IV. Ticking Clock
November 1961 Kansas City, Kansas
"Do you ever think about what could be out there?" Yvonne asked as she looked up at the stars, lying next to Floyd on the hood of his Camaro as his radio played in the background.
"Like little green martin men." Floyd joked.
Yvonne rolled her eyes and hit him, "Stop it I'm serious you know the President says he's gonna land a man on the moon."
Floyd snorted "Yeah right and the New York Mets will win the World Series."
"I bet you ten bucks that it'll happen." Yvonne turned her head to look at him, "Have you been there before?"
"What to New York...yeah when I was little." Floyd shrugged
"Was it as amazing as everyone says…I always wanted to go to the Big Apple…visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island….you know over 12 million immigrants came through there hoping for a slice of the American Dream…a better life."
Floyd chuckled, "Is there going to be a pop quiz history teacher?"
"Of course history is important," Yvonne laughed, "my Grandpa use to say that if you don't know what happened yesterday, you won't know what's going on today, and you aren't going to be prepared for tomorrow…"
"So I guess us laying down under the stars is making history huh…" Floyd asked.
"Yep who knows Floyd we might become famous someday they might even write a book about us…"
"Yeah I can see it now Floyd and Yvonne two American kids growing up in the heartland trying to find their way to a magical kingdom and live happily ever after…you'll be the new Cinderella."
Yvonne chuckled grabbing his collar pulling him in for a kiss "You do know that makes you Cinderella and me Prince Charming because I'm pretty sure I'm the one who saved you the first time we first meet."
Floyd kissed her back and smiled "Whatever you say Prince Charming."
They settle back in each other's arms and continued to gaze at the stars and moon as the soft melody of the radio played in the background.
*'Blue moon…you saw me standing alone…without a dream in my heart without a love of my own...Blue moon…you knew just what I was there for you heard me saying a prayer for someone I really could care for…and then there suddenly appeared before me, the only one my arms will hold I heard somebody whisper, please adore me, and when I looked to the moon it turned to gold…Blue moon now I'm no longer alone….'
East 79th street Upper East Side Manhattan
John and Shaw sat in Finch's car in front of the stone faced apartment complex.
"Nice digs," Shaw stated as they exited the car.
"Yeah, too nice these apartments are expensive," John agreed as they crossed the street.
"So how does a convicted criminal who just got out of prison after fifty-one years afford a place like this Shaw muttered out as they entered the building, making their way up to the 6th floor.
"Indeed Ms. Shaw I am currently looking into the irregularities in Vincent's financials."
"Irregularities?" John questioned
"A few months ago a large sum of money was deposited into Mr. Vincent's account from an unknown source in the Cayman's
"How large is large?" Shaw asked as they made their way down the hall to apartment 6804
"3 million." Finch stated as he began to trace the money.
"That sounds like more than enough money to do some serious damage to me." John replied as he raised his hand and knocked on the apartment door.
"NYPD Mr. Vincent we have some questions for you!"
"I thought I was a Marshall?" Shaw asked as she pulled her badge out.
"No one ever looks to closely at the badges."
Shaw shook her head, before whispering, "Is that even what cops say during these things?"
John shrugged "I don't know it works on Law and Order."
They both turn their attention on the apartment door as they heard the tumbles in the locks engage before the door opened partially.
"Can I help you?" A deep baritone voice asked.
"Yes you can. I'm detective Stills" John flashed his badge quickly, "and this is my partner Jennings"
Shaw followed suit and flashed her badge.
"What can I do for you Detectives?" Floyd asked as he opened the door further.
"Where here investigating two homicides and we believe you know the victims, a James Bradford and a Lucas Cavanaugh," John finished explaining as he carefully observed Floyds face for any signs of guilt.
"Jimmy and Lucas. I haven't seen them in such a long time, I can't believe they're dead… that's tragic" Floyd sympathized.
He's good Shaw thought as she watched Floyd play the part of a surprised innocent bystander.
"Do you mind if we come in?" John asked "We have some questions for you that might aid us in catching the person or persons responsible."
"Of course," Floyd smiled pleasantly as he looked at Shaw, "Ladies first", he extended his are welcoming them into his home.
"Uhh…thank you," Shaw replied awkwardly as she entered the apartment first.
As they made their further into the apartment John took in the impersonal design, everything was nicely furnished but seemed to lack any personal touches, like the entire room came straight out of a furniture catalog.
"Would you two like anything to drink?" Floyd offered as he directed them to the kitchen table.
"No thank you." John answered.
"Please sit," Floyd gestured, giving Shaw a smile as he pulled out a chair for her.
John would have laughed at Shaw's uncomfortable reaction to god old fashioned chivalry, if he wasn't so sure Floyd was a murderer.
John took his seat at the table, examining the disassembled pocket watch, laid out meticulously on an orange cloth in font of Floyd.
"Sorry for the mess I was fixing my watch. So what are these questions you need to ask me?"
"What can you tell us about Bradford and Cavanaugh? Do you happen to know if that had any enemies that would want them dead?" John questioned.
"I can't tell you very much I haven't seen or spoken to either one of them in a very long time."
"Surely you know something about them, after all Greenwood was a very small town?" John followed up
Floyd smirked "this apartment building is smaller, doesn't mean I know everyone who lives here."
"Speaking of this apartment," John looks around "it's very nice, expensive. Tell me how a convicted murderer such as yourself can afford a place like this, especially since you've been locked up for over 5 decades."
When he didn't answer John continued, "I find it a strange coincident that you went to prison for murdering a man from your hometown and then as soon as you get out two more men from your hometown drop dead. So tell me what that sounds like to you?"
"Sounds like someone doesn't like people from Kansas," Floyd laughed out.
John smirked, hiding his agitation as he stares Floyd down.
Shaw looked between John and Floyd, it was like she walked into an alternate dimension. The subtle consistency in both John and Floyd's mannerism made it seem like she was watching John have a conversation with an older version of himself.
"Excuse me." Shaw interrupted, "but do you mind if I use your bathroom."
Floyd turned to the young lady "Of course not it's down the hall last door on the left"
Shaw nodded in thanks as she got up and headed to the bathroom.
Floyd turned his attention back on the man questioning him, "So I take it from your line of questioning that you suspect I'm somehow involved in Jimmy and Lucas's murders based on where I'm from and my past criminal record."
John narrowed his eyes.
Floyd smiles, "that sounds a bit circumstantial detective."
"I've seen people convicted on less." John stated.
"Ms. Shaw is it wise to leave Mr. Reese by himself" Harold questioned through the ear piece.
"Just doing some snooping, might find a clue, plus didn't feel like sitting though that dick measuring contest any longer." Shaw replied looking around Floyd's bedroom.
After coming up empty handed Shaw moved across the hall to the bathroom closing door softly, flushing the toilet, and turning on the faucet for a few moments before walking out back towards the kitchen area.
"Like I asked earlier Floyd, how can you afford this place?" John questioned.
"A friend was kind enough to lend it to me until I got back on my feet again" Floyd explained.
"Nice friend." Shaw stated.
"Yes she is," Floyd confirmed before looking back to John, "and she's from Kansas too just in case she fits into your suspect pool as well."
John cut his eyes to Shaw hoping she found something so he had an excuse to knock him out and call Carter, he was disappointed when Shaw slightly shook her no.
"No need for the secret glances detectives, I could of told you ,that you weren't going to find anything here to suggest that I shoot Jimmy twice in the chest and once in the head before I tracked Lucas down and shoot him twice in the stomach while he had lunch with his pretty young wife.
Shaw and John stiffened at Floyd's sudden confession.
John prepared himself to strike, "those details weren't released to the public. So how would you know that?
"Because I killed them," Floyd replied deadpan looking at Shaw and John.
"Uhhh...you do know that you just confessed to murder" Shaw stated as she reached for her gun in case he had a trick up his sleeve.
Floyd ignored Shaw as he looked at John, "you look familiar, have we meet before?"
"You kind of remind me of this guy I saw the other day on the subway, poor bastard was too slow and missed the train."
John clenched his fist and teeth at Floyd's mockery, realizing he knew all along that they weren't cops.
"But do you know who you remind me of the most." Floyd smiled as he pointed his finger at John, "When you spend a lot of time in prison you get to see a lot of interesting things, lots of people coming and going, some of them even famous."
Harold listened on baited breath over the mic with an unsettling feeling as he listen to Floyd's comments.
Floyd leaned back in his chair, "You see there was this guy I saw get his royal ass beating in the court yard one day, thought he was about to die, lucky for him the guards intervened… I'm pretty sure the prison gossip said he was some vigilante who ran around the city fighting crime."
"Funny story right? What would a cop like you have in common with a criminal" Floyd asked rhetorically "but when you arrest me I'm sure the other detectives at your precinct would be able to sort things out don't you agree Detective Stills was it...oh it doesn't really matter if I remember your name or not I'll just let them know your badge number." Floyd fished unconcerned.
"If you don't have any more questions 'Detectives', I'd like to get back to fixing my watch." Floyd smirked as he watched the man draw his lips into a tight line as he stood up.
"We're watching you," John threatened as he and Shaw began to head toward the front door.
Floyd chuckled softly as he watched the 'Detectives' exit his apartment, the small one slamming his door.
"We should have just shot the smug bastard." Shaw complained.
"We don't know what he's planning next or who's involved. It could cause more problems for us in the long run, especially if his next target is the police commissioner." John answered as he angrily marched down the hall way.
"Speaking of problems Mr. Reese how do you purpose we deal with the new one we just created?" Harold questioned wearily.
"What are you talking about Finch?" John asked confused as he and Shaw walked out of the apartment building.
"We just exposed to Floyd that he's a suspect in a criminal investigation as well as exposing you Mr. Reese and potential garnering unwanted attention to the man in the suit." Harold rattled off before continuing, "I would be lying if I said I wasn't slightly petrified about what Detective Carter is going to do to us when she finds out what we've done."
Joss slowly brought the coffee mug to her lips as she sipped on the bitter and lukewarm liquid as she stared at John and Shaw sitting tensely in front of her.
"You're mad, aren't you? John asked.
Joss set her mug down and smiled "Me? Mad. Now why would I be mad John. Is it because you two impersonated a law enforcement officers?, Is it because you let my murder suspect know that the cops suspect him in a double homicide., Is it because that said suspect pegged you as an imposter and the man in the suit?, Is it because I've spent the last few days busting my ass investigating every possible angle to this case while top brass is breathing down my neck?, or is it that I now have to come up with another connection between these murders before I go question him 'officially' and hope to God that he doesn't bring up two detectives who questioned him before."
"Why would I be mad John, it's not like I told you to stay away from Vincent." Joss gritted her teeth as she stood up from the table.
"I guess Harold was right about having to help you hide my body" John threw out jokingly with a half-smile.
"Don't be silly John," Joss smiled as she moved to stand next to his seated form. She giggled as she rubbed his shoulder with one hand before gently tugging on his earlobe, before the smile fell from her face, "Who ever said that there's going to be a body left to bury."
John shifted uncomfortably as he watched Joss make her way out the dinner.
"The machine would let us know if she starts plotting to kill us right?" Shaw asked out loud so both John and Harold could hear her.
AN: Thank you all for all the reviews i love everyone of them.
* Blue Moon- Recorded 1961 by the Marcels
Fun-Facts
There was a blue moon on Wednesday, November 22, 1961,
Apollo 11 landed on the moon in 1969
The New York Mets won the World Series in 1969, pulling off one the greatest upsets in baseball earning them the moniker of the Miracle Mets