The Keystroke Killer Page 5
CHAPTER 4
The Charm Bracelet
Blaze and Morty, a gross blubbering middle-aged proprietor, strolled toward Apartment 327. “You’ll like this one over yours.” They stopped in front of the door as he pulled the master key from his pocket and unlocked it.
Blaze peeked inside. “Who used to live here?”
“An elderly woman. Her family made other arrangements. She was becoming much too feeble to live on her own.”
“That makes sense why it’s available. These are hard to come by.”
He held the door open. “Go on in and look around. This apartment is two hundred square feet larger.”
“It’s hard to tell. It looks identical to the one I have. Are you sure it’s bigger than mine?”
“The living rooms are identical. The larger dining area is a bonus feature for most. This apartment has a very large laundry room. A lot of tenants use it as an office. The bedroom is also larger with a walk-in closet and a larger bathroom. I think you’ll find it a lot more convenient with more storage and not having to take your laundry somewhere else.”
Blaze walked through each room not wanting to appear too eager. After her tour, she stood by the living room window.
“I don’t have all day. It’s after three. This isn’t the only thing I do.”
Blaze gazed out the window. That’s interesting, I’ve never seen that van before.
Across the street, Roth walked Sam, his golden Labrador. The dog pissed on the front tire of an orange and white Volkswagen bus.
“You allow dogs, right?”
“You’re aware you have two cats of your own? You can’t have three animals.”
“Oh yes. Silly me. I’m just making sure. It is much bigger than my current space. I’ll take it.”
“I thought you'd like it. It had your name written all over it.”
“Did you talk to my dad about the price increase?”
“He told me he'd work with me on it in return for a favor.”
“That's my dad. He wants me to be his happy angel.”
“You don't sound very pleased.”
“I am. It's just… never mind.”
“You're a lucky young lady. I don't know my parents.”
“Really?”
“My mom left me on the doorsteps of a church. I bounced around from one foster home to another. Take it from me, love your family. You never know when they’ll be gone. Especially, your dad.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing dear. Your dad is a powerful man and has everything but your love.”
“Some things can't be bought.”
“Take it from this old man. There’s no place like home.”
“You got that right. I never had a home. I had a house. Daddy made sure of that.”
“On second thought. This apartment is no longer available.” She’ll get hers one day.
Blazed stormed out and slammed the door behind her.
***
Blaze hoofed it out of the apartment building. By the time she reached the sidewalk, tears streamed. She collided into Roth and Sam.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m mad at my father.” She sat on the curb next to Sam.
“I’m so sorry, Blaze.” Roth’s trusty companion licked away her tears.
Blaze buried her face against the dog’s side as he wagged his tail.
“He likes you.” Roth knelt beside them and stroked the dog’s back. “You’re a good boy, Sam.”
“Yes, you are, Sam. Thank you so much. How long have you had him?”
“He’s not mine. I’m a dog-walker, too. I need the money to stay afloat to pay for my tuition. It’s very expensive. Are you going to be okay?”
“Depends on your definition.”
“I’ll listen if you need to talk.”
“Maybe sometime. I have to confront Daddy Warbucks.” Blaze stood as her bracelet caught on Sam’s collar and fell off. “Thanks for the hugs and kisses Sam.” She hurried across the street, got into her compact car and drove off.
Sam whined as he pushed her charm bracelet using his black wet nose. Roth recognized it. “Good boy.” He rescued the bracelet and waved it in the air. “Hey! You dropped your bracelet.” Blaze drove away.
***
Matthew stared a baleful bleakness of himself in the cracked mirror above a toothpaste crusted sink. He tried to process the day as he remembered slamming Milo’s head against the table and his reflection in the park’s mirror after he cuffed Milo. His memories increased his hatred for the vile monster. “Deedra, what time is it?”
“It is four thirty-five in the afternoon.”
It took a moment for Matthew to process the information.
“Deedra, that can’t be correct.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand that.”
“Never mind. Deedra, set an alarm for eight tonight.”
“The alarm is set for eight PM. I added a five minute snooze gap based on your previous habits.”
“You know me quite well.”
“Not well enough Matthew. I will soon. Rest well.”
After removing his watch and placing it onto the top of the toilet tank, he turned on the sink’s water, cupped his hands beneath it and splashed his face. He retrieved a generic bottle of aspirin, popped two into his mouth and slurped them down. He turned the water off.
Will this day ever end? He pulled open the glass shower door and turned on the water, the knob squealed. This is what I need. He stripped throwing his clothing onto a pile of dirty laundry.
Steam escaped into the bathroom. After stepping into the shower, he closed the door. The warm water flowed over his muscular six-pack body.
“Matthew.” Livia’s tone faint caught his attention.
He looked over his shoulder.
“Matthew, I’m here.”
Is that blood in the water? The cell phone ringing jolted him back to reality. Not giving a damn who called or what they wanted, he ignored the call. I’m losing my mind.
***
Blaze stormed toward Lux’s desk at four thirty-five PM.
“Good afternoon Ms. Angela, I’ll be with you in a second.”
“No need. I know my way in.” Blaze headed for her father’s office door.
Lux jumped in front of her. “Oh, hell no. You can’t go in. He’s meeting with an elected official.”
“I don’t give a damn. Get out of my way.” She grabbed the gold handle and pulled it. The door didn’t budge.
Lux’s facial expression reflected victory. “I expressed that you couldn’t enter. Snap. Snap.” His attitude and confidence shone as he cocked his hip and snapped his fingers twice in front of his puckered lips.
Blaze pounded both fists against the door. “Open the door Daddy. I have to talk to you.” She waited three seconds before she pounded her fists again. “Open this goddamn door.” Still no response.
The phone on Lux’s desk rang. He answered it providing Blaze a glimpse of the computerized badge on Lux’s desk. She grabbed it, lunged to the door and scanned it across the electronic panel releasing the lock forcing her way in.
“Blaze. What in hell are you doing?” Dr. Angela embarrassed by her unbecoming behavior, scolded her with his powerful leer.
“Talking to my father.”
“Not now Blaze. This is Congressman Tom Thompson.” He pointed to his guest.
“I don’t care if he’s the freaking President.”
The Congressman, a forty-five bright blue-eyed pompous Caucasian man, with jet black hair and bright blue eyes, rose and extended his hand to shake Blaze’s. She refused his offer. He quickly brushed his hand across his jet black hair.
“Please excuse us, Congressman. I need to speak with my father on an urgent matter.” Her tone reeked of sarcastic bitterness; not polite by any means.
The Congressman nodded to Dr. Angela. “I can come back the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow is the big day.” He shook Dr. Angela’s hand and once ag
ain extended his to Blaze who refused. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Angela.”
“I’m sure the pleasure was yours.”
As the Congressman left, Blaze glared at him. “Don’t let the door hit your fat ass on the way out.”
“Young lady. Your behavior is unbecoming for an Angela.” His words scolded her as if she were five.
“You’re one to preach. Have you checked your behavior? You bribed my landlord. Because of you, I don’t get the bigger apartment.”
“If you’d like, I can buy the entire building for you.”
“Really, Father. That’s all you have to say. You haven’t changed. You try to buy my love. That may have worked when I was five, but not anymore.”
“Tell me, what will work? I want you working with me here at Dimension Global. It’s your legacy. It’s your birthright.”
“Birthright. I don’t even know who my mother is. You and Mother dearest adopted me. So, don’t tell me about my birthright.”
“Enough! What do you want? Why this visit?”
“I want you to stop interfering with my life. Let me do my thing.”
“Does that mean I stop supporting you?”
“If that’s what you choose. I don’t care anymore. I can get a job. Hell, I can whore myself out.”
“Listen, young lady. No daughter of mine will whore herself out or struggle. I’ll keep paying for your apartment and continue your allowance under two conditions.”
“Oh, here it comes. Wait! Wait for it.”
“Consider working at my side when you graduate. Also, promise me you’ll come home to see me this Father’s Day. Since your brother is lost in space, you’re all I have.”
“You finished?”
“Not exactly. Where’s your bracelet?”
Blaze felt as if her stomach dropped to the floor when she glanced at her wrist devoid of her bracelet. Concerned, she couldn’t alert her father. “A link came loose; so, I put it in the shop to get it repaired.”
“I’m relieved. That bracelet is very important. Tell me where you took it, I’ll pick it up for you and pay for its repair.”
“That’s the only item you care about. Materialistic things. I have two conditions of my own. Stay away from me while I’m at school. And, leave Lorenzo alone when he gets out of prison; or, you’ll never see me or my damn bracelet again.”
***
Matthew tossed and turned between the dark blue sheets. His body ached as much as his heart.
Matthew, I’m scared. Livia’s voice echoed in his thoughts once again. Somebody is after me. Like the thousands of times before, he tried to shake the disturbing message he remembered, but the torment never stopped.
“Deedra, what time is it?”
“It is five minutes until eight PM. You have more time to snooze.”
Matthew sat upright and placed his feet onto the floor. He put his head into his hands as his elbows rested on his knees.
***
Blaze, in her slippers and pajamas, paced clomping across her living room floor. She didn’t care what her father thought about her missing bracelet although the sentimental value of losing it caused her heartache. Her mother, Virginia, gave it to her weeks before she died. Tears flowed down Blaze’s cheeks as she remembered their last exchange.
***
Blaze’s pink frilly bedroom reflected her princess lifestyle. Her mother had decorated her room as if it belonged in a palace. Her pink laced canopy bed, the oversized rocking chair with a six foot purple teddy bear sitting in it showcased the abundance of decorations and furniture in the room. She leaned against her headboard softened by two fluffy pillows inside pink satin pillowcases. Her mother sat beside her holding a tiny wrapped box and handed it to Blaze.
“Okay my princess, one last birthday present. I bought you something special. Well, your dad had it made for your birthday in his lab. It holds the key to our kingdom.”
“What is it Mommy?”
“Open it and see.”
Blaze unwrapped the gift and opened the box; her eyes sparkled like diamonds. “I love it. It’s my very own charm bracelet.”
“Yes. Look at them. Each charm has a special meaning. They tell a story.”
“A story. Yea. I love stories. Tell me the story.”
Victoria removed the bracelet from the box and held it for Blaze to see. “First, this heart is because of the day your father and I fell in love with you. We both cried when we came to the hospital to bring you home.”
“That’s because the stork gave me to you, right, Mommy?”
“That’s right, baby girl. Mommy couldn’t have one of her own, so we adopted you and your brother. The crown is because you’ll always be our princess.”
“I love being a princess.”
“That’s because you are. One day you will travel to a mysterious realm where you will become a queen. The dollar sign is our promise you’ll never have to worry about anything. This marble holds the secrets of your father’s company.”
Blaze held the bracelet toward to the light. She noticed the marble made a fractal starburst as the light kissed the surface. “It’s beautiful.”
“Promise me you’ll never lose it.”
“I promise Mommy. I won’t.”
“Sweet dreams my princess.”
“What if I have a bad dream?”
“It is impossible for bad dreams to enter your mind if you only think of white furry bunnies and purple unicorns. So, close your eyes and sleep well.” Victoria kissed Blaze on the forehead and turned off the light.
Blaze’s eyes closed. “White furry bunnies and purple unicorns. White furry bunnies and purple unicorns…”
Victoria peacefully eased from the bed chamber. “That’s right, sweetheart, white furry bunnies and purple unicorns.” She gently closed the bedroom door.
Blaze’s eyes tightened even more. “White furry bunnies and purple unicorns. White furry bunnies and purple unicorns…”
***
Blaze flopped onto her couch. White furry bunnies, purple unicorns and aliens in outer space. Her tears wouldn’t stop. She couldn’t bear the thought she had lost her bracelet. Where could it be? She buried her head into her pillow and cried. White furry bunnies, purple unicorns and aliens in outer space. White furry bunnies, purple unicorns and aliens in outer space. A double tap followed by a triple tap on the door startled her.
“Go away.” Her voice sounded desperate.
“Blaze. It’s Roth. The guy from Perks.”
“What part of go away don’t you understand.”
“I’m with Sam. He found your bracelet We brought it back to you.”
Blaze lurched from the couch and sprinted to the front door. She peeked through the peep hole as a grin of sincere affection replaced her sadness. “Oh, my God. I don’t believe it.” She fumbled to unlock the door before opening it.
Sam barked wagging his tail. She knelt and buried her face onto his fur and gave him a huge hug. “You’ve saved my life, Sam.”
“I had something to do with it. It wasn’t all him.”
“I’m sorry. I had no idea where I lost it, you’re a life saver.”
“I tried to catch you before you drove off but couldn’t. So, I waited until you might be home.” He handed her the bracelet.
She held the marble charm to the light. “It’s a Mandelbrot.”
“What?”
“Come see. Look at the fractals. Look at it in the light.”
Roth took the bracelet and held the marble charm toward the light. “I get it now. Patterns that repeat in nature. Where did you get it?”
“Better question, how did you find me? I didn’t tell you where I lived.”
“An educated guess. After you ran from this building earlier, I figured you must live here. So, I asked the landlord. He’s kind of creepy.”
“Creepy or not. I’m glad you found me. Thank you for returning it. Let me get my wallet and give you a reward.”
“Please, don’t insult
me. I did it out of the kindness of my heart. Your smile at the coffee shop the next time I see you will be my reward.”
“I guess I owe you an apology. I’ve been a bitch.”
***
Morty approached the maintenance shed on the back property of the apartment complex. He unlocked several chains, entered and strode to the far right corner. High on the shelf, he pressed his thumb onto a Dimension LED scanner. The metal bookcase scraped against the floor and opened into a secret chamber allowing him to enter.
In the darkness, Morty’s captive moaned. “Where’s that damn light switch?” He searched through the air until he grabbed the pull chain dangling from the ceiling. He jerked it. The dim light illuminated the ossuary damp area. A cast iron stove burned in the far corner; a branding iron heated on the burning red lava coals.
In the corner, Anna, a beautiful woman bound by chains across her hands and feet and duct tape across her mouth lay in a fetal position caged inside a rusty metal dog kennel the size that fit a Saint Bernard dog. She scooted into the far corner and tried to scream. Panic and fear overtook her breath. She kicked the side of the cage.
“Calm down, Anna. You will only hurt yourself. I wouldn’t want that. I can’t get as much for damaged goods. From my point of view, I’ll get lots of cash for your pussy.”
Anna struggled more. Her tears burned and left track marks on her dirty mascara smeared face.
“It’s time to eat! You can do this the easy way or the hard way. Which way will it be, Anna? You have a choice.” Morty leaned against the stripper pole mounted in the center of his shed. “I’m waiting.”
Anna shook as if caught naked in a snow blizzard and whimpered.
His eyes narrowed as his eyebrows arched in sardonic inquiry. “Okay, the hard way it is.” He grabbed the pull chain and turned out the light. The evil darkness filled the shed. He shuffled closer to the cage. The chain rattled and amplified throughout the darkness. Morty swung his aluminum bat against the cage. Crash.
***
Matthew contemplated his next move as he strode naked to the kitchen and retrieved a can of beer. He gulped the amber liquid, belched and crushed the tin can.
THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2058