Murder in eagle cove, p.14
Murder in Eagle Cove, page 14
Back in his car, the mayor paused to absorb everything happening. He decided to remain on the scene until Chief Armstrong returned.
Johansson didn’t even think about sleep. His senses were on full alert after having killed two police officers and getting nowhere with his search for the codes to unlock the crypto wallet. After showering, he put on jeans, a ball cap, and a hooded sweatshirt, going down the stairs and out the side door of the hotel to avoid being seen by the desk clerk. It would only take a few minutes to drive back by the address on El Dorado Avenue before finding the home of that police detective. At five in the morning, traffic would be light. This will be a suitable time for a reconnaissance mission.
He was several blocks from the house on El Dorado, but he could see flashing blue and red lights ahead, television news vans, and people milling about before ever getting near the place. When he reached the barricades at the end of the block, he turned and continued on the intersecting street without drawing any attention to himself. A block later, he stopped at a convenience store and bought coffee. While he paid for his purchase, he casually asked the clerk about the commotion. The clerk told him there was a shooting in the next block, but that’s all he knew.
“Must be something big,” the clerk said. “People have been in and out of here all night buying coffee and breakfast sandwiches.”
Johansson thanked him and left the store. He returned to his car and punched the address for Detective Saunders’ house into his GPS. It was four minutes away.
MONDAY
Noah’s cell phone alarm went off at five-thirty. He knew he had to get on the road for school before six or risk being late for his first class. He crawled out of bed and turned the light on before quickly showering, dressing, and gathering his bag. Before descending the stairs, he checked on his sister, who was still sleeping. Noah set his bag down by the door to the kitchen. He pulled his food out of the refrigerator, placing the containers in a bag on the kitchen counter. While he waited for one cup of coffee to brew, he grabbed an apple and started eating it. He poured the coffee into a stainless travel cup with a lid and evaluated the pile of stuff going to the car. With his hot cup of coffee in one hand, he picked up his bag and the food with the other, juggling the load to carry everything in one trip to the car. He flicked off the light on the way out, leaving just in time to make his first class. He started the car, and the radio came on to the news at the top of the hour. Blaring headlines reported two people murdered in Eagle Cove at the scene of an earlier murder last week. Noah was so fixated on the news report that he didn’t even notice the white Infiniti parked across the street. I may be late for class, but I must check into the scene on El Dorado Avenue.
Johansson had pulled up in front of Detective Saunders’ house just in time to see the upstairs lights come on. That detective is just now being called to the scene, he thought. The car parked in the driveway doesn’t look like a police issue. I’ll sit here and see what happens.
After twenty-five minutes, he saw a kid come out the side door with a massive handful of stuff heading to the car. Certainly, this kid’s too young to be the detective. It must be the cop’s kid.
He watched as the kid drove off and considered what to do next. If that detective’s in the house, this may be my best opportunity to make a surprise visit and get the codes to unlock the crypto wallet, he thought.
He eased the car down the block, carefully noticing his surroundings. The sun was rising, but it was still dark enough to slip into the shadows and sneak back to the detective’s house. He got to the side entrance of the garage and tried the door. The kid had locked it on the way out, but the door was loose. He had no problem slipping a card from his wallet behind the mechanism to slide it open. He moved through the garage, entered the kitchen, and waited quietly for any sound. When he heard nothing, he slipped up the stairs, searching for the detective. The first room he found was where the kid must have been sleeping. The sloppy brat did not even make his bed before leaving.
Across the hall at the back of the house, he found the master bedroom. The bed hadn’t been slept in. He continued to the other room at the front of the house and found a teenage girl sleeping. He moved on but found no other occupants. This is strange, he thought. The detective may be working the other murder scene, or he’s one of the cops I killed last night.
He thought for a moment before he heard the sound of a cell phone alarm. He quickly took the gun he had appropriated from one of the dead cops and waited outside the girl’s bedroom door.
After a few minutes, the girl crawled from bed and went toward the bathroom. He met her in the hall when she came through her bedroom door, still partially asleep. He made no effort to disguise himself but put the gun to her head and pulled the hammer back.
“Make a sound, and I will kill you. Tell me where the detective is.”
“Who are you? How’d you get into our house?” Katherine stuttered, her entire body trembling in fear.
“Who am I is not important. Answer my question or die.”
She continued to tremble, wondering if Noah had left before this guy arrived. “He’s in the hospital,” she finally responded through clenched chattering teeth.
“Is he sick?” the man asked, looking directly into her eyes with a smile.
“He got hurt at work,” she replied, rising to a firm full stance and refusing to break eye contact.
Johansson thought about what he should do now and decided to take the girl and hold her in exchange for the crypto wallet codes. He knew the cops had to have them. If they didn’t, the bank would. This cop’s daughter will be the leverage I need to get the codes.
“You are going to help me. Get dressed and be quick about it.”
“I have to use the bathroom,” she said, pulling away.
Johansson held the gun on her and let her pass to the bathroom. He didn’t let her close the door and watched while she relieved herself. Katherine was shaking as she left the bathroom and returned to her room for clothes. The man watched every move she made. She tried to get her phone without him noticing.
“That would not be wise,” he said.
Katherine found the clothes she had worn yesterday and quickly dressed while the man watched. He went over to her phone next to the bed, dropped it to the floor, and crushed it with the heel of his shoe. She sobbed from fear and the loss of her phone. He walked her down the stairs and to the front door.
“This is what we are going to do,” the man said with an accent so thick that Katherine was having difficulty understanding. “I killed two people last night, so I have nothing to lose. You will walk with me to my car like we are best friends. You will get in first and move over into the driver’s seat. I will have this gun on you the whole time, so don’t try any funny business. When we are safely in the car, you will drive. You do know how to drive, yes?”
“Yes,” she answered.
He looked out the window next to the door until the street was clear. They left the house and walked down to where he’d parked the Infiniti. He opened the passenger door. Katherine got in, struggling to get over the console, and took her place in the driver’s seat as he’d instructed. He got in right behind her and flashed the gun again to ensure she knew he was serious. Katherine looked around and saw no one who witnessed the situation. It was too early, and nobody was even walking their dog. The man laid the key fob in the console and told her to start the car.
“It’s the button on the dash. Push it.”
She did as he said, her hand shaking uncontrollably.
“Drive and do not do anything to draw attention to the car, or you will die today. Follow the instructions exactly,” he said as he programmed the hotel's GPS.
Katherine navigated the short distance to the hotel. Her legs and hands shook so badly she could hardly drive. Her stomach was clenching like she was going to be sick.
“Park near the side entrance,” he said as Katherine drove into the hotel parking lot.
She parked near the side door, continuing to do as she was told. “Don’t move from your seat until I come around and let you out,” he said.
He came around the car and opened her door to let her out before escorting her to the side entrance, where he used his room key card to gain entry. Once inside, they went up the stairs and straight to his room. Katherine was shaking and sobbing again. The man hung a do-not-disturb sign on the door and used the house phone to call the desk. “Do not schedule my room for cleaning service today. I will be sleeping.”
After that, he yanked the phone cord from the wall and used it to bind Katherine’s hands. He took her socks off her feet and stuffed them into her mouth. He ripped her blouse off and tore it into strips that he used to bind her feet.
Noah made a slight detour to see if he could get an update on what was going on with the investigation. I wonder who died on El Dorado Avenue now? He pulled up to the intersection a half block from where the murder had occurred. He stopped at the corner near a barricade and rolled down his window.
“Is Chief Armstrong available?” he asked the police officer.
The deputy, whom he did not recognize, was wearing a Plymouth County uniform. “This is a crime scene. What’s your business?” he asked.
“I’m Detective Saunders’ son and just wanted to follow up with the chief before I return to school.”
The officer made a radio call and turned back to Noah. “Wait a minute.”
Moments later, the officer moved the barricade and motioned for Noah to drive past. “You’ll find the chief down on the right,” he said as Noah passed.
The chief walked out to the street as Noah pulled up and got into the car with him.
“Noah, you’re getting privileged information, so keep it to yourself.”
“Yes, sir. What happened here, Chief?”
“Officers Flanders and Connoroe were ambushed on shift change last night. They’re both dead.”
“I can’t believe it. How?” Noah asked, shaken to the core at the news.
“We don’t yet know. The FBI, state police, and Plymouth County are all working the scene. You better get to school, or your mom will kick my butt.”
“Do my folks know yet?”
“Not yet, Son. I’ll go to the hospital and let them know when I get away from here.”
“Okay. Please keep me in the loop, Chief. I’m also trying to work all this out in my head.”
“You got it. Drive safe on your way back to school.”
Noah drove away, unsure how to process the information he’d just received. He decided continuing to school like any typical Monday morning would be best.
Sandra woke up in the bed beside Larry’s and watched him sleep peacefully. She took the television remote and turned the morning news on, muting the sound so she wouldn’t wake him. The headline was the second murder on El Dorado Avenue in less than a week. Puzzled, Sandra turned up the volume slightly to get the gist of what was happening. The details were unclear, but the film from the corner near the home showed incredible police activity. Her stomach clenched, and chest tightened as she turned off the set and stepped outside to call Katherine. She dialed her number, thinking she must be getting ready to leave for school. Katherine’s phone went straight to voicemail. She hung up and dialed Noah. Knowing it was his mom, he answered, even though he was driving.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Was your sister up when you left?” she asked, without even saying hello.
“No. She was still asleep. I checked on her.”
“Her phone is going straight to voicemail.”
“I know she set her alarm. Maybe she just forgot to take it off do not disturb.”
“That could be. I’m still worried. I will wake your dad and go home to check on her.”
“Okay, Mom. I’m halfway to school, or I’d turn back.”
“No worries. I’m sure everything is fine. You drive safely, Honey. Love you.”
“I love you, too, Mom.”
Noah disconnected the call, grateful he didn’t have to tell his mom about the other murders. He continued to school in a haze, with all the shocking news flying around in his head. This is going to be a terrible week, he thought. How will I be able to concentrate on anything?
Sandra woke Larry up and told him she was going home to be sure Katherine made it up for school. She said nothing about the news before kissing him and going out the door.
Katherine sat quietly sobbing, her mouth stuffed with the socks she’d worn all day yesterday. The dirty socks not only were soaking every bit of moisture from her mouth, but they were also making her gag involuntarily. I wish I’d put on clean socks this morning.
She tried to look around the room to make herself aware of her surroundings between gagging. The guy who abducted her was looking at his phone at the desk. He suddenly bolted from the chair angrily and turned on the local news. The reporter was on a live remote at the end of El Dorado Avenue. He spoke of a gruesome scene at the home where another murder had occurred only a few days before. A brief commotion appeared behind the reporter, and the camera panned in on the mayor, who was about to make a statement. He took a microphone from one of the local television station reporters and said, “I’m the Mayor of Eagle Cove, Howard Taylor. The home of last week’s murder has again become a crime scene. Two police officers who were on watch have been killed. The killer or killers are still at large. The FBI, local law enforcement, county sheriff, and State Police are all working the scene. I have no further information at this time.”
“There you have it,” said the reporter as the camera focused on him. “I’m reporting live from right here in Eagle Cove, where two police officers have been murdered. This is the same location where a homeowner was found dead last week. Stay tuned for more as the scene unfolds.”
The guy turned around to face Katherine. As he spoke, she again noticed his English was quite broken. “You see, little girl, I have already killed these men, so there is nothing for me to lose by killing you, too.”
Katherine sobbed and gagged without tears. The socks in her mouth were soaking in every bit of moisture. She looked at him and nodded her head in affirmation. He turned off the television and disappeared into the bathroom. Katherine took the opportunity to look around the room. She didn’t notice anything unusual. It was typical of any other hotel room she’d ever remembered seeing from vacations she had been on with her family. She saw his small suitcase on the extra bed. Neither bed appeared to have been slept in. I can’t believe I’m tied up in a room with a killer. This is the man who Daddy was investigating. He’s killed multiple people at the home on El Dorado. This creep is without conscience.
She began to tremble with fear raging in her stomach.
Sandra drove home from the hospital. She feared in the pit of her stomach that something was wrong. She parked in the driveway and went in through the garage. She thought it strange that Noah had not locked the garage door when he left. After passing through the kitchen, she continued to the foyer and toward the stairs when she noticed the unlocked front door. Quickly locking it and bolting up the stairs, she found the bathroom light on and Katherine’s bedroom door open. Katherine wasn’t in the bathroom, so Sandra went into her room, where she discovered the crushed cell phone beside the bed. Suddenly, Sandra knew something was wrong. Calling out for her daughter, she began to shake with fear. When there was no answer, she ran out of the house to her car, where she’d left her phone. She dialed nine-one-one.
“Plymouth County nine-one-one. What is your emergency?”
“This is Sandra Saunders. My husband’s Detective Larry Saunders. I just came home, and I believe my daughter has been abducted.” Sandra stuttered.
“Okay, Mrs. Saunders. Where are you now?”
“I’m in the driveway of my home.”
“Is your address 904 Orchard Street?”
“Yes. Please hurry,” Sandra cried.
“Okay, I am sending an officer. Please stay on the line with me, and don’t go back into the house.”
Sandra could hear the dispatcher typing. “How long will it be?” she asked.
“My name is Kelly,” she said. “We should have someone there in just a couple of minutes.”
“Thank you, Kelly; I’m so scared.”
“I know you are. Just take a deep breath, and we’ll get you through this. How old is your daughter?”
“She’s sixteen.”
“Was she home alone?”
“Yes. My son left for college at six this morning, and I was at the hospital with my husband.”
“What causes you to think she was abducted?”
“I came home to ensure she got off to school and found the doors unlocked. Her cell phone was crushed beside her bed, and the lights were still on. It’s too early for her to have left for school.”
Chief Armstrong was monitoring his handheld radio when he heard the dispatch request that any available officer go to 904 Orchard Street for a possible abduction. “The home is that of Eagle Cove Police Detective Larry Saunders. Mrs. Saunders is waiting in the driveway.”
The chief bolted to his car while answering the dispatcher. “This is Chief Armstrong. I’m on the way; I’ll be there in less than three minutes. Please get any other available unit to respond along with the crime scene team,” he yelled into the radio.
“Ten-four,” answered the dispatcher.
The chief left rubber on the pavement as he raced toward Larry’s house. The cop minding the barricade at the end of the street barely got it out of the way as the chief raced by. Reporters took note of the chief racing away, and two of them ran to their cars to follow. The chief was almost out of sight before anyone caught up.
