SACRIFICES (12 page)

The preoccupied Jostler takes off his glasses and tucks the speech into his breast pocket and points to the young man in the front row with flash bulbs going off as a buzz surrounds the conference.
“Yes
you sir.” He points.

     “Mr. Jostler I’m Brad Thompson with the Chicago Tribune. My question is what the police have been able to establish as far as a motive. I mean, after the stories hit the news it started out as five women being raped in a way that shared similarities, it appeared that we were trying to find a serial rapist, now the big talk is about the victim’s husbands being one by one executed. Are the police confident that without a doubt we are dealing with the same suspect?” The young reporter sits down and then anxiously awaits his response.

Brad covers his mouth as he clears his throat and addresses the question. “Mr. Thompson, I’m not sure if it is possible to say
‘without a doubt’
about any of this. From an investigative standpoint, it appears that since the women that were raped husbands have been murdered…” Brad looks around trying to say the right things and try to manage saving his somewhat embarrassing performance thus far. “…we believe we are dealing with the same person or
persons
responsible.”

Brad motions to a very pretty red head in the front row and smiles. “Yes you Miss.”

“Hi, I’m Jenny McQueen from the Peoria Journal Star, the rapes and murders are
now
gaining worldwide press and it appears that you have turned into a sort of media heartthrob,” The audience giggles and Brad grins. “So my question is,
are you available
?” She shyly winks.

Brad looks away and tries to put a focus on what the real reason they are assembled there today. He also wants to keep the crowd in good spirits. So he just smiles and makes his usual response to that frequently asked question. “No I’m afraid not. I’m spoken for.” He looks away and points to the older gentleman in the fourth row. “Yes.” He points with the audience still chuckling from the earlier exchange with the gorgeous red head.

              “I’m George Starr with the Pekin Times. My question is a
slightly
different than the ladies question just a moment ago,” the audience starts to laugh and Brad grins at the humor. “My question is, with all of the work the task force has done and the local authorities. Have there been any real clues or, I guess what I mean is do the police have any suspects?” He sits down.

              Brad smiles and says as he thinks about his talk with the chief. “No sir, at this time we do not have
any
suspects.” Brad points to the middle of the huge crowd at a young girl that is frantically shaking her hand. “Yes. Go ahead.”

              “I have a two—part question, the first part. With the news media bringing up the story of the missing college kids from 16 years ago, are the authorities leaning toward a possible connection with that event. And my second question is that I’ve heard that the police actually have questioned a few people. There was talk about a black sports car being seen near or around the sight of one of the attacks as well as close to the home of Mr. Caruthers'sround the time of his death. So would it be fair to say that you do have a suspect in mind?” She sits down.

              Brad takes a deep breath and a sip of his water. “I’m not sure if that was two questions or more.” The audience smirks and laughs as Brad tries to think of a way to answer that tremendously dangerous question. “In response to your first question about the missing college kids from 16 years ago, the answer is of course we are looking into that event, we’d be fools to not at least check it out. And as far as the connection we are definitely checking all avenues. The rape victims husbands all played for ITSU during the time of the missing kids and were questioned then, I would also like to add that these five men were totally exonerated sixteen-years-ago of any involvement.
BUT
we would not doing our job if we didn’t at least look at
all
possibilities.” Brad clears his throat and continues to think about his talk with the chief about the suspect as well as the letter mentioning his own son. “As far as the other, the answer is no.”                  The young woman stands back up and shouts. “Are you denying that you have questioned some people as to a possible connection with a black sports car?”

              Brad looks away and carefully explains. “I didn’t get your name Miss.”

     She responds. “Jennifer Jarvis.”

     Brad covers his mouth as the chief and the governor look on in tense anticipation. “Miss Jarvis, I’m
not
denying that we have talked to people about possible connections, we’re detectives
that is
what we do. But I am
definitely
denying that we have
any
suspects because at this present time there are
none
.” Brad smiles. “Does that answer your question?”

              Miss Jarvis smiles and nods her head. The chief and the governor both exhale in relief as to the way he answered the question.              Brad points to a younger gentleman in the fifth row that has a CBS press pass on his jacket. “Yes sir, go ahead.”

              The young blond gentleman starts by saying. “Mr. Jostler, I’m Ben Jacobs from the New York Times. First I’d like to say that I think you and the rest of the task force are doing an outstanding job. Don’t let some of the negative press get you down. There are a lot of other reporters like myself that think you are doing a great job. Your team of investigators is not just checking out a random neighborhood, you are searching the entire state. Keep up the good work.” Many observers and reporters start to applaud as Brad smiles and nod his head. “So my question is what have the profilers been able to establish thus far as far as the profile on this person? Not a lot has been mentioned as far as what your team thinks about whom you might be dealing with? Has a profile been established yet?” The young reporter sits down and awaits his response.

                            “Well Mr. Jacobs, I’d like to thank you for your support. It means a lot to us that people appreciate what we are trying to do, and as far as a profile. The FBI has just presented us with a complete work up on their findings and theories. Now I’m going to give you an overview of what we were given. I’m not the profiler so I might not be able to give a lot of feedback as to what exactly the meaning is but I will do my best.”

     Brad reaches into his pocket and pulls out the profile. He places his reading glasses on and then starts to read. “The FBI profilers have taken all the information and facts that we have provided them with. Their profiler has come up with this as a possibility as to the type of person responsible for these acts. Probably a white male between the ages of 25 to 35, they think that we are dealing with someone of extreme intelligence, someone that most likely has a job that requires a lot of detail work and memory work. This person is probably not married, or possibly divorced, there theory behind this is, this person must be able to watch, watch and watch some more to be able to this familiar with the victims. That’s why they believe this person is single or divorced. A married man would have a lot of explaining to do if he were gone this much.” Brad reads through and begins to ad lib. “They are probably very neat and clean. They are good at details and facts. And the style used to kill the victims is related to an extreme hatred, most likely a deep—rooted revenge-based reason. As far as the rapes the profiler is convinced that the rapes where done to somehow cause pain and embarrassment to the victims that were killed. Not the victims of the rape. The FBI believes that the rapes victims were never the main targets. With this kind of executions it is believed that the suspect has little concern for human life and is to be considered
obviously
extremely dangerous. With that note they also believe that this person is probably a person you would be able to meet on the street and think that they are as normal as you or me, probably nice and polite when not acting out on their vengeance, most likely someone with great social skills. It‘s also a belief of the profiler that we are dealing with someone that has incredible patience,
incredible patience
, possibly a hunter or even someone with a military background, do in part to their ability to handle a gun.” Brad takes off his glasses and places them back into his pocket. “I hope that answers your questions about the profile.” Brad smiles and looks toward the back.

     Brad starts to gain more confidence and gets a little bit of his attitude as the conference continues for another twenty minutes. The questions come and go and Brad remains strong with his responses and soft with his explanations as to suspects.

              The conference is coming to a close and Brad says. “I’ll take a couple more questions.” He points to a middle aged man toward the front with a press badge. “Mr. Jostler, I’m John Howe, I’m with the Seattle World News and my question is, with Mr. Loomis being watched from what I understood, on a 24/7 schedule. How was it possible for someone to penetrate his home and then executing him? And secondly are the police going to increase the security for the other two men that are potentially still in danger? Or is the task force considering moving these men to a secure location.”

                            “Mr. Howe, it is a terrible thing when someone is killed, no matter what the reason or the circumstance, in the case of Mr. Loomis,
the fact is
, the local authorities were
watching
Mr. Loomis and his home on a twenty-four hour a day schedule. Now this might seem strange. But the unfortunate truth is he was being
watched
. The reason I stress this is because he wasn’t under protective custody. The local police where keeping an eye on him and his home. When this service is provided for someone the police presence is there, but it’s not infallible. And sadly as it sounds the truth is if someone is willing to sacrifice themselves or take risk, if someone wants to kill someone it is almost impossible to protect that person with
100% efficiency
.” Brad takes a deep breath and addresses the second question with a well thought out explanation still thinking about what the letter said about backing off with the surveillance to be able to protect his son.

“Everyone involved will be carefully considered Mr. Howe, that is a police issue that will be dealt with by the police and it will be addressed as to the need for protection as decided on by each individual case.” Brad tries to sound detailed and vague at the same time.

                            “I’d like to thank everyone for coming this extremely hot July afternoon and everyone please drive carefully. Have a good day.” Brad smiles and walks toward the stairs of the platform.

The flash bulbs go crazy and everyone who wasn’t lucky enough to be addressed continues to shout out questions as the rattled and edgy Mr. Jostler makes his way out of the lobby of the Fifth Precinct.

Chief Carlin quickly catches up and meets him by the elevator and says. “Are you ok Brad? I mean you made me nervous when you first got up there. Is something-wrong son?” The chief inquires of his long time friend.

Brad watches the numbers on the elevator descend as the chief waits anxiously for a response. “No boss I’m fine. I haven’t had much sleep lately. This case is starting to wear me out.”

The chief pats him on the back and suggests. “Why don’t you take a few days off? Clear your head.”

Brad smiles and agrees. “That’s not a bad idea. Are you sure you can spare me?”

                            The smiling chief nods his head back and forth and says. “I think we’ll manage…
”
He smiles. “I was arresting bad guys when you were wearing diapers.” The chief walks away. “Now get some rest cuz when you come back where gonna really need you. Do you understand?”

Brad steps into the elevator and says as he dials his son again. “Ok, boss.” He pushes the number three and turns toward the lady standing next to him. “Hi.”

Brad listens to answering machine pick up and this time chooses to leave a shorter message. “Bradley...this is dad, call me when you get this message, I love you.”

The very pretty lady grins. “Hi Mr. Jostler.”

Brad looks at her and asks. “Hi…have we met?” He smiles and tries to place the pretty face.

“Just at the press conference…” She explains shyly glancing toward the floor.

Brad smiles and nods slowly as he remembers. “Oh yeah, you were in the front row, in the center.” She smiles and looks away. “Yes I remember its Jenny McQueen right? If I’m not mistaken your with the Peoria Journal Star.” He extends his hand as she nods. “It’s nice to meet you.” Brad reaches for the buttons on the elevator.

“It’s nice to meet you as well, and I’m impressed you have a very good memory.”

“So where you headed?”

“The fourth floor, I haven’t been in Chicago for a long time and I thought I’d stop in and say hi to Debbie Young. Do you know her?” She asks, as it appears she’s taking a long and serious look at Brad.

“Oh sure I do. Debbie is sweet girl. I’ve known Debbie for years. How do you know her?” Brad inquires as he can’t help but notice this beautiful woman is really looking him over.

                            “Her husband and my husband use to be really good friends. They worked together for years.” The beautiful red head with gorgeous green eyes explains to the nervous Brad Jostler.