Dying to Meet You

by S. C. Stokes

  “What do you think, Kasey?” Bishop asked.

  “I had the same problem at Hudson Road. Got the drop on me too. Size sounds about right but no clue on the ethnicity,” Kasey lied.

  If it was Danilo, he’d be European, so the suspect certainly sounded promising. She picked up the pace.

  “He’s matching your speed, Kasey. Not getting too close but not going away either.”

  “Alright, I’m almost at the station. Let’s see what he does.” Kasey hit the stairs two at a time. Reaching the turnstiles, she swiped her Metrocard and made her way onto the platform.

  “He’s taking the stairs, Kasey. We’re about to lose sight of him. Morales, have you got eyes on him?” Bishop called.

  Morales was pushing a janitor cart around the subway station in a bid to remain undetected. “Sure do. He’s just exited the stairwell. He’s swiping his card now. He’s hot on your heels, Kasey. He’ll be on the platform any second now.”

  “The train isn’t here yet.” Kasey whispered. “I’m going to make my way down the platform to buy some time.”

  “Good thinking, Kasey,” Bishop replied. “Collins and I are heading to ambush alley. We’ll see you there.”

  Kasey snuck a glimpse over her shoulder in time to spot her tail as he entered the station. The hoodie hid most of his face in shadows, but Bishop wasn’t wrong—he was massive. He wouldn’t have been out of place in a college football defensive lineup.

  He was carrying a bag slung over one shoulder and a newspaper in his hand. She still had no idea what Danilo’s face looked like, but her tail was certainly big enough for her to believe he might be the were-beast from Hudson Road.

  Kasey wove her way through the press of people on the station’s platform.

  “Hey!” A jostled businessman shouted after her.

  Kasey paid him no heed. She looked down at her watch. One minute. Kasey sensed her tail closing in. Where she’d had to wiggle and weave through the crowd, the man moved like Moses through the Red Sea as commuters parted to avoid being trampled.

  Morales whispered over the comms, “He’s still closing, Kasey. Hasn’t taken his eyes off you since he hit the platform. I’m moving to assist.”

  Morales abandoned his cart and made his way onto the platform, seeking to intercept the killer.

  A whoosh echoed through the subway tunnel as the train pulled into the station. In horror, Kasey realized she had run out of platform and the train was still pulling in. No, no, no.

  She glanced behind her. Her stalker was still moving toward her. Her pulse raced and she could feel her heart thumping in her chest with every beat.

  Closer and closer he came, with Morales hot on his heels. There was a screech of brakes as the train came to a complete halt. Kasey tapped her foot impatiently. With her hand inside her jacket pocket, she rubbed the shard of Odin’s spear for reassurance. She imagined for a moment what it would be like to summon the spear’s power in the middle of a crowded subway station. Doubtless it would shock her stalker. Likely Morales too.

  While the spear gave her comfort, she would need to wield it with care. Arthur Ainsley’s vague warning about discovery still rang in her ears. No, the spear wouldn’t help here. Instead, she found herself begging for the doors to open.

  The doors parted, answering her silent prayer.

  She leapt onto the carriage as her stalker came within reach. Weaving between passengers, she made her way up the train. Here in the narrow confines of the subway car, the stalker’s size was a disadvantage.

  Still he pressed forward. Kasey moved into the second carriage and snuck a glance over her shoulder.

  Danilo was only a few steps behind. As he made his way into the next car he collided with a commuter rising from his seat. Danilo bounced off the commuter and hit the floor.

  Kasey raised her eyebrow.

  “Son of a…” he called out, rising to his feet, only to come face to face with a man who dwarfed even him.

  “Easy, tiger, you ran into me. Why don’t you take a seat and stop shoving your way through the car? You can have mine. I’ll be getting off soon anyway.” The man pointed to the seat he’d just vacated.

  All eyes turned to watch the altercation as the two men sized each other up. As the attention mounted, the stalker looked around the carriage weighing his options. When the commuter didn’t back down the stalker took the offered seat.

  “Appreciate it, thanks,” Danilo answered, taking the seat. His tone told a different story, but it was apparent, he had little choice in the matter.

  “You’re welcome.” The commuter waved then disappeared through the crowd.

  As he did so, Kasey recognized the familiar face of Officer Henley staring back at her. Henley snuck her a reassuring wink. In his plain clothes, it had taken her a moment to realize just who had come to her aid.

  A voice in her ear whispered, “Johnson here, Chase. We have half a dozen officers on this train. If he makes a move, we’ll drop him like a sack of potatoes. Rest easy. We’ve got your back.”

  Kasey’s sigh of relief was audible. Turning away from her tail, she whispered, “Thanks, guys.”

  “Don’t mention it. It’s what we do,” Johnson replied.

  With Henley running interference, Kasey was able to catch her breath. Danilo glanced at her periodically, but he made no further effort to close the gap.

  Kasey could have made her way down the train but that wouldn’t have served her purpose. She needed Danilo to follow her when she got off. If he lost sight of her, the entire trap might fall apart.

  Instead, she stayed in her spot, pulling out her cell to distract herself as she tried to calm down. She would need her wits about her as the most dangerous part of the entire operation still lay ahead. They had found their man, but they still needed to lure him away from the crowd. That way they could take him down without posing any further threat to innocent bystanders.

  She flicked through her messages. One from her sister, Sarah, “Hope you’re feeling better, Kasey. I’m here if you need me.”

  Another from her parents read, “Sarah told us you were working with the NYPD. Sounds like a change of pace. Anxious to hear more. Dinner on Sunday?”

  Typical Sarah, Kasey thought with a laugh. She’d already spilled to mom.

  Kasey had been waiting for things to settle down before she broke the news to her parents.

  The subway car slowed as it approached the station.

  She whispered into her mic, “Alright, we’re here. How are you traveling, Bishop? Tell me you are in position?”

  “We sure are, Kasey. Collins and I, along with more than a dozen of New York’s finest. Others are forming a perimeter out of sight.”

  “Good. The train is stopping. I’m bringing him to you now,” Kasey whispered.

  “Henley, Johnson. Bring your boys at a distance, just in case. If he makes a move on Kasey before she clears the station, put him down.”

  “Got it, detective,” Johnson replied.

  Kasey still hadn’t spotted the elusive Johnson, but she was sure he was hiding out somewhere on the subway car.

  As soon as the doors opened, she was through them. It took all the self-control she could muster not to turn around and check for her tail.

  “The target has disembarked.” Johnson informed them. “He’s still in pursuit, Kasey. Take it away.”

  “That’s a shame,” Kasey replied. “I could really use a bathroom right now.”

  “Kasey!” Bishop’s voice cut in. “Don’t you dare deviate from the plan. We’re here and waiting. Bring him to us.”

  “I know…I was just saying I could use one, that’s all. I’m coming up now, be ready,” Kasey replied as she swiped her Metrocard and kept moving. She reached the stairs and started her climb.

  Reaching the alley, she didn’t even pause. She simply turned right into it and meandered, so she would still be visible when her tail reached the entrance.

  The cluttered corridor also ensured Kasey could du
ck and hide should the need arise. If Danilo tried to go to ground, he’d find that he was cut off and hemmed in.

  “We have eyes on you, Kasey. Keep it coming,” Bishop called through the ear piece.

  Reassured, Kasey pressed on.

  “Suspect is at the alley’s entrance. He’s looking around,” another officer announced.

  Take the bait, Kasey willed silently. Just a few more steps and the pain and stress of the past few days would be behind her. What was more, the victims and their families would have closure, knowing the animal who’d killed their loved ones had been brought to justice.

  “He’s in,” Johnson’s voice called through the ear piece. “He’s coming your way.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Kasey turned to face her would-be killer. His sandy hair stuck out from beneath the black hoodie. Kasey could see the recognition on his face as he spotted her in the alley. Even from where she was standing she could see the corners of his mouth twist into a smile.

  Her feet froze as fear overcame her.

  Her stalker locked eyes with her and reached for his shoulder-bag.

  Kasey’s ear piece exploded. “He’s reaching for his weapon. Take him down.”

  Her stalker called to her, “Kasey Chase…”

  All around them, building doors burst open as the NYPD sprang from their concealment. Bishop and Collins led the charge, guns in hand. Johnson and Henley appeared at the alley’s entrance, sealing off any escape.

  Surprise was visible on the stalker’s face. “What the…”

  “Hand’s in the air,” Bishop called. “You’re under arrest. Drop the bag and put your hands in the air.”

  The stalker looked around at the police closing in around him but didn’t move.

  Two NYPD officers tackled him to the ground. Rolling him onto his chest, they cuffed his hands behind his back.

  The stalker finally found his voice. “What is going on?”

  Bishop continued reading him his rights, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can be used against you in a court of law.”

  Kasey made her way over. His shoulder bag lay next to him. Curious to see what it contained, she picked it up and opened it. Inside were a stack of manila folders, but no weapon.

  Expecting them to be new targeting dossiers, Kasey pulled out the stack. Her name appeared on a printed label on the top folder.

  The stalker looked up from the ground and spotted Kasey with the folders in hand. Wheezing from the weight of the officers pressing him to the pavement, he called out, “Kasey Chase… you’ve been served.”

  At that, he gave up and rested his head on the pavement.

  Bishop looked at Kasey. “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

  Kasey scowled, holding up the folders. “I don’t understand…”

  “He’s not the killer, Kasey,” Bishop said, blowing a strand of hair from her face. “You’re being sued. That’s why he was following you. He’s not our man. He’s a Process Server.”

  “Sued?” Kasey asked. “What on earth for?”

  She tore open the folder and read the document.

  “That little mongrel. It’s John Ainsley. He’s suing me for damages relating to his injury.” Her voice was a mixture of irritation and disappointment.

  All their effort and planning had been for nothing. If anything, the killer had likely watched as they’d showed their hand.

  “What do we do now?” Kasey asked.

  “We toss this clown in a cell while we make sure his story checks out. It might just be a cover. If it isn’t, we’re back to square one. Let’s get you back to the station so we know you’re safe,” Bishop replied putting her arm around Kasey.

  “And what about this?” Kasey asked, waving the paperwork.

  “I can’t help you with that. I’m a detective not a lawyer,” Bishop said.

  Kasey shook her head. A lawsuit on top of everything else. It was just too much. She turned away, worried that she would tear up in front of her colleagues.

  An arm wrapped around her shoulders. It was Bishop. “Don’t stress. We’ll find you a lawyer…and we’ll find the killer too. The plan was good. We executed it perfectly. Now we just need a new one.”

  “You’re right. Thanks,” Kasey said, fighting to suppress her tears.

  “Ride with us back to the station. It’ll give you some space to relax and get yourself together. You’re doing great. Don’t beat yourself up.”

  Kasey nodded and followed Bishop to the car. The ride back to the Ninth Precinct was a quiet one. Kasey couldn’t bring herself to read the lawsuit she was holding in her hands.

  She just got irritated every time she thought of it.

  So much for Arthur keeping him off my back. Hopefully if we nail Danilo, he’ll keep his word. If not, I guess I’ll go hunting for a lawyer.

  Bishop pulled up to the front of the Ninth Precinct. “Okay, Kasey, I’m going to leave you here, hun. Head inside and get some sleep. We’ll work out the details in the morning. I need to get some rest. You should too.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I’ve barely slept in days. I could use it,” Kasey replied.

  “Whatever you do, you’re not to leave the station, Kasey. Understood?”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know the drill,” Kasey muttered.

  “Good. Head on inside. I’m going to talk to Agent Collins for a moment,” Bishop replied.

  Kasey couldn’t help herself. “Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”

  She grinned as she opened the door.

  “Get out of here, you,” Bishop said turning a little red.

  Kasey leaned down to the window. “Oh I’m out of here all right. I wouldn’t want to interrupt any inter-departmental liaising.”

  Bishop rolled her eyes and Kasey laughed as she turned for the station.

  “Night, Bishop!”

  “Night, Kasey,” Bishop said, rolling up the window.

  It was almost seven and the station was settling into its evening roster. Kasey made her way down to the morgue to avoid having to speak to anyone about the day’s failure.

  Kasey’s stomach growled as she entered the morgue.

  “Wow! Didn’t realize how hungry I was.” Since she was stuck in the station, take out was her only option. Pulling out her cell, she punched #3 on her speed dial.

  “Hello, Stomboli’s Pizza, this is Giuseppe. How can I help you?” His sonorous voice came booming down the phone line.

  “Giuseppe, it’s Kasey Chase. I was wondering if I could get a pizza?”

  “Ah, Kasey, of course you can. Am I right in supposing you would like your usual, the large pepperoni pizza?”

  “Sure would, Giuseppe. I think that will hit the spot nicely.”

  “Very well. Are you coming to get it, or shall I have it delivered?”

  “Delivered, please. I’m stuck at work. So, if you could have it sent down to the Ninth Precinct, that would be magic.”

  “I certainly can, Kasey. It’s the middle of dinner so we are being swarmed, but rest assured our driver will have it to you in a half an hour.”

  “Thanks, Giuseppe. You’re a lifesaver.”

  “Anytime, Kasey. Enjoy your evening.”

  The cell line went dead, and she placed her phone on the counter.

  Seeing the stack of folders on the counter, she picked them up with both hands and threw them across the room. She’d taken her best shot at nailing Danilo and it had all come to naught. Not to mention, she was being sued by John Ainsley.

  Reaching into her pocket, she clutched the Shard of Odin so hard it almost split her skin. How she wished she were face to face with John now. The lawsuit would have to wait, though. In the scheme of things, it was still the lesser of her afflictions.

  Danilo Lelac was out there, lurking in the shadows. Sooner or later, he would come for her. Spear of Odin or not, she still had no idea who he was in human-form. One wrong step and she’d end up like the victims lying in the drawers of the mo
rgue. The constant vigilance was taxing her physically, emotionally, and mentally.

  This has to end.

  She paced the floor. There was no way they could bait Danilo into another trap. There was every chance he’d watched and laughed at their failed sting attempt. No, we need to go on the offensive.

  Determined she must have missed something, she went over to the drawers and pulled them open: Beth, Brandy, and Kelly. As she studied the bodies, she ran through each of the murder scenes in her mind once more. She had been over Beth’s several times and was confident nothing had escaped her attention there.

  Likewise, the hit and run where Brandy had died had failed to yield any insights. Her vision had led her to Hudson Road which had been a blessing. It had almost cost her life but at least she knew what she was up against now. It was a shame Brandy hadn’t gotten a glimpse of Danilo; the car’s headlights had obscured any hope of learning his identity. So close, but yet, so far.

  Kasey walked over to the third drawer. Kelly Sachs. Bishop had been too eager to get Collins to safety, so Kasey had been robbed of the opportunity to examine the scene. Kasey badly wanted to pick apart that apartment. If Danilo had been lying in wait for a while, it was possibly he had left some clue behind.

  For a moment, she contemplated sneaking out to revisit the scene of the shootings.

  Bishop will kill me. I best wait until morning.

  She had never considered herself afraid of the dark but knowing there was a Werewolf lurking in the shadows was certainly weighing on her nerves.

  As she stared down at Kelly’s body, Kasey realized that in her haste she had not examined her. In fact, she’d never laid a hand on her.

  A vision, Kasey thought. Perhaps Kelly had seen something Collins had missed. Right now, anything will help. Anything at all.

  Timidly Kasey reached out and touched Kelly’s arm.

  Nothing happened.

  Kasey recoiled as if stung.

  What? Of all the times my gift has been a curse, now it chooses to be silent? Kasey was in disbelief. She reached out again and grabbed Kelly’s arm. Still nothing.

  Kasey stormed away from the drawers in frustration.