Robert Waggoner - John - The Senior Killer

Later sitting down at the floor table all were happy eating more of Sujin’s cooking. Mostly it was simple food and not so hard to prepare. Tonight again was a fish soup and steamed vegetables. Rice and Kimchee and Wendy were beginning to acquire a taste for Korean cabbage with hot red peppers. Sujin had showed Wendy the peppers from Korea that her mother sent. Instead of bright red, like she saw in stores, they were a maroon color and had a smoother taste than other peppers she had eaten. Wendy noticed Agent Jones had taken a liking to the Korean food and was in the swing of things slurping his soup.

After dinner they all sat, excluding Billy who disappeared outside to smoke. Drinking green tea, Brad said, “In the morning if anyone would like to come, we could do some rock climbing. Nothing serious but I think agent Jones and Wendy would like it.”

Both Wendy and Jones nodded their agreement. Wendy looked thoughtful, Brad noticed, and waited for her to speak. It didn’t take long and Wendy said, “I know this might sound crazy, but with the number game and alphabet, could John be using astrology and could this be a cryptogram in his clues and methods of times and places?”

Brad jumped on this comment and said, “I was thinking about that too. We need to investigate this idea further. Remember the Zodiac serial killer from the sixties? Maybe our guy is a copycat with more than one past noted serial killer. Let’s think about this idea. First the serial killer is looking for notoriety such as the Zodiac killer sending messages to newspapers and the police. In our case John is receiving tons of media exposure as we speak. He’s basking in glory reading or watching on TV, or nowadays with the computer websites are springing up as Billy has told us regarding our JM. Now, if our guy goes to ground, then what will he do for news? Will he start killing again? The questions go on and on.”

Sujin spoke up and said, “What you are saying is you think once the news fades he will begin again. And if that is the case, we need to find out who and where it will be. If he strikes somewhere other than a senior center or town clubs all the notices will have been in vain. How do we get a fix on this guy?” Agent Jones thought she spoke rather good English and she sure sounded like an American talking.

Wendy took the break in the conversation to say, “You know the Zodiac killer was never caught.” She let that statement hung over an already depressed team. Billy came bouncing back from the computer room announcing he had the answer, or the best guess on the probability of John’s next places to continue his murderous spree. He said with excitement, “My friends in our ‘Nerds’ club has verified that Aberdeen, Anacortes and Arden will be the start of the ‘C’ in Catch.”

“Billy how sure of this is you,” Brad asked.

“Would you believe upwards of eighty percent give or take a point or two,” as he looked from face to face wanting them to give him a pat on the back or something.

“Ok if we accept what you say is as good as anything we have to go on, which city or town is first? I know that is a rhetorical question, but after looking at the map, Arden is a very small town located in Eastern Washington. Naturally if a team of agents invades Arden the town will explode with fear. Same with the other two towns and the answer is undercover would be the way to implement the infusion of agents.”

Agent Jones was the first to say he liked it and he was happy when Wendy approved of it too. Mike loved the idea and added, “We need drawings of what he used in the past for disguises. The agents must memorize them and slight variations also included. Now, how do you Brad, expect to sell this to the FBI?” An obvious jab at the boss and Mike had a shit eating grin on his face as it was later described by agent Jones.

“I don’t, but Steve will, to answer your question Mike.”

“What is that expression all are saying these days, ‘You can run, but you can’t hide’.” That last exchange brought on a knee slapping round of laughter as Brad stood up and said good night. Sujin went upstairs along with Billy to change out the dogs for the night. Billy lighted a Marlboro and stomped his feet for warmth in the cold clear night. Agent Jones joined him for some fresh air and asked him he could talk with him for a few minutes. Billy, through clouds of blue smoke drifting off to the east slowing turning gray and disappearing, told Jones to ask away. “Well, I really like working with this team and as you have known Brad and the rest of the team for a long time, what do you think, or why do you think Brad keeps me around?”

“Ah, so that’s it. Simply put Brad thinks you are unpretentious and have a base of common sense. He doesn’t think you are a climber at this point and if given an assignment you will do your best.”

“I thank you but what if one of my bosses drags me aside for insider information at some future time?”

“Now that is a tough one. What would I do in that case? I would tell them if they have any questions that involve the personal side of Brad Pratt and his team; they should direct the questions to Brad.”

“I feel it is coming rather sooner than I think. I get the feeling some shit is going hit the proverbial fan soon.”

“We have been there before and you’re not to worry. Brad in a fight is unbelievable be it physical or mental. He’s so smooth you will observe the person with whom he is jousting, eat his or her tie in frustration.” Billy fired up another cigarette before spending the rest of the night staring at the computer. Agent Jones went back inside and set an alarm for the early morning rock climbing.

A cool fresh breeze was blowing off the ocean as the team walked down the trail to the beach under a cloudless early morning sky. Slight traces of frost remained on the grass making the beach grass look like a field of white mixed with brown waves similar to the foam left with a wave on the beach.

Leading Wendy and agent Jones, Brad thought about last night’s phone call to Steve. Steve listened carefully and told him he would get back to him by noon his time the next day. Brad had written a report up stating the salient facts and sent it via fax to Steve’s office. The last thing he told Steve was about his meeting with the FBI Director and his new special agent in charge, Nancy Longstreet. He asked Steve to fax him her personal file and any other facts or rumors about her.

Putting aside the thoughts, Brad stopped at the first small sea stack and demonstrated how he climbed the rocks. At first Wendy thought it a little silly until Brad explained the how and why of rock climbing. He said, “Suppose it is a black night, raining and you are climbing out of a canyon or valley with bad guys looking for you. I know what you’re thinking: how does this concern me? Well, if you are going to be on my team you must be trained for any and all possible situations.” Both Wendy and Jones were shocked to hear they might be part of the team in the future. Agent Jones stuck out his chest and followed Brad to the top of the stack. Wendy had a picture of the path they took and followed suit.

Sitting on the top of small twenty foot stack, a nice view was had. The incoming tide felt and looked powerful as the small waves made their way inland. The sun rising out of the east cast a dark blue against the ocean and a deep brown where the waves sucked back to make another run at the beach giving evidence of the strong rip tide. Along the sand dunes evidence of powerful storms lies against the dunes. Large trees and logs like white skeletons mixed with small pieces of driftwood were tightly bunched against the sand hills. From her position on top of the stack, Wendy could see just the top of the Round House on the bluff. Fronting the bluff from north to south short grasses long since turned brown swayed in the light ocean breeze. The usual strong smell of salt and decaying seaweed was only slightly as the breeze was mostly bringing fresh air to her nose. What a beautiful place, she thought as Brad climbed down with Jones following.