Thriller*Hugh Key*Suspense
Excerpts from The Nightmare Hours
The Nightmare Hours
I have waited for this night for over three weeks. Thanks to Mother Nature this winter storm is perfect. Our long, overdue meeting won’t be prolonged any further. My readiness sought to overtake me with waves of anticipation. At times it seemed as if today would never get here, but patience has always been a virtue of mine, especially when it pertains to a practice I take so much pleasure in. My heart thumps with exhilaration. I feel as grand as a schoolboy going out on a date with the beautiful, popular cheerleader. When I get this excited, I have to be careful and not forget myself. I can potentially make a mistake. I need to keep my calm, remain meticulous and diligent or I wouldn’t have lasted this long. The power of godly hood can be intoxicating. I am a man who can accept his rightful place as an omnipotent being... a marvel of the times. The looks of affliction in their eyes, the deep gasp, and the imprint of shock-like stone on their faces when they hear my name. They all come to realize that my will shall be done.
The snow fell heavy, like large orbs along the neighborhood. The streets were deserted with minor exceptions to snow trucks and the occasional driver attempting to make it home before the night got worse. While most people hated the immense heavy accumulation of snow, Ivan welcomed this snowy Saturday night as the perfect time for their exclusive meeting. The expectation of blizzard-like conditions made for a great excuse for people to want to stay indoors and live like hermits not being bothered by family, friends, or the rest of the world. They would have the whole night, and no one would disturb them.
His joy grew as each snowflake fell unto the ground. It signified the beginning. A smile creased his face as the snow hit the windshield of the silver Escalade and melted by the streaming heat from the vent. With each passing moment, the snow was getting deeper. With four and a half inches of snow already on the ground and four more inches expected, Ivan couldn’t help but think that the setting would be ideal for a beginning to a wonderful story. The classical music playing through the speakers set forth the perfect acoustic pitch for the musical interlude. The comfortable, warm, soft leather bucket seats laid ground for the calm as the opening credits rolled.
Although our meeting is only moments away, it hasn’t got any easier for me to contain my excitement. Maybe, it’s because Natasha will be the first blind woman I’ve been with. I haven’t felt this stimulated since Janessa... my second. She was strong, but not as strong as I had hoped. Still, I enjoyed breaking her. I was disappointed that she didn’t last as long as I wanted but by the end, she was just another frail, pathetic mound of flesh that was useless to herself and the world. I understand that it must have been traumatizing for her two sons to find her in the manner they did. In time, I know they, as well as her husband, will appreciate what I have done for them. They will come to realize that I have saved them from a life of despair. Her self-serving nature would have eventually come to the surface and tore the family apart. I was lucky enough to reveal that before she could poison her children. Her family will be better off without her.
Ivan looked out the window and up toward the sixth floor of the fourteen-story Loren condominium complex and imagined Natasha taking a warm bath. Her hand moving along her skin leaving a trail of thick, heavy scented bubbles. She would smell of something fruity as she unknowingly readied herself for his arrival. Ivan had watched Natasha for several weeks. He lusted for her beauty and marveled for her mind. The way she adapted with her environment. The determination of achievement, not letting her lack of sight hold her back. An aurora of euphoria glazed his body as if he had just discovered he could fly. The freedom he could explore and the depths of his many desires would not hold any boundaries.
You aren’t married, you live alone, and you don’t go out. You are all alone, waiting for me to come on in. I am going to take my time with you and enjoy every hour.
The Loren condominium had a lobby guard and two surveillance cameras, one at each of the two entry points of the building. During his planning, Ivan had watched the guard’s activities. A rotation of three guards: Michael Watts, thin, 60-years old with a trusting heart and a smile for everyone; David Jenkins, 100 pounds overweight and growing, egotistical, unfriendly, and miserable; and Tom Meets, thin, around his forties, working two jobs, with an earnest attitude and more purposeful nature.
He observed them all learning and understanding their habits and routines. Tonight, David Jenkins sat at the desk. He ordered out for dinner spanning several different restaurants with most of his orders coming from Maria’s Italian Kitchen. Ivan suspected that the guard would not make any special inquiries about a pizza delivery guy bringing food from his favorite eatery. The weather made for the perfect ruse to walk inside with gloves and a partially covered face without arousing suspicions.
Ivan glanced down at the name stitched on the shirt. “Rick,” he uttered. “I don’t think that I look much like a Rick,” he murmured, checking his profile in the mirror as he grinned. “But I guess Rick will have to do.” At that time, a news report came in over the radio.
“This is Cynthia Carson with your five to the hour news update brought to you by Hughes Toyota where you can find the right car at the best price. A man was found murdered tonight in the 4400 block of Dodge just before eight o’clock p.m. The victim has been identified as a pizza delivery driver named Rick Mathews. Details are still sketchy, but it appears to have been a robbery gone badly. Police are asking anyone with information on this crime to call the police hotline at 555-5151. In other news, police are still seeking information from anyone that would lead to the capture of the serial killer known as the Loverman, who identifies himself by carving a heart into the chest of his victims. The Omaha Police department and the FBI have assigned a special joint task force to help in furthering the investigation. With the latest killing of a young 25-year-old designer, a police spokesperson says that they have collected several key pieces of evidence that will provide them with some strong leads into the killers’ identity. The Loverman has murdered 10 women in as many as 17 months and police are asking all people, especially women, to be aware of their surroundings and make sure that you do not open your door to anyone whom you don’t know. The city of Omaha hopes that everyone will have a safe and happy holiday and many more. This has been Cynthia Carson with your KJ107.7 news update every hour, five to the hour.”
Ivan chuckled. “Mr. Loverman is coming for you,” he whispered. He glanced at the clock. It read four minutes to nine. He turned off the ignition. Grabbed two large pizzas off the passenger seat, and exited his SUV.
Chapter Two
8:58 p.m.
The sudden gust of cold air stung Ivan’s face when he slid out the driver’s seat. A shiver stimulated the nerves in his spine as he stepped into the winter snowfall. The crunching sound of the freshly fallen compacted snow underneath the dark Carmel leather hikers quickened his blood, warming his skin and heart. He laid the boxes down on the roof of the SUV and readjusted his bunched clothes. He left open his black Wool-Blend Peacoat making sure at least part of the restaurant name could be read on the shirt. He smoothed out his long blonde hair against his neck and shoulders, fitted the black down-filled baseball cap over his head and ears, and set the brim down slightly over his eyes. He pressed his hands together tapering the black fleece gloves. Ivan patted his coat pockets, feeling the mold for several items: headphones, duck tape, and a small smooth edge knife. He manually locked the door, bypassing the alarm. The sound of the alarm would most likely bring the unwanted attendance of the occasional nosey neighbor peering through the window in wonder of who could be out in this weather. He picked up the boxes and walked across the street toward the Loren condominium.
The Loren condominium was once an old abandoned warehouse in the industrial district three miles west of downtown Omaha. Due to new city funds and wealthy developers, it was now a newly renovated living complex that house 28 units containing four units per floor. It was surrounded by various small businesses, restaurants, and several other apartment complexes and condominiums.
Ivan’s thick sole boots moved effortlessly through the deepening snow. The excitement of seeing his new prospect energized his steps. As he neared the entrance-way, he couldn’t help but think back to the first time he saw her.
*****
Ivan and his two assistants, Jonathan McDaniel and Sara Ridges, were having a late lunch at The Golden Inn Japanese Restaurant. They were discussing their strategy for the firm’s defense of their client, Nina Pints, who allegedly hired a hit man to kill her husband for insurance money. Despite the police video surveillance of her crime and the testimony of the undercover officer whom she tried to hire, Ivan relished in the glory of the defense of seemingly guilty people. He had knowingly helped acquit over a dozen murderers and rapist, some of which have committed more recent acts of violence against the public. Defending the un-defendable had become his own personal trait of recognition that he was the best lawyer in the world. He graduated top of his class and had the best acquittal record of 96 percent with his 11 years at the law firm of Edmonds, King, and Young, a record that had earned him a lot of money and the nickname, the Reaper. A reputation he received in spite of several low-key rumors that he had bribed a few jurors and witnesses.
As the group lifted their glasses in a toast, his eyes locked onto a young, beautiful woman just as she entered through the large double doors. His eyes widened, breath deepened, and the flesh underneath his skin tingled. As the hostess assisted the young lady, Ivan analyzed her voluptuous chest and middling hips. Her butt round, sphere-shaped and tightly packaged, which lead to the interpretation that she had great legs. Coal black hair fell down to her shoulders. She had smooth caramel colored skin and luscious lips, which were accentuated by her beautiful smile. She wore a black rib-knit turtleneck, long seamed black dress, black leather ankle boots, and a red high-hip length leather jacket. She stood about four inches shorter and one full cup size too large from being a model. Ivan never shied away from interracial relationships, so feeling attracted to such a beautiful woman of color had no consequence.
She dinned alone. The hostess escorted her to a small table against the wall in a tight little corner. The Golden Inn sat in the old market district near the Missouri river. It had a tranquil traditional scene with dimly lit lights shaped as lanterns, large aquariums, and hardwood floors with dark stain-wood furniture. Two large windows overlooked the river that encompassed an old style oriental ambiance that harmonized that of sophistication and excellent cuisine.
Copyright 2015 Hugh Key. All rights reserved.