Time to Kill: The Purple Ghost

By Michael W. Elliott

Time to Kill

The saga of Los Angeles homicide detectives Andrew Savage and George Hammond as they try to solve a grisly murder that took place in a wealthy part of town.

The investigation takes a startling turn when they learn the blood, DNA, and fingerprints found at the scene identically match those of a two-year-old.

The Purple Ghost

Detectives Savage and Hammond are reunited as they try to unravel the mystery of two seemingly unrelated but curiously coincidental deaths.

Two young people suddenly both die of heart attacks. They mystery comes in when the detectives realize the two were next-door neighbors, both healthy, and both died within days of each other.

Was it pure coincidence, or could there be a connection?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504914246

Michael W. Elliott

Mike Elliott graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media Communication, with emphasis on Journalism. He also has a minor in Sociology. It was while attending the university that his writing career officially started by being a staff writer for two university newspapers. Mike is a great admirer of Rod Serling. He credits a quote from Rod as being the major influence in his writing. “I like to take ordinary people and put them in extraordinary situations.” This sums up Mike’s writing philosophy. While the actual ideas for his stories come from a variety of sources, Mike firmly asserts the characters come from within his heart claiming there is a lot of himself in each of his characters. Mike describes himself as a hopeless romantic and aspires for these sentiments to come out in his characters. Mike was born in Akron, Ohio and raised in Willoughby, Ohio, before returning to Akron. He now resides in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He has a daughter, Crystal Renee, who was the inspiration for everything he has done since the day she was born. Mike’s passions include music, sports, stamp collecting, films, classic television, and animals.

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© 2015 Michael W. Elliott. 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 05/27/2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-1423-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-1424-6 (e)

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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

Chapter One Murder at Walnut Terrace

Chapter Two A Little Investigation

Chapter Three The Morning After

Chapter Four An Uncomfortable Visit

Chapter Five Some Disturbing News

Chapter Six The Wallet

Chapter Seven A Night at Home

Chapter Eight Images of Confusion

Chapter Nine A Visit to Mrs. Parkins

Chapter Ten A Preposterous Idea

Chapter Eleven Furthering Your Education

Chapter Twelve An Stimulating Conversation

Chapter Thirteen A Disturbing Call

Chapter Fourteen Painful Recollections

Chapter Fifteen Dad

Chapter Sixteen A Concerned Friend

Chapter Seventeen A Desperate Solution

Chapter Eighteen The STAMP Project

Chapter Nineteen The Offer for Help

Chapter Twenty The Dream

Chapter Twenty-One The Decision

Chapter Twenty-Two Moving Forward to go Backward

Chapter Twenty-Three The Meeting

Chapter Twenty-Four Final Thoughts

Chapter Twenty-Five The Day Arrives

Chapter Twenty-Six The Journey Begins

Chapter Twenty-Seven A Startling Discovery

Chapter-Twenty-Eight Time to Kill

Chapter Twenty-Nine A Horrifying Realization

Chapter Thirty Stuck in the Present

Chapter Thirty-One The Shelter

Chapter Thirty-Two A Game of Chess

Chapter Thirty-Three A Disheartening Walk

Chapter Thirty-Four A Chance Encounter

Chapter Thirty-Five An Unexpected Visitor

Chapter Thirty-Six Waiting for the Tests

Chapter Thirty-Seven The Confusing Truth

Chapter Thirty-Eight A Word with Mr. Parkins

Chapter Thirty-Nine An Unsettling Explanation

Chapter Forty The Truth Comes Out

Chapter Forty-One I Cannot Tell a Lie

Chapter Forty-Two The Aftermath

Chapter Forty-Three A Conversation with Matthew

Chapter Forty-Four A Nightcap

Chapter Forty-Five Prelude to the Meeting

Chapter Forty-Six The Doctor’s Evaluation

Chapter Forty-Seven A Discussion with George

Chapter Forty-Eight The Inquisition

Chapter Forty-Nine The Discussion Heats Up

Chapter Fifty The Wristband

Chapter Fifty-One The Rescue Begins

Chapter Fifty-Two Mike Arrives

Chapter Fifty-Three The Plan is set in Motion

Chapter Fifty-Four Matthew’s Release

Chapter Fifty-Five Preparing to Go Home

Chapter Fifty-Six An Interruption in the Plans

The Purple Ghost

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Other books by Michael W. Elliott

The Spirit of Romance

ISBN-10: 1483683451

ISBN-13: 978-1483683454

Exiled

ISBN-10: 1496955188

ISBN-13: 978-1496955180

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my beautiful daughter Crystal Renee Elliott who has been the inspiration for everything I have ever done since the day she was born.

Special Thanks to

My beloved parents Edwin and Isabel Elliott to whom I owe everything.

Lori Parsons My soulmate. Thank you for your unconditional love, support, and encouragement.

Monna Robinson May for her continuous support, encouragement and belief in my abilities.

Kimberly M. Roby for her incredible original artwork used on the cover. She can be reached at: [e-mail]

To all my friends over the years, too numerous to mention but they know who they are, who never gave up on their belief in me and have been a constant source of encouragement.

To everyone who bought my first two books The Spirit of Romance and Exiled. Your support and encouragement is greatly appreciated. I sincerely thank you all.

CHAPTER ONE

Murder at Walnut Terrace

January 14, 2010

All units in the vicinity of Walnut Terrace respond. Priority one… I repeat, priority one…we have a possible 10-54 code 30 at 1243 Walnut Terrace. Body found, Caucasian adult male, apparent knife attack. Ambulance in route. Unit 19 what is your 38? Over

Patrolman Lance Calhoun instinctively reached down to his left and picked up the mic.

Nineteen, we’re headed south on Chester.

Listening intently to the conversation his partner held up his right hand with fingers extended. Lance acknowledged the hand signal.

We’re about five minutes from there. We’re on our way. Over.

The radio crackled and the voice responded.

Roger that 19 we copy. Unit 39 will meet you at the scene. Over.

The radio crackled again. Lance reached down; he returned the mic to its carriage and clicked on a small switch on the dashboard activating the patrol car’s siren and lights.

Red and blue lights ignited and the siren blared, breaking the tranquility of the evening air. He glanced at his partner, Officer Nick Ranchard, who was driving.

Let’s roll.

Without saying a word Nick nodded his head once and pressed the accelerator down and the police cruiser increased in speed. Nick focused his attention on the road ahead, calculating the quickest route, as the cruiser sped down the side streets.

Walnut Terrace?

Nick exclaimed with an element of surprise. He gave his partner a quick glance.

"That’s a switch, we won’t be slumming it tonight, that’s a pretty ritzy part of town. They have some classy homes over there.

What a place to find a body, huh. That’s going to raise some eyebrows and lower the property value a bit."

Nick chuckled to himself. Lance just shook his head.

You either need a vacation or really need to work on that sense of humor, partner. Besides, rich people kill each other all the time. They just have more extravagant reasons and more lavish alibis. Just ask O.J.

Nick grinned at his partner.

Yeah and they have better lawyers too; once again just ask O.J.

Lance just shook his head. The voice on the radio interrupted them.

Unit 19 we have confirmed that Walnut Terrace is a 187. Proceed with caution. Unit 39 is securing the area. Over.

Nick responded to the radio.

Wrongful death, huh. That’s a pretty highly patrolled area too. This guy must be either good or slippery to get out of that neighborhood undetected.

Lance looked at him.

Yeah… or still in the area.

Nick simply nodded. They arrived at the address on Walnut Terrace. within minutes. It was an upper class neighborhood. The street was lined with majestic streetlamps and bordered on either side by spacious, luxurious homes with immaculately trimmed yards and neatly manicured hedges.

Bright and shiny Volvos and Mercedes sat proudly in the driveways. They noticed that another squad car and an ambulance had already arrived. They also noticed a body, covered with a blanket, lying conspicuously in the street.

The officers put on their caps and exited the car. They first took note of the two paramedics who were standing idly by their ambulance out of the way, a morbid and telling sign.

A number of people stood curiously watching the goings on, whispering to each other. The small crowd was being held back by one of the officers as another approached the newly arrived patrolmen. Officer Dave Graham walked over to them.

Hey Nick…hey Lance.

They acknowledged each other and Officer Graham summed up the situation.

"Well, it seems a lady was walking her dog, and discovered this guy lying in the street. She called 911 on her cell. We got here about ten minutes ago.

Looks like this guy met the wrong end of a knife. He was already dead when we got here. We can’t tell for how long though. That’s about all we have so far. He was cut up pretty badly. Who ever did this sure didn’t like him much; they seemed to have put a lot of effort into it."

Officers Ranchard and Calhoun nodded in unison.

Did you talk with the woman who found him?

Dave nodded.

"Yeah, she’s really shook up by it, elderly lady you know. I’m sure it must have been quite a shock to her. She really wasn’t much help.

She said she was just walking her dog and noticed the man lying there. She didn’t see anything else. She said no one else was around. She’s over there if you want to talk to her."

Officer Graham pointed to an older woman sitting alone on the curb across the street, her dog by her side. Nick glanced over to her, then back at Officer Graham.

Do we have any other witness’s?

Dave shook his head.

No, she’s all we have. I would hardly call her a witness, she didn’t really see anything.

Nick nodded and glanced at his partner.

Lance, go talk to her, see if you can get anything from her, but take it easy on her.

Lance nodded and headed across the street and over to the elderly woman who was holding a leash. Her beautiful golden retriever sat obediently by her side. Lance cleared his throat as he approached her.

Good evening ma’am, I’m Officer Calhoun. I know it’s been a rather upsetting night for you… but I need to ask you a few questions.

The woman, visibly shaking, looked up at him and nodded. Lance continued.

I understand you were the one who discovered the body.

The woman slowly stood up. She was trembling and noticeably disturbed by her discovery. She looked down at her dog, smiled tenderly and patted his head.

Its okay Passion this gentleman is a police officer.

She nodded at Lance.

"That’s right officer. Dreadful thing, simply dreadful! Passion and I were taking our nightly walk. We walk this way every evening about this time. Passion just all of a sudden stopped and then he headed over towards the street looking at something. That’s very unlike him.

When I glanced over to see what he was looking at I discovered, well I saw a man lying in the street. He wasn’t moving, and well I didn’t want to get any closer so I called 911. I hope I did the right thing officer."

Lance nodded at her as he jotted some notes in a small note pad.

Yes ma’am, you did. We appreciate your assistance. Did you notice anyone else around when you first discovered the body?

The woman thought for a moment.

No, I’m sure there was no one else around. This is a very quiet neighborhood. That’s really all I can tell you officer. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.

Lance reassured her.

Did you notice the man moving at all when you first saw him?

The woman shook her head.

No sir, he never moved an inch. That much I am sure of.

She took a deep breath and struggled with her next sentence.

He’s…he’s dead isn’t he?

Lance looked down.

It appears so ma’am, I’m afraid he is. You have been a great help.

The woman smiled politely.

Well I gave the other officer my name and number. If there is anything else you need from me please don’t hesitate to call. I want to do everything I can to help our police.

Officer Calhoun smiled at her and nodded. He reached down and petted the dog that continued to sit quietly by his master’s side. Passion responded to the unexpected attention by licking the officer’s hand. Lance smiled.

Thank you ma’am. You go straight home now. It may not be a good idea to walk around here this late at night for a while. When you get home be sure to lock all your windows and doors. We don’t know if the guy responsible for this is still in the area.

The woman assured him she would comply. She started to walk away; she stopped and turned back to Officer Calhoun.

Oh officer…I just remembered something I hadn’t mentioned to the other officers. I’m not sure if it means anything but I think I should mention it to you.

The patrolman stopped writing notes and looked at the woman.

Yes ma’am? At this stage we would appreciate any information you may have. We can determine if it’s important. Just what was it?

The woman smiled meekly.

"Well officer, as I was just about to the corner there was a bright flash of light. It just lasted a second and was gone. There was no trace of anything when we arrived here.

The flash really startled Passion. He was so startled by it he just started barking. He rarely does that at all officer. I had to stop for a few minutes to calm him down. We sat on that large rock over there on Cherry Street for, oh maybe twenty minutes to rest before continuing on our walk. I just couldn’t get him to move he was so shook up over it.

When we turned the corner on to Walnut Terrace, well that’s when he spotted the body. I’m sorry I didn’t mention it earlier but this whole evening has been so upsetting I…"

Officer Calhoun interrupted her as he added this additional bit of information to his notes. He then turned to the woman and nodded compassionately.

That’s alright ma’am I understand. I’m glad you mentioned it now. This flash of light you saw, was it near where you found, the body?

The woman nodded her head.

Well, we were still on Cherry street when we saw it…yes I would say it would have had to have been somewhere near the body. It appeared to be down the street a ways.

Calhoun took a deep breath.

What did it look like ma’am? Did you hear any sound with it?

The woman patted Passion on the head as he sat her side obediently.

It just lasted a second officer. All I can tell you is I caught it out of the corner of my eye and it was very bright. No, I didn’t hear any sound at all.

The patrolman scanned the skies for any indications of a brewing storm. Perhaps it was nothing more than a bolt of lightening.

He discovered there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. He addressed the woman again.

Alright ma’am. Thank you again for all your help. We will call you if we need anything further. You get home now.

The woman tugged at Passion’s leash and smiled at the officer.

You are quite welcome officer. I just can’t believe something like this could happen in this neighborhood. It has always been such a nice and quiet neighborhood. We’ve never had any trouble.

Lance sighed.

Yes ma’am.

He walked back over to the other patrolmen. He turned to his partner who had moved over with the other officers by the body, which was still lying on the pavement. Lance joined them.

He must have had a puzzled expression on his face because Nick questioned him the minute he saw his partner return.

What’s up Lance? Did you get anything more from her?

Lance reexamined his new notes.

Well, the only thing she added was that she remembered seeing a bright flash of light as she was turning the corner. She said there were no traces of anything when they arrived. I thought it might just be lightening but it sure doesn’t look like a storm around to me. She didn’t hear any sound with it, just a bright flash. I noted it.

Nick nodded.

Well, add it to the report. Let the suits worry about it.

Officer Graham pulled down the blanket that was covering the body.

This guy was stabbed multiple times. CSI is going to have a field day here. Look at this, lots of blood and I’m sure other things they will love. They really get off on this kind of thing. This guy was sloppy; he was angry alright, but sloppy.

The officer had no sooner finished his sentence, than his partner shouted from a distance.

Hey guys, you’re not going to believe this. Look what I found! Get over here.

He waved them over. The three officers looked at each other with confusion. They walked over together and joined the excited patrolman.

Officer Mark McClure stood by a short row of bushes that lined the sidewalk. He pointed to the ground by the bush being careful not to disturb the find. At the base of the greenery, underneath some branches there was a men’s brown leather wallet.

The four policemen stood dumbfounded and looked at each other, trying to interpret each other’s reaction to the discovery. Nick looked at the wallet wedged in the bush.

What the hell have we got here?

Officer Graham spoke.

Mark, check the victim, see if he still has his wallet on him.

Mark nodded and walked over to the body. Officer McClure reached in his jacket pocket. Placing a pair of gloves on his hands as he knelt down and pulled back the blanket from over the body. He grimaced at the bloody corpse. He carefully checked the pockets of the grey sweat pants the victim had on.

Yeah, he has it. It’s right here in his pants pocket.

Dave uttered the first words that came to mind.

Well, we know this didn’t belong to the victim. I said this guy was sloppy but I didn’t think he was careless, much less stupid.

Nick looked at his partner.

You don’t honestly think the killer would have left his wallet here, do you? I mean…do you think it might be the suspect’s?

Dave shook his head in disbelief.

I don’t know, who else’s would it be? People in this neighborhood sure don’t leave their wallets lying around.

He thought for a moment.

Nah, that would make our job entirely too easy. Things like that only happen in the movies.

Lance commented.

Maybe someone walked by, and he got spooked, and it dropped out his pocket when he was running away?

Lance pondered that thought.

Possible, but not likely; you would think he would be more careful than that.

The officer’s concentration was broken as a black sedan screeched to a stop in front of the house. Two detectives, both dressed in dark blue suits, got out of the car.

Detectives Andrew Savage and George Hammond exited the car and briefly surveyed the area talking amongst themselves. Nick glanced at the detectives.

Sure didn’t take them long to get here.

Dave chuckled.

Never does, they are like sharks, sometimes I think they can just smell blood.

Officers Calhoun, Ranchard and Graham walked over to greet them while Officer McClure returned, guarding the new discovery.

The men converged by the body. Detective Savage studied the area. He glanced briefly down at the body, which had been recovered with the blanket, and then at the three officers. He lit a cigarette.

Alright, what do we have here gentleman? What do we know so far?

Dave extended his hand in a slow sweeping motion. He words hinted of sarcasm. He had never been fond of detectives. Their arrogance had always annoyed him.

Well detective, we got us a dead guy that looks like he’s been through a butchering shop and no witness’s. We have an old lady who saw absolutely nothing; we do have lots of blood all over as you can see and…

Officer Calhoun interrupted.

Yeah, and the lady did say she saw a bright flash of light as she was turning the corner. Not sure what, if anything, to make of that.

Dave continued.

We found a wallet underneath the bushes over there, where McClure is standing. We’ve determined it is not the victim’s. Does that whet your appetite?

The detective shook his head in disgust.

Fine, wise ass. Which one of your clowns got here first?

Dave spoke up again.

"That would be Mark and I. When we got here, he was already dead. We talked with the woman who found the body, but she didn’t have much to say.

She said no one was around, and from what she did tell us this guy was already wasted by the time she found him. She said she noticed the body about ten minutes before we got here, that would mean about twenty minutes ago."

The detective walked over and uncovered the body. He knelt down and studied it. He shook his head.

Damn, this guy is a mess. CSI is on their way, so no one touch anything. What’s this you said about a wallet?

Officer Graham spoke.

My partner found a men’s wallet on the ground under the bushes over there.

He pointed to Mark who was still standing by the discovery. Noticing the detectives glance, Officer McClure nodded from a distance.

We checked the victim; he still has his wallet so it’s not his.

Detective Savage took another look at the victim.

Does this guy have a name? Did any of you jokers think to check his identification to see who he is?

Dave took a deep breath, knowing the detective wouldn’t like his answer.

No, not yet, we just secured the area and…

Detective Savage interrupted him and shook his head.

Your tax dollars at work… I swear.

He put on a pair of gloves and carefully uncovered the body and removed the victim’s wallet from his pants pocket. He opened it slowly. He first checked the wallet for cash.

Hmm…he’s got over two hundred dollars in here, that takes out the robbery motive. Who ever whacked this guy wasn’t interested in his money.

He then took out the victim’s driver’s license… He studied the card.

Frank J. Parkins. There, see how easy that was? Don’t they teach you anything at the academy? When you find a murder victim at least find out who the hell he is; or was.

He shook his head and mumbled to himself about the general competency of beat cops. He started walking over to McClure then stopped. He turned around for one last barb.

And who authorized covering the body with a blanket? You are going to have to answer to CSI about that; they don’t like anything contaminating the evidence. Don’t you guys know anything?

He returned to walking without waiting for a response. He motioned over to Detective Hammond, who had remained standing by the car.

Officer Graham meekly replied.

I covered it sir, I didn’t think it was a pretty sight for the neighborhood to look at…

Savage interrupted him.

What ever! Just fill my partner in with all he has missed; that is everything you can manage to remember. I want to check out this wallet you found.

Nick proceeded to explain the current situation to Hammond. Savage met Hammond and handed him the wallet and then walked over to where Officer McClure was standing, still mumbling to himself.

Detective Savage condescendingly brushed the officer aside. He looked down at the positioning of the wallet lying on the ground. Still wearing his gloves, he gently picked the wallet up from underneath the brush.

Is this exactly how you found the wallet?

Mark nodded. Savage then opened the wallet. The first thing he noticed was there wasn’t so much as a dollar in the wallet.

This guy didn’t have any money; at least he didn’t keep it in his wallet. I wonder what he was doing in this neighborhood.

The patrolman responded.

Maybe the answer to that question is lying in the street over there.

Savage grunted and then removed a card from the wallet. He studied it with interest. He turned and shouted to his partner.

George, what’s the name on that ID again?

Detective Hammond checked the card. He shouted the name.

Frank J. Parkins.

Savage nodded and rechecked the ID he was holding. A strange expression came over him. He thought for a moment.

This is interesting.

He seemingly spoke to himself, deep in thought. Officer McClure called him on it.

What is interesting? Did you find something? What are you thinking?

Detective Savage handed Mark the card.

The last name…it’s the same as the victim’s. Look, Matthew R. Parkins.

Officer McClure looked at the ID.

They must be related. That’s a huge coincidence if they weren’t.

Savage gave him a belligerent look.

Did you figure that out all by yourself?

Savage returned his concentration on the wallet shaking his head. Brilliant, he thought to himself cynically. Mark continued to study the card then looked up at Savage.

Hey look at the picture on this, how old would you say this guy is?

Savage took the card back and studied the picture.

Hell, I don’t know. Mid thirties maybe…why?

Mark looked the detective straight in the eyes.

You’re going to love this. Check out the date of birth on this.

The detective looked over the identification until he came to the birthday. He grunted.

What the hell? That’s impossible. It says here he was born August 12th 2008, that’s two years ago. Is this some kind of a joke?

Mark nodded his head.

Exactly, that doesn’t make any sense at all.

Savage shook his head and motioned over for Detective Hammond to join them.

George, take a look at this.

When Hammond arrived Savage explained what he and Officer McClure had noticed.

What do you make of this? Check out the date of birth George.

Savage said as he handed Hammond the identification. George studied the card and handed it back to Savage.

Obviously it’s a fake ID, has to be, what’s the big deal? Fake IDs are easy to get.

Detective Savage shook his head.

Yeah, I figured that much out. It obviously has to be a fake ID, but tell me this one… why would you go to the trouble to fake an ID and then have it say you are two years old, with a picture that obviously says you are not. You make any sense of that? I’ve never run across this one before.

Both Officer McClure and Detective Hammond shook their heads. Detective Hammond looked at the license again.

I’ll tell you one thing chief. It’s a damn good replica of a California driver’s license that’s for sure; someone did a nice job on this one. I swear these things get better every day. It’s those damn computers they are using now. This looks like the real thing.

He continued to examine the card.

Look at this; it even has the hologram on it. I thought I read somewhere those were impossible to duplicate; that’s why they put them on. Even the most sophisticated computers can’t burn those in correctly. I wonder how they did that.

Savage was surprised to hear that.

What? Let me see that damn thing again, that’s impossible.

Hammond handed him back the license and Savage fiddled with the license confirming the existence of the hologram.

I’ll be damned. It’s getting to the point where the damn criminals have better computers than we do. Savage then quickly went through the wallet looking at other identification.

Everything in here coincides. The address, name, date of birth, it’s the same on all of these. I think we should pay a little visit to this address. Let’s see just how far he took this charade.

Hammond nodded in agreement.

You really think he would put his right address on it?

Savage shook his head.

Hell if I know. It’s the same address on all of his identification though. There’s one way to find out.

He glanced at the license again.

Let’s see who really lives at 825 Market Street. Get a black and white over there now. Have them come here first I want them to have the wallet with them when they go over there.

Hammond nodded.

I’m on it.

McClure turned to the detective with a puzzled expression.

Do you think it could be just a misprint, a typo or something?

Savage shook his head.

That’s why you are wearing that blue uniform and I’m wearing a suit. If they went to all the trouble of replicating the hologram, how ever they accomplished that, I’m sure they would double check the date. For some reason this guy wants us to believe it. Besides, it’s on all of his identification. It couldn’t be a typo on all of them.

Hammond returned to their car and got on the radio. George was calling in the request when he noticed an unmarked blue station wagon pull over and park behind him. A man and a woman got out of the car. Hammond recognized the tall African American man who had been driving to be detective Gerald Jefferson of CSI but the attractive brunette female passenger was unfamiliar to him.

He studied her, admiring her beauty. She hardly looked like a cop, her long legs, shapely figure and flowing shoulder length brown hair made her look more like a model.

The woman opened the back door and pulled out a black suitcase from the back seat. She had to be new to the department he thought. He would surely have remembered seeing her before if she wasn’t.

The couple acknowledged him and walked over to the three officers who were standing by the body. The woman looked around, commanding attention by her appearance and respect by her professional conduct. She glanced at the body and spoke.

Gentlemen, I’m Detective Burgard and this is Detective Jefferson. We are with CSI. I see you have a homicide for us.

Officer Graham admired the attractive brunette for a moment, pointed at the body, and then replied.

Yes ma’am, you’re going to have fun with this one. Who ever did this sure wasn’t concerned about leaving a mess. We’ve got blood all over the place as you can see and I’m sure there are enough other clues to keep you guys up all night. We even found a wallet!

Detective Burgard was not amused. She gave the officer a stern look of disapproval. She didn’t appreciate what she felt was his unprofessional demeanor.

The two detectives looked at each other. Detective Burgard knelt down and uncovered the body. She was strictly professional and her face didn’t winch a bit as she looked at the mutilated corpse.

These are fresh wounds. The body is still somewhat warm. He hasn’t been dead long. I’d say less than an hour. Gerald, get me some prints off that wallet they found.

Detective Burgard stood up and looked around the body.

Did we by chance find a weapon anywhere?

Officer Graham cleared his throat then spoke to Detective Bugard.

No, we haven’t found any weapon but we did find a wallet over there under the bushes. We’ve determined it is not the victim’s wallet; he still had his in his pants pocket. Detective Hammond has the victim’s wallet now.

She turned around and faced the officer.

Well did it ever occur to you that it might be the perpetrators? We need to get prints off it. I’ll get prints off the victim’s wallet in time. I don’t think he’s going anywhere.

She returned her concentration to the body. She took out a small tape recorder from the suitcase. She turned to Officer Calhoun.

What’s the victim’s name officer?

Hammond handed the wallet to Detective Burgard. She put on a pair of gloves and glanced at the driver’s license. She turned on the tape recorder. Her voice was monotonic and to the point.

"January 14th, 2010. Case number 208894. Wrongful death.

Victim’s name Frank J. Parkins. Male, Caucasian, age thirty-five. Victim has multiple entrance wounds of both a stabbing and slashing nature. Outer portion of wounds indicate a thick heavy, blade, possibly some kind of hunting knife. Punctures are deep, too deep to be caused by a switchblade or kitchen knife. Stab wounds in upper chest, ribs, abdomen, massive blood loss and splattering near body. Officers arriving on the scene say victim was dead when they arrived. Time is…"

She checked her wristwatch.

Time is nine eighteen PM; estimate the victim has been dead less than an hour.

She turned off the recorder and scrutinized the body with the intensity of a surgeon. She examined the wounds and the area surrounding the body, noting the location and patterns of the blood surrounding it. She opened the suitcase and took out a small camera. She took a number of photographs of the body and the surrounding area.

The four officers stood and watched her with fascination as she continued to examine the body, making occasional notes on the recorder. Dave turned to Nick and whispered.

She’s a babe, where did she come from?

Nick shook his head and whispered back.

I’ve never seen her before. She must be new, but she seems to know what she’s doing. I’ll tell you one thing though, her personality could use some work.

The two officers chuckled to themselves.

Well you work with dead people all day and see what that does to your personality.

Nick joked.

Yeah I can see what it has done to yours.

Detective Burgard stood up obviously annoyed by the chatter she wasn’t suppose to hear. She addressed the officers again.

Gentlemen can I have your attention for just a moment here? Let’s do our jobs. You say his wallet was still on him?

Dave nodded.

That’s right, and he had over two hundred dollars in it. Robbery was not the motive.

Detective Burgard listened intently.

Well who ever did this was mad as hell. He wanted to make sure this guy was dead before he left that’s for sure. No, it wasn’t a robbery; you don’t butcher a guy like this just to get his money. Who ever did this had other reasons.

She reached in the suitcase and brought out a small black box.

I’m going to collect some blood and DNA samples. I won’t be needing you boys anymore. I don’t want anyone around contaminating this so you guys can go get some doughnuts or carry on with what ever it is you do. Thank you for your assistance gentlemen. Now please give me some space here.

Officer Graham winked and replied with mock respect.

Yes ma’am

He then jokingly saluted the detective. Burgard caught this action out of the corner of her eye and just shook her head. Graham turned to Nick and grinned.

Emm, a babe with an attitude. I like that.

Nick slapped his friend on the back.

Down boy, she’s not your type.

Graham gave Nick a puzzled expression.

How do you know she’s not my type?

Nick chuckled.

She’s intelligent.

Another patrol car arrived and parked in front of the house. An older officer got out of the car and approached the body while his partner remained in the car. Detective Savage noticed his arrival and walked over to him.

I’m Detective Savage; I’m in charge here, I assume you were sent to check out the address we phoned in?

The officer nodded.

Yes sir, I’m Gary Delvecki, they said you have a wallet with some information and a picture that might be useful before we go.

The detective nodded.

"Yeah CSI is getting some prints off it now. When they are finished I want you to take it and pay a visit to the address. We have a pretty good idea the ID is faked, or it certainly appears like it is, but I want to see if by chance the address may be legit. Find out who lives there.

We have to figure out why this guy picked that address. Even if the ID is a fake he had to have had a reason to choose this address. I can’t believe it was random. It has to mean something."

Detective Jefferson walked over and handed Savage the wallet.

We’re done with it Savage. Do your magic.

Savage nodded and handed the uniformed officer the wallet.

Okay Delvecki, what we have here is what I believe to be a false ID. We have a picture of a thirty five year old man on a license that claims he was born two years ago. Go to that address and see what you can find out.

The officer put on gloves as he examined the identification.

Now isn’t that interesting.

He said with a smirk.

We’ll get right over there detective. I’ll be in touch.

Savage nodded.

See to it you call me as soon as you leave the residence. I want to find out who the hell lives there! This guy chose this address for a reason and I want to find out what it is. Oh and make sure I get that wallet back. I haven’t had a chance to really check it out yet.

The officer nodded and returned to his car. Savage lit a cigarette and walked over to his partner.

"George I’m really stumped on this one. It’s not adding up. Why in the hell would you create an ID like that? I mean any lame brain can see it’s a fake based on the birthday. This idiot is not two years old for crying out loud; and he knows we know it. If that picture is even him.

On top of that, why would you slice the victim to shreds, leave two hundred dollars in his wallet, and then leave your own wallet; if it is his wallet. It just doesn’t make any sense."

George bit his lip as he thought.

He may have dropped the wallet as he left, maybe he had to leave in a hurry, I don’t know. As far as the fake ID goes, all of the identification says the same thing. You think he faked a whole wallet full of IDs?

Savage reluctantly nodded his head and took a long drag off his cigarette.

He might have, it’s been done before, and I’ll tell you something else, I’m not convinced the wallet was dropped hap hazzardly, not based on where it was found. Maybe he left here intentionally, hell I don’t know.

Detective Hammond looked at his partner confused.

What makes you think that Andy? You think he’s trying to throw us off? Maybe he’s trying to add some confusion maybe with some false information?

Savage shook his head.

"I don’t know. He sure left a messy crime scene; he certainly wasn’t concerned with covering anything up, so he couldn’t have been too concerned with throwing us off. If he were, why create such a ridiculous ID? It’s as if he didn’t care what we figured out, he couldn’t have.

Think about it George. You murder someone then discover your wallet is missing, even if you accidentally dropped it. Wouldn’t you make sure you had it before you left the scene? Even if you had to come back to get it you certainly wouldn’t leave all that evidence behind.

He had to know he left a ton of evidence here. It’s as if he didn’t care. I know the typical criminal mind is arrogant, thinking he won’t get caught but this guy goes beyond that. He’s playing games with us George. I just feel it. Something isn’t right.

We’ve got to find out who is living at that address maybe that will shed some light on this. We’re also going to need some help from CSI. I want the results of the prints for both wallets on my desk in the morning."

Savage threw his cigarette butt to the ground and stomped on it in frustration. George observed the behavior.

I thought you were going to quit smoking Andy.

Savage frowned at his partner.

I would have to quit being a detective first. Damn George you’re starting to sound like my wife.

The two men managed a quick chuckle.

George, get me the address of the victim, and then phone it in to records. See if there is anything on him. They might find something we can use, maybe some hint as to why someone would want him dead, especially someone with his same last name. We sure don’t have anything now.

George acknowledged the request. Savage took a deep breath.

Oh and George…notify the coroner and… get the ball rolling on notifying his family.

He thought for a moment staring back at the body.

The killer didn’t want his money; just what did he want then? I want to see if we can figure out why this guy wanted him dead so badly.

Detective Hammond went back to the body and got the wallet from Burgard. He returned and handed Savage the wallet.

Here you go chief. I’ll call the 11-44 into the station and also see what they have on him. They will notify the coroner and he will take it from there.

Savage patted his partner on the back and lit another cigarette as he examined the contents of the wallet again.

Just have it for me in the morning George. I have to talk to that pretty little thing from CSI now and make sure I get their report in the morning.

CHAPTER TWO

A Little Investigation

January 14, 2010

The black and white pulled up and parked in front of 825 Market Street. Officers Gary Delvecki and James Culp exited the car and walked deliberately towards the front door of the modest home. It was past eleven o’clock, the neighborhood was quiet.

This was a lower middle class neighborhood. It lacked any traces of the elegance, the community they had just left enjoyed. Officer Delvecki rang the doorbell. He had the wallet Detective Savage gave him in his hand. He studied the picture on the license memorizing it.

After a few minutes a light went on inside the home and the door slowly opened. A man in his thirties answered the door. It was obvious he had been awoken from his sleep. He had a robe on and looked half asleep. Wiping the drowsiness from his eyes he addressed the officers, obviously taken back by their presence.

Yes? Can I help you?

Officer Delvecki nodded.

We’re sorry for disturbing you at this hour sir but we have a few questions we need to ask you. May we come in for a minute please?

The man hesitantly opened the door wider and silently motioned the officers in.

What is this all about officer?

The two patrolmen entered the home and stood by the door.

May I see some identification sir? I assure you we have a reason for this.

The question inspired a puzzled expression from the man, who repeated his question.

What is this all about? Is there a problem?

Officer Delvecki shook his head and glanced at the driver’s license in the wallet he had brought with him, paying particular attention once again to the photograph on the license. He then studied the man before him. It was obvious that the man now standing at the door was not the man in the picture.

We are doing an investigation and a wallet was found at the scene. All the identification in the wallet had this address on it. We’re simply verifying who lives here sir. There’s no problem. Now if we could please see your identification.

The man simply nodded.

Yeah alright officer…just a minute, I’ll get it.

The two patrolmen waited by the door as the man went upstairs. The man returned with his driver’s license and handed the card to Officer Delvecki. Gary nodded.

Thank you. Once again we’re sorry for bothering you at this hour. We appreciate your cooperation. We’ll be gone in a minute. We just have to check a few things first.

He studied the license. The man was disturbed by the officer’s last statement.

You say you found a wallet with my address in it at the scene of a crime? Well I have my wallet right here, it certainly wasn’t mine! Can you please tell me what this is all about? Just whose wallet was it and why was my address in it?

Officer Delvecki handed the license the man just gave him to his partner.

That’s what we are trying to find out Mr. Boone, that’s why we are here, so bear with us. We know the wallet wasn’t yours.

Officer Culp took out a notepad and jotted down all the information from the card and then handed it back to the man. He glanced at his partner. Officer Delvecki thought for a moment.

We need to establish who all lives here sir. Can you give me the names of everyone who lives here with you Mr. Boone?

Mr. Boone pondered the question for a moment.

It’s just my wife, Carol and I. I can’t understand how you could have found a wallet with this address on it officer. No one else lives here, or should be using this address. I hope you know this all very disturbing!

Officer Culp continued to write in his notepad.

I understand sir. You say just your wife and you live here? You’re wife’s name is Carol?

Mr. Boone nodded as James added some additional notes.

Yes officer. I own this home and we have lived here for, oh it’s been six years now; just my wife and I. I just don’t understand how you could have found a wallet with my address in it.

The two officers looked at each other. Officer Delvecki once again checked the identification in the wallet he had with him and then looked at Mr. Boone.

Mr. Boone, does the name Matthew Parkins mean anything to you sir?

Mr. Boone was taken back by the unexpected question and thought for a moment.

Matthew Parkins?

He softly repeated the name a couple time, then shook his head.

No I have never heard that name in my life. It doesn’t mean anything to me…should it? Was that the name in the wallet you found?

Mr. Boone replied with an element of concern in his voice. Officer Culp ignored the question and glanced at his partner, then back at Mr. Boone. He handed the driver’s license from the wallet they found at the scene to Mr. Boone.

Mr. Boone, have you ever seen this man before? Does the picture look familiar to you at all?

Mr. Boone studied the photograph on the license.

No officer, I have never seen this guy before in my life, I can tell you that with certainty.

The two officers nodded. Officer Delvecki took the license and placed it back in the wallet.

Have you at any time had any boarders or anyone living here for any length of time? Would there be anyone who could have used this address as a home address for any reason?

Mr. Boone shook his head. Officer Delvecki opened the door.

We appreciate your cooperation Mr. Boone and again apologize for the inconvenience. We’re going to need a phone number to reach you in the event we have any further questions.

Mr. Boone sighed and reluctantly gave him his phone number.

Thank you Mr. Boone. You have a good evening.

The officers walked back to the patrol car. They sat in the car thinking.

Partner, run a check on this Mr. Boone and his wife, what was her name…Carol.

Officer Culp nodded and opened the laptop computer that was on the dashboard.

He seemed sincere to me Gary. What do you think?

Officer Delvecki brushed off the comment, almost finding humor in it.

"They always do James. It’s hard to tell. It’s a shame the bad guys don’t have a tattoo on their forehead saying ‘I’m the guy you want’ but it just doesn’t work that way.

He wasn’t the man in the picture, and he certainly seemed surprised to see us if that means anything. He didn’t flinch a bit when I mentioned Parkins’s name. I honestly don’t think he knew him…but run a check on them anyways. I have to have something to tell Savage."

James nodded and began typing information on the computer’s keyboard.

How do you figure this one Gary? I mean we have a wallet full of identification that all has this address on it, but the homeowner has no idea who the guy is? That is if he’s telling the truth.

Gary just chuckled.

Now that is the million dollar question isn’t it. I’ve learned to never take anything at face value. You failed to mention the fact that according to the identification the man is only two years old. Did you happen to catch that? He sure didn’t look two in the picture.

Gary shook his head.

I don’t even have a thought on that one. Well, that’s what the detectives are for. We just get the information, they figure out what to make of it. That’s why they get paid more.

The two officers laughed. Within minutes the computer screen was full of information. James took notice of the screen studying the green lines of type.

Okay partner here we go, lets see… Phillip D. Boone, 825 Market Street…no priors on him. This guy doesn’t even have any outstanding parking tickets. Okay, let’s try the wife.

He typed in more information and waited a moment for the screen to refill with data. The screen went black for an instant and then a page full of green typing reappeared on the screen. James studied the data on the screen.

Nothing on Carol Boone either. Slate is clean for both of them. The address checks out though, they own the home alright.

Gary nodded almost disappointed at the news. He scratched his temple and sighed.

Alright, that’s all Savage will need for now. If he wants more he knows how to get it. We did our job. Let me give him a quick call and then lets get some coffee what do you say?

James nodded his approval.

Sounds like a plan to me. I sure could use a cup myself.

Gary smiled and got out his cell phone to call Savage. The conversation was a short one. James listened to Gary’s side of the conversation.

Detective Savage, this is Officer Delvecki. We’re at the Market Street address….

Savage interrupted him.

Alright Delvecki did you talk to anyone there?

Yes sir, we talked to the home owner. His name was Phillip D. Boone. He claims to live there with his wife Carol. He says they have been there for six years.

Savage grunted.

You get a positive ID on this guy?

We sure did. He’s not the guy on the license you gave me. He says they are the only two living there sir

There was an odd sound on the other end of the phone.

Has he ever heard of this Parkins character?

No sir, he says he has no knowledge of any Matthew Parkins. We showed him the picture on the license and he claims to have never seen him before. We ran a check on both he and his wife and there are no priors on either of them.

Savage sighed.

Alright Delvecki, good enough for now. Thank you, you guys can get out of there now. That’s all we are going to get from him tonight. Get me a copy of your report. I want a number to reach this guy if I need to; and get that wallet back to me in the morning.

We got a phone number for him. It’s on the report. Good night sir.

Gary snapped the cell phone shut. James glanced over to his partner.

That was a quick.

Gary nodded.

Yeah, he didn’t have a lot to say. He didn’t sound too happy; of course Savage is never happy, and never was much of a conversationalist. Call us in code six…let’s go get that coffee partner.

CHAPTER THREE

The Morning After

January 15, 2010

Detective Savage glanced at the morning sun as it came through the blinds of his office window at the station. The brightness provided him with a welcomed diversion from his already dreary morning.

He looked up from the mountain of paper work on his desk for a moment, rubbing his weary forehead. He had come in early. The Parkin’s murder was bugging him.

He didn’t sleep much at all last night. He was already on his second pot of coffee and the ashtray was already full of cigarette butts. All last night he had been tossing around the few facts they had managed to gather up to this point.

He collected his thoughts for the umpteenth time this morning, rearranging them differently each time hoping he could piece the scattered bits of information together in a combination where they might make some kind of sense.

He checked and rechecked the crime scene report hoping he might have missed an important detail. He hadn’t come up with anything. He rehashed what they knew for sure.

They had a homicide, a stabbing it appeared, of a thirty five year old male Caucasian. The body was found in a wealthy neighborhood, a neighborhood which is highly patrolled meaning the guy had to be clever to get away.

The only person at the scene who had any information at all was a woman walking her dog and she really didn’t see anything…hmm…except for a bright flash of light. Just what the hell could he make of that?

A wallet was found at the scene. It wasn’t the wallet of the victim and was filled with false ID’s claiming the owner was Matthew Parkins, who, if the name was correct, shared the same last name as the victim.

The victim had been dead for less than an hour before they arrived and there was no indication of a robbery. The victim had been stabbed a number of times indicating the perpetrator was in a state of rage, or at least extreme anger at the time. The victim’s wallet had two hundred dollars in it ruling out robbery as a motive.

The address on the identification in the wallet they found led them to a dead end as the resident there claimed to have no knowledge of Matthew Parkins.

Now the really disturbing thing, while the identification appeared to be that of a man in his thirties, the date of birth on all of his identification claimed the owner was born only two years ago leading everyone to believe it was unquestionably a false ID. This was all he had to go on for the time being.

He kept reminding himself the incident took place only last night and that everything would eventually fall into place as it always has; but something about this one bothered him right off the bat. You can’t work in this job for thirty years like he has without developing instincts and for some reason he had a bad one about this case. He had just lit another cigarette when Detective Hammond barged in his office without knocking.

Oh Andy, glad you’re here. I had a feeling you might come in early today.

Savage looked at his partner with indifference.

Tell me you have some good news for me George. I could really use some this morning.

Detective Hammond grabbed a folding chair and placed it across from Savage’s desk.

You okay Andy? You look really stressed out this morning…I mean, even more than you usually do.

George growled at his partner.

Funny George, very funny. You have anything for me?

George’s face lit up.

Well, I’m not sure if this is good news or what, but we got the run down on the victim.

Savage stared at his partner with a stone face.

Enlighten me George.

Detective Hammond opened a folder he had on his lap.

Well, what we know for sure is his name is Frank Joseph Parkins. He was thirty five years old…

Savage interrupted him

. "Damn it we knew all this last night George; tell me