The Killing Room

by Gerri Hill

  Jake raised an eyebrow. “And who is your type?”

  Nicole stared. Why was she bothering with this discussion? “I normally go out with other professional women. It’s very discreet.”

  “You’re in the closet?” Jake asked incredulously.

  “Sort of.”

  “You’re kidding me.”

  “Why do I have to explain this to you?”

  “But why?” Jake asked. “You are who you are,” she said simply.

  “Exactly. And this is who I am.”

  Jake shook her head. “No. I don’t think so. I think who you are is out there,” Jake pointed. “In the mountains.”

  “Look, do you have any… police questions? I really have work to do.”

  Jake nodded. “I want to discuss this case with you, yes. But not here.”

  “Not here?”

  “No.”

  “Where do you suggest?”

  Jake arched an eyebrow. “Your place or mine?”

  “Very funny.”

  “I’m serious. Or, we could get dinner out.”

  “And why can’t we discuss it here?”

  “I’m hungry.”

  Nicole took a deep breath. They could go out somewhere or pick up a pizza and eat in. Out and they risked being seen. She frowned. Seen by whom? And should she care? But if they ate in, it would be far too intimate. Jesus, why did it have to be so difficult?

  “Nicole, you look almost frightened. What’s wrong?”

  “Do I?”

  Jake put her hands on her hips and stared. “Are you scared of me?”

  “No, no. Of course not,” Nicole said quickly. “Look, can we maybe grab a pizza and… I don’t know, go somewhere? I live out near Golden.”

  “I’m a lot closer. Besides, Cheyenne is waiting for me.”

  Nicole couldn’t help but smile at the mention of the dog’s name. “Okay. How about I follow you?”

  Jake nodded. “I’ll call one in. Anything you don’t like?”

  “No. Get whatever you want.”

  ———

  Nicole parked behind Jake in the tiny driveway. The entire street as far as she could tell seemed to be nothing but duplexes. Identical duplexes. It was depressing. She got out and locked her car, then followed Jake. She silently took the pizza from her as Jake struggled to unlock the door.

  Jake pushed it open and flipped on a light, motioning Nicole inside. A high-pitched bark and a thud on the back door signaled Cheyenne wanted in.

  “Let me get her before she knocks the door down. Make yourself at home.”

  Nicole put the pizza on the small table just off the kitchen and looked around. This is not how she pictured Jake’s home. There was nothing here to indicate the woman loved the mountains, as Nicole knew she did. Then she spotted something familiar. Jake’s cane. It was leaning against the wall, not far from the recliner.

  “Heads up,” Jake called, as Cheyenne burst into the room.

  Cheyenne wagged her tail excitedly as she sniffed Nicole, finally nudging Nicole’s hand with a wet nose.

  “Hi girl,” Nicole said, bending down to pet the dog.

  “She remembers you,” Jake said.

  “You think so?”

  “Yeah. She never greets anyone.”

  Nicole straightened up and smoothed her skirt, one hand still rubbing Cheyenne’s ear. “How long have you lived here?”

  Jake shrugged. “Since I’ve been in Denver. Five years or so.” She pulled out two plates and handed them to Nicole. “What would you like to drink?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Wine? Beer? Coke?”

  “What will you have?”

  Jake grinned. “Pizza and beer.”

  Nicole nodded. “Okay. I’ll have the same.” Nicole put the plates on the table and sat down, still looking around the duplex. No pictures. No… stuff. It was odd. She wondered if Jake’s bed-room was any more personal. She looked up as Jake sat a beer bottle in front of her and a pile of napkins.

  “Would you like a glass for the beer?”

  Nicole smiled. “No, this is fine,” she said, reaching for the bottle and taking a drink. It was cold. And good. She didn’t often drink beer. Most of the dinner dates she went on were at expensive, upscale restaurants, and wine was the norm.

  “How long did it take you to reach St. Elmo?” Jake asked unexpectedly.

  Nicole paused as she was opening the pizza box. “Three days.”

  “You made good time,” Jake said. “Must not have stopped at many hot springs.”

  Nicole smiled. “The ones I came across were crowded.” She took a large piece of pizza and placed it on Jake’s plate. “You’re not limping at all,” she stated.

  “Not much, no. If I overdo it, it still aches a bit.”

  “Going to tell me what really happened?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “All you said was, you had an accident.”

  Jake took a bite and nodded. “I forget sometimes, that you’re a professional at this.” She took a swallow of beer before continuing. “There was a shooting. Three ended up dead. I survived.”

  Nicole leaned forward. “You’re leaving out an awful lot of detail, Jake.”

  “Yeah? Well, maybe I’ll tell you about it sometime.” She motioned to the pizza. “You’re not eating.”

  Nicole picked up the piece of pizza on her plate and took a bite, her eyes never venturing far from Jake. It was so familiar, sitting here eating with her, that it was almost eerie. Cheyenne leaned against her leg, her eyes darting between the two of them, hoping for a treat.

  “So, Catherine tells me you’re single,” Jake said.

  Nicole stopped chewing and stared. “Catherine talks too much.”

  Jake shrugged. “Beautiful woman like yourself… successful, why are you single?”

  Nicole reached for a second piece of pizza. “And you?”

  Jake took another piece, too. She smiled. “Haven’t yet met that one person who wants to give up this life and retreat to the mountains with me.” Jake raised an eyebrow. “Might not ever meet her. Might have to live in my cabin all by myself.”

  “Your cabin’s home, isn’t it?” Nicole motioned to the living room. “This place is just… what? A place to sleep?”

  Jake nodded. “Is it that obvious?”

  “Yes, Jake. It’s as stark as a motel room.”

  Jake put her pizza down and took a swallow of beer. “Catherine tells me she gets threatening mail weekly.”

  “Is that what she tells you?”

  “And phone calls, too.”

  “Like I said, she talks too much.”

  “And you just dismiss it?”

  “Jake, I’ve been getting threatening mail for years. I told you that.”

  “It’s different now, Nicole. This is for real.”

  “You’re saying that someone is so pissed at me that they are willing to kill my former patients? For what, Jake?”

  “Revenge. It’s always about revenge, Nicole.”

  “But why? I’ve only testified in a handful of cases over the years. Usually, by the time I get them, the court cases are set. I encourage them to go through with it, of course. But I rarely have to testify.”

  “We’re going over every person on the list, looking at old cases, seeing who is still in prison and who is not. That sort of thing,” Jake said.

  “And you’re convinced it’s not just coincidence?”

  “It’s not coincidence, Nicole. Don’t even think that.”

  “It makes no sense, Jake.”

  “Killing rarely makes sense.”

  Nicole shoved her plate away and picked up the beer bottle, draining the last of it. “So, do you think I’m at risk?”

  “Yes. Maybe not right now, but… soon.”

  “Because he’s targeting women to get back at me but eventually, that won’t be enough.”

  “Exactly.”

  “And he’ll come after me.”

  “Y
es.”

  Nicole twirled the empty beer bottle in her hands. “I had a stalker once,” she said. “About five years ago. Maybe six now.”

  Jake stood up, going to the fridge and grabbing them each a fresh beer. “Oh yeah?”

  “Scared the hell out of me when he showed up at my house.”

  “And Denver’s finest came and rescued you?”

  “Something like that.”

  Jake frowned. “What happened?”

  “They shot him. Killed him on my front lawn.”

  Jake slid the beer bottle toward Nicole. “Why?”

  Nicole met her eyes. “I’m not really sure. He wasn’t armed.”

  Jake reached across the table and captured Nicole’s hand, squeezing gently. “I’m sorry.”

  Nicole stared at their hands, surprised that she felt comforted by such an innocent gesture. She looked up, again falling into dark eyes and wanting to stay there. It was odd, the familiarity between them. They had only spent a day and a half together in the mountains, yet Nicole felt more comfortable in Jake’s presence than almost anyone else in her life. Yes, it was scary. So, she pulled her hand away. It was the only sensible thing to do.

  Jake leaned forward and smiled. “Don’t be afraid of me. Whatever happened between us is in the past. I’m on a case, and you’re a part of it. And I don’t ever mix business… with pleasure,” she said quietly. Her eyes locked on Nicole’s again. “Okay?”

  Nicole nodded. “Okay.”

  Jake smiled. “Good. And because we do know each other, sort of, I’d like to think that you’d trust me with your files, if I need them.”

  “Jake…”

  “I know. Confidential. But maybe, off the record, we could have an understanding?” Jake reached across the table again and captured Nicole’s hand. “I’m serious. This could get very personal.”

  “I’m worried about my integrity.”

  “And I’m worried about your life,” Jake said.

  Nicole sighed. “You think it’s that serious?”

  “Of course I do,” Jake said, her voice rising. “He’s killed three women.”

  Nicole lowered her head. “The profession I’m in, Jake, there are threats. I know taking clients from the crisis center is risky, but they have no place else to go, and they need help.” Nicole shrugged. “So, you live with the risks.”

  “Not this time.”

  “Jake, I have a job to do. I have obligations. I can’t just run because there might be complications.”

  “Complications? Nicole, trust me, if it points to you, you’re in protective custody so fast you won’t have time to protest.”

  “Like hell! Jake, I won’t have my life disrupted. I won’t have my practice disrupted. No!”

  “And you know what? I don’t care,” Jake said easily. “My job is to protect you. And if that means disrupting your life and your practice—so be it.”

  “You can’t do that. Not without my cooperation.”

  Jake smiled. “Watch me.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  “Of the forty-four women, thirty-two still live in the area. Of those thirty-two, eighteen of their accusers are still behind bars. Of the remaining fourteen, six never saw jail time. Four of those six live in Denver. The eight that did time, three have been released, all within the last year. The latest, out six months ago. I don’t have current employment for the three. If there even is any. I didn’t have time.”

  Gina handed out copies of her report, and Jake reached for hers, scanning it for names. “Good job, Gina.”

  “Let’s get some background on these three,” Lieutenant Gregory said. “We’ll start there. Bring them in if there is any question. I don’t want them slipping away. They’re all recent. Their parole officers have to have current info. I’ll bring the DA up to speed,” he said walking away.

  “We’ll take Nichols,” Jake said.

  “Perez lives out by the airport,” Chase said.

  “So? We had one body dumped at the lake and one at an apartment.”

  Chase shrugged. “Just a thought.”

  “Okay, we’ll take Perez first,” Simpson said. “Since Chase has a hunch.”

  “And we’re sure on these numbers, Gina?”

  “Yeah. Of course, we’re going on most current address. Who knows if they even have a job.”

  “Simpson? Anything check out at the crisis center?”

  “No, not really. For one thing, you were right, their record-keeping sucks. And in the last five years, they’ve had two male employees. One was maintenance and the other worked in the office. Ms. Kane said he was just out of college and worked as her assistant for one summer. That’s it.”

  “Well, let’s focus on these three then. Maybe something will shake out,” Jake said, standing.

  “Hold on, people,” Gregory called from his office door. “Got a body. Botanic Gardens. Matches the others.”

  “Botanic Gardens?”

  “In the Rock Alpine Garden, to be exact,” Gregory said. “Probably dumped last night. ME’s on the way, crime lab’s been called. McCoy, Chase, you take it. Simpson and Salazar, check out our three suspects.”

  Jake grabbed the keys off of Rick’s desk. “I’m driving,” she said.

  ———

  “So you had pizza? Then what?” Catherine asked.

  “Then what? Then nothing. I went home,” Nicole said. “And she’s threatening protective custody. Can you believe that?” She grabbed her gym bag from behind the door and slung it over her shoulder.

  “Well, you know, I got that letter last week.”

  “We get letters every week.”

  “Yeah. But this one was different. It wasn’t just the normal ranting. It was deliberate, almost.”

  Nicole smiled. “Because he threatened you?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Well, I’m going down the street to the gym. And I promise to be back on time. Lock the door,” she called after her.

  ———

  The ME beat them to the scene, and they both leaned over his shoulder, looking at the victim.

  “Detectives.”

  “Hey, Dave. You got days now?”

  “Still on nights. But Benson’s in court.”

  “That’s a bitch,” Jake murmured.

  “Tell me. I got three hours sleep last night.”

  “Rape?” Rick asked.

  “Looks like it. There’s bruising.”

  “You got a time of death?” Jake asked.

  “Not yet. But guessing, forty-eight hours at least.”

  Jake straightened up and looked around, searching for the security guard who’d called it in. She found him talking to the two patrol officers who answered the call. She elbowed Rick. “Come on.”

  Holding up her badge, she nodded at the two uniforms, dismissing them. “I’m Detective McCoy. This is Detective Chase. You found the body?”

  “Not exactly. A kid spotted her first, then the mother started screaming, and everyone came running.”

  “Okay. Where are they now? Did they touch anything?”

  “I don’t think so. But I’m sure they split. The mother was freaked out.”

  Rick looked around. “How locked up is this place at night?”

  The security guard shrugged. “It’s twenty-three acres, and we have two guys working the night shift.”

  “But the gates are locked at night?”

  “Yeah. And in the main areas we have security cameras.”

  “So you have a security camera here?” Jake asked.

  He pointed to one of the light fixtures over the sidewalk. “It films the walkway, not the exhibits.”

  “We’d like to take a look at it.”

  “Sure. Come by the administrative offices. I’ll have it pulled for you.”

  “Thanks.” Jake turned to Rick with raised eyebrows. “Maybe he slipped up. Maybe we’ll get him on tape.”

  “Keep dreaming, McCoy.”

  “Hey, Dave?”

  The ME
stood and peeled off his gloves. “Strangled. But there’s a knife wound, too. I won’t know which killed her until I open her up.”

  “Knife? That’s new. Before the post, Dave, run her prints. We need to know who she is.”

  “Will do. I’ll have Monica let you know.”

  ———

  Nicole hurried out of the elevator and to her office door, cursing because she was five minutes late, and Catherine would fuss. You’re the boss, she reminded herself as she opened the door and peeked inside. Hazel eyes looked back at her disapprovingly.

  “Sorry,” Nicole whispered. “Where is she?”

  Catherine turned back to her computer. “She cancelled.”

  Nicole walked in and slammed the door. “Cancelled? Why?”

  “She wouldn’t say.”

  “Goddammit,” she murmured. “We’re going to lose her, aren’t we?”

  “Lori needs round-the-clock help, Nicole. You said that yourself after the first session.”

  “I know. But I thought I could help her. She’s not going to make it, Catherine. The next time she’ll succeed.”

  “I already called her mother.”

  “Good. Because I don’t want a suicide on my head,” she said, as she moved toward her office door. “I’ve got three murders to deal with.”

  “Nicole, you don’t blame yourself, surely?”

  “If what Jake says is true, then yes. He’s after me and using them.”

  “But he’s doing it, not you. You have no control over this.”

  Nicole stared, her head tilted sideways. “Have you been listening in on my sessions, Doctor Catherine?”

  “I knew that was bothering you. That’s why I called Dorothy.”

  Nicole frowned. “You called Dorothy? Catherine, I’m fine. We don’t need to bother Dorothy with this. Geez, she’s got her own patients.” Nicole paused with her hand on the doorknob to her office. “You call her right now and tell her not to come up.”

  Catherine smiled. “Okay. Sure.”

  “I mean it.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Nicole walked blindly into her office, gasping in surprise as Dorothy sat quietly on her sofa, flipping through a magazine.

  “Jesus! Dorothy, you scared the hell out of me.”

  “Catherine didn’t tell you I was here?”

  Nicole shook her head. “I need to have a talk with Catherine,” she muttered, tossing her gym bag on the floor beside her desk and joining Dorothy on the sofa. “I think she forgets who the boss is. I’m sorry she dragged you up here.”