Smash Cut (33 page)
Authors: Sandra Brown
Tags: #Legal, #Suspense, #Fiction, #General, #Georgia, #Thrillers, #Rich people, #Atlanta (Ga.), #Trials (Murder), #Legal stories, #Rich People - Georgia
Detective Kimball clicked her phone closed, ending a call. Sharon Wheeler says Creighton had lunch with them, then left because he had a date. She didnt know who with. Neither she nor his father has talked to him since. She wanted to know why we were calling, asked could she help. You heard what I said.
Just checking some things out.
Just checking some things out.
Impression?
The call made her uneasy, Kimball said. They were informed of the new will today. She started crying, said they dreaded telling Creighton about Pauls treachery. Thats a quote.
Creighton doesnt know yet?
Kimball shrugged but picked up the transmitter to their police radio. Lets have somebody drive past his condo building, see if hes there, see if his cars in its parking space. She talked to the dispatcher and asked for a report ASAP.
When she finished, Sanford said, That talk about a movie. Julie Rutledge mentioned it. Mitchell chimed in.
Yeah, what was that about?
Sanford flexed and stretched his right arm as though warming up to catch a Hail Mary pass. Do you remember the first time we questioned Creighton?
The maid served us sweet tea and homemade macaroons.
Thats what you remember?
I had to sweat off the calories the next day. What do you remember?
I asked him what his job was at Wheeler Enterprises. And he said, Im the king of the world!
I do remember. He flung his arms out and shouted it.
Um-huh. Like Leonardo DiCaprio in
Titanic
. My kids have watched that movie a dozen times or more. They love it. I tease them, tell them the ending never changes. The ship always sinks.
I thought he was just being a jerk, Kimball said. Flaunting the fact to two underpaid cops that he doesnt have to do squat at the family company.
Thats what I thought, too. Kind of a hinky way of saying it, though. A piece of movie dialogue.
So what does that signify?
Hell if I know.
The dispatcher interrupted to patch them in to the patrol officer presently at Creighton Wheelers condo building. He said, His Porsche is in its spot.
Oh, Kimball said, feeling let down.
Sos his Land Rover.
Hes got a Land Rover?
And an SUV. Its spot is empty. One of the other owners in the building was in the garage when I got here. She said Wheeler has a blue and tan SUV. Isnt sure of the make or model cause they all look alike to her. Its not here, and he doesnt answer his doorbell.
Kimball thanked him but asked him to stay there and report when and if Wheeler returned. She looked at Sanford and said, Derek Mitchells smart, right?
Smart as they come. Thats why we hate him. And he always covers his ass.
So he wouldnt make wild allegations just because somebody rubbed him the wrong way.
Bad for business.
He wouldnt stick his neck out unless
He was absolutely sure he was right, Sanford said, finishing the thought for her. However, he might stick his neck out for her.
Her
meaning Julie Rutledge?
I picked up vibes. Did you pick up vibes?
Kimball rolled her eyes. If by vibes you mean like plate shifts in the earths core, then yeah. And one of the officers who responded to the call about his dog?
Yeah?
E-mailed me this afternoon. Asked did I know that Julie Rutledge was at Mitchells house that night, lending support. Didnt know if it was important, but
You didnt tell me.
All thats happened today, I didnt think of it till just now.
Sanford gnawed on it. Okay, say they have a thing going.
Safe to say, I think.
Still
Derek Mitchell covers his ass.
Thats what Im thinking, too. If he says Creighton Wheeler poses a threat to somebody
I follow you. Kimball snatched up the transmitter again and asked the dispatcher to contact Athens PD. What the hell? she said to Sanford while she waited. Wont be the first time Ive made a fool of myself. Or you, either.
Without a word, Sanford slapped the portable light on the roof of the car and stamped on the accelerator, driving in the direction of Athens.
Just checking some things out.
Just checking some things out.
Impression?
The call made her uneasy, Kimball said. They were informed of the new will today. She started crying, said they dreaded telling Creighton about Pauls treachery. Thats a quote.
Creighton doesnt know yet?
Kimball shrugged but picked up the transmitter to their police radio. Lets have somebody drive past his condo building, see if hes there, see if his cars in its parking space. She talked to the dispatcher and asked for a report ASAP.
When she finished, Sanford said, That talk about a movie. Julie Rutledge mentioned it. Mitchell chimed in.
Yeah, what was that about?
Sanford flexed and stretched his right arm as though warming up to catch a Hail Mary pass. Do you remember the first time we questioned Creighton?
The maid served us sweet tea and homemade macaroons.
Thats what you remember?
I had to sweat off the calories the next day. What do you remember?
I asked him what his job was at Wheeler Enterprises. And he said, Im the king of the world!
I do remember. He flung his arms out and shouted it.
Um-huh. Like Leonardo DiCaprio in
Titanic
. My kids have watched that movie a dozen times or more. They love it. I tease them, tell them the ending never changes. The ship always sinks.
I thought he was just being a jerk, Kimball said. Flaunting the fact to two underpaid cops that he doesnt have to do squat at the family company.
Thats what I thought, too. Kind of a hinky way of saying it, though. A piece of movie dialogue.
So what does that signify?
Hell if I know.
The dispatcher interrupted to patch them in to the patrol officer presently at Creighton Wheelers condo building. He said, His Porsche is in its spot.
Oh, Kimball said, feeling let down.
Sos his Land Rover.
Hes got a Land Rover?
And an SUV. Its spot is empty. One of the other owners in the building was in the garage when I got here. She said Wheeler has a blue and tan SUV. Isnt sure of the make or model cause they all look alike to her. Its not here, and he doesnt answer his doorbell.
Kimball thanked him but asked him to stay there and report when and if Wheeler returned. She looked at Sanford and said, Derek Mitchells smart, right?
Smart as they come. Thats why we hate him. And he always covers his ass.
So he wouldnt make wild allegations just because somebody rubbed him the wrong way.
Bad for business.
He wouldnt stick his neck out unless
He was absolutely sure he was right, Sanford said, finishing the thought for her. However, he might stick his neck out for her.
Her
meaning Julie Rutledge?
I picked up vibes. Did you pick up vibes?
Kimball rolled her eyes. If by vibes you mean like plate shifts in the earths core, then yeah. And one of the officers who responded to the call about his dog?
Yeah?
E-mailed me this afternoon. Asked did I know that Julie Rutledge was at Mitchells house that night, lending support. Didnt know if it was important, but
You didnt tell me.
All thats happened today, I didnt think of it till just now.
Sanford gnawed on it. Okay, say they have a thing going.
Safe to say, I think.
Still
Derek Mitchell covers his ass.
Thats what Im thinking, too. If he says Creighton Wheeler poses a threat to somebody
I follow you. Kimball snatched up the transmitter again and asked the dispatcher to contact Athens PD. What the hell? she said to Sanford while she waited. Wont be the first time Ive made a fool of myself. Or you, either.
Without a word, Sanford slapped the portable light on the roof of the car and stamped on the accelerator, driving in the direction of Athens.
CHAPTER
28
D
EREKS PHONE RANG. HE SNAPPED IT OPEN AND TURNED IT on speaker. Dodge said, Shes not there.
What?
You got a plug in your ear?
Did she leave with someone?
In the backseat, Ariel was freaking out. Hes already got her. I know he does.
She didnt come to work today, Dodge said. One of the other girls said she called in sick, and she was pissed off because they couldnt find a replacement and its a madhouse. Greek rush. Some such bullshit. The place was packed. I think the only person in Athens who isnt in that bar tonight is Carol Mahoney. But there she aint.
Then you gotta go to the house. Ariel. Derek glanced back at her. She was clutching her middle and rocking back and forth. Ariel, he repeated sharply.
She raised her head and looked at him in the rearview mirror.
Wheres Carol staying?
At this girls house.
Derek tried desperately to hang on to his patience. I know, but whats the address?
She cut her eyes to Julie, saying mournfully, I dont know. Ive never been there, and Carol never told me the address.
Through the phone speaker, Dodge could be heard chanting derivatives of the F-word.
Julie said, Ariel, can you remember anything? The name of the street? The area of town? Is it near campus?
No. Out a ways. At least thats the impression I got. She said there were woods behind the house. One wall of it is covered by a wisteria vine.
That narrows it down to half the houses in Georgia, Dodge remarked.
Hearing that, Ariel started to cry.
Hearing her, Dodge swore. Then after a short pause, he said, I got an idea. Ill call you back.
EREKS PHONE RANG. HE SNAPPED IT OPEN AND TURNED IT on speaker. Dodge said, Shes not there.
What?
You got a plug in your ear?
Did she leave with someone?
In the backseat, Ariel was freaking out. Hes already got her. I know he does.
She didnt come to work today, Dodge said. One of the other girls said she called in sick, and she was pissed off because they couldnt find a replacement and its a madhouse. Greek rush. Some such bullshit. The place was packed. I think the only person in Athens who isnt in that bar tonight is Carol Mahoney. But there she aint.
Then you gotta go to the house. Ariel. Derek glanced back at her. She was clutching her middle and rocking back and forth. Ariel, he repeated sharply.
She raised her head and looked at him in the rearview mirror.
Wheres Carol staying?
At this girls house.
Derek tried desperately to hang on to his patience. I know, but whats the address?
She cut her eyes to Julie, saying mournfully, I dont know. Ive never been there, and Carol never told me the address.
Through the phone speaker, Dodge could be heard chanting derivatives of the F-word.
Julie said, Ariel, can you remember anything? The name of the street? The area of town? Is it near campus?
No. Out a ways. At least thats the impression I got. She said there were woods behind the house. One wall of it is covered by a wisteria vine.
That narrows it down to half the houses in Georgia, Dodge remarked.
Hearing that, Ariel started to cry.
Hearing her, Dodge swore. Then after a short pause, he said, I got an idea. Ill call you back.
Dodge reentered the crowded bar and shoved his way through the throng until he found the waitress hed spoken to earlier. Wheres Carol staying?
In Savannahs house.
Do you know where that is?
She told him no. He couldnt hear her, but he read her lips.
Wheres your manager?
What?
He placed his lips against her multipierced ear. Point out your manager.
Perturbed over being bothered when there were tips to be made, she went up on tiptoe, scanned the room, then jabbed her index finger in the direction of the bar. The one with his cap on backwards. Bulldogs T-shirt.
Dodge bobbed his head in thanks and pushed aside two guys who were hitting on the same coed. When he reached the bar, he leaned across it toward the thirty-something whod been pointed out to him. You the manager? he shouted.
Yeah. What?
Some guys? Theyre emptying out your storeroom.
Like stealing?
Just thought youd want to know.
Shit!
He slid a beer toward his customer, yelled at one of the other bar tenders to cover for him, and dashed toward the back of the bar, disappearing through a swinging door. Dodge followed. He found him standing in the center of his stockroom, hands on hips and looking around, baffled.
You got a waitress named Savannah. I need her home address.
What the
fuck
? Are you
crazy
? Who
are
you?
Dodge went up to the guy, grabbed his right hand, and pulled his thumb back until it was almost touching his wrist. Im the guy whos gonna break your thumb if you dont give me Savannahs address. You got till two. Thats one and a half.
In Savannahs house.
Do you know where that is?
She told him no. He couldnt hear her, but he read her lips.
Wheres your manager?
What?
He placed his lips against her multipierced ear. Point out your manager.
Perturbed over being bothered when there were tips to be made, she went up on tiptoe, scanned the room, then jabbed her index finger in the direction of the bar. The one with his cap on backwards. Bulldogs T-shirt.
Dodge bobbed his head in thanks and pushed aside two guys who were hitting on the same coed. When he reached the bar, he leaned across it toward the thirty-something whod been pointed out to him. You the manager? he shouted.
Yeah. What?
Some guys? Theyre emptying out your storeroom.
Like stealing?
Just thought youd want to know.
Shit!
He slid a beer toward his customer, yelled at one of the other bar tenders to cover for him, and dashed toward the back of the bar, disappearing through a swinging door. Dodge followed. He found him standing in the center of his stockroom, hands on hips and looking around, baffled.
You got a waitress named Savannah. I need her home address.
What the
fuck
? Are you
crazy
? Who
are
you?
Dodge went up to the guy, grabbed his right hand, and pulled his thumb back until it was almost touching his wrist. Im the guy whos gonna break your thumb if you dont give me Savannahs address. You got till two. Thats one and a half.
I should have put on some shoes, Carol said. Im afraid Im going to step in something nasty.
Would you rather sit down? Theres a fallen tree over there.
Itll have bugs in it. Maybe even a snake.
God, shes a complainer,
Creighton thought. He wondered what Billy had ever seen in her. Beyond the obvious. The breasts.
Lets go back, she said. Its too dark to see, and its kinda spooky. That graveyard and all.
You havent told me about you and Billy yet.
Ill tell you over a glass of wine.
Tell me now.
She stopped and looked at him, and by moonlight he could see the first twinge of apprehension. She tried to hide it with a lame smile. Well be much more comfortable on the porch. Ive got some good cheese, too.
He forced himself to smile back. Now youre talking. Lead the way.
Her smile widened. Then she turned and started walking in the direction of the house.
Following, he reached up and slid his necktie from beneath his collar. Carol?
Hmm?
If I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time tonight.
Would you rather sit down? Theres a fallen tree over there.
Itll have bugs in it. Maybe even a snake.
God, shes a complainer,
Creighton thought. He wondered what Billy had ever seen in her. Beyond the obvious. The breasts.
Lets go back, she said. Its too dark to see, and its kinda spooky. That graveyard and all.
You havent told me about you and Billy yet.
Ill tell you over a glass of wine.
Tell me now.
She stopped and looked at him, and by moonlight he could see the first twinge of apprehension. She tried to hide it with a lame smile. Well be much more comfortable on the porch. Ive got some good cheese, too.
He forced himself to smile back. Now youre talking. Lead the way.
Her smile widened. Then she turned and started walking in the direction of the house.
Following, he reached up and slid his necktie from beneath his collar. Carol?
Hmm?
If I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time tonight.
Okay. Its on Dabney Road, off 441 south of town, Dodge reported through the speaker of Dereks phone. Know where thats at?
I know the highway. Inside or outside the loop?
Out, but not too far. Ive got it on my GPS.
Since Derek was driving, Julie jotted down the directions as Dodge rattled them off. Dont wait for us, Derek told him. Were on the loop now, only two minutes from the turnoff.
Already on my way.
Derek disconnected. Ariel, call the house number one more time. She obeyed him without comment. He looked at Julie and could read a worry that matched his over what they might find when they got there.
Julie jumped when her phone rang in her hand. She answered. Yes?
Julie?
Julie, not Ms. Rutledge. That was a switch from the last time shed talked to Roberta Kimball. Yes?
Detective Sanford and I have been in touch with the Athens police. An officer at the Red Dog was told by the manager that a man forced him to give out information on Carol Mahoney.
That was Dodge, Derek said where he could be heard. We didnt know the address of the house where Carol Mahoney is staying, and we were desperate. Dodge probably didnt say pretty please.
Sanford asked, Is that where youre headed? To the house?
Not wanting to be intercepted, Julie hedged. Ariel is very worried about her friend. Shes anxious to make sure shes all right.
Listen to me. It was Sanford at his most stern. I remind you that this is a police matter.
And I remind you that you didnt respond when we first called you, Julie said heatedly.
Wait for the Athens police, Roberta Kimball said. Theyve dispatched a car to the house. Sheriffs office has been notified, too.
Theyre late and were here. Julie disconnected. Ahead, she could see Dodge standing in the glow of the porch light of a small house. As she was watching, he put his shoulder to the front door and broke through it.
Derek brought his car to a jarring stop. The three of them practically fell out of their doors as they shoved them open. They clambered up the steps onto the porch.
Dodge met them at the front door. Not here.
Any sign of violence?
No. One wineglass on the back porch.
Her cars here, Ariel said. Shes gotta be here.
She pushed past Dodge and ran through the rooms, frantically calling Carols name.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Dodge spoke in an undertone. Didnt want her flying off, going hysterical on you. But I wasnt the only one today asking the bar manager for this address.
Creighton?
Manager said a guy called, passed himself off as a faculty member in the foreign language department who needed clarification on this Savannahs home address. The manager realizes now he was manipulated into giving it to him. He didnt know not to.
Ariel ran back into the living room, appearing to be a hairbreadth away from the hysteria Dodge feared. Shes not here. Where is she? Whats he done with her?
Julie took her by the shoulders. You mentioned woods behind the house?
I know the highway. Inside or outside the loop?
Out, but not too far. Ive got it on my GPS.
Since Derek was driving, Julie jotted down the directions as Dodge rattled them off. Dont wait for us, Derek told him. Were on the loop now, only two minutes from the turnoff.
Already on my way.
Derek disconnected. Ariel, call the house number one more time. She obeyed him without comment. He looked at Julie and could read a worry that matched his over what they might find when they got there.
Julie jumped when her phone rang in her hand. She answered. Yes?
Julie?
Julie, not Ms. Rutledge. That was a switch from the last time shed talked to Roberta Kimball. Yes?
Detective Sanford and I have been in touch with the Athens police. An officer at the Red Dog was told by the manager that a man forced him to give out information on Carol Mahoney.
That was Dodge, Derek said where he could be heard. We didnt know the address of the house where Carol Mahoney is staying, and we were desperate. Dodge probably didnt say pretty please.
Sanford asked, Is that where youre headed? To the house?
Not wanting to be intercepted, Julie hedged. Ariel is very worried about her friend. Shes anxious to make sure shes all right.
Listen to me. It was Sanford at his most stern. I remind you that this is a police matter.
And I remind you that you didnt respond when we first called you, Julie said heatedly.
Wait for the Athens police, Roberta Kimball said. Theyve dispatched a car to the house. Sheriffs office has been notified, too.
Theyre late and were here. Julie disconnected. Ahead, she could see Dodge standing in the glow of the porch light of a small house. As she was watching, he put his shoulder to the front door and broke through it.
Derek brought his car to a jarring stop. The three of them practically fell out of their doors as they shoved them open. They clambered up the steps onto the porch.
Dodge met them at the front door. Not here.
Any sign of violence?
No. One wineglass on the back porch.
Her cars here, Ariel said. Shes gotta be here.
She pushed past Dodge and ran through the rooms, frantically calling Carols name.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Dodge spoke in an undertone. Didnt want her flying off, going hysterical on you. But I wasnt the only one today asking the bar manager for this address.
Creighton?
Manager said a guy called, passed himself off as a faculty member in the foreign language department who needed clarification on this Savannahs home address. The manager realizes now he was manipulated into giving it to him. He didnt know not to.
Ariel ran back into the living room, appearing to be a hairbreadth away from the hysteria Dodge feared. Shes not here. Where is she? Whats he done with her?
Julie took her by the shoulders. You mentioned woods behind the house?
Dammit! Kimball said.
Sanford took a corner on two wheels. What?
Officers just arrived at the house.
No one there?
Everyones there, Kimball reported. Carol Mahoneys car. Two others.
An SUV?
No. Dereks and his sidekicks. They ran the plates. However, a navy and tan SUV was reported abandoned in a thicket a quarter mile from the house.
Sanford cursed, and Kimball echoed it. They had called this one wrong from the get-go. If Carol Mahoney wound up dead at the hands of Creighton Wheeler, it would be on their heads.
Sanford said, At least the locals can prevent Mitchell and Ms. Rutledge from taking the law into their own hands.
Cars
were there. No sign of the people.
What?
The house is empty.
Where the hell are they?
Sanford took a corner on two wheels. What?
Officers just arrived at the house.
No one there?
Everyones there, Kimball reported. Carol Mahoneys car. Two others.
An SUV?
No. Dereks and his sidekicks. They ran the plates. However, a navy and tan SUV was reported abandoned in a thicket a quarter mile from the house.
Sanford cursed, and Kimball echoed it. They had called this one wrong from the get-go. If Carol Mahoney wound up dead at the hands of Creighton Wheeler, it would be on their heads.
Sanford said, At least the locals can prevent Mitchell and Ms. Rutledge from taking the law into their own hands.
Cars
were there. No sign of the people.
What?
The house is empty.
Where the hell are they?
The four ran across the clearing that separated the house from the tree line. Derek was grateful for the moon, but he was in city shoes and the ground was uneven. At least he was in decent shape. Dodge was struggling. Although both of them outdistanced the two women, who had ignored him when he told them to stay in the house. They were behind him and Dodge, but not by much.
You got a gun? Dodge shouted.
No.
Bad habit, Counselor. You should always carry a piece.
Derek glanced back and saw Dodge slipping a handgun from beneath his jacket. He was licensed to carry a concealed weapon.
If you get him, Dodge puffed, what do you expect to do without a gun?
Derek reached the tree line, but he didnt slow down. He plunged headlong into the darkness of the forest.
You got a gun? Dodge shouted.
No.
Bad habit, Counselor. You should always carry a piece.
Derek glanced back and saw Dodge slipping a handgun from beneath his jacket. He was licensed to carry a concealed weapon.
If you get him, Dodge puffed, what do you expect to do without a gun?
Derek reached the tree line, but he didnt slow down. He plunged headlong into the darkness of the forest.
Creighton quoted the Julia Roberts line from
Pretty Woman
a mere heartbeat before looping the necktie over Carols head and pulling it tight around her neck.
She made a shocked sound that turned into a choking gurgle. Her knees buckled, her hands flew to her throat. He pulled the necktie tighter, twisting it against the nape of her neck, and continued to twist it as though trying to wring water from it. She struggled wildly, digging into the earth with her bare heels.
She began to claw at the tie, then reached behind her head and tried to scratch his face, his hands. Hed anticipated she would and was ready. Placing one of his hands against the back of her head, he smashed her face into a tree trunk, dazing her and causing her hands to fall limply at her sides.
But he didnt want to kill her that way. It would be too quick. He twisted the necktie tighter, hoping to provoke a response. In
Frenzy
, the necktie killer was face-to-face with his victim. He got to watch her face as he strangled her. Creighton would have enjoyed that, but the circumstances were different. He wasnt raping Carol Mahoney as he choked her, either. Time and place just werent conducive for him to replicate the scene exactly.
He also would have liked her to scream. Like Sarah Walker and Allison Perry had screamed when he tore their virgin flesh. Like Jerry Bascomb had screamed when he saw his severed appendage lying in a puddle of blood on the wet tiles of the shower room floor. Creighton figured that the skinny kid had screamed more in horror of the sight than from pain, but it had been exhilarating all the same.
Of course the lack of air prevented a scream from Carol Mahoney, but he would have liked at least a whimper. Like the widow had made on the supermarket parking lot.
Carol!
The shout came from a distance, but it caused him to freeze. It roused the girl from her stupor. She moaned and began shifting her weight in a futile attempt to escape him.
Carol!
Another voice this time. Julies.
Julies?
How in the hell ?
Hearing a sound, he turned his head just in time to catch Derek Mitchells fist against his chin. The blow was so hard, it sent him flying backward. The necktie slipped from his hands.
Mitchell drove him into the ground, landing on top of him, straddling his chest. You murdering son of a bitch.
Mitchell slammed his fist into Creightons jaw just in front of his ear, and pain rocketed through his skull.
Derek?
Julie? Her again? That woman is a nuisance. He should have had Billy kill her, too.
Here!
Their words were distorted. Creighton was having trouble focusing.
Mitchell was saying, That one was for all those kids you hurt and got away with. This is compliments of Paul Wheeler.
Another blow to Creightons chin caused him to bite his tongue with teeth that then cracked.
And this, this is for Maggie.
Creighton saw the fist coming, but he was helpless to stop it.
He heard his facial bones crunch. The pain was delayed, but when it came it was with the impetus of a pile driver, and it almost caused him to black out. He was aware of Derek Mitchell planting his hand on his chest and climbing off him. But then he heard Mitchell cry out in alarm, Julie! No! Dont!
Creighton pried his eyes open. Julie was standing over him, cradling a pistol between her hands, staring down the barrel of it directly into his face. In the most chilling voice hed ever heard, she whispered, Make my day.
And then she pulled the trigger.
Pretty Woman
a mere heartbeat before looping the necktie over Carols head and pulling it tight around her neck.
She made a shocked sound that turned into a choking gurgle. Her knees buckled, her hands flew to her throat. He pulled the necktie tighter, twisting it against the nape of her neck, and continued to twist it as though trying to wring water from it. She struggled wildly, digging into the earth with her bare heels.
She began to claw at the tie, then reached behind her head and tried to scratch his face, his hands. Hed anticipated she would and was ready. Placing one of his hands against the back of her head, he smashed her face into a tree trunk, dazing her and causing her hands to fall limply at her sides.
But he didnt want to kill her that way. It would be too quick. He twisted the necktie tighter, hoping to provoke a response. In
Frenzy
, the necktie killer was face-to-face with his victim. He got to watch her face as he strangled her. Creighton would have enjoyed that, but the circumstances were different. He wasnt raping Carol Mahoney as he choked her, either. Time and place just werent conducive for him to replicate the scene exactly.
He also would have liked her to scream. Like Sarah Walker and Allison Perry had screamed when he tore their virgin flesh. Like Jerry Bascomb had screamed when he saw his severed appendage lying in a puddle of blood on the wet tiles of the shower room floor. Creighton figured that the skinny kid had screamed more in horror of the sight than from pain, but it had been exhilarating all the same.
Of course the lack of air prevented a scream from Carol Mahoney, but he would have liked at least a whimper. Like the widow had made on the supermarket parking lot.
Carol!
The shout came from a distance, but it caused him to freeze. It roused the girl from her stupor. She moaned and began shifting her weight in a futile attempt to escape him.
Carol!
Another voice this time. Julies.
Julies?
How in the hell ?
Hearing a sound, he turned his head just in time to catch Derek Mitchells fist against his chin. The blow was so hard, it sent him flying backward. The necktie slipped from his hands.
Mitchell drove him into the ground, landing on top of him, straddling his chest. You murdering son of a bitch.
Mitchell slammed his fist into Creightons jaw just in front of his ear, and pain rocketed through his skull.
Derek?
Julie? Her again? That woman is a nuisance. He should have had Billy kill her, too.
Here!
Their words were distorted. Creighton was having trouble focusing.
Mitchell was saying, That one was for all those kids you hurt and got away with. This is compliments of Paul Wheeler.
Another blow to Creightons chin caused him to bite his tongue with teeth that then cracked.
And this, this is for Maggie.
Creighton saw the fist coming, but he was helpless to stop it.
He heard his facial bones crunch. The pain was delayed, but when it came it was with the impetus of a pile driver, and it almost caused him to black out. He was aware of Derek Mitchell planting his hand on his chest and climbing off him. But then he heard Mitchell cry out in alarm, Julie! No! Dont!
Creighton pried his eyes open. Julie was standing over him, cradling a pistol between her hands, staring down the barrel of it directly into his face. In the most chilling voice hed ever heard, she whispered, Make my day.
And then she pulled the trigger.
Other books
Caribbean Crossroads by Connie E Sokol
The Last of the Savages by Jay McInerney
With Me in Seattle Bundle One by Kristen Proby
Air Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Getting In (Amanda's Trilogy) by Jones, Isabella
QI: The Book of General Ignorance - the Noticeably Stouter Edition by John Lloyd, John Mitchinson
Holding Huck's Heart (Marco's MMA Boys #3) by S. M. Donaldson
The Maze: Three tales of the future by Tahmaseb, Charity
McKean S02 Blood Tide by Thomas Hopp
Rules of Honour by Matt Hilton