Rick Mofina - Into the Dark

Earlier, throughout the morning, reporters had reacted to the ANPA’s exclusive bombshell by relentlessly calling the department to demand interviews. Tanner and the task force had taken some of those calls that had distracted them from other work on the case. He’d come from Commerce to the Sherman Block building in Monterey Park to participate in the news conference.

Tanner surveyed the jungle of TV cameras and tripods as operators made final adjustments, estimating seventy newspeople in the room. Reporters gossiped, gabbed on cell phones, texted or made notes. Some of the TV journalists primped.

Next to the waiting podium, Tanner saw the board bearing enlarged color photos of the five murdered women and a map of Greater Los Angeles marked with where their bodies had been found. Tanner spotted Harding at the far edge of a row of chairs. They nodded to each other as Captain Martin Bronson of the sheriff’s homicide bureau, went to the podium. He began with background on the five cold case homicides before summarizing the news-that the killer had written to Harding.

“We believe the person responsible for the deaths of the five victims is the same person who’s contacted the AllNews Press Agency,” Bronson said. “We’re asking for anyone who may have any information relating to any aspect of this case to use our toll-free line to contact us or your local law enforcement agency. Now,” Bronson said, “we’ll take only a few questions.”

The first hand to rise belonged to a reporter with KTKT News.

“Do you have any suspects?”

“We can’t discuss that at this time,” Bronson said.

“Nick Vellore, the Daily News. Captain, why did it take so many years to find evidence linking the Dark Wind Killer to these five murders?”

“That’s explained in the background material we’ve provided you. Next.”

“Jill Savagge, Associated Press. Will you release the killer’s letter, or its contents?”

“I’m afraid we’re holding that back to protect the case.”

“You gave it to the ANPA,” Savagge shot back.

“No, the killer did that.”

“Mitch Fredrick, L.A. Times . Did you recover any DNA?”

“We’re not going to discuss that at this time.”

“Kate Hernandez, KMLA Action News. Captain, can you give us any indication as to why or how the killer chose these five women?”

“That’s under investigation.”

“Kyle Porter, Ninety-Nine News Time . Sir, how many tips have you received since the ANPA story about the letter ran across the country?”

“At this point, we’ve received two hundred seventy-four tips. The FBI is helping with those received outside of California. Our task force is drawing on resources throughout the city, county and state to process them.”

“Rico Estrella, MetroBeat. In his letter the killer threatens to kill again. Are you not concerned that by issuing this information you are creating panic and giving him the attention he wants?”

“Let me assure you we’ve grappled with that and came to the conclusion that in order for us to keep the community safe, we need to keep it informed,” Bronson said. “We advise people to exercise caution and common sense.”

“Can you give examples of steps they should take?” Estrella asked.

“Ensure your home or apartment is properly locked and secure. Don’t walk alone at night where you’d be vulnerable. Be wary of strangers.”

“Should women be buying guns for protection? Maggie Fox, KSEN.”

“We’re not advocating that. But people have a right to take legal steps to protect themselves. Okay, one last question.”

“Dan Jennings, KLKL. It’s likely the killer will be watching this news conference. Captain, if you could talk to him, what would you say?”

Bronson thought for a moment before turning to Tanner.

“I’m going to let Detective Joe Tanner with the task force answer.”

As Tanner took Bronson’s place at the podium he cleared his throat. Tanner had discussed strategies on how to communicate to the killer with the task force and his supervisors.

In analyzing the letter, the earlier message, the crimes, the patterns and all the information they had so far, the FBI’s profilers had determined that the killer was above average intelligence with an enormous ego.

“We invite you to contact us again,” Tanner said. “You’ve demonstrated your intelligence, talent and skill at getting our attention, and the attention of the world. Contact us again, let us help you bring this to an end without any more people getting hurt. Please.”

Maywood, California

“Looks like a lot of people are attending this thing,” Robert said, scanning the vehicles in the lot, taking Claire’s hand as they walked to the entrance of the Maywood Gardens Community Center. He looked good in his navy suit, she thought. She wore a green mock-wrap dress that draped nicely around her figure, finishing with a pin at her waist.

The stucco building sat between the chain-fenced yard of a transmission recycling shop and a line of small bungalows, circa World War Two. Music spilled from the hall as Claire struggled with Julie’s urging to use this evening to draw more information from Robert about his life with his first wife. Claire was unsure how she would do it.

Inside, the crowded hall bunting and colored lights looped from the rafters and stretched the length of the main room. Music flowed from speakers suspended high on walls covered with blue and gold crepe-paper streamers. To one side there was a long table where servers navigated platters of food around people.

On the main floor, twenty round tables covered with white tablecloths were arranged before a stage with a podium. It was flanked by tables adorned with flowers. Claire’s eyes widened slightly at the backdrop’s banner that read:

Great Light and Hope Association Thanks Robert Bowen-A True American Hero!

“They’re venerating you.” Claire nudged Robert, who took it all in without speaking. After several seconds, she added, “Let’s mingle and try to find Ruben.”

As they worked their way through knots of conversations, people began recognizing Robert. Men slapped his back or shook his hand. When two pretty young women, their faces beaming, asked Robert to let them have their pictures taken with him, he obliged.

Claire was proud of her husband, but her smile yielded to a sudden ripple of unease at the manner in which Robert had inserted himself in the middle of the women. It was the way he’d slid his hands around their waists and pulled them closer to him. For an instant Claire thought he’d gone beyond a normal pose. He brushed against the line of propriety with a motion so smooth, Claire thought it revealing. It was as if he were accustomed to putting his hands on other women and the way his fingers spider-walked along their sides as he gently squeezed…

The way a shopper might check for quality .

It was so swift, so subtle, Claire wondered if she’d misread it.

“Claire! Robert! There you are!” Ruben Montero was battling his way to them, accompanied by several other people.

“You remember my wife, Maria. Thank God, you met!” Ruben hugged Robert. Then Maria stepped forward.

“My baby and I would not be here today, if not for you.” Maria flung her arms around Robert, as well.

Acknowledging their gratitude, Robert introduced Claire before Ruben and his wife excused themselves.

“My apologies, we have a few last-minute details to take care of before we get started,” Montero said. “We’ll join you at the guest table in a moment.” He turned to a man and woman waiting to meet Robert. “Let me introduce you to our senior board members, our president, Gloria Rosario, and our treasurer, Eddie Melendez.”