Identity (8 page)
Authors: K. J. Cazel
The North winds came off the lake blowing a snowy mist across the lakefront. The cloud-covered sun was beginning to rise casting light shadows in the tree line. A singular lone jogger maneuvered through the pathway while his dog stopped to investigate a snowdrift.
"Come on Duke." The jogger called as he snapped his dog's leash away from the drift. The retriever resisted and started barking. The jogger moved closer to the drift.
"Oh, my God." Even in the cold, a shiver went through the jogger’s body as he slowly saw an arm becoming uncovered by the fierce winds. He reached into his pocket and called 911.
It seemed like an eternity as the jogger waited for the police to arrive. He jogged in place to keep warm while waiting for the police to arrive. The dog continued barking.
As the sun rose, more joggers were appearing at the scene. They circled the drift containing the body, stamping down the snow, and destroying any possible evidence. The GPS on the jogger's phone, made it easier for the police to get the exact location of the incident. Two squad cars raced up the lakefront pathway. Any other time, a vehicle on the pathway would be frowned upon.
At last, the jogger's dog stood silently as the other joggers patted his head telling him what a smart or good dog he was.
***
The morning sun crept through his bedroom window. As Tom rolled over to avoid the light, he reminded himself for the hundredth time to get room-darkening shades. Before he could drift back to sleep, his cell phone rang. The caller identification informed him Steve was calling.
"Tom, it's happened."
"What so important this early?" Tom asked in a morning voice.
"We have another naked victim."
With those words, Tom bolted upright. "Where, when?"
"Well, get your ass out of bed. I'll send the GPS location to your phone."
"Give me a break. I'm technology challenged. Just tell me."
Thirty minutes later, Tom met Steve at the crime scene. The scene was already taped off. Investigators were wasting their time taking statements from the on lookers who had no knowledge of the crime. The various TV new teams had arrived and were jostling to interview the jogger who found the body. The corner’s wagon had unloaded the cart and transported the frozen body to the vehicle. As it drove off, the crowd remained hoping they would appear on the evening news.
Tom looked around the scene trying to see if there was something the investigation might have missed.
He turned to Steve, "Now we valid investigation. It makes it easier when the perp is in our backyard.”
"What about Samantha? This guy could be a real danger to her if he finds out she's alive."
"Right now we have the advantage that she isn't even unrecognizable to herself. Once the memory kicks in on full cylinders, we will be able to catch this guy. Let's get to the coroner’s office and see if there is any thing that can help us."
***
Samantha arrived at Robinson—Williams shortly before 9:00 a.m. When she rode the elevator to the third floor, her eyes scanned her fellow passengers. Everyone held the same tired expression of arriving late from the harrowing trek through the snow to get to work.
As she sat down at her station, Alice rushed to her. "I'm so glad you got here today. Our department is three people short handed. Guess they didn't want to challenge the elements."
By the end of the day, both women were eyeing the clock to signal it was time to make the tedious trip home.
"Before you leave, Sam I have something I want to give you." Alice handed Sam a hard cover book.
Sam looked down and read the title...
GOING HOME
"I think you're going to find the heroine very interesting. I've finished it so there's no rush. Take you time reading it."
"Thanks."
Each woman left the third floor and headed home. Sam trudged through the slushy sidewalk to the Red Line and waited at the station for the next "L" to take her back to Carole's stop. Once she boarded the train, she was able to find one of the few remaining seats in the car. Not wanting to engage in any conversation with her seat partner, she took the book Alice gave her out of the lunch sack and started reading it.
Chapter 1
"It had been seven years since she was home. She wondered if they would welcome her or would they shun her. The day she left her father told her that she had shamed the family name. He would never recognize her as his daughter.
"Now her father was dead. Would her mother carry on her father's hatred for her and her little girl? Sam decided that the time was right. It was time that her daughter knew her grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins."
***
Sam looked up and saw that the train was nearing her stop. She closed the book and packed it away, promising herself to do some more reading later that evening.
After dinner, Carole and Sam sat in the living room watching TV. The WGN news promo announced: 'Murdered woman found on lakefront. News at 9:00.'
"Oh my God. What's happening in this city?" Carole asked.
Sam sat their quietly wonder the same thing.
The two sat quietly as the program they were watching finally ended and waited for the news. The endless commercials before the news only enhanced their anxiety. When the news finally started, the news commentator sat poised at the news desk and began reading the script.
“Earlier today a morning jogger found a woman buried in a snowdrift along Lake Michigan's jogging path. Presently, the identity of the victim is unknown. The cause of death is still under investigation.”
The scene split and video of the crime scene played as the commentator finished reading.
"Well that didn't say too much."
"I think I saw Tom in the background. Do you think there's a connection with me?"
"If Tom was there, I would say there is a strong possibility."
Later in the evening, Sam sat on the bed and decided to continue reading
GOING HOME.
"Mom, do you think grandma is going to like me?'
"Honey, how could she not love you."
The old Subaru traveled through Lewistown to Sam's childhood home. As she drove through town, it was easy to recognize familiar family sites. Goodrich Realty; Goodrich Pharmacy; Goodrich, Attorney at Law.
Sam reread the paragraph two more times. The heroine in the book was Samantha Goodrich! Her mind started spinning. Was this book written about her? How did this book's heroine relate to her?
"Carole!" Sam called out.
Carole rushed into the bedroom hearing Sam's panic call. She could see Sam's hands shaking while holding a book.
"I, I, I can't believe what read." She handed the book to Carole. Carole took the book and sat on the side of the bed and read the paragraph Sam pointed to.
"We're going to have to talk to Tom first thing in the morning. This is more than a coincidence."
Rodney sat at his library desk. The lighted cigar sat in the ashtray as he turned on the evening news. He watched the local news commentator read the news of the body found along the lakefront. The corner of the screen played the video of the scene. A familiar face caught his eye. He pressed the pause button. Yes, there in the background was the detective that he’s seen in the Williams building last week. He gave a sneer as he looked at Tom's face.
"Think you're going to find me?" he said in a whisper. "Good luck. I'm too smart for all of you."
He turned off the television. He scrolled through his phone until he found the number of United Airlines. He pressed the call button. A friendly operator answered.
"Welcome to United Airlines. How can I be of service to you?"
"I'd like a morning flight from ORD to LVS."
"Certainly sir, I have a 8:30 a.m. flight arriving LVS 1:27 p.m. Would that meet your needs?"
"Yes, I'll arrange transportation and hotel on my arrival."
As directed by the operator, Rodney punched in a credit card for payment and waited for the confirmation to arrive on his iPhone. It was past midnight by the time Rodney had e-mailed the office that he wouldn't be in for several days. He packed a bag and grabbed a few hours of sleep before he headed for the airport.
***
As Rodney departed the plane in Vegas, he quickly took off his jacket as the heat of the desert engulfed his body. Being a frequent visitor, he knew exactly where to go to satisfy his needs.
Within an hour he was able to check into the executive suite at the Palace Hotel. Before the night’s activity, he wanted to get into more comfortable clothes and a meal.
By seven, Rodney was bored. Gambling wasn't why he came to Vegas. In the casino, his eyes traveled around the room. He knew fellow gamblers watched him while he played Roulette with abandonment. The house loved him and would comp him anything. His eyes fixed on a young woman with strawberry red hair sitting on a barstool. She smiled at him. Rodney collected his chips and headed toward the woman. He could see from her attire that she was more than willing, for a fee, to participate in some evening fun.
"Are you available for anything?"
"Anything costs."
"No problem." Before Rodney could further discuss payment, a tall, dark haired man approached them.
"Ginny, I told yaw; I would do the negotiations.”
Ginny lowered her eyes. She didn't want any trouble with Sergio. He controlled her. He was her source of the delicious white powder.
The two men agreed upon a fee. $1000.00 up front and another $1000.00 in the morning. Ginny was now Rodney's for the night. He could do what ever he wished. She wasn't going to complain. She was dependent on her pimp and his drugs.
The pimp, Rodney and Ginny took the elevator to the top floor. Just before Rodney took Ginny in the room, the pimp handed Ginny a little white packet. "Be a good girl. There will be a lot more for you in the morning."
Rodney closed and locked the door once Ginny had entered. Rodney sat down on the lounge.
"Okay, sweetie. I like to see you do a little strip for me before we get started."
Ginny smiled sweetly at him. As she slowly started to disrobe, Rodney started rubbing his penis through his pants. As his member grew, he had to release it from his pants. He continued moving his hand up and down on his member.
"Come over sweetie. Time to have something to eat."
She did as she was told. The drugs masked her revulsion she would have felt. Rodney grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer. He pushed her head down toward his penis. "Come on sweetie. Do your magic. You're getting paid for anything."
Ginny closed her eyes and she performed the act that the client deeply desired. Once Rodney released himself, Ginny collapsed on the floor spewing the semen at his feet. There were tears in her eyes.
After a short while Rodney got up pushing Ginny to the side. He took off his clothes and neatly piled them on the chair. When he finished, he lifted Ginny up and laid her on the bed. She didn't protest. She was his to do with, as he liked. He paid for her. She knew she had to cooperate with the client. If she didn't, Sergio would withhold her drugs. She lost so much...her family. They'd never want her back. This was her life.
"Hey snap to. We're still gonna have some more fun."
Rodney rolled over on the bed and pulled Ginny on top of him. His erection grew again. "Hop on sweetie."
She did as she was commanded. She tossed her head back, the long red hair swirling around her shoulders. She took a deep breath, as Rodney commanded her to “Ride it baby!"
She rocked back and forth, increasing her speed. Experience had taught her that once a client came, her work for the evening was done. This client already came once, the second would surly be his limit. Just as Ginny felt the client was ready, Rodney lifted her from him. In one easy movement, Rodney was on top of her. His hands were cupping and squeezing her breasts as he inserted his member in her vagina. She could feel his fingers squeezing the nipples as they hardened in automatic response. As he pumped his penis in and out, his mouth came down on her right nipple. She felt his teeth as he sucked. She knew, even thought she had done this for the past six months her body automatically responded to these assaults. She hated her body.
Rodney released himself again. He collapsed on top of Ginny pinning her to the bed. She lay there quietly, hoping that he would roll over and sleep. Her hopes were dashed when several minutes later, Rodney reached over that turned Ginny to her stomach. He slapped her hips.
"Lift 'em," he commanded.
She lifted her hip and Rodney entered her doggie style. Again, he pumped his member in and out. Still, he didn't release himself. He had control. He withdrew himself and then spread Ginny’s butt cheeks again. This time he rammed his engorged penis into her anus with brute force.
"Please stop." Ginny pleaded.
"Hey no complaints. Remember—anything!" He continued pumping his penis in and out. With each thrust, more tears fell from Ginny's eyes.
At last, Rodney ejaculated and fell on her body. She couldn't move. His weight held her down. She just wanted to get the hell out of there. In a few minutes, she heard the clients' deep breathing. He was asleep. Slowly, Ginny worked her body free. She went to her clothes and took out the small package Sergio had given her. She moved his clothes aside and sat on the chair. Her hands shook as she opened the small package, and the white powder fell on the table. She bent down, holding the side of her nostril as she sniffed in the powder. She sat back relishing the feeling of euphoria that engulfed her.
Rodney continued sleeping. Ginny gather her clothes and entered the bathroom. She looked in the mirror. Looking back as her was a whore. Her makeup was smeared; tearstains were on her cheeks. She could see fingerprint bruises starting on her breast. She stepped in the shower, hoping to wash away her shame. When she finished the shower, she dressed and left the room. Sergio was sitting on a chair at the end of the corridor.
"All done?"
"Where my stuff?"
"Not until I hear from the client. If you didn't please him, you get nothing! Get going. I'll see you later."
The sun came through the room's window waking Rodney up. He looked around and saw he was alone. He lay there and smiled as he thought of last night. He closed his eyes and congratulated himself on his behavior. He was a good guy. He wasn't a killer. He didn't kill her. Those others were just bitches.