Never Again, page 12
I took a breath, and then another, remembering what I had put together on the Medley case—foreboding, sinister, the right hand of God, the semblance of truth, trustworthy.
He freakin’ knew the victim, just like Medley. Maybe he was working with Medley in the beginning, and now, striking out on his own as a copycat. It all made sense. I was the one who had gotten away. I lived. So, in some perverse manner of speaking, he was going to make me pay with the lives of those around me.
I explained all of this to Greg just as Stephanie walked up to us. “I remember your notes on the case,” Stephanie said. “You’re absolutely right. How else would the killer know such intimate details, and why would he be stalking you?” She turned and folded her arms against her chest. “And your apartment; the warning. It seems he may have been looking for you and found Jessica instead. This is fucked up.”
“At least we have a starting point now,” I said. “We know who he’s looking for and might be able to pinpoint who he’ll target next.” I looked toward the back door, and my heart dropped to my feet. “Nicky. We have to keep her safe. If he’s targeting me, or people closest to me, she’ll be next on his list. I can’t allow anything to happen to her.”
“I’ll take her home,” Stephanie offered.
“Thank you.” I nodded, stuffing my hands in my pockets. “I’ll be there in about ten minutes. There’s just a few things I want to talk to Greg about first.”
“All right. See ya in a few.” Stephanie walked through the back to get Nicky.
I was attempting to rein in my panic as thoughts of someone harming her raced through my mind. She was literally all I had left. I had to catch this guy before it was too late, or he killed someone else. I still couldn’t believe Jessica was dead.
“Are you sure you want to see the body?” Greg asked. “I can take you back there, but she looks… It’s just really bad. It’s possible she was using drugs just before she was killed. We found trace amounts of cocaine on the counter, and paraphernalia on the floor next to her body. They’ll have to run a tox screen to be sure, but by the looks of it, she was definitely using.”
I could feel my insides shaking, feel the blood running through my veins. “Yes. I need to see her. I’m going back to work tomorrow, and I’ll see the photos anyway.”
Greg cleared a path, so we could walk through to the ladies’ room. The forensics team was still processing the scene. I thought I was going to be sick when I saw her severed tongue resting beside her left ear, the same cut down the left side of her face, and the diamond-shaped pattern that had been sliced from her abdomen. She’d been strangled and left out on display like some kind of… I couldn’t. I had to turn and walk away, holding my stomach.
I’d process the photos after. I knew it would be easier to separate myself then, not remembering how I’d just been with her the night before. This never should have happened.
Greg touched my shoulder when I walked away from the crime scene. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah… No, but I will be. It’s just hard seeing her like that.” I dropped my hands to my side and dug my keys out of my pocket. “I’m gonna head on over to Nicky’s. I have to be in the office tomorrow at noon. See ya then.”
I didn’t wait for him to say anything. I just turned and walked out of the bar.
***
Nicky was bundled up on the couch with a soft pink blanket, sipping coffee when I walked through the door. Stephanie was sitting next to her, rubbing her back and talking to her in soothing tones. I had a whole new respect for her now. I couldn’t thank her enough for taking care of my best friend at a time like this.
When Stephanie looked up, I smiled. “Thank you for getting her home. Do you guys want me to get you anything? Are you hungry?”
Nicky was still shaking when she spoke. “I don’t think I can eat anything, but thank you.” The look in her eyes seemed lost and far away. I knew that look all too well.
“I’m okay,” Stephanie said. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to meet up with Greg and see what else we can do today.”
“All right. I’ll see you guys at the station tomorrow.” I set my keys on Nicky’s side table. “The captain said I could do desk work as a consultant. So, I’ll be helping you with a few cases.”
“It’ll be nice to have you back.” Stephanie stood from the couch and then looked down at Nicky. “You have my number if you need anything, okay?”
Nicky nodded but didn’t reply. It seemed she was still in shock, and who could blame her? I was afraid she would never be the same after what she’d seen.
I opened the door. “Thanks again, Stephanie. I really appreciate everything you’ve done.”
She smiled at me. “We take care of each other; it’s what we do.” She leaned in and whispered, “Try to get her to eat something if you can. She hasn’t eaten all day, and I’m afraid the shock of everything has just been too much for her.”
“I will.”
Stephanie turned and walked out of the door, and I closed it behind her.
Taking a deep breath, I looked at my friend. She seemed so far away, and I knew I had to do something to help her.
Sitting beside Nicky on the couch, I wrapped my arms around her. I knew she wasn’t the affectionate type, but right now, she needed me. She buried her face into my shoulder and cried. I smoothed her blonde hair and let her get it all out. My heart was breaking with each racking sob. I’d never seen her in so much pain. She had been the one holding me together. Now it was my turn.
“We’ll find the mother fucker who did this, Nicky. I promise you that.”
I knew I shouldn’t be making promises, but I was determined to find that sadistic piece of shit, even if I had to die trying, and I would protect Nicky with my life.
All of a sudden, Nicky jumped up from the couch, throwing her blanket to the floor. “I can’t do this. I’m not doing this. I’m not going to sit here and cry.” She angrily swiped tears from her face. “I’ll help you find him, Char. I may not be a cop, but now it’s fucking personal. He was in your apartment last night, and he killed Jessica. I am done! No one, and I mean no one fucks with my friends.” She stomped toward the kitchen, and I heard her throwing things around.
I followed her into the kitchen to see what she was doing. She pulled a 9mm Beretta from the second drawer next to the fridge, and then a box of ammunition, setting it on the counter.
“Nicky, honey, do you know how to use that thing?” Her eyes were wild and laced with anger.
“My daddy taught me how to shoot as soon as I was old enough to hold a shotgun. Hell, yes, I know how to use it.” She loaded a clip and slammed it in place.
“All right. I was just checking.” I feared I needed to tread lightly here. Nicky was on a rampage, and one I didn’t want to be on the receiving end of.
“We’re going to the gun range. Now. Get dressed.” She looked down at herself. “Scratch that. I’ll get dressed. You wait, and I’ll be right back.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I was not going to argue with her on this. I needed the practice, anyway. And, well, she needed to let out some of that rage. It was a good plan for both of us.
Chapter 19
Going to the shooting range had been the best idea Nicky could have thought of. I had no idea how therapeutic it would be for the two of us. She screamed in frustration, allowing tears to fall freely, as she hit each target with one hundred percent accuracy. Damn, I was impressed. I’d never seen this side of her, but it was good to know if we were ever attacked, I would have someone just as skilled with a weapon as I was.
Each target I shot, I imagined Francis Medley’s face. I realized it wasn’t exactly healthy for my state of mind, but if not for him, none of the events from approximately the past year would have happened. And my parents would still be alive. And just maybe, we wouldn’t have a stalking-ass copycat killer on the loose, attempting to drive me crazy and make me his next victim.
Firing the last round in my chamber, I looked to Nicky. “You about ready to call it a day?”
She removed her hearing protection, giving me a funny look, and I had to ask her again. “Yeah,” she said, setting her gun on the table between us. “I think I’ve done enough damage for one day, but damn, that felt good.”
I agreed. “It was definitely a good way to relieve the stress of the past month.” I slid my gun back into its holster. “You gonna be okay?”
What a stupid question. I wanted to slap myself. I only hoped she didn’t have recurring nightmares like I did.
“Yeah, I think I will. My heart just hurts, ya know? I’ve known Jessica since she was a kid. I’ve been trying to keep her off drugs for a long time and thought working at the bar would be good for her. She’d been in and out of foster homes, until she ran away at seventeen.” Nicky shook her head. “I had no idea she was still snorting that shit up her nose, after being clean for five years. I saw it in the bathroom, Char.”
“We have no idea what was going on in her life, hon. Everyone has their vices, and maybe she had some shit going on she just couldn’t get past, and felt it was her only way of dealing. Ya just never know.”
“I know you’re right. It just hurts is all. She was a good kid.” Nicky packed up her gun and put it back in its case, along with the extra ammo she’d brought along. “Let’s get outta here and grab some food. I’m starving.”
That was good to hear. “Ya wanna go to my parents’ house? We can stop at the grocery and pick up a few things. Mamma always loved her industrial kitchen. It’ll be nice cooking in there again, maybe feel like she’s with me.”
I knew that sounded a bit morose, but I wanted to go home desperately. I needed to be around their things. See their faces in pictures, and just be…
“Oh, Char. Of course. Whatever you want. Do you mind if I spend the night there with you tonight? I don’t want to stay at my place. I just can’t…”
“Seriously, Nicky. You needn’t even ask. We’ll grab some of our clothes, food, and head on over there. It’s on the way.”
Nicky walked over and hugged me tightly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. I meant what I said: you’re the sister I never had.” Her eyes went wide. “Shit. Randy was supposed to get out of the hospital today, and with everything that was going on, I forgot to call him.”
“It’s all right. I know he’ll understand. You can call him while we’re on the road.”
She took a deep breath and exhaled. “Thanks for this.”
“Anything for you, Nicky. You know that.” I nudged her. “Now move that skinny ass. It’s getting late, and I don’t want to be at the grocery when everyone and their cousins decide to show up.”
She laughed at me and pushed my shoulder. “Come on, Miss Badass. Let’s go.”
We piled into my Tahoe, and Nicky called her brother as soon as she clicked her seatbelt. He was at home resting, and only worried about her safety, asking if she’d be going back to work. That was a good question, one I’d be asking when she hung up.
After she ended the call, I asked about the owner, Tom, and if he’d been notified.
“Yes, and he’s closing down the bar until the police are done cleaning up the…mess.” Nicky looked out the window as I drove through the city traffic. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to go back to work in there after this, knowing what happened. Johnny is, well, he couldn’t even come down to the bar. He was so upset. Even after Greg told him he needed to see him for questioning. Johnny only agreed to meet him at the station.”
“I can’t say that I blame him.” I kept my eyes trained on the road; traffic was getting heavy again. “I hate that you were the one who found her.”
Nicky sniffled a little but straightened in her seat. “Yeah, it was bad, and not something I ever want to go through again.”
We found a small Mom-and-Pop grocery store just off to the right and decided to shop there, instead of a bigger chain. It would be less crowded. Nicky picked out shrimp, smoked sausage, and all the fixings to make gumbo. We grabbed some coffee, teabags, and some sugar to make sweet tea, too. It sounded good to me. We were in and out in no time at all. I hated shopping.
Pulling into the apartment complex, Nicky ran in, packed a bag, and grabbed the one I already had packed. She was back within five minutes. I’d never seen a woman pack and move so fast.
My parents’ home was located just on the outskirts of the city, standing on a large two-acre estate. Neighbors were spaced far enough away where there was always a sense of privacy.
When we pulled into the winding driveway that circled in front of the house, I felt my heart plummet. But when I looked around, I noticed the manicured lawn and landscaping had been maintained all this time, and I wondered who had kept it up. The church? I hadn’t been around to ask, or even pay anyone to do it.
The three-story, yellow Antebellum home was a beautiful sight with grey shutters, and a walk-up front porch where Mom and Dad’s white rocking chairs sat untouched. If I closed my eyes, I could still see them having their morning coffee, reading the newspaper, just as they always did every morning.
We stepped out of the vehicle, grabbing our bags, and walked toward the front steps. My heart threatened to beat out of my chest, but I knew it was only due to my nerves and not stepping foot inside this house since before… just before.
I set my bags down and then pulled the keys from my pocket, but when I went to turn the lock, the door swung open. “Nicky, stand back!” I had no idea who had been in my parents’ house, or if someone was in there now. Fuck, not now. Not here.
Nicky grabbed her gun from its case and told me to shut the fuck up. Alrighty then. I guessed we were going in together. I pulled my cell phone from my pants pocket with my other hand, and hit Greg’s number on speed dial, just in case.
Nicky and I searched the entire house, and no one was there, but it had been cleaned; not a speck of dust, or even a dirty dish remained in the house. Who the hell had been in here? As far as I knew, no one else had a key except me. Then it dawned on me—the insurance company—my parents had been mur—died here. A cleanup crew had been called in. I realized I was losing my shit and forgetting everything I knew as a detective. I wanted to slap myself. Again.
“Nicky, put your gun away; it’s fine. It was only the cleanup crew. They must have forgotten to lock the door. I’ll bitch to the captain about it tomorrow. I’m a damn idiot.”
“Far from it,” Nicky said, stashing her gun into the waistband of her pants. “I would have flipped, too. Shit. After everything that’s happened, you’re allowed to be on guard, Char. Stop beating yourself up. Damn.”
“Yeah. I should remember these things, though. It’s like my mind is drawing a total blank when it comes to procedures I should know like the back of my hand. Good thing I’m going to work tomorrow.” I pulled up the handle, dragged my bag past the parlor, and looked up the polished hardwood stairs. “You can sleep in the guestroom if ya want. I’m gonna take my old room.”
“That’s fine. I don’t care right now. I need food.” She went straight to the kitchen and started unloading the bags of groceries onto the bar. I guessed she was cooking.
I’d guessed right. Nicky wouldn’t allow me to cook a thing; I just sat at the bar and watched, and the smell was heavenly. I did make us some sweet tea, though. It had been a long time since I’d had it. I remembered—it was with Mamma, in this very kitchen. Feelings of nostalgia washed over me, and I left the kitchen and went to the family room.
Pictures of us as a family sat atop a white hand-carved mantel. I touched each one, staring at our smiling faces. We were so happy then. There were pictures from our trips to the beach, my high school graduation, and when I graduated the academy; my dad looked so proud. Both Mom and Dad were kissing my cheeks in that picture. I swiped an errant tear when I pulled the picture from the fireplace mantel. That one was going to sit on my bedside table in my old room.
I heard Nicky call out that dinner was ready, breaking me from my trip down memory lane. It was fine. I felt at peace, and in some small way, I could feel my parents watching over me. I only hoped they would still be proud of me.
As I walked back toward the kitchen, I brushed my hands along the side of Dad’s ratty old maroon recliner that Mom had hated so much. She’d threatened him daily that she was going to take it to the dump while he was gone, but she never had the heart to do it. I smiled to myself at the thought of their little tiffs. They had been so much in love, and they loved me. I was blessed to have had them in my life, even for such a short amount of time.
Dinner was perfect, topped off with sweet iced tea. I couldn’t have cooked it as well as Nicky, so I was grateful she had taken over. I was more of a “pop it in the microwave” kinda gal. I did know how to cook. I just never really had the time with my schedule. I ate until my stomach threatened to spill over my waistband. Nicky wouldn’t even let me do the dishes. I wondered if she was just busying herself to keep from thinking of what had happened today. I honestly couldn’t blame her.
I was exhausted and told Nicky I was headed upstairs to take a shower and go to bed. I needed a good night’s sleep before work tomorrow, but I insisted on at least cooking breakfast in the morning. She nearly growled at me but relented in the end.
I checked the locks—the security system wasn’t up and running again yet, but I’d handle that tomorrow—then made sure she knew to take the room next to mine before I got ready for the night. It was nearing ten p.m., and Nicky was still downstairs. I was becoming increasingly worried about her, wondering if she’d be able to sleep.
After I was showered and dressed in my night clothes, I looked around my old room; it was exactly the same as I had left it when I moved out. Mom never changed a thing. All of my high school memorabilia hung on the walls, and then I saw a picture of me and Heather on my dresser the day of our high school graduation.
