No Ordinary Killer

by Rita Karnopp

  The group laughed, Cooper shot a glance at a quiet and now perturbed Agent Fortune. He didn’t care for sexist comments of any kind either. “The crime scene was like no others we’ve ever seen. Her body was left in the men’s toilet at Giant Springs. Once again the scalpel and handsaw used to dismember her were left on the cement walking bridge going over the largest spring. That was how the body was found. The Springs was shut down for the winter, but a guy walking his dog found the weapons. If he hadn’t, we wouldn’t have found the body until spring. Ironic, huh?”

  “Okay boys and girl, we have another murder weapon, in this case weapons, near body of water.” Maxwell added the info to the board.

  Arnott flipped a pen between his fingers. “Saying her body was left in the men’s room was an understatement. Her head was severed and placed in a box that suddenly appeared on the desk of the owner of the Gold Nugget. No one saw who put it there. The killer removed the victim’s hands and tied them together as though she was praying. Father Michael found them on his altar the next day. Again, there were no witnesses. Her feet were removed and placed in a large bubble pack envelope. They were sent to her parents.”

  “We could take that to mean that their sweet little girl has finally come home, sick as it may be,” Cooper said. “Or maybe it was to reprimand her parents for not having taught her to be more grounded so she wouldn’t have ended up dancing in a topless bar.”

  “No witnesses again,” Arnott added. “Now for the kicker. The perp removed her heart and it has never been found. It’s been speculated he may have eaten it.”

  “Five days after her body was found, her eyes arrived at the station. Something we also withheld.” Cooper shook his head. “He’s watching us.”

  “Fuck,” Sparks shouted. “This is one fucked up mess. Why didn’t we see these similarities years ago? I swear I never made a connection.”

  Cooper turned toward the IA team. “You two have listened and respectfully have remained silent. We’d all like your objective take.”

  Agent Bicsak laid his palms on the table. “You guys put on a pretty good show. I don’t have any comments for now.”

  “Well I do,” Dallas said, standing. “There is a similarity you missed. Look at the victim’s names. The original Sun River victim was Lisa Helms and the copycat was LeAnn Haffer. Now look at the Missouri River victims: Steven Okree and Sandy Owens. One thing for sure, if there is a copycat of the Giant Springs murder, the initials of the victims will be JB to match Jerry Baskins.”

  “Hey, not bad,” Cooper said. “Anything else?”

  “When did the first murder take place?”

  “March 2, 2002.”

  “And the Missouri River Murder?”

  “May 4, 2004 and the Giant Springs Murder was October 9, 2009.”

  “These murders occurred on the same day of the year it was committed. I hate to say it, but I think there is a murder April 3, 2003, June 5, 2005, July 6, 2006, etc. You see what I’m getting at?”

  “Hell, no,” Weaver stood up. “You think we’re missing … what … nine or more murders?”

  “It’s a guess, gentlemen.”

  Maxwell wrote April 3, 2003 on the board and continued writing with fury. “We’re going to pull an all-nighter team. I want Delores here on the double.”

  “That’s not happening for me,” Sparks stood. “Candy is gonna pop any minute and I promised her I’d be home tonight. Cooper, you know your twin sister better than me. If I’m not there, she’ll probably leave me,” Sparks said.

  “If she was smart, Sparks, she’d have left you a long time ago,” Weaver said.

  “No, if my sister had been smart she’d never have married you in the first place,” Cooper countered to the chuckles from most of the team.

  Weaver slapped his partner on the back. “Go ahead, we can handle things here. You just call us when your twin boys arrive. Just remember, you promised to name one after me.”

  After the laughter subsided, Cooper pulled a chair up to the table and sat. “We need to—“

  “Okay, I have my coat on and I was at the elevator on my way home.” Delores dropped her purse on the table with a resounding thud. “It’s nearly seven and I’m tired, hungry, and cranky. Someone better tell me why I was called back.”

  “Would you be willing to pull an all-nighter with the guys?”

  “Excuse me?”

  Cooper laughed. “I’m sorry, that didn’t exactly come out the way I meant it. The team has brought up some interesting angles on this case and we need to pull some data. We need you to work your magic in the database.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No actually I’m not kidding. We are racing against the clock. I’ll even order pizza in.”

  “Well, there you have it, the magic bribe. I’ll have meat lovers and a Pepsi. Now, where do you want me to start?”

  Cooper headed for the door. “Let’s go to your desk. I’d like you to run a search for all the murders that occurred in and around Great Falls … no let’s broaden that to Montana … with a pattern starting with … let’s try January 1, 2001, then run another February 2, 2002, etc. You don’t have to run a search for March, May, or October.”

  “Got it. Anything else while that runs?”

  “Now I know why I love you, Delores. Once this case is solved, I’m going to hit personnel up for a raise for you.”

  “Now you’re talking my language. That happens and next time I’ll buy the pizza.”

  Cooper couldn’t help smiling. “It’s a hunch, but call the boys downtown and ask them to check the Giant Springs men’s toilet facility. If it’s locked, get it unlocked and have them check it out. If it’s clean, I want someone watching it twenty-four seven.”

  “Megan’s book.”

  “You read it, huh?”

  “Who hasn’t? Want you to know, Cooper, I don’t believe you had anything to do with feeding her that information. They should look at … um … sorry, none of my business.”

  “No, go on. I value your input and I won’t get mad, honest.”

  She leaned in close and whispered. “The grapevine tells that Megan had a lover within the department. He fed her the information and framed you out of jealousy.”

  “That has occurred to me, too, but who? Who here would be so infatuated with my wife … ex-wife … that he didn’t care she was married to me?”

  “Oh, Cooper, you’re not thinking straight on this one. He isn’t infatuated with Megan, he’s jealous of what you’ve accomplished and sleeping with your wife was to hurt you. It has nothing to do with her. Framing you—discredits you.”

  “I think she’s right,” Dallas said, leaning against Delores’s desk. “The leak is someone close to you and close to this case. He doesn’t give a flying leap for Megan and her drama. He is working to discredit you and sleeping with Megan was just the beginning.”

  “Okay, so you women saw that. Why didn’t I?”

  “You’re too close, Cooper. It’s more of a juvenile move, to be honest.”

  “You’re right, Delores,” Dallas said. “You have your mind and heart so invested in your failed marriage and trying to keep your kids, the bigger picture has escaped you.”

  “The bigger picture?” Cooper stared at the women.

  Dallas shook her head. “It’s like the water balloon theory with drivers. If you push a water balloon on one side, it will squish out somewhere else until it bursts. A study showed that crash rates actually rose in three out of four states when they banned texting while driving.”

  “So, I don’t get it, how does that apply to me?” Cooper glanced at Delores, then back to Dallas.

  “They got in more accidents because they were moving their phones out of sight when they were texting, increasing how long their eyes were diverted from the road.”

  Delores tossed her hands in the air. “Cooper, wake up. You are so absorbed on Megan’s betrayal and this book she’s written, you aren’t focused like you usually are on the c
ase.”

  “Okay, I get it. I’ll re-direct my attention. Let me know when I get off track. Get started on that search. I need to go back to one of the crime scenes. I’ll check back with you later.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Dallas said.

  “I was hoping you would. What about Bicsak?”

  “I think he left for his usual dinner and drink.”

  “Hmm, he gave me the impression he was all business and perfect.”

  “Yeah, well, don’t tell him you thought that. We all have our flaws, Cooper.”

  “Hell no, I’m the closest thing to perfect you’re going to find.” He laughed all the way back to the conference room. “While you guys work out some angles, Dallas and I are heading back to the Missouri River crime scene.”

  “We’re headed to a neighbor at the Sun River Murder,” Arnott grabbed his jacket. “Weaver here tells me one couple was arguing whether they saw something. He said no and she was saying yes. I want to know what she thinks she saw or heard.”

  “Best news I’ve heard all day. Once you’re done there you should call it a day, or I guess a night. We’ll do the same. Maxwell, don’t you stay here all night. We’ll know more in the morning after Delores does her magic.”

  “Wife just called, I’m heading home.” Maxwell placed a marker on the dry erase board ledge. “She’s suddenly scared and I don’t have the heart to tell her not to be. We’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Maybe we should wait for Delores. I don’t feel right about asking her to stay late, then we all head out the door,” Cooper tossed his jacket over a chair.

  “I heard that. Go … I mean it … go do your thing. I feel safer here than at home. Those elevators lock and so does this office. I’ll have one of the officers walk me to my car when I’m done. I’ll leave the reports on your desk and I’ll come in around ten tomorrow. That should give me enough beauty sleep to function.”

  “Delores, don’t leave them on my desk. Lock them up and I’ll get them in the morning.”

  “Sure thing.”

  “Has anyone every told you that you’re a peach?”

  “Oh, listen to that. Most days I’m barely a grapefruit. Typical man. My late husband used to say—“

  “Please, never quote a late husband, an ex-wife or even an ex-lover! It’ll get us in trouble every time, Delores.” Dallas slipped on her coat. “Remind me to take you out for drinks once this case is over.”

  “Well, Miss IA Agent, you’re on.”

  Cooper liked Dallas even more after that comment. “Call me if something really interesting shows up. Don’t stay any later than eleven. Got it?”

  “Yes, sir, that’s a promise.”

  “You’d better call for an escort, too. I find out you didn’t and there will be hell to pay tomorrow. Got it?”

  “Yes sir. Absolutely, sir. You can count on it, sir.”

  “Shut up, Delores,” Cooper said. Her laughter followed them out the door.

  “I like her.”

  “I like her, too.” Cooper held the door open. “Her husband died of throat cancer last year. She worked full-time and nursed him for four years. You never heard the woman complain once. We all give her a bad time, but you can be sure we all think she’s something special.”

  “May I be frank, Cooper?”

  “Always.” He hit the Jeep unlock, the lock click echoed in the silence.

  “What’s with Sparks?”

  “Meaning?”

  “I don’t know a thing about him. He’s a complete stranger to me. Yet, I sensed he was holding back. I detected uneasiness and an edge to his actions.” Dallas slid into the Jeep and reached for the safety belt.

  “You know he’s my brother-in-law and that his wife is expecting any time. What guy isn’t edgy at a time like that?”

  “I’m sure you’re right there. Like I said, I don’t know the guy. So his wife, Candy, is expecting twins? The two of you are twins?”

  “Yep. She’s something.” He pulled from the parking spot and immediately checked the brakes.

  “You’re close, then?”

  “Inseparable. We’ll always be attached in a way. We sense each other. It’s hard to explain unless you’re a twin. We were close to Mother but never to Dad. He was stern and demanding. I knew at an early age not to push him. I think Mother was afraid of him … actually we all were. He was a strict, no bending the rules cop, at work and at home. That doesn’t mean we didn’t love him, because we did.”

  “Are your parents alive?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me, Dallas. You know my dad was shot and killed and mom died last year of breast cancer. It has to be in my file. What, you thought I wouldn’t tell you or you wanted to see my reaction? Did I show enough remorse or did you see some hidden anger?”

  “Stop it, Cooper. I got your two inch thick file and I’ve gone through a good portion of it. Truth be known, I was a last-minute choice for this case. My guess would be Bicsak requested me. I haven’t gotten to your childhood or relationship with your parents part yet. Sorry to disappoint you.”

  “Sorry. I’m getting tired.”

  “No problem. I’m getting tired, too, and could probably have answered you a bit less frosty myself. So Candy’s expecting boys, huh?”

  “That she is.”

  “How does Sparks feel about that?”

  “Other than being scared to be a father of twins no less, I’d say pretty happy. He and Candy were having some problems a while back, but they’ve patched things up. I’d know if she was unhappy.”

  “Has it always been like this between you and Candy?”

  “Pretty much. In spite of scientific proof saying twins don’t have ESP with each other, there are times we can sense when the other is stressed or in pain. All I can say is I’d better not feel anything when that girl is birthing those boys.” He couldn’t help laughing. The thought hadn’t occurred to him before and now that it had … it downright scared the crap out of him.

  “That is actually too funny for words.”

  “Maybe to you, but I’m more serious than you think.” Cooper eased to the curb, pulled the keys and opened his door. “Was that a light to the right?”

  “There, I saw it, too. A flashlight would be my guess.”

  “Stay behind me.”

  “Like hell. I’ll run round to the back. Give me two minutes, then enter through the front door.”

  Cooper didn’t question her decision. She was a trained officer and knew what she was doing.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The music of her cell phone rang somewhere in the distance. Megan lifted her head from crossed-over arms. Flexing numb tingling fingers she grabbed the phone. “Hello?” she said, pushing away from the desk.

  “You meeting me?”

  Megan stretched and rubbed her sore, stiff neck. “No,” she answered, suddenly awake. “Think about it, I see your face and you’ll have to kill me. It’s better we communicate on the phone and through emails.”

  “I can be traced that way, but I’ll bet you knew that. Trying to trap me, Megan, Love?”

  “No, I didn’t even think about it.”

  “I’m just dying to know who you got your information from for your book, Megan. What detective did you have to sleep with for the juicy details?”

  Closing her eyes and leaning her head back, Megan wished she’d never written the damn thing. “I thought we were going to work on the new book. Why are we wasting time talking about the old one? The first three chapters are due on my agent’s desk by the end of next week. I haven’t written a damn word.”

  “Now aren’t you glad I called you? Since this is a sequel to Malicious Intent, I thought we would follow the pattern you set and tackle another three murders. How does that sound to you?”

  “It … um … I’m not so sure about this arrangement. You have to understand, I only wrote Malicious Intent to piss off Cooper. I was thinking Positively Divine would be more of a mystery love story.”

  “That
’s just not going to happen. Physical Evidence is going to be more graphic and more shocking than Malicious Intent ever thought of being.”

  “I don’t think so. It’s my book and I’m telling you right now, I just can’t keep writing gory murders. They make me sick. Besides, the public is eating me alive. I want to make money but I don’t want everyone hating me or accusing me of inciting more murders. I just won’t do it.”

  “You will because you have to. Besides, you’ll get Cooper more than pissed-off.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s going to prove Cooper Reynolds not only is leaking information to you, but he is guilty of murder.”

  “What do you mean, he’s guilty of murder?”

  “I’m going to prove that among the many murders here, Cooper killed a woman himself and he mixed it in with all the other murders so no one would suspect a thing. He cleverly diverted all the attention of these murders to cover the one murder he wanted to commit.”

  “No way? Are you serious? We can prove Cooper did this? I don’t believe it. That … wait a minute. I really don’t think Cooper would murder anyone.”

  “Oh, but he did. And you, darling, are going to share it with the world. You’re going to be an international best-selling author. Everyone will know the name Megan Reynolds. Who knows, it might even be made into a movie. You could play yourself.”

  She squealed inwardly, thinking how much the notoriety would do for her future. Just the thought made her smile. She’d always imagined herself as a famous actress. “Okay then, I guess we have a deal. You just make sure all your information is correct. Any slip-ups and it’s going to be my future on the line.”

  “You can be sure all the information I share will be real,” he said.

  She didn’t miss the snicker in his voice. “May I ask you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “If Cooper is responsible for one of the killings, then are you … I mean … who is responsible for all the others?”

  “I think you already know the answer to that question, don’t you sweet Megan?”