Saturday morning, June 16th
“Dan, my man. Find our killer yet?” Mory asked as he walked into the office they shared. It was one of the smallest ones on that floor, but it suited their needs. Their desks were pushed together in its center, allowing each to have a small stand to one side for typing their reports. His desk was decorated with two framed photographs of his wife, a legal pad that he doodled on as he pondered a case, a telephone and a short lamp for late nights. Dan had no pictures on his desk; he and his wife had divorced several years ago after she left him for one of his supposed best friends. The only personal thing Dan displayed was a pen set which had been given to him by his old boss in New York. The inscription said, Hope to see you again soon. It didn’t have a name identifying the person who had given it, but Mory knew the history behind that treasured memento. He hoped his friend and partner would be able to let the past go and take good advantage of his new start here, one that had been thrust upon Dan a little less than two years ago.
Dan looked into his college friend’s face and shook his head. “Too soon, only been pouring over these old files and my notes since five AM. Glad I hit the sack early last night. Something strange is going on here, but I don’t have a theory yet on who’s responsible for last night’s carnage. I’m relieved we have Henri on our team now instead of Ed. If it wasn’t for Harold’s help before she came, we’d have lots of unsolved cases. He’s smart and observant. He put me onto this trail. Just listen to this report.”
“Maybe I’d better sit down before I get us some coffee. I have the feeling I’m not going to like what you have to say.”
“Probably not. Let me ask you something first. Did you notice how filthy the apartment was? Looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in months, which is probably an understatement. But the doorknob leading outside had been wiped clean. Henri said they were able to locate fingerprints on almost every surface, except that one. Whoever was in there took the time to wipe it clean so we couldn’t use it to figure out who he was. I’ll bet they don’t find prints anywhere on Crouch’s body. Henri said our assailant ejaculated, so with DNA testing, that’s better than a fingerprint, if we can figure out who did it. Those scuffmarks on the floor means Crouch was dragged to the bedroom. Probably semi-conscious, because he’d be easier to handle than dead weight, then dragged in there. That would explain how this son of a bitch was able to strip him down and tie him to the bed.”
“Makes sense to me. Did you find out anything from his police file? Was Mrs. Crouch correct in her explanation of the events two years ago?”
Dan muttered, “Glad that scene was BMT, as Henri would say.” He looked down and read from a piece of paper. “Numerous cuts on the body. S-L-U-T carved into the victim’s left cheek. Beaten severely on the back, buttocks and legs. Extensive swelling and damage. Anal and oral sodomy. You thought I was reading my report for last night’s incident, didn’t you? Except for their different sexes, sounds eerily similar.”
Mory kept nodding his head as Dan spoke, a grimace on his face.
“One hundred forty seven stitches necessary for various cuts. Emergency surgery required for a ruptured spleen. Plastic surgery recommended for the victim’s face.” Dan looked up at Mory. “That’s from the file on Lisa Starnes, the girl who accused Crouch of raping her two years ago. After emergency surgery, she was unconscious for several days before she was able to talk to anyone and tell what had happened to her. Unlucky for her, when she was prepped for surgery, nobody thought about doing a rape kit or collecting any evidence on her body that would have nailed her assailant. The only thing the prosecuting attorney had was her positive ID of her attacker, but David Crouch had an alibi—the same John who had a fight with him on Thursday night. So, Crouch walked free and clear. Now, do you want to hear the rest of the story?”
“There’s more?” Mory saw Dan nod and frown. “Does Ms. Starnes have a boyfriend or husband who would try to punish this man?”
“She had a boyfriend then, but his address has changed to an out of state one. Guess he couldn’t deal with what happened to his girlfriend. The lead on her case did a clear and detailed job, so that’ll be a huge help for us. Seems he took a personal interest in justice for Lisa, even did lots of follow-up notes. But I’m talking about the other murder.”
“The other one? There’s been two of these? Captain didn’t tell me that when he called. He just said for me to get my butt over there and back you up.”
“About two months ago, a Ted Silverman was found in his apartment. Bound to his bedposts by ropes that went underneath it, for added strength is my guess. Multiple track marks on arms and legs. Burns on back and buttocks caused by hot wax. If you read the report on Karen Carter, who accused Silverman of assaulting her, you’ll find that she was bound spread eagle, raped and sodomized. Ms. Carter also had burns on her back and rear from hot wax.” Dan paused and looked up from the files. “I don’t know what the hell is going on here, Mory, but my guess is that the same person killed both of these men. From these old files, I can’t find a connection between the two men, and maybe there isn’t one. I hope Henri comes up with something useful today. In the meantime, we’ll talk to Lisa Starnes and Karen Carter to see if they can tell us anything helpful. Neither of the men served any time for their alleged rapes, then they’re given the same treatment, so I’d say somebody out there doesn’t feel our judicial system worked for them or their loved one. Another team caught Silverman’s case, and obviously it wasn’t big news. Least I don’t recall it, and Ms. Carter’s case was also BMT.”
“Both of the men were tortured and raped in much the same manner as their victims, but they were killed afterwards. I think it would have been a better punishment for them to have lived with what had happened to them, so why were they killed? So they couldn’t identify their attacker? Maybe it was somebody they would recognize?”
“I don’t know, Mory, but something isn’t fitting into this puzzle yet, and I intend to find out what’s missing.”
“Do you have the addresses for Lisa Starnes and Karen Carter?”
“Yes. I’m not looking forward to questioning these two women. If they told the truth years ago and don’t know anything about these murders, talking about these crimes and their pasts may dredge up more nightmares and unwanted publicity for them.”
“Yeah, I know. This is the part of my job I don’t like. But whoever killed those two scumbags also committed crimes. We’re a lot alike, Dan, so I know you also think Silverman and Crouch were guilty and escaped justice. Just give me a chance to call Janie before we leave and let her know I may not be home for dinner,” Mory sighed and winced.
“Sure. I want to update the Captain on what we’ve discovered before we leave, so I’ll be back in a few minutes. We’ll grab a bite to eat on the way to our first stop. We can both use some hot food and decompression time. Been on this gory case since 2:30 AM, and we’ve got a long, hard day ahead. Call Janie and give her the bad news. Tell her I’m sorry duty calls.”
Dan headed to Captain Neal Bolton’s office while Mory placed his call in private, each dreading the next few tasks for their own reasons.
By 8:30, they were en route to Duke’s for breakfast before going to see if Lisa Starnes was home. Dan hated to do a surprise visit, but he always learned more when he caught a possible suspect or accomplice off guard.
“I guess it’s time to throw a party, gentlemen. It seems someone finally realized what a sick animal he was and decided to give him a taste of his own medicine. Tell me, did anyone hear him scream? Did he suffer a lot? I wonder if he remembered what he did to me while he was being raped, beaten, tortured and humiliated. I really hope he thought about me.”
Dan’s clenched jaw slackened as he gazed at the young woman after she was told about David Crouch’s gory demise. Lisa Starnes was wearing a blue flowered t-shirt and jean shorts with matching material sown on the pockets. Her hands trembled in her lap and she spoke with conviction. The depth of her bitterness and anger did not shock him. He had prepared himself for hysterics, at least for tears of relief to be shed hearing the man who had destroyed her previously happy life was now dead and couldn’t hurt her again. Yet, her soulful blue gaze and quavering voice told him it was a fierce struggle to appear strong and cold-hearted. Lisa’s blond hair had been cut and shaped so it fell around her face, no doubt in an effort to mask a lingering scar and partial paralysis. It was difficult for him not to stare at her contorted check where the letters—SLUT—were still legible. God, he ached for her.
As if she read his mind, she said, “Don’t worry, Lieutenant Mallory, no one can take their eyes off my face. It seems that’s the only thing anyone sees anymore when they look at me.” Lisa glanced at the floor then locked her gaze with his, her stare causing him to visibly flinch from its intensity. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, sir. But I assure you, you can’t imagine what it feels like to be embarrassed about this scar. I hope you’ll never know what it feels like to go out in public with a mutilated face like this. I wouldn’t wish this to happen to anybody. No one deserves this.” Her fingers touched the puckered skin. “I’ve already had one surgery to try to fix my face, but the doctor said it’s going to take several more. The wounds were deep, muscles and nerves were severed. He beat me with a metal rod, broke some bones and ruptured my spleen. I’ve become anemic from the loss of blood during so many surgeries to repair so many injuries. I also suffer from a poor appetite, so I’ll have to wait awhile before it’s considered safe enough to attempt more work.”
Mory cleared his throat as he searched his troubled mind for the kindest way to phrase the tough questions that had to be asked. He was going to have to let Dan handle this interrogation, because he was struggling with the image of shooting the man who had marred this young woman’s face and soul. Mory looked around the small living room, decorated in crème and mauve prints. Very feminine, he decided, noticing the absence of personal pictures. He wondered if she couldn’t bear to see the way she had looked before she had been cruelly slashed. Judging by the right side of her face, he imagined she must have been beautiful. Her eyes were an incredible deep blue, on which he tried to focus. But he found himself staring at her left cheek and becoming angrier by the second. He took a deep calming breath and stood to wander around the room while Dan talked.
“Ms. Starnes, I know this is difficult for you—” Dan began, but was cut off quickly by Lisa’s almost hysterical outburst.
“Difficult? You think this is difficult for me? I can assure you, Lieutenant, this is one of the happiest days of my life. My only regret is that I wasn’t there to see that vile creature suffer. I would’ve enjoyed it. The monster raped me, mutilated my face and then swore he didn’t do it, that I must have been upset because he turned me down earlier that evening. Bullshit! I’ll never forget the face or the voice of the man who did such horrible things to me. Never. Never. Never. But he had a phony alibi; a friend who swore Crouch was with him in a bar at the time he was torturing me. I hope that liar gets his just due! He lied to the court and let his friend get away with what he did, so he deserves to be punished, too.”
“Ms. Starnes, I’m sorry for what happened to you years ago and for all you’re continuing to endure, but we need to determine what went on last night, so we can find the man who murdered Mr. Crouch.”
“And you want me to help you? How can you even ask me that, Lieutenant? I don’t know who killed him, but I can assure you of one thing: If I did know who raped and tortured him, who made him feel like I felt two years ago, I would thank the man from the bottom of my heart and protect him with my silence. I turned my life over to the police to do something about that animal. I did everything I was asked to do. Everything I was capable of doing.” Lisa stopped and took a deep breath, then stressed again, “Everything.” She knew it wasn’t like her to be mean and ill-mannered to kind people, but this awful experience felt as if it were tearing her apart and stealing her sanity.
She put a hand to her stomach and continued, “But unfortunately, I was washed and sterilized before I had emergency surgery and countless repairs after all that bastard did to me. The investigators weren’t able to collect any evidence on me to make a positive identification. I was told I must have been mistaken when I pulled him out of a line-up, because I must have been remembering him from when I had come on to him earlier that night. That wasn’t and isn’t true. He was the one who hit on me in the hallway to the bathroom, and I turned him down flat. Only, nobody saw that, because the hallway was empty and my girlfriends were on the dance floor when I went to the ladies room. We had every right to be at that bar having fun that night. Every right!”
Dan and Mory remained silent, observant, and respectful as Lisa obviously struggled to calm herself and to catch her breath.
“We went to have a drink and enjoy the music, to celebrate one of my friends getting a promotion. But Crouch’s lawyer made us sound like sluts and tramps in court. It was true that animal was with his friend earlier, but he followed me home after we left and attacked me. He said I was getting what I deserved, what I had asked for and wanted. I only wish my boyfriend hadn’t been out of town because he would have beaten Crouch senseless. That cowardly beast sneaked up behind me and shoved his way into my apartment after I unlocked my door. He pinned me to the floor face down and beat me with a pipe until I couldn’t scream or move or fight him off. He dragged me to my bedroom and tied me to the bed. He did horrible things to me while I lay there bleeding, hurting like hell. When he was finished, he just snorted this nasty laugh and slashed my face.”
Lisa’s voice had softened to a near whisper as she relived the attack. “That’s how I was found later by one of my neighbors. Almost dead, they rushed me to the hospital and into the operating room. After I recovered enough to talk, I told the police everything. Just like I was encouraged to do by them, the rape counselor, and my lawyer. Tell us everything and we’ll get that man for you, they said. And I was stupid enough to believe them. To trust in the justice system.”
Lisa’s shook her head and took a deep breath. “That was my mistake. I can guarantee you I won’t make that one again. Oh, sure, they arrested him and he went to trial. That was almost as bad as the assault. I had to face him every single nightmarish day and listen to his lies about me. My private life was brought before the jury where they listened to my sexual history. As if that had anything to do with whether or not he followed me home and attacked me. Crouch claimed he was with his buddy all night and then his friend got up on the stand and lied for him; so that bastard got to walk free, while I sit at home, too embarrassed to leave my own house. My boyfriend was repulsed by my face and couldn’t bear to touch me any more. No man can look at me without being repulsed. No, sir, Lieutenant. I don’t know who did this, but I wouldn’t help you even if I could, because the police and courts didn’t help me when I needed them. If they had listened to me then, he’d be in jail now instead of dead. I guess you’d prefer the first, but actually I’m partial to what happened to him. He finally got what he deserved and I couldn’t be happier.”
Lisa leapt to her feet and trembled as she continued, “Now that you’ve had your say and I’ve had mine, please leave. My parents are dead and my boyfriend is long gone, so I don’t have any one out there seeking revenge for me. I wish I did, Lieutenant, but Crouch and your failed system took justice away from me. Now, please leave so I can calm down and start my celebrating.” She walked to the front door and held it open expectantly.
Dan and Mory hesitated before stepping outside. Mory handed her his card and asked that she call if she thought of anything useful.
Lisa responded by tearing the card into small pieces, looking him in the eye, and letting them flutter to the floor. “That’s what I think of you or helping you.” Her gaze went to Dan’s and narrowed. “I will tell you this much, Lieutenant Mallory: Crouch left no fingerprints because he wore gloves the entire time. He used a condom because I felt and tasted it in my mouth. The police said they didn’t find any hairs or fibers, or other evidence he’d been here that night. And none of the weapons he used. He was smart enough to take those precautions, but he never hid his face or disguised his voice. I saw his ugly mug as clearly as I see your face right now. Crouch was guilty, and his friend lied for him. That’s all I have to say, now and forever. Goodbye, gentlemen.”
Dan watched a large brown sedan pull into the driveway and a tall, muscular man dressed in hunting fatigues make strong strides to the front door. He walked through it as if he owned the place, took one look at Lisa’s expression and shouted at them.
“What the hell is going on here? Who are you? What did you say to her?”
Dan introduced himself and Mory and countered with, “Who are you?”
“I’m her brother, Chris Starnes. What have you said to her? What’s going on here? Sis, are you okay?”
“Tell my brother everything you just told me. I’m sure he’ll want to celebrate with me when you finally leave my house,” Lisa murmured.
“The man Ms. Starnes accused of raping her two years ago was found dead this morning. He raped and tortured in much the same way that Ms. Starnes was. Since his assault was strikingly similar to hers, we needed to ask her some questions,” Dan said.
“What do you mean the asshole was raped in the same way? He...” Chris’s voice faltered as he looked into his sister’s pale face with rosy cheeks and anguish filled eyes. “Are you okay, Sis? Go sit on the sofa for a minute while I talk—”
“I don’t want to sit down. I want them to leave so I can celebrate. Did you hear the lieutenant? Crouch was raped and beaten, just like me. His face was carved the same way as mine. Only he doesn’t have to face the world like I do; he was mercifully released from that torment.”
Lisa’s expression and voice didn’t convince anyone that she was as relieved and as happy as she pretended to be. She looked highly emotional and fragile.
“I have to ask you officers to leave. I don’t know what you’re thinking by coming here. Lisa couldn’t have done anything like that. She’s much too weak. She couldn’t fight Crouch even when she had all of her strength.”
“Before we leave we need to clear up one more thing. Where were you last night, Mr. Starnes?” asked Mory.
“I was. . .” Chris couldn’t prevent a smirk as he said, “Me and a couple of my buddies were out getting ready for bow season to start in the fall. Putting up deer stands and staking out the woods. I’d like to say I was hunting another type of animal, but I wasn’t. Whoever did this, did a favor for a lot of women. Now, he can’t harm anyone else. Since you cops didn’t do your job, looks like someone else did it for you. I’d like to shake his hand if you ever find him. Personally, I hope you don’t.”
Dan said, “Mr. Starnes, we didn’t have anything to do with the past case against Mr. Crouch. I’m sorry about the ordeal your sister went through and I’m sorry the judicial system failed to get justice for her. But nobody can take the law into his own hands. We’re responsible for obtaining evidence against the person who committed this crime and arresting him. The judicial system is responsible for making sure he pays for his evil; unfortunately, some perpetrators slip through its cracks. I do apologize for any suffering this matter has caused your sister,” an understatement there, Dan, “but I do have to ask if anyone can corroborate seeing you last night.”
“Yeah, there were three others out there with me; they’ll tell you I was with them all night.” Chris gave them the names and phone numbers of his friends and saw Mory jot down the information. He wanted this matter over more than he wanted to balk. “You’ll just have to trust them to say the truth like you trusted Crouch’s friend when he claimed they were together at the time of the attack. Now, I do believe my sister has asked you to leave. You’ve done your duty by coming here, so you can go.”
Chris put his hand on the door, which had remained open after Lisa’s initial request, and motioned them outside. Dan and Mory walked down the front steps and toward the car. They glanced back as Lisa closed the front door behind them. The officers strode quickly to the car to flee the moans and sobs that escaped the door, reached their ears and tore at their hearts.
“I told you I didn’t like this part of my job,” Mory stated as he looked towards the house again. “I wonder if she’s going to be okay. I hope her brother stays with her tonight, or at least takes her with him. I’m sorry, Dan, I know how you feel about the law, but I have to say this: If someone had done that to my Janie, I’d be hard put not to do the same thing to him. God, I feel sorry for that girl.”
Dan was thinking the same thing. How would he react if one of his loved ones had been tortured and mutilated that way? How would he feel if the criminal who did it went free after undergoing an investigation and trial? How would he respond to society if he were forced to confront it with a shocking disfigurement, a repulsive daily reminder of a nightmare? He had plenty of nightmares himself and enough scars—physical and emotional—from his days in Vietnam, but the world couldn’t see those. He knew how to cloak both kinds. How was Lisa really enduring the daily battle and constant questions and stares? She had kept her control most of the time, but he had sensed her underlying anguish and vulnerability. He had seen through the tough and insentient act she had put on a few times. How could anyone deal with that, such horrors, so many injuries? He hoped and prayed that Chris wasn’t involved in this crime, as it would surely be Lisa’s breaking point if Crouch was given the justice she had been denied, and she lost her brother and avenger to prison.
Dan looked at Mory who had slumped in the passenger seat of his car and was staring at the street with a rare look of meanness on his face. Dan also was struggling with the strong urge to throttle someone, and currently it wasn’t his target. “Hey, why don’t we take a break and go see Ms. Carter tomorrow? You can head home to spend some time and have dinner with Janie; that should make her happy after last night’s intrusion.”
“Thanks, Dan, but I’d rather get this part over with today. Besides, I don’t think my wife would like me very much in the mood I’m in right now. It would probably make things worse rather than better. Where does our next stop live?”
“Near the mall. I’d rather get this over with today, too. I hope Henri and Harold can point us in a clearer direction after the autopsy and tests are done. What’s your feeling on the brother?”
“He’s justifiably pissed off, but I don’t think he’s involved. Whoever did this would surely come up with a better alibi than he was out putting up deer stands, but I’ll call his friends tomorrow and verify his whereabouts. You know we have to pay a visit to Crouch’s friend and alibi, John Priester. Something doesn’t sit right there.”
“Yeah, but we’ll save that one for tomorrow. After seeing Ms. Starnes, I don’t want to come face to face with the person who probably helped Crouch get away with his foul deeds. I wonder if Priester got scared the truth could come out and he could get nailed for perjury. I’m sure the District Attorney threatened him with being an accomplice after the fact. Maybe Priester got tired of worrying and offed his threat. Maybe he started with Silverman to throw us off his scent, waiting this long so he wouldn’t look like a suspect. I’m betting he knows his buddy is dead and how it was done, so let’s not rush to see him and let him think our visit is just routine. Let him stew today.”
The two men rode in silence during the remainder of the journey.
As he drove, Dan thought about the young woman he’d just left. Images from Vietnam came to mind, of young boys scarred from witnessing terrible scenes, from dodging sniper bullets and from being incarcerated in POW camps. Self consciously, he rubbed his neck where a bullet had nearly severed his jugular vein and cost him his life. He remembered what it had felt like to lie helpless in the mud with his blood draining quickly from his body. The cold that set in. The numbness. The fear. Chill bumps snaked down his arms, though he could feel sweat wetting his back and chest, and beading above his upper lip.
Anger followed quickly, as he was certain Lisa had felt many of the same things he had. How would he feel if the men who had tortured his friends or the person who’d shot him had been caught, tried and then set free because someone decided it was his fault for being there in the first place? If he was told that he must have imagined the face of the asshole who’d done these things? Never would he forget that face! Or the fierce gaze that bore down on him time after time when confronted with an enemy. He could still recall every detail of every person he’d been face to face with during that time. Dan felt certain Lisa was the same way. Unless you’ve been there, you can’t truly understand the horrors that stay with you. God bless the soldiers because nobody really understands the hell they endure to protect them.
Dan pulled the car to a stop in front of Karen’s apartment and glanced over at Mory. “Are you sure you’re up for this? I can handle it if you want to stand back a bit.”
“Nah, I’m okay. I know you’re not taking this any better than I am. No matter how tough you want everyone to think you are, I know you’re a softie on the inside.”
Dan groaned at Mory’s teasing. They had been friends since their college days, and Mory had come to his rescue with an offer of a place to stay while the heat died down in New York. One of the drug dealers he’d been investigating had placed a hit on him. He’d been forced to relocate for his own safety, a precaution that had stretched into a longer period than he’d imagined, with no end in sight. He had almost nailed his case shut tight. Then evidence came forth that he’d seized one of the criminal’s books without the required warrant, even though the ledger was in plain sight and he had worried it would be hidden or destroyed if not confiscated. The case had been thrown out of court even though the ledger proved the dealer’s guilt. He had made a very dangerous and powerful enemy. Damn, he hated those words and their consequences. He was determined never to make that kind of mistake again. “Let’s go.”
Karen Carter answered the door and let them into her apartment after calling headquarters and verifying their identification.
“That’s always a wise thing to do, Ms. Carter. Thank you for agreeing to talk to us,” Dan said to the petite young woman sitting across from him.
“What’s this about, Lieutenant Mallory? Why do you need to talk to me?” A nervous Karen shifted in her chair as she posed the question.
They were seated in her kitchen at a small round table. It was covered in a red and white-checkered tablecloth with red placemats and napkins. A vase containing white silk flowers was in its center. Several plants hung in the bay window that overlooked a small porch. The den area was to their right and offered many pictures of family and friends, unlike Lisa’s barren surfaces. A large cross hung over the mantle.
“Can I get you anything to drink? Some soda or juice?” She wanted to do something with her hands so they would stop shaking and she could focus on what the policemen were there to talk about with her. She had just finished speaking with her mother, so she knew there wasn’t any family emergency that had caused the officers to come to her door. Karen was tense simply being in the same room with them, after all she had gone through years ago. No, she wasn’t going to think about that right now.
“No thanks, Ms. Carter. This will only take a few minutes of your time. We have to discuss something that will probably make you uncomfortable. We’ll try to get this over with as quickly and easily as possible,” Mory told her in a soft and calm tone.
Karen nodded her head. She thought she was going to throw up or pass out or cry. She knew she didn’t want to be here with these men; she didn’t want to hear what they had to say. She just wanted them to leave. This was too much like the time when the policeman had come to her parent’s home to talk about what had happened to her. No! She had promised herself she was not going to think about the horrific event that had nearly devastated her. Almost three years later, she was still struggling to deal with her warring emotions, her mental and physical scars.
Dan said, “Several years ago, you charged a man named Ted Silverman with raping you at a party you had both attended. By your own statement, you had spoken with him a few times, but you stayed with your girlfriends until you went outside for some fresh air. You claimed that Mr. Silverman grabbed you from behind and pulled you into the guest house located near the pool and forced you to have sex with him, is that correct?” Dan hated what he was having to do. The color had drained from her face and she looked as if she might faint. If there was any other way to go about this, he would certainly do it, but talking to the victims of the copied crimes was the first step in finding the killer. He watched her nod, her brown eyes wide and filled with terror, her body rigid. She didn’t speak, but he knew Karen was following every word he spoke, so he continued, “Did you know that he was murdered two months ago, in April?”
Karen’s eyes rolled in their sockets and she fell to the floor with a soft thump before either man could react to the situation.
Dan jumped up and bent over the shattered woman. She was just over five feet tall and very slender. The yellow tank and matching shorts seemed to be too large for her thin frame. “Oh God, Mory,” Dan said as he motioned toward her back. The scars from the hot wax were clearly visible where the top stood away from her body. Karen’s legs also had scars that overlapped in some places. Dan knew from his years in Vietnam that this type of torture was extremely painful. She didn’t look like the sort who liked rough sex. She appeared to be much too fragile. Of course, looks could be deceiving, but he was a good judge of character and his gut was telling him she was terrified, shocked. “Ms. Carter, are you okay? It’s Dan Mallory from the police department. Can you hear me?”
Karen slowly opened her eyes. She had been unconscious for only a minute, just long enough for her to slide from her seat and be embarrassed by her frailness.
“Are you hurt anywhere? Did you hit your head or your arm?” Mory asked, concern tingeing his voice as he helped her to her chair.
“No, sir. I’m fine. It’s just hearing that. . . that he’s dead, that I. . . Thank you,” she stammered as Dan handed her a glass of water. Tears filled her eyes and trailed down her face. One drop slipped off her chin and fell to her leg, where she swiped at it absentmindedly.
“I’m sorry we have to trouble you with this matter, but there’s more we need to tell you about his death,” Dan hesitated when her brown gaze locked with his and the anguish in it sent arrows to his heart. Oh God, please give me the right words and make them as gentle as you can. “He was murdered two months ago, as I said, but there was something in the way he was killed that has necessitated us talking to you.”
“Do you think I killed him?” Karen asked, her voice pitching to a shrill tone as she looked first at Dan, then at Mory. “I thought about it many times right after . . . right after he raped me. My fiancé couldn’t deal with what happened to me and now he’s engaged to what used to be one of my best friends, one of my bridesmaids. Many times I thought of killing him; it filled my dreams most nights and gave me the strength at times to go forward. When he was let go, I nearly died. I was afraid he’d try to attack me again. I wanted to hurt him so bad. But I could never actually kill anyone. My priest, Father Murphy, has tried to help me to deal with what happened to me and to move away from the anger and betrayal. I’m still working on the forgiveness part, but now I think that might come easier. God will have to forgive me, but I can’t express regret that he’s gone. I’m sure he didn’t make his way to the Pearly Gates anyway.”
Dan and Mory noticed that Karen’s voice had softened and hardened alternately as she spoke, as had her expression. Maybe it was the same with all victims of especially violent and evil crimes.
“Is there anyone in your life who might have sought revenge against this man?” Mory asked, wishing he was anywhere except this room.
Karen’s lips formed a small smile as she told them. “I’m going to become a nun. I can’t bear for anyone to touch me now. That demon took that away from me. I haven’t been able to trust anyone or feel safe with anyone to get close enough to form a relationship. I’ve spoken with Father Murphy and he wanted me to give it some time before I made my final decision, but I haven’t changed my mind in the last two years. I was going to talk to him tomorrow after Mass. Is there anything else?”
“Yes. Ms. Carter, Silverman was tied to the bed and raped before he was killed.”
“Raped? How? He’s a man.”
Her voice and expression revealed her confusion to Dan and Mory. Then her face flushed as realization sank in. An “Oh” escaped her lips before her fingers covered them, but it sounded more like a moan than a response.
“He was sodomized. He also had hot wax dripped over his back and legs before he died.” Dan paused, as Karen’s face had gone ghostly white again. He wondered if she would have the strength to remain seated this time.
“Oh, dear God. He was tortured and raped before he was killed?”
“Yes, Ms. Carter, in much the same way you were, so you can understand why this conversation is necessary. We have to find the person who did this and bring him to justice.” Those words were out of Mory’s mouth before he realized his grave mistake.
“You think I could have done that to him? Or my ex-fiancé? Or a new boyfriend? Or a family member? And you want me to admit it or tell you who could have done this? Oh, dear God, please forgive these men.” Karen stopped and looked down at her lap. She took a sip of water, then put the liquid down, fearing she might drop and break the glass. Karen linked her fingers together on top of the table and looked at Mory. “No one I know or associate with could have done something so horrible, even to get back at that man for savagely attacking me. I mean, I know he and Frank got into a fight afterwards, but . . .” Her words trailed off as she fought against shedding more tears.
She continued after a moment, “Do you know why they didn’t convict him? They said I was asking for it. I had worn a miniskirt and low heels. I had a few drinks. Not enough to be considered drunk, but I had a good buzz going. They said I apparently went along with it, demanded that he didn’t stop. They actually believed I liked it rough. They claimed, when I woke up the next morning and realized that Frank would see the burns on my back and question where I had gotten them, I came up with this rape story so he wouldn’t call off the wedding. We were supposed to be married two weeks later. Frank was out with his friends that night for his bachelor’s party. I’d told him he had to have it early, because I didn’t want him to have a hangover at our wedding. They said the reason why I told him that was because I had some plans of my own: I was going out with my friends for a last bit of partying before I settled down. I saved myself for nearly twenty years for my husband and wedding night, so why would I have sex with a brutal stranger two weeks before I was getting married?”
Karen’s brown eyes exposed her bitterness and anguish to the two men.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Carter; I realize this must be extremely difficult for you. I believe your story. I don’t believe you were asking to be attacked just because you wore a miniskirt to a party or because you had a few drinks. I’m sorry for the way things turned out for you. I really am.” Mory’s words and tone were filled with compassion. He didn’t know if it was that, or if it was just hearing someone say he believed her, but Karen’s resolve broke entirely at that point and she dissolved into heartrending sobs. Mory gently touched her shoulder and spoke softly to her until her body stopped shaking. Her thin frame jerked as she hiccupped. “Here, sip some more water.”
Karen gratefully took the glass from him and tried to drink. “My friends thought I’d left the party after I went outside to get some fresh air. The people hosting the party had a pool and I wanted to sit outside and reflect on the changes that would be happening in my life two weeks later. A man came up and sat down beside me and started talking. He gave me the creeps, so I got up to go inside, but he had other ideas in mind. That’s when he grabbed me and took me into the guest quarters located behind the pool. Candles were everywhere. He told me his date had stood him up for the evening, so I was going to fill in for her. He’d bragged to all of his friends about the wild night he had planned for the two of them. He was really mad and I could smell the alcohol on him. I tried to get away from him, but he was too strong. I screamed, but no one could hear me over the loud music and partying in the house or they thought it was his girlfriend making all the right noises. He forced me to strip naked and . . . made me do vile things. He swore he would hurt my friends and my fiancé if I didn’t do what he said. I was so terrified, so I obeyed his depraved demands. I had no choice.”
Karen stopped and took a shaky breath before she went on. “I’d told my friends soon after we arrived that I just wanted to go to a nice bar or the movies. But they wanted to have this grand bachelorette party, just like the guys supposedly do. Two of my bridesmaids were single, including the one who’s now engaged to Frank, so they wanted to find dates for the wedding. I wanted to go home, sit on my bed, and have wine and girl talk. But they convinced me it would be fun. Now, none of them will look me in the face any more. I guess they feel guilty because this happened to me, especially since I kept asking to leave. They didn’t even come looking for me after I disappeared; Cathy said she thought I used the fresh air excuse and left the party and went home. And then I’m told I was asking for it. The jury thought I contributed to what happened to me by being there in the first place. Ted Silverman’s friends backed him up on the fact that I kept coming on to him and my so-called friends were so ashamed of themselves for putting me in that situation they didn’t seem to remember that I kept asking to leave. They said they thought I was having a good time.”
“I’m sorry to have to ask this, but have you seen Frank lately?”
“No, he couldn’t face what happened to me. We had dated for a long time and had been to marriage counseling to prepare for the wedding, so he knew how important my chastity was to me. That he could even question I would get drunk enough to blow that for us still makes me heart sick. He was supposed to know me better than anybody, know my heart and soul. But he turned his back on me when it counted most.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Carter. Some men just can’t deal with something like this happening to their girlfriend or wife. It does something to a man when he realizes he can’t protect his woman. I know that doesn’t make it right or easier for you, but—“
“If you say I’m better off without a wimp like that, I’ve heard it a million times and I know you’re probably right. But it doesn’t take away the hurt of the one person you trusted above all others turning his back on you. Nothing can take that away. He couldn’t protect me. I shouldn’t have been there in the first place and I knew that. I begged to leave. But Frank didn’t have to desert me afterwards. That’s when he could have really shown me what a man he was and held my hand while I struggled to put my life back together. Well, it’s over with now and he’s engaged to Melissa. I hope they’re happy together. I don’t think he ever wastes a minute of his time with his new fiancée to think about me. I’m absolutely positive he wouldn’t commit murder for me.”
You never know what someone is capable of, Dan thought. This was not a girl you would forget easily, especially if you had made the commitment to marry her and she was saving herself for you. He was going to have to talk with Frank and see just how often he did think about Karen. That would have to wait until tomorrow also, because he sorely wanted to punch the boy’s lights out at that minute. These two women had been through so much, had their lives turned upside down, and now they were having to face it all over again. For a split second, Dan thought of letting this case go. No matter how much he wanted to shake the killer’s hand himself, he would bring him to justice. The judicial system would probably release him back into society anyway, much the same way as it had let the two rapists go.
“Thank you, Ms. Carter, for your time. If you think of anything else or if you need anything, please call me.” Mory handed her his card and she put it on the placemat in front of her. All he wanted to do was ease her anguish—which he couldn’t—and hurry home to his wife for comfort and distraction—which he could. The meeting with Henrietta and Harold could wait until tomorrow and he was sure they and Dan would agree. “Do you have anyone who could come stay with you? Is there anyone we can call for you?”
“I’d like to call Father Murphy to come over. Only God’s hands can still the tremors in me now. I’ll call him after you leave; I’m sure he’ll be right over.” Karen walked them to the entry and watched them get into their car. She shut the door, locked it, and leaned heavily against the frame for support. She felt relief in knowing the horrible beast was gone. Then, guilt overcame her as she realized she was happy someone was dead.
She dialed the rectory phone number and left a message for Father Murphy on his answering machine. After telling him what happened today, she ended with, “I can’t deal with this any more. I shouldn’t feel relieved he’s dead. He’s still one of God’s children, Father. He was evil, I know, but I shouldn’t hate someone. It’s against God’s will. Please comfort my mother. I just can’t talk to her or anyone else right now. Thank you, Father Murphy, for all you’ve done for me. I’m sure God has the most wonderful room for you right next to His. Goodbye.” She replaced the receiver, then went straight to her bathroom.
Karen stared in the mirror at brown eyes that looked lifeless to her. All of those old feelings—hatred, bitterness, despair, soiled and scarred body, ravished soul—resurfaced and overwhelmed her with their brutal intensity. She had not conquered them and never would. Soon, the sadistic nightmares would return to plague her. The media would be hounding her. She would be front page and six o’clock news fodder again. She wanted peace and privacy, and there was only one way to obtain them. She couldn’t let the horrible ordeal start anew. The fight was gone from her. Surely God would understand that she simply wasn’t strong enough to walk through Hell again. She picked up a razor blade and sat down in the tub. She didn’t bother to fill it with water, but sliced the sharp edge across her wrists as many times as she could before sweet darkness surrounded her.