“Good afternoon Mr. Lewis.
Right on time as usual, I see.”
“Punctuality means respect
.”
“
Excuse me while I see if Congressman Taylor is ready for you.”
Fraser knocked on the door of the inner office, paused a moment then entered and informed Taylor of Lewis’ arrival.
“Send him in please.” he said without looking up.
“Yes sir and the meeting room is all clear when you’re ready.”
“Thank you Damien, we’ll be out in a moment.”
“Please go in Mr. Lewis.” Fraser
said, motioning to the office.
“Thanks
. Rita; any chance I could have one of your excellent cappuccinos, please?”
“Of course Matt, I’ll bring it to the meeting room with your lunch shortly.”
“Great; thanks.”
Lewis entered Taylor’s office and greeted him warmly.
Taylor busily finished up his notes from the previous meeting and stood to shake his old friend’s hand.
“Great to see you Matt; it’s been a while.
You must have been very busy to stay away from Capitol Hill this long.”
“Hi Stewart; great to see you too.
Sorry it’s been longer than usual but I’ve been really tied up with this Devlin Industries thing.”
“I understand but let’s not talk here.
Lunch should be ready in a minute and the meeting room has already been swept so let’s walk down, shall we?”
The two friends walked through the outer office with Damien Fraser leading the way and George Geoffrey following behind.
As they reached the meeting room door, Fraser unlocked the congressman’s dedicated deadbolt and opened the door for them to enter. Just as Lewis and Taylor sat down at the meeting table, Fraser’s demeanor suddenly and dramatically changed.
“Gun!” he shouted as he drew his own weapon and shot both men dead in their chairs.
Officer Geoffrey’s face dropped in disbelief as his mind struggled to process the surreal event he had witnessed. In a split second, his instincts, training, and experience took over and he drew his Glock 45, shouting at Fraser to drop his weapon. Fraser turned toward him and began to raise his gun when Geoffrey squeezed his trigger three times in quick succession and Fraser slumped to the floor, blood gurgling from his mouth. Damien looked up at his partner in complete confusion.
“Why?” he asked
with his final breath.
Geoffrey was shocked and confused.
His mind couldn’t make sense of what just happened. Not only had his trusted partner just murdered his own protectee and a civilian friendly but he seemed surprised and confused that Geoffrey had then shot him. This made no sense whatsoever. He stood, gun in hand as his mind tried to assimilate the event. Rita came running from the congressman’s office without fear for her own safety.
“What are you doing Officer Geoffrey?
What happened?”
Arriving at the meeting room door, her eyes widened and her jaw dropped in disbelief.
She looked at Geoffrey then down at Fraser and bent to shake the dead man.
“Officer Fraser?
Damien?”
Rita realized in horror that Fraser was dead then looked up to see Matt Lewis and Congressman Taylor slumped in their chairs, each with a single bullet hole in their foreheads.
A sound began to emanate from within her. At first, it started as a low guttural groan then picked up and grew into a despairing wail of disbelief as she walked, hunched over to Taylor’s lifeless body. By this time, several uniformed US Capitol Police Officers had come running after hearing the shots, their guns drawn and trained on Officer Geoffrey.
“Drop it!
Put your hands behind your head!” one of them ordered.
Geoffrey; still stunned by the event, robotically obeyed the instruction and his gun fell from his loosely hanging arm as he sunk to his knees.
As though in a trance, his face was devoid of expression while he slowly laced his fingers behind his head. An officer quickly cuffed his hands behind his back then pushed him roughly against the wall. Another uniformed officer checked Fraser’s body for signs of life while two more went into the meeting room, guns still at the ready. Once they realized the room was clear, one of them had to physically remove Rita from the body of her beloved boss. She was hysterical by now. Tears streamed from her eyes like rivulets, drawing dark lines of mascara down her cheeks and she wailed plaintively in denial of the reality before her.
At the end of the hallway, a small man with sharp features and gloved hands pulled a cell phone from the pocket of his overcoat and dialed a number.
“It’s done.” was all he said before turning to walk down the stairs.
Chapter
6
Alan arrived at the police station in Columbus to make some calls and arrange to interview Helen Benson’s coworkers at Blue Sky Biotech. Entering the office of Homicide Investigations, a strange feeling struck him. The usual cacophony of voices and sounds that normally filled the room was gone. The only noise was that of ringing telephones going unanswered. He looked up and glanced around the office for any sign of life but there was no one there. Lieutenant Walker’s office was vacant and even the coffee room was devoid of any people. He went back into the hallway and heard voices coming from the briefing room down the hall. Following the sound, he found Lieutenant Walker and the entire squad of detectives gathered around the large television staring intently, some speaking quietly to each other as they watched dumbfounded. Wary of entering the roomful of detectives who so often gave him grief, Alan stood in the doorway and focused on the television, trying to understand what was happening.
“
Details are sketchy but we are able to confirm that Congressman Stewart Taylor and well known consumer rights advocate Matt Lewis have been murdered here at the Capitol Building in Washington.” the reporter’s voice wavered with emotion.
The station cut back to the news anchor
who presented some background on Congressman Taylor’s history and achievements as voices in the police briefing room began to grow in volume. Lieutenant Walker looked over at Alan and cocked his head in the direction of his office. Beach obeyed his silent gesture, went back to Walker’s office before any of the other detectives noticed his presence and was already seated in front of his lieutenant’s desk when he came in. Walker’s eyes held the look of futility they would often get when society threw up such an affront to civility. While his many years on the force had hardened him to most acts people perpetrated against each other, he was not completely impervious and an event of such magnitude was capable of piercing his armor.
“
They’re keeping some information from the press.” he said softly. “Don’t go spreading this around but my buddy with the Capitol Police says one of Taylor’s bodyguards went nuts and shot them both before his partner killed him.”
“
Unbelievable!” Alan responded with a shocked look.
“
Yeah, former US Marine with a perfect service record too. Just doesn’t make any sense.”
“
Are you OK boss?”
“
Don’t go getting all psychoanalytical on me Beach.” his usual gruff demeanor returned. “Just because you visited a nut house, doesn’t mean you can examine my head!”
Alan gave Walker a crooked smile
, “I wouldn’t dare lieutenant.”
“
See now there ya go being a smartass again. Quit screwing around and tell me about this Adler guy.”
Alan explained the events at Sherbourne and told Walker that there was no way
Adler could have gotten past their security. Walker listened intently then asked about the possibility of a copycat.
“
Well, it’s possible but I’m confident that if it was a copycat, it wasn’t some kind of fan directly influenced by Adler. He’s too arrogant to communicate with what he referred to as, ‘lifeless trolls’ and ‘vacuous scum’. His ego is quite different to some of the famous serial killers and it seems he will only entertain people he considers intellectually worthy of his attention.”
“
Freak thinks he’s a rocket scientist, huh?”
“
He’s surprisingly intelligent, as many psychopaths are but this one is particularly clever. He has unusually efficient powers of deduction and he used them to play me for a fool - purely to get his kicks. Anyway, I don’t think Adler really enters the picture in this case. I need to work with what I’ve got: the man in the elevator, the mark on the back of the victim’s neck, and the fact that there was no forced entry at the Benson home.”
“
So your next move is to talk to her employer?”
“
Yes, I’ve come in to set up appointments with the relevant people at Blue Sky Biotech. They work on some serious cutting edge technology so I don’t know how accessible they’ll be. I might need to call on your influence at some point.”
“
Alright, just let me know. I can’t see us getting a warrant at this point but I can always call in a favor from the State’s Attorney to push it through, if it comes down to that.”
“
I appreciate it boss. I’d better get back to it - unless there’s anything else?”
“
Actually there is.” Walker’s face turned stern. “Collier’s on the warpath. He came and found me yesterday just after you left the office. Said he heard I was looking for him - any idea where he’d get that notion from?”
Alan explained what he had said to Collier and why.
“I’m sorry boss but we were alone together in the stairwell. I was in a hurry and didn’t have time to deal with his crap so I thought I would head him off at the pass. It was stupid and I shouldn’t have done it.”
“
Damn right you shouldn’t have done it! I got enough trouble trying to keep these dipshits off your back as it is. I know this thing has been tough on you Beach but don’t go kicking the hornets’ nest, will ya! Ah hell; I’ll talk to Collier but you gotta be the grownup here. You know you can’t change these guys but you can minimize the problem if you just keep your head down.”
“
I know boss, you’re right. It won’t happen again.”
“
Damn right it won’t or you’ll find my size twelve boots stuck in your ass! Now get outta here and keep me updated.”
“
I will… and thanks.”
Alan went to his desk, found the number for Blue Sky and dialed.
A sultry but businesslike voice answered.
“
Blue Sky Biotech; making medicine of the future, today. How may I direct your call?”
“
This is Detective Beach of Homicide Investigation, Columbus Division of Police. I would like to arrange meetings with Dr. Helen Benson’s former colleagues please.”
The voice hesitated for
a moment then replied in a less formal tone, “Homicide Investigation? We’re all distraught at Dr. Benson’s death but we were told it was suicide.”
“
I understand ma’am but I can’t discuss the case. We just need to tie up some loose ends.”
“
Alright Mr. Beach, I’ll connect you with Mr. Thomas Finch, the head of our Legal Department.”
“
Thank you.”
Alan waited patiently as the
classical sounds of Mozart flowed through the receiver for the next two minutes until a voice came on the other end.
“
Good morning detective, this is Tom Finch. How can I help you?”
“
Good morning. I’m doing some follow up on Helen Benson’s death and I need to interview her direct work colleagues. Can we arrange a visit for tomorrow?”
“
That should be fine but I’m not sure what you hope to achieve detective. These are all highly specialized scientists and both their individual and team success depends heavily on each other. They are all well paid but their potential bonuses for milestone achievements are enormous so they would have absolutely no motive to harm each other; quite the contrary. Besides, didn’t Helen take her own life?”
“
I’m sure you understand I can’t discuss an ongoing case but let’s just say I need to tie up loose ends before we can close the matter. How many people did she work with directly and what are their names and positions please?”
“
Helen worked under Professor Linus Gelling, who is the team leader and head of our research department. He is a highly respected neurologist and board certified neuro-surgeon, but also a prominent endocrinologist and professor of clinical pharmacology. Then there is Eric Rothstein, famous computer game designer and programmer; Dr. Ellis McDonald, Nobel Prize winning chemical engineer; and finally the world-leading developer of specialized delivery mechanisms, Dr. Brian Sanders, so a total of four other specialists. Dr. Benson herself was a renowned neuropsychiatrist, behavioral neurologist and clinical pharmacology research fellow focusing on psychiatric pharmaceuticals”
“
That’s very informative – thank you. So she was only involved with four other people in the whole company?”
“
Well, of course there is the standard interaction with human resources and security staff but aside from that, Helen worked only with her research team. Their work is on the cutting edge of technology and therefore very sensitive and well guarded so it’s very much a closed circle. Industrial espionage can be a major problem in our business.”
“
I see. Well then, just her team will be fine – unless she had any friends outside that group.”
“
As far as I know, Helen was pleasant and courteous to everyone she encountered but she was extremely dedicated to her work and aside from getting her lunch from the cafeteria, she was always in her secure laboratory. In fact, her keycard records show that quite clearly. I can make those available for you if you like?”
“
I would appreciate that Mr. Finch. Will I be able to access Dr. Benson’s laboratory?”
“
Certainly. We have removed all sensitive materials so that will not be a problem but I will need you to sign a strict confidentiality agreement to cover us in case you inadvertently see anything you shouldn’t in the labs.”
“
You flatter me Mr. Finch. I’m quite sure I wouldn’t have a clue what I was looking at even if I did see something of that nature. Anyway, I will have to ask my lieutenant if I am permitted to sign such a document. Can you please email me a copy for him to examine?”
Finch took Ala
n’s email address and the meeting was set to start at noon the next day to minimize disruption of the team’s work. Alan began to jot down some details about the investigation in pencil so he could reference them when he wrote his final report. Fifteen minutes later, Richard Collier came into the office and made a beeline for Beach’s desk. His face was red with anger and Alan steeled himself for the coming onslaught. Just as Collier reached the desk, Lieutenant Walker’s voice bellowed from his office doorway.
“
Collier! Get in here – now!”
Collier looked at his bos
s and hissed at the interruption. “I’ll be there in a minute - just need to deal with something first.”
“
What part of ‘now’ don’t you understand detective. Get your ass in here!”
Collier, seething with anger, directed his glare at Alan.
“This ain’t over Beach - not by a long shot.”
He begrudgingly turned and went into Walker’s office
. Walker stood as he passed then shut the door heavily. Vigorous argument erupted momentarily until suddenly, one side died down. The voices were severely muffled by Walker’s thick windows and well sealed door but Alan got the distinct impression that things were not going Richard Collier’s way. A moment later, Collier emerged from the office with the look of a caged animal trying to find a way out. He caught Alan’s gaze, gave him a quick snarl and briskly left the office. Alan watched bemused as he disappeared into the hall and turned back to see Walker standing right in front of his desk.
“
Have you got the confidentiality agreement from Blue Sky yet?”
“
Uh…um…just checking my email.” Alan fumbled, slightly disoriented by what he’d witnessed. “Yes, it’s just come in. Should I forward it to you?”
“
Do that. I’ll send it on to the State’s Attorney for his OK before you sign it.”
With that, he turned and went back into his office without a word about Co
llier. Alan knew full well, his lieutenant’s personal and positional power but had no idea he could have such an effect on Collier. Richard was a long term veteran of the squad and before Walker was promoted to Lieutenant, the two men had been partners. He was known for being somewhat difficult to reign in and the outcome of this interaction had Alan wondering if Walker had something over him aside from the chain of command. Alan shook himself away from these thoughts to forward the agreement to his boss and continued on his notes. Running out of details to record, he retrieved the file he was working on before the Benson case came up and began to type the final report into his computer.
A few
hours later, Alan was still tying up loose ends when Walker came out again and said, “The S.A. says you can go ahead and sign the agreement.”
“
OK but won’t that restrict me from using anything I find at Blue Sky?”
“
Theoretically, they could bankrupt you and possibly put you in a minimum security prison for a couple of years if you breach the agreement but I wouldn’t worry too much.” Walker smiled knowingly.
“
No, I don’t suppose that
you
would worry but I certainly do!”
“
Payback’s a bitch isn’t it? That was for the times you’ve been a smartass.” he laughed. “The S.A. is waiting to talk you through the details on line four.”