Fatal Hunt

by Kristy Walker

  It had started with wanting Kacey all for himself. The way her curls caught the sunlight took his breath away. Every time he was near her it was pure agony. It was a physical yearning to hold her in his arms that caused him to first think of it.

  If Dan was gone, she could be his. Only a few minor details would have to be worked out if only Dan were out of the picture.

  It wasn’t easy. Dan was, after all, one of the good guys.

  He loved Kacey and it showed. She clearly loved him back. But love is fickle. Get rid of the object of love and it will dissipate. Dan loved his church flock, he loved his extended family. He was involved in the community.

  Sometimes it bothered him that he had hated Dan so much. But he wanted Kacey and he didn’t care.

  But after Dan’s funeral, she left. It gave him time to think. Maybe Kacey was just a fantasy. He knew how good he had it. He had a wife who loved him and pretty much left him alone. He had kids that he adored, for the most part. Maybe Kacey wasn’t what he had been missing in his life.

  What he felt that he had been missing was excitement. And it was exciting watching someone die by his hands. It was exciting trying to find new ways so it wouldn’t get old. But, most of all, it was exciting doing it literally under the nose of law enforcement.

  No one would ever suspect him in a million years. He was too far removed.

  He looked at the photos he had stolen from Marsha Denard’s home from the last few department Christmas parties. He stabbed the photo with his index finger.

  “Bingo … you’re next.”

  He added the name to his freshly re-written list of intent. He had shuffled them around a bit and moved down. She could wait. He wasn’t sure if she was technically close enough to the equation, but he wanted a special death for her. One that would shake up things, and that he hadn’t tried before. It would be unexpected and divine.

  Moving on to the next name, he rubbed the back of his neck as he began to think of a new way to get rid of Angie’s husband.

  Chapter 62

  The detectives walked out to the front lawn to meet the officers and crime scene investigators who had just shown up. Dr. Forrester would arrive shortly.

  Officer Robb was paired up with a rookie until Jack was back in uniform. He took the initiative to show his partner how to secure a crime scene, as the young officer followed him around.

  “Aw, he’s cute.” Kacey said with a laugh. “He kind of reminds me of Thor.”

  “Little bit.” Mike wasn’t successful at all in hiding his laughter.

  Mike and Kacey walked back in to show the photographer what they wanted a shot of. Mike held her chin down as the man leaned in closely and took his photo. Mike then reached out for a pair of tweezers and removed a folded card from the woman’s mouth. He handed it to Kacey and she unfolded it to see that, yes indeed, it was the Queen of Spades.

  “Royal flush.” Kacey whispered. “Mike,” she said louder, “he is going for a Royal Flush. Donna … Ace of Spades; Alice … King of Spades; Colleen … Queen of Spades. He needs the Jack and 10 of Spades and he has it.”

  “You’re right.” Dr. Forrester said as he came in the room. “I thought of that after Alice.”

  He knelt down by Colleen and gently tilted her head to the side. He pointed at a place right behind her ear.

  “He took another souvenir.” The doctor said, referencing the other two women and the missing sections of hair.

  He leaned back, holding her head, as the photographer kept taking pictures.

  “There’s no sign of forced entry, or of a struggle.” Kacey began. “I think she probably let him in. Must’ve been a good date, if he got in without force or resistance.”

  “Right.” Mike walked past the men and women who were dusting for prints and looking for fibers and other evidence. “Here’s her laptop.”

  “And her purse.” Kacey looked inside and pulled out a cell phone. She pushed the home button and it opened right up. “No password.”

  She opened her texts and saw that she had several missed texts from work friends. At first they sounded angry, then worried. There were also several missed calls.

  Kacey opened up the internet and it opened up directly to “makeamatch.com”. She tilted the phone towards Mike so he could see it, then dropped it into a waiting evidence bag. The CSI tech took the phone and laptop and wrapped it up for evidence.

  Mike and Kacey walked all through the house and although nothing seemed out of order, they both agreed that something felt “off”.

  “Maybe it’s just that it’s been closed up for a few days.” Kacey finally conceded.

  “Maybe.” Mike began. “Let’s have Officer Robb and his puppy walk around and see what they find. Calvin is very good at sniffing out evidence.”

  “Stop.” Kacey hissed.

  Kacey walked over to the two officers and right off, she noticed that the younger man looked absolutely stricken.

  “Are you alright, Officer?” she asked kindly.

  “I will be, ma’am.”

  “Good. Calvin, did you two notice anything when you were securing?”

  “It was more what I didn’t notice. I think he’s getting smarter. There was no indication that anyone had even been here. No wine glasses, plastic water bottle, no rumpled furniture. Nothing.”

  “I think that’s what’s bothering me, too. Thanks. Oh, and Officer Bennett. It really does get a little easier, but not by much. If it quits bothering you, it’s time to get out.” Kacey nodded at the two officers and went back to where Mike was watching Dr. Forrester zip up Collen’s body bag.

  She really hated that sound.

  Kacey stood by Mike and covered her mouth as she yawned.

  “We keeping you up, Detective.” Dr. Forrester asked with a twinkle in his eye.

  “Not this time. Making a baby is hard work. I’m exhausted.”

  “I bet. All right, then?” He asked in his glorious accent.

  “Yep.” Kacey walked away before Mike could tease her.

  The detectives stood in the yard and watched the body that used to contain Colleen’s soul being loaded into the “hearse”.

  When the car pulled away, Mike went back into the house while Kacey stood watching the car drive into the distance, thoughtful.

  As she turned towards the house, something caught her eye. Just above the front door was a camera. It was very small and mostly obscured by the ivy that was crawling up the side of the house.

  “Mike!” she called through the open front door.

  “What is it?” He said as he swiftly walked over.

  Kacey pointed up above the door. Mike looked closely at it. He reached up and it came out of its bracket easily.

  “Homefront Security.” He read.

  “Interesting.” Kacey looked around to see if there were any more. “He’s actually at my house today putting finishing touches on the alarms. Want to go see your god dog?”

  “Always.”

  After Mike and Kacey had done all they could do at the scene, they left it to the techs and went to check out the progress on Kacey’s security updates and to question the Homefront Security owner about Colleen’s camera.

  Chapter 63

  When they pulled up, they could hear masculine laughter coming from the back of the house. Mike looked at Kacey with a questioning look on his face.

  “I think the crew has sort of adopted Thor for this job. They asked if he could be let out to hang with them, and, of course, I said ‘yes’. He loves the company and doesn’t have to be cooped up for long.”

  They came around the corner and entered the privacy fenced yard. Bill Front was on his knees in front of Thor playing tug of war with a rope that he had tied knots into both ends.

  Kacey smiled at the sheer cuteness of it all.

  Bill saw them and stood up, brushing the grass off of his knees.

  “I’ll miss this guy.” He said and walked over to shake their hands. “He’s a dandy.”

  “He is.
” Kacey scooped him up and Thor cuddled in.

  “You’re all set, Detective Yates. The alarms are ready to go, your cameras are all set up, and your motion lights are in place. We have tested everything, so all you need to do is set your password. I have it at ‘1111’, and the instructions are on your counter to set it for whatever you want.”

  “Thanks, Bill.” Kacey said. “By the way, have you ever done a job for a Colleen Sanford?”

  “I think so … sounds familiar.” He said as he rubbed his chin. “I’ll have to check for sure. Why?”

  “She was found murdered this morning.” Mike said, watching him carefully.

  The look of shock on Bill Front’s face couldn’t be faked.

  “You’re kidding?! … wait, that was a stupid thing to say. What happened?”

  “We’re not at liberty to say. Would you have time to go check to see if she was a client and when? Also, if she had a camera, we would like to see any footage.”

  “Of course, Detectives. I’m free now.”

  “Let me put Thor up, and we will be right there.”

  They watched as Bill Front got into his vanity car and ever so slowly backed out to head to his office.

  “That cracks me up every time.” Kacey said. “I bet he’s never had it over 40 mph.”

  Mike smiled and they walked into the house to put Thor up and set Kacey’s alarm. She told him the code and it made him smile. It was the date that they became partners. She wanted Mike to see it in case he ever had to let Thor out.

  “Aw .. you remembered.”

  “Yeah … Who could forget the worse day ever?” She said, faking a grimace.

  Once Kacey was sure the house was secure, she and Mike went to Homefront Security.

  They could see Bill Front rifling through his tall five-drawer filing cabinet looking for information on Colleen Sanders. He seemed almost frantic.

  Mike held his arm out in front of Kacey to stop her and pointed towards the window. They watched for a while until it seemed like he had calmed down. He sat down hard at his desk and leaned back. He ran his fingers through his hair and when he finally had composed himself, Kacey and Mike walked in.

  “You ok, Bill?” Mike said. “You seemed a little frazzled, there.”

  “Oh, yeah. I thought some of my files were missing, but I found them. Just got moved around. I panicked a little.”

  “Totally understandable.” Kacey smiled at him to put him at ease. “So, Colleen Sanders?”

  “Of course.” He swiveled his office chair and turned back towards the filing cabinet. He opened the last drawer and pulled out a manila file folder with an “S” on the tab and thumbed through it.

  “Here it is.” He quickly scanned the document before handing it over to Mike. “She had a personal camera put in over the front door. It’s completely independent of our offices and video feed. Only for her personal use. It’s one of those that if someone rings your bell, you can look to see who it is.”

  “Ah.” Kacey said. “When did you install this and is there a way to get past recordings?”

  “Two months ago, and no. It is only a live feed.”

  “All right. Thanks, anyway. And thanks for taking care of my house. Your crew seems to have done a great job.”

  “You’re very welcome, Detective.”

  “I’ll especially miss your dog sitting service.” She said with a laugh.

  “Well, I’ll miss the little guy.” Bill said with a smile.

  As the detectives left, Mike was still not satisfied with the man’s reason for his frantic behavior.

  “I don’t know, Kace.”

  “Well, nothing we can do about it at the moment. I’m hungry.”

  “No!”

  “Watch it, or I’ll use my fists of fury on you. Just get me fed.”

  Mike drove to the diner which was conveniently located a couple of blocks down from the Homefront Security office.

  Chapter 64

  Mike walked through the long hallway of Willow Branch Memorial Hospital. The smell of the yellow roses he was carrying almost covered the sharp antiseptic smell that lingered on every floor.

  His shoes squeaked embarrassingly because of the freezing drizzle that was happening outside. No matter how much he had wiped his feet on the rug inside the door, they still squeaked. He winced with every step.

  He stepped through Jack’s door and was pleased to see her sitting up and out of the horrid hospital gown and into one of her own.

  “Way to be stealthy, Parker.” Jack laughed.

  “Yeah. Good thing I’m not Black Ops.” Mike grinned and added. “You look great!”

  “Thanks, I actually feel pretty good. They said I could be discharged tomorrow morning. They just want to do a couple of labs and my stitches come out this afternoon. Can’t wait for that. Can you come get me when I’m discharged? Cindy went back home last night and she has to work tomorrow.”

  “You bet. Call me and I’ll come get you.” He put the flowers on the bedside table.

  He went over and gently pulled her to him. She moved in and just let him hold her. He kissed the top of her head and reluctantly let her go.

  They sat awhile just talking. He filled her in on their dating site murders and she listened carefully, interjecting and clarifying as he went. He loved just listening to her voice.

  A shock of realization went through his body as he realized that he couldn’t imagine his life without her. He resolved then and there that it was time to go ring shopping.

  He kissed her on the cheek, and left to meet his partner for breakfast.

  Chapter 65

  Kacey was already sitting in the back booth enjoying her fresh cup of coffee. Steam rose up and warmed her nose as she took her first sip. She wrapped her cold fingers around the cup and let the warmth spread through them. The smell of the fresh coffee beans awakened her senses and she began to feel more and more human.

  The baby had been moving around a lot more and was keeping her awake. She didn't know it was elbows or knees, but they were trying their best to prepare Mommy for sleepless nights to come.

  Not to mention Thor and his dreams. He must’ve run miles last night in his little doggy mind. Sometimes she wasn’t sure if she had a dog or a donkey. Maybe she shouldn’t have let him start sleeping on the bed.

  She smiled at the thought of a little boy or girl chasing poor Thor around the yard. He would probably love it.

  “I would love to know what you are thinking about right now.”

  Kacey looked up quickly, surprised. Captain Wells sat across from her.

  “Oh, I was just daydreaming a bit. I’ve never seen you here before.”

  “I thought you and Detective Parker came here for at least one meal a day and was hoping I would catch you both.” The Captain turned around in the booth.

  “Is he meeting you?”

  “He is supposed to. He went to check on Jack first. I was just going to eat either way. Join me?”

  “Sure, why not? Might as well see what all the fuss about this place is.”

  The waitress came over to take their orders.

  “Get the French toast.” Kacey suggested.

  “I’ll have that and coffee, please.” The captain wasn’t a foolish man. He respected experience.

  “I’ll have scrambled eggs and extra bacon, please.”

  “You got it.” The waitress said around her bubble gum.

  “I just wanted to fill you in a little on my case. You deserve to be kept updated.”

  “I appreciate that, Captain.”

  “At Officer Bishop’s house, we found a ‘hit list’, if you will.”

  Kacey gasped.

  “I know. Your husband was first on the list, then Marsha, followed by Emily. My ex-wife was to be the next victim. She is at my house currently. So, we know that we can 100% rule out a hunting accident for Dan. We kind of knew there was more to it than that, but couldn’t verify it.

  “The suspect used several different pens, s
o we think that this list is still growing. He, or she, is adding as they go. Detective Boaz and I are certain there will be more names. We are looking at anyone who had a spouse die by our hands, or maybe who has been incarcerated for life. There were no prints on the list and it probably fell out of a pocket. That’s where we are now.” He looked at Kacey and when he saw her stricken face, he felt like the biggest jerk ever.