Screaming in the Night: Rex Carlton Mysteries, #3

By Michael F. Rizzo

Bike messenger Rex Carlton has a new girlfriend and discovers he has cancer. He takes his frustration out on those he loves and must decide if he wants to continue his career. He visits his cousin in the Pacific Northwest after discovering a letter hidden behind a painting for over 100 years. The letter leads them on a wild chase for the truth and into the sights of a serial killer.

Rex and his best friend Neumann travel to the small town of Devils Corner in western Washington where his cousin Kelly Martin lives. With Kelly's help, they try to unravel the meaning behind a mysterious letter Rex found behind an old painting Kelly had sent him. 

While digging through old newspaper articles and family trees Rex examines his own life before deciding if he wants to return to his girlfriend and the job he loves. The trio finds themselves the target of a killer and exposing the truth could destroy them as well as the small town.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael F. Rizzo
• Release date: Jun 17, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386433309

Michael F. Rizzo

Michael F. Rizzo was born in Buffalo, New York. In the 1990s he produced and wrote a weekly television show, COMX-TV about the busy comic book industry. With his co-host, they interviewed hundreds of comic book creators and attended dozens of conventions. His first book, Through The Mayors' Eyes, was finished in 1990 but languished for 15 years. He found self-publishing and released the book in 2005. After releasing several more self-published books, he published four books with The History Press.  Rizzo ran Zippy Delivery, a bike messenger courier business, for seven years, then started The Mob Tours.  In 2013 he and his family moved to the Pacific Northwest. In 2015 Rizzo co-hosted Northwest Brew Talk with his wife. They covered the beer industry in Washington state for two years interviewing dozens of brewery entrepreneurs. That year he released Buffalo Beer, and in 2016 he published Washington Beer.  He is a member of International Thriller Writers.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Devils Corner is a quiet idyllic town an hour north of Seattle, Washington. It was once a bustling logging town that supported dozens of local businesses. It has a Main Street with old-fashioned lamp posts and one flashing red light. Most of the buildings left are circa 1920 and earlier. There is a coffee shop, a half dozen restaurants, an almost equal number of bars catering to bearded flannel-wearing men and their female companions, a work clothes store, and a few antique shops.

It can be a great place to raise kids, with conservative values and strong national pride. The Independence Day parade is one of the largest in the area. Santa arrives in another parade at the December tree lighting. It’s a great place, even today, long after the logging industry has left the town.

Lynn Chambers grew up in Devils Corner. After she graduated from high school she went to college and returned to work for one of the Braun businesses. Lynn hated driving at night. The five-foot-two brunette hated nighttime ever since she was a little girl. It probably stemmed from her older brother Timmy scaring her every time he got the chance. He would hide from her and jump out and yell BIGFOOT! He hid under her bed, in her closet, in the car, in the shower. You name it, he hid there and then scared her.

It was ten-thirty, pitch black, and raining hard, as it often did in the Crown Valley in northwest Washington state. Chambers had been driving up Highway 20 in Devils Corner on her way to visit a friend in Fishead.

That’s what I was doing. Wasn’t it? She wasn’t sure if she remembered the events correctly. The last thing I remember was driving. No wait, there was a man at my car window. I had pulled over for some reason.

She could feel a panic attack coming on. That’s when she realized it was dark where she was. Her hands were tied behind her back. She couldn’t move them, though, because they were tied to a metal pole. WHERE AM I? she yelled. There was no echo, just deafening silence. Lynn tried to move her legs, but, like her hands, they were tied together. She tried to stand but her legs were weak and she fell back down.

A few tears trickled down her face. Then she started to sob. Maybe it’s Timmy playing tricks again. No, I don’t think it’s Timmy. Lynn Chambers breathed in and out quickly, she could feel a panic attack coming. She tried to look around the room. She could make out shapes, but nothing else. It was pitch black, but her eyes had adjusted. There were no windows in this room so it was impossible to tell what time of day it was. It was very damp and cold, though. Chambers began to shiver uncontrollably. Her legs and hands were numb from the restraints.

She drifted in and out of consciousness. Her head rested on her shoulder. She snapped awake only to see the blackness of the room. How long have I been here? The last day she remembered was Friday. She was on her way to a friend’s party. What was that? She listened for a sound outside the room. Her breathing increased. She could feel her cold breath as she exhaled.

Hello? she managed to squeak out. There was no answer. I must have been dreaming, she said to herself. Then she heard another sound. The room must have been soundproof. But she heard it again. It was the door. Someone was unlocking it. Oh no. She tried to pull at her restraints but they were secure and she was too weak.

The door opened and a man stood in the doorway. It was dark. She could not see his face, only the outline of his body against the moonless night. Hello? Who’s there? she pleaded. Why am I in here? she cried.

The man did not respond. He stood in the doorway then walked in and closed the door behind him. She could hear him lock the door with keys. Why are you doing this to me? she asked, tears covering her cheeks. She heard a click and a burst of light blinded her. She turned away, Stop that!

She could hear his feet drag along the floor as he walked toward her. He leaned down. She could smell his breath before she saw him. It was acrid, dirty, old. The light from the flashlight shone on his face. She looked at him through squinted eyes. Oh my god! she cried, I can’t believe it’s you. Please, please untie me, she pleaded with him but he did not speak.

He got close to her and put his nose into her hair and inhaled deeply. She turned her head in disgust. Get away, you freak! She screamed her voice piercing the night. Where they were located, deep in the forests of Crown County, no one would ever hear her.

She felt a sharp pain in her chest. What have you done? she cried. What did I do to you? The sharp knife blade slid into her chest effortlessly. He shined the light onto her face and watched her eyes open in pain. She cried only for a moment, as he pulled the knife out and plunged it in again. Her voice stopped its scream of pain and he could hear gurgling in her throat.

He stood up and sat on a chair across the room. He kept the flashlight on her until her head slumped to the side and she stopped moving. He walked over and checked for a pulse. There was none. He cut the ropes securing her ankles. He breathed in the scent of her hair again. It reminded him of someone. He used the bloody knife to cut the rope securing her arms to the metal bar and she dropped to the floor.

He rolled her onto her back and lovingly brushed her hair with his fingers. She was wearing jeans, which he unbuttoned and pulled off her body. He slid off her pink panties and pressed them to his face, inhaling the scent of urine and fear. He spread her legs apart and let his hands roam across her dead body. The smell of death aroused him. What he did afterward is unspeakable.

Chapter 2

It was 5:15 pm on Thursday afternoon. Rex Carlton was racing down Delaware Avenue after leaving City Hall. He swerved in and out of traffic splitting cars, zipping through red traffic signals all the while he directed his anger at Buffalo Mayor Gerlando Adams.

Rex had just left a meeting that Adams chaired of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Mayor Adams was supposed to announce that the city was expanding its bicycle outreach and advocacy. Instead, Rex was blindsided when Adams said they were cutting all funding related to bicycles in a cost-saving measure.

Before Rex could even question the mayor he ended the meeting and left the conference room. Rex seemed to be the only one who didn’t see this coming. He ran out after him but was stopped by his security detail and not allowed to speak to the mayor.

To say he was disappointed would be an understatement. Rex had helped to save the mayor’s job when he and his friend Donny Mancini uncovered the plan the deputy mayor made to sabotage Mayor Adams. In return, the mayor offered to work with Rex on bicycle issues in the city. He was also angry with himself for putting so much faith in a politician and abandoning the advocacy group he co-founded. He thought this would help bolster their agenda and get the city to become serious about bicycle issues. Now he would have to crawl back to Stevie and Sheila and admit they were right and the city was never interested in the issues they are.

His mind was racing as fast as his feet so when he approached a parked car near West Utica he didn’t see the driver opening his door. He swerved at the last moment but the door clipped his right leg. Before he looked he knew it was bleeding so he tried to slow down before he fell.

He got about twenty feet before he fell over onto the grassy patch next to the street. He grabbed his leg and looked at it. He looked up and the driver was still standing in the street dumbfounded.

Rex yelled, What the fuck is wrong with you? Don’t you look before you open your door into traffic?

The driver slammed his door and ran into the building without even asking if Rex was alright. He wasn’t. His leg was bleeding badly through the tear in his pants. He looked at his bike laying on the grass and saw the rear rim was bent.

FUCK! he yelled. He wasn’t going to be able to ride the bike, so he called his girlfriend Emily to pick him up. She left work and arrived within ten minutes.

Oh my god, Rex! she said after getting out of her car.

Yeah, yeah, it’s worse than it looks, he said. He struggled to get up, so she grabbed his arm and helped him stand. He got in the passenger seat while she put his bike in the trunk.

You should probably get that looked at, Emily said.

Nah, it’ll be okay after I clean it up, he said.

They were at his apartment a couple minutes later.

Are you coming in? he asked.

No, I should get back to work after I drop you off, she said.

Okay. Just help me up the stairs and you can leave, he said.

Rex pulled himself out of the car while Emily grabbed his bike from the trunk.

Just put the bike on the side of the house, he said as he tried to hoist himself up the front porch stairs. Damn, this hurts.

Emily ran to him after leaving the bike and helped him up the stairs. He unlocked the front door and was inside looking at the stairs leading up to his apartment. This is gonna be fun, he mumbled.

They were halfway up the stairs when his neighbor Neumann came out of his apartment. What happened, Rex? he asked as he rushed down the stairs.

He was clipped by a car door, Emily said as they helped him up the stairs and into his apartment.

That looks nasty, buddy. I think you need a doctor, Neumann said.

Nah, just get me to the bathroom and I’ll clean it off, Rex said.

I’m gonna head back to work if you’re okay, Emily said.

I’ll take care of him, Neumann said.

Thanks, Neumann, she said. She kissed Rex on the cheek. I’ll see you after work.

Emily left the apartment. Rex pulled his pants off and the large gash was now fully visible.

That looks bad, Neumann said, let me take you to the ER.

No, Rex insisted. I can’t afford an ER bill. I’ll clean it up with peroxide and throw some bandages on it.

Neumann stood by while Rex cleaned and bandaged the wound in the bathroom. It did look better, but it was still oozing blood.

I’m not sure about this, Neumann said.

I’ll be fine, Rex said and limped from the bathroom to the living room. You want a beer? he asked.

Sure. I’ll grab them, Neumann said. He took two cans of beer from the fridge and handed one to Rex. He sat down next to him on the couch and they watched TV in silence.

At ten o’clock Emily walked in. Neumann had already left and Rex was still on the couch holding his leg. He bled through his bandages and there was blood on the couch.

Jesus, Rex. Are you okay? she asked.

Yeah, he muttered, it hurts like hell, though.

Let me clean these bandages and see what it looks like, she offered.

Okay, he said.

She pulled the blood-soaked bandages off and cleaned the gash with peroxide. He yelped when she poured it on his leg. She carefully patted it dry and put clean bandages over the wound.

She helped him into the bedroom and into bed. He fell asleep almost instantly. She got a beer and sat down to watch TV for a bit. She was still wound up from work and wasn’t ready to sleep.

Chapter 3

Aradio on her nightstand relayed the morning news. Devils Corner Police report they found a body along the Crown River late last night.

Kelly Martin turned up the volume on the radio as she got ready for work. She was sitting at a stool in front of a mirror in her bedroom dabbing makeup on her cheeks. She put her makeup brush down and listened to the report.

A spokesperson for the police department said the body is of a woman in her late twenties. No word on how she died or how long she had been there. A couple camping spotted the body in a wooded area near the Crown River. We’ll provide more details as we get them. In other news -

What the hell, Kelly said. Her black lab Blackie lay at her feet. She looked down at the dog and scratched her ear. Blackie looked up and wagged her tail. Yeah, girl, that hits a little too close to home.

Kelly picked up the makeup brush, finished applying it, then checked her hair in the mirror before standing up. Kelly is in her early thirties, short, pretty, with green eyes and long brown hair. She is divorced and dating Samantha Evans. She lives in Devils Corner, a population of 12,000 and still very rural, more often than not people vote Republican.

Kelly went downstairs to the kitchen and made a cup of coffee. Western Washington was coffee crazy. It was the home to Starbucks and the running joke is that children are given coffee in their bottles. She had a few minutes before she had to leave so she turned on the TV and sat down on the edge of the couch to see if there was any new news on the dead body. Blackie sat on the floor next to her.

Thanks, Charlie, a reporter said looking at the camera. I’m here in Crown County where Devils Corner Police Chief Jake Braun just gave a press briefing. He said that the woman’s body found along the Crown River was being treated as a homicide. They have forensic teams there now combing the area for evidence. The only other detail he told us was that she was found partially nude and there were bruise marks on her body.

A photo of Chief Braun was on the screen. Jake Braun is five-eleven and 239 pounds. He has a round, clean-shaven face and brown brush-cut hair. He was elected in 2009, replacing his uncle Benjamin Braun II, who was chief for twenty-five years before retiring. Benjamin Braun first won an election in 1984. His father was chief before him and his grandfather before his father, dating back to 1956.

The Braun’s were synonymous with Devils Corner, controlling nearly everything in the small town. Jake Braun’s mother MaryBeth is superintendent of the school system. His father Thomas is plant manager at Frederick Braun Manufacturing. His uncle Ted Braun is mayor of Devils Corner and Ted and Thomas’ father, Stephen, is CEO of Braun Enterprises, which oversees their varied business and political interests.

The Braun’s control the government, police department, school district, and most of the businesses in town. They live on Duke Hill in a massive compound of hundreds of acres of land. Five half-million dollar homes are spread across the gated land the Braun’s reside on.

Jake is twice-divorced. His first wife and former prom queen left town after they were divorced. His second wife tried to take the home in the divorce and felt the wrath of the Braun family. She now lives in a single-wide trailer in Fishead, a small town east of Devils Corner. Rumor has it that she is a heroin addict.

Yes, the Braun’s lead privileged lives. Jake was a quarterback on the high school football team. He was terrible, but the Braun’s only have to blink an eye. He was made starting quarterback and the team went on to their worst season in fifty years. His father, Thomas, blamed the coach and he was promptly fired. The team does play in Braun Stadium.

After high school, Jake wasn’t sure what career path he wanted to pursue. He spent a summer at the family manufacturing plant and hated it. He tried a semester at the community college but flunked out. Then during Thanksgiving dinner 2008, his Uncle Ben announced he wouldn’t be seeking re-election the following year and Jake was thrust into politics.

Kelly watched the television so intently that when her phone rang it startled her and she spilled coffee on Blackie’s tail. Oh, Jesus! she said as she ran to grab a rag to wipe off the dog. She answered her phone as she wiped the coffee off the dog’s tail. Hello?

Hi, Kelly, it’s Amy. Did you hear about the body? Amy Anderssen is Kelly’s best friend. They went to elementary school together and have been friends ever since.

Hi, Amy. Yes, I’m watching the news right now.

Blackie licked her tail. Kelly leaned down to the dog and whispered, I’m sorry, girl, and stroked her back.

What’s that? Amy asked, confused.

Oh, sorry, Amy. I spilled coffee on the dog when the phone rang.

Oh, ok. I heard that Mrs. Chambers’ daughter never came home last night, Amy said.

You mean Lynn? Kelly asked.

Yeah. She’s late twenties. Seems to fit the general description.

Oh my god, that’s terrible! Kelly said, her hand over mouth. She noticed the time. I have to go, Amy. Text me if you hear anything new.

Okay, bye.

Bye. Kelly was in shock. She knew Lynn very well, even though she was a few years younger. They went to school together, and in a small town like Devils Corner, it’s hard not to know most people. Kelly hurried out the door. It was a Friday and Kelly couldn’t be late for work again.

Chapter 4

Rex woke up late Sunday morning. He had spent a long Saturday night at Flynn’s, the biker bar where he and other cyclists in the city of Buffalo, New York hung out. The bars in Buffalo don’t close until 4 am, and by the time he got home, he was racing the sunrise. His leg still hurt, but drinking numbed the pain. He looked next to him to see a sleeping Emily. He smiled as he looked at her. They had been dating for six months and he was ecstatic.

Rex was thirty-five with curly brown hair that grew into an afro until he got it cut every couple months. He was five-foot-six and in good shape, until the accident on Friday. He was wearing a tight pair of underwear and was shirtless. His muscles flexed with each move, strong from the years of messing, working as a bike messenger.

He leaned over and grabbed his phone from the nightstand to check the latest news and take a peek at the day’s weather forecast. It looked like it would be pleasant for a late fall day. The news, though, was another story. The country was in the midst of a clown show with a reality TV star president. Each day was like a new chapter of the reality show, each ending with a scary cliffhanger. Rex slid off the blankets and winced as he put pressure on his injured leg. He limped out of the room.

Emily Schwartz was five-foot-six, with wavy jet black hair that rolled down past her shoulders. She had curvy hips and a full chest. She was covered in tattoos since she had been her ex-boyfriend Carl’s practice palette. She woke up thirty minutes later to an empty bed. She sat up, stretched her arms and yawned. After she took a pee, she found Rex in the kitchen standing at the counter listening to Shinedown on his phone.

Good morning, beautiful! he said.

She was wearing a long t-shirt. She kissed him on the lips, her tongue darting out for a quick lick. Good morning. MMM. I smell and taste coffee.

Right here. He grabbed a mug from the counter and poured her a cup of black coffee, then sat down next to her at the table.

So, what do you have planned today? she asked.

Neumann wants to hang out. What time do you work? One?

Emily held the mug of coffee between her hands and took a sip. Yeah. I’m closing and get out at ten.

Rex stood up and placed his empty coffee mug in the sink. "Sounds good. I’ll let Neumann know he can come over around