Chapter 34
Alex had been on the boat for hours. He was getting closer to Waukegan but still had a solid hour to go.
He was relieved to know that the marina had an available slip that he could use for the month.
That was all Alex had needed to hear. He would deal with everything else later.
He had to get the boat moored, pay the monthly rental fee, then contact a rideshare to get him to Manitowoc as soon as possible.
The Jeep couldn’t stay in the marina’s parking lot overnight.
Leaving it there would lead police to another car rental agency and the name of the person who’d rented the Jeep.
If Alex could keep the cops from knowing when he arrived at and left the Manitowoc marina, and in what type of vehicle, he would be way ahead of them.
Plus, hunkering down in Illinois rather than Wisconsin was much safer and smarter.
Alex had the final hit to fulfill, and as soon as the client gave him the green light, he would take care of that and finalize the deal. With a stack of cash, a new look, and soon, the sale of the boat, he would be free to go wherever he wanted and snatch up another contract.
He thought back on that morning and the lucky break he’d gotten when he went through the dock gate with the family ahead of him. There was no record of him being at the marina at all, and once the Jeep was gone, it would be free sailing.
Alex had played it extra safe with Torrie.
He’d double bagged her body, and with her arms and legs inside those same bags, no body parts would be washing ashore.
He’d made sure to put her smashed phone and purse in the bag then added an extra anchor around her neck when he tossed her overboard that morning.
As with the others, after her body sank into the depths, he continued on for miles before dumping the organs, also double bagged and anchored.
After finally reaching Waukegan, Alex pulled up to a public area of the dock.
He tied off, went into the office, and let them know he’d arrived.
His monthly rental was processed, and he confirmed his identity using his fake driver’s license.
An attendant walked out with Alex to show him the slip he’d been assigned.
“That looks great. I’ll pull in right now.”
“For short-term rentals, we give you the keypad code. Long-term renters have a key card.”
“Sounds good, and the one month rental should be plenty for me.”
“So, visiting here from Manitowoc, Wisconsin?”
“Yep. I have family in the Chicago area, and I like to spend my summers on the water.”
The attendant grinned. “I couldn’t agree more.”
“Okay, thanks. I’ll go park my boat, and the key code is?”
“Come back to the office as soon as your boat is moored. I’ll have it ready for you.”
Fifteen minutes later, Alex stood at the marina entrance waiting for his ride. He would be at the Manitowoc marina by midafternoon. The Jeep would be gone soon, and Alex had no reason to return to Manitowoc ever again.