Breaking News, page 8
“What do you think?” He asked Olivia, coming to take the seat that May had just vacated. He felt the warmth and a light dampness. It was a little gross.
“Well, he confirmed that Mr. Patterson bitched a lot about his family. He was also very fidgety.”
“Yeah, his leg was bouncing a million miles an hour. He also sweated on this seat.” Les said, making a face.
“He may have just been high strung. I didn’t see that he was high or anything. His eyes were clear, his pupils normal.” She said.
“So, Mr. Patterson may have abused his family. I sure hate the thought of him doing that to his kid.”
“Me too. But I’m still stuck on the idea of a cop doing this. I really hate to say it, but it fits Les. I’ll keep looking elsewhere, but that idea is boiling on the front burner.” She said tiredly.
“I’m almost sorry I thought of it. I’d really hate it, if it was a cop.” He said, looking at his hands.
“I would too Les, but it does make sense. A police officer or detective sees these things all the time. Most of the time, we’re helpless to do anything, especially if the wife doesn’t press charges, or doesn’t follow through. It is very frustrating. It wouldn’t be unheard of, for an officer to exact revenge or set things right. I’ve heard about it in other departments all over the country.”
“Yeah, but that’s tough, a fellow officer. What are you going to do now?”
“Go talk to Brightwater and Littleton, then I think I’ll head home. My brain hurts. It’s been a rough couple of days.” She smiled tiredly.
“Okay. I’ll head out too. Sorry again, but glad we at least have a viable motive.” He said and left the room. He walked down the hall and then left the building. He thought over the last few days, especially the day he saw the body. God that was awful. He’d had nightmares about it.
He’d tossed and turned for several nights, waking up in a cold sweat. He never wanted to see another body. He’d go to what ever crime scenes he had to, but he’d not look any more. It was too much for him. He knew he was a coward that way, but it was also self-preservation. It wasn’t something he wanted to see on a daily basis and once more he was struck by the strength of the police. The strength of Olivia.
How did she continue to be normal? How did she remain kind? Jeeze. Just the one time of seeing that victim, and it had done him in. He wasn’t made for that kind of thing. His life revolved around words. He wanted to evoke emotions from his words, he didn’t want to feel those things from seeing what was left of a human being, torn apart. Yeah, he needed a break, he needed to chill out and not think about it.
Ϫ
Olivia arrived home, she felt exhausted. She wasn’t sure if it was due to the thought that their killer could very well be a cop, or if it had just been a damn long couple of days. Her days were longer now, and it was draining her. With the most recent homicide, she’d hoped that the killer wouldn’t kill for months. Not so lucky.
She also saw that it was taking its toll on Les. He tried to put up a front, but she’d seen him sink down after seeing the body. It changes a person. She’d informed Littleton and Brightwater with regard to the theory of a cop as the serial killer, their faces had paled. They’d both been thunderstruck as well.
“Jesus H. Christ, I don’t think that would have ever occurred to me.” Brightwater had said. He’d sat down heavily in his chair.
“It does make sense. But I want to keep looking at other avenues as well. Keep all options on the table.” Littleton had added.
“I’ll start looking into the domestic abuse angle on my cases. I’ll also take a look at the officers and detective for the Norris homicide.” Brightwater had said, pulling at what little hair he’d left on his head. Olivia could see it had really upset him.
Olivia smiled when Gail came flying to the front door, and she hugged her daughter hard. She kissed Gail on the top of her dark head. She inhaled deeply, smelling the sweet scent of floral shampoo.
“You look tired mommy.” She chirped.
“I am. How was your day?”
“It was good. Did you know that Jessica says doodoo?” She grinned.
Olivia snorted and laughed. She needed this. She hugged her daughter tightly once more.
“You’re squishing me mommy.” She cried happily.
“You might squish the doodoo out of her.” Charlotte called from the kitchen. Olivia laughed and walked into the kitchen and kissed Charlotte on her cheek. She went to the refrigerator and got the orange juice. She needed a drink.
“Dad’s outside with his roses.” Charlotte informed her mother.
“Thanks, honey. I think I’ll go see what he’s up to.”
She walked out in the back yard. Bob came up and fell onto his back for a rub. She obliged him and he got up and took off running the parameter of the fence. She snorted and shook her head. She sipped at the orange juice and walked over to Jeff, who was inspecting the leaves.
“Hey, baby. How was your day?” She asked.
“Okay, almost got my finger bitten off.” He grinned and gave her a kiss. She took his hand and looked at his finger. It was bruised and she could see the indentations of teeth marks, but no broken skin. She kissed it and Jeff grinned.
“How was your day honey?” He asked, taking her juice and taking a drink.
“It was good and bad. We think we finally figured out the motive behind the killings.”
“Really? That’s wonderful.” He smiled down at her. He moved her hair back away from her face gently and she laid her head against his hand.
“Yeah, unfortunately, we might also be looking at a cop as the killer.”
“Ouch, that’s not so good. Why do you think that?” he asked, walking her over to the picnic table and sitting down.
“Well, it kind of makes sense. We are finding out that the motive is possibly domestic abuse. So far, three of the victims were abusive in some way. We’re going to check on the others. If that is the motive, who would know about it? Maybe one or two, but all? If all of these guys were abusive, then it points to a cop. Someone who’s dealt with domestic disturbance cases.”
“I’m really sorry. If it does turn out to be a police officer, what will you do?”
“Arrest him. I was thinking about my mom. And the crap she pulled when I was a kid. I know you said your dad whipped you and your brother, do you think it was abusive?”
“Yeah, my dad was pretty hard on us. He said he needed to man us up. He hated that I liked working with mom and her roses.” Jeff said, and Olivia heard the sadness and pain in his voice. She reached out and squeezed his arm.
“I know what you mean. My mom was always on me. Pulling my hair, slapping me. She’d be arrested today. I’d love to see that.” Olivia laughed.
“Yeah, same with my dad. Yeah, he whipped us with a belt. I remember my little brother was so afraid, that he went and hid in the closet. It didn’t stop my dad. I just think that was the way it was then. I don’t know. I just know that I didn’t want to do that to my own kids.” He said, smiling at her.
Olivia reached over and hugged her husband and he drew her into his lap, his arms wrapped around her waist.
“I sometimes think it was because he was in the military. He acted like a drill sergeant. Hell, he used to sing ditties. Let’s see, one was, my nuts, my nuts, my military nuts.” He laughed.
“Oh, that’s horrible.” Olivia sniggered.
“Yeah, another one he’d sing was, my balls are big and hairy, they swing from side to side. And when I jump up and down, they slap upon my thighs.” He grinned.
Olivia started laughing and hugged onto Jeff. Leave it to him to make her feel better and lighten her mood. She loved him dearly for that.
“Did I ever tell you what a wonderful mother you are, Olivia Shin?”
“Well, not today anyway.” She giggled and kissed him.
Jeff grinned and leaned back, he waggled his dark brows, his eyes crinkling into dark slits.
“Maybe tonight I should show you how much I appreciate the wonderful woman you are.”
“You are a very naughty man.” She laughed.
“Ewwww you guys are gross!” Gail cried from the kitchen door.
“Get a room!” Charlotte yelled from inside the kitchen.
Ϫ
Les sat back, his hands clasped atop his head. He read and re-read the article. He’d shoot it to Skilter and then over to Ross. The article waxed poetically over Detective Shin’s remarkable work on the task force. He shuddered at the remembrance of the dead body. He swallowed hard, feeling his gorge rise. It was so different from the crime photos. The smell was horrible and the body so vibrant and cogent to the senses.
Even after a few days, the image was still fresh and crisp in his brain. It was like he’d just seen it. The image of it wouldn’t go away, wouldn’t lessen in intensity. He couldn’t un-see it. When he closed his eyes at night, he’d see it. When he was driving, he’d see it. He’d almost become obsessive with it. He was having to purposefully change his mind’s eye. Immediately change his thoughts. It was eating him up and he didn’t like it.
He didn’t think his readers really understood quite what the men and women of the Charleston police force had to deal with. What he wrote, gave a small gist of what that was and his admiration for them. He knew in some small way, he was coming to care for Olivia and what she must carry on her shoulders with the task force and the mother she was.
Now they had a possible motive and also a possible perpetrator. A cop would know all the ins and outs of the justice system. If the killer was a cop, he’d know what the forensic teams looked for. He could even be at the crime scene when the body was discovered. He could be standing there, watching Olivia doing her job. He shuddered at that thought.
The violence that the killer had done to that body was horrific. To think the man could be working right along with Olivia frightened him. Could they have spoken to the killer already? Jesus.
“Easy boy, don’t get paranoid.” He said out loud. But it was true. The killer could be working the case, right alongside Olivia. He wiped his trembling hands over his mouth. The thought was so unsettling. He was now glad that he’d brought the idea up to Olivia. She could at least be aware and watchful. She’d been right though. Not saying a word about the assumption of a policeman, it would be reckless, to let the killer know what they were thinking. Jeeze.
Olivia carried a lot on her shoulders and had seemed to maintain her humanity and kindness through it all. He’d only been involved directly with police once, six years ago. When he and Val had separated, he had despaired at the thought of a future without her and self-pity drove him to try the attempt at suicide. He’d gotten drunk and had driven his car into a tree. He’d been arrested, and the police had sent him to the hospital, where a nurse had taken his blood and verified his intoxication.
Les had been charged with DUI, and rightfully so, he’d told himself. He’d wished that he’d died in that accident, though he’d not told the police he was trying to kill himself. After that, he’d done his drinking at home, spending the weekends blind drunk. Drinking his disappointment in himself and his life, away.
It took time and perspective, but he began to see that his Val was much better off without him. Clarity began to assert itself, and his drinking slowed down to the occasional bout. Then four months ago, he’d finally pulled his head out of his ass. Things were getting better he knew.
He only regretted that it had taken so long. That he’d caused Val to sufferer for his stupidity. Also, the fact that his work had also suffered. Ross had been a true friend in that. Les was sure that anyone else would have fired him. But Ross had just bitched at him and verbally kicked him in the butt. Weaver had given him eat shit looks. Les snorted at that. He was sure she was turning over in her grave, now that he was sitting at her desk.
He’d also gotten rid of those god-awful antique dolls on her computer screen. He’d put up his beloved shrimp boat photos. He’d also brought one of his models and put it on his desk. He reached out and touched the hull and smiled. He looked back down at his notes.
The more they dug into the evidence or lack thereof, the more it was clear that they were no closer to catching the killer. But now with the motive and maybe the idea of a cop doing the killings? Maybe things would turn their way. How could they find this man? Where was he and why was he killing these people, motive was clear, but why would he kill them? Why not arrest them? Why kill them so violently and why had he escalated?
What was driving this killer to kill these men? Was the killer dying? Did he have some terminal disease, and wanted to make sure he took out as many abusive men as he could? Les shook his head. His brain was mush. Too much thinking about all this stuff. He needed a break. Maybe go home and relax in front of the tv. Put everything to the side and pick it back up tomorrow. He had to do like Olivia, don’t take it home. Don’t let it drive him crazy.
Ϫ
Jasper picked his teeth with a toothpick. He’d read the paper this morning and laughed. Pigg Pigg, the man danced a jig, and jiggled and wiggled with speculation, Jasper thought as he watched the shit box that the shit-bird lived in. This place was run down and low rent, that was for sure. Did no one ever pick up the trash? He laughed, he was picking up the trash tonight.
The piggy reporter wrote eloquently of the murders, or rather that O-li-vi-a Shin. But still, Mr. Piggy Pig was writing about his murders. He liked that, he liked seeing his works in writing. Maybe he should show his appreciation to Mr. Piggy Pig. He looked up and saw headlights heading his way.
He reached over and picked up the hammer, with a soft sigh and a soft giggle. Push me, pull you motherfucker.
He got out of his car and squatted down. There was no place to hide, so he waited for the piece of shit car to park at the shit-box. The man got out of his car and staggered toward the apartment. Jasper walked quickly up behind the man and tapped the man on the shoulder.
The man swung around, his eyes squinting in the darkness.
“Johnny said you’ve won an all expense paid holiday in beautiful hell. Your accommodations will be hottsy tottsy. We are now boarding, choo choo.” He cooed softly and brought the hammer down hard on the man’s forehead.
Ϫ
Les packed up his things and headed to his car. He’d come home last night and didn’t look at his notes once. He put on a comedy and watched that, taking his mind away from the last few horrendous days. He’d felt rested and a lot better this morning. He’d eaten a good breakfast and felt ready to face the day.
They were going to interview Mrs. Patterson today. He was sure it would not go anywhere. But they would most certainly question her about Mr. Patterson’s abuse. Les pulled his keys out of his pocket and dropped them on the ground and screamed, his heart slamming into his chest and rammed up in his throat. He quickly backpedaled and fell on his ass. On his windshield, under the wiper blade was a bloody tooth.
He held his hand to his mouth to hold in the next scream. His hand shook badly as he dug for his phone. He dropped the phone twice; his hands were shaking so badly. He called Olivia’s cell, he’d preprogramed it, thank god. She answered on the second ring.
“O..Olivia, Jesus, Jesus. There’s a bloody tooth on my car’s windshield. He came to my house and he put a goddamn tooth on my windshield. The killer was here, he was here!” He cried out.
“Jesus, okay, don’t touch anything and don’t let anyone near your car. I’ll have a patrol car come and I’ll be there as soon as I can. I just got a call a few minutes ago. There was another murder over in North Charleston.” Olivia said.
“Christ, this must be from that victim. God, I can’t believe he was here. Jesus Christ! I’ll wait right here for the patrolman. Thanks Olivia, I’ll see you in a bit.” He hung up and stayed seated on the ground. He couldn’t seem make his legs work, nor did he want to go near his car. He saw other people looking at him as they left for their day. He was trying to hold it together, he was trying not to cry.
That maniac had come here! He came to my home, how in the hell does he know where I live? Les wondered. Christ, his name is in print, all the killer had to do was look it up on the internet. Jesus. Les put his hand to his mouth, he felt another scream trying to force its way out. He’d never been this terrified in his life. Was it one of the cops at the crime scene the other day? Christ! Was this a warning?
He could feel dampness in the seat of his pants, the grass had been damp. He didn’t care, he’d wait for the cops, he wasn’t moving from this spot. Les looked around, and wondered if the killer was even now watching him. Was the cop that was on his way there the killer? He began to tremble. He’d seen first hand what the man did. Christ. At least it was broad daylight out. The killer killed at night. But still, Les looked around.
He heard the siren of the police car and felt an overwhelming flood of relief. He saw the vehicle pull into the apartment building’s parking lot. He saw Officer Reeder, a face he knew. Putting his hands on the damp ground, Les pushed himself up, his legs threatening to take him back down to the ground. Could Reeder be the killer?
Stop, you’ll drive yourself crazy. Calm down, he thought, nearly hysterical.
“Detective Shin called, said she is at the crime scene in North Charleston, but she will be here as soon as she can. I’m to stay here until she and a forensic team get here. Are you okay Mr. Pigg?” Reeder asked, concern on his face.
Les shook his head, “No, Jesus, it scared the hell out of me. I’m going back into my apartment, I need to change my pants, the grass was wet and I fell on it, when I saw that damned tooth. I’ll be back Officer Reeder.”
The man nodded and said nothing. Les made it back to his apartment on shaky legs, he had to hold the railing to pull himself along. The air was cool, but he could feel the sweat biting at his armpits and down his back. His brain had seized up, and Les was unable to put a cogent thought together.
When he got inside, he slammed the door. He peeked out through the window to watch Officer Reeder. He saw the officer looking at his windshield, his hands behind his back. Reeder didn’t touch the car and was standing back from it. He then said something on his mike, that hung from his shirt. Then Les watched as the man walked around, just looking at the cars around and the apartment complex. Les let out a long breath. He went into his bedroom.
