SACRIFICES (17 page)

              Brad nods his head and tells him as he reaches over and softly slaps him on the back. “Yeah,” he smiles as he moves his hand. “…yeah you’re pretty close.”

              Todd shakes his head and says. “I think they did it too.” He watches the traffic feeling that it’s the only thing that makes sense.

              Brad says rather quickly to his comment. “Why do you think they did it?” Extremely curious what made him feel this way knowing Todd possesses outstanding investigative skills he wants to see if they‘re on the same wavelength.

              “I think what did it for me was the letter. For some reason that letter made it seem like this was a vendetta. And putting two and two together I got the feeling that these guys did something to piss this guy off.” Todd looks out the window as a gorgeous woman drives by in a Mustang convertible. “I love this time of year.” Todd winks at Brad as Brad notices the pretty girl.

              “Yes it is.” Brad smiles as she winks at the two guys who are old enough to be her father. The beautiful blond starts to speed off.

              Todd grins and says. “Should we ticket her for speeding?” He smiles again as he watches her drive away.

              Brad nods his head and says. “Na...” They watch the cutie speed off and smile when they see her plates say
‘BLONDY’.

              Brad and Todd talk for the next couple hours about theories and ideas as they drive down I-55 as the sun starts to set. The two veteran officers agree on many of the theories and thoughts. Both men also agree if they are right neither one of these guys will ever admit it. That’s going to be tough. It’s going to be tough to get either one of these guys to admit that they were involved in a disappearance that took place over 16 years ago that no one seems to be able to link them too. If they did do it why admit it now?
That could be a big dead end.

CHAPTER 10

BRAD AND TODD PULL UP TO THE HOME OF THE STEIN’S

“Looks like the Presidents in town with all of these black and whites parked out here.” Todd grins as they pull up out front. “So how are we going to handle this tonight? Is it my turn or yours?”

              Brad looks into space for a moment and says. “It’s my turn tonight. And get ready because I’m feeling it.” Brad winks at Todd.

              Brad parks the car and can see that one of the uniformed officers quickly making his way to their unmarked car. He uses the back of his hand to tap the window. “Oh I’m sorry sir. I didn’t expect to see you here Mr. Jostler.” The young dark haired officer replies, he’s showing signs of being in awe at the presence of Illinois most public servants at this time in history. “How are you guys doing this evening?”

              “We are fine tonight officer...” Brad leans up to read the name on his uniform. Brad thinks it’s a good professional idea to address people by their names. “...Cameron. How are you? You boys look pretty busy tonight.”

              The small town civil servant smiles and asks. “So what brings you big city guys all the way down here to small town America? You checking up on us locals?” The young kid asks who doesn’t look like he’s been shaving for to long.

              “No sir, we just wanted to stop down and have a little talk with Mr. Stein. He is home right now isn’t he?” Brad inquires, as he remains seated in his very sophisticated unmarked squad car equipped with a computer screen and all the amenities that would be expected in a lead detective’s car.

              “Yes sir he is. Mrs. Stein is gone at one of her friend’s house. So he’s all alone, if you don’t count the five officers surrounding his house.” Mr. Cameron smiles as Brad and Todd start to open their doors. He takes a good look at the inside of this very fancy vehicle and says. “Nice car.”

              Todd smiles and pats the young officer on the back. “Thank you.” He smiles at Brad.

              The young local cop walks up the huge staircase to this brick mansion with a gigantic arched window that covers the towering front door entryway. All that can be seen at night is the stained glass reflection off of the chandelier through the window above the door.

              “Not to shabby huh boss? A house like this in Chicago would run you about a cool mil.” Todd smiles as the other officers come over to meet the famous Detective from Chicago and his counterpart.

              A few minutes of gratuitous palm squeezing transpires, as the small town officers feel awestruck to meet the man that they watch on TV every night. They tell the two big city cops what an honor it is to meet them and ask them a bunch of questions about the town of Chicago.

              When the pleasantries end Brad and Todd have officer Cameron let them in to be introduced to Mr. Alexander P. Stein. He opens the door and announces himself and then the officers from Chicago. Brad whispers to Mr. Cameron. “We want to talk to Mr. Stein alone. So would you make sure none of the other officers come in until we are done John?”

              “Sure thing Mr. Jostler.” The star struck small town officer smiles as he walks outside.

              “Thanks, and call me Brad.” Brad extends his hand and then follows Todd to the parlor where Mr. Stein is sitting in a recliner.

              Brad walks over to the chair where Mr. Stein is seated and extends his hand. Mr. Stein stands up and shakes the hand of both men.

     Alex is wearing a silk robe and black leather house slippers. He’s a good-looking man; Coal black hair and a thick mustache. From the way the robe lies on his body it would appear that he’s especially muscular. He has tan skin and dark eyes; this guy looks the part of a man posing in a magazine as a model. Hollywood big screen looks, and he knows it.

              “Sorry we have to meet for the first time under these circumstances. We’re very sorry about what happened to your wife.” Brad says as the stately good-looking Alex Stein points to the couch and says. “Please have a seat.” There’s a slight shaking noticeable in his hand.

              Todd begins with. “Mr. Stein,” He tilts his head and asks. “Or should we call you Alex?” Todd waits for a response.

              “Either one.” Alex Stein says with little body language or facial expression, coming across like a guy who’s trying to hide something, or possibly afraid. On the outside it appears that this late night visit by the two faces he sees on the news all the time has caught him off guard.

              “So I guess we should start with the reason we’ve drove down here to talk to you. The reason is we would like to ask you some questions about the missing kids that were supposedly last scene with you and some of your friends on the National championship football team. You know what I’m referring to don’t you Alex?” Todd inquires as Alex reaches over and takes a cigarette out of his gold plated cigarette case on the lamp table next to his high back leather recliner. Acting as if he’s in no hurry to answer the question he leans up and says.

              “I must have forgotten my manners. Would you gentlemen like something to drink? I have scotch, brandy, and bourbon you name it. The bar is fully loaded if you choose.” Alex asks as he lights his cigarette with what appears to be a solid gold engraved lighter. Brad sits there on the couch, not saying a word, trying to read the nervous acting Mr. Stein.

              “No thank you Mr. Stein.” Brad smiles and Todd agrees by shaking his head and saying. “No thank you.”

              He leans back and takes a huge drag from his extra long cigarette and says. “The missing kids…yes I remember that from my college days. It was tragic,” He nervously exhales a cloud of smoke then flicks his ashes into a crystal ashtray that’s just about overflowing with butts. “…very tragic indeed.”

              “What can you tell us about that Mr. Stein?” Todd smiles and then crosses his leg as he glances down at what looks like an authentic Persian rug.

              “Well, I remember the two at the party we had at the old Vance farmhouse shortly after the Championship game. We were all there. I mean most of the team and a lot of fans. It was one hell of a get together. We partied to way into the night, and then some.” He puts his cigarette into the ashtray and picks up his glass with ice and what appears to be vodka or gin and leans back his head and drinks the remaining fluid. “That’s all I can tell you. I already told half of the world about this, just a bunch of drunken crazy college kids.” Mr. Stein looks away as he sits down his glass.

              “I know you did Alex, it’s just we have heard some recent rumors and stories about how some of the students and other people at the party said that maybe some of the players were responsible for the couple turning up missing.” Todd scoots closer to the edge of the couch. “And we were hoping to get your version about that kind of accusation.” Todd smiles while he asks politely and softly.

              Alex Stein gives the officers a smug grin and explains. “That’s all bullshit. The media wanted to blame someone so they decided to blame us. Hell it was easy. The two were at the party and they were never seen again. It made for big headlines. And that is why the whole story was blown out of proportion.” He looks away and then takes out another cigarette, forgetting that he still has one burning in the ashtray.

              “So are you saying that there is
no
truth to any of the rumors about you guys picking on the younger weaker boy and also you five guys taking turns raping the young girl?” Brad asks as he leans up and stares directly into the eyes of Alex Stein awaiting his response and reaction to that bold question.

              Alex lights his cigarette and shakes his head. “No of course not, some reporter probably made that up, it’s all a bullshit story that was told to sell newspapers.” Alex looks away showing either signs of aggravation or fear. Brad is still trying to figure out which one.

              With his eyes still honed in on the eyes of Mr. Stein Brad follows up with. “Actually that was a story from some of the witnesses.” Brad continues to watch hoping to aggravate the already nervous Mr. Stein.

              “Mr. Jostler. All I can tell you is we were all questioned and interrogated for weeks about that. Nothing was ever found out about the kids that turned up missing.
Now
,
I can tell you that ‘
I’
had nothing to do with any of that.” Stein pours himself some more of his clear liquid from a crystal bottle that he has placed at arm length from his chair.

              “Did any of the other players have anything to do with anything? Or are they as innocent as you?” Brad says while he turns his head away feeling in his bones that this guy is not being altogether truthful.

              “Absolutely not; none of us did,” Stein, continues as he takes another drink. “...Hey, we were all ran through the ringer about this shit sixteen years ago. The story is still the same
.
WE
had nothing to do with nothing; end of story.”

              “Well I guess we could go talk to them, but it seems that someone has been using their heads as target practice with a thirty-eight special. I WONDER WHY THAT IS?”
Brad speaks in an elevated voice causing Todd to say. “Just relax Brad.” Brad stands up and walks around the room and then blurts out loudly causing Mr. Stein as well as Todd to jump.
“MR. STEIN!
Could you give me your insight on why you think someone has decided to rape your wives and blow your friends brains out
! COULD YOU TELL ME THAT?”
Brad yells and walks over to in front of Mr. Stein.

              Todd stands up quickly and walks over in between Alex and Brad and says. “Brad now takes a seat right now, we‘re not going to do this!” Todd says as he puts his hands on Brad’s shoulders as Brad angrily moves to the side.

              “I’m sorry about Brad’s outburst. He’s been under a lot of pressure lately.” Todd explains to Mr. Stein who appears to have just pissed his pants.

              “No apology needed.” Alex exhales and looks away.

              Brad stands back up and points his fingers into the face of Alex P. Stein and yells.
“
Are you trying to tell us that you have absolutely no idea what so ever why someone has picked out three of your friends to kill
,
Four IF YOU COUNT THE OTHER one THAT MUST HAVE GOTTEN IN THE WAY.
And why it appears that this same guy decided to rape your wives before he killed these so-called innocent friends of yours.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FUCKING IDEA MR.STEIN?”
Brad yells louder and Todd once again stands in between Stein and his yelling partner.

              Todd softly says. “So do you have any idea at all Mr. Stein? We are only trying to find this person that’s all. Anything you could tell us could possibly help find this guy and maybe give you and your wife a little piece of mind knowing he‘s behind bars instead of still out their somewhere.” Todd smiles and then sits back down next to Brad who’s acting as if he’s about to explode by his huffing appearance.

              Alex Stein sighs and swallows hard as he glances at Brad and softly replies. “I can’t speak for the others but I can tell you that I have no idea what happened so help me god.” Mr. Stein looks down and says. “I really don’t know.” He swallows hard and clears his throat again.