Jay Waitkus

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Excerpted from In the Depths of Shadows by Jay Waitkus

Chapter 1

KYLE Jenning closed the door to his apartment, bounded down the stairs, and ran out to the street. There was something he had to finish.

"Woah there, young fella," said the man behind the newsstand next to the building. "Where are you off to in such a rush?"

"Hi, Mr. Davis," Kyle said. "I have an errand to run, but I've got to hurry. I'm meeting Amanda in an hour."

"Special occasion?"

"Six-month anniversary."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks. Sometimes I can't believe it. A girl like that going out with a working stiff like me."

"Hey, don't sell yourself short. You're a nice kid."

"Maybe. But you know what I mean."

"She's one in a million, no doubt about it. You're a lucky man."

"Sure am."

"I won't keep you."

"Aw, I got a couple seconds. How are you doing?"

"Can't complain. Business has been picking up lately. Lots of juicy stuff in the news."

"Really? Like what?"

"Didn't you hear? The cops found another dead girl a couple streets over. She was all cut up like that one the other day."

"Any leads?"

"Nope. But the papers are buzzing about the similarities between the killings. Both girls were blond, too."

"We've had prostitutes killed around here before. It's always pretty much the same thing."

"Ah, but the papers didn't say they were prostitutes. And even if they were, you never know. We could be on the verge of an epidemic."

"You mean like a serial killer?"

"It's possible."

"In this neighborhood?"

"What, you think the serial killers only live uptown?"

Both men chuckled.

"It is kind of interesting," Kyle said.

"And profitable," Davis replied, with a wink.

Kyle rolled his eyes and smiled.

"Page three," said Davis, handing him a paper.

"I don't have any change."

"It's on the house for you. Just don't tell your neighbors."

"Thanks. I'll read it later. But right now, I've got to go."

"See you, Kyle."

"Try not to spook your customers too much. If they move out, it'll cut into your bank account."

"Good point," Davis said, as Kyle hailed a passing cab.

"I need to go to the marina," he told the driver.

"You got it, pal," the cabby replied.

Fifteen minutes later, the car pulled up near the riverside. Kyle paid the driver, then walked the last several blocks before entering the abandoned building where Sharon Cobb was waiting.

"I'm back," Kyle said. "Ready to get down to business?"

Sharon didn't respond. Sharon couldn't respond, because she was shackled to a pillar, a rag pulled tightly over her mouth to stifle her screams. 

Chapter 27

When Kyle opened the door to his apartment, the first thing he saw was the badge.

"Nolan Sand, Detective Bureau, City PD. Do you have a moment, sir?"

"Sure," Kyle said, stepping aside to let his visitor in. "What can I do for — wait, I know who you are. Your name has been all over the news. You're investigating the murders, aren't you?"

"That's right."

"Terrible crimes."

"Yes, they are."

"So what do you want to talk to me about?"

"Like you said, it's about the murders."

"I don't understa —"

"We're widening our net a bit. Canvassing a few more areas to see what people know."

"Sounds like a good idea."

"Hopefully. I've got a couple officers on the floors below talking to some of the building's other tenants. Would you mind giving us a hand, too?" 

"I'll do what I can."

"Good. Can I have your name?"

"It's Kyle. Kyle Jenning."

"How long have you lived here, Mr. Jenning?"

"Almost two years."

"So you know the neighborhood pretty well."

"Pretty well."

"Ever see anything suspicious?" "

"In this part of town? Yeah, all the time."

Nolan smiled.

"I'll rephrase the question," he said. "Have you seen anything out of the ordinary within the last few weeks?"

Kyle shook his head.

"Sorry, but no. Not really."

"Anyone lurking around the building or alleyway? Aside from the regulars, I mean."

"No."

"Any unusual nighttime activity — noises, cars, things of that nature?"

"No, nothing unusual."

"Anyone coming or going from the building at odd hours?"

"Well, yeah, that happens quite a bit, actually. Seems like everyone around here keeps odd hours."

"And what kinds of hours do you keep?"

"Uh, do you mind if I ask why you want to know that?"

"Take it easy, I'm not trying to pry into your business. I just want to know if you've seen anything that stands out."

"Well, as I said, people around here come and go all the time. Let's face it, this isn't exactly Buckingham Palace. There's lots of laborers and other working stiffs, and some of them have night jobs. I used to work at the marina, and sometimes I'd be leaving in the morning just as other people were getting in."

"What about late at night?"

"Once in a while I'll come back here late after spending time with my girlfriend. She lives just a few blocks away."

"But you haven't seen anything out of sorts lately?"

"No, not at all."

"Okay, thanks for your time."

"Sorry I couldn't be more help."

"That's all right," Nolan said.

He turned to leave, but then stopped.

"Could I ask you about one more thing?"

"Sure," Kyle replied.

"You said you had a job at the marina?"

"Yes."

"How familiar are you with that area?"

"I know it well enough. I worked at one of the loading docks almost seven months."

"Ever notice anything unusual down there?"

"No. Just normal day-to-day activity."

"Why did you quit your job?"

"I didn't. I was fired."

"Oh."

"My boss never liked me much."

"How come?"

Kyle chuckled.

"Because he's a prick."

"Find anything else?"

"Not yet."

"All right, that'll do it. Here's my card. If you see or hear anything strange, would you mind letting me know?"

"No problem."

Nolan again turned to leave.

"Detective?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think the killer could live in this neighborhood?"

"Hard to say. Right now we're just asking questions."

"He's done a lot of damage, hasn't he?"

"Yes, he has."

"He seems pretty smart, too."

"Why do you say that?"

"No offense, but it looks like you guys are having a hard time catching him."

"Maybe. But he'll slip up eventually."

"What if he doesn't?" Kyle asked.

Nolan smiled.

"He will."

"You seem pretty sure."

"I am. Good day, Mr. Jenning."

Nolan left. Kyle closed the door. His heart was racing. God, he loved it.

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In the Depths of Shadows copyright © 2003 Jay Waitkus. Cover image by NZ Graphics.