Waiting, A Dangerous Game

by Faizal Rahim

  “If suspect wanted to change his pattern, why still the baldness?” Shirley queried Aisha.

  “Ah… that is a good question. In serial killer cases, every criminal has one MO or multiple MOs depending on the individual. In our case, suspect has a few MOs such as multiple intercourses with dead bodies, using fists to hurt victims and dumping the victims at another place rather than at the murder location. No matter how many MOs a criminal might have, there would be one particular MO which he feels belongs only to him. It’s his way of showing the world that the crime was committed by him and him alone. This is the case with our guy too. No matter what he tried to change, he still goes with the baldness because he wants everyone to know that it was done by him. It is sort of like a bragging right. And there is also another reason why I said Amanda was not part of the plan. She was someone who came along and suspect just went through with her.”

  “Michelle Rogers and Neola Ponchos IDs were missing at the scene of the crime. Amanda’s ID was retrieved from her house.” Shirley told Aisha and Rossi. Now the picture was becoming clearer for Shirley. She was beginning to understand where Aisha was going.

  “That’s right dear. There is also something else I need to tell.” Aisha paused for a moment before she continued, “I’m afraid Michelle Rogers was not the first victim.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “WHAT LEADS YOU TO SAY that?” Shirley asked Aisha. Shirley was busy writing down all valuable notes from Aisha.

  “It’s too perfect Shirley. Statistics and records show that any criminal, in this case a serial killer always makes mistakes the first time they commit the act of crime. It does not matter whether he is with high IQ or low IQ. It has to do more with the psychological aspect of the criminal. Nervousness will definitely set in, the excitement and the whole magnitude of it all. Mistakes are a huge possibility. Even the criminal will not be satisfied with the way he committed the act, which is why he becomes serial to perfect his crime. Once he perfects his crime, it becomes an addiction and a challenge. That’s where we are at now.” Aisha answered Shirley.

  “If that’s the case, then why only send us messages now? Why not send us messages from the beginning?” Rossi was staring away at the blackboard.

  “Remember one thing guys. You guys knew about these three murders only because he wanted to let you know. As I said, his arrogance is getting the better of him. He needs to have a greater challenge. Try to think from his angle. What is the ultimate way to flaunt his work? By letting you guys know about his acts and still getting away with it. What he is trying to say from his message is that he has committed all these acts and he is still waiting to be caught.” Aisha closed the case files and put them to the side of Rossi’s desk.

  “So what are you guys planning to do?” Aisha asked Rossi and Shirley.

  “As Shirley mentioned, we still need to go to nightclubs or any place patronised by Michelle to start with. After all, she was the first one who was made known by suspect. We need to talk further with Martino for Neola and try to see if there was any place patronised by her. As for Amanda, even though she wasn’t part of the plan, we still need to see her as someone in the plan. It might help in any way possible.” Rossi took his last puff from the cigar and stuffed it out into his ashtray.

  “Mind if I suggest something?” Aisha asked.

  “You’re always welcomed to suggest Aisha, you know that.” Rossi reminded her.

  “Thanks Rossi. I just wanted to suggest, why not put these in the papers? Let the public know about the situation. Surely someone will get back to us with a rough identification of the suspect. It’s worth a shot right?” Aisha suggested to Rossi.

  “I already talked about it to Head Investigations. As usual, he’s being a prick. He doesn’t want these out in public due to safety concerns. I assume it’s because he doesn’t want any bad reputation for himself. He’s due to retire in a year or so anyway.” Rossi was shaking his head in disapproval of Head Investigation.

  “What to do then? Aisha asked. Both Rossi and Shirley were deep in thought. Shirley was looking at the notes written by her.

  “Guys!’ Shirley looked up at Aisha and Rossi. There was a sense of excitement from her. A moment of Eureka.

  “Aisha, you mentioned that Michelle might not be the first one right?” Shirley raised the question to Aisha.

  Aisha nodded her head and waited to see where Shirley was heading with the question.

  “It just occurred to me, Michelle, Neola or even Amanda. All three victims were reported to be missing right. Someone who knew the victims filed a report to notify us. I was wondering, if Michelle was not really the first murder committed by suspect, there would be more right. Looking at the patterns so far and if we agree that Amanda was not part of the plan, is it good for us to mention that the victims chosen by suspect might be in their teens to mid twenties? If we are good to say that, then we can go through our entire Missing Person Files collection to see if there was any, any at all, cases of missing persons ranging in their teens to mid twenties who have a possibility of fitting the pattern of Michelle and Neola. If there are, we can take it from there too right? Just another direction we can take in these cases.” Shirley turned her head from Aisha to Rossi expecting them to comment on what she just told them.

  “That is a possibility Shirley. Good thinking from you. If it is going to help even in a little way, we can do our follow up. Who knows, we might come across someone who was an earlier victim of suspect and we might find mistakes committed by him.” Aisha echoed Shirley’s thoughts.

  “It is a long process. It might take too much of our time.” Rossi lighted up another cigar.

  “It’s worth a shot Rossi. Besides I gladly volunteer to help. Rather than the two of you looking through each Missing Person Files, it would be better for me to do that. It will help me understand and form a pattern if there was any. You can also pass me the receipts. I will go through them again to see if I can find anything. In that way, you guys can do whatever is necessary on your side.” Aisha offered her help.

  Rossi was still deep in thought, smoking his cigar away.

  “God, will you say something? This is your umpteen cigars already. Will you put it away and give us an answer?” Shirley got worked up due to Rossi’s behaviour but she knew that there is no point in rushing him. Rossi always took his decisions after meticulous planning and once he has decided, rarely does he make a mistake.

  “Pass the files to Aisha. Aisha we owe you one.” Rossi put out his cigar. Aisha just smiled and waved him away.

  “Great. I will go and collect the files Aisha. I will leave them in your room. If there is anything else you need, let me know ok?” Shirley gave Aisha a farewell hug and went to collect the Missing Person Files.

  “How is Yusoff?” Rossi asked Aisha.

  “He’s fine. That little brat just resembles Feroz a lot day by day but thanks to Allah that he took the characteristics of me. Don’t want another coward to be around me. He keeps on asking when Uncle Rossi is going to bring him to the zoo.” Aisha’s eyes were glittering talking about her son. He seems the world to Aisha now.

  “Ha. Well tell him Uncle Rossi will bring him to the zoo the very next day I catch this guy. Did he like his present?” Rossi adored Yusoff. Yusoff was intelligent and street smart for boys of his age.

  “He never stops riding the bicycle you gave him. I still feel you shouldn’t have.”

  “Nah. That’s the most I can do. Besides if Diane was around, I may have a child around that age.”

  “Rossi, I am afraid to say that suspect might go on a long spree of killing if he is not stopped in time.”

  Rossi did not answer Aisha. He turned his head and looked at his blackboard and saw the words staring away at him. I AM WAITING . . .

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “THIS IS THE FIFTH NIGHTCLUB in two days. My
ears are already aching due to the loud music.” Shirley parked her blue Ford outside Club Nightwolves.

  “This was your idea in the first place. Don’t forget.” Rossi reminded her and got out from the passenger side of the Ford.

  “Yeah, don’t rub it in now.” Shirley locked her Ford and wore a sweater on top of her white blouse. First day visits at the nightclubs almost made Shirley shoot down some of the male patrons. They were drunk and were openly trying to flirt with her. Every one’s eyesight was fixed on her chest and buttocks. Shirley had a tough time on the first day. Today she came prepared.

  Rossi and Shirley went to the entrance of Club Nightwolves. The club name was displayed with neon lights which were brightly lit. The queue to the nightclub was moderately long. Patrons paid entry fees to female staffs who were wearing pink bikini tops with pink mini skirts. They also wore pink high heels to go along with their outfits. After receiving the fees from the patrons, the female staffs will then stamp the club’s logo on the patrons’ arms or wrists. The patrons could then enter the club to have their fun. Rossi and Shirley went straight to the staffs. The patrons in the queue started making noise and were shouting at Rossi and Shirley to queue as the rest of them. When Rossi and Shirley refused to abide, they were approached by two male bouncers. The two of them were big built with huge biceps, wearing identical black t-shirts and black jeans. Both of them wore shades. Shirley found it weird that people wore shades even after the sun was down. The two bouncers were well above six feet. Shirley just prayed that Rossi will not do anything hasty at this moment. Rossi identified himself to the bouncers and told them that he wanted to see the manager. One of the bouncers signalled to a female staff and told her to escort Rossi and Shirley to the manager. The female staff smiled and winked at Rossi but got disappointed when Rossi did not acknowledge her. She just walked hurriedly to the rear of the nightclub. Rossi and Shirley followed her. At the rear of the nightclub, there was a door. The female staff opened the door and lead Rossi and Shirley to a basement. From the basement, the three of them took a lift. The female staff pressed on level three and kept on trying to give eye contact to Rossi. Won’t she just give it up? Grumpy’s never going to entertain her.

  When the lift opened, the female staff told Rossi and Shirley to go ahead. She told them that she was restricted from entering third level unless the manger calls them. There was a long passage way from the lift entrance which led to a door situated at the other end. When Rossi and Shirley reached the entrance of the door, Rossi gave the door a knock.

  “Who is it?” A voice came from the door.

  “Rossi kept on knocking on the door without answering.

  “I asked who it is. Don’t you understand English?” The voice sounded agitated now.

  Rossi merely went on knocking on the door.

  “Who the fu…” A man in his thirties opened the door. He had long hair which was braided. He had a spider tattoo on his neck; the spider was facing up as though it was trying to climb his neck. He was wearing a white suit and was spotted wearing a Rolex watch. He looked at Shirley and was feasting his eyes on her.

  “Who the fuck are you people? What do you want?” The man was going to close the door. Rossi put his hands on the door and prevented him from closing it.

  “What the fuck man! Who the fuck are you?” The man was clearly unhappy now.

  “I’m Chief Detective Rossi and this is Detective Shirley. Are you the manager of this nightclub?” Rossi pushed opened the door just enough for Shirley and himself to enter the room. When they entered the room, a lady in her thirties was hurriedly wearing back her clothes. The man grabbed her by her arm and dragged her to the door. He pushed her out of the room and threw her clothes out.

  “Yes that is me. Have a sit.” The manager locked the room door and sat down on his leather couch.

  The room was painted in red with a large disco ball hanging from the ceiling. The room was filled with designer furniture and expensive art pieces hanging on the walls. The room also had lots of sexual posture posters pasted on the wall. From the glass window of the room, the entire first level and second level of the nightclub can be seen. Shirley could see so many activities; couples making out, groups of friends binge drinking, boys and girls dancing wildly on the dance floor, one girl snorting cocaine at the corner of the dance floor. It was total chaos out there.

  “How do you run this nightclub?” Rossi took out his cigar and lighted it up.

  “Am I under some kind of investigations? What does it matter to you how I run my nightclub?” The manager retorted.

  “I see lots of underage boys and girls. Do you check their ID?” Rossi was patiently asking the manager his questions. Shirley just hoped patience won’t turn into violence.

  “I’m not going to talk anything with you. You can talk to my lawyer.” The man got up and opened the door, gesturing Rossi and Shirley to leave.

  “We can do this in two ways. First way is for you to answer our questions and cooperate. We will be long gone after that. Second way, I promise you, will make you regret even waking up today. So the choice is yours.” Rossi took a puff from his cigar.

  “Are you threatening me?” The manager confronted Rossi.

  “No, just telling you the truth. You can try me if you think I’m kidding.” Rossi got up and was staring into the manager’s eyes.

  The manager looked at Rossi for a few seconds before breaking his eye contact. He closed the door and sat on his couch. He looked at Rossi and Shirley.

  “What do you want?” The manager asked.

  “You can start by telling us your name.” Shirley told him.

  “Scottie. That’s my name.”

  “Ok Scottie, tell us how you run this club?” Shirley was still looking at the chaos out through the window.

  “You mean legally or…” The manager stopped halfway, afraid of repercussions.

  “You are not of our concern here Scottie. We came for another reason which I will let you know after you tell us how you run this club be it legal or illegal.” Rossi look at Shirley staring out the window. He knew something was on Shirley’s mind. He decided to ask her later about it.

  “Legally speaking, all patrons must be above the legal age. ID verification must be shown at the entrance. Once the verification process is complete, my girls will stamp the club’s logo onto the patrons’ wrists or hands or wherever they want. Before the patrons enter, they are told by my bouncers to leave their belongings at the locker for safekeeping. Once they are leaving the club, my bouncers will return them back their belongings. Strictly no prohibited items are to be brought into the club. Club is to be closed before 4.00am according to regulations by the entertainment authority. Illegally, of course we don’t do any of the shit I just told you about. We allow anyone to enter the nightclub regardless of their age. If we suspect that there might be cops patrolling the place, we will sneak those underage kids into the club through the back door. Almost everyone who sneaks in by the back will not have the logo stamped onto them. Once they are done, they exit by the back door too.”

  “Are you aware of all the nonsense that happens downstairs?” Shirley asked the manager.

  “You mean the chaos? Of course I know about it but hey that is business. As long as they are willing to spend the money, I don’t care what they do.”

  “But these girls are so young. How can you allow them in? What if something bad happens to them?” Shirley clearly seemed unhappy with the manager. Now Rossi knew what was bothering Shirley.

  “I agree they are young but everyone comes here on their own will. No one is forcing them. Every club in town does what I am doing. If you can show me a club which is doing everything legally, I assure you that I will not open my club from tomorrow onwards. Besides, none of the girl here are innocent. They are fully aware of their actions and they have no regrets whatsoever. Boys being bo
ys are surely going to take advantage of that.” The manager smirked.

  “Do you do them too?” Shirley asked.

  “What?” The manager didn’t understand Shirley.

  “Do you have intercourse with these young girls?” Shirley knew she was going to bring the manager in for underage sexual violation.

  “Hell no! I don’t like young things. I prefer my woman to be experienced. That’s my kind of fun. My fun doesn’t lie with inexperience girls. I’m sure you must be full of experience too.” The manager winked at Shirley.

  Shirley approached the manager so fast that if Rossi had not intervened, the manager would have suffered a broken nose.

  “Hey I was just kidding.” The manager held his hands in the air.

  “Do you have surveillance cameras at your entrance and exit points?” Rossi asked the manager while telling Shirley to calm down.

  “Yes I do. Regulation crap. Tell me, what is all these about?” The manager clearly seemed worried.