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Chapter 586
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Leesa's Advent Chapter 587
Conner watched Sloane break away from the horde of reporters and shuffle back inside the yellow barriers, lumbering back toward the Explorer like a weary bear. He yanked the door open and slid into the driver’s seat beside Conner.“Bunch of assholes,” Sloane sighed as he pulled the door closed behind him. The solid thunk of the door gave evidence of his anger and frustration. “They all wanna know when we’re gonna get this guy, like we’ve got some kind of schedule cooked up telling us the day and time.” He rubbed a thick forearm slowly across his forehead, using his sleeve to wipe away the glistening film of sweat that mottled his skin, then twisted in his seat to face Conner. “So, what happened, Case?”Conner recounted his story in detail, hating to think about how close he’d come, but knowing that talking about what he’d seen would implant it more firmly in his brain. By the time he finished, he was see
Leesa's Advent Chapter 588
Conner forced his tired eyes open and glanced groggily at the clock atop the cardboard box that served as a nightstand beside his bed. His eyelids felt like sandpaper as he blinked to bring the blurred red digits into focus. It was just past seven. He groaned and pushed the sheet aside, feeling like he hadn’t slept at all, which was not far from the truth. After returning from the murder scene and his brush with the killer, he’d spent most of the night thinking and scribbling notes while his impressions were still fresh in his mind. Sometime after four o’clock, he finally dragged himself to bed, but even then sleep resisted him. Just one more hour in bed would be wonderful, but he had too much to do today.He rolled slowly to the side of the bed, swinging his legs over the edge and pulling himself up into a sitting position. For a moment he just sat there, head slumped forward while he rubbed his heavy-lidded eyes with the heels of his hands, trying to clear
Leesa's Advent Chapter 589
Conner knew he was chasing a long shot—the killer could just as easily practice on tin cans in some remote canyon. But at least it was something, an angle to pursue while the task force went about its work gathering a list of Superman costume buyers and interviewing everyone connected with Collins-Cline for some hint how the killer could have known about the costume in advance. Meanwhile, the Vice Squad production crew was at the beach, filming the revised scenes penned by Keith Stennie.Inspired by his buccaneer persona, Stennie had come up with an old pirate method of execution, one they were certain would attract the killer’s interest. The primary victim was to be buried in the sand up to her neck and left to drown as the tide rolled in. Conner hated the thought that they were risking someone’s life in such a horrid manner, but unless the investigation turned up some important information soon, someone was going to die next week whether they changed the s
Leesa's Advent Chapter 590
The wariness in Malomond’s eyes deepened. Conner knew most of his clients walked on the wrong side of the law, and Malomond would necessarily be protective of them. The ex-cop pulled himself erect and looked down at Conner. “I don’t talk about my customers, Case. You shoulda known that before you ever came here.” Conner held the big man’s gaze. “I know that. I’m hoping this one might be different.” “Why?” “Because the guy I’m looking for has killed seven people, including a ten-year-old kid. And he’s gonna keep killing until we stop him.” Malomond studied Conner. “What’s your interest? I heard you quit.” “I did. But this is a bad one. I’m unofficial, but I’m lending a hand.” Malomond’s look softened. He leaned back against the thick wooden rail fronting the shooting booth, his belligerence gone. “The guy you’re looking for don’t sound like none of my guys, Case. Honest.” “He’s probably not one of your regulars. Maybe a guy who comes in now and then, or was here for awhile and
Leesa's Advent Chapter 591
For the first time, the killer had a face.Perched on the edge of his couch, Conner stared at the two sketches in his hands. The light from the floor lamp beside the couch threw a soft glare on the portraits. They were good. Malomond had come through as promised, meeting with the police artist within three hours of Conner’s visit and providing a detailed, cop’s description, albeit one based on memories several months old. The first sketch showed the killer with long hair and a thick beard, the way he looked when he practiced at Malomond’s range. With the dark hair and beard covering much of his face, Conner thought he looked a bit like Charlie Manson, with one notable exception. In every photo he’d ever seen of Manson, the man’s eyes were fixed in a crazed, fanatical stare that let you know right away something was wrong inside him, that the wiring in his brain was different from other men. The Video Killer bore no such look. He looked tough, sure, but you could pass him on the street
Leesa's Advent Chapter 592
A kaleidoscope of emotions washed over him. Joy at seeing her. Surprise she would be here at all. Hurt and anger that she’d left him in the first place. A longing to hold her. Relief. Confusion. Desire. And finally, and most strongly, a warm feeling of love. The last surprised and pleased him. He’d begun to accept that his emotions had become hollowed, had almost grown used to moving through life in a semi-anesthetized state, shielded from the slings of pain, loss and sadness, but paying the price for that protection by being inured against joy and love as well. He had missed the change stealing over him these last few weeks, too busy devoting his thoughts and energy to catching the killer to notice the gradual reawakening of his feelings. His focus had been turned outward, leaving him oblivious to the transformation unfolding within. He had suffered the anger, the hate, the frustration and sadness engendered by the killings, had enjoyed the pride and anticipation of uncovering the la
Leesa's Advent Chapter 593
For Conner, the next two days passed slowly, filled with dogged frustration as the investigation ground forward. He pestered Sloane constantly for updated reports, but there was little to show for the thousands of man-hours the task force was spending chasing leads. Checks on the buyers of Superman costumes had produced no useful information so far, and visits to area car dealerships also came up empty. The detectives following those angles were more than halfway through their lists of targets, and by working through the weekend, expected to complete their work before Vice Squad aired Monday night. Everyone involved had been warned against linking the sketches and the questioning to the Video Killer, and so far, the existence of the drawings was still under wraps, though Friday afternoon Sloane received a call from a reporter asking about rumors the task force had pictures of a suspect. Sloane offered a strong denial, but everyone knew it was only a matter of time before the news wa
Leesa's Advent Chapter 594
Malomond dropped a couple of dollars on top of the bar and carried his coffee to a table next to the old jukebox. Conner followed and sat across from him.“What’ve you got for me, Sean?”Malomond cradled his cup in both hands. “What I got is big. Real big.” He looked Conner straight in the eye. “But it ain’t gonna happen unless we do it my way.”Conner met Malomond’s gaze. “You know I can’t promise that. Not until I know what we’re talking about.”Malomond thought for a moment before speaking. “I guess I can give you a taste, then. But I’m tellin’ you before we start, you can lean on me all you want, but it ain’t gonna do no good. I already got it figured.”Conner nodded, making no promises. Until he knew what Malomond had for him, he could make no decisions.“Let’s pretend I knew where your guy lived,” Malomond said,
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