The tower : A New start

A war council of sorts

They gathered around the coffee table they'd moved from the living room to discuss their next move. The Marshals sitting on the chairs they gotten form the kitchen while Sapphire and Alex shared the lounge. The contents of Alex's file lay spread before them.

“Why didn't anyone connect The Butcher with the serial killer here in this town?” Deacon asked as he examined the various murder cases in front of them.

“My guess is they didn't find a connection at the time. Even if the M O was the same it may not have clicked because he could have been improving his methods bit by bit so somethings may have been the same and yet there was some differences; enough that those investigating might not have seen the connection.” Alex surmised thoughtfully.

“The changes would have been subtle. Subtle enough not to indicate a drastic change, yet enough to keep law enforcement from connecting the cases and realizing that one man is responsible for a much larger set of murders.” Mace said quietly.

Sapphire was sitting there sifting through memories of her attack. What if there's a clue there, she thought, what if he said something that may be the key to everything. She heard everything the men said and weighed it with what she knew of The Butchers actions when he attacked her.

“So, what do we actually know about him?”Deacon asked looking at each of them pointedly.

“He breaks into his victims homes without causing any damage to locks and he's smart enough to get around most security systems with ease.” Mace said.

“He gets off torturing his victims allowing them to believe he is a cannibal with the use of spices as if he is preparing meat for a meal while cutting them to pieces. He is also not afraid to kill anyone else if they get in the way of his goal.” Alex added.

“He knew me.” Sapphire whispered, “My name. He used it on and off.”

The men turned toward her surprised at the announcement. “what are you saying, Sapphire?” Mace asked softly almost afraid of the answer.

She looked at him, “He wasn't random when he picked me. He took the time to find out my name.” There was a swift intake of breathe from the others.

“That changes things.” Deacon said thoughtfully.

“He has a tendency to ramble on while he's cutting you up, like he's having a conversation with you.” Sapphire stated, “and he lays not only his tools where you can see them but other items as well. Items such as your house key or security codes, pictures, even copies of your emails.”

Alex closed his eyes at the picture he was getting from what she'd said. The Butcher was more than your average serial killer. It seemed he liked to know his victims. He could probably recall the names of each and every one judging by what Sapphire had just told them.

They all sat lost in their own thoughts for a long time; each mulling over what they now knew. Sapphire finally rose and walked about the room obviously uncomfortable with the silence. Finally, she spoke, “It's getting time for supper. Is there anything you gentleman would like?”

The three men looked at her when she finally broke the silence, them back at each other. They indicated they were alright with whatever she chose and Sapphire headed to the kitchen to get them all some food. She pulled out four boneless fried chicken dinners and per the instructions placed them in the oven. While she waited for the meals to cook she started water for coffee and collected silverware, coffee makings, and placemates. She carried them to the library where the men had cleared the files and were engaged in some light hearted banter. They helped her place the items on the coffee table.

“You alright?” Alex asked in concern as he noted her slight pallor.

Sapphire nodded, “ Yeah just hungry and needing something besides our earlier topic of conversation to think on for a bit.” Alex nodded and gave her hand a squeeze.

“We'll figure this out. Don't worry.” he reassured her and was rewarded with a watery smile. Unfortunately, whatever she was about to say was interrupted by the tea kettle's imperious whistle and Sapphire hurried out the door to attend to the kettle and check the food. Several minutes later, she returned with the tea kettle and coffee was made. She joined in the lighthearted banter and teasing.

“Mace, on the trip down here, you had to be the boss. You had a schedule and everything. Deacon often referred to you as King Mace behind your back.” Sapphire said with a mischievious grin.

Mace gave Deacon a mock look of horror, “You didn't.”

Deacon laughed, “Oh I did. And you were. If we left later than you thought we should we had to listen to you fuss for the next two hours.”

Mace snorted, “Well someone had to keep on track what with you scaring poor Sapphire half the time.”

It was now Deacons turn to look affronted, “That was only once because they neglected to tell us she didn't like to be touched.”

Sapphire shook her head, “Only because I asked them not to mention it. I was embarrassed that I was always so afraid.”

Mace smile at her, “There's no reason for you to be embarrassed. Sh*t, had I'd been through what you'd been through I'd have probably been unable to ever live on my own again.”

Sapphire smiled back, “well, a wise man once told me if you let fear rule your life you'll never have the courage to live.” She got quiet a moment, “I think supper is ready. I'll be right back.”

She returned a little while later with two dinners which she placed on the table and then returned with the other two a little later. The four of them sat down to eat. They continued with the lighthearted teasing through out dinner.

Finally, Mace said, “ I think that we should continue as we have been. Alex is right we don't know who is doing these things. From what I've seen in the files, warped gifts are not really his style nor are scare tactics. He's more wait and watch, then strike when the time suits him.”

“You're right, Mace. These last occurances are more like some fanatic trying to cash in on The Butcher's claim to fame. Which is probably not a good game to play.” Deacon agreed, “Besides like Alex said if we move you it would probably give our fanatic and The Butcher an opening to you.”

Sapphire nodded, “I know that and I don't want to move. I mean if he's found me here then it will only be a matter of time before he finds me again where ever you move me to.”

Alex nodded, “That's true, Sapphire. Either way we will have to face him, because I'm not letting you out of my sight.”

Silence filled the room as they sipped their coffee deep in thought. Suddenly, the phone began ringing startling them all. They filed out of the room into the hall and Sapphire hit the speaker phone button when she answered, “Hello?”

Silence.

“Hello.”

Heavy breathing filled the line and then a whispered reply, “Girl-lee, do you miss me?”

“This is not funny!” Sapphire snapped, “Call again and I'm calling the cops.” With that she slammed the speaker phone button to hang up and glared at it as if daring it to ring again.

Which it did. She snapped up the phone and snapped, “ What!”

“Ms. Rose, This is Sheriff Irish. I am calling to inform you we have an Id on the prints we got off the package and are picking the man up. Is everything alright?” Said the voice on the line.

“No, I think he just called me pretending to to be someone else. When you called I thought it was him again. I'm sorry for snapping” She explained.

“It's alright. I'll be right over to get a statement from you and we will see if the phone company can trace the call. Are you alone or do you have someone with you?” Sheriff Irish asked all business.

“I've got my landlord and Mace and Deacon with me right, now.” Sapphire reassured him.

“Good, good. It's best you are not alone until we have him in custody.” The Sheriff said. He asked a few more questions and hung up. Sapphire leaned against the wall exhausted from everything.

Mace and Deacon checked to see if her voice mail recorded anything from the call while Alex checked the locks and security system. Fury rode him hard, this was his home as well as hers and this thug was invading it in everyway possible. Now, even he didn't feel safe and that was not a feeling he enjoyed.

Minutes later, the police arrived, unfortunately, they were unable to get a trace on the call. However, her voice mail recorded the call and the police were able to make a copy of it.

“I need to know why this guy would want to torment you by pretending to be a known and dangerous serial killer?” Sheriff Irish asked Sapphire.

Mace interceeded, “That is information Marshal Deacon and I will have to clear with our headquarters first.”

The Sheriff glared at Mace obviously upset at being informed that he wasn't cleared to receive the answer to his questions. “Well. I suggest you contact your headquarters and get it cleared. I cannot do my job with your d****d road blocks.” He snapped. During all this, Mace was on the phone to headquarters getting permission to share information with the local cops. Unfortunately, it would take a day or two.

The sheriff ran a hand through his greying hair in frusteration amd continued glaring at Mace and Deacon. He squared his burly shoulders and said, “Have your headquarters call me asap.” Then he nodded to Sapphire, “Ma'am” and saluted Alex before leaving.

Sapphire eyed the phone warily and then glanced at the men. “Mace, Deacon if you want you can crash here tonight since it's getting late” she offered. Both men decided to stay and called the bed and breakfast to let them know they'd be back in the morning.

Alex spoke up, “I'm going to check my locks and security. Then if it's ok I'll grab two cots and bring them down. One of you can take the sofa, the other can use on of the cots and I'll use one in the kitchen. Then both doors will be guarded. Also if they try to come through my place they'll get a little surprise. I have a liking for booby traps.”

Mace, Deacon, and Sapphire were alright with Alex's idea. At least they'd know where each other was and if one of them needed help they'd have it. They were all on eggshells after the events of the day. Sapphire had a feeling it was going to be a long week, too.

While Alex got the cots, Sapphire got extra blankets and pillows for everyone. Mace and Deacon prowled around checking and double checking locks and the security system which only made Sapphire nervous. So she went into the kitchen to make a pot of tea to calm her down some otherwise she'd never get to sleep.

While she sat sipping her tea the guys were setting up the cots and making their beds. She glanced over as Alex swept in with the last cot. She watched as he set it up. Always quick and efficient it took Alex a short time to set up and make his bed. As he finished, Alex glanced up and gave Sapphire a wink and a smile. She smiled back, rinsed her cup and headed to her room.

In her room, Sapphire changed into a blue tank top and matching blue pajama pants. She pulled her blankets down and sat on her bed brushing her hair. She'd already taken her medications at dinner so she didn't need to worry about that.

She planned out her next day as she always did before bed and then picked up her laptop. She had an article due in two days. She really needed to work on it, especially, since she'd gotten nothing done today. Sitting cross legged on her bed she began to work, meticulously, editing as she wrote. She'd been at it for half hour when she heard a sound at her window and glanced up.

“What the h***!” she muttered as she sat the computer aside and turned to face the window further.

There in her window was a face! Pale and distorted, it stared back at her. It's ghoulish mouth gaped in a silent scream. Biting back her own scream, Sapphire backed off the bed until she touched the wall. She then slid toward the door and all the while the eyes followed her. Suddenly she felt the doornob behind her. Spinning she flung the door open with a crash as it hit the wall and bolted into the hallway.

She was halfway to the kitchen when she hit a solid wall of muscle.

Alex caught her and wrapped his arms around her briefly before holding her away. “What's wrong?” He asked as Mace and Deacon came skidding to a halt a few feet away. Both men glanced between Sapphire and the door while she took a couple of breaths to compose herself.

“There was someone watching me. I could see his face in the window.” She finally said through the tears threatening to spill and the constant shudders.

“Can you describe him?” Mace asked earning a glance from Alex.

“He was pale. His features appeared distorted and his mouth gaped open like he was screaming. He followed my movements all the way to the door.” She shuddered as she described what she'd seen. Deacon came out of her room and glanced at the other two.

“He's still there and he's gutsy enough to stay put when you walk up to the window. '” Deacon growled anger filling his voice.

“Alex, stay with her. Sapphire put in your code, I'm going out back to have a look. Deacon check out front. We should be able to catch him if he's still out there.” Mace snapped orders like a military commander to his soldiers.

Alex stood with Sapphire as she put in her code to allow the other two to investigate. They both paced as they waited for the return of the Marshals. It seemed like forever before they returned and Deacon was the first to return. Mace entered a few minutes later.

“I didn't see anyone leave, but I did find evidence that someone climbed over the wall. It looks like they used a ladder.” Deacon reported.

“I didn't catch anyone either,” Mace said, “But I found this wedged in the lattace in the planter outside the bedroom window. Someone had pushed it up against the window somehow so the face could be seen.” He held a ghoulish mask in his hand.

Again Sapphire shuddered. “Well, Sheriff Irish is not going to be happy to be back out here again, tonight. I'm going to seem like the most paranoid person in the world to him.”

Alex shook his head, “Honey, I think I've got you beat. He's already labeled me that due to my always requiring an Id of anyone paying me a visit. Let's give him a call.”

Five minutes later, Sheriff Irish was back at the house looking grizzled as if he'd just been woke. “I wish the pranksters would keep the pranks for Halloween or April fools.” He growled. Sapphire wished they leave the pranks out of it altogether if that's what this was.

He had people collecting evidence while he questioned Sapphire, Alex and the Marshals. “Ya know Alex, this guy, whoever he is, is becoming a pain in my arse.” He sighed as he examined the bagged mask, “I'm throwing the book at him when I catch him just for ruining my night.”

By the time the police finished searching, the entire courtyard had been searched as well as the area of the wall the culprit climbed to place the mask. They found ladder imprints, footprints, partial finger prints and a piece of bloodied cloth hanging on one of the spikes. “It appears our culprit cut himself.” an officer told the Sheriff as he showed him the cloth.

“Get this to the lab along with the rest of it. I want the results asap.” Sheriff Irish ordered bruskly and turned to Sapphire, “Call if anything else happens.” Then he said his goodbyes and left his men to wrap things up.

By the time, the police finished and left it was well after midnight. Everyone was exhausted. Sapphire pulled the chaise lounge into the hall against the wall, grabbed her pillows, blankets, and laptop and settled onto the chaise. Her room door was firmly closed as was the library. There was no way she was going to be able to sleep in her room that night not after the mask incident. She snuggled under the blankets, but was unable to sleep. She hoped the morning would bring good news and peace once more because she didn't know if she could handle another prank. Either she'd become a raving mad lunatic and start on a prankster killing spree or a crazy shut in that triple Id'd every visiter. That was the last thought she had before she drifted into a fitful sleep.