The X-Man by Brian R. Lundin (100 best novels of all time .TXT) 📕

dermis, in other words the killer was probably non-Caucasian, not Caucasian as originally thought, he’s waiting more results from the FBI Crime lab. Seems like she may have put up a fight, we’re waiting for a possible DNA match, she also was a member of the health club. Also at each crime scene the bloody X found on the mirror contained the victim’s blood type, we also still waiting on those DNA reports. All of the killings were occurred on the 10th of the month and as best as can be determined occurred between two and three in the morning and another odd thing it was always a rainy night. In all of the cases there are no apparent motives, most of the victims didn’t have money or jewelry the only things taken were their underwear.

RINGO
Cristy?

CRISTY
I interviewed Cynthia White parents who live in Warsaw, Indiana who stated that Cynthia moved to Chicago in June and as far as they knew didn’t know anyone. I re-interviewed the building manager and he said that she was quiet and as far as he knew she didn’t have a boyfriend. The old lady who lived next to Robin Honeywell said that Robin grew up in the neighborhood and was a nice girl but she often saw her parading around the apartment naked, sounds like an exhibitionist and I have set up an interview with neighbors and friends of the other victims, but you know these people don’t talk to cops. Interviewed Mrs. Starks and she looked at our mug books, but didn’t find anyone, all the DNA samples analyzed came back negative, no matches.

RINGO
Evetta
Had a conversation with an CI who said that one of his guys saw on two occasions a small man at the scene of two of the homicides. I’ll set up a meet later.

TURNER
Do we have one killer or two or do we have a copy cat?

RINGO
I don’t think so, If it is a copycat, how would he know about the missing underwear, that information hasn’t been released? The last killing was in October this is December, seems like he’s changing his pattern, the question is why he has stopped. I know it’s bad to say, but if he has stopped or moved to another state or country we might never catch him, anyway, thanks everyone. Charley try to put some heat on the state crime lab about the DNA, In the meantime Evetta and I are going to review the other victim’s files, maybe we missed something, and the question is, is there any connection between the victims outside the health club and how they are selected

Evetta pulled Peggy Smith case file from her briefcase. “Peggy Smith, twenty-five, the first victim of the X-Man. lived alone on the second floor at 4555 South Vincennes Avenue in a six-flat rehabbed building, found by building manager Mrs. Thomas and maintenance man, McRoy Gilberry on 10 January 2008, after tenants complained of a foul odor in the building, no witnesses, no one heard screams or saw anyone leave her apartment. Vic found in bathtub large X carved in her chest and another bloody X found on bathroom mirror. No signs of forced entry or missing property, except underwear, no trace evidence or prints.
It was a warm afternoon for the middle of December and the busy activity on 43rd Street could be heard a half block away. As usual I and Evetta did a walk-around of the building. The front of the building contained a sign cemented into ground that read “Vincennes Garden Court.”Beyond the sign were a cast iron fence, a locked key-card gate and a tenant’s directory, the building sat back in a well-kept yard that also contained potted plant, we walked to the rear and found another fenced and gated yard and the apartments had balconies, we returned to the front and ringed the manager’s bell.

MANAGER
Yes, can I help you?

EVETTA
Detective Lunden, Chicago Police Department, we would like to speak to you

MANAGER
Just a minute, please

In a moment the heavy gate buzzed and slowly opened and we walked to an apartment with a wooden plaque that read “Manager.” The door opened slightly and an elderly woman peeked out, Evetta and I showed the woman our identification and she opened the door. The manager, who identified herself as a Mrs. Ruby Darling looked to be in her sixties, wore too much face powder and wore her hair in a tight ball. She directed us to an oversized cloth couch and she sat in one of the two cloth chairs. On the crème colored wall was a picture of Luther King and on a large table were faded photos of an old woman sitting, a stern looking man standing and two young girls on each side of the woman, other family pictures doted the table.

EVETTA
We have just a few questions about Peggy Smith and we’ll let you go.


DARLING
I’ve already gave a statement to the police

EVETTA
We know, just back tracking to see if maybe you remember anything else, tell us about Peggy

DARLING
I just put on a pot for tea, care for some?

EVETTA
That’ll be fine, thanks

In a few minutes the lady returned with three cups and put the teapot on a tray. Mrs. Darling poured the tea and sat.

DARLING
Peggy was a good tenant paid her rent on time and never caused any problems or disturbance. Peggy usually left for work early in the morning and sometimes came in late. Whenever she had to work late she would call and she would look out for her

RINGO
What kind of person was Peggy?

DARLING
Plain girl, kind of shy she was the only child of a very sick father and she spent a lot of time with her mother


EVETTA.
Did she have a lot of guest? Boyfriend?

DARLING
I never saw her with anyone. She seemed like an introvert, had little to say, but was friendly, nice girl, but it seemed like the only thing she did was work, but she loved to read, especially books on Black History. I believed that she escaped into her books, where maybe she found some excitement for what looked to me like a pretty boring life for a young woman in Chicago, although a couple of times I saw her leave wearing gym clothes and carrying a large gym bag, I don’t know what was in it or where she was going

RINGO
Based on the information we have, her apartment door was not broken into, any idea how her killer got in?

DARLING
I don’t know, like I told the other officers all visitors must be buzzed in at the gate

RINGO
Have you rented the apartment yet?

DARLING (SIGHING)
No not yet, the police just removed the Seal a couple of weeks ago and I have to get the place painted and stuff before I rent it

EVETTA
Can we take a look?

DARLING
Sure, I’ll give you the key; I’m not ready to go back in there

The manager stopped me and Evetta at the door.


DARLING
I just remembered there was this good looking fella, a little guy but very muscular I saw them from my apartment window they both were carrying gym bags.

RINGO
Think you could identify him?

DARLING
I don’t think so, it was dark and I only got a glance of him

We thanked the manager for the tea and her time and headed for Peggy’s apartment. The door to the apartment still had the fingerprinting dust and contained two locks, which seemed undisturbed.

EVETTA
Think it was lover-boy?

RINGO
Could be, there’s no indications of a break-in, an unauthorized entry into the grounds or the building seem all but impossible, maybe our vic invited him up

The apartment was neat and orderly although sparsely furnished. The living room contained a battered couch, a chair and a color television. The bedroom contained only a queen-size bed, a small table and a two-dresser drawer and sliding patio doors that led to a small balcony. I slid open the patio doors and looked down at the first floor patio.

EVETTA
Think someone could climb up here from the ground?

RINGO
Sure if he was strong enough and not afraid of heights


15 December 2008

RINGO (TALKING ON CELL PHONE)
You busy,

MONIQUE (COYLY)
I’m always busy detective, why?

RINGO
Got time for lunch?

MONIQUE
Always got time for a free lunch with six feet two inch, hulk brother, where and what time?

RINGO
How about Glady’s on Indiana, twenty minutes?

MONIQUE
Give me a half hour, got to put on my goin’ out face

RINGO
See you then
Monique arrived in exactly a half hour and we stood very close as she squeezed pass me into the booth, her buttock rubbed against my penis and I felt a sudden surge of excitement and stepped back. The waitress brought silverware, napkins, water and menus.

WAITRESS
Be right back

I handed a menu to Monique and for a brief moment their hands met.

MONIQUE (MADE A SMACKING SOUND WITH HER LIPS)
Smother pork chops and sweet potatoes, sounds good to me

I stole a glance as she read the menu. She had a full mouth, not too big and not to small, I thought to myself.

RINGO
“Me too

The waitress returned and I gave her our orders.

MONIQUE
How’s the case coming?

RINGO
Nothing but dead-ends, no clues, no prints no nothing, why do you think he smears the blood of his victim on the mirror?

MONIQUE
Remember the FBI profile about his lack of a sexual identity and living in a fantasy world and perhaps had an unpleasant sexual experience when he was young, ever heard of erotic asphyxiation?
RINGO
I heard of it, that’s where people get off strangling each other during sex

MONIQUE
Close, it simply refers to intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal, it is also called asphyxiophilia or breath control play and is often incorporated into sex with a partner who are called gaspers. Maybe your killer is trying to establish a sexual identity, strangling someone can be sexually stimulation to someone with that type of mentality, and what is a better way than to get that sex stimulation than with a young attractive woman willing or unwilling and I think the X is something he identifies with from his past.

The pleasant waitress brought our food and we ate in silence.

EXT: Special Crimes Bureau -20 December 2008
Mariah Woodberry stood outside the Special Crimes Bureau it was a beautiful winter, sunny with just an early morning nip in the air. The air was fresh and clean and she breathed in deeply, she had been here before but never went in. She walked slowly up the front steps, big men rushed passed her, focusing on where they were going, no one paid her any attention. She was uncertain, scared, she didn’t want to be here but she owed Reverend Wilson, he was always kind to her and her children; giving her money to feed them, finding a