by Gloria Obizu
That’s okay! Jenkins continued. It is regrettable that we were unable to get anything from her but we gonna keep trying ‘cause there must be some ways somehow to do this and we’ll find that way sooner or later. Anyway, we say thanks to you guys for your help. There is nothing more we can do with her now so we shall be heading back to LA and will continue to pursue other leads and keep digging until we get to the bottom of this. I’m not totally surprised she reacted the way she did though. Not at all! If anything it goes to reinforce a certain kind of way I’m feelings about this whole thing. Anyway, we wait and see what happens next. With handshakes and other formalities concluded, the officers departed.
Back in LA, giving feedback on their encounter with Lulu to other officers was a little hard for Jenkins who had nothing specific on hand. However he recounted in as much detail as he could the events that took place in Dallas. It is regrettable the mission was a total failure he concluded.
All I can say is that this case requires some hard work, Kettles added.
I also need the fast track ‘cause I’m dying to figure this out before my retirement which is not far from now, Jenkins continued. I suggest we raise the ransom fee to twenty-five thousand dollars and see what happens. What do you guys think?
None of the officers present thought it was a bad idea and the motion was adopted.
Chapter Eight
The higher ransom fee brought Freddy right back to the scene. Remember him? The other guy Isabel forced out of their apartment the same night she forced Teri to leave and set the stage for all the events happening now. That is Freddy.
The guy is what you call a Mama’s boy. As the last of six kids and the only male child, his mom spoils him real bad and he enjoys every bit of it. He never goes through a day without seeing his dotting mama and nothing happens in his life which mama does not know about. This was an agreement reached between the two, Freddy and mama, since he was a kid.
The guy never held a good job and can hardly afford a place to live so without help from mama he would be completely lost. Fortunately, mama has been hard working all her life and can afford to more than hold her own. Part of her relentless pursuit of wealth is because Freddy must have everything he needs as long as mama can afford it. Mama paid to have him and another guy rent an apartment once he turned 18 and voiced out he wanted to move out of Mama’s place. Even so, it was mere formality because in the real sense Freddy never ever left his mama’s couch. Mama got him a car when he needed one. Nothing really expensive but mama pays for gas, mama pays for maintenance and Mama supplements for feeding and clothing. Mama even pays for drugs and liquor. It is always Mama I want this or Mama I want that and mama never says no.
Today, Thursday the 9th of August, he has been on his bed all day long in his room at his Mama’s place as usual, sleeping, eating between sleeps and watching the TV whenever his sleepy eyes opens, with the TV remote his favorite companion by his side. He would watch the programs lying on his back, then go get some more food from the kitchen, eat in bed, fall asleep and wake up to continue the vicious circle.
He was just beginning to dose off again now when the news on the TV caught his attention. Is not as if he has not heard about the shooting at 886 Wilkinson Street ‘cause he is very much in touch with what has been going on and have been watching the whole thing to see how to cash in on it. According to him, since Isabel once messed him up at that same address, now her pay back day is coming and is Freddy who is going to be signing the checks. In fact, is because of this case he glued himself more or less to the TV these days. When the Police announced the twenty thousand reward initially, Freddy almost jumped for it but somehow he reached a realization that he was going to play a waiting game and win. If he gives the Police the works by withholding what he knows, that will make them raise the fee and give him even more money. And the longer he holds out, the higher his take. That was the thinking that made him decided to continue to lie low and see how rich he finally gets. Now, the news today that the price money in the shooting event has been raised from twenty thousand dollars to twenty five thousand dollars was simply too good to ignore. Something like a business idea is even cropping up in his head already on where to invest and whenever he thought about it; he always came up with, a car wash Station.” That’s what I need and with that I’m made for life,” he voices out loud each time he contemplates. But first, he must work out a good plan on how to approach the Police to succeed.
With the news still on screen, he jumped out of his bed and rushed to the living room where his mama was also watching the same program.
Mama! Mama! That’s the one I’ve been talking to you about. he said in a glee.
Yeah! The same building where you got messed up by some bitch in frock, right?
Right Mama!
I always said it that what goes around comes around, remember? And now she’s gonna get what’s coming for her! She’s gonna ripe every single seed she sewed out there. Didn’t I tell you that? Someone got shot at her party, ha?
Yeah mama! I’m sure she did it ‘cause she is a real mean bitch. I already saw it coming and that’s why I stayed away from her. Oh yes! She did it for sure! She called me for that damned birth day party of hers but I turned her down ‘cause I swore I was never gonna deal with her again after what she did to me that night! I may look and acts like a boy, but I’m a man! Yeah! That’s what she failed to realize. You don’t treat a man the way she did me and get away with it but I just let it slide because like you always told me, I try to stay out of shit. And now it is all working so good for me as if I knew this whole crap was gonna show up. The money thing is up too. Yeah! That’s some big stuff and I’m gonna get every damn penny of it, he said with some exuberance.
It’s right on the News now! Twenty five thousand dollars! Baby! I tell you some, that’s a whole lot of money and I think you may wanna go to the Police if you have some kind of proof she did it. His mom continued.
I already figured mama! Is just I don’t know exactly how I’m gonna put what I’ve got on that bitch to those men in uniform and get them buy my stuff.
That’s what I’m talking about babe! You need to prove she did it. Remember how she did all kinds of shit to you because she wanted you out of her apartment? You said there was this other guy in the house that same night, right? And you know what? This other guy can stand for you also and testify she is really mean and dangerous. She could kill if she has to, get what I’m saying? That’s a clue right there so work on it.
It’s the same guy that got shot! Freddy said.
Really! I didn’t know that! That’s the real deal right there! Kid why didn’t you say some all this time!
I was bidding my time mama! Yeah! That’s what Freddy is been doing ‘cause your little boy is now a grown man.
I’ll go to the Police right away with that if I were you? Mom encouraged him.
Ok! I’m gonna do just that! I’ll be leaving right away for the Police department. Isabel, see you soon in jail! And he got mama laughing with that.
Just be careful son! That kind of a girl could do a lot more so you got to watch your back, okay? Have your facts all together ‘cause you got to prove you’ve got something good to sell. Don’t forget that!
Don’t worry; I ain’t scared of the bitch! She ain’t nothing and can’t do shit! I’m gonna show the Police that she did it. I already worked out everything.
Soon after, Freddy walked into the station, approached one of the officers on duty named Perez Alfredo and with some kind of urgency in his voice, he said, I’ve got some for you guys.
What is it you have for us? Perez asked.
The 889 Wilkinson street party shot out!
Oh great! Good! This is the kind of thing we’ve been waiting for! Come with me please. He took him to a private room immediately and offered him a seat. Wait here, said Alfredo; I need to go talk to my supe
riors about this, okay? I’ll be right back! Alfredo walked out of the room and in a short time returned with another Officer and as they took their seats they introduced themselves to Freddy who was all smiles and relaxed. Alfredo now turned to his fellow officer and said; this guy here says he has some information on 889 Wilkinson street case.
That’s good to hear! The officer stretched out his hand for a hand shake, Inspector Stephen Carrington he said. Please, introduce yourself?
My name is Freddy!
And your last name, please?
Johnson!
What’s your address? Freddy had to think that over ‘cause he was trying to protect mama, at last he chose to give his personal address.
Ok! Mr. Johnson! What is it you‘ve got for us?
I was thinking you guys need to watch the girl that goes by the name Isabel. I mean the one on whose birthday that guy got shot and killed.
What’s this girl’s last name?
I don’t even know and I don’t care but I’ve been with her.
Where you present at the ill-fated birth day party?
No! And I thank God for that!
So why do you think she needs to be watched?
She acts real mean to people, understand? I myself almost got shot in her apartment some time ago, get what I’m saying?
Hum! That’s something of interest right there! How did it happen?
He then recounted his ordeal in the hands of Isabel that night she threw him out like a piece of shit with the most important part being that the guy who got killed at her birth day party was also at the apartment Isabel shears with another girl.
You mean Teri Parkinson was also in that apartment as you that same night?
Yeah! We were both in their chilling out with both girls and suddenly the Isabel of a girl started acting out like crazy.
Really! Did she threaten you with a gun?
No! I didn’t see her with a gun though but she might have one. From the way she was acting that night I’m sure she does possess a gun. Is just I didn’t see it!
We work on concrete evidence, though! You have some going for you, no doubt. This story about Teri being present with you at Isabel’s place is something worth looking into but you must be ready to prove your case beyond doubts. And in my opinion the only way that can be done is you are able to recognize the guy Teri to show you know exactly what you are talking about.
And how am I supposed to do that now that the guy is dead!
You’ll be presented with a series of photographs and you must pick him out from others.
I didn’t know him that well, understand? I was meeting him for the first time that night and didn’t get to take a very good look at him. He with his girl was in another room anyways and the lights dimmed all through the period I was in there which wasn’t even a very long time, Freddy stressed.
How long were you there?
About 6 hours! I’m not so sure about that though ‘cause I wasn’t watching the time, Isabel was. But one thing sure is that the dead guy was introduced to me as Teri and that’s what he was called all through my stay in there.
Six hours is long enough to get to recognize someone when you see him again, don’t you think so.
Yeah! You’re right, Freddy agreed.
What is this Teri’s last name?
I don’t know!
Listen, no judge will convict anyone based on what you offered so far because there could be millions of people out there with the name Teri which means we have to go back to the drawing board. Pick him out among these pictures and we buy your stuff!
Freddy tried sorting among several pictures laid out before him, desperately in search of any features that distinguished Teri from the others but there was no recollection in his memory to make the exact connection. After a long period of frustration, he chose to gamble and picked out one that he thought looked like Teri. Here we go! He said and raised it up.
You are wrong! Stephen was emphatic! That’s not Teri! That notwithstanding, I believe you still have something going for you here!
Oh yeah! Can I get my cut of the money you put up on the dude’s head and get out of here! Since you guys bought some you pay up!
Not so fast Freddy! Listen, we need to work on the tip you gave us and see how it fits in place. It has to have some kind of relevance in solving the case, okay? And if that happens, we work out how much you get and give you a call. Don’t think you wasted your time coming here, no! We really appreciate what you did and you will get compensated for that at the right time, so hang in there and hope for the best!
And how long am I gonna wait to get this call from you guys?
We don’t know!
I got to have something! Freddy reacted in anger.
Ok, as long as it takes to solve the crime, how about that Freddy?
So this is all I’m gonna get, ha! Unbelievable! I came in here hopping you guys are ready to work with me and this is all I got!
Ok! Time up! You’ve got to leave now’ cause we got other things to do, okay? Just wait for the call! Stephens said and stood up getting ready to leave.
I’m getting out of here right away but I’ll be waiting! No matter how long it takes, Freddy will be waiting! He said before he left the room in anger and stormed out of the building.
What is in your mind concerning this thing we got from this guy? Stephen asked his colleague as soon as Freddy left!
I think is something worth looking into. At list we now know that the guy Teri had something on a more personal level with this girl in whose party he got shot but that doesn’t really mean anything right now, understand? It doesn’t mean she killed him. I mean, it is natural you invite your friends to your party, so I don’t see anything strange with him being there. The only thing is we can definitely make some connections in some ways and this could be handy at some point in the investigation. It is a good thing we have the information.
You know what I’m thinking? Alfredo asked.
What?
We need gather our men together right away and talk about this and see what others will have to say!
It’s a good thing to do but the lead investigator is off duty today, Stephen said. But he is on Tomorrow though!
Still good enough! I’m gonna give him a call right away to arrange something for tomorrow, Alfredo concluded.
Jenkins got the call a little after lunch and the news that came with it was so exiting that he barely managed to hold on till the next day. And as soon as he reported for duty, he went for all the files tracing down from the shooting of Norman to the present case. He then picked 10am as the starting time for this day’s meeting and was there in Room A waiting when other Officers began walking in.
Out of habit, Jenkins didn’t speak first, Stephen did. He reenacted the meeting with Freddy and what came out of it. Some of the Officers were getting the news for the first time but Jenkins was informed ahead of time so he was more prepared. And as the discussion continued, his countenance changed suddenly. Wait a minute! Jenkins called out and began turning pages on a file in front of him. Here it is! He exclaimed with a finger pointedly on a sport and all eyes went in his direction. I was right all this time. Yes! I said it over and over again, something about a missing link and here it is in black and white. It’s been here all this time yet I continued to miss it but this little tip from this guy Freddy did it.
And what is that? Officer Kempis asked.
The lady named Lucinda Armstrong was Norman’s fourth wife and Norman her second husband. She had a daughter by previous marriage.
Thomas that’s nothing new! We’ve always known these things! Officer Kempis began. The name of her daughter was Nicole. Nicole Fishbump. A missing person’s case was filled by her mom when she was about twelve years old and that was before the woman lost he
r own life about a year and half after in a different circumstance.
Remember? She died shortly after having a baby, another Officer said.
You are right! Kempis continued. The case of her daughter’s disappearance was very much publicized and mom well investigated and found to have nothing to do with it. Eventually the whole thing melted down to another of those naughty kids that scram from home never to be found again. About two years later Nicole was found dead, killed by a guy she was seeing then who went by the name Randy Fenders. Randy were sixteen when he did the murder to earn himself a juvenile sentence, a ten years prison term with possibility of parole! One thing the death of Nicole did was intensify Police resolve to get hold of Lulu because of a possible link between Norman and Nicole’s murder which was strongly considered then. Eventually Lulu was apprehended but she denied she ever saw Nicole the night she was at the house or knew Norman had a step daughter. And you all know like I do that she wasn’t telling the whole truth. Although there is no existing evidence anywhere indicating she did this second murder that I know of, but that does not mean she didn’t do it. The Police are still investigating.
Now how does boy Randy fare with his sentence and rehab? Can you tell us more on that? Jenkins continued.
So far so good! Kempis continued. I mean, what do you expect of a boy whose freedom was taken from him at sixteen? He is probably desperate to be returned home! According to reports, he’s been one of the nicest kids in his camp, so what? He is being considered for parole in six months or so, that is if he keeps up with good behavior, so what? This was yet another of one of the difficult cases Dallas Police had to deal with if you guys remember. But it was well investigated too and conclusive decisions taken. What are you really driving at this time around Jenkins?
Some missing link like I said earlier. Possibility that the same person is behind all of these cases tracing from Norman to Teri and this fellow is still out there mingling comfortably with society! The person who owes and is hiding the gun we are looking for. That’s what I’m talking about. And as long as whosoever this fellow is continues to walk the street, this gun may never be found and this case may never resolve.