Seeds of Evil

by Robert Kitchen

  place at the Blackmore’s home,’ concluded the doctor.

  ‘Could this be a sane person trying to give the impression that he’s a nutter?’ asked Clements. The doctor frowned at his choice of words but advised that the assailant had to have psychopathic tendencies in order to carry out such acts of degradation whilst inflicting such terrible pain. In the eyes of the medical profession the assailant would have to be criminally insane. Furthermore, I believe that the killer is highly educated. I would hazard a guess that he is not Irish.’

  ‘What leads you to draw that conclusion doctor? enquired the commander.

  ‘Firstly his choice of wording in the taped message. He was very, how should I put this, precise with his formulation of sentences. I detected no colloquialism in the text.

  Secondly the choice of politicians used to make the tape. Every one of them had a marked accent. One would go as far as to say a brogue. I believe that the killer has a hatred for the Irish and he used these particular politicians to show his disdain. I think our man has an axe to grind. He’s out for revenge and I would be willing to bet that he will kill again, sooner rather than later,’ added the doctor.

  ‘Do ye think that he acted alone and why do you believe that it’s the Irish he hates?’ enquired Clements, fascinated by the doctor’s insight.

  ‘In answer to your first question. The killer most definitely acted alone. He would feel cheated if someone else were to get in on the act. To the second, I have already said, his choice of words on the tape and the use of almost comical voices is his way of showing disdain. He has typecast the Irish with the typical Paddy joke. So I would say you have a serious problem. This is no IRA. assassination. No, our friend would sit back and guffaw if he thought that he had tricked us into believing that one. It would just prove how stupid we are. In his eyes, of course, the psychoanalyst quickly added.

  ‘I am just trying to let you see things from his perspective.’

  ‘Of course doctor,’ said Starrett. ‘Is there anything else you think would help us?’

  ‘For the present no but I must emphasise the importance of finding this man quickly. I feel that he will kill again soon. He has a penchant to inflict pain and he wants the world to know it. I’m sorry to say that Mr. Blackmore’s suicide may have angered him.He may feel cheated. If that is the case, then he will kill again very soon. We have a very sick individual on our hands and at this very moment in time, he is probably planning his next coup.’

  ‘Good God,’ exclaimed Starrett, ‘Why do you think he picked on Blackmore’s family?’

  ‘I really cannot say at this juncture. Perhaps he knew of George Blackmore’s affiliation to the organisation. He obviously knew where to go to find them and it seems too much of a coincidence that Blackmore’s family was singled out so soon after the post office raid. Sadly it looks as if our man may be privy to some vital information regarding paramilitary membership.’

  ‘Thanks doctor, you have helped us immensely. If we need you again you will be contacted. Please see that the good doctor gets home safely Mr. B.’ Tommy nodded helping the doctor to his feet. Taking great care he gingerly led the doctor to an awaiting vehicle and set off to deliver him to his own conveyance.

  ‘I don’t know what te make of all this John,’ said Clements. ‘What do you think of the shrink’s theory?’

  ‘What do you mean Billy?’ answered Starrett.

  ‘How could he know so much just from what the wee man told him and listenin to a tape for five minutes. It all seems a bit too far-fetched for my likin.’

  ‘Billy son, It is my fervent hope that you are right but the fact is that the good doctor has been studying the likes of our murderer for years. I think we have to take him very seriously. Question is, where do we go from here? Let us look at the psychologist’s theory and see what we can come up with,’ he suggested. Pointing to the tip of a finger he began, the killer is probably from the mainland. He has a very good vocabulary so we can assume that he is English speaking, he added, pointing to his next finger. ‘He is homosexual,’ another finger folded. ‘He knows about the paramilitaries therefore he has access to information, agreed?’ Clements nodded open mouthed. ‘Christ John that’s brilliant.’

  ‘Not really son, I am merely repeating what the good doctor has told us. Now we can assume that this man is very angry about something that happened recently. It may be that he was a friend of the postmaster, may he rest in hell, but I don’t think so. No, I think he has had a bereavement, a recent loss. Perhaps we should start looking through the files to see how many Brits. have died so far this year. Whenever Tommy gets back we can run this past him. Compile a list. The one vital clue is that he probably visits here, perhaps on business. If the doctor’s theory is correct, he would hardly live here permanently seeing as how he despises us so much. Please God let me be correct with this assumption at least,’ he beseeched. ‘First things first. Get the records from the airlines for the past year say, then the ferries and see what we can come up with. If we find a punter using a plane on a regular basis, then a ferry and alternating with both modes of transport, chances are he could be our man.’

  ‘My God John, that would take forever,’ grumbled Clements.

  ‘Oh ye of little faith. Have you never heard of computers son? The records are kept on disc.

  Every name of every soul who entered our fair land. The trick is to call up a name. For the sake of argument lets say the first name on an alphabetic list is Adams.We set the machine searching and see how many times Adams comes up and so on,’ said Starrett smugly.

  ‘That’s very good John, only one snag. This particular Mr. Adams may be using an alias.’

  ‘Very good Billy but lets hope that he is,’ smiled his superior.

  ‘Oh aye, we all love a challenge,’ mumbled Clements ruefully.

  ‘Billy, Billy would you use your loaf for one minute. If he is using an alias we will nab him all the quicker. The man will be playing into our hands because his story will not be verified. Sure we will lose track of him for a while but the next time he comes into the country we’ll have him. Then its only a matter of trailing him until he gives himself away.’

  ‘That’s mere conjecture John. What if he changes his name every time? He would only be on record as having entered the country once.’ argued Billy.

  ‘No Billy that is highly unlikely. People don’t change their name over and over, trust me our man may change his name two or three times. If that is the case we have him. I think we should wait for Tommy, after he arrives we can finalise details for the hunt.It’s not going to be easy and we are going to have to call in a lot of favours but God willing we should succeed.’ Clements was far from convinced but he was weary and there was no use thrashing over old ground.

  The night chill awakened Moira from a light slumber. Cold air had dried the sweat of their lovemaking and her naked body was telling her that Ireland was not the tropics. Tenderly she disentangled herself from Tullen’s limp embrace before pulling the covers over their bodies. Con’s chest rose and fell as he slept and lovingly she brushed his cheek with her lips. What a mess, she thought. The very thing that I have sworn to oppose is sharing my bed. Holy Mother what am I to do? Why do we mortals become so ensnared, distracted from everything that we hold dear by this cursed emotion, love? My heart remained with this man when I left him for the first time. Please give me guidance now. I know that my life is over should we part again.But how can I be true to myself should I remain. A tear trickled, falling from her cheek to splash on his exposed shoulder. She bowed to kiss the spot where it fell but his head turned to her. His eyes were staring at her through the dimness of the room. The only luminance came from the street lighting but she could see that his eyes were burning into her own as if seeking the answer to an impossible question. ‘I’m sorry darling, I was cold, did I wake you?’ she asked.

  ‘Wh
y are you cryin love? I have become so attuned to ye now that I can sense it when you are unhappy, even in my sleep.’ His whispered endearment sent her heart soaring. ‘Oh my darlin. Do ye believe in our Sainted Holy Mother?’ she whispered.

  ‘Ach Moira,’ whispered Con. ‘You know me and religion don’t mix very well, so ye do.’ His embarrassment amused her. Through the dim he could just discern the crease of her smile.

  ‘Why are you looking so smug? I pour out my heart and you think it’s funny,’ he grumbled petulantly.

  ‘Ach stop it would ye. What you see is a look of contentment. And you should believe in our lady you bloody heathen. For she’s the one that woke ye,’ she laughed.

  ‘Jesus woman, I swear to God, I’ll never understand ye. One minute the tears are tripping ye, the next you’re over the bloody moon.’ Tullen was filled with a yearning, could not get enough of her, hungrily he reached for his desire. She smacked a hand away as he reached to cup a breast. ‘Go to sleep,’ she admonished. ‘I don’t want ye burned out before we wed.’

  ‘Aye right enough,’ he agreed, the need waning as quickly as it had manifested itself. Tullen kissed her cheek, turned and was instantly asleep. Moira marvelled at this skill.Her own attempts at slumber were on most occasions a tussle, sometimes she would lie for hours willing sleep to take hold only to see the first rays of the morning lightening the bedroom. Not tonight, tonight Moira was content, nestling her head on his shoulder she too fell into an uninterrupted sleep.

  Moira awakened to the smell of bacon and eggs wafting into the bedroom.’Thank you Holy Mother,’ she whispered reverently.’I promise you that I will make my man see the light. Please help me to steer him on the right path. Away from evil and the murderers he calls comrades.’ So intense were her prayers that she did not hear him enter the room. ‘My darling I swear to you that once this lunatic has been found I will get out of the organisation. You must tell me you believe me. I have te hear ye say that ye believe me. Please my love, my killing days are over. That’s the gospel truth,’ he beseeched.

  ‘My prayers have been answered. I know ye’re telling the truth Con. Ye must do what you have to do but please make it soon. It is almost impossible for me to come to terms with ye mix-in with those bastards. I promise that I will stay with ye but I cannot think about marriage until I have ye well out of their reach.’

  ‘I understand my love. We can only hope for a quick break that will lead us to the madman soon,’ he replied solemnly.

  A look of unmitigated pleasure transformed the face of Una Breen. For the best part of a week she had thought of a thousand reasons why she should break her date. A confident and extraordinarily desirable lady smiled back at her as she applied the final touches to her face. ‘Not bad Una,’ she told herself. ‘Whose that pretty face in the mirror there? Who can that attractive girl be?’ she hummed, as the rest-room door closed silently behind her.

  ‘You look absolutely stunning tonight, are you having a good time?’ enquired her escort.

  ‘Good is such an insipid adjective Dave. No I am not having a good time, I am having a wonderful time. I haven’t felt this marvellous in years, thank-you so much for inviting me,’ answered Una, she was positively glowing.

  ‘Stop it girl, you’re making me blush,’ said Dave, the future was looking rosier by the minute. We must do it again soon. That is if you want to?’ he quickly added.

  Una could not believe her luck.Overwhelmed by his school boyish charm, it just gushed out;

  ‘Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.’ What was she saying? God it must be the wine. ‘I mean I’d like to very much Dave,’ she said demurely.

  All too soon the evening was over. They had finished their meal and were heading for the car park when a long forgotten pleasure surged through her. Tentatively she took his hand. This was all so alien, she was eighteen again. Dave as always the perfect gentleman, opened the passenger door and made certain that she was comfortably seated before making his way to the driver’s side. Una was in seventh heaven. This must be a wonderful dream; no man had ever treated her so gallantly. They chatted easily as they journeyed toward his house. ‘Shall we go to my place for a night-cap Una?’ A wicked grin passed quickly over her lips. She blushed hoping that her wanton display had gone unnoticed. With a mammoth effort she managed to resist the temptation. There was quite enough to atone for, for one evening. Reluctantly she made her apologies but promised to see him again soon.

  ‘Just drop me off here, would you Dave. I have to pick up one of my kids. My car is parked right there see.’

  ‘OK,’ he agreed but his disappointment was obvious.

  ‘I’ll see you again very soon Dave. I had a marvellous evening, call me tomorrow.’ She smiled instinctively aware that she had left him frustrated. Afraid that she had given him reason to cool she leaned over searching for his lips. The kiss was long and lingering, giving assurance that she would be his soon. Una’s heart was pounding as distant memories stirred within her, for an instant her resolve began to waiver but prudence prevailed. Plenty of time, she told herself. There’s a lot more where that came from, she promised, eventually pulling away. Una Breen could not have been more wrong. That evening Nathan Black struck again. His attack was more frenzied than the last. The bodies of herself and her five children were found by a relative the following morning. Una’s aunt was in the habit of dropping by unannounced. She had a key and more often than not let herself in. Her niece planned to admonish the old lady for the indiscretion but had not got around to it thus far. Una is a good girl and it would be no bother for her to accompany her favourite aunt to the shops. The old lady had walked into a nightmare. Neighbours found her screaming at the Breen’s gate. She was tearing her hair and calling her niece’s name through blood soaked fingers. One of the neighbours phoned the police as another took the distraught woman home comforting her as best as was possible. Nathan Black phoned Walter Dane. Again the tape played, familiar dialects of Ulster’s’ prominent men heralded the unwanted message. The angel of death had claimed another prize.

  ‘Go to the zoo and two streets away. See how justice’s scales tilted yesterday.’

  The tape went into great detail, describing how the evil should perish. The offspring must be destroyed. Evil begets Evil. Repeatedly the message resounded, over and over again, then abruptly stopped. Telephone records traced the call to a public phone box opposite the Breen’s cul de sac.

  ‘The horrible bastard is laughing at us,’ snarled the chief inspector. ‘When we catch this fucking animal, I am personally going to blow his fucking balls off.’

  The police went through the motions. Asking neighbours had they witnessed anything unusual? Did anyone see or hear a strange car enter the street? Were any strangers seen lurking in the vicinity? Answers to all queries were negative causing the anger to quickly dissipate only to be replaced by the dread of impending doom. The news reached Starrett almost as soon as it had been received at police headquarters. The paramilitary leader listened intently as his informant fed him the horrible details of the latest attack. The scene was all too familiar, bodies were all strewn about the house.The smell of death permeating the atmosphere. The mother was mutilated beyond recognition and once again the boy was made to perform lewdest of acts upon the oldest daughter. His body lay crumpled and violated across a settee his throat had been severed and there were bite marks in numerous places. John Starrett sat passively staring into space, as the work of a madman was grotesquely revealed to him in vivid detail. A tear glistened as the catalogue of horror unfolded. ‘Thank-you for the call. We shall be in touch soon. If anything further develops please let me know,’ said Starrett, his voice almost a whisper.

  ‘ Callous bastard,’ muttered the informant replacing the receiver but he had completely misread the commander’s mood. Starrett ever the professional, showed no emotion as he arranged for a briefing session with those directly c
oncerned in the investigation.

  Walter Dane had arrived at the scene shortly after the police. The area was abuzz with activity. His usually, flushed complexion had taken on a waxen pallor, having hoped without great conviction that the murderer was playing a joke at his expense. Dejectedly he trudged toward the scene, afraid to hear what he already knew. His friend Inspector Kiever was standing at the gate complaining to a uniformed policeman. ‘Well well look what the cat dragged in. How did you manage to get here so quickly Wally? No don’t tell me, I can guess. ‘A wee birdie played you a tape.How long ago Wally? What was the exact time? And don’t lie to me, I’m not in the mood,’ growled the policeman.

  ‘I received the message twenty minutes ago inspector,’ answered the reporter, proffering the tape from a Sony walk-man.

  ‘Twenty minutes? Graham,’ screamed Keiver. ‘I want a check on the phone messages into Mr. Dane’s office over the past two hours. Find out from where the calls were made. Now back to you Wally, why do you think our friend gives you preferential treatment, any idea?’

  ‘Haven’t a clue Jimmy, bit like yourself.’

  ‘Cut the crap Wally. ‘If I find that you are keeping anything from me, anything at all, I’ll have your balls. Do you understand wee man?’

  ‘I swear to you there’s nothing else Kiever, honest. Christ man, we have a deal. Do you think I would be daft enough to jeopardise the story of a lifetime?’ bristled the journalist. ‘And don’t call me fucking Wally,’ he added.

  ‘OK, OK Walter. What about today’s message. Did he use his own voice at all?’

  ‘No, just another taped message. What’s it like in there?’

  ‘It’s a mess. A bloody mess, if anything it is worse than the last one. Hardly thought that was possible,’ he murmured. ‘I don’t know haw anyone can inflict so much pain on a fellow human being. I’ll fill you in on all the details later. We can give you family names, number of victims, etc. then.’