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Section 1
### Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Three years on from the life-changing Cryptic Killer case life was good for New York City Homicide Detective Lieutenant Jack Head. That was until he experienced an uneasy sense of Deja Vu when he started receiving strange coded emails, linked to his latest murder investigation. Like the Cryptic Killer case of old, Jack had to somehow decipher these unusual emails if he was to catch his killer. Only this time round, not even the police were safe from this latest killer’s cross hairs.
Complete Chapters 40 Rating 4.9 ( 32 reviews ) Age Rating mature {"language":"en","storyId":746447,"genres":[{"name":"Thriller","path":"/genres/thriller"},{"name":"Mystery","path":"/genres/mystery"}],"authorName":"Steve Gee","authorPath":"/SteveGee","status":"complete","lastUpdatedAt":1701994895,"chaptersCount":40,"rating":4.875,"reviewsCount":32,"ageRating":"mature"} Chapter 1 Ben Davis lounged in his favorite leather wing-back arm chair, savoring a balloon of the finest cognac and choice of Cuban cigar, with his fellow club members. The dancing flames crackling from the nearby open fire place created a warm, comforting ambience.
After a long week presiding over lengthy and involved criminal trials, the highly respected New York City judge’s preferred way to spend a relaxing Saturday night, was to share cocktails with his like-minded colleagues in the privacy and exclusivity of The Yale Club lounge.
The time approached 9pm when the judge checked his cell. His UBER was now only five minutes away. ‘Well, gentlemen…’ he began, then emptied his glass. ‘I must be on my way.’ He stubbed out what remained of his cigar.
His aging knees creaked when he stood from his lounge chair. ‘All being well…’ he said, as he fastened a button on his dark suit jacket. ‘I shall see you all on Wednesday night.’ He tugged down on his shirt cuffs, checked his cuff links, then dusted some lint from his right sleeve.
With a nod farewell, he moved to collect his overcoat before he made his way down to the street to meet his pre-ordered ride.
The doorman heaved open the front door as the judge approached. ‘Have a good evening, Your Honor,’ he said.
The judge lifted his chin in a muted greeting, as he ambled out onto the street and into the back seat of his waiting black UBER street car.
Apart from the initial greeting from the driver, not much else was said during the ride. The UBER app had already informed the driver of his customer’s destination.
The judge’s travels took him south down 2nd Avenue. The slow-moving traffic was surprisingly heavy for a wintery Saturday night.
The UBER driver coasted to a stop behind a number of vehicles stationary at the East 42nd stop light. The judge checked his watch, then lifted his impatient eyes to the street.
In the time it took for the judge’s heart to skip a beat from the shock of someone standing on the roadway, by his window, the balaclava-wearing person at the door had already fired two shots, in quick succession into the judge’s chest.
This was followed by a single head shot that sprayed bone and brain matter across the opposite side window, before the judge’s limp, corpulent body slumped across the passenger seat.
The muffled thuds from the suppressed pistol were almost lost among the sounds of the New York City traffic.
By the time the UBER driver realized why his car’s rear window had shattered, the shooter was gone, swallowed up by the concealment of darkness.
While the judge took his last breath over in midtown, the formal part of the evening had arrived in a reception venue across the Hudson River.
Jack Head checked his watch. His nervous eyes lifted to Caitlyn. His wife gave him a reassuring nod. Jack drew in a deep breath and exhaled. He pushed his towering frame up from his seat.
He glanced around the one hundred, or so guests, while he lightly tapped a fork on his champagne glass, until the conversational hum silenced and all eyes turned to him.
Public speaking was something that came natural to Jack. As a career cop, he’d given countless television interviews, been a key note speaker at conferences, spoken at universities and regularly briefed all levels of government on various aspects of criminal offending.
But tonight, Jack experienced something foreign to him. The pit of his stomach was heavy and it churned. His massive hands perspired. His heart raced. For the first time ever, he was nervous about giving a speech.
Tonight was important to him and he knew it was important to his boy, Dan. To be accepted back into his son’s life after missing most of it, meant the world to him.
But when Dan and Sarah asked him to speak at their wedding, the big man shed a tear for only the second time in his adult life. To him, such a request was recognition of Dan’s forgiveness for all his parental shortcomings.
Jack scanned the silenced room. All eyes were now on him. He forced out a smile. ‘Good evening… For those of you I am yet to meet… I’m Jack. I’m Dan’s proud father…’ He gestured towards Dan seated at the Bridal table. ‘When Dan and Sarah asked me to say a few words at their wedding, I was deeply touched and honored. It meant so much that he wanted me to be part of his life again. Those of you who know me… and know our family,’ he said. He made eye contact with Caitlyn. Caitlyn smiled her reassurance. ‘Know that I wasn’t the best dad to my boys. I missed their developing years and most of their milestone events, through a misguided priority of work over family.’
The eye-opening moment came to Jack, around three years ago, when his focus was solely on an all-consuming case, where a killer sent him cryptic clues that gave him forty-eight hours to decipher, before the next victim was murdered. It was a case he later dubbed The Cryptic Killer .
It was during this investigation that Jack’s oldest son, Max, whom he had not seen in a number of years, was killed in a car accident, while on a work assignment in LA. It was a life-changing event for Jack, in many ways.
‘But three years ago…’ Jack continued. ’I had a rude awakening… Sadly, it took the tragic passing of my eldest boy, Max—Dan’s older brother… for me to realize the importance of family.
‘There is not a day goes by that I am not thankful for Lynnie,’ he said, using his pet name for his wife, Caitlyn, ‘and Dan, for accepting me back into their lives and giving me a second chance at being a dad and a husband. Some people don’t get that chance… But I did.’ Jack’s voice broke. He coughed to try and mask his emotions.
Even after all these years, trying to hide his emotions was still an instinctive reaction Jack carried over from his childhood.
Jack’s father was a man’s-man and a tough disciplinarian. He was physically imposing, not unlike Jack’s build, and he believed it was a sign of weakness for a man to show emotion- any emotion.
“Real men don’t cry and they don’t show fear, boy”. His Father’s words still resonated after all these years.
As an adolescent, if Jack, or his brothers cried after being disciplined, his father would always say, “you gonna cry, are ya…? Then I’ll give you something to cry about”, and he would hit them again—only harder.
Jack learned very quickly to disguise and suppress his tears and emotions. So, the big man shedding tears, whether they be for happy, or sad reasons, was until recent times, as rare as hen’s teeth.
Caitlyn took hold of his hand for support. He squeezed her hand as he continued. ‘Anyway… I want to say to my boy Dan, that it has been an honor to share with you the last three years of your life, and I look forward to many more.’ Caitlyn discreetly caught an escaping tear.
’Anyway, enough about me… I would like to welcome you all here tonight and thank you for coming along and sharing in Dan and Sarah’s special day. Some of you have traveled considerable distances to be here and we thank you for that. I know Dan and Sarah are most appreciative.
‘I’m not going to embarrass Danny with anecdotal stories… I think I’ll leave that to the Best Man, Kade. To our beautiful new daughter, Sarah… How gorgeous does she look everybody…?’ He gestured to Sarah, then paused to allow the collective compliments that followed. ’Caitlyn and I have noticed how much love you have for Dan and we are forever grateful for that. We welcome you into our family with open arms.
‘Before I finish up, there is one last thing I would like to say.’ Jack motioned to Caitlyn and she joined him standing. He draped an arm around her. ‘To our wonderful son and our beautiful new daughter. May your marriage be full of more love than you can experience in this lifetime—we love you both, dearly,’ he said.
Jack and Caitlyn resumed their seats to the warm applause of the guests.
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### Chapter 2: Chapter 2
‘Three years ago… almost to the day… I lost my best friend—my brother, Maxie, tragically taken in a motor vehicle accident over in LA. I felt like my world imploded.’
Jack exchanged a sneaky glance with his good friend and trusted colleague, Doug ‘Spence’ Spencer seated at a neighboring table with his wife.
It was a little over three years ago, while enjoying the radiant warmth from a backyard fire pit in Rumson, one chilly Saturday evening, while Spence and Jack discussed the Cryptic Killer case, Jack and Spence made a promise to each other, and it was a promise they would take to their graves.
Dan continued. ‘Max guided me and taught me the lessons of life, in a way that only big brothers can. He was not only my big brother but he was also the father I never had… or never really knew.’
Jack’s eyes fell heavily to the table in front. Caitlyn squeezed his hand.
As if on cue, Jack’s ringing cell phone interrupted Dan’s speech. Dan paused, watching as Jack checked his cell. Jack’s shoulders slumped when he noticed it was work calling.
One of the downsides of being a New York City homicide cop was that you were always on call. Criminals couldn’t care less about interrupting special family events. Jack knew this all too well.
When his focus shifted to Caitlyn, she slowly shook her head. Jack’s gaze fell to the ringing cell in his hand. He had missed most of Dan’s childhood. He missed Dan’s birthdays, his Christmas mornings, thanksgivings and graduations, all because of his work and now the universe wants him to miss his son’s wedding.
The Jack of old would’ve been half way out the door by now. But not the new Jack. He hit ‘reject call’ and dropped his cell onto the table. ‘Sorry about that,’ he said. He gestured to Dan to continue.
Dan smiled. ’So yes…. Three years ago I lost my brother… but out of the tragedy of losing Max, I gained a father and I just want to say, Dad… It has meant the world to me to be able to share these last three years of my life with you, and especially to be able to share today with you.
‘They have been the happiest times for me… To have you around for advice and guidance. To hear your corny dad jokes, and I gotta say, you are not short of a story or two from an interesting life well-lived. What I’m trying to say is… the past doesn’t matter. The now matters, Dad, and I’m glad you came back. I’m glad you are part of our lives, and I know mom agrees. I love you.’ Dan’s eyes welled as he gestured to the usher to take the microphone for the next speaker.
When Spence saw Jack reject the call he took the initiative, as trusted colleagues do. The only reason Jack would’ve received a call at this time of night, at his son’s wedding, would’ve been because something had happened.
Spence slid from his seat and moved to the back of the room, while he called the station.
A short time later, while the best man continued with his anecdotal stories of Dan’s college years, Spence sidled up to Jack and whispered in his ear.
‘There’s been a shooting on 2nd Avenue… First responders think it looks like a hit.’
Jack nodded his understanding. ‘OK…’ His eyes met Caitlyn’s firm glare, as she watched on. She couldn’t hear the conversation, but she must’ve known it was about work.
‘The victim is Judge Davis…’ Spence whispered. Jack’s eyebrows arched. His focus snapped to Spence. Spence nodded his confirmation.
The judge had presided over many of their murder cases over the years. He was a tough judge and he ran a strict court room.
Jack had been on the receiving end of many firm criticism from the judge.
‘He was a passenger in an UBER…’ Spence said. ‘Double tap to the chest and one to the head. The first responders have taped off the scene and they are calling for homicide to attend.’
Jack’s gaze flicked across to Dan and Sarah. Both were focused on the best man, laughing at his stories.
When Jack’s focus shifted to Caitlyn, her eyes pleaded her “not again, Jack” look. He knew that disappointed look all too well from years gone by.
‘Two in the chest. One to the head…’ Jack repeated.
‘‘Shit. Professional hit…’ Jack rubbed a hand over his mouth. ‘Once this gets out, Spence, the media will be all over it.’
‘I tell you what…’ Spence began, speaking so Caitlyn could hear as well. ‘Why don’t I go in and take charge of the scene.’ He flicked a finger in the direction of Dan and Sarah. ‘This is your son’s wedding. You stay here and enjoy yourself. I’ll fill you in when we catch up later.’
Jack paused briefly while he contemplated Spence’s offer. ‘You know what…?’ He nodded his approval. ‘I would really appreciate that.’
‘Not a problem…’ Spence said. He winked at Caitlyn
Caitlyn mouthed, “thank you” to Spence. He smiled his response as he placed a reassuring hand on Jack’s shoulder, then returned to his table to inform his wife their night was over.
Dan and Sarah’s reception eventually wound up at midnight. While the younger crowd discussed which nightclub they would head to, Jack and Caitlyn took a short cab ride home to their Hoboken apartment.
The move from Montclair to their new apartment in Hoboken came about when, shortly after Maxie’s tragic passing three years ago, Jack took Spence’s advice and started seeing Caitlyn again.
Over time, they rekindled their relationship. She was always the love of his life and he was hers, he just never took the time to let her know it. But now he had learned from his mistakes.
It didn’t take long before Caitlyn invited Jack to move into her Montclair home to live with her and Dan, that is, when Dan wasn’t staying at Sarah’s.
Living in Montclair with Caitlyn was vastly different to his small downtown, inner-city apartment. The air was clean and fresh. It was noticeably quieter. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he heard a car horn in the distance.
They even had a large lawn covered backyard, complete with a barbeque gazebo.
But best of all was, he had Caitlyn back in his life. To him, life was complete.
Montclair was a beautiful township but the downside was the tiring 1¼ hour commute, each way to Jack’s office every day, and that was on a good day.
It wasn’t until Dan and Sarah moved into their own apartment in Brooklyn around twelve months ago that Jack and Caitlyn decided they no longer needed the big four-bedroom house in Montclair. They even decided they no longer needed Montclair and chose to move closer to the city.
So, Jack called in a favor, or two from some of his realtor contacts and with the sale of their Montclair house, they secured a chic 1524 square foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse apartment on Hoboken’s southern edge, for a bargain.
Close to the Hudson River waterfront with views of the New York City skyline, they had their own private elevator that opened directly into the apartment.
Complete with seventeen-foot ceilings, oversized picture frame windows, two king-sized bedrooms, open plan living, fully equipped chef’s kitchen and hardwood timber flooring throughout, the apartment was difficult to pass up when it came on the market.
And best of all was that for Jack and his long work hours, it was only seventeen minutes to his office, via the Holland Tunnel, or forty minutes by the PATH train.
The close proximity to New York City also benefitted Caitlyn’s business development consulting, so their decision to move was an easy one.
It had been a long and tiring day for them both, with Dan’s afternoon wedding, followed by the evening reception. Caitlyn was well and truly past her bed time.
Once the cab dropped them off and Caitlyn was settled in back home, Jack arranged for a black and white to collect him from his apartment and take him to the shooting scene, to meet up with Spence.
The time ticked a little after 12.45 am when Jack arrived at East 42nd and 2nd. Traffic was still diverted.
The crowds of curious onlookers, who hours earlier lined the perimeter crime scene tape, had long lost interest and moved on.
Several battery-powered portable flood lights had been set up to assist with evidence gathering.
A pop-up canopy had been erected over the judge’s UBER, to protect potential evidence from the elements.
Crime scene officers were in the process of finalizing their examination of the UBER. The coroner had already removed the judge by this time.
Jack slid out of the black and white. A uniform cop lifted the crime scene tape as Jack approached. ‘Hey, Jobs…’
To most who knew him, Jack was better known by his peer-given nickname—Jobs, than by his birth name.
‘Wedding was good.’ Jack grunted as he ducked under the raised tape. He rubbed his hands together rapidly to warm them up. ’Seen Spence ‘round anywhere?’ he asked while he scanned the floodlit scene. He dived his hands into his coat pockets.
Caitlyn reminded him before he left, not to forget his gloves. But he became distracted and did just that- forgot his gloves.
‘Last time I saw him he was…’ The cop scanned the area. ‘Yeah. There he is, over by the News trucks.’
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