by J. Thiele
“He’s not guilty Captain, and if you give me a chance I'll prove it.” Casey pleaded.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” he asked. “You’re the victim! Why are you trying to get this motherfucker off the hook?”
“Not off shooting me or the drugs charges, but captain, there’s no way he could have massacred those other men.” She insisted.
“You stay away from him, do you hear me? Case closed.” Pearce was becoming flushed with his anger at her for trying to free the felon of the charges he himself had laid.
“Captain, I believe it was my case, and it’s up to me to close it. Or am I to understand I’ve been relieved of the case? And if so I will ask for a letter of explanation.” She pushed his boundaries.
“My office, NOW!” he shouted and everyone in the precinct spun toward the commotion.
Casey followed him through the glass door and he slammed it behind her. He promptly closed the blinds from the onlookers on the other side.
“What the hell has gotten into you Marks? Are you questioning my authority? Are you still on your meds or what?” Pearce asked, his tone indicating he was ropeable.
“Forgive me Captain, but my gut tells me we’re missing something. I can’t let him go down for something he didn’t do.”
“Your gut? Your gut took a bullet and is probably still telling you to eat your sandwiches’ through a fucking straw.”
Casey was shocked at the reference. He could see the hurt in her eyes and it pinched at his heart. He was not a man for apologies and was not about to start now. Lucky for her, he liked Casey, she was like a daughter to him and he just wanted to keep her safe. He knew she was a very capable detective, still he worried that she was too much like a bull at a gate. Her over-confidence was probably what bought her the bullet in the first place. She never knew when to fold and walk away.
“Casey, look, you know I trust your judgement. But on this one? Let’s call it a day.” He pleaded.
“I can’t Captain. Please, just hear me out?”
Pearce let out a large sigh, “Sit down, let’s hear what you've got.”
Casey quickly took up the seat opposite his, before he could change his mind.
“The day of the shooting, I was called to the warehouse. I remember there was a noise coming from the high beams at the back of the joint. It was dark inside and I was standing in the sunlight of the open doors, so I couldn’t see much of what was going on in the shadows. The power’s been cut from there for years. But Tyson and his gang heard it too. He sent three of his men back inside to check it out, but they came back empty handed saying 'they couldn’t find anything,' assuming it was rats.” She went on. “But captain, it must have been a rat the size of a large dog to make the scuffling sound that it did.”
Pearce sat up, starting to show an interest. “You’re sure you heard it too?” he asked.
“I give you my word. I can’t believe Grey hasn’t told you any of this.” She said.
“He’s still not talking. Got his lawyer convinced he’s a head case. Even got the shrink convinced of it. But me? I’m not buyin’ it.” he said with conviction.
“I don’t know Captain, after I took that bullet I dragged myself further out the door, Tyson followed me, we both heard screaming and shouting from behind him, coming from inside. We couldn’t see anything because of the shadows. But it drew Grey away from me, I could feel myself getting light headed and heard the sirens closing in I knew they wouldn’t be far away, if the noises could just keep him distracted a minute longer. I watched him as he got closer to the shaded outline of the doors then he stopped in his tracks. Captain, I saw something.” she paused.
“What? What did you see? Spit it out Marks, I don’t have all day.” he was sitting up with expectation.
“I….I don’t know. It was a face, a mask or something. It was pale, evil looking...” she said as she stared down searching for words to describe what she’d seen. “A monster.”
“Okay, that’s enough. You just lost me. Ya know what I think? Your drugs are too strong and you’ve heard too many ghost stories about that old place. I’m not sure you’re ready to return to active duty just yet, and unless you want to see the same shrink that idiot Grey is seeing, you’ll keep that story to yourself,” he said as he got to his feet. “Take some more time. And stay away from that warehouse. It’s still a crime scene.”
“Captain, I’m not crazy, please don’t send me home, just let me talk to Grey, I’m sure I can get him to talk.” She asked.
“Hell No!” he scoffed at the idea. “He’s not going to add any more credence to your imaginary ‘Monster,’ now go home and get some more rest. You’ve got plenty of time up your sleeve, it’s all paid leave, now go.” He insisted.
Casey collected her bag and badge from her desk on the way out, she passed Lieutenant Powell as she headed for the lift. He was carrying an evidence bag that looked like it contained heavy bling, similar to what Wes had been wearing it jogged her memory of when he was sent back into the building to look for the ‘rat’.
“Hey Detective, how are you?” he asked as she caught his eye as well, but for very different reasons.
“I’m good lieutenant, what’s that you’ve got there?” she inquired as she stretched her neck for a better look.
“This? Oh this is something one of the guys picked up at the warehouse, you know? Where you… well you know?” he stopped himself unsure of her mental progress regarding the trauma of being shot point blank with her own gun.
“Yeah yeah, I know, all good. May I?” she asked, reaching for the bag.
Just as the words escaped her lips Pearce’s voice bellowed from across the precinct. “Powell! Is that evidence for me? Lucky it’s not a pizza or I’d get it for free.”
“I’d better get this to him,” he told her. “But hey, it’s good to see ya.”
“Good to see you too, and thanks, you know? For….” Her words fell short.
“All in the line of duty” he smiled as he turned away to then be startled by the Captains voice again.
“POWELL! I’m not getting any younger ya know?” he snorted at the young officer.
Casey turned toward the lift and pushed the button. Her mind had already shifted into overdrive. She needed answers and was going to do whatever it took to get them.
Chapter Four
It was 3:30pm. Casey knew Powell would be leaving the precinct soon. She sat across the road waiting for him to exit. When he finally did, she followed him cautiously. He pulled into a small deli close to his home, which was on the other side of town from where she herself lived, but she walked in behind him and plotted their ‘accidental’ encounter. As he came down an aisle, she circled back and planned to run into him from the opposite end.
“Hey, fancy meeting you here.” She said.
“Detective? What are you doing here?” he asked. “Bit of a Deja vu,” he chuckled.
“Yes indeed. I have a sick friend that lives near here,” she explained. “I was just going to grab a few things and drop them in, seeing as I’m off duty again until further notice.”
“You’re off duty? Why?” he enquired. “Oh, I’m sorry detective; it’s none of my business. Forgive my intrusion.”
“No, its fine, I’d like to talk to you about it. Do have some time? Can we maybe grab a coffee?” she asked. Knowing full well he was attracted to her and would jump at the opportunity to have a private meeting with her.
“Sure,” he said. “There’s a coffee shop next door. My treat.” He said as he abandoned his trolley and escorted her to the coffee house.
* * * * *
“What do you know about the massacre that occurred that day?” she asked.
“Not much, it’s all been hushed up. We took Grey into custody and everybody on sight was given counselling. Including me.” He told her, “It was a bloody horror story in that place. There was blood and body parts everywhere. No-one walked away the same, he was an animal—a man processed. I still have ni
ghtmares. Some of the guys even turned in their badges.” He went on “and I’ll admit it, I even thought about it too.”
“Don’t you think it’s strange?” she asked.
“Strange?” he looked at her. “Detective, you’ve been at this game longer than me, you of all people should know how these animals can turn on each other. Nothing surprises me with human behaviour any more. I am surprised though, that it surprises you.”
“No... You’re not hearing me,” she interjected. “What I mean is, you had ears on me that day. You must have heard the interaction between Grey and his guys. You heard him send his men to investigate some noises didn’t you?”
“Yes but…”
“When you heard the gun go off didn’t you hear the screaming in the back ground?”
“Yes... but they were being slaughtered,” he told her.
“Exactly. But there was only one round shot off, and that was aimed at me. We all know Grey’s the man that shot me at the same time as those men were being killed. How is it humanly possible to shoot me and rip six men apart the way they are saying he did, all at the same time?”
“FUCK! We’ve missed something,” Powell said as his eyes met hers. “We have to fix it.”
“I’m trying, but I’m hitting walls. No-one will listen. I’m on my own with this one.” She told him.
“No you’re not,” he assured her. “What do you need?”
‘Bingo!' she thought to herself. 'Game on motherfucker!’
“Wait a minute?” He thought of something. “Detective, you said six men. There were only five bodies recovered and pieced back together. Grey himself was the sixth man. Are you sure you’re not mistaken?”
“Five?” she recalled. “There were definitely six men Three went back to search for the noise. Wes, Scotty and Benny. Jake was the one that patted me down and took my gun.”
“Right well that’s four, and Grey makes five. Who were the others?” he asked.
Joe and Louie. I’d been working with those guys for weeks. I know them all and they were all there.” She was certain of it.
“You know what? You’re right; I’ve been tracking you for the entire case. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it, I’ve got notes on all of them and I.D’s. That was part of my assignment, to stay on you and collect data on all the suspects. It’s all in my notes. I’ll go back and work out whose missing; I’ve got access to the autopsy reports. I can’t believe I missed it.” he was disappointed and embarrassed at his error.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. A traumatic experience can cause us all to slip up.” She assured him, “But hey, if I’m seen to be still investigating this, I’ll probably lose my badge,” she played on his attraction to her.
“Mum’s the word. Let’s meet back here tomorrow at the same time. I should have something by then.” he suggested.
“That’s sounds great, here’s my card in case something comes up.”
“Detective, I already have you on speed dial.” he laughed.
She looked at him as if his admission struck her as a little creepy.
“It’s not like that Detective, I was assigned to watch your back on this case, remember? I was given all your details by the department.”
“Of course,” she sighed. “I’m sorry; I’m still a little on edge.” She admitted, but she didn’t mention that she’d been feeling like there were eyes watching her every night since she’d left the hospital. For a second there, she suspected the young lieutenant of being her 'Peeping Tom.'
* * * * *
The following day Casey waited at the coffee shop for Powell. She was getting a little anxious that after almost twenty-five minutes he still hadn’t showed up. Her phone buzzed.
Am running late
Be there soon, emergency at the remand centre.
Fill you in when I get there.
Ray
Casey ordered another coffee and continued to wait another twenty minutes later Lieutenant Powell arrived, with a manila folder. “It’s Moresby—Wes Moresby's the one that’s missing.” He said, as handed over the folder and sat opposite her. Casey went to open the folder, but Powell’s hand slammed it shut. “Not here, the evidence in there will blow you away. I’ve got pictures autopsy reports, statements the lot. It’s not safe to open it here. My badge is on the line too now,” he told her. “Let’s go back to my place. I live alone, no-one will interrupt and it’s secure.”
Casey agreed to follow him. “Lieutenant, what was the emergency? You said you’d fill me in.” She asked, before making their way to the cars in the parking bay.
“Please we’re off duty, call me Ray.” He insisted as he leaned in close enough that no-one over heard him say. “It’s Grey, he’s dead. Someone got into his cell last night and dished out some of his own medicine. Someone who believes he’s guilty of killing his gang, and knows how.”
‘What makes you say that?” she asked.
“He was ripped apart, just like the others.” He paused for a moment, then explained. “Limb from bloody limb.”
“Was his cell locked?” she asked. “How did they get to him? Where were the guards? Who would…?”
“All been asked and remains unanswered,” Ray interrupted. “No-one’s stepping forward, but several prisoners from surrounding cells say they heard him screaming, but only briefly. It was over in less than ten seconds. This case just keeps getting weirder.”
* * * * *
Casey took up the recliner in Ray’s small apartment, and began scouring through the evidence that he’d presented her with. She winced at the photos of the crime scene. Arms, legs, torsos and even heads were strewn about as if an explosion had blown them to pieces. The autopsy showed pictures of them put back together like a jigsaw of a puzzle. “God help us.” She said out loud, “What sort of animal could do that?”
“I don’t know Detective, but whatever or whoever it is, I hope we have the man power to find it and take it down.”
“Please call me Casey. I’m off duty to remember. I’m not your superior officer anymore; we’re in this together…Partner.” She said as he picked up a photo displaying Wes Moresby’s face.
“I took these and others like it when I was tailing you. Gives us a clear picture of at least one of the missing pieces.” Ray said as he handed her the picture.
“We need to get a look inside that warehouse, are you up for it?” she asked, knowing he was on the scene the day the slaughter took place, and was given counselling regarding what he’d witnessed, she expected him to decline.
“I’m in,” he said without a second thought.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Partner, remember?” he smirked. “Do you really think I’d let you go in there alone? Fat chance.”
Chapter Five
The warehouse was still taped off with crime scene tape. Casey and Ray ducked under it and proceeded to make their way to the entrance. The giant roller door had since been pulled down, but as no-one ever retrieved the key from its original owner, it wasn’t locked.
Casey bent down and took a firm grip, ready to pull the door open. Rays hand reached down to stop her. He held a finger to his lips. “Listen,” he whispered, “I think there’s someone in there.”
Casey held her breath and listened intently. She wasn’t sure if she heard anything or imagined it, but simultaneously they drew their weapons, and the door flew up. Casey’s eyes immediately searched the overheads. Ray’s eyes were on the yellow tickets with numbers indicating evidence points. There were yellow rings painted on the concrete, both knew they were the locations where body parts had been laying, tossed on the ground, as if discarded by a perpetrator.
Casey had that familiar feeling sweep over her that she was being watched again. She pointed her weapon to the ceiling searching for movement, and there it was.
A figure in the beams, it was merely glimpse, but she'd seen it. “Ray! There’s something up there,” she said. Ray raised his pistol high as well.
&
nbsp; Then he saw it too. It was big, about the size of a small man, but fast. Lightning fast. There wasn’t enough light getting in to get a clear picture of what it was. But they both saw it and kept their eyes fixed, searching every beam. Casey pulled her flash light from her pocket and shone it into a dark corner. There it was, perched on a beam. It was Wes. She blinked and he was gone. “Wes, I know you’re up there, come down here, I won’t hurt you, I know your scared, but I can protect you.”
She turned to Ray, “Did you see him?” she asked.
“I don’t know what I saw, but I saw something.” he confirmed.
Ray pulled his standard edition flash light and began searching the beams as well. They stood back to back with their heads facing up.
“There!” Casey shouted. Ray spun to see where her beam was pointing. And there he was. Squatting on a beam, his face was different somehow. It was as though he’d gone mad.
“Wes, it’s me. Detective Ca….” Before she could finish the introduction, Wes stood and leapt from his perch. He lunged directly at them giving a blood curdling squeal on his descent. They turned their heads to avoid seeing his impact on the concrete floor before them. But all they heard was a loud ‘SWOOSH’ sound followed by another squeal and everything went quiet again. Slowly the pair turned back expecting to see Wes in a bloody pile on the floor. However there was nothing, no sign of him.
“What the fuck?” Ray said as he looked around searching for him.
“I don’t know, it was fucking creepy though.” Casey answered. “Shh! Can you hear that?” she asked Ray
“It sounds like sobbing.” Ray confirmed. “Where’s it coming from?”
“It’s okay Wes. Everything is going to be okay. Please come down here and talk to me, we can sort this out together.”
Everything went silent again.