BY DEMARCO'S STANDARDS (Part 5)

I Knew It

Monday rolled around and I rolled out of bed. My mind was still reeling from the weekend happenings but I was determined to put those thoughts aside. I groaned when my bare bottom connected with the cold toilet seat and hung my head. I really wish I could just use a sick day and crawl back in my comfortable bed but I had to be in court by nine. Another domestic dispute awaited me.

Pushing myself on, I tugged my workout attire on, fed Capone, grabbed a water and went for my usual morning jog. Forty-five minutes later I returned home and welcomed the hot shower that washed more stress away. I enjoyed a coffee and waffle before I prepared for work.

Thing's didn't look up from there. My case was put on hold yet again and I broke a nail walking out the heavy doors to my office building. Monica was a God send today. She had a coffee waiting on my desk. As I took the first sip I could feel it touch my soul. No sooner than I had relaxed Monica walked in. She laid today's newspaper in front of me. "I thought you may want to see this Miss. Martin".

Setting up I peered at the headlines and read aloud. "Two dead women found in different locations. Brutally beaten with a iron pipe and raped. No suspects".

I stared up at Monica in bewilderment. We both knew who was responsible for this...Jones.

The same vile man I tried to put away several months ago for the Rodriguez murder. However Cline made a hard case and won which set Jones free. "Get Cline on the line" I gritted out.

Seconds later his voice came over my intercom. "Ivy Martin, what a pleasure".

"I wish I could say the same Cline" I snapped. "Have you saw today's headlines?"

The bastard chuckled. "I have Ivy and it is what it is".

"That's all you have to say?" I asked in a high pitch voice. I couldn't believe the audacity of this man.

"You don't feel responsible for setting him free or the death of these innocent women?" I screeched.

"Call down Ivy. I was just doing my job to get paid. Just another day in the life of a lawyer". Cline said without care.

"You are a piece of work Cline". I seethed then warned. "I will make sure he goes down this time." I punched the disconnect button off before he could reply. Jesus what a slime ball.

Propping my elbows onto my desk I cradled my head and massaged my temple's. This day needed a do over. "Can I get you some aspirin?" Monica asked.

"That would be wonderful Monica. Thanks". I smiled weakly back at her.

Once she scuttled off I turned to my computer and pulled up Jone's record. I wrote down his address and possible places he visited. This time I would get my proof. By lunch I called it a day  and headed home. A bout of self pity hit me and I pulled out a block of cookie dough. Yes I know you shouldn't eat it raw  but I so needed this right now. Before I knew it tears were running down my cheeks thinking of the newest victims. Even though I knew it wasn't true, I somehow felt responsible for their deaths. I should have fought harder and built a better case against Jone's. This time I vowed he wouldn't get away with this. I would get justice for these women.

That evening I found myself heading toward his neighborhood. I parked my car a few blocks away and started out on foot armed with only my pepper spray. Silently I scolded myself for not having changed into something more comfortable. I still sported my pinstriped skirt with a tight fitting matching blazer. Underneath I had on a pale pink camisole and black heels accompanied with a sheek Sherpa coat. It was obvious I didn't belong on this side of town. Way to blend in idiot, I mentally berated myself. I just prayed I didn't need to run in these heels.

The deeper into the neighborhood I walked the rudder it became. Homeless seeked refuge in cardboard boxes lined along the sidewalk. Drunkards and drug dealer's loitered here and there. Prostitutes could be heard offering their goods to other passerby's in cars. Trash littered the walkways and a pungent scent seemed to cling in the air. I heard men  arguing but I kept moving keeping my hand on my pepper spray buried in my coat pocket.

Finally I came to the apartment building Jone's lived in. Windows were broken out of the entrance doors and it looked as if it would crumble at any moment. I walked on by and found a high stoop to peek over and watch for him. After about twenty minutes of spying the doors to his building swung open and out tumbled a women. She rolled down the stairs but miraculously popped back up and stuck her middle finger up at the building. "Give me my fucking money you bastard". She screamed.

Judging by her attire she was a prostitute. Seconds passed and the doors swung open once again and out walked Jone's. He was grinning down at the woman and called out. "I ain't paying no bitch to suck my dick".

"You owe me fucker." She yelled once again.

Jone's lit a cigarette and snarled. "Get the fuck outta here lady".

"I need my money". She pleaded this time.

Jone's ran down the stepps at her and delivered a hard blow to her cheek causing her to fall down. "Don't give me no lip bitch. Now get up and go".

The woman rose with a snide giggle. "It's all good Jone's". She spouted off. "It was by far the smallest dick I've ever sucked off. For a moment there I thought you put your pinky in my mouth".

Jone's growled and smashed his open palm into her other cheek. "Don't come back around here whore".

She stumbled back clearly dazed and Jone's took his foot and kicked her off balance sending her into a parked car.  A gasped escaped me before I could hush it. I clamped my hand over my mouth realizing my mistake. Jone's head snapped in my direction. "Who's over there" he called out.

I remained mute but saw him start to head in my direction. Quickly I scoured my surroundings and saw a threatening looking ally but I had no other options at the moment.  On impulse I darted into the darkness and filth of the ally. I knew my heels could be heard making a clicking echo. Why did I ever think this was a bright idea.

As I neared the end  to my horror I saw that it was a deadend. Looking around in a panic I didn't see any other routes of escape. Well this is it. I'll die here in this filthy ally. I heard Jone's turn the corner to enter the ally  and I pushed my back against the wall trying to disappear as tears Welled up in my eye's. There was no way out. As I heard his footsteps grow closer the wall behind me suddenly gave way making me realize I was leaned up against a door and not the wall. A hand clamped down roughly over my mouth and my body was snatched inside. I tried to scream but the hand pressed down on my mouth tighter. Suddenly I was lifted upon my new assailants shoulder and carted off no matter how hard I fought. The last thing I recall was passing out from fear.