Chapter 2

"Hey, Bonner. I've got a new case for you."

"Really? Good, I've been completely bored out of my skull here. Not that I sit here waiting for crime to happen I just want to get out of here and catch the bad guys."

"Yeah, yeah. I get what you mean, Jo" replied Captain Jean Russell, Jo's superior in the precinct.

Jo always thought that when she first came to this precinct, that the Captain resembled Doris Day, that's why she was never intimidated by her boss. But Jo learned that looks can be deceiving, it turns out "Doris Day", who stands only 5'1 and is in her mid 40s is a tough old broad. Once when Jo was 2 minutes late Captain Russell completely let Jo have it. Jo felt as if she had come home after a date past curfew. She takes no crap from anyone and she doesn't really laugh, but Jo admires her anyway.

"You see these pictures, Jo?"

"Yeah, Cap, who are these people?"

"These are the victims of James Ballin. He has hijacked 4 cars in the past month and has killed everyone of the passengers. These are the passengers of the cars he hijacked."

"Bullet wound, knife wound, strangulation and what is this last one?"

"The last one died from a major blow to the head. Apparently the sicko, pretends to be a hitchhiker and he hitches a ride with some lonely travelers and passersby."

"...and he likes to kill them in a different way each time apparently. How do you know it's Ballin? Were there any eyewitnesses?

"The last victim was killed near a gas station. Some newlywed couple spotted Ballin in the passenger side of the car and they came forward with information after hearing about the murder."

"Have you checked Ballin's record?"

"Yeah, he has been in an out of foster homes his whole life. He went to reform school, "juvy" for arson and robberies he has committed. He was sent to prison two years ago, for nearly beating a guy to death, but he was eligible for parole and got out with good behavior."

Jo sighs dramatically, "Of course he did. So are there any leads of where he might be at?"

"He said to still be in the area somewhere, driving an old white Volkswagen van. Do you think you and Cary can handle this case?"

"Yes, cap. We are a great team, just look at our past experiences. Apparently we always get our man."

"Okay, Jo. Please find this guy, its freaks like these who exacerbate my insomnia."

"Yes ma'am!"

Jo runs off to find Cary, and together they get into Cary's old Toyota Corolla to do some investigating.

"Jo, I just don't understand why do we always have to take my piece of crap car. Why can't we take your sweet ride."

"Because, it is a sweet ride, and I don't want anything to happen to it. It is like my baby, my second baby to Jamie. Besides you should be glad that you have a "piece of crap car", many people who are stuck riding the city bus, would give their right arm for a "piece of crap car".

"Do you always have to talk in quotations?" Cary grinned wickedly.

"Only when I am around you, now let's get serious." Just as Jo gives her snarky remark her cell phone rings.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Mrs. Joanne Bonner?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"This is Dr. Rich Hamilton of St. Luke's Hospital, I have some terrible news for you."

"Well, what is it?" Came Jo's angry question. She was getting nervous and sick to her stomach. Please don't let it be Jamie, please don't let it be Jamie..."

"Your daughter has been in an accident..." the doctor continued to talk to Jo as soothingly as possible even though he knew no matter how gentle he put his words they wouldn't take the pain away.

Jo hung up the phone with angry hot tears streaming down her face.

"St Luke's Hospital, go there now!" Jo practically screamed at Cary.

"Jo, what's wrong? Who's at the hospital?" Cary asked genuinely concerned for Jo and her family.

"Jamie is dying."