Текст книги "Detective Jason Strong: The Early Cases"
Автор книги: John C. Dalglish
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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 21 страниц)
Chapter 11
Jason pulled into the station parking lot on the morning of the ceremony. Stephanie Morris had taken a turn for the worse the day before and, though they stabilized her, she was still in the induced coma. Despite the events of yesterday, the mayor’s decision was to go forward with the ceremony.
He didn’t see Vanessa’s Challenger and, though he was rarely late, she almost always beat him in. He came through the station doors and spotted his friend, Sergeant Dave Connor , manning the front desk.
“Good morning, detective”
“Morning Dave. How’s Vicky?”
“Mean as ever.”
“Come on, Dave. She spoils you rotten. If I didn’t have Sandy, I’d steal her from you.”
“You detectives! You think all the woman swoon over you.”
“What are you sayin’, Dave. You mean they don’t?”
The sergeant rolled his eyes.
“You don’t fool me. That Sandy has you wrapped around her finger.”
“Too true. Say hi to Vicky for me.”
“I will.”
The elevator doors closed and reopened a few minutes later on the third floor. Jason walked towards his desk but Lieutenant Patton was waving at him to come in his office. Jason leaned in and John Patton hung up the phone.
“That was Vanessa. She’s not feeling well.”
“Anything serious?”
“No. She said she’s sick to her stomach. I told her she better not being trying to get out of the ceremony this afternoon.”
Jason chuckled, but in the back of his mind, he was worried. She might be having complications.
“Did she confess?”
“Nope. In fact, she said she would meet us at city hall this afternoon.”
“Doesn’t sound too serious. I’m going over to the hospital to check on Stephanie Morris. I’ll meet you at city hall, as well.”
“Don’t be late.”
“Yes sir.”
****
Jason got to the hospital in under a half hour. Record time for San Antonio in mid-morning. He parked and made his way up to Stephanie’s room. He checked the spot where he had left Brooke the other day, but she wasn’t there.
He stopped to talk to the officers guarding the door and they reassured him that all had been quiet. He went into the room.
Stephanie Morris was still unconscious. Blood seeped through the thick bandage on her chest and looked like it was due to be changed.
Right on cue, a nurse came in. She didn’t appear to be aware of the detectives presence. She checked the tubes and lines running from Stephanie before looking at each of the monitors. Despite Jason thinking that the dressing needed changed, she didn’t begin to remove it. He stepped closer to the girl and stared down at her.
“Watch the transfusion line, please.”
Apparently, she did know he was there. Jason looked down at where he was leaning against the bed and saw he was pinching the line.
“Sorry.” He stepped back. “Has she been awake?”
“Not yet. They still have her sedated.”
“Do you know when they will wake her up?”
“You’d have to ask the doctor to be sure. The chart seems to indicate late tomorrow afternoon or evening.”
The nurse was apparently done with her mission and exited the room as suddenly as she came in. Jason stood looking over the girl.
What do you know? Did you see his face? Do you know his name? Can you take us to his house?
Jason asked them silently in his head but he longed to ask her out loud. He had made a promise to Brooke and he liked to keep his promises. He also wanted this guy off the street.
Hang in there, kiddo. Come back to us.
He turned away from the bed and went outside. Checking his watch, he realized he had time for a quick sandwich before he had to leave for the ceremony. He dialed Vanessa.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Vanessa. You doin’ okay?”
“Yeah. Some cramps and sick stomach.”
“Everything all right?”
“Yes. We called the doc and he gave me something new for the nausea. It’s not real strong because of the baby, but it’s helping.”
“You still going to make it to the ceremony?”
“Yes.”
“Need a ride?”
“No. I’ll see you there.”
“Okay.”
Jason hung up and drove the four blocks to his favorite sandwich shop. He decided to have coffee with lunch. He might need the caffeine at the ceremony.
****
Jason pulled in at city hall just before 1:30 and from the parking lot he could see that seating was already at a premium. Most of the chairs were filled with spectators and press. The press, as usual, had the front 2 or 3 rows. TV cameras were set up at the back of the seating and photographers were jockeying for best place to set up their tripods.
Jason got out and walked towards the raised stage. The podium was at the front with a row of chairs in a half moon behind it. At the back of the stage were three flags. The American, Texas State and San Antonio City flags wafted in a soft breeze. The day was sunny but not overly hot. A fact that Jason appreciated because he noticed there was no shade over the seats.
He was decked out in his dress uniform and as he got close to the stage, he saw Devin James break free from a conversation and come towards him.
“JD!”
Jason didn’t mind when his friends and fellow officers called him that but Devin James did not fall into either category and it annoyed him that the reporter implied in public that they were buddies.
“Detective Strong.”
“Oh, sorry.”
Devin seemed unfazed by the rebuke.
“Detective, do you have any news on the girl that these guys saved?”
“No. Her status remains the same.”
“And what would that status be?”
Jason ignored the question.
“Okay, how about the guy who did this to her? Anything more on him?”
“There’s going to be a statement after the ceremony.”
Jason pushed past the reporter and continued on his way to the stage. Jason wasn’t sure what Vanessa’s issue was with Devin James, but he was beginning to feel like he would probably agree with her.
When he got to the steps, the lieutenant met him.
“Have you seen Detective Layne?”
“No. I talked to her before lunch and she said she’d be here.”
“I hope so. The mayor wants the whole team present. Doctor Davis and the police chief are already here, that just leaves Layne.”
“I’m sure she’ll be here.” Actually he wasn’t sure but no point in arousing the lieutenant’s suspicion.
Jason followed John Patton onto the stage and took a seat next to him on the left side of the podium. The other chairs were filling up as 2:00 approached. Jason waved to the two men who were the purpose of this shindig, neither of which looked particularly comfortable. They both gave him a little half wave. No doubt the last few days have been pretty surreal.
A city councilwoman got up and started towards the podium. The “privilege” of introducing the mayor had apparently been given to her. Jason didn’t think much of politicians. Usually they were just getting in the way of him doing his job, which is exactly what was happening now. He should be working instead of sitting in the increasingly warm sun.
Jason scanned the distant parking lot for a sign of his partner. Sure enough, she was just locking her car and heading full tilt for the stage. She managed to get to the steps as Madame Councilwoman began.
“Thank you all for coming out today to honor these two brave citizens. It is my…..”
Jason watched Vanessa try to look small as she waited for the mayor to be introduced. Finally, when the mayor was given the podium and while everyone applauded, Vanessa made her way to her chair. She drew a scowl from both the lieutenant and the chief.
****
Norman began to get agitated. Everyone was here but the person he’d come to see. The ceremony was about to begin and there was one chair still empty on stage. He knew it had to be hers.
He studied the two men that had saved the girl in the woods. He didn’t know how two buffoons like them had been able to surprise him. He would not be so careless again.
He spotted a flash out of the corner of his eye. It was long black hair and a police uniform. She was here. He watched as her hair waved in the light breeze while she waited by the side of stage. He found her stunning as always and was looking forward to their meeting. He always looked forward to the beginning of his next encounter with a ‘Marcie’.
He watched for a while as the mayor gave his speech and awarded the medals, but it bored him. Despite having an opportunity to stare at the thin, black-haired woman on stage, he decided leaving before the end was the right choice. He slipped away, unnoticed.
****
The police chief was the last to speak and he informed everyone that Detectives Strong and Layne would be available for questioning in the lobby at 3:15.
“Oh, great!” It was Vanessa. “Did you know about this?”
“Nope. News to me.”
“We’re not going to get any work done on this case today.”
“It would appear not.”
As the ceremony came to an end, Lieutenant Patton motioned the two detectives to follow him. They walked down a rear set of stairs and into the back of city hall.
“Sorry about the surprise news conference. I only found out just before the ceremony.”
Vanessa felt compelled to share her displeasure.
“Jason and I need to be working on this case, not doing more interviews.”
Lieutenant Patton stopped and turned to face the detectives. His eyes rested on Vanessa.
“As I recall, you weren’t getting much done today anyway. You feeling better, are you?”
Vanessa realized she’d picked a poor time to rant about press briefings.
“Oh, yeah. I do feel better. Must have been something I ate.”
As the lieutenant resumed his pace, Vanessa rolled her eyes in Jason’s direction and it was all he could do to keep from laughing. Vanessa isn’t caught off guard very often and when she is, Jason usually finds it good for some teasing.
“Probably something in your stomach.”
Vanessa fired a loaded glance at Jason, which he pretended not to notice. There was another podium set up in the lobby of the city hall and reporters were already milling about. The lieutenant went up and tapped the mic. It responded with a thud. Everyone turned their attention forward.
“I’m going to turn this over to the detectives and let you ask your questions but there will be no name given on our victim from the other night. Her status remains unchanged and we will release another update in the morning.”
He turned and motioned Vanessa and Jason forward.
“Most of you are familiar with Detectives Jason Strong and Vanessa Layne. I’ll let them take it from here.”
Jason and Vanessa came forward and began answering questions. They took turns and tried to remain patient when the same question was asked several times in different ways. They endured it for nearly 45 minutes before the opening came to shut it down. Jason took it.
“Thank you for understanding but Detective Layne and I must go back to work.”
They turned and left the stage to the lieutenant.
Outside in the parking lot the two detectives loosened their collars and sighed.
“I’m glad that’s over.”
Vanessa sat on a bench and looked up at him.
“No kidding! I thought we’d never get away. What are you going to do now?”
Jason looked at his watch. It was after 4 pm.
“I’m going to check on the girl and then head home. See you at the station in the morning?”
“That’s fine. I’m gonna sit for a few and then head home myself.”
“Okay. See ya tomorrow.”
Chapter 12
The next morning Vanessa was up early. The meds she was on were taking effect and for a change, she didn’t feel sick.
She fixed breakfast for her and Rob which they enjoyed together for the first time in weeks. Vanessa looked over at her husband.
“When we have an ultrasound, do we want to know what the sex is?”
Rob smiled.
“If it’s a boy, yes!”
“And if it’s a girl?”
“Oh, I guess that would be okay, too.”
She reached over and punched him. He recoiled but she was too fast and landed a solid blow on his arm.
“Owww!”
“You deserved that.”
“You know I don’t care if it’s a girl or a boy.” He rubbed his arm. “Man, even pregnant, you still pack a punch.”
“And don’t you forget it!”
He laughed, got up from the table and kissed her.
“I have to get ready.”
“Okay. I’m going to clean up and head for the station.”
In ten minutes, she had the dishwasher running and some meat taken out to thaw for dinner. She grabbed her purse and keys, locked the door behind her and walked to her car.
Sitting just across the street from Vanessa’s house, was a black pick-up with a white camper top. The driver was not in it. The detective didn’t notice, she should have, but she didn’t. As Vanessa reached her car and went to unlock it, she heard a voice behind her and felt a gun in her back.
“Don’t say a word. Turn and walk directly to the black truck across the street. If you try anything, I’ll splatter your insides all over the outdoors. Are we clear? Nod your head.”
Vanessa nodded and tried to remain calm as the man reached around her waist and removed her gun. Her thoughts went to the life inside her, followed by visions containing the photos of the other girls. A glance at the truck had told her that this was the same man responsible for the wine glass murders. She looked up at the bedroom window.
Look out, Rob! See me!
Apparently, her abductor knew what she was thinking.
“Move it! Now.”
They walked quickly towards the black truck. He made her open the driver’s door and slide across the bench seat, sliding in right behind her. The gun never left her side.
He produced a pair of zip ties formed in a circle.
“Put your hands through.”
She hesitated and he raised the gun until it was pointed at her forehead.
“Do it!”
Vanessa saw no choice, she obeyed. He pulled the circle tight and started the truck.
“Behave yourself.”
****
Rob grabbed a towel from the pile on the shelf by the shower. He rubbed it over his hair and then wrapped it around his waist. He ran a comb through his hair and fired up his electric razor. He hated shaving but the electric made it less of a chore than using a blade. He would probably be sporting a beard if it wasn’t for Vanessa. She won’t even kiss him if he gets too shaggy.
He finished and slapped on some skin conditioner. A quick look at the bedside clock told him he needed to pick up the pace. He walked over towards the closet and saw Vanessa’s car through the window.
She should be gone by now.
He looked closer and a movement across the road caught his eye. A man was pushing a woman into a truck, she looked like…
“VANESSA!!”
Rob screamed her name at the window but it came back at him, unheard. Forgetting he was in a towel, he rushed down the stairs and out the door.
“VANESSA!!”
He was too late, the truck was driving off. He looked around wildly, hoping for a neighbor or friend who could chase the truck. Nobody was around this early. He ran back in the house, grabbed his phone and dialed 911.
****
Jason arrived at the station at his usual time but again he had beaten Vanessa in. He hoped she wasn’t going to call in sick, again. If she did, he would tell her she’s got to reveal her pregnancy to the lieutenant.
He walked through the station door and waved at Dave Connor, but this time he didn’t get the usual friendly response. Dave looked stricken.
“Jason, get upstairs fast!”
“Why? What’s up?”
“Something has happened to Detective Layne.”
Jason’s heart skipped a beat. He took off running, ignoring the elevator, in favor of the stairs. Ten seconds later he burst through the homicide office doors.
Gathered by the lieutenants office was a crowd of detectives. When Jason got to John Patton’s door, the others cleared away and Jason saw the lieutenant hang up the phone.
“Jason. Glad you’re here. 911 just got a call from Rob Layne. He said some guy forced Lieutenant Layne into a black truck with white topper.”
“Shit! That’s him. That’s wine glass. It has to be.”
“Why?”
“The truck matches the description of his and….” Jason hesitated. He had realized it but didn’t think it posed any real danger. “…Vanessa matches the victim profile.”
John Patton just stared at him. It clearly had not occurred to him that his detective looked like the victims or that she could be in danger.
“Son of a ….”
He moved so quickly that he caught Jason by surprise. The lieutenant was past him and heading for the stairs before Jason could react.
“Detective Strong! You coming!”
Jason turned on his heels and hurried after the lieutenant. They ran back down the stairs and out into the parking lot. Jumping in the lieutenant’s car, Jason planted the magnetic, flashing blue light on the hood and they sped out of the lot. Lieutenant John Patton was talking almost as fast as he was driving, his bushy eyebrows and wild moustache flailing uncontrolled.
“We’re headed to the house. There’s uniforms there now. We have every officer in the city looking for the suspect’s vehicle. I’ve got officers canvassing the neighborhood and asking specifically about security cameras at any of the surrounding residence’s.”
Lieutenant Patton looked over at Jason and realized he was being ignored. Jason was on his phone.
“What are you doing?”
Jason covered the handset.
“Calling the hospital. That girl may be our best chance of finding Vanessa.” He uncovered the phone. “ Yes, this Is Detective Strong. I need to speak to Doctor Nance.”
Jason waited and watched cars whizz by as the lieutenant drove for Vanessa’s house. He wasn’t sure he had ever seen the lieutenant quite so upset. His phone came to life.
“This is Doctor Nance.”
“Yes, Doctor, this Detective Strong. I need to know when our girl will be allowed to regain consciousness?”
“Well, she’s doing better but I would prefer to let her go until tomorrow morning, at least.”
“Doctor, please understand, I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that girls recovery but we have a situation. One of our detectives, Vanessa Layne, has been abducted and we believe it’s the same man that attacked Stephanie Morris. I need to know what she remembers. It could be the difference between life and death for my partner.”
They arrived at the house and the lieutenant got out but Jason waited for an answer.
“Very well. I’ll suspend the sedatives.”
“Excellent. How long until she comes around?”
“It could be a few hours to a day.”
“We may not have a day, Doc. Let’s hope for hours. And Doc, thanks.”
He hung up and got out of the car. Walking over to Lieutenant Patton, he gave him the news.
The lieutenant nodded.
“The canvassing hasn’t given us anything. Let’s go talk to Rob Layne.”
Jason followed the lieutenant into the house and they found Rob Layne sitting at the kitchen table. He looked tired and scared. The lieutenant stopped to talk to some uniforms while Jason walked over and put a hand on his friends shoulder.
“Hey, Rob. You makin’ it?”
Rob gave him a panicked look.
“You gotta find her, Jason.”
“We’re doing everything we can. The whole damn city is looking for her. You didn’t see a license plate or anything?”
“No. I barely saw it was her before the truck pulled off.”
“Alright, buddy. Hang in there. I’ll keep you informed.”
Jason turned to the lieutenant.
“Can you take me back to the station? I want to pick up the case files and go through them while I wait at the hospital for our girl to come around.”
“Sure. Let me finish what I’m doing here and I’ll meet you in the car.”
Jason nodded and gave Rob another pat on the shoulders.
“I’ll find her, man. I won’t stop until I do.”
They shook hands and Jason went to the car to wait.
A few minutes later, the lieutenant emerged from the house and got in the car. Jason had called the hospital again and confirmed the sedatives had been stopped. They pulled out at a somewhat more controlled pace and headed toward the station.
Jason cleared his throat and John Patton gave him a funny look.
“Something you need to tell me?”
Jason was unnerved sometimes by how the lieutenant could read his crew.
“Uh…well…actually, yes”
“Well, out with it.”
“I wasn’t supposed to be the one to tell you but clearly the circumstances have changed that.”
“Changed what? Make sense, man.”
“Detective Layne is pregnant.”
“What!”
“Detective…”
“I heard you! How long?”
“Couple months, I think.”
“No. How long has she known?”
“A few weeks, I guess.”
He was quiet for several minutes until they pulled into the station. Finally, he looked at Jason.
“Find her.”
“Yes sir.”
Chapter 13
Her abductor didn’t say another word while they drove. In just a few minutes, they turned down a quiet street into a subdivision. It took Vanessa a minute or two to figure out why the area looked familiar. It slowly dawned on her where they were. They couldn’t be more than two or three blocks from Marcie Walker’s parents house.
They pulled into the driveway of an average split level home. The color was drab beige, the windows were clean with mini blinds drawn tight. The front door was brown as were the shutters, all of which were in perfect condition. The lawn was green from consistent watering and manicured to perfection. A winding walk led from the brick mailbox up to the front door.
As they pulled into the garage, the automatic door closed and Vanessa got the distinct feeling that her life was disappearing behind that door.
He got out and came around to the passenger side. Vanessa’s wrists were raw from the zip ties but he cinched them a little tighter. She moaned but he didn’t seem to notice. He walked her to the door into the house and when he opened it, Vanessa was assaulted with the smell of filth.
Stepping inside, she realized that the outside was just a facade to hide the depravity inside. His neighbors probably thought he was great to have in the neighborhood. She could see into the kitchen and the food, half-eaten, with flies and maggots on it. Pots and dishes were piled up in and around the sink. Beer bottles were everywhere. The living room had furniture cast around it in no particular order and a TV sat near the front window.
He pointed at a kitchen chair sitting in the living room.
“Sit there.”
Vanessa moved over to the chair and sat. He grabbed a remote control and turned on the TV, flipping through the channels until he found a news report. He turned up the volume.
Police are involved in an all out manhunt for one of their own. Detective Vanessa Layne was taken in an apparent abduction outside her home this morning.
Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a black pickup truck with a white camper top. The vehicle has been identified as the one used in the abduction.
Vanessa saw a picture of herself pop up on the television screen. It was her police ID photo from when she made detective. The screen then went to a picture of her house. Rob was just going into the house when this was taken and her heart jumped into her throat when she saw him.
The picture vanished and he threw the remote onto the table. She realized that nobody on this street would suspect their neighbors truck as being the vehicle police were seeking. Not with the groomed yard and nice house. She fought to control the panic building inside her. None of her training at the academy dealt with being a hostage.
Her abductor walked over and jerked her upright. She was dragged roughly towards a door at the end of a hallway. When they reached it, he pushed it open, and shoved her in. She fell over something in the middle of the floor, landing head first against the far wall. Everything went black.
****
Jason arrived at the hospital and made his way to Stephanie Morris’s room. She was still not awake. He took a chair next to the bed and opened his files. Something in these files might help him find Vanessa. Lieutenant Patton was leading the task force on the streets and Jason still felt that what Stephanie knew could be his best chance to save his partner. He poured himself into the crime scene photos, forensic evidence and witness accounts. It was exhausting and after several hours, he dozed off.
****
“Who…who are you?”
Jason wasn’t sure, as he came awake, who was questioning him.
“Who are… you?”
Jason sat up with a start. He looked at where the voice came from. It was Stephanie.
“You’re awake.”
“Barely. Do I know you?”
“My name is Detective Jason Strong.”
Just the effort of asking a couple questions seemed to take her back into a coma.
“Miss Morris? Stephanie? Can you hear me?”
She mumbled something without opening her eyes and Jason jumped up to call a nurse. He leaned out the door and spotted a nurse at the desk.
“Nurse! She’s coming around.”
He ducked back in the room. The nurse was right behind him and checked the monitors before going over to Stephanie. While hanging directly over her, she softly spoke.
“Miss? Miss?”
The girls eyes fluttered open and Jason got an instant shot of adrenaline.
“Yes?”
“How are you feeling?”
“Tired. Where am I?”
“You’re at San Antonio General Hospital. Do you remember anything of what happened to you?”
“Not really. How did I get here?”
Jason stepped forward.
“You were shot. Do you remember that?”
The girl turned her glassy stare towards the detective.
“Who are you?”
Jason tried to remain patient.
“My name is Detective Jason Strong from San Antonio police. I am trying to catch the man that did this to you.”
The mention of the man brought her more awake and her eyes got huge. She started looking around her like she thought he might be there. Her movement caused pain to shoot through her shoulder.
“Owww. I remember now. He took me to the woods.”
“Yes. Do you remember anything else?”
At that moment, Jason heard Doctor Nance come in behind him. The nurse had notified her that Stephanie was waking up.
“That’ll be all for now, detective. Anything she tells you in her half awake state would probably not be reliable anyway. She will need several hours rest before you can question her more.”
Jason looked at the doctor and back at Stephanie, who had already closed her eyes again, and appeared to be back to sleep. Jason figured there was no point in arguing further. He gathered his files and went to call the lieutenant.
****
Vanessa slowly let her eyes creep open. Her head hurt and she was still piled up against the wall where she had fallen. She looked down at her feet and saw what she had tripped on. A mattress.
She sat up slowly, being careful not to make her head hurt any worse. She dabbed at her forehead and came away with some dried blood. She could see some matching blood on the hole in the drywall that her head had made.
Bit by bit, the cobwebs cleared, and she started to put the pieces together. She was in the house of the man they call ‘wine glass’ and she was alone. She remembered the TV saying they were looking for her and then being dragged down the hall.
Vanessa looked around, trying to get a sense of the room she was in. The lone window had a set of bars over it and was blacked out but enough light was coming in near the top to tell her it was daytime. Whether it was the same day she couldn’t tell.
She crawled across the mattress and up to the door. Putting her ear against it, she could hear the TV playing but couldn’t make out what was being said. She tried the doorknob. It was locked. She felt around for a light switch and flipped it on.
Vanessa caught her breath as her mind reeled. Her brain struggled to process what she was looking at. The walls around her were covered with writing.
All four walls had the same thing but in different colors and what appeared to be different hand writing. She tried to make sense of the words.
Time and time again, the same thing. Some of it was legible and some it was scrawled in random bits.
I will never call you bloodstain again
I will never call you bloodstain again
I will never call you bloodstain again
Vanessa had seen her abductors face. There was some sort of birthmark that took up almost the entire left side.
Could all this be about name calling?
Was it revenge for some kind of abuse?
Vanessa was no expert but all of the writing appeared to be done by women. Her mind swam with fear. She realized that she was probably looking at the last thing some of these women ever did. She felt tears welling up in her eyes.
Forcing herself to regain focus, she continued to scan the room. Her eyes settled on a door at the far end. Still feeling weak and dizzy, she crawled down to the door. Instead of opening outward, it slid sideways revealing a closet.
Vanessa fell back and studied the clothes hanging there. A 7-11 uniform, a couple dresses, jeans and a shirt. She realized she was looking at the clothes from the victim descriptions. They were trophies kept by a mad man. She heard the lock click behind her and the door swing open.
