Chapter 19

Jenny sped home. Eric had been excited at the prospect of dinner with both his colleagues and his girlfriend. She rambled off a mental list of where to put her prizes so that no one would put together the connection.

“I should never have left them out in the open anyway; how stupid am I?” The murderess scolded as she stopped behind yet another bus. “The first couple of things were random, but the damned ball and ring are easily linked to my targets. I could put them in a safety deposit box, but that’ll cost money.”

She turned into her apartment complex and slammed her brakes to avoid her maintenance guy. The pot-bellied idiot was tinkering with his motorcycle in the middle of the lot. Jenny waited. He ignored her as usual. After two minutes, Jenny rolled down the window and asked him to move.

“Yeah, in a minute. I’m almost done. Just go around, that curb won’t hurt your car.” He replied.

The killer pressed the button and the glass rose with her temper.

“And it wouldn’t kill you to follow your own damned rules and do that in a fucking space, you dipshit.” She muttered to herself as she inched around the bike; the sound of her worn tires scraping the curb caused her to bite her bottom lip.

Jenny pulled into one of the guest parking spots; someone was in hers again. She sprinted inside to find a suitable location to keep her trophies before Eric came by. She opened her dresser drawers, closet, and cabinets. The slayer shook each option off: too easy to find, would seem an unusual location for the items, didn’t afford them the respect they were due, too difficult for her to get to, and so on.

Jenny flopped down on her couch and stared at the small pile of objects. The stone, piece of lumber, receipt, silver ring, and ball sat on the bookshelf beside her copies of The Chronicles of Narnia and The Shining. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Eric would be coming by in an hour.

Jenny Grand’s eyelids popped open, and she grinned.

“Of course.”

She stood and scooped all her treasures into her hands and went into the bedroom. Her cat followed her, weaving between her feet every few steps.

“Figment, not now. Mommy must put her things away. I’ll snuggle you in a minute.”

The killer set the evidence on her side table and lifted the large pickle jar full of change. She dumped two thirds of the pennies, dimes, and quarters onto her bed. She wrapped her tokens in a purple felt booze bag and placed them inside.

Figment batted at the mound of clinking coins as his human scooped handfuls over the top of the sack. Within five minutes, the bag was invisible inside the large jar of currency. With a scratch of the feline’s chin, the murderer left the room to wash the grime and copper scent from her fingers.

***

Only two days passed from when Jenny hid her trophies to when Lester returned to the store. As soon as the predator saw him, she was elated. Carrying her favorite knife but not using it had been very challenging. On her lunch break, Jenny brought Lester a sandwich and a soda.

“Here you go, Lester. I thought you might like a fresh lunch.” She smiled as she held the meal out.

“That’s nice, girly, but how about something with some kick to drink?”

Jenny pulled out a five and moved beside the homeless man. As he accepted the cash and looked over his good fortune, she slipped her knife—wiped clean of prints and wrapped in an old washrag—into his cart.

“I can’t buy alcohol when I’m at work; they’ll think I’m up to something. Have a nice day, Lester.”

“Yeah, you too. Thanks.”

The criminal stepped back towards the pristine store, ready to make her next step in the framing.

“Um, you don’t know if that boss of yours called the cops again, do you?”

Jenny turned and pulled her earlobe.

“I’m not sure, but if I were you, I’d move down the sidewalk a little further from the entrance. You know he always calls when he sees you panhandling.” She answered.

“Yeah, that guy needs to get laid. Thanks again, sweetheart.”

Lester gave her a genuine smile, picked up his meal, and pushed his cart twenty yards from the shop doors before sitting down to eat. When Jenny heard her manager calling the police about a beggar bothering his customers, she pulled off the second step. From the bathroom, the killer used a prepaid flip phone to make an anonymous call.

“Yeah, hi, this homeless guy has been mumbling about killing people. I don’t know if he’s for real, but he was saying something about an arrogant prick named Martin and something about blood. No, I don’t want to leave a name. He’s out front of the shopping plaza eating a sandwich and demanding money from people.”

The killer hung up, removed the battery, and pocketed her phone before returning to work. Fifteen minutes later a patrol car arrived. Jenny glanced out the sliding glass doors as she scanned and bagged merchandise. When the police officers touched his cart, Lester threw a wild punch.

Outside the cops grappled with the vagrant. Inside cheesy pop music played, and another round of samples were being offered. Once Lester was restrained and put in the back of the cruiser, one of the cops found the knife in the cart. Jenny could only see bits and pieces, but she knew her plan had worked.

The manager was pulled aside by the officers. Jenny finished another transaction. The savory aroma of roast beef in au jus wafted over from the sample station. Lester was shouting and flailing in the backseat of the Crown Victoria. A customer stacked colas and chips on the conveyer belt. The murderess smiled calmly.

“And how are you today, sir?” She asked the man piling snacks onto her register. She scanned and bagged the items quickly.

“I’m good. What’s going on out there?” He replied and pointed at the doorway.

“I’m not sure. I’ve been working in here. Probably nothing.”

The man shrugged and added a box of wings to the counter and checked his wristwatch.

“Well, as long as they don’t block me getting out. Game starts in forty minutes.”

“I don’t think they will hold you up. By the way, the chips are buy one get one this week; want me to grab you a fourth bag?”

***

Eric answered his phone.

“This is McGill.”

“Hey Eric, it’s Lee. I’ve got some news for you.”

“What’s up?”

Eric heard a shuffling, and the line was quiet a moment.

“Lee, what’s going on?” He asked.

“I can’t say much, but we have a suspect in custody. There was an anonymous call, and they found a knife in the bum’s buggy. I wanted to let you know. Gotta go, buddy, briefing in two minutes.”

“Thanks, Lee. See you for dinner later.”

“Yeah, and you’re buying, right?” Officer Lee joked before hanging up.

Eric put his phone on the counter, finished doing his business, and flushed the toilet. The cop washed his hands while staring at his own smile in the mirror.

“Jenny is going to be thrilled.” He told his reflection.

The lawman shaved and slid into a comfy pair of jeans. Snatching his keys off the hook he whistled on his way to the car. Some news was worth delivering in person.

***

Jenny felt a pair of rough hands cover her eyes and panicked; she ducked low and drove an elbow back into the person’s torso. Eric grunted as the wind was forced out of him. Jenny spun to find her boyfriend holding his stomach and sucking in a deep breath.

“Oh, Eric! I’m sorry, I just sort of freaked; it was a reflex. Are you okay?”

Officer McGill nodded and grinned as she reached out to help steady him.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry, Jenny, I forgot you don’t care for surprises.”

The customers and cashiers stared at the pair for a moment; several were chuckling at his expense.

“What are you doing here so early? I don’t get off work for another hour and our dinner isn’t until 6:30.” She inquired.

“I know I just wanted to give you some great news.”

The manager strode over to the silent register.

“Miss Grand, please ask your friend to speak to you after work.” He announced while wearing his plastic smile. “You have a growing line of customers waiting on you.”

Eric faced the supervisor and his stance adjusted to ‘cop mode’.

“I’m sorry to bother Jenny at work, sir. But I have important news about a criminal case that she is involved in. It will only take a few minutes for me to update her on the situation.”

McGill looked over the staunch manager.

“I’m sure that you would be more than capable of covering her register for those few moments. Thank you for your understanding in this matter, sir.” He continued as he led Jenny past her boss.

They walked briskly outside. The killer looked back to see her boss’s wide eyes as he was left with no alternative but to ring through the herd of patrons. As soon as they were out of the store she stared at Eric.

“What are you doing, Eric? You know he doesn’t like me; he’s going to find a way to write me up for this.”

“Jenny, its fine. That putz won’t do anything. Besides, this is more important. We have a suspect in custody.”

His palms lightly held her biceps as he watched for a response. The murderess blinked rapidly and beamed before hugging him tightly.

“You’re sure? You guys caught someone?” She asked.

He lifted Jenny off the ground and spun her.

“Absolutely sure. Lee called to let me know; they even found a knife on the guy. That’s all I know, but it’s a start.”

Jenny clung to her boyfriend and relaxed. She finally felt safe; her ploy had worked. Eric gave her a kiss on the forehead and a peck on the lips before she returned to her workstation. He left the store relieved that she wouldn’t have to be afraid anymore.

Her manager was fighting the computer when she got back. Apparently, he hadn’t learnt to use the new POS system. Jenny politely fixed the issue and took over her register without any comments.

Embarrassed, her supervisor went into his office and left her alone for the rest of her shift. The news that Lester the hobo was arrested for murder had spread by the time she clocked out. Jenny left work with a song in her heart from her wonderful day.

***

Eric and Jenny arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early. Jenkins showed up right on time, but her partner didn’t walk in the door for another fifteen minutes. Officer Lee slid into the empty seat and asked the server for a draft beer.

“Lee is always late, don’t mind him.” Eric teased as he handed his old friend a menu.

“I’m not always late. I am consistently forty-five minutes early for the wrong time zone is all.”

The group chuckled and made pleasantries while they ordered dinner. Jenny paid close attention to how they acted and what they said. She was eager to hear how her set up was going but knew it would be suspicious to ask.

“So, Jenny, how is McGill treating you?” Jenkins asked.

“He’s a gentleman of course.” She replied.

The rookie sipped her mango margarita.

“Not always, I hope.”

The killer flushed and shook her head.

“Let’s just say he treats me very well and I try to return the favor.”

Eric puffed his chest and leaned back in the booth.

“Maybe you two talking was a bad idea.” He joked.

“Why is that?” Jenkins taunted. “Don’t want the whole station to hear about your exploits?”

Jenny sipped her own drink and watched the trio of cops hassling each other for a few minutes. The conversation petered out and the topic she’d been waiting on came up.

“So, spill guys. What is happening on the case?” McGill asked as the spinach dip was placed in the center of the table. “Is this the guy?”

“Eric, you know we really can’t discuss the details; especially with Jenny here.” Jenkins interjected.

“Well, the news said you arrested a homeless guy after a phone call. I saw some officers cuffing Lester outside earlier; it isn’t him, is it?” The killer asked as she bit into a chip.

The table was quiet. Eric gawked at her. Lee and Jenkins shared a look and after a nudge, Lee answered.

“We aren’t certain yet, forensics has to say it’s the same knife and we need to check if he matches the profile, but yeah; the guy in custody is named Lester.”

“I didn’t know you knew this guy.” Eric asked with concern in his eyes. “How long have you known this Lester person?”

Jenny nibbled on the appetizer and stared at the table like she was trying to do complicated math in her head.

“He’s just this homeless guy who begs in front of the store a lot. He’s been doing it for months.”

Jenkins and Lee took deep gulps.

“But you didn’t know him well or anything, right, Jen? This guy doesn’t know stuff about you?” McGill prodded.

“I don’t think so. He isn’t really a people person. He likes to cuss at the folks who don’t give him any cash. Some of the regulars get into it with him, but Lester seems pretty harmless.”

Lee leaned forward. His middle pressed against the table as he spoke.

“Jenny, this is the same guy you were giving a donation to when we came by the store; are you sure he never followed you or asked you anything personal?”

She sat up straight and tugged on her earlobe.

“I don’t think so. I mean he followed one of the regulars to his car once because they got in a shouting match, but he never hurt anyone. Are you sure it’s Lester?” Jenny pushed.

Eric rubbed his fingertips on his forehead and closed his eyes. Jenkins put her drink on the table and pulled a small notepad from her purse.

“Jenny, was that customer named Martin?” She asked stiffly.

“I don’t remember; probably. Martin was a jerk to pretty much everyone.” Jenny paused for half a breath to add effect. “You really don’t think...”

Eric swore under his breath.

“Dammit. Jenny, this bastard could’ve killed you. He’s been sitting right outside your work for months.”

Eric slammed his fist on the table sloshing drinks and chip crumbs onto the lacquered surface. Lee patted his friend on the elbow while his partner flipped through the notebook.

“Jenny, did you ever see Lester anywhere else? Did he ever mention where he went at night?”

Jenny held Eric’s hand.

“I don’t know. He talked about the park sometimes and the shelter. We didn’t talk much. I gave him a few bucks once or twice. That’s all.”

Officer Lee tapped his partner on the shoulder and gestured for her to put her notes away.

“Eric, I think we may need to have this dinner another time. I think Jenny should come to the station. With the guy in custody, her statement may help us close this case. Sorry.”

Eric sighed and peered at his girlfriend. The group asked for their food to be switched to go boxes, paid, and headed for the police station. McGill left the restaurant anxious about how close the murderer had been to his lover. Jenny left with her enthusiasm for how smoothly her plan was running hidden under a facade of concern.