20:13

By Frank DiGiore

The midst of the holiday season in a normally peaceful Manchester, NH. was about to change. The first victims body is found along the riverbank. There are three more victims to follow over the next three weeks. All are young men, all are gay, and all have been brutally and gruesomely murdered and mutilated. It looks as though Manchester has a serial killer on their hands. Are the killings random or are they planned? What is the motive, and is there some kind of tie between them? Is the killer playing with the police, or do they really want to get caught?

Each murder is nearly perfect with no clues left behind, other than the 20:13 marking left somewhere on the bodies. What is the murderer trying to tell people?

Lieutenant Tony Sorrino and his young rookie partner Adam Collins work the case. They run into dead ends. They are looking for a person in a gray hooded sweatshirt and a beard who is likely to be the killer. The suspect is seen on video and by eyewitnesses on numerous occasions, but has their face always obscured. They always seem to elude police.

Since there is no DNA evidence or any other for that matter, Tony must use old fashioned police work to solve the crimes. Tony works with the Medical Examiner, Lori Thompson, as she helps to provide some insight into the case.

Tony and Adam follow leads one by one, and do stakeouts of gay clubs and parks where some of the victims frequented, but to no avail. The media is brutal to the police department for taking so long to come up with a suspect. Tony needs to figure out just what the 20:13 means, as this may be a major factor in breaking the case.

Finally, the suspect is apprehended, but not before leading Tony on a car chase through the city and numerous roadblocks.

Both Tony and Adam also have their own personal demons to deal with, such as Tonys recurring bad dream, relationships, and family; along with Adams struggle of being a new homicide detective, his bizarre sexual issue, and dealing with Tonys sarcasm and crudeness.

In the end, it all turns out to be not what it seems. Or is it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456719463

Frank DiGiore

Frank DiGiore has an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. He has worked in numerous industries in a management and consulting capacity. He has written many training manuals and short stories. 20:13 is his first novel. Frank, his wife, two sons, and two dogs reside in the Ocala, Florida area.

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Acknowledgement

Thanks to all of my family and friends support me on this endeavor. I would also like to thank the Manchester Historical Society and Wikipedia for providing the facts for this novel. I also want to dedicate this to my father, who always believed in me, and encouraged me. I miss you dad.

20:13

A novel by FRANK DIGIORE

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AuthorHouse™

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© 2011 Frank DiGiore. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 1/21/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4567-1946-3 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-1947-0 (dj)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-1948-7 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010918945

Printed in the United States of America

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Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

CHAPTER 34

CHAPTER 35

CHAPTER 36

CHAPTER 37

CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 41

CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 43

CHAPTER 44

CHAPTER 45

CHAPTER 46

CHAPTER 47

CHAPTER 48

CHAPTER 49

CHAPTER 50

CHAPTER 51

CHAPTER 52

CHAPTER ONE

Hunter Sherman left work from the Shop and Save supermarket at seven PM as he does five days a week. As a produce department assistant manager, Hunter aspires to eventually become the store manager and also return to college to get his degree. He doesn’t have a car, but he travels back and forth on his mountain bike that he has had for three years. Since he bundles up well the snow and cold does not deter him from riding his bike all through the winter. He does have a drivers’ license, he just was never enthusiastic about a car. Feels it is just another expense and would rather spend his money on things that he enjoys, such as going to the club four or five nights a week. That was his plan tonight. He would have a couple of beers and maybe chat with a few of the guys then head home. It was a five mile trek for him, but he didn’t mind because it was really good exercise. When Hunter got to the club he chains his bike on a gutter downspout near the entrance.

Hey there Matt, how’s it going tonight? Hunter shouted out to the bartender.

Not bad, where is your cohort, not with you tonight?

I am soloing; I am going to have a couple of beers and then head home.

Hunter took a seat at the bar and looked around the rest of the club, just to get a glimpse of who was there. Being a Monday night it is not usually busy, but since it was a few days before Christmas, people are out shopping and visiting the downtown area, it was busier than normal. The club has a dj on the weekend, but tonight Funky Town, by Lipps, Inc, was blasting out of the CD jukebox.

As he looked over to the other side of the room he saw a very cute guy named Shane smiling and staring over at him.

Look at that Matt, that cutie over there is giving me the eye.

Keep it in your pants there buddy, he has a boyfriend.

I know, but I don’t see them together tonight.

He will probably be along a little later. Maybe he is Christmas shopping or something, replied Matt

Oh, whatever you say, said Hunter with a strong lisp.

Hunter spent another hour talking and mingling, then decided it was time to go. He said good-bye to Matt and told him that he would stop in on Christmas Eve. As Hunter was outside unlocking his bike, he was approached by a taller bearded man in a gray hooded sweatshirt and a baseball cap.

Hi there dude, are you looking for some action tonight?

Not really, I have had a long day and am looking forward to getting home.

Wouldn’t you like a nice relaxing blow job to end the evening?

It sounds good, but I have quite a ways to pedal home.

I’ll tell you what, you can throw your bike in the back of my Pathfinder, we can go to my place for a little bit, and then I will give you a ride home. How’s that sound?

I sort of have a boyfriend and I really don’t like to cheat on him.

C’mon, it’s not really cheating, I will be really quick.

I am kind of horny, said Hunter as he rubbed his crotch.

Okay then let’s go.

My legs are also a bit tired and I really don’t feel like pedaling all the way home, so this may work, said Hunter.

He finished unlocking his bike and rode it to Marty’s SUV which was parked a block away. He let Marty put is bike in the back of the SUV. He jumped in the front seat.

My name is Hunter, and held out his hand.

I am Marty, glad to meet you.

They drove four blocks and the SUV pulled into a garage. Marty told Hunter to follow him saying he had comfortable accommodations in the cellar. They walked through the garage to a door that led inside the house; down the first hallway was another door with stairs that led to the cellar.

Marty was first to enter the cellar and quickly turned on the light. He had to open a side door to let the cats out as they went in. There was not much down there except for a couple of chairs and a futon which was opened to a bed. There are also a couple of other doors, but Hunter was not sure what was behind them.

You live alone? Hunter asked.

I sure do, and I love it. I can do what I want anytime I want without having to worry about anyone interfering in my business. I guess we can get started. Why don’t you get comfortable and get out of those clothes.

I will take off everything but my shirt, I am a little cold, Hunter said.

That’s fine. I will be right back; I need to go use the bathroom.

While Marty was gone, Hunter undressed and waited for his return. The floor was concrete and very cold, so Hunter tucked his feet under him as he sat down. When Marty came back, he was totally naked and was carrying what looked to be fishing line.

Hunter looked at him and said, Very nice."

As he approached Hunter he pulled off the fake beard and said, Surprised?

A little, said Hunter, but to tell you the truth you are kind of freaking me out, why the disguise?

Just something I do when I go out in public.

Why, you don’t like the way you look?

No, I just don’t want my victims to see my face until I kill them, and by the way, Marty is not my real name.

You are joking, right? Hunter said with a slight laugh.

I am afraid I am not.

Marty grabbed a knife and latex gloves from under the futon mattress and lunged toward Hunter. He put the knife to his throat and told him to put his hands behind his back. He then tied his hands with the fishing line. Hunter started shaking and then urinated on the floor.

Now look what you have done, you made a mess on my floor. Look at you shaking and urinating like a scared puppy being tormented by a pit bull. Now you will need to cleanup the mess you made.

I am sorry; I will clean it, if you untie my hands.

No, you will clean it up anyway.

How can I if you don’t free my hands?

You will have to use another means. Now get on your knees. Marty ordered.

Hunter obeyed and knelt down on the floor as Marty pushed the knife a little harder into his neck.

You will use your tongue, and lap it up like the little puppy you are.

I will not, that is disgusting.

Marty moved him on all fours pushed his head down and jammed his knee into his back.

Hunter screamed in pain and began licking the urine off of the floor.

That’s a good boy. Marty then pulled him back to his feet. Hunter still had some urine dripping from his face.

It is my job to rid the world of people like you, said Marty.

What do you mean, people like me?

Homosexuals, faggots, gays, or whatever else you are called.

Please don’t hurt me anymore, let me go, cried Hunter.

I am afraid I can’t do that, you must face your demise.

He grabbed Hunter and pushed him into a room that one of the other doors led to. There is a steel table, with trenches all around the perimeter with drain holes on each side, the same kind that is used for autopsies in a morgue. Marty had planned this setup for a number of years. This was something he had to do. He had drawn out plans on how he would lure and torture his victims and now he is implementing the plan. In the corner is a little fire pit, which Marty lit, as the flames grew higher he placed something that resembled a branding iron into the fire. He told Hunter to lie on the table.

No, said Hunter emphatically.

Marty once again put the knife to his throat and shouted,

Do it.

Hunter was shaking uncontrollably and once again lost control of his bladder.

Once Hunter was on the table, Marty fastened a leather strap around his ankles and one around his chest.

You must first suffer for the life you lead and then die.

Please don’t do it, I have never done anything bad to anyone, I don’t deserve this. Please let me go, I won’t tell anybody I promise, Hunter pleaded.

First I will brand you so everyone knows what you are and why you were killed.

Marty grabbed the branding iron off the fire he pushed it against Hunter’s skin right below his navel, as he held it down the smell of singed hair filled the room. Hunter screamed and writhe in pain. The five seconds that the iron was pressed to his skin seemed like hours.

That wasn’t so bad, was it? Marty asked.

Please no more, let me go.

Oh it will be over soon.

Hunter started weeping uncontrollably and just closed his eyes. There was still a bit of smoke rising from the brand that was just imbedded in his skin.

I am not going to kill you; I am just going to let you bleed to death.

Marty then took the knife grabbed Hunter’s penis and severed it about an inch above the pubic area. Blood shot out all over Hunter and all over Marty. Hunter screamed in agony. Marty took the penis and shoved it in Hunter’s mouth and then used duct tape to secure it. Marty removed the tape and put it back a few times just so he could hear Hunter gagging. Hunter was in such pain he kept biting down on his own penis until he finally passed out. He just let Hunter lie there to bleed to death. Most of the blood was now draining through the holes in the table. Marty pulled up a chair next to the table and just stared at Hunter as the life drained out of him. Hunter never awoke.

Once Marty was sure that Hunter was dead and the bleeding stopped he used a hose to spray down the body. He made sure all of the blood went down the drain. The body was totally clean now and the wounds were very prominent. Marty stood there staring almost as if he was admiring his work. He went and took a shower and got dressed. Marty burned Hunter’s clothes with his wallet in the fire pit along with the gloves; he wrapped Hunter in a plastic sheet and carried the body out to his vehicle.

It was a very cold night and it was getting late so the streets were deserted. Marty drove over to Arms Park and drove up to the railing which was right above the bank of the river. He removed the plastic sheet from the body and put it back in the vehicle, it would be burned once he returned home. He took Hunter’s body and threw it over the railing where it landed on the frozen ground. Marty realized that he still had his mountain bike, so he drove to the bridge and dropped the bike into the river.

The basement was still a mess so Marty went back home to clean up.

CHAPTER TWO

New England Winters can be cold, but this one was starting to be one of the worst ever in New Hampshire. The winter season of 2009-10 has begun and there has already been two snow storms and sub zero temperatures.

Tony Sorrino recently moved from the West side of the city to one of the new high rise apartments along the Merrimack River in Manchester. Though extremely cold, he was wearing a light sweatshirt and sweat pants. The cold never really fazed him. Tony likes to work out and run a few times per week and it was a five-block walk from the gym to his apartment and with the wind chill factor at two degrees, it made for a long journey home. He was now regretting he didn’t bring a jacket.

Three days before Christmas and the downtown was all lit up and decorated for the holiday. Though the malls took much of the business away from downtown it was still busy with shoppers and those who just wanted to come down and look at the lights.

Tony’s apartment building itself was twenty stories. A steel and glass structure, which stands out from the old brick mill buildings that are down along the river. A skyscraper for Manchester, but just a toy structure compared to the Sears Tower or Hancock Center in Chicago that he was used to. Tony has a two-bedroom unit on the eighteenth floor with a great view of the city and Mt. Uncanoonuc, which resembles a set of boobs. Tony pretty much liked the name Uncanoonuc because it was an Indian name meaning woman’s breasts He was thinking, it sure would have to be a big bra to fit those suckers.

Tony has a great sense of humor, but can also be very intense, witty, short-tempered, and sometimes crude.

As he entered the front door into the lobby of the building he was greeted by Josh Weller a twenty something who lives across the hall. He is a rich kid from Boston, whose parents just throw money at him anytime he wants it.

His father, Calvin is a prominent defense attorney in Boston and his mother, Laura is a law professor at Harvard. They have a huge estate on the Cape in Hyannis near the Kennedy compound. This is where they spend the weekends. During the week, they stay at their Beacon Hill condominium. Josh of course hates being with his parents, but does not hate taking the money. He spends very little time with them, however, he does see them on the holidays and when he needs to replenish his money supply.

The choice to live in New Hampshire as opposed to Massachusetts was great because it enables him to be away from his parents, but close enough to be near if needed. Josh is an only child and spoiled to the hilt. He is snobbish, self-centered, and capricious; definitely does his own thing no matter what anyone thinks.

His parents had planned for him to go to law school, Harvard in fact, so that he could follow their example. Josh has said he would, but has to even finish college at UMASS, let alone go to law school. This to the chagrin of his parents and they continually press the subject.

Josh is a very intelligent kid at least book smart, but is not too keen on life skills. He could have the best education a person could have and not cost him a dime, but he chooses to be the free wheeling carefree person that he is.

How’s it going tonight, Tony? Josh asked.

Tony thought to himself, Like he really gives a shit.

I am good. Tony said hurriedly. What are you up to tonight?

Looks like I am going out to get laid. Said Josh with a sneer.

Oh really Josh; with whom, a male, female, or animal subject? Tony retorted with a snicker.

Wouldn’t you like to know? Besides what does it matter? It doesn’t look like you are going to have much excitement tonight as usual. No matter what I will be doing better than you will tonight. Good-bye. Josh shouted as he ran out the door.

Tony really hated this kid at times, especially when he was right. Nonetheless, Josh was still an asshole, but Tony had sort of a little brother feeling toward him.

Josh very seldom drove. His parents bought him a BMW 335I, which he keeps in the parking garage. It has a blue metallic finish, a sunroof, and every other option you can imagine, including a built-in GPS system and satellite radio. Since he lives downtown, he is near everything and so he walks most of the time. He always eats out so he never needs to bring groceries home. The only time the car is used is when he goes to Boston or the Cape to visit his parents or his friend’s camp up on Lake Winnipesaukee. He does on occasion use it putter around time if he happens to have a date.

For a twenty-three year-old person who should have a bright future, Josh has no job and no ambition. He figured why work if I don’t have to. He enjoys the fact that he was born into money. He is six feet and thin, around one hundred sixty five pounds rather a geeky looking guy. Always brags about all the women he has had, but seldom has anyone ever seen him with one. Tony tends to believe Josh is bi-sexual, but Josh has not yet come to terms with it so he tries to act like a real ladies man. Josh has thrown some hints that he is bi, with certain comments and just the way he acts around other guys sometimes. He always wears Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, and Gucci. He also sports a Rolex and wears twenty dollar socks. Even his underwear is designer with brands such as Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss, and DKNY, definitely, a dresser out of GQ. His reddish brown hair is cropped short on the sides with a bit more on top and is one of the metro sexual types who shave or wax most of their body hair.

Josh took off toward Elm Street and would probably be out until late in the evening or early morning.

Tony walked through the lobby to the two sets of elevators. The lobby itself was nice, much like a fancy hotel with marble floors and chandeliers that gave off a clinquant glow. There was, however, no concierge or security. There are cameras in many parts of the building, but Tony doubted anyone ever viewed them.

The entrance to the stairway is just to the left of the first elevator. Tony always chooses to take the stairs the full eighteen flights on days he works out; considers it part of his workout routine. He went through the door and proceeded to take the stairs two to three at a time until he reached his floor. As he neared the top Tony started to tire, this was unusual for him since he did not smoke. In fact, he despised smoking.

He considered himself to be in good shape. He just turned thirty-eight and perhaps is starting to feel his age. He always puts that into perspective by thinking athletes usually retire at his age. It makes him feel better knowing that.

As he stepped through the stairwell door, his apartment was right in front of him. Unit 1822, Josh lived in 1823, right across the hall. There are a total of six apartments on the eighteenth floor, but the other four are vacant.

Tony’s day today was a long one even though he had the day off. He had many errands to run and spent a few hours at the gym. He went grocery shopping, stopped at the dry cleaners and had his oil changed on his car. When he walked into his apartment the first thing he did was look at the clock and realized it was already after eight. He still had not eaten and needed to shower. The apartment is furnished with contemporary styling. It has a tan leather sofa, love seat, and chair. There is a fifty inch plasma TV hanging on the wall. The bedroom furniture is black and purchased from IKEA.