Sin City (Book 5 of Billionaire Bad Boys Series)

3

Brandy sat at her desk looking over the responding officer’s report. They had managed to identify the victim as forty-two-year-old recruiter Lieutenant Emily Loewen. From the crime scene photos, she looked like she’d been jumped from behind and dragged into the alley and beaten to death. When they found her, it was with her pants around her ankles, so there was a possibility this was a rape gone terribly wrong. The lab had collected a rape kit and would test to see if any fluids could be found.

Brandy had pulled up Lt. Loewen’s service record. Judging from her record, she was a good soldier. She’d never been in trouble. She was well decorated. She’d served two tours of duty in Japan and was returned stateside two years ago and assigned to the recruiting office, but there was no mention as to why.

She was reading the service record on her computer when someone dropped a thick file on the desk in front of her. Brandy looked up to see another MP. Lieutenant Henry Vella was glaring down at her. He was five years her senior and had been an MP for about fifteen years. He, like so many others in this office, resented the fact that Brandy could walk in and take over simply because she outranked them.

“What’s this?” She asked picking up the file.

“Well, there’s a problem with it.” Lt. Vella said with a cocky smile.

“What’s that?”

“It’s your problem.” He said and began to walk away.

“A little more information would be helpful.” She called after him.

“You can read, can’t you?”

Brandy sighed; she was getting the cold shoulder from everyone in this precinct. She opened the file and relaxed back in her seat browsing through the report and pictures. It was about another murder occurring a week ago. Another female officer beaten to death, raped, and the mutilated after the fact. She paused as she stared at one of the pictures taken by the coroner. There was a number carved into her chest, the number one. According to the autopsy report, it was inflicted post-mortem. There was a direct link between this case and the crime scene last night.

Brandy got the feeling there were going to be more bodies. It was possible they had a serial killer on the base. Worse it was probably one of their own. Brandy shot to her feet and went in search of her CO. She knocked on Colonel Peter Addis’ office door. He was on the phone and had just hung up as she came in the room. “Captain Bent, just the person I wanted to see.”

“Col. Addis, have you seen these reports?”

“What reports?”

“Last night there was a murder on the base, and just now I got another file about another murder which is similar and probably related. I think we have a problem, Sir. I think there are going to be more bodies. We need to warn people.” She said coming to stand by the desk.

“I’ve seen the reports, but there is no guarantee the cases are related. Right now, we are maintaining military silence.”

“We could have a highly trained killer on our hands. The man responsible for this may very well be a soldier right here on this base. He could be stalking another victim as we speak.”

“Captain, we will not be creating mass hysteria by telling people we have a serial killer. Two deaths do not constitute a serial killer.”

“It’s not the deaths per say but how they died. The MO is shockingly similar.”

“We are not scaring everyone with suspicion. Work the case and keep the accusations within the department.” The Colonel instructed. The Colonel was a man in his fifties. He was short with greying hair but clean shaven. He was a career officer and like the other boys in the department was annoyed that Brandy had been thrust within the ranks. She could tell he was going to make things difficult. “By the way, you’re going to have a tag along.” He said with a smile.

She didn’t understand. “A rookie MP?”

“You are the rookie.” She resented being called a rookie. She had worked hard for her rank. She’d even graduated from West Point where she had minored in phycology. Which she was sure would come in handy in her new post.

“With all respect Sir, I earned my post.”

“You got this assignment because your father is Brigadier-General Bent and he wanted his daughter in a nice safe job.” The Colonel said flatly. Then he smiled, “and thanks to a call from General Morgan Tucker you will have a tagalong.”

“I don’t understand?”

“You will have a reporter shadowing you. He has a deal with the General to cover this murder case you’re working on.”

“I thought we weren’t making it public knowledge?”

“The reporter has been sworn to silence. He will follow along while you investigate and keep his research to himself until which point the case is closed or filed away as a cold case at which time he has the exclusive right to publish the story. You will give him every consideration.”

“You can’t make me work with a civilian?” She said with annoyance. “My father-”

“General Tucker outranks your father, and the order comes right from the General’s mouth. So, there is no negotiation. Do as ordered or face the court-martial.” He said.

Brandy straightened her back and thrust out her chin. She wanted to complain, but she wasn’t going to. “Who am I working with?”

The Colonel looked past her at the door with a smiled. Brandy turned around to see the man from last night standing in the doorway with a military escort. He was dressed in jeans very much like last night only this time in his hand he had a black duffle bag. He smiled smugly at her and pushed his dark sunglasses up on top of his dark head. His blue eyes sparkled with wicked mischief. “Hello, beautiful. Good to see you again. Can I have my camera back?”

Brandy turned to look at the Colonel who was grinning ear to ear. “You can’t be serious. I can’t work with this guy.”

“Well, you better figure out how to because you’re stuck with him.” Col. Addis said with a smirk. “Now why don’t you get out of my office and don’t bother me again until you have a suspect and some evidence. And give the man back his camera.”

Brandy was furious, how did she get stuck with this obnoxious kid. She pushed past Justin and headed for her desk. She sat down placing her file on the desktop and set to work looking into the first killing. Justin grabbed a chair from an empty desk and pulled it up next to hers. He dropped his bag at his feet and with one elbow resting on the corner of her desk he smiled at her. “My camera?” He said politely. Brandy opened the bottom drawer of her desk and took out the camera she had confiscated last night. She placed it in his hands, and he immediately checked it over. “Hey, what happened to my pictures?” He asked with a scowl.

“The camera is yours, but the pictures are mine.” She said with some pleasure.

He shot her a nasty glare and then draped the camera around his neck. “So, what do we got so far?”

“We don’t have anything. This is my case, and you are just going to slow me down.” She said bringing up the first victim’s service record. “I can’t believe I’m stuck with some stupid kid.”

“I’m not stupid nor am I kid. I’m a professional and expect to be treated like one.”

“How professional can you be? You’re like what seventeen?” She snarled.

“I’m twenty-three.” He countered.

“Oh, so grown up.” She teased.

He looked annoyed. “I am a professional. For your information, I’ve been published over twenty times in the last four years in various well-respected publications all over the world. I’m the top paid freelance journalist in North America.” She scoffed, and he glared at her. “Look it up. Go on google me I’ll wait.” He said relaxing back in his chair with that self-assured smile.

OK, she would. Brandy brought up the internet and typed his name into the search engine. She was surprised by how many references came up. There were a few that even had his picture. She looked at him and then back at the screen. She brought up the site that claimed to have his bio. She quickly scanned the page.

So, he was a third-generation rich kid. His parents were wealthy and famous. She slimmed down to his work history. There was a list of every article he’d published. She even recalled reading a few. According to this, he was a well-established writer despite his age. Brandy looked back at him, and he smiled. It was hard to believe this was the man the bio referred to but the picture and the name matched, so it had to be him. “Ok, so you have some impressive credentials.” She said closing the internet window.

“So, no more of this kid crap. I may be young, but I’m a serious journalist.” She was big enough to admit when she might have been wrong. Well, she didn’t think she was wrong about Justin’s character, but she had been wrong about his qualifications. “So why don’t you catch me up doll face.”

Brandy grit her teeth she wanted to slap him, but she was above such pettiness. She pointed to the strips on her uniform. “Do you see this? These two stripes on my uniform, these stripes identify me as an officer. I have literally earned my strips. You want respect for your accomplishments well so do I. My name is Captain Brandy Bent. You can call me Captain Bent.”

“I’d rather call you Brandy.”

“You’ll call me Captain Bent.” She stressed. “Either you get on my bus or I’ll run you over pretty fast.”

He lifted his hands in surrender. “Got it, Captain Bent. So why don’t you fill me in.” He said unzipping his bag and taking out a small hand-held recording device. He turned it on and placed it on the desk next to him. “Let’s start with what happened last night.”

She sighed and handed the file she had thus far to him to read. “Last night Lt. Emily Loewen was raped and murdered. We don’t have the autopsy report yet, but the coroner believes the cause of death to be blunt force trauma. Essentially her skull was crushed in. Judging from the way she was dressed. I figure she was jogging. She had on an I-pod and likely didn’t notice the killer behind her until he overpowered her and dragged her into an alley.”

“What’s this?” He asked holding up a picture of the two carved into the victim’s flesh.

“We don’t know. I think it’s a signature. Or a warning?”

Justin lifted a quizzical brow. “Warning?”

“I have reason to believe there has been at least one other murder attributed to this killer and that if I’m right, there are going to be more.” She explained handing him the other file of the first victim. Justin opened it up and scanned the reports. “Lt. Robin Malm. She was found dead a week ago.”

“On-base?”

“Behind the fitness center. She had been ambushed on her way back to her car after working out. Do you see the wound in her chest? Doesn’t it look like a one? I think Lt. Malm was the first of what will likely be a string of assaults.”

“Are you going to make a public safety announcement?” He asked.

“No. My CO says I am to keep it quiet and solve it quickly.”

“Don’t you think the women on this base ought to know a nutcase is stalking them?”

“What I think doesn’t matter. I have my orders. They don’t want to tip off the killer.” She lied.

“You think this guy is a soldier on the base?” He asked handing her back the file.

“These are specially trained women. I’m talking about women that have extensive combat training. For one man to overpower them and hold them down well enough to do this, he’s got to be big and strong. Probably specially trained. For all I know he’s special ops.”

“Maybe there’s more than one of them?” He suggested. “One to hold her down and the other to kill her.”

That was a viable possibility. She’d have to look into it. It was possible. And it would explain how these women couldn’t fight them off if they were overwhelmed by numbers. “That’s a very astute observation?” She said jotting it down on her notepad. “You know you can’t print any of this until my office gives you the go ahead.” She reminded him.

“My lips are sealed for now.” He promised as he compared the photos from the first crime scene to that of the second. “So, what connects the victims besides the numbering?”

“It’s too early to tell.” She said watching him hold up Lt. Malm and Lt. Loewen’s service pictures.

“I wouldn’t say that. Let’s see they’re both officers. They’re both Lieutenants. They’re both about the same age. They’re both blond, and hot.” Brandy shot him a nasty look. “Just saying.” He smiled. “They were both taken down while exercising.” Justin placed both pictures on the desk in front of her pointing to both women. “Now you tell me you don’t see the similarities.”

She examined both pictures. Side by side she could see what he was talking about. But it was still too early in the game to be able to put together an accurate profile of either the killer or his victim type. “It’s possible it’s just a coincidence.” She said. She didn’t want to get ahead of herself by jumping to conclusions.

Justin just smiled at her. “You’re one of those work alone sort of cops, aren’t you?”

“I am a team player I just resent having to babysit you.” She said closing the files and tossing them into the top drawer of her desk and stood up.

“I don’t need a babysitter.” He said with annoyance. Justin came to his feet and picked up his bag. “Where are we going?”

“To interview the victim’s family.” She said heading for the door without him. “Look alive Mr. Sanchez if you can’t keep up I’ll leave you behind.”

***

She moved fast with hurried steps. Justin followed behind watching her hips sway with every step. She had traded her sexy cocktail dress for an army green uniform. It was designed to strip away individuality and hide a woman’s figure, but it wasn’t working. Even beneath that shapeless camouflage jacket, one could see her perfect hourglass figure. Wide hips, narrow waist, full bust. She had long legs which were hidden beneath her baggy camouflage pants tucked into the top of her army boots. It was a very butch outfit, but she managed to pull it off and still look sexy as all hell.

Brandy climbed into the driver’s seat of the marked SUV in the parking lot. Justin opened the passenger door and tossed his bag into the backseat. He climbed in and just as he closed the door Brandy pulled out onto the street. “How long have you been in the army?”

“Twelve years.” She said keeping her eyes on the road. “After four years at West Point.”

“So, you’re a career soldier?” He asked.

“Yes.”

“Have you always been an MP?”

“No. I used to be a fighter pilot.” She confessed.

“You ever see combat?”

“Yes. But I can’t expect you to understand how that is.” She said like she’d seen things he could never understand.

“I might. I just got back from Iran where I was in a village that was attacked by insurgents. I nearly didn’t make it back. And before that, I was in Afghanistan and before that Nigeria.” He’d seen his fair share of gunfire. His job wasn’t exactly a cushy desk job. Brandy looked at him like she didn’t believe him.

“Is this your first time tagging along?” She asked as they turned the corner.

“Nope. I’ve tagged along with the Canadian Peace Keepers, the French Foreign Legion, and some SEAL’s.”

“You must be seriously connected. How do you know General Tucker?” She asked curiously.

“He’s my Aunt’s husband’s brother. So, I asked for a favour.”

“And so quickly. You must have woken him from his bed last night to be here now.”

“Yeah well, I usually get what I want.” He said very matter of fact. The truth was he couldn’t remember anyone ever telling him no for any reason. Perhaps that made him spoiled, but he didn’t care what people thought of him.

She groaned and shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m stuck with a spoiled rich kid. I must have been very bad in a past life.” She said pulling into the drive of one of the small row houses.

“I resent being called a kid.” He snapped as they got out. “I think your bun is too tight it’s putting a strain on your brain. I’m no more a kid than you are.” He said as they walked up to the door.

“You’re a bit of a jerk.” She snarled and knocked on the door.

“You started it.” He muttered as the door opened and a man was looking back at them. He wasn’t in a uniform. Just some jeans and a t-shirt.

“Mr. Malm?” She asked. He nodded as he looked over the MP patch on her arm and then at Justin who didn’t look military in any way. “I’m Captain Bent; I’d like to ask you a few questions about your wife’s murder.” She said very formally.

Mr. Malm looked a wreck like he hadn’t slept in days. He stepped aside to allow them to come in. Inside Justin looked around at all the boxes and bubble wrap. Mr. Malm had been packing when they knocked.

“Let’s make this fast Captain, my kids will be back from school soon, and it would be very nice if you weren’t here.” He said taking some books off a shelf and placing them in the box on a chair. He was a middle-aged man with thinning hair at the top of his head. Judging from his worn-out clothes and the dirt beneath his fingernails, Justin would guess Mr. Malm was a mechanic.

“Did your wife workout at the fitness center often?”

“Yes. Three times a week.”

“Did she workout alone?”

“Yes. I would stay home with the kids.”

“How many people knew her routine?”

Mr. Malm shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know; me and some of her friends. She was very dedicated to her schedule, she never deviated.” He said taking some more books down from the shelf.

“How was your marriage lately?”

Mr. Malm glared at Brandy, and even Justin gave her a funny look. “Fine. I didn’t kill my wife.” He growled tossing the books into the box beside him. “And there was no other man if that’s what you’re getting at. We were happy together.”

“Was your wife between tours?” Justin asked.

“She wasn’t in active combat. Robin was an administrative assistant. She was a glorified secretary.” Mr. Malm said getting worked up. “She knew I didn’t want her in combat situations. For this very reason.”

“Are you moving?” Justin asked looking at all the boxes.

“Yeah.” Mr. Malm said reaching for some more books. “Ten years Robin’s been in the army, she’s dead not even three days before the brass is on my doorstep telling me my children and I have to vacate the base. Since I’m a civilian, we can’t stay. My wife wasn’t even buried yet when the US army decided to evict us. Toss three kids and me out into the street. Now I got some inept cop standing in my living room implying my wife was cheating on me or that I killed her.”

“It’s standard questioning.” Brandy defended herself.

“Get the hell out of my house while it still is my house.” He snarled pointing at the door.

“Mr. Malm, I’m sorry for my friend here, but we are truly sorry for your loss. I know it still hurts, but we are trying to find out what happened to your wife.” Justin said with genuine sympathy. “We want to catch the guy that did this horrible thing to Robin. So that we can give you and your children closure. We have reason to believe this may happen again to another family, and by answering our questions, you could help us catch this guy. Now did Robin ever complain about anyone? Maybe a colleague someone that may have come on to her? Ever complain that she felt like someone was following her?”

Mr. Malm looked down for a minute, and Justin knew he’d uncovered something. “Actually yes.” He said walking over to the kitchen. He took down a piece of paper from on top of the fridge. “This was left on her desk one day.” He said handing it to Justin. “She reported it to her CO, but no one saw who left it. Her CO said it was probably just some prank s**t like that was always happening around that office. She kept it just in case. I told her to report it to the MP’s, but she said she didn’t want to rock the boat. She said her CO wouldn’t appreciate her going over his head.”

Justin opened the folded paper and noticed the letter had been spelled out in letters and words cut out of magazines and newspapers. He read it aloud for Brandy’s benefit. “Roses are red, violets are blue, you don’t see me, but I always see you.” It was kind of creepy.

“Why didn’t you report this after your wife turned up dead?” Brandy asked.

“I did the MP I went to said it didn’t constitute a threat.”

“Do you mind if we keep this?” Justin asked.

“I don’t know are you going to follow up on it?” Mr. Malm asked bitterly.

“Yes.” Brandy said taking the letter from Justin. “I guarantee I will follow up on this myself.” She promised.

They thanked Mr. Malm for his help, and they left the house getting back in the SUV. Brandy lifted the center console and took out an evidence bag. Then she placed the letter inside and sealed it with tape then she tucked it back in the console and started the vehicle up.

“I think in future interviews I should do the talking,” Justin suggested.

“Why?”

“You’re a bit insensitive.” He said as they headed down the street. “If I hadn’t been there you wouldn’t have got anything out of him.” He said.

“I don’t need you to do my job for me.” She said offended.

“I beg to differ.” Justin wasn’t always the nicest of people, but he was very good at getting people to talk to him. “When dealing with those in mourning you should use more tact. I get the feeling you haven’t been doing this cop thing long.” She refused to look at him which spoke volumes and Justin was sure he was right. “Is this your first case?” When she didn’t answer, Justin laughed. “It is. Oh my god, I’m on a ride-along with a rookie.”

“I’ll have you know I have a degree in phycology. I am perfectly qualified for this assignment.” She snapped.

“I can’t believe they gave you a multiple murder case to cut your teeth on. What the hell were they thinking?” Leave it to the army to do things ass backwards.

“They were thinking I am the senior officer.”

“I see so you got this case because you outrank the real cops.”

“I am a real cop.” She snapped.

“Tell me how did you get this job? I mean how did you go from fighter pilot to lead detective? It seems like an odd career change.” She didn’t want to tell him he could tell by the way she was trying not to look at him.

“My father procured this assignment for me after I got shot down. He wanted me in something safe stateside.” She confessed. So, they had something in common they both had connections.

“I bet that rubs some of the guys the wrong way.” Justin understood how pulling strings could annoy and offend people unlucky enough not to be connected. People that had to work hard for everything they got. “So where are we off to now?”

“To interview Lt. Loewen’s family.” She said turning down another road.

“Both victims lived on base?”

“They did.” She said pulling up to another house. They got out and walked up to the house and knocked on the door. Justin couldn’t help but notice the green Humvee parked on the street. The door opened, and a woman glared at them both. She then stepped aside while two men in uniform walked out the door and headed for the Humvee.

“What do you want?” The woman snapped. She was a middle-aged woman with short dark hair and red eyes like she’d been crying. Probably thanks to the men that had just left.

“I’m Captain Bent, and this is Mr. Sanchez we’d like to ask Mr. Novack a few questions about his wife’s murder last night.” The woman scoffed and shook her head like she was fed up with something. “Is Mr. Novack home?” Brandy asked.

“There is no Mr. Novack.” The woman snarled.

“Oh.” Brandy took out her notepad and looked something up. “I was told Lt. Loewen recently married one Chris Novack.”

Justin snickered to himself. For a cop, she was rather slow. “I’m Chris Novack.” The woman snapped. It’s short for Chrystal.” Brandy looked surprised.

“Mrs. Novack,” Justin said taking over, “I understand you have suffered a great loss, but it would help us find…” He paused realizing he didn’t know the victim’s first name.

“Emily.” The woman offered.

“Yes, to finding Emily’s killer. I know you must want someone to pay for the death of your wife.” He said softly.

She looked at him and then at Brandy. “What does the army care about the murder of a lesbian?”

“The army does not distinguish between straight and homosexuals. They treat every soldier equally.” Brandy said.

“Sure, they do.” The woman scoffed. Even Justin knew that to be bullshit. Some military propaganda. “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” She snarled.

Justin decided to take over. “Mrs. Novack, I assure you I am not military. I’m a civilian journalist, and there is nothing I want more than to make sure the military treats this horrendous tragedy with the seriousness they would any other. And if they don’t, I give you my word I will expose the injustice. Could we come in and ask you a few questions. I promise we will be out of your hair in no time.”

She stepped aside and let them in. Mrs. Novack showed them to the kitchen table where they all sat down. “What do you want to know?”

“Did Emily often jog at night?” Justin asked.

“Yes, she was too busy during the day.”

“Did she always jog alone?”

“Yeah, she said it gave her time to unwind and think. I prefer to do my jogging on a treadmill, but Emily always liked the outdoors. I told her not to. I told her something like this could happen, but she never listened. She always said she survived two tours in Afghanistan she could handle an hour alone. Telling me, she was perfectly safe on base.” A tear rolled down her cheek, and Justin took a small travel pack of tissue out of his jacket pocket. He kept such things on him for reasons just like this. Sometimes people got emotional when they were interviewed. “I was so worried when she didn’t come home. I started calling the MP’s, but they just said I was hysterical and that she was likely off at the pub having a drink. I tried to tell them she didn’t drink but they just blew me off, and then six hours later there was an MP at my door telling me they found Emily dead in some alley near the fitness center.”

“Was there anyone new in your wife’s life?” Brandy asked.

“No.”

“Did Emily ever complain about anyone, maybe someone she worked with? Ever tell you she thought she was being followed? Maybe she received some disturbing mail?” Justin suggested. He was playing a hunch.

“Yes, there was this one guy that worked with her. He was always coming on to Emily. She told him she was a lesbian, but I don’t think he believed her. He just kept harassing her. Emily reported him to their CO, but nothing came of it. She still had to work with him. Their CO said it was harmless and that Emily was overreacting.”

“Do you know what his name was?” Brandy asked taking her pen from her pocket.

“I believe it was something like Ognen. Yeah, Sgt. Timothy Ognen. He worked with Emily at the recruiting station.” Mrs. Novack got up and opened the kitchen drawer then took out a piece of paper. She handed it to Justin. “She found this on her desk one day. Emily was sure Sgt. Ognen left it for her because it showed up the day after she reported him for harassment.”

Justin looked at the letter. It was designed the same as the one Lt. Malm had received. That couldn’t be a coincidence. “Silly b***h d***s are for chicks.” He read aloud.

Brandy took it from him and looked it over. “A little vulgar. Did you show this to the MP that came by last night?”

“They didn’t care.” She said leaning against the counter. “You’re going to take this seriously. You’re going to look for this guy, right?”

Brandy and Justin stood up. “We’ll find him,” Brandy promised. “It’s my utmost priority.”

Mrs. Novack showed them to the door where Justin paused and looked back at her. “Just out of curiosity what were those other guys here for?”

“They were from HQ. They’re saying since I’m not military personnel I have to move. My wife is not even buried, and they're throwing me out. Military efficiency.” She said and shut the door.

“Nice to see the brass can let two murders slip through their fingers but they’re on the ball when it comes to lodgings.” He said sarcastically. “You’re welcome.” He said getting into the SUV. He watched as she bagged the letter and got in.

“For what?”

“Face it without me you’d be getting nowhere. No one wants to talk to you. You’re the face of an evil organization.”

“There is nothing evil about the military. We protect people.”

“By killing babies and raping women in foreign countries.”

“That doesn’t happen.” She snapped offended.

“Oh yes, it does. I’ve looked into it, talked with soldiers that were given those specific orders.”

“Liar.”

“It must be nice to be able to look at the world through rose coloured glasses.”

“You know for someone who was born with every advantage you sure are a cynical man.”

“Thank you.” He smiled proudly.

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

“Maybe not the cynical part but you called me a man.”

“It was purely by accident.” She assured him.

“Please, I’m more man than you could handle.”

Brandy just laughed. “Sure, you are. You know having money doesn’t make you a man look at Justin Bieber.”

“I’m nothing like that twit.” He said offended.

“Sure, you are. You are both rich and cute, and you both think you’re God’s gift to women.” She teased.

“Yeah whatever GI Barbie.”

“Shut up.” She snapped at him.

“Awe, does that offend you?” He laughed.

“Yes.”

“Good.” He said facing forward. She might have been drop dead gorgeous, but this woman was a serious b***h. Were it not for the fact that he wanted this story he’d have kicked her to the curb by now. He didn’t put up with this s**t. “I still think you’d be nowhere without me. Those people didn’t want to talk to you. It was my lovable personality that got you those letters.”

She laughed. “Lovable? Please. I’ve known you twenty-four hours, and I can’t see any reason anyone would like you.”

“I’m loaded and well endowed.” He said with a cocky grin.

“Yeah right. Just so you know this,” she said making a small measurement with her thumb and forefinger, “is not six inches.”

“Aren’t we funny?” He feigned and chuckle. “I bet your boyfriend thinks you’re hysterical.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Big surprise.”

***

Big surprise? What was that supposed to mean? “Just so you know I don’t need a man.”

“Oh, I see, you’re a lesbian.” He grinned. “That explains so much.”

“I’m not a lesbian either. I’m very career oriented.” She said proudly.

“Which is chick for ‘can’t get laid.’” He teased drawing a nasty look form Brandy. “Let’s face it if you were getting a little on the side somewhere you’d be less of a bitch.”

“Why do you got to go there? A woman is strong, independent, and self-assured and she’s got to be a b***h?”

“I don’t make the rules. I call it as I see it.” He was such a condescending jackass she just wanted to push him out of the SUV.

“Oh really? What’s you’re excuse then, because I get the feeling you’ll f**k anything that moves?”

His, please smile irritated her greatly. “Sometimes two or three girls a night, sometimes at the same time.” He bragged.

“You are such a pig. I’m afraid to be sitting here next to you; I might catch something. I bet your mother is so proud of you.” She said rolling her eyes.

“My Mother doesn’t care what I do so long as I don’t get shot or get someone pregnant.”

“She has such high standards. All though I suppose when it comes to you that’s the best any mother can expect.”

“Aren’t we quick-witted.” Brandy pulled into the MP parking lot and got out. “What are we doing back here?”

“I’m dropping you at your car.” She said heading for the door.

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to do my job.”

“Your job is to let me go with you.” He said following her inside.

“I think I’ve had about enough of you for one day. If I spend even one more hour with you, I think I may eat my service revolver.” She couldn’t stand him. Men like Justin Sanchez made Brandy glad she was single. The idea of having to put up with someone like him every day was daunting.

“Oh, but I’m having so much fun being ridiculed by a bitter old hag.” He said following her inside.

Brandy stopped short and turned to glare at him. She couldn’t believe what he’d just said. “I am not old. I’m only thirty-five.”

His eyes went wide in utter shock. “Thirty-five, holy s**t you’re ancient.” He mocked.

“I am amazed no one has shot you yet.” She snarled as she marched to her desk. She sat down and looked around the office at all the smirks on her colleagues’ faces. “What?” She barked, and they all looked away snickering.

“See they agree with me,” Justin said sitting on the corner of her desk. “You need to get laid.”

“Well, I’ll take that under great consideration.” She said moving things around on her desk to stop from strangling him.

“It should be easy. Just don’t talk.” He teased. “Try it with me…. smile and nod.” Justin said with a big forced smile and a nod of his head. “Maybe throw in one of those girly giggles when he says something he thinks is clever.”

Brandy glared up at him. “Let me guess that bubble-headed bullshit is what you go for? Some stupid girl with a rack larger than her IQ. I mean seriously, what happened to those little girls that dreamed of being something important like an astronaut or senator?”

“They’re working on MTV.” He said standing up and shaking his ass. She had to admit he had a nice ass. He looked like he’d been poured into those jeans.

She was so disgusted by the fact that she thought him attractive. It just went to show that s****l attraction was deeply ingrained into someone’s psyche. “You are such a-”

“Pig, yeah you said that already. You need a better vocabulary.” He teased.

“Ok, you’re a deplorable pervert. How was that for vocabulary?”

“Better although I think you meant to call me sexy not deplorable.” He said with a smirk. “Yeah that’s right I saw you check my ass out.” He teased. “Face it you are trying very hard not to like me.”

“Believe me it’s not that hard.” Her cell phone rang and Brandy was happy for the distraction. She answered the call and spoke briefly then she hung up and then stood up. “Ok, we got something.” She said heading for the door.

“What?” He asked keeping pace with her.

“The coroner is done the autopsy. Let’s go see what he has to say.” She said getting into the SUV.

“I’ll follow.” He said taking his bag out of the backseat and tossed it into the trunk of his expensive sports car. She hoped that meant he had the intention to leave when they were done. How nice it was going to be to spend the next twenty minutes without him.

***

The room smelled like decomp and Brandy was trying not to get queasy. The body was laid out on the cold steel slab naked and cut into. The coroner was washing his hands after being wrist deep in another body. This wasn’t her first time around a body, but usually, they were well dressed and laid in a casket. She’d never been this close to one. “So, Doc what do you got for me?”

“Us.” Justin corrected.

The coroner eyed Justin curiously but decided to continue. “Well, the cause of death was indeed blunt force trauma.” He said turning the victim’s head to show them the back of her head. The area had been shaved to see the wound site better. “I’d say someone repeatedly bashed her skull against the concrete until the back of her head caved in. There was swelling to the brain and cranial hemorrhaging.”

“How many times would someone have to hit her to cause that kind of damage?” Brandy asked.

“Quite a bit. I’d say several minutes even continuing after death.” That was violent. Whoever had done this must have hated this woman very much.

“What about the rape kit?” Brandy asked.

“We’ll she was indeed raped.” The coroner said taking a sheet and covering the body. “There was trauma to the site which indicates s****l assault, but I didn’t find any seminal fluid. I found traces of lubricant, so he probably used a condom or maybe he didn’t achieve orgasm and took it out on the victim by bashing her head in.” He said taking an evidence bag from his counter. “The victim did fight back. I found skin flakes beneath her fingernails. You could get DNA from it.”

Well, at least that was something. Brandy took the evidence and noticed Justin taking a closer look at the body. He ran his fingertips around her throat. “Hey, Doc what do you make of this?” He asked drawing them both back to the body.

Brandy stood next to Justin and noticed the faint bruise around her neck. It was thin and faded easily missed. She was amazed Justin had noticed it. The coroner took his glasses off his head and put them on taking a closer look at the site. “I’d say maybe the killed tried to strangle her with something thin.”

“Or maybe he took something from her,” Justin suggested.

“Yes, I suppose this kind of bruise could be consistent with say ripping a chain off from around her neck.”

“Or dog-tags?” Justin offered another theory.

“Doc do you have the victim’s things?” Brandy asked.

The coroner headed into his office and then searched some bags and handed Brandy one. “These are the victim’s personal effects. It’s everything the body came in with.”

Brandy put on a pair of latex gloves and dumped the bag on the counter. She sifted through the clothes. She found clothes, a wedding ring, even an expensive I-pod the killer left behind… but no dog-tags. Real soldiers never left their dog-tags behind. Damn, Justin had been right. He was good. No dog-tags, which meant the killer had taken them, but why?

“Why would he take the dog-tags?” She asked trying to wrack her brain.

“Trophies,” Justin said standing next to her. “He’s taking trophies.” He sighed. “You’re a phycology minor, what does it mean when a killer takes trophies?”

“We have a serial killer.” Her CO was not going to listen to her. She needed more evidence than just some missing dog-tags. Without a word, Brandy left the morgue and headed back for the SUV. She had brought the crime scene files with her. She had intended to go home after this, and she wanted to spend her night pouring over the case. Justin followed Brandy to the parking lot. She opened the passenger door and took out the reports pertaining to the first murder. She was looking specifically for what was not mentioned. She scanned the list of personal effects and didn’t see them. She wasn’t brought in with dog-tags. But there was no mention at all if they were on the body or not. She’d have to interview Mr. Malm again.

“Let me guess, no dog-tags?” Justin asked reading over her shoulder.

“Just because it’s not mentioned doesn’t mean they were missing.” She said closing the file.

“Did the autopsy mention bruising around the neck?” He asked.

“It did not.”

“Well, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t there. I don’t think the coroner was going to notice the marks on the victim’s neck had I not pointed it out.” He said.

She hated to admit it, but he was probably right. She wished she had been the responding officer to the first murder. She couldn’t help but feel they had botched the investigation up and made her job harder than it had to be.

“You are so blind. You think the military is infallible. Look at how effective they’ve been thus far.” He said, headed for his car. “You need to open your eyes, Brandy, see what’s going on.” She watched as he climbed into his car and drove away.

He was so annoying, but he had been right about everything. It was such a piss off. Justin had a hard body, but he also had a clever mind. He was going to be impossible to deal with especially if he was right and Lt. Malm’s dog-tags were missing.