Match Play

by Poppe, D. Michael

  “That’s certainly possible considering what we know about him. I would be inclined to suspect multiple personality disorder.”

  Lou is shocked. He feels like he’s been going down the wrong path through this entire investigation.

  Nancy tells him she will have to see the pictures of the closet and read his notes and find out what else was discovered in the house. She suggests Lou talks to the psychiatrist as soon as possible. Nancy says if he can’t get anywhere with her, she will call the doctor herself.

  “Ask the housekeeper if David has long hair,” Nancy adds.

  Lou thanks Nancy and tells her he’ll get all the information to her via email as soon as possible.

  The agents find several sets of golf clubs in the basement and a small workroom further back. In a drawer of the room is a collection of knives, and Lou wonders if Sarah would recognize any of them. He asks one of the agents to bring Sarah downstairs when they’re done with the search and ask her if those are her knives.

  The back wall holds a shelf filled with various sized, old jars, each capped, but the contents had rotted away long ago and are not identifiable. Some have bones in them.

  It is apparent that David Steadman has been collecting trophies all his life.

  The agents make a thorough search of the garages and the Rolls Royce. Albert remains close by. Lou asks him some probing questions, and Albert’s responses confirm his dislike for David Sr. He expresses the same sympathy for Mrs. Steadman and David Jr. but otherwise has nothing new to offer.

  The Rolls Royce is a rather stripped-down version of a classic model from the 1990s. It is meticulously clean inside and out, thanks to Albert. When asked, he says he has never opened any of the compartments in the car or the trunk. That had been Mr. Steadman Sr.’s instructions.

  Lou suspects he is lying; after all, Mr. Steadman had been dead for four years. They did find some hundred dollar bills in the center compartment of the console, along with a pistol. Schein, ever suspicious, wonders how many bills Albert has taken over the years. They open the trunk, which contains an open case of expensive whiskey and a set of golf clubs. Going through the bag they find IOU’s to Steadman Sr., more large bills and another pistol in one of the pockets of the golf bag.

  When they are finished, Agent Schein returns to the house and asks Sarah Waite if he can call on her again if he has more questions or needs more information. She agrees. As he turns to leave, he asks, as if he’s just now thought of it, “Does David still have long hair?”

  And before she can think, she answers, “Yes! It’s lovely long, blonde, wavy hair.”

  Chapter 69

  Schein joins the Chicago team in one of the two FBI Suburban’s, and they all drive to the offices of A-Prime Meat Packing. The search of A-Prime is fruitless. David Steadman Jr. is in every way a consummate executive. There is nothing in the office to warrant further investigation. Mr. Einsinger produces the documents asked for without the slightest resistance. Nothing is found that indicates Steadman did any kind of planning for the trips or the crimes.

  Lou Schein begins to wonder if the entire crime spree was prompted by some spontaneous delusion. All the speculation about deep-seated psychological problems and bizarre motivation seems a far reach at this point. This cold, calculating man is apparently too detached to have been motivated by anything so subtle.

  

  The interview with Dr. Xavier begins with nothing more than an exchange of accusations and excuses. She uses her complete arsenal of doctor-patient confidentiality and Lou counters with criminal pathology.

  Dr. Xavier admits that Dr. Jensen had made little progress in the year-plus that she was seeing David Steadman. She believed she was finally gaining his confidence, and then he suddenly announced he had decided to take an extended vacation. They talked briefly about his plans during his last few sessions.

  Dr. Xavier confides to Lou that when David first started seeing Jensen, she referred him to a psychiatrist who prescribed a sedative, an antidepressant, and a small dose of an anti-psychotic. She notes that Mr. Steadman had agreed to continue taking the mediation while on his vacation, and Jensen made arrangements for mailing the pills while he traveled. Xavier confirms that the prescriptions were never filled after David left Chicago.

  She is astonished by Agent Schein’s accusations, but after hearing the evidence against the patient, she concedes that perhaps the pathology is there. Of course, she has only begun to get an impression of him from reviewing Jensen’s files.

  Dr. Xavier admits that Steadman told of incidents of horrible abuse by his father. The physical abuse had been bad enough, but the relentless emotional abuse was worse, often occurring without warning. His father never allowed him to feel comfortable with anything he attempted. He sought his father’s approval only to be humiliated and beaten for his supposed weakness. He reported that his mother had been an ally when he was younger but abandoned him when he got older.

  Dr. Jensen’s notes indicate what is most typical about David Steadman Jr. is his inability to express emotion. He would talk about one incident and then another and never change the tone of his voice or the expression on his face.

  Dr. Xavier concedes that it is possible David killed the women. Jensen’s notes relate an incident when he had once exposed his rage during a session. They had been talking quietly about an incident when David was a child, and he suddenly went into a rage and began cursing his parents, screaming and calling them names as he pounded his fists into his thighs. Then, just as suddenly, the rage disappeared, much like a lens closing on a camera and Jensen never witnessed it again. He was emotionless after that and he refused to discuss it again.

  Lou shares his and Dr. Cochran’s thoughts about possible multiple personality disorder. He tells Xavier about the secret closet and David’s long hair and the woman in the elevator with one of the murder victims.

  Dr. Xavier is immediately interested. “In light of what you’ve just told me, Agent Schein, there is a strong possibility you are dealing with multiples.”

  Chapter 70

  The Portland Classic occurs without incident; Lou’s entire team is occupying spare offices at the Chicago Bureau.

  Roger Payne is reviewing the data from the crime scenes. “Technically, the match isn’t over yet. He has to win nine holes and has won only eight. The next victim will be in her early thirties to mid-fifties. It’s a matter of random selection; he meets them on a golf course once or twice and then they’re dead. The scramble from the newspaper clearly stated: YOUR BALL FLIES WEST, but we know he didn’t strike in Portland. No one has seen him; he must be holed up someplace. When we identified him, we flagged his passport and froze his assets, so we know he hasn’t left the country legally.”

  Lou motions him to a chair. “Roger, please come sit down. We have to change our line of thought at this point. There have been no signs of David Steadman. He’s doing something we didn’t anticipate. He isn’t the type to be living with the homeless, so, what’s the alternative? We assumed he didn’t have money, and that he wouldn’t risk making contact with anyone to get money, but we are mistaken. He must have money; he must have had it with him.

  “I think we have to assume he will do everything in his power to play another hole; it’s in the nature of a serial killer. You can bet he’s already here in Chicago. There isn’t another US tournament until November in Florida. He may have already selected his next victim. If so, then all we can do is exactly what we’ve been doing. We distribute the flyers, keep the local officials informed, do our own investigative work, and wait. If he is here, his game isn’t likely to be as well played as it has been; maybe he’ll make a mistake.”

  Mary Gibson says, “With the new photos, anyone at the golf course who sees him will surely recognize him, unless of course, he changes his appearance. If Lou and Nancy are on track with the multiple personality theory, he could be posing as a woman right now.”

  Lou nods in agreement. “I’m convinced he’ll be h
ere in Chicago. If he doesn’t show, he loses. He’ll surely play the eleventh hole.”

  

  Roger Payne’s cell phone vibrates. He reaches for it in the inside pocket of his jacket.

  “Roger Payne. You did?” He snaps his fingers to get Phillips and Gibson’s attention. “I see. Dead, how long? All right, we’re on our way. Mary, call Lou, tell him we have a victim in Park Ridge that fits the MO. It has everything. The scorecard and the newspaper scramble.”

  Mary Gibson is already dialing Lou’s number and repeating what Roger is saying. “She was killed in her home. It’s definitely Steadman. The crime scene is his to the letter. She was fifty-four.”

  

  Lou and his team are waiting as the forensic team works on the crime scene. They are in the home of a golf instructor who worked at the Indian Boundary Golf and Country Club in a small town fourteen miles from downtown Chicago. Ruth Benton had not shown up to work in the pro shop that morning. Her employer called her repeatedly and finally called the police to investigate. She was fifty-four, divorced and lived alone.

  The murder is without question the work of David Steadman, and the scorecard from the Indian Boundary Golf Club confirms the match is over. The scorecard is marked 5;4 birdie: 9 up on the 11th hole. Above that, David Steadman has carefully printed “Match-Dormie 9/7,” which Lou knows means in an 18-hole match there are less holes left to play than are needed for Lou to win.

  Schein has come from the bedroom where he stands and watches the coroner pick up the body parts. This time, the arms, legs and breasts are all found in the bathroom; after all, there is no need to mark another tee. The match is over.

  The newspaper scramble from the Saturday sports page is marked with one C, one E, one H, two O’s, one S, two T’s, one W, and the circled letters I, L, M, and N.

  He approaches his team. “Well, it’s over. He’s gone for sure now. He beat us, plain and simple.” Lou is speaking to himself as much as to his staff. “Now this just becomes an open file, with no leads, and we go back to LA. Let’s just hope he doesn’t play again next season; the tour comes to LA too soon.”

  Lou looks into the face of Ruth Benton. She stares back at him, her face gray and stiff. He imagines her eyes somehow seeing through him. He has failed her.

  This one has eluded him.

  The coroner walks up to Schein. “We’re done here. I’ll have an autopsy for you by tomorrow. Are you going to wait for it, or should I just fax it to LA?”

  “We’re leaving as soon as we can. We need to pack up our office and get reservations out of Chicago to LA.”

  The conversation between the agents is mixed with emotion. Everyone is disappointed and frustrated by the months of work with no resolution, but they are ready to go home. Even Lou admits he is exhausted.

  Steadman Residence, Oak Park, Illinois, Sunday Evening

  Chapter 71

  Hello, Steadman residence, Sarah speaking.”

  “Sarah?”

  “Hello, Joan!”

  “Sarah, I’m in town. I’d like to see you.”

  “That would be wonderful, however, now isn’t a good time. David has gotten himself into some sort of trouble, and the police are in and out all the time.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear. How are you, dear? And how is Albert?”

  “We’re both doing well. How are you?

  “I’m fine. You know, it’s funny I’ve been thinking about that old Rolls David’s father used to drive. Does he still have it?”

  “Why, yes, it’s in the garage. Albert takes very good care of it.”

  “Well, don’t let him forget to take it in for service first thing tomorrow morning. I remember Mr. Steadman Sr. being a fanatic about making sure that car was serviced properly, and that it had to be at the dealership first thing in the morning.”

  “Thank you for reminding me. Things have been so hectic here. I’ll be sure to tell Albert. It’s a shame we won’t be able to see you. Please call the next time you’re in town.”

  “Sarah, you’ve always been special to me, and I wouldn’t miss a chance to see you if at all possible.”

  The receiver goes dead. Sarah stands there for a moment with the phone in her hand. Her breath quickens and her heart is pounding. She doesn’t know what to do, so she does what she has always done. She follows instructions.

  Sarah goes to the kitchen and climbs the back stairs to the servant’s quarters. She taps on Albert’s door, waits a moment, taps again. Finally she hears shuffling and the door opens. Albert is in his bathrobe and pajamas, his hair is mussed, and Sarah feels bad she has awakened him.

  “Sarah! Is something wrong?”

  “No, not really. David called, and although he won’t be able to come home, he wanted to remind you to take the Rolls in for service tomorrow morning, first thing.”

  Albert is confused. It’s not time to take the Rolls for service. “But…”

  “Don’t worry, Albert, just please do as David has asked. I’m sure it will all work out.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll get up earlier than usual and be at the dealership before they open.”

  “Thank you, Albert.”

  Sarah returns to the kitchen, sets the teapot to boil then makes a cup of tea and sits sipping it at the small table in the alcove. She knows she should call the police, but she can’t bring herself to do it. She wants David home, even if only for a short time. She begins to weep, knowing there is nothing she can do.

  Chapter 72

  Joan ends the call with Sarah knowing it’s the last time they’ll talk. She finishes her glass of wine while undressing.

  Joan takes off her bra and David steps in the shower. He is exhausted and inconsolable and sobs freely, hidden by the sound of the water, as his tears are mixed with the shower spray.

  

  David is standing in the processing room at the meat packing plant. He can hear the animals screaming from the kill rooms outside. The conveyors start up and carcasses begin pushing through the plastic strip doors on the south end of the room.

  The scene is typical of a processing room until the cows begin to come in still alive, their abdomens open and bleeding. They have been skinned and gutted. The animals, their pink flesh glistening in the light, strain their necks, turning their heads toward him; their bellows are high like a scream, struggling as the conveyor brings them closer and closer to David.

  He tries to back up but his back is against something, and he can’t. The din of the machinery and the conveyors grows louder as each screaming animal crashes through the plastic doors. David screams.

  More cows come through the doors, writhing, their pink skin oozing blood. He has to find the switch. Something is wrong; the conveyor must be turned off.

  He tries to move but can’t, he is restrained. David starts to struggle, tries to free himself, he can feel his legs being lifted…he is going to be hung from the conveyor belt!

  The machines, the conveyor, the animals and David are all screaming, roaring and bellowing with a shrill howl. He can’t get free, he can’t move, except to struggle. He screams with all his might and pulls.

  His feet come loose; he rocks back and forth…

  David sits straight up in the bed, hoarse from screaming. He jumps out of bed and runs to the other side of the room, trips over a table and falls to the floor.

  He is awake! He is awake! His heart pounds so hard he imagines he can see the actual beating in his chest. His skin is soaked with perspiration. He is sobbing. He lays on the floor too terrified to move.

  Images of his father are entangled in his brain like a knot of snakes.

  

  David drives the car Joan bought in Colorado to the Rolls Royce dealership and sees Albert in the parking lot, standing by his father’s Rolls. Albert waves at David as he steps from the car.

  “Hello, Albert, it’s good to see you.”

  “Hello, Mr. David. We’ve been worried about you. How can I help you?”

  “A
lbert, I want you to take my car home and give me the keys for the Rolls. I’ll be driving it today.”

  “Yes, sir.” And the two men trade keys.

  David watches as Albert crosses the lot and opens the door of the SUV. He starts it and slowly drives past David, trying not to look at him, but glances anyway and gives him a wave and woeful smile.

  Albert is curious. After all these years, why would young David want to drive Mr. Steadman’s Rolls? Albert knows things happened in that car he had to keep to himself. He did, after all, clean the car inside and out, each time it was driven.

  David stands straight, the muscles in his face tighten as he inhales a deep breath and blows out slowly trying to gain the confidence he needs to step into the Rolls Royce.

  Years of anguish and fear are colliding with what he must now do.

  His hands shaking, he inserts the key and starts the car.

  Chapter 72

  Lou Schein.” Lou turns away from the passengers in the terminal so he can hear.

  “This is Curtis Sullens, Lou. According to the Chicago PD, David Steadman is back in Chicago.”

  “I’m waiting on a flight home. We’re twenty-five minutes from boarding.”

  “He isn’t at home or his office.”

  Schein leans forward in his seat and speaks to his team. “Steadman’s in Chicago, but we don’t know exactly where.”

  The other agents look back at him with shock and surprise. Payne is smiling. The four agents pick up their bags. Lou tells them an FBI vehicle will be waiting for them at the front of the terminal.

  By the time they reach the meeting point, Sullens has called Lou to tell him they’ve spotted David at Agricultural Bank of Chicago.