Casanova Killer, An SSCD Crime Thriller

by Tallulah Grace

  “Dammit all to hell. Get someone to the stairway leading from the box, and send someone in to question the witnesses. You stay by the elevator, in case they come out that way. They’re on the move.” Dylan clicked off and went back to Rodney.

  “What do you see now?”

  “Still brown, still movement, jarring up and down. What do you think is happening?”

  “He’s onto us.” Dylan’s voice was grim. “He’s carrying her out, the brown you see is his jacket. Dammit.” Dylan began to pace. “Do you still have eyes on his car?”

  “Yes, no activity since they disappeared inside the park.”

  “Good, that’s good.” Dylan ran his hand through his hair in agitation. “But if he’s onto us, he may have a different way out. That’s what I would do, a Plan B,” he murmured. “You let me know the second that camera view changes, or if you see him heading for the car. I’m calling for back-up.”

  “Will do.” Rodney’s eyes remained glued to the screen.

  “Nate,” Dylan barely gave him time to answer. “Casanova’s taken Jerry, we need back-up at every exit of AT&T Park. Immediately.”

  “Hold on.” Nate quickly gave orders to the young agent, assisting him with the red tape involved with the assignment. “They’re on the way. What in hell is happening?” He demanded.

  “He’s onto us. I think he has an alternate escape vehicle. What do you want to bet that it’s not one we’ve got tracking on? Tell the back-up to look for Casanova driving any kind of car. They may or may not see Jerry in the vehicle.”

  Nate relayed the message before insisting on more detail. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

  “He took her to a private box at the stadium. Shortly after, Jerry’s camera pin began to wobble, then the image became fuzzy brown. The brown screen was moving up and down, similar to what would occur if the unsub was carrying her. Oh, he’s wearing a brown jacket.”

  “Jones, activate the GPS on Jerry Forbes’ phone.” Nate barked to his assistant. “What’s happening this instant?” He demanded of Dylan.

  “Hold on, I’ll patch us in with Rodney.” Ten seconds later, Dylan had them on a three-way. “Rodney, what’s the status?”

  “No activity at the car, the camera’s still projecting brown fuzz.” He began, then became excited. “Wait, the image is changing, I see his face. It’s like he’s looming over her. I see the inside of a car trunk. He’s searching Jerry for something, I see him moving above her. He’s jostling her…wait…I see what looks like the inside of a parking garage. There’s a noise, like ripping duct tape. Crap, he’s sealing the trunk.”

  “What color is the car, can you tell?” Dylan asked, his tension level escalating.

  “Dark green or dark gray, hard to tell from this angle.”

  “Can you get the make?”

  “No, but the trunk is small, couldn’t be bigger than a midsize car.”

  Nate relayed the information to his assistant.

  “What else, Rodney, what’s he doing now?” Dylan tried to keep his cool, but a feeling of helplessness slowly began to descend over him.

  “He just slammed the trunk closed. It’s black now.” Rodney sat back, feeling defeated.

  “We know he’s got another car. Dylan, check the tracking information on the Mas and the Prius, see if they’re on the move. Rodney, get to the nearest exit of the parking garage, watch for him to leave.” Nate turned to his assistant. “What’s the word on Jerry’s GPS?”

  “It’s active, but it’s stable. The best I can give you is the address for the parking garage, adjacent to AT&T Park.”

  “Stay on it, let me know the moment the location changes. Redirect all available back-up to the parking garage exits.” Nate turned his attention to Dylan. “What’s the word?”

  “No movement on any of his known vehicles. Bastard got smart and turned the tables on us.”

  “Where’s Ethan? I want you both on the streets, just in case this turns into a manhunt.”

  “Ethan’s gone. He left this morning. Said he knew we had it under control, and he had to get back.” Dylan lied.

  Stunned, Nate was silent for several heartbeats. “I didn’t see that coming. Does Jerry know?”

  “Not yet. I’ll break it to her when this is done.” The tension in Dylan’s voice translated perfectly through the phone.

  “Better you than me,” Nate muttered, then changed directions. “Head to the roof, I’ll bring the chopper in ten.”

  “On my way.”

  ~~~

  The rental car, waiting on the third level of the parking deck, was completely different from Jonathan’s usual style. Compact and nondescript, the dark green Toyota fit in seamlessly with every other car on the freeway. Jonathan laughed delightedly as he left the crowded parking lot of AT&T Park, and merged into the throng of vehicles on the Bayshore Freeway, heading away from the bay. His laughter grew when he spotted the unmarked cars, with blue lights blazing through the windshields, rush past him on the opposite side of the road.

  “Too little, too late,” he sang, straightening the blond wig he’d had the foresight to bring. “She’s mine now, all mine.” Rather than cheer him, the thoughts of Jerry’s betrayal saddened him. He had so hoped that she was different from the others, so wanted her to be worthy of his love.

  “They’re all the same.” Hitting the steering wheel, his facial expression changed instantly from gleeful exuberance at outsmarting the cops, to a menacing, maniacal scowl worthy of a madman.

  At the first opportunity, he exited the freeway onto a thoroughfare that would lead him to the 101 and his desired destination, Carmel. The cliffs in the area were some of the most beautiful along the California coast. He’d always planned to visit, just not this soon.

  ~~~

  “No green, or gray, midsize cars have exited the parking garage since we arrived.” The report was the same from every officer and agent assigned to the structure.

  “How the hell did he get out so fast?” Dylan asked Nate from the backseat of the chopper.

  “Damned if I know. Let’s fly along the expressway. He’s likely heading for his comfort zone, the mountains.” Nate’s terse orders to the pilot told Dylan how concerned he was for Jerry’s safety. If Casanova was going towards the cliffs, they both knew his agenda.

  “Jerry can take care of herself, boss.” Dylan reminded both of them.

  “Sure she can, if she’s not out cold, or restrained.” Nate voiced what they both feared. “Go lower,” he barked at the pilot, “I want to see inside every car on that highway.”

  ~~~

  Jerry awoke to a screaming headache, and cramps in her legs. She knew right away that she was in the trunk of a car. In addition to the humps on both sides of the enclosure, the searing heat inside the space, and the drone of the motor, gave it away.

  How long had she been out? Moving her arm to reach into her pocket for the phone was excruciating, and proved fruitless. Her phone was gone.

  Feeling for the lever that would open the trunk from the inside, she found duct tape covering the switch, a simple but effective way of disabling the escape route. He’d also covered the inside of the taillights with duct tape, keeping her from punching through for light and air. She couldn’t reach the edge of the strips, he’d anticipated her efforts and blocked every move.

  “Round one, psycho.” Jerry muttered, as she felt every inch of space she could reach inside the trunk, searching for anything she could use to break through the tape. Nothing. The trunk was clean.

  The car was moving at a steady clip, the wheels kept time with the drumming in her head. Rearranging her body to find as comfortable a position as possible, she was suddenly grateful for the hours spent folding herself in abnormal ways during yoga. The relaxation techniques she’d learned helped clear her mind in preparation for the battle to come.

  As much as she’d like to believe that Ethan and Dylan were hot on her trail, she knew in her gut that she was on her own. If she was coming
out of this one alive, she would do it alone.

  The thought didn’t frighten her, but she knew that Ethan would be frantic. For love of him as much as herself, she knew she had to escape whatever Jonathan had in store for her.

  How the hell had he discovered they were onto him? Had she said or done something to make him suspicious? She’d felt that things were off this morning, but not enough to get her spidey senses tingling. If he’d veered this much from his M.O., then his next move was not at all predictable.

  “I’d lay dollars to donuts that we’re heading for the cliffs, but which ones?” Jerry spoke aloud, as much to hear her own voice in the dark space, as to express her thought. “It doesn’t matter which ones,” she reasoned. “I’ll need to outwit him, and overpower him, in order to get away.”

  It was then that she remembered the camera pin. Twisting her arm upward, she felt that it was still in place. More than visual, the camera also had audio capabilities. Whoever was watching may not be able to see inside the darkened space, but they may be able to hear her, as long as they were in range.

  “Hello,” she placed her lips near the pin, not willing to let Jonathan hear her speak. “This is Jerry. I’m okay. I’m in a trunk. No phone.” She racked her brain for something she could tell them that would help, but she had nothing. Without concern for the ribbing she would take from Dylan, and whomever else happened to be listening, she sent Ethan a message. “Tell Ethan that I’m fine and not to worry. Tell him that I love him, and that I’ll see him soon.” It was the only comfort she could give, but thoughts of him strengthened her resolve to walk away from this nightmare.

  ~~~

  “It’s Jerry, she’s awake and talking.” Rodney’s phone was patched into Dylan’s and Nate’s headsets.

  “What did she say?” They asked in unison.

  “She said she’s okay, that she’s in a trunk, and that she doesn’t have a phone.” Rodney blushed, then continued. “She also sent a message for Ethan, but it’s personal. Is he around?” Rodney had seen the way those two looked at each other, and suspected that the romance was not a fake.

  “No, but I’ll see that he gets it.” Dylan lied again. “What was it?”

  “She said for him not to worry, that she’ll see him soon. And that she loves him.” Rodney’s blush deepened. It felt awkward to be privy to such personal information.

  “Thanks, Rodney.” Dylan’s tone was harsh. “Let us know if she says anything else.”

  Nate waited for the vein in Dylan’s neck to stop throbbing before he spoke.

  “Ethan’s not coming back, is he?”

  “Nope.” Dylan shifted his eyes, not sure he could lie to Nate while looking at him dead on. “It gets worse. He’s been playing Jerry, seeing other women, while stringing her along. Son of a bitch thinks he’s some kind of modern day Don Juan, and Jerry thinks he hung the moon.” Dylan sighed.

  “Jerry’s tough, she’ll be fine. We’ll make sure of it.” Nate felt fiercely protective of Jerry, he always had. “She deserves better than that asshole anyway.”

  “Damn straight. We’ll tell her so, just as soon as we get her back.”

  ~~~

  They’d been riding for hours before the car turned off the road onto a rocky stretch. Jerry felt every rock and pothole that marked what felt like a steep incline. Finally, things were about to get interesting.

  She’d spent the time planning how she’d react when he opened the trunk. He’d be expecting anger or fear, but she would give him neither. She knew enough about delusional disorders to understand that things could change on a dime, given the current perception of the person with the illness. She would simply change his perception of her, make him believe that she enjoyed whatever little game he was playing. It was a longshot, but it was all she had.

  The car rolled to a stop, after climbing for about fifteen minutes. Jerry plastered a smile on her face, and prepared to play the part of her life.

  ~~~

  “Guys, it sounds like the car stopped.” Rodney told them as soon as the motor died.

  “Where the hell did he take her?” Nate was as frustrated as he’d ever been. He had faith in Jerry, and knowing that she was awake, and unrestrained, gave him hope that she would be okay.”

  “It’s a sure bet that they’re not still on this highway,” Dylan told him, motioning to the freeway below. “The damn thing’s practically at a standstill from rush hour traffic. How do people live like this?”

  “He’s opening the trunk, I see trees.” Rodney’s voice was hushed, as if by speaking any louder, he would put Jerry in more danger.

  ~~~

  Jonathan opened the trunk carefully, fully prepared to knock Jerry out again, if need be. He was totally unprepared for the radiant smile, lighting her face with a beautiful glow.

  “Why, Elliott, you bad, bad boy.” She laughed and held out her hand to him, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He took it out of habit.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you liked to play? I simply adore sexy games, especially kidnap and ransom.” Jerry gushed as she unfolded herself from the trunk. Sitting on the edge of the trunk opening, her legs dangling so the blood could flow freely again, she transformed her face into a pout. “Next time, you can blindfold me. It makes it more interesting.” She placed both hands on his shoulders, noting the confused expression clouding his face. “Be a doll and help me out, would you? My legs are a bit stiff.”

  ~~~

  “You won’t believe how she’s playing it,” Rodney’s admiration was evident. “She’s pretending that it’s a game, a sex game. Looks like he’s buying it, his face is a mask of confusion.” Rodney chuckled.

  Dylan sighed in relief. “She’s working his delusion. Too bad we never got the report, that would have helped her know which buttons to push.” He shot his eyes at Nate, who only shrugged.

  “Don’t start with me again about that damn report. I did everything but choke it out of the Doc myself.” He focused on Rodney. “What’s happening, what else can you see?”

  “He’s helping her out of the car, still looks confused. She’s talking a mile a minute, about different games they could play, and oohing and aahing over the beauty of the forest. That’s about all I can see, a bunch of trees, looks like redwoods. They’re walking, I see a drop off.”

  “She’ll have to make her move soon,” Dylan hunched forward, willing Jerry strength.

  ~~~

  “Oh, Elliott, look at the gorgeous sunset!” Jerry infused her voice with wonder. “How did you ever find such a glorious spot for our first time together?” She tugged on his arm, keeping him by her side, as they moved toward the edge. He still hadn’t spoken since opening the trunk.

  “I wanted it to be perfect for you, Beth.” He covered her hand with his as she held onto him. “I know how you love sunsets.” Jonathan never felt reality slip completely away. He only knew that his beloved Beth was once again by his side.

  “I do, I do, thank you, darling. You’re so very thoughtful.” Jerry rested her head on his shoulder in a loving gesture, all the while searching for anything nearby that she could use as a weapon.

  “Anything for you, my love. Here, let’s sit.” He extricated his arm from hers and removed his jacket, gallantly spreading it on the forest floor. “I seem to have forgotten the blanket and picnic.” A look of confusion returned to his face.

  “Oh, darling, it’s perfect, just as it is.” Jerry made herself comfortable and looked up at him adoringly. He settled beside her, half on the coat, and half on the ground. Jerry looped one arm through his, so they would both face the view. “Where are we? It’s stunning. The water is so blue, but it looks so far away.”

  “We’re in Carmel, California, darling. Remember how we planned to come here together? I wanted it to be a surprise.” The memory of that non-existent conversation was as clear as day to Jonathan.

  “Carmel? How wonderful. You do spoil me so.” Jerry felt around behind her for a rock.

&nb
sp; “It’s my pleasure, darling. Your wish is my command.” Jonathan glanced down at her and saw the strained look in her eyes, just before she lowered her lashes. He was extremely sensitive to all of Beth’s moods. “What’s wrong, love?”

  Cringing involuntarily at his use of Ethan’s pet name for her, Jerry shifted slightly to hide the rock beneath the jacket sleeve. “It’s nothing, darling, I’m just a bit out of sorts from the trip.” As in every muscle in my body aches, thanks to you, you bastard. She bit her lip to keep the words inside.

  Jonathan looked confused again. “It was a long car ride. Would you like to stretch your legs?”

  “I’m fine, thank you. Let’s just sit here together, and enjoy nature’s show. What part of Carmel did you say we’re in?”

  Jonathan cut his eyes sharply at the innocent inquiry. Beth never questioned him so much before. Something was not right. “We’re on the cliffs, north of town.” He explained with a frown. “We followed the Pacific Coast Highway to get here, just as we discussed. Remember, you said you always wanted to make that drive?”

  “Of course, how silly of me. Perhaps on the way back, I can ride up front with you?” Jerry couldn’t help the sarcasm that crept into her voice.

  Jonathan narrowed his eyes. This woman didn’t sound like his Beth. What was happening? With a flash of insight, Jerry came into focus; he realized where he was and what he must do. The loving light shining in her eyes for him was a deception. He saw that clearly now. She had betrayed him, just like all the others. Just like his Beth.

  “Certainly darling. Whatever you like.”

  The physical change was nearly nonexistent, but for the cold fury that suddenly came into his eyes. This was the killer Jerry had been waiting for; the one she knew lurked inside of this so-called Casanova. It was now or never, she may only have one chance to save herself.

  Jonathan slid the switchblade from his left pocket, his eyes never leaving Jerry’s. This one would be different, messy, not a clean slice and shove like the others. It couldn’t be helped, he resigned, as he pressed the lever that released the blade from the sheath.