His next stop was at a department store for some new clothes and some heavy paper and tape to cover the box his rifle came in. While at the store he bought some new horn rim glasses and some dental cotton for his mouth to alter his looks. His last stop was at a cheap motel to change clothes and make his appearance unlike his old self.
When he was ready to go he looked into the mirror and saw a casually dressed man with fat cheeks, a thin moustache, horn rim glasses and a LA Lakers hat. With what few clothes he did have he put in a backpack with his disguises. He liked what he saw looking back at him. Chris picked up his cardboard box with his rifle and walked out the door.
At a restaurant he had something to eat reading a newspaper like most customers who were alone. After eating he went to his car, put on his backpack, picked up his box and walked the six blocks to the bus station. He scanned the bus schedule and saw Medford leaving in ten minutes. He had a window seat enjoying the scenery through the mountains. In Medford he had a three hour wait for a bus to Sacramento. During the three-hour wait, Chris was trying to decide on a new role to play when he arrived at his final destination.
At the bus station a small area had some books and magazines for sale. Chris looked at all of them wondering if something would pop into his head for a good idea of what to live the next segment of his life as. As he stood there a young woman came by and said, "Sir, here is your salvation. Please take this and your life will forever be saved." She walked on leaving him a brochure about a new church. He went back to the hard bench to read the printed word. In essences a new church and way of life was being established in Sacramento. It advertised that volunteers were needed in exchange for room and board. Chris smiled thinking God had sent him a sign. The call came for all aboard to Sacramento.
**
After eating Ben and Stacy went back to the office. Dan was still on the phone, but as he hung up he said to a waiting Stacy and Ben, "I found MacDougall Plumbing's telephone number, but still working on an address. The phone goes immediately to an answering service. I'll let you know when I've a physical location. Emma ordered in some lunch. Or I should say a very late lunch as its close to 3 pm."
Stacy went to her office while Ben made a call to the sketch artist. Ben found out the sketch had just been completed and was being faxed as they were speaking. Ben thanked the artist and sure enough, the fax was spitting it out. Sharon was first to see it and then she made a few copies. Ben took two and went to see Stacy. Stacy was on the phone to Rory. She told him the news and he expressed his happiness. "Hey Ben just received a sketch of the perp and I'll fax it to you right now. More later."
"Those glasses he's wearing are hideous and not much of a disguise. Take off the glasses and beard and there is our man." Stacy called Sharon. "Sharon, find an artist who can draw the same picture without the beard and glasses." She nodded and then Stacy said, "Also fax a copy to Rory please."
"He looks pretty average to me," said Ben. "The next picture I want to see is of his mug shot." Stacy chuckled and when Sharon had the clean face she would fax to Connie. It was too early yet to call Washington. After they had a physical address and a search warrant, she'd make the call. Besides it was growing late and soon even the public offices would close. Stacy felt it would not be until tomorrow before some major came down.
At close to 5 pm, Ben having gone back to his office at the state police, Dan came in shaking his head. Stacy looked at him seeing a tired out deputy Marshall. He said, "We've struck out so far on a physical address. I called the city police to have their units on the lookout for a plumber's warehouse with the name MacDougall. It's just a matter of time Stacy. But for now we're in a holding pattern. I've left my cell number with everyone I've talked to so if you'd like a ride home, I’m ready."
"I want to go food shopping Dan. I asked Sharon to go with me, but in this case, I'll go with her so you can be free to do what you want to. Let's have patience Dan. We're close and soon the noose will be around this guy's neck."
By half past five, all were out the door going their separate ways. A very cold north wind was blowing threatening frozen pipes by morning. Stacy rode with Sharon in her new used car. She said, "Stacy, this is my first car. I drove my parent's car when I was younger, but I like having my own wheels. I see you don't drive much and I'm wondering why; if you don't mind me asking," as she drove towards the shopping mall near Stacy's house.
"I'm really not sure Sharon why I don't like to drive. It makes me really nervous, but I've never been in an accident yet. It's rare that I'm not working on a homicide case or something related to serious thought. I seemed to go into a 'zone' if you will accept that part of my mental being. And then sometime back, a former homicide detective was following me with thoughts of doing me harm. That's when I gave up driving having Dan drive me around. Ah! We're here and I never made a list. I'm happy you came along Sharon," she said as they parked, then hurried into the warm supermarket.
Sharon pushed the cart while Stacy shopped. Stacy said, "We've not talked much since you arrived Sharon. I'd like to hear more about your life. I'm not prying into your private life, but it's my thinking if we know more about each other, the happier we can be at work. Okay, having said that," as she tossed in every flavor of yogurt that was available, "how's your time at work and maybe you free time can be tossed in as well."
"Work is great and I love it. I spend a lot of time with Em and she is very good at what she knows and does. She has great poise and carries herself well; even though she's with child. My private life is mostly boring stuff. I've a few friends and an occasional boyfriend enters my life, but mostly I surf the web listening to music. Like a lot of girls my age we're looking for a good man."
Sharon left It there as Stacy cruised by the meat department tossing in a few chickens and a nice chunk of salmon was added. Next was cereal and oats. Salad dressing and back to the frozen veggies. Fresh fruit and vegetables and off to the check out they went. "Oh, I forgot eggs," she said waving for Sharon to wait and she would be right back.
After a hit on her debit card, they loaded up the car for Stacy's house. It took the girls two trips to lug all the stuff to the house. Afterwards Stacy asked, "Would you like to stay for dinner?"
"I'd love to Stacy. Tell me what to do to help and it feels good to talk to an intelligent person for a change. Those friends I was with over Christmas are shallow and conceited idiots."
"I hear what you are saying and—oh, wash the lettuce please—it would seem in today's world people are so self centered. Do you find that true Sharon?"
"Yes, very much so. I left a boyfriend not so long ago after almost a year being together. He was so into self it made me sick. If he wanted some sex, he'd demand it right now. I left him starring at my back. A friend came and picked me up. You know what the dumb shit said—he said—'you'll be back with your tail between your legs begging to suck my dick!' That wasn't worth a comeback. I stared at him and off we went. I've been gun shy ever since."
Stacy said, as she deboned some chicken for the main course with the salad, "Patience Sharon and church is not a bad place to find some good people. I've been absent too long from a nice church I attended some time ago. I've got to get back as the church members make a person feel wanted."
After dinner they had ice cream. It was still early so they watched a movie. When it was all said and done, the two girls had a nice time never once thought it was boss and employee together.
Dan picked Stacy up at the usual time. Dan was making McMuffin a daily habit. Stacy did not mind, as they were relatively not so unhealthy. With the morning chatting out of the way, each went to work. For Dan the morning seemed to drag along waiting for some development on the plumbing location. Stacy was writing a report on the last two days of the case. The caller girls were on leave for the time being. Emma and Sharon were busy doing Stacy knew not.
Dan finally got a call from a local police officer. The officer said he'd located the MacDougall Plumbing Co. just off of Larch Road
in a semi-industrial area. Dan wrote the address down and hurried to inform Stacy. Stacy said, "Go check it out Dan and I'll get Ben to get a search warrant for the building."
Stacy rang up Ben who was delighted to hear the news. He was sure he'd have a warrant in hand very soon as any judge would want this killer under lock and key. After talking to Ben, Stacy called the county building to see who owned the property. It wasn't a quick response, but just before noon the property owner was contacted. Actually it was a real-estate company, but they had the name of the person who leased the property: Christopher McGoogle who address was in Springfield. The address in Springfield turned out to be an insurance company of the same name. A further search located the home address of Mr. McGoogle.
While that was taking place, Dan was checking the place out. He drove slowly by not seeing any activity around or about the building. Dan took a chance and parked some distance away and walked to the building. He didn't want anyone inside to see his vehicle. Dan knocked on the door. Nothing. He banged on the door. Nothing. He looked into a dirty window seeing a small desk with a note pad and pencil on top. The place was deserted and locked up tight both front and back. He left to call Stacy who told him to come back and wait for the search warrant.
Stacy sat back thinking about what they had found out about the alleged assassin. First his real name was Christopher McGoogle. He was an insurance agent in Springfield. He lived in a housing development of lower middle class. Upon further inquiry the DMV report he was forty-three years old of medium build. The DMV faxed a picture to Sharon who compared it to the artist drawing of yesterday. Indeed he was married with two kids.
Stacy fully expected to find him at the insurance office. However, before that happened they would search the plumbing warehouse first. Now it was waiting time. Dan came back with his report. Ben called and said it would be after lunch for the warrant. Stacy had Sharon order lunch in for all including Ben. Cathy surprised them all after she had told Em to not say she was coming.
Stacy was thrilled and happy to see her friend. Both apologized for not talking since Christmas, or before Christmas they were both reminded. The kitchen was too small so they went to the large conference room to eat Dan's favorite pizza. Cathy asked how it was going?
"We got lucky, thanks to Ben who found a piece of evidence to link the person who killed the sheriff and most likely the lady from Salem. We're waiting now for a search warrant and then we'll make our move."
"Great news and here comes the pizza man," said Cathy. The next while was spent in chitchat about the holidays. "My guy and the kids had a wonderful time. IT was the best holiday in my memory. Marsha came by with her man for eggnogs and a chat. In sum, it sounds like we all had a very good Christmas regardless of the black cloud hanging over Oregon."
Stacy went on to talk about Bandon and her father's restaurant, wood shop and the intention of getting married again. Dan was quite surprised and clapped his hands. He thought things in Bandon were going well. All the conversation ended when a currier came with the search warrant. Sharon went into clean up mode, Cathy said goodbye, and the rest went into game mode. Stacy had called the Chief of Police for back up. He was happy to provide the extra protection if it came to that need.
Stacy rode with Dan with Ben in his customary shotgun seat. Emma stayed in the office at Dan's request; or was it an order? All was silent on the drive out of town to the location across the railroad tracks. Stacy could see the small building and the lettering advertising the business. Parked not far away were two city police cars without their emergency lights on. Dan drove up to the front door. He and Ben got out as the two city cars drove up. One in the back and one in the front. Dan, like before, banged on the door and then hollered out he was a US Marshall. One of the police officer looked like he loved pumping weights nodded to Dan and Ben at the flimsy lock on the door. Ben stepped back and the police officer kicked the door open with a big grin on his face.
Not throwing caution to the wind, Dan and the young police officer drew their weapons and entered clearing as they went. When it was obvious to Stacy nothing was happening and the suspect was not inside, she got out. In a few minutes Dan came out with a key chair and opened the sliding warehouse doors. Inside were two vans: one dark brown and one off white advertising the plumbing business. Ben called his office for a CSI team to come over and to perform their assigned function.
Outside the other police officer taped off the backside of the building and then did the same in front to keep any snoops out. Stacy began in the small office searching for she knew not what, but nevertheless, looking for something to tie this place to the assassin. Indeed a notebook and pencil sat on the desk, but otherwise it was devoid of any things pertaining to a business.
An hour later it was determined that no rifle or evidence of a disguise was found. However, a box of bullets noting the caliber was found in the plumbing van. The CSI team arrived and Stacy said, "Let's go to Springfield and see if the insurance agent is in his office."
Driving over to Springfield all felt that they would find Chris McGoogle in his office shuffling papers around. Their first pass was to drive past and have a look see. They saw a woman at a desk, but that was all. Dan parked and they walked a half block or so to the office. Dan and Ben led the way in with hands on weapons, but not drawn. A small tinkling sound occurred and the secretary looked up smiling.
Ben said, "We are looking for Mr. McGoogle. We can see by an empty desk he's not here?
"No he's not. I don't know where he is and by the way who are you?"
Stacy came around and showed her US Marshall shield and then she said, "Do you have any idea where he might be Ms…………."
"Sheila Lance is my name. No I have no idea where he is, but that's not unusual for him to be away for a day or two at a time. I did call his home and his wife said he wasn't there either. That's all I know," she said trembling now that it dawned on her these three were law enforcement agents looking for her boss for what reason she couldn't imagine. She saw Stacy walk over and look at Chris's desk seeing a pile of newspaper open to his exploits. Stacy walked back and handed Sheila a card saying:
"Any word from him call me immediately. This is serious business Ms. Lance. If I were you I'd take the rest of the day off."
They drove over to his home. Indeed it looked like a squalor area with houses having seen much better days thirty years ago. All were rambles with either a carport or a single car garage. Chris McDougal's house was no different. The faded brown paint was chipping off and the roof was in dire need of repair it appeared. They parked on the street seeing no one around as the cold north wind was still making the thermometer not rise above freezing. Dan took the lead and knocked on the door.
A woman of undermined age opened the door holding her tattered sweater with her hand to her scrawny neck. Not an ounce of makeup nor any semblance of dress that would delineate a proud homemaker was evident. Stacy said, "May we come in Mrs. McGoogle?"
She looked at Stacy shield and stood aside. All three came directly into the living room. A thread bare carpet graced the floor. A sofa that had seen many years of kids bouncing on it sat against one wall while a leaning easy chair sat by itself with a small table next to the other wall. A vintage TV with two standup pictures of two kids were sitting on top. No sound was heard anywhere in the house.
Stacy asked, "Mrs. McGoogle do you know where your husband is or might be?"
All three saw a timid woman whose arms were wrapped around her middle denoting how thin she really was. Her sad brown eyes were flitting from one person to the next and finally settling on Stacy. "No I don't know where he is. He never came home last night. He always comes home at night. He never stays over even if he has business way up north or south. No he didn't come home and I'm very worried. Do you know if something happened to him? Has he been in an accident and you've come to tell me he's dead or in the hospital," she said in a voice that was just short of breaking down.
"No we've not com
e to tell you he's dead or in the hospital. We're looking for him as a person of interest in a major crime. When was the last time you saw him?"
"Night before last. He was the same as always. He's very quiet you know. I asked our two kids to stay at a friend's house thinking he might have been hurt or something like that."
"Okay Mrs. McGoogle. Here's my card and if you hear from him please call. Meanwhile we'll have a police car waiting for him to return. I can't tell you anymore than that for the time being. Thanks for letting us talk to you."
Back in the SUV they drove out of the neighborhood slowly. Stacy said, what both Dan and Ben thought, "He's taken a runner guys. Put out a APB Ben and we'll need stake out at his business and home, but I fear he's gone. Also his car is probably parked near the train station or bus station. Dan has the city guys to keep an eye for his car when you get the license number, make and model from the DMV."
Ben would you call his wife and his secretary to find out where he banks. It's my suspicion he's cleaned out his bank accounts leaving that poor woman in the poor house."
Back at the office a heavy atmosphere hung over the area. Stacy was clearly down in the mouth about not capturing the assassin. Sharon saw he walk slowly to her office without a glance toward her or Emma. Ben had gone back to his office and Dan to his. Both did as instructed.
Stacy rang up Connie. "Hey Stacy I hear some good news is forthcoming?"
"In a sense I guess it's good and bad news Connie. We know who he is and where he lives and does business. However, I think he's skipped town. I don't think he was on to us knowing who he was, but on a whim he might think the opportunity to ply his trade is needed in another location; God help those possible victims."
"I could think or say some appropriate swear words right now, but that won't help us catch the guy. Our land is vast and he could be or surface anywhere at any time. Angie says he's a taste of blood and loves his results. Stacy, let me caution you to not take it upon yourself to assume any blame. We did our best. You did your best. If nothing happens in a day or so, close the books on this case. What you can do is splash the facts and his pictures across the media."
Murder Mysteries #5 Page 25
