by Sioux Dallas
Hannah decided the walk would be good for her. She appreciated the time to think as she walked to the police station. It was apparently a shift change because uniformed and plain clothes officers were milling around with some shaking hands and either saying hello or so long.
“Excuse me, please.” Hannah tried to pass by a small knot of men and women.
“Hannah? Hannah Rutherford, is that you?” The call came from an older woman at the front desk. “My goodness, child. I’ve heard some nice things about you, but I’ve missed seeing your sweet smile. Come give me a hug.”
Hannah smiled broadly and made her way to the desk through a group that insisted on hugging her or slapping her on the back as she walked across the room. She was appreciative of the fact that she had a good reputation and was well liked. She had worked previously with many of these officers.
The sweet lady, Anna May Harkins, was ready to retire after twenty-six years as a receptionist for the police department. She had been like a mother to Hannah when she first came in as a rookie officer.
Darlene Harwood could not leave her job as dispatcher, but blew a kiss to Hannah and motioned for her to come talk inside the bullet-proof cubicle. She pushed a button to open the door so that Hannah could walk in. Hannah didn’t want to take Darlene’s attention from her job as she might be needed any second. She just darted in, gave Darlene a hug and a quick word and left.
Just as she stepped out of the booth, Chief Wingate stuck his head out of his office door and called. “Hannah! I heard you were here. Come in and talk a minute. I don’t have much time, but I want to see you.” He stepped back so that she could walk by him and enter his office. He offered her a chair and then went to sit behind his desk.
“I’m glad to see you, Chief. In fact, I came especially hoping to talk to you.”
“It’s always a pleasure to see you, Hannah. What can I do for you?”
“I went to see about the man who has amnesia. I have been paying his bills, and was told that you had moved him. I’m interested as a caring person should be about another. Did he regain his memory? Where did you take him?”
“Hannah, Hannah. I do admire your ability to care for the underdog and I know you did a great service for that man. You’ll just have to take my word for it. He is part of an ongoing investigation and I can’t tell you any of the details. He is in a safe, secluded place and will receive the very best medical care.”
“Chief! I worked with you for a long time and you know I can be trusted.”
“Yes, I know all of that, but it remains a police investigation. Not many of our present officers know what is going on. I do trust you, but you’re no longer one of us.”
“Oh, Chief. You don’t know how much that hurts.”
“I know, my dear, but rules are rules, and, as I remember, you were always a stickler for playing by the book”.
“I still am, but I can’t help but feel I can help”.
“You might do that, but I can’t chance getting into hot water for confiding to an - umm - outsider”.
“Oh, come on now. How dare you call me an outsider.”
“Hannah, I’m going to stick my neck out and share some vitally, important happenings with you. I hope I can count on you to keep it to yourself. Don’t even tell your staff until the case is solved.”
“Do I have to place my hand on a Bible and swear?”
“No, nothing like that. I do trust you. I’ve known you most of your life and know and admire your father.”
“Thank you, Chief. Now what is it?”
He took a deep breath and picked up a folder. He took some pictures out and handed them across the desk to her. She gasped, but quietly looked through them. “What’s the meaning of this?”
Chapter Six
“In the last week, we’ve found these three bodies down near the waterfront. They have been cut up. They had organs removed from their bodies. Liver, kidneys, and in one case, a heart. I’m afraid some of this so called surgery was begun while the person was still alive.”
“Why? Why were the organs removed?”
“Body parts sell for a lot of money. I hope to catch these butchers and catch the medical staff that’s buying them.”
“It has to be someone with medical knowledge to do this job. Could it be a doctor? Maybe an intern? They don’t make enough to pay off their schooling. I can imagine some of them would attempt anything.”
“I’m afraid you’re right. These cuts were made with a very sharp instrument, possibly a scalpel.”
“That’s illegal.”
“Of course. That’s why they operate in secret taking organs and leaving a body. Apparently they are afraid of being caught in the act or they would not leave the bodies where they can easily be found.”
“But you don’t want me involved.”
“That’s right. It could be very dangerous.”
“You forget all the training I had as a police officer and the experience I’ve had. I feel qualified.”
“I don’t doubt that you are, but, I repeat, you’re not one of us any more, and I would be heartbroken if something happened to you.”
“I do appreciate that, Chief, but ---”
“No buts. Just keep your eyes open. You can tell your staff that you’ve heard news about this. Just don’t tell anyone where you heard it. And don’t tell that you’ve seen the pictures. Remember, we don’t know who the unsubs are and I would be devastated if you were overheard, or found, by the wrong person. Your life could be in danger.”
“I promise, Chief, and I will stay alert.”
He stood and came around to hug her.
“You have a beautiful office, Chief. I don’t remember one wall being wonderful-smelling cedar.”
“Yes, I had that put in about a year ago.”
Hannah looked at the beautiful oak desk and soft leather swivel rocker.
On the desk was a family picture, the Chief, his wife and three children. On the cedar wall were certificates and pictures of him shaking hands with important people. Hannah was proud to know him and knew he was one of the best Chief of Police they ever had.
“Thank you for seeing me, and thank you for the confidence.”
“Please don’t make me regret it,” he begged.
“I shall not. So long. I don’t like saying good bye, it’s too permanent sounding. I expect to see you again. Oh, I would appreciate reading a police record of the death of Malcolm Baker.”
“Sure, but why would you need to see a closed case?”
“Closed? I heard nothing about it.”
“That’s because we kept it quiet since the mob was involved.”
She quickly read the report and was too excited to do anything but hug the Chief and tell him he was a jewel.
They laughed and he walked Hannah out and back to the front. She told everyone there so long and walked out. She hurried back to the office with thoughts running so rapidly through her brain that she didn’t notice the black Lincoln that seemed to be following her. She quickly opened the door and almost ran inside.
“Hey gang. Everyone into my office. I have some shattering news.”
“I’m right in the middle of a report. Can it wait?” Victory answered.
“Not this time.”
Herb lumbered in from his office as Victoria limped into Hannah’s office ahead of him.
“Okay, boss. We’re here. What has you with such a tight girdle?”
“In the first place, don’t call me boss and I DON’T wear girdles, so I don’t want to hear that again.” She frowned at Herb.
“Uh oh. She’s got her knickers in a knot.” Herb pretended to whisper while Victoria glared at him and sat down quietly. Herb sat and waited.
“I just heard some disturbing news. I’m not at liberty to tell much about it except to ask you to stay alert. We have a gruesome, unusual crime going on here in our fair city and there’s no solution in sight at this moment,”
“Gracious. Are you going to share with
us or just sit there looking smug?” Victoria said, squirming in her chair. Her back and leg were aching.
“Patience my child. I have had a shock. I learned today that we have a horrendous crime going on right under our noses. It seems that some ghouls are killing innocent people and cutting out their body parts to sell illegally.”
There was a stunned silence and Victoria finally said, almost in a whisper, “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
Herb gritted his teeth. “How does this affect us? Are we going to work a case concerning this -------?”
“No. We must not get involved in an ongoing investigation unless we are requested to do so. I just want you to be aware of it and keep alert for any signs of this offense. If you are suspicious of someone, or a happening, come talk to me and we’ll decide if we need to report to the local police. I assume that, by now, the FBI has been called in. Please, please keep yourselves safe. Victoria, do not go out at night alone, and Herb, don’t play King Arthur or James Bond. I don’t want to lose either one of you.”
“I certainly won’t go out alone and I sure won’t go near the waterfront unless we will be working in that area.” Victoria stated nervously.
“You, my dear, won’t be working anything except here in the office keeping records and answering the phone. I treasure you, but you are far from being ready to investigate anything.”
“Well, I have three cases I’m working now and that’s enough. Will there be anything else?” Herb asked rising.
“No. I just want to say I’m so pleased with both of you. I couldn’t have chosen better workers or friends. Go. Have a good day. Herb, you look as if you’re losing weight. How are you doing?”
“Fine. I have lost ten pounds and I’m working out at the gym whenever I can. I intend to keep with this program until I’m down to about two ten.”
“Good for you. I’m proud of you. Please eat properly. You need the right kinds of food for energy and to keep your body healthy.”
“I know and I’m serious about it now.”
Herb rushed out to his office to finish some notes. Victoria, limping slowly, went back to her desk looking thoughtful. Hannah sighed and swiveled to look out her window at nothing while she thought about her morning. Where is the man that had amnesia? Why is the Chief keeping him in hiding? Too many thoughts were rushing through her head. She shook her head and turned to pick up her phone.
“Beth? This is Hannah Rutherford. If you want to come in this afternoon I have some news for you.” She listened a moment. “Yes, of course you can bring Connie with you. I shall be glad to see you both. Take care and rest easy. See you around three.”
Smiling she turned to her computer to enter some notes on a case and review what she knew of Beth’s case.
Chapter Seven
He lay on his back on the bed looking up at the circling fan. Suddenly he felt as if he was being skinned from the inside out. His stomach felt as if he had swallowed a hand full of broken glass. He twisted and cried in agony.
Blood began to flow from his mouth, nose and eyes. He could hardly breathe. He lay in horror, so much in pain that he could hear his own heart laboring and pounding in his body. No. It was someone pounding on his bedroom door. He sat up in bed grateful to be able to breathe in spite of the fact that he was soaked with perspiration.
What a horrible dream. But was it a dream or a premonition? I think I know now who is going to kill me and what method he’ll try to use.
“Mr. Harmon! Mr. Harmon! Are you all right? Have you had another nightmare? Lord, help us. You sound like you’re dying.”
“Thank you Mrs. Morton. Yes, it was another bad dream. I’m fine. How are the children?”
“They’re fine, Mr. Harmon. Thank God they didn’t hear you. They’re still asleep. Do you need anything?”
“No. Thank you, Mrs. Morton. Go back to bed. I hope you can rest. I might get up for a few minutes.”
“All right. If you’re sure you don’t need me. Try to get some rest.”
Brian Harmon slowly crawled away from the soaked linens and stood up still feeling off balance. He got clean pajama bottoms out of a dresser drawer and went into his bathroom for a hot shower. His mind was flying around with sad, fearful and angry thoughts.
Two years ago he had kissed his pregnant wife and tiny son and left to fly from New York to Denver, Colorado for a book signing. On the plane he sat by a man who proved to be far too friendly and who insisted on talking most of the way.
“Hello, I’m Thomas Chandler. I’m going to Denver on a business trip. Why are you going?”
Brian hesitated and finally told about his book signing in a huge book store. Tom, as he wanted to be called, was impressed and continued to ask questions and give his unwanted opinions. Finally he turned to Brian and asked, “Are you married?”
“Oh, yes, and I couldn’t be happier.”
“Are you just saying that because I’m a stranger or do you mean it?”
“I have the best wife any man could ever hope to have. We have a one and a half year old son and she’s now pregnant. Yes, I’m happy and satisfied. I hate to be away from her for even a few days.”
“Well, Brian. I’m not happy. I was hoping to make a deal with you. I like you and think we could help each other.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I was hoping to meet someone with whom I could trade. I think you would keep your mouth shut.”
By now Brian was uneasy. The expression in Tom’s eyes was strange. “I’m not following you.” Brian said uneasily.
“No. I guess you aren’t. Forget it.”
They were a little over an hour out of Denver when Tom brought up the subject again. “I need someone to kill my wife. Her father is nauseatingly rich and thinks he has me under his thumb. She only wants me so she can pretend to be happily married. I know for a fact that she is having affairs and her old man thinks their family is made of gold. I tried to talk to him about it and he asked me if I enjoyed my life. It was a threat. He doesn’t care what his daughter is doing and was, in a way, threatening me to not upset her apple cart.”
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.” By now Brian was wishing he could move.
“I wanted to offer to exchange with you.”
“Exchange? Exchange what?”
“Killing our wives.”
“What!” Brian spoke louder than he intended and caused several people to turn and look at him. He lowered his voice.
“Are you crazy man? I’ve never killed anyone or anything in my life and I don’t intend to start now. If anyone thinks they’re going to harm my wife, I might be tempted to kill them first. You’d better not hurt her or my child - er children.”
“Don’t get so excited. I was just teasing. I don’t love my wife any more, but I don’t want her hurt in any way.”
“Drop the subject,” Brian demanded, “it makes me nervous even thinking about it.”
“Sure”. Tom snickered, “I just wanted to see how an author’s brain would work.”
“Explain,” Brian said stiffly.
“Let’s pretend you’re writing a book about two people exchanging plans to kill each other’s spouse. How would you go about it?”
“I don’t even want to pretend. I don’t want to discuss it at all.”
“Oh, come on, Brian. Be a sport. It’ll help us pass the time. Put your thinking cap on. You might think about it. After all, it would make a good mystery. Now how would you go about it? Pretend we are the two men.”
Brian shook his head but began to think it might make a good plot for a book. “Okay,” he said reluctantly.
Brian took a shower and dressed to go out. Although the sun was out, the November air was cool and brisk. Mrs. Morton had bathed, fed and dressed Matthew, who was almost three and little Reinata, who was one. Their mother, Eileen, whom Brian had loved with his whole heart, had been killed in a strange one-car accident when Reinata was three weeks old. Brian had hired Mrs. Morton to help him wi
th the children while he worked.
I was always suspicious of Eileen’s death. She was an excellent driver and the road wasn’t even slick. My nightmare last night clinched it for me. I’ve been having too many of them. I need to talk to someone about this, but the police will just pass it off as a broken heart, even with my evidence. I’ll always love her and I adore my children. They’re part of her.
Brian was driving slowly down Oak Street, when a sign caught his eye.
“The Lost Cause Detective Agency! That’s what I need.” He hurriedly found a parking spot and walked quickly back to the agency.
Chapter Eight
Herb awakened early one morning and decided to go on to the office and get some paper work finished without interruptions. He unlocked the door and entered his office. Before he sat down he had an urge to get coffee and a doughnut. No, stupid. You can’t lose weight and tone up by eating sweets. He walked out and jogged down three doors to a diner, buying a large styrofoam cup of coffee with just a small amount of fat free cream.
Hurrying back to the office he was ashamed of himself for leaving the door open. Wait. I left it unlocked but not open. Oh, good grief. I’m glad we don’t carry money in here, but what could someone want? Records! Information!! That’s all confidential. He burst through the front door with a scowl on his face.
A man was walking back and forth obviously agitated.
“OH, I’m so glad to see you. My name is Brian Harmon and my life and my babies’ lives are in danger. I need your help desperately.”
Brian was five-ten and weighed in at one seventy. He worked out several days a week at the gym, but the back of his neck felt strained looking up at Herb. He decided he felt comfortable with him because the expression on Herb’s face was filled with caring and compassion.
“Sure. I’m Herb. Come on back to my office and we’ll take care of your business.”
Herb smiled and turned to walk back to his office. He had lost another fifteen pounds and was feeling great. He liked Brian at first glance and could see Brian was troubled.
Herb stepped back to allow Brian to enter his office. “Have a seat, Brian. Would you like something to drink -- coffee, soda, water? Or would you like a pastry -- or both?” Herb laughed. “If you could have seen me six weeks ago, you’d have thought I eat everything in here. The truth is I’m very proud of the fact that I’ve cut back on the calories and am working out on a regular basis. I’ve lost thirty-five pounds in all.”