Home of Mr. & Mrs. T.J. Meyers ; Ten Oaks, New Mexico; 7:08 PM
"Yes, honey, I miss you," T.J. said into the phone receiver as he rolled his eyes. "I’ll be a good boy until you come back…" at this T.J. smirked evilly. "Uh-huh…ok, I love you too. See you on Wednesday. Bye honey." He hung up the phone. Just then the doorbell rang.
T.J. ran to answer it. He opened the door revealing a vivacious red-head that could easily pass as a working girl,…hooker that is. "Hey babe," T.J. said to her, sweeping her into his arms, kissing her. "Perfect timing. I’ve missed you, Wendy." He said kissing her neck. He momentarily stopped so he could grab her hand and lead her up the stairs to the bedroom.
After T.J. and Wendy were halfway up the staircase, the intruder left his hiding place, making sure not to make a sound. T.J and his mistress made their way up the stairs, too engrossed in each other to notice the certain doom that lurked behind them. They reached the bedroom, closing the door for a seeming night of pleasure.
The killer dashed into the room adjacent. A few moments later the bedroom door busted open revealing a disheveled Wendy, clothes half off. "You bastard!" she screamed as she stormed out of the bedroom, quickly followed by T.J. "You never told me you were married!"
"But baby…" T.J. replied grabbing her by the arm, pleading with her not to go. At this Wendy turned and slapped him across the face. So stunned by the blow, T.J. released his grip on Wendy, allowing her to escape. She fumed down the stairs and grabbed her bag as she reached the landing. She didn’t even look back as she slammed the door practically in T.J.’s face, who had recovered and had run down the stairs in a last effort to get her to stay. Faced with disappointment, T.J. retreated up the stairs towards the bedroom.
As T.J. reached the top step the killer leaped out from his hiding place and tackled T.J. onto the floor with tremendous strength. The killer subdued T.J. rather quickly even though T.J. struggled forcefully. The killer then pulled out the pantyhose from his black satchel sitting nearby. He wrapped the nylons around T.J.’s neck and pulled it tight.
"I’ll give you money, the keys to my Mercedes and Ferrari, anything you want. Just, please, don’t kill me." T.J. pleaded in a high-pitched voice, out of breath.
"I don’t take bribes from cheaters, you bastard! How could you do this to your wife? She loved you!" The killer replied, his voice cracking as he said the last sentence. "You betrayed her, now you’re going to pay!" he said as he tightened the make-shift rope around T.J.’s neck, bringing forth the last breath he would ever take…
(We start in the killer’s POV from behind the bush in the house’s foyer)
"Bailey, where did you get that cowboy hat?" Sam asked her companion, big grin on her face. It seemed all the stress of the case miraculously lifted as she sat there stirring her margarita slush waiting for her partner’s reply. (I know a margarita slush is a stupid drink for Sam to be drinking, but they’re my favorite,…err the virgin kind.)
"This hat?," Bailey smiled pointing to his black stylish cowboy hat, "Well its a long story. You up for it?" he asked her.
"I’ve got all night, cowboy."she replied in her best southern accent, settling into her stool seat.
"Well, about five years ago, after you left the Bureau, I was on assignment in Texas. A little town called Happy." Bailey started. (Yes, "Happy, Texas" I had to get some Ally promotes in here somewhere!)
"Nice name," Sam said, "Continue."
"Ha ha. We were investigating a case involving cattle stealers who would also kill the owner’s of the farm. After the 5th murder we were still stumped. Forensics had found nothing at the scene and we had no leads. Kind of like this case. Anyway, in a town of less than 3,000 we couldn’t find the killer. We didn’t have the technology of the VCTF mind you, so we were essentially…screwed. So, we did the only thing me and my then team could come up with, and undercover op." Bailey paused.
"An undercover op?" Sam asked to show she was still following.
"Yup, and of course I was chosen to play the doomed cattle rancher. So, we get me set up with a small cattle farm on the outskirts of town. And put surveillance teams all over. To our bewilderment on the 3rd night of the operation we caught the killers trying to load my cattle into their loading trucks. Turns out they were some kids (by "kids" Bailey means guys about 25) from the neighboring town of Hankersville. In commemoration of catching the killer and suffering the hell of picking up cattle dung for three days, my team bought me a little gift. A cowboy hat so I would always remember that faith-filled night. And that is the story of the cowboy hat you see before you." Bailey finished and took a sip of his scotch. He looked over at Sam to find her head laying on the bar asleep.
"I didn’t think my story was that boring." Bailey mumbled, taking another sip of his drink.
"Fooled ya!" Sam said. "It wasn’t a boring story. It was actually pretty interesting. I love hearing stories about your past. Even if they don’t involve me." Sam joked. Then a song started on the jukebox. "Because You Love Me" by Jo Dee Messina.
"Care to dance?" Bailey asked his companion.
"Sure." Sam smiled. They got up from their seats at the bar and proceeded to the little dance floor. There was just one other couple dancing, a young woman and man, more interested in each other than the music playing.
Bailey took Sam into his arms at comfortable distance. The jukebox played as they swayed to the sweet melody.
"Ring, Ring" ( I know, I bet all you SABERs are like "Frelling cellphones!") Sam was startled by Bailey’s phone. Bailey looked at Sam disappointedly. He answered his phone.
"Malone," he said into the receiver rather perturbed. "Bailey, sorry to bother you," George’s familiar voice apologized, "but we’ve got another murder. Same town. Main and 8th street."
"We’ll be right there.
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