Zodiac Killer: Newly Discovered Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (9 page)

Chapter 19

Ready to Run

The Zodiac knew he would have to run; though he had now been laying low for almost two years, the police had not given up their search for him. He knew it would only be a matter of time before they caught him—someone, a well-meaning neighbor or a passerby, would give him away.

He was angry at himself for being so cocky and reckless. Unlike in his youth, he no longer had his parents’ wealth to cushion his whims. If he left now, he would be leaving behind the only material possessions he owned with no means of buying anything new. He would have to seek out a new job and sleep in his car until he saved enough to rent another apartment. He was so frustrated.
Think! Think!
he scolded himself.
Why did I stuff that matchbox into the backseat pocket of the cab? Do I want to be caught?

He poured himself a glass of bourbon on ice and sat down to decide what to do. After an hour, he had settled on a plan. He had been kicked out of the Illuminati shortly after he ceased being Jack the Ripper, since those in the upper echelons of that secret society had not been pleased with his failure to discredit Sherlock Holmes and the Count of Monte Cristo. However, that didn’t mean he had lost all ties—one of his liasions with a young factory worker when he first immigrated to America had resulted in a son, and that son’s descendants now lived in Arkansas and were also involved in the Illuminati.
Holmes is not the only one who managed to have a family
, he thought smugly to himself.
And family won’t turn away family—perhaps they will help me. After all, they say blood is thicker than water, and I’ve certainly seen enough blood to know.

He knew it would be a long drive, but desperation pushed him forward; he didn’t have anyone else to turn to. Along the way, he slept in his car on side roads and lived off of gas-station food, not wanting to take the time to sit in a diner or risk making a memory in some observant waitress’s mind. When he finally reached Arkansas, he found himself growing more peaceful—the long stretches of pine forest and bucolic small towns gave him a feeling of safety.

His descendants had done quite well for themselves, though, and the mansion he eventually approached was intimidating, especially when he compared it to the small, grubby apartment he rented.

He rang the doorbell and stood impatiently, waiting for a few moments before a maid in a stiff navy uniform opened the door.

“Can I help you?” she asked suspiciously. The scruffy, stocky man in front of her didn’t look like he could possibly know her employers.

“I’m here to see Benjamin Walsh,” he said. “On family business.”

The maid continued to scrutinize the Zodiac. She did see a certain resemblance about the eyes. “Come and wait in the study,” she said. “I’ll see if Mr. Walsh has time to speak with you. Who should I tell him wishes to speak with him?”

The Zodiac smiled. “Tell him…Jack Ripper.”

The maid didn’t say anything about the odd name and ushered him into a lavishly decorated study, its walls lined with bookshelves and its windows hung with heavy, expensive draperies. After about ten minutes, Benjamin strode in to greet him.

“Hello, Mr. Ripper,” he said. “You’re here on family business? I can’t think what about.”

The Zodiac shook Benjamin’s hand and then made the secret Illuminati hand signal. Benjamin nodded in acknowledgement that he understood and that they could now speak openly.

“Perhaps you have been told about me,” the Zodiac started. “I hope you have, or otherwise you will not believe my story. You see, I am your great-grandfather—I came to America a long time ago under less than ideal circumstances.”

“Jack Ripper,” Benjamin muttered in disbelief. “Oh my God…I never quite believed those stories.”

“They are true,” said the Zodiac. “I go by a different name now in a different city, and I have left my family alone; I did not think the Illuminati would look kindly upon me having anything to do with you, especially after your grandfather did so well for himself in business and was invited to join the ranks of the secret society. Now, though, I don’t have anyone to turn to. I need help.”

Benjamin’s face grew stony. “Are you really the monster they say you are?” he asked. “I’ve read the secret files—the things you did are disgusting, and to innocent women!”

“Oh, those women were not so innocent,” the Zodiac scoffed. “And everything I did, I did under the orders of the Illuminati. If you believe its leaders are any less ruthless today when they have a goal in mind, then you’re a fool.”

“What do you want?” Benjamin asked. “I’m a busy man. Let’s not drag this out.”

“I need money,” said the Zodiac. “I have to leave town.”

Benjamin laughed coldly. “You show up here out of the blue and expect me to help you because your blood runs in my veins? I believe I am descended from you, and the Illuminati would love to get its hands on that oil that keeps you young; yes, they know about it. But I won’t give you a dime—you’re a murderer. Now get out of my house!”

The Zodiac grew hot with rage. “Do you know who I am? Do you know what I can do?” he asked, raising his voice.

“I know who you are, and I don’t care what you can do,” Benjamin answered. “If you need cash, you’d better go rob a bank and get the money to leave town that way. And don’t you dare come back here—you can be sure I’ll let the Illuminati know you were here, and eyes all over America will be watching for you!”

Benjamin took the Zodiac by the elbow and escorted him firmly to the door, slamming it behind him. The Zodiac was so angry he barely recalled getting into his car; it wasn’t until his mind cleared several hours later that he realized he had put Arkansas far behind him. When he finally reached his small apartment, his anger had faded into shame and frustration.
People have no loyalty anymore,
he thought to himself.
What was I thinking, driving all the way to Arkansas? Family doesn’t mean anything to people anymore, not like it used to. No matter how many of my descendants end up here, I’ll still be completely on my own.

Then he thought back to Benjamin’s harsh words—the suggestion hadn’t been a terrible idea. He would rob a bank and leave town. He removed his gun from its hiding spot on the top shelf of the closet and packed two old gym bags with clothes and a few other personal items. He also had his vials of youth serum, which he packed in a carry-on suitcase. His most precious possession, though, was a planter full of live astralagus. He had nurtured the small patch of greenery for decades now to ensure he never ran out of youth. He would pack that tightly in the passenger seat so it wouldn’t tumble over while he drove. It was time to move on. He had been around a long time and intended to be around a long time more. He sat and wrote out a note to give to a bank officer:

You are being robbed. Do not press the emergency button. Do not look alarmed, or I will kill you. Go to your vault and gather the money…all twenty-dollar bills and hurry. If you tell anyone, then I will shoot your coworkers. Be back in five minutes.

He thought that would do it. If the teller did as he was told, nobody would be hurt. It wasn’t like the Zodiac was cleaning the bank out or like anyone who had an account there would actually lose anything. He just needed enough cash to make an escape, and he would decide what to do after that. It made him a little nervous; it would be degrading to be caught for robbery of all things, but he didn’t see any other choice. He would need enough gas money to drive far, far away, as well as enough money to live on until he could land another steady job.
Where will I go? Mexico maybe
, he wondered. He would think on that tonight. He would make his appearance at the bank the next morning as soon as it opened and take the tellers by surprise before they even had their morning coffee.

He finished his bourbon and felt the warmth of the liquor spool loosely through him. He went to bed. It was too bad he would have to cut his game with Holmes short, but he had no doubt they would tangle again one day. For now, let the great detective continue his searching. Holmes and the police would eventually find the Zodiac’s empty apartment and would know, but it would be too late. The Zodiac would already have changed his name and his style of murder and would be terrorizing a new town. He had to kill—he wasn’t truly alive unless he could experience that thrill. He lay in bed most of the night, going over his plan. When dawn broke, he dressed in a suit and clip-on tie and sat patiently at his kitchen table, waiting for the bank to open.

Chapter 20

The Bank

The bank president, Mr. Jennings, read the note and slowly looked up at the man sitting on the other side of his desk. The fellow sitting in front of him looked like any other bank customer. Mr. Jennings tried to memorize his face for future reference. He would do as he was told because he would not put any of his employees in danger. The police could catch this robber when he left. He knew the guards would not notice a man leaving with a briefcase; they would assume he was a businessman, just like the hundreds of others who came into the bank every day.

Mr. Jennings rose and picked up the briefcase as he headed for the vault. A teller was working in the vault, and she knew immediately by the pale look on Mr. Jennings’s face that something was wrong.

“What happened, sir?” she asked. “What can I do?”

“The bank is being robbed,” he whispered. “We’re to fill this briefcase as quickly as possible. I don’t want anyone in my bank to get hurt. We’ll call the police once he’s gone.”

Without another word, the teller started to hand Mr. Jennings stacks of crisp, banded bills. When the briefcase was full, he buckled it shut and walked calmly back to his desk. The man smiled. Mr. Jennings smiled. They shook hands.

“Don’t call anyone for fifteen minutes,” the stranger warned him. “If you do, I’ll find a way to make you very sorry.”

The Zodiac strolled out of the bank with his briefcase, keeping his face blank and his stride full of purpose. He looked over his shoulder and saw that everything looked normal—business as usual. As soon as he crossed the street, he hastened his steps. He walked quickly down alleys, staying off of the main roads until he reached his car.

As he began to drive toward the freeway, he was filled with the irrational fear that he would never be able to drive fast enough to elude Holmes. “I’ll catch a plane somewhere,” he said out loud to himself. “I hate to lose the car, but it’s better than losing my freedom. I won’t fly from here, though. I need to cover my tracks.” A few hours later, he arrived at the Los Angeles airport. He consolidated his belongings down to one duffel bag and a carry-on suitcase; He cradled the astralagus plant in the crook of his arm. Inside, he approached a ticket agent.

“I need a ticket to Washington.”

“Well, sir, what city?”

“Seattle.”

“I have one that will leave within the hour. You will be permitted to board the Boeing seven-twenty-seven thirty minutes before takeoff, so you will even have time to get a bite to eat,” the cheery ticket agent said.

“That’s fine,” said the Zodiac as he reached down to the duffel bag and took out some money. “I will be paying cash.”

“Of course, sir.”

He tucked the ticket into his pocket and made his way to the nearest fast-food joint, where he ordered a cup of coffee. He then went to his gate and sat among the other passengers, waiting to board.

If they only knew who I am
, he thought
, they wouldn’t be sitting here so calmly.

He sat quietly in a corner and looked casually around—no one was watching him. He reached into the duffel bag and tried to count his money without pulling any of it out. There was not a lot, maybe ten thousand dollars. That would not be enough for him to live on for very long. He needed more, and robbing the bank had been so easy he didn’t see why he should ever work a traditional job again. A plan struck him, and he tried to keep a smirk off of his face. Yes, he would hijack the plane and demand a ransom. Then he would go to Mexico, where the American authorities couldn’t touch him.

He looked around at the other passengers, trying to see if anyone would be a threat to him. Several older passengers were on the flight, a couple of families with small children, and some young adults, but there was no one who, he thought, would give him any trouble. He was going to carry on his luggage so it would be safe. Nobody would look in it. Since he was still in his suit, he appeared to be a business traveler and not at all like a monstrous serial killer who had traveled, immortal, through the years. Nobody would ever think that. These fellow travelers were all going about their day, not knowing what was in store for them. It would be a very interesting day for everyone concerned. He couldn’t wait to let Holmes know of his latest adventure. He had decided he wanted the detective on his trail again. The thought gave him a rush.

He had to force himself to sit still—his leg wanted to jiggle, and his heart was beating faster with a mix of nerves and excitement. His assigned seat was F2, which was the only seat occupied in his row.

The plane looked like it would be fairly empty as passengers slowly filed in, putting their luggage in the overhead or under their feet. The Zodiac sat calmly, watching the different people and trying to guess what they did for a living. He hoped his plan would go right.

He thought of the gun he had wrapped in a sock that lay in his suitcase. He was glad the security officers had not gone through the bag; he must have looked trustworthy. He would go to the bathroom when the plane had reached its cruising altitude and transfer the weapon to his jacket pocket. He would have to move quickly for his plan to work.

Finally the doors closed. The stewardesses showed everyone how the oxygen masks worked and where the exits were. The engines roared into action, and everyone was told to fasten their seatbelts. The wheels started to roll. It wouldn’t be long before they would be off of the ground, and the Zodiac would be home free.

The plane took off without a hitch, and they were gliding through the air with the greatest of ease. The Zodiac got up, carrying his duffel bag, and went to the bathroom. He pulled out the gun and slipped it into his suit pocket. Now the fun would begin.