An Angel of A Different Order: Dr Peter VonNetzer, the bloodletter (Danger Angel Book 1)

by S. R. Rashad

  “Hey captain, what's up?”

  “What's up? What's up? Doug what the hell is going on here. Why is the DA calling me upset. And why have you been acting strange lately. Talk to me, Sgt.”

  “Don’t worry, Cap…I’m gonna clear things up.”

  “I’m losing my patience, Sgt. I'm losing in rapidly and I think I have been very patient lately.”

  “I’m sorry, Cap. What do you want to know.”

  “First Doug, are you ok?”

  “What do you mean, captain?”

  “Doug, please. Everyone knows something is up with you.”

  “Well, the sessions with the doc have been helping. They have been helping a ton.”

  “Yeah, Doug.” The captain can clearly see Doug is feeling pressure. He just wants to know the extent of it. Is his mood severely affecting his judgement and police work.

  “Sgt. Then why is the DA upset? We have to go over to his office. But I don't want to walk into anything blind. So give me your worst. What would be troubling DA Ortiz so much?”

  “Okay captain…”

  Sgt. Roberts doesn’t like putting his captain in this situation but he still doesn't know how to get past his fears. He hates being affected by PTSD. He hates getting older. He fears losing his team and the respect he gets. It took him years after leaving the service to build a life he loves and feels useful in. He fears life after his police career. His wife June is gone. His only son is gone. What will be left for him if he doesn't have this job. The fear is crippling at times.

  “Well, captain…um…see. Ok, here it is, I know the department is gunning for me.”

  “What do you mean, Sgt.?”

  “Come on, Captain…you know.”

  “No, I don’t know.”

  “Yea, so why do you make me see a therapist?”

  “The therapist is just protocol, Doug. You are in a high stress position. That’s all. We don’t want you to crack under all the pressure that leading a Taskforce can bring.”

  “Is that so, cap?”

  “Yea, Doug, that's so.”

  “Do you guys talk with the therapist about me?”

  “No Doug. What you share in therapy is confidential.”

  “Truly, captain?”

  “Well, unless you are talking about killing yourself or others or commenting some heinous act. I think. And you're not doing any of this, right?”

  “Right. Right, captain. I'm not.”

  “Okay, then, Sgt. …now, what’s with you and the DA?”

  “Not sure, Cap.”

  “This is the truth, Doug.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Well, something is up.”

  “Let's go over and see what's got him all hot under the collar.”

  “Ok.”

  The two head over to DA Ortiz’s office. A vital piece of the puzzle is missing…

  The two arrive to a shitshow at the DA’s office.

  “Hey Linda, it's crazy over here.”

  “I know. The attorneys for that serial killer were here and the DA isn't happy,” Linda says.

  “Shit.” Says the captain.”

  “Shit is right…I'll let him know you're here.” Says Linda.

  “Ok, I think.” Says the captain

  “Sir, the captain and Sgt. Are here.”

  “Send them right in, Linda, thank you.”

  “Ok, DA.”

  “Well guys, you can go in. Good luck.”

  “Ok, Linda, thanks, I think.”

  The captain is feeling apprehensive and the Sgt. Is looking lost which makes the captain even more worried...

  “Sgt.? You with me?”

  “Yea, Cap.”

  “Ok, let's get this over with.”

  “Yup.”

  The two officers enter the office of the irate DA Ortiz…

  “Sgt. What the hell are you getting me into. I knew there was something fishy with that warrant. You assured me it was fine. Well, it is not fine. What the hell is going on here. You have any ideas, captain?” The DA says while looking furiously at both men.

  This is the first the captain is hearing of this. He had no idea. He turns to Sgt. Roberts…

  “Doug, please tell me something good.”

  “You guys, we had him. I couldn't let him go, not him.”

  “So you show me a fake warrant. What the hell? That's a rookie mistake, Sgt.” The DA says.

  “Doug, is this true?” says the captain.

  “Well, captain…um…there's more to it.”

  “I’m listening.” The captain says. “Enlighten me.”

  “Informants, they help us out a lot. In fact, without informants, we would miss out on a lot of criminal activity, right?”

  “Ok, Sgt.”

  The captain has no idea where he’s going with this one and the DA is so out of sorts. He is ready to lose it.

  “Well, the team and I were on that Lombardo drug case. We were staked outside the warehouse on Park pl. when I got the call from an informant that the doctor was seen entering the home of the victim Joan Stallman. So, officer Rodrigues and I decided to leave the team and go check it out. It was only a few blocks away. As we pulled up, I saw the doc pull the curtains shut. So I know the informant was right that damn psycho doc was up to something. I couldn't pull the team off the Lombardo stakeout. So, I called for backup and Rodrigues and I proceeded toward the building. It was hard to make out what was going on so I…

  The captain stops him…

  “Sgt. all this is in the report. When did you call for a warrant. You said you guys couldn't see past the curtains, so there goes Probable Cause. So, there's no way you would’ve been able to get a warrant. So you faked one, Doug. This is no good, Sgt.”

  The DA chimes in

  “Now, we fucking have to let the guy go. What the hell! Please tell me there is something else. Something we can use to keep this crazy behind bars…” The DA looks at the Sgt. and captain, yelling at the top of his lungs… “What do ya got! What do ya got! Cause this can't be it!”

  Sgt. Roberts turns and walks out. The captain calls for him but he simply turns and walks out. All the yelling is upsetting. He can't think straight. He can't remember big parts of the story. He feels he’s missing something. But, he has been feeling this way for awhile. Is it the meds? Why are things getting so confusing. First, he thought for sure he had a warrant. Then when he couldn't find it. He faked one to give the DA. He thought since they already had the doctor in custody, no need to let him go. He knows it was a bad idea, but his thinking and judgement have been off. And he has no idea about things anymore. He’s gonna lose his team for sure. What is he gonna do now.

  Chapter 13

  A monster grows wings

  Doctor Peter VonNetzer, the serial killer, the madman, the monster, is set free. He exits the courtroom, showing no emotion, no sign of joy or bitterness, nothing to reveal to the public who and what he truly is. He seems unusually calm, unfazed. His winning attorney accompanying him, on the other hand, is by all signs, displeased, dissatisfied, and visibly upset, not with herself, but with the system that was set up so she can help creeps like him continue to roam the streets. With a band of New York’s finest surrounding them, leading them through the onslaught of mic and camera wielding maniacs, they make their way through the surging media monster. And most of the major networks are there, all vying for the doctor’s attention. The savagery of the media circus is in full swing. The flash from the dozens of cameras, seemingly all snapping photos at once, is blinding. The chatter from the mountain of bystanders and reporters sounds like a rushing train, as questions and comments are hurled loudly and rapidly in their direction. And Laura, poor winning Laura, not feeling good about this win, just wants this whole thing to be over.

  She can't hide, as one of the more eager reporters pushes his way past the blockade, nearly knocking others down, and sticks a mic in her face…

  “Excuse me, miss miss. Hello…hmmm, counselor counselor, how can you live w
ith yourself, knowing you just help free one of the deadliest and most notorious serial killers New York has known since the Son of Sam? How do you think this serves justice?” He says condescendingly and with overt anger and disgust in his voice.

  Laura stares at him, tired, disgusted, overwhelmed, perplexed. Her emotions are having the best of her. Then she lets into him.

  “Justice? Do you know what justice is? You and all your kind with cameras and mics pretending you know what justice is.” She says with a direct, penetrating fury. “This man was wrongfully held, imprisoned and poorly charged. The law of this land is the same for him, as it is for you, or anyone. That is what we should always hope for…and for that, I am willing to fight. The courts decide justices. Not you. Not me. Justice...How dare you!”

  Before he could reply, there is a thunderous boom! As a shot is fired in their direction.

  The impassioned reporter who tried to shame Laura, is thrown into Laura by the force of a shooter’s bullet, as it makes contact with him, knocking him and Laura to the ground. His blood is everywhere. The crowd becomes completely panicked. Reporters and onlookers scatter in all directions. The cops duck behind squad cars, trash cans, or whatever large object that’s there, all in frantic attempts to find cover; a few look to see where the shot came from. One officer scans the buildings surrounding them. He thinks he sees the shooter. He motions to other officers, then points to a low level rooftop a half block away.

  People are yelling, “Someone’s shot! Someone’s shot!” There is a general mass hysteria.

  Two cops run over to the victim. A few others draw their guns, as they believe they have eyes on the shooter.

  The doctor, fearing he may be shot next, needs to get gone. Perhaps he was the real intended target and as the pandemonium ensues and everyone is running for cover, in all directions, he sees a chance to make an escape, to slip away unnoticed…

  The gunman had intended to shoot the doctor and missed. But he believes he has another chance before the doctor is out of his sight. He spots the doctor moving hurriedly, trying to make his way through the panicked crowd. He positions his rifle for another shot, a more true shot. He hopes. He kisses the bullet, loads the chamber and says a little prayer, for all the innocent victims. He checks the motion of the wind; there is a stillness to it, perfect. He adjusts the sight on his scope. He has the doctor in his crosshairs. His breathing is under control. He is sure his shot will be true now, ending the reign of the bloodthirsty doctor. And he should die. Just squeeze the trigger one last time, then they can do what they want with him. His life doesn't matter. The death of the monster is all that matters now. A simple squeeze and release, that’s all it takes. The sun moved through the two buildings across the way, causing an intense glare, as it is reflected off the adjacent glass towers. It affects his line of sight now. He takes a second to adjust, which costs him. The offices now have him in their sights. As he pulls the trigger, he is fired upon and is hit just as he tries to shoot. The bullet hits his right shoulder, the impact was enough to knock his shot off course. And now, another innocent is hit, and the doctor escapes. He’s gone, vanishing in the mayhem.

  The police call for air support and swarm the building where the shooter is perched. The officer who shot the gunman sees he hit him and attempts to fire again as the gunman moves behind a smokestack on the roof and is out of sight, out of range.

  A physician’s assistant is on the scene. He heads over with two officers to tend to the victims. The first to be shot was the obnoxious reporter. Laura yells to them, calling for help as she is covered in blood and is pinned down, by the lifeless body of the reporter. She feels a tingling in her chest. The shooter’s bullet passed straight through the reporter’s heart, killing him instantly, and then into Laura's chest.

  The officers remove the reporter’s body from Laura, and they see she has a massive chest wound as the bullet and bone shattered in her when the bullet ripped through one of her ribs and lodge in her chest. She needs to be stabilized quickly, the three men act fast, as the two officers follow the immediate direction of the PA. Emergency teams have responded quickly. In minutes the places is overrun with police officers, Tactical teams and EMS teams.

  By the time the police make it to the location of the shooter, he’s gone. Nothing remaining but shell casings and blood spatter that leads nowhere. The area is roped off as they wait for CSI and homicide. The sky is being patrolled by an air team, as two helicopters hover above the scene, in hopes of spotting the gunman.

  Dr.VonNetzer is feeling relieved. He escaped the gunman. He escaped the media. He is no longer in shackles. He is going to enjoy his freedom. He is going to indulge his particular tastes. He will go home to Michigan to rest, to think, to stretch his wings. But it is a long way from here to there. He goes to an ATM, withdraws the max. From now on, he is planning to use cash. His name is too well known at the moment and he doesn't want the added attention. He heads into a costume store to buy a wig and beard, and dark glasses. He wants to move about unnoticed, while he makes his way to his cabin.

  “Ma’am, you’ve been shot…” the PA says as he moves frantically to help her.

  “I think I know that,” Laura says, feeling an intense burning sensation in her chest and an unbearable pain coursing throughout her body.

  “My name is Bill Turner. I’m a physician’s assistant. These two offices and I need to stop the bleeding. If you feel pain or discomfort, let me know where it is. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, I understand,” she says then she lets out a huge laugh that turns into a painful cough

  “Ma’am, why are you laughing. Try not to excite yourself. Can you do that for me.”

  “Yes…but your name had to be Bill. It's just funny to me.”

  “Ok, but no more laughing. You need to stay as calm as possible.”

  Just then, Laura’s eyes roll into the back of her head. Her world goes dark. Her body flops around uncontrollably. She begins to convulse.

  Bill yells, “she's going into shock.”

  “Where the hell is EMS!”

  “We’re here. We got her and the other guy here?” As one EMS motions to the reporter’s body.

  “He’s dead,” says Bill.

  Laura told Jen to stay away from the proceedings as she feared for Jen’s safety. She had a nervous feeling about the doctor’s unwanted attention toward her. But back at the office, Jen feels as though she is there with Laura as she watches the tragedy unfold from the live broadcast showing on the firm’s television in the cafeteria. In fact, most at the firm watch, including Jim, who is overcome by intense feels of guilt and fear. The television shows the start of the mayhem. It just looks like a blur of mass confusion, from the news reports. All at the firm are unaware of Laura’s condition.

  Jim watches and listens to the television and the radio as reports keep coming in. He is feeling helpless as he watches in his office by himself, and decides to head to the cafeteria as he knows most at the firm will be assembled there.

  “Hey gang, this is very upsetting,” Jim says distressed as he addresses the lawyers and paralegals who are standing in front of the cafeteria’s television, watching in horror.

  “Has anyone heard from Laura?” Jen says.

  “No” a few voices say.

  “Well, is anyone down there with Laura?” Jim says.

  “Yes, I think Don is there with her.” Bill says.

  “Someone get ahold of Don, then, please.” Jim says with an agitated voice.

  “I’m calling him, now,” says Bill

  Everyone is silent as the television flashes a breaking news warning. And a reporter on the screen, is near the courthouse. He begins to speak…

  “This just in; There is one confirmed death. That’s one confirmed dead,” Jen begins to weep hearing this.

  “Don’t cry now, Jen. I don’t think it’s our Laura.” Jim says optimistically.

  The reporter continues…

  “The attorney for the accused has
been shot. This is all we have at the moment. So, it is confirmed Laura Danger, the lawyer for Dr.VonNetzer has been severely wounded and is on route to St John’s Hospital as I speak. So one dead…and wait… I just heard there is another victim. So, there is one confirmed death and two are shot. Among them is the attorney for the accused. This is Jack Gillman. Live at the Dr.VonNetzer trial shooting. Stay tuned. As more comes in, I will relay the information to you. Jack Gillman signing off.”

  “Bill, did you get ahold of Don?”

  “No, Jim, I haven’t yet.”

  “Okay, I’m going down to the hospital.” Jim says

  Then both Bill and Jen chime in.

  “I am too.”

  “So am I.”

  The scene of the shooting is getting more under control as EMS tends to the wounded. And give attention to the frightened or just utterly hysterical, bringing a sense of ease and comfort to the situation. The police are taking witness testimonies and taping off the area.

  On the roof top where the gunman was, is a different scene. The police captain is there, and he is irate. He hates vigilantes. He finds they do more harm than good, as evident in the mess left in this shooter’s wake. Two of his top homicide detectives accompany him to the scene. The captain is wondering how the hell did this happen, and why isn’t the shooter in custody; the shooter was shot and he was less than a block away from a team of officers. Meanwhile homicide combs through the scene, looking for clues; they recover discarded shell casings and other bits of left behind material that may be evidence.