Nolan Temple arrives in the city on Sunday morning and gets settled in the apartment he uses when he has early meetings at the studio. He loved living out in the country and most days just commutes. But with an 8:30 conference call with the production team in Europe it just made more sense to stay here for the night. And getting here early means he can go over the early edits and the changes that he has to pitch.
After dropping his suitcase in the bedroom he goes into the kitchen and opens the freezer. He stares at the selections he keeps and pulls out a rack of ribs. It would be enough for him and for Molly if she decided to join him for dinner. Setting them in a sink of water to thaw he goes to set up his laptop and get to work.
At 3:30 his phone rings and he realizes he's lost himself in his work once again. He smiles at the name he sees on the screen.
"Hey, Molly. How's crime and punishment?"
"Same old same old. Keeps me from getting bored here in Miami."
"Really?"
"Yeah, that killer I told you about struck again this week. Found the body at the lake so his head will be showing up soon." She sighs. "We just can't get a handle on him."
"I'm sorry to hear that. You know, I'm here at the apartment and planning to make ribs for dinner. How about joining me?"
She smiles. "I think that sounds great. Not sure what time I'll get there, though."
"No problem. I'll keep a plate warm for you if you're late."
"Thanks, Nolan. See you later."
"Can't wait, Molly."
He hangs up and goes into the kitchen to make sure the ribs are marinating evenly. As he brushes them carefully with his homemade sauce he smiles. He turns and goes back to the freezer, staring at the wrapped packages inside.
"Good thing I didn't plan a roast, isn't it, Saul?"
The frozen head staring back at him doesn't answer. Knowing his girlfriend may be by later, he takes the head from the freezer and double bags it before taking it down to his car. He pops the trunk and opens the cooler he keeps back there. He pops the head of his latest victim inside and closes the cooler, even taking the time to seal the latches. He'll get rid of the head tomorrow before his meeting.
And tomorrow night he'll enjoy the meat that truly makes his mouth water. Sure pork ribs were nice. But the thigh meat of a man, roasted with potatoes and onions, was a delicacy unlike any other.
Whistling a happy tune, Nolan goes back upstairs to prepare a pasta salad to go along with the ribs that he'll need to get into the oven soon so they will be ready in time for dinner.