The Keystroke Killer

by Melissa Caudle

  “Blaze, I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but Lorenzo is dead.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Look it up on your computer. He was shot coming out of a bar and I was with him.”

  “Then, that makes three dead people.”

  “Four actually, but I’m not counting.”

  Jenni glanced up from her phone. “He’s telling the truth. I used D-Search.”

  Blaze sobbed and tried to catch her breath. “I’ll be right back. I need to splash cold water on my face.” She slid out of the booth and dashed to the restroom.

  Mag sighed. “She’s not going to handle this well. Maybe I should check on her?”

  Matthew shook his head. “Give her time to process this, it’s a big shock to have two people die in one day.”

  ***

  Blaze tripped to the sink basin where she washed her hands, then splashed onto her face. Lorenzo can’t be dead. Her chest rose as she inhaled and flattened when she exhaled. She gazed into the mirror, huffed, caught her breath, splashed more water onto her face and turned off the water. She trudged to the stall, entered, wiggled her jeans and underwear down, lowered herself onto the toilet seat. Pull yourself together. She kicked the stall door shut. It bounced back toward her. Oh God. Don’t let this be true. She rested her elbows on her knees and her head rested heavy-hearted in her hands. Her body trembled like a jackhammer. This gut-wrenching moment she begged to forget surpassed the pain of her mother’s disappearance. She mumbled between deep short breaths. “Get a hold of yourself. You can do it. I know. I know. None of this is my fault. I can face this challenge. I’m an Angela for Pete’s sake.” Her confidence melted. White furry bunnies, purple unicorns and aliens in outer space.

  She stood, flushed the toilet and put herself back together.

  As she left the stall, Alice popped her head into the bathroom. “Sweetie are you okay in there?”

  “I’m fine. Tell my friends I’m fine. I’m really, really, really fine.”

  The door squeaked as it closed. Blaze zigzagged to the sink, her knees weak. She splashed more water on her face and looked at her reflection. Livia’s translucent apparition formed behind her. Blaze swiftly turned around. “Okay. I saw my ghost. I’m not fine. I’m really, really, really not fine. Am I fine? No, I’m not.” The debate between herself continued a few more seconds. White furry rabbits, purple unicorns and aliens in space. White furry rabbits, purple unicorns and aliens in space.

  She bolted from the bathroom and raced out the front door.

  Matthew scurried after her. “Stop. Blaze wait!”

  Mag flicked her hands. “Now what?”

  Jenni twisted her lips and pondered her next statement. “We could always talk about what we want to dress up like for Halloween.”

  “Okay. I want to borrow Blaze’s pumps she wore last year.”

  “You might be out of luck. I think Cristi had those.”

  ***

  Outside Perk’s, Matthew looked left and right while Blaze raced away in her compact car. He memorized her car’s model and license plate number as he dashed to the Taurus and leaped feet first through the opened driver’s side front window and tussled to position himself to drive. The Taurus peeled off which left tire tracks on the pavement as he pursued Blaze.

  Frightened, Blaze glanced into her rearview and side mirrors like her father’s chauffeur taught her. She drove as her eyes locked onto the rearview mirror. Her failure to concentrate on the traffic ahead nearly caused her to rear-end the car in front but she managed to slam the brake pedal using both feet. Her body tensed, she clenched her fists tight against the steering wheel and held her breath until she skidded to a stop. “Oh, shit!” Her puffy and bloodshot eyes widened as a frown overtook her worrisome brow; mouth wide opened.

  Matthew followed from a safe distance. He captured a picture of her license plate using his cell phone.

  “Deedra, call Peterson.”

  He answered on the first ring. “Matthew, I put that file on your desk.”

  “Thanks. I have the make and model of the car and her license plate. I’ll text them to you when I stop. I’m following her now.”

  Blaze sped to her apartment and parked the car in her reserved parking space. She stumbled as she exited and raced to the entrance. Milo will come for my bracelet and he’ll kill me. She reached the steps and glanced over her shoulder at the two thugs who smoked a reefer. Okay. Nobody followed me. Thank you, Jesus.

  Matthew parked out of Blaze’s sight and the two thugs scampered as Matthew stepped from the Taurus.

  Matthew texted Peterson the picture of Blaze’s license plate.

  ***

  Blaze surged through the door and slammed it shut. Before she turned around, she deadbolted the door. She switched on the light. “Oh my God. I’ve been robbed.” Her heart raced; and her cheeks flushed. The cabinet drawers were opened, items from the bookshelf scattered on the floor and the couch cushions lay against the wall. “My apartment is in shambles. Holy shit!” Panicked, she shoved the coffee table toward the front door. Anything she could lift, she added to the barricade she created.

  Blaze sprinted to the window and double checked the lock. She scanned the area. Looks normal. “Sam! Where are you boy?”

  From the bedroom, Milo snaked into the living room. Sam cowered behind him, tail between his legs.

  Blaze backed against the wall and her voice trembled. “Are you going to kill me?”

  Milo lunged toward Blaze and placed her into a tight head lock. “Killing you was my first plan. I’ve changed my mind. I’m in a good mood.”

  “Let me go, Milo! My dad will kill you if you hurt me.” She scraped her boot heel down his shin.

  Milo’s smile defied polite. “You have something I need. So, give me what I want; and I go away. Bye, bye. Just like that. You live, and I get what I want.”

  “I don’t have it.”

  “I haven’t told you what I’m after.”

  “Then, what?” She refused to accept her situation as she jerked to fight his grip. “I have AIDS. Go ahead and rape me before you kill me.”

  “Aren’t you a cute one?” He propelled her onto the couch. “I already told you I wouldn’t kill you if you give me what I want. I may be a serial killer, but I do have my scruples.” He postured himself inches from her face. “Your bracelet!” Spit ejected from his mouth.

  “I don’t have it.” Tears erupted. “Don’t kill me.” She scooted as far back as she could.

  Milo amused, enjoyed the game he presented to her. “Really, Blaze. You’re not listening. I want the bracelet; or, you die. Don’t even try to play a playa. I know you better than you know yourself.” He focused ironclad on her thoughts.

  Knowledgeable of his telepathic abilities, she fought hard not to think about Lorenzo. Furry white bunnies, purple unicorns, aliens in outer space. Furry white bunnies, purple unicorns, aliens in outer space. Furry white bunnies…

  “…Oh, Lorenzo had it. Thanks, beautiful.”

  Milo telepathically tossed Blaze’s barricade away from the door.

  She stiffened in shock. “What the fuck?”

  “This isn’t the only power I have. I’m a goddamn freak.” The couch vibrated.

  Her eyes widened in disbelief. She gaped at him whopper-jawed.

  He accessed his telekinetic powers and lifted the couch as Blaze buried her nails into it. Bam! The couch dropped to the floor.

  “Whoa!” She took a deep breath. “Nobody will believe me.”

  “Do we have an understanding?”

  Her throat closed as she acquiesced.

  Milo jerked his head. The door swung open. “This is your lucky day. I’m not going to kill you. I’ve loved you since you were fourteen.” Milo burst out. The door slammed shut.

  “Oh my God. What happened?”

  She sprinted to the door and deadbolted it. She looked through the peep hole. “Deedra, call nine, one, one.”

  “Nine, one, one. Wha
t is your emergency?”

  “Now will you send the police? The serial killer just left my apartment. He threatened me. He wants something I have.”

  “Are you hurt?”

  “No ma’am, but I’m really scared of him.”

  “Did he take anything?”

  “No. He only messed up my apartment.”

  “We’ll send a patrol unit to your address. I’ll stay on the line until they arrive. Please describe the man.”

  “It’s Milo fucking Evans! Everyone knows what he looks like. He’s the freaking Co-Ed serial killer.”

  “Are you certain it is Milo Evans?”

  “I know a serial killer when I see one.” Maybe not. I didn’t know Roth was one.

  ***

  Matthew hadn’t moved from his post where he guarded Blaze.

  His cell phone rang. “Deedra, accept call through D-Wire. This is Matthew.”

  “Matthew, it’s Kelly. Are you okay? I watched the news. It must be God awful to watch someone die like that. Even if he’s a stone-cold killing machine.”

  “What do you mean a killer?”

  “Didn’t you see the news? He’s a suspect in two home invasion homicides. You were with him. OMG! He could have killed you.”

  “Calm down. I’m fine. I don’t believe for an instant Lorenzo is capable of murder.”

  “Whatever. You missed out on my famous manicotti.”

  “Well, to make up for missing it, why don’t you join me on this stake-out and keep me company? I could use a second pair of eyes.”

  Kelly’s spirits lifted. “Glad to be your assistant. Text me the address and I’ll get there in a jiffy. I’ll bring hot manicotti and wine, we’ll have our first picnic.”

  Before Matthew responded, Kelly disconnected the call. Why did I invite her? Yep, I’m crazy.

  ***

  Agent Locklear and Liz examined the criminal map board for the Surgical serial killer. Agent Locklear studied the picture of Miranda Halsey. “He’s getting more brazen ramping the time between kills.”

  Liz’s brow lifted. “Something has had to have happened that triggered him? He’s been methodical and precise with the past killings and disposal sites. Why the increase in kills? What changed?”

  “We answer that, we’ll find our unsub.”

  “Most likely he wants to get caught?”

  “Maybe he’s ill or dying?”

  “That’s a possibility. Someone he loved could have died on the anniversary of his last kill.”

  “You have a point. I’ll assign an agent to follow that lead.”

  Agent Mansfield carried a piece of paper in his hand as he came up from behind them. “Maybe you two should focus your attention on who he is and where to find him. Do you think it would be possible?”

  “That’s what we are doing?” Agent Locklear darted her brown eyes at Liz puzzled by her colleague’s demeanor.

  “As the forensic psychologist on the case, it’s my job to focus on both psychological and pathological issues of the unsub.” Liz shifted her weight to a defensive posture. “If I figure him out, I’ll find him.”

  Agent Mansfield rolled his eyes. “Now that sounds like a mighty big if.”

  Agent Locklear brushed her hand through her black hair to get it out of her face. “Whoever it is, he’s like a ghost with no fingerprints. He will be hiding in plain sight.”

  Agent Mansfield pinned the piece of paper onto the map board. “It’s not the tattoo artist, he had a very strong alibi. The search warrant revealed nothing unusual or suspicious anywhere. There wasn’t any Ketamine or anything else that connected him to being able to buy it. He’s clean. Where are we on the link to a lake and any veterinarians?”

  Agent Mansfield’s frown lifted. “We’re reviewing those potential suspects and those in a medical position who own a boat within a two hundred-mile radius.”

  Liz observed both agent’s body language. “You’d think, after finding the Sorority serial killer, things would slow down.”

  “That’s when things get ramped.” Agent Mansfield tone turned abrupt. “Now, somebody locate a lead on the Surgical serial killer.”

  CHAPTER 48

  Three’s Company

  Congressman Thompson and Lux thrashed entangled between each other’s arms in the master suite of the Thompson’s mansion. Lux giddy as a teen after he first kissed a boy and liked it grinned with childlike wonder. “It was worth the wait. Honestly, I’m upset you bailed on me the other night, but this makes up for it.”

  “I had an urgent matter that needed my full attention. If you like me in the smallest degree, you better get used to it.”

  “Does this mean I get to stick around?”

  “Only when I call you. You can never call my office, you can never call my home or cell, you can never call. I’ll call you. Those are my rules.”

  “Well, at any rate, thank you for bringing me to your home. It’s magnificent. How long is your wife away?”

  “Three more glorious filled days.” The Congressman smirked as if freed from prison.

  Janice burst through the door and placed her hands on her hips as creases formed on her brow. Her face turned crimson.

  Lux bolted from the bed and dressed as he hopped toward the front door. “This is sexual harassment. I claim Hashtag MENTOO.”

  Janice glowered at Tom. “Get your ass out of my bed and change the sheets. I’m not sleeping on your sloppy seconds. It’s one thing to have a contractual marriage where you can sleep with other men; but to bring one into my bed is going too far. Never do that again or we’re finished. I’ll take my money with me. Your White House dreams will end. What are you waiting for? Change my damn sheets.”

  ***

  Still in his car, Matthew glanced at his watch before looking around. Kelly should be here. A knock on the car window disturbed his thoughts.

  A police officer shined his flashlight through the window and Matthew rolled it down. “Can I help you, officer?”

  “You’re the Commissioner’s son. What are you doing here?”

  “The daughter of Dr. Garrick Angela lives right there.” Matthew pointed his finger toward Blaze’s apartment. “Lorenzo Garcia hired me to protect her.”

  “You haven’t done a very good job. Police and S.W.A.T. are on their way. She called nine, one, one and reported Milo Evans broke into her apartment and threatened to kill her. I’m waiting on backup.”

  “You’ll have to shoot me to stop me. I’m going to her. She could be in real danger.” Matthew pushed the car door open which forced the officer to step backward. “This isn’t open for negotiation. Are you coming?”

  “Looks like you’re in luck. Backup has arrived.”

  They proceeded into the building, weapons aimed.

  ***

  Blaze gazed out the window. She seemed nonplussed as she held her cell phone to her ear and observed the police confer. “Yes, ma’am. I see the police now. Thank you. Two officers scurried to the back and two others bolted into the building.” She bit her nails and hyperventilated.

  A strange noise startled Blaze; she kangarooed around. “Meow Mix? Tiger Lily? Sam?” Sam leaped from the bedroom, sat at her feet and wagged his tail.

  A glass on the coffee table shattered. “Can you hear me?” Roth’s hand passed through her body when he touched her shoulder.

  “It’s cold in here.”

  Sam barked at Roth’s apparition.

  Blaze experienced a tinge of heat in her cheeks.

  “Blaze just try to hear me.”

  “You’re dead.” A worried frown creased her lips. “I don’t hear you. Go away and leave me alone.” She retrieved the knife from the vase. Tiger Lily and Meow Mix scurried out and rubbed against her legs. Another noise sent Blaze running to her bedroom. She tripped bracing herself on the door frame. The knife she carried grazed her palm and blood oozed down to her wrist.

  A bang on the door triggered her reflexes. “Open up! This is JPPD.”

  Sam bolted to
the front door and barked.

  A blood smear remained on the frame as Blaze stepped through the debris, peeped through the hole and unlatched the dead-bolt. As she held her knife high in the air, she opened the door. Blood from her wound dripped to her elbow.

  Sam leaped to Milo’s apartment door, barked and scratched it as if digging for a bone.

  The officer drew his weapon. “Drop the knife miss!”

  Blaze dropped it and the officer quickly kicked it away out of her reach. She clapped her hands twice. “Come boy.” Sam whined and scratched Milo’s door with more force than before.

  Roth moved next to Sam. “Good boy Sam. Keep barking. Let them know where Milo is.”

  Milo looked through the peep hole and remained calm inside his apartment.

  Blaze pulled Sam by his collar back into her own apartment. “Sit and stay, Sam.” The dog obeyed. She glanced at Matthew; her brows raised. “What are you doing here?”

  “Calm down miss. He’s one of the good guys. We’re here to help you.”

  Matthew noticed Blaze’s cut. “You’re hurt.”

  She grabbed her sweater from a chair and wrapped it around her hand and put pressure on her wound.

  “I’ve been trying to warn you Milo Evans was after you. Do you believe me now?”

  “I thought you were the serial killer, but no, that was freaking Roth.”

  Sam bolted for Milo’s door more determined to alert everyone of Milo’s location. He barked and pawed on it.

  Roth flashed a grin of speculation. “Good boy. Keep barking.”

  Blaze stomped her foot. “Sam, get your butt in here. Now!”

  Sam limped back with his tail between his legs. With his eyes glued toward Milo’s door, he sat at attention at Blaze’s feet.

  The officer flashed a discerned look at Matthew. “If she doesn’t want you here, you can’t stay.”

  Blaze raised her sweater-wrapped hand as if she were in school. The officer pressed his walkie-talkie. “We need a medic.”

  “Excuse me, Mr. Policeman. I don’t need a medic. I can take care of it myself.”