Signal to Murder

by Rhone Sonnier

  As Ms. Seemore steps back Hernandez and Breau call out who they are and that they are entering the apartment. A shield is shown around the door and Hernandez and Breau enter followed by the EMT’s and two patrolmen.

  An EMT kneels beside Katherine Kate feels her pulse checks her eyes and says, “She is gone.”

  Su Chi Ku, the Canine Officer that took Dillon from the apartment the morning of the assault, has arrived. She heard the police radio address and knew that Dillon was in the apartment and thought her colleagues might need her skills.

  Su Chi arrives in the hall after Detectives Hernandez and Breau, the EMT’s and the two uniform cops. I see her but she cannot see Dillon, as she calls his name from the hallway. Dillon recognizes the voice and his ears go up and he emits a low growl.

  I stop the advancement of Su Chi Ku with, “Get out of here and leave Dillon alone.” I can tell Su Chi Ku knows I mean business and she backs away leaving without Dillon. Su Chi Ku calls back to me, “I will return if needed.”

  As Su Chi Ku turns to leave, Detective Breau turns toward the door and says, “Patrolman Ku, I will be contacting you later to find out why you came here this morning. For now leave.”

  In Keith Edwards Sevan Sorrell’s apartment, Katherine Kate has no awareness; she has ended up being the victim of her own possessiveness, jealousy and greed.

  I think, “Despite her actions we mourn the loss of Kate.”

  Chapter 52

  Sorrell’s Investigative Soufflé`

  April 23, 2009 five uneventful days after Kate is killed. We have had no attempts on our lives. We have been getting our house and business in order preparing to travel south.

  I awoke this morning knowing and understanding who and what I am. As I slide out of bed, I have a full awareness that I am Keith Edwards Sevan Sorrell the grandson of Marguerite Teller Sorrell (Nana) and Francis Rene` Sorrell.

  I know that I worked as an Investigative Journalist for a year, that I created war games that The Department of Defense bought, I am a consultant to The DOD in support of my war games, and I have recently officially opened my own investigation firm, Sorrell’s Investigations located in Chicago, Illinois.

  The first mission of my investigative organization will be to find out who orchestrated the attempts on mine and my families lives. At this time no one has any definite leads. Secondly, my agency along with my Grandparents and me will initiate new investigations into three cold cases. Our three cold case files will be referred to as Sorrell’s Investigative Soufflé (SIS).

  Sitting on the edge of my bed, I reflect on my very interesting abnormal life. I have in the past year suffered through and survived three attempts on my life. The first murder attempt resulted in my being in a coma for some time and upon awakening discovering that I had amnesia and a personality disorder. The next attempt was an ambush resulting in a near death experience, seeing the light and all that goes with it. The third attempt on my life was perpetrated by Katherine Kate Miller in my apartment; this attempt resulted in her death. I know that Kate was jealous, but I believe that someone diabolical was causing her to misread my actions and feelings. This person’s influence on Kate caused her love for me to turn to hate. I will thoroughly investigate everything and everyone involved or remotely involved with the attempts on my life. I will have my agency detectives explore possible enemies that hold grudges against me.

  I rise from my bed to a standing position; I see my dog Dillon lying underfoot next to my slippers. He is actually lying more on top of my slippers than next to them. I think, “At least he did not sleep on the leather couch in the living room.”

  It is wonderful to recognize my friend Dillon; he is a small red golden retriever therapy dog. People have been known to call him The Sorrel Dog as in “The Sorrel Stallion.” At least Dillon is not growling this morning; he has been upset and worried about his Sorrell family. I remember when Dillon growls something is about to go amiss.

  As I begin to walk toward the bathroom, Dillon gets up and walks ahead of me leading me to the bathroom door. My pal, Dillon sticks to me like glue. I hope Dillon has no need to growl for quite some time. I want him to be happy and worry free.

  Dillon last growled five days ago when my supposed girlfriend Kate was rejected or rather terminated by Nana Marguerite. I recall that Dillon growled just as Katherine Kate turned her key in my apartment door lock; she entered my apartment unannounced and attempted to kill me. Nana Marguerite shot and killed her. Kate thought I was home alone.

  Kate must have been angry because I would not make a commitment to marry her. I had never considered Kate a love interest, only a friend that I had loved, like a younger sister, since childhood. Kate wanted to end our relationship on her terms. I keep mulling over this murder attempt and the other unexplained murder attempts seeking answers, but finding none.

  I now remember that Kate and I never had the relationship she inferred we had before my amnesia. Kate admitted she had never been in my apartment although she had a key; I had given the key to her. I know for sure now that Kate was no more than a really good friend. I gave my key to her in case she was ever in trouble and needed a place to stay. The term fatal attraction describes our relationship well except for the sex part. I think, “I am certain I never had sex with that woman.”

  I found Kate extremely attractive, but in hindsight I know I was right to be cautious in pursuing such an attachment with Kate. Having lived next door to each other while growing up, I always looked upon her as a younger sister. I tried letting Kate off lightly, but she would not take no for an answer.

  The murder attempts on my life and the resulting death of Kate continues to be a heart wrenching experience for my family, the Sorrell family. We tried to welcome Kate as a close friend, but as time passed we could feel an unexplainable anger emanating from Kate.

  We continue mourning Kate’s death feeling somehow we failed her. Francis, Nana Marguerite and I would like to solve the puzzle surrounding Katherine Kate’s love turned into hate for me.

  We all tried our best to like Kate. As I said earlier, I had felt a brotherly love for Kate, but as her behavior and possessiveness revealed itself, I did not even like her, I tried to like her, but it was impossible under the conditions.

  Kate lived with her grandparents when she was growing up, but they are both dead now. Detective Hernandez said that they could not locate any immediate family. I told him that she never told me that she had any other family than her grandparents.

  Kate inherited money when her grandparents died; she will not have a pauper’s funeral. Katherine Kate Miller and I were lifelong friends; Francis, Nana, Raj and I will make her funeral arrangements. Arrangements are being made through Raj’s office and Ms. Brenda Seemore is assisting them.

  We Sorrell’s will be attending Kate’s wake and funeral services before we leave for Charlotte, North Carolina to commence investigations of the three cold case mysteries. We do not know if any of Kate’s associates and friends will attend her funeral; we hope they do so that we can meet them. I think, “I will make note of their names and contact them later for possible information about Kate’s behavior.”

  Ms. Seemore has agreed to arrange a catered meal for funeral attendees in my apartment. My family and I consider Ms. Seemore a close family friend, she means a great deal to us. We appreciate all she has done for us.

  We have been absolved of any wrong doing in the recent deaths including the death of Katherine Kate Miller. Francis and Nana have both claimed self-defense and this has been accepted by the district attorney. A Grand Jury may be convened to consider each of the recent deaths, but the Sorrell’s are absolved and cleared. We are able to leave Rockford, to travel, whenever we choose.

  Raj says that the DA (District Attorney) advised him that the Grand Jury may convene, if he so advises them, to consider first the death of Ms. Celina Gomez Valenzuela and secondly the death of Ms. CeCe Brown the lady with the guitar at the assault scene. Francis thinks that Devon Carter could be c
alled to testify. Upon the advice of the District Attorney the Grand Jury may consider the death of my lifelong friend, Katherine Kate Miller.

  Lastly, as far as the Sorrell’s are concerned, the Grand Jury may consider the possible wrongful death of Tabatha Sis Taylor. Tabatha Sis Taylor’s death was in close proximity to the other deaths and evidence from Homicide Detective Breau will be brought forward. After all, Sis Taylor was my next door neighbor and cleaning lady. She did have access to my apartment. Ms. Brenda Seemore may be called to testify.

  Raj Arakkal advised us to cooperate with law enforcement since the District Attorney has put it in writing that the Sorrell’s will face no charges in Kate’s death or any of the other deaths. When Kate entered my apartment she had a key, but she was obviously an armed intruder with planned malice toward us. A Grandmother protecting her home and family has a great historical precedence in courts of law.

  The District Attorney says he cannot speak for the Grand Jury, but feels there will be no prosecutions of any of the Sorrell’s. We have agreed to return to Illinois if requested by the Grand Jury.

  Homicide Detective Wang Wei Breau has received orders from the District Attorney through Hernandez to follow us, the Sorrell family, beginning in Rockford, Illinois and onto our final destination in Texas. (We will visit for a short time in Charleston then go to Austin, Texas where my Grandparents have already purchased a townhouse.) Raj Arakkal advised us to accept Detective Breau’s protection as offered to us by the state of Illinois. We have a great respect for Detectives Breau and Hernandez, and will be in contact with Detective Hernandez if necessary.

  We have tried our best to answer all questions concerning this most recent murder attempt by Katherine Kate Miller. Rockford, Illinois Homicide Detective Lieutenant Javier Sanchez Hernandez and his partner Homicide Detective Sergeant Wang Wei Breau are attempting to resolve two past murder attempts by tying them to Katherine Kate Miller since she had access to my apartment and motivation. Tabatha Sis Taylor also had access to my apartment; we know of no motive to harm me. When I hear the name Taylor I think “peace” but cannot as yet place any significant relevance tying the two words together in my life.

  Detective Breau is still researching ties between the bus driver that drove away from the ambush scene and Tabatha Sis Taylor. After all, Breau witnessed Sis Taylor’s shock when she saw the empty milk carton on the bus the morning after the ambush.

  The day of Kate’s funeral has arrived and it is dark and raining again as the pre-burial formalities take place at the cemetery.

  We all shed some tears for the loss of a young life. I weep for my childhood friend, Kate. There are no relatives to grieve over her death, however a few nursing associates are graveside. Even Dillon appears to be grieving as he sits with a sad look on his face. I think, “Dillon truly has a hang dog expression on his face.” Dillon knows this is a solemn occasion and displays respect.

  The African American we now know as Devon Carter has shown up at Kate’s funeral; I can see him on a hill a short distance away. Devon and his family seem to be patiently standing under the tree in the cemetery watching the solemn event of Katherine Kate’s funeral.

  I recall Devon’s face just outside my hospital door and his visiting with Francis at the hospital. I also place seeing him again across the street in Forest City Park the morning Kate was fatally shot.

  Wang Wei Breau must recognize Devon Carter; I note a look of surprise on his face when he sees the man. I ask myself, “Is it possible that Breau saw him in Forest City Park after the assault? Francis told me that Devon admitted to having been at the crime scene.”

  Devon is holding an umbrella over a baby carriage. Standing behind the carriage is an attractive older African American lady with very gray hair. She is watching the proceedings from under the broad brim of her black hat. The lady lifts the baby from the carriage covering him carefully to protect him from the slight drizzle. As the prayers end and people turn away from Kate’s burial site Devon salutes Francis. Devon is apparently indicating he is waiting to speak with Francis.

  I see Francis and Dillon approach Devon. Ever inquisitive, Dillon sees and moves closer to Devon. I know that he smells everyone and everything.

  Dillon thinks, “The baby scent from the empty baby carriage at the ambush scene is here. I smile and walk toward the baby to greet him. This is a different baby carriage but the same baby smell. I woof a greeting at the baby indicating I know and like him. I also detect the scent of the baby on the man. Sitting down I look up at the man and he pats me on the head. I know that he is happy I like the baby.”

  I see Dillon turn his head away from Devon and walk toward Francis woofing; he then turns back toward Devon and woofs again then walks back to Francis and Breau. I can see that Francis understands that Dillon has found the baby that used the baby carriage found at the assault scene.

  I continue to watch Francis, Dillon, Breau and Devon Carter as Hernandez stays close to Nana and me as a precaution against another possible murder attempt. I notice that after Francis and Breau reached Devon he introduced them to his companion. Later Francis told me that she was Devon’s Great Aunt Fabida Fatima Washington. I told Francis that he introduced her to you guys as though she were royalty. “She is to him. Devon’s Aunt Fabida is all the family he and his son have,” Francis replied. Francis said that Devon proudly introduced his son Prince to them. Francis said, “CeCe Brown is Prince Brown’s mother.”

  Francis told Nana and I that when he and Breau were talking with Devon he changed the subject and told us that on the morning of April 15 he saw Kate get out of an SUV at a convenience store. She had on a jacket with a hoodie, and I could see a skull cap beneath the hood. The SUV was the same one that I had stolen for El Sicko. She was checking the vehicle for damage. Later I saw the same SUV parked in the nurse’s parking lot at Rockford Memorial Hospital. Devon said these occurrences were between two fifteen and two thirty a.m. on the fifteenth. I know it was the same SUV because I was instructed to throw mud on the plate, and I remembered the exposed numbers were 666.

  Devon said that the same SUV passed him and followed the 2:00 a.m. bus. I know that a young woman was killed in a traffic accident a short time later. I can now identify that victim as the young woman I saw exit the side door of Keith Edwards’ apartment building at about 1:45 a.m. that same morning. I followed her around the park and watched her enter the 2:00 a.m. bus. I know that the accident victim’s name is Sis Taylor.

  Devon said, “Detective Breau, I saw you follow that woman onto the 2:00 a.m. bus; you both embarked at the Birch tree stop outside Forest City Park.”

  “I watched a small person wearing a jacket with skull cap and hoody park that same SUV, the one I stole for El Sicko, one block from Keith’s apartment building, and enter the building just five minutes before Katherine Kate Miller was killed. The papers described Kate Miller as being dressed in a hoody and wearing a skull cap,” Devon stops talking for a second.

  Devon continued, “Detective Breau and Mr. Sorrell, I cannot make sense of all this. Detective Breau, maybe if we pool our information you can put it all together in a nice neat package. I for one need closure on CeCe’s involvement in the ambush and her untimely death.”

  Devon excused himself with, “You must understand at the moment I have my family to take care of. We can talk again later.” He gave Breau and Francis his business card.

  Francis informed Nana and I that Devon said he knows that there was an extortionist blackmailing CeCe. He said the extortionist was blackmailing him also, and more than likely others connected with the murder attempts. My life and the lives of my family may be in danger. I must take precautions before embarking on a hunt for CeCe’s killer.

  “Devon told Breau and me that he knew nothing about Kate Miller’s attachment to us. He was in the park and heard the shots, but he also read about the shooting in your apartment in the paper; Devon recognized Kate Miller’s picture as the woman he had seen driving the SUV. Devon shared the
fact that he feels Kate Miller was tied to the blackmailer. CeCe and I were being blackmailed, it only makes sense that he would have been blackmailing Kate Miller and others,” Francis relates this information to Breau, Nana and me.

  Breau tells us, “I was taken aback when Mr. Sorrell and I greeted Carter and his aunt because when I looked down at a burial marker it had CeCe Brown’s name on it. I indicated the marker to Mr. Sorrell and apologized to Devon Carter and his family for bothering them in their moment of grief.”

  Devon brushed the apology off with a hand gesture and said, “You did not know why we were standing here, and I wanted to talk with both of you.”

  The conversation with Devon has led to many revelations. The name El Sicko or extortionist, real name not known to Devon, leaves everyone stymied. Devon needs help in finding El Sicko. He is the one responsible for blackmailing CeCe Brown and causing her death. Devon feels certain Kate Miller was not El Sicko, but he feels she knew him or was being blackmailed by him. Detective Breau says he is documenting all of this information and will cross check everyone and everything to find this El Sicko.

  Rock Savage is observing the cemetery scene from his personal car parked a short distance away. “There is a story here, it isn’t over until it’s over,” Rock says softly to himself. I’ll follow this to the end he thinks to himself as he observes Breau and Hernandez leave the cemetery in separate vehicles.

  Francis, Marguerite, Keith and Dillon get into Marguerite’s rented SUV and depart the cemetery for Keith’s apartment. Kate’s work friends are coming to the after service reception at Keith’s.