by A P Morgan
“What do you say to shelving the idea of kids until we’re at least engaged, but that we give the baby making process another try?”
“I’m on board with that,” I responded, not even trying to convince myself that we should just have a non-sexual date.
“Check, please.” Jerome held up his hand to catch the waitress’ attention.
“Here.” I opened my wallet and took out three twenties and put them on the table. “That should cover it. Let’s get out of here.”
I couldn’t get the smile off of my face as he took my hand, and we headed straight for his house to practice while we made up our minds about the future.
At work the next morning, I used my computer skills to setup a search engine to run through all the headlines across the major cities for anything with a string of deaths over the past several days. Relieved to be doing something, I still wasn’t sure that it was enough. Waiting for bodies to be discovered meant that lives were being taken instead of us preventing them in the first place.
I was still on more of a standby fill-in because of the past two months, so I didn’t have any active murders to work. Instead, I decided that I needed to start a second search for murders that had been committed where strange symbols were mentioned.
There had to be a way to stop this from happening, and we were just overlooking it.
I also ran a comparison on my previous cases involving murders against those that Ryan had put behind bars to see if any of our cases connected.
My inbox started filling up with finished reports, and I hit the print button as I walked to get more coffee before starting the task of combing through the names to see if we had a hit.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing that connected our cases. There wasn’t a reason for whoever was behind this to single us out.
Deciding to check the reports about headlines instead, I found a few with missing persons, but nothing that would indicate a serial killer. I would run the search data again in the morning, but for now, I wasn’t able to find anything to work on.
I’d been at it for hours, and was no closer to a solution when the clock hit five. I hated being one of those who watched the clock so that I could leave for the day, but today I was going to take advantage of it and go for a long workout.
A normal workout would be a couple of miles on the treadmill and lifting weights. Tonight, I put the earbuds in and hit the treadmill for a ten-mile run while I thought of possible weapons that could be next on the list.
So far, our killers had used nunchucks and nooses, and there were only about a million other possibilities of what to look for next, such as guns, knives…hell, even bombs. Maybe that one seemed a little extreme, but what wasn’t extreme about this master killer? Poison was a good possibility, but there were so many ordinary killers that used it, it would be harder to get an exact number of deaths.
That wasn’t enough weapons for twelve months of zodiac signs. Why hadn’t the killers started in the month of Aquarius, when Aries was the first month of the Zodiac symbols? Could they be unversed in what the signs actually meant and had just started at the beginning of the calendar year because that was as good a place to start as any?
With all the ideas and questions moving around in my head, I looked down at the treadmill and realized that not only had I run my ten miles, but I’d done it much faster than I’d planned to. Slowing down to a cool down walk, I thought of Flora, and wondered when she would be back. I had a ton of new questions, and I couldn’t wait to find out how well-received she had been by a family that had kicked her mother out.
Wiping my face with a towel, I began making my way to the shower. It would be a welcome relief and keep my muscles from tightening up before I went home to an empty house.
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 against a ticking clock.
I’d gathered a list of weapons and motives to search for, but nothing was making the headlines.
It was a good thing that I was at Jerome’s having dinner. At least it was keeping me busy, if only for a short while.
Once we’d finished eating and cleaned up the kitchen, we sat down on the sofa to watch a movie. Before he could even cue it up, a news station teased of a breaking story about five murders in California. As soon as I heard the words, I knew it was what I’d been waiting for.
“Jerome, don’t hate me, but 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 close to wrap me in his arms.
“Not necessarily. We can make a few inquiries about the details and see if it matches our killer’s M.O. Also, we’ll have to get permission to go out there and help, because not all departments appreciate outsiders coming in on their investigations. Instead, they might just use the information that we can provide without having us there.” I inhaled the seductive scent of his cologne. It 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 pulled his head down to my mouth for steamy kiss.
“That’ll 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. You know, 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 ready to go after this person again, while I was trying to do 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,’ would have to do for the moment. I just kept hoping that the past two months were a 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 partied, 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 an
d 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 off her coat and shoes, walked over to the couch, and sat right down 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 longer, and the tears started falling down my cheeks.
She just sat there patting me, providing the best form of comfort. I wasn’t ready to talk about it, not yet, and she seemed to understand that. I don’t know how long we stayed like that before 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. “You couldn’t have known what was going to happen. It wasn’t your fault, and Jesse would have agreed. You did everything 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, and you have a chance to stop it. 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 pack 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.”
“Shea?”
“Yeah?” She stopped at the edge of the room.
“I love you.”
I picked up the phone to call Leslie.
“I know, and 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.”
After a short shower and a kiss from Shea, 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, but there was almost no way that another police force was going to welcome us to help find their killer. They would likely 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’s 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, but 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 cases.
She waved me to a seat, and I listened in on 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 calls since it hit the news with tips, but I just have one question to ask you. Were there any symbols near the bodies that were discovered? Maybe on a business card with the Aries’ Zodiac symbol? No, ma’am, I don’t know the killer, and you can call the Dallas station to verify that I’m actually a detective. I’ve got Ryan Fox right here as well. We both worked on the intercity task force to take down the Aquarius Killer here in the Dallas, Ft. Worth area.”
Pushing the phone away from her mouth, she informed me, “She’s looking us up in the system.”
After a few moments, Leslie says into the phone, “I understand completely, ma’am. We’ll wait for Agent Collins to get here, 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.”
Hanging up the phone, she gave me a look. “Well, did you eat before you came over?”
“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 needed to dive back into work. Having time to think about things certainly hadn’t helped, 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 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 Perez 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 up to speed on what I know while I drive you to the airport for the next flight out. 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’re 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. The sheriff 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 who murdered males. If the pattern holds true, then we’ll have a male killer that uses the same weapon,” Leslie explained our theory to Agent Collins.
“That’s what sold us on having you come out to 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 yourself moving to the Bureau in the 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’re going to assume that it’s a ‘he’ from what we 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 surmised.
“They’re 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 within the 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 or family generally 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 most 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 that time of night.
