As they had predicted, there was nothing that was of any use to them at the scene. The cars had been towed and new pavement had even been put down.
"Well, so much for anything being here. Where was the next scene?" Rory asked solemnly.
"Jake was in the alleyway behind Dutchies' Bakery. Three blocks back the way we came." Derek answered.
Again the three returned to their vehicle and started on their drive. This one only took twenty minutes. But like the first scene, there was nothing to assist them with any identity or pattern this killer might have. So they continued to the cliff that Cass had been run off on the outskirts of New York. This was another two hour drive to the other side of the city and past the city limits sign by three miles. The only thing they found there was the joker that Jack had mentioned.
"So what now? We still have absolutely no clue who this guy is, what he wants, or why he's killing us off."
"Calm down Jack. We'll head back to the hotel and continue our day like nothing has happened and then tonight when we go to the races we'll do some poking around. That alright with you Derek?"
"Yeah, sure Leigh. Let's get going though. I don't really want to be stranded out here where no one can hear us scream."
Again the three returned to the car and started off towards the hotel. The ride had been silent while they each entertained different scenarios and possibilities in their heads. Four of them were dead and they were the last three. Four of their best friends were dead and they had no idea why. Even if they knew who it was they would be able to find out why but they didn't. So they would have to wait. Wait for what though? Someone else to die? For this guy to get sloppy and leave something incriminating behind? How long would they have to wait and what were they waiting for?
That was it. It wasn't what they were waiting for, it was who. Who was the one person on the planet that would love nothing more than to see them fail? Who was the only one who was brave enough to stand against them? The only was that the only person like that was an old feeble man that lived in an old folks home named Elie. And he wouldn't hurt a fly.
"Hey guys, is there anyone at the track that you pissed off lately?" Rory asked.
"Not that I can think of. But there was this new kid that was looking for trouble last week. He called himself OverRide. Drove like shit too." Jack answered.
"Was that the same kid that tried to jump Cass last week?" Derek said.
"Yeah I think so. It was either him or his buddy. Now I don't remember his name at all. It was something weird too…hammer or something?" Jack replied.
"Huh, how far are we from the hotel?" Rory asked.
"Still about forty minutes or so. So, Logan huh? Logan what?" Jack countered. It was typical for Jack and Derek to be so protective of her after her last boyfriend and Rory knew it, but that didn't mean that she had to let them grill Logan when she wasn't around so instead they grill her. Yipee.
"Logan Huntzberger. His father is the Newspaper Mogul and the head of Huntzberger Media."
"And he treats you well right?" Derek.
"Yes Derek, half the time I think I'm a princess."
"Good, so when do we get the one on one with him?" Jack.
"How about when you sprout another head?"
"Now that's just mean Leigh. Are you saying you'd rather I was mutated?" Jack again.
"Jack, it would be a long overdue improvement." Rory replied.
"Hey, that's not nice either!" Jack said pretending to take offence.
"Okay, seriously Leigh, we want to take this boy of yours and his two buddies out for a night on the town later okay? And you can't exactly blame us for looking out for you. That last guy was totally fucked up." Derek said.
No matter how much she tried she could never not like Derek. Though he was annoying and rarely talked to her over the phone, he was still always around when she needed him, even when she thought she didn't.
"Okay, you two can take the three stooges out on a few conditions. One, I want my boys back in the same condition that they left in. Two, you do not threaten them or in any way attempt to scare them off because like it or not Logan could kick your asses. And three, if I hear about anything that you have said or done to harm them physically, mentally, emotionally, or in any other way, shape, or form, I will hunt you down myself. Are we clear?"
"Got it." They said together.
The rest of the ride was as silent as the beginning until they approached the Hilton. It was noon and everybody was starving when they reached Logan and Rory's suite.
"So where do y'all want to go for lunch? There's the Hard Rock Café down the street or there's Rinaldo's around the corner and then there's Mocxi's across the way." Rory suggested walking through the door.
"Well, we were wondering when you would return. Mocxi's sounds good to me, what about you guys?" Logan answered.
"They have food right? So why would we be objecting?" Finn asked.
"Okay, so here's the plan. I've got some stuff to do this afternoon so Steph will be coming with me and you three boys will be going with Derek and Jack. If they threaten you in any way let me know. And Finn, please don't get too drunk tonight. Now let's go, I'm hungry."
Lunch had been filled with laughter from everyone and it had seemed like Derek and Jack actually genuinely liked Logan and his friends but they had fooled her before so Rory really wasn't holding their behaviour at a trusting level. But she didn't have time to decipher their actions, instead she had to meet with a few old contacts and establish some new ones without getting herself killed. That was part of the reason Steph was along. Something she had noticed with all the murders was there was never anyone that was not intended to die in the vehicle or vicinity. They were all alone. So, with this information, if she was right, as long as she had company with her in addition to Derek and/or Jack then they should be alright for the time being. She just hoped that it wouldn't piss the killer off too much.