First Rite: The Rite of Life

By Patrick E. Gunning

A dark chapter in New York City had just ended. The resilience of the greatest city in the world, once again, had proven itself. The combined effort of the New York City Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation had allowed the residents of this city to return to some kind of normalcy. The question was though, for how long!
Core values were being challenged and it seemed a general feeling of malcontence permeated the city. A steadying influence needed to take place and hopefully a new administration would fulfill that need.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796077940

Patrick E. Gunning

Patrick E. Gunning is a free lance writer and poet who was born in New York in a section of North Manhattan called Washington Heights. He currently lives in the Long Island suburb of Kings Park, N.Y. with his wife of 45 years, Barbara. Mr. Gunning was always interested in writing but was unable to pursue this interest because of family obligations. However, upon retirement, he finally realized his long awaited dream of writing and started by attempting his first novel. Mr. Gunning was attracted to fictional writing because of its creative aspect. As he put it, “It’s sort of like playing God.” “You can create any type of person, place or thing.” It is with this vivid imagination and intestinal fortitude that he completed his first novel “The Essence of Truth,” in which a retiring N.Y.C. police detective stumbles upon some evidence in a “cold case” and although being discouraged by his superiors, perseveres in the interest of obtaining justice. Mr. Gunning has also published several poems with a local community newspaper and is currently writing a sequel to his first novel.

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Copyright © 2020 by Patrick E. Gunning.

ISBN:                Softcover                    978-1-7960-7795-7

                        eBook                         978-1-7960-7794-0

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. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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: 12/12/2019

Xlibris

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www.Xlibris.com

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CONTENTS

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

Epilogue

CHAPTER ONE

I T WAS A warm muggy night in May. Mother Nature had defied the calendar by blanketing Manhattan with temperatures soaring into the nineties. The body of a young girl was being placed onto a stretcher amid the flashing lights of the ambulance and police vehicles. The girl, yet to be identified, was the second victim in May and the third one overall in the past two months.

The first girl was Maria Lopez, a prostitute who frequented the local bars in the neighborhood. The second girl was Mary McFadden, a twenty-five year old bank employee. The latest victim was young and seemed to be someone of means judging from the clothes she wore and the jewelry she had on.

All three victims had their throat cut. There had been no apparent sexual molestation. The police theorized it was the same person who did all three murders based on the fact that all three of the victims were killed in similar fashion but to date had no leads as to a possible suspect.

The city was apparently under the grip of a serial killer and the people of Manhattan were getting nervous. Pressure on the N.Y.P.D. to do something was growing by the hour.

Inspector Thomas X. Farrell had just entered his office at One Police Plaza. He was about to enjoy a cup of coffee while thinking about the culmination of his dream. He would soon be the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department. Suddenly, his door swung wide open and startled, he saw his young aide, Tom Watson, wide eyed and mouth agape. "Inspector, Inspector, I,I…

Calm down, Tom, what is it?

I just got a call from the Medical Examiner’s office. The girl that was murdered last night was Senator Burke’s daughter!

What! Are you sure?

That’s what the Medical Examiner’s office said, sir. Her name is Eileen Burke.

The Inspector sat there speechless for a moment and then screamed to his aide Get me Brennan! Get me Brennan now!!

I had been back from my escape to the Caribbean for a couple of weeks now and was finishing some paperwork when the phone rang. It was Inspector Farrell’s aide informing me that the Inspector would like to see me in his office at 4P.M. When I asked what it was about, the aide only told me it concerned the murder that was committed the night before. I was aware of the recent slayings over the past few months but wasn’t aware of any unusual circumstances. After all, this was New York City and homicide was almost a daily occurrence. I told the aide to tell the Inspector that I would be there at 4P.M. sharp. I hung up the phone and started wondering what this was all about.

I arrived at the Inspector’s office right on time. I knocked on the door and walked in and was greeted by his secretary. Good afternoon, Lieutenant Brennan. You can go right in, the Inspector is waiting for you.

I walked the plush carper floor to the Inspector’s inner office. I jokingly referred to this room as the inner sanctum. When I got inside, I was surprised to see the commissioner conversing with the inspector.

Jack, come on in. I was just discussing the tragedy of last night with the commissioner.

Hello Jack, how are you? said the commissioner.

Fine sir.

The Inspector looked at me sternly and said Jack, I didn’t want to tell you this on the phone and that’s why I had you come down here.

What Inspector, I don’t understand.

The girl that was murdered last night in the Soho district was Senator Joe Burke’s daughter!

Senator Joe Burke was the senior State Senator in New York. He was a former New York City policeman whose meteoric rise in the department was legendary. He rose from Patrolman to Inspector in fifteen years and then was appointed commissioner. He served as commissioner for five years and then retired to enter the Senate race. He was very popular with the people of New York and that was reflected by his landslide victory to the State Senate.

The inspector looked at the commissioner and then at me and said It’s our opinion, Jack, that we’re dealing with a serial killer. That’s why I want you to take over this investigation.

The Commissioner started towards the door, stopped and said I know you’ll take care of this Jack. The Mayor and myself have full confidence in you.

Thank you, sir, I’ll do my best. The Commissioner said goodbye and left.

I sat down with Inspector Farrell and we discussed some preliminary plans for the investigation. My unit, Special Investigations Unit or S.I.U. as we were more commonly referred to, would take over the case. Inspector Farrell told me he would notify the two precincts involved that I was to have full cooperation from them. He told me I could have all the manpower I needed and to keep him abreast of all developments.

He further informed me that the Commissioner was on his way to a press conference with the Mayor to announce to the public what had happened. Senator Burke was in seclusion with his family and would not be available until tomorrow.

Well, Jack, you’ve got the full story now and I guess you want to get started so I’ll look forward to hearing your plan when it’s ready. Just remember, time is of the essence. Well, goodnight, Jack.

The Inspector rose, we shook hands and I left. I had to get a plan in order as soon as possible because I knew the powers that be would be bringing pressure for results very soon.

The first thing I did the next morning was to call my partner, Ted Wills, and apprise him of the situation. Ted had just returned from California where he was visiting his brother, Sam. I wanted to get his take on things and have him come along with me when I interviewed Senator Burke. I dialed his number but there was no response so I left a message for him to meet me at my office as soon as possible. Anxious to get started, I left my apartment and headed down to my office at One Police Plaza.

When I arrived, my secretary informed me that Senator Burke had called and said he would be available for an interview this afternoon at his home. He left a number where I could reach him so I called him and after offering him my condolensces for his loss, I asked him if 2P.M. was convenient for the interview. He said that was fine and that he was eager for this investigation to get started. I agreed that we should get started as soon as possible and said I would see him this afternoon.

I no sooner got off the phone with the Senator when Ted walked in the door. Hey Pardner, how was the Caribbean?

Fabulous, I said. It was just what I needed. How’s your brother doing, Ted?

You know, Jack, I think he’s finally getting it. He’s got a good job now with the Department of Social Services in L.A. working with the youth and he didn’t spew any of that radical sixties bullshit all the time I was there.

That’s great.

So tell me, Jack, what’s this I’m reading about a possible serial killer on the loose.

Well, I guess you’ve heard by now about the senator’s daughter.

Yeah, that’s gotta be tough to deal with.

Anyway, we have an appointment to interview him at his home at 2P.M. Hopefully, that interview will shed some light on what may have happened.

Do you think it’s the work of a serial killer? Ted asked.

At this point, it looks that way. What do you think, Ted?

Well, there has been three victims so far. All of them young woman and attractive. The first thing that comes to mind is a possible sex crime but none of the victims were sexually assaulted. Also, you can rule out robbery as a motive because nothing was taken. I don’t know, Jack, this one’s a puzzle. Like you said, let’s hope the interview with Senator Burke gives us a clue.

CHAPTER TWO

S ENATOR BURKE LIVED in the Lloyd Harbor section of Huntington, Long Island. Lloyd Harbor was an exclusive area inhabited by some of the more wealthy residents of Long Island. It was nestled on the North Shore and overlooked the Long Island Sound. It was one of the more pristine areas left on Long Island.

The Senator lived in a rather modest two story colonial with his wife of twenty-five years and his son. We walked through a gate and onto a cobblestone walkway that led to the front door. Ted rang the bell and a middle-aged woman opened the door. Good afternoon, Mam, I’m Detective Wills and this is Lieutenant Brennan of the N.Y.P.D. We have an appointment with the Senator.

Yes, of course, come in, the Senator is expecting you.

She led us into a long hallway that led to a room in the rear of the house. She knocked on the door and then opened it beckoning us to come in. Ted and I walked in and sitting at a large mahogany desk was Senator Burke.

Come in boys, I was just finishing up some paperwork. I walked over to the man who had just experienced what I had a few months ago and said I’m very sorry for your loss, Senator."

Thanks, Jack, I know you realize what I’m going through more than anyone and listen, it’s Joe, O.K. After all, we’ve been friends for a long time.

O.K. Senator, I mean Joe. I introduced Ted and Senator Burke suggested we talk outside on his deck. The early season heat wave was still with us so I welcomed the offer. He guided us through sliding doors that led to a large deck overlooking the harbor. He asked for some iced tea to be brought out and we sat down and prepared for the interview.

I started the interview by asking the Senator if he knew of anyone who would have reason to harm his daughter.

He told me he didn’t and then I asked him if she was dating anyone.

Jack, do you think my daughter was dating a serial killer?

Come on, Joe, you know I have to ask these questions.

I know, I know, I’m just….the Senator remained silent for a moment and I could see his eyes well up with tears. Then, he gathered himself and said you know, I didn’t see much of her with going back and forth from here to Albany. That’s one of the few regrets I have about taking this job. Anyway, there was one boy she seemed to keep fairly steady company with. He attended Yale and I would see him at various family functions. His name escapes me right now, Jim, Jim something….I’m not sure. If you get in touch with Lena Torres, that was