“Nina, I’m here, is everything okay?” She called out.
“I’m up here.” Nina yelled down from the office.
Making her way upstairs, Priscilla felt the creeping wave of unease wash over her. If she were ever the type to believe in a sixth sense, this one would have been it. It was like clockwork. It wasn’t good news, she knew that much. There was no way she would ever come to terms with what she was about to learn.
“Priscilla, sit down please.” Nina spoke softly. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying. It appeared that she had been crying for some time.
“Nina, what is wrong?” She pleaded.
“They found another body this afternoon. She was one of ours.” Nina broke down into sobs. “Priscilla, it was Megan.”
Priscilla gasped for air as she tried to play the words through her mind. There was no way. Megan was her friend and she would still be here tomorrow when she called her.
“No! No!” She screamed. Tears ran down her cheeks at an alarming rate.
Nina stood up and walked to her. Circling her arms around her, she let the younger woman cry. This had to come to a stop, they were losing everyone and at this point it had nothing to do with business. They were all from her club. “Priscilla, I need you to be extremely careful. If you have to go somewhere, please do not go alone. Take someone with you. The police say they are working on it, but there are more deaths. Obviously they can’t be everywhere.”
“Megan can’t be gone, Nina. She just can’t. She was the one real friend that I had since I’ve been here.” Priscilla was still crying and finding it hard to breathe.
“We will get through this. Megan would want you to be strong. What we have to do is keep you and Abi from being the next victim. I wish you had some place that you could stay other than your apartment.” Nina told her.
“I don’t. It took me long enough to get in there and feel secure. Now I have to worry about that again. Not only at home, but anywhere that I go. Why is this person doing this? I don’t understand.” She cried.
“Me either, Mija. Me either.” Nina spoke softly to the younger woman.
Outside of the club there was no common connection to the dead women. The detectives were baffled, there were no clues and nothing left at the crime scenes that linked them, other than what they already knew. They were employed at the same place. They had all been found within fifteen feet of each other. There had been no sexual assault on any of the women and they all had been killed in the same manner. Strangulation. The police conducted interview after interview and realized that any of those that had been considered suspects were now dropping dead themselves.
“If you don’t want to stay at home by yourself tonight, you are welcome to stay at my place.” Nina offered.
“No, I think I’ll be okay. Changing things up would be allowing this monster to win.” Priscilla told her. “Could you take me to get my car now, please?”
“Yeah, let me grab my bag and double check the backdoor.” Nina replied.
Nina took her to pick up her car and told her she was going to follow her home. When the cars came to a stop, Nina told her to go straight in. This wasn’t something to play with. A serial killer was targeting her girls and now Priscilla was one of them. Priscilla promised her that she wouldn’t answer the door or leave for any reason until morning.
“Thank you for the ride. I need to get in and try to process this. Megan was the best friend that I have ever had. We had each other’s backs and I failed miserably.” Priscilla said, the sadness crawling through her voice.
“You couldn’t have prevented this, do not let guilt eat you up. Stay strong and we will figure this out. I am calling the police in the morning and seeing what we can do about upping patrols around the club and at you and Abi’s homes. These weren’t only strippers, they were mothers, daughters, girlfriends, sisters.” Nina told her. “At some point they are going to have to announce on the news about a serial killer. That’s what this is no matter the reasons.”
“I don’t understand it. The more I think about it, the more it boggles my mind.” Priscilla said as she opened the car door. “Good night, Nina. Please be careful yourself.”
“I will sweetheart.”
Priscilla made her way back to her building. Now she hated the fact that there was a building between her and the parking area. It was well lit at least and she could see. Making her way quickly upstairs she locked the door behind her as she entered. Sleep would not come easy tonight. She was mourning the loss of her friend and praying she wouldn’t be the next victim. There were only two left from the night crew that was disappearing. Herself and Abi.
Pouring herself a glass of wine to relax, her phone rang, scaring her. “Who the hell would be calling at this hour of the morning?” She said out loud to the empty apartment. Looking at the screen on her phone she read the name, Adam Linston.
“Adam, is everything alright?” She asked without saying hello.
“I was calling to ask you the same thing.” He replied.
“Ugh, no it’s not. Not at all really. There was another murder and this time it was my best friend. Megan. I don’t know what to do and I am scared and upset.” She told him. “I don’t feel safe in my own home and I can’t go anywhere without watching everyone. This is crazy. None of these girls did anything to anyone, Nina hasn’t done anything to anyone.” She broke down in tears as she vented openly to this man who was essentially a stranger.
“I know this is going to sound insane and forward, but I think you should get out of there. You do not need to be staying by yourself right now. Not permanently, only until they catch the person responsible for these killings. Priscilla, listen to me, if it keeps up you will become a victim.” Adam stated.
“I can’t just pick up and leave, Adam. I have no one here. I had Megan, until tonight. Nina is calling the police in the morning to see if they can have extra patrols through here.” She told him.
“Extra patrols are great, but unless there is an armed guard with you at all times, how safe do you think you are? Do you feel safe now?” He was starting to get frustrated.
“No sir, I do not. I can’t afford an armed guard. I want to be able to live in the privacy of my own home, live my life with the freedoms I had before. It all makes me wonder if it wouldn’t have been better for me to be homeless on the street instead of taking this damn stripping job.” She was pissed. At herself and at the world.
“Wait, what? What about being homeless?” He questioned her.
“All of this and you pull the almost homeless part from it?” It was her turn to be perturbed with him. “Of course I wouldn’t expect someone with your financial status to even be able to comprehend that.” She spit the words out before she could control herself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.” She said, sounding genuinely contrite.
“My financial status and what I comprehend are two different things, Ms. Barnes. Do I make myself clear?” He said angrily.
“Yes sir, I didn’t mean to say it.” She said softly.
“You have to understand that for whatever reason, I want to keep you safe. Not just because I believe the murder of any human being is inherently wrong, but because I am quite fond of you. I wouldn’t normally admit that, but you have a stubborn streak that I am totally not used to in my women.” He said.
“I’m not one of your women. Let’s be clear on that. I don’t take orders well, I don’t follow directions well and I for damn sure will not be on some fucking leash like a dog. Am I understood, Mr. Linston?” She practically screamed into the phone.
“Okay, okay. I took that too far. I accept when I have screwed up.” He apologized.
“This is not going the way it should. I know you are concerned, but I seriously cannot pack up and go. Not like you could. You have to understand that.” She said in a much calmer tone of voice.
“Come here. Stay here until this monster is behind bars.” He stated.
“I can’t stay there. I don’t even
know you.” She argued.
“There’s enough room here that we wouldn’t even have to see each other if we didn’t want to. The only time we would absolutely need to interact would be on nights that there were parties held, if you agreed to dance again. Other than that, nothing. That part is up to you.” He told her.
“Let me go to sleep. I will call you when I wake up and we can talk about this. I am not in the right frame of mind to be discussing anything, especially moving into your home. Mansion. Castle. Fucking fairytale. Whatever we choose to call it. It’s way out of my league.” She stated flatly. The fight was out of her but the sass remained. She was too exhausted emotionally, mentally and physically to fight with him, or to even pitch her side of the argument.
“Call me as soon as you wake up.” He said. The phone beeped as he hung up.
“What the hell was that?” She thought to herself. Too tired to even shower she laid across her bed and fell asleep. Clothes and all. “Yeah, because it’s my house and my rules. Fuck a leash.” Was her last conscious thoughts.
She woke up to a hard knock on the door. Her eyes half closed she made her way to the door and opened it. In front of her were Detectives Ward and Tony. Beth Tony started to speak first. “Ms. Barnes, apologies for the early morning visit. We need to talk to you for a moment if you could.”
Struggling to open her eyes, she replied, “Of course. Come in.”
Mike Ward told her, “With the current situation you probably do not want to open your door to just anyone like that.”
“Detective, you are correct, but how do you know that I didn’t look through the peephole in the door?” She responded. It was too early for condescending bullshit and she hadn’t had a cup of coffee. “Make yourselves at home, I have to put a pot of coffee on.”
The two officers walked in and looked around. She knew that it was something they just did. Detective Ward particularly interested in her surroundings. That angered her to no end. Here was a killer out there somewhere in the city and he was more interested in looking at her things, as if she were a suspect. That’s when he started to speak. “Ms. Barnes, where were you last evening between seven and midnight?”
“Me? I was working last night.” She replied truthfully.
“Working? But you weren’t at the club when we were there.” He said.
“No, I have a side job that I just started, ironically, last night.” She responded.
“Where are you employed on the side? Sorry for all of the questions, it’s just something that we have to do.” He told her rather snidely.
“I don’t know the exact address, but I can give you the business card of the man I was working for.” She said.
“Let me get this straight. You were working a side job, somewhere that you don’t know the address or location, but have the business card of the man that hired you?” He asked sardonically.
“Yes, that would pretty much be an accurate description of what I just told you.” She was less than impressed with his demeanor. She made a mental note that the female detective, Beth Tony, hadn’t opened her mouth.
“Ms. Barnes are you aware that prostitution is illegal in the state of Florida?” He asked her.
“Who the hell said anything about prostitution, Detective Ward?” She responded. “Drawing conclusions of your own might be a job skill that you need, but you couldn’t be farther away from the truth.”
“Well what else would you be doing?” He snapped.
“Ward, take it easy. You’re going overboard.” His partner said quietly.
“I was dancing, Detective. Dancing. That is all, at a private event. Does that make you happy?” She retorted.
“Look, I don’t need your sarcastic crap right now. We have murders that we are trying to solve. You work with all of the victims, you were financially unstable until recently, and we have to investigate all avenues.” He told her.
“Perhaps you should think about trying to find someone to protect me? I’m obviously on that list to fucking die. Do you think this doesn’t bother me? I considered these women my friends. Especially Megan Dryer. She was my best friend.” Priscilla said. She was trying to stop the tears that were filling her eyes but it was to no avail.
Detective Tony shot her partner a look that would kill. “Ms. Barnes, I am sorry for your loss. All of your losses. In essence he is correct, we have a job to do and that is to find out who is responsible for all of these murders. We have a news conference this afternoon to announce a possible serial killer. It isn’t easy. It can’t be easy for you.”
“While I appreciate that, even if you were investigating me as a possible suspect, which I highly doubt, the old saying you attract more flies with sugar than vinegar, sure does ring true for this visit.” Priscilla replied.
“You have our cards, if you hear anything or need anything, do not hesitate to call one of us.” Tony told her.
“It sure wouldn’t be him.” Priscilla said sarcastically.
“Good day, please stay vigilant and safe.” The detective told her.
Walking out of the apartment complex, Beth Tony looked at her partner and asked him, “What the fuck is wrong with you? You can’t do that.”
“You know, I know it’s my job to find this guy or woman for that matter, but really, what is the loss of a few skanky ass strippers? No sweat off my back and most of them have criminal records anyway. Honestly, other than hours, I’ve lost no sleep at night.” He said.
Detective Tony didn’t even respond to her partner. There was nothing to say. He needed to recuse himself from these cases. If that’s how he felt about another human being, then he was in the wrong profession.
Walking back to their car, she looked at him and said, “The problem I am having with these cases is the fact that there is zero evidence. Not even a partial fingerprint, no DNA, no shoe imprints or anything.”
He took a deep breath and replied, “I know. It’s the only troubling thing about this.”
Seeing how she was so rudely awakened, she decided that she better call Adam. She told him she would first thing. He didn’t seem like the one to anger so much.
“Good morning. You’re up earlier than I anticipated.” Adam answered her call.
“Not by choice.” She sputtered. His voice sent chills through her. That wasn’t a bad thing.
“Are you okay?” He asked, concern filling his words.
“I’m fine. It was the police detectives. Not sure why they were here, other than finding out where I was yesterday. Or last night rather. That Detective Ward is a work of art.” She told him.
“What did he do? Sometimes they irk me with their practices.” He said.
“Just his attitude with me in general. A total prick if there ever was one.” She replied.
“You know, I really wish you would reconsider our conversation last night. If I’m in fear of your life, perhaps you should be too.” He said gently.
“Adam, I don’t know what to do honestly. I sure as hell do not want to end up dead. On the other hand, I don’t want to live in fear of being alone either.”
“I understand that. I have to come into the city today, let’s meet and grab lunch. Please?” He asked her.
“I don’t see a problem in that. I’m supposed to work tonight at Nina’s, but I’m even scared to do that.” She admitted.
“Then don’t go. Call her and explain why, I’m sure she would more than understand. There is someone out there trying to kill her girls.” He said.
“Maybe we could stop by and see her this afternoon? If it isn’t too late when you get in?” She questioned.
“That’s fine with me. We’ll see if she doesn’t agree with my idea as well.” He laughed.
“Don’t do that, you already know that she will.”
“Yes, she will and so would any sane human being on this planet.” She could hear the smirk in his tone. It was better than his anger, that’s for sure. Funny thing though, while feeling a slight bit threatening even his anger wasn’t
scary.
“I’ll see you then.” She replied.
CHAPTER EIGHT
At the downtown precinct in the Homicide Unit, Beth Tony was frantically trying to piece things together to stop yet another murder. There was something that she was missing that she couldn’t put her finger on. It wasn’t going to stop her, she hadn’t worked so hard for her career to say, “I give up.” If she worked long enough, she would find the tiny piece of the puzzle that she had been searching for. After hearing her partner say what he did today, she wasn’t involving him any more than was required. He didn’t care that these women had families and friends. All that mattered to him was the fact that they were ‘skanky strippers’. Not to her. She had known many women that put themselves through college by dancing. It didn’t make them bad people.
“Tony, give it up for the night. Don’t you have a life outside of this department?” Ward called as he walked back into the room.
“Well, you’re still here so there’s no room to talk. Why are you here anyway?” She asked.
“Thought I would traipse through and see what was going on.” He replied.
“Surprise, surprise, nothing. That’s the problem. Absolutely nothing. What are your thoughts on the whole thing? Not the misogynistic crap you were spewing today. You’re professional opinion.” She asked.
“I don’t know. There is nothing to go on at all. We’ve watched how many hours of security video both from that club and neighboring businesses and from the park. Unless we know where the murders are taking place, we aren’t going to have anything to go on. It’s almost as if someone knows exactly what we need to look for and find. That part is disturbing.” He said seriously.
“Yeah, I had thought that also, but it would mean that the person responsible for killing these women was somehow tied to law enforcement. Even so, we will find them eventually. No one is perfect and they slip up. I can only hope that it’s before another life is taken needlessly.” She stated.
Mike Ward picked up some files from his desk and opened the top one. In it was a photograph of Zena Wilkins. He did the same with the other two. Diamond Jacquere and Megan Dryer. Reading through each report, he closed them and shook his head. Tony could work on these, he didn’t want to see them. Maybe she was right and he should take himself off of the case. He didn’t want to do that because he would be out of the immediate loop. Laying them back down, he picked up his jacket and walked out the door.
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