R.E.D.: The Texas Murders

Ch.1

First Day

Monday; January 10, year 2013 it is my first day at Texas State Technical College located in the town of Harlingen and the state of Texas; the morning was nice, the sunrise to the horizon. My name is Jose Rodriguez I’m 24 years old, and viewing the beautiful dawn from the window on my dorm.

Hey it is your turn to use the shower dude I hear my younger brothers voice.

Yeah I’ll be right there I replied.

I took a deep breath then exhaled, ‘oh well it’s time to get ready and pick up some breakfast at the cafeteria’ the thought passed through my head.

The shower. While letting the warm water run down my body the only thing going through my mind was my first day at work; when I was finished with my classes for the day I am reporting to the Rampart Environmental Detective Agency(R.E.D) for my first shift of detective patrol, well more like training and hopefully I did not get shot on the job; but oh well right?

After drying myself with a towel and being half dressed only wearing my shorts and shoes; I filled a toothbrush with Colgate Total brand toothpaste and began to brush my teeth smoothly. Glancing at the mirror on top of the sink about every fifteen seconds; I rinsed my mouth until I finished and let out a sign of relief Ah. Stepping out of the shower room while easily twisting my neck side to side erupting the synovial fluid located in a small sack in between joints, I reached for the dorm keys and walked slowly towards the drawers located inside my bedroom and pulled out a shirt and put it on.

All dressed up and ready for class in my cargo shorts, stick on sneakers, black ankle socks, and plain black shirt. My average muscles going off ease with the correct posture; come on bro, the tacos will run out if we don’t hurry my brother persisted as he opened the dorm door and stepped out.

I followed him then closed the door and locked it behind me; my brother’s name is Max, he is about six foot one in height and weighs about two hundred and thirty pounds, where as I reach about five foot eight in height and weigh only one hundred and eighty.

The both of us entered the cafeteria and took a seat, the usual for both of you? a girl asked, yes please, the two tacos, orange juice and toast please I replied. A simple waitress dressed in regular clothing: black slacks, red shirt and comfortable shoes for walking; and the waitress wrote the order then walked away.

Erica and Lulu were supposed to meet us here as well said Max.

Yeah but remember they are girls, they have to put on make up, decide what makes them look fat and what not I rambled and Max turned away while I made eye contact and laughed.

There was a pause his face was to distinguish the scene as if running into such a trap; like when a dog bites the owners hand. The last time I was in this situation things did not look so good for my outcome; I ended up thrown out of the house because I went out of line with my parents. However I did wrong and had to pay for it back then, after all they did support me with money and until now they do help when they can.

They are behind me right? I asked, and Max nodded, yeah you are in trouble now brother he said as he smiled, we look fat? asked Erica, ha ha, no you don’t look fat you look beautiful; I was simply just making a point that’s all" I said.

Erica Montes is a crazy girl; a few months younger than me with almost no real motive for anything she does. She will fall in love with the weirdest person anybody could think of, hence being me, but it pays off. Blond hair, blue eyes and white a snow.

She listens to my problems and she is there when I really need her the most. Lulu Wagner however is the opposite of Erica; Lulu is much more simple to understand but of course she has an eye for my brother Max which is great because generally my brother is very forgetful and he needs somebody to remind him of his daily schedule.

Please sit, have breakfast with us Max changed the subject; so Max what class do you have first? asked Lulu, oh some mechanics class he replied. Erica looked at me and stared, what about you? Erica asked me, I have Math; and I’m not a huge fan of it I replied.

Erica began searching her purse for something; and I began to daze off by looking at her blond curly hair, her orange shirt, blue jeans, but she looked up and caught me. What are you doing? she asked, oh just admiring God’s creation of such overwhelming beauty I replied.

Yeah, well thanks; here is my schedule she said while handing me a folded paper. Why thank you, now I can stalk you I joked, ha a simple laugh at the gesture.

Max and Lulu talked about simple things: how she was going to begin class for Dental Hygienist. Here is your breakfast guys the waitress said as she handed down the plates filled with delicious Bacon and Egg tacos, with orange juice and a nice toast with a side of grape jelly.

Wasting no time, Erica reached for my toast and took a bite; I looked at her, hey you called me fat she said in a mere stubborn attitude, but that was the way she teased me. I looked her in the eyes then handed her a taco, here eat up girl I said, thanks; but I cant stay, I’ll eat it on the way to my first class she responded back.

I have to go as well; are we still on for dorm study? asked lulu to max, yeah, yeah he agreed; ok see you then and she kissed max on the cheek then left.

I’ll see you later Joe Erica said and she hugged me and left; she is quick to get to her feet and run around everywhere, like a hyper toddler. You two make a cute couple Max implied, oh shut up and eat your tacos I replied.

After about fifteen minutes of eating we finished, well looks like it’s our turn to head to class I implied and Max agreed; I took one exit and Max took the other as we each went to our own classes.

Upon arriving at my math class, I noticed few people were even attending it. Um is this room 107? I asked, yeah replied a girl.

I found a simple spot in the back, then the instructor approached and closed the door behind him; ok class, let us begin he blurted out and began writing equations on the board.

You have till the end of the period to finish the mathematical problems, but you cant start on them until I am done writing them on the board first; if you do begin you fail for the day immediately he threatened.

The next class imprinted on my white schedule is Anatomy and Physiology, then Reading, and last was Human relations. However, Max did have a rather longer schedule, it was also extremely harder since his line of work was more on hands and few lectures.

At the end of my last class, I rushed out and went toward my car on the parking lot; unlocking it then inserting the key into the ignition and drove towards the police department.

It was about five o’clock in the afternoon, and the sun was still high in the sky but slowly descending to let the night and the moon take over.

As I got off the car I locked it and entered through the front entrance; yes? the clerk asked, yes, I’m new to the job and I need to know where I have to go? I asked, take this door then head to the end of the hallway and take the first door to your right and speak with the chief she replied; thank you I replied.

I followed her instructions and ended up in some sort of office; a man dressed in a Sherlock Holmes uniform with the badge of a chief on the left side; may I help you son? he asked, yes I’m new to the job, it’s my first day I replied, ah yes, you are Joe right? he questioned; yes correct I agreed. Follow me ok and today you should not see much action so don’t worry he encouraged.

Following him through a door which was behind him in his office it led to the showers and lockers; ok here as you can see are the lockers where you change into your uniform; you are a rookie so you will be partnered with someone with seniority in this field said the chief; oh and by the way my name is Alex Trevino he introduced and stuck his hand out and I hand shook it.

Question sir I said.

Why of course he agreed.

Is the dress code a long trench coat only? I asked.

We are special detectives who work for Washington. However we may not see much excitement down here in the valley; sometimes it is better to watch what you wish for warned the chief. Pause. I was speechless but thought nothing.

A door opened in the room from the back and several voices were heard; multiple men entered laughing and joking about how a bar fight was introduced. Speak of the devil said the chief, men, this is Joe; he is the rookie here.

All the men quickly glanced at each other, and one approached; hi my name is John Castillo said the first man, I’m Alex Galvan said the second person, and I’m Arturo Wright said the third man.

Well I’ll leave you guys to show Joe around, don’t scare him alright; do I make myself clear? said the chief, yes sir don’t worry replied John.

Ok to find your locker just go in alphabetical order to find your name and all your equipment should be in there; now you do get a gun but under no circumstance should you use it unless necessary, but on first days nothing much happens said John.

Now since you are new here, go and change to your uniform and meet me outside; we will be partners and I will show you the ropes around Harlingen ok he said. Wasting no time and trying to be as prompt on my speed I changed quickly and rushed outside; a beep was made and I look to my left and spotted John with a timer, five minutes, not bad; ok lets go he said.

John got on the driver side and began to drive around the town of Harlingen; mostly we get simple robberies, or hold ups at a local convenient store; we hardly get any real calls. Speeding is very common or drinking and driving he said.

So for now lets drive around through downtown and lets get to show you around on how things work around her ok he said, sounds good I agreed.

We are detectives but we get to do the job of a police officer? I asked.

Yes. Pause. To be honest with you cops here are sloppy at their job he replied.

I didn’t mind what happened as long as I got experience, little did I know what would be in store for me as the night grew into deep and total darkness, making the town my enemy rather than my friend.

We drove through the most common streets, those including: sunshine strip and 77. Ok well I’m going to stop at this Stripes convenient store and grab a few snacks, would you like anything? he asks, yeah may I get off? I ask, of course, you didn’t think I was going to get it for you right? replied John then laughed.

He quickly made a turn and parked on the small lot facing the store lets go he said and removed his seat belt and got off the car.

I couldn’t believe it, me; a detective for the city of Harlingen, no for the Rio Grande Valley. Part of me was proud of myself yet in a way I was scared to face the reality of life as a detective.

As far as snacks and my munchies went, I usually enjoyed the taste of a simply Twinkie with a Dr. Pepper soda loaded with ice. Both of us left the store, thank you come again the clerk said as we stepped out; while walking to the car I glanced at the stars and wondered just how far they were from the grab of a hand from a man.

We sat down and I placed the soda on the cup holder, and strapped on my seat belt; ‘safety first’ I thought, after all how can a man enforce the law without following it first right? John started the car and switched the head lights on and put the car in reverse gear and began to back the car up.

As he switched to the drive gear, he pressed on the gas pedal and accelerated the car forward reaching the curb leading to the main highway. The radar for checking speed was activated, there are a lot of people who speed through this road at night so we need it on unfortunately said John quietly, just as I opened my first Twinkie the radar goes berserk flashing little lights and making crazy beeps.

Ok lets roll said John and he switched the siren on and sped off the curb and followed the speeding car until it pulled over on the shoulder of the road on Ed Carey St.

John with no hesitation quickly emerged out of the driver seat by quickly releasing his seat belt and pushing the door open, but he stood behind it with one hand holding his holster and releasing the clip that held it tight.

I quickly did the same and observed how many people were in the car. Sir, please step out of the car slowly and carefully John ordered; the driver opened the door and stepped out with his hands in the air. Just stand there and don’t move ok John said, Joe, run the license plate ok while I get his Texas I.D., driver’s license and or insurance he ordered.

While John went back to retrieve the documents I waited in the car; the driver waited outside on the chilly night by the side of the road. Here, run his license ordered John, why were you driving so fast sir? John asked the driver, oh you see I’m a doctor and had an emergency with a patient replied the driver.

Yes I need a background on Scott Williams I said into the radio located on my upper right chest corner.

Dr Scott Williams, white male age sixty five, clean record was echoed back;

I’m giving you only a warning ok. I clearly understand your situation with patients and life and death buy you wouldn’t want several bodies in your emergency room now would you? said John and handed the doctor back his essentials for the automobile.

Have a nice night sir I added and the doctor waved but without a smile just out of common courtesy. Oh boy said John as he sat down on the driver seat; dispatch to lieutenant the radio echoed. John picked up the radio, go ahead dispatch replied John, sir we have a report of a 187 on the Texas State Technical College the voice on the radio said.

"187