No Ordinary Killer (15 page)

“Now that’s uncalled for,” Bicsak shouted. “We’re here
to investigate and also to help if we can with this case. We aren’t here for
you to turn on—“

“Enough Bicsak, I can fight my own battles. I
certainly can’t blame you for asking, Detective Reynolds. Truth be known, I’ve
bucked the system a couple of times and won one and lost the last. It was a
choice; IA or turn in my badge. I think the killer wanted the team to know
this.”

“Maybe you should fill us in, Agent Fortune. It might
be relevant to this case,” Weaver turned toward her.

“Nothing much to tell. My partner, Mike and I were
following a lead. We had information that a perp was holed up in an abandoned,
fallen-down shed. Mike got out of the car and I called in for backup. By the
time I caught up, he was dead and I was taken hostage by gunpoint. By the end
of the day he was so strung out that I was able to catch him off-guard. We
fought and the gun went off. Bullet went right through his heart.”

“Good, bastard got what he deserved,” Sparks said.

“Just what I thought until I was in front of an
inquest, fighting for my shield.”

“Maybe our killer wants to point out another police
injustice. Except he also seems to be warning her that he’s not the only one
she should be afraid of.” Sparks shook his head. “That last part reveals more
than I think the killer meant to. “

“What you getting at, Sparks?” Maxwell asked.

“Watch and don’t allow
yourself to believe, or you’ll be snared into the hell I’ve weaved.
He’s admitting this is all a setup. He’s
out to get someone and if we can figure out
who
,
we’ll have this killer’s obsession.”

“Guys … turn that TV on, you have got to hear this,”
Captain said, from the doorway.

“Walking his dog, Ryan Igna discovered yet another
grizzly murder early this morning at the Giant Springs State Park. Ryan said
they were crossing the springs when he spotted a bloody knife and saw. He
immediately called 911. Although police would not comment, inside sources tell
us it’s believed to be the third murder described in Megan Reynolds’ thriller,
Malicious Intent
. There was a bizarre
new twist—“

“I’d like to get my hands on that inside source,”
Captain Gulchinski shouted. “Get out there and find me some damn answers.
Maxwell, you get your ass out to the scene this time.” He turned and stormed
away. “You can study that damn board when you get back. I need some answers
yesterday.”

Cooper grabbed his jacket in one hand and his coffee
cup in the other. “Okay people, we know the case and what to expect. Arnott and
Fortune come with me. Sparks and Maxwell work the crowd and get some overalls,
then I want you taking pictures of the crime scene. Weaver, wait in your car
and as soon as we ID the victim, I want you to drive like hell to the parent’s
house to intercept a package containing the victim’s feet. Bicsak, I’d like you
to drive yourself to the scene and blend in with the crowd. Get rid of that tie
and suit … Sparks toss him your hoodie and baseball cap. Study the bystanders.
Is anyone trying to help the police? Is anyone offering suggestions? You know
the drill. Let’s get a move on. Delores?” Cooper held back while the room
cleared out.

“Detective Reynolds?”

“Get a handwriting expert to take a look at that poem.
Also, have that hollow book and receipt tested for fingerprints. Get me all you
can on both IA agents, and that request is between you and me.”

“Yes, sir. Um … Cooper?”

“Yes, Delores? “

“I don’t believe you gave Megan that information for
her book. Bud, I do think it was someone in this building through.”

“Why do you think that?”

“The evidence for all three cases in Megan’s book were
checked out and returned. I saw it on the log. When these murders started
happening I went back to see who signed them out … and—“

“Well?”

“That page has been torn from the log book.”

“No shit?”

“No shit, sir. I didn’t say anything because I … I was
afraid they might say you had opportunity and it would make you look more
guilty than you already do. I’ve been waiting and watching to see who else has
thought of checking the evidence log book.”

“And who did?”

“That’s just it, no one has.”

“Cooper … you coming or what?” Arnott shouted from
across the room.

“Keep an eye on it. Thanks, Delores.”

“Any time. I’ll get right on this.”

Cooper nearly ran to the elevator where Arnott and
Fortune were impatiently waiting. “I know … I know … I’ll be late for my own
funeral.”

* * *

Megan sprinted across the room and dove at her purse
on the bed. The phone was a distraction she didn’t need, but hell she did
deserve a slight break. “Hello,’ she shouted, breathless.

“Please don’t yell, dear. I know you told me not to
disturb you, but I thought you would want to know that … that—“

“Know what? Come on, tell me, Mother.”

“They’ve found another girl.”

“What do you mean, they found another girl?”

“You know, like in your book. The third murder where
the dancer is killed. I really didn’t like all that killing. Now you can see
where all that violence has led. I don’t think you should be writing another
book like that. Why don’t you write—“

“Shut up. I can’t think. Are you sure it’s just like
the one in my book?”

“Of course, dear. They’re all talking about you and
wondering where you got your information from. Someone said … I think it was
that nice talk show lady, Kari Winslow, who said they might get a judge to
subpoena you. I think that’s what she said.”

“Mother, listen to me. Are you listening?”

“Yes of course I am.”

“Good. You are to tell no one … I mean no one where I
am. Do you hear me.”

“Of course I hear you, but why? You know I won’t lie
to anyone, that’s not my way.”

“If anyone asks you where I am, you just tell them
I’ve gone off to write. That’s the truth. You have to trust me on this one.”

“I can’t just tell the police that. I mean I do know
where you are. The bible—“”

“Mother, you love the twins, right?”

“You know I do. What does that have to do—“

“You must not tell even the police where I am … or
something awful might happen to them.”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“What have you gotten yourself into? I think if the
twins are in danger … oh, dear … am I in danger then, too?”

“I … I guess you might be. Just listen. Say nothing to
anyone and you won’t have anything to worry about. That is all I can explain.”

“Well that’s not enough. If we’re all in danger then
we need to call Cooper.”

“No, don’t you dare. You have to promise me you won’t.
Promise me?”

“Why, I just don’t
understand.”

“One thing I do
know and that is if you call Cooper or anyone at the station, he will take the
twins.”

“Who will?”

“That’s just it. I don’t know. Just do as I say.
Something happens to the twins because you didn’t listen to me … I’ll never
forgive you.”

“Oh, dear. You are really scaring me.”

“Good. Don’t answer the phone unless you see it’s me.
Don’t talk to reporters or the police. Whatever you do, don’t talk to Cooper.”

“Okay, for the twins I’ll do what you ask. But let me
tell you, young lady—“

“Goodbye, mother.” Megan stared at the phone a few
seconds then jumped off the bed and turned on the Kari Winslow show.

“Julie Billings was last seen leaving the Gold Nugget
around two this morning. No one knew there was a problem until Target Owens,
owner of the club, found a box on his desk this morning. Nothing prepared him
for what he found. Julie’s severed head was wrapped in cellophane. No one saw
who delivered the package or when. ”

Damn, Megan hated that woman. It would be interesting
to find out who her source was.

“Police found Miss Billings’ mutilated body at Giant
Springs. The crime scene is identical to the third murder described in Megan
Reynolds’ book,
Malicious Intent
.
Another dramatic development occurred this morning, when police rushed to the
parent’s home, hoping to spare them from opening a package containing the
victim’s feet. They arrived just as the ambulance left the Billings’ home. Mr.
Billings suffered a massive heart attack and it is questionable if he’ll
survive the ordeal.”

Megan closed her eyes. This was all Cooper’s fault.
The only good thing was the last murder was over … she paused … wait until they
realize the murders described in her new book are from actual old cases … when
Physical Evidence
was released, would
these murders also start happening?

“It’s reported the police also stormed St. Michael’s
Church and found Julie Billing’s bloody hands on the alar, bound in a praying
position. This is just too horrible to imagine. We can only be grateful there
are no more murders described in
Malicious
Intent
.”

“I’ll get even with you, bitch!” Megan shouted, then
pushed the off button on the remote. The phone rang in the library and Megan
ran to answer it. “Yes?”

“You’ve been watching TV. You are wasting time. Get
back to work.”

“How would you know that?”

“I know everything you do, Megan love. Now get back to
work.”

“Will these new cases you gave me start happening all
over again like in
Malicious Intent
?”

“What does it matter?”

“It matters to me. I don’t want the same thing to
happen after this book is released. Please tell me you didn’t do all this.”

“What do you think? You’re closer to the killer than
you think.”

“Are you telling me Cooper did all this? You’re not
suggesting Josh Arnott, are you?”

“Why would you think that? Because you slept with him,
all the while pumping him for information. You like my euphemism? Who is your
lover?”

“I didn’t sleep with Arnott and it’s none of your
business who my lover is. I can’t do this. I won’t.”

“Oh, you can and you will. If you want me to prove I
mean business … just try me.”

“No … I don’t … I’ll write the damn book. You just
better hope I don’t figure out who you are. Because if I ever do … I’ll kill
you myself.”

“Oh, there’s that feisty woman I so love. You are
excited by me. I can tell. I’m all that is wild and uncontrolled. I’m not bound
by laws or by religions. As free a spirit there is. That intoxicates you. You
want to let go and by writing these murders, you too can act in wild abandon.”

Megan swallowed hard. She knew some of what he said
was true. She was drawn to the dark side, always had been. That’s why when
Cooper shared some of his case files, a word here and there, she wanted to know
all the details. It became more orgasmic than sex.

“Leave me alone.”

“That I will do. Get back to writing that book.”

Megan tossed the phone down then noticed a tray of
cheese and crackers and a bottle of chardonnay chilling in ice. When had these
been delivered? She hurried to the door and flipped the lock. This was going to
be a long two weeks.

Settling in front of the computer with a glass of wine
in hand, Megan moved her thoughts into the mind of the victim and typed with
urgency as the scene took over.

Somewhere through the pain,
Doris struggled to survive. If only she could slip her hands from the ropes …
she might have a chance to run. There was so much blood and … he was inside her
again. Doris gasped for air but he squeezed his fingers tighter and tighter around
her esophagus and like a dimming light that grew smaller and smaller … darkness
and peace conquered.

Megan sat back and wondered why the dark thrill of
killing excited her. Adrenaline rushed through her veins when the killer took
over the story. As the victim, she lived through pain, fear and unexpected
emotions that would someday help with her acting career.

* * *

“Arnott, get blood samples and check the other stalls.
Make sure the uniform stays outside. Fortune, follow me and be prepared for a scene
you’ll never forget.” Cooper led the way into the men’s room. He pulled on
latex gloves and cleared his throat.

“My God. He’s always been an organized killer. This
reeks disorganized to the point of frenzy.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. He’s completely organized.
This gruesome scene is exactly what he wanted to create. He wants to shock us.
He left her torso here because she wasn’t worth anything more than this shit
hole. He sent her head to her boss at the club to get the last word. By now
he’s tied her palms together like they are praying on some altar in a nearby
Catholic church … atoning for her sins as a topless dancer. The one I hate the
most, he cut her feet off and will put them in a bubble pack and have them
delivered to her parents. He’s telling her parents had they created a more
grounded environment, she wouldn’t have turned to such immorality.”