CHAPTER 5

Xavier realized that Sierra was hard enough to watch over, even without the added danger of the serial killer’s threat hanging over her head.  He definitely had his work cut out for him; especially how independent she is.  The only true way of knowing, exactly, what the killer was up to was to get all the information.  Once he had a nice chat with Agent Miller, he finally understood just what he was up against.  He also knew that to keep Sierra safe he needed to help the FBI apprehend this psycho any way he could.  He wasn’t ready to leave Sierra alone but what he was about to do next he didn’t want her to see him…yet.  He waited in his hiding spot a little while longer just until he was sure he could leave her.

The sudden darkness of her apartment let him know that it was safe to leave.  He sat in the shadows of the nearest tree that gave him an unobstructed view of her apartment.  Once he was absolutely sure she had retired for the night he easily slid through the shadows to the north end of town, towards East Hill Street.

He passed by a couple of liquor stores and a laundry mat; he could hear music coming from a dance club located a couple stores down from his destination.  When he arrived at the street, he scanned the houses until he found the familiar place of residence of his old friend, Dwight Bryans.  He checked and rechecked his hidden Beretta 9 mm, the weight felt unusual for him since he never really needed to use weapons much.  He was hoping that he wouldn’t need to use it but with Dwight, it’s always better to be prepared. 

He didn’t get halfway down the walkway when Dwight greeted him with a twelve-gauge shotgun, probably loaded with silver slugs.  Xavier tried, unsuccessfully, to suppress the grin creeping onto his face.  “Well, well, well…looks like some things never change, no matter how much time has gone by!”

Dwight had fire in his eyes.  “What the hell do you want?!”  The shotgun was unwavering in his hands.  “I thought that I made myself very clear the last time we spoke.”

“Looks like we’re skipping the formalities and straight to the point.  I need your help with a little problem that I have.”  Xavier realized that at this point Dwight might actually not even help him.

Dwight cocked his shotgun.  “Give me one good reason why I should help you!”

Dwight didn’t look like he was going to be a willing participant, so Xavier plays his ace in the hole.  “It concerns someone that you care about…that we both care about!”

“Oh yeah and who might that actually be?”  Dwight asked mockingly.

Xavier stared Dwight straight in the face.  “Sierra Ryans, she is in trouble!”  He could see the gears spinning in Dwight’s mind.

Dwight reluctantly lowered his weapon and turned his back on him, heading into the house.  When Xavier entered the house Dwight quickly locked the door.  “What do you mean Sierra’s in trouble?”

“Haven’t you been watching the news?”  Xavier got comfortable on the nearest couch with our Dwight to seat himself.

Dwight walked to seat himself on his favorite chair.  “Do you mean the victims of the serial killer?”  Dwight thought about it.  “Yeah, kind of, what does that have to do with Sierra?”

Xavier let out a heavy sigh.  “Who do you think is the lead Detective on the case?”

Realization dawned on Dwight.  “Sierra!”  Worry quickly replaced his anger for Xavier, he cared about Sierra deeply.  He has known her since she was born.  He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration.  “What do you need me to do?”

Xavier could see the flexing of his jaw and his tone spoke volumes that he was only doing this for Sierra and that he was pissed!  “We need to find out as much information on this guy they call the God of Torture, and quickly.  Where he lives, if he’s married to anyone, where he works; if he works, you know the routine.” 

“What makes you think that he’ll be married or working?”  Dwight asked curiously.

“He has to act normal so when he finds a target no suspicions will be aroused.  It’s his was of blending in with everyone else in the world.  That makes it really hard for the police to find him.  I would focus on any juvenile records with torture as a focal point, the crueler the better.  Also try to get the copy of the autopsy report from each victim.”  Xavier knew that it was long shot but he had no choice.

“Right, I will get started right away.”  Dwight paused for a moment.  “Wait, what are you going to do?”  He asked as he faced Xavier.

“I’m going to make sure that Sierra stays unharmed until the killer is either caught or killed.”  Xavier said more to himself than to Dwight as he walked out the back door and headed down the street, towards Sierra’s apartment.