by C. M. Sutter
I reached for it. “Let me take a look.” I stared at the heart-shaped ring that looked identical to Gina’s. “Shit. That’s Leslie’s ring, and her little sister has one just like it.”
Chapter 38
Richard had been riding the train since twelve thirty and didn’t see the redhead anywhere. He had been looking forward to killing her, and frustration was creeping in. It made him agitated and less picky. He needed his fix, and almost anyone would do. Richard exited the Blue Line at the Loop and waited on the platform for somebody that he could follow to happen by. A decent-looking brunette walked past. From her fishnet stockings, over-the-knee boots, and spandex dress, Richard assumed she was a hooker.
Dirty skank deserves to die. Let’s see where you go.
He rose casually and took up his position thirty feet back. With the number of riders coming and going, she wouldn’t notice him. The Loop stop had connections to every subway line, and people were plentiful. Richard followed her out to the street and down several blocks, then she finally disappeared into an all-night diner.
“Damn it. I’m not having any luck tonight.”
After returning to the platform, Richard took a seat and continued to watch for somebody that would whet his appetite. He finally spotted another woman. She was a mom type, out too late, and appeared distressed. She looked worried, afraid, and obviously out of her element. The woman was the perfect choice and, in a pinch, would serve Richard well. She paced, checked her phone, and studied the subway maps. Richard would offer to help. It was the least he could do.
He approached her with a friendly chuckle. “You look out of sorts. New to Chicago?”
She rattled off her problem—delayed flight, nobody to pick her up, trying the subway route even though she’d never used it before, yada, yada, yada. Richard tuned her out but held his smile.
“Where is it you need to go?”
“South to Forty-Seventh Street.”
“No problem. I’m heading south too. At this time of night, the only train going south is the Red Line, so we have to go to that platform. Come on. I’ll show you the way.”
She hesitated for a second then waved off her doubts and joined Richard. So far, he thought, everything was right on track.
“My husband works the graveyard shift, and my kids aren’t old enough to drive, plus they have school tomorrow. I just flew in from Atlanta.”
“Really? Why were you there?” Richard couldn’t care less but needed to gain her trust.
“For a real estate seminar.” She gave him a quick smile. “I just got my license.”
Richard smiled back. “Well, Chicago is a great city to sell real estate in, and I bet there are thousands of homes on the market. Just be careful. You know how those TV shows warn women agents not to work alone. There are far too many crazies out there, and you can never be too cautious.”
“That’s why I carry mace everywhere I go.”
“Smart.”
Thanks for the heads-up, idiot. I’ll make sure you don’t have a chance to reach into your purse.
“Here we are. This is the Red Line south platform.” He pointed at the digital sign then checked his watch. “It looks like we only have a five-minute wait. The night owl service runs twenty-four seven, but the trains come less frequently. Our timing is perfect.”
“Good to know, and hopefully, I’ll never have to do this alone again.”
Her comment warmed Richard’s heart.
I guarantee you’ll never do this again—period.
“How are you going to get home once you exit the train?”
She shrugged. “It’s only a ten-minute walk. I guess I’ll hoof it.”
“Just be careful and have that mace handy.”
“Thanks for reminding me.” She pointed at the oncoming train. “I’ll put it in my pocket right now.”
They boarded the train and found seats immediately. Richard noticed that the woman was relaxing. Her stiffened shoulders had lowered, and her face had a less-frantic appearance.
“So where to after you get off at Forty-Seventh Street?”
“I live on West Swann.”
Richard feigned surprise. “I know that area well. I used to hang out at Fuller Park as a kid.”
She grinned. “Small world, right?”
“I thought only apartment buildings were on Swann.”
“Not if you turn west off of Princeton. The street is lined with small single-family homes. I live in the fifth one on the north side of the street.”
He rubbed his brow as if to recall that neighborhood. “Yep, that’s right, all houses over there.”
Richard didn’t know shit about the area, but as they rode, he looked on his phone at what surrounded the train station at Forty-Seventh Street.
“I should have taken a rideshare, but I don’t have an account set up yet. By the way, my name is Diana.”
“Nice to meet you, Diana. I’m Richard.” He stuck out his hand and shook hers. They both laughed.
“Are you married, Richard?”
“I was, but my wife died.”
She shook her head. “I’m so sorry. One never knows what’s a proper or improper thing to ask.”
He held up his hand. “How would you? The sad thing is we never know when we’re going to take our last breath.”
Diana nodded. “You’re absolutely right.”
The train ride took only fifteen minutes. Richard mentally counted down the minutes of life Diana had left. He watched the lighted board that showed the stops along the route. South Forty-Seventh Street was coming up next. Richard pointed at the map. “Your stop is the next one.”
She took in a breath and let it out slowly. “Now, to get home safe and sound.”
“I’d advise you to set up an account with a rideshare company to use from now on. The driver could be a kook, too, but at least you have your mace.”
“I guess. Seems like a woman always has to watch her back.”
Damn right you do.
When the train slowed, she stood and grabbed the pole nearest the door. “It was nice meeting you, Richard, and thanks so much for your help.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m happy to oblige, and be safe.”
Richard watched as she exited the train, then he jumped off just before the doors closed. He walked a good distance behind her, knowing she would turn west out of the station. He’d have to be ready to pounce as soon as she reached a dark, unpopulated area since she didn’t have far to go. Richard followed her out onto West Forty-Seventh Street. She walked ahead of him in silence but at a good clip, and he was sure she was nervous about being out at that hour of night.
Her heart must be beating a mile a minute, but I’ll end that soon enough.
Richard saw her make a right-hand turn onto South Princeton and knew she would turn left once she reached West Swann. The moment she disappeared onto South Princeton, he bolted ahead to South Shields. He would backtrack on Swann, find some bushes to hide behind, and spring out as she passed. He’d have to hurry.
Cautiously, Richard looked down Swann before turning onto it. He didn’t see Diana on the sidewalk.
Good, I’m ahead of her. Now I have to find a spot before her house.
He counted houses as he jogged east. Once he passed hers, he crouched behind a bush just as she turned the corner. Richard slowed his breathing. He couldn’t let her hear him pant.
That was close. I bet she feels safe now and has let her guard down. She’s only two houses from her own, and she’s probably forgotten all about her mace.
Richard pulled open his knife, and the sharp blade glinted in the moonlight. He heard Diana’s footsteps approaching—she was getting close. Peeking through the break in the hedges, he saw her, a mere thirty feet away. As soon as she passed, he’d leap out and bury the knife in her back and then, his very favorite part of all, slit her throat.
Clip clop, clip clop, here she comes. Any second now.
Richard was nearly salivating with the desire
to kill. He waited until he saw her pass then leapt out behind her. She didn’t even have time to spin before the knife was buried to its handle in her spine. Diana dropped to her knees, and Richard mirrored her every move. On the ground at her back and with his left hand holding her still, he forced up her head and dragged the knife across her throat. Her head dropped precariously to her chest. After pushing her forward to avoid getting blood on his clothes, Richard stood and sucked in a satisfying breath. He looked around—the night was still. He casually fished his phone from his pocket, set the flash, and took two pictures of her from the back. Watching his footing so he wouldn’t step in the blood, Richard flipped Diana over and got the best shots of all—her head nearly sliced off and saturated in her own blood.
Oh yeah, that’s what gets my juices flowing.
Three pictures of her lying in that position were enough. Since Richard wasn’t one to push his luck, it was time to go.
Chapter 39
It was nearing sunrise Wednesday morning by the time I climbed into my car. Lutz had insisted that I go home, grab a few hours of sleep, and come back to the station at ten. He wanted Frank and me to return to Leslie’s apartment and show Gina that ring and purse as a way to confirm that Manny Aragon and Bradley Risack had indeed murdered Leslie. After that, we’d make a surprise visit to RailGears and slap that warrant on Mr. Aragon’s desk. Although Manny was dead and couldn’t be convicted of a crime, he could have been in a holding cell instead of a refrigerated box in our morgue if Mr. Aragon had been truthful with us yesterday. We would arrest the human resources manager for lying to police and interfering with a criminal investigation, and I doubted that their shared last name was a coincidence.
At home, I crawled into bed and dropped my head on the pillow. I was beat, and setting my phone’s alarm was the smart thing to do. Otherwise, I was sure I’d sleep until noon. With a few spins, Bandit rearranged himself and settled in—likely returning to his dog dreams of chasing squirrels.
I was out within seconds.
Waking up to my blaring alarm at nine o’clock was annoying, but it gave me time to shower, have a few cups of coffee, and play with Bandit for ten minutes before I headed out. Thankfully, Dean offered to take my pup to his house for a doggy play date with Jackson.
Arriving at work at 9:50, I gulped down the rest of my coffee, left the travel mug in my car, and headed inside. I entered to find the bullpen buzzing with activity.
“What the hell is going on? Can’t maintain control if I’m not here?”
Henry spun in his chair. “There’s been another stabbing, Jesse.”
“What! You’ve got to be shitting me!”
“Sorry, pal, but it’s true,” Frank said. “Lutz, Don, the forensic boys, and a handful of officers have been at the scene for a few hours. Lutz told us in no uncertain terms to leave you alone until you got to work.”
“What about him? That man never sleeps.”
Tony chimed in. “He said he’ll sleep when he retires.”
I huffed. “I’ve heard that before, and the problem is, Lutz won’t ever retire. So, what do we know about this latest stabbing?”
Henry took over. “Not sure when it happened yet—no word from Don—but the call came in early this morning. A man leaving for work saw a woman’s blood-soaked body on the sidewalk and called it in right away. Lutz, Don, Mike, and Danny were still at the Sangamon Street scene and couldn’t get over there until a few hours ago. Patrol blocked off the street to through traffic, covered the body, and waited there for the guys to show up.”
Frank shook his head. “Lutz has been going nonstop for damn near twenty-four hours.”
I nodded. “And that’s worrisome. We need to relieve him.”
Frank stood and waved the warrant in front of me. “No can do, partner. Lutz said we have to go to RailGears first, shove this warrant in Mr. Aragon’s face and haul him back here, and then pay Gina a visit.”
I rubbed my forehead. “Yeah, that’s right. I almost forgot.” I turned toward the door. “Then let’s go. There’s no time like the present.”
We left the precinct with Frank behind the wheel. My mind was going a mile a minute.
“Pretty quiet, bud. Whatcha thinking about?”
I groaned. “It feels like we’re spinning our wheels. We thought Manny and Brad were the guys who killed not only Leslie but Callie too. Turns out, they were just low-life thugs and thieves who were looking for easy prey to rob. Most hookers, as long as they aren’t harmed, will turn a blind eye.”
Frank agreed. “So, even though they’re pissed that they were robbed, they don’t want to end up in jail themselves for prostitution.”
“Exactly. Two different killers with different agendas. The subway killer, if you will, killed Brad and Manny probably because he thought they were moving in on his turf. In reality, they were nothing but thieves who used the subway system as a cheap means of transportation.”
“Then what’s the subway killer’s motivation since we know Callie wasn’t a hooker?”
“Plain and simple—he enjoys murdering people.”
That reality gave me a sense of urgency in finding and apprehending the man. Our problem was that the only witnesses who could give us an idea of what he looked like were dead. He was always one step ahead of us.
I turned to Frank. “This afternoon, we’ll have to sit down as a group, draw out the timeline and locations of everyone he killed, and go over the subway routes and train schedules. If we have to use the entire department to go undercover and drag that killer away from the subway line, where he feels safe, then that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
Frank slowed at the yellow light then stopped. He pointed at the red light camera, and I was sure we were thinking the same thing.
“There are plenty of cameras at every train station that could spot the same man coming and going all day and all night long. We have to review all the footage again.”
We reached RailGears at eleven o’clock and walked up to the woman who’d sat behind the counter yesterday.
I took the lead. “We have a warrant to serve on Mr. Aragon. You don’t need to call him. We know the way.”
“Sir! Detective McCord, you can’t—”
I held up the warrant and waved it over my head as Frank and I took off in the direction of the human resources department. “This piece of paper says I can.”
Beyond the HR doors and behind the glass walls of his office, Mr. Aragon was sitting at his desk. He looked up with an expression of shock on his face.
“What is the meaning of this?” He stood when we entered his office.
“I told you we’d be back today with a warrant. Did you think I was blowing smoke?” I slapped the document on his desk. “How many criminals work here? Or was it just Manny Aragon, a relative of yours, that you didn’t recognize in the photograph I showed you yesterday?”
“Um, I, I can explain.”
“Get every employee folder, starting with Manny’s, right now.”
“But we have over two hundred employees!”
“Yep, and we have plenty of boxes. Those folders are coming with us, and so are you. You can explain everything until you’re green in the face once you’re at the station.”
Frank held up his hand to Mr. Aragon’s protest. “You can come willingly, or we can cuff you—your choice. No matter what, you lied to us yesterday, and now Manny Aragon and another man are dead. That’s directly on you.”
“My nephew is dead? What? How?”
Frank jerked his head toward the desk. “Get the files and then sit your ass down while we fill the boxes. After that, you’re leaving with us.”
With our trunk loaded with boxed files, we walked Carlos Aragon out to our cruiser and placed him in the back seat. He could sit in a holding cell while our guys looked through Manny’s application. Chances were, the names he listed as references could be other men in their robbery gang. We had no idea if it was a gang of two or a gang of ten. Later, Frank and I w
ould question Mr. Aragon and see how many names he’d share.
Back at the precinct a half hour later, we handed Carlos off to Billy, our daytime jail officer.
“Find him a comfortable cell. He may be sitting there for some time before we get to him.”
“You bet, Jesse.”
I called upstairs and told Henry to send down several guys. We needed their help carrying up the boxes of files. They would be stacked in the bullpen, and we’d go through the names to see if we could find any other convicted criminal who might have information to share.
Several minutes later, and with the six boxes in the corner, I asked for everyone’s attention.
“Frank and I have to meet with Leslie Adams’s little sister. Meanwhile, plug every employee name from RailGears into the criminal database to see if we have more criminals. Print out the rap sheets you find, and we’ll go through them later. We need to put together a profile of the killer too. He seems to prefer killing females, which was evident from Callie’s death and also that of the woman who was discovered this morning. In my opinion, he only killed Brad and Manny out of necessity. He rides the subway and looks for potential victims along the stops. We need to apprehend him as soon as humanly possible since it’s apparent he kills out of pure enjoyment.” I knuckled my desk. “Okay. Get busy, guys, and we’ll be back as soon as we can.”
Chapter 40
It was closing in on one o’clock by the time we reached Gina’s apartment. Calling her on the way, I said we had evidence to show her and needed to know if the items were anything she recognized.
Minutes later, Frank pulled to the curb. At the top of the steps, Gina was sitting on the stoop, waiting for us to arrive.
“Poor kid,” Frank said. “I wonder what she does all day.”
“And you said you sent her that information about courses to take?” I grabbed the door handle and stepped out of the car.
“Yep. Maybe I should walk her through some of that stuff.”
“Maybe, but just don’t get too attached.”
Frank’s forehead wrinkled. “Why not? I can be a big brother to her.”