The Keystroke Killer

by Melissa Caudle

“And, you’re dead.” Red had no remorse for what he taught his daughter to perform as he shuffled out of his private torture chamber.

  “Red!” Liz stormed after him. “Did I pass my test? Red!”

  ***

  Liz turned her head toward the door. I know the scuffle of Red’s shoes. I’ll never forget the way his footsteps sound. She sat postured in authority and recognized his evil presence as her hair on her skin rose. Her gaze might have melted iron.

  I’m coming, Lizzy.

  Liz shuddered as chills ricocheted across her spine to each of Red’s scuffled footsteps. She loathed Red. Tension increased throughout her body which started at her toes and stopped at her forehead. That is where it remained – in her mind’s eye.

  The door creaked open and two guards led Red into the room. Red sat and tried to scoot his chair bolted to the floor. The guards chained his wrist shackles to the ring welded to the table and repeated their actions for his legs.

  “Enjoy your last visit Lettenberg.” The husky guard jeered as he left the room.

  Red sneered at the remaining guard and pretended to bite him as he chomped his upper and lower teeth together to provoke a feared response. He focused hard on the arrogant guard as he removed the air from the man’s lungs.

  Stop it, Red.

  Red tilted his head and released his hold on the guard who bolted from the room. The door slammed and locked behind him.

  Red opened his eyes as wide as he could to choke out his only daughter.

  She laughed in his face. Oh, Red. I know your tricks. Your baby girl is grown up. She focused hard on her father as she ripped the air from his lungs.

  He jerked his head.

  Her hold strengthened. “See. I learned your tricks all too well. Unwelcomed news, isn’t it? I’m stronger than you ever were. Go to Hell.”

  “I suppose you want me to say thank you for coming.”

  “I want you to listen carefully to my one question and give me the answer.” Again, she choked Red using her telepathic power. “Otherwise, you’ll be in the grave tonight before your day of execution.”

  “Oh, the games you play, Lizzy. What is your question?” His head throbbed relentlessly.

  She released her mental choke. I should kill him now. No one would discover her secret because she could command his heart to explode from the inside.

  ***

  Mag and Cristi dressed like Sultan princesses sat in ornate golden chairs; one on each side of Sultan Hamad Hejaz who sat on his throne. They stared into each other’s eyes afraid to talk as the Sultan’s favored belly dancer performed in front of him and for the assembled crowd to celebrate the upcoming Prince’s wedding. They were his gift from the Sultan.

  The Sultan stood. “Today we celebrate. May I present my son, Crown Prince Ahmose Hejaz.”

  ***

  Lux carried legal papers as he escorted Morty into Dr. Angela’s office. Dr. Angela glanced up. “Thank you for coming.” Lux handed Morty a deed.

  Morty assessed the legal papers and gripped them as the veins popped on his hand. “What is this about?” He tightened his jaw and ground his teeth. His face turned red as his eyes bulged.

  “I bought your entire apartment complex, The Phoenix in Kenner.” Dr. Angela delivered his message with authority and did not waver. “I own it now.” He opened his top left hand drawer and pulled out one crystal engraved shot glass and his favorite bourbon.

  “It wasn’t for sale. I’ve owned this property for thirty years. Hell, I put my blood, sweat and tears into building it. This isn’t legal.”

  Dr. Angela poured his bourbon into the dry shot glass. He had no intention of asking his guest to join him in a drink. His hardened expression never faltered. He glared at Morty. “Do you know who you are dealing with?” Dr. Angela swigged his bourbon. “I purchased the property at fair market value. The money is in your Swiss bank account. Look at the dotted line. That’s your signature on that document.”

  “Ridiculous. I never signed this document.”

  “Remember when we renegotiated my daughter’s lease? I switched the documents. That signature is yours. The apartment building is mine. I bought it for Blaze. You know the daughter you threatened to kick out.”

  “You don’t have a damn daughter and I never negotiated a damn lease.” Morty twisted his lips. This was the second time today someone mentioned the name Blaze.

  Lux intervened knowing his boss made his first error in hiding his daughter’s deletion. “I’m sorry for the confusion. The apartment was for me.” He darted in eyes at his boss as if to provide a warning.

  “The good news Morty, according to the terms in the agreement, you get to maintain it as the property manager.” A wicked grin of victory jetted across Dr. Angela’s otherwise hardened face. “Do what you will with the apartments, other than sell any units. I’ll control that. Apartment one hundred and sixteen can never be rented or sold.”

  “That’s correct. Apartment one hundred and sixteen is reserved for my personal use.” Lux nodded to reaffirm his boss’ directive.

  “I’ll fight you on this.”

  “You don’t have enough money left in that bank account of yours to finance such a battle. I managed to take most of it. I wasn’t too greedy. I have a soft spot in me. I left you a tiny pension for your cooperation. If you don’t like it, I can delete that too if you’d like.”

  Morty’s temperature rose as hot as the tip of his branding iron. He never lost; and he wouldn’t begin now. He lunged toward Dr. Angela like a track star who leapt over hurdles; but he slammed into an invisible force field that knocked him on his fat ass.

  “Meet my latest invention. The newest technology to protect the wealthy CEO’s of the world. You should invest. Now, you can either leave on your own alive or I’ll have you carried out dead.”

  Dr. Angela pressed the red panic button beneath his desk.

  In seconds, Gunter and two of his henchmen entered. “What is your command, Dr. Angela?”

  “That is entirely up to my guest. Let’s see if he wants to live to see another day.”

  ***

  Mr. Hammer scooted through the office straight for Matthew. He looked as if he were on a Red Alert Mission from the Consortium. However, because of his feebleness, his snail pace told his story. He stopped in the middle of the bullpen, retrieved three Cuban cigars from his inner suit pocket and threw one at Matthew hitting him in the face before it fell onto his desk. “Looks like you good use a good cigar.”

  Matthew grabbed the cigar and hurled it back to Mr. Hammer. “I’m quitting. I’ve had enough smoke today for a lifetime.”

  “Have it your way. Do I dare throw another?” Mr. Hammer threw the second cigar to Peterson.

  “Thanks. I smoked the last you gave me two days ago. Unlike Matthew, I appreciate your kind gesture.”

  Mr. Hammer tossed the third to Debra who caught it. “Thanks, I really don’t smoke these, but I’m sure Dr. Franklin would love it. He’s rather accustomed to the finer things in life.”

  Satisfied that at least two of the three accepted his gift, Mr. Hammer looked at Matthew. “Well son. I sent you to Judas Greenberg for information. I never said for you to blow him up.”

  “I didn’t do it, it was a trap. For some reason Dr. Greenberg must have wanted me dead.”

  “Nonsense. He was lucky he wasn’t there. Somebody wanted him dead and not you. You’re a victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Glad to see you’re alive. Now you youngins get back to work.” Mr. Hammer shuffled to his inner office.

  Debra rolled her eyes. “I really think he should go to the emergency room. Mr. Hammer, can’t you order him to do it?”

  “None of my business. He can be stupid if he wants to.”

  Matthew rubbed the bump on his head and winced. “Don’t stop searching. I can hear when you stop tapping on the keyboard.”

  Peterson threw his hands in the air. “I’m telling you, there isn’t anybody by the name of Blaze Angela.”
<
br />   “Keep searching.” Matthew slapped his desk. “There has to be something out there.”

  Debra narrowed her eyes. “Matthew, I think you should go to a doctor. You could have a serious injury from the blow you took to your head.” She bent a paper clip.

  Peterson cleared his throat. “Debra’s right. You need to get your head examined.”

  “Stop worrying. Both of you. Find Blaze Angela.”

  Peterson gave Matthew a reproachful scowl. “What do I have to do to convince you that Blaze Angela doesn’t exist?”

  “Enough of this!” Debra stood as if a nun who was about to slam a ruler across their knuckles in authority. “You both are losing it. You’d think with the way you guys are acting you’re PMSing; or, should I say testostering?”

  The corner of Matthew’s mouth turned up into a sneer of ridicule. “Go to Hell. Just find Blaze! Now! Not later. What part of now aren’t you understanding?”

  Debra exhaled and shook her head. “You really need to get a grip. I think you’re crazy.”

  Peterson lifted his brows. “Don’t waste your breath. He’s not going to listen to us. He never has.”

  Debra held her hot temper. “Sometimes old-fashioned manners of saying please and thank you goes a long way in getting people to do what you want. I’m really not into you yelling at me; or, you barking orders.”

  “I agree with Debra. You’re mighty commanding over there. You need to give it a break.”

  “No, he needs to get his head examined.” Debra threw her hands into the air.

  Matthew stood, took a deep breath and held his tongue. He stared at Debra, then back and Peterson.

  Debra smirked. "What, does the cat have your tongue?"

  "Leave it alone Debra. For once, Matthew doesn't have anything to say.

  Matthew drummed his fingers on the desk and took a deep breath. “Please, keep searching. Is that any better for you two?” He began another D-Search.

  “How can there be no results? Not on Global Connection. Not on D-Net. Not in any public records. No driver’s license. No birth certificate. Not a F’n thing. Nothing.”

  Debra’s foot twitched. “Have you considered there are no records because the girl doesn’t exist?”

  “Never question me on that again. Blaze Angela exists. My sister Livia Lynn Raymond exists. I saw what Judas did!”

  “I’m confused. I thought you told me Milo killed your sister.” Debra snapped a pencil in half. “You’re either more confused than me or you’re brain damaged after hitting your head.” She tossed the broken pencil into the trash and grabbed another and tapped it on the desk.

  “Milo did something. Apparently, he had help from Judas. Find that connection. Somebody do something.”

  Peterson’s eyes widened in disbelief. “We are digging deep. We can’t find shit.”

  “Then keep searching. For God’s sake, you both are private investigators; so, investigate! That house didn’t blow up by itself. Blaze Angela didn’t vanish. She was deleted and quit tapping that damn pencil.”

  “Matthew, Blaze Angela doesn’t exist.” Debra hurled the stapler at Matthew. “I’m not tapping it anymore. Is that better?”

  “No! I’ve seen her. I’ve talked to her. Hell, I followed her to her apartment.”

  Debra retrieved a Snickers bar from her desk drawer. “Matthew, why don’t you take a break? You won’t be any good to anyone if you physically or mentally break. Then what would happen?” She tossed the candy bar to Matthew. “Maybe this will help. You look hangry.”

  He caught the candy bar and tossed it into the trash. “I don’t want your damn candy. I want you to find out information on Blaze Angela. I asked Peterson to run her license plate for God’s sake. Tell her Peterson. Damn it! Peterson tell her.”

  “I did no such a thing.”

  Matthew looked at Debra. “So, is it a weakness in women? Is that why you can’t find them?”

  Debra offended, shoved her chair backward and stood with her arms across her chest. She huffed; her eyes appeared to glow red in anger. She strode to Matthew’s desk and slammed her fist onto it. “Listen. I know that you believe you have a sister. Don’t blame women for not finding her.” Her voice rose in anger. “We are not your enemy. So, do not, I repeat, do not blame me or degrade me. I will not tolerate this or any behavior from a man that degrades women and our intelligence. Do not test me on this. Get over it and swallow your fucking pride. We are trying to help you. It’s hard to help someone when that somebody doesn’t want help.”

  “Amen!” Peterson saluted Debra. “You go girl. Women power all the way.”

  “You’re a fool.” Debra shoved several files across Matthew’s desk. “If you want our help, you have a funny way of showing it.”

  Peterson pointed his finger at Matthew. “For the record, I’ve never heard of Blaze Angela.”

  Debra threw her hands into the air as she stomped back to her desk. She exhaled and took a deep breath. “Matthew, you’re losing it.”

  Matthew slammed his fist onto his desk. “Peterson, for God’s sake. Tell her you ran the fucking license plate.”

  “Matthew, you’re not listening. I told you I’ve never heard of Blaze Angela. I’m sorry, I never did.”

  “Yes, you did Peterson! You’re the one who gave me her file. You put it on my desk. It was right here.” Matthew grabbed one folder at a time as Debra and Peterson watched him toss them onto the floor. He grabbed another file. “This one’s not Blaze’s either.” He hurled it to the floor and pilfered through his desk drawers. He found Milo’s file. “Why can’t you disappear?” Matthew tightened his jaw and mouth as he pitched the file.

  Debra rubbed the back of her neck. “There is no file for Blaze Angela. You need to give it a break.”

  “Damn it. There is no time for breaks. Search again and keep searching until you find something on Blaze Angela.” Matthew typed in another D-Search.

  Peterson scratched his head. “Do you know what it is called when you keep doing the same thing over and over and getting the same results? Insanity!”

  “If I had my goddamn phone, I could show you what happened. I’m telling you he deleted her from existence and everything with her.”

  Peterson popped an aspirin into his mouth and chugged his water. “We’ve looked into every record. There was nothing. Give it a break for a minute and clear your mind. You’re going in a circular labyrinth with no way out and you’re spiraling out of control.”

  Debra dangled her car keys. “Are you sure you don’t want me to take you to the emergency room and have your head checked out? It looks rough, really rough.”

  Peterson and Debra waited for Matthew’s response in awkward silence. Debra dropped her keys onto the desk. “That’s it. I’m calling nine, one, one. You may not care you could die or that your brain could be hemorrhaging. Matthew! Are you even listening?”

  Matthew ignored her.

  “You could die. Please go to see a doctor. I care about you.”

  Peterson puckered his lips. “Leave it alone, he has a hard head. If he wants to be stupid about this, there isn’t anything we can say to change his mind. You’re an idiot Matthew.”

  Dr. Franklin stepped through the door holding a dozen red roses. Debra focused on the D-Search, didn’t notice.

  “You must be Dr. Frank Franklin.” Peterson stood to shake the suitor’s hand.

  Debra’s eyes sparkled as she planted a kiss on her lover’s cheek. She welcomed the distraction. “It’s great to see you and totally unexpected.”

  He handed her the roses and glanced at Matthew concerned. “Debra, what happened to him?”

  “If I told you, I would have to kill you.”

  “Would you now?” His lips formed a grin of reciprocal interest. “I should examine him.”

  “That’s my superior, Matthew Raymond.”

  Dr. Franklin went to Matthew. “You mind if I conduct a quick examination?” He pulled his cell phone and started the flashlight D-App. He ex
amined Matthew’s eyes.

  “Aren’t you an oral surgeon? My mom, Carol Raymond, was your patient. She had oral cancer, you removed it, eight of her front top teeth and replaced them with implants. She told me it felt like torture and your skills would fit nicely at Guantanamo Bay.”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t have a patient by that name.”

  “Your joking? Carol Raymond. The wife of Commissioner Matthew Raymond, my father.”

  “I wasn’t aware that your father had a wife.” Dr. Franklin held three fingers in front of Matthew’s eyes. “How many fingers am I holding up?”

  “Four. No, two. Maybe three.” Matthew’s vision blurred.

  “You may have a serious concussion or internal bleeding.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  Dr. Franklin grasped Matthew’s wrist, checked his pulse and counted his heart rate. “You’re alive for now. Your heartbeat is racing.”

  “Yours would be too if you were in an explosion.”

  “So, you’re the unidentified man the news reported seen at Dr. Greenberg’s home when the bomb went off? You’re lucky you survived.”

  “Leave me alone and get your damn hands off me.”

  “Have it your way.” Dr. Franklin ambled to Debra’s desk. “You have time for a quick bite?”

  “I don’t think I should leave. How about after work?”

  “We have the victory party for Congressman Thompson tonight. Remember, your boss invited us? We can cancel.”

  “I can’t. I’m expected there.”

  Matthew’s frustration escalated. He stood enraged ready to take on Joe Frazier. “I know they both existed. It’s the Keystroke Killer. Project Dimension. No, Transcendence. With one press of the delete key everything about them vanishes. Somehow, Milo is behind this. I feel it in my gut.”

  Dr. Franklin looked over at Debra and back to Matthew. “I really think you need to go to the emergency room. I may be an oral surgeon, but I have the same medical training as other physicians. You need to go.”

  My mother. He doesn’t know her. “Deedra, call Carol Raymond.”

  “I do not have a number for a Carol Raymond.”

  “Deedra, what day did Matthew Raymond marry Carol Natasha Wentworth?”