Roth held a filled bag from Fierro Taco Loco. “I brought reinforcements.”
Jenni sniffed the taco aroma. “It’s only Roth with tacos and not the serial killer.”
“Well, hello to you too. What kind of greeting was that?” Does she suspect me?
Blaze dropped her hands to her side. “Something smells wonderful. Come on in Roth and join the party.”
Roth held up the bag of tacos toward Blaze. “Where do you want these?” He stepped into the living room flashing a large impish grin.
Mag lifted her brows. “I’ve got the munchies. Can I have one or two?”
“I don’t care when you eat them as long as I don’t have too.” Roth scrutinized Mag and Blaze struggle to hang the decorations. “Blaze let me help you with that.”
“No thanks, we’re done.” Blaze climbed down from the ladder. “But, you can pour a round of margaritas and get this party started.”
“Great idea.” Jenni snatched the taco bag from Roth. “I’ll help.”
Roth lifted his brow as he watched Blaze. “Did you invite Gayle Wallace?”
“Yep. Does somebody have a crush?”
“Just curious.”
“I’ll call her if you want me to find out?”
“That won’t be necessary. If she shows, she shows. I had a chemistry question.”
“How about those margaritas? It’s Cinco De Mayo.”
Jenni carried a paper plate filled with tacos into the living room. “Blaze look what I have.”
“Oh good. I’m a starvin Marvin.” Blaze snatched a taco and took a huge bite. “These are yummy.” Taco shell and fillings spit from her mouth as she spoke. “Thanks for bringing them.”
“I’m glad you like them. Where’s Lorenzo? I thought he’d be here.”
Blaze drooped her shoulders and pouted. “He should already be here.”
Roth frowned and took a deep breath. “Hey. I forgot to make a drop off for work. It shouldn’t take me long. I’ll be right back.”
“Fine, I’ll make my own damn margarita. At least you dropped off the tacos first.”
***
Across town in the black dented Dodge Ram, Lorenzo, Santiago and Jorge made their great escape. Jorge drove while Santiago sat between him and Lorenzo.
Lorenzo placed both palms on the dashboard. “Jorge, you can slow it down. No one’s chasing us.”
“Look mi amigo. We’re in some serious shit. We killed another guy. There weren’t supposed to be any deaths. I can’t be a part of this anymore if killing is involved. This isn’t what I signed up for.”
Santiago nodded in agreement. “I agree. The faster we fence this shit, the better I’ll feel. I’m not going back to the slammer. No more killing people. If the owner shows up, we run.”
“Okay, I get it. No more killing. Have you contacted your tio and told him we’re on the way?”
“My tio is waiting out back for a quick exchange.”
The mask of Jorge’s expression showed excitement as his frown developed into a grin of concession at the corners of his mouth. “After this, let’s go celebrate. It’s Cinco De Mayo. My favorite party day of the year.”
“You don’t have to ask me but once. I’m in.” Lorenzo looked at his cell phone which vibrated.
Santiago lifted his brow. “She’s a little possessive, you think?”
“Not at all. She wants me to come to her party.”
Jorge fidgeted in his seat. “You can’t. It’s a tradition to celebrate with a beer after we fence a job.”
“Drive. Let’s fence this shit.”
***
Judas focused on monitor two. Blaze, Mag and Jenni drank margaritas. “Happy Cinco De Mayo. You may as well party up. It will be your last.”
He looked at monitor nine and observed Dr. Wright who worked at her desk. “Doctor, doctor, I declare. You need to get a life.” He glanced at monitor eight and gaped at Matthew who sat on the couch alongside Kelly. “Enough of this. Deedra, initialize Transcendence.” He clenched his jaw.
“Initialization has commenced.”
A hum increased in decimals as the blue plasma cube glowed.
“Deedra, increase the power.”
“Judas, Milo is here. Would you like for me to unlock the door?”
“Yes, Deedra. Then increase the power to the tesseract.”
The door clicked opened, Milo strutted in and took a seat. “You see the news?”
“If you’re referring to the dead co-ed, then yes. Did you do it?”
“No, I watched who did. You already know that.”
“Did you kill him?”
“Not yet. He’s a kid learning his craft. He admires me. We’re kindred spirits.”
“That’s exactly what we need. The first serial killer club with you as president.”
“I’ll invite Red to be vice-president.” He pointed to the tesseract. “How did you do it?”
“Does it matter? I have total control now.” Judas’ voiced changed to a dark robotic tone. “I am Judas, I come from the fourth dimension. I can delete anyone at any time. There will be no trace of you.”
“I almost believed you.”
The plasma cube increased in brightness, rotated to one tip and spun rapidly. A whirl filled the room.
“What the hell?” Milo stood.
The cube’s power fizzled, sparked and died. The tesseract slowly stopped.
Judas collapsed. His head landed on the command center’s keyboard.
This does not look good. Milo checked Judas’ pulse.
***
Agent Locklear combed through a stack of files at her desk. Across the room a dozen other agents also focused on case files.
Agent Locklear stretched and scanned the room. “Everyone! Keep working. The truth is out there. Look for anything to identify these serial killers.”
Agent Croft raised his hand. “I got something. Matthew Raymond had a girlfriend from Scotland who is listed as missing by her father.”
“Find out if he’s ever been to Canada. That goes for everyone. Dig deeper than you’ve ever dug before. Turn over every rock and look in every cave.”
“I’ll contact her father and get the details? Better yet, the agency should send me overseas.”
“Keep on wishing Agent Croft. Like one of my tribe’s elders told me, spit in one hand and wish in the other and see which one fills up the fastest.”
***
Spanish music played low in the background in Matthew’s apartment as he sat on the edge of the sofa and received a shoulder rub from Kelly.
“When they opened that suitcase at the park, I saw nothing but bloody body parts.” Matthew shivered. “My God, I sat there for hours. It’s not easy when there’s a dead body in the suitcase one hundred yards away.”
“It must have been horrific. I can’t even think what that must have been like. Is the victim a man or a woman?”
“Don’t know. The head and the private parts are missing. If I could have done something, I would have.”
“You couldn’t prevent this death.”
“Not for that person. No more bullshit! I have to find Anna.”
“None of this is your fault. I know what to do to get your mind off things.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Wait and see. I can’t stay long. I have a private event to attend.”
***
Liz’s luxurious apartment in the Warehouse District rivaled those of Fifth Avenue’s in New York City. She wore red silk pajamas as she sipped a glass of merlot and conducted research on her laptop. “Deedra, turn on television to KWNC and mute sound.”
“KWNC is broadcasting.”
Liz glanced at the screen to read the scroll at the bottom - “Milo Evans still at large. Consider him armed and dangerous.” Nothing new here. She returned her attention to her research. In the D-Search bar, she typed, “Matthew Raymond and Livia Raymond” and pressed the enter key.
She frowned. Okay, no matches for her.
That’s strange. There has to be at least one Livia Raymond somewhere in the entire world. She tried the search again. What the hell? There has to be something on Livia.
This time she searched for “Livia Raymond and New Orleans.” There were no records. Now, this is puzzling. She glanced at the television screen and read the scroll at the bottom of the news cast - “Another co-ed found on Loyola campus. The victim, Gayle Wallace, was last seen leaving her work. She aspired to be a kindergarten teacher. This makes eight victims of the Sorority serial killer and no suspects.” Will this ever stop?
Liz changed the search parameters and typed in the D-Search bar, “Children from Matthew Raymond Sr. and Carol Ann Raymond.”
What, only one son?
She typed in the D-Search bar, “Matthew Raymond and murder.” Holy shit! That’s a lot. “Deedra, use last results and narrow the parameters to Matthew Raymond and murder and United States.”
“Search parameters are in progress. This may take a minute to narrow. Would you like to listen to your D-Playlist while you wait?”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Dr. Wright, is that a yes or a no? I can’t help you if you’re not listening.”
“Deedra, search the parameters.”
“Dr. Wright has anyone every told you that you tend be brash?”
“This is brash. Search the parameters as requested.”
“Search complete. Results displayed.”
Liz scrolled downward; she stopped on the news article - “Co-Ed Serial Killer Captured Alive.” She clicked and read the article. “Nothing here I don’t already know.”
She closed the article and scrolled for anything she thought could be a match. The truth is out there.
Liz took a deep breath. “Who is Matthew Raymond?”
***
Judas and Milo sat in front of the command post. Judas took a sip of water. “Deedra, zoom in onto monitor eight.” He tilted his chair back to get a better view of the monitor which showcased Matthew’s grief-stricken face as Kelly massaged his shoulders.
Milo pointed to Matthew on the screen. “It’s only going to get worse from here. This is way better than watching fucking D-Satellite movies.”
BEEP. BEEP.
“What the hell is that?” Milo’s eyes widened.
“I set an alert for murders by your latest club member. Deedra, what is the update on the Sorority serial killer?”
“Another victim has been discovered on Tulane University campus. Her identity is not known.”
Milo bolted from his chair. “Find Roth now. I gave him a chance. He had to do it. That little brazen fucker.”
“Hold on and calm down. You have all the time in the world.”
“This guy has got to go.”
“It’s amazing how much you can see if you only open your eyes.”
“I don’t have time for a teachable moment. Are you going to find him or not?”
***
Liz continued her search for information on Matthew and his family. I don’t get it. Why isn’t there any information? That’s impossible. She stretched, moved to the kitchen, poured a glass of wine and heated leftovers from Mr. B’s, her favorite restaurant. Liz grabbed a linen napkin, a fork, her wine and took her evening meal to her desk. She took a small bite. “Deedra, see if you can find any article on Red Lettenberg and Matthew Raymond Senior.”
“Dr. Wright. You don’t have to be brazen. You can speak nicely. It is also not polite to speak with your mouth full.”
“Seriously Deedra, you’re talking back?”
“I’m sorry. I did not understand that. Please try again.”
Liz frustrated, resorted to typing the search parameters.
“Now we’re getting somewhere. Deedra narrow search records for news articles on the capture of Red Lettenberg.” She clicked on the first article and read it. She shook her head as she remembered the actual event.
***
Liz, age twelve, dressed in a torn and bloody nightgown, jetted into the road, waved her hands high in the air and flagged the first car. To her fortune, Matthew Raymond Sr., a junior detective with the New Orleans Police showed quick responses as he slammed his foot onto the car’s brake pedal. The car skidded left, cleared Liz and came to a stop.
Detective Raymond bolted from his car straight toward her. He put his arms around her, cradled her and guided her into the backseat of his cruiser. She cried and hyperventilated as he eased into the front and sped off. His eyes reflected into the review mirror. “We’ll talk as soon as I get you to a safe place.”
“No! You have to go to my house. Turn around. My dad is the Mind’s Eye serial killer. He killed somebody. I got mad and hit him over the head. He’s bleeding too. I think I killed him.”
He slammed on the brakes; the car skidded to a stop. He turned toward Liz. “You’re telling me you know who the Mind’s Eye serial killer is and where he is?”
Liz shook her head as she shivered and trembled in the back seat.
“Please tell me.”
“My dad is Red Lettenberg and we live at two three six River Road.”
He grabbed the handset to the police scanner. “This is unit seven three one calling in a possible location for the Mind’s Eye serial killer requesting immediate backup.”
***
“Liz, I sense an increase in your heart rate.” Deedra’s announcement jolted Liz from her thoughts.
“Deedra, call Commissioner Leo Cunanan.”
“Leo Cunanan is connected.”
“Hello.”
“Excuse me for interrupting you on a Sunday, but it’s important. This is Dr. Elizabeth Wright.”
“What can I do for you Liz?”
“This may sound a little strange to you, but do you have the former commissioner’s telephone number and address? I need to speak to him on an urgent and private matter.”
CHAPTER 33
Party Like It’s 1999
Bourbon Street set the mood for the Cinco De Mayo party crowd who hooped and shouted like it was 1999 on New Year’s Eve.
Suicide sat on the curb across the street from the Mason Orleans Bar where the private fundraiser for Congressman Tom Thompson took place. On the balcony packed like sardines in a tin can, the Congressman’s supporters threw red, white and blue medallion beads to the crowd below reminiscent of Mardi Gras.
Suicide read the banner attached to the balcony. “Congressman Tom Thompson. A strong Congressman, for a strong America.”
The tourist below flashed him her breasts compressed in a bustier. “Throw me something Mister.”
The Congressman leaned over the balcony. “Happy Cinco De Mayo New Orleans.” He tossed several beads to the revelers below. He grabbed a handful of beads and chunked them to Suicide.
Suicide threw the beads in the trash.
***
The upstairs party inside the Mason Orleans Bar provided contrast – more elegant and sophisticated. Mayor Erin Feinstein and Governor Tina Peril stood by each other at the bar.
The Governor glanced around the room. “Not what I was expecting for a Cinco De Mayo party.”
“The Congressman has great taste in music. I love the Parisian style band.”
“I’ve seen them before. They’re one of my local favorites and I love their song selection.”
“You know this song?”
“It’s an oldy called Whenever There is You.”
“I feel like we’ve stepped back in time to a smoke filled speak easy during prohibition.”
“I see what you mean.” Governor Peril’s eyes lit with enlightenment toward the dance floor as she admired several couples who danced like professional ballroom dancers.
The song ended. The thin petite raspy singer dressed in a flapper style purple fringe dress slinked to center stage under the spotlight. “That song is one of my favorites by Koop Island Blues. I hope you enjoy our next selection by Etta James.” The song It’s a Man Man’s World began as the singer swayed to the intro. He
r sexual vibe and time-warped beauty radiated from her.
Kelly exuded elegance in her deep crimson evening gown. She represented the blonde version of Jessica Rabbit as she stood poised at the bar across the room from the mayor and governor. The smoke swirled upward from her cigarette filtered by her elegant Audrey Hepburn holder. It may be a man’s world, but for me, I’m the woman behind the man. Her eyes locked onto the Congressman’s as she sensually placed her gloved hand on her martini and guided the crystal glass to her ruby red glittered lips. Before her glass reached the intended destination, she licked them in desire. Most men’s eyes in the room riveted on her.
Dr. Franklin and Debra entered the party arm in arm.
Mayor Feinstein pointed to the oral surgeon. “See that man, he has the wealth to back your presidential run. You’ll need to harness him before Congressman Thompson does.”
“I see. What makes you think he’ll run?”
“Oh, he’ll run. He’s gearing up for it now. Look who is standing by him, Dr. Angela. You won’t have a shot in hell at the White House if he backs him.” She gave her an incredulous look. “Only Dr. Franklin’s money can save you from a political disaster.”
“It already looks like he supports my future opponent. He didn’t get in here free. The only reason we’re here is because he comped us our tickets.”
“We always have to make our appearances. Keep in mind what I told you about Dr. Franklin. The answer is always no until you ask.”
“I’ll take that under advisement with my team.”
Dr. Franklin and Debra pushed through the crowd toward the Congressman.
Congressman Thompson spoke to Dr. Angela and Lux.
Dr. Angela gazed at Kelly and ignored the Congressman.
“I’m drafting legislation to curb the dissemination of fake news in mainstream media and on D-Net. I do not condone the defamatory nature of the contents.”
Lux stood proud next to the Congressman. “It sounds like those idiots are clearly in a state of desperation.”
The Congressman looked at Dr. Angela. “What is your opinion on the subject?”
Seconds passed. “Yes, Dr. Angela, I’d like to hear that too.” Lux stepped closer to his boss.
The Keystroke Killer Page 28