Final Act

by Dianne Yetman

  “Tell me when you first noticed Mr. Stone?”

  “It was in the spring, over two years ago now. I noticed the green Land Rover first. It started travelling up the logging road quite regularly. I made it a point to be out at the mailbox the next time I thought it would be going by. He smiled and waved. Tall, man, big mane of gray hair.”

  “Was anyone with him?”

  “No. He stopped by one weekend and told me he had bought the property and was fixing it up for him and his fishing buddies. Didn’t recommend I visit as the property was swampy, he didn’t need to tell me that, I never go down there.”

  “You mentioned no one was with him, none of his fishing buddies, anyone at all?”

  “Oh yes, dearie. There were people alright, not fishing buddies, a female, very young, pretty, blonde.”

  “Yes, first it was the blonde, next it was a dark haired young girl, must have been her cousin.”

  “Did they come together?”

  “No, first it was the blonde one. Then I didn’t see her anymore but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t there. I don’t hang at my window all day.”

  “When was the last time you saw her?”

  “Let’s see. It was in the winter time, two years or a bit more.”

  “So did Mr. Stone keep coming regularly after that?”

  “Oh yes, seen him going by with the dark haired skinny looking kid. It’s probably got nothing to do with his death but when I heard the police were looking for any information, I thought I should call.”

  Kate thanked Mrs. Rogers for her cooperation and assured her the information she gave would help them with their investigation. She informed her that her statement would be typed out and a constable would bring it out to her for signature.

  Standing on the front porch, Kate and Shirley saw the police van heading back to the city. They wasted no time getting to their car.

  At the precinct, Kate, Shirley and Withers sat together in the multi-purpose room, eyes glued to the TV. The search of the cabin had turned up a tripod, camera, but no film. Darkness was descending and the techs were on the phone to arrange keig lights. Getting ready to leave with evidence bags containing articles of female clothing, hairbrush, make up and various toiletries, Withers came to a full stop in front of the fireplace. Placing the bag on the floor, he crouched down on the hearth and looked up the chimney. Four DVD’s were perched on a makeshift brick ledge three feet from the opening. The techs were still at the cabin pulling up floor boards. They were told to call the precinct if they found anything else of interest.

  Eyes glued to the DVD, Kate asked if anyone recognized the girl. They all responded in the negative.

  “She can’t be more than 15-16 years old. Obviously wasn’t coerced, she seems to be a willing participant.”

  “Doesn’t make it any less of an offence, though, does it”, Shirley remarked.

  “Damn right it doesn’t. We find the parents of this young girl and we may find the killer.”

  Withers popped in the last DVD. A tall, skinny girl with freckles; she too was a very willing participant.

  “Shirley, drop their pictures into our system and see what turns up.”

  “Will do.”

  “Do you think we’ve got a female killer, Kate”, Withers asked. “A mother out for revenge.”

  I can think of two mothers of teenage daughters. Catherine, and Eleanor; I checked on Philip’s daughter, she has lived with her mother for the past five years in California. The other two should be come under scrunity but who knows, they could be kids of someone not even connected with the theatre. One thing I do know, we’re getting closer. Gordon was murdered because he was a pedophile.”

  “I know someone who has a sister that age, Kate”, Shirley said. “When I interviewed Brenda, Stone’s protégé, she mentioned her.”

  The phone rang and Withers picked up.

  “The two taxi drivers who went to Catherine’s home are downstairs. I’ll handle it.”

  Kate and Shirley went back to the office and together wrote up the report, e-mailed it to both the Chief and Gordon. Thirty minutes later, Withers dropped by to inform them about his interview. The driver to first arrive at the home picked up his fare at the entrance to the hospital. He said the passenger was wearing a long dark coat and a surgical mask covered the bottom half of the face. He said his passenger never spoke, just passed him a note with the address written on it. Thought it could have been a male or female. The driver who arrived at 4:30 gave a perfect description of Eleanor Sutton-Gray.

  Kate looked at her watched. Time to go and eat, she was famished. She’d do Chinese takeout and call Roger from home.

  Chapter 15

  The stalker shivered in the cold wind but kept Hanya’s office window in view patiently waiting for the light to go out. A slick sheen of sweat sucked the thin plastic gloves tighter to the tense hands. A quick glance to back entrance way to make sure it was still clear. Yes, no traffic. Only three cars in the parking lot burnt out bulb in the overhead light at the entrance. The time was right.

  A rustling sound from the woods by the left bank, something was moving. Resisting the urge to run, the dark figure slipped further back into the darkness. Where was Hanya? She should have been making her way across the lot to her car by now.

  The sound was closer. This time twigs snapped underfoot then a small animal, moving too fast to identify, brushed against the stalker’s legs. Then the third sound, the one so patiently waited for, the sound of footsteps on asphalt. Watching the heavy woman making her way towards the parked cars, the stalker waited until she was a few feet away from her vehicle, then slipped the gloved hand into the pocket of the oversize black coat, pulled out the gun, took aim, and fired. Hanya went down.

  Seconds after the trigger was squeezed, something heavy crashed into the back of the stalker’s legs. The impact knocked the stalker to the ground and the gun went flying. Sprawled on the frozen ground, the killer listened. It was quiet. The killer rose, ran out of the wooded park, leaving the gun behind.

  Hanya couldn’t stop shaking. She lay under the front fender of her car willing herself to be still. Her heart was pounding so hard she couldn’t hear anything. She started to raise her head but stopped, whoever was out there might be waiting for her to make a move. She turned on her left side, reached into her bag and pulled out her cell.

  The dial tone screamed into the silence. Then she heard a noise - approaching footsteps. She prayed for courage. She could see the shoes of the killer at the back of the car and as she watched the feet approaching the side, she was calm, ready. When your times up, that’s it.

  “For God’s sake Rev. Hanya, what’s wrong?”

  She looked up at John, her least favourite student, who stood towering over her. She lifted her face off the asphalt and lifted her hand. Seconds later she was on her feet, shaky feet, but she was standing.

  “Can you help me back to my office? I’m feeling a bit weak.”

  “Take my arm and lean into me.”

  As they entered the lit hallway, he drew a sharp breath.

  “Your face, it’s burnt.”

  “It’s what happens to people John, when they dive onto asphalt and roll themselves to a parked car. Someone took a shot at me. I need to call the police.”

  Whether the news spun him into action, or the fear of a killer out there in the dark, he had her on the second floor landing in no time flat.

  Once she was seated on the small couch in her office, she asked him to put on a pot of coffee and cover her with the winter parka that was hanging on the back of the door. She was cold, shivering. Shock was setting in.

  She hit the speed dial on her cell phone. She hoped to hell Kate was still at her desk. Shirley answered. Hanya told her where she was and that someone took a shot at her. Too weak to say any more, she hung up.

  Her grip was
so strong on the cup that the spoon rattled in the saucer. Her face burned and her bloodied knuckles pained. She saw herself hurling to the pavement, felt the impact slam through her body, and heard the sound of the bullet bouncing off the car. Six feet – no wonder I ache, six feet of rolling on asphalt. She could feel specks of gravel in her hair, on her face, in her hands.

  She must have faded out for the next thing she knew, paramedics were charging through the doorway. Kate and Shirley stood over her. She burst into tears.

  “Its okay, Hanya. You’re safe now”, Kate said. “No one can hurt you.

  The medics are here to check you over.”

  “I’m okay. I’m scraped, that’s all. I don’t need them. Send them away.” She knew she wasn’t making sense but couldn’t seem to stop the rambling. She felt a hand on her pulse; saw the machine. Vitals, they’re checking my vitals. Her body jerked at the sound made by the release catch on the stretcher.

  “I’m scared Kate.”

  “I know. I’ll stay with you. I’m not going anywhere except in the ambulance with you.”

  She heard the instructions she gave to Shirley.

  “You’re in charge. Take a statement from the student. Keep any civilians away until the crime scene is blocked off. It’s vital that both the parking lot and treed area are taped off and searched. Call Withers and ask him to rustle up a couple of extra bodies for us. Call me on my cell if anything interesting turns up.”

  Hanya’s eyes were heavy. Her last thought before the voices around her faded away was that John wasn’t such a pain in the tutu after all.

  As Kate entered Emergency, it was déjà vu all over again. First, Roger; now Hanya. Who’s next? Too many people she cared about were getting hurt. More than hurt, both came close to being killed. She could feel the rush of blood to her face. If she gave her thoughts free rein, she would self-destruct.

  She paced outside the examining room unable to sit or stand still. For such minimal injuries, they sure were taking a long time. She didn’t feel hungry but could hear her belly rumble. She had just placed her order when Shirley called her on the cell. She ran back to the precinct, all tiredness gone.

  Changing the direction of her pace, she was heading down the corridor when her cell buzzed.

  “Kate, its Shirley. We have the gun, found it in the wooded area by the parking lot. I can’t understand why the perp would leave it behind, but why look a gift horse in mouth look. Crime Scene guys found the bullet twenty feet beyond Hanya’s car. Funny the shooter missed her. I wonder if it was intentional. Maybe it was a warning to back off.”

  “I highly doubt that. Hanya’s still in the examining room but as soon as she’s sprung, I’ll take her statement then head for the precinct. See you there.”

  “Good. I’m on my way now with the bagged gun and bullet. If you want, drop the statement off tomorrow morning. I’ll brief the night crew and they can start the ball rolling. We both need to catch some sleep.”

  “Good idea. Thanks, see you tomorrow.”

  Kate punched her cell.

  “Susan, hi. It’s Kate. Listen, I have a big favour to ask of you.”

  “I dispense favours faster than a bubble gum machine for the likes of you. How can I be of service?”

  Kate smiled. “I knew I could depend on you. I’m at the hospital. Hanya has had a bit of a rough time.”

  “Is she alright?”

  “A bit shaken, but she’ll be fine. I don’t want her spending the night alone and I still have some work to do. So, I ....”

  “Of course she can stay the night. We’ll be waiting.”

  “Thanks Susan.” She hung up the phone, headed back towards the examining room and saw shaken, bruised Hanya standing outside the door looking forlorn.

  “So what’s the report?”

  “I’m fine, will be stiff and sore for a bit that’s all. Can you give me a lift to my digs?”

  “I’ll give you a lift but not to your place. If you’re a good friend and care about my welfare, you will spend the night where two good people are expecting you. If you, then it’s on your conscience if I’m killed in the line of duty tomorrow because I couldn’t get any sleep because I was worried about you being alone. Savvy?”

  “Savvy, Kate, take me where you will.”

  ***

  Early the next morning, Kate and Shirley sat the two metal chairs in Gordon’s cramped office, sipped coffee, discussing the events of last evening.

  “So, we have an attempted murder on our hands. Any news yet?”

  “Forensics is still working the scene”, Shirley said, “Should hear something on the gun by this afternoon.”

  “It’s connected to Camira’s murder”, Kate said.

  “Do you have evidence it’s connected?”

  “No, not yet.”

  “Then what makes you think there will be, Kate”, Gordon asked. Makes no sense, I mean, modus operandi is different, no poison, no drugs. Maybe somebody didn’t like her last homily or one of her students didn’t like their mark.”

  Kate told him about Hanya’s plan.

  “Dams those civilians who think they can play with killers. Why didn’t I hear about this Kate?”

  “I should have told you but I didn’t think she’d go through with it.”

  “Yeah, well, it’s over and it’s most likely linked. You and Shirley will supervise. I’ve got more bodies on board, so delegate, hear? And what about the Reverend? Reckon she’d agree to protective custody in case the wacko tries again?”

  “I suggested a long visit with her grandmother. She didn’t like it when I presented it to her this morning but has agreed. The reserve is 100 miles or so from the city, anyone new trying to get on the reserve would be as noticeable as a whale in a pond.”

  “Right. The girls and the pedophile connection – any progress?”

  “We have two persons from the sex crimes unit on it. Shirley gave the photos of the two girls, fingers crossed they’ll come up with a match.”

  “Good. Now for my news.” He brought the two detectives up to date on Roger’s conversation with the homeless woman.

  “Sent officers out ten minutes ago to round up the thugs that jumped Roger. Here’s hoping they can give us the woman in the red wig. We can wrap up the attack on Roger in one swoop.”

  “Where’s Roger”, Kate asked.

  “At home watching the races, I assume.”

  Shirley passed a copy of her report on her interview at G&M with the Production Manager and waited until they had finished reading.

  “So, Brenda, Stone’s protégé, is married to a Jim Parsons, the Plant Manager. Now that’s an interesting fact. And this husband of hers says there is no way anyone can gain access to the drug that was used to poison Stone, right?”

  “Yes, that’s what he said. On the surface, the place looks impenetrable, underneath the surface, there’s a beehive of activity. The plant’s executives can bring their wives, kids or what not through the plant on tours as long as they book with Brenda’s husband in advance. I believe the perp got a hold of the drug at the plant on one of these tours. I’m recommending we get a warrant to seize the company’s visitor log – they refused to voluntarily hand it over - look at the dates, names, times, and hopefully we can zero in on our murderer.”

  “Good, get on the warrant and get on the phone to the CEO, the other’s one’s husband, the cold looking broad, ah, Eleanor, and arrange an interview with him. Grill them, Shirley, make them feel the heat.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Okay. That’s it for now. Kate, stay behind for a few minutes. I need to talk to you.”

  Once the door closed, Gordon cleared his throat, put both hands on the table and leaned towards her.

  “I was at a media conference with the Commissioner the other day. Got talking with this freelance photographer, tall, good
looking black man. Enjoys sports, car racing being his favourite. He had an interesting story to tell. Gave a good description of a woman who accosted him, roughed him up, accused him of stealing his own briefcase. Should I go any further or would you like to fill in the blanks?”

  “I made a mistake. I assumed he was carrying Roger’s briefcase. I searched Roger’s office after the attack and didn’t find it. I had no idea it was locked away. My behaviour was unacceptable, inappropriate. It’s haunted me ever since.”

  “Is that it? Is that all you have to say. It was a mistake. During those haunted moments, did you give a thought at all to the colleague who was with you?”

  “Yes, I knew that if it ever came to light, she would be implicated as well.”

  “Your damn rights she would have been. Not only did you terrify a law abiding citizen, you put a colleague’s career at risk. A woman who has the stuff it takes to be a good police officer, who worked hard to get where she is, who has two children she plans on sending to university in a few more years.”