Chapter 8
Big thunder clouds to the west darkened the sky and a spitting rain had started as Donnie parked and got out. He was now half way through the capturing phase of Billy’s plan and he wanted to keep his brother up to speed on how they were doing.
“Hi, Billy. Good news. We’re half way. Chelsea is in her cell.”
Donnie listened intently before starting to pace back and forth in front of the grave.
“I’m doing this as fast as I can, Billy. It’s not easy and you’re not here to help.”
Donnie quit pacing and stared down at his brother.
“I gotta go. I’ll be back when I have more news.”
Donnie turned and walked off. The rain picked up as he got in the van and he sat looking out the window as a full downpour began.
Hurry up, he says. He doesn’t seem to appreciate what I’ve accomplished. Haven’t I done everything he’s asked? I’ve had to do all the work and I’ve done a good job. He doesn’t seem to know how hard all of this is!
Donnie started the van and turned on the wipers. The weather it seemed was in the same bad mood he was.
****
Jason sat at his desk going over the file they received from Lieutenant Banks.
Chelsea Morris, previously Chelsea Burt, was a waitress at Daylight Donuts in the center of the city. She lived in a house owned by her parents and had returned to San Antonio from California several years ago. The responding officer had done a good job with his report.
Jason looked out the window at the rain. Summer rain was rare and the downpour was a welcome sight. Nina was checking the missing girls name for priors.
“No record. Driver’s license clean except for a speeding several years ago.”
“Okay. The file says Miss Morris was reported missing by a friend at work. We need to go see her.”
“Okay. I’m putting in a request for Chelsea Morris’ phone records. That will give us two sets to compare. Should have them in the morning.”
Lieutenant Patton got off the elevator and stopped at Jason’s desk on the way to his office.
“How’s it going with the missing person case?”
Jason leaned back in his chair and looked up at the lieutenant.
“It’s now a missing person’s case.”
“Really? More than one?”
“Yeah. Two cases connected by a set of prints. We may be awhile getting free from the clutches of Lieutenant Banks.”
John Patton smiled.
“Okay. You make it sound like she’s a spider whose got you in her web.”
Nina snorted.
“That’s an excellent description.”
The lieutenant looked at Nina and back at Jason.
“Don’t be mistaken. She’s very good, kind of abrupt I know, but good.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The two detectives exchanged glances as Lieutenant Patton went to his office. Jason had noticed some admiration in his boss’s voice.
“Apparently, he’s familiar with her. I think he’s impressed by her.”
Nina laughed.
“Yeah or afraid of her!”
It was Jason’s turn to laugh but he knew better. John Patton wasn’t afraid of anybody.
****
Chelsea Morris sat on the blanket in her cell listening to the rain. She still hadn’t been able to sleep but she was getting hungry. She heard footsteps coming down the stairs and her heart started to pound.
“Is that footsteps?”
It was Ed. He hadn’t said anything in hours.
“Yes.”
The steps got closer and her captor’s face peered through the bars. He unlocked her door, came in and set a tray down on the floor. Chelsea was trying to be strong, to not give this man any satisfaction from keeping her, but she couldn’t keep herself from pleading.
“Please…please let me go. I won’t say anything. I don’t even know where we are.”
“Sorry. Can’t.”
“Why? Why can’t you?”
“Look, just shut-up and eat your food!”
He left the cell and locked it. Chelsea started to cry again, and lunged towards the door but her chain stopped her. She spotted the food and hunger took over. She devoured the bar and drank the shake in one gulp while the man gave food to Ed.
Within minutes the man had returned upstairs and the eerie silence had fallen over her again. She curled up on her blanket, making herself as small as possible. She wanted to disappear.
****
Donnie closed the door at the top of the basement steps. Pulling out a kitchen chair, he sat at the table and laid his head in his hands. It had not been a good day.
He’d been rude to the girl downstairs, something his momma wouldn’t tolerate, and become angry with Billy. He knew the fight with Billy was what was making him so unhappy.
I’ll focus on getting Suzanne, that’ll patch things up with Billy. When I have her, I’ll go tell him sorry and give him the good news. He’ll be much happier once I have his girlfriend in a cell.
He fell asleep on the kitchen table.
Chapter 9
The next morning, Jason was met in the parking lot by Devin James. A crime reporter for the San Antonio News, he was quickly becoming a thorn in Jason’s side. Black, 6’3” with a big smile that hid a cynical mind, he had a way of asking the questions Jason didn’t want to answer.
“Morning, JD.”
“What did I tell you about calling me that?”
The reporter ignored the rebuke.
“So, word on the street has you investigating missing persons. Not your usual gig. Any truth to that?”
Jason didn’t like being ambushed, especially first thing in the morning, and it annoyed him how James managed to get info he shouldn’t have.
“You know I can’t comment about ongoing investigations.”
Jason noticed the reporter seemed to be ignoring his response and looking past him. When Jason turned to see what James was looking at, he saw Nina coming across the lot from her car. He gave her a wave.
“Watch out. You’re being stalked!”
Nina laughed.
“I don’t see any predators around here.”
“Actually, it’s a reporterus ignoramus. Pretty tame, really.”
Devin James feigned injury by clutching at his chest.
“Detective Strong! You cut me and I bleed.”
Nina took the reporter’s hand.
“I don’t believe we’ve met. Jason, who is this angel?”
“That’s Nina Jefferson. Nina, this is Devin James. I believe I mentioned him.”
Devin practically purred.
“Enchanted.”
Jason chuckled.
“That ‘angel’ you refer to might just break your arm if you get out of line.”
It was Nina’s turn to smile.
“Excuse me, Mr. James. We have work to do.”
With that, she unwound herself from the reporters grip and joined Jason walking towards the station doors, leaving the reporter behind.
They went by Lieutenant Banks office but she wasn’t in yet. Jason suggested they go see Chelsea Morris’ friend at Daylight Donuts and Nina agreed.
When they returned to the parking lot, Devin James was gone. Nina grabbed the file out of her car and they left for the north side of the city.
****
Suzanne Cooper was having a good day. Her chair at “TINA’S HAIR SALON” had stayed busy. The tall women with auburn hair was popular with her clients and today they had tipped her well.
“Mrs. Harkin, can I get you to move over to the hair dryers.”
“Of course, Dear.”
Suzanne carried the bunched up smock around the elderly woman, as she made her way to the dryer chair. When she was settled into place, Suzanne lowered the helmet over Mrs. Harkins head and set the timer for fifteen minutes.