Page 37 of Serial Love

Once more, the eight men sat around the conference table in the SPI command center. While the men had the weekend to recuperate, they all had the hardened expressions of anger that the case was not yet solved.

Monty had been the last to arrive, but his news was the best. “The FBI showed the pictures of the man on the bar stairs with Karen to the friends of Tonya.” Luke projected the pictures to each of their tablets as Monty continued. “They have positively identified him as the person with Tonya, even though his mustache is now brown.”

“Any ID?” Jack asked, but Monty just shook his head. “We’ll get on it,” Jack confirmed. “Who’s up for travel?”

Every man volunteered and, not for the first time, was Jack aware his team was the best he could have assembled. “Right. Cam, you and Blaise hit the witnesses on the western part of the state. Marc and Chad, take the Richmond area. Bart and Monty, take the southern campuses. Show that to any roommates, friends, especially anyone who was with the victims at their last known locations. Luke and I’ll coordinate with the FBI in Richmond and see what identification magic Luke can perform.”

The others chuckled, knowing Luke’s software couldoutperform any of the government’s highest security programs.

“Boss, I saw something this weekend that may have no significance, but it hit me weird.”

“Go on,” Jack responded as the others turned to Cam.

“I was at a bar Saturday night just chilling and was watching a scene in front of me ‘cause I thought I was going to have to intervene. A guy was hitting on a girl, but she wasn’t falling for his pick-up lines and told him politely several times to leave her alone. Just when I was about to step in, she whirled around and poked him in the chest while telling him in no uncertain terms to get away from her. The bouncer stepped in, removed the guy, show’s over. But something about that kept gnawing at me.”

Cam looked at everyone and held up his right index. “She was poking him in the chest with her right index finger to make her point. And he was pissed. Can’t tell you he even heard her words, but he sure felt that finger and I got the feeling he wanted to snap it off.”

A deathly silence descended on the group.

“Shit,” Chad said. Immediately the others began to speak all at once.

Jack called the Saints back to order and he reiterated, “So this guy disguises himself. Follows a girl somewhere or maybe just finds someone, tries to pick her up. Remember Tonya’s friends said he wasn’t young. So, he tries to pick up someone younger who’s not interested, they blow him off or get mad and maybe resort to poking him to make their point. He snaps. After hecaptures them, subdues them somehow, tortures, rapes, and kills them, then he cuts off the offensive finger.”

“Were they already dead?” Blaise asked, scrolling through his notes.

Jack cursed. “Damn. No, you’re right. The coroner’s report on Tonya, Helena, and Sheila was that the digit was removed before death.”

The silence once more hung about the group.

“The ultimate revenge. I can’t get you interested, so I’ll rape you. You insulted me by poking me with your finger, so I’ll cut it off,” Bart growled.

Blaise shook his head. “This is much more than a man who can’t get a young woman interested. This fucker is sick and is going to keep killing.”

“Spent the weekend at home with my family,” Marc said, gaining the attention of the group. He looked around, his face a mask of frustration. “I’ve got a sister at Dominion College. Sophomore. Pretty. Nice. Decent student. And right-handed.”

“Damn, man,” Luke bit out.

“Spent the weekend with her and my parents and even though she’s home for the summer, we talked about her not going back until this is over with.”

“Some serial killers are not caught for years, Marc,” Jack said.

Nodding, Marc agreed. “Yep, but I’d rather her not be at risk than to take that chance.”

“This is exactly why the governor gave us this task. We’ve got to find this fucker and shut him down.”

As the agenda came to a close, the group made their way upstairs to head to their assignments.

“You have a good date with the beautiful Ms. Bridwell, boss?” Cam asked. “I meant to ask when we came in, but we got to the meeting so quickly.”

Jack looked discomfited as he turned and stared out of the window. The men all shared glances, curious but not wanting to pry.

Finally, Jack spoke, “Decided to call it off.”

“The date…or…” Cam ventured.

“Nope, all of it. Told her it wouldn’t work. Not with my business. Figured I may as well let her down easy now than to have to her let down hard later.”

“So, you took that choice away from her?” Blaise asked.

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