Robert Waggoner - John - The Senior Killer

It was fairly straight forward as he remembered. There were tons of new methamphetamine was coming into the southeastern states. Georgia in particular along with Louisiana and it was his job to find the source in Mexico and put a damper on the influx of cooked methamphetamine so cheap anyone could afford it. The old war on drugs had mostly shut down the manufacture of the chemical drug in the States and now Mexico seized the opportunity to make some big dollars. Brad and his team found what they were looking for and eliminated the leader and his rival drug lord. Everyone knew it was only a band aid on a wound that needed a much larger covering to staunch the flow of drugs across the border, but that was another story for the politicians to work out.

The landing was smooth as silk on the new runway of the Executive Airport in Sacramento. The airport was designed for corporate type jets and the sleek Gulf Stream fit the bill to a T. An hour later they were entering the capital. They had a two o’clock appointment and while they waited, they had lunch in the cafeteria. Brad as usual was quiet and barely ate his cob salad. Sujin fed Rocky the chicken from her salad and Brad's left over chicken. The guard took one look at Rocky when they walked into the capital building, but when Brad showed the guard Rockies ID saying he was a US Marshal, he was flustered to say the least as they made their way to the cafeteria.

At two pm they were sitting in the outer office of the governor. Precisely at two he came out with the smile we all know from his movies. He shook hands with all and a small bow to Sujin. He knew better than to touch the dog so he invited them into a side room used as a conference room. In the room they were introduced to the agent in charge of Sacramento’s FBI office; and two other men with whom they never knew the names. Both were old men and very well dressed. Later Brad found out they were representatives of AARP. A very powerful force in America with lots of political clout sent by the president to calm the senior citizens with an inside look at what the government was doing about this madman killing innocent seniors for no apparent reason.

The FBI man was going to gray with dark circles under his eyes adding years to a middle aged man. Brad felt sorry for him knowing what kind of pressure was in him. He also noted his eyes were glaring and full of contempt for outsiders to interfere with his business. Brad looked him in the eyes with the same look gave and the governor noted the animosity and coming conflict about to surface once the meeting started.

The governor took command by saying, “Before we begin, let me make something very clear from the beginning. We are here to apprehend a killer and to not battle over whose turf we are stepping on. You will work together or if you don’t want to work together on this case, now is the time to pack your bags and head for the airport. These are a team problem and only a team effort will put this joker behind bars. Now, having said that, I would like Jake from the FBI to begin his report followed by Brad who will give us his insights in this case; and in case you haven’t noticed, I understand Rocky will keep any tempers from coming to a boil.”

Jake Gladhand cleared his thought and began his report. “We have just been informed a few minutes ago of another killing. This one is right here in Sacramento. Our men are on site as we speak. It appears the same MO and this is the first one this far north of Los Angeles. I don’t have a lot to add to the files Mr. Lewis has, but this time he was seen leaving the premises and stopped to talk to the mailman. The mailman has a good memory and he is with a sketch artist now. I know what you're going to say and that the disguises are good enough to fool anyone. However, upon asking who he was visiting in the apartment, he gave a good enough answer, but failed to know that his brother lived with him. The old man seemed to get a little nervous after hearing that and made excuses about having to go somewhere. The postman watched him walk away and noticed he sure walked spry for a guy looking close to seventy five. The postman walked into the apartment and hid behind the entryway as he watched the old man drive away in a car getting only two numbers and he didn’t have a clue to the make or model.”

Brad noticed he looked all in and decided to take the heat off him with a question or two. Brad said, “Jake, leaving the present killing for a moment, may I ask what have you and your team did in the way of research knowing this person must have worked or had access to cosmetics in addition to acquiring many different types of disguises?”

“We have a team of agents checking with suppliers and going to all the film companies big and little to see about a person leaving recently from any make up department. So far no leads have surfaced and we continue to come up empty,” he hung his head and it was visible to all he was at an impasse. Brad looked away and his eyes locked onto the governors intense blue gray eyes. He was waiting for Brad to bring forth his game plan while Brad took a drink from a bottled Evian. Reaching into his bag he brought out a map of California and the overlay he had shown earlier to Steve.

The governor stood up and when Brad put the overlay over the map he saw the letter ‘N’ clearly like a neon sign. Jake saw it also and sucked in his breath. Brad said, “We think he is sending us a message with the location of each death. I know this doesn’t get us any closer to finding the man, but maybe some computer work will assist us in giving a location of his next intended murder. Have we any idea yet what the murder weapon is?” He looked at Jake for an answer to this question.

Jake said in a low voice fiddling with some papers, “We only know it is a long sharp round steel tool or something to that effect. Our expert from the home office has been trying to replicate the weapon and here is what it looks like,” passing a drawing across the table to Brad he sat back down and rubbed his eyes. Brad and Mike with Steve and Sujin peering over his shoulder looked at the drawing. Something in the back of Brad’s memory told him he had seen something like this before, but couldn’t place it. It would come back to him sooner rather than later. The governor looked at the drawing after Brad passed it to him and said, “Maybe we should send this out to all the film companies and see if they can ID it”

Jake perked up and said, “We are doing that now and by evening I hope to have an ID on the murder weapon.

Brad asked the FBI man if they had an office his team could work out of, but it doesn't be much as only himself would be using it. He informed Jake that Sujin and Mike would be going to the Los Angeles area and would he please supply an agent to Sujin. Mike will run on his own so no need to worry about him. Brad said, “Any questions you might have direct them to me. I think we have done all we can for the moment and I for one would like to find a desk and a phone. The man you haven’t met with our team is a computer guy and needless to say, looks and talks the role. Bear with him as he is very capable in what he does. His name is Billy and he is probably waiting outside on the steps smoking in an area designated nonsmoking.”

The governor showed his gap tooth smile and said, “I must meet this guy so I will follow you out.” At that all stood up walking out Jake told Brad he could ride with him and another car or cars were standing by for the rest of his team’s disposal. Brad told him one car would suffice to take his wife and Mike to the airport for their trip to LA.

Billy was sitting on the steps with a cloud of blue smoke rising like a signal to an Indian tribe. He was tuned into his MP3 and totally oblivious to his surroundings. Brad gave him a friendly poke in the back with his foot and Billy jumped up and turned his music off. He saw the governor and blurted out that he was sorry he never voted for him, but if he voted at all he would have voted for him. Brad started laughing and so did all the others present including the governor. Billy was tall and rail thin. Long brown hair hung like a mop drying next to the wall. His eyes, however, showed an intelligence that belied his appearance: Ragged jeans and sweatshirt. Rocky was all over him standing with his front paws on his chest making whining sounds. Steve was shocked to see the ever stoic Rocky showing friendship to another besides Brad and Sujin. Brad told Rocky to behave and Rocky returned to his master’s side.