Let's Play (Chapter Four)

Chapter Four

Sitting down on the bench, Kevin took a moment to say hello to his parents. Buried side by side in a small cemetery next to the church where he had spent every Sunday of his youth. He visited at least once a week. He couldn’t bare to enter the building. God’s house. The fact that it was referred to as a house would make entering it seem like a visit. And a visit would suggest a relationship of some comfort. It was not the relationship that he felt he had with the owner. Life had stripped away his desire for the relationship.

The air was still crisp and the clouds suggested that rain was to return. He sat there in the silence of the dark afternoon and tried to allow the voices of is parents come to him. He craved their instruction. He wanted so much to hear them tell him what he needed to do. He could sit here and admit his fears, when he couldn’t do it anywhere else. If for no other reason, he came here for a sense of peace.

He could see his father sitting at the breakfast table, carefully listening to him describe the situation that had caused him pause. He spent many a morning telling his father about anything and everything in his life looking for the answers that all sons search for from their fathers. But, for some reason, in this moment, he thought of his mother. He could see her sitting there with that look of love on her face, complete understanding and unconditional care, listening to her son share his fears. He could almost hear her telling him to lead with the better part of himself. To never be afraid of what he could not do, only be afraid of what he thought he couldn’t do. He could hear her words telling him that there was nothing for him to fear, he was on the side of right. He just needed to stop and look at all that he can see. The picture would become clear.

For the first time, he doubted his mother’s words.

A snap of a twig got his attention.

Father Taylor had been the priest of St. Michael’s Church for as long as Kevin could remember. He had pictures that showed Father Taylor presiding over his christening. He was there for his confirmation into the church. And he also led the service for his parents.

“Kevin Orton, as I live and breath. How are you, son?”

“It’s been a day, Father…it’s been a day.”

“I heard about the situation over on Deacon. You are aware that Mrs. Crowley was a member of this church?”

“No, did you know her well, Father?”

“Actually, she had only been a parishioner for a year or so. I know that she was a divorced woman, a single mother with two small girls. She did come to services every Sunday and she volunteered for distribution of food to the needy on Wednesdays. I can tell you that she was troubled over her divorce, mostly the situation with her ex-husband.”

“What situation is that, Father?”

“Well, it seems that he was a man that enjoyed his drink. And under those conditions, he was known to use his fists instead of his words to communicate his frustration.”

“We looked into that this morning and couldn’t find any incident where a patrol car was called to her place.”

“I think she may have kept that to herself outside the confessional. I told her of the shelters and the help that she could receive from people like yourself. She didn’t want to air her dirty laundry. But, I know that she was a woman who lived in fear. Have you spoken to her ex-husband yet, Kevin?

“No, Father, we haven’t been able to find him. A patrol car went to his place of work, but he didn’t show up for work today. He is not at home. Is there anywhere that you may know him to be?”

“No, son, I don’t know the man. He is not a member of this church. I just know of him.”

Kevin stared off into the distance. The thought that this seemed like more than a domestic situation crossed his mind again, but every angle needed to be pursued.

“Father, in talking to Mrs. Crowley, did she ever mention living in Michigan? Or her ex-husband ever living there?”

Father Taylor sat back on the bench and took the question deep into thought. After a moment, he responded.

“No, Kevin, I don’t remember hearing that. I believe they were from the Philadelphia area…maybe Allentown. It seems to me that he was some kind of lawyer at one time, but that his habits had caused him to be dismissed from those duties. But, I am sure that Michigan was never mentioned. May I ask why you asked?”

“Just an angle, Father.” Standing up from the bench, Kevin turned back to the headstones that marked the final resting places for his parents. “I really need to go, Father. Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.”

“Son, may I ask you a question? When you come here, do you ever find your answers?”

“No, Father…but, sometimes I find direction.”

“I hope someday, that direction brings you back to us, Kevin.”

“We will see, Father. But, your boss and I have some things to work out first.”

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Darryl Crowley is a weak little man. He sat in interrogation room two as Kevin returned to the station. He had been picked up from a diner on the west side of town having breakfast, trying to soak up the acid from whatever it was that he poured into himself the night before.

Tully was standing with the patrolman who brought in Mr. Crowley in the observation area outside the interrogation room. Kevin walked up in time to hear that Mr. Crowley had no idea why he had been brought in, only being told that his name had come up in an investigation and that the detectives had questions for him. Kevin picked up the brand new case file and nodded to Tully, as if to let him know that it was time.

They both entered the room together. Kevin sat across from Mr. Crowley, while Tully sat next to him. An old trick. One close, almost friendly. The other across, confrontational. Kevin stared at the closed folder getting his thoughts together. The room was silent for a couple minutes. The only sound being the breath quickly escaping from Mr. Crowley. Kevin began.

“Mr. Crowley, can you tell us where you were at about 2 am this morning until you were picked up by the officer at the diner, please?”

Darryl Crowley looked up and appeared to realize that this was more serious than he may have initially thought.

“Can you tell me exactly why I am here?”

“Mr. Crowley, can you please answer the question?”

“Detective, I would like to know why I was dragged down here. I want to know now.”

“Orders? You are giving me orders?” Kevin stood up from his chair and slammed a fist down on the table. Crowley nearly jumped out of his skin.

“Mr. Crowley, I will tell you that there was an incident at the home of your ex-wife this morning. I need to know exactly where you were, who you were with, and what you were doing early this morning. I need to know now, sir.”

Darryl Crowley sank back in his chair and smirked. “What did that bitch say I did now? I can tell you that I haven’t been there in months. She told me that since I couldn’t pay my child support, I didn’t deserve to see my girls. Not sure who the hell she thinks she is, but I haven’t seen her to find out.”

“Can you prove that, Mr. Crowley?”

“Yes, sir, I can. Last night I spent the night sitting in on an all night poker game in the backroom of Dagastino’s Meats. There is a game there every Thursday night. I lost a yard playing Texas Hold’em. There were at least nine other people there to watch me do it. I didn’t leave until a hour before your guy picked me up. Now what is this about? What did she accuse me of this time?”

Kevin and Tully looked at each other and silently passed a thought to each other.

Tully put his arm around the back of Crowley’s chair and leaned in.

“Mr. Crowley, you can give us names for these people, right? We really need them.”

“Sure, I know all those guys. I owe most of them money, so there is no way they are going to forget I was there.”

“That’s good. I am going to give you a piece of paper and you are going to write down those names for me so we can check this out. The sooner we can do that, the quicker you will be getting out of here today.”

Kevin sat back down and opened the folder. Crime scene photos were covered by copies of the reports that had been compiled from all officers at the scene, the current evidence log, and a list of responding personnel.

“Mr. Crowley, this is going to be difficult to hear. Officers responded to the home of your ex-wife and children to find that they had been murdered.”

All of the air that was keeping Crowley’s body upright seemed to escape all at the same time. His entire body began to shake. He slid sideways out of the chair and fell to the floor. Tully ran from the room to have someone call for an ambulance. Kevin rose from his chair, removed his jacket and placed it under Crowley’s head.

“One thing is for sure, partner.” Kevin said, as he turned Crowley onto his back, “He didn’t do this.”

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He sits alone in his cabin in the mountains. He stares into the fireplace that is burning the clothing that he wore for the ritual. His hands can still feel the blood seeping through them If he were honest with himself, he would admit that this one wasn’t as special as the first. The first was more personal. Closer to the target. This one was just to get his attention. To see the fear in his eyes again. He couldn’t wait to get a look into those eyes. He wanted to see the past seeping back in. Just when he thought he was safe from any further wrath.

Mr. Perfect isn’t feeling too perfect right now.

And he can feel his power growing. He gets up from the chair, standing naked in front of the open doorway. No one around for miles, he had no need for modesty. He needed to be naked to receive the power. He needed to be exposed to receive the gift. He knew so many years ago that he was special. But, this man had taken the light from him. He had stolen all he wanted. So, he took from him. And now with his attention focused on the return, he will take from him again. And again. Taking his family wasn’t enough. It took all this time to be ready again. The power grows daily. But, it’s not where it needs to be to finish the job.

He stands in the doorway with the razor in his hand. He runs the razor up and down his chest. He does this everyday now. Need to remove it all. Can’t leave anything behind. After he is done, he will scrub with the aluminum pad that lays in the sink. All pieces of dead skin needs to come off. They can find you in so many ways. But, he is too smart for them. He is always prepared.

The end will come without him having to raise a knife. He will be there to see it. But, the act will not come from him.

But, he will be the cause.

And when it comes, he will achieve the place he always knew he deserved. He will arrive.

And then, they will all see.