The Logan Files - Pain Center: The Logan Files

by Marshall Huffman

  “Logan.”

  “Hi John. When are you coming home?”

  “Carrie you imp. It isn’t my home. Besides, I don’t know. We have had some developments and I may not make it back tonight,” he said.

  “What kind of developments?” she said, her tone changing.

  Logan grinned. Always the reporter.

  “Nothing big. Just running down some leads that show some promise,” he said.

  “What kind of leads?” she asked.

  “Police stuff. Look, I just don’t know when I’ll get there,” he said.

  “Logan you dweeb. Don’t make me come down there,” she said and he laughed.

  “See ya when I see ya’” he said and hung up.

  He looked at his watch and was surprised that it was going on 8:00 P.M. He reluctantly picked up the phone and dialed.

  “Hello?” a frail voice said.

  “Good evening. Is this the Landers residence?”

  “Yes it is. Can I help you?”

  “Uh...My name is Detective John Logan. I’m with the Indianapolis Police Department. Am I speaking to Donna Landers’ mother?”

  “Yes, I’m her mother. Is something wrong? Is Donna alright?”

  “I’m sorry to have to call you like this. I’m afraid Donna is dead. We found her body early this morning…” he heard her gasp and the phone fall.

  He waited for several seconds before a man’s voice came on the line.

  “Who is this?”

  “Detective John Logan, Indianapolis Police. Is this Mr. Landers?”

  “My wife is hysterical. What happened to Donna?”

  “I’m sorry sir. We found Donna’s body early this morning. She was the victim of foul play. I was calling to inform you. I am very sorry for your loss,” Logan said.

  “Where is she?”

  “At the city morgue. They have already done an autopsy on her. You should come down tomorrow and identify your daughter’s body and they will release it to you for burial,” Logan said.

  There had to be a better way to tell parents that their kid was dead. No matter how long he had been doing it, he always felt depressed and sad.

  “We will be there tomorrow,” the choked up voice of Mr. Landers said after a moment’s silence, “Where do we go?”

  Logan gave him directions to the morgue.

  “We will be there,” Mr. Landers repeated.

  “I’m so sorry to have to tell you this news. Please accept my sincere condolences.”

  “Thank you detective,” Landers said softly.

  After Logan hung up he decided that he needed to get out of there. He placed all the materials in a file and locked it in his desk. He was glad to see the show had almost stopped falling. He let the car warm up before he headed to the hotel. When he opened the door, he saw Carrie sitting on the bed watching TV.

  “Hi John” she said as he came in.

  She could instantly tell that something was wrong. She had known John too long not to recognize that look.

  “Hi kid-o,” he said and plopped down on the loveseat.

  “Bad day?”

  “You could say that.”

  “Want to talk about it?”

  “Can’t do that.”

  “Another body?”

  Logan looked at her for several seconds. He could try to fake it but she was one smart cookie and she would see right through him. He took off his shoes, stalling, and thinking through his options.

  “Look, no one knows about this. Hell, you shouldn’t even know but yes we found another body this morning. Same MO.”

  “Crap. Pardon my French. You said no one else knows. Did Myler file the autopsy report with the state?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. Probably. Why?”

  “Not good. If he did it is no longer a secret. It will hit the streets sooner than you think.”

  “I don’t see how. Myler doesn’t publish those things. You’re wrong this time,” he said.

  “No. Listen to me. When he files the report it goes to the state office and that triggers a domino effect. Social Security is notified, banks are notified, and a whole slew of others. Something like fourteen different agencies get the information. We all have spies in those offices that slip us the information. It can be some clerk in Welfare that sells the information to the media. You can bet that the National People’s News knows about it or will within a few hours,” Carrie told him.

  “Damn it. We didn’t want this out yet. You know what happens when you get two murders with the same MO. Suddenly it is a media event and draws national attention even worse than it is now. This is going to complicate everything,” Logan said, exasperated.

  “It’s how it works. Information is worth cold hard cash,” she said.

  “Do you do this as well?” Logan asked.

  She played with her lower lip a few seconds and then said, “I have a few times. I try to dig the story out on my own but at times you guys shut the lid so tight that it is the only avenue left open.”

  “Did you ever stop to think why we do that? We do have valid reasons. Speculation can cause more problems than you can shake a stick at. Of course we put a lid on information from time to time,” Logan said.

  “And we have a job to do too. If you shut down one avenue we skirt it until we find another one.”

  “Damn Carrie, it defeats our whole purpose.”

  “We have to make a living too,” she said stubbornly.

  “You’re talking about money. I’m talking about solving a murder. I think that is just a little more important,” Logan shot back.

  “I guess it depends on your point of view. The first amendment is pretty damn important too you know,” she said.

  “Don’t start that crap. This isn’t about the first amendment or any other. This is about impeding a murder investigation. If it is this bad now, how in the hell do you think I will be able to do my job when another fifty reporters show up?”

  “It’s part of being a cop on a big case. It goes with the territory,” she said.

  Suddenly she stood up and tucked her blouse in. She started looking around the room.

  “What are you doing?” Logan asked after watching her for a few minutes.

  “Looking for my shoes. I have to go file a story. I’m not about to sit here while every other reporter gets the story first,” she said.

  “Hold your horses,” Logan replied.

  “Hold your own horse. I have work to do,” she said locating just one shoe. She was on the floor on her hands and knees looking for the other one.

  “Nice view,” Logan said, looking at her crawling around on all fours.

  “That’s all you’re gonna get buster,” she said.

  “Cool your jets girl. I’ll give you the details since it is going to get out anyway. You just better not be trying to pull one over on me.”

  “Well, I’m not. I’ll tell you another thing. You had better call that snake Lisa from the NPN. If she thinks you are not keeping your end of the bargain she will make your life a living hell.”

  “But you said she probably already knows,” Logan said.

  “That’s not the point. She needs to think you are playing ball. Act like you are cluing her in on some hot news. She will be satisfied and you won’t become the target of their slop they call news,” she said.

  “Maybe you’re right. She is kind of hot. Calling her might be a good idea,” Logan said, grinning.

  The shoe Carrie had been holding missed his head by inches.

  Logan spent the next half hour giving the information to Carrie so she could file her story for tomorrow’s paper. He then called Lisa McGuire and gave her pretty much the same story.

  “It’s really good to know you are keeping your end of the bargain. I was told I could trust you and obviously I can. It’s really nice to meet a cop you can trust,” she had said.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  “Bobby. It’s JJ.”

  “What the hell do you want? You got you
r money back.”

  “To tell the truth I’ve been thinking. Maybe I reacted a little too strongly.”

  “A little? You put a damn gun to the back of my head.”

  “It wasn’t even loaded,” JJ said.

  “Big deal, it was still a gun.”

  “Okay, I was pissed and overreacted. I’m sorry about that. Ten grand is a hell of a lot of money. Look, why don’t you come on down here and let’s see if we can hash this out,” JJ suggested.

  “What? Get my ass shot off? I don’t think so,” Bobby said.

  “No one is going to shoot you. Look man, I’m saying I went too far and I’m willing to admit it. I’m still upset about the money but I have had time to think it over. I can see how you would think I am rolling in dough while you make a lousy fifty grand. I might have been tempted myself if I were in your situation. But, now that you know where the money goes, hopefully that will never happen again.”

  “So you want to hire me back?”

  “We would have to come to an understanding, but that’s it in a nutshell.”

  “Shit JJ, you scared the crap out of me. I almost wrecked half a dozen times trying to get away from that place,” he said.

  JJ laughed, “Yeah, I noticed.”

  “No more of that gun crap, okay?”

  “No guns, I promise,” JJ said.

  “When do you want me to come down?”

  “Whenever you feel like it. You know where to find me,” JJ replied.

  “I’ll be down later today,” he said.

  “Good. I’ll see you then,” JJ said.

  “No guns.”

  “No guns,” JJ said.

  He laughed after he hung up. No guns would be necessary this time. JJ was sitting at his usual table, watching the reactions of the patrons. The place was packed and the booze was flowing. He saw Bobby come in and look around. He made his way over to where JJ sat.

  “JJ.”

  “Bobby. Glad you came. Quite a crowd tonight,” JJ said.

  “Lots of perverts out tonight.”

  “Clients, Bobby, clients. Those perverts, as you call them, control our income. They are the ones that really pay everyone who is employed here. I may write the check and hand them out but without those people we would be without a job” JJ said.

  “I guess I didn’t think of it like that. Listen, I’m sorry I tried to rip you off. It was two in the morning, I was tired, and I thought what the hell. It was wrong and I apologize.”

  “That’s big of you Bobby. I apologize for my reaction too. I had just gone to the bank that morning to see about a line of credit to help cover some bills and then the ten grand…well, like I said, I overreacted.”

  “Can we get past this?” Bobby asked.

  “I don’t see why not. I wouldn’t have called you if I didn’t think we could. Sit down and let’s see what we can work out.”

  JJ spent the next hour telling him how the cash flow worked for The Cave, how it seemed like they should have tons of money but in reality the actual cash on hand was not what it appeared. It ebbed and flowed and he had to keep it in balance.

  Bobby shook his head like he understood but JJ knew it was over his head in reality. Bobby could hire employees and get them trained but he had no real comprehension of how a bar worked financially.

  “Do you know what an Income Statement is?”

  Bobby shrugged, “Something to do with income?”

  “In a way. Sometimes it’s called a P & L. That stands for profit and loss. Hopefully we will have a profit, not a loss. I have last month’s back in the office. I can go over it with you better there. Let’s go back to the office and I’ll show you were the money goes,” JJ said.

  “I thought that was what the cash flow thing did,” Bobby said.

  “Two different concepts. Come on, I’ll show you.”

  JJ led him back to the office and pulled out his latest income statement. He started with the cost of sales section which was way more than Bobby could comprehend.

  “Here, have a drink and relax. You’ll get it,” JJ said, handing him a large glass of scotch.

  Bobby downed half of it with one swig. It was all he ever drank and JJ knew he would have no trouble getting him to down it.

  “Now, after we figure the COS, we have gross profit. Gross profit isn’t really money we get to keep. We have to take out operating expenses. Those are things like salaries, wages, payroll tax, linens…” JJ said point to the twenty or so individual cost centers.

  “Each one takes a chunk of the money. We started with a big wad and by the time we get all the operating expenses taken out we have what is called operating profit. That would be good except we have still more expenses and of course Uncle Sam wants his share,” JJ explained.

  Bobby had finished his drink and his eyes were glazing over. His head dropped a couple of times but JJ went right on talking.

  “What the hell? Was something in my drink?” Bobby asked.

  “Scotch,” JJ said.

  “Scotch my ass. Something else was in there. You little prick, you drugged me didn’t you?” Bobby said, trying to stand up.

  His legs were like rubber and he sat back down heavily and had to grab the chair to keep from falling over.

  “Bobby, Bobby, did you really think I would let some moron steal ten grand and then just kiss and make up? Are you that big a schmuck?” JJ said laughing.

  “You’re a prick. I wish I had stolen a hundred grand and your dumb butt would have to go bankrupt,” he said, his head weaving around.

  He slid down on the chair and his eyes had lost all focus.

  “Just go with the flow Bobby. There isn’t a damn thing you can do about it. I have plans for you my boy,” JJ said.

  Bobby tried to heave himself out of the chair but he fell forward and crashed into the floor. The last thing he heard was JJ laughing and calling him some name.

  * * *

  When Bobby started to come to he realized something was wrong, very, very wrong. His arms hurt and he could hardly move his head. He tried to focus but it was dark in the room. He wanted to yell but his mouth felt like it was filled with cotton. He tried to look out of the corner of his eyes but nothing made sense to him. His arms and wrists hurt like hell.

  Finally he choked out, “Hey. Anyone here?”

  “Bobby,” he heard behind him, “Glad to see you are back with me. I wasn’t sure how much to give you. You have been out for quite some time.”

  “JJ, what the hell is this all about? Let me down, my arms are killing me.”

  “Can’t do that just yet. I need you for a little experiment I’m working on,” JJ said.

  “Experiment? What the hell are you talking about? I ain’t no damn experiment. Get me the hell down,” Bobby said.

  “Yes, you are. You just didn’t know it.”

  “Stop this shit JJ. My arms hurt. Get me down,” he yelled, trying to shake himself loose from the bindings.

  “Struggling won’t help.”

  “Damn it. Get me down from here or I swear I’ll…”

  “Do nothing. You can’t do anything. You will get down when I say so, not one second before. Shut up and just let it happen. You don’t have a choice.”

  Bobby was trying to think of something, anything to say or do that would get him out of this situation. JJ was crazy. That was for sure.

  “Now I’m going to give you a local to numb the top of your head. You will feel a slight prick but it won’t hurt much.”

  “On my head? What the hell are you doing?”

  “Bobby, I said shut up. If you open your mouth again I will do this without the anesthetic and I can guarantee you won’t like that at all.”

  JJ stuck the needle in and injected the anesthetic, “See, that wasn’t so bad. Now I’ll give that a few minutes to take effect,” he said.

  “JJ, why are you doing this? I thought we were going to work everything out? I apologized and said it would never happen again. Why are you doing this to me?�
�� Bobby pleaded.

  “It has nothing to do with the money. This is about science. I need to know how the brain responds to various stimuli. You happen to be the chosen subject this time.”

  “This time? You have done this to others?”

  “Oh yes.”

  “What happened to them? Are they alright?”

  “Not exactly. They sort of died,” JJ said and laughed.

  “Sort of? Either they are dead or not,” Bobby said, the panic apparent in his voice. His life was in the hands of a maniac. He could hear JJ doing something behind him but he had no way of knowing what was waiting for him.

  “Did you feel that?” JJ asked.

  “What?”

  “Good. Good. We are just about ready. Would you like to see what you look like? It ain’t very pretty. My last two experiments were much more attractive than you but sometimes you have to work with ugly subjects,” JJ said.

  He came around in front of Bobby. He held up a mirror so Bobby could see. The first thing he noticed was that his head was shaved. He was naked, hanging by his wrists from the ceiling.

  “Damn it. You’re a crazy son of a bitch. What the hell have you done to me? What are you…a fagot? You queer bastard, if I ever get my hands on you, you can kiss your ass goodbye,” Bobby yelled.

  “Rather ugly isn’t it. I don’t like it myself. I would much rather have a nice looking woman but I’ll just have to make do. Now, let me tell you what is going to happen. JJ explained the exact procedures he was going to perform. Bobby kept interrupting him, telling him that he was crazy. JJ didn’t stop the description of the upcoming events as Bobby ranted and raved about his mental capacity.

  “And then I will reverse the process. I will send the electrical impulses through your brain and see how your body reacts. It should be quite interesting,” JJ said, finishing his meticulous narrative.

  “Well, there’s no time like the present. Time to get to work,” JJ said. He climbed on a step stool with the drill. Bobby heard him turn it on.