Chapter
1
Sarah Evans
Her name was Sarah Evans; she had just turned sixteen a few weeks earlier. Sarah’s mother and father had given their pretty daughter a lavish birthday party to celebrate this most special age in a young girl’s life. There had been other young girls at Sarah’s party, but Simon Perry only had eyes for Sarah. He had been watching Sarah exclusively for the past four months. Simon Perry was fond of young girls who were sixteen, especially when they were as pretty as Sarah Evans was. He took pleasure with the realization that her body was that of a young woman, but yet her mind was still that of an innocent young girl.
The urges were becoming stronger and more frequent for Simon Perry, but he also was growing bolder and more daring in his quest. Gone was the constant worrying of being apprehended and being put away for life, his confidence level had grown appreciably with each new conquest. He was even contemplating taunting the police after his conquest of Sarah, but in the end he knew he wouldn’t. He wanted to keep doing this for a long time, and after all it would be enough to watch the inept police try in vain to catch him. The incompetent police haven’t even tied the other two together yet, even though he had used identical methods; although, it could be they simply did not want to alert the public of such a professional slayer as he. Either way he was not going away anytime soon.
Simon Perry glanced at his watch 5:58, in two minutes Sarah would begin her run. Sarah ran a tight schedule never wavering from her daily plan of activities unless some small family emergency interrupted her predetermined plans. Simon’s heart began to race as Sarah appeared from the doorway of her house at precisely 6:00; Simon smiled slightly, realizing that there would be no interference today. He watched intently as Sarah slowly bent forward with one leg extended in front of the other, and both hands reaching for her toes in a runner’s stretch. Simon looked with eagerness at Sarah’s sleek body form; she had the tightness of a well-trained athlete that trained rigorously. Her blond hair was tied behind her head in a ponytail that bounced freely when she ran. She wore red shorts and a white tee shirt, both fitting her very snugly, revealing an extremely fit female body.
Sarah continued to stretch and looked appreciatively at the beautiful evening unfolding before her. The sun was still high in the late summer sky, but the beginning of the day’s end was well underway. The shadows from the tall oak trees seemed to be lengthening before her very eyes. She quickly glanced down at her watch, set the timer, and began her final run.
Simon Perry was dressed in a jogger’s outfit with a breathable neoprene suit underneath that. He placed a stocking hose in the left pocket of his running pants and a pair of gloves in his left. The outfit was warm, but Simon Perry had no plans of running - very far anyway. He slid into his Luxury SUV that had darkly tinted windows and headed to the parking lot of the local mall. The sprawling parking lot sat near the park, not far from where his and Sarah’s path would meet in approximately 20 minutes. Simon felt the rush of adrenaline as he parked near the far end of the parking lot, but yet he made sure he parked inconspicuously within a group of other cars.
Simon Perry checked his watch and began to walk briskly to the rendezvous point he had chosen weeks ago. He smiled to himself knowing that the mistake Sarah made everyday was number one on the list of The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – Don’t go out alone. Simon Perry said to himself, “They never think it will happen to them.”
* * *
Sarah was well into her second mile and breathing heavily. She loved the natural high she got from running. Sarah felt her heart thumping against her chest, the sweat rolling down the small of her back, and could feel her muscles enter the early stages of fatigue. Sarah checked her watch; she was right on schedule as usual. She was approaching the coolest part of the run. The trail through the park was dark and shadowy, but on hot days she really enjoyed the cool air that permeated throughout the heavily wooded park. At times it could be frightening, that is with all the dark shadows of the tall trees and the deafening roar from the small creek that spilled over the low dam that ran near the trail. She knew she was not supposed to run in this part of the park alone, but somehow that made the run just a little more exciting. Sarah always felt a little extra adrenaline coursing through her veins when she ran through the tall dark trees. She knew it was silly, but she always had the feeling that she was being watched whenever she ran through the dark and isolated area of the park.

Chapter
2
Sarah felt the usual tinge of nervousness as she entered the park. She followed the small path into the forest and immediately felt the cool air against her hot flesh. The soft earth muffled the sound of her running. Sarah was silently gliding through the dark forest. She reached the pinnacle of the hill and began her descent into the darkest and most isolated part of the trail, in the distance she faintly heard the small roar of water escaping over the low dam.
At the bottom of the hill Sarah saw a man dressed in a jogging suit sitting on the side of the trail. His back was to her, but as she approached she saw that he was holding his ankle and rocking back and forth - evidently in pain.
Simon Perry listened as the soft thumping of Sarah’s steps began to slow. With his back to the young girl he smiled to himself, because he knew at this very moment that Sarah would be questioning herself as to what she should do. She would probably glance around the dark forest and think oh so hastily about her imaginary demons, but she would quickly dismiss those thoughts as silly. She would no doubt though hesitate momentarily, but she would stop and offer her assistance – after all she was a good girl.
Sarah stopped several feet from where Simon Perry sat rocking. Sarah always felt somewhat nervous and apprehensive while running alone in this out-of-the-way section of the park, but now she felt doubly so. Sarah tentatively asked, “Are you okay?”
Simon could sense Sarah’s apprehension and knew the thoughts, which must be running through her mind. Again he smiled because he knew that she probably wanted to keep going, but he also knew for certain that she would not. He listened to Sarah’s heavy breathing and took in the smell of her sweaty body. Her salty perspiration mingled with that of the fresh clean smell of the forest, and he could faintly pick-up the fragrance of Sarah’s sweet smelling perfume. Simon Perry feigning pain in his voice said, “Oh yeah, I’m fine. Go on… enjoy your run.”
Sarah replied with nervous concern, “Are you sure?”
He turned toward Sarah making eye contact for the first time then raised half-way up and said, “I guess I’m getting to old for this.” He saw the concern in Sarah’s eyes, but it was not so much concern for his ankle as it was for her own safety. Simon Perry watched as she flicked her eyes about the forest. He thought basic rule number two – if you feel threatened, be strong and stand your ground.
Sarah was frightened when the huge man turned toward her. His face was pocked from a youth of acne, but something else was bothering her. The jogging suit it looked brand new and seemed a bit much for the warm weather. She felt her chest tighten when she saw that he was wearing gloves. Her heart began to race and she felt truly scared for the first time. She found it hard to open her mouth, but she forced herself to stay calm. What to do? What to do? With eyes opened wide and a cracking voice she said, “Okay if you’re sure.” Sarah wanted to run like the wind, but she did not want to appear as if she was running for her life. She looked ahead at the narrow path that wormed its way through the forest; the only obstacle between her and that path was the frightening looking man. She could turn and run the way she had come, but there was danger in that route too. If she did that he would know without a doubt that she was running away from him. She would keep going, get by him and run like the wind. Just as she was about to make a dash for it – he spoke up.

Simon Perry stood-up and saw the fear gripping his young quarry. He said, “I guess I could use that broken limb as a crutch lying there – if you don’t mind?”
Sarah followed his gaze to where the broken limb laid. She stiffly walked toward the dead piece of wood, all the while keeping the man in her line-of-sight. Sarah slowly bent down while still keeping her head up and in the direction of the man. She decided she would hand it to the frightening man while at the same time walk quickly by to safety.
Holding the piece of wood from one end Sarah tentatively reached the other end to Simon Perry. Her plan was to turn loose as soon as the man touched it, but it was not to be.
Simon said, “Thank you, as soon as Sarah began to reach the piece of wood to him.
Sarah replied, “You’re welcome,” but realized her mistake immediately. She felt the tug from the stick and watched with horror as he reached for her with his left hand. The pull from the man threw her off balance ever so slightly, but it was enough. He quickly grabbed her by the wrist with his left hand and just as quickly pulled her to him. Sarah let out a scream of terror, but he quickly placed his gloved hand over her mouth. Sarah felt the brute strength of the huge man as she found herself trapped in his vice-like grip - completely unable to move.
“Sarah stop struggling, I’m not going to hurt you – I promise.” He immediately began to drag Sarah off toward the roar of the small dam and a nearby stand of thick bushes.
Chapter
3
Sarah fought with every muscle in her body; she flailed her dangling legs in an attempt to free herself from her powerful captor. Even though Sarah was scared for her life she was mad at herself, because all the warning signs had been present from the very beginning. As she was being dragged off she knew this should not be happening to her. This monster somehow knew what she was going to do next even before she did. She realized he had probably planned this for a long time, how else to explain him using her name. She was sure she had never seen him before today, but suddenly images of a pocked-faced man behind darkly tinted windows flashed before her. Sarah bit into the gloved hand, but she knew her teeth never made it through the tough leather. She was tiring before she had come upon this monster and the struggle with him had drained her of any remaining energy. Sarah thought to herself - had his plan taken that into account also – probably she surmised. Sarah stopped fighting she would wait for her second wind and then give it her all - at the most opportune time.
Simon felt Sarah’s body go limp and give up. He said, “That’s a good girl, don’t worry this won’t take long and then I’ll set you free.” While backing toward the stand of bushes he glanced around at the silent forest, the only noise in the still forest was the roar of the water falling freely over the small dam. Simon thought how masterfully his plan was working – exactly how he had drawn it up.
He laid Sarah gently onto the ground and before releasing his gloved hand he said, “If you scream again I’ll be forced to hurt you and you don’t want that do you?”
Sarah meekly shook her head no and quietly said, “Please don’t hurt me.”
“Do as you’re told and I won’t.” He loved the look of fright on Sarah’s face and remembered that same look on the others.
Simon Perry stood up over Sarah and said in almost a whisper, “Sarah you are a very pretty girl, but of course you know that don’t you?”
Sarah pleaded, “Please let me go. I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
Next Simon Perry asked, “Sarah would you please take off your tee shirt?”
“No. Please let me go.”
Raising his voice ever so slightly he said, “Sarah, I will not ask you again. Do it now.”
Simon watched as the frightened young girl raised her shirt over her head and laid it to the side. Once Sarah complied he said politely, “That’s a good girl Sarah.”
Sarah watched as Simon pulled the panty hose from his pocket and placed it over his head. How monstrous he looked Sarah thought. He looked even more frightening with the panty hose pressed against his pocked face.
Sarah watched his lips move inside the tight hose as he said, “Now your shorts, Sarah.”
“Let me go, please. Don’t do this.”
Raising his voice again Simon said, “Now Sarah.”
With trembling fingers Sarah reached and removed her shorts. Even through the hose Sarah was able to follow his eyes trail down her body as she removed her shorts. Sarah watched in horror as the monster slowly removed his jogging jacket and then watched as he effortlessly removed the pants from his body with one strong jerk. Sarah looked with horror at the huge man who was still clothed in some type of form fitting outfit. Sarah began to cry uncontrollably because if there had been any hope before, she now realized there were none. With that realization she knew it was now or never. Sarah jerked her body to one side and dug her finger nails into the soft cool earth for traction in one last attempt to free herself from this monster. She got to all fours and began clawing at the ground with her fingers for traction and simultaneously pushed off strongly with her right leg. Sarah started to feel good about her chances of escape maybe just maybe she would make it. She promised she would never put herself into this type of danger again. She was going to be lucky this time. Please God let me get away from this monster. She felt the power of her left leg and the final push with her toes as her trailing foot began to follow the momentum of the rest of her body. It was then that she felt his gloved hand grasp around her ankle and with one strong pull he was atop her.
Sarah screamed, “Help! Someone help me!” The scream was loud and forceful and echoed throughout the forest, even above the roar of the water escaping over the dam.
Simon flipped Sarah onto her back and hit her with his fist. The punch was hard, but not overly so because Simon wanted her to be conscious for what was to come next. Sarah began to sob uncontrollably as the tears flowed freely. Sarah cried, “I want my mommy. I want my mommy.”
Simon growing tired of her whining grabbed her shorts and stuffed them into her mouth. He reached around Sarah’s back and unsnapped her bra and looked excitedly at her small firm breast. He removed his right glove and kneaded Sarah’s breast with his free hand. He tweaked the nipple between his thumb and index finger. Next, he slid his hand down her slim body enjoying the feel of her smooth skin until he reached her panties. He tore the fragile clothing away with one swift jerk.
Through wet eyes Sarah gave up and simply became a spectator of the whole ugly scene. It seemed as if she was watching this grisly attack from afar, as if this was happening to someone else - as if she was watching a movie. From her new viewpoint she saw him pull his penis from his pants. It was so large and so ugly. She had once felt her boyfriend’s penis through his pants while he had pushed himself against her. She had found that experience highly arousing, but this was sick – really sick. She wanted to throw-up.
Simon pushed himself into Sarah and she screamed a muffled sound of agony. Simon was thrusting in and out of Sarah, but strangely Sarah stopped feeling any pain. She was looking through the panty hose at her captor; he was breathing heavily and grunting from the effort. Finally he collapsed heavily onto her and stopped thrusting into her. His face was lying beside of Sarah’s and his breath was coming in ragged gasps.
After several minutes Sarah watched Simon rise upon his knees and look into her face. Surely she thought that now he was finally finished with her.
“How was that Sarah? Did you like that? Tell me you liked it Sarah.” Simon was grinning broadly and looking down at her.
Sarah meekly said, “Yes,”
Simon Perry said, “That’s a good girl Sarah.”
Sarah prayed silently for him to stop and leave her alone, but before she could even finish her prayer she watched in horror as he unsheathed a knife with a large shiny blade. She waned to run, to yell, to cry, but she could do nothing except to stare at the knife with the large shiny blade.
Sarah watched the knife blade swing down out of her range of vision. She hadn’t felt anything maybe he wouldn’t kill her after all. She watched passively as he slowly brought the knife back into view. It was dripping of dark red blood, but how could that be she thought. She had not felt anything. Then her eyes fluttered ever so slightly and she felt something-warm run down her bare chest.
Sarah began to think of all the things that she would never get to do. She would never see her family again. She would never go to college. She would never get married. She would never have children. She looked at the bloody knife again, but this time through half closed wet lashes. She felt her lashes flutter and close even more. Finally there was only darkness and then there was nothing.



Chapter
4
***Eight Months Later***
Kat
Kat took a deep breath as she stepped from the yellow dingy confines of the cab. It smelled of tobacco, alcohol, cheap perfume, and body odor – bad body odor. She leaned back inside the smelly cab and reminded the small nervous driver, “I’ll be back in five minutes.” The little man wore a baseball cap low over large round nervous eyes with tufts of strawberry blond hair poking from underneath the brim. His goatee consisted of long untrimmed unruly tufts of the same strawberry blond color that splayed loosely around his hat.
“Lady, like I said, this place gives me the creeps.”
Kat was excited and a bundle of nerves herself. Her nostrils flared with agitation, but she quickly calmed her exterior and glanced at the name tag on the dash and pleasantly said, “Listen Darryl, five minutes okay, can you handle that?
“But…”
Kat placed her index finger to her lips to indicate for him to be quiet and whispered, “Darryl, you can do this.”
Darryl watched the beautiful young lady with the long slender legs exit his cab. Watching her helped him forget where he was, if just momentarily - that is until the door slammed shut leaving him alone in the place he feared most.
Kat turned quickly, steadied herself and stepped briskly into the cool damp night air. It was near midnight and the dew had fallen heavily, drenching the manicured grass. Kat found walking in the wet grass slippery and her two-inch heels were sinking into the soft damp earth every other step. She was growing frustrated either slipping in the wet grass or stepping out of her heels when they became stuck. She finally bent down and removed the troublesome shoes and felt the cold engulf her suddenly wet feet. Kat’s shadow appeared at her feet and she glanced up to watch a full moon free itself from behind a dark ominous cloud. Quickly the moon began to illuminate the landscape with its borrowed soft glow from the sun.
Darryl watched nervously as the moon brought the landscape slowly into view. The night had been very dark, but now the soft light from the moon was slowly revealing the old cemetery. Darryl eyes opened wide as the soft light from the moon shone onto an old mausoleum with vines draping over its weathered concrete surface with the name BLACK carved in large block letters. Darryl found the light from the moon more menacing than the darkness. Everywhere he looked there were now shadows, dark shadows. Tall old growth pines appeared from the darkness and stood majestically with their limbs stretched over rows of headstones.
When he turned the young lady had disappeared into the cemetery and it’s frightening shadows. When he turned back the moon’s soft glow seemed even brighter reflecting off the decaying concrete of the old mausoleum and highlighting rows of weathered headstones. Darryl was starring into his worst nightmare - alone in a half-lit cemetery - at midnight. He starred into the old moonlit cemetery with bugged eyes and a terror-stricken face. An owl suddenly screeched into the quiet night, Darryl jerked in the direction of the awful sound. The moon’s soft glow reflected off the large round golden eyes of the huge owl – that was it. Darryl had taken all he could; he slumped into the seat, with his head against the door below the level of the windows. With shaking fingers Darryl reached and hit the power button on the radio and turned the volume up as high as it would go. Instantly the radio came to life blaring ‘Bad Moon Rising’ by Credence Clear Revival:
Don’t Go’ round tonight.
It’s bound to take your life.
There’s a Bad Moon on the Rise.
Darryl punched the radio off, shut his eyes and began counting one thousand one, one thousand two…
Kat had never visited the gravesite, but somehow she knew where it laid. She walked in a straight line through the dark shadows, stopping only once when she heard the lyrics ‘There’s a Bad Moon on the Rise’. She smiled just a little before continuing on. Kat took a deep breath upon arriving at the gravesite. She starred at the new headstone as a warm tear formed and slowly trickled down her cheeked. Kat felt a sob building deep from within her belly and fought to keep it at bay. Her throat tightened, but as her shoulders began to shake a low sob escaped into the dark night. Through sobs Kat quietly said, “This crime will not go unpunished – I promise you – I will make this right.
Kat glanced at her watch it had been almost seven minutes since she had left the little hysterical driver waiting in the cab. She wiped the tears from her face and quickly began back toward the cab; hopefully she thought he had not left without her. On the way back Kat noticed for the first time the dark shadows that were so prevalent throughout the old cemetery. She saw large old concrete family mausoleums scattered about, rows of weathered headstones, and giant old growth pines that created a nightmarish landscape, especially for a nervous neurotic like the nervous little cab driver.
As a little girl a place like this would have scared her to no end. Growing up she lived near an old church and graveyard. The quickest route home was directly through the graveyard using a little quaint walkway that curled around and between the headstones. Even during the light of the day she would walk nervously through the old graveyard glancing about, but never looking directly at the dates or names on the aged weathered headstones. At night though it was a different story, she would always make a mad dash around and between the old headstones until she was safely onto a well-lit street. Every step she feared some long ago corpse would seize her by the ankle and drag her off to a dark unlit gravesite. But Kat no longer feared the night or the creatures of the night for that matter, especially since she was now a creature of the night herself. She had never admitted that even to herself, but there it was – ‘A Creature of the Night’ how strange that sounded. Uttering those words caused the hair on the back of her neck to come alive and stiffen. It was true she no longer feared the night or the creatures of the night, but she definitely feared herself.
Darryl had his eyes shut and was counting,” one thousand four hundred ninety-nine, one thousand five hundred, that’s it – I’m out of here. That broad may be drop dead gorgeous, but she is definitely not all there. I mean who in their right mind would be out here walking around with the dead at this time of night.”
Kat knocked gently on the window and watched in shock as Darryl’s eyes bugged from their sockets.
Darryl hit the down button on the window and excitedly yelled, “Are you trying to scare me to death?”
“Sorry.”
“Sorry nothing, that’s uncalled for. I was just leaving without you”
“Really”
“Yes, Really - I had just finished counting to five minutes.”
“Is that right? Gee, I thought it had been closer to ten minutes.”
“No way, I would have left your butt out here already. I just counted one thousand one all the way to one thousand five hundred.”
“Oh I see. I guess I looked at my watch incorrectly.’
“I agreed to wait five minutes and that’s exactly what I did. I mean what I say, and I say what I mean.”
Kat smiled to herself and once again glancing at his name tag replied, “I’m glad you’re so punctual Darryl.” She slid into the back seat feeling drained and sighed, “Let’s get back to the city Darryl. I have to be in court early.”
Darryl said sarcastically, “You just relax; after all it’s only a four hour drive, and after this night that sounds like a piece of cake.”
“Court huh; are you one of those lawyer broads?”
“No Darryl, I’m not one of those lawyer broads.”
“If you’re not a lawyer why do you have to be in court?
“Actually I think I’m going to figure that question out tomorrow.”
“You haven’t done anything wrong… like kill someone or something have you?”
“No not yet anyway,” Through the rear view mirror Kat watched the concern grow in Darryl’s nervous eyes as she added, “Just kidding Darryl.”
“Lady you mind if I ask you another question.”
“Go ahead Darryl, as long as it has nothing to do with why we came here tonight.”
Darryl asked tentatively, “What is your name?”
“Just Kat.”
“Like Cat…C-A-T
“No Kat with a K.”


Chapter
5

Kat arrived at the courthouse early and waited for Roger Fryman. Mr. Fryman was a two-bit reporter currently down on his luck. He mostly did the obituaries and other unimportant doggy bones the editor occasionally threw his way. Kat knew this because she had a plan and the success of her plan included a flawed partner. Fryman it seems fit that bill completely. Once a promising reporter but due to recent difficulties, one of which she knew was his craving for the bottle that in turn had led to a nasty divorce.
Fryman walked in looking tired and drained from most likely another night of hard drinking. Wearing a rumpled suit, an unshaven face, and uncombed hair he certainly fit the profile for possible flawed partner. Even in this unkempt state Roger had the rugged good looks of a cowboy – square jaw, bright eyes, and sandy brown hair freckled with gray. Kat motioned for him to join her. He definitely did not seem overly interested in the meeting that she had hastily arranged, but nonetheless he had come.
“I guess you’re the young lady that has a plan to resurrect my career.”
“Yes I do.”
“To be honest I really don’t know why I’m here.”
Kat heard the hopelessness in his voice and quickly seized the opportunity, “Listen Roger what do you have to lose? If my idea doesn’t work – what has it cost you - another day of assignments that no one else wants to do?” Kat heard the harsh words and the hurt they inflicted upon Roger’s face. “I don’t want to be mean and I know this cannot be easy for you, but if I can pull this off – well it may just put you back in the game.”
“Listen lady I have a headache, I haven’t slept in awhile – you get the picture.”
“Loud and clear – maybe I’m talking to the wrong person. Sorry to have interrupted your busy day.”
Kat watched as his facial expression changed from one of agitation to hopelessness. She felt Roger was the right person for the job and she wanted to get her plan underway immediately. Kat tentatively reached out and touched Roger’s hand ever so slightly. Images poured from Roger as Kat tried to assimilate and figure out a way to use the images that an unsuspecting Roger was providing. Kat watched as images of a happy couple turned ugly with scenes of yelling and screaming and of course the drinking. Finally, an image appeared that she could use; their phone conversation and the idea that maybe just maybe she could help him. Kat finally said, “Roger it’s this simple. I think I can help you, but first you will have to trust me.
After several long seconds Roger reluctantly replied, “What the hell. After all as you so eloquently said what do I have to lose?”
“Good. This is what we are going to do. I’m going to provide you with information about certain crimes and criminals and you are going to get that information into the Enquirer.”
“But”
“Roger there’s no buts.”
Roger said, “May I ask one question? What’s in it for you?”
“Right now not a whole lot, but when you become a media celebrity I will expect to be paid a small salary. The most important part of my plan is that bad people will be taken off the street where they can never harm another innocent person ever again. Roger if you don’t ask questions and do as you’re told I promise good things will happen. Now go home take a shower and clean up because your life as you know it is about to change – for the better I might add. One thing before you leave, never ever acknowledge that you know me. Is that understood? “
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Roger there is no I guess. When you come back to this courtroom today –You don’t know me – Don’t even look my way. I will contact you when it is necessary.”
Kat watched as a confused and somewhat dazed Roger left the still mostly empty courtroom.
* * *
By nine, the courtroom was busting at the seams. It seemed as though press credentials were attached to every suit and blouse in the building. The atmosphere in the courtroom was charged with electricity. Anticipation was keenly painted on the faces of everyone in the courtroom. This case has been in the media for weeks, rape and murder has a way of energizing the entire city, especially when the crime was the rape and murder of a young innocent girl.
Kat took a deep breath as the Bailiff boomed, “All rise! Court is now in session! The Honorable Ashley J. Worthington, presiding.”
Good morning, everyone,” Judge Worthington called out, as she glided across the carpet with her black robe flowing in her wake.
The judge walked briskly with a stony expression of business on her face. Kat surmised she was probably fifty or so and looked very aristocratic with her hair piled high on her head. She had the reputation of being ruthless on criminals who committed horrendous crimes such as rape and murder. The court reporter was already busy typing and sat in front and just to the right of the where the Bailiff was standing. The jury sat motionless further off to the right with blank faces, Kat thought this somewhat strange considering the type of case they were about to sit in judgement of. The prosecuting attorney and his two assistants were seated to the left of the judge. The lead attorney was graying, tall, and had an angular face. Seated next to him was an attractive brunette dressed to the hilt. She was decked out in a very fashionable business suit that accentuated her female curves and wore a pair of black three-inch heels. Next to her was a very young dark haired man, probably not much older than Kat herself. He wore small wire rim glasses that only drew attention to his good looks. He had a nearly round face somewhat boyish, but in a handsome way with large brown eyes that were darting about the room.
On the other side of the aisle sat the defense attorney, Mr. Murphy a short rotund barrel chested man with long strands of hair attempting to cover his balding head. Mr. Murphy has been described as a brilliant defense attorney even if his methods are questionable to say the least. His nickname is Mr. Technicality, because if the police has made a mistake or used improper procedure during the investigation he will discover the breakdown and many times gain an acquittal for his client. In the past the more money a client has it seems the more successful Mr. Murphy has been. Sitting next to Mr. Murphy was the defendant Simon Perry. He was a large man with broad shoulders and huge arms. His face was pock marked from years of adolescent acne and his family has money, fulfilling the one requirement that Mr. Murphy considered necessary to retain his services.
“Good morning, Mr. Murphy.” Judge Worthington said concretely. Before we get started this fine morning, I hear that you have a motion that you would like to present to the court. Let’s have it.”
All attention suddenly shifted to the slow rising defense attorney. Mr. Murphy said confidently, “Good morning Your Honor. I would like to present the motion that all charges be dropped against my client.” People gasped at the request.
Crack! Crack! “Order! I will have order in my courtroom!” Then she continued, “I’m sure you would Mr. Murphy, but I’m also equally sure the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office may feel a little differently about your request.” The judge paused reflexively then continued, “Okay then - just for curiosity sake what is the nature of the request? I certainly hope you are not wasting the courts time.”
“With all due respect your Honor.” I think my opposition in this case has been keeping something from the court and of course my client.”
The lead attorney yelled, “Objection.” Pandemonium broke out in the courtroom.
Crack! Crack! “Order! Lead attorneys in my chambers.”
Kat watched as Simon Perry slowly turned and scanned the courtroom. Kat was watching intently and then suddenly their eyes met. Kat was unnerved if just momentarily, but she refused to be starred down by this monster – if indeed he was guilty of this crime. Simon Perry finally nodded his acknowledgement of her, smiled and winked with an evil look. Kat felt the blood begin to boil and she murmured to herself, “I cannot believe he would do such a thing, especially considering where he is sitting.”
Ever since her new life had begun she discovered that she had come to possess newfound abilities or disabilities she supposed – only time would prove which she thought. One of her new gifts it seems is the ability to see mental images of events that has happened in the past. Although not perfect, Kat found the skill interesting and hopefully helpful in her new career of…Kat thought; what would be a good label for her new career?
Kat slowly stood and began to make her way toward Mr. Perry. She was both nervous and frightened as to what she might discover, but her curiosity was getting the best of her. After all what could Simon Perry possibly do in a very public courtroom?
The young male defense attorney that wore wire rim glasses had chosen this time to scan the courtroom. He noticed Kat right off but something seemed amiss, or at the least out of place. On closer examination he realized it was the dark glasses she was wearing and her hair. Something was wrong with the hair – the young girl was wearing a wig, but for what reason? The young girl had piqued his curiosity and he was watching intently as she made her way to the front of the courtroom. She seemed overwrought with fear and unsure as to what she was doing.
Kat felt perspiration forming on her forehead and her legs were beginning to grow rubbery. She paused and started to return to her seat, but decided she could and would do this. Kat felt her heart thump loudly and for a moment she thought she might hyperventilate, even though her breathing was rapid she felt as if she had no air in her lungs. Kat was no longer aware of her surroundings, her vision was blurred, her ears were echoing with the loud thumping of a heart racing wildly. Her vision - what was left of it anyway was fixed upon Simon Perry’s head and shoulder. Through blurred-tunneled vision she watched as her hand slowly and tentatively reached out toward the broad shoulders of Simon Perry.
As soon as her fingertips touched him the images flooded from Simon Perry, the images overwhelmed Kat’s ability to assimilate them. The images came so quickly and in such large numbers that Kat felt as if she had been touching Perry for hours rather than the actual few seconds before he had turned and swiped her hand away. Simon Perry starred angrily into Kat’s eyes and spoke quietly with steely ice, “What are you doing Bitch!” Kat shrieked with fear and disgust from not only what Simon had just said to her, but from the terrible images of a young girl pleading for her life – those images were over loading Kat’s senses. She instinctively brought both hands to her mouth, not just to quiet herself, but to stop the eruption that was attempting to explode from her churning stomach.
Chapter
6
Kat met Perry’s murderous stare for just a moment before she turned and ran from the courtroom. The images were coming to her like a deck of cards being flipped through at an amazing speed. Kat remembered as a young girl opening boxes of cracker jacks and eagerly running her fingers through the sticky treat searching for a tiny book of animated drawings. She would use her thumb and forefinger to quickly flip through the frames, which animated the individual frames into short entertaining cartoons. But these frames were not animated drawings of cartoon characters, they were of young girls being raped and tortured…Kat saw images not only of Sarah Evans, but two other young girls as well. Kat sadly realized Simon Perry had not only raped and murdered Sarah Evans, but that in all likelihood he was a serial rapist and murderer. Kat burst through the courtroom door and heard the clicking of her heels against the marble hallway. Her hands were being forced from her mouth as she used her shoulder to burst through the women’s bathroom door. An image of a very dead Sarah Evans suddenly appeared before her. Kat had never seen the crime scene, but now the images were being imprinted into her brain. Kat was starring at a bloodied naked body of a sixteen year old Sarah Evans. Sarah’s blond hair was streaked red from dried blood, one eye was black and swollen shut, and a deep piercing knife wound lay across her slender neck. Kat freed her hands from the impending explosion and flung herself to the floor. The vomit exploded and sprayed into the toilette and also onto the floor and wall.
The young district attorney inquisitiveness got the best of him. He immediately began his pursuit of the young girl. He watched as she barreled her way through the ladies restroom. He hesitated for just a moment before slowly opening the door and then he calmly stepped into the ladies restroom. He found the young girl on her knees retching into the toilette, obviously very very sick. The vomit was exploding from the young girl, landing not only in the toilette, but all around the intended target. The wig and sunglasses were lying in among the messy and very stinking vomit. He turned to see an elderly woman with either a look of disgust either of the vomiting or maybe simply surprise at his presence in the ladies room quickly head for the exit, but before leaving she looked strangely over her shoulders at him. He turned his attention back to the young girl on the floor. Her legs were long, lean and very nice looking to say the least. Her short skirt revealed nice long slender calves and the back of her thighs were unbelievably long and shapely causing the young attorney to open his eyes wide in appreciation. Under his breath he said, “There is a young lady who is no stranger to a stair stepper - those legs are truly finely tuned.”
Kat stopped retching for just a moment and tried to catch her breath. She was so sick she felt like dying. “Ohhh” she moaned hoping there was no one else in the restroom to witness the awful scene.
The young attorney gaining his senses removed his handkerchief placed it under the faucet and let cool water soak it. He walked back over to where Kat still had her head hung over the toilette and placed the damp cool cloth onto her forehead. Kat weakly said, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied.
Hearing a male voice Kat slowly turned to see the young District Attorney from the courtroom. “What are you doing in here?” she asked.
He immediately saw that the young girl with the nice legs had a very pretty face. He also realized that the young girl was actually a young woman and that in all likelihood was near his age. “Offering my assistance to a lady in distress,” saying it a little too gallantly he thought.
Kat wiping her face with his hanky said, “I pretty sure the sign on the door says ladies room.”
Stepping toward her he tentatively reached out and pulled his handkerchief ever so slowly from her hand and said in a low voice, “Here let me get that.” He stepped closer and gently removed a small piece of debris from her cheek. He thought, she is much more than pretty – she is beautiful. He felt his knees weaken at this observation.
He was standing so close that Kat could smell the fresh fragrance of the soap he used this morning. She looked at him and thought he was even better looking up close, and then she glanced over his shoulder and saw her reflection in the mirror. Her face was red and sweaty from the effort of throwing-up. Her hair was plastered wet to her head with sweat from wearing the wig and water from the handkerchief had only made matters worse. “Oh my God,” she exclaimed looking at herself in the mirror.
“What’s wrong?” Cade asked inquisitively.
“I look terrible! You have to leave.”
The young attorney questioned, “Are you sure you‘re okay?”
“I’m fine, would you please leave now?”
“May I ask one question before I leave?”
Kat answered, “I guess I owe you that much.”
Cade asked, “Your name please?”
“Kat, my name is Kat. And before you ask its Kat with a K. I guess this is where good manners require me to ask you your name.”
“My name is Cade Collins.”
“Well Mr. Collins…”
“Cade politely interrupted, “Cade with a C.”
“I’m very glad to meet you Cade with a C, but if you don’t mind I would like a few minutes to straighten myself up.”
He thought to himself – straighten up or not you are one gorgeous lady, “No problem, I’ll just see myself out.” Before turning to leave though he had to steal one more good-look at this young lady who called herself Kat. Her complexion matched her richly colored auburn hair that set off her wide green eyes; high cheekbones, well-formed lips, and a small perky nose completed the near flawless face. Cade realized she was not just beautiful - she was stunningly so. His glance began slowly moving down her long slender neck when Kat politely cleared her throat, but the gesture did not register as Cade’s thoughts were engaged elsewhere.
Kat watched as he continued to stare at her for several more seconds before his eyes slowly began to drift even lower. Kat cleared her throat a second time somewhat more forcibly before a startled Cade realized it was his cue to leave.
“Cade felt the blush in his cheeks as he said, “Oh, sorry.”
Chapter
7
Judge Worthington’s Chambers
Judge Worthington walked briskly by the seated attorneys and spoke with agitation in her voice, “Gentlemen I like an orderly courtroom and what I had today was far from anything resembling an orderly courtroom. Mr. Murphy you just accused Mr. Lowe and the District Attorneys Office of keeping important information from the court and your client. I’m confident that each party used all the devices available to them during discovery to obtain all the pertinent information concerning this case. And I’m equally confident that both parties were forth coming and honest during discovery. So with that being said Mr. Murphy what exactly is the nature of your accusation?”
“Your Honor, accusation is such a strong word.”
“Mr. Murphy that is exactly what you are saying. Mr. Murphy I asked you a straightforward question. I expect a straightforward answer.”
“Yes of course. Your Honor last night while preparing my client for trial I uncovered some important information concerning this case.”
Mr. Lowe interrupted, “Your Honor it seems as if the defense has been hiding facts about this case rather than my office.”
Judge Worthington sternly said, “Mr. Lowe please allow your colleague Mr. Murphy the opportunity to present his so called important information. You will be given the same courtesy – I promise.”
“Yes, your Honor.”
“Now Mr. Murphy would you please continue.”
“As I was saying I uncovered some most shocking information that may shed some light on this most unfortunate case…”
Judge Worthington impatiently said, “Mr. Murphy please get to the point - we have less than thirty minutes before court is to resume.”
“Okay, to summarize your Honor. My client was traveling west on Broadway at approximately the time that Sarah Evans body was discovered. My client Simon Perry…”
A fidgety Judge Worthington said impatiently, “We know your clients name Mr. Murphy.” The judge sighed heavily and shook her head in dismay.
“Sorry, your Honor. Where was I? Oh yes, my client was traveling west on Broadway away from the site where the body of Sarah Evans was found. It seems my client was traveling beyond that of the legal speed limit, which resulted in his being pulled over for speeding. My client did not receive a citation though, because of a call coming in concerning the discovery of a body found in the park. My client said that an Officer James had just finished checking his driver license and seemed to be in the process of citing him when the call came in. At that point though Officer James abruptly handed my clients his license back put away his notebook and said, ‘Mr. Perry this is your lucky day.’ Then Officer James sped away presumably toward the crime scene.” It seems there was an anonymous call made just minutes earlier that had given the exact location where Ms. Evans body could be found. The body discovered of course was indeed unfortunately that of Sarah Evans.
Judge Worthington glanced at District Attorney Lowe who was listening intently to Mr. Murphy’s story. The judge did notice however that Mr. Lowe’s face was turning pale in color. Judge Worthington knew that the District Attorney was aware that she was starring at him, but he refused or for some reason unknown to her did not want to look in her direction. She realized at this point that Mr. Murphy’s story was probably going to be a problem for the prosecution, maybe even for the court. That conclusion was written all over the District Attorney’s blood drained face. She turned her attention back to Mr. Murphy with more interest than before, since his story was revealing information that the District Attorney was finding disturbing to say the least. Judge Worthington asked inquisitively, “Mr. Murphy your account of events thus far if I’m comprehending correctly seems to place your client near the crime scene. Why would your client admit to this now?”
“Your Honor last night I convinced my client of his perilous state of affairs. I furthered advised him we could not leave even one stone unturned because the case against him is very overwhelming. I warned my client that the DNA evidence in of itself was enough to convict him, and that he had better not keep anything from me, no matter how inconsequential it may seem. Your Honor that is when he threw this bombshell on me.”
Judge Worthington said calmly, “I appreciate your candor, but this information only damages your client’s case. Why give the District Attorney evidence that places your client near the crime scene.” Judge Worthington glanced in the direction of Mr. Lowe and was still somewhat surprised and bothered at the District Attorneys continued silence.
Mr. Murphy looked in the direction of the District Attorney and then back to the Judge and said, “To be honest Your Honor that was my first thought too. I realized very quickly how damaging it would be to our case if the state could prove my client was speeding away from where the body was found. Combine that with the DNA evidence gathered at the crime scene and I’m sure my counter part Mr. Lowe would have very little trouble proving his case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Judge Worthington asked, “So what is it that you’re not telling us Mr. Murphy. I’m sure you are not admitting your client’s guilt, although that would definitely make things easier for the District Attorney’s Office.”
Mr. Murphy replied, “No I’m not admitting my client’s guilt your Honor. On the contrary I think that what I am about to tell you will completely exonerate my client. Your Honor after getting over the initial shock of the revelation from my client and how this new information damages our case, I began to ask myself questions. First I asked myself – Was the District Attorneys Office aware of the speeding incident? Next I asked myself this perplexing question – If my opponents knew of this incident why weren’t they using it against us. After pondering the possible scenarios I decided there were only two possible explanations to my questions.”
Judge Worthington said tersely, “Go on Mr. Murphy,” as she glared into the panic stricken face of the District Attorney.
“Thank you Your Honor. As I was saying I could only come up with two possible explanations. The first is that Mr. Lowe and his office was never aware of the speeding incident, but after much deliberation I discarded that notion. I discarded that notion based on the fact that my client’s whereabouts during the time of the murder would be one of the most important pieces of evidence needed to show my client’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. After all that is normally the first question asked of a murder suspect. Your Honor that left only one question – Why was the District Attorneys Office not using this evidence against my client? I could understand my client being mum concerning the speeding incident, but why I asked would the District Attorneys Office do like wise. That sent up a million red flags that aroused my suspicion of…”
Judge Worthington added hastily, “Be very careful how you word your sentence Mr. Murphy.”
“Yes, thank you Your Honor. That sent up a million red flags that aroused my… curiosity.”
Chapter
8
Mr. Murphy continued, “I figured if my opponents were not using this most damaging piece of evidence against us that there had to be a very good reason. My investigators and I stayed up well into the night trying to uncover this most baffling question. After an exhausting night of searching for the answer one of my more diligent investigators came across a most puzzling discovery. It seems there were eight sets of footprints at the crime scene. One set of prints being that of Ms. Evans the victim and another of the perpetrator. Then we have your crime scene investigators Mr. Sisk and Mrs. Frazier, next the Coroner Mr. Hall and his assistant Mr. Jackson, and of course Mr. Runyon the officer that discovered the body.
That left one set of prints unaccounted for your Honor and now I think it’s time for my counter part Mr. Lowe to inform us whom those unaccounted prints belong to.”
Judge Worthington with a face seemingly etched in stone turned toward the District Attorney. She could see the distress in the District Attorneys face and realized that he probably needed a few minutes to arrange his thoughts, but she was simply too upset at what she had just heard to feel any sympathy whatsoever for the District Attorney. It had not helped that the bearer of the troubling news was Mr. Murphy - a fat balding defense attorney that in the past she found at best intolerable and he had just pointed out that there was an appalling omission from of an official crime report. “Mr. Lowe what do you have to say about the nameless set of foot prints at the crime scene? The District Attorney sat motionless as if he had not heard a word from Judge Worthington. Judge Worthington asked again somewhat louder, “Mr. Lowe did you hear me?”
Mr. Lowe’s pallor was that of a ghost. Van Gogh himself could not have painted a more miserable face than that of the District Attorney’s. The District Attorney slowly and methodically turned his distressed face toward Judge Worthington and said meekly, “It could be Your Honor.”
Clearly frustrated Judge Worthington said, “Mr. Lowe you’re not making any sense. It could be who?”
Mr. Lowe timidly replied, “The prints could be those of Officer James.”
Judge Worthington sank back into her chair and said, “Oh – My – God the same Officer James that had pulled Mr. Perry over for speeding. Are you saying that Officer James had a physical interaction with Mr. Perry and then immediately after that tramped around a homicide crime scene, possibly contaminating evidence in the process.”
She sat motionless for several seconds before turning toward Mr. Harvey. With disdain in her voice she finally said, “I’m sure you enjoyed this little show Mr. Harvey, but the next time you have something to say - do just that – say it – get to the point - there is no reason to give a complete blow by blow account of the situation. You could have simply said I think Officer James contaminated the crime scene…that would have been sufficient. See how simple that was Mr. Harvey.”
Mr. Harvey seemed bewildered that he was catching the brunt of the judge’s anger instead of the District Attorney whom he felt should have been the one on the end of the judge’s wrath. He opened his mouth, but said nothing.
“Now as for you Mr. Lowe do you have any idea what has transpired here; furthermore do you have your faculties about you? You seem just a tad bit out of it. But I guess if I were in your shoes at this point I would be a bit out of it too, but of course I would have never allowed myself to end up where you are about to find yourself.”
“Yes your Honor.”
“Yes your Honor what?”
“I have my faculties and I know what just transpired.”
Out of the corner of her eye Judge Worthington watched a smug smile spread across the face of Mr. Harvey. She turned her attention to the defense attorney and said sarcastically, “Mr. Murphy I don’t appreciate your self-righteous attitude in my chambers.”
“Sorry Your Honor.”
“Mr. Lowe two question, first what kind of evidence do you have against Mr. Simon? Second, how plausible is it that Officer James contaminated that evidence?”
Gaining some of his senses about him Mr. Lowe said, “Your Honor we found conclusive evidence that Mr. Simon was in fact the perpetrator.”
Mr. Harvey interjected, “Your Honor if I may…
But he was quickly cut off by Judge Worthington, “Hold it counselor you had your turn.”
“Please continue Mr. Lowe and exactly what is this conclusive evidence?”
“Your Honor we found two strands of hair that DNA testing proved belong to Mr. Murphy’s client Simon Perry.”
Judge Worthington inquired, “Mr. Lowe is there any other evidence placing Mr. Perry at the crime scene?”
“No Your Honor but…”
“That will be enough for now Mr. Lowe.”
“Mr. Harvey do you have anything else to add and if you do please be brief this time.”
“Your Honor as I said in the courtroom I think all charges should be dropped in light of this new evidence, especially considering the lack of… let’s say cooperation from both the Police Department and District Attorneys Office. Also I would like to ask you a question if I may Your Honor?”
“Okay.”
“Looking intently at Judge Worthington Mr. Harvey said, I think this may help bring clarity to this situation. Your Honor do you think it’s possible that Officer James could have unwittingly transported the hair samples found at the crime scene from the area where my client was pulled over for speeding?
“I’m sure that’s a possibility Mr. Murphy.”
“Then if we can agree on that Your Honor and if I may continue my line of thinking. Officer James and my client passed between them a driver license and registration not once but twice. That exchange of materials created a prime opportunity for the transfer of hair from my client to Officer James and ultimately to the crime scene; furthermore this is a criminal case and my client is presumed innocent until proven guilty. I really do not think it is even remotely possible that a jury could find my client guilty ‘Beyond a Reasonable Doubt’. With that being said Your Honor I think the District Attorney’s office along with the police department has some explaining to do about the crime scene report? I mean how do you explain such a glaring omission from an official police report, especially considering that the District Attorney’s office is seeking the death sentence in this case?
Judge Worthington listened intently to Mr. Murphy’s explanation of events. After Mr. Murphy’s explanation the room fell eerily quiet for several uncomfortable seconds before Judge Worthington finally said, “I certainly see your argument Mr. Harvey.”
Mr. Lowe what kinds of hair samples were found at the crime scene?”
“Body hair was found.”
Judge Worthington asked, “No pubic hair?’
“No.”
Judge Worthington said matter-of-factly, “Mr. Lowe if your case rest solely on the DNA hair samples taken from the crime scene…I really think the state has a huge problem.
Chapter
9
Judge Worthington turned to Mr. Murphy and calmly said, “Mr. Murphy I think it’s time you rejoin your client in the courtroom. And Mr. Murphy this time when you make your motion for all charges to be dropped, you and your client can feel pretty confident that the District Attorney will not raise any objections. Isn’t that right Mr. Lowe?” The District Attorney could only muster a slow nod of yes as he starred blankly out the window.
As soon as Mr. Murphy had shut the heavy wooden door behind himself, Judge Worthington turned her attention to the despondent District Attorney, “Tom how long have we known each other?”
The District Attorney replied, “A long time.”
Judge Worthington who had been holding in her frustration throughout the entire sordid conversation finally lost her composure and screamed, “Jesus fucking Christ Tom what were you thinking? Do you have any idea of the mess you’ve made of this? Your career, as you know it, is probably over – you do understand that don’t you.” She finally paused, which allowed the despondent District Attorney time to speak.
“I know. I know. What have I done?”
“Well first of all Tom in all likelihood your blunder is going to set-free a rapist and murderer. How does that make your feel Tom? More importantly how do you think Sarah Evans parents are going to feel, knowing that in all probability their daughter’s killer will be free to rape and kill again? Have you thought about the GD fucking media? Those bastards are going to smell blood Tom…your blood. It’s going to be a GD feeding frenzy!
“I’ll hold a news conference tomorrow and at that time announce my retirement from the District Attorneys Office effective immediately. That should deflect the majority of the attention from everyone else and place the blame exactly where it should be placed – on me.
Judge Worthington sighed, “Come on Tom let’s get this fiasco over with, but before we walk out into that circus I want to ask you one question. Do you think Simon Perry is guilty of rape and murder of that young girl?”
“Judge I am convinced one hundred percent that he is indeed guilty of the rape and murder of Sarah Evans.”
Judge Worthington sighed heavily, “This is the one thing I hate about this job…when fucking predators like Simon Perry are given the opportunity to walk free in our communities and in all likelihood rape and murder another young innocent girl like Sarah Evans. I tell you Tom I dread seeing her family’s reaction when I do what has to be done in my courtroom today.”
Stopping in the hallway Judge Worthington’s tone turned hard and cold, “Tom make dam sure everyone involved in this case realizes that what is about to take place in my courtroom today is not due to me or this office. I want everyone to understand that this debacle is the direct result of improper procedure used by the District Attorneys Office and the Police Department. It’s very important that people know where the break down in this case occurred; far too many times we judges get blamed when a killer is set-free only to commit another horrendous crime. If that monster kills again there should be several people in your office and the Police Department who has trouble sleeping at night. For that matter if I had anything to do with this case I would have a hard time sleeping tonight, knowing that I played a part in Simon Perry going free.”
***
Kat glanced in the mirror straightened her still somewhat smelly wig atop her head, put her Jackie O glasses on, and determinedly headed back toward the courtroom.
Kat slid into a vacant seat just as Judge Worthington entered the courtroom and the bailiff once again roared, “All Rise”
Kat could hear the bailiff in the background with his booming voice, but her attention was focused on the opposing attorneys, their colleagues, and of course Simon Perry. The District Attorney, the pretty brunette and Cade Collins were huddled together discussing strategy no doubt. But on closer inspection something seemed wrong, the angular face of the District Attorney looked ashen, his lips were pressed tightly together and he was shaking his head from side to side as if he just explained something uncomfortable. Kat noticed that Cade’s face was lit-up with astonishment and bewilderment at what he had just heard. Had she just used his first name? Her thoughts inexplicably wandered back to their little get-together in the restroom. She thought – had he been flirting with her? No, of course not; I was in such a state of disrepair; no man could have found me interesting – let alone attractive. But still the manners he displayed toward me, the gentle way he took the hanky from my hand and tenderly wiped my cheek. Have a reality check Kat, he’s an up-and-coming young prosecuting attorney what in the world are you thinking. You just demonstrated what a psycho you really are and let’s not forget you’re off the market. Off the market…that was certainly an interesting way to describe her current life, if you could actually call this a life she thought.
On the other side of the aisle sat Mr. Murphy and his client Simon Perry. Just the sight of him caused Kat’s stomach to feel queasy. The two were whispering and smiling as if they had not a worry in the world. Kat quickly glanced back to the other side of the aisle and saw the gloom and despair written on the faces of the three prosecuting attorneys. Quickly glancing back again toward Mr. Murphy and Simon Perry she realized something had gone wrong – terribly wrong. Kat felt her heart began to race as perspiration began to form on her forehead and she thought to herself – oh no, and just like that Kat knew it was over. The next thing she knew Judge Worthington began formally placing the proceedings into the record book. Mr. Murphy had confidently made his motion for the second time, but this time there were no objections from the District Attorney, only a sad defeated nod of his head in agreement.
The courtroom was eerily silent, as no one could believe what he or she had just witnessed. All charges against the defendant had been dropped due to lack of evidence. Then a primeval cry of pain escaped from directly behind where the prosecuting attorneys sat. Kat knew instantly - Sarah’s mother. The woman’s misery spread quickly throughout the courtroom, as all heads turned in the direction of the hysterical woman. Judge Worthington slammed the gavel down in frustration, indicating the end of the case and marched quickly from the courtroom and the incessant screaming of the pain-stricken mother. Sarah’s father hung on to his wife as others joined him in their futile attempts to console the one thing that could not be consoled – the loss of an innocent child. Sarah’s father raised his eyes and met those of Simon Perry’s. Starring into those evil eyes he realized the truth, a murder, his precious daughter’s murder would be set-free today. It was something he could not fathom. Sarah’s father screamed as only a parent who had lost a child could possibly scream, “Nooo!” He immediately began clawing his way through the crowd in the direction of Simon Perry, but was immediately intercepted by two sheriff deputies. He fought for a several seconds, but soon collapsed into the deputies arms, seemingly drained of life. Sarah’s father could only muster cries of despair, “He killed my baby. He killed my baby.”
While Kat watched as Sarah’s mother and father suffered from one of life’s cruelest moments, she kept repeating to herself, “No, no, no, this is not happening.” Finally Kat just stood there dumbfounded from the entire surreal scene. Then a strange realization fell upon Kat as she watched Sarah’s mother and father continue to endure even more pain from the loss of their cherished daughter. Watching this heartbreaking scene before her, Kat knew this is how it must have been for her own parents, when she had not returned home from a simple trip to the grocery one year earlier. Kat felt warm tears forming in the corner of her eyes; finally they overcome their levee and trickled down her face. She felt like turning around and running from this awful scene, never ever thinking of Sarah Evans and her family again.
Instead, Kat starred back into the emptying courtroom, she watched as Sarah’s mother and father were led from the now almost empty courtroom. Next her eyes settled upon Simon Perry. Kat watched as Simon Pery crooked his neck, raised and lowered his shoulders, tugged at his suit, before finally running his right hand slowly along his tie, as if he were adjusting his life, not his suit. Kat knew at that instant that she would not, could not let this monster leave this courtroom feeling so smug and safe, as he seemed to be projecting so outwardly at this moment.
Chapter
10
Finally, the deputies began ushering the final few stragglers out of the courtroom. Kat watched as Simon Perry waved his attorney on, evidently for whatever reason wanting to be the last to leave. Maybe he wanted to savor his victory Kat thought sarcastically.
Simon Perry did indeed plan to be the last person to leave, because he yearned to bask in the limelight of it all a little longer. Simon Perry felt the satisfaction of playing the game and winning, it was especially satisfying to win on the opposing team’s home court, and an audience only made the victory sweeter. Then he thought had he been lucky today? No not lucky he thought self-righteously, his not getting caught was meant to be. At this moment he knew without a doubt that he was destined to become famous – he would be remembered forever in the annals of time. His name would be mentioned along side of some of the greatest slayers of all time. Before he was finished his name would be mentioned in the same breath as those of Son of Sam, Charles Manson, Jeffery Dalhmer, The Hillside Strangler, and maybe even the greatest slayer of all time – Jack the Ripper. Imagine he thought his name being synonymous with that of his idol Jack the Ripper. Maybe it was time for an anonymous letter to let everyone know just whom they were dealing with. He needed a nickname, one not easily forgotten, but it had to strike fear when it was spoken, just like Jack the Ripper does. Even after a hundred years the name Jack the Ripper still evokes fear whenever it is mentioned. But Simon knew this had been a close call and he was still far from reaching the heights of his fellow colleagues. He watched impatiently as Sarah’s parents were being escorted from the courtroom; their never-ending whining had been grating on his last nerves.
Just before leaving the courtroom Cade Collins caught a glimpse of the young girl with the poorly fitting wig. Again she was making her way toward Simon Perry, but this time she was walking briskly and confidently. He stepped from the doorway and slid in behind the last row of seats, not believing what he was seeing.
Kat made her way quickly to where Simon Perry stood enjoying the moment. She knew she would only have a few seconds before the deputies would see her. Kat’s heart was racing, but she felt no fear – not yet anyway. Simon Perry’s eyes opened wide in surprise as Kat made her way to where he stood. He quickly glanced around the room making sure no one was in hearing distance. Simon Perry said with surprise, “You again.”
“Yes, me again,” Kat replied assertively.
Simon Perry slowly panned the room again, before bringing his eyes back to Kat’s. He gave a faint smile and said, “Listen honey if you want to see me this bad, why don’t you give me a call - and come by and see me.” Simon Perry thought he was being cute because his smile grew wide and his pock marked face lit-up with excitement.
Kat thought how frightening his moon-cratered-face must have been to the three young girls he had so brutally raped and murdered. Thinking of those three young girls stiffened Kat’s resolve. Kat starred defiantly into Simon Perry’s eyes and said with a stern voice, “I’m coming by to see you, you can count on that Mr. Perry, but don’t expect a call beforehand.”
For just a split second Kat saw fear enter into his dark eyes, but he quickly tried to cover-up his momentary lapse and said somewhat hesitantly, “Yeah, you do that darling.” He then hastily made his way toward the exit, leaving Kat standing alone watching his retreat. Kat’s eyes moved from the doorway to the right where Cade stood not moving. Kat realized immediately that Cade had watched the entire incident between her and Simon Perry. Kat’s and Cade’s eyes met for several questioning seconds, both wanting to know what the other was thinking.
Cade stood quiet dumbfounded not understanding what he had just witnessed. What had that young girl said to Simon Perry that had momentarily stunned him and caused him to flee the room so hurriedly? He thought to himself she is undoubtedly the most fascinating girl, I mean woman - I have ever met.
Finally, Kat blinked first, broke eye contact and spotted the exit door on the opposite side of the room from where Cade stood. Cade followed Kat’s eyes to the same door. Kat quickly began walking, almost running toward the door.
Just as quickly Cade realized if he was to beat her to the door, he first had to negotiate his way through the middle aisle of seating. He had a shorter distance to cover, but he would have to skip sideways through the narrow path between the wooden benches that were used for seating during court. Cade began busily sliding his hands along the back of the bench in front of him and shuffling his feet as fast as he could through the tight passageway. He was moving deftly between the rows of benches, gaining momentum with each step. He looked up to see that Kat was also moving briskly, but she was walking unencumbered in a large empty aisle.
Kat saw the annoying young attorney attempting to cut her off. She instantly began running full speed up the aisle, not wanting another embarrassing encounter with the young attorney.
Cade glanced up at that very same moment and their eyes met again for a brief moment. Cade sensing that his quarry was about to escape pushed his body even faster. His hands and feet were moving in unison continuing to gain speed with each sideway skip. Nearing the end of the benches, Cade knew it was going to be close, very close. So he pushed himself even more.
Kat saw that the young attorney was very close to the point of their intersecting paths. So she pushed herself even more, but unfortunately she felt the smelly wig atop her head begin to move, so she brought her right hand up to keep it in place. But in her haste, her right hand inadvertently pushed the wig over her forehead and down over her eyes.
Just as Cade was about to clear the bench his right front foot slid into the last supporting leg of the bench. The momentum pushed his upper body forward, he quickly felt for the support of the wooden bench with his hands, but unfortunately the bench had ended with the beginning of the aisle. Cade instinctively began flailing his arms helplessly to right himself, but gravity has a way of becoming significant at times like this. So with the momentum of his upper body far exceeding that of his lower body, and his hands fruitlessly grasping only air, and gravity playing its role – Cade simply began following his predetermined flight path.
With Kat blindly running up the aisle and Cade falling helplessly into the same aisle, it seemed inevitable that their paths would cross a second time that day. Kat finally pushed the wig back atop her head and immediately glanced to her right where she again met the eyes of the young attorney, but this time his eyes were open wide in fright. It was too late there was nothing either of them could do at this point.
Cade trying his best to alert Kat of their impending collision yelled, “Watch out!” but he knew immediately it was too little too late.
Kat sensing their impact screamed, “Oh my God!”
Cade latched onto Kat not only for balance, but also with the good intentions of softening their collision, after all this little get-together was going to be his fault alone. He had already been in the process of falling; grabbing onto Kat he knew would only delay the inevitable. Simple physics at this point would determine what happens next, specifically Newton’s third law of motion that states for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In this particular instance Cade’s much larger mass would be the action and his and Kat’s tumbling to the floor would be the opposite reaction.
As they both began their descent to the floor, Cade pulled Kat to him and turned their bodies awkwardly placing his own nearer to the floor. Absorbing the impact of their crash to the floor he thought would be the decent thing to do, especially considering he was the culprit in this unfortunate incident. A low moan of, “Oh” escaped from Cade upon impact with the floor and then when Kat landed with a thud against his chest, his low moan lengthened to, ”Ohhh!” There was definitely a down side to being noble he thought.
Chapter
11
The benches across the aisle finally brought them to a merciful and sudden halt, with Cade coming to rest directly on top of Kat.
Once Cade realized their movement had come to a stop, he decided to take stock of their situation. His head laid against something both soft and firm and it felt kind of nice he thought. His nostrils picked up a sensual, soft, feminine smell. Maybe he had knocked himself out with the fall and he was dreaming. He slowly raised his head slightly and his eyes met two dark lovely green eyes, which were full of both shock and surprise. On further examination he also saw frustration and agitation growing within those same enchanting green eyes. He lowered his gaze back to where he had lifted his head from and saw the cleavage of breast, nice looking cleavage at that he thought. He continued to stare at the two pretty swells of flesh and slowly inhaled, letting that wonderful feminine aroma intoxicate his senses.
Kat felt the weight of Cade atop her and had met his eyes briefly before he had dropped his gaze back down to her chest. Following his gaze Kat noticed that a few buttons had been pulled from her blouse revealing part of her breast. Was he actually starring at her breast at a time like this she thought? She had to admit though that he was a very good-looking guy and his lying atop her did not actually feel that bad. Then her temper flared with her thinking that the young attorney probably thought he was being all that or worse yet thinking she was a floozy.
Kat said with agitation, “Do you mind?”
Cade slowly raised his eyes and starred into those sexy green eyes again, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.
Kate said somewhat louder and with agitation rising in her voice, “I said. Do you mind?”
Cade coming to his senses somewhat said stupidly, “Huh.”
“Do you mind getting off me you klutz?”
Quickly glancing about and finally remembering how he had fallen into Kat and how it was his entire fault, Cade said, “Oh, I’m sorry” and quickly jumped to his feet with an ever reddening face.
Kat asked, “Are you hard of hearing or what?”
“No not really, my mind was just pre-occupied with something else…” he wanted to say I was mesmerized with your body, more specifically your wonderful looking cleavage and of course your sensual smell, but he kept those thoughts rightly so to himself.
Kat said, “Now if you don’t mind I would like to leave. That is of course unless you feel the need to attack me again, although I’m pretty sure attacking me like that is against some kind of law currently on the books – you know like inflicting bodily harm on another person. Oh, wait a minute of course you know that, after all I believe you’re a lawyer.
“Actually, I didn’t attack you – I fell into you accidentally.”
“Kat starring into Cade’s red face said, “Let me get this right. You accidentally ran across the room like a maniac and fell into me.”
Cade replied, “Yes, I mean yes to the part about me accidentally falling into you. See my foot…”
“Please stop, I really don’t have time for whatever story that you’re about to concoct. Let’s cut to the chase shall we. No, I do not find this amusing and no, I am definitely not interested in going out with you.” With that Kat stepped around the still red face attorney to make her getaway.
Cade immediately took two quick steps back and slid directly into her path, effectively blocking her exit from the room. He quickly said, “Wait a second, I just want a word with you.”
“You know counselor…”
“My name is Cade remember we met earlier in the restroom.”
“Yes, I remember and that’s the only reason I’m still being civil with you.”
Cade thought this is being civil. “Really I just want a word with you – Kat with a K”
Counselor, excuse me I mean Cade with a C, you want a word with me is that right?
Cade answered quickly, “Yes.”
I’ll give you a few words counselor, see how these words sound. If your office had done a more thorough job of preparing for this case, then maybe tonight our community would be a safer place to live. In addition, maybe a guilty criminal such as Simon Perry would be behind bars where he belongs. Who knows maybe even a beautiful young girl like Sarah Evans could go jogging without fear of being raped and murdered,” Kat thought maybe that remark would cool his jets a little, although indirectly blaming him for the rape and murder of Sarah Evans may have been a bit much. Looking at him though she wasn’t sure her remark would help at all. She could tell from the determined look on his face that there was more to come. Kat could not keep herself from noticing though of just how cute he really was, with his strong jaw line and piercing dark eyes behind his wire rimmed glasses.
Cade shocked Kat with his next statement when he asked, “Why do you think he’s guilty? Do you know something that we don’t? Maybe you know something that could shed some light on this case?” Cade asked the questions one after another, not giving Kat a chance to organize her thoughts, let alone answer one of the three questions.
Kat felt her face flush with heat from the accusation that she might somehow know something of Simon Perry’s guilt or innocence and immediately wondered if he was at this moment judging her reaction to his accusation. Kat had been on the offensive, but now the cocky self-assuredness she had displayed earlier was being replaced with uncertainty as to what to say or do next. After several long seconds of silence between the two, Kat finally regained her composure enough to reply, “To answer your first question, I guess I do think Simon Perry is in fact guilty of raping and murdering Sarah Evans. After all your office must have felt the same way, since he was being tried for the crime. To answer your second and third accusations, no of course I don’t know anything you don’t know, which also means; I don’t know anything that could shed some light on this case. I do have a thought that may help you in this case though?”
Cade replied, “I promise to seriously consider, any thoughts or ideas that you think would in any shape or form help solve this case.”
Regaining her poise Kat said with a testy edge to her voice, “Are you sure you want to hear my thoughts on this subject?”
“Absolutely” Cade replied.
Kat starred directly into Cade’s eyes and calmly stated, “As I’ve already alluded to counselor - if you spent less time chasing women and more time preparing for your cases - then maybe the fiasco like the one that took place in this courtroom today would not have happen.”
Cade stood with his mouth gaping wide open, unable to even respond to Kat’s stinging remark, looking not unlike a little boy that had heard for the very first time that there is no such thing as a Santa Claus.
Seeing Cade in his current state, Kat took one step to the side and briskly walked past the young attorney and once beyond his view, a well-deserved smile began spreading across her pretty face as she headed for the door. Kat was feeling a bit smug with herself for putting the cocky young attorney in his place when she began to feel little pangs of guilt. After all she contemplated he had been a real gentleman in the restroom when she was sick earlier or furrowing her brow - was his kindness just a clever come-on. Anyway she thought I have things to do.
Cade turned and yelled, “Kat -stop” just as she approached the door.
Kat kept on walking as if she had not heard Cade.
Cade yelled again this time louder, “Stop or I’ll put you under surveillance!”
Kat froze immediately knowing that Cade had hit upon either accidentally or on purpose the one thing that she could least afford - to let happen. Kat jerked around and started marching back in the direction in which she had just come from.
Cade realized immediately that he had struck a nerve. Kat’s reaction from his threat of surveillance had stopped her dead in her tracks. Although now he realized he had probably overplayed his hand, especially considering the fact that he was strongly attracted to this most alluring young woman. As he watched Kat storm toward him and get ever closer, he wished he could’ve taken back what he had just said. Cade’s eyes opened wide in alarm as Kat continued to quickly close the distance between the two.
Kat stopped just short of where Cade stood losing his nerve by the second. Kat’s nostrils were flared with anger, the skin of her face was stretched tight with tension, and her green eyes were filled with fury. Her face was now within inches of Cade’s own concerned face. Cade was six foot two, but Kat’s eyes were nearly level with his own.
Kat looked indignantly at Cade; she jerked her poorly positioned wig from her head placing it in her handbag in one swift movement. Kat inched closer with her eyes never leaving Cade’s and said in a low but angry voice, “What did you say?”
God she was pretty he thought. All he wanted was a chance to speak with her, to get to know her, okay maybe that wasn’t entirely true. He wanted much more than that, but he had no idea how to make it happen though. He was certainly blowing any chance that he may have had, I mean he had just insinuated or accused this young woman of being part of a murder or at the very least knowing something about the murder.
Cade knew he had uncovered a chink in her armor though, namely she did not want anyone to know what she was doing – not that he had any idea what she was up to. Maybe he could still pull a rabbit out the hat after all. Finding some inner strength he starred into those green eyes and said confidently, “You have two choices.”
“Without smiling Kat replied, “Is that right.” It was not stated as a question.
Sticking to his guns Cade said, “I can assign an investigator to find out what you are up to or you can have dinner with me, let’s say tomorrow night.”
Kat bit down on her lip in an attempt to calm herself, she felt like exploding inside, but somehow she managed to keep an outwardly appearance of control.
Cade thought it cute the way she bit on her lower lip when she was angry.
Kat said sarcastically, “At least this answer any questions that I may have had about you.”
Cade replied, “Such as?”
“Such as, earlier in the restroom were you being a gentleman or were you being a… I want to get this right – a scum bag – you know just using my being sick in the restroom as an opportunity for a sly come-on.”
“With a hint of a smile forming at the corners of his mouth and holding up his right hand as if he was being sworn in as a witness he said, “It’s not like that at all, Boy Scouts honor.”
An exasperated Kat said, “First of all you’re no Boy Scout and if you have something to say I suggest you say it, because I am quickly losing what little patience I have left.”
“I assume your choice is dinner Tuesday night.”
“Yes, only because I don’t want anyone snooping into my private life. I treasure my privacy more than anything.”
“Cade said, “I can see that,” as he glanced toward the wig stuffed into her handbag, which had not gone unnoticed by Kat. “With that out of the way where do you want to eat?”
Kat said without missing a beat, “At your place and I don’t want any misunderstanding about our agreement. One dinner and you never bother me again - right?”
“Right, but my cooking skills are somewhat…”
Interrupting him mid-sentence Kat said, “You said dinner, you were not specific beyond that. Let’s say around seven that way I can get back home while it’s still early.” The words were spoken sarcastically. She continued, “Is that okay with you counselor?”
“Okay, do I have a choice?”
“No, not really,” Kat replied as she headed for the door.
“You’ll need my address.”
Without bothering to even turn around Kat yelled, “I’ll call your office sometime Tuesday,” and with that she was through the door.
Again Cade ran carelessly after her. Cade ran just outside the door where he found her eyes waiting for his. Slowly Kat began shifting her eyes down the long corridor, but the movement was so gradual that her stare seemed to be on him and the corridor at the same time. Cade slowly followed the path of Kat’s eyes and they landed upon a smiling Simon Perry. He was too far away to make out what was being said, but there was no doubt about why he was smiling. He had the sharks in a feeding frenzy and the whole city would see and hear exactly what he had to say during the evening news, and unfortunately read about the whole sordid affair in the paper tomorrow morning.
Cade turned back toward Kat, but she was gone. “Shit”, he said under his breath. “She is good - real good.”
Chapter
12
Kat pushed the heavy glass doors open and immediately shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight by placing a cupped hand across her eyebrows. At midmorning the sun seemed especially bright; Kat temporarily blinded by the harsh light stopped mid-stride for fear of walking into someone or worse yet falling down the many steps that lay before her. Kat anxiously waited for her eyes to adjust to the harsh sunlight, praying that the young attorney would not follow her outside of the courthouse.
Kat knew her body was changing ever so slowly and that she was growing more sensitive to bright light, especially the bright light of the sun. Finally, straining and blinking continuously she was able to make out the forty or so odd steps that led down to the street. With watery eyes she began her descent down the steep steps. Upon reaching the sidewalk she frantically began waving for a taxi. Through watery, blinking, and strained eyes, she was relieved to see a yellow object approach and screech to a stop directly in front of her. She flung the door open and hurriedly jumped into the cab, and without even acknowledging the cab driver breathlessly said, “Go! Please go!”
As the cab sped away Kat turned to look out the rear window, but her vision was so impaired she just shut her eyes and slumped into the back seat. Then her nostrils picked up a familiar smell. She slowly opened her tired eyes and was grateful to be out of the bright sunlight and away from the courthouse. As her sight returned the yellow interior of the cab came into focus, it was messy, dirty, with dark soiled stains seemingly splattered about the matted carpet. The seats were discolored from overuse or who knows what. But it was the familiar smell of cheap perfume, tobacco, and body odor – bad body odor that caused her to look into the dusty and smudged rearview mirror.
Their eyes met at the same moment with shock registering on both their faces. The cab driver spoke first, “It’s you again!”
Kat said a bit too loud and excitedly, “Darryl, I didn’t expect to see you again. So soon I mean.” Not knowing why though she was pleased to see him, even though she had just spent most of the previous night with him.
Darryl taking in Kat’s appearance asked tentatively, “Did court not go well this morning?”
Kat started to ask what he meant by his question, but she quickly stole a glance in the rearview mirror again and caught a glimpse of her current disheveled state. She ran a hand through her hair before hastily saying, “It has not been one of my better mornings, Darryl.” My God Kat thought, this cab smells awful.
Getting back to business Darryl asked, ‘Where to?”
Not wanting Darryl or anyone else knowing where she lived, Kat said, “I have some business to do on the east-side of town at Upper and Jefferson.”
Darryl met Kat’s eyes in the mirror with a questioning look before saying, “That’s not exactly the best part of town you know.”
Kat responded a little too quickly, “I don’t live there; I just have some business I need to take care of.”
Darryl met her gaze again in the mirror but did not question her further. He simply added, “It’s your dime.”
Upon reaching Upper and Jefferson Kat said, “This will be fine, right here.”
“I have time you know, I can wait if you want me to.”
“No, no, this is great.” Kat paid her fare and added a nice tip and said, “Thanks a lot Darryl.”
Darryl said, “Anytime.” After Kat had exited the cab Darryl said, “That broad has some real serious issues.”
As soon as Darryl turned the corner, Kat began walking the two blocks to her apartment. The sun was still bright, but slipping on her Jackie O glasses helped immensely. Ahead Kat saw the run-down red 10 story brick building that she called home. The street was littered with debris from the previous night, but thankfully it was too early for the local thugs to be up and about. Just before entering her apartment building Kat glanced up and down the street making sure the persistent young attorney had not followed her. Seeing that he had not, Kat quickly stepped inside her apartment on the ground floor. Upon entering the apartment Kat quickly closed the door behind her. With the door shut, Kat took in a deep gulp of air and suddenly felt drained of all life. She leaned back into the thickly painted door with her backside and slowly slid down its length until finally landing with a thud onto the well-worn hardwood floor.
Glancing about the sparsely decorated room she said to herself, “Well, there’s no turning back now.” Looking about the apartment she wondered why her life had turned out so very wrong. Instead of seeing a warmly decorated home, she was looking at a ceiling with cracks a half inch wide, yellowed wall paper peeling from uneven walls, and furnishings straight from the city dump. Had she done something to deserve such a twist of fate? No, she knew this poor excuse of a life was not of her making, but rather the making of an evil monster. A monster that would have to pay for a life destroyed. But first she was consumed with one desire, to leave this world a better place for others and today she had finally taken the first step in bringing that about. For now she would push the thoughts of a loving family and a comfortable life into the background, and instead focus all her energy into somehow making this world a better and safer place for good people to live – no matter the cost to herself. Feeling as if she could not move another muscle, she closed her eyes, curled into a fetal position onto the floor and fell asleep.
***
In her dream the frames of a battered and bloodied Sarah Evans began appearing; the first frame showed Sarah’s abused face, with her right eye black and swollen shut. The next frame was of the piercing knife wound that had finally ended Sarah’s torture – the cut had been made from low to high with the blood trail following along the contours of the cut before finally emptying onto Sarah’s chest. The next frame was of Sara’s small pretty breast covered with dark rich blood that had flowed from the cut that lay across her slender neck. The next frame showed her legs covered with dark blue bruises, scratches and blood between her thighs that had flowed with the help of gravity from her vagina.
Kat was crying uncontrollably from her vivid dream and felt cold to the bone, but she could not or would not wake from the pictures of Sarah’s death.
Suddenly the frames began ever so slowly flipping faster, the horrible pictures began gaining speed, flipping faster and faster until Kat could no longer make out Sarah’s face, but only the blood, gore, and death they represented. Finally without warning the frames suddenly stopped turning, coming to rest again on the battered, bloody, and very dead face of Sarah Evans. Starring at the gruesome face of Sarah Evans Kat began to sob, unable even in her dreams to control her emotions for an innocent life taken from this world.
In this dream state Kat began to scrutinize Sarah’s face, maybe through this dream Sarah was trying to show Kat some important missing piece of information. Kat felt her throat constrict with anxiety and her chest tightened with fear as Sarah’s left eye suddenly flew open. Kat found herself unable to even breathe; her chest was frozen stiff unable to inhale or exhale and her heart stopped beating. All Kat could do was stare into Sarah’s one large round sad eye; it seemed Sarah was starring into Kat’s very soul. Kat told herself to wake-up, but her body refused to obey her instructions; instead, she stood paralyzed starring into a dead girl’s one good eye that in all likelihood was trying to tell her something. Just when she thought she was going to die in her dream, she woke to a New World, but what or whose world was it she had no idea.
Chapter
13
Was she a spectator in this New World or was she simply still dreaming. It was a question she found that she could not answer…not yet anyway. In this dream a pretty young girl was blowing out six candles, evidently it was the little girl’s sixth birthday. Her mother and father had their faces pressed against hers as the little girl’s grandfather clicked away with a camera. Kat realized that the young girl was Sarah Evans and by her family’s actions, they truly treasured their little girl.
Kat felt tears form in the corner of her eyes as she watched two young parents and grandparents bask in the moment of watching respectively their child and grandchild enjoy a special moment in time - of a little girl’s life. Kat remembered how she often look at an old photograph of her own sixth birthday party and how happy she, Karen her little sister, and her parents had seemed. Kat realized that her life had probably been very much like that of Sarah’s.
***
The scene advanced a few years forward, Sarah looked as though she was about eight or nine years old. She was wearing a pink one-piece pajama outfit decorated with smiling elephants, hippos, zebras, monkeys, and other animals of the African plains. She ran and jumped into her mother’s lap and said, “Goodnight Mommy.”
“Goodnight my little darling. Do you want me to read you a bedtime story?”
“No, I want daddy too.”
Putting his glasses down Sarah’s father walked over and swooped up his little girl into his arms and began tickling her. Sarah burst into laughter, squirming furiously trying to get away from her father’s busy fingers.
Half-way up the stairs Sarah’s father said, “You want to blow mommy a kiss?” Sarah pressed the inside of her little palm against her mouth, flung her hand and blew a kiss in the direction of her mother.
Sarah’s mother smiling broadly simply said, “Goodnight my love.”
***
In the next scene Sarah looked to be nearly fifteen or sixteen, and then Kat felt her stomach tighten as she realized that Sarah died when she was only sixteen. Sarah was running along a mature tree-lined street, breathing heavily, and sweating profusely. Behind Sarah a darkly tinted luxury SUV approached slowly, and as it pulled alongside her, Sarah slowly turned her head in the direction of the SUV, but very quickly returned her attention back to her running. As Sarah reached the intersection she turned to the right and continued running with her blond ponytail bobbing up and down in rhythm with each stride. Kat turned her attention back to the SUV that had slowed to a stop at the intersection that Sarah had just negotiated; the intersection was engulfed in shadows created by the canopy of tall oak trees that lined the street. However, there was a small break in the canopy of tall oak trees directly over the intersection that allowed the sun to shine brightly onto the dark pavement just in front of the SUV. The contrast between the vehicle in the shade of the oaks and the bright sunlight that shone into the intersection allowed the silhouette of the driver to appear even through the darkly tinted windows. The driver’s large profile was turned to the right, evidently watching a pretty young girl enjoying her run.
Even in her dream, if indeed this was a dream Kat felt a knot begin to form in the pit of her stomach. Kat’s eyes widen as the vehicle slowly inched its way into the brightly-lit intersection. She watched with horror as the bright sunlight slowly fell across the ugly pocked marked face of Simon Perry. His large rubbery lips began spreading with an evil excited smile across his face that sickened Kat to her very core. Kat slowly followed the monster’s eyes to the right where they were intently trained on Sarah as she continued to run. Sarah looked over her shoulder ever so slowly, first in the direction of the SUV and then turned purposefully in the direction where Kat would have been if she had been filming this scene instead of watching it in her dream. Sarah’s and Kat’s eyes met for what seemed an eternity, as the young females communicated without the utterance of a single word, for Kat understand Sarah’s sad eyes, since her own mirror reflected those same sad eyes every day.
***
Once again the scene shifted, this time a group of boys and girls were dancing on a patio next to a rectangle shaped swimming pool, with a few kids enjoying the water. Lights were strung around the yard and patio and music was blaring loudly from two large black speakers. The scene suddenly began to fast forward with everyone moving quickly about, not unlike fast forwarding a VCR tape. Just as suddenly as the scene had shifted to fast forward, it returned to normal speed. Sarah was now seated in front of a birthday cake, that read Happy Sweet Sixteen. The candles were glowing brightly and Sarah had her cheeks puffed full of air, ready to blow out the flaming candles, whose reflections were dancing across Sarah’s excited face. A wide smile began spreading across her pretty face and she was about to expel her breath when she glanced over the burning candles out into the black night, onto a well-lit street. Her smile left momentarily, but she quickly brought her attention back to the candles and expelled her breath blowing out all the candles with a strong swoosh of warm air. Sarah quickly glanced back out into the street, but this time the street was empty and she eagerly brought her attention back to family and friends.
Kat had seen enough; the dream with its review of Sarah’s short life was simply too difficult for Kat to continue to endure. Kat wanted this dream to end before…yes before that monster Simon Perry brutally raped and murdered Sarah. Kat lay curled on the floor withering and crying, trying her best to wake from the nightmarish dream, but the best she could do was to cry softly into a dark empty room.

Chapter
14
Kat finally gave-in to the demanding dream and allowed it to once again to transport her into the midst of Sarah’s terrible misfortune. When the dream resumed Sarah was bent over into a runner’s stretch with her long blond hair in a ponytail that dangled loosely over one shoulder. She wore red shorts and a white tee shirt that clung tightly to her very feminine form, Kat thought what a beautiful girl Sarah really is… was.
Sarah slowly turned with those sad eyes. Once again Kat and Sarah’s eyes met in an embrace that only they could understand. Kat suddenly felt her body being swept toward Sarah, as if she were a passenger in a speeding car. The green grass beneath Kat’s feet became a green blur and her surroundings turned into indistinct shapes as she continued to speed rapidly forward toward Sarah.
When all movement stopped, Kat knew instinctively that something was different. The dream had somehow changed, but how? What was it? How had the dream changed? Kat began frantically looking from side to side with her speed increasing as she searched desperately for any clue to what had changed. From physical exertion and fear her heart began racing, and she felt her chest rise and fall rapidly as she fought to pull in enough air to satisfy her brain’s need for additional oxygen. Kat’s eyes were wide with fright and dread, because she suddenly realized what was different. It was Sarah. Sarah was no longer in the dream.
Kat desperately searched the scene for any clue as to what was going on or better yet why Sarah was no longer part of the dream, but in the pit of her stomach Kat felt an awareness of exactly what had changed within the dream.
Once satisfied that Sarah was no longer the central character of the dream, Kat quickly began to take notice of her surroundings. The sun was still high in the summer sky, but she knew by the lengthening shadows that the beginning of the day’s end was well underway. The shadows from the tall oak trees seemed to be growing before her very eyes. Kat quickly glanced down at her watch, set the timer and began to run. Wait Kat thought this is not my watch, I don’t have a runner’s watch. Stop this she thought I don’t feel like running, but her body continued to move forward quickly as her legs pumped with a power of their own.
With her legs pumping seemingly of their own accord Kat looked down to watch her feet move quickly along the black asphalt. Kat noticed the shoes that were pounding the pavement, she had seen these shoes somewhere before, they were not hers – she knew that much. Kat’s heart seemed to stop as she quickly glanced at what she was wearing – red shorts and a white tee shirt. Please wake-up, please wake-up, she pleaded.
Soon though and without reason her fears abated as she continued to run. Kat felt the thumping of her heart, the sweat rolling down the small of her back, and could feel her muscles begin to tire as her legs continued to propel her body forward.
Ahead Kat watched as a line of tall trees appeared over the horizon. She felt her chest tightened with the realization that the tall tree line was the outermost boundary of the park – the park where an innocent Sarah Evans had been brutally raped and murdered. Maybe she would wake from this terrible dream, and be spared of seeing what she did not want to see, but even as she tried to convince herself of such – she knew it was not to be.
Kat followed the small path into the forest and immediately felt the cool air against her hot flesh. The soft earth muffled the sound of her running. Kat was silently gliding through the dark forest, as she continued to wonder if this run was Sarah’s final run. She reached the pinnacle of a hill and began her descent, the forest grew even darker, and in the distance she could hear a faint roar.
Kat felt her heart stop beating and was unable to breathe when she saw a man at the bottom of the hill dressed in a jogging suit sitting on the side of the trail. Kat pleaded, “Oh please God! Please let me wake-up!” But the dream kept on uninterrupted and her legs kept moving her ever closer to the man in the jogging suit. Unable to alter the dream, Kat refocused her attention onto the man in the jogging suit. His back was to her, but as she approached she saw that he was holding his ankle and rocking back and forth – evidently in pain.
Kat willed her legs to keep moving, but again they deceived her as they brought her to a stop several feet from where the man sat rocking. Kat was overcome with a sense of dread as she starred into the back of the huge man. Kat listened to her own heavy breathing and took in the smell of her sweaty body, as her salty perspiration mingled with that of the fresh clean smell of the forest. But it was the sweet smell of a fragrance that fought it’s way into her conscience. It was the smell of a perfume, but one that she was not familiar to her – how strange she thought. Then it dawned on her, the perfume was Sarah’s, and she was in the midst of a terrible dream, but how had she almost forgotten that.
Kat immediately brought her attention back to the huge man sitting by the side of the trail as she amazingly heard herself tentatively say, “Are you okay?”
Kat hesitantly waited for a reply and relaxed a little when he said, “Oh yeah, I’m fine. Go on…enjoy your run.”
Kat glancing about the dark isolated forest told herself silently, “Go! Run from this place, he said he’s fine.” But again she was deceived by the unforgiving dream as she heard herself say with a nervous concern, “Are you sure?”
The huge man turned slowly toward Kat, then raised half-way up and said, “I guess I’m getting too old for this.”
Kat watched almost impassively as the ugly pockmarked face of Simon Perry slowly turned in her direction with his eyes slowly traveling over the entire length of her body before coming to rest on her face, and then finally sliding his round beady eyes to hers. Under normal conditions Kat would have felt violated if some man had gawked at her like Simon Perry had just done, but in this instance it was exactly what she had expected. Without an explanation or reason Kat began to feel a soothing calm flow over her, a feeling that she could not understand or explain. Maybe it was the dream, or maybe she was simply tired of being afraid, but for whatever reason she was looking at Simon Perry with bad thoughts running wild within her racing brain. Dream or not, scared or not, she was now determined to see Sarah’s fate through to the very end. Kat was no longer trying to wake herself from this nightmare, rather she felt emboldened by Simon Perry’s lack of compassion for human life. Kat knew deep within herself that he would in one form or another pay for what he had done to Sarah.
Kat starred first at Simon Perry and then her eyes took in the dark isolated forest. She thought sadly how Sarah had must of felt at this very moment. No doubt Sarah would have been frightened at the very sight of Simon Perry, but more than that Sarah would have probably been frozen with fear to the point of playing right into this monster’s hands. Kat could feel the power of the dream urging her forward, as she heard herself say, “Okay…if you’re sure.” Kat felt an urge to run, but she did not want to appear as if she was afraid. She looked ahead at the narrow path that wormed its way through the dense forest; the only obstacle between her and that path of freedom was the evil monster Simon Perry.
Kat wondered why Sarah had not simply turned and run in the direction in which she had just came, especially considering his appearance. Simon Perry certainly did not appear to be a runner, he was overweight, he was wearing a brand new jogging suit that covered him from head to toe and the gloves – no runner wore gloves in warm weather. And surely this huge fat sloth could not have possibly caught her, if she had indeed turned and run. Or better yet at this point why had Sarah not simply chosen to sprint right by, after all he had just said, “ I’m fine – go on enjoy your run.” Just as Kat was about to make a dash for it – he spoke up.
He stood-up with excited eyes and said, “I guess I could use that broken limb as a crutch lying there – if you don’t mind.”
Kat followed his gaze to where the broken limb laid. Kat felt perspiration break out along her forehead, because she knew it would be a mistake to do what he had asked, but this dream still had its powerful hold on her. Probably much like Sarah had, Kat stiffly walked toward the dead piece of wood, all the while keeping Simon Perry in her line-of-sight. Kat slowly bent down while still keeping her head up in the direction of her predator.
Looking at the evil monster and knowing the atrocities that he had inflicted upon an innocent young Sarah Evans caused Kat’s blood to run ice cold. Kat felt anger and hate flame-up within her soul that she never thought she was capable of feeling, as she purposely closed her eyes with a building rage that was about to explode.
She gripped the stick with both hands and swung it like a baseball bat. It landed with a thud against Simon Perry’s thick rubbery lips. Kat felt the power of the impact travel along and through the stick to her hands, as she felt Simon Perry’s soft flesh give as his fat rubbery lips exploded from the brunt force. Then she felt strong stinging vibrations travel from the stick to her fingers as the stick impacted with his hard enamored teeth. The dark green canopy of the forest provided a backdrop, as one shiny white front tooth tumbled upward, followed by a string of dark red blood. Simon Perry did not make a sound; he just brought his gloved hands to his mouth in an attempt to keep things in their proper positions and to stem the flow of gushing blood. His eyes were open wide in disbelief; as if what had just happened could not have possibly taken place. But Kat was not finished just yet; as she placed the stick into the palm of her right hand and slid her left hand halfway up the stick too properly balance the weapon.
Kat swiftly stepped forward and using the momentum of her body, pushed the weapon forward like a bantering-ram used to break down a door, but in this case there was no door, only a shocked Simon Perry watching in horror at the sudden turn of events.
Kat’s aim was true as she felt the tip of the weapon hit home. The hard wood of the weapon tore through the soft flesh of Simon Perry’s eye with a sickening thud. Once through the soft flesh of his eye-lid, the tip of the weapon quickly pushed it’s way by his soft round eyeball into his bony eye-socket, where resistance was finally met. But with the momentum of Kat’s body weight behind the hard solid weapon, Simon Perry’s skull finally gave-way and shattered under the powerful force, as the weapon continued on its journey before finally coming to a rest in the soft tissue of Simon Perry’s brain.

Chapter
15
When Kat opened her eyes though, she was holding the piece of wood from one end and tentatively reaching the other end to a surprisingly unharmed Simon Perry. She suddenly realized the dream still had its commanding hold over her. Kat knew nothing good would come of her handing the stick to her predator, but here she was doing just that.
Simon Perry said, “Thank you.”
Kat replied, “You’re welcome,” but realized her mistake immediately. She felt the tug from the stick and watched with horror as he reached for her with his free hand. The pull from the evil jackal threw her off balance ever so slightly, but it was enough. He quickly grabbed her by the wrist with his left hand and just as quickly pulled her to him. Kat let out a scream of terror, but he quickly placed his gloved hand over her mouth. Kat felt the brute strength of the huge monster as she found herself trapped within his grasp and unable to move.
“Sarah stop struggling, I’m not going to hurt you – I promise.” He was using Sarah’s name…not her own. He immediately began dragging Kat off toward the roar of the small dam and a stand of thick bushes.
Kat fought with every muscle in her body; she flailed her dangling legs in an attempt to free herself from her powerful captor. Even though Kat was scared for her life she was mad, but not at herself, she was mad at Sarah, because all the warning signs had been present from the very beginning. As Kat was being dragged off she knew this should not be happening to her and should not have happened to Sarah. Kat realized that this monster somehow knew what she - Sarah was going to do next even before Sarah had. Kat realized he had probably planned Sarah’s rape and murder for several weeks, maybe even months. Suddenly images of a pocked-faced man behind darkly tinted windows began flashing before her; Kat knew they were the images that Sarah must have remembered at precisely this time in her abduction. Kat bit into the gloved hand, but she knew her teeth never made it through the tough leather. She was tiring before she had come upon this monster and the struggle with him had drained her of any remaining energy. Kat thought had his plan taken that into account also – probably she surmised. Kat stopped fighting she would wait for her second wind and then give it her all – at the most opportune time…again Kat realized these thoughts were Sarah’s not her own.
Simon felt Kat’s body go limp and give up. He said, “That’s a good girl, don’t worry this won’t take long, and then I’ll set you free.” Kat wanted to yell, “You lying son-of-a-bitch,” but she was unable to utter the words.
He laid Kat gently onto the ground and before releasing his gloved hand he said, “If you scream again, I’ll be forced to hurt you and you don’t want that do you?”
Kat meekly shook her head no and quietly said, “Please don’t hurt me.” Kat immediately became incensed at herself for showing fear and begging for him not to hurt her, but again she realized it was not her, it was poor frightened Sarah saying these words.
“Do as you’re told and I won’t.” He stood over Kat with hungry eyes and said in almost a whisper, Sarah you are a very pretty girl, but of course you know that.”
“Please let me go. I promise I won’t tell anyone.” Kat did not get upset at Sarah’s words this time, rather she felt total compassion for what the young was going through – went through she corrected herself.
Simon Perry continued, “Sarah would you please take off your tee shirt?”
“Kat heard desperate pleading in her voice this time, “No. Please let me go.”
Raising his voice ever so slightly he said, “Sarah, I will not ask you again. Do it now!”
Kat wanted to say, “You low-life scumbag, you enjoy tormenting young girls don’t you. I got news for you. I’m coming for you and it won’t be long and then we’ll see just how bad you are.” But she knew she would do as requested, because this dream was in control – not her. With trembling fingers Kat grabbed the tee shirt by the collar and slowly began pulling it over her head, before gently lying it on the ground.
He said calmly and politely, “That’s a good girl Sarah.”
Kat watched helplessly as Simon Perry pulled a panty hose from his pocket and placed it over his head. How monstrous he looked Kat thought. He looked even more frightening with the panty hose pressed against his pocked-marked face.
Kat watched as his lips moved inside the tight hose as he said, “Now your shorts, Sarah.”
Again Kat heard herself beg this cruel monster, “Let me go, please. Don’t do this.”
Raising his voice again Kat listened as he said, “Now Sarah.”
Kat’s fingers were shaking so violently she found it difficult to get a hold on her shorts. Finally hooking her thumbs underneath her shorts she slowly began pulling them down her trembling legs. Even through the hose Kat was able to follow his eyes trail down her body as she removed her shorts. Kat watched in horror as the monster slowly removed his jogging jacket ant then watched as he effortlessly removed the pants form his body with one strong jerk. Kat looked with horror at the huge man who was still clothed in some type of form fitting outfit. Kat felt and heard herself began to cry uncontrollably because if there had been any hope before, she now realized there were none, but those were Sarah’s thoughts not hers. She wanted to say, be strong, be brave, an opportunity will present itself, just be patient. As if Sarah had been listening, Kat felt her body-jerk to one side and watched with fascination as her fingers began clawing into the soft earth for traction in an attempt to become free from the monster. Kat got to all fours and began frantically clawing into the soft earth for traction and simultaneously pushed off strongly with her right leg. Kat felt a sense of pride well up in her for Sarah, because Sarah indeed had not given up the good fight – she wanted to live, she wanted to survive. Kat started to feel good about Sarah’s…their chance of escape, maybe just maybe they would make it. Kat felt the power of her left leg and the final push with her toes as her trailing foot began to follow the momentum of the rest of her body. It was then that Kat felt a gloved hand grasp around her ankle and with one strong pull he was atop her.
Kat heard herself scream, “Help! Someone help me!” The scream was loud and forceful and echoed throughout the forest, even above the roar of the water escaping over the low dam, but Kat realized all too soon that her screams would not be heard by anyone except herself and the brutal monster standing over her.
Kat felt her captor grab her shoulders and flip her effortlessly over onto her back. Kat could see the rage in his face even underneath the tightly pressed hose that pressed against his moon crater face. Kat watched in horror as Simon Perry formed a gloved fist and drew back in preparation for the punch that Kat knew was coming, with evidently the punch that had so distorted Sarah’s pretty face. The punch seemed to come at her in slow motion, as Kat jerked her head violently to the right in a futile attempt to avoid the blow. Kat absorbed the blow and was surprised to discover that she was still conscious; she thought he probably didn’t want to knock her completely unconscious, after all she surmised that he wanted her alert for what was to come next.
Kat heard herself begin to sob uncontrollably as she cried out, “I want my mommy. I want my mommy.”
Immediately Simon Perry became agitated and grabbed her shorts and stuffed them into her mouth. He reached around Kat’s back and forcibly unsnapped her bra and looked excitedly at her breast. He removed his glove from his right hand and roughly kneaded Kat’s breast. Kat felt him tweaked her nipple between his thumb and index finger, and then he slid his hand down her slim body enjoying the feel of her smooth skin until he reached her panties. He tore the fragile clothing away with one swift jerk.
Kat closed her eyes in an attempt to free herself from what she knew was to come next. Kat began crying and she knew immediately they were her tears, not those of Sarah’s, but rather her very own warm wet tears of agony and despair. When Kat found the courage to open her eyes she was surprised to find that Simon Perry was no longer standing over her, rather she was starring into a dark dense forest. She slowly lowered her attention to a small stream of water escaping over a small dam, the resulting noise of the escaping water drowned out all the other sounds of the forest.
Then Kat remembered she had been having a terrible dream about Sarah Evans. She felt relieved that the dream had finally ended… or had it. She was still in a forest, but thank God she was no longer his captor, and she was no longer being subjected to Sarah’s terror. Nervously Kat began to turn around, but stopped herself and told herself to just walk out of this dark forest. But Kat knew she could not do that, so she hesitantly continued to slowly turn around even though she was terrified at what she might see. Kat gasped and threw her hands to her mouth and fell to her knees in total surrender. Not fifteen feet from where she stood was Simon Perry with his huge ugly penis in his hand was kneeling between Sarah’s legs. Kat watched with horror as the monster lowered himself onto a bruised and battered Sarah Evans. Kat felt as if she would die as she watched Simon Perry push himself into Sarah. Sarah screamed in agony, pain, and horror as Simon Perry entered her and began thrusting in and out of her. He was breathing heavily and grunting like an animal from his effort, finally he collapsed heavily onto Sarah and stopped thrusting into her. His face was lying beside of Sarah’s and his breath was coming in ragged gasps.
Kat watched as Sarah slowly and painfully began turning her head away from the monster’s head that lay beside her own. Kat starred at Sarah’s bruised and battered face and watched with sympathy as Sarah’s eyes filled with tears, suddenly the tears overcome their barriers and began flowing freely down her cheeks mixing with blood and debris smeared about her pretty face.
After several minutes Kat watched Simon Perry rise upon his knees and look into Sarah’s face and say while grinning broadly, “How was that Sarah? Did you like that? Tell me you liked it Sarah.”
Kat watched sickly as Sarah meekly said, “Yes.”
Next he said, “That’s a good girl Sarah.”
Kat watched as Sarah closed her eyes and prayed silently for him to stop and leave her alone, but before she could even finish her prayer, they both watched in horror as he unsheathed a knife with a large shiny blade. Kat wanted desperately to run to Sarah’s defense, but she could do nothing except to stare at the knife with the large shiny blade.
Kat could only watch as he swung the knife blade down toward Sarah. Sarah did not even move as the blade slid effortlessly across her slender neck, followed quickly by a line of dark rich blood that formed along the cut. Sarah watched passively as he slowly brought the knife back into her view. Kat thought that Sarah seemed genuinely surprised to see the knife dripping of dark red blood, but how could that be Kat thought. Had she not felt the knife as it… feeling completely helpless Kat watched as Sarah’s eyelids fluttered ever so slightly as warm blood began to spill from the fatal cut onto her bare chest.
Kat began to think of all the things that Sarah would never get to do. She would never see her family again. She would never go to college. She would never get married. She would never have children.
Sarah somehow found the strength to shift her eyes to look toward Kat. At that moment Kat realized Sarah’s eyes were not looking for help, but rather understanding. Sarah simply wanted someone to be with her during her last few minutes of life. Starring into Sarah’s dimming sad eyes Kat said, “I love you Sarah.”
Kat and Sarah continued to stare into the others eyes, never breaking eye contact even as Sarah’s lashes fluttered and closed even more. Finally, Kat watched powerlessly as Sarah’s eyes fluttered closed for the final time.
Chapter
16
Kat’s eyes jerked open in fright, as she held her breath in hope that the terrible nightmare had finally let go of her. Kat placed her trembling right hand to her temple in an attempt to clam her nerves, and jerked with a start when her cool hand came into contact with her hot flesh. She finally gained enough of her senses to look about and relaxed a little once she realized she was in her apartment and evidently no longer in the midst of the terrible nightmare. The room was dark and glancing out the window she saw the soft glow of a street light. Starring into the soft-glow she began to gain more of her senses, she felt as if she had woken in the middle of the night from a deep sleep. Then it dawned on her she had fallen asleep right after court and it had been late morning, had she actually been asleep that long she asked herself. Kat glanced at her watch, eight o’clock, how in the world had she slept for such a long time.
That was when strewn images of the nightmare began appearing in her still groggy and hazy mind. Then a moment of clarity entered into her green eyes as she jumped to her feet and reached for her cell-phone. She flipped through the few names in her address book before stopping on Roger’s. She immediately hit send and waited impatiently for him to answer.
“Hello.”
Not wanting to alarm Roger Kat too a deep breath before asking, “Is this Roger?” She had not recognized his voice immediately.
“Yes. Who is this?”
“This is Kat.”
“Where have you been? I expected you to call before now. You know… you seemed to have had such a hard-on about all this. Oh, sorry, excuse my language.”
“Apology accepted. Actually Roger, I’ve been sort of involved in something.”
“Like what?”
“I’ll tell you later, but listen very closely to what I’m about to tell you.”
“Okay…”
“I want you to write a piece about what happened at court today and about two other young girls that were murdered under similar circumstances.”
“Do I need to remind you of my current position at the paper, it seems you’ve forgotten.”
“No, Roger I’ve not forgotten, but hopefully you’ve not forgotten our conversation we had earlier this morning – have you?”
“No I haven’t but…”
“There are no buts, just listen to what I have to say. There were two other young girls raped and murdered, probably within the last year or two.”
“Kat, in all likelihood there’s been many more than just two.”
“I know that Roger, but if you were to do a little research, I’m confident you’ll discover that there were two other young girls raped and murdered under similar circumstances as Sarah’s rape and murder.”
“If I’m hearing you right Kat, you’re saying there is a serial killer running around.”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying Roger, and you’re going to expose Simon Perry for what he is.”
Roger asked, “And you’ll saying in addition to killing Sarah Evans, Simon Perry killed two other girls as well?”
“Quickly replying Kat said, “That is exactly what I am saying.”
Roger asked hesitantly, “And you have proof that Simon Perry committed those murders?”
Kat replied with hesitation in her voice, “Not Exactly.”
Roger replied tersely, “If you don’t have anything more than what you’re telling me, well, I’m really not sure what you want me to do. As you say Kat, he may very well be guilty of those horrendous crimes, but my editor is not going to let an opinion such as this find its way into the paper. I’m sure you’re familiar with the term libel.
“Yes, Roger I’m familiar with the term libel. And I don’t think you are quiet as dense as you seem to want me to think you are. I know as well as you do that there are ways to skirt around the issue of libel. The press of which you have been a member of for several years have been doing such things as I speak, since the invention of the printing press”
“Wearily Roger replied, “Okay, Okay, what is it exactly you want me to do, short of breaking the law of course.”
“As I mentioned earlier, I want you to research any rape and murder cases within the last two years involving young girls about the age of sixteen that died under similar circumstances as Sarah Evans. Can you do that Roger?”
“Yes, but…
Interrupting Roger mid-sentence Kat said, “Once you do that I’m confident that you will discover that the details of the two girls deaths will be basically identical to that of Sarah’s. And this is important, I’m equally confident that Simon Perry’s home address will be within close proximity to where all three of the girls lived.”
“But what does that prove.”
“Kat replied quickly, “First of all it proves that there is a serial killer running around our streets raping and murdering young innocent girls. And secondly if the article that you are going to write mentions the details of why Simon Perry was set free, and this is equally important, discloses his close proximity to where the three young girls lived. I think your soon to be enticed readers would be very interested in what you have to say.”
“The paper…”
Kat quickly interrupted, “Not the paper Roger, this is going to be your project.”
“Okay, but linking Simon Perry to the murders without proof will simply not fly, my editor is wary of any piece that may leave the paper susceptible to a libel suit.”
“Roger you have been in journalism for a long time, right?”
“Yes, but…”
“Trust me on this Roger. I have all the confidence in the world that once you lay open the facts about the deaths of the other two girls, and then connect their deaths to Sarah’s, well, I really think at that point your editor would be very interested in what you have to say. And Roger, when your editor shows some interest in your research, that is when you mention Simon Perry’s home being in the same general vicinity where the three young girls also lived. Let him chew on that fact for awhile. Then maybe he will come up with his own angle that may either directly link Simon Perry to the murders or in the very least plant a seed of doubt in your reader’s minds of his innocence or guilt. But, if your editor doesn’t, then I certainly expect you to do whatever it takes to get your piece in print. You know Roger I bet ‘The Leader’ would be interested in such a piece.”
Roger replied, “Let me get this right. If my editor chooses not to print this story, you want me to submit it to the rival paper. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Yes, I guess that is exactly what I’m saying. After all Roger what do you have to lose, another day on the obituary beat?”
“Thanks for bringing clarity to the issue Kat
“You’re welcome.”
“Before I get started on your quest though, I would like to ask one question, if I may?”
“Okay Roger.”
“What makes you so sure he did in fact kill those young girls, I mean how in the world would you know that?”
“Roger you don’t need to worry about what I know or don’t know. The only thing you need to think about is how I am going to help you revive your career. With that being said I suggest you get started on your research, I want your article on peoples doorstep Wednesday morning. Goodbye Roger.”
Roger started to open his mouth to reply, but he was greeted with dial tone in the earpiece. He starred at the telephone for a few seconds, before mumbling into the mouthpiece, “Lady you’re either a Madonna or one of the biggest bull-shitters I have ever run across.” As Roger hung-up the handset he said somewhat dejectedly, “And I guess that makes me shit-for-brains. Ah-hell he thought; in for a little, in for a lot.”
Chapter
17
Kat flipped the light switch on in her apartment and was aghast at her appearance, her hair was matted to her head and her clothes were smelly from sweating throughout the never-ending nightmare. She showered quickly, dressed, and suddenly realized that she had not eaten since breakfast. Taking appraisal of her tiny depressing apartment, and knowing that the fridge contained nothing edible, she decided that she would walk the two blocks to a quaint little pizzeria that she had become fond of. But before leaving she pulled open a drawer from a small entry table revealing a small shiny metallic handgun. Placing the inanimate object in the palm of her hand she felt the coolness of the metal against her warm flesh and noted its hardness. Then raising and lowering the weapon several times Kat tested its weight and looked upon it as if it might be a paperweight, but she also realized the power that this man-made device could unleash when called upon to do so. Starring at the weapon she said solemnly, “One day soon I will have to somehow summon the courage to use you.”
As soon as she stepped from her building, she knew she had made a mistake. But there was no turning back now; after all she could not let the local thugs discover that they bothered…no annoyed her she thought.
“Hey there’s my cracker!” yelled Ronnie Cruz. Ronnie Cruz was the leader of the deadbeat crowd, if you could call such a loser as Ronnie a leader. Ronnie Cruz was a bright kid that developed a bad attitude a long time ago, and allowed it to take over his life. He went to bed every night knowing that he could do better, and that he should have done more with his life, and that fact ate at him constantly, causing his anger to grow a little more each day.
Looking at Ronnie Cruz Kat thought - Cruz is certainly not a case of the cream rising to the top, but rather a case of a little turd floating to the top of a cesspool. Kat smiled at Cruz and said with agitation in her voice, “Not tonight Ronnie, I’m really not in the mood.”
“With a devilish smile and grabbing his genitals he said, “Don’t worry white bread, “Me and my buddy here will get you in da mood.” Laughing out loud and looking over his shoulders for encouragement from his three friends he continued, “Shit girl, you get a taste of this,” grasping his privates again, “You’ll never go back to white boys.”
Kat opened her mouth to reply, but was surprised when Essie an attractive girl from Louisiana said to Ronnie, “Boy I warned you not to mess with that white girl.”
Ronnie turned back toward Essie and said sarcastically, “Girl, I don’t want to hear anymore voodoo shit from you! Just because your grandmother told you old voodoo stories, don’t mean you know voodoo from Mary Poppins.”
“Go ahead Ronnie, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. By the way have you seen your boy Rod.”
Cruz said, ‘What the hell are you talking about Essie!”
Essie replied, “I tried to warn him too, but like yourself he wasn’t interested in listening either.”
With Ronnie being occupied with Essie Kat quietly made her way down the sidewalk away from the arguing couple, while their friends continued to laugh and make snide remarks, which only encouraged Cruz and Essie to continue their battle of words.
Kat thought just a few more steps and I’ll be in the clear, but it was not to be.
Cruz turned his head toward a fleeing Kat and said, “Damn Essie be quiet my cracker is getting away!” He sprinted in the direction of Kat and quickly intercepted her. Stopping in front of Kat he said loud enough for his friends to hear, “Wait a minute girl, I ain’t finished telling you what a man like me can do for a hot little cracker like yourself.”
This time Cruz had caught Kat at a bad time and had let the game go too far. Kat’s nerves were already frayed from the horrendous daylong nightmare of Sarah’s death and she had been on the verge of losing what little composure she had left even before leaving her apartment.
Kat felt as if she was about to snap from Ronnie Cruz’s insults. Kat’s face flushed with anger as her body began to tremble ever so slightly. Kat knew she had reached the point of no return as she starred into her tormentor eyes. But suddenly Kat felt a feeling of confidence and strength wash over her; it was a feeling that was completely foreign to her. Kat watched as fear crept into Cruz’s eyes and was surprised as he contorted his face in alarm.
Holding her anger through clenched teeth Kat said, “Listen Ronnie, I’m only going to say this once. You remove your sorry person from my path now, and don’t you ever hassle me again!”
Ronnie Cruz looked at Kat with amazement; he thought - how in the world had this little white girl turned suddenly into a wild thing in a matter of seconds. Her face was flushed and amazingly her white teeth looked sharp and menacing, but it was her red piercing eyes that sent a cold shiver down his spine.
The feeling of strength continued to grow within Kat as she continued to stare into Cruz’s frightened face. Then Kat’s ears began to pick-up a swooshing sound. She lowered her gaze to Ronnie Cruz’s neck and starred in wonder at his Jugular Vein pulsating just beneath his dark skin, his Jugular Vein was expanding and constricting with each beat of his heart. Kat found herself mesmerized, unable to take her eyes away from the rhythmic swooshing sound and movement of Cruz’s blood. Kat breathed in quietly as her sensitive ears began to pick-up in addition to the swooshing sound of Cruz’s blood, a faint thumpty-thump, thumpty-thump. Near the hollow part of Cruz’s neck Kat picked up a slight movement near the surface of Cruz’s skin. Kat watched in amazement as the slight movement near the hollow of Cruz’s neck rose and fell in cadence with the thumpty-thump, thumpty-thump beating of his heart.
Kat slowly raised her red piercing eyes back to the suddenly frightened eyes of Ronnie Cruz. Kat watched fear grow on his face and she listened with heightened senses as his heart began to race with a fear of its own.
Finally Ronnie Cruz said in voice low enough that his friends could not overhear, “Shit girl I was just messing you.”
Kat calmly said through pierced lips, “If you want to save face with your friends, I suggest you move now Mr. Cruz!”
Ronnie Cruz quickly stepped to the side and as Kat walked by he bent at the waist and swept his right arm away from his body as if allowing royalty to pass unencumbered by a mere commoner as himself. Of course, his actions went unseen by Kat, his little production was meant for an audience of only three. He walked back toward his friends on rubbery legs with fear still etched across his face. His throat was dry, but with effort he said, I’ll take care of that little hot cracker later!” He felt almost breathless and his words were somewhat broken as they escaped his dry throat. His smile was wide, but Essie picked upon his fear immediately, as their eyes met momentarily in a knowing stare, before Ronnie quickly moved onto another subject.
Essie’s gaze stayed on Ronnie for several minutes before she said, “I have to go to work. See you losers later - by Ronnie.”
Ronnie replied tersely, ”Yeah later Essie.”
Essie still heard a slight shakiness in his words, but she let it go - knowing that it would probably be a bad time to confront him about his need of getting a life. Essie liked Ronnie, but she was not going to be anything more than a friend to him, that is unless he changed his destructive behavior.
Ronnie raised his head to watch Essie walk away from where he stood wasting his life a little more each day. Why? He really didn’t know or even understand himself, but he knew for certain that the pretty young girl walking away from him was better off without him – than with him.
Chapter
18
Kat felt relieved that Ronnie Cruz had acquiesced because she was frightened as to what she may have done next. As she continued on toward Pat’s Pizzeria she replayed the encounter over in her mind. He had seemed genuinely scared of me, but what had he seen that had frightened him so. I mean, I know I had grown extremely angry with him, but the fear I saw in his eyes went beyond anything I was feeling – at least I hope so. Maybe it’s really starting to happen, how else do I explain being able to actually watch the movement of his arteries expand and constrict with each beat of his heart. I was in fact listening to his heartbeat while we were standing a good three feet apart. But none of that explains the fear I saw etched across his face and displayed so clearly in his frightened eyes.
Just as Kat reached for the door to Pat’s Pizzeria she heard a familiar voice. She turned to look in the direction of a dark unlit alley across the street. Then Kat heard a softer voice, evidently two people one of them being a female were having a conversation. But why two people would be conversing in a dark isolated alley. She turned back to go into the restaurant, after all she thought, had she not witnessed enough for one day. But before she took her first step, she knew that no matter how hungry or how exhausted that she felt, she would have to see whom the familiar voice belonged to.
Kat took a deep breath and summoned what little energy was left in her tank and began walking toward the voices that were coming from the dark alley. Kat did not feel any apprehensions at all about walking into a dark unknown area, but as always her old childhood fears would bubble to the surface, if only momentarily before sliding back into her unconsciousness. She knew in all likelihood that one day soon even her childhood fears would be unable find their way into her conscious. At that point she thought; would she even have a conscious to depend on to help guide her through the troubles that she knew laid before her.
Upon entering the dark corridor Kat’s nostrils picked up the smell of discarded grease and rotting garbage. The alley was L-shape and just around the corner she spotted a car with its overhead light softly illuminating the cars interior. The driver’s door was ajar and a woman was standing with a hand on the door handle as if she had just opened the door. Inside the car sat a smallish man wearing a baseball cap that sat atop a mop of unruly hair. Kat had walked silently into the alley and was now standing in the dark shadows, watching and listening, trying to determine whom the familiar voice belonged to and what in the world they were doing in such a place as this dark alley.
Kat listened intently as the man with the familiar voice said, “Listen lady, this place gives me the creeps. I’ve never liked dark places, not even since I was a kid. I’m not getting out of this car for you or anyone else. When you said turn in here for a moment, heck, I thought maybe that you were sick or something. So do whatever you need to do and get back in and let’s get out of this stinky place.
Kat smiled and softly said to herself, “The voice belongs to Darryl,” on closer inspection of the car she realized it was indeed his yellow dirty cab.
The tall attractive woman said seductively, “Come on, surely you’ll not afraid of the dark. There’s not anything out here that could possibly hurt you, that is unless you’re afraid of me. Darryl, you’ll not afraid of me are you?”
Kat heard the hesitation in Darryl’s voice as he said, “No… of course not, but I’ve driven you all over town tonight. I do have a few other clients you know, good paying clients I might add, and they expect me to be at their beckon calling, if you know what I mean.”
“Yes, I do know what you mean Darryl, as you say maybe we should find a more suitable place to be alone.”
“Alone, what do you mean to be alone –“
Kat stepped from the shadows and yelled, “Darryl, I’ve been looking all evening for you.”
Jerking his head around in fright Darryl said, “What the hell!”
The attractive lady seemingly calm under fire simply said, “Darryl it seems we have company.”
Gaining his wits somewhat Darryl said, “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you of course silly,” Kat replied evenly.
The two women looked at each other appraisingly, but Kat saw annoyance flash within the eyes of the attractive woman. Suddenly Kat realized that she had seen this beautiful pale woman before, she had accompanied Vlad to her tiny apartment on occasions. Just mentioning his name made the hair on her neck stiffen in alarm. Vlad of course was the other monster that she would have to destroy. She would first take care of Simon Perry and then somehow some way find a way to rid herself of the person responsible for her fall from grace. She quickly corrected herself, Vlad was not human, let alone a person.
Recognition flickered across Kat’s face as she said, “If I my memory serves me correctly your name is Katrina. Is that right?”
“Without taking her eyes from Kat the woman replied, “Yes, that is correct.”
Katrina slowly turned her attention back to Darryl, “I’m ready to go now.”
Darryl hesitated momentarily; looking first at Katrina and then turning his attention back to Kat before saying, “Uh well…”
Interrupting Darryl Kat said forcibly, “I’m afraid there’s been a mistake, Darryl will not be leaving with you, as he will be leaving with me.”
Kat watched with fascination, but without fear as anger grew onto the young woman’s pale face. Kat looked with surprise, as the young woman’s pupils grew red with animosity and starred with astonishment when the young attractive woman forced a thin smile, revealing the tips of two small sharp daggers, within a row of white glistening teeth that became visible behind her slightly parted red lips.
Darryl turned toward Kat and said angrily, “Who died and put you in charge around here. If I want to go with her, then I will and if I don’t want to go with her then I won’t. But you or no one else is going to tell me what or where I’m going.” Darryl turned his attention from Kat back to where the young woman had been standing. But all he saw was a dark empty alley way as he once again said with surprise, “What the hell! Where’d she go? I mean one second she’s standing there and the next she’s gone.”
Kat said calmly, “Darryl it seems your customer has disappeared into the night.”
“Yeah, no shit Sherlock and it’s your fault. I was going to get a good fare tonight too.”
Kat answered evenly, “Darryl the only thing you were going to get tonight is - dead.”
“Listen lady…”
“Kat, remember Darryl my name is Kat.”
“Listen lady I figured you for a nut job the other night at the cemetery. Trust me after this my perception of you has not changed one iota.
“Darryl, I admit, I can see how you could misconstrue the events of the past few days, but -”
Interrupting Darryl said, “Misconstrue, listen…I really think you should seriously consider seeking some professional help. After all, I think you and I both know that you have some real serious issues.”
“Okay Darryl I’ll give you that. I may have some… as you say issues to deal with, but with that being said, what in the world are you doing in a dark alley with some stranger? Wasn’t that scenario covered in Taxi School 101?”
“Huh?”
“Never mind that now Darryl, would you please join me for some pizza? I’m starved and to tell you the truth I could use some company.”
“Pizza, I just lost a big fare.”
“Darryl, you know there are worse things to lose.”
“Oh yeah right, like that good-looking woman was a murderer or something. You know Kat I think we might have to add a little paranoia to your list of issues, also have you ever heard of the term schizophrenia – I really think it may be in your future.”
“You know Darryl, there is a maxim that you may need to heed in the future.”
“A what?”
Kat answered, “An old saying.”
“Okay I’ll bite. What’s the old saying?”
“Kat said, “Looks can be deceiving.”
“Does that include you?”
“Maybe.”
Chapter
19
Kat watched with dismay as Darryl attacked a pepperoni pizza with the gusto of someone who had evidently not eaten in days. He crammed one piece in after another, only pausing long enough to lick his fingers clean of cheese and pizza sauce, before continuing his assault on the hot tasty treat.
Finally Darryl looks up noticing Kat not eating and says, “You finished already?”
Kat responds with a smile, “I don’t guess I was quiet as hungry as I thought I was.”
Darryl noticing an uneaten slice of pizza on Kat’s plate, pointed to it and asked, “Are you going to eat that or what?”
“No, I’m finished, help yourself.”
Kat watched Darryl as he inhaled the last piece of pizza before asking, “Darryl where do you live?”
“Why?”
“I don’t know Darryl, just a question between friends.”
Darryl looked straight into Kat’s eyes questioningly, “When did we become friends?”
Kat replied seriously, “I would like to think of you as my friend Darryl.”
Starring at Kat with a hint of optimism in his bright eyes he said, “You want us to be friends?”
Kat replied, “Darryl, one can never have too many friends.”
“I guess that’s true.”
“Actually Darryl I don’t have many friends.”
“I can understand that.”
Kat replied, “I’m sure you can.”
Darryl said defiantly, “Being friends, don’t mean I’m going to share my life story with you.”
Kat said with a smile, “Then it’s agreed Darryl we’re friends.”
“Okay, but where I live is one of the things I’m not telling, so don’t ask.”
Looking into Darryl’s downtrodden eyes Kat knew that he was trying to hide something, but what. Surely Kat thought his place had to be a step-up from her own pitiful dump. Kat decided that if she couldn’t ask Darryl where he lived that she would just have to use the back door approach.
Kat reached out and placed her hand on his while saying, “I understand completely Darryl, I wouldn’t dream of spy…prying into your private life.”
Darryl looked down at her hand lying onto of his own and said, “Are you playing me or something?”
“No of course not”, but even as she spoke images were being transferred from a guarded Darryl to a very clandestine eavesdropper. Jesus Darryl, Kat thought to herself, you live in your cab!
Never taking her eyes from his, Kat slowly removed her hand from atop of Darryl’s. Kat watched as Darryl dropped his eyes momentarily as her hand left his. Kat was surprised at a feeling that washed over her as she had removed her hand from his - breaking contact between the two of them. Still starring into Darryl’s eyes she knew without a doubt that he to was feeling the same. They both had enjoyed the touch of another human being, enjoyed the sensation of one human touching another. No that was not exactly correct and she knew it. Kat realized not only had she and Darryl enjoyed the sensation of touching someone, but that the two of them needed this human contact in its most basic form. Not in a sexual way, but rather simply as two lonely human beings. Kat felt her eyes become wet upon the realization that someone, other than herself could be so alone in the world.
“Darryl, I admit, I did have an ulterior motive when I asked you where you lived.”
“I had a feeling you did, but as I said, that’s none of your business. We’ve been friends for what – five minutes maybe and you already want to know my life story. Geez, it’s no wonder you don’t have many friends. You badger them to death. It’s a wonder you have any friends at all, especially considering your penchant for midnight walks in cemeteries. Don’t forget I still have my doubts about you - friends or not.”
“I’m going to ask something of you Darryl…”
Interrupting Darryl said, “I knew it, you don’t want to be my friend. You’re just like everyone else. All you want to do is use me. Do this, get that, take me here Darryl, would you mind wiping my ass Darryl, Jesus Christ, sometimes I think the whole world has went to hell in a hand basket! So go ahead and ask, I can’t wait to hear whatever you have to say.”
“Okay Darryl, I was wondering, would you mind moving-in with me? I mean would you live with me? As you can tell Darryl, I don’t exactly know how to ask this particular question. Let me try again, would you live at my apartment with me. I give up Darryl, but I think you get the crux of my question – don’t you?”
Looking stupefied Darryl said, “The what?”
“You get the meaning of my question Darryl. You know the bottom line.”
“Huhn.”
Looking at Darryl’s wide eyes and slack jaw, she realized it was not the questions themselves that he didn’t understand, but the meaning behind her questions. “I’ll ask again Darryl, would you move into my apartment with me?”
“Uh, let me see, you want me to move-in with you. Is that right?”
“Exactly Darryl, that’s it, I want you to live with me.”
“Why?”
“Why?”
“Yeah, why do you want me to live with you? Surely you have a reason; I mean you hardly know me. You know I could be a serial killer or something? As you say, looks can be deceiving.”
Okay come-up with something good Kat thought, “Okay, uh, I think someone is stalking me.”
Thinking back to Kat’s midnight stroll through the dark cemetery Darryl said, “You don’t exactly take me for someone being afraid, if you know what I mean.”
“The person stalking me Darryl is really bad news.”
“Why don’t you just call the police then?”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Some things are best unsaid, if you know what I mean.”
Not wanting to appear slow on the uptake Darryl said, “Uh, yeah I know what you mean.”
Kat shook her head yes in a knowing nod, not for sure really which way she should be nodding. Attempting to seal the deal Kat tentatively and gingerly once again placed her hand atop Darryl’s and softly said, “I think you know what I mean.” She saw the conflicting emotions in Darryl’s eyes. On one hand, he wanted to believe someone could be so kind as Kat, but on the other he wondered if he was being played and ultimately would be made a fool of.
Studying Kat for several seconds Darryl finally said, “Just so we both understand each other, you want me to be sort of your bodyguard. Is that it?”
Kat smiled broadly, “That’s it, you know, another set of eyes, but Darryl most of all I want you to be my friend.”
Chapter
20
Darryl turned the key in the ignition and the dirty, smelly, yellow cab came to life. “Okay,” he said, “Where too?”
Kat replied, “Oh, yes, just around the corner. I live a couple blocks from here.”
“A couple blocks, this morning when I dropped you off I’m pretty sure you said something about not living here, that you had some business to take care of. So I guess we can add lying to your ever growing list of issues.”
“Well yes and no…”
“Don’t mean to interrupt you, but do you think it would be possible for you to be honest with me for a change?”
“Okay Darryl, I promise from this moment on I will always be forthcoming and honest with you - you have my word. After all we are friends now, you know.”
“That’s what I hear. You know how you like to recall old sayings.”
“Kat replied, “Yes, I guess I do.”
“Well I just happen to have an old saying that I’m quiet fond of also, it goes something like this - Actions speaks louder than words.”
“Point taken Darryl, but this morning I didn’t know if I could trust you or not. Surely you can understand that”
Darryl turned toward Kat and said, “But you trust me now right.”
With all seriousness Kat replied, “Absolutely.”
“Good then,” Darryl said.
Under her breath Kat said, “Great.”
Darryl said, “What?”
“Oh, nothing Darryl, pull over right here, near where those three guys are standing.”
Darryl looking about said, I guess you don’t live at the Ritz, huh?”
“You could say that and Darryl let me handle this.”
“Handle what?”
“Those three guys, they can be annoying, but they’re basically harmless.”
“Listen Kat I don’t take no shit off no one and that includes those three grease balls.”
Great Kat thought, this should be interesting, she wanted to ask Darryl a question. Namely where was all this bravery the other night at the cemetery, when he was afraid of the dark? But instead said, “Please Darryl just let me handle this, okay?”
“Okay, but I ain’t taking no shit from them stinking wetbacks.”
Jesus Christ Kat thought, suddenly re-evaluating the soundness of her decision that Darryl be her new friend.
Kat watched Ronnie Cruz and his two friend’s heads turn as Darryl pulled alongside the curb about twenty feet from where they were lounging around guarding their turf from some unknown foe. Geez, Kat thought what a waste. I bet there are some real proud mothers somewhere feeling slighted that these three characters are not calling them mother.
Darryl got out shut his door forcefully and strutted over to Kat who was standing on the sidewalk waiting for him. Kat mumbled to herself, “Why me,” as she watched Darryl strut in her direction with a wary eye in the direction of the three tough guy wannabes.
Darryl said a little too loudly, “I ain’t leaving my baby out here in the street with the likes of those scumbags.”
Kat turned to look at the yellow, dirty, smelly cab that Darryl had just called his baby, smiled, and said, “Darryl please try to act as if you’re not the baddest dude east of Dodge City.”
“Where?”
“Okay,” Kat continued, “Don’t act like you’re one of Tony Soprano’s boys.”
“Yeah, but he is a bad dude though. I think that’s on tonight on HBO at ten – you do have cable don’t you?”
Kat looked down at Darryl and thought; well he does look a little like Ralphy. “We’ll discuss HBO later okay Darryl?”
Finally looking ahead at the three guys posturing themselves for their arrival Darryl said, “Oh yeah right.”
Ronnie Cruz starting walking toward them, but his walking seemed impeded as if his shoes were tied together; he spread his legs wider in an attempt to make up for his lack of mobility. Finally, he reached down with one hand and pulled up his pants, which had been the culprit in his inability to walk properly. He let go of his pants and was barely able to make one step before his pants immediately fell back to their customary position, which were nearly to his knees. His two friends were looking ahead at Kat and Darryl and not expecting Cruz to suddenly stop, the resulting crash nearly knocked Cruz over. Regaining his balance he turned his head toward his friends and twisted a corner of his mouth upward as if to say what the hell, then he shook his head from side to side and rolled his eyes in annoyance.
Kat placed a hand on Darryl’s arm for him to stop, her wanting to enjoy the show a little longer and thus forcing Cruz to walk to them.
Darryl said, “Are these guys for real?”
Kat replied, “Unfortunately yes.”
Cruz straightened, reached down with right hand, grabbed the top of his pants and resumed walking with his two friends trailing along, but somewhat further behind this time. Cruz twisted his face into a frown and narrowed his eyes as if that act of toughness would cover the comic episode that Kat and Darryl had just witnessed. His attempt to come across as a confident tough guy proved futile, since Kat and Darryl found the three stooges reenactment simply too funny to discard so soon.
Kat stifled her smile and laughter, but Darryl being Darryl found it impossible to do likewise.
Cruz still holding onto his pants stopped just in front of a stiff upper lipped Kat, but Darryl was smiling broadly. Starring at Darryl Cruz said, “What’s so funny hillbilly?”
Behind his two friends simultaneously said, “Yeah hillbilly, what’s so funny?”
Cruz rolled his eyes in dismay at his friend’s repetition of his words, but said nothing.
Darryl continued to smile nervously seemingly unaware of the current state of affairs.
Seeing the smile still plastered across Darryl’s face Cruz continued, “What, you a funny guy or just stupid?”
Cruz quickly raised his right hand in an attempt to stop his friends from repeating his words again. But they still managed a simultaneous, “Yeah,” before being stopped in mid-sentence by Cruz’s gesture with his right hand.
This time Cruz forced himself to stay calm; he inhaled a deep breath and closed his eyes momentarily in frustration with the antics of his two friends.
Darryl finally understanding the seriousness of the situation stopped smiling and said nervously, “Nothing, really.”
Without turning his head Cruz shifted his eyes to Kat. Kat immediately saw the apprehension within Cruz’s dark eyes still lingering from their earlier encounter, but with his boys eagerly waiting for his next move, Kat also knew that Cruz was feeling the pressure to perform his designated role.
Cruz turned his head slightly to the rear, no doubt feeling the presence of his two companions. He turned his attention back to Darryl and said, “Boy you’re lucky that I kind of like this cracker here,” nodding his head in Kat’s direction, “if you weren’t with her I’d have to let one of my boys here kick your white ass all up and down this street.”
Kat watched as Darryl placed a trembling hand into his pocket. Kat sensed that Cruz really didn’t want any trouble with them, but she also sensed the pressure he was under from his two friends, after all he was expected to perform a certain role and his two friends were waiting for that to happen.
Wanting to avoid any further complications Kat said, “Ronnie I have a proposition for you.”
Gaining a little confidence Cruz said with a wide smile, “Yeah, what’s that?”
Kat replied, “This is your turf right,” pointing out into the street.
“Yeah, I guess you could say that.”
I was wondering if you could sort-of watch out for Darryl’s cab. You know making sure it doesn’t get vandalized while it’s parked here on your street.” Kat watched as confusion entered into Cruz’s face. Kat continued, “You could do that couldn’t you Ronnie?”
“Yeah we could do that,” turning to look at his friends, “but what’s in it for us?”
Kat answered, “I don’t know maybe a ride to somewhere when you needed it.”
Darryl said hesitantly, “Wait a minute, that’s blackmail! I ain’t got time to be transporting these…Kat held her breath as Darryl searched for the appropriate adjective to use - at least she hoped it would be appropriate. Darryl continued, “Three guys around for nothing, after all I’m a business man.”
Kat took a deep breath realizing that they had just dodged a bullet, and quickly continued her line of thinking, “Ronnie your mother takes the bus to work every morning right?”
“Yeah so what - theirs to,” indicating his friends with a waving hand.
Kat continued, “What if every morning Darryl dropped your mothers off at their place of work?”
Smiling Cruz said, “And all we have to do is make sure no one messes with his piece of shit cab?”
Darryl started to speak up, but Kat stopped him with a shake of her head and said, “That’s it. Is it a deal?”
Cruz turned to face his friends; his friends hunched their shoulders and nodded yes in unison to the agreement. Cruz turned back to Kat and Darryl and said, “Okay then, deal.”
Kat had hit upon the one area that even these hardened wannabe thugs still held dear to their hearts – their mothers. Kat said, “Come on Darryl let’s go inside.”
Cruz said, “Six O’clock right here.”
Kat said, “Okay.”
Then Cruz said smiling, “Hey cracker, does this mean home boy here is moving in with you or what?”
Not caring to explain Kat said, “That’s right, Darryl is moving in with me.”
Cruz’s two companions seemingly contented with the agreement said simultaneous, “Go on with yourself home boy.”
Chapter
21

Once inside and with the door closed Darryl said somewhat agitated, “You know if being your friend means you’re going to be making business decisions for me, then, I’m not real sure I want to be your friend.”
“I’m sorry Darryl; I just wanted to avoid any problems with those three.”
“As I said, I was not going to take any crap from those three losers. I was just about ready to pull my knife on those three desert monkeys, when you started in about me driving their sweat hog mamas.”
“Darryl that’s exactly the type of scene I was trying to avoid.”
“Darryl said, FYI, I wasn’t afraid of those three good-for-nothing crack-heads, trust me, if I had pulled my knife, well believe me – there would have been trouble.”
“I believe you Darryl.” Kat quickly glanced down between Darryl’s legs to see if he had possibly wet his pants during his almost moment of bravery.
Darryl finally turned his attention to Kat’s apartment and said with surprise in his voice, “This is worse than I thought – you live in a dump.” He thought to himself, my cab is a step up from this hellhole.
“Don’t worry Darryl we won’t be living here much longer.”
“Earlier I said this wasn’t the Ritz, heck this isn’t even Motel Six.”
“Okay Darryl I get it. You don’t care for my apartment.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you or nothing.”
“Trust me Darryl I’m not offended. Now if you don’t mind I would love to just take a shower and go to bed. You would not believe the day I’ve had.”
“Hey, my day hasn’t been all that great either.”
“Okay, Darryl so we both have had a long hard day. Let’s just shower and go to bed. How does that sound?”
“Okay by me, but I’m not real comfortable leaving my baby out there with those goons.”
“Trust me Darryl; your baby will be fine out on the street. If I know one thing about those three guys, it’s that they would do anything for their mothers.”
“Except get a job,” Darryl quickly added.
“The bathroom is just off my bedroom there, why don’t you go first. This is one day I look forward to being over. Go ahead, I have some stuff do out here first.”
Darryl said, “Sounds good to me. I’ll yell for you when I’m finished,” but Kat was already walking into the small kitchen and did not hear the last part of his statement.
Kat grabbed a glass from the cabinet, walked over to the iron stained sink, and turned on the cold water. She filled the glass with cold water, closed her eyes and drank the entire glass in one long gulp. She looked at the small metal kitchen table. The table had a green formica top and was trimmed brightly with chrome. Two matching worn chairs were pushed under the seventy’s style table. The chairs had bright chrome legs; their vinyl seats were cracked and torn from years of use. Kat sat down and absentmindedly began pulling small tufts of cotton fiber from the cracked and torn synthetic cushion. Listening to the water from the shower and starring out into the dark night she wondered again how things had gotten to this point. She understood with certainty that things could never be as they once were and she also understood with equal certainty that the events of the past few days could never be undone. She had set things in motion and she was determined to see them to the very end.
After several minutes Darryl yelled, “I’m finished, it’s all yours!”
Darryl’s announcement caught Kat by surprise; she had been so caught-up in her own thoughts that she had all but forgotten about her new housemate. Kat stood and began walking toward her bedroom, which just happened to be the only bedroom in the small apartment. Oh-no she thought I haven’t even prepared Darryl a place to sleep; hopefully Darryl would find the tiny basement room beneath her apartment satisfactory.
“Oh-My-God,” Kat exclaimed as she stepped into her bedroom. She found Darryl lying in her bed propped upon a pillow with his hands entwined together behind his head. He was wearing a huge smile and his hair was slicked back not unlike Don Johnson’s character in Miami Vice. Kat stood dumbfounded unable to utter a single word. She watched helplessly as Darryl elegantly turned back the covers on the opposite side of the bed with one swift move of his arm, and gently began to pat the vacant side of the bed with an ever widening smile.
Finally finding her voice Kat said, “Darryl I think there has been a misunderstanding about our sleeping arrangements.”
With his smile quickly evaporating from his excited face Darryl said, “What?”
“Looking back I guess I’ve mishandled this whole situation. When I asked you to live-with-me, I didn’t actually mean live-with-me, you know what I mean.”
“What?”
“Okay, okay, I can see that I’m still doing a poor job of explaining myself. When I asked you to live-with-me; I did not mean live-with-me as in the sharing of my bed.”
Kat watched as Darryl’s face turned beet red as he began to stammer, “Uh-yeah, umm, I mean I know that…but you know I only saw this one bed, but no way did I think we were going to…you know-uhhh…
Wanting to prevent Darryl anymore embarrassment Kat quickly said, “Be intimate.”
“Yes, that’s it. Be intimate. No way was I ever thinking of that. We’re just friends right?” In a low mumbled voice he added, “Just friends.”
Kat answered, “That’s right Darryl just friends.” Kat saw the hurt and embarrassment on Darryl’s face and decided to further soften her explanation, “Now Darryl it’s not that I don’t find you attractive, because you are an attractive man. It’s just that…
“Okay, okay I get it, you find me attractive, but I have to be honest with you Kat. I’m not really that attracted to you. I’m not into that tall-thin thing, and don’t forget I think you have some real serious issues to deal with. And also…”
“All right Darryl I get it, I’m not your type.”
Darryl said, “Now if you don’t mind I need to get dressed, so a little privacy please.
Just as she was about to turn and leave the room her eyes drifted to the floor. On the floor were a pair of pants, a shirt, and a pair of men’s underwear. Oh-my-God he’s nude in my bed. Do I have a clean set of sheets?
When Darryl walked from the bedroom his face was still red. He stopped in the doorway and said, “Okay then, let’s see the slave quarters.”
“It’s not like that at all Darryl, really.”
Once inside the small room though, Darryl’s mood changed for the better. He had never had a place that he could call his own. This was definitely better than the cramp confines of his dingy cab. Now you have to understand, Darryl didn’t want Kat to know that he kind of like the place, so he said, “Hey, it’s a place to lay my head isn’t it.”
Darryl’s words were spoken with sarcasm, but there was no masking his excited eyes as they darted about the room. Kat had been holding her breath in anticipation of Darryl’s disapproval of his living quarters, but when his disapproval was not forthcoming she exhaled with a sigh of relief. Darryl was still surveying his new digs when Kat said, “Here is a set of keys to the building, your room, and this is a key to my apartment, I want you to come and go as you please. This is as much as your place as it is mine and I mean that Darryl, I truly do.”
Later lying in bed Kat listened as Darryl moved things about, evidently arranging the small room to his satisfaction.

Chapter
22
Ronnie smiled as he watched Essie step from the bus. Essie walked up to the three guys and said, “You guys ever think about getting a job.”
Ronnie just smiled, but his two companions said in unison, “No, we don’t need no job.”
Catching Ronnie’s eyes she said, “Yeah, I can see that. You guys are probably still waiting for that one big score or more likely you’re waiting for your lucky numbers to hit.”
In harmony the two said, “Either one babe, either one.”
Essie asked, “Do you guys practice this or what?”
The two replied once again in unison, “Practice what?”
“Never mind.”
Ronnie asked, “You going to hang with us awhile Essie?”
“No, unlike you guys I have a job.”
Ronnie asked off-handed, “Come-on Essie, I’ll walk you home.”
“Ronnie I don’t want to hurt your feelings or anything, no I take that back maybe I do. See Ronnie, I’ve decided I don’t want to do this anymore. Hanging out here on the streets is a waste of my time. I’ve simply decided there has to be something out there (pointing her index finger in the direction of the city skyline) better than this (waving her hand at the dirty littered streets) and I plan to find my something.
Looking at his boys Ronnie said, “Shit girl, chill, I just asked if you wanted me to walk you home. I didn’t ask your hand in marriage or nothing.”
Essie felt her temper begin to flare and she decided for once to say what she felt, “I tell you what Ronnie. If you apply for a job – I’ll let you walk me home. If you get a job – I’ll let you hold my hand. If you keep a job a week – I’ll go out with you. If you don’t get a job – you get to spend all your time with Sonny and Cher here,” pointing to his two friends who were still laughing at Ronnie’s earlier remark. “But one thing is for sure – If you don’t get a job – you don’t get me. And save the smart-ass routine for those two numb-nuts.”
Ronnie stood slack-jaw unable to respond with one of his customary comebacks. He didn’t know what to say, but he knew he had to say something; after all he had to save face didn’t he? Essie was starring intently at Ronnie waiting for his smart aleck reply when a black Lexus sedan with darkly tinted windows screeched to a stop directly in front of them, saving Ronnie momentarily, as all attention shifted to the black sleek car.
The door swung open and a tall pale man uncoiled from the front seat. He was wearing an expensive business suit that fit snugly to his well defined body, the suit though seemed out of place considering it was 3 A. M. He slowly took in the littered streets and the old red brick buildings before finally acknowledging his audience. He first ran his steely eyes across Ronnie and his two friends and then his gaze fell upon Essie. A flicker of recognition registered on his face as he said, “Good morning Gentlemen,” without taking his eyes from Essie’s. Continuing to look in Essie’s direction he said, “Ma’am and lowered his head slightly with a courtesy nod.
Kat’s eyes opened wide in fright, she had not heard Vlad’s voice, but she knew instantly that he was nearby.
Cruz said, “Man, what the fuck you doing on my street?”
The tall pale man starred at Cruz momentarily before saying, “Pardon me.”
Suddenly the driver-side door opened as Katrina stepped from the dark vehicle. She was tall with long dark flowing hair that made her pale face appear even lighter than that of her companion. She confidently walked around the front of the vehicle all the while keeping her eyes on Cruz’s. She was wearing a tight fitting business suit as well, which was covering a very feminine body underneath, with all the curves in their proper places. Her skirt stopped well above the knees, which showcased her long slender legs and the three-inch heels only, added to her feminine appeal. She stopped and slowly shifted her eyes from Cruz to her companion as she said, “In his own eloquent way he’s asking you what you’re doing here at such an early hour.”
With a reassuring smile Vlad said, “Oh, I see. I’m here to see a lady friend of mine - if you must know sir.”
“I ain’t no sir asshole,” Cruz said with an attitude.
Essie said in a whisper to Cruz, “Ronnie you do not want to mess with these people. They are bad news and I’m serious – shut your face now!”
Kat walked over to the window that faced the street, but even before she looked though she knew that Vlad would be there. As she looked out on the street she said, “Oh, my God, Ronnie doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. No he doesn’t know what he’s dealing with.”
Looking at Cruz with a smirk on her face Katrina said, “Now he’s being impolite.”
With a thin smile Vlad turned toward Katrina, “What is the number to the apartment again?”
Katrina replied, “Number 5.”
Vlad responded “Thank you Katrina,” as he began walking toward the apartment building.
Cruz not yet comprehending the peril in which he had put himself and his friends in continued along the same dangerous path, “Hey man, that’s my cracker.”
Vlad had been walking in the direction of the apartment, a good fifteen feet from where Ronnie and the others were standing, but in a heartbeat he was standing directly in front of Cruz. All eyes were now opened wide in disbelief as to what they had just witnessed. Vlad was starring directly into Cruz’s terrified eyes. There was no hint of a smile or playfulness on Vlad’s pale stone face.
For a second time in a matter of hours Cruz was starring into a set of red menacing eyes like none he had ever seen before yesterday, except this time the piercing red eyes belonged to a large looming hulking figure that stood only inches away. Vlad’s eyes were that of a predator about to leap on its prey.
Vlad seemed on the verge of attack, but suddenly his eyes shifted to Essie and immediately the red in his eyes disappeared and his stone face softened. Vlad softly said to Essie, “Child I’ve seen your engaging eyes somewhere; those eyes were on someone I must have known well once. Forgive me for being so forward, but may I ask your mother’s name?”
With her voice quavering Essie said, “My mother’s married name is Johnson, her first name is Alida.”
“And your grandmother’s name?”
“Her first name is Calida but, I don’t ever remember hearing her last name.”
“Yes, Calida. It’s been many years since I have spoken her name. How is your grandmother?”
“She lives in Baton Rouge now with my mother’s sister. She is very old and unable to take care of herself ever since the stroke last year.”
“Your grandmother was once a powerful Priestess in her native land.”
Essie asked, “Haiti?”
“Yes Haiti, the name Calida carried much fear as well as respect in the Old World of ‘Black Magic’.
Turning his attention back to Cruz, Vlad asked Essie, “Is he a friend of yours?”
“Yes.”
Starring into Cruz’s frightened eyes Vlad said, “In the future you would be wise to heed your friends words of wisdom.”
Vlad turned on a dime and began once again walking toward the apartment building, but this time there were no comments, only looks of astonishment.
Chapter
23
Even over her loudly thumping heart Kat could still make out Vlad’s soft quick steps as he approached the door to her apartment. Beads of sweat began forming across her forehead and she felt the warm liquid flow freely down the small of back. She felt as if her whole body were on pins and needles, she was teetering on the edge of a full-blown panic attack. She was mad at herself for being unable to control her emotions, but the fear that gripped her was simply too great.
On the other side of the door Vlad stood smiling for he could sense Kat’s anxiety and fear. But he was also feeling very frustrated and tonight he was determined to eliminate the source from which his frustration persisted. He slowly raised his hand and knocked gently on the thin wooden door.
Kat took a deep breath and summoned all the courage she could muster as she hesitantly twisted the worn doorknob and slowly swung the door open.
A smiling Vlad said, “Hello Katherine.”
“With resentment in her voice Kat simply said, “Vlad.”
After a few uncomfortable seconds he asked, “May I come in?”
Without saying a word Kat briskly turned and walked into her small drab apartment.
Vlad strolled in shutting the door behind him and immediately began glancing about the drab apartment with surprise registering on his face. Finally he said, “Katherine we could have made better arrangements than this.”
“Yes we could have (placing emphasis on the word we), but see Vlad this is my place not ours.”
With irritation in his voice Vlad said, “I have been very patient with you child, but let me assure you Katherine there is a limit to even my forbearance.”
Kat said angrily, “Maybe I won’t be your puppet any longer. Maybe I’m tired of your evil game and just maybe I won’t play it any longer. See Vlad I don’t care anymore what happens to me and to be honest for a change I don’t care about you. I don’t even care about me. So there, do whatever you came to do. It truly doesn’t matter any longer.”
Attempting to control the rising storm of rage within himself, he walked over to the dusty covered windows and starred into the night sky. On the horizon in the opposite direction from the bright lights of the city skyline a false dawn was presenting itself, but a quick glance at his watch showed that dawn was not imminent.
“My sources tell me that you spent the day at the courthouse. And that your dress was somewhat out of the ordinary.”
“Are you spying on me now?”
“I would not call it spying, but rather keeping a watchful eye out for your safety.”
“I don’t know how else to say this, but I will try one more time. Listen very carefully to what I am about to say. I do not care for you, in fact I never did. I am no longer going to play your game - if that means my demise, then so-be-it. I’m no longer afraid to die - oh wait, I almost forgot, I may already be… See I’m not even sure what I am any longer. All I know is I do not in any form or fashion want to share a life with you. Now, can you understand that?”
With rising agitation in his voice Vlad said, “You forget Katherine, we had an agreement and I expect you to fulfill your obligations.”
“No, Vlad we did not have an agreement. You threatened my family. I would have said or done anything to prevent you from harming my loved ones, so whatever I agreed to at that time I did so under undue circumstances. And so in my eyes we do not have an agreement.”
Kat watched, as Vlad’s eyes grew red with frustration and anger. But amazingly only his eyes were exposing his true feelings. Vlad fought against the rage that was attempting to show itself; instead, he forced himself to remain calm, at least outwardly – except for the tell-tell sign of his ever-reddening eyes.
He looked across the room at the enchanting green eyes that had mesmerized him so many years before. Intellectually he knew the angry green eyes that looked upon him with scorn tonight were not the same eyes from years ago that once looked upon him with so much love and devotion. But he also knew that the blood that once flowed within his one true love from so many years ago was now coursing through the veins of this beautiful woman standing defiantly before him now.
Seeing no alternative route to take, Vlad once again decided to play his trump card, namely threatening the safety of Kat’s family to keep her under his control. He prepared himself for the storm that was forthcoming, for he knew what he was about to say would infuriate this fiery young woman. His only hope was that once the transformation within her was complete that she would embrace her new life of power and in time comes to see the advantages of time without end.
“Katherine are you sure of this path you have chosen?”
“Yes! I have never been surer of anything in my whole life. So do whatever it is you came here to do, because if you don’t, I promise - one day – someway - somehow - I will.”
Vlad was smiling outwardly, but inside he was nearing his melting point as he continued, “Katherine my dear should I take that as a threat?”
“Did it sound like a threat to you?”
“Yes, I’m afraid it did.”
Kat responded by hunching her shoulder and saying, “Then so be it.”
Vlad smiled thinly and asked, “Katherine how old is your sister Karen now?”
Kat’s eyes opened wide, first in alarm, and then fear began growing within her dark emerald eyes. Kat did not even attempt to hide the murderous feelings that she had for her tormenter. Suddenly the fear faded from her dark green eyes, as they began growing red with fury, appearing almost wolf-like in their intensity. Vlad watched with mild surprise, as her canines grew long, sharp, and menacing. Kat’s facial muscles tightened in rage, blood vessels became visible across her forehead, and alongside her neck a jugular vessel appeared engorged and pulsating just below her translucent skin. Her red menacing wolf-like eyes made her appear more like a wild animal than a human. She stood starring at Vlad with hatred and loathing radiating from her entire body. Kat seemed on the verge of exploding when suddenly her mouth flew open as a death curdling scream escaped from deep within her, “Aaaawwww!” Kat did not take a step; rather her body began hurtling of its own accord in the direction of its intended target. Kat’s face was fixed in rage as her body continued its reckless flight across the room. As she approached Vlad, Kat bared her long sleek canines and raised her hands in preparation to grasp her prey by the throat.



Chapter
24
A look of approval appeared across Vlad’s face as he readied himself for Kat’s arrival from across the room. Kat’s speed and momentum increased dramatically as the distance between her and her intended target diminished quickly. Remarkably even under imminent attack Vlad’s facial expression never changed, aside from a thin ominous smile that began slowly spreading across his cold pale face.
Kat felt a power she never knew existed within her; it was as if at this moment she could do anything and everything, including killing this monster before her. Her eyes zeroed in on Vlad’s long thin neck. Her rage was such that she wasn’t even aware of the loud death-curdling scream escaping from deep within her tormented soul. Just before impact Kat flexed her fingers in preparation to grasp her prey’s exposed throat. Kat’s alarming scream reverberated throughout the small room. Her mouth was splayed open revealing long sleek canines bared in preparation to inflict maximum damage. Her red-wolf-like eyes were fixed onto their target like a laser guiding a missile to its objective.
Even with his life seemingly hanging-in-the-balance, Vlad continued to display a self-assuredness that seemed implausible at best and questionable at the very least. But with one deft swift movement of his hands, not unlike that of an efficient gun-fighter from the old west, he grasped Kat’s wrist placing them alongside his head and used her momentum to press her tightly against his hard body.
Pulling her into him Vlad said teasingly, “Katherine my dear, it seems we fit quiet nicely, don’t you think?”
Kat struggled valiantly to release herself from her powerful captor, but it was to no avail, as Vlad’s iron like grip held firm. Finally realizing that to struggle further would be fruitless, Kat slumped into Vlad exhausted and depleted from her almost super-human effort.
Without warning there was a loud thud that came from the direction of the door. Kat and Vlad quickly turned their attention in the direction of the loud noise. Suddenly the old thin wooden door exploded from its hinges and slammed against the far interior wall. Immediately following the door Darryl came tumbling into the room toppling head over heels, until finally an old worn chair impeded his forward progress. Darryl evidently disoriented, gallantly fought to regain his senses. Rising to a sitting position, he slowly blinked his eyes and then opened them wide, trying in earnest to bring his surroundings into focus.
Darryl eyes grew large in alarm once they were able to discern Kat’s current state of peril. He knew for certain that Kat’s life was in danger when he had heard that God awful scream and now seeing her being held against her will confirmed his fears. Darryl jumped to his feet while at the same time he slipped his right hand into his pants pocket. Never taking his frightened eyes off Kat and her captor he fumbled furiously with something inside his pocket. Finally after several seconds Darryl withdrew his fisted hand, when he opened his fingers a small silver knife lay in his shaking palm. Darryl opened the shiny blade of maybe two inches, pointed it at Vlad and said with a mix of fear and anger, “Let her go ass-hole!”
Smiling Vlad said, “Katherine, I see that you have a manservant, how becoming.
Kat said defensively, “He is not my manservant. Darryl is my friend.”
Taking a step closer to Vlad and waving his knife nervously from side to side Darryl said, “Let her go ass-wipe before I slice and dice you so bad your ‘momma’ won’t recognize you.”
Smiling Vlad said, “Tell your manservant to be away. I’m tiring of his little tirade.”
Kat said pleading in almost a whisper so that Darryl could not overhear, “Please Vlad let go of me. I promise I’ll do whatever you say, just don’t hurt him.”
Vlad released Kat from his grip placing her onto the floor. Kat stepped back creating a short distance between herself and Vlad. As she attempted to straightened her disheveled clothing Kat said, “It’s okay Darryl just a disagreement between old friends – that’s all.”
“This is your stalker isn’t it?”
“No Darryl he is not stalking me. I promise. Now go back downstairs, please, my friend was just leaving.”
Vlad seemingly growing weary of the conversation said, “Go now before my patience leaves me.”
Darryl said, “What boat did this immigrant just get off of? He looks and sounds like a character from a B-movie, a character with bad dialogue, you know like Steven Seagal in one of his brain-dead movies.”
Sensing nothing good was going to come of this situation, Kat stepped toward Darryl, looked back at Vlad and said, “I’ll be right back,” with a plea written in her eyes for patience and understanding.
Vlad stood motionless not speaking, but inside he was pleased with the outcome – so far that is. But things were not settled to his satisfaction – not yet anyway. He marveled at her desire to protect the ones she cared about, especially this little peon of a man named Darryl.
Pleading and pushing Kat ushered Darryl out of the room before he could say anything else to inflame the situation. Walking Darryl down the steps to his room Kat said, “It wasn’t what it seemed, really. I promise. As soon as he leaves I’ll explain everything.”
Darryl responded, “You know, not only do you have some real serious issues to deal with, but your life is out there…on the edge I mean.
“Yes I know Darryl, but I don’t have time for this discussion at the moment.”
“You know I’m seriously reconsidering being your friend. I mean what else is going to happen tonight? What else is there that you haven’t told me?” Heck, maybe the Bozo upstairs is right. I may be your manservant.”
“No you’re not. Things will get better Darryl I promise, now please just wait in your room – okay?”
“Is that as in things will get worse before they get better or just get better?”
In a nervous wreck torn between staying here and trying to get Darryl to stay in the small room and wanting to get back to Vlad before he came searching for her, Kat said haphazardly, “Yes Darryl that’s right.”
Darryl replied under his breath, “Yeah that’s what I was afraid of.”
Chapter
25
Kat took a deep breath and walked back into her apartment, met Vlad’s eyes and said, “Will there be anything else?”
“Yes child. There are loose ends that must be tied up tonight. The first of which is you. You will honor our agreement and there will be no conditions. Do you understand what I am saying?”
Defiantly Kat said, “Yes. I think I do.”
“I have been summoned back to the Old World for a few days, but upon my return I will come for you. And upon my return our agreement will be consummated to my satisfaction. Child, do you now yield to the terms of our agreement?”
With a total look of crestfallen Kat replied, “Yes.”
“Good. Child you do understand if you choose not to live up to your end of the bargain, that your ill chosen decision will hold severe consequences of which may prove grave for many.”
“Yes, yes, yes, Vlad I agree. I realize the decision I must make.”
“Then walk to me child.”
Kat felt her stomach churn, but she knew she had to do as instructed. She tentatively walked toward Vlad, stopping an arm length from him.
Vlad slowly reached for Kat, all the while keeping his eyes trained upon her emerald green eyes - that held such a power over him. He pulled her into his arms with his lips resting near her ears. He took a deep breath of satisfaction of having her in his arms and knew that this was meant to be. He whispered softly, “One day soon child you will come to understand the events of today. And when that day comes, I promise you will see my life - our life with new meaning.
Kat felt a large tear form before finally overcoming its barrier and trickle slowly down and across her cheek, before finally reaching the corner of her lips. She opened her mouth, tasted the salty tear and forced herself to swallow the tear along with her pride as she felt Vlad’s cold fingers tip her chin and bring his mouth to hers.
With his lips resting lightly against the woman he loved he said, “Child you must stay pure until my return. Everything depends upon that one true fact.”
Kat stepped back with alarm, “Are you talking about me being a virgin?”
“Yes, I believe that is your word for what I speak.”
“And how would you know such a thing?”
“Trust me child. I would know as soon as I come into in your presence.”
Chapter
26
Once outside Vlad asked, “Where are your friends Katrina?”
She replied, “I think they may have seen enough for one night.”
Looking back to Kat’s apartment Vlad replied, “Yes I’m sure you’re right.”
Katrina asked inquisitively, “How was your meeting with Katherine?”
Bringing his eyes from Kat’s window to Katrina he said, “Well, quiet well.”
Chapter
27
Roger moved his tired eyes from the computer screen and looked at the clock on the wall, it read 4:00. It would be daylight in a few hours and she had told him she wanted this story on people’s doorstep first thing Wednesday morning. That meant he had to have the story on his editor’s desk by at least 5:00 P.M today. That would give him two hours tops to convince Eddie that his story was accurate, truthful, and most importantly ready for the presses. That also meant that he had to get it right the first time, there would be no second chances.
My God he thought that strange young woman had been right about everything. There indeed had been two other young girls murdered and raped under almost identical circumstances as that of Sarah Evans. It had been as simple as searching the data base of recent obituaries for young girls sixteen years of age and using those dates to research the stories.
Roger picked up the phone and dialed his old friend Charlie in homicide. He and Charlie had once made a great team that is until Roger had allowed his life to unravel so completely. Roger had been the print guy and Charlie had been the inside guy. Man he thought those were the good old days. Charlie was a rotund man with a jolly disposition for the most part that is – at least on his good days. He has been on the force for thirty years and talking about retirement for the past 10. Never married, well that was not exactly true because he was most definitely married to the force.
His friend answered on the tenth ring, “Yeah.”
“It’s me Roger.”
“Hunh.”
“Wake-up Ace.”
“What the hell time is it?
“It’s a little after four. It’ll be daylight in a couple hours.”
“You call me at 4:00 in the fucking morning! Damn it Roger are you drunk again?”
“No I’m off the bottle for good. Listen Charlie, I’m working on the biggest story of my career and I need your help.”
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes Charlie angrily said, its four O’clock in the fucking morning, don’t you think your story could have waited for a few hours? Wait a minute, what kind of story can a drunken ass-wipe like you be doing? The last I heard you’d been relegated to the obits. Hell, did the Pope die or something?”
“Listen Charlie I’m serious.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Charlie this story can get me back in the game. It will completely rejuvenate my career. I bullshit you not, but I need your help.”
Charlie asked inquisitively, “I’ll ask you again Roger real slow…have-you-been-drinking?”
Roger replied, “Absolutely not. I have not had drink since… late Sunday night, well that is not exactly true. It was after midnight so that would make it early Monday morning.”
“So Roger if I have this right you’re been off the bottle maybe 24 hours. Is that about right?”
“Yes but…”
“I’m sure that may seem like an eternity for a drunk like yourself, but let me assure you Roger most drunks I know don’t turn their lives around in a mere 24 hours. Hell Roger you’re probably still hung-over aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Are you hallucinating? You know seeing little green men or something.”
“Listen to me would you. I am totally lucid.”
“You know Roger your illusions of grandeur are really getting quiet tiring.”
“Jesus fucking Christ Charlie just this once would you listen to what I have to say – please! If this doesn’t pan out change your number, move, do whatever, but please help me this one last time!” Softening his tone somewhat he continued, “For old time’s sake, okay pardoner.”
Charlie added, “You know changing my number is probably a really good idea.”
“Get serious would you Charlie.”
“I am you fucking drunk.”
“Come-on please.”
“Okay you fucking drunk, but this is your last go-around and if you’re jerking-me-off again…
Cutting Charlie off mid-sentence Roger interjected, “Thanks Charlie I’ll meet you in thirty minutes.”
Charlie said sarcastically, “An hour Roger and bring the coffee.”
Roger said, “Thanks a million pardoner. I promise this time it’ll be different.”
Charlie placed the receiver in the cradle and mumble to himself, “I’m must be the biggest dick-head left on the face of this planet.” Rolling back over to sleep he said, “Hell he’s probably calling from re-hab again.”
Chapter
28
Cade Collins sighed heavily, opened his eyes, and abandoned any more thoughts of sleeping for the remainder of the night. For what seemed the umpteenth time he turned his head to the right to check the time. The glowing red digits displayed 4:30 A.M. Angry with himself he slid out of bed and walked into the bathroom. He flipped the switch to on and was immediately greeted with blinding bright lights, he waited several seconds for his eyes to adjust to the sudden change, and then he looked in the mirror at his reflection for several more long seconds before saying, “What are you doing? You don’t even know her and it’s all you’ve been thinking about.” Without taking his eyes from the man in the mirror, he reached with his right hand and turned the cold water handle, letting the water run for several seconds before catching a handful of the cool liquid, finally, he lowered his head and splashed the cool water onto his face. He slowly raised his head and looked into the mirror for a second time, but nothing had changed except now water was dripping from his exasperated face. Maybe he was expecting a response, but none were forthcoming from the love-struck man in the mirror who was unexpectedly, without a doubt, a very smitten man. Looking intently into his own eyes he mumbled aloud, “How can you be so foolish? See some young girl and fall so hard, so fast, so crazily, and so utterly completely. You are such a loser. Matter of fact I have never seen such a loser as you – ever. He turned from the mirror dejectedly and said, “That’s it, I not letting anymore thoughts or visions or whatever of that girl do this to me – period.”
***
Cade had never been to the office at such an early hour before. How strange things seemed when the office was uninhabited as it was now. Unable to sleep he had just decided to get an early start on the day. Arriving at such an early hour he found time to reflect on the events of yesterday and the events that were to come. After yesterday’s debacle at the courthouse and Tom’s decision to resign effective immediately there would no doubt be a major shake-up in the District Attorney’s Office. Cade thought out loud, “Heads will roll today and unfortunately not just here in the District Attorney’s Office.”
Then he realized he had not thought about that splendid young woman for at least a full 5 minutes. Damn it though, he enjoyed thinking about her. What is her story? And why would a very good looking young woman be hanging around a courthouse where a murder trial was taking place? And for that matter why would she be in disguise? Another question to be answered would be her perplexing encounter with Simon Perry. What were they talking about or more precisely what had she said that had so clearly upset him? And more importantly would she actually make the call? Would she follow through as agreed or was the agreement a simple ruse to escape him and the situation that she had found herself in? He had a lot of questions, but few, if any answers.
Looking up from the pile of work on his desk Cade heard movement just outside his closed door. No doubt it would be Mrs. Lewis the secretary that he shared with four other young underpaid junior attorneys. Mrs. Lewis has worked at the District Attorney’s Office for over 20 years. Her kids were grown and gone as she so eloquently enjoyed saying and she always added with a smile - and when my last child left, I sent their sorry excuse for a father on his way too. For good or bad the young attorneys were her family now and she doted over each and every single one of them. She knew their likes, dislikes, where they lived, and other things they would have rather kept private – nothing was off limits where she was concerned. She had a knack or a keen sense for when something was going on in their lives and was relentless until the truth was finally revealed to her.
Before Cade opened the door he took a deep breath, stretched his facial muscles in an attempt to clear his face of any lingering incriminating evidence of the young woman left over from his sleepless night. He felt as if love-sick-loser was written in bold letters across his forehead. He opened the door with a huge smile and said a little too loudly, “Good morning Mum!” She enjoyed the nickname and took pride in the knowledge that her young attorneys cared for her.
With a questioning look she said, “My, my, aren’t we cheerful today and early too.”
Cade replied, “I couldn’t sleep and thought I might as well get some work done. That’s all.” He knew it was a mistake when he said it. Why did he add that’s all?
She looked at Cade intently, studying his features, opened her mouth, but thought better of it and simply smiled pleasantly.
Feeling awkward Cade asked, “What do you think is going to happen today?”
“For you guys not much. Business as usual I guess, at least until you have a new boss. Then I assume there will be an internal investigation and once that is completed your new boss will implement changes to make sure the sort of thing that happened in the Sarah Evan’s case never happens again.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right Mum.”
With that Cade quickly turned and walked quickly back into his office. He closed the door and felt thankful that at least for now that Mum had not interrogated him further about being at work at such an early hour. Then it dawned on him that when and if Kat called; it would be Mum whom she would be speaking with. Meaning if he was out of the office or in a meeting that Kat would have to ask Mum for his home telephone number or worse yet ask for his home address. Neither of which he knew she was allowed to give out.
Cade opened the door and trying to sound as nonchalantly as possible said, “Mum, I’m in a bit of a quandary and I was wondering if you could help me out. It’s no big deal, but if you could do this for me though I would appreciate it. Now, if you don’t want to I’ll understand completely. Really Mum if you don’t feel comfortable with…”
Interrupting Cade mid-sentence Mum interjected, “Cade honey, just say what’s on your mind. Go ahead and spill the beans. I promise whatever it is it’s not as bad as you’re making it out to be.”
Cade felt his face flush with heat and wondered how this grandmotherly lady was so perceptive – all the damn time. He continued, “No, no, it’s nothing really. I probably shouldn’t have even mentioned it. Forget it, it’s nothing, really Mum.”
“Cade darling, stop beating around the bush and say what’s on your mind. What is it that you’re afraid to ask me? I must admit though you have piqued my curiosity by being so indecisive about whether or not you are going to ask me to do something for you. I mean Cade darling if you want me to do something for you, it is probably imperative that you tell me a little about what it is you want me to do. Don’t you think?”
“Okay, okay, but you have to promise not to make more out of than it actually is.”
“Okay I promise.”
Cade continued against his better judgment, “Someone is going to call for me today and if I’m not available, I’m afraid, well not actually afraid, but rather concerned that they will not leave their number so that I may return their call.”
“Is that
Cade replied, “Yes, as I said it’s nothing, just a phone call.”
Mum said questioningly, “If it’s only a phone call, then why all the indecision?”
“Well, see Mum, if she won’t leave her number, then I have no way to call her back.”
“I guess dating has changed since I was a young girl. When I was your age if a young man and woman wanted to go on a date they simply exchanged telephone numbers. Has dating changed that much over the years?”
Cade responded, “No…I mean that’s not the point I’m trying to make and it’s not a date.”
“Then Cade honey what is the point?”
Taking a deep breath Cade continued, “I know that you are not supposed to give out our private information over the phone.”
Mum replied, “Oh, I think I see the problem now. You want me to give her your home telephone number.”
“Yes, but I don’t want you to get into trouble. That’s the reason for my hesitation.”
“I see. You don’t want me to get into trouble for giving out your number.”
“Exactly.”
Mum added, “What if I give her your cell number?”
Cade said, “That would be great Mum. Just great.”
Mum replied, “Okay then I’ll give her your cell number.”
Cade said, “Thanks Mum.”
“Anytime.”
Cade walked back into his office, closed the door, and immediately opened it again. He peeked around the door and hesitantly said, “Mum?”
“Yes.”
“I may still have a problem.”
“And what would that be?”
“She might not ask for my number.”
“And why would she not ask your telephone number? After all wouldn’t that be the purpose of the call?”
“She may want my home address instead.”
“I won’t give that out. She’ll just have to do with your telephone number.”
“Okay. You’re right. And Mum, please don’t cross examine her when and if she calls.”
“Cade darling, you worry too much. Mum will handle it like she always does. So go on back to playing lawyer and leave the rest to me. And Cade darling, what do you mean if she calls?”
“Well, you know what I mean.”
“No, I’m afraid I don’t.”
“I guess she could decide not to call.”
“Why would she not call?”
“She could change her mind.”
“Mum asked innocently, “About you.”
“Yes, no, I mean about calling me.”
“Cade honey, she is a good girl isn’t she?”
“Mum, here you go with the cross examination. This is exactly what I’m afraid you’ll do when she calls.”
“You didn’t answer my question dear. Is she a good girl?”
“With a little annoyance in his voice Cade said, “It’s not important if she’s a good girl or not. It’s not a date.”
“Smiling kindly Mum asked, “Then Cade darling what is it?”
With agitation he said, “I don’t know what it is.” At least that was true he thought. After all he couldn’t tell Mum that he had blackmailed a girl into having dinner with him.”
Mum added, “Cade honey, she’s not a prostitute is she?”
“No she’s not a prostitute and Mum could you please stop with the inquest. I’m feeling really uncomfortable with this conversation.”
Mum thought reflexively, yes I bet you are.
Suddenly the phone rang, “Mum said smiling, “Maybe this is her.”
Cade rolled his eyes in frustration and said pensively, “I have to get back to work.”
Mum covered the mouthpiece and said in a low voice, “Cade.”
Cade turned while at the same time drawing in a deep breath, “Yes.”
Still covering the mouth piece Mum said, “I bet she’s a lovely girl. Just like a pretty girl from next door.”
Cade forced a smile and nodded his head in agreement.

Chapter
29
Once in his office he repeated what Mum had said – girl next door. What if she had once been the proverbial girl next door? Furthermore he thought if one presumed that to be true, then on that premise one would also deduce that something bad had taken place in her recent past. Smiling benignly he said to no one in particular, “Sounds like a working hypothesis or in the very least a starting point to me.
Cade punched in the numbers to his friend Matt at the 10th precinct. On the second ring Matt’s familiar voice came on the line, “Hello.”
“Matt how are you?”
Matt checked his watch and raised his eyes in surprise at the early hour before replying, “It’s kind of early isn’t Cade? What do you need?”
Cade answered, “Get right to it huh?”
Matt sighed heavily, “That’s it. I never get a call from you unless you need me to do something for you. And considering the hour it must be really important if it’s troubling you so much you can’t sleep. So out with it, what do you want?”
Cade felt his face flush once again with heat before saying, “I need to check on a possible missing person.”
“Cade I hardly have time for real missing persons cases. Why would you think I have time for possible ones?
“Uh, Matt, this one would be off the record. You know just between you and me.”
Exasperated he said “Okay, okay, give me the particulars, but now you’ll going to owe me counselor.”
“Fine Matt I’ll owe you. She’s tall, thin…”
“Matt interrupted, “And very good looking – right.”
“Yes, that’s right, but that’s not what this is about.”
“Okay counselor whatever you say - why don’t you just tell me what this is about?”
Cade continued without explaining, “She’s about 20 to 23, but you probably would want to widen your search beyond that.”
“With disdain in his voice Matt asked, “How wide counselor.”
“We might as well go from, oh, about 19 to 26.”
Taking a deep breath Matt said, “Yes, why don’t we.” Emphasizing the word we.
Cade replied, “Thanks a million Matt.”
Matt quickly said, “Whoa counselor, surely you have more than that. So far I have she’s tall, thin, and good looking. That’s not exactly a lot to go on. Does she have moles or any other features that would distinguish her from the other thousand or so missing young women that fits your profile – oh let me get this right –someone that you might find attractive and interesting.”
On the defensive Cade quickly and strongly interjected, “It’s not like that at all Matt. To tell you the truth I’m doing this as a favor for someone if you must know.”
“Whatever counselor, I just need a little more than what you given me. Like do you even know the color of her hair?”
“I really couldn’t tell, I think her hair may have been colored.”
“Matt questioned, “Do you have a photograph?”
“No.”
“Okay then, where did you see her picture?”
“Uh, I actually met her briefly.”
Completely exasperated Matt said, “Then why didn’t you just ask for her name and save us both a lot of trouble and time. No, on second thought I don’t want to know the answer to that question. I give-up counselor, just tell me what you want.”
“I want to see the photographs of missing persons from let’s say the past three years.”
Matt added, “And the parameters being female, tall, thin, nice looking, and 19 to 26. Is that about it?”
Not being able to get the girl next door quote from Mum out his head Cade said, “Don’t bother with checking the city’s missing persons Matt, just check the outlying communities. And that should also significantly narrow your search.”
“See you counselor. I’ll get back with you when I can.”
Chapter
30
The alarm sounded at 7:30 A.M. Simon Perry sleepily slid onto the side of the bed and attempted to rub the sleep from his eyes. The constant practicing and questioning from his team of lawyers in preparation for court had taken its toll. Simon Perry was physically drained and felt as if he could sleep a week. He looked back at the warm bed and thought of sliding back into its warm confines, but he knew there were things that must be done.
Then he remembered how well yesterday had gone. How he had been so masterful in the game. How well he had played the game he thought. He smiled knowing that he had played the game like no other before him. The scene in the courtroom was simply icing on the cake, something to savor and relish – if for just a short time. Historians will one day look back at yesterday and realize just how extraordinary his performance had really been. No, extraordinary was not sufficient in meaning to explain his exploits and his exploits that would come soon – very soon.
Since he had started his career so late in life, he knew he had a lot of time to make-up for. He was keenly aware though that it was not only the quantity of victims that would bring him enduring fame. More importantly he knew would be the way in which he presented himself to the public and equally important would be how the public perceived his actions. The mere mention of his name must provoke fear into the hearts of the public, much the way his idol ‘Jack the Ripper’ had done so many years before him. At some point in the near future he knew he would alert the police and public that a new player was amongst their midst. But when he announced himself to the public he knew it had to be in an impressive manner. A coronation if you will. And his coronation would be sooner rather than later.
At 8:30 Kate or Katey as her friends called her would make her solitary walk from her home to school. Yes, pretty Katey. What a prize she would be he thought. Simon Perry had chosen her from among many and not simply because of her long straight blond hair, although that one feature was truly sufficient enough in and of itself. But in addition to her almost tantalizing blond mane Kate also had a very very pretty oval face with dark almond shaped eyes and full delicious inviting lips. And most importantly he thought in nearly expectant eagerness her most striking feature – a breath taking nearly flawless long lithe lean body.
He felt the need growing incessantly within him now. His twin evils of lust and bitterness were beginning to once again to come to the forefront. Before long they would come to dominate his every thought and action and force him to do their bidding. And their need for fulfillment has been growing stronger by the day and soon very soon their yearnings would have to be satisfied.
Simon Perry realized that her trip to and from school through an isolated cornfield was extra and would only make things easier. The small stand of evergreens that lay next to the cornfield near her well-worn path was just perfect for their secret rendezvous point. This secluded spot would give him a few more precious minutes to enjoy Katey’s many fine attributes more fully. Simon Perry felt the heat grow within him as he pictured Katey walking alone in the cornfield coming to him and their private hidden retreat nestled among the evergreens
He opened his front door reached down and picked up the ‘Herald’ which was one of the cities two daily papers. Simon Perry’s eyes grew alert as his thick rubbery lips parted in a wide smile as he read aloud the headline displayed in large block letters across the front page of the paper.
District Attorney Resigns Amid Internal Investigation.
In a shocking turn of events the county’s District Attorney Tom Lowe who has held the post for the past 10 years has resigned effective immediately. No word has been given for the district attorney’s sudden departure, but yesterdays surprising developments in the Sarah Evans rape and murder case seems to have played a pivotal role in his sudden departure. The man accused of this horrific crime Simon Perry had all charges dropped supposedly due to mishandling of the investigation on the part of the District Attorney’s office as well as that of the police department. Early reports point to possible contamination of the crime scene by a police officer and subsequent cover-up by the district attorney’s office.
Former District Attorney Tom Lowe has scheduled a news conference at 1:00 P.M. today where he is expected to formerly announce his resignation from the District Attorneys Office.
Please follow ‘The Herald’ and TheHearld.com for updates to this story, as they become available.



Chapter
31
Simon Perry pulled into the intersection and checked his watch – 8:25. He smiled excitedly and felt the tingle of anticipation as he pulled through the four-way-stop on his way to Katey’s house. As he entered the cul-de-sac the now familiar sight of the red brick cape-cod house came into view. It sat directly in the middle of the cul-de-sac and Simon Perry’s eyes were transfixed upon the well maintained home.
The cape cod was large and beautifully maintained. The roof was covered with black slate shingles and the chimney was centrally located within the angled roofline. Three large dormers extended from the steeply pitched roof and like the chimney the middle dormer was centrally located, matter of fact the complete exterior façade of the house was symmetrical in every detail. The main floor had four large windows, two on each side of the small quaint portico. Two small white columns sat on opposite sides of the steps that led to the entryway. Overhead hung bright green ferns and near the base of the two columns sat two large clay pots that held brightly colored flowers that draped over the edge of their containers. The outside trim of the house was painted a bright white, which made the structure’s symmetrical lines even more pronounced.
Simon Perry wet his lips as excitement grew within him. He felt his heart begin to race with the realization that the time was near - very near. He wet his thick rubbery lips a second time and swallowed hard as the front door opened and a pretty young girl stepped out onto the portico. Katey was wearing a small white tee shirt and Capri pants, both of which clung tightly to her athletic body, revealing the sleek, but well-defined form of a budding young woman. Simon Perry took in a deep breath as Katey lifted her head to the sky, which allowed the golden rays of the early morning sun to strike her near flawless features. With the beautiful sight of Katey less than a mere hundred feet from him the ever-familiar pangs of lust began to course through his body as his fingers began to tremble slightly against the steering wheel. His rate of breathing increased as did his pulse, both of which pounded loudly in his ears. Simon Perry felt the hunger of his compulsive need and the exhilarating urgency to fulfill and quench this need was becoming almost too much for him to bear.
He made his mind up then and there. It had to be done today. He knew he could not wait any longer. The compulsion was simply too great. It had been too long – way too long. Even under the scrutiny of the police and the District Attorney’s Office he had been able to keep up with Katey’s daily schedule. It had been tough being so vigilant under the always watching eye of his observers, but that had only made him more determined and persistent in his quest of Katey. The taking of his next prize from underneath their very noses would make this one all the sweeter and demonstrate once and for all just how gifted of a slayer he really was. After my sweet Katey, I will reveal myself to the world and finally my name will be mentioned in the same breath as that of all the other great slayers. But first he thought I must have a name equal to my considerable skills. ‘Jack the Ripper’ was the ultimate killer and the greatest nickname ever given to a slayer and it was ‘Jack’ that he wanted to be measured against until the end of time.
Simon Perry watched as Katey walked from the front yard to the back yard across the well-manicured lawn toward the large cornfield that lay between her school and her house. The corn stalks were tall, green, and had long shiny leafs of foliage. The tall crop was just beginning to mature; silver silky tassels were blossoming from the young kernels that were evolving inside of their protective cocoons. As Katey stepped from her well manicured lawn and disappeared into the cornfield Simon Perry said with a longing that only he could visualize, “I’ll see you this afternoon my sweet Katey.”
Chapter
32
Kat knocked lightly on Darryl’s door with her knuckles.
“Inside Darryl responded, “Yeah.”
“It’s me Kat.”
Darryl opened the door and slowly poked his head around the door jam before saying, “I see you’re still alive, huh.”
“Oh, forget about him for now Darryl. We’ll deal with him later, but I have a little errand I need to run. Do you mind?”
“Do I mind what?”
“Do you mind helping me with an errand. I need a ride if it’s not too much trouble.”
“Okay, I need to get to work anyway.”
As they were walking by Kat’s apartment Darryl glanced back and said, “Sorry about the door.”
Kate replied, “Don’t worry about the door. And thanks for what you did. That was very brave of you.”
Darryl smiled broadly in response to Kat’s statement.
***
Once inside the cab Darryl turned toward Kat and asked, “Where to?”
Kat answered, “That electronics store out near the interstate.”
Darryl responded with a confused look, “What in the world do you need from that place. That’s not exactly Radio Shack you know.”
“I know Darryl. I just need to pick something up.”
“Whatever, after all it’s your dime.” Darryl continued, “You are going to pay your fare aren’t you?”
“Of course I will Darryl. Remember we’re friends and friends never take advantage of each other.”
Darryl turned his head to the left, looked into the driver side mirror for oncoming traffic and with his face turned from her he opened his eyes in mild surprise in response to her statement about what friends do or do not do to each other.
After a few minutes Kat asked, “Darryl how did this morning go?”
Darryl answered, “Fine for me I guess, no one showed up, so I went back to bed.”
“Well, maybe Ronnie and his two friends hadn’t had time to speak with their mothers yet,” Kat said.
“Or,” Darryl added, “Their mothers didn’t want any part of it.”
“Hmm,” Kat murmured, “maybe.”
“There it is Darryl pull in right here.”
“Do you want me to go in with you?”
“No, I’ll be fine. I’ll just be a second.”
“Okay, but I still don’t understand what you need from this place. You know most people come to a place like this to buy security equipment. That’s it isn’t it. Is this about last night? You know to give you a chance to get out the back door when he comes back. Listen the next time…
Interrupting Kat said, “No, Darryl it’s not about that at all. I’ll tell you everything, I promise. Not just right now.”
As soon as Kat shut the door Darryl mumbled to himself, “Yeah I’m sure you will.” As Kat made her way toward the entrance of the electronic store Darryl thought something is different about her today. Darryl gave her a once over; she was wearing jeans, a white tee shirt, and a pair of tennis shoes, next Darryl’s eyes traveled up to her hair. The unsightly wig did not lie atop her head. In it’s place was a shock of bright auburn hair, brushed cut with a very natural look to it, almost tousled or uncombed in appearance, but yet very feminine and attractive. It was a far cry from what he was used to seeing. Thinking back though he realized that first night in the cemetery she had not worn a wig. And last night she had not been wearing a wig when he had busted into her room to save her from that big buffoon.
Darryl thought out loud, “Girl I don’t know what your story is, but I have a feeling I’m going to find out and soon.” Then surprising himself as he watched Kat open the door and disappear into Steve’s Electronics he added, “But I don’t know if that would be a good thing or a bad thing. Heck, it may be a story I don’t need or want to know.”
Chapter
33
After only a few seconds the door from Steve Electronics flew open and Darryl watched Kat exit the building and quickly begin walking back toward the car. But instead of going to the passenger side of the car, she dashed hurriedly around the front of the car to where Darryl sat shaking his head at the beautiful but strange acting young woman.
Kat tapped impatiently on the driver side window.
Darryl hit the down button and let the window totally disappeared into the door before slowly bringing his eyes up to meet hers. Darryl looked up at Kat with a mock look of surprise before saying, “Yes.”
“Daryl I need to ask another favor of you.”
“Really.”
“Yes, but please don’t look at me like that.”
Without changing his facial expression he said, “Like what.”
“Like I’m crazy or something.”
Finally Darryl relented, changed his facial expression and said, “Okay what do you need now?”
“I’m sort of embarrassed to ask anything else of you.”
“Don’t be after all we’re friends – right.”
“Yes we are and thank you for understanding Darryl.”
“Who said anything about understanding, but you seem to be on a mission this morning and I’m kind of interested in finding out where all this is leading to – you know what I mean.”
“Okay then if you’re sure.”
Darryl nodded his head yes and waved his left hand in a circular motion to indicate his impatience and for her to continue.
Kat shut her mouth, opened her lips revealing bright white teeth clamped tightly together and furrowed her brow to indicate her apprehension before finally saying, “I don’t have enough money.”
Darryl sighed, reached into his pocket and thrust a small bundle of bills toward Kat and said, “I have thirty dollars. Will that help?”
Kat grabbed the money from Darryl and handed five-dollars back to Darryl and said, “Here keep this, we may need it later - and Darryl.”
“Yes.”
“Thanks a million. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
After several minutes Kat emerged from Steve’s Electronics carrying a large plastic bag. Once inside the cab she said, “Thank you Darryl for being so patient and more importantly for being my friend.”
Looking at the bag with questioning eyes Darryl asked, “What’s in the bag?”
Knowing that she owed Darryl that much and also realizing that she was about to ask another favor of him she answered him evenly, “A Tracking System.”
Darryl showing genuine excitement said, “Really, I’ve thought about a getting me one of those things. You know to help me locate the best routes around traffic problems and locating landmarks about town, but of course I already know where everything is - you know by now.”
Kat replied, “Yeah, I could see where a tool like that could be useful in your line of work, but this one doesn’t exactly work that way.
Darryl asked, “It’s not a GPS?”
“No it’s not. A GPS was far too expensive.”
“Well - then, how does it work?”
Kat explained, “Just a simple transmitter and receiver, the receiver simply beeps faster the closer it gets to the transmitter and in addition the receiver displays the direction of the transmitter.”
Darryl questioned Kat further, “What are you going to use it for?”
Kat answered hesitantly, “Well, Darryl, if you really want to know and if you have time I’ll show you?”
Darryl said, “Another errand huh?”
With a sparkle in her eye and excitement in her voice Kat said, “Okay then let’s do it.”
“Do what,” Darryl thought to himself. But since his curiosity was piqued he said nothing.
Continuing Kat excitedly asked, “How well do you know the Springfield area?”
Darryl replied, “Okay I guess. I’ve had a couple fares out there. Sort of an upscale subdivision isn’t it?"
“Yes Darryl I think it is.”
“I don’t get it. Does this tracking system have anything to do with why we are going out there?”
“Yes it does.”
Darryl waited patiently for several seconds for Kat to explain further. When no explanation was forthcoming he said, “Does your errand boy get an explanation or what?”
“You know Darryl I’m not real sure how this is going to go down. How about we just wait until we get there and then decide how to do it?”
With doubt and suspicion in his voice Darryl stammered, “Going down – wait till we get there – how to do it!” Glancing at the bag on the floor he continued, “Do you have a gun in the bag too? It doesn’t exactly sound like we’re going on a Sunday picnic does it? I mean…
“Darryl calm down please. You’ll getting excited for nothing, really.”
Darryl sighed heavily before saying, “And I’m going to look up the word friend in the dictionary too. I think you may be using the word ‘friend’ just a little loosely, don’t you think.”
Kat turned to face Darryl with all the seriousness in the world before saying, “No, Darryl I am not using the word friend loosely. You are my friend one-hundred-percent. Matter of fact at this moment in time you are the only friend I have. And furthermore, I promise, I will never lie to you. I swear.”
Darryl’s face softened on the news that he was her only friend, although he could understand how she could be a little slim in the friend department. He looked straight ahead for a few seconds before quickly turning back in Kat’s direction and said loudly, “Okay then, but you had better not ever lie to me – friend or no friend – you got that?”
“Yes, I do Darryl. And remember Darryl we’ll in this together - just you and I.”
Frustrated Darryl thought to himself, “In what together? But as annoyed as he was with her he knew there would be no reason to continue this conversation. Since she had a way of thwarting his every attempt to discover what she was up to. “Hell”, he thought at least there was never a dull moment with this strange girl or woman or whatever she was. He was beginning to have serious reservations about her, but for some reason that he could not explain or understand he wanted to know more and did not want to leave – yet anyway.

Chapter
34
The Springfield subdivision was an island within itself, but instead of being surrounded by an ocean, it was encircled by a tall red brick wall. Even though Springfield was an elitist and a very upscale subdivision the entrance did not contain a security guard. The entrance area was paved in red brick and the well-worn cab went rat-a-tat-tat over the uneven surface. Kat and Darryl simultaneous let out an exhalation of breath at the sight of the large beautiful homes.
Darryl said with wonder, “So this is how the other half lives huh.”
Kat added, “It is certainly nice.”
“Where to?” Darryl asked.
“Fourteen-thirty Springs Drive. It should be the fourth street on the right.”
“Okay.”
A few seconds later Kat said, “There’s Springs Drive Turn right here.”
Darryl turned onto Springs Drive driving slowly admiring the large fine homes and their perfect landscaped lawns, suddenly Darryl said, “Right there it is and boy is it a beauty.” The house looked like a large county estate except for the fact that other large similar homes dotted the landscape. The entryway was two stories in height with a series of archways that led to a large mahogany embrasure that included a large Palladian window overhead. A circle drive only added to the country estate feel. On the right side of the house a small drive circled back to a large garage attached by a monopitch roof.
Kat quickly added, “Drive by real slow Darryl and try to look inconspicuous.”
Darryl said with agitation and emphasizing each word, “We-are-in-a-cab. How inconspicuous can we be?”
“Kat said nervously with a little agitation in her voice also, “Okay, I’m sorry. Just drive by like nothing is going on okay.”
Darryl barked, “Nothing is going on. We are simply riding in a cab in a ritzy neighborhood.”
“Okay Darryl let me think a minute.”
At the end of his rope Darryl screamed, “About what!”
Glancing to her left Kat saw a large green garbage truck on the next street over come to a stop and using it’s mechanical arm pick-up a trash container and dump the contents into the belly of the truck. Pointing to the garbage truck Kat said, “There Darryl drive over to the next street.”
Shaking his head slightly he did as instructed.
Once they reached the area where the garbage truck had been Kat said, “Here pull over right here.” Once again Darryl did as instructed and was about to place the gear selector into park when she said, “No, just a little bit further-up Darryl.” With a sigh of frustration Darryl did as instructed. “Yes, right here Darryl.” Suddenly she pulled a small pair of binoculars from her hand-bag, brought them up to her eyes, looked out the passenger side-window and slowly turned the knobs evidently bringing Fourteen-thirty Springs Drive into focus, finally she informed Darryl, “Yes this is perfect.”
Darryl calmly began, but his voice rose in intensity as he asked, “Do you think you could kind of fill me in on just what-in-the-hell we’re doing here? This Nancy Drew shit of yours is getting kind of old!”
“I’m sorry Darryl I know you must think I’m terrible for keeping things from you, but I promise I’m doing it for your own good.”
“I just want you to tell me what’s going on. Is that too much to ask? After all I seem to be in the midst of things here.”
“Okay I promise I’ll tell you everything as soon as I can.”
“You know what I’ve come to realize?”
Kat replied, “No. What Darryl?”
“It’s not so much what you do tell me that worry me. Hell, what worries me most is what you’re not telling me.”
“Okay, okay, as soon as we get back to the apartment I’ll tell you everything – I promise.”
“You seem to use the word promise about as loosely as you do the word friend.”
“Darryl, I’ll tell you - I promise - I mean it. As soon as we get back, I’ll tell you everything – Okay. If you don’t mind though Darryl at the moment I have a job to do and time is of the essence, if you know what I mean.”
Darryl responded sarcastically, “I think you mean we have a job to do.”
“Yes, of course. I meant to say we.”
“Mmm hmm.”
Handing the binoculars to Darryl Kat said, “You see that black SUV parked along side of the house in front of the garage.”
“Sit back a little, you’re blocking my view.” Kat pushed the seat back as Darryl continued, “Yeah, it’s parked by the huge tree.”
“Yes, that’s it.”
Darryl asked, “What about it?”
“We are going to install this transmitter in that vehicle.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
Kat said, “Of course.”
Darryl continued raising the bag containing the tracking system, “Does the owner of that SUV know that we are going to install this into his vehicle?”
Acting as if it the question was unimportant Kat answered, “No. I guess he doesn’t.”
“Well, let me ask you another question then.” Once again raising the bag and with a look of bewilderment Darryl continued, “See, I thought you were a smart lady, but just in case you’re not, you probably need to listen to what I’m going to say next. Did you know putting things like this into someone’s car so that you can track their whereabouts is probably against the law? That is unless you’re an FBI agent or something and I kind of doubt that you are.”
“You don’t understand Darryl…”
“I understand I don’t want to go to jail.”
“I was just hoping you would help me do this.”
“Hello, jail, did you understand the part about this being against the law.”
Acting as if she had not heard a thing Kat persisted on, “Do you think you could install this or not Darryl?”
“Install it! Have you listened to a word I’ve said?”
“Darryl, he kills little girls - he rapes and murders young girls.” Kat turned toward Darryl with tears streaming down her face and fell into his arms sobbing uncontrollably.
Chapter
35
Kat felt Darryl’s body stiffen as she cried in his arms. Finally, reluctantly, he placed his arm across her shoulders and began patting her with his fingertips in an attempt to comfort her.
“Sssh, now, I, uh, didn’t mean to upset you. It’s…uh, I just wanted to know what’s going on – that’s all.”
Maybe she wasn’t quiet as upset as she was letting on, but she had not been making much headway with Darryl as it was and time was quickly slipping away. Trying to rationalize what she had just done she told herself that the tears were real - at least she thought they could have been. Kat told herself that she would have time to feel guilty later about her little exhibition, but she knew she had to do something drastic and in a hurry. Still sniffling Kat pulled from Darryl’s embrace and said, “I just don’t know what came over me Darryl. I’m sorry. You’re right – I have no reason to include you into my problems. I apologize, I really do. Can you ever forgive me? I am such a terrible friend.”
“What do you mean he rapes and murders young girl?”
“It’s not important Darryl. What’s important is that I get you out of here before you become ensnarled in my troubles. And trust me you don’t need any of my problems.”
“No, I came this far at least you can tell me what’s going on.”
“Okay if you must know. The guy that owns that black SUV is Simon Perry. Monday morning he was set-free on a technicality in the murder of Sarah Evans.”
“That’s where you were coming from when I picked you up in front of the courthouse, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. It was.”
“But, how do you know he’s guilty. In the paper it appeared evidence had been planted against him by the Police Department and the Prosecuting Attorney Office.”
“Trust me Darryl he’s guilty of raping and murdering Sarah Evans, and for that matter two other young girls also.”
“How could you possibly know that?
Kat looked long and hard at Darryl before saying, “If I tell you something you have to promise to not think me crazy.”
“That may be a tad-bit hard, since I was kind of already thinking pretty much that same thing. You know you do seem to be out there on the edge – if you know what I mean.”
Not wanting to appear even more crazy and strange than usual, but not knowing what else to do Kat said, “Darryl, I see things that have happened in the past.”
Surprising Kat Darryl quickly said with a straight face, “Like that little boy that said ‘I see dead people’ - what was the name of that movie?”
“Yes. In a way Darryl, but I see other things as well” Kat said all the while surprised at Darryl’s sudden interest, especially since he now seemed to be caught-up in what she was telling him.
“Like what? I mean what can you see? I knew there was something different about you.”
“I can see events in peoples past. Things they have done.”
Eagerly Darryl continued, “And in one of your visions you saw this Simon Perry character kill that young girl. Is that right?”
“Yes, that’s right, but I don’t call what I see - visions.”
“How do you do it? I mean do you go to sleep and dream this stuff or what?”
Encouraged and relieved by Darryl’ interest Kat went on, “Listen Darryl, I’ll tell you everything, but right now I need to get this transmitter installed in that vehicle. What I’m afraid of is that he’s going to rape and murder another young girl. See Darryl, he’s feels a need to do these terrible things to young girls and I think that evil inside of him needs releasing.”
“Why don’t you use one of your visions to see when he’s going to do it.”
“It doesn’t work that way Darryl, remember, I can only see past events, not things that are going to happen in the future.”
“Oh yeah - the past - that’s right.”
“Please Darryl we need to hurry. He may come out any time and leave, and we may never have another chance like this. Plus I really believe he’s going to strike again soon.”
“Okay I’m in. Give me that thing.”
Kat handed the bag to him before asking, “Darryl, are you sure you know how to install it?”
Darryl answered doesn’t it attach by a magnet?”
“No I think it screws into the body of the car.”
Darryl said, “Why does everything have to be the hard way.” He opened the glove compartment and removed a small bag containing an assortment of hand tools. Reached for the door and said, “This won’t take long. At least the screws are self-tapping.”
Kat placed a hand on Darryl’s shoulder before saying, “Wait a minute, don’t you think you should think about how you’re going to get to the vehicle without anyone seeing you.”
“Just watch and learn. I played Cowboys and Indians when I was a kid all the time. And I was always the Indians.”
Kat started to protest, but shut her mouth and simply decided hope for the best. Maybe Darryl really did know what he was doing, then she remembered Cowboys and Indians, but it was too late, he had already slithered out the passenger side of the car.

Chapter
36
Not seeing any sign of Darryl Kat started to get a little nervous, but out of the blue he popped up like a Jack-in the-Box from in front of the car and started walking nonchalantly across the street. He was wearing a green Hawaiian shirt, short white pants, and old pair of black Chuck Taylor converse sneakers. An old worn blue New York Yankee baseball cap completed the ensemble; the cap sat atop his head with tufts of strawberry blond hair protruding messily from each side.
Suddenly without reason or rhyme he jumped in behind a large Southern Pine and stood with his back against the large tree. It was true no one inside Fourteen Thirty Springs Drive could see him, but evidently he had not given much thought to the other homes that lined the street or for that matter anyone that might drive by. Out of the blue Darryl once again took off running through the yard of the home across the street from 1430 this time he jumped in behind a tall cluster of ornamental grass. After only a few seconds he abruptly took off again running, zigzagging either jumping in behind trees or diving behind low growing bushes. Sometimes he would only travel a few feet from one cover to the next and more perplexing than his darting about, he would only spend a few seconds behind each cover, before jumping up and repeating his method of concealment. Darryl’s tactics made it appear that a guard was marching back and forth across the property of 1430 and that he was running when the guard’s back was to him and diving for cover when the guard was about to turn. But as far as Kat could determine no one appeared to be watching from 1430. Without being able to understand or for that matter comprehend Darryl’s method of stealth Kat simply hunched her shoulders and shook her head in dismay and prayed no one but her was watching. Magnum P.I. he wasn’t - Barney Fife maybe, but watching his skills of stealth even that had become debatable.
He was knelling behind a row of neatly trimmed forsythia bushes that bordered the street that ran in front of 1430. He discreetly stood-up and began walking across the street as if he hadn’t a trouble in the world. Once across the street he quickly returned to stealth mode and dived into a small depression that diverted rainwater away from 1430 and the adjoining property. The small depression had small trees and bushes scattered about along its run, which thankfully provided cover for Darryl’s not so stealthily advance.
Kat took a deep breath of relief as Darryl rolled under the SUV. Kat’s eyes swept the neighborhood and miraculously as far as she could tell Darryl had not been spotted. Or on the other hand the police could be racing to their location. Kat felt perspiration form along her forehead as fear of being caught crept into her thinking. The seconds ticked by like minutes and minutes went by like hours. Darryl’s hands and fingers were busy underneath the vehicle as he squirmed about, but Kat found the waiting and watching nerve whacking. Kat felt her heart begin to race as her fear steadily grew with each passing second. Kat gasped aloud and dropped the binoculars in alarm as Simon Perry came into view walking a straight path to his vehicle.
Kat let out a large rush of air from her lungs as she said, “Please, please, don’t let him glance down to where Darryl is. She knew she had to do something to alert Darryl and to possibly divert Simon’s attention from his SUV. She frantically glanced about the cab not knowing what to do. What she did do was hit the horn with the palm of her right hand. “Shit,” she said under her breath, but what else could she do. Kat watched as Simon Perry’s head turned in her direction searching for the source of the sound. All the while though he continued walking toward his vehicle and as Kat had hoped his attention had indeed been averted. Simon Perry could make-out a yellow vehicle on the next street, but due to the extravagant landscaping the cab was mostly hidden from his view. Uninterested he opened the door and climbed into his vehicle.
Darryl had been so busy with his task that he had not paid any attention to the sound of the horn, but when the door of the vehicle opened he fumbled furiously to complete the job.
Seeing that Darryl was still underneath the vehicle Kat wanted to sound the horn a second time, but realized that to sound the horn again would surely arouse Simon’s suspicion.
Simon Perry placed the gear shift into reverse, looked over his right shoulder as the vehicle began moving backwards toward the street. Kat opened her eyes in shock as the vehicle moved from its original position uncovering Darryl for the world to see. Just as Simon Perry’s head glanced back to the front of his vehicle, Darryl rolled off the driveway into the shallow depression. Kat sucked in a deep breath praying that once again he had not been seen.
Once on the street Simon Perry glanced to where he had just seen the yellow vehicle, but Kat had already driven from the location on her way to pick-up Darryl.
A few seconds later Kat screeched to a halt and Darryl jumped in excitedly, “Yahoooo! Man that was fun!”
Kat exclaimed, “Fun! You almost scared me to death! You could have gotten run-over Darryl! My God when he backed up I thought you were going to get squashed! I expected to see tire tracks imprinted across your forehead!”
Still excited Darryl exclaimed, “Hells bells that was fun! Man…I feel alive!”
Kat said, “He’s getting away.”
Darryl reached for the receiver hit the power button and extended the antennae before saying proudly, “No he’s not. Right there he is. All we have to do is follow the little red icon.”
Starring at the receiver in Darryl’s hand Kat said with astonishment, “I can’t believe you got finished in time.”
“Oh, yea of little faith.”

Chapter
37
The beeping began to slow as Darryl yelled, go, go, before he gets out of range!” Quickly retracing their route from the ritzy subdivision the beeping began increasing in frequency as they quickly began closing the gap between the two vehicles.
Running into a T intersection Kat asked, “Left or right.”
“Right.” Kat turned right and immediately the beeping of the receiver began decreasing in frequency.”
Darryl said, “Shit,” as he looked over his shoulder, “He’s going the other way!”
“Okay, okay, I’ll find a place to turn around!”
The beeping quickly lessened to the point where it was almost inaudible. Darryl excitedly asked, “What’s the range of this thing?”
Kat replied, “The salesman said a about a mile.”
The beeping suddenly stopped completely. “Well he’s wrong. We lost the signal. We have nothing.”
“What about the icon is it visible?”
Darryl repeated, “There’s nothing. Blank.”
Kat swung into a driveway, slammed on the brakes. The sudden stop hurled Darryl against the dashboard. Kat quickly pushed the gearshift into reverse and hit the gas, immediately propelling the car in the opposite direction throwing Darryl harshly back into his seat. He immediately reached for the seatbelt and in doing so screamed, “Watch out there’s a car coming!” but it was too late as tires began squealing against the pavement. Darryl closed his eyes and stiffened for the impending impact. Thrusting the gearshift into drive Kat once again pushed hard on the accelerator, pushing Darryl even further into his seat. Darryl screamed, “Did you even look?”
“No. I didn’t have time!’
Nervously trying to get the seatbelt into place he said, “Look next time if you don’t mind, especially if I’m on the blood side!”
Gaining speed Kat asked, “Anything?”
“Nothing.” Looking at the speedometer Darryl warned, “You’re doing 75 in a 55.
“Am I?”
“Yes, that’s what I said wasn’t it. Shit!”
“What? What is it Darryl?”
Looking over his shoulder Darryl said, “That was a cop back there.”
Kat said, “Oh no!”
Still looking over his shoulder Darryl said excitedly, “Shit. Here he comes!”
“Is his lights on?”
“What do you think?”
As Kat checked the rearview mirror she saw the flashing lights and also heard the sound of the police car’s sirens.”
“Darryl what are we going to do?”
“What do you think? We’re going to pull over, unless you want to go to jail for evading. And I really don’t think you want that.”
“Darryl we have a problem.”
“Yeah, what gave you that idea?”
“I don’t have a driver’s license.”
“You mean as in - not on you right?”
“No I mean I don’t have a driver’s license. And Darryl I cannot afford to get picked-up.”
Looking over his shoulders Darryl asked, “Well, what do you propose we do? I figure we have about twenty seconds before he calls you in for evading.”
“Quick Darryl switch places with me.”
“What!”
Kat almost screaming said, “Now! I’ll explain later!”
Kat slid over and jumped onto Darryl’s lap and said, “Hurry slide over!”
“You have to get off of me first!”
Kat said, “Here grab the wheel!” Suddenly a loud horn sounded. Kat and Darryl both looked up to see that they were headed directly into the path of a large semi-truck.
Kat screamed, “Darryl!”
Falling against the driver side door, Darryl jerked the cab back into their lane just in the nick of time. The large truck went by them blowing its horn loudly. “Damn that was close!” Darryl said. He quickly braked and pulled onto the shoulder.
Looking into the driver-side mirror Darryl watched the patrolman exit his vehicle and begin walking toward them. Kat sat motionless momentarily unable to even speak.
The patrolman asked, “Do you know how fast you were going?”
Darryl responded politely, “No sir, was I speeding”
“You were going 75 in a 55.”
“I’m sorry Mr…”
“Deputy Morris.”
“I’m sorry Deputy Morris. I try and never speed Sir. I promise.”
Removing his dark glasses, Deputy Morris bent down and looked about the cab.
He asked, “Sir may I see your drivers license?”
Darryl quickly handed them the Deputy. The Deputy compared the picture on the license to Darryl, before looking in Kat’s direction and asking, “Is she a fare?”
Darryl answered, No Sir, she’s my girlfriend.”
The Deputy looked at Darryl again, before his eyes quickly traveled back to Kat. The Deputy wondering how in the world a man that dressed and looked so unkempt as this clown could possibly have a girlfriend that looked like this tall, slim, young, and very pretty woman. He slowly let his eyes travel over her again, but this time his eyes wandered lustily over Kat from head to toe, finally after a long wait he hesitantly turned back to Darryl. The Deputy not believing for one minute that the young pretty woman on the other side of the cab was actually the little cabby’s girlfriend.
Kat turned to see the poor excuse for a Deputy undressing her with his eyes and knew immediately what was in all probability running through the Deputy’s immoral mind. But she was so nervous from their near death encounter with the large truck that she found herself unable to come-up with anything to say.
Darryl taking the silence as a bad sign said, “You may know my work?”
Confused the Deputy said, “You drive a cab right?”
Smiling Darryl said, “Yeah, driving this cab is my day job, but this is just temporary, until my real career takes off.”
Deputy Morris playing along wanting to know where this was going, all the while staring and lusting after the young woman. Letting the scruffy little fellow go on about himself, while he fantasized what it would be like getting it on with the hot young woman. Still checking out the young woman he asked, “Yeah, and what career would that be?”
Darryl replied, “I’m an actor. An adult actor to be more specific.”
Deputy Morris repeated, “An adult actor, huh.”
“I’ve made a couple movies. Now, I wasn’t the main character or nothing, but I got a few minutes in each one.”
Almost smirking the Deputy said, “Really.”
Darryl added, “My stage name is Jack Ram.”
Starring directly at the young woman’s breast and not giving much thought to what the little guy was saying he said, “Jack Ram huh.” The Deputy still undressing the young woman with his eyes all the while working on an angle to get her out of the little fellow’s cab and into his cruiser.
Under normal circumstances Kat would not have allowed herself to be gawked at in such a manner as this so called policeman was doing, but at the moment she wasn’t sure where Darryl was headed with his porn story – if anywhere she thought.
At first she had felt violated by the cocky Deputy’s crude behavior and the sinister way his vulgar eyes starred at her was making her sick in the pit of her stomach – he was truly a pig.
Kat put a small piece of paper in her mouth and began chewing it with an open mouth and smacking her lips in an exaggerated manner. She turned to Deputy Morris and giving her best ‘bimbo’ imitation smiled with an open mouth and laughed silly as if she was embarrassed or knew something that no one else did.
Deputy Morris’s eyes were no longer filled with lust; they were now full uncertainty and confusion. His sexual fantasy about this young woman was quickly ceasing to exist, at least in its original form. But after witnessing the young woman’s silly behavior he was certain more than ever that he could somehow make it all work out.
Kat continuing her ‘bimbo’ routine, “See deputy this whole thing is my fault.”
A look of surprise flashed across Darryl’s animated face, but he said nothing.
After another silly laugh Kat said, “See deputy I was doing something I shouldn’t have been doing – know what I mean?”
Perplexed Deputy Morris said, “No I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.”
Still chewing the small piece of paper wildly and giving a feeble performance at being embarrassed she continued, “As I was saying Deputy Morris I was doing something I probably shouldn’t have been doing - at least in a moving car. See, I was playing around with Darryl my boyfriend there while he was driving.” Giving another silly laugh again and an even more pathetic attempt at being embarrassed Kat continued, “I forget sometimes that when we play around he gets a little light-headed. I guess all that blood has to flow from somewhere – you know what I mean?”
Darryl eyes were opened wide in bewilderment at Kat’s frank display of sexual innuendo.
Deputy Morris was dumfounded, but could not keep his eyes from traveling to Darryl’s private area. He immediately brought his attention back to the wildly chewing young woman and began thinking that maybe this whole scene was not exactly what he had in mind. Seeing Darryl in a new light and feeling somewhat deflated he said without a lot of conviction, ”Yeah, I guess I do know what you mean.”
Suddenly a call came over Deputy Morris’s radio.
He leaned his head back into the cab and pointed his index finger out through the windshield before saying, “You two see those tall buildings in the horizon?”
Darryl feeling a little cocky after Kat’s corroboration of his porn story said, “Yeah, sure.”
Deputy Morris continued, “We have a nice small close-knit community here. I don’t want to ever see either of you around here again. Just take your smut and perverted behavior back to the city where it belongs.”
Chapter
38
From the rearview mirror Darryl watched Deputy Morris climb into his cruiser, slam the door, turn his lights on, quickly make a U-turn, and speed away.
Darryl screamed, “Hot damn, never a dull moment with you is there?”
Kat took a deep breath before sighing in relief, “I guess not.”
Darryl asked, “You must of saw me naked in your room last night didn’t you?”
“No of course not. I did not see you naked.”
“You know I have thought about getting into the adult film business.”
Shocked Kat said, “Darryl! I was only trying to back-up your cockeyed story so that awful Deputy Morris would leave us alone. Now, if you don’t mind… I think we were in the process of tracking a monster.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right.”
* * *
An hour later a tired Darryl says, “Come on, I’m beat already. We can try again tomorrow. Anyway, he’s probably long gone by now, it’s been over an hour and we have not got so much as a beep.”
“No Darryl we have to find him today – not tomorrow.”
Weary from driving around aimlessly Darryl asked, “Why today? I mean what’s another day?”
Turning to look directly into Darryl’s eyes Kat said, “Because tomorrow may be too late. I really feel he will strike sooner rather than later, maybe even today.”
Rolling his eyes Darryl asked sarcastically, “Did you see that in one of your visions?”
“No I didn’t see it in one of my…visions. I just feel it. I can’t explain why or how I know he’s going to strike again soon, but trust me – he will rape and murder yet again and again until he is stopped - of that I’m certain.”
“Okay, okay, let’s find the bastard then.”
“Thank you Darryl. You have to understand Darryl a monster like Simon Perry is different than other people.”
“Yeah, no shit. Pardon my French again.”
“You don’t understand what I’m saying. I think Simon Perry’s raping and murdering of young girls goes beyond the actual act itself. Sure he is a sick individual, but he thinks in terms that we cannot imagine even in our worst nightmares. I think he is striving for a place in history.”
“Like Dalmer or something?”
“Yes, but he wants more than just notoriety. I think he wants to be a famous slayer.
“I thought slayers were people who killed bad people or dragons – you know killing innocent young girls just doesn’t seem like slaying to me.”
“Remember Darryl he thinks different than you or I.”
“So you’re saying he doesn’t see anything wrong with murdering and raping young girls.”
“Yes, that exactly what I’m saying. And to make matters worse I think he is about to go underground. And he has the resources to live a very long time hidden among us. That’s why it is of up-most importance that we find him today.”
“Okay, say we find him – then what.”
“Well, first we stop him from raping and murdering another young girl. I have no doubt whatsoever that even as we speak that he has already chosen his next victim. Some pretty young girl - one that is probably popular in school and most likely athletic as well - she could be at this very moment about to cross paths with a monster. See Darryl, he studies his victims. He knows their daily habits. He learns their daily schedule, the routes they take to and from everyplace they travel. Then using all this personal information of his victim he makes detail plans about where and when the rape and murder is to take place. They truly don’t stand a chance.”
“Okay, okay I’m in but, you still haven’t answered my question. What do we do when we find him? Say we somehow stop him from raping and murdering another young girl. By the way I’m sure at some point you’re let me know how you’re planning to somehow foil his attempt right?”
“Yes, of course I will.”
Darryl continued, “Just checking. Okay then let’s say we do actually stop him from killing some young girl – then what. I mean wouldn’t we kind of have to shoot him or something. You know like make him dead. After all I really don’t think he’ll care a whole lot for us – you know interrupting his mission in life and everything.”
“You’re right Darryl. But that may be a good thing.”
“Yeah, how’s that?”
“He may decide to come after us.”
“And that’s a good thing.”
“Yes, because if I become his priority that means some young girl may live.”
“You meant to say ‘we’ become his priority – right?”
“Yes, of course - we.”
“So if that happens and he comes a calling – you know like wanting to make us dead or something – don’t you think like maybe we should try to make him dead before he makes us dead?”
“Darryl let’s don’t go looking for trouble, none of this may even come about.”
Darryl said, “But we are looking for trouble and anyway if we weren’t it seems trouble has a way of finding you – easily I might add.”
“What time is it Darryl?”
“About two.”
“Pull into that McDonald’s Darryl. We had better eat while we have a chance. After all this may be a long day.”
“Drive through?”
“Yes. That’ll be fine.” Then they both heard a faint beep and immediately looked for the small red icon. The icon was a soft-red-glow, Kat placed her hand over the small screen to darken the background. The beep was still very faint and the icon was pale in color, but at least they were back in business. “Take a right Darryl!”
“What about McDonald’s?”
“We’ll eat later.”
Chapter
39
Cade checked the clock it read two o’clock. He had been in his office all day and decided it was time to take a walk, maybe to the water fountain he thought. He swung open his door and immediately Mum’s head came-up with a smile. Cade was dying to ask if he had had any calls even though he knew he had not.
Mum said, “You’ve been a quiet boy today.”
“Just busy working. By the way has Matt called from the 10th Precinct?”
“No. You haven’t received any calls today dear.”
“Okay, thanks Mum.”
“Don’t worry dear she’ll call. Anyway it’s still early dear.
“As I said Mum its not really a date.”
“Oh, yes, Cade darling I forgot its not a date per se is it? I’m sure though that she’ll call as soon as she gets a chance. She’s most likely running errands or buying a nice outfit for your...”
Forcing a thin smile Cade said, “Thank you Mum.” Turned and walked back into his office and quietly shut the door.
Chapter
40
The screen went blank and the weak-sounding beep went silent. “Turn left Darryl, evidently I had you turn the wrong way.”
“If you had bought a GPS instead of this five and dime piece of junk we wouldn’t be driving around with our heads up our butts or for that matter getting pulled over for speeding by a sex-crazed deputy.”
“Excuse me Darryl, but I did the best I could considering the financial restraints that I currently find myself under.” A soft-red-glow appeared on the screen as Kat said, “There Darryl keep going we have a faint icon,” and then a low beep sounded from the speaker as Kat continued, “Good Darryl, you’re getting closer. Keep doing what you’re doing.”
For several minutes the beeping increased in frequency and loudness and the red icon grew to a bright red. Then just as suddenly the beeping began decreasing.
Darryl said excitedly, “We’re losing him! He’s getting away!”
“No he’s not! Turn around Darryl I think he’s back there somewhere.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I just do. Darryl did you happen to notice the area we just drove by?”
“No. I was watching that stupid screen.”
“I was doing the same thing.”
Darryl quickly pulled into a vacant driveway, backed into the street and began driving back in the direction they had just come from. After only a few seconds Kat and Darryl heard a faint beep. Kat said, “I think he’s parked somewhere nearby and we drove right by him.”
“Yeah, but the signal is still weak.”
“Yes. However, listen closely Darryl the beeping is growing louder and more frequent. Darryl he is definitely nearby and he’s not moving.”
“I think you’re right.”
“Just keep driving nice and slow.” Kat frantically began looking about for any sign of the black SUV. She did not see the black SUV, but she did see a high school on the right side of the road. They had been so consumed by the small screen of the receiver that they had not noticed the school the first time they drove by.
Kat felt her pulse quicken at the sight of the school and even more so when she saw several young girls pile into a vehicle and drive away. They had been wearing knee- pads and tossing volleyballs around – they had been practicing volleyball. Suddenly the beeping once again began to slow. Kat screamed, “Stop Darryl! Pull over! He’s here!”
“Where? I don’t see him!”
Kat jumped out of the cab and began turning in quick small circles trying her best to take in her surroundings. She suddenly stopped, starred at the school for several seconds, before slowly turning around to look across the street at a large field of corn. Kat starred intently for several long seconds at the large green field of corn. Darryl standing by the driver side door had been attentively watching Kat the entire time, but he had not spoken – only watching Kat’s troubled face.
Kat slowly scanned her head from left to right and then slowly turned to face Darryl. “Darryl?”
“Suddenly chilled Darryl replied, “Yeah.”
Kat asked as if she already knew the answer, “The beeping is constant right?”
“Hardly able to breath Darryl said, “Yeah.”
Kat pointed with her index finger out in the direction of the cornfield and said, “Darryl he’s out there – waiting. With a stone-face Kat said, “Get in the cab Darryl and find his vehicle, trust me it’s parked nearby.”
Seeing the fright in Kat’s eyes Darryl asked, “What are you going to do?”
Kat responded, “Hopefully, save a young girl’s life.” At that she started walking across the street without first checking for oncoming traffic.
Darryl screamed, “Watch out!” and immediately covered his eyes as Kat stepped into the busy street. Unable to look Darryl listed as a frantic driver desperately sounded their car horn in alarm, then tires began squealing against the black pavement as that same driver attempted to avoid a lone pedestrian. As other panic-stricken drivers entered into the danger area, a chorus of piercing car horns and screaming tires announced the impending catastrophe.
Darryl steadied himself for a thud – he held his breath for the sickening sound of metal against flesh. Then sucking in a deep breath and hoping against hope he prepared himself for the impact that would surely come.
Finally after several long seconds of dread and not hearing an impact of any kind, Darryl peeked through his tightly closed fingers. Three cars were scattered about the highway each pointing in a different direction. A surreal silence had fallen over the entire area – it was as if time was standing still. Inside the vehicles, mouths were ajar and eyes were opened wide in both doubt and relief. Nothing moved – not a car, not a person, not even a bird.
But on the other side of the highway seemingly unaffected by all the commotion was Kat stoically starring into the tall jungle of green corn.
Chapter
41
Simon Perry felt safe and secure hidden in the shadows of the large pine trees that sat near the cornfield. Peering from the dark shadows Simon kept his eyes trained on the small well-worn grassy path that snaked its way alongside the cornfield. The small path passed only an arm length from where he sat concealed by dark shadows and low-lying branches of large evergreens.
Small broken rays of golden light filtered through the thick canopy of the evergreens illuminating a soft bed of pine needles wherever they landed. Out from under the tall evergreens the sun shone brightly. What a beautiful day, no he thought, what a perfect day for his next conquest.
Simon Perry checked his watch – 2:45. He felt his pulse quicken in anticipation of Katey’s arrival. Sweet young Katey had not yet come into view, but he knew without a doubt that she was on her way to him. A small bead of perspiration formed along the folds in his forehead and his breathing increased in both volume and frequency. Simon Perry feigned anger at himself for allowing his normally rock-solid-self-control to falter ever so slightly, but it had been simply too long – far too long.
With the realization that the moment was finally at hand he allowed his lust and longing to come to the forefront. Simon Perry realized that his lust and longing needed to be satisfied, before their own wants and needs became too strong. His cravings were now unrelenting. They gnawed at him constantly for their fulfillment and until their needs were met he knew he would find no rest. He wondered if ‘Jack the Ripper’ also had fought to keep his demons under control…that is until the moment it was finally safe to unleash them.
In the distance Simon Perry watched a small figure emerge from the lush green cornfield. He wet his fat rubbery lips with his tongue and felt the lust grow even more within him. He placed the nylon stocking over his head and pulled gloves tightly up and over his hands. With his eyes trained on the small figure approaching his place of hiding he took a deep breath of fresh air and realized that this young girl would very shortly take care of all his wants and needs.
* * *
Kat walked purposely along and in front of the cornfield, not giving a second thought to all the chaos taking place behind her in the street. She suddenly stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted a small well worn grassy-path that ran alongside of the cornfield. She ran toward the edge of the cornfield where the small path began. Once around the edge of the tall corn plants she glanced up the small path hoping against hope to see a young girl walking safely along its route, but the grassy path followed the contour of the cornfield which unfortunately shaped itself against a small twisting ditch that lay nearby. So the path was shaped very much like a long snake with the small path appearing beyond the corn at one turn and then disappearing into the corn the very next turn.
Feeling a sense of dread wash over her Kat began walking briskly along the small path. Her urge was to sprint along the curvy trail letting her eyes search for the young girl that she knew was in all likelihood walking to her death, but she knew that course of action would result in failure. Remembering the dream in which she had been the captor - Simon Perry had dragged her off to a secluded area before…yes before raping and murdering Sarah Evans. No. She will force herself to walk purposefully along this trail, using not only her sense of sight, but her sense of hearing as well. All the while looking for any clues that would indicate a young girl’s whereabouts or for that matter Simon Perry’s. But with each step doubt seeped into her thinking. Kat did not, no could not bear the thought of another young girl murdered as Sarah had been. Kat forced the images of Sarah out of her mind and concentrated with all her might on the job at hand. She was walking faster now, probably too fast, but she simply could not slow down. The corn, the ditch, the path, the grass were all moving so fast before her eyes that she doubted even if there had been signs of a struggle that she could have seen them.
Kat’s eyes began filling with tears as she continued her quick pace. Suddenly she found herself running unable to hear anything but her own labored breathing. Her vision was blurred from tears and everything around her seemed to be in a state of movement. Running wildly along the twisting path was the wrong thing to do, but the sense of dread and urgency was simply too great – she more than anyone realized that she was out of control.
As she approached each turn in the small path hope would rise within her that on the other side she would find a young girl walking safely along the small grassy path. However, each time her hope proved fruitless - as only the small twisting path lay ahead. Seeing no alternative to her madness or maybe simply unable to think clearly, she continued her passionate, but poorly designed rescue attempt along the small twisting trail. Kat knew she should stop and gather herself, but a nagging sense of dread warned her to keep moving – warned her not to slow down – warned her that a young girl’s life depended on one thing – her getting to the young girl…before he did.

Chapter
42
From where Simon Perry sat hidden among the evergreens his view of the young girl was unimpeded. The small grassy path was no longer full of twists and turns, but as with the cornfield at this point, ran in a straight line that would lead his prize directly to him. He scrutinized the young girl’s every move. The sun was brilliant out from underneath the huge evergreens. Katey’s blond hair appeared almost golden under the bright rays of the afternoon sun. Simon Perry felt himself begin to tremble ever so slightly at the sight of the beautiful young girl. He noted how much more tanned she seemed now than the last time that he had seen her, funny he thought that he hadn’t noticed it earlier this morning. He starred longingly at her long lean limbs as she approached ever closer. Soon he thought - very soon she will be close enough for him to see her pretty oval shaped face, the large round dark eyes, the cute perky nose, and yes those inviting young full lips.
Katey placed the volleyball that she had been carrying onto the ground and gave it a short swift kick. A thud sound echoed lightly as her foot impacted with the soft leather ball. Katey took five steps and once again kicked the ball along the grassy path. With each kick the resulting thud from the impact of shoe to ball grew louder as the distance between Simon and his prey became ever closer.
Katey jogged slowly to the ball and he watched excitedly as her full breast moved up and down in rhythm underneath her tight fitting tee shirt with each resulting stride. He let his line of sight move to her bronze legs, well-developed thigh muscles moved her effortlessly along the trail. Simon Perry mumbled, “Katey my darling you are such a beautiful young thing.
She was close enough for Simon to see that her tee shirt was wet from sweat. He swallowed hard when he saw how tightly the wet tee shirt clung to her young feminine body. The imprints of her bra was visible underneath the wet tee shirt and he sucked in a deep breath when he saw hard round nipples protruding against the wet clinging cloth.
Simon Perry estimated that his young quarry was still two kicks and about 10 steps from his place of hiding. He heard a low thud, watched the ball roll ever closer to where he sat unseen, crouched underneath a large low-lying branch that protruded out to the edge of the small grassy path. He counted one, two, three, four, and finally five as her foot once again thumped against the leather ball. He watched breathlessly as the ball rolled directly along the path and came to rest directly underneath the large branch that concealed his position.
He raised his body slightly, lifting his knees from the earth and straightening himself more into a runner’s stance. He smiled knowing that he was ready to pounce onto his unsuspecting prey as soon as she came into striking distance. Looking through the branches of the tree he watched as she approached seemingly without a worry in the world.
Time seemed to suddenly slow as she took the first step. Simon Perry was hardly able to contain himself. Not only was his hands trembling, his whole body was shaking with an anticipation that he had never felt before. His breathing was labored and he felt as if he could not suck enough air into his lungs to satisfy his body’s needs. As Katey took her second step it was all he could do to keep from jumping up and going after her, but with great determination he forced himself to stay put. As Katey stepped even closer he said under his breath, “That’s it - just a little closer my Katey. You’re almost here.”
Her fourth step brought her within a yard of him; so close that he held his breath for fear that she might hear him. He could take one step from his position and have her, but he fought that temptation with the discipline of a trained soldier.
Simon Perry gathered himself as she took her final step toward the ball. Katey did not kick the ball with her foot; instead she bent at the waist and reached under the low-lying branch with an outstretched arm. Her hand slowly came into view directly in front of him- less than a foot from his place of concealment. He locked his eyes onto her wrist as he reached with a gloved hand.
Chapter
43
Kat was in a state of panic as she approached yet again another turn in the path, she was so fatigued that she felt like collapsing and lying down on the grassy path, but she forced herself forward and was shocked when she suddenly emerged into an open area. Looking up the suddenly straight narrow grassy path, Kat could not believe her eyes, it was a young girl less than a hundred yards ahead of her. The young girl was near an outcropping of large evergreens and looked as if she was preparing to walk in under the huge dark trees.
Kat immediately yelled with everything she had, “Hello! Hello! Don’t move! Please don’t move!”

Upon hearing someone screaming Simon Perry withdrew his hand just as he was about to clutch onto his prize. This cannot be happening. I’ve worked too long and too hard for this to be happening. He began shaking uncontrollably, not with fear from being caught, but with anger and disappointment over the loss of his prize – his Katey.

Katey immediately stepped back onto the grassy path, momentarily forgetting about the ball. She turned toward the screaming voice, not knowing exactly what to make of the situation. It was a woman and she was running frantically in her direction. Katey thought about running herself, but something in the woman’s voice, yes the woman’s voice did not seem threatening. The woman’s voice did seem excited, but there was a concerned inflection within her words – so she waited.
Kat came within reach of the young girl, but did not touch her in fear of frightening her. Kat was sweating profusely and doubled-over with the palms of her hands on her knees in an attempt to catch her breath. Finally, knowing that she had to say something Kat said excitedly as she attempted to gather herself, “Just…just a minute! Let me catch my breath – please! Kat took a deep breath before saying, “I cannot imagine what you are thinking about me at this moment. You must think me deranged or in the very least unstable, but I promise there is a purpose to my apparent madness.”
Kat saw the concern written across Katey’s pretty face. Kat wanted to hug the young girl and explain herself, but knew there was not time or reason for such details. Kat needed only to warn the young girl about the danger that lay before her. No, she had to put her warning into plain words. Words to the point, words that would leave no doubt to the peril in which her life was currently in. Kat watched, as the young girl became fidgety and begin to look about nervously. Gaining her breath and composure Kat said, “You must listen carefully to what I’m going to tell you. I don’t mean to frightened you anymore than you already are, but you must believe what I’m about to say. I’m not here by accident. I’m here to warn you that your life is in jeopardy.”
Katey shaking her head in confusion, “You’re scaring me… I don’t understand! I don’t understand…I mean - how do you know that – I don’t even know you. I’m going home now, please don’t follow me.”
Kat grabbed the young girl by the shoulders and said in a stern voice, “First you are going to listen to what I have to say.”
Katey said, “You’re hurting me! Please let me go!”
Kat released her grip, but left her hands on the young girl’s shoulders. Starring directly into the young girls eyes Kat said, “I have reason to believe there is a serial rapist and murderer out here as we speak. I also believe that he is out here to rape and murder you and that in all likelihood he was going to rape and murder you today. This monster is probably watching us right now!
With a look of astonishment Katey said, “But…
Frustrated in the fear that her message was not getting through Kat interrupted the young girl, “There is no but! If you want to live…you will listen to what I have to say – and you will take the necessary steps to prevent this monster from killing you. And trust me, if given the opportunity he will rape and murder you. You must heed my advice; it will save your life. Don’t ever go anywhere alone and certainly don’t be foolish enough to walk in a field like this alone. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?”
“Yes. But…”
“Please I don’t want to be mean to you, but I do not have the time to explain how I know – but trust me I know. Remember this – If you want to live – never…and I mean never go anywhere alone.”
Katey did not say another word. With a look of resignation and shock written across her face she simply shook her head yes, turned, and began walking toward the safety of her home.

Chapter
44
Simon Perry could not believe it. It was the young girl from the courtroom and here she was telling his Katey that he was a monster – that he was a rapist and murder. How he wished people understood him, but he knew in the end that history would be his judge. And that with time the public will come to understand and have appreciation for his all accomplishments. The public will first learn of him from the newspapers and the countless news programs that so dominate television today. Then later articles will be published that chronicles his life and achievements. Books will quickly follow and finally, yes finally, movies will be made about his extraordinary life – all of which will immortalize him forever in the annals of times.
Then his rage returned as he watched his Katey walk away from him forever. He knew that their time together would now never happen. Simon Perry painfully took his eyes from his prize and brought them to Kat. How had she known? As always he had been so careful, planning every detail, never leaving anything to chance. This should not be happening. All the time and effort he had so diligently put into this most important capture was now lost.

Kat watched as a very shaken young girl made her way safely home. Feeling like a hundred pounds had been removed from her shoulders Kat finally allowed herself a well earned smile. She realized it was a small victory, but nevertheless it was a victory – after all she had just saved a young girl’s life. Kat took a deep breath of satisfaction and allowed the well-deserved smile to spread across her suddenly contented face.

Hidden in the shadows Simon Perry fumed as he watched Kat bask in triumph. It was evident that the young woman was very pleased with herself. Simon Perry felt anger so intense that it was all but impossible to keep it from bumbling over. His anger quickly grew to hatred, yes he suddenly realized; he truly hated this most annoying young girl that had interrupted his time with Katey. He had needed Katey so much. And now it was not to be.
Then it dawned on Simon Perry that things would never be the same. It had been such a long time since he had been with a young girl. All the planning that he had put into this effort, all the anticipation, all the time, and of course his needs – needs that would go unfulfilled. He knew that what happened today could never happen again. Never again would he or could he plan for months or for that matter even weeks for his next young girl. From this day on he would be a slayer of opportunity. After all he thought had his idol ‘Jack’ not also been a slayer of opportunity.
As Kat smiled up into the heavens Simon Perry looked in the direction in which Kat had come. Then he slowly turned his head in the direction in which his Katey had taken. Next he turned his attention back to Kat and the large cornfield that lay in back of her. Behind where he sat hidden among the large pines lay a small forest of young trees, and following that was a vacant field with several well-worn car paths leading to various isolated areas that the young crowd used as parking spots late at night.
Did he dare do what he was thinking? Why not he thought? Was this not an opportunity? Yes, he could do this. No, he would do this. Simon watched as the young girl turned and looked in his direction. He looked directly into her eyes and it seemed also that her eyes were starring back directly into his. Then slowly her eyes traveled down. Down to where the volleyball lay unmoving and untouched. Simon Perry knew that time was of the essence, but if this young girl walked over to retrieve the ball, he knew without a doubt that he would take her. He may not have the time to enjoy her the way in which he had planned to enjoy his Katey, but he knew there would be time enough for what needed done.
Simon Perry looked at the young woman in a new light and with a new appreciation. It was true that she was not sixteen, but hadn’t he just decided that age would no longer be a requirement. That was not exactly true because he did like them young and that would be one requirement that would never change. But if he were to be a slayer of opportunity then certain restraints would have to be removed. Starring at the shapely young woman though Simon Perry suddenly realized that she more than fulfilled all his other requirements. He suddenly became aware just how fetching the young woman actually was. His desires suddenly flared-up for the pretty young woman as his ever-present yearnings and cravings for flesh once again came to life. He first felt an ache, and then the ache turned into a slow agonizing throbbing that only one thing would relieve.
Chapter
45
Kat starred intently at the ball for several seconds before slowing raising her eyes to look into the dark shadows that lay within the huge evergreen. The sun shone brightly which made the shadows underneath the evergreens seem dark and sinister.
Looking into the darkness Kat wondered if Simon Perry was lurking within the shadows, watching her even now. How surprised and angry he must be at this very moment, she thought. Smiling Kat wondered what had he thought when she had so suddenly erupted from the cornfield yelling for the young girl not to move. And later was he in the shadows listening as she warned the young girl about the monster that was stalking her. Still starring into the darkness Kat foolishly wished that Simon Perry even at this very moment was looking into the sunlight at her. If so he was probably angry enough to come after her, but would he be daring and reckless enough to do it now. Would Simon Perry be as daring and reckless as she was being at this very moment? Kat was aware of the possible danger hidden within the shadows, but for whatever reason she felt no fear as she continued walking toward the dark shadows.
Kat brought her attention back to the ball lying innocently under a large limb. Had he been hiding in wait at that very spot for the young girl. Waiting patiently as she stepped ever closer into his trap. Kat began walking deliberately toward the ball that lay partially in light and partially in shadow. Instead of feeling frightened Kat felt a sense of calm wash over her. Where the feeling of calm came from she had not a clue, but for whatever reason the feeling engulfed her, as she stepped ever closer to the ball. Was it a false sense of security on her part or simply a case of over confidence? It was true that she had probably just saved a young girl’s life, but it wasn’t like she had done anything more than that. She had not done a “Buffy” and actually rid the world of a monster – not yet anyway. She confidently continued walking toward the ball, disregarding or simply not caring about the danger that was possibly lurking in the shadows.