by Lee Jones
A middle aged man in shorts and a short sleeve shirt opens the door. “I was expecting you detective Carson,” says the man. Inside he can see crystal chandeliers, winding stairs case, marble floors. It’s nothing Carson been exposed to. “ I’m John Harrington, have a seat right this way this is my wife”, says the man. He leads Carson to another room where his wife is waiting and files are on the table and some bags of evidence. Carson sits and John Harrington sits across from him.
“We hired you because we are told you are the best, you have cracked every cold case you have worked on” says John. “Our daughter went missing five years ago at a nightclub, her body was found at the bottom of a swimming pool. Mrs. Harrington has a grim some look on her face. A few tears come down her face and she grabs a tissue to wipe it up. “The local police found no leads on the case and it went cold a year after the murder,” says John. He pushes a few photos across the table to Carson.
The crime scene photos were gruesome. The body was dismembered and lying at the bottom of the pool. It was at the site of a resort in Miami beach. “The reason we called you now is that the police believe this is connected to a recent string of killings. A body was found dismembered at the bottom of a dumpster. They believe a hack saw was used to dismember the body and there were several stab wounds in the torso. The killing is similar to that of my daughter,” says John. Carson nods his head looking at the photos. Mr. Harrington takes out his check book. He begins writing a check, ‘Who should I make it out to?” He scribbles a lot of zeros on the check. “This should be enough to get started,” says Mr Harrington. He hands Carson the check.
“I need to visit the site of her last known location and I need to check the files of the similar killings”, says Carson. “I have a car at your disposal, anything you need just ask me,” says Mr. Harrington. He gets up and hands Carson some keys.
The doors of the garage opened and an entire collection of exotic cars are parked there. A Lamborghini, a Ferrari, a Bugatti, a Porsche. Carson lifts up the keys and presses the button. The headlights on the Porsche blink. He gets in with his luggage and files. “I hope you find your hotel accommodations fitting,” it’s the best we could find, says Mr. Harrington. Carson closes the door, starts the car and drives off.
SITE OF THE MURDER
Carson gets to his hotel, The Four Seasons. He flops down on his bed without changing and quickly falls asleep.
“It’s mourning and Carson wakes up. He can see his phone is blinking a red light he has a notification. He checks his phone and see it’s a voicemail. It’s from an unknown number. The voicemail plays, “ We both have the same gift, we are both the same.” It’s a man in a deep husky voice. CLICK. The calls ends abruptly. Carson doesn’t think much about it. He has to go down to the police department to check the records. Then he must go to the last known site of Michelle Harrington, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harrington.
He heads down stairs and gets into the Porsche. He drives and stops at a coffee stand. It’s his breakfast. While he is sipping his coffee he is looking at crime scene photos. Something sticks out to him. He gets into the car then heads out to the last know site. Speeding down the freeway going over the limit. He pulls into a resort hotel. The Atlantic Hotel has been in business since the 1930’s. Old art deco architecture right on the beach. Classic interior a nod to the past. Carson arrives and heads to the pool area. He walks around the pool. Beautiful women in bikinis are sun bathing by the pool. He lifts up the photo and aligns it to the exact location of the scene. He can now visualize the moments leading up to there death. He closes his eyes and a scene begins to unfold.
Michelle Harrington is out partying. She is drunk and flirting with a well looking man in a suit. He looks like money. They get to his hotel room and have sex. During intercourse the man pulls a knife from under the pillow and stabs her in the chest several times. Blood staining the silk white sheets. He then pulls out a hacksaw and dismembers her body putting the body parts and sheets into a large duffle bag. It’s 5am and everyone has gone home. He sneaks out and dumps the parts into the pool. He wipes the blade of the knife and saw with the water to remove the blood. He puts it back in the duffle bag into the back of the trunk of a car and takes off.
Carson comes back to reality. He leaves and heads towards the police station to check records. In the records room he grabs several files deemed to be related to the case. They all seemed to have one thing in common, young, female and attractive. In one case a victim was dismembered and left behind a nightclub. Another case a body was left in a restaurant bathroom. Whoever the killer was, was attractive and was baiting young women in some swanky places.
If Carson was going to find the killer he would have to go under cover and become one of them.
MARTINI
Miami is home to amazing nightlife and lots of parties. Carson got an invite to an exclusive Yacht party through the Harrington’s. He is dressed in a black tuxedo and bowtie, again compliments of the Harrington’s. He wants to get a feel for the crowd, the atmosphere and get any tips of someone matching the description of the killer. Carson boards the yacht and grabs a martini from one of the cocktail waiters. He chugs it down then puts the glass back on the waiters tray. The yacht is huge, gold trimmings, ebony wood panels, and chrome.
The deck quickly fills with people in tuxedo’s and expensive gowns. Beautiful girls in bikini’s get into the hot tub. The boat is on its way.
On the second deck a man in a white tuxedo appears to greet the crowd below. He’s the host for the night. “Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to my beautiful yacht The Destiny. We will be underway on a magical tour of Biscayne bay. Champagne and Hors d voure provided by the waiters. Enjoy the voyage”, says the man.
Carson ask a guest at the party, “who is that man?” “Ohh thats Neil Stone. He’s a real estate investor, own’s hotels, properties all over the place,” says the guest. While everyone is mingling on the outside deck, Cason sneaks his way inside the master cabin. Nobody was inside the master cabin. Inside were sweeping views, gold trimmings, glass and walnut cabinets. A 100 inch screen TV, a large mirror on the ceiling, and expensive paintings. He walks around looking for clues, then opens some cabinets. He opens a large dresser with french doors. Expensive suits hang inside but on the bottom he notices something. A Gucci duffle bag and drop of blood on the outside of it. He goes to reach for it then suddenly a voice.
“Can I help you with anything?” Carson turns around and see it’s the man in the white tuxedo, Neil Stone. “Yes I was just admiring this beautiful yacht,”says Carson. “Well then, thats good. Why don’t you come out now and enjoy the rest of the party with everyone else?” says the Neil. Carson nods his head then walks out. He grabs another martini and tries to blend in with the rest of the crowd.
Something doesn’t feel right. Carson pulls up his phone and googles Neil Stone. The names comes up with a long list of news articles, interviews, videos and more. He was well known and accomplished.
CLUES
The next mourning Carson wakes up in his hotel. He see’s his phone blinking. It’s a notification who could it be this time. He calls his voicemail and listens. “I know who you are, but little do you know who I am. The hunter is being hunted.”CLICK. The end of the message.
A chill goes down Carson’s spine.
Carson is reviewing some paperwork. The doorbell to his room rings. He answers the door and it’s one of the hotel staff with a package for him. The package has his name but no return address. It’s a white box with a gold ribbon. Carson looks all around it and is perplexed. Who would send him a gift?
Carson cuts the ribbon and lifts the lid. It’s a bloody finger. If someone was sending him a message they we’re sure serious about it. Carson drops the box and the finger rolls out of the box. He is having a vision. A woman screaming, blood splattering and death. The blood seeps on the ground. He puts the finger back, cotton swaps the blood and packages it into a zip lock bag. He gets in the car and drives to the police s
tation for forensic analysis.
The lieutenant walks out of the forensics lab where Carson is waiting.
“It’s from the body of a young woman killed yesterday on the beach. I believe she is connected to the serial knife murders we have been getting lately” says the lieutenant. The lieutenant hands Carson a file with some information on the victim. “What were here moments before being found?” ask Carson. “She was at a yacht party last night hosted by Neil Stone. After that we don’t what happened she never made it back home, says the Lieutenant.
Shock comes to Carson’s face. “What is it?” ask the Lieutenant. “I have to go,” says Carson he rushes out. He gets to the crime scene on the beach and yellow police tape is still posted.
He was just at that same party last night. How could he have missed the signs? He needs to get back to the yacht to investigate. Carson drives back to the same pier and sees the yacht is gone. He ask one of the workers there, “Where is the Destiny?” “It went out to sea, probably the Bahamas. Carson looks stunned.
All the evidence was gone.
THE BAHAMAS
Carson needs to get to the Bahamas. He charters a small prop plane ride there the next day. He arrives on a small island. The Destiny is docked at a pier in Freeport, Bahamas. He needs to get on that boat but doing it discreetly.
He waits until all crew members leave. He heads over to the dock and sneaks onboard. He goes into the master cabin looking for the same bag he saw that night. He is opening cabinets and drawers.
Suddenly a growl is heard and Carson turns around. A knife is being lunged at him. Carson dodges the attack and attempts to grab the attackers arm. The attacker is wearing a ski mask and gloves. A struggle ensues. Carson while holding the attackers arm is slammed against the wall damaging a painting. Carson kicks the attacker and the attacker charges with the knife. Carson dodges the charge. Carson then attempts to grab the knife from the attacker again but is stabbed in the belly.
Carson immediately falls to the ground. “I would I kill you now but…” The man immediately leaves. Carson is bleeding badly. He pulls out his phone and calls for emergency. The ambulance arrive and take Carson to the local hospital.
HOSPITAL
Carson wakes up in a hospital bed. His vision is blurry. He can see that his hands are handcuffed to the bed. He tries to get up in a panic. A Bahamian police offer walks in. “Why am I handcuffed?” asks Carson. “You were trespassing on a private yacht, maybe stealing jewelry, expensive artwork?” says the officer. “No, I’m a private investigator I’m investigating a cold case,” says Carson. “You will be sent to jail after your stay here at hospital,” says the police then he walks out.
Carson knows he can’t stay here in the hospital. He must have a plan to get out. A nurse walks in and drops off a envelope. It has his name but no return address or name. He opens it and it is a letter.
“The hunter is now being hunted” it reads. He drops the letter to the ground. The nurse leaves. A man in all black clothing and a ski mask walks in. Carson screams and yells, “Help!” “Help!” The man pulls a knife from behind his back pants and leans over Carson. Carson rolls and flips the bed over. The knife doesn't go through. Security and nurses run inside. A security guard and a cop try to apprehend the attacker but the attacker stabs them both. The security guard in the chest and the police officer across the throat. Both drop to the floor dead. The nurses flee the room. Carson can see the keys attached to the hip of the police officer dead next to him. Blood is spilling all over the floor. Carson goes to grab the key. Scooting each time with the heavy bed on top of his back.
He finally grabs the key and un cuffs one arm, then the other. Carson gets up and runs out of the room down the hallway. He goes to hide in a janitors closet. Suddenly he gets a voice inside his head.
“Carson, you are running from me, I will find you” says the voice.
He runs out of the hospital and into a taxi cab.
SOUTH BEACH
Carson has made it back to Miami. He recovered from the knife attack. The questions is who was the attacker? Who wanted him dead? It was the killer who was covering their tracks. Carson was getting too close. But why didn’t the attacker finish him off?
Carson is walking along the shore of south beach. He is contemplating his next move on the case. His phone rings from an unknown number. He answers it. “ I will be at club Vice tonight see if you can find me,” says the voice.
Carson is ready. Night time comes and Carson is dressed in a white suit without a tie and dark shades. He gets to the club in his Porsche and pulls up front. Valet grabs the key. The music is booming and goo girls are dancing in cages topless. Carson is looking for the killer but who?
In the VIP section it’s Neil Stone and his posse. Neil pops a bottle of Rose and pours it into a beautiful girls flute glass. She giggles and flirts with Neil. Carson recognizes them and is standing from the back watching and observing them. It clicked, he suspected Neil Stone was a suspect but he had no evidence. Carson walks over and introduces himself, “I’m Carson we met before at your yacht party.” “ohh yes the thief, so nice for you to stop by” says Neil. The young girl grabs his attention again and the conversation ends quickly.
Carson walks away but is on alert. The young girl gets up and grabs Neils hand and they walk to the bathrooms. Carson follows from behind and hears banging on the bathroom door. Moaning is followed by screams from the girl. Carson goes to hide in the other stall.
A sound is heard. It was the sound of flesh being cut. Bloods starts to pool on the floor of the bathroom. The man quickly gets up out of the stall to wash himself off. He leaves the scene out of the back door of the club.
Carson follows behind to get a glimpse. Neil Stone has just committed a murder. Carson has just witnessed a crime. He alerts the club staff and the club is cleared of all patrons. Police and Morticians arrive on the scene. The body is wheeled away in a gurney.
ESCAPE
Neil Stone has been arrested. He sits in the interrogation room. His lawyer is present. Not only was there a witness, but blood on his black leather gloves place him at the scene of the crime.
He was found in one his hotels in the presidential suit at the top floor.
Carson walks in to interview the suspect. He sits down at the chair across from Neil. His lawyer is present.“Well, well. Look at who we have here,” says Carson. Neil is looking down appearing to be depressed.
“I wanted you to see it,” says Neil. “What?” replies Carson. Carson gets up and punches Neil in the face. Two cops run into the interrogation room and apprehend Carson. “You killed that girl and you killed Michelle Harrington!” Neil has a smirk on his face.
Carson is brought into another room. Carson picks up the phone and calls the Harrington’s. “I believe I found your murderer,” says Carson.
Neil looks over to the police office. “I am going to set you free.” The officer repeats, “I am going to set you free.” The officer walks over and un cuffs Neil. Neil walks out and walks free.
Hours later Carson is let go. He walks out and opens the door of the car. Something doesn’t feel right. He gets a vision, that he is dead. Carson steps out and backs away from the car.
BOOM! The car explodes and Carson is thrown to the ground. He has some bruises and bleeding.
ON THE RUN
A murderer is now on the run. He has killed many and will not stop killing. Carson must stop him before his next killing. Neil revealed himself because he liked the game. He needed an audience but he always seemed one step ahead.
Carson opted for a Dodge Hellcat curtesy of the Harringtons. Police were on high alert looking for Neil all over Miami. They raided all of his properties in Miami. It was now all over the news. But no one knew where he was. Some people says he went to Mexico.
Carson is in his hotel room and closes his eyes for a minute. He visualizes a car speeding down the overseas highway. He opens his eyes. Neil was heading down the keys.
Carson lea
ves the room and gets in the Hellcat. He is on his way immediately. Carson hits the highway heading south on highway one. Carson calls the lieutenant from the police department.
“I believe he is hiding out in the keys somewhere,” says Carson. “And how do you know this?” ask the Lieutenant. “I just know, I just know,” replies Carson.
There are many islands in the keys. What made matters worst was the weather was changing. Dark clouds loomed overhead.
STORM
The storm had started. A light drizzle then progressively getting harder. Carson was now driving through a down pour. The lieutenant had alerted the authorities in the Keys.
Carson is driving down overseas highway then a voice pops in his head. “The hunter is being hunted,” says the voice. Carson quickly concentrates and continues driving. Suddenly a big rig speeds right behind him and bumps his rear bumper. Carson switches lanes but the big rig truck follows and comes harder hitting him again. Carsons car spins and flips and crashes. Carson is hurt and the car is flipped over on the highway. He looks more carefully in the mirror and can see it’s Neil Stone walking up to him. “Found you,” Carson whispers to himself.