The Keystroke Killer Read online

  “No complication that you are aware that might have happened. He’s mentally deteriorating quickly; and I believe he is on the verge of insanity. Have you followed up on any of your test subjects from his group?”

  “I employed researchers who followed the children born from the sample. They included your son. There are no abnormalities. What do you suspect?”

  “Insanity. Do you have a DNA marker to test for this problem? Can you test his DNA sample you have on file? I’m concerned.”

  “What behaviors is he exhibiting?” He raised his eyebrows.

  “I can’t describe it. It’s not his behavior as such, it’s more of what he believes. It’s far-fetched.”

  “Continue.”

  “This will sound ridiculous.”

  “Continue.”

  “Since he returned to New Orleans, he claims he has a sister by the name of Livia. In fact, he insists her full name is Livia Lynn Raymond. Yet, he can’t find any evidence about this girl. There is no birth or death certificate. There is absolutely nothing, but he believes she existed. Get this, he believes the Co-Ed serial killer murdered this girl.”

  It took a nana-second for Dr. Angela to remain composed and understand the ramification Carol reported in her information. He could never reveal the dark secret of Project Dimension; so, he redirected the conversation back to Matthew’s beliefs. “That means you would have had to give birth to a daughter. I’m positive if you had, you would have remembered.”

  “I told him the same thing. Every year on this girl’s anniversary of her alleged death he comes to my house and revisits the topic. Last week he met a girl in the same park his alleged sister was murdered.” Carol paced in front of Dr. Angela’s desk. “Doppelgängers, if you believe that. It’s confusing. He even has a picture of this girl. Not the girl in the park, but the girl he believes to be his sister. Or worse, my daughter.”

  Dr. Angela glanced at Blaze’s picture on a bookshelf.

  Carol took notice and moved to the bookcase. “The picture of the girl looks like your daughter. That’s strange. You don’t think he’s talking about meeting Blaze?”

  “Impossible. Blaze is overseas studying at Oxford. She hasn’t returned to the states in four years. It’s only a coincidence.”

  “Didn’t you once tell me to believe there weren’t any coincidences?”

  “Back to Matthew. It sounds more like he’s having a nervous breakdown rather than being on the verge of insanity. I recommend you encourage him to seek a therapist and not blame his abnormal behavior and fantasy on the genetic testing I performed thirty years ago.”

  “I suppose you know what you’re talking about. Sorry to have bothered you.”

  “Before you leave, would you consider having lunch today? For old times’ sake.”

  “Absolutely not. Goodbye, Garrick.” Carol stormed from the office.

  Dr. Angela’s face turned red; a vein popped on his forehead. He slammed his fist against his desk. The sunbeam refracted on the Murano paperweight by the phone. He grabbed it and hurled it toward the office door. “Deedra, call Dr. Langford at the Hawking Institute of Genetic Research.”

  “Calling Dr. Langford now.”

  “Deedra, cancel that call.”

  “Call canceled.”

  Dr. Angela pushed a round metallic button on the corner of his desk. A Dimension computer screen, keyboard and D-Tooth mouse rose from the recess.

  “D-Net has commenced. What can I assist you with?”

  “Nothing Deedra. There are some things I must do for myself.” He typed a D-Mail to Dr. Langford. He struck the keys hard. The more he typed, the redder his face became.

  _______________________________________________

  From: Dr. Garrick Angela

  To: Dr. Gary Langford

  Date: March 30, 2058

  Re: DNA Mutant Chromosome SNP-IT-C6/11

  Execute the following DNA samples for the the following chromosome samples belonging to the core research group: SNP-IT-C6/11 at once. PRIORITY D. Code: Red.

  Sample: CT: 11589-01/16/2027 8:59pm – Male

  Sample: CT: 12872-05/13/2033 7:48pm – Female

  Sample: CT: 12873-05/13/2033 7:52pm – Female

  Sample: CT: 12873-05/13/2033 7:58pm – Female

  ________________________________________________

  After several minutes agonizing over Carol’s and his conversation, Dr. Angela reflected on the night of May 13, 2033.

  ***

  In the bright sterile delivery room of Dimension Research and Fertility Clinic, Carol screamed through her contractions. Dr. Angela, in a blue surgical gown and mask, stood by her side.

  “Carol, your babies are in distress. To save them and you I have to perform a Caesarian Section.”

  “No, please let me push one more time. I’m begging you. Let me push.”

  “Trust me, you’ll lose both babies if I allow you to push one more time.”

  Carol screamed through her pain as tears streamed.

  “Dr. Chester, push Methohexita through the I.V.”

  “Yes, doctor.” The anesthesiologist reached for a nearby syringe and injected the fluid into the I.V. port. Carol’s entire body relaxed and fell limp as her eyes closed.

  “Scalpel.”

  The nurse handed him the instrument. Dr. Angela made a six inch incision across Carol’s lower abdomen followed by an incision across her uterus. He delivered the first baby, a female, and handed her to Victoria who at once left swaddling the crying infant. Four minutes later, Dr. Angela delivered the second female infant and handed her to the nearby pediatrician. Six minutes later, he delivered the third female infant. This time, he handed her to the pediatrician who wrapped her in a blanket and suctioned the fluid from the baby’s mouth and nose. The baby girl cried.

  Dr. Angela directed his gaze toward Dr. Chester. “Wake Carol up. Tell her one twin didn’t survive.”

  “You mean she doesn’t know she was carrying triplets?”

  ***

  Lux strutted into Dr. Angela’s office. “Excuse me Sir. Dr. Angela.”

  “What is it Lux?”

  “Dr. Langford called to report one of the genome samples doesn’t exist and that you would understand what that meant.”

  “Get out!” Somehow Livia’s DNA was deleted too.

  chapter 15

  Roxy Lady

  2:00 PM

  Janice showered late in the afternoon after her daily jog. The warm water flowed over her body as she shampooed and conditioned her platinum hair. My God. I needed this. She turned off the water.

  Janice reached from behind the shower curtain, grabbed her lush olive green towel and wrapped it around her. She stepped from the shower and readjusted the towel for a more secure fit. Tom’s crisp white shirt caught her attention from the corner of her eye. She looked at the ballerina pink lipstick smear on the collar. She retrieved the shirt and smelled it. A woman’s scent. Delicate and fresh. Not flowery.

  A business card fell from the shirt pocket. She picked it up and read it.

  Janice sauntered to the walk-in master closet. She examined and smelled several of Tom’s suit jackets and shirts. The last jacket, she recognized the shape of a lipstick tube in the front pocket, pulled it out and looked at the color. It matched the smear on her husband’s shirt. Just when I thought he only liked boy toys. She looked down, picked it up as another business card fell. You’ve been a busy boy. She retrieved the card and read it aloud.

  Why does that name sound familiar?

  “Deedra, who is Kara Haynes?”

  “Surgical assistant to Dr. Frank Franklin reported missing by her parents, George and Michelle Haynes on March twenty-seventh of this year. Shall I notify you when the investigators locate her body?”

  “Search Tom’s appointment book and determine if he met with Kara Haynes within the last two weeks.”

  “Search parameters have commenced. Confirmation received. Congressman Thompson met Kara Haynes on March twenty-seventh o
f this year.”

  She placed both cards on a stack of others in her panty drawer. Beside them, a cocktail napkin with Phyllis Cantrell’s phone number seemed to raise.

  “Deedra, who is Phyllis Cantrell?”

  “Phyllis Cantrell died March twenty-seventh, twenty fifty-eight and was the seventh victim of the Sorority serial killer. Shall I notify you when the funeral arrangements are complete?”

  “Deedra, that won’t be necessary.”

  “Is there anything else I can do for you Janice?”

  “Yes, where is the Congressman?”

  “GPS coordinates identify Congressman Thompson’s heat signature is located at his campaign office at six hundred and seventy-eight Chartres Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. Would you like for me to display the D-Map directions?”

  ***

  Blaze paced across her living room as Mag and Jenni plopped onto her couch. She twirled a strand of hair around her fingers. “What do you mean Frances is dead?” Blazed stopped in front of Mag. “Well?”

  “Blaze, you need to calm down.”

  “I can’t think about this. Are you sure?”

  Jenni slowly scooted up from the couch and hugged Blaze. “We watched the news report. It was Frances. The Sorority serial killer killed her. Do you know what this means?”

  “Seriously, you’re going to ask me that? Any of us could be his next victim. I’m freaking out. What are we going to do?”

  Mag wiggled in her chair. “I’m not going anywhere alone. There’s safety in numbers. I don’t ever want to be a victim. There are a lot of creeps out there lurking about. I don’t ever want to be near them.”

  “I’m with her.” Jenni nodded in agreement. “You shouldn’t either. We need to be on guard, agreed?”

  “Agreed.”

  “Not even to her funeral. Pinkie swear!”

  The girls raised their pinkies and locked them together. “Pinkie swear.”

  ***

  The sun set as Agents Mansfield and Locklear conversed inside the crime scene barricade at the Kenner boat launch. Plastered by fire engines, ambulances and news crews, the crime scene secured the evidence supervised by Dr. Robby Ziegler detonated in chaos.

  Agent Mansfield looked at Agent Locklear. “It’s not him. It’s not the same victimology.”

  “I thought the same thing. If it’s not the Sorority serial killer, this means we have another freakshow.”

  “It’s not a copy-cat. She’s no sorority sister by the way she’s dressed. It’s personal. Almost as if someone doesn’t like women.”

  “Any idea who she is?”

  “Not a clue, but here comes the man that will help us.”

  “Greetings agents.” Robby smiled with confidence.

  “Any idea the cause of death?” Agent Locklear’s tone, harsh and coarse rubbed Robby the wrong way.

  He puckered his lips and burrowed his brows. “She bled out. She didn’t drown. By the amount of Rigor Mortis, she died between two and six this morning.”

  “We got that far by ourselves. Anything found on her corpse to identify her?”

  “If you’re asking if there was a delete key in her mouth, the answer is no. However, she has a club stamp on her left wrist from the Purple Oz.”

  “Looks like that’s where we go next.”

  ***

  By five in the late afternoon, Matthew hadn’t recovered from his hangover. Any office noise reverbed and increased his massive headache. He leaned back into his chair and plonked his feet on his desk. His memories jumped from the gorgeous Kelly Corbin who intrigued him by her looks, mannerisms, intelligence and honesty to Roxy Starlite who aroused him in ways other women couldn’t. He thought about Roxy for most of the day and desired her services again through the Pink Pussy Doll website. His effort remained fruitless; so, he resorted to calling her. He dialed Roxy’s phone number using his cell phone. “Damn it. Straight to her pre-recorded announcement again.”

  “You’ve reached Roxy. I’m either on the phone or otherwise occupied. Leave your name and number and I’ll return your phone call as quickly as I am free.”

  Peterson looked over at Matthew spreading a grin of undisguised delight. “It doesn’t look like she wants to have anything to do with you. How many times have you called her?”

  Debra yawned widely as she reached for her soda. “Peterson has a point. I don’t answer any guy I don’t want to talk with. I consider them as freaks or stalkers. You’ll get nowhere by calling her over and over.”

  “Well, she’s not you. She’ll call me back.”

  Agents Mansfield and Locklear entered the office and flashed their shields. Agent Mansfield darted his eyes toward Matthew. “Matthew Raymond.”

  Matthew removed his feet from his desk. He quickly sat upright stashing his cell phone into his pocket. “Can I help you two with something?”

  Agent Locklear scanned the area. “Is there somewhere we can talk in private?”

  “Anything you have to say, you can say it in front of my colleagues.”

  Agent Mansfield showed Matthew a picture of Roxy. “Can you identify this woman?”

  Matthew looked puzzled at Roxy’s picture. “Is she in trouble?”

  “She’s dead. Surveillance footage from the Purple Oz shows you talked with her last night. Did she say anything out of the ordinary to you?”

  “We barely talked other than to say hello. She was with somebody else.”

  “Can you identify that person?”

  “Definitely. Congressman Tom Thompson.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “I’d bet my life on it.”

  Agent Locklear took one step closer to Matthew. “Where were you between two and six o’clock this morning?”

  “You’re kidding? You think I killed Roxy? Do I need an alibi?”

  “Don’t worry if you have nothing to hide. We’ll check out your story.”

  Peterson and Debra looked at Matthew accusatory.

  Matthew’s lingering hangover affected his mood and judgment. He didn’t want to reveal he took a transvestite to his apartment last night knowing Peterson and Debra would never let him live this one down.

  “Mr. Raymond, it’s very important for you to present your alibi. I will note your cooperation in this investigation.” Agent Locklear clenched her jaw. Her gaze harshly projected blame onto Matthew as if guilty.

  “Am I under arrest?” A lump formed in Matthew’s throat.

  “No, but if you have a solid alibi we can clear you from the suspect pool. We have you on tape speaking to the victim two hours before her death. So, whoever you think you’re protecting, it’s not worth it. Now do you or do you not have an alibi?”

  Matthew pulled out his wallet and removed Kelly’s business card. He handed it to Agent Mansfield.

  He studied it with curiosity. “She’s your alibi? Kelly Corbin?”

  “I took her to my apartment after we left the Purple Oz and she didn’t leave until around ten this morning. She’ll vouch for me. Check her out. Then, I suggest you go have a word with the Congressman.”

  “Leave the investigation to us, Mr. Raymond.” Agent Locklear’s pitch was abrasive not wanting to be told how to conduct her investigation.

  ***

  Agents Locklear and Mansfield headed toward FBI headquarters in the government issued black SUV. Agent Locklear’s phone rang. “Deedra, answer the call.”

  “Agent Curenton is on the line?”

  “Where are you two?”

  “Enroute to headquarters. Why?”

  “There’s another body. Boss wants you two on the case.”

  “What campus this time?”

  “Not related to the Sorority serial killer case.”

  Agent Mansfield wrinkled his brow and darted his eyes at Agent Locklear. “I don’t get it.”

  “The Coast Guard found a body floating in Lake Pontchartrain. When they retrieved the body, the unsub had removed the victim’s tongue and teeth just like the others. Get this,
our medical examiner identified the body.”

  “You suspect Robby Ziegler?”

  “No, he recognized her as Kara Haynes, Dr. Frank Franklin’s, surgical assistant.”

  Agent Locklear penetrated him with an inquisitive stare. “You mean our Dr. Frank Franklin?”

  Agent Mansfield looked overwhelmed. “That’s two girls dead last night. What’s the world coming to?”

  ***

  Dr. Angela sat in the back seat of his limousine alongside Warren Stronghold who smoked a cigar.

  “I’ve always loved site-seeing along Saint Charles Avenue.” The Warden puffed his cigar.

  “You should get away from the prison more often. What’s Milo’s status?”

  “The plan is progressing. I made the arrangements today for his escape as ordered. I’ll spare the details.”

  “I don’t want this coming back on me or the Consortium.”

  “Everything is under control.”

  “Appease me, start talking.”

  “Isaac robbed a convenience store. As planned, the police immediately arrested him. As we speak, he’s being transferred to Angola.”

  The limousine pulled over and stopped at The Columns Hotel.

  “Putting him in prison before being found guilty is a little harsh, even for me.”

  “Not when you’re a strike three criminal and the Governor revoked his probation.”

  “This plan helps Milo escape?”

  “Without a doubt.”

  ***

  Agents Locklear and Morrison stared at Kara’s body with laser light intensity. “This isn’t the work of the Sorority serial killer.”

  “I agree. This body has nothing to do with the body pulled from the lake earlier. This means, two killers and two motives.”

  Robby approached the agents. “I’ll let you know the first instant I know something.”

  SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 2058

  CHAPTER 16

  The Great Escape