Becks 13 A Fair Haven

Making arrangements for the signs was fairly quick. Getting the actual signs was longer. Near the end of August we had one at every shelter we owned and Bitsy had three spares in the downstairs of her carriage house. Plans, you understand. Other matters progressed. Sarah had the clinic all set as well as Morticia and said she now has a portable ER. A very fast portable ER too she liked to add with a grin. I was hoping for news from Bonnie soon saying she knows someone with an idea, but no luck yet. I was having luck with our new mystery in Newton and it was all bad.

Sheila had established that the woman was from Weston, and knowing she had a daughter helped to narrow that down. And one day in early August Jazz was out for a walk and saw the woman exit a car. And memorized the plate. So we know she is Elizabeth Martin. Jack did his work and I know her daughter is Holly and just turned 11. And her husband Victor comes from old New England wealth. And they live in Weston, not Newton.

Sheila wants to continue talking to Elizabeth and calls her Liz, the name she gave at the start. But I am finding out bad things. The one that bothers me the most is that for at least two years, girls from 13 to 15 have been disappearing from Watertown to Sudbury. Not one has been seen so far. Eight have vanished that we know of. I add that information to stories from teachers and prep school "chums" who talk about Victor enjoying chasing younger girls through the woods in those years.

No charges were filed and won't be, because his money and position are well respected. But rumors of rape have followed him for at least twenty years. And Jack hears through the grapevine reports of beatings given to women and sometimes children. Poor women, and sometimes prostitutes. Again with no charges. I talked to Bitsy and she said to ask Sun for help. I asked what he can do and she said he knows of special dogs. Very special dogs.

I get in touch and find he indeed does. He shows up with a dog he tells me can find a corpse from a very long distance, buried or not. And she can look for male or female bodies as well. Tells me he has no idea when I ask how but swears that it works. We spend more than a week walking the dog through woods and fields, having told it to find girl bodies only. We check reservoirs, parks and anywhere you could murder and bury a body while not getting caught. Yes, a lot of ground to cover. In the middle of the second week, the dog bayed in Cochituate State Park and ran ahead between the trees. After following her for several hundred yards she stopped and pointed her nose to the ground.

I had a small folding shovel, the sort you can get in most camping or Army surplus stores and used it cautiously. When I uncovered a face I asked Sun to stay here and walked to the closest pay phone. Where I called Jack and Amy. Fairly soon we had over a dozen forensic people, mainly state and one from Salem. Over two days they uncovered 11 bodies. All of which were identified as being 13 to 15 year old females. Most matched the missing girls from the area, so far we have no idea who three are, or were. Due to the chief pushing and Amy being kind I was allowed full access throughout. Late on the second day I sat in a smallish tent at the site with Jack, Amy and a state forensic psychiatrist.

Who talked about trigger events among other things. I asked if such a man was married and had a daughter would her approaching the age range be a trigger event?

She said "Oh yes. He would have been bathing her and observing her moving, sleeping, dressed and undressed since birth. Even if he controlled his urges with her, they would get exponentially stronger. And could quite easily cause what we see here."

I told Jack that bothered me. The doc added "If he does have a daughter approaching the age, he may not wait until her birthday. He may simply lose control and need to take her any time now. I looked at Amy and she thanked the doctor, telling her we will meet again soon. She looked at Jack and then at me.

"Damn it Becks, I can not suggest or authorize vigilantism. And yet Chief Daniels and I have already discussed this and the plain fact is your man will not get arrested and if he is, will be out in less than 24 hours. And a few policemen will lose their jobs. Take this and I hope you can convince his wife to take the daughter and come to your shelter." And she handed me a folder.

Inside were photos of all the victims. Each had a typed note, listing cause of death, estimated date of death and what indignities had been performed on each victim. Sterile and antiseptic. Even necessary. It made my blood boil and took me time to control the rage enough to think clearly and function. When I closed it I saw Jack looking at me, Amy as well.

"Becks, I still remember the first child murder I ever dealt with. For whatever reason they strike us so much harder than the death of an adult. And yes, I think you are dealing well, but if you need to talk, just ask." Although she is much closer to my age Amy said similar. I thanked them both and said I was fine now.

"I did need a minute to get a leash on the rage, and now I can use it." And told them I was off to do my best to get Elizabeth Martin to bring her daughter and come to the shelter. Because the law won't allow us to protect her until it is too late. Amy looked torn and said she wanted to do more but she can't. I told her I know. Jack looked across the small table "No suggestions, no words of wisdom, Becks. Just understand yourself and do what you have to. I believe in you, woman."

Amy gave him an odd stare, unbelieving yet filled with admiration. She finally said "Becks, I can't help. But I can't get in your way either." And left the tent. Jack said that for an officer her age that was a large concession to both the law and herself. Adding she was a good person and probably a good friend as well. I told him I was starting to see that she had become a friend, a better one than I had realized. He said to go save the child and her mother and then we'll get this son of a bitch. Jack so rarely curses it took a second to register. He was as angry as I was, maybe even more. Jack has seen a lot in his career. And is not the kind of person who gets accustomed to some things. If you do, I think you stop being human. I think about things like that, having always felt a little bit "off" most of my life. Maybe it's the whole three fathers business, but I only learned that recently. Whatever, there was always a whisper inside that I was different. And maybe that is why the Queen of the World pretty much adopted me. I have no super powers I know of, and I spend a lot of time striving to be human. Or what I believe a good human ought to be.

And right now, that will probably need me to be pretty cruel to a woman. Because I need to make her understand her husband is a monster, one who will kill her and her child sooner or later. And most bets are on sooner right now. I say bye to Jack, telling him I am off to Newton. See Amy on the way and tell her the same. And thank her for being a friend. She gripped my hand for an extra second and smiled which gave me a good feeling as I headed for the Turtle.

Wishing I had Ruby for the freedom and just to feel the wind race by me. But for a week or more our Turtle had been a needed tool that was able to get anywhere and carry much both in and out. Which thought had me pet the dash and tell her I do love my Turtle, I just miss Ruby. Hey, I may be crazy but I love my mechanical friends. And try to treat them kindly as they do so much work for me.

Sarah finds it amusing but does not tell me that it makes me a bad person or a crazy one. Bitsy seems to have no opinion but I have not asked her that one specifically so who knows. But MaryLou, who is perhaps closer to the world than anyone I know has always insisted they have a spirit of their own. Perhaps not like us yet still present. Since knowing them I have treated my bike and other vehicles more like a cat than an object.

So call me nuts, but they seem to purr happily for me. And not hurting a thing either. I hear my pager go off. Twice. I move around too much so after talking with Sarah I got two, one for each of us. We worked out simple codes so when I see 0 7 7 3 4 come in from her office number I know it is not urgent, just a request to get in touch when I have time. Look at it upside down sometime. The other one tells me it is from Sheila or Jazz as it displays the Newton shelter number. Almost there now so I do not bother to find a payphone.

I park and walk in to have Sheila run up and grab my hands. And no disaster yet, but Liz is coming in and bringing Holly. For a chat, not moving in. I sit with her and Jazz and share what we know so far. Jazz looks particularly grim, I feel she has stories I don't know yet. Or just cares about kids a lot. Sheila is upset too but not as much. Jazz takes the folder and pages through as I tell Sheila I want to talk to Liz myself now. Because she has to understand things or she will wind up dead.

Sheila argues with me and Jazz reaches out and takes her hand saying "Don't". Hands her a photo, one of the more recent victims so it is not as terrible as most. Just looks at her and when Sheila's face crumples Jazz speaks again.

"He will do that to them both, Shay. Oh, the wife will get a beating and be discarded, but the girl? She's his prize and will be raped until she asks all the gods for release. Becks wants to help them and stop that from happening, stop it right now. Before Liz is dead and Holly is abused in horrifying ways."

Sheila clutched her hand tightly "I know. I just kept hoping Liz would hear me, and come in. But it's already too late, isn't it?"

I said gently "Let's hope not. Let me talk to Liz when she gets here. Jazz, keep Holly inside or in the rear yard where you know she is safe. Sheila, after you introduce me, please keep an eye on the door. And we can all hope for the best and do what we can here."

Sheila reached for the folder and Jazz held her hand. "Don't, lover. It will only hurt you and can help no one at all. Let me and Becks take care of this part." Sheila showed her a sad smile and said that was for the best now, wasn't it. I knew Sheila is a strong woman but we each have our own bogeyman. A place we can't go, at least not easily. I don't think she was raped as a child but I would bet my Ruby that someone she knew and loved had been. And she was still suffering for them.

They talked quietly and I used the phone to check in with Sarah. Filled her in with what we knew and said I may be late for supper. She said she understood and loves me and we hung up. Not long after the front door opened and Sheila brought Liz in and introduced us. Told her who I am and that I need to talk with her for a bit. And left the room, telling Liz she will be in the front room, not far. Liz asked why I need to speak with her, asking if Sheila was in trouble. Adding she had noticed there was a new woman here but she seemed nice.

I didn't smile, because I was not the messenger of happiness today. I did tell her that Sheila was fine and a valued person who did her work well. And my concern was with her and Holly, not Sheila.

And she immediately said they were fine, so I am wasting my time, whatever I do. I told her I am a captain of detectives in Salem, and also the head troubleshooter and chief of staff for PEST, guessing the extra titles would impress her. Perhaps, or maybe it was my serious demeanor but I got through enough for her to agree to listen to me. I decided to get right to the point as Sheila dancing around the subject had gotten no results and time was running out. Maybe was out already, for all I know.

"Kind of an odd position I have, Ms Martin, part detective, part social worker and occasional bodyguard when needed. It makes me good at finding things out though and at times that can save lives." She gave me a look, cautious and maybe even a little afraid.

"Yes, I do know who you are, and that Holly just had her 11th birthday. Which means that soon now her father will decide to take his "present" and open it. You have to know he is not like other people, Elizabeth."

"What do you know? And what can you do if you do know anything?"

"I know he is a wealthy and powerful man, Liz. I also know he rapes and murders girls. Girls Holly's age and ones who look like her. Are you aware that for more than a year and a half, girls from 12 to 15 have gone missing in your area? With the help of a very special hound I found them. Eleven small bodies buried in the back end of Cochituate State Park." As I handed her the folder I saw her flinch. Not sure exactly what but something just struck a note inside.

Liz Martin is a strong woman. She made it through three photographs and their descriptions, started reading the fourth looking into a dead face so much like her daughters and suddenly and violently threw up. I think she vomited everything she had eaten in the past week if that is even possible. I had a waste basket within reach, knowing this was likely to happen at some point. I called out and Sheila brought a cool damp cloth and took the basket out to be cleaned. And came back shortly with a cup of tea for Liz, knowing her preferences by now.

When she left Liz looked at me and I was not sure what she was thinking. Then she reached for the folder and I said she does not have to look at them all.

"No, Ms Becks I do. Some of these girls, maybe all of them are dead because I like my nice life and I am too afraid of Victor to rock the boat. I need to see the faces for my own resolve, so I don't just run back to my cozy den and continue to hide. I know he will do the same to Holly and will probably kill me first."

Now she was vomiting up her psychic guts too and I let her continue knowing how important that can be. And she has had no one to talk to for a long time I suspect. So I listen attentively and she speaks.

"I have suspected things, of course. But when you said Cochituate Park I knew. Victor loves walking there, sometimes for hours. Of course he would have his hidey holes there." And she laid out a number of fears and suspicions from years of living with the monster. Because that is what he is, do not doubt it. Oh, a doctor may say he was abused as a boy, or find some reason he is this way. What I know is he likes it and if he is not stopped more girls will die. Simple as that, really. I explain to Liz that I am here to help and PEST can protect her and Holly, but we are not kidnappers. She needs to come to us, and I promise her that if she does I will keep her safe.

"For how long, Ms Becks? Victor will never forget, and we both know he will blame me, because this can not be his fault in any way!"

Past the fear and well into pissed off, which is good for both of us. I tell her to call me Becks, and tell her as long as it takes.

"Really? How long is that, a few weeks? A month or two?"

"No. Elizabeth I will protect you and Holly until Victor is in prison or in the ground. No time limits. Life is too precious for that."

She cried again briefly and told me she does not know me at all and yet I may be her only friend and I feel like her lifeline right now. I smiled then and told her to remember Sheila and once she meets Jazz she will find a friend there too as I believe Holly already has.

"And you can trust Jazz, Liz. She would die before allowing someone to hurt Holly or you, and I have asked her to guard Holly for now."

"Thank you Becks, I think you know Holly is my entire world. And if you say to trust Jazz, I will. She scares me a little but maybe that is who I need right now."

"Jazz is a bit of a force of nature, so I know she can be frightening at times. But she will never hurt you or your daughter. And be happy to not be any man who tries to. This is not a new game for Jazz."

We talked more and I said that if she has no need to return to Weston we can leave for Salem now, and she and Holly can meet my honey. "Her name is Sarah and she is a doctor. She likes to say I break them and she puts them back together. But sometimes she doesn't, if you understand me."

Liz laughed and said she does actually and thinks Sarah must be a very special person. And says there is not a thing left in Weston she needs that is worth Holly's life or hers, for that matter. Then gets a look, one I know from other faces. She had decided to tell me something that scares her and may make her look bad, at least in her own mind. I hear how right I am in moments.

"I wasn't going to talk about the pony barn. I don't really know anything even if it scares me. Victor said some time back he would get Holly a pony of her own for her 12th birthday and they could care for it together. Which made her happy, of course. But oddly not deliriously. I think she senses something is not quite right there too. I don't think he has said or done anything so far. To Holly, I mean. I do think you are right about these poor girls." She stopped to sip her tea for a moment.

"Liz, if this is too hard, we can talk more later. After I get you and Holly somewhere safe for now."

"No Becks you need to know this. Maybe I am wrong, after all. But I don't think so. A few months ago he had a pony barn built, away from the house. I saw a little of it at first but once they had it closed in he asked me to stay away, or I might spoil the surprise. What kind of surprise for a young girl needs a soundproofed barn, can you tell me? I have been so afraid for months and I even told Holly not to go out there without me. Even if her father asked her to. Because it scared me."

I told her they are both safe now, and asked her to tell me just where the new barn was on their property. Liz asked for paper and drew me a decent plot diagram of the acreage, indicating the house and the new barn as well as other structures and fences. I was impressed by it and said so. Liz showed a small smile and told me that once upon a time she was going to be an archaeologist. And one of the first things she learned was how to map an area accurately, so she can find a fabulous lost palace someday!

I said that was still a thing she can do and she liked hearing it but I could see she was not ready to believe it yet. I asked Jazz to help and Holly stayed with us while they walked to the car to get what she had with her as we were leaving in the Turtle. While they were gone I made a quick call to Amy who said she will pick up the map and my statement shortly and hung up. I quickly typed out a record of that part of our conversation, signed and dated it and told Sheila Amy was coming to get it and to tell her anything she asks. Including where I have gone.

She said not a problem and asked if I wanted to take Jazz? I said no, we will be fine and she may need Jazz if anything happens.

"No offense, Sheila, because you are strong and capable. But you are not a fighter and Jazz is. So let her protect you if it is needful. Think of it as an order."

Bits' head appeared, floating between us.

"Yes, Sheila, do that. Always let those who love you protect you. And keep up the good work, too! Becks, talk to you soon, bye." And vanished.

"That's fun but it feels a little creepy sometimes! I mean I trust Bitsy and Pix too, but that still weirds me out a little bit."

"I chuckled "It's worse when you have her on your ears!" And I pointed to my earrings. "She swears she does not listen in, but I still wonder. I think I might, not all the time because boring but I bet I would sometimes."

Sheila grinned "I sure would! But I bet after a while, it would get boring too. And I am not sure that The Bitsy needs those earrings to see what is going on, either."

I agreed with her that it did seem likely Bits can see and hear a lot of things we can't. And how I thought it was a little creepy too but mostly hard and maybe sad. She took a minute and said she thought I was most likely right, and she had not thought about that part. "So not a thing at all, to try and save her worry by waiting to tell her something? I think about that and that is hard. Bitsy always stays pretty cheerful though!"