by Robert Olsen
“Holy shit. Now you’ve got my attention. Good work detective O’Donnell. Now if we could only find Miss Becker in possession of a MacBook Air, we just might be able to bring charges.”
“And would that be literally to charge her with murder?”
“No. The simplest way would be a charge on suspicion of murder. That way we should be able to hold her for perhaps 48 hours. I would hope she might open up to us so we might be able to strengthen the case against her.”
“I see. So for now, should I get the search warrant going? Maybe, if we act on it immediately we could get the judge to issue it today. Then we could surprise the hell out of her first thing Saturday morning. We hit her apartment, boss, tomorrow, and if we find the MacBook, we’re in like Flynn!”
“Take a deep breath, O’Donnell, and slow down. We still have some other work to do.”
“What’s that boss?”
“You tell me? Kathryn is on the floor with the waitress. She obviously wasn’t using a computer.”
“But, she could have used a syringe,” said O’Donnell.
“Yes, but then are you telling me there was no computer used in the crime?”
“Maybe the kid who was murdered could have had a computer.”
“Good, but then who’s the man in the trench coat who shot the kid?”
“Our friend, the good doctor?”
“Exactly, so does Marks have an alibi for the precise time of the Cafe 63 murders?”
“He was at the hospital?”
“Says who?”
“He told us boss. He told us he was scheduled at Lenox Hill in the Trauma Center. In fact I wrote it all down. Kathryn called him and he asked where she was. She told him and he said he’d be right down?”
“What if he wasn’t at the Trauma Center when he called, but only returning from the scene of the crime? Who saw him at Lenox Hill at the time of the murder?”
“So, Marks could easily be the man in the trench coat.”
“Exactly, and either one of them, or both could have committed the second murder because they have no alibi that night.”
“So, we need a witness from Lenox hill?” Asked O’Donnell.
“Yes, we do, but two more things before we do that.”
“We need to question Dr. Richard Marks, right boss?”
“You got it. Maybe there’s hope yet for you young whippersnappers! Now, grab your stuff, we need to pay the good doctor a friendly visit.”
“What’s the second thing?”
“While you get your papers and the car, I’m calling Judge Phyllis Ruso and get that search warrant today!”
Chapter 27
That evening, Kathryn had just walked into her apartment after getting off work, when her cell phone rang. She was ecstatic to see Richard’s name appear on the screen.
“Hi honey, I’m naked and just climbed into the tub, and it would be so nice if you were coming over to wash my back. Isn’t that why you called?”
“Not exactly, Kathryn,” he said in a tone of voice that caused her to instantly realize something very bad had either occurred or was about to.
“What happened? Richard, are you alright?” She asked as her smile transformed into a frightened and somber expression.
“I was just paid a visit by our friends at the NYPD.”
“Don’t tell me they’re being accusatory with you, now? Were they asking you all those stupid questions they asked me? Why are they doing this Richard? It doesn’t make sense. They should be doing their jobs and finding the man in the trench coat damn it!” She said, getting herself all worked up.
“What can you tell me about Edward Levine?”
Suddenly, as the images of her past filled her mind, she felt the terror hit her as if someone just punched her in the stomach. She even felt nauseous.
Oh my God, please, no! Don’t let this happen to me. I can’t lie to him. I love him. I must tell him the truth, but he’s never going to believe me.
“Richard, please don’t. It’s not what you think.”
“How do you know what I’m thinking, damn it!”
She heard the anger in his voice again, which only freighted her even more so.
“Richard, it was nothing. We dated for a few years, that’s all.”
“Did you love him?”
“No..... I mean....well… yes, at first I thought I loved him, but I really didn’t love him, and in the end, I realized we weren’t meant for each other.”
“Don’t lie to me, Kathryn. It’s true! The cops are right! Of course, you didn’t love him. Edward was all just a way to get to me.”
“No he wasn’t. I thought I loved Edward.”
“Don’t lie, Kathryn. You used Edward as a means to try and get me. You tried to do that, the night of my speech. The speech Edward wrote.”
Kathryn stood there frozen. She said nothing. She could hardly move as she heard, in disbelief, the words he uttered. Though startled, and immobilized, she eventually got the courage to fight back again.
“Oh, Richard, please!” He could tell she was about to cry. “I love you Richard, I can explain it to you, no matter what you’re thinking. You were teaching then and yes I guess I was infatuated with you - any girl would be - you were young, brilliant, and gorgeous. Every girl at Columbia wanted you. And yes, it’s true that I knew you existed but I swear I never thought I’d have a chance getting you. Besides, I really did fall in love with Edward, and initially, I wanted Edward and me to work out.”
Kathryn, tell me the truth. Did you know me before Edward? And, wasn’t it Edward who finally introduced you to me?”
“Yes. I did know of you before Richard, but that’s because you were teaching there. And the only reason he introduced me to you, was because of your relationship to him. He invited me to come with him to the speech. What was I supposed to do? Ignore you and stand by the water cooler until you finished with him?”
“Why should I believe you? The police think you murdered Edward and that you and I are responsible for the murder of four people over the past three weeks. I don’t know what to believe Kathryn, or why you really came to the cafeteria that day!” Richard screamed, obviously extremely upset and angry over all that he just experienced.
“God damn it Richard. This is crazy. You and I didn’t murder anyone, and I have no idea what the police are up to. And, I came to the cafeteria because I was embarrassed and sincerely wanted to apologize for that day in your office. Did I like you? Did I think you were good looking? Yes! Of course I did, but at that time I had no damn idea I would fall in love with you. Please believe me. You were so wonderful to me, you cared about me, and we have such an amazing connection. How can you not see that none of that has anything to do with my college days? I can’t help myself, I fell in love with you now, not at Columbia. Our relationship has nothing to do with Edward!”
Kathryn was sobbing and scrabbling for something profound to say. But, by now, she began sobbing so heavily she could hardly speak.
Richard heard what Kathryn said, and her words weighed heavy on his mind. He wanted to believe her, but was so confused over Edward and the amazing coincidence that he died and he was so connected to both Kathryn and Richard. It certainly appeared that Kathryn had some interest, however small, in knowing Dr. Marks.
“Please, don’t give up on me. I need you Richard. I don’t know what I would do without you. Please, believe me.”
Suddenly, like a huge ocean wave, it hit her hard. She knew she could lose Richard.
“I don’t know what to believe Kathryn. Part of me wants to believe you. But part of me feels like you used me. Part of me feels you lied, and part of me thinks you planned the whole thing.”
“I didn’t lie, Richard and I didn’t use you. I’ll admit I wanted to meet you back in school days. You were good looking, yes, but also an amazing profes
sor. That’s all. Please don’t be like this and please don’t throw away what we have.
“I need to go. I have a lot to think about, Kathryn. How can I understand what I’m throwing away, if I don’t even understand who you are? I’m sorry, goodbye.”
With that, Richard ended the call. Kathryn, immediately redialed but the call went straight to voice mail. She panicked, sitting there dead still, hysterically crying, shaking, and feeling completely out of control. Moments later, she was still trembling as she tried to look up the number for Lenox Hill Hospital. When she found it, she immediately dialed it.
“Hello, this is an emergency, can you connect me with Dr. Richard Marks, please.
“One minute please.”
Instantly, someone picked up. “Surgery room, Bethany speaking.”
“I’m trying to reach Dr. Richard Marks. Is he there?”
“I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen Dr. Marks. I can give you his office number.”
“I have his office number, damn it. He’s not there, I know he’s at the hospital, I urgently need to speak with him. It’s an emergency.”
“I’m sorry ma’am, but if it’s an emergency, you need to call 911. There is nothing I can do to assist you.”
Kathryn, slammed the phone down as tears gushed from their sockets so heavily, she could barely see again. Kathryn quickly dialed another number.
“Hi honey, if you tell me you’re getting laid tonight, I’ll scream. I am so jealous!”
“Suki! Help me! Please! I need you, please come right away,” Kathryn said crying so hard Suki could barely understand the words.
“Kate! Where are you?”
“I’m home......apart..... Apartment. Richard. He’s left me,” she said stammering for the words. “I don’t know how I can go on!”
“I’ll be there as fast as I can. Jesus Christ Kathryn! Don’t do anything, please, I’m on my way.”
Suki flew out of her apartment and grabbed the first cab that came by.
“Quick! Damn it.” She yelled at the cabbie. “Trump Place, 180 Riverside Boulevard, and get there fast! This is an emergency!”
The cab got her there in record time. She didn’t even notice the meter which was probably $5.85. She handed him a twenty.
“Keep it.” She told him, flinging open the door and running into the lobby of the apartment building.
“Carlos, it’s me, Kathryn is in trouble. Please just let me go up. Come with me if you’re concerned,” she said to the familiar Guard at the security desk. Carlos immediately jumped up and escorted her into the elevator riding to the 12 floor with her.
“What happened, Suki?” He asked.
“Boyfriend problems but she sounded like she was a threat to her own life, Carlos.”
“Oh my God,” the security man shouted.
When they arrived, Carlos exited the elevator too, walking to the apartment. Suki rang the bell, and as soon as the door opened, and he saw Kathryn, Carlos turned and left.
“Oh Suki,” Kathryn cried, sobbing out of control. “Thank you.”
Suki immediately had her arms around Kate, walking her over to the couch.
“Now, now, it’ll be alright. Take a deep breath. You need to tell me exactly what happened.”
“I don’t know where to begin. Everything is falling apart.”
Suki led Kate to the sofa. She sat down as Suki raced to the Kitchen. She grabbed two rocks glasses, and opened the cupboard door that Kate kept liquor in. She hollered over to Kathryn, “You’re going to be fine. Richard loves you Kate. He’s not going to leave you.”
“He hates me,” she cried as Suki filled two glasses with ice and filled them to the brim with vodka.
“Take a drink of this. You need to calm down and tell me what happened.”
Kate belted down a gulp of the vodka. Suki, had her arm around Kate, just holding her.
Kate took a deep breath, “Richard found out about Edward Levine. He was furious at me.”
“Do you mean, like jealousy?”
“The police interrogated him. They must have told Richard about me and Edward, I really don’t know how it all happened. But, Richard told me the police think I killed Edward, and Richard and I are responsible for the Cafe 63 murders and the murder of Jennifer Ellington.”
“Oh my God, Kate. That idea is ridiculous. Doesn’t Richard understand that?”
“I don’t know exactly what the cops said, but somehow, Richard concluded that I was stalking him back during my Columbia days, and our relationship now is all because of my former obsessions to possess him. Like it was some kind of contest to get the prize bachelor!”
“Damn police, this is pathetic! Didn’t Richard recognize you?”
“Probably not. I was a blonde back in those days.”
“Kate, you have to listen to me. Richard loves you. It’s real, I know it is. He’ll come around. You just have to give it time.”
“He wouldn’t take my calls. I know he was there.”
“He will, honey. He will.”
“The police believe we’re the murderers and, honestly, we don’t have an alibi. We can’t prove our innocence, Suki. What the hell are we going to do?”
As the two continued talking they also continued drinking. Pretty soon, Suki knew Kate was feeling the liquor.
“I’m staying with you tonight, Kate. I don’t want to leave you like this. Besides, it’s really late, honey. Why don’t we go to bed? We can talk there. Come on.”
Kathryn, actually listen to Suki, stood up, and started walking to her bedroom. Suki quickly tried to turn off as many lights as she could. In the bedroom, she found a couple of night shirts each of them could put on. They climbed into the bed together, and Suki, immediately put her arm around Kathryn, pulling her close to her.
“Here honey, lay your head on my shoulder.”
Kathryn did as Suki suggested, cuddling close to her best friend. Suki, immediately brushed her hand over Kate’s hair and said, “just relax honey. Everything is going to be alright. Richard will cool off and I bet he’ll be calling you tomorrow.”
“I hope so,” Kate whispered.
“You have nothing to worry about. The police are not going to pin anything on you and Richard. I’m your witness. I was with you, and saw everything. You tried to save that woman’s life, not kill her. The police may try to dismiss me, but they can’t. I’m not your spouse, we’re not related, and we don’t live together. I am an objective witness that can testify that you only tried to save that woman.”
“That’s right Suki. You are my witness. I didn’t think of that.”
“And your friends may be character witnesses for you and Richard with the second murder. You told me you were very upset that night. Your other friends could testify to that. What person who is trying to commit a murder, is freaking out over all that other stuff? Like I said Kate, you’re going to be fine.”
“Can we try to call Richard again?”
“I wouldn’t honey. You know he’s working in the Trauma Center tonight. It is highly unlikely he would take a call, and you’ll only get upset again. Let it go until tomorrow.”
“Ok.”
Kathryn, closed her eyes, and while she lay there in Suki’s arms, she instantly fell asleep.
Chapter 28
When morning came, Suki was still holding onto Kathryn. They had turned several times in the night, perhaps even waking several times. Once, Kathryn had to get up and pee, but when she returned to bed, she scooted over to Suki and placed her arm around her. In the morning, Kathryn was lying on her left side, and Suki, also on her left side, was lying up close against Kathryn, with her right arm flung over Kate and holding Kate’s body close to hers.
When Kathryn woke, she immediately turned completely around until she was facing Suki. Suki, opened her eyes looking straight into Kathryn’s
eyes. They were beautiful blue that sparkled with the morning light shining brightly into the room.
“Good morning, honey,” Kathryn said, brushing Suki’s beautiful long black hair from her eyes. “I’m so glad you stayed with me last night. You’re the best friend anyone could ever have. I love you.”
“I love you too, girl. You gave me quite a little scare last night.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s ok. How about I make us a nice big breakfast. You can get in the shower - you’ll feel so much better - and I’ll cook up some eggs. Then after we eat, I’ll shower.”
“Deal, but I want my eggs over easy.” Kate said, knowing full well how much Suki likes scrambled eggs.
“Ok, just this time kid-o.”
After they finished breakfast, it was Suki’s turn to shower. While she was freshening up, Kate was supposed to put away the dishes, but first tried to call Richard. Again, the cell phone went straight to voice mail.
“Hi honey. It’s me. Please don’t shut me out. I know I hurt you and I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, but it’s not what you think. I love you Richard, and I believe you really love me. If it was the other way around, I probably would be angry, too. I get it. But please, let’s just talk. Love you.”
When Suki eventually walked back out into the living room, around 8:45, Richard still had not called.
“I tried to call Richard, but he didn’t answer. I left a message but he hasn’t called back.”
“It may take a while Kate. I assume he was hurt bad. Right or wrong, if he’s hurting, you have to give him time to heal. He’ll come around, you watch.
They were sitting on the couch watching the Saturday morning news when they heard the knock on the door.
“Who could that be?” Suki asked.
“It’s Richard. I bet its Richard, Suki. He does love me, I just know it,” Kate said smiling and running to the door.
She flung it open ready to jump in Richard’s arms when she heard, “Are you the owner of this apartment ma’am?”
