Protect Our Children

By Ruthann B. Macolini

In Park County Colorado, Deputy Sheriff Ted Wallace is assigned to serve on his first Task Force formed when a serial killer is suspected operating in the area, preying on preteen girls. After Ted teams with Kate HGunter, a deputy sheriff from nearby Jefferson County, they painstakingly sort through tips and clues to rule out possible suspects and finally discover the killer who has been terrorizing the counties. Who knew there were so many possible leads that had to be checked. But, the killer was closer than they realized.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ruthann B. Macolini
• Release date: Sep 20, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301004942

Ruthann B. Macolini

After living in four states and six countries, Ruthann B. Macolini has lived in the foothills of Colorado for the past twenty years. Ruthann's employment has been varied and includes being a float nurse, an obstetrical nurse, the nurse at the United States Embassy in Argentina, the coordinator of the high school component of a psychoed center in Georgia, the CLO (Community Liaison Officer) at the United States Embassy in Bolivia, and President of Macolini Investigative Consultants.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Hi, there. I see you guys finally decided to shower, Betty Riggson called out laughing. She crossed the scrubby green grass to the asphalt driveway where her husband Joe and two daughters were supposedly washing the cars, their golden retriever Oro supervising. Betty smiled and thought how great it was to see the easy teasing and dousing of water between them. She stepped over the puddles, pushed Joe’s black hair off his forehead, and planted a kiss on his lips before asking, You guys almost finished?

Joe gave Betty a wide grin and explained, Since it rained this morning, I told the girls they didn’t have to water your vegetables. We decided to wash the cars instead. He raised the hose to continue rinsing off his car. We’ve been checking on your spaghetti sauce too. How was your visit with your Mom?

She’s fine—as usual. I asked her if she wanted to join us for dinner but she has a stack of projects to do.

Mom, screeched Nancy, I think Laurie has squirted me with more water than she put on the car.

Betty laughed and looked at her thirteen-year-old daughter. Nancy’s honey-blonde hair hung in sopping wet clumps. Her tee shirt stuck to her budding breasts and her muddy tennis shoes squished when she moved.

Dad started it, claimed the younger daughter. Laurie stood near a pail of soapy water and threatened to let her father have it. Her eyes sparkled with glee, and Betty noted Laurie was even more soaked than her sister.

I see you guys have been having fun. But, count me out on getting wet. Betty started up the deck steps, bent over to pick off a dead geranium leaf, turned and asked, How soon will you be finished? When do you want to eat?

Give us two minutes here and then another fifteen or so to get cleaned up, answered Joe. Why not put the water on to boil for the pasta? I know I’m hungry.

Sounds good, but, then again, you’re always hungry. Leave your shoes in the garage. I washed the floor before going over to Mom’s, remember?

Yeees, Mom, groaned the girls together.

When Betty opened the back door, Oro ran over to her. Betty glanced down and grabbed a clean towel to dry off Oro’s paws before they entered the sun-filled kitchen. The tantalizing aroma from the copper pot on the store called her attention. She stirred the spaghetti sauce bubbling on the stove and absently pushed the remote control, bringing the television to life. She went over to the stainless steel sink and turned on the faucet to wash her hands, noticing the sun stream through the sparkling windows making the sink shine.

The television announcer broke through the ad to say in a loud voice, The body of a fourteen-year-old girl was found in a culvert near a building site on Crow Hill in Park County earlier this morning. We are just receiving information on this. It appears she may have been murdered but the sheriff’s office would not comment. Again, this is breaking news. Stay tuned for further information. The screen changed to an advertising jingle.

Good God! Betty said aloud to herself, mesmerized by the water running over her hands. She shuddered and quickly shut off the water. She impatiently ran her wet fingers through her caramel pageboy as she opened the door and called outside. Come in here quickly! They’ve discovered a body on Crow Hill. Oro went to Betty’s side, nudging her with his muzzle.

What? Joe dropped the hose and came running into the house with the girls behind him. No one mentioned the muddy shoes tracking up the floor.

I’m serious. They found a dead girl on Crow Hill, repeated Betty. Listen. As soon as this damn ad is over they should tell us more. Ted will have to work on this. He’s probably already involved. I know Mom didn’t know anything about this. I’m going to call and tell her to turn on her television.

She picked up the phone and rapidly punched in her mother’s number. Mom, quick! Turn on the news. There’s been a murder on Crow Hill. I’ll call you back later. Betty crossed the room to get closer to the newscast, trying to control the fear building up inside. I can’t believe it, she thought. This has always been a safe area.

The announcer’s face came back on the television. "We have more news. The grieving parents are looking to you for help."

The television screen changed to show the couple, both approximately in their mid thirties, leaning together in front of the camera, their faces ravaged by tears.

Please, anyone who has any information come forward. If you saw anything, please help us. Susie went down the driveway early this morning to get the paper and never came back. We can’t understand what could have happened, the slender woman, instantly made old with grief, begged through her tears. Please help. Susie was our only child, our baby. Please come forward and help us. The woman turned to her husband in pain as he tightened his arm around her waist.

The poor people, said Betty. I ache for them.

Joe reached over and took Betty’s hand in his, pulling her to his side. The two of them stood in a trance watching the screen, Betty unmindful of Joe’s clothing seeping wetness onto her.

How awful for that child, she thought. And the poor parents. I have chills thinking of what they must be feeling. It’s the worst nightmare possible.

The announcer’s face was shown again on the television and then it quickly flashed the smiling innocent school picture of a young teenager with long blond hair. Again, the sheriff’s office has identified the body of a teenager found this morning in a culvert on Crow Hill—that’s on Highway 285 in Park County—as Susie Romero. The facts are just now coming in. If you have any information which would help lead to the killer of Susie Romero, please call the Park County Sheriff’s substation in Bailey. The number is being shown on your screen. Call with any information—no matter how trivial you think it might be. It could be exceedingly important. Stay tuned to this station for future developments.

Betty turned down the volume of the television and glanced up at her husband. "Joe, how could anyone kill a child? He’d have to be nuts, a maniac.

They reached out to their daughters who had been standing watching the screen with horror in their eyes. Nancy revealed, Mom, Susie is almost my age. We know who she is. She’s that kid whose Mom home schooled her.

Yeah, echoed Laurie. You know where they live; it’s just a couple of streets up from the library.

Why would anyone want to kill her? asked Nancy. She came to school for our P.E. classes and seemed nice. Kind of quiet, but nice.

Joe let out a deep sigh. He’d have to be crazy, that I agree. He peered outside through the kitchen window and looked at the buckets and the still-running hose. We’re so lucky. Those poor parents. How will they ever get through this?

They must be frozen with grief. Betty clenched her teeth and then forced herself to relax by exhaling deeply. It looks like you’re finished out there. You guys go clean up. I’ll shut the water off and empty the pails. She reached out first and hugged both girls in one embrace. Thank God, nothing has happened to either of you.

Once back inside the house again, Betty opened the refrigerator, took out some vegetables and started making a salad. Her movements were automatic as her mind still tried to process the horrifying event.

Joe came padding barefoot into the kitchen, shaking his head. I can’t believe something like this has happened so close. Has anything else been said on the television?

No, nothing. Concern poured out of her eyes. She lowered her voice. Joe, the girls both will be frightened by this. It’s going to be a problem when school starts again. Rumors will be flying around. Yet I wish school was in session so we could have someone talk to them.

Joe checked the boiling water and threw some pasta into the pot. He pulled some wine down off of the shelf, grabbed a corkscrew from a drawer and deftly opened the bottle. Pouring the burgundy liquid into a glass, he handed it to Betty and said, I think we can use some wine tonight.

Betty sipped the liquid absent mindedly. I’m afraid it tastes bitter. Then again, I’m so overwhelmed by the idea of a killer right around here that I’m not even tasting it.

When Joe tested the linguine and deemed it finished, he said,Why don’t you call the girls down while I drain this? Dinner will be on the table in two minutes.

Betty tightened the cap on the vinaigrette. I don’t want to think about that child now. I wish I could block it out. She took a gulp of wine.

Joe reached out and touched Betty’s arm, saying, Easy there. You can’t block it out that way.

She bit her lip, looked at Joe, and decided to change the subject. You timed it right—just finished the salad. She went to call upstairs, thinking once again how lucky she was. She had Joe who was a wonderful husband and a great father to their two daughters. How I love those messy wet girls, she thought.

Later that evening, the news broadcast focused on the murder. Both Betty and Joe were drawn like a magnet to the television set.

We have more breaking news on the murder of Susie Romero, whose body was found today in Park County. She was found across the street from the county offices and the library on Crow Hill. Sheriff Pete Genetti has agreed to speak with us about the case. The reporter dragged a microphone over to the frazzled sheriff, his strained uniform buttons vainly trying to conceal a rotund stomach. Sheriff Genetti, what can you tell us?

The body of a fourteen-year-old female was found face down in a culvert. The culvert’s near a building site on Rosalie Road, on Crow Hill in Park County. That’s across from the Park County offices and library. The body was found by hikers out walking with their dog at 10:30 this morning. She was identified by her parents, who had reported her missing shortly before the body was found. We’re conducting an extensive investigation to find the person responsible. The sheriff absently rubbed his neck as he spoke, his badge glinting in the camera light. We set up several checkpoints leading to the area where the body was found. We hope someone who frequents the area might have seen something. We’ve set aside one phone line to receive any tips incoming from the public. He cleared his throat and continued, I ask that anyone who saw a person or a vehicle in the area this morning to please call the sheriff’s substation in Bailey. The number should be listed on your screen. He frowned as if to question whether the number was actually being shown on the screen.

The television showed another clip, taken earlier in the day. In the background, several uniformed officers holding plastic bags could be seen searching the rugged area covered with craggy rocks and scrub brush, picking up anything that could be considered important evidence. Yellow tape was placed haphazardly around the area. Reporters and a group of bystanders were milling around, calling back and forth. Automobiles and official vehicles were parked every which way alongside the sparsely populated area.

Look, there’s Ted, said Betty, pointing to one of the young investigators. I’ll bet he’ll be working all night.

At least we should call over at your mother’s, suggested Joe. Maybe he’s called home and told her something.

Up to now, he hasn’t had to deal with a death of a child, revealed Betty quietly. Ted may try to make others believe he’s made of steel but I know my brother. He’s a softie. This will tear him up inside.

I’d kill anyone who did that to one of my girls, avowed Joe. How could a parent not go after the murderer? I can’t see how the police can arrest the bastard and not take him outside and shoot him!

Can you imagine the pain those parents are going through right now? The poor people, said Betty. I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to either one of our girls.

I’d be devastated, she thought. Our girls mean everything to us. We always thought Burland was a safe place to live. Now we have a murder only a few miles away. I can’t believe this has really happened.

The newscaster’s face came back on camera. Sheriff, do you have any leads? Do you have any suspects? Is there an imminent arrest?

I can’t comment on suspects at the moment, but we’re going to work around the clock until this murder is solved. The sheriff’s words were cut off while the television station reran the clip of the grieving parents, with the phone number of the sheriff’s office superimposed on the screen.

Joe turned to Betty, who was snuggled beside him on the green corduroy sofa in an attempt to seek comfort. We’ve got to keep an eye on the girls. We’re the only ones who can protect them.

Betty pulled away and looked up at Joe. But, can we protect our children? How can we?

•

They finally may pay attention. I didn’t mean to do it.

Why did that family let their daughter go get the paper by herself so early on a Saturday morning?

Those people were asking for me to take their daughter. They’re so stupid.

Well, I did it.

Chapter 2

Deputy Ted Wallace’s eyes watered from the heavy smoke as he looked around the room packed with people. There were officers from not only Park County but also Jefferson and Arapahoe Counties as well as two state investigators. Some were lined against the walls, others perched on desks and chairs. A few were toying with their cell phones. In the short time they had gathered, the ashtrays were already overflowing. The bantering noise was at a high volume.

Okay, men, listen up. You know why we’re here tonight. Sheriff Pete Genetti cleared his throat and continued. I know we’re all tired but no one’s going home yet. So—I’ll ask Undersheriff Homer to bring us all up to date on what we know. Genetti moved his bulky frame aside and looked at the small group gathered in Homer’s office. Bud, would you start.

Well, we don’t have too much to go on. Bud Homer squinted through his glasses at his notes and absently ran his fingers through his graying hair. We do know that the Romeros called in at the station at 8:02 this morning, saying that their daughter was missing. The mother stated the father was working in the barn and never saw Susie leave to go down the driveway for the paper at 7 this morning. When the parents noticed around 7:30 that she was gone, they first went through the neighborhood to see if they could locate her. They called here when they found no sign of her in the area.

Anything suspicious with the parents? asked one of the investigators.

Ted groaned inwardly when he heard that question. It brought home just how often cases like this involved a family member. The tragedy in the Carolinas made polygraphing parents almost mandatory. He thought how his sister and brother-in-law would react if it were them. What a crazy world we live in, he thought.

Nothing we can pin down at this time. We’ve put a recorder on their phone and called for a credit check. The father has no criminal history. Bud shuffled his notes. Now where was I? Let’s see. After the initial call came in, we asked Ted to go over to the Romero home. While he was over there talking to the parents, we received another call. This one came in at 10:22 am from the county librarian. She said two kids ran in claiming they found the body of a dead girl while they were hiking behind a building site across from the library. He paused and mumbled, I have the names and addresses of the kids and the librarian. We’ll have to interview them more thoroughly in the morning.

The sheriff interrupted, You called me in Fairplay and then called Ted at the Romeros’, right?

Yup. Bud muttered to himself, I’ve got to get this into the computer. He glanced over at the dispatcher, Sallie Leland, busily manning the phones. He pulled a scrap of paper out of the pile on the table and asked, Ted, you took the Romeros down to see the body then, right?

Yes, agreed Ted. That was hard. They were reporting her missing and I had to tell them a body had been found. He reached to rub the left side of his nose, remembering how the mother had come close to fainting when she heard the news. We drove the two or three blocks down there—the Romeros live on Sherman Trail off of 64—and they identified her right away as Susie. She looked like a crumbled doll lying there in the weeds. She sure didn’t look fourteen. The poor parents, they’re taking it hard. She was their only child. He let out a deep sigh, thinking how much the girl looked like one of his nieces. Thank God he didn’t know the victim.

Okay, that means the body was identified just after 10:30, declared Bud.

Right, agreed Ted. I looked at my watch when we left the car and walked into the field. It was 10:37 then. I didn’t want to walk into the field