Broken Doll-Chapter 8
Starsky entered the squad room still carrying the heavy box, and immediately set it down on the desk in front of Hutch. He was still unsure of recent events, but willing to attribute the lost time to his continuing illness. He sat down heavily in his chair and began pulling the yellowing brittle tape from the box.
Detectives in the squad room were smiling and muttering to each other, and some even pointed towards the dark-haired detective. After several minutes of odd looks and whispered laughs behind his back, he leaned forward on his desk and signaled Hutch to come closer.
"What's up with them?" He gestured with his head toward the others.
Hutch smiled knowingly. "Well, it's probably all the perfume your wearing."
"What?"
"You smell like my mom."
"I don't really, do I?"
"I'm afraid so, buddy. Tea Rose to be exact. It's my mom's favorite. Dad buys it for her every Christmas like clockwork."
"I don't smell it." Starsky sniffed his shirt, causing trickles of laughter from the other detectives in the squad room.
"Hutchinson! Starsky! My office!" Dobey shouted through his closed door.
The two detectives cautiously entered the Captain's office, Starsky consciously closing the door quietly behind them.
"Sit down you two. Starsky! Why do you smell like my mother?"
Dobey's comment caused Hutch to chortle loudly as Starsky's face reddened.
"I don't know, Cap. I don't smell anything."
"Well, just make sure you shower before your next shift!"
Hutch wiped his eyes and tried, unsuccessfully, to stifle his laughter, not noticing the wicked look his partner was shooting in his direction.
"Okay, okay, that's enough, Hutchinson," Dobey said, also wiping his eyes. Then, growing serious, added, "I want to know what you have on the Mallone case."
Starsky raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I didn't know you were interested, Cap."
"Of course, I'm interested, Starsky." Dobey repositioned his abundant personage in his chair, almost as if embarrassed. "It was the biggest unsolved crime of its time. If you two solve it, think of the PR this department would get!"
Hutch seemed to know his boss's interest was greater than that. "It's just for the PR, huh, Captain?" He cocked his head.
"Well," the Captain said, blustering, "I guess I want to find out what happened to the poor girl as badly as you two. I was a street cop once, too, you know."
"We know, Cap. I guess we all want to know what happened to Elizabeth, huh?" Starsky's words brought everyone back to the case at hand.
"Well, what've you got so far?" Dobey asked, leaning forward in his chair.
"We think we have a serial killer at work here, Captain." Hutch proceeded to give him an abbreviated account of his recent phone conversation. "I just got off the phone with Frank. He was able to cross reference our perp's MO with 19 other unsolved crimes in the last 30 years. The last three attacks, which we know of, happened in the last two years." All eyes were on Hutch as he continued to recount the news. "Two of the three victims were killed."
"And the third?" Starsky was hoping against hope they finally had a lead.
"She was attacked, but she got away. It was written up as an attempted rape. But in the report, she says she was forced to bathe."
"Where did these other attacks happen? Obviously, not here. Otherwise, someone would have caught on to the pattern."
"Right, Cap," Hutch responded. "Some were in Sacramento, Yolo County, San Diego, and the last one happened here in Bay City, six months ago. She's still living here, and I got her address. Her name is Anna Lewis." Hutch held up a small piece of paper.
"Can we get the coroner's reports on the other victims?" Starsky asked the Captain.
"I'll call for them right away. In the meantime, Hutch, call the girl and get an interview with her. And Starsky!"
"Yeah, Cap?"
"Go shower before you two interview anyone. You stink!"
With that, the partners exited Dobey's office and returned to their desks. While Hutch phoned the last possible victim, Starsky opened the evidence box and began to sort through the aged relics.
He began by pulling out the sealed contents, opening the first of several fragile paper bags. Looking in, he saw the twinkling of rubies, sapphires, rings, bracelets, and some expensive looking earrings. He had the strong sense that he'd seen this jewelry on someone before, but with a quick shake of his head he set the thought aside. The next bag contained a group of letters held together by a desiccated rubber band, but he also set them temporarily aside, feeling the need to look further inside the box.
Looking in once more, he saw a cardboard container, and using his scissors carefully cut away the tape.
"What ya got there, Starsk?" Hutch asked when he'd hung up the phone.
Starsky continued staring into the contents. "Huh? Oh. Bones."
"Bones are in the evidence box?" Hutch sounded surprised.
"They're Elizabeth's," Starsky stated matter-of-factly. "Think we might be able to learn something about our killer from these?" he asked hopefully.
Hutch involuntarily shivered. "It's certainly worth a shot, I suppose. Let's give them to Gail on our way out. She likes you, so maybe she'll do us a favor and give us a rush job?"
"She does not like me. We're just friends."
"It didn't look like you were just friends at Bernie's retirement party last month," Hutch shot back.
"Oh, come on, Hutch. You were too busy making out with that new mail clerk to notice anything." Starsky knew Hutch was teasing, so he kept up the banter as best he could. "Besides, we've only gone out once since then, and it was bowling…and we went dutch."
"Yeah? Wasn't she there the next morning when I picked you up?"
"It's not like we're engaged, you know."
"All I said was that she likes you."
"She does not like me. We're just friends."
The argument continued all the way down to the forensics lab and into the police garage where the Torino sat.
O0O
Realizing that it was almost time to meet Mrs. Talbert, Starsky showered at Hutch's apartment, which was mostly on the way. A hot shower and a quick change of clothes later, Starsky and Hutch pulled up to Betty Talbert's home.
Once parked, both detectives climbed out to survey the area.
"That must have been the field where the body was dumped." Hutch pointed down the street, past several old but well-kept homes to an obviously newer housing project.
"Too bad it's being developed. Who knows how much evidence was left at the scene." Starsky shook his head at the lost opportunity and headed towards the front door of the saltbox home.
Hutch rang the bell, which gave off a tinny ring. "Guess we'll never know, huh, partner?"
A small woman of about 60 answered the door, wearing a faded apron over an equally-faded pink ruffle dress. Her dyed platinum hair was pulled neatly into clips and hung in tight ringlets at the sides of her head, while her bright red cheeks were creased with blush, and her lips were painted like hearts. Blue eyeliner circled her wrinkled, sad eyes. She politely bade the detectives in and offered each a chair in her faded living room.
"Mrs. Talbert, my partner and I were hoping you could answer a few questions for us concerning the Elizabeth Mallone case." Starsky pulled a small black notebook and pen from his leather jacket.
"Certainly, detectives. I'll do anything to help. My goodness, yes. Such a tragedy. Tragedy." Mrs. Talbert shook her head and rung a pink lace hanky between her hands. "May I offer you some tea?"
"No, thank you, Mrs. Talbert, we're fine," Hutch answered, slightly hoarse from all the dust floating about in the air.
"No, no, it's not a problem. I have it right here." She pointed to the kitchen. "I'll be just a jiffy. Now you boys relax while I get your tea."
Hutch rested his head in his hand and massaged his temples while Starsky wandered about the room fingering various objects lying around. When he came to the fire place mantel, a picture caught his attention. Picking it up, he took it over to Hutch.
"Hey, does she look familiar to you?" He shoved the picture in front of Hutch.
Hutch took the picture of the attractive young woman and held it up for a better look. The picture looked to be about 10 years old, and the young lady in it had her hair in ponytails, appearing even younger than she probably was. He looked closely at the eyes.
"Yeah, she does. Now where have I seen her?"
"Oh, I see you found the picture of my daughter, Emma. Isn't she lovely? Single, too." Mrs. Talbert came into the room carrying a tray with teacups full of steaming liquid.
Hutch handed the picture back to his partner. "Is she the police officer you were telling me about?"
Starsky snapped his finger in sudden recognition. "Emma…something or other- in records! She just transferred in from Hill Top… remember, Hutch? We met her at the Pig Bowl last month. She was a cheerleader for our team."
How could Hutch forget the annual Police vs. Sheriff Football game? Every year he came away from the game limping. At least this year they had won.
"Oh, yeah, she's the cute one that was wearing the really short, tight…" Hutch quickly stopped what he was saying and looked over to Mrs. Talbert. "Sorry," he added, his cheeks burning.
"Yes, that's her." Mrs. Talbert seemed oblivious to Hutch's gaffe. "She became an officer right after she graduated from Bay State College. Isn't she lovely?" Mrs. Talbert lovingly took the picture from Starsky's hand and carefully replaced it on the mantel. "She was with me when I found the body."
She handed each detective a cup and saucer, then handed around a cup of sugar cubes. Starsky looked at the cubes, but noticing the dark dust covering them, politely declined.
Hutch took a sip of the hot tea. "That must have been very hard on the two of you."
"Emma had nightmares for months. She was only three at the time, but she wasn't dumb. She knew what she saw was evil. What kind of monster could do something like that to that poor woman? Horrible. It was just plain horrible." Mrs. Talbert opened a small flask she was carrying in her pocket and poured several fingers-worth into her tea.
The two partners shared a quick look before Starsky spoke. "What exactly did you see, ma'am?"
"She was lying there, on the ground, in two pieces. There was no blood, I remember. But she had gashes on her mouth, all over her face, really. And the bottom half of her was slightly off to the side, kind of splayed out, if you know what I mean?"
"Did you notice anyone unusual around the area that day?" Hutch asked.
The older woman thought briefly before answering. "There was a young woman taking pictures. I thought she was with the paper, which struck me as unusual, because that's not the kind of job young ladies generally had back then. Anyway, she looked really nervous and left when the police arrived."
Starsky sat up tall at this piece of news. "You mean she was there before the police?"
"Well, yes."
"Were any other reporters there with her?" Starsky continued his line of questioning.
"No. Not that I recall. No reporters yet. There were some neighbors and passers-by that came to see." Mrs. Talbert seemed confused by the interest the dark-haired detective had in the reporter. "Is this important? She was just a reporter."
Hutch asked the next question. "Mrs. Talbert, who called the police?"
"Well, I don't know. I started screaming and then suddenly people were gathered all around, and that photographer was flashing her camera. It was all very confusing, detectives." She took a long drink from her cup, hands shaking.
"I'm sure it was, Mrs. Talbert." Starsky attempted to calm the woman. "You're doing very well. You're being more helpful than you know."
"Ma'am, when did the other media arrive?"
She thought a moment before answering. "Just after the police. I remember because just after the police finished interviewing me, the reporters scared Emma when they surrounded us and started taking photos."
"Was the first photographer there at this time?" Starsky asked.
"Oh, no, no, no, as I said before, she left when the police came."
"I see. Mrs. Talbert, can you remember what this photographer looked like?" Hutch could see that Starsky was doubtful she would remember, but there was always hope.
"Oh, my, yes. I never forget a face."
Starsky perked up again and encouraged her to continue.
"Well, it was her eyes that caught my attention. They were an unusual shade of blue, almost purple. And striking. Very striking. But I remember thinking that she was very tall for a woman. She stood at least six feet."
"What else do you remember about her? Hair color, any unusual marks?" Starsky tried to remain calm even though his heart was racing at the breakthrough.
"She was a redhead, I think. Yes, a redhead."
"Mrs. Talbert," Hutch asked hopefully, "did you see what she was driving?"
"She walked away on foot, but later that day I saw her drive past our house in a black Ford. I remember because I was expecting Fred home and when I heard a car, I looked out the window and saw that reporter. I guess I just thought she was back taking more photos."
Standing, Hutch nodded to Starsky, who said, "Thank you, Mrs. Talbert. You've been very helpful."
"Well, I just wish you could catch the man that did this. I haven't slept well since it happened, you know."
Bidding their witness good night, the partners stepped out into the pouring rain and dashed for the dry interior of the Torino.
O0O
"Let's see if Anna Lewis is home and'll talk to us. I have a feeling we may have just been given a break, and I'd like to see if she can give us any insight."
Starsky swung his muscular legs into the Torino and started the engine. "You think the reporter may know our guy?"
"Her behavior did sound suspicious, and it's the best lead we have so far. Hell, it's our only lead." Hutch dug in his pocket for the next address.
"I sure hope you're right, partner."
Starsky turned the car toward the address Hutch held and the engine roared in response.
Cold house calls were not SOP for the detectives, but, then, neither was investigating a thirty year old murder. Besides, interviewing Anna face to face somehow seemed more respectful than an impersonal phone call.
O0O
Twenty minutes later the two detectives stood inside the warm apartment of Anna Lewis, both astonished by what they saw. Anna, an attractive woman of about 25, was a doppelganger of Elizabeth Mallone. Like Elizabeth, Anna had long hair the color of coal that contrasted sharply with her milky skin, bringing out her dusky eyes and thick lashes. Her full ruby lips matched the rich blush of her cheek. And, just like Elizabeth, Starsky noticed, Anna was a natural beauty. He felt his breath catch in his chest for just a moment.
"Thank you for seeing us without an appointment, Miss Lewis." Starsky looked directly into her large almond-shaped eyes as he spoke.
Anna made a wide gesture inviting the detectives to sit. "I'm just a little confused about why the police want to interview me after all this time."
"That's understandable, miss. It has been a long time, too long. If it's okay with you, we just need to ask a few questions, then we'll be on our way." Hutch pulled out his note pad and flipped it open on his lap.
Starsky was still focused on Anna's face when Hutch nudged him in the arm with his elbow, giving him a silent look Starsky translated as: Stop gawking and ask questions.
"Miss Lewis…" Starsky began.
"Call me Anna."
"Anna," Starsky said, smiling amiably, "were you able to see your attacker?"
The young woman inhaled deeply and appeared lost in thought. After a brief pause, she spoke. "Yes, I …I think I did. But not very well—he was wearing something over his face." She moved her hands to demonstrate.
Starsky was struck by how melancholy her eyes looked, and he fought the strange urge to pull her into his arms and comfort her. A light sweat broke out on his forehead. What is wrong with me, he wondered to himself.
"Can you try describe to him? Height, weight, distinguishing marks?" Hutch looked thoughtfully at the woman.
"He was about six feet tall, 150 pounds." Anna's eyes were fixed on her lap.
"His face, Anna, did you see any of his face?" Starsky pushed her, softly, for the answer.
He could see she was struggling to remain in control, and impulsively leaned forward to take her small hand in his. Warm tears began to trickle from her eyes, and he could feel her trembling.
"I know this is very difficult for you, Anna. But it's important that you stay strong and tell us everything you know. We want to help you, but we can only do that if you answer our questions. Do you understand?"
Anna quietly nodded her head and began to speak. "I…I though I was past this. That, that I'd overcome what that monster did to me. It happened so long ago, but talking about it now…well, I…I…I'm not sure I can do this again."
"Anna, sweetheart, we know you're scared." Starsky looked to Hutch for help. "But, you're safe now. We won't let anything happen to you."
"Anna, we need to know what he did to you so we can stop him before he hurts anyone else. Only you can help us, Anna. We need you to help us." Two pair of azure eyes looked compassionately at the terror-stricken woman.
Anna reached up to her neck and removed the thick, black, velvet choker she was wearing, revealing a fading pink scar.
"He did this to me," she said lifting her chin so the detectives could have a better look.
Starsky leaned over to her chair and ran his eyes along the path the scar took, directly around her throat. He could see by Hutch's expression that his friend was just as horrified as he.
"He grabbed me from behind as I was unloading groceries from my car. I felt something across my face and then I blacked out." She tied the choker back around her neck hiding the scar.
"Chloroform," Hutch stated, looking to his nodding partner for confirmation.
"I woke up later, naked, and my hands and feet were tied. He was standing over me wearing a white mask, like doctors wear. That's when he…he," Anna once again began to cry and buried her face in her hands.
"Anna, did he rape you?" Starsky stomach churned at his question, but he had to know.
She shook her head "No" and wiped her nose with the tissue Starsky handed her. "No, he…he tried to…but he wasn't able. Everything he did was done to humiliate me. And….he succeeded." She broke down in sobs.
There was no need to ask for details tonight: they already knew from Elizabeth's file what this barbarian was capable of. If they really had to know, they would ask later, after she had a chance to recover from this invasive round of questioning.
Starsky took hold of her hand again. "Anna, do you need to stop?"
Anna shook her head and held tightly onto the detective's hand.
"You're doing real good, sweetheart. Real good. Can you tell us what he did next?" Starsky asked.
"He dragged me into the bathroom by my hair and forced me into the bathtub. He pushed me under the water and held me there. The ropes loosened some and I was finally able to get one arm free. I kept kicking and scratching and…and that's when I saw his face. I think I pulled off his mask. And, and I saw him through the water. I was drowning, but I saw him. Oh, God, I saw him…" Anna covered her face with her trembling hands.
Hutch looked at her intently. "What did you see, Anna?" he asked softly.
"His eyes! I could see the rage in his eyes! I tried screaming, but he held me under. Then he put something around my neck and pulled it tight. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't scream. The next thing I remember, I was lying on the grass in Kirkland Park. A policeman was covering me with a blanket, and lights were flashing all around."
Starsky gave her a warm smile and took her hand. "You are a very brave lady, Anna. I'm proud of you."
Anna smiled back shyly, wiping tears from her eyes, only then noticing how truly handsome the young curly-haired detective was.
"I just have a few more routine questions for you, Anna, if that's okay," Hutch asked, knowing any more of a description of the maniac from her tonight would be impossible.
"Anna, would you mind if I got some water while my partner wraps this up?" Starsky interrupted. He usually didn't ask for refreshments while in a witness's house, but his skin was burning up and his mouth had turned to cotton.
"Sure, let me get it for you, Detective Starsky." Anna began to rise, but Starsky stopped her with a hand to her shoulder and a charming smile.
"I'll get it. And you can call me Dave." Hutch rolled his eyes.
Starsky felt painfully warm, and his chest was beginning to burn as he politely excused himself and went to the kitchen.
He could hear Hutch asking Anna where she had gone grocery shopping the night she was attacked, but didn't hear the soft answer through the ringing in his ears.
Wearily he took a glass from the cupboard and filled it with cold water from the tap. After greedily drinking the cold liquid, he set the glass on the sink and returned to the entry way.
"Thank you, Anna, for talking to us. You've been a huge help." Hutch gently shook her hand.
"I really hope so, Detective Hutchinson."
Starsky handed her his card. "Please call us if you need anything, Anna. Anything at all." His fingers brushed across hers, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she met his eyes and smiled.
"You ready, Starsk?" Hutch handed Starsky his leather jacket, and they headed out the door into the cool damp night.
O0O
Once at the car, Starsky angrily slammed his fist onto the roof. "Damn it, Hutch! How could someone do that to her? We have to get this turkey."
"I know, buddy. We will. Let's go to Huggy's, huh? See if he's heard anything."
"Yeah. Okay." Starsky rubbed his sore fist as he climbed into the car. He was feeling tired and sick and just wanted to go home, but he didn't want to be alone, either. So, after a large sigh, he drove the car to The Pits.
To be continued