by Deanna Lee
"Document description: employment records of Samuel Killian."
"Display and read document.” Kyra grabbed the half-hamburger that Ana handed her and took a healthy bite as the computer began spitting out details.
"Samuel Killian. Employed from January 3, 2161, to February 27, 2161. Employment terminated for three unexcused absences. Last known address: 247 Langley Street, Apartment 6."
"End.” Kyra grabbed handful of fries. “Do the addresses jive?"
"Yes, except there is no Langley Street. He used the same fake address for both the college and the bar.” She was silent for a moment as she browsed through her incoming messages. “I'm sorry. I should have caught that name on the employment records for Still Waters when Janie Monroe was killed."
Kyra shook her head. “We only asked for the last six months of records. His name wouldn't have popped."
Ana frowned, but nodded. “The search for Waterman is complete.” She sighed as she read the contents of the message. “There is no information on a ‘Jake Waterman’ living within four hundred miles of New Orleans."
"Toss all that to Desi Marcos."
"Where are we going?"
"I want to swing by Glory's and let her know what's going on with the ex-psycho of hers. Then we're going back to the station."
* * * *
Desi Marcos fed the last bit of information she had into her computer, then decided to submit both pictures to the Face Recognition Database. The database was extensive and useless, but she'd built a better interface for it and hoped to get a hit on Aaron Belton and Samuel Killian.
The door to the office opened, and the inspector strode in, followed by her partner. “Samuel Killian and Aaron Belton were in the same elementary school together. They died within weeks of each other,” Desi reported.
"That's interesting.” Kyra sat down at her desk and frowned over the information. “Do we have an image to work with for Aaron Belton?"
"Yeah, the imagist brought it up about thirty minutes ago.” Desi picked the folder up off her desk and carried it to Kyra. “Frank Corey worked the interviews, so we have traditional drawings instead of computer images."
Kyra nodded and took the file. “Yes, I asked for him. I thought the witnesses in the tattoo parlor would relate better to him because of his talent.” She opened the folder and took in a deep breath. “Well, now, that's a very familiar face."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah.” Kyra turned to the large vid-panel on her office wall that she hardly ever used.
Ana reached out for the drawing and looked at it as the screen filled with Samuel's face. “It's the same guy."
"Yes.” Kyra stared at the vid-panel for a moment and then focused on Desi. “Did the second-level search request get approval?"
"Yes. You should have the results in less than an hour."
Kyra looked at Ana. “I want to see the records on the Belton fire."
"They aren't digital. I have a research request in at Police Plaza.” Ana went back to her desk. “I was promised that it would be sent over as soon as it was pulled."
Kyra nodded. New Orleans had been all paper between 2132 and 2144, due to the EMP weapon detonation over the southern NAU in 2132. The city hadn't had the resources to fix the problems until after the third civil war had ended. She picked up her coffee cup. “There's a puzzle twisting around in my head. Something about the two names ... Desi, check to see if any other children died the year that Samuel and Aaron did."
Desi nodded and went back to her station. “Particular parameters?"
"Children Aaron's age who attended his school."
Desi was silent for a moment and then cleared her throat. “Two other male classmates died in the same year. Jason Keener and Robert Phillips Jr."
"Yes.” Kyra nodded and stood. She took her coffee with her and began to pace in front of her desk. “Four children died within weeks of each other, first Aaron and then the rest. It was all over the papers at the time. People were in an uproar about the violence in the city, and four murdered children in the headlines was so much fuel for that fire."
"Then the reorganization began."
"Yes, about six months later.” She looked back to the vid-panel. “Samuel, Jason, and Robert are all cold-case files. They should be in the computer. No unsolved murder that was less than twenty years old was left in a box."
"I'll pull them,” Ana murmured.
Kyra nodded. “Check to see if anyone is using the personal ID information for Jason or Robert, too."
"What are you thinking?” Ana input the query at her station.
"That Aaron Belton was the only child of the four that we didn't have a body for. He was also close friends with the other three children, if I remember correctly. If he survived that night, he might have reached out to them."
"You think they were killed because of him?"
"The three of them would have been viewed as a risk. If one of the parents survived the fire as well, they wouldn't have wanted to deal with the questions that would have inevitably come up about that night."
"You think the other three children were killed to protect the fact that Aaron survived that fire.” Ana turned to look at her. “That's really sick."
"Yes.” She stared at the image of the man pretending to be Samuel Killian. “Very sick. I don't think it was the mother, but I'll need to speak with Clara about her place in the Voodoo community."
"The father, then."
"Yes, but then it's all speculation at this point.” Kyra grimaced and stood. “Twenty years ago, the city wouldn't have been prepared to investigate a crime like this with any real skill. With the corruption and the lack of funds, people and equipment would have been next to impossible to get."
"So you think the ashes you received in the mail are a symbol of his mother."
"Yes. I imagine the woman in that jar is actually the first victim. I think he may have recreated the death of his mother."
Desi looked up from her station and cleared her throat for attention. “I have hits on both of the IDs. Jason Keener was arrested four years ago for public lewdness. He apparently flashed some little girls getting off a school transport. Robert Phillips is currently working ... shit."
"What?"
"Robert Phillips Jr. is currently working on the mayor's re-election campaign as an event coordinator."
* * * *
Robert Phillips Jr. was missing from his desk. She expected it, but it still pissed her off. The security force for the campaign headquarters had locked down the building, but it had been no good. “Did he enter the building this morning?"
"No, Inspector, Mr. Phillips did not report for work this morning. I did not have an opportunity to explain before you disconnected with me earlier."
She distinctly remembered hanging up on the little troll, so his diplomatic explanation was annoying. “Get me Mr. Phillips's employment record immediately."
"Do you have a warrant?"
Ana moved abruptly between Kyra and her target. “Your full name, sir?"
He straightened his jacket and then cleared his throat. “Frederick Justice O'Malley. My friends call me Justice."
"I am going to remind you that failing to render any and all assistance to an officer of the law is a violation of city ordinance 395a and is punishable with sixty days’ confinement. Employment records are not protected by the Privacy Act of 2023.” She pulled out her p-pc and began inputting data.
"I will not be bullied."
"I am an officer of the law. It is not my job to bully the citizens of New Orleans into fulfilling their duties. You will go to your office and wait for transport to Police Plaza.” Ana dropped her gaze to her p-pc and fought a grimace. She could hear every single breath her partner was taking. “Now."
"The mayor will hear about this,” he seethed through clenched teeth. Turning abruptly, Justice O'Malley left the room.
Ana looked back to her p-pc. “Raymond DeChamp."
"Yes, Constable.” Raymond
DeChamp was dressed in a fine linen suit that showed off all he had to offer in splendid pale yellow detail. He had his own p-pc out already. “If you'll give me your code, I'll begin immediate transfer of the employment records for the campaign."
Ana rattled off her number and eyed him. “No protest?"
"You've demonstrated your determination. There is no need for me to be detained for records that matter little to me personally.” He grinned then. “I've also sent you my personal file, in case you have an interest later."
She shot him a look and turned to Kyra. “We've got what we need."
"Fine.” Kyra glared at Raymond in passing and jerked her head. “Let's go."
* * * *
"The last known address is crap.” Ana hazarded a glance in Kyra's direction as she buckled herself into the passenger seat. “The press would have been bad if you'd pounded on him."
"As if I fucking care what the press says about me.” Kyra shoved the vehicle into drive and fumed as she started out into traffic. “You might want to run a background check on DeChamp before you take him up on his obvious offer."
"I know his type. I already have dick on the side, so his offer really wasn't all that appealing,” Ana responded. “You need to charge the vehicle at our next stop. My records indicate that you haven't charged the main batteries or the backup in a week."
"Fine; find an open public charging station near Police Plaza and book us a time."
"You're going to interrogate O'Malley,” Ana stated.
"He told me no."
"When do I get to drive this big, shiny dick of yours?” She motioned toward the dash of the black ATV transport and sighed.
Kyra shot her a look. “I thought you didn't want to be my chauffeur?"
"Bite me, respectfully."
* * * *
Frederick Justice O'Malley was indignant and intent on making sure everyone in Police Plaza knew about it. He'd been detained unlawfully, in his estimation, and would have his revenge. By the time Kyra arrived, O'Malley had managed to get the district attorney's attention. So Kyra didn't get to jump on him immediately.
She was in an observation room when Ana found her. O'Malley was busy moaning and crying to the deputy mayor and the very silent district attorney. “You might get chewed on a little for detaining him."
Ana shrugged. “He broke the law, and he knows it. Employment records do not fall under second-level privacy and do not require a warrant. He was just trying to demonstrate to his employees that he was in charge."
Kyra grinned. “Might have been better to just let me put my foot in his face."
The deputy mayor and district attorney left the interrogation room, and the door to the observation deck immediately opened. Her commander entered the room with them.
"I want her reprimanded and removed from duty!” Deller pointed at Ana. “She unlawfully detained Mr. O'Malley."
Kyra looked at O'Malley. “Funny, for a man who's been unlawfully detained, he looks rather nervous. Wonder what I'll find if I have his residence searched."
"You'll release him immediately."
Kyra's gaze settled on Deller. It was interesting to see a man so entrenched in the Moral Majority, a political party dedicated to eradicating homosexuality and a score of other behaviors they judged to be immoral, defend a known homosexual man. She supposed he was there in an attempt to thwart her.
"No. He will not be released immediately. He has been duly charged with a crime. He will be questioned. He will be processed, and he will be confined the appropriate amount of time for purposefully refusing to assist the police in a murder investigation."
"You don't have the right!"
"Actually, you're wrong.” Commander Baker glanced at Kyra as if to gauge her determination. “The inspector is perfectly within her rights, and his detainment was lawful. There is no reason for you to be here."
"Mr. O'Malley requested that the district attorney and I be present during this farce."
Kyra looked then to the district attorney. Jessica Ford was a unique and fascinating woman, and a total politician. “Ms. Ford, you can trust that I will be thorough and fair in my treatment of Mr. O'Malley."
"This man that you've found working for the mayor's campaign ... he's the killer?"
"The individual is wanted for questioning,” Kyra stated carefully. “He's known to have impersonated at least three dead children. I'd very much like to know what he has done and why he's chosen to live with false names. He worked at Valteau's and Still Waters and knew all three victims."
"You believe he's the killer."
"He is my only suspect at this point.” She looked back at O'Malley. “Justice O'Malley tried to protect him, and I want to know why."
"Very well.” Jessica nodded. “I'd like to remain and listen to the questioning, if you don't mind."
"Not at all.” Kyra turned to Ana. “Go in and set up the recording equipment and read him his rights.” She was silent until Ana had closed the door, then she turned to Deller. “You don't like me, and that's fine.” She raised her hand when he started to speak. “Frankly, I outgrew popularity contests when I was nineteen. I don't need your trust, your affection, or even your respect. You want to lash out at me, fine, but you keep it on me. You mess with the cops under my command, and you'll pay for it."
"How dare you threaten me?"
"It wasn't a threat.” Kyra shrugged out of her jacket and stretched her arms over her head as she watched Ana and O'Malley. She flipped on the intercom and inclined her head as Ana patiently read him his rights. “Now, unless anyone has any objection, I'd like to go in there and do my job."
"Go ahead, Inspector.” District Attorney Ford straightened when the deputy mayor looked at her. “Mr. Deller, you'll have to leave. Mr. O'Malley didn't grant you permission to stay if he was interrogated."
Kyra left the politicians to their wrangling. As she entered the interrogation room, O'Malley leaped to his feet. “I would suggest that you sit back down, or I'll be forced to place you in restraints."
"I've done nothing wrong."
"You refused to give information to an officer of the law, information that is not protected by the privacy act."
"It is an employer's right to refuse to give such information."
"Only in situations of extreme circumstance, and you are well aware of that.” Kyra sat down while Ana moved to stand by the door. She engaged the recorder on her p-pc and met his gaze. “Please state your full name and place of employment for the record."
"My name is Frederick Justice O'Malley. I am the campaign manager for the re-election of the mayor of New Orleans."
Kyra nodded. “Tell me what you know about Robert Phillips."
"Nothing."
"You realize that you are being monitored. The truth monitors placed on your body during booking are in full working order. I can assure you that if you are lying, I will know. Your physical responses during questioning will be scrutinized, and if it's discovered that you've lied, you'll be charged accordingly.” Kyra sat back in her chair and watched him. She hadn't told him anything he didn't know. “His entire employment record is a work of fiction. You can't tell me that you didn't know that. All of the other records in your employment database are thorough, complete. Robert Phillips's was sparse, and a security check hadn't been conducted."
"A mistake."
"You don't make mistakes,” Kyra responded.
"Everyone makes mistakes."
"Not you; you're a perfectionist, and the only reason his file isn't complete is because you allowed it to be. You allowed a man with an assumed name to work closely with one of the most powerful men in the city. How close did Robert get to the mayor? Did he speak of him?"
"No. No. Robert had no interest in even meeting the mayor."
"Did he pay close attention to any women who worked with the campaign?"
"Robert had little interest in women."
Kyra looked at Ana, who had taken out her p-pc. At her brief nod, she turn
ed back to O'Malley. “Are you involved with Mr. Phillips?"
"He is a valued employee with insightful observations and a stunning talent with images. He did a great deal of the artwork on the campaign, as well. There were graphic artists on the team who resented him at first, but when he showed them what he could do, they all agreed that his work was the best they'd ever seen."
"Are you sexually involved with the man pretending to be Robert Phillips?"
"No."
"No?"
"No. Look, we had a few dinners and I had hopes. He's an attractive man, and he showed interest in me. I'm not immune to such things."
"Did he show interest in you after you brought his incomplete file to his attention?"
O'Malley jerked as if she'd struck him, and his back went rigid. “As a matter of fact, no. I noticed his file was incomplete sometime later."
"Your attention to detail is well known."
"Yes.” He sucked in air and cleared his throat. “I'm not a fool."
"No. I don't imagine that you are.” Kyra looked over his face and tapped the table in front of her. “Did he ever engage in any intimacies with you that would lead you to believe he was considering having sex with you?"
"No. Yes.” He blushed. “Robert professed to me that he'd never been involved with a man but was curious.” O'Malley shrugged. “He wouldn't have been the first man that I had encountered with such a curiosity."
"No, I imagine not. You're a powerful man in the city, you have the mayor's trust, and you're running his campaign for re-election for the third time."
"Yes."
Kyra picked up her p-pc and called up a picture of Samuel. “When I met him, he was using the name Samuel Killian. Is this Robert?"
He was silent for a moment before clearing his throat. “Yes, though I wouldn't have recognized him if I'd passed him on the street.” He held out one finger and traced the line of Samuel's jaw on the screen. “This is a much better look for him.” Hesitantly, he pulled out a mini-p-pc, and after a few seconds of tinkering presented Kyra with the screen. “This is how he always looked when I saw him."
Instead of the long black hair, his hair was blond and cut short. She looked at Ana and then stood. “If you'll give your statement to the constable, leaving out nothing and presenting her with any information or other pictures you've retained of Robert, you will be released."