by Scott Bonn
Chapter Fifty Five
Captain Pritchard and FBI agents Cassidy, Baldwin, Redding and Chin are sitting in the guardian war room together at 4:45pm. Cassidy and Baldwin have just finished briefing the others about their interview with Charles Lundquist. Now, the group is discussing what they should do next regarding Lundquist.
Pritchard says, “Julia, I am very impressed that you were able to bait Lundquist and get him to lash out when you called the guardian a hypocrite. I really would like to have seen that. Charles Lundquist fits everything we know about the guardian from his physical characteristics to his knowledge of the Bible and interest in helping troubled females. As of right now, he is our leading suspect for these murders.”
He pauses and then adds, “However, our suspicions are not enough. What we need is indisputable evidence that he is the guardian before we can take any action.”
Cassidy says, “Agreed. Jason and I were discussing that very point on our way back from Bedford Hills. I suggest that we put around-the-clock surveillance on him starting right now.”
Pritchard says, “We know that Lundquist lives at 184 Mercer Street, apartment #6F, in the East Village. One of my detectives has already confirmed that. I am going to have a two-person team of detectives parked outside of his apartment building at all times.”
Cassidy says, “Sounds good, James. We have to remember that Lundquist is very intelligent. If he is the guardian, then he already knows he is on our radar—that we have suspicions about him. He is going to be extra careful now. We cannot count on him to make a mistake that will lead us to him. Similarly, we should not expect to catch him in the act of abducting another girl.”
Criminalist Janet Chin says, “That is correct. The guardian may be arrogant, but he is also very smart. We cannot count on good luck to help us catch him. What we need to do is get a sample of Lundquist’s DNA and see if it matches the DNA of the guardian from his semen sample. If they match, then we know that Lundquist is our killer and we can arrest him.”
Pritchard says, “That is easier said than done, Janet. As you know, Lundquist is not going to simply hand over a sample of his DNA to us, and no judge is going to issue a court order to get it from him based on our suspicions alone.”
Cassidy says, “That is true, but the bigger problem, as I see it, is that if we approach him directly to get his DNA, no matter how we go about it, we are going to spook him and he will likely abscond—that is, take off and disappear forever."
Janet Chin says, “That is a likely scenario, Julia. We need to get it from him another way so…”
Chin is interrupted mid-sentence by Lieutenant Frank Baker who abruptly enters the guardian war room. He approaches the conference table and looks directly at Pritchard.
Baker says, “Captain, I am sorry to interrupt, but I think you need to hear what I have to say.”
Pritchard says, “Please, go ahead, Frank.”
Baker continues, “I just got off the telephone with a man named Brian Fisher whose seventeen-year-old daughter, Molly, has disappeared from Columbia University. Molly’s college roommate has not seen her since yesterday. She believes that Molly went out jogging last evening and never returned.”
The war room becomes silent immediately following Baker’s statement.
Pritchard breaks the brief silence when he says, “Oh, my God. Not another one.”
Chapter Fifty Six
At 8:30pm, Lundquist sits on the leather couch in his East Village apartment with a glass of red wine in his hand. It is a bold Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. His favorite. As he calmly and slowly sips his wine, he reflects upon his visitors from the FBI earlier today.
He says to himself, “So, the FBI wants me to believe that they randomly selected me to interview today because I am an expert in theology. That is laughable. I do not believe for one minute that our meeting was random. There is no way that it was just a routine, informational interview. No, they have suspicions about the guardian and they wanted to check me out.”
He takes another sip of wine and places the glass on the coffee table. He stretches out lengthwise and lies down on the couch. He puts a pillow underneath his head and closes his eyes.
As he takes long deep breaths, he says aloud, “Somehow, the police have linked me to the guardian. I do not understand how that is possible. The guardian has been very careful and meticulous in his work. This is very perplexing.”
He lies on the couch and meditates in silence. After several minutes, he opens his eyes and sits up quickly. He smiles. A wonderful thought has just occurred to him.
Lundquist says to himself, “Whatever suspicions the FBI have about the guardian and me, their evidence is flimsy and insignificant. If they had anything substantial at all, they would not have come to see me on a fishing expedition today. They would not have asked me silly general questions like whether I believe the guardian has received formal religious training.”
He smiles, again, and says, “The nature of their questions tells me that they have nothing at all significant. If they did, they would have come to my office armed with a warrant or asked me to come to their office where they would have given me the third degree.”
He takes a big sip of red wine and says aloud, “What agents Cassidy and Baldwin cannot comprehend is that their little charade today was a very big mistake on their part. I am certain that they are working together with Captain Pritchard at the NYPD. In fact, he probably sent them to me. Pritchard thinks that he is very smart, but he is not.”
He takes another sip of wine and continues, “Today, the police gave me a valuable warning that I will pass on to the guardian. He will certainly be more vigilant and careful on his mission in the future. He will no doubt adjust his plans and schedule after hearing about my visit from the authorities today. I imagine that the guardian will be inspired to move more quickly to complete his divine work. Yes, the FBI did us both a favor today.”
Lundquist leans back on his couch and grins like a Cheshire cat.
Chapter Fifty Seven
It is 1:45am on October 27th and Professor Thomas Geiger is lying on the bed in his modest brownstone apartment in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. He cannot sleep. He is rolling restlessly from side to side.
The professor’s conscience is bothering him. He thinks that he may have betrayed Charles Lundquist by telling the FBI he suspects that his former student is a serial killer. He is second-guessing himself.
He says to himself, “What if I am wrong about Lundquist? I have no evidence that he has committed any crimes. I have only my intuition—a gut feeling—and you cannot arrest a man based on that. Lundquist is a strange man, but that does not mean he is a serial killer.”
Professor Geiger realizes that if his suspicions about Lundquist are not accurate, then he is subjecting an innocent man to unnecessary scrutiny, possible police harassment, and intimidation.
He says to himself, “It could destroy Lundquist’s reputation if false accusations or charges are made against him based on my unfounded suspicions. Even rumors that do not lead to formal charges could ruin his career. I will not be able to live with myself if my haste in contacting the police destroys Lundquist’s personal life and career. It will be too much to bear if my negligence injures an honest man.”
Professor Geiger is a deeply honest, kind and loyal person, so the prospect of harming an innocent man does not rest well with him. As a result, uncertainty, anxiety and apprehension occupy his mind while he lies sleeplessly in his bed.
In the darkness, the professor stares at the ceiling and asks God for guidance and clarity in this deeply troubling matter.
Chapter Fifty Eight
At 8:25am, James Pritchard is sitting at the desk in his office with a cup of coffee, a raw apple and a bran muffin. The coffee provides a desperately needed jolt of caffeine while the bran muffin and apple are concessions to his doctor who has prescribed them to the police captain for his digestive health.
Pritchard has not had an alc
oholic drink for nine days, and he is feeling better mentally and physically than he has since before his wife and daughter died. The hunt for the guardian has been physically grueling and mentally draining, but the challenge inspires him and boosts his spirits. In addition, his unexpected relationship with Julia Cassidy is giving him satisfaction.
To his surprise, Pritchard found himself missing Cassidy as he spent last night alone in his hotel room. It occurred to him that he has not missed someone in that way for a very long time. Missing her actually felt good to him. It made him feel alive.
Pritchard is sipping coffee and thinking about Cassidy’s sexy, athletic body when, suddenly, she walks into his office unannounced.
Cassidy says, “Good morning, James. I see that you are starting your day with an apple. That is very healthy, my friend. On the other hand, I am starting my day with a very unhealthy chocolate croissant.”
Cassidy smiles at Pritchard as she takes a big bite of her croissant. Pritchard looks at her and chuckles.
He says, “Stop teasing me. I am trying to be a good boy here. Chocolate is a big temptation for me.”
Cassidy swallows, and wryly says, “Do tell, Captain Pritchard. Well, I happen to know that chocolate is not your only temptation.”
Pritchard shakes his head and says, “You are a very bad girl, Agent Cassidy. I happen to like that about you.”
They share a laugh together, and Cassidy sits down in one of Pritchard’s guest chairs.
Cassidy assumes a professional demeanor and asks, “On a more serious note, do we have any news on the search for Molly Fisher?”
Pritchard replies, “Not yet. My men are canvassing the neighborhoods around Columbia University and Central Park West. We know that Molly likes to jog in the park near the university. I also have our scuba divers searching the Hudson River adjacent to the university campus. I really hate to say it but I think that the scuba divers are most likely to discover Molly.”
He adds, “I just have a terrible feeling about it. The search for her is not going to end well.”
Cassidy says, “I know, James. I feel that way, too. In fact, I tossed and turned in bed all night long thinking about it. I could not get Molly Fisher or the guardian out of my mind. I went for a run myself this morning to clear my head, but it did not work.”
Suddenly, Special Agent Jason Baldwin enters Pritchard’s office through the open door.
Pritchard looks squarely at Baldwin and asks, “What is it, Jason?”
Baldwin says, “I have a call for Julia holding on line number two. It is professor Geiger at Boston College. He says that it is urgent, and he sounds a little rattled.”
Cassidy nods her head in acknowledgment, and then picks up Pritchard’s office telephone and says, “Hello. Agent Cassidy here.”
After saying hello to Cassidy, the professor explains to her that he has mixed emotions about sharing his unsubstantiated suspicions about Charles Lundquist with her. He tells her that he is now afraid he may have harmed an innocent man. Cassidy responds to him by saying that she completely understands his feelings.
She says, “Professor, I respect the fact that you are so humble and honorable in your convictions. It is completely normal to have conflicting feelings after taking the action that you did. However, I want to assure you that you did the right thing. You made public safety your top priority, and that was the correct decision on your part. I want you to know that we have already met with Charles Lundquist in person. I cannot go into any specific details about our conversation with him, but I can say that your tip is already invaluable to our investigation.”
Professor Geiger tells Cassidy that he is relieved somewhat to hear that his lead has proven to be useful to her. He also expresses gratitude that she believes he did the right thing by contacting the FBI about his suspicions concerning Lundquist. He thanks Cassidy and says goodbye.
After ending the call, Cassidy smiles and tells her colleagues about the conversation.
She says, “The professor is wrestling with his conscience over what he told us about Lundquist. He is afraid that he may have betrayed an innocent man. That tells me our Dr. Geiger is very honest and sincere. It was extremely difficult for him to call us in the first place.”
As if to complete the thought being expressed by Cassidy, Pritchard says, “Therefore, the professor’s sense of moral integrity adds credence to his suspicions about Lundquist. When you combine Dr. Geiger’s strong convictions with your troubling interview with Lundquist yesterday, I think we have even more reason to suspect that we have found the guardian.”
Cassidy says, “Correct, James, but now comes the very difficult task of pinning the crimes on our subject.”
Chapter Fifty Nine
It is a typical day of prison life for Stacey Sommers who toils in the laundry at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. The prison laundry has been her regular work assignment for nearly six months, and she has grown accustomed to it, although she labors in very hot conditions and often sweats profusely during her shifts.
It is nearly noontime and she is getting hungry. The general alarm sounds, indicating that it is time to go to the prison cafeteria for lunch. After finishing a task on the steam press, she shuts down the machine and joins a line of her laundry coworkers
As the women walk silently to the cafeteria in a single line, Stacey is thinking about the counseling session she will have with chaplain Lundquist later today after her work shift is completed. To prepare for it, she will take a shower and wash her hair. She will put on a clean and pressed set of orange scrubs to see the man she adores so much. She will brush her long, blonde hair until it shines radiantly. Then she will tie her hair back in a ponytail with red satin ribbon that she purchased from the prison commissary with the meager wages from her job. She hopes that Lundquist will like the red ribbon in her hair.
Stacey smiles to herself as she receives her food in the cafeteria line while daydreaming about Lundquist. She cannot wait to see him today. She plans to tell him that she feels ready—both spiritually and mentally—for him to baptize her. She wants so much to please Lundquist by joining him in his church.
The spiritual way of living that she has learned from Lundquist has given Stacey hope and a reason to get out of bed each morning. She is so obsessed with Lundquist that she perceives no distinction between his religious teachings and the man himself. As a result, Charles Lundquist has become the higher power or God in her universe.
After Stacey takes a seat in the cafeteria, and before she begins to eat, she says a silent prayer. She thanks God for the food she is about to eat and for placing Charles Lundquist in her life.
Suddenly, Stacey experiences a wave of panic amidst her excitement and joy.
“What if my dear chaplain does not think that I am ready to be baptized? What shall I do then?” she asks herself.
Stacey takes a few deep breaths in order to settle her nerves. She quickly realizes that she need not worry at all because Charles Lundquist will know exactly what she must do. She reminds herself that she trusts her guardian angel completely.
In silent meditation, she recites Psalm 34:7 from the Bible. She loves this verse because Lundquist taught it to her.
She says to herself, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
Stacey smiles while thinking about Lundquist and eating her lunch.
Chapter Sixty
Captain Pritchard sits in the guardian war room with Lieutenant Baker and FBI agents Cassidy and Baldwin. It is 1:25pm and they are discussing the status of the guardian manhunt. While they talk, they are eating a lunch consisting of chicken burritos and fish tacos from Pritchard’s favorite local Mexican restaurant, Rosa Mexicano, located nearby on Murray Street. Pritchard’s assistant, Judy Schmidt, knows that he loves the food at Rosa Mexicano, so she orders it for him at least once per week.
As the four colleagues are talking and enjoying their lunch, FBI agent Ron Carter enters the war room. H
e has news concerning his investigation into the origin or source of the blue nylon cord used by the guardian to tie up his victims. Agent Carter approaches the conference room table where the group is sitting and addresses Pritchard.
He says, “Captain, as you know, I have been conducting an investigation of home improvement supply stores throughout the five boroughs of New York City to see if one of them has sold a large quantity of blue nylon cord of the type used by the guardian within the last ninety days. As you suggested, I have been focusing on the large retail chains, including The Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace Hardware.”
Pritchard asks, “What have you discovered? Anything useful?”
Carter says, “Yes, Captain. I have a hit. The Home Depot store located at 550 Hamilton Avenue in Brooklyn sold an unusually large quantity of blue nylon cord last month to a customer who purchased it in person. I think that you will be interested to hear that this particular store is located approximately six miles from where Charles Lundquist resides. He has easy access to it from his apartment in the East Village in Manhattan. He could drive to the store in twenty minutes or he could take the subway. If you think about it, you would need a vehicle to transport a large quantity of nylon cord, so my bet is that he would have driven to the store to purchase it. We know that Lundquist owns a 2016 Honda Accord sedan. He drives it to work every day, so he certainly could have used the car to transport the nylon cord—not to mention the dead bodies of his victims.”
Pritchard claps his hands together, laughs aloud, and says, “Well done, Carter. I suggest that you head directly to that store now and examine the sales records, receipts, and surveillance video for the specific date on which the cord was purchased.”