Ghost Peppers Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Penny returned to work on Monday with lingering hints of anxiety from last week but with a renewed determination to focus on the case. She wanted to see her parents’ case file, but Tony caught onto her intent almost immediately. He stepped in to dissuade her, the conversation more challenging than he’d expected.

“Penny, I know it’s eating at you,” Tony began, his voice low yet firm. “But that file? It's only going to add to the weight you're carrying. Right now, your focus should be on stopping these murders, not unearthing personal pain.”

Penny clenched her jaw, frustration simmering in her expression. "I just need to understand, Tony. If I knew more, maybe—"

“Maybe it would distract you from the details we actually need to see here,” Tony countered, more gentle this time. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Look, Penny, right now the priority has to be the families depending on us to find their loved ones’ killer.”

Penny took a deep breath, looking away as she processed his words. Finally, she nodded, though the reluctance was clear.

They made their way to the crime scene evidence room, where the string of recent cases seemed to loom over every detail spread out before them. Three couples, all murdered in eerily similar fashion, with zip-tied limbs and each husband strangled. Tony gestured to the items logged in each case.

“Three crime scenes, three empty Amazon boxes, no shipping labels,” he recounted, organizing his thoughts aloud. “We’ve got a monogrammed pillowcase left on each scene—A, C, and K. The same paralytic used each time.”

Penny leaned closer, her eyes sweeping across the notes and photos. “And those Amazon trucks,” she said, frowning. “There’s a pattern in that too. Each scene had witnesses reporting a truck parked down the street for about an hour.”

Tony tapped a page from the latest scene’s witness statements. “This might help. One girl waiting for her school bus near the Rodgers home spotted a man stepping out of an Amazon truck the morning of the murder, around 7:30 a.m.”

Penny froze and asked, “Did she give a description?”

“Not much of one,” Tony admitted. “But enough to confirm he was alone, and he seemed to be doing more than making a quick delivery. I think it’s time we followed up with Erica Rodgers, the daughter.”

Penny nodded, her expression shifting from distracted to determined. “Agreed. Let’s set an appointment with her. If she knows anything about her parents' routines or if they noticed anything off, it might help us connect these scenes.”

Tony scribbled a note to schedule the meeting, glancing up at Penny. “You good?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “I’m good, Tony. Let’s catch this guy.”

_________________________________________________________________________

Erica Rodgers sat in the small, dimly lit interview room, her hands clasped tightly on her lap. Penny watched her carefully, feeling the weight of Erica’s guarded expression. Tony broke the silence with a gentle tone, hoping to set her at ease.

"Erica," he began, "we know this is incredibly difficult. But anything you can tell us about your parents, about your dad especially—could help us find the person responsible for their deaths."

Erica’s gaze dropped to the table, her fingers tracing the edge of her sleeve as she took a slow breath. “My father,” she hesitated, a slight tremor in her voice, "he wasn’t a good man. I mean, not at all. He was abusive. Physically. Mentally. Every day was just trying to survive him. He made our lives hell.”

The room grew heavier, and Penny felt a familiar sting resonate within her own memories. She glanced at Tony, who gave a slight nod to continue.

“Thank you for trusting us with that,” Penny said gently. “When you say he was abusive—was anyone aware of this? Like a teacher or anyone else?”

Erica hesitated again, but she looked up with a little more confidence this time. “I… I did tell someone. The school nurse, Ms. Stein. She knew about the bruises, the way I’d act when I had to go home. And she referred me to a therapist. A woman named Jackie Conrad or no, Jackie Connors. Yeah, Jackie Connors.”

The words struck Penny like a lightning bolt. Her expression faltered, barely noticeable, but Tony noticed and raised an eyebrow in silent concern. “Jackie Connors?” he asked, a slight frown on his face. “You’re certain?”

Erica nodded, looking between the two detectives, sensing the weight of her words in their reactions. “Yes. Ms. Stein said she trusted her—said Jackie was one of the best. I started seeing her just a few months ago, right before things got really bad at home.”

Penny cleared her throat, doing her best to steady herself. “And your father, did he know about these sessions?”

“No.” Erica shook her head, voice firmer now. “He would’ve lost it if he knew. That’s why I never went to her office. Jackie arranged it so we’d meet off-site sometimes, like in a coffee shop, where no one could see.”

Penny felt a jolt of anger, tempered with confusion, swirling within her. She’d known Jackie for years—how could Jackie not have told her? She shot Tony a glance, and he seemed to sense her urgency.

“Thank you, Erica,” Tony said, his tone respectful but efficient. “We know that sharing this wasn’t easy. But it helps.”

As they exited the room, Penny could feel Tony’s watchful gaze. “You want to talk to Jackie?” he asked, already knowing the answer. Penny nodded, her voice clipped. “Yes. I need to understand why she never mentioned any of this.”

________________________________________________________________________

Penny’s pulse was racing by the time she arrived at Jackie’s office. Jackie’s face softened with relief as she looked up from her paperwork, but her expression shifted when she saw Penny’s tension.

“Penny, is everything alright?” Jackie asked, concerned.

Penny took a breath, then cut straight to the point. “Jackie, why didn’t you tell me you were seeing students referred by Julia Stein? Why didn’t you say anything about Erica Rodgers?”

Jackie’s face registered the name, and she tilted her head slightly. “Erica Rodgers... she’s a recent referral. Penny, what’s going on?”

Penny’s voice wavered as frustration bled through. “Jackie, she came to you because of abuse, serious abuse from her father. And now her parents are dead. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t have mentioned anything to me. You had to know about the connections we’ve been trying to make with these murders.”

Jackie’s expression softened, and she took a step closer, reaching for Penny’s hand. “Penny, I didn’t know. Believe me. I didn’t connect her family with any ongoing investigations, I didn’t even know her parents names. I see patients every day, many with trauma, and under HIPAA, I can’t share any details, not even with you.”

Penny pulled her hand back, searching Jackie’s face with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. “But Jackie, how could you not see it? This case, it’s affecting everything! And Erica is just one connection. What about the others? Has Julia sent other students to you?”

Jackie’s face softened further, as she placed a hand on Penny’s shoulder. “Penny, I don’t handle family therapy cases. I only see patients individually now. And as for Julia, she sends the occasional referral when it’s warranted. Erica’s case was difficult, but I had no reason to think her family would be linked to your investigation. I deal with trauma daily—it’s what I do.”

Penny’s expression flickered with emotion before she steadied herself. “So that’s it? I’m just supposed to believe this didn’t strike you as suspicious?”

Jackie took her by the shoulders, her voice low and earnest. “Yes, Penny. Because it’s the truth. I would never withhold anything from you intentionally. You know I’d do anything for you.”

Penny’s defenses softened a little, her gaze lowering as Jackie pulled her into a gentle, embrace. “I know,” Penny whispered. “It’s just… everything’s getting to me.” Jackie held her close. “I’m here, Penny. Whatever this investigation brings, I’m right here beside you.”