An Imperfect Oath

By Stewart Goodwin

Jace Hadley took seriously his oath to protect and serve, most of the time. But there were times when all the trust bestowed upon him by that oath could be used to his advantage. An advantage he seized upon again and again to rid this world of arrogant women. The demons that haunted Nichols drove him to be the best homicide detective in the state. The one homicide that went cold on his watch was now joined by another that would become a cold case for years until a break that brought it to an unexpected close. The paths of the two officers, who had taken the same oath, would cross multiple times as the investigation unfolds. One as the cat. The other as the mouse. But, would the mouse ever be caught?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781312806818

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An Imperfect Oath

An Imperfect Oath

Stewart Goodwin

Copyright © 2015 by Stewart Goodwin

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

First e-book edition, 2015

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Cover design ©2015 Stewart Goodwin

Published by Stewart Goodwin

[e-mail]

ISBN 978-1-312-80681-8

To Debbie,

Thanks for the countless edits and brutally honest feedback.

To Bobby,

Thanks for the honest input and guidance on cold cases and DNA.

To Tiny,

Thanks for the graphics help.

This book is dedicated to the thin blue line.  Officers who honor their oath day in and day out and sacrifice their lives, in more ways than one, to keep this world a better place to live.

Thank you!

1980

1

Methodically cleaning the apartment, he forced his memory to guide him to where he had touched.  It was important to wipe any trace of his presence in this place, but if they did find any he could easily explain it away.  After all, he was a neighbor and neighbors do visit.

He couldn’t believe that bitch had fought so hard.  She never appeared that strong. She definitely wasn’t athletic.  Where did she get the strength?  It felt good to overpower her.  Her arrogance drained from those dark eyes as terror seeped in.  She had always looked down her nose at him, thinking herself better than everyone in this tiny complex.

He mustn’t allow himself to become distracted.  He needed to focus.  As the clock marked every minute, he knew his time was limited.  He didn’t want to turn on lights to finish this job.  People would be returning from their daily distractions and he couldn’t risk being seen leaving her apartment.

As he surveyed the apartment, it was as neat as it always was.  Well, almost.  There was that mess of a body lying in the middle of the floor, and the splatters of her blood on the antique sofa and chair.  Granted, he had gotten carried away with the knife, but it felt so good to plunge it over and over into that arrogant body.  He had slit her throat first to stop any effort to scream.  Still she fought; until her blood carried the fight out of her.  Then, just for good measure, he plunged the knife into her vagina.  How did she like that fuck?

Slipping discreetly out of her apartment, he wiped down the door knob and stripped in the stairwell.  He didn’t want to risk any evidence from the crime scene getting into his apartment.  Quickly opening his door, he moved to the kitchen to retrieve a plastic trash bag to stash his clothes, shoes and all.  He knew he had to move quickly.  The downstairs neighbors would be home soon.  They were your typical nine to fivers and always arrived home by five thirty.  Everyone in the building was, except him.  His schedule changed every week; days, evenings, midnights and holidays.  It seemed he was always working.  Today, that non-traditional schedule worked to his advantage.  He had the building to himself.  He could finish cleaning up the mess she had made on his body and the neighbors would never be the wiser.

Having gathered the soiled clothing in the plastic bag, Jace jumped in the shower to wash her away.  The warm water washed away the sin he had committed.  Thoughts of the knife penetrating her aroused him again.  He had noticed the arousal while in her apartment and it once again brought a smile to his face.  He had felt this sensation before.  The last time.  The time he thought would be the last.  Again, he was wrong.

Drying the water from his body could not wipe the smile from his face or the satisfaction he felt.  The only thing left to do was to dispose of the trash bag.  It needed to be taken to an area where it would not draw attention, where he would not draw attention.  A dumpster.  Maybe in another apartment complex?  Or behind a shopping center?  Wherever it was, he had to be discreet about the disposal.

2

Another glorious late July day; Jace enjoyed the morning sun warming his pale skin.  This late in the summer, he should have had a tan.  Shift work definitely put a crimp in his tanning schedule.  Relaxing in the chaise lounge he watched as the man and woman pulled into the parking spot directly in front of him.  Dressed in business attire they looked as if they were on a mission.  As they exited the vintage red Mustang the man spoke first.

Good morning, the short, portly, well-dressed man addressed Jace.

Good morning.  Can I help you?  Jace replied.

Yes, do you know Olivia Pelgrin? the portly man inquired.

Yes, Jace confirmed.  She is my neighbor.  Is there something wrong?

She didn’t come to work this morning,  the woman stated matter-of-factly.  Have you seen her today?  she continued.  We are concerned.  She’s never not come in without calling someone.

No.  I haven’t seen her today.  Of course, I’m not home a lot so I don’t see her that often anyway,  Jace lied.

Just then, two police cruisers pulled in and the officers stepped out.  Approaching the man and woman, one officer inquired Did someone here call for a wellness check?

Yes.  The man approached the officer with his hand extended.  I’m Charles Wilder.  Olivia Pelgrin lives in these apartments and she didn’t show up for work this morning.

Well, maybe she just decided to take the day off,  the officer reasoned.  Or maybe she’s just not feeling well and slept in?

That is not like Olivia, officer,  the well coiffed woman replied.  I have been her friend and co-worker for years.  It’s not like her to not call me if she is feeling poorly or not coming in to work.  She doesn’t have family around here.  I guess you could say, I’m her only family, though we are not really related.  I do have a key to her apartment.

Evaluating this woman’s disclosures, the officers believed there was a definite need for this wellness check.  Besides, the woman pointed out, there was Olivia’s car parked in front of her apartment building.  Accepting the key from the friend, the officers turned toward the apartment.  Jace decided to follow.  He wanted to see their reaction. 

Sir, would you mind waiting here? The officer directed the statement to Jace.

I’m an officer.  I work for Chestnut Bay.  Thought you could use some assistance. Jace replied.  The officer nodded.

Jace followed as the officers mounted the stairs, key in hand.  Knowing what they would find, he couldn’t wait to see their reaction.  He had been in the business many years and had never been confronted with what they were about to discover…and they were much younger than he.

The audible gasps gave him great satisfaction.  One turned to run outside to relieve himself of his breakfast.  The other just stood there.  Not speaking.  Barely breathing.  Never had Officer Chanel witnessed such a contradiction at a crime scene; clearly it was a crime scene for there before him lay a body; a woman’s body that had clearly been the victim of a rage he had never seen before.  Yet, that was the only indication of the crime.  The rest of the scene was as neat and orderly as if she had been carried in and lowered into position without disturbing even the air in the room.  Was this the primary crime scene?  It surely didn’t appear to be.  He needed to get the detectives out here.  This was definitely a situation well beyond his four years of training.  He knew this was a scene that would stay with him the rest of his career.  Hell, the rest of his life.

White as a sheet he turned to Jace and ordered him out of the apartment.  Sure, he wasn’t a civilian, but he could possibly be a suspect.  Officer Chanel didn’t know, but he didn’t want to take any chances.  Chanel needed to notify the co-workers and ask them to stay around so the detectives could get their statements.  He knew this was going to be a very long day.

Jace followed orders well.  He always had.  But, he didn’t want to miss what would follow.  Passing his apartment, he descended the stairs and passed the other officer still dry heaving in the bushes.  Rookie.  Jace thought with disgust.  He needs a desk job if he can’t handle it.

Resuming his seat in the chaise lounge, he had a front row seat to the activities that followed.  Actually, he thought, he was able to accomplish two goals at once; to work on the tan that had eluded him, and in the process gain insight into the thoughts of the detectives.  After all, they would stop to talk with him.  They would share some information with him.  He was part of the brotherhood.

3

I thought we were having dinner to celebrate my birthday the other night.  The statement came as he answered his phone.

Oh damn, he thought.  I’m sorry. Something came up.  Bitch.  You’re another arrogant one that needs to be shown her place.

Well, you could have at least called,  Samantha pointed out.  I’ve tried calling you for the past three days.

He knew she had.  The caller ID had shown her parents’ number multiple times.  She had started calling mid-afternoon two days ago, but he had been determined not to answer.  He had had something to take care of.  It had been time to rid the world of one more arrogant bitch, and he had accomplished that task.  It was unfortunate that he had gotten carried away.  It just felt so damn good plunging that knife into her.  His mind drifted back to the pleasure he had felt as the voice on the phone droned on.

Jace?  Are you still there?

Yeah, look, I’ve got something I need to do.  I’m sorry we didn’t get together for dinner.  Maybe next time you’re in town.  I’ll see you later.  Replacing the receiver on the cradle he started to get ready for his date; a date he had looked forward to for a month. 

******************************

Mark was the opposite of him;  short and dark with olive skin, he would never consider a life of public service.  Public service for Jace was more than a life.  It was the means to the inside track of the thinking of the investigators;  the servants dedicating their lives to putting monsters like him behind bars.

The two hour drive north was worth it.  It served two purposes; to keep Mark at a distance since he didn’t drive and to place a buffer between who most people thought he was and who he really was.  Never in his wildest dreams could he imagine exposing his true self to the Brotherhood.  Some suspected.  He did his best to hide his feminine side, but sometimes it was difficult.  It was exhausting leading this double life.  The arrogant women he dated were a good cover, but they were such a temptation.  Not for sex, but for removal.  He had disposed of so many in Iowa and had never been caught.  The badge and gun removed any apprehension they had.  It instilled trust in situations they should never have trusted.  Eventually, it came time to move on.  He wasn’t running out of victims; there would always be a plethora of arrogant women.  He had to be careful.  With the advances in technology, it would only be a matter of time before they put two and two together.  Time and distance would slow down the hunters.  Confuse them.  Make the cases go cold.  Giving him time for more victims in more locations.  God I love my job he thought, as he drove through the night.

**********************************

Confused, Samantha hung up the phone.  Jace had always been strange, but he had never been this short with her.  They had known each other for three years.  More friends than lovers, he would stop by when she worked at the airport and he was working midnights, spending hours on slow nights playing pinball.  They went out to eat a few times and he would even come over and hang out at her apartment, but there was always this distance between them.  He had never, in three years, kissed her or tried to get her in the bed.  Yet it was ok with her.  Something in the back of her mind told her