by C. C. Wall
“Yes!” Lukas said. “This guy is nothing but a psychopath!”
“Indeed,” Chuck said. “But, he has style and he has purpose.” Chuck stood up and dusted himself off. “Most killers would never bring bodies to the steps of the sheriff’s station, let alone, take the time to set them up this way. Don’t you see? He is speaking to us. The letters on the hands were just a game. Just seeing if we were paying attention. But this, this is art. He wanted us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt what he was spelling with those hands. Plus, the fact that he kept the bodies meant that he knew he would do this all along. The hands, the victims, those might have been random at first glance, but this, he could have been planning this for, I don’t know, years!” Chuck smiled. “Crazy, right?”
“Just hurry up,” Lukas said. “It will be light soon and I’m sure Reagan doesn’t want anyone seeing this.”
Sue walked down the steps, walking over one of the corpses. “The tapes are gone. The killer walked straight into the station, into the back, and took the damn security tapes.”
Reagan came through the doorway after her. He leaned on the open door. “Chuck hurry up and get them in the freezer. Everybody else, conference room, ten minutes.”
“You got it Sheriff!” Chuck said with a salute. “I love calling him sheriff. I feel like I’m in a wild west flick or something. You know what I mean?”
Lukas rolled his eyes and walked up the stairs.
Chuck didn’t let that bring him down. “What about you, Sue? You know what I mean?”
She ignored him and headed in as well.
“Not huge movie buffs I guess,” Chuck said. “How could I take a selfie with them in it…”
Reagan was red faced and storming around the place like a bull. “Reed?” Reagan shouted.
“Yes, sir,” Reed said. He stood up from behind his desk.
“Get Chaney down here, now. Get me a half bourbon, half black coffee, then help that weirdo in the lab coat get those girls off my steps.”
“Yes, sir,” Reed answered.
“I’ll call Chaney,” Lukas said. “Just get him that drink and help Chuck.”
“You got it,” Reed said.
Lukas got on his phone.
“You calling Chaney?” Sue asked.
“Yep,” Lukas said. He rolled his eyes. “Voicemail.” He put a finger in his free ear. “Chaney, this is Lukas. You have to get down to the station now. We have three bodies. Hurry up. Conference room in five minutes, buddy.”
Before Lukas even hung up, Chaney came around the corner.
“What the hell is going on?” Chaney asked.
“You’re gonna get briefed.” Sue said.
Reagan came out of the conference room where he was impatiently waiting for everyone. “Reed? Where’s that drink?” he shouted. He got a good look at Chaney. “Why the hell are you still dressed up like Halloween? I said no priest gear!”
“My house burned down last night,” he said. “Sorry, I don’t have anything else.”
Reagan felt like he got punched in the stomach. “Oh, man. I am truly sorry to hear that. Are you all right?”
“Yeah,” Chaney said. “I wasn’t there when it happened. Just found out about it actually.”
Reed walked up and handed Reagan a mug.
Reagan took it and said, “Make one of these for Chaney too. He probably needs it more than I do.”
Reed rushed over to the kitchen.
“What is it?” Chaney said.
“Just drink it,” Reagan answered.
Reed handed Chaney the drink. “Here you go.”
Reagan looked around. “Dyer? Where’s Dyer?”
Reed answered, “He’s bringing in the bodies with Chuck.”
“Okay,” Reagan said. “Go help them and then all three of you get in the conference room. Move it!”
Once in the conference room, Reagan began to calm down. He stood up in the front and said, “Chuck, you had a pretty good grasp on everything out there, take the lead here. I’m gonna sit. I’m damn tired.”
“Goody!” Chuck said. “This will be fun. I have never lead a meeting before!”
“Don’t make me change my mind,” Reagan said.
“Yes.” Chuck cleared his throat. “Like I was telling Detective Lukas…”
“Deputy Lukas,” Reagan corrected.
“Excuse me,” Chuck said. “Deputy Lukas. The killer isn’t random. The killer wasn’t just willy-nilly picking girls to kill and then carving them up for fun. This is something that was obviously planned, for who knows how long. He wanted us to know that Sue is the message. The girls he murdered, he had probably been following for sometime to get their patterns down. He knew they would be vulnerable. He also had to have known that during the time he placed the bodies, that no one inside would come out and that he could get to the tapes quickly.”
“Yeah,” Lukas said. “How did that happen? I mean, Sue and I were at the Cafe. What were you guys doing?”
“I had my earbuds in and I was doing my tai-chi in the morgue,” Chuck said.
“Honestly everybody,” Dyer said. “I checked on the prisoners and then I took a catnap in the break room.”
“I was reading a book,” Reed said. “I was at my desk, but I was reading a book.”
“Jesus, guys!” Lukas said.
“Don’t get too mad at them,” Reagan said. “I must’ve nodded off too.”
“Now that that’s all cleared up,” Chuck said. “The killer is highly intelligent and knows this place like the back of his hand. He is an artist that has a plan. I can guarantee that this isn’t that last amazing feat he will perform. I think it’s safe to say that we are really in for something big!”
“Enthusiasm, Chuck!” Reagan shouted.
“Again, I’m so sorry. This is just really big,” Chuck said.
“Okay, sit the hell down,” Reagan said.
“Oh, is my meeting over?” Chuck asked.
“This part is,” Reagan said. “Sit.” Reagan stood up and turned to everyone. “Please tell me that one of you have a lead on this.”
“Well,” Lukas said.
Sue grabbed his arm. “Please…” Her eyes were filled with fear and sadness. She slightly shook her head.
“It’s okay,” Lukas said. He walked up to the front of the room. “We do know who this is.”
“Thank God,” Reagan said.
“Really?” Reed said.
“Who?” Dyer said. “Who is it?”
Lukas looked at Sue. With his eyes he told her that she should speak up.
“His name is Norman,” Sue said. “Norman Callahan. My husband.”
You could hear a pin drop. Heartbeats and breaths stopped for a second.
“What are you talking about, Sue?” Reagan asked.
“I really need some popcorn!” Chuck said. “Does anyone else need popcorn?”
“He was a very abusive man,” she said. “There are reasons and clues that made me think it could be him, but he has been… gone for so long that I guess I hoped that he was dead. But after what I just saw, I’m pretty certain it’s him.”
“Are you sure?” Reagan asked. “How can you be certain?”
Sue snapped. “I am certain! I know it’s him.”
“Okay then,” Reagan cleared his throat. “Sue, maybe you should take Eric and get out of town for awhile?”
“No,” she said. “He would just follow us. I feel safer here with all of you. He wants to torment and torture me. All of this, was just to scare me; to show me what he was capable of. He wanted my attention and he’s got it.”
“We aren’t going to let that happen, Sue,” Dyer said.
“Thank you,” she replied. “If I know him, he won’t let us find him until he’s done doing whatever it is he’s doing. I think we just have to play along for now.”
“Has he been in contact with you?” Reagan said.
“No, not yet,” she said.
“He will,” Chuck said. “I’m sure we w
ill hear something by nightfall. Anyone who would go to these extremes would want to know how it has effected you. He needs the reassurance. He will strike while the irons hot.”
They sat in silence for a moment. They looked at the floor while their minds raced. Except for Chuck who had a smile on his face from ear to ear.
“Since we are here,” Reagan said. “Is there any other business? Old or new?”
Chaney raised his hand, “I got a pretty good lead on Colt and Gus. Do you mind if I follow up on it?”
Reagan rubbed his face. “Yeah, that’s fine. Just let me know what you’re up to.” He walked towards the door. “Is that it?”
“Well, speaking of Colt,” Chuck said. “I took the liberty of phoning Dr. Clive and asked her to come talk with Dakota to see if there was anything wrong with him upstairs. She will be in later today if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all, Chuck,” Reagan said. “Good thinking.” He turned to everyone. “The judge will be here later. Jonathan’s arraignment is at four. Lukas you need to be here, too. He is going to decide what happens to you as well. We have about three hours before they put that young Roth girl in the ground. I want to be there for it.”
“I want to be there, too,” Lukas said.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Reagan said.
“I’ll hang in the back,” Lukas said. “I need to be there.”
55 - The Last Place Ever
“I really appreciate you opening so early for me, Mort,” Chaney said.
“Oh, don’t mention it,” Mort said. “I know this must have been horrible for you. I’ll do anything I can do to help.”
Mort opened the heavy steel door of the mortuary and walked Chaney into the back.
“You don’t have to be in here for this,” Mort said. “In fact, you would probably do better if you waited in the lobby. This will take a couple of hours.”
“No,” Chaney said. “I want to be there. I need to make sure the cremation oven is completely clean. There can’t be a trace of any other ashes in there.”
“I can assure you that there isn’t,” Mort said.
“I need to see it,” Chaney said.
“You mean, you want to see inside the furnace?” Mort asked. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
“Wherever it is that you are going to be cremating my wife. If you call it a furnace or an oven or a toaster, I need to see inside of it. I need to inspect it and make sure that it is extremely clean,” Chaney said.
“Well,” Mort said, “it’s not extremely clean. I cremate people in there. How clean can you expect it to be?” Mort said.
“I expect it to be sparkling,” Chaney said. “This is the last place that my wife, in her present form, will ever be. It has to be perfect,” Chaney said.
Mort was confused and worried. He nervously rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know what to tell you,” he said.
“How about I tell you then,” Chaney said. “Get a bucket and some rags and brushes. I will help you clean it. This is very important to me.”
Mort rolled his eyes and went to get the supplies. Chaney, on the other hand, opened up the furnace and saw what a mess it was inside. He knew the burn marks would not come off the walls and ceiling, but there was dust and fragments that lightly coated the floor of the furnace, especially along the corners.
Mort came back in with a mop bucket full of cleaning supplies.
“It really isn’t as bad as you were leading me to believe, Mort,” Chaney said.
“It’s not?” Mort asked frightfully.
“Not at all,” Chaney said. “We should have this clean in no time.” Chaney smiled.
After about forty-five minutes of digging in with the cleaning, the furnace was up to Chaney’s standards.
“Should I bring her out now?” Mort asked.
Chaney sighed heavily, lifted his back and stood up straight. “Yes. Now would be a good time.”
Mort wheeled a stretcher out that was covered by a sheet. Chaney could see the outline of Sara underneath it.
“Stop,” Chaney said. “I need a minute.”
“You mean, alone?” Mort asked.
Chaney turned and looked at him like he was an idiot. He bit his tongue to not say anything rude. “Yes, I would like a minute alone with my wife for the last time. Is that all right?”
Mort nodded. “Yes, that would be fine. I will leave you to it.”
Chaney pulled the sheet down and looked upon Sara’s face. Chaney quickly covered his mouth as a cry escaped from his lips. Tears welled up and took turns running down the lines in his face. “Sara,” he muttered. “I am so sorry my darling. I should’ve been there. I should’ve protected you. I was so naive to think that you could be safe when I deal with the scum of this town. This is all my fault! My sweet, precious angel.”
He couldn’t hold back any longer. The tears blinded him. His nose ran. Drool fell from his mouth. His body convulsed as he cried out. “I will make Gus pay for this my love, I swear to you. Anyone involved will feel my wrath.”
He fell upon her corpse and sobbed uncontrollably. He slid his fingers along her face. He kissed her cold, dead lips. His wails echoed through the mortuary. “I will always love you. Now through eternity. I will be with you again soon, my one, true love.”
He pulled the sheet back over her head. Wiped the tears from his eyes, stood up straight and shook it off. He cleared his throat vigorously. Then he shouted, “Mort! I’m ready!”
Mort entered the room and after one quick glance at Chaney, knew that he should keep his eyes down. He slid the body on the rollers and pushed her into the furnace. He shut the door and turned on the flames.
Through a small window on the door, Chaney saw the flicker of the flames dancing on the walls. That was what he locked his eyes on. All the good times with Sara ran through his mind. His eyes glowed with orange from the fire. Minutes passed and he did not blink.
“What did you want to do with the remains?” Mort asked quietly.
Chaney did not respond.
“Lawrence?” Mort said a little louder.
Chaney grunted.
“What did you want to do with the remains?” he asked again.
Chaney didn’t take his eyes away from the little window. “Would this work?” He pulled out a modest, silver urn from inside his robe. It was covered in rope.
“Yes,” Mort said. “That would do nicely.” He hesitated, as he was afraid to ask the next question, but forced it out. “What is the rope for?”
“So I can wear it around my neck,” Chaney said. “I want to keep her close to my heart. I won’t leave her alone again.”
56 - Burn In Hell
Lukas thought that about fifty yards was a good enough distance from the funeral. He made sure to stand slightly behind a tree, behind the grieving family. He didn’t want to be seen, but he wanted to pay his respects to a young girl that should still be alive. He had tried to put the guilt of killing her out of his mind since he awoke in the hospital, but knew that it would be impossible to do so the same morning that her family was saying their final goodbyes.
Lukas wasn’t alone. Sue was with him. She tried different ways to comfort him, but all felt weird. She placed her hand on his arm. That felt funny. She was sure that it looked ridiculous as well. Then she tried to rub his shoulders. She thought two hands would seem completely silly at a funeral, so tried for the single hand.
Lukas didn’t seem comforted by her rubbing his shoulders. In fact, his shoulders got even more tense as she rubbed them.
She looked at him as he watched the service from afar. She could see the sadness and remorse in his eyes. She slid her hand down his arm and gently embraced his hand. Both felt comforted by this, at least for a moment.
“What are you doing?” Lukas asked.
“Comforting a friend,” Sue replied.
“Does it feel weird to you?” he asked.
Sue paused before answering. “I don’t think it’s suppo
sed to.”
“That’s not what I asked,” he said. “I know it’s not supposed to.”
Sue tried to pull her hand away, but Lukas tightened his grip.
“I didn’t ask you to stop,” he said. “I’m just wondering why this feels weird.”
“I think I know why it feels weird,” she said. “But, I’d rather not talk about that until this whole thing that’s going on is done.”
“What whole thing?” he asked.
“You know,” she said, “this case, people dying, our friends in pain.”
“Are you afraid of being happy?” he asked.
“It’s never really worked out for me,” she said.
“Me neither,” he said. “Is that why? Or is it just guilt?”
She took a deep breath. “It’s a little of both I think.”
“Me too,” he said. “Especially now. At the funeral of a girl I shot dead.”
Sue felt like he punched her in the stomach.
Lukas sensed he had said something wrong.
“I didn’t mean you did anything wrong,” he said. “It’s me. I’m having ‘a talk’ with you at a funeral. It’s me that I’m disappointed in. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I think that’s why we feel safe talking like this right now,” she said.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“This is a horrible thing, watching them put her in the ground,” she said. “Deep down, we don’t want to be depressed. Subconsciously, our minds are trying to protect us by having a conversation, that if it went the right way, we might end up with some happiness.”
Lukas was very impressed at how profound Sue was. “Holy crap.” He smiled. “That was a pretty good excuse there. I’ll take it.”
Sue smiled and turned her head to the funeral to hide her blushing.
When Lukas turned back to the funeral, his eyes drifted across the cemetery. That’s when he caught a glimpse of him. His breath became shallow and his heartbeat rose. His eyes widened. His mouth became dry.
Past the funeral, across the narrow road full of cars and the hearse, standing behind a tree, looking right at Lukas, was Hoodie. His pale grey eyes looked intense. His grin was still sinister.