Branded for Murder (4 page)

Chapter 10

I felt all of the men’s eyes on me when I brought the folders into the conference room. Paddy pointed to where he wanted them placed. When I returned with my coffee there were ten men seated at the table. I took a seat at the far end of the table.

Paddy immediately started talking. “Yesterday was the first time we met as a group and introduced ourselves and our respective departments. Today, we have a new member. Scott Tucker is attending Harvard and wants to get a real feel of what real investigative work is like. He has volunteered his services, of which I’m grateful.”

Paddy continued, “Scott is going to buddy up with Mike. I’m sure they will get along famously.”

Each of the men then introduced themselves along with the organization they represented.

*.*.*

Mike watched Scott’s reaction while each man introduced himself. It’s an impressive gathering of talent. He also wondered what Scott’s reaction was to the case material.
Did he do the right thing letting him see the crime scene material?
Well, he’s still here and looks like he wants to be exposed to what we’re doing. He didn’t know how he was going to respond to being Scott’s buddy, but he was starting to feel more comfortable with the process. He wondered if he could have done the same thing at Scott’s age.

Paddy interrupted Mike’s thoughts. “Thanks everyone. We now have representatives from the FBI, the Massachusetts State Police, Boston, Cambridge and MDC police. In addition Dr. Thomas, Chris as he prefers, is a psychologist with Mass General Hospital. Later he will be giving us his thoughts on the killer’s profile. We have well over a hundred years of detective experience here and we’re going to need it. I would like to run through each of the twelve cases now.”

Mike wondered if Scott was going to make it through this process. He decided he would keep a watchful eye on him
.

*.*.*

“Case 12 – Butler: This was yesterday’s strangling on Commonwealth Avenue. She was twenty-two. All of you know the details of that case with the exception of Scott. He’ll see those details after this meeting.”

“Case 11 – Russell. This was a strangling in Woburn on High Street. She was thirty-one. She was strangled—”

After my cousin’s name was mentioned I could hear Paddy’s voice, but couldn’t make out what he was saying. I’m not sure how long Paddy had been talking. I had to close my eyes because the room was spinning. I grabbed the table to steady myself.

“Scott.” I heard my name being called. I opened my eyes. Mike was standing beside me. “Scott, Paddy called a break. Why don’t we get a doughnut and talk for a few minutes. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, thanks. It’s just a little overwhelming when you think of the number of victims and families impacted.”

Mike studied me without saying anything. “Yes Scott, that’s exactly why we have to catch this son of a bitch. Come on, let’s get some nourishment. It looks like you need another coffee.”

*.*.*

When we resumed I felt better. Chris Thomas was about to give his impression of the killer.

Dr. Thomas stood and addressed the room. “This killer is driven to these killings by some sort of circumstances. Given similar circumstances, he will indeed be driven to kill another woman, who could be either elderly or young. You might say his desire to kill is not tied to a particular woman’s appearance, but only the proximity at the time his urge is so strong he can no longer control it.”

He walked to the blackboard. “My thoughts, given the details in the cases, are that we are looking for a man under six feet tall, maybe inches shorter. He is married, but to an old-fashioned woman who does not provide any real satisfaction to his desires. They probably have been married about ten years with two or more children. She is probably of foreign descent, and does not know the strong desires, or urges, her husband has.” He printed the following on the board: short stature, married, multiple children less than ten years old, wife possibly of foreign descent.

“She does not like sex, especially foreplay or being touched, but does consent to his urgings as long as he does things in a missionary manner and gets the process over quickly. I might go so far as to say that she does not even get undressed, and protects herself from being seen in the nude. She merely spreads her legs and tolerates him getting his relief. It’s always in bed with the lights off, and possibly the same night of the week.” He added to the board; limited sex, missionary, in the dark, and hurried.

“It’s hard to say exactly what triggers him to attack and kill these women. It could be something he sees; while he is driving, something he sees on the sidewalk, in a park, in a store window, on a billboard, or even something he fantasizes about. Something triggers his sex drive, which has been suppressed, and he can no longer control his desire. He must satisfy his craving, and the tension just builds until he finds a victim to satisfy his needs. He carries out sexual fantasies with the victims.” He added the elements to the board.

“He carries with him the articles he needs to; gain access, subdue, threaten and immobilize the victim.” He wrote on the board; triggered by something, carries out fantasies, comes prepared with objects.

He turned to face us and then continued. “He brings his small kit of items including a knife and rope. The unlucky women are just objects to satisfy his needs. This could also be revenge for his childhood, taking out aggression on his mother, or getting even with his father. Look for someone who is handsome, but blends into the crowd. He might look innocent and possibly studious. As I get more details from future cases I might refine this profile, but I believe this closely fits the man we are looking for.” He added to the board; carrying a bag, handsome, and innocent looking.

“Thanks Chris, we can explore those points further in the future. We have been lucky that he has not had the urge to kill more often. Now let’s look at the commonalities of these cases,” Paddy remarked. He stood and went to the blackboard. “Each woman was strangled with nylon stockings or panty hose. The victims were found on their beds with their knees raised and legs spread. In every case, the bodies were displayed for a shock effect. In addition, most of the victims were molested with objects. All had their breasts bitten hard enough to draw blood, but not hard enough to detach the nipples.”

O’Brien picked up his notes and took them to the blackboard and resumed, “All had been tied up during the attack. They were all gagged with nylon stockings, panties or a sanitary pad stuffed in the mouth. Another nylon or electrical tape was tied across or covered the mouth. None of them were found blindfolded, but it appeared they had been during the attack. The attacks spanned in some cases as much as two hours.”

He looked around the room and resumed, “Semen was found beside or on the victims. In every case there were no signs of any forced entry or any struggle in their homes or apartments.”

A knock on the door of the conference room caused him to stop. “Come in.”

“Paddy I put the two dozen doughnuts by the coffee machine,” Colleen announced.

“Thank you Colleen. Let’s take a quick break for coffee, doughnuts or whatever.”

*.*.*

During the balance of the meeting each Detective talked about the separate investigations in each town. There was considerable discussion and speculation on how the killer could have gained entry into all these women’s homes or apartments. A key point developed out of that discussion—was that the killer had to track each of the victims for a period of time, always picking a woman who lived alone, or timing his attack when the man was elsewhere.

After the meeting I sat looking at the latest strangling case file, I could almost picture the killer now. However, I was having a problem with why my cousin would have let someone into her home. She wasn’t stupid and would have been very cautious.

Mike’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “Scott, you look miles away. Is this investigation going to be too much for you?”

“I’m sorry Mike. I’m trying to think why my…why any of these women would have opened their door to this stranger. You would almost think they all knew this person, but that would be impossible.” I could feel Mike studying me.

“It’s a key puzzle piece. What are your plans for tomorrow and the weekend?” Mike asked.

I thought about Jackie’s wake and funeral. “I was going to talk with you about that. I have something I need to take care of at my parents if I can be excused for tomorrow and this weekend? I can come back Sunday afternoon if you want me to.” Mike looked like he was trying to read between the lines.

“No Scott that’s fine. It’s nice to have you working with us, and I really would like to spend some time maybe after work someday next week to get to know you better. That is if you would like to do that?”

“That sounds fine to me. I would like that.” I could feel my face flushing again.

Mike noticed Paddy waving to him from the conference room door, and nodded to him. “Okay, why don’t you come in Monday morning and we’ll update you on what might have been learned in the meantime, and if you can make it, plan on a couple of beers following work at my favorite nearby pub.”

We shook hands. “Okay, see you Monday morning.”

I could sense he was interested in what was taking me away for the weekend. I felt guilty not sharing the details with him. He probably thinks I’m having a problem coping with the gruesome case details.
However, I knew I would be thinking about those details for hours on my drive to Maine.

Chapter 11

I finished my school work and had taken my final. It was Friday. I was glad the week was coming to a close. The wake for Jackie was tomorrow morning in Woburn Massachusetts, with a small family gathering on Sunday morning in Maine just prior to the funeral service.

I knew this was going to be a rough weekend for all of us. I was not going to go to my parents’ house until Saturday night. My parents and relatives would be coming to the wake in Woburn, since most of her friends were in the towns around there. After my brief conversation with Mike at the task force office yesterday, I sensed he had some questions about my being away this weekend. I was wondering if anyone from the task force would be at the wake tomorrow. I hoped not.

I knew I would tell Mike about Jackie being a family member, but not until he was happy I was helping with the investigations. His offer to spend some time together would be nice. I hope it would help us develop a better personal relationship so when I tell him, it would not end my connection with the team.

I haven’t stopped thinking about what I saw in those folders and what I heard at the team meeting. It is still awful that Jackie had to be one of the victims. I never did open her folder. I guess at some time I’m going to have to. I knew I couldn’t even force myself to see her that way. Maybe after this weekend’s services, I would change my mind.
Why are there so many monsters among us? Is God testing our faith? If so, what other tests does he have in store for me? I still believe, but I have questions about why things like this happen.

*.*.*

I decided to check out my preferred study hall library to see if my future friend is there. I brought along some course material, but I knew I couldn’t really do that much studying. There’s too much going on right now. It was after noontime, the library was almost empty. The two girls were not there.

I was about an hour into occupying my time when I saw the blonde come in the door. The sun was shining behind her and her friend, but I had committed her mannerisms to memory and knew it was her. I watched as they sat at their usual table. I had made the commitment to introduce myself today and I was going to go through with it.

However, it was almost an hour since they sat down. I was aware my breathing was getting faster. Every once in a while I peeked over my book to look at her. Several times I thought she was looking over at me.

I had just put my book down and gathered my courage when someone came running into the library.

My first reaction was shock that he was yelling in the library. Then I realized what he was yelling about. “The president has been shot…the president has been shot!”

My mind did not believe what I was hearing. I just sat there stunned. A few minutes later the librarian turned on her radio and turned up the volume. I went over to hear the news. The announcer was saying that President Kennedy and Governor Connolly were both shot while riding in a motorcade through Dallas just after noon there. Initial reports were that the President was rushed to a Dallas hospital and is in critical condition. There was an update coming in just a few minutes.

I felt the emotion of the week and the news. I looked around at the others standing nearby. Everyone was either crying to themselves or sobbing outwardly. I noticed the blonde and her friend hugging each other and crying. They were just a few steps away. I was self conscious about crying, but I couldn’t help it. The loss of Jackie earlier this week and now the President being shot…were too much.

Picking my head up, it looked like both of the girls were going to faint. They looked weak and the color looked drained from the blonde’s face. I rushed over, putting my arms around both of them. They turned to me and put their faces in my sweater. I held onto both while we all let our emotions flow.

While we were huddled there, we heard the report that President Kennedy had indeed been killed. The librarian told us that they had turned on the television in one of the rooms and we should go and watch the news reports if we wanted to. We followed her back to the other room.

We watched in horror as the motorcade and shooting was televised. It all happened so fast that it was hard to understand what was happening on the screen.

Both of the girls still had their arms around my waist, and I had mine around their shoulders. All of the people in the room stared in disbelief at what had happened. Mrs. Kennedy’s coat showed the signs of the president’s blood. We stood silently, but I could feel the girl on my right start to buckle. I guided her to a chair. Her friend called to her.

*.*.*

“Lisa, Lisa this is Judy. I’m here, and this is…?”

“Scott.”

“Lisa, I’m here, Scott’s here, please don’t faint. We’re going to be okay. Lisa…Lisa, answer me. Scott thanks for helping. Let’s get her outside into the fresh air. Can you help me? Let’s guide her to the front door.”

I lifted her up from the chair, putting my arm around her waist. Judy was on the other side. Together we guided her, but I mostly supported her until we got outside.

As we were moving her, Judy looked over at me and whispered, “Scott thanks for being here. Thanks for helping.” I didn’t know what to say, but within less than a minute we were outside on one of the benches.

Lisa’s eyes seemed elsewhere. “Judy, my name is Scott Tucker. I wanted to meet you both, but was too shy. I’m really sorry it took this event to have us meet.”

She offered her hand and introduced herself, “Hello Scott, it’s nice to meet you too. I’m Judy Post and my friend is Lisa Anderson. We’re roommates at Chase.”

I noticed the color was coming back into Lisa’s face.

Judy added, “You know Scott, Lisa has been doing nothing but talking about you since she spoke to you on the bench this week. I know she won’t mind, she wanted to meet you weeks ago. Are you okay, Scott?”

“This has been an awful week. My cousin was killed earlier this week and now President Kennedy has been assassinated. I wish this week had never happened.” I realized how that sounded. “I’m sorry…I’m glad for this part…I mean meeting both of you.”

*.*.*

People were leaving the library mentioning it was closing. I realized I hadn’t really said anything to Lisa yet. “Hi Lisa. Are you okay? I’m Scott Tucker.”

She raised her hand and offered it. We shook hands, but her hand was ice cold. “Hi, Scott. It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry I was such a bother.” She was cradled against my arm, looking up at me. I could still see her eyes watering. My eyes started to do the same. I felt my heart skip a beat, and pressure in my chest. I forced myself to take a breath.
I knew at that moment what this was all about. I would be okay going forward. I had lost so much, but I knew things were going to be so much better.
I was still holding her hand. It didn’t feel cold any longer. She reached up and wiped her tears away and finally smiled.

I forced a smile too and turned to Judy, asking, “Is there a place we can go?”

She didn’t immediately answer, and then offered, “There’s a coffee shop we like just around the corner. Let’s see if it’s still open. I think we could all use one. Okay?”

“That sounds great. I’ll get our things from the library.” I watched Lisa put her arms around Judy’s waist and they both hugged.

When I returned they stood to greet me smiling at how much I was carrying.