Robert Waggoner - John - The Senior Killer

Mike brought a red can and set it down next to John’s SUV. Brad stood up and told John to follow him to his SUV. Brad opened the door and told John to sit in the driver’s seat. John did as he was told to take one last look at the beginning of a few stars popping up in the coming darkness. John sat in the seat while Brad told him to hold the steering wheel with both hands. Brad took plastic handcuff ties and connected them to his wrists and steering wheel. Mike took the red can of gas and pour it over John and the rest of it over the back seat and the front seats. The smell of raw gas was strong and deadly. John blinked his eyes from the stinging gas and looked straight ahead. Brad brought from the fire a glowing stick and as Rocky and Mike moved away, threw it in the car and kicked the door shut. A vroom sound followed by a flash of fire consumed the interior and John in seconds. Brad and Mike stood watching John go up in flames and not a shred of pity was felt by either one of them. The world was better off now, but still far being safe with the inevitable knowledge of when the next serial killer arrived on the scene.

They looked on for a few more minutes seeing the charred body of John the Senior Killer and then got in the suburban and drove down the mountain with a bright red glow in the mirrors until the first switch back blocked the burning vehicle and darkness set upon the day.

Stopping in Fossil at a payphone, first he called Steve giving him a brief report and then he called Sujin to tell her it was all over and he would call again from the Portland FBI office to report his next move. Brad walked back to the Suburban and wondered if the world was any safer now than before as they drove the four hours back to Portland in silence. Staring out the window at the black of the evening thousands of stars blinked back possibly telling them all was right in their world.

After a toss and turn night in a motel in Troutdale, Brad and Mike met his team and Steve at the FBI office in Portland. Nancy recapped the Paul story telling them he was in the county jail without the option of bail. He had a court appointed attorney and the court process would continue eventually landing Paul in a mental institution for the duration of his life. His brother Edward was plucked out of his underground room and promptly installed in security institution for evaluation. At the pig farm a backhoe was brought in after the pigs were rounded up and disposed at Yelm’s auction barn. It was decided that the farm would be used for fire practice by the Bald Hills volunteer fire department.

Finally Steve said, “Brad you and I are called to DC for a meeting at the highest level. I suggest the team return to the Oregon coast and write up a detailed report of the case for future study by law enforcement agencies for training purposes. Wendy and agent Jones will accompany the team to Oregon and from now on, if they so desire, they are permanently attached to the team,” as he scooted his chair back ending the meeting.

Brad called Sujin and told her he would be gone a few days back east and that the rest of the team would be today. She never asked him what happened, that would come later in good time. What she did tell him was that little Brad Jr. was kicking like crazy and Sandy followed her around making a pest of herself knowing her delicate state of being with child.

The following morning found Brad and Steve, along with the mystery, portly head of the semi-covert agency in a sitting area next to the Oval Office waiting to see the most powerful man in the world. Rocky sat next to Brad ears up and tongue hanging out watching the people come and go around the waiting area.

Finally it was their turn as the new FBI director left looking like he needed a stiff drink from his meeting with the president. A pleasant looking secretary nodded to the gray hair man and they all made their way into the Oval Office. The president was standing behind his desk and moved around like the political master he was and stuck out his hand to shake their hands making the rounds of all three of his guests and looked down at Rocky and smiled. Also in the room were the two representatives of the AARP. The president introduced them and escorted them to the door smoothly telling them time was up.

He told everyone to make sit down and be comfortable as he moved to sit at his desk. He took a few seconds to look everyone in the eye and said, “The people of the United States want to thank you Brad and your team of professionals. The United States senior citizens can once again sleep because of your diligence in bringing the serial killer to a conclusion. Once again you have proven invaluable to the cause of crime fighting and other special activities we need on occasion. After taking all things into consideration, you and your team are in the forefront or our first line of defense against terrorists and special needs in times of crisis. I’ve increased your budget and you will receive the details at a later time. For now, I personally want to thank you for taking care of a desperate time in our history. Senior citizens are especially vulnerable and need our help.”

The president looked straight at Brad and said, “Now before you leave Washington Brad, we have a special calling for the need of your team to address a very sensitive case involving….” But that is another story.