Robert Waggoner - John - The Senior Killer

All were either taking notes or listening with their full attention. This was their chance to nab the guy and if he got away this time after murdering someone, there would be hell to pay somewhere up and down the line. Steve felt more comfortable hearing the plan. He left to go outside a make a call to Washington DC.

After lunch all dispersed to their respective jobs and Brad went to a motel to check out his simple disguise. Billy stayed at the same motel and he and Brad talked the rest of the afternoon about how John might ply his trade on a senior. “Giving away free flowers is one way,” Billy said. “Hell, let’s be real here. We have no idea what he will do and our best bet is Mike. However, the professional John is with makeup and disguise, will he see through Mike?”

“I’m afraid so Billy. One thing that bothers me is if he feels the heat is too much, will he give up and hit somewhere else while we sit here with the town surrounded. And what if he hits Arden first?”

“No, I think he will try and show us he is smarter than we are,” said Billy. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he comes up to you around town and starts a conversation to prove he can fool you,” he added quickly.

“I think we must be on full alert and ready to move at the slightest hint of his movements. A lot is riding on this manhunt and somehow we got to stop him before a lot of copy cats jump on the band wagon. The press is calling for our heads and if this one slips by us, we can probably kiss our jobs goodbye,” he said with the truth written all over it. Brad never believed for a minute this guy held the upper hand.

A week before the festival John sat comfortably in his room in Wenatchee. He was in solid with the locals. Tomorrow he would go to Seattle and pick up his new ID from a safety deposit box. Years before he had a guy in LA make him ten ID’s all with the how to for picture application. After picking up his new ID he bought a used Harley Super Glide and went to the state office for registration and paid the fee happily. Tucked inside his new leathers a bona fide address on the registration and driver’s license showed him as one Terry Adams of Everett Washington.

The weather was cooperating for late May and he felt that it would continue until his mission was completed. He’d called and made a reservation some time ago to the San Juan Motel on 6 ^ th St. All was in place as he motored up I-5 feeling as giddy as a kid skipping school. His disguise was an older guy about late fifties with medium gray black hair a mustache of salt and pepper with dark brown eyes and heavy black rimmed glasses. Striking white teeth behind a big smile made him look friendly and kind. He’s read up on bikes and flowers; in addition to the area.

He was riding now in the far right hand lane at truck speed, with a license endorsed for motorcycle riding, he turned grim thinking he had to do his best to outsmart the famous Brad Pratt and his team. If he pulled this off under their noses again like last time in Aberdeen, he would sit back and savor the kill and write a few more letters.

Brad was walking along the waterfront next to the marina going over every detail of his plan. Agent Jones was with him and when they found a place to sit and watch the boats, agent Jones said, “I think we need to check all the motels for reservations and knock on each door to check ID’s. What do you think Brad?”

“I was thinking that myself and would you call Nancy and have her take care of that project? Also, make sure the owners and desk people check their driver’s license or passport with each guest and how long they intend to stay.”

That night on the eve of the 22 ^ nd the team met for dinner in Sedro Woolley. Brad didn’t want to take a chance on being seen. Now they were in a small conference room with an agent outside to make sure no one was eavesdropping going over every detail of the next day’s action. Nancy spent a full thirty minute about how she had dispersed her agents. She told them that the ferries were manned; motels, RV parks and campgrounds along with bed and breakfast places had been contacted. The harbor was patrolled by the Coast Guard; the helicopter was fueled and waiting; the roads would be blocked at all points out of town and side roads by eight am; the bike riders would be in place by daylight tomorrow morning. In addition agents by the dozen were walking around and to a person all had a communication device to link up with Billy’s new found pride and joy the eighteen wheeler van full of toys for his pleasure. After she gave her report Brad asked Mike what or if he had anything to report by his end with the house and meeting anyone during his time playing a senior role. He’d didn't talk to him since he left Bandon and Mike reported meeting many new friends, but nobody asked to come to his house.

He said, “Guess we lost this one and now I’m at a loss as what to do”

“Keep it up until the last minute or until something kicks loose,” Brad said. “Now can anybody think of anything at all we might have overlooked or any suggestions to add to our plan?”

“My gut feeling is he will strike tomorrow night after he tours the festival and lures someone to their home or to his place of lodging,” Wendy added to the last of the meeting as everyone started to get up and leave.

“Ok, Wendy, you think he is staying in a motel or RV park?”

“Yes, I do. I think he will entice a senior to his place and god knows where he will go after that.”

Brad thought for a few minutes and said, “Nancy double check the hotel guests and check again their ID’s. Don’t intimidate the guests, but if the agent doesn’t feel right about anyone, have he or she reports immediately to a superior.” Nancy made a note and nodded to Brad.

“Anything else people?” He asked. He waited and said the meeting was over and told them, “Let’s go to our respective places and hope tomorrow we have John in custody.”

A knock on John’s door at nine pm on the eve of the 22 ^ nd of May at the San Juan Motel produced a young FBI agent apologizing for the intrusion, but she needed a word with him please. John with a big smile invited her in and asked what she wanted. She told him the FBI was checking Id’s as they felt the serial killer might be in the area. John said, “Glad to help. Someone needs to stop the crazy bastard, excuse my language…” as he dug out his driver’s license and new registration for his bike. Agent Jenny Agate later described him as totally believable and his license and registration was both in good order.

Brad tossed and turned and wished he had one of his dogs with him. He’d called home and all were fine there and Sujin told him she wanted to come to Anacortes to be with him. He’d said he was in no condition for company and to please forgive him. He promised to call as soon as something happened and hung up.

The same could be said about the rest of the team. Sleep was not in the cards and everyone was strung as tight as a tennis racket. Billy was still pounding the keys working with his friends around the country. He’s agreed with Wendy that the dude was probably holed up in a motel and would seek out a victim, lure that person to his motel room and off the old person. Then he would silently leave town. But how would he leave town? That is what Billy was working on with his friends. They mailed back and forth and all agreed with the roads blocked he would escape, if not caught, by ferry. Billy then checked the Washington State Ferry schedule for departures after say five pm. He discovered a ferry on an overnight ride to Sidney/Victoria BC.

He called agent Jones who picked up the phone on the first ring. Billy told him about his theory and Jones said, “Let’s you and I be there at the ferry terminal an hour before it is scheduled to leave. I’ll get a passenger list tomorrow and you get a list of the motel, RV and campground sites. Oh, and don’t forget the bed and breakfast places. I’ll inform Wendy and you tell Brad what we are doing and see if he agrees to our plan.”