Late Monday morning, June 25th
Dan watched the young girl as she sobbed in her mother’s arms while the past reared its ugly head to bite her again. As always, he hated this part of his job. He saw Susan’s mother gently stroke her daughter’s long blond hair as she spoke soothing words into her ear. He saw anger reflected in Mrs. Ames’s eyes as she tried to comfort her only child.
He had learned since being there that Susan’s father had been killed when she was ten and her mother had never remarried. After Susan started to school, Mrs. Ames had taken on a part time job that included some weekends. She had quit after the tragic incident to stay home with her daughter who no longer went out with her friends, who had become withdrawn and depressed. Dan’s heart was sick as he waited for the pitiful teenager to calm down so he could finish speaking with her.
As her sobs decreased and her breathing became normal, he said softly, “Miss Ames, I’m sorry to have to talk to you about this. I hate what happened to you before, just as I hate what’s happening now. But I need for you and your mother to answer a few questions and then we’ll leave. Okay?”
“Okay,” she replied. “Do you know who... Who’s doing this?”
“That’s what we’re trying to find out. We want to catch this man before he—” Dan chose a word carefully, “—hurts anybody else.”
Mrs. Ames declared in an angry tone, “From what I’ve heard and read, the only people he’s hurting are those who’ve escaped paying for their crimes for one reason or another. I don’t think the average male has anything to worry about. Just the bad guys.”
“In some cases, we never know why someone does what they do. We don’t know the motivation behind these crimes, though there has been a lot of speculation in the papers. We don’t know if this man is lulling the public before he does something really serious to someone who’s innocent. I understand the torment bringing all of this up again will cause you, but we must investigate these crimes.”
“Do you have a daughter, Lieutenant? Do you have any idea what that horrible devil has done to our family? To Susan? My seventeen-year-old daughter sleeps with me now, because she’s too afraid to sleep in her own room, even though it’s next to mine. My teenaged daughter will not stay home by herself, even if I only walk to the next-door neighbor’s to borrow a cup of sugar. She goes everywhere with me, no matter where I’m going or what she’s doing, because she won’t stay here alone. We’ve had the house up for sale for months. When it sells, we’re leaving this town and heading to Florida to live near my parents. Hopefully, she’ll be able to break free of all this misery down there.”
The agitated woman took a breath and continued, “In the meantime, I have a child who won’t be alone for a single minute, who won’t wear shorts, even if it’s hot outside. Now, you come here, dredge up the horror again and tell us the animal you set free after he hurt my daughter is dead and you want us to give you information to help you find the Avenger and bring him to justice? Just because she was terrified and didn’t have the strength to testify with that demon giving her the evil eye, you set him free. What more evidence did you need? The proof was all over her body. Why did she need to testify? She picked him out of a line-up. She gave a statement. She gave a deposition. She was only sixteen, so that should have been enough to try him and convict him. Foolish laws let him go free. I would give my life savings to the person responsible for avenging her and for stopping it from happening to another innocent young girl. I would kill him myself if he ever came near her again. Who knows if he was only biding his time until he felt it was safe to return and hurt her again. I’m glad that monster’s dead.”
After an irate and near breathless Mrs. Ames finished, Dan noted that her blue eyes were wild with hatred and loathing. Her red hair had escaped a barrette and partially covered one eye. She looked angry enough to have killed and tortured the man herself. Her chest heaved as she fought to regain control of her breathing.
“Mama, it’s okay. I can talk to the officers.”
Susan’s soft voice focused everyone’s attention on her.
“Baby, after what he did to you, he deserved much worse than death. Lordy, I would love to have been a fly on the wall and seen him get his just dessert. I would have held that animal down for the Avenger to torture him even longer.”
“Mama, I want this to be over. I just want it to go away. Now that he’s dead, he can’t hurt me any more. He can’t. It’s over. It’s finally over.” Tears streamed down Susan’s face and dropped to her lap as she looked at Dan and Mory. “What do you want to talk to me about? What could I possibly do or say to help you? I wasn’t any help to myself when my own life was at stake, so why do you think I could help you now?”
Dan said, “I don’t know, Miss Ames, but we’ve got to try. As I told you, if this vigilante continues on his rampage, he might kill an innocent person who was wrongly accused, or provoke other people to take the law into their own hands. Do you know anyone who might be compelled to punish the man who hurt you?”
“No, sir. Mama wanted to after he was let go, but she isn’t a killer. And she isn’t in shape to put up much of a fight,” Susan jested.
Dan saw the girl’s half-smile as she glanced at her mother’s wide girth that pulled the seams of her pants so tight they looked as if they might burst open any moment. Her oversized tunic was filled too. Dan sensed there was much love in there for Susan.
“My daddy died when I was ten. My aunts and uncles all live in Florida. Mama didn’t want to move there after his funeral, because she thought it would be too much on me to give up my friends after losing Daddy. But we’re both ready to move now. I want to go where no one knows what happened to me, so no one will talk about me behind my back. Go where the boys don’t know my past and think I’m easy because I’m not a virgin any more.” Between renewed sobs, she repeated many taunts and jokes she had endured since that horrid afternoon. “After he was released, some kids thought I had lied about him. It got so bad, Mama started home schooling me. Plus I was scared to go anywhere. I was afraid he’d come after me again.”
Dan heard the anguish in her voice. He thought of the times he had relocated: once after his divorce and most recently after that trouble in New York. “Sometimes a move can give you a new perspective on something. Getting away from all the busybodies and bullies helps a lot, too, and that comes from someone who’s been there. In bad times, I always think about something my daddy used to say: ‘You aren’t responsible for anyone or anything else. The only person you’re responsible for is yourself, so always be true to yourself and make what you do count.’ I think he stole that line from somewhere, but it’s always helped me. You can’t control what others say about you, but you can control what you do about what they’ve said. Never let anyone convince you to do, say or think anything you don’t want to. You aren’t to blame for what happened, so don’t feel guilty or ashamed. Go to Florida and find happiness and freedom again.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant Mallory. You’re a really nice man,” Susan said as she smiled at him. “Is there anything else you need to talk to me about?”
“That’s all for now. We’ve got a nosy journalist following these cases and featuring them in his column and the TV stations are reporting them on their news programs. So far, they’re in the dark about the details of Truman’s case matching Susan’s. But it won’t take long before someone, especially James Starr, makes the connection as he did with the other two Avenger slayings. I suspect he and others will call or come over hoping to get an interview and pictures. Any chance you two can go to Florida until this mess settles down?”
The near frantic woman said, “Thank you, sir. We’ll pack and leave as fast as we can. The realtor has a key to the house. I’ll let her know we’re gone. And to be careful of who she lets inside, none of those sneaky reporters only wanting pictures or film.”
“Good luck, Ms. Ames, Susan. If you think of anything or you need me, call the number on that card and they’ll page me.”
“Okay.” Susan smiled, at last feeling safe and clean again.
“I’ll show you gentlemen out,” Mrs. Ames said as she hefted herself up and patted Susan on the arm. “I’ll be right back, honey.” At the door, she turned to Dan and Mory. “Please don’t come over here again to question my daughter. This new trouble is going to be very tough for her and I don’t want her upset needlessly.”
“We understand, ma’am. We don’t want to upset her, either.” Dan lowered his voice to a near whisper and stood close to tell her, “I do want to warn you about the media pestering you.”
Mory told her, “This is one of the hardest parts of our job, but also a necessary one. Hopefully, we’ll catch the guy soon and it will all be over.”
“I hope you never catch him,” she replied as she scooted them out and closed the door.
Dan glanced at Mory. “Can’t blame her for being pissed at us and happy Susan’s attacker is dead. I got a little preachy in there, but they both seemed to need it. After what they’ve been through, it’s a miracle they’re both still sane and didn’t kill that bastard.”
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Monday afternoon, June 25th
Dan was in a foul mood by the time he arrived at the District Attorney’s office. He had dropped Mory off at his car after their talk with Susan Ames, then headed to see Raymond Harris. Mory was going home to spend time with his wife while he poured over more files. He wished, for a fleeting moment, that he was the one who was married; but remembering his ex-wife, he pushed away that thought with haste. He would never forget the sudden rage that had consumed him when he walked into his apartment that rainy afternoon and discovered Kristi’s betrayal. Upon hearing strange noises, he had thought she was taking an afternoon nap and was having a nightmare or was ill. As he got closer, he realized she wasn’t alone as she writhed naked on their bed, moaning in pleasure, not pain. He saw the brown hair and nude body of his best friend and grasped what was causing her vocals.
He had stood in the doorway and said, “Hi, Kristi, I’m home.” Rick’s head had jerked up from the space between her legs, his face shiny with Kristi’s moisture and gaped at him with an oh-shit look.
“When you finish, Kristi, pack your bags and get out. And as for you, ex-partner, it would be wise and safer to transfer to another precinct.” With that, he’d stalked out of the room and refused to speak with either of them. He had pretended to ignore Kristi’s tearful begging that she was really sorry, Rick’s vain attempts at apologies, and finally their joint exit from his home. He had torn the bedroom apart after they left. The sheets were shredded, her clothes were thrown out of the drawers and closet onto the floor, and her perfumes and bottles of make-up were emptied on them. So much for the training he had received at police camp for maintaining a calm demeanor, but at least he hadn’t killed either or both of them. Betrayal had hung heavy in the air and mingled with the musky smell from the traitors’ lovemaking. He had sprayed an entire can of air freshener, but it hadn’t erased the odor from his brain. Finally, he sat down on the floor and cried in the midst of her soiled belongings. That was the first and last time he had cried over her. Kristi and Rick had moved to Minnesota soon afterward.
The distance had helped soothe the hurt, but a lonely ache came over him on occasion. It wasn’t for Kristi, but for someone to share time with, someone to laugh with, and someone to help him deal after a difficult interview like Karen’s. There hadn’t been a woman he’d wanted to ask out in a long time. Janie and Mory had fixed him up a couple of times, but those blind dates hadn’t worked out. One-night stands were taboo for him because of AIDS, and women who seemed safe enough to bed were usually marriage hungry and in a hurry to feed that appetite. He didn’t want to remarry for a long, long time. If ever. He didn’t like the bar scene either, and had never been so down on himself that he’d had to pay for sex. He hoped the day never came that he got that desperate.
Dan guessed he was just feeling lonely. He didn’t want to face going home to his small apartment, watching television or reading these rape cases. He wanted to relax and enjoy the company of a woman. Maybe go out to dinner or take in a movie. But his chosen field made him guarded against everyone and he was still bitter after the humiliating episode with Kristi and Rick. He didn’t want to drop in at Mory and Janie’s, especially since they were having their own problems. The last thing they needed was a sad little puppy begging for scraps of attention. Then again, maybe it would do them some good to see what it was like out there in the single world where the grass was neither greener nor fresher. It was more like sticky mud, eager to suck you in and down beneath its dark and smothering surface.
Those were the troubling thoughts coursing through Dan’s mind when he rounded a corner in the hallway and crashed into a woman, causing a stack of files to tumble from her grasp and scatter across the terrazzo floor.
“Sorry, miss, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going. Let me help you with—” As he looked at her, Dan was struck silent by her eyes: beautiful and expressive eyes surrounded by dark, thick lashes whose gaze was filled with apparent amusement at his loss of words, as was her expression. The sum of her features was captivating. Her shoulder length blond hair was thick and full and cut stylishly to curl towards her arresting face. Sexual desire gnawed at his hungry loins. Her pink lips were perfect as she smiled and spoke.
“That’s okay. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going either.” As the handsome stranger squatted and helped her retrieve the files, she said, “My boss wanted these an hour ago, but I was still typing his scribbled notes from his meeting yesterday. Thanks for your help, Mr...?”
Mr. Right, I hope. “Dan Mallory. Lieutenant Dan Mallory, Homicide Division.” Now why did I say that? Am I trying to impress her? Hell yes, I could jump her in the nearest closet. Hell, right here in the hallway!
“Well, then, these are for you,” she said with a grin as she tapped the files. “I’m Andrea Arquette, Ray’s legal secretary, but everyone calls me Andi. So you’re the one who’s chasing our mysterious Avenger. Having any luck?”
I hope I have more luck chasing you, Dan thought, as he said out loud, “Not so far. That’s why I wanted to review Ray’s files: to see if there’s anything he’d discovered in his investigations that we hadn’t. Since you work for him, any ideas or suggestions? Believe me, I could use them.” Over dinner, maybe?
“I really don’t know too much about this Avenger case other than what’s in the papers or on TV, and I learned a long time ago not to believe everything I read and hear. James Starr has been pretty aggressive in covering some of our more sensitive cases without a thought to the victims, so I don’t read his column any more.”
“Did you help Ray work on those women’s cases?” There was that smile again, the tantalizing kind that gave a man weak knees and an instant hard-on. He’d love to see her smiling up at him as he drove himself into her over and over again. Get a grip, his mind warned, before it becomes obvious what you’re thinking.
“I don’t work the cases, Lieutenant. I’m just a secretary. I only type them for the files and make sure Ray looks as good as he can in court and in meetings.”
“Don’t believe a word she says, Dan. Andi is many things to this office, but never ‘just a secretary’,” Raymond Harris quipped from behind Andrea, then extended his hand to the officer. “Good to see you again. Been a while.”
Dan looked at the District Attorney. He was at least six feet two with broad shoulders and strong hands, brown hair and green eyes accentuated by a tan. They had worked together a few times on past cases, but mostly saw each other in the Captain’s office or at other social or official functions. But his path had never crossed with Andrea “Andi” Arquette. Twenty wasted months of being alone.
Raymond looked directly into Dan’s lust shiny eyes as he continued his flattery. “She’s brilliant. She’s helped me write some of my best opening and closing statements. Andi’s thought of things I never would have when reviewing a file. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.”
Andrea’s face warmed to a bright pink from her boss’s gushing compliments in front of the most handsome and sexy hunk she had seen in a very long time. And if her female intuition was right, he was just as attracted to her as she was to him. Hopefully, he wasn’t married or attached or gay. “Oh, Ray, you give me too much credit. I only pointed out a small detail here and there that no one had thought about looking into or forgot to check out, and now you can’t make it without me?”
“You betcha, Andi. One of those small details ended up sealing our case against Williams.” He focused on Dan and asked, “You remember that one, don’t you, Mallory? It wasn’t your case, but it was big news, going on when you joined the department. The man who killed the entire family, six people in all, out on Milledge Avenue? Even their two month old baby was shot through the head.” At Dan’s nod of recognition, Raymond continued, “Well, it was Andi’s idea to check the pond that was located near where Williams lived. We’d already been through his car and his house and hadn’t found anything. Andi saw it when she drove by there and thought the pond was a good place for someone to get rid of evidence. Sure enough, we found the gun that had killed that family, with Williams’ fingerprints all over it, the bullet casings and a sliver of skin on the magazine for DNA. If she hadn’t thought of that, he would’ve walked away scot-free. But justice was served.”
Dan was impressed. As they entered Ray’s reception area, he asked Andrea, “Why did you drive by his house?”
“I don’t know. I guess from my psychology classes, I wanted to see where and how the monster lived. I was trying to understand what could make a man do something so horrible. Ray was sure Williams had done it, but there wasn’t enough evidence to link him to the crime. We had one witness, but she was a prostitute, so the defense would have torn her to shreds once he got her on the stand. I drove by and heard several kids throwing rocks into the lake. That’s when I suspected what he had done with the gun. I called Ray from my car phone and he sent the team right over. After ballistics matched the bullets and weapon to the ones involved in those killings, his defense attorney had no choice but to enter a guilty plea. I’m just glad he’s locked up and can’t hurt anyone again, unless they parole him.”
“Maybe you should be on my team,” Dan teased.
“I thought we were on the same team. You must be thinking of a defense attorney, not the district attorney,” Andrea jested with a smile.
“Touché,” he replied. Beautiful, intelligent, warm, sexy. She must have a husband or a significant something at home. He’d certainly be waiting for her with eager arms if she belonged to him. Dan tried to discover if she had on a wedding band, but her left hand was still holding the files and he couldn’t see it. Be damned if he was going to leave there without finding out.
“So, how’s the investigation going?” Raymond asked as he motioned for Dan and Andrea to follow him into his office.
“Not good. Everybody seems to be cheering this maniac on instead of realizing the danger of his vigilante actions. I hope I can stop him before anyone else gets the same crazy idea or he takes out an innocent person.”
“Good luck on finding something in these files that’ll be useful. Andi was in charge of the notes in several of those cases, so she can assist you if you need clarification of something. If I can help with anything else, please give me a call. I have to tell you this: I’ll have a bitch of a time prosecuting this Avenger for what he’s done. Even though it’s wrong, he’s gotten several of the worst offenders for us. At least it’s opened a few eyes as to what’s wrong with our judicial system. Now, let’s see what the people do about it. I’m sure the female victims can sleep better with such scum off the streets. Each one I worked with was terrified her attacker would eventually return for revenge. Loopholes, technicalities, and even the Sixth Amendment can be ball busters for us. Lady Justice is strong and smart but damn that blindfold she’s forced to wear.”
Dan knew Raymond was referring to the tall statue on City Hall grounds: a sword in her right hand, a scale in her left and a blindfold over her eyes. He wasn’t surprised when Raymond admitted his support of the Avenger, a feeling that pervaded most homes right now. However, he hoped that the District Attorney would be able to do his job prosecuting this killer when he was arrested. No foul-ups this time, Ray. I hope I can follow my own advice if I ever do catch him. When I catch him, Dan corrected himself.
“Maybe this will get someone to put his actions where his mouth is and do something about it,” Andrea chimed in. “Instead of griping on television and in the papers, maybe somebody in power will make a plan and follow it through, change the laws and system. Meanwhile, the public and media shouldn’t beat up on the law enforcers who are doing the best they can with what they’ve been given to work with.”
Is this woman for real? Dan didn’t sense any hesitation or deception in her speech. He wanted this woman bad. Maybe Lady Luck would be on his side and she’d agree to have dinner with him one night. To go over the cases, of course. Later, they’d see what developed. As his mind wandered in that direction, he realized Raymond was speaking to him. “What? I’m sorry, my mind must have wandered for a minute.”
“That’s all right. You’ve got a tough case to crack. I have a dinner meeting starting in an hour and have to leave soon, so Andi can help you with any questions you might have. If that’s all for me, I’ll leave you in her capable hands.” Raymond knew as he spoke those words that Dan was eager to have just such an opportunity.
“Great. I’ll tell Martin how helpful you’ve been.” Dan knew putting a word in the Sheriff’s ear, since he was a powerful man in both the city and the county, would please Raymond immensely, and he was right.
“Thanks, Dan, I’d really appreciate that. I’ll see you tomorrow, Andi. Would you lock up before you leave? Everyone else bolted at five.”
“Sure, Ray. I’m usually the last to leave anyway. See you tomorrow. And don’t forget you have a meeting with the Mayor at ten tomorrow morning,” Andrea called after him. “Let’s go to my office and we can sit down with the files.”
“You have your own office? I thought secretaries just sat outside their boss’s.”
“I handle sensitive cases. It wouldn’t be good for someone to walk by my desk and read anything over my shoulder. When one of the paralegals left, Ray gave me her space next to his. It’s about the size of a closet, but I love it. And I can get more work done out of the circle.” Andrea pointed to the desks that were set around the large area in between the office doors. Each had computers and telephones with many lines.
Dan imagined it must be tough to work with several people sitting that close. Even the office he and Mory shared was loud and difficult to concentrate in when both of them were working on separate things. Privacy was a big problem. He noticed there weren’t any partitions separating the work areas and saw one person still at her computer. A brass plate said Cindi Summers and he thought the name fit her perfectly. Her light blond hair and tan face spoke of many hours in the sun or on a tanning bed. A radiant smile lit up her face as they approached her location.
“Cindi, this is Lieutenant Dan Mallory from the homicide division. He’s the one who’s after that monster slayer. He wants to look at Ray’s files on those cases.”
“Hi, Lieutenant. So you’re the one,” Cindi stood as they reached her and shook the detective’s extended hand.
“Hi, Cindi. Yes, I’m your man, and call me Dan.”
“Hey, that rhymes: Dan, the man,” Cindi chirped and grinned. She noticed that Andrea’s face was flushed and guessed he was the reason, a fine specimen of the male sex. They had been best friends for a long time, and Cindi had learned to read her like a book. Andrea didn’t date much, so Cindi hoped something was happening between the two of them.
“We’ll be here for a while. Are you leaving soon?” Andrea asked her.
“Yes, Brian called a few minutes ago and he’s taking me to dinner tonight.” Andi’s going to kill me for this, but what the hell? “Have you found a date for the Comedy Theater yet? Don’t you dare beg a headache and miss Brian’s birthday. He’d never forgive you.” To Dan she said, “My fiancé’s birthday is this weekend and he got twelve free passes to the Comedy Theater. There’s still the two-drink minimum, but at least the tickets are free for everyone. Have you ever been?” Andrea was frowning at her, but Cindi didn’t care.
“I’ve heard about it, but haven’t caught a show yet. Sounds like fun,” Dan answered. So, Andrea was single. And available and needed a date for Friday. Maybe my luck has changed.
“Gary Conrad, the hypnotist, is going to be there. We’ve seen him every time he comes to town. He’s usually here for two weeks, he’s so popular. It’s hysterical what Gary can make people do. You should catch his show while he’s here. I promise it’s one you won’t soon forget,” Cindi told him.
Dan caught the playful, mischievous twinkle in her hazel eyes. He’d have to thank her later if things worked out with Andrea. “Maybe I’ll get invited someday. Tell Brian I said happy birthday and you guys have a drink for me.”
While Dan spoke, Cindi looked pointedly at Andrea as if to say, There’s your cue, girl. Ask him.
But Andrea looked directly at Cindi and countered with another question of her own, one certain to cause Cindi to forget her matchmaking for a while. “What have you gotten Brian for his birthday?”
Cindi flustered at that point. “Shit! I have no idea what to get him and his birthday’s Friday. I haven’t come up with a single thing. Nada. His dad got him the tool set I was thinking about and his mom got him a golf glove. The man has everything he could possibly need. Including me,” she jested and grinned. “What do you think, Dan. You’re a man. What would you want for your birthday?”
A loaded question there, woman. I’d like to get to know Andrea. She makes a tantalizing first impression. “What about a wallet? Or a pocketknife? My mom gave me an engraved one for my last birthday and I’ve carried it ever since. Every man should have one.” Dan pulled the knife from his pocket and showed it to the two women. A golf scene was carved into one side with the date and Love Mom on the other.
“Dan, I owe you big. Brian will love one. I would’ve never thought of it. He still carries one his high school sweetheart gave him, so I wouldn’t mind getting rid of that. You’re a genius. If Andi doesn’t find a date by Friday, maybe you can fill the extra slot. You just solved a major crisis for me”—so she didn’t mind if Andrea got miffed, which wouldn’t last long—“so I’ll even spring for your drinks.”
“Cindi! Lieutenant Mallory doesn’t need you to help fill his weekend calendar. I’m sure he already has other plans. And thanks a lot for your vote on my ability to find a date,” Andrea exclaimed, her face pinkening, a vexing trait she detested.
“When’s the last one you had? 1988? Just kidding. Sorry, Dan. I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn. It’s Andi’s decision whom she wants to invite.” She couldn’t help but add, “But you’re still welcome to come, as my guest. And bring a date if you want.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t have anyone I’d want to bring, but I appreciate your offer. Good luck on the pocketknife. I’m sure he’ll love it.” Dan whispered, “Check Peppermint Patty’s on Washington Road. They have a great selection there.”
“Thanks, Dan.”
“You’re welcome. And thank you,” he said with a wink.
“Cindi, please lock the door when you leave. I have to finish Ray’s notes from this morning, so I’ll be here late. I’ll let Dan out when we’re finished. See you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Dan. It was really nice meeting you. Bye, Andi. Don’t work too late. And let me know by tomorrow, if you can, about Friday.”
Andrea glowered at her. Cindi couldn’t have been more obvious! Now Dan was probably going to think she was on the prowl. Or worse, that she was desperate. You’re going to get it in the morning, girlfriend. But you were right about one thing: I was planning to engineer a headache to miss the Friday activities. At times it was hard sitting with and watching the five other couples as they performed the Friday Night Mating Ritual, as she called it. Knowing she would be going home to a television set and ice cream didn’t soothe her loneliness. She didn’t have any reservations about asking a man out, but she liked to do it in her own time and her own way. Hell, Dan could be married with six kids and another one on the way for all she knew! He probably didn’t appreciate Cindi’s meddling and matchmaking, either. The first nice man to come along in years and Cindi had to open her trap! Andrea promised to shut it for her the next day, then recalled Dan’s previous remark about not having anyone he would want to bring. Unattached. Available. Interested. Is as sexy and enticing as the hero on the cover of a romance novel. Perfect body. Perfect features. Perfect manners. Idiot, stop staring at him!
“Sorry about Cindi. She’s a great friend and I love her dearly, but she shouldn’t have said the things she did. I’m sorry if she embarrassed you.” Though not nearly as much as she embarrassed me, or I’m doing for myself.
As Andrea guided him to her office, Dan said, “I thought Cindi was nice. I’m sure she has your best interests at heart. Besides, I thought it sounded like fun. I’ve heard of the hypnotist, but never made it to any of his shows. I’ll have to see if I can make it to one before he leaves,” Dan hinted.
Andrea changed the subject and spoke quickly so as not to alert him to her nervousness. Dan Mallory was standing too darn close, smelling too good, and sending off too many sexual sparks, more than enough to inflame her from head to toes. Clear your wits, Andi, this man is going to be a huge challenge. “You really should; his performance is something else. Now, let’s get seated and down to business. I’ve pulled the three files that you requested: Silverman’s, Crouch’s and Truman’s. I didn’t notice a correlation between any of them. It’s been almost two-ish years for two of them, and I only worked hands on with Truman’s case. We couldn’t get an indictment to go to trial. His victim was too young and terrified to help us convict him. But I have scanned the other two after I pulled them for our meeting. I had already added Ray’s current notes and newspaper clippings after they were slain. Since the Avenger is copying their prior crimes, Ray thought we might need updated files if a new trial comes up. Is there anything specific that you’re looking for? Since I’m familiar with these three cases, maybe I can help.”
“At this point, I’ll take all the help I can get.” Dan took a chair opposite hers and went over the facts concerning the three male victims and their female victims. It was clear that Henrietta and the Captain were keeping the DA. well informed on facts as they came in. There were even notations about Karen’s suicide and Lisa’s flight. “Is there any indication that these women are related in any way? Is there someone who could’ve known all three of them?” Dan asked.
“Not that I could find from my or the past paralegals work. Each is from a different neighborhood and area of the county. I doubt the male victims knew each other either. From what you’ve told me so far, I think you’ve got someone out there who’s seeking his own justice. Maybe his sister, mother, girlfriend or wife was raped, and the attacker got off scot-free. Could be the provoking crime was never reported, and that thug is still on the loose, maybe his identity unknown to this Avenger. So he’s going after the most violent rapists he can find.”
“You could be right,” Dan concurred, but was having a tough time concentrating on “business”, as she called it. “I just want to stop him before he kills anyone else, especially someone innocent. You can add a note to Truman’s file: Susan and her mother left for Florida to escape another media feeding frenzy. Reporters like James Starr act like hungry piranhas; they show no mercy for crime victims. Frankly, I don’t trust Starr at all.”
“I’m glad Lisa and the Ames's are gone. This matter has gotten ugly, and may get even worse if you can’t expose and capture our misguided justice seeker. It’s sad and frustrating when victims and their loved ones feel as if we’ve failed them. And it’s infuriating when a guilty thug not only goes free but also laughs in our and victim’s faces. I can understand how a vigilante is created and why the public is rooting for him. I witness how difficult it is for Ray to lose a case, especially a violent one. So much unnecessary evil in our world today. Have you been able to determine anything from the crime scenes? What about fingerprints? Did the rape kits reveal anything you can use? We’re still waiting on full reports from Henri and Harold. Aren’t they a terrific team? You’re lucky the old team is gone.”
“Yep, been here long enough to know how lucky I am. About twenty months in homicide, so I’m playing catch-up with all these cases. I can see why our paths haven’t crossed: we’ve been traveling in different circles and directions.” He cleared his throat and returned to “business”. “The scenes were wiped clean. So far, no physical evidence we can use. This guy knows what he’s doing and he’s doing it good. How did he discover the details of each of these cases? Why did he choose these particular women to avenge?” Dan continued with other questions he had asked himself all night, and Andrea listened, stopping him at times to add a comment or to pose another query. She had assured him their files were under lock and key, well guarded and well protected.
Dan jumped as his phone went off on his hip. When he checked the caller ID, he noted the time. “It’s nearly ten o’clock, Andi, and you haven’t gotten any of your work done. I’m sorry I held you up so long.”
Andrea smiled. “This was a lot more interesting than the stuff I was planning to do anyway.” Or sitting home alone.
“It really helped to voice all of the questions out loud. We didn’t come up with any answers, but I appreciate your willingness to listen. It sure helped me to get this case planted more firmly in my mind.”
“No problem, Dan. Let me close up the front offices and turn off the lights and we’ll call it a night. I’m glad I could help. Now, you’d better return that call. I’ll be back in a minute,” she said and shut the door to give him privacy and her a moment to collect herself. What was she thinking? She didn’t need to get involved in a relationship right now. The last one had nearly cost her her sanity. A good tumble in the hay would greatly improve her mood though, and she was sure he was quite capable there. Andrea could almost hear Cindi saying, It’s the nineties, girl, loosen up! Ha! As granddaddy used to say, “I’m as tight as a tic on a hound dog’s ear.” Dan Mallory would be a huge challenge in lots of ways. She wasn’t on “The Pill”, didn’t own a single condom, or been naked with a man since—Whoa, girl, you haven’t even dated him or checked him out for security reasons! Slow down, Andi, and be on guard; you don’t know who or what this Avenger chaser is really like when he isn’t charming off your panties!
“Anything important?” Andrea asked upon returning to her office.
“Nah. It was Mory, my partner. He wanted to go to the lake on Saturday and put his boat on the water. I promised to pick up our fishing licenses, so he was checking to make sure I got them. Do you go to the lake much?” Now why had he set himself up with that question? She was obviously distressed with her friend for her matchmaking attempts, even though Andrea had remained polite and even interested in their conversation. She probably didn’t date cops, and he certainly couldn’t blame her for that rule. He wouldn’t date one either. Yet, he hoped he could change her mind.
“Almost every Saturday Cindi and I go to Lake Springs. They have a beach and swimming area there. What do you fish for?”
He would love to reel her in and nibble on her from head to toe. And then sink his rod into her honey—“Bass, usually. Sometimes bream. Do you know how to fish?”
“I haven’t been in a while, but I used to go a lot with my grandfather. He taught me how and took me whenever he could. Cindi isn’t into fishing, so we usually just lay in the sun or ride around on her boyfriend’s boat.”
“Well, I’ll have to remedy that sometime by taking you out with us. How far can you spit?”
“What?”
“How far can you spit? You can’t tell lies about the women you date and you can’t whiz out of the boat, so to fit in with the guys, the only thing you can do is spit. So, what’s your average?” Dan joked.
“I’d say farther than you,” she teased back.
“That sounds like a challenge I can’t ignore. How about Saturday? Mory’s wife is going to sit on the boat and soak up the rays. I’m sure it would be okay if you wanted to come, and us men will be better behaved with two women along.” Dan held his breath as he waited for her reply. His imagination was already picturing her in a bikini and her flesh covered with tanning oil, and he was feeling the resulting heat in his pants.
Andrea decided, what the hell? Why not? He was extremely attractive and seemed nice enough. No major character flaws detected. Plus, she could get involved with the Avenger case and that would certainly add to her resume! It would be fascinating and beneficial to watch this hunk match wits with the Avenger.
Dan mistook her hesitation, thinking she was trying to find a nice way to turn him down. “This is kinda last minute, so if you already have plans, I’ll understand.” He was startled by her reply.
“I’d love to go to the lake with you and your partner. It should be safe enough with his wife there. But only if you go with us on Friday. I’m sure Cindi will be happy to see you again,” Andrea quipped and grinned at him.
“Deal. Friday to the hypnotist and Saturday to the lake. I’ll call you with the details later this week. Would you like to get some dinner tonight, since I kept you out so late?” The words were out before he could stop them. Don’t push, his mind warned.
“I appreciate the offer, but I have to come in early to finish up those notes from this afternoon, and it’s already past my bedtime,” Andrea answered, looking at her watch.
“I should get home, too. I’ve got a lot of reading to do tonight. I’ll call you by Thursday to finalize the plans for Friday and Saturday. What time should we be at the Comedy Theater?”
“The show starts at eight. We usually get there by seven thirty, so we have time to talk before it starts. You can pick me up around seven. Here’s my address and phone number. Or you can call me here. This is usually where I am most of the time.” Andrea quickly wrote down the directions to her condo and her number. Two dates in one weekend was more than she’d had in eight months, probably longer. But it would be safe with Cindi and Brian and the others. If he turned out to be different from what she’d imagined, she could come up with an excuse for Saturday. Somehow, though, she had the feeling this was the start of something good.
“Great. I’ll see you at seven on Friday.” Suddenly the prospect of dating again had him feeling like a schoolboy. He realized he didn’t know anything about her, yet had plans to spend two days this weekend with her. What was he thinking? That was one good thing about being a cop; you could run a few checks on someone and make sure they didn’t have a record anywhere. That was more than Andrea could do, wasn’t it?
Dan waited while Andrea turned off the lights and locked the back door of the offices. He walked her to her car, watched her get in, and drive towards the Expressway. He headed back to his apartment to concentrate on the files.
But a green-eyed beauty kept stealing his thoughts and causing his mind to wander in another direction. He decided not to tell Mory about inviting Andrea to tag along until the last minute, because he didn’t want to face Mory’s good-natured teasing for the next four days. As he stretched out on his bed, he wondered what the weekend would bring. Hopefully not another torture and slaying to conflict with his personal life, now that he finally had one.