Ridge
I arrived at the police station a bit early, Ollie was already at his desk hard at work.
I said, “Good morning Ollie, you’re here early.”
He looked up from his computer screen and smiled, “Been here for a little bit, I wanted to get started on the Walmart camera footage. I was hoping I could get a clear look at the van to be sure it was the same one that took DJ and Noah.”
I asked, “And?”
He shrugged, “It looks like the same van, but so does every other white van in Miami. I need to find a view that shows the license plates.”
I nodded, “Yep, I agree. Blake is going to talk to our witness that says he saw at least a portion of plate, hopefully he’ll get us on track. I’m still waiting to hear back from the tech guys to see if they could enhance the plate.”
As we were talking, Blake walked in with coffee and bagels. He smiled, “My grandpa always said, if you are going to be late, bring treats.”
I chuckled, “You’re not really late, we were both just a bit early, but thanks.”
The three of us drank our coffee and discussed our next moves. Blake was going to interview our witness, Ollie was going to continue watching the footage from the surveillance cameras and I was going to call Wyatt Tillman’s mother. After we each ate a bagel, we all went about our tasks.
I made a quick call to Linsey Carroll to see if she could help me get Mrs. Tillman’s phone number. As soon as I told her we had another missing college student, she did all she could to cooperate. Within ten minutes, I had a phone number.
After I dialed, I heard the message, “The Verizon customer you are trying to reach has not set up their voicemail. Please try calling again later.”
Thankfully, Lindsey had warned me that Wyatt’s mother was hard to get a hold of. Wyatt had also listed his grandparents as an emergency contact. I dialed the second number and got an answer on the second ring.
His grandmother answered when I called, “Hello.”
I introduced myself and told her why I was calling. She was clearly upset and called her husband to the phone and put me on speaker.
I asked, “Mr. and Mrs. Tillman, when was the last time you talked to Wyatt?”
Gary Tillman said, “He called on Sunday night. He had just finished a big project in one of his classes and he called to tell us he got an A on it.”
Barb Tillman added, “He calls two or three times a week, even if it’s just to say hi. He sounded as if everything was good on Sunday”
I asked, “Do you have a way to contact his mother, Gloria?”
There was silence for a moment. Gary said, “I think she is on another one her mission trips Detective.”
I made a note, “Do you know when she left and how long she will be gone?”
Barb said, “I think Wyatt told us she left last Saturday, she is usually gone for about a month.”
I asked, “Does she go on these trips often.”
Gary said, “As often as she can. Detective Ridgeway, after our son, Wyatt’s dad died, Gloria emersed herself into her church. When Wyatt told her he was gay, it got even worse. He actually spent most of his high school years staying with us, and Wyatt will call us with any good news or if he needs any help long before he will call his mother.”
They explained the whole situation to me, and I quickly determined it was better that I talked to them as opposed to talking to Gloria Tillman. I will never figure out parents like her or Mr. Chang, hell, I guess you could include my own worthless parents too. It’s too bad that all parents couldn’t be like Lucas’s.
Barb asked, “Who do you think took Wyatt and why would they target him?”
I sighed, “I don’t know Ma’am. I am doing my best to find out.”
We talked for a while longer; they were trying to think of anything that would help with the investigation. After we ended our call, I added them to my list to call with my daily updates, along with Tom and Beth Willers and Owen Chang.
I stood and walked to my wall and added Wyatt’s picture. I placed it right next to DJ and Noah’s. It really felt like these two cases were connected, but I still had to be careful. I had to remain open to the idea that they were completely unrelated.
Jon Thomas
Jon didn’t sleep at all after he got home from the police station. He couldn’t stop thinking about Wyatt, God, he hoped he is alright. Jon didn’t know what he would do if Wyatt was hurt… or worse. Jon and Wyatt had been dating for almost two years.
Jon thought back to the day they met. Jon had just transferred to the U of M from a junior college on a baseball scholarship. He wasn’t sure if he was going to make it to the major leagues, but if he was, he had a better chance to be scouted at a bigger school.
On the first day of school, Jon walked into his English Lit class. It was one of those required classes and he was not looking forward to it. That all changed when he saw Wyatt sitting in the back row. He made his way toward him as Wyatt looked up and smiled. That smile nearly cause Jon to pass out, it was so sweet and so sexy. While Jon was a typical 6’ tall jock with sandy blond hair and blues eyes, Wyatt was a slightly shorter black bookworm type. Wyatt had the most beautiful brown eyes behind his round wire-rimmed glasses, and the fullest kissable lips Jon had ever seen. Jon had known he was gay since he started college, and he had had some fun experiences exploring his sexuality. He had come out to his family and a few close friends but didn’t openly advertise the fact to any of his teammates or coaches, at least not yet anyway. He had also never really considered pursuing a relationship with another man but seeing Wyatt that day, he was suddenly having different thoughts.
He smiled at Wyatt and asked, “Is this seat taken?”
Wyatt flashed that sweet smile again, “No, it’s all yours.”
The pair exchanged small talk, Jon explaining he just transferred, and they talked about their majors. This continued all week before and after class. Finally, on Friday, Jon worked up his courage.
He asked, “Would you like to do something Saturday night?”
Wyatt grinned, “Why Jon Thomas, are you asking me on a date?”
Jon stammered, “Well I a… I mean I just… I didn’t mean to…”
Wyatt laughed, “Jon, I am gay and if you are asking me out, then I would love to go on a date with you. If you are not gay, I would still love to do something with you, as a friend.”
Jon blushed even redder, he half mumbled, “I meant as a date. If you really want to go.”
Wyatt’s smile got bigger, “I live in Bowen Hall, room 324. You can pick me up at 7.”
Jon was right on time; the pair walked the eight blocks to a restaurant. The conversation flowed effortlessly on the walk and throughout the entire meal. Jon’s heart skipped a beat as Wyatt took his hand on the walk back to the dorm. He walked Wyatt to his door and was suddenly nervous, he wanted to kiss Wyatt goodbye, but he didn’t want the night end just yet. Thankfully, Wyatt seemed to feel the same way.
Wyatt said, “My roommate is gone for the weekend, would you like to come in?”
Jon grinned, “I would love to.”
They were kissing before the door was even close behind them. Wyatt wrapped his arms around Jon’s broad shoulders as their tongues began to dance in each other’s mouths. They both lost track of how long they kissed but were soon pulling at each other’s clothes. As their clothes made a rumpled pile on the floor, both men paused to take in the sight of the other.
Jon’s muscular jock body was just what Wyatt always craved. His well-formed torso had just a light coat of blond hair stretching from one peck to the other and down to his neatly trimmed bush. That bush surrounded an erect 7-inch cock and plump nuts that were in perfect proportion to the rest of his body. Wyatt was certainly not disappointed.
Wyatt’s frame was about 2 or 3 inches shorter than Jon’s and was tight and compact. His ebony skin was completely hairless, save for the small jet-black bush that an eight-inch dick and two plum sized nuts were nestled in. His foreskin was stretched over the swollen purple head that was already leaking a generous amount of precum. Jon was also not disappointed.
The pair resumed their make out session and fell back onto Wyatt’s unmade bed. Their hard cocks dueling like two swashbucklers in an old black and white movie. As if the whole scene was choreographed, both men reached for each other’s manhood and started to tug. More precum was flowing from both of them. Again, as if planned, they both pivoted without saying a word so they could taste each other. Both liked what they tasted, very much.
Just as both studs were near the brink of climax, Jon let Wyatt’s cock fall from his mouth only long enough to ask, “Can I fuck you?”
Wyatt answered by making a mad dash to his dresser to retrieve a condom and a bottle of lube from the top drawer. Jon, of course, admired the plump round orbs that bounced before him as Wyatt rushed across the room. Wyatt quickly returned to the bed and was on his back with his legs in the air. Jon sheathed his manhood and lubed up as he climbed between those legs. The duo were once again kissing, and Jon’s cock slowly disappeared in Wyatt’s welcoming love tunnel. The passion overtook both men and they were soon lost in animalistic lust. It didn’t take long for their love juices to work to the surface.
At the same time, both men let out a loud groan. Jon filled the condom that was buried deep in Wyatt’s hole and Wyatt’s cock sent it’s love lava onto the heaving stomachs that it was trapped between. The two continued to kiss after their spasms stopped, both trying to catch their breath.
They broke their kiss to reveal two broad smiles as they stared into each other’s eyes.
Wyatt said, “I don’t recall, did you say that you were gay?”
Jon laughed, “I didn’t say, but if that doesn’t answer your question, I’m not sure what will.”
Jon and Wyatt slept in each other’s arms that night and used several more condoms that weekend. They have been together ever since, neither could be any happier.
Jon suddenly found himself smiling at the memory. God, what would he do without Wyatt, the police just had to find him.
Ridge
I heard Blake come back from talking to our witness, I went out to see what he found out.
Blake said, “Well, he swears he saw a 5 as the first number. He told me he was so shocked by what was going on, he just didn’t think to try and see the rest.”
I sighed, “Yeah it would have been too easy if he saw the whole number. Damn it, what is taking the tech guys so long to get back to me. I think I’ll take a walk downstairs to see what’s going on.”
Blake said, “I’ll help Ollie go through more of the camera footage.”
I headed down to the tech lab and walked straight to Mark Lewis’s cubicle. I stopped when I saw he wasn’t there, and his computer wasn’t even on.”
I asked the tech in the next cubicle where Mark was.
He said, “His kid had an emergency appendix surgery yesterday afternoon, so he is with him at the hospital.”
I sighed. Mark was a good tech and was always my go to when I needed anything. All the folks that worked down were good, but I am a creature of habit.
He asked, “Is there something I can help you with. I’m Kyle Wilson by the way; I have been working closely with Mark since I started two months ago.”
I said, “I sent Mark some surveillance footage I was hoping he could enhance.”
He replied, "I have a few minutes, I can sure see what I can do for you.”
I had never seen this guy before, but if he had been working with Mark, I guess I could trust him. I needed to keep this case moving so I agreed. I quickly emailed him the footage, and he told me he would get to work on it right away and get back to me by the end of the day. Dang it, I lost almost a whole day by not checking to make sure Mark was at work.
I headed back upstairs to see if Blake and Ollie had anything new. So far they haven’t found anything, there are just too many white vans in Miami. The van not having any markings was making things even harder.
I went back to my office trying to think of anything else that I could check. We really needed a break on this case. All of our victims were simple hardworking college students. For the most part, they all had stable home lives. Other than Noah’s father and Wyatt’s mother, they all had the support of at least some of their families. None were involved in drugs or any other illegal activities. They all seemed to be well liked by their fellow students. None of them were homeless like the young guys in the Slocum case. Why were they targeted?
I was startled out of my thoughts by my ringing phone.
I answered, “Detective Ridgeway.”
Lindsey Carroll said, “Detective, I have been thinking about our three missing students.”
I said, “Okay, I’m listening. If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them.”
She said, “I have access to all student groups on campus. What if I sent a flyer or an info sheet on the three missing guys asking our students to come forward with any details they have? Who knows, maybe one of our other students may have seen or heard something that could help in your investigation.”
I rolled my eyes at myself, why the hell hadn’t I thought of this. I said, “That is a great idea Lindsey. College students do tend to look out for each other, and DJ, Noah and Wyatt all seemed to be well liked.”
Lindsey replied, “Yes they are, and as far as I know they are not involved in anything bad.”
I agreed, “I think that too. I will put together a flyer and email it to you as soon as possible.”
She said, “As soon as I get it, I will start to get it all over campus. I will get copies to every student group and make sure it is posted in all common areas so everyone will see it.”
I said, “I can’t thank you enough, look for my email within the hour.”
I hung up the phone and immediately went to talk to the Captain. He agreed with the plan and went to get the hotline set up to handle the calls we were hoping to get. I quickly told Blake and Ollie, and we put together an info sheet for each of the missing guys. We included a picture and description of each young man. We also included the day and time they went missing and any other details we thought would be helpful. We of course left a few details just to eliminate anyone trying to send us on a wild goose chase. We asked that any student who had any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, call the hotline. I sent the flyers to Lindsey, took a deep breath and hoped we would at least get a lead or two from this.
I knew it would take a while to get any calls from the flyer; we might not even get any today. I had no idea how long it would take Lindsey to get them distributed, although she promised to start getting them posted as soon as she got them printed. The college had pledged to allow her to print as many copies as she needed and also help in any way they could. I was pleased to see that they were being so helpful.
I decided to use the time to make my phone calls to update the families of our victims. I called Tom Willers first.
He answered, “Hey Ridge, any news?”
I sighed, “Sorry Tom, but no.”
I told him about the flyers and that the college was helping us as much as they could. I also told him that there was now another victim, and the cases seemed to be related. I quickly told him anything else that we had learned since the last time I talked to him.
I called Owen Chang next. I told him the same things I had told Tom. He told me that he talked to his mother and that she was concerned about Noah too. They had not told Noah’s father that they were talking to me. I guess that didn’t surprise me, it was probably for the best.
My next call was to the Tillmans. I again repeated everything I said on my last two phone calls. The Tillmans told me that they had not heard from Wyatt’s mother, so she was still unaware that her son was missing. I wasn’t sure she would be upset anyway.
I took a deep breath as I started to dial my next number.
Joann Chandler’s daughter, Wendy Nelson answered, “Hello.”
I said, “Mrs. Nelson, this is Detective Ridgway, and I just wanted to call with an update on your mom’s case.”
She asked, “Has there been a development?”
I sighed, “I’m sorry, but no.
Wendy said, “I appreciate the call Detective, but I guess I’m not surprised.”
We talked for a few minutes, she was very understanding, but I assured her I was not giving up.
She said, “Again, I appreciate that, but I can’t say the same. To be honest, I am in Miami right now. When mom went missing, my husband and I paid her rent on her apartment for a few months. When we couldn’t afford it any longer, her landlord let us move her things to a storage unit he has in the basement. Now five years later, he has asked that we clean it out, so that’s why we are in town.”
I said, “I’m sorry I don’t have better news for you.”
She said, “I know you have done all you can, if you don’t mind I would like to stop by to see you in person before we go home. My husband, I and our kids kind of used the trip as a vacation, we will be in town until Friday.”
I said, “Stop by the station any time, I am in the middle of a case, but I will certainly take the time to see you.”
Wendy said, “Thank you for the call, and we will definitely see you sometime this week.”
I let out a deep breath after my calls. I would much rather call families telling them that I have found their loved one instead of these useless no new news calls.
Now, I just hope Kyle is able to help me out with the surveillance footage, and Lindsey’s posting our flyers across campus will lead to a new angle on this case.
As if on cue, Kyle called and asked me to come downstairs. I hurried to his cubicle, and he still had the footage up on his computer screen.
I asked, “What have you got Kyle?”
He smiled, “Well, nothing definitive, but it looks like you and your witness are right. The first number looks to be a 5, but…”
I looked closer at the screen, “But, what?”
He shrugged, “It just doesn’t look right to me.”
I asked, “What do you mean, what doesn’t look right?”
Kyle sighed, “The spacing looks wrong to me. I think the 5 should be closer to the left side. We may be dealing with a personized license plate.”
I looked again at the screen, he was right. If it was a standard plate, the 5 should be closer to the edge. Dang, this might help narrow our search down.
I asked, “So is there anything we can do to see for sure?”
Kyle said, “I’m not sure. I just called Mark to ask him what he would do next. He is just taking his son home from the hospital. He told me he would come in early in the morning and help me. I’m sorry, but I will keep trying. I know you need this as soon as possible.”
I sighed, “The sooner the better, just keep trying but if we have to wait until morning, I understand. I’m hoping we’ll get a few leads soon from the college. It’s after 7, we’ll all be more clear-headed in the morning.”
We talked a few more minutes and I headed back upstairs. As soon as I walked down the hall, I could see everyone was scurrying around, something was happening.
Blake said, “We just got several messages from the hotline.”
I quickly joined him and Ollie as they were reading through the messages. The first few were just about other students saying they had classes with DJ or Noah or that they had seen them at the club. I knew we would get a lot of those calls.
Ollie said, “Hey Ridge, check this one out.”
Blake joined me as I looked over Ollie’s shoulder. Ollie started to read, “This one says that they talked to a man that was asking questions about Wyatt Tillman. The man said he was doing a background check for a job that Wyatt applied for. We flipped through the other messages and found two more students saying the same thing. Another one said there was a man also asking about DJ.
Wyatt was set to graduate in a month, so this was not unusual. DJ was just a freshman, so he wouldn’t be applying for a job yet. I told Blake and Ollie to call the three students that talked to this man about Wyatt to set up an interview. I went to my office to call Tom Willers to see if DJ had applied for a job.
Tom said, “No, he hasn’t applied for a job that I know of. We told him we wanted his to concentrate on his studies and not work while he went to college. He received some scholarships, and we are helping with the rest of his tuition.”
I said, “Thanks Tom, that’s what I thought.”
Tom asked, “What does this mean Ridge?”
I answered, “I’m not sure yet. I am going to find out though. I’ll call as soon as I know anything.”
I hung up and called the student who left the message about DJ. I set up a meeting for first thing in the morning. Blake and Ollie had done the same with the other three students. I was now after 8, so we decided to head home for the night. We now at least have new leads to follow in the morning.
To be Continued…
To get in touch with the author, send them an email.
