Carter's Cases

by Tom Heaven

  “Benji already has a warrant Frank. It’s called probable cause.”

  The van’s tires screeched as Benji threw it into reverse and shot back down the alley. He jumped out, walked to the door and kicked it hard. The door frame and lock shattered. He entered with his gun drawn while fumbling for the light switch. As he flipped it, he could see a single spotlight in the ceiling illuminating a body on a mattress on the floor.

  He shook her awake, put a finger to his lips and whispered, “Cyndi Marks, we are with the San Diego Police. Is there anyone else in here with you?”

  Cyndi tried to stem the flow of tears and elation, so she could answer. “N…No, he always leaves at nine thirty.”

  Frank ran to her and wrapped her blanket tightly around her. Dan could see what was happening through the windshield and used his police net radio to call dispatch. He requested backup and EMTs.

  While he waited for the ambulance to arrive, Dan called Jerry and gave him the address of the warehouse.

  “Get me the name and address of whoever owns this place, will you Jer,’ we want to catch us a killer tonight!”

  “Hang on a second Dan.”

  Jerry returned in less than a minute. “Here you go, the deed is registered to a Jane Martinson. She lives in Oceanside, at 3271 Pacific Place.”

  “Thanks, as soon as the medics get here to pick up our vic, we’ll head up there. We’ll let you know where they take her, so you can call and have Karen meet her there. Also, call the Chief and bring him up to speed. Let him know we will call for backup on the way.”

  “Will do, and Dan, be careful!”

  ***

  The flashing red and blue lights lit up the fronts of the houses where the police cars and Dan’s van were parked. Sirens could still be heard turning onto Pacific Place as officers in heavy vests poured out of their vehicles. They were armed with automatic rifles and flash bang grenades. There were no lights on at 3271, but curious neighbors could be seen peeking out of their windows on both sides of the house and across the street.

  Standing to the side of the front door the lead officer pounded on it and yelled, “Open up! San Diego Police.” When there was no response to the order, another officer swung the battering ram and smashed in the obstacle. At the same time, another officer did the same to the back door.

  Five officers, with weapons at the ready, poured in through each opening. They then went from room to room yelling, “Clear,” as it was determined that each space was unoccupied.

  Benji and Frank had set the end of the van’s ramp at the top of the front porch steps, so Dan was able to use his motorized chair to drive onto the porch and into the living room where Chief Gates was waiting for information. After filling him in on the details of the evening’s success, Dan wheeled around the ground floor of the two story house verbalizing his observations as he went.

  “There is enough dust on everything to suggest this place hasn’t been lived in for at least a few months. The ground floor bedroom is still set up as a bedridden convalescent’s space. It looks as if the occupant died here. There is still some solution in that I.V. bag, but the line is closed off, and the needle is just hanging loose suggesting that it wasn’t a live patient that was removed. The clothes in the closet are women’s, and the style suggests an older lady. This was probably Ms. Jane Martinson’s final resting place and according to Cyndi’s report of the killer’s auditory hallucinations, her nephew is who we are looking for.”

  Chapter 41

  Back at the station, the team was having a strategy meeting. Chief Gates said, “Cyndi told us that our killer, ‘Ben,’ usually brought her bread and water on his way in to work in the mornings at around 0800. Tomorrow morning, we will be waiting inside and outside the warehouse for his arrival. The door was repaired last night so he shouldn’t suspect anything when he arrives.

  Dan and Frank will be waiting in the van halfway between the library and the warehouse on the same side of the street but far enough back, so the killer won’t be suspicious. When the target pulls into the driveway, they will pull forward to block his exit after he has had time to enter the building.

  I will be in the other patrol car waiting around the corner at the other end of the street, ready to roll if the subject vehicle does not enter the alley.

  Jerry, you and Karen will be hidden inside the warehouse waiting on him. Remember, there is a hell of a lot more paper work if you kill the son of a bitch, so try to take him alive. If you can’t, don’t worry too much about it. We would just as soon have his death be the last one he is responsible for.”

  Everyone was in position by 7:30. The chief had let Dan join in the takedown of this creep since he was a part of the investigation. He and Frank were both calm but emotionally prepared. Benji was driving so Dan could hold the shotgun and be ready to use it if necessary.

  ***

  “Remember when we were rookies, how nervous we used to get on a stake out like this? Said Frank.”

  “Yeah seems like a hundred years ago. You’ve been married to Jeannette for most of the time since we graduated the academy. I was really sorry to hear that she has breast cancer. How’s she doing?”

  “Pretty good. She’s just about to start a new round of chemo, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed… Hey! That car comin’ up behind us is goin’ mighty slow.”

  “It sure is. Just sit tight. He won’t be able to see us through these tinted windows.”

  The car continued driving slowly by until it reached the alley to the warehouse. It stopped for a moment, then quickly turned into the driveway.

  Dan waited for fifteen seconds then started the van and hit the accelerator to quickly block the alley. As soon as he braked to a stop, they could hear the team inside yelling, “Get Down! Get Down on the Floor! Face down, with your hands on top of your head!”

  With sirens and lights, both patrol cars screamed to a halt next to the van. The Chief got out and stopped at the van to ask, “Have they got him in custody yet?”

  “Sounds like it, said Dan. Yeah, here they come.”

  Jerry and Karen each had one arm as the killer stumbled along the alley, in handcuffs, toward the cluster of police waiting at the road. They dragged him to the Chief’s car to be hauled off to jail.

  Suddenly, a shot rang out! The killer’s head seemed to explode, spraying blood and brains all over the Chief’s face and shirt.

  “Get Down! Shouted Jerry, while obeying his own order.”

  The Chief was still standing, staring at the prisoner who seemed to be falling to the ground in slow motion. Jerry had to reach up and pull the Chief down with him, still in shock.

  Inside the van, Frank was frantically calling for backup. “Shot fired, suspect down, officers under fire. Shot fired from a rooftop across the street! Send SWAT! Send Medics!”

  Within the space of one hour, the scene had become a chaotic spectacle with every available SDPD police cruiser, two SWAT team vehicles, a fire truck, an ambulance and reporters from every major news network in town in attendance.

  Jerry was checking to see if the Chief was alright yet.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Of all the horrible crap I’ve seen in all my years on the force, that was the worst! What the hell was that all about? Who shot him?”

  “I have a pretty good idea, said Dan, as he wheeled up next to the Chief. I think the assassin just made his case a lot more personal.”

  Case I – The Assassin - Part II

  Chapter 42

  Chief Gates returned to the office, cleaned up and changed his shirt before meeting the rest of the team at Poki’s, their favorite restaurant for lunch and unofficial debriefing.

  “Jesus! said Frank. What kind of ‘snafu’ was that? We are finally taking the vicious bastard into custody, and somebody blows his head off.”

  “Do you guys think whoever that sniper was, he was shooting at the
Chief and missed?” Jerry asked.

  “No, said Dan. He knew exactly what he was doing. You guys remember the Assassin that shot me. After I took that bullet and was still in the hospital, he came into my room late one night, and said he wanted to see me suffer before he killed me. That’s why he aimed for my spine instead of my head. He also said he would be back to finish the job later. I believe that was him on that roof today,”

  “But why did he kill our perp then?” said Jerry.

  “That was just a message. He wants me to know that he can get to me any time or place he wants.”

  The Chief said “It also means that none of you are safe around Carter right now. Dan, I am again ordering you to hole up in that fort you call a home until the rest of us can bring this guy down. And I don’t mean like the last time I told you to stay home, and you still went out on that recon job with Frank. Just to be sure we are clear, this is not a suggestion. It is an order!”

  “Yes sir, but you will keep me informed with conference videos of morning briefings and updates, right?”

  “Yeah, and I know you will put your two cents worth in whenever you feel the need to.”

  “Thanks, Chief.”

  “Okay, we’ll start planning how to nail this guy at tomorrow’s briefing. Everyone take the afternoon off. Did you have something else, Dan?”

  “Yes, I think we should have a chance to unwind after the mind-blowing end to ‘The Atlas Killer’ case before we dive into this next one. I’d like all you guys and your significant others to join me for a barbecue at my place after work tonight.”

  “Thanks, Dan, I think we are all up for that. Right guys?” said the Chief.

  A chorus of “Yea’s” and “You Bets” was the response from the team as they were getting up and leaving.

  As Dan and Benji departed, Dan said, “I apologize for not checking with you before I extended that invitation. I know you don’t have a lot of time to get this party set up.”

  “No sweat Boss, that just means I won’t be available to chaperone your ‘touchy, feely,’ session with Annika today.”

  “That’s enough, Yamamoto! You know our sessions are strictly professional.”

  “Yeah, and that’s a damn shame,” Benji said, under his breath, so Dan almost didn’t hear him.

  Chapter 43

  Back at home, Dan was lying on the massage table and Annika was standing behind his head, massaging his shoulders, when Dan invited her to join in the evening’s festivities. “Unless you have something else to do?”

  “No worries Daniel. Wild horses couldn’t keep me away! So, will I be attending as your date then?”

  His face became red enough to stop traffic at the closest intersection. He didn’t think he had ever met a woman as uninhibited as Annika. He was surprised to find that it was a quality that he liked. Perhaps a counter balance to his shyness was exactly what he needed.

  “Uh, yeah, yes, I guess you could say that.”

  Annika didn’t respond at first, but then he noticed that her pressure on his muscles changed from a deep compression to more of a gentle caress.

  When she did reply, she said, “I have been waiting for you to ask me out since we first met. I have never met a single man who has taken as long as you did. But never mind, you finally got there, and that’s what counts.” At that, she leaned down and kissed his forehead.

  She noticed his distress and said, “Maybe we should cut this session short today. I would like to go home now. I want to have plenty of time to get ready for our, uh, ‘get together’ tonight.”

  “How can she make even a simple phrase like, get together, drip with sexual implication?” He didn’t know, but he loved that she could, in spite of his colossal embarrassment.

  Chapter 44

  “Ha Ha Ha,” He couldn’t help but laugh out loud every time he thought of the reaction on the Chief’s face. It had been a long time since he had crippled that bastard Carter. Now that he was back in town, he was going to finish him off. But first he was going to have some fun. Splattering that sick son of a bitch’s brains all over Gates was just the beginning.

  He had completed his contract in San Diego, but he wasn’t ready to take another one yet. First, he was going to exterminate that weasel Carter after he made him suffer by ending everyone he cares about. He was going to teach detective Danny boy that he made a huge mistake, deciding to come after him.

  “So, they are having a little party tonight, are they? I could turn that little shindig into a blood bath, but I think I will let them relax and enjoy themselves. Let them get comfortable and over confident. When my man lets me know that they are back to their usual routine, that’s when the suffering will begin. That whole team is going to pay for harassing me last year. Carter was getting a little too close. He almost figured out who I am before I slowed his ass down.

  If he thinks he can catch me with a motorized wheelchair and that big goon he has on a leash, he can think again. He’ll learn, for the second time, that nobody screws with my business and gets away with it.”

  Chapter 45

  The patio, which overlooked the beach, was casually dressed for the evening’s gathering. Various fragrant flowers were sending their scents into the calm twilight air for the guests to enjoy. They were planted in decorated pots along the railing on three sides. Eight circular tables were set up with checkered table cloths, and silverware on napkins in the middle of the deck. The tables were close enough to each other to enable conversation, but far enough apart for ease of access. Tiki lamps were aflame and shedding a soft, intimate glow around the guests.

  The charcoal fueled grill was in a corner. Next to it was a long buffet table, loaded with serving platters and bowls filled with various salads, hot dog and hamburger rolls, baked beans, corn bread, chili, and condiments. A keg of beer was at the other end of the table.

  Although this was an “informal” occasion, Dan had hired caterers to cook the meats and provide the rest of the food. He wanted to spend as much time as he could with Annika. Her forwardness had gotten him to the point where he could admit that to himself without blushing.

  By nine o’clock, most of the attendees had arrived. Jerry and Karen had cornered Benji and his date, Sean, by the edge of the pool. Jerry was going through his usual routine of “Did you hear the one about…”

  Annika had arrived early to help with last minute set up chores. She made Levis and plaid look as stunning as a formal gown. She was holding Dan’s arm as they conversed with Frank, Chief Gates, and his wife, Gloria. Dan asked Frank where his wife, Jeanette, was this evening.

  “She had another chemo treatment today and really wasn’t feeling up to coming. She insisted on my showing up though. As usual, she also insisted that I don’t feel guilty. She has been sick for so long that she doesn’t want me to miss these things. We don’t have that many, so I agreed.”

  Gloria said, “Well you tell her she was missed, and that she is in all our thoughts and prayers.”

  The Chief said, “What a shocker that was when our perp got shot right out from under me, literally.”

  His wife interrupted him and said, “No way are we talking about work tonight, Michael Gates! It’s O.K. to talk about your day when we are home by ourselves, but we are here to enjoy the company of our friends tonight.”

  “You are right dear. I can only plead momentary madness, and I promise to save the details for my reports in the morning.”

  “Yeah, I want to hear how Dan managed to get such a good looker to come tonight,” Frank said.

  “You must be kidding, Frank. He could have brought any girl in San Diego. I was lucky that he asked me.”

  Dan just grinned.

  Benji and Sean’s relationship was progressing nicely. They were currently engaged in a competition, identifying the flowers growing in pots on the patio. Benji thought he was ahead, because he was able to give t
he common name for almost every plant, but eventually had to concede the competition to Sean, who was able to match each one with its scientific nomenclature.

  “I thought you were a fire fighter. How do you know so much about botany?”

  “It has been a hobby of mine since I was a kid. After a hectic shift, I like to relax in my small garden and read about exotic plants.”

  “That sounds like a great way to deal with a stressful occupation, but maybe you and I could come up with other ways to work off your stress.”

  “I don’t think there are any ‘stress reduction techniques’ we haven’t tried!”

  “We could try inventing some new ones of our own tonight, if you’d like to stay over.”

  “That’s the best idea I’ve heard all evening.

  While Benji and Sean were having their intimate conversation, Jerry and Karen were sitting at a table on the other side of the patio, by themselves, having their own intimate conversation.

  “I’m sorry hon, but it just makes me nervous when Dan is in the same room with you. I remember how tight you guys were back then.”

  “Jerry, you know that there is no attraction left between him and me. Just watching him and Annika should convince you that he has moved on, and this thing that you and I have going on, is making me too happy to even think about being with anyone else. You don’t have anything to worry about.”

  “Yeah, I know but I can’t help feeling jealous.”

  “Why, what do you think Dan and I had that you and I don’t?”

  “Nothing. I just can’t help imagining the two of you together, when I see him.”

  “I think I know why. When Dan and I were together, you wanted to be with me, didn’t you?”