Chicago, Los Angeles, they were all the same. A big city filled with lonely hearts waiting for their prince charming to come. Only to find out I’m not their dream come true, I’m their worst nightmare come to life. I’ve been watching this one for a couple of days. I first spotted her coming out of a gym in Chelsea. My mind wanders back to the day I met her. I pretended to be lost and she was more than happy to help me find my way. I had to go right past her place, so she offered to share a cab. Right about now she’s probably regretting that decision. In a matter of ten minutes I knew where she lived. By the time she left that cab I had her number in my phone. So easy, it’s laughable.
I look down at her bulging eyes, I whisper in her ear. “Do you fear me yet? Like the fear of stepping into that dark room and peeking under the bed.”
I tighten my hands around her neck and with each squeeze my cock gets harder. She needs to feel what it’s like to be on the brink of death and then come back over and over again. It’s a rush that she will never experience again. It won’t be much longer; I have to time it perfectly. The ultimate rush, followed by my release, which can only happen just as she is about to pass out. It’s all in the timing it has to be perfect. One hand around her throat and one hand pumping my cock. This is the hardest part; I feel the blood racing through my veins. She’s there; I release my grip and give her the air she is craving. She gasps, and then I pound my cock into her and squeeze my long fingers around her throat yet again. Even with her hands tied behind her back, this one is hardly putting up a fight. I thought she had more in her, more of a need to live. She hasn’t realized yet that this is the end of the line. Her eyes are beginning to budge and roll back, I know she will pass out. That’s my cue, my blood is hot and racing through me. Everything is heading to the finish line. I come and my entire body feels like it’s burning, a burn I can only get right before I kill her. She’s not dead, only passed out. Unlike television, it takes a long time to strangle someone. They pass out at least five minutes before they die. I don’t have the time to wait around. I snap her neck. Let’s face it; it’s the humane thing to do.
Now comes the clean up, making sure I leave no trace of me behind. Except of course the rose. I leave it so I can claim the kill as my own. Uniquely mine, the thought makes me hard again but I have no time for that. I place the collar around her neck and stroke her beautiful cheek. I wish I could have kept her a little longer. I look around the room, making sure every last trace that I’ve ever been here is gone. Oh how I love the smell of bleach. So crisp and refreshing, like the dawn of a new day. I wonder how long before the city starts to panic? How long before they connect the dots? I take one last walk around before locking the door behind me, after all I wouldn’t want anyone to break in and contaminate a perfect crime scene.
* * *
Fitz
I’m the defender of those who can’t defend themselves. I’m jaded by humanity. The humanity that I see on a daily basis. I try to be the best I can be, but sometimes it’s hard. Most days I look in the mirror and I’m okay with the guy looking back at me. I wonder how many people in the world can say the same. Unfortunately today is not one of those days. Today I’ve been called to the scene of yet another murder. The third one this month, the pattern has formed and that’s why I’m here. My name is Fitzgerald S. Rodriguez. I’m a detective with a special unit dedicated to the investigation of Serial killers. I’m based out of the Sixty-first precinct in Brooklyn New York, but I go where I’m needed. Lately it seems that there is never a down time.
I get to the scene and my captain is already waiting. I haven’t even finished my first cup of coffee and he’s already yelling. Why can’t he just shut the fuck up for five minutes? All the yelling in the world will not make my brain move any faster. Captain Jack Hart is tall, like basketball player tall yet he has two left feet. He’s barking orders, to anyone who will listen, that is until he sees me. There is no avoiding him at this point. I just cleared a major case and should be celebrating but not in this city. There is never a time for celebrating, hell I’m supposed to have two weeks off between cases and I haven’t even gotten twenty-four hours. “Hey, captain, do we know a time of death yet?”
Hart’s jaw ticks when he’s stressed and lately that’s all the time. “Yeah, Fitz, this one is fresh, only a few hours old so I’m hoping we can get something more from her, maybe he left something behind. Her name is Sophie Hall and, Fitz, she’s one of us.”
I’m about to enter the scene, but his words stop me dead in my tracks. “A cop?”
“She was a data analyst at One Police Plaza. I explained to the chief medical examiner about the other two and he has agreed to let Gail run lead on this. She’s inside waiting for you.”
I put on protective booties and gloves before I head into yet another crime scene. The crime scene unit is just finishing up and Gail O’Connor the coroner for Kings County is waiting to talk to me before she leaves. Gail and I have worked together before so she knows I like to look. Yeah she calls me a creeper, but I have a way of getting inside the killers head, so no one ever tries to stop me. I like to walk the scene in silence absorbing all the little details and the smells. No forced entry, keys are on a hook by the front door. No pets to contaminate the scene. Very clean, possibly a little OCD. I head over to the body and Gail is all packed up and waiting for me.
“Talk to me Gail, what’s different?”
She hesitates for only a second. “How do you know me so well?”
I smile always trying to charm her, but it never works. “It’s what I do. What’s got you biting the inside of your cheek?”
She instantly releases it. “You know I’m not going to say anything until I get her back to the lab, but, Fitz, look how clean everything is. It’s like he feels so confident that he’s taking even more time cleaning the scene and not just the body. Look around, nothing is out of place, at least from what I can tell.” She waves her hand around the room trying to force her point. “Hell there isn’t even a damn dust bunny. Who doesn’t have a dust bunny?”
I look down at the victim and I’m taken back by how beautiful and young she is. “Are you done with her?”
“Yes, but make it quick I want to get her back to the lab while she’s fresh.”
I squat down and smell, the smell of bleach is over powering. “He bleached everything?”
“Yes, and it seems he even brushed her teeth with it, but CSU couldn’t find a toothbrush. Could it be his trophy?”
I shrug my shoulders, “I’ve seen stranger things, never know what the trigger is for these guys. Tell me the truth, Gail, did you take a sniff?”
Her face flushes even though she knows I’m playing with her, trying to lighten the mood. “Yes, Fitz, I’m getting as bad as you.”
“I keep telling you, Gail, become one with the crime scene.”
She rolls her eyes. “What are you some kind of Zen Master today?”
I’m no longer squatting. I’m on my hands and knees, my face inches from her neck. “I see she has a collar around her neck same as the others, is the rose in place?”
“Yes, it’s one of the first things I checked. And, Fitz, if you put your face there to look I will smack you.”I look up and she has her hand out ready to smack me. “All right I’ll finish up here and meet you back at the lab. I know you’re eager to get started on this one.”
I get up and wave to the tech, letting him know that I’m done with the body.
“Fitz, how about I call you when I’m ready to deliver? The pressure of knowing you’re outside my door is not going to push the results through any faster.”
“Yeah, yeah I get it.” I wave to her as I begin to methodically work my way around the apartment. The apartment is a junior studio, which is bigger than a standard studio yet smaller than a one bedroom. By New York City standards this one is pretty large. It’s a walk-up, three floors with only two apartments on each floor. The first floor is a cafe that is only open for breakfast and lunch they close at tw
o p.m. They might be of some help depending upon what time they come in to prep. This place is directly across the street from the United Nations building. I’ll make sure Hart pulls footage from all available cameras. Back to the task at hand, Sophia has her bed in the small alcove and some beads hanging in the doorway. They seem to act as some sort of divider. I sniff the wall next to the divider and smell bleach. Christ he even washed the walls. I go to the other side and sniff, no bleach. I race outside and catch Gail before she pulls away.
“Hey, did CSU take pictures of the walls? Specifically the doorway leading into the alcove?”
“ I know they did a scan with the ScanStation but I’m not sure if they took actual photos of the walls, why?”
“Only one wall smells of bleach, what do you want to bet he had her up against that wall?”
She puts the car in park and reaches in the back seat pulling out a camera. “I always keep one with me, now show me what you’re talking about.”
Gail takes pictures of both walls while talking under her breath, which I’m sure, is about me. “You’re like a bloodhound Fitz, you know that right?”
“I’ve been called worse. Don’t suppose you want to leave me that camera?”
“You know I can’t, if you find something use your phone. Chances are CSU already got these shots. Now can I please get to my lab?”
I shoo her away and go back to what I was doing. Sophia’s desk pulls down from the wall. CSU already bagged her laptop, phone and tablet. She has very few personal pictures around, except for her graduation picture from the academy, class of 2011. I snap a picture of it and pull out a pad from my breast pocket to make notes, yeah I’m old school. I pull a pen off of the desk and begin to draw the wall and where Sophia was found. If he killed her up against the wall, why not leave her there and walk out? Why stage the scene? What is he showing me? I twirl the pen around my fingers as I’m running everything through my mind. The name on the pen hits me like a brick between my eyes. Mystik . . . oh fuck no! Mystik is a high end BDSM club own by my best friend. I need to get there right now, before anyone else gets wind of this. Coincidence maybe if I believed in coincidences.
I am so blessed to have a supportive family. Knowing they are always there to catch me, no matter what—priceless.
The following ladies have each played some part in keeping me from going too far over the edge. Claire Allmendinger, Tracy Beavers, Summer Clark, Crazy Daisy, Lisa Dowd, Janett Gomez, Jeneane Johnston, Melissa Kulis, Roseanne Lavin, Camille Novelli, Loraine Oliver, Felicia Rodriguez, Imy Santiago, Wendy Shatwell, Iris Taveras, Kizzy Williams, Sarah Williams, Shell (Purple Pimper) Williams. Thank you for your continued support and occasional arse kicking.
Robin Harper, You get me and what is in my head. This is very scary.
Jacquelyn Ayres, You make me laugh. You piss me off. You make me think for myself. You are wonder woman in yoga pants.
Stacey Blake, Your beautiful work brings my words to life.
Rick and Leif, you are more than I ever dreamed possible in my lifetime. Always and forever more.
A Little More
Thank you to the wonderful readers who came and fell in love with The Unraveled Trilogy. I know it has been a crazy ride for all of us. I laughed, cried, and yelled right along with you. Is it the end? Just like in life, sweetheart, never say never. May your days be filled with Nutella, espresso, and a love so intense, it rocks you to your core.
Shattered Lies Spotify Playlist
http://spoti.fi/1FuFCep
Theresa Sederholt was born and raised in Brooklyn New York. She is a graduate of Campbell University in North Carolina, with a degree in Criminal Justice. Theresa now calls North Carolina home, with her husband, a professional chef, and her two dogs.
Experiencing life first hand is what she does best. Believing she can do anything has put her in many crazy situations. Whether it’s babysitting a pig farm or cutting the top off of a mini truck; nothing is ever out of reach. Her list is endless, A to Z.
As a flight attendant (there’s that list again), she would make up stories about all of her passengers as they came and went. It seemed only natural to put pen to paper and see where these characters led her. What started out as a single woman, having a cup of coffee—trying to make it through life—grew into a complex story of romance, mystery, and murder. The Unraveled Trilogy was born.
Theresa’s beliefs are pretty simple. There isn’t a luggage rack on the hearse, and give a girl Nutella and espresso and she can change the world.
Theresa enjoys connecting with her fans. She can always be reached through her website at:
www.theresasederholt.com
Shattered Lies Page 35