by Rick Murcer
Ellen almost laughed out loud.
Beaux then stopped between the other two detectives. He tilted his head at the female Detective, Lily MacGregor, a larger woman with short red hair curling around her high cheek bones. He seemed to approve of her, accepted the pat on the head. then moved to her partner, Detective Frank Brown. He was a tall man who ran marathons and loved his military past. Beaux sniffed him twice, then quickly moved to Sophie Lee, not accepting the touch Frank was offering.
It appeared to her that Beaux wanted nothing to do with Frank. By the look on his face, Frank was okay with that.
Sophie, as fearless as ever, bent toward him and kissed him on the head. “You are a hunk of a dog, Mr. Beaux.”
He licked her face as she said his name, the smile never leaving her lips. She hugged him. “Best kiss I’ve had for a few days, buddy.”
“I think he likes you,” said Ellen.
“Yeah, I have that effect on most males.”
“TMI, Lee,” said Ellen.
“True. Even for me,” said Manny Williams.
Beaux fixed his gaze on the Special Agent, then moved directly in front of Manny.
The two sized each other up like old friends who hadn’t seen each other in eons.
Gracefully, Beaux placed his paws on Manny’s thighs, rose, and looked him square in the eyes. Time seemed to stand still as Beaux scanned the FBI’s most gifted profiler. The planet’s most gifted profiler.
“You’re a special one, aren’t you?” said Manny, leaning closer to Beaux. “You do special things too, don’t you?”
Beaux stretched his neck toward the Special Agent until their faces were an inch apart. Beaux then laid his head on Manny’s chest. The agent gently put his head on the dog’s and hugged him.
“You’re such a good boy,” said Manny softly.
Ellen felt the goosebumps run up her arms. She was sure Beaux loved her in the way dogs do. But the bonding going on between these two was something different. She didn’t always believe in things like kindred souls. But she’d been wrong before and she was most certainly wrong now. These two were just that. Even a room full of detectives and science geeks could tell that.
Beaux pulled away and put his paws on the floor. He gave Manny one more look as Manny stroked his back.
A moment later, Beaux was sitting at Ellen’s side, touching her hip.
“What the hell was that, Williams?” said Sophie.
Manny sighed. “That? Well, let’s just say we see a lot of things the same way. Besides, who in this business doesn’t need a good hug occasionally?”
“Hug? That was kind of like a Vulcan mind-meld thing or something,” said Sophie.
Manny smiled. “Just a hug between cops who’ve seen a thing or two.”
“Yeah, well that was some hug. Care to explain how that worked?”
Manny raised his hands. “Some secrets should remain sacred. I’ll just say we understand each other and let it go.”
“Beaux?”
He sighed and looked away, but there was a trace of that smile.
“Okay, keep your secret sacred, it’s time to get to work anyway,” said Ellen, smiling.
“Agreed,” said Brice.
“Me too,” said Manny.
At that moment, the door swung open and Big Harv entered along with Detective Dave Ackles.
“I know we weren’t invited but we need to be here. We’ve got a few things to add to the investigation,” said Big Harv.
He was bigger than life, as always. Ellen still loved that about him.
“What do regulations say about a civilian meeting with us like this?” asked Detective Brown.
The two men who had just entered the room looked at each other, then Dave gestured for Big Harv to answer.
“Figures we’d get questions like that from a weasel like you. For the record, as long as the civilian is invited and can add something to the investigation, then it’s appropriate. Is that clear enough for you, asshole?”
Brown offered a tight smile. “Still sore about that Lincoln Park thing a few years ago, Patterson?”
“If you mean how you ran and hid while your partner almost bled to death after that shoot-out, then yeah, I am.”
Brown stood, anger scrawled on his thin face. “Bite me. It didn’t go down like that.”
“Really? That’s why you almost lost your damned pension. Not to mention, your partner kicked the shit out of you later.”
“Get bent. You’re as clueless as ever.”
Big Harv opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Ellen stood and grabbed his arm. “Listen. I’ll boot any and all of you who delay this meeting another minute. You will sit your asses down and handle yourselves like professionals. We’ve got dead people and crazy circumstances to address. Clear?”
Brown waited a beat or two, then slowly sank back in his chair.
Big Harv gave him one last stare, mumbled something under his breath, then he and Dave sat in two of the chairs lined against the blue wall.
“Damn, I thought this only happened in FBI meetings with locals. Oh, wait,” said Sophie, laughing.
“Funny,” said Ellen.
Beaux barked softly, like he got it. The rest of the room laughed in unison, breaking some of the tension. Ellen knew it wasn’t just from the bad blood between her dad and Brown. Violent crimes, like these murders, have a life all their own. They were totally able to wear down anyone’s peace of mind.
She reached down and stroked Beaux. “Okay, we needed a good laugh. Now, again, tell me why and how the FBI is here? We’ve got a ton of forensics to go over. Plus, investigation information, plus profile—.”
“That’s why they’re here. To profile. I called them and they are between assignments with the BAU so they agreed to show up,” said Brice.
“Only if we get a good dinner out of this though,” said Sophie.
“Yeah, a Chicago Pizza might hit the spot,” said Manny.
“We can handle that. You can sit by me, Agent Williams,” said Bella.
“Deal,” said Manny.
“That pizza thing would work for me, too,” said Ellen.
She looked at Brice, then back to Manny and Sophie. “I know that’s your call, Brice, but we have profilers so what makes this case special?”
“Good question. I’ll let them explain,” answered Brice.
“I’d better start. Once Old Blue eyes gets going, I’ll be just another pretty face in the crowd. Granted, a really pretty face, but a face just the same,” said Sophie, sitting up straighter.
“By all means,” said Manny.
“We have so many data bases that I can’t keep up. Ones that compile data for all of the usual information like DNA and fingerprints. We have a few for things like fiber recognition and even tire tread origination and shoe soles.”
Ellen’s pulse clicked a notch higher. “I’m familiar with all of those. Good science takes the guessing out.”
Sophie nodded. “It does, mostly. And geeks like you and your hot partner get all flushed and warm when you access them. We get that.”
Sophie glanced at Manny, then back to Ellen. “We’ve been working on a few more data bases that are, shall we say, a bit more subjective, but based on facts regarding cases dating back over thirty years or so.”
“Do you mean the NCIC and ViCAP?” asked Brice.
“Same family, different child. Manny?” said Sophie.
She batted her eyes at her partner causing Ellen to grin. The two had a great relationship and there was no questioning Manny’s ability. But how he did what he did was a bit unsettling.
Agent Williams was a good man, maybe a great man, but his understanding, and emersion into the human mind and all that entailed was a little, well, creepy to her. Sort of like the unspoken understanding that Beaux and he just shared. He seemed to embody a sixth sense on occasion. Most people could do that from time to time, but he lived in that realm.
It was also impossible for her not to wonder ho
w much damage digging deep into the psyche of insane criminals could do to the one who dug. Especially if one didn’t guard themselves. She wasn’t going to find out on her own, that was for damned sure.
He tilted his head and met Ellen’s gaze. “No worries, FT Harper. I’ve got all of my marbles, at least the agency’s shrink says so.”
“You got that from the look on my face?” she asked.
He shrugged. “It’s what we do. Micro expressions and body language are wonderful tools.”
“Congratulations. You’ve just been profiled,” said Sophie.
“Thanks, I think. So please go on.”
“Yes. At any rate, you’ve all heard of the Uniform Crime Reporting data base, or UCR. Since 1930, we’ve been compiling data on violent crimes throughout the U.S., hoping to figure out tendencies based on a dozen demographics like age, race, state, economic status, and the like. The first report came out in 1958 and has been getting more and more sophisticated since then.”
Sophie had been right. The room was totally vexed by Agent Williams and his enthusiasm for what he was sharing. The man could have been one-of-a-kind politician—or pick up artist.
Manny leaned over the table. “The thing these physical data bases provide are invaluable, especially on the science end of things. Our own forensic people, Alex Downs and Dean Mikus, think they’re the best thing since sliced bread. But the area that detectives and profilers need the most help with has to do with why people are doing what they do.”
“Why? Doesn’t the investigation lead you to that?” asked Aaron.
“Eventually. But we’re trying to get a jump.”
“How?” asked Ellen.
“We thought it might be time to begin a developmental data base dedicated only to criminals who showed sociopathic and psychopathic traits.”
“Do tell. What does that mean?” asked Big Harv.
Manny glanced at Sophie and exhaled. “It means we tracked people we identified as having those tendencies from the time they were children right up to the minute. Not just serial killer extremes, but backed off some and identified some twenty thousand people we could classify as at least sociopathic. People like CEOs who displayed behavior we found interesting.”
“Like?” asked Bella.
“People who enjoyed tearing down companies, firing employees, controlling work environments, narcissistic expressions like dress and fashion patterns, spending habits, and residential preferences. Not to mention sexual habits, if we could find information.”
“You can do that?” asked Aaron.
“We can if people are willing to talk about it. We can ascertain a certain amount of that information by spending habits as well.”
“For the record, there isn’t much sacred out there in terms of protected personal information. Social media has made sure of that,” said Sophie.
“That’s true as well. We also examined elementary and high school records. Parental status. Gender. Social, ethnicity, religion, and economic facts, and anything else we could think of to enhance the data base and its efficiency. Including where someone was born and raised.”
Agent Williams reached for the glass of water in front of him and drank deeply.
“So we get a good background on what’s coming down the pike. And I think a psychological data base is something that can help. But what’s the bottom line here?” asked Ellen, feeling anxious about getting on with the rest of the meeting.
“Good question,” said Agent Williams. “Sophie?”
“Thank you. The bottom line here is that all of this information makes criminal activity predictions easier.”
“Again, so?” asked Ellen.
“The so is that by building this data base, from which the FBI is constantly running predictive models, we can get a jump on certain situations. We’ve even sent a team to Phoenix, guessing there will be a problem there shortly, but we’ve run into a side benefit with all of this data.”
Sophie placed her hands on the table. “We’ve seen this MO before. Right down to the silver crosses.”
CHAPTER-23
It’s not time yet. We’re not ready.
She read the text, bit her lip, then answered.
We’re ready when I say we’re ready. We’ve laid this groundwork for ten months. I’m not explaining myself anymore. Get this started.
After pressing the send button, she smiled. Even through the anxiety of his predicted response. Caution was why he was brought on board those years ago. But fear had no place in an operation like this. Especially from him. His caution could overtake his judgement at times. But that was why they made a good team, here and in Detroit.
Two minutes passed. She pictured him fidgeting and then pacing, which was his norm. She shifted in her chair, the gold coin dancing along the top of her hand. They’d known each other well. Raymond had been a faithful lieutenant, almost family.
Then again, she really never understood the concept of family. Not after her’s had allowed what had happened to her. Weren’t family members supposed to have one’s back? To protect each other?
Guess not.
At any rate, she wouldn’t be questioned again. Ever. He’d find that out the hard way.
The phone vibrated in her other hand and she looked down to read the screen.
Okay. You’re the boss. I’m not sure we have all three parties where we want them. I don’t trust everyone to get things done tonight. Then there’s that forensic cop and the FBI too.
Her fingers flew.
Do what we talked about. I’ll handle the rest. You need not be concerned with cops or the FBI. We’re going tonight. Get it done and make sure these texts are deleted from our records.
She tossed the phone on the table, picked up the glass of brandy, and headed toward the bathroom for a hot shower.
As her feet touched the marble tile, for a moment, however brief, she rethought dropping off the body parts to Ellen Harper’s vehicle.
The uneasy feeling that accompanied that thought was a bit unfamiliar to a woman like her. Then it vanished in her certainty.
“All in the plan, it was all in the plan,” she whispered.
Tipping back the glass of brandy, she finished it, then stepped into the bathroom, embracing the steamy isolation of the running shower.
CHAPTER-24
Ellen didn’t recall being shocked or surprised too many times in this law enforcement profession that had chosen her, but Sophie’s last sentence came close. Her mind raced with new questions as she tried to stifle the quick temper that she thought she had control of. Guess not.
“Where? When? How did we not see this from ViCAP or some of the other information we access every day?”
“I’m with Ellen on this one. And why didn’t we know sooner?” asked Brice, his voice rising higher.
“You can handle this part, Williams. Shit’s too deep for my pay grade,” said Sophie.
“Answers. Now,” said Ellen.
“Whoa, take it easy. We’ll answer those questions, but we need to see what you have for physical evidence and go over all of the file information you have as well,” said Manny.
Was that a smile that came and went?
“I get that. And what was so funny?” asked Ellen.
Manny tilted his head, watching her intently. “Good, and yes it was. I love passion and can see that’s what makes you tick despite that infamous temper. You don’t need my approval, but you got it, okay?”
She felt Beaux move closer and touch her leg. She wasn’t sure but the dog could have been telling her to chill. That the man was in her corner. Their corner.
“Okay, agent. I’m glad you approve, but that doesn’t mean shit right now, so let’s talk,” she answered, keeping herself under control.
The accompanying momentary silence engulfed the conference room as the very air itself seemed to shift focus.
“Let’s go over your reports. Investigation and forensic,” said Manny, as he returned to his seat.
�
�I’ll go first,” said Brice.
“Finally,” said Ellen.
Manny nodded.
“We got the call for the first murders late last night around two a.m.,” began Brice.
“How do you know they were both murders?” asked Agent Williams.
“We suspect so based on the physical evidence, particularly the silver crosses associated with the second murders as well,” said Brice.
“Good guess, but that doesn’t mean it’s true. That’s not enough,” said Manny. “We need more.”
“Then let Aaron and I start with what we’ve seen with our testing results,” said Ellen.
“I think that’s a better place to begin. What did you find?” asked Manny.
Ellen pulled open the red file that Aaron had distributed to the people around the table.
“We reviewed the nightshift’s work gathering evidence from the scene by the river. They did a good job gathering anything that might have been related to one obvious murder and the other potential homicide.”
Ellen gave a quick glance to Dave Ackles. He was staring at the floor, his arm touching Big Harv, turning his cap over in his hands.
This could get tough.
“Dave, do you want to leave?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I need to know what you found, then I’ll tell you what I’ve got.”
He looked up, his eyes bloodshot, and spoke quietly. “It’s the only thing I can do now.”
Her heart broke for him. Maybe even for herself. Kids dying before their parents should have not been allowed under the cosmic rules of the universe. Ever.
“Keep going,” said Big Harv, patting Dave on the arm.
She did. “Water always has an effect on the bodies when they are immersed. It can wash away cloth fibers and biological materials like hair, skin, and even semen. Sometimes it doesn’t. The preliminary reports from samples taken from both bodies give us reason to believe they were both homicides. The man, Ben Castle, was an obvious murder, the dismembered limbs gave that away.”
“Yeah, I got that,” said Sophie.
“The woman, Ramona Ackles, wasn’t so obvious. But the science doesn’t lie.”
