The telephone rang as
Selange changed out of the evening dress and slipped on a casual set of clothes. It stopped then rang again and she grabbed the phone up from the bed.
Shanda’s father greeted her on the
opposite end.
“Hi Selange, I’ve been calling all day. I’m glad I caught you, is Shanda around?”
“I just came home Mr. Johnson, let me check.”
She carried the
phone around the house checked Shanda’s bedroom, n
othing except a heap of
clothes on the bed. The other rooms were empty, too. “
No, s
he’s not here.”
“Did she tell you her plans?”
“She was waiting for Jay when I went out yesterday, w
hy, is something wrong?”
Detective Johnson sighed, “Not necessarily, usually she calls. We haven’t heard
from her
since yesterday. If she comes in tell her to call me or her mom, okay?
”
“
I will
.”
“Thanks.”
She hung-up then immediately dialed Shanda’s cell phone and got
her
voice-mail.
Selange began to worry. She checked the caller ID to see if Shanda called at all.
Last night at 8:52 Jay’s home number appeared, she remembered answering
the telephone as her friend dressed. She hit redial and an older woman answered.
The raspy high-pitched voice shouted,
“Yeah, who’s
this?”
“Hi I’m calling to speak to Jay.”
“That boy ‘
aint
here,” the woman said irritably. She screamed at someone in the background then said, “I wish you
fast
girl’s stop
ped
call
ing here all hours of the night. Call
his damn cell phone
wil’ya
!”
“Can I have the number,
please.
”
She barked out several digits then slammed the telephone down.
Selange dialed Jay’s number. It rang several times, not even the voice mail. Where the hell
were they
?
She returned downstairs
,
Alfonzo sat on the floral sofa looking
at a picture
s
of
her with her mom and dad in happier days.
She sat next to him, “It’s strange,
y’know
my friend’s father called. He hasn’t
talked to Shanda
since yesterday. It’s weird. Shanda always speaks to her parents.
”
Alfonzo returned the picture to its place on the coffee table.
“It’s Saturday night, she’s probably still hangin
g
out.” He said reassuringly.
“ I
don’t know, she’s not answering her cell phone, nothing.”
Alfonzo recalled hearing music from a cell phone from the kitchen area. He sat forward.
“Was she hanging with Jay?”
“
W
hen I left she was waiting for him.”
“Do you have Jay‘s number?”
“Yes, I tried calling and he’s not answering.”
Alfonzo didn’t like the sound of this. He
exhaled
sharply,
he hoped Domingo hadn’t prematurely taken care of Jay. He got out his cell and contacted him to find out.
Domingo’s voice was calm.
Relaxed.
“
Wassup
cuz
?”
Selange was staring at him anxiously. He spoke in rapid Spanish, “Jay’s missing you
know
anything about it?”
“Nah, really, what you mean missing?”
“I’m at the house. He and Shanda aren’t here and the family is getting worried. So, talk to me
cuz
.”
Domingo’s voice sobered. The high wore off. “On my word
cuz
, I got nothing to do with that!”
Alfonzo breathed heavily. Whenever, Domingo gave his word
he was usually telling the truth.
Besides his cousin wouldn’t lie to him about something this important.
“Alright, keep your eyes and ears out. Feel me?”
“Yeah…yeah…I feel you.”
Alfonzo disconnected and Selange asked, “Has he seen him?”
“No, I just told him to keep his eyes out for Jay.”
Her chin fell, “Oh.”
Thank goodness she
wasn’t fluent in Spanish
.
Selange jumped at the sound of a ring-tone, “What the hell, that’s Shanda’s parents calling
..
.
that
’s
Shanda’s cell
. She always takes it with her
!
”
Shanda programmed ring-tones to identify callers
and she never went anywhere without the device
.
To Shanda it was a connection to the world.
Alfonzo stood and followed the sound
and
stopped at the
e
ntranceway
to
the kitchen
in the direction the sound emanated.
There were bloodstains on the floor and he put his arm out to prevent Selange from walking forward. The d
roplets of blood
ran from
the sink
, it trailed to a
door
leading to the garage
.
He turned around suddenly
when
Selange pushed his arm
attempting
to gain entry. He blocked her with his body, forcing her to face him as he gripped her arms.
Not again, I can’t let her go through that again!
“
S
tay
right
here,
you understand me. Do not move from this spot Selange.
I’ll check
it
out.”
She held his arm, “
What
’s going on. Is my entire life a nightmare
Alfonzo.
Am I going
crazy.
What’s happening
?”
The fear on her face tore at his heart.
He wrapped her in his arms, “It’s
okay,
you’re
far from crazy. I’ll check it out. Please
just stay here and call the police.”
She nodded,
“
Okay, okay honey.
”
D
id she say honey? The endearment caused him to squeeze tighter before releasing her.
She went to get the telephone and he followed the bloodstains leading to
the
door.
Through the glass panes he
s
aw Selange’s Mercedes
but everything else was dark
.
He opened the door slowly and traced his fingers along the wall
and
flicked on the light
s. There was nothing except gardening tools line
d
neatly against the wall and the car. With
cautious
steps he moved toward the car and as he neared saw the large pools of blood staining the dark ground.
What the hell is going on?
He
avoided contaminating any evidence as he
reached the car and pee
red through the side window.
Oh shit!
A body lay prone on the backseat with
its
’ legs tucked sideways. He could not see the face but
it was a male judging by the
physique
.
A
designer
purse lay across the front seat along with a silver cell phone.
Shanda’s undoubtedly. A small red light flashed steadily warning of a low battery.
He glanced around, where was Shanda?
He circled the car,
then
squatted to look underneath before rising and using the edge of his shirt to open the driver’s door, reach inside and pop the trunk. He checked there, nothing except automotive equipment.
Alfonzo
shut
the trunk
then spun around searching with his eyes.
Thinking.
Analyzing.
Concocting theories.
Trying to find a plausible explanation for this mayhem and finding none except one. The killer was striking at his heart. Sending a message, taunting him and he
scowled with impotent rage. He cursed himself for not parting ways with Selange
or
breaking the emotional attachment before it grew into what it is now, love. Yes, he should have walked away but he didn’t and she was in danger
. The killer was out to destroy him!
Certain nothing else was amiss he returned to Selange who stood at the entranceway
clutching the telephone.
“Tell me, is Shanda dead, is that her blood…tell me?”
He led her back to the living
-
room, “Did you call the police?”
“Yes,” she said, “
d
id you find Shanda?”
“No,” He answered in a whisper.
Her breathing became rapid.
“Selange…relax…breathe slower…take deep breaths,” he instructed.
The panic stricken face relaxed and her breathing regulated.
Did she suffer from asthma or panic attacks?
Alfonzo hugged her, “I’m here…I’m here
bonita
.”
She dug her face in his chest crying, “What’s going on Alfonzo, what’s happening?”
He didn’t know, however he was determined to find out! First he needed to ensure she
was fine
then call Detective Winoski for some answers. The police knew something and they were going to tell him!
“Do you need a doctor?”
“No…no…I’m
good just scared.
”
“Don’t be, I’m here.” He hugged tighter,
“Does your friend have a brown and gold purse?”
Her head jerked back
up
, “Um-h
um.”
“Her bag is out in the car and
the
cell phone.”
“Shanda takes
her
cell phone everywhere.”
He tried to think of a way to tell her the bad news and settled on the straightforward approach. He could hear sirens and if he didn’t tell her now she’d find out when the police arrived. His lips moved, “Jay’s dead.”
“What…where?”
“In the garage
,
but there’s no sign of your friend.”
“Oh my God!”
The sirens blared in the distance getting louder as
it neared.
“
We should call her dad.”
This suggestion gave her a new direction. Her mind was temporarily diverted as she dialed the number and spoke to Detective Johnson. The conversation was
brief,
he supposed Shanda’s father was on his way. His jaw clicked from the tension of being held firmly closed and he relaxed his face although the tension in his body remained. This entire situation, the murders, his assault and Shanda’s disappearance was not a coincidence. Who
did he
anger?
He worked it through. The enemies he
knew of were
street punks and cowards. They’d do a drive-by
then hide.
No, they weren’t
homicidal maniacs. Whoever this Freddie guy worked for, whatever he was doing now was strictly for sport. He was angered, letting Alfonzo know their fight wasn’t over until one or both were dead!
Alfonzo
frowned. Selange could not stay here. She had become his responsibility. There was a crazed killer on the loose and unless he was caught he was certain to kill again.
“Detective Johnson is going to do everything to find Shanda.” He reassured her. He thought, and so will I.
Sirens
stopped.
They
embraced.
Strobe lights collected at the driveway
sending colorful lights dancing in the night
.
They walked together to the door to allow the police entry.
Cops streamed in.
Questions.
Alfonzo pointed toward the kitchen.
More officers began canvassing the house.
Yet, a
nother crime scene.
FBI agents interrogated Alfonzo concerning organized crime and a Luzo Palazzo.
NYPD Detectives questioned Selange about a man name
d
Freddie
.