Page 24 of No Escape

Valerie and Suzie stepped into the old library, the smell of musty books filling their nostrils. Light streamed in through tall, stained-glass windows, giving the library an eerie feeling. Valerie walked over to a computer terminal near the back of the room and sat down. After a few moments, she pulled up an Internet browser and began typing away.

“What are you looking for?” Suzie asked, leaning over Valerie’s shoulder as she worked.

Valerie bit her lip as she typed. “I don’t have my case files from the time I pursued John a year ago, and I no longer have access to the FBI database. But there is something here that might help with that.”

Valerie didn’t want to admit to Suzie that after her breakdown, her memory and mind were still not quite as sharp as they once were. Details of John’s case were fuzzy, but she held out hope that her abilities would return to their fullest now that she was back on the trail.

After a few moments of searching, Valerie found what she was looking for: an old newspaper article about John’s wife, who had died eight years ago.

Valerie scanned the article quickly before speaking again. “This article mentions that John’s wife died of cancer eight years ago,” she said softly, her voice full of melancholy now remembering the details. “When a serial killer is under scrutiny, they’ll often return to a point of security in their past. I’ve seen this behavior before and John did something similar during his initial killing spree when he prowled around the derelict remains of his childhood home. I wonder if he’ll now try to do the same with his old marital house. Regardless if there’s now someone living there or not. I’m sure their house isn’t far from here—he must still feel connected to it.”

She looked up at Suzie and nodded reassuringly. “I think that could be where he’s hiding out. I just hope no one is there now, the last I heard it was still vacant because John killed one of his cousins in the basement. People tend not to want to live in a place like that…”

Suzie stared at her sister, taken aback by how quickly she had figured out a lead on John’s whereabouts. “You really think this could be where he’s hiding?” she asked, her voice filled with awe.

Valerie smiled sadly and nodded her head again in affirmation. “It’s worth checking out,” she said. She typed some more.

“What are you doing now?” Suzie asked.

“Trying to find the address,” Valerie explained.

“You can do that?” Suzie sounded surprised.

“Sure,” Valerie said. “You just have to know where to look. There are sites that list addresses, it’s not exactly ethical, but they are there. I just need to cross-reference everything I know about John and his wife. I know the general area.”

Just as Valerie was about to hit the enter key, she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. She glanced up and saw a security guard entering the library, his eyes scanning the room. His gaze fell on Valerie and Suzie, and he paused, his expression shifting as if he recognized them.

Valerie’s heart skipped a beat. She subtly nudged Suzie, who looked up and caught sight of the guard staring at them. Suzie’s eyes widened in alarm, and she whispered, “What do we do?”

“We have to leave, but we can’t make it obvious,” Valerie replied in a hushed tone. “Stay calm and act normal. We’ll walk out together, but don’t look back.”

Suzie nodded, swallowing hard. Valerie quickly scribbled down the information she had found on a scrap of paper and shoved it into her pocket. The two sisters stood up and began to make their way toward the library exit, trying their best to appear casual. Valerie could feel the security guard’s eyes on them, and her heart thudded quickly under his gaze.

As they reached the door, Valerie could sense the guard starting to follow them. She and Suzie stepped out into the daylight, their nerves on edge. They began walking down the street, their pace quickening as they tried to put as much distance between them and the library as possible.

As they turned the corner, Valerie took a quick glance back, only to see the security guard standing at the entrance of the library, watching them intently. He pulled out a walkie-talkie and began speaking into it, and Valerie knew they needed to get out of there fast.

As they continued down the street, they paused for a moment, their attention caught by a television in the window of a nearby electronics store. Their photos, along with John Murphy’s, were displayed on the local news.

The headline read: “Fugitive Serial Killer John Murphy Spotted with FBI Agent Valerie Law—Are They Working Together?” Valerie clenched her jaw, anger and frustration boiling inside her. This was the last thing they needed.

“That’s a horrible photo of me,” Suzie said.

Valerie didn’t have time to point out how self-absorbed she could be sometimes.

Suddenly, the security guard’s voice rang out behind them. “Hey, you two! Stop right there!”

Without a second thought, Valerie grabbed Suzie’s hand, and they broke into a run. The guard chased after them, his heavy footsteps echoing on the pavement. Panic and adrenaline surged through them both as they sprinted down the street.

Just as they were about to turn a corner, the guard lunged, managing to grab hold of Suzie’s arm. Suzie cried out in pain and fear, but Valerie was already in motion. In one fluid movement, she spun around and locked the guard’s arm, forcing him into a submission hold. The guard’s face twisted in pain as he released his grip on Suzie.

“Run!” Valerie shouted, and Suzie didn’t hesitate. She took off, heading for the truck they’d parked nearby. Valerie tightened her grip on the guard for another moment before shoving him away, sending him stumbling backward.

The sisters raced to their truck and jumped in, the engine roaring to life as Valerie turned the key in the ignition. She slammed on the gas pedal, and the truck sped away, tires screeching against the pavement.

As they left the scene behind, Valerie’s thoughts raced. She couldn’t shake the image of their faces on the news, the insinuation that she could be working with John Murphy. It was ludicrous, but it added another layer of danger and urgency to their situation.

With the information she’d gathered at the library, Valerie set their course for John Murphy’s old home. The past had been an anchor in Valerie’s life, and she was counting on it being the same for the killer.

---