Lullabies & Dead Bodies, page 20
Dorn nodded.
Isaac pointed to Pete. “Any word from IT on the mall surveillance footage you gathered yesterday?”
Pete tossed a pencil onto Gerri’s desk, shaking his head. “So far there’s nothing on any of the footage. We see the Hernandez family enter the mall, and the frantic activity once the girl is missing, but no shots of this guy walking Libby out of there. It’s like he’s a ghost.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t believe in ghosts.” Isaac glared at his partner, but only saw the darkness that cradled this killer. “Tell them to go through it again.”
“Ike, they know this is top priority. They’ve been combing through it since yesterday afternoon.”
“Then tell them to start over and do it again!”
Pete hesitated. “Okay.”
“In the meantime, here’s a new bone for you all to chew on. I just came from the M.E.’s lab. Seems all three victims were scrubbed clean after they were killed.”
A disgusted grimace marred Pete’s face.
“Are you for real?”
“According to Hiroshi, each body had traces of soap in certain areas. Namely the genitals and the hands. Underneath the nails. My theory is that this guy rapes them and strangles them to death. Then he thoroughly washes the bodies before he dons his paper coveralls, puts the dead girls in pretty dresses, wraps them in plastic, and then transports them to wherever he plans to stage them.”
“We are dealing with one sick fuck here.”
Dorn sounded disgusted, and Isaac noted it was the one time he and Dorn couldn’t agree more.
“Yes we are.” He took a deep breath and glanced at each of them. “Look, I know it feels like we’re sitting here dicking around just waiting for another body to turn up, but I want you all to know that I think you’re doing good work.”
Gerri smiled at him. “Thank you, sir.”
Dorn frowned and looked at him as though he were waiting for the punchline. “Yeah, thanks.”
Isaac nodded and then turned to walk away.
“Ike?”
He stopped and looked back at Gerri.
“I think you’re doing good work too. As our new Sarge, I mean.”
Taken aback by her kind words, Isaac stood frozen in place for a second. His old friend, Mr. Awkwardness, wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
“Oh. Well, um… Thanks.”
He turned on his heel and went over to his desk and flopped down into the chair.
Pete took a seat across from him at his own desk.
“What’s up, Ike? You look like you’re preparing yourself for something.”
“In a way, I am. You and me are going to go talk to the former M.E. about the condition of the bodies in the original lullaby spree.”
“We are?”
“We are. I’m assuming you never found mention of scrubbed hands and genitals in the old case files?”
Pete shook his head. “No. Nothing.”
“Okay. Let’s go. There’s more to this story, but I’ll fill you in on the way.”
He stood and Pete followed after him.
In the car, Isaac told him all about his conversation with Lieutenant Hayes about Conway Porter and his family ties to Deputy Chief Jay Schiffer, and the implications of that.
“Holy shit,” Pete whispered.
“My sentiments exactly.”
“Do you really think Deputy Chief Schiffer would go so far as to bug Lt. Hayes’ office to find out what we’re doing on this case?”
“He went far enough to hide his son from the world before Jeffery could become our number one suspect seven years ago. Maybe even far enough to rope his brother-in-law, the medical examiner, into helping him. That being said… we have no reason to believe the deputy chief is behind the leak in our department. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that one has nothing to do with the other. Having a leak just makes things trickier, that’s all.”
“Jeez. This case is getting crazier by the minute.”
“Crazier and more hazardous to my career.”
“And mine, by association.”
Isaac pulled the car to the curb in front of a lovely cottage in the Edgewater neighborhood. This was his brother’s neighborhood, although Adam’s high-dollar abode was a few streets closer to the water. At the front door of the cottage Isaac rang the bell. It was answered by a young woman wearing navy blue scrubs and a matching blue sweater. Her face was devoid of makeup, but she had a pleasant smile.
“May I help you?”
“Detective Sergeant Isaac Taylor. Detective Pete Vega.” Isaac motioned to himself and Pete. “We need to speak to Dr. Conway Porter.”
The young woman looked at their badges and then glanced back inside before meeting Isaac’s gaze again.
“I’m afraid he’s resting right now. Is this important?”
Isaac stuffed down the aggravation, but the sarcasm he couldn’t hide.
“Well, yes ma’am, I’m afraid a murder spree is somewhat important.”
She blushed right on cue and appeared to think about it for a second, then she stepped aside and allowed them to enter.
“This way.”
She led them through the house to the doorway of a large living room with a hospital bed sitting square in the middle of it. An old man with wisps of grey hair seemed to be sunken into the mattress. The TV was on and tuned to a news program, but the volume was down low, and the man’s attention was focused out the large picture window to his left, looking out toward the lake.
“What’s wrong with him?”
Isaac whispered, and the young woman’s eyes never left her patient as she answered.
“Stage four pancreatic cancer that’s spread into his liver. He’s dying.”
She stepped into the room and over to the bed, and Isaac and Pete exchanged a look before they followed her in.
“Grandpa? These gentlemen would like a moment of your time.”
The man turned his head toward them, and Isaac was surprised by his appearance. The Dr. Porter he remembered from seven years ago was older, but robust. The man before him now was shriveled, sunken, and hollow.
“I know you.”
Conway stared right at him, looking directly in his eyes, and Isaac slowly nodded.
“Yes, sir. I’m Detective Sgt. Isaac Taylor. You were still the medical examiner when I was a new detective.”
“Yes. That’s it.”
The man’s voice sounded weak, but his gaze was sharp, taking in everything.
“This is my partner, Detective Pete Vega.”
Pete shook the man’s hand.
“I don’t get many visitors these days. My lovely granddaughter here turns those who do stop by away at the door. She’s not just my nurse, she’s my guard dog.”
“Oh, Grandpa.” The girl huffed in mock offense. “These gentlemen don’t know you’re joking.” She looked at Isaac and Pete. “Can I get you both some lemonade?”
When they both declined, she left the room to give them some privacy, and Isaac turned his attention to Dr. Porter.
“I assume this is not a social call, so what can I help you with, detectives?”
Isaac took a deep breath and dived in. “Dr. Porter, we were hoping to speak with you about the Lullaby Murders. Do you remember that case from seven years ago?”
The doctor closed his eyes. “Mmm. Hard to forget that one. Nine little girls. So sad.”
“Yes, sir, it was.” Isaac motioned to the TV. “I see you have the news on so I’m sure you’re aware that we seem to have a new string of lullaby murders going on in our city right now?”
“Yes, I’ve seen the reports. The news says the public panic is mounting. Attendance is down at restaurants, movie theaters, even places like Cedar Point. People are afraid to take their children anywhere. I can’t say I blame them.”
“Dr. Porter… the current medical examiner found traces of soap and other evidence that the three new victims’ bodies were thoroughly washed after they were killed. There’s no mention in any of your old reports about similar findings in the original nine murders. So we were wondering if you could shed some light on that for us?”
Conway Porter stared at Isaac. “I’m not sure what you’re asking.”
Isaac glanced at Pete and licked his lips before continuing. He didn’t want to offend the man, but finding a delicate way to ask this question wasn’t easy.
“I’m asking if you remember seeing any evidence that the bodies had been cleaned after they were murdered.”
Dr. Porter frowned at him, and Isaac thought he saw a spark of indignation.
“No, of course not. I remember those nine little girls very well, Detective. Their faces have stayed with me over the years. All nine of them were streaked with dried tears and smudged with dirt. I found DNA in their vaginas and under their nails and in their mouths.”
“Their mouths?”
“Yes. Evidence one of them had bitten him trying to get away. But the DNA never matched up with any known assailants in the system. It was like he didn’t exist.”
Isaac watched Porter closely, taking in the sincere note of sorrow that clung to him.
“If you’ve got clean bodies this time around maybe you’re dealing with a copycat.”
It was an explanation Isaac was getting tired of hearing.
“It’s not uncommon for a serial killer to alter or refine his MO as he learns new skills. We’re taught that in just about every seminar I’ve ever taken on the subject. Now this could be a copycat, or maybe our guy’s just learned a few new tricks in his seven-year hiatus.”
He really hoped his words hadn’t sounded as snarky out loud as they had in his head. And for the briefest of moments he thought about grasping the man’s hand and trying to see something related to either of the Schiffer men, but something warned him not to try it. He didn’t need to try and explain himself or his huge freakdom to this dying man.
“Well, thank you for your time, Dr. Porter. We do appreciate it. We’ll get out of your hair now.”
Before Isaac could even turn for the living room door, Porter spoke up with words that seemed to root Isaac’s feet to the spot.
“Why don’t you ask me what you really want to know, Detective?”
Chiggers skittered up his spine, and Isaac slowly turned to look the old doctor in the eyes.
“And what is it you think I want to know, sir?”
Dr. Porter took a deep breath and exhaled. It sounded like a death rattle.
“I remember you, Taylor.”
Those words made the tiny insects of doom scatter across Isaac’s skin once more.
“You tipped your hand to my brother-in-law, and he whisked Jeffery out of here so fast all of our heads were left spinning.”
A bomb exploded in Isaac’s gut.
Vindication and validation burst through his brain like shrapnel.
Did Porter just admit to knowing that his nephew, Jeffery Schiffer, was guilty?
He and Pete exchanged a look, and then his attention zeroed in on Dr. Porter again. He stared at the man, waiting for more.
“I didn’t tamper with any evidence if that’s what you’re thinking.”
The doctor’s speech was beginning to sound labored, and Isaac feared they were wearing him out. But he made no attempt to try and stop him from telling them whatever he wanted to get off his chest.
“My record in the M.E.’s office is spotless. I took pride in that job. I would never compromise it. And that conviction caused a huge rift between Jay and me. And a lot of bad feelings between Pam and Patty too.”
“Pam and Patty?” Pete asked.
“Our wives. They were best friends as well as sisters. But that all changed seven years ago. It ripped my family apart. Pam left me over the whole mess.”
Isaac couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The man was speaking so candidly. He remembered Lieutenant Hayes’ warning to steer clear of any talk about Schiffer, but Porter seemed to be offering Schiffer up to them, and Isaac couldn’t let that pass by.
“What caused the rift exactly, Dr. Porter?”
“Isn’t that obvious?” Porter all but whispered.
“I’d like to hear you say it, Doc.”
“I refused to do anything to quash, misplace, or otherwise tamper with evidence during my examinations of the bodies.”
Whoa! Did that just happen?
“Let me get this straight.” Isaac had to pause to wrap his head around it. “You’re implying that your brother-in-law — lieutenant over the homicide detective division at the time — asked you to mishandle your findings when going over the bodies in the original lullaby killings?”
Conway Porter closed his eyes and nodded in the affirmative.
“That’s what I said.”
Isaac’s gaze sought Pete, who looked just as blown away as he felt.
“Why are you telling us this now, Dr. Porter?” Pete asked.
“I would think that would be obvious too.”
Porter paused for a long moment, and Isaac didn’t know if the man was done talking or simply gathering his thoughts.
“You coming here today is like a sign,” Porter continued. “When you get a divine sign for something you’ve been praying about, you don’t ignore it.”
“I’m afraid I don’t follow, sir.”
“Look at me, Detective. I won’t be here much longer. Two weeks if I’m lucky.” He shook his head. “Maybe I didn’t actively tamper with or conceal evidence for Jay back then, but my silence the past seven years has tormented me. This cancer… this is my punishment for saying nothing all these years. For allowing Jay and Patty to hide their son from the law when I knew the truth. Coming clean now won’t save my life, but maybe it’ll give me some kind of peace. Some hope of salvation.”
A deathbed confession was not at all what Isaac had been expecting when they’d arrived here to question Porter. But that was exactly what they’d just gotten.
“Do you believe in God, Taylor?”
The question pulled Isaac back to the here and now. Had facing his impending mortality caused the man to seek religion?
“I do.”
“Do you think He’ll forgive me?”
Isaac hesitated, unsure how to answer such a heavy question. He licked his lips. “I-I think He’ll recognize that you’re trying to do the right thing now.”
That response seemed to soothe Porter somehow.
“I hope so.”
Isaac quietly cleared his throat. He had to steer this conversation back to the matter at hand.
“Doc, I assume you are willing to give a sworn deposition to the ADA?”
A deposition would be warranted since the man was terminal and most likely wouldn’t be around long enough to testify. Dr. Porter nodded.
“He or she is going to have to come here, I’m afraid.”
“I’ll see if I can make that happen right now.” Isaac looked at Pete. “Stay with him. I’ll go make a call.”
He stepped into the hallway and pulled out his cellphone, searching his contacts for the number.
“Hailey Kinsey.”
The voice was pleasant enough, but it also sounded slightly rushed. Hailey Kinsey was an Assistant District Attorney that Isaac actually had a fairly friendly working relationship with.
“Ms. Kinsey, it’s Ike Taylor.”
“Oh, how can I help you, Detective?”
“I was hoping for a moment of your time today. It’s very important.”
“Well, I was just about to step out for lunch. How about two this afternoon?”
“Actually, this is kind of an urgent request, counselor. How about right now?”
There was a tense silence on the other end of the line, and Isaac knew he had to sweeten the deal.
“I promise to buy you lunch afterward, Ms. Kinsey. It is extremely important.”
Hailey sighed. “What’s going on?”
Isaac gave her the address and told her to come as soon as possible. “I’ll fill you in when you get here.
“The Deputy Chief of Police? Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
Hailey Kinsey’s stunned gaze plowed into him like a bulldozer. Isaac couldn’t blame her. He knew the information he’d just laid at her feet was shocking.
“Believe me, I know how this sounds, Ms. Kinsey.”
He sighed and looked over at the hospital bed where Dr. Conway Porter lay waiting and Pete Vega sat in a chair by the bed, keeping him company while Isaac stood in the hallway talking to the pretty ADA and Lieutenant Gavin Hayes, whom he’d also called.
“For obvious reasons we need to keep a lid on this for as long as we possibly can,” Gavin jumped in, trying to help explain the situation. “Once the news outlets get wind that we’re investigating one of our own in connection with the Lullaby Murders this whole city will become a media circus. Not to mention the shit storm it’ll kick off for the CPD. Any homicide investigated during Jay Schiffer’s term as lieutenant will be called into question, and we don’t need a bunch of overturned convictions on top of the scandal. It’ll be bad enough once we’ve got him and his son dead to rights.”
“I agree with you.” Hailey’s brunette bob swayed around her face, framing vibrant blue eyes. “But do you have proof of any of this?”
“We are still working on that.” Isaac lowered his voice, just in case. “And we’ve quietly engaged the FBI’s assistance as well. We just need to keep that knowledge, and the Schiffer name, out of any public discussions of this case for the time being.”
“Because you don’t want to tip Jay Schiffer off again. I get it.” Hailey shook her head. “All right. I’ll take Dr. Porter’s deathbed confession, but then I’m bound by law to take this directly to DA Hanson.”
“We know that,” Gavin stated. “And we’d like to be included in that auspicious meeting.”
“Oh, I’m certain he’s definitely going to want to speak to the both of you.”
They followed her into the living room, and Isaac watched Hailey reach out and place a hand on Porter’s arm.
“Hello Dr. Porter. I’m Hailey Kinsey with the District Attorney’s Office. I’m here to take your sworn deposition on the Lullaby case, okay?”
“Okay.”
“We’re going to record it on video, and then I’m going to print it up for you to sign. If you need to take a break at anytime, you let me know, all right?”
