"Third floor,” Brian stated, then they figured out the location.
"Brian, you keep searching that video. There has to be more clues somewhere. He can't be this perfect,” Jimmy added as he patted Brian on the shoulders. The B.C.I. Unit had numerous well-trained detectives working day and night to track down Martin Crane.
Jimmy walked into the hallway, toward the fingerprinting lab. The BCI Unit, armed with lots of high tech equipment, was exactly what they would need to find their suspect. Right now, that equipment just helped locate the crime scene. A few minutes later, the detectives were grabbing their gear and heading to the location. Jimmy took out his cell phone.
* * * *
Michael and Lillian were sitting in the living room when the phone rang.
"Yeah, partner, it's me. We've got a location on the crime scene. I'm headed over with Miller and Jacks. Do you want to come along, maybe get Uncle Phil to cover for you?"
"I'll call him. Give me the location. I'll meet you there as soon as I can.” Michael jotted down the address, hung up the phone, and immediately called his uncle Phil to come stay with Lillian.
"They think they found the crime scene location, honey. I need to go, but my uncle will be here in ten minutes to stay with you."
He pulled Lillian into his arms. “I love you. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"I love you, too. Please be careful."
He went upstairs to get ready.
Michael waited with Lillian until Uncle Phil arrived.
* * * *
Michael arrived on the scene in his SUV. He pulled the vehicle alongside the curb directly in front of the yellow police tape. A small crowd had gathered, the B.C.I. unit truck was already on the scene, confirming he was in the right place. He could practically feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins. He had a gut feeling this crime scene would uncover more clues about their killer. In the back of his mind, he prayed Martin Crane screwed up somewhere along the way. Michael would remain at the scene, being sure to tear the place from top to bottom and find something concrete to help the case. He wouldn't be the only one.
To Michael, there was nothing like the feeling of solving a crime, never mind a homicide. This one was personal and he had plenty of good men on the case assisting. If there were evidence left at this location, together, they would find it.
He took out his badge, but it wasn't necessary. The deputies recognized him immediately. A few said hello as he made his way inside.
The apartment building currently under construction stood next to another apartment building recently put up for sale. He passed a few deputies in the hallway. Deputy Ron Travis had the job of logging in everyone who entered the crime scene. Presently, Jimmy, Jacks, Miller, two other guys from B.C.I., and now Michael were inside the apartment.
"I'll sign you in, sir."
"Thanks, Ron,” Michael said as he walked into the apartment.
He entered the front room, noticing it appeared spotless and contained very little furniture. Along with his first view came the smell in the air, a combination of death and bleach. He recognized it immediately.
"Hey, Michael, we're back here,” Jimmy yelled from a room down a short sage, green-carpeted hallway.
Michael entered the room, the intense odor hitting his nostrils hard. No matter how many times he was confronted with it, he would never get used to the smell. Putrid and pungent. The forensics technicians from B.C.I. were already gathering evidence.
Upon his initial glance of the body, Michael knew identifying the woman would be difficult. They needed to be sure the victim was Carrie Ramón, a restaurant manager reported missing from Saddle River, New Jersey, a week ago.
Michael recalled a picture of the girl sent to the sheriff's department by the State Police. This looked nothing like her.
"The freaking rage this guy has is incredible. The victim has numerous broken bones all of which occurred recently,” Jimmy informed Michael as he stood next to Detective Jacks. Detective Miller remained beside another technician collecting paper scraps found under an art desk.
"What about the cause of death?” Michael asked noting the position of the body. Bruise marks all over the inner thighs, the abdomen, and other injuries indicated she'd been raped and tortured.
"The son of a bitch slit her throat,” Jacks stated.
"Detective Jacks!” Gary, another technician called to them from the bedroom.
"I think you guys need to see this,” Gary stated. Jimmy, Michael, Jacks, and Miller followed.
They walked into another bedroom. The blinds were closed, the bed a mess, and the closet door ajar.
"This guy left a message.” Michael took the first look.
Inside the closet stood a large board with pictures of female victims from the previous homicides along with pieces of them attached by tacks underneath.
Lillian's picture, an eight by ten, hung in the center with a large red circle drawn around it. One picture remained missing.
To the side of the pictures, Michael noticed a sign in red letters. It was addressed to St Michael, the Archangel.
Michael read the words.
"THIS TIME THE POWERS OF HELL WILL TRIUMPH."
"Don't touch anything. I don't want anything contaminated. Take your time,” Michael stated as the others took a look.
The detectives met out in the hallway.
"Who could the missing picture be of?” Miller asked.
"Another victim we have yet to know about,” Jimmy suggested.
"You guys have Mrs. Sampson well guarded, right?” Michael asked.
Jacks pulled out his cell phone to confirm.
A minute later, her safety was verified.
"St. Michael is the patron saint of cops, right?” Jacks stated.
"Exactly! He's mocking us, challenging us. Especially me,” Michael replied.
"What does he mean this time the powers of hell will triumph?” Gary asked.
"The name Michael means ‘Who is like God.’ That was the war cry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against Satan and his followers. Michael is described as one of the chief ‘princes.’ The leader of the forces of heaven that triumphed over the powers of hell. Michael, the archangel, is considered the angel above all others,” Michael explained as everyone listened.
"So this sick fuck thinks he's Satan?” Gary asked.
"Or more powerful,” Jacks added. Jimmy shook his head in disbelief.
"I think I found something.” Miller knelt down by the art desk.
Michael joined him as well as one of the technicians. “What do you got?"
"Look at this, there's one small drop of dry blood on the side of the desk.” Miller pointed it out. Jacks and Michael looked for the blood.
"How the hell did you see that?” Jacks asked smiling.
"Trained eye, my man. Trained eye. I bet this son of a bitch had a paper cut or something while he diligently made us that lovely collage,” Miller stated sounding smug.
The technician opened up a small test tube, and a scraping device and went to work. He gathered the blood to be tested at the lab, then began to test for the presence of blood on the art desk. He first rubbed a cotton swab moistened with saline solution on the suspected bloodstain, added some hydrogen peroxide, then waited. Moments later, the swab turned red, indicating the presence of blood.
Let's keep looking. This guy is starting to mess up. We need as much concrete evidence as possible. I want him to get the death penalty,” Jacks stated.
"Let's go through this place with a fine-tooth comb. There has to be some other clue,” Miller added as they continued to look around.
"Who's with Lillian, Michael?” Willy asked, his concern apparent in his voice.
"My uncle and half the Stony Point Police Department,” Michael stated confidently.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 14
Monday morning Michael drove Lillian back home. Carla, Aunt Mabel, and Aunt June helped to clean up the
place, especially Lillian's apartment.
From the moment she walked through the front door of Lillian's Love, she had an uneasy feeling. She tried to hold it inside but her facial expression gave away her emotion.
"Lilly, are you all right? What's wrong?” Michael asked. Lillian turned toward him.
"I'll be fine. You go ahead."
Michael hugged Lillian goodbye and gave her a kiss. “I'll call you in a little while."
A few hours later, Lillian's Love remained crowded with people both regulars as well as first timers. Many people asked what happened on Saturday. Aunt Mabel came up with the story of a break in. It wasn't entirely a lie and people were outraged.
When Lillian finally retreated to her office, she leaned back into her chair closing her eyes. She embraced the silence, the moment of peacefulness, then she realized the chaos of the day had slightly blocked the reality of what was going on in her life.
Martin Crane, the biggest mistake of her life, now jeopardized everything she had worked hard to achieve.
She recalled the way he used her own words against her. The numerous ways he messed with her head, her self-confidence, making her believe she was to blame for the abuse. Typical of an abuser, his technique was sugar coated with warm kisses, material items she could never afford on her old, menial job's salary. She fell for the bait, the lies, the love story happy ending, because she was weak.
Lillian felt tired. Tired of the fear, the unsettling feeling she got as she entered her store and her own creation. She was tired of running scared, letting Martin control her daily activities and every move she made.
In a state of exhaustion, she wanted to quit. She wanted to sneak out to her car, drive somewhere hoping that Martin followed and scream at the top of her lungs, “I Give Up!” until he showed up, ended her life, her misery, and the pain.
She shook her head in disbelief at her mind's state. What about Michael?
Michael became her protector, her strength, her hope that life would be better than it was right now. But the what ifs kept entering her mind.
What if Michael became controlling? In some ways, he was controlling her already. Making demands, changing her views on life. Again, it seemed as if she were headed down a similar path as before. Michael wasn't some kind of maniac, a psycho killer with demented ideas about his love for her. But he was a man. A man who wanted to make decisions for his woman, his mate. The thought of feeling out of control, pushed, and directed scared her.
She never felt more confused in her life.
Suddenly, the phone on her desk began to ring.
Michael had called three different times to check up on her. She hadn't had a chance to call him back. It had to be him on the phone.
She was wrong. Instead, she received a very exciting call. Elated, she wrote down the information, accepted the engagement, already planning the event, and festivities in her head. By the time she hung up the phone, she no longer felt out of control or down. One simple phone call, one independent decision, and her life seemed to be taking a turn in a more positive direction.
She opened her office door, found Justin heading toward Kelly at the front register. Lillian immediately followed.
There were no customers around, so she shared the news.
"Guess who I just got off the phone with?” Lillian asked excitedly.
"Who?” Justin asked.
"The promo people for Liz Babcock. Miss Babcock's book, Traditions is due out tomorrow. The bookstore that had been organizing a premier for her backed out at the last minute. They were trying to get extra money from Miss Babcock's people. Anyway, they want to have the premiere here, next weekend."
"What? How the hell are we going to pull that off?” Kelly asked. Justin looked just as concerned.
"We can do this no problem. Plus her promo people want to cater the whole thing. Do a patriotic theme—barbeque, beer, the whole nine yards. They're even going to supply the servers, and the staff to assist us. I'll work out everything when Mr. Ludwick calls. He's Liz Babcock's agent."
"Oh, my God! I can't believe Liz Babcock is going to be here. What about attendants? How many people are we talking?” Justin asked.
"A lot! They want to set up a large tent in the backyard, surround sound speaker system for when Miss Babcock talks, a band, other entertainment. It's like they're renting our store, our property. The benefits to us will be enormous. I'm so excited!” Lillian stated just as Aunt Mabel arrived. They filled her in. Kelly and Justin went back to work as Lillian headed back to her office. She had a million things to do.
After a few minutes at work, Lillian heard the knock on her office door. Looking up a second, she saw Aunt Mabel enter.
"Hey, what's going on?” Lillian asked as she continued to write on the white pad of paper in front of her. The list for the party grew longer by the second.
"Are you sure about doing this premiere here with everything that's going on?” Aunt Mabel asked.
Lillian had already thought of that. This was her future, her whole life on a string of failure or success. An opportunity like this one took place in fairy tales.
"Yes, I have. That son of a bitch is not going to get away with this. I have a business I need to run, a life that I'll fight for if necessary, and this is an opportunity of a lifetime."
"But, Lillian, your life is in jeopardy. What will Michael say about this? You should have checked with him first, before accepting."
"I don't need Michael's permission for this. If I pass this up, another small bookstore will get it. My reputation will be ruined, my life, everything I've worked for over in a flash. I can't take that kind of chance. Besides, I'm planning on asking Uncle Phil if he could place a few extra uniformed officers around Lillian's Love the day of the premiere. I have so much to do,” Lillian stated.
Aunt Mabel looked at Lillian as if she were making a huge mistake. Lillian knew she needed to do this. The consequences of saying no were disastrous. The book business, for everyone involved, remained competitive. Never mind the fact she owned an independent bookstore, not some franchise. Martin would not prevail. She'd rather die.
* * * *
Thirty minutes before closing time Michael showed up just as the three uniformed officers were checking out the bookstore making sure everything remained locked and secure. Lillian sat in her office working, even after Aunt Mabel, Kelly, and Justin locked up.
"Hey, gorgeous, are you planning on working all night?” he asked as he leaned against the doorframe. She appeared absorbed in her work, which Michael found incredibly attractive. With her long black hair pulled up in the back of her head, secured by a pencil with cascading strands clinging against her neck, she looked amazing. She appeared surprised to see him there as she looked at the clock on the wall. 9:20 p.m.
"I can't believe what time it is. Have you been here long?” She began organizing papers, straightening up things and putting them away. “I've been here a while. I heard you've been locked up in here since lunch time."
"I have a lot to do. Did you hear the news?"
She turned off the small old-fashioned lamp that sat on her desk.
"What news?” Michael asked as he watched Lillian prepare to leave. She pulled the pencil from her hair. The ebony locks scattered over her shoulders, down her back. She ran her fingers through her hair, then continued to rush around the office, grabbing her briefcase and some files.
"We've been asked to do a last minute premiere here next weekend for Liz Babcock. She's a very famous, well respected author."
"Here? Next week?"
"Yes, isn't it so exciting? I have so much planning, organizing to do. You have no idea how huge this is,” Lillian said as she met Michael by the office door.
He could hear the excitement in her voice. He cringed thinking that now was not the time for such an event. He took her arm to stop her from walking out of the office.
Their gazes locked.
"I don't think this is a good idea. Martin's out there. A pa
rty this big and he can get lost in the crowd, wear a disguise, so no one will recognize him. No, Lilly, you're not having a premiere here. Not now!” he told her.
Lillian locked the door but didn't say a word. Michael walked with her as they turned off the last few lights, armed the security system, and locked the front door.
Lillian sat inside his truck when she finally spoke.
"Michael, I am having this premiere next weekend whether you think it's a good idea or not. I've worked too damn hard to put my life back together, start this business, bringing it to where it is today. This event could put Lillian's Love on the map, take it to new heights, new levels I could only dream of.
"Martin Crane tried to take my life once, he's not going to get away with it again. If he wants to come to the premiere, let him come. You'll be there. I'm sure Jacks and Miller will be there as well as whatever amount of undercover guys you want. This could work for both of us."
This time it was Michael who remained silent as he turned down the side street right before the avenue that led into his development. He noted the unmarked police car and a patrol car outside the house.
"I'm trying to understand how you're thinking right now, dealing with all of this. Really, I am, and I don't like this idea at all. But I'm not the only one with the authority to make such a decision. I would first need to discuss it with the others. If they think it's too risky, I'm sorry, baby, you'll have to cancel.” Michael looked at her. He could see the tears in her eyes surface. He hated to see her cry, hated to know she was hurting. He never wanted to be the cause of either.
He pulled into the driveway as Jacks and Miller got out of the unmarked police car.
They all met in front of Michael's SUV.
"Hey, Lillian, how are you?” Jacks asked as he gave her a kiss on the cheek, tapping the side of her arm. Miller did the same.
"Pretty good. What brings you guys around here? Have you eaten lately? We're going to scrounge something up inside.” Lillian asked.
"We were in the neighborhood and not in a while. We were gonna grab something before we head back to the hotel,” Miller told her.
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