Robert Waggoner - John - The Senior Killer

Brad said while drinking some god awful tea and eating dry toast, “Tell me what you think about this killer of old people Billy.”

Rocky was under the table chewing on Billy’s old tennis shoes and having a good time teasing him. Billy had been rubbing is back with the other foot and it would seem they had some special relationship between them. Billy replied thoughtfully, “No doubt this guy or person is a crackpot and trying to guess his next move will be difficult. A wacko like this one will make a mistake intentionally sooner or later. He wants us to catch him so he can put his name out front on national news as the cleverest guy who ever went on a killing spree. Unlike Jeffery Dahmer who butchered, this guy can’t stand the sight of blood.” Billy dug a map out of his bag and showed Brad that indeed the “N” was clear, but connecting the other eight sites” A” shows up. Brad had the same thing and both understood the need for the computer to take this and run his program that Billy would write.

They tossed around some other thoughts and when their driver showed up at seven they left for the FBI office. A nice day Brad thought. A little warm perhaps, but for one that was used to living on the coast, a change from a cold wind to a warm windless day felt nice once in a while. The driver was a little more than nervous with Rocky lying on the front seat with his seatbelt on. He was so big his nose touched the driver’s leg. Glancing down once in a while the driver had fear in his eyes and Rocky felt it. More than once he raised his head only to feel the muscle reaction of the driver’s leg and the car accelerated in fits and jumps. Brad knew what Rocky was doing and he told Rocky to cut it out much to the driver’s relief.

Walking into the office and back toward where Vicky had shown him his broom closet for an office was, she met him with a big smile on her face. She said, “Mr. Pratt, a change of office was ordered and let me show your new office. Follow me please,” as she tried to swish her hips down the hall. It was a poor attempt at trying to look sexy, but Billy was the one she intended it for. He took it hook line and sinker. Vicky walked past his old office and down the hall on the left a double door opened into a large conference room. Sitting in the middle of the table in front of an expensive looking desk chair sat a computer, fax and all the bells and whistles could ask for in an office. A young man dressed in the way of agents stood up when the doors opened. Vicky introduced him as his liaison between other agents either in the field or here in the office. Brad looked around and saw a China board at the end of the table with a large map of California with colored flags of the sites where the killer has stuck. Brad was impressed and as he took in the rest of the room Vicky told him that special agent in charge Jake was waiting for him in his office at his convenience.

Brad said, “Tell him I will be with him around eight after I go to the computer center with Billy”

“Fine sir, I will tell him when I return. Is there anything else you need? If not, just call me and I will see to it or agent Jones here will help you.” She coyly looked at Billy and left leaving the doors open so Billy could see her no hips going down the hall. Billy did notice her crow’s feet and fantasized about her feet and something erotic to do with ice cream.

Brad told agent Jones he would be back soon and yes he had some things he would like him to do for him. Agent Jones in all of his youth said, “Yes sir, I will at your disposal from now on as long as you need me”

Brad and Billy left and Billy looked at his boss and noticed not an expression crossed his face about agent Jones, but he knew he was laughing inside. They were given the red carpet treatment in the computer center and Billy fell in love with the new modern computers. That was last Brad saw of him until after six pm that night.

Vicky led Brad into Jake’s office where Brad found Jake in much the same condition as yesterday. He looked wrung out and if it wasn’t for a complete change of clothes he would have suggested the guy take a few days of sick leave and gather up some strength. Jake didn’t offer coffee or a sit down, but Brad once again moved the chair to the side, but back away from the desk this time. Jake looked through some files absently and Brad felt he was trying to find the words to satisfy Brad the FBI was efficient and on the job. Brad waited and finally Jake said, “I don’t know who you are, but I was told under no uncertain terms that you were the boss and I was to follow whatever you suggested the FBI should do. I mean to tell you that ruffles my feathers and I would think that the best agency in the world has to succumb to outsiders to solve a case is beyond my reasoning. Now, I will give you what you ask for, but step out of line and I will be there to remind you who you are working with. The FBI will solve this case and don’t get in our way. You’ve already riled our agents with your team and with your dog, but I have to live with it. The FBI profiler from Washington is on her way this morning along with a pathologist to determine what kind of weapon was used for the murders.”

Brad noticed Jake felt a little cocky telling him a profiler was coming and a weapons expert too. Brad stood up and said, “If that is all, I will leave you to your work. Oh, by the way, the murder weapon is a tool used by loggers to braid wire rope and also used by longshoremen to braid hemp rope. It is called a Marlin spike,” and with that he left the office with Rocky following on his heels leaving Jake sitting there with his mouth open.

Brad found agent Jones more than helpful. He was too raw to be making any political moves and wanted to show he could be efficient albeit inexperienced. Brad picked up the phone and called Mike’s cell. Both figured the call was being taped or listened to, but they both had their own ways of code talking. Mike answered and said, “I’m hot on the trail boss and will report in at noon.” In code, which meant he had nothing and would call Brad on his cell at lunch time after he spent the morning digging around Los Angeles looking for costume rentals who sold to a small timer making a big purchase.

Next he called his wife. She answered from inside a car as the sounds of traffic were heard in the background. Brad didn’t say much except good morning and she returned the greeting by saying, “I miss you too. I’m on my way to Paramount Studios and will talk to you later.”

Brad turned to agent Jones and said, “Agent what do you think of this madman?”

“I’m not sure what you are asking but if I think you are saying how do I see this person and why he is doing it?”

“Roughly yes, but what do you make of the message he or she might be sending us?”

“Well sir, I think he is toying with us and definitely feels we can’t catch him. I’m young sir and think computers are the key to finding this guy. I see a guy as I think it is a man and not a woman. Why, I can’t explain the why, but I feel it is a man who is searching for his own identity and does that through his disguises he uses. He’s telling us he is the best make up man in the world and never makes a mistake. I’ve read the investigative reports and he leaves nothing behind and especially no finger prints. We knew he must be younger than a senior because of the postman saying he looked out of place with the quick retreat to his car.” Moving to the board agent Jones pointed to the map of Southern California. He took the pointer and showed the “AN” of the two letters of the alphabet. “Before you arrived this morning I ran a program of combinations of words and came up with the most probable word ‘CAN’.” He let that finish his answer and Brad nodded his agreement.