The Desperation Inside

Chapter 10: Dead Men Can't Talk

Glory snatched the clothes off her bed and threw them on, adding a sweatshirt to provide additional coverage. The thought of going out in the living room and facing Jake had her stomach in knots. What had just happened? Why did she just stand there, almost naked, not even trying to cover herself? He probably thought she deserved what they had done to her now.  She stalled as long as she could, but a sudden commotion in the living room drew her out.

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Jake heard a car pull in, and moved to glance out the window. Recognizing the dark truck from the description Drake had given, he moved to unlock the door. Drake came in, reaching to shake his hand.

"Turn the tv on!! Channel 2, hurry !!" Drake's partner, Charlie, came barreling into the room, almost knocking the other two men over in his haste. Jake snatched the remote off the table and flipped the television on.

"Police are investigating what they are calling a brutal homicide and possible kidnapping. 22 year old Alex Paran failed to report to work today. A co worker who lives nearby stopped by to see if he was ok, and walked into a nightmare."

Jake heard a gasp, and turned to see a white faced Glory staring at the news report. He quickly moved to her side, reaching for her. The automatic flinch she responded with made his heart sink. One step forward, and two steps back, he thought.

"Come sit down, Glory. I am going to reach out to a friend on that force to see what they know." She nodded, following him to the couch.

45 minutes later, they had some answers...but unfortunately, the answers only put them all a little more on edge as Jake relayed the details. "My friend says that Alex was found in his bedroom. He had been tied face down before the killer shot him in the head, execution style. There was some blood and fluids found that match Leanne Paran's DNA, but no other signs of her. They believe whoever did this to Alex, might have raped and kidnapped her as well. I pointed them in Chad's direction."

Glory sat on the couch, staring at the floor. Jake shared a look with the other guys and motioned them to follow him to the kitchen.

"We need to catch this guy. Fast. He is obviously escalating, and he needs to be taken down. Do your thing, set up whatever cameras or surveillance system you want. I want two of us on watch at all times."

They both nodded and began throwing ideas back and forth about what the best course of action might be. As they discussed what they had with them and what would have to be retrieved, a buzzing noise caught Jake's attention. He looked over and saw Glory's phone flashing on the counter. He glanced in the living room, but she did not seem to be aware of the noise her phone was making. After a quick internal debate, he grabbed the phone and saw a new message from an unknown number.

Jake moved back to the table and got Drake's attention. "This has got to be a message from him." They all three leaned in to see the phone as he opened the message.

No more Alex bossing me around....holding us back...now I can have you all to myself.......

After reading the message, all three men looked at each other with anger written on their faces. Before anyone could say a word, the phone flashed another picture message. An image of Alex tied up on his bed appeared on the screen, with his wife behind him.

I have so many plans for us... And I found us a new friend...see you soon.

Jake forwarded the image, along with the details of where it came from, on to the team that was investigating Alex's murder. All the guys agreed out would be best not to show any of it to Glory.

"Well, I would say that confirms our suspicions that Chad was behind Alex's murder....." Charlie mumbled. 

"And the fact that he is obviously deranged and escalating in violence." Drake added, looking at Jake. "Let's get this operation set up. We need video feed running at all times and I want a GPS tracker on her immediately."

Jake nodded, worry churning in his gut. Lord, help me protect her. Please do not let this creep get anywhere near her again. Guide me to where he is hiding, so that we can make sure he is arrested and punished for his crimes.

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Glory sat in the living room, staring at the TV, but no longer seeing it. There was no doubt in her mind that Chad had done this. She shivered as fear snaked through her veins. Chad was always the more violent and aggressive of the two. While Alex had always seemed focused on getting as much pleasure as he could, Chad seemed more interested in making her cry or seeing her in pain most of the time. Humiliation, fear, and pain seemed to be what he derived pleasure from. If he finds me, it is over. He has already killed Alex....who knows where Leanne is or what he has done with her. There is no way I will walk away from him this time. Tears began welling in her eyes, and her chest constricted. She struggled to control her breathing and not alert the three men in the next room to her impending panic attack.