Lauren (8 page)

Lauren gathered her stuff and took a quick drive to the Metro North railroad that bordered Merritt College on Riverdale Ave.

After questioning some other homeless people, she was finally able to locate Willy O. At least that's what they called him on the streets.

Lauren walked through the filthy area of garbage and cardboard homes to where Willy O apparently hung out.

Knowing she had ‘cop’ written all over her, she wanted to make certain they knew her purpose for invading their area. She also wanted to make sure they knew she meant business but wasn't looking to lock anyone up.

She questioned every individual she came across and each of them seemed more determined than the next to give her a hard time and send her on a wild goose chase. Ultimately, it proved to be a tactic to convince them that she meant Willy O no harm.

She was just about to give up when Willy O appeared out of nowhere. “The pretty cop lady. I knew you'd come back. I could see it in your eyes. You believe me.” He moved a little closer.

Lauren was prepared to take the guy out if necessary, but she truly felt he would do her no harm.

"You want to know who killed Louie?"

"I want to know what you saw. I want to know everything.” She stood with confidence, despite the little sensation of fear in her gut.

Willy looked at her suspiciously. “What's in the bag?” he asked, without breaking eye contact.

"The drink you asked for.” She paid close attention to the fact it appeared Willy O was a bit intoxicated already. He ended up knowing a lot more than she'd expected.

Sitting on an old, beat up wooden crate, Lauren took out her notepad and wrote down the description of a possible suspect in Louie's murder.

"Louie told me that he was sitting behind the garbage dumpster.” Willie took a slug of the drink, closed his eyes, then smiled as the scotch slid down his throat. “Louie said he heard the truck pull up, a horn honked, along with some banging against the truck."

"Okay, then what?"

"A woman ran from the vehicle, and a guy was chasing her."

"What did Louie do?"

"He wasn't gonna do nuttin. Liven on da streets is tough. No good payin tention—no good.” Willie shook his head, then took another slug of scotch.

Lauren waited patiently, not wanting to push him, but also wanting answers.

"Louie, the damn fool, yelled out. Tri scarin the guy, but it didn't help. Da man took the girl anyways,” he slurred.

She got the rest of the information from Willie, and when she was certain she had everything, she thanked him, then headed back to the precinct.

"You did what?” Tom didn't hide his anger at her, outside in the parking lot of the 53rd Precinct. A few fellow detectives and officers passing by turned their heads to look.

Lauren could just imagine what went through their minds. “Listen, Lieu, I had a gut feeling. I told you this. So let me tell you what I found out."

"That was a real stupid, fucking gung-ho rookie move you pulled. What if that guy tried something, then what?"

"Tom, I'm fine and he didn't try anything. Besides, you know I'm prepared and fully trained."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just tell me about your incredible info."

"Willy O said that this guy, tall, black hair, dressed in jeans, and a black t-shirt, had been fighting with this woman in his truck. She got out somehow, and he was following this young woman, trying to grab her and force her back into the truck. Louie yelled out just trying to scare the guy, but instead the guy looked at Louie, and grabbed the girl anyway. Louie winds up telling Willie O what happened, and two nights later, Louie's dead and we're at the crime scene.” Lauren looked around her to be sure no one was in earshot.

"But the best is this: Willy O claims that he saw a guy close to the same description around the area earlier, driving a white box truck. The kind for deliveries."

"So you're thinking this case could be connected to the other one you're working on?"

"Definitely. Remember, leave nothing to coincidence. I need to find out who the woman was that this guy took. If it matches Renee's description, then there's the connection. I have the description of the guy and possible make of the vehicle, which matches the one from Ridgewood."

"So this guy asks for a drink. You give it to him, and you get all this?” Tom asked, looking flabbergasted.

"I hate to say it, but..."

"Don't even go there, Phelps. Good job. Now lets run it by the Boss and see what he wants us to do."

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He loved her laugh. It was youthful and bright. She was adorable with long golden locks. Her arms were toned and muscular, and she seemed a little tough. That was exactly what he craved tonight. He smiled and could tell she was lost in his gaze. She blushed and turned away, but only slightly. His stomach twitched with the feelings of anticipation. He absorbed every ounce of her.

A special beaded dragonfly hairclip held her hair behind her ear. He acknowledged its beauty. She was so perfect for tonight. Her lobes held a single pearl stud earring, which matched the single pearl pendant around her creamy white neck.

He tried to control his thoughts, but the images of his plans and fantasies flashed through his mind like a slideshow.

Imagining his tongue on those lobes and wrapping his hands tightly around that neck, he began his fantasy.

She would dance with him, cheek to cheek. He could almost feel her against his body and changed positions in his seat. All body parts were at attention. His stomach muscles tightened, his groin ached, and he nearly lost his breath.

Smiling at her, he gently took her hand, and kissed it.

She shyly pulled away, and placed her hands on her lap. He leaned back, noting her reaction, and planned his games.

He would tie her down spread eagle. She would more than satisfy him. He sensed it.

The bar was crowded, drunks everywhere. The music was doing a number on his ears, but he focused on his mission.

The blonde excused herself a moment to use the ladies’ room before they left. He had her. His cool, suave moves had instantly made her putty in his hands.

He reached into his pocket to pull out the precise amount of Ecstasy. He would not want to overdo it. Craving a challenge tonight, he questioned for a moment whether he should use the drug.

He carefully placed it into the glass of white wine.

She returned, lips glossy and pink, and she was blushing ever so slightly.

"Finish your wine, beautiful, and we'll be on our way."

"I don't know. I mean I really don't know you, and my friends..."

"Your friends are having a great time. We'll talk a little more, then we'll go."

He played the game so well.

As he scooted the stool closer to hers, he drew her in deeper, then gently placed his hand on her thigh. The heat was intense and she felt it, too, he was sure of it. She licked her glossy pink lips, and he cupped her chin in his hand.

"You have the most kissable lips,” he whispered, then moved his face closer to hers.

He was gentle as he placed his lips over hers, a small sample of what he desired. He was careful not to overdo it and released her lips, then kissed each cheek, slow, softly while staring into her eyes. He finally ended the gentle trail of kisses near her earlobe.

"You're delicious,” he growled in a low, sexy voice that seemed to heighten his prey's arousal. She turned from him to take a long sip, finishing her glass of white wine.

With each lie, each claim of valor, he beat down their innocence, their ability to follow their gut. It gave him great pleasure to have that power, and as the drug kicked in, he knew his time was limited.

Carefully, he tipped the bartender, then closely held his prize as they made it to the front entrance. He got her into the truck and slowly exited the parking lot and made it to the highway.

On the way home, there was a registration check. The cop barely seemed to notice the female passenger. She probably looked tired to him, perhaps a bit drunk. The patrol officer allowed them to pass and the killer continued to drive to his private, little playhouse.

"I feel so dizzy. I want to go back. Something isn't right.” She held her head and tried to focus on the direction they were going in.

"Shhhh. Don't you worry, my beautiful girl. We're going to have some fun, just you and me."

He kissed her forehead, and she laid her head against his shoulder.

She wanted him. Oh, yes, she wanted him.

"You're mine ... and we belong together...” he began to sing.

A week later, Lauren and the other detectives were no closer to finding a vehicle, or locating any possible suspects. To top it off, another young woman went missing in the Stone County area. The media was having a field day.

Eddie and Ken watched Lauren on television, as she stood at the podium answering questions and avoiding them.

"She's good,” Ken added.

"She's real good,” Eddie said, and thought she looked gorgeous on TV.

He took in her appearance. Lauren wore a pair of black, pin-striped, slim-fitting dress pants and a beige blouse. Her hair was all done up in a fancy sophisticated style atop her head, and she wore diamond stud earrings and a diamond pendant.

The word ‘classy’ entered Eddie's mind and he wished that damn podium wasn't in the way, so he could see her body again.

His wish came true as he heard the voice right behind him.

"Hello? Didn't you guys hear me?” Lauren asked, and both Ken and Eddie turned toward her.

Eddie knew the report was a repeat from this morning, but he had no idea Lauren was on her way here.

"Oh, hi, Detective Phelps, sorry about that. You sounded great and you look great on TV, as well,” Ken said, and smiled.

"What are you doing here?” Eddie said, and then just stared at her, and tried to act as if he didn't care.

"Nice to see you too, Lieutenant,” Lauren barked back, just as the chief of police entered the room.

"Eddie, Ken, it looks like Detective Phelps will be staying in town a while. She'll be working this case side by side with you boys, so please provide her with any assistance she needs and the cooperation of our department."

Just then, Eddie's cell phone rang.

He answered, spoke a few words, then hung up.

"No problem, Chief, it will be our pleasure,” Ken added, then his phone rang at his desk, so he went to answer it.

"Well, Lieutenant, this is what I got so far..."

"You'll have to bring it with you. I'm pulling together a timeline of the latest missing victim. We have some people to question, so you'll have to read on the way,” Eddie told Lauren, then looked toward Ken.

"I'll hold down the fort here and let you know what we get,” Ken whispered as he held the receiving end of the phone.

Lauren and Eddie headed south, out of town, toward a restaurant and bar called Twist and Shout. On the way, she explained about the connections in the cases.

"This guy is pretty ruthless. He wanted to keep his identity unknown, so he knocks off a bum he thought could identify him?” Eddie said.

"Exactly. Which makes me think that our killer frequents Yonkers, Manhattan, and the Bronx, but may live in the suburbs. Perhaps in Stone County."

"Are you kidding me? What makes you so sure?” Eddie challenged her and Lauren was ready for it as she described the location of the crime scenes, the similarities of the victims, and the places the girls were last seen.

"According to Geberth and his
Practical Homicide Investigation
textbook, the serial killer usually strikes close to home or work on the first kill. He then travels elsewhere to avoid detection. This guy is dropping bodies in different jurisdictions, hoping to avoid detection. I guess he never heard of VI-CAP."

"Ahhh, yes, the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program. That's a program designed to collect and analyze all aspects of an investigation using the latest in computers and computer technology. They have specialists who review unsolved crimes.” Eddie had complete knowledge of the program.

He thought about his wife, Sarah, and how her murder case continued to go unsolved. Quickly, he shoved the memories and the sadness aside and continued to listen to Lauren.

"Geberth uses a case just like this in his PHI book to show how the serial killer cleverly continues to kill right under the eyes of the authorities. I think our guy likes young women, college aged, classy, professional, but innocent looking."

"What do you mean innocent looking? They're in college or fresh out of. How can they be innocent?"

"I didn't say they ‘were’ innocent. I said ‘look’ innocent. You know a shy type, reserved, but beautiful. Sexy, but hides her figure out of shyness and inexperience, or limited experience."

He looked toward Lauren. If she weren't wearing the badge and gun, she'd fit into that category. God, she was gorgeous and youthful looking.

She caught the look from Eddie as he turned into the parking lot.

"Wow, this looks like a nice place.” Lauren wasn't expecting such a huge building never mind one done up so much in the fifties style.

There was a large wooden sign at the front entrance of the parking area shaped like a group of people near a jukebox. As they passed it, Lauren noted the people appeared lifelike and as teenagers. The girls wore poodle skirts and danced with boys near a multi-colored jukebox. Musical notes around them, from the jukebox to the teenagers, were painted black and looked like they floated through the air.

"That sign is great."

Eddie smiled, as he maneuvered the car into an empty space. “Yeah, it's real nice inside too, and the food is fantastic."

As she grabbed the handle to open the car door, she heard Eddie's deep voice. “Now, let me handle this, and we'll see how it goes. I don't want these local guys blabbing their mouths, saying the city's involved, and the locals need help."

Lauren stared at him a moment, wondering how he could turn his attitude on and off like a switch. One second, he was nice and friendly, then the next abrupt and demanding. Of course, the way his eyebrows pointed up ever so slightly while his eyes squinted added to the effect of his annoyance. Did the guy ever lighten up or what?