Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Gary glanced across the office to where Dan sat at his desk, drinking coffee and reading notes from Cheryl’s file. Gary couldn’t shake the feeling something was on Dan’s mind. He’d seemed distracted ever since they caught the ferry back to Hyannis, and he’d been pretty quiet during the trip home.
Gary hadn’t pushed. He was learning—slowly—that if whatever was bugging Dan was important, he’d share it.
Living with someone was a whole new ball game, yet another area where Gary was still finding his feet.
Every day was different, bringing new experiences.
For one thing, Dan slept naked, but that was a new custom Gary had gotten into with ease.
Sharing a kitchen, a bathroom, however, had brought a few challenges.
Gary had lived alone since he’d left college, and now here he was, two years shy of forty, learning to be part of a couple.
So far, he loved every single minute.
The knock at the door made them jump. Detective Will Freeman stuck his head into the room. “Can I come in?”
Gary resisted the urge to make a snarky remark; Will was never this polite. “Sure.”
Will came inside and closed the door. He went over to Dan’s desk, and Gary didn’t need Dan’s gift to feel the trickle of unease that had entered the room, an unseen visitor that had slipped in with Will.
He stood in front of the desk, hands at his sides. “I-I need to apologize.”
Dan arched his eyebrows. “Oh?”
“Yeah. About last week… I was an asshole.”
Gary couldn’t hold back a second longer. “You’ve been an asshole since the day you walked into the precinct. Why should last week have been any different?”
Will turned his head to glance at Gary. “Okay, point taken.”
Yet another departure from Will’s usual barbed comments. Gary was starting to believe the Second Coming had been announced and he’d missed it.
“Look….” Will placed his hands on Dan’s desk, putting his weight on them.
“The thing is you kinda shook me. That demonstration of yours.” He straightened.
“I thought you were a fake, okay? But the stuff you came out with…. There was no way you could’ve known any of that.
Because no one knows. I never told a soul.
” He stared at Dan. “But you knew. I don’t know how, but… .”
Dan’s smile was warm. “Thanks for the apology. And as for what I saw, no one else will ever know, I swear.”
Will swallowed. “Thanks.” He peered at the coffeepot. “Can you spare a cup? I don’t think I’ve hit my caffeine level yet this morning.”
Gary found an empty cup and filled it. “Black okay?”
Will nodded. “There was another reason for me stopping by. Word is you’re investigating that headless body they found in the tunnel back in 2006.”
“That’s right. Cheryl Somers.” Gary handed Will the coffee.
Will cocked his head to one side. “Did you know there’s another headless body on record? In Boston?”
Gary frowned. “Really?”
“Yeah. The victim was one Kevin Donaldson. It wasn’t a cold case, though. The guy who did it is behind bars—a lifer. Guy named Frank Wyler. He went down for six murders.”
“When was this?” Dan inquired. “I mean, when did the body turn up?”
“In 2007.” Will shrugged. “Just seems like an awful big coincidence, having two headless bodies. I looked up the case. We questioned Wyler about the body in the tunnel, but there was no evidence to link him to it. But what if we got it wrong? This might not be a coincidence after all. Your killer could already be behind bars.” He grinned.
“Worth a visit to check it out? Now we’ve got a little extra help.
” He inclined his head toward Dan, then took a drink.
Gary stroked his beard. “Possibly. I don’t like coincidences either.”
“Wyler is serving time at FMC Devens.”
Dan frowned. “FMC?”
“Federal medical center,” Gary told him. “Don’t let the name fool you—it’s a federal prison. And it looks like we’re going for another ride once I clear it with officials there.” He glanced at Will. “Thanks for that.”
“You’re welcome.” Will held his hand out to Dan. “And thank you.” Dan took it, and they shook. Will held the cup up. “I’ll bring this back when I’m done with it, promise.” He left the office, closing the door behind him, and Dan expelled his breath.
“I’m glad he cleared the air. So that’s one more person around here who I can rely on.”
“Is that how it feels to you? That you don’t have enough support?” Gary had known it wouldn’t be easy, but apart from Will’s initial hostility, there’d been little sign of animosity toward Dan since Travers’s announcement.
Maybe that’s because it’s hidden.
He shivered.
Dan bit his lip. “It’s early days. Let’s get a few successes under our belts, and then people will come around.”
“Then you do feel something?”
Dan gestured to the door. “Out there it’s like wading through wave after wave of suspicion, fear, anger…
.” He got up from his chair and walked around the desk to where Gary stood.
“You forget, though. I’ve been through this twice already.
They will come around. You should have seen the detectives in Chicago when I helped them stop Jackson Perrault. I could’ve started a fan club.”
“Yeah, but I’ll bet a lot of that was down to guilt.” Chicago PD had dropped the ball on that case, and Dan had ended up with a long, jagged scar across his chest when Perrault came after him.
Gary couldn’t let anything like that happen again.
Dan cleared his throat. “So when can we get to see this Frank Wyler?”
“As soon as they say we can, which could be in a day or two.”
“Good. That gives me time to read about his trial. I want to know as much as I can before we go in there.”
Gary nodded. “And in the meantime, I’ll draw up that list of Cheryl’s contacts.”
They’d be going over ground already well-trodden, but now they had Dan’s gift, an ace up their sleeve, and one that could be a game changer.
He hoped.
Thursday, July 19, 2018
FMC Devens
Gary and Dan sat at the bare table in the equally bare interview room. There was one window high up that let in a little natural light, but stark white tubes flooded the room, illuminating every corner.
The door opened, and a guy dressed in a khaki shirt and pants was escorted in. Frank Wyler was in his fifties, with cool blue eyes and hair peppered with gray. He was lean, and his sleeves clung to muscled upper arms. The guard with him closed the door, then stood beside it.
Wyler stared at Gary and Dan. “I haven’t met either of you, have I?
I’ve got a good memory for faces.” He pulled the empty chair out and sat facing them, leaning back.
“I don’t get many visitors.” His eyes twinkled.
“Actually, I don’t get any visitors. Only reason I agreed to see you.
To break the monotony. So….” He folded his arms. “You’re a detective, right?
” Gary gave a nod. “Why are you here? What is it about me that could possibly interest you?”
Gary leaned forward, his hands clasped on the table. “You went down for six murders.”
Wyler rolled his eyes. “Duh. I know that. I was there when they sentenced me to life imprisonment.”
“We’re investigating a cold case. A headless body that came to light when part of the ceiling of the Fort Point Channel Tunnel collapsed.”
“Seriously?” Wyler snorted. “They tried to pin that one on me in 2007. Sorry to disappoint you, but it wasn’t me.” He twisted his lips into a thin smile. “Maybe I have a copycat.”
“I read the trial transcripts,” Dan announced. “I’ll admit, I’m a little confused. You committed six murders. Five of your victims died as the result of strangulation. But the sixth, Kevin Donaldson, was the only one where you removed the head. Why?”
Wyler gave a shrug. “Maybe I didn’t know my own strength.” There was that twinkle again. “Maybe I squeezed so hard, his head popped right off.”
Gary pushed his chair back and stood. “Then we have nothing more to discuss.” He glanced at the guard. “You can take him—”
“Wait!” Wyler leaned forward, his eyes wide. “Don’t be hasty.” Gary didn’t move, and Wyler sighed. “Like I said, I don’t get visitors.”
Dan placed his hand on Gary’s arm. “We might still learn something.”
Gary pretended to assess Dan’s words and retook his seat.
Wyler relaxed. “Look, if you wanted information, you should’ve come prepared. You know, with an offer to sweeten the deal?” He grinned. “You could always smuggle in a woman. That would sure break up the monotony.”
“Who says we didn’t?” Dan reached into his jacket pocket, removed a packet of cigarettes, and pushed them across the table.
Wyler let out another derisive snort. “If there’s a woman in there, she ain’t gonna be good for much.
” He smirked. “You’ve been watching too many detective movies.
One lousy pack of cigarettes? What decade do you think we’re in—the fifties?
” Another shrug. “Still, it’s better than nothing.
” He grabbed them, but the guard intervened.
“You know the rules. No tobacco products allowed in prison.” He gestured toward Dan. “Give them back to him.”
Wyler held the packet to his chest. “Aw, come on. You could turn a blind eye just this once.”
The guard’s steady gaze told Gary that wasn’t about to happen.
Wyler slid the packet across the table with a show of extreme reluctance.
He scowled at Dan. “You’re a regular tease, aren’t you?
No way am I gonna tell you anything now.
” Then he glared at the guard. “And you? You could’ve let me have one.
It’s not as if I’m worried about getting lung cancer—I’m gonna die in here. ”
Dan picked up the packet, holding it in both hands. He closed his eyes, and Gary held his breath. He knew Dan’s gift didn’t always come through, and sometimes it took its sweet time getting there, but….
Please, Lord. Let him see something.
Wyler chuckled. “Is he praying? I didn’t realize you guys were gonna be this entertaining.” Another glance at the guard. “You should’ve told me. I’d have brought popcorn and a soda.”
Dan opened his eyes, smiled, and a tingle of electricity zapped through Gary.
Hallelujah.
“The sixth victim, Kevin Donaldson.” Dan looked Wyler in the eye. “You didn’t kill him.”
Wyler gaped. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Watch your mouth,” the guard murmured.
Dan didn’t break eye contact. “It wasn’t you. Sure, you put your hand up to it. But it wasn’t you.”
Wyler froze, his jaw slack. “Who are you?” he whispered. “You’re not a cop.”
Dan smiled. “No, I’m not. I’m a psychic who’s working with the police.”
“Psychic?” All of Wyler’s swagger dissipated, and he stared at Dan with wide eyes. “Are you for fuckin’ real?”
“What did I say about that mouth of yours?” The guard was starting to sound pissed off.
Dan nodded slowly. “Now why don’t you tell us the truth? Especially the part about why you’re so scared.” His smile faded. “And don’t bother denying it. Your fear is so tangible, I could almost taste it in the air.”
Wyler swallowed. “You’re bluffing. You’ve got nothing.”
It was Dan’s turn to fold his arms. “Really? So if I go to the DA and tell him I have doubts about that last murder, that maybe they have the wrong guy and need to look elsewhere? Because after what I did last month to help out Boston PD, you’d better believe he’ll listen to me.”
“No!” Wyler shouted.
“Quiet down.” The guard fixed Wyler with a hard stare. “You do that again and I’ll have you back in your cell before you know it.”
Gary got his notepad and pen out. “Start talking.” They needed to make some progress before Wyler got taken away.
Wyler gazed at them in silence, his mouth open. Then his shoulders slumped. “Boston PD had me bang to rights for five murders. There was no shortage of evidence, but I’m still amazed they caught me. I thought they couldn’t find their own ass with a flashlight and a map.”
“Get back to the point,” Gary interjected.
Wyler laced his fingers, his gaze focused on the tabletop.
“They had me locked up in Suffolk County, okay?” His voice was low.
“While they were investigating, putting their case together…. Anyway, a visitor turned up. A friend, one I owed big-time.” A shudder rippled through him.
“And when those guys want to collect, you don’t say no, you get me? ”
“Which guys?” Gary demanded.
Wyler ignored him. “And he thought it was the perfect time to collect. It wasn’t as if it was all that big a favor. I was facing life anyway, so what was one more?”
Gary stilled. “Are you telling me you confessed to a murder you didn’t commit?”
Wyler nodded. “The cops were happy. One more case off their books.”
Dan leaned forward. “So who asked the favor?”
Wyler shook his head. “Nope. You don’t get that part. No way José.”
“Why not?” Gary asked. “He can’t harm you in here.”
Wyler gaped at him, wide-eyed. “Are you kidding? That family would find me if I lived on the fuckin’ moon.”
Family….
“This friend… did he carry out the murder?” Dan kept his voice low and even.
“No idea. And I didn’t ask, okay? It was real obvious he didn’t want anyone linking Donaldson to him.”
“And when was this?”
“I didn’t make a note of the date, all right? Fall 2007, I think.” Wyler leaned back, all the fight zapped out of him. “That’s all there is. Are we done now?”
Gary nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Wyler. You’ve been very helpful.”
Wyler scowled. “Just as long as you don’t spread that part around, okay? You were never here. We never talked.”
Dan was right; Wyler was scared to death.
They waited as Wyler was escorted from the interview room.
Dan stood with a sigh. “We didn’t get a name. And I certainly didn’t pick up on one.”
“I think you did more than enough,” Gary said warmly. “Besides, we don’t need a name. If this ‘friend’ visited Wyler while he was locked up in the county jail, there’ll be a record of it. I’ll make a call.”
His stomach was tight. Wyler’s mention of family gave him an uneasy feeling.
“But I can tell you one thing,” Dan added. “Wyler wasn’t responsible for Cheryl’s death. He was telling the truth on that score. So while it was a good idea, it’s a dead end for our investigation.”
They got back to the car, and Gary phoned Barry Davis, the clerk at Boston PD with a knack for sniffing out information. He told Barry what he needed, and Barry said he’d get back to them within ten minutes.
Gary hung up. “And now we wait.” He squeezed Dan’s shoulder. “You were amazing. And that part about going to the DA? Inspired.”
“It worked, that’s the main thing.” Gary’s phone rang, and Dan chuckled. “If that’s Barry, he really is a whiz kid.”
Gary clicked Answer and listened. “Thanks, Barry. I owe you.”
“You can repay me by putting me on your team the next time we all go bowling.”
Gary laughed. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. Your team always wins. My team sucks.” He disconnected.
Gary took a deep breath. “This case just took an interesting turn. Wyler’s visitor was Gianni DiFanetti.”