In the Nick of Time (93 page)

“A personality issue?” Nick said, not quite following the man.

“Yeah, you’re hot headed, okay? Just like you’ve admitted. You had this anger inside of you.” His voice dropped as his eyes darkened. There was no sense in arguing or denying it—that assertion was true. The captain had seen the monster, the beast within…

“You come across as very relaxed and cool under pressure, but I’ve watched you too long and too closely to buy that bull. There is something inside of you Nick that wants to tear the damn world up, and it could be potentially destructive. The Homicide unit is a tough one, you
know
that. It takes a
special
type of patrol officer to go from his beat to that. It’s no slow dance, no picnic! I needed that anger inside of you to be addressed first. I needed to find out
what
was going on with you, but I decided that I in fact may never know. I can’t put a guy in homicide if that guy has unresolved anger issues, no matter how much I like him, Nick. It had
nothing
to do with not trusting you to do the job; it went deeper than that. On top of it all, I didn’t want you burnt out before your light even got a chance to shine.

“After I became aware of the cause of your behavior… which was the alcoholism and some trauma you’d experienced growing up, the hot head stuff,” he said with a shrug, “I felt better about it. As I was getting the weekly reports and updates about your progress, I had confidence that it might just work out after all. I’d already decided to put you on Homicide if you completed treatment, Nick. I couldn’t just have you come out of drug rehab, though, and put you on just like that. Wouldn’t have looked good. I needed to observe you a bit and you needed to get re-acclimated.”

Nick nodded, understanding the man loud and clear. It all made sense now and he couldn’t dispute it… not a word of it.

“Nick, I have a question for you.”

“Yeah?” Nick ran his hand over his neck, working out a cramp.

“How’d you do it? We’ve been working on that case for months, and contrary to your accusation, the guys have been busting their asses on it, trying to find out who was responsible. I would love just five minutes inside that head of yours.” He smiled proudly at him, like a father with his son…

“I just started looking over the evidence, like I did in all the cases. I kept studying it is all.”

“You become a tad obsessed, don’t you?” The man’s eyes turned to slits as he dug inside of him, forcing the truth to come out.

“Yeah…”

“And then what happens? What’s the process?”

“Nothing magical, believe it or not. I just kinda follow my gut, like I always have. I ask for help when I need it, see a different vantage point; that always helps, too. Funny, I wasn’t convinced I had the right person until I got inside of that house, Captain. I didn’t expect to find what I did, but as soon as I got in there and started looking around, I could see that we had him! We
finally
had him! We found his ass and I needed to find those girls. That’s all I cared about.”

“…And you did. You’re a hero. People are going to be talking about this for years. Anyway.” He sighed. “I’ve never not been unable to get a hold of you and yeah, I was worried, thinking the worst… I thought maybe the stress had gotten to you, the strain of it all. I didn’t know, wasn’t sure. Today was actually the first time I
didn’t
trust you, but you proved me wrong.” He cleared his throat. “In any case, I had some paperwork in my hand for you. I needed you to sign it, because… I had good news. You were being assigned to the Homicide unit. You passed the tests and I’d signed off on it. The damn irony is
almost
funny.”

Nick broke out in a smile, then burst out laughing. “That is hilarious…and you thought I’d relapsed right after that…damn.”

The captain rose from his seat and pushed his hands into his pockets. “They’re gonna release you from here in about an hour. Tomas is getting preliminary information from Allen.”

“Is he talking?”

“Not really. He hasn’t asked for a lawyer yet, though. No one is pressing him; he’s just in holding. When you get outta here, come down to the station and get ready. We need you.”

“Get ready?” Nick smirked as he rubbed a spot on his forehead and sighed. “I was
born
ready…”

H
ave you ever
looked into the eyes of the devil? I have… No, not when I looked at Oliver, or even in the mirror. There are souls inside of these vessels. This is completely different… There is a certain type of person you come across that, when you look at them, they seem to be only a shell, soulless, dead… and if being void of a conscience had a scent, these people would reek. I’ve come across a few in my line of work, and it always leaves you changed once you look into their eyes, mere hollows in their sockets. You’ll never be the same because you shared space with the wickedest of all and, in that process, they’ve taken a piece of you…

Nick went into character, leaving his old self behind…

“So, are you comfortable? Need anything? Thirsty?” He sat down before the man, who possessed a somewhat meek disposition and unmemorable features. He was attractive in a quiet sort of way.

Jaws tight, his face a mask, the guy crossed his long arms over his chest and rocked back and forth in his seat as if trying to get situated—uneasy, but not a nervous sort… His behavior indicated impatience, as if he believed his time was being wasted.

“No, I’m not thirsty,” Allen uttered, devoid of emotion or concern.

“Okay, well, let me introduce myself. My name is Officer Vitale,” Nick said, hand on chest. “I understand your rights have been stated to you, is that correct?”

“…Yes.”

“I’ll let you know before we proceed that I treat everyone I come in contact with professionally, with respect, and I expect the same. My job is to not prove what I think is right; it is all about getting to the truth, okay?”

“I was set up, framed,” he stated. “I didn’t do these things I’m accused of.”

Nick nodded, crossed his legs. “Okay, well, before we get into all of that, I want to make sure that you’re comfortable. Are you? Is it too hot or cold in here?”

The man took a deep breath and nodded abruptly. “No, I’m fine… the temperature is fine.”

“Okay, good. So, as you know, Mr. Allen, a search warrant was acquired for your residence earlier today. Subsequently, the residence and surrounding land were explored.” He cleared his throat, sat back in his seat and traced the rim of his cup, half full with coffee. “In that investigative process, Christopher… Wait, do you prefer to be called Chris or Christopher?”

The man exhaled deeply. “Chris.”

“Okay, Chris. In that investigative process, there were nine children, one of which was post partum by approximately one day according to our preliminary medical intelligence. These children, all girls between the ages of eight and thirteen, were found behind your master bedroom fireplace, enclosed in a makeshift living arrangement. So, as you can see, things aren’t starting off well or looking good on your behalf. You own the property; it is in your name. It was originally a rental, but you bought it. You’ve lived there for approximately three years. This is a problem. I’m certain we can agree on that.”

The man’s nostrils flared as he hugged himself.

“Now, at this point, Chris, I just need you to explain to me what happened.”

“I can’t explain what happened if I didn’t do it!” He looked away for a brief moment. “I have a roommate that comes into town every few months.” He turned his attention back in his direction. “He must’ve done this… It must’ve been Ted. There’s no way I could afford that mortgage on my salary.”

“I see, I see.” Nick jotted some things down on paper, nodding along the way. “So, you knew nothing about the nine girls in your bedroom wall; more specifically, directly within and behind the fireplace, as well as the chimney?”

“No. I’m telling you the truth!”

“Okay.” Nick took a deep breath and sat further back in his seat before suddenly leaning in close, so close, he could almost smell the fear on the demon before him. “Here’s the problem, Chris.” He ran his finger along his chin and peered at the man. “We’ve pretty much destroyed your house.”

The man’s jaws clenched, the muscles visibly contracting and twisting beneath the pale flesh.

“I’m sorry about that. It was a very nice house… But you see, in that process, we found some things, not just the dolls… Oh, I’m sorry.” Nick smiled ever so slightly. “I meant the
girls
. And we found their accessories… Goodness, sorry again. I swear, this media coverage about all of this doll business is seeping into my brain and it’s been a really long day.” He jotted down another note or two.

“I’m innocent and you and your guys destroyed my house! I want it fixed, damn it! Do you hear me?! I want every window replaced, and every wall you tore out rebuilt!” The man’s voice rose in a way that caused Nick to raise his own brow.

…Anger and violence if things don’t go as expected…

“Chris, if you are not responsible for the abductions of these children and placing them inside of your house, you have my promise that your home will be repaired on our dime. I’d hate to accuse the wrong man, okay?” He shook his head. “That would be a tragedy. I just want justice for those poor girls and having the wrong guy, well…” He shrugged. “That’s not justice now, is it?”

“No… no it’s not.” The man pursed his lips.

“Okay, so let me just step back a minute here, and give you the benefit of the doubt.” Nick crossed his legs and looked the man square in the eye.

“I’m innocent until proven guilty. Innocent. Do you know what that means?” the man asked smugly.

“Yes, I know what that means, Chris, and yes, you are one hundred percent right.” He shot the man an agreeable smile. “Okay, you know what? You seem pretty upset about this. I’m just tryna talk with you, Chris… find out how those girls got in your house. Let me just ask you a few questions and get this over with, okay? I’m sure we’d both like to go home and besides, if I figure out I’ve got the wrong guy, then I want you out of here as soon as possible, and the
real
perpetrator to be sitting in this seat that you currently occupy. Okay?”

…This man is completely crazy. He honestly believes he can get out of this…

“Alright.”

“Chris, have you spent any recent time in Brownsville, particularly Linden Boulevard?”

The man hesitated for a second or two. “No…”

“Okay, okay.” Nick jotted down more notes. “So you are saying that you have not had
any
professional or leisure travel to that part of Brooklyn?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m saying. I work in Windsor Terrace. I go to work, I go home. Sometimes I take a walk, but I don’t go over to Brownsville… it’s dangerous.”

…Giving considerably more information than what was requested… a sign of deception…

“Mmm hmm, yes, Brownsville definitely is a place one should visit with caution. Now, you work on Flatbush Avenue, correct? You’re a dental hygienist?”

“Yes, I’ve been there for nine years.”