Identity (6 page)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Tom drove down Lake Shore Drive to the precinct.  With unseasonably warming temperatures, crime tended to increase.  He though about his unused law degree.  Maybe he could do more for humanity by getting the criminals locked up.  It surely was less dangerous and provided a nine-five hour job—opportunity to have a family.

When Tom arrived at the precinct for his Wednesday shift, Steve was waiting for him. He immediately gave Tom a police report from Kane County.  While Tom was scanning the report, Steve hesitatingly asked:  "Are you going to check out this woman?"

"You know I have to."

"Figured you would.  The body is in the Kane County Morgue.  Here's the number."

Tom called the coroner and set up an appointment for early the next morning. 

***

Early Thursday morning, Carole and Sam took the Red Line to the Loop. Everyone was rushing to his or her work. After a short walk from the “L” station, they arrived at Office Temps on Wabash.

Upon entering the office Carole and Sam were greeted by a guidance counselor.  The counselor led Sam into a computer testing room to determine her skills.

When Sam finished the keyboarding test, she waited in the counselor's office to get the results.

"Samantha, can I call you Sam?"

"Yes."

"With your current skills, there aren't many options available to you.   I do have a filing and data entry at a major company in the loop. Would you be interested?"

"I realize I don't have many options."

"Okay.  Here's the skinny.  The job pays $15.00/hour. Paydays are bi-weekly through our office after you present signed time sheets to us.  I understand you don't have a social security number."

"According to the police Samantha Goodrich isn't even my real name."

"While you were testing, I spoke to Carole.  She is getting you a Tax Identification Number that you can use until your memory comes back. Paychecks are based on the hours you work.  How does this sound?"

"Fine."

"Okay, you will report to the Personnel Department as Robinson—Williams Publishing Company next Monday morning. Here's the time sheet, address and contact name in personnel. I wish you the best of luck and sincerely hope you regain your memory soon."

Sam took the paperwork and thanked the counselor.  Carole stood up, smiled and they left the office heading for the elevator.

In the elevator, Carole turned to Samantha, "Sam you are not to worry.  Robinson—Williams has had some of our clients work there in the past.  They are a very compassionate company.  As long as we're downtown, I think we should have your eyes checked out."

"Why?"

"Sam, you avoided the television in the hospital and at the house.  When it is on, you squint at the picture."

"Is it that noticeable?"

They walked down Wabash until they were in the front entrance of Visionhouse.  Two hours later Sam was wearing fashionable Prada eyeglasses.

***

Tom arrived at the Kane County Coroner’s Office Thursday morning. Dr. Reynolds, Medical Examiner, greeted him.

"Detective Cassell, welcome.  Let's go right to the morgue.  I have a lot on my workload today."

They entered the cooler that housed rows of metal chambers for deceased persons.  The examiner went to the drawer where the Route 60 woman was housed.  She engaged the handle, and the body glided in front of Tom.

"Is this your sister?"

"No.  Can you tell me anything about the victim?"

"Well, let’s start with what we know.  The unidentified victim is approximate 23-28 years of age.  She was found nude with no visible signs of a struggle.  Cause of death appears to be suffocation.  We don't have the blood work up available yet.  There was no evidence of rape."

"No defensive DNA at all?"

"That's the strange part.  Her body was thoroughly cleaned before she was unceremoniously left along the highway.  Any clues?"

"Not now.  I'm working on a case that has some similarities to this one. I'll get back to you if I find something out. Thank you.”

***

On the drive to the precinct, Tom knew there was someone out there who was good, very good at hiding his identity.  He was sure he would see more victims unceremoniously dumped along roadsides—the preps' modus operandi.

When Tom reported to the precinct, he brought Steve on board of what the coroner had to say.

"It looks as if we have someone out there that knows the system. The victim had red hair like Samantha's.  This victim, too, had no visible signs of identification.  Our perp has fine-tuned his action so he's not traceable.  I have a feeling that there may be more victims of his out there.  I'm glad that no one knows Samantha lived.

"When she gets her memory back, we have to be careful.  Let's examine some of closed missing reports.  We might get lucky and get a lead there on our new victim.”

"You do realize that this isn't our case?"

"Yea, but I have a strong feeling the perp is in our backyard. We'll just have a use some of our personal time to do this investigation.  Do you mind?"

"I'll help, but keep my name out of this.  Can’t afford any suspensions."

"You got it."

At the end of the second shift, Steve approached Tom with a Missing Person Report.

MISSING PERSON REPORT

January 6, 2012

Hailey Morgan has been reported missing by her coworker, Nancy Hughes.  She has tried contacting her at her cell number and there has been no answer.  She has not reported to work at Robinson—Williams since November 12, 2011.  She has failed to call in.

Officer Jenkins, Badge No. 4516, went to Robinson—Williams on November 16, 2011 to interview Ms. Hughes at 0900.

Office Jenkins interviewed Ms. Hughes.  Ms. Hughes stated that Ms. Morgan had a new boyfriend.  She felt that Ms. Morgan might have been dating a married man.  Officer Jenkins procured Hailey Morgan's address from the Personnel Department.  At 1300 Officer Jenkins made contact with the janitor/manager at Ms. Morgan's home address. Manager stated that Ms. Morgan failed to make rent payments for December and January.  Her belongings have been placed into storage and mail has been returned to the Post Office with No Forwarding Address. 

Currently, the whereabouts of Ms. Morgan is UNK.

No further action at this time.

***

"Steve, I already have plans for tomorrow.  How about early Monday morning we’ll go to talk to Ms. Hughes."

"Sure, the plot thickens," he had a slight chuckle in his voice.

***

On Monday morning Sam arrived at Robinson—Williams before 9:00 a.m. She stopped at the reception desk and waited as the reception settled in for her morning routine.

"Hi. I'm Samantha Goodrich. I'm supposed to report to the Personnel Department."

She picked up her headset and contacted the Personnel Department.

"Mrs. Brown is on the third floor.  She is expecting you."

Samantha stepped out of the elevator and followed the signs directing her to the Personnel Department.

"Ms. Goodrich.  I'm glad you could make it.  Sometimes temps fail to report for filing and data entry. Office Temps sent over your completed paperwork.  So let's get you started."

The two followed the corridor until they came to a bank of computer.

"Alice, this is Samantha Goodrich.  Would you be kind enough to show her the ropes?"

"Sure."

Alice took Sam to an empty computer station. She explained how the data entry had to be done.  She then continued to discuss breaks and lunch times. Sam sat for a moment gathering her thoughts. 'Guess I gotta make the best of it.  At least this job looks as if it doesn't require much thinking.'

At 10:15 Alice interrupted Sam, "Time to take a break."

Alice explained to Sam that everything of important happens in the lunchroom.  If you keep your ears open, you'll know almost everything about anyone in the central office.

"If you don't mind my asking, how did you become a temp?"

Sam was unsure how to answer the question.  Fortunately, before Sam could answer, a coworker came up to Alice.

"Did you here? There are two detectives interviewing Nancy about Hailey."

"Do you think they know what happened to her?"

"Can't wait until they leave to get the scoop.  Hey, who's your new buddy?"

"Sam, Judy. Judy Sam.  Sam is our new temp in the tombs."

"Your poor dear. Not a very exciting job."

"It's fine," Sam replied.


Break time ended, and the entry clerks and junior editors returned to work.  The rest of the day Sam entered data from the paperwork that was stacked in her IN Box.  Quitting time couldn’t come soon enough.  As stated by everyone, it was a boring job.  At 4:30 Sam packed up her belongings and headed for the Red Line.  She was going home, that is if Sam could call Carole's house home. It was a long day and she knew more would follow.

When she arrived at Carole's house, her weariness showed on her face as she entered the house.

"Sam are you okay?"

"I'm really tired.  Guess I'm not use to working.”

"Why don't you take a nap before dinner?  Incidentally, Tom Cassell is coming over for dinner.  He has some things to discuss."

Sam collapsed on the bed without even taking off her shoes.  It just took a few minutes before she was in a deep sleep.

Tom had arrived, and he and Carole were in the kitchen in conversation when they heard Sam screaming from the bedroom.  Carole and Tom rushed in.  Sam was sitting up in bed heaving deep sobs.  She was in a cold sweat.  Carole wrapped her arms around her trying to comfort her.

"It's all right.  You're safe now.  We're not going to let anyone hurt you."

Carole turned to Tom, “Will you get a cold towel from the bathroom?"

He returned with the towel.  Carole wiped Sam's face and neck.

Sam finally stopped heaving and her breathing slowed down.  After a few minutes she turned to face Carole.

"I saw myself falling down a flight of stairs.  I couldn't stop. I could feel my body hitting each step." Tom stood in the doorway listening.

Carole and Tom went to the kitchen while Sam was refreshing herself.  They agreed that Sam's memory was starting to return.  Although they wanted to press her for more details, they felt that wouldn't best at this time. Ten minutes later Sam came into the dining room and the three sat down for dinner.

"So, Tom, what have you been up to?" Carole asked.

"Well, I was at Robinson– Williams today to investigate a missing person's report."

Sam eyes widened.  "Oh my gosh, you were there?"


"Whoa, what do you mean?  You were at Robinson?"

"It's my new temp job.  The lunch room was abuzz with the fact that some detectives were looking into a missing employee."