Loves Redemption (8 page)

The warm San Antonio breeze vented through the lowered windows as he drove and helped the

caffeine in rejuvenating them.

When they approached the station Maya noticed camera crews and news vans situated in

front of the precinct. At the same time that she noticed this, Mark swore under his breath and made a U-turn, heading for the back entry into the underground parking garage.

“I was afraid that this would happen. Somehow, the media’s found out about the slayer’s

latest victim before we’ve issued a statement.” They both saw the television station van with a big number three on the roof.

Mark answered her unspoken question. “Last night we couldn’t make a positive ID, but

we believe that the latest victim was Guy Kross--the owner of the adult novelty chain. Somehow the media has found out, and that’s not good.” He said grimly.

He opened the backseat door and retrieved Maya’s oversized bag before he opened the

door for her. He placed his arm across the small of her back, his hand resting above the small indentation of her waist. He hoped to have averted the eyes of the waiting reporters, and was disappointed when he spotted the female reporter who’d pointed toward his retreating vehicle.

Mark quickened his stride and urged Maya to do the same. Just as they reached the stairs

that would lead them into the sanctuary of the station, a bright light shone brightly in their faces.

“At this time the police don’t have any comment to make, and when we do you’ll be the

first one we contact for the press conference.” Mark rudely shoved the camera out of Maya’s face.

“Detective Halstan, isn’t it?” The reporter asked, directing the cameraman to get a close

up them. “Detective is it true that the slayer
has struck again? And is it also true that her latest victim was Guy Kross?” she asked, as the light from the camera continued to beam in their faces.

As the light shone, Maya ducked her head away from its relentless glare. When the

reporter noticed her, she directed her gaze toward her new target and demanded, “Who are you?

Are you connected with the case? Your face looks familiar.”

“Look, we need to go. I already told you that as soon as we know more, we’ll have a

press conference. Now if you’ll excuse me.” Mark spoke in first person, trying to direct the attention away from Maya. He knew this reporter. Alicia Meyers was relentless when it came to getting her story.

The reporter snapped her fingers. “I know who you are. You’re the director of Imani

House, aren’t you?” As Mark urged Maya to continue walking the reporter kept pace with them, redirecting the cameraman to get a close up of Maya.

“Dr. Richardson, what connection do you have to the case? Are you in any way involved

with this investigation?”

“Alicia, I’ve already told you when we have more information we will let you know, and

if you want any of your questions answered, I would suggest that you put the damn camera away and get the hell out of here.”

Alicia recognized his tone of voice as nonnegotiable and shook her head at the

cameraman. “Do I have your promise that you’ll answer my questions when you have the

conference?” She asked in a low voice, her hand touching his arm.

“As soon as we have the news conference, I’ll let you know.” Mark shook her clinging

hand from his arm, not promising her anything.

She noticed both slights, the removal of her hand, and the refusal to make her any special

promises. She glanced again at the small woman at his side with a speculative look, noticing how he held the woman close to his side with an almost possessive hold.

As she catalogued his dismissal of her and his attentive hold on the psychologist, Alicia’s mouth stretched into an insincere parody of a smile.

“Well, that’s all that I ask.” And unable to resist, added, “On a personal note, call me

sometime. You still have my cell number, don’t you?” With a last lingering look, the reporter walked toward the waiting cameraman.

Mark had seen the look in Maya’s eyes as Alicia made her parting shot and wondered if

he should say anything about the comment or let it slide as they waited for the elevator to open.

She seemed to have an inordinate interest in the cuff of her shirt, studying it as if it were a bug under a microscope. As he was opening his mouth to speak, she took the decision out of his hands as they entered the elevator.

“Do you have any idea how news of the murder got out?” she asked.

Mark stood close to her in the cramped elevator, stooped down to pull her chin up, and

pressed his mouth to hers. He gave her small, yet thorough caress before he reluctantly freed her lips. After he released her, he took a small step back and answered her question.

“No, but there’s a leak. Someone in the department is talking when they shouldn’t, and I

plan on finding out who it is. I’m not sure yet how information is getting out, but I’ll find out.”

From his peripheral vision, he noted the deep breath she inhaled after he released her. Her breasts rose and fell, as she cast him a sidelong glance. He needed her to grow used to his presence as well as his touch, and he took every opportunity that presented itself to touch or kiss her.

As they exited the elevator, he allowed his hand to rest on the small of her back and they

entered the doors to the squad room, which was already bustling with activity. He led them to his desk where he put both of their bags down, removed his jacket and draped it across his chair.

No sooner had he turned around to face Maya, than the lieutenant’s strident voice hailed

him from across the room. Turning in his direction, Mark acknowledged his call and turned back to Maya.

“Looks as though the lieutenant’s inside and waiting for us. No doubt the group outside

has something to do with his early arrival. I thought that we’d have a few minutes to go over any questions that you have before we met with him. Are you ready, sweetheart?”

“Yes, but I need to take my bag with me. I have my notebook in there and I’ve jotted

down some questions I would like to ask.”

Lieutenant Hernandez was on the phone speaking in low tones as Mark and Maya walked

into the office. After hanging up the phone he walked around his desk, his hand outstretched as he greeted Maya.

“Dr. Richardson, thank you for altering your busy schedule so we could meet. Detective

Halstan says you had been scheduled to come in tomorrow, but agreed to come in today in light of the murder discovered last night. We appreciate you changing your schedule for us.” After shaking hands, Lieutenant Hernandez brought a chair close to her and sat down with Mark

following suit.

“The purpose of this meeting is to bring you into the investigation as a special consultant.

Detective Halstan brought to my attention the potential aid you could give us in apprehending the slayer. Although I’m somewhat familiar with Imani House and the work that’s done there, I don’t know the specifics. But what I hope is that you’ll help provide insight into this population.”

The Lieutenant nodded in Mark’s direction before continuing. “I’m sure Detective

Halstan has informed you, but I would like to reiterate that of course anything you hear in this office is to be held in strict confidence.”

“Of course,” Maya agreed.

After her nod of acceptance he continued. “With that I’d like to fill you in on what we

know so far, and we’ll go from there. If and when you have any questions at any time, stop us, and we’ll answer to the best of our ability. Alright?” he asked, just as Jordan walked in after a brief knock and took the last available chair, bringer it closer to the trio.

“Detective Philips, you’re just in time. We’re filling Dr. Richardson in on the case. Do

you have anything to report?”

“The coroner gave the affirmative on our latest; it’s Kross.” Jordan reached inside his

jacket pocket to retrieve the small black notepad that was every detective’s staple. Flipping to the desired page, he ran down the information he’d gathered.

“Thanks, Jordan. Here’s what we know or believe about both the killings, and the killer,

Dr. Richardson. With the latest victim found last night, the murder toll comes to eight we believe to fit the slayer’s MO As we told you, when you came in to identify your sister’s body, we

believe the slayer is a female and a prostitute. The first two victims were found in a

neighborhood park known for men driving through looking to pay for sex. Both victims had been buried naked. However, the crime techs recovered condoms near both victims, both unused.”

“Does that mean there was no sex involved?” Maya asked.

“The evidence doesn’t indicate the victims willingly participated in a sexual encounter,

but what it does show is that they had been victimized.”

“Are you saying the killer raped the victims? Anally?”

Mark noticed the lieutenant’s red neck and knew what was causing his sudden

discomfiture. Maya held an aura of innocence draped around her that made you want to censure words that were too crass for her ears. Although she had asked the explicit question, he sensed the lieutenant was hesitant to confirm it for her. Picking up the story he continued in his place.

“Yes, that’s right. The evidence shows the victims have all been raped with a blunt

object.”

“If you believe that this is a female prostitute, how is she able to overpower these men

and rape them? If it’s not consensual, how is she able to do this?” Maya asked.

“Each victim was shot with a .22 caliber handgun three times in the back. From the

location of the bullets in the body, the crime lab had deduced that the victim had been turning away, either to take off his clothes or get a condom when the first bullet hit. The second and third shots were fired in the center of the back, after the victim had collapsed. After she killed each one, our killer took off the remainder of the clothing and put on her gloves. After she’d finished raping him, she dug a shallow grave and dragged the body into it and buried him.”

Maya pulled her reading glasses from her bag and glanced down at her notes and circled

two items before looking back up at the men.

“I have two questions for you. You said the first two victims were found at the same

neighborhood park that was known for prostitution. I know which park you’re referring to.

Wouldn’t
someone
have witnessed a body being buried? And to piggyback that question with another, if they hadn’t seen it wouldn’t they have at least heard the shots?”

“I’ll answer the second question first because it may answer both. We believe the

handgun had a silencer. In that area, people don’t report it when they hear gunshots; it’s not an unusual sound to hear. The first question is a little more complex. Occasionally we have sweeps.

The city will “sweep” known areas for illegal activities to temporarily clear them out. With the recent retirement of our chief, we’ve had an acting Chief of Police. The acting chief was under pressure regarding the increase in crimes and decided to go on an all-out spree to clean up the city.”

The lieutenant’s dislike for the acting chief was clear in his expression and voice.

“One of the ‘cleaned’ areas was this particular park and for several weeks the area was

patrolled at routine intervals, and the women who normally worked this park stayed away. It was during one of these times that the first victim was found. No one was around, so it wasn’t

difficult to disguise both activities: the sound of the gun and the killer digging the shallow grave,” Lieutenant Hernandez finished.

“It also happened during the time when the park wasn’t scheduled for patrol, during shift

change. It kind of makes you wonder if this was coincidence or not,” Mark interjected.

“We should probably focus on what we do know for Dr. Richardson’s benefit,” the

lieutenant once again redirected the discussion.

“Have you established any type of motive? Do any of the victims have anything in

common with each other except for their need to solicit women?” Maya aimed her query at

Lieutenant Hernandez.

“That’s a good question, Dr. Richardson. Out of the victims to date, only two have

anything solid in common, and that happens to be our latest two men, excluding your sister. The two men were both successful businessmen, although in different areas. Robert Clemens, the

victim found with your sister, was a respected real estate broker, while Guy Kross’ businesses were all in the adult entertainment area. That’s all we have so far on any type of connection between the two. Because the last two victims were publicly known, we should be able to find out more information about their lives, which will give us better clues into what their private lives were like,” he finished.

“What we don’t know is if our killer is an everyday working girl, or if this is something

she’s doing for the thrill. Whichever way she’s playing it, we do know that she wears at least two different colored wigs: one a curly brunette and the other a long blonde piece. At two different sites, this has been the only physical evidence about her that our crime techs have been able to find.” Looking up from his own notes, Mark’s glance encompassed the group.

“We don’t have much to go by, but what we do have is a start. I believe you’ll be able to

help us with your insight and connections with the women in this industry, Dr. Richardson. Any knowledge you provide will benefit this investigation; I don’t have any solid perimeters for you to operate within. I hope that’s not too loose of a framework for you to work with.”

“No it’s not, I understand what you’d like to gain from me, and I’ll do my best to help in

any
way. When I return to Imani House today, I’ll begin my quest to find out any information I can. I’ve already begun asking questions as to Ally’s last place of residence, as well as who she’d been associating with.”