Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 36 - Talk to Me Jolene Don't Yell

With the weather getting worse Kyle was relieved that his son Jake left early so he would get to Mt. Ashland before dark. With a goodbye kiss to his wife and daughter Kyle jumped into his truck and quickly started the heater while he sat and checked his morning messages on his phone. Crime doesn't sleep, and to try to get ahead of it, Kyle felt sleeping was a waste of time until the body took over and demanded such. He was blessed to have Alicia because she made sure they worked out half an hour each night in a portion of their big bedroom designated for the activity. It helped them sleep and it also served as personal time together for they could verbally journalize their day to each other. It was the best time of the night. Kyle was determined to stay healthy, so he could retire with Alicia and do whatever they wanted without having to worry about deadlines or running out of time. That was their goal, to finally relax and enjoy life.

Just as he was about to pull out of the driveway, he saw Stacy run out of the house with a pink box of a dozen cupcakes in her arms. He rolled down his window and hoped the heat wasn't going to rush out of the window.

"Mom said these are for the office later and not to get into them until then." Stacy said pushing the box through the half open window.

"Ok, will do." Kyle smiled wickedly.

"Daddy." Stacy warned.

Kyle smiled wider. Stacy laughed and kissed him goodbye then ran back into the house. Kyle waited until she shut the door before he grabbed a chocolate and strawberry cupcake with pink frosting. He bit into it as he pulled out of his driveway. This was heaven Kyle thought for the millionth time of eating his wife's treats.

The snow started to fall in light fat flakes and he could see the design of each one that landed on his windshield only three seconds from the last. When he was a boy, Kyle's mother would tell him that a snowflake fell for each person on earth every time the clouds shook off the weight.

Kyle pulled into the parking lot of the hospital where Jolene worked. It wasn't all that full so he parked closer to the front doors. He knew by the time he got back his windshield would have more than an inch of snow on it, as he didn't plan for a long visit.

Kyle's phone rang just as he was reaching for his case. Pleased that it was just the call he was expecting.

"Hey Jose, are you buying lunch today?" Kyle laughed along with Jose.

"Not today my friend. We have another girl." Jose replied.

"Where at?" Kyle asked.

"In Springfield." Jose said. "It looks like our killer is heading back down to California."

"Fuck." Kyle said.

"Exactly. We have to get this dick." Jose agreed.

"I'm with you. I'm at the hospital now to get Jolene's information. What does the new girl look like?"

"The same as the first six girls with dark hair." Jose replied.

"Same markings?" Kyle asked.

"Same markings. This one seems to be beat up a bit more, but everything else is the same."

"So, Jolene is our only blond." Kyle asked not sure he wanted Jose to confirm it.

"Yes, so far." Kyle could hear the grimace in Jose's voice.

"Did you see the news?" Kyle asked.

"Yep, someone leaked the details of the blood in the eyes to the news station. And that Jolene was pregnant, which hurts and helps us. Getting sympathy to find her killer is wonderful, but now the blood details might make our killer back off." Jose replied.