Queen of Hearts

3-16-091

“Back up everyone. Back behind the tape. This is a crime scene and if anyone else attempts to cross this line, you'll find yourself behind bars."2

“What have we got here Lieutenant?” Asked the coroner. 3

“One female, assaulted, probably raped, beaten and her throat cut. Looks like she's only been dead for a couple of hours,” Sam replied. “It looks like the same MO as the last three. I'm pretty sure we have a Serial working here. All the girls are approximately the same age, all have dark hair and all disappeared at least three days before their bodies were dumped where they would quickly be found."4

Sam took pictures of the entire scene, the body, the location, and all the onlookers craning their necks to see the nude body of the unfortunate girl. 5

“This is definitely just a dump site. All their throats have been cut and there isn't a lot of blood at the scene. It looks like the bodies have been bathed and their hair brushed and possibly fresh makeup applied." They were dealing with a collector. This made four in two months. The first two had been a month apart...the last two a week apart. He was stepping up the pace.6

Sam felt her stomach turn as she looked at the poor girl lying on the cold street. She couldn't be over twenty one. She never got over this, but it always made her more determined to do her job. She would catch this creep. It was just a matter of time.7

Ancel Meechem, the coroner examined the body, bagged her hands and slipped her into a body bag. After the body was removed, Sam took her flashlight and closely examined the ground where the girl had lain. She reached down and picked up a playing card. It was the four of Hearts. She quickly bagged it and added it to the collected evidence. She had known the deaths were related, but this proved it. It had not been released to the press, but the first three victims had been found with the ace, deuce and trey of Hearts. This was the fact they were withholding from the public. Sam knew that by tomorrow, the whole city would be in a panic. They had to come up with something, and quick.8

Sam Lorring had been the city's top Homicide Detective for ten years. She'd solved many tough cases, but had never been faced with a serial killer before. He wasn't going to stay active in her town. She left the six patrolmen guarding the dump site until morning. Then they would go over the entire area, inch by inch, looking for anything left behind.9

Sam and her partner, Jackson Grey left the scene and went to the local watering hole for the Dallas force. She was too upset to go home and sleep. It was four am and she needed a beer and a little time to unwind before going home. Jackson held the door open as she walked in and looked around. She had a couple of stooges that she tapped from time to time, but neither were there now. She would hunt them down later and grill them. If there was any talk on the street, they would have heard it. 10

Jackson ordered a couple of beers and he and Sam joined a couple of other uniforms in the corner booth. Angel's Bar was far from what the name might suggest. It was a pretty tough bar, even though it was frequently a hangout for the cops. It was a pretty mixed scene and the local nightlife didn't seem to be too concerned with the cops in their mist. There was still frequently a brawl and they would have to knock a few heads together, and occasionally haul somebody in, but not often. 11

Angel didn't quite live up to his name either. He looked like he had been a sailor in his younger day...now he was bald, missing a couple of front teeth and his muscle shirt showed off the solid tattooing covering both huge arms from wrist to shoulder and disappearing under his shirt. He could still make the two dames do a pretty good dance when he flexed his muscles. Most people knew not to get on his bad side. He was a pretty good guy, but he had a temper and didn't put up with any shit.12

Angel walked over to the corner booth with a couple more beers, sat them on the table in front of Sam and Jackson and asked, “so what's up? I heard all the sirens and I can always feel when there's death in the air.”13

Angel always seemed to know when anything was happening, and he usually knew more than anyone on the street.14

“We found another body tonight, just like the last three.”15

“Ah shit,” said Angel. “That's bad.”16

“If you hear anything?”......17

“Yeah, I know. I'll keep my ears open.”18

Sam looked around the bar; didn't see anyone they could hit up for information, so they decided to head home for the night. They both finished their beers, dropped some money on the table and left. Jackson was driving tonight, and he dropped Sam off at home.19

Sam opened the door and braced for a blow. Angus, her standard Schnauzer hit her with both paws on her shoulders. She always had to be prepared, or she would be picking herself up off her butt. She let Angus out for his run and sat on the porch and watched. After he had done his business and run off a little energy, she whistled and opened the door. He came running and they went in for the night.20

Sam fed Angus, put on a pot of coffee and turned on the TV. It was late, but the latest murder was still being broadcast. She watched as she waited for the coffee to get done. The Channel 11 newscaster was standing on the street, close to the newest dump site, while the police cars and officers were seen in the background. She studied the faces in the crowd, like she expected to see the suspects' face with a big red circle drawn around it. He could very well be there, watching, but she couldn't pick him out.21

Sam turned off the TV, poured a cup of coffee, and carried it to her room. She stepped out of her brown business suit, letting it fall to the floor. She walked into the bathroom and slipped out of her bra, and let her panties fall. She turned on the shower, and stood in front of the full length mirror on the back of her door, and admired her trim form. She kept in shape. She ran every morning at daybreak, worked out at least four times a week, and could take down any man that threatened her. That said, she still knew she looked strictly feminine, tiny waist, full hips and breasts, and a purely Irish face. She had Auburn hair, green eyes and high cheekbones. She wasn't an absolute beauty, but her looks were very striking. She had a light complexion and a sprinkling of freckles across her nose that gave her a very appealing look. Satisfied, she took a drink of the hot coffee and stepped into the steaming shower. She let the hot, pounding spray release the tension from her neck and shoulders, and enjoyed the steam.22

After fifteen minutes, she shut the water off, wrapped herself in a soft bath towel and walked to her bed. She dried off, dropped the towel and slid in on the cool sheets. Angus joined her on the bed and she was asleep in ten minutes.23

********************************24

Jason felt like God. He had just made his fourth kill and the high was like nothing he had ever felt before. He had tried most every kind of street drug, but even a heroin high did not compare to this. He looked in the mirror, and he still looked like an ordinary man, but he would not for long. He could feel his powers grow with each new kill. He knew by the time he got to the Queen of Hearts, he would no longer be a mortal man. He would be a God. His mother had always told him he wasn't quite human, and he was going to prove her right.25

Jason looked in the mirror. He was an average looking man, not handsome nor ugly....Just the kind of man that most people looked right through without seeing. Soon, they would see him. The whole world would see him. He walked out of his house to his workshop. He repaired appliances for a living. He could fix anything and always had work waiting for him. All his customers trusted him, but thought him a bit odd. He never really looked anyone in the eye and never just shot the breeze with anyone. He was polite, and professional. Customers paid him, walked out the door and never gave him another thought until something broke down again.26

It had only been three days since he disposed of the last girl and he was already getting that anxious feeling again. The first one had satisfied him for a month, the next one for three weeks and the next one, only a week. He was already ready to hunt again.27

Jason closed his shop at 6 pm and went home to watch the evening news. He couldn't pull his eyes away from the screen until he had absorbed everything they had to say about his latest crime. He gloried in the attention, and he wanted more. He needed another girl. After the news, he switched off the TV and went to clean up. He took a quick shower and put on clean clothes. He would drive through Burger King and get take out to eat while he cruised the streets. He knew just what he was looking for and the area around the college was a great hunting ground. He would never be seen too close to the college, or ever pick up a girl in that area. After he spotted one who caught his eye, he would follow her and see where she might go that was safer to grab her without being seen.28

Jason never let himself be seen within four blocks of the college or dorms. He was cautious and would not be caught. With every victim, he became smarter, more Godlike.29

By the time he got to the Queen of Hearts, he would have women begging him to choose them. He was so wrapped up in his daydreams, he looked up just in time to see a young dark haired woman dart out from between two cars, right in front of him. He slammed on the brakes, barely missing her. He sat there and shook for a minute. The girl didn't seem phased, as she flipped her long brunette hair and gave him the finger. 30

This was the one. She would be the five of Hearts. He slowly pulled back out into traffic, watching closely where the girl was going. He watched her for twelve blocks, till she went into the campus library. There was a park that covered four of the five blocks between the dorms and the library. He would have to study it awhile, but it would be a good place to snatch her. Satisfied, he drove home and thought about his next victim and how impatient he was. He wouldn't be able to wait long.31

Sam got up before daylight, ate a quick breakfast and took Angus for their morning run. She would usually run four to five miles each day. It kept her loose and flexible. When she got home, she fed Angus, took a shower and dressed for work. She listened to the morning news as she dressed. People were already in a panic, demanding a quick resolution to this horrifying case. 'People thought all they had to do was investigate the scene and go out and arrest a suspect.' 32

She smiled as she thought of the Mayor giving a press release and promising that the killer would be in jail in less than a week. She hoped he was right, but she knew it wouldn't be that easy. Other than the card, he had left nothing behind. The bodies had been stripped, bathed and dumped. He left no DNA behind. He was being very cautious. All they could do now is hope for a good tip to come in or for him to make a mistake. Since he was escalating so quickly, she hoped he would get careless.33

Jackson stopped and picked Sam up at seven am and they discussed the case on the way to work. 34

“I'm sure another girl is going to disappear within a couple of days,” said Sam35

“I hope you're wrong, but I agree.” replied Jackson. “This creep has developed a taste for blood and headlines, and nothing will stop him, not until we do.”36

“Let's run by the Coroner's Office and see if Ansel has anything new for us.”37

Ten minuted later, Sam walked in and asked,”What's new with the case?”38

Ansel looked up and shook his head. “He's not leaving us anything, not fiber, not hair, not DNA...But he is getting more vicious. He's using his knife more. He's indulging in a bit of torture now, before he kills them. The girl's eyes have been removed, probably while she was still alive. He's made several shallow cuts on the inside of her thighs and at the edge of her mouth. He's really starting to enjoy this and it'll just get worse until he's caught. That's all I have," the Coroner said. "I sure hope you catch this one in a hurry." 39

When they arrived at the precinct, the Commish was waiting for Sam.40

“The Mayor is having a news conference in one hour and insists that you be there to answer questions."41

“But I don't have any answers yet,” she insisted.42

“You damn well better act like you do. The Mayor is about ready to pop his cork and the reporters are having a field day. You better think of something to say to diffuse the situation, and quick.”43

Sam left the office trying to think of what she could say to allay the publics' fears. She didn't want a panic, but she did want young women to be aware of the danger. At eleven-thirty am, she joined Mayor Haskell on the courthouse stairs for the news conference. She tried to field most of the difficult questions and assure the public that they had the situation well in hand. Every available officer was patrolling the streets and overtime had been approved until the killer was behind bars. She assured the press that they were following up on some fresh leads and hoped to know something soon. That was all she had right now, but would keep the public informed. The Mayor made a little speech and the news conference was over.44

Jason went home at eleven-fifteen for lunch. He'd heard about the news conference on the radio and didn't want to miss it. He would have liked to be there in the crowd, but knew he needed to keep a low profile.45

When Sam started to speak, Jason was glued to the set. She was a Homicide Detective? He was almost tempted to let her find him. He thought better of that, but maybe he might just find her. He would have to be really careful, but he would start making plans. Right now, he had plans for tonight. He couldn't wait any longer. If the girl wasn't at the Library tonight, he might just have to grab a girl off the street. He had to have one tonight. He went back to his shop and finished the Microwave he was working on, while he thought about Sam. She would be her his Queen of Hearts. It was perfect. 46

Jason finished the repair job and decided to close early. His house was located just outside the city limits, in the old part of town where houses weren't piled on top of each other. He had a full basement under his house and had turned it into a playroom. It was soundproof, had a stool and a small sink, an old dirty mattress on the floor and chains with cuffs attached to the wall. He kept the women chained and gagged, but knew there was little chance of them being heard in this neighborhood if they screamed their heads off. 47

He surveyed his surroundings and was pleased with what he saw. He had planned this for years, and finally built up enough courage to take his first girl. He had been so clumsy and unsophisticated that he had only had her one night before he killed her. He left her chained in the basement until he had chosen the perfect dump spot, cleaned her up, put her in a plastic bag and put her in the back of his black van. After midnight, he drove across town and dumped her on a dark cold road, removed the bag, and left her there, with the Ace of Spades in her hand. It had never been reported about the cards.48

Jason knew the Police were playing their little games. He might just decide to play too. First things first, he had a victim to collect. He waited till it was just getting dark before leaving the house. He would pull into the park where his van wouldn't be seen and wait to see if she walked by. He always used chloroform, he couldn't afford a scream or a scuffle. He had only been there about thirty minutes when he spotted her walking through the park. He looked around and didn't see anyone else around.49

Jason hid behind a tree, right by the path she was taking, grabbed her and held the chloroform over her face and drug her back to the truck. He drove slowly and carefully out of the park and headed home. He could feel the power building already. He just hated to think of having to wait through six more girls before he collected Sam. She would be his Queen, his power, the one that would set him free from the mortal body; would make him a God.50

Jason pulled into his garage and took Janet Adams from the van. He carried her down to the basement and secured the cuffs around her ankles. He would watch her until she woke up. He didn't want to gag her until the effects of the chloroform had worn off. He sat their thinking of what he would do with her before the night was over. Then his thoughts turned back to Sam. He would get her number. It would be a simple matter. All he had to do is turn on his computer. He laughed and thought, I'll do that later. I have more urgent business to attend to now.51

At one-thirty am , Sam's phone started ringing. She sleepily groped for her phone as she wondered who could be calling at this ungodly hour. 52

“Hello,” she said. “Who is it?”53

“It's the Joker,” he whispered. 54

She turned the phone off and laid back down. Prank calls at this time of night. She's sure like to get her hands on him.55

The phone rang again. This time she was awake. “Hello,” she shouted into the phone. "You better have a good reason for calling in the middle of the night.”56

“Oh, I do,” whispered the Joker. I saw you on television tonight. I've decided to make you my Queen of Hearts. All senses were immediately in play. She looked at the caller ID. Nothing, it was blocked. 57

“What do you want?” she asked, suddenly interested. There was no way she could put a trace on the call. 58

“I just wanted to let you know, I'm watching you. We'll get acquainted soon.”...and the phone went dead.59

Now Sam was wide awake. She called Jackson and woke him up and told him about the call. He was stalking her now. She was awake now and knew she wouldn't get anymore sleep tonight. Just what are we dealing with here? She wondered. She went downstairs and fixed herself a cup of coffee and sat in the dark, thinking about the strange phone call...and the threat.60

Sam sat there until just before daylight, when her phone rang again. She picked up the phone. Again, the creepy whisper assaulted her ears. 61

“I have someone here I want you to meet.” Immediately, she heard a woman screaming into the phone. He had another one.62

“Let her go and come after me,” she screamed into the phone. She heard a creepy laugh, and the phone again went dead. Sam ran to get dressed for work. They had to do something now. He had already picked up a girl. She might have only two more days to live. She had to do something!63

Sam went to her car and drove to the precinct. She reported to Commissioner Phillips. She told him about the phone calls and the threat. She also told him about the scream.64

“Has anyone else been reported missing?”65

“A woman just came in a few minutes ago and reported her daughter missing. She's a twenty-two year old college student. She vanished on the way home from the college library shortly after dark last night. No one saw a thing.”66

Sam knew she had to do something. This poor girl had two more days to live, at best. If he wanted her to be his Queen of hearts, that meant he would kill six more times before he came for her. She couldn't allow that to happen. She would have to come up with a plan. Sam went to her favorite booth at Angel's Bar to think. She needed a drink, and she needed to talk to Angel to see if he had heard anything.67

Angel brought her, her favorite beer and stood to talk a minute. He could see how upset she was. The news was already out that the Joker had taken another girl. He hadn't heard anything at the bar. If anyone knew anything, he was usually the first to hear. He could tell Sam was really upset, and knew her well enough to know she was formulating a plan. He left her alone to think.68

Sam knew she had to do something drastic. She had a plan, but she couldn't pull it off on her own. She would have to convince Jackson to help her. He wasn't going to like it, but she had to convince him. She took out her cell phone and dialed his number. 69

Meet me at home as soon as you can. I have a plan, but I need you on board. I know you're not going to like it, but you know you can't change my mind, so you might as well help me. 70

Sam drove home trying to finalize her plan, knowing it didn't have a chance if she couldn't persuade Jackson to help her.71

“You must be out of your mind!” Jackson yelled. “That is the most foolhardy plan you've ever come up with. I might just as well shoot you now and save you the trouble of killing yourself!”72

Sam let him rant awhile and get it out of his system, before she spoke again. When he had finally calmed down enough to listen, she started again. 73

“He's going to kill this girl and at least six more before he comes after me. We can't let that happen. Just calm down and hear me out. We can't involve the Commish, he'll never go along with it. I'm going to do this, with or without you. You make up your mind if you think I'm worth saving. I'll take full responsibility for this, whether it costs me my job or my life.”74

Jackson sat there, shaking his head. He had heard some foolhardy plans from his partner before, but nothing like this one. Sam let him wrestle with his conscience awhile longer before she spoke. “You know it's the only way.”75

“It's just too dangerous; I won't do it.”76

“You know, I'll do it without you, if you don't”77

“Why do I let you do this to me? Lay out your plan again. I want to hear it all.”78

“First, I have to make the Joker mad enough to come after me now. I don't want six more women dead. I'm going to call Jan Harris at Channel six news and give her an anonymous tip. I'll have to make her swear to not anyone know it came from me. She's a risk taker, and she'll report it.”79

“Just what is this big tip?" Asked Jackson.80

“I'm working on it. It has to make him angry enough to come after me right away. The best way is to taunt him, and question his manhood. I want her to announce that none of the girls had been raped. The perp must be impotent. There is a certain female Cop that has been bragging that she'll have him dead or in jail within twenty four hours. He's too incompetent to carry out his threats and she is waiting for him. I need him to come after me now, not after six more dead girls.”81

“You know how foolish this is?”82

“Have you got a better idea?”83

Jackson shook his head. “Keep going. Convince me this can work.”84

Sam smiled She knew she had him. “I'm going to do everything I can think of to bait him. I'm sure he will call again, and he probably knows where I live by now. I'll make him so angry that he won't wait. It's the only chance that poor girl has.”85

I'm going to get a GPS chip and install it under my skin, at the back of my neck, hidden by my hair. You must monitor it closely. Make sure you have a backup. I'll try to hide a small gun where, maybe he won't find it for awhile. I just pray, he'll take me to where he's keeping that poor girl before he kills her.”86

“You know how crazy this is?” You're going to get yourself killed for sure this time.”87

“That's what you said the last time. I'm still here,” she smiled.88

“Get me a beer. I'm going to have to be a lot more drunk than I am now to go along with this.”89

Jason turned on the evening news. He was anxious to hear what they were saying about him. They must realize by now, how brilliant, and how unstoppable he is. He grabbed a beer and stared intently at the screen and the local newswoman interrupted with a special newscast. She said exactly what Sam had asked her to say. She already had the chip implanted, and all she had to do now is wait for his call and to make him angry enough to come after her tonight. She didn't think that would be a problem. 90

When Jan had finished her newscast, Jason was angry enough to wreck the whole living room. When he had finished his rampage, he started planning. She thought she was such hot stuff. She would still be his Queen of Hearts, but he would take her now and make her watch him kill the next six women before he killed her. All he had to do was add a couple of more chains to the basement, then he would be ready.91

After Jason had all his arrangements done, he took his phone and went to the car. He had found her address and already driven by and checked out her home. He located a place to park where his van wouldn't be noticed and a place in her back yard where he could hide. He knew she had a large dog, and had prepared meat laced with a very quick acting poison and thrown it into the yard. When she let the dog out for his run, he would be dead within minutes. He would not enter the yard until the dog was down.92

Jason would already be in her yard when he called her. He had watched the house long enough to see that there were no unmarked cars sitting anywhere, and no one else in the house with her. He had his chloroform ready and it would go like clockwork. He could feel himself grow in stature as he thought about killing that stupid girl with Sam forced to watch the entire thing and he was getting excited. He would soon have his Queen of Hearts and he would make her suffer more than all the others put together.93

At midnight, the back door opened and the dog came running out. He watched as the dog ran over to the meat, and watched him gobble it. He laughed. The dog would be gone in minutes. He carefully approached the gate to the back yard, looked over the fence and saw the dog lying there moaning. It wouldn't be long now.94

At fifteen minutes after midnight, Sam's phone rang. This is it, she thought as she prepared to pick up the phone. She switched on a tape recorder and answered the phone. It was the same raspy whisper. “Are you ready to become my Queen?” whispered the voice.95

“Come and get me, you coward,” she yelled. She signaled Jackson, made sure she had a knife in one boot and a tiny gun in the other. She would have to allow him to take her to where he was holding his captive. She had to trust Jackson to trail her. He was still trying to talk her out of it, but it was a go. She turned off all the lights in the house and went to the back door. She quietly opened the back door and whistled for Angus. 96

“Where was he?” Had she made a mistake. She knew she would have to take him out if he had harmed Angus in anyway. A minute later, she heard whimpering and walked out into the yard. She didn't care who might be there. She had to find Angus. He was slowly trying to crawl to her. She dropped beside him, threw her arms around his neck and cried. He looked bad. She could tell he wasn't going to make it. He had blood foaming from his mouth and couldn't stand. She was torn between shooting him and putting him out of his agony, and rushing him to the vet. She decided on the Vet. The Joker would have to wait. 97

She knew she was being careless, but right now, all she could think of was Angus. She picked him up, and staggering under his weight, headed for her car. She would call Jackson on the way. She was so worried, she failed to sense the dark figure approaching from behind. Suddenly, a cloth was held over her nose, and she collapsed and dropped Angus.98

Jackson noticed that the GPS signal was suddenly moving. Sam had not called him back to say she had heard anything. In a sudden panic, he darted out the door and jumped in his car. With sirens screaming and lights whirling, he headed for Sam's house. I knew I should never have let her talk me into this.99

He pulled into her drive, jumped out of the car and ran for the house. He ran through the house calling Sam's name and ran right through and out the back door.100

He practically tripped over Angus, lying half dead on the lawn. Now he was in a panic. He immediately called for backup, called Sam's brother to come get Angus and ran for his car to follow her signal. He knew that if she survived and he hadn't tried to help Angus, she would kill him.101

Thank God for the chip. It was giving off a pretty good signal and he decided not to follow too close. He called the two cars back he had called for backup and filled them in on Sam's harebrained plan and told them to keep their radios open and not to lose him. He was heading Northwest out of Dallas on a little used back road. He slowed down, not wanting to alert the Joker that he was being followed. The two back up cars closed in on him and they all hung back as they followed the signal. The houses were beginning to spread out as they got further out of town. He had driven a mile without seeing any houses. 102

All of a sudden, Jackson panicked. The signal just stopped. He didn't see any houses. He looked at his speedometer and noted the millage. He thought that he must have been following around three miles behind. He knew if he drove more than five miles without seeing a house, or a turnoff, they were in trouble. He advised the other two cars of his plans and called headquarters for more men and choppers. They had to find her quickly. 103

He drove slowly down the dark road, watching for any place they could have turned. He had gone more than four miles, and no turnoffs. He was starting to panic. The other two cars caught up with him and they sat there trying to figure out what to do. He put in a call to the helicopter and gave them his location. He instructed the pilot to locate them and then scan the area around them for any sign of a light, a dwelling or a barn. The only chance they had of finding her was if the signal was being blocked and they had not left the area where the signal stopped.104

Jackson pounded on the steering wheel in frustration. He had been in love with Sam for years and had never told her how he felt. She was so independent and he had always lost his nerve. He could feel the fear creeping in. If she died, it would be his fault. He had to find her, no matter if they both lost their careers. He called the Commish and let him scream for a minute, and then begged him to send all available men out to ring the area. 105

They're on their way, he yelled and slammed the phone down. He should have known she was up to something. He had known Sam since she joined the Force twelve years ago, and no one on the force was any better, or any more of a risk taker. He could punish her later, now he had to find her. Every available car in North Dallas was sent to the vicinity. He put a call out to all officers asking if anyone knew the area well where they were concentrating the search. He wanted to be out there, but knew he had to stay here and oversee the search. He sent two more choppers out and they flew as low as possible over the area, searching for anything, a car, a camp, anything.106

There was a knock at the Commissioner's door, and a young cop burst through? His name was Kenneth Shore and he was the newest recruit on the force. "I grew up in that neighborhood, and if there's anyplace to hide out there, I can find it. Can you get me up in a chopper?"107

Gerald grabbed up the phone and started barking orders. “Pick Jackson up, get back here five minutes ago for a pickup...Let's find Sam!”108

The chopper picked Kenneth up and Jackson explained to him how he had lost the signal. “Is there anything out here that would block a GPS signal?” 109

Kenneth shook his head. “Not that I can think of. Just get me as low as you can as close to where you lost the signal as possible." The chopper just skimmed the top of the trees. He used infrared to try to locate anyone in the area. Nothing showed up.110

It had been two hours since they lost the signal. Half the Dallas Police Department were gathered within a ten mile radius, driving every back road and path they could find. Everyone was feeling scared. Everyone liked Sam, and they all wanted to be the first in line to hug her, then to kick her butt when she was found.111

Sam slowly regained consciousness. She opened her eyes, looking around her cell. The first thing she checked was her feet. Both boots had been removed. He had found her weapons. She looked at her ankles and realized they each had a steel cuff attached to a heavy chain, which was fastened into the wall. She was completely nude. She reached up, without thinking, to check the chip in her neck. She heard an evil laugh.112

“That's the first thing I looked for. Do you really think you could outsmart me? Look closely. I am becoming something more. I am no longer just a mere human. By the time I finish with the other six girls and you, I will be a God. I will be more powerful than God.” His voice kept rising in volume as he stood and approached her...”And you will complete me, he raged.”113

Sam averted her eyes. She would not look at him. She put her head down. She had to think fast. He had found the chip. She didn't know when or how long ago. She had no way of knowing if they were surrounded, or if any one even knew she was gone. She had to use her wits or she was dead. She thought of Angus and the tears flowed. She had had him since he was only six weeks old. She had loved him more than anything else in her life. Her tears were for Angus, not for herself.114

She kept her head down and glanced around the room. They seemed to be in a basement. She was sitting on the concrete floor and" could see Janet, chained and lying across a dirty mattress. She was also nude and looked like she had received some rough treatment. She was bruised and bloody. Sam could hear her sobbing quietly.115

Sam had gone over the entire room with her eyes, looking for any thing she could use, and for any exits. She only saw one door. It looked like the entire basement was lined with sheet metal or lead or something similar. She realized that would probably block a GPS signal, even if he hadn't found it. It would also block a heat signature.116

Sam knew she was in real danger and had to use her head. She didn't see much chance of being found, this man was insane and she saw no way of getting lose from the heavy chain and cuffs. The other girl was bound just like her. She did not recognize the man and had no idea where they were. She had been completely out for the whole drive. Things didn't look too good. She had to do everything she could to keep him from killing Janet. She got the impression he would do exactly as he stated. He would not kill her until he had killed Janet and five others. If she could just figure some way to keep him away from her. She again hung her head and avoided looking at him. She would be very subservient while she tried to figure him out.117

Sam had no way of telling if it was day or night. There were no windows, and he had even removed her watch. 118

Jason walked over to Sam, knelt down and yanked her chin up. Look at me when I talk, he ordered. Sam stared him square in the eye, and did not blink. “I'm going to go and get something to eat, then I am going to come down, and you are going to watch every minute while Janet and I have a little fun. Visit while you can. She'll be gone tonight." 119

He could see the fear enter her eyes and it gave him power. After tonight, he would be twice as powerful as he was now. Even her fear fed his power. He turned and she watched him as he pulled the keys from his pocket and unlocked the basement door. There were several keys on the ring and they probably held the keys to her cuffs.120

She waited until he closed the door and called to Janet. The girl continued to cry, but didn't answer. “We have to work together to get out of here,” Sam said.121

Slowly the girl raised her head and turned in Sam's direction. “Just let him kill me. I don't want to live. Sam looked at her and suddenly started to vomit. Both of the girl's eyes had been removed and her mouth was slit on each side, giving her an evil looking grin permanently cut into her face. She lay her head back down on the mattress and continued to cry. Sam needed the girl to talk about the man and tell her all she could about him and about everything that had happened to her since being snatched. 122

It wasn't going to happen. She knew how the girl must feel, but she was still alive and she vowed to keep her that way. She could be helped. They just had to get out of here. She thought a minute, then asked, “Do you have any idea where we are?”123

She waited and listened and finally heard the girl mumble “No.”124

Good, maybe she could get her to cooperate. She looked at her chain. It was heavy and about five feet long. She slowly got to her feet and walked a circle to see how far she could go. She could not reach Janet. Even if Janet walked towards her, they could barely touch hands. She looked for anything she could use as a weapon. There was nothing within reach. She knew Janet did not have long to live if she didn't come up with something. 125

Jackson had to know I'm missing by now. He'll do everything possible to find me. That may be the only hope we have. She sat back down. “Janet,” she called. “Do you have any idea what time he might come back down?” She waited and finally, Janet answered. If it's like last night, it could be any time.”126

“Does he always have a weapon with him?”127

“He always has his knife.”128

Sam had a sudden thought. She lay flat on her back and tried lifting her legs. The chain was very heavy but she could raise them at least three feet off the floor. If she could make him angry enough to attack her, maybe she could get one of the chains around his neck, maybe she could fight him or hold him long enough to get the keys. She was very strong and he wasn't a real big man. It might come down to that. 129

A few minutes later, she heard someone at the door. It opened and the Joker was back. He walked over to Sam. “Are you ready to watch?”130

“Leave her alone. You've hurt her too much already.”131

“And what makes you think you're in charge?”132

“Because, you're afraid to take me. You killed an innocent dog and crept up behind me like a coward with chloroform. Even with me chained, you're afraid of me.”133

The man walked up and slapped Sam across the face as hard as he could. Sam laughed. “You're really a tough guy, aren't you. Come close enough so I can get my hands on you.”134

“Shut up,” he screamed. “Don't you know who I am?”135

“Sure, a jerk off coward,” she laughed. 136

“I'm a God,” he screamed in anger, as he pulled his knife and dived towards her.137

Sam immediately raised one leg and he tripped over the chain. 138

Jason fell flat on top of her and she immediately got a choke hold around his neck. She threw both legs over his and held on for dear life. All the years of working out might save her life. She held on as he struggled to get free. He had dropped the knife and was feeling around for it. Sam turned her head to the left and saw it lying about six inches from his right hand. She used every once of strength she had to flip him over to the right, out of reach of the knife. 139

She had a death grip around his neck and held on for dear life. He started punching her in the head. Her grip was starting to slip and she brought one knee up hard, right into his crouch. He cried out in pain and she immediately raised up and brought one elbow down on the middle of his neck. He was choking and trying to draw a breath. She immediately slid up and wrapped one chain tightly around his neck and poked her thumbs into both his eyes. 140

'God' was screaming for mercy. She could not let up on her relentless assault. She had to keep him hurting and out of breath. He still could not draw a breath and started bucking frantically, trying to throw her off. He finally got his feet up under him enough that he managed to throw her off to his left. Her hand closed over the knife and as he turned, she shoved it into his chest with all her might. He collapsed, and she quickly cut his throat. 141

Finally, realizing she was safe, she rolled away from him and tried to catch her breath. She sat there for five minutes as the life flowed out of his body. Then she lay down the knife and started going through his pockets for the keys she had seen. She pulled them out and unlocked the cuffs from her ankles. Then she walked over and unlocked Janet's cuffs and put her arms around the poor girl and they both cried together. 142

After a few minutes, Sam went to the door and unlocked it. She went upstairs, found a pan and filled it with warm water. She picked up a washcloth and a towel and carried them back to the basement. She started cleaning Janet's wounds as she assured her that she was safe and she would get her out of here. She tied the clean towel around her eyes and helped her to her feet. Sam led her up the stairs and sat her down on the couch. Sam searched around for her clothes and her cell phone. She finally found them and dialed Jackson. 143

Jackson grabbed up the phone and yelled, “Sam, is that you?'144

She said, “yes, come and get us,” and she could here the cheers from the end of the line. She left the phone on so they could be tracked and pulled her clothes on, then helped Janet into hers. They walked out the door just as most of the Dallas Police Department drove up and three helicopters landed in the yard. Jackson grabbed her in a bear hug as two officers escorted Janet to a chopper to take her to the hospital. 145

Sam asked about Angus, and Jackson said he didn't know. He had been too busy looking for her to check. Sam collapsed and he carried her to the second chopper and followed the first to the Hospital.146

After being checked out at the Hospital, Sam insisted she be taken to Angus. Just then, her brother, Tom walked in, gave her a hug, and said, “Someone's waiting outside to see you.” She immediately smiled and ran for the door, with Tom and Jackson racing to keep up. She ran out the door and was met by Angus, weak but alive. They had gotten him to the Vet just in time to save his life.147

Sam knew she wasn't out of trouble, but she told Gerald, she would face the music tomorrow. She and Jackson and Angus were going home.148