Heart of Fire

by Carter, Dawn

  Annabel already had the car engine warmed up by the time Danni got in. “What did you find out?” Annabel inquired as she put the car in drive.

  “Hollywood was killed last night and before she died she called my cell. Fuck, I turned the damn thing off to prevent a trace.” The tears welled in her eyes as she plugged the phone into the car charger so she could turn it on and listen to the message.

  Annabel did not say anything only listened to Danni as she explained what she found out and her suspicions about Officer Travis. “I just don’t get what connection Travis has to the Mayor!”

  “I think we need to ask what connection she had to Hollywood,” Annabel said, and pulled the picture out of the envelope. “You can faintly see the shoe impression of a woman’s shoe.” She pointed to the area on between the shoulder blades. “You can also see where there is no blood splatter in that section, so our killer has her DNA on her.”

  “Why do you think there is a connection?”

  “Look at the brutality of the blows, this was an over kill, our killer needed to make sure she died.” She took a deep breath and sighed. “We need to find out from the Mayor what the connection between him and Hollywood really is.”

  “I agree.” Danni nodded and sighed. “We have a lot of unanswered questions, I need to find out now if Travis is either an eager cop trying to make a name for herself, or she’s our woman. I’m still waiting to get her phone records. If we can tie her to John Mallory then we will pull her in.”

  The wait at the lab was excruciating. Danni sat legs crossed as she watched Conner run from one side of the room to the other. “Got it!” He smiled as he waved the printout.

  Danni shot up and went over to him but he waved them in the air above her head just out of her reach. She jumped up several times to get them. On the third try she had them in her hand, and then gave him a satisfied grin but quickly turned her back to look at the papers. The tip of her finger scrolled down the paper, she already had Mallory’s number set to memory. She winced when the number came into view and the time of the last call coordinated exactly. “Shit, I had her. Conner, get Hagerty on the line, I need him down here pronto.”

  Annabel watched her pace back and forth and swore if Hagerty did not get there any time soon she would wear a hole in the floor. “There is a God.” A hearty laugh filled the room as he walked in.

  Danni could see the veins in his temple enlarge, “Get me Travis’s file!” he bellowed. “Get her work log pulled up!” He pointed to Conner.

  “I don’t work in that department sir,” just as the last word slipped he could see the Lieutenants face turn blood red. “I…I can call upstairs for it sir.” He cowered as he picked up the phone.

  Annabel who accessed the mainframe pulled the file. “Tell them never mind Connor, I got her schedule pulled up.” She gave him a reassuring smile and pointed to the printer for him to retrieve it.

  Connor looked at Danni who smiled in appreciation for Annabel’s quick thinking. I like her was mouthed when she looked at him. Danni smiled and turned her attention to the profile and picture of the officer in question.

  She raised her eyebrow when she looked at the picture. “That’s not Travis sir.” She smacked herself in the head. “Oh shit or that is the real Travis and the one I met a fake?”

  “Get me the surveillance footage of her coming in and out.” Hagerty pointed to Conner. “Pacelli, go to the address we have on file for our missing officer!” His voice cracked. “Take a picture of her and show it around.”

  Hagerty ran after Danni as she walked the long corridor. “Pacelli wait.” He took long strangling breaths when he reached her. “Take a picture of the woman impersonating her. See if anyone recognizes her.”

  Stop barking orders you fat bastard is what she wanted to say as he handed her the picture. “Yes sir.” She rolled her eyes as she walked away. Annabel giggled to herself as she could only imagine what was going through Danni’s mind. As soon as they were out of the building, she let out a hearty laugh. Danni just looked at her. “Oh no, don’t you start with me to!” Danni nudged her in the side playfully.

  There was no answer at the door. Danni retrieved a ladder she found on the side of the house. She looked around to see if anyone was watching then proceeded to climb it until she reached the open window on the second floor. It was apparent by the smell that there was a dead body inside. She did not climb in, instead she climbed back down to prevent contaminating the crime scene. “Get on the radio and call for backup and the coroner. Tell them there is a possible officer down.”

  Annabel did as asked, but when she got to the car, she had to stop and breathe. Her heart was racing, as she looked down at the mic and back to the house knowing it was one of her own dead inside the house. She made the call over the radio then sighed as she flipped open her phone to called Hagerty as he ordered before she left. He scolded her for working the case when she was on medical leave; she assured him she was fine and able to help out. He told her to get a doctors release but until then she was to stay off the case, she regarded him with a sigh.

  She did not risk upsetting him further, so she sat in the car and watched as several squad cars arrived and uniformed officers scurried around and taped off the area. She felt useless as the forensic team walked in and out of the house carrying bags of evidence. Danni joined her several times to keep her informed on what going on but warned her not to cross the line into the investigation otherwise they could suspend her or worse, fire her.

  She had come too far to throw it all away by doing something stupid, so she sat and watched on, she wanted to slap the mother of the little girl who gasped in horror as they carried the real Wendy Travis from her home on a stretcher. She felt useless but from her advantage point she noticed as a car pulled up, the person inside looked on, then quickly drove off. Annabel was sure it was the woman from the picture but only saw her profile.

  She ducked down in the seat as the car passed her by she was able to get a better look at the woman, and the likeness was remarkable. Frantically she tried to flag down Danni, but she had her back to her. Desperate to not let the woman get away again she jotted down the license plate number and put the car in drive and followed slowly from a distance. She tried several times to reach Danni by phone but it would ring and eventually go to voicemail. She left a detailed profile of the woman, the license plate number, the make and model of the car and the location where the woman parked and the address of the house where she casually checked the mail.

  “Ten Eighty Five murder suspect entered home, location 3410 S Maple Street, need back-up,” she called over the radio. She waited patiently but ten minutes passed and there was no sign of back-up arriving. Impatient, she crept around the dwelling with her gun drawn, she knew she should have waited for backup but she was afraid the woman would get away. She heard a sound coming from the front. She stood still as she watched the mail career walk back down the stairs. Before she could move she gasped for air as she was being thrown up against the brick wall. She was face to face with her attacker.

  “You’re either a rookie or a very stupid cop,” the venom spit from her mouth and she rounded her throat, Annabel tried to move away but the woman held her in place. Her vision started to blur, she knew it would only be seconds before she would pass out, she had to think quick, she pulled her gun and aimed it to the attackers’ temple, but before she could get a shot off the woman slammed her head into the wall. She was still conscious and could feel her body being dragged on the concrete and could not stop it.

  Meanwhile Danni sped with her lights and sirens blearing as she rushed to the address Annabel left. Her heart pounded in her chest, she dialed her number but no answer. She knew she would go after the perp on her own and fearing the worst, she called for backup. When she pulled in front of the house she jumped out of her car gun drawn. As she came under the shadow of the porch she heard a gunshot and the most spine-chilling scream coming from the side of the house. She looked over the baniste
r to get a better look and with a few hard tugs she jumped from the porch onto the ground below. She had very little time to react and ran down the narrow clearing but froze in horror. All she could see was Annabel’s sweet face showing no sign of life. Fear and panic ran through her penetrating every nerve as she searched for a pulse. Images flashed in her head as she radioed for an ambulance. “Officer down!” she yelled into the radio crying as she held onto her tight.

  “Don’t leave me,” she yelled almost to the brink of tears. She conjured all her strength and felt the power of faith run through her. She could not hold it in no longer. She let the three words pour from her mouth like a battle cry, “I love you.”

  Seconds felt like hours as she held her in her arms waiting for help. From the dark walkway she could see lights flashing as they got closer. She held her never taking her eyes of the surrounding area.

  The paramedics ran to where she sat and immediately started life saving techniques on Annabel. “She coding,” the tall skinny man said quickly lifting her onto the gurney. “Move aside.” He pushed Danni out of the way and the shorter of the two paramedics ripped open her shirt and applied the paddles. “Ready.” A shock caused her body to convulse. “We got a pulse,” the taller man shouted and the shorter man jumped behind the wheel and put on the sirens. He radioed ahead to the hospital while he drove off.

  Danni slouched down her tired shoulders leaned against one of the foundation pillars. With a firm grip she placed both hands on her temples. She turned her head towards the rooftop. She could have sworn that she saw a flicker of a shadow or movement. Then a crashing sound shattered her nerve endings causing the hairs on the back of her neck to rise slightly. Danni knew that sound so well. It was the sound of a body hitting solid ground. The screams and gasps from the crowd were enough to tell her that something definitely hit the pavement in front of them. She stalked towards the shadows more cautiously, ready for a battle if one should arise. While everyone ran to see what happened, Danni went in the opposite direction. The assailant was close and she was not going to get away. Danni could see movement just up ahead. With her gun in hand she walked cautiously never taking her eyes off of her surroundings, but when she reached the end of the dark walkway who was ever there was now gone. She strapped the gun into its casing before covering it with her jacket. She then quickly walked back to her original destination, but stopped and stood horrified when she saw a large dog dead on the ground in front of the crowd. A good distraction she mused and then realized she was not dealing with a fool. “There will be no trial when I find you,” Danni snarled as she got in her car and envisioned putting a bullet between the woman’s eyes. But, right now, there was no time for the hunt, her only destination now was the hospital to be with Annabel.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  The office was silent as Mayor Burns sat at his desk studying his campaign speech, he was so engrossed that he did not even notice Danni walk in and sit in the seat to his right. She studied his features and observed the lines around his eyes were from lack of sleep. She cleared her throat to get his attention.

  He looked over his folder and grimaced when he saw her there. “Detective Pacelli what did I do to deserve another visit so soon from you?” The sigh that expelled followed by him shaking his head from side to side gave ample warning he was in no mood to deal with her today.

  “As you know we have a lead to catch the killer, and I am sure you are aware of the fact there was another murder.”

  He had to fight back the tears as he locked eyes with her. “I’m aware,” he said and turned his head in despair. “Why are you here Detective?”

  “Since you know the rest, then I’m sure you know that my partner was almost killed last night and she is in intensive care fighting for her life?”

  “Yes, the Chief called me this last night. He also said that was a stupid mistake on her part since she was off duty.”

  She looked at him then down to her hands. She forgot the implications and the legal problems the city would have now. “I…she was just being a good cop. She saw the suspect and tried to get assistance but all our man power was tied up at Officer Travis’s house.” Danni choked back the next words, “She almost died.”

  “Put your guard down Pacelli, we are not on a witch hunt for her badge,” he assured her, knowing that he was grateful that Flanery was willing to put her life on the line to get the thorn that was going to ruin his career taken down. “If there is an inquiry I will advise them that you two were working undercover on orders from my office.”

  The tension eased from her shoulders. She sat back and locked eyes with him. “We are going to get her, but we need your help now,” she said as matter-of-fact. “I’m not sure what the Chief told you, but this woman is dangerous and will stop at nothing. I don’t think it is a coincidence that she is killing the women you have a past with. So, what I need to narrow it down is a list of all the women you’ve dated in the past thirty years.”

  “Why would you need those?” he asked stunned.

  “I need to see if any of them are still alive. And if not, how they died. There has to be a connection somewhere. It seems that the only targets have been prostitutes, so there has to be a connection there.”

  He sat back in his seat and observed her for taking in the request. “Okay, give me a few hours and I’ll have that list together.”

  His demeanor changed and his willingness confused her. He had not been receptive to her requests in the past but there was a definite change in him. Maybe he knew he would be next if did not help. The thought occurred but she was too tired to dwell on the whys. “I also need you to look at this picture and tell me if she looks familiar.” She place a still shot from the video footage of the woman on his desk.

  His eyes narrowed down, but with her head turned it obscured his ability to see her clearly. “Not sure it’s hard to tell.”

  The sigh that escaped her said words for her current mood, she was frustrated. The suspect had to have knowledge of where the cameras were and avoided them. “Are you sure? Think of her with a different hair color. My first thought when I saw her was it was a dye job. Her skin tone is too light for that dark of hair.”

  He looked again but nothing stood out. Only if he could see her face clearly he could say yes or no. He shook his head.

  “I got a good look at her and I have to sit with the sketch artist later. If it’s okay, I’ll fax over a copy for you to look at.”

  Before she could continue he said okay and excused himself for a meeting. Danni just sat there and caught her breath. She had to fight the urge to break down. As much as she wanted to be at the hospital holding Annabel’s hand when she woke, she had no choice but to continue with the investigation. One hour and she would meet with the artist, and approximately four hours until she could see Annabel. When she left the hospital earlier she still had not woken up after surgery. The doctor said she had swelling on the brain and crushed vocal cords he continued to say she was lucky, because the stab wound that entered just below her arm pit would have entered an eighth of an inch more to the left, it would have punctured her heart. All that mattered at this point was she was alive, and with time and healing, she would recover.

  Conner called her while she sat waiting for her to get out of surgery. He advised that the pool of blood collected was not Annabel’s. She remembered hearing the gun shot, and when she reached her she had the gun in her hand. Connor verified her gun had been shot, and the bullet casing found at the scene proved it was from her gun. So they knew two things, the woman was fast enough to overpower Annabel, but now was injured. Danni recalled the scream and knew it was not Annabel. She smiled to herself as she thought how her partner fought even at the brink of death.

  Danni rubbed her temples, she was tired and her head was pounding, she had so many emotions running through her, and was starting to feel conflicted. Just last night she was ready to kill the woman, but now she wanted to see her suffer, and what better way than to be strapped to a ta
ble and know that any second they would release the plunger and fill her veins with poison. It would be sweet justice to be able to sit on the other side of the glass and watch her take her last breath, Danni mused with a wicked smile.

   

  “Are we done?” Danni leaned over to see the finished product of her memory. Her eyes widened when she looked at the face of the killer. It was exact replica of the killers face. She smiled as she looked at her watch. It only took half the time that she was told it would take to get a likeness drawn. “It’s perfect. Can I have it now or do you have to make copies first.” The face of the murderer looked directly at her from the paper. Danni’s heart skipped a beat as she looked at the likeness. “Amazing,” she muttered as she scanned the picture.

  Forensic artist Daniel Martin loved the amazed look he got each time when he held his masterpieces up. “If you promise to make copies you can take it now.” He winked playfully.

  “Scouts honor,” she laughed as he handed it to her. “You’re really good at capturing the likeness.”

  “Thank you. I hope this helps you catch our cop killer.”

  “You’re mouth to God’s ear.” She waved a hand as she walked away.

  Danni faxed the picture to Frank’s office and to the Mayor’s personal fax. She was not going to leave anything to chance. She scanned it in the system and put it over the wire which would send it to each mobile unit’s computer. She had to talk to Frank before sending it to the media. The woman would not be able to hide if she was seen in every household in the city. She could see it now. ‘News at nine, serial killer also takes the life of one of our very own. Officer Wendy Travis and critically wounds Detective Annabel Flanery. Please be on the lookout for – then they show the picture – if you have any information please call local authorities.’ She smiled as she replayed the scenario in her head. She would send it to the hospitals, but was well aware they had to notify the authorities when someone walked in with a gunshot.