Unseen

by Jana DeLeon

  “Yeah, well, that was before the loon that killed Carla took shots at Shaye.”

  Grayson’s eyes widened. “You’re serious?”

  Jackson nodded and gave Grayson a rundown of what had happened the night before.

  “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” Grayson said when he was done. “I know I don’t have to tell you how serious this is.”

  “I know. We have a highly motivated individual who thinks he can avoid capture by eliminating anyone involved.”

  “You sure you want to date her? She seems to attract psychos.” Grayson put his hand up. “I know, I know, so do we. But jeez, she has the worst luck of any PI I’ve ever known.”

  “Maybe because she takes the cases no one else wants.”

  “There is that,” Grayson agreed, and blew out a breath. “The case has been assigned. Without Maxwell giving the okay, we can’t poke our nose in, and the brass will never approve three detectives on one dead hooker.”

  Grayson held up a hand before Jackson could say anything. “That’s not the way I feel, but you know that’s what they’d say.”

  “But this has all the makings of a serial killer, and now he’s targeted an average taxpayer. If the press found out that the department didn’t put enough resources into this because the original victim was a hooker, there will be hell to pay if something happens to Madison Avery.”

  Grayson frowned and stirred his coffee. “Maybe. I could try it anyway, but I’m not even going there unless Maxwell says it’s okay. Horning in on someone else’s case is not the way to get along here.”

  “I agree, but I think Maxwell is in over his head on this one, especially since he’s essentially working it alone. Those beat cops he was assigned don’t have the experience to handle this and there’s a lot of ground to cover.”

  “Okay, I’ll talk to Maxwell, but until we get the go-ahead, get back on that missing persons we’re working.”

  “You know good and well she’s not missing. That woman took off with her old boyfriend. The husband is the only one who refuses to believe it, and if he wasn’t friends with the brass, we wouldn’t even be wasting our time.”

  “True enough, but until we produce her alive and well and giving him the bird or divorce papers, we have to approach it like any other case.”

  19

  When Shaye returned to Madison’s apartment, she was pleased to see that some of the color had returned to the young woman’s face. And although her hands still shook when she lifted the bottle of water to take a drink, it wasn’t as bad as before.

  “Have you eaten anything today?” Shaye asked.

  Madison shook her head. “I don’t think I can.”

  “You need to keep your strength up. I understand not wanting to, trust me, but I’m going to make you some toast. Even a couple of slices of toasted bread are better than nothing.”

  “Okay.”

  Although she didn’t argue, it was clear that Madison didn’t think much of the concept of eating. Shaye knew exactly why, but she also knew what her body felt like when she went too long without food while under a lot of stress. Madison wasn’t thinking about what might happen next, but Shaye was, and keeping Madison healthy and ready to flee or protect herself was her first priority.

  She pulled two slices of bread from the package on the counter and popped them into the toaster. Then she grabbed butter and jelly from the refrigerator and put them both on the counter in front of Madison. Probably, she’d pick up the pieces and eat them dry, just to appease Shaye, but at least she had options.

  “What did Wanda say?” Madison asked.

  “She described the girl who dropped off the package.”

  “Does she know what company it was?”

  “I don’t think the girl worked for a company. I think he gave a street kid some money to do it.”

  Madison’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  Shaye nodded. “He couldn’t afford to use a company because it could be traced back to him, but picking a kid off the street is a good way to avoid detection. The police will have a hard enough time finding the girl, and even if they manage to, they’ll have an even harder time getting her to talk.”

  “But if she saw him, then isn’t she in danger?”

  Shaye had been hoping that Madison was too stressed to put that problem together, but Shaye hadn’t stopped thinking about it ever since Wanda had described the girl. The news was full of Christmas stories right now but sooner or later, someone would do a report on Carla Downing. And if the killer succeeded, the news would carry a story on Madison. The killer knew the girl was a liability. Shaye needed to find her and as soon as she left Madison’s apartment, that’s what she was going to attempt to do.

  But first, she had to get the situation stable here and have a chat with Detective Maxwell to bring him up to speed on her end of things. She was plating the toast when the doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it,” Shaye said as she placed the plate in front of Madison. “You try to work on that. I can fill the detective in and then he can ask you questions, okay?”

  Madison’s relief that Shaye was taking charge was apparent. She nodded and picked up a slice of the toast as Shaye headed for the door. Detective Maxwell looked worried when Shaye opened the door, and she expected things were going to go downhill from there. She led him into the kitchen, where he gave Madison a once-over and asked her how she was doing. She nodded her reply and Shaye launched into an explanation of what happened and pointed to the picture frame.

  “We both touched it,” Shaye said. “I’m sorry about my doing that. I wasn’t aware of what it was when I picked it up.”

  Maxwell pulled plastic gloves from his back pocket and pulled them on. “That’s all right. Given how he cleaned the crime scene, I doubt there’s any forensic evidence to be had, but I’ll have it tested.”

  Shaye had placed the frame facedown on the cabinet behind her and Maxwell lifted it up and turned it over, his back to Madison. He took one look at the picture and shot a glance over at Shaye. Oh yeah, that initial worry she’d seen when she’d opened the door had just shot up into the stratosphere.

  “Is that the box it came in?” he asked, and pointed to the container of shredded paper on the island.

  Madison nodded and he placed the frame inside the box and put the lid on it. “I’m going to take this with me,” he said.

  “Please keep it,” Madison said.

  “Of course,” Maxwell said. “Has anything else happened aside from this? Any attempt to contact you?”

  Madison shook her head. “I’ve been staying in my apartment. I won’t even go out to eat or have food delivered because I don’t want to leave or answer the door. No one can see in during the day and I put the shades down as soon as the sun starts setting. Short of moving, I don’t know what else to do.”

  “You’re doing fine,” Maxwell said. “This was something none of us could have anticipated, but I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

  “I’ve already spoken to Wanda,” Shaye said. “I told her Madison had a stalker, but didn’t provide any further information. She’s going to speak to the other guards and let them know to hold all deliveries and call me before contacting Madison.”

  “Good,” Maxwell said. “I honestly don’t anticipate he’d try this route again, but I’d rather err on the side of caution. Does Wanda have the girl on security footage?”

  Shaye shook her head and explained the situation with the hoodie and that Wanda was drawing the face for them now.

  “Well, if there’s nothing else you can tell me,” Maxwell said, “I’m going to get back to the station and have this processed. I’ve requested a ton of video footage from stores along the route to your meeting. It’s going to take a while to go through it all, but I’m hoping to find something.”

  He put his hand on Madison’s shoulder. “Hang in there. I know you’re frightened and I don’t blame you. Patrol units are doing a pass on your building every ten minutes and they’ve al
l been alerted to look for anyone who doesn’t appear to belong. If you see or hear anything, you call me. It doesn’t matter what time.”

  “Thank you,” Madison said, her voice faint.

  Shaye knew the young woman was struggling to maintain control. She’d been through this personally too many times. Madison had moved from shock and fear to despair, and she was trying not to start crying. Shaye followed Maxwell into the hallway and partially closed the door.

  “Last night, I went to talk to Shonda and Louise again and something happened,” Shaye said, and she described the shooting incident to Maxwell.

  He listened intently, his expression growing more and more serious until she finished, and he blew out a breath. “Jesus H. Christ. You’re lucky you’re alive.”

  Shaye nodded. “If he’d been a better shot, I wouldn’t be.”

  “So I guess it’s safe to say he knows you’re on the case.”

  “I think that’s a sure bet. And I’m sure he suspects I’ve got a line on Carla as the victim, given that I was talking to Shonda and Louise.”

  Maxwell nodded. “We haven’t released any information on her murder yet, but I suspect it’s going to come out today. Given Carla’s profession, it’s not likely to be a huge news splash, especially right here before Christmas, but I have no doubt he’s going to be watching for it.”

  “I agree.”

  “So he knew you were investigating and instead of hiding, he escalated. I gotta say, I haven’t had anything like this before.”

  “Yeah. Me either.”

  “Is she okay?” Maxwell asked, and inclined his head toward Madison’s door.

  “Not really, but I’m working on that as well. Eleonore Blanchet is on her way over. If anyone can get her stabilized, it’s Eleonore.”

  “Great. That’s great. I know the brass doesn’t necessarily share my opinion, but I’m glad you took this on. Madison needs someone with your experience. I can’t help her on that end of things.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got Madison covered. I just need you to find this guy.”

  “I’m on it. I’ll stop by the security desk and get the guard to make me a copy of the drawing she’s doing. I’ll pass it to patrol and have them keep a watch for her, but this time of year, it’s going to be hard to spot one teen in a crowd.”

  “We’re going to solve this,” Shaye said.

  “I wish I had your confidence.”

  “I’ve got enough for both of us.”

  He stood in the alley five blocks away, waiting on the girl to return. He’d already spotted two patrol cars from his hiding place behind a Dumpster, but they hadn’t seen him and he was going to make damned sure they didn’t. It could be a coincidence—the increase in police presence. After all, it was Christmas, and petty theft was usually at its peak during this time of year. But for some reason, he wasn’t sure that was the case.

  The picture had been a huge risk. Not that he’d left any forensic evidence to be found. He wasn’t stupid. He knew it was exposing himself to both Madison and the police, but with no evidence to prove what Madison had seen, the police wouldn’t pursue an investigation. They might patrol around her building a couple extra times a day, presuming she had a stalker, but with Madison unable to describe him, there was little else they could do.

  And the additional patrols weren’t a factor. Madison was already holed up in her building, thinking she was secure, but there were still ways to get to her. She’d find that out soon enough.

  He heard the light footsteps coming down the alley and peered out as the girl he’d paid to deliver the gift approached. He stepped out of his hiding place and she stopped walking, giving him the wary look that all the street kids wore.

  “Did you deliver it?”

  She nodded.

  “And the tape?”

  She pulled a small video recorder from her pocket and showed him.

  He held out a twenty-dollar bill. “Give it to me.”

  She hesitated, then slowly moved forward to place the recorder in his hand.

  And that’s when he grabbed her.

  Madison couldn’t identify him but this girl could, and that made her a liability. One he wasn’t going to let loose on the streets of New Orleans. The street kid might avoid the police on a regular basis, but if they located her and questioned her about him, she’d talk. He wasn’t one of them. Her loyalty didn’t extend to adults with regular employment.

  She tried to scream, but he covered her mouth with one hand and reached for his knife with the other. She dropped the recorder and pulled at his hand, trying to pry it from her mouth, but she didn’t have the strength to do it. He lifted the knife around her head and smiled, ready for the kill.

  Then something wet hit him right in the eyes and he went blind, his eyes burning as though they’d been sprayed with acid. His grip on the girl weakened, and she broke loose and ran. He dropped the knife and rubbed his eyes, trying to get the burning liquid out of them. She’d sprayed him with something. Everything was so blurry he could barely make out shapes, but he knew he had to get out of the alley.

  He felt on the ground for the knife and the recorder and shoved them both in his pants before stumbling toward the street behind him. The glare from the sun felt like a spotlight shining right on him as he stepped out of the alley and onto the sidewalk. He lowered his head and pushed forward as fast as he could, shoving people aside when he couldn’t find a clear way through. People yelled at him and a couple shoved back, but no one attempted to stop him.

  This was bad. This could be the mistake that ruined everything. He needed to get out of New Orleans…take his show on the road.

  But first, he had one last piece of unfinished business to handle.

  20

  Shaye guided Jackson’s truck into the parking lot of the Bayou Hotel and parked in front of the office. She’d left Madison’s apartment shortly after Eleonore arrived and was confident that the young woman would be much better after spending some time with the therapist. When she walked inside the hotel lobby, her friend Saul looked up at her and smiled.

  “Merry Christmas,” he said, and came around the counter to give her a hug. “I was wondering if we’d see you soon.”

  “I’m sorry. I meant to get by days ago, but I had to deal with the legal stuff with Corrine, and I took on a new case. Then there’s that whole Christmas gift thing, which I suck at under the best of circumstances, but when you’re buying for picky people who can afford anything they want and you’re a confirmed shopping hater, it adds a whole other level of difficulty.”

  “New case, huh? Anything I can help with?”

  “No, but I thought Hustle might. I also figured I’d give him his gift so he can pick it up today since the shop will be closed tomorrow.”

  Saul shook his head. “Lord help us all.”

  “You’ve been working with him, right?”

  “I have, and he’s all set as far as the law is concerned. I’m not so sure me and my heart doctor would agree.”

  Shaye grinned. “He’s keeping you young.”

  “Ha! Yeah, something like that. He’s down in the break room painting. I told him to take some time off for the holidays, but he said he was tired of looking at those ugly walls when he went to the vending machines.”

  He put a Back in 15 Minutes sign on the counter and they headed down the hall for the break room. She could hear the heavy metal music playing when they were halfway down the hall.

  “Don’t have a lot of occupants right now,” Saul said, “so I put them all on the other side away from the smell of paint.”

  “And the music?”

  “There’s that too.”

  They stepped into the break room and Shaye looked over at the former street teen, still marveling at his transformation. The once distrustful, unkempt, overly lanky boy was turning into a young man right before her eyes. A steady diet of good food had filled him out, and his work at the motel had ensured it was muscle, not fat. His blond ha
ir was still long and pulled back into a ponytail, but now the hair shone like silk.

  Saul knocked on the door and he whirled around, then broke out into a huge grin when he saw Shaye. He tossed the paint roller into the pan and hurried over to hug her, and she felt her eyes get misty. There was a time when he wouldn’t have allowed anyone in his personal space, much less to put their hands on him. Hustle had been given a great opportunity to make a new life for himself, but lots of other people had as well and didn’t take advantage of it. Hustle had seized the opportunity and was evolving into an entirely different person with a bright future.

  “Merry Christmas,” he said when he released her. “I was hoping you’d get by here for Christmas.”

  “Do you really think I’d let the holiday go by without coming to see you?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “I know you got all those things going on with Corrine. She’s doing awesome stuff so if that kept you from coming to see me, I was okay with it.”

  “Well, my part is done, at least on the legal front. Now I just need to help her pick out real estate and screen staff and find someone to put together her IT network, and, and, and…” Shaye grinned. “It sorta never ends.”

  “I can see that. She’s kinda intense.”

  “The understatement of the year.”

  “Hey,” he said. “I’ve got your present in my room. Let me go grab it.”

  Before she could reply, he’d dashed out of the break room and sprinted down the hall. Shaye looked over at Saul, who laughed.

  “I told you,” Saul said. “The boy has unlimited energy. I swear I never had as much as him. When he finishes art school and moves on with his career, I’m going to have to hire two people to replace him.”

  “Please. You’ll just keep this same blue paint until you sell this place. How long has this awful brown been up here? Ten years? Twenty?”

  Saul rubbed his chin. “Hmm, I’m not sure. When did dinosaurs roam the earth?”

  Shaye grinned as Hustle ran back into the room with a large, flat package. He handed it to Shaye and waved his hands. “Open it,” he said.