She studied the pictures. “This is your sister?”
“Not at all. They look like identical twins. They’re doppelgängers. I took that picture during The Swamp Festival. She was there.”
Dr. Wright compared the pictures. “Intriguing concept. Doppelgängers. I take it that’s why you think Evans is targeting her?”
“Not exactly. She is his type. Suppose he has returned to New Orleans. He will be on the hunt. He’ll find her. I have to capture him first.”
“Interesting.”
“He killed my sister at Kenner Park moments before I captured him. When she took her last breath, she vanished into thin air.”
“I don’t understand.”
Matthew took a deep breath. “Okay. You’re a psychologist; so, I’m taking my chance here. Please don’t dismiss what I am about to tell you or think I’m insane. What I am going to tell you happened and is the God’s honest truth.”
“Go ahead. Take your time. I’m listening.”
“Please don’t judge me.”
“Matthew, you came to me for help. You have to be open and tell me everything or I won’t be able to offer any advice in any capacity.”
“I’ll try to explain things. It’s as if my sister was erased from the face of the earth. There’s no record of her birth or her death. No school records. My parents don’t admit to even having had a daughter. If you ask them, I’m their only child. The only thing I have left of my sister is that picture your holding. Flip it over. Read the date it was printed.”
Dr. Wright flipped the photo. “Fascinating. It’s dated March seventeenth, two-thousand fifty-one.”
“I took that picture two years and ten days before Milo murdered her. We went to a Saint Patrick’s Day parade together.”
“Let me see if I understand you correctly. Milo Evans killed your sister who no one knows ever existed and you can’t find any documents to verify that she ever lived. For clarity, you believe he’s coming after her double.” Dr. Wright tried to make sense of the information Matthew presented. “Let’s say I believe you. How can I help you find someone who doesn’t exist?”
“If my memory serves me correctly, he stalked his victims while at frat or sorority parties. Anywhere else?”
“Not to my knowledge.”
“He always killed in public places, like parks, parking lots or theaters, just like his grandfather Donald Evans.”
“That’s my understanding.”
“I saw her doppelgänger at the same park where Milo murdered Livia.”
“That’s why you think he will kill this girl?”
“Damn it. Are you even listening? Milo killed my sister in the park where I saw this other girl. I’m asking you as the specialist on serial killers, will he repeat his pattern of stalking and the place he killed?”
“Not likely. Especially if it was the place where he was captured. He would have to be very arrogant to repeat that pattern.”
“Trust me. Arrogance is his specialty.”
***
The sun set over the pond at Kenner Park. Milo, dressed in black, sat on the bench gazing upon the ducks as he reflected on the moment he slit Livia’s throat. Judas approached from behind. “Hello, Son.”
“I’m your foster son. I have a father.”
“Your grandfather was Donald Evans, a serial killer. I saved you from him and took you in as my own. Never forget that.”
“I haven’t. That still didn’t keep me from taking on the family business. How’s Rachal?”
“Working her way through the ranks. What brings you back?”
“Dr. Angela. He wants me to retrieve something for him concerning Project Dimension.”
“Is he aware of our relationship?”
“Of course not.”
“How did you escape?”
“He arranged for Isaac to get busted and sent to Angola. He had a message for me.”
“Isaac? As in Isaac Smith who drove his car in front of the FBI and stopped them from catching you?”
“Yea, my homie.”
“That son of a bitch. It’s a setup.”
“What do you mean?”
“The bastard used your sister too. She’s the undercover cop who took down Isaac at the convenience store. It was his plan all along.”
Judas clenched his teeth and held his breath. A blue electrical charge radiated across the powerline on the edge of the park toward the Greenberg home. “He will suffer like this family has.” His voice turned sinister and robotic. “I’ll take him down and take everything and everyone he loves from him.”
“Just say the word and I’ll kill him. I’ve missed the thrill of the kill. If you would have allowed me to do that five years ago, we wouldn’t be in this position. Now would we?” Milo’s voice intensified. “But, no. I had to kill those girls for you before I could kill Blaze. That way I could protect you. Isn’t that what you demanded of me?” Milo loses more control and became louder. “You couldn’t be a suspect. I killed fourteen other girls over Blaze because of that. You’re the one who asked me to kill her. You’re the one who wanted to get revenge. So, let me kill him. Let me get our revenge this family deserves.”
Judas took a deep breath before he responded to Milo’s tirade. “That would be the kinder way. You’ll get to take Blaze away from him. It’s not the right time. We can play him. Stay on Dr. Angela’s good side. Retrieve whatever he wants for Project Dimension. I’ll take it from him. Then, you can kill Blaze. That way he loses everything.”
“Then, can I kill Dr. Asshole?”
“Never. He will live and embrace the loss of his daughter while in poverty. I’ll take his wealth. That’s our revenge.”
A biracial family of five pulled into the parking lot. They got out of the car. A male teen, a boy about eight, and their five-year-old sister each carried a loaf of bread. The family strolled to the pond as the ducks quacked in excitement.
Milo grinned like an unrepentant sinner. They reminded him of the times he, Judas, Marge and Rachal did the same thing as a family.
As the little girl threw pieces of bread toward the ducks, several chased her. She screamed and leaped onto Milo. “Save me!”
“Today is your lucky day.” Milo stood holding the girl and telepathically chased the ducks away.
The girl’s mother approached him. “Thank you for helping her.”
Milo handed the girl to her mother. “Anytime. Please be careful out here. There’s a serial killer on the loose.”
Chills tingled up her spine. The mother looked at Milo as she hugged her daughter. “Let’s go, honey.” They rushed to the girl’s father.
The mother whispered in her husband’s ear. “That guy gives me the creeps. Let’s leave.”
Judas looked at Milo. “That was foolish. Are you asking to get caught?”
Milo clenched his teeth. “I will kill the Sorority serial killer. I need your help.”
“If I can. What is it you want me to do?”
“I need for you to tap into the cities surveillance D-Grid. I have to find him and kill him.”
“Do I sense a bit of jealousy?”
“That fucking copy-cat is going down.”
***
Roth parked his 1973 orange and white pop-up Volkswagen bus in a D-Mart lot which provided free parking and D-Net to campers. The burnt orange, olive green forty-five square foot interior represented the retro era of the design. The side of the van had a single coil burner, a microwave and a compact refrigerator on the left which comprised the makeshift kitchen. To the right, a tray and a chair provided duel means for eating or studying. A built in storage unit trundle bunk across the back served as the foundation for the cot size bed mattress.
Roth leaned against his pillows on his bed. His computer rested on his lap. He clicked open the American Dimension facial recognition program to locate Gayle Wallace, a girl in his chemistry class. Sam slept at his feet. Let me see where you are. He typed in Gayle’s name onto the D-Search bar.
&
nbsp; He waited bored for the first ten minutes. Sam wagged his tail; Roth responded by rubbing the dog’s ears. “All this waiting makes me very hungry.” Roth hopped off the bed, made a bologna, potato chip and mustard sandwich, poured a glass of milk and took his meal to the small table and sat. “Deedra, call Blaze.”
“Blaze Angela is on the line.”
“Hello, are you sure I can’t convince you to come tag along? Biff. Bam. Boom. It’s spring break.”
“I’m positive. I have to work and make money. This may be your spring break, but it’s not mine.”
“Okay. But promise me you’ll go next year? Do you work tonight?”
“I’m off and plan on staying home. I have a lot on my plate and can’t leave.”
“Where’s home? You still haven’t told me.”
The computer dinged. “Look Blaze, that’s not important. My research is in. See you later.” He disconnected the call.
Roth finished his sandwich, gulped his milk and bolted toward the bed. He pulled the laptop toward his face and read about his classmate. “Deedra, print page.” Once the page printed, he placed it on the passenger’s seat.
Roth changed into a nice pair of jeans and a preppy shirt. He combed his hair as he maneuvered into the driver’s seat and drove off.
“Deedra, play my song list.”
Anticipation by Carly Simon started at once. He grooved to the beat as a reckless slash of a grin twisted his face. Anticipation indeed.
The orange and white bus pulled into a parking lot at the Riverwalk and parked far away from any other cars and exited. “Come on Sam.”
Sam jumped from the driver’s seat and stood at attention. Roth fastened his leash and tied it to the van’s side mirror. He grabbed Sam’s water bowl from beneath the driver’s seat, a bottled water and filled the bowl. “Good boy. Protect our home.” He patted Sam’s head and headed across the lot.
Roth entered the Me Too Bar & Grill full of anticipation. Gayle finished waiting on a group of six tourists seated in her section. He paid particular interest to the fit of her tight logo shirt and tight white skinny leg jeans. He strutted to the hostess stand. “Can you please seat me in Gayle’s section?”
“Sure, no problem. Follow me.”
Roth followed the hostess to a table. He sat and waited for his target. As Gayle approached, he smiled the width of his predatory nature. Does she match the color of her panties with the shirt she is wearing? He hoped it would only be a matter of time before he had her in his van and discovered the answer. Girls always wanted a ride in a blast from the past. The van offered an easy ploy to get the co-eds into the van.
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2058
EASTER
CHAPTER 27
Bombers and Rapists and Serial Killers, Oh My
It had been one week since Judas and Milo met at the park. The laboratory garage now included a massive surveillance system of nine monitors arranged in three rows across the west wall.
“Okay, let’s fire this up. Deedra, initiate Transcendence.”
“Transcendence has commenced.”
All monitors lit. Each displayed a diverse location. Most importantly, the entrance to Dimension Global on the first screen, the entrance to Blaze’s apartment complex on the second and Kenner City Park on the third. Other monitors revealed Perks, the entrance to the Genetic Research Lab, the Angela mansion and the entrance to Hammer and Snead. The last monitor blinked.
“Deedra, display monitor nine.”
“I am unable to comply.”
“Deedra, why can’t you display monitor nine?”
“Monitor nine will not connect to the city’s surveillance D-Net computer system. There is a block preventing the link.”
“Who authorized the block?”
“I do not have that information.”
“Damn it. I must be able to view Dr. Wright’s office.”
“Would you like for me to schedule an appointment with Dr. Wright?”
“No, Deedra. Zoom in onto camera two.”
The image on monitor two zoomed in onto Blaze, Roth and Sam as they exited Blaze’s apartment building.
***
Blaze struggled to carry her luggage as she tried to go down the steps. Roth grabbed the luggage from her. “Here, let me help you with that.” He carried it down the stairs and unloaded the luggage onto the curb. “Oh, wait. I got you a present.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to. I’ll be right back.” Roth motioned for Sam to sit and to stay. He dashed across the street to his van.
Blaze squatted and petted Sam. “I’ll miss you most of all.” Sam licked Blaze on her face and wagged his tail. “You still give the best kisses. Yes, you do.”
***
“Okay, now where are you going little lady?” Judas readjusted himself in his chair.
A knock on the door annoyed him. “It’s Milo.”
“Deedra, unlock the door.” Judas rolled his eyes.
The voice controlled latch clicked open and Milo stepped in. “I see you managed to use your genius power. The screens are a nice touch.”
“Now sit back, watch and learn how the master does it. Show me who you’re stalking.”
“I’m after this guy.” Milo handed Judas Roth’s picture. “He’s the copy-cat. I got into his mind.”
“Okay. Deedra, scan the picture and locate using American Dimension software.”
Judas and Milo waited for the results in silence.
Judas beamed with pride. “That didn’t take long. Look at monitor two.”
Milo glowered with fury as he watched Roth hurry back with a beach hat. “Nice, two for one.” The sheer vibrato of his grin was a tell-all of his intentions.
“But, shouldn’t you be asking where they are going?”
“I don’t care about her. I’m focused on the copy-cat. He has pissed me off one too many times.”
“I’ll keep up with him through facial recognition.”
Milo gazed over the images on the screens. “Only the entrances and exits?”
“Don’t get your dick in a wad and cum all over yourself because you’re stressed. That’s where you come in. Phase two of our plan.”
“Wait, I think I know where she’s going?”
“How could you?”
“It’s Easter. New beach hat. Blaze and her friends always go to Orange Beach for spring break. She picked up on that tradition when her grandmother told her stories of Taylor Swift and her crazy fourth of July parties.”
“It’s not July.”
“She celebrates the tradition during spring break.”
“It’s time for some serious business?”
“You mean killing that fucking copy-cat?”
“No, you’ll be doing something a lot more important than following that freckle faced son of a bitch. You will start part two of our plan for revenge.”
“Can’t wait. Judas, you know something. I’ve never wanted to kill you or Red. I want you to know that.”
“That doesn’t mean he won’t kill you. Come to think about it, it doesn’t mean I won’t either if need be.”
***
Blaze gave Sam a kiss on his head. “Don’t worry. I’m only going for a couple of days.”
Roth handed her the beach hat, and she quickly placed it on her head. “Sam and I will miss you. Here they come now.”
“Thanks for the hat. I love it.”
“It should help keep the sun off your face. Please don’t forget to use your sunscreen.”
“Silly, I grew up at the beach and know how to protect my skin.”
The yellow Aveno compact car stopped by the curb. The horn blew.
“Spring break is official. Beach here we come.” Blaze jumped with excitement.
“Please stay safe. It can be dangerous.”
“It’s dangerous here too. At least we’ll be away from the serial killer.”
Roth reflected on Gayle bound in his trundle bed.
Mag r
olled the car window down midway. “Are you coming? Grab your bag and get your ass in the car.” She pressed the button, and the trunk opened.
“Got to go.” Blaze gave Roth a hug.
“I’ll put your bags in the car. Go ahead and get in.”
Blaze handed Roth her bags.
He rearranged the luggage in the trunk to fit Blaze’s. It was a tight squeeze. He slammed the trunk.
“Man, you’re fantastic at putting things in tight places.”
“It’s a part of what I do. Now, get in before they leave you behind.” He opened the car door for her and she eased onto the back seat. He shut the door. The car pulled away as Roth watched like a love struck puppy; his spirits plummeted.
***
Blaze fist pumped. “Yes, the countdown has begun. We’ve crossed over the Louisiana Mississippi state line. Only two hours and seventeen minutes until we get to Orange Beach, Alabama.”
Mag flashed a large grin of unspoken relief from each corner of her mouth. “Two hours and sixteen minutes until we have sand between our toes.”
Jenni glanced in the review mirror. “Enough of that. Ya’ll are driving me crazy. I’m trying to concentrate on my driving. By the way, how did you get your dad to let you use his condo?”
“It wasn’t easy. I promised I’d have dinner with him next week.”
Mag turned toward Blaze. “That doesn’t sound too bad. It could have been a lot worse.”
“Then you have dinner with him.”
Jenni’s empty stomach churned. “Anyone hungry, now?” She placed her hand on her stomach.
Blaze tapped her knee. “No. Turn on the radio. Let’s rock out.”
Jenni powered the radio as Mag looked through her playlist on her cell phone.
The last song ended. “Good afternoon. I’m Peter Compton. I hope your Easter Sunday has been as good as the weather. The weather doesn’t get any better in this steamy city. Now, let me catch you up on area news. In New Orleans early this morning, a terrorist plot was avoided when a couple at City Park reported seeing an oversized piece of luggage behind one of the maintenance shacks. The bomb squad quickly identified it as a dirty bomb. If it had exploded, it would have decimated a one-mile radius. The public must remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects as the Easter activities throughout the city are in full swing. The FBI revealed more information concerning the death of Roxy Starlite. The investigators on the case confirmed that prior to her murder she had been raped. A DNA profile will be executed at once. In other news, Milo Evans, the Co-Ed serial killer is still at large after escaping from Angola last week.”
The Keystroke Killer Page 25