Speaking it out loud helped her understand how strange it seemed.
The guy was not only invited in, but apparently invited into the bedroom. That means that the likelihood that he was actually invited is a small one. He had a key. Or knew where a spare one was located.
She went on before she derailed herself with new thoughts and projections.
I want to look at these pictures because there are two odd things that stand out to me. Firstlook at how all four of them are lying perfectly flat on their back. Their legs are relaxed and well-postured. Its almost as if they were staged to look that way. And then theres one other thing and if were dealing with a serial killer, I think this might be the most important thing to note. Look at Mrs. Kurtzs right hand.
She gave the other four people in the room the chance to look. She wondered if Harrison would notice what she was getting at and blurt it out. She gave them three seconds or so and when no one said anything, she carried on.
Her right hand is resting on her husbands thigh. Its the one part of her body that is not perfectly laid out. So either this is a coincidence or the killer did place their bodies in this position, purposefully moving her hand.
So what if he did? Rodriguez asked. Whats the point?
Well, now look at the Sterlings. Look at the husbands left hand.
This time she did not make it three seconds. It was Dagney who saw what she was referencing. And when she answered, her voice was thin and on edge.
Hes reaching out and placing his hand on his wifes thigh, she said.
Exactly, Mackenzie said. If it were just one of the couples, I would not even mention it. But that same gesture is present with both of these couples, making it evident that the killer did it with some intention.
But for what? Rodriguez asked.
Symbolism? Harrison suggested.
It could be, Mackenzie said.
But thats not really much to go on, is it? Nestler asked.
Not at all, Mackenzie said. But at least its something. If its symbolic to the killer, theres a reason for it. So heres where Id like to start: Id like to get a list of suspects that have been recently paroled for violent crimes that were linked to home invasions. I still dont think it was a home invasion per se, but its the most plausible place to start.
Okay, we can get that for you, Rodriguez said. Anything else?
Nothing just yet. Our next course of action is to speak with the family, friends, and neighbors of the couples.
Yeah, we spoke to the Kurtzes next of kin a brother, sister, and a pair of parents. Youre more than welcome to go back to them, but they didnt offer up much of anything. The brother of Josh Kurtz said that as far as he knew, they had a great marriage. The only time they fought was during football season when the Seminoles played the Hurricanes.
What about the neighbors? Mackenzie asked.
We spoke with them, too. But it was brief. Mostly about the noise complaint they filed about the yapping dog.
So thats where well start, Mackenzie said, looking over to Harrison.
And without another word, they stood and were out the door.
CHAPTER FOUR
Mackenzie found it a little unsettling to revisit the townhouses. While standing in the beautiful weather as they approached the neighbors house, the knowledge that there was a bed in the next townhouse over that was coated in blood seemed surreal. Mackenzie suppressed a shudder and looked away from the Kurtzes townhouse.
As she and Harrison made their way up the stairs to the neighbors front door, Mackenzies phone dinged, letting her know that she had received a text message. She pulled out the phone and saw that the text was from Ellington. She rolled her eyes as she read it.
Hows the rookie working out for you? Miss me yet?
She nearly responded but didnt want to encourage him. She also didnt want to seem aloof or distracted in front of Harrison. She knew it was a conceited thing to think, but she was pretty sure he was looking to her as an example of sorts. Given that, she tucked her phone back into her pocket and walked up to the front door. She allowed Harrison to knock and he even did that with great caution and care.
Several seconds later, a flustered-looking woman answered the door. She looked to be in her mid-forties. She was dressed in a loose-fitting tank top and a pair of shorts that may as well have been nothing more than panties. She looked like she was probably a regular at the beach, and had obviously been to a plastic surgeon for her nose and possibly her breasts.
Can I help you? she asked.
Are you Demi Stiller?
I am. Why?
Mackenzie flashed her badge with an expert swiftness that she was getting much better at. Were agents White and Harrison with the FBI. We were hoping to speak with you about your neighbors.
Thats fine, I guess, Demi said. But we already spoke to the police.
I know, Mackenzie said. I was hoping to go a bit deeper. As I understand it, there was some frustration over the dog next door when they spoke to you.
Yeah, there was, Demi said, ushering them in and closing the door behind them. Of course, I had no idea that they had been killed when I made that call.
Of course, Mackenzie said. Were not here about that, anyway. We were hoping you might be able to give us some insights into their lives. Did you know them at all?
Demi had led them to the kitchen, where Mackenzie and Harrison took a seat at the bar. The place was laid out just like the Kurtz residence. Mackenzie saw Harrison looking skeptically toward the stairs off of the adjoined living room.
We werent friends, if thats what youre asking, Demi said. Wed say hi if we saw one another, you know? We grilled out on the back patio with them a few times, but thats about it.
How long were they your neighbors? Harrison asked.
A little more than four years, I guess.
And would you consider them good neighbors? Mackenzie followed up.
Demi gave a little shrug. For the most part. They had some noisy get-togethers here and there during football season but it wasnt too bad. I honestly almost didnt even call in the complaint about the stupid dog. The only reason I did is because no one answered the door over there when I knocked.
I dont suppose you know if they ever had any regular guests, do you?
I dont think so, Demi said. The cops asked the same sort of thing. My husband and I thought it over and I dont ever remember seeing any cars parked over there regularly unless it was their own.
Well, do you know if they were involved in anything that might get us some people to talk to? Any sort of clubs or weird interests?
Not that I know of, Demi said. As she spoke, she was looking at the wall, as if trying to see through it and into the Kurtzes townhouse. She looked a little sad, either for the loss of the Kurtzes or simply to have been dragged into the middle of this.
Youre certain? Mackenzie pushed.
Pretty certain, yeah. I think the husband played racquetball. I saw him going in a few times, just coming back from the gym. As for Julie, I dont know. I know she liked to draw but thats only because she showed me some of her stuff one time. But other than thatno. They pretty much stayed to themselves.
Pretty certain, yeah. I think the husband played racquetball. I saw him going in a few times, just coming back from the gym. As for Julie, I dont know. I know she liked to draw but thats only because she showed me some of her stuff one time. But other than thatno. They pretty much stayed to themselves.
Is there anything else about them anything at all that stands out to you?
Well, Demi said, still looking at the wall, I know its sort of lewd, but it was quite evident to my husband and me that the Kurtzes had quite an active sex life. The walls here are apparently thin or the Kurtzes were very loud. I cant even tell you how many times we heard them. Sometimes it wasnt even just like muffled noises; they would be going at it, you know?
Anything violent? Mackenzie asked.
No, it never sounded like it, Demi said, now looking a little embarrassed. They were just very enthusiastic. It was something we always wanted to complain to them about but never did. Its sort of embarrassing to bring it up, you know?
Sure, Mackenzie said. Youve mentioned your husband a few times. Where is he?
At work. He works a nine to five. I stay here and run a part-time editorial service, a work from home deal.
Would you please ask him the same things Ive asked you just to make sure I get all the possible information? Mackenzie asked.
Yes, of course.
Thank you very much for your time, Mrs. Stiller. I may call you a little later if any other questions arise.
Thats fine, Demi said as she led them back toward the front door.
When they were outside and Demi Stiller had closed the door, Harrison looked back to the townhouse that Josh and Julie Kurtz had once called home. So all we took away from that was the knowledge that they had a great sex life? he asked.
Seems like it, she said. But that tells us that they had a strong marriage, perhaps. Add that to the statements from the family about their picture-perfect marriage and it makes it more challenging to find a reason for their murders. Or, on the other hand, it could be easier now. If they had a good marriage and stayed out of trouble, finding someone with something against them could prove to be easier. Nowtake a look at your notes. Where would you choose to look next?
Harrison seemed a little surprised that she had asked the question but he dutifully looked down at the notebook he kept his notes and files in. We need to check out the first crime scene the Sterling residence. The parents of the husband live six miles from the house, so it may be worth checking in with them.
Sounds good to me, she said. You got the addresses?
She tossed him the car keys and headed for the passenger door. She took a moment to admire the look of surprise and pride on his face at the simple gesture as he caught the keys.
Then lead the way, she said.
CHAPTER FIVE
The Sterling residence was eleven miles away from the Kurtzes townhouse. Mackenzie couldnt help but admire the place as Harrison pulled into the long concrete driveway. The house sat about fifty yards off of the main road, lined with a gorgeous flowerbed and tall thin trees. The house itself was very modern, mostly comprised of windows and distressed wooden beams. It looked like an idyllic yet expensive home for a well-to-do couple. The only thing that broke this illusion was the strip of yellow crime scene tape strung along the front door.
When they started walking toward the front door, Mackenzie noted just how quiet the place was. It was blocked off from the other high-priced neighboring houses by a thick grove of trees, a lush wall of green that looked just as well maintained and expensive as the houses along this stretch of the city. While the property was not on the beach, she could hear it murmuring somewhere in the distance.
Mackenzie ducked under the crime scene tape and dug out the spare key that Dagney had provided from the Miami PDs original investigation. They stepped into a large foyer and Mackenzie was again taken aback by the absolute silence of everything. She took a look around at the layout of the house. A hallway stretched out to their left and ended in a kitchen. The rest of the house was quite open; a living room and large sitting area connected to one another, leading further off and out of sight toward a glassed-in back porch.
What do we know about what happened here? Mackenzie asked Harrison. She, of course, already knew. But she wanted to let him display his own smarts and commitment, hoping he would quickly get comfortable before the case really took off.
Deb and Gerald Sterling, Harrison said. He was thirty-six and she was thirty-eight. Killed in their bedroom in the same manner as the Kurtzes, though these murders took place at least three days before the Kurtz murders. Their bodies were discovered by their maid just after eight oclock in the morning. The coroners reports indicate that they had been killed the night before. Initial investigations turned up absolutely no evidence of any kind, although forensics is currently analyzing hair fibers found clinging to the front door frame.
Mackenzie nodded along as he recited the facts. She was studying the downstairs, trying to get a feel for the sort of people the Sterlings were before heading up to the room where they had been killed. She passed by a large built-in bookshelf between the living room and sitting area. Most of the books were fiction, mostly by King, Grisham, Child, and Patterson. There were also a few art-related books. In other words, basic filler books that gave no insights into the personal lives of the Sterlings.
A decorative roll-top desk sat against the wall in the sitting area. Mackenzie lifted the top and looked inside but there was nothing of interest just pens, paper, a few pictures, and other household debris.
Lets go on up, she said.
Harrison nodded and took a deep, shaky breath.
Its okay, Mackenzie said. The Kurtz house got to me, too. But trust methese sorts of situations do get easier.
You know that might not necessarily be a good thing, right? she thought to herself. How many terrible sights have you become desensitized to ever since coming across that first woman on a post in the cornfields of Nebraska?
She shook the thought away as she and Harrison reached the top of the stairs. The upstairs consisted of a long hallway that housed only three rooms. A large office sat to the left. It was tidy to the point of being almost empty, looking out into the grove of trees along the back of the house. The huge bathroom boasted his and hers sinks, a large shower, a tub, and a linen closet that was as large as Mackenzies kitchen.
Just like downstairs, there was nothing to paint an accurate picture of the Sterlings or why anyone would want to kill them. Wasting no more time, Mackenzie walked toward the end of the hallway where the bedroom door was standing open. Sunlight came pouring in through a large window on the left side of the room. The light swallowed up the end of the bed, turning the maroon there an alarming shade of red.
It was dizzying in a way, to step into the bedroom of a spotless house to see all of the blood on the bed. The floor was hardwood but Mackenzie could see splatters of blood here and there. There was not as much blood on the walls here as they had seen at the Kurtz residence, but there was some speckled in droplets like some morbid abstract painting.
There was a faint smell like copper in the air, the scent of spilled blood having dried. It was faint but seemed to fill the room. Mackenzie walked around the edge of the bed, looking at the light gray sheets that had been deeply stained in red. She saw a single mark in the top sheet that might have been a puncture wound from the knife. She observed it closer and found that was exactly what she was looking at.