Robert Waggoner - John - The Senior Killer

Brad told the group to keep the brain tank full and he would see them we he returned. And he added, “Think what you might do if you were him and Wendy do your best and consult with other profilers and share your information with them. Mike, go home and take care of the farm for a day or two; and agent Jones use your logical mind and Billy buy a case of cigarettes because you will need them after I imprison you at the Round House.” That last word from him cheered the group up and Nancy asked how she should fit into the scheme of things. Brad told her to check on the activities of all that had happened and find any flaws for next time, if there would be next time. After that write a report up and come visit us at the Round House.

At that Brad left to make a phone call home and told Sujin the schedule for the next few days. After that he and Steve left for the Naval Station on Whidbey Island by helicopter.

Washington at the end of May is on the verge of hot muggy dog days of summer. While Brad anticipated a gloomy day meeting the big boss, the weather was anything but gloomy. A bright sunny day with a slight breeze greeted the plane as it landed at Andrews Air Base. A helicopter was waiting for them and left for a fight to Virginia. The sun was setting to the west when they sat down at CIA headquarters at Langley. After a short walk, ID’s checked and signed in both Steve and Brad was led to a room unmarked. The agent who led them pressed a button and after a one eyed camera look at the visitors the door opened into a reception area about the size of a small dentist office where a large fat man sat on a secretary chair looking at the entrants. The gray haired portly man stood up and led them through another door into a large conference room without a window anywhere. Brad felt a slight air movement and a humming sound in his sensitive ears. He’d never been here before, but knew it was a room secure from any outside listening devices or bugs. A stark metal conference table the size of a board room table sat gleaming in its stainless steel finest. Uncomfortable looking chairs sat around the table could accommodate twelve sore butts by the time a meeting was over. It was designed for efficiency, not comfortable to sit around and shoot the breeze. The large man with overhanging eye brows filled with bushy hair from one side to another sat down at the head of the table and stared through milky gray eyes at both Steve and Brad.

He cleared his throat and said, “Tell me a story Mr. Pratt. I want to hear about the Anacortes plan from start to finish. Don’t leave out one detail. This conversation and your report will be recorded. Do you have any questions before we start?”

Brad told him no questions and he was ready to start when he was. The grossly overweight man reached under the table and Brad assumed he sent a signal somewhere. The man’s jowls shook like Jell-O as he gave Brad a nod to start.

Brad started in California and never left out a detail until leaving for Washington DC. He reported the house in San Diego having clues left for them; to Bishop where the postman and the eye witness gave them valuable clues to identify John; The pig farm in Yelm; to the flower book and subsequent plans set up for the Aberdeen and Anacortes sites; and the ferry ride across the straits to Canada. When he finished the man sat there and looked at him reaching under the table again to signal the end of the recording session.

Mr. Portly, as he later described the man to Sujin, looked hard at both Steve and Brad while saying, “You both will be contacted in a few days’ time. I want you both to go back to the Oregon coast and continue working on the case until you hear anything different from me” With his last words he stood up and the meeting was over.

The helicopter was waiting for them and flew them back to Andrews for the flight back home. Steve stayed to take care of a few things at home and would be out in a few days. A F-16 took Brad back at sixty thousand feet at better than Mach 2. He arrived at North Bend at around two in the morning. The pilot gave him the high sign and after fueling up left into the early morning with a red orange glow turning south and as Brad stood there watching the pilot keep the afterburners on until only the sounds of early morning sea gulls headed to the beach could be heard. Mike was waiting for him and he climbed into the van and they headed south to the Round House.

The weather was calm and clear for late May on the southern Oregon coast. The stars were out and the promise of a nice day made Brad feel the urge for a beach run. Turning off on his dirt road he perked up at the thought of seeing his wife and dogs made him a little homesick. The cable was down and both dogs were sitting on the edge of the yard when they pulled into the gravel parking area. When they saw their master both dogs went a little crazy with happiness seeing him. Brad dropped to his knees and hugged the both of them saying how much he missed them and the promise of a run on the beach when the sun rose. Sujin was standing just outside the door under a light making her look so small and fragile. He wanted to run and hug her too, but she would be totally embarrassed in front of Mike for that display of affection. Walking in Brad kissed the top of her head and held her hand as they walked into the living room.

Mike went downstairs where he bunked with Billy. Brad and Sujin with Sandy followed suit. There will be time enough tomorrow to discuss the past and the future.

Daylight on the Oregon coast in late May is around six am. The whole team excluding Billy was dressed for a run on the beach. Brad greeted them all warmly and Billy were left at home alone. Even Sujin with her morning sickness gone was dressed and ready for an early morning run on the beach. Her sister was coming later and a picnic was planned for later in the afternoon. Julie and her two kids were coming along with Earie’s husband who reluctantly agreed to come. He told his wife that he always felt like an outsider, but would put on a happy face for her today.

The air was cool and only a slight breeze was still blowing like the night before. Brad knew by afternoon the northwest wind would turn the beach cold for beachcombers. They would need a big fire in Devils Kitchen this afternoon he thought. The run was invigorating and just what the doctor ordered for his body and mind. They all jogged up the beach to the jetty and back again. The tide was out and very low. The smell of muscles and star fish was strong with the pungent smell of exposed seaweed. Seagulls were having a feast in small pools left by the receding tide leaving tiny fish and other morsels of food for the birds. Rocky was in heaven running alongside his master. Sandy was very pregnant and due to have her litter soon. Brad stopped in front of Fish Rock and led the team around the side and up to the top that overlooked the small cove of seawater moving back and forth in the low tide. He stared at the water and the team wondered what he was doing and then Sujin told them when he felt like he was too old Brad would climb the rock wall inviting the feel of death if he didn’t succeed in meeting the challenge. The team peeked over the edge and thought only a crazy man would try to climb the sheer rock wall without a safety rope or pitons rock climbers used.

They were starting to cool down from the run when Brad told them the last one to the Round House was a rotten egg and they all scrabbled down and off the sea stack and ran to the house. Agent Jones was neck and neck with Mike as Brad took off fast and then backed off to run with Sujin and Wendy. Brad found out later that Mike and agent Jones were pretty much even going up the trail fighting for the lead on the narrow sandy trail. When Brad and the girls arrived only moments later they found the two guys rolling on the ground laughing their heads off like little kids in a sandbox.