Page 43 of The Smart Killer
Porter chimed in. “So, when Alejandro is not working or going to church with you, how does he spend his time?”
“He has friends. People in the community that he spends time with.”
“Doing what?”
“Sports. Basketball. It was something he did while inside. Kept his mind occupied. That, and working on his father’s truck out there. He’s hoping to get it going soon.”
Right then, they heard a voice.
Alejandro’s voice bellowed from outside the house, sharp with alarm, as he called out to his mother. “Hey Ma! Ma, whose car is that outside?” He entered the front door and caught sight of everyone seated.
“Alejandro, these men are here to see you…”
Before she could finish, his eyes widened in panic, and instinct took over. Instantly, he turned and bolted out the door, his footsteps thundering against the worn wooden porch.
Without a second thought, Noah dashed after him, his experienced legs propelling him forward with determination. Porter followed suit, his younger frame agile. “Get the vehicle!” Noah shouted over his shoulder, tossing the Bronco keys to Porter. The situation’s urgency hung in the air as he sprinted after Alejandro, now scaling a fence with surprising agility.
“Oh, c’mon!” Noah muttered, knowing this wasn’t going to be easy.
The chase led them through the neighborhood, a maze of narrow alleys and overgrown yards. Noah pursued Alejandro relentlessly, his breaths coming out in ragged gasps as he pushed his body to its limits. “Stop!” he shouted, but Alejandro refused to listen. Fueled by fear, he displayed impressive speed,leaping over fences, darting through gaps between houses, and maneuvering past obstacles with uncanny precision.
As they ran, they passed a chained-up dog barking furiously, adding to the cacophony of the chase. As he looked back, Alejandro’s desperation was evident, but his every move was a bid for freedom. The question was, from what? They had nothing on him.
He knocked over a garbage can, hoping to slow Noah down, but the seasoned detective pressed on, jumping over it.
Alejandro made a daring move, darting through someone’s house and out the front door, feet pounding against the pavement. But his escape was short-lived. Porter, with swift maneuvering, came screeching across a sidewalk. He cut him off in the Bronco, bringing the vehicle straight into him, and knocking him into someone’s yard.
Noah was on him in an instant, his voice sharp with authority. “What are you running for, huh?” he demanded, his grip firm as he cuffed his hands behind his back.
“I’ve done nothing,” he protested.
“Then why run?” Noah asked, his words stern, frustration and adrenaline pumping through him. He led him back to the Bronco and sat him in the back, slamming the door tight.
13
For an ex-con, he made a compelling case.
Of course, it wasn’t something Noah hadn’t heard before from countless perps, but there was something genuine in his tone and demeanor.
“See it from our point of view,” Noah said, his voice firm but laced with a hint of empathy.
Alejandro’s eyes darted between Noah and Porter before he spoke, his voice strained. “I do. I get it. I just didn’t know you were plainclothes detectives. You aren’t wearing uniforms, you certainly aren’t driving a police cruiser, and I never stuck around long enough to find out who you were. How the hell was I supposed to know? I swear, I wouldn’t have run. Come on, man, cut me a break here.”
The Bronco idled in the quiet Adirondack subdivision, surrounded by the imposing presence of mountains and dense forest. Noah tapped his fingers as he looked at the sky, which was a uniform, muted grey. The forest loomed in the background, a silent witness. Noah glanced at Porter, their unspoken communication conveying suspicion. Porter’s gaze was sharp, his skepticism evident as Noah continued. “But youhave to admit, it seems odd, Alejandro. Why take the risk? What were you so afraid of?”
Alejandro’s shoulders slumped, and he dropped his head, his dark hair falling to conceal his eyes. “I panicked, okay? I didn’t know who you were. I thought someone was after me. It hasn’t been easy since I’ve been out. You should have seen the letters and phone calls I got while I was inside. Threats. People said they were waiting for me to get out. I’ve been looking over my shoulder ever since.”
“So, it wouldn’t be because you have gotten yourself into trouble again.”
“You’ve got my file in front of you. Does it look as if I have?”
“That’s what is known to your probation officer. Is there anything we should know? Something you want to tell us? Now would be a good time.”
“No. Look, why are you even here?”
“You’re telling me you don’t know?”
Alejandro stared back. “Since I’ve been out. I’ve barely had a moment to myself between my probation officer, work, church, and mother.”
