Detective Rogers got the trash can over the desk and in front of Oliver just in time. I could feel the muscles in his back clenching under the palm of my hand as he heaved violently, expelling everything he’d eaten that day. I hadn’t noticed Detective Billings leaving the room until he appeared back through the doorway carrying a cup of water and a wad of fresh paper towels.
I mumbled a quick thank you and laid a wet paper towel on the back of Oliver’s neck. As his heaving turned into quiet sobs, I used the other paper towels to wipe his face while whispering soothing words. I’d been so focused on taking care of him, I hadn’t noticed how badly my own hands were shaking until I went to hand him the water. He swished a little around in his mouth and then spit into the trash can. When I was sure he wasn’t going to be sick anymore, I handed the trash can off to Detective Billings who took it out of the room. Then I wrapped an arm around Oliver and he cuddled into me, burying his face in my shoulder.
“Come on, baby. Let me take you home,” I murmured.
“I can’t let you do that.”
“Look, he just found out that someone he thought was his friend until very recently has died and he’s very upset. Let me take him home and I’ll bring him back in the morning to answer any questions you have,” I hissed.
“I understand, but I can’t let you leave just yet,” Detective Rogers stated calmly.
“Why the hell not? You said yourself you don’t suspect him of any wrongdoing. That means he’s free to leave,” I argued.
“Yes, he’s free to leave, but I need you to hear me out first. There’s a lot more going on here that you don’t know. Hell, we didn’t even know until you showed up here.” I glared at the man sitting across from me.
“It’s okay. Let’s hear what they have to say,” Oliver whispered.
I put a finger under his chin and lifted his face, so I could see him. His eyes were red-rimmed, his cheeks streaked with salt and every so often a gentle hiccup would escape from his lips. He looked so sad and vulnerable and all I wanted to do was take him home and hold him close.
“Baby, you don’t have to do this right now. We can come back first thing in the morning.”
“It won’t hurt any less then. I’d rather just get this over with, so we can go home and stay there,” Oliver told me, his eyes etched with pain. I kissed his forehead and then nodded.
“What do you need from us, Detective?” he asked.
Detective Rogers opened the file in front of him and then looked back at us. “Have either of you been following the serial killer case in the news?”
Oliver nodded. “A little.”
“Some,” I answered.
“Well, Detective Billings and I are the lead investigators assigned to the case. There are several things that you may not know, some things we’ve kept out of the public eye on purpose. There are a couple of victims who haven’t yet been identified, therefore, their families have not been notified. We also don’t like to show our hand too much when dealing with a very intelligent and very violent sociopath. The more information is leaked out, the more we give away any good leads we may have and the harder it’ll be to catch this guy. The things I’m going to tell you two need to stay in this room, understood?” Oliver and I shared a confused look but nodded our heads in agreement.
“Good. Now, as you can tell from the photos on the wall, there are three more victims than what’s been reported by the news. Those three were found recently, but from the level of decomposition, we’ve determined the oldest to have been killed as far back as two years ago. Considering that this has been going on awhile and three of the murders just took place over the last several months, we have reason to believe that either there are a lot more victims that haven’t been found yet or things are escalating with this psycho. Maybe even both. Each one of them are Caucasian, male, blond, and between the ages of nineteen and twenty-six. They were each killed in the exact same way too. Strangulation.”
“I’m sorry, Detective. This is all horrific and extremely sad, but what does this have to do with Korey’s death or us for that matter?” Oliver interjected.
“Because your friend was murdered in the same fashion,” Detective Billings answered.
Oliver gasped. “Korey was strangled?”
“Yes,” Detective Rogers confirmed. “Normally, we wouldn’t have put his case together with the serial murders since he doesn’t fit the physical description of the other victims, but as you can imagine, we’re looking even more closely into every homicide right now. Especially those involving strangulation. Korey’s body was discovered this afternoon inside a dumpster. His wallet was still in his back pocket. That’s how we were able to identify him. The business cards inside the wallet named him as your agent which is why we called you. We honestly just brought you in here tonight to see if you could shed any light as to who might want him dead or why. But then we got a look at you and we believe we might have found our first real solid lead.”
“What do you mean?” Oliver asked. The feeling of dread that I’d been experiencing since Oliver first got the phone call now settled in my stomach like a giant rock.
Detective Billings moved forward and sat on the edge of his partner’s desk. His voice was gentle when he spoke to Oliver. “All of the victims match your physical description and now your former agent shows up dead, murdered in the exact same way, not long after you discovered that he betrayed you and severed all ties with him. It’s way too much to be a coincidence. We believe you’re the link. The thing that this serial killer is after.” Blood rushed through my ears at the detective’s last words and my head began to spin. This couldn’t be happening. Oliver, my sweet Oliver, couldn’t be the target of a serial killer.
“Oliver, is there anyone you can think of that’s been acting oddly around you? Anyone hanging around you more? Showing up in strange places or getting a little too friendly, lately?” Detective Rogers asked.
Oliver’s face scrunched as he gave the questions consideration. “I can’t think of anyone. I work with a lot of different people each week, but most of them are ones that I’ve worked with for years and have good relationships with. They’re all respectful and professional.”
“What about around your home?”
He shook his head. “I live in an apartment building and don’t even know a lot of my neighbors. Oh! There is this one guy who’s always staring at me when I come home. He’s pretty creepy.” The detectives each perked up at the information, but then deflated with Oliver’s next words. “But he’s in his eighties or something and has to use a cane to get around. And he only has one arm.”
“Okay, so probably not him then,” Detective Billings said. I noticed the slight twitch of his lips as he struggled not to laugh in what was otherwise a very serious situation.
“What about at any clubs or parties you’ve been to recently?” Detective Rogers suggested hopefully.
