Chasing Demons

Chapter Twelve

Tammy and Tommy sat at the circular table in the center of the room looking over the files Audrey had sent over. There were three boxes filled to the brim because unlike the Abingdon P. D, the officers in all the other cities investigated each disappearance but ultimately came up with nothing.

By the time Tammy wrapped up one file Tommy had finished ten. And Tammy wondered why she was even assigned to look over the records with him. He could easily finish going over all the files in less than 30 minutes.

She got up and walked over to the map. "The guy is literally all over Virginia."

Tommy didn't respond. He continued to look over the rest of the files.

Tammy continued to think out loud. "How does he even choose his victims? Aside from being abducted at the age of eight and murdered at 16, there's nothing in common. He crosses racial lines and everything, and he clearly stalks his victims in advance. But he's never taken two boys from the same city before, so why now? What's so special about Abingdon?" she scratched her head and put her hand on her hip, "And how the hell was he able to get away with it for 24 years?"

Tommy looked up from one of the files and stared at Tammy. Her delicate soft brown hair ran down her back. She was wearing a purple shirt and dark pants that were both two sizes too small.

Tammy noticed Tommy was checking her out, but she didn't care. Being the only woman on the team, she was constantly hit on. She learned to ignore it. Tommy was cute though, but not her type. He was way too young.

"This guy is profoundly intelligent," said Tommy when he finished looking over the final file. "So how did Charlie get away? What went wrong? None of his casualties have ever survived before. He's too sophisticated to let his victims escape. He's done this for over 24 years. His ritual ought to be perfected by now. So why is this case different?"

Tammy sighed as she sat back down. Tommy picked up Charlie's baseball that Liam had left on the table. He tossed it up and down until it bounced off the table and nearly hit Tammy.

"Really?" asked Tammy annoyed.

"Oops," said Tommy with a laugh.

"I don't get it," said Tammy as she leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.

"Get what?" asked Tommy as he spun around in his rolling chair.

"I don't get why the Bureau would enlist a federal agent who isn't even old enough to legally drink."

Tommy chuckled. "I guess I'm just that special."

Tammy shook her head with a slight smile.

"And for your information Walters, I am gonna be 21 on the 1st."

"April fools day?" asked Tammy as she giggled.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I was born on April fools day. I'm a joke. My whole life is a joke," said Tommy with a grin.

"And you're a fool, so your birthday really fits you," said Tammy.

They both laughed.