Devil's Nightmare (Devil's Nightmare, Book 1)

by Pruneda, Robert

  That didn’t change the fact that both vehicles needed processing before either of us could have them returned.

  “Then I’m driving the wrecker,” Big Al insisted.

  “That’s okay. We have our own qualified drivers,” the chief said, his tone polite and professional. “We’ll make sure your truck is taken care of.”

  †

  Rick’s screams haunted me as I tried to rest my eyes and drift off to sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, his attack replayed in my mind. His screams. It was his screams that bothered me the most. I listened to that thing slaughter and eat Rick alive. By the time I had reached him, it had been too late.

  I relived the nightmare over and over, waking up several times throughout the night. I gave up trying to sleep at five in the morning, and got ready for work. As I stood in the hot shower, I couldn’t shake the events that had occurred the night Rick Hessler had died out of my head. It probably would’ve been better if I had pulled the trigger when Rick had first startled me awake. At least he wouldn’t have had to endure the agony of some creature ripping him to shreds.

  Just as I’d finished rinsing my hair, my cell phone rang. The call had already transferred to voicemail by the time I reached my phone. I didn’t recognize the number, so I dried myself off and got dressed before listening to the message.

  “Detective Sanders, this is Maria Jimenez, Cody Sumner’s case worker. I was calling to see if you still wanted to schedule a meeting with the director at Saint Hedwig Youth Home. I heard about what happened last night. I hope you’re okay. Please give me a call as soon as you can.”

  I adjusted my tie and then returned Maria’s call on my way to the kitchen.

  “Thank you for calling me back, Detective. I hope I didn’t wake you.”

  “No, I was in the shower.” I grabbed a coffee mug from the drip rack by the sink.

  “Are you okay?”

  The question annoyed me, and I rolled my eyes as I filled my coffee mug. While I understood they meant well, I was tired of people asking me that. “Yes, I’m fine. That tow truck driver didn’t fare so well, though.” Silence.

  “Sorry. That was in poor taste for me to—”

  “That’s quite all right. You’re not the first person to use humor to cope with a traumatic event. It’s completely normal.” Great, now she thinks she’s my therapist.

  “I’m fine,” I lied. “Really.”

  Rick Hessler’s death had more impact on me than I wanted to admit. The nightmares I’d had shortly before the attack also bothered me. I knew it was absurd to think that a three-headed monster—four if you counted that cobra-head tail thing—had killed the guy. That didn’t change the fact that a very aggressive and very dangerous animal was out there killing people, and I didn’t have a clue what to do about it.

  “Are you still there, Detective?”

  “Huh? Oh, yeah, I’m sorry. I was, um…” I took a seat at my breakfast table. “Have you had breakfast?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Breakfast? You know: eggs, bacon, pancakes, orange juice?”

  “Um… No, I haven’t. Why? Do you want to have breakfast with me?”

  With the exception of my friend Gene, I typically disliked all social workers, therapists, or anybody with a Ph.D. behind his name. Every counselor, therapist, or doctor I had talked to as a kid had always acted as if he had all the answers. They had the annoying habit of telling me how I was feeling no matter how much I disagreed with them.

  As much as I wanted to dislike Maria Jimenez for her profession, I couldn’t ignore my physical attraction to her. Even her voice over the phone seduced me in a way that made me want to spend time with her. Asking her out for breakfast may have been a bit lame, but it was an opportunity, so I took it.

  “I’m not asking you out on a date. I just thought we could talk about Cody and discuss some things about Saint Hedwig before meeting with Hadley.”

  “Okay. I guess that would be fine. Do I need to pick you up?”

  “Isn’t the guy supposed to pick up the woman on a first date?” It was yet another one of my poor pickup lines the chief would likely tease me about, but what the hell.

  Silence.

  “I’m kidding! Are all social workers this uptight?”

  “Just cautious… and very observant, Detective Sanders.”

  I drank some coffee and set the mug on the table. “Seriously, though. I have my own transportation. Let’s meet at Denny’s on I-35.”

  “How romantic,” Miss Jimenez mocked. “Are you sure you don’t want to meet at Dunkin’ Donuts instead?”

  “Oh, so we’re going with the stereotypes now?”

  Miss Jimenez giggled. “What time do you want to meet?”

  It was a quarter to seven. “How about half an hour? That work for you?”

  “That’ll work. Which Denny’s?”

  “The one south of Town Lake.”

  “Town Lake?”

  “Lady Bird Lake,” I clarified.

  I could never get used to the new name. Lady Bird Lake was the official name, but, like many other longtime residents of the Texas capital city, I still called it by the lake’s original name, with no disrespect meant toward the former First Lady. I assumed Miss Jimenez wasn’t an Austin native. I didn’t bother to give her a history lesson. “I’ll see you at Denny’s in half an hour.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Saint Hedwig

  The rousing aroma of coffee filled my nose as an elderly waitress poured coffee for Miss Jimenez and me. She smiled pleasantly and took our orders. I ordered the usual: steak and eggs with hash browns and extra bacon. Miss Jimenez chose a low-fat veggie omelet and a glass of iced water. As she ordered, I breathed in the flowery scent of her perfume and admired her pouty lips. My eyes drifted downward to the weighty cleavage revealed by her v-cut blouse. I told myself, it was the coffee that had my body temperature rising, but I knew better.

  “Detective Sanders, after you’re done with your investigative assessment of my female anatomy, you think we can get focused on business?”

  I froze, held my breath for a second, and with a sheepish grin, brought my eyes back to hers. “Um…” I coughed. “I was, um… just admiring your crucifix pendant.” That was a lie, of course, and I imagined God knocking me out of my seat with a bolt of lightning. Instead, I received a sharp stab of embarrassment and guilt. That was punishment in itself.

  Way to go, Aaron. No wonder you’re single.

  Miss Jimenez pursed her lips and held the gold crucifix between her index finger and thumb. “My mother gave me this after my first confession. She passed away last year.”

  Of course she did. I felt like a complete ass. That certainly did not help my embarrassment. “I’m so sorry, Maria. Can I call you Maria?”

  “I think keeping our relationship on a professional level will suit us both well, Detective.” Strike Two.

  I reached for my coffee and almost knocked it off the side of the table, spilling a little in the process. I grabbed some napkins to clean up the mess, and then my phone rang.

  “I’m sorry, I have to take this.” I said, glancing at the display. I stepped away from the table and answered the phone. “Morning, Chief.”

  “Buenos días. Just making sure you’re okay, amigo. I was also thinking that maybe you should take a few days off. You know, because of last night.”

  “I’m fine, really. But thanks. I’m having breakfast with Cody’s social worker right now.”

  “Really?”

  “It’s not like that, David.” Especially after making a fool of myself. “It’s business. We’re meeting with the director of Saint Hedwig afterwards.”

  “Uh-huh.” He paused for a few seconds. “Mira, Aaron, there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about. I know you like working alone, pero I‘d like to assign you a new partner.”

  “What?” I stepped outside. “I don’t need a partner, David.”

  “I know that, Aaron. I’d just feel more com
fortable if you had some help.”

  “Come on, man.”

  “I’m not saying you need a partner.”

  I didn’t say anything for several seconds.

  “Aaron?”

  “I’m listening.”

  “What time is your meeting?”

  “Probably around nine or so. I don’t have an exact time yet.”

  “Bueno, I want Detective Riley there.”

  “Riley?” I tilted my head back and stared at the sky in protest.

  “You’re sticking me with a rookie?”

  “Aaron, you’re the best one for—”

  “With all due respect, I don’t have time to babysit a newbie detective.”

  “He’s a good cop.” I could sense impatience in the chief’s voice. “And I won’t get into a debate with you. You’re working with Riley.”

  I sighed. “All right, fine, I’ll work with him. But just for the record, if he gets in the way—”

  “Goodbye, Aaron.”

  He ended the call before I had a chance to say anything further.

  “This case just keeps getting better and better,” I mumbled to myself. I strangled my phone and grunted before slipping it into my pocket and heading back inside. Miss Jimenez was tapping the screen of her phone with her thumbs at a speed that made me feel inferior about my one-fingered peck texting capabilities.

  She glanced at me as I sat down. “Problems at the office?”

  I ran a hand through my hair. “I just found out I’m on babysitting duty. The chief assigned me a rookie detective to assist in the case.”

  The waitress arrived with our food and asked if we needed anything else.

  “Glass of iced water, please,” I said.

  And a bottle of whiskey.

  “I just finished chatting with Mr. Hadley,” Maria said. “We can meet with him at nine-thirty.”

  I almost called the chief so he could pass the information on to Detective Riley. Almost. Hopefully, the rookie would get lost on his way to Saint Hedwig and arrive after we had already left.

  †

  Miss Jimenez and I arrived at Saint Hedwig Youth Home ten minutes ahead of our scheduled appointment. As we drove our vehicles past the security gates and onto the circular cobblestone driveway, I noticed a white Ford Crown Victoria parked near the entrance. Detective Steven Riley stood next to it with a phone in his hand. He was a tall kid in his mid-twenties, clean cut, with short black hair. He wore a dark suit, white dress shirt, red tie, and polished loafers. Hell, he looked more like a fed than an APD detective in that getup. All he needed was dark sunglasses and a wire leading up to an earbud.

  I parked the blue Dodge Charger, my temporary transportation, next to the Crown Victoria. Riley opened the door for me like a concierge.

  “Good morning, Detective Sanders! I’m Detec—”

  “Save the formal greetings, kid.” I got out of the car and adjusted my tie. “I know who you are. And to be clear, we’re not partners. You’re just tagging along for the ride. Comprende?”

  I left the young detective standing by the car and joined Miss Jimenez. “You coming?” I said to him, glancing over my shoulder.

  “Or you just going to stand there guarding the car?”

  Riley jogged up behind me. “Sir, I don’t mean any disrespect, but if we’re going to work together, I think you should know that I aced the detective exam on the first try. I’ve also received numerous commendations while working as a beat officer in San Antonio.”

  “That’s great, Riley. Stop trying to chum up with me, and just make sure you let me do the talking in there. Okay?”

  Detective Riley stopped with his mouth slightly agape while I reached for the door handle.

  “Sir, I don’t understand what I’ve done to offend you, but—”

  “Detective Riley, is it?” Miss Jimenez interrupted. “Would you mind waiting outside for a moment while Detective Sanders and I have a word inside?”

  “Uh, okay.”

  After we stepped inside, I said, “I can handle myself, Maria.”

  “Miss Jimenez,” she said. “And what’s the deal with that complete lack of professionalism out there?”

  “Hey, I was going easy on him. And, with all due respect, I don’t need you telling me what is and isn’t professional in a career you know little or nothing about. All I’m doing is shaking him up a little. He’s a rookie and just needs a little reminder of who has seniority here.”

  “Because rank isn’t clear enough?”

  “Technically, we’re the same rank, but you know what I mean. I also need to make sure he follows my lead at all times so he doesn’t get either of us killed.”

  “I know I’m not well educated when it comes to law enforcement, Detective, but a meeting at an orphanage is hardly a high risk situation.” Miss Jimenez shook her head and said, “And I’m certain with that attitude you’ll do a fine job getting yourself killed without anybody else’s help. Now, can we be a little more civilized and stop with the macho nonsense?”

  “You and I are going to have a wonderful relationship, aren’t we?”

  She ignored my comment, opened the door, and waved Detective Riley inside. He hesitated and then entered the building.

  †

  As we went inside, a young lady was filing some paperwork at the information desk located at the center of the foyer. Behind the desk stood a wide staircase leading up to a mezzanine, which then branched off into staircases to the left and right. Two corridors led past each side of the grand stairway lighted by simulated candle fixtures. I remembered real candles lighting the hallways when I’d lived at Saint Hedwig.

  “Hi, Maria,” the receptionist said enthusiastically as we approached the desk. “How’re you doing this morning?”

  “I’m doing well, Stephanie. Thank you.” Miss Jimenez gestured to my rookie baggage and me. “We’re here to meet with Mr. Hadley. We have a nine-thirty appointment.”

  Stephanie glanced at the switchboard. “He’s on the phone right now. If you’d like to wait in the lounge, I’ll let him know you’re here. Feel free to help yourself to the refreshments.”

  “Thank you, Stephanie.” Miss Jimenez turned and whispered in my ear. “Stay away from the oatmeal cookies.”

  “That bad?” I whispered back.

  She widened her eyes and walked away.

  Riley and I followed Miss Jimenez into the lounge. The large room had elegant décor, with classic artwork lining the walls. A print of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” hung over a marble fireplace. An antique dining table set in the middle of the room held silver platters filled with a variety of cookies and pastries. A crystal chandelier floated above the center of the table. Simulated candles gave the room a soft, ambient light, which gave the room a bit of a relaxing ambience. Soothing classical music played through hidden speakers at a low volume.

  I picked up a small platter full of oatmeal raisin cookies from the table and offered it to Detective Riley. “Cookie?”

  He gave me a suspicious glare, but then grabbed a couple of the cookies with a subtle, thankful nod.

  Miss Jimenez shook her head at me and covered her mouth, suppressing a laugh.

  I grabbed a brownie and watched Detective Riley bite into one of the oatmeal cookies. The sudden grimace on his face gave me satisfaction. I smiled as Riley stared back at me. Still, he continued chewing the cookie, and then swallowed. To my dissatisfaction, he finished off the rest of the cookie, and even licked the remaining crumbs from his lips.

  I raised an eyebrow and glanced at Miss Jimenez, who responded with a shrug. Maybe the oatmeal cookie wasn’t as bad as she had suggested. I bit into my brownie and immediately stopped chewing. “Oh my God!” I grabbed a napkin and held it over my mouth, spitting out the half-chewed morsel. “What’d they use for batter? Dirt? That’s got to be the worst brownie I’ve ever tasted.”

  Miss Jimenez and Detective Riley laughed in unison. I glared at the rookie detective. “What’re you laughin
g at? You kept eating that dirt patty.”

  “I forgot to warn you about the brownies,” Miss Jimenez admitted through a chuckle.

  I tossed the rest of it into a nearby trash can and considered drinking the coffee, but thought better of it. “I take it the staff running the kitchen hasn’t improved since I lived here.”

  Miss Jimenez raised her eyebrows. “You were a resident?”

  “Um, yeah. I thought I told you.”

  “No, you didn’t.”

  I glanced at Riley, who took a couple of steps towards the lobby. I had just let some personal information slip by that he probably didn’t want to hear. I used the distraction as an excuse to change the subject. “So, Riley,” I said, after a subtle glance towards Miss Jimenez. “What made you want to become a cop?”

  “I thought you didn’t want to get all chummy.”

  “I don’t.” I tried to find a different pastry on the table to snack on. I picked a chocolate chip cookie. “Following in your father’s footsteps? Was he a cop?”

  Riley tossed his remaining oatmeal cookie in the trashcan. “As a matter of fact, yeah, my dad was a cop. Thirty years in Dallas.”

  “You originally from there?”

  “Lufkin.”

  “Been there. Nice town.” I sat down on a couch near the fireplace and crossed my legs.

  “Thanks.”

  Miss Jimenez’s phone rang. She looked at the screen. “I’ll be right back,” she said, and stepped out into the foyer.

  Riley sat on a recliner across from me. “So, I uh… heard about what happened last night. Pretty wild stuff.”

  “That’s not exactly how I would describe it. But, yeah, it was.”

  “I’m sorry. A man died. I didn’t mean any disrespect. I’m just trying to—”

  “Forget it.”

  I glanced at my watch. I was beginning to lose patience. I got up and headed back out into the lobby. Riley followed behind me, and I couldn’t help letting out a loud sigh.