Dot Com Boom

Anna Martinez

Brice Bailey was guilty until proven innocent in the minds of everyone. I couldn't save him. No one would listen. And I don't blame them. People wanted the nightmare to end, and they thought it had. The only thing that could have saved him is the real killer releasing videos sooner, and he was too smart for that. He knows exactly what he's doing. He knows how to hurt people, and not just physically, he's a master at inflicting all types of pain. He knows how much this devastates everyone to have everything come rushing back to the way it was two months ago, like nothing has changed, but something did change, there were thirty new victims. People thought all of this had passed. They let their guard down, and the killer took advantage. He just uploaded thirty new videos. Thirty new victims that we are all just finding out about now. Thirty victims that thought it was safe again. Cases had been opened, missing people, families hopeful for a happy ending. All of that is now shot to hell.
Hysteria is worse than it ever was. And to try to appease the outcry, Donald decided to switch things up. He knew I had my doubts about Brice. And he remembered that I was the only one crying innocent when everyone else cried guilty. He put me as lead on the reopened dotcomkiller case. He brought the same task force together and added some pieces, most horribly Merv and Greg-Or-Y. He said that we needed to increase the high-profile detectives looking at this, and there was no more high profile than Merv and Greg. They were superstars, and their inclusion to the team made a lot of people hopeful that the case would be solved very quickly. And I would like nothing more than for that to happen.
We held a press conference to try to calm everyone. Donald wasn't insane enough to let me be the one to hold the press conference. I felt calm. I felt like I would be fine. I could have done it. I wouldn't blow up. But this was too big for me. This required a professional shit spinner. Tony McCreedy was the best spinner, the shittier the shit the faster he spun it, and this situation was the shittiest shit. He had been in public relations for a long time and knew exactly what everyone wanted to hear.  Maybe what they needed to hear. I only had one request of him. I told him to tell the public about the EMP that the killer walked around with. And if they noticed any unusual static on their electronics to be aware of their surroundings.
I watched from inside FBI headquarters with Jake. Before the press conference began I wanted to see if I could get Jake to open up. He looked worse. “You okay?” I asked.
“Fine.”
“You don’t look fine. Seriously, what’s been going on?”
He looked like he was about to cry. He shook his head. “Nothing.”
“Fucking tell me! I care about you, you son of a bitch. Stop this shit now.”
“It’s starting,” he said.
“I don’t fucking care,” I said as I turned the television off.
“Anna. Come on.”
“Tell me! This shit has gone on long enough. I’ll have to go to Donald. I’m not sure you’re fit to work on this case. I’ve covered for you for a long time, but no more.”
“I’ll tell you later. I promise.”
I nodded. “Okay. I’m holding you to that,” I said as I turned the television back on.
McCreedy stood at the podium in front of hundreds of reporters wearing a blueish-grey suit and red tie. “Taking questions,” he said. Then he pointed at a reporter.
“Why is Anna Martinez lead on the case? She isn’t exactly the model agent.”
Wow, attacking me already. That didn’t take long.
“Anna is one of our most hungry agents. She also joined us straight from the CIA after her sister was murdered. She knows the pain that the victims’ families are going through. She’s on their side and will fight for them with everything she has. She’ll inspire her team to do the same. Next Question.”
“Merv Dunham and Gregory Corban have joined the manhunt. Why wasn’t one of them appointed to lead detective?”
“As you all know Merv Dunham and Gregory Corban have brought down some of the most ruthless killers we’ve seen, and they will be integral to bringing down the dot com killer. I’ve already stated why Anna is a perfect lead. Next Question.”
“An innocent man went down for the killer, and if the new videos weren’t released no one would have known. Can you explain how something like that happens?”
“Brice Bailey had a dead body and other items that are tied to the dot com killer case in the trunk of his car. It doesn’t get much more convincing than that. Everyone thought he was guilty. We learned from that, all of us. We’re dealing with a genius level criminal here. And we have to tread carefully. We know that more than ever now. He’s out to do much more than kill. He’s out to turn us against each other, and to cause chaos. We need to stay together as one through this hard time. Next Question.”
“Online commerce is suffering due to the killer. What do you have to say about that?”
“Not much. While it is a tragedy in and of itself, our main concern is with protecting individuals.” Then McCreedy readjusted the mic and began telling them what I had asked him to tell them, about the EMP. Maybe if the public knew what to look out for it could help us get a call that would lead to bringing down the killer, or maybe he would be forced to ditch the EMP altogether. Win-Win. No reason to hold that information back. He asked for one last question when he was through.
“What makes the killer so hard to catch?”
“I don’t want to pump his head up too much, but he’s a genius, and is using hacks we have never seen before to evade detection.” Then McCreedy looked directly at the camera with a hard stare. “I want him to know one thing though. He is going to be caught, and soon.” McCreedy took that moment to exit the podium. Leave on a promise. Maybe ignite a little hope to the public.
Shit. I got too engrossed in the press conference that I didn’t notice Jake sneak out. Next time I see him I’m pinning his scrawny ass to the ground and making him tell me what’s going on.



Thirty videos. I just cannot believe it. These last two months I’ve been doing small cases that Donald assigned me while the killer has been doing what he does best. It’s been in the back of my mind that entire time because I knew Brice wasn’t the killer. No one would listen. I investigated off the books, behind the backs of everyone, but it got me nowhere. These were perfect crimes. And it was fucking frustrating.
I know what I was doing right now wasn’t responsible. It could cause big trouble for the Bureau, but these videos were too much. I needed to dull my pain a little. It was the only way I could get through them anymore.
I lit my joint and started up the video. Yeah, I got high and watched the videos. Don’t judge me. My mind was mush after watching so much of this sadistic fuck, it’s the only way I could get through them anymore. I could handle my marijuana. I started to believe that it gave me clarity. Without it, all I felt was a pounding in my head like being beat with a hammer. All I could see was red. Look, it’s not ideal to have to rely on this, but it’s the only way at this point. Without it I would go insane, and that’s exactly what he wants.
I hadn’t smoked for so long, since my early twenties. I thought those days were behind me. I wasn’t doing it to rebel anymore. I wasn’t doing it to fit in. I was fucking doing it… Shit. I was doing it for the one reason you don’t want to be doing it, because I needed to.
After that night of video watching I stopped smoking during the videos. Instead, I used it as a way to unwind after investigating them. Much better right? Fuck, I don’t know what I’m doing anymore I just want to catch this fucker. I’m doing the best I can. Maybe I’ve gotten myself in too deep. Maybe it’s time people see me for the fraud that I really am. I’m only human God dammit. I’m only human and doing my best.



Nights passed and I got caught up on all of the videos in that time. It was fucking torture. Same old shit.
I just got done watching the last of the videos. I took a sip of my tequila. I sat on the floor, leaning up against the sofa, smoking my joint, when my phone buzzed. I looked to see who it was. Jake. He wasn't the proactive type these days, hadn't called me in months, but I didn't feel like talking. I didn't answer. I looked up at the ceiling fan and spaced out. I felt like crumbling, but in a distant way because of the drugs and alcohol. Distant enough to not burst into tears. That was all I was after lately.
My phone buzzed again. And again. And again. It must be important. I was in no condition to answer though. Buzz. Fuck, it's important.
"Hello," I said.
"There you are!" Wow, Jake actually raised his voice, this really is important.
I sat up straight and dabbed out my joint. "What is it?"
"You've got to come quick."
"Where?"
"Your mother and father's house--"
"What?" I interrupted.
"There's been reports of static on televisions. Computers not working. Lights flickering. The killer was here."
"Are they okay? Is Vivi okay?"
"I'm still on my way. I don't know anything. Just hurry."
That motherfucker. I swear to God if he hurt anyone I love. If he hurt Vivi... I'll fucking kill him. I jumped up and ran right out the door and drove. Irresponsible as fuck, but I didn't care. Can't blame me, can you?