Connection Terminated

by Edward Hancock II

  “Shouldn’t she be in school? College or something.”

  “She was home schooled.” Tabby replied. “She has been saving money for college. Working different jobs. Not really sure what she wants to do with her life. Came out here to visit. Asked if she could help out.”

  “So, what have we got here?” Alex said, motioning to the body.

  “Female. Brunette. Very pretty. As pretty as a dead body can be, I guess. She was found naked. But, I heard the chief say there were no signs of rape. I’ll have to get her back to my office before I can confirm that independently.”

  “How’d she die?”

  “Best I can tell you now, Alex, is that she went down fighting.”

  “She put up a struggle?” Alex asked.

  “It would appear that way. We have some scratches on her. Some defensive wounds. Her nose is broken, unlike the previous victims. Whoever our guy is, he left this place knowing he’d been in a fight.”

  Turning to the scene, Alex let himself take it all in. Even under the floodlights, it was difficult to assess every detail but, whoever this guy was, he had deviated from his usual game.

  The corner of Hughes and Eastman was one of the busier intersections in Longview. The movie theater was two blocks east. Restaurant Row – what the townspeople called a 3-mile strip of highway 80 – was barely the same distance to the west. The police station and justice center were to the north, several miles away, but it was a straight shot up Eastman, a zig and a zag.

  Approaching the victim, Alex could not escape the question. Why change? Is the thrill going out of it? Is he wanting to be caught? Is he daring police? Challenging the officers to a new game? Whatever it was, something did not add up. What’s next, he thought to himself. A body on my front patio?

  “Time of death?” Alex asked the chief as he knelt down.

  “Not long, Alex.”

  “Ms. Wagner says she’s been here less than a half an hour.” Reggie added.

  “How is it we’re minutes behind this guy?” Alex asked. “What do we have to do to get ahead of him?”

  “Tabby says there’s signs of a struggle?”

  “Yes,” the chief said. “It would appear we had ourselves a determined young lady here.”

  “Makes sense.” Reggie offered, taking notes in his notebook.

  “Meaning?” asked the chief.

  Stumbling for words, Reggie Brooks seemed to go pale. “I—Um, Chief, I’m sorry. I—Uh, I only…”

  “Breathe, son,” the chief said, patting him on the back. “You have a hunch you’d like to share?”

  “N-No sir.” Reggie stammered. “I just meant that it made sense that she put up a fight. She’s tall. And she’s Latina.”

  A disapproving look from the chief caused Reggie’s eyes to grow uneasy.

  “Sorry, Chief. My girlfriend is Latina. She’s got 4 sisters. I’m just speaking from experience. You don’t go up against a Latina chick unless you want a fight on your hands.”

  Smiling, Chief Steelman patted Reggie Brooks on the back.

  “Attaboy, Reggie!” he laughed. “Now you’re getting it.”

  Letting go an uneasy chuckle, Reggie asked, “Getting what, sir?”

  “Experience, son. Go with it. Why didn’t you think of that, Alex?” Chief Steelman winked at him.

  “My only brother died years ago, Chief. And I married a gringa!” Alex replied.

  “I hope I, um,” Reggie stammered, trying to find his thoughts. “I don’t mean to offend.”

  “So, are there any tire tracks or anything?” Alex asked, patting Reggie on the shoulder.

  “A few.” the chief said. “The road is paved, but with the construction having just wrapped, there are still several patches that lend themselves to tire imprints. And we’ll run them all. But I suggest it’ll probably be a dead end. Heck, I travel this road myself. Brought the Highlands out here for dinner a couple nights ago.”

  “We have to assume this could be a copycat killer,” Alex asserted. “The previous victims weren’t beat. This was off. This wasn’t his usual M.O. Too violent, even for him.”

  “Well, if your rookie’s theory holds water, it could have been his first mistake. It could be he just messed with the wrong gal.”

  “Hey, Chief!” Reggie said, tilting the body just so. “Look at this!”

  And there it was. The windy night had blown it off the body. Or perhaps the windy night had caused the perp to place it underneath the body. Maybe he’d dropped it in the struggle. Whatever the case, the calling card was there for all to see.

  “Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” Alex read.

  “Jude 1:7,” the chief finished off.

  “Think this means he’s moving on to surrounding cities?” Alex asked.

  “I don’t know,” The chief admitted. “Maybe a reference to past killings? But we’ll have to alert the feds and we’ll spread the word to the surrounding counties. It could simply be a warning that we’ll see blood ‘like the surrounding cities’ or like the cities he’s been to before. Go ahead and bag it, Reggie.”

  Reggie Brooks nodded, produced an evidence bag and sealed the evidence away.

  “Maybe his work is done here. Or maybe it’s just a warning that we’re being punished like the other cities this wacko’s been to.”

  “He’s never killed more than three in a city.”

  Cade’s voice caused all of them to jump.

  “Agent Cade,” Chief Steelman said, extending his hand. “How are you? Where’s Agent Sutton?”

  “He’s still at the hospital with his uncle.” Cade replied.

  “So you say that he’s never killed more than three in a city before?” Alex asked.

  “So far,” Cade said, nodding. “That is correct.”

  “So, your gut is saying he’s moving on?”

  “My gut,” Cade replied, “is telling me to assume he’s not done here. But, I think you are right to prepare the surrounding counties. He’s never killed more than 3 in any one city, but he’s never had a fighter till now. His ‘record’, if you will, has been tarnished. We could assume he’d want a ‘do-over’.”

  Touching Agent Cade on the arm, Captain Steelman walked away from the body. Alex assumed they were likely to be headed to make those calls.

  “So, Reg,” Alex said, turning his attention back to the victim. “We’ve already established she’s a tall Latina. What other particulars do we have?”

  “Well, she’s 5’9 to be exact. Rap sheet says she goes by the name Harmony Winters. Gave another name of Marisol Velasquez once. Going to run it when I get back to the station and see if that’s her birth name or an alias. We have her probation officer listed in her file. We’ll contact him to verify the address then check it out.”

  “I don’t want you to wait to verify it, Reg.” Alex said. “Have a couple uniforms check the house out tonight. See if anyone’s there. Interview the neighbors. Anyone that’s awake. Don’t wake the neighbors. We can do that tomorrow. Call the probation officer tonight. Tell them I told you to.”

  “Yes sir.” Reggie said.

  “Do it now, Reg.” Alex prodded. “Head back to the station. I’ll finish up here. I want to check some things out and get this wrapped up so the M.E. can have the body. It’s gonna be a long night. No sense in making it any longer.”

  Nodding, Reggie Brooks stood and walked toward his car.

  “Now,” Alex said, “Let’s see what we have here.”

  Bruising on the neck suggested a real struggle. Taking out his flashlight, Alex noticed something shiny protruding from the neck. Looking closer, Alex smiled. Reaching for Reggie’s field kit, Alex extracted tweezers and a small evidence bag. He also took the small camera from the kit. Placing the tweezers next to the object for reference, Alex snapped the picture and carefully replaced the camera.

  With expe
rt precision, Alex removed a long metal needle from the open wound. As he thought, it was the needle.

  “We got you now,” Alex whispered. Speaking directly to the victim, Alex added, “I will find who did this to you, honey. I promise.”

  “Hey, Cade?” Alex shouted, motioning toward him and the chief.

  Trotting toward Alex, Cade’s flashlight bobbled in his hand, smacking Alex on the head as it flew from his sweaty palm.

  “Sorry, Alex.” Cade said, picking up his light. “What can I do for you?”

  “Look at this.” Alex said, showing them the bagged needle.

  “What is that?” The chief asked.

  “A needle, Chief.” Alex smiled. “There’s got to be a way to trace the brand, manufacturer or something. We’ll log it into our chain of evidence just for records, but if you’ll authorize it, Chief, I’d like to turn this over to Cade and have the feds run tests on it.”

  “I’ll sign off on it now,” Chief Steelman said, grabbing the bag and initialing it. “I’ll make sure to stay in contact with Josh so that we can have everybody in the loop. Good work, Alex.”

  “Hate to say this, Chief, but we can thank our victim here. She went down fighting and we may be the reason we catch this guy.”

  The wind picked up, forcing the scent of death into Alex’s nostrils. Looking at the dead body of a prostitute, Alex saw something more. Looking with his eyes he saw a case that needed to be solved. Looking with his heart, he saw a hero that had sacrificed herself to help him do it.

  Resisting the urge to touch her hair, even with a gloved hand, Alex found himself overwhelmed with a feeling he’d never felt before. Edging closer to the body just slightly, as solemn and respectful as one could be, Alex whispered something to a victim he had never said.

  “Thank you.”

  Chapter 16

  Friday, October 14

  8:33 a.m.

  Reggie Brooks might have been green. He may very well have been the most unconfident rookie Alex had ever trained. But there was no doubt about it, Reggie Brooks was a living, breathing, walking, talking, perfect example of being yin to his own yang. What he lacked in confidence, he more than made up for in being thorough.

  When Alex arrived the next morning, he found his desk stacked with reports from Reggie Brooks. Internet searches on various caustic substances. He had even located the manufacturer of the needle and syringe in evidence. He had expounded, in great detail, on conversations with Lonnie Wilkes, the probation officer of their latest victim. He had even taken it upon himself to contact probation officers of the previous victims. Not only those in Longview but in other towns, in an attempt to track down anything connecting the victims, other than their occupation. Judging by the report, it didn’t appear any of the victims had the slightest connection. Eager to please, aspiring officer Reggie Brooks had gone above and beyond the call of duty.

  “Good Job, Reg,” Alex whispered, to his empty office, as he read report after report on what had apparently been a busy night for Reggie Brooks.

  Alex jumped when the air conditioning kicked on, causing a crackle to echo through the room as the air pressure rapidly changed.

  He followed up with Lonnie Wilkes, whom he’d had known for the last three or four years. It was both a chance to catch up with a friend and, in truth, to reaffirm the thoroughness of his rookie.

  He liked Reggie. Had great respect for him as a person. But there was something. For all Reggie’s eagerness to please, Alex began to wonder what would he be like absent the watchful eye of trainers, superiors and occupational babysitters. What would he do unchecked? Would he maintain the same level of eagerness? Would he own an investigation with which he was given lead? Would he respect the integrity of the evidence chain and, perhaps most important of all, would he keep the air of duty and professionalism that compelled all police officers worth their salt to stay around long enough to get their tiny pensions and gold watches?

  Alex had his doubts. But, in all fairness, it was a blink of an eye since he’d been the nervous rookie so critically scrutinized.

  What must Danny have thought, Alex chuckled to himself. They’d talked about it a time or two, but Danny had never really revealed his first impressions. Alex’s first impression of Danny was that he was tough, but that he lived by his own set of rules. He was by the book to be sure. But, over the years, Alex had realized that ‘the book’ Danny was reading was not exactly standard police issue. Still, it worked. And made him an effective teacher. Alex had trained numerous rookies through the years, but each time one fact remained glaringly obvious. He was no Danny Peterson.

  Shuffling through the stack of reports and research compiled by his trainee, Alex knew that another truth was staring him in the face. Just as Alex was incapable of ever being Danny, so, too, was Reggie Brooks incapable of ever being Alex.

  Today, here, right now, Reggie Brooks was a thorough cop. He dotted the I’s and crossed all the T’s. He had all the potential to be captain someday as anyone else joining the force. For all Alex knew, he was staring at the man who would someday occupy the chair currently assigned to Tom Steelman.

  Alex was rocked out of his train of thought when the telephone rang.

  “Captain Mendez!”

  “Alex, it’s Tabby.”

  “Hey, Tab,” Alex said, letting his tone relax just a bit. “Whatchya got for me?”

  “Not much you don’t already know, Alex. But, when I started the autopsy on victim number 1, I did find some fibers that you might want.”

  “What kind of fibers, Tabby?”

  “My guess is trunk fibers? I don’t know if the victim was stuffed in the trunk. This one was a stray fiber attached to her undergarments. I’m not a cop, but it looks like a fiber from a trunk mat or something. Could be nothing, but thought I’d let you know just the same. Might want to send your trainee down here. It’d be a good chance for him to see an autopsy up close and personal anyway.”

  “I appreciate it, Tabby.” Alex said, “I’ll come down there later myself. Reggie was up all night working, so I gave him the day off.”

  “Well, when you do, bring that pretty wife of yours eh? I miss that gal like nobody’s business.”

  Alex laughed.

  “I’m sure she misses you too, Tabby. You should drop by and see her sometime. I know she’d love to visit with you.”

  “She was always good to me,” Tabby said. “When I was new to the area, she showed me around. When Steve died, she called me every day for months. She was the one who encouraged me to step up when Longview built its own medical examiner’s office. When all that garbage happened with the police station and all, well, I just miss her is all.”

  “I know, Tab.” Alex said. “I know that she appreciates all you did for her too. You two need a girl’s day.”

  Sidetracked, Tabby said, “Hey that reminds me. Alex, victim number two was brutalized. I haven’t started the full autopsy yet, but what I can tell you is that her jaw was broken. Shattered is more likely. I’ll take X-rays today to verify that, but I’m pretty sure of it. If I had to guess, I’d say post mortem, but maybe just barely.”

  “So, maybe an afterthought?”

  “Well, I’m not a cop, but yeah. I know that the going theory is that she fought back. Maybe this was just a spontaneous outburst after she fell to the ground. There’s a bruising on one side that, I think, I just might be able to do something with.”

  “Bruising?” Alex asked.

  “I’m still working it, Alex, but I think I might be able to get something of a shoe imprint off this gal’s face.”

  Fist pumping, Alex resisted the urge to let go a celebratory scream. “Tabby? When we get this guy, I’m buying your dinner!”

  Laughing again, Tabby said, “Love you too, Alex. How about you just pay for that Girl’s Night with Lisa?”

  “When we catch this sucker,” Alex said, “You’ve got a deal!”

  “Alex, that’s not all.”

  Alarmed by Tabby’s sud
den change in tone, Alex stayed quiet.

  “I’ve found something that wasn’t nearly as evident in the dark. Victim 1 is showing signs of decomposition that she shouldn’t be showing already. Like she’s been buried for weeks. This morning, Victim two.” She paused.

  “What about Victim two, Tabby?”

  “Well, there’s some, I don’t know what to call it, bubbling I guess? Around the puncture wound. It looks likes whatever was in that syringe didn’t make it inside her. From what I’ve read on this substance, getting it on her is enough to have it absorb into the body, but it doesn’t look like it did. My guess is it doesn’t work well on the dead body. Or maybe that syringe breaking meant it didn’t get much on her. We don’t have any clothing to test, unfortunately, but my best guess is that it was violently removed. Unlike victim number one, number two shows skin tears, lesions and abrasions suggesting that her clothes were violently torn from her body. She wasn’t raped. Preliminary inspection shows no signs of recent sexual contact, consensual or otherwise.”

  “Our killer spilled the poison on himself and needed something to wipe it off!” Alex said, almost a bit too excitedly.

  “That was my untrained theory, Alex. I think we have a wounded predator on our hands. It could send him into retirement. Or it could make him more dangerous. I’m no psychologist, but I’d be careful.”

  “Thanks, Tabby. I’ll be by later for that evidence.”

  As he hung up the phone, Alex returned to the various reports on his desk. Rifling through, he found crime scene photos of both victims, including the profiles of both. He couldn’t see bruising on the side profiled in the photo, but it could have been the lighting or, most likely, he just wasn’t looking at the right side.

  Suddenly, his mind returned to the fighter who’d fallen victim to the brutal assault.

  “Honey,” he whispered, just hoping that, wherever her spirit had gone, it was finding rest, “We got this sucker! I will bring him down. And I will make him pay.”

  His phone rang again, flinching him out of his fugue.