JUSTICE REBORN (A Charlie Taylor Novel Book 1) (24 page)

There is some pink in the sky but no sun,
too damn early. I’ve been up most of the night with this cloak-and-dagger
assignment from the Judge.

Max says he held a naked teenager but then
refused to have sex with her; the teenager says he ravaged her. Both underwent
the S1 and an S2 interrogation, and both passed the examinations. Impossible.
Now I have to find out how Dr. Max beat the system; the one he created. And I
have to do this without any outside help, not even inform Dr. Kate, who is also
desperately trying to solve the mystery.

I’m not sure I understand the need for all
the secrecy, but I think the secret recording of the Board meetings has the
Judge spooked. The net result: even if I find an answer, in the end the Chief
will be furious because of the bypass, and Emma will be upset because her
favorite, Dr. Kate, was undermined by a homicide detective. An obvious no-win.

I have every document associated with the
case, paper, and electronic files. I printed a lot of the material; for some
reason it reads differently in the hard copy format; also it gives me a chance
to spread sheets on the floor and rearrange the sequence of events. The place
is a mess, and I have achieved nothing. No further ahead than when I started.

Jesus, I don’t understand why the Judge
gave me this assignment. Christ, I’m not a technical guru, and Max a genius
plus. How the hell did he manage it without Kate and her assistant noticing any
irregularities?  Dr. Kate, at times, looks like she’s lost her focus. Is she
trying too hard to please Stephen?

She had some guy from Japan, another yoga
expert, participate in a test of the S1 interrogation. He attempted to beat the
S1 interrogation, using his yoga meditation skills, and failed; the drug
cocktail overwhelmed the concentration trance he was trying to maintain.

 Wes called last night and told me the two
west coast cities finally released their list and personal details concerning
former employees.  We’d asked for any police personnel who’d been fired or
resigned in the last 24 months, after working with a leading edge forensic
team, a violent Hybrid. The list is rather short, and Wes is ready to establish
his top three candidates, for once we may have a substantial lead. I wish I
could treat the homicide cases as my priority, either one.

I return to my documents and use a
highlighter to assist in keying in on the critical segments. I walk around the
mess, picking up papers at random; after a quick read I put one down and pick
up another; in short order the confusion has compounded. As I walk around the
house, I go over the original complaint and try to see if I can read anything
into Dr. Grovenor’s comments. Next stop, I watch his daughter go through her interrogations,
last observe Dr. Max as he goes through his S1 and S2 interrogations.

Sally is a beautiful woman; I understand
why Max refuses to call her a girl and also understand why he broke the rules.
But Jesus, he’s a good liar, his performance solid.

I’m sick of the coffee, but I don’t want to
stop. I’ve been up most of the night because the Judge tells me Kate is not
succeeding– meaning he needs answers from me.

I’m exhausted. Time to rest my head on the
kitchen table.  I just need a few minutes of rest before the sun rises.

                                                     
***

My awareness comes back in stages; I’m now
on the floor and smell bacon frying; I’m sure I started with my head on the
kitchen table.  I’m very stiff and sore; then I hear a laugh which I recognize.

 “Come on, it is time to get up. It’s a
good thing I know how you like your eggs. I’ll do breakfast, but you’ll have to
clean up the papers.”

I smile and am happy to see my brother. “Hi
Sam, I see you still think you know how to cook.”  Although I smile at him, I’m
in an extreme state. The Judge is depending on me and I want to repay his
confidence; I hear he has been my reliable supporter, but this project appears
beyond me.

Sam dishes out the eggs, bacon, and toast,
and we tear into the food. I didn’t realize how hungry I was. Damn, it’s 7:00
am.

“Christ, another day and no damn progress.”

At this point, I break the rules and talk
to Sam about the Dr. Max case and my assignment. Sam is a good sounding board,
as he always says: psychologists get paid to listen. As I wander around the
house, he lets my talk until I run dry.

 “Charlie, let’s try this from another
angle: motive. Whatever happened, someone had a strong motive. Why would
someone get into this? There must be a compelling reason for someone lie or try
and beat the Interrogations. You haven’t given me much along that line.”

He’s right I just kept thinking Max was
after a young girl and knew he could rig results. But, why would he suddenly go
after young Sally? He’d been lusting after her for some time. Why not wait
until she becomes of age? I tell him the latest comments from the Board.

“There a few on the Board, who believe Max
has developed this grandstand scheme to flout his intelligence. I think it’s
more basic; the son of bitch has screwed his way across the world, let alone
the campus.”

Sam ignores my comments and starts from a
different direction.

 “I’ll share this with you. All of us have
this profound desire for order and we want to categorize objects. Look at our
sciences, like biology. We want boundaries, we want to put things in boxes.
It’s intrinsic……it’s human nature.

The Judge gave you this assignment for a
reason; he does not want you chasing the technical aspects, he already has that
direction covered with Dr. Kate. She is doing the linear analysis. He wants you
to break out of the boxes……..look with fresh eyes….assume the inconceivable,
the unthinkable….nothing is sacred.”

And with those comments he says an abrupt
good bye and is out the door. He left me all the dishes, the kitchen to clean
up, and a bag of home-made cookies.

I know he’s right, I’ve wandered off the
track. Is there a better way to review all the material? Am I reviewing in the
wrong sequence? Am I dealing with an anachronism?  I tackle the dishes and the
mess on the floor; this cleanup is good for the mind; it’s like a fresh start.

I’m going back to the beginning and looking
for motives and reasons. Sam is right: something extraordinary happened and
someone had to have a strong reason to tackle the Interrogations.  I can’t
solve this via technology. I have to tackle it like a standard homicide
investigation.

 I put every player, even those on the
periphery, on my list and start walking through everything education, finances,
family issues, traffic tickets, awards, and whatever surfaces. Brewster’s team
has done an excellent job: all the details are present, topped off with
summaries, and analysis. I crawl through each page, make notes and get
frustrated. Then I notice a few gaps in the detail. Well, maybe not gaps but
there is something wrong in this detail.

  I get on the network and try to fill in
the gaps. My position allows access to all the files I’m after, confidentiality
not a factor. More coffee and Sam’s cookies keep my going. Can you believe
this? I just finished breakfast and I’m starting into the cookies. I guess it
is better than booze.

I’m still playing shuffle the deck with all
my hard copy, so I have paper spread all over the living room (and dining room)
floor. Something isn’t right, but I can’t get any further.

I phone Monk. We talk about Ron and the
upcoming role I have as a Watcher. Still procrastinating, I phone Sam and thank
him for the cookies. Finally, I grab my gym bag and drive over to the club.

At the club, I start on a new treadmill
which allows a wide-ranging of programming, and I set up a long run, with
hills, changing speeds, and the works.  I’m winded and covered with a fine
layer of sweat, well really not that fine.  After this, I get into the free
weights. It’s early in the morning, but some people are already winding down,
in a hurry to finish and join the workforce.  I do a multitude of reps with
various weights. Last stop is the shower and hot tub. For a change, the hot tub
is empty. There are two jets which are exceptionally strong and almost push me
across the tub. But I find my spot and relax, enjoying the action of the hot
streams of water on my back and legs.

 The relaxation in a hot tub regularly
works for me. I don’t understand what happens; my theory is the deep relaxation
allows the solution to surface. The oddities in the material I’ve reviewing
become clear, and I understand what’s been bothering me.

 I’m grinning and feel like that ancient
Greek, but I’m not stupid enough to go running naked down the street. The damn
word ‘eureka’ bounces in my mind, I can’t help it. Did I say I was grinning?
Son of a bitch.

  The Judge was right the problem needed a
different perspective. It’s not what I thought. It’s old fashion police work
which may have solved the puzzle. I’m in and out of the showers in a matter of
minutes, the drive home a blur.

 A few more screens of data are retrieved
to complete the detail I need; now I almost 100% sure about what happened and
why. I summarize my finds and conclusions in four paragraphs on one page. You
really don’t have to be a genius to beat the system but then again to takes a
genius to provide the simple or elegant answer.

 I phone Manuel and ask him to follow up on
two points which have to be rock solid; I need further confirmation, should
only take him a couple of hours. Research like this is his strength. It seems
almost too simple, but it would work. All you need is the balls to see it
through and play your hand.

 I think I have the solution to the Dr. Max
case but it will be an awkward takedown. The evidence has to be solid, Manuel’s
research will be the final step. In the end I will still need help–– I will
need to convince the Judge to play his part. This is a case of having the
answer right in front of you, and you insist on ignoring the obvious. This’ll
not be pleasant.  . 

It is well past midafternoon when I leave
the house. I have to change gears and deal with the secret recorder. It’s time
to roundup the technical assistants I need and the equipment for the Conference
room exit.  I need these men and detection equipment for the next Board meeting.
I have about 24 hours. If this doesn’t work, I will be unemployed.

But first one other stop at Homicide; Karen
guarantees my satisfaction; her message rather blunt. “Get here Charlie;
everyone is waiting. We have some answers.”

I can’t ignore the command but know my
biggest challenge will come after Karen’s meeting. I will be up against Judge
Stephen. Jesus Christ ……what a mess this will be when it’s finished. 

Wes, in the far corner, was excited about
the personnel files finally released by the west coast cities, details about
cops who worked as Hybrids and matched the other parameters of the brainstorm
profile.  He was anxious to get going; he had isolated three excellent
candidates, all resignations in the right time frame, with suspicious
circumstances. He would, eventually, have to talk to the west coast supervisors
and hope they would be frank and open. But now he had names and photos; he did
not have time for this meeting.

At the back, Terry sprawled on a chair and
yelled at his partner. “Manuel, where the hell you been? Get back here; I’ve
saved a seat.”

Manuel hustled out of the doorway, into the
room and to the chair. He’d finished the Dr. Max assignment for Charlie and was
still startled by the case Charlie was weaving together. For creating chaos: no
one could match this senior detective. No wonder his nickname persisted.

And, Charlie was last to arrive, not
pleased with this delay to his meeting with Stephen. He fell into a chair at
the head of the table, even Terry was not brave enough to occupy the reserved
spot.

“Karen, let’s go. This is your show. We’re
all here and ready.” He didn’t mention: it had better be good.  She smiled,
pleased and confident.

“I promise this is the most exceptional
video you’ll ever see. A couple of days ago a cabbie was killed on the north
side. The press reported a naked cabbie, but he wasn’t completely naked; his
pants were down to his ankles and he had no underwear. The scene becomes a
little more bizarre: he used a Velcro type of belt and his fly was also a
Velcro construction. Everything a man needs if he wants to get his pants off in
a hurry.”

Terry couldn’t resist. “Jesus, I have to
find his tailor.”

Charlie wasn’t in the mood. “Terry, first
we’ll get a tailor to do your mouth. Damn it. Zip it. We don’t have time for
any more bullshit comments. Let’s go.”

 Karen restarted. “Next, Forensics revealed
a unique car: a multitude of miniature recording devices throughout the
interior of the cab. But it was not a taxi. Everything about the cab was fake.
They estimated it would take less than 25 minutes to set up. You could go from
a regular car to a taxi in about 25 bloody minutes.

 This included removable logos on the
doors, the lights on the top, the fare box, the works. With the cab as the
front, he roamed whatever streets he wanted, not looking out of place and could
be selective with his pickups.”

Charlie stopped slouching; he became the
first to anticipate where this was going.

 “I can’t believe this….son of a bitch.
It’s too good to be true.”

Karen nodded, smiled and continued.

 “We now have Horny Harry’s last recording,
and this isn’t even the unbelievable part. As you watch you’ll see our theory
was correct; we have recovered the other records from his home. Yes, this is
Horny Harry, and he did record and replay all his conquests.

He stored a complete library at home, but
his latest victim will be the biggest shock. This final recording is what the
forensic team recovered from his cab. There’s been some editing to make it
easier to follow, and it’s not up to the standards of a high-quality porno
production but still good. If you’re ready, I’ll start the show. Terry hit the
lights…….thanks.”

At first the only sound was the street
noise. The quality of the recording was good; as the technicians had told
Karen:  if you were prepared to spend the money, the software would get the
results you want.

Harry intermittently hummed, whistled and
talked to himself. Sometimes there would be a good view of him and all his
features, but most often, it was the street or the inside of the cab. Karen
explained. “We’ve been editing the material to try and present the best overall
documentary. There is a multitude of different recording devices, and you can
select which views you want to show or merge; the sound is the same regardless
of which camera’s view we are using. OK, I’ll turn the sound up.”

The insane voice of a dangerous man rambled
on and on, intermingled with of his laughter and rants. There was no doubt he
was their man.

“God do I feel good …this’ll be number
seven………..lucky seven………I’ll give her my special      Laughter and whistling
followed     I’ve never been so ready… it took too damn long for my hand to
heal……have to be more careful……..time to start my documentary.

It was early evening, and he was cruising
an area filled with hotels and expensive apartments. Some people were bustling
around, but the streets were not crowded; his voice sounded more official as he
began his pitch.

This is Horny Harry on the cruise for
lover number seven…it’s April 18, 2021, and it’s a warm evening ………………I’m well
into a hotel district ………well at least there are a few top hotels in this area
……………..am looking for a mature lover tonight……

The cab turned at the lights; the one
camera aimed at the street provided a view of the sidewalk, buildings, and any
pedestrians; he passed a few working girls on the corner.

       Oh…. oh …look what’s up
ahead?........ and it appears she wants to hire a cab………….I knew this was my
lucky day ………….God look at that hat ……it’s huge …...the dress is tacky but what
the hell ……it won’t matter.    

   He pulled up and unlocked the back door
to let her in; as soon as she closed the door, Harry’s car moved away from the
curb. He had a separation barrier between the front and back seat, a sliding
window used to communicate with a passenger. Harry opened his jacket and
retrieved the dart gun; he pulled over in an isolated spot, opened the
separation barrier window and while the woman searched her purse, he shot her.

What’re you doing?……you don’t need a gun
I’m not a threat to you …what the hell is the matter with you?..........don’t
worry love it’s only a tranquilizer dart and when you wake up you will be in
for the ride of your live

    He closed the partition window and kept
driving and humming, very pleased with the events. The woman tried the doors, a
useless exercise, and it only took a short time for the tranquilizer to work.

     In a few more minutes and we’ll be
in the park …………………God, I’m so smart …..…this one is going to be special.   

  He drove on and then they were at the far
end of Bolton Park, an isolated spot, not a person in sight. Harry parked the
cab; he turned off the outside lights, but the cameras were still recording and
getting good results.

 Harry reloaded his gun with what was
assumed to be an antidote (confirmed later). He walked around to the back and
opened the door; he lifted the woman off the floor on to the back seat, flipped
her on to her stomach, all the time whistling and humming. He lifted her dress
and cut off her pants and then dropped his Velcro controlled trousers; with his
knife in one hand he slapped the woman on the side of the head a few times.

Come on my beauty it’s time for Horny
Harry to introduce you to the finer things in life……good you’re awake……. what
I’ve against your neck is rather large knife which I will use to kill you if
don’t do exactly what I tell you ……………………just nod your head if you understand
…………….that’s good ………..we are going to have fun……………. let’s see what you have
to offer

Harry was on top on her and forced her legs
apart and reached in.

My God what do we have here? ………a pair
of hairy fucking balls! ……… My God, Horny Harry has got himself a transvestite
…………..God, I knew I was in luck tonight……..oh God ………….unbelievable………Goddamn
this is lucky seven……………what a treat you’re going to have.

 Harry bent over to whisper in his victim’s
ear, just like the last victim had reported. The routine demanded the victim
sing his praises as a lover; he finished his whispering but in his happiness
became careless: he released the knife pressure from the victim’s neck and his
weight shifted to the rear for a better view of his prize.

His victim well versed in hand to hand
combat had enough room to launch a vicious elbow. The blow was so powerful it
shattered Harry’s nose. Harry’s screaming and the victim’s yelling filled the
room. It was chaos with Harry losing all the initiative and almost choking as
his blood filled his throat and mouth.

The victim took advantage: Harry had fallen
back and the victim was able to kick him out of the cab. Then he’d been able to
recover the knife Harry had dropped, and it soon became apparent that the
stranger knew how to fight.  They both stood outside the cab; Harry with his
trousers around his ankles and almost blind from the blood was at a
disadvantage.

  Horny Harry nice to meet you … still
think this is your lucky day?  …now you die, you bastard, die you bastard …die 
….you bastard.

      The man alternated kicking Harry,
hitting him with his fist and using the knife, all the time screaming as he
finished Harry. Finally sated he spoke to Harry for the last time.

 Harry, you screwed up my appointment at
the Marriott, but this was a good diversion …….I enjoyed this ……..maybe I
should start going for some variety …………..what do you think?.....no comment
?.....I didn’t think so …..well there is another great hotel a few  blocks 
away from the Marriott …………super rooms and service ….I’ll do it in
midweek……what do you think Harry?.....do you approve?  

    He wiped the knife, dropped it, kicked
Harry one more time and walked away, no running just a casual walk.

Karen stopped the recording. “The rest
shows the police patrol discovery and our investigating team. As I said
unbelievable. Does everyone agree? We’ve a dead Horny Harry, and it appears the
Five Star Couple is a few steps closer to being resolved. Did you see the hat
on the victim and hear the comments about the hotels?

 Wes this has to be your guy, and it’s not
a couple. It’s a guy dressed up as a woman; no wonder the clerk said she had
ugly hands.”

Charlie agreed. “This is the best news I’ve
had in days. Our Horny Harry cruised the hotel district and picked up our Five
Star Couple. It sounds like the Couple was doing some homework and checking out
hotels for the next strike.”

Wes waved a photo from the west coast
personnel material.

“Look at this guy. When he twisted and
elbowed Harry, the camera gave us a great close up; here he is: Jason Reardon.
Goddamn it. This is the guy. He was one of three I was preparing to chase this
morning.”

 “Wes, it looks like your brainstorming
assessment was correct: a category four killer; the Anger-Excitation killer.
And AE classification system also was accurate; this type is a solo killer.

 And, Karen you are also right, this one
goes down in the history books. No doubt, our Five Star Couple is only one: Mr.
Jason Reardon, who uses a female disguise. This is a clever bastard with false
clues and red herrings throughout.  I don’t expect he used his real name to
license a car or rent an apartment. Wes, I don’t think you will be that lucky.

Your best bet will be to catch him at the
hotel.”

Wes was anxious. “There’re only two elite
hotels within a few blocks of the Marriott and Jason said he would move
midweek. This gives us about 12 to 15 hours to set up and be prepared. With
Horny Harry out of the way we have enough manpower to set up 24-hour coverage
in both hotels.”

Charlie was ready to leave. “Remember this
guy is an ex-cop, very smart and will be able to spot a stake out. I suggest
the less the hotel staff knows the better; we don’t want them to spook this
guy. We have enough technology to allow long distance monitoring in each hotel.
Just make sure you can move in a hurry. I’m sorry I have to run. Wes the
operation is all yours.”

And with that he left. His abrupt departure
momentarily stunned the room. What the hell was going on? Charlie was walking
away from the takedown of one of the most important cases of the year. What was
wrong with the guy?

Manuel thought about the Dr. Max report he
had left on Charlie’s desk and guessed where he was rushing to …………..another
crisis with some high profile men and women.