SACRIFICES (36 page)

              Todd grins and says. “In that case I’ll buy the food for the cookout tonight.”

              “You don’t have to do that.” Brad leans against the door.

              “I’m going to. End of story.” Todd places the truck into drive. “See you about five all right?”

              Brad softly taps the door. “See you then.”

              Todd drives off as Brad walks to his Jeep. He opens the door and gets in. It’s still hot so he rolls down the windows and heads for his house.

              On the way home he smiles a lot as he drives and listens to one of his CD’s with some of his favorite songs. Todd made him feel better after talking to him about Jenny. Todd has a way of doing that. Good friends are hard to come by and Brad feels lucky to have him as a friend.

              Brad pulls into the driveway and notices that Jenny’s car is gone. He wonders where she could be. He parks out front and walks into the house. He sees that he and Todd talked for almost three hours because it’s almost noon and they just left the cafe. Brad closes the door and walks into the kitchen. He sees a note on the refrigerator. He takes it off and starts to read the handwritten note:

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Bradley my dear,

I went out to do some shopping. I’ll be back around two o’clock. I hope you don’t miss me too much. I’m looking forward to spending some time with Todd and his wife. It sounds like a lot of fun. I put my cell phone number on the bottom of this page incase you miss me so much you just have to call. Get some sleep. I’ll see you later.

P.S. Has anyone every told you that your just so damn cute? Because if they haven’t I just wanted you to know that you are.

                                                                                    See you soon

                                                                                    Jenny

                                                                                                                245-7683

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              Brad chuckles and puts the note back on the fridge. He thinks that he should take her advice and get some sleep; he knows that he could definitely use it. So he decides to lie down in his chair and watch the news first. Brad checks the local channels knowing that the news should be coming on pretty soon. He’s tired and at the same time he’s excited about the cook out tonight.

              The music for the local news comes on and it makes him open his eyes. The news anchor starts with:

              “Good afternoon. I’m Dennis Martin with WGN midday news. Our lead story once again is the investigation into the recent rapes and homicides. Brad Jostler and his team of investigators have recently been conducting interviews with what they refer to as ‘potential witnesses’. And here with her breaking story is our very own Janet Jorgenson live at the fifth Precinct. How are things at the fifth today Janet?”

              “Well today Dennis things are about the same as usual. Oh course of late the task force headed up by Brad Jostler and lead investigator Todd Avery has taken a lot of criticism. The press, including us at WGN, feels that they have not been releasing as much as they should. As a matter of fact Mr. Jostler himself at the last press conference didn’t take any questions. This was tough for a lot of us in the press. It was on the heels of Mr. Alex Stein of Canton being rushed to Chicago memorial. It was later released that he in fact died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This raised a lot of questions. For one why was he being questioned and second how was it possible for him to commit suicide in an interrogation room at a police station. It’s been reported to us that weapons of any kind are not allowed into an interrogation. So we feel in the media that we are entitled to know how this happened. Another thing that has come under scrutiny is just what do the police know about the rapes and homicides. They publicly say they are working on finding leads. Yet it appears that not only was Mr. Stein being questioned but sources also inform us that Mr. Steve Howard is now in protective custody. If these names sound familiar it’s because when the reports first came out about the husbands of two of the rape victims being executed surfaced. It brought up the story from sixteen years ago about the missing couple from the Illinois Tri-State University and how some of the players on that team were questioned. Let me make this clear. Sixteen years ago when the team was questioned no one was ever linked to the disappearance or charged. I just want to make sure I list that for the record. So it brings us in the media to the question. If these guys were not charged with anything sixteen years ago, then why is it they are apparently being questioned now?”

              Dennis nods his head and asks. “As of now what has the task force released as far as what you’ve just touched on?”

              Janet smiles with a gleam of sarcasm. “That’s what so bizarre Dennis, is everything I’ve just said hasn’t been released from the task force. It comes from inside sources. The task force hasn’t released anything officially.”

              Dennis holds his earpiece as he looks into the camera.

“So what has the governors office had to say about the latest developments in the investigation?”

              “Well Dennis it appears that the governors’ office suffers from the same ailment that the local authorities suffer from. That is ‘no comment syndrome’. And with the election right around the corner I’d venture to say that if something isn’t done quickly that the people of Illinois might reevaluate electing Governor Vance for a third term.”

              Dennis leans up and says. “So it sounds to me that this whole thing has taken on a political feeling.”

              “That’s very true Dennis. The consensus of people in Illinois is that they don’t feel the task force or the governor has been honest with us. And if things don’t change then its possible those feelings might reflect at the next election.”

              “Thank you Janet. We’re looking forward to your next report.” Dennis smiles at the camera.

              Brad grabs the remote and turns it off. The press infuriates him at this point. They don’t understand some of the delicate areas that are being dealt with. They only care about headlines. Brad knows that they are doing everything possible to solve this case. With all of the recent stories and speculation he realizes that the press is having a field day with this. It also proves his theory. With everything they are doing publicly to put down the task force it hasn’t helped one tiny bit. But unfortunately they don’t care about anything but headlines. Sad but true, the public lives in a microwave world where you have a drive thru for everything from food to medicine. You can watch world news 24 hours a day. You can get on line and find out anything you want about everything. You can check out Hollywood and the stock market. Then you click over and watch movies about perverted fantasies. A fast paced world where people want answers now. The news is quick to criticize but slow to apologize.

              Brad stands up and walks to the kitchen. He’s still feeling the repercussions from last night’s debauchery so he bypasses the Light Beer on the top shelf and grabs a can of Diet Coke. Brad pops the top and takes a big swig trying to get rid of his hangover. He looks around and tries to think of something to keep himself occupied for the next few hours.              

The news has brought him down and sleeping would be impossible at this point. It’s Saturday so he thinks about calling his son. Then he smiles as he remembers that his brother is taking the boys fishing today and they won’t be back until late.

              Brad aimlessly wonders through the house. He’s bored.

So he thinks that maybe he’ll watch some ‘This Old House’ and see if he can learn something. Not being extremely skilled in the areas of home improvement he has a lot of respect for the guys who do it for a living. In fact he’s many times made the comment after building his deck that if he wasn’t a Detective he would have liked being a builder.

              He starts to change the channels and the phone rings.

Brad jogs to the kitchen to get the cordless from the charger so he can go back and sit down while he talks. He picks up and says. “Hello.”

              The chief says. “Hello Brad. How are you doing?”

              Brad walks back to his chair sits down and leans back in his seat. “Not bad; how you doing?”

              “Well the reason I’m calling you for starters is, I wanted to first say that I’m very proud of you and Todd for what you’ve done on this case. And secondly with what you two found out from Mr. Howard the state of Illinois owes you two officers a debt of gratitude,” Brad listens not positive where this is going. “Anyway…The FBI has just notified me here at home, they haven’t made this public yet, that they
have
been able to
positively
identify the remains as Beth Townsend and Troy Denton.”

              Brad closes his eyes and sighs as one chapter in this nightmare has ended. “So they
did
find all of the remains then?” Brad exhales feeling good that now they can give the families a long awaited piece of mind.

              “They found enough to establish dental records and DNA on the two. But it would have been almost impossible to find all of the remains after finding out that the land was farmed. An entire acre in that area was tilled with big blades and some of the fragments were found over a hundred feet away from the original spot they looked. It’s actually a miracle that they were able to find what they did given the circumstances.” The chief sits at his kitchen table at home sipping on coffee.

              “Well chief I guess we should be happy.” Brad nods feeling a huge burden has been lifted. “So what kind of DNA was found? I’m not sure how it all works but how after all of these years could they find enough DNA to positively identify the couple?”

              The chief explains the evidence. “For starters they can actually get a DNA reading from less than a drop. I mean they can profile DNA from particles so small it can’t even be seen by the human eye. That’s what’s so impressive to me. So anyway the skull that was found turned out to be that of Troy Denton. They checked dental records and it was an exact match. It was actually dental records and DNA that enabled the FBI to positively identify Beth Townsend.”

              Brad scratches his head. “Well chalk one up for advancements in modern medicine. How did they get the DNA?”

              “Like I said it was easy with Troy’s skull mostly in tact. They used old dental records and like I said it was an exact match. But these forensic people have got to be geniuses. They were able to find teeth and bone fragments as well and blood from the clothing to match the girl. They crosschecked her documented blood type and a DNA profile to get the exact ID. It’s amazing that no two people share the same DNA profile. It just boggles my mind how they do this with so little information. They were actually able to get DNA from her teeth and bone fragments to check it against the blood found on the clothing. They also used her dental records and were able to find an exact match on some or her fillings and a few crowns from her records from dental work she had done in high school. Some of the personal belongings were also found. They had found her engagement ring that was given to her by her fiance and fragments of clothing had her blood and DNA on them. It’s amazing what these guys do.” The chief shakes his head thinking about how impressive these people are to be able to find needles in haystacks every single day.

              “Well when is this going to be made public?” Brad wonders as he stands up and starts to pace feeling a huge weight has been lifted off of his shoulders.

              The chief explains. “I want you and Todd to be at the station in a couple hours. The governor will be there holding a press conference. He will be telling everyone about the findings and how you and Todd help spearhead this investigation. All you two need to do is stand up there and look pretty.”

              Brad smiles. “This is great chief. I’ll call Todd and fill him in. I think the city will get a big sense of relief.”

              “I think your right son.” The chief smiles, “I will tell Todd when I see him but I’m going to go ahead and tell you now, you and Todd are both going to be promoted at the press conference. It’s well deserved…” The chief pauses briefly. “Also I’m going to be announcing my retirement.”

              Brad quickly responds. “You’re retiring? Why, it has nothing to do with the case does it?”

              The chief chuckles, “Didn’t you hear me son, you and Todd are being promoted, big promotions by the way.”

              “I don’t care about that…I can’t believe you’re retiring Boss.” Brad looks away feeling sad and confused.

              “I have been thinking about it for the past year, my wife and I want to travel a little bit and enjoy my grand kids. I’ll miss the hell out of guys but we will stay in touch. But I assure you that it has nothing to do with the case. I’m proud of you boys, and I know the fifth will be in good hands when I leave.”

              Brad lets out a long breath and shakes his side to side not knowing what to think. He will miss his mentor and he knows Todd will also. He also understands how tough this line of work can be and he understands the chief wanting to spend time with his lovely wife. But it still gives him an empty spot in his heart knowing the chief won’t be there to keep him and Todd in line. “I don’t know what to say. I can’t imagine life at the office without you.”

              “Let’s not think about this now. Remember don’t tell Todd…I’ll tell him myself and I’ll see you guys in a couple hours.” The chief hangs up.

BRAD RETURNS HOME FEELING GREAT ABOUT THE DAYS EVENTS

              Brad goes upstairs and gets out of his suit. There going to be cooking out and swimming later so he puts on a pair of shorts and a Chicago Cubs T-shirt. He takes off his dress shoes and socks and slips on some sandals.

              He heads downstairs to grab a soda and hears his front door being opened. He walks into the living room. “Well hello. I was worried about you.” Brad smiles as he walks over and relieves her of a few of the larger bags. He sits them on the couch and she smiles.

              “You were. You shouldn’t have been worried.” Jenny explains as she sits her purse down and walks to the kitchen.

              Brad approaches her and asks. “Did you hear on the news that they bodies of the missing couple was positively identified today. There was a big press conference. The governor was there, I was, Todd and the chief. I was hoping you’d get back in time to go with me.”

              Jenny sits down at the dinning room table and it appears she’s beat. “I’m sorry honey. I wish I could have gone with you. But I got so wrapped up in shopping that I lost track of time. I hope you’re not mad at me.”

              Brad looks away and grins as he walks over and places his hands on her neck and begins to gently massage. “No I’m not mad. I was just worried about you.”

              Jenny closes her eyes, as the massage feels wonderful. She reaches back and takes a hold of his hand. “I bet you’re relieved that they finally identified those poor kids aren’t you?”

              Brad smiles and says. “Yes I am. I’ll feel a lot more relief once I find out who’s been doing the rapes and murders. We’ll find him eventually.” Brad leans down and kisses her on the check. “Don’t you worry, like I told you before I’ll protect you.”

              Jenny stands up and says. “I know you will.” She walks to the refrigerator and takes out a soda. “Did they ever find out who killed that couple?” She asks as she opens the can.

              Brad nods his head. “Were still trying to find out for sure; right now we have some good leads but were not sure exactly.” Brad explains to her not wanting to share the details. He will tell her in time after it goes public but at this time he doesn’t want to frighten her anymore than she already is with the gory details, especially after the fact that she’s scared about knowing the killer mentioned her in the last letter.

              Jenny walks toward the stairs with her soda in hand. “I’m going to go take a shower. Would you carry those sacks upstairs for me?” Jenny winks. “You’ve been such a good boy there’s even something for you in there.”

              Brad starts to peak into the sack and she points. “Don’t you look in their mister; I’ll give it to you later.”

              “Is the Victoria’s Secret sack for me?” Brad bats his eyes as he follows her.

              “Sort of, they didn’t have
your
size so I found something in my size I thought you might like.” She twitches her ass as he follows her up the stairs.

              “Yeah I always have problems finding
my
size there; I usually just order it out of the catalog.” She turns around and smiles.

              When he gets to the bedroom he sits her bags down on the bed and hears the water being turned on and walks into the bathroom. “I got promoted today.”

              Jenny takes her pants down. “You did. That’s wonderful honey, I know you deserve it, you are such a wonderful detective.”

              “On August 1st, I’ll become the new chief of police at the fifth precinct. And on the first as well, my buddy Todd will be taking over my old job. He was promoted too.” Brad smiles as he watches her take off her socks sitting on the edge of the tub.

              Jenny walks over in only her shirt and underwear. She wraps her arms around him and gives him a kiss. “That is so wonderful. I’m very happy for Todd too.”

              Brad smiles and places his hands on her tiny waistline. “I’m happier for Todd then anything else. He’s deserved this for a long time.”

              Jenny smiles and reaches in to turn on the shower. “I can’t wait to meet his wife and cook out tonight.”

              Brad walks out to his bedroom to let her take her shower and he goes downstairs. He goes downstairs to his pool table room and begins to bring up some booze for the little get together. He takes an empty box and starts to place into it all the stuff he’ll need to make all the drinks everyone wants. He grabs vodka for screwdrivers and tequila for margaritas. He even takes a few extra bottles of Champaign from his refrigerator to toast Todd and his promotion.

IT’S 5:00 PM. TODD AND JESSICA ARRIVE WITH SACKS OF FOOD

             
Brad pulls back the curtain and opens the door. He takes the heavy paper grocery sack from Jessica and leans down and gives her a kiss on the lips. “Hi gorgeous.”

              Todd walks in behind her. “Why didn’t you help me with my bags?”

              Brad walks toward the kitchen with Jessica following him. “Because she’s much prettier than you are.”

Brad sits the bag down on the table as Todd sits his down as well.

Jessica’s an especially pretty woman. She’s on the tiny side as far as her five feet tall frame. Her little body is curvaceous. Todd has always teased her by saying that the reason he married her was because she had a nice ass. It’s true she does, but she has an even nicer face and personality, beautiful strawberry blond hair, brown eyes and a cute little button nose. With the body of an ice skater and the face of a porcelain doll she’s a cutie pie. She has the smarts of a schoolteacher and sense of humor of a comedian. Todd got lucky to snatch this little lady up.

              The truth of the matter she thinks she’s the lucky one. She loves her Todd with all of her heart and although different in most ways, probably the closest couple Brad’s ever known.

              Jessica looks around and says as she takes a hold of Brad’s hand. “So where’s Jenny?”

              Brad points to the back yard. “She’s out their getting charcoal ready for the grill.”

              Jessica walks over to the door and looks at her on the pool deck. “Oh Brad, she’s so pretty,” She turns to Todd. “Isn’t she honey?”

              Todd nods his head and says casually as he pulls a beer out of one of the sacks he brought. “She’s
fucking
hot.”

              Brad smiles as Jessica hits him on the arm. “Watch your mouth. I told you about using that word.”

              Todd takes a drink and apologizes. “I’m sorry. She’s fucking
pretty
.”

              Jessica walks over to the table grinning and starts to take out the food they brought. She shakes her head and says. “I don’t know how I put up with him Brad.”

              Brad smiles and walks over to help her. “I know what you mean sweetheart; I gotta work with him everyday.” Brad winks at Jessica and she winks back.

              Brad takes a hold of Jessica’s hand. “Why don’t you come with me so I can introduce you girls and we’ll let big daddy take the food out of the sacks and get everything ready?”

              Jessica smiles and tells Brad. “That sounds like a great idea.” They walk hand in hand to the pool and Todd smiles as he unloads the groceries.

              They walk up onto the deck as Jenny arranges the coals on the grill and Brad smiles. “Jenny, I’d like you to meet Jessica, she’s Todd’s wife and a great friend of mine, and Jessica this is Jenny.”

              Jenny wipes her hands off on a towel and extends her hand with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you Jessica. I’ve heard lots of nice things about you and Todd.”

              Jessica smiles and shakes her hand. “It’s nice to meet you to honey Brad’s told me so much about you.”

              Brad grins as the girls exchange small talk. He walks back into the house as the girls start to talk. He pulls open the door and sees Todd taking the steaks and pork chops from the packages and looking out the window as the girls smile and talk.

              “Looks like the girls are hitting it off pretty good.”

Todd smiles as he bends down and looks out the window over the sink.

              Brad grins. “Yeah, I introduced them and they just started to talk. I think that’s great.”

              Brad and Todd continue to get the food items ready for the cookout while Jessica and Jenny talk on the pool deck. Brad makes them a few margaritas and walks them out to the girls while they take a seat under the umbrella-covered table. “Here you are ladies.” Brad hands them their drinks.

              Jenny takes a sip. “Jessica’s been telling me all kinds of stories about you Bradley.”

              Brad takes and starts to light the grill with his oversize lighter. “
Don’t
believe a word of it.” Brad winks at Jessica.

              Jenny stands up and walks over and gives Brad a kiss on the cheek and then a hug. “Why not? They were all good stories.”

              Brad hugs her back as the charcoal starts to burn. “Well in that case,
believe
every
word of it
.”

              Jessica smiles and tells Brad. “Bradley my dear, Jenny was just telling me that she grew up in Pekin, as a matter of fact, before she moved to Peoria she lived only a few blocks from my Aunt Kathy. They know each other.”

              Brad smiles. “Isn’t that something?”

              Jenny grins. “Your Aunt is a doll, and she always had the best garden in town.”

              Jessica reaches over and touches the top of Jenny hand. “Honey that woman spends more time gardening then she does anything else.”

              Brad grins as he enjoys the girls hitting it off so well. Jessica relaxes in the shade and takes a few sips of her margarita. “So what’s big daddy doing in there?”

              Brad takes a sip of Jenny’s drink. “He’s getting the meat ready for the grill.”

              Jenny sits back down and asks. “I’ve got to know. I’ve heard you refer to Todd as big daddy, and you too Jessica. I’m curious as to how he got that nickname?”

              Jessica and Brad grin and then Brad explains. “Years ago and even now for that matter; when ever there was a problem between friends, or co-workers Todd would always be the
guy
that would step in there and say ‘Lets not have any of this.’ or, ‘You two shouldn’t be arguing let’s work this out.’ He’s always acted like a father figure to a lot of people. So a long time ago a couple of rookies started to say if there’s a problem we’ll go get big daddy, he’ll take care of this. And the name stuck.” Brad smiles and so does Jessica.

              Jenny nods her head. “That’s so cute.”

              The back door opens and Todd comes walking out carrying a plate of steaks and pork chops all seasoned. “Here we go kids. The meat is ready to sizzle.”

              Todd sits it down and walks over to Jenny and extends his hand. When she extends hers he bends down and kisses the top of her hand and says with a smile. “It’s nice to see you again pretty lady. I hope these characters weren’t out here telling you a bunch of crazy stories about me, you gotta watch them two.” He smiles at Brad and Jessica pointing.

              “Actually they were just telling me how you got the nickname big daddy.”

              Todd starts to smile and leans down and says to his wife. “That’s strange; Jessica doesn’t usually talk about our sex life in public.” He raises his eyebrows and winks at Jenny.

              Brad chuckles and so does Jessica. Jenny nods her head and grins. “Why don’t you tell me about it
big daddy
?”

              Todd grins and gets ready to pour it on thick. “Well I’m not one to brag of course, but the real reason is kinda personal and frightening. Now my wife knows real well about my special gift,” Todd winks at Jessica. “But the truth is years ago when I first started on the force me and Brad and a bunch of guys our rookie year were all in the showers at the fifth.” Everyone starts to grins while Todd gets into his story, especially Jenny who likes his sense of humor. “Anyway we were all stripping down and it just so happened that when I took off my pants it scared some of the guys. They thought that something was wrong with me. They never saw anything like that,” Todd scoots his chair next to Jenny and leans close to her as Jessica and Brad can’t help but laugh. “…after the initial shock wore off and the guys were able to talk again, after extensive counseling of course, they all started to call me big daddy. I thought it was very nice actually. After the chief walked in on us one day they made me wear a special pair of pants after he seen how terrified everyone was,” Todd leans closer and whispers in her ear. “The chief didn’t want me to scare the guys anymore, I understood so I wore the pants and that‘s how it happened.”