29
Jul
“We really don’t know what to make of it. It is disturbing never- the- less.” The Detective was no longer looking at Lynn.
“Disturbing? That’s your analysis? What part disturbs you more? The fact that someone knows about this little signature tidbit or that no one knows about this and yet, here it is, in the bag? Impossible. There is nothing comforting about this detective. Either you have a copy cat rapist or a ghost. Neither is good.”
“It gets better.” The detective stood up and paced a little.
“Oh I can’t wait.”
“The Medford rapist escalated. His fourth and final victim was murdered.”
“And how many cases do you have here?”
“Three.”
“Crap. So if all of this is to be believed, and I have no reason to doubt it, then our copy cat plans to kill the next victim.”
-MRC
“So you decided to war on the male human?”
“Meh. It’s a living.” She smiles a nasty, toothy, smile.
Eric isn’t worried. He owns the upper hand and she knows it.
“Listen, what you have been doing has disrupted a lot of lives unnecessarily just to prevent you from being bored. I think that is a waste of talent. You are an Eternal. Sending you back would only be a temporary fix for me. So we, you and I, need to come up with a better solution. Yes?”
“Talent? You consider me to be talented? “
She fights to contain her rage.
“Men of earth are a waste of space as far as I am concerned. All they do is war on each other and degrade their women. I am a purge for this blight called man. Present company accepted, of course”
“There is no use arguing the merits of men and women with you. I know that. But I can’t let you continue in this way. Either find a more mutually beneficial mission or I send you back and we continue this dance forever.”
“Forever is a long time for humans. You are part human, I am an Eternal. How could you possibly continue this fight with me?”
“My father is a very powerful man, Lilith. He will assign another to replace me when that day comes. This could get old for you.”
“Oh, so it is me you are thinking of, not your precious breed.” She snarls.
“I couldn’t care less about you lily. It’s your choice. I’m just being nice.”
-MRC
26
Jul
Lynn could not hide her shock.
“So, what you are telling me is that we have a copy cat?”
“What I am telling you agent is that we have a serial rapist who uses the same MO and leaves the same signature as the Medford rapist who died a year ago.”
“Sooo. . .a copy cat.” She repeated.
“It could look that way, except for the fact that the signature, this calling card, was never made public.”
The detective let that tidbit set in.
“Ok, there was a leak in the Medford police department. The info got out.” Lynn said with certainty.
“That was the thought at the time except that the chain of evidence was never broken. No one could have known about it outside the department and they all passed polygraph tests AND our current rapist could not have seen a copy of that business card. Ever.”
Lynn suppressed a laugh.
“Oooooooh. An X File. Scary.”
-MRC
Lilith stops short. “Ok little man, what do you want?”
“You know I could just send you back right now. You deserve to face the music. But you are an “Eternal” and I doubt you would learn your lesson.”
Lilith shows impatience on her face for a moment. Then, just as suddenly, she reverts to her more human form of Lily.
“Ok. So, we are here. What do you want?”
“Just answer a question for me. Why this? Why the killings? These people are little and meaningless to you. So. . .?”
“You answered your own question. I am an Eternal. Have you ever wondered what that means exactly?”
Eric shakes his head.
“No one but an Eternal understands what it means to BE eternal. It’s boring. No end in sight. We have to find ways to spend the time.”
-MRC
16
Jul
Lynn looked closely at the card in the evidence bag. It was the size of a business card. But this card didn’t advertise any business. On it was a symbol, an astrological sign.
“Scorpio?” Lynn’s look was quizzical.
Detective Nelson explained. “Yes, but this refers to it in a way no one expected.”
“Why? What does it mean?”
“He leaves one of these at each scene. A calling card if you will. Refers to himself as Scorpius, a God.”
“How the hell do you know that? It doesn’t say it on the card.”
“He told us.”
“WHAT?”
“Back in the early 90’s in Medford, Oregon, there was a series of home invasion rapes of young girls. The only evidence left at each scene was a card with the astrological sign of Scorpio.”
“At what point did this rapist tell you he was a God? I am missing something.”
“When we caught him.”
“Then you know who he is? He’s here now? How did he get out of jail? I assume he was put away?”
“We have no idea who he is. The Medford rapist died in prison a year ago.”
-MRC
Lilith and Narcissus eye each other with disdain.
“We don’t have all day.” Says Eric. “Chop chop.”
“What’s the catch?” Narcissus asks.
“No catch, I am tired of you guys and would like to go home. So, if you would. . .”
Lilith suddenly reverts to her more human, alluring form. She eyes Eric.
“Uh oh.” Old Frank shields his giant eyes.
She approaches Eric with all her swagger and feminine assets on display. Narcissus sees his chance. As he is about to fling a bolt directly into Lilith’s heart, Eric, without missing a beat holds aloft the parchment. Narcissus can’t help himself and accidentally looks directly at the paper and vanishes instantly.
“Why Eric, I didn’t know you cared.” Lilith purrs.
“Ah ah ah.” Eric threatens to flash the scroll. Lilith stops dead in her tracks. She knows he can expel her directly back to Olympus where the Gods await to exact long overdue punishment.
-MRC
12
Jul
Bear with me here. This is where it gets confusing.
I immediately went to investigate the human cargo crates. I was aghast to find two young men, boys really.
“Hello?” I ventured.
A mousy voice replied.
“What are you going to do with us?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what you mean. I am a police officer. I assume you are here against your will?”
“WHAT?!! YES!! PLEASE GET ME OUT OF HERE!!” The mousy voice was now replaced by a terrified and desperate youngster.
I was immediately consumed with panic. His voice must have been heard.
“DAMMIT! Keep your voice down. I am alone and don’t know what dangers lurk deeper in this cave system.”
Then another voice from the second crate.
“Please help me. I wanna go home.” The voice sobbed.
“Ok listen. What are your names?” I tried to sound calm.
“Johnny. I’m Johnny. Help me please. My leg hurts.” He began to cry.
“Walter. I’m Walter.” The other voice said.
“I’m Roger. I will do what I can to get you out but you must remain calm and quiet.”
I made a quick assessment of the crates. They were wooden and well built. Then I saw something that made my skin crawl. Each box had a stamp. Shipping stamps emblazoned on the side of each that said ‘Singapore. One Way. Via Freighter.’
“They are being Shanghaied.” I said to myself.
-MRC
9
Jul
Detective Nelson walked Lynn back to her hotel.
“There is one other thing Agent Kwan.”
“Isn’t there always?”
He stopped.
“Yes, as a matter of fact. Get used to this sort of thing Agent. It is part and parcel to the business. Secrets and information are our business.”
“You mean lies?”
Eric didn’t like that comment.
“Secrets don’t always mean lies Miss Kwan. Some things must remain out of the public for good reason. I think you know that. Even inter-agency secrets.”
“Ok. Yes. That’s true. We can’t always blab everything we know. Call it “Aces in the sleeves” if you will. Ok. Play your ace detective. I’m all ears.”
The detective motioned for them to go into Lynn’s room. Once they were inside, the Detective opened his briefcase and withdrew a plastic bag. It had an evidence seal on it. Inside was what looked like a business card. He handed her the bag.
“Evidence from?”
“The rapist leaves one of these at each crime scene.”
Lynn was shocked.
“You said there was no evidence?”
“I said there was no biological evidence.”
-MRC
8
Jul
After her breakfast Jeannie felt invigorated. She went back out on the deck to watch the sea. She seemed to have gotten her sea legs quickly. The rolling didn’t bother her at all.
“You seem to be better.” It was the crewman she passed on the way to breakfast.
“Yes, thanks. The galley chef is excellent.” She smiled.
“Let me guess, Biscuits and Gravy?” He ventured.
She let out a laugh. “How did you know?”
He looked at her seriously. “It’s my job to know.”
Then he winked.
“Silly.” Jeannie was surprised to finder herself flirting.
“Yeah, I know. I am silly. What’s your name?”
“My name? I thought you knew everything?” She played.
“Ha ha. Only important things like breakfast.” He teased.
“Oh I see. I am not important.” She pouted.
“Oh stop. Seriously. You are. . .?”
“Jeannie. And you are. . .?”
“Tom. Call me Tom.” He smiled.
-MRC
After the initial expulsions, all that remains standing are two trees, a single burnt motorcycle, Old Hank, Eric, and two pissed off Gods.
“Ok folks, here’s what we’re gonna do.” Eric begins.
“I’m not going to expel either of you.”
The other three turn and look at Eric agog.
“Um, Eric? Probably not the best idea.” Old Hank whispered.
“Nope. Seriously. We are going to sit here and watch the two of you kill each other.” Eric takes a seat on a rock outcropping and crosses his arms. Then simply stares at the combatants.
Hank does the same.
“Oh this is going to be good.” Hank laughs. He laughs loudly.
-MRC