by Brian Meeks
“I have a package for Mr. Henry Wood.”
Henry popped out of the back room and saw the kid. No more than 18, he was tall, thin and had a frightened look in his eye. “I’ll sign for it.”
The kid’s feet seemed glued to the floor. He held out a clipboard and then nervously dropped the pen.
Henry bent down, picked up the pen, and signed. The kid held the box out, but Henry didn’t take it. He grabbed the kid’s wrist and pulled him inside the office. “Who gave you the package?”
His voice squeaking, “I don’t know, sir, he never came out from behind the screen.”
“The screen?”
“One of those that ladies use to dress behind. He had one. He said I had to deliver this to you and not to talk to anyone about it.”
“You seem scared. Did he threaten you?”
“He had two goons with guns. They scared the shit out of me.”
“Where did you pick up the package?”
“A place on E 17th Street. The address is on the box.”
“You giving it to me straight, kid?” Henry squeezed the kid’s wrist until he felt him tremble.
“Yes, sir, that’s all he said.”
Henry let go. “Don’t move.”
The kid was pale and looked like he was about to be sick. Henry pulled a twenty out of his pocket and a business card. “If you ever get a call from the same voice, you call me.”
“A twenty? Gee, thanks. That’s the biggest tip I’ve ever gotten.” He wheeled around, relieved and bordering on happy. He headed down the hall, and almost ran into the new cleaning lady who was coming out of one of the offices.
Luna, with a glare, said, “You were pretty hard on the kid. Why’d you have to be so mean?”
“Sometimes you gotta be tough. This is serious business.”
Henry noticed the cleaning lady making her way quickly towards the stairs at the other end of the hall and leaned into Luna. He whispered, “And to let him know the kid didn’t say anything if anyone was listening. I’ll be right back. Don’t touch the package and lock the door behind me.”
His steps were quick but light. He made it to the stairs and saw her cleaning cart set off to the side. He could hear her climbing upward. Her pace was quick but not cautious. Following was easy. When she darted into an office, Henry made his way to the edge of the door and listened.
“It’s me. The package just arrived,” she said. She paused, listening. “Okay, I’ll keep watching. You want me to come over later?”
Henry waited until he heard her hang up, then opened the door slowly. She saw him and froze. “So sorry. On break.”
Closing the door, he pulled his revolver and said, “Oh, so now you have an accent. Come around to this side.” Henry waved the gun, and she moved a little further to the side. “You know I’m not a cop.”
“I know.”
“I’m also in a rather bad mood. You and your boyfriend have been causing me enough trouble that I may just have to shoot you in the knee before I ask you the important question.”
“I don’t have a gun. I’m defenseless.”
Henry pulled out his other gun. “It’s okay. I brought one for you.”
She looked confused.
“Oh, don’t worry, you won’t have to shoot it. I’ll just say it was yours so when the cops ask, I’ve got a good reason for blowing off your knee caps.”
The confusion turned to fear and a tear started down her face. Henry hated crying broads and would have normally crumbled, but she didn’t warrant sympathy. He pulled the hammer back.
“No, don’t shoot me. I just met him. Please, mister,” she sobbed. “I’m sorry. I just did what he said because...”
“Save the tears and excuses. You’re an accessory to murder, and I don’t like the games you two are playing. Who did you call?”
“He was just a cute guy who was nice to me. I don’t know anything about a murder. You have to believe me.”
“Who did you call?”
“His name is Doyle.”
“Doyle what?”
“Doyle Worthy.”
“Major Doyle Worthy III?” Henry asked slowly, afraid he had heard her correctly.
“He’s a businessman. I don’t know if he was in the army. We just met a few days ago.”
Henry lowered the hammer on the gun and waved it at her. “We’re going down to my office. You’re going to write down everything you know and say it all again to the police.”
She opened her mouth to object, but Henry pulled the hammer back again. She stopped. He waved the gun towards the door.
He thought Luna looked a little surprised to see the gun, but the look passed. She said, “Mike is in your office.”
“I have someone I’d like you to meet,” Henry said to the cleaning woman as he herded her through the door. “This is Detective Mike McDermott. His friends call him ‘Big Mike,’ but you may call him ‘sir.’”
Mike stared at the frightened woman. “Who have you brought me here?”
“This is the woman who is going to take us to our serial killer’s house.”
“Is she now?”
The woman didn’t make eye contact but said, “Yes, sir, but I don’t know nothing about no murder.”
“She got a name?”
“Tell the detective your name.”
“Brenda.”
“Now, Brenda, why don’t you write down the address for our detective friend.”
Luna appeared with some paper and a pencil. Brenda wrote down the address and handed the pad to Mike.
Henry said, “Luna, stay here with Brenda. Make sure she doesn’t try to jump out the window or do anything stupid. I need to talk to Mike.”
Mike followed Henry to the outer office. He closed the door behind him.
“Henry, you know we can’t call this in. The captain is the only one we can trust right now.”
“I know, but I want her to think we did.”
“So what’s the plan?”
“There is something I need to tell you, something I haven’t completely figured out myself. I know the killer.”
“We sort of figured that since the letters were personally addressed to you.”
“His name is Major Doyle Worthy III. He was the one who concocted the plan that almost got me killed in the war.”
“Why does he hate you?”
“I guess because when everything went to shit, the men turned to me to save their asses.” Just then, he remembered who the man at Bellevue was. Henry exclaimed, “First Lieutenant Randolph Vance!”
“What?”
“The shooter out at the Palmeroy’s place. His name is Randolph. He was the major’s right hand man. I have no idea why he’s involved. I always liked the guy. I hated the major, though. God, he was an arrogant ass.”
“What’s our next move?”
“I say we go round him up and see if he gives me a reason to shoot him.”
Henry and Mike left the office with Brenda walking, still with the occasional sob, between them. They made it to Mike’s car with little fanfare, never suspecting that Brenda wasn’t the only person keeping an eye on the Henry Wood Detective Agency.
CHAPTER 76
The major had an idea what the call was going to be about. “Hello.”
“Henry and his buddy just left with Brenda. It looks like they are heading uptown. I’m guessing she ratted you out.”
“I expected she would. You know what to do next.”
“Yes. I’ll call you when it’s done.”
The major got up from behind his desk and headed for the door. He had analyzed the position and determined that the best move for his opponent was to grab the girl. He stopped at the doorway and looked back.
His home, or more accurately, his second home, had been carefully crafted for this very moment. There were exactly 537 books in the library. They had been carefully chosen to represent a set of interests that in no way reflected his own. Scraps of discarded mail, all the documents in the
filing cabinets, and even a handwritten letter all pointed elsewhere. There wasn’t a single personal item to be found. A sentimental person would have felt a small loss at leaving such an expensive and lavish home. The major felt nothing.
He looked at his watch. He’d be home with several minutes to spare.
* * *
Bobby had been spending so much time looking through the telescope that he had a slight bruise over his right eye. Celine, Carol, and Buttons were all getting cabin fever, and he knew it. He’d explained the danger that Henry was in and why the Enclave was dangerous. That had helped, but the isolation was taking its toll.
Buttons was holding up better than Celine and Carol as he had been the recipient of exactly as much attention as he wanted. The moment he was tired of it, he napped. A meow with a tuck, roll, or stretch near the food bowl conveyed his interest in a light snack. It took less than a day to train the three of them to do his bidding. Bobby thought he saw a look of pride on the whiskered face when he said Buttons was running the show.
Celine and Carol asked a lot of questions the first day, then mostly left Bobby to his telescope. Bobby assured Carol her job would not be in jeopardy; he knew people who could make calls on her behalf. Celine didn’t say much at all. Bobby wasn’t sure what to make of it.
“Celine, come here quickly.”
Celine was sitting on the couch petting Buttons and not really listening. Carol nudged her shoulder. “Bobby wants you.”
“Oh, what is it?”
“Come here, something is going on. Take a look. Carol, you, too. Hurry,” he urged.
They ran to the window and looked where Bobby was pointing. “See? It’s Henry and Mike. Look who they have with them.”
“It looks like the new cleaning lady.”
Bobby handed them each a pair of binoculars. “Okay, this is important. Scan everyone. Look for a person who is watching them.”
Carol yelled first, “I see a guy.”
Bobby asked, “Where?”
Carol pointed across the street. “Grey suit. He’s just standing there now.”
“Got em.”
Celine said, “I see two guys. Same side of the street.”
“I don’t see them,” Bobby said. He swung the telescope wildly.
“There, there, a half block behind them.”
Carol added, “I see them. They are just standing there near the building.”
Bobby said, “I see them, too. Okay, Carol watch yours. Celine and I will watch the other two. Don’t lose sight of them. I know I’m acting crazy, but it’s really important.”
Carol asked, “What are we looking for?”
“Everything. Try to remember everything.”
Celine answered, “Don’t you worry about it. We needed some action.”
Buttons wandered over, walked between Bobby’s legs, and purred.
* * *
The lieutenant had been slow to start talking, but once he began, his haunts poured forth like the first wave breaking through a dike. The doctor generally limited the sessions, especially the early ones, to an hour, but he was still talking well into the second hour. He covered his days at boot camp, how he felt he had finally found his purpose in life, and the importance of following orders.
When he finished talking about the day everything went to pieces, he sighed, took two deep breaths, and closed his eyes. The doctor noticed the lieutenant’s right hand had begun to tremble. The shaking rattled up the lieutenant’s wrist to his elbow. Soon, his entire arm was shuddering. The doctor made a few notes and watched as the lieutenant brought his right hand up to his mouth like he was holding a cigarette cupped between the 3rd and 4th fingers. The lieutenant took a long drag on the memories of smoking with his men and the shaking stopped.
“You know, Doc, I just remembered a weekend in Paris before the war.”
“What made you think of that moment?”
“I’m not sure. It just wedged its way in through all the mud, fire, and tears of war.” He took another drag.
“Would you like a cigarette?”
“You can’t get this brand here in the states, so I’ll stick with mine if it’s all the same to you.”
The doctor nodded, then opened a small wooden box on the coffee table and pulled out a cigarette for himself. He lit it and said, “Go on, tell me about Paris.”
“It was a couple of years before the war. I had an uncle doing some business over there, and he asked me to come along. The funny thing is, I don’t remember him being there at all.”
“Oh? What do you remember?”
“I remember Cole Porter. I didn’t see him in person or anything like that. I just remember hearing his songs every night at this cafe. “Night and Day,” “I Get A Kick Out of You,” and “You’re The Top” were some of the biggies. The best song by far - and those Frenchies played it every night - was “Let’s Do It.” Heck, I even liked that song as a kid.”
“I have that record. I like it, too. What else do you remember about Paris?”
“It rained one day. Not hard but steady. I was walking someplace and ducked under an awning. A moment later, a woman joined me. She said hello and a bunch of other things, but I only understood ‘bonjour.’ She was real pretty. I just let her talk and smiled. Gosh, I haven’t thought about Odette in years.”
“This has been a very good first session. I don’t want to stop, but I simply must keep my next appointment.”
“I understand, Doc.”
“If you like, we could get together after dinner.”
“Okay. I’ll be in my room. You’ll come find me?”
“That will be perfect. I look forward to hearing more about Odette. I’ll see if I can dig out that record. Would you like that?”
“Very much.”
The orderlies came in and escorted the lieutenant back to his room. The doctor wrote a few more notes and made a call.
CHAPTER 77
While in the car, Mike and Henry formed a plan. Brenda would be in the way, so they cuffed her to the steering wheel before heading to the penthouse. Mike didn’t like going in without backup, and he wasn’t sure he should let Henry go in with a gun, but he knew that the captain wanted the killer. That was the priority.
“Mike, I’ll start by picking the lock and then you bust in.”
Mike reached out and twisted the knob. The door was open.
“Or we could try your way.”
Mike and Henry drew their weapons and entered the hallway. It was dark. The only sound they heard was from a radio somewhere in the back. The main room was clear, so they spread out. Henry went to the right and Mike the left. Nobody was in the kitchen. Mike returned to the main room to find Henry coming in from the balcony. All the rooms were empty save the one with the radio. The two stood on either side of the open door. A single light from the desk was all that was on.
With a nod from Henry, Mike took the lead and burst into the room. It was empty.
“Damn,” Mike said.
“He must be out.”
“We could wait. What do you think?”
“Maybe, but my gut says we’ve missed him.”
“Why do you say that?”
The phone rang and Mike almost shot it. He looked at Henry who turned off the radio, slowly walked over, and picked up the receiver. He didn’t say anything.
“I saw this move coming from a mile away. Did you really think you could catch me at home?”
“Major, it has been a long time.”
“You think you know me? You think you’re smarter than me?”
“I think you need to stop playing games and stop the killing. This is between you and me.”
“I make the rules. Did you get the package?”
“Yes, but I’ve not looked inside. I assumed it was booby trapped.”
“It isn’t, and the clock is ticking. You now have four hours left to find the next tile and save another life.”
“Why don’t you...” Henry began but stopped. The major h
ad hung up.
Mike put his gun away. “Well, at least we know who the killer is. That’s something.”
Henry didn’t think it was much of a consolation prize. They spent some time looking around for anything that might have a connection to any of the murders. As Henry suspected, they came up empty. They headed back downstairs and were surprised to see that Mike’s car no longer contained Brenda.
Mike cussed under his breath most of the way back to the precinct. He and Henry pulled the captain aside and brought him up to speed. Mike expected to be dressed down about Brenda, but the captain didn’t seem concerned. He told them to go back to Henry’s and check the package. He would meet them there later.
Mike was still fuming when they left the building and got into his car. He felt that everyone was watching them, and he hated not knowing if there was a leak. Henry didn’t say much in reply. He was sick of the games. He was worn down and wondered if the major was succeeding in breaking him. He wished he knew where Celine, Buttons, Bobby, and Carol were hiding. He missed Buttons, too.
Time was short. Though Henry dreaded dealing with another puzzle, he wasn’t going to let the major hurt anyone else. The memories of his time in the war had been forcefully pushed aside and now Henry was trying to recall the demons. He knew the major never liked him but to create such an elaborate and evil plot seemed excessive. What had been his offense? Henry couldn’t think of anything, but he tried to recall what he could.
The first memory to surface was from day two. Henry, a member of the 15th Infantry Regiment, had arrived at Anzio, which was under command of General Mark W. Clark. He remembered the major outlining the plans for Operation Shingle. The 1st, 3rd and 4th Ranger Battalions made up the main group of the attack, and the major explained how they would be dropped in behind enemy lines near Cisterna. It was their job to seize the town and hold it until the main assault team arrived.
Henry hesitated before asking a few pointed questions about the main assault. He was the new guy and didn’t want to make waves, but something troubled him. The description of the main assault, which was supposed to sneak past the German outposts during the night had to travel a distance that seemed burdensome. It was easy to march that many clicks, but sneaking through a drainage ditch while trying to go undetected made Henry uncomfortable.