"I know I don't, but I want to. I could tell from the moment you walked in that something was bothering you, and I figured you could really use not only a drink but maybe a friend?" The bartender set her drink down and the man placed it in her hands.
"Thank you, and you're right. I have quite a bit on my mind and do need this."
"What about needing a friend? I know it really is none of my business, but is there any way I can help?"
"Not unless you can catch a homicidal maniac on no evidence."
"So you're a police officer?"
"Sergeant Cora Jones." She held out her hand and the man shook it.
"Pleasure to meet you Miss Jones. I'm Doctor Landon Owen."
"A doctor? I never would have guess that."
"Most people don't, but I'm not a physician. I'm a psychiatrist." Cora couldn't help but giggle. "What's so funny?"
"I get it now, 'I could tell as soon as you walked in,' should have given it away really."
Landon laughed with her, "Yes, I do suppose you're right. Although I honestly didn't even realize how that came across. Now then, a homicidal maniac you say? What seems to the problem? I'm sure you've dealt with ton of them. What makes this one so different?"
"Yes I have. What makes this one different and causes a problem, is that this one leaves no evidence. I've never seen precision like this before. No fingerprints, no DNA, and the kills themselves are so intricate, it's just unnatural and so very frustrating. I've never had a case like this, and it's driving me crazy. Not to mention, the added pressure I'm under to get this thing solved is not helping at all." She folded her arms on the bar and lay her head down on them. The pressure was really too much, and she could feel the tears begin to flow as she thought about everything. She lifted her head again when Landon began to stroke her hair as a gesture of comfort.
"Well, Miss Jones, if it's any consolation, I can tell you that you're definitely not crazy. Not in the clinical sense anyway." He gave a small smile, "But I can see that all of this is really taking its toll on you." He wiped a tear away as it fell down her cheek, and then took her hands into his, "I know we just met, but it is kind of my job. If you want to talk, about anything at all, I would be glad to listen and offer to help in any way that I can. Free of charge."
Cora tried to muster up a smile for him, "Where should I begin?" she asked.
"Wherever you like, but let's get out of here first."
Chapter Eight – The News
Cora sat and talked with Landon for what seemed like forever. He was so easy to communicate with. It was if they had known each other their entire lives. Before they even realized how much time had passed, it was time for the eleven o’clock news. Landon got Cora another cup of tea and then turned on the television.
“This is your news at 11. I’m Caroline Frost.”
“And I’m Benedict Parker. Tonight’s top story: Danger in the City. A serial killer is loose in London, and Scotland Yard has no idea who it is. This has been an ongoing investigation for months and it’s been kept quiet from the public.”
“I assume that choice was made to keep the citizens from panicking, but all it’s really done in this woman’s eyes is put the public at a greater risk. However, one of the lead detectives on the case clearly feels the same way and sat down with a young reporter for an interview. Here now, with more on the story is Charlotte Bennett.”
“Yes Caroline, this is indeed a chilling tale. We received a copy of the interview from the reporter, Rebecca Mitchel, and we have it ready to show to the public. Please, everyone, turn up your televisions and watch this. Call your friends and family and get this spread around, it may help save a life. Roll the footage.”
My name is Sergeant Cora Elizabeth Jones, and I work for Scotland Yard. Over the past couple of months, another detective and I have been working on a very serious case. We received the first case file in late September. The body of a young woman was found in an alleyway between two abandoned buildings in South London. Before we even had a chance begin working, we received another file. The body of another woman was found in an exactly similar location an hour away. As we investigated this case over the next 3 months, the body count rose to 11, and we are no closer to catching this man now as we were when the investigation first started. I cannot tell you why, because I myself do not even know. We have done absolutely everything we possibly can and we have gone over every single bit of information that we have. This is what I can tell you. We are looking for a male, between the ages of 27 and 34. He is very handsome and very suave. We know this because he got all of those poor girls to trust him, and trust him enough to where even only after a small amount of time, he was able to take them to some location and seduce them. Only when he promised them a night of wonder did he kill them. This kind of suspect is the most difficult. You have probably passed him on the street numerous times without realizing, he may even be somebody you know. He seems like a normal, very sweet, very gentle person, but please believe me when I say he is extremely dangerous. This man will give off no suspicious signs at all, so please be very cautious. This man targets young Caucasian women between the ages of 24 and 30. His victims are all between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 6 inches with a petite frame, dark brown or black hair, and blue eyes. What I’m about to say is extremely unpleasant but I implore you to keep listening. He doesn’t just kill these women. First he slits their throats from behind from Jugular to Carotid. Then, very slowly and very carefully, he removes their faces. He then places a plain white mask over them and dumps their bodies in alley ways where they won’t be easily noticed. I know this is a horrific thought, and I know you are all wondering how Scotland Yard can possibly not have any leads in a case like this. Well, this man is very precise. He makes sure everything is absolutely perfect, and he NEVER leaves a trace of any kind at all. Furthermore, nobody has come forward to identify any of the victims. There are 11 families missing loved ones, and we don’t know how to find them. None of these women have DNA samples in the system, they’ve never committed a crime and they don’t have a Government job. If we knew who they were, then maybe we could place another piece of the puzzle. I beg all of you, if anybody knows anything at all, anything they think might help, then please, call Scotland Yard and ask to be directed to either myself or my partner Inspector Charles Burke. Please take precautions to keep yourselves safe and anybody you know who fits the description of this mad man’s targets. I know the public should’ve been told sooner, but the matter was out of my hands, I’m doing this because I think it needs to be done and I will face any consequences that come as a result of my actions.
Landon turned off the television and looked over at Cora. She was no longer cheery and she stared at the floor. “So, I see there are a couple things you left out when you were telling me about the case.”
“Yes, and I’m sorry but with the description I gave I didn’t want you to think I only agreed to talk to you because I thought you could be a suspect.”
“It’s alright, but yes I can see why you left that part out.” Landon smiled and Cora seemed to relax again, but then she rubbed her temples and she sighed.
“Thanks for a relaxing evening Dr. Owen, and thanks for your professional insight on the case, but it’s getting late and I really must be going.”
“You can’t possibly have to work tomorrow, three days before Christmas.”
“Sadly I do. I’m even working on Christmas Eve, although it’s only half a day. I may even have to go in on Christmas Day if something happens and they need me.”
“That seems a bit unfair.”
“A bit but it’s the price to pay for keeping the public safe.” Cora stood up and reached for her coat. Landon helped her with it like a gentleman and walked her to the door.
“May I have the pleasure of seeing you again Miss Jones? I would very much like to, if that’s alright.”
Cora smiled, “I’ll tell you what, if you’re not busy, you can be my date to the New Years Eve Masquerade Ball th
at Scotland Yard is throwing, sound good?”
“That sounds delightful, I would be honored to accompany you.”
“Thank you again Dr. Owen.”
“Please, I insist you call me Landon, ‘Doctor’ sounds so stuffy really,” he kissed her hand, “Until the 31st then my dear.”She nodded and he watched her walk away before closing the door and retiring to bed. Cora knew she should be weary of him, Landon did perfectly fit the description she gave to the press, but she decided to trust him for now. She just wanted to head home and go to bed. She knew that she would have to face something in the morning, and whatever it was, she would accept it.
She arrived at the office the next morning to a room full of very talkative people. There was a large pile of papers at her desk, and before she sat down, Charlie pulled her aside. “You’ve started a bit of a frenzy Cora.”
“Yes, I can see that. I’m sorry but I felt the public had a right to know, to protect themselves.”
“Oh yes, I agree with you, but let’s just say the Chief Superintendent is no too happy, and yes, he does want to speak with you.”He patted her back and walked with her to the door of the Chief’s office. She knocked and he returned to his desk as she disappeared into the room.
“Have a seat Miss Jones,” he gestured to a chair across from him. “As you are probably aware, I’m not happy with you at the moment, and you do not have permission to speak until I am finished.” Cora nodded. “I can’t say that I do not understand what you did, because I do, but I wish you would have approached me first and talked to me about what to say. Yes, I am aware that you desire to keep the public safe, but you have created a mad house. We have had people calling all morning saying that somebody they know is the killer; from their neighbors to their bosses or coworkers, and even their own family members. It’s a mess. And didn’t you stop to think that the murderer would see that interview, God knows what will happen know.” Chief Superintendent McCoy brought his hands to a steeple in front of his face. “However, we have received several calls from people that may be able to help us identify the victims. So, you may speak, but be brief because you have a lot of work to do.”
Cora cleared her throat, “I am sorry for creating such a mess for everyone, but I do stand by what I did. I would like to thank you for not yelling at me sir, and I promise to keep you updated on everything from now on.”
“You better, now off you go, all those papers on your desk are the piece of information that may be worth something.” Cora dashed out and to her desk. She got straight to work with Charlie on everything they were given. The two of them worked for hours making follow-up calls and checking the facts, until about two in the afternoon, when a sad voice answered Cora’s call.
“He-Hello?”
“Yes, hello. Is this Mrs. Piper?”
“Yes, who’s this?”
“This is Sergeant Cora Jones of Scotland Yard. I was...”
“Sergeant Jones?”
“Yes ma’am?”
“My daughter has been missing for weeks.”
Cora froze, then she looked over at Charlie and covered the receiver of the phone with her hand, “Charlie, I think we finally have something.”
Chapter Nine - Information and Heartache
Cora and Charlie went to see The Pipers almost immediately after Cora hung up the phone. She briefed him on what Mrs. Piper told her over the phone on the way there. “Mrs. Piper said their daughter Amy has been missing for over a month now. They were supposed to return to the US shortly after she went missing, but decided they couldn’t leave without knowing what happened to her.” They pulled up in front of the hotel around 3:30. The Pipers were staying in a series of rooms on the third floor. A very young girl answered the door when they knocked.
“Hi.”
“Hello there. Is your mom or dad here? We would like to speak with them.”Cora said to her.
The little girl smiled, “Are you police officers?”
“Yes we are.”
“Are you here to help us find my sister?” Her smile faded into sadness.
“Yes, and we are going to do everything we can.”
“Brittany, who’s there?” Mrs. Piper approached them. The look on her face was pure grief. Neither Cora nor Charlie could even begin to imagine the pain of not knowing what happened to your child. She was a short woman that looked to be in her mid to late forties. She had caramel brown hair and eyes like freshly ground coffee.
“Mrs. Piper, I’m Sergeant Cora Jones, we just spoke on the phone.”
“Oh, yes, I didn’t expect you to be here so soon.”
“Well ma’am we have been working on this case for a while and we are hoping that any information you give us will help us.”
“Well, please come in. I’ll have my husband call room service and order some drinks.”
“Thank you.” They followed her inside and sat down in a group of chairs by the window that looked out over the foggy city streets. They were shortly joined by Mr. Piper. He was of average height and seemed to be in his early fifties. His eyes were a blue like the ocean at dusk and his hair was graying, but you could still see the dark brown that echoed the hair of all the women in the morgue. Cora and Charlie rose to meet him and shake his hand.
“Mr. Piper, My name is Sergeant Cora Jones, and this is my partner Inspector Charles Burke.” Charlie stepped forward and shook his hand. He nodded, silent and they all sat down.
“Mrs. Piper, can you please tell us the whole story from the beginning?”
“Well, it was Amy’s idea actually. She just recently graduated college and she was going to start her new job when we returned. We were all so happy because it is so rare that people actually get a job in their field of college study anymore, let alone a job right out of school. So, Amy decided we should celebrate with a big family trip to England.” She paused and let out a long sigh. “It was all going so wonderful, then back in October around Halloween, she came back here one night and said that she had met a lovely young gentleman and was supposed to go on a date all the next day. We thought nothing of it, she’s such a smart girl, we thought she would be able to tell if something wasn’t quite right and we only had a few more days left here, so we thought it would be fine to let her go. She left here at around noon the next day, and that was the last time we saw her.”
“Can we ask you a few questions about your daughter Mrs. Piper?” She nodded and Cora continued, “When is her birthday?”
“April 23, 1991. She turned 24 and then graduated the first weekend in June. She was one of the youngest in her class actually.”
“About how tall is your daughter, and what color are her hair and eyes?”
“Well, she’s short like me, about 5 foot 4 and a half I’d say, but she has black hair and blue eyes like her father.” Cora looked over at Mr. Piper who was just staring out the window. He didn’t even seem like he was listening.
“What part of the US are you from, and what did Amy study at school?”
“We live in Aurora, Illinois and she studied education, she was going to start a job teaching middle school when we returned. She was replacing a woman who was leaving to have a baby.”
“Does she have any distinguishing marks? Like a tattoo or a birthmark or any scars?”
“She had surgery on her knee when she was in high school, she played soccer and she fell during a game. I think there may still be a scar.”
“Okay, now please listen very carefully and think hard. Did she say anything, anything at all about the man she was going to meet? What he looked like, his profession, where they were meeting, anything?” Cora watched as Mrs. Piper tried to force herself to remember any little detail that her daughter might have told them. She looked over to Charlie who had written down everything so far that they had been told.
“Tommy’s.”
“Excuse me Mrs. Piper, what was that?”
“Tommy’s. Amy said she had met him while she was having a few drinks at Tommy’s. It’s some local bar.
I remember it because I can recall her saying that the bartender had named it after the album by the band The Who because he had a son who was blind and it was his son’s favorite album.”
“That’s great, Mrs. Piper. You’ve been a big help.”They got up to leave, but she stopped them.
“Wait I think there’s something else.”
“Yes?”
“I think Amy said that she was very surprised by this young man. Something about he’s not at all like he seems. She said that looking at him you get one impression, but then he talks about himself and it’s totally not what you had expected.”
Cora stepped forward and took her hand. “Thank you for all your help. I promise I will call you as soon as we find something. You’ve given us so much already, but I must ask for one more thing.”
“Of course.”
“Is there anything left here that would contain Amy’s DNA? Her hairbrush or her toothbrush maybe?” She could see the woman’s spirit shatter in her eyes, as if she already knew why they asked for these things as she walked away and returned with both items in hand. Cora wanted to tell her that she had no more reason to worry, that she and Charlie would find Amy, but Cora knew it would be useless to lie to this poor woman when both she and Charlie were already almost positive her daughter was lying on a slab in their morgue.
Cora Jones and the White Mask (The Cora Jones Series Book 1) Page 3