Garwood Village - Robert F. Clifton (free novels .TXT) 📗

can take time. Do you have something to tell me?”

“Yeah, but not about my cases. It's about you”.

“I wouldn't miss this for the Pulitzer”, she replied as she got up out of the chair.

“I just have to drop this off at the chief's office and we can go to Joe's, across the street”, he said as they entered the elevator car.

As they sat in the booth at the back of the restaurant Mary looked at him and said, “Well, this conversation is supposed to be about me. So, what's on your mind?”

“I'm planning a special dinner party for my best friend and his wife. I want you to go with me”.

“Why?”

“Why? Why do women always have to investigate every word, every invitation?”

“Probably because somewhere in their lives they've been hurt”.

“Here we go again. Now, I've got to hear about how I dumped you after coming back from the islands”. *Azreal

“You did Robert!”

“I wouldn't use the word dump”

“Then what would you call it?”

“A parting of the ways for your own good”.

“Bull! Here we go again. How you're too old for me. How I deserve someone my own age. How you're too old to raise a family. Guess what? That's up to me to decide. Maybe I like you being older than me. Maybe I'm one of those women that's not interested in having children. Did you ever ask? No”.

“I never thought to ask”.

“Also, I heard that you were in love with some private secretary”. *Gifts From The Kasbah

“Listen, I'm not asking you to marry me, just to go to dinner. What's your answer?”

“Yes, you son of a bitch, yes”.

“Good, I'll tell you when and what time”.

“Thank you. Can we go now?”

“No, not until I finish my coffee”.

“Well, while you're finishing it what can you tell me about the slasher?”

“I see you're like the rest of the media, making up names to go along with self invented news. To answer your question, nothing. Nothing is new”.

“You will tell me if something does occur?”

“You'll be the first to know”.

Robert Wallace pulled into the parking lot of the Glass Menagerie Restaurant and parked his Ford Maverick. He then walked to the rear of the building, knowing from experience that the front door was locked. Entering through the kitchen he acknowledged the kitchen staff that greeted him. He then walked to the private office of Manny Hoffman, the owner. Hoffman looked up in surprise. “Robert? Something wrong?”

“No Manny. I need a favor and I'd like to talk to you if you're not too busy”.

“I'm never too busy not to talk to you. What's on your mind?”

“Do you remember Doc Edwards?”

“Yes, a friend of yours isn't he?”

“Yeah, well the old bastard went and got married. He married an Australian girl in Australia. That means I wasn't there. So, now, I'd like to do something special for the bride and groom”.

“And, I'm guessing you want to do it here?”

“Right. I need a table for four”.

“What night?”

“Saturday”.

“No problem, we're booked, but I can squeeze you in”.

“Good, but there's more”.

“Shoot”.

“I'd like a toast from everyone to the couple with champagne”.

Manny Hoffman reached for his calculator on his desk. “The best way to go is by the glass. Judging by the number of patrons that should be in attendance that night, you're looking at a cost of, let's see, eight hundred and seventy five dollars. That's the best I can do Robert. The patrons will each get a glass of Caribbean Champagne. It's a cheap brand but good enough for a toast. Naturally, there will be a bottle of good stuff at your table”.

“Thanks Manny”.

“You're welcome. Anything else?”

“Yes, I'd like Bill Conover and his orchestra to play these two songs that night and right after the toast to play this one so the couple can dance.”

“No problem. It will be taken care of”.

“Thanks again Manny”.

“Thanks for your business”.

“Can I pay by check?”

“Certainly, the waiter will give you the bill”.

“Great...I'll see you Saturday night”.

“Later, Wallace went to his desk telephone and dialed Doc Edwards number. He waited, then heard, “Hello?”

“I don't want you. I called to talk to the good looking Edwards”.

“It isn't bad enough that you pestered me all of these years. Now you're going to start with my wife. What do you want?”

“A decision has to be made on an important issue and since you're married now you can't make any. Put your wife on the phone”.

“Hello Robert”, said Sharon.

“Since I wasn't at your wedding I would like you and Doc to be my guests at dinner Saturday night. It will be sort of a wedding dinner if it's alright with you.”

“Oh how nice. Certainly, but please don't go to a lot of trouble and expense”.

“Everything is arranged. Tell Doc dinner is at the Glass Menagerie. He'll tell you all about the place. Now, I have to make another call. Good bye”.

Wallace dialed the number and waited for her to answer.

“Hello?”

“What are you doing?”

“Watching television and eating ice cream”.

“You'll get fat. Listen, Saturday night, dinner at the Glass Menagerie. I'll pick you up at seven thirty. Sharon and Doc will be with me”.

“Fine. Anything on the murders?”

“Nice try, bye”.

Wallace poured himself a glass of sangria, turned on the phonograph then stood listening to Dahil Sayo as he gazed out at the ocean.

At seven thirty Saturday night Mary Wagner entered the front passenger seat of the Ford Maverick. She smiled at the couple in the back seat and waited for Robert Wallace to climb behind the steering wheel. When he did, he said, “Sharon, allow me to introduce you to Miss Mary Wagner. Mary is a local girl, born and raised here in Nautilus Beach and is also one on the home town newspapers top reporters. Doc, you have already met Mary”.

“Yes I have. Hello”, said Doc.

“So nice to meet you”, said Sharon.

Wallace put the car in gear and pulled away from the curb, heading for the restaurant.

When the couples entered the restaurant they checked their coats. Robert met with the Maitre de, who read the reservation list and showed the pairs to their table. There, they were immediately greeted by their waiter and everyone ordered drinks. Wallace, requested decaf coffee. When the drinks arrived they continued talking. Mary asking questions about Australia and Sharon enjoying herself by answering. As the two women talked, Wallace looked over the crowded dining room. As usual the room was full, just as it was every Saturday night. The sound of a piano playing softly could be heard as it was customary for the orchestra to play after the majority of the patrons had dined. Then, the dancing began and continued until closing, usually by two A.M.

Just before their meals arrived, Manny Hoffman came to their table. He carried a magnum of champagne. “Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I am Manny Hoffman. Welcome to the Glass Menagerie. Robert here has advised me that congratulations are in order. It is my understanding that we have a recent marriage. Doc, congratulations. And, to you Mrs. Edwards, may I say not only welcome to my establishment, but also to Nautilus Beach. Please accept this bottle of champagne as you celebrate your marriage.”

“Thank you Mr. Hoffman. Your restaurant is enchanting”.

“I love to hear those kind of complements. Now, let me see to my other patrons. Enjoy your dinner”.

As the couples dined, Sharon said, “Robert? Do they always serve lamb here?”

“Occasionally, but knowing Manny he probably instructed the chef to have it tonight, just for you”.

“Well, if he did, it's delicious”.

“Glad you like it”, Wallace replied as he saw the waiters going from table to table placing and then filling glasses for each diner. He saw the wait staff talking, knowing they were informing each table of what was about to happen. Then, he turned his head and saw Bill Conover and the members of the orchestra take their seats on the stage.

Conover stepped in front of the upright microphone, tested it to see if it was on then said, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special guest with us tonight. A lady who not only is a recent bride, but one who has come to us from what they call, Down Under. Mrs. Edwards, this is in honor of your visit with us tonight”. He then turned and led his orchestra as they played, Waltzing Matilda. Surprisingly many at their tables stood and began to sing, knowing the words.

Robert looked at Sharon and saw the tears of joy in her eyes and the smile on Docs face. When the song ended Bill Conover went to the microphone again. “Now, ladies and gentlemen each table has been presented with a glass of champagne. I ask you now to raise your glass in celebration of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Manfred Edwards.” The patrons, now standing, drank the champagne toast to the couple.

“Next, in this celebration is for the bride and groom to be the first to dance and start off the evening so the rest of us can take to the dance floor. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, it is my understanding that this is your favorite song. I hope you enjoy it.” The orchestra waited until Doc and Sharon walked out on to the dance floor then began to play, 'Till Then'.

Wallace looked at Mary, “Want to dance?”, he asked.

“Certainly”, she answered.

On the dance floor as he held her in his arms she said to him, “This was a lovely thing you did for them Robert. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it”.

“Doc is my best friend. It is the least I could do for him”.

“What about Sharon?”

“If he loves her, I love her”.

“What about me?”

Robert lowered his head and kissed her forehead. “Time will tell”, he answered.

Chapter Six

Plugging in the extension cord that went with is tape recorder, Wallace took a seat in one of Doc Edwards easy recliners. He then placed a new, hour long audio cassette in the machine then sat back and waited for Sharon to speak. He watched her as she studied the eight by ten inch black and white photographs of the three victims.

Sharon placed the pictures on the end table next to her chair then looking at Robert said, “I'm sure that it comes as no surprise to you that you are dealing with a psychopath. So allow me to start off with the fact that your killer has a personality disorder which includes an anti-social behavior. Naturally, he has no remorse for what he has done or what he intends to do. Actually he has no control of his own behavior.”

“This anti-social behavior probably began in early childhood or early adolescence. He probably kills as a result of occurring anxiety attacks which in this case appears to be a severe mental disorder. What usually transpires is agitation. This then can increase into anger, anger into aggression, aggression into violence, violence into murder.”

“The question is what causes this agitation. Is it the women or is it the setting, the apartments, the tenements? It is possible your killer also suffers from what is called social phobia? If so, one must then look at the symptoms. He would be anxious about being around other people. He feels self-conscious in front of other people and they could be women, all women. He is afraid of how people will judge him and at the same time he could get nauseous and sick around these women. Now, let's examine the possibility of your killer suffering from agoraphobia. That's the fear of a specific object, circumstance or situation”.

“Sorry to interrupt my dear, but it's women who suffer from agoraphobia”, said Doc Edwards.

“True love, however the mother carries that gene and passes it on to her children, including the sons”, Sharon replied.

“Ah, I stand corrected”, said Doc.

“From what you have told me, the women were found nude. This indicates that some kind of sex act took place. The question is does your killer have a sexual perversion or a sexual dysfunction? Since no semen was found at the first two murders, but found