Abraham took a slow drive around the big-box hardware store as he looked for camera locations, entrances and exits, and the employee parking lot. With his phone, he snapped pictures of the street leading into the employee lot and the closest cameras. After that, he made his way to John’s neighborhood. It wouldn’t be long before John left for the store, and Abraham needed to know his route in case plan A didn’t work.
Once there, he drove around the block then parked at the end of John’s street. He checked the distance and how long it had taken to get there from the hardware store—thirteen minutes to go three and a half miles, taking in the stops for red lights.
Not bad. An easy drive for Mr. Keller but not much time to take him out on a route that short. Plus, most of the drive is on a busy street. Plan A will have to work.
With a quick glance at his phone, Abraham checked the time. John should be heading out any minute. He focused on the house, barely blinking, then he saw it. The garage door began to rise. He rubbed his hands together as adrenaline surged through his body.
“Here we go. It’s showtime.”
Abraham watched as John backed out of the garage, lowered the door, turned left onto the street, and made his way to the stop sign. He made another left and continued on.
So, you have your own route, and it’s not the one I imagined.
Abraham followed several car lengths behind John. He assumed John chose that particular route because of the lack of stoplights. The street was quieter, less populated, and could work as a plan B if necessary. Because John didn’t leave his job until long after dark, there would be less of a chance of Abraham being seen committing the murder. He liked that.
Thanks, John. You just gave me a plan B, and I didn’t have to do an ounce of research.
The drive took eleven minutes, shorter because there were only two stoplights and two stop signs during the drive. John pulled into the hardware store’s parking lot and drove to the side of the building, where he parked in the employee lot. Abraham found his own parking spot and watched as John killed the engine, grabbed what looked like an insulated soft-sided lunch bag, and entered the building through the employee door.
Abraham waited several minutes then walked in through the main entrance. He turned left then headed for the rear of the building. In most big-box stores, that was where the bathrooms, offices, and employee lunchrooms were located. He pretended to browse the automotive aisle while having a perfect view of the hallway that led to the employee lunchroom. Seconds later, John emerged and walked toward the paint department.
Perfect. I can spend time there looking through paint samples, then I’ll ask him questions. That’ll give me plenty of time to get a feel for the guy.
He flipped through the paint sample cards, looking at them in different light.
John approached and asked, “Do you have any paint questions that I can help you with?”
“Yeah, sure. I’m from out of town and here to paint a few rooms in my mom’s house. She wants something light and airy looking. The living room and kitchen are too dark for her taste.”
“Right. Then I’d suggest something in the off-whites. Not too stark and bright, yet the colors are soft and blend well with everything.”
Abraham thought about John’s crimes and pretended to listen to his yammering.
John continued, “As far as kitchen paint goes, a semigloss works well for spatter cleanup.”
Abraham nearly laughed.
If I wasn’t going to choke you out, blood spatter would be right up my alley.
He returned his focus to John. “Okay, I’ll look around a bit and maybe give my mom a call. I might have her come in and go over color samples with you.”
“Sure. I’ll be here until closing at ten.”
“Can you show me the kind of rollers and brushes to use? I’ve never painted house interiors before.”
“Yep, right this way.”
Abraham followed John, watching his mannerisms and how he walked. He seemed nonthreatening. Abraham wondered how a man like that could overpower women and bring them to their knees.
He must have an alter ego where he goes off on women, or he should be medicated and isn’t. That tells me he may be a loose cannon. Good thing I can physically overpower him because of my height and weight. Still, taking him by surprise and from behind is the way to go.
Abraham thanked John, said he would be back—although he had no intention of doing that—and left. It was time to thoroughly check out John’s neighborhood and look for a good hiding spot to surprise him from that night.