Her Doctor Daddy (13 page)

“Do you remember the color?”

“I think it was light blue, but the lighting wasn’t that good, so I can’t be sure.”

“Go on.”

“When we made it back to my apartment, I thanked him for the ride. There was something creepy about how we sat in total silence the whole way home, and I couldn’t wait to get out of his car. But as I opened the door, he said, ‘I told you it isn’t safe out here. I’ll walk you back to your place.’ I told him that wasn’t necessary, but he insisted. After we walked up the sidewalk and got to the door, I put my key into the lock and turned to thank him. And that’s when it all happened…”

The two detectives looked at each other, and Tim motioned for her to continue.

“He reached over my shoulder trying to turn the key all the way, forcing me back into my door. I yelled at him, asking what the fuck he was doing. That’s when a hideous expression washed over his face. His eyes flew open wide and he looked like a crazed monster. We struggled hard, and I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came out.”

“Sue, with all due respect, you’re pretty petite. How did you manage to get away?”

“I’ve been taking self-defense classes. Plenty of women are doing it these days to protect themselves against psychos like him. Anyway, he grabbed my wrists, but that’s when I got him good.”

“What did you do?” Both men sat forward in their chairs.

“I knee-jerked him in the balls, and he instantly bent over. That’s the first thing they teach you in self-defense class. So after he let go, I was able to unlock my door and get into my apartment before he recovered. When the maniac started pounding on my door, I saw some of my neighbors’ lights come on.”

“Sue, this could have been any simple assault. What makes you think it was the killer we’ve been looking for?”

“I watched him bang on my door a couple of times through the peephole. But all of a sudden, he stopped and just glared at me. He said, ‘You’re a lucky cunt, not like the other ones.’ His voice was deep and absolutely demonic—like he was possessed by something evil. That was when my whole body started shaking, and I backed up against the door. My first thought was that he’d killed the others, and I was lucky to still be alive.”

“Did you call the police right away?”

“Yes, and the officers came quickly. After telling them what happened, they brought me down here.”

Tim and David sat silent for a moment and threw each other a sideways glance.

“Could I have that Coke now?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

“Sure, we’ll be right back,” Tim answered, motioning for his partner to follow him into the hallway. “I think we need to talk with the bartender at the Hyatt—it sounds like this guy has been there before,” he said quietly once they were out of earshot.

“And we’ll want to check on her neighbors. Maybe someone will remember seeing a man leaving her apartment,” David added. “Let’s pull the team together for an emergency meeting and call a police artist to draw a composite. I think we finally have our first real lead.”

Chapter Nineteen

“Good evening, Lexi, what’s shakin’?” Bob Paise asked, strutting toward the ER desk.

Gazing down at her watch, she tilted her head. “Technically, it’s morning, but who am I to correct the man who has the responsibility of keeping us all safe in this hospital?”

“You’re smart, funny, and a bit of a
jagoff
this morning, aren’t you?”

“Okay, no one living in Florida knows that term
except those who were born and raised in the city of Pittsburgh …”

“Guilty as charged. I grew up in Wilkinsburg,” he admitted with a sly grin. “How about you?”

“Stanton Heights. You know the neighborhood that sits on top of the hill above the Highland Park Zoo.”

He laughed. “See, I knew we were soulmates.”

“No offense,
mi amigo
, but she’s actually my true love,” Raul interrupted as he joined the conversation.

“Sorry, Dr. Morales,” Bob said, snapping his back upward.

“No worries, my man… just thought you should keep the flirting to a low level while her
boyfriend
is around.” Jutting an eyebrow upward, Raul knocked on the desk before heading to his office.

“Okay, that was a little awkward,” Bob said through clenched teeth. “I didn’t realize you two were in love.”

“Ahh, and here I thought the security guys knew everything about this place. We put the staff at
General Hospital
to shame,” she joked.

“This hospital is definitely a real version of the afternoon soap operas. And for the record, I did hear about you and Dr. Morales, but I’d always thought we were better suited for each other. And now that I know where you’re originally from…” He cut his sentence short and angled his head close to hers. “But of course, he’s a doctor and I’m just a lowly security guy. You were probably looking for someone who had money and prestige, so that would’ve taken me out of your league, anyway.”

“I actually wasn’t looking at all. Dr. Morales and I just happened to connect, you know?” she defended.

Bob looked down at the floor. “Uh-huh.”

“We can still be friends, right?” she continued, thinking that the moment couldn’t be more stiff or clumsy.

As he looked up at her, she noticed that his eyes reflected a change in his demeanor. “Sure, no problem.” With a snap of his fingers, Bob turned on his heels and walked away.

Lexi looked around the desk to see if anyone had heard their exchange.
Okay, that didn’t go well.

Chapter Twenty

“Are you ready to face the top dogs?” Tim Whatley asked.

“It’s all in my report.” David said, holding up a manila file folder. “But you know how our big-shot politicians love to run the show.”

In an attempt to cut the conversation short, Tim slid a finger across his neck, and David quickly turned to watch John George, the mayor of Pompano, Ray Jurewicz, chief of police, and Greg McKenna, special liaison to the FBI, strut into the room.

Mayor George started with a bang as the three of them took a seat around the conference table. “My constituents are calling me each and every day,” he said, pounding his fist on the polished wood. “Not to mention the other mayors from up and down the coast who are becoming extremely impatient.”

David cleared his parched throat. “Sir, I understand the urgency, but there hasn’t been much to go on until now. The killer just hasn’t left anything behind for us to work with.”

“Does the FBI need to take charge of this investigation?” McKenna interjected.

“With all due respect, we already have a couple of agents on the task force. I’m quite sure they’re keeping the agency up to speed…”

“Listen,” the chief broke in. “This has been going on for several months now and everyone’s frustration is mounting. Surely there must be something we’re missing.”

David held up his manila file folder. “If I may?” he asked. Looking around for permission, everyone held out a hand as he passed several crisp white sheets of information around. “This report details our most recent lead. A woman came forward who fought off her attacker last night, and he fits in with our killer’s MO. We have several people following up with potential witnesses from both the Hyatt where they met, and the apartment complex that she lives in.”

“Is she credible?” the mayor asked, reading the report.

“We believe so. In fact, we’ve decided to have her in protective custody until we catch this guy.”

Tim put up his hand. “Unfortunately, at this time we can’t find any commonality among his victims other than they’re young, single, attractive women. But Sue Harriger seems to remember her assailant driving a light blue VW Bug…”

Chief Jurewicz looked up over his reading glasses. “Do you know how many people own a Volkswagen Bug these days? What about the killer’s description?”

“We had a police artist sit down with Ms. Harriger, and here’s what we’ve already distributed to two dozen other law enforcement agencies,” he said, passing around the composite sketch. “But by her own admission, she really isn’t good at remembering details. And she thinks the guy was wearing some type of disguise, so that could be a problem if we ever get him in a line-up. Of course, the local news agencies will run the picture continually on their broadcasts, and we’ll probably receive hundreds of calls telling us they know the identity of the killer. Naturally, we’ll check out each and every one that we feel is reliable, but that’ll put a strain on our resources, and as of last night, all our guys have been working around the clock.”

The mayor arose from his chair and paced over to the window, staring out. “Ray, are you satisfied that everything that
can
be done
is
being done?”

“Sir, we’ll keep you informed every step of the way. Unfortunately, with his last failed attempt, there’s a good possibility our killer will be on the hunt again, soon. We’ve been airing caution on each and every newscast, and there’s a hotline that’s being manned twenty-four hours a day. Tim has also solicited the assistance of other security service agencies along with BOLO bulletins, and we feel that they might have eyes and ears we aren’t privy to. I have complete faith in this team, and we will find this maniac. Greg, do you have anything to add?”

“Mayor, if you feel that FBI control would be helpful, we’d be more than happy to take the lead.”

John George turned back toward the table with deliberation. “Listen, gentlemen, I’m not willing to take much more heat on this one. There are a lot of people from the other party that are calling for me to resign over this and hold a special election. So, allow me to go on record right now. I definitely want the FBI’s involvement, and you all have one week to work together and make some tangible progress, or I’ll be forced to recommend changes. Got it?”

The group was silent as the mayor abruptly stood up and exited the room. “You heard the man—we have a week. Let’s get cracking, gentlemen!” the chief said with resolve as Greg McKenna’s lips thinned into a straight line.

“Well, do you have any suggestions?” David asked as he and Tim walked out into the lobby.

Leaning up against the wall, Tim folded his arms. “This guy is on some kind of twisted mission. He’ll fuck up, soon. I can feel it in my bones.”

“We just need to get this sucker before he kills again.”

Chapter Twenty-One

“
This is Meredith McDonough reporting from outside the Pompano Police Department. Based on a source inside the police force we have learned that Mayor George of Pompano, Police Chief Jurewicz, and Special FBI Liaison Greg McKenna all met yesterday with the Ft. Lauderdale Lady Killer task force team leader Tim Whatley and investigator David Justice. It has been rumored for some time now that the mayor, who is under tremendous public pressure, has been wanting the FBI to take the lead of this investigation, and we can confirm that there has been a timeline given to all those involved to find the person now responsible for the deaths of four innocent women. Unfortunately, Laura Lytle, the young woman missing from the Stardust Apartments still has not been found, though her disappearance is being linked to the Ft. Lauderdale Lady Killer.

We have been informed that there was a recent attack on a local woman and authorities believe that the same man is responsible. Fortunately, the young woman escaped her attacker without any physical harm, and her identity is being held confidential. As a result, the task force is now following up on several leads that could soon bring this case to a close.

The composite you are about to see is the person believed to be accountable for the local murders, and we are being warned by the police that he may be wearing disguises. If anyone in our viewing audience has come in contact with this man, authorities are asking that you call the Lady Killer hotline at the bottom of your screen.

In the meantime, all local protection agencies are stressing that everyone stay vigilant, and young women are being warned not to venture out alone. Reporting live from the Pompano Police Department, this is Meredith McDonough.
”

* * *

After taking another drag from his water pipe, he jutted his strong arm forward to turn off the television.

Fucking redheaded reporter cunt—I ought to do her next. Just because I was off my game one time is no reason for them to think they’ll win the next round. And that young girl that was heading to the pool for an evening swim? They’ll never find her! I’m much smarter than that barrel of monkeys they call a task force.

Contemplating his next move, the man’s dark narrowed eyes darted around the room as a dangerous smirk played upon his lips.

Though my cat and mouse game has been extremely satisfying with women who were strangers, it would be even more delicious to hunt down a lady friend. I can’t wait for our eyes to meet right before she gasps for her last breath.

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Hey, Katie. Would it be okay if I took you to work tomorrow morning and borrowed your car for the day? Raul’s birthday is coming up, and I wanted to run to the mall to buy him a present.”

Looking up at the ceiling, she deliberated before responding to her sister’s request. “Normally, I wouldn’t have a problem with it, Lex. But haven’t you heard the recent news reports? I don’t think it’s safe to be out there alone.”

“What happened to my
hippy dippy
sister? You know, the one I grew up with that was young, carefree, and rebellious? The stories she told about hitchhiking instead of taking a bus to high school were hysterical!”

“The last time I checked,
your older sister
is very worried about some maniac serial killer on the loose…”

“Come on, Katie. Raul’s been so wonderful to me and I want to buy a little something for him on my own.”