Preyfiler

By Amy Shannon

Andrea Wallace focuses on her new job as she tries to come to terms with her break-up with John Marshall, and deal with a mandated newfound friendship with Police Chief Bill Caldwell.

Andrea's new protocols and procedures for dealing with stalkers become her greatest investigating tools, However, her past as a stalking survivor gives her more insight into the recent cases. She keeps being pulled back into the murderous world of one of her former stalkers, even though he sits in a prison cell.

Will she be able to deal with her feelings for the men around her as well as keep her focus? Will John’s return comfort or hinder her hard work? The past is always one step in front of her, threatening her own control.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Nov 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215341346

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Preyfiler

An Andrea Wallace Story

Profiler’s Book 2

Amy Shannon

A picture containing linedrawing Description automatically generated

ISBN:

2023 Edition

Essence Enterprises

Copyright © 2022 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

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.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2022

Cover design by Amy Shannon

Sequel to Prowl

Introduction

Andrea Wallace focuses on her new job as she tries to come to terms with her break-up with John Marshall, and deal with a mandated newfound friendship with Police Chief Bill Caldwell.

Andrea's new protocols and procedures for dealing with stalkers become her greatest investigating tools, However, her past as a stalking survivor gives her more insight into the recent cases. She keeps being pulled back into the murderous world of one of her former stalkers, even though he sits in a prison cell.

Will she be able to deal with her feelings for the men around her as well as keep her focus? Will John’s return comfort or hinder her hard work? The past is always one step in front of her, threatening her own control.

1

ANDREA WALLACE GOT out of her car as she wedged her cellphone between her chin and shoulder. Yeah, I just got here, she said, opening the back door of her car. She unstrapped her dog’s seatbelt. Ralphy and I have to report in and then, I’m off for the rest of the week. Carla, let me call you back when I finish.

​Of course, Dr. Carla Secada-Westphall said. He is coming back to town you know.

​I heard, she said. I can’t deal with John right now. I have to focus on … Carla, I’ll call you back when I get home.

​Just call me later and kiss Ralphy’s nose for me, she hung up.

​Andrea put her cell phone in the back pocket of her blue jeans and stared at Ralphy. "Kommen," she commanded her German Shepard in his native language.

​Ralphy trotted out of the car and looked up at her, waiting for his next command.

​"Sitz, she said, as she connected the leash to his collar. She lightly straightened out his K-9 badge that hung from his collar. You look so handsome. Perfect for seeing the Chief."

​Ralphy growled slightly and tilted his head to the left side.

​No, we’re not discussing John right now, she held on to his leash. "Spaziergang, she instructed him to walk. She opened the front door to the Hilltown Police Department and headed over to the front desk. Yes, Special Agent Andrea Wallace, she showed her FBI credentials. We’re here to see Chief Caldwell."

​I know who you are, Agent, he laughed.

​Protocol, she smiled. Do you need to see Ralph’s ID?

​Too funny, he smirked, as he leaned over the counter. Looking good, Ralph. He smiled. Is the Chief expecting you?

​I think he thought we’d be here next week, but I closed my case in Detroit earlier than expected. If he’s busy, I can check in later.

​No, that’s fine, Don said, as he picked up the phone. Chief, Agent Wallace is here. All right. he hung up the phone. You can go right down to his office.

​Thanks, she said, as she and Ralphy walked down the corridor. Andrea knocked on the door labeled Police Chief William Caldwell. Sir?

​Come, he said from inside the office. Andrea and Ralph went into the room. Andrea nodded as he stood up. Please, have a seat.

​Thank you, sir, she said, as she sat down, and Ralph lay down at her feet.

​I didn’t realize you would be back so soon, he said.

​The conference was shorter than expected, she said. I have planned to take this week off, but I wanted to check in with you first.

​Caldwell rested his elbows on his desk. Actually, I have a proposition I wanted to go over with you.

​What did you need, sir?

​Andi, please, call me Bill, he said.

​I don’t know if I could do that, she smiled. But, sir, um, Bill, I will try.

​Good, he smiled. Um, I did hear the word that Marshall is returning to town.

​I heard that, too, Andrea said.

​You two were pretty close there for a while, weren’t you?

​Yes, and we didn’t end on bad terms. He just … she looked at Caldwell. Was there something you wanted to ask me?

​I was wondering if you would consider having dinner with me, he said. If …

​Um, sure, that would be nice, she said.

​Really? he smiled.

​She smiled. Yes, Bill, that would be really nice. It’s been a while since I’ve been out. I’ll leave Ralphy at home.

​Good, he said.

​That wasn’t your proposal, was it? she bit her bottom lip nervously.

​Um, no, he said. I didn’t want to ask you out if you were still involved with Marshall.

​No, we broke up before he went to Scotland, Andrea said. I think we are still friends, but I don’t know. I haven’t heard from him in two years.

​Oh, I didn’t realize, Caldwell said.

​He never said anything to you?

​No, but I’ve only talked briefly to him. We’ve Skyped a few times but only discussed the case he was working on.

​Oh, well anyway, enough about John. What is this proposal?

​Well, I did talk to Chris Reeve, he smiled.

​Oh, she said. My boss. So, what’s this regarding?

​I heard that you’re just about finished with your two-year probationary period with the office in Schuylerville.

​Yes, she said. They’ve offered me a full-time position in the FBI Field office, but I haven’t decided if that’s what I want. That’s only a half-hour away, but if I’m not on a case, it’s pretty boring to be sitting around their office all day. Right now, I can still work at the bank, too.

​You like that job?

​Yeah, it’s not full-time, but I still like it, she said. Sir, what is the proposal?

​I’d like to offer you an office here. Now, I know you are an agent and have your master’s in psychology, but your work could be more than just a consultant. We would open an office or two here in our PD for FBI.

​I didn’t know you could do that, she said.

​Usually, we use consultants, but you could also help on other cases and always be here. I know that the Schuylerville office wanted to expand. That’s why I talked to Chris. You are part of their field office but based here in Hilltown. You do cases for both departments, he said.

​But if you’re my boss, I can’t date you, she said.

​You’d still report to Chris, he said. You just meet with me, too. I’m not your supervisor. You’d be your own boss and if we ever get another FBI body here, then you’d be in charge of that person, too.

​Will there be another FBI body?

​I have no idea, he said. Andi, at least think about it.

​I will, she said. I still need this week off. I’m volunteering at the Domestic violence center this week. I promised them that I’d do it and I can’t put it off.

​Oh, that’s fine. I didn’t realize, Caldwell said.

​I volunteer there when I have the free time, and I also volunteer at the rape crisis center in Richmond. Sometimes, it’s easier for people to talk to someone who’s been through it.

​You’re not the same person you were five years ago, Caldwell said.

​I’m stronger, but I was always strong, even if I didn’t feel that way.

​Does it haunt you sometimes? Caldwell asked.

​Yes and no, she said. But one stalker is dead, killed by my other stalker slash lover.

​He still bugs you?

​Del? He stopped sending me letters from prison, Andrea said. He’s got 30 more years to go.

​"He didn’t stop," Caldwell said.

​I don’t understand, Andrea said.

​I had the warden stop sending them. He just collects them. I’m sorry if I overstepped, but when Detective Westphall mentioned it, I put a stop to his outgoing mail before it’s sent out.

​You did?

​Andi, we’ve always been friends. I just didn’t want you to be haunted anymore.

​Thanks, she said. I haven’t been home yet. Ralphy and I need to settle in.

​All right, think about my offer, Caldwell said. I’ll pick you up at six?

​Why don’t you pick up dinner and we’ll eat at my home? If you don’t mind. I don’t feel like going out, but I would like to have dinner with you. I’d cook but I haven’t gone shopping yet. Probably not until tomorrow.

​Caldwell stood up as Andrea stood up. I’d like that. Six?

​Sounds good, she smiled. "Ralphy, kommen."

​Ralphy stood up on his paws and looked up at Caldwell and then Andrea. Caldwell saluted the dog and the two left the room. Caldwell sat down in his chair and picked up the phone. Yes, Felthousen’s florist, please.

2

ANDREA AND RALPH headed out to the lobby and walked over to the desk sergeant. Don, I’m checking out, she said. I’m off for a week.

​Oh, all right, he said. I do have a few messages for you.

​All since I was in the chief’s office?

​You’re popular, what can I say, he laughed.

​Just give me my messages, she said.

​He handed her the pile of pink papers. Here you go, he smiled.

​Andrea took the papers and stepped aside for the woman behind her to approach the desk.

​Don looked at the woman. Yes, can I help you?

​The woman tried to cover her face with her hair. Um, I don’t know, she wept quietly.

​Did someone hurt you? Don’s eyes focused on the woman and then shifted to Andrea.

​Um, this is a mistake. If he finds out … she quickly turned around.

​Andrea looked up at Don. "Hold on. Ralphy, blieben, she commanded him to stay. Don, I’ll be right back. She hurried after the woman and reached her before she made it to the door. Miss?"

​The woman stared at her feet. Did you need something? I didn’t mean to cut in front of you.

​You didn’t, Andrea said. I want to help you.

​The woman slowly looked up at Andrea. How can you help?

​I can believe me, I can, she said. Will you talk to me?

​Are you a cop?

​I’m an FBI profiler, but I’d like to help you.

​You wouldn’t understand, she wiped her eyes with the sleeves of her sweater.

​I just may, Andrea said. Why don’t we go somewhere and talk?

​Um, OK, she said.

​I’m Andrea, she smiled. Don, can I use the conference room?

​Use the new office down the hall. I think it is supposed to be your new office, he covered his mouth with his hand. Unless the chief didn’t offer you the job yet, then it’s just an empty office.

​Just show me the office, she said. "Ralphy, kommen. She looked at the woman. I hope you don’t mind dogs. He’s my partner."

​No, it’s fine, she said. I love dogs.

​Ralphy walked over to her and gently sniffed her hand.

​He likes you and he doesn’t like a lot of people, Andrea said, as the three of them headed down the hall where Don had pointed. Andrea turned down a secondary corridor and looked at the door labeled FBI Special Agent Andrea Wallace, Behavioral Analysis. She shook her head and opened the door to the furnished office. Wow, she said.

​Isn’t this your office?

​Only if I accept a job here. I’m normally a consultant but please, have a seat. She looked in the corner of the room. "Ralphy, they even put a bed in here for you. Ralphy, rührt euch." She gave him the at-ease command and he lay down in his new plush dog bed in the corner of the office. I’m sorry. Now, what can I do for you?

​The woman sat down in the chair and placed her shaky hands on her lap. She slowly looked up at Andrea. "My name … my real name is Claudia Marcell."

​Andrea stared at her. Claudia Marcell? she gulped. You’re alive? I’m sorry. Of course, you’re alive.

​I don’t understand, Claudia said.

​Your parents reported you missing 10 years ago. You were only 16, she said. They’ve been looking for you … the FBI and your parents have been looking for you for 10 years.

​They have? her eyes watered.

​Andrea carefully touched the woman’s hands. Do you know what happened to you?

​She nodded. Derek … he took me and kept me.

​Let’s start with what happened today, Andrea said, as she picked up a notebook off the table.

​Well, in the past two years, he let me go outside. Every week, I walk to the store. It’s two blocks from my house, um, from where I live. For the past few weeks, I have been walking a little further and further to see the rest of the town. Last week, I made it here and back to the house before he realized I was gone for too long.

​Claudia, you said this man’s name was Derek. How did you meet him?

​He was a janitor at my high school. Derek Cummings. I used to have a crush on him. I was so stupid.

​No, you weren’t, Andrea said. Just tell me what happened.

​He said he was having a party at his house and invited me. He said I could invite some friends. So, me and a few of my girlfriends went to his house. When we were gonna leave, he said that he had to show me something, so, my friends left. I don’t know why they didn’t say anything, but I followed Derek into the kitchen. The next thing I knew, I woke up in this locked room. I was naked. It was an attic. I was up there and didn’t see him for a long time. There was a sink and toilet in the corner of the room. There was also a bed that had straps on the foot and headboard. When I would wake up, there would be food and drinks, as well as clean towels and soap. After a while, he showed himself to me.

​Do you know how long that was?

​I tried to keep track of night and day, but I slept a lot. I think there was something in the food or water.

​All right, she said. Give me just one second. She picked up the phone. Don, can you have someone bring me the Marcell file? Yes, that one. Thanks. She hung up. What did he say when he showed himself to you?

​Just that my parents didn’t want me. He said they weren’t looking for me because they knew where I was. He said that I was to be his wife.

​What happened after that?

​For a while, my room was the attic. I didn’t leave, but he would come into the room. Strap me to the bed and have sex with me. Andrea, I was a virgin before he did this to me.

​I’m very sorry, she said. Did he only have sex with you?

​Yes. I mean, he did stuff to me. He also said he loved me. After a while, he didn’t strap me down. I just got used to him doing what he wanted, so I didn’t fight.

​Did you ever fight?

​Yes, in the beginning. That’s why he used the straps. He’d hit me first.

​Did he allow you to wear clothes?

​After the first two years, he let me put on clothes when he let me go into other rooms of the house. I learned quickly what I had to do to not die. I just obeyed him.

​Claudia, she stood up as there was a knock on the door. She opened the door and smiled at Don. Thanks. I may need some help in a few minutes.

​Don looked at her. Andi, what’s going on?

​Claudia Marcell is alive and sitting in my office, she said. I’m taking her statement.

​She’s alive?

​Yes, Andrea said. Tell the chief and I’ll get more information so you can send your men to make an arrest.

​Yes, Agent, he grinned.

​Go tell the chief, Andi rolled her eyes and closed the door. She opened the folder as she sat down behind her desk. Your parents have been looking for you for 10 years. To be honest, though this is an FBI case, they come here every week to find out if there is any change on your case.

​They do? Claudia wiped her eyes.

​Yeah, they do. Claudia, where do you live? Where is this Derek Cummings?

​We live at 509 Masters Road.

​Thank you, Andrea said, as she reviewed the file. "You are safe now. To answer your question, your friends did tell the police where you were, but when Derek was questioned, he said that you left 10 minutes after your friends did. He was always a person of interest, but there was no other evidence. Your parents never stopped looking for you."

​Um, there is one thing, Claudia said. One thing you should know.

​What’s that? Andrea asked.

​My son, Claudia said. He’s four and in daycare. I need to pick him up.

​Where is his daycare?

​The first Baptist church. I need to get him by two before Derek goes there.

​Andrea looked at her watch. All right. We’re gonna do this now, then. You and I will pick up your son, while the police arrest Derek.

​Thank you, she cried. I didn’t know … I didn’t know.

​"You and your son will be protected, and I think you should be checked out