Moonlight in San Francisco
Chapter 9
9.1
He opened his eyes. At least he thought he did. It was pitch black. He could not see anything. Vic Richards was on his side. His hands were bound in front of him. He had lost all track of time. Vic did not know where he was. He knew he had been here for several days but he had no idea what day of the week it was or what time it was.
His captor had removed his watch, phone, and wallet. Gone also were his keys, pocket knife and pens. Once a day the door opened and a plate of food was set on the floor along with a container of bottled water. Vic eagerly ate what he was given despite the fact that he was receiving food from fast food restaurants. He had lost weight. One meal daily was not enough to sustain his large frame.
He regretted the worry he must be causing Barbara. Why had he not stayed home as Barbara had requested? He would not be in this situation. He did not even know why he was here. All he remembered was trying to make a deal for a piece of real estate. When he had turned away from the man to remove paperwork from his briefcase he remembered a sharp pain in the back of his head. Then everything went black. The next thing he remembered was waking up in this dark room where there were no windows.
Every attempt he made to communicate with his captor had been futile. His captor had not said a word to him. Vic had tried to entice him into explaining what he wanted but to no avail.
He thought about Barbara. He loved her more today than the day he married her. It brought him great pain to know he was losing her. After Robert Ironside left things had gone back to normal. She no longer remembered her time with the big city detective. She was Lois again. But slowly Vic sensed she was withdrawing from him. He tried time and time again to get Lois to talk to him about what was bothering her. Finally she admitted her memory had been completely restored. She remembered everything that had happened to her including Robert T. Ironside. She withdrew from him. Vic knew she was thinking about the police detective. They fought over him. She demanded to be called Barbara again. He could not bear to think about her longing for Ironside. He started traveling. Vic needed time to figure out how to help her to forget him. He did not understand how the short time she had spent with Ironside erased the years she had spent married to him.
Vic knew what she would have done when he had not returned home. Ironside…she would have called him. Did she travel here to San Francisco? He did not want to think about her being with him. He felt jealousy and rage when he thought about her with Ironside. What kind of a hold could a man in a wheelchair have over her? He just did not understand. Why would she prefer life with a cripple? Ironside was married to his job. He had no time for a woman. Yet he knew she loved that man. But what hurt most was Vic knew he was losing her to him and there was nothing he could do about it.
He had to get out of here. He would make one last attempt to save his marriage. It was a longshot but he had to try for his sake and the sake of the children. The children...she would take them away. They would live with Ironside. No, he could not think about that now. Ironside might be able to take Barbara from him but he would never allow him to take his girls no matter how fond of him the girls were. Uncle Robert, that is how they referred to him. How did everything that was so good go so bad? Ironside. How he wished he had never heard his name.
9.2
"Ed! Where in the flaming hell is that autopsy report?" Ironside thundered.
"About two inches away from your left hand," Ed answered the grumpy detective. Everyone on Ironside's staff had learned not to take their boss's moods personally. His mood always soured when he became frustrated with the pace of a case. And he was frustrated with this one.
Barbara walked over to Ironside and placed a hand on his shoulder. She bent down and whispered in his ear. "Easy, Robert. They are here to help you."
Fran watched Chief Ironside's demeanor transform from agitation to calm. She smiled at Barbara's immediate influence over Ironside and went back to work.
"Where's Carl?" Ironside asked with less irritation in his voice.
"Running down a lead," Ed told the boss.
"What lead? Is he checking on the phony real estate agent?"
"Yes, Chief. The real estate agent you asked us to check on remembers seeing Vic Richards get into a vehicle with a young man the day he disappeared. Carl should be here any minute."
The door opened. Lt. Carl Reese entered and came down the ramp. "Morning, everyone." He headed directly for the coffee pot and poured a cup of coffee. He glanced at the table and noticed the only chair available was on either side of the chief. Carl laughed to himself. The chief must be in a hell of a mood. No one wanted to sit next to him. He walked over to the table, set his coffee down and sat beside what he assumed was a sour-tempered boss.
"Well?" Ironside snarled as Barbara's calming touch wore off.
Carl picked up his coffee cup and decided not to sip from it. The few second delay would only further irritate the chief who always wanted his answers yesterday. "Vic Richards did indeed get into a vehicle with a tall man in his late twenties. The real estate agent described him with medium length brown hair. He said he was broad-shouldered but slender in build. The man was wearing black jeans and boots with a dark gray shirt and a black jean jacket. A cab driver dropped our man off at the City View Restaurant on Commercial Street. Richards had lunch with the guy and they both got into another cab and were taken out to that same property Darwin Kyle looked at. That is the last time anyone saw Vic Richards," Carl informed everyone.
"When I told you and Ed to check the place out we were interrupted with another murder. Did you send…?" Ironside started to say.
"I sent out a couple guys from homicide. They checked the place out. They looked in all the windows and checked around the place but they did not have a search warrant to go in," Carl said.
"When we are done here I want you and Ed to get out there," he said with a nod of his head. "And this time with a search warrant based on what Darwin Kyle said. Take a couple patrol cars with you. I want you to turn that place upside down. I don't except you will find the killer there. He would have vacated that place after he abducted Vic Richards." Ironside was sensitive to Barbara's presence so he chose his words carefully.
"You got it, Chief," Carl said.
"Have we located the owner of the property yet?" Ironside asked his staff.
Ed spoke up. "Yes. The owner is Robert Daniels, the same as the killer identified himself to Darwin Kyle. He is in Europe on an extended vacation. He won't be back for at least a month. He has given his consent to enter and search the property. He had the real estate agent provide keys which I picked up this morning."
"Good but get the search warrant anyway," Ironside ordered. Ed nodded in acknowledgement.
"Now before you do that, let's go over this case again. We know the first few murders were done to gain my attention. The killer has made it clear through his calls to me he blames me for ruining his life," Ironside began.
"We know he wanted to lead us to the cemeteries. He used the granite to do that," Carl added.
"He is giving clues by what he is attaching to the knives he is using to kill his victims," Ironside observed. "As Carl said we know the granite was intended to direct us to someone in one of those cemeteries. He used heroin in one killing and money in another. They have a meaning. Any ideas?" Ironside asked his staff.
"Could the heroin mean the person in the cemetery died of an overdose?" Fran asked.
"How would that be the chief's fault?" Mark asked.
"Who knows? Maniacs don't think like normal people," Ed said.
"Maybe Fran has something there," Ironside said. "Fran, go through the files and check for someone that has died of an overdose of drugs. Now what about the money?"
"That one puzzles me, "Carl said. "Why would he bury all that money?"
"Possibly someone the chief sent up for burglary?" Ed guessed.
"But that would not fit with the drugs," Fran said.
"Somehow the two are related," Ironside said. "Ed, check the files for burglaries. Find out who we sent up. Carl, you check for anyone that has been released from prison in the last few months. And then check to see if a relative or friend has been convicted of drugs or burglary."
"That should keep everyone busy. And in your spare time keep on those lists." Ironside said nothing more. When no one moved he looked up. "Well, what are you all waiting for?" Everyone got up immediately and headed for their respective tasks.
9.3
Peter Coleman pulled into the six acre ranch. It was beautiful. It looked to be just what he needed for his growing family. His wife, Beth had just given birth to their fifth child. He had to talk Beth into having one more. They had been trying for a little girl. But they had five boys. The last one was hard enough to convince her to have but he was hoping her desire for a little girl would help his cause.
Coleman watched as a van pulled into the driveway. When it approached him he got out of his Ford Explorer to greet the owner of the ranch.
"Mr. Coleman, I apologize for being late. I was detained at my office. My name is Robert Daniels. I own this place. I am also the real estate agent handling the property. I am sure when you see the place you will agree that it is worth the wait."
Daniels led Coleman into the house. They entered the front door into a huge foyer. There was a living room with a fireplace so large it took up most of the wall. Also on that side was the kitchen. The other side of the foyer supported a den and a dining room. All of the rooms had beautiful hardwood flooring that had such a shine one could almost see their reflection in them. At the end of the foyer a spiral staircase led to the second floor which was styled like a balcony. All of the bedrooms could be seen from the foyer. The bathroom was on that floor as well.
Daniels led Coleman through every room. When they arrived back at the foyer Daniels said, "That only leaves the basement. Would you like to see it now?"
"Oh, absolutely. I can't imagine it could deter me from making an offer on this house. It is just what Beth and I need for our expanding family," Coleman answered.
Daniels led the way to the basement. He turned on the light and took Coleman down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs Daniels stood back and allowed Coleman to step in front of him.
"Wow, it is completely finished!" Coleman said and he turned his back on Daniels. He felt a severe pain on the back of his head and blacked out.
The Moonlight Killer dragged the body into the bathroom. There he had rigged the light socket to a wire that was hanging in the stainless steel bathtub. He dragged the body next to the tub. Out of a nearby box he pulled out a butcher knife and a cardboard moon. The Moonlight Killer inserted the moon over the knife's blade. Pulling back the man's shirt he carved the initials of Robert T. Ironside just under the Coleman's throat. He plunged the knife into the chest of the unconscious man. Lifting his kill up, he shoved the man into the bathtub.
The Moonlight Killer walked over to the rigged light switch and turned it upwards. An electrical current ran into the water. If the man had not already been dead he would have been electrocuted. "Ok, Chief, you have everything you need," he said as he surveyed his work. "Now I am coming for you."
9.4
Ed and Carl arrived at the property Darwin Kyle had attempted to purchase. There was no one to deliver the warrant to. Ed knew there would not be. He called all of the officers together.
Carl, being the ranking officer on the scene, took over. "Alright, the chief wants this place turned upside down. You are looking for anything that would indicate our killer was operating out of here. Vic Richards is probably not on the premises but check for him anyway. Remember, this man has killed eight people so far. Be careful and don't hesitate to protect yourselves."
The men broke up and entered the house. Ed headed down to the basement while Carl stayed on the main floor. He immediately found a blood stain on the kitchen floor. He reached in his pocket for his cell phone and called for a lab team. On the table he found rope that had been cut. Scattered in the corner of the kitchen floor were dozens of paper cardboard moons.
9.5
Sgt. Ed Brown descended the basement stairs. Over in the corner were blocks of granite. On a nearby table Ed spotted several bags of what appeared to be heroin. He stepped to the table and put the tip of his finger in the bag. Ed touched the tip of his finger to his tongue and tasted the white powder. It was as Ed suspected, heroin.
Also lying on the floor was a box containing at least a dozen butcher knives. After thoroughly checking out the rest of the room Ed headed upstairs.
He met Carl in the kitchen. "There's no doubt it's him," Carl said. "Ed, look at this," he said handing Ed electrical wire.
"This guy has never done anything that did not mean something. I think we better call the chief," Ed said.
9.6
Eve Whitfield was watching the television. Just as they had been doing for the last several days the commentators were covering the Moonlight Killer. Eve watched while the network showed each one of the victims. A newscaster was describing the killings in grisly detail. No wonder the city is in a panic, thought Eve. All of this information was supposed to have been suppressed.
Eve had spent the better part of the day trying to remember the face of the man who had attacked her. She was getting images of a tall man, young with dark hair. That much had come back to her but she still could not see his face. Why could she not see his face? If she could only remember his face so the chief could put an end to all this. She had to concentrate on that face.
9.7
"It's him," Sgt. Brown told Chief Ironside. He informed his boss what he, Carl and the rest of the officers had found. "We have a team here and they are finishing up. We'll be back in the office in about an hour," Ed estimated.
"Ed, something's not right," Ironside said.
"What do you mean, Chief?" Ed asked.
"The officers that were out there before would have spotted all of that from the windows including what you found in the basement. The report in front of me covers the kitchen and the basement and it clearly says there was nothing in either one of those rooms," Ironside said.
"Chief, are you saying he planted all of this here within the last day or so?" Ed asked.
"Ed, he had to have," Ironside insisted. "Was there anything found that was not related to what we already know?"
"No, nothing… wait a minute… Carl found electrical wire in the kitchen. Chief, it must mean something. This guy has not done anything that did not mean something," Ed said.
"Ed, there's going to be another victim! The killer is going to stab the victim and then electrocute him. Go over that place again for anything that might tell us where he is going to commit the murder. We have to try and stop it," Ironside shouted.
Carl entered the room. "Ed, look at this!"
"Hang on, Chief," Ed said as he set his cell phone down.
"Ed!" Ironside shouted.
"What is it, Carl?" Ed asked.
"It is papers for a house for sale which is down the road from here."
Ed grabbed his cell phone. "Chief, Carl just found real estate papers for the sale of a house that is down the road from here."
"That's it!" Ironside shouted. "Ed, get the hell out of there and get down to that house now! Take Carl and some officers with you. MOVE!"
"On our way, Chief," Ed cried. He hung up the phone. "Carl, let's go. Charlie, you and three of your men come with us."
9.8
Eve ran that night in her mind over and over again. She knew her attacker. She saw him coming at her time and time again as she searched her mind for his identity. She had to remember. She had to help the chief. She had known who he was. Why couldn't she remember? He was tall. Medium-length, brown hair. He had a handsome face. Wait, how could she know that if she could not remember his face? It was a young face. Then it hit her. Oh my god! It couldn't be possible, could it?
She reached for the phone. There was no phone. The chief had ordered it taken out of the room so she would rest. Eve pressed the nurse call button.
9.9
The phone in Ironside's office rang. The chief grabbed the receiver. "Ironside," he barked into the phone.
It was Captain Jimmy Smith from homicide. "Chief, we finally got a line on those butcher knives you had us checking out. They are from the Worthington Weapons shop on Centennial." He gave Chief Ironside the address.
"Thanks, Jimmy. I'll take it from here." Ironside slammed the phone down. He handed the address to Fran. "Fran, get over there and find out everything you can on those knives. I want the name of who brought them. Mark! Go with her. I don't want her traveling alone."
"We're on it, Chief," Mark called out as he grabbed his jacket. He and Fran rushed out of the office.
9.10
Ed and Carl entered the basement of the house the Moonlight Killer had vacated only a couple hours earlier. As they entered the room the water in the tub was sizzling with electricity. Ed went to the breaker box and shut down the circuit breaker. Carl then stepped over and pulled the plug.
Ed pulled out his cell phone and dialed the chief's office. "Chief, we were too late. It was our killer alright. The same butcher knife in his chest and Chief, you were right, the man was in a bathtub with electricity rigged into the water."
"Alright, take care of that end and then get back here." Ironside slammed the phone down into the cradle.
"Robert, what is it?" Barbara asked him.
Ironside did not answer her. He wheeled over to the cabinet and pulled out a file. With the file in hand he wheeled back to the table. He gathered up the cemetery lists and quickly checked down each one for the name from the file. It took him around five minutes to locate it but there it was. It couldn't be. The brother was in jail for attempting to murder him here in this office. Ironside had stopped him by running an electrical current into a bathtub full of water. He tricked him into going into the bathroom. After struggling with him Ironside knocked him down. When the man attempted to get up, he touched the stainless steel bathtub.
He reached for the phone and dialed the prison. "Get me the warden now, this is Robert Ironside." Ironside asked about the status of the man he now was sure was behind the killing, a young man who spent eighteen months in a psychiatric ward in the service.
"Chief, I would have thought you would have been contacted," the assistant warden said. He had taken the call. The warden was away on vacation.
"Contacted about what?" Ironside asked.
"He escaped about five months ago, Chief," the assistant warden informed him.
Ironside slammed the phone down. It immediately rang again. "Chief, it's Eve. I just remembered who attacked me. It was Jimmy…" she said before Ironside interrupted her.
"Jimmy Chard. His brother Bobby killed two officers trying to rob a bank. Jimmy tried to take revenge by trying to kill me here in this office. Eve, I just found out Bobby overdosed in prison. He's dead," Ironside said. "You get some rest. I have to put out an APB on Chard." Ironside hung up the phone.
"Are you sure, Robert?" Barbara asked.
Ironside reached for the phone. "I'm sure," he said. He dialed. Nothing happened. He tried again. Nothing happened.
The door opened and Jimmy Chard came down the ramp with a gun in one hand and two butcher knives in the other. "Hello, Chief."
