Deranged Read online

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Well, she expects me to be there.”

  Jack glanced at the wall calendar as I spoke.

  “I mean, I know how things can go upside down here at a moment’s notice.”

  “So, you want me to be your fall guy?”

  I shrugged as I stared at my cuticles and felt the hot sting of tears in my eyes. “It sounds bad when you put it that way, like I don’t give a crap about my mom.”

  “Then why don’t you want to go?” Jack rose from his chair and closed his partially open office door.

  “Because she lives in Atlanta.”

  The knock brought me back to the moment.

  “Kate, it’s Amber. Dinner is ready.”

  “I’m not in the mood to eat.”

  “Since when? What the hell is wrong?”

  I slammed the dresser drawer and opened my closet. “I’m out of sorts.”

  “Can I come in?”

  “Yeah, but I’m giving you fair warning there’s a pity party going on in here.”

  My bedroom doorknob turned, and Amber’s head appeared in the foot-wide opening. “What’s the matter?”

  I pushed hangers from one side of the pole to the other. I filled the suitcase with two dresses and three lightweight sweaters then emptied it again and hung everything back in the closet.

  “Damn, girl, you have it bad, whatever it is.”

  “I’m pissed that I have to go to Atlanta.”

  “That’s why you’re fired up? You don’t actually have to go.”

  “Yeah, I do. I don’t like being backed into a corner, and that’s exactly what Kim—who thinks I’m a wacko, by the way—does.” I lowered my voice to nearly a whisper. “She’s very overbearing when it comes to Mom.” I put my new jeans with the holes in the knees back in the drawer. Kim wouldn’t approve of them, anyway. I silently recited dozens of excuses why I couldn’t go to Atlanta and hoped to gather enough courage to call her and stand my ground.

  Amber took a seat on my bed and patted the spot next to her. “Are you going because she’s the oldest and the wisest or because you let her boss you around?”

  I smirked. “She’s far from the wisest and doesn’t even have a job. Allen works hard enough for both of them.”

  “Then sit down and tell me the real reason this trip is scaring the hell out of you.”

  “It only takes two words.”

  “And they are?”

  “Lynch family.”

  Amber pulled back and wrinkled her brow. “You are kidding, right? Robert is dead, and Tony is in prison.”

  “In Atlanta.”

  “Yet in prison nonetheless.”

  “Yeah, he was also in prison when he sent Warren Ricks after us. Now I’m going to them?”

  Amber smiled. “You’re right, this is a pity party, but don’t forget, Warren Ricks is in prison too.” She stood and walked to the door. “Come on up for dinner. A full belly and conversation will make you feel better, and maybe Jade will have some good advice.”

  Chapter 3

  He pushed the roller cart to the commercial-sized refrigerator and pulled open the door. Inside on the center shelf lay Ginger’s torso he had been working with. He took it out and placed it on the cart. If the night went without complications, he’d be able to secure both arms to the body before bedtime. He pocketed the syringe then closed the refrigerator, pushed the cart across the room, and heaved the torso onto the embalming table.

  Greg crossed the empty second room and entered room number three. Blindfolded, gagged, and bound to another stainless steel table was a woman who appeared to be in her early twenties. Greg didn’t know anything about her except that she went by the name Lola. He didn’t care since she was just another prostitute he’d picked up to use as parts. He chuckled as he imagined a fictitious scene.

  The big-box store manager calls my name over the loudspeaker while all the customers stop and listen. “Greg McMillian, you’re needed in the parts department immediately.”

  The woman on the table squirmed at the sound of his approaching footsteps.

  “There, there, now, you’re fine.” He stood at her side and stroked her thick black locks while he sized her up. Her arms were well defined, and her nearly white skin was as close of a match as he would get. No stupid arm or hand tattoos either—she was just right. He’d separate her at the shoulders, stitch up the wounds, and save her for more parts if needed. He studied her hair again.

  Kamila took pride in her long black locks, and there was never a hair out of place. The texture, color, and length are perfect. Yep, Lola, your hair will come in handy later.

  Greg pulled the syringe from his pocket and removed the protective cover. He pushed the plunger to make sure no air bubbles were in the barrel, then he sank the needle into her vein. She’d be asleep within ten minutes. He set the radio station to smooth jazz and prepared his tools as he hummed along with the music. Being a butcher was therapeutic, and so was his new at-home project.

  The phone’s alarm sounded in his pocket—it was time. He picked up the reciprocating saw, and once inside the last room, he made certain she was asleep. His efforts had been put to the test before—it was a learning curve—but this time, he wouldn’t fail. He couldn’t afford another incident like the one he’d had several days back. The woman after Ginger, who was not fully under anesthesia, had thrashed at the touch of the blade and ruined his effort to make a clean cut to her leg. Mistakes like that were costly and wasted time, and her legs would have been perfect. He needed to recreate Kamila, a woman he couldn’t let go of, and when he was done, she’d be immortal. Her very name meant perfection, and she didn’t deserve anything less.

  He began with the scalpel and separated Lola’s skin, veins, and muscle. He had to clamp the arteries quickly before she bled out. When he reached the bone, he felt for the glenohumeral joint.

  There it is.

  Greg lowered the helmet’s clear face shield and pulled the saw’s trigger. Within seconds, the first arm was removed and lying at her side. He wouldn’t need her for long, just a few more days, then he’d remove her hair and secure it to the perfect head once he found one.

  With the arteries stitched and skin closed, Greg carried the first arm into the operating room. He checked the time—8:42. The procedure was progressing nicely. He’d let the blood drain from the arm for fifteen minutes, fill it with embalming fluid, then secure it to the torso. At 8:57, he lined up the ball and socket, making sure it was a perfect fit, and began stitching the skin together.

  Chapter 4

  Hours later, I was still stewing as I watched Jade and Amber enjoy their favorite weekly TV show. I thought about their dinnertime comments, and they both had said I was overreacting. Jack had agreed to the three days off I had requested—in case I actually went—and there were enough people at the sheriff’s office to cover in my absence. It was on me, and I knew my mom would be heartbroken if I didn’t show up. Kim and I were her only children.

  I grabbed the remote and paused the television.

  Amber’s head snapped in my direction. “Hey, what are you doing?”

  I waved her off. “It was going into a commercial, anyway. What I’m wondering is why Kim couldn’t have planned the party somewhere else, like Denver. I’ve never been there, and I’ve heard the aspen tree colors are gorgeous in fall.”

  Jade laughed. “Don’t you think that would have ruined the surprise?”

  “Who cares about a surprise? I would have happily shared the expense of taking Mom on a nice birthday vacation, but instead, she has to sit in the same damn house, have the same damn friends show up, and eat the same damn cake she eats every year. Big whopping deal.”

  “And maybe that’s what makes her happy, Kate. It’s her birthday, but you’re making everything about you.”

  I gave Amber my best “Shut up even though I know you’re right” expression. I tossed the remote to her and got up. “I’m going to bed.”

  Jade spoke up b
efore I cleared the living room. “Have you packed yet?”

  With my middle finger extended, I headed downstairs. In my room, I gathered my thoughts and realized I was being irrational.

  I’ll call the penitentiary tomorrow and make sure Warren and Tony are secure and ask if anyone in their cell block has been released lately.

  I shook my head at my own foolishness. “Why would they know Mom’s birthday is coming up, anyway, or that I’m attending it? It isn’t like her fifty-fifth birthday is headline news.” I tapped the icon on my phone to check the Atlanta weather forecast over the next week. “Hmm… mid-sixties and mostly sunny. That sounds nice.” Our temperatures had already started to dip, and we’d had threats of nighttime frost. Averages in the high forties were the best we’d get on late October days. “Fine.” I stood and opened my dresser drawer for the tenth time that day and started packing. I was done and the bag zipped by ten thirty, when I crawled into bed.

  My sleep was sporadic, and I tossed and turned throughout the night. I forced myself to get up at three fifteen and take a melatonin tablet, then I dozed off again until six thirty, when I woke up tired and cranky.

  A cheerful Amber looked over her shoulder when I walked into the kitchen. “Morning, Kate. The coffee should be ready.”

  She stood at the counter and cracked eggs into a bowl. With the fork, she stirred them, added a little milk, and stirred again. She poured the contents into the frying pan that sizzled with butter, dropped the bread into the toaster, set the butter dish on the counter, and took three plates out of the cupboard. Everything she did was fluid and flawless. She didn’t waste a step.

  “Who are you?” I was grumpy, and my lack of humor showed.

  Jade entered the kitchen, apparently saw I didn’t have coffee yet, and poured three cups. She set one down in front of me. “Who’s who?”

  Amber spoke up. “Me, I guess.” She tipped her head in my direction. “I don’t think she got a good night’s sleep.”

  “You’re right. Of course, after talking about Tony Lynch and Warren Ricks and dwelling on them for the last few days, I had to dream about them too.”

  “At least you didn’t wake up screaming.” When the toast popped up, Amber scooped eggs out of the frying pan. “That’s a good thing.”

  I rubbed my temples. “Only because I barely slept at all.”

  Amber passed plates of scrambled eggs and toast to Jade and me. “You’ll get plenty of sleep on your mini vacation. You’ve decided to go, right?”

  I reluctantly nodded and took a bite of eggs. “Thanks, Amber, these are really good.” I knew that at some point that day, I’d have to call my sister and tell her I was coming. I’d gone ahead and purchased the ticket online last night, paying a premium for my last-minute decision.

  Even though it was Amber’s turn, I volunteered to drive to work. Since I’d be gone until next Tuesday, she’d be driving herself during my scheduled week.

  Amber read the morning news on her phone as I drove. “That’s sick.”

  “What is?”

  “Partially decomposed body parts were just found in Oakland City, Georgia.”

  I shook my head in disgust. “Body parts?”

  “Yeah, the article said they were female legs.”

  “Oakland City is near the technical college I went to, and certain areas have a bad reputation for crime.”

  “Maybe that’s why you were assaulted there.”

  I frowned. “But that was years ago. I think Robert Lynch was just trolling for any female he could find alone that night. Either way, it doesn’t sound like the violent crimes are letting up around there. I’m really glad I live in small-town USA.”

  Amber laughed. “We still have our share of kooks. Spillover from Milwaukee, maybe.”

  Once we reached the sheriff’s office and entered the bull pen, I noticed that Jack’s door was closed. I tipped my head in that direction. “Is he in there, or hasn’t he arrived yet?’

  Billings leaned back in his chair and scratched his belly.

  “Really, Adam? I can see your stomach hair between your bulging buttons. Why don’t you wear an undershirt?”

  He shrugged. “Lynn never told me I had to. Anyway, yeah, he’s on the phone.”

  I plopped down in my chair and scribbled a note to call Kim at lunchtime. Once our workday began, personal tasks were often forgotten.

  “Damn.”

  We all turned to Clayton and waited.

  “Well?” Amber asked.

  He looked away from his computer momentarily. “Sorry, I didn’t know you guys were listening. Guess I was thinking out loud.”

  “Great, so damn what?”

  He swiped the air. “I was reading about the pair of legs found in the greater Atlanta area. Sounds like the cops don’t have anything to go on.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, we know, and lucky me, I’m heading to that very city.”

  Clayton continued. “The ME thinks they came from a twenty- to thirty-year-old female.” He huffed. “Good luck making an identification with nothing but that. They don’t even have tattoos to work with.” Clayton glanced at me. “How far is Oakland City from where you grew up?”

  “Ten minutes by car.”

  “Oh jeez, sorry. So it sounds like you’ve made up your mind about heading south tomorrow.”

  “Yeah.” I sighed. “I guess I’m going.”

  Chapter 5

  Jack burst out his office door. “We’ve got a bank robbery in progress at Mid-County Bank on Highway 60 and Fairbrook Street. Jackson City police has the building surrounded. It’s all they can do since the bank is outside their city limits. Patrol is en route, and I need all hands on deck.”

  I holstered my pistol, pocketed an extra magazine, and grabbed a vest. My colleagues did the same.

  Jack yelled out as we ran to the cruisers. “Two cars. Kate and Amber, you’re with me. Clayton and Billings, lead the way.”

  We headed to the freeway, lights and sirens engaged, with just under nine miles to the bank. I calculated that we’d arrive in thirteen minutes.

  “What did the Jackson City police say?”

  “They don’t have all the details, only that somebody in the bank’s restroom called them when the robbers entered the building. He said he heard at least three different voices demanding everyone hit the floor except the bank manager—he was told to open the vault. Problem is, it’s on a timer that doesn’t unlock until nine a.m.”

  I took in a deep breath while I glanced at the cruiser’s clock. “That isn’t good. They have forty minutes to go, and bank robbers don’t like hanging around. They jumped the gun on that one.”

  Jack looked worried. “My biggest concern is that they’ll become desperate.”

  Our cruisers squealed to a stop along the road a hundred feet from the bank’s parking lot. Three squad cars from Jackson City PD were stationed on the outer corners and backside of the building. Our patrol units had the driveways blocked with their own vehicles.

  Jack radioed Silver to meet us at our cars. We needed updates.

  Silver appeared from the back of the building and ran to our cruisers.

  “What’s the latest?” Jack asked.

  Silver pointed over his shoulder at the person from the PD who was in charge. “That’s Officer Matt Simpson. He’s been in contact with the robbers and said there are three armed men inside who are demanding a clear exit—no law enforcement vehicles in the vicinity, but they aren’t leaving until after the vault opens. Any unexplained movements from us will result in gunfire.”

  “You’ve got to be shitting me!” Jack checked the time. “There’s still twenty minutes to go before it opens. Get that officer over here and then close the road to through traffic a half mile back in both directions.”

  We watched as Silver crouched and ran to Matt Simpson’s squad car. Seconds later, they were both standing at Jack’s side.

  Jack shook Matt’s hand. “Simpson, what’s in the vault that’s so special on
a Wednesday morning?”

  “According to the man who called in the robbery, it’s full. The armored truck only services this bank once a week, and it’s on Wednesday afternoons.”

  “Terrific. How would the robbers know that?”

  “Surveillance, I’d assume, unless it’s an inside job.”

  “Have they said anything about taking hostages?”

  “Not yet. I guess they’re waiting to see how we handle their demands once they’re ready to come out.”

  Jack shielded his eyes and looked at the parking lot. He counted eleven vehicles. “Do we know which car they came in?”

  “No. All the surveillance equipment is within the building.”

  “Damn it. How many possible hostages do they have?”

  “We were told there are seven employees inside and three customers.”

  The group huddled against our cars had grown. Nearly a dozen police and sheriff’s department officers and deputies had gathered.

  “Okay, logical conclusions only. Eleven vehicles and thirteen people inside. One of those cars belongs to the robbers. We just need to figure out which one it is and disable it.”

  I spoke up. “They couldn’t burst into the bank unless it was already opened for business. That’s why there are three customers inside.” I studied the parking lot. “Employees normally park the farthest away and leave the convenient spots for customers. The robbers want to make a quick exit and get the hell out of Dodge. That’s telling me their car is one of those four nearest the door.”

  Clayton pointed. “And probably the last one in that first row.”

  “Nope,” Amber said. “They sure as hell aren’t going to back out of a spot. I’m guessing it’s that black car in the first spot of the second row.”

  Jack looked over his right shoulder. “The only glass on this side of the building is at the atrium entrance, and they can’t see the parking lot unless they were standing there. What’s at the back of the building?”

  Lawrence tipped her head. “The backside has one steel door along with the drive-through ATM and banking windows.”