Relentless Shadows - Chapter 1

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© Jodie Hattersley & Andy Stephenson
July 20082

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The summer sun rose early, tinting the crisp blue sky with hues of flamingo pink. This perfect weather greeted Walker Crosby as he left his home city of Newport, Rhode Island, in his private plane to fly to an airfield near New York City. After his arrival there, he took a shuttle to LaGuardia Airport and caught a 747 non-stop flight to Dallas. 4

He entered the luxurious Marriott Hotel, on Central Expressway, just after noon. In addition to the 600 guest rooms, the expansive red brick plaza hotel offered its patrons both shops and convention rooms. Although used to living out of a suitcase, Walker always traveled in style - his occupation afforded him that privilege.5

He checked into room 1412, a lovely suite on the 14th floor. The porter that accompanied him smiled a polite farewell at the door, but Walker palmed a bill and held out his hand. "Is there an escort service you'd recommend?"6

"Yes sir," the porter replied as he discretely produced an embossed card, which also happened to have his name written on back.7

Walker pressed the ten-dollar bill into the young man's hand in exchange for the card and entered his suite. He stretched out on the sumptuous king size bed for a moment while he gathered his thoughts. 8

After resting for a few minutes, he took his laptop to the desk and sat in contemplation as he pulled up a set of files belonging to a folder labeled "Dan Johnson." The first file he opened contained a list of pertinent facts:9

'Dan Johnson, 57, 245 pounds, 5'10”, brown eyes, and brown hair. 10

Employment: Investment banker for Hammond, Rutherford, and Simmons. 1312 Elm St. (214) 555-1245.11

Home: 4456 Lovers Lane; (214) 555-779912

Daughter; Melinda - 2013

Southern Methodist University, majoring in Political Science – Pre-law.14

Son; Brendan – 2315

Graduate, assistant to the Mortgage Department of Southwest Bank16

Wife, deceased’17

He opened another file and photos flashed up on the screen. Dan looked as serious as one might expect a banker to look. His face was full and he had the start of a double chin. His dark hair was beginning to thin.18

Melinda had blonde hair and blue eyes. From her photos, she appeared to bear no resemblance to her father, but was petite, slender, and pretty. Brendan, on the other hand, had brown eyes and deep brown, almost black hair. One photo showed him at graduation nearly a year previously, and his gaze at the camera was intense and intelligent.19

Ideally, Walker would meet with Dan alone. He could complete his business much quicker that way and, he hoped, with no complications. Now in the city, he wanted to investigate Dan Johnson further in order to minimize any difficulties that may arise.20

Shutting down the computer, he left the room and made his way back to reception. There were plants all around the atrium and the sun shone through the ceiling of glass windows. A young brunette greeted him at the counter. “May I help you?” 21

“Any messages for room 1412?”22

The girl checked and returned. “No sir.”23

“I need to rent a car.”24

“The car rental window is the last to your left,” she said with a smile as she pointed down the counter.25

***26

Walker drove past 4456 Lovers Lane – a two-storey structure with a white stone façade – situated in exclusive Highland Park, a suburb of Dallas; one of the inner cities. From the outside, it appeared to have a separate three-car garage, and Walker guessed that the main house probably had four or five bedrooms. Though hundred-year-old trees populated the neighborhood and provided the occasional welcome shade from the hot summer sun, he was pleased that the car's air conditioner worked so well. 27

He noticed, with satisfaction, a bus stop situated just over two blocks from the Johnson residence. As he spent the afternoon driving around the neighborhood trying to get a feel for it, he also noted that few police cars seemed to frequent these suburban streets. 28

The next day, a Tuesday, Walker parked at the side of the road a block from the house and held his cell phone to his ear. If he came to the attention of the police, or even the odd private security patrol, he intended to explain that he had stopped because he got a call and didn't like to drive and talk on his phone.29

No one paid particular attention to him. 30

He watched the son and daughter leave, followed shortly thereafter by Dan Johnson. He chose to trail the son, Brendan, on his way to work as an assistant in the Mortgage Department of Southwest Bank. Brendan made only one stop between leaving his place of residence and the bank – to grab something at McDonalds – a drink and something to eat. He then drove straight to the bank. Walker established that that the employment must be a Monday through Friday job and, considering the son had a business degree, likely a paid internship. 31

Wednesday he followed Melinda to her early class at Southern Methodist University. Unlike Brendan, she made no stops. Apparently, if she had breakfast, she ate at home or at school. Wednesday looked like it might be a good day to approach Dan at his residence. 32

By Thursday, nobody had yet questioned his presence as he sat and observed the house. That day Dan Johnson left at his regular time, but before his daughter. Walker assumed that meant that Melinda's classes began later on a Thursday. He followed her when she left an hour or so later, and she did go straight to class. 33

On Friday, the kids left before their father as scheduled. It appeared that Wednesday or Friday would be a good morning to catch Dan at home alone.34

Since Wednesday was coming up first, he decided that he would formulate his plan to encompass next Wednesday morning, about half hour before Dan left for work.35

***36

After dressing in a tan jacket, a light blue shirt, and dark brown slacks, Walker caught a bus from the hotel, needing only to transfer twice to reach the Lovers Lane stop. In the shade of leafy foliage, dew beaded on the grass. Each individual droplet on the blades glowed in the rays of the sun, and though the morning was still cool, the glistening moisture would soon be burnt away by the impending heat. 37

As he alighted from the bus, Walker breathed the fresh scent of the flowers and trees, enjoying the short two and a half black stroll toward the Johnson residence. He had timed it so the daughter would have left for school. He quickened his gait on the sidewalk as he approached, and soon turned up the walk leading to Dan Johnson's house.38

Walker rang the bell. To his surprise, the daughter answered the door. Her long blonde hair appeared freshly washed and dried and seemed silky by the look of it. 39

Melinda paused, not recognizing him. "Can I help you?"40

"Yes, I'm here to see your father. May I come in?"41

She closed the door slightly as she glanced behind her, evidently searching for her father. Unable to spot him, she opened the door again. "Are you a business associate of his?"42

"Yes," he answered, smiling.43

She opened the door wider, and waved him in. "You must be the new face at the office Dad mentioned. Come on through - he's probably still in his study."44

"Thanks Miss. You're Melinda, aren't you?"45

She smiled over her shoulder, wisps of silky hair falling across one cheek, as she led him through the house. "That's me - he likes to show those photos around, doesn't he?"46

"Yes, indeed, but you're much prettier in person." He smiled again, "I thought you'd be in school today."47

"Slept in – teacher’s meeting – no school today,” she merrily replied.48

Walker followed her from the entry and down the hall. "Lovely place you have here." 49

She nodded politely – in all its ostentatious and immaculately presented glory – she would see the house as simply her home. She soon halted in front of a solid wooden door – presumably that to the study – and knocked twice, before pushing it open. "Someone from work to see you..." 50

Her father looked up from his desk and frowned at her. The look of confusion on his face grew as he regarded Walker, "Do I know you?"51

Walker stepped inside and around Melinda, drawing the automatic with silencer, concealed under his jacket, from its quick release holster. He fired two shots, one at Dan Johnson's head and the other toward his heart.52

A split-second of silence followed the pair of gunshots, during which Melinda sucked in a lungful of air. As her father slumped in his chair and blood flecked the wood paneling behind him, she screamed - the shrill sound incessant as it echoed around the room. 53

Walker watched as she ran to her father, stumbling as she rounded the desk, her knees giving out as she reached her father's side. Even though she must have instinctively known that he was dead, that fact didn't prevent her from shaking him and closing her palm across the wound on his chest. "Daddy?" she whispered, tears already forming at the corner of her eyes.54

Walker calmly considered his options. He would have to kill her – in his line of work, one couldn’t afford to leave witnesses. He knew that soon she would realize that as well.55

As she shook her father again, he fell limp against her, his head falling forward to thump against her chest. Upon seeing the gaping wound at the back of his head, she panicked - scurrying back from the desk until she hit a bookcase. Without her support, her father’s body finished its descent to the floor, landing with a meaty thud on the Persian rug under the desk. 56

Hugging her now bloody arms to herself, she sunk to the floor and looked up at Walker, terrified. He looked at the tears streaking her face and felt a twinge of pity. However, he was a professional and his momentary lapse of compassion left him as quickly as he had allowed himself to feel it. 57

He directed his weapon toward her. "Lie face down on the floor,” he commanded.58

She whimpered as he leveled the gun at her. "Please don't kill me - I promise I won't say anything." 59

She flinched as he took a step toward her, the barrel of the pistol still trained on her. "I said, lie down, girl!"60

She pushed herself away from the bookcase and attempted to crawl toward the relative safety of her father's desk.61

He fired a shot in front of her, in warning. She flung her hands in front of her face as high velocity splinters from the maple floor boards flew at her face. 62

"The next one won't miss,” he said as he came closer to her.63

Putting her head down, she framed her face with her elbows and held her palms up in front on her. "Please..." she pleaded, her voice muffled against the ground.64

"I'm not going to tell you again, lie face down on the floor, hands behind your back." 65

She finally stretched herself out on the floor, and placed her shaking hands behind her back as she started sobbing.66

He reached across the desk, disconnected the cord from the phone and yanked the other end from the wall. Putting his knee on her buttocks, he tied her wrists together with the phone cable. He placed his hands under her armpits and raised her to her feet. He prodded her forward with the barrel of the gun. "Let's go up to your room."67

She stopped as she realized what he meant to do and lashed her foot out backwards, catching him with a glancing blow to his shin. She jerked away from him and tried to run.68

"Damn it girl! You're only making this hard on yourself," he said as he caught her firmly by the shoulder. "You were dead the moment you opened the door."69

His words didn't exactly comfort her - she struggled against him again, throwing her head back, but she was no match for his 6'1" and 220 pound frame. He raised her arms up behind her until she screamed and said, "Lead the way."70

Face slick with tears she stumbled out into the hallway, and shuffled toward the staircase. Finally resigning herself to whatever fate he would mete out, she took each step slowly and deliberately. When she slowed too much, Walker gave her an insistent push to remind her. They finally reached the landing, and she turned towards the first door on the left.71

"That's much better. You cooperate and I'll go easy on you."72

She pushed open the door to her room and started crying again. "Please..."73

They entered the room in tandem, the furniture in the room as perfect as the rest of the house: dresser and mirror, night tables and chest of drawers all a pristine white with gold trim. A desk with computer and phone, and a queen size bed completed the scene. He shoved her onto her bed - she sprawled face up, chest heaving as she glared at him, her golden blonde hair splayed out on the bed behind her.74

Reaching into his pocket, he took out a pocketknife. Her eyes widened as she caught sight on the knife and she wiggled on the bed, trying to retreat. "Oh God," she whimpered as he brought it down toward her.75

Grabbing the hem of her pink t-shirt, he began ripping it apart up the middle until he had severed it completely with the knife, exposing her chest and belly, as well as the lightweight bra that cupped her breasts. Her breathing erratic, she trembled as the fabric of her shirt came away from her skin. Instead of watching, she turned her head to one side and stared at the framed photos on her dresser, trying to keep her attention focused on anywhere but on how her gazed at her with a hunger in his eyes.76

He pulled her shoes and socks from her feet. Her faded jeans were quite tight and though she had wet her self on the journey up the stairs, he peeled them from her reveling in the appearance of the silky flesh beneath. Taking his knife, he cut the front of her bra in two, revealing her lovely, small breasts with pale pink areolas and nipples. He squeezed them firmly. Placing his hands inside her panties, he slipped them from her, feeling her soft, supple, smooth legs as he did so. She had a wisp of blonde hair at her pubis and little of her inner labia appeared at her slit. "You’re quite beautiful - it's a damn shame you had to be home."77

She shivered with revulsion as he spoke to her, as he caressed her skin. She bit her lip as she pulled her legs together, suddenly screaming again – likely in the hope that he would just kill her rather than raping her as well.78

He gut punched her, knocking the breath out of her. She struggled to breathe for a moment. When she had caught her breath, he said, "I can make your death easy and quick, or painful, hard, and slow."79

She took a gulping breath and gagged, and then relaxed into the bed and closed her blue eyes. She nodded slowly and shuddered as he pried her legs apart. He unzipped himself and pulled his pants and boxer briefs down. He mounted her, but he was too soft to penetrate her. Grasping her chin, he turned her head toward himself and kissed her on the lips. "Kiss me back," he commanded.80

She kept her lips firmly together and tried to free her face.81

"I know this is not easy for you, but I'll have my way. You may as well face it,” he said as he began choking her. 82

Her mouth soon opened wide as she gasped for precious air, and begged silently with her eyes. He tried kissing her, but again she resisted. "Shall I cut off some toes?"83

She jolted as though he had slapped her, and stared up at him incredulously. Apparently deciding that rape was preferable to torture, she moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue.84

"Much better," he said and he kissed her again. Reluctantly she responded. "You can do better than that."85

She sighed and kissed him back - tentatively opening her mouth further and allowing her tongue to trace a line across his lower lip. Soon their tongues were dancing together as though they were lovers. Walker roughly massaged her breasts as they kissed. Though he knew that she hated him, he enjoyed the responses of her young body; her nipples tightened as he squeezed her.86

He worked his mouth to her breasts and sucked them with a vigor known only to babes. Leaving her breasts, he laved his tongue over her body, arriving at her navel and sucking there for several minutes, after which he continued downward. He bypassed her core and went to the inner left leg instead; beginning at her knee and working his way back up. He enjoyed the light salty taste of her tender flesh. Anticipating no interruptions, he took his time, enjoying himself to the fullest.87

As he neared the opening between her legs, he licked around the outer lips. Spreading the inner and outer lips with his fingers, he began licking over the inner parts. She jerked below him as his tongue and lips played across her. Though obvious that she was not enjoying his attentions, she let out a strangled cry of pleasure, followed by a sound of disgust. 88

He was pleased to find that she was moist, although her pleasure was not a major concern. Penetrating her with his tongue, he enjoyed the salty sweet taste of her nectar. He roughly stimulated her clit as he dined on her.89

She squirmed – and Walker felt the heat rise from her skin as her body betrayed her. Now hard, he gradually worked his way back up her body. With his fingers, he found her entrance, and guided himself inside her. 90

He fucked her slow and hard. He paced himself to make it last, occasionally allowing some of his semen to escape. After quite some time, he exploded inside her, giving her his load. He continued thrusting into her until he was too soft to continue. He withdrew, leaving Melinda gasping and softly crying against her bedspread.91

After dressing, Walker kissed her again, set her on the edge of the bed, and then lifted her to her feet. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed some more. Then he stared her in the eyes and took her face in hands.92

Her lip trembled as she stared at him, unsure of what he was doing.93

Placing one hand on her chin and the other at the back of her head, he said, "You were good."94

"Please..." she begged again, the only thing she had left to say.95

Suddenly he gave her head a sharp twist, snapping her neck. Her eyes clouded and her face went blank as he let her collapse to the floor, dead before her body settled.96

With nary a glance back, Walker went to the door and opened it. As he stepped from the room, he heard a noise from below. He automatically tensed upon realizing there was another presence in the house. He crept to the head of the stairs and looked down – nothing. He descended the stairs with vigilance, straining to hear another hint of the same sound.97

Four steps from the foot of the stairs he overheard a woman's voice, but couldn't make out the words. Puzzled, considering he knew no one should be home, he ceased his descent.98

A woman's voice resonated from the foyer, obviously in mid conversation with someone else. "... So my advice is that you apply for the Engineering post graduate degree."99

An answering voice – male – followed with a murmur, "My father wants me to study Law..."100

Walker quickly guessed that the male voice might be that of the son, but he didn’t have a clue who the woman was. The voices came closer to where he stood, frozen on the stairs, before deviating to another part of the house.101

He stealthily came down the remaining steps of the staircase. Torn between curiosity and making a quick exit, he waited for a few seconds longer.102

"...want something to drink?" the son asked from the vicinity of the kitchen. "We've got Pepsi, Sprite, some juice that the maid squeezed yesterday."103

"Anything, thanks Brendan - just something cool," the woman replied.104

Realizing things could get messy were he discovered, Walker turned to leave. The sound of liquid pouring into ice-laden glasses followed as he took one silent step away. As he moved his other foot, he heard the sound of something heavy dropping to the floor, and a glass smashing to the ground.105

He paused altogether, unsure. Swiveling away from his original direction he turned back to face the source of the noise, and strained to hear what would follow.106

After some silence, he heard the sound of ice clinking in a glass as if someone were still drinking followed by the sound of something heavy hauled across the floor.107

Curious, Walker inched closer to the door that appeared to lead to the kitchen. What he heard next bewildered him.108

A grunt of exertion, followed by the creak of an un-oiled swivel stool sounded, and one triumphantly muttered word: "Easy!"109