Shaman - the Awakening (5 page)

Around 0200 in the morning, Steve released the team and told everyone to take a break and come back later in the morning. He would be staying of course, but he was looking after his team. Amber and Paul had families to wish a Happy New Year to. Max had his family down in New Orleans, and I'm sure Dianna wanted to wish her relatives the same. I had already wished my mother a Happy New Year's in advance, and just wanted to get some rest and good news for a change.

Steve stated that he would call us if there was anything new in the case. He was somewhat like me; not a part of a large family and didn't speak much on the subject. In fact, I had never even heard him speak of a lady friend in his life. Steven was married to the job, and it didn't help that he was a young genius and way ahead of his own age counterparts. If it wasn't for Dianna, I would've been alone for Christmas and New Year's as well.

Dianna and I ordered a bottle of champagne from the hotel. They were running a special for the night for couples renting rooms for New Year's Eve. We had already been there for over a week, so we got an even better discount than the regular customers. It was also one of the perks of being with law enforcement. We couldn't have slept even if we tried, so we stayed up and enjoyed the rest of the morning with each other. We hoped that all the provisions that were in place would prevent another young woman from getting abducted.

“So, Mr. Sands; I don't have the bow that I promised for our return performance, but I do have handcuffs,” Dianna stated while giving me a very naughty look and laughing.

“I don't mind, just as long as I get to do the handcuffing, but I have a better game,” I replied.

“And what would that entail?” she inquired, her pretty face a study in curiosity

“Do you trust me,” I asked?

“You know I do,” she replied.

“OK, let's drink a couple of shots of tequila first, and then I'll show you.”

We drank several shots of tequila, then I blind folded her and began taking off her clothes. I fed her different fruits and champagne. I fed her from my mouth to hers. Then I used some honey that I had appropriated earlier and poured it over sensitive spots on her body, licking it off. Then I poured honey over parts of my body and had her lick it off. Then we made passionate love, kissing and caressing each other's body.

After making love for most of the morning, we napped until just before the sunrise. I shared dreamscape with her after she went to sleep, planting sexy scenarios in her subconscious mind and loving her receptiveness to it. This wasn't cheating, since she knew I could do it. It was a sharing of my abilities with someone who didn't fear them. The trust between us made my feelings for her intensify exponentially. As I made love to her mind, she panted and sighed, her body growing wetter while she slept, dreaming about the thoughts I placed in her subconscious. She woke up three hours later, still hot and wet, and jumped on top of me. We continued physically from where we left off mentally in our dreams.

Once her breathing had slowed to normal and my heart stopped pounding, she rested her cheek on my shoulder and said, “Now I see what you mean about the dreams being active. I've never experienced anything like that. It was so real; every bit of it. So you had the same dream as I did?” she inquired.

“Yes, I did. Would you like to compare notes?” Then I started describing the dream to her.

“Wow, that's amazing! You can do that to me every night, if you please,” she said with a sigh exhaling, as if she'd just discovered her G spot.

“It would be my pleasure.” I replied, and began kissing her again. We settled back to sleep in the morning and decided to stay there until Steve called us. We were hoping that he wouldn't.

We hadn't gotten much sleep over the last few days leading to the New Year, so Steve didn't call us in until 1100 hours. We had practically lived at the Residence Office for three days straight, while attempting to cross reference our ViCAP databases with NCIC and other databases. We were looking for any type lead to the serial killer, but to no avail. The little reprieve he granted us was much needed, because the team was running on fumes and needed a break.

All of us including all the agents from the Albuquerque Field Office assembled in the Conference Room at the Residence Office on New Year's Day at 1200 hours, , for an all hands on deck meeting. Steven was acting as the SAC of the Residence Office until the subject was captured. Ortega wasn't too pleased about it, but he dealt with it.

“OK people, here's what we have in place for tonight. There is a local curfew for the city beginning at 2000 hours. Agent Ortega and I have coordinated with all local law enforcement to assist,” Steven stated. Steven included Agent Ortega in all of his command discussions. He didn't want to take away from his authority. Ortega's reputation was kept intact, so when we finally departed he could continue as the lead without his authority being questioned by subordinates.

“There will be checkpoints throughout the city, especially routes entering and exiting. There will be an all hands on deck for all law enforcement; the local police department, Sheriff's Department, State Police Department and the National Parks Service law enforcement department for Albuquerque. This will all begin at 2000 hours today until 0700 hours on January 2. Hopefully, by then, we will have the subject apprehended.”

We continued brainstorming and questioning subjects for most of the day. We knew if there was going to be an abduction, we wouldn't be informed of it until the morning after or a few days later. Most of us remained at the RO (Residence Office) that night, without sleep. We wanted to be there if there was an incident one way or the other, but we were hoping for a capture. I was pessimistic about this outcome. He was very intelligent, and had eluded us completely up to this point.

Instead of waiting at the office for something to happen, most of the teams went on patrol, assisting the locals. Dianna and I drove around with Gracie, as usual. It was better to be active. Gracie was comfortable being around us now, and returned to wearing her BDU's. We decided to stop at the mall to eat and look around. You never knew what you might find at the mall.

We'd caught so many predators at the mall, it was ridiculous. It was the one place where people generally let their guard down. There were so many people present we tended to shun the possibility of something going wrong, but this presented opportunity for predators, who used malls for entertainment, dining and business purposes.

We sat down for a quick meal at Friday's. I hadn't sat down and actually eaten a real hot plate of food since Christmas Eve at Dianna's. We discussed the case while dining. When Gracie went to the restroom, the subject changed.

“Gracie and Steve were together on New Year's Eve, you know,” Dianna informed me.

I felt good hearing the news that he wasn't alone, but I wondered why she was telling me. What really surprised me was that I didn't notice it the way Dianna had. I guess my mind was just preoccupied. I did recall her mentioning him as being the brain. Apparently, she likes the brainy type.

“She also inquired about you and wanted to know if you were single or not. I informed her that you were currently seeing someone. I hope I didn't overstep my boundaries,” Dianna inquired. Now I understood why she was confessing this to me.

“So you hooked her up with Steve?” I replied.

“I wouldn't say hooked them up, but I led her his way.”

“And does she know who I'm currently seeing?” I asked?

“She figured it out during our conversation,” Dianna replied smiling.

The politics of women has always intrigued me. Men rarely have a say in such matters of the heart. It's best to just go with the flow. I didn't believe Steve, nor I, would have been with such gorgeous women under different circumstances.

“So, what are you thinking?” she inquired, as if she was reading my thoughts.

“I was thinking about what you said and what exactly we would quantify our relationship as being. Are we just seeing each other now and then, as in a casual relationship? Are we just hooking up to have sex or what?” I inquired. Then I immediately thought to myself,
Wow, this is what women usually worry about in a relationship; these sort of insecurities. Man, how the tables have turned!

“That's so cute,” she said and held my hand. “We are together in a relationship. I'm not with anyone else but you, silly,” she stated, then smiled warmly and gently caressed my hand where it rested on the table beside her.

“You continue to surprise me, Christian Sands. That is the sweetest gift you could have given me. Most men assume and take things for granted, but I see you are a totally different type of man. You are gentle, sensitive and know exactly what to say and do. I'm a very lucky woman.”

“And I'm a very lucky man to have you as well.”

We saw Gracie coming back to the booth and let go of each other's hands, and the conversation. I didn't understand why we didn't want to show our affection in front of Gracie, since she already knew about us, but I guess we were just trying to keep it professional. We continued our patrol of the city after dinner and returned to the RO. There still weren't any breaks in the investigation. I knew in the back of my mind that this case was going to get ugly. This particular psychopath was extremely intelligent and organized. He was giving the team a run for their money.

As midnight rolled around, there was still nothing reported from the patrols or check points. Perhaps we got lucky and secured the city so tightly that we deterred the threat. Then, as time moved slower and slower towards the early morning hours, most of the FO agents had fallen asleep on the sofas and lounge chairs, except Gracie Mullins. She was a true soldier. The BAU team remained vigilant and awake, monitoring the radios and hot lines that were set up.

Ortega attempted to stay awake, but finally succumbed to the sleepless nights. He had been up with Steve most nights and wasn't used to theses grueling, depriving cases, which Steve and the rest of our ViCAP team was accustomed to working. We had become coffee connoisseurs over time, playing games in reference to coffee beans and their origins; which country they were from, and the quality of beans from Columbia, Vienna, Ethiopia, Switzerland and Venice. It was just a nerd game to pass the time, and to get our minds off the debauchery and heinous acts we faced daily.

As the sun rose over Albuquerque and a new day was about to begin, the RO agents began waking. They had been napping for perhaps an hour or two. We knew that we weren't out of the woods, as of yet. Early morning is when the bad news comes in. Reports of failure would come around these hours. Someone didn't make it home the previous night or in the morning. Someone didn't make it to work, and no one had heard from them. Some mother, father or spouse would be crying on the telephone about their loved one's absence.

We let the RO agents take over the radio and telephones for the rest of the morning, and took a break to go freshen up and change clothes. They had lockers and showers at the FO. Around 1000 hours the call came in that we had dreaded. Steve received it on the hotline.

“Jessica Juarez was reported missing by her parents,” he reported.” A single Latino female, 22 years of age, left work at the Wal-Mart at 2330 hours on Jan 1 and there has been no contact with her since. Her car is parked outside her residence. The local police department was allowed inside this morning on the authority of her parents. There were no signs that she ever made it in All the neighbors could say was that they saw a rather large wolf-like dog earlier in the parking area, around the time curfew began. She doesn't have a boyfriend and her friends haven't heard from her either, according to the parents. I've placed Jessica on the board, people. Let's find her and put this perp where he belongs; locked up somewhere in a mental institutional,” Steve said solemnly, as if all the life had been sucked right out of him.

Several of the local agents began grumbling and talking about what they would do if they caught the perpetrator. It was totally unprofessional, but Federal Agents have emotions just like everyone else, and theirs were intrinsically entangled with this case.

“We don't need that, agents; just do your jobs and no vigilantism,” Ortega said loudly over the agents conversing in the room. “I want the entire ViCAP team at the apartment for processing. Agent Ortega and the RO team will remain here, just in case something else comes forth. Thank you,” Steve said and then he dismissed us.

While at Jessica's apartment; Paul, Trace and Amber concentrated on processing the outside surroundings and the vehicle. Steve, Max and the rest of the team, including Gracie, worked the interior of the apartment. When they completed taking pictures and collecting physical evidence; they allowed me to do my thing, which involved touching and opening things; basically, disturbing a possible crime scene.

While I was inside the apartment, the rest of the team went door to door, questioning the neighbors and the building manager. Steve remained behind with me while I got in touch with Jessica's personal things.

I did my usual routine of walking the interior; touching things as I passed by. I opened drawers and closets, turned on lights, and so on. I sat at the dining room table for a while, then went to the living room and turned on the television. I sat on the sofa and just looked around for several minutes. She had several women's health magazines and jogging magazines on the coffee table; she had a subscription. Jessica was obviously into physical fitness.

I got up from the sofa and continued my routine. There were several pictures of Jessica with friends from school and family around the apartment. She had a lot of friends. I saw her in pictures with males, but no reoccurring man who would stand out as a boyfriend. She was a very pretty young woman. All of the victims had been young, attractive females, which was the first connection we could use for constructing a victim profile.

Jessica had health foods in her fridge and in the cabinets, ranging from soy to protein and wheat products. Everything was reduced fat, low sodium, sugar and calories. I spent an extremely long time in Jessica's apartment, as I acquainted myself with her. Afterwards we went to visit her parents, who lived outside of Albuquerque in Luna County.

Jessica came from a large family, who lived on a good-sized ranch in Luna County. Her father was an engineer at the Kirtland Air Force Base. The family was devastated by her disappearance. I was allowed to look around the house and the ranch. I also looked in Jessica's room, which was the same as she had left it when she moved out. I played with their chocolate Labrador while outside. He was extremely friendly and escorted me around while outside. I had this uncanny way with animals which even I didn't understand. Even the most territorial and viscous creatures had this affinity towards me, and extended friendship.

When I returned inside the house, I informed Steve that I had received everything I needed. I didn't need to speak to anyone else. I had more than enough stimuli to communicate with Jessica if she was still alive. Dianna drove me back to the Hilton while Steve and Max remained at the Juarez residence. Amber and Paul were visiting the girl's friends. We were literally racing the clock, and every minute was critical. If I needed additional information, I would visit her workplace or talk to her friends later.

Dianna remained with me at the hotel suite. She witnessed me going through my routine when I put myself to sleep. I thought it was a good idea to have someone there whom I could trust. She could take notes over the event and what I said in my sleep. I usually didn't have anyone with me, because Dreamscaping is such a personal thing. I went through a lot of emotions and mood changes while under. It wasn't a process I would have revealed to just anyone. I took two sleeping pills, put on my headphones and lay down on the bed. Dianna gave me a kiss.

Several hours later when I had awakened, I was drenched in sweat from the living nightmare I'd been experiencing. I was scared and trembling in the aftermath of the dream. Dianna was holding me and attempting to calm me, to ease my mind. I was panting heavily and out of breath, as though I'd been running. It was from the anxiety of the dream. I had finally made a connection with the horrible incident. I saw Jessica being abducted!

“It's alright, it's alright,” Dianna said repeatedly while holding me, and rocking gently. “Can I get you anything,” she inquired? “Yes, I have some bottled water in the fridge,” I said, agitated. I drank the bottle of water in just a few gulps. My body felt hot to the touch, like I had just got finished jogging several miles. It was 2130 hours. I had been dreaming for 8.5 hours.

“I shouldn't have taken two pills,” I said, feeling groggy. Dianna was wiping my forehead with a wash cloth and stated, “It worked. You said a lot in your sleep.”

“Was it of any use?”

“I think you were echoing her thoughts,” she replied.

“Did you write it down?” I inquired.

“I did even better, I recorded it,” she stated, and then hit the playback button on the iPhone.

“Who is this? What do you want? Where am I? Why are you doing this? I'm scared, I'm going to die. Help me! Can somebody help me?” Then I started weeping on the recording.

The FBI never thought about recording me while I was under, because the information that I received in the dreams was already so beneficial. My physicians Dr. Banks and Dr. Deborah always recorded our sessions, but never any law enforcement officials.

“Maybe we should keep a recorder on from now on. It appears that you were echoing her thoughts,” Dianna stated.

“Yeah, I used to sleepwalk and talk in my sleep as a child; I thought I had grown out of that. So much for
Out with the Old and In with the New,
for this year. There is something about this case, Dianna, that's different than the rest.”