Scott Wittenburg - The May Day Murders

The autumnal tranquility of Smithtown, Ohio is shattered when Dr. David Bradley arrives home to find that his wife has been raped and murdered by an intruder who has left no clues behind except the words "May Day" painted in lipstick on his victim's body. When the police later learn that another Smithtown resident has been raped and strangled in New York City, it becomes frighteningly clear that a cunning serial killer targeting Smithtown women is on the prowl. Newspaper reporter Sam Middleton is determined to help Detective Roger Hagstrom track down the assailant of his ex-wife's best friend and everyone is asking the same question as the mystery unfolds: Who will the killer's next victim be?

The May Day Murders

Scott Wittenburg

Copyright 2009 ScottWittenburg

Discover other titles by ScottWittenburg at www.scottwittenburg.com

This book is available in print at manyonline retailers (ISBN 978-1411634237)

This is a work of fiction. Thecharacters and events of this book are entirely the product of theauthors imagination, and any resemblance to actual events, or toany persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

CHAPTER 1

Sam Middleton held the door open forhis ex-wife and daughter before joining them as they descended thesteps of the funeral home. Leaves of brilliant colors blew in everydirection as they made their way across the parking lot to Annswhite Toyota Camry. Sam stood and watched Ann search absentmindedlyin her purse for the car keysthe tears welling up in her eyes forthe third or fourth time that day.

He glanced over at Amy, who seemedoblivious to her mothers grief, and Sam silently wished that shewould at least make an effort to console her. But Amy simply stoodthere apathetically and he was once again reminded of howdramatically his little girl had changed since the divorce lastspring. She seemed almost a stranger now, no longer the sweet,freckle-faced little kid who was so considerate of others andnearly always obeyed her parents demands without question. Amy hadsince become defiant and selfishseemingly overnightand was sowrapped up in her own little world that it was downright scary.Through some force unknown to him, his little bundle of joy hadevolved into a bitter, incorrigible young lady of fourteena keg ofdynamite just waiting to blow up at the slightestprovocation.

Ann suddenly broke down and startedweeping. Sam stepped over and put his arms around her comfortingly,feeling a little awkward as he did so.

Why, Sam? she sobbed. Whydid Marsha have to die? She was so full of lifeso happy! And nowshes

There now, dear, heconsoled. Please dont get yourself all worked upagain.

And so violently!Who in the world would want to do that to her? Marsha wouldnt harma fly. She was so so kind. And Dave, and little Tommy What will they do now?

Sam hugged her tightly, patted herback. I dont know, Ann. Its certainly an awful situation. Iguess theyll just have to try to put all the pieces together andget on with their lives without her. Just like the rest of us willhave to do.

She buried her face in his chest, andSams heart bled for her. He had known that Ann was going to takeit hard when hed called to give her the grim news of MarshaBradleys murder, but he had never conceived that it wouldabsolutely devastate her like this. She and Marsha had been bestfriends since grade school and had been practically joined at thehip in the years since. That was a lot of memories shared together;a lot of closeness. And for Marsha Bradley to die so abruptly likethatand in such a gruesome, hideous way

I hope they find thebastard who did this to her and string him up by his balls! Anndeclared bitterly.

She pulled away and faced Sam, her eyesmoist with tears. Do you know if theyve found any cluesyet?

Sam stared at her gaunt, lovely faceand replied, When I checked with Roger this morning, he told methat they still dont have much to go on. Little Tommy is still inshock, and no one is going to interrogate him until he calms down.The shrink seems to think that could take awhile. And since Tommyis the only witness they know of so far, Roger doesnt think thatmuch of anything is going to break until they can question him.Poor kid. I guess hes so traumatized over this that theyve had topractically force him to eat, and he still hasnt spoken a word toa soul. Not even to his father.

Is Dave going to be able tohandle all of this, you think? He looked absolutely awful inthere.

Sam shook his head slowly. Hes takingit pretty hard, no doubt. My guess is that once the shock has wornoff, hell be out for blood. I just hope they find this assholesoon. The whole towns pretty stirred up, as you can imagine.Probably already forming a lynch mob, as we speak, he added with awry grin.

Ann managed a weak smile. God, am Iever glad I dont live in this little Peyton Placeanymore!

Sam ignored her remark. The police areadvising everyone to be on the lookout for anything or anyonesuspicious and recommending that parents set up a voluntary tenoclock curfew for their kids.

Are you covering the story,or is that a stupid question? she asked.

Yes, to both, Sam replieddryly.

Well, keep me informed. Iwant to know everything that happens, okay?

Sure, Sam nodded. He letgo of her and turned to Amy. Why so quiet, kiddo?

Amy shrugged her shoulders. Nothing tosay. I just want to go home, she answered, her tone of voicebored.

Sam went over and kissed his daughteron the cheek and whispered in her ear, Look after your mother,okay, sweetie? This has been really tough on her, and she needs allthe emotional support she can get right now. Think you can do thatfor your old man?

Amy remained expressionless andreplied, Okay, Dad.

Sam held her bright green eyes in his amoment and could feel the familiar pang of remorse gnaw at himjustas it always did whenever he was about to say goodbye to hisestranged family. He missed them both more than he wanted to admitto himself. Amy, as if reading his mind, suddenly gave him a bearhug. I miss you, Dad.

I miss you too,honey.

Then, as quickly as it began, thisrare, magical moment ended. Can we go now, Mom?

Ann unlocked the car door. Were onour way.

As Amy walked around to the other sideof the car, Sam stood and watched as Ann got in. Be careful, hesaid. Ill call you as soon as I learn anything.

Ann looked up at Sam and squinted fromthe glare of the sun coming from behind him. Thanks, Sam. Takecare of yourself.

He nodded and waited until Amy wasinside, then said, You two take care of each other,okay?

We will, Dad.Bye.

Sam closed the door and stood by as Annstarted the engine and backed the car out. He waved to them as theypulled away.

As he sauntered across the lot towardhis gray Grand Cherokee, Sams head was reeling from the events ofthe day. He reached the Jeep, climbed in and fired up the engine.He felt numb and more alone than hed felt in a long time. MarshaBradleys rape, murder, and ensuing memorial service were agonizingenough. But seeing how hard Ann was taking it, then watching herdrive away into the sunset along with his kidleaving him here inthis godforsaken town while they headed to a new city and a newlifewas just about more than he could handle right now. AlthoughColumbus was only a couple of hours away, it might as well besomewhere in China.

Sam floored the accelerator and pulledinto the alley, turned onto Grant Street and headed north. Trafficwas light for a Saturday afternoonbut then it was always light inthis little burg of 21,000. One of Smithtowns few assets was itsintrinsic charm; the rolling foothills that virtually surroundedthe entire town, the fine old houses with their neatly manicuredgrounds, and the nearby state forest located to the west justoutside the city limits. Otherwise, the town was a bust. Aneconomically anemic place that was swiftly heading in the wrongdirection as towns go. Shrinking instead of growing.