Faces of Evil [1] Obsession

by Debra Webb

  Jess understood that reality was difficult for him, considering Andrea had been one of her choices. Though all the girls had come away from this nightmare basically unharmed physically, months, maybe years of counseling were in order.

  “The exception, of course,” Griggs chimed in, “was Reanne. Murray saw her for the first time at a church revival shortly after Tate’s death. She never forgot how spiritual Reanne and her family appeared. That appealed to the woman somehow.”

  “And, Dana,” Jess pointed out. “She was chosen for different reasons than the others and approached differently as well.”

  “That’s right,” Burnett said with a shake of his head. “Mrs. Murray wanted her to suffer.”

  “But Dana took a step the Murrays didn’t expect. She reached out to Dr. Sullivan.” Jess hoped the girl understood how smart she had been to reach out to someone.

  “Her actions provided a major break for our investigation,” Griggs allowed. “We might still be wondering what the hell was going on.”

  Jess couldn’t argue with his assessment. The Murrays had certainly covered their tracks. Still, no matter how well thought out the plan, there was always a deviation. A mistake or oversight. There were no flawless crimes.

  Spears attempted to intrude. She pushed him aside. His crimes were not flawless…she just hadn’t found the imperfection yet.

  That was someone else’s job now.

  “Mr. Murray has been quite forthcoming,” Burnett said, drawing her from the troubling thoughts. “His wife, on the other hand is a little too far over the edge to provide reliable details.”

  “Any word on the Debarros girl and the infant’s remains?” Jess wished closure for that family. They had waited a long time. Too long.

  “Officially no.” Burnett’s regret was palpable. “But Mr. Murray admitted that his wife had brought the girl home. He wanted to protect his wife and son so they kept her in the basement until the baby was born. The girl died in childbirth and the baby died soon after. They never called a doctor, just let nature take its course.”

  The thought of how that little girl must have suffered emotionally and physically made Jess sick. “I suppose that made Christina even more of a loser than being the daughter of an illegal immigrant did.” The Murray woman was one twisted lady. “Totally unfit for her son.”

  Griggs shook his head. “This is definitely a case for the textbooks. The Murrays were just everyday people without so much as a parking violation on their records. They weren’t killers, yet three lives were lost.”

  Jess didn’t bother reminding him that no one was exempt from the potential for evil. The Murrays had been good people but fear and tragedy had set their lives on a different course.

  She wondered how much of the situation Dr. Sullivan had suspected when she dared to go to that farm looking for Dana. Whatever she knew or didn’t know, looking for Dana rather than sharing her knowledge with the police had cost her life.

  “The Debarros case is a perfect example of what Sheriff Griggs and I discussed yesterday.”

  Jess shifted her attention back to Burnett.

  “We’re not happy with how a situation can so easily slip through the cracks for any number of reasons. Lack of manpower, language barrier, or, like the one we just solved, no clear-cut legal approach.”

  “We both have our various divisions,” Griggs continued from there. “The usual suspects.”

  “Patrol, Support, Detectives,” Burnett noted.

  “Homeland Security, Criminal, Internal Affairs.” Griggs made a rolling motion with his right hand. “On and on.”

  Jess nodded for a lack of anything else to say. These two were up to something.

  “We need a new unit,” Burnett announced. “One with a jurisdiction encompassing the entire county and whose resources are funded equally by the city and the county. We’ve run the proposal past the powers-that-be. That’s why I was late this morning. We have an approval to reallocate the first year’s funds.”

  “Have you outlined a mission statement for this unit?” Jess was glad to hear about their plan. Victims like Christina Debarros should never fall through the cracks. But, honestly, Jess didn’t see what this had to do with her.

  “We’re hammering that out now,” Griggs answered. “The unit will be classified as a Special Problems Unit. Numerous departments across the country have developed units like this and have seen a measurable drop in violent crimes. That’s our goal. But we’re expanding on the tried and true concept.” He emphasized the last with his hands. “We’re making it more like a special crimes or major crimes unit that encompasses the tactics of SPU. To have a unit devoted to the crimes that just don’t fall into one of the usual categories. Devoted to the criminals who don’t fit the usual profile.”

  “This would be a deputy chief’s position,” Burnett told her. “The pay and benefits are in line with that of a federal agent with eighteen or twenty years on the job.”

  Wait a minute. “What are you two up to?” Jess looked from Burnett to Griggs and back.

  Griggs stood. “I’ll leave you two to iron out the details.” He thrust his hand at Jess. She accepted the enthusiastic shake. “Congratulations, Deputy Chief Harris. Glad to have you on board.”

  Before Jess could say what, thanks or shut up, he nodded to Burnett and promptly exited the office.

  The shaking started deep inside. Jess tried to stop it. They were offering her a job. Since she didn’t have one, she was flattered. But…

  “Before you say no, Jess...” Burnett got up, came around to sit beside her. “Think about it for a day or two. We need you here.”

  No, no. She would not cry. She battled back the burn of tears. “I sincerely appreciate the offer. But I don’t know if I can do that. Coming back here is…” She shook her head, didn’t know how to explain. The Spears situation…

  He leaned forward, braced his forearms on his thighs. “I’ll make a deal with you. You stay here for six or so months and get this started for us and I’ll make sure you have all the space you need. The past won’t get in the way. You have my word.”

  Could she do this? Was she out of her mind? But how could she say no?

  Definitely out of her mind.

  “I need time to settle my affairs in Virginia.”

  “Take…” Burnett shrugged “…a whole week.”

  “A week?” Now who was out of their mind? “I need two.”

  “Two then.”

  “I’ll need to find housing.”

  His gaze narrowed. “Speaking of houses, my parents got back from Vegas yesterday afternoon. My mother was up all night putting things back where they belonged. She’s threatening to fire her housekeeper.”

  Oops. “Your mother is too good to clean her own house?” Jess didn’t know why she was surprised. “What does she do all day?” He started to answer and she held up her hands. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”

  He grinned. “Don’t worry, I smoothed it over.”

  Jess felt no remorse. The thought of Katherine in such a tizzy gave her a great deal of satisfaction. “Before I agree to this trial run, what kind of staff will I have?”

  “Besides the necessary admin, we’ll start with a couple of detectives, a forensics tech. Maybe a couple of uniforms.”

  “Sounds doable.” She took a deep breath. “I have two conditions before I even consider your offer. One is that I get Lori and Chet. And that officer who helped out with Sullivan. Cook, I think his name is.”

  “I don’t know about that, Jess. Wells and Harper are two of my best.”

  “You don’t want this new prototype unit to have the best?”

  “Okay. Fine.”

  For a guy who hated that word he sure used it a lot.

  “What’s your second condition?”

  “That I have the full authority to conduct my investigations my way.”

  “As long as you don’t break the law.”

  “I can’t promise you I won’t bend it from time
to time”

  “Deal. Anything else?”

  Reality deflated the excitement she had allowed to build. “We can’t anticipate what Spears will do.”

  “The Bureau has assured me they will stay on top of that situation. We will stay on top of that situation. You have my word.”

  She could see that Lily and her family stayed safe if she were here…but if she left maybe their safety wouldn’t be an issue.

  Burnett held out his hand for a shake. “Welcome aboard, Deputy Chief Harris.”

  “Not so fast, Burnett,” she cautioned. “I need a day or two to think about this.” Jess understood that if she accepted this offer she would be taking a giant leap backward.

  But sometimes a woman had to step back and take stock of her life before moving forward.

  She placed her hand in his and gave it a shake. “I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”

  He held onto her hand. “I think we had a conversation to finish.” He leaned in.

  Jess held her breath. Told herself that this was not a smart idea. Especially if they were going to be working together.

  His lips brushed hers, and her resolve melted. What the hell? She had twenty-four hours before she had to say yes. She leaned into his kiss.

  A rap on the door drew them apart.

  Jess touched her lips to quell the fire. Regretted her impulsiveness. If she were seriously going to accept this position, he couldn’t be her boss and her lover. Not even for just today before the boss part was official.

  “Don’t,” he warned, as if he’d read her mind, “do that. We will take this part one day at a time.”

  His receptionist entered the room. “Chief, I’m sorry to intrude but this package was delivered for Agent Harris. It’s labeled urgent.”

  “Thanks, Tara.”

  Jess sat at attention. Who would send a package to her? Gant? She couldn’t think why. “Let me see that.”

  Burnett reviewed the information on the front. He shook his head. “It’s a special courier delivery, Jess.”

  “Local?”

  “Definitely.”

  “It got through security so it isn’t likely a bomb.” Even as she said the words an icy cold replaced the heat he had stirred. Bombs weren’t part of Spears’ MO, she reminded herself.

  Except that he thrived on eliciting fear and having the entire building in jeopardy would do exactly that.

  “We’re not taking any chances.”

  Eight minutes were required for the bomb squad to arrive, during which time the building was evacuated. Seven more to determine that the package contained no explosive devices. Two members of the squad opened the 8x8x6-inch box on the small conference table in the chief’s office.

  Once the all clear was given, Jess and Burnett simultaneously approached the table and leaned forward to see inside the small package. Resting amid a mass of crumpled off-white padding paper was an envelope with her name scrawled across the front.

  The evidence tech reached in with gloved hands and lifted the envelope from the box. A white card inside included three words that stabbed right into Jess’s heart and twisted.

  Congratulations. Let’s play.

  Stone cold fear filled her lungs. This was the way he began. “What else is in there?”

  There would be more…a clue to the first victim.

  The tech slowly picked through the packing paper. His gaze collided with Jess’s.

  He had something.

  With deft fingers he unfolded the paper and revealed a gold detective’s badge.

  “Jesus Christ,” Burnett breathed the words. He yanked out his cell. “That’s Wells’ shield.”

  Jess stared at the gold shield. I like your friend.

  Lori.

  Oh, God. All sensation bled out of Jess’s body. Spears hadn’t been talking about Dan…he’d meant Lori.

  Wait.

  This couldn’t be happening. It was too soon…Jess firmly believed Spears had been killing for years, his cycles annual. If he was escalating, what else about his MO would change?

  There was no way to anticipate what those changes would be. And why send the message to Jess? He usually sent his little gifts to the victims’ closest family member. Lori had a mother and a sister.

  But he’d figured out that Jess felt a connection to Lori.

  That cold hard realty slid over Jess. And this was, after all, about her.

  “Harper, find Wells. She’s not answering her cell.” Burnett listened for an endless moment.

  Defeat sagged Jess’s shoulders. It would be too late. Lori wouldn’t be at work or home or at a friend’s.

  She would be with him.

  “I’m on my way,” Burnett said before putting his phone away. He turned to Jess. “Harper says he’s been trying to reach her all morning.” Burnett scrubbed a hand over his face. “He just got to her apartment. The door was ajar. There are signs of a struggle inside. Wells is gone.”

  Jess stared at him, unable to speak. She had brought this evil here…to the first person in a long time she had thought would make a good friend.

  “What can we expect, Jess? What’s his next move?”

  The fear and worry haunting Burnett’s eyes had once haunted hers, but Jess had learned not to expend energy on those emotions where Spears was concerned. He tortured and killed, no deviation, no exceptions.

  She moistened her lips. “He’ll torture her for however long he finds it amusing. Could be hours, could be days. Then he’ll kill her and leave her for us to find.”

  “Sick son of a bitch.” Burnett’s face paled.

  “The Bureau has been trying to catch the Player for years. If he doesn’t want to be found he won’t be. And once he’s begun, until he has tortured, raped and murdered five or six women, he won’t stop.”

  “There’s no variation?” Burnett asked, “No hope that she might survive?”

  “He has never varied before.” Jess looked deep into Burnett’s eyes and gave him the one hope they might have. “But this time is different. He has jumped back into the game more quickly. For some reason his cycle has escalated. There may be other changes. And I think I know why.”

  She took a breath, steeled herself. “He’s found something more titillating than the usual routine. His curiosity has incited that twisted need of his. He loves this new rush and he wants more.”

  Realization dawned and Burnett shook his head. “That is not going to happen.”

  “It’s probably the only chance we’ve got of getting her back alive and even that’s not a given.”

  No other cop had gotten close to Spears. Once she had uncovered his identity, which she still could not prove, she had let him draw closer. He was intrigued, curious and obviously excited. If she could keep him excited about the chase, he wouldn’t be as likely to turn to torturing Lori for his pleasure.

  Burnett started for the door. “I’ll call our Bureau liaison en route.”

  Jess followed. She felt numb.

  Daniel Burnett had no idea just how ugly this would get.

  The sole advantage they had right this minute was his most recently revealed desire. He wanted to play with Jess.

  If there was any hope of saving Lori and the victims that would follow, Jess had to lure him closer. She had to play.

  As Burnett issued orders via his cell Jess withdrew her own. She pulled up the Tormenter contact info and tapped a few keys. She wasn’t sure it would work. He could very well have tossed that phone days ago. Nonetheless, she hit send and prayed her words would reach the bastard.

  I’m ready to play.

  Before she and Burnett were out of the building, her cell vibrated. She checked the screen.

  Your friend will be glad.

  Fury swept through Jess, obliterating the fear. She staunched the trembling in her hands and entered the words she wanted this son of a bitch to read and understand.

  I’m coming for you.

  Whatever she had to do. She would get him this time. The vibration
against her palm tightened her fingers around her phone as she lifted the screen once more.

  I’m counting on it.

  Jess tucked her cell phone into her bag and climbed into Burnett’s SUV. She closed out all emotions that would encumber logical thought. Lori’s life depended on what she did next.

  Jess fastened her seatbelt and stared forward.

  This time when she had the son of a bitch face-to-face, there would be no worries about evidentiary or criminal procedure.

  This time he was dead.

  ~***~

  Continue reading for an exclusive excerpt from, IMPULSE, the next Faces of Evil novel by bestselling author Debra Webb, coming in November 2011.

  IMPULSE

  Faces of Evil

  Debra Webb

  “Men cannot always give an account of their impulses.”

  Joseph Parker, The Ark of God

  Chapter One

  Monday, July 19th, 10:31 a.m.

  “Did you know that one drop of blood travels from the heart to the toes and back in under sixty seconds?”

  Lori Wells tightened her fingers into fists and forced herself to meet the son of a bitch’s eyes. “Did you know all that blood rushing through my veins at this very moment is teeming with the urge to watch you die?”

  He smiled, made a breathy sound that wasn’t quite a laugh. “You are such a brave girl, Detective Wells. I wonder if that’s because your father committed suicide when you were so young.” He inclined his head and memorized each detail of her face like a lover intent on never forgetting the moment. “Did you have to help your mother clean up the blood afterwards? Or did your neighbors jump in to help? Y’all do that down here in the south, don’t y’all?”

  Lori turned away from him. Bastard. How could he know so much about her? He hadn’t known her name five days ago.

  A longsuffering sigh hissed past his lips. “You’re quite boring, detective.” He stood. “What should I do about that?”

  Renewed fear trickled inside her. Lori snapped her head up and stared into those piercing blue eyes. No. She would not give him the pleasure. She hardened her expression, refused to let him see the fissure of terror widening inside her. Don’t let him gain control. “What’s wrong, Eric? Can’t get it up if I’m not crying like a scared little girl?”