A Dallas Suite

Chapter Twenty Two

I drove back to the office. There wasn't much more I could do at this hour, but it didn't feel right going home yet knowing they were probably still closing up the scene at Stephen's house.

I called Susan on the way home. I could tell she was already sleeping when she answered the phone. She had to work in the morning and for some reason her job allowed her to get more than four hours of sleep a night.

"Hey Babe, just wanted to let you know that there was another murder this afternoon. I'm sorry I haven't called or text you all day. Just wanted to let you know that I'll be at the office for another hour or so and I love you."

There was a few seconds of delay before she responded. Probably trying to process the thought of there being a third murder in two days. This was turning into the biggest case I had worked and definitely the quickest progression of one.

"I'm sorry, Sweetie. Well don't work too late, you still need sleep or you'll be useless in the morning. I'll see you when you get home."

I was so lucky to have a wife who was so understanding of this. Divorce rates for cops are at an all time high and it's not hard to figure out why. This isn't a job you take for a good home life or a lot of money.

I drove through the city with the windows down so I could take in the night life. The city was still going to sleep. The usual bar hoppers and homeless people still filled the sidewalks and clung to the shadows. As much as I missed country living, there was something to be said for having such an animated nightlife. Even when the majority of the country was sleeping, there were still plenty of things you could find out on the streets. It was easy to let my mind wander as I drove through the almost empty city streets.

The only thing I could think about was clearing this case. With three murders in such a short time frame, all with the same kill signature, and all of them wealthy celebrities on top of that, it wouldn't take long before a higher agency got involved. Whether it was the Texas Rangers of the FBI, I was certain someone would be taking over or at least impeding on my investigation soon.

The only real lead I had was Jeff Marshall. He's the only man at this point that would be able to help me figure out any more names of possible suspects or victims. And it seemed like he really didn't want to speak with me now. So he either knows nothing, or he's the suspect I should be looking at.

I got into the office and sat back down at my desk. I put together a new folder of Stephen and started comparing him to the other victims. I sent an email to Hope. If she didn't have any other leads from the bank account list in the morning then I wouldn't have much to go on with now three bodies. I also asked her to look more into Jeff. She had probably put in on the back burner since he wasn't a suspect. But I wasn't going to wait for him to come to me. I'd have Hope find me an address so I could meet with him first thing in the morning.

After sitting at my desk for some time and not miraculously solving the case, I decided to head home just before 1:00 AM.