MR. MANIAC

CHAPTER 13

Nearby responder Jessie Tomahov sounded the sirens and beckoned her partner from the Walgreens they were supervising. They were right down the street luckily. Jessie and her partner, Tom Goldwyn stopped in the front yard of the house, called for backup immediately, then swarmed the house. They peered in the doorway, she saw a man standing on a chair,a makeshift noose made of orange wiring around his neck. Jessie ran in and tackled him down before he could tighten it around his neck. She heard Tom yell out in disgust at the bodies, but didn't see anything, she was too focused on the would be suicide attempt. Handcung him and placing a knee in his back. She got up, Peering around at the gory scene, running outside and throwing up violently. Tom consoled her, as backup came they both sat down on the grass. Shaken to their very core.

∞

In California, Layla Prescott heard the reports of a murder suspect detained in New York a day or so ago. Killing apparently an entire neighborhood of people, plus two people. With one survivor calling the police. Layla was sure it was Dean.

"We should be going up there to check on it. This has Dean Harris written all over it."

"Doubtful, there's little chance Harris could've made it across the country and laid low for months. Then just pop up outta nowhere? On this big of a scale?"

"Exactly Tug, it's random. It's plain, it's massive. That's been our guy from the get go. Random killings in no fashion, nothing. How convenient is it he falls o the face of the earth only to have some other random slashfest happen where we'd never look?"

"I can see where you're coming from Prescott. Look, we can go down there. But this could honestly be a waste of time. Nevermind jurisdiction being up our asses."

"We'll handle it. I'll get our plane tickets. This is our guy Tug. Dean is in New York. And we got him."

∞

Ocer Tomahov and Goldwyn were hearing murmurs and whisperings of the FBI coming in. She had witnessed the New York feds speaking with the chief over the past couple of days about something. But couldn't eavesdrop well enough to know what it was regarding. No doubt they wanted a piece of the action. But it was she who caught Harris. And it was she, and Tom, who'd get the credit. Tom watched after Harris downstairs in the basement of the precinct in the holding cells while she confronted Chief Young. It was late at night, most of everyone had gone home, he wanted to go home, she was a strategist.

"Chief. Are the feds taking over on this?"

"You know they are, Jess."

"Adrian, why haven't they done it yet then? Any other time they swoop in and take 'em o our hands. What the fuck is going on? What are they doing?"

"Damnit Jess, do we have to do this now? I wanna go home for God's sakes."

"And I wanna get credit for the fucking bust Chief! Tom and I arrested that son of a bitch. Not them! They couldn't even find him! I did."

"You wanna turn this into a jurisdiction battle? A pissing match? Is that it? Is that what you want?"

"You wanna turn this into a women's worker rights pissing battle?" she said snarky

"Fuck o Jessica. The fed that's taking over is a woman. When did you become a social justice warrior anyway? Look at your uniform hun, not the best strategy."

"Goddamnit Chief I'm not letting that psycho go if it's the last thing I do."

"You want your credit? You want a promotion? Big round of applause for arresting your first serial killer? You want the feds to pat you on the back and tell you, you're somebody? Get over yourself Jess. You want your slice of the cake, I get it. But don't do it now. We can work with these guys diplomatically. You don't have to go giving ultimatums and fucking temper tantrums."

"I'VE WORKED MY ASS OFF ADRIAN! You wanna be on your high horse and play politic for Commissioner go ahead. But I'll be DAMNED if I leave this thing alone and I'm still a beat cop in the morning. Fuck that, and fuck you. He's mine. You wanna throw your weight around, go ahead. I can throw mine around too." she said storming o to the cells

"What weight do you got, Tomahov?! Stories? Tales? They're the federal fucking bureau of investigation. They'll arrest you! Slow down!"

He ran to stop her. Seeing the burning ambition in her eyes, being choked by rebellious tears, refusing to fall.

"You wanna be in, I'll do my best Jess, you know that. You wanna move up. I know that. Just keep your cool. Be patient."

She nodded in acknowledgement. They proceeded downstairs to check on Tom. Who was hanging by his tie on the cell's door. His neck broken, twisted awkwardly. Jessica screamed in horror while Adrian ran to check his pulse and untie him. Upon checking, he confirmed Tom was dead with a hurting sigh. Consoling Jess.

∞

Prescott stood there examining the body, her fist clenched in sheer anger. So close, only to get away. So very close.

"His car is gone. Probably took it." Adrian said to Prescott, his hands on his hips "Any way to track it?"
"Any idea where he'd go?" Adrian retorted

They all stood there, teary eyed Jessica's eyes suddenly got wide. She whipped out her phone, fumbling to unlock it. Layla and Adrian both eyed her.

"He always leave his phone in his car. You can get the GPS tracking right?"

"Yes I can." Layla immediately took out her phone and called in to Chase and Montgomery

"What about the manufacturer? Won't we need their go ahead?"

"This is federal. They'll cough it up later." she said to Adrian, dismissively

"Chase, Monty get me the GPS location for a cellular device. Ocer Tomahov what's the number?"

"Seven One Eight, Two Three Six. Twenty-Four, Thirty-Five."

"Did you get that? I want the location asap. A FUCKING SAP. Don't let this fucker get away Chase. Call me with the location when you have it."

"Put out an APB on the vehicle. If anyone sees that car. I wanna know." "Already on it." Adrian said, walking towards the door.

Jessica was already on her way out, through not jittery with the adrenaline of the action. They both took notice.

"Jess, where you going? You just said you wanted in."

"I'm going to tell Tom's wife her husband was a victim of a fucking mad man Adrian. I'll be back. Agent Prescott... when you have this guy's location. Call me. I won't be long." she said, wiping away tears.

Adrian said nothing, looking down. Nodding in confirmation. ∞

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Dean bobbed and nodded his head to the classic. On his way to God knows where. He hit the highway to save time. No back roads in sight. He knew a place he could squat until he figured out what to do. He felt a sudden wave of quietness come over him, His mind felt cluttered, all the noises of the outside world came crashing into his mind with haste. Sound and life invasive and intrusive. Dean tightened his grip on the steering wheel. Swerving o of the highway on the nearest exit. Slamming his foot on the brake, he couldn't stop seeing visions of himself beating a wall. Flashes of Lucy dead. An old theater was on the side road, he pulled into it and broke in. Needing badly to be alone. Yet wanting comfort, yet needing solitude. He punched every wall he could find, screaming to the top of his lungs. Yelling in pure rage at nothing, but the thoughts in his head. He hit, kicked, punched, yelled, and pounded on the old drywall until his fist bled. Eventually the feeling leaked out of him, in the form of sweat, blood, and his tears. Dean thudded to the ground as he sat. Crying to himself. Wishing another reality could take place. Wishing he could shed the skin of himself and start anew. Wash away all his deeds, and be whole again. He didn't feel whole. He felt lost. Then looked around. Realizing he was.