Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 74450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“Nice to meet you in person!” Caspian’s smile lit up the foyer area as the two men shook hands.
Azure walked over to give her man a kiss on the cheek then locked the door behind him. Moments later, the two men were sitting down on the couch, both holding their glasses of wine while Azure sat across from them, digging the scene.
“…And see, that used to be my thing. I read a lotta true crime books. They got ‘hold to that I-65 killa, didn’t they?” Daddy questioned.
“Yeah, that was Harry Edward Greenwell.”
“That was his name. What a creepy guy!”
“He was a horrible human being. It’s a shame justice was never served. He was takin’ out folks here and in Indiana. One of his assaults also happened in Rochester.”
“Rochester, New York?”
“No, Rochester, Minnesota.”
“I’ve traveled quite a bit and never heard of Rochester, Minnesota. I thought he just committed his crimes here in Kentucky and Indiana.”
“For the most part he did. Serial killers usually stay in the same general area when committing murders, thefts, and physical attacks, but he ventured out a few times.” Daddy nodded in understanding. “On March 3, 1989, he murdered two hotel clerks. One of the women was only twenty-four—her name was Margaret Mary. Another lady he murdered was Peggy Gill, who worked at an Indiana Days Inn. He would frequently go to motels and hotels that were right along I-65. That’s how he got his nickname, the I-65 Killer. They discovered after he attacked and killed Peggy that a hundred seventy-nine dollars were taken from the motel. Less than five hours later, he was at it again. Assault occurred, I won’t get into the details, but then he shot and killed a thirty-four-year-old lady named Jeanne Gilbert. She too worked at an Indiana Days Inn, but it was a different location.”
“What gets me is they nevah found this joker! With all of this DNA stuff?” Daddy threw up his hands in disbelief.
“Well, he left DNA all over the place and kept using the same twenty-two caliber handgun in many of the cases. In this day and age, he would’ve been caught much sooner. What’s interesting about him is that he wasn’t caught until several years after his death. DNA evidence linked him to the crimes, actually. He was livin’ his life, gardening and being around folks that were none the wiser to the atrocious crimes he’d committed. His neighbors even said he was a nice guy.” Caspian’s lips curled in a strange grin.
“So, he never got busted while he was alive? Got to live his life… That’s crazy. What a shame. Now I see why you said no justice was served.”
“Nope. He spent some time in prison in his younger years, but not for these assaults and murders. He died of cancer in 2013. It’s not right when people do folks wrong and aren’t held accountable. Somehow, the scales need to be made even. Come hell or high water.” Caspian’s vibrant blue eyes cooled to a deep cobalt shade.
The room got strangely quiet. Brimming with tension. Curiosity. Uneasiness.
Azure’s eyes grew wide, while her father stared curiously at her man.
“You’re passionate about this… I see that.” Daddy offered a half-cocked grin.
Caspian simply smiled back, crossed his feet at the ankles and took a small sip of his wine.
“…How you know all these dates ’nd thangs, man? It’s impressive but a little strange, too.”
“I have a photographic memory.”
Azure nodded in agreement, her stomach doing somersaults. “Daddy, Caspian also has a high IQ and his memory for facts and figures is part of the reason why.”
Daddy grinned, seeming to relax. He ran his hands up and down his thighs, nodding.
“Okay… for a minute there I was a little spooked.” He chuckled. Azure cleared her throat, squelching a chuckle. “You seem like a smart young man, Caspian. Azure said you’re a journalist, so I checked out your podcast on the plane ride here. Great storyteller… You definitely have the voice for it, too.”
“Thank you, sir. It’s a blessing to do what you love and be paid well for it.”
Daddy opened his mouth to respond, but then the doorbell rang again. Azure got to the door this time and opened it. Mama stood beaming, dressed in a yellow blazer, white shirt, and black pants. Her shoulder-length hair was parted down the middle, and she was meticulously made up. Something Azure didn’t see often.
“Hi, Mama!” she greeted, hugging the woman.
“Hi, baby. Sorry I’m late. Traffic accident comin’ down. Boy, it sure smells good in here.”
Azure closed the door. “My famous pot roast. I made those rolls you like, too.”
“With the butter and parsley?” Mama’s eyes grew big with excitement.
“You know it.” She landed a kiss on mama’s soft pecan-colored cheek, took her hand, and walked her into the living room. Much to her surprise, Caspian was already on his feet, and Daddy was rising from his seat. Daddy’s dark, slightly slanted eyes landed on Mama and his lips curled.