Chapter 34
Ifound Denise at her desk and filled her in on the situation. Her delicate fingers tapped the keys. It wasn't long before she had Earl’s information pulled up on the screen.
He’d just been released a few months ago.
The date of his arrest coincided with the cessation in the string of murders in Pineapple Bay.
Denise and I shared a knowing glance.
Earl bore a striking resemblance to Ray.
Fifteen years ago, they looked virtually identical.
The same shaggy brown hair, pale eyes, and similar facial features.
Even down to the mustache and goatee. They both had a skull tattoo on their fingers.
Though Earl’s was on the right hand while Ray’s was on his left.
They weren’t identical by any stretch of the imagination. The skull on Earl's hand had wings and looked more like a ring as it wrapped around his finger. The one on Ray’s hand was a simpler skull.
Fortunately, someone had the presence of mind to photograph both their tattoos back in the day. It was common practice, but at times, those kinds of details could get overlooked.
There was no doubt in my mind Earl Vernon Maddox was responsible for these heinous acts. He was the Bay Strangler.
“Where is Earl living now?” I asked.
“According to the DMV, he’s in Coconut Key. Looks like he lives in an apartment in Jamaica Village.”
I noted the address and asked Denise to text me Earl’s mugshot. It buzzed my phone a moment later.
I texted Jenna: [I’m going to send you an image of a suspect. Tell me if that’s your assailant.]
She replied: [Okay.]
I sent her Earl’s image and waited for a reply.
She called a few moments later. “That’s him! Is that Ray?”
“No. It’s a guy named Earl.” I listed his rap sheet. “You’re positive that’s the guy?”
Jenna hesitated. "Yes. That's him.”
I thanked her for the information and told her I'd be in touch.
The next thing on my agenda was to pay Earl a visit.
I called Jack again, and this time he picked up. "Where the hell have you been?”
"Running Madelyn all around the island. We’ll be back at the boat before long."
I caught him up to speed and told him I was going to do a knock-and-talk.
"Why don't you wait for me to do something like that?”
"Somebody needs to look after Madelyn. Besides, I'm just going to ask him a few questions.”
"Watch your back," he said.
"I will."
Denise gave me a look as I ended the call. "I'll go with you.”
"You sure you're feeling up to it?”
"I'm fine. I can handle myself."
I gave her a look. I knew she could handle herself, but I wasn’t keen on putting her in harm’s way again. But this was just a knock and talk. What could go wrong?
We left the station and hopped in her banana-yellow SUV. I didn't think she wanted to ride over to Jamaica Village on the back of my bike. Plus, I only had one helmet.
We pulled to the curb at 705 Duncrest Trail.
The rundown apartment complex had a total of four coral colored buildings with white trim, two units up, and two units down.
No covered or gated parking. A few withering palm trees dotted the landscape, and the sidewalks were cracked with weeds sprouting through.
Not the most well-maintained place on the island.
I muttered to Denise as we strolled the pathway toward Building C, "Just remember, this guy is a serial rapist and murderer, most likely. You don't want to catch his eye.”
"I can't help it, psychos find me irresistible," she said in a cutesy voice.
I chuckled. I think just about any man on the planet would find Denise irresistible.
We found Earl's building and climbed the steps. I banged on the door to unit #202.
The sound of a television on inside filtered down the hallway.
A few moments later, footsteps shuffled to the door, and the peephole flickered. "What do you want?” a gruff voice asked through the door.
I flashed my badge to the peephole and said, "Coconut County. We just have a few questions for you.”
There was a long pause, and I thought he was going to tell us to get lost. To my surprise, the deadbolt unlatched, and Earl pulled open the door.
He looked pretty much the same as he did in his mug shot, only 15 years older.
He had a medium frame and still had the shaggy brown hair which was trending toward gray.
He still wore the same style mustache and goatee, and his narrow eyes darted between the two of us.
The resemblance to Ray was still apparent.
Even 15 years on, it might be easy to mistake the two.
"Enjoying the free world?" I asked.
"I’d enjoy it a hell of a lot more if two cops weren’t at my door.”
I flashed a disarming smile. “How do you like Coconut Key?”
"Beats the correctional facility.”
"I bet. Why not go back to Pineapple Bay?”
Earl shrugged. "I didn't feel like it had anything left to offer me.”
"Wanted some fresh meat, eh?”
Earl glared at me. “I wanted a fresh start. I don't think I could get one in Pineapple Bay.”
"It seems like you're off to a helluva start here,” I said.
Earl's eyes narrowed at me. "What do you mean by that?”
I showed him a picture of Abigail on my phone. "Do you recognize this girl?”
A hint flashed in his eyes, then he denied it. "No."
"Never seen her before?”
"Not that I recall. There are a lot of pretty girls on the island. Maybe I bumped into her here or there.”
I tabbed through the images on my phone and showed him a picture of Harper that I had taken at the crime scene. This one was a little more gruesome. "What about her?"
Earl’s face tightened. "Nope. Never seen her before either.”
"Look real close. Are you sure about that?”
"Positive."
"You mind if we take a look around your apartment?”