Beware, The Lonely Road: (A Ragetti & Smitty novel)

By Eve A. DeLange

The killer is very clever in keeping his identity unknown as he rapes and murders women starting in the NW corner or Washington. But once he reaches Arizona, he makes one important mistake that leads to his downfall. The capture is unexpected and shows a different side to this killer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eve A. Delange
• Release date: Apr 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781087875170

Book preview

BEWARE THE

LONELY ROAD

E.  A.  D E L A N G E

Copyright © 2020 by E. A. Delange

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Table of Contents

Chapter One: The Killer Strikes Again

Chapter Two: The Honeymoon Is Over, Back To Work!

Week-Ends --Time To Enjoy Friends And Family

Chapter  Three: Meanwhile, A Shack 50 Miles From Kingman, Az

Chapter Four: Back In The Fbi Office, Research Goes On

Visiting With Darren Is Over

Chapter Five: Young Women Beware! James Is Back On The Prowl

Agents Ragetti & Smitty – In Their Office (Daytime)

Chapter Six: The Path To Violence Is Filled With Temptations

On The Run

Chapter  Seven: Fbi Office Of Ragetti And Smitty

News Flash –

Chapter Eight: Somewhere In New Mexico

Gathering Clues

Tuesday A.M. Fbi Office Of Ragetti & Smitty

Chapter Nine: James In New Mexico

The Mcdonald Farm – The Perfect Hideout

Chapter  Ten: Fbi Office Of Ragetti & Smitty Afternoon

Chapter  Eleven: Back To James (Aka Oscar)

Fbi Offices In Albuquerque, New Mexico

Stopping By The Neighbors

Chapter Twelve: Fbi Office In Albuquerque, New Mexico

Inside The Mcdonald Farm – Daytime

Chapter Thirteen

Meanwhile, In Patty’s Room

Chapter Fourteen: James Wolf In Interrogation – Monday Morning

C H A P T E R  O N E

The Killer Strikes Again

M

ai was a beautiful Japanese/American woman who felt like she held the world in her hands. Many times children coming from a mixed marriage really have the advantage when it comes to looks, and Mai was no exception; with her father’s black wavy hair and her mother’s slanted eyes, she was not only beautiful, but exotic. The most stunning feature of all was her large green eyes.

Her mother wanted her to try for a movie career or modeling, but Mai had a mind of her own, she wanted to be a psychiatrist. True to her Japanese heritage she studied hard in school and ended up with a scholarship to any college she wanted. She chose to stay in Washington so she could stay close to her family, for her she couldn’t imagine life without her brother and sister close by.

Just six months ago she had graduated from college and within a month she had landed a position with the Hartford Medical Group right in Seattle. She was twenty-two years old just last week and as a special surprise her family had bought her a bright red Mustang convertible. Her father explained that with her scholarship he had saved so much money he could easily afford the car.

Mai had not dated much during college; she wanted to make sure her grades were perfect. And she knew it would help her secure a good position; there was always time for dating later.

Her favorite thing to do when she had a free afternoon was to drive the winding highways of Washington, gazing out at the spectacular trees and water forming a scene she would always love. And as she drove along with the top down, the breeze softly blowing through her long hair she was very much at peace with the world. There was not even one thing she would wish to change.

As she came around a sharp curve in the road she was surprised to see a man sitting alongside the road. Not thinking of the danger to herself she pulled to a stop and the man ran up to her car. Get in Mai said. It’s too warm to be walking much of a distance. Where are you heading?

The man obliged quickly, before she could change her mind. My name is James Wolf, I’ve just been bumming around, looking at all the different states since I got out of the Navy. And he gave Mai a smile, thereby showing off his dimples. I’m not heading for any particular place; I just stop and go as the mood strikes me.

My name is Mai, I’m just out for a nice drive in the country; do you want to join me? I mean, if you aren’t heading anywhere in particular; at least I can give you a ride to break the monotony. I enjoy these country roads and when I have an afternoon free it’s what I do. Monday will be back to work. At least you’ll be a few miles further in the direction you’re heading.

James gave her a dazzling smile, The good old nine to five gig, you know, for some reason I don’t miss it at all. Tell me, Mai, what does a beautiful gal like you do to make a living?

I’ve just been hired a month ago by Hartford Medical Group as a psychiatrist. I find it very interesting.

James laughed out loud. So you’re a shrink! What do you think of me, and why did you stop to give me a ride? Didn’t your parents ever tell you it’s not good to pick up hitchhikers?

The ride continued on, James continued to ask interesting questions about Mai’s life, and as they traveled down the scenic road, Mai didn’t feel he was a stranger at all. When silence finally settled over them; neither felt the need to break it. Mai reached out to turn the radio back on and soft music floated out. The day was balmy and very pleasant with the slight breeze around them and they both were satisfied with the music and there was no need for conversation.

As Mai’s cellphone rang, the radio turned itself off and her mom’s voice came through the speakers. Mai, what are you doing? I thought you were going to stop by this afternoon. Dad is picking up pizza and I know it’s one of your favorites.

Hi Mom! I’m just out enjoying one of my lovely country road drives. Today I’m taking the old Highway 59 route, no traffic and terrific views. I will stop by later for the pizza though, maybe in about an hour,

The phone clicked off and the music came back on. Mai gave a little smile, and looking over at James told him her mom worried about her. I told her she stresses herself out over nothing, very little happens in this little area of the world.

James frowned and told her she should be more careful. Not many people are as trusting as you, especially picking up a stranger on the road. By the way, I know I shouldn’t have drank that bottle of water; so when you see the next little side road could you take it, so I’m not in misery?

So is this one of those ‘I can’t wait another ten minutes’ type thing? Or shall I drive into Hootersville where they have fast food stops?

Sorry, I’m afraid it’s an ‘I can’t wait situation.’ I won’t be long and we can hit the road again, James said, rather embarrassed.

Within a couple of minutes there was a small road leading into the trees, and Mai pulled in about half a mile; quite close to the thick trees.

James got out and it seemed no more than a couple of minutes had gone by when Mai heard him call her name.

What do you want, James?

It’s a beautiful spot in here; I want you to see it. Please.

Mai knew it was stupid to walk into the forest with a stranger, but he had been very polite, so she decided to see his beautiful spot. As she walked toward the trees, she could see his red shirt through the trees on the left. And it was a beautiful spot; a small pool of water had formed with wild flowers growing around it. Mai walked over to the water and stood gazing down at it.

Suddenly James clamped his hand down hard over her mouth, and the thought entered her mind, This can’t be happening; I’m a virgin and I didn’t save myself for this.

Mai put up a good fight, leaving long scratches on his face; but her petite little body was no match for the physical strength of a man. And James was in excellent shape.

James threw her to the ground and reaching into his jacket pocket, pulled out duct tape, which he brutally placed over her mouth. He tore her shirt down the middle and gazed down at her as he pulled her pants off. You have a truly beautiful body, I’m sorry I have to do this to you.  Saying that, he pulled his own pants down; and climbed on top of Mai. She couldn’t scream due to the tape, and her last thought was that she would no longer be a virgin. But rape was not all James had in mind, he was a cruel sadistic rapist and the fear and pain of his victims was what satisfied his lust for pain and violence. He was overjoyed that Mai had put up a good fight; he had no desire for a woman who was submissive.  Mai was never subjected to any type of pain, and she felt herself slip into the painless world of being unconscious.

Finally it was over and Mai lay still. Covered in blood, James used her own blood to write the word Bitch across her stomach. He took a small rope from his pants pocket and tied Mai upright against a tree. He hoped someone would find her body soon so they could appreciate his skill; before the wild animals made a mess of her. He knew her mother would be looking for her very soon now.

The pond was a handy place to wash up, and he used a towel he found in the trunk of her car to remove any fingerprints on her car. He felt so high and powerful, he felt like he could run for ten miles and not even be tired. So much for Washington, it was time to move on. He knew he would have to lay low for a few days to give the scratches on his face a chance to heal, luckily he knew just the spot to go to. His time in Washington had not been wasted and James knew this area of the state quite well.

C H A P T E R   T W O

The Honeymoon is Over, Back to Work!

F

BI Special Agent Ragetti and Special Agent Smitty were both sitting in their office. They worked the West Valley branch of the FBI and decided they would turn on the news. The first thing on the screen was the vicious rape and murder of a young woman in Washington. It appeared she was not the first; there had been five other victims just in Washington alone. The killer appeared to have started his killing spree in the Northwest corner of Washington and was working his way down across the state. So far he had left no clues.

Smitty