1
December 17th 2010...
Breaking News...
That was the message that flashed across the wide screen television. Within seconds the graphic had faded, the camera focused on the news anchor and he started reading the news flash.
"Good Evening everyone, I'm Bill Ritter. This is a breaking story out of Long Island tonight. There have been human remains found in a remote area on Oak Beach, in Suffolk County, New York. While the investigation is still just getting underway we have learned that the remains of three additional victims have also been found. Now with more information, here's Liz Cho."
"Thanks, Bill. What the Suffolk County detectives have pieced together so far is that four remains they have found appear to be all female. Ranging in ages from 20 to 27. They were buried in the sand adjacent to the Ocean Parkway. Now for more on the story we go to our Long Island correspondent N.J. Burkett..."
"Thanks, Liz. So far the detectives here in Oak Beach are being tight lipped. They are working around the clock to gather evidence that will most likely have the small town of Oak Beach in fear for their safety. The identity of victims has not been released yet pending notification of next of kin. Two of the victims were found buried in the sand just off the exit for the Robert Moses Causeway near Ocean Parkway. An officer from Suffolk County Police Department was on a routine training exercise and had discovered the skeletal remains of the first victim wrapped in a burlap sack. They were discovered about 50 yards from the highway and buried in a shallow grave. The four victims appear to be female and in different stages of decomposition. There is a press conference set for later tomorrow. This is N.J. Burkett reporting from Oak Beach, Long Island. Liz, Bill back to you."
"Thanks, N.J.. Be sure to tune in at noon tomorrow for exclusive coverage of the press conference. Now on to other news..."
December 18th, 2010
Commissioner Richard Dormer steps in front of the quickly placed podium at Suffolk County Police Headquarters in West Babylon...
"Good Afternoon, My comments will be brief and to the point. After extensively searching the area of Oak Beach during the night we have uncovered the remains of four female victims. All of these victims have been transported back the Suffolk morgue and are awaiting examination for specific cause of death. These victims range in age from 20 to 27. Their identity has been not revealed pending notification of their families/loved ones. I will be taking limited questions at this time."
"Commissioner, Are you certain that these victims are the result of one perpetrator?" One reporter asks.
At this reporter's question, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota steps up to the podium.
"It is clear that the area around Oak Beach Has has been used to discard human remains for some period of time. Due to the fact that there are multiple victims involved I am not at liberty to comment any further. So to answer your question yes we are led to believe that these crimes are the result of one individual." The DA steps back and Commissioner Dormer steps back up to the podium.
"Commissioner, Do do you think that this is the work of a serial killer?" The reporter from MSNBC asks.
"To be blunt, four bodies found in the same location pretty much speaks for itself. It's more than a coincidence. We could have a serial killer."
With his last comment, the reporters begin firing all sorts of questions at the Commissioner. Not wanting to prolong the tedious amount of the same questions over and over again he kindly thanked thanks all who attended the press conference and stepped steps back from the podium and turned turns to leave.
Present Day June 2014
NYPD Commissioner Frank Reagan remembers his friend Commissioner Dormer contacting him after the press conference the next day. As he sits at his desk in his study he recalls the conversation vividly.
"Frank, I'm sure that this will be a firestorm." Dormer knows that his friend is in charge of the largest police force in the country, and values his thoughts.
"Rich, listen to what I am about to tell you. There is no way that you can prevent what will happen next. No matter how you try to control it, it will always come back on your department. What you need to do is get in front of this. I watched yesterday's press conference and what I saw was not my friend. The man who was at that press conference yesterday has been reduced to becoming a puppet, bowing to the pressure."
"Frank, I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. They want results. It looks like this guy has been doing this for about 20 years. And we don't have any leads to know who this could possibly be."
"Rich, you need to get the press on your side. With that done you will have a better outcome. Have you thought about a reward?"
"Actually Frank, the county executives have authorized $5000.00."
"Alright, get that information out to the press and hope that they will understand that you have made an effort."
"Thanks, Frank. Give my love to your family."
"Will do Rich, thanks.
The call ends and Frank thinks once more about how this case had almost destroyed his friend. Frank is drawn from his thoughts when Erin and Nicky enter his study.
"Dad, dinner is almost ready." Frank looks up with saddened eyes and just nods his head at them.
"Dad, are you alright?" Erin asks.
"I'm fine. Just thinking about an old friend."
Frank has more on his mind than just an old friend. The murders that the 12th precinct they have been recently investigating are too close to the discoveries from 2010 and 2011 on Long Island. Women have been murdered and the body count has been steadily rising. He had been trying to keep the media out of the loop but he knows that soon someone will leak the news.
To date, 4 women have been found murdered all near the Hudson River. All were wrapped in plastic and stuffed into a burlap sacks. The similarities are alarming. The fact that there was never a person of interest in the Long Island serial killer murders has Frank thinking the worst.