by Allen Gates
15
WALKING INTO THE 9th Precinct, the senator immediately attracted the attention of the officer at the front desk.
“Have a seat Senator. Can I get you a coffee?”
“Tea is more to my liking, please.”
“Tea it is then. Listen, the lead detectives are out on the case right now, but should be returning shortly. We can have you answer a few questions on a form required in situations like this. I’ll go ahead and get you some tea. How do you take it?”
“Sugar only, thanks.”
“Everything seems fine so far, he thought. They must have found Marie. Just stay calm, answer questions in a way they would expect from a state senator with nothing to hide.”
“Here you are Senator, just like the doctor ordered.”
He tried to appear amused at the remark, but in reality he thought it misplaced and stupid. The paper cup was hot, and he sat it down immediately. He took out a handkerchief and retrieved the cup.
The missing person form took several minutes, and consisted of basic information and some speculation on possible locations she might have traveled to and questions on their relationship problems if any. They needed Marie’s demeanor at the time she was last seen by him. He lied on that one, describing only the last time he had seen her in their home.
Lon and Anne arrived as he was finishing, took control of the situation, and escorted the senator into a separate room.
“We have some very unpleasant news for you, Senator. We have just returned from a fatality scene that unfortunately involved your wife.”
“In what way, may I ask detective, did it involve my wife?”
“The answer to that isn’t good news, sir. Your wife’s body was found this morning in a small motel room outside of town.”
All was quiet as Lon searched the facial reactions of the senator knowing this usually can be the critical moment in judging the reaction of innocence or guilt. His reaction seemed mixed. Was it one of confusion? What was it, was the question Lon could not answer. It was definitely not the expression of a distraught husband.
Anne feeling the uneasiness placed her hand on the senator’s shoulder as a show of compassion.
“Are you sure it is Marie, Lieutenant?”
“We’re sure, sir, however as you probably are aware it will be necessary for you to identify the body, when you feel up to it. I know this is a tough time for you, but we have to ask you some questions. Do you feel up to it or would you like to take some time by yourself?”
“No, let’s get it over with. I know the procedure.”
Lon looked at Anne and she seemed concerned at his cold response.
“Excuse us for a minute, Senator, we need to record our interview session with you and that requires us to make a few preparations.”
Leaving the room, they headed to the main area and stopped at Lon’s desk.
“What were you concerned about Anne? I saw it in your face.”
“He never asked how she died or where she died.”
“Good girl, I wondered if you would pick up on those little oversights.”
“He is either in a shock like fog, or he isn’t overly concerned because he knows the answers. It’s been long enough let’s get back in there.”
The questioning went on for a little over two hours. Several key points surfaced, including the argument prior to the senator’s departure, and his driving to the beach to just sit and think. It was not an alibi, for sure. There was nothing out of line in his answers and based on the physical description given by the desk clerk there were no similarities to the man they were interviewing.
The senator against the detective’s suggestion insisted on following them to the identification process in his personal car. Once there and viewing the face of the deceased woman he confirmed it was indeed Marie. He displayed true emotions at the initial sight of his wife lying on the autopsy table. Wiping his eyes he asked, “Why?” and walked out of the lab.
Anne spoke first, breaking the silence; “What did he mean by the question, ‘Why?’ What do you think?”
“I’m hot and cold on this guy, Anne. He seemed sincere and yet my gut tells me different. Let’s try and come to some kind of decision on the way back to headquarters and fill in some of the blanks. It appears to be the same guy, and yet something seems strange and get back to your observant question, ‘What did he mean by, asking why?’ ”
16
RELIEVED THAT THE identification of Marie was over he felt pleased with his performance at the viewing and now it was time to get back to being a senator. He walked into his office and was greeted warmly by his staff.
“Hello Marge, look I’m not going to be around much today, I’ve received some bad news.”
“I know Senator, I heard the news cast earlier; I’m really sorry. How could this happen to such a sweet lady?”
“We will probably never know for sure, but the authorities are working on it. It looks like that madman on the loose has struck again.”
“There are some messages on your desk, but nothing pressing sir. Mail has been sparse lately, so there is nothing at this time you have to concern yourself with.”
He entered his office looked through the mail, answered important phone messages and walked back out to the front office.
“Well, I’m off Marge and I would appreciate it if you did not call me unless it is a dire emergency; I need to spend some time alone and pull my plans together.”
Driving out of the office parking lot he made a choice and headed away from the city. Knowing he would be inundated with the press as the story spread across the airways he decided to avoid the home site as long as possible. Looking down at the speedometer, he realized he was driving way too fast and gently slowed to the speed limit. He was totally at ease heading for the coast and Marie’s favorite beach hangout.
“Stop it, he said; you have to stop thinking like that. There is no longer a Marie’s favorite anything. She’s gone and you have to start remembering that or you’re going to say something stupid to the wrong person.”
His curiosity directed him to drive by the Moonlight Motel and as he passed, two Police officers were walking out of the motel office. He assumed they were there closing the crime scene.
The trip to the coast found him filled with an inner peace and complete confidence that all was working perfectly. This was the state of mind he needed to maintain to prevent possible anxiety attacks and keep his nervousness to a minimum. He was aware that he would be facing difficult days ahead fielding tough questions from the two detectives and his inability to remain calm could generate an angry outburst resulting in him making a misstatement that would heighten their suspicions of him.
Now he could forget everything as he turned off the highway onto the road to the peaceful spot he loved. He became instantly angered pounding on the steering wheel and cursing when he saw a car parked in the spot he normally used. His first thought was to turn around and leave. Then he caught himself and reminded himself of the new demeanor he needed to project.
“Stay calm,” he said to himself and pulled in and parked next to a small Thunderbird convertible. Following the path down to the beach, he felt intruded upon and felt his anger rising. This was our favorite spot and he did not want anyone else there.
“Stop it, there you go again. It’s not our favorite spot anymore. It’s my favorite spot.”
He continued to try and overcome the ire he felt because someone was about to infringe upon his opportunity to be alone. Taking a seat in the sand, he stared out at the rolling surf.
“She should be here,” he said, as he picked up a handful of sand and let it slide through his fingers. A barking dog broke his thoughts.
Looking toward the noise, he saw a woman walking along the shoreline throwing something into the water and the dog swimming out and bringing it back to her.
“I don’t like this,” as she walked steadily toward him and finally close enough for him to see her face. She is very pr
etty, he noted and her figure was petite, with lovely auburn hair. He felt his attitude toward her changing.
She bent over and picked up her dog apparently to keep him from running ahead and bothering him. She approached slowly and stopped in front of him, smiled, and made small talk about the beauty of the sea and the night in general.
He answered, but showed little interest in her obvious attempt at cajoling him into conversation.
“I love this spot,” she offered, “I found it by accident.”
“It’s been my place to spend quiet time, especially at sunset for a few years,” he responded coming out of his sullen mood.
“Have you been here for that time of day?” he continued.
“No, but now I plan to make it an entry on my must do list. By the way, my name is Stephanie. I’m a newcomer to the Santa Barbara area and taking advantage of the coast is a priority right now. How about you, what is your relationship to the area?”
“My name is William, and I’m a native son to this state and city. I come out here to escape the pressures of the city.”
“Well, it is nice to meet you, Bill.”
“William,” he quickly corrected her.
“Sorry,” she said and started to walk away.
“Wait Stephanie, I should apologize; I’m somewhat off kilter with some personal problems. I prefer William to Bill, but I was rude to correct you like that. If it is alright, I’ll walk to your car with you and your dog and try to make a better impression.”
“Why not,” she responded.
Arriving at her car, she said, “Maybe I’ll see you at a sunset some evening.”
“I’ll be here tonight and just about every night that I’m in town.”
He studied her eyes closely waiting for her response and felt an attraction to her.
“Well William, I may see you here tonight; come on Hobo, get in the car.”
He watched her wave as she pulled out onto the highway and then turned and walked back to the beach area smiling. He began fantasizing about their potential meeting that evening.
17
“SO WHAT IN your opinion, Doc, is it serial guy’s work or someone pretending to be him?”
Marvin pulled his surgical mask down and wiped his brow.
“I’m sure that it’s the same guy, Lon. Now that I have made you aware of that fact, I have to give you the bad news, that there was not a trace of hair strands or fibers or fluids found on her body to help identify this maniacs DNA. I wish I had something to help you stop this lunatic. I will help you find him in any way I can. Do you have something special planned?”
Lon had no answer for him. They both stood there side-by-side staring at the sheet covered body.
“This may sound strange Marvin, but I’d like to stay with the body for a short time alone. I have learned or rather created the habit of studying the situation in my mind as I view the victim and then I ask her a few questions.”
Marvin glanced over at Anne, who by her expression was also confused by this request, but agreed and he and Anne walked out of the room.
Lon lowered the sheet uncovering her face and stared directly into her eyes.
“What is the story you need to tell me, Marie? Why did you, a lady of society and high financial means feel the need to get involved with this guy? Talk to me, Marie. Help me catch this guy.”
He stared at her and continued to ask her mental questions.
“I know the answer is in you, he said to her.”
“Talk to me Marie.”
He stood in a trance like state and was no longer observing the woman’s body on the autopsy table, but was seeing her lying on the bed in the motel room. The scene changed again and she was sitting at a computer next to the bed. The computer image brought him back to the body on the autopsy table.
I understand now. She must have been communicating with him via the net.
“Thank you Marie,” he said aloud, as he covered her face with the sheet, “I need to spend some time with your computer.”
They all doubt my theory, but there is something beneficial to talking to the deceased, he thought as he walked out to the main lobby to rejoin the other two. Maybe it’s just being quiet and really putting your mind to work. Whatever it is, it always seems to work. Anne looked at him as he walked out of the autopsy room and was surprised that he was smiling.
“She helped me, partner. It works every time.”
She did not question his strange statement as she had learned early on his sixth sense seemed very strong.
Anne was feeling mental drained after the autopsy and a meeting with Lon and the Chief on the day’s findings. So, she headed for her favorite hangout. With a day like they had just gone through, she felt she deserved a nice, greasy meal and a dozen vodka tonics.
“How is my girl tonight?” greeted Anne as she stepped inside the bar.
“I’m feeling old tonight Johnny, so set me up a vodka tonic with another one beside it and a hot turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes and drown it with gravy.”
“Sounds like you need your friendly bartender’s ear. Sit down and I’ll get you your requested medicine.”
She looked around the room and noticed a scattering of couples sitting at tables. An elderly gentleman sat at the far end of the bar. He was heavily whiskered and was bent over the bar staring at a half empty glass of beer. He appeared so sad and lonely.
“I don’t want to end up like that,” she thought. Spinning around on the stool, she noticed a man sitting at a corner table. His face held a diabolical stare that projected a look of evil.
“What are you thinking and what are your plans, she wanted to ask him?” Spinning back around to the bar, she thought, “Why am I interested?”
“Hey, Anne, are you with me?”
She apologized and raised her glass and toasted Johnny for a long life and sipped her drink.
“This is a perfect drink, my friend. Now I’m ready to bare my soul to you.”
Johnny listened intently interrupted only by an occasional refill request by a customer. She had grown very fond of Johnny. They had bonded and became very good friends since she began frequenting his bar; besides which, she enjoyed conversing with him.
Taking a sip of her second vodka tonic, she had the feeling someone was staring at her. A quick glance to her left and she was looking into the face of the man who had offered to drive her home on an earlier occasion.
“It’s nice to see you again, he said walking toward her.” He raised his glass to her and sat on the stool next to her.
“Okay now that you’re sitting next to me, let’s put our cards on the table. My name is Anne. I’m a detective on the Santa Barbara police force. I’m single, but I’m not looking for a longtime relationship. I do not want anything to do with a married man or an unmarried man with kids. If any one of those describes you, there is nothing else to talk about.”
I have an ace in the hole, speaking of cards, Anne. I’m not married nor do I want to be married. I have no kids, nor do I want to have kids. The ace I referred to is the fact that I like strong women, and you seem to fit that bill. Now, do you want to have a drink with me or are you going to sit there and drink alone?”
Anne smiled and said, “Let’s sit at a table.”
When he did not sit down until she had taken a chair, she thought “He’s not as tough as he pretends.”
“My name is Ryan, Terry Ryan to be exact. I’ve been coming to this bar every night since I last saw you, hoping to run into you again.”
“Tonight, I thought was going to be my lucky day and you proved it true with your not so angelic speech.”
Anne laughed politely at his attempted humor, but knew they could become friends or maybe, more than friends. Time passed and several rounds began to show their effect on Anne. She knew it was time to put a halt to the drinks before her judgment became impaired.
“Johnny, I need that hot turkey sandwich now and I’ll take it with me.”
“Anne,
where is your home base? I’d like to follow you and make sure you make it home all right.”
“I’ll be fine, Terry. I have done this many times and I don’t live far away from here.”
They split the tab, less the turkey sandwich and walked outside. He walked along with her offering little conversation as they walked to her car. She turned to thank him, and he took her in his arms and kissed her. She was totally caught off-guard and backed up awkwardly.
“What was that about?”
“It was something I needed to do after being with you all evening. Sorry if I offended you, but I’m not sorry I kissed you.”
Anne stepped forward and kissed him, this time as the pursuer.
“Now we’re even.” She turned and opened the door, slid inside and was gone in an instant. He watched her disappear into the night.
“She is perfect,” he thought as he reentered the bar.
18
LON LAUGHED WHEN he saw Anne walking into the squad area the next morning.
“You don’t look so good partner! Did you experience one of those four martini nights?”
“No, four vodka tonics and I’ll be fine with a little bit of coffee and an overdose on head clearing pills. What’s on our agenda today?”
Lon laid out the plans most importantly the securing of a search warrant for the senator’s home. “We’ll attempt to gain entrance with the senator’s approval first to prevent overkill on proving his involvement. If he does not agree then we’ll rely on the warrant and really do a radical search of the residence.”
He smiled as he looked at his partner rubbing her temples and took pity on her.
“Get your coffee and relax while I go over and talk to the chief. I want his stamp of approval on every move we make concerning the honorable William Bradford the third.”
