Epilogue
The New York Times, Friday, July 15, 2005
A Sad Close to a Horrifying Case
NEW YORK CITY – Early Thursday morning, still in the hours of darkness, neighbors of Justin Harrington were woken up by several loud noises, what were later identified as gunshots. The bodies of Police Chief Manuel Gonzalez and Justin Harrington were found in the office of Mr. Harrington's mansion, both apparently shot in the chest; Chief Gonzalez once, but Mr. Harrington four times. Detective Albert Cardoso told reporters that Mr. Harrington was involved in the recent killings in the Central Park district, and when Chief Gonzalez came to question him, Mr. Harrington shot and killed the Chief, and in turn, was shot by officers Burcham and Hinson, who were with the Chief.
Furthermore, the killer was found dead also, in his apartment building on 84 Street. When Detective Cardoso arrived at the scene, the killer was already dead, apparently suicide. The man was Thomas Liddell, brother of Justin Harrington. Reporters were able to talk to the only target that survived this horrible incident. Miss Julia Hendrix, former wife to Justin Harrington, and lover to Thomas. She told reporters that Thomas had visited her on Wednesday, before he left her house and apparently went back to his house where he killed himself. "I had not seen him for nearly two years, so when he suddenly showed up at my door, I was surprised, to say the least. But I had no idea he was there to kill me." Luckily, Thomas had not attempted anything, as she claimed that he 'still had feelings for her.'
It was a sad and solemn day at the police station yesterday, and the mood will not change for a long time. Chief Gonzalez was a respected and well-loved man, and he will be missed. Preparations for his funeral are in the works and will be announced in the coming days.
Four months later, November 9...
It was almost 3:30 in the afternoon, as the little girl was skipping happily down the sidewalk of Madison Avenue. Her long, black hair fell down to her lower back as her pale skin glistened in the afternoon sun. She stopped at the corner and waited for the traffic light to turn red so she could walk across. She had remembered meeting someone a few months ago at this exact spot. She remembered him distinctly: his clothes, his voice, his face, everything.
She also remembered hearing about him on the news several days after she had met him. It made her sad to know that he killed people. She thought he was nice. At least he was to her. She even cried a bit when she found out. She looked up at the street light, seeing that it had just turned yellow, as she was ready to cross. And as it turned red, she took a step out onto the sidewalk. It was only a few more steps away when she heard someone call out to her.
"Mary Jane!"
It was the voice of a man coming from behind her. She knew the voice instantly; it was Thomas.
"Thomas!" She cried, as she jumped back to the sidewalk. And as soon as she moved away, a car came whizzing by, right over the spot where she was just standing. She turned and fell back on her butt from the wind caused by the speeding car. She looked around now; no one was there. As she stood up and brushed herself off, she called out again.
"Thomas?" Her voice was hinted with a bit of fear. She looked around once more, before she turned and began walking back in the other direction. Back home.