With the Eyes of a Killer: A Jessica Roberts Detective Novel

by BJ Wingate

“Hello, I’m Dr. Ferrara. I understand you want to discuss a case with me?” Dr. Ferrara was tall, around six foot one, with brown hair that appeared to have a natural wave in front, Brown eyes could be seen behind gold wire rim glasses. His suit was impeccable and was probably extremely high end. He extended a hand and Jessica shook it as she approached his desk.

  “Detective Jessica Roberts. And yes, I do. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.” Jessica took a seat in one of two chairs that faced his desk and the doctor returned to his.

  “All I can do is try to give you a few ideas and it will be based solely on what you tell me. So, what is the problem?” Dr. Ferrara’s voice was a soft baritone and he kept it light and low. It was probably one of his ways to calm his patients.

  Jessica thought for a minute. “I have been working the slicer case. I’m sure you have heard of it by now.” Dr. Ferrara nodded but didn’t comment so Jessica continued. “At any rate, and I doubt I have to warn you not to disclose what we talk about.” She took a breath and continued. “We believe the perpetrator in this case is a woman.”

  Dr. Ferrara blinked and steepled his hands together over his desk, elbows resting lightly on the surface of it. “Interesting. And yes, to both things you said. I have heard of the ‘slicer’ as the media is calling the murderer, and I would never disclose anything you said without permission. I’ve worked with the department quite a few years now and I do know the procedures.”

  Jessica nodded. “I know and I’m sorry, but we think we have a lead on the suspect, and we are working to bring her in. The problem, as you put it, is I believe she may have a split personality and is unaware of what she is doing. At least her main personality is unaware or that is how it seems.”

  Dr. Ferrara sat thinking for a minute. “I see. You don’t have a background in psychology I take it, so you are going by what you are seeing and hearing from the woman herself I take it.” Jessica nodded. “It is possible. There are documented cases of such things. A lot of people in my profession believe that split personalities are a means by which people deal with trauma in their lives. They become another person to deal with the situation or sometimes, so they don’t have to. If the alternate personality is, shall we say, cleaning up the mess, the main personality is able to move on with their lives totally unaware.”

  Jessica nodded again. “Yes, that’s what I read about it. Some of what I discovered though indicated that if the alternate personality is destructive, as it most surely is in this case, then it could take over entirely.”

  Dr. Ferrara nodded, stood up and walked to his windows, hands in both pockets. He spoke while looking through the glass. “That is a definite possibility. Without seeing the person who you are talking about I wouldn’t be able to do a full diagnosis of course. In that case the only way for me to become involved would be if you arrest her and a diagnosis is called for.”

  Jessica sighed. “I’m aware. Thing is her normal personality is, how can I put this, very mild in her way. She is quiet, very introverted and shy from what I’ve seen. The main reason I’m thinking about the split personality is she sort of … well … changed a bit while I was talking to her. Her look and actions were … sneaky in a way. Like she was trying to hide something from me.” Jessica threw up her hands for a second as the doctor turned to look at her. “I feel for her. Arresting her without being sure could seriously harm her mentally, at least that is what I’m afraid of.”

  Dr. Ferrara nodded. “I understand. You want to arrest the guilty party but since half of her is guilty and the other half isn’t it causes a dilemma for you.”

  Jessica nodded. “Yes, it does.” She stood up and walked over to the doctor. “Thank you again for seeing me. You have given me some food for thought on this.”

  Dr. Ferrara again shook hands with Jessica. “It was my pleasure Detective. I hope your case works out well for all concerned.” Jessica turned toward the door and the doctor stopped her. “My patients use the other door. It leads directly to the hallway so no two ever come face to face.” Jessica raised one eyebrow and headed for the other door. As she put her hand on the doorknob the doctor spoke again. “There is one other concern with your perpetrator Detective. Pushing her could cause a collapse of the quieter personality or it could cause them to combine. Either way it would result in a significant change to the young woman mentally.”

  Jessica looked back at Dr. Ferrara. “I understand but I may not have a choice in the matter. Thank you again.” With that Jessica opened the hall door and walked out. She had a lot to think about.

  Thirty-Two

  Vanessa stood and stared at the front of a slightly more upscale bar that she had been checking on for the last few days. Each night she had driven by or just pulled into the parking lot and watched people going in or coming out. Mostly couples but at times individuals went in for an hour or two. It was boring but she felt it was necessary at this point. She was wearing the shimmery black dress she had recently purchased with the shoes and a bag to match. Her dark red hair drifted down her back and over her shoulders for an inch or two in soft waves. The bangs just did brush her eyebrows in front. She had considered wearing glasses tonight but had recently gotten some colored contact lens, so her eyes were green for now. She smiled as she watched a young couple walk out of the bar and kiss beside a genuinely nice car before getting in and driving off. Fools. It wouldn’t last. It never did, not that she had ever seen.

  Vanessa had decided that tonight was the night to try this, so she walked inside as an older man was leaving. He held the door for her politely and she nodded her thanks as she passed him. The inside of the bar was a little noisier than some she had been in and definitely more crowded. Almost every table was full and most of the bar. She spotted two empty stools at the far end and headed over. Taking a seat on one, she ordered a grasshopper from the bartender. She had never had one before, but it sounded good. She paid for it, smiling at the bartender as she did. He didn’t look pleased to see her. Interesting. She sipped her drink – and it was good – then glanced around the room.

  This bar was bigger and looked a lot cleaner and way nicer than the dives Vanessa had been used to. The people were well dressed, and a lot were actually eating, not just drinking. She wondered about that. Most bars had some food you could get but nothing like this. A menu was laying on the bar close to her and she picked it up to look at it. Nothing fancy, mainly wings or pulled meat sandwiches, and fries. The fries looked good and her mouth watered. She motioned for the bartender and asked for a plate of the fries. He started to walk away then asked if she wanted cheese on them. It took her less than a minute to say yes. She smiled as he left to put in her order, and he nodded.

  At the bar, several younger couples sat and a few of the individual men. A few were glancing at Vanessa as she sat there alone. She started wondering if it was the fact that she was alone or that some might have thought she was a hooker or something. That impression had helped at other places. Here it might go against her. As she wondered about that, her plate of cheese fries was set in front of her and she paid for them. As she took her first bite, delighting in the taste, a man came over and took the other empty seat at the bar.

  ‘I’d give you a standard pickup line, but you are anything but standard.” The man smiled and Vanessa smiled back. He was nice looking, black hair cut in a standard style, nice suit that probably hadn’t come off a rack and ice blue eyes that twinkled.

  “I thank you for the compliment sir.” Vanessa took another bite of her fries and moaned in pleasure.

  The man watched her with an amused look on his face. “You really seem to be enjoying those.” He nodded at the plate and Vanessa nodded back as she licked melted cheese off her fingers.

  “They are incredibly good. Have you tried them?” Vanessa wasn’t used to this. A normal conversation with a man was not something she indulged in too often. Usually, it involved where they would go and so on.

  The man nodded. “Actually, I have had them, and I
agree they are particularly good. Then again, I have to say that since my brother is the cook.” He grinned and extended a hand. “Lawrence Newman. Larry to my friends. I own the place.”

  Vanessa hesitated then shook his hand after wiping hers with a napkin. “Vanessa.”

  After taking his hand back, Larry tilted his head a bit to look at her. “Just Vanessa? No last name?”

  For a moment Vanessa panicked but didn’t let it show outwardly. She had used Dukes last name for the storage, but could she get away with that again? She has heard that his body had been found finally.

  Vanessa swallowed her latest bite of cheese fries. “Sorry. Vanessa Chambers. I’m … new to the area.”

  Larry had one elbow resting on the bar as he half turned to face Vanessa. “So, you just moved here?”

  Vanessa nodded. “About a month ago actually.”

  Larry looked up as the bartender set a cup of coffee on the bar next to him and nodded his thanks. “Where from?” He took a sip from his cup and smiled.

  Vanessa had to think fast but she was good at that. “Down south actually. Texas.”

  Larry nodded. “Was that where you were born?”

  Vanessa laughed. She was nervous inside, but she was hiding it well. “Are you sure you aren’t a police officer? What’s with all the questions?” Her fries were finally gone, and the bartender came and took the plate.

  Larry smiled. “To be honest I’m trying to decide if you are a hooker or not. If you are, I’ll have to ask you to leave. We don’t allow that sort of activity here.” He wasn’t looking at her as he said that. Instead, he was sipping his coffee and glancing around the room a little.

  Vanessa glanced around as well and that was when she saw some of the looks she was getting. A lot of the women were staring, and they didn’t seem interested in friendship either. She looked back at Larry as he turned back to her and put on an indignant look.

  “Well I never. I come to what appears to be a nice place and I get accused of something like that?” Vanessa kept her voice down some but was just loud enough to be heard a few feet away. “It makes me wonder if you treat all your customers this way in the beginning. And if you do, I can’t see how you keep any of them.” She snatched up her purse and started to slide off the stool when Larry put out a hand.

  “Hold on.” Larry said quietly. “I said I was trying to determine it and I think I have. Most … women in that profession would try to convince me in other ways that they aren’t what they are. You got upset and I apologize for upsetting you. Please, stay.” He waved to the bartender and ordered her another plate of the cheese fries. “On the house, with my apologies.” Larry finished his coffee and wandered off to talk to a few people at the various tables. Probably about her, assuring them she was okay. At least that was what Vanessa was hoping.

  Vanessa watched as Larry networked his way through the room. He was good at what he did, but so was she. She smiled when the new plate of fries was delivered, and she sipped her drink once more.

  Half an hour later, Vanessa left the bar and drove across town. It had been nice to visit a better place but for her … requirement she needed the lower-class places apparently. She had proven that tonight if nothing else. She drove by several of the places she had visited before than finally chose a small dive bar sitting on a corner. She parked across the street and walked over. She was a little overdressed for this place but so be it. She walked in without a second thought, strolled to the far end of the bar and settled on a stool where she could see the entire place.

  At the bar were three men. It was easy to see they weren’t together since empty stools separated them. Vanessa glanced at each of them in turn, then her attention was drawn to a man sitting in a booth alone. He was not handsome, but he wasn’t ugly either. He had that dark brooding sort of look that drew your attention even when you didn’t want to give it. She smiled at him and he dropped his gaze. Until that moment he had been staring at her and no one else. Did she know him? Or perhaps he knew her in some way? She wasn’t sure but she turned as the bartender approached and ordered her usual, a rum and coke, easy on the rum. She sipped the drink and glanced at the man in the booth again. He was back to staring at her, but he was also talking on his phone. Vanessa frowned. Something wasn’t quite right here.

  Vanessa took a few more sips of her drink, got up and left the bar. As she started to approach her car, she heard the bar’s door open and close behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the man from the booth standing just outside, so instead of going to her car, she turned and walked down the street to the far corner and went around. At the last minute she glanced back and saw him following her. Kicking off her shoes, she snatched them up and ran for her life down that street to an alley she knew of and ducked into it. A dumpster stood a few feet down and she hid behind that. She heard running feet go past the alley and, going to the end, peered out. The man had gone past to the next street and was looking one way and then the other. Thinking fast, Vanessa ducked out of the alley and into the first doorway which was somewhat recessed. Her black dress might shimmer a bit, but it still blended into the surrounding darkness.

  Taking a chance to peek out, Vanessa saw the man double back to the alley and slowly walk in, looking for her she assumed. Once he was within the alley somewhat, she plunged out of the doorway she had been hiding in and raced back toward her car. She rushed to unlock the door and jumped inside. Pulling off the red wig she was wearing she tossed it on the seat beside her, pulled a scarf over her hair and tied it under her chin. Finally, she started the car and drove in the opposite direction she had run before.

  Vanessa knew her night was over at that point, so she gave up, drove to her storage and changed clothes once more. She was upset and now she knew she needed to be even more careful than before.

  Thirty-Three

  Alyson awoke with a throbbing headache. She stumbled to the bathroom where she threw up which was not normal for her at all. Finishing what she had to do in there, she made her way back to her bed, picked up her phone and called in sick to the office. She had been doing that a lot more lately. Good thing she had so many sick days saved up.

  Pulling on a warm robe and slippers, Alyson went to the kitchen for a cold glass of water. She took that and settled on the couch and flipped on the TV. The early news was on, so she paused to listen to it.

  “Now to the main story of the day. Police have said they are closing in on the serial killer known as the ‘Slicer’. An anonymous tip came into this station that the ‘Slicer’ was almost caught last night but once more got away. People are starting to wonder if our police force is doing a good job or not.”

  Alyson gasped as she saw that. Almost caught but got away? Who would this … this person kill next? Why hadn’t the police caught them yet? She shook her head and was immediately sorry she did. Jumping up, she ran for the bathroom and threw up yet again.

  * * *

  At the station, Jessica sighed as the captain flipped the TV in his office off. The report about the Slicer was big news but unfortunately it was bad for the police and her. How had they gotten the info that the serial killer had almost been caught? Let alone gotten away. The captain didn’t look at all happy with the situation.

  “Any idea how that information got leaked? Or by who?” The captain asked quietly. He was sitting behind his desk and while he looked relaxed, Jessica knew better.

  “No clue. The officer that tried to chase down the woman he thought was our suspect is a dedicated officer who knows better than to disclose that sort of information to the press.” Tony spoke softly but he was agitated as well.

  Jessica nodded. “Maybe someone at the bar got an idea of what was going on and made a guess? Wanting their five minutes of fame so to speak?”

  Captain Murphey surged to his feet and started pacing at the side of his desk. “If our suspect saw that news broadcast then she knows we are onto her. And she could go dark for a time. We have to catch her in the act to make it sti
ck or close enough to that.” He stopped pacing and faced Tony and Jessica. “Unless you have any other suggestions.”

  Jessica glanced sideways at Tony then looked at the captain. “Just one. The psychologist I spoke to said that if she is a split personality and gets pushed, she might reveal herself. The problem is we have to get her in a position that will be ideal for that.”

  The captain rested one hip on the corner of his desk. “What sort of position?”

  Tony glanced up. “Jessica was the one who talked to the doc, but we think maybe facing her mother? We believe our suspect has tried to get to Mary Elizabeth once already. Whether to simply face her or to do her harm we aren’t certain. But putting them in the same room might be enough.”

  The captain nodded. “And if it isn’t?”

  Jessica sighed. “Then we use plan B.”

  Tony looked away as Captain Murphy stared at Jessica. “And just what exactly is plan B?”

  Jessica stood up. “I go at her straight on and accuse her. Sooner or later that other personality will come out.” She sighed. “I don’t want to have to force it because the doctor said it could cause lasting damage. But we may not have any choice.”

  The captain nodded. “Try the mother first. Let’s see what comes of it.”

  Tony and Jessica left the captain’s office together and went to the break room for coffee. Jessica didn’t drink coffee too often, but she felt she needed one this time.

  Tony stirred his coffee slowly, watching the spoon go around and around. “So, you think Alyson Harding is the one for sure?”

  Jessica took a sip of her own coffee. She had found some hazelnut creamer in the office refrigerator that she had added to it so did taste good. “I do. Everything is adding up to that. The change in temperament at the asylum, the way she acted here when I was talking to her. I could see the changes, but she was careful. Too careful.” She shook her head. “As herself, Alyson is a nice lady. I actually like her. Thinking she is the killer is … well … it’s horrible. I hate thinking it and yet all the signs are pointing in that direction.”