by J. E. Neiman
"We may have risked your life today trying to capture Tansey at the airport. We're not taking a chance like that again." Fairfield hesitated. "We want you to take an extended vacation. We've secured a safe house for you out of state."
"I don't want to go out of —"
"Allie, this is for your safety. Foley will go with you," Fairfield said. "By the way, Mrs. St. Claire's on her way to Swedish Hospital." He hesitated. "Allie, do you know who killed Pauly?"
"I received a vivid vision of Pauly's parents arguing about Pauly. Mrs. St. Claire wanted to introduce him to different experiences. Her husband felt it useless. They both were irritable with the boy." Allie paced the floor and then said quietly, "But they didn't kill Pauly. Jake Tansey did." She turned away from the two men. "The day before he killed the teen in Breckenridge. I'm sure of it."
"But why would he decapitate the boy?" Dan stood.
Fairfield walked to his desk. "Mutilation generally happens for one of two reasons. The first's logical. Removing the head and hands make the body difficult to identify." He paused to drink from a bottle of water. "The other reason's emotional. If the murderer feels guilty or if the victim reminds him of himself or a loved one, he'll mutilate the head or hands to depersonalize the crime. The medical examiner's report states Pauly's decapitation occurred after death." Fairfield reached for his phone.
Dan gazed at Allie. "You okay?"
"Just ticked. Jake Tansey's stalking me, Pauly's death, my apartment and —"
"Okay, okay. Dumb question." He put his arms around her shoulders and said, "You don't deserve this crap. Think you need a career change. Let someone else zone into the ugly truth about horrible things."
"I need to go to my apartment," Allie said.
* * *
Jake slipped out of Allie's apartment and met the cleaning lady. "Buenos tardes," she said, "Okay, I clean?"
“Si, Senora.” Jake hurried out of the building. He drove the taxi away and dumped Ben Stahl’s body in an alley among construction debris. He doubled back and went into a vacant suite he’d noticed across from Allie’s complex. He sat on the floor and looked down, while he waited for the action to begin. In five minutes, police vehicles and black SUV’s came into view.
He grinned at the officers and agents surrounding Allie’s building. They scurried around like blind mice searching for cheese. Not one of them glanced up at the dark empty office across the street on the sixth floor. As Jake gazed down through the large mirrored window, he pinched his thumb and forefinger together at each law personnel, squishing them in his mind.
A red BMW parked in front of the apartment building. Jake watched Agent Foley drag his long legs out of the driver's side and pull a revolver out of his holster. He couldn't see Allie, but surmised she was on the passenger side waiting for her warrior to clear the way.
* * *
As Allie and Dan entered the apartment, crime scene investigators were busy inside. They introduced themselves.
"Please give me a moment," Allie said, "while I get a change of clothes." She entered her bedroom and opened the closet door. "Oh my God," she yelled.
Dan grabbed her arm as she hurried out of the bedroom. "What's going on?"
"Jake Tansey's been here too. He left a message inside my closet." She tried to pull away as he followed her.
"Look at me." Dan stood before her in the living room. He gripped her shoulders and clenched his jaw.
"Stay here. Let me take a look." Dan motioned for the lead, crime scene investigator to follow him into Allie's bedroom.
She stood by the door covering her mouth with one hand. The two men peered inside the closet. Hanging clothes had been pushed to one side. In bold red ink on the back wall, two crudely drawn figures glowed in the glare of the investigator's flashlight. One depicted a woman standing and the other portrayed another female sitting in a wheelchair. Printed in large block letters, above the figures: "You're dead. Love, Jake."
Dan moved to the bedroom door and put his arm around Allie.
"I have to call Maddie," she said. On the way down to the lobby of the apartment building, Allie phoned her sister at work in San Diego. "Maddie, you okay?"
"I'm fine. What's up? You sound stressed."
"You're in danger." Her voice sounded hoarse. Allie hadn't realized the depth of her fear until she spoke the words aloud. A rushing noise filled her ears. She felt faint.
"What are you talking about?"
"Jake Tansey. He broke into my apartment and left a message. He . . . he wants us dead."
"I thought he was in Mexico."
"He's in Denver." I've listened to tapes of telephone calls he'd made to the FBI in the last few days. He knew I was in Phoenix. He knows where you are. Now, there’s a message in my apartment."
"The fricking asshole. What should I do?"
"Stay at work with people around you. I'll call within the hour."
Dan opened the passenger door for Allie. "Get in. We're going back downtown."
* * *
Jake's favorite visual occurred when perfect little Allie opened the closet door and saw his explicit message. When she staggered backward, he yelled with satisfaction, "Pee your panties, bitch," he laughed.
Her demonstration of panic reminded him of the fun he used to have tormenting his whiny-ass sister, Mona, with her flaming red hair, a dense freckled face and a repulsive fat body.
He should have put her out of her misery and almost did when she was four. But the Reverend had intervened.
He remembered one amusing incident in particular, when he'd spotted her frizzy hair sticking out of a dense thicket behind the parsonage. There she sat in the dirt, licking her purple fingers. She'd sneaked a box of grape Jell-O.
"You're eating again, fatso." Jake grabbed the box and crammed it into her mouth. "Eat piggy. Eat, eat." He shoved it in as far as he could before Mona wriggled out of his grasp, spat out the box and ran into the house choking on the sweet powder.
"Mommy, Jake hurt me." Snot ran out of her nose onto her plum-colored lips and tongue.
He followed her nonchalantly through the kitchen door. He smiled at his mom and said, "Mona sneaked Jell-O." He held up the empty crumbled box.
"Thank you, Jake." His mom gave him a special smile. "Mona, shame on you."
"He hurt me, Mommy."
"He wouldn't hurt you. He's your big brother."
Jake grabbed a tissue. "Let me wipe your nose." He squeezed Mona's nose and rammed the slime across her cheek.
She cried out and pulled away. "Mommy. He hurt me."
"He wiped your nose. Go to your room, then to bed." She swatted Mona's behind.
Mona stamped her little feet and ran from the room sobbing.
Jake held his breath as he entered his mom's outstretched arms. Her body odor made him nauseous. She smelled of mothballs, fried eggs and sweat.
"You're such a good boy, Jake." She stroked his curly brown hair and pulled him tight. He shuddered at her touch. Patting her chubby back and snuggling close, he grimaced. "Thanks, Mom."
With immense amusement, Jake watched Agent Foley and Allie exit the apartment on Cherry Creek Boulevard. “If that is the best protection the FBI can provide for Allie's sweet ass and her crippled sister,” he murmured. “It's a joke. I'm right behind you, my love.”
Chapter 47
Denver, Colorado
By the time they pulled into the underground parking at the building on Stout Street, Dan had talked with Fairfield by phone. "Allie, the final plan has been put into motion. The agency has contacted Maddie. She's flying to Phoenix from San Diego tonight. We're catching a plane later to arrive about the same time she does. From there, we go to the safe house."
For the second time that day, Fairfield led them into his office "Ms. Lewis, I'm sure Foley has informed you of the plan. I've sent a team to work with the CSI at your apartment."
"What's to keep Tansey from following us to Phoenix? He always seems to know where I am."
"That's n
ot your final destination. You'll be staying in Sedona, Arizona. Sheriff Jon of Maricopa County has offered his vacation home. You'll be safe there. Detectives Rita Martinez and Ron Westcott from Phoenix are on their way to scout the area as we speak."
"My sister uses a wheelchair. Is the house handicap accessible?"
"Yes. We made sure of that. Any other questions?"
"Can you share more details regarding Tansey?"
"Please, sit down. I'll give you a quick run-down." Fairfield walked to the front of the room. "Here's what we know. He has one sister who's deathly afraid of him. She's changed her name and identity. At the age of seven, Tansey attempted to kill her with a hammer in the family garage. She was four. A psychiatrist diagnosed him as a sociopath and pathological liar at the time." Fairfield cleared his throat. "That's been the findings of several professionals. His first murder, that we're aware of, occurred at a church camp in Kansas, when he was a sixteen. He was acquitted for lack of evidence," he said, pacing the floor. "We suspect he killed his first wife by staging a drowning accident near Estes Park, Colorado and you've indicated he murdered the teen in Breckenridge."
"Pearl, my guide, said that her name's Molly. A run-away from a southern state," Allie said, writing the information down on an index card and handing it to Fairfield.
"Are you sure?" Fairfield asked. "Forget I asked that. We had no ID on this girl at all. As soon as we're finished here, I'll get this to the right department."
"Please go ahead about Tansey," Allie said.
"Okay. Of course, you know about him being charged for the death of his second wife Tiffany, in San Diego. And the Nix couple's missing in Monterey, Mexico. We think he killed them. Nuevo Laredo border patrol documented he used Mr. Nix's passport to cross into the United States and we know he purchased an airline ticket from San Antonio to Denver."
Fairfield's demeanor seemed cold and detached to Allie. Things that horrified most people were commonplace for him.
"What do you know about his background, Ms. Lewis?" Fairfield asked.
Allie clicked her pen open and shut. "Not much."
Fairfield propped himself against the side of his desk. "Normally he blends into situations and knows how to make people like him. Then, when they balk at his demands or get in his way, he kills them. We think he's falling apart . . . mentally. Threatening you Ms. Lewis, calling the FBI and leaving a message at your apartment shows his demeanor has changed which will help us. It's easier to capture someone who's not stable. They make mistakes."
Allie stood. "When has he been stable?" She looked at Dan for support, but he gazed at a wall with his hands clenched into fists.
Fairfield ignored her question. "We have a copy of an interview video from San Diego, when he was brought in as a suspect regarding his wife’s death." He looked at his watch. "You've an hour before you leave for the airport. Would you like to see it?"
"Please."
* * *
The conference room next to Fairfield's office smelled of furniture polish. A large table nearly filled the small room. Allie and Dan sat with paper and pens ready to take notes. Dan pressed the play button on the remote control, reached to click the lights off and the video began.
Tansey's Miranda rights were read and Jake answered. The location of the interview, the date and time were stated. "This is interview number one with William Jacob Tansey, conducted by Detective Ted Carson. With Mr. Tansey's approval, this interview's being taped. Do you have any questions, Mr. Tansey?"
"No."
"As we've discussed, this interview is voluntary. All right, let's get down to business. I've never personally met you, Mr. Tansey, but I know a lot about you. Would you like a soft drink or water?"
Tansey wrinkled his nose. "No, I don't want anything from you people."
"I'd like to start by having you describe yourself in your own words."
"You're the expert. You tell me."
"Okay. You're a forty-two year old male. Brown hair and eyes. Approximately six foot, two-hundred pounds, son of the late John Tansey, an evangelical minister and Mary, a homemaker. You have one sister, Mona." Carson glanced at his watch. "How did your first wife die?"
"She drowned at the Devil's gulch flood near Estes Park."
"And how did this happen?"
Tansey pushed his chair back from the table. "Screw you," he snarled. "There was a storm. She fell off a cliff into a flooded river. You know this shit. I'm not talking about it."
"You received a $250,000 life insurance payment and moved to California." Carson paused and took a long drink of water. He pushed a second bottle toward Tansey. "Tell me about your mother?"
"Leave my mother out of this." Tansey shoved the container away from him. "Never wanted to screw her, if that's what you want to know."
"Did you run down Tiffany on Torrey Pines Road, killing her?"
"No. For the hundredth time, no."
"Tell me about your father?"
"William?" Tansey sneered. "He served his God. Whipped the hell out of me. Memorized Bible verses and preached to anyone who'd listen. He couldn't carry on an intelligent conversation about anything relevant. IQ 75, I think."
"Did you hate him?"
"I don't hate."
"You do manipulate people to get what you want."
"Everybody does."
"Did you hurt animals when you were a child?"
"Only chickens. And no, I don't have a phobia." Tansey grimaced. "My mom's lungs are messed up because of these disgusting birds. Histoplasmosis."
"Is it true when you were eight, you pulled a burning log from a fireplace and drove it into your Aunt's leg?"
"An accident. But the bitch was always on my case." Tansey slammed his fist on the table and stood. "You know, I'm through answering these inane questions. Turn off that damn thing."
"We can resume later."
The screen became blue. Dan turned on the conference room lights and checked his watch. "We have time to review the second session."
"I don't want to watch anymore. He's a repulsive, evil man." Allie pushed her chair away from the table and stood. She reached for her handbag and watched her hands shake. "Excuse me. Which way to the ladies restroom?"
"Wait, I'll go with you." Dan stood.
"You have to be kidding. We're in an FBI building and agents are everywhere." She opened the door.
A flash of light startled her when she returned to the conference room. A vision of a coyote stood before her in the rain, growling. She reached down, grabbed a rock and threw it at the beast but missed. It moved closer. Fear shook her body. She backed away bumping into a solid form and cried out.
"Hey, you okay?" Dan seemed to be yelling.
"What . . . ?"
"A vision of Jake?" Dan asked.
"No. A coyote in the rain."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Not sure. Are there coyotes in Sedona?"
"Coyotes in Sedona?" Fairfield stood in front of Allie. "I doubt it." He moved around her and entered the conference room, taking a seat. "That should be the least of your worries."
Allie frowned at his condescending attitude. She followed him and shut the door with
a bang. "Sir, I received a vision involving a coyote. I take every image I receive seriously. I felt like you mocked me just now."
Fairfield seemed startled. "I'm sorry if I offended you."
Allie nodded. "Thank you."
"Ms. Lewis, note the FBI seal on the wall behind me. The circle of stars symbolizes
unity. We'll work as a team, you included, in capturing Jake Tansey." Fairfield swiveled a chair out from the table and sat down next to Foley. "I hope you got something out of the video interview." He placed his fingertips together. "Anything at all?"
Allie sat down across from the two men. "Yes. He has a habit of running his fingers through his hair. He never smiles with his eyes." She arched a brow. "He has a slight southern drawl but when he answered some of Carson's questions that annoyed
him, he'd lean his head forward and his accent diminished." Allie opened her notebook and glanced at it. "There's more on my list. Foley and I both studied his mannerisms and movements closely. They'll help identify him even if he uses a disguise." Allie clicked her ballpoint pen shut.
"Very good," Fairfield said.
Foley spoke up. "He looks and acts a lot like Bundy."
"Yes. Tansey resembles him in many ways." Fairfield looked to the ceiling as if to
search his memory. "Both have the uncanny ability to create trust with all different types of people. Bundy was an intelligent psychopath and so is Tansey." Foley pushed his chair away from the table. "But he's getting reckless and brazen."
Dan nodded. "Any news on the St. Claire woman who was found in Allie's apartment?"
"Medical examinations indicate a high level of alcohol and she'd recently been raped."
"Jake Tansey's a snake from hell." Allie slammed her briefcase shut.
Dan sighed and fixed his eyes on Allie. "True, but she's lucky to be alive after being in his proximity."
"Tansey's made a huge mistake coming back into the United States and thinking only you can pinpoint his location, Allie." Fairfield caught his slip. "Sorry. Don't take that personal." He chuckled.
Allie grinned. "I won't. Don't worry." Fairfield's a human after all, she thought, with a face that needs to remember how to smile more often. "It was good to watch the video. Now that I know more about this maniac, I can zero in on him. Maddie and my mom are both receiving images regarding Jake and even my guide Pearl, seems more available to me now.""
Fairfield crossed his arms over his chest. "I wish we all had your capabilities, Ms. Lewis."
"Well, I don't have some of the other agent's talents. For example, Foley's a sharpshooter and a math whiz. People have different strengths and weaknesses. Consider Einstein, Magic Johnson or Lance Armstrong." She hesitated. "And nearly all people have some form of intuition. Even you, Agent Fairfield."
"Yes. I've had unexplained feelings or thoughts. But nothing like you." Fairfield lowered his arms.
