Killer Inside

Post 101 is Chapter 30!! Anyways... Enjoy. Might not have any Chapters out over the next few days so I'll post something reminding you of all the victims, enemies and friends.


Chapter 30

I watched after her in surprise before looking back at the boy. He was rather cute, with his short brown hair and leather jacket.

But still not someone I would really consider dating.

I could hear the watering running from the bathroom, so I assumed she was alright. Downstairs, I knew I had some extra clothes that would probably fit Lucky.

After digging around for a bit in the closet, I heard the doorbell ring.

"I got!" I shouted at Chris and Zadie on the kitchen. Kenzo was sleeping upstairs.

I unlocked to door and pulled it open, and much to my surprise the boy from across the street was standing there.

Shocked, I looked him up and down. Neatly cut brown hair, soft brown eyes and perfect skin. Lucky was right, he was cute.

"Hello," he said in a soft, gentle voice.

"Who are you?" I asked bluntly.

"Name's Colt. And who might you be, hon?"

"Kerri Cadwell, my girlfriend," I heard Chris say behind me before slipping his arm around me.

Colt stared at Chris long and hard before turning to me. "I'm the new neighbor, moved in across the street."

"Nice to meet you," I said sarcastically. "As he said, I'm Kerri but you can call me KC. My boyfriend's Chris and my friend upstairs is Lucky. Welcome to the neighborhood, I'll see you around."

With that, I closed the door.

Chris laughed and pulled me into a hug. He seemed to be feeling better.

"You doing better?" I asked.

"Kind of. Not really. It's just been temporarily removed," he said with a smile.

"KC?!" A voice cried from above.

"Got to go," I said and ran upstairs.

Lucky was standing in the hall upstairs wrapped in a towel.

"Now what?" She asked.

Back in her room, I laid out all the clothes I had found for her. A few odd shirts and shorts, some sweats and jeans.

After choosing her outfit of a tank top and jeans, we both went downstairs. Watching her, I realized she looked much better after the shower. Her hair wasn't the soft brown I had originally thought it to be, it was a dark strawberry blond. She also had a light tan I hadn't noticed before. Brushed out, she hair fell just past her shoulders in a wavy style.

Definitely too skinny, she didn't look like she got fed very often. But even still, she did have a fair bit of muscle on her. My clothes were a bit big for her, but it was fine.

Zadie had prepared a lovely lunch, and we all sat down together to eat. Lucky dug in hungrily, yet politely, having herself one of the first reals meals she'd had in awhile.

"I made some brownies, for you to take to the new neighbors," Zadie suddenly said.

"You're getting soft," I responded harshly. "Since when do you make brownies?"

"After lunch, you can take them over. Introduce yourselves, welcome them, you know the drill. I think they mention having a kid about your age; Colby maybe? Anyways, maybe you can be friendly."

Me, friendly? Where was the old Zadie? I was definitely not friendly and Zadie knew that all too well. And was that the same kid at the door. Oh no, it was going to be him, wasn't it? That Colt kid...

"KC?" Chris said, reading my mind. "Friendly? Are you feeling alright Zadie? You of all people should know those words don't go together."

We all laughed, but the mood was slightly dampened still from last night.

-----

I walked up the door, a look of discomfort covering my face. In one hand, I held the brownies. The other was in a fist.

Lucky and Chris came with me, Lucky ringing the doorbell as we stepped up.

Moments later, Colt opened the door. A smug smile crossed his lips when he noticed me.

"Just couldn't resist, could you baby?" He taunted.

Chris immediately stepped up, grabbing Colt's collar and pulling him on the tops of his toes.

"Listen up. You leave her alone, got that? Or I will hunt you down." Chris shoved him against the door and dropped him.

I smiled kindly, and handed over the brownies.

"Welcome to the neighborhood. This is Lucky, my other friend I mentioned."

I turned to Lucky, surprised to find her with narrowed eyes at Colt.

None the less, she nodded to him and he smiled back. "Name's Colt. Nice to meet you."

"Now if you don't mind, we need to leave. So, bye," I said, not having much else to say to him.

As I followed Lucky down the walkway, I heard Colt call out behind us.

"Hey Chris! A word?" Chris turned to him, scowling.

"If I have to." He walked back toward Colt, and they exchanged a few hushed words.

Then they both walked towards Lucky and I, Colt in front.

"Look, I wanted to apologize for that. I'm new here, and nervous. Don't know how to make a good impression I guess. Sorry," Colt apologized.

"He wants to be 'friends'. That alright KC?" Chris put bluntly.

"If you want to, sure. But we're kind of our own pack around here, lone wolves of a sort."

"So was I, I was trying to make a fresh start here."

"Oh, and don't flirt with me," I concluded before walking back to my house.

"Hey, where are you going?" Colt called after us.

"My place! Where else? You going to hang with us or not?" I responded.

"Yeah, I'll be over in one sec!" He ran back into his house. I chuckled but kept walking.

"So what'd he tell you?" Lucky asked Chris.

"Guy stuff," was the response.

"Hey Lucky, why the cold stare?" I said, remembering it vividly.

"He's a Dodgers fan.... I might not like him anymore."

I laughed and pulled open my front door. We headed under the stairs to my little nook.

Flopping on the coach, a knock on the door came moments later.

With a groan, I got up to answer it, thinking it was Colt. I reached the door in time to here the demand.

"Open up! It's the police!" They knocked harder.

 

Ok, so I lied. Didn't post the other stuff.... So, you get a special chapter! Remember that Agent from Chapter 9? Agent Radke? Well, part of the story will be told from his point of view, to show how they are hunting the serial killer. Couple chapter like this, then back to the police at KC's door. Enjoy!



Chapter 31

View of FBI Agent Radke

Dark, rich coffee ran through my body, helping to force my eyes open. I hadn't slept since Sunday, and it was now Tuesday night.

I was staring at the evidence board. We had almost nothing. Just bits and pieces.

C'mon Radke... There's a connection, there's always a connection. You just have to find it.

Victimology was all over the place; races, hair, eye color, social background and lifestyle were all different. What was weird was the numbers.

Mary and Emilie times of death had been confirmed to be before the boy's but their numbers were higher. Meaning the killer had wanted the boy killed first but couldn't for some reason.

That led to a killer who could adapt, was smart, aware of his surrounding, stuck to a schedule, and unafraid. With all that, it also pointed to a killer who was strict on an order but not on the people.

A killer that would be dangerous. What we needed was a motive. Something to link the killer to the kills.

Yes, we had the janitor but I doubted it was him. He wasn't clever enough to pull out the double homicide.

"Radke?" Brad Perkins was calling. This better be good.

"What Perkins?"

"There's been another double homicide."

I swallowed and turned around. "What? Ok, I'm on my way."

I snatched my gun off the table and walked out. Tapping Goss on the way out, he came with me.

"What's up?"

"Another double homicide Goss," I told my partner.

"Same killer?"

"Yup, that janitor isn't our man."

I saw his brown eyes narrow, and slip into deep thought.

"Where?"

"Don't know. Perkins' ready outside."

He nodded and started to follow my lead, thinking.

"What I don't get it the change in method," Goss thought aloud. "The first victim was stabbed multiple times in a pattern. The next one was a slashed throat. The two after that were more brutal than the first two, more personal. It's almost as all the victims are personal, you know? Like he knows them all."

I nodded in agreement. "Yes, like he's adapting to each one based on who they are. Each method is specific to the victims. But see, that's the thing. The sexual thrill. Methods are part of that sexual thrill, yet this killer hasn't laid a finger on the girls or guys except to kill them. No ****, brutalization or defiling after the kill."

We both got into the car, and Perkins joined the conversation.

"The Dunk Tank downtown, back alley. A boy and a girl around 14. Identified as Toby Starr and Claire Magdin."

"Jesus, he's relentless," Goss breathed.

"Numbers six and seven, same school as all the others and the security footage was wiped."

"What is it? What is the motive? Why these kids?" I questioned. There was something we were missing.

"Still no description?" Asked Goss.

"Nothing."

I sighed, running my hands through my hair. "Could it be a kid? Knows them all through school?"

"A teacher, I would think."

The killer was as dark as a shadow, we had nothing on him. No description, motive and no connections.

"Bringing the janitor in was a bad move, Goss," I said. "We guessed and guessed wrong. We need more."

We pulled up to the crime scene, lights attempting to lighten the dirty and dingy alley. Local police were already on scene, interviewing kids out front.

"What's up with the kids?" I asked.

Perkins pointed towards the club and responded. "Every Tuesday they open the club to kids, teenagers only."

"I want to talk to some of them," Goss said. I nodded.

"I'm heading around back. Perkins, find me the medical specialist. I want to talk to him."

Confident, I walked around back and caught my breath at the sight. No matter how many homicides I've seen, the kids are the worse. Their poor lives sapped away in a moment of pure terror.

Two bodies lay askew on the ground. The massive slice down the girl's back made me think this killer was personal.

I could see it in my mind. The killer walks out, finds them both alone back here. The boy was first dispatched quickly, leaving time to probably taunt and mock the girl before killing her as well.

The slot throats were new. Execution style.

The coroner came up behind me, and I decided ask him. "Why the slot throats?"

"Well, with their previous injuries, there may have been a small chance of them surviving. The girl would have been paralyzed neck down but possibly could have survived the knifing. The slit throats insures that they don't survive, meaning the killer doesn't have to wait for them to die."

"That means he either didn't want someone to catch him because he knew it was a popular night, or he was needed somewhere else."

Goss came back, and stopped a few feet away, so he couldn't see the bodies.

"Radke? Come here," he called. I saw a figure standing with him.

Walking over, I noticed it was a student. A young girl, brown hair. Then I realized I recognized her. "I know you. You were at the movie theater when we discovered Teresa's body."

She nodded but stayed silent.

"What's our name?"

She took a small breath and her eyes danced around before focusing on me. "KC, Kerri Cadwell. I was here with Toby and my other friend Chris."

"You were at both scenes. Do you remember anyone there that you saw here as well?" I asked gently.

"Yes," she answered. "Most of the kids who worked at the theater were here tonight as well. Some of the adults too."

"Do you know if Toby had any enemies?"

She thought for a moment. "Toby came out of the closet this year. Which means any girls he dated last year might be offended by him being gay and not telling them. But not enough to kill I don't think. No one at are school would be that confident. Some people may dislike gays or certain people but never enough to kill."

I thanked her for her statement was walked back to the bodies. The coroner approached me again, an odd look on his face.

"No sexual disturbance here either," he informed me.

"I wouldn't think so," I said as I pulled out my phone.

"Speak and be heard," Jance said on the other end. Our technical specialist.

"Hey Jance, listen up. I need you to cross reference some things for me. Give me all the adults and students who work at the theater and cross those with students and staff at Grey Jr High."

There was silence for a moment before she responded. "Of the forth kids at the theater, thirty of them attend the school. Two teachers have part time jobs at the theater, and four help out there on a regular basis."

I thought for a moment. "Reference those adults with ones at the club tonight, or who go there often and have the card on file."

"Two people have cards there. History professor Nicholas Madison and soccer coach Ava Walek. Both help at the movie theater during the matinees."

"Addresses?"

"Faxing them your way right now," was the chirpy responds.

I hung up and tucked my phone into my breast pocket. "Perkins, tell me if a Nicholas Madison or Ava Walek registered at the club tonight. Goss and I are going to check their houses."

He nodded and I motioned Goss over. "We got two addresses. We're going to check them both."

"At midnight?"

"Yes, c'mon."

 

Sub plot time! As for that question ^, because of what the police are putting together; it's important for them to know she was there that night, but you readers already know that.


Chapter 32

Mahogany, bit of an expensive door for a soccer coach. I knocked anyways.

A few minutes later, the door opened to revealed a young girl clad in a only towel. Goss fumbled to speak, so I stepped forward, flashing my badge.

"FBI. Are you Ava Walek?"

"N-no. I'm her daughter, Jenny."

"Where's your mom?"

"I don't know. She told me she was going out and that was it."

"Who's upstairs?"

The girl's face turned to one of fright. "No one."

"Mmm." I walked toward the stairs.

"No, no! Please don't do that," she begged.

Goss closed the door and looked at Jenny sternly. "Either we go up and keep I confidential, or I call your mom."

That convinced her. I walked upstairs and in through the open door. A young man lay on the bed, naked.

"Who the hell are you?" He asked, grabbing at the sheets to cover himself.

I sighed. "FBI. Looking for Jenny's mom."

"Why would the FBI have anything to do with her?"

"Checking out possible leads. Master bedroom?"

"Next room over," he responded gruffly.

"Thanks. Oh, and put some pants on would you?" I asked as an afterthought.

The master bedroom was set with all mahogany furniture. I whistled. "Expensive."

Walking around, I took everything in. Clean, neat, tidy. Nothing out of place, everything organized. I knew we wouldn't have another shot at this place like this, so I took advantage of the situation. Looking around, I did a quick inspection.

Then, I grabbed a print off the bathroom sink and a hair from her hairbrush. Just in case. If they matched, that'd give us enough access back into the house with a warrant.

Back downstairs, Goss was questioning Jenny. She told him everything she knew.

"My mom didn't kill those people. She was with me when Teresa was killed, in San Francisco." She was afraid and frightened for her mom, I could see that.

"Honey, go put some clothes on okay? And then could you come to the station with us? We'd like to ask you some more questions," I asked, knowing we'd have a better chance there with a female officer.

"Um, yeah I guess." She went to get dressed as Goss and I exchanged observations.

"Who's upstairs?" Goss asked jokingly, already knowing the answer.

"A really skinny boyfriend." I wasn't really interesting in that. "Come upstairs with me. I want you to tell me if you notice something."

We went back upstairs, and I noticed the door to the bedroom was closed. In the master bedroom, I watched Goss walk around.

Pulling at drawers, moving photos, he did a thorough investigation. Puzzled, he looked at me. I could tell he was thinking the same thing. Then he walked into the bathroom and checked the clothes hamper in there.

"Ava hasn't been here for days," he finally concluded, looking at me.

"You noticed too." I started to walk around and explained. "Only half the bed's been made, no lady's clothes anywhere, all of her stuff is carefully stashed away."

Goss was already calling Jance. I continued to investigate. Opening drawers, I realized all the jewelry was gone. In the bedside table was a long knife, maybe selfdefense, maybe not.

With a piece of silk, careful not to disturb any prints, I put it into a plastic bag.

"Radke, Ava hasn't checked into school in a week," Goss informed me, snapping his phone shut.

We both rushed downstairs to find Jenny downstairs waiting.

We couldn't waste anytime, this had been out first solid lead.

"Jenny, tell me where you really were Sunday," I harshly demanded.

"What?"

"Your mom hasn't been here for days, stop lying," Goss chimed in. "What are you covering?"

"Nothing!"

"Jenny, we need answers. Right how we have a psychotic killer on the loose and your mother is the prim suspect. Anything you don't tell I'd more reason to believe it's her."

She hesitated. "I was in San Francisco with her on Sunday, that just wasn't all of it. She left last week with no explanation. We hadn't talked to her until she called Dad the other day and told us where she was."

"Do you know why?"

"No. She and my dad had a heated discussion but I didn't really understand."

"Do you think your mom could have killed these people."

"No, she's no killer. She prefers to talk things out," she confidently said shaking her head.

"Where's you dad now?" Goss interjected.

"In San Francisco with my mom."

"Thank you," Goss said. "You head back to the office, I'm going to go check the other place out."

I nodded. We had more evidence now.

On my way back, I gave Jance a call and told her to get the San Francisco police on the line for when I got back.

 

Sorry guys! I'm writing the last 10 Chapters all at once so once they are all done, I'll post them! They have to flow well, so I'm working on them at once. They also require some extra research which I'm working on as well. Basically, I'll start posting in about a week or less, every day a chapter. Sorry!