Fatal Hunt Read online

  “I was just curious. What I know about it could fit on a pinhead. So I was wondering if you had any knowledge of how it worked.”

  “No, but I think it’s a pretty safe way to meet people. If you’re smart. And it’s outside of the scope of who you already know and gets you away from those awful set ups with friends of a friend.”

  “I can definitely see the merits in taking advantage of that.” Kacey replied with a mock shudder and a laugh.

  Mike and Kacey were silent as they focused on the job at hand. They walked the yard in a grid pattern, from there they walked up to the front door and looked around. Nothing, not even a cobweb marred the perfect lawn and entry.

  They walked through the townhome, room by room. They looked high and low, even under furniture for anything that would tell them what happened to Alice. Kacey went back into the entryway to shut the door. It didn’t seem to be on the hinges exactly right. She looked behind and saw that there was a dent in the wall behind the door where the doorknob had slammed into the wall.

  “Mike. Over here.” She took out her iPhone and snapped a picture of the damage. “Does it look like maybe the door could’ve been shoved open to allow entry when she resisted?”

  “It could be.” Mike agreed. He looked on the outside of the door to see if there was a kick mark they had missed. There wasn’t. “Maybe he used a shoulder?”

  “But the lock mechanism isn’t broken. Maybe she opened the door and tried to shut it in his, or her, face.” Kacey pointed out. “I think we need to look at the video footage before we do anything else. This might be open and shut. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

  “Nice, but improbable. I’m pretty sure nothing has ever been that easy for us.” Mike grimaced.

  The detectives chatted with the few Crime Scene Investigators left on site and went to go to check out the video at Home Front Security Services ... both hoping it would give them something to go on.

  Chapter 7

  Home Front Security was just a couple of miles away from the crime scene. Mike pulled into the small lot in front of the building and they went inside.

  The building was fairly small. Kacey stepped over a huge crack in the sidewalk leading up the the building. There appeared to be three people working there today. A bored looking receptionist at the front desk looked up from filing her fingernails, greeted them, and verified their identity before walking them down a short hall to an office on the end. Clearly, they were expected.

  A man stood up and came around his desk to shake their hands. Mike and Kacey introduced themselves.

  “Morning, detectives, Bill Front. I’m the owner of this company. I want to help in any way that I can. I’ve pulled up the video feed for the last three days on the property your officer inquired about. You can view it in our break area, if you would like. Either way, I’ll make you a copy. And if you need earlier footage, let me know.”

  “We would like to see it now, if that’s OK.” Kacey loved when people freely offered evidence.

  “Of course. Follow me and we’ll get it set up.”

  The detectives turned to follow him. Kacey noticed that the offices were stark, to say the least. Nothing on the walls at all, and the only thing on his desk was a cup with pencils in it and a phone. Not one personal item.

  ‘Weird.’ Kacey thought. ‘Maybe he should try an online dating site.

  The room they were led to had a conference table and 6 chairs. Bill had already rigged a TV with streaming capabilities and had it ready to go.

  “I’ll just leave you to it.” Bill said as he shut the door on his way out.

  Mike picked up the controller and pushed ‘play’. At first, the most interesting thing they saw was the tall decorative grass waving in the breeze; then they saw Alice coming in with groceries; they saw the UPS driver leave packages. Nothing of interest.

  “What do we have here?” Kacey sat up straighter as. after several hours of footage, a man wearing an overcoat, hat, and gloves, holding flowers stepped up to ring the bell.

  Alice opened the door, smiled, and invited him in. The resolution was very good. Unfortunately, the man’s face wasn’t visible at all. He seemed to know that the camera was there and not only that, but the angle of the camera seemed more for the door than for anyone at the door.

  Soon, both Alice and her gentleman caller both left. He held his head at an angle, seeming to avoid full exposure to the camera, whether on purpose or not was anyone’s guess, as he escorted her out of the frame. They came back three hours later and he left her at the door, even though it looked as if she was inviting him in.

  “Well, that’s not it.” Mike sighed. “Looked promising for a second.”

  The footage rolled for another two hours when it appeared that the same man came back. He knocked on the door and waited. No answer. He then began pounding on the door. He stood back as, it appeared that Alice responded. A moment later, the door was cracked a bit and after it was clear that she wasn’t going to invite him inside this time, he rammed his shoulder in the door so hard it slammed into the wall and bounced back. Alice jumped back and he walked through the door and closed it.

  “That poor woman.” Kacey whispered.

  “Looks like you were right about the door.” Mike said without taking his eyes off of the screen.

  Two hours later the man casually opened the door and lifted the collar of his coat up under his ears. They watched, breathless as he walked out of the frame, never once showing his face.

  Mike cursed under his breath. No visual and gloves. Perfect.

  “I think we have our guy. Let’s take the tape and get back to the precinct to see what else we can figure out.” Mike suggested. “I once saw them get a clear image from a reflection no one noticed. It was on the back of the side mirror on a car. Amazing.”

  “But first, lunch.” Kacey said, rubbing her growing belly. “We are hungry.”

  Mike led the way to the car and drove to The Corner Cafe, which just happened to be a few blocks down from the security office and their favorite place to eat.

  Chapter 8

  The detectives went to their favorite booth at the back of the diner and waited for the waitress to notice them. The diner always had the same enticing smell of things being deep fried. Kacey’s favorite go-to meal was a mushroom and Swiss burger with onion rings and a Coke. Mike’s standby was a Chef Salad and a Coke. Depending on their mood, they would split an order of fried pickles with Ranch dressing for dipping. Kacey’s mouth began watering immediately.

  “You feeling better today?” Mike asked.

  “A little bit. Just queasy this morning. Usually, by this time of day, I’m hungry or tired. Today I’m hungry and tired.” She smiled across the booth at him. “We might have to switch to a table before long, I’m almost out of room.”

  Mike noticed that since Dan's death, Kacey’s smiles never quite reached her eyes.

  “I remember when Sandy was pregnant with her kids. She would have such dark circles under her eyes that she looked like a raccoon.”

  Their favorite waitress, Shirley, came to the booth with waters and laminated menus. She was sassy and had a huge soft spot for the two detectives. Several months ago, she was almost the victim of a robbery when Kacey and Mike entered the building and stopped it. After subduing the teen and handcuffing him to a booth, they calmly ate their lunch while the homeless young man cried into his hoodie. Now that same young man was her best cook.

  When she saw that it was them, she set the waters down but not the menus. She knew the detectives and their appetites very well.

  “Let me guess … the usual.” She beamed at them.

  “Yes ma’am.” Kacey answered with a smile. “Only no Coke for me, I’ll stick with water.”

  Shirley stood for a moment, holding the menus across her body with her arms.

  “When are you due, sugar?”

  “How did you know?” Kacey’s mouth hung open. “I’m barely even showing!”

  “No Coke. There�
��s only one reason Detective Yates wouldn’t order a Coke.” Shirley winked at Kacey and walked away with an extra spring in her step.

  “She’s awesome.” Mike said with a laugh.

  “Yes, she is.” Kacey chuckled. “She’s like our ‘food mom’.”

  “How is Sandy, by the way? You haven’t mentioned her since I got back, except to talk about her 'raccoon eyes'. I know you were worried.”

  “Actually, she and the kids seem great. I think Tom has been around more and last time I talked to her, they were saving for a Disney trip early next summer.”

  “That definitely sounds good. I’m glad, Mike.”

  After Mike, Kacey, and the baby had all been fed, the detectives headed back to the precinct to see what evidence the CSI team had gathered and to see if they could get a tech to look at the camera footage and try to get a better image.

  As they walked out to the car, a light breeze caused Kacey’s brown curls, which were highlighted from the sun, to blow across her face. She casually, without even thinking about it, brushed them out of her face and tucked her hair behind her ears. Somehow this gesture caused Mike’s heart to break a little. Kacey seemed so vulnerable and even a little fragile since the death of her husband ... not to mention the future of being a single parent.

  Vulnerable and fragile had never been words that Mike would’ve applied to Kacey.

  He felt intense anger whenever he thought of how senselessly Dan’s life had ended. After walking the woods with Detectives Denard and Boaz, he realized how futile the search was and that they might just have to go with the ‘hunter’s accident’ as the conclusion of Dan’s case. It made him sick to his stomach, but what more could they do?

  Kacey noticed the frown between Mike’s eyes and wondered what was going through his head, but soon was lost in her own thoughts.

  As Mike pulled into his designated parking spot, Kacey realized she had forgotten all about her new puppy.

  “Oh, my gosh, Mike!” she exclaimed. “We need to go to my house, right now!”

  Mike shoved the gear shift into reverse, and peeled out of the parking lot. Kacey grabbed the dash of the car and held on for dear life.

  “Slow down, Mike! Relax. It’s not an emergency.”

  “You scared me to death, Kacey. What is it?”

  “The puppy!.”

  Mike finally pulled up to Kacey’s house and they both got out. Mike waited for Kacey to open the door and when they walked in he heard whining. He followed her into the dining room and in a kennel, he saw the cutest little beagle puppy ever. Kacey knelt down and freed the little guy. She carried him outside and he went potty immediately.

  “He’s adorable, Kace.” Mike sat down on the patio step to pet him. “Where did you get him?”

  “A couple of days ago, a sweet little boy was sitting in front of the library by a box full of puppies. How could I possibly resist?”

  “You absolutely couldn’t. What’s his name?” Mike asked as he stroked the velvety soft little ears.

  “I kind of like ‘Thor’, sounds tough.”

  The little puppy looked anything but tough. He was white with brown and black on his back, and top of his head, with a pink nose.

  “I think ‘Thor’ is perfect.” Mike said as he tossed a stick for the puppy. Thor gave him a look that clearly said, ‘what did you do that for?’. "He's even cuter in person."

  After they had played with the puppy for an hour, he looked a little droopy. Kacey carried him back inside and put him in his kennel. He immediately turned around three times, curled up in a ball, and looked at them with very sleepy eyes. Kacey filled his water bowl and food bowl and shut the kennel door.

  “Now back to work, I guess.” Mike regretfully suggested.

  Chapter 9

  Connie Forsythe’s hand shook as she nervously applied mascara for the third time. She hadn’t been on a real date for quite some time. She didn’t consider bar hookups and awkward blind dates set up by friends to be ‘real’. More like just something to do.

  Her date was set to arrive within 15 minutes. She took one last look at herself in the full mirror. ‘Not too bad for an old gal.’ She knew she looked lovely. Her navy romper was elegant and sophisticated. Her jewelry was understated and, after a trip to the salon, her long, brunette hair swung past her shoulders in soft waves. Her makeup was age appropriate and emphasized her beautiful blue eyes perfectly. She was ready.

  The doorbell rang promptly at 7:00. She went to the front door and looked through the peephole with more than a little surprise. She was relieved to see that he was very handsome. She knew the evening would prove interesting. She had never chatted with a professor before.

  She opened the door and smiled as he handed her a bouquet of yellow and pink roses.

  “Come in, please.” She said as she went to look for a vase. He followed her to the kitchen and held the flowers for her as she filled a vase with water.

  “You look beautiful.” He said with a smile.

  “Thank you.” Connie said, pleased. “I’m looking forward to our evening. Where are we going?”

  “Well, do you like French food? I’ve made reservations at my favorite place. It’s quiet and intimate, so we can get to know one another without being overwhelmed with loud music or crowds.”

  “That sounds wonderful. Let me get my coat.” After he had helped her with her coat, Connie locked up and they walked to his luxury car and he opened her door, then walked around to the other side. After they were buckled in, he started the car and headed towards the airport.

  “I think I know where we are going!” Connie squealed. “It’s my favorite, too.”

  It took them exactly 35 minute to arrive and Connie was happy to know that they had so much in common. Soon, they were escorted to a table for two. The ‘professor’ ordered a bottle of white wine to complement their meal. After an appetizer of Cervelle de Canut, Connie ordered baked mussels in white wine, and he ordered pan roasted trout. For dessert they split a Merveilleux.

  “That was wonderful.” Connie moaned. She was so pleased with the way the evening was progressing. He might be worth a few more dates. He was interesting and attentive, plus he seemed to enjoy her company, as well.

  On the way back to her house, they chatted about their jobs and their personal likes and dislikes. She was inwardly scoffing at her friends who had advised her to meet him at a public place and not let him pick her up. How ridiculous. When they arrived at her home, he came around to open her door and help her out. They walked together to the door and she turned to thank him for a lovely evening.

  “I had a wonderful time,” Connie said. “I would love to see you again.”

  “I did too. Invite me in?”

  “I would love to, but busy day tomorrow … maybe next time.” She smiled at him and turned to unlock the door, deciding to leave him wanting more.

  As she opened the door and began to turn around to kiss him on the cheek, she was violently shoved inside.

  “Maybe now.” He said. His warm eyes had turned cold … ice cold.

  She felt like she had been jolted with electricity, flashing hot and cold, when she realized what was happening.

  He pushed her so hard, that she fell to the floor, banging her knee on the corner of the entryway table. She cried out in pain as it immediately split open and began to bleed on her beige carpet. He picked her up by the collar of her romper and dragged her into the kitchen. He tossed her on the floor and went to the refrigerator to see what she had to drink. He grabbed a bottle of water and turned around to look down on her. Connie was weeping and trying to pull herself up using the counter as leverage.

  “What is wrong with you?” She screamed at him.

  He calmly walked over to her and slapped her face hard. “What’s wrong with me?! You’re the one who didn’t invite me in. Now you’re bleeding all over the floor.”

  She finally pulled herself up and was frantically looking around for her purse with her phone in it. It had fal
len in the entryway. She could barely see it, but there was no way she would be able to get to it without going past him.

  He just calmly watched her as he finished his water. She was trying so desperately to stay calm and think. Seeing the decorative rolling pin her brother had given her for Christmas last year, she made a lunge for it and before he could stop her, swung it upwards hitting him square on the jaw. He dropped the water bottle and put a hand to his face. He grabbed a butcher knife out of the knife block and headed towards her.

  “No, please.” Connie begged. “Just leave. We can forget this ever happened.”