Terror in the Night: A Product of Evil in Our Society

By J. Michael

In a city where the crime rate is fairly low. Gang violence was the biggest problem. Homicide is very rare. Now, without warning it seems as though things have gotten out of control. Two bodies found and within a day two more. Homicide detectives are baffled. Who is committing these acts and why? This is not going to be easy. The perpetrators have been careful not to leave any trace of fingerprints or DNA behind
This fictional story is being told by a man in prison. He is telling it to an acquaintance, Michael j who happens to be the author of the book. Now referred to as TERROR IN THE NIGHT.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504921893

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© 2015 Michael J. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse   08/06/2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-2190-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-2189-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015910945

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Preface

Part One    Terror Rears Its Ugly Head

Chapter One    The City

Chapter Two    The House Next Door

Chapter Three    More Cases, More Terror

Chapter Four    Meet Mark

Chapter Five    The Investigation Continues

Chapter Six

Part Two    Foster Parenting

Chapter Seven    The Foster Parent Experience

Chapter Eight    Meeting Of The Minds

Chapter Nine    The Confrontation

Chapter Ten    No End To The Madness

Chapter Eleven    Jack & Maggie’s Private Life

Part Three    The Beginning Of The End

Chapter Twelve    The Warning

Chapter Thirteen    Police Contacted

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen    Prison Life

Chapter Sixteen

Final Thought

Special Acknowledgements

Epilogue

Discussion On Violence

From The Author

PREFACE

My personal convictions have lead me to write this book. Even though it is a work of fiction you will likely see some truth as you read. I don’t pretend to have all of the answers, I don’t even pretend to have any answers, regarding why violence exists to the extent that it does. I am a Christian and I believe that the ‘Fall of Man’ has a great deal to do with the problem. I also believe that while there is some good in every (well almost every) person I believe that everyone has a sinful nature. Many of us have been able, through various means, to overcome the desire to act upon the negative sort of feelings that we all have. The problem is that far too many people, again for various reasons, have not been able to overcome the desire to do harm to their fellow human beings.

I’m not an expert in human behavior. I’m just an observer of human behavior. Like many others, I don’t like what I have observed (seen). I have, however, learned that even though I don’t like what I see going on around me, there isn’t much I can do to have any real impact on the situation.

So, what can I do? Not much really. But then again, I can write about it. Why not do an expose’ on all of the acts of violence going on in my own city?

Well, as you can see, I chose to write this book. Will this book change anything? Perhaps. I only know that I will feel a lot better about myself knowing that I have at least made some attempt to increase the awareness of the problem.

Enjoy!

*************************************************

Terror in the night,

Children take to flight.

Fear becomes a living thing.

Security shatters along with dreams.

Afraid to leave, not wanting to stay,

Realizing too late they must get away.

*************************************************

This poem is dedicated to the many children caught in domestic violence. They are too young and/or too afraid to escape so they face daily abuse of one kind or another.

PART ONE

Terror Rears its Ugly Head

CHAPTER ONE

The City

It was just after midnight when the call came into the station. A body had been found just outside of the coliseum. The area was not particularly known to be where a crime would occur, certainly not murder. The two homicide detectives who were assigned to the case were Jack Carlson and his partner of over ten years, Maggie Donaldson. They arrived at the scene where several police and the media had already gathered. There was also a rather large crowd of curious on-lookers. With the police cruisers (marked cars with flashing lights), the detectives’ cars (unmarked but still with flashing lights) it looked like a major crime scene. Add to all of this the number of on-lookers, both in cars and on foot, it was quite crowded. It became a major task for the two homicide detectives to make their way to the body. What were all these people doing out on the street at this hour?

North Bend is basically like any other mid-western city. It is home to just over 400,000 people. Over the years the city has undergone changes not unlike other parts of the U.S. Businesses open while others close. North Bend was, at one time, a major hub of the steel industry. Today, most of the ground upon which huge mills and factories stood, now is home to sub-divisions, strip-malls and a few small businesses. It gets really warm in the summer and very cold in the winter. Some say there are only two seasons in North Bend – winter and summer. It’s typical for winter to hang on until late March or early April. Then, with very little warning, it’s suddenly warm and it rains almost every day until August. Then things dry up, it gets warmer but the evenings seem cooler with each passing day. I’ve cut my grass as late as Thanksgiving week-end and I’ve witnessed the first snowfall just before Halloween. I wouldn’t be surprised if you (the reader) has something similar to say about the city where you live. Anytime the conversation becomes dull or awkward all you have to do is mention the weather. Am I right? That subject will usually supply you enough ‘stuff’ to talk about for a long time.

This has been my home since I was three years old. My parents grew tired of the ‘big city’ and decided to move just slightly more than a hundred miles away from Chicago. I don’t remember much about living in Chicago but I’m a frequent visitor to the ‘windy city’. I still have relatives there. As far back as I can remember I’ve been a fan of the Chicago Cubs. I think that may be due, in part, to the fact that my Dad loved the White Sox. He and I rarely agreed on anything.

As far as the crime rate goes, North Bend doesn’t even come close to that of Chicago. We still have our share. Mostly burglary, robbery, assault and some gang violence. However, in my opinion, there is far too much domestic violence. I haven’t compared North Bend to other cities of similar size but it seems to me that the per capita rate is higher here. In my opinion, numbers, comparisons and all of that doesn’t matter so much as the fact that violence, especially domestic violence, occurs at all. The fact that it even exists is unacceptable and it needs to be addressed.

The detectives arrived at the crime scene - What do we have? Jack asked the uniformed officer. Looks like the guy’s been here for just a few hours. I’d say he’s been beaten to death. What makes you say that? Maggie inquired. Well, I don’t see no stab wounds. And there ain’t no sign of any bullet wounds. It doesn’t even look like he put up much of a fight either, was the officer’s reply.

The M.E. (medical examiner) arrived. After both Maggie and Jack made a search for ID in the victim’s pockets and carefully examined the bruises and abrasions on the victim’s body he was taken to the city morgue to determine the cause of death, approximate age, etc. They would also take prints from the victim. This information along with DNA might help them to make a positive ID on the victim.

The autopsy revealed the cause of death was due to blunt force trauma. He had, indeed, been beaten to death. But with what? And why? Who was this guy and how did he get here? The M.E.’s report revealed a fractured skull, several broken ribs, both arms broken, one leg shattered. There were ligature marks on his wrists and ankles indicating that he had been bound. This could be the reason for the absence of signs of a struggle. His fingertips were burned (probably acid) and it made it difficult to get decent prints. The coroner, he probably died of shock after being tied up. I would guess that the burns on his fingers were done post-mortem. At least he was spared the pain of having all ten finger tips burned to a crisp.

Detective Carlson Where do we start? Well, first we need to ID the guy and then we’ll go from there. Where is ‘there’ and what will they do when they get there? They continue the investigation.

Just a week later two more bodies were found. One male and one female. The M.O. seemed to be somewhat different. No ID but this time they were able to obtain fingerprints. The location was about 10 miles east of the city in what would eventually be the basement of a new house. The builders had only completed the footings and foundation. No walls, no framing. Just a hole in the ground.

A break came in the first case when they matched the DNA from the victim with a felon who had a rather lengthy rap sheet. Now, they needed to determine his address.

In the second case, they were able to lift one print from one finger of the female victim. Now they were making some progress.

The first victim’s name was Albert Millar. He had been released from prison after serving 6 years of a ten year sentence for assault (his girlfriend), public intoxication, assaulting an officer and raping his girlfriend’s 13 year old daughter. The rape charges were later dropped. It seems like her mother had a little chat with her 13 year old and the sex was consensual. She (the child) had made a mistake. She wanted Albert to ‘do her’. The charge was reduced from rape to statutory rape. This resulted in ‘the son-of-a-bitch’ serving far less time than he deserved. The girl’s mother turned up dead a short time later. Even though Albert was on the streets, (he had somehow managed to make bail on a $500,000 bond) he alibied out for the time of the murder but they could never find enough to nail the bastard. The case is still open but the people working the case refuse to let it go cold. They feel like if they keep working the case something or someone will be found that will prove he killed her. But now, with Albert dead……

He had been out of prison for just under two years. He was living with a woman who he met just two months following his release from prison. She has four children ages 8 through 15. Two girls and two boys. She had called the police on him several times. The police calls were primarily for assault on the girlfriend. The police arrested him several times. But she always refused to file charges. According to her, he’s a good guy. She loves him very much and so do her kids.

Thanks to the many police calls, the detectives knew where to find Albert’s ‘family.’ She and the kids were brought to the station for questioning. The police were curious to see what she knew about the assault on Albert. Did she know if he had enemies? Was he doing drugs? Was her boyfriend involved in any illicit activities? How well did she really know Albert?

The ‘interview’ had barely gotten started when she sprang to her feet and leaned on the table looking nose to nose with Jack. What did he do? Whatever he did, I wasn’t involved. I ain’t seen him for several days. Am I under arrest? She was not very happy about being pulled out of her home and taken to the station. The cops didn’t understand that she had ‘things’ to do. The way she was shaking whatever drug she was on was starting to wear off.

In the interrogation room at the police station both detectives had been questioning Allicia (Albert’s girlfriend and mother of the four kids). She stood by her story that Al was a great guy and they had never had any major problems. The officers that escorted her said that as far as they knew, Albert hadn’t committed a crime. He had been involved in what appeared to be a fight.

Detective Carlson was beginning to lose patience with the restless, nervous Allicia. Look lady, I’ve had about all I can take of you and the way you seem to be protecting your late boyfriend. I think it’s time to have a little chat with your children. We’ll see what they have to say about Albert. Allicia