by Cathryn Fox
The agent’s words sent warning bells off in his head. This wasn’t good. “Meaning?”
“Meaning that we need to work together,” Agent Dunn said. “A few years ago, there was a string of unsolved killings in Virginia similar to the ones that have occurred here in Boston.”
“I’ve seen the file,” Brophy said. His irritation echoed in his tone. “Two young men died outside of Norfolk with a single knife wound to the heart. The murder weapon was similar. A black stiletto. Vintage baseball card from 1969. But the file I read said the suspect died in a fire along with a young mother and child.”
Dunn nodded. “It was never confirmed that the man who died in the fire was the killer. The local police received information that suggested Lloyd Bingham was the killer from an anonymous source. It was his sister-in-law and nephew who also died in the blaze.
“It was suspected that Lloyd had a crush on his sister-in-law. She refused his advances and he killed her and her seven-year-old son. The authorities found knives similar to the ones used to kill the male victims. They found incriminating evidence on Lloyd’s computer. All circumstantial evidence.”
“So if that case is closed, why do you believe it has a connection?” Brophy questioned.
“Because the case wasn’t closed. It was left open. There were too many unanswered questions. The killings stopped. The case went cold.”
“Now just a minute. Go back a little. When you first came in, you said that with tonight’s attempted abduction…why does that confirm the connection to you?” Darren redirected Dunn’s attention. “What has Cameron got to do with this killer?”
Dunn paused for a moment, seemingly trying to decide whether to divulge the information. His gaze fell to the floor and then back up to Darren. He sighed.
“It’s speculation at best. It is only one of the theories we are investigating. We received a tip about a suspect from a psychiatrist during the killing spree in Virginia. The psychiatrist expressed his concerns about a former patient…one he believes would strike again.”
“Then why haven’t you guys gone after this suspect?” Brophy questioned.
Dunn shrugged. “There was no evidence at the time to support his theory. Now, there are similarities that have raised speculation that the doctor’s theory may be correct. Every concern Dr. Reginald Schafer expressed seems to have been confirmed in the end. I can’t go into all the details, but now we believe that your young woman in there holds the key to finding this killer.”
“Cameron? How?” Darren asked sharply, unable to contain his concern. “You think she has something to do with the killings? I don’t believe it. Hiding evidence—yes. But not murder.”
“You misunderstand me, Mr. Kennedy. I said she was the key to finding the killer. According to Dr. Schafer, this killer is looking to satisfy his one desire—a family. For some unknown reason, he has attached himself to Miss Quinn. Look at the evidence.
“He took the time to communicate with this girl. I don’t believe it’s the first time he has. This girl isn’t random. He has to feel he has some connection to her, whether she is aware of it or not. I don’t feel it’s a coincidence that suspicion fell on her brother and then her attempted abduction.”
“Wouldn’t she have to know the killer pretty well for that to happen?” Brophy turned to Dr. Levy for answers. “Wouldn’t she have to have an idea?”
“Not necessarily. I have come up with a theory after discussing the matter with Agent Dunn,” Dr. Levy said. He took his glasses off, holding them in his right hand. He pointed toward Darren’s office, where Cameron was sleeping. “Since her mother died, she has stepped into the position her mother once held. Cameron became a substitute mother to Zach. Her personality is to mother. Her profession—a nurse. I would theorize that somewhere along the way, she has befriended the serial killer. It could be someone close or a passing encounter, such as one of her patients. Someone who has misinterpreted her kindness.”
“Okay, I’ll go along with you for the moment, but what does that have to do with the case?”
“What if I told you I believe in his eyes she has become a substitute mother to him? It’s the only theory that makes sense.”
“You have completely lost me,” Darren interrupted. “You said before these killings have been a sort of sexual release of frustration. Abused child grown up to take out these frustrations on unsuspecting victims. What does Cameron have to do with any of that?”
“Yes…yes…I know what I said. I believe the killings are an extension of his frustration.” Dr. Levy waved his glasses toward Darren. Squinting his eyes, he continued, “But he had a trigger that released the killer inside him. If it’s as we suspect, he kills men to release his building frustration, but in his eyes he’s trying to protect her. He’s trying to protect his mother. I believe when she hid the supposed evidence against her brother…evidence that he himself planted…in his eyes, she has attempted to step out of his scheme of reality.”
“He had to pull her back in. He threatened her and she played into his hands,” Agent Dunn added. “He played her. He held a carrot in front of a horse and she came running.”
“You’re saying he threatened the two live-ins to get her to react?”
“I believe that he knew she would put their lives before her own. It’s my belief he wanted to capture her. To play out this fantasy he has created. He needs her in his life as his substitute mother.
“I also believe this guy not only threatened, but would have had no qualms to have carried it through,” Dr. Levy went on. “If she hadn’t shown up, I have no doubt he would have carried out this threat. He’s playing a game, but has no hesitation in killing. He has found power in killing. He enjoys it.”
Darren shook his head. “You have me confused. I still don’t see the connection to Virginia. I don’t understand the killing to protect his mother…”
“Dr. Schafer expressed his concern about his patient, a Raymond Duffy. Dr. Schafer worried that Duffy was responsible for the killings in Virginia. He warned us that the killings might stop for a while, but it would happen again,” Dunn answered.
“If you had this information, you must have a picture of the man,” Darren pressed. “Wouldn’t it be simple…”
“Ah…simple. It would if we had anything…a picture, a fingerprint…anything. We have nothing. According to Dr. Schafer, Duffy was a sociopath, along with being the most intelligent man Dr. Schafer has interacted with. A freaking genius, according to the good doctor. Duffy’s IQ was documented to have been a hundred and ninety.
“He bragged to Dr. Schafer he could do anything he wanted to do with computers. When Duffy left, he fried Dr. Schafer’s data…computers, emails, databases—nothing was left. Duffy seemed to have unleashed a virus that tracked down emails and fried the computers that opened it…no one has to download it, only open the email. It leaves the screen frozen with a burning flame emblem. Sound familiar?”
Dunn halted a moment. He pressed his lips together as if he were contemplating his next words. “This Duffy claimed while at Mansfield, he had committed the murders. The man showed no emotion and no sign of conscience or compassion and never expressed the slightest regret for any action he claimed to have committed. We are looking into the case.
“We are also in the process of trying to locate Dr. Schafer. He moved out of the country. We believe to Ireland. He’s the only one who can identify the suspect. Otherwise, all we have to go on is a male between the ages of twenty-five to thirty, approximately five ten. Natural hair color—light brown. Brown eyes. Dr. Schafer cautioned that Duffy bragged he was adept at changing his appearance.”
“So we have to run down the list of suspects. He has to have had access to her apartment,” Brophy cut in. “I’m beginning to suspect he drugged Zach Quinn and Randy Harrison as he did the two live-ins at the Warrens’.”
“I agree with that assessment, Detective,” Agent Dunn said. “But make a wide net. I wouldn’t put anything past this guy. I have a tea
m working on the cases in Virginia. I will be assigning one here in Boston…to work with you. Honestly, this guy scares me with what he can do with a computer.”
“So you’re saying this guy is able to hack into all sorts of information?” Brophy asked.
“I think he proved that. He has hacked into your database, hasn’t he? And if the truth be told, I believe he has ours also,” Agent Dunn answered. “The question becomes what do we do now? Will his killings escalate with his abduction attempt thwarted?”
“He’s insane. He isn’t supposed to make sense,” Brophy said. “How can you make sense of the direction he’s going, if he’s insane?”
Dr. Levy nodded in agreement. “I’m not going to argue with you about his mental state, but in his mind, somehow all this is logical to him. He kills without so much as a blink of an eye. Leaves no forensic trail or computer trail. I don’t believe it was luck that we found a computer trail leading to Zach Quinn.”
“So what are you saying, Doc?” Brophy asked defensively. “We don’t know what we’re doing?”
“That’s not what I’m saying, Detective Brophy. You found what he left for you to find, but it could be his downfall. In his mental state, he acted illogically. Studying the case, I believe he acted impulsively here. The trail led you too close to what he covets. I believe he wants the girl. If he wanted to kill her, he could have easily done so tonight. He’s outside of a pattern killing, his pattern of killing. He went outside of it. This last killing seems to revolve around the girl in one fashion or another. He wants the girl for a different reason, or in my opinion she would already be dead.” Dr. Levy nodded. “I believe she is the only solid link we have to the killer.”
Darren turned and leaned his back against the window with his arms crossed against his chest. “Well, he lost his link. I’m ready to charge her with obstruction.”
Agent Dunn coughed in an attempt to hide a small laugh he had let escape. Darren eyed him with a cold glare.
“You have a problem with that, Agent Dunn? If she hadn’t hidden the car, none of this would have happened,” Darren said with conviction. “We wouldn’t be going in circles. God knows what she did with her brother’s computer.”
“Look, Kennedy,” Agent Dunn said. “You’re right. You could go arrest her. Where would it get you? Nowhere. If she has a halfway decent lawyer, he will point out that she hid the car well before she was served the search warrant. She left the car at a friend’s garage.”
Darren frowned. “Okay. So what do we do with this information? Put her into protective custody? Take her out of the picture?”
Darren stared back at Cameron in the adjoining room. While they bantered over her fate, she slept. He shook his head. He was having mixed feelings.
“Gentlemen, I believe we have an opportunity here. The killer doesn’t know we suspect him of the killings in Virginia. If we put Miss Quinn into protective custody, the killer, in all probability, will escalate his killings. The best-case scenario for the girl would be the killer goes underground, but we know he will reemerge somewhere and begin again.” Agent Dunn swallowed. “We have an opportunity here to play him by dangling the girl in front of him. I believe we can’t afford to pass on this.”
Brophy shook his head. “Don’t like it.”
“What choice do we have, Detective Brophy? We have no leads other than the girl. He has all the advantages. He could be out right now plotting another killing in retaliation for this botched attempt,” Agent Dunn argued. “We have to come up with a plan. I don’t think we have a choice. Before she leaves here, we need a plan.”
Darren navigated his way down toward the South Shore while Cameron sat quietly staring out the window. He had asked for this assignment. Already he realized the time grew near that he would have to withdraw from the case. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, the case had become personal…way too personal.
He had wondered briefly why Cameron hadn’t mentioned their prior relationship. Did she think he would go easy on her? Somehow, he didn’t think that was the reason.
He gripped the wheel tighter, wondering what her silence meant. Was she questioning her decision? Did she trust him? Could he trust her? His stomach began to churn queasily. Brophy had begun to suspect there was more going on here than met the eye. He stated emphatically how much he hated the plan.
“When did you become such a cold-hearted bastard?” Brophy demanded.
“There has to be a means to an end.”
“No, Darren. You’re pissed she lied to you. Didn’t break down, confessing to you. The great ADA. No one stands up to you without a price to be paid. So you are willing to risk her life.”
“Her life is already at risk, which has absolutely nothing to do with me.”
“What’s got into you?” Brophy shook his head. “It’s your call, bro. Just remember, I thought this was a bad idea.”
Darren took the off-ramp headed toward the home that Cameron had grown up in. The day was dawning and opened up the drive along the ocean front. A majestic orange-red tinge lit up the ocean line against the morning sky. The ocean waves slammed against the shore. The beauty of the morning was seemly lost upon his passenger.
A quiet voice broke the silence. “Do you believe in God?”
He glanced over at her. Her face stared out the window stoically. She didn’t wait for a reply.
“When I was young, without question I believed. I believed everything my mother told me. She said that here, right now in the light before the dawn, she could feel his presence. She had so much faith. I lost my faith, Mr. Kennedy. I’ve tried. I can’t seem to find it. You try and try to do everything right, to be a good person, and it’s not there.”
She pointed to the curve they had begun to drive around, a beautiful spot as the road hugged the shoreline. The sunlight shone down on the rocks.
“It died here the night my mother lost her life. So senseless. It destroyed so many more lives than just hers and Bernie Luciano’s. My father has never been the same. You know why he didn’t sue the state after finding out about the deception of the state troopers in blaming him for the deaths? He lost everything he had worked for in his life. Was put in jail. You know why? Because it wouldn’t bring my mother back. He’s not living, only existing.”
Darren nodded. “In a way I understand how you feel. I lost my wife, Sara. Cancer. She was only twenty-six years old. A recurrence of sorts. She had childhood leukemia. Officially they listed it as bone cancer, in all probability due to the treatment she received as a child.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Nothing anyone could have done, but yes, Cameron, I know what loss is. I watched her agonized with pain, wasted away to nothing. Struggling to survive because she wanted to live. Do I question a God? Let’s just say it’s been seven years and there hasn’t been a day that goes by that I don’t remember the pain she went through. I don’t know how a God could let someone so young, so innocent, suffer the way she did.”
Cameron nodded silently. They continued in that silence until the GPS signaled the last turn down a narrow street lined with shingled, old fisherman homes. He parked in the driveway.
“I have your word?” Cameron asked before she opened her door. Her eyes stared straight into his.
Darren nodded. “You do.”
“Okay,” she said and exited the car.
He followed behind her as she gave a slight knock before entering the back door. He stepped into a quaint, old-fashioned kitchen. It didn’t look as if it had been updated since the seventies. Cameron’s father sat at the kitchen table, waiting for their appearance. Immediately, she hugged him.
“I’m fine, Dad. I would tell you if I wasn’t. I told you I was bringing ADA Darren Kennedy. He’s in charge of the case.” She separated from her father so he could meet Kennedy.
Daniel Quinn wasn’t a tall man, standing five eight at the most, balding with a touch of gray around what remained of his hair, a prominent nose. Darren could see where Camer
on got her eyes.
“I’m not sure if I like this,” Quinn started.
“I have explained everything to your daughter, Mr. Quinn. There’s an agreement in place. No charges will be filed against Cameron if she produces the computer. We are in the process of determining Zach’s involvement, if any. If it is determined he has had no involvement, then I have agreed to try to make it right with Eastern University.”
“But that would mean that you think the killer has some connection to Zach, if you want his computer. That the killer would have contacted Zach…” Quinn stated his distrust, evident in his tone. “Someone would have had to intentionally tried to set Zach up.”
Darren shrugged. “That’s a possibility.”
“Dad, don’t worry. I will take care of everything. It will prove Zach’s innocence.”
Darren glanced over at Cameron. She disappeared down the stairs to Zach’s room in the basement, leaving Kennedy awkwardly alone with a man who stared a hole through him.
He looked around the small area. Dirty plates lay soaking in the sink. The coffee pot was steaming with a full pot. Pictures were clipped to the fridge. The one in the middle caught his attention: Daniel Quinn, standing with his arm around a smiling woman—a beautiful smile and dancing eyes; a younger Cameron, smiling, with braces on her teeth; Zach, looking straight up at his father. The sun shone brightly on a happy family.
“Are you being on the straight up with Cam?”
Darren turned his attention back to the man who sat back down at the worn kitchen table. “Yes, sir.”
“You better be. Cam trusts people too much. She believes in the best of people. She got that from her mother. She’s been on a mission to save the world since she was a little girl. Is that what she’s doing now, Mr. Kennedy? Is she saving Zach?” Daniel Quinn stirred his coffee.
“She knows what we are looking for, Mr. Quinn.”
“Does she? You know Zach had nothing to do with these murders. Why do I get the feeling you’re using Cameron? You aren’t holding what she did for her brother over her? Because if you are, it was me, not Cameron.”