The Blues of Portsmouth P.D.: A Series, Episode Three

By Robert Franklin Jackson

Asked and Answered: Episode Three

The Case of the Acrimonious Alliteration

Nearly six years have gone by since a quartet of psychopaths were brought to justice. The crime-free years in Portsmouth brought Chief Wesley Frey high praise from the press and the citizenry alike, but his retirement banquet is planned. Who will be the new chief? Will it be someone promoted from the ranks or will the mayor and the city council bring in an out-of-town candidate? In either case, most thought it was time to hire more officers with CSI training.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth’s crime-free years are about to end. An admirer of serial killers would like to join their ranks. He has a hatred for those who go through life taking advantage of others, disregarding what’s fair. When he observes an assistant district attorney use the “asked and answered” ploy to win the acquittal of a known felon, he has his victim in mind and his serial killer’s signature. He leaves behind the victim’s business card to taunt and confuse the police as the investigator’s whiteboard has a growing “asked and answered” victims list. He and the new chief, plus three new CSI investigators, find themselves in a battle of wits as the serial killer’s body count rises. Of course, the Portsmouth PD’s Tony Slone, Bethany “Skiv” Van Blair, and Keegan O’Regan also play a big role in solving the case.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796016932

Robert Franklin Jackson

Your Author, Robert Franklin Jackon, following an enlistment as a U.S. Navy Seabee/deep-sea-diver, four years in elementary school teaching/administration, twenty-seven years as a high school geography teacher, the office of Historian General NSSAR, is not content unless he is working on a writing project. Projects include: Family Genealogy, Sons of the American Revolution - History Vol. III, plus several pamphlets, just completing a 3,200 page encyclopedia of his home town, Oroville, Oroville 1915 - A Place in Time, ninety acrylic paintings, and presently, The Blues of Portsmouth P.D. a Series of eight episode, four other novellas, The Truth Book, wewillfindyouamach.com, No Vacancy, and Pene-lope and Anti-gone, and the book of a musical comedy, Stoneface.

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Copyright © 2019 by Robert Jackson.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2019901931

ISBN:                Softcover              978-1-7960-1694-9

                          eBook                   978-1-7960-1693-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 02/27/2019

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Contents

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-one

Chapter Twenty-two

Chapter Twenty-three

Chapter Twenty-four

Chapter Twenty-five

Chapter Twenty-six

Chapter Twenty-seven

Chapter Twenty-eight

Chapter Twenty-nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-one

Chapter Thirty-two

Chapter Thirty-three

Chapter Thirty-four

Chapter Thirty-five

Chapter Thirty-six

Chapter Thirty-seven

Chapter Thirty-eight

Chapter Thirty-nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-one

Chapter Forty-two

Chapter Forty-three

Chapter Forty-four

Chapter Forty-five

Chapter Forty-six

Chapter Forty-seven

Chapter Forty-eight

Chapter Forty-nine

Chapter Fifty

Chapter Fifty-one

Chapter Fifty-two

Chapter Fifty-three

Chapter Fifty-four

Chapter Fifty-five

Chapter Fifty-six

Chapter Fifty-seven

Chapter Fifty-eight

Chapter Fifty-nine

Chapter Sixty

Chapter Sixty-one

Chapter Sixty-two

Chapter Sixty-three

Chapter Sixty-four

Chapter Sixty-five

Chapter Sixty-six

Chapter Sixty-seven

Chapter Sixty-eight

Chapter Sixty-nine

Chapter Seventy

Chapter Seventy-one

Chapter Seventy-two

Chapter Seventy-three

Chapter Seventy-four

Chapter Seventy-five

Chapter Seventy-six

Chapter Seventy-seven

Chapter Seventy-eight

Chapter Seventy-nine

Chapter Eighty

Chapter Eighty-one

Chapter Eighty-two

Chapter Eighty-three

Chapter Eighty-four

Chapter Eighty-five

Chapter Eighty-six

Chapter Eighty-seven

Chapter Eighty-eight

Chapter Eighty-nine

Chapter Ninety

Chapter Ninety-one

Chapter Ninety-two

Chapter Ninety-three

Chapter Ninety-four

Chapter Ninety-five

Chapter Ninety-six

The Blues of Portsmouth P.D.

A Series of Eight Episodes

Taking the Fifth

The Case of the

Erroneous Homophone

2001

Jeff Needed Killing!

The Case of the

Connected Palindromes

2001

And Now

Asked and Answered

The Case Of An

Acrimonious Alliteration

2007

Published with the hope that the

reader can enjoy the entire story in

One Night’s Reading,

DEDICATION

To Bobbi, my greatest fan,

painstaking editor,

supportive critic, very best friend,

wife of sixty-three years

"Good - Better - Best - Never let it rest,

Till your good is better, and your better, best."

Ressie Fix, 11th Grade English

Arsenal Technical High School, Indianapolis

Bobbi Jackson, Proof Editor,

insists on striving for the best.

Chapter One

Friday, July 27, 2007

Portsmouth, NH Court House

Asked, and answered! That’s what he heard Harper Lowell, the sagacious defense attorney, state, just as Henry Collins, the young, inexperienced A.D.A, with momentum building, was about to force the witness to lay waste the defendant’s alibi.

The jury will disregard that last question. Proceed, Mr. Collins, Judge Andrew Ward calmly interjected.

His moment of intensity broken, Collins heard himself utter, No further questions, Your Honor.

He, observing from the back of the court room, was watching Lowell’s face, and hated that look of satisfaction, as Lowell knew his defense had succeeded. He wondered at what point in history did that phrase, ‘Asked, and answered’ become president, and gain the power to turn a victory into a defeat.

An analogy would be the New England Patriots… three seconds remain…. third and goal…. one yard line…. the fullback goes off tackle and scores. The referee grabs his wrist and shouts, Holding…. offensive team…. ten yard penalty…. third and eleven…. replay, third down. The momentum is gone, victory turns into defeat.

He thinks. ‘Lowell, just picturing his smug, satisfied face, pisses-me-off. That’s not good. They say that getting pissed-off get one’s adrenaline flowing. You only have so much of that. What am I going to do about it? They say one needs a change. What haven’t I done? I know. I have never killed a defense attorney. That will feel good. It should relieve my stress. It will take some careful planning. The police scientists are very well trained these days. Let’s make it a contest. I feel better already.’

Chapter Two

Monday, July 30, 2007

Office of Henry Collins - A.D.A

It was now Monday morning. He had spent the weekend nervously planning the killing of Defense Attorney, Harper Lowell.

He thought it would be wearisome if he were to carefully shoot Lowell, leave no evidence and walk away clean. He had watched T.V. crime shows where the serial killer taunts the police. Did his thought say serial killer. Is that what he is contemplating, killing a series of people. Oh, my. I must be very careful. Thinking again of what he remembered on T.V., the very clever forensic detectives would search for finger prints, trace evidence left on the victim, also their newest practice, matching D.N.A.

Of the three forensic checks, finger prints would be the one that would require the most thought. He didn’t plan to touch the anything, or have sex with the victim, so trace evidence and D.N.A. would be of less concern.

Most killers believe they are safe if they wipe away prints or wear rubber gloves. They are only safe if they wear the gloves the entire time the crime is in progress. Never relax and remove them too soon. A murderer who commits a killing out of doors, would be less likely to leave fingerprints, but killing out of doors could mean leaving footprints, plus the possibility of meeting an unexpected witnesses. If a witness should appear, don’t kill him. That would be a needless death. Just back-off, postpone the event until another day.

He thought of way of taunting the police by leaving clues. He had heard of sadistic killers who mutilated the bodies cut off ears, removed testicles and stuffed them in their mouths, gouging out eyes. Some left jingles or poems. Still other made phone calls. He thought ‘these would not do for me.’

Then he though of leaving a clue that pointed to an innocent person. Lowell ruined the case of Henry Collins. Henry was an innocent man, but no doubt could find a way of clearing himself. But until he did, the police would go ballistic thinking they had the guilty person. What could he use that belonged to Henry Collins. A business card! How could he secretly get Collins’ business card? Fingerprints would be a problem. Can’t forget the prints.

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Saturday, was not a working day, but he made a call to Collins’ office. Collins was not in on Saturdays, he was told. ‘Is their anyone in the office?’ He asked. He was told a secretarial staff was there typing briefs and dispositions.

He dressed in Inconspicuous clothing, bandaged both arms, fashioned a sling on his right arm. Drove to Collins office and with a limp, approached the secretary. He told her he was in an accident and was thinking of filing a claim. I have heard good things about A.D.A. Collins. Do you have preliminary papers for filing a claim? He received an affirmative answer? He told her it was quite difficult for him to leave home. Could he have three or four business cards, so he could call Collins? ‘I’m always losing cards, it is good to have a spare.’ He watched her as she place a thumb on the front side of one, and a forefinger on the back of the other. ‘Ah, the opposing thumb that sets man, or in this case, a woman, apart.’ My hands are so painful, would you please place the card in my shirt pocket? ‘Thank you, you have been so kind.’

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Once at home, with rubber gloved hands, he placed the center card, without her prints, in a small plastic bag. He was ready to drive to Virginia.

Chapter Three

Friday, August 3, 2007

Somewhere in Virginia - Virginia Gun Shows

He already made the decision that he would shoot Harper Lowell. He didn’t have a gun, but it was common knowledge on the Atlantic coast, that the State of Virginia was the easiest place to buy one. Ban-the-gun zealots, state legislatures and liberals in Congress have been screaming for years for Virginia to close their gun show loophole. He was driving to Virginia. He had to planned carefully. He couldn’t leave a paper trail, so he eliminated some of his holdings, and left with a very ample supply of cash. Meals, lodging, gas and purchases must be paid for in cash.

He knew he would be required to meet people, so He used his Mac to create in Pagemaker a variety of business cards using the name Fred C. Dobbs rather than His own. On one card He was an attorney, another, a newspaper reporter, still another, a free lance journalist, and one as an antique gun collector.

Years before when He was about to graduate from college, He purchased a year book. Anxious to see His photo among the graduates. He found His photo was missing. He looked further and found His face, but the name was wrong. Some student editor must have been unable to identify His photo and substituted Fred C. Dobbs, the name of Humphrey Bogart’s character in ‘The Treasure of Sierra Madre.’

He planned to visit a legitimate firearm dealer, introduce himself as a free lance journalist, wishing to call attention to gun show loopholes. He knew a legitimate firearms dealer would talk to him because the dealers wanted the loopholes closed, because they were losing money to these unlicensed, hobby dealers.

Wearing slacks, an orange dress shirt and matching tie, He entered The Farmville Gun and Knife Shop. He was pleased to see that business was slow. He presented his free lance journalist card, and introduced himself by saying. I hope I’m not in enemy territory. I am a free lance journalist, and I am interested in writing a story about hand guns sold at gun shows. Unlicensed gun shows are a hot topic since that terrible massacre at Virginia Tech. Would you be willing to talk to me about this so called loophole?

Sure, I’ll talk to you, The dealer answered, Business is slow this week end, with the big gun show in Blackstone.

Just were is Blackstone? I didn’t get your name? He said.

Dave Markham, you can quote me in your article if you want. Markham answered. Blackstone is south of here some miles, just off U.S. 460.

Tell me, Dave, He asked, Why are these gun shows cutting in to your sales? If I were buying a hand gun, I would want to buy from a legitimate dealer, so I could get a guarantee of quality, and someone to come back to for service."

That’s your answer right there. Most of their gun buyers do not want to come back. They do not want a guarantee, because they might just use that gun one time. They aren’t coming back, because they didn’t ask for a receipt.

Dave, are you talking about criminals?

You asked about the loophole? Legitimate firearm dealers want the loophole closed. Criminals exploit it. They know they can’t go through a background check. They want no questions asked. This how Timothy McVeigh got his guns.

McVeigh used a fertilizer and nitromethane mixture to detonate a bomb, he didn’t use a gun.

Use the guns? No! McVeigh bought the guns, then sold them, below their market value, to finance his terrorist activities.

He said, indignantly, It is time to close the gun show loopholes.

Up until now, we have been talking about new hand guns. The most controversial loophole permits hand gun buyers at second hand gun shows to buy without waiting periods or background checks. Criminals can pay cash, walk away, with no way to track them.

He heard the words he had been waiting for, pay cash, walk away, no way to track him. That’s terrible. I must investigate this, Dave. Just where might I find a second hand gun show?

That’s why it’s slow in here today. The second hand gun show is in Blackstone. Picking up his business card he turned and left. Hey! I didn’t get your name. You didn’t leave your card.

Having stopped for a lunch, Virginia baked ham, mashed potatoes with ham gravy, and carrots. He changed clothes in the men’s room. He pull the door shut, push the center button, and had privacy. All of this was accomplished by using his handkerchief. He was getting into the practice of leaving no fingerprints. He changed into faded levis, a wife beater undershirt, and work boots. He drove south-east on U.S. 360 to Blackstone. He noticed a large number of nondescript cars in front of large nondescript building. A sign over the door read: SECOND HAND GUN SALE. Using the one crutch, He entered and found dozens of low lifes milling around rows of tables with hand guns, rifles, shot guns, and assault weapons displayed under glass. Wearing a pair of biker’s gloves, He approached what looked like the shadiest gun dealer in the house. He was ‘don’t bring him home to meet your parents,’ ugly. The dealer was wearing leathers, an eye patch, a scar, and a pony tail The guy should have been wearing a sign, ‘I sell stolen guns.’ He almost lost it and smiled.

He walked up to ‘ugly’ and said. I wanna buy a couple of guns.

Ugly eyed the gloves. What do you want a magazine load or a revolver?" Ugly said.

One of each. He answered.

Magazine load? Try this second hand, Glock 17.

He said, Wasn’t the glock 17, labeled the plastic weapon?

Yeah, the anti-gun nuts predicted the terrorists would smuggle the guns past airport security. But the Glocks are only seventeen percent plastic. The barrel and guts are solid steel.

What the calibre of the bullets? He asked.

The magazine holds seventeen 9 mm, and has a ‘Safe Action’ trigger. We don’t want you shooting yourself. The news would be bad for business.

How much? He asked.

"$599.00" Ugly answered.

I’ll take it, He said. The Glock and a box of ammo. You have a revolver?

"For $995.00, I’ll sell you this blue, slightly used, Smith and Wesson Model 29, a powerful, six-shot, double-action revolver chambered for the .44 Magnum cartridge and manufactured by the U.S. company of Smith and Wesson. It was made famous and is still most often associated with the Dirty Harry series of films starring Clint Eastwood. Model 629 with 8" barrel — a stainless steel version of the Model 29. The Magnum case is slightly longer to prevent Magnum rounds from being chambered and fired in handguns chambered for the .44 Special.

The Model 29, based on S & W’s (large) revolver frame, was first introduced in 1955. It remained primarily the province of handgun enthusiasts, some law enforcement