Once In, Never Out

by Dan Mahoney

  “Vernon, I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” McKenna said. “We have a pretty good circumstantial case linking Mullen to all three.”

  “Including Dwyer?” Vernon asked, surprised.

  “Yeah, including Dwyer.”

  Vernon was accustomed to answering questions, not asking them. He sat down in his armchair, looking slightly disappointed. “Tell me about it.”

  McKenna did, telling about Dwyer’s activities in NORAID and the encounter at the Queer Nation affair.

  “Okay, so we know Mullen killed him and we know how he did it. Now let’s take a good look at why he killed him,” Vernon said. “If there were so many agents in NORAID, why did he single out Dwyer for assassination? Why kill one unless he could kill them all?”

  “Because all the other agents were Americans working for the U.S. Government,” McKenna explained. “The IRA wouldn’t tangle with our government because it would kill their fund-raising efforts in America if they did. Dwyer was different. He was an Irish-born agent working for the enemy and a traitor as far as Mullen was concerned.”

  “The enemy? You mean British Intelligence?” Vernon asked.

  “Has to be. If he had been an American agent, all hell would have broken loose with that murder. Even if he had been only an informant for one of our agencies, someone would have whispered that fact in my ear when I was investigating his murder. Then I would have known where to look for a suspect. But no one said a word to me and it wound up as an open case for nine years.”

  “I see,” Vernon said. “British Intelligence couldn’t complain about the murder of one of their agents in America.”

  “No, they couldn’t,” McKenna said. “Could you imagine the stink if it became public knowledge that a friendly foreign power was running an intelligence operation in the U.S.? The Brits had to just take it on the chin and keep their mouths closed.”

  “That could give us some additional leverage in our dealings with Inspector Rollins this afternoon,” Thor said.

  “Then we’ll use it. However, I expect that Rollins will deny that Dwyer ever worked for them.”

  “Maybe, maybe not,” Thor said. “You’re looking at Dwyer as if he were a minor player, but he had to be more than that. Mullen wouldn’t have jeopardized the new life and cover he had built up for himself simply to kill a minor player on some kind of revenge principle.”

  “You think Mullen was ordered to kill him?” McKenna asked Thor.

  “Yes, once he reported to whoever he reports to about Dwyer’s activities and location.”

  “Maybe you’re right,” McKenna said, again impressed with Thor’s reasoning ability. “They took a big chance putting Dwyer there, so it had to be for big stakes. The IRA isn’t one of our big intelligence priorities, but it is for the Brits. Dwyer was in a position to know how much NORAID was pulling in and maybe even where the money was really going.”

  “Let’s forget Dwyer’s life and get back to his death,” Vernon insisted. “That’s where it all began. You thought that Mullen killed Dwyer the way he did to disguise the assassination as a sex murder, and you’re right. It was his first murder of this kind and he really didn’t know what he was doing.”

  Vernon sat back in his chair, waiting for the question that had to come. It was Thor who asked it. “What makes you say that?”

  “For one, Dwyer suffered and I’m sure he told Mullen everything he knew, but he didn’t suffer as much as Meaghan and Winthrop did. Unlike their cases, the cigarette burns on Dwyer are not at the most sensitive parts of the body, and neither are the bruises. In fact, much of the damage done to Dwyer’s body was inflicted postmortem, after Mullen had strangled him. Classic case of pathological sadism.”

  Vernon pointed to the photos on the coffee table. “If you’d examine the crime scene photos of Dwyer in the hotel, I’ll show you what I mean.”

  Vernon waited a moment, but neither Thor nor McKenna made a move to pick up the photos. They were ready to believe him, so Vernon continued. “He slit Dwyer’s penis and cut off his scrotum postmortem. If Dwyer had been alive when he’d done that there would have been much more blood. At the time, Mullen either didn’t know what he was doing or why he was doing it. He found his activity grotesque, but he also found that it somehow sexually stimulated and excited him.”

  “How about the fingers and the nipples?” Thor asked.

  “Dwyer’s nipples were pulled off and his fingers were smashed while he was still alive. Pure torture, but it triggered Mullen’s latent sexual perversion and set the stage for his later killings.”

  “And the dildo in his rectum? Was that postmortem?”

  “In Dwyer’s case, I couldn’t say for sure because I don’t know how sexually active he was. There wasn’t much bleeding there, but if Dwyer had been a real swinger that dildo just might have been his size.”

  “Was Winthrop still alive when his penis was slit?” McKenna asked.

  “Winthrop was alive for the whole ordeal.”

  “I know that Mullen wanted to make that look like another random sex killing, but why didn’t he kill him first like he did with Dwyer?”

  “It’s a lot like sushi. Who likes sushi the first time they try it?” Vernon asked, then answered his own question. “Nobody. Yet there are many of us who acquire a taste for it and love the stuff. It’s an interesting point, one that tells us a lot about Mullen. He found that he loves inflicting pain on helpless victims and he got quite good at it by the time he got to Winthrop.”

  “He’s been getting a lot of practice?” McKenna asked.

  “I’m sure of it.”

  “Why does he do it?”

  “A number of reasons. He’s a total psychopathic sexual sadist, but sex had little to do with it in these type cases. It’s power and control, not sex that propels him to torture and murder. As a matter of fact, although Mullen has two kids, I believe that now he’s impotent.”

  “How did that happen?” McKenna asked.

  “Stress and rejection, two of the prime factors causing impotency,” Vernon said, then looked to McKenna. “Was he rejected by his wife?” he asked.

  “Totally.”

  “That accounts for one factor. As for the other, stress has a cumulative effect on a person,” Vernon stated smugly. “Now, think of the stress he’s experienced throughout his charade on the police department and the stress he must be under now. He’s a man without an identity, engaged in a dangerous business and constantly on the run and in danger of capture. That’s one of the reasons he tortures and kills people—because it relieves that stress he’s living under.”

  McKenna believed the conclusion only because Vernon had said it, but he didn’t understand it. He could see that Thor was also confused, and so could Vernon.

  “Think of it this way,” Vernon suggested. “When he’s not on his home turf the whole world is his enemy. He’s a big, macho guy who always has to be polite and deferential, meaning he can never do anything that would make him stand out and possibly attract police attention. He always has to drive the speed limit, never fail to signal, and never argue with anyone in public, all of which has to increase the stress on a guy like him. You could kick sand in his face on a public beach and he’d have to smile and walk away. The only times in his life when he is in total control of the enemy are the times when he’s inflicting pain on his helpless victims. And don’t forget, as far as he’s concerned almost everyone is his enemy.”

  “He’ll torture anyone he can get his hands on?” McKenna asked.

  “In a pinch, yes. However, I’m sure you noticed that he prefers a certain type of victim. I’m betting that the three we know about resemble his wife in stature and maybe hair color.”

  McKenna and Thor both nodded.

  “That’s his latent homosexual tendencies as well as his impotence coming out. He unconsciously identifies with the male victims, yet destroys them to preserve himself. The female victims he just hates, probably as a result of the mother-son or the marital re
lationship gone bad.”

  “I think you’ve got that right,” McKenna agreed. “So you think that he hates his wife, that in his mind killing his victims is a substitute for killing her?”

  “I think it goes beyond that. I think he hates women in general. Winthrop fell into his preferred category because of his stature and because he was effeminate, indicating to Mullen that Winthrop wanted to be a woman. That subjected poor Winthrop to special treatment, including Mullen’s very painful surgical procedure that made his genitalia appear feminine. Mullen must have enjoyed working on Winthrop, almost as much as he enjoyed inflicting pain on a real woman. However, Meaghan got it worse and suffered more.”

  McKenna didn’t want to ask, but he had to know. “What made Meaghan’s treatment worse?”

  “I believe she was tougher than he was used to, challenging his control of the situation. Basically, she was a threat to him. She broke his nose and probably spit in his eye. I’ve examined her breasts and believe that he bit her nipples off, not pulled them off as he did in the other cases. There are many jagged edges and teeth marks where her nipples should have been. I’m betting he also bit her fingers off before he killed her, bit them off one by one while she was still alive and conscious.”

  McKenna didn’t want to think about that anymore and decided to move the discussion away from Meaghan. “If it’s power rather than sex that interests him when he tortures his victims, then why does he focus on their genitalia and breasts?” he asked.

  “Because he’s concentrating on the parts of the body that are sexually stimulating to him, or used to be. Those are also sensitive spots where he can inflict the most pain. Remember, the more pain he inflicts, the more stress he relieves and the better he feels.”

  “Am I right in assuming that there should be a tortured body associated with every bombing he’s done?”

  “Yes. He’s always under stress and he’ll kill whenever he can, but if you want to pin a particular bombing on him, then look for the body of a person tortured to death a couple of days before.”

  “What about the nipples?” Thor asked. “Does he keep them as a trophy?”

  “If he were what we call a disorganized serial killer, your opportunistic run-of-the-mill basic inadequate personality driven by a perverse and deviant sadistic sexual psychopath, then I’d say yes, he’s keeping them. But he’s not. He’s highly organized. Therefore, I believe that he might keep them as trophies until his mission is complete, but then he probably throws them out. After all, he must travel a lot and he wouldn’t want to be going through customs with somebody’s nipples in his pocket.”

  “Then why does he take a chance on taking them in the first place?”

  “Because the missing nipples form part of his ‘signature.’ He needs to do this, the thing that distinguishes his work from that of every other maniac’s out there. You might find it hard to believe, but he’s proud of his work in his own strange way.”

  With that statement, Vernon sat back in his chair. As far as he was concerned, the lesson was over. McKenna and Thor just stared at him expectantly.

  “I guess you want more,” Vernon said.

  “If you please,” McKenna answered. “If we’re going to catch Mullen, it would sure help to know what he’s really like and how he thinks when he’s not torturing people, which has to be most of the time.”

  “That’s simple,” Vernon said, smiling as he stood up again, back on stage and in charge. “Although he’s unusual in that sex isn’t his primary motivation for killing, he fits neatly into the organized serial killer category. Whatever you need to know about him is all in my book.”

  “I read it all the time,” McKenna said. “In fact, it’s on my nightstand at home, always readily available for study as required. But please refresh my poor memory.”

  “No problem, but for future reference it’s all in Chapters Fourteen, Fifteen, and Twenty-one,” Vernon said, then resumed pacing the sitting room as he rapidly lectured in his practiced stream-of-consciousness manner. “He possesses superior intelligence, he fits well into society, he’s a consummate actor, he’s gregarious and out-going, he’s manipulative, with good interpersonal skills, he’s methodical and cunning, his victims resemble a significant female in his life, and his crime scenes reflect his controlled rage as evidenced by the restraints and torture. Frequently he will transport his victim’s body to confuse the police. He’s also the typical macho type that we find in many of these cases. He’s in good shape, he’s got a military background, and he originally selected an occupation that puts him in a position of authority. He’s archetypal in that he’s good with explosives and probably fascinated by them.” Vernon stopped pacing and gave McKenna an inquiring glance. “I’d also bet he’s extremely proficient with firearms.”

  “Yeah, he’s archetypal,” McKenna said, trying to keep his admiration for Vernon’s rapid analysis out of his voice.

  Vernon still took it as a compliment and allowed himself a small acknowledging smile. “Now for what you don’t know about him.”

  “Wait a minute,” McKenna said, then took out his notebook. He opened it and prepared to record the impending scraps of knowledge thrown his way.

  Vernon appreciated that gesture even more. He was radiant as he resumed his pacing and rapidly made his points. “Except for his primary fixation, in this case the IRA, he’s indifferent to the welfare of society. When he drives, the car will be a sedan or station wagon in good condition and meticulously clean. He has a violent temper and will hold a grudge forever if he can’t respond at once. He cannot be relied upon to keep any promise he makes, but he will try to make good on any threats he makes. He’s personally fearless after he conquers his stress and the threat of punishment will do nothing to alter his behavior. He is probably the firstborn son and his father held a stable, middle-class job. However, he was physically and possibly sexually abused by his mother or female parental figure. As a child he probably tortured animals, set fires, and wet the bed.” Vernon stopped pacing and again faced McKenna. “You got all that?” he asked.

  McKenna continued writing for a moment before he looked up from his notepad. “Yeah, got it. He was a real bad boy and a bed-wetter.”

  “Good, because the next part pertains particularly to you gentlemen,” Vernon said, this time speaking slowly for emphasis. “Mullen makes an effort to appear friendly, like a guy you might like to know, but he’s actually filled with hate. He reads all the newspapers and once he’s publicly identified he’ll take a special interest in whoever’s handling his case. Because it will be a big, international case, he’ll find it difficult to hide and will resort to disguises. In any event, he’ll be desperate and near the end of his rope, maybe even fatalistic. He’ll recognize you gentlemen as his adversaries in a very personal way and might try to contact you. From a psychological standpoint, he needs to cause you pain or kill you for his own mental well being. Be extremely careful, guard your loved ones, and believe nothing he says.”

  Class was over, but the students weren’t happy.

  Seventeen

  Inspector Rollins was punctual in the British tradition, arriving at McKenna’s suite at precisely three o’clock. He obviously considered his visit to be a diplomatic mission because he was wearing a stiff, formal pin-striped suit. He sat on the sofa opposite Thor at attention, his knees together with his briefcase placed squarely on his lap. He fixed his gaze on a large manila envelope conspicuously placed on the coffee table in front of him; his name was written across the front of the envelope.

  “Coffee?” McKenna asked.

  “Actually, I’d prefer just plain tea, if you don’t mind,” Rollins answered distractedly.

  McKenna was ready for that request. He had ordered tea from room service and the tray had arrived just minutes before Rollins did. He poured the tea for Rollins, then poured the plebeian coffee for himself and Thor. McKenna sat next to Thor on the sofa, thinking that they would then get right down to business, but Rollins sat sipp
ing his tea and not saying a word.

  It was Thor who finally broke the ice. “Inspector Rollins, we’ve been working on a very difficult case. You’ve managed to impress me with your expertise and dedication and I think we’ve worked well together.”

  “We have,” Rollins agreed. “I’d say we’ve gotten along famously.”

  “Good. I realize that you’ve followed a few of my suggestions and, as a result, you’ve developed some information connecting Timothy O’Bannion to the bombing. We both know that I should have gotten that information, but I didn’t. I understand why and I want you to know that there are no hard feelings.”

  “Quite decent of you,” Rollins said. “I can’t say that I’d be so totally understanding if I’d have been in your position.” He paused. “I want you to know that withholding that information wasn’t my idea. In fact, I strongly recommended that it be given to you.”

  “I thought as much,” Thor said.

  “Thank you. I’m glad to hear that we’re going to be dealing with one another as cops, not diplomats,” Rollins said, nodding to both McKenna and Thor. “However, just so we all understand one another, do you mind if I reiterate the terms of our deal?”

  “Not at all,” replied both McKenna and Thor.

  “Good. As I understand it from Janus, you’ve learned that the bomber had been living in the United States under an IRA cover name, but you have no idea of his present location. You believe that we can help ascertain his true identity and that Timothy O’Bannion can provide us with his location. To ensure O’Bannion’s cooperation, we are to give to you certain information connecting him to the bombing here with the understanding that this information has been obtained from highly confidential sources. In return for O’Bannion’s cooperation, we will not publicly acknowledge his role in the affair nor seek to prosecute him as long as the bomber is brought into the custody of Her Majesty’s government by April ninth, one month from today.”

  “Two months, and he’ll be tried in Iceland before you get him,” McKenna said.