Relentless (Elisabeth Reinhardt Book 1)

by Nancy Alexander

  TV sounds continued. In the bathroom, there was deadly silence. Hearts pounding Slim and Custer listened to every word as they huddled in the bathtub expecting bullets to blast through the door. Nothing happened. The bedroom was silent save for the TV. Minutes passed. Custer opened the door and peeked out. The room was empty. Jake had gone to steal another car. He had missed the broadcast by minutes. Slim and Custer exchanged looks of disbelief. That kind of luck happened once in a lifetime; this had been that time. Their luck with Jake Gennett was running out.

  CHAPTER 17

  THE CHASE

  “We got our first big break,” Lou announced to the Task Force at their early morning briefing. The caffeine charged group erupted with cheers. The chase for the killers was picking up speed.

  Lou updated them on the Asheville car chase and read a detailed report from the Asheville PD and the North Carolina Bureau of the FBI:

  Evidence collected from the car, motel and a local restaurant appear to support the ‘three men theory’ we put out on VICAP (Violent Criminal Apprehension Program). Team 1 will follow up.

  The car found in the Food Lion parking lot, a 1999 maroon Plymouth, matches our latest report, of a car stolen just a few days ago, off Mud River Rd near Hamlin. The car’s plates didn’t match the registration information.

  The car is on its way to Quantico. We should get prints, DNA and other evidence that will lead directly to the identity of these killers. If they’re in our data base we’ll have rock solid ID’s for these guys.

  These three guys were practically living in that car; we found camping stuff, pillows, lots of food wrappers, beer and soda cans, plus some clothes. Guns, ammunition and other weapons along with blood and hair samples were found in the trunk. If there are matches to any of our latest victims, we have direct leads to these guys and they know it.

  There were about 7 receipts in the glove compartment and on the floor that should give us enough to map out a travel and time line. Team 2 will follow up.

  We’ve got a sketch artist working with the clerk at the Days Inn and two waitresses at the Golden Corral. We think they saw two of our killers and we should be able to get current descriptions on what they look like now. Team 3 will follow up.

  Asheville PD located the drug dealer who sold to the fellow who started the police chase; they think they can broker a deal and get the guy to work with their sketch artist.

  One item of particular interest is a gold chain with a tiny hamsa or ‘hand of Fatima’ on it. We think it belongs to our latest victim Arushi (Rushi) Kowndamani. Team 4 is taking the lead, run it by her parents to see if we can get an ID. That will confirm the connection between one of our victims and these guys.

  Team 1 will conduct a follow up interview with the owners of that Plymouth to see if we can determine when and where someone from that household encountered our killers. That Plymouth was stolen from a remote residential area so the killers probably followed it there. We need to find out why they were so interested in that car that they followed it so far. They were probably tracking a potential victim. We need to know where and how they attracted these killers’ attention and why they didn’t follow through with a kidnapping.

  From the verbal reports and the wreckage found in that motel room it seems there was a quite a fight between gang members and at least one of them is probably seriously injured. Team 3 will follow up with the Asheville police and manage that evidence.

  This gang is probably spooked now. They lost their car and all their possessions. They know we have evidence that will identify them and there’s infighting. Their next move will be to run as fast and far as they can and lie low for a while. They’ll have to steal another set of wheels, so we’ll need to jump on every reported car theft. Team 2 this is yours.

  We’re looking for intersecting lines here folks. We need to know how and where our victims crossed paths with these killers.

  Lou looked at the Task Force Members and reviewed assignments. As task force members volunteered to track down specific angles that had not been addressed Lou added, “Asheville PD is sending some of their people up here to work with us. They are upset about all this. It turns out that one of the cars our junkie side-swiped belonged to the minister of a popular Methodist church. He, his wife and kids were in the car, on their way to the Mayor’s daughter’s wedding, where he was to officiate. Their little girl got knocked around pretty badly and was admitted to the E.R.; they think she’ll be alright, but it’s a ‘vehicular homicide if she dies.’ The wedding was delayed for three hours so the Mayor is hopping mad. That little chase cut a swath of destruction through their city and they want this guy caught. Plus, they’re more than a little freaked out that our gang of serial killers was hiding out in their city. They’ll give us their reports when they get here and that will be in about 90 minutes. We’ll reconvene then.”

  “Thanks everyone,” Chester finished.

  Everyone moved to their assigned spaces and got busy. The narrow window of opportunity increased tension. Everyone was focused. Two sketches were faxed from Asheville, more were being completed; Will Schmidt was running them through the facial recognition program and was waiting for a match. Unfortunately a lot of information had never been entered into the system and it would have to be done by hand. The Putnam County Police began data searches for kids in trouble for petty theft, vandalism and general misconduct during the estimated time period. Yearbooks had been collected from the schools and police searched for pictures matching the sketches. It was tedious, but they were ‘psyched’!

  Two officers from the Asheville PD arrived supercharged and loaded with information about the suspects. Following the car chase through the city and the search of the area around the Food Lion parking lot, a 911 call was received by the manager of a local motel. Based on numerous complaints of noise coming from room 133 he went to the room, found the door ajar and the room demolished. Furniture was broken; blood was everywhere and some loose teeth were scattered across the floor. Police were convinced that the incident which took place at a Days Inn was connected with the downtown high speed police chase and that was connected to the nationwide hunt for the serial killers.

  Two additional vehicles stolen from the general vicinity had also come under suspicion. One car had been stolen from near the Food Lion where the first man had disappeared. That car was found abandoned 6 blocks from the motel. Later that morning a report came in that a construction company fleet truck was stolen from a parking lot near the Days Inn where the killers had been staying. The theft wasn’t noticed until around 9:30AM. It was a light blue 2009 Chevy Silverado; its license plate was found in a nearby gutter. Subsequently another citizen reported that his license plates had been stolen. The plate, white with red letters read “First in Flight” MBK 2784. A national BOLO (be on the lookout) for both the Chevy truck and the missing license plate had been issued.

  “These guys are used to evading detection,” Lou told the group. “It took some thought to take a fleet truck that looked like 10 others, less chance it would be missed right away. And it took time to switch plates, not a dummy,” he commented wryly, “Higher risk sneaking around in the middle of the night, dogs barking and people waking up for early shifts. It was assumed that all these inter-related events were connected to the serial killers.” Marie predicted in-fighting would make the gang more unpredictable. “Let’s get some cautions out on the wire. We don’t want some rookie getting his head blown off thinking he’s pulling over some joy riders.” Lou said, “We need a press conference, Marie, make sure we get all the media on board with this. Let the public be on the lookout for these guys, it’s irresponsible to keep people in the dark any longer. Chester, Marie, Bill and I will start prepping for the news conference. We’ll need the media’s help on this and the sooner they are informed the better.”

  “Hang on a sec,” the Asheville team leader interrupted, “we’ve got more. We found guns in the trunk of that old Plymouth, two Smith and Wesson .357’s, a Walth
er P99 and a Remington Air Master .177.” The group was still and silent. “There was a shit load of ammunition, plus some grenades and a bunch of knives.”

  “These guys were declaring war,” someone commented.

  “Yep,” Lou retorted, “and we don’t know if that’s all they had or if they took weapons into the motel with them. We think that the junkie took off in the car shortly after they checked in and went riding around looking for a fix. Given what was in the car, it’s likely they didn’t carry too many weapons into the room, given that maids might be coming into the room. But we can’t be sure what all they had and where they might have stashed stuff. Chances are they have some weapons with them and they’ll be trying to replace what they lost.”

  “We’ll check for weapon thefts or purchases,” said Team 3.

  “Okay,” Chester added, “We can expect them to stop somewhere to get other supplies too.”

  “They’ll probably need cash so we’re looking at 7/11’s or liquor store robberies. Check the wires for robbery reports fitting this profile and time frame within an 80 mile radius. They can’t have gotten far and they need money and supplies.”

  “They have a wounded guy with them, they didn’t leave him behind and we haven’t found a body anywhere so they’ll need a doctor or at least first aid supplies.”

  “Where can you get all that stuff in one place?”

  “Wal-Mart?” someone called out, “You can get clothes, food, and camping stuff there. Some of those places sell guns too.”

  Another asked, “What about a big camping store like Bass Pro?”

  A quick web search told them most of the things they needed could be found in either store. “But Federal Firearm Regulations require background checks….”

  “Well that will put a crimp in their shopping spree,” someone said.

  “It will force them to resort to crime,” Marie responded.

  “These are desperate men and they will want to replace what they lost as soon as possible. Let’s assume they have a few weapons with them and remember they are one man down. That guy may not even be conscious and for sure he’s not shopping anywhere.” Lou summed up, “Okay, we’ve got killers on the run; they lost their car and supplies; they have one man badly injured; they know we’re close and they have to get rid of the recent stolen truck with its stolen plate and get another ride soon. They’ll probably have to rob again before they can go shopping. And they’ll have to shop before they hideout. We have a narrow window of high exposure, let’s move fast.”

  The task force members were all silent for a while. Then Chester said, “They’re going to grab what they can and then dive into the nearest rabbit hole, let their wounded guy heal, or maybe die, and regroup. They’ll stick to their comfort zone till the heat dies down.”

  “Yep, look for the nearest mountain range that’s their comfort zone,” someone called out. “Okay,” Lou said moving to the map, “where’s the nearest parkland or camping ground?” He started tracing routes with his finger.

  “They might head up Rte. 26 toward Unicoi Tennessee and hide out in the Cherokee National Forest,” someone suggested. “No, they’re gonna get farther away than that, they’ll head toward Kentucky and go west,” another suggested.

  Will said, looking up from his keyboard, “Our best bet is the Cumberland Gap in Middleborough. They’ll camp out there ‘til they think it’s safe to move. That’s the biggest park they can get to the fastest. It’s got dense forests, high mountains and lots of cabins. Not many people there this time of the year. Better contact the Tennessee and Kentucky State Police and let them know. We’ll have our plane ready. Everyone who’s going get your flak jackets and hiking gear.”

  PRESS RELEASE

  Hurricane, West Virginia

  At a joint press conference between the Hurricane West Virginia Police Department and the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit today, Chief of Police Chester Rugger announced a nationwide manhunt for a gang of serial killers is underway. It is believed they are responsible for the kidnapping and deaths of several young women across the country. It is believed that they are from this vicinity and may have roots in this area. Other female victims matching this profile have been discovered in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The names of these young women are being withheld to ensure privacy.

  Police and the FBI report that a car chase in Ashville, North Carolina, led to the discovery of evidence that could lead to the identification of these individuals. The men are armed and considered extremely dangerous. The public is asked to be on the alert for three men, one of whom is probably injured, dressed in hunting clothes. They may be driving a 2009 light blue Chevy Silverado truck with North Carolina license plate #MBK 2784. The public urged to exercise extreme caution, not to approach the men and to call 911 immediately. Descriptions will be forwarded to the media as soon as they become available.

  Across town, Edna Goodwin put down her coffee mug, folded the morning paper and stared out her kitchen window at a squirrel skittering up a tree. She was deep in thought. She had known this day would come and now it was here. Expression grim, she rose crossed to the phone, entered a number and waited. After three rings the call was answered. “We have a problem,” she said.

  CHAPTER 18

  INTUITION

  Her hair stuck out like silver porcupine quills, heralding the arrival of her newly disguised self. The beautician had argued with her. “Your hair is so beautiful” she had said, “… like an angel’s hair. Why on earth would you want to change it?” Her hair was shoulder length, pale blonde and curled naturally into ringlets that shone like pure gold in the sunlight.

  “I’m tired of it,” she lied, “I need a new look. I’m thinking about brown, what do you think?”

  “Oh my G-d,” the shocked hair dresser replied, “Seriously, you want me to dye your perfect blonde hair brown?”

  “Well, I want a change,” Gina responded, “Can you do some brown and leave in some blonde?”

  “We can low-light it,” the stylist offered hesitantly.

  Two hours later, with short cropped light brown hair streaked with blonde; she strolled out of the shop. ‘Well,’ she thought to herself if different was what you were going for, you got it!’ She saw her reflection in shop windows as she walked down the Chicago street and didn’t recognize herself. She didn’t like it and wondered what people at the hospital would say about it. She worried that they would be suspicious because it really wasn’t very pretty. ‘I’ll tell them I needed a change,’ she thought. As she walked along she tried out some different walking styles, longer strides, shorter ones. She put a swing in her step and tried exaggerate her small limp. In the end, she decided on longer strides and straighter posture, confident and hurried looking. She tried that for the next two blocks. Yes, she liked it. It looked different than her usual walk. She swung her arms at her sides and tried it for another block. Okay, she thought a new hair style and a new walk. Not bad for one day.

  Crossing the street she sprinted down the steps, boarding the metro, she recalled last night’s conversation with Tanya. She had opened with, “Hey, babe, aren’t you jumping to conclusions here just a bit? I get it that this Jake character was horrible and all that but that was years ago. How can you be so sure he’s still after you?”

  Gina remembered shrugging and saying “I just am. Do you remember in the coffee shop asking me why I didn’t talk to the Bakers anymore? Well, here’s the rest of that story. It happened just before I was scheduled to leave for Medical School. I saw him. Jake and his friends were cruising through Asheville, music blaring, smoke pouring out the windows of an old Ford. I could hear Jake chanting some stupid verse he sang out when he was hunting me down.”

  Gina mocked him, “‘Come out Come out wherever you are, Reggie Lee I’m looking for you.’ I heard him singing, that stupid killer song blasting right out the car window. He was sitting at a red light, looking for me and I was standing right there in a crowd crossing at the light! I freak
ed out! Right there in downtown Asheville right in the middle of the street he’s singing that stupid killer song about ME! I was terrified! I ducked into a store as they drove by and as soon as they passed I rushed to a public phone and called Mrs. Goodwin at school. It was then I found out a 19 year old girl named Rebecca Hallowell from around the Hurricane area had just been reported missing. I just knew that Jake was on the prowl. That he took that girl somewhere and that he was looking for me. That was when I realized he somehow knew I was in Asheville. I knew it was only a matter of time until he found me. Somehow he had connected me with Asheville and it was just too dangerous for me to stay there. In that moment I decided two things. I had to leave the Bakers and never return because to do so would put them at risk. I also decided that I had would change my name again. I had to detach myself from my birth-name and my adopted name. I had to leave the best family I had ever known. It broke my heart, but it had to be done. I had to protect them. I left for Chicago that week, legally changed my name to Gina Reynolds, cut off all ties with the past and started a new life here in Chicago.”

  After Gina finished her story, there was a long silence. Tanya had tears in her eyes and looked lovingly at her friend. “I just don’t know what to say to you, honey I have never ever met anyone who had a story like yours. It’s amazing, Jeez, You’re amazing. It breaks my heart to think of all you went through and look at you now! You’re a terrific person and nothing bad should ever have happened to you,” Tanya had reached her hands across the table to Gina who took them and smiled sadly at her, “I wish life was fair, Tawny, but we both know it’s not, right? Look at the kids we take care of. They don’t deserve whatever happened to them.” When Candy had come down for a glass of water, their conversation drifted off to Thanksgiving plans and the Hospital’s Holiday Party scheduled for the following month.