Branded for Murder (16 page)

Chapter 39

It was difficult leaving Lisa this morning. I needed to help the task force with the analysis of the many calls. I dropped her off at her dorm, watching the other coeds take notice of what was becoming a regular occurrence.

If I didn’t show up at the task force today, I’m sure someone would have covered for me. However, I wanted to help. This process was something I really felt was helping. It was nice to be appreciated. Just that small amount of recognition was all it took to have me committed to this process. I also wanted to help catch Jackie’s killer.

Lisa and I enjoyed our time together last night. As usual we didn’t get much sleep, but we both felt very connected to each other. I thought my proposal to her was lacking something, but I really hadn’t planned to propose. I have no regrets. I want to spend the rest of my life with her, and she feels the same way. The episode in the parking lot could have been more serious. A few minutes later, and who knows what scars Lisa would have had forever. Both of us were very lucky it turned out the way it did.

Even though it was Saturday, the detectives were in and Mike was upstairs with Paddy. Colleen wasn’t coming in today, but I didn’t feel authorized to answer the phone. It was ringing constantly, but Paul, Phil and the other detectives were answering the calls. Mike left me a pile of call sheets from other police departments to consolidate with ours. The material was different, taking me extra time to find the information I needed.

There were two more reports of a vacuum cleaner salesman, which I thought might be the same guy. However, there was no name or phone number information, since the women closed the door on the guy. The sketch in the paper caused them to think about the guy, reporting the visit to the authorities. There were several other sheets which looked like they might be worthy of follow up.

There were two reports of a man who looked like the sketch. In those cases it was someone who identified himself as a detective. The two women who made the report said he looked like the sketch, but had only talked to the man, not letting him in. In both cases, they were not sure which police department he was with. I wanted to mention those two calls to Mike when he came downstairs. I put them aside, making notes on my summary sheet.

Paul came over to my desk a few minutes later. “Scott, don’t you ever come up for air? All I see you doing is working with all of these call sheets. I don’t even see you with coffee, and the doughnuts look like they will be safe for the rest of the day. Why don’t you take a break?”

“Thanks Paul. It’s easy to get involved with all of these sheets. I could use some coffee though.”

I noticed the two call sheets about the detective, thinking I would get his impression of them. “Paul, if you have a minute, I have two call sheets that look interesting. Can you look at them and tell me what you think?” I handed the sheets to him.

He read the detail of both, going back to the first one again. He didn’t say anything immediately. He sat down on my side chair, rereading the second one. “You know Scott, this could be something. Have you seen any others like these two?”

“No, not yet, but I’m still going through the other police department records.” I touched the pile which was two inches high.

“What’s interesting about this one is that we have two different towns reporting a detective knocking on their door. In addition, he looks like the sketch in the paper. I would mention this to Mike when he comes down from Paddy’s. In fact, I would march right up there and show him these. I think these two women should be seen right away. They might recall something about the guy’s identification, looks, or something that might help us.” He looked at me still sitting there. “Thanks for sharing these two with me. Are you going to take them upstairs?”

“Thanks for your input. I’ll do that…and get coffee and a doughnut on the way back. Thanks Paul.”

“My pleasure, amigo.”

*.*.*

I headed up the stairs two at a time. When I reached the landing, I no longer heard their voices. I knocked on Paddy’s door frame, as the door was open.

“Good morning, Scott. You’re in on a Saturday. That’s impressive. What do you have there?”

“Good morning Paddy, Mike. I have two call sheets from women who reported a man looking like the sketch, knocking on their doors flashing a detective’s ID. Paul said that I might want to let you know about these. I also have two more similar calls about the vacuum salesman, but neither has a name or phone number, so I can’t tell if it’s the same person.”

Mike held out his hand, and I gave him the two call sheets. He read them quickly, passing them to Paddy. “Nicely done, Scott.”

Paddy read them and handed them back to Mike. “You said you had two more calls about the vacuum cleaner salesman. Do you mind bringing them up to us? We’re about to contact this guy. This is very impressive work on your part Scott.”

I ran down to my desk, found the other two sheets and brought them upstairs.

Paddy noticed the numbers on the call sheets, and asked, “Do I understand you’re assigning numbers to all these calls and summarizing them?”

“Yes sir. It helps me find the sheets and cross reference them.”

Paddy smiled, and added, “Why am I not surprised? This is a huge help. We’ll take it from here. Thank you.”

I went back to my desk and the pile of other department call sheets. I needed to make some sense out of them. I was feeling really excited about helping with this effort. I totally forgot the coffee and doughnuts and took care of that problem.

I needed to tell Mike what happened to us last night.

While focused on my doughnuts, I wondered if I would have to write a school paper on the process I developed.
Taking a break gave me time to weigh if I was actually helping to find my cousin’s killer. I just might be.

Chapter 40

He could feel the new mustache growth. His wife wanted to know who the new man was in the house?
That’s the point dear…we want to look like a different man. Maybe you will like sleeping with him. I know there’s not a chance. You’re also not like the women I’ve been with.

He thought again of the woman he left alive. She really was special. Had he known what she would eventually do—he would never have left her alive. He studied his image in the mirror. A few minutes later he was contemplating his next move.

Should I visit her? It would be worth the look on her face when I appeared at her door. I still have a key, but you know nothing about that, do you? Maybe I should appear at your bed side. I know you would like that, or even pretending will work just fine. However, you won’t live to tell about it again.
I’m going to pass your apartment building later tonight to see what develops. If I can’t control my urge to see you, well so be it.

Looking down at himself, he realized he was already very excited. Maybe tonight I’ll deliver a different kind of package than the one that let me in the last time. I know you wouldn’t fall for that again, but you don’t even have to let me in this time.

Maybe when you wake up, I should be lying beside you. That would be the shock of your life wouldn’t it? You didn’t like the actual shock treatment last time, but I have to remember to bring it along with my other goodies. I’ll have to tell my wife I’m going out of town tonight and won’t be back for a day, or two.

That sounds so nice…two days. Can you stand me for that long, Patricia? Well, you have to because you don’t have a choice. He closed his eyes, contemplating the menu for two days. Maybe he wouldn’t strangle her, like the others. No, he knew he had to feel her final moments.
He looked around the bathroom to make sure he was still alone.
He thought about his wife. You could have prevented all of this, but no…you don’t like to play games. It’s amazing we have any children at all. Honey, I can still say I haven’t actually made love to anyone but you. Maybe tonight I’ll change that.

Chapter 41

Mike was still with Paddy. They were making plans to confront the vacuum cleaner salesman. Their plan was for one of the police women to call him and ask for a demonstration of one of his products. They had an apartment in downtown Boston picked out that wouldn’t cause any hesitation on his part. They were going to tape record the session and monitor his visit in case he attempted an attack.

The police woman was a young-attractive brunette, who had just made detective. She was more than eager to help bag the strangler.

*.*.*

They heard the front door open, and footsteps on the stairs. Paddy had asked her to come in and go upstairs without talking to anyone downstairs, if that was possible.

She knocked on Paddy’s door. Mike and Paddy stood up to greet her. Paddy announced, “Hi Terri, I’m glad you could make it. Terri this is Mike Miller, our lead investigator, Mike this is Terri Palmer.”

He offered his hand. “It’s nice to meet you Terri.” She was a tall, attractive brunette with long hair.
He thought
if he’s the bad guy he will not miss this opportunity.

After the introductions were over, Paddy moved a chair beside his.

She sat down and immediately commented, “I want to thank you both for this opportunity to help catch this guy. He’s killed too many women, and it needs to stop.”

“Terri, we appreciate your help. However, we’re not sure if this is the guy or not, but there is a resemblance to the sketch. He would have access to their apartments being a door to door salesman. The apartment is all set up. We have the ability to record his visit, and monitor it as well. Should he try anything nasty, we’ll be right next door with our key. There isn’t a safety chain, so there’s no possibility he can prevent our entry.”

Paddy added, “We’re going to call from here, and try to set up an appointment later this afternoon, or early evening. If that’s not possible, we’ll shoot for Monday. I can’t imagine he would come out for a demo on Sunday. Terri, you will make the call. Your name is Terri Welmer, which is the name on the apartment’s mailbox.

*.*.*

Terri dialed the number from the note Paddy had given her. A male voice answered, “Hello.”

“Yes, my name is Terry Welmer. Your number was given to me by one of my friends. I’m interested in a new vacuum, because mine is not working. Is there any chance you can give me a demonstration?”

“Terry, it’s nice to talk with you. Yes, I would be glad to do that. When are you available?”

“Well, I work during the week. I was wondering if you could do anything today. I know its short notice, but I’m really interested.”

“Well let me think…where are you located?”

“I have an apartment on Commonwealth Avenue near the Prudential Center. My apartment isn’t that big, but it’s hard to take care of by myself working and all.”

“It’s almost 4 pm now. Could I see you between 5:30 and 6 pm?”

“Oh, thank you very much. What’s your name…my friend never got it?”

“It’s Tom Murphy. What is your address?”

Terri gave him the details and he said he would see her as close to 5:30 pm as he could. He would bring a canister model, which would be easy for her to use.

She hung up the phone and immediately offered, “He doesn’t sound like a killer, but I’m not sure I would know what one sounds like.”

Mike offered, “You did an excellent job. I don’t think you gave him anything to be suspicious about.”

*.*.*

They were set up. They tested the level of the hidden microphone in the apartment, which worked just fine. Terri spent a few minutes getting familiar with the layout of the apartment, and the personal items there. It was a few minutes after 5 pm and they left to go next door. Terri put on casual clothes, including a tight pair of jeans.

Just before 5:30 pm, the buzzer rang from the front entry area.

Terri pushed the talk button. “Yes, who’s there?”

“It’s Tom Murphy.”

“I’ll buzz you in. Once again my apartment is 2C, one flight up and to the left.”

He approached her apartment with his large brief case and vacuum cleaner box. He knocked on the door marked 2C. The door opened a slight amount, and the woman inside looked at him, and then opened the door wide.

“Terri, it’s nice to meet you,” he immediately said, offering his hand. They shook hands and he looked for a place to sit down.

“I’m sorry. Why don’t we sit on the couch over there and you can tell me about the vacuum.”

He brought his briefcase with him, leaving the vacuum cleaner box near the front door. “Tell me Terri, what kind of vacuum did you have, and what’s wrong with it?”

She had no idea about that, as they hadn’t talked about it. “I borrowed my mom’s vacuum, and when it wasn’t picking up anything, I gave it back to her. I’m not sure exactly what kind it was, but it was an upright.”

“Miss Welmer, it is miss isn’t it?”

“Yes, but please call me Terri.”
He’s checking to see if I’m alone.
“What kind of vacuum did you bring?”

He got up, and she thought he was going to make his move. She braced herself, thinking he did look very similar to the sketch Paddy showed her. However, he walked over to the box by the door and carried it over to where she was sitting.
This is it
,
she thought
.

“Where do you want me to demo the vacuum? You have hardwood floors here. Do you have any rugs in your apartment? It would be best to show you how it works on a rug. A dry mop will work fine on these hard wood floors.”

He wants to get me in the bedroom.
“I have a large rug in the bedroom.” She started to move towards the bedroom and turned to see what he was doing.

He went over and picked up the box and followed her. He knelt and placed the box on the rug in her bedroom. “I need to get brochures in my briefcase. I’ll get them”

She could feel her reflexes tightening in anticipation of his move. She didn’t know just what to expect. She was sitting on the edge of the bed and had her leg poised to let him have it in the groin. She smiled when he returned.

He put the briefcase down beside her on the bed and she noticed his large frame. He smiled and opened the briefcase and pulled out two brochures. “This is the vacuum I’m going to show you today, and this other, is one I could show you if you’re not happy with the one I brought. However, for your size apartment, this one should work great for you.”

She noticed her hand shaking, as she took the two brochures from him. She was more intent on watching for his move, than on the brochures.

He studied her for a moment. “I’m sorry Terri, you seem very uncomfortable. Would you rather have this demo in the other room?”

“No, I’m sorry. I guess I’m just nervous having a stranger in my bedroom.”

He studied her again not saying anything immediately. “Well, I’m not going to bite you.” He moved his hand to point to one of the brochures she was holding, and she jumped.

“Once again, this is the unit I have with me.” He knelt down on the carpet and opened the box.

She noticed the hose was wrapped with a length of rope. She needed to give next door an indication of what she was looking at. “Do you really need a rope to hold the hose together?”

He put his hand on the rope holding the hose. “This? It’s just to hold the hose; otherwise it has a mind of its own.” He lifted the hose by the rope and placed it on the floor, and then pulled out a couple of lengths of chrome pipe.

“This has a ten foot hose and these two extensions will be enough for you to vacuum the floor. If you have to vacuum the ceiling or drapes you might want the third length of pipe.”

Mike realized once he turned on the vacuum, he wouldn’t be able to hear or record their voices.
If she screamed, would they hear her?
So far it didn’t seem like anything out of the ordinary. He actually might be a vacuum salesman, but he still could be the strangler.

*.*.*

She watched him unwind the long power cord, thinking this might be what happens next. He was looking for an outlet. She pointed to the outlet by the night stand. He walked over and knelt down to plug it in then stood up quickly.

Again she jumped. “I’m sorry Terri, I have to either unplug your alarm clock or the light. Should I try to find another outlet?”

She wasn’t sure where another outlet was. She realized how she reacted to his standing up. “Just leave the light plugged in. You can unplug the alarm clock.” He went back to the night stand, unplugged the alarm clock, and plugged in the vacuum.

She realized once he turned on the vacuum cleaner, the guys next door might not be able to pick up their conversation, or any call for help.

He added the two extensions to the hose end, put on a rug attachment, and then turned on the vacuum.

She was prepared for the sound but it was loud in the small bedroom. She watched him work the attachment across the rug for a minute or two, and then he approached her. She thought if he was going to make any move he had to do it now.

He held the chrome attachment out to her. “Here, why don’t you see how this works now?”

She took it from him, stood and worked the vacuum across the rug. She turned her back on purpose to see if she could prompt any action on his part. She sensed he was looking at her body and not at the vacuum cleaner. He moved quickly, but it was only to move the vacuum box out of the way. She proceeded to finish vacuuming the rug. She watched him go over to the nightstand out of the corner of her eye. He picked up a large ashtray, bringing it over to where she was working.

He announced, “Here, watch how it works with this.” He then dumped the ashtray contents onto the rug.

She brought the vacuum attachment over, and it scooped up the mess in just a matter of seconds. If he was the strangler, he was very patient. She looked for the switch to turn the vacuum cleaner off. He moved quickly. She flinched again. He knelt down and turned the vacuum off by touching the small black button on top of the machine.

“Miss Welmer…Terri, you really are quite jumpy. Would you be more comfortable if we were to go back into the living room?”

She looked at the man. “I’m sorry. Yes, that would be better. You look very much like the sketch in the paper. Have you seen it?”

“Yes I have, and it makes trying to call on people very difficult. Is that why you’re so uncomfortable?”

She announced, “Yes, I guess that’s it. The vacuum does do an excellent job. How much is it?”

*.*.*

Mike was glad the vacuum was turned off, and could now hear the conversation. When Terri mentioned the sketch in the paper, the salesman didn’t try to hide the resemblance. He listened as the salesman told her the details about the price and availability.

“Paddy, I think we’re out of luck. If he was the strangler I think he would have made a move on Terri by now. I think we just hit a dead end. Phil, would you please start breaking down the equipment.” He took off the headphones. “Terri is wrapping up with the salesman now.”

They heard the door open. Terri and the salesman said their goodbyes. They went over to the apartment to get her feedback. “You did a great job Terri,” Mike announced, as they entered the apartment.

“Thanks Mike. I admit there were a few times he made me nervous, and I overreacted. I felt him looking at me when I was vacuuming in the bedroom, and if he was the strangler I was vulnerable with my back to him. I believe he’s not the strangler, but just someone who unfortunately looks like him. I was really hoping we were close to catching the strangler.”

Paddy answered before Mike did, “I know what you mean. We were also hoping we were close to making an arrest. Now we’re back at square one. You did a fine job, but it was hard to hear with the vacuum running. We were a little anxious during that time, but figured you would either scream or alert us in some manner.”

*.*.*

Paddy indicated they would send a note of appreciation to her Precinct Captain. The other two detectives left to take Terri back to her car.

Paddy and Mike were seated in the sting apartment. Mike felt like the wind had been let out of his sails, and commented, “Paddy, I was really optimistic we were indeed going to catch the strangler tonight. Now we have to start from square one again. Scott mentioned the other two leads about that detective, and I guess we need to contact those people right away. I don’t think we should try that tonight, but we should follow up first thing in the morning. What do you think?”

Paddy was slow to respond. “Mike, these investigations can be very stressful. I was banking on this guy being our strangler. If he is the strangler, I would be very surprised. He had Terri if he wanted to do anything, but he was just focused on making a sale. I feel sorry for the guy actually. I wonder if my wife is happy with our vacuum. Terri said she was impressed with it.”

Mike studied Paddy, not saying anything for a few minutes. “You know, as I do, what this means Paddy. We could have another strangling on our hands soon.”