Parallel Tracks

By Melody Martin

A fictional story about a police department and the happenings there. A bad guy is raping and killing young females. In the background, there is a story of a growing romance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melody Martin
• Release date: Jan 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781386101659

Melody Martin

I spent 3 years in the Navy. Today I spend My time writing or Painting. I am a very Independent woman Living in Kansas. This is just another stop in my journey through life. I was born in New York in 1941. So, I was alive when they bombed Pearl Harb I grew up on a small farm In Ulster County. The war years were tough but I never went hungry

Book preview

Chapter One

At the Seminar

Melody is at a seminar to learn modern methods and equipment to aid in solving crimes. A new hire from the Police Department is also there. He came up from another small city in Oklahoma. He is a distant cousin of the Chief of Police in Kingfisher Oklahoma. His name is Charles but everyone calls him Charlie. He moved back to Oklahoma just months ago. He was a detective in Kansas City Missouri.  They are both staying at a hotel in Oklahoma during the seminar. It is the first day of the Seminar they have registered ahead of the time so there would be no paperwork to get started. The meeting was going to start at 9:00 am. Melody showered and went to the restaurant in the hotel. For breakfast it is cafeteria-style, get a tray and load your plate with what you wish.

She spooned up some scrambled eggs, sausage, and coffee. Charlie sees her sitting all alone and comes to her table. May I sit with you? I feel we are surrounded by cops. You may sit, and that was not that funny. Charlie asks if she is a stuffed shirt or what. We will be working together when we get back to Kingfisher. Yes, Charlie, I do know it, which does not mean we will be bed partners. Oh, you are a testy one. Charlie, it has always done me well so why should I change?  Melody’s coffee cup is empty and she starts to get up. Charlie says, let me get you a refill, mine is empty also. Melody hands him her cup and soon he returns with the coffee. Thanks, Charlie, that’s one point for you she laughs.

They finish their breakfast and get up to go to the community center where the seminar is being held. Charlie asks; can we share a taxi? She answers yes, that will be good. They go outside there is a parade of taxis. I guess they knew that this is a money-making event. It is not a very long ride to the center. Charlie jumps out and runs to the other side to let Melody out. Thanks, Charlie, that’s two points. He asks her, how many points do I need to get lucky? She says you get a point for every nice thing you do, however, you lose 10 points every time you try to proposition me. So you’re still way behind.

It’s noisy with everyone talking and comparing police departments.  A man steps up to the microphone and asks everyone to sit down. After a lot of clamoring getting seated the room is quiet. He begins to speak; I want to thank all of you for coming to this event. Represented here are officers from all over the state, some smaller departments some larger. The first thing I want to cover is personal protection and safety.  We are losing too many good officers in the line of duty. This equipment will help with that. The words bulletproof vest is a misnomer. They are bullet-resistant vests. If you get hit with a pistol round you will suffer some body damage.

I know some big men hit with a .45 in the vest. It broke ribs and knocked the wind out of them. They were lucky in many aspects. First, he was not alone his partner shot the perp and he hit the floor. He survived but he will be spending a lot of time in prison. Secondly, the officer was hit in the vest and although he was injured he is okay today. It could have been worse, he could have been hit it in the head, the arm or the groin. These wounds can be deadly, disabling, career-ending events. Don’t think you can’t be hurt while wearing one. The best defense is an offense. Hide behind your squad car or any other thing that can protect you. If you get into a firefight, fire from cover if possible.

When stopping someone in a car or truck remember first, call headquarters report the license number and description of the vehicle. Walk cautiously towards the car. A good officer with experience will develop a second sense about the driver. If anything seems to off pull your weapon and ask the driver to put his hands on the wheel or dash. If the driver does not comply ask him to open the door and step out, hands raised. Don’t be afraid to call for back up.

The rest of the morning was about equipment designed for officers for their safety and other things to help them if they actually are involved in a shooting. There were examples of body cams and specialized glasses that also have built-in cameras.  It was getting close to noon and everyone broke for lunch. Charlie asks Melody, can I buy you lunch? Silly boy, it’s a buffet and put on by the people here at the Seminar.  Okay then second best, may I sit by you? Well as long as you asked; may I. They both get plates and survey the food. Melody sees some sushi at the end of the table.  The fare seemed to be Chinese. She scoops up some Kung pao chicken, two spring rolls, and several selections of sushi with a scoop of wasabi. Charlie loaded up with Egg rolls Fried Shrimp, Sweet & Sour Chicken, and Teriyaki Chicken.

They go to a table and sit. Melody looks at his plate, are you hungry? He looks at his plate, well yes I wonder if we can have seconds? Good grief Charlie, there is enough food on your plate for 5 people. I am just a growing boy he laughs. Well, what is that on your plate? Melody smiles my favorite, sushi with wasabi. You should try it, it is good.  Maybe on my next trip, I may just get one. Don’t forget the wasabi. What is that? It is this green stuff by the sushi. Charlie began to stuff food in his mouth like he had been starved.

I suppose Charlie you don’t have anyone to cook for you. No, I live alone in a tiny cold flat. I eat at restaurants every day. I may take home some bread and sandwich meat but that’s it. Why, are you volunteering to cook for me? Oh sure, I am going to cook for you. I supposed you want me to buy your groceries too? Well, that would be nice. Charlie, you’re a dreamer, I have my own life a house, bills, and taxes. I can’t afford to splurge on restaurants. I may buy a pizza once and a while when I don’t feel like cooking.

Charlie left the table to get another serving of food. He did come back with one piece of sushi and some wasabi. He took a knife and buttered the sushi with wasabi and started to put it in his mouth. Melody looked at him, maybe just a little less wasabi. Why less you said to get some. Yes, but it is hotter than the wheels of hell itself. I like it hot he said and shoved the whole thing in his mouth. His face turned red his nose began to run and he grabbed a glass of water and downed the whole thing.

After he caught his breath he said; damn, you were right too hot. Well, Charlie, you will learn to listen to me from now on. He started to say something but thought better of it.

The speaker called attention, we are going to resume. I hope you enjoyed your food. When they were all seated in the conference hall, he said; I hope everyone signed your names to your ticket on the way in. There will be a door prize for the department you represent. He held up a small device about the size of a half-dollar. This is a GEO-TAG it will run for 10 days on one small disk battery. Place this on the frame or any hidden steel part of a car you will know where it went how long it stayed there and when it returned. It is an invaluable tool for tracking criminals. They can also be hidden in a person’s handbag or clothing. One more thing they are capable of is we can use a cell phone also to track the person.

He picked up a small controller and pressed a button a very small drone whished about the room. He landed it on the desk and downloaded the video from its camera. He put the video on the large screen connected to a computer. It showed the people it flew over on one of the people he had something behind his ear. The camera zoomed in and you could read the manufacturer of the pencil behind his ear.

He showed many other surveillance devices including a tiny device to alert you is someone is bugging your car or house. By the time he finished explaining the technology of all these devices, it was near 4 pm.  The man who was at the door brought a fishbowl up to the desk. He called the first person that was nearest the desk to come and pull out a name. He calls out badge number 375, of the Kingfisher Police Department. Melody jumps up and waves her hands over her head. He says; you have won 50 of the GEO-TAG devices. All I would like is a 6-month report on how you used them and what successes you had. You can do that right? Yes, I can and that’s wonderful. We have had some drug dealers we have been trying to track. We catch one and he refuses to talk. I guess it is a fear of retribution. These should help us get to the source.

Chapter Two

Their first Case

Melody and Charlie picked up the box of GEO-TAGs and headed back to the department. It was rush hour on 40 but the traffic got better on 81. When back in the department they go inside. The chief is in his office. They knock on the door he waves them in. They gave him a report of the things they discovered and put the box of GEO-TAGs on his desk. Melody explained how they worked and that she won them as a door prize. The chief was very happy and explained that he wanted Melody to explain all that she leaned.  Now you two, good job today. You may leave. Your shift starts at 8 am sharp.

On the way, home Melody picks up some groceries to stock back up. Back home she checks her answering machine. Denis called and left a message. I am going to be studying late again. Getting off around 11 or so, I will call you tomorrow. She sighs; maybe that’s a good thing. She was getting tired of Charlie hitting on her all day. She grabs a piece of day-old pizza and warms it in the microwave. There is still some beer in the fridge so she gets one. She sits in her comfortable chair and turns on the TV. The news is depressing so she switches to Law and Order. She finished the pizza and the beer and decides to shower and go to bed.

Her phone rings at 5 am. It’s the lieutenant at the station. Wake up we need you to get your squad and go to the city park. We have a victim there and your presence is needed.  Charlie will probably get there after you do he is way at the edge of the city. Melody grabs a quick cup of instant coffee and gets to her squad car. She lives on 10th street. It’s only a few blocks away from the park. When arrives there are red and blue flashing lights to show her the scene. She gets out and Officer Janet is standing at the entrance by the crime scene tape.

What do we have Janet she asks? It looks like rape and murder. It’s a female about 18 years old. The medical team is already there. Melody asks; what is the approximate time of death. The medic says; about 11 PM last night. Her shirt is ripped and the panties are pulled down. The medical examiner can give you a better idea of that. It looks like she was strangled by something thin like a piano wire.  We did not find anything like that at the scene. Maybe when the sun comes up we can search further.

The ambulance is taking the victim away just as Charlie arrives. Melody asks him if he did not hear the call. He responds; damned thing died I forgot to charge it when I got home. The sun is coming up and they both look for clues. After scouring the area for 45 minutes they give up. It is obvious that the body was dumped there. There are no tire tracks, footprints or anything else they could find. They drive back to the building where the forensics lab is.

Zoey has the victim on the table. She looks up and asks; did you find anything to identify this woman? Melody says; not a single clue, I can tell you one thing about the perp. It is not his first time; he is too damned good at hiding evidence. Charlie does not appear to be awake yet, why don’t you get some coffee and wake up. So Zoey, what can you tell me about this woman? She is about 18- 20, she has perfect teeth. It looks like she had braces at a time not long before her demise. The cause of death is strangulation with a fine wire. Like something you might find on a guitar. Oh, and she was pregnant about 2 months along.  Melody curses again, that really sucks.

They go back to the station Charlie looks a little more awake after the coffee. Angie is at the front desk, Melody asks her. Are there any reports of missing females? Danny overheard her and waved for her to come to his desk. I have one on the phone she said her daughter did not come home last night. I was about to tell her you must wait 24 hours before a report can be filed. Melody takes the phone; I will take your report. Please give me a description of her, she writes down the information. It seems to match the victim. Do you have a picture of her at your house? The woman says well yes I have several. Please give me your address I would like to look at that picture. She writes down the address, okay I will be out there in about fifteen minutes. She puts the phone back down. She looks at Charlie, do you want to go with me. I am almost positive the woman in the forensics lab is her daughter. No, I would rather sit this one out. I hate that job. Okay, it’s not my favorite either but I will handle it.

She gets into her squad car and drives to the address. She walks to the door and rings the bell. The woman opens the door, hello I am Officer James. Melody James, may I come in? She steps back, I am Olivia, please come in. Melody asks to see the photograph. Olivia reaches for a picture on the mantel and brings it to her. She looks at it and is sure it is the victim. Melody sits on a chair and motions Olivia to sit also. Once she is seated Melody says; I am afraid I have bad news for you.