Deadly Past (A serial killer novel) - FINISHED

Chapter 11

A few minutes later the officer enters the room. "I have a name for you sir," he says and hands Peter a piece of paper. "Thank you, Charles," he says and looks at the name on the paper. "His name is Caleb Smith," Peter says to Hugh as he starts typing the name and social security number into the system. "Let's just hope he is on the system," Peter says. There are no matches. "No luck. I am going to make a few calls to see if I can get his address," Peter says and takes his phone out of his pocket. "What can I do?" Hugh asks. "You can call the department of state. Just give them his social security number and ask for his address," Peter says and writes the number down on a piece of paper. He hands the paper to Hugh. Hugh searches for the number and calls them. "Department of State, how can I help you?" a lady asks. "I am detective Hugh Brown from LAPD. We need the last known address of a murder suspect. Will you be able to give me the address if I give you his social security number. It is crucial that we get the information as quickly as possible," Hugh explains. "I am sorry, but I am not allowed to give that kind of information to anyone," she says with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "A girl's life depends on this information. If we don't find her soon, she will be dead," Hugh says. "I know it is important sir, but I will be in trouble if I give it to you," she says. "I will take all the blame. Give it to me and if anyone asks, just tell them I forced you to give it to me," Hugh says. There is silence for a few seconds. "Fine, give me the number," she says. "Thank you," he says and gives her the social security number. "I have the information," she says and gives him the address. "Thank you for all your help," Hugh says before he hangs up. Peter is already standing in front of him waiting to hear what he says. "I have it," Hugh says and gives Peter the piece of paper. "We have to go there immediately," Peter says as he gets his car keys. They head outside towards the parking lot. Peter pulls out of the parking lot, while Hugh enters the address into the GPS. "It is a 20 minute drive from here," Hugh says. The first five minutes of the drive is quiet until Peter speaks. "I know what you saw back there. I don't mind that you know, but I don't want you to pity me. It happened and it still hurts, but I don't like pity. Pity won't bring her back, and pity won't make me feel any better either," Peter says. Hugh doesn't know how to respond. "You don't have to talk about it. It is none of my business," Hugh says, but deep down he wants to know more. He wants to understand what Peter went through. "I will tell you anyway. You know about her now, you might as well know the whole story," Peter says.

Thalia Johnson is home alone doing her homework in her bedroom when she hears the knock at the front door. She puts her pen down and heads downstairs. She looks through the peeping hole and sees a delivery man on the doorstep. She opens the door. "Hello. I have a delivery for detective Peter Johnson," he says. "It is my dad, but he isn't home. I'll give it to him when he gets here," she says. "It is in the car," he says and walks towards the car. She follows him and watches as he takes the box out of the trunk of the car. She doesn't find it strange that he is wearing gloves. It is a cold Winters day. He places the package on the pavement and grabs her, wrapping his arms around her body from the back. She can't move. She feels the cloth cover her mouth and feels her whole body getting weak. When he feels her body go limp, he lifts her into the trunk and closes it. He takes the package and places it in front of the door for Peter to see. He wants to send a message to the man who is hunting him. He won't let anything or anyone stand in his way. He gets back in the car and drives her to the warehouse. He feels a sense of excitement as he thinks about killing Peter's daughter. He hates Peter and this is the best form of revenge he can think of. Peter gets home a few hours later and sees the package on his doorstep. He carries it inside and opens it with a knife, which he gets from the kitchen. The only thing in the box is a paper folded in half with his name printed on the outside. He picks it up and opens it. As he reads it, he feels all the blood drain from his face. The letter talks about the abduction and how Peter will understand what he is capable of now. Peter runs towards Thalia's room. She isn't there. He is scared out of his mind and calls the office to inform them about the abduction. His wife arrives while he is on the phone with the department. "Thalia was abducted," Peter says with a broken voice after he hangs up the phone. Denise falls to her knees. The sound that comes out of her echoes with extreme pain. Days pass before they got news of her whereabouts, but it isn't her that they find. It is a lifeless body. The shell of what his daughter was. She wasn't there anymore, and without her Peter didn't want to be there anymore. He starts drinking to cope with his pain, but it only makes it worse. His wife leaves him which takes the last piece of joy out of his life. He promises to find the man who killed his daughter, even if it is the last thing that he ever does,