The Keystroke Killer

by Melissa Caudle

  The mad hump dash increased as if hurricane winds came off an ocean and thrashed both against a pier. He preferred autoeroticism but made this exception as Morty watched.

  Panic pinched Cristi. God, I beg you to let him kill me. I don’t want to live anymore. She groaned from the pounding. Milo’s rape hurt her intensely. She was already raw and burned from Morty’s sexual assault. Her muscles tightened as she jerked in agony.

  “Oh, Cristi, you satisfy me. I can tell by your reaction and moans you’re enjoying this too. I am the best fuck around.” Maybe, I’ll buy you for myself.

  Milo increased his rapid pounding as he forced her hips thrusting deep within her. The gales remained. “Sex is such a thrill ride.” He drew a deep audible breath. “Cristi!” Milo rested his head against her bare back. He squeezed her ass. “Thank you Cristi. Now, that wasn’t so bad was it?” He slipped his cock out of her. “Look at the bright side, I’m the Co-Ed serial killer and I’m not going to kill you. Surprise! This is your lucky day. You take the pill, don’t you? I’m potent and you could have a mini me.”

  Cristi closed her eyes as her head tilted toward the floor. I hope Blaze understands the email he made me send. She’ll send the Calvary.

  “I’ll take that as a no. Now for another piece of business.” Milo turned toward Morty. “Don’t pretend not to know. Who’s the mother fucker calling himself the Sorority serial killer?” He zipped his pants.

  “Not my concern.”

  “As long as it’s not you; or, I’d kill you where you stand.”

  Cristi, in pain and barely able to hold her weight squeezed her eyelids. Please, kill each other.

  Milo looked over at the workbench. He grabbed the cell phone from it. “I need this. I know you have plenty.”

  “Not so fast. I tied the auction to that number.” Morty’s nose took a scornful tilt. “I’ll give you another one, on the house.”

  chapter 17

  You’ve Got D-Mail

  8:00 AM

  Judas sat in his recliner and read the daily newspaper headline - “Another Sorority Sister Dead and Another Missing.”

  Marge entered from the kitchen carrying a hot coffee decanter.

  “Try not to spill it on me this time.”

  She positioned the decanter onto the coffee table in front of him. “Do it yourself.” She immediately searched the bookcase. “I can’t find my Bible. Do you know where it is?”

  Judas grabbed the decanter and poured the steaming brown liquid into his empty cup. He held the cup to his mouth and blew air across it several times before he sipped his coffee.

  “It’s not like me to misplace my Bible.”

  “Deedra, check my D-Mail.”

  “Yes, Judas. Would you like for me to display them onto your television screen?”

  “Yes, Deedra.”

  The television powered and listed the first of ten correspondences.

  ____________D-MailSent:2:10AM_________________

  From: Henry Brothers

  To: Judas Greenberg

  Date: March 31, 2058

  Re: Supplies

  I am happy to inform you that the three computer 6K monitors you ordered are available and were processed. Thank you for doing business with Dimension Global for all your computer needs. We strive to bring the latest developments in technology to your doorstep.

  ________________________________________________

  Marge, frustrated, searched under the furniture, in drawers and in the cabinets for her Bible.

  “Deedra, next D-Mail.”

  The second D-Mail popped up onto the screen.

  ______________D-Mail Sent: 8:03 AM______________

  From: Milo Evans

  To: Judas Greenberg

  Date: March 30, 2058

  Re: I’m Out

  Please meet me at the bench, April 4th, at sunset. I need your brief help. Oh, I’m fine. I got stronger than ever in prison next to Red. It was worth the five years of training. You were right. I needed Matthew to catch me. I’m stronger now.

  ________________________________________________

  “Deedra, next D-Mail.”

  The third D-Mail emerged onto the screen as Marge continued her search.

  “Judas. Stop playing games with me. Where did you put my Bible?”

  “For the last time. I never took the damn thing. I don’t read that crap.”

  Marge left the room in search of her Bible.

  ______________D-Mail Sent: 12:23 AM_____________

  From: Rachal Strickland

  To: Judas Greenberg

  Date: March 30, 2058

  Re: Mom’s B-day

  Dad, it’s never too late to plan for Mom’s B-Day. It’s soon. I know she would love a cruise. There’s one leaving Mother’s Day. Let’s all go. What do you think?

  ________________________________________________

  “Deedra, next D-Mail.”

  This time the screen turned black, followed by static and faded into a swirl of blue electricity. Marge came back into the living room as Judas fixated on the screen. She froze in place, mid-stride, holding her Bible. Time stood still for both.

  A jolt of blue electricity moved from the screen into Judas. He jerked; his eyes dilated and shined electric blue. As rapid as the blue tint appeared, it faded.

  Every electronic appliance in the house powered down and back on several times as Judas remained fixated on the monitor. His body shook as if having a Grand Mal seizure.

  “I am Judas.” His voice was dark, sinister and robotic. “I can delete anyone, at any time.”

  Marge moved like a slow robot for several seconds before she reverted to her normal self. Judas’ body jerked; his eyes rolled back into his sockets. She rushed toward him. “Honey!” Foam oozed from his mouth. “Judas! What have you done?”

  Judas struggled to talk. “Transcendence has begun.”

  “You will get yourself killed.”

  “Do you realize what this means? It means, I’ve exceeded Project Dimension. I now possess the ultimate weapon.”

  “We can’t go through with it. You must stop Transcendence.

  “It’s too late. It’s already happened.”

  “Goddamn it, Judas. Nothing is ever too late.”

  A loud beep from the computer sounded.

  Marge and Judas looked at the screen.

  Judas pushed Marge and stormed to the garage lab.

  “Stop this! You can stop this!”

  ***

  The campaign headquarters buzzed excitedly as seventeen volunteers manned phones and organized campaign materials. Meagan rushed from area to area as she micro-managed the politician’s supporters.

  Astrid, one of the youngest female volunteers in the room stood at a large machine that folded and stuffed letters into envelopes. Her responsibility to feed the letters one at a time into the machine created boredom to an otherwise spunky teen. Tired, she carelessly fed one crooked into the machine. It came out a mess and jammed the machine.

  Meagan stomped toward Astrid. “You must be extremely careful and pay attention to what you’re doing. Impressions are everything in a campaign. Now I have to take the time and fix a problem you created.”

  “Sorry, I’m tired. Can I take a break?”

  “This is a long campaign. Breaks aren’t important. Too many could cost us the election.”

  Agents Locklear and Mansfield entered the office as Meagan’s eyes ignited in curiosity. She approached them confidently flashing her charming smile. “Hello. I’m Meagan Montgomery. How can we be of service to you here at Congressman Tom Thompson’s headquarters?”

  “We need to speak to the Congressman.” Agent Locklear flashed her badge.

  “Well then, I’ll clear the room.” Meagan clapped three times, wedged her fingers between her lips and whistled as if in the Superdome cheering the New Orleans Saints to a victory. “Stop working.”

  The volunteers focused their attention onto Meagan.

  “Everyone. Ta
ke a twenty minute break. Outside, now!”

  Astrid twisted her lips and looked puzzled at Meagan. “I only have three more letters to feed into that wicked machine. Can I finish them?”

  “Yes, you can. In twenty minutes after I fix it. Now, everybody out.”

  The volunteers filed from the office confused as they looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders confused.

  Meagan escorted the agents to the Congressman. He stood at once and shook their hands. “I’m Congressman Thompson. What can I do for you?”

  Agent Mansfield showed the Congressman a picture of Roxy. “Have you ever seen her?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “Are you sure you don’t recognize Roxy Starlite?”

  Congressman Thompson sat behind his desk as Meagan leaned against the wall and listened to the interrogation.

  “I meet many people. I’m a Congressman. You don’t expect me to remember every constituent, do you?”

  Meagan stepped forward. “If the Congressman had been with Ms. Starlite last night, I would have known about it. I jot down everything and every meeting on his calendar.”

  Agent Mansfield rolled his shoulders and took a deep breath. “Ms. Montgomery, please remain silent before I charge you for interfering in a murder investigation.”

  Meagan retreated to her standing position against the wall.

  “Maybe you should inspect the picture closer, Congressman.” Agent Locklear showed him the picture again. “We have you on tape sitting next to the victim the night of Roxy Starlite’s murder. So, denying you never met her won’t get you anywhere but a nice comfy bed in prison.”

  “Yes, I saw her last night. She left an hour before I did.” Beads of sweat formed across his lips.

  “You want to try that again Congressman?” Agent Mansfield held the picture closer to his face. “The tape shows you leaving with Roxy Starlite at one o’clock this morning.”

  “I escorted her to her car, she got in and left. That was the last time I saw her. She was alive.”

  Agent Mansfield projected an accusatory stare toward the Congressman. “Where were you between the hours of two and six after you were with Ms. Starlite?”

  “With my wife.”

  “Congressman. Don’t leave town until further notice.”

  The agents left the campaign headquarters.

  Meagan stood in front of her mentor’s desk tapping her foot. She cocked her right hip and placed her hands on them. “Where were you? I can only cover for you if you tell me the truth. I can’t play along, if I don’t know what we’re playing or who we’re playing with. Also, heed my advice. When confronted with the truth, when it will hurt your reputation, deny, deny, deny. Never admit to anything. Now, tell me the truth.”

  ***

  “Good morning, you ready to get out of bed?” Lorenzo kissed Blaze on her forehead.

  She pushed to a sitting position, adjusted her pillow behind her back and cuddled with him by throwing one leg over his and her arm over his muscular chest. “How long have you been awake?”

  “Never slept. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

  “How sweet.”

  “Considering this is practically my first day of freedom, what do you want to do with it?”

  “I’d be happy staying right here. I’m very comfy.”

  “I was cooped up for three years and want to enjoy my freedom. How about a festival? That’ll be fun. Or, maybe go to the park.”

  “Sounds like you need to be outdoors. Let me see what I can find. Deedra, identify festivals in New Orleans today?”

  “This is what I found. The Swamp Festival is today from ten until midnight at the New Orleans Audubon Zoo featuring the Zydeco King in concert at eight this evening. The concert is free once you pay to enter the zoo. Do you need directions?”

  Blaze rubbed her hands across his chest and down his stomach.

  “Blaze, you have a new D-Mail. Would you like for me to display it?”

  “Yes, Deedra and read it too.”

  “D-Mail from Cristi Jewell. Blaze. Thanks for letting me borrow your high heels with the spiderwebs. They’re perfect for my cousins gothic themed wedding I attended.”

  “Deedra, what day did I receive this message?”

  “It was scheduled to arrive today; but written last night.”

  “That’s strange. The wedding isn’t until next weekend. I’m sure of it. Something is wrong.” Blaze sat upright, crawled over Lorenzo and got out of bed. She paced at the foot of her bed as his eyes followed her.

  “Relax. You probably got the date wrong. It’s no big deal.”

  Blaze huffed and frowned. It’s not like her. “Deedra, call Cristi Jewell.”

  “I’m sorry Blaze. That number has been disconnected.”

  ***

  Matthew sat on his couch sipping a cup of coffee. He pulled out his wallet and retrieved Kelly’s business card. Livia’s picture stuck to it. That’s weird. I never put her picture there. He dialed Kelly’s number.

  “You have reached the gorgeous Kelly Corbin. Leave a message and if I find you interesting, I’ll call you back.”

  “Kelly, this is Matthew. I want to get together again. Please call.” Maybe she will. Maybe she won’t. He moved to the kitchen, searched through his bare refrigerator and found nothing of interest. He opened the freezer and pulled out the only item - a can of orange juice. This will do.

  He retrieved a plastic pitcher from the cabinet and sat it near the sink. He pulled away the thin white strip from the juice can. The orange concentrate, partially thawed, dripped onto his hand. “Shit.” He turned on the faucet and put his hands below the running water and rubbed them together.

  “I’m alive. Find me.” Livia’s voice seemed to emanate from the water.

  He shook his head in disbelief. A sharp pain jolted his body, he guardedly gripped the sink and steadied himself. With a heavy heart, he stared at a bowl as the running water overflowed it.

  Livia’s face reflected in it. “Find me. I’m alive.”

  “What the fuck? I’m going nuts.”

  His cell phone vibrated as a text message came in from his mother.

  He couldn’t wrap his mind around his mother’s D-Text or Livia’s voice. The burden of his sister’s death overwhelmed him. He needed to talk to someone who wouldn’t give a damn whether he was crazy and who wouldn’t judge him. Matthew headed to the living room as his phone rang. He glanced at the caller I.D. “Thanks for calling me back. Do you have plans for today?”

  ***

  Blaze and Lorenzo strolled giddy and carefree, hand in hand, toward the primate area. Blaze squeezed his hand. “I love the fact we can visit animals during the day and listen to the best Zydeco music and dance at night. I’m so excited?”

  “Me too. I love me some Zydeco. It’s been awhile. I almost forgot what freedom was like. Seeing these animals caged makes me uneasy. I know what it’s like.”

  “I get that. We can leave if it makes you uncomfortable. Or, we can go claim our spot for the concert tonight.”

  “The animals are well cared for. It’s a bittersweet moment.”

  They stopped in front of the orangutans who swung about. Lorenzo placed his arm around Blaze’s shoulder and kissed the top of her head. The largest primate mimicked him and puckered his lips. Blaze laughed at the creature. “I think he likes us kissing.”

  “Then, we must kiss again.”

  This time, Lorenzo kissed Blaze on the lips.

  Goosebumps formed over Blaze’s skin. “It would only take seven letters that make up two words and I’ll be all yours.”

  “What two words?”

  “Marry me.”

  Lorenzo’s eyes widened. “When the time is right, I’ll use those two words.”

  Matthew and Kelly approached the exhibit as Blaze and Lorenzo headed toward the lion den. Matthew pointed at Blaze. “You see that girl. I’m positive she’s the one I saw in the park who looks like Livia.”

  Kelly squi
nted and raised to her toes for a better view above the crowd. “Maybe, that’s who you want to see.”

  “No, I’ll show you. Let’s follow them.” He took a dozen pictures of Blaze and Lorenzo with his phone.

  “You need to stop. Give them space.” Kelly grabbed his arm.

  Matthew pulled out his wallet and retrieved Livia’s picture as he and Kelly followed Lorenzo and Blaze from a distance. He handed it to Kelly. “Look for yourself.”

  “I can’t tell until I see her face.”

  “They should stop soon. I have to follow them.”

  “Okay, but not too close.”

  Matthew and Kelly casually followed.

  Kelly placed her hand across Matthew’s chest. “Wait, they stopped.”

  Blaze’s back faced Matthew and Kelly. “Come on. Turn around. Show your face.” Matthew coached from a distance. “Turn around.”

  “Do you think by telling them something they can’t hear will get them to turn around?”

  “More like wishful thinking.”

  “Your wish came true.” Blaze twisted and faced them. “Quick Matthew, take pictures.”

  Matthew snapped a dozen more pictures. This time, he captured several great shots of Blaze’s face. “Now compare them.” He handed Kelly his phone and the picture of his sister.

  Kelly glanced down at Livia’s picture and back up at Blaze and compared the girl’s faces. “I see the resemblance. They could be twins.”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell everyone. No one believes me I even have a sister.”

  “I don’t get it. You have her picture. So, what’s there not to believe?”