The Face of Fear: A Powers and Johnson Novel

by Torbert, R. J. ;

  Simmons knew he had his work cut out for him but he thought he had a strong argument that would constitute a mitigating circumstance reducing murder to manslaughter. With no prior criminal records on Madison and the fact she actually saved Deborah Lance’s life. Simmons thought it was realistic that the B Felony and Judge Green’s history she could be looking at 5-15 years in prison. William Lance was supportive and if the Attorney needed anything, which already included an assistant law clerk to be by his side. Detective

  Powers was available for “off the record” phone conversations that could be of help to the defense. Even Bud Johnson was available when needed, over drinks.

  During these past weeks, it was discovered that Madison most likely saved Rachelle’s life as well. Steven Anderson had tape recorded a phone call from the voice offering him 1 million dollars to arrange Rachelle coming to the Now offices for her elimination. Since Rachelle was being followed by police officers, Al Simmons would argue that Madison saved their lives as well, if not serious injury, by killing Anderson. He had kept the tape in the Now offices safe. It was ironic that he saved the tape for “insurance” purposes but he didn’t count on Madison finding out about him from one of the other cronies of O’Conner. Simmons knew the prosecution would be arguing that Madison tried to frame Paul by using his mask from the coat rack, but his client swore to him she was never returning the mask and only wanted to create confusion over taking it and wearing it during the vigilante killing spree. Simmons smiled as he sat through his pile of notes for the upcoming trial. Something so complex was simply just that. They got in over their heads that they couldn’t remember the simple details. Madison would most likely be in protective custody isolation, protected from the general population due to the notoriety of the case. As for the former Agent Jason “Jack” O’Connor, he waived his right to a felony exam to go straight to a Grand Jury hearing. There was no bail allowed and he was awaiting trial for murder and kidnapping in the first degree. The DA also had O’Connor on suicide watch.

  It was 8:30pm upstairs at Danford’s Brookhaven Room and it was the first time everyone involved in the Face of Fear case, which it had now become known as, were together. This included Detective Lieutenant Cronin, Rachelle, as well as Dugan, Assistant District Attorney Ashley as well as Healey who missed the dinner three weeks prior due to his injuries. Even William Lance was there. They were all there at the request of Bud. He walked up to the DJ from PJ from Rantin Ravin Entertainment and spoke to him that he was now ready. Bud went to the center of the floor and asked for everyone’s attention. “Folks, I owe this to Paul. Hit it.” The music came on provocative and sexy as Bud began dancing. The singing began and it was none other than Olivia Newton-John’s song called I Need Love. It was easy to see that Bud had practiced the song. He was perfect and his lip syncing was so good that he had the full attention of everyone in the room as the song continued. If there was one thing that Bud never dreamed he would do in his life, it would be dancing and lip synching to a song about sex by Olivia Newton John in front of an audience.

  It was a song most had never heard from Olivia Newton-John but they were impressed with not only Bud’s performance but the song. When it was over, everyone was clapping, whistling and stomping. Paul gave Bud a hug and said, “OK, we are even.” Lindsey gave Bud a kiss and said, “Great job, even if you said the word sex.” It was about 11pm when Rachelle needed to get home and she started to say good night to everyone when Paul asked her if he could walk her home. She said it would be great and she had something home she wanted him to see.

  Paul walked her home and she brought him inside. She took his hand and walked him over to the kitchen. In a small cage were two young puppies whimpering and ready to drink again.

  “Oh, so cute,” Paul said. “When did you get them?”

  “A couple of days ago,” she replied. Paul started petting them. “Did you give them their names?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she said. “I wanted to name them Benjamin and Franklin.”

  “Oh wow, that’s so you,” Paul replied.

  “But,” she said, “I thought that maybe you would help me raise them so I thought it would be cool to name them Wes and Craven.” Paul just looked at her and gave her a hug.

  “You are sweet,” as he continued to hug her. He pulled away and started walking to the door and hesitated when his hands were on the door knob.

  “What’s up Paul?” Rachelle asked. He turned around and walked toward her and stopped in front of her.

  “Rachelle, I’m tired of pretending.” She put her hand on his face and said, “Me too.” They kissed on the lips for the first time as Rachelle started to unbutton his shirt. Bud was sitting outside in his car looking at the figures in the shadows kissing inside. He was smiling as he looked over at Deborah sitting in the passenger seat.

  “How would you like to have lunch with me at The Red Onion Café tomorrow? You know they don’t charge me since I shot the bad guy in the groin.” Deborah started laughing as Bud said, “I know, I know. I’m a funny guy.”

  “No,” she answered. 'You’re an amazing guy,” she said as she leaned over to kiss him. “I will have lunch with you tomorrow, if you go to Vegas with me next weekend.”

  “Sounds fun,” he said, “Vegas?”

  “Yes,” she answered, “I go there three times a year to escape and see Gordie Brown at the Golden Nugget hotel.”

  “Who is he?” Bud asked. Deborah smiled. “You won’t be asking that once you see him.”

  “You won’t stop smiling and laughing once the show starts, he is the world’s greatest impressionist.”

  “You’re on.” he said. She pulled out a small wrapped package from her pocketbook and gave it to him. “What’s this?” he said.

  “It’s a gift for you,” she replied. He opened it up and it was a CD called Freedom from Michael W. Smith. She could tell by the way Bud said thank you that he wasn’t sure why he was given this particular CD.

  “Consider it a belated birthday gift, it was July 9 right?” She spoke again, “Listen to track three, a song called Carol Ann and read your lyrics you sent me to this music.” He shook his head puzzled.

  “How?”

  “How could you find an instrumental that would match my lyrics?”

  “God works in mysterious ways Bud,” she replied. In the corner of his eye, he noticed that the four Ghost Face masks he had received from Fun World were still there in the back seat. He turned them upside down as he began to kiss Deborah again.

  “You know,” Bud said to her, “the first time I saw you in Starfield’s home, I wanted to hold you, hug you, and give you comfort but I was afraid of how inappropriate it would have been.” Deborah smiled as she replied and touched his hand, “What about now?” Bud smiled back as he kissed her again.

  Kevin Cronin and John Ashley were going to their cars at 11:30pm as the party was starting to break up. When they reached the parking lot, Cronin looked around and said, “It’s nice to be back to normal.” Ashley replied, “Is it?” Cronin looked at him as Ashley spoke again.

  “The medical examiner informed you three weeks ago that the body temperature of Phil Smith and conditions of the barn was such that he may have been killed a few hours after O’Connor’s men were killed by Lynagh, Powers, and Healey. It’s very possible that O’Connor’s men didn’t kill Smith.”

  “Are you going to do anything about it?” Cronin pulled out his car keys as he approached his car.

  “Kevin?” Ashley replied. Are you going to investigate it further?”

  “Do we want to go down this road John?” Cronin replied.

  “You know,” Ashley answered. “I can’t tell you anything else.” Cronin looked up at the sky as he spoke reluctantly.

  “I will take care of it.”

  “When were you sure about O’Connor,” Ashley asked.

  “I was always suspicious since the game began,” Cronin
replied. “I knew for sure when Paul told me he confronted you guys at the courthouse about Lindsey witnessing a murder. No one who knew told him about it.”

  “OK,” Ashley said, “now what?”

  “John, do we have the tax dollars to investigate the killing of a cold blooded killer?” Ashley had started to walk away when he turned to face the Detective Lieutenant. There was silence between them as the stare down continued.

  “I will keep my word,” Cronin said. “I promise.” John Ashley took a step closer to the Detective Lieutenant as he spoke again, “Not only is the elimination of Phil Smith a question, the mystery continues. We know Anderson didn’t kill him for he was already taken care of from Madison. Yet the gun that killed our dirt bag in the barn was traced to Anderson. Isn’t that interesting? I wonder who found that gun and used it on Smith?” Cronin spoke quickly, “Assuming of course it wasn’t one of O’Connor’s three stooges that were killed at the Wilkerson house, right ADA Ashley?” It was the first time in years that Kevin Cronin was formal with John and he noticed it. Ashley spoke again, “You’re not uncomfortable with the way Phil Smith was eliminated, or the fact some of the money was not recovered?” Kevin looked over at the back of the corner building on East Main and Main Street, “This village has enough notoriety and now they announce the Long Island Music Hall of Fame will be there next year.”

  Ashley ignored the comment and started to walk away, but turned around and spoke again, “I will hold you to your word Kevin.” Cronin dangled his keys at the top of his car to the point that it was almost annoying. He looked in the opposite direction to gather his thoughts before turning his head back to John Ashley. His piercing blue eyes almost glowed in the dark under the Trader Coves overhead street lamps as he answered the ADA.

  “Like all things in life, and like all games that we play,” he paused for a second before continuing, “there comes a time when it just has to end.”

  Author’s Note

  My respect for the Suffolk County Police Department in Long Island is evident in this story. While it is a fictional story, I have had the pleasure and honor of being good friends with many of them over the years.

  There is always a chance when they leave their homes in the morning that they will not return to their families. Many of us, including myself, could not handle the stress of uncertainty such as this.

  Police officers all over the country have lost their lives and continue to lose their lives in the line of duty, leaving their families behind. During the writing of this book, Long Island resident and NYPD officer Peter Figoski lost his life, leaving behind four daughters.

  Below are the names of Suffolk County police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. In honor of them, 5 percent of the author’s profits from this book will be donated to the SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE MEMORIAL FUND. If you have enjoyed this book and/or you could never imagine leaving your family to continue their lives without you, I encourage you to make a donation to your local police department’s memorial fund to help their families and children for the remainder of their lives for the sacrifices of their mother or father in uniform. Thank you.

  Suffolk County, Long Island, NY, police officers who have died in the line of duty:

  Police Officer Jack C. Burkhardt

  Police Officer Carmelo A. Cattano

  Police Officer William V. DeRosa

  Police Officer Vincent J. DeVivo

  Detective Lieutenant Joseph H. Hawkins

  Police Officer Edwin Hernandez

  Police Officer John Jantzen

  Detective Carmine M. Macchia

  Deputy Inspector George A. McMullen

  Police Officer John J. Nolan

  Police Officer Henry J. Stewart

  Police Officer Albert A. Willetts

  Police Officer Frank D. Cataldo

  Police Officer Glen Ciano

  Sergeant Lawrence J. Devine

  Police Officer George A. Frees

  Sergeant Timothy J. Henck

  Sergeant James Hutchens

  Deputy Chief Alfred C. Kohler

  Police Officer Ralph Sorli

  Police Officer John J. Venus

  Detective Dennis J. Wustenhoff

  About the Author

  R.J. Torbert has been a key figure of all things Ghost Face behind the scenes since 1996. He is responsible for the legal baptism of the name “Ghost Face,” amending the original copyrights that officially linked the image and name together forever, as well as having the Icon of Halloween trademarked. R.J. lives with his family not far from the village where this story is based. He continues his responsibilities as director of licensing for properties such as Ghost Face as well as product development, which has resulted in creating hundreds of toys seen in stores worldwide for Easter, Valentine’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day.

  R.J. is also co-creator of the limited-edition 24 karat gold records of Elvis Presley sold at Graceland and catalogs worldwide. He loves to travel with his family when not traveling for work. He is proud to say he is a veteran of our armed forces.

  Powers and Johnson will return