Guarding Light (19 page)

   Feeling shaky, she shrugged, seeking eye contact. "Well, as long as everything is ok."

   He looked at her then and crossed the room to take her in his arms. "Sweetheart, everything is fine." Finding comfort in his arms she allowed him to tilt her chin and kiss her.

   When they came apart she stared into his eyes, probing. "You would tell me if something were wrong, Jack?"

   His arms dropped and he turned to put on his jacket. "Of course I would. Now let's get going." He handed her a travel mug of coffee and picking up a second one he turned towards the door, passing her on the threshold. Catlyn noted that he didn't meet her eyes again.

****

   Catlyn's morning went fairly smooth. She gave her statement to the officer and picked her assailant out of a lineup, signed the papers.

   Jack remained with her the whole time, holding her hand. She had expected him to hide the fact that they were together when around colleagues or police officials but it didn't seem to bother him who knew. Not that anyone would have said anything. Jack was very protective of her and didn't allow anything or anyone which resembled a threat near her. He touched her subconsciously betraying his familiarity with her and her body.

   After they finished in the main police station they went across the street to Jack's office in the Tower Building. In the outer office they met up with Tasha, who started imparting a barrage of information to Jack as he continued to walk into his office just beyond Tasha's.

   Jack took off his suit jacket and started his computer as he answered Tasha. "Cancel my meeting with Bonnie Riddly. And reschedule my appointments an hour later. If anyone can't do the hour later let them know I will call them later in the week to reschedule with them. I will be in the conference room in a meeting with the FBI and the task force for the next hour or so."

   Tasha was writing and when Jack stopped talking she looked up and asked. "Did you eat breakfast?"

   Jack gave her a look. "Yes, Mom. I had the breakfast of champions. And I slept well too. Anything else Mommy?"

   "Don't you sass me boy." Tasha told him with a southern drawl.

   Tasha then smirked at Catlyn and said very unenthusiastically. "Mornin'"

   "Good Morning, Tasha."

   Tasha gave her a glare, walking out of Jack's office and closing the door.

   "Why'd you lie? You didn't eat anything for breakfast, and certainly not the breakfast of champions."

   Jack gave her a very big smile. "I most certainly did have a breakfast of champions and it was delicious."

   Catlyn frowned. "But you didn't eat anyth…" She abruptly stopped when she understood the direct look Jack was giving her. She blushed furiously, her cheeks heating fast.

   Jack laughed. "Baby, I love it when you blush." He crossed to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Besides, I shouldn't be the only one blushing to death."

   Catlyn accepted his kiss and gave him one of her own even though she was annoyed. "You can't even see my blushes. How do you know when I am doing it?"

   Jack thought but couldn't come up with anything more than, "I just do."

   Catlyn rolled her eyes, "Great. One of my defense mechanism doesn't work on Mr. Perfect."

   Jack laughed as he took her hand and led her to the murder room.

   They were not the first to arrive. Detective Anderson and his partner Detective Rider were already seated at the large conference table with other members of the task force. Catlyn didn't know any of them but she would be introduced in this meeting.

   Agents Washington and James approached Catlyn when they saw her come in with Jack. "Agent Lyte, Ma'am, are you ok? Agent Sanchez filled us in on your attack last night."

   Catlyn smiled at the probationary agent. "I am fine Agt. James. Thank you for asking."

   Jabaria James was an eager to please agent that tested very highly in all categories at the Bureau. Catlyn admired her drive, quick wit and what seem like an un-exhaustible reserve.

   Sharonda Washington was quiet almost a recluse when it came to joining in any kind of gathering that included her coworkers. But her work was steadfast and successful. She may not use the exuberance of Jabaria but she got the job done with just as much success. It was what made them a good team. Like Catlyn and Sanchez. There were things about them that were the same and even more that was different. It was how they got the bad guys more often than not, as a team. Catlyn knew it was the main reason the Director had paired them all together. They would get the job done or die trying.

   Agent Washington gave her a smile and a nod to show her support. Catlyn introduce them to Jack.

   "Chief Gard, thank you for understanding. There was no disrespect intended when we arrived in your jurisdiction." Sharonda extended her hand in apology.

   Jack shook her hand and smiled. "No offense taken. We are all on the same side and want the same thing, this guy in a body bag or behind bars for life." The sentiment seem to make its way around the room by way of approving nods and heartfelt affirmatives, someone even said, "Amen, chief."

   Sanchez nodded his good morning to both Catlyn and Jack, holding up the morning paper he practically growled, "Have you seen this crap?"

   All Jack had to do was read the headline and byline to guess the frustration Sanchez must be feeling. The headline screamed at Jack:
Newburgh City Slasher Still at Large, Claims 5 Victim.
As if that was not enough the byline made him pissed. By Sara Mint, Staff Reporter.

   Tasha had joined them and she said over Jack's shoulder. "Looks like your girlfriend is causing trouble again Jack."

   Catlyn did a double take. "Girlfriend?" She stared at the byline. "Sara Mint is Sara Dolson?" At Jack's nod she continued. "She married Daniel Mint? The Goldback's widereceiver?"

   Again Jack nodded. "So many things have changed. I bet Sam is married too." Catlyn smiled as she thought of one of her closest friends married and possibly with kids.

   Jack and Tasha frowned. "What's wrong?" Catlyn asked looking back and forth between the two who grew more pensive by the second.

   Jack squeezed her hand comfortingly. "Sam was murdered during a robbery 25 years ago. He was working the overnight shift at the gas station he used to work. It was such a senseless crime. Sam was the only one working, all they had to do was take the money and run. But, I guess, Sam must have resisted. He was beaten to hell and his throat was slit. That was about four days before you left."

   "Oh, my God!" Catlyn was disheartened to think her friend never got any older. He was such a decent human being. He had helped her a lot once his sister Sara had taken Catlyn under her wing. Sam had protected both girls and treated Catlyn like his little sister.

   "Did they at least catch the guy?" Catlyn shook her head in astonishment, still -after all her years in law enforcement- not understanding the atrocities people committed against one another. She supposed the very second she did understand was the second she needed to resign.

   Jack shook his head. "It's a cold case."

   Tasha went to the head of the table, asking all the people present to take a seat so that they could get started with the meeting, passing around note pads.

   Catlyn studied her old friend. Tasha was covering for Jack, giving him time to recover himself from his reminder of Sam. Not sure how she felt about Tasha knowing her boyfriend so well, Catlyn added her own form of distraction to get Jack's mind off Sam.

   Catlyn let her catty side come out to play. "Oh, look, dear, your office wife is protecting you. Isn't she cute?" Catlyn blinked her eyelashes sweetrly at Jack.

   Jack came out of his funk, smiled at her silliness and whispered in her ear, "I do believe my little Kitten has claws." He gave her cheek a kiss before going to the head of the table to start the meeting.

   Catlyn stayed in the back, choosing to stand against the wall. The meeting was in full swing when Tasha joined her. Each department took a turn updating the task force of all pertinent information. The room was full. Patrol, forensics, media liaison, M.E.'s office, state police, FBI, lead detectives, D.A.'s office and even the Chief of Police's right hand man, the entire task force was in attendance.

   Tasha whispered to Catlyn, "He gets upset about Sam. He always thought there was more to it than robbery. Sam had been stabbed 42 times and his throat was slit. Jack said that kind of rage has got to be personal."

   Catlyn's brow furrowed. She couldn't imagine Sam inciting anyone to that much anger. His general good looks, position on the football team and his 'boy next door' disposition meant that he was well liked by all. The girls liked him, wanted to be his girlfriend and the guys liked him, wanted to be his best friend. She remembered Jack telling her once that Sam was the good kind of friend that you could ask for anything and he would do his best to comply. And that Sam liked everyone until given a very good reason not to. It didn't make sense. Maybe after this case she would look up Sam's case file.

   Jack was done with his spiel as the last of the group added their update. "At this time, I'd like to hand this meeting over to the FBI, specifically Supervisory Special Agent Jose Sanchez who has a more detailed profile of the suspect or in FBI lingo the UNSUB, Unknown Subject… Agent." Jack indicated Jose should take his place at the head of the table.

   Jack took Jose's seat. Jose began with ease used to speaking publically. "First off, this profile comes from Dr. C.L. Light, a renowned doctor in the fields of Behavioral Analysis and Abnormal Psychology. The doctor has helped with the successful capture of several serial rapists and a couple of serial killers. The most notable of these cases is the Day Stalker rapes/murders in Wildwood, NJ ten years ago."

   "Oh, man. I remember that case. I followed it because my parents had a summer house in Wildwood and we vacationed there for two weeks every summer." A uniformed officer called out, adding. "The doc was right on the money about the killer's description."

   Jose smiled. "Dr. Light tends to be right almost always. Now, we are looking for a black male or black male mixed with another race. He is older than his victims, between late 30s to late-40s. He is charismatic and able to blend. Two of the victims were taken from their homes. Although there were signs of a struggle there was no sign of a break-in. These women let him in and didn't know they were in trouble until it was too late."

   "How is that possible? He has to look a little off?" Another uniformed officer spoke out.

   Jose addressed the officer. "Actually, he doesn't
look
crazy or off. He is able to hide his rage and hatred of these women. Our victims remind him of someone, someone no longer within his realm for whatever reason. He's acting out his disgust and anger towards his fixation on these women who have the misfortune to resemble her. His rage stems from a rebuff or rejection whether real or imagined it's very real to him." Jose flipped a page of his notes and continued. "He is exacting and precise. He may have a job that is detailed oriented and may be time sensitive, a job needing satisfactory results. Also, his job may have odd hours since he was able to take his victims at varying hours."

   "So is this guy crazy or what? Is he going to stop?" The media liaison asked.

   "Dr. Light believes our UNSUB will continued until he is captured, killed or the original target becomes available to him. As for crazy, that will be determined by the courts when we catch him. However, he doesn't think he's crazy he believes he has been wronged and is setting the record straight."

   "Should we be looking in cold case files or old closed ones to find an M.O. similar to these murders?"

   "A preliminary search spanning 15 years revealed no matching cases." Jose finished up the detailed profile and asked for any more questions.

   "We've established the bodies are being dumped and the victims were not tortured and killed there. Why is he choosing the City of Newburgh as his dumping ground? Is he from here?"

   "Although Dr. Light believes he may have lived in Newburgh once or is very familiar with it, he does still live or work here now." Jose answered.

   "So why dump them here? What point is he making?" Detective Rider asked.

   "It's more like him putting her back where he found her when he's done with her. That is why each victim was found within only a few blocks of each other. The victims live here as does or did the original target he is fixated on."

   "Although a lot of the torture, beatings and all the rapes were done while the victims were alive, there was just as much damage done post mortem. Is he into necrophilia?" M.E. Turro asked.

   "He was simply not finished with the victim, anger not yet spent."

   "Uugh, that's nasty!" The same uniformed officer exclaimed.

   "He's a very nasty perp. He's smart, methodical…" Jose paused, making eye contact around the room. "…and winning."

   There was a poignant silence before Jose continued. "Dr. Light believes the UNSUB has had some type of formal training, possibly military or security and is unmarried, owns his own home with no immediate neighbors. He has to have time for all he is doing to the victims, undisturbed time. So, that means no wife, kids or nearby neighbors."

   "So he doesn't gag his victims?" Another detective asked.

   "He likes hearing their screams."

   Several more questions were asked and answered. The meeting finally broke up and the conference room cleared with the exception of Jack, Catlyn, the other FBI agents and Detective Rider.

   He walked up to Catlyn. "I just wanted to formally introduce myself, Detective Sgt. Carl Rider." He offered his hand.

   Catlyn shook his hand, smiling, "Nice to meet you Detective Rider, and thanks for the backup at the bar and grill."

   "Not a problem."

   Catlyn went to take her hand back but the detective held it. It was then Catlyn became aware of his hypnotic stare. He stared at her with something like worship and pain mixed. Catlyn pulled more insistently at her hand. He held fast and continued to stare.