Hunt for a Phantom

by Stephen L Brooks

  Two plainclothes detectives, a man and a woman, were with Audrey and obviously waiting for them.

  “I’m Detective Samuelson and this is my partner, Detective Corelli.” The man was tall, slender, and hawk faced and his partner was medium height, nice figure, and deeply tanned. “Can you answer a few questions?”

  “I don’t know what we can tell you,” Audrey said, taking charge as she always did. “I have no idea who might have done this to her.”

  “We’d like to look at her cell phone,” Det. Corelli said. “Maybe that can give us a clue.”

  “I don’t have her cell,” Audrey said.

  “The doctors told us it was with her things. That’s a miracle in itself, that her attacker didn’t take it,” Det. Corelli continued. “I’m sure they’ll provide it to us, with your consent.”

  “I don’t know; isn’t that invasion of privacy?” Audrey said.

  “More than just our daughter’s privacy has been invaded.” Jim wanted to add an epithet to that statement but judged against it. “You’ll get a warrant, of course?” he asked Corelli.

  “If you wish,” Samuelson said, “but that’ll just delay things while this creep is out there. We have a form you can sign, saying that you give your permission.”

  “Where do I sign?” Jim asked.

  “You honestly think Dana called this sleaze?” Audrey said.

  “This won’t be the first case a girl was lured by someone who hurt her,” Samuelson said. “A colleague of ours is working on a similar case. Perhaps you heard of it: the Fleming girl.”

  “Grace Fleming?” Jim asked.

  “That’s the one. She was lured to a hotel in the city, and actually it’s a city case. But since Grace was from the county, Det. Taylor who’s on the County Police is helping in the investigation.”

  “Grace was one of Dana’s friends,” Jim said.

  “Mr. or Mrs. Fisher, will you sign the consent form?”

  Audrey glowered at Jim a long moment and finally answered, “Do you think it’s necessary?”

  “It may lead us right to him,” Corelli said.

  Audrey frowned in defeat. “All right. Bring me the form.”

  “We have copies in our car. I’ll get one,” Corelli said and headed for the elevator.

  Jim kept his smile to a minimum but Audrey saw it anyway.

  “What are you smiling at? Because you got your way for once?”

  “We both want what’s best for Dana, don’t we? And we want to get whoever put her in this hospital.” This hospital, in fact, wouldn’t have been his first choice; nor his last. But hopefully she needn’t be here more than a couple of days.

  “Yes; I guess you’re right.” Audrey knew defeat for the second time in a few minutes.

  “Look, this is none of my business,” Samuelson said.

  Both gave him confirming looks.

  “But you had a daughter together. She’s lying here in the hospital now, badly beaten. Be grateful that she’s not in a coma. Be grateful that she’ll probably be going home in a few days. Grace Fleming didn’t.” He let that sink in. “Whatever your differences were as a couple, drop them; Dana doesn’t need that right now. She needs both of you, at least until she’s recovered from this.”

  Audrey shook her head. “This is beginning to sound like a soap opera.”

  “Maybe,” continued Samuelson, “but you know what I’m saying is right. If you want Dana to survive this, you’ll have to work together to help her.” Audrey looked like she might be coming around. He concluded almost in a whisper, “Petty squabbles with my ex cost us our son. Don’t let that happen to you.”

  The elevator opened and Corelli returned with a clipboard and a pen. They went over to a nurse’s station and used the counter as a desk as Audrey, hesitating only a moment or two more, signed.

  “Let me sign too,” Jim said.

  Audrey held the pen like she dared him to take it, finally surrendering it to him. Three times she had met defeat from him today. She vowed not to give in to him again.

  * * *

  Gail wasn’t one to watch the news, but her mother called her down to the TV room before dinner.

  “I’m doing my homework,” Gail said.

  “Since when has that kept you from TV? Come here, quick!”

  Gail sighed and hurried down to the den. A story was just ending up on the news, but she heard “And police are working on leads to this case, which may tie in to the murder of a Baltimore County teen and her father. In other news...”

  “See? You missed it.”

  “You can rewind it,” Gail said.

  “No I can’t,” her mother answered. “I didn’t tape it.”

  “But the DVR records it. I’ve told you that before.” She sat down next to her mom and grabbed the remote from her.

  “Don’t be so abrupt!” her mother admonished. “I don’t know how to work these fancy gadgets. I can turn on the TV and this thing, and change channels, but that’s about all.”

  Meanwhile Gail had pressed the rewind button on the remote and the story played itself backwards on the screen. The African-American anchor came on in front of a standard display card symbolically representing rape, with the legend “TEEN RAPED” below it. Gail pressed play and leaned forward listening.

  Of course, the teen’s name wasn’t announced; minors who are victims of rape are never named in newscasts, by law. But Gail had a feeling about this.

  “I think I know this girl,” Gail said.

  “How can you? They don’t give out names.”

  “But I think I know who it is.” She tossed the remote toward her mother as she got up and hurried to the stair.

  “Wait! How do I get it back to the show?”

  Gail replied without stopping. “Just let it run; it’s recording what you’re watching the whole time so you’ll catch up to it.” Her cell was upstairs and she grabbed it on the run, stabbing at the phonebook and bringing up Dana’s home number. She rarely called it, but if Dana was home she’d find out.

  It rang several times before the voice mail picked up. Gail left a message for Dana or her parents to call, left the number, and hung up. She sat with the phone clutched between her hands, seeking what to do next. Hoping for the best she tried again, this time Dana’s cell.

  * * *

  The cell went to voice mail as well, but Gail didn’t bother leaving a message. Dana never went anywhere without her cell phone. And she rarely turned it off, except to recharge it.

  But the fact that she had called both her home number and the cell with no answer shouted that something was up; something definitely bad, bad for Dana.

  She had recently added Rick’s cell to her list and called him. “Rick, I think something’s happened to Dana.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Remember she got caught texting that guy? I think she might have hooked up with him.”

  “And now she’s with him?”

  “Or he’s done something to her.” She grabbed her car keys. “Can I come and get you?”

  “Just a minute.” She heard him talking with his mother and arguing with his mother and finally saying, “I’m going anyway!” before speaking into the phone again. “I’ll meet you at the corner.”

  Gail heard him slam a door behind him and the ambient sound changed; he was outside. “Okay; I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  She ran out with a quick “I’m going out, mom!” and was out the door before her mother fully caught her meaning. Rick’s house was only three or four blocks away, but they needed to be alone and perhaps even drive somewhere. As she rounded the last block she saw him, pulled to the curb and he got in. As he fumbled with his seat belt she drove away. When they had gone a block or two she said, “Guess you had a fight with your mom.”

  “Yeah. It’s almost my curfew already.”

  She was nearing a parking lot and pulled in. There were some spaces in a far corner and she parked there.

  “What’s this about?”
Rick asked.

  She told him about the news broadcast and her suspicion that the victim was Dana.

  “Well, you know she wasn’t in school the last couple of days.”

  “I didn’t notice; but then you didn’t say anything, either.”

  “I thought maybe she was just out sick, and I tried calling her. There’s no answer either at the house or on her cell.”

  “So even her mom didn’t answer?”

  Gail shook her head. “That’s got me worried even more than the cell. Of course, her mom could just be out.”

  “Why don’t you try her again?”

  Gail dialed the house number again and got voice mail. “Still no one home.”

  “What do you think we should do?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t have her mom’s cell.”

  “Of course not.” He thought for a minute. “What about that detective? Do you have his number?”

  “No; do you?”

  “My mom does.”

  Gail held the wheel tightly a moment, thinking. “Okay; look, you said it’s your curfew time anyway. Did you tell your mom it was about a friend in school you think is in trouble?”

  “No. I just said it was to meet you.”

  Gail chuckled. “She probably thinks I lured you out here to violate you and corrupt your morals.”

  Rick’s face expressed that it sounded like fun, but both knew this wasn’t the time.

  “Tell you what. I’ll take you back home and come in with you. We’ll tell your mom what’s up and we can call the detective.”

  “That sounds like a plan. And it might get you back into my mom’s good graces too.”

  Gail grinned. “Sounds like a win-win.” She turned the key. “Let’s go.” She pulled out into the street and drove back.

  Rick let himself in with his key and Gail followed. His mother was sitting in the living room, anger and relief tussling on her face, the relief winning as she rose to embrace him.

  “Mom, it was all right; I was with Gail.”

  She let him go and said, “Gail, I’m sorry; it’s not that I don’t trust you. But after losing so much already...”

  “I understand,” Gail said. “In fact, Mrs. Fleming, that’s what this is about. You see, a friend of mine from school is missing. We know she had been texting someone and we think he might have done something to her.”

  “Oh my God!” she prayed. “And you and Rick want to help her?”

  “That’s right. We want to call that detective and see if he knows anything.”

  Marge Fleming suddenly had purpose, at least for the moment. “I have his card. It’s on the desk.” She went to an antique desk in the living room and went through a few papers on top of it. The card slipped from between them and fluttered to the floor. Rick picked it up. “Is that it?”

  “Yes, this is Mr. Banning’s number.” Marge turned to explain to Gail, “That’s the private eye Mr. Fleming hired,” Marge said.

  “You think he can find anything out?” Gail asked.

  “I’m gonna try,” Rick said, already dialing the number into the phone. It rang a couple of times before Banning answered. “Mr. Banning, this is Rick Fleming.”

  “Oh, yeah Rick. How are you?”

  “I was hoping you could help us with a friend of ours.”

  “What’s it about?”

  “She’s been out of school a couple of days and my friend Gail has been trying to call her. There’s no answer either at her home or on her cell.”

  “You think she may be in trouble?”

  “Yes.” He mentioned the news broadcast. “Is there something you can do?”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Dana Fisher.”

  Rick heard Banning sigh over the phone and shot a glance at Gail. “Mr. Banning, are you all right?”

  “Yes. But I’ve got some news to tell you.”

  “Let me put you on speaker.” Rick punched the button. “Gail and my mom are here. What news do you mean?”

  “I had a call from Ed Taylor yesterday. He’d heard from a couple of colleagues in the Sex Crimes unit.”

  All three grew pensive.

  “Your friend Dana is in the hospital. She was attacked.”

  “Is she all right?” Gail asked.

  “She was beaten badly, but she’ll recover. Her mother has probably been at her bedside since she was admitted.”

  “That’s why no one answered at home,” Gail said.

  “I don’t know if it’s still visitors’ hours, but I’ll bet she’d like to see both of you.” He told them the name of the hospital.

  “Thanks, Mr. Banning,” Rick said.

  “You’re welcome. Listen, the police are checking out her cell and will find who did this.”

  “Mr. Banning,” Marge asked, “do you think this may be the same man who... who killed my daughter and husband?”

  “We’re hoping it is, or that he’ll help us find him.”

  “Thank you,” Marge said.

  They hung up.

  “Mom, can we go to the hospital to see Dana?”

  Marge looked at the clock. “Let me call the hospital.” She found the number and dialed.

  “Visiting hours are over in a few minutes,” she said. “We wouldn’t get there in time.”

  “Then we’ll go after school tomorrow,” Gail said.

  Rick agreed.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  It was early morning; the sun hadn’t yet risen when Banning’s phone had rung. After finishing the call he immediately rang up Betsy, said he’d meet her in twenty minutes, and barely made it. She got into his car and he started driving, explaining on the way. Another thirty minutes later, after battling rush hour traffic into Towson using both driving and verbal skills, they parked in a garage tower and walked to Police Headquarters. When they came into the detective bullpen Taylor and Peggy were waiting for them.

  “What is it?” Banning asked. “You said you had more news about the girl in the hospital?”

  “Yes. Daisy put some priority on digging into her cell phone and found a contact that looks promising.”

  “Who? Did you get a name?”

  “Someone who calls himself IronGuy.”

  Banning nodded, grinning crookedly. “You mean he thinks he’s Tony Stark?”

  “Yeah, at least as far as ego goes. Only I don’t think this guy uses the name ‘cause he wears a metal suit, if you get the idea.”

  Out of the corner of his eye Banning noticed Peggy trying unsuccessfully to signal to Betsy. “Sorry if we’re boring you two,” Banning said.

  “Boring? No way,” Peggy said. “Just thought you guys could use some coffee.”

  Banning glanced at Taylor.

  “Sometimes she gets domestic like that,” Taylor said; “remember at the hotel?”

  “Be right back.” The two women went over to the coffee setup and took their time fixing four coffees.

  “You said there was no semen found in the rape kit?”

  “No. There had been penetration, some fresh vaginal tearing; but no semen.”

  “A condom?”

  “More likely a sex toy.”

  Banning started.

  “Hey guess this guy has trouble rising to the occasion,” Taylor said, “and uses a substitute.”

  Banning shook his head. “Must be all kinds of ways people get their jollies.” He glanced over to the women and wondered why they hadn’t returned. He decided to tell his news rather than wait. “I got a call last night that was interesting. It was Rick Fleming, Grace’s sister.”

  “What did he want?”

  “He and his friend Gail were asking after Dana.” He shrugged resignedly. “I told them what happened to her. Guess they’ll go visit her today sometime.”

  “Gail?” Taylor asked. “Is that who you said?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Another thing Daisy caught was a call to Dana’s cell from someone named Gail.”

  “Rick said Gail was trying to
call her.”

  “You say they’ll probably go to see her today? After school, I’d guess.”

  “Yeah. I see where you’re going: might be a good idea to talk to this Gail. If she’s friends with Dana she might know something Dana hasn’t told us yet.”

  “Right.” Taylor gave a humphing chuckle. “The only thing good about this is that it brought the case back into county jurisdiction.”

  “Yeah; the city cops haven’t gotten any leads I guess.”

  “None they’re sharing with me. Or even with my buddy’s contact. Looks like the case is just as blank to them as it is to us.”

  “I think it might break soon; maybe in a way we don’t expect.”

  Taylor looked over toward the coffee counter. “They’re sure taking a long time getting us coffee.”

  Betsy and Peggy were talking earnestly and it seemed furtively.

  “What do ya think they’re so intense about?” Taylor asked.

  “Maybe they’re planning their next steel cage match.”

  “What the hell?”

  Banning grinned. “Oh that’s right; never did tell you about World War III. I’ll tell you all about it.” He began to fill him in on the sparring in the gym.

  * * *

  “It’s a dangerous plan,” Peggy said.

  “But I think we can handle it,” Betsy answered.

  “No way I’m tellin’ Taylor, though.”

  “Same with Mark; he’d have a thousand reasons not to.”

  Peggy put out her hand. “But if I do it, you gotta go through with it too.”

  Betsy took her hand. “Oh I will; you can count on it.”

  Both exchanged firm grips.

  “I thought you were bringing us coffee?” Banning said. “You poured it about five minutes ago; hope it’s still hot.” They each chose their poison.

  “Sure.” Betsy glanced at Peggy. “We just got caught up into girl talk, that’s all.”

  “Yeah. You know us. Fashions, the latest in shoes and stuff,” Peggy added.

  “Ahuh.” Banning winked at Taylor. “Shoes and other leather stuff, like purses.”

  “Yeah. Shoes and bags and... and...”

  “And boxing gloves,” Banning concluded.