Viewing Veronica’s Victims

Well here we have him Tom, Mr. Cobb. Poor Thomas here was bludgeoned to death in his home about a week ago. The landscapers noticed him lying on the floor of his living room through a sliding glass door. Apparently he lived alone and didn't have many visitors. So, there he lay on his floor, stinking to all high hell.

Detective Randall was offended by the officer’s insensitive remarks.

“How about a little respect for the dead.”

“Sorry, I guess you get a little jaded seeing dead bodies, day after day.”

“We can’t become desensitized to death and murder. Each one is a tragedy and we are here to get justice for the victims left behind, even if there are none. If this man here has no one in the world who loves him, he deserves HIS justice no less.

Randall paused to gain composure before continuing on.

“Anyway, this seems to be part of a pattern. Someone is targeting older gentlemen in our town and they’ve got to be stopped.”

Randall pushed the refrigerator door closed and in slid Mr. Cobb’s body. Once such a noble man of moderate wealth and prestige was now reduced to mere meat in a drawer. Careful we must be, of who we take up company with. Detective Randall was young and ambitious, determined to solve these heinous crimes and bring the culprit to justice. There were many leads and suspects and they all would be pursued, diligently!

Veronica stepped out into the sunlight with a squint and giggle. She slid on her shades then slid into her coupe. Down the rode she traveled in search of some simple fun. She was growing a little lonely and in need of good company. Spending time with her marks was all work; she didn’t care about their dreams, desires or feelings unless it helped her to victimize them. She needed a change of scenery and class of people. She had worked enough; she had enough, now she just wanted someone to share it with. One of her favorite tunes was playing on the classic rock station so she sang along and tapped the beat on her steering wheel.

Veronica gave herself a make over, top to bottom. She bought herself some nice summer dresses, wedges and sandals. Veronica got a more conventional hairstyle and color, new more moderate makeup and she took out some of her piercings. She was now playing the role of a mild mannered suburbanite out for a little afternoon fun instead of the hardened biker chick she had been. Veronica grew found of playing dress up after her last few operations. Each of her victims met a different woman with a different story.

Now she was in search of a lover who had a different type. She fantasized as she drove along, happy that she didn’t join a dating website. Instead she wanted it to happen organically. It was spring again and Veronica certainly had love on the mind. Little did she know that the jig was up and the coppers were hot on her tail!

Across the state she drove east until she reached the coast, Delray Beach. She figured she might find love in the Boca Raton area. Some time on a different beach in a new town might do her some good. She decided to have lunch at an outdoor eatery in Delray’s version of downtown. It was a sunny, eighty degree, slightly breezy day, perfect for patio dining. The establishment was busy but Veronica was in no rush. She was happy to just sit and watch the people passing by.

Sipping on sangria, snacking on calamari Veronica smiled and waved at the baby sitting two tables away from her. The baby didn’t smile back and she certainly did not wave. They say babies and pets reveal who the bad people are. Dogs go crazy in her presence and often try to attack her. She is evil through and through.

Down the sidewalk she saw the most beautiful brunette, tall and slender walking directly towards her. Behind their shades they locked eyes and instantly Veronica was smitten. The patio was crowded and Veronica had a table for one. The brunette walked up to her table.

“I’m sorry to bother you but the tables are all full. Would you mind if I joined you? I just want to get out of the sun and grab a cool drink.”

Normally Veronica would just kick the opposite chair away from the table as an invite for her to sit down. But, this was a different, classier Veronica. So she stood to greet her new friend. Extending her hand she said hello.

“Well hello, I was in need of some company, please join me, I’m Veronica.”

“Hi Veronica, I’m Jennifer. Thank you so much.”

Veronica waved a server over so that she could get her new friend a drink.

“Would you like one of these?”

Veronica shook her half empty glass of sangria back and forth. The sunlight flickered off of the ice and fruit buried within her glass. Jennifer answered in the affirmative.

“Sure, thank you.”

Veronica held her glass above her head, made eye contact with the server and pointed at the glass then put up two fingers. The server nodded her response to let Veronica know her cocktails would be on the way. Veronica turned her attention back to her lovely new friend. They took their shades off simultaneously and looked across the table into one another eyes. To their surprise their eyes were the same hue of blue, Veronica thought that she would just melt.

“So Jennifer are you from around here?”

“No, actually I am visiting from Bristol.”

“Tennessee or Virginia?”

Jennifer was impressed.

“Oh, you know my neck of the woods, huh?”

“Well, you know, I’ve been around a little bit.”

“Well I’m from the Virginia side.”

Veronica reached across the table and put her hand on Jennifer’s hand.

“Is it true what they say? Virginia is for lovers?”

Jennifer didn’t pull away.

“Yes, yes it is.”

Just then their moment was interrupted by their server returning with their drinks.

“Would you two like to order something to eat as well?”

The women settled on another order of calamari, spinach and artichoke dip and shrimp cocktail to share. They sat, sipped and chatted one another up for two hours to their server’s dismay. Afterwards Veronica convinced Jennifer to let her join her in her hotel room.

Veronica wouldn’t get lucky that night but she knew she had made a serious connection. The two of them talked until dawn. She had yet to find lodging of her own so Veronica came up with a plan.

“Hey, I haven’t gotten a room yet so why don’t we find a nice five star and stay together. You’re staying five more days anyway right? C’mon, it’s on me.”

Jennifer played coy as if she was thinking it over. Veronica continued to sell it.

“We can order room service and stay in or spend all day long on the beach. I just want to spend time getting to know you better.”

Jennifer slowly agreed.

“Well I guess so; I just hate wasting this room.”

“I tell you what, why don’t we just take a long nap, shower, go have brunch and then go find us a nicer room to enjoy.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

Within twenty minutes they were both asleep, spooning. Veronica would wake two hours later to administer her “medicine”.

After getting her fix she showered and then climbed back into bed. They would sleep to a little past noon and then follow through with their plans. After a hearty brunch and mimosas they checked into a five star hotel on the beach. Fortunately for them it was off peak season so there was availability. After they checked in Jennifer made an excuse to get time away for her self.

“I need to go visit my great aunt today. I told her son that I would visit while I was here. Also I need to handle some business for her. It will only take me a few hours. I’ll meet you for lunch, okay?”

The selfish Veronica had no issue letting Jennifer go alone to see some old lady and run errands. She didn’t want to do chores with her; Veronica wanted Jennifer’s long slender body in her bed.

“Sure, I understand. Please go do what you have to do and we’ll meet back here later for dinner.”

The two shared a kiss and Jennifer trotted out the door. She would make good use of her free time as would Veronica. Veronica would get a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure while she waited for Jennifer to return.

Detective Randal led a small team of men working on the pattern aspect of the murders of the old men in and around Monroe.

“Randall, it seems we have a “black widow” on our hands. The men were all murdered in a different manner and they were all dating a younger woman. The descriptions of the women were all different but there was the same method and motive. They each met a bar fly that stole their hearts. Each of the men was new to the area and had little to no family.”

Randall was impressed.

“Good work Detective Johnson. We’ve got plenty of footage on her; while none of it is great we can still deduce that this is the same woman. Johnson we’ve got our woman, we just need to get her to take the cheese so that we can spring the trap.”

Detective Johnson had more to share.

“It appears that she is using several different names and identities while committing these crimes. We’re dealing with a life time criminal turned serial killer. We have to proceed with caution, the last thing we need are more casualties on our hands.”

Randall met with the rest of the team of detectives and instructed them on who to interview and what leads to run down. After giving out marching orders Randal exited the office with enthusiasm and confidence in their investigation.

Shortly before dusk Jennifer drove slowly down the sandy streets of Delray Beach. The low lying sun looked like it was floating on the edge of the ocean. Her rental car was illuminated by the golden glow of solar rays. She had her shades on and her visor down so that she could see the road.

Jennifer called Veronica as she was pulling up to the hotel. Veronica slurred slightly when answering the phone. Jennifer notice right away.

“Whoa, sounds like somebody got started without me.”

Veronica giggled in response before answering.

“Yes, I’ve had a few.”

“That's cool, I'll catch up. See you in just a bit.”

Jennifer felt like this would be an opportunity for her to get Veronica to loosen up and share secrets of her past. The two agreed to meet for dinner at a causal chain restaurant and then cocktails afterwards at a ladies bar in town. Over dinner Jennifer probed her new lover to be about her childhood and family.

“So where were you born, where did you grow up?”

Veronica grudgingly shared some general details but Jennifer wouldn’t let her off the hook. She dug deeper asking more poignant, specific questions. Eventually Veronica expressed her discomfort with Jennifer’s line of question.

“I’m sorry, I really don’t feel all that comfortable about telling everything about my past; it can be kind of painful.”

Jennifer reached across the table and took Veronica’s hands. She looked into her eyes, blues to blues and Veronica struggled to keep eye contact. Jennifer could finally see the vulnerable little girl inside of her. She was trying to get to that soft under belly, so far all she had gotten was the hard shell.

“I understand Babe; I’ve dealt with a lot of pain too and I know how hard it can be to revisit. I need you to understand that I am looking for something real and I think this can be that but we need to know one another first, truly know. When we first met you said this to me too and I need to know all of the person I fall in love with. We may be soul mates but we won’t know that until we truly know each other.”

She squeezed Veronica’s hands then picked them up and kissed them. Veronica dropped her head and shed a few tears onto her bread and butter plate. A small pool formed as Jennifer continued on.

“I want to give you my all and I am going to start by telling you my story, all of it. I am not going to sugar coat or minimize my failures. I’ll give you the whole, ugly truth of what made this beautiful person.”

They shared a laugh; Jennifer released one of Veronica뭩 hands so that she could wipe her lovers tears with a cloth napkin. Veronica took the napkin and finished the job. Jennifer continued on. Veronica was beginning to feel more comfortable. A trust and bond was being formed.

“I don’t care what good, bad or indifference you have done in your life, I want to know it all. I want to learn to love all of you. Everything we have gone through and experienced has made us who we are.”

Jennifer went on to tell a tale of a childhood of abuse, juvenile delinquency and running away to start a new life. She spoke of not being accepted in her hometown and her family because of her sexuality. The depression, anger frustration and self deprecation Veronica could all relate to as she sucked down another cocktail helping her to get a little more loose so that she could speak freely, truthfully. The alcohol helped her to become more emotional as well, crying again when her lover told her sad story.

It was almost like they had lived a parallel life but finally their life lines had crossed. Jennifer’s story was her story; Veronica could relate to every word of it. She told her as much as Jennifer called for the check. Veronica was glad; she didn’t feel like baring her soul in front of a bunch of people.

“Do you want to go for a carriage ride before we hit the bar? That way I can share my story with you in quiet, plus I don’t want to cry in public again. It’s crazy; my story is almost exactly like yours.”

Jennifer readily agreed and they walked to the corner store and purchased a couple of waters, some Kleenex and Skittles, their favorite candies. Yet another thing the two women had in common. They exited the store, flagged down one of the horse drawn carriages working in the area and jumped in. It was a warm breezy evening, perfect night for a romantic Florida carriage ride.

Jennifer leaned in as their hair blew wildly in the wind. The night streets were alive with tourist and college kids bar hopping in search of a good time. Veronica shared her story of regret, shame and disappointment. She stopped short of talking about her adult life, children or crimes. Veronica left that wagon ride feeling relieved and somewhat unburdened. She felt like a princess being helped down out of her royal chariot. The couple wanted to lighten things up a little so they hit the bar; it was Karaoke night. They each made the other promise to sing.

They decided to do a duet singing Bryan Adams’ hit from 1984 “Somebody”. They each sang a verse and shared the chorus. Their chemistry on stage was evident to all the bar goers. The girls got a round of applause and a round of drinks for their awesome performance.

Veronica earned herself some sweet sugar from Jennifer for singing so well, she was a little stiff at first but eventually she let loose. Veronica had never felt this close to anyone before.

After their third round the ladies decided to make their way back to their luxury suite plus Veronica needed her medicine. In the elevator of the hotel the two pet one another and kissed lightly. When they reached their floor Jennifer tripped and dropped her purse. Veronica bent down to help her retrieve her belongings and she came up with a little baggie filled with a powdery substance. Veronica held it between her thumb and forefinger and shook it. She stood up looking at Jennifer with a knowing smile on her face.

“So you like to party huh?”

Jennifer covered her grin with her fingers looking more cute than guilty.

“I guess you got me.”

Veronica walked up and kissed her passionately on the lips, Jennifer received it well. Once they got into the room Veronica made a confession of her own. She showed Jennifer her little bag of brown stuff.

Veronica thought that Jennifer might not understand but she received it well and didn’t judge a bit.

“You’re the coolest chick ever!”

“We’ve all got our own thing.”

“So you wanna cut yourself a few lines while I use the bathroom?”

“No, I’m good. I’ve kinda been sneaking all night. But I will have another drink though. Take your time, I’ll be fine.”

“Okay.”

Veronica gave Jennifer a peck then trotted off to the bathroom. Jennifer made two mixed drinks and stepped out onto the balcony. She looked over the palm trees to the beach then looked down and watched the cars drive up and down the strip. She sipped and watched, watched and sipped. Eventually she polished off both drinks then walked inside to make two more. As she mixed the drinks, Veronica walked up behind her and caressed her neck and shoulders. She turned and gave her a kiss. Veronica smelled fresh out of the shower but she had a different look in her eyes. Jennifer tried not to show that she noticed or was disturbed by it. Veronica was a veteran drug user but she couldn’t hide all of the signs of her drug use and abuse.

Jennifer took her hand and walked Veronica back out onto the balcony. They sat down next to one another and placed their drinks on the glass table. They turned, face to face. Jennifer felt it would be a good time to offer her confessions.

“Veronica before we jump into this thing there are some things I need to talk to you about. There are some ugly things in my past that I think you should know.”

Veronica took her hands and looked deep into her eyes to reassure her.

“There is nothing you can say that will change the way I feel about you, nothing.”

“Okay, well here it goes.”

Jennifer shared stories of corruption, violence, theft and robbery. She had harmed people many different ways with no concern or conscience. Instead of being mortified by her tales, Veronica was excited about them. She knew that she had finally found her soul mate; this girl was just like her! She had never been in love before but she was sure that was what she was feeling for Jennifer. Veronica rubbed and reassured Jennifer as she shared the most difficult moments of her life.

Veronica decided midway through the telling of Jennifer’s life story that she would divulge all as well to her new life partner. As Jennifer finished telling her story, Veronica leaned over and embraced her.

“I’m an awful person, I’ve done some awful things; do you still want to be with me?”

밢f course. You are the most extraordinary woman I have ever met. Let me ask you something.

“What is it?”

“Have you ever killed anyone before?”

“I don’t think so but I did leave that guy in Chattanooga stranded in the woods. I don’t know if he made it out alive. But to my knowledge, I have never killed anyone.”

“I wish that I could say the same.”

Jennifer looked surprised but not judgmental. She didn’t want to spook Veronica. Jennifer scooted closer to her and responded in a whisper.

“Who did you kill?”

“Wait, not here.”

“Oh, okay.”

Veronica stood and took Jennifer by the hand. She decided that she wanted to talk about her murders in private. She led Jennifer into the suite and closed the glass door behind them. They took seats on the white leather couches as Veronica prepared to bare her soul.

She started with scams and hustles, moved into manipulation and extortion. She told the sad stories of how she brought about the demise of Tommy and Jack without using her own hands. She told of the money she had acquired and the men she abused. In Veronica’s eyes a man could never be a hero so she acted as a harlot and a hustler to become her own heroin addicted heroine.

Eventually she got to her time spent in Monroe securing new victims and bringing about their deaths so that she could retain their wealth. She expressed her hatred towards men and how she could never love one. All of the pain and abuse she had endured in her life came at the hands of some man. Now, she wanted nothing more than to use a man for whatever he could provide her with. Veronica went as far as to show Jennifer a suite case full of stolen loot, jewelry and heirlooms.

She turned dark, explaining in detail how she first poisoned old Harry Walker by overdosing him on his own blood thinner medication.

“I watched as he bled out in his sleep, first internally then out of his ears, nose, and mouth. That stuff used to be used as rat poison so I used it to put down an old rat who only wanted to use and abuse my body. Needless to say, he never got a chance.”

Veronica then told Jennifer how she smothered old man Aaron Ackerman in his sleep after she got all of his pass codes and banking information. She traded most of his belongings to drug dealers for dope and kept all of the cash and jewels. Jennifer could see the gleam in Veronica’s eyes as she shared the details of her heinous crimes.

“That fat bastard Carl White I just beat to death with the base of his most prized bowling trophy. The man was disgusting, always trying to grab and paw at me. He bragged non stop about everything he had ever done in his life. I understood why he was alone living in Monroe with almost no friends or family. I loved every moment of destroying his fat head and face. When I finished with him his face looked like a fat bowl of blood pudding.”

She laughed and shook her head, reminiscing about how she took the old man’s life. Jennifer still didn’t let on how mortified she was. She answered simply and supportive of her possible life partner.

“Sometimes, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do and some people just have to go!”

After stating that she stood and walked to the door. Veronica was still in the moment, fantasizing about killing Carl. As the light from the hallway streamed into the room Jennifer said the magic words.

“Velvet ropes, velvet ropes!”

Just then the room was flooded with police officers. Veronica couldn’t understand what was going on. She was caught totally off guard.

“Police, get down on the floor, down on the floor!”

A stunned Veronica laid down on the floor and put her hands behind her head. She looked around to see where her lover was and there she stood above her. The officers dragged her up to her feet and for the first time she saw a different side of her love Jennifer.

Jennifer had a stern look on her face and a police badge around her neck. She started reading Veronica her rights to her surprise.

“Great job detective Randall. I believe we have everything that we need here.”

Veronica was shocked.

“Detective Randall? Who are you Jennifer? Was this all a lie? I can’t believe you! You bitch! I poured my heart out to you and you’re just a freakin’ pig! I’ll kill you bitch, if I ever get close to you I will kill you!”

The officers dragging her off found her tantrum and threats humorous.

“I guess there is a thin line between love and hate uh Detective Randall.”

“I guess so Paul, I guess so. Take her down and book her and we’ll transport her across state next week.”

Detective Jennifer Randall returned to Monroe to a celebration at her favorite cop bar the next day.

The department was so proud of their keen, fearless detective who went undercover to catch a serial killer stalking their fine community. She ran point on the operation and made all the right moves in getting results as she would later explain in a television interview.

“Well I figured that she would never open up to a man because her hatred for men was obvious. I figured a woman who shared her sad story and hard life she might confide in. I had no idea that she would be attracted to me and would want to date, that was a bit of a curve ball.”

“I’d say so. Aren’t you heterosexual?”

“Yes, I have a fiancee that I love very much and actually I had never kissed a girl before. It was strange but I didn’t want to break character; we had to get her off the streets. So my choice was to kiss a serial killer or risk losing more innocent lives.”

Jennifer paused allowing the audience an opportunity to applaud. The interviewer chimed in.

“You are so courageous, how did you get her to tell you everything.”

“The most important thing is to raise the suspect’s level of comfort. You want them to believe that they are talking to a like minded person.”

The interviewer and audience were hanging on her every word. She continued on.

“So if they’re an arsonist you become pro arson, if they are a sexual predator you tell stories about committing sex crimes. In Veronica’s case we first talked about our horrible childhoods and how we were abused.”

The host chimed in once again.

“So you kind of mirrored her, huh?”

“Exactly but you always tell your story first so they feel free telling theirs. These are not trusting people so you have to give them a reason to trust by giving what you don’t have to give. After I told her my sad story, she told me hers and I was sure to always vilify men. I knew she hated men, so I hated them too.”

Again the audience applauded her insight into the criminal mind.

“I understand you used her drug use to kind of get her to talk more about what crimes she had committed.”

“Yes, I knew that she was a heroin addict and she had to use so I wanted to make it easy for her.”

The host asked how she got her to feel comfortable using and Jennifer told her.

“So I tripped coming out of an elevator and dropped my purse allowing a baggy of powdery substance to fall out of my purse. She picked it up, assumed I did drugs so that opened her up to use as well. This gave us another thing to bond over so after she got high I told her about all the awful crimes I had committed. Me painting myself as a victim, addict criminal and her being high and vulnerable helped her to open up. By that time I had called everyone into position and had all recording equipment rolling. I mirrored her so much that I pretended to love Skittles and Karaoke! I don’t eat candy and I always hated Karaoke. But, that night they were my favorite things. I may take my fiancee to sing Karaoke sometime now that I’m a pro.”

The audience laughed along with the host before they went to commercial. There was an intermission and make up was touched up. Jennifer was asked if she was alright and she responded quickly in the affirmative. Jennifer was having the time of her life. She may have found herself a new career.

When the show reopened the host asked about the coordinated efforts of law enforcement and Jennifer gave the different agencies of the counties that assisted her their due. She may have been assisted but this was her moment and she was the star off this show. Jennifer decided to give the audience a little more juicy detail about the operation.

“There were many dangers in this operation. I wasn’t just concerned about her being a killer and harming me physically. I had to be concerned with her lifestyle and the exchange of bodily fluids. I took mess before and after the operation but I was concerned even though we did nothing more than kissing and heavy petting.”

Jennifer got deeper on the knowing of murder and those who commit it.

“Delving into the mind of a killer can be quite slippery. It’s easy to get in there but then sometimes if you go in too deep; it’s hard to get out. It stays with you, trapping you inside; you try to get out but you just slide back in. The horror that is them and what they have done slowly becomes a part of you... slippery.”

Those poetic words on homicidal people and their minds helped to launch Jennifer’s new career. She would write a best seller on her experience with Veronica. Veronica would read it in prison serving a life sentence; she wasn’t a fan. Veronica took a plea deal to avoid the death penalty and watched with malice in vain as Jennifer became a huge star.

The movie based on the life and times of Jennifer Randall “To Kiss a Serial Killer” won several awards and she was a creative director and producer on the project. She would later host her own daily talk show and make cameos in movies and situation comedies. Veronica sat for years; decades watching Jennifer enjoy a wonderful life at her expense. Bitter till the day she died at the ripe old age of ninety-two because even in death Jennifer haunted her with documentaries and remakes of the old movie; the story would live forever. The last sixty-two years of her life Veronica would spend behind bars angry with murderous desires to get retribution on the one who landed her in that hell. She was evil to the core and determined to remain that way. Veronica always embraced who and what she was. With no human contact or view outside she just drew more inward. Living the same day, everyday, she slowly lost touch with reality and time.

One hour a day for exercise, twenty-three hours of solitary confinement. In all that time Veronica found no faith or religion, she gained neither peace nor calm.

Ironically in all those years she couldn’t find empathy or sympathy in her soul for her many victims, only hatred for the one who toyed with her heart and robbed her of her freedom. Unfortunately Veronica never viewed the men for whom and what they were, victims. To her dying day, she only saw herself as one.