by David Boiani
“Thank you. I will forever be in debt to you both. If you need some advice or wisdom going forward, just call or stop by. I’ll always be available as a consultant. I just need to step back; I was too close to the flame. My family was too close to the flame.”
“We understand, and may just take you up on that offer,” the captain said.
John shook their hands and walked out of the station, for the second time ending his career doing what he loved.
***
The dark figure watched it all unfold: the Corbin children on display fearing for their lives for twenty-four hours, the proceeding rescue… and the love John Corbin displayed for his children. This was fully revealed as he held them on the floor of the tunnel. Although seeing those little necks snap would have been enjoyable and amusing, he could live with the outcome. John was shaken, that was plain to see. He had taken back the power that Mr. Corbin had wrestled from him in the previous rescue. They had played the game by the rules and succeeded. This had all been a means-to-an-end. The final act was still to be played out and the upcoming events would be the climax of his scheme. It would be the equivalent of a beautiful, well planned finale after a long fireworks show. One of the few activities he enjoyed as a child was to sneak out and watch them alone in wonderment of the beauty and power they possessed. His plan contained those very same qualities.
The dark figure left his house in the cover of darkness, eager to put the final wheels of his plan in motion.
For the best part was yet to come.
***
“I hear John is coming back to work,” Sean said to Red as he took another gulp of his Brooklyn Summer Ale. Artie arrived and took a seat next to Sean.
“That’s the plan, although I have a feeling he may reconsider at some point.”
“Why would you say that?”
“I’ve known John quite a while now. There isn’t much we haven’t discussed. Let’s just say John has the blood of a detective. He can be happy and successful doing whatever he chooses because of his drive and intelligence, but being a cop is in his DNA. That won’t just go away.”
“He’d be crazy to tempt fate again, not when his family is concerned. I know I would never put my wife at risk. She’s my life.”
“Yes, we get that from the putrid poems you write,” Sean said as he gave Artie a disgusted look.
“Speaking of poems, I have a new one. Want to hear it?”
Red turned and walked out of the bar before Artie could start speaking.
“Dude, I’d rather stick an ice pick in my retina than suffer through another one of your love letters to your wife. Listening to them makes my brain cells commit suicide one at a time.”
“Well, we all know you need the few hundred you have left, so maybe I’ll keep this one to myself,” Artie countered, which put a confused look on Sean’s face.
“Isn’t a couple hundred a lot? I mean, most only have a hundred or so, right?”
Artie looked away in disbelief.
***
“Ricky, I want you to take the weekend and get away. I know the last abduction has taken its toll on you, as it has all of us. Take Alexis somewhere, reset, clear your mind and enjoy life for a few days. Without John, you’ll be my second in command. I need you to be ready to go physically and mentally when this nut strikes again.”
“Sir, I don’t need—’
Captain Johnson put up his hand to stop Ricky in mid-sentence. “It’s an order, not a suggestion.”
“Okay, then, I will. Thank you, sir.”
After Captain Johnson walked away, Ricky called Alexis.
“Hi, handsome.”
“Hi beautiful, how is everything? How’s the new book coming?”
“Well, the great part of having my Dad around is we’re catching up on lost time, but the bad part is, I have less time to write.”
“Well, that’s a small price to pay. He needs you now, so make time for him.”
“You’re right, I shouldn’t complain. He fills a void in my life that was always present and I’ll always be grateful for that.” She paused a moment, then asked, “How’s John, Julie and the children?”
“They’re doing well. John resigned. It’s going to be difficult to replace his experience and instincts.”
“I’m sure, but it was a decision he had to make and I certainly understand and agree with it.”
“Alexis, Captain gave me the weekend off. I would love you to join me.”
“Join you where, Mr. Burton?” she asked in a slightly amused tone of voice.
“Willow’s Lodge in Woodinville, along the Sammamish River. Rest, relaxation, and a touch of romance to top it off. Some hiking and biking, if we get cabin fever. You may even get some writing done.”
“Sounds wonderful, but what about the case?”
“Captain thinks I need some time to reset, get my mind right.”
“When do we leave, Romeo?”
“Thursday evening.”
Alexis didn’t even hesitate. “It’s a date.”
***
On Friday, late in the afternoon, Captain Johnson stood in front of the station and updated the media on The Seattle Slayer case. When he finished, he agreed to answer some questions.
“Captain Johnson, do you have any leads at all concerning the identification of The Seattle Slayer?” asked Nicole Kearns from the Seattle Times.
“No, not at this time, Nicole. As soon as I do, you will be the first to know.”
“Why did he target the Corbin children?” asked John Bryant from KOMO 4 news.
“At this point, we don’t know why the Corbin children were targeted.”
“There are reports that he plays games with your force, sends puzzles you need to solve to find his current victim. Can you confirm this, and if this is so, why?” This question came from an anonymous source.
“This man is a narcissist who likes to flaunt his intelligence and challenge us to beat him at his own game. These puzzles bolster his ego and opinion of himself. He’s a very dangerous man with sociopathic tendencies.”
“Sorry sir, but is it confirmed that the murderer is a he? Is it possible it could be a woman?” asked an anonymous female.
“We have reasons to believe it is a man, although we haven’t confirmed this.”
“Then shouldn’t you state the fact that it could be a female?”
“No, as I’ve stated, we believe it to be a male. Folks, every moment lost is a moment his next victim is closer to death. Do you think I care about or have time for political correctness? I will wrap this up for now. Good day.”
Captain Johnson walked inside the station, into his office and closed the door behind him. Minutes later he noticed a new email…
Michael, that’s not like you to lose your cool. Have I gotten under your skin? Surely you can handle a little question about my gender better than that…
The captain closed the email, threw a pen across his office and it exploded against the far wall. He got up, shut the light, and headed out the door after informing everyone he was leaving for the night. It was a long week and he needed a break from the craziness. He needed a night home with his wife. He walked into the warm summer night with a bright moon shining high in the Seattle sky.
***
Ricky watched Alexis step out of the shower and smile at him moments before grabbing a towel to cover up. They had just completed another intense session of lovemaking and Ricky was reveling in the aftermath. He could not remember a time in his life when he was happier. The weekend was coming to an end, they would drive back home later this evening and resume their typical schedules and lives in the morning, but they both had some wonderful memories of their time spent together. Ricky grabbed a bottle of red wine with two glasses and headed for their secluded patio overlooking an herb garden and terrace.
“Meet me outside after you dry off,” he said as he opened the French doors and stepped out.
Moments later she appeared wearing tight athletic shorts e
nhancing her lovely curves and a white tee-shirt revealing the roundness of her ample breasts, as the moonlight shone down on her.
“It’s beautiful,” she said as she glanced up at the clear sky displaying a bright half-moon and vivid stars.
Ricky smiled and followed her gaze to the heavens. “There are certain times I become angry about life. I analyze, study, work… all in hope of making the correct decision to be successful at whatever I’m trying to accomplish. When I feel I’ve done that, worked the percentages in my favor and yet still fail, I feel cheated. Especially when I observe some lazy, incompetent slob achieve the goal from pure luck. But you know what I think of in those moments?”
“You think about this wonderful, caring woman who has just recently entered your life?”
Ricky glanced at Alexis and smirked. “Yes, but when I’m done thinking about her, I think about this.” He waved his arm at the sky, at the moon, at the stars. “This image brings me perspective. It makes all the petty issues in life we call problems that we stress over seem insignificant. It makes me just happy to be alive.”
Alexis walked to Ricky and put her arms around him, and together they gazed at the wonder and beauty of the world.
“It’s amazing, to think how big the universe is. You’re right, it makes us feel minute and unimportant. Do you think there are other forms of life out there?”
“Of course. I mean, it would be naïve and myopic to think otherwise. There are millions of solar systems out there, many with environments that may support life. It’s fascinating to think about all the different species and life forms that may be out there right now, thinking about whether we exist or not, a billion light years away.”
“To think, all those stars, planets and solar systems and you found me right here, in the same town. Do you believe in fate or destiny, that things happen for a reason?”
“No. I believe I met you because some lunatic happened to kidnap your father and it’s my job to save him. It just so happens that those beautiful eyes got my attention.”
“You definitely need to read some romance novels. Your perception of love at first sight is pretty dry.”
Ricky laughed and grabbed Alexis by the waist, placed her on the floor of the patio and made love to her again, deep into the night, under the watch of a million stars.
***
John returned to the restaurant the following week and invited the captain and Ricky in for lunch. Red joined the trio, and talk soon returned to the Seattle Slayer.
“Anything new?” John asked.
“Nope. No videos, no new evidence; he seems to be taking his time,” Captain Johnson replied.
“Maybe he’ll just go away,” Red said.
“A pleasant thought, but not likely. He seems to have a reason to continue. Many serial killers can have bursts of activity then become benign for long periods of time. Others become addicted and can’t get enough, almost like drug addicts. Those are killers who kill for sport, just for the experience. I think our guy has a plan that he intends to pursue to its entirety,” Ricky said.
“What makes you think that?” Red asked.
John leaned forward. “Ricky’s right, if he just wanted to kill, he would do just that. He wants to prove and accomplish something, thus the puzzles.”
The food arrived, and the subject changed to family, friends, and talk of the Mariners winning the American League West. After dessert, Ricky and Captain Johnson got up to leave. John walked them out.
“Let me know as soon as you hear anything.”
“We will. Take care, John. Tell Julie and the kids we were asking for them.”
John watched as his colleagues drove away, part of him yearning to be with them. John pushed that feeling away and buried it deep inside and went back into his restaurant.
***
The dark figure had been watching his next victim for days, learning its schedule, noticing the gaps of vulnerability in its days. He learned its size and weight to the exact pound, to make sure to use the exact amount of Succinylcholine. As his next victim slowly crawled away from him with a tranquilizer dart secured in the middle of its back, the dark figure felt a feeling of pride for a job well done. The victim stopped crawling and grew faint, finally turned to look at its assailant. The last sight that seared into the victim’s mind was of the dark figure approaching, with a disturbing, victorious smile on his face.
CHAPTER EIGHT
24:00:00, 23:59:59, 23:59:58…
The victim’s eyes slowly opened, the heavy grogginess from the Succinylcholine dart slowly fading. When clear vision returned, complete panic and terror reigned. The victim was erected on a cross, with each limb secured by a cable to a pulley. Each pulley was then connected to one master pulley which was connected to a pressure plate. Hanging above the pressure plate was a palette of bricks suspended by a hefty rope. The bricks were to be used as a counterweight and when released, would depress the plate and activate the pulleys. The victim understood immediately what the purpose of the setup conveyed — dismemberment. The cross itself was suspended above the ground and attached to two huge trees. The victim glanced around at the surroundings. The site was a thick forest with the glow of moonlight cascading through the treetops. The dark figure stood behind the camera and smiled, noticing the moment the victim recognized the meaning of the whole mechanism.
“Nice of you to finally join me, I’ve been lonely. You could try to scream, but I assure you, nobody would hear you out here,” the dark figure said. “Time to get down to business, I’m sure everyone’s been waiting for the show to start.”
23:35:03, 23:35:02, 23:35:01…
Ricky sat at his desk finishing up some paperwork before heading home for the evening. He placed the last document in a file, then turned his attention toward his computer and noticed an email from an unnamed source. He reached for his mouse to open it as Rosalie called over his phone.
“Ricky, I have Mrs. Johnson on line one for you.”
“Okay, thank you, Rosalie.” He picked up his phone and pressed line one.
“Hello, Mrs. Johnson, what can I help you with?”
“Hi Ricky, do you know what time Michael left the station today? He still isn’t home. The last time we talked he said he would be home for dinner and that was hours ago.”
“Really? He left late this afternoon right before sunset. You haven’t spoken to him since?”
“No, he usually comes straight home. I called him on his cell but got his voicemail. Please ask around and call me if you hear anything.”
“Sure, will do, Mrs. Johnson.”
“Ricky, you know you can call me Sarah.”
“I know, but I’m an old-fashioned boy. I’ll call as soon as I hear anything.”
“Thank you.”
Ricky placed the phone back down and hesitated for a moment. A look of recollection combined with terror suddenly came over his face. He clicked on the email…
Good evening detective Burton. AND THEN THERE WAS ONE! I hate to break up our little group, we were having so much fun, but it needed to be done. A means to an end and all. I’m sure you will forgive me.
Under the text, there was a link to another video. Ricky clicked on the link.
There, nailed to a cross like Jesus Christ himself, was Captain Johnson.
23:01:03, 23:01:02, 23:01:01…
John was at the restaurant when he received a text from Ricky:
Forwarded you an email I need you to see
John quickly went to his office, closed the door, and opened his email. He clicked on the link and when the video feed loaded, he stared at the screen in horror. “No…”
He immediately called Ricky’s cell.
“John, I—”
“Ricky, who knows?” John said, cutting Ricky off.
“Me, you, Rosalie, the feds, Detective Bernard and Sarah—”
“Sarah knows?”
“Yes, Sarah knows. She called me looking for the captain hours earlier. I had to call and in
form her. She’s obviously distraught. Listen, John, I didn’t send the feed to you to change your mind or involve you, I just thought you should know.”
“Of course. Do we have any information?”
“No, nothing yet.” Ricky paused, secretly hoping John would tell him to hold tight, that he was on his way in, and they would work the case together. Part of him realized that was selfish and knew John was better off uninvolved.
“How and when was he abducted?”
“We don’t know for certain yet, but it seems like it happened between four and five hours ago.”
“Please let me know as soon as any info becomes available.”
“Will do, I’ll be in touch.”
John disconnected the call and threw his head back. He felt the tension in the base of his skull, the queasiness in his stomach, and his heartbeat quicken as he closed his eyes and put his hands over his face.
22:39:03, 22:39:02, 23:39:01…
Michael Johnson frantically studied the landscape around him for a clue as to his whereabouts but all he could see were trees of all shapes and sizes in every direction. He noticed many Douglas-firs, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and even some giant western red cedar. The state of Washington contained many forests, however. Looking at the size and density of the trees, he knew he had to be in the middle of one of the more extensive forests the state had to offer. Must be near Mt. Rainer, North Cascades, the Wenatchee Forest, or Olympic Forest, he thought. He then noticed the growth of moss on the trunks of many trees and branches. The thickness of the moss combined with the size of the trees left no doubt; he was somewhere in the middle of the Olympic National Forest. Realizing he was totally alone, he tried to loosen his restraints, starting with his hands, but they were expertly fastened. There was no way he could free himself. He found his feet to be just as secured as he tried to kick them back and forth to cause some slack, but there was no give. He settled down and leaned his head back against the top of the cross and looked directly into the camera. All the time I have spent fighting crime, and I have never been on this side, he thought. It feels surreal, almost like I am living in a horror movie.