Free JUSTICE REBORN (A Charlie Taylor Novel Book 1) by Ivan Bering Page B

looks like a Ford F-150
truck ran over it.
     I’ve been delayed getting to the hospital.
A few months ago when the Chief transferred me to Records he ignored me, now he
insists on making sure I conform to all current Homicide standards. During my
absence, he introduced a new set of forms which are really a declaration that
each detective must sign: Have you read all the relevant JR material? Do you
understand the process before an S1 interrogation can be initiated? And, a few
others. I’m not skipping one bloody hurdle. Jesus, he even made me go to the
shooting range; I understand this weapon’s recertification is important:
particularly if I encounter Billy the Kid.
     I feel rushed; it’s my second day without
a drink. This is going to be one helluva of a day. Finally, Karen and I are at
the hospital where Horny Harry’s last surviving victim is recovering, but the
lady fades in and out of consciousness. Karen is intrusive and demanding;
nevertheless, the hospital staff perceives a dedicated woman, and cooperation
is not an issue. I know she spends many extra hours near the victim, hoping
there will be a lucid moment. Shit, this is a delusion.
    The young woman is in the Intensive Care
Unit which is one of the floors where money has been invested. The place is
spotless, bright, no chipped corners or stained walls, looks like a mission
control center. The nursing station is a large circular affair in the middle of
the floor with all the patient rooms radiating out from this nucleus like
spokes of a wheel.  From the center hub nurses can see every patient as well as
monitor their vital signs on the multitude of over-sized screens, all very
impressive.
    Karen, without the demands of a husband or
family, has been putting in long hours. This particular case really pisses her
off. This guy is cruel, sloppy and a narcissist who doesn’t give a damn. He
wants a reputation as a great lover and then proceeds to rape and beat the women
to death. Only two were fortunate to survive, the last one in the next room.
    I didn’t plan to interview the victim; I
wanted a private discussion with Karen and here is where she spends her free
time. I’m concerned about her obsession with the case. Was she losing her
objectivity?
    Karen is a number of years away from
retiring, but has property on the coast and uses her vacation time getting it
ready for occupancy. She is an excellent planner and problem solver who will
find some less demanding work on the coast. I’m not too sure I’m her favorite
detective, let alone her first choice as a supervisor. Jesus, I hope I didn’t
make a pass at her in the last 12 months. I can’t remember!
    I’m trying to keep the smartass stuff to
myself. Actually it is not proving too difficult. As we review all the victims
and each attack, I find myself slipping into the routine, absorbing details,
excluding the outside world, full focus on the killings. It is good to be back.
It’s been a long time.
    “Charlie, listen I am really pleased that
you are now in charge. Why are you looking at me like that?  I mean it. I know
you can be a real jerk at times, but that comes with being a male. I want to
catch this guy and I know you’ll be a big plus for us.”
    I’m a little shocked. “Thanks, you may not
appreciate how much that means …I “
    She wouldn’t let me finish. No time for a
private chat with this fireball.
    “No more, let’s get back at it. We all know
your situation and we’re on your side. You see this package? Just came over a
few minutes ago. This is from your FBI friend, the sound technician or whatever
he does. He told me he was able to clean up the tape and thinks 100% what we
hear will be accurate. Almost as unbelievable is how fast he responded; he must
really owe you a big favor. One day and he cleaned up the recordings.”
    She unwraps the package then loads the
edited recording for playback. She was able to record four different statements
the poor woman blurted. The slurred