The Killing Rileys- First Love, First Kills

by David Matheny

  Kami finished her lengthy order she'd leaned over to give to the microphone.

  Zoey drove around to the pick-up window and waited.

  "Good, it's a dude working the window." Kevin leaned over and whispered to Kami. "Ask the guy for something extra ... And do it in your pretty girl way."

  "Pretty girl way?" Kami looked confused.

  "Oh, please." Zoey shook her head as she looked at Kami. "You know what he's saying, and you know what to do."

  A young man about their high school age handed the fast food bags to Zoey.

  Kami leaned over and struck a provocative pose.

  The young man's eyes and mouth opened wide at the sight of the unusually pretty girl.

  "Can you do me an extra special favor, sweetheart?" Kami asked in a voice that was a little sexy and casually friendly.

  "Uuh ... Yeah ... Sure." The young man at the window stood frozen with a mix of awe and fear on his average looking face.

  "Some extra ranch dip." Kami smiled sweetly and flashed her brows. "There's nothing more I like than a cool dip."

  The young man nodded with a strange frozen smile on his face before he reached down to get the dip.

  "Thanks, Babe." Kami let her hand touch the young man's sensually as the packaged dip was transferred.

  Zoey put the car in gear and drove a little before she turned and shook her head. "Damn pretty girls."

  Kami and Zoey laughed hard at that.

  "I don't know what's so funny, Zoey." Kevin leaned over and rested his head on the back of Kami's seat to look at Zoey. "You're a pretty girl too."

  Zoey was too smitten in that moment to reply.

  "Yeah, take that you hypocrite." Kami took a big bite of her burger to emphasize that.

  Kami's phone rang, and she answered it.

  Kevin was zoning out, but he noticed Kami leaning over and gripping Zoey's leg.

  "We have to go to my Aunt's house. Now!" Kami dropped the rest of her burger in the bag, dropped the bag, and hugged herself defensively with deep worry.

  Kevin guessed it was worry filling Kami's face. He felt better when he saw Zoey looking calmly at him in the mirror.

  "I need my navigator," Zoey said.

  "Take a right at the next light." Kevin sat back. He knew he should be worried. Worried about the worrying call from his sister. Worried about the dead man in the trunk of the man's car. Worried about a lot of things. He guessed he was on some level. On the level he felt the most, he felt pretty good. He got to drive solo and he got a girlfriend. It might be a day when the worst possible things could happen, but at least the best possible things happened too.

  ****

  If they hadn't gone through what they went through, the three teens would've been more shocked by what they saw after the older sister opened the door and quietly led them to the scene in the family room. Kevin pointed at the woman lying deathly still on the couch. "Aunt Jenny looks like she's sleeping."

  Kaley bowed her head and shook it before she raised it and set her eyes on her aunt's body. "I got Mom home. Gave her a sleeping pill and put her to bed." She looked like that thought comforted her, but the comforting look was chased away by a cold look quickly. "I was putting the papers away. I found this policy." She turned and looked at Kami. "Dad had an insurance policy for a hundred-thousand." She looked at Kevin. "He knew Mom would be too messed up to think straight after he died, so he made Aunt Jenny the beneficiary." She looked back at her aunt and her cute and intelligent face reddened with rage. "I called her, and she said she was in charge of that money and she'd dole it out when she was good and damned ready." She turned and looked at Kami with regret. "That's exactly the kind of crap I've done to you. That was me in twenty years, pulling that crap on you." She pulled in a breath and let it out along with a sound that was more exasperation than regret as she looked back at her fresh kill. "I came over to confront her ... I don't know how or why, but I got my hands on her neck ... And it felt good ... So good."

  Kevin stepped over and pulled her into a hug. He couldn't remember any time he started a hug. He felt his other sister and his new girlfriend hugging too. He was surprised the confession came out so easily and didn't bring any bad feelings along for the ride. "I just killed some dude who went after Kami."

  "No Kevin, we killed him." Zoey's hand found Kevin's side and she clutched.

  "We all killed that asshole." Kami's arm tightened around Kaley. "And we all would've killed that bitch."

  It came to Kevin and he couldn't help smiling. "All for one and one for all?"

  The others all repeated that in almost near unison.

  That made Kevin smile more.

  He smiled even more that night when they let him lead and followed his lead on how to stage and conceal the homicides.

  ****

  Hours later, Kevin took a sip of water and sat as relaxed as he could, as he sat in the interrogation room at the police station. The door opened and Detective Bill Willard, a middle-aged homicide detective, walked in with the same friendly, but sharp look he had on his face when he interrogated Kevin earlier.

  Kevin was pleased to see his Uncle Frank follow the man in. He tried to keep only the pleased look on his face and keep any trace of the guilty look off. He knew he didn't kill his Aunt Jenny, but he was the mastermind behind concealing the crime.

  "You alright, Kevin?" Uncle Frank asked.

  "I'm okay," Kevin answered.

  Frank looked at Bill like he knew him, but he didn't bother to conceal the irritation on his face. "Just a few follow-up questions. You already questioned a boy with a mental issue too long and too hard, so don't try my patience." Frank gave a loving and admiring look to Kevin that overcame his grief and irritation. "Go easy on my boy who allegedly did what only a real man would do."

  "Sure thing." Detective Bill turned the chair at the head of the table around and sat on it the wrong way. "Sum it up like you summed it up succinctly before, Son."

  Kevin took a quick drink of water to get his thoughts together before he spoke with the speed he could speak with when he was gripped with an obsessive interest, "My sister Kami was showing this house and she called and said this dude was creeping her out. She must've called Aunt Jenny too." He cocked his head and thought on that. "Or, called Kaley who called Aunt Jenny." He shrugged. "I don't know about that. But, whatever, Zoey and I ran into Aunt Jenny when we got there. She said the guy left when she told the guy to get moving. She left and said she was having Kaley come over to her place. We told her we would get something to eat and go home."

  Uncle Frank put his hand up to signal for Kevin to stop. He looked at Bill. "Any priors on this John Mahoney?"

  "Nothing charged." Bill seemed to be considering something before an honest look took over his face. "But, we hit the treasure trove when we hit his house. We think he's the serial perpetrator targeting women in open houses. Vacant houses." He gave Frank a covert look before he spoke covertly. "And maybe he took care of a few victims slash witnesses in a few cases. For good."

  Frank stroked his chin as he took that in.

  Kevin took his cue when Bill looked at him again. "Kaley called and said there was some creepy guy parked in a white car outside of Aunt Jenny's house."

  "Why didn't you call us, Kevin?" Bill asked.

  Kevin shrugged. "The girls were a little upset. I was making the calls and—" Kevin was aware he truly felt sorry. It was so strange. He felt sorry for something he didn't do that happened in a story he was telling that never happened. He didn't linger on that thought long. He was just happy he was able to show an emotion that was likely the right emotion to show. "I'm not stupid ... But, the way I think ... Sometimes, isn't so smart."

  Bill nodded and rubbed his face before he gave a single nod for Kevin to go on.

  "We got there, and the door was open." Kevin shook his head as he visualized the scene that never happened so clearly. "I was trying to be a man, so I went in first. I saw that guy choking her—" He froze up and it wasn't o
n purpose.

  "It's alright Kevin," Frank said calmly, "you can tell him what you saw and what that made you do." He turned and gave a cold look to the detective. "Like any decent man would do for a beloved aunt."

  Detective Bill took the look, but it looked like it got to him.

  "I jumped on his back and pulled him back into a chokehold." He looked right at Bill. "It was a rear-naked chokehold. I saw it on TV. I wasn't thinking about doing that. I just did that ... And I—" He looked down shamefully. "And I couldn't stop doing that." He looked into Bill's eyes deeper than he'd ever been able to look a man or woman in the eyes before. "I swear I didn't know he'd already killed her, but even if I knew that ... I'm not sure if I wouldn't have still killed him."

  Frank's palms went up instantly. "That's enough Kevin." He looked at Bill. "Pretty much like all the girls said."

  "Not exactly though," Bill said.

  "If it was exact, you'd be bitching about that." Frank held a firm look on the man.

  Bill's face broke into a smile and a chuckle. "You got me there." He stood up and put out a hand for Frank. "I'm done here."

  Frank shook hands. "Anything more goes through a lawyer."

  Bill nodded and looked at Frank still holding the handshake. He pulled him into a hug. "You alright, big guy?"

  "No—" Frank gripped his old friend hard in the hug.

  Kevin watched that and wondered if with what he had, he would ever be able to bond like that with another man.

  Frank came out of the hug and wiped his eyes. "But with family like I have—" He pointed at Kevin. "I will be alright."

  Kevin walked around the table and put out his hand for his uncle.

  Frank took Kevin's hand and walked out of the room with him.

  They walked quietly down the hall.

  ****

  The others turned when they got to the big waiting room. His sisters and his new girlfriend surrounded him and enveloped him in a group hug.

  Kaley whispered one word almost inaudibly, "One."

  When they came out of that hug, Zoey pulled Kevin over toward her father.

  Kevin listened in as Taylor spoke to his Uncle Frank.

  "Beth will go home and take care of the girls and their mother. She's really good in situations like this." Taylor nodded at Kevin with a look that was as admiring as it was caring. "Zoey and I will keep an eye on Kevin."

  "Are you sure?" Frank asked.

  Kevin saw Taylor turn and whisper, but he still heard.

  "I have a cousin with the same thing. Nothing new for me." Taylor put his hand on Frank's shoulder. "I've got plenty of room. Why don't you come with us?"

  Frank shook his head and forced a courteous smile. "I'm staying with my partner and his wife tonight. I'll be fine."

  The tremble in his uncle's voice made Kevin feel horrible. As horrible as that felt, he was glad to feel something. He was starting to worry he might be some sort of sociopath. Unable to feel. He wasn't feeling as bad, but he held the look on his face. It was more appropriate than any look he might fake.

  Zoey sensed he was feeling something. She patted him on the back. "Let's go."

  Zoey walked him out, but not before Kevin turned and shared looks with his sisters and noticed they were all looking at Uncle Frank with sad looks. Sad enough even he couldn't help but notice.

  ****

  Kevin heard the voices and woke up. Taylor stood beside the bed. "Girl, I told you to stay in your own room."

  Zoey sat up. "I was just spooning him Dad. He needed it."

  Taylor chuckled and caught Kevin's eye. "I'll give you a pass on the first date spooning, but nothing more. Do you hear me young man?"

  "Yes, Sir." Kevin heard the tremble in his own voice and heard himself sounding like a small boy. It was so strange to feel that way after he killed a grown man, but that's the way he felt.

  "Dad, you're scaring my man." Zoey snuggled up to him behind him. "It's gonna take a lot more spooning to get him back to where I had him."

  "I don't know what I'm going to do with you." Taylor smiled at Zoey before his face got a tad serious. "I'm picking up prescriptions and groceries and running them over to Kevin's house. Then, I'm swinging by the office to wrap up some loose ends, so I might be a while."

  "We'll be fine," Zoey said.

  "Alright. Call me if you need anything." Taylor nodded and stood up. He took a few steps before he turned around.

  Kevin saw the smirk on the handsome mature man's face and almost laughed at just that.

  Taylor pointed at them. "That right there is the only approved spooning position. Got it?"

  "Got it," the two teenagers said and were surprised that sounded out in harmony.

  Kevin marveled at how he didn't feel uncomfortable with her behind him. It was like she was a comfortable coat. He felt other feelings other than comfort and once he identified them, he spoke to them. "So you know, I did feel something last night. It wasn't much, but it was something." He pulled in a breath and let out a sigh. "I didn't want you to think I was a cold-blooded killer."

  "I didn't think that Kevin." She pulled in a breath and sighed something out. "I felt bad, but not nearly as bad as I should. Is that a bad thing? In your mind?"

  "No, Zoey. Maybe we felt how we were supposed to feel."

  "Maybe we didn't feel much because the killings were justified," she said.

  "Maybe." He felt her fingers massaging him. "Uuh ... I—" He pulled in a breath and went for it. "I never did anything with a girl before. I mean ... I've kissed my sisters—" He sucked in another breath when he talked himself into that corner he needed to explain his way out of, "I mean kissed them like you would kiss sisters—" He had to laugh at himself when he heard her giggling. "I'm going to quit while I'm ahead."

  She stopped the sensual massaging and gave a few tender pats. "I have before. Not a lot before. Now's not a good time, but when the time's right—"

  "Thanks." He felt himself nodding with his head on the pillow. "And wow! I never thought through the benefits this boyfriend thing brings."

  "You have no idea, sweetheart. No idea." She gave a pat before she rolled over. "I know it's not even dawn yet, but are you up for breakfast?"

  "Hell, yeah!" He started to get up but felt her hand on him.

  "Breakfast in bed, Kevin. Yet another of the many benefits my boyfriend gets."

  He nestled into the pillow as she got completely out of bed. "It feels like you're still spooning me."

  "Really?"

  "Really." He wasn't aware that the smile he held with his eyes closed and his head on the pillow, wasn't nearly as broad as hers.

  ****

  Kevin was drifting peacefully off to sleep when voices woke him up again, but this time one of the voices wasn't familiar. He got his jeans on and couldn't find his shirt. He quit looking when he heard the conversation taking a turn.

  He turned and walked out of the room and down the long stairway.

  He walked faster when he heard a man's voice with a threatening tone.

  He walked into the kitchen and immediately saw Zoey was upset.

  A man who looked a few years older than him turned.

  The man had long hair and many tattoos. He sneered a smile as he turned and got a look at Kevin. "Zoey, you didn't tell me you were robbing the cradle."

  "Shut up Rob. Kevin's two ... Not even two years younger." Zoey softened her angry look only when she looked at Kevin.

  "I hate to take you from Kevin's heaven, but when Rob drives an hour to take back what's his, he takes back what's his." He made the last part of that palpably threatening.

  Kevin couldn't believe he wasn't afraid of the tough looking guy. He found his usual sense of humor kicking in. "Dude, did you hear that corny line in a bad movie or something?"

  Zoey snorted, but kept herself from laughing. She gave Kevin a sweet smile before she turned the anger on as she turned to Rob. "Just get the hell out and I promise not to call the cops on you for breaking in." She turned,
but he grabbed her wrist.

  Kevin stepped unbelievably long steps. He reached and pried Rob's fingers enough to break his grip on Zoey's arm. "You always like that with women?"

  "Always." Zoey glared at Rob as she rubbed her sore wrist. "Worse than that with me."

  "I don't only discipline a bitch who needs it." Rob gave the same sneer of a smile. "Sometimes, I have to keep in line the son of a bitch who's with my bitch."

  Kevin turned and smiled at Zoey. "Seriously, where does he get this stuff?" He turned around with the smile and saw the same sneer, but he didn't see the arm cocked or the punch that hit him right in the gut. He sank to his knees. He was surprised he wasn't hit again right away. He looked up.

  Rob laughed an evil laugh to go with his sneer smile. "You do have a pretty face ... Or, should I say had." He raised his fist for a hard strike to the face.

  Kevin tried to get his arms up from his stomach where he held them to hold in the pain he still felt there. He knew he wouldn't make it in time, so he closed his eyes reflexively. He wasn't hit. He heard a long moan. He looked up.

  Zoey stood behind Rob pulling the handle of the knife closer and closer into the spot it went in and up right below his rib cage.

  Kevin stood up. He put his arms out and held Rob as he trembled and shook like he was having a seizure.

  "Uuugh—" Rob's last breath moaned out slowly and almost serenely.

  Kevin leaned over. He put his hand under Rob's nose, but felt nothing. He put his hand to the spot where he thought the artery on the neck would tell him if there was a pulse. He felt no pulse. He looked at the entry wound and then looked at Zoey. "You hit the spot. The right spot."

  Her eyebrows went to her forehead and she looked like she was in terrible angst until they came down and her face relaxed. "Good!"

  She was about to lower him to the ground because he was too heavy, but she saw Kevin's palm up telling her to wait.

  Kevin ran and got several paper towels. He ran into the pantry and came out with a box of large trash bags and a roll of duct tape.

  He leaned over and dabbed around the wound. He looked real closely at the writing on the knife handle. He mouthed the name of the company and smiled for himself. "Standard brand." He noticed her puzzled look and explained as he wiped the handle, "The knife you took from the country club." He looked back at the knife and smiled again. "I was surprised they didn't have a fancier steak knife."