Mike brought a red can and
set it down next to John’s SUV. Brad stood up and told John to
follow him to his SUV. Brad opened the door and told John to sit in
the driver’s seat. John did as he was told to take one last look at
the beginning of a few stars popping up in the coming darkness.
John sat in the seat while Brad told him to hold the steering wheel
with both hands. Brad took plastic handcuff ties and connected them
to his wrists and steering wheel. Mike took the red can of gas and
pour it over John and the rest of it over the back seat and the
front seats. The smell of raw gas was strong and deadly. John
blinked his eyes from the stinging gas and looked straight ahead.
Brad brought from the fire a glowing stick and as Rocky and Mike
moved away, threw it in the car and kicked the door shut. A vroom
sound followed by a flash of fire consumed the interior and John
i
n
seconds. Brad
and Mike stood watching John go up in flames and not a shred of
pity was felt by either one of them. The world was better off now,
but still far being safe with the inevitable knowledge of when the
next serial killer arrived on the scene.
They looked on for a few
more minutes seeing the charred body of John the Senior Killer and
then got in the suburban and drove down the mountain with a bright
red glow in the mirrors until the first switch back blocked the
burning vehicle and darkness set upon the day.
Stopping in Fossil at a
payphone, first he called Steve giving him a brief report and then
he called Sujin to tell her it was all over and he would call again
from the Portland FBI office to report his next move. Brad walked
back to the Suburban and wondered if the world was any safer now
than before as they drove the four hours back to Portland in
silence. Staring out the window at the black of the evening
thousands of stars blinked back possibly telling them all was right
in their world.
After a toss and turn night
in a motel in Troutdale, Brad and Mike met his team and Steve at
the FBI office in Portland. Nancy recapped the Paul story telling
them he was in the county jail without the option of bail. He had a
court appointed attorney and the court process would continue
eventually landing Paul in a mental institution for the duration of
his life. His brother Edward was plucked out of his underground
room and promptly installed in security institution for evaluation.
At the pig farm a backhoe was brought in after the pigs were
rounded up and disposed at Yelm’s auction barn. It was decided that
the farm would be used for fire practice by the Bald Hills
volunteer fire department.
Finally Steve said, “Brad
you and I are called to DC for a meeting at the highest level. I
suggest the team return to the Oregon coast and write up a detailed
report of the case for future study by law enforcement agencies for
training purposes. Wendy and agent Jones will accompany the team to
Oregon and from now on, if they so desire, they are permanently
attached to the team,” as he scooted his chair back ending the
meeting.
Brad called Sujin and told
her he would be gone a few days back east and that the rest of the
team would be today. She never asked him what happened, that would
come later in good time. What she did
tell
him was that little Brad Jr.
was kicking like crazy and Sandy followed her around making a pest
of herself knowing her delicate state of being with
child.
Epilogue
The following morning found
Brad and Steve, along with the mystery, portly head of the
semi-covert agency in a sitting area next to the Oval Office
waiting to see the most powerful man in the world. Rocky sat next
to Brad ears up and tongue hanging out watching the people come and
go around the waiting area.
Finally it was their turn as
the new FBI director left looking like he needed a stiff drink from
his meeting with the president. A pleasant looking secretary nodded
to the gray hair man and they all made their way into the Oval
Office. The president was standing behind his desk and moved around
like the political master he was and stuck out his hand to shake
their hands making the rounds of all three of his guests and looked
down at Rocky and smiled. Also in the room were the two
representatives of the AARP. The president introduced them and
escorted them to the door smoothly telling them time was
up.
He told everyone to make
sit down and be comfortable as he moved to sit at his desk. He took
a few seconds to look everyone in the eye and said, “The people of
the United States want to thank you Brad and your team of
professionals. The United States senior citizens can once again
sleep because of your diligence in bringing the serial killer to a
conclusion. Once again you have proven invaluable to the cause of
crime fighting and other special activities we need on occasion.
After taking all things into consideration, you and your team are
in the forefront or our first line of defense against terrorists
and special needs in times of crisis. I’ve increased your budget
and you will receive the details at a later time. For now, I
personally want to thank you for taking care of a desperate time in
our history. Senior citizens are especially vulnerable and need our
help.”
The president looked
straight at Brad and said, “Now before you leave Washington Brad,
we have a special calling for the need of your team to address a
very sensitive case involving…………… ..” But that is another
story.