“It’s Lieutenant Stojakovic. If you’re all right, please step aside and let me search your apartment.” He scrutinized the entire apartment. He retrieved the knife and then went from room to room.
Matthew and Blaze huddled in the corner of the living room. He placed his finger to his lips to show Blaze they needed to talk in private. Blaze shook her head. He showed her the pawn ticket. “Do you have any idea what Lorenzo pawned and why everyone wants whatever it is from him?”
“Not a clue, but Milo wants my charm bracelet.”
“What’s so special about it?”
“I’m clueless.” Her heart rate increased from the lie she told.
The Lieutenant returned from the bedroom. “Ms. Angela, there’s no one here. S.W.A.T. has arrived, as has the FBI. They’re combing the neighborhood going door to door. I’ll take your police report and beef up patrols around your complex tonight.”
Agents Locklear and Mansfield stepped through the open door flashing their badges. “FBI. I’m Agent Locklear and this is Agent Mansfield.”
Agent Mansfield retrieved a photo of Milo from inside his suit pocket. “Is this the man who was in your apartment?”
“That’s him. He threatened to kill me.”
“You’re very fortunate to be alive. You fit his victimology.”
“I learned that in psychology.” Blaze jetted an academic grin at Matthew. “I should have trusted you days ago.”
Agent Mansfield cleared his throat and encroached into Matthew’s personal space. “What are you doing here?”
Kelly arrived at the door. Prettier than a pin-up fifties model, she held a picnic basket. “Manicotti anyone?”
Matthew rolled his eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“You invited me. I noticed the commotion and worked my way in.”
“They let you pass through a crime scene?”
“I have my ways and I live upstairs. They had to let me into my apartment. Besides, you called me to help?”
“I realize that. How did you find Blaze’s apartment?”
“It’s not that difficult.” Kelly stepped toward Blaze and extended her hand. “I’m Kelly Corbin. You must be Blaze Angela.” Kelly gawked at Blaze’s blood-soaked sweater. “Oh, that won’t do. Come on, sweetheart. I’m a professional nurse. I’ll have you fixed up before you’re married twice.”
“Who said anything about getting married?”
Agent Mansfield’s brow ridged. “Wait, Ms. Corbin. I haven’t completed taking Ms. Angela’s statement.”
“Well excuse me. If I don’t stop the bleeding, you might not have a witness to get any statement from.”
Blaze, distraught, pouted as she glanced up toward Matthew.
“She’s a fantastic nurse. Let her help.”
Agent Locklear looked at her partner. “What do you think?”
“Go ahead. I have several questions for Mr. Raymond.”
The Lieutenant swallowed hard. “Seeing that everything is under control, I’ll leave Ms. Angela in your Agents capable hands.” He left and closed the door behind him. Sam barked.
Kelly, giddy, placed the picnic basket down. “Three’s Company and I get to be Chrissy Snow.” She took Blaze’s hand and escorted her to the bathroom.
Matthew shook his head dismayed. This will be a long night.
Agent Locklear pursed her lips and frowned. She probed Matthew with her gaze. “Explain to us how you’re involved in this crime scene?”
“First…” Matthew’s brow burrowed when a soap dish smashed to the floor in the bathroom.
The agents and Matthew turned their attention to the commotion and listened.
Blaze squirming like a banshee on fire experienced intense pain as she received first aid from Kelly. “This burns like a mother cracker.”
“Be still. I must pour the hydrogen peroxide on it to keep it from getting infected. Now be still.” Kelly’s motherly instincts took over.
“Ouch! Blow on it. Please, please blow on it. It hurts.”
Matthew grinned with assurance. “They’re quite a pair. Aren’t they?”
“Mr. Raymond. Answer Agent Mansfield’s question.” Agent Locklear’s tone and body language radiated the seriousness of the inquiry.
“Look, you know what I do and that’s what I was doing. Lorenzo hired me to watch out for Blaze.”
Agent Mansfield tightened his jaw. I don’t believe him. “Who hired you?”
Matthew bristled at Agent’s Mansfield tone. Matthew’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He glanced at a message from Alex.
“Am I under arrest?”
Agent Locklear’s frustrated expression displayed her intolerance for Matthew. “Not at all. We’re trying to get the facts.”
Agent Mansfield placed his hand in his pocket which revealed his holstered Glock. “The facts speak for themselves. The way I absorb the situation, this is your fourth crime scene. Do I need to refresh your memory?”
Matthew’s spine rolled; and his eyes narrowed. I’m just going to shut up.
Agent Locklear tilted her head to the left and clenched her fists. “That’s unnecessary. I will. Roxy Starlite, Anna Conda, Lorenzo Garcia and Blaze Angela.”
Matthew dispassionately stepped backward. “The fact is there’s a serial killer after Blaze; but thank God she’s still alive. Fact two, her boyfriend Lorenzo Garcia hired me to watch her. Three, I took it upon myself to follow her and make sure she was safe.”
“Did you see Milo Evans come into the apartment building or exit it?” Agent Mansfield stepped forward. “If you were watching closely, you would have had to have seen him.”
“I never saw him, and I was on a high alert mode. It’s like he vanished into thin air. Now, if you two will excuse me, I’m going to check on the patient. I have full confidence your team has everything under control. I intend on capturing Milo Evans, again.”
***
Matthew entered the bathroom. “I have a lead on that pawn ticket.” He remembered the money order from the payout he received on Kelly’s behalf. He pulled out his wallet and handed Kelly the folded envelope. “Don’t open it until you get somewhere private and away from the police.”
“Sure, I don’t understand it, but I’ll do it.”
“Kelly, will you stay with Blaze and keep her calm while she gives her statement? I have an urgent errand. The cops will remain posted outside the door. I’ll make sure by calling in a favor.”
Kelly nodded giddy. “A sleepover, it’s girl time. Be careful out there. It can be a very mad world.”
“Thanks, Kelly.”
Blaze pouted. “Thank you, Matthew. I’m sorry for thinking you were the serial killer.”
“No problem, kid.” Matthew headed for the living room.
There was a knock on the door. “It’s Lieutenant Stojakovic.”
Matthew strode briskly toward it. “I’m on my way out, I’ll get it.” Matthew opened the door. “You’re back and you brought a friend.”
Lieutenant Stojakovic stood steadfast in the hall. “Agents, this is Morty Wolfe, the landlord. He has the master key. We can canvas door to door to find Milo.”
Sam bolted for Milo’s door and brushed against the Lieutenant to get to it. He whined and clawed the door equal to a violent fury.
The Lieutenant stepped toward Sam. “That’s one persistent dog. Maybe he’s trying to tell us something.”
***
Across the hall, Milo peered through the peep hole, a huge grin of amusement crossed his lips. His arrogance and confidence radiated. He moseyed to the built in bookcase and pressed the Dimension fingerprint scanner on the upper corner. The empty bookshelf slid opened. He escaped into his private lair as the shelf slid back into place.
The Co-Ed serial killer’s lair had everything Milo needed. He grabbed a beer from the dorm-size refrigerator, popped the top and guzzled the amber liquid. A huge belch. I needed that. He removed his T-shirt and threw it into the laundry size sink. I’ll wash that later. He stepped to
the side, kicked open the lid on the portable toilet and pissed. I guess I broke the seal. He grabbed a clean pair of underwear and jeans from the three drawer plastic container and dressed.
Now it’s time to eat. He grabbed a food pack from a stack of military rations piled in one corner on top of a six foot glass display case used as his escape pod if the police looked for him using thermal imaging. There was a mylar blanket and a pillow inside. He could hole-up in his lair and hide if he had too. Better yet, he would never get discovered.
He sat on his army cot and admired his framed souvenirs which comprised twenty-eight stiletto high heels, two pair of leather thigh-high boots, four pair of cheerleading tennis shoes from four universities and his favorite, a preserved foot in a glass gallon pickle jar from his first kill – his mother. His grandfather had taught him well.
“Yep, Morty. My apartment is exactly like I like it. This is my favorite place in the world.” A place where you enter alive but go out dead. He recognized he must wait for things to settle across the hall before he took Blaze for himself. What brand of high heels does she have?
A bang on the front door of the outer shell of his lair caught Milo’s attention. He crawled into the glass display case, covered himself with the mylar blanket, remained silent and meditated which reduced his heart rate and breaths per minute.
S.W.A.T. entered first; rifles aimed. Agents Locklear and Mansfield followed.
Morty stood in the doorway relieved. “I told you this apartment was vacant. Go ahead. Look around.”
The team searched the one bedroom empty apartment.
“Clear.”
“Clear.”
“Clear.”
“All clear. Move out.”
CHAPTER 49
Wicked Games
Matthew drove like a maniac as he weaved through the traffic to get to the Alley Cat bar. Under normal conditions, the trip took fifteen minutes from his current location, but because of his heavy foot, he made it in nine.
***
As Matthew lit a cigarette, he perched onto his favorite stool.
Alex handed him a bourbon. “Word on the street has it that Milo is after a bracelet. One charm has a computer chip hidden inside worth millions on the black market.”
Matthew listened intently. The pawn ticket. “You have any idea what the chip is for?”
“That’s the one piece of the puzzle I don’t have. No one knows but the man who put it in there.”
“There’s more that lies deep beneath the still waters.”
“Milo offered a hefty reward to anyone who brings him the bracelet and keeps the girl alive. He wants to kill her himself.”
“I can’t let that happen. I’ll find the charm. Where’s Lorenzo’s posse?”
Alex pointed to Jorge and Santiago over at the corner. “Go easy on them. They’re only the messengers.”
Matthew drank the bourbon and slammed the glass onto the bar. He threw the lit cigarette into the glass. It sizzled as the smoke rose to the ceiling. He handed Alex a wad of money. They better know where it is. He briskly strode to the corner table, pulled out a chair, plopped down and pointed his gun at Santiago. “I’ve had a pretty fucked up day and I’m dying to shoot someone. So, don’t test me. Where did Lorenzo pawn the bracelet?”
“What bracelet?”
Matthew fired a shot above Santiago’s head. “The next one goes through your thick skull. Give me the name of the pawn shop.”
Jorge fidgeted. “NOLA Black and Gold on Veterans.”
Matthew bolted from his chair and made a quick escape.
Alex whistled between his lips to obtain Matthew’s attention. “Be careful out there. You don’t have backup.”
***
Matthew’s mind raced as he drove as fast as possible. The tires squealed as he made the quick turn into the parking lot. He bolted from his car, sprinted to the door and jerked the door handle. He read the store’s operational hours. Damn it. They don’t open until morning. He kicked the door and hurried back into his car. Another night sleeping in my car. “Deedra, set an alarm for nine.”
“Sleep well Matthew. I’ll wake you in the morning.”
He leaned his head onto the headrest and closed his eyes. A soft rain misted the windshield.
***
Debra slept peacefully with one leg thrown over the blanket when her phone rang. She covered her head with the pillow. The phone rang again. “All right, already.” She grabbed her phone and looked at the caller I.D. Dr. Franklin. Debra gushed as she answered. “I’m glad you called. Even if you woke me up.”
“You feel like company?”
“I feel like having sex is what I feel like, but you’re not here.”
“I’m outside your door.”
“What? Seriously!” She raced to the door and opened it.
He handed her a dozen red roses, lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the bed.
Debra abandoned her timid approach and gazed lustfully into his eyes as their lips pressed. She clung to him tightly as a sense of urgency swelled between her inner thighs. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I cut my trip short.” He carefully eased her onto the bed. “It didn’t take as long as I thought it would. I missed you. You’ve somehow gotten under my skin.”
“I think it goes both ways.”
“Before we get going, I need to take a shower. It was a long flight. Do you care to join me?” He flashed a wanting grin of seductive charm.
Debra’s eyes were bright with fervid emotion. She popped out of bed and undressed as she dropped her clothing onto the floor all the way to the bathroom.
He playfully chased after her as he removed his shirt and tossed it toward the chair.
Debra stood at the shower. Her toned body enhanced by the glow of the red heater lamp. Dr. Franklin’s brows lifted as he ogled her toned physique.
Debra slowly made a figure eight with her hips – rumba style. “Deedra, start my In the Mood playlist.” The song Wicked Game sung by Hula-Hifi began as she slid the shower curtain open and twisted the brushed nickel water knob. She placed her wrist beneath the running water and tweaked the temperature before stepping in. “I’m waiting on you, hurry.”
Dr. Franklin glanced at his stomach. Smeared dried blood from his last victim covered it. “Close your eyes and don’t open them until I tell you. Promise me. I have a surprise for you.”
“I promise.”
“Are they closed?”
“Of course, I wouldn’t lie to you. I don’t lie.”
“That’s always nice to know.” He stepped into the shower behind Debra and pressed his hairy muscular chest against her back. The warm water flowed from the rain shower head above as it puddled at their feet. The puddle tinged crimson.
Dr. Franklin double checked his stomach to make certain the evidence washed off. “Hand me the soap and I’ll wash your back.”
“Sounds fabulous.” She handed off the slippery soap over her shoulder.
He lathered his hands and her back. The soap bar squirted from his hand and landed in the bloody water. He wrapped his arms around Debra’s waist and caressed her breasts as their flesh pressed against each other.
She supported herself with her palms pressed against the shower’s tile wall.
He spun her around and pulled her into him as if to merge their bodies into one. His fingers slid through her wet hair as he guided her face toward his. She welcomed the strength of his touch as he kissed her only stopping for a breath.
Debra’s hands rubbed over his body. She squeezed his ass. “Can I open my eyes now?”
He watched the last crimson tinge in the water turn clear. “As long as you look me in the eye.”
She opened her eyes and winked. “I like what I see.”
His lips showcased a grin of immense charm and seduction. “Lady's choice. You want me from the front or the back?”
***
Blaze surrounded by a dozen soiled tissues and Kelly leaned against six
fluffy pillows supported by Blaze’s headboard. Kelly clung to a Kleenex box on her lap.
Blaze couldn’t catch her breath between her tears. “Thank you and your friends for putting my apartment back together.”
“Honey. No matter what people think about drag queens, they are true friends. And, if any of them need help, they are there. They are honest and loyal to the core. I told you it wouldn’t take them more than an hour.”
“Not when a dozen or more showed up. I need friends like them.” Blaze flushed with tears again as snot ran down her nose.
Kelly handed her a tissue. “I like the cat print on your jammies.”
“I like yours too, especially the white fluffy feathers on your robe.”
“Lucky for you, I live upstairs. However, I always carry a change of clothes and my jammies. You never know when you’ll need them or be asked to spend the night. Learn this and you’ll go far in a relationship. Clean panties are a must darling.”
Blaze grabbed a tissue from the box and blew her nose. She grabbed another tissue and wiped her eyes as she whimpered. “Thank you for staying. I didn’t want to be alone.” Her voice quivered.
“Oh sweetie. I wouldn’t leave a girl alone at a time like this. You need me; and Matthew needed me to stay. He’ll find the underlying cause of this. Don’t you worry.”
“How do you know?” Blaze hiccupped.
“Because I know him. Matthew is a caring man. He’s a good friend to have. Besides, he had a sister who looked like you. He’ll take care of you.”
“Isn’t she dead or something?”
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about that. He’s one of the knights in shining armor ready to rescue a maiden in distress. I promise once you get to know him, you’ll like him.”
“What do you like most about him?” Blaze blubbered her words.
“He’s nonjudgmental. He accepts me for who and what I am. These days, that’s hard to find.”
“I know. My friend like that turned out to be a freaking serial killer.” Blaze cried harder.
Kelly remembered the envelope. This is a private place.
Snot dripped from Blaze’s nose.
Kelly passed her another tissue.
The Keystroke Killer Page 40