by C. Soto
A Ride Home
Tampa FBI #2
By: C.Soto
Contents
About the Book
About the Author
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Epilogue
Thank You
Dare to Dream
About the Book
WARNING: This book contains mature scenes, disturbing situations, strong language, and violence.
John finally got knocked down! Samantha came in like a storm he wasn’t expecting. There was no way he could resist her sweet but feisty nature. She was his drug that he had to keep going back for one more dose.
What do you do when it's late and you need a ride?
Derrick and Emily were not expecting on their first day back to be met with such a gruesome scene.
A serial killer is on the prowl, hunting on the Tampa streets. Leaving bodies in public displays as he goes along.
The City of Tampa grows more frenzied each night hearing about “The Hacker”. He is loose on their streets. Who will be next?
As the team searches for the killer, they discover even more victims. They are racing against time to find and save Sara alive.
When one member of the team catches the killer’s eye, can they keep that team member safe?
Can Emily connect the pieces before it’s too late?
Copyright
Independently Published by Author C. Soto
Copyright © C. Soto, August 2021
Copyright notice: All rights are reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
For more information, email: [email protected]
About the Author
C.Soto is a single mom of a teenager and a beautiful Pit-bull, Roxi, who believes she is a lapdog! She works full-time and tries to keep up with her daughter's sporting events. She is starting out on this crazy journey of Independent Publishing. She hopes you enjoy the story as much as she had fun writing it.
C.Soto lives in the Midwest. Not as fond of it in the winter months...brrrr.... She has been an avid reader her whole life and loves diving into a book and loosing herself in a great story. She had the idea of writing a book for a long time and is so happy she finally sat down and went for it! Always Dare Yourself to Dream!
You can find C. Soto on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads,
Author C.Soto, she would love to hear from you!
Goodreads
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Facebook
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Twitter
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Acknowledgements
Thank you first to my daughter, who always checks, “Mom are you working on your book stuff? Keep going.” Also, to my mom who reads my books and encourages my writing.
I would like to thank my family and friends who have supported my writing and buying a copy to support me.
Thank you Romance Covers Now for the beautiful cover.
Thank you to my Beta Readers: Lizabeth, Diann, Delmi, T.L, Genevieve, and Michele. I appreciate your time and assistance with catching any typos or errors and giving me suggestions on how to make it even a better story.
Thank you also to the ARC readers. I appreciate you signing up and taking time to read my story and sharing it across social media. I am so thankful for your support!
I hope you enjoy the story! Reach out anytime, as I would love to hear from you! If you enjoyed the story, I hope you would consider leaving a review on Amazon.
Chapter 1
Friday
He sat in his vehicle while watching the couple snuggle on the couch. He had been observing and memorizing their everyday routine. Earlier in the week, he heard them discussing their plans to head out of town that Saturday morning. Tonight was his opportunity! No one would worry about them until the following Monday when they didn't show up for work. On one of his frequent stake outs, he saw when they entered the code to unlock the door to the house. Didn't they know the doors with a keypad weren't safe? That someone was always watching.
Once he saw the lights turn off in the front room and the bedroom light turn on, he knew they were turning in for the night. He wondered, Do they know it’s their last night of saying sweet dreams? Tonight, will be their nightmare!
He knew from prior stakeouts, he had an hour, maybe two, before the neighbors also retired. He didn't want anyone to see him when he entered their home, so he had to wait. He left the neighborhood with plans to soon return.
A few hours later, he pulled back up to their neighborhood. He put on a hair net and leather gloves, grabbed his supplies, and then exited his vehicle and headed to their home. He reached the door, entering the code and gained access. He quietly closed the door and continued towards the bedroom. Each step as quiet as the last, pausing to ensure neither wife nor husband stirred. Once he was convinced all was well, he patted his pockets ensuring the stun gun and his syringe was readily available. Then he took out the syringe, ready for action.
He crept into the couple's bedroom, stopping a moment to appreciate the beauty of the moment. There they were, wrapped in each other's arms. Holding on to each other for comfort, peace, and the perception of safety. Little did they know, he was there to tear their safety apart.
He went to the husband's side of the bed first. Wanting to subdue the bigger victim first. He injected the husband while he was fast asleep, ensuring he would remain paralyzed and wouldn’t be able to move. He then headed to the wife, as he noticed she started to stir, fluttering her eyes. He assumed, like the past women, her first reaction would be to scream. He was prepared, pulling out a piece of duct tape and quickly applied it over her mouth. Her eyes snapped open in fear and her fight instincts kicked in as she started struggling against him. He loved this part. The victim trying to fight back. It excited him to overpower her as he tied her up. Once he was confident she was secure and couldn’t move against the restraints, he moved his attention back to the husband.
He grabbed a ch
air and placed it facing the bed. Then he grabbed the husband, pulling him, grunting as he lifted him off the bed. He was able to plop him down, sitting up in the chair. Grabbing the husband’s arms, the intruder pulled them behind the back of the chair. Using the duct tape, he intertwined the tape through the back of the chair’s bars and wrapped the husband’s wrist together. Once he knew he wouldn't be able to move, he duct taped each of his legs to the bottom of the chair. He didn't want the husband to miss any part of the show.
It was time to begin the night.
Chapter 2
John reviewed the case notes about Dean, the serial killer they caught last year. He shook his head remembering that piece of shit. John hoped he would suffer the rest of his life in prison. That someone would find him and work him over worse than how he treated all those women. Dean still wasn't talking to authorities, not that John expected anything less. They didn't need to hear his story. They had enough evidence to put him away for life.
As John scooted his chair over to retrieve another file, the wheels squeaked under his pressure. James looked over at him, “You need another doughnut John?”
John looked over while flipping him off, “Fuck off, this is all muscle. Green isn’t your color.”
“Ha ha, you wish I was jealous.” James chuckled, loving riling John up.
Tammy groaned and wondered to herself, How did I get stuck with these two idiots? One would think instead of an FBI agent, I was their babysitter with the way they act.
The team finally made it to Friday, and they were itching to get done with the day. John was making the most of being in town. Samantha and he had a date that evening. They'd been dating for the last five months.
John knew his ego was big, but there were moments he was still stunned that Samantha was dating him. He thanked his lucky stars that they met on a night out months ago. He swore time froze when he looked up and made eye contact with her. The beat of his heart stood still in time, and it took all his will power to continue moving forward toward their group. This mysterious woman made him react in a way no other woman had. He knew in that moment, she was special since she had the power where time stood still for him.
Trying to get out of the office on time, was his biggest obstacle, hoping no case came up in the meantime. Murders didn't happen based on his plans, his plans had to work around them.
Derrick, the lucky bastard, was on his way back tonight from his honeymoon with Emily. Thinking back over the year, John realized how much had changed. The team dynamic when Emily joined the team. Then her and Derrick getting married. His partnership now included Emily and Derrick. He loved Emily and enjoyed what she brings to the team.
Cases closed faster with her joining. She had dreams that led them to clues. Finding the connections that linked the victims to the killer. She, more times than not, led us right to the murderer. Astonished by her gift, he secretly wished he had that secret power.
The last two weeks were agonizing for him. While work kept John busy, the conversation at work was different without them. He loved working with James and Tammy, but it wasn’t the same when one of them was out. Thankfully, they would be back before the next case.
John spun his chair around, looking at Tammy and James, “What do you two have going on this weekend?”
Tammy set down her pen, thankful for the distraction from her busy-work, responded, “Going out with the girls. We’re going to our favorite Karaoke bar and having a couple of drinks. What about you? You and Samantha going out tonight?”
John responded with a mischievous grin, “Yea, we’re going to go catch dinner then decide what to do after that. Hopefully, go back to her house and ‘Netflix and Chill’ if you know what I mean?”
Tammy groaned, “Ugh, yes we know what you mean. I wouldn’t expect your night to end any different.”
“Hey, it will probably be her suggestion, she’s a Tiger.”
“Please, I don’t need to hear about your sex life.” Tammy replied, “Just be happy you have one and keep it your best kept secret.”
“Tammy, if you knew the things she did, it shouldn’t have to be a secret, I mean the talent, you know she does this one thing that really makes your toes curl.”
Tammy twirling her chair to James, “James, please butt in. What are you doing this weekend?”
James replied, “The guys are coming over and we’re going to have a poker night. If things go my way, I'll be richer by the end of the night.”
Tammy replied, “Sounds fun. Maybe the girls and I will crash the party and I can come steal some of that money.”
“Ha ha... Yea if you guys get bored, swing on by. I could always use more money in the pot to take for the win.”
“Sounds good. I’ll text you later and let you know what the girls say.”
“Sounds great.”
John turned back to face his desk and was talking over his shoulder, “Well let me return these case files back to the filing cabinet. I wanted to review the reports before the court hearings to refresh my mind on the details. I swear looking back at that case, it still gives me the chills.”
John shaking his head at the devastation of it all, “I wonder if Emily has spoken to Alice or Jennifer lately? I know she’s been in contact with Alice a few times since they were found. Jennifer didn’t talk to anyone for a long time, I heard. I pray she’s doing better now that time has passed. I swear I still have nightmares about that scene.”
Tammy solemnly stated, “Who are you telling? James and I were a part of the team that went to the basement. Finding them chained and having to free them from their restraints, I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of those images.”
They all left the office an hour later. It felt great, he was leaving the office by 5:00 p.m. on a Friday night. It didn’t happen often.
John's first stop was the gym. He meant to go that morning, but the snooze button got him again. He took pride in his physique. He spent a lot of time in the gym to bulk up. He’d always been a large guy. He was a linebacker in high school and college. Having played at University of Tampa.
Those were the good days, all the parties and girls. He majored in Criminal Justice, always being fascinated with criminal psychology and victimology.
After his workout, John went home and got ready for the night. He was excited about going to the new Steakhouse & Wine Bar. He was dying to try their Prime Rib and was growing hungrier thinking about it.
Once he finished getting ready, he headed out the door to go pick up Samantha. As he was walking to his car, he admired it. He had a brand-new green Chevy Camaro LT. He loved his car and treated it like it was his baby, the way it purred when he started it up. He took it in for frequent waxes and details, she was a beauty.
On his way to pick up Samantha, he did what he always did and fantasized about her the whole way there. She was 5’7, toned legs, straight shiny thick black hair, sparkling blue eyes, and tits that you wouldn’t believe. His dream girl if he ever imagined a girl that would be for him. He loved how she fit against him. He was 6’2 and buff, so she was perfect for him.
He pulled up to her house around 7:30 p.m. and walked up to the door with a dozen red and white roses. Once Samantha answered, he stared at how stunning she looked. She had on a little black dress with ‘fuck me’ heels on.
He would be having her keep those on at the end of the night. “Hey beautiful, did you get all dolled up just for me? You look stunning.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere. Oh, these roses are beautiful. Come in while I put the flowers in a vase.”
John walked in towards the living room. It was spacious. The walls were painted a red wine coloring with white decorative moldings on the bottom. The room had a warmth to it that was inviting, calling you in. The living room furniture set was dark brown and, on the ends, had recliners on them.
He plopped down on the end recliner, while he waited for her to finish putting the flowers in water. They had an 8:00 p.m. reservation so they would need to be
leaving soon. Only taking a few minutes, Samantha grabbed her purse and was ready to head out. John left the car running with his remote start so it wouldn’t get too hot as it was one of those sizzling Florida nights.
They walked out to the car with John holding her arm in the hook of his elbow and when they approached the car, he opened the car door for her. He may be act like pig at times, but he was still a gentleman on a date and knew how to treat a lady. Once in the driver seat he looked towards her, taking her hand, and kissing it. “Sweetie how was your day? Enjoying your summer break?”
She was an elementary school teacher and on summer break. He wished she were around when he was back in school. He thought, Why couldn’t I have been that lucky to have a teacher like her? Well... I guess this was better. Now he didn’t have to daydream about her, he got to be with her.
Samantha replied, “I’m enjoying my time getting things organized and have created little summer projects. Today, however, I sat and read and did nothing but relax. I did have some thoughts about a very naughty person in my life though.”
“Hey now, I’m an angel most days. My halo just gets a little rusty sometimes.”
“Like I thought. I believe I’ll take advantage of your naughty side tonight. You can feed me a little dessert.”
“Now who's the naughty one? Also, there is nothing little about my dessert.”
She giggled and responded, “No, there definitely isn’t.”
He hoped like hell dinner went by quick, as he wanted to be back at her place pronto!
They arrived at the restaurant, and it was still busy. It was Friday night, so he expected nothing less. They walked in and he immediately loved the ambiance of the room. The ceiling had wood panels with light fixtures that hung down. There were wooden support beams. The tables had silky white tablecloths draped over them. Wine glasses already set up.
