Chapter 18
“All right people, we’ve got a hot trail again.” Detective Glass announced. “Our perp left us a few clues at last night’s victim’s place.”
Officer McGill sat straight with his pen hovering over his notepad. Jenkins, Lee, and a few other officers listened to the update around him.
“Our killer has progressed to attacking their victim inside his own home. Mr. Martin Culpepper was savagely murdered in his basement man cave.”
Glass pinned the crime scene photos to the board as he spoke.
“However, this time the attack was chaotic, and the mess was cleaned up with items from the home instead of with bleach like the other murders. Forensics confirmed it was the same blade, though.”
Jenkins raised her hand.
“Why the change in M.O. then if it’s the same person?”
Agent Wales coughed and took over.
“This looks like our suspect acted out of impulse instead of planning this time. He or she was not prepared to hunt last night but was compelled to do so. As we’ve already said, this killer diverts their anger and frustrations with their own life into these murders; they may have had an event set them off yesterday.
A loss of job, dating failure, anything to arouse their annoyance. Add that to their having gone awhile without a victim and it’s almost like sating a need.” She explained.
“So has this changed the profile?” Eric asked.
“It has narrowed it down.” Wales continued. “Our suspect has either been unable to commit any other murders during this lapse in bodies—such as being incarcerated—or they have attempted to cease their obsession. Last night they let loose on this victim. Our killer must have had direct contact with this man recently.”
She pointed to the pictures of the remains.
“Before the incisions were all very deliberate and controlled. As you can see, this time our suspect slashed almost wildly at Mr. Culpepper. The few strokes that are controlled are shaky as though she was nervous. The killer knew striking someone who could be traced back to her was a bad decision but was compelled to act anyway.”
“Did you say the serial killer is female, ma’am?” Asked McGill.
Dr. Phelps cut off his partner before she could respond.
“It is a possibility. However, we cannot be certain.” He answered as he threw a stern look at Wales. “The fact that the victim was castrated as part of the homicide points to a female perpetrator. The traditional profile for these kinds of killings points towards a male, though.”
Hands shot up. Phelps deftly waved them off.
“We have more information to relay. Save the rest of your questions for the end. Agent Wales please continue with the facts of the case.”
“Very well; we’ve expanded the profile to include someone under additional duress recently who seemed to have additional time on their hands between murders. Also, forensics has been able to locate a long black jacket belonging to the victim; it was found discarded in a dumpster five blocks away and covered in the victim’s blood.
Following this lead, other dumpsters in the area were also searched and an apron belonging to the victim was also found. The lab is working on finding any other leads from these items: a hair, skin cells, perfume residue. We believe the assailant wore these items to prevent being seen after the murder.”
Eric and his colleagues scribbled furiously into their notepads as the profiler took a moment to post other crime scene photos.
“Our suspect and this victim are linked. Your job is to discover that link and locate sufficient evidence to get this bastard off the streets and in a cell. That’s all we have for now. Thank you.”
As the police officers rose to examine the file notes, Detective Glass called Eric over.
“Yes, Detective, how can I help?” McGill offered as he joined Glass in the hallway.
“Officer McGill, I know IA cleared you, but I also understand you have been seeing one of the other witnesses. I’m afraid I have to remove you from this case as a potential conflict of interest.”
“Sir, my relationship will in no way...” Eric threw up his hands to argue.
“I know you think that, Eric, but I’ve got to play this case by the book. It’s not personal; you’re a great cop. But you have to understand how it could look to a jury when we finally catch this sicko.”
Detective Glass patted Eric on the arm and frowned. Eric nodded as his argument trailed off.
“I get it. I just want to get this creep behind bars and out of my neighborhood. Jenny is going to freak when she hears this sick puppy has struck again. She always gets weird after he does; it’s like she thinks he’ll come after her next. Promise you’ll catch him fast?” He conceded.
“I promise on my badge I’ll do all I can to keep your girlfriend safe.”
The detective held out his hand and Eric gave him the notepad full of case notes. An hour later, all his files and notes had been turned over to Glass and Officer McGill sat poring over reports of theft, drugs, and domestic abuse. His mind still ran through the one case he couldn’t touch.
***
Jenny was whistling as she checked her Facebook updates. She was confident that her hobby remained a secret. The killer stretched her arms over her head, smiled, and went back to glancing at the random pictures of meals, children, and pets.
“I cleaned up the mess so I’m sure I’ll be fine.” She wiped her sweaty palms on her legs as she talked to herself. “I’ve always been careful enough to get away with it; this time wasn’t as planned, but I think it will be okay. Don’t you think so, Figment?”
Jenny looked around for her cat and saw only a tuft of tail peeking out from the top of the bookshelf.
“Fine, don’t listen to me. Sleep some more.” She clacked loudly on the keys of her laptop. “Eric will be over soon, and I can’t tell him about my worries, but YOU, mister lazy cat, need to sleep a full twenty hours a day.”
Knock knock knock.
“Speak of the sexy devil.”
The murderer hurriedly unlatched the door and welcomed her boyfriend with a kiss. McGill was still in uniform and paused before entering the apartment. Jenny felt the hairs on the back of her spine form a conga line of alarm.
“Everything all right Eric? You look like you might get sick.”
Eric sat on the edge of the couch and fiddled with the brim of his hat. Jenny sat beside him, fearful of what he had to say. She replayed the previous night in her mind as the silence stretched on; had she screwed up?
“Sorry, Jenny. I know I should’ve stopped home to change before we go out, but something happened, and I wanted to talk to you in person.”
The killer felt her eyes widen as she shrank back. She was certain he knew. Jenny was sure Eric was building up to making the accusation and arrest her. Her heart thrummed in her ears and pounded to get out of its ribcage.
“Just tell me, Eric.” She muttered as she slid her left hand into her pocket and caressed her favorite knife. “I’m listening.”
The policeman cleared his throat and kept his gaze locked on his fidgeting hands. The killer eased the blade out of her pocket and prayed she wouldn’t have to use it. She wasn’t sure she could kill Eric, but she certainly didn’t want to get executed by the state either.
“Last night there was another murder. It’s the same person as before.” He put his hand on her knee and looked up into her eyes. “We finally have some leads to work with.”
Jenny discretely dropped the weapon between the couch cushions and took his hand in both of hers.
Play it just right and find out what they know. Mess this up and you’ll spend the rest of your life on the run or in a cage.
“So, you know who the murderer is?” She asked.
Eric’s face brightened.
“Not yet, but we have evidence to follow. Bloody clothes and stuff from the victim’s house. This guy, Martin Culpepper, knew the person who offed him. They just must figure out how. Soon this wacko is going to be getting sentenced to lethal injection and you won’t have to be afraid anymore.”
Jenny pictured the trial with Eric testifying against her, the bare cell she would reside in for years, the prick of the needle going into her arm. She rubbed the inside of her forearm but the imagined IV still hurt. She was ruined.
“Sweetie, are you okay? I know this is a lot to hear, but it will be over soon. I promise I’ll keep you safe from this guy.”
Eric wrapped his brawny arms around her, and the killer let her body collapse into them. Unbidden tears leaked down her face and onto his pressed blue shirt. McGill felt relief that his girlfriend was so happy. Jenny cried for the life she was losing because she let her emotions get the best of her.
***
She needed a stooge. Jenny glanced around at her work at the other employees and customers, sizing up a likely candidate to be framed for Martin’s murder. The killer knew it was her best shot; set up someone else with ties to her latest victim. Even if it meant giving up her knife.
“Hello again, Mrs. Norris. Did you see the sale we are having on cat food today?” She asked the elderly woman.
“Oh yes, of course, Jenny. I’ll need one of your stock boys to carry two bags over and out to the car.” Mrs. Norris replied as she waved to Bailey.
“I can get those for you, ma’am.” Bailey offered as he rushed down aisle six.
“Such a sweet boy that one.” the customer remarked as the killer scanned the rest of her items. “It’s nice that the store gives kindhearted folks like him a job.”
“Yes, it is.” Jenny agreed.
Bailey arrived with two large bags of cat food and held them for Jenny to scan before placing them in the old woman’s cart. He smiled and waited as they finished the transaction.
“Can I load these in the car for you, Mrs. Norris?” He asked.
“Of course, sweetheart. You are such a good boy.”
Bailey grinned and led the customer away. Jenny watched him taking slow steps so that Mrs. Norris could keep a hand on the cart for balance.
The world needs more people like Bailey and fewer like Martin. I only regret not killing that prick sooner.
The hum of her belt bringing more goods towards her snapped Jenny from her reverie. She spent another five-and-a-half hour trying to find a decent patsy and came up empty. Then she found Lester.
***
Lester was outside the store begging for change when Jenny’s shift ended. He smelt of urine, cheap rum, and dead leaves. The homeless man waved his makeshift sign at customers entering the store and cursed at the ones who didn’t toss him a coin or two. The killer looked at his rusted shopping cart full of bedding, soiled clothes, and drive thru bags. Tiny bottles peeked out from Lester’s possessions.
The murderer smiled and gave the ranting man a five-dollar bill just before Officers Jenkins and Lee arrived to ask Lester to cease his harassment of customers. Jenny was startled to recognize the pair. Lester withdrew towards the park with only a handful of words about squatter’s rights.
“Hello, Jenny, is it?” Officer Lee offered his hand as the stench from Lester dissipated.
“Yes. You’re friends with Eric, right?” Jenny answered as they shook hands.
“It was nice of you to give that guy some cash, but you really shouldn’t encourage panhandling.”
She shrugged one shoulder and adjusted the strap of her bag.
“I know. But Lester just causes more trouble if you ignore him. Besides, one day he may actually do something good with his life.”
Like keep me from getting executed for the common good.
Jenkins and Lee shared a quick look and shook their heads. Jenkins spoke first.
“Eric’s lucky to have such a caring girlfriend.” She said.
Jenny felt herself blushing at the wrongness of their assessment; she was fine with living a dual life, but this made her feel dishonest. The murderer grasped in her mind for something to say to get out of the conversation.
“That’s nice of you to say.” Jenny looked at the hipster burger joint behind the cops. “You know, Eric speaks so highly of you; we should all have dinner together sometime.”
“That would be great.” Officer Lee answered. “I can’t speak for Jenkins, but I think a nice steak with the lady who has McGill smitten as a schoolboy sounds great.”
“Of course, I’m in, too.” The rookie agreed.
Jenny panicked mentally but pressed on with the niceties.
“Perfect. I’ll call Eric when I get home and we can all get together later this week.”
The trio waved and parted: the cops to answer another call and the killer to hide her trophies from prying eyes.