SACRIFICES (20 page)

              Todd grins and lets out a cloud of smoke purposely into the face of Mr. Howard. Mr. Howard looks away and coughs into his hand then waves the smoke away. “I want to ask you something Mr. Howard? Or should I say. I’d like to
tell
you something Mr. Howard. With what Mr. Stein told us just last night, I have enough to slap the cuffs on you right now and take you in.”

              Steve Howard smiles and begins to chuckle. “You must be as full of shit as you look. You’d be asking for so much trouble if you even considered bluffing about something like that,
OFFICER AVERY.”

              Todd closes his eyes and smiles. “Is that a fact?”

              Todd grins, “You’re a lawyer. And I’m pretty sure that you understand that as a police officer investigating a crime that I have a
legal right
to bring in
anyone
that I believe may be able to shed some light onto an investigation. And on that same note it’s my
duty
to follow up on any kind of accusation or allegations that are made on the testimony of
anyone
. I also have the right to bring someone in for questioning as well as if I do believe that the person might be able to help on a particular investigation. You do know this Mr. Howard, don’t you? And by chance if I thought you were a ‘threat’ I could slap the cuffs on you. And if I happened to make a few calls first to the media, I wouldn’t be surprised to see dozens of reporters taping you being escorted to our car in cuffs. Then that would be the top story tonight on the news, wouldn’t it. Then after the media attention hurts your name, I could put a short apology in the paper a couple months from now buried in the classified section. The best part about all of that is I would only be doing my job.” Todd smiles and then blows some more smoke in the general direction of Mr. Howard and flicks his ashes onto the table.

              “Officer Avery, you’d be a fool to try me when it comes to the law.” He smiles and shakes his head. He appears to be growing angry not shaken. It appears that he’s hoping that Todd accuses him of something.

              “Well maybe you do know me then cuz being smart is not one of my greatest attributes. I’ve been on suspension before and I’m sure I’ll be on it again. You see Mr. Howard I have a problem with dealing with liars.” Todd smiles as Brad starts to get more nervous since Todd is now quoting the law and police procedures to a lawyer.

              “Let me tell you this Mr. Howard. Mr. Stein informed
me
last night that it was you and Mr. Caruthers that instigated the attack on the young lady at the bond fire.”

              Brad swallows hard as he hears Todd bold face lying to Mr. Howard knowing that Todd could be jeopardizing his career and possibly Brad’s as well. Brad knows what he’s trying to do but he’s not sure if Todd realizes the repercussions if he doesn’t get Howard to admit to anything. Brad’s just going to ride it out for a while and hope that Todd has something in mind, because the way it’s going with this smooth talking lawyer; Todd might have just bitten off more than he can chew.

              Todd continues. “Are you aware of this? Now let’s talk about this for a minute. I think you of all people will appreciate this. Of the five players that were last seen with the couple only two are still alive. I know you know this…“ Todd smiles as he holds his cigarette. “Now, you were there, and Stein was there. It’s possible that he’s lying or maybe he’s not, at this point him lying will only save his ass because he‘s the one that‘s given us something, not you. In fact if he actually lied to us about what happened no one would know but you and him. But the truth is; now try and hear what I’m saying to you Mr. Howard because this is important. If he testifies in court that it was you and Caruthers that killed this couple, by the way he told us the location of the bodies…” Howard swallows and looks away casually. Todd leans up and smiles. “…guess what Mr. Howard? By him telling us this story, that by the way I already have his taped version of this in my briefcase. Anyway what do you think a court would say to this? I mean you are a lawyer Mr. Steve Howard, correct. Stein confesses it was you, theirs no one to refute that because everyone else is dead. Then since it’s almost public knowledge
now
that you were definitely there with the couple, we have old reports that show that as well as Stein himself. Are you starting to see the big picture? If you don’t talk you might go to jail. The accusation alone would
really
put a damper on your career, to say the least. Now let me ask you now Mr. Howard? Do you still think I’m full of shit?”

Todd continues to roll the dice. He hopes that by his arrogant tone and the fact that Mr. Howard appears to be the kind of guy who feels his shit doesn’t stink, Todd feels this is a worthwhile gamble. He’s confident that this cocky attorney won’t fold up and request a lawyer because he feels superior to these lowly detectives. This is Todd’s hope, that his pride will force him to continue the conversation. And hopefully his pride will cause him to make a mistake.

              Mr. Howard appears unshaken. He looks up and says in a very arrogant manner. “Yes I do.”

              Todd exhales. “Now I promised Stein that if he cooperates with us that we’d make sure the DA will give him some kind of reduced sentence, if any at all. He’ll be in court for lets say some kind of concealing a felony charge. But most likely he’ll walk there‘s no priors.” Brad can’t believe what he’s hearing. “Now you on the other hand will either do life or death if you’re convicted. Because you also have no priors on your record and there isn’t a statute of limitations for murder Mr. Howard. I doubt very seriously if a jury will let you off because you have no priors. Jury’s tend to look down on mother-fuckers that rape and kill people.” Howard listens not showing any signs of fear or nervousness. This guy must have ice water in his veins thinks Brad as he watches Todd bluff his way into some kind of confession he hopes. “Now you’re a lawyer Mr. Howard. Am I sounding as dumb as you thought I was?
Now I know you had something to do with this and now I have Stein who’ll testify to that. Now if you truly don’t believe me then I guess I’ll just have to haul your ass to jail right now then maybe you’ll believe what I’m saying you fucking piece of shit!”
Todd stresses as he grits his teeth and moves in front of Mr. Howard and lowers his voice to just slightly higher than a whisper. “Let this sink into your fucking head Mr. Howard. Like I said even if Stein is a bold faced liar and made that shit up. If we find the bodies with you and he the only two who are still breathing it’s going to make you look awfully fucking guilty don’t you think?” Todd lights another cigarette and casually says with a smile. “Oh yeah, I did mention that he told us the bodies where at the sight of the bond fire didn’t I?” Todd exhales a huge cloud of smoke directly into the face of Mr. Howard.

              Brad sighs and looks away. Right at this moment all he sees is he and Todd both being brought up on charges and losing their pension. Todd is his oldest and dearest friend but Todd sometimes speaks from his heart and not his head. That makes him dangerous to not only himself but also anyone around him.

              Mr. Howard has turned from overly rude and arrogant too much quieter after that last exchange almost as if he’s thinking. Todd walks behind the chair that Steve Howard is sitting in and says. “Do you know what it was like for your three friends Mr. Howard? Do you know what this person did to them?” Todd reaches into his holster and yanks out his gun.

              Brad jumps up and screams.
“PUT THAT AWAY!”
Pointing at Todd from across the table.

              Todd smiles and says. “What have I got to lose Brad? This guys a dead man anyway you look at it. If he’s guilty or innocent the motherfucker that raped his wife and killed his friends is coming for his ass as we speak. I’m just going to show this piece of shit what his buddies went through and what he has to look forward too.”
              Howard tries to stand up but the hand of Todd quickly forces him back down. Brad takes a deep breath and says. “Don’t do it Todd.” Staring him directly in the eyes at it appears Todd has just lost his mind.

              Todd smiles coyly. “Call it a visual aid for all argument sakes Brad.” Todd leans down and places his left arm around the neck of Howard and then places the barrel of the gun against the back of his head with his right hand. Todd can feel Steve’s throat muscles contract on his arm as he does this. He starts to whisper. “Ok Steve. Your buddies were minding their own business. Sitting back, not doing a thing. No one was around, they were unaware,” He cocks his gun and puts a little pressure on the back of his head with the barrel. “…this guy sneaks up very quietly. He’s patient; maybe he talked to them or maybe they didn’t see it coming. No one will ever know because there dead aren’t they Steve. Then
BAM
,” He shouts in his ear causing him to jump almost out of his seat while he grabs Todd by the arm that‘s wrapped around his neck. Todd starts to whisper again as Brad looks on feeling like both of their careers just ended. “…And as if the bullet going all the way through their skull and brains then exiting there forehead wasn‘t enough, this guy cocks his gun again and shoots another bullet into their head,” He shouts again. “…
BAM!
Now imagine the fucking hatred someone would have to have to shoot a dead guy again. The first shot through the brain was more than enough to kill the poor bastards but to shoot them again. Jesus Christ,” Todd lets go of Mr. Howard and walks over and takes a seat in front of him. “Do you still feel safe Mr. Howard? Because if we leave you alone and you end up not telling us the truth, that little demonstration next time will be for real. Next time it won’t be some detective giving you a free demonstration,
NO
it will be some enraged, pissed off psycho bent on revenge. And this motherfucker won’t yell in your ear like I did, this fucking guy will let his gun do his talking. If you don’t believe me ask Loomis,” Todd stares at Mr. Howard and smiles while he holsters his gun. “Oh wait a minute. He’s dead isn’t he? Him as well as your other buddies got the real version of what you just went through, now their in the morgue or possibly the ground already on their way to becoming a maggot feast. Also Steve, you did hear about Mr. Speck didn’t you?” Todd smiles. “You heard about what happened to him didn’t you?” Todd winks and reaches into his briefcase. He takes out a folder with the CSI report and the crime scene photos. He takes out slowly and casually the photos and lies them down in front of Steve. “Take a look at that Steve. He is bent over a tree…he has two bullet wounds in the back of his head.” Todd moves the pictures slowly as he points out each picture. “Can you see the blood around his mouth Steve? The blood on his lips is from his ‘DICK’, that’s right Steve his fucking dick. This fucking guy wasn’t content to just blowing his brains out, no, he cut off his cock and shoved it down his throat…the press left that out of the papers and off the news. But I think you should know the truth. Now let me paint a little picture for you if you don’t mind. According to the coroner, Mr. Speck had his dick cut off and then shoved down his throat. THEN after he started to choke to death on his own dick, this guy relieved his suffering by blowing out his brains…I guess he wanted to show him mercy.” Todd chuckles and arranges the pictures casually in front of Mr. Howard and he sighs loudly. “You see Steve this guy is pretty serious wouldn’t you agree. I have another question Mr. Howard; do you like your dick where it is? Do you, because this fucking guy might change that for you quick if he gets the notion.” Todd casually picks up the pictures and the reports and slowly places them back into his briefcase whistling. Then he takes a deep breath as he nods his head.             

              “You know what Mr. Howard what I should really do is just leave now and let this guy that’s killed your buddies kill your stupid ass. If you read the papers I’m sure you’re smart enough to see that even the police can’t protect these guys. If we do leave you alone and you don’t help us then you’ll end up dead. But if you help us then we will personally see to it that nothing happens to you.
I
will personally guarantee your safety.” Todd shrugs his shoulders and smiles.

              Mr. Howard has started to tremble. He hasn’t said a word but it’s noticeable that he’s shaken. Brad’s praying something comes out of this besides them both going to jail for Todd’s criminal behavior. Todd’s a great cop with a lot of guts but what he just pulled could cost the two veteran cops their badges, and their retirement.

              Brad stands up and says as he‘s seen enough. “Excuse us for a minute Steve. I’d like to have a word with Todd.” Brad starts toward the hallway that leads outside. Todd stands up and follows him out the back door. The two officers remain silent during the walk. Once outside Brad closes the door and heads toward the edge of the patio.

             
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
Brad leans into Todd‘s face pointing his finger just centimeters from Todd‘s face.

              “I’m doing what I think is right.” Todd explains as he reaches into his shirt pocket and takes out another cigarette and lights it with his green lighter.

              “You think that was right? What are you trying to do?

Get us both fired? Jesus fucking Christ, playing good cop bad cop doesn’t mean pulling out your gun and pressing it against someone’s fucking head. I can’t believe you did that shit.” Brad exhales and looks away trying to keep his voice down. “
Have you lost your fucking mind? Have you finally fucking snapped?”
Brad paces in a circle breathing rapidly.