Match Play

by Poppe, D. Michael

  “Anything in the shower basin besides water?” Lou asks.

  “Nothing apparent,” answers Nancy Cochran. “We took some samples of the water though and we’ll run it through the lab.”

  Lou stares at Peggy Foster for a moment longer but decides to wait for all the evidence and the autopsy before trying to draw any conclusions. “Good enough. I’m going to the master bathroom. The arms and feet are in there.”

  Lou and Nancy exchange a look of burdened disbelief, and Lou continues in silence with his inspection of the house.

  The arms are lying adjacent to each other on the floor of the shower, palms up. There is a watch on the left wrist and her wedding ring is still on her finger. The feet are sitting nearby, placed as if someone has removed them like a pair of shoes. The shower is dry, as is the blood from the arms.

  Schein flips up the lid on the clothes hamper and makes a note to tell Payne to follow up with the techs to make sure they take all the clothing for analysis.

  He looks for the golf shoes. They aren’t in any of the rooms he has examined, so he moves on to the kitchen, finds the door to the garage and turns on the light. A personal golf cart is parked in one bay of the garage. The shoes are sitting on the floor beside it.

  The rest of Mrs. Foster’s clubs are in the back of the cart. He sees drink cups in the holders and various pieces of paper scraps and wrappings in the compartments of the cart. Lou shouts out for Roger Payne, and he instructs the agent to insure they do a complete workup on the cart, including the lady’s shoes and the drink cups; also to remember the clothes hamper.

  Schein returns to the family room to check on Phillip’s progress with the scramble.

  Phillips says, “Just in time! I finished deciphering the scramble.” He turns his laptop toward Lou: A BOGEYMAN HIDES AT WALMART

  Lou’s eyes go dark, and without expression he says, “The Match Play Killer has five weeks to stalk his next victim, and we have five weeks to catch him before he strikes again.”

  Chapter 44

  Agent Lou Schein and his team are meeting in the conference room at the Mobile Bureau of the FBI. Nancy Cochran has just arrived, looking disheveled and tired. It was after midnight when Payne and Schein returned from Irving.

  Schein stands, greets everyone and asks Dr. Cochran to begin the autopsy report then sits back in his seat.

  “This one is slightly different than the others, but it’s definitely our guy. The victim was drugged and murdered between two and four on the afternoon of May 17. We found several items consistent with the other crimes. The body had minimal blood remaining, the head was severed and the arms were removed. Two deviations: the legs were left attached, but the feet were removed. The breasts were excised as in his previous murders and the nipples were not found at the crime scene. It’s safe to conclude that he takes them as trophies.”

  Mary Gibson selfconsciously drapes a protective arm across her breasts.

  “The head was left on the bathroom counter, facing in the direction of the torso. The torso was hanging on the shower door, buttocks to the glass with the legs suspended over the top of the door and then taped with duct tape to the inside of the door.

  “The cavities where the killer carved the traps were all filled with sugar. The pelvis was colored green and the green coloring extended up the thighs and onto the buttocks as well. There was an embroidered pennant, number 5, on a ¼-inch diameter shaft poked into the vagina. If you refer to previous crime scenes from this investigation, the pennant was stabbed into the navel. The vagina contained a golf ball. There was no sign of sexual trauma or any kind of struggle. The removed appendages were found in the shower of the master bath.”

  She stops, looks around the table, and waits for questions or comments. No one responds, and she continues.

  “The shower pan was filled with water. We concluded that it was done to duplicate the hole that was marked on the scorecard; the water in the tub contains traces of blood. Fact: the 17th hole at Magnolia Grove has water down the entire right side with traps mid fairway on both sides; it also has an elevated green, which accounts for him hanging the body. The green is in a valley, which explains extending the green coloring up the thighs. The breasts were used as tee markers in the family room at the back of the house where we’re sure he hit the number 6 ball across the fairway from the patio doors.

  “Does anyone have any questions? I’ve sent a copy of the autopsy report and my findings to each of you.” After everyone mutters no, she sits and looks down at her notes.

  Lou thanks Dr. Cochran and addresses Agent Phillips. “Bruce, what have you found?”

  “I have been trying to correlate the marking on the scorecards to the victims,” Phillips replies. “I don’t know how he’s selecting the holes or why, but just by entering a lot of data: age, address, social security numbers, phone numbers and just about everything else I can think of, I hit an erratic but fitting comparable.”

  “Go on.”

  “It seems that the first digit of the victim’s age is ‘par’ for the hole and the second digit is his score. For example, the 17th hole at Herron Bay is a par 4; he indicated his score as a par 4; and Mrs. Foster was forty-four years old. Deborah Beatty was thirty-four, and he indicated a birdie 3 on a par 4 hole. Emily Cho was thirty-one. He had no scorecard so he wrote 3;1 on her chest.”

  “What about the one he lost? The third hole?”

  “I believe he lost it because he made double bogey. Shirley Scott was fifty-seven, hence 5;7; double bogey. Nothing over par is good enough for our Match Play Killer. If he misses the age, he calls it a loss. It just means another murder to win the majority. If he is playing a typical eighteen hole match, there will be another three par 3’s; three par 5’s, since he lost one; and seven more par 4’s. In other words, three women in their thirties, seven in their forties and he’s already played two in their fifties. But he lost one, so there will only be two more in the fifties. If he wins ten holes before we apprehend him, he should be done, unless he plays all eighteen just for fun.”

  Everyone nods in agreement.

  Phillips continues, “Unfortunately, he seems to be picking the holes randomly, so we still don’t know anything about his next victim. If I’m right, odds are she will be in her forties.”

  Lou says, “That’s good work, Bruce. Let’s proceed on that assumption. Anything else?”

  “Well, sir, I found no correlation between the tournaments, dates, locations or victims. Currently, we think they’re victims of random selection. Mrs. Foster is a perfect example. He doesn’t appear to have stalked her, he simply was presented with an opportunity when he was paired with her, and took every advantage.

  “All witnesses interviewed saw the victim leave the parking lot with our killer, but no one took notice of time or direction. They just assumed they were between the front and back nine or had forgotten something. It’s bad luck Mrs. Foster didn’t encounter someone who knew her.

  “It wasn’t until the victim was found that we began to extrapolate what may have happened. If he returned to his vehicle to get the tools he needed to create the crime scene, he either did it before going to her house, or did so after she was drugged or dead. Since we found her personal golf cart in the garage, he must have walked back to the clubhouse after the murder. Of course, no one would pay any attention to someone walking along the golf course fairways.”

  Lou stands and looks at each member of the team individually. “We know from the scramble ‘The Bogey Man Hides at Walmart’ that our killer wants us to believe he’ll strike next in Rogers, Arkansas. But there are two tournaments between now and then. Tom Bachman has contacted New Jersey and New York Bureaus and is coordinating that end of the investigation. If something comes up, we’ll certainly be lead on the scene; otherwise I want this entire operation up and running in Little Rock by next Monday.”

  He picks up his files and leaves the room.

  Rogers, Arkansas

  The Sixth Hole

  C
hapter 45

  Mr. Stellman, you’re solo and you play scratch golf. I’m going to have trouble finding you a foursome. Most of our players are higher handicaps,” the starter explains apologetically.

  “If you could put me out with some 10’s or lower that would be fine. I’ll be on the putting green; just call me if you get a threesome that plays at that level,” David says with a congenial smile and attitude, trying to block the FBI flyer which is in direct sight line of the starter who can easily look at David and the flyer at the same time.

  He putts for over an hour and is about to leave when the starter calls his name. He stands upright with uneasiness before realizing it is a call to play, not to be arrested. He picks up his bag and walks to the starter’s shed, hoping the guys he is playing with will not be too bad. As he gets closer, he sees the starter grinning, and David wonders what is up.

  “Well,” the starter chuckles, “I’ve got some low handicappers for you to play with if you’re up to it. They are three pros from the LPGA who are playing a practice round here for fun. They said they would take you as long as you’re a good player. They enjoy healthy competition. They’re not starts on the tour but they are tour players. So, what do you say? Are you up to playing with the women?”

  David smiles almost too broadly; it is a great day for golf. “Yes, I’ll try it.”

  “They are on the tee right now if you want to join them. They even said they would play from the men’s tees.”

  The women are all attractive and athletic. Monica Lopez is the shortest of the group, standing about 5'6". Her caddy, Dale, towers over her with massive arms that remind David of the meat cutters he encountered at the packing plant. She possesses beautiful olive skin, long dark hair held back in a ponytail, and dark almond-shaped eyes.

  Sharon Christensen is the oldest of the group with unsmiling eyes and a bit of an arrogant attitude. Her caddy, Jesus, is uneasy and fidgety. Sharon is obviously the leader of the group and trying to get everyone started.

  David’s third partner is Ann Perry. Her caddy is Luther and both are definitely the most congenial of the group. They are smiling, hold their hands out first for introductions and seem to enjoy good comradery between themselves.

  He introduces himself as David and thanks them for allowing him to play along. They ask his handicap and he says he is a scratch player of which they all approve. David concludes they are all too young for a par 4 and wonders, if the opportunity presents itself, could he play a par 3 instead. They look to be late twenties to mid-thirties. He doesn’t know if he can change his plans without creating an internal anxiety attack.

  David suggests they play match play instead of scratch score. They agree and tee off.

  David is disgusted as he loses the first five holes; he doesn’t even get a chance to putt out. Finally, he makes a birdie on the sixth hole and wins the hole. He is elated. The ladies congratulate him and move on. He is somewhat distracted by his obsessive thoughts of playing a par 3 and decides if the opportunity presents itself, he will take advantage.

  The decision isn’t as difficult as he expected.

  By engaging in casual conversation, he learns that Monica is thirty-two, so there is a par 3 that he can play if he can work out the course management. He concentrates on conversing with Monica, trying to get as much information as he can, but Sharon is the one who seems most interested in getting his attention. However, Sharon is in her late thirties and inappropriate for the par 3; but Monica will be birdie and after the previous bogey he needs an under par hole.

  By the end of the round, the ladies squarely beat David. He wonders what his father would have said about his son being beaten by women. He thanks them for the game and says his goodbyes. If only he had sent Joan to play this round, the sixth hole could have been staged.

  While eating dinner in the hotel, he considers the match to come. Monica Lopez is the sixth hole. He has to work on course management. He is tired and knows he will think better after he showers and relaxes a little.

  After showering, he opens a bottle of wine, pours a glass and retrieves the two jars from the mayonnaise in the refrigerator. He cleans them and amuses himself with silly thoughts while holding the jars in each hand. They look like little hats blowing in the wind. He shakes the jars and watches the trophies bounce off the sides like spilled scoops of ice cream off a cone.

  

  He is in his mother’s bedroom wearing a dress and makeup and the two of them are having a joyous time. She is expressing her pleasure at how lovely he looks and brings him a pair of high heels. He is excited and pleased that she is going to let him try the shoes and he thinks of how good they will feel with the nylon stockings.

  His mother cautions him about the difficulty of wearing high heels and explains that he needs to walk on the balls of his feet. Of course, he is completely Joan and reveling in this rare occasion when his mother acts on her wish that he had been a girl, rather than the beast he will turn into when he becomes a man.

  Suddenly the bedroom door flies open and his father is standing there, with a terrifying look on his face. He screams at Virginia and David, “What in the hell are you doing? You’re making a faggot out of him!”

  David backs up into the bed and ends up sitting on the edge.

  Virginia screams back, “I found him like this!”

  He turns to David. “You goddamned sissy! I’ll beat this out of you! Don’t you ever let me catch you doing this again!” Then he comes at David, wielding his briefcase, holding it up, and then he’s standing over him and smacks him with the briefcase in his stomach. David thinks he’s going to throw up, the pain is so severe. He rolls over and exposes his back but now the briefcase is hitting him across his shoulders and on his back and buttocks and his father is screaming at him, “Faggot, faggot, faggot!”

  He rolls again and falls out of bed, hitting the floor hard. He is crying.

  David wakes up, breathing hard as he gets to his feet. The bed is wet and disheveled and the tears are still running down his cheeks.

  He is upset and anxious and uses this awake time to work on course management. David is going to play the 15th hole at Pinnacle. It is a par 3 and the signature hole for the course. David hates par 3’s; if his father missed the green, David suffered both physically and emotionally.

  This par 3 features an island green. David is getting bored and feels he needs to change the parameters a bit and take more risks. He hopes Joan can manage Monica Lopez. He wants to play the sixth hole tomorrow. Joan will use the same ploy with Lopez that David used with Emily Cho.

  

  It is slightly before dawn and Joan is showering and shaving. She styles her hair and applies her makeup and searches for something appropriate to wear. She will go sporty today and picks a white blouse with a salmon-colored sweater vest and white skirt.

  She selects minimal jewelry and a pair of saddle shoes. She leaves the room while putting on her sunglasses. With her briefcase and LPGA press pass in hand, she is anticipating a good day.

  Joan arrives at the course and discovers that Monica Lopez is on the course and is 3 under par; she is probably going to make the cut unless she blows up on the back nine. Joan decides the best plan is to catch her after her round and make a big deal about how low she has scored and try to interview her over dinner.

  The only complication will be if she already has plans. Joan goes to the press tent, finds a table with a phone and begins writing an article for Certain Swing Magazine. She spends the rest of the afternoon writing and schmoozing with her colleagues.

  She is standing by the 18th green when Monica finishes. She is 4 under par, enough to make the cut easily. The risk is increasing.

  Monica Lopez’s caddy walks by with her clubs and then Monica approaches with Sherry McAnulty, who is 4 over par. Joan Steadman steps in to walk beside them until they reach the scoring tent to record their scores.

  “Hi, I’m Joan Steadman. I write for Certain Swing Magazine out of Chicago.” Wit
h an admiring tone she says, “I watched you ladies play today and you both played very well. I know your LPGA ranking isn’t high, but I would like to do a story on one of you for my magazine. We have a good circulation in Chicago and the surrounding area and it would be good exposure for you, maybe even some endorsements,” she says with a wink.

  “I’m not going to make the cut, so I’m leaving tonight and I really don’t have time for an interview,” offers Sherry McAnulty, sounding disappointed.

  “Oh, I am sorry,” Joan coos.

  “I want to practice for the Open so I’m going straight to Southampton,” Sherry adds.

  Joan turns her attention to Monica. David’s tee shot has landed perfectly on the green; the sixth hole is underway.

  “What about you, Monica? Would you like some publicity?”

  Monica grimaced. Joan looks at her pleadingly.

  “I don’t have time either. I’m having dinner with a friend and it will be late.”

  The great tee shot had rolled to the edge of the green and was in danger of falling in the lake.

  “Maybe we could do it tomorrow?” Monica offers.

  “No, I can’t.” says Joan. “I’ve got to leave for New York tomorrow. I want to get a jump on the Open as well. Well, maybe another time. Good luck tomorrow!”

  Back at the hotel, David is livid and tears off Joan’s clothes and goes straight to the shower. He is anxious and angry. He is determined he will play the sixth hole this evening in Monica’s hotel room. If she brings someone with her to her room, he will kill them both.

  Chapter 46

  He goes to the resort hotel where the players are staying and watches the maintenance personnel. They are dressed in blue coveralls, and there is a patch on the pocket that says “Pinnacle Country Club.”