Evil Intent (20 page)

Chapter 26

I
t was a quiet afternoon at New York City’s 17th Precinct, on east 51st street. Detective Peters was in his office reviewing the murder case of Jennifer Ellington still convinced the murderer was an employee of Rockne Pharmaceuticals, when Detective O’Donnell knocked at his door.

The only reason Detective Peters had an office was because of his First Grade rank. All detectives in the NYPD, whether in a Third Grade class or at the second grade level, worked on the floor as did police officers. But First Grade was comprised of an elite group of highly experienced detectives appointed to the position by the commissioner. Even their pay grade was elite, falling slightly below that of lieutenant even though the lower rank of Sargent was responsible for managing all detectives.

“Hey boss, just for the record, Dr. Anton Andreyushkin’s alibi checked out. The gentleman that Andreyushkin said he was meeting with, turned out to be the damn President of the Company. His alibi is as solid as a rock. He couldn’t have committed the murders at the
Cafe 63.
He was in California at the time.”

“Come on in O’Donnell, close the door and sit down a minute. Even with what you just said, that Russian still bugs the shit out of me. Maybe it was his flippant personality. Arrogant son of a bitch, too. What’s the damn academy tell you guys about having a hunch? You know what I mean? You can just tell something’s wrong, and you know you just don’t like the person, but you can’t do shit because of all the political bullshit flying.”

O’Donnell was a relatively new graduate of the police academy who recently joined the 17th precinct eight months ago as a detective third class. Detective Peters frequently joked with him about what is taught today in all the various academic institutions.

“You know boss what they’d say. No different than that Dragnet show you old farts used to watch - just the facts ma’am, only the facts. They always warned us not to assume anything and to maintain the politically correct path.”

“That figures. Meanwhile, nobody’s got the balls these days to go against the tide even though they know it’s the right thing to do. Anyway, do you believe what this guy, Andreyushkin, said about the MacBook?”

“You mean that he doesn’t have one?”

“Yeah, and that the company doesn’t use them.”

“Actually yes, I do believe him.”

“Well, I think somebody in that company has one, even if they privately own it.”

“What are you thinking? Why is this MacBook Air so important?

Why would that jump drive we found with Rockne’s confidential files on it, be in the hands of the murderer? Whoever, he or she is, they are running around town with the names of innocent people who are wearing these computerized pumps. And if these pumps are computerized, is it possible the murder is sending some kind of instructions to the pump using a computer?”

“You’re suggesting they hacked into the pump’s microprocessor? How do we run down who has a MacBook?”

“I think we start with one Miss Kathryn Becker.”

“Oh shit, boss, that reminds me, I found out a few other tid-bits I think you’ll find interesting. Let me go to my desk. I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time, I’m going to get me a cup of coffee.”

Detective Peters headed down the hall to a break room. Several patrolmen were hanging around shooting the shit as they would say. A minute or two later, another detective, named Matt Tinny, walked in and started immediately talking with the patrolmen. While pouring the coffee, Peters overheard Tinny, talking about finding a funny looking machine in a garbage pile.

“You should have heard this guy,” Detective Tinny said to the patrolmen standing nearby. “We were over on 63rd Street, and this guy comes running out of a small alley screaming something about a bomb.”

When Detective Peters heard him say 63rd street, it naturally caught his attention. That’s where the
Cafe 63
was located.

“This nut is insisting there is some terrorist plot to blow up the building. We thought he was just crazy but he said the bomb was lying in a pile of trash near a back entranceway into the building. So we walked over to see if anything was there, and damn if we didn’t find this small X-Box-like device on the ground.”

“You didn’t go over to that damn thing did you?” Asked one of the patrolmen.

“No, it was suspicious looking, so we had to call the bomb squad.”

“Hey Matt,” Peters yelled over. “Wasn’t that near the Cafe 63 restaurant?”

“Yeah, in that small alley next to it,” Tinny answered.

“What happened?”

“Turned out to be a dud. They think maybe it was part of some game device. They said it looked like some Bluetooth transmitter or something like that.”

“Did they bring it back here?”

“I think so. Should be in the back room.”

Detective Peters grabbed his coffee and headed straight for the back room. There was a clerk at the counter of the metal caged room. He spoke with her a few minutes, she brought the device out to show him, than he ultimately instructed her to tag the device as evidence in the
Cafe 63
murder investigation. She did so, and detective Peters returned to his office.

O’Donnell was there when Peters returned.

“That must have been one hell of a big cup of coffee, boss!”

“Wait until, you here this one,” Peters said as he proceeded to share the story.

“Holy shit.”

“Yeah, it was quite something. Now, what did you find out about Miss Becker?”

“You know she is in charge of sales and marketing at a pharmaceutical company. Well, I wondered what kind of background she needed to qualify her for a job like that. I found out she went to the State University at Stony Brook, out on Long Island. She graduated with a degree in biology. From there it starts getting interesting. She transfers to Columbia University, here in the city. She was accepted into medical school. She was studying to be a doctor.”

“Didn’t our friend, Dr. Richard Marks attend Columbia?”

“Yep, though not at the same time. He’s older. But, he was there when she was, acting as an adjunct professor. He was a teacher.”

“So she was his student and you’re going to tell me, he was her lover?”

“No, not that simple, boss.”

“While at school, she met another student, Edward Levine, also a Pre-Med student in his final year. They apparently got pretty serious, and dated for two years. They were together all the time. He was her lover, not Marks. He also became an assistant - a personal aide of sorts - to Dr. Marks. He was one of Mark’s students and after class did a great deal of work for Marks, perhaps functioning almost like an intern, directly working for him.”

“So, that’s how Miss Becker met Dr. Marks.”

“Most likely. I guess it’s possible, she may have met him at one point, but I do know she at least would have known of him through her boyfriend. I could only find one instance where she actually met him. It was at a speech Marks was giving. Edward Levine wrote the speech for Marks, and he and Kathryn attended the presentation. During the presentation, which was filmed, Marks brought Edward on stage to introduce him to the audience of doctors, faculty, and senior medical students. After the speech was over, the film shows Edward, standing with Marks, and Kathryn shaking hands with Marks.”

“Ok, O’Donnell, I’m getting lost. Kathryn dates Levine. Levine becomes her lover, Kathryn meets Dr. Marks. Then what?”

“That was quite a while ago. Isn’t it a strange coincidence that she meets Dr. Marks a long time ago, then with no evidence of any relationship or meeting happening between the two of them over a period of several years, she suddenly, like overnight, becomes awfully close, and personal, with our busy and famous doctor?”

“Happens all the time O’Donnell.”

“What would you say if I told you Levine was a diabetic?”

“So what?”

“A dead diabetic?”

“What?”

“Yep. Edward Levine graduated and became a doctor. Then one day, he disappears. They found him several days later, dead. Originally, the police thought it was murder, but oddly, nothing could be pieced together for a case. Ultimately, the notion of a murder was dropped, and was recorded as an unsolved mystery. The official cause of death was simply listed as natural causes associated with diabetes.”

“Holy shit. Now you’ve got my attention. Good work detective O’Donnell. Now if we could only find Miss Becker in possession of a MacBook Air, we just might be able to bring charges.”

“And would that be literally to charge her with murder?”

“No. The simplest way would be a charge on suspicion of murder. That way we should be able to hold her for perhaps 48 hours. I would hope she might open up to us so we might be able to strengthen the case against her.”

“I see. So for now, should I get the search warrant going? Maybe, if we act on it immediately we could get the judge to issue it today. Then we could surprise the hell out of her first thing Saturday morning. We hit her apartment, boss, tomorrow, and if we find the MacBook, we’re in like Flynn!”

“Take a deep breath, O’Donnell, and slow down. We still have some other work to do.”

“What’s that boss?”

“You tell me? Kathryn is on the floor with the waitress. She obviously wasn’t using a computer.”

“But, she could have used a syringe,” said O’Donnell.

“Yes, but then are you telling me there was no computer used in the crime?”

“Maybe the kid who was murdered could have had a computer.”

“Good, but then who’s the man in the trench coat who shot the kid?”

“Our friend, the good doctor?”

“Exactly, so does Marks have an alibi for the precise time of the
Cafe 63
murders
?”

“He was at the hospital?”

“Says who?”

“He told us boss. He told us he was scheduled at Lenox Hill in the Trauma Center. In fact I wrote it all down. Kathryn called him and he asked where she was. She told him and he said he’d be right down?”

“What if he wasn’t at the Trauma Center when he called, but only returning from the scene of the crime? Who saw him at Lenox Hill at the time of the murder?”

“So, Marks could easily be the man in the trench coat.”

“Exactly, and either one of them, or both could have committed the second murder because they have no alibi that night.”

“So, we need a witness from Lenox hill?” Asked O’Donnell.

“Yes, we do, but two more things before we do that.”

“We need to question Dr. Richard Marks, right boss?”

“You got it. Maybe there’s hope yet for you young whippersnappers! Now, grab your stuff, we need to pay the good doctor a friendly visit.”

“What’s the second thing?”

“While you get your papers and the car, I’m calling Judge Phyllis Ruso and get that search warrant today!”

Chapter 27

T
hat evening, Kathryn had just walked into her apartment after getting off work, when her cell phone rang. She was ecstatic to see Richard’s name appear on the screen.

“Hi honey, I’m naked and just climbed into the tub, and it would be so nice if you were coming over to wash my back. Isn’t that why you called?”

“Not exactly, Kathryn,” he said in a tone of voice that caused her to instantly realize something very bad had either occurred or was about to.

“What happened? Richard, are you alright?” She asked as her smile transformed into a frightened and somber expression.

“I was just paid a visit by our friends at the NYPD.”

“Don’t tell me they’re being accusatory with you, now? Were they asking you all those stupid questions they asked me? Why are they doing this Richard? It doesn’t make sense. They should be doing their jobs and finding the man in the trench coat damn it!” She said, getting herself all worked up.

“What can you tell me about Edward Levine?”

Suddenly, as the images of her past filled her mind, she felt the terror hit her as if someone just punched her in the stomach. She even felt nauseous.

Oh my God, please, no! Don’t let this happen to me. I can’t lie to him. I love him. I must tell him the truth, but he’s never going to believe me.

“Richard, please don’t. It’s not what you think.”

“How do you know what I’m thinking, damn it!”

She heard the anger in his voice again, which only freighted her even more so.

“Richard, it was nothing. We dated for a few years, that’s all.”

“Did you love him?”

“No..... I mean....well… yes, at first I thought I loved him, but I really didn’t love him, and in the end, I realized we weren’t meant for each other.”

“Don’t lie to me, Kathryn. It’s true! The cops are right! Of course, you didn’t love him. Edward was all just a way to get to me.”

“No he wasn’t. I thought I loved Edward.”

“Don’t lie, Kathryn. You used Edward as a means to try and get me. You tried to do that, the night of my speech. The speech Edward wrote.”

Kathryn stood there frozen. She said nothing. She could hardly move as she heard, in disbelief, the words he uttered. Though startled, and immobilized, she eventually got the courage to fight back again.

“Oh, Richard, please!” He could tell she was about to cry. “I love you Richard, I can explain it to you, no matter what you’re thinking. You were teaching then and yes I guess I was infatuated with you - any girl would be - you were young, brilliant, and gorgeous. Every girl at Columbia wanted you. And yes, it’s true that I knew you existed but I swear I never thought I’d have a chance getting you. Besides, I really did fall in love with Edward, and initially, I wanted Edward and me to work out.”

Kathryn, tell me the truth. Did you know me before Edward? And, wasn’t it Edward who finally introduced you to me?”

“Yes. I did know of you before Richard, but that’s because you were teaching there. And the only reason he introduced me to you, was because of your relationship to him. He invited me to come with him to the speech. What was I supposed to do? Ignore you and stand by the water cooler until you finished with him?”

“Why should I believe you? The police think you murdered Edward and that you and I are responsible for the murder of four people over the past three weeks. I don’t know what to believe Kathryn, or why you really came to the cafeteria that day!” Richard screamed, obviously extremely upset and angry over all that he just experienced.

“God damn it Richard. This is crazy. You and I didn’t murder anyone, and I have no idea what the police are up to. And, I came to the cafeteria because I was embarrassed and sincerely wanted to apologize for that day in your office. Did I like you? Did I think you were good looking? Yes! Of course I did, but at that time I had no damn idea I would fall in love with you. Please believe me. You were so wonderful to me, you cared about me, and we have such an amazing connection. How can you not see that none of that has anything to do with my college days? I can’t help myself, I fell in love with you now, not at Columbia. Our relationship has nothing to do with Edward!”

Kathryn was sobbing and scrabbling for something profound to say. But, by now, she began sobbing so heavily she could hardly speak.

Richard heard what Kathryn said, and her words weighed heavy on his mind. He wanted to believe her, but was so confused over Edward and the amazing coincidence that he died and he was so connected to both Kathryn and Richard. It certainly appeared that Kathryn had some interest, however small, in knowing Dr. Marks.

“Please, don’t give up on me. I need you Richard. I don’t know what I would do without you. Please, believe me.”

Suddenly, like a huge ocean wave, it hit her hard. She knew she could lose Richard.

“I don’t know what to believe Kathryn. Part of me wants to believe you. But part of me feels like you used me. Part of me feels you lied, and part of me thinks you planned the whole thing.”

“I didn’t lie, Richard and I didn’t use you. I’ll admit I wanted to meet you back in school days. You were good looking, yes, but also an amazing professor. That’s all. Please don’t be like this and please don’t throw away what we have.

“I need to go. I have a lot to think about, Kathryn. How can I understand what I’m throwing away, if I don’t even understand who you are? I’m sorry, goodbye.”

With that, Richard ended the call. Kathryn, immediately redialed but the call went straight to voice mail. She panicked, sitting there dead still, hysterically crying, shaking, and feeling completely out of control. Moments later, she was still trembling as she tried to look up the number for Lenox Hill Hospital. When she found it, she immediately dialed it.

“Hello, this is an emergency, can you connect me with Dr. Richard Marks, please.

“One minute please.”

Instantly, someone picked up. “Surgery room, Bethany speaking.”

“I’m trying to reach Dr. Richard Marks. Is he there?”

“I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen Dr. Marks. I can give you his office number.”

“I have his office number, damn it. He’s not there, I know he’s at the hospital, I urgently need to speak with him. It’s an emergency.”

“I’m sorry ma’am, but if it’s an emergency, you need to call 911. There is nothing I can do to assist you.”

Kathryn, slammed the phone down as tears gushed from their sockets so heavily, she could barely see again. Kathryn quickly dialed another number.

“Hi honey, if you tell me you’re getting laid tonight, I’ll scream. I am so jealous!”

“Suki! Help me! Please! I need you, please come right away,” Kathryn said crying so hard Suki could barely understand the words.

“Kate! Where are you?”

“I’m home......apart..... Apartment. Richard. He’s left me,” she said stammering for the words. “I don’t know how I can go on!”

“I’ll be there as fast as I can. Jesus Christ Kathryn! Don’t do anything, please, I’m on my way.”

Suki flew out of her apartment and grabbed the first cab that came by.

“Quick! Damn it.” She yelled at the cabbie. “Trump Place, 180 Riverside Boulevard, and get there fast! This is an emergency!”

The cab got her there in record time. She didn’t even notice the meter which was probably $5.85. She handed him a twenty.

“Keep it.” She told him, flinging open the door and running into the lobby of the apartment building.

“Carlos, it’s me, Kathryn is in trouble. Please just let me go up. Come with me if you’re concerned,” she said to the familiar Guard at the security desk. Carlos immediately jumped up and escorted her into the elevator riding to the 12 floor with her.

“What happened, Suki?” He asked.

“Boyfriend problems but she sounded like she was a threat to her own life, Carlos.”

“Oh my God,” the security man shouted.

When they arrived, Carlos exited the elevator too, walking to the apartment. Suki rang the bell, and as soon as the door opened, and he saw Kathryn, Carlos turned and left.

“Oh Suki,” Kathryn cried, sobbing out of control. “Thank you.”

Suki immediately had her arms around Kate, walking her over to the couch.

“Now, now, it’ll be alright. Take a deep breath. You need to tell me exactly what happened.”

“I don’t know where to begin. Everything is falling apart.”

Suki led Kate to the sofa. She sat down as Suki raced to the Kitchen. She grabbed two rocks glasses, and opened the cupboard door that Kate kept liquor in. She hollered over to Kathryn, “You’re going to be fine. Richard loves you Kate. He’s not going to leave you.”

“He hates me,” she cried as Suki filled two glasses with ice and filled them to the brim with vodka.

“Take a drink of this. You need to calm down and tell me what happened.”

Kate belted down a gulp of the vodka. Suki, had her arm around Kate, just holding her.

Kate took a deep breath, “Richard found out about Edward Levine. He was furious at me.”

“Do you mean, like jealousy?”

“The police interrogated him. They must have told Richard about me and Edward, I really don’t know how it all happened. But, Richard told me the police think I killed Edward, and Richard and I are responsible for the Cafe 63 murders and the murder of Jennifer Ellington.”

“Oh my God, Kate. That idea is ridiculous. Doesn’t Richard understand that?”

“I don’t know exactly what the cops said, but somehow, Richard concluded that I was stalking him back during my Columbia days, and our relationship now is all because of my former obsessions to possess him. Like it was some kind of contest to get the prize bachelor!”

“Damn police, this is pathetic! Didn’t Richard recognize you?”

“Probably not. I was a blonde back in those days.”

“Kate, you have to listen to me. Richard loves you. It’s real, I know it is. He’ll come around. You just have to give it time.”

“He wouldn’t take my calls. I know he was there.”

“He will, honey. He will.”

“The police believe we’re the murderers and, honestly, we don’t have an alibi. We can’t prove our innocence, Suki. What the hell are we going to do?”

As the two continued talking they also continued drinking. Pretty soon, Suki knew Kate was feeling the liquor.

“I’m staying with you tonight, Kate. I don’t want to leave you like this. Besides, it’s really late, honey. Why don’t we go to bed? We can talk there. Come on.”

Kathryn, actually listen to Suki, stood up, and started walking to her bedroom. Suki quickly tried to turn off as many lights as she could. In the bedroom, she found a couple of night shirts each of them could put on. They climbed into the bed together, and Suki, immediately put her arm around Kathryn, pulling her close to her.

“Here honey, lay your head on my shoulder.”

Kathryn did as Suki suggested, cuddling close to her best friend. Suki, immediately brushed her hand over Kate’s hair and said, “just relax honey. Everything is going to be alright. Richard will cool off and I bet he’ll be calling you tomorrow.”

“I hope so,” Kate whispered.

“You have nothing to worry about. The police are not going to pin anything on you and Richard. I’m your witness. I was with you, and saw everything. You tried to save that woman’s life, not kill her. The police may try to dismiss me, but they can’t. I’m not your spouse, we’re not related, and we don’t live together. I am an objective witness that can testify that you only tried to save that woman.”

“That’s right Suki. You are my witness. I didn’t think of that.”

“And your friends may be character witnesses for you and Richard with the second murder. You told me you were very upset that night. Your other friends could testify to that. What person who is trying to commit a murder, is freaking out over all that other stuff? Like I said Kate, you’re going to be fine.”

“Can we try to call Richard again?”

“I wouldn’t honey. You know he’s working in the Trauma Center tonight. It is highly unlikely he would take a call, and you’ll only get upset again. Let it go until tomorrow.”

“Ok.”

Kathryn, closed her eyes, and while she lay there in Suki’s arms, she instantly fell asleep.