Chapter 27: Yellow is Bad
******Friday******
Keith Mars had played the interview he conducted of Max for Nick and Nathan Wood. He'd never had a serial killer case in his time as sheriff. Nathan had worked more than one in his time as a Chicago police detective. He needed all the help he could get. When the tape stopped, he waited expectantly.
"So what do you think?" he asked.
"If this guy's a serial killer, then I'm the tooth fairy," Nick said.
"You can't buy into the act," Nathan said. "I've seen some master manipulations from some real psychopaths. They act either crazy or claim amnesia. They'll do anything to paint a picture of innocence. You can't focus on what they say or even how they act. You gotta look at the evidence. Can you connect him to the other two girls?"
"He had a class freshman year with Lexie, but he claims to not know her. It was a few years ago," Keith said.
"He has no history of abuse toward women outside of an accidental hook up with a hooker," Nick said.
"The profile your daughter worked up seems pretty accurate to me. The killer that killed the first two girls has both rage and hatred toward women inside him. Both strangulation and stabbings are brutal, sadistic crimes of passion," Nathan said.
"Does Autumn's death seem the same?" Keith wondered.
"She was shot. That can indicate any number of things. Angry spouses shoot wives. Gang bangers coldly fire into a crowd. Hired guns use guns," Nathan said.
"Is this killer experimenting with different kill methods? Learning which he likes?" Keith asked.
"If the same guy killed all three, then we could conclude that," Nathan said.
"That's the question. Did Max kill his girlfriend? If he did, we can't place him as connected to all three women. He has an alibi for one of the murders but not all three," Keith said.
"Is the D. A. charging him for any of the others?" Nathan inquired.
Keith shook his head. "No. Just his girlfriend's," Keith said. "As far as he's concerned, they got their man. I'm just not convinced. Max was showing real grief."
"Killers can do that," Nathan pointed out. "That doesn't mean he's innocent."
"But Mac dated the guy. She believes he's innocent, and I trust her judgment," Keith shared.
"Didn't she date Dick's younger brother, who turned out to be a psychotic killer?" Nathan said.
"Yes, but she was a kid then. No one knew the abuse the Cassidy had suffered," Keith said. "Not even Dick had a clue."
"Well, you should keep tabs on Max either way. If there's another death, you want to be able to rule him out as a suspect," Nathan said.
Keith knew that was a good idea. "I just don't know if I have the man hours to keep that kind of surveillance long term. It could be weeks," Keith said unhappily.
"Me and the boys can pick up some of the slack," Nick offered.
"If you need more bodies, I can talk to Jake. I know he has a vested interest in keeping the campus his son attends safe," Nathan said.
"I'll take all the help I can get. Let's just hope we don't find any more girls," Keith said grimly. He didn't want it to be Max, but it would make things easier if it was.
*****Hearst*****
Thea was lost in her books at the library. Her midterms were next week. Then it was spring break. She couldn't wait because she really needed a break. Also, she needed to go home and see her family. It was difficult being away from them. Seeing her parents recently only made her miss her siblings more.
Someone sat at her table, but she didn't look up. She could do that. When she focused on her books, she tuned out the world around her. However, the slamming of a book caused her to look up. A blonde guy she didn't know was sitting diagonal from her.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"It's this stupid math. I'm never going to get it!" the guy said in frustration.
"What are you taking?" she asked.
"Calculus. I can't believe they make business majors take that!" the guy complained.
"Would you like some help?" Thea asked.
The guy brightened and gave her a hopeful look. "Could you?" he asked.
Thea smiled and got up to move to the other side of the table. "Sure. I took calculus and didn't have any trouble really," she said modestly.
She spent ten minutes going over the problems with him. Once he got it, he let out a, "Yes!"
"Once you get this part down, the rest should be easier for you," she said, smiling at him.
"Thanks so much! You've saved my ass!" the guy said with a grin. "What's your name?"
"Thea," she replied.
"I'm Zack. Zack Wall," he said.
"It's nice to meet you, Zack," Thea said.
"It's great to meet you!" Zack said. "You gotta let me buy you lunch or something."
"No, that's fine," Thea said. "I need to keep studying."
"Well, you can study in the cafeteria after I buy you a sandwich or something. It's the least I could do," Zack said.
Thea wasn't used to anyone begging to buy her lunch, so it took her off guard. "That's not necessary. I'm glad I could help you," she said.
"Come on. One lunch. I gotta repay you somehow," Zack said.
Thea relented. "Fine. We can go to the cafeteria," she said.
Zack grinned and gathered up his stuff while she did the same. Soon they were walking out of the library. "So what's your major?" he asked.
"I'm pre-med," she said.
"So are you a sophomore or freshman? I'm a senior," he said.
"Me, too," she said. "I graduate in May."
"Really? You seem kind of young," Zack observed.
"Yea, I turn twenty in a few weeks," she shared.
"Oh, so you're like wicked smart, huh?" Zack said knowingly.
"I guess," she said, uncomfortable.
He laughed. "Lucky for me, you are," he said.
She shook her head but didn't comment further as he opened the cafeteria door. Five minutes later, they were at a table with their lunch.
"So tell me about yourself?" Zack asked, giving her a charming smile.
"I have a boyfriend. I have a huge Greek family, and I'm from Chicago," she said.
"So this boyfriend of yours, is he the jealous type?" Zack asked with a grin.
"I don't know," Thea said smiling as she spotted the man in question coming toward them. "I guess you can find out yourself."
"Hey, babe," Wallace said, sitting down and kissing her lightly. He glanced at Zack as he unwrapped his sandwich. "Who's your friend?"
"This is Zack. I met him in the library," Thea said. "He needed some help with his math."
"She's wicked smart," Zack said.
"Yes, I know," Wallace said proudly.
"There's Parker," Thea said, waving at her.
"You know Parker?" Zack asked in surprise.
"Yes. She's a good friend of ours. You know her?" Thea asked.
"I have her in class," he said.
"Small world," Thea said.
"Small school," Wallace said with a snort.
"Hello," Parker said, carrying a tray. She looked at Zack. "Why are you eating lunch with Thea and Wallace? You don't like basketball players."
"You play basketball?" Zack asked.
"Yep. We finished the season well," Wallace said.
"I'm on the soccer team," Zack said.
"Then you know my friend Duncan," Wallace said.
"Everyone knows Kane," Zack said with a nod.
"So how do you know Thea and Wallace?" Parker asked again.
"We just met today in the library," Thea said.
"Zack and I have class together," Parker said.
They chatted a bit. Then Zack got up, thanking Thea once again.
"So was Zack hitting on you?" Parker asked with a knowing grin.
Thea looked startled at the suggestion. "What? No, of course not!" she protested.
Wallace grinned. "It surprises you that a guy would hit on you?" he asked.
"He did ask me if you were the jealous type," Thea said in bemusement. "I thought he was joking."
"Zack's harmless," Parker said.
"So you're not jealous?" Thea asked.
"Do you find him attractive?" Wallace asked.
"He's cute, I guess," Thea said, smiling at him.
"As cute as me?" Wallace asked.
"No one's as cute as you," Thea said, putting her hand on his cheek.
"You two are so adorable," Parker said, grinning at them.
Wallace flashed her a smile. Then he ate some of his lunch, giving Parker a thoughtful look. "So now that you've broke Piz's heart do you have Duncan in your sight again?" he asked.
Thea looked at him in disapproval. "Wallace!" she scolded.
"What?" he asked defensively. "She was kissing Duncan when she was with Piz. Then when they broke up, she was dating Duncan. After he fell in love with her, she dumped him for Piz. She's giving V a run for her money in the jerking guys around category."
Parker was hurt by Wallace's sudden attack as she didn't expect it from him. "I didn't break Piz's heart. He moved to Los Angeles. We realized that things weren't working out," she said. "As for Duncan, that's none of your business." She got up and took her tray, moving across the room to another table.
Thea gave Wallace a disappointed look. "What was that? Why did you attack her like that?" she asked.
"I didn't attack her. I just asked a question. It's not my fault she got defensive," Wallace said defensively.
"You know Parker cares about both Piz and Duncan. She wasn't trying to hurt anyone," Thea said.
"Yeah, that's what they all say. Veronica never meant to hurt Piz either, but she did. She hurt Logan, too, more than once," Wallace said. "I just wish women would make up their damn minds!"
"Where's this coming from?" Thea asked, puzzled by his behavior. This wasn't a side of him that she'd seen before.
Wallace let out a breath. "I'm sorry. I'm just on edge. Nick's got me doing surveillance on Max, and the whole thing has me freaked out. How could Max be a killer? I know that guy. I played video games with him. I had lunch with him more than once. He was harmless. But his girlfriend pushed him over the edge."
"You don't know that he killed her," Thea pointed out.
"He woke up next to her body in his bed covered in her blood," Wallace said. "He did it. But I don't think he killed those other girls. There's no way."
Thea didn't like what these deaths were doing to do people. She hoped this was the end of it, but she had a terrible feeling it wasn't.
*****The Beach House******
Mac and Dick came over for dinner. Trina and Logan thought discussing business over dinner would be better than meeting at the office. The three college students had been working less this week as midterms were next week. Veronica was half listening to them as she fed Richie.
"So I was thinking we should do a spring break modeling camp," Dick said.
They all looked at him in surprise. "What?" Trina asked.
"Our campus and San Diego State have all kinds of hot babes. I thought we could hold like a spring break camp for model wanna-be's," Dick said.
"That's a great idea!" Logan said with an excited grin.
"It's kind of late to be arranging that," Trina said doubtfully. "I've got my hands full with New York."
"I can get the brothers to help with advertisement," Dick said. "Chip's girlfriend Jessi is in Thea's sorority. They can spread the word to their sisters. Put up some flyers around campus. Logan, you can write an article for the school paper about it."
Mac gave him a proud look. "My guy's just full of ideas today," she said, smiling.
"Well, we've been together a while now. You were bound to rub off on me eventually," Dick said with a grin.
"Do you think now's the time to plan something like that?" Veronica asked, not liking the idea.
"Why not?" Dick asked with a confused frown.
"There's a killer loose on campus. I think most people will want to get away from Hearst and Neptune," Veronica pointed out.
"That's true," Mac said thoughtfully.
"You could do it in San Diego. You have a hotel there, don't you?" Trina asked.
"A quarter interest in the Plaza," Dick said, grinning. "That's perfect. We can promote it here as a cheap escape. Poor chicks can be hot." He looked at Veronica and leered. "Look at Ronnie."
Logan snickered, ignoring Veronica's glare. "Very true," Logan said.
"Charging two or three hundred dollars for a five-day retreat in a four-star hotel is a steal," Mac said. "Put three or four girls in a room, it'll bring the cost down."
"Give them free access to the spa in the hotel as a bonus perk," Trina said.
"We can get Jazmin to take the photos," Dick said eagerly.
"She's going home to Chicago," Veronica said.
"Then you can, right?" Dick suggested.
"I guess," Veronica said, not very enthusiastically.
"We can get all the picture taking done in one day, so you won't have to give up too much time," Logan said.
"The Goldsmiths can help. They love mentoring," Mac suggested.
"You better call the Plaza and book a lot of rooms," Trina said.
"How many do we think?" Dick asked.
"We should limit the spots, so it'll seem more exclusive. The first 100 that register and pay $100 up front get the spot," Mac suggested.
"That sounds great to me," Logan said.
"Me, too," Dick said happily.
"I'll get to work on designing flyers," Mac said.
"I'll get them printed and posted on campus," Dick said.
"What about San Diego State?" Trina pointed out. "You have to put them put there, too."
"If we get the flyers ready, we can start posting them Monday after class," Mac suggested.
"I can send some brothers to San Diego State," Dick said. "They're always looking for fresh meat."
Veronica rolled her eyes. "Glad they're good for something," she said.
"If we get several new clients out of this, it'll be great," Trina said. "We could use the extra revenue with our launch happening in New York in a few months."
"True," Logan acknowledged. He didn't like to think of his sister moving so far away, but he had to have faith that she'd not disappear from their lives or take Richie away.
"We should go home, so we can get started on the flyers," Mac suggested. "I just finished all my midterm projects. I have a small window of time before tests next week."
"I'll call the Goldsmiths," Logan said.
"Sounds like a plan," Dick said with satisfaction. He and Mac got up to leave.
"Thanks for dinner," Mac told Veronica. She bent down and gave Richie a kiss. "Next time, we'll do dinner at Dick's for a change. We'll get Lettie to cook!"
Logan gave her a huge smile. "I'm there! I so miss her cooking!" he said with a sigh.
"It is drool worthy," Dick acknowledged. "Bye, little dude," he said to Richie, who grinned and waved his food covered hands.
When they left, Trina looked over at her son, who had gotten more food on him than in him. "I guess I'll give him a bath since you fed him," she said.
Veronica laughed. "I'm not sure I did that good of a job. He had more fun spitting it out and grinning at me than eating," she said.
"I gave him a bottle too late. He wasn't that hungry," Trina said as she picked him up.
Veronica watched with a fond smile. She stood and kissed him goodnight. While Logan was calling the Goldsmiths, she cleaned up the highchair and cleared the table, loading the dishwasher.
Logan came into the kitchen as she was finishing up. He looked guilty as he saw what she was doing. "I'm sorry, Veronica. I'm supposed to clean when you cook! I'm failing in my husbandly duties already," he said with a grin.
She threw the dishrag over the faucet to dry and gave him a coy smile. "I guess you'll have to make it up to me in the husbandly duty you excel at," she said.
He leered and pulled her against him. "It will be my pleasure!" he said, dropping a kiss on the nape of her neck. Then he stepped back slightly and picked her up, throwing her over his shoulders.
"Logan, put me down!" she demanded.
"I'm taking you to bed, so I can have my wicked way with you!" he exclaimed.
"Then quit carrying me like a sack of potatoes!" she replied, slapping his shoulders.
He laughed and refused to put her down until they were in their room. Then he slapped her butt before tossing her down on the bed.
Veronica gave him an annoyed, angry glare. "If you think that kind of manhandling is going to put me in the mood, you got another thing coming, bucko!" she informed him.
He gave her a steady, unapologetic look and began stripping off his clothes. When he was in his boxers, he threw himself on the bed, landing half on her. He grinned down at her. "Well, I bet I can put you back in the mood," he said airily.
"Oh, really?" she asked, arching her eyebrow.
"Oh, yeah," he said as he lifted her shirt and began kissing her belly.
Veronica expected him to move up toward her breasts, but he surprised her by moving south. Before she could do more than clench the covers, he had her knit pants off as well as her panties. When his lips moved between her legs, she forgot all about his high-handedness.
*****Hey Day*****
Lauren and Scott were having a good time. They'd split a small pizza and played a game of air hockey. That's when her energy level started to flag. She powered through for twenty more minutes. Then she saw Brad across the room with Amanda and Nicole. Both girls were smiling at him. He and Amanda moved to a game. That he would come there when she was on her date really pissed her off. What game was he playing?
Brad knew he should've said no when Amanda suggested they go to Hey Day. He didn't know if she did it on purpose because Lauren would be there with Scott. However, he couldn't seem to resist seeing Lauren out with Scott. He didn't know why because he didn't care if she went out with another guy. When he saw them holding hands as they walked over to the basketball game, he realized he was lying to himself. Then he saw her smile turn into a wince and knew something was wrong.
He watched her carefully. She stopped playing the game and let Scott finish it. Then she said something to him and walked away. It became clear that she was heading to the bathrooms.
"I'm going to use the bathroom. I'll be back," he told Amanda.
He didn't make it to the bathroom in time to stop Lauren. He debated going into the girls' room. What if she was fine? She'd be really pissed, and he'd look like an idiot. He decided to wait a few minutes. If she didn't come out in five, he'd go in after her.
Five minutes went by, and she didn't come out. One girl came out that wasn't her. Brad asked, "Is there another girl in there? Is she all right?"
"There's a girl who looks really messed up staring at herself in the mirror," the girl said.
Alarmed, Brad pushed open the bathroom door. Lauren was standing by the sinks. She didn't look his way when she stepped in.
"Lauren, are you okay? What's wrong?" he asked.
"Brad, why are you here?" she asked without looking at him.
"The girls wanted to come. I saw you heading in here and something looked wrong with you. Are you feeling sick?" he asked, stepping closer.
"I was fine. I was having a great time. Then I started hurting some playing basketball," she said. "Now this." She turned and looked at him.
Brad blinked in surprise. She wasn't pale; she was yellow. He moved to her, grabbing her hands. They were yellow, too. "Brad, what's happening to me?" she whispered fearfully, her eyes filling with tears.
Brad's heart beat faster as fear filled him. He pulled her against him, hugging her. "I don't know. But you're going to be okay," he told her. Then he took her hand and led her out of the bathroom.
"I'm scared," she admitted.
He stopped and cupped her cheek, ignoring the unnatural color of her face. "You will be fine. I'm going to take you to the hospital," he said.
"I have to tell Scott," she said. "He's going to think I'm a freak."
"If he does, then he's a loser who doesn't deserve you," Brad said grimly. He led her to Scott, who was frowning at seeing him with Lauren. Brad knew he should let go of her hand, but he couldn't bring himself to.
"Scott, I'm sick," she said. "I have to go."
"I can take you home," Scott said, looking from her to Brad.
"Look at her, man. She needs a hospital," Brad said firmly.
Then Scott realized she looked wrong. "What's going on? You didn't look like that earlier," he said, confused.
"That's why I'm taking her to the hospital. Something is wrong," Brad said.
A searing pain hit her abdomen. She pulled her hand from Brad's and bent over.
"Are you okay?" Scott asked in alarm.
"It hurts," she gasped.
Brad didn't wait. He bent down and picked her up in his arms. "I'm taking you now!" he insisted.
"I can walk," she said weakly.
"Yeah, well, I can carry you," he said stubbornly. He looked at Scott. "Call her parents and tell them what's happening."
Scott nodded and pulled out his phone as Brad walked away with Lauren in his arms. Amanda and Nicole came over to him.
"How could you just stand there and let Brad literally walk out with your date?" Amanda sneered.
Scott barely looked at them as he scrolled through his phone for her house number. He didn't have it. "Damn it! I don't have her parents' number!" he exclaimed.
"Do you want to call and tell them Brad stole your date?" Nicole asked with a giggle.
Scott glared at the girls. "No, you stupid twit! He took her to the hospital. Something is wrong. I need to call her parents!" he yelled, feeling helpless. This was not how his date was supposed to end.
The girls looked surprised for a moment. Then Nicole said, "Call Ryan. He'll take care of everything."
Scott looked relieved. Then he frowned. "I don't have his number either!"
Nicole pulled out her phone and called Ryan.
"What's up? You know Kristen doesn't like it when someone interrupts date night," Ryan said, winking at his date, who laughed.
"You need to call Lauren's parents. Brad just took her to the hospital. Something's wrong," Nicole said.
Ryan sat up straight on the couch. "What? Is this a joke? 'Cause if it is, you'll regret this!" Ryan warned.
"No, it's not. Talk to Scott," Nicole said, handing the phone to Scott.
"Ryan? This is Scott. Brad took Lauren to the hospital. She was in pain, and something was wrong with her skin. She turned yellow," he explained.
"Yellow?" Ryan asked in confusion, fearing filling him. "I'll call them. Thanks."
He hung up, standing to his feet. "I gotta go. Something's happened to Lauren," he told Kristen, his mind elsewhere as he dialed her parents.
"What's wrong with her?" Kristen asked.
"I don't know. I gotta go," Ryan said, running out of her house without kissing her goodbye.
Kristen frowned. This was not how her date was supposed to end.
*****To Be Continued******