"How exactly do you know about the acid?" Patty and Lancaster both stepped closer to the boy.
"That's the weirdest part of all."
"What is?"
"The History report."
"What History report?"
"Harold's."
The detectives stared at the boy.
"Leopold and Loeb." Cory made a hand gesture as if they should understand the reference. "Harold did a report on Leopold and Loeb for his American History class."
"When?" they both asked.
"Maybe two weeks ago. The teacher said his report couldn't be on a magician."
"So you know of the acid because you're in Harold's History class?"
"Yes, no, well, I know of it from the report. I'm not in his History class but he let me read it because I like Clarence Darrow."
"Who is he?"
"The lawyer. He defended Leopold and Loeb but one of them dropped their prescription glasses. It’s what convicted them."
"You're certainly right about the weird part."
"So wait, whoever killed Harold poured acid on him?” Cory winced. “That's, that’s so horrible."
"We didn't say they did. We asked how you knew of the acid."
"Oh good. I know Harold would hate that."
Detective Lancaster handed his mother a business card. "Here's my info. If you think of anything else you feel might be important please give me a call. Anything at all."
"And as the investigation moves forward we may have more questions for you," Patty added.
"Certainly," Mrs. Walker said. "The poor child. I need to phone Mildred."
"Thank you again. We'll be on our way."
Walking to the car the pair agreed to split up. Lancaster went to find an address for Jay Fitzgerald. Patty said she would bring the others up to speed.
The scent to the hound comes from keeping its nose to the ground.
Detectives follow their instincts. Buried among the chemicals, solvents and deodorizers within the Cororner's office, the stench of death hid. Patty could detect even the smallest trace. The scent brought her to the slaughterhouses of a tender youth. The smell haunted her.
Patty rapped on the windowed door to get Dave's attention. Dave motioned her in but she remained in the hallway. She knocked again. Through the window, she watched Dave and Bo shake hands with a man in blue surgical scrubs and start her way. She stepped down the hall.
"Patty, check this out," Dave said offering her a pair of evidence bags.
"What?" She scanned Bo up and down.
"Look at them," Dave insisted.
"Looks like a handcuff key and this is - what?"
"Fake skin."
"Fake skin?"
"Fake skin."
"Why would Harold have fake skin?"
"To hide the key."
"What?"
"It's called liquid latex," Bo said, "and is used in effects makeup for theatre, movies and such. Appears to have been tinted to match Harold's skintone."
"That's a lovely dissertation but didn't come anywhere close to answering my fucking question."
"We think he actually had two," Dave said jumping back in.
Patty glared at him and crossed her arms. Her right foot tapped at the terrazzo floor.
"The discolored spot on Harold's wrist likely hid a second key. A few small pieces of the latex remained along the edge. The Coroner thinks a mild latex allergy caused the skin discoloration. As far as why, I can only think it would be something a criminal or escape artist would do."
"Escape artist - you mean like a magic trick?" Patty asked.
"Think Houdini. I imagine placing them at the wrist and ankle provides easy access."
"Harold's family said he wanted to be a magician."
"Escape artist or pull the rabbit out of the hat magic?"
"They didn't elaborate."
"Something that should be followed up."
"You think? The M.E. have any thoughts on why the one key was missing?"
"Nope."
Her eyes tightened on Bo's face.
"The crime scene crew is going back to scour the area to see if they can find the second key," Dave added.
"And you?" Patty asked Bo.
"Nope."
"Great. I like the strong silent type."
"You discover anything new at the Haverly's?"
"Nope." Patty sneered at Bo.
"You know one phone call to Milton."
"Don't threaten me you fuck."
"Patty," Dave said. "Let's remain professional."
"Fuck you too Dave. You're supposed to have my back."
"We're all in this together. I'd like to just get through it at this point."
"And I'd like to take a swing at somebody," Patty said.
"Go ahead, but don't think for a second I won't hit back because you're a girl."
"Woman - asshole - and yeah I bet you have no problem hitting women and maybe kids too."
"I tell you what." Bo stepped closer. "When this case is done and over we'll put gloves on, get in a ring and you can take all the swings you can make."
"Why wait?"
"Because your desire to have the opportunity will fuel your passion."
"I have plenty of my own fuel. I don't need you providing any."
"You're not a half bad detective, a little squeamish maybe, but not bad."
"Thanks and fuck you, I don't need your approval."
"What else you find out at the Haverly's?"
"Nothing," she stewed. "At the Walker's we learned Harold had two necklaces, neither matching the one from the crime scene but the boy, Harold's friend Cory, said another student wears a necklace like the one in the photo. Lancaster is tracking down an address."
"The necklace, I forgot about the necklace." Dave said.
"I think we can forget about the necklace. The distance from the body and," Patty said.
"Bo," the M.E. interrupted from the autopsy room doors. He held another evidence bag.
The three walked to him.
"What'd you find?" Patty asked from the back.
Bo's pager beeped. He found it on his hip, pressed a button to silence it and gave his attention to the M.E.
"Didn't you mention a shell necklace?"
Bo reached for the bag. Patty jumped between the two and snatched the bag. Bo and Dave turned to her. She lifted the bag where everyone could see.
"Where'd you find these?" Bo asked.
"My assistant found them when she was cataloguing the stomach contents."
Patty gulped hard and her head shied away.
"You were saying," Bo said to Patty.
Patty handed the bag to Dave and wiped her hand on her shirtsleeve. She sniffed at her palm.
"I'll search farther and let you know if I find more."
"Farther?" Dave asked.
"The whole way - mouth to rectum."
"Ew," Patty said and swallowed hard. "You, you let us know."
They thanked the M.E. again and walked for the door.
"Necklace pieces in his stomach, that's so weird," Dave said.
"Weird. I forgot about weird. You'll never guess this one," Patty said to Bo.
"Then you best tell us."
"Get this shit. Cory said Harold did a report in History class about two weeks ago."
"And?"
"It was about the murder from the twenties and the lawyer, Clarence something another I think it was who handled the case."
"Leopold and Loeb."
"Yeah."
"That is weird," said Dave.
"Did you get a copy?"
"We found out about it after we left the Haverly's."
"I'd say it’s worth a trip back."
"I'll call Lancaster and see if he can meet us there."
"Okay," Bo said quieting the pager again. "I need to cancel on a friend first."
Kink balances our normal.
Wealthy children have more space than most. Within the personal storage of Harold's bedro
om, the group of detectives examined his life. Uncertain whether the room or four detectives digging through the boy's things bothered Mr. Haverly most, Patty found an unease about him when he stepped in. Swollen eyes examined the men.
"You Boson?" Mr. Haverly asked considering Bo.
"I am."
Patty watched the men shake hands like business associates.
"Could I have a minute of your time?"
"Certainly," he said and excused himself. Bo followed the elder man from the room.
Patty and Lancaster shared a long stare.
"What?" Dave asked noticing.
"Nothing," said Patty.
"Right."
Adult magazines filled with naked Asian women, the lore of secret societies, books on escape and geek arts, a small stash of cannabis, and research on murderers shared the confines of a young boy's balance. The research included an expansive collection of data on the recent, and close, Gacy murders. Rich or poor, parents rarely possess a true understanding of their children and especially their kinks. The Haverlys were no exception.
Dave attempted to comprehend the workings of the IBM 5150 model personal computer. Patty and Lancaster searched drawers, closets and the bed. The yellow belt and karategi in Harold's closet surprised Patty. Lancaster found a copy of the History report and research material in Harold's desk.
"It's all here," Patty said reading the report, "The kidnapping, ransom note, Wolf Lake, blunt force trauma to the head, the acid, everything. If it weren't impossible you could think it a suicide."
"He was into magic," said Dave.
"That would be the best magic trick of all time," Lancaster responded.
"Maybe he'll come back to life in a day or two," Patty said then checked the room.
"Now that would be magic," Dave surmised, "especially after I watched the M.E. slice him open on a stainless steel table and weigh his organs."
Patty turned away.
"You know something every magician has no matter what tricks they do?" Lancaster asked.
"Handcuff keys." Dave answered.
"What?" Patty said peeking at her watch then to the bedroom door.
"Assistants."
"Where you going with this Lancaster?" Patty asked.
Dave stopped to listen.
"What if it was meant to be a trick and it went wrong, terribly wrong?"
"And the assistant finished the job?" Patty questioned.
"Or maybe," Lancaster continued, "someone pretended to be interested in magic to suggest Harold try such a trick."
"You thinking Cory?"
"He's had three arrests. I requested access to his juvenile records but was told there was insufficient evidence to unseal them."
"So maybe he lied about the necklace?"
"It's a possibility."
"Can you guys get a tail on him?"
"I'll speak with my Captain as soon as I get back to the office."
"Maybe we can find a reason to search his room."
"Find anything?" Bo asked walking in.
"Have a good chat did you?" asked Patty.
"We talked."
"We're finished here."
"And?"
"You can catch up on the ride."
Dave finished handwriting two inventory lists of the items they wished to take. Lancaster and Mrs. Haverly reviewed the items and signed both lists. A chain of evidence form was filled out transferring custody to Patty.
Attention, like a life, has a span.
Though she considered otherwise, Patty had a history of displaying a poor attention span. With the murder of Harold Haverly however, she was determined to have her due.
The following day the foursome decided to split into pairs. Patty met Lancaster at the West Haven Preparatory School. Dave and Bo returned to the crime scene to help search for the missing handcuff key.
At the school, Patty and Lancaster introduced themselves to Principal Williams. They shared niceties on their way to a small conference room then got to business. Patty sought and received permission to record the conversation.
She provided an introduction for the taping then asked what information the Principal could provide about Harold Haverly. The Principal described the boy as socially awkward but intellectually gifted. He said Harold was one of only ten accepted into a new jump-start program the year prior.
"How many students attend West Haven?" Patty asked.
"Three-hundred twenty-five - we start each school year with three-hundred twenty-five students so without Harold, three-hundred twenty-three."
The pair seemed puzzled.
"We lost another student earlier this year," the Principal said.
"Any connection to Harold?"
"Oh, no, he died on vacation in France."
"I see. Let's move on to Harold's friends."
"Only one I know of. Cory Walker."
"And what's he like?"
"Cory - socially awkward like Harold but - how can I put this - he runs hot and cold if you know what I mean."
"In a bipolar kind of way?"
"Well. Is there such a thing as tripolar?"
"How do you mean?"
"There's a version of him that's like Harold, meek and respectful then there's an angry and disobedient side."
"And the third?"
"Quiet and cold, his mind looks to be running so fast you expect to find puffs of smoke escaping his ears. He stares right to the root of you. It's really quite disturbing if you must know the truth."
"Any discipline issues? Fighting? Threats? Weapons?"
"Nothing in school thus far."
"I see."
"I'll be happy to not have him back next year."
"Did you say - not have him back?"
"Yes."
"How's that?"
"Not enough spots - with each grade level the number of students reduces. It allows us to best focus our efforts on those most likely to be successful in college. It also teaches them to always strive to be the best."
"Brutal."
"We prepare students for Ivy League Colleges and International Universities Detective. There is nothing in life more cutthroat. Those who graduate from West Haven will help create, innovate and lead the world of tomorrow."
"Uh-huh. How hard do you cut?"
"We accept a hundred and fifty freshmen. Thirty seniors."
"Whoa."
"Only the best and the brightest."
"And you already know Cory won't be making the cut?"
"Between his grades, lack of interest in extracurricular activities and the personality issues, I feel confident in thinking he will not be offered a position with the sophomore class.Of course the ultimate decision will be made by the board."
"Cory have any friends other than Harold?"
"None I can think of."
Patty leaned toward the recorder to check the tape supply. "Photograph F17," she said while still close then sat upright. "This is a white puka shell necklace. Does this necklace look familiar to you?"
"Not with reference to Harold or Cory it doesn't."
"To any student?"
The Principal took the photo and held it before him. "We typically see a variety of these at the beginning of the school year and again right after spring break. The kids go to the beach and come back with all sorts of things: airbrushed t-shirts, hats, this kind of necklace."
"There are quite a few students who have these?"
"Not anymore, no."
Patty waited.
"They wind up in the trash or the kid moves on to something else. Most of the students here have the means to redecorate their life as and when they see fit."
"Any students still wearing theirs?"
"Off the top of my head, I can think of two, Jay Fitzgerald and." Principal Williams looked to the ceiling for the answer like a freshman taking an Algebra test. "He's, he's a sophomore." His eyes closed. "Friends with Roger Dalton and Cary, um, um." He tapped at the table. "Ken! Ken, Kenny, Kenny Lowe." He returned to Pa
tty. "Jay Fitzgerald and Kenny Lowe."
"And no one else?"
"Not that I can think of but it is possible. I'll keep an eye for the next few days and let you know if I think of any others."
"We'd appreciate it. Jay or Kenny have any connection to Harold or Cory?"
"No, Kenny's a sophomore, high class rank, well balanced, well liked. I wish I had three-hundred twenty-four more exactly like him."
"And Jay?"
"Jay's a senior, from one of our wealthiest families, excellent athlete, though he wasn't always so, popular, mostly runs around with Walter Freeman."
"Any anger issues with them?"
"Kenny or Jay no, not at all. Kenny would be more likely to rescue someone than harm them. Jay seems well balanced and if Walter wanted someone harmed he would have Daddy do it."
"Why's that?"
"Not familiar with Mr. Freeman?"
Patty's head motioned no. "I've heard the name," said Lancaster.
"Walter Freeman III, they call him the 'Wolf' he eats companies and executives. A modern day robber baron is I believe how one financial magazine described him. I imagine he took it as a compliment. His grandfather was the real deal and he seems to be the second coming - a real bastard if you ask me."
"And Walter the student?"
"Four? It's what the kids call him. Must take after his mother. Nothing like the man."
"Hmm."
Mr. Williams tapped at the photo. "I know why Jay came to mind so quick when you asked about the necklace."
Patty and Lancaster waited.
"He came to see me about it. He thought someone took it from him."
"His necklace?"
"Yes. He thought it disappeared from his locker while he showered - gym class."
"When was this?"
"He told me about it the morning after Harold's body was discovered."
"Then Harold was already dead when it was stolen?"
"Yes. I mean no."
"If someone stole it the morning after," she started.
"He reported it the day after Harold died but said it had been a few days since it had gone missing."
"Why did he wait to report it?"
"You know I asked him the same question. He said it was cheap and didn't really care it was gone. He said he gave it a few days to turn up: home, car, locker, etc. and just wanted me to be aware of it."
"You have any luck finding it?"
The Wolf Lake Murders (A Bo Boson Adventure Book 1) Page 7
