Chapter 20
Alex’s ears perked up while listening to the squawk that came over the police scanner that evening.
The cops had pulled over a person driving erratically in a white Camry that had no plates on it.
The driver didn’t have a license or proof of insurance, and there was no registration card anywhere in the car.
The cops and the FBI have nothing now. They’ll track the VIN back to City Rentals in New Berlin. The last rental contract was with a James Smith, a fictitious name with a fictitious address. My prints are nowhere on that vehicle, so the Camry isn’t an issue anymore.
Alex went to bed and would sleep comfortably that night.
Nine hours slipped by, and the early morning light was peeking through the blinds.
Thursday had arrived, and Alex was wide awake.
He had to get up and plan the weekend. His client was counting on him to do away with woman number three.
Before doing anything, though, he had to order a rideshare to pick him up five blocks from his home and take him within a few blocks of a car rental agency.
He tossed back the blankets, put on his robe, and walked to the kitchen, where he made an espresso.
Hmm… Where should I rent the next car? Somewhere different without connections to anything or anyone.
With his coffee in front of him, Alex sat at the table and powered up his laptop. He did a search of car rental agencies north of Milwaukee yet no farther than thirty miles away.
This one should do. A small town like Slinger doesn’t attract any attention. Now to find somewhere within a few blocks of the rental agency for the driver to drop me off at.
Alex found a large apartment complex only a five-minute walk from the rental agency.
This will do just fine.
He entered his pickup location into the rideshare app, then he added the name and address of the apartment as his final destination. The pickup time—nine a.m.
Back in the kitchen, Alex made himself two scrambled eggs and a slice of twelve-grain toast.
A thought crossed his mind, and he quickly checked the rental car agency’s inventory.
He intended to take a large cooler and a fishing pole to the Manitowoc marina then board his boat.
He needed an SUV that a large cooler would easily fit into.
It had to hold the body of his next victim.
He was relieved to see they had several SUV choices on hand.
“Good, no problem there.”
After making another espresso, Alex sat down on his balcony overlooking the lake and ate his breakfast.
I love this lake and the lifestyle my contracts provide me. No mistakes ever. I promise myself that.
He chuckled at the thought of the druggie or homeless person who had been pulled over in the Camry.
I wonder if the cop believed anything he said, but because the PD was looking for a white Camry, that guy is probably being interrogated by everyone in law enforcement. Poor sucker. Don’t you know if it seems too good to be true, it probably is?
After breakfast, Alex showered and dressed for the day.
He had enough time for a casual walk to the address he’d entered into the rideshare app as his pickup location.
That spot was a gas station three blocks from his apartment.
Alex checked the driver’s ETA on the app—five minutes.
He took that time to go inside, use the facilities, and buy a lottery ticket.
Back outside and standing in front of the building, he watched the vehicles as they came and went.
Finally, he saw the car he had been waiting for.
He pushed off the building, waved down the driver, and hopped into the back seat.
He decided to make small talk for a few minutes then ride in silence the rest of the way.
If asked, he would say he was from Cleveland, staying at a friend’s house on the east side, and going to visit another friend north of Milwaukee—end of story.
Alex was relieved that the driver wasn’t the talkative type.
He said hello, asked how Alex’s morning was going, and that was it.
The thirty-five-minute drive went by in silence, exactly the way Alex liked it.
The less he had to tell the driver, the better.
Nothing said, nothing revealed, and nothing to regret.
They finally reached Slinger, drove right by the car rental agency, and continued for several blocks. Alex pointed at the apartment complex.
“This is it. You can let me out just before the guard gate.”
“Yes, sir.”
The car stopped, and Alex got out, thanked the driver, and closed the door. He took his time walking toward the guard gate, but as soon as the rideshare driver was out of sight, he turned and headed down the sidewalk to the car rental agency.
It was nearly ten a.m. when Alex entered the building and walked up to the counter.
“How may I help you today, sir?”
“I’m looking for a midsize SUV. I’m planning on a camping trip up north and need the room in the back for a cooler, supplies, and my tent.”
“Absolutely. Give me one minute to see what we have in stock.”
Alex waited quietly and stared at the floor. He was sure cameras were pointed at the counter, so keeping his head down or away from a direct camera shot of his face was important.
“Okay, here we go. Does the color matter to you?”
He chuckled. “No, it doesn’t. Camping and nature, remember? No flaunting here.”
“Sure. We have a black Toyota Highlander, a green Honda Passport, and a tan Jeep Cherokee. Any of them suit your fancy?”
“Tan sounds good. Hides the dirt too.”
They both laughed.
“So let’s get you set up with that Cherokee, then. I need to see your driver’s license first.”
Alex opened his wallet and pulled out the license for James Smith.
The reservationist smiled. “Easy name to remember.”
“Named after my granddad.”
“Would you like the additional insurance, a car seat, or any other options?”
“No, thanks. It does include unlimited mileage, right?”
“Yes, sir. How many days will you have the Cherokee?”
Alex rubbed his chin. “A week sounds good.”
“Sure thing. Whenever you’re ready, you can swipe your credit card.”
Minutes later, Alex was on his way back to Milwaukee in a 2026 Jeep Cherokee with plenty of room for supplies.
“Easy peasy, nice and breezy.”
His next task was to get the mark’s name from his client and learn where to find her.
He would arrange something for Friday or Saturday night, take her back to his apartment, and offer her a glass or two of wine laced with Rohypnol.
The drinks would be followed by a relaxing and sensual bath.
Alex would offer a neck and shoulder massage.
His technique was to die for—and she would do exactly that.
Back at his apartment, Alex called his client and got all the details he needed about the next woman.
She was an attractive twenty-five-year-old with long black hair usually worn in a topknot.
Of average height, she was slender and went by the name Torrie.
She worked the same block as Beth and the first mark, but Torrie was a day worker.
Alex would have to be more careful in the daylight hours, possibly even camouflaging his appearance, or find out what she did and where she went when she wasn’t on the clock.
If any of the ladies were being overly cautious, they might have a keener eye on the men coming and going, the vehicles they were driving, and maybe even the plate number on the vehicle.
As far as Alex knew, nobody on that corner had a clue that Beth or woman number one were dead, and that was a plus for him.
He had two days to form a plan to spot Torrie, give her the money she charged, and have her climb into the Jeep. Once she was in his custody, the rest would be a piece of cake. For the moment, he needed to buy a large cooler.