Crockett and the people he'd called in had set up base in a conference room by the Sheriff's office. They hadn't had official confirmation that it was the serial killer who'd taken John, but they were fairly sure. The team had searched John's place and questioned neighbors, but they hadn't found any clues. They had case files concerning the previous victims laid out for comparison, and the similarities couldn't be denied.
They didn't want to cause mass hysteria, but they had to warn the public. An alert would be put in the paper and the news would have a special report, and the hunt would be on to find John Gage before it was too late.
Bellingham navigated for DeSoto as they were called out to check on a child who'd fallen out of a tall tree after a domestic dispute occurred within the home. Vince was already on the scene and breaking the parents apart as they fought.
Bellingham and DeSoto quickly got to work and contacted Rampart. They did as advised, and the child was soon on the way to the hospital as Roy rode in the ambulance while Bellingham drove the squad. Vince followed behind them with the grandmother of the child. He'd had back-up so they escorted the parents to the station to await charges of assault and child endangerment.
The grandmother had been the one to call the police and paramedics. Vince did his best to calm her on the ride to the hospital. She hadn't wanted to ride in the front of the ambulance.
They arrived and Vince escorted the woman into the hospital behind where DeSoto was helping get the child into a treatment room. Vince waited with the woman in the waiting room as she sniffled. Sooner rather than later, DeSoto finally came out of the room with Nurse McCall
Nurse McCall approached and said "Ms. Miller, you can see your grandson now."
The grandmother cried out with happiness as Dixie escorted her to her grandson's room.
Vince glanced at DeSoto and said "I'm sorry about John, Roy."
DeSoto grimaced and said "Yeah. Hopefully we'll figure out what's going on soon. Chet and I filed that report this morning. We still haven't gotten any word back."
Vince grimaced and sighed as he said "Roy, you can't repeat this, but John's been taken. He's not just missing."
Roy grimaced and said "What?"
Vince continued "My boss and Detective Crockett had a meeting this morning, and I was there too. My boss found a manila envelope at the station this morning, and it contained pictures of John tied up and presumed unconscious."
DeSoto sputtered and said "W-wh-what do you mean t-tied up? Where's he at? What's going on?"
Vince grimaced and continued "We don't know. We're still waiting on more information, but an investigation has started, and I wouldn't be surprised if something shows up in the news later. I'll keep you informed either way."
DeSoto nodded and frowned as he said "Vince, you could get in trouble for telling me this."
Vince nodded and said "I know, but you needed to know."
DeSoto responded "Thanks, Vince. I'll talk to you later. Bellingham's getting a few supplies and then we're leaving again."
Vince nodded and watched as DeSoto left with his temporary partner.
Jason smirked as he locked his house's door behind him and got into his car. He had so much fun when carefully developing the newest round of photos to drop off at the sheriff's department that he'd initially left the first round of pictures at. He really loved photography. Plus, with the multiple cameras he kept, no one could truly track him based upon the type of camera he used.
He could always mail the photos, but it was easier to make the miles-long trip in his car from Kern county back to Los Angeles. He'd just put on a cap to disguise his identity and pay one of the street walkers to deliver the envelope for him the next morning. He'd even left the clueless detectives a note.
He knew that he'd never be caught. He was so much smarter than those idiots who had been trying to track him down for the past few months. He had absolutely no fear of being caught.
The day had been packed full of rescues, and DeSoto and Bellingham were exhausted by the time they got back from their last run. They'd had to rescue someone who had wrecked their car and later responded to someone who'd burned themselves after lighting a cigarette at a gas station pump after dark. The engine had to come out for that one.
They all came back after that and shared a late night meal. Chet was more subdued than usual, especially since Johnny wasn't present. Chet had gone quiet when Captain Stanley had turned on the television for the late night news and the television showed footage of an official statement that was issued earlier that day.
Marco quickly turned up the volume as they all focused on the television. They listened as some investigator stood beside Lieutenant Crockett and the Sheriff. They were talking about the serial killer that had been targeting California for the past few months.
They all listened as the report detailed "It is suspected that the serial killer is in the Los Angeles area. We are reviewing the case as more information becomes available, but we are led to believe that the killer has abducted someone from this area. Early this morning, the Sheriff came into the possession of an envelope which contained photographs of a restrained individual by the name of John Gage who had been reported missing by colleagues only hours after the initial discovery of the photos. It is suspected that he was taken by the serial killer. If you have any information that pertains to this case or could help, please contact the station. Stay wary and stay safe."
Stoker turned off the television after the report. Captain Stanley's face was grim while DeSoto clenched his fist and Chet left the room. All of them were worried for their friend. It was quite hard for any of them to fall asleep peacefully that night.
The woman huffed as she dropped the manila envelope off outside of the Sheriff's department where she'd been directed to go by the weird guy. She wouldn't have bothered doing it, but she'd needed the money. It was still dark, and the street was pretty much vacated. She quickly left and went on with her business. She finally had some money to spend on bills.
The Sheriff sighed as he spotted the manila envelope. He dreaded the contents that he knew were likely within the envelope. He took it to the room where their investigation was actively being laid out and researched and waited for Crockett to arrive.
He didn't have to wait long. The Sheriff tensed his jaw as he pointed at the manila envelope that laid on the table in front of him. He and Crockett shared a look of worry as Crockett sighed and rubbed his forehead.
Crockett spoke "Go ahead and open it. The others are in the break room getting coffee. We all walked in around the same time."
The Sheriff nodded and opened the dreaded envelope. He carefully removed the contents and spread them out on the table. They both glanced at the photos briefly, and Crockett lifted the note that had been included with the photos.
He read aloud "I'm sure that you have your suspicions, but here is confirmation. I am who you think I am, and I will not stop until everyone knows who is superior. I am just one of the means to culling the population of those who do not fit the perfect race. They must be shown that the whites are superior!"
They were both startled slightly as they heard Vince curse from the doorway.
Vince entered while holding his coffee in one hand and the other curled into a tight fist by his side.
Vince spoke "So this is the official confirmation. Do you want me to get the lead investigator?"
Crockett nodded and Vince left to get the head investigator that Crockett had called in when the case was first opened. He hated that this killer was targeting the people of California, but it was even worse that his latest fascination had landed on John Gage who was well-admired by many in LA, and even beyond.
Vince and the head investigator soon came in with a few of his team and caught sight of the photos immediately. He soon took the note from Crockett and read it with a frown on his face.
He spoke "We'll have to schedule another conference for this evening. This is official confirmation. The people of LA have to know what kind of danger they may be in."
He sat the note back on the table and glanced at the photos on the table. They all shared a moment of grim silence as they continued staring at the newest update on what was being done to John Gage.
Vince took one last look at the photos and said "I've got to go for my normal patrol now. Keep me updated."
Crockett nodded and Vince left. He had to call Station 51 and update Roy on the newest development in the case.
DeSoto answered the phone and motioned to everyone as he was greeted with Vince's voice.
He then questioned "Vince, is there anything new? Any progress on finding the guy? Are you sure that it's the same guy that's been going after minorities?"
Vince sighed and replied "We got confirmation today that it was the guy. He sent in a note to LASD confirming it along with more photos. The initial photos sent in were an indicator, but this is confirmation. We're holding another conference later today, but I figured that I'd go ahead and give you the new information now. We're still looking for him, DeSoto, and we won't stop until we find him."
Roy exhaled shakily and responded "Thanks, Vince. Keep us informed."
He then hung up the telephone as he faced the rest of the crew.
He sighed as he spoke "Vince just confirmed that it's the killer that's been around for a few months. They apparently got a note and more photos this morning. He said that they're scheduling another conference for confirmation to the public this evening."
Chet cursed and angrily waved his hands as he yelled "Why? This is so wrong! I know that I joke about race all the time, but his jerk's gone and hurt people! Why would anyone do that?! Why would anyone intentionally hurt Johnny?"
Captain Stanley tensed his jaw and approached Chet.
He gently sat his hand on Chet's shoulder and sighed as he said "I don't know, Chet. I can't answer those questions. All I can say is that we need to stick together and hope that John is found alive."
Chet took a deep breath to calm himself as he nodded.
Chet responded "Yeah. You're right. I'm going to go clean the latrines."
Captain Stanley nodded as the others dispersed to finish their duties. Roy and Stanley shared a look and Stanley nodded at him with a solemn smile.
The klaxons soon sounded, and Squad 51 was called out for duty.
Johnny grimaced as he slurred through gritted teeth "You think this will break me, but you're wrong. I experienced worse than this back when I grew up on the reservation!"
Jason grinned as he wiped blood off of the knife he'd just used to carve those wretched words into Johnny's arms and torso. He gently sat the knife down on a small table that he'd brought close. He then walked across the room and grabbed his camera again.
Jason spoke "Well then, I suppose that I should warn you that my plans for tomorrow's session will be much more painful. Smile for the camera again, redskin. Your worst nightmare has only just begun."
Note: Please know that Johnny's words are slurred when he has dialogue for now. I wasn't sure how to write someone slurring their words, and I wanted to be clear on what was being said. He is still understandable when he speaks, but he is slurring his words.