Chapter 1
Captain Jack Davis, LVPD, was feeling his age these days.
Not that he would ever admit it, of course. If asked, he would probably say, ‘old’ was just a state of mind. Or some such bullshit.
Refocusing his attention, he scanned the scene before him with the eyes of a trained observer.
It was what he was paid to do, after all.
Glancing about, he shook his head at the developing scene behind the taped off section of the street. What was it about Vegas that attracted all the loonies?
They already had enough crazies wandering the streets, they really didn’t need to transport more in.
This part of the Strip never failed to enchant him in some way, however.
Farther down, to his right, homeless vagrants scoured trash bins or scoped out places to crash for the night.
A few of the braver Tweakers subtly pulled at car door handles, hoping some naive tourist left their vehicles unlocked so they might score their next fix.
To his left, sets of harried looking parents attempted to corral a group of children hyped up on sugar. The expressions on their faces spoke of regret and defeat.
What did they expect, bringing their children to Sin City? A town that never slept, nor rested...this was no place for kids. Well, not this part of town, anyway.
A sudden burst of girlish giggling shook Davis from his musings. He rolled his eyes as a group of glitter covered young women rushed past him and dropped into a practiced huddle.
Throwing their arms into a flourishing pose, they stood stick still before the bored photographer, smiles plastered on their overly made-up faces.
Having encountered a hundred other groups just like these, the photographer attempted a slight joviality, but the effort quickly fell away.
Glancing to the unfolding drama beside them, which included lots of police milling around... then back to the subject of his ‘portrait’, the guy shook his head wearily.
“I get it, man.” Davis muttered to himself, understanding the other man’s disbelief anyone could be so unaware of the activity taking place around them.
The problem was, Davis knew...most were aware a death had occurred just a few feet from their frivolity, they just didn’t care.
If it didn’t involve them, it didn’t concern them.
They just hoped the couple dozen law enforcement vehicles with their flashing lights would blend enough with the magical ambiance that was Las Vegas to ensure their keepsake photo wasn’t tarnished.
Davis had long become accustomed to how callous people could be, especially if it meant anything interrupted their vacation.
As long as visitors remained focused on petting the dolphins and playing the slots and didn’t kill anyone in his city... the cop didn’t care what the hell they did, one way or other.
He was just as jaded, he realized, as those he now condemned.
Davis just hoped the Stratosphere served as a decent enough backdrop to detract from the body not even thirty feet away.
Leaning against the roof of his car, he watched William Novak do this thing.
How many crime scene investigations had they lived through, he wondered? Too many. He knew.
This one was bothering him. Something about it, nagging at his conscience.
It was just an accident, however. Some poor woman fell to her death from atop the Stratosphere.
Sad, yes. Tragic, of course. Unusual? Not so much.
He alone had run point on three fall related deaths in just the past three months.
One from a seventh story balcony of an exclusive hotel, another down an elevator shaft of yet another exclusive hotel, the most recent, a young man who presumably fell to his death during a hike out by Red Rock Canyon.
All had presumably been accidents, but of course, only time would tell.
In any case, Novak would come over soon and give the verdict on this incident, but something just wasn’t sitting right in Davis’s mind.
“How can anyone be so stupid to fall from up there?” Abigail Evers was anything but tolerant of anyone else’s shortcomings, her pretty face scrunched up in a disbelieving grimace. “I bet she was trying to take a selfie and stepped back, what’ da ya want to bet, JackDavis?”
“Don’t call me that.” The man secretly kinda liked the moniker the young detective had bestowed upon him several months back when first assigned to his division. “That’s ‘Captain’ Davis to you, Rookie. And go get me some coffee. And a donut.” He motioned to the Starbucks across the way. “You know how I like it.”
“Oh, I do know.” The young woman jumped on the chance to ‘flirt’.
She moved suggestively closer, her finger running down the front of his blue silk tie. “Bet I could ring your chimes, JackDavis, if I put my mind to it.”
“You’re not too old to take over the proverbial knee.” He sent her a ‘look’, one that said...I’m just the guy who can...and will...do it.
“Move that sweet ass, daylight’s burning.” he quoted John Wayne’s favorite saying. Or at least, it was the only one he remembered from the hundred Duke movies he watched over the years.
The girl lost the mood, sighing heavily. “I wish Tom Harligan was back. Major Tom used to be the ‘go to’ guy before me, right? Why did you transfer him again?”
“He got too big for his panties.” Davis missed the young detective, in truth. One would never hear such blasphemy from his lips though. “Two creams, one sugar.”
“I’m not supposed to be the ‘go to’ guy...I’m a chick.” Evers reminded politely. “I would love to report you for sexual harassment but, gee.” She managed a woe-be-gone face. “you just won’t cooperate like you’re supposed to, will ya.”
Davis noted Novak had arisen and was headed over. “Yeah, why don’t you try your seductive powers out on someone new for a while?” He motioned to the man who ambled over.
The girl pulled an adorable face, turning, lowering her voice. “He scares me and not in a good way.” She cut her eyes to Novak. “He’s weird.”
“You are too.” Davis pointed out. “Could be a match made in Heaven. Why don’t you take a shot?”
“You know you would be devastated if I was unfaithful to you.” She stated almost petulantly.
“Which I won’t be. I love you, JackDavis. Only you.”
“Oh...goodie.” he nodded slowly, his brows lifting slightly. “I feel so privileged. Lucky me.”
“I’ll get that coffee, because you’re my guy but only because of that fact.” She decided.
“Yeah, don’t forget the donut.” He watched the saucy little swish of her ass as she departed, forgetting the woman in the next instance.
Although it was pretty hard to forget those tight slacks which hugged that cute little bottom with just the right tenacity to whet a guy’s imagination and appetite.
“So, what’da we got, Novak?” He turned his attention to business.
“It’s not an accident.” Novak knew. The man sat his case aside, on the fender of Davis’s state issued SUV. “She was dead before she hit the pavement. But not too long before. This guy wanted to make it seem like she just fell but there are cuts and wounds all over the body. Knife wounds.”
“What?” Davis shook his head, his mood dropping. “You fucking thinking what I’m thinking here?” He already knew each man was in sync, for that something had clicked in his head finally. “It’s the same MO. I just hoped for something different, damnit.”
“I remember.” Novak did. “But that guy disappeared off the scene over two years ago, Jack. And none of the details of his crimes were released to the press.”
“Which means, no copycat.” Davis sighed heavily. “This is our guy and he’s resurfaced.”
“You’re jumping to conclusions.” William Novak disliked doing so. “Let me get some more information under our collective belts. You can have the scene now. We’ll get her transported.”
The man handed over the necessary data to get the ball rolling.
Davis glanced over the readout on the phone. “Chloe Cummings. Age: 22.” The man rubbed tired eyes with his thumbs. “Geesh. Twenty-two. I don’t ever remember being that young.”
Novak really looked at his friend. “Why are you even here? This is the night shift’s department, right?”
“I was headed out the door.” Davis heard the call come in. “Thought I better check it out at least.”
“Well, you’ve checked it out, now...go home.” Novak smiled to lessen the words. “I am capable of doing the job, you know.”
Davis chuckled. “With all these new Rookies hanging about, not sure my department can make such a claim.” He took the coffee and donut from Abigail Evers unresisting hands as she approached, giving her a long-suffering look.
“Oh...hello, CSI guy. I don’t think you’re weird or anything.” The woman smiled pleasantly over to a politely waiting Novak. “Well, I do, but only in the best possible way.”
“Hello...Lower Person In Rank Than I Am.” Novak could bullshit with the best of them. “Where’s my coffee?”
“Are you shitting me?” Abigail’s face showed her disbelief.
Davis motioned with his forefinger to the busy Starbucks the woman had just vacated.
“Ah, come on, JackDavis!” She whined. “Have a heart.”
“Lost it when you came through the door, Angel.” He smiled at her manner. “See if you can find a muffin as well, will ya?”
The girl’s head fell back, and she offered a disgruntled groan but traipsed back across the street to the Starbucks, her steps world-weary ones.
Davis held his grin. “That did my heart good. Thanks, Novak.”
“Don’t mention it.” Novak didn’t bother to hold his smile. “Go home, get some rest. I’ll take over for a while.”
“Can’t.” Davis knew. “I have to notify the next of kin.”
“Haven’t got any ‘next-of-kin’ for you but your department can handle that.” Novak was certain.
“Still, you look beat. Just saying.”
“I’m fresh as a daisy.” Evers returned with the coffee and a muffin and... a look of dissension. Davis motioned for her to hand it over to the correct recipient.
Her mood dropped lower as those green eyes landed on a chipper William Novak.
“I had to flash my badge to butt in line.” She brooded expertly, in Davis’ opinion.
“Well, thank you, Lowly One.” Novak bit into the muffin, none the worse for wear. “What would we higher ups do without you.”
“You guys are chauvinistic pigs.” Evers made mention.
“Especially you, Cop Guy.” Her brow furrowed even more so, having noticed the man next to her. “Although, you smell pretty good. Both your behaviors are archaic and beyond unacceptable to any self-respecting female of this day and age, just saying.”
“Flattery will get you almost anywhere with me.” Davis said. “I need the next-of-kin. Get on it.” He ordered in that matter-of-fact way he had about him.
“Aren’t we off-duty, JackDavis?” She was about to whine.
“When I say you’re off-duty, then so shall it be.” The man cut short any misunderstandings. “Did I say it? I don’t think I did.”
The girl dropped her head, this time, trudging off in a woe-is-me manner.
“This younger generation.” Novak watched her departure.
“Yeah, can’t shoot em and bury em in the back yard.” Davis agreed with the assessment. “Not without you and your team coming along and digging them up and pointing accusatory fingers.”
“It’s what we do.” Novak apologized, his eyes on the covered body just off to the side.
“We got to find this creep, Jack. This time?” He sought out his counterpart. “We have to stop him once and for all.”
“We didn’t do so good first time around.” Davis blew out a puff of air, his opinion running along similar lines. “But we’re smarter now...right?” He lifted mirth filled eyes, which faded with time. “We’ll get the bastard. His time is coming to an end.”
The dark eyes watched the beautiful mansion across the way. “Well, my little bird. You’ve come up in the world, I see.” A smile graced the full lips. “I always knew you had a head for business and a body that would please the Gods.”
A chuckle issued from those smirking lips, the sound raspy and unnatural somehow. The soft night air carried the sinister whisk away.
The man shifted his attention to the West. He had always liked the mountains. Perhaps, after his business was done here, he would find a nice spot to retire.
There was no real challenge any longer to his pastime. No one worthy of his talents. No one was his equal.
He sighed longingly. Sad, really. Giano Gallia was merely a thug, one who got lucky before.
There had been no real threat there. Anyone can resort to such menial tactics. He expected more from a man of such supposed distinction.
Really? A gun? How bourgeois.
His interest perked up. A light came on in the upper part of the house. East end, with the lace curtains. She was finally ‘home’. It was late, after all. And in her line of business, hours varied.
He would forgive her. “Ah, Sylvia my lovely. You make my heartbeat faster, just the very thought of your beautiful features and that exquisite form.” He sighed breathlessly. “You are worth the wait.”
Chloe Cummings information had been correct after all. One can never be certain in such matters, after all. Fear is such a powerful aphrodisiac. One says what one must to survive. Pity Chloe did not.
Even though she had said mostly, all the right things.
He really rather liked the child. She was oddly innocent in her own way. He had become bored, however. The game was no longer entertaining. He ended it...and Chloe’s young life.
Oh well...
He dismissed Chloe Cummings in the very next heartbeat...
A thrill ran the length of his spine bringing yet another smile, for a slender shadow had moved across the window lace. “I am coming for you, my precious.” He advised softly. “It won’t be long now. Then it’s Gallia’s turn, and all will be as it should be once again. I have waited so long.”
He quieted his heartbeat.
“I had to see you, my love.” He moved back into the shadows for the woman who owned the house across the street was once again peering out the large plate glass windows of her home.
Some people needed to mind their own business. “Perhaps I should visit you, you old biddy, before my lovely Sylvia. Teach you to mind your manners.”
He dismissed the sensation of anger as unproductive, his eyes hastily returning to the room with the lace curtains. “I had best go, my darling. I will return soon, of course.” he blew a kiss. “I count the minutes.”
He moved off into the night, blending well with the eerie shadows and dark melancholy surrounding him.
“I said, you were off-duty, Evers.” Jack Davis’ brow furrowed slightly as the woman had set a beer before him. “You don’t have to cater to me now. We’re just two buddies, having a beer, remember?”
“I like to play the subservient.” The young girl sat beside the man, sliding close in the small booth Davis had claimed for his own many years back now in the small ‘cop bar’ just down the way from the old headquarters that was Jack’s home for many, many years before the new City Hall building was erected.
“If you’re into that sort of thing? I hope.” She smiled prettily over, her chin resting on doubled up fingers. “You’re such an Alpha.”
Her eyes swept his form appreciatively. “We could play...naughty college co-ed and you could be my strict and demanding Professor. You up for it?”
“Anyone ever take you up on that shit?” He cut her a look. “I think you’re all talk, little girl.”
“Try me.” She popped some peanuts into her mouth, lifting suggestive brows.
“Did you get the Vic’s information I asked for?”
“No shop talk.” She scowled, sipping her own beer moodily. “And yes. I’m not going to tell you though cause...I’m jealous and I don’t want you should go where the data will send you.”
“Well, you better tell me or I’ll show you just how ‘strict and demanding’ I can be if I put my mind to it.” Davis suggested mildly, stretching his legs out under the heavy wood of the table.
He kinked his back absently.
“Ohhh.” Evers closed her eyes, savoring the threat for a beat.
“Chloe Cummings worked for Mistress Sylvia. She has no known next-of-kin, damnit to hell.” She moped moodily. “So you’re going to have to go over to that house of ill repute and I know how you look for each and every opportunity to do so. Happy now?”
“Getting there.” Davis held his smile, the thought of meeting Mistress Sylvia Drabeck again not exactly an unpleasant one.
“I could go for you.” Evers brightened. “Save you the leg work. I wouldn’t mind at all, JackDavis...not at all.”
“No, but you can come along.” he decided. “You might learn a few things about seduction that you need under your belt.”
“That was just mean.” The woman decided. “I can ‘seduct’ with the best of them, I’ll have you know.”
“Is there such a word?” Davis asked, his mood mellowing despite his determination to not let the woman get to him.
“I’m not wearing any panties.” she moved closer still, her breast rubbing up against the muscles of his biceps. The man glanced to the contact, keeping his features perfectly neutral in nature although, the contact felt...kinda good, in reality, he was loathe to admit if only in his own mind.
“I’m not wearing any either.” he thought it should be said. “Didn’t get to the laundry this week...you too? Is this you ‘seducting’?”
The girl sat back, shaking her head woefully. “You are a challenge.” She digested the fact. “But I ain’t no quitter...just saying.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way.” The man pulled the bowl of peanuts his way, palming a handful. “If you were wearing panties...what style would they be...just curious. Don’t make a big deal out of it though, okay?” He warned with his stare. "Inquiring minds want to know and all that shit only."
“The kind that hug my ass cheeks but have room for you to slide your palms up and under?” She grimaced her doubt, hoping she had hit on his very favorite ‘style’ in the entire Universe.
Davis pulled an approving face. “I love those.” He caught the waitress’ attention, motioning the young server over. “Too bad you don’t have any on. I would have tried to jump your ass otherwise.”
The blonde arrived just on schedule, interrupting any repartee Evers would have made.
“We’re gonna order now. I’m suddenly in the mood to eat something.” Davis sorta enjoyed the shocked, blank expression his words had caused on his young detective’s face for the totally unnecessary double entendre.
