Chapter 27
It was another week before the police were able to arrest the shooter. Officer Lee called Eric from his cell phone to tell him which news channel to watch. Jenny fumbled with the remote and clicked on channel 8.
“Mr. Floyd is being held without bond after last month’s shooting. The methamphetamine dealer stands accused of injuring Officer Eric McGill and killing Officer Sasha Jenkins. Although off duty today, her partner—Officer Leopold Lee—was waiting at the station to watch Mr. Floyd’s arrest.”
Jenny muted the TV and turned to her recuperating boyfriend.
“Lee’s first name is Leopold?” She asked.
Eric chuckled and continued doing his physical therapy exercises.
“Yeah, but never call him by his first name; he hates it. He will go on for an hour about how crappy it is to name your kid Leo Lee. And then it’s another hour about names that he almost got stuck with that are even worse.”
“Like what?”
Eric finished his gentle stretches and rubbed his scarred stomach. The tension always hurt but it was a little less each day.
“Well his father was going to call him Amos Elmer after his grandfather and uncle. His mom insisted on Leopold Chester.”
Jenny clicked off the boob tube and ran her palm over the short scar. Eric grinned like a cat with a secret.
“Wow, not a lot of good names running through that family.” She remarked as her fingers traced the ridges of his abs.
McGill brought his hand to her face and pulled her down into a deep kiss. The couple shifted on the thick carpeting, careful to avoid pressure on the scar. Clothes disappeared like a magician’s trick and body parts entwined. Officer Lee’s unfortunate naming was forgotten for an hour.
Jenny’s only thoughts were of Eric and the pleasure to be found in bleeding Mr. Floyd the meth cook dry.
***
The killer lay nuzzled in the crook of Eric McGill’s arm. Both were slightly breathless and heavily relaxed. And each bore signs of rug burn from the beige carpet. Jenny pulled a throw blanket off the chair to cover themselves.
“Getting bashful on me?” Eric teased.
“Never. Just a little chilly from the ceiling fan.” She answered with a peek below the blanket at him. “Don’t tell me you’re not cold either; I can tell.”
They tussled playfully for a few minutes before settling down again. Leaning against the bed with Jenny’s head on his chest, Eric ran his fingers through her hair.
“Jenny, will you marry me?”
Silence.
Jenny listened to Eric’s heartbeat. He heard it pounding. For once her mind went blank. There were no logical arguments or worries. No fears or excitement. She opened her mouth and words fell out as natural as rainfall.
“Yes.” She said in a gasp. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
In the living room, the killer took a big swallow of spiced rum to calm her nerves.
What the hell are you going to do now? You cannot marry a cop. Serial killers can’t settle down and start a life with law enforcement; it’s insane! You have to call it off.
But I love him. Why not give it a try? Things are going well already, and we live together. Besides, I don’t think spouses can testify against each other. Or was that a movie thing? Besides, no one would suspect a cop’s wife of murder.
Jenny tilted the amber liquid into the glass and downed another gulp. The burning helped her focus on her feelings instead of the pragmatic part of her that urged her to flee. She could hear Eric imparting the big news to his buddy. She hoped he left out the more intimate details but assumed those would come out anyway. Best friends are like that.
“Sweetie, do you want a drink? I’m going to have a glass of rum to toast with.” She called.
“That is perfect. Thanks Jenny.” He replied and put his phone on the nightstand. “Lee will be here in twenty. He is going to put on some nice duds and take us out to dinner.”
The murderess handed her fiancé a glass of iced amber inebriation and sipped from her third. She hoped she could keep it together. Already the burning from the booze was turning into a pleasant warmth.
She hoped it would lessen her stomach cramps; her nerves must be getting to her. The happy couple dressed and finished their drinks before Lee arrived. As soon as she opened the door, Jenny blurted out.
“Leopold isn’t that bad. You really should go by Leo Lee more often.”