Boogeyman’s Daughter

By KY Lewis

FBI Agent Molly Ashley has always been haunted by her father's infamous legacy as the serial killer dubbed The Boogeyman. After twenty-seven years in prison, he has escaped, leaving a trail of death and destruction in his wake. Now, Molly is determined to put him back behind bars once and for all, even as she struggles with the emotional turmoil of confronting her own past.

       To make matters worse, a copycat killer has emerged, mimicking The Boogeyman's gruesome methods and taunting Molly with cryptic messages. As the body count rises, Molly finds herself in a race against time to catch both her father and the copycat before they can strike again.

      With her faith as her guiding light, Molly uses all of her skills and intelligence to track down the killers, even as she must confront her own inner demons and doubts. From tense stakeouts to heart-pumping chases, Molly is pushed to her limits as she fights to bring justice to those who have suffered at the hands of these monsters.
     As the investigation heats up, Molly must navigate a web of lies and deceit, uncovering shocking secrets that threaten to shake her to her core. But with the help of her fellow agents and her unshakable determination, she refuses to give up until justice is served.In a heart-stopping finale, Molly faces off against both her father and the copycat killer in a deadly showdown that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. With twists and turns at every corner, this gripping thriller is not to be missed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.Y. Lewis
• Release date: Jan 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224796908

Book preview

PROLOGUE

L et me enlighten you with a factual account of a valiant eight-year-old girl. Her name is Molly Romero.

No, Daddy, I don’t wanna!

The little girl stamped her bare feet and cried.

Molly gets in the toy chest. You’re testing my patience.

It’s scary and dark in there, cried the sweet 8-year-old girl with big blue eyes and dark stringy hair.

Molly Ann Romero, stop that bratty crying.

He inched closer to her face. I’ll give you something to cry about. Would you like me to rip the head off Your Sammy doll? You know, like I did with your Jasmine doll, or did you forget? Rick Romero growled at his daughter.

Molly embraced her pink blanket. Afterward, she situated her Sammy doll next to her. Those big blue eyes stayed fixed on her daddy. She stayed muted and tears ran down her chubby, rosy cheeks like a waterfall. Rick placed a soundproof kid’s headset over Molly’s ears. He closed the lid and locked it. Molly had air because Rick drilled holes in the wooden toy chest. He didn’t care that the toy chest was frightening to her. Rick had shut off the light in Molly’s bedroom, so Boogeyman forced Molly to sleep for the night. At least, that is what he thought. He didn’t let her out until after his morning coffee; those were his rules.

As Rick approached the basement door, he could feel the transformation occurring within him, his mind conjuring up the Boogeyman. His heart was pounding so hard with anticipation that he could feel it in every fiber of his being. He opened the basement door and started down the steps while whistling. He reached the bottom of the steps and stepped down. Rick looked at the young, blue-eyed, blonde-haired woman with a rag stuffed in her mouth; tears soaked her innocent face. The Boogeyman strapped Jessica to a table with a sheet under her. He walks over to the radio to turn up the volume. He then pulled the rag from the victim’s mouth. Rick raised his voice as though he were teaching a class.

So, Jessica, do you enjoy music? I have to play it when I work; The music keeps me in a mood and makes me want to dance around.

To the sound of ‘I’m Your Boogie Man’, Rick, known as Boogeyman, flaunted his arrogance by dancing around; laying out his tools in meticulous order. He was a charismatic, silver-tongued, brilliant, and reputable plastic surgeon serving the opulent and notable. He devoted two days to teaching at UCLA. His classes remained filled with university women and men who aimed to emulate him. UCLA is where he got his victims.

His countenance complemented Rick's alluring grin, adorned with voluminous ebony hair and striking chocolate-brown eyes. Rick’s cocky attitude did not impede his success with the girl. Boogeyman had a proclivity for murdering blondes who resembled his deceased spouse, Samantha. Rather than shattering his frigid heart, she inflicted damage upon his ego. She jilted him for Jeff, his trusted ally and business associate. Together, they established and ran a thriving plastic surgery practice. His disdain matched Rick’s ineptitude for love, only for losing. He had been involved in four extramarital relationships per year for the past ten years. The entanglements were with either students or associates. It was insignificant. Despite everything, he was unwilling to let Samantha and Jeff escape the consequences of their actions. Samantha hurt his ego. Samantha even took Molly away. Challenging Rick became Samantha’s and Jeff’s demise. What happened to them is still a mystery. Only Rick knows the answer.

His father, Henry Romero, was a mortician with hundreds of secrets himself to hide. Rumors flew, but never proven, that Henry murdered Rick’s mother, Stella.

Boogeyman concluded his beverage of choice, a mix of cranberry juice and vodka, with one last sip. He decided on which color Victorian gown to dress Jessica Bryant in. Rick converted his victims into Victorian princesses. Jessica screamed for a while after he ripped the rag from her mouth. Then she stopped. She squeezed her eyes shut and talked to God in her mind. Jessica prayed to be released from the Boogeyman or to be taken home by God. Calm and peace washed over Jessica in an instant. With a tranquil light, she fell asleep.

Now upstairs, Molly was still lying inside the toy chest. She took off her headset.

Sweet Molly, I am here to help you.

It sounded like her mother. Molly hadn’t heard that voice since she was three years old.

Mommy, Molly whispered.

My dear Molly, I am the guardian angel sent to you by God. You must listen and do as I tell you. I have unlocked the chest for you; come out, put your shoes on, and go outside. Be fast so your daddy can’t catch you.

The chest’s lid popped open for Molly. She knew her dad did terrible things and feared him. Molly just wanted to get away from him. She sprang out of the chest with just her doll. Molly threw on her sandals and sprinted down the steps to the front door, which was wide open. She bolted out of the house and the angel shut the door behind her.

Molly, the voice called to her.

I want you to keep following the sound of my voice. Use the code to open the gate. You will walk to the police. You’re a big girl.

The voice guided her straight to the police station, just two streets down. Molly was no longer scared, even though it was dark except for the streetlights shining. She knew an angel from God was taking care of her. She learned all about God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in Sunday school. Before Molly walks through the front door of the police station; a lady in a white glow says,

Molly, come to me and give me your hands.

Molly did as she said. The angel held Molly’s Hand.

Sweet girl, now is when you must be the bravest. You need to tell the police officer everything.

Ok, I will, Molly whispers, shaking her head.

The angel wrapped Molly in a love-filled hug. The smell of the Angel was identical to her mother’s. Her smell was soothing for Molly.

Go inside, the angel whispered.

She walked towards the building, and when she turned to look, the angel was gone.

Molly Walked through the front door up to the front counter. She was too short to reach the top of the counter. The older lady named Susan, working the front, pushed her glasses to the end of her nose. She looked over the counter. Susan saw these huge blue eyes staring right at her. She cast a glance and then doubled back for another look. Were her eyes playing tricks on her? A child loose at 10 pm in Beverly Hills. Susan walked around the counter to the little girl.

Hello there, darling. What is your name? Susan tried not to scare the little girl, so she put on a friendly smile.

Molly Romero, Molly spoke in a tiny voice while she hugged her Sammy doll tight.

Ok, Molly Romero, where are your parents? Susan asked, concerned.

Mommy is in Heaven, and Daddy is at home. Molly winced, thinking of her daddy, who she feared.

Do you have a phone number for your daddy? I will call him to get you. It’s possible your dad is worried.

I don’t want to go home; Daddy does things to the grown-up girls in our basement. I hear them scream. I’m scared to go back! He has someone in the basement now. Daddy said that when he works in the basement, it’s the rule that I stay in the toy chest.

Molly winced and teared up whenever she spoke about Daddy. He terrified her.

Ok, Molly, come with me, sweetheart. You possess remarkable intelligence and bravery for someone your age! Susan held out her hand as she spoke. Molly took hold of it.

The gracious lady placed her in Detective Andrew Moore’s office. She climbed up into the first chair across from his desk.

Susan had asked, Molly, are you hungry or thirsty?

Molly shook her head no.

I will be right back, Molly. Don’t leave this room.

Susan shut the office door as she walked out into the hallway. Susan stepped back to the file room where Detective Andrew Moore had spent the last week with late hours going through the files of the victims of The Boogeyman. The Boogeyman struck Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.

She stood in the doorway and said sedentary, I have someone for you to talk with regarding the Boogeyman case.

Ok, who would that be, Susan? Andrew had files spread out before him. They occupied him.

In your office, there’s a small girl. She strolled by herself. Molly Romero is her name. Molly expressed her fear of going back home as her father subjects grown women to things in the basement. According to the sweet girl, she heard them scream, and there was now someone in the basement. I believe Molly is the daughter of the Boogeyman.

That caught Andrew’s attention. He got up right away and headed to his office. He stepped in but left the door open so Susan could also come in. She shut the don’t behind her.

Now, Molly, tell the nice police officer what you told me. It’s OK.

Hi, Molly, my name is Andrew, and you are safe here.

Molly looked at the ground and swallowed hard.

My dad hurts grown-up girls in the basement? I listen to them scream. He doesn’t know that I listen to them. He puts ear covers on me before locking me in the toy chest. I take them off, and he doesn’t know it. I’m scared to go home.

Susan teared up, listening to her talk.

Molly, did your daddy forget to lock your toy chest tonight?

No, sir, God sent me a Guardian Angel; she unlocked it. She even told me to follow her voice until I got here.

You are doing a great job, Molly. I think God was watching out for you tonight, sweetheart, Susan said while tearing up again.

Is there something else you want to tell us, Molly?

Umm, okay, one more thing. Daddy has roses everywhere in the house. And when I asked him if it was his favorite flower, he said yes because he is the man that gives the ladies roses and pretty dresses, Molly replied.

Susan and Andrew looked at each other, shocked.

Susan, please call Judge Harrison for a warrant. Have Judge Harrison send it. I’m going to need backup, Andrew asserted."

Yep, I’m on it, Andrew.

Susan, we got him! Andrew’s heart raced with eagerness.

Yes, we do. Susan smiled.

Molly, do you know your home address? Andrew smiled at Molly. With that, Molly gave Andrew her home address. Susan was busy making a call.

Judge Harrison, Susan Brown at station fifteen. Detective Andrew Moore Needs a warrant signed ASAP.

Is that necessary tonight, Susan? I’m relaxing before bed? It irritated Judge Harrison.

Yes, Fritz Harrison. There has been a huge break in the case, and Andrew believes we have found The BOOGEYMAN!

Oh well, in that case, Susan, my apologies. You will have my signature. Please apprehend that wicked and detestable man.

Within minutes, Susan came back to Andrew’s office with the warrant. Three more officers came into the office, so Andrew jotted the information. They headed out while Susan stayed with Molly.

The officers parked their cruisers just before the house. They got out and walked to the gate. Molly gave Andrew the home address and the security code to the fence. Rick turned off the indoor alarm when he was home. The four officers walked through the unlocked front door. Andrew put his hand on the basement door that Rick keeps unlocked. Rick Romero was still in his basement, filled with bright lights. He stopped proceeding because Jessica was no longer screaming. He made another drink.

The thrill is incomplete without her screams, he stewed

He stewed in his thoughts for a moment longer. Rick noticed a sound emanating from the kitchen upstairs. The officers opened the basement door and rushed the stairs with weapons drawn. Andrew yelled at Rick to put his hands against the wall. Andrew cuffed Rick and read him to his right.

Rick spoke up, I have a daughter upstairs.

Yes, Boogeyman, we know Molly turned you in? With a smirk, Andrew says.

He felt a sense of satisfaction seeing the Boogeyman squirm.

That ungrateful little brat is like her mother! Rick’s heart raced with anger.

The Paramedics arrived. Jessica Bryant was alive and rushed to the hospital for care. She lived to tell her testimony.

It’s the year 2007—-27 years after Rick Romero’s arrest.

Chapter one

Ispeak into the microphone . That eight-year-old girl was me, Molly Romero. Upon attaining the age of eighteen, I adopted Ashley as my last name, which was the family name of my mother. At thirty-five, here I am. I have advanced since my childhood as an 8-year-old girl. The Boogeyman, in flesh and blood, is none other than my father, Rick Romero. I am the Boogeyman’s daughter. Rick Romero’s name is synonymous with the most notorious serial killer to operate on American soil. His killing spree lasted for five years, and the number of women he killed was so high that even the FBI struggled to keep up. They sentenced Rick Romero to spend his life in prison with no possibility of release. That was in 1980 and here we are twenty-seven years later in 2007.

Do we have questions so far? A student waves his hand.

It’s rumored that you are the top FBI profiler in the country. Do you agree with that?

Logan, may I call you by your first name? I hate formalities.

No problem, it’s Logan.

Ok, Logan. I will tell you I do my job to the best of my ability. I’m more determined for justice in each case because of my history. The past can make me or break me. I let it make me.

Logan claps, and the rest of the students join in when the room gets silent. A young lady raises her hand and asks.

Do you ever communicate with your father?

No, Lilly, I have not. It got back to him; I changed my last name and joined the FBI. Rick has requested to see me, but I have ignored each request.

Do you still work in the field?

Yes, all agents are to work in the field while getting special training to be a profiler. Working while training is important, so you do not lose touch with any skills you have gained.

Another student named Toby raises his hand and asks,

What is the most interesting case you have ever worked on?

The Belle Haven case,

Toby blurts. I remember that in the news!

The authorities of Belle Haven, Mississippi, could deal with it alone. Before I came back to Los Angeles, I was living outside The FBI headquarters in Virginia. I took the case because my boss asked me. The Belle Haven case happened eight years ago. There was a string of murders that focused on one individual. One of the unsubs is in prison for life; the other is deceased. I believe in the end, good will defeat evil. God has and always will defeat Satan."

My students show their approval once again by clapping. I perceive that Jaxson Spencer, an unusual learner, abstains from applauding. Jaxson has exhibited a reserved character in