The Hunt Part One

The Hunt Part One: Echoes From The Dark

by Theodore Marquez

Chris Valle’s body is found in Congress Park of the Capitol Hill area in Denver, butchered and partially mangled. The Major Crimes Unit Supervisor, puts Detective Lorrayne Lobato immediately on the case as he feels she is best suited.

When Jack Webber’s body is discovered the killer becomes known as “The Butcher.” The Butcher’s targets are first thought to be Hispanic-white, gay couples in the beginning. That was until Jack Webber a single white man shows up butchered like the others.

Lobato is taken by a certain Officer Ernest Parker who she encounters periodically. There is a connection between them.

Officer Burns, a bigoted Bible thumper, annoys her whenever she is in his presence. He takes pride in informing her of bodies being found.

HIV positive Tony De Santos and negative Guy Sutherland, a gay couple living on Capitol Hill suspect they are on The Butcher’s list of victims. Strange circumstances happening around their home and lives bring them to that conclusion. Incident after incident confirm their suspicions.

Dr. Walter Thurman and Father Ivan Christopher are on a quest with Reparative and Conversion Therapy to prove that homosexuality is merely a choice and can be changed or altered. They are focused on one patient in particular.

Tony working in a bathhouse is somewhat concerned as anyone or anything could step through the doors and lurk in the dark hallways. Guy is equally concerned since Tony works at night and he is left alone at home.

A mysterious black stranger presents himself and appears in and out of their days acting most peculiar. Tony and Guy are suspicious of him. The stranger seems to be focused on them. His mere presence torments Guy whenever and wherever he sees him.

Lobato’s gay brother Albert Maez is found butchered and she is sent to investigate the body. Unbeknown to the police force that she has a gay brother. Copeland threatens to take her off the case due to her association with the victim. After consulting with Mark Powell, Major Crimes Unit Commander, it is decided she is to remain on the case. Dr. Richard Lee, the Medical Examiner can only state the obvious. He too, is at a loss.

Mario Gomez, a good friend of Guy’s, and Tony’s ex Jon Hansen’s current partner, soon comes into the scene when Jon vanishes without a trace. Guy and Mario comb the streets in search of him yielding nothing.

Guy’s optimistic character is shattered when he finds his cat BJ butchered and left on the doorstep of their home. He is then convinced he and Tony are indeed on The Butcher’s list. They call Lobato with their suspicion after BJ is found. Lobato is growing convinced of their theory.

When Mario is brutally murdered Tony and Guy’s fears are sealed. Each victim seems to be closer to home. There is a pattern.

Tony in desperation gets access to a gun for his and Guy’s protection, but is nearly blown away by Guy when he walks into their apartment unexpectedly. Guy’s emotional decline is unstoppable.

About The Author:-

THEODORE MARQUEZ

Theodore Marquez was born and raised in Del Norte, Colorado, one of twenty-four children with seventeen now living, over three hundred nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews. He currently resides in Colorado.

With only a seventh grade formal education his writing career has spanned over twenty years with several unpublished novels. His aspiration for writing began in childhood. Through determination and persistence dreams are awakened.