Interlude
Caitlin had been frustrated all week. The lab was able to get a partial print and even had a hair that they tested for DNA at her insistence. The fingerprint was identified as the victim’s; the hair was not the victim’s. Caitlin had tried, unsuccessfully to get a court order for Josh’s DNA. His lawyer argued that there was insufficient evidence to require the test, Josh refused ‘on principle’ he said, and the court concurred.
With Easter fast approaching, Caitlin was growing desperate. If she didn’t stop him now, there would be one last murder and then she may not get the chance to stop him again. She cajoled the DA, insisting he put out an arrest warrant for Josh, but the DA said there just wasn’t enough evidence.
Caitlin followed Josh, hoping he would slip up somehow. He was careful, she had to admit and he didn’t leave a trace of evidence anywhere. Hank warned her she was crossing the line and was going to get in trouble; but she was convinced this was her last chance to get him.
Exasperated and desperate, Caitlin confronted Josh on campus. “I know you did it, Josh,” she said testily, “and I will prove it!”
“My attorney advised me not to talk to you, Agent Kearney.” He paused and then stared into her eyes, “I wonder why you are stalking me, Caitlin? Got a thing for young guys?”
He was mocking her and she knew it, but she was determined to win. “Maybe I do, Josh,” she said teasingly. She drew close to him and looked into his eyes. She reached up and ran her finger through his hair. “Maybe, I do.” He leaned in, as if to kiss her, and she jerked out some hair and stepped back. “Or maybe not,” she said triumphantly as she saw his expression grow dark.
He watched her walk away, his hands balling into fists and releasing. “This isn’t over, Caitlin,” he snapped. “I always win!”
Caitlin waved dismissively to him over her shoulder and left the quad.
As soon as she reached her car, she bagged the hairs she had managed to pluck. She turned up the radio rolled down the windows and sang along as she headed to the police lab.
The lab processed the hair; luckily she had managed to get a few that still had follicles attached. She paced outside the lab, peering in to cajole the technician into hurrying the results. The tech told her it would take as long as it took; rushing her wasn’t going to help. Finally Hank came along and convinced Caitlin to go to dinner with him.
They drove down to Pismo Beach, Hank wanted to get a steak at F McClintock’s. Caitlin was antsy, but Hank persuaded her to have a pint of a local brew he had discovered. From their table, they could watch the sun set into the Pacific.
By the time her meal had arrived, the pleasant view and the two brews she had consumed had relaxed her. “We got him this time, Hank,” she said, “I just know it.”
“You got him, Caitie,” he replied. “Despite everyone’s doubts, you hung in there.”
“Trust your gut, you always told me.”
“Yep,” Hank said, “I guess that makes me the one who caught him!”
They sat for awhile after dinner, just watching the moonlight on the water. Hank had taken Caitlin’s phone away after having to stop her from badgering the tech for the third time since they had arrived. They were both pulled out of their respective reveries by the jangle of her ringtone.
“Really, Caitie,” he said as he handed her the phone, “your ringtone is the theme to ‘Rizzoli and Isles’?”
“Sure is,” she said as she grabbed the phone. “Kearney here,” she said into the phone. “Uh huh, okay,” she paused, nodding at Hank. He started to speak but she held up her hand to stop him. “Okay, well thanks Sheri for the call.” She pressed the end button, took a deep breath, looked at Hank and smiled. “We got him!”
On Good Friday, Caitlin approached Josh just outside his classroom. “Josh Dugan,” she said firmly, “you’re under arrest for the murder of Sarah Bridges.” She smiled as she watched the officer slap on the handcuffs.
Josh looked at her with pure rage, “You’ll never get away with this!” His eyes bored into hers, “This isn’t over!”
“Yes it is, Josh,” she said confidently, “You’re done. The killings end here.”
She watched the police lead him off and felt the exhilaration of a job well done.
Reservoir Canyon
My Jesus, by Thine agony when the cruel nails pierced Thy tender hands and feet and fixed them to the cross, make me crucify my flesh by Christian penance. -From The Stations of the Cross
Caitlin parked the car and grabbed her camera. She had gotten up at dawn, packed up her car and was heading back to Frisco to make her report. The guy at the desk had told her about this hike when they had talked briefly about the day hikes in the area.
Reservoir Canyon was right on her way out of town. A short jaunt to a waterfall and what he had promised her were some of the best views around. It was Easter Sunday and Caitlin was in a great mood. Josh was in jail and his killing spree was finally over.
They only had direct evidence linking him to the murder at Cave Landing; however, the DA was sure he could show a link to the others. Caitlin had already spoken to the Marin County DA about charges there. The sun was rising over the hills and as far as she was concerned the day couldn’t have been better.
She headed toward the waterfall. Even though the winter had been drier than normal, the waterfall was still quite beautiful. She just stood for a bit, listening to the gentle sounds of the water.
The hike was short and easy, so she took her time to enjoy the little creek and the wind through the trees. She hadn’t been this relaxed for a long time. I should solve a big case everyday, she thought.
She had been concerned that the trail might be crowded, but it seemed that she was going to have the area all to herself.
She loved the gnarled trees that lined the path. Their limbs were all akimbo and stretching toward the light. The sky, which had been overcast for most of the time she had been here, was sunny and clear. A few scattered clouds were all that was left of the passing storm.
The path followed a small stream that meandered through the wooded hills.
She thought she heard a noise behind her, but when she turned to look the path was clear. The path wove in and out of the shade and Caitlin paused often to take pictures and just enjoy the solitude.
The canopy of trees opened up as she began the climb to the top of the hill. She saw various small structures or sculptures made from cast off materials. She wondered who had made them and why.
She finally found herself atop the hill. A lone tree stood providing the only shade around. Someone had hung a swing from the lower limb and she was walking over to see if it was strong enough to sit upon when she heard a sound behind her. Before she could turn around, he had grabbed her and whispered, “Hello, Caitlin.”
Hank avoided the body. He concentrated on what the forensic team was gathering. “Anyone find a camera?” he asked.
“Nope, not me,” said one. The others quickly added their negative answers.
“There’s gotta be a camera,” Hank said, to no one in particular. He wandered about for a few minutes then seemed to gather some kind of inner strength and approached the body. Her arms were outstretched, her feet crossed at the ankles, and nails driven through both her hands and feet. The rosary was placed carefully in her open palm.
He wiped away a tear, and then assumed his regular assessment of the crime scene. He noticed that her hand was curled slightly and it appeared almost like she was pointing toward the base of the tree she was under. He walked over that way, put on gloves, knelt down and began poking around in the undergrowth. He found a cell phone. He stood and turned on the phone, flipping through the pictures until he reached the end of the set. He smiled and returned to the body.
He gently knelt beside her and he reached out and closed her eyelids, “You got him Caitlin,” he said softly, “We’ll take it from here.”
On Monday, Hank arrested Josh Dugan for the murder of Special Agent Caitlin Kearn
ey. She had not known that Josh had been released late Saturday after his grandfather had come down from Marin and put pressure on a local judge to set bail.
Hank made sure that Caitlin got the credit she deserved for his capture. At her funeral he had displayed a book he had made of her photographs, he knew she would be pleased as she had always threatened to quit and become a photojournalist. Hank thought maybe that would have been a good idea after all.
Author’s Note
I hope you enjoyed this experimental short story. I am working on a prequel, which will shed light on Josh’s backstory.
I also invite you read my Arwin Adventures romance novels. They are available for Kindle and in print at Amazon.
Donna Lee Peabody
ArwinAdventures.com
November 2016
Dedication:
I wish to acknowledge the support, love, and inspiration provided by my husband, Kristin Peabody. He encouraged me to follow my dreams and share my words.
I also want to thank the members of The Santa Maria Bookworms and Scribes, who listened to my tales and lent their time and patience to my journey as a writer. Special thanks to Deedra McNamara, Brooke Gerard, Dorothy Winslow and Alyson Motley, who have encouraged me and put up with my ramblings.
Lastly, but certainly not least, my children: Jessica Boag, Zachary Peabody, and Alandra Peabody, who took the time to read my simple prose and provide countless suggestions and continued encouragement.
Donna Lee Peabody
Arwin Adventures:
Available Now:
A Squire’s Tale
Jack of Hearts
Three of Hearts
Three of Hearts: Unleashed
Queen of Hearts
Seasonal Seductions: Tales of Midwinter Fest
Upcoming:
King of Hearts: January 2017
Seasonal Seductions II: Season of Love: January 2017
The Sunday Slayer Page 2