Naked Dragon (13 page)
"He's en route," Sgt. Wilson replied.
"Good. Okay, where did you find the shirt?" Max asked.
Waving for them to follow him, Robbie walked down the alley. As they did a check of the area, they ordered a dump truck to come and haul the contents to a place where it could be sifted through.
Patrol cars with their overhead lights spinning blocked either end of the alley from vehicle access. Officers were positioned everywhere there was a gap in the walls to keep pedestrians and onlookers away.
Dave whispered into Sgt. Wilson's ear, "The press just showed up with their camera crews. You calling media relations?"
Sgt. Wilson looked back out at the alley entrance where an officer was keeping the cameramen at bay. "I've got to now."
Looking worn out from constantly being involved with this serial killer's victims, Sgt. Wilson found his cell phone again and dialed.
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Once he felt he had done everything he could to help but write the report, Dave walked over to Robbie as he watched the coroner empty the contents of the bin into a body bag.
Robbie's face was blank, his eyes glazed as if he wasn't really seeing this grim task.
About to ask him if he was all right, Dave noticed Robbie move his hand slightly, indicating to wait. Dave shut his mouth and watched his face carefully. Finally he whispered,
"He's one of the boys I was keeping an eye on yesterday. A small group of them were gathered near Hing Hay Park. I remember this youth."
"How the hell can you recognize him? There's not much left of him."
"It's him. I remember that tattoo on his right shoulder.
Now he's letting me select his victims for him."
"Cut that shit out. Stop taking the blame for this." Dave looked around to see if anyone noticed them talking, but everyone was too focused on their jobs to even take notice.
"You know that's crap."
"He's playing a lethal game of chess with me, David, and I'm down to a single pawn."
"Have you looked through our mug shot books?"
"Yes. But, he's not from here. He's not been handled here before. There are no shots of him in police books, no DNA, no fingerprints. He's not known."
About to shout
How do you know!
Dave knew he did know.
"You're telling me he went from doing nothing, no crimes, to mass murder?"
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"His crimes were against animals at first. Then he grew bored. He began his spree by lighting a few fires in grassy fields. My guess is somewhere like eastern Oregon. Perhaps he was born there."
"Why Asian boys?" Dave watched as the garbage can was wrapped up and taken as evidence.
"He's hot for them. Maybe it's from something in his youth again. He craves them."
The revving of a very large truck engine blocked out the sound of every conversation around them. The beep, beep, of its back-up warning system came closer. Large hooks stood out like giant metal fangs to lift the garbage container off the earth.
Two police cars were waiting, one to escort it, one to follow the dumpster for the chain of custody to be complete.
It appeared as if it was one of the biggest incidences to hit the ID since the Mah Mee massacre when thirteen people were killed. Crowds were gathering, cops were swarming, reporters were broadcasting, helicopters were hovering; it was a nightmare.
As they moved away from the truck as it drove down the alley, Robbie secretly gave Dave's hand a quick touch. "You coming by?"
"Yes."
"Good."
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walked to the elevators, Robbie handed him the garage door opener. "Just keep it. It'll be easier. And I'll get you a key."
Dave nodded and stuck the opener into his waist pack near his gun. Once they were behind closed doors, Robbie smiled and said, "I bought beer."
"Oh. Great." Dave set his gun pack down and made himself comfortable on the sofa looking out over the view of the Puget Sound. When Robbie returned he had a cold beer in a frosted glass for him and a scotch for himself. He dropped down next to Dave on the couch and leaned on his shoulder as they enjoyed the view of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountain range behind it.
"I wish I could see that from my place." Dave sipped his beer and sighed.
"No view?"
"No. Just some trees. Nothing fancy."
"You can see Chesapeake Bay from my place back home."
"Yeah?"
"Yup. You need to come and see it."
"I do. I will." Dave smiled.
"You'd love living there. The weather's better. Less rain, warmer."
"Are you selling me on the place?" Dave set his beer down on the glass coffee table and leaned nearer, toying with his hair.
"Yes. You buying?" Robbie grinned.
A low laugh rumbled through Dave's chest. "You make it very tempting."
"Good. That's hopeful."
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Dave took the glass from Robbie's hand, setting it down, then with two of his fingers he tilted Robbie's chin towards him and kissed his lips. A soft moan escaped Robbie as he closed his eyes tightly.
The leather couch crunching dully as they moved, Dave began urging him to lie back on it underneath him. As Robbie gave into the domination, he reached around Dave's broad shoulders and drew him into a tight embrace.
It was slow, gentle and affectionate. Leisurely they kissed, allowing the passion to grow in a steady climb. It seemed to Dave the more they connected, the more they calmed down.
With the first contact it was a desperate race for skin on skin and sex. This more deliberate, controlled pace was better, richer. Dave whispered, "I love you," when they parted mouths. Robbie cupped his jaw and smiled, then repeated it back.
Leaning up over him, staring at his face, his hair, Dave felt that mixture of warmth and apprehensive fear creep in.
"I don't want a long distance relationship either."
Dave burst out laughing. "I can't hide a thing from you."
"What do you want to hide?" Robbie stroked his face gently.
"My fears. My dread."
"About me eventually leaving?"
"Yes."
Robbie let out a long exhaled breath. "I don't know what to say, Dave. I've asked you to come to Virginia. What else can I do?"
"Can you come here?"
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"There are no field offices in Seattle. California is the closest."
Dave said softly, "Right."
"Let's not worry about it. Something will come to us."
Staring at his blue eyes again, feeling sick about the day when they won't be together, Dave struggled with his emotions. The serial killer was keeping this man in town.
When he stopped, was caught or left, so would the FBI agents. It created a very odd dilemma. And he wouldn't wish those crimes on anyone.
"Stop worrying. Let's go to the bedroom."
Nodding his head in agreement, Dave climbed off the couch and reached out to haul Robbie up to his feet. Robbie clasped Dave's hand, walking with him to the bed.
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Robbie stood outside his apartment door after Dave had left. Leaning back on the wall in the hall, he closed his eyes and tried to imagine the events of the coming day and prepare himself for them, if that was possible.
A door opened down the hall. Agent Green and Agent Skinner emerged. Hearing their chatting as they approached, Robbie opened his eyes tiredly and tilted his head to look at them.
Two peas in a pod
, he thought
, the kind of men the
director loved
. Obedient to a fault, by the book, regulations, rules, they were as rigid as railroad spikes. They gave him a slight nod in greeting, then continued walking to the elevators. Once they were closed in, Agent Skinner snickered,
"Didn't know you were gay, Taylor."
A slight prickle rose on Robbie's skin. "What of it?"
"Nothing. Just don't let it distract you from your work."
"It won't. I assure you." They stepped out at the parking garage level. Robbie said, "You two enjoying cohabitating?"
"Shut up, Taylor," Agent Skinner replied.
Robbie just laughed to himself.
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were circulating around, especially the composite sketch which had been updated with Agent Taylor's input.
Lisa leaned over, pointing to the sketch, whispering to him,
"You can tell he's crazy. He's got crazy eyes."
"Yeah. He's completely nuts, all right," Dave whispered back, then heard Sgt. Wilson call his name for his car assignment. He just nodded he heard it and went back to staring at the picture.
"Are you ready for the next crime scene?" Lisa asked as the group was dismissed and they were told to go out and hit the streets. "I've heard you're the only one who hasn't been sick yet."
Dave folded up the papers and stuffed them into his chest pocket. "Well, the murders are pretty bad. It's bound to make some guys ill."
"How come you can take it?"
"I don't know. I think I pretend it's a stage setting or a movie set. You know? Like it's not real. I convince myself its all special effects and red paint. I think if I sat there and really looked at it and dwelled on the fact that it was this sweet young man, I'd be sick as well. I force myself to detach from it. Does that make sense? Or do I sound cold and heartless?" Dave stood up and pushed in the chair.
"No. You sound sensible. What good is dumping your lunch on someone's lawn?" she replied, laughing sadly. "Well, fingers crossed he takes a day off."
"Fingers crossed," he held his up to show her. But he knew that wouldn't happen.
* * * *
Naked Dragon
by G.A. Hauser
Robbie asked to be dropped off again. This time at Hing Hay Park. Once again the arguments began. Agent Green threw the car into park and unbuckled his belt as he snarled,
"I'll go with him this time."
Grinding his jaw in fury, Robbie again shouted, "Alone! I don't need you two hovering over me! Alone!"
"Fine! Fuck you!" Agent Green slammed his door closed again.
Rubbing his face in frustration, Agent Skinner twisted to Robbie in the back seat of the car and spoke calmly. "He took a few pot shots at you, Taylor. Use your head and stop being such a hero. He knows damn well you can ID him, and we all know now those notes are addressed to you. Humor us, will ya?"
"Fine. Whatever." He climbed out of the car and stood with his arms crossed waiting.
"You want me to go this time?" Agent Green asked Skinner.
"No. I'll go."
Robbie heard them debating who would draw the short straw. It seemed it was Skinner once again. Trying not to become unreasonably angry, Robbie turned on his police radio and made sure it was scanning east's frequency, then he checked his watch. Three p.m., coming close to the bewitching hour.
Young men lingered in the park, smoking, laughing. When they spotted the two agents standing there, they ditched their liquor behind the benches. Robbie shook his head sadly. He 129
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wished all they had to worry about was a ticket for drinking in public.
"Let's go this way," Robbie said, pointing away from the boys in the park. "Let the poor fuckers have their drinks."
Spinning around as if unaware of the reason for the comment, Agent Skinner finally appeared to notice the group, staring at them. After he checked his own radio and hid the mike under his collar, he shadowed Robbie as he walked.
"Looks like rain. Our luck we'll get soaking wet."
"Moan, moan, moan," Robbie replied.
Once they had put a few blocks behind them, Agent Skinner's crooked teeth showed as he grinned. "So, what's with this black cop you got a thing for?"
"What about him?" Robbie stood still, staring into a few cars as they drove by. The occupants staring back at the two men in suits curiously.
"The boys in blue know he's gay?"
Pivoting on his heels, Robbie faced him, not appreciating the smirk he found. "Is that a threat?"
"No! No..." Agent Skinner held up his hands in defense.
"I'm not saying a word."
Ignoring him, Robbie twisted back to the street watching the traffic move by. "This creep locates me first. I'm convinced. I bet he sees me when he drives by. Then he parks, does the dirty work, and I find it."
"You think he's driving around? Now?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe." Robbie listened to an unrelated call come over the air. He wondered where Dave was at the moment. Without a word, he began moving behind a 130
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restaurant into its parking lot. Few cars were there at that early hour. Beyond it, across the street was a pay lot with a box for the fees. Looking quickly for a break in the traffic, Robbie jogged between cars and paused when he arrived on the other side.
Agent Skinner caught his breath as he kept up. "What are you doing? You looking for his car?"
"Yes. Be quiet."
"White sedan..."
"I said be quiet." Robbie held up his hand and began his visual check at one end, moving his eyes to each car slowly.
As he watched, Agent Skinner was shaking his head at the folly. "Why the hell didn't they put you on this case earlier?
You could have been someone else's problem." When he didn't get a reply he said, "I'm going for a coffee across the street."
Annoyed at the constant interruptions, Robbie just waved at him to go and leave him alone. When he finally had peace and only the sound of traffic around him, Robbie was able to get back to work. Moving between the tightly parked cars, he made for one of interest. A worn out four-door Ford. Beige, faded, dented, scratched. 1980's make. He looked into the back seat. The material was so eroded the springs were visible. The floor was covered with dirt and litter. He leaned closer to the window to inspect the driver's seat. A sensation as strong as a whack from a baseball bat accompanied by a burning stinging sensation hit his shoulder and knocked him down between cars.
