The Darkness Hunter-A John Santana Novel by Christopher Valen

Author:Christopher Valen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, crime, murder, native american, action adult, fracking, homicide cop
Publisher: Christopher Valen

Chapter 27

Late the following afternoon, Santana was seated in front of Homicide Commander Peter Romano's desk. Romano had loosened the Windsor knot on his blue striped tie and rolled his shirtsleeves up to his elbows. His thick, olive-skinned forearms were resting on the desktop. Photos of his attractive wife, three sons, and two daughters were arranged on his office walls and on a corner of his cluttered desk.

On the wall directly behind him hung a map with red circles designating parts of the city as crime hotspots. The map was the latest research analysis tool developed to understand why high crime rates occurred in specific areas. Romano operated under the belief that most crime was not random and could be predicted under crime pattern theory. Santana agreed.

"So after the boat sank, you swam to shore," Romano said.

"Some of the way. A few people came out in their boats to investigate the fire and to see if anyone needed help. A very nice older couple picked me up, took me ashore, and drove me to Regions Hospital."

"Tell me their names and I'll recommend them for a Chief's Award."

"I already recommended them."

Romano nodded his approval. "So how are you feeling?"

"I don't have a concussion. But I could use some sleep." Santana gently touched the bandage above his left ear. He had taken two tablets of Aleve to relieve the pain that throbbed with each beat of his heart.

"And the DB in the river?"

"I think she was shot dead, Pete, before she was dumped face down into the water. The air in her lungs couldn't escape, so she floated for a time. Dive teams are out searching, but it might be days or weeks before she surfaces again. She was wearing a bathing suit, so she had no ID on her. But the guy named Jake called her Melissa."

"The boat was stolen from the St. Croix Marina in Hudson."

"Any leads on Jake?"

"Not much to go on. And the name could be a phony."

"I don't think so."

Romano leaned back in his chair and clasped his big hands over his ample belly. "So why the attempt on your life?"

"I'm not sure. But it might go all the way back to Clay Buck's death."

Romano's eyes narrowed. "Who's Clay Buck?"

Santana told him.

"I remember the case," Romano said, nodding his head. "I was working Homicide. The civil suit took a toll on Wendell Hudson."

"I recognized the guy called Jake," Santana said. "He was in one of the vehicles that ran us off the road. I took his AR-15 and handcuffed him to a water trough."

"You sure about this?"

"Positive."

"We've notified departments here and in Wisconsin and given them the description you provided."

"I'm guessing he's ex-military."

Romano shook his head and ran a hand through his jet-black hair. "I don't get it. Clay Buck is dead. The city settled the suit against Wendell Hudson. You think this Jake character has a grudge against you?"

"I'm not sure. But I need to find out."

Romano's brow knitted in concentration as he sat forward and tapped his thick fingers on the desktop.

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