Frankenstein.com

by Hylton Smith

  “He’s a bit of a loner, and as far as relatives are concerned he has a sister. I think she stopped coming to see him a while back. When I mentioned I’d not seen her for a while he told me she’d gone missing. He reported it to the police but they haven’t found her yet as far as I know. He’s usually away three or four days at a time.”

  “What line of business is he in?”

  “Don’t know for sure, he never talks about things like that, but he seems well paid judging by his cars and the way he dresses, always very smart.”

  “Does he have a cleaner or housekeeper?”

  “No, he’s not the type of guy who pays people for things he doesn’t need. As you can see, he keeps the place very pristine.”

  “Ok, can we take a look around together to see if there’s any evidence of theft? Otherwise we can’t spend too much resource on an alarm malfunction.”

  “Of course but we should really have his permission.”

  “Right, do you have a number for him?”

  “No.”

  “I suppose we’ll have to leave it then.” The neighbour considered for a few seconds before suggesting that they begin upstairs.

  Chapter 11

  Friend’s new house guest was beginning to unsettle him. He was a real Jekyll and Hyde character, lucid and interesting one minute, then suddenly out of control – afraid and abusive – difficult to restrain as he tried to leave the house. His violent interludes also resulted in him throwing objects at the walls, fireplace and sometimes at Friend himself. When Man arrived with the refrigerator replenishments, the new friend was particularly on edge. Friend’s treatment by Frank was being destabilised by this unpredictability and he aired this with Man, in his own simplistic way.

  “This friend does not like to be in the house. He wants to be free, and he will hurt me. Best Friend must help him.”

  “It’s too soon for that, so you must keep him until he is ready. This has been explained already.”

  “He will hurt me. He will hurt himself. I am not staying here.”

  “Now listen Friend, we’ve talked about this many times. You were like him once and we helped you. I’ll get Best Friend to move him to another house for a couple of days, but he must come back here. This is for your benefit as much as his. You are now a keeper, and this is how it works. You’ll get used to it; it’s always difficult at first but if we are to help our friends we can’t just give up when things get tough. You’ll see, now go back to the Mission tonight and get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Frank had, over the last few years managed to acquire many ‘buy to let’ properties in the area. They were an investment in his grand scheme. He sold each one on after refurbishment, and a few patients, so as not to arouse too much curiosity from prying eyes. It also became a self-funding portfolio, allowing him to gradually increase the number of lost souls he could restore.

  *

  Adams had managed to spot several items of interest while the neighbour helped him scour the upstairs rooms for any evidence of burglary. “It doesn’t look like there’s much disturbance up here. You’re right, Mr. Hendricks is very neat. Let’s check downstairs and the garage, and if we find nothing we’ll have to wait until he returns before we can pursue this any further. I could use a cuppa. Do you think he would mind?” The neighbour was quite impressed with Adams’ thoroughness and said he would make coffee in his own house and bring it around. This was his opportunity and he began with the computer desk. The drawers contained files on visits Hendricks had made, and future schedules. There wasn’t much else of interest so he made a quick note of the first few, and returned upstairs to use his camera phone to snap what looked like a recently dated photo of a woman who was likely to be his sister. This was in the second bedroom, which was decorated as a young boy would have done, with football and pop stars’ pictures on the walls. He met the incoming neighbour just as he was going to check the garage via the internal door. They stopped to drink their coffee and then stared at each other blankly as Adams opened the door to the integral garage. The car was still there and Hendricks body was slumped over the wheel, to which he was handcuffed. His feet were also bound. The neighbour almost fainted and Adams called the district police. He explained that he was investigating the disappearance of Martha Blake, following up Sam Gibson’s use of their files. He feigned ignorance of the reported break in, saying that the neighbour had apparently reported it to the station. “I guess because he had a key, and I asked him about Hendricks’ whereabouts he assumed I was from your squad. If we hadn’t found the body I was going to ask you for your help in tracing Martha Blake again. I’ve reason to believe Hendricks didn’t give you the truth about his sister’s disappearance, and I was going to share this with you anyway, so I hope we can check this out together.” Adams was mightily relieved that the D.C.I. he spoke to was receptive to joining the dots on what was now a murder, rather than a rogue alarm incident. He was also hooked on this solid link to the already notorious Frankenstein case.

  *

  Clive Donoghue had made more progress with his debris washes of all five components of the Priory corpse. To add to his earlier findings of the presence of slip-coatings for plastic wrapping on two parts of this composite creation, he now had something which linked all five. Frank must have thought he’d been meticulous in every respect. The tedious but painstakingly conducted wash and extract programme of ten square centimetres at a time revealed consistent results. The clean-up fluids for surgical procedures on living subjects were normally different from those for the deceased. All five body parts had been impregnated with fluid usually associated with hospital operating theatres rather than pathology labs.

  “It is not what I would have expected and it is a pointer rather than the kind of evidence the Crown Prosecutor would be comfortable with, but I’m pretty sure the person who constituted the Frankenstein corpse and therefore dismembered the five contributors, is a surgeon. I’ve discussed this with Greg Watson and he agrees that these findings are consistent with the skill shown in the procedure we saw with two of the five victims.” Renton thanked him for his diligence and tenacity in authorising the phenomenal workload in his department, when it seemed like a straw in the wind approach to his staff.

  “This certainly helps us Clive, and it is another piece of data that we’ve got which Frank won’t expect us to have. Please let your people know how grateful we are.”

  “Details are our business Jack.” It was the first time he’d ever referred to Renton by his given name; a sign that he was progressing toward the same level of esteem in which the D.C.I. held his colleague, the Medical Examiner - Gregory Watson. Renton caught Sam Gibson smiling after Donoghue’s exit, and they both remarked that the forensics chief was becoming more relaxed with the brash culture in C.I.D.

  *

  There was a certain interpersonal chemistry between Adams and D.C.I. Harry Gilbert which allowed the former to stay in London, and obtain help in re-opening the search for Martha Blake, whether she was alive or dead. Gilbert was also keen to have Ben Adams as a reference in investigating the death of Hendricks. They both agreed that it had to be connected in some way to Martha’s fate. Adams phoned Renton and they agreed on an extended stay until further notice, which meant Sam was stuck in Newcastle until Stephanie returned from her assignation on the Costa.

  *

  Friend had been welcomed back to the Mission and the manager phoned to let the police know he was safe and well. Renton took the call and he left Sam to plough on with contacting the local police in those regions where the short list of missing persons matched the birth dates of the man who’d been separated from his genitalia, and the young woman without her torso had been reported. When Renton arrived at the Mission he was told that Friend was sleeping. He whispered to the manager that he would really appreciate a word with the returning resident.

  “I only need him to know that, just in case he disappeared because he thought we might bring him in again, he need
n’t worry on that score again. We appreciated his help, but we know he had nothing to answer for. We told him this at the time. However, he seemed a little apprehensive about going back in the holding cell.”

  “Alright, but please be brief, he was very tired when he came back and could not stay awake. He isn’t himself at all.” Renton entered his room and sat silently in the chair by the bed. It was almost an hour before Friend stirred and blinked. Renton smiled at him.

  “Hello, we’ve been worried about you. Have you been unwell?”

  “No, I am sleepy because I cannot sleep.”

  “Oh, that’s not so good. Why can’t you sleep?”

  “I have to help a new friend. He is sometimes very angry, and he forgets we are friends.”

  “How did you meet this new friend?”

  “Man brought him to see me.”

  “Which man?”

  “Man who brings new friends to the keepers.”

  “Are you a keeper?”

  “Yes, but I am not a good keeper. Man will tell Best Friend. I have to go back. Best Friend will not like this.”

  “I thought you would not see Best Friend anymore.”

  “Yes, that is right. I am afraid. Keepers have to be good.”

  “Where is this place, the one where Man brought this new friend to see you?”

  “I don’t know names, just how to get there.” Renton decided to back off and consider trailing Friend himself.

  “When do you have to go back?”

  “I must be there tomorrow, before Man gets there.”

  “Ok Friend, I understand. Is there anything you would like me to do?”

  “No. If I am still bad tomorrow, Man will send me here again and then I can’t be a keeper. I want to help my new friend. I will try again.” Renton patted him on the back and told him to try to get more sleep.

  “Maybe we should have a secret between us. We are friends and nobody else needs to know we help each other. You helped me in the woods, and I want help you now. Is this ok?”

  “Yes I would like that.” Friend flashed a broad smile, and Renton was sure he’d soon be asleep again.

  Chapter 12

  When Stephanie returned after her break, she looked very different. A new hairstyle, makeup, and a radiance Renton had never observed before. She was always first to arrive in the morning, but not today. She had not conceded to a dress, but the designer jeans and top completed her visual transformation.

  “What’s up,” she asked, “where’s D.I. Adams?” She was expecting an interrogation, after all, it was a police station, and she knew Adams would be the most cynical.

  “He’s in London at the moment. What happened to you Steph?”

  “I had a great time and a chance to reflect on my future. This time off made me realise how driven I’d become, to the exclusion of everything else. So, I treated myself to what I would normally have described as self-indulgence. It’s a nice change to be noticed for something other than stats and evidence.”

  Sam was very complimentary. “You look stunning girl, absolutely gorgeous.”

  “Thank you Sam. I’ll get us some coffee, that’s why you complimented me wasn’t it?”

  “Hell no, I’ll get the coffee myself, this time.” She flushed and turned back to Renton, who echoed Sam’s sentiment.

  “You look really great, has this guy got anything to do with your desire for a change of image?”

  “Here we go, I’m not fifteen years old Sir, and I need a broader horizon. Of course he had a big influence without saying much; he bought some clothes for himself and said he’d like to buy me a present, in this really swish boutique. He got me the jeans, after being very fussy with the shop assistant. I felt a bit embarrassed at first with all of the attention, but then I realised he wanted the jeans to be just right. He told them he’d buy them if they could make a slight alteration to the bottoms, so that they’d sit better. He made me see another side of customer service, and I decided to go the extra mile at my own cost. Now, where are we with Frank?”

  She was brought up to date and then Sam got on his way to check out the remaining missing victims list. Renton was half-apologetic when he told Stephanie to hold the fort while he shadowed Friend.

  “We haven’t had time to do any more analysis of your internet posts, so you can get on to that again, and maybe you should think about Donoghue’s comment that Frank is either a surgeon or has access to one. Have a chat with him, he’s done a good job with this and it could be a good lead, because there can’t be that many surgeons in this area who are in their thirties and took photos of us in the woods.”

  “Thank you Sir, do you want me to drag any of them in for questioning, or is this just to keep me busy? When I left on Friday I thought I was on the communication programme, while Adams and Sam were doing the evidence.”

  “Yes, but Frank has pulled the plug on phone calls, so unless he’s back on the internet, which is your strong suit anyway, you need to shift focus. That’s what I’m doing, and not so much of the attitude if you don’t mind.” She poked out her tongue and then smiled as if to acknowledge the change in dynamic of the case.

  *

  Clyde Hendricks’ post-mortem clearly indicated that he’d been drugged before being trussed up and placed in the driving seat of his car. The ignition had been turned off, indicating that it was not suicide. The London records at the time of Martha Blake having been reported missing threw up an inconsistency. Uniform were absolutely adamant that Hendricks had not been the person who’d registered the concern, whereas Sam Gibson’s interview with Hendricks, and the neighbour with whom Adams had discovered the body, both seemed to indicate the opposite. The officer who recorded the very first contact said the individual he spoke to was Caucasian. This provoked Adams to phone Sam and then speak to the neighbour again.

  *

  Renton waited patiently for Friend to emerge from the Mission. It was close to noon before he did so, while having a conversation with the manager. He followed his target on foot and began to think Friend had lost his way, such was the intricacy of the route, but after some thirty-five minutes they arrived at an estate in Elswick, a suburb of Newcastle. Renton was relieved that the house Friend entered was in a cul-de-sac, so that he didn’t have to worry about the direction from which Man would arrive. What he failed to realise was that Man was already there with the new friend, and wasn’t overjoyed about being kept waiting. He studied Man as he departed, noting the limp and a misshapen head, due to one side looking as if he may have a tumour. He had brought some bogus leaflets with him as a legitimate reason for walking up the drives of all properties. When Man’s vehicle had disappeared from sight Renton approached the adjoining semi-detached house and offered one of his pamphlets. It was declined and he politely retreated to ring the bell of the keeper property. When Friend opened the door, he was shocked and immediately closed it again, shouting through the letterbox, “No, no you must go away. Man is angry with me, and now Best Friend might come. Please go away.”

  The tension in Friend’s voice spilled over to his guest, who began to throw crockery around the kitchen, and kicked at the rear glass door. Friend was on the verge of total panic, and before Renton could react, he opened the door and bolted. It all happened so quickly. As the Inspector chased Friend, the guest ran off in the other direction from the mouth of the cul-de-sac. The commotion brought out several neighbours, all of whom looked perplexed. Renton decided he had to let the guest go and concentrate on catching up with Friend. He was to find out that despite his slow mental capability and serious skin condition, his quarry was a hell of a lot fitter than he was. It only took quarter of a mile for Jack Renton to concede. He rang the station and asked for a car to intercept Friend without using their klaxon. This also backfired spectacularly when the runaway crossed at a red traffic light and was hit by a motorcycle, which had right of way. Both parties were injured and taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary. The one piece of luck for Renton was that the squad ca
r was there as the accident happened and was able to write the report first-hand, and escort the ambulance to A&E directly. At least he knew where Friend was. He would have to wait for the prognosis.

  *

  Adams had confirmed that Sam and the neighbour had been told directly by Hendricks that he had reported Martha’s disappearance in person. The description by the uniformed officer who filed the information was helpful. Apart from the man being Caucasian, he was much younger and taller than Hendricks. He was about thirty, slim, probably just over six feet tall, and wore bifocals. He did give his name as Clyde Hendricks, but registered a different address. Adams was confused and left this line of enquiry to Gilbert while he began checking out the names on Hendricks’ visit list. The first of these was Carl Kennedy, apparently working in a casino in Salford. He set off and informed Renton of his intent, so the Boss told him Sam had struck out on his first candidate for the body without genitalia, and was headed to Manchester. Ben said he would contact him and meet up. “There are still some strange elements about Hendricks which I want to run past Sam, because this neighbour had a house key, and I can’t imagine Clyde would give anyone access to his castle. We could do with a brainstorming session over a curry and a few beers. I’ll keep you informed Boss. By the way Sam said on the phone that Steph was a changed person, but he wouldn’t elaborate, what the hell did he mean?”

  “It would be spoiling the surprise if I said anything. Good luck.” Renton set off for the hospital. He was pleased that the squad car had been there when the accident occurred. Not only did they see what happened, they were able to take witness statements and get the two injured men safely off the scene before any media reporters arrived. He wanted to preserve this relative anonymity for Friend’s sake. The doctor he saw in his official capacity as a police officer was confused until Renton explained he was just a personal acquaintance of Friend.