,” she cackled.

  “The food you were asked to deliver. Did it come straight from the restaurants?”

  “Yep. I would pick up their order and pay for it with Mr. Z’s credit card and deliver it. He didn’t say it was against the rules to take the tips. Promise, I don’t want to be disqualified from winning. I need that prize money.”

  “I’m curious, what did you put on the food?”

  “Oh, you mean the spray sauce? That’s back at my house. I’m supposed to put it on the food with a note. You’re welcome, and now you’re dead. Funny, right?”

  “Yeah, sure. Was this guy who hired you really good looking, or is there something wrong with him?”

  Sarah looked at the wall, studying it as if it held all the answers to life. “Nah, he was okay. Older, maybe around forty or fifty-ish, but he looked pretty normal. Why? You thinking of asking him out? Elaine did that, and well, it didn’t go well for her.”

  “Who’s Elaine?” Ryan asked.

  “She was one of the interviewees, but when she asked about him going out on a date with her, that was it. He asked her to leave, and we didn’t see her again.”

  “We? Who else was with you?”

  “Oh, yeah. There was Wendy, and some other girl, I can’t remember her name.”

  “All right. Were Wendy and the other girl supposed to do the same things as you were?”