Sinful Crime Read online

  Sinful Crime

  Hangman #5

  WL Knightly

  BrixBaxter Publishing

  Contents

  Find WL Knightly

  Description

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

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  About the Author

  Copyright

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  WL’s Facebook Author Page

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  Description

  Just when retired detective Jake Thomas and his ex-partner, Jo Calloway thought they had things figure out, there’s a new killer in town. But this one wants the Hangman to take all the credit for his handiwork.

  With Jake back on the scene as an advisor, will his personal connection to the Hangman cloud his judgement? Or will he and Jo find the copycat in time to stop another gruesome crime?

  Chapter 1

  Jake

  Jake still couldn’t believe the Hangman had called him. Hearing the voice again, the raspy sound of a monster, and knowing how much it had changed over the years was proof of how things had gone off the deep end for Kellen after what the system and Kyle Young had done to him.

  Jake stood in the lab with Kevin and Jo. What had been meant to be a review of the wounds, now that the victim was clean and not hanging from a fucking ceiling, had turned into an awkward exchange of questions and Kevin holding his phone as it rang.

  “I highly doubt he’s going to answer,” said Jake.

  Kevin gave him a pointed look. “Well, it’s worth a shot. How could you not call it back?”

  “I agree,” said Jo.

  Jake wasn’t that off his game. “I planned to try. I’m just still letting it sink in. Why a phone call? Why now?”

  Jo shook her head. “Maybe because we took things to a personal level, and now he thinks he should do the same? I mean, you did contact Missy Peyton at her work.”

  “Yeah, he mentioned that. Wasn’t happy.” Jake had made sure not to cross the line by sleeping with Missy, but he’d still managed to cross a line where the Hangman was concerned.

  “Well, you’ve rattled his temper, and maybe if we do it again, he’ll call back.” Jo raked her hand through her long, golden hair.

  Jo had wanted to drag Missy in from the start, and while he had wanted to go about it a much easier way, it hadn’t done any good. He still couldn’t trust that the Hangman wasn’t responsible for the murder of Tate Bodin, but Jo had a point. It was time to drag Missy in if they could still find her.

  “I agree that we should get Missy, but what about this claim?” Jake asked. “Madden says he didn’t do Bodin’s murder. Do we just believe him? I mean, it was my hunch, but what if that’s what he wants us to think?”

  “Well, that’s what I’ve been waiting to talk to you about actually,” said Kevin. “I can already tell that the wounds aren’t the same. The weapon was different. There was a similar pattern, yes, and some of the wounds are close to the same places, almost like the killer had knowledge of where they were supposed to strike. But if it were the same person, you’d at least have directional matches. So, unless the Hangman was on his knees, I’m not seeing him doing this.”

  Jo’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

  Kevin got up from his desk and handed Jake his phone. “Come on. Let’s go back, and I’ll show you.”

  They went down the hall to the morgue, and Kevin swiped his badge at the door. Upon entering, Jake and Jo waited while he walked over and found the right locker.

  Finally, he waved them over. “They took him off the table already, but you’ll be able to see what I mean.”

  Jake approached the body, and just like Kevin promised, he could tell right away the wounds just didn’t line up. “It’s not the same. He really didn’t do it.”

  “Notice the shoulder wound. Forget the fact that it’s not in the right place for a moment. See the angle? It doesn’t line up with the others. The Hangman always sticks them a good one in the shoulder, usually good enough they aren’t going to have use of their arm if they were to survive what else he does to them. It’s been almost a signature. He’s done it consistently. I think even if he tried to fake it, it would still have a certain direction for a much taller man. Besides, we know that Bodin was sitting for most of his torture. That doesn’t even add up if this were the Hangman.” He took a deep breath and paused. Then he pointed toward Bodin’s chest. “He always cuts them here too, at least a few times, and the gut wounds are not stretched like usual. The only other one that wasn’t completely ripped apart was Nina, and I think that’s because she was a woman. But it still had a much different style than this, and everything else was consistent with the Hangman.”

  “I agree,” said Jake. “It was more like the others than this, though.”

  Jo let out a huff of frustration. “But with the wounds being so close, there was no way that this killer didn’t have some sort of information. Maybe some of our men are talking? This could be someone close to law enforcement. God knows we haven’t had to deal with much press.”

  “I have a feeling we can thank your father for that, too.”

  “Or a weak stomach,” Kevin said. “Preston West is a pussy. Channel Six should give the man a desk job. He came in here once and puked on my floor. He’s never been back. They aren’t giving anything the police aren’t reporting to them. Which, you know, isn’t much.”

  “I’m sure that Jake’s right, though. It seems my father has more power than we originally thought.” She let out a long breath and glanced at Jake with an embarrassed look.

  Jake wasn’t going to go on about her father. He could tell that she was ashamed of the bastard, and rightly so. “We might need to ask Milner to make it clear we’re not to be telling anyone anything that they see on the scenes, that we’re not only dealing with one killer but two.”

  Kevin pushed the body of Tate Bodin back into the cooler. “I’ll try to figure out about that call. I know he said it’s not traceable, but maybe we know more than he thinks.”

  “I love your sense of optimism,” said Jake, whose attention then went to Jo. “Come on. I’ll follow you to Milner. She’s going to want to know what’s going on.”

  “Thanks.” Jo looked over at Kevin. “And thank you. I’ll be in touch.” She walked out, and after Jake gave Kevin a quick, appreciative nod, he followed her out.

  As they made their way back down the long hall, then outside, Jake could tell that something was weighing heavily on her mind. “What’s going on in there?”

  Jo glanced his way. “Who could be copying this freak? But more importantly, who would be running their mouth? Is this normal for your bunch?”

  “I don’t own them. Hell, I don’t even like most of them, and as for gossip, come on. You’ve seen it yourself.” Jake still didn’t see why they’d talk about his cases or crime scenes.

  Jo stopped just outside the station door. “This is different. Someone should remember specific conversations.
I say we have Milner try and figure this shit out. If someone was feeding that kind of information with such detail as to where victims were stabbed, don’t you think that they’d remember?”

  “Yes, I agree they would. But try getting any one of them to admit it. And do you think they’d rat out someone for possibly being involved in something like this? Nine times out of ten, you’re not going to get the answers you want. So be ready for a letdown and a lot of silent treatment. They’ll be afraid to say anything to you after this.”

  Jo frowned. “We still have to talk to Milner. Maybe they’ll just frown at her instead of me.”

  “They already do,” Jake mumbled under his breath. His last encounter with the woman had been bad, and he hated to even let her know he was back around to help Jo.

  As they walked into the room, Milner looked up from her desk. A slow smile spread her lips as she saw Jake. “Good to see you two working together,” she said. She gave a smug look, and Jake wanted to remind her yet again that he wasn’t there for long, but he decided to let it go.

  Jo spoke up. “We definitely have a copycat.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Jo walked in and stood behind the chairs. “Yes. While we were down to check on the body, Jake got a phone call from our suspect.”

  Milner’s eyes widened. “A phone call?” She glanced back and forth at them as they nodded. “Are you tracing the call?”

  “Kevin is on it,” said Jo. “But the Hangman made sure to let us know we’d never find him that way.”

  “And we’re just going to start believing this man? I mean, come on. Let’s use our brains. There’s no way he’s going to help us on this case.”

  “Actually, there was already a deep suspicion that this wasn’t Madden.” Jo leaned against the chair in front of her as if exhaustion had set in. “I could tell things were off, and Kevin has confirmed it.”

  Milner nodded. “You’re awfully quiet. Any ideas who this new killer could be? Any reason the Hangman should call you?”

  “I’m just here for advisement,” he said.

  Jo stood up straight, letting go of the chair. “I believe that it was his surveillance of Missy Peyton that triggered the call. Plus, he would have heard of the murder, and Madden’s mission is pretty specific. That’s something we’ve already seen, and apparently, this killer doesn’t get that.”

  Jake nodded. “Some copycats steal their styles for admiration or just to see what it’s like to be the killer they are pretending to be, but we believe this one is different. They’re hoping for the Hangman to be a scapegoat. They commit the murders in the same manner, hoping the blame will befall the other killer.”

  “I don’t care why they are doing it. Find them, stop them, and bring them to justice.” Milner gave a dismissive wave as if she were already sick of talking about it.

  “We have another matter to discuss with you,” said Jo. “It’s about the information of the case. The only way the killer of Tate Bodin could have copied the Hangman’s style is for someone around here to be leaking information as to what they are seeing at the crime scenes. We don’t have many witnesses around because we keep them away, but they somehow knew the goriest of details. I’d like for you to gag the other officers and all staff from discussing this case with anyone.”

  “And,” mumbled Jake.

  Jo glanced over and rolled her eyes. “Would you like to say something?”

  Jake shrugged. “Well, the part about if they have said anything to anyone, to let us know.”

  “Oh,” said Jo. “Well, that’s a given, isn’t it?”

  Jake smiled. “Nothing is a given.”

  Milner’s face hardened with aggravation. “I’ll make sure that I tell them in the next meeting. But you know as well as I do that if anyone has been talking, they are not going to come forward.”

  “It’s worth a shot to ask.”

  Milner nodded. “I agree. Just don’t get your hopes up.”

  Jo glanced back and forth between Milner and Jake, who wore a smug look. “You two are a lot more alike than you think.”

  Jake frowned and cocked an eyebrow, but he knew better than to protest.

  Milner offered an explanation. “That’s because we’re seasoned. You’ll get the hang of things.”

  With that, the chief dismissed them, and as they left the office, Jo’s forehead creased. Jake loved the way the few extra wrinkles made her look. The look of determination was clear in her eyes.

  “What?” she snapped. “Do you like seeing me frustrated?”

  “As a matter of fact—”

  “Did you catch the way she assumes that I have no experience? I’d expect that kind of posturing from another man, but her? She shouldn’t be so judgmental, and not only that, but she’s new around here too.”

  “She’s from one county over and hardly a stranger to the area. She knows how people think around here, and so I can see why she considers herself seasoned. Plus, she’s served a lot of years and had a lot of experience.”

  Jo stopped and folded her arms in front of her. “Whose side are you on?”

  “You needed advice. I gave it. That’s what advisors do, right?”

  “There was no advice offered, and I don’t need an advisor. I need a partner.”

  “Sorry. You didn’t let me get to the advice part. So, let’s forget all of that and move on to your next course of action.” That was going to be the advice tacked on before she got so offended.

  Jo growled out in frustration. “Are you coming with me to get Missy?”

  Jake smiled as she walked away. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  Chapter 2

  Jake

  The drive to Missy’s house was unproductive, and there was only one other place that Jake knew to look for her.

  “I hope she’s here,” said Jo. “She’s liable to run for her life now that Madden has reached out by phone.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry we didn’t drag her down sooner, but I really thought that it was best not to alarm her. I guess she’s talking to Madden more than we thought.” His feelings for Missy were torn between hoping she didn’t know anything and hoping she could provide answers, but only because he hated that such a nice girl, who had been through so much, had to be involved at all.

  He continued across town and took the next exit to arrive at the Rockford’s parking lot. “Things are quiet here today,” he said.

  “Yeah, they are. Do you know what she drives?”

  “I think the guys reported an older model Explorer, blue.”

  “Well, that’s going to narrow it down. Have you ever noticed how many of those are on the road?”

  He pulled into the first place he saw, avoiding the valet out front. “Let’s go inside. We’ll see if she’s working. Or if she still works here at all.”

  “Quitting her job is going to make her look guilty. Not that being the eyes and ears for her brother-in-law doesn’t.”

  Jo undid her safety belt as Jake shut off the car. “It’s got to be how he keeps an eye on my father.”

  “And brother,” he said. “Let’s not forget about him.”

  “Can’t we?” she asked as she got out of the car.

  Jake walked around and met her in front of the car. Then they walked side by side to the front entrance.

  When they walked into the lobby, Jake was disappointed to see the other girl, Rowan, at the desk. He walked up, and the girl greeted him with a smile. “I wondered if you’d be able to stay away.”

  Jake smiled. “Is Missy around?”

  “Ah, still got a thing for her, huh?” Rowan glanced at Jo and smiled. “Those two were very cozy.”

  “Not that cozy,” said Jake, giving Rowan a stare. “Could you just tell us if she’s here?”

  “She’s in the bar, but it’s a good thing you came today. I don’t think she’ll be around much longer.” Rowan shrugged, and then the phone beside her rang. “Excuse me.”

  Jake had already stepped away a
nd walked into the bar. Across the room, he spotted Missy talking to her manager. The man was shaking his head and then nodded before giving her a hug. Whatever conversation they’d been having, he seemed like he was being supportive.

  “Wait here,” said Jake.

  But Jo wasn’t having it. “You’re an advisor, which means I’m the detective in charge. I’m not sitting back while you take care of business.”

  “Suit yourself,” said Jake. “But by going, you’re not taking my advice.”

  “I’m sure it will be fine.”

  Jake shook his head and walked over toward Missy.

  The girl’s eyes widened as she turned around and saw them there. “What’s going on?” She glanced over at Jo, but most of her attention was on Jake. She took a step back away from the bar, as if she didn’t want to be pinned against it.

  Jake held out his hand to calm her down. She had a wild look in her eyes that he wasn’t sure of. “We just need to talk to you, Missy.”

  “We’d like for you to come down to the station.”

  Jake looked at his partner, and while his attention was off of Missy, she bolted toward door.

  “Shit!” said Jake as he ran after her.

  Jo was on his heels, but before they could catch her, she disappeared through a side door behind the front counter.

  Jake headed that way, and Rowan stepped in their way, pretending not to know better but deliberately giving the young woman a lot of leeway.