Take The Hill

Despite there being a good chance that a Serial Killer was targeting her, Petra Schultz was enjoying all the fuss and company going on in her kitchen. The Connecticut State Police, based on an impromptu call from the governor, drew the guard duty, and the first shift commenced immediately. Wallace Hughes, F.B.I., and I met in the driveway while Petra talked the Statie's ear off while giving the officer fresh cookies.

Budgetary B.S.

Wally walked off the porch and walked over to my truck. Tango started wagging and shifting in the truck, and Wally petted him through the open window.  "Nat tells me you and Eve have a new house?"  "I also heard you bowled a hell of a game the other night, and you guys moved up the bracket." I had not realized that my soon-to-be wife and 90's TV sensation Natalie "Freaking" Leuze were so chatty with each other. I know now.

I said to Wally, the New England Regional  F.B.I. Director: "I can't believe Mendocino slipped out of Devens. They have a pretty good track record over there." Wally looked at me and said, 

"It wasn't just a little slip-up."  "Mendocino should be considered to be a weapon. He killed two corrections officers. He needs to be always strapped down once we catch him again."

"Do you think one guard on station is enough to protect Petra Schultz?" I asked.

Wally looked downcast and said, "No." 

"I don't either"

"I will volunteer to stay in the house with her until this asshole is either dead or caught,"  I said

"I'll work it out with Petra."

"Did they ask her if she wanted to go to her Florida house until they catch Mendocino?"

"Petra said she felt safe with the Connecticut cops and wanted to stay."

Wally said, "I am hitting the road. Tanaka is holding down the fort and helping build a formidable net to catch this guy." "Do you think he'll come at Petra?" 

I thought for a second and said, "I think he will; he's that kind of weirdo who does not tolerate a derailment." "You killed his plan when you caught him, Wally."

"He may be mad at you."

Wally and I stood in the driveway and started laughing.

I said, "I'm going to go work this out with Petra, then I'm going to top off my tank and park my truck away from the scene."

"Say Hi to Tanaka for me."

At that, Wally drove away. I have come to like that guy. He hired me for an Immersion job that got me to Spain, and then he successfully got me out when the pot began to boil. He is a great guy with good humor and dates a former client of mine.

I went inside to speak with Petra as Wally drove away.

When They Are Together, Someone Always Snorts Or Spits

Natalie Freaking Leuze was in The Cardinal And The Jack, enjoying Eve's company. They were talking about Eve's upcoming wedding. The Jack is busy most mornings, and the staff kept things moving while Natalie and Eve sat outside the tiny office at a two-top table. 

The combined smell of roasting coffee and things baking in the oven intoxicates. The customers always comment on how delicious the Cardinal smells.

"Allston just texted me saying he won't be home tonight. Did you hear about the escaped serial killer?"

Natalie said, "That's the only thing on the news." "How did he get out of what the news describes as Maximum Security?" 

Eve said, "I don't know, and I'm not happy that Allston has got his nose all up in that serial killer's business."

"He does have a baby on the way."

"How's that coming along, Evie? Natalie asked

"Our baby is living a full life, and she has not been born yet."

"You're having a girl?" Leuze asked

"It feels like that to me, but what do I know? This is a first."

​Eve laughed aloud, saying, "Allston wants to name her Dunkachino after a chain coffee drink."

Natalie spit a sip of coffee, tossed a croissant chunk to her little dog Ricky Ricardo, and started laughing.  "That man is not from Tennessee or Kentucky and lacks sense?"

"I love it."

"Evie, what time are you done here today?"

"I'll be getting home near six."

"Are you up for steaks and baked potatoes?"

"I'll bring everything and meet you at your new house at about 6:30."

"Deal! but I'm a lousy party girl, I can't drink while I'm baking, baby Dunkachino."

"Is it okay if Wally joins us?

"Of Course!"

Pump Number Six Without Little Debbie Oatmeal Cakes

I pulled into a convenience store/gas station and parked it before pump number six. Petra was calm about my stay and looked devilish as she told me which room I should stay in. "It's right next to mine," she said.

I asked about the top-floor rooms that could overlook the driveway and maybe another that overlooked the back of the house.

I explained that I would move between the two rooms while working to overwatch the whole situation.

The Connecticut State Cops put their cruiser inside of one of the garages. 

It looked like only Petra was in the house.

While filling my tank, a man got out of a blue sedan and went to the pump in the aisle next to mine. He looked at the prices and the pump number and then went inside. I thought he was going to pay with cash.

The numbers on my pump were climbing when the man from the blue sedan came out and started to work his pump. He pulled the nozzle and realized that the gas door of the car was on the other side of the vehicle.

That's an odd mistake to make.

As he got in the car, I took a hard look. He was tall, and his clothes were horrible fits as if they were not his own.

He turned his car around and stayed with the same pump. The plate on the vehicle was from Massachussets.

I looked down at my gas nozzle but glanced at the man again.

I knew his mugshot and all the photos in the paper. That was, without a doubt, Dennis Mendocino.

This Jarhead doesn't back down.

I have to tangle with him right here.

I leaned in my truck and texted Wally and Tanaka, giving them a SITREP.

Before starting with The Mixtape Killer, I knew it would'nt be easy but Marines take the challenge and always move forward.

I touched my lower back and felt my Glock in its holster.