Island of Misconception (Unbreakable Genes Book 1)

by H. Caswell

  The ladies of the night, most were kept in padded cells and drugged heavily. Their endless tortures’ of showers, and electroconvulsive therapy; non conclusive. Alfred, believes nothing, of what they say. He has used far too many drugs on them, now, to know the truths of their reality. He has concluded, them to be; useless and contaminated.“Bring them, down and rid me …of their presence.” Claire and Randle ordered to the matter of disposing. Due to the ocean breeze; blowing inland, and burning live people not Claire’s fancy, she decided to bring the ladies to the swamp. “Come on Randle ‘she sighs’ we have work to do. Alfred no longer finds these useless test dummies … worth his or my time …any longer. Follow me” Working their way through the tunnel Randle carried two at a time upon his shoulders. Claire would bound their hands and feet with rope, as Randle placed them into the water. The last vision for the helpless stolen ladies of the night was the sight of Randle’s enormous face as he pushed their bodies below the water until they lay still. Claire would help as they tied heavy stones with rope around their waists to sink their lifeless bodies below. Never, to be seen again. Their lives matter not to anyone. People in town had not noticed, the missing call girls, or so they all believed.

  Unknown, to Alfred, Claire or even Charlie, something of concern has happened while Charlie visited his nightly haunt, as he poured the whiskey down, his guilt ridden throat, leaving Randle to the kidnapping. Randle had mistaken a few woman, as women, of the night. A missing persons reports filed by a few of ladies husbands ended with no findings. All this is about to change with one detective who has come aboard the department, Johnathan Stevenson.

  The small city of the Bronx, for the most part, fairly quiet, except with an occasional bar brawl. Johnathan being a curious detective decided to ponder through some cold case files, when he comes upon the missing women’s reports. He, a bit annoyed with the records. He thinks to himself, ‘There is not much for information or many leads within the files’ he looks up over the papers to Deputy Sherman ... “Tell me something, is there a reason … for such lack … for Christ sakes” Sherman stares at Johnathan ‘Fuck’ answering“ I do not know sir. I only took the initial report. Chief Benet … he … umm … he was the one … you know investigating.”Johnathan, throwing the papers onto the floor, standing up from behind his desk ‘leaning in’“You mean to tell me … you had nothing to do with any of this. I think it is time you head home … son.”As Sherman heads out, Johnathan picks the stain files from the floor, something catches his attention. A woman’s boyfriend had reported her missing. The ladies ' description, fair skinned female with long red wavy hair. She had a light line of freckles along her nose, very attractive full figured woman. Her name, Maureen. “You have got to be shitting me! ‘Slamming his fists onto the desk’what the hell kind of place is this? Fucking politics ‘his face reddened with such anger’ that’s what. Oh, why should the Fucking Chief get HIS … hands dirty before retirement?”

  The morning sun, blares into Johnathan’s office window, waking him ‘another night spent sleeping on my desk’ standing, stretching his worn back, heading for coffee. As he places his cup on to his desk, he decides, the boyfriend needs to come in “Yes sir, please come at once. I have a few questions, regarding Maureen’s disappearance.”

  A somber blond hair fella, makes his way into Johnathan’s office. “Thank you for coming down. My name is Johnathan Stevenson,‘shaking the hand of the man, inviting him to sit’ I have … been reviewing some old cases here … yours seems to be the last filed. The man shaking his head, ’yes’Tell me, have you heard any new news of Maureen?” The boyfriend shakes his head and whispers, “NO.”The man very distraught over her missing.“Please sir, find my beloved Maureen. I miss her terribly, as tears flow down his stubble face. “I will do my best … to bring her home. But, I need to ask you …‘as he look into the boyfriends eyes’ the report … it says, Maureen‘pausing’she was a hooker.” The man’s eyes look at Johnathan ‘as he whispers“YES” Johnathan asks“Do you think … something from work … may have caused her harm? The man stands, looking out the window ‘he sighs’ “I know … what you must think of my Maureen. But … you have it all wrong ‘sitting back down as he pleads his case’you see …I lost my job a few months ago ‘swallowing hard’ six months ago. She has a few lady friends who work for a certain guy. They always promised it was safe. She did it … so we would not lose our home. Na … this is not … work related. Things started becoming crazy around here … ‘swallowing’ when that Island opened … even more so now. Look I know this sounds crazy. And I can tell you … folks will refuse. But ‘standing once more’I swear … it has to do with that place. You are the God DAMN Police … YOU FIGURE IT OUT!Johnathan stands… “WAIT … what ISLAND?”The man glares at Johnathan … his eyes wide with anger “God Fucking … Nobody talks about that … crazy FUCK or that Island. You do the leg work. CALL me when you have found my dear Maureen!”

  Stevenson begins looking into all the women. He finds a couple had been wives who were going to elegant entertainment.‘They just disappeared the town people claimed.’ Stevenson begins to put the pieces together ‘It makes no sense with the M.O. or the profile’. After more research he puts together his thoughts.‘A serial kidnapper of certain woman of the night,to suddenly be taking house wives.’ He starts believing a couple had become mistaken as ladies of the night.

  As time passes, on Stevenson pushes further into the cases. He works endless hours, trying to solve the cases. To his surprise, may folks avoid questions about the island, until one, afternoon, Johnathan and a local friendly old man have a conversation “I don’t know much, son about the streets here. But, since that Alfred fella, took his business out …’pointing to the shore’ to that island … weird shit goes on here.You … know his father … disappeared years ago. Now he was a good man. I don’t know too much a about … Alfred. Maybe … if you head to the ‘SALTY SEA MEN’s CLUB’ you may find what you are looking for.”Johnathan takes the hand of the old guy “thanks, sir”‘while still shaking’“Don’t thank me sonny … and best of luck … around here ‘leaning in’Greed works in mysterious ways.

  Johnathan, enters the dark, dim, club, as the bartender, wiping glasses, whistling, He takes a seat at the bar; ordering “Whiskey on the rocks” deciding how to approach the man. The tender sets the glass down, tossing in cubes of ice, while the other hand pours the bottle “You must be new to this neck of the woods, haven’t seen you here before.” Johnathan thinks to himself ‘that was easy; as he answers’ “Yes, Johnathan, I am the new Detective, from …Upstate NY.” As the two talk about everyday life here, Johnathan decides, ‘opportunity is now’Say listen. I have been combing through some old case files, you … must have heard about them ... The Missing Girls?” Silence touches his ears, the tender resumes wiping the glasses“Yeah, I heard about them. You do see what I do here RIGHT? ‘Johnathan shakes his head yes’Well … what do you want to know? By the way … they call me Boss.”‘Swallowing a sip of whiskey, smiling’ “Alright, Boss … Do you know anything about that … Island … or Alfred?” ‘Boss shakes his head’ “Not much. I think you may want to stick around … the fella’s will be here soon. I think you will have better luck with them.”Johnathan orders another round and waits. A few make their way in, as Boss introduces Johnathan to them“He’s got some questions for you fellas” They head to a table.

  The conversation with a few local drunks at the men’s club cued his suspicions deeper when they talked about Charlie. All of them had describes Charlie’s endless sorrow and how he drank more and more with each visit. They describe a man who has gone to hell, and not himself.One of them tells Johnathan, “Listen, old Charlie quit drinking … the booze years ago. Suddenly he goes to work for that Doctor …’lifting his drink to his lips’ and now he drinks … every night. Something is not right! But hell what do I know.” The evening presumed on, each man Johnathan spoke with … all said the same about Olé Man Charlie.

  The followin
g morning Johnathan decides a visit to the Mayor’s office … is in need, finding with no solid proof, arguing an endless battle with the Mayor. “Mayor, please listen to me, I am telling you, something is wrong here … in the town. Women are missing …for Christ sakes!” The Mayor glares at Johnathan briefly. With a billow of smoke from his cigar he engages his thoughts upon the man before him. “I want to hear no more of this! Alfred is a well-known therapist, who has brought … much good to this town,‘pointing’ you serve. I want to hear no more of the accusations being made about Alfred or the island.” As he goes on and on for hours of a man who raised the poverty level of the Bronx to wealth with his shipping. He paints the picture of the countless people who would line the streets waiting for Alfred’s ship. He shouts “Hundreds’ have … been there with no convictions of any … and I mean ANY … wrong doings!” Pointing to the door, he throws Johnathan out of his office, to not come back.

  The winter grew colder, and Stevenson learned nothing new. Folks that would speak to him, now turn their backs. He remains quiet for the rest of the winter; he carried on with his police duties in the town while awaiting his break. He believes, the day eventually will come, when he could prove to the naïve, and the Mayor, here wrong. Until that day, there was one more thing he could do, as he dials the phone, to a dear friend of his, back in upstate New York. He leaves a message with Lynn’s office, “Hey doll … you guessed it. Listen Lynn … I am in the Bronx. I cannot go into details on this call … I need you to get back to me … This is URGENT.”

  Deciding it was time, to roam the streets, Johnathan makes his way into the Mom and Pops coffee shop. He takes a seat, watching out the window, when a young, red head; places a white coffee cup down “Would you like to try the pie?” ‘Startled from his thoughts’ he answers“No, thank you” ‘she looks at him in shock’ “Boy, I am new here … only a few months … But … I have never seen anyone pass up the pie here. Even‘chomping on gum’that island guy … gets a piece now and then” ‘looking up to her green eyes’“Wait the guy on the island … gets PIE?‘Laughing’ “Yes, sir. The old woman here, well she passed away … a few months ago … But her husband … he knows Alfred. Some old guy … and a really … REALLY big one come in sometimes … and get Pie to bring back.” ‘Interesting, he thinks to himself’asking“So you do not know about … Alfred … or that Island … huh?”‘Shaking her head’ “No but, his favorite spot is where you sit … and the city library. That’s all I really know. Would you like me to get the old man for you … he can fill you in?” “ No … thank you”Before she could make her way behind the counter, Johnathan had left his coffee and money. He makes his way through the busy traffic, ‘of course why did I not think of that … the library’as a cab nearly runs him over‘HONK! Blares the horn’He waves sorry as he sprints to the sidewalk ‘Christ I need to be more careful’

  Johnathan finds, archives of the history of the Bronx. He begins to rummage through old clippings for The Richardson family or Alfred. To his amazement things begin to emerge. ‘Where is Thomas … when his wife breaks?’ ‘Poor son of Thomas, left to tend to his ailing mother’ ‘Alfred success has made its way’ ‘Island resort’ ‘Alfred local hero’ … Johnathan flips back to Alfred’s mother ‘Sick … hum … I wonder’he continues reading ‘Mildred sent to State Mental Hospital after an unforsaken break happens within the streets in front of her family home’ … Johnathan’s eyes grow wide ‘well now … isn’t this something’

  Chapter 13

  A calm Mid-March evening, the sun has set, while Alfred, gazes out through his windows. He knows the months are coming upon him once again of his circus. He is miserable with the thought when a small light from out in the waters catches his attention. Quickly he rushes down the stairs. Claire and Randle had just headed off to their cottage. Charlie sipping his whisky at the kitchen counter; sees Alfred, rush to the front door.

  Alfred quickly … opens the door, a man he does not know stands before him,‘winding blowing the men’s black long coats’ as another carrying a woman rushing up from behind. The night March air, bitterly frigged, Alfred invites them inside“Please … come in” As the men stand at the door’s entrance, ‘Alfred; closing the door behind them’ he asks “What is the matter of your visit… at this time of year? Charlie half-drunk‘stumbling’ escorts the man holding the lady in his arm‘pointing’ to a chairin the entertaining room, invites him ‘Please … lay her down … have a seat.” The other remainswith Alfred ‘his voice soft’“The girl is sent from … New Hampshire‘his voice shaking from the bitter cold’ from an unknown man … I … do not know. There was a note attached to her coat … saying to bring her … here to this island. Instructions to give this envelope‘passing the white paper’ to you, Sir.”

  Alfred invites the man to join him in with the others so he may take a look. As Alfred brushes the girls’ long blonde hair from her face, he does‘shaking his head, no’ not recognize her. As he allows her hair to fall slowly off his hands, suddenly finding a sense within him, like many months ago. Shaking his head slightly ‘trying to keep his thoughts clear’as the man holding her … turns the limp body for Alfred to examine. Unknowing, to the gentlemen, Alfred has a keen eye for beauty. His gaze travels up and down her body. He observes her flawless, figure and round breast; he feels, excitement briefly. Confused as to who she is, he walks‘lighting his pipe’ to the chair across the room, taking a seat and opens the thick envelope the man had given him.

  Inside are two separate seal envelopes.' Both marked numerically one and two; the letter reads,

  “Dear Alfred,

  If you are reading this, then my wishes have become, granted. I have asked for Kate to be taken to you. Your excellence in the matter, is most important. I have worked with this girl and with some help she has begun to show signs of U.G.C. and C.L, no further medication, will be needed Alfred. The police have found her in an alleyway in the city, of Manchester. Their finding her is a sign of progress. Just the therapy you provide, will be all now. Once you figure out my identity, you will know what the abbreviations’ above mean. Your excellence proceeds you. There is another part to this letter. I ask you read it alone, after you have decided who I am.”

  Sincerely, T … in New Hampshire

  Alfred ponders for a bit, saying nothingbut looking at the T ‘his stomach twisting with the mystery’He reads the letter again. Suddenly ‘a familiar sense; consumes him’ as tears fill his eyes. The T, is … Thomas his long … lost father. The men around the room, look at one another‘shrugging’ unsure of the problem as Alfred, passes the letter to Charlie. As he reads the letter himself, he understands Alfred’s tears. Alfred asks “Please … leave the girl upon the couch,‘eagerly’YOU ... should leave at once ‘escorting them to the door’ The night ocean water … can be most dangerous.” They take heed‘tipping their hats to Alfred’ of Alfred’s warning.

  As Alfred and Charlie, stand above watching the sleeping girl, Alfred explains to Charlie of his father’s theory. “All this time ‘his eyes filled with emotion’ I have … been searching for answers, Thomas has sent me ‘proudly smiling’ the grandest prize as Charlie wraps his arm around Alfred, thinking to himself ‘For now Alfred will be happy with her, and he, himself will have time to be free of the madness that has consumed him. And I myself … may find peace’ Alfred asks Charlie“Please my friend … retrieve Claire for me.” Charlie does just as he asked. While he is alone, Alfred reads the letter again, then tucks it into his shirt. Bending down, to the sleeping girl he runs his slender fingers, through her long blonde hair ‘it is so soft in his grip’ softly he creases her face. Tears flow down Alfred’s cheeks ‘whispering’ “Oh Father” gliding his hand slowly down her neck, past her upper chest around each of her large breasts, and upon her abdomen. He listens to her breath‘his,blue eyes widen’ watching as her chest rises and falls. He once again,‘his evil grin appears’ awakened.

  Claire enters; as Alfred explains the gift briefly“it is a miracle
Claire” as they carry Kate to her new room.

  Alfred helps to undress her body. He feels so alive, while looking upon her soft glowing skin and her bare breast. Claire hurries to get a gown, Alfred begins caressing her naked flesh. His hands softly working down every inch to her womanhood. Her pink panties covering a small mound of hair, as he adjusts himself, hearing … the steps of Claire’s return. Claire covers the motionless girl, in a gown while Alfred preps, a syringe. Claire covers her body in a dark green wool blanket and straps her hands and feet into the shackles, as Alfred, slowly inserts the needle and pushes the fluid into her arm. The two standing in the small hall between Sarah and Kate’s rooms, explaining as Claire reads the letter “It is him Claire, ‘a boyish smile emerges across his thin lips’ my father. He knows of my work’shaking his head yes’ He is still a part‘placing his hand over his heart’ of me. All these years‘tears swelling in his eyes’and the man has not given up hope of who I am. Claire is excited for he has finally heard from the man he has missed dearly. She explains to Alfred… “This … she … is … a wonderful gift‘smiling’ your father has sent, and great care should be given ‘looking him dead in the eyes’ Alfred.” Alfred‘nodding’, understanding what Claire’s message is. Claire returns out to her cottage. Alfred returns to his quietness, within his loft. Throwing a match lighting the fireplace, and closes the drapes. The room’s only light now, from the burning fire. He takes a seat in his father’s chair at his desk and pulls out his pipe. As the smoke fills the air with the scent of cherry, ‘a wide grin’ grows upon his face, as he opens the second letter and reads,