Part One - Evil Times 3 - Chapter Six

St. Peter’s – 2:36 p.m.

“Father, forgive me, for I have sinned.”

“I remember your voice. Please, tell me you didn’t kill, again?”

“But, Father, I did. I know you have called the police before. I’m much smarter this time. I didn’t track any evidence into your precious box.”

Bishop Ekerson wanted to say booth but remained silent.

“I’m not staying long, but you know something. I love that word, but. I can go on and on with a single, but. But it’s the assholes who think they know everything; the BIG BUTTS who try to get away thinking they will never get caught. This is why I do all this.

“I’m going to put an end to their self-centered pitiful existence. I may even be caught one day. But there’s that word again, but. But my being caught remains to be seen. Right now, no one is doing a particularly decent job trying to catch me.

“There are others on my list of assholes I must take down; but that’s my secret, Father.

“Now, are you going to forgive my fucking sins, or what?”

“My son, all those who have been saved or wish to be saved by Jesus Christ, and the Holy Father, can be forgiven their sins, but….”

“See! SEE! There’s that all too important fucking word again!”

“Either for-fucking-give-me, or just shut the fuck up with your religious bantering. I don’t have all day to play games with you.”

The confessional booth’s door opened, and then banged closed leaving the sound to faintly echo throughout the church.

“See you in church, padre.”

In mere seconds, Bishop Ekerson was beside himself, breathing in the quiet. And very scared.

Medical Examiner’s Lobby – 2:56 p.m.

“Thanks, Stan. So how are things going for you these days?”

“Same-o, same-o, Baker. Some days are better than most. Other days just suck. I still find myself missing the thrill of a good bust or a righteous shoot, but I keep up with what’s going down on the streets with my scanner. Of course, the best news is over at Benny’s Pub, so it’s not all bad.

“I hope that report helps you to nail that son-of-a-biscuit eater soon. Creeps like him make me sick. And yeah, I peeked, Baker. Couldn’t help myself.”

She smiled at Stan.

“Don’t worry about peeking. Just keep what you saw to yourself. We’ll get this guy, trust me, Stan.

“You take care of you, okay? Be good. Be safe.”

“You too, Baker. You, too.”

Such a sad, lonely look he carries, she thought.

St. Peter’s – 3:05 p.m.

“So, Father Ekerson, were you able to get a better look at him this time?” asked Ed.

“From what I could see, he appears to be in his early to mid-thirties, his hair looked dark, and stockier than I first believed. I still couldn’t get a good look at his face or eyes. Once inside the booth, the lighting is minimal, and designed that way for a reason.”

Somehow, Ed knew he was back to square one except for one statement.

See you in church, Padre.

Baker’s Townhouse – 7:30 p.m.

Both she and Stevie, barely walked into her living room when her cell phone rang again.

“Get that out for me, will you, Stevie. My bladder is about to explode!”

Stevie reached for the phone as she dashed off, and he held it to his ear and said, “Baker’s professional Answering Service. How may I help you?”

Laughter on the other end.

“Pretty good, Stevie. Where’s Baker?”

Stevie knew it was Ed.

“She’s in the bathroom. She should be out shortly.”

“Heard tell you had a fun day.”

“It was pretty cool. I picked up over two-hundred seashells, and I think a couple of them might even be fossilized. I won’t know that until summer is over and I’m back at home with my dad.”

“Wow, fossilized, might be worth a few bucks if they are.”

“Maybe. Anyway, here comes mom. Bye.”

Baker grabbed the phone as Stevie walked past her and whispered, “Ed.” What’s up, Ed? What are we looking at?”

“If you have no objections, I’d like to run all this by you at your place. I’ve made copies of all my notes from the murder scene, plus our perp show up again at church. Ekerson was able to give me a better Ident on the guy, but it’s still sketchy. He was extremely rattled.”

“Where are you right now?”

“Promise not to laugh or get pissed off?”

“That doesn’t leave many options.”

“I’m parked next to your rig.”

She laughed.

Still There – 8:20 p.m.

“These are the autopsy reports of former General Arnold Kilpatrick, and Mrs. Ethel Mattingly.

“Both throats slit, both with a double incision in the shape of an X. Kilpatrick had his ears removed with a message printed backward reading: Hear no evil.

“For the record, Mrs. Mattingly had lung cancer and Kilpatrick had a bad kidney. Beyond that, both showed elevated endorphin levels in the blood. Time of death for Kilpatrick based on a rectal thermometer on scene: 9:30 p.m., with a plus or minus ten minutes.

Mattingly, roughly 9:50 p.m. Both had trauma to the scalp, rendering each unconscious.

“The weapon used appears to be a large blade, looks to be two inches wide from its most narrow point, and five inches wide at the hilt. Estimated length is fourteen inches. It was first thought to be a Chef’s carving knife. After searching online, it is now believed to be a replica of a Bowie knife.

“No skin or hair follicles were found under any of the victim’s nails. This indicates no struggle took place. Both were checked for full, or partial prints, and although a partial was found, it isn’t enough to run it through fingerprint analysis. There is currently some DNA testing being done to determine who Kilpatrick may have had sexual relations with prior to his death.

“All the handwritten notes have also been sent to Albany to be run over by handwriting experts.

“Finally, the blood first found at the church was Kilpatrick’s blood. Right now, we have absolutely zero on the perp. So, what do you think, Ed?”

“Your idea to stake out the church might pay off if in fact he really shows, for one. Depending on what the two black and whites find out about Gulatta and Olster; seems like one, or both were well, doing the wild thing with the general.” Ed let his voice trail off to convey his meaning.

“No to worry, Ed,” explained Stevie. “I know what sex is. Dad says sex is healthy as long as you have protection and are aware of your surroundings and environment. Mom has told me a million times, if you love a girl, you’ll wait until marriage, since love is all about respecting the one, you’ll be with.”

Baker looked at Stevie and thought, too bad your father didn’t hold onto to those ideals, but he and Donnie are happy together, and Stevie’s head hasn’t been corrupted. Mark has always been a great father. Just not a great husband.

“Any way, it’s my night to cook, Ed. How do you like your hamburger?”

“No, that’s fine. No bother. I can pick something up on my way home.”

“Too late. I already started. Just tell me how you like it cooked. Are we talking medium, medium-rare, or dead?”

All three busted out laughing.

Then Baker’s phone rang.

“Baker here.”

“This is Carl. Just to let you know, Albany faxed me back the report I sent. Seems like the general was fond of Miss Olster.”

“Thanks, Carl. I have Ed here, I’ll let him know. If nothing else major happens, I’ll see you Monday. Goodnight.”

She closed her phone and told Ed what Carl told her.

“Seems your suspicion of the general’s sexual activities are pretty spot on and….” The phone rang again.

“Baker, here.”

“Lieutenant Baker?”

“Yes.”

“This is Officer Phil Mallory. I’m one of two units dispatched out by Detective Manning. I’m at the Olster residence.”

“And?”

She rolled her eyes at Ed just a bit. She could sense that Mallory was still fresh out of the Academy.

“I’ve called it in, but Detective Manning said I was to call you or him if something didn’t go right about the interview. Three other units are pulling up now.

“Miss or Mrs. Olster is dead.”

She passed on what Mallory told her to Ed. She took a last bite of her burger, stood up and went to her bedroom, and opened a dresser drawer and snatched up her Snap-on holster with her police special to her belt, grabbed her badge, stuck that in her jacket pocket and walked back out to the kitchen.

She looked at Stevie.

“I know, mom. I won’t wait up.”

She looked at Ed.

Ed looked at Stevie. “Burger was great, thanks.”

“You ready, Detective Manning.”

Both headed for their respective cars.

Neither one was smiling.