Confession (37 page)

“There’s another killer!” Sam said.

He scanned through pictures of Allan who stood next to the dead naked bodies of all the other four girls.  In all of these pictures, he looked like a proud hunter.

Sam dropped the pictures back in the bin.  “Billy just killed one girl,” he said while he thought about all his interviews.  Then he thought about Allan’s book and it hit him like a ton of bricks.  “It was right in front of me the whole time!  Jimmy’s last name was Nalla.  Nalla is Allan spelled backwards.  Why didn’t I see that?   Allan Stein was the October Slayer and Billy helped him with one girl!” Sam cried out.

Sam bushed away dirt from the bin.  He picked
it up.   “Thank you,” he told Howard
while he rushed away
with the bin tucked under his right arm
.

A little while later, Sam parked his car in Becky’s driveway.  He got out of the car with some of the pictures from the bin in hand.  He looked at Becky’s house.  This was going to be the most difficult task he’s ever done.

He took a deep breath and walked to the front door.

He rang the doorbell.

A
few seconds
passed and
the front door opened. 

Becky appeared with her hair up in her jogging outfit.  

Then Marty appeared at the door.

“Sam!  Well, did you find some evidence to fry him?” she asked excitedly.

“I found a piece of evidence to get your uncle up on murder charges, but someone else was in
volved.  Someone who was the rea
l October Slayer,” Sam told her with a grim look.

Becky looked curious.  “Well, please come inside.  I can’t wait to find out.”

With her hair up,
Sam saw a stork bite birthmark on Becky’s neck.  He didn’t think anything of it while they entered her house.

After they sat down on her living room couch, Sam showed her the picture of Billy.

“That’s the sister of my best friend.  Her name was
Angie
,” Sam said.

“I’m so sorry my uncle killed her.  But with this, maybe we can keep him behind bars for the rest of his life.”

Sam hesitated but knew she would eventually find out.  “And here’s the real October Slayer,” he said and handed her the other pictures.

Becky looked anxious to see the killer while she glanced down at the pictures.  Marty leaned over and they looked at the pictures together.  They looked at the picture of Allan with Rhonda. 

T
hey looked at the picture of Allan with Sandy. 

T
hey looked at the picture of Allan with Fran. 

T
hey looked at the picture of Allan with Angie. 

T
hey looked at the picture of Allan with Annette. 

They both looked stunned with what they saw.

Then it dawned on Marty.  “Jimmy Nalla,” he said.  “Nalla is Allan spelled backwards.  It was in front of me the whole time.”

“I know.  I missed t
he easiest clue there was in his
book,” Sam replied and felt a little stupid.

“No, it can’t be!  There’s no way!” Becky said while her eyes welled up.  She let go of the pictures and they dropped to the floor.

“What other evidence did you find?” she asked.

“Some teeth, sawed off tips of baseball bats, driver’s licenses of the girls, car keys, pants, panties, and dresses,” he told her.

“Just like his book,” Marty said.

Becky thought about the evidence he found.  Then it hit her like a ton of bricks.  “I wore a dead girls dress!” she cried out when she remembered that day she found the chest. 

She looked sick and ran out of the room. 

Sam and Marty heard her while s
he ran down the hallway. 

T
hey heard her while she vomited in the toilet. 

Sam felt so sorry for Becky.  “I’m going to take this stuff to a friend at the FBI in Tampa,” he told Marty.

“I’m going with you,” Marty responded.

Sam opened up his cell phone and made a call.

“Hey Peter, it’s Sam,” he said into his cell phone.

“What do you need now?” Peter asked jokingly.

“I found some evidence and I want bring it over to your office,” Sam said.

“When?

“I’ll be there in a couple of hours,” Sam replied.

“I was planning on leaving early to go fishing
out in the Gulf
,” Peter said.

“Sorry, but I finally discovered the identity of the October Slayer,” Sam replied.

“I’ll be waiting,” Peter said then disconnected his end of the call.

“Will she be okay alone?” Sam asked while they heard her vomit some more in the toilet.

“I’ll call her best friend to come over and stay with her,” Marty said then he made a phone call on his cell phone.

Fifteen minutes later, Becky’s best friend, Charlotte, came over and stayed with Becky who cried continuously.

Sam and Marty drove to Tampa with the evidence bin.  It was a quiet drive while they both thought about the past events.

They arrived at the FBI office in Tampa. 

Peter met them in the lobby and got them authorization to take the bin to his office.

Later inside Peter’s office, he peeked inside the bin that was placed on a table. 

Sam reached inside with latex gloves and removed a blue cabin boy pants and a light blue jester shirt.  “This belonged to Rhonda Moore,” Sam said.

Peter double-checked her case file.

Sam reached inside with latex gloves and removed a black Montgomery Wards sleeveless scoop neck dress.  “This belonged to Fran Adams.”

Peter double-checked her case file.

Sam reached inside with latex gloves and removed a pair of black Capri pants and white blouse.  “This belonged to Angie Gardner,” Sam said then his eyes welled up seeing his friends clothes. 

Peter double-checked her case file.

Sam reached inside with latex gloves and removed a brownish pattern micro mini dress.  “This belonged to Annette Watson.”

Peter double-checked her case file.

“There’s a dress missing,” Peter said while he looked at the files.  “Clothing for Sandy Yoder.  A blue pattern skirt waist dress,” Peter added.

Sam looked ashamed when he recalled.  “That’s because the killer, or I should say Allan, framed me and hid some evidence in the trunk of a car belonging to a Scott Harley in Georgia.  I beat the poor man thinking he was the killer.  They transferred me to Phoenix after that.”

“I vaguely remember hearing about that,” Peter said.

Sam reached inside and removed five sawed off tips of baseball bats with dried blood on them.  “He used a baseball bat on the women,” he said while he placed the tips on the table.

Sam reached inside and removed five pairs of white panties and set them on the table.  

He reached back inside and removed a jar with numerous teeth inside.  Sam looked pissed when he set the jar on the table and didn’t say a word.  He knew some of them were once part of Angie’s beautiful smile.

Sam reached inside and removed all the pictures that showed Allan posing like a proud hunter with all the dead girls.  There were also numerous pictures of the dead girls tied to the trees. 

He removed all the negatives.

He reached back inside and removed two sets of car keys, one for a Chevy and the other for a Dodge and drivers licenses for Rhonda, Angie and Annette.  He set them on the table.

He reached inside and removed another photo.  Marty saw it was a picture of Allan at Annette’s headstone with his back to the camera and his skull tattoo was visible with “R,F,S,A,A,” lettering under the jaw of the skull.

“I remember Allan having that tattoo.  I haven’t seen it in a long time,” Marty said while he stared at the photo.  “It appears my father in-law used his book as his confession to being the October Slayer,” Marty told Peter.

Sam reached inside and removed another picture.  “This also shows his brother Billy Stein assisted in killing Angie Gardner,” Sam added when he held up the picture of Billy beating Angie.  All Sam want
ed to do now was strangle Billy by his throat.

Sam reached inside and removed a picture that showed Billy, naked in the woods with a young Betsy who was also naked.  “Looks like proof Billy raped a young girl back in the sixties,” Sam said then handed Peter the picture.

“The statue of limitations ran out for statutory rape,” Peter said.

“Maybe we can get this guy expunged for raping the young girls that Billy Stein actually performed,” Sam said.

“We’ll talk about that later,” Peter said then set the picture down with the other evidence.

Sam reached inside the bin and removed a black cable for a car engine.   He looked at it.

“Looked like the cable that goes to the ignition coil and distributor cap,” Peter said.

“Just like the book,” Marty replied.

Sam nodded in agreement then looked inside the bin and it was empty. “That’s all the evidence,” Sam said.

“I’ll get these items to the lab and I’ll get back with you,” Peter said.

“I’m thinking you finally solved this case,” Peter told Sam while they shook hands.

“Marty found the key piece
that led me to the
evidence.  He helped,” Sam said then patted Marty’s shoulder.

Sam looked happy and he hoped those nightmares would be a thing of the past.

T
hree
weeks had
passed and the FBI lab confirmed that the remains found in the plastic were those of the five girls killed by the October Slayer. 

The FBI made the formal announcement that author Allan Stein was the October Slayer that eluded being captured his whole life. 

Up in Curtis, Mississippi, Billy was out of jail and sat in his office.  He was furious when he heard the news about Allan being identified as the October Slayer.

Judy entered his office.

“Mister Stein, you have some visitors,” Judy said.

“I don’t want to be bothered,” Billy yelled at her.

Peter barged in with two other FBI agents and four Mississippi State Troopers.

“Mister Stein, I’m Peter Bronson of the FBI.  I have a warrant for your arrest for the murder of Angie Gardner,” Peter said.

Billy didn’t have his typical smart-ass smirk on his face when he saw everybody.  He got scared and trembled.

Sam watched outside Billy’s office while they escorted him away handcuffed.  He fought off the urge to beat the crap out of him.

But life for Becky started to head in another direction.

Outside her house, numerous TV Vans were parked along her street.   All her neighbors stood outside and rubber necked with all the media attention.  They couldn’t believe the news they heard.

Out on the sidewalk, Deena Moore, a reporter for Channel 9 news, stood in front of her cameraman with Becky’s house in the background.

“I'm Deena Moore from Channel nine news.  The FBI has recently announced that retired FBI agent Sam Woods has found the identity of the October Slayer.  To make this case even more bizarre, the killer was the author who wrote the book, A Killer's Tale.  It appears the author, Allan Stein, used his book as his confession.  But Mister Stein passed away from cancer just before the book got published.  So he will never spend a day in prison for the murders he committed so many years ago,” Deena said in front of the camera.

Numerous other numerous from other TV news stations stood in front of their cameramen while they reported the same news story.

Inside Becky’s house, it was quiet.  Becky and Marty drove Michael and Nancy to her parents house the second they were told the FBI
officially
identified Allan as the October Slayer.  They didn’t want them at the house when the media came in droves.

There was a knock on the front door.  “Miss Adams, would you like to comment on your father being a serial killer?” the news reporter said from outside her front door.

The reporter knocked again on her front door.

In her bedroom, Becky sat on the bed with Marty.  Her eyes were red and watery from crying all day.

Becky looked at the pictures of Michael and Nancy on the dresser.  She suddenly looked worried.  “What if there's some type of serial killer gene that skips a generation?”

“Honey, there's no such thing.  Don't worry yourself to death,” Marty said then put an arm around her for comfort.

They heard more knocks on their front door.

Over in Daytona Beach, Sam and Cindy relaxed in his living room and watched a movie on the TV. 

A little while ago, Sam removed the Glock and Bo’s wallet from under his couch.  He gave it to the Daytona Beach police, who then sent it off t
o the Jackson police department for further evidence.

“I’m so glad you finally got your alarm system installed,” Cindy told Sam.

But he didn’t respond since his mind was off thinking about the past events.

“Sam?  Are you listening?” she asked.

“I have this feeling I'm still missing something.  There’s still something that’s still unresolved,” Sam said.

“You solved the case, Sam.  There’s nothing else to worry about.”

Sam had this
burning
hunch in his gut.  He got up and opened his cell phone.  He made a call.

“Hey Sam,” Peter answered Sam’s call.

“Thanks for pressing forward with the evidence,” Sam told him.

“My pleasure,” Peter replied.

“Listen, I just thought of something.  I'd recommend you have someone in Mississippi check Billy Stein's home computer and house.  He had a thing for young girls.  Especially rape,” Sam said.

“I'll have someone check into it and get back with you,” Peter said.

“Thanks,” Sam said then disconnected the call.

He walked back to the couch and could sense Cindy was getting upset with him.

“Sorry honey, just one more thing I want them to nail Billy Stein with,” he said then he sat down.  Then his eyes widened when he remembered something Billy said in his den.

He jumped up and ran out of the room.

Cindy looked concerned while she watched Sam.

Sam ran into his den and quickly sat down at his computer.  He turned it on and the second it booted up he searched for pictures and videos.  There they were, numerous pictures and videos of child porno.  He quickly deleted them then cleared his Internet history.

Two days have passed and the media finally quit hounding Becky’s house.

Sam drove to Mobile, Alabama and went to the Woodland Park Cemetery. 

Sam walked through the cemetery with two potted plants in hand. 

He stopped at two headstones.

One was for Gary Gardner, born July 16, 1932 and died May 2, 1996.  The other one was for Angie Gardner, born August 1, 1940 and died October 20, 1965.

Sam knelt down and placed a potted plant by each their headstones.  “Sorry it took so long my friend.”

He stood up and walked away.

His cell phone rang.  “Sam Woods,” he answered.

“It's Peter.  We had someone from the Jackson office check Billy Stein’s home computer and we found tons of child porno.   In addition, we found numerous old black and white photos of
underage
naked African American girls.  He won’t be getting out of prison while he’s alive,” Peter told Sam from his cell phone.

“That’s great! And I bet those black and white photos were of the young girls he raped in the sixties,” Sam replied.

“That might be hard to prove.  But we found something else and I need you to come by the office, as soon as possible,” Peter said.

“What's up?”

“You’ll see when you get here,” Peter replied.

“I’ll be there tomorrow,” Sam said then disconnected the call.

Sam walked out of the cemetery and was curious about whatever Peter discovered.

Sam spent the night in a hotel in Mobile. 

Early the next morning, he got up early and drove straight to Tampa.

Later that day, Sam arrived at the FBI office in Tampa.   Peter and walked into Peter’s office.

“What's going on?” Sam said while he knocked on Peter’s office door.

While we searched Billy Stein’s house, we found this taped to the inside of his desk in his den,” Peter said then handed Sam a folder.

Sam opened up the folder and saw an old form inside.  He looked the form over and was shocked.  He was even more shocked when he saw a old black and white picture stapled to the form.  “Oh my God!”

“I thought that might be important.  Plus the IRS contacted us and wants Billy Stein investigated for making trips to Asia for underage sex and deducting it as a business expense,” Peter added.

“Becky might be relieved once she learns about this,” Sam said while he held up the folder.  “Thanks buddy,” he added then shook Sam’s hand.

Sam rushed out of Peter’s office with the folder.

Sam drove down I-4 excited about presenting the news to Becky.  But then he saw a billboard along the Interstate for missing children.  He slowed down and pulled off the side of the road. 

He opened up the folder and looked at the paper and picture again.  

“I don’t fucking believe it,” he said then closed the folder.

He opened up his cell phone and made another phone call. 

“John Watson,” he answered Sam’s call.

“John, it’s Sam Woods.  Listen, it’s extremely important that I see you right away.  Extremely important,” Sam blurted out all excited.

“I saw on the news you found Annette’s killer.  Thank you.  If that scum bag Allan Stein was still alive, I would snap his neck,” John said then paused for a few seconds.   “So, what else can be so important that you need to see me right away?”

“It’ll have to wait until I get to Phoenix.  I’m heading straight to the Orlando airport and I’ll let you know if I can get a flight,” Sam said.

“Okay.  I’ll listen since I owe you a world of thanks,” John said.

Sam disconnected his call and quickly made another call.

“Hey baby, listen I have to try and get the next flight out to Phoenix,” he told her then cringed knowing she wouldn’t be very happy.

“What?  Phoenix?  Why?” she asked and sounded a little pissed.

“I’ll explain when I return, but this time, it’s not about hunting down a killer.  It’s good news and I hope it turns out the way I want it to turn out,” he replied.

“We’re leaving for the Biltmore Estates in a couple of days.  You better not forget or our relationship is over,” she said and with a tone that indicated she was serious.

“I’ll be there, I promise,” he replied.

“Have a safe flight,” she said then disconnected her end of the call.

Sam drove to the airport and was lucky to get on the next flight to Phoenix that left in five hours.  He called John with the information and he promised to meet him.

Later that night, Sam sat with John on his couch in his living room in Phoenix.  Sam had the folder in his lap.

“Why couldn’t you tell me at the airport?” John asked.

“I wanted to wait until we were in your home.  I think you’re going to be happy with what’s been uncovered.  But first, do you have some photos of your baby Rachael?”

“Of course.  Why would you ask?” John answered a little baffled.

“Please let me see some photos of Rachael,” Sam said.

“If you wish,” John said then got up off the couch and walked out of the living room.

A few minutes later, he returned with a small album in hand.

John entered with a photo album, and sat down next to Sam. 

“I don’t have many pictures,” he said while he opened up the album.

Sam saw a picture of Rachael around one month old in her crib. 

He saw a picture of Rachael around two months old in Annette’s arms. 

He saw a picture of Rachael about four months old in John’s arms while he’s in his Marine uniform.  Rachael rests her head on John’s shoulder and see the back of her neck.  He saw her stork bite birthmark. 

Sam got a huge smile. 

“That’s all I have of her,” John said.

“How would you like to accompany me to Florida for a few days?” Sam offered.

“Why do I need to go to there?” John replied a little confused.

Sam handed John the folder.  “Take a look inside.”

John opened it up and saw an adoption form from an adoption agency in Curtis, Mississippi.  The form was dated January 12, 1967 and was for a young female baby
eight
months of age.   The form indicated the baby had a stork bite birthmark and that the parents were unknown. 

The form further stated that the baby was found abandoned in a Piggly Wiggly store in Curtis.

“I don’t understand,” John said, as it didn’t immediately sink in his head.  Then it took a few seconds and it hit him like a ton of bricks.

Sam removed a picture from his shirt pocket.  “This was attached to the adoption form.  Allan’s book stated that he kept a photograph of a baby
girl
after he killed the fifth girl,” Sam said while he handed the picture to John.

John looked at the picture.  His mouth dropped in shock when he saw it was a picture of Rachael.  “Annette carried this picture in her purse at all times,” John said then his eyes filled with tears.  Then it dawned on him.  “Oh my God!  The bastard kidnapped Rachael!” John said then he turned red with anger. 

“Serial killers often keep souvenirs from their victims.  But I never heard of the victims baby,” Sam said.

John’s anger turned to joy when he realized his baby girl is still alive.

“When do we leave for Florida?”

“As soon as we can get you some reservations,” Sam replied.

“I could never repay you for all you’ve done,” John said while he stuck his hand out to Sam.

“It’s my pleasure,” Sam replied while he shook John’s hand.

Sam gleamed that he made John so happy.