He said, "let me bring you up to speed here. We've interviewed around thirty people who were privy to seeing a green Robin Hood release a bunch of helium balloons into the air. He then yelled, 'Happy St. Pat's day' and left. No can give us a description other than he was average build or slightly smaller than average. In other words, we have Jack shit to work with.”
“It appears it’s the same killer, leaving a calling card with only the small handle of a knife left sticking out of the body. The victim was young, early thirties, affluently dressed with expensive jewelry. Robbery is out. Murder is in. We know her name and address from her small dog. It has a collar with all the relevant information if lost or stolen. This really pisses my off.”
“I’ve got an interesting story on tape from Lois Baker. I gave it to a uniform to take it and make some copies. I thought sure you would want Dr. Jones to hear it so I took the liberty of a copy being delivered to him soonest. It’s not graphic, but listening or reading between the lines, this Dr. Zee has a physical anomaly.”
Both were standing looking at each other. The sun was going down making shadows from the trees longer. A fresh breeze off the water brought on chill making Janice shiver. David noticed. He took a step towards her, took her by the arm and left the park. Bloom had taken his car so he would ride with Janice back to the station. Boom had discovered a canister of helium inside the restroom. Now he was on a mission to find out where it came from.
Janice left David to his thoughts. She was sorry she had not seen the body. But then she could review the photographs later this evening on her laptop. No longer did anyone have to wait for pictures to be developed with the latest in digital cameras. What next, she thought.
Captain Jerry was waiting for them in the situation room pacing the floor. Inspector Cockrun was prepared, but Janice was not comfortable talking, at some point in time, about her Detroit visit. She was happy David had asked her no questions. She realized a long time ago, but now it was confirmed, there was more than meets the eye about David Cockrun.
“Please come with me to my office, the both of you,” the captain said. Both turned on their heels and followed him to his office. The situation room was way too noisy for a conversation at this level.
All situated, the captain waited for the Inspector’s report. “This is what we have up to this point captain. A very similar homicide as the last one involving a well to do thirty something white female. A clear case of murder with robbery out of the question. The victim had a knife handle sticking out of her side, but closer to the back. From the angle, I’d guess it pierced her heart. Death was quick with only a little loss of blood. At this point, with some witnesses to come, no one can identify a green dressed Robin Hood with a mask on. This suspect had some helium filled balloons which he released into the air for a distraction. A male voice was heard from Robin saying, ‘Happy St. Pat’s day.’ The vic had a small dog with her. From its collar we have her name, address and phone number. I sent Carl and a uniform to the address. Carl is good at that sort of thing.”
“Very succinctly put Inspector. Janice what have you to report from Detroit?”
Sitting up a little straighter, Janice said, “I have almost two hours on tape with the mother Lois Baker. Captain—ah—this is not easy for me to talk about, but it appears that Dr. Kenneth Zee is more than well endowed. Physically in a sexual act it can do some real damage. Mentally and physically it destroyed his wife. Captain, take the time to listen to the tape. Dr. Zee has both mental and physical problems.”
Both men were looking at Janice who held the eyes of her captain until she finished. Her chin was almost on her chest. David looked over at Jerry and shook his head. Then David said, “That would account for the large prostitutes down south. With their backs to him, they wouldn’t have a clue what was coming. My God, what the hell are we dealing with here?”
“Forgive me Janice, but what the hell am I to tell the mayor? Let’s not get down to the street level here, but how does one tactfully explain our facts and suppositions. Can you imagine what the press will do with this story about a mentally deranged serial killer with a birth defect between his legs?
All three of them looked at each other wondering whether to laugh or cry. Janice brought it back to ground level, she said, “We need to end this now. We need to force his hand to either go off the deep end to never return or be put away for his natural life. I know, what both of you are thinking, what do you suggest Janice?”
“I have a plan, but it still needs some details worked out. I don’t want to say right now, but I’m fairly confident it’s workable,” said David.
“I’ve got to go report to the mayor. Get me a tape Janice as soon as you can. The mayor will want to hear it. Inspector, whatever you’ve up your sleeve, put it to the test. I got word that the Wrigley family is pressing the governor for action.”
After making sure all detectives were on the right tract, David and Janice left for a quick dinner and then on to see Dr. Jones.
*~~~~*
Attorney Donald Longstreet had successfully ditched the two guys watching his girlfriends’ apartment. A meeting with Squeeze Head at nine pm was scheduled. At that time he was to deliver the bank account number for his part of the deal. A man of his word, he was not. Indeed there was money in escrow, but far from the two and half million promised. Donald decided on a nice dinner alone at his men’s club.
While enjoying a sauna at the men’s club, just before nine pm and his dinner, he thought about the ten grand leaving the bank every month going into Dr. Zee’s pocket. In almost two years a quarter of a million was spent trying to find a way for him and his wife to live together peacefully. Simply ridiculous he concluded. Tomorrow was back to work. He had a delicate meeting with his banker and stockbroker. Somehow he needed to leverage the five million to save him from financial ruin. His anger grew when thinking about how the Wrigley family stopped loaning him funds. At first he had been good about paying it back, but after the 2008 crash, they did not just close the door, but slammed it shut.
Just before nine pm Donald was joined by Squeeze Head. Donald handed him a slip of paper, nodded, and then watched the towel clad man leave. Donald left for the shower and to savor a piece of rare prime rib.
Dr. Kenneth Zee, aka, Squeeze Head had a date with Mr. Hwang. Under his towel, tied to his penis holster, a short leather whip waited for Mr. Hwang’s strong right hand.
*~~~~*
Janice said, while David was driving to Dr. Jones’s penthouse, “David we need to talk. Not now, but later after our session with AJ. No, I’m not losing it, but need a friendly ear. I’m not a cry baby woman, but need to vent or my head will melt from the overloaded circuits. I’ll not apologize for being a burden, but we spend hours and days together. I like what we do and are, so let’s keep on keeping on.”
“Janice, I too need to vent a bit so when we are finished with Dr. Jones let’s have a beer at a quiet piano bar. The how and why we chose, or was chosen for our vocation seems like punishment rather than reward.” Just before he pulled into the underground parking, he reached over and gave her just above the knee a squeeze.
Riding up the elevator to the penthouse, both had a game face on, but Janice still felt the squeeze on her leg.
Alex greeted them with a big smile, a handshake for David and a brief hug for Janice. Once into the living room with the fake fireplace, glowing, a reddish yellow, AJ sat upright in his recliner. Someone, fortunately, had delivered the Detroit tape. David noticed white ear pieces hung by a cord from the recorder to his large ears.
Alex left for the usual coffee and snacks. AJ took out the ear pieces and greeted his two guests, apologizing for not getting up. For his two guests, no apology was necessary. They were there for mainly two reasons, one was to hear what he had to say about the Lois Baker tape, and because talking with him was a distinct pleasure.
Dr. Jones said, in a serious professional tone, “We have some serious issues to deal with here. We have a trauma
victim in Europe and a serial killer loose in our city. Both of which we can attempt to resolve with diligent pursuit. Let’s take a look at this from another standpoint. For example, a husband beats his wife. This is not uncommon in today’s world of stress. The husband breaks her arm and takes a knife slashing her body causing it to bleed profusely.”
“The wife suffers pain and mental anguish. A neighbor takes her to the hospital. They set her arm, stitch up her knife wound and keep her overnight. A few days later she is back home or at a battered women’s clinic. This type of abuse happens everyday.”
“In our present case, concerning this particular situation, we have before us a woman who was hurt badly, traumatized greatly, but the first time was not intentional, in my opinion. Linda Zee Baker and Kenneth Zee were, most probably virgins when that fateful honeymoon night turned into a nightmare. Nobody wanted to talk about it. For most people what happened was beyond belief.”
“I’ve experienced similar cases of a man being well endowed and the woman experienced painful intercourse. Also a slight tear or bleeding occurred, however, that stemmed from ignorance rather actual an object simply being too large for entrance.”
From what I gather here, it was about two years later when it happened again. It stands to reason, Linda, day in and day out, feared her husband would try to have intercourse with her. And then when it did occur, she went over the edge. I realize this is simply put, without much feeling, but a reasonable prognosis.”
“What we have here is a clear case of Post – Traumatic Stress Disorder, or commonly known as PTSD. In Dr. Zee’s case, somewhere in his past he suffered a traumatic event. The same is evident from his wife’s case. Both have severe mental issues that need constant therapy to over come, if ever. It would appear that Dr. Zee is past redemption. I think he will become even more violent in the future. I’ve heard on the news from an eye witness that a Robin Hood character, after releasing some balloons into the air, yelled out a happy St. Pat’s day. Professionally speaking, that points directly at euphoria and regaled in the aftermath of the murder. It’s apparent he is beginning to enjoy the feeling he receives from taking a life.”
The only sound was from the cuckoo clock. AJ had been spending more time in the living room lately, so he asked Alex to move the clock, at least temporarily, for his enjoyment.
Alex came in with the usual homemade cookies and coffee. The room was quiet. Almost too quiet. The steaming, good smelling mugs of coffee were gently placed on the glass top coffee table with coasters protecting the surface. The plate of cookies was passed around with a quiet thank you being heard. AJ had his arms across his belly with fingers intertwined as usual. He was observing with a keen eye back and forth between his two guests. David could tell he had a particular fondness for Janice. He guessed right when it became obvious that he was concerned for her mental stability. Being constantly surrounded by death and abnormality, takes it toll eventually. He wondered what she wanted to discuss later tonight.
Alex sat down in a chair that set between AJ and his guests. He could use one end of the coffee table for his mug. He looked at AJ, who nodded and Alex said, “As you both know,” looking directly at David and Janice, “I have personal knowledge and have experienced PTSD. To a certain extent, I know what this guy is going through. Mostly what I observed and felt was like being under water, holding your breath, swimming frantically to the surface for the life giving air. However, it seemed the harder you swam to reach the surface, the further away it got.”
“My PTSD came from Vietnam. If you’ve never experienced war first hand, bullets whizzing over head, screaming voices, both from wounded and enemy, jet’s flying over, helicopters making the whap whap sound, is just part of the living nightmare. All of the above in a tropical climate none of us were used to.”
“It’s my understanding that a direct cause of Dr. Zee and his wife is due to him being in possession of a large member. For both male and female, the private parts are the most sensitive. For a man, the threat of harm or injury to his manhood, is more than most men can handle. In Nam it was not unusual for the enemy coming upon a dead American, to tie him to a tree, cut off his penis and stick it in his mouth. Sorry about the graphics, but a lot of live with that fear. The nightmares were the worst part. On patrol you were afraid to sleep, but fatigue wins out in the end.”
“I went on R & R, walked into a hotel, asked for a room, man said they were full up. I found out later that so many soldiers scared the hell out of everyone, when at night they woke up screaming. Man talk about not being wanted. Enough said about that stuff. I don’t have to tell you to be careful. Janice, you especially.”
“Tell me about the homicide Inspector, I’m curious about the victim and all the details.”
“The victim was Ms. Gail Steward, 32 years old. Husband Carl, an architect who works mostly out of country. Presently in Dubai. She comes from a wealthy family as well as he. Typical upper crust. Same MO only this time he left the knife in the body. At this point in time we have no eye witness to the perp. The rest you know about. We are trying to locate Dr. Zee’s secretary, Gwen Largent, but no answer at her place or her phone number she gave us. We’ve a man on her door.”
Also, Donald Longstreet slipped our surveillance team. He was at his girlfriends’ apartment, but when one of our guys knocked on the door, she told him he stepped out for a little while. That’s about it Dr. Jones.”
“Do you Janice; have anything you want to add here about your visit to Detroit?”
“Dr. Jones, I’ll pass for now. You’ve listened to the tape. I’ve really nothing to add.”
“I’ve talked to my German doctor friend. Linda Zee has agreed to him visiting her. That’ll take place Thursday our time. I’m working on a theory or a plan. If possible, come by tomorrow night if you can.”
David and Janice took their leave. A heavy atmosphere seemed to hang over the city. By now most of the city was aware of the second murder and that a serial killer was out there running loose. The killer was targeting the rich, but all were reminded of the similar homicides down south involving prostitutes.
By tomorrow, security companies would do a land mark business. Even Janice had a plan to boast her apartment security.
David parked in front of a bar that had a purple martini glass flashing. The place looked as lonely as he felt. As they walked inside, a single couple was sitting at a table listening to a black man playing the piano. He was doing a fair imitation of Ray Charles, without the voice. A middle aged bartender, looking very bored, placed two bar napkins on the small round table and waited for their order. Both ordered bottled beer, being on the safe side. They were here to talk, not drink. David laid a twenty down next to the customary red glass bowl holding a candle.
After each had poured a glass of beer, Janice looked at him with serious eyes. David prepared himself for an emotional outburst from her. But he was pleasantly surprised when she said, “I’m not going to cry over the table about a poor me kind of thing. What I wanted to say is I’ve some funny feelings inside of me. This has nothing to do with the case, but maybe it does. When I was jogging last weekend, I went by Millard Park and a cold chill ran up and down my spine.”
Tonight when we were at Dr. Jones penthouse, that same chill overcame me again.” Janice was holding her glass of beer with both hands, David noticed. At first he expected something really different from her, but his knowledge of women, was anything but real perception.
David felt a little bold and said, “Is there anything else Janice? Maybe something personal you need to get off your chest? Let me say this, Dr. Jones has given me an opportunity to have feeling again. I can’t put my finger on it, but when I see you, or you pass by closely, my stomach does funny shit.” Both sets of eyes were locked on with total understanding how each felt. Janice let go her glass with one hand and reached across to place it over his.
Both were aware of the ramifications of a relationship with a partner. Those ramifications flooded the
minds of both, as they sat looking at each other. Janice said, “Do you think were ready for the next step, or should we wait until this case is solved?”
“We’ve waited four years, what’s another few days going to matter, expect trying to sleep,” he said with a big smile.
XI
Dr. Zee, after he came home after the party, having stopped by the locker to change clothes, had a reception committee waiting for him. The same two detectives wanted to know his movements from noon to six today. He gave them the name, address, phone number of his host. Then he told them he would be home the rest of the night and at his office tomorrow. He swiped his card at the door, walked in, closing the door to the two detectives.
Once inside he felt gleeful and a bit giddy having pulled off another perfect crime. He never realized that the dark side had reared its ugly head all day long. But now fatigue was setting in. darkness was almost upon the city. Dr. Zee walked to his over stuffed arm chair sitting down heavily. Picking up the remote he clicked the TV on. A special report on the park homicide was taking place. The last thing he heard was the name Robin Hood as he faded into the darkness.
*~~~~*
March 18th arrived with gale force winds off the Great Lakes. The Ides of March was true to form. David had spent the night at his dreary apartment. Before he went to sleep, he wondered what life might be like living daily with Janice Beaker. A damn scary thought.
Janice with like thinking tossed and turned the whole night through. Her mothers voiced echoed saying, follow your heat Jan.
Sqeeze Head Page 9
