Chapter 51

William waited eagerly for the phone to ring while Andrew tormented the girl in the cage. William knew that the call about the present they left Detective Darker would be coming in soon. He was excited to see the look on the Detective’s face when he arrived at his house. While William was deep in thought, the phone rang and startled him.

“Hello? Yes, I understand. Address? OK. Thank you.”

William got up, put on his jacket and drove to the morgue to collect the van and his tool box that held his equipment. As he looked around he saw that the assistant was already waiting by the van. Both men got into the van and drove to the site that William had just been to a few hours previously.

As William and the assistant got out of the van, William looked around expecting to see his new nemesis.

“Doctor?” Liam spoke as he walked up to William Deveraux. “Doctor Deveraux, I’m Special Agent Liam McLaughlin. I’ll be taking over for Detective Darker today. As you can well imagine, he’s a little beside himself.”

“Why yes!” William said glumly. “I guess this would be a shock to his system. May I ask where he is?”

“He’s at head office. He’ll be back on the case later today I’m sure. Shall we get started?”

“Yes, certainly.” William walked over to the five draped women at the oak tree.

“Were these sheets on the bodies when they were found?”

“No, Detective Darker draped the sheets over the victims and put up the caution tape to preserve as much evidence as he could.”

“Alright then.” William waved his assistant over and the two men started to make notes and slowly remove the bodies from the tree.

“Agent? Agent Mc Laughlin? Did you see this?” William pointed to the paper that was attached to Wanda Grant.

“No, I haven’t touched anything since I got here Dr. Deveraux. May I?”

“Let my assistant take the appropriate measurements and photos, then yes, go ahead.” William said curtly to the Agent.

As Liam waited he watched how the Doctors worked and saw how meticulous their work was. Every blade of grass seemed to be documented in some way or form.

“Alright then Agent. Go ahead.” William pointed at the piece of paper.

Liam put on a new set of gloves then gently pried the pencil the note was attached with out of the girl. When the pencil popped free from the girls’ chest, the note and pencil were disassembled and then placed in separate bas. Liam read the note before handing it over for evidence. He took off his gloves and placed them into one another and then his pocket. He grabbed his phone from the other pocket; made a call, hung up and then went over to William.

“Thank you, Doctor. Do you know when the autopsies will be done?”

“Well without knowing the schedule I can give you an estimate of approximately 2 to 3 days as this case is the top priority in our office. However I can tell you right now that these women did not meet a happy ending. They have had body parts removed; I have all the missing parts, they were placed either under the victims or in a baggie that was placed beside them. They look to have all been killed in the same manner as each other and the other victims as well. Although I cannot be certain and please do not quote me until I give you my official statement and report.”

“Yes. Thank you Dr. Deveraux, I’ll be in touch. Here’s my card in case you need to speak to me sooner.”

Liam handed William his card and then after William took it, he walked over to his vehicle and left the scene, leaving everyone there to clean up and take care of what was left to do.

Darrell felt like it had been days since he had been home and awoke to the sight that littered his front lawn. He was lost deep in thought when Liam banged on the Captain’s door and sat down beside him and waited with him for the Captain to return from another meeting.

“Anything new?” Darrell asked Liam.

“I will tell you as soon as the Captain arrives. I don’t want to repeat myself and I am sure I have a good idea as to who the person responsible is.”

Darrell looked shocked. “How? Who? What has gone on? How long have I been here?”

Liam patted Darrell’s shoulder and said, “You’ve been here for about three hours and I will tell everything…”

Just as Liam was going to finish his sentence, the Captain walked in and closed the door behind him. He lowered the blinds and sat at his desk and waited for a moment before he began.

“Darrell, you okay?”

Darrell nodded.

“As you know, we are done the preliminary investigation and you are cleared temporarily. You can continue working the case with Agent McLaughlin here. Now Agent what is your news?”

Darrell breathed a sigh of relief and then looked at Liam waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Liam sat forward in his chair leaning forward toward the Captain.

“I believe we know who the perpetrator is. We believe that it is your head pathologist and medical examiner Dr. Paul Aspinall.”

Both the Captain and Darrell stared at Liam and in unison said “WHAT?”

“Yes gentlemen, the evidence just keeps adding up. After you came to me last night I had a thought and ended up downstairs in your record department helping your records clerk look for the autopsy report you requested yesterday. We really don’t have the time to wait around with the number of women that are being killed on a nearly daily basis. He seems to be the common link between all these women. He does some kind of volunteer work with the abortion clinic that the victims visited. We believe he also has the space to do this in his basement and we know he has the skills. After today I am more than sure that this is the case. There was a note on one of the victims at your place. It simply said,

‘TRY TO KEEP UP’!”

Darrell was in shock at this point.

“Are you sure? I mean I know the guy is a little odd, but really? He seems like he’s just very passionate about his work. He’s meticulous and likes things to be precise but I just have a hard time believing he is our guy. For some reason I just can’t swallow that.”

The Captain looked at both men and spoke.

“Okay. Follow the lead and see where it takes you. Please tread carefully though gentlemen, this is someone who has a lot of weight around here and is incredibly well respected and admired.”

Darrell and Liam got up and left the office. Darrell needed a shower and some time to think. He went to his desk called Mrs. Conrad to check on Schrödinger and ask her to look after him for a few days while things around his place calmed down some. She agreed and seemed genuinely worried about Darrell’s mental health. Darrell knew that his cat would be in great hands and would be spoiled rotten. Liam waited until Darrell was off the phone before he sat in Gayle’s old desk chair and spoke to Darrell.

“I think you need to get some food, perhaps a shower and then we can go over what my suspicions are.”

“I think you are right. I can’t go home right now so I need to hit the store to grab some clothes and then I’m going to a hotel.” Darrell started to get up out of his chair when he stopped cold and looked at Liam.

“I suppose you are to escort me through all this until I am officially cleared?”

Liam looked sly and said, “Ya!”

“Alrighty then, let’s get going. I am interested in hearing why you think the way you do.”

Darrell and Liam left the police station and Liam took Darrell shopping then took him to a hotel, and waited for him to shower. While Darrell was showering, Liam ordered room service. Darrell was just about to speak when there was a knock on the door.

“ROOM SERVICE.”

“Oh! Good timing.” Liam said as he got up to answer the door. After the waiter left, Liam looked at Darrell and said,

“I thought this would be better. This way it is just the two of us and we can talk in private with no prying ears or interruptions.”

“Okay,” Darrell replied. “So what is your evidence against Paul?”

For the next two hours Liam went over all of his suspicions and profile of the killer. Darrell couldn’t deny that the more Liam spoke, the more Paul Aspinall fit the bill. Darrell just couldn’t get past his gut. His gut just wouldn’t believe it. His gut told him that they were on the right track just not the right guy. Darrell thought of all that he had learned in the past 2 weeks. He went over it piece by piece in his mind. Gayle had known this man. She had known him in a way most people never know one another. The two had killed together, he honed her instincts. That takes time and social skills. Neither of which Dr. Paul Aspinall ever seemed to have in great supply. The man secreted the anti-venom to social situations. He was truly repulsed by the thought of a social obligation. Everyone whom had ever met the good doctor had commented on how unlikely it seemed that he had friends let alone how he got a woman to marry him and stay with him. Darrell just wasn’t sure. The information that was presented seemed credible but Darrell didn’t believe it.

“Can I see that list from the autopsy?” Darrell just wanted to see who was on it. Maybe someone would pop in his mind. Liam handed him the file folder and Darrell started to read. As Darrell read page after page in the folder, he firmly believed Dr. Paul Aspinall was not the murderer. The list of suspects was still large. There were thirty-plus people involved with the mobster’s autopsy. Everyone who did anything at all was listed. There was no one with a W in their name listed. There had to be another connection.

“Liam? Can we get your computer genius to cross-match these names with the victims as well as Gayle and see what comes up? I get where your evidence would lead you to Paul Aspinall but he just doesn’t fit for me. I can’t see how he fits in all of this.”

“Ya I’ll get the tech department working on that. Why doesn’t it fit for you?”

Darrell took a deep breath and started

“Not only is this man socially repugnant, he has a hard time adapting to change. Everything in its place kind of guy. I met his wife briefly. She seems very much his opposite. She volunteers a lot. I’m sure that if Paul’s name is on the list it is because his wife has asked that he volunteers alongside her. If he was our killer she would have to be in on it. She seems the type that would need to know his every thought for every moment of every day. To me he just doesn’t fit. The doctor is busy all the time; he is pretty much here 12-14 hours a day. He is a work-a-holic and a perfectionist. He’s not a narcissist like our killer is. Plus his name doesn’t start or end with a W.”

“Well,” Liam spoke, “Why don’t we question them separately and see what comes of it? Two birds while we are waiting for the cross reference to get finished.”

Darrell was hesitant.

“Better clear that with the captain first. I’m in enough hot water; I don’t need to add more.”

Liam grabbed his phone and made two calls. The first was to the Captain, the second the tech analyst.

While Liam was on the phone Darrell placed what was left of their dinner back on the trolley and set it outside of the hotel door to be removed. When Liam finished on the phone the two men headed out to go find the Captain. The phone call to him had yielded an answering machine and time was of the utmost importance. They tracked the Captain down at his house and had pulled into the driveway right behind him.

“Captain, question for you.” Liam spoke as he strode toward the rust colored SUV the other man drove. Liam went on and highlighted his and Darrell’s thoughts and asked if questioning the doctor and his wife would be acceptable. With some hesitation and a stern warning the Captain agreed to let the men question the couple, at their home, together and then depending on the outcome, a decision would be made afterwards. Liam thanked the Captain and went back to his car and told Darrell what the plan was.

With a heavy sigh, Darrell shook his head and tried to mentally prepare for the questioning that was about to ensue. As the men pulled up to the Aspinall, residence Darrell again sighed. He knew this was wrong and there was little he could do other than sit back and watch the melee unfold. As they approached the door Darrell looked at Liam and said,

“This is not right!”

“We will have a better idea when we’re finished here.” Liam said.

“You ask the questions, I’ll take notes.” Darrell said.

“Sure.” Liam responded and then knocked on the door with the brass knocker that was hanging in the center of the green door

Dr. Paul Aspinall answered the door.

“Gentlemen. This is a surprise. I usually don’t allow visits to my residence. What is the purpose of this visit?”

“Dr. Aspinall,” Liam started “we have some questions we would like to ask you and your wife. May we come in?”

The doctor looked annoyed and his eyes darted between the Agent and the Detective and then he opened the door wide and allowed the two men in.

“Please wait in the living room. I’ll go get my wife.” The doctor pointed to the left and closed the green door. He walked upstairs after the men went to the living room. A few minutes later Dr. Paul and his wife came down the stairs and sat on the white love seat together. Darrell sat in the matching chair and Liam sat on the couch.

“So tell me what these questions are please.” Paul Aspinall asked rather shortly.

Liam nodded and began.

“Can you tell me what you both know about the murder case we are working on?”

The doctor started.

“Can you be more specific Agent? I know a great deal about the investigation you two are working on. I recently passed it on to a colleague as my workload was getting overwhelming.”

“Okay, well Doctor can you tell me specifically what you think of the perpetrator?”

“Agent, I believe the person responsible for these atrocities is a very conflicted and sick individual.”

“Tormented actually.” Mrs. Aspinall chimed in

“Mrs. Aspinall can you tell me about your husband? What traits does he have?”

“Oh, well my Paul, he is as straight as an arrow, organized, punctual, clean, orderly, specific, loving, honest, deeply caring and loyal.” Mrs. Aspinall answered proudly

“Thank you Mrs. Aspinall. What do you know about the murder investigation we are working on?”

“Really, not much. Just what the news has said.” The older woman responded

“Your husband doesn’t talk to you about his day?”

“No, that has been our deal from the beginning, some 20 years now. I don’t ask about his day and he won’t tell me. The business of death is not anything I am interested in Agent.” Mrs. Aspinall answered sternly.

“And you Doctor?”

“Quite a bit. I do read all the reports from the autopsies. And I’ll read the next ones also. There is also the police blotter that I read and of course what is on the news. The information I retain does not get shared with anyone. Including my lovely wife.” The doctor spoke condescendingly toward the men questioning him.

Darrell noticed that as the doctor spoke he grabbed his wife’s hand and held it firmly.

“Any other questions Agent?” The doctor asked angrily.

“I do have a few more questions, if you don’t mind.” Liam asked calmly as if he hadn’t noticed the slight to his character.

“Such as?” Said Dr. Aspinall.

Darrell could see that the doctor was getting annoyed; but as promised he said nothing and let Liam handle the interview.

“Where were you on the following nights?” Liam handed a list of dates to the doctor and then continued,

“I’ll need your whereabouts also Mrs. Aspinall.”

The doctor looked over the list, got up and went to his briefcase that was sitting by the front door. He returned to his seat on the couch with his briefcase and opened the case and grabbed his daily journal. Mrs. Aspinall went to the kitchen and returned with her calendar. Next to each of the days the Doctor wrote his journal entry and then gave the paper to his wife. She did the same and then handed it back to the Agent.

Liam took the paper and looked it over and nodded his head.
“Thank you. This helps a great deal.” Liam said.

“Now, Doctor, do you know any of these women?”

Liam handed the doctor another piece of paper

“I don’t know these women, yet I know their names as these are the victims of the killer.” Paul looked up at the Agent then to the Detective,

“Do you think I should know these women?”

Neither Liam nor Darrell answered.

“Do you know a charity named A Rose for Mary that is affiliated with St. Michael’s Family Planning Clinic?”

“Yes.” Mrs. Aspinall spoke first. “I do charity work for them three times a week.”

“And you doctor?” Liam asked.

“Of course I also do some work for them. I am guessing you already know that I do check-ups on the women post operatively once a week.”

“Yes Dr. Aspinall.” Liam said. “I did know you both did charity work there. Your names are on their volunteer roster. We also know that you give a sizable donation every year.”

“Yes Agent.” The doctor was getting impatient. “What does that have to do with anything?”

Liam continued, ignoring the second question the doctor asked.

“We also know that you, doctor, have a lot of similarities between your lifestyle, job and habits with your profile of the killer.”

Dr. Aspinall stood up as he spoke forcefully,

“Are you suggesting what I think you are?”

Darrell had to stop this now; he stood up and grabbed the doctor’s hand as he said,

“Doctor, I’m sorry, my friend Agent McLaughlin is just as exuberant as I am to find the killer. I am positive he meant no insult to you.” Darrell stopped talking and let go of the man’s hand. He took a deep breath and waited to hear the fallout from the FBI agent’s statement.

The doctor looked at his wife and then spoke very quietly as he ushered the two other men to the door.

“I think it would be best if the two of you leave and not return until you have proof my guilt and a warrant. Until then I bid you both adieu.”

As the officers were being led to the door Darrell sensed the doctor’s intense hurt and fierce hostility towards them.

When they were out of the house Darrell spoke first.

“Are you convinced that he isn’t our guy now?”

“Um not entirely, but enough to move on. I think he’s involved in something he doesn’t want anyone to know about.” Liam said.

“I know a little about the doctor. He’s a very private man. I think he’s more upset that we came unannounced, inquisitor and prying into his life than he is trying to hide anything.”

“Maybe.” Liam shrugged. Just then his phone rang and he jumped a little. Liam answered and spoke.

“Agent McLaughlin.” He paused “Yep, OK. Can you send that to me?” Another pause. “Great, thanks.” Liam hung up his phone, looked at Darrell and said,

“Your list is on its way. I’ll need a printer.” Darrell smiled and said,

“Back to the office, we can get it from there.”