Castleton Police Department

  Early Wednesday Evening- After their individual shifts

  Dave pulls into the parking lot so that the driver's side window of his truck is opposite that of Detective Mackey's Crown Vic. Mackey grins and raises a cup of piping hot coffee into the air. He passes it to Dave through the open window.

  "Thanks, buddy!" Dave says. "I needed this! Damn, this week has been absolutely nutty. And it's only Wednesday. Must be something in the water? Moon's not even close to full. Can't be that."

  Detective Mackey chuckles softly and sips his store bought hazelnut coffee. The bitter taste causes Mackey to smack his lips, but he chokes the liquid down. Better than nothing. Mackey nods his head in agreement, placing the full coffee cup in the car's plastic cupholder.

  "Tell me about it, Dave. I'm burning the midnight oil every night just to stay two steps behind everything I've got to do. What about this Stefan Clayborne fella? You find anything else of import? I didn't find much. He's a ghost."

  Dave takes a sip of his black coffee and swishes it around in his mouth. Swallowing the small gulp of coffee down, Dave licks his lips before responding.

  "Yeah. Nothing more than a work record for this guy the last couple of years. Not even a speeding ticket. He's a truck driver. Hardly ever home. And home is a farmhouse almost at the county line. Raises a few head of cattle with a butcher buddy. I'd take a trip out there, just to check it out, but I don't have the time. His driver's license and ID still have an old photo. But, no facial disfigurement. A normal looking guy. Another coincidence?"

  "Yeah. That's pretty much the same conclusion I've come to. But...It is a big coincidence. I'll probably keep digging, but for the most part...I'll start checking out other leads."

  Detective Mackey stares hard at Dave for a moment, mauling over his next statement. Deciding to bite the bullet, Detective Mackey forges ahead. He leans onto the sedan's window ledge, a doubtful expression on his countenance.

  "Dave, what do you think about Madison Kelley?"

  "Madison Kelley? Um...You talking about the Aquarius Killer's last victim? What about her?"

  "I'm thinking about...Dating her," Mackey says, suddenly unsure of himself.

  "Mackey, Mackey! I'm proud of you, Skip! You're finally making the leap. Congratulations," Dave crows with a wolfish grin. "Madison's a cute girl. I don't see why not! Does she know?"

  "Yeah. She's kind of the one who really...Really wants this. I've been staking out at her place. Making sure the real Aquarius doesn't show up and try to square things. I made the mistake of accepting her invitation to sleep in the guestroom. She was less than pleased when we didn't make love last night. I just...I'm not so sure. She's a victim, Dave."

  "She's not your victim, James. Not unless breaking a girl's heart is now against the law."

  "I know. I'm just worried that she's gonna regret feeling this way about me. I worry she'll think I conned her into it. She keeps bringing up the fact that I bought her that trailer. She thinks she owes me."

  "Why did you buy her that trailer, James?" Dave questions out of genuine curiosity. "It was very generous of you. I'd feel a bit indebted too. Money isn't something people enjoy parting with. You put down almost twenty-grand without batting an eyelash. Why?"

  "It's just money, Dave. It comes and it goes. But, I'll tell you the same thing I told Madison. I needed to know she'd be safe. And I wanted Maddie to know...I'd be there for her."

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  "What did you just call her?" Dave asks, eyelids slipping low and a smile building on his lips.

  "Madison!"

  "No you didn't. You called her 'Maddie'. You already have a pet name for her, Mack?"

  "Well, yeah. It's sounded too formal calling her Madison. I wanted her to feel comfortable around me."

  "Why?"

  "Why?"

  "Yes. Why? What do you care if Madison Kelley feels comfortable around you? Why does that matter?"

  James averts his gaze and toys with the controls on his car radio.

  "Well. I visited Madison every day she was in the hospital. I talked to her. I listened to her life story. That first night...I don't think Madison even remembers everything she told me. In fact, I'm certain she doesn't. She was in a lot of shock, and the hospital had her drugged pretty heavily. Maddie's story...It made me think of Rose Perry. The woman has been through so much. I needed to know she would be safe, Dave. After everything. I couldn't stand the idea of her continuing to live in that damn hotel. I suppose...It's like the feeling you have for Hazel. I wanted to protect Madison. I still do."

  "That's real chivalrous of you, James. I'm still proud of you. My little Mackey is growing up!" Dave says with a devilish grin.

  "Why don't you just shut up, Dave? Here I am being dead serious and you're cracking jokes."

  "Ha. Now, you know how I feel!"

  Dave's truck radio crackles and he glances down. Grabbing the mic, Dave places it in front of his mouth.

  "Yeah, Chastain. Talk to me!" Dave barks into the mouthpiece.

  "Dave, where are you?! We've just got a really weird call."

  "Describe weird."

  "Some guy...A farmer out near Fell's Springs. He claims to know where the Aquarius Killer was stashing his victims."

  "O-kay. What's he got?"

  "Well, he said he was visiting an abandoned property a buddy owns. As a favor. Checking for squatters and people doing illegal dumping. Says he found...Two more bodies in the storm cellar. And they're recently deceased. Two young women. And this one is a little more...Uh. Not good. I thought you might want to know. Units are already headed out there."

  "Oh no!" Dave mutters under his breath. "No. It can't be. It has to be over."

  "What's that, Dave?" Chastain says.

  "I'll be there in thirty minutes or so. I'm in Castleton right now. I'm bringing Detective Mackey with me. Thanks for the information, Morris."

  "Right," Deputy Chastain replies before going off the radio.

  Dave replaces the mic and turns his solemn gaze on Detective Mackey. Detective Mackey's face is devoid of all emotion. He resembles a man who wishes he could simply give up the ghost and fade out of existence.

  "Looks like you were right, James. Aquarius isn't dead. Oh jeezus. How I wish you'd been wrong. Damn you, James. Why couldn't you have been wrong?"

  "Believe me, Dave. I wish I had been."

  $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

  As Dave and Detective Mackey's vehicles weave through traffic, sirens blaring, James struggles to multitask. He dials Madison's number and waits for her to pick up. She finally answers after three attempts.

  "Hello!" Madison says.

  "Maddie! This is James. I need you to do me a huge favor."

  "What's that?"

  "I need you to lock every door and window. I need you to stay inside. Don't answer the door for anyone but me or Deputy Newsome."

  "I'm at work, James. I'm not even at home."

  "Damn!" Mackey roars. "I thought you were off today?"

  "I was, but Nick called me in. Julie had to take her kid to the hospital. He needed coverage."

  "Well. You stay there. Don't go anywhere by yourself."

  "James, what's this all about?" Madison says, voice strained with worry.

  "It's Aquarius. The real Aquarius. I shouldn't be sharing this with you but...There may be two more victims. If it turns out this is Aquarius' doing...He may come after you as well. You fit the profile. And you were a target for the copycat killer. Aquarius may want to make an example of you. To show the department how we failed to stop him. Stay with other people, Maddie. I'll pick you up from work tonight. Same rules apply when you get home."

  "Okay. James..."

  "Yeah."

  "I love you."

  Detective Mackey swallows hard while glancing through the windshield of his car.

  "I love you too, Maddie."

  "I'll see you later."

  "Okay."

  Madison hangs up the phone and James twists his mouth to one side. It's been a long time since he's told someone those words on a regular basis.