Loves Redemption

on the case. Do
you have anything to report?”
“The coroner gave the affirmative on our latest; it’s Kross.” Jordan reached inside his
jacket pocket to retrieve the small black notepad that was every detective’s staple. Flipping to the desired page, he ran down the information he’d gathered.
“Thanks, Jordan. Here’s what we know or believe about both the killings, and the killer,
Dr. Richardson. With the latest victim found last night, the murder toll comes to eight we believe to fit the slayer’s MO As we told you, when you came in to identify your sister’s body, we
believe the slayer is a female and a prostitute. The first two victims were found in a
neighborhood park known for men driving through looking to pay for sex. Both victims had been buried naked. However, the crime techs recovered condoms near both victims, both unused.”
“Does that mean there was no sex involved?” Maya asked.
“The evidence doesn’t indicate the victims willingly participated in a sexual encounter,
but what it does show is that they had been victimized.”
“Are you saying the killer raped the victims? Anally?”
Mark noticed the lieutenant’s red neck and knew what was causing his sudden
discomfiture. Maya held an aura of innocence draped around her that made you want to censure words that were too crass for her ears. Although she had asked the explicit question, he sensed the lieutenant was hesitant to confirm it for her. Picking up the story he continued in his place.
“Yes, that’s right. The evidence shows the victims have all been raped with a blunt
object.”
“If you believe that this is a female prostitute, how is she able to overpower these men
and rape them? If it’s not consensual, how is she able to do this?” Maya asked.
“Each victim was shot with a .22 caliber handgun three times in the back. From the
location of the bullets in the body, the crime lab had deduced that the victim had been turning away, either to take off his clothes or get a condom when the first bullet hit. The second and third shots were fired in the center of the back, after the victim had collapsed. After she killed each one, our killer took off the remainder of the clothing and put on her gloves. After she’d finished raping him, she dug a shallow grave and dragged the body into it and buried him.”
Maya pulled her reading glasses from her bag and glanced down at her notes and circled
two items before looking back up at the men.
“I have two questions for you. You said the first two victims were found at the same
neighborhood park that was known for prostitution. I know which park you’re referring to.
Wouldn’t someone have witnessed a body being buried? And to piggyback that question with another, if they hadn’t seen it wouldn’t they have at least heard the shots?”
“I’ll answer the second question first because it may answer both. We believe the
handgun had a silencer. In that area, people don’t report it when they hear gunshots; it’s not an unusual sound to hear. The first question is a little more complex. Occasionally we have sweeps.
The city will “sweep” known areas for illegal activities to temporarily clear them out. With the recent retirement of our chief, we’ve had an acting Chief of Police. The acting chief was under pressure regarding the increase in crimes and decided to go on an all-out spree to clean up the city.”
The lieutenant’s dislike for the acting chief was clear in his expression and voice.
“One of the ‘cleaned’ areas was this particular park and for several weeks the area was
patrolled at routine intervals, and the women who normally worked this park stayed away. It was during one of these times that the first victim was found. No one was around, so it wasn’t
difficult to disguise both activities: the sound of the gun and the killer digging the shallow grave,” Lieutenant Hernandez finished.
“It also happened during the time when the park wasn’t scheduled for patrol, during shift
change. It kind of makes you wonder if this was coincidence or not,” Mark interjected.
“We should probably focus on what we do know for Dr. Richardson’s benefit,” the
lieutenant once again redirected the discussion.
“Have you established any type of motive? Do any of the victims have anything in
common with each other except for their need to solicit women?” Maya aimed her query at
Lieutenant Hernandez.
“That’s a good question, Dr. Richardson. Out of the victims to date, only two have
anything solid in common, and that happens to be our latest two men, excluding your sister. The two men were both successful businessmen, although in different areas. Robert Clemens, the
victim found with your sister, was a respected real estate broker, while Guy Kross’ businesses were all in the adult entertainment area. That’s all we have so far on any type of connection between the two. Because the last two victims were publicly known, we should be able to find out more information about their lives, which will give us better clues into what their private lives were like,” he finished.
“What we don’t know is if our killer is an everyday working girl, or if this is something
she’s doing for the thrill. Whichever way she’s playing it, we do know that she wears at least two different colored wigs: one a curly brunette and the other a long blonde piece. At two different sites, this has been the only physical evidence about her that our crime techs have been able to find.” Looking up from his own notes, Mark’s glance encompassed the group.
“We don’t have much to go by, but what we do have is a start. I believe you’ll be able to
help us with your insight and connections with the women in this industry, Dr. Richardson. Any knowledge you provide will benefit this investigation; I don’t have any solid perimeters for you to operate within. I hope that’s not too loose of a framework for you to