"Vicki are you ready to lie down for awhile. My father is coming over and the house would be very quiet for you. If you want to, let's go pack a bag of clothes for you. How's that sound," asked Stacy.
"I'm not sleepy, but need to shower first. Hang on I'll be right back," said Vicki as she dashed off to the shower turning a blind eye at the all the strangers in her house. Once inside the bathroom, not far from where Carmen was killed, Vicki could smell the unmistakable aroma of blood. She turned on the hot water and soon was shampooing her hair then scrubbed the issues that clings to a body when in a state of fear. The one region that couldn't be scrubbed and cleansed was the brain. It would house the events till she was no more but one with the land; like her parents.
Stacy saw her peek around the hallway corner and took that as a high sign to come help pack her stuff. She left Rory and hurried to Vicki's bedroom.
Rory went outside for a breath of fresh sea air. He ran into, almost literally, Bandon's Police Chief Ray Foreham. They shook hands and then Rory filled him in on the details as he knew to this time period. The chief listened carefully and then he said, "Detective I'm not having such a pleasant feeling about this crime. This homicide was premeditated and planed out. I'd say we're in for a heap of trouble with this case. I see two ways of proceeding: one would be to keep a low profile and hope to catch the perp in the act or number two would be to publish the hell out of it. That might scare him off, but for how long is anyone's guess."
"I'm not sure which way is best sir. We both know Stacy is a go-getter and damn the torpedoes full steam ahead, kind of detective. My father used that idiom a lot. From what little I've seen of her friend Vicki, she seems of the same mold: strong willed and confident. It's my guess she'll want it kept quiet for at least a few days until we can check the class list for starters and a tail on Vicki as she moves about the area. It goes without saying sir; we need to stop this stalker from killing again; if indeed Vicki is his next victim."
"I'm sure Vicki will be staying with us for the time being. Not so long ago Rory, I had installed around the house ground sensors. When I turn it on any pressure within three feet of the house sends off a silent alarm to that goes off in my room and Stacy's room. It's a high pitch squeal. You've seen how many trees I have in the back and side yards, well except for the front door there're high intensity flood lights camouflaged high up in the trees. I had, years ago—well— not that many years ago-- some death threats while Stacy was away at school. The threats went away, but I kept the security maintained."
While they were talking, the eastern sky was turning from black to dark grey giving a signal that a new day was arriving. However, for at least three young women, one would remain in a dark place for who knows how long until a higher spirit called; and two would see the light of day, but a darkness would be like an umbrella over their heads for some days to come. Stacy and Vicki came out looking like they were ready for a vacation with back packs on and baggage with wheels trailing after them.
Rory and Chief Ray helped load the bags into Stacy's police SUV. Officer James arrived to spell Dan from guarding the crime scene. Dan was following the CSI team learning all he could about investigating a homicide. And now that daylight was enough to investigate the point of entry. Rory joined Ben but hung back so as not to contaminate the point of entry.
Ben first went down the street looking where the perp might have parked his car. From what he knew, the stalker was very familiar with the area and the house where his victim lived. The street ran north and south. The trees were at least fifty years old that were planted when the houses were built along the street. Interspersed evergreen pine trees leaned to the east from the onshore wind of the ocean.
Because space was not at a premium in the nineteen fifties, the lots were big and the houses fairly small by today's standards. Consequently, a car could park on the street a hundred feet away between houses and never be noticed. Ben realized this very well. What he was looking for was some evidence of a car parked and some bent grass/weeds leading to the back yard and kitchen where the window was expertly cut for entry.
Rory watched Stacy drive off and saw the chief enter the house. Rory waited leaning against his Oregon State Police SUV. He looked up into the November fall morning watching threatening black clouds scudding across the sky headed north east. It would rain soon, he thought. Looking back to Ben he saw him slowly moving towards the house on a diagonal from the street. 'He's on the trail,' Rory mumbled under his breath.
Meanwhile the CIS team was going over the ground near or underneath the kitchen window for evidence. It would be later revealed that the perp would have been of average height, but small in stature; thus being able to enter through a small space of the raised kitchen window. The window being a swing lock affair placed in the middle of the wood frame. The lock was on a horizontal and then raised only about twelve inches at the most. With the entire window only two feet wide it would only allow a small person to enter into the kitchen. It was evident that the perp was familiar with a glass cutter as the crescent shape cut almost looked professional. Evidence showed that indeed a rubber suction cup enabled the perp to pull out the cut glass without much sound.
The team also got lucky when they discovered two short brown hairs in the sink. Evidence from the scene of the rape and murder revealed the perps public hairs left on the bed. DNA would not be a problem in this case.
Ben came over and looked up at the threatening sky. "Let's go have something to eat Ben," said Rory.
"For once I'm with you partner. Aren’t you going to call your crush to see if she and her friend are hungry," asked Ben with a devilish smile.
"Good idea and I'll admit I've got it bad. You tell anyone and I'll start a rumor your got the hots for Flo the Bandon police dispatcher," said Rory as they drove their respective vehicles to the café across from the police station.
Stacy answered the call with an affirmative that they would meet at the restaurant in twenty minutes.
-Three-
As Stacy and Vicki were driving over to Stacy's house, Vicki said, "I realize Stac that my thinking is a bit rattled, but I can't help but believe that the killer was looking for me. What do you think?"
"It's too early to tell Vic. Yes, on the one hand it looks or appears he was intending you, but on the other hand, what if the perp knew exactly what he was doing. He could be tormenting you. You're a trained psychologist Vic—you should be able to see a possible connection. My fear is even if we find his DNA and possible fingerprints, he's nowhere on file. He could be challenging us or is he just plain ignorant. I have to keep an open mind so as not to be swayed by evidence that leads us down the wrong trail or path.
Okay we're here and let's get this stuff inside before it rains on us. I need a shower to wash off the scum the perp left behind in your house."
AT the restaurant Rory and Ben waited for Stacy and Vicki to arrive. Rory had ordered two English muffins to stave off the hunger while they waited.
Ben said, "I have an approximate shoe size, but no distinct tread design. It's a small shoe about a seven or eight. We'll have to wait to see what the CSI guys came up with."
Stacy and Vicki came in as Rory was wolfing down his last muffin. Strawberry jam was leaking off his long fingers. Vicki was introduced to Ben. Rory, Vicki had met earlier, but she didn't remember him. She said, "Sorry detective, I was not myself earlier this morning. Stacy has told me a lot about the both of you. I'm very happy the three of you work so well together."
"Did you discover any evidence while we were gone Ben," asked Stacy.
"Some but not a lot; but it's a beginning. The perps shoe size is a seven or eight. I'm guessing he's not over five eight in height and around hundred and forty or fifty pounds. He has to be small to get through the window. The CSI said they found a couple short brown hairs in the kitchen sink. Does that ring a bell with you Vicki or Stacy of a student of yours or an old high school classmate," asked Ben.
"Let me think about t
hat for a minute while we order. I'm really hungry; but why I'm not sure. Our friend was murdered but a few hours ago and I'm already hungry," said Vicki.
The waitress came and orders were taken. A kind of quiet hung over their table when that was interrupted by Chief Ray coming in. They made room for him which was not a problem as he was on the slight and wry side. Stacy asked her father, "Chief, any ideas you'd like to share with us neophyte investigators?"
A small smile raised one cheek as he said, "I don't think this is random at all. Somebody is stalking Vicki. He seems to keep from being ID, from what you've told me. I think he's intelligent and not a fool. This is planned well in advance. How did he to know Carmen would be with Vicki for the weekend? I also think he'll lay low for awhile. However, the thrill may speed up his next homicide; if a next one is coming; which I think is just a matter of time. He'll know Vicki won't be going back home for awhile. Would he chance coming to our home? I doubt it. So maybe an unsuspecting location is next? Ah, saved by breakfast."
"I agree totally chief," said Ben. "A look at class year books might tell us something. I mean, sure, he has the desire for Vicki as he might be in one of her classes, but a look at the enrollment name and addresses might be revealing if in fact he matches us with a former Bandon student. Let's not forget that all three were cheerleaders and students from out of town high schools might or should be included in our search. Okay, enough said for now."
"Yes chief, time to eat," said Stacy.
After seeing Rory chow down a double order of ham and eggs, Vicki's eyes lit up and turned to look at a smiling Stacy. "I told you that man could put the groceries away, didn't I?"
"That's not the half of it," said Vickie. I saw him looking at your omelet with ham drooling off his chin."
Chief Ray must have felt sorry for Rory as he gave him his toast. Chief Ray picked up the check and all followed him across the street to set up a situation board. Vickie and Ben went to the high school to view some yearbooks.
It was going to be Stacy's job to inform the family. Upon Carmen's graduation they'd moved to Eugene. Carmen went to nursing school and eventually graduated with a four year RN degree.
Stacy felt a little guilty as she hadn't talked to the family for a long time. There was also the boyfriend in Coos Bay. He too was a RN. Stacy had met him just the one time. She called him first building up the courage to call the parents. The couple was living together so Stacy dialed the home number.
Cliff Riverside answered right away. Stacy told him who she was and he said, "I've been trying to call Carmen since six am. I know it's early, but for some reason I was worried. Now I'm really concerned that her friend detective is calling me. Give it to me straight Stacy"
Five minutes later she gently hung up the phone from a devastated man. Stacy had advised him to see a friend and to not be alone at a time like this. He agreed and said he'd call his brother. Stacy felt rotten inside. She took a deep breath and called information Salem. Stacy was hoping the operator would take a long time, but in a few seconds the number was delivered.
Stacy identified herself as a friend back in high school. Mrs. Littlefoot remembered her right off. After a full minute a happy Mrs. Littlefoot went from jovial to uncontrollable sobbing. Stacy told her where Carmen was and they said by afternoon they'd be on the way to Coos Bay. Stacy hung up, looked at Rory, then went to the ladies restroom and threw up her breakfast. The metaphor was perfect: purge the rotten bad people.
Chief Foreham walked in and said, "Vicki is sleeping after I made her take a sleeping pill. I set the alarm so be careful when you go home Stacy. Here's your yearbook for your last two years at Bandon. I hope there's not too much stuff written that is embarrassing." Ben saw the chief walk out with a small smile.
Stacy had brushed her teeth and was drinking some Earl Grey tea. She felt a little hot rush up her cheeks seeing the two yearbooks lying on the table. Nobody made a move to look at them. Stacy reached out slowly to her last year of high school. Memories came flooding back. She went directly to the senior pictures. With her head down she looked at each male student that fit Ben's description. When she came to the end, she went back and did it again. This time she took a legal pad and when she came across someone who fit the physical description, wrote down what she remembered about him.
After three times, she had three names on her legal pad that could fit the description.
1. Eric Lowman
2. Bert Roberts
3. Erin Wilson
Ben was given the chore of locating each man. Ben made a few calls: One to the DMV, another to the local phone companies and had his office in North Bend contact the most popular cell phone carriers.
His first hit was the DMV. Eric Lowman drivers' license had him in North Bend. The second one, Bert Roberts lived in Myrtle Point. The last one, Erin Wilson, lived here in Bandon. Next was to run the names through car registration. Bert Roberts owned a late model Honda. The other two, Eric drove a pickup truck and Erin drove an old Buick.
After Vicki woke up they'd show her the pics and see if any of those three men were in her class; particularly at night class.
Ben tried calling Bert Roberts in Myrtle Point. There was no answer and no way to leave a message. Next he tried Eric in North Bend. Eric answered as if woken up; which is exactly what happened. When asked if he went to SWOCC he laughed and said he'd graduated from SOC. Asked where he was last night he said out drinking and came home with his girlfriend. Ben thanked him and closed out the call.
Erin answered right away. Ben asked him if he could come by the police station for an informal interview. He said he'd be there in a few minutes. While Ben waited, Rory called Salem to see what sexual offenders lived in the area that might be a suspect. Rory gave him the fax number and waited.
Stacy was still going through the yearbook looking back to the juniors and sophomore class. Like most upper class students, few remembered the lower classes. However, in Stacy's case, she had remarkable memory for faces. However, she drew a blank.
It was coming down to Vicki when she woke up to see if she recognized any of the names and or faces. All other avenues were blank walls. The fax belched out some documents. It never ceased to amaze anyone who saw how many sex offenders were in the county. The nice thing was the precise description and all other information necessary to cross off or put a question mark by each name.
Copies were made and the work divided between the three of them. Ben said, "I've got a hit here. That guy whose coming any minute now, is on the list. He's Erin Wilson."
"Could we be so lucky," said Rory. Stacy still had her head buried in the yearbook. She distinctly remembered that for away games, a pep bus transported regular students who had joined the pep club. It seemed to Stacy that one member, a lower classman always sat at the bottom or near the bottom as close to the cheerleaders as possible. Especially at basketball games. She and the others new full well guys loved to see the matching apparel covering their underwear when they did high kicks. She went back through the juniors looking for the student she remembered.
A knock at the door revealed Flo with Erin Wilson. All three detectives thought they'd found their man. Erin fit the description to a T. Stacy stood up and smiled at him. Erin smiled back and said, "It's been a long time Stacy. I'm surprised you remembered me. Now what can I do for you as I'm used to be called in whenever a sex crime is committed. I'm here to cooperate."
"Please sit down Erin. We've a few questions and we need to stimulate your memory banks. I'll be frank with you Erin. Carmen Littlefoot was murdered last night in Vicki's house on 14th. Where were you last night? Now remember Erin, what you say maybe held against you."
"I'm very sorry to hear about Carmen. She was one lovely girl with that bronze skin from her mother. About last night. I was with some friends shooting pool until around midnight. I get migraines ever so often. The smoke in the taverns bothers me. I went home, took a powerful pain killer and went to bed."
"Tell us about your be
ing a sex offender. Sometimes the record isn't too clear," asked Rory.
"I was caught being a peeping tom. I'm not proud of that fact, but as they say: shit happens. I just happen to like seeing women who are not aware of anybody watching them. Girlie mags don't thrill me at all. They're models for Christ sake. Anyway, I was living with some guys in Coos Bay going to SWOCC. One night I discovered a bathroom window walking back home. Some college girls were naked in the window. I hid behind a bush. A college security guard caught me jacking off. They pressed charges. Bingo, I'm a sex offender."
"Where do you work now Erin," asked Ben.
"I work at the Golden Eagle restaurant as a waiter. I've been there for the last year almost. I've a steady girlfriend and we live together. She'll verify my alibi for last night."
Alright Erin, now flash back when we were in school. Do you remember anyone that was behind the scenes who hid their desires for a cheerleader," asked Stacy.
"I was in the pep club. I was one of those guys who drooled over you five girls when you were seniors and I was a junior. One classmate, I can't remember his name, seemed a little wacko to me and some others I know thought so too
He never watched a game, but also never took his eyes off of you guys. The next year he was gone. No idea where, but nobody missed him."
"Here's a yearbook Erin. Flip through the juniors to see if you can find him," said Stacy. She watched him sort through each page and then when he came to the end he said:
"Not here Stacy. There're five names here with a 'no picture available'. Let me see if I can recall his name. If I can't I know someone who can," said Erin.
Ben was still looking over the list of sex offenders. He was looking at a twenty three year old guy from North Bend who'd been accused of raping a college student that was attending SWOCC. The name he was reading was David Gleason. Ben checked marked the name.
Murder Mysteries # 2 Page 14
