BackTrek by Kelvin Kelley Page B

much like Jack was with his own. Jack never suspected a
problem between them, he just assumed it was a natural occurrence.
That all friends drifted apart as their interests changed. But when
he had been hauled before the C.O. on drug charges, he just
couldn’t believe that Ted had been the one. That he was framed was
mind boggling enough, but by his friend and confidant was just
impossible.
    Even in the first set of hearings, Jack still
believed that it was all a mistake. Until the day that Ted gave his
testimony. Total lies about how Jack was a user. That he had asked
him to find a source where he could buy cocaine. Lies about how Ted
had tried to talk him into getting help for his addiction. More
lies about how Ted had warned him that it would come to this one
day. Just lie after lie. Jack’s world fell apart before his eyes,
and he’d tried his best to pick up the pieces ever since. He didn’t
know why Ted was here now, nor did he know who Ted really worked
for, but in a way he felt some relief. It was like he had crossed a
plateau in dealing with his past. That he finally had an
opportunity to confront Ted after all these years made him feel
better about himself, even if Ted had taken him down. He hated the
fact that Penelli had to see him lose his cool, but Penelli had
seen him go off on perps before. He had seen his anger, just never
in a situation like this.
    Jack took a few more moments to gather
himself and straighten his clothes before he finally headed inside.
As he walked up towards the front of the building, he saw Ted’s
business card on the ground, hesitated, then stooped down to pick
it up. No business name was printed on the card, just Ted’s name,
email address, and a single toll free phone number. He pocketed the
card absentmindedly and then as he headed up the stairs, he passed
the two officers guarding the building without a word. If they had
seen the confrontation on the sidewalk outside, they kept silent.
As he entered the apartment, Ted came back into the living room
from the hallway. Jack couldn’t help but notice the white sheen
over his face.
    “It’s as bad as I’ve seen.” Jack
commented.
    “This is one sick perp, Jack.” Ted said, as
he shook his head.
    “By the way, Jack, the E.T. said that you
were right again. The last kid on the end is the one that was shot
in the bedroom. He was sleeping over last night. He lives down the
street.” Penelli said.
    “He wasn’t expected to be here. That’s why he
was killed back there. The others, they belonged here.”
    “What are you saying, Jack?” Ted asked.
    “This guy is a pro, but he wasn’t just after
Dad. He came in with the intention of executing the entire family.
He knew where they were, who they were, and how many there were.”
Jack replied.
    “So he did his homework.” Penelli
interjected.
    “No, I think it’s more like he had a shopping
list. Whoever wanted this guy dead, wanted to erase his whole
family, and probably gave our perp a list to check off as the job
was done.”
    “This is the second one in a week, with the
same M.O., is that right? Any idea on a connection yet?” Ted
asked.
    “None, but it’s too early to tell with this
one.” Penelli replied.
    “The only real connection that we’ve got at
all is the lack of any DNA evidence on the perp, and the execution
style headshots. That, and the fact that it appears to be a
professional job.” Jack answered.

Chapter 11
     
     
    Jack was finally relieved to be finished with
the crime scene investigation. Six hours he had spent, as he had
meticulously collected evidence and took notes. For six hours he
had been submersed in a world where entire families were executed.
And to make it even worse, he had found no real evidence that would
lead to a conviction. It was times like these that he questioned
his choice of professions. No one else had to live so close to the
insanity. He knew that to catch these animals meant that you had to
think like them, and at