The Fixer

by Woods, T E

  Lydia stood motionless as her patient ran out into the cold without answering her.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Mort watched the snow falling outside his office window and wondered what the hell was going on with the weather. He’d lived in the Pacific Northwest his entire life. Fifty-eight winters. He’d seen snow maybe ten times. Enough to snarl traffic for an hour or two, then it was gone. In these parts snow stayed on the mountains where it belonged.

  Not this winter. Nine inches of snow crippled western Washington a few days before Christmas and most of it was still on the ground. Minor storms followed, adding another foot. Now, late into January, it was snowing again. Mort mumbled a curse, turned back to his desk, and reached for the case file.

  He’d picked up the murder eight days ago. Walter Buchner. Lab assistant at the university. Gunshot to the face. Stabbed in the chest post-mortem. Twenty-nine years old. The same age as Meaghan Hane, the cellist Angelo Satanell, Jr shoved behind the dumpster after she overdosed on his heroin. The same age as Allie. Mort pushed the coincidence out of his mind and set his attention on the ticking clock. Eight days of interviews had gotten him nowhere. Mort looked out at the snow again. The trilling of his desk phone startled him back to reality.

  “Got time to meet a lady?” It was Daphne from main reception. “Says she doesn’t have an appointment. Says it’s about a murder you’re working on.”

  Mort reached for a pen. “She got a name? Herself or the victim. Either will do.” Mort heard Daphne repeat his questions and shook his head. Daphne was easy on the eyes but would never be confused with someone able to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without a recipe. Speculation as to how she got her job kept the squad room guessing for nearly a year. How she keeps it was still a matter of conjecture.

  “Says her name is Lydia Corriger.” Daphne’s voice was like a six-year old on helium. “Says she’s a doctor from down in Olympia. Says it’s about Walter Buchner. You want me to send her up?”

  Mort looked at the whiteboard dedicated to the Buchner homicide mounted on the wall behind him. By this point it should have listed an arrest, but a dozen interviews turned up zero. Buchner’s landlady only seemed interested in who was going to pay for the days the crime scene was locked down. His parents had flown back from a month-long trip to Australia and were too stunned to be of any help. Buchner’s co-workers offered no more than he was a nice guy who loved dogs, kept to himself and was focused on his job. Eight days of nothing.

  “Show her to an interview room, okay, Daphne? I’ll be right down. Get her some coffee, would you?”

  “I’ll put her in room six, Mort.” Daphne shifted to a whisper. “But I’m not allowed to get coffee anymore. Remember?”

  Mort recalled the incident with the assistant chief. He remembered being impressed that the EMTs got to him so quickly.

  “That’s okay, Daphne. Put her in six and I’ll bring the refreshments.”

  Mort offered his hand as he entered the windowless room. “Mort Grant, Homicide. Can I get you something? We have bad coffee or tap water.”

  “I’m fine, Detective.” She handed him her card. “Thank you for meeting with me.”

  Mort read the card before turning his attention to the woman. He pegged her as five-seven, one-twenty. Mid-thirties. No make-up. Mousy hair pulled up in a clip. Trying hard to look plain. Typical granola-eating, tree-hugging bookish type from Olympia.

  He pulled out a chair for his guest and circled to take an opposite seat. “A psychologist, huh? Chief call for an intervention?” He smiled and tossed his notebook on the green formica table separating them. “Daphne said you had some information on the Buchner murder.”

  She shook her head. “She must have misunderstood. I’d like to talk about the case, if you don’t mind.”

  Mort pulled his pen from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. “Daphne’s prone to misunderstandings, Dr. Corriger. What’s your interest?” He clicked his pen and poised it over his notebook, never taking his eyes off his unexpected visitor in the dated red plaid overcoat.

  “I’m wondering if you have any leads. What you’re thinking,” she said.

  “Do you have information you feel might be helpful?”

  “That’s what I was hoping you’d share with me, Detective.”

  He clicked his pen closed and laid it on the table. “You ever been in a police station, Dr. Corriger?”

  Lydia shook her head.

  “Ever participate in a murder investigation?”

  She shook her head again.

  “You watch television? Cop shows? Read true crime books? Anything like that?”

  Lydia pulled herself taller in the seat and her brown eyes turn stern. “What’s your point, Detective?”

  “My point, Dr. Corriger, is that I’m the one who asks the questions.” He leaned across the table. “Now, what brings you up from Olympia? What’s your connection to Buchner?”

  Lydia fixed her gaze on Mort. He saw gold flecks dancing in her eyes. “I have no connection. You might say I have an interest.”

  “Describe that interest.”

  Lydia tucked a loose strand of hair into compliance. Mort noted the simple gold stud in her left ear. “I’m writing a book. One of those true crime things you alluded to. The mind of a killer. The psychology of the investigators. Stuff like that. I’ve wanted to write one for years. Then this murder happens. Virtually in my backyard.” She smiled and folded her hands on the table. Mort noted the lack of rings or bracelets. A reliable watch on a good leather band. “I thought this is as good a place to start as any.”

  He tapped his fingers on the table and studied her. “What’s your specialty, Lydia?” Her flinch was nearly imperceptible.

  “My specialty? Oh, you mean my practice?”

  He nodded. “What type of patients do you see?”

  Lydia breathed deeply before answering. “General psychology. Depression, anxieties. Addictions. Pretty routine.”

  “That’s why you want to write a book? Break your routine a little bit? Or maybe you have a patient I might be interested in.” Mort watched the soft spot of her throat, counting her pulse.

  Lydia reached for her coat. “I told you. I’m writing a book. You’re not going to help me, are you?”

  Mort shook his head. “Hey, it’s nothing personal, okay? It’s an on-going murder investigation. Need-to-know basis and all that.” He pushed clear of the desk and stood. “You understand.”

  She gathered her purse and gloves. “I understand perfectly, Detective. Thank you for your time.”

  Mort nodded and watched her walk away. He picked up his things and took the elevator back to his office. He tossed his notebook on his desk, pulled Lydia’s card from his pocket, walked straight to the whiteboard, and grabbed a red marker. Under the column marked “NEXT” he wrote: “Lydia Corriger…lying?”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The Fixer pulled her ringing cell phone from her pocket and checked the screen. Private Number. She slid the phone open and answered. Bile rose in the back of her throat when she heard Barbara Streisand’s greeting.

  “Well, hello, gorgeous. Pull up a seat and let’s have a chat.”

  She fought to keep her voice calm. “How’d you get this number?”

  “Relax.” The British male voice now. She’d come to hate that one the most. “We know all about you.”

  “What do you want?” She was losing her grip on her temper.

  “I have a job for you. Oh, let’s not use that term. Sounds so Mafioso, don’t you think? Let’s call it an errand.” The Brit purred in her ear. “Yes, that’s much more civilized. I have an errand for you, Fixer.”

  She wanted to reach through the cell and pull out his eyes. Break his teeth as she smashed the phone into his mouth. Rammed it down his throat. Do things to him that would leave him incapable of uttering another threatening word.

  Instead she took a deep breath. She knew nothing of her tormentor and the video of her undisguised li
fe demonstrated he knew everything about her. She shook her head in frustration as she realized she didn’t even know how many of them there were.

  She choked out the words. “I’m listening.”

  “That’s the good girl,” the synthesized voice said. “Expect a package detailing your next errand. Her name is Cameron Williams. Choose your own method. You are, after all, the professional.”

  The Fixer flinched at the backhanded compliment. “What is it you want?”

  A soft Southern drawl replied. Female. “I want her neutralized, Darlin’.”

  The Fixer clenched her left fist. Dug her fingernails deep into the flesh of her palm. “Why? What has she done?”

  A gentle chuckle came over the receiver. “You’ve got to set that way of thinking aside, sugar. You work for me, now, remember? I’ll send you on errands. You’ll complete them as directed and go on with your life. Quiet and undisturbed.” Another soft sigh. “Until I require your services again.”

  The Fixer bit hard on the inside of her cheek. She let the rusty taste of her blood linger on her tongue before swallowing. “That’s not how I work. I have to know…”

  The high squeal from her phone stabbed into her ear. Loud and sharp. A sonic scalpel ripping at her ear drum. She threw the phone down, covered both her ears with shaking hands, struggled to stay upright, and blinked to clear her blurred vision. She stuttered four short steps to the nearest wall and leaned against it. She closed her eyes, listened to her heart pounding a staccato beat, and knew it was marching toward explosion.

  Six full minutes passed. The Fixer felt her heartbeat slow to a more natural rhythm. She risked opening her eyes and was shocked to see her vision intact. She lowered her hands from her head, stared at the streak of red on her right palm, and brushed away the trickle of blood that snaked from her ear. The air around her hummed a low whistle as she struggled to remain conscious. She hobbled away from the wall, crouched down to retrieve her cell phone, and clicked the wounding instrument shut. Her hands shook too much to return the phone to her purse. Before she could push it in her pocket, it rang again.

  The Fixer stared at the screen announcing Private Number again. She opened the phone and held it against her bloody right ear.

  “Two weeks, Fixer.” The British voice was back. “I want Cameron Williams gone by Valentine’s Day.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Mort was surprised to see Lydia Corriger trudging through the snow-filled parking lot as he headed toward his car. Her red plaid coat offered a slash of color against the grey winter dusk. He watched her walk fifty feet in one direction, reverse course, then recover the area she’d just left. It didn’t require a detective with thirty years experience to deduce she’d forgotten where she parked her vehicle.

  “Dr. Corriger,” he yelled. “Lydia! Over here.”

  He saw her head snap up as she tried to locate who was calling. When she turned his way he waved and slogged toward her through four inches of new snow. She scanned the parking lot and Mort wondered if she was always this nervous.

  “You look like you’ve lost something.” He hoped his smile would put her at ease. “Can I help?”

  Lydia glanced over his shoulder like he was the last person she wanted to see. “It’s my car. I could have sworn I parked it right here.”

  Mort pointed to the seven empty stalls in front of them. “You parked your car right here?”

  Lydia looked annoyed. “I thought I did, Detective. I must have gotten turned around. Maybe I came out through a different door.” She turned to stare at the building that housed police headquarters.

  “Do you remember climbing any stairs or taking an elevator to get to Daphne?” Mort asked.

  Lydia looked back at the seven vacant stalls. “The receptionist? No.” Her tone was dismissive. “I walked right up to her desk. Why?”

  “Then this is the only door you could have used. You didn’t get turned around.” Mort’s boots crunched as he walked to the end of the parking row. He reached a gloved hand and brushed a large clump of snow off a small sign. “You got towed.”

  Lydia marched over in the fading light.

  Emergency Vehicles Only

  “You’ve got to be kidding.” She looked right and left. “It was snowing like crazy. The sign was buried.” Lydia turned her attention toward him. “So fast? I couldn’t have been in there more than a half-hour.”

  Mort glanced at his watch. “Closer to ninety minutes, would be my guess. They’re sticklers about keeping this lane clear. I’m afraid you got tagged, lady.”

  Lydia’s glare told him she didn’t appreciate his tease. “Now what?”

  He pointed to his left. “My car’s right over here. Let me drive you to impound. See if my rank’s worth anything these days.”

  Lydia backed up two steps and scanned the parking lot again.

  “Take it easy,” he said. “I’m offering a ride to the lot. That’s all.”

  She shook her head and took another step back. “No need, Detective. I’ll call a cab. If you’d give me the address I’d appreciate it.”

  Mort tapped his watch. “It’s after four, Lydia. Those guys are union. Won’t process you out til morning. Charge you an extra day impound, too.” He could see her apprehension from ten feet away. “Tell you what, call your mother, your husband, whoever. Let them know what happened and that you’re with me. Keep the cell phone open the whole way there, how’s that?”

  Lydia pushed her sleeve up to read her own watch. She looked around the darkening parking lot before turning toward Mort. “Is it far?”

  “Down in the flats. I can have you there in less than fifteen.” Mort tried to look as harmless as possible. “Might even be able to talk someone into releasing your car tonight.”

  She stood weighing her options. A fresh round of snow began to fall. She looked up into the gun metal sky. “I appreciate the offer, Detective.” Mort thought she sounded more resigned than grateful. “Let’s go.”

  “Nothing like that’s come in yet. Let me give a shout out and see what’s what.”

  Mort was glad to see Zeke McCallum behind the counter at the city’s lot. They’d first met at the downtown YMCA back when Mort was a patrolman. Zeke wanted to join the force but couldn’t get his weight down to academy standards. Mort offered to work out with him, and the two hit it off. Edie became fast friends with Zeke’s first wife Kim and the couples spent a weekend together on the Oregon coast when Mort made detective. Zeke’s fondness for donuts and sausage kept him out of the academy, but he stayed close to law enforcement working vehicle impound. Zeke’s second wife Alice didn’t care for his police friends, especially those who were fans of Kim, and they’d fallen out of touch. Still, Mort knew Zeke was always good for a smile and a stroll down Glory Days Road whenever their paths crossed.

  Mort leaned against the counter while Zeke worked the radio. He kept an eye on Lydia, seated on a grimy bench across the small room.

  “We’re in luck.” Zeke put the microphone down and called out in Lydia’s direction. “Your car’s on its way in. Donna Johns’ driving. She never leaves a mark. I was able to grab her before she hauled it to Center City.” Zeke turned to his old friend and leaned a beefy right arm across the counter. “That lot’s a sewer hole. Why the city doesn’t shut it down’s beyond me. I wouldn’t take a dying rat there.” He looked back toward Lydia. “Says she’ll be here within the hour. You guys want some coffee?” Zeke smiled and leaned closer. “Hell’s bells. It’s almost five, right? Got a little something in the bottom drawer could take the chill off.”

  Mort shook his head. He doubted Lydia would be interested in anything that might melt her protective shield. He walked over to her.

  “We could sit here and listen to Zeke jawbone about days gone by.” He pointed across the street. “Or, we could go over to Annie’s. Small, but brightly lit, warm. Plus she makes the best pie this side of the Cascades.”

  Lydia shook her head. She’d spoken fewer than ten words on the
drive over.

  “Thank you, Detective. You don’t need to wait with me. I’m sure you have other places to be.”

  “Zeke runs a tight ship. He’s not going to let your car out without me signing the paperwork. That paperwork’s in Donna’s cab.” He smiled and hoped she’d relax. “I’m afraid we’re stuck with each other til she gets here.”

  Zeke looked up from his end-of-the-day chores. “Hey, lady. Old Mort here ever tell you about the time he and I decided to take a kayak out in the Ballard Locks?” Zeke chuckled to himself. “Sumbitch, that was back when we both lied about our ability to hold liquor.”

  Lydia looked up at Mort. “A slice of pie sounds nice, Detective.”

  The waitress set the heavy china plate holding a mountain of whipped cream in front of Mort.

  “You sure there’s pie under there, Francie?” he asked.

  “Double spiced pumpkin. Same’s you been having twice a week since Jesus was twelve.” The bleached blonde winked at Lydia. “Don’t let him kid you, hon. We don’t put that football of cream on there, he’s back in the kitchen asking Annie what he’s done wrong.” She took a stoneware mug and carafe of hot water off her tray and placed them in front of Lydia. “Sure I can’t get you anything else? Blueberry Cream’s looking special today.”

  Lydia pulled the mug toward her and held it with both hands. “This is fine. Thank you very much.”

  Mort asked Francie to give his best to Annie and watched Lydia focus on her steeping tea bag.

  “You don’t like pie?” he asked. “They’ve got other desserts. Dinner, too, if you’re hungry.”

  Lydia blew on her steaming tea before taking a small sip. Mort scooped a forkful of whipped cream and savored it before swallowing.

  “Nothing like the real thing, huh?” He grabbed another scoop. “Anything less would be disrespectful to Annie’s masterpieces.”

  Lydia stared at the snow swirling in the wind.