The Cult of the White Owl Page 5

  Daphne Carter only had a few hours before she had to meet her husband for cocktails and dinner at Helen Segal Wilsons and she intended not to waste a minute of her time. What Carter did not know would not hurt him, and she would soothe her guilty conscience by being extra sweet to him when they met later.

  She hummed a mindless tune for courage, as she opened an unlocked door on the side of a vacant store on Market Street. The venue was shoddy at best, but it excited her! No chance she would meet anyone she knew in this neighborhood. She closed the door behind her and slowly climbed the stairs, she smoothed her hair and adjusted her blouse, unbuttoning the two top buttons. Daphne checked her skirt over her ample derrière and made sure the seams on her silk stockings were straight, satisfied she opened the door and breathed “Hello!” The unpainted wooden door slammed shut behind her.

  “Chief Guiliani I am Councilman Joe Carter,” Joe introduced himself on the phone.

  “How can I help councilman.” Jake asked back at the precinct, having left the mayor sedated and with a police detail watching the house. He was surprised by the unexpected caller.

  “M…m..m my wife did not meet m..m..me for drinks after I finished work as planned and what with all that has happened to the m..m..mayor’s wife I am worried.” He stuttered, an old affliction that reveals itself when he is worried or stressed.

  “Where were you meeting for drinks and at what time.” Jake asked in a calm voice, controlling his own trepidation.

  “Here at Helen Siegel Wilson’s on Walnut Street at 5:30PM. We usually do this when she is in town at the Athletic Club. Then we take the train home together, but I waited and I am still here in the lounge waiting. I am calling you from the restaurant phone.” Carter gulped air and ran his hands across his face in a rubbing motion, to keep from breaking down even further from fear.

  “Stay there, I will be right over!” Jake said nodding to Murphy to accompany him out the door.

  “Get the car I think we have another missing wife on our hands!”

  Murphy sprinted for the garage and quickly started the motor and the big black Packard purred to life. He idled the car and waited while Jake got in front and then took off sirens blaring.

  “Cut the sirens Murphy I am afraid we have time to get there.” Jake leaned back in his seat.

  “Get where Chief, you never told me?”

  “Helen Siegel Wilson’s on Walnut Street! We are meeting Councilman Carter he is a bit panicked with worry, to put it mildly.”

  When Jake and Murphy arrived at the restaurant, it was easy to spot Carter, crumpled up in the corner of the booth. He moved over as Jake and Murphy slid into the lush leather booth beside him. Jake lit a Camel cigarette and inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with tobacco smoke. He shook his head no to the waiter when he came over to take their drink order. Murphy shook his head as well and the waiter started to move off. Carter signaled another drink for himself. He was already well on his way.

  “Chief, thank you for meeting me so promptly, I know we have had our differences in the past,” At Jake’s hand flip, Carter stopped talking.

  “I serve the people of Philadelphia, all the people regardless of their political affiliation. So please Councilman give me all the facts as you know them.”

  “Chief, about once a week we meet at Bookbinders or here or some days at the Warwick Hotel and take a suite for the week-end just to get away.......you know! We have no children, no pets, not even a goldfish to rush home too. We enjoy each other’s company it never gets old.” He looked at Jake despondently his heart beating wildly.

  Jake could see his stress, but it wasn’t helping anything. “Listen man, what time were you to meet your wife here at the restaurant?”

  “We were to meet at 5:30 PM, it’s now 8:30 PM, three hours later, I am not being paranoid because of the mayor’s wife......It’s just that I have this overwhelming feeling that something is wrong, terribly wrong!”

  Jake looked at Murphy, “What was your wife wearing?” Murphy asked getting out his notebook.

  “I have no idea. I leave before she even stirs in the morning.”

  “How about her car, what kind does she drive?” Questioned Murphy

  “She just got it, a new Mercedes convertible a 230SL light blue body with dark blue convertible top.”

  “The convertible top is dark blue?”

  “Yes, it is, a custom job, it cost a pretty penny I tell you, but she was worth it.” [Murphy looked at Jake and he nodded} “I had them put her Initials on the door, D.C. But she did not take the car, she took the train into the city, she always does when we meet in town. Then we take the train home together!”

  “Do you know her tag number?” Murphy asked writing furiously ignoring his explanation, intent on pursuing all the facts,

  “DC 1259!”

  “Wow that’s great, I have no idea what my tag number is.

  “It’s our house number and her initials of course. I am so crazed right now it’s a wonder I can remember my own name!” Joe collapsed on the table his head banging. banging, banging!

  Jake grabbed his hair and looked around to see if they were creating any undo attention in the crowded room. Apparently not if you discount their waiter who was looking at them askance. “Easy, don’t go into hysterics now!”

  “You know,” Joe Carter said straightening his tie and patting his hair, “I was never what you would call a “Ladies Man” much too shy and focused on my career and what I wanted to do in life. Girls, girls...woman were not a priority. When I met Daphne, even though I was a bit older than she, it all went out the window. I was pole axed by her, completely in love. I could not wait to marry her and make her all mine. God, it came as a total shock that she felt the same way. I have never stopped counting my blessings till now! Now my life is over if anything happened to her!”

  Their waiter made his way through the crowded lounge and arrived at their table like a man on a mission, “Are you Chief Inspector Jake Guiliani?” He asked Murphy who was still taking notes.

  “No that’s me, what can I do for you?” Jake said looking up at the man.

  “The gentlemen at the bar asked me to give you his card.” Gesturing in the general direction of the bar the waiter handed Jake a creamy white business card with a raised, embossed white owl!

  He took the card from the waiter’s outstretched hand and glanced at the inscription and then at the oblivious face of the councilman, a shiver ran down Jake’s spine. “Is the man still here?”

  “No, he gave it to me as he was going out the front entrance.” The waiter was getting apprehensive.

  “Can you give me a description of him. Any identifying marks or characteristics?”

  Murphy asked, pen poised to take down every detail.

  “Well to tell you the truth, I was to busy looking at the $100.00 bill he offered in his other hand. I got the impression of tall, thin, overcoat, hat and that’s all.” He was visibly spooked now and looking to leave.

  “I am going to insist you come down to the station with us and give our sketch artist a description as best as you remember. We will need to dust that bill for prints as well, don’t worry you’ll get it back “Jake said giving the $100.00 bill to Murphy.

  “Mr. Carter, I suggest you come with us as well. I will need you to sign your statement.” Murphy held on to the skittish waiter and Jake helped Joe Carter to his feet as they headed for the door. The restaurant manager came over to ask what was going on? Jake quietly told him that they were borrowing his waiter to make identification only. There was no problem, he was cooperating.

  The councilman however was putting up a fuss. He was afraid to leave the bar, the last place he felt Daphne told him to meet her. “What if she turns up here? I won’t be here for her! What if she goes home? I won’t be there either! Wait, don’t you think I should go home in case Daphne returns? I don’t know what
good I’ll do at police headquarters. Why are you taking the waiter with you? What is happening?”

  “We will send a squad car to cover your house, just in case. Don’t worry

  I am taking you to police headquarters for your protection and to sign your statement. The situation has become dire!” Jake answered as he helped Carter into the back seat, next to the waiter.

  “Turn on the lights and sirens, we must get to headquarters fast. I am afraid we are in for a long night. You better call that pretty wife of yours and tell her you’re on overtime.”

  There was no one prettier or sweeter for that matter, than Gerda. But, she was not that understanding when it came to Murphy working late, and now later. Gerda expected him home, if not for dinner, at least before midnight. They had been trying to get pregnant for the last six months but she needed his cooperation to achieve this goal. Many late evenings at work, over the last months, were putting a strain on the process and on their marriage.

  Murphy and Gerda met while he was on the case of the “Scarlet Macaw” and it was the thunderbolt of love at their first meeting, for him anyway. He did not want to mess anything up. He was well aware of the growing divorce rate among law enforcement officers, and he did not want their marriage to be a statistic. So he would call her, and keep his fingers crossed.

  When they arrived at the station Murphy took the waiter Max, directly to the sketch artist who was just closing up shop as Murphy entered with the waiter.

  “Whoa up there, we need your assistance to identify a suspect. Put up your hat and coat and get out your paints, this is top priority!”

  Commissioner Byron was pacing in Jake’s office while waiting for him to return. “Chicago is the murder capital, New York also, not Philadelphia! Philadelphia is the City of Brotherly Love! Jake you have to get this city under control!” shouted Commissioner Byron into Jake’s face as he entered his office. “Two murders in as many days, with no suspects is unsatisfactory!”

  “You don’t have to tell me I am well aware of events. I have the whole force on alert, I am just waiting for a break. By the way is Mrs. Byron, your wife protected? I could send a detail!”

  “Don’t you bother. After 35 years of marriage and four kids, I am used to looking after my own. However, just to be on the safe side I sent Molly to her sister’s upstate. Jake, you catch this guy, lives are at stake.”

  Molly Byron did not fit the appearance of either victim. She was the wife of the commissioner and still very attractive in a matronly way, but the poundage became more visible with each passing decade.

  Were good looks a criteria Jake speculated to himself? “Before you leave sir, we may have another murder! Councilman Joe Carter’s wife has disappeared. He is writing down his statement as we speak and then he will be driven to his home where he will wait for the results of my investigation but we have a witness of sorts.

  “To the disappearance?” Commissioner Byron asked jubilantly.

  “No sir, to this card, “ Jake handed the card to the commissioner.

  “What is this? What is this you are giving me, and what does it have to do with the case?”

  “Everything, it has everything to do with this case. You are holding the murderers calling card, “The White Owl!” This card or ones like it, were found near or on the bodies of our victims or on my car. That one was handed to me at Helen Siegel Wilson’s restaurant this evening, by a waiter.”

  “Mother of God, how bold! He must be insane!”

  “That goes without saying! Sir, are you leaving?” Jake rose from his chair, “We are going to need extra funds and resources to apprehend him. The overtime alone will put us way over budget......”

  “You get the son of a bitch. I am giving you carte blanche!” Commissioner Byron, started to walk out of the office....

  “Can I get a letter to that effect?” Jake called after him.

  The commissioner nodded and gave a ‘thumbs up’ and left the office.

  “Dear Lord,” the commissioner prayed, “please keep Molly safe at her sisters. I hate her being apart from me, even for a little while. I have faith in Jake, but why the wives? What’s the connection?”

  “Hold on commissioner, I’ll walk with you if you don’t mind.

  I want you to know a little of what’s going on in my head” Jake ambled beside the commissioner.

  “Let’s stop in Horn and Hardetts for coffee and Lemon Merengue Pie. I have had zero breakfast, what do you say chief detective?”

  “Coffee sounds great. Listen......” and Jake started to fill the commissioner in on his theories.

  The waiter was a bust! What little he remembered the night before was gone in the morning. The sketch was pathetic, trench coat, collar up, hat pulled down over his eyes and a raspy voice. The $100.00 bill had no fingerprints on it besides the waiters. It was as though it was just printed or washed clean.

  Another dead end!

  “Hey, where is the chief? We just got a call from dispatch! There’s been another murder!” Burnsey informed Murphy.

  “Don’t tell me that Burnsey. I am just leaving with this man. We have been here all night. I am dropping him off at the restaurant so he can pick up his car, then I’m going home to bed! So you have not seen me, right?”

  “Right Murph, I’ll just wait for the chief. See ya!” Burnsey went back to his desk to wait. “Nothing can happen until the chief arrives and we can leave for the crime scene and what a crime scene awaits us, if the uniforms have not exaggerated!”

  Burnsey intercepted Jake as he entered the squad room, “Don’t stop sir, there’s been another murder!”

  “Oh God, I knew it! I knew it!”

  Burnsey drove to Wanamaker’s. The street was cordoned off. The draperies were drawn across the show windows so the public, who were milling around beyond the ropes, could not get an inkling as to what all the excitement was about.

  “Get this street cleared, now!”

  The officers in blue backed the pedestrians across the street and down the block. As soon as the space was clear of the curious, Jake gave orders to open the curtains.

  The beautiful Daphne Carter lay in repose on a pale purple velvet chaise lounge surrounded by crystal perfume bottles and costume jewelry, scattered in a studied display in the window. She was clad in a flowing white gown, holding a single red rose. Her hair was coiffed and loose about her shoulders. Daphne’s make up was professionally done, and she looked as though she was resting. Not a care in the world. She was dead!

  “Close the curtain, I have seen enough out here! Burnsey let’s get inside for a closer look.”

  Burnsey held the rope for the chief to pass under, and they entered the store together. The store manager, Mr. Edwards was waiting for them, “ Chief Guiliani, my store, I can’t believe this could be happening! I am so sorry for the young lady, actually one of our best customers! How horrible! When do you think we can open the store, all our employees are here waiting?” He asked not realizing how callous it sounded to those around him.

  “The store will stay closed till forensics and my investigation is complete. The body will then be taken to the police morgue.” The expression on Mr. Edward’s face spoke volumes, Jake commiserated with him. “Sorry sir, but that’s how it is. We will need at least half the day. Is Smith here from forensics?” Jake asked the police officers who were standing about, trying to look official.

  “He is in the window with the body, sir!”

  Jake made his way up the aisle, pass the covered show cases, and walked purposely in the direction of that particular window. The window that displayed the body of Daphne Carter, and there was Dr. Smith bending over the body. Jake could see the consternation on the medical examiners face.

  “Doctor, good to see you on the job.” Jake exclaimed kneeling beside Smith. “What have you come up with so far?”

  “Chief, another mur
der!” Smith leaned back on his heels. “We still have not figured out cause of death for Caterina, although I have my suspicions. This death feels similar, obviously similar! Calm demeanor, slight smile on her face, no visible clue as to how she met her death, in my opinion, poison, definitely poison.”

  “Chief, do we call the councilman to take a look at his wife?” Burnsey asked catching up to Jake.

  “Yes send a car for him, he has a right to see his wife where she met her death. If she died here, which I doubt.” Jake answered searching the body for the card he felt sure was there. “Plus the fact” Jake continued, “he might have some additional info as to the setting she’s been placed in so lavishly. Edwards said she was a good customer of the store. She was happy in these rich surroundings. I think moments of happiness are a clue in themselves. Where is the card? Did you find a card Dr. Smith?”

  “No chief, I did not really disturb the body as yet, just about to start when you arrived.”

  “Were pictures taken?” Jake wanted to be sure the body was not moved as the coroner said. At Dr. Smith’s acknowledgement, Jake, kneeling by the body noted the red rose and thought, unlike the rose in Caterina’s hand, there were thorns on this rose and a thorn pricked her finger, “death where is thy sting.” did not apply here….. Daphne was beautiful, Jake could not help but notice even in death, that she was a looker, but in a sultry, sexy way. Her beauty overpowered you, making a man uncomfortable until he took her to bed, and then...nothing. That was all there was, sex and a smile.

  .“I think I found the card!” Burnsey said holding up the creamy white card.

  “Where did you find it?” Jake walked toward Burnsey and held out his gloved hand for the card.