The Man In Forest Hills Read online

  “Were you guys the first ones on the scene?”

  They both shake their heads in confirmation.

  The female officer addresses Harper.

  “Yes sir. We got the call from one of the neighbors from across the street.”

  Harper turns around and looks at the crowd of pedestrian.

  “Where are they now?”

  “She is standing right there, talking to one of our officers on the corner of the street.”

  He shakes his head at the officers.

  “That’s perfect. Don’t let her out your sight officer. I need to speak to her soon.”

  He walks away and takes a look at the back door of the house. He takes a step in and can see all the walls burned and can see small the pieces of the exploded propane tank. He takes a knee and looks at some blood stains on the floor. He can see the chalk outline from where the body of Marven was. He then looks at the trail of blood on the wall.

  A few minutes later someone from the arson unit walks up to him.

  “Hey Detective Harper, how are things?”

  “Things can definitely be a lot better. This is the second one from my department that’s been targeted. The captain is going to be on my ass. There’s no way for me to clean this up.”

  He looks at the man in disappointment.

  “Anyway, where’s your report?”

  The man takes out his notepad.

  “I see that the victim is a major problem here, but what stood out to me was the propane tank.”

  As they continue their conversation, they both proceed to walk over to the shattered pieces of the tank.

  “There’s no way someone could have took a shot at this propane tank from inside the house at close range.”

  Harper has a puzzled look on his face. He turns around and looks at several angles to the propane tank from within in the room.

  “So you’re trying to tell me that this person was outside the house when the tank went off?”

  The man shakes his head in confirmation.

  “So where would it have come from? A long distance rifle?”

  The man takes a couple of steps in another direction.

  “No. I don’t think so. The homes within this neighborhood are very close together, so I don’t think someone could hit that small tank in that room from a long distance away. There are just too many obstacles.”

  Harper is at a loss for words when he comprehends that the shot came from close range.

  “I have no other ideas running through my head.”

  The man looks at Harper with a quizzical look, and heads over to the same window Kent stood outside hours prior.

  “The only other option would have to be through this window.”

  “What do you mean?” Harper asks.

  He looks at Harper and proceeds to talk.

  “This is the best possible angle that you can hit the target from and actually cause it to explode.”

  Harper walks out through the back door again. He goes down the steps and ends up by the window.

  “So you're saying that the killer was standing right here?”

  The man walks over to Harper from the inside of the house.

  “Yes. That's the only and best possible angle.”

  Harper takes some time to process this new information.

  “Thanks I really appreciate all your help. Make sure you get the full report to me as soon as possible.”

  “No problem Detective. I'm happy to help. I'll have that over right away.”

  He walks off and leaves Harper at the window. Harper pushes the window open some to look at the specific angle just discussed. He takes a small step backwards to lower himself to see clearly into the window, when he steps on something.

  He looks down at his feet and sees it is a bullet covered with a little bit of dirt. He bends over and takes a look at it.

  “Well what do we have here? How the hell did we miss this?”

  A crime scene investigator walks by and he grabs a set of latex gloves from him. He puts the glove in and picks up the bullet. He wraps it around the glove and walks over to the evidence truck. He hands it to another officer.

  “Make sure this goes into evidence. It’s very important.”

  He turns around and is caught off guard by Captain Leonard positioned behind him.

  “What you got for me Harper? Another one of ours has been taken out, so I need you to give me something, something good Harper.”

  They both take a walk through the front door and Harper starts to explain the report.

  He walks to the spot where Marven was dead.

  “Right here is where he was shot.”

  He points to the large blood spot on the wall.

  “By the looks of the blood splatter, he was shot standing up on his feet. It looks like a close range shot, so the shooter had to be standing over there across from him.”

  The captain walks up to the wall and takes a close look at the blood stain.

  “Someone is laughing at us Harper. I don’t know who the fuck it is, but I can guarantee they are getting a kick out of this shit.”

  Harper cuts him off as he speaks.

  “Cap, I’m gonna get this fucker. I promise you, I’m close. Very close.”

  The captain gives him an angry look.

  “Listen Harper, this is time sensitive. If you can’t get me something soon I might have to take you off this case. I’m sorry to say it, but that’s just how it’s got to be. The commissioner is up my ass about this shit.”

  Harper cuts him off again.

  “Cap, just give me a little more time. Don’t take me off this, I got this.”

  “Look Harper. We have to solve this and solve this now. I can give you a little more time, but that’s it. The press is making a mockery of this shit.”

  He walks off and leaves Harper just standing there. Harper walks to the back of the house one more time and takes a look at the window where they assume the shot came from.

  “Revolver huh. Strange.”

  Several days later Kent pulls up to the cemetery. He approaches Amy and Ryan’s headstone with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He takes a seat on the grass and props his back up against the headstone. He doesn’t say much at first, so he just sits there, and hopes that they can feel his presence. He stands up and places the flowers on the ground in front of the headstone. He finally decides to speak.

  “I want to let you guys know that I’m doing some things that you might not approve of. It’s hard for me to let the people who did this to you walk the street and live their everyday lives. If this means going away from my beliefs, then I think I have to do that. I love you guys and I will see you soon.”

  He places a hand on the headstone then turns and walks away. He gets to his car and just sits in there for a while. He reflects on life and the life he misses with his family. He stops them by starting up the ignition to take off.

  Later on that night Kent pulls up to McCann’s. McCann’s is another hangout spot that local law enforcement goes for a drink after work. Kent hasn’t been to the bar in a good amount of time, so he is a bit nervous about what everyone will say. He braces himself and walks into the bar with his head held high. The first person he sees is the owner, Paul McCann, who is also the head bartender. His father used to be the former chief police. As Kent makes his way through the bar, he can tell there are a lot of eyes on him, but he just goes right to his usual seat.

  Kent walks into the place and can see all the eyes on him. He goes to his usual seat at the bar.

  “Hey Paul.”

  Paul walks over to him.

  “Tom. Buddy, how are you my friend? It’s been forever. My condolences to you, I’m so sorry to hear about your family. They are in a better place now, and I’m sure they are watching over you.”

  Kent cuts him off.

  “Look Paul, I don’t want to talk about this. Just get me a whiskey and make i
t neat.”

  Paul gives him a strange look, but goes off to get his drink. He put the drink by Kent’s hand.

  “Here you go buddy.”

  “Leave the bottle.”

  Paul walks away and tends to other customers at the bar. As hours go by Kent continues to pour himself shots of whiskey and throws them back. He finally finishes the bottle and screams to Paul at the other end of the bar.

  “Paul! Get me another bottle now!”

  Paul walks over to him.

  “Tom don’t you think you’ve had enough? Come on buddy call it a night.”

  Kent can’t even see straight, but he attempts to reach over the bar and grab Paul, but he misses.

  “Come on buddy. You’re embarrassing yourself. Just call it a night,” Paul says.

  Kent reaches behind the bar and grabs another bottle. Paul walks toward the phone at the bar and dials a number. He begins to chat to someone on the phone.

  “Yeah, it’s Paul, at the bar. I didn’t know who else to call, but Tom is here drunk out of his mind. I can’t do anything with him, so please come get him.”

  As he listens to the voice on the phone, he watches Kent pour himself a couple more shots of whiskey. Paul then turns his attention back to the voice on the phone.

  “Okay, see you in ten minutes.”

  Almost thirty minutes later a man walks into the bar and makes his way toward Kent. He puts his hand on his shoulder and Kent quickly turns around.

  “What the fuck? Don’t touch me.”

  He turns around and tries to focus on the face in front of him. Finally he realizes its Captain Leonard.

  “Hey Cap, what’s up?”

  Leonard grabs the bottle of whiskey and pulls it away from Kent.

  “You tell me Kent, you good?”

  Kent is slumped on the bar stool and can barely sit up straight. He looks at the Captain with a screw face.

  “Do I look good Cap? My life is in shambles,” he says in an angry tone. “My family is gone and you guys can’t even find out who did it. You guys are pathetic. Maybe I should put my badge back on and do the fucking job myself.”

  The louder he gets the more attention he starts to bring towards the bar. Guests start to look at Paul for some answers. The captain gives him a sympathetic look while trying to calm him down, and can notice the hurt Kent is feeling.

  “I’m so sorry for your loss Kent. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”

  Kent looks him directly in the eyes as he continues.

  “I promise that I have the best detectives looking for whoever is who responsible. I even have help from other precincts in the city. The Boston Police Department is a brotherhood and we take care of our own.”

  “Brotherhood huh?” Kent smirks.

  “Trust me on this one Kent.”

  “You know what Cap? I really hope you’re telling the truth because your time is certainly running out.”

  Leonard gives him a head nod, and grabs a glass to pour a shot of whiskey. They sit there without saying much, but continue to drink together. As time passes the bar starts to clear out. Paul walks up to the guys and gets their attention.

  “Guys, it’s almost closing time.”

  Leonard looks at him.

  “Okay Paul, give us about five more minutes and we will be on our way.”

  Paul takes his rag and wipes that section of the bar.

  “It’s okay guys take your time.”

  Leonard gets up off his stool and pays the tab for Kent.

  “You don’t need to do that Cap.”

  “I know buddy. But it’s the quickest way I can get you to leave this damn bar.”

  Kent responds with a slight chuckle, which brings a smile to Captain Leonard’s face.

  “It’s good to see you smiling again Kent. We all miss that.”

  “I appreciate that Cap,” Kent adds.

  They both get up and proceed to walk out the bar. Kent stops by Paul at the end of the bar.

  “Hey Paul. Thanks for not throwing me out on my ass.”

  Paul extends his hand to Kent.

  “It’s okay buddy. We all family here buddy. You’re welcome.”

  Kent and Leonard exit the bar. Leonard grabs Kent by the shoulder.

  “Okay buddy, I’m giving you a ride home. Let’s go.”

  “Thanks Cap. Even I know I can’t drive tonight.”

  They walk over to Leonard’s car and both hop in. Leonard looks over at Kent.

  “That was fun.”

  They both drive off and a couple of seconds later Paul comes outside with his broom and starts to sweep the front of McCann’s. The conversation between them didn’t start well but it ended with Kent putting a smile on his face, and for Captain Leonard that’s a start in the right direction.

  9 - INMATE 35761

  It’s six thirty in the morning and a prison guard walks through the halls of cell block D in Glenville State Prison. An alarm goes off right before he yells out to the block.

  “Get up, get up. Rise and shine you motherfuckers.”

  Inmate number 35761 gets up out of his bottom bunk and puts his house slippers on. He grabs his towel with his personal bar of soap and steps outside of his cell. He gets in line with all of the other prisoners who have stepped outside of their cells as well. The prison guard yells again at all the inmates.

  “Hurry up. If you are not in line then you can forget the showers, and your ass will be dirty all damn day.”

  All of the inmates outside their cells form a line and start to make their way to the showers. Inmate 35761 waits in line to get a shower. An inmate gets out of the shower and shoots him a dirty look. Unbothered, he walks into the shower and hangs his towel up on the shower rod. He grabs his bar of soap and starts to lather up. Several minutes later a prison guard walks up to his shower.

  “Who the fuck is taking so long in the shower?”

  The inmate opens up the curtain so the guard can see his face. The guard looks embarrassed when he sees who opens up the curtain.

  “Oh, my fault.”

  He continues down the line of showers making himself known.

  “Hurry up you motherfuckers. It’s almost breakfast time. Don’t get left behind.”

  Inmate 35761 gets out the shower and makes his way out of the bathroom as everyone clears out of his way. He walks back down the halls of cell block D and enters his cell. He puts down his towel and his soap and sits on his bed. He takes a brush and brushes his hair then puts his sneakers on.

  The mess hall in Glenville State Prison is a very busy place. There are fifteen prisons guards at a time who watch all the inmates during their three meals a day. Inmate 35761 walks up to a table filled with black inmates and sits down. All the men at the table have their meals, but Inmate 35671, until another inmate comes up and places a tray of food in front of him. He looks at it and his facial expression changes.

  “Where’s my chocolate milk?”

  The same inmate looks at the tray,

  “Oh sorry. Just give me a second.”

  All the black inmates at the table start to have a conversation. The prison cafeteria is a place where different groups of people come together. In one section you have the white brotherhood. In another section there are the African Americans. There is also a Latino group, and last but not least, the gay population, who have all those races but unite due to their sexuality.

  Like most prisons it is important to belong to a specific group, or what they call clicks, due to the violence that occurs inside them. When an inmate enters Glenville State prison, it is very important for him to find his click and it needs to happen sooner rather than later, or quite frankly, he won’t last. Inmate 35761 is the head of the black click, he calls all the shots and makes sure everyone is protected.

  The inmate comes back with his chocolate milk.

  “Here you go sir.”

  He responds to him.

 
“Thank you.”

  After some time, breakfast has come to an end, so one of the guards yells an order.

  “Okay ladies, let’s go. Time to go back to your cages.”

  All the inmates get up and start to get in order with their clicks to go back to their cell block. The African American population stay together as usual, so does the Caucasian population. After a couple of minutes, the inmates make their way back to their cells.

  Inmate 35761 gets into his cell and lies down on his bed. He then picks up a book and flips to his bookmarked page. Before he can get a paragraph in, a guard comes up to his cell bars.

  “Hey. You got a visitor.”

  “This early in the morning?” he grunts.

  The guard doesn’t give him an answer, just unlocks his cell and slides the door open. The inmate gets up out of his bed, places his book back down, and exits his cell. As they both head towards the visitors room, the inmate can’t help but think who could be here to see him this early, when visitors aren’t allowed at this time. It quickly dawns on him that it must be someone in law enforcement who needs some type of information from him. He enters the visitor’s room and sits down on his side of the glass.

  Shortly after, Maddox walks up to the glass and takes a seat. They both pick up their phones to speak to one and other.

  “Cecil Chambers. How’s everything going?”

  Chambers looks at him with a smirk on his face.

  Everything is great, just great. The food is top notch and I’m in the finest threads as you can see. How the fuck you think things are?”

  Maddox chuckles.

  “Relax buddy, I was just making a joke.”

  “Do I look like I want to fucking joke with you? Cut to it. What do you need? Better yet, why are you here?” Chambers says.

  Maddox pauses to gather his thoughts, but decides to get right to it.

  “Two of my guys have been murdered, first was Craven then Marven. Do you know anything about that?”

  Chambers looks dead into Maddox’s eyes.

  “You know what Maddox. Someone did you a favor by killing those two motherfuckers. They were worthless. All they did was follow behind you. I hated that motherfucker Craven and there’s just something about Marven that made me sick to my damn stomach.”