Targeted targeted series.., p.1
Targeted (Targeted Series Book 1), page 1
Targeted
Book 1 Targeted Series
ML Davila
Palmas Publishing
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
1
Another body. Five women in the past ten days. The city was in an uproar and Detective Sydney Russo slapped the side of the building as she walked back to her car. The woman had been found lying in an alley beaten to a bloody pulp. The other victims were more readily recognizable. This time was different. The damage to her face was significant. Whoever this killer was they had a type though. A type Sydney Russo was all too familiar with. She herself had been the victim of a serial killer at one time. She shuddered as the sound of the approaching ambulance drowned out the slamming door of the car that had pulled up.
Sydney smiled at the sight of the Medical Examiner. Dr. Elise Montague was a self-identified academic who was so fascinated with the workings of the human body she pursued a degree in medicine and ultimately a job at the Coroner’s Office. That had been four years ago, now she was the M.E. and the youngest in the city’s history.
“Hey ‘Lise.”
“Sydney…” Elise Montague was all business as she kneeled down next to the body, careful not to touch anything. “Photographed?”
“Huh?” Sydney shook herself. Staring at the Medical Examiner’s ass was not good business. “Sorry, yeah. Nothing was found in the area, no weapon. Her clothes were cut though and-”
“No assumptions, Detective.” Dr. Montague’s voice was steel coated in honey. She would never assume anything until she was able to thoroughly examine a body.
“Yeah, yeah, no assumptions but-”
“Sydney?”
“Yeah ‘Lise.”
“Let’s get the body loaded up so I can get to work.” The smile on her face was enough to melt the most hardened heart and Sydney smiled back.
“Sure ‘Lise. Meet you there.”
Three hours later Sydney Russo wasn’t smiling anymore.
“Aw come on! We don’t need them sir!” Pacing, she ignored Lt. D’Onofrio’s demand that she sit.
“Watch your tone Russo.” D’Onofrio’s threat was unmistakable.
Russo ran a hand through her hair. “We don’t need the FBI’s help for this, we know the type of person we’re looking for.”
“No, we don’t Russo, that’s the problem. Tell me you have a solid lead and I’ll call them off. Tell me you have anything?”
Her mouth snapped shut. She couldn’t.
Five women were dead, with the last one found early this morning. All now identified. The bodies had been found every two days for the past ten days. That timeline indicated another woman would be found within the next forty eight hours and Sydney didn’t have a clue where to start. This perp was a ghost. No DNA, no evidence to speak of. All they had so far were the dumpsites and they couldn’t find a connection with any of those either. Poor Elise was working overtime to try and forensically tie the scenes together.
“Sir…” Goddammit she hated working with outsiders.
“No Russo, the chief of police invited them himself, they’ll be here by this afternoon. I expect you to be courteous and ready to work with them. Do you understand me?”
“Yes sir!” Sydney slammed the door behind her and headed to the morgue to see if Elise had any new information for her.
Quantico- Behavioral Analysis Unit 4 Conference Room
“What’ve we got Dee?” Section Chief Richard Hale pulled out his notebook.
Special Agent Jodee Navarro brought up the pictures of five women and looked around the room at the group of agents gathered there.
“In the past ten days, five women have been found beaten and strangled in and around the Boston area. The women thus far range in age from 26 to 36. The first victim, Nancy O’Shea, was a waitress at a place called The Watering Hole. The second victim, Marlene Daniels was a telemarketer with the local cable company. Our third and fourth victims, Martina Ramirez and Mandy Kim were a nurse and home aid specialist respectively, both worked out of Boston General.”
Pausing, Dee looked around at her team as they took in the information and predictably, the first question came from Special Agent Sheldon Reich, the youngest and arguably the smartest among them.
“What about our fifth victim? So far the victims seem to represent a different race or ethnicity.” Always seeing things several steps ahead he was already trying to make a correlation.
With a nod from Hale, Dee continued.
“You’re right Reich, the newest victim, Nancy Foxx, was Native American, Wampanoag.”
“So, is she why we were called in?” Special Agent Michael Devins cracked his knuckles and leaned his large frame back in his chair.
“No Devins, not exactly. She worked as a receptionist for Boston PD, which hit close to home but also, five women in ten days? They’re at a loss and are looking at a forty-eight-hour window before another body turns up.”
“So, who called us in, the Chief of Police or the locals?” Senior Agent Angelo Ricci had to ask since this would go a long way toward police cooperation.
Dee was waiting for this question. “The Chief of Police. Apparently, the Detective in charge is unhappy about our being invited.”
The general groan from the team put a knowing smile on her face. They’d been down this road before.
Special Agent Mandy Pendergast looked at Dee before speaking. “Are you saying we’re going to have a problem or is it just that they didn’t give this detective a heads up?”
“My impression is leaning more toward the latter, but we’ll know more when we get there.”
“Alright people, heading out in 30 minutes. Grace, get me whatever information you can find on the victims. I’d also like some background on this detective,” he looked at the paperwork Dee passed him, “Sydney Russo.”
Jodee grabbed her travel bag from her office and spun around as a well-placed hand fondled her backside.
“Mandy Pendergast! Not here…”
“Aww come on Jodee, just a kiss before we leave?” Without waiting for an answer, Mandy dropped her own bag and pulled the younger woman against her taking possession of her lips. Dee’s moan of pleasure excited her even more and with bodies pressed together, their tongues danced around each other eliciting moans from them both.
Breaking apart, they leaned into each other. “Damn Dee.” The husky sound of Mandy’s voice sent a shiver down Jodee’s spine.
“Mandy we have to go.”
“I know hon I just…I hate having to pretend that we’re not together when we work a case. Stupid, antiquated fraternization policy.”
“I know but Hale was pretty clear, he backs us 100% as long as we don’t let our personal lives interfere with our professional lives.” Dee looked at her partner. She hated seeing her looking so miserable but right now they didn’t have a choice. Glancing at her watch, she realized they had about ten minutes.
“Come on Mandy, we have to go.” She took the older woman by the hand and led her out of her office. “Boston, hmmm …wonder if we’ll get a chance to stop into the real Cheers Bar?” Smiling, she whistled.
“Really Dee?” Mandy groaned as her lover took pleasure in torturing her with the Cheers theme song.
The team quietly read through the file Dee had provided for each of them. Looking up, “Dr. Elise Montague is the Medical Examiner?” Ricci sounded intrigued.
“I didn’t get to that yet.” The childlike excitement in Reich’s voice made them all smile despite the circumstances.
“Someone you know Ricci?” Devins put his file down.
“Yes. I met her last year at a conference. She’s an amazing pathologist; her work with the Boston Police Department is beyond exceptional. I’ve been reviewing her Facial Action Coding System research for her-”
“Oh the facial symmetry research, did you know that the muscles and nerves in the face respond to stimuli often without a person’s awareness? The research she’s done shows-”
“Later Reich.” Ricci couldn’t help but laugh at the young agent’s excitement.
Embarrassed Reich stopped his monologue.
Ricci continued. “She does consulting work for us as well.”
Devins looked up. “For violent crime?”
“No the FBI in general. Remember the case last year with the Special Forces guy trained by Allen Jonah? That was her consultation.”
“Hmm, The Grave Digger.” Devins looked at Ricci “So we may have an ally there?”
Ricci thought about it. His impression of Dr Montague was that she didn’t let things like turf wars between different agencies affect her opinions and, she was a lot like Reich in that respect, spouting information like a walking encyclopedia.
“Yes Devins, we may have an ally there.”
Reviewing the information their analyst Francesca Grace had gathered on Detective Russo, Mandy Pendergast had to admit she was impressed. Sydney Russo was the youngest detective to ever join the Robbery/Homicide Unit. Graduated top of her class, with numerous citations for bravery and going above and beyond the call of duty, and…
“Whoa, did we know Russo was a victim of Allen Jonah... twice?”
Boston International Airport
Jodee had arranged for SUV rentals once she was notified about the case. Only two were available so Ricci, Hale and Reich, rode in one while Devins, Dee, and Pendergast rode in the other. Their discussion of Detective Russo on the flight had been heated at times with Devins questioning the Detective’s ability to be objective when any case related to a serial killer.
Mandy had been the first to shoot holes in his argument.
“So let me get this straight Michael, because she was a victim, twice, and survived, twice, she won’t be able to handle this case.” The steady tone of her voice should have been his first warning sign, but if he saw it, he ignored it.
“Look, all I’m saying is that maybe she isn’t the most objective investigator to be involved in this case, I mean being a victim can skew…” He caught the warning in Ricci’s eyes and looked at Mandy. She had been a victim, on more than one occasion throughout the course of her career with State Service, and the FBI and she had come back more effective than ever. Were there things that affected her differently than the others, of course, but that didn’t matter, she did her job, and she did it well.
Reich had been a victim as well, as had Hale, they had all been victims at one time or another, even Devins. The fact that he was making an issue of it spoke to something else.
“What’s really bothering you Michael?” Ricci knew the younger man was trying to make a point.
Michael Devins threw his hands up in surrender. “Look, I’m not saying just being a victim will affect you. I’m saying being the victim of a serial killer. I mean The Grave Digger, really? Who comes back from that and is okay? He came close to killing her the first time and came after her again. I mean she has to have some issues don’t you think?”
At the time no one had answered and they all let the issue drop as they attempted to formulate a profile of their newest unknown subject.
Sydney watched as the investigative team the Chief invited entered the squad room. She didn’t want them here. Sydney was well aware she needed to learn to play well with others. But she liked to do it on her terms, not anyone else’s.
It was easy to tell who was in charge when they came in. The man with the hawk-like face looked like he brooked no arguments.
That would be Agent Hale. Sydney may not like it, but she took her role as lead detective seriously and was the first to extend a hand.
“Agent Hale I presume? Detective Russo.” They gauged each other as they shook hands and after a nod, he introduced the rest of his team.
“Detective, let me present my team, SSA Angelo Ricci, SSA Jodee Navarro, SSA Michael Devins, Dr. Sheldon Reich and SSA Mandy Pendergast”
“Detective Sydney Russo.” Her husky contralto was not unwelcoming, but not inviting either. “Bartles, Vaughn.” She motioned for the other Detectives working on the case.
“These are Detectives Jerry Vaughn and Frank Bartles. They’ve been working on this case from the beginning.”
A seasoned Detective, Vaughn had worked with the FBI on more than one occasion so he was a bit more understanding about their presence. Bartles on the other hand would be working with them for the first time and didn’t bother shaking hands. He crossed his arms and leaned against the nearest desk.
Hale was all business once the pleasantries were over. “Do we have a space where we can set up? We’ll need internet access as well.”
“Yeah, of course. Bartles, can you escort them down to the conference room? If you need anything at all, just let one of us know and we’ll try to oblige.” If Sydney was surprised at his abrupt change in tone she didn’t show it.
“Well Detective, we’re going to need you to sit down with us in a few minutes so that we can get a better feel for the direction of this investigation. Also, if you would, could you invite Dr Montague as well? We’d like her insight as to the manner of death.”
Surprise was clearly evident on her face now when he included so easily into the meeting. “Sure give us fifteen minutes.”
Sydney watched them walk away and smiled at the two women in the group. She saw the protective way the dark haired agent walked beside the blonde. Their body language was familiar and made her feel a little better.
Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.
“They want me there?” Elise looked up from the computer screen. She was running her own analysis on some fibers she had been able to obtain from the newest victim. “I’m really busy Sydney…”
“Come on babe, it shouldn’t take too long.”
Elise knew she couldn’t say no. Not when Sydney called her babe like that.
“Fine,” taking off her lab coat, she took Sydney’s outstretched hand and followed her girlfriend to the elevator. “So, the Behavioral Analysis Unit, I met someone from that unit at a conference last year, Angelo Ricci?”
“He’s here.” Sydney's matter of fact answer piqued Elise’s interest.
“You really don’t want them here do you? Agent Ricci is quite an expert on serial killers and what drives them you know.”
“No I didn’t know…” She directed her sarcastic tone at Elise and immediately regretted it. “Damn I’m sorry ‘Lise I just don’t like being forced to do something I don’t want to do.”
“But Sydney, if they can help?”
“I know, and I’m sure they can…I just…I feel like a fifth wheel now, you know, like I can’t take care of it myself.”
Elise took Sydney’s hands in hers and the back of each hand. “You are not a fifth wheel, you’re the best homicide detective in Boston, show them that.”
2
Sydney walked into the conference room twenty minutes later and looked around at the set up. Bartles had brought in the portable smart board and had hooked them up with a computer. On the screen was the weirdest person Sydney had ever seen. She came across as an explosion of color and energy.
The strangest part was Detective Frank Bartles, who was sitting animatedly at the keyboard, nodding and responding to the woman on the screen, headphones in his ears.
Good lord, Bartles made a friend.
Hale made a point of coming over. “Detective Russo, and Dr Montague I presume?”
Elise extended her hand. “Yes, yes I am Agent…?”
“Agent Hale ma’am, and I believe you know Agent Ricci?”
Elise smiled widely when she saw the other man. “I certainly do. How have you been Angelo?”
Ricci smiled warmly and gave her a hug; quite aware of the protective stance the Detective had taken next to her. “Good Elise…and you, how have you been?”
She waved her hand at the files and pictures of the victims on the bulletin board. “Busy.”
Hale sensed an ally in this woman and was happy for it. Detective Russo was still an enigma to him and he couldn’t tell yet whether she would be a help or hindrance to the investigation. He clapped his hands.
“Can I get everyone’s attention please, I’d like to have a briefing in about five minutes. Detective Bartles if you could insure we have audio with Ms. Grace…”
“Already done.” Bartles gave him a thumbs up.
Smiling, Hale nodded. “Dr Montague, Detective will you join me?” He gestured to the small office outside the conference room. Sydney let Elise lead the way. “Pendergast, Jodee, office please.”
Sydney sat down and rubbed her hands, it was a nervous habit she hated since it drew attention to her hands but she hadn’t been able to break it. Elise patted her knee reassuringly as they waited for Agent Hale to sit down. Agents Pendergast and Navarro were already seated.
