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Jason and Evan Albright's parents thought it would be a perfect family vacation if they went camping. Their parents could be so lame. Nobody went camping anymore, they stayed in hotels instead.
Jason begrudgingly admitted the place was kind of cool though. But he would never admit that to his parents. There were all kinds of trails and woods to explore. Their dad even bought a metal detector to look for buried treasures. Jason would be thirteen this year, where Evan was only ten, still a baby. Besides, Evan was a momma's boy.
"Come on, Evan, let's go. Mom and Dad said we could hike a little further up, as long as we bring the walkie talkie with us. There has to be some neat stuff buried in the woods."
Jason didn’t wait for Evan as he took off running. He heard Evan call out, "Wait up. I'm coming. Come on, Jason, stop!"
"Hurry up,” Jason hollered as he galloped through the undergrowth, already venturing off of the trail.
Jason rolled his eyes when he heard Evan whine like a big baby. "Come on, Jason, wait up." Jason slowed down, so Evan didn’t go back and tattle tell. When Evan finally caught up with Jason, they spotted a rabbit darting through the bushes. They made their way through the overgrown game trail, walking around tall pine trees and heavy brush. This was an adventure to them, and they giggled as they ran after the rabbit. It didn’t take the rabbit long before he became tired of the boys’ chasing game and darted down a hiding hole.
As they walked back the way they came, Jason turned on the metal detector. Finding nothing, he wondered if this had been a lame idea. No one probably ventured this far off the trails anyhow.
Evan walked ahead of him to throw sticks, even lamer. "Jason, come check this out. It looks like someone tried to burn something."
"Cool, I wanna see.” Pushing Evan out of the way, he looked at what his brother had found, “Evan, I think someone tried to set up a camping spot back here. Maybe we will find something." The smell didn’t bother the boys, but what they found was far more than they ever bargained for. Jason almost passed out and Evan began to throw up. From the look of the bodies, they had been there for a while. However, Jason didn’t want to take a chance. He grabbed Evan and pulled him away from the bodies. "Come on, let's go."
Jason tried his dad on the walkie talkie, "Dad, you there? Dad, come in. We’re in trouble, big trouble!"
His dad’s panicked voice came over the walkie, "What is it? Boys, are y'all okay?"
"Evan found some dead bodies. They are gross, Dad. They don’t even look human, their skin is all weird."
"Where are y’all?"
"We’re in the woods, off the trail by the trailer. Please hurry, Dad."
***
THE CORONER ARRIVED at the same time as the crime scene techs. After a quick inspection of the bodies, he walked over to Detective Rick Bankston. “I did a quick examination of the bodies. You may want to contact the FBI. This may be the work of the escaped convict they are looking for down in Louisiana. It has been all over the news, and this appears to be their killers’ work. There’s a lot of torture and mutilation.”
“When will you be doing the autopsy?”
“My techs are about to load up the bodies and I plan to perform the autopsy once we are back at the morgue.”
Nodding his head, Bankston replied, “I will meet you there as soon as I can, Doc.”
***
BANKSTON HEADED TO the coroner’s office. He had left a message with the local FBI office about the most recent murder, and hoped to hear from an agent soon. The Potomac County Coroner’s Office was attached to the morgue, located in the basement of the County Hospital.
The odor of death hit him as soon as he opened the doors to the autopsy room. Bankston dreaded this part of the job; the smell of formaldehyde got him every time.
Dr. Brad Welsh greeted him with a nod. The bodies were laid out on gurneys; water still glistened off of them from the recent wash down. With the bodies being freshly cleaned, the amount of torture that these two endured became more apparent.
Dr. Welsh explained, “The decomposition of the bodies is bad, but I did determine the cause of death for the man. Exsanguination, but I’m still working on the cause of death for the female. It is probably exsanguination for her as well. Several ribs were broken and I believe both were revived several times, before they finally succumbed to death. The woman was sexually assaulted, but not the man. Severe mutilation occurred to the genital area of the woman. I’m thinking he penetrated her with a foreign object, possibly a knife. The attacker didn’t bother wearing a condom. Semen was found around the vagina, anus, and on her thighs. The samples have already been sent to the lab. Restraint marks are evident at the wrists and ankles on both bodies. The man had horrendous amounts of mutilation performed on his body. Each body has deep puncture wounds that nicked their lungs. It would have caused them to gurgle, struggling to breathe.
“Time of death was likely seventy-two hours ago. Rigor has left the bodies and decomposition has begun. I found two burn marks on each body, consistent with the use of a Taser. This is most probably how he subdued both victims.”
“It looks as if this killer wanted the torture to last as long as possible,” Bankston said.
Dr. Welsh agreed. “That’s my conclusion. The fatal wounds came several days later, maybe when it became harder to revive them. It is evident from the wound pattern that the torture lasted for days. This killer wanted them to suffer a great deal before killing them. All major organs were avoided in the beginning. This killer has a basic knowledge of anatomy or has been practicing, learning how to torture his victims. The knife wounds are precise. He showed a great deal of control, performing the horrendous torture and not killing them for several days. As soon as I receive the toxicology results, I will provide you with my written report.”
Bankston called the officer that found the abandoned car. “Officer Daniels, my name is Detective Bankston. I’m working the murders of the owners of the vehicle you found abandoned at a rest stop off I-64. It is a 2000 Jeep Cherokee.”
“Yes sir. We have the vehicle stored in our impound lot, if you are interested. When I noticed the abandoned vehicle, my partner and I checked the restrooms and the immediate area to try and locate them. We came up empty handed. Search and Rescue were called out to check the woods surrounding the rest stop, but that search also yielded no results.”
“Was the car dusted for prints?”
“No sir. It was just impounded. It has been sitting here ever since.”
If Dr. Welsh was correct and the FBI was involved, this case would become multi-jurisdictional after all. “Would it be possible to have the car dusted?”
“I don’t see why not.”
***
DETECTIVE BANKSTON was working at his desk when Officer Daniels called back. “Detective Bankston, I have some surprising news for you. I’m guessing the perps either didn’t worry about fingerprints or could care less, but we found two sets of fingerprints that did not match those of the victims. One set is unknown, but the other belongs to an escaped prisoner by the name of David Thorguson. I have already let the FBI know. An Agent O’Riordan will be contacting you, I am sure.”
“Thank you, Officer. I’ll be on the lookout for his call.”
How did an escaped convict from Louisiana make it all the way up here, and was he still in the area? Bankston decided to do a little research on this fellow. The best place to start was to call the arresting officer, Detective Jordan Sanders.
“My name is Detective Bankston with Potomac County Sheriff’s Department. May I speak to Detective Jordan Sanders about the David Thorguson case?”
“This is Sheriff Hamilton; you want to talk about David Thorguson?”
“Yes ma’am. I would like to talk to the lead detective.”
“That would be me. Since the arrest, I’ve been elected sheriff of Hope and married. It’s been a busy year. What can I help you with?”
“I was wondering if we could get a copy of your case file on David Thorguson. David’s fingerprints have shown up on a related case here and I want to know what I am dealing with.”
“Where did you say you are at again?”
“I’m with Potomac County Sheriff’s Department in North Carolina.”
“I can have a copy expressed to you this morning. If you provide me with your email address, I will send you the most pertinent information.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Detective, be careful. This SOB is slippery as hell.”
***
O’RIORDAN CALLED DR. Cook, “Dr. Cook, how would you like to take a ride with me? They have a body that matches our profile in North Carolina.”
”They aren’t leaving much of a cooling off period between victims are they?”
Shaking his head, “No, David more than likely has a lot of pent up desires he wants to unleash.”
She asked, “When did you want to leave?”
“I’ll pick you up at your house. Pack a bag in case we stay longer than intended. And don’t worry about missing work, the Director already called your supervisor and informed him that you would be assisting us with a high profile case.”
***
AFTER PICKING DR. COOK up at her house, they took the FBI jet to North Carolina. O’Riordan was glad that the Director had given him permission to use it as he saw fit to get to the crime scenes. This would save them on the travel time, and they’d arrive at the scenes quickly.
When they landed, the local FBI office would have a vehicle waiting at the tarmac.
Three hours after receiving the phone call, O’Riordan and Cook were driving to the Potomac County Sheriff’s Department. At the front desk O’Riordan introduced himself, “I am Special Agent Jackson O’Riordan and this is Dr. Meghan Cook. We are here to see Detective Bankston.”
“Yes sir, please have a seat and I will let him know you are here.”
***
IT NEVER EVEN OCCURRED to Detective Bankston that Agent O’Riordan would just show up, he figured he would just call and touch base.
He walked up to the front desk to greet O’Riordan. “Agent O’Riordan, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
Shaking hands, O’Riordan introduced Dr. Cook, “This is Dr. Cook, she works for the State of Mississippi Coroner’s office, but has agreed to help us with this case.
“Dr. Cook, it is nice to meet you as well.” Looking at O’Riordan, he stated, “As I am sure you are aware, we do have confirmation that David Thorguson’s prints were found at the scene. The other set has yet to be identified.”
“May we set up a task force here?”
“I’ve already cleared everything with my captain. We want to help you all anyway we can.”
Two more agents entered the conference room with several boxes. They began setting up maps and photos on one of the bulletin boards in the room. “The yellow tacks indicate murders that we suspect have been committed by the accomplice. The red indicates the murders we suspect have been committed by both the accomplice and Thorguson. If we determine where they have been, maybe we can track their next movements.”
Bankston looked at the photographs going up and all of the highlighted places on the map. “All of these cases?”
“I’m still sorting through case notes, but yes, it appears Thorguson’s accomplice has been operating for quite some time now. It worries me that these two sadistic killers partnered up. That will mean trouble.”
“How many agents will remain here?”
“My team and I will remain here as long as needed. When Thorguson and his accomplice move to another town, a smaller team will stay here to assist you with the investigation. I am determined to bring these men in.”
Bankston was relieved. “If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll call a local motel and make arrangements for you and your team.”
“Thank you, we appreciate it.”
“Would you like to see the bodies? I am sure the coroner is still there.”
“If possible, that would be beneficial,” O’Riordan replied.
Bankston called Dr. Welsh. “Doc, I have some FBI agents from the Behavioral Analysis Unit here. Would it be possible for us to come over and inspect the bodies of the couple that we found?”
“How long before you’ll get here?”
“We can be there in about twenty minutes.”
“That’s fine. It will give me time to finish up with the latest autopsy before you arrive. Any idea why the Feds are here?”
“The dead couple may be linked to a serial killer, or killers. The FBI is chasing them down.”
“I‘ll give them a rundown on my findings when they get here.”
“Thanks Doc. See you soon.”
***
DR. WELSH HAD JUST finished up, when Bankston and O’Riordan arrived. “Dr. Welsh, this is Special Agent Jackson O’Riordan. He is in charge of the task force in search of David Thorguson, the serial killer that escaped from Hope, Louisiana.”
O’Riordan shook Dr. Welsh’s hand. “Dr. Welsh, thank you for fitting me in.” Extending his arm towards Dr. Cook, “And this is a fellow colleague.”
Meghan stepped forward, “Dr. Welsh, my name is Dr. Meghan Cook. I am a coroner with the State of Mississippi.”
“Pleased to meet you both.” He brought them over to the gurney and pulled back the sheet. “I don’t have the full autopsy report ready just yet, and still no results on toxicology.”
“That’s okay, Dr. Welsh. I’m not worried about the toxicology results as much as the way they were murdered. The serial killer I am chasing has a specific signature.”
“Well, I can let you know that the bodies both had super glue applied to their sexual orifices and anuses. The torture and mutilation on the bodies was overkill, if you ask me.”
Agent O’Riordan looked over the bodies and had to agree. “This fits the pattern of the MO and signature I’ve been researching. The good news for you, Detective Bankston, is this duo only kills once per city. They have probably moved on, which means I need to find out where they are headed to next.”
Dr. Welsh informed O’Riordan, “Most of the stab wounds were superficial. The killers revived the victims several times before they were killed. Several ribs were fractured and petechial hemorrhage was evident, but exsanguination also took place. The bastards took their time with the victims.”
“David Thorguson enjoys extending the torture on his victims as long as he can. From what I’ve researched on his accomplice, he also prefers to torture his victims for as long as possible. Now that these two partnered up, there is no telling what may happen, but it won’t be anything good.”
Neither killer cared that he was leaving behind fingerprints or DNA. It was as if he wanted to taunt them, ‘Look where I’ve been and what I’ve done’.
***
O’RIORDAN AND HIS TEAM inspected the crime scene as well. Sometimes clues were overlooked and it took a second set of eyes to notice them. They spent hours working under the sun, repeatedly walking the scene to ensure nothing, no fibers, fingerprints, hair, had been missed. The scene was thoroughly photographed. The local crime scene techs had done a meticulous job. O’Riordan asked that the evidence be sent to the FBI labs and a rush was ordered. Unfortunately, it could take weeks for all the physical evidence to be examined.
Sitting around a table at a local restaurant, discussing their findings, Dr. Meghan Cook quickly spoke up, “Rohypnol is an older drug. With so many new drugs out there, I think this has to be an older man. He has to be good looking to get close enough to slip these women a roofie in their drinks.”
O’Riordan agreed. “I think he is in his late 30’s to early 40’s. One reason he may use Rohypnol is the cost, as well. Nowadays, it is cheap. With the way he moves around, he either must conserve his money or has an abundance of it.
“We are mapping out the areas he has been. We have areas where the victims may have been abducted differentiated from where the bodies were discovered. This may help us ascertain where they are headed to next.”
Meghan asked, “Have all the victims been identified?”
O’Riordan frowned, “No, some victims haven’t been identified. We are searching through missing person’s reports to see if we may obtain a match that way. I have an agent contacting family members of those we suspect are potential victims for anything that can possibly give us a DNA profile. Another agent is also working on a computer program to sort the DNA and match the missing person and unidentified body.”
Bankston asked, “Do you have any suspects at all?”
“No, we have no idea who is working with Thorguson. His fingerprints and DNA are not in CODIS or any other database. He has managed to stay completely off the grid.”
***
JORDAN SAW THE EXPRESS mail package waiting for her. There had to be a reason he sent it express and she dreaded opening it. She walked around her desk and sat down, staring at the package for a few minutes.
She leaned over, picked up the phone, and dialed. “Alex, a package came via express mail. It is postmarked Raleigh, North Carolina. I am fairly certain it contains a body part.”
“I am already on my way to meet you for lunch. I’ll be there in a second.”
Thankfully it didn’t take Alex long to get there. As he walked over to her, she thrust the package in his hands. Inside the package, he found two pairs of ears, perfectly severed from their victims.
Alex immediately took his phone out of his shirt pocket and hit speed dial for O’Riordan’s number. “O’Riordan, I have your victims’ ears. He sent them to Jordan.”
Alex despised the fact that David kept sending Jordan mementoes of his kills, but at least by him doing this, they could keep track of this duo. “What did the note say?”
“I forgot how much fun it was with two.”