“Thanks for your help. We’ll be in touch.”
Vanessa climbed into their own car and waved at Nina.
“Thanks!”
Nina smiled and returned the wave.
“Have a safe trip back.”
****
Jason let Vanessa drive back to San Antonio. He used the time to make some notes about what they had learned and organize his thoughts. After a while, he realized he was hungry.
“Hey, you want to stop at Stumpies BBQ?”
“Ugh, not me.”
Jason thought she was going to throw up.
“You alright?”
“Yeah, fine. Just not hungry.”
“I thought you loved Stumpies pulled pork sandwiches?”
“I do. It’s just…well…I’m pregnant.”
Jason laughed out loud.
“No, really. You just not hungry?”
“I’m not kidding, I’m pregnant.”
Jason could see the little smile on her face that was a sure sign she wasn’t lying. She was excited.
“You really are! How long have you known?”
“About three weeks.”
“Well, you’re a great one for news!”
“Look, Jason, just keep this between us for now.”
He couldn’t help but grin.
“First of all, congratulations...”
“Thanks.”
“…but why the secrecy. This is great.”
“I don’t want to be treated any different at the station. I’ll be forced to drive a desk and I don’t want it to be any sooner than necessary.”
“How’s Rob?”
“He’s thrilled.”
“I bet. Okay, your secret is safe with me. Can we still stop at Stumpies? I’m starving.”
“Fine, just no onion rings!”
Chapter 4
Jason had tried to make an appointment for the following day with the parents of Marcie Walker but they were out of town. It was the following Monday when Vanessa and Jason were able to meet with them.
As they pulled up in front of the modest bungalow style home in south San Antonio, Jason noticed how normal it looked. White with a gray shingle roof and flower beds on either side of the front door. He was struck, as he often was with these cases, how out of place tragedy seemed on a street such as this.
They got out and walked to the front door and as Vanessa reached to ring the bell, the door opened.
“Detective Strong?”
“Yes, ma’am. This is my partner, Detective Vanessa Layne.”
The tiny woman, with gray hair and bright blue eyes, gave them a warm smile, as she swung open the screen door.
“Nice to meet you. Please come in. My husband is in the living room.”
Jason and Vanessa followed Mrs. Walker into the living room and Mr. Walker rose to greet them. They shook hands and Mrs. Walker asked if they would like coffee.
“No, thank you. Not for me, anyway.”
Vanessa shook her head and took a seat on the couch. Jason remained standing and took out his notebook. He noticed the pictures on the wall, placed around one of those home interior ‘FAMILY’ signs. There were the two Walkers and a picture of Marcie. Also hung were two older photos of what looked to be the Walkers parents.
“Folks, we appreciate you taking time to speak with us. I’m sure this is difficult.”
Mrs. Walker gave a half smile.
“We’re glad to do anything we can to help catch the man who did that to our daughter. She was our only child, you know.”
“I did not. I’m very sorry. Unfortunately, there has been another death and we believe it’s the same man as the one who killed your daughter.”
Mr. Walker was sitting straight up in his chair. He is a tall man, and despite being elderly, was still an imposing figure. He was clearly agitated.
“If I found that S.O.B., he’d wish he’d never been born.”
“Jerry, watch your language.” Mrs. Walker chastised her husband.
They must have had Marcie late in life because they both appeared to be in their sixties. Or maybe losing a daughter will just make you age more quickly.
Jason let Vanessa take the lead.
“I’m sure you answered these questions before but we would like to go over it once more.”
The Walkers nodded.
“When was the last time you spoke with your daughter?”
“I talked to her on the phone just before she went to work that day. She called me almost every day.” Mrs. Walker smiled as she said it. “She is…was…a good girl. I’m sorry, it’s still hard to believe she’s gone.”
“No need to apologize. Did she sound okay that day?”
“Yes, fine.”
“She didn’t mention anyone bothering her or being afraid of anyone?”
“No. She was in good spirits, as usual.”
“Did she have any enemies that you were aware of, either in Austin or from high school?”
Mr. Walker spoke up.
“Our daughter was friendly and outgoing. We never saw where she had hurt anyone.”
Jason knew that parents didn’t always know the whole truth about their children but they clearly weren’t aware of anybody that he and Vanessa could look into. It was time to go.
“Mr. and Mrs. Walker, thank you very much for your time.” He put a card on the table. “Please don’t hesitate to call if anything comes to mind.”
Mrs. Walker saw them out.
“Goodbye. And detectives…”
Jason and Vanessa turned.
“Catch him, please…for Marcie.”
Jason spoke for both of them.
“We’ll do our best, ma’am. That’s a promise.”
Mrs. Walker smiled a sad smile and closed the door.
****
Back in the car, Jason noticed Vanessa was quieter than usual. She was turned away, staring out the passenger window.
“You okay?”
When she turned towards him, her eyes were red.
“Their only child…so sad.”
It was one of the things that Jason liked about his partner. She wasn’t afraid to be human. He also knew her pregnancy had a lot to do with how this was hitting her.
“Your right, it’s very tough when there isn’t more family to help people get over tragedy.”
“Did I tell you that Rob has always wanted a big family?”
“No, I don’t think you did.”
“Yeah. He was an only child and he said he didn’t want that for his kid.”
“One baby or ten, you’ll be a great mom.”
She smiled at him and then pointed a finger at him.
“Not a word of this at the station.”
Jason just laughed. He was used to such warnings.
****
Norman Lasiter turned his black pick-up onto South Presa Street. South Presa was his hunting ground. Here was the largest concentration of prostitutes in the city.
He cruised slowly down the east side of the road, ignoring the calls from girls on his side but looking over the girls on the west side. He knew what he was looking for. He had found her down here before and she was bound to be here again.
He circled around at the end of the block and came back along the west side.
There you are!
He noticed the tall, thin, dark-haired girl eyeing him and she stepped out to the curb.
“You looking for some fun?”
“Maybe. Are you?”
“You bet, baby.”
He didn’t look at her but stared straight ahead.
“How much?”
“Depends.”
“Just basic.”
“50”
“Okay, get in.”
The girl got in and smiled at him. Norman drove to the end of the block and turned into a parking lot. He pulled a gun and held it to her head. Her eyes grew huge.