Sqeeze Head

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Carl said, "We've been having a nice conversation, the doctor and I. He's adamant that he was just a heavy sleeper. He claims to have watched TV until the wee hours of the morning, then went to sleep. Dr. Zee claims he is fully within his sane mind and demands to be released immediately. I told him he'd to wait until you arrived Inspector."

  "Dr. Zee," David said, "what time did you arrive home yesterday after the lawn party?" No answer came from the same smug look. "Ok, then, I deem it necessary for a full mental evaluation by a doctor take place either today or tomorrow.

  "I don't think so. I have a right to call my attorney and let's see what she has to say about that. Am I under arrest or being charged with a crime? If so, then take me to the police station where I can phone my attorney."

  David turned on his heels and went out the door. Janice stood there looking at Dr. Zee with contempt. In return, he looked back at her with loathing and pure hatred. It did not seem personal, but thought it was just women he despised. Janice looked at Carl and he just shrugged his shoulders. A minute or so later David came back in with a look of anger about his face.

  Inspector Cockrun said, "We have a search warrant for your residence. I'm ordered to take you to the station house for an interview. After we have concluded our search of both your office and residence, it will be decided to charge you or set you free. You'll be allowed a phone call once we reach the station. As you've shown no tendency towards violence, restraints are not necessary. However, a uniform policeman will hold your arm with both detectives front a back. Now get up and let's go."

  David nodded to Janice to drive. She assumed he was too pissed off to drive. She was half right. The other half was he wanted to call Elvin Glitter for a report on the latest victim, Gail Steward. In all of the excitement it seemed Ms. Steward was forgotten; at least for the moment. Dr. Glitter picked up almost on the first ring. David listened then told him yes, he would be at the station in about thirty minutes.

  It was only a short walk from the parking lot to the station's back door, but the wind, so fierce, would make a bald man smile, watching his fellow man, including women, fight a losing battle to keep their hair for looking a mess. Janice was fortunate as her short curly hair could withstand a hurricane if necessary. Meanwhile, David's thick brown locks were lost to the March winds.

  Dr. Glitter was in the captain's office, both were waiting for Inspector Cockrun to arrive. Janice went to the situation room to see what, if anything, was new in the two homicide cases. First she was told to call Bloom. Second to hot foot it to the captain's office.

  Janice, after arriving at the captains office, she discovered she missed the ME report. No matter. David would fill her in later. Now she took center stage as Inspector Cockrun, asked her about Blooms report on computer tech Carol's success or failure.

  Janice said, "The bottom line is that what she discovered is not conclusive evidence that he toyed or, excuse the pun, doctored the camera. The remote control operates the camera. The operator can start or stop the camera at any given time. The computer tech says she has no way of discovering if Dr. Zee, or anyone else, modified the program. The tech added that if someone did tweak the program, he or she did a fine job. Officer Bloom thinks Dr. Zee tweaked the program while he went to the bathroom by using the remote. The rest you can surmise."

  Captain Jerry said, "I'm lost here people. Can anyone explain this to me in a language my stupid brain can understand?"

  David said, "In other words, Dr. Zee used the remote control to zap the camera as he went to the bathroom. He changed clothes, hurried to the elevator, caught up with the victim, killed her, and then hugged the side of the garage back to the elevator number 3. From there he went back up to his private door to his office, reentered the bathroom. Then he probably put all is disguise clothes in a bag, put on his dress clothes, used the remote to turn the camera back on after he had sat back down, looking like he was writing his report."

  "How much time would it take to accomplish the crime scenario you just suggested," asked the captain.

  "We could experiment, but I'd guess a small man like him could, from start to finish, eleven to fourteen minutes."

  "Wait a minute here," said the captain, "eleven to fourteen minutes. Why not ten to fifteen minutes?"

  "Because captain, I've already did a rough time frame replay, as to my thoughts how he murdered Ms. Longstreet."

  The captain looked at his watch. David noted the time at a little after three. Dr. Glitter excused himself and went back to his office. Inspector Cockrun said, "Captain, we are going back to the situation room. But first we have Dr. Zee cooling his butt down in integration room B. He steadfastly denies being mentally out of sorts. Like you said, we have to let him go for now."

  After tying to get Dr. Zee to answer some questions, they finally let him go. They just had time to see what was what in the situation room before the press conference. On the way, Janice had to stop by the restroom to 'freshen up' she stated. David continued on seeing a lot of activity going on, including Bloom and the computer tech Carol. A few detectives nodded at him as he made his way to where Bloom and Carol sat talking at the large conference table. David sat down next to Bloom and with a soft voice thanked her for her help.

  Carol warmed to his pleasant tone and said, "Inspector, the computer file is a standard form a lot of offices and homes use. It records automatically the date and time. I'm told you think the program has been tweaked so as to omit a certain period of time. I'm sure a computer nerd could alter the original program, but I don't know anyone who can do it. Mr. Bloom said he would drive me back to my office. What I'll do Inspector is see if anyone knows anything among my acquaintances. I'm sorry I couldn't have been more help. This killer has everyone I know scared to go out of their homes or apartments."

  Janice caught the tail end of the conversation. To her it seemed that Bloom was enchanted by Carol. First it was the sexy secretary Gwen, now Carol. Next, she thought, he'll be hitting on her. Many days later, to her chagrin, he never once came onto her. Bloom was no fool. He'd seen the look on both the Inspectors and Janice face when they looked at each other. Indeed, no one in the entire police force went unaware of a budding relationship forming.

  Before the press conference David had time to fill her in on the ME report of Gail Steward. He left out the graphic details, but informed her that some form of violent sex had occurred both vaginally and anal. The ME wasn't sure it was forced or consensual. David added that the husband was inbound and available for an interview tomorrow.

  When they arrived at the community center, the press was all over them. Janice was a little amazed at David's politeness with all of them. Even more amazing was the fact he gave the press some revealing information that only stoked the fire of curiosity.

  After entering the building, he told them he had to meet with the captain and mayor behind the stage. Walking side by side she said, "Why are you being so damn nice to the press?"

  He looked at her, smiled and said, "As they say, whoever they are, there's a method to my madness. On the way to Dr. Jones penthouse I'll tell you more."

  Both the mayor and the captain were pleased with Inspector Cockrun and Janice's performance. By the end of the press conference, the Inspector had given all in attendance and all who were viewing on TV the feeling that the Chicago Highland serial killer was all but wrapped up. Even Janice felt it would soon be all over.

  Doctor Jones and Alex were watching the broadcast marveling at the performance the Inspector was displaying. AJ, when the press conference was over, clapped his hands saying, "Alex my boy, I think I'd like a glass of white German wine please. Also, we'd best prepare for our two guests arriving within the next forty five minutes."

  "Way ahead of you as usual AJ. The wine is breathing as we speak. Pork chops have been prepared for broiling. All is ready with a thirty minute go signal. Before they arrive, let me go over the list of supplies one more time. One twelve inch piano hinge, a five foot roll of Kevlar, a ten
foot roll of Velcro, and a fully equipped first aid kit. Also, a wall board saw and a brace and bit with a 3/4" wood bit."

  "Yes, that's all for now unless I think of something to add later on tonight after I talk to David. While you are pouring the wine, I must call Jake and update him. Also, I'm expecting a call from Switzerland at any time. Don't you love it Alex? Just like old times. One thing after another. And you know what is really nice--- we not finished yet--- not by a long shot."

  Janice was driving. David was watching the wipers swipe at the seemingly never ending drizzle. The wind had died down. Darkness was upon them, but not in the sense of Dr. Zee's darkness. In fact David felt better than he had in years.

  "Janice, here is the highlights of the autopsy of Gail Steward. The unusual aspect is the recent sex she had. Apparently she had some violent sex both vaginally and anal. Swelling was evident and semen was found in both canals. Elvin is not sure it was consensual or rape. He leans to consensual. We'll interview the husband tomorrow and perhaps he can shed some more light on our victim."

  "David, this whole case seems to be surrounded by sex, one way or another. Our perp is not committing rape, even though we are led to believe this Dr. Zee is packing around an oversized unit. And it seems evident that down south he performed sex before murdering the women. Not sure how all this fits together. Do you?"

  "No, but I've a theory, but, not all of the parts fit the whole. One thing I'm fairly certain of is Dr. Zee is guilty of murder. However, I'm still bothered by the husband and the five million. There appears no connection between the two, Zee and Longstreet, but damn, something keeps nagging at me, Longstreet's is somehow part of the crime. Hey, were almost there. Before I forget it, have a team tomorrow go from house to house to see if anyone saw a Robin Hood between the BBQ and Millard Park."

  Alex opened the door to see a smile on both David and Janice faces. He suspected correct that romance was simmering on the back burner. They found Dr. Jones in his recliner with his back mostly to the wall that contained the fake fireplace. Janice thought it a little strange, but quickly cast that thought aside. A new dark brown sofa, or more of a loveseat, sat about eight feet away, with a new wood coffee table stretched out in front of the small sofa. After both sat down, AJ smiled as they looked very cozy sitting there.

  Janice with slightly red cheeks showed her thinking of the intimacy. David only sat grinning at AJ. Alex was prompt with wine glasses and wine. While Alex poured AJ began by telling the story of his German friend who visited Linda Zee in Switzerland.

  AJ said, "Dr. Dernath found Linda Zee most eager to talk to someone about the whole ordeal. She appears to be on a road to recovery. After my friend explained our connection, Janice visit to see her mother, the idea he might be a murderer, she expressed a willingness to tell her story for the first time."

  "On their wedding night, both were virgins and neither one had any experience of love making. As it was dark, she saw nothing only felt him trying to enter her. All she remembers is the pain and the bleeding. Nothing else. She said he apologized and seemed very concerned for her. It wasn't until she was back home, still recovering, when she accidently saw him come out of the master bedroom with a towel wrapped around him. She was lying on the bed pretending her eyes were closed. He dropped the towel and that was when she caught a look at his penis. It took all of her willpower to not exclaim out loud at the shocking size of his member."

  That was when she started having nightmares and fearful that he would attempt to make love to her again. She lived day after day, until one time he came home with a glassy look in his eyes. In his sport coat he took out a tube that had a naked picture of a girl on it. He told her that this cream would let his penis enter without hurting her. His devilish smile scared her, to say the least. He added one more statement before he dropped his pants, 'It's time to consummate the marriage' showing her a hardening penis."

  "She told Dr. Dernath, she'd no recollection of what happened after that. Once again she was in the hospital with stitches in ripped vagina. Her mother begged her to tell the police he raped her. But from the look in her daughter's eyes, all reasoning had left the poor woman.

  The rest you know. She wants to file for divorce and come home. Dr. Dernath will help her come to terms with the PTSD. Linda has been talking to her parents by phone. My friend thinks, if all goes to plan, she could be home by July. We're going to set her mother up with a laptop and the same with Linda, so they can see and talk to each other using the webcam."

  Janice never moved. She'd been sitting with her hands together in her lap listening with revulsion the past history of Linda Zee Baker. David said, "Sometimes the world sucks. Other times it's beautiful. Humans seem to spoil the things around them. Some of us work hard to make a place safe and livable. Once we clean this mess up, another is waiting in the wings. When I was in college, I asked my history professor one time, if in his knowledge; man ever lived in peace with each other. The guy looked at me like I was crazy. You know what he told me? He said there would be damn little history without the doings of man against man, country against country, religion against religion. I heard him laughing as I hurried away from the classroom."

  Dr. Jones said, "I got word today that Donald Longstreet is in financial dire straits. He was doing well until, as we all know, the crash of 2008. Even the Wrigley family didn't escape the collapse. Donald Longstreet would barrow and diligently pay back until he took a giant hit in 2008. For the next few years he did his best to live the same lifestyle as before. Then he bought a yacht to impress his clients and the ladies. Once you add up the cost of moorage, upkeep, club activities and on and on, soon your bank account is leaking like a sieve."

  "Motive, but opportunity is not evident in Longstreet's case. Look for a connection between the two of them, no matter how obscure it seems."

  "Tell me in detail please about Dr. Zee beginning with this morning both at the office and his apartment."

  Both David and Janice, alternately, ran through their day from start to finish. David made sure the details from the aid techs and from the mental hospital doctor was included. Thirty minutes later, at seven pm, the cuckoo clock, on the wall behind David and Janice stuck its head out announcing vociferously the hour. Both Janice and David jumped a little, not expecting the strange noise. David thought sure the clock had been in the office the last time he saw it.

  Alex popped in to announce dinner was ready. The cuckoo clock was forgotten.

  XIII

  Thursday broke clear and a little cool. David slept the night in the station house. After leaving Dr. Jones apartment, dropping Janice off at her place, he sat alone in the situation room, reading the CSI report from the search warrants. The results of the office yielded nothing in the way of physical evidence that could be used in charging Dr. Zee. The bathroom and kitchen drains were clean. His house produced nothing of any real evidence. Curiously, a strange item that appeared to be a penis sheath was in a box marked for his viewing.

  David looked at it with most curious eyes. Obviously it was Dr. Zee’s underwear for his abnormal sized unit. He thought it looked like a modified athletic supporter than anything. The sheath was fully eight inches long, with two sets of string ties that would go around the upper thigh securing it to the inside of the leg. He thought about wearing such a thing everyday of ones life. What a burden both physically and mentally, as he almost felt sorry for the guy.

  He put the ‘item’ back in the box and closed his eyes going back over what Dr. Jones had diagnosed about Kenneth Zee. He’d no problem with recalling details, besides if he missed something, Janice would have it in her notes. In addition, he thought about Linda Zee Baker and wondered who was footing the bill. He guessed Dr. Jones and Dr. Dernath were the philanthropists. That was his last thoughts as he decided it was time for bed. Then he felt good knowing his faith in man’s goodness still lived on in people like Jones and Dernath.

  Janice and Bloom drove over to interview Carl Stewart, the husband of th
e murder victim Gail Steward. She didn’t argue but followed Inspectors orders to interview the husband. He said he had some loose ends to tie up and would meet her back at the station around noon.

  The Baker house was huge. As Carl Steward was an architect, the house represented his work. Janice thought it a cross between old and new. It was three stories, but not big and bulky like the Victorian days, but lower with sharp lines. Janice parked on the street so as not to block the driveway. Affluence was evident with an assortment of Benz and BMW sat patiently for the owners to return after paying their respects.

  The large door opened quickly after Janice pushed the bell. A dark complexion maid smiled up at the guests. Janice asked for Carl Baker while showing the young main her police ID. In rather good English she told them to follow her as they were expected.

  Janice noticed the inside was very spacious with only sparse, but tasteful furniture, and wall decorations were passed by as they walked to the back of the house. Carl Steward was sitting behind a desk in another spacious room. Its manliness glared back at you from all angles. Janice was not impressed, but put on her best smile. He greeted both of them quite cordially standing up as if to show off his towering height. He politely pointed out the four chairs that sat in front of his desk. Janice thought this a rather odd place for friends and relatives to come and express their condolences.

  Janice expressed her sorrow for his loss and let that sink in for a moment while both appraised each other. The Janice asked, “Do you know why she went to the park that afternoon of St. Pat’s day?”

  He said, “I’ve no idea detective. Our maid said she told her she had an appointment, but would be back soon. The maid told me she had a St. Pats party to attend at six pm. As I understand it, it was around six when the police came looking for me with the dreadful news.”