by W L Knightly
The chief put his window up and turned out onto the highway as Jake followed.
Jo sank in her seat and reached out to give Jake a nudge. “Why didn’t you just tell him what happened? Now he thinks we’re lunatics.”
“He’ll know soon enough, but I didn’t want to only give him half the story. He’d have too much time to think of an excuse on the way to the station. I want to see his initial response and get a reason this is happening right off the cuff.” Jake had seen too many cops make excuses, and that was why they usually got away with their wrongdoings. Having a buddy neck deep with you also helped.
“Makes sense, I suppose.” She rolled up her window and straightened in her seat.
They followed him all the way back to the station, and when he parked, they found the next closest place, and Jo hurried out of the car so he wouldn’t have to walk in alone.
Jake joined them shortly, and O’Connor walked into the station like his ass was on fire.
“Wait up, Chief.” Jo seemed to move as fast as her little legs could take her. “We needed to talk to you.”
But the chief did not slow down or stop. “What’s the big idea, coming to my house? It better have been important.”
“It was,” said Jake, on their heels.
O’Connor made it to his office door and unlocked it. “Come on in, and you can tell me. I’ve got to get my phone and call my wife and tell her that I didn’t lose the damned cell phone.” He threw open the door, turned on the light, and walked into the office which was much bigger than Jake’s.
“It’s about the Hangman,” said Jo.
O’Connor held up a finger as if asking for a moment. “First things first,” he said. He took a deep breath as the phone rang.
Finally, Jake could hear someone’s voice on the other end.
“Hey,” said O’Connor. “I just thought you’d like to know I found my phone. It was in my desk, right where I said it was.” He stared at the ceiling as his wife, who Jake and Jo could still hear across the room, let him have it.
“I have to go,” he said, which resulted in more babbling. “I have work to do.” He hung up the phone and then plopped down in his chair. “Damned difficult woman. Now, tell me what you have to tell me.”
Jo took a seat across from the chief, and Jake stood behind her chair. “The informant talked. He said that the man named a couple of people who could be next on the list, and one of them he said was the chief.”
“The chief? As in me?” His expression went hard. “Why would that maniac want to be rid of me for corruption? I’ve never done anything wrong. I’ve followed the law, and the rare times I’ve done anything that wasn’t in character, it was for the greater good, and it was no more than fixing a few tickets to get some asshole to talk.” He slammed his hands down on his desk, causing Jo to flinch. “I want this asshole stopped.”
“Are you sure you haven’t done anything that could be mistaken for doing something out of line? Are you friends with someone who is suspicious?” Jake needed to be thorough.
“Fuck that,” said O’Connor, slapping his desk again. “I take my job seriously and have some pride in it. And I want to know exactly what was said to you.” He shook his finger at them.
Jake took a deep breath, knowing O’Connor wasn’t going to like what he had to say. “He said that the man used to work on a construction site with him. He said a lot of bad shit about the department, and before you know it, our victims names came up. Then Tanner said that the man kept on, naming the chief and a judge.”
“Judge Mathews,” said the chief with a low voice. “I bet he was talking about Mathews.”
That didn’t sit well with Jake. “He’s your buddy, though, right?”
O’Connor pegged Jake with a hard look. “I wouldn’t call him that, and neither should you if you know what’s good for you.”
“But you knew who to send us to for the warrants,” said Jo. “Is there any reason you would know he could do us the favor?”
“They were drawn up for his court. But yes, I did know he’d have no problem dismissing them. You know how it is with him, Jake. There has been speculation surrounding him for years. Just this morning, he went off his rocker and overturned a jury’s decision, where most likely a guilty man will go free. He’s a bad seed. I’ve just learned to keep my friends close and my enemies closer.”
“Well, regardless, Tanner said this killer has it out for you. So, when you weren’t at your office and you didn’t answer your phone, I had no choice but to go to your house looking for you.”
“Well, as you can see, I’m just fine.”
“Sorry we jumped to conclusions,” said Jake.
O’Connor shook his head. “Let’s forget it. Thanks for caring. Besides, how does this man even know the person he worked with was the Hangman? There’s a lot of people who don’t have any problem running off at the mouth over law enforcement. Probably just someone scorned who was venting.”
Jo shook her head, even though Jake knew the chief had a good point. “Our informant said he stood out. And what are the chances that someone would name both victims? I say it’s a good lead. We just have to stay on it.”
“If that’s true, then what about Mathews?” asked Jo.
“She’s right,” said Chief O’Connor. “What if it wasn’t me who was next?”
“Shit,” said Jake. “We have to find him too.” He looked over at Jo. “Let’s go to his office. With any luck, he’s got afternoon court.”
“I’m not sure about that. He’s been known to take the rest of the day off after one of his stunts. And with this case of his coming to a head today, he probably went home.”
“Well, we’re here, so let’s look here first. I’ll let you know what we find.” With that, they hurried out, but something in the pit of Jake’s stomach just wasn’t sitting right.
Chapter 28
Jake
Jake and Jo had gone to the courthouse and found nothing amiss with Judge Mathews’s office. After a talk with Linda that lasted much longer than either of them wanted, they went out to the car. “We should go to his house and check on him,” said Jo.
“I agree, but he’s probably just in hiding after that shitshow he had in court today.”
“How could he overrule the jury’s decision like that?” Jo asked. “It was cut and dry.”
Jake unlocked his car door, and they got into their seats and buckled up. “I’d bet that he has money being wired somewhere for that one, and don’t be shocked when the man retires. If he’s smart, he won’t wait long, and he’ll get the hell out of town.”
Jo settled into her seat as he started the car. “If the Hangman doesn’t get to him first. I can’t believe I got flirty with that guy.”
Jake didn’t want to relive it. “Yeah. Not your finest moment. If you want me to hurry up and try to save this man’s life, don’t remind me of what a dirtbag he is, okay?” He was already tempted to take his sweet time but knew it wouldn’t do anyone any good to let the Hangman win another game.
Jo didn’t have a response and was quiet for the rest of the drive to the judge’s address. They turned down his street and then followed the road, Jo craning her neck to see the addresses on the mailboxes. “Do you know which house is his?” she asked.
“No, just look for the number we found,” he said. He saw the digits the same time as she did.
“There!” She pointed to the house. “Is that his car?”
“Yeah,” said Jake. It was the same one he’d seen him get in and out of most days from across the street. “That’s it. Nothing looks out of place.” He turned into the drive, and Jo took off her seatbelt.
“Don’t go rushing in,” Jake said. “Just in case. He’s going to be pissed we came here, but when we explain why, he’ll get over it.” He hoped Mathews was still around to be pissed.
He got out of his car and unhooked the strap on his weapon as he approached the door. Jo followed, and when they got there and knocked, no one answ
ered.
“The car is here. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t leave in another one.” Jake looked over to the large front window, and while peeking through, he could see that everything looked fine. “I’ll go around back.”
Jo stayed in the front while Jake went around the house. He passed a large, picture window and decided to look inside. The room, which looked like a study, was ransacked, and Jake realized that someone had gotten to the judge. He walked around to check the backdoor, and it was locked up tight. So, he ran back around to the front. “Someone’s been here. His office is trashed. I saw it through a window. We should go in. See if there’s a key somewhere.”
Jo reached out for the knob, and as it turned, she pushed it open. “Or we could try the knob.”
“Smartass.” He reached for his weapon, and she did the same.
They rushed in and checked the house. Jake searched the basement while Jo checked the bedrooms and upstairs.
“It’s all clear,” she said, coming back down.
Jake stood on the last step of the stairs and looked at the mess. Someone had really fucked things up. He turned and then made his way back up, pausing when he saw what looked like a roach sitting on the floor. Jake picked up what was left of the joint and put it to his nose. “Hm. That’s interesting.” He placed it back where he found it, knowing it was probably the judge’s and not the killer’s. Someone would collect it.
“What’s that?” asked Jo. “Did you hear me? The house is clear.”
“Same down here, but the basement has been ransacked, and it looks like someone in the house has a pot habit.”
“None of the other rooms are disturbed. Do you find that odd?” Jo put her gun away and then wiped her forehead with the back of her hand.
“Well, it’s not a burglary, and whoever came in and did this, they seemed to know right where they were looking. And it wasn’t a random search. They wanted something specific. Since it appears that the rooms in question are both places where Mathews hangs out—”
“Whatever they were looking for was his,” said Jo, finishing his thought.
“Yeah, exactly.” Jake put his gun away. “Let’s get the unit down here on this. We wasted enough time going to the fucking courtroom first. If we’d come right over here, we might not have missed him.”
“We can’t blame ourselves. We’re acting as fast as we can.” Jo got on the phone and called it in. Then she dialed the chief’s number and put him on speaker. “Chief, it’s Calloway. We’re at the judge’s house, and it looks like someone’s already been here. We think the Hangman took him.”
“I’m on my way with the unit. Sit tight and think about where that asshole could have gone.”
As they walked outside, Sam arrived on the scene before anyone else, and Jake met him at his car as he opened the door. “I was in the neighborhood,” he said. “What’s going on?”
“We have reason to believe that Judge Mathews is the Hangman’s next victim. His office and basement are ransacked, and his car is here, but he’s not.” Jake wondered if the man was familiar with the neighborhood. “Have you been in this neighborhood all day? Did you see anything out of the ordinary?”
Sam shook his head. “If I had, I’d have checked it out. But no, I’ve been in the neighborhood about an hour.” He looked up to the house. “Is his family home? He’s married to Marlo Burke. I went to school with her. Fine ass, great tits, at least back then. She doesn’t work now if I’m not mistaken.”
Jake thought that Sam sure knew a lot about her. “Could you call her?”
“I know a few of her friends. I’ll see if I can find her number.” Sam got on the phone, and minutes later, the chief arrived.
O’Connor jumped out of the car almost before it came to a stop. “Any word on his whereabouts?”
“Nothing. His house looks like someone’s torn it apart.” Jake felt like he was sitting on his thumbs. He had to do more than wait around for forensics.
Jo spoke up. “Perhaps the Hangman was looking for something. It’s probably whatever connected him to the judge.”
Jake agreed. “We have to assume that if the Hangman has him, he’s taking his time killing him. He’s played games with the others. Why would he change his MO now with the judge?”
Jo nodded. “He’s somewhere playing his game.”
Before Jake could finish his next thought, Sam got out of his car and ran over to join them. “Hey, I have some news. I got in touch with a friend who is close to Marlo, and she said that Marlo told her that she and Judge Mathews were split up. She supposedly took the kid and left days ago. And she gave me her number.” He waved a piece of paper.
Jo snatched the number from his hands, but Jake held out his hand for it. He wouldn’t snatch it from her, but he would be the one making the call. “I’ll do it.” He took the phone out of his pocket, and Jo reluctantly handed him the paper. He dialed and waited for it to ring as the others arrived on the scene.
A strong, bitchy voice sounded on the other end. “Hello?”
“This is Detective Jake Thomas calling about your husband. Do you know where he is?”
“What’s this about?” she asked.
“Your husband is in danger. We’ve been working a murder case, and we think he’s the next target.”
She gasped but then gave a huff. “Well, I hope they kill him. He’ll deserve it.” Her tone sounded like she could do it herself, but Jake knew a woman scorned could sound like Satan.
He thought of some of the women he’d brought home and dumped the next day, and he let out a groan, remembering. “Well, you might just get your wish. This is a serious case, Mrs. Mathews. Nothing I’d wish on my worst enemy.” She still didn’t seem fazed. “When was the last time you saw him?”
“Earlier today. He came home after his court case. I was at the house.”
Jake wondered if the mess was from their argument. “Your home has been ransacked. Your home office and the basement look like someone tore it apart, and I can only guess they were looking for something. Do you have any idea why it’s in that shape or what someone could have been looking for?”
After a brief pause, Marlo let out a sound of frustration. “I tore up the house. We had a fight. He probably left. There’s no crime in breaking my own shit, is there?”
Jake found it hard to believe she’d done it alone and imagined their fight had gotten way out of hand. “No, there’s no crime in that, but your husband’s car is still here.” He heard her release a long breath as if she had more to say. “Marlo. If you know anything, you have to tell us.”
“It’s just the truth is so embarrassing. He had been having an affair, and the girl told me about him. We got in a fight earlier, and I trashed the house looking for some of our papers and to get back at him for hitting me. He came in and found me. Slapped me around some more. He cared more about a bunch of toy ships than he did his family. Said he could get away with beating me and even kill me if he wanted. He liked to work the system in his favor. Everything everyone is saying about him is true.” Her bitter tone said way more than her words. She hated the man, but so did half of the city. “He came in and found me and was still there when I left with more of my stuff. If his car is still there, then someone picked him up or took him. That’s all I know.”
“Thanks.” Jake had a feeling he wasn’t getting the complete story, but he felt as if Marlo had no reason to lie about where he was either. “We’ll be in touch.”
“Perfect,” she said. “Let me know if you find him. I’m staying as far away from him as I can. And when you find him, I am filing a restraining order against him. I don’t want that maniac anywhere near my son!” She hung up the phone, and Jake looked over at Jo and shook his head.
“She said he was here when she left. That means that most likely, the Hangman has him.”
“Or someone from that case today,” said Sam. “He has half of the city pissed off at him for that little stunt. I heard they brought in one of the brothers of the pl
aintiff for threatening him. I’m surprised someone hasn’t shot him already for his antics. The press is having a field day.”
“Well, it’s just the type of thing the Hangman would hate him doing too. And if the media is involved and they catch wind of this, they’ll be all over us.”
“I don’t think any distractions will work this time. They are already wondering why we haven’t made any arrests.”
O’Connor hitched up his pants. “Well, we’ll handle them when they come around. But for now, you two should get out there and look for him. We’ll secure the house, see if we can find any evidence. I’ve got this.” O’Connor glanced toward the house and then stepped away to meet another unit pulling in.
Sam patted Jake on the back. “Good luck, guys. Let me know if you need any help. But I better get to work too. O’Connor’s already pissed off at me for talking to Dannie too much.” He walked away, joining the rest of the team.
Jake turned to Jo. “We have to think about this. Where would he take the judge? He killed Gaines at home. He took Daniels in an abandoned warehouse in the neighborhood where he did that shakedown.”
“Is there any place you know the judge was familiar with? Someplace private? You know the area better than me, and you know more about Mathews for sure.”
Jake’s eyes lit, and he took off to his car. “Come on! I think I know where he took him!”
Chapter 29
Judge Ray Mathews
Ray’s mind seemed to have completely shut down, and the next thing he remembered was being cold and feeling like he was floating on a cloud or an air mattress somewhere in the Pacific. The last thing he remembered was being home, and then he remembered his money. Fuck. She’d taken it all.
Whatever Marlo was up to, she had someone come into the house after she left to attack him. He opened his eyes and found himself shirtless on a chair, his arms behind him cuffed in place and a large, burning gash on his left pectoral that was still bleeding. The blood around it was smeared all over him.