"Hello Traveler" the boy said cheerfully. I looked carefully and it took a moment to realize who I was talking to.
"Hello Observer, I see you took my suggestion seriously," I returned the greeting.
"Yes, this body was available, the soul had departed to the nexus and the medical people were keeping the body alive by artificial means. They were all quite surprised when I woke up. They allowed me to leave in the care of the family attorney. Sadly the entire family perished in the same incident that provided me with this body," The observer related.
"I see, and what name are you using in this incarnation?" I inquired.
"Thomas Kendal Masters is how I'm known to other humans, and you should greet me as Tom or Thomas."
"Just call me Etienne or Jem which is more familiar," I suggested.
"I have learned some extraordinary things in this body, the penis thing is phenomenal I'm really enjoying that part," Thomas shared.
"Yeah, better to go into details like that where others can't hear, it's a cultural prohibition in polite company," I explained.
"Yes, that's another queer thing, humans are so self-conscious about sex and nudity. The servants turn red when I present myself without clothes," Thomas chuckled. "Sometimes I just do it for fun. But the messengers have been assisting me with proper behavior. I'm still having trouble interacting with other people of my age. They speak so strangely and have such strange habits or is that just being a teenager?" Thomas asked.
"Now I was chuckling, you might be right about that. The teen years occur during the time that sexual maturity presents itself. The hormones make us humans awkward and unwieldy, the growth spurts make them clumsy plus there's a great deal of shame in this culture associated with reproductive processes. You mentioned the whole penis thing, well that's one of the problems that teenage males encounter," I explained while we strolled in an area away from other people.
"How do you manage with all that?" Thomas asked.
"I have someone close and we have an emotional attachment and we relieve each other physically," I explained carefully.
"Ah yes, sex!" Thomas spouted. "This body seems to respond to female humans and several have shown considerable interest in me. I don't understand why, but I plan to see where it leads. It's great fun, have you tried the kissing thing yet?" Thomas enthused.
"Yes, my partner is male and we do that quite a bit. Whoever you choose, take it slow, it is meant to be pleasurable for both parties, ask your partner what she likes and don't be afraid to tell her what you want. Telepathy has not developed to any useful degree on this planet. I think you will enjoy your time here. Will you stay resident until its natural conclusion?" I asked finally.
"I haven't decided yet, I have healed this body and become comfortable, I may well see how long this body lasts. All this is very interesting and I've enjoyed seeing you again, however it is not my primary reason. I have summoned a messenger to give you news regarding your assignment. I was just going to tell you myself but protocol must be observed.
"Hello Traveler, Hello Observer." Traveler I have information that affects your mission. The Nexxus has determined that due to your actions the probability curve has changed. Your subject is no longer in danger and you will not have to act. I am privileged to tell you that you may continue with this existence as you see fit although you may be asked to help other travelers complete their primary missions. The Nexxus has cited your repeated mission successes over several millennia and on several planets. You are highly regarded by all who serve the plan. I am authorized to tell you that this is a reward of sorts. You have served the Nexxus well and protected the objectives of the plan at substantial cost to yourself. I add my gratitude and congratulations to that sentiment. Please feel free to call for a messenger at any time. I am always happy to be of service."
And that was it, the messenger took his leave leaving me with the knowledge that Carter would be safe and live to achieve his destiny. And I was free to fully commit to a relationship with Chase. At that moment I wanted nothing more than to have Chase with me. But he was away with his father and of course that was why I was in the park alone. Thomas coughed and brought me back to the present.
"I must be leaving, I have an appointment with my attorney. This whole financial system is a mystery to me but I'm slowly beginning to grasp the fundamentals. Apparently I am heir to a large estate and quite a bit of financial comfort. I have to learn to oversee investments and holdings and make decisions concerning thousands of other humans. So I will leave you now. I hope I will be welcome to visit from time to time. Or you and your partner could visit me. I have a plane that can transport you anytime you wish," Thomas offered.
"Thank you Thomas, I will discuss it with my partner and send a message when possible," I promised.
Thomas walked to the edge of the park and a black sedan pulled up in front of him. He opened the door, climbed in and the car moved away as the door closed.
I thought at the moment that I understood why the information regarding John's aunt was withheld. The killer was tracked down and caught by people dedicated to that purpose, If I had interfered it might have had a different outcome. Dad might not have become a Major and all the changes he made to his bureau wouldn't have occurred. Like ripples in a pond, I could see the effect of one small action. No, it was better this way. Dad and his men and women had tracked down and arrested a dangerous person. The department as a whole was being held in higher esteem but the deaths were a sad consequence.
*****
Adam Mitchell sat glaring at the King County Corrections officer and the deputy that accompanied him.
"Adam Mitchell you have been informed that an order of extradition has been duly signed by a judge in this county. You will be transported to King County Washington to be interviewed by homicide detectives. It will be roughly six hours in transit. Prior to departing, you will shower and we will provide you with temporary clothing. You will be issued with inmate clothing at your destination. If you refuse you will be compelled. I understand there are a number of volunteers willing to assist you in your ablutions. It must be nice to have made such close friends among your fellow inmates.
We will be photographing your body to verify your condition prior to transport and you will be examined at the destination as well.
Mitchell followed directions from the Latah county deputy and was escorted to the shower block where another inmate was scrubbing tiles with a long handled scrub brush. The inmate was dismissed but the deputy and the two officers from King County remained.
Mitchell knew he was not going to get out of this so he did as he was told and scrubbed himself with soap and water. The Corrections Officer handed Mitchel an adult diaper once he had dried off and Mitchell balked." I ain't wearin' that, no way!"
"Oh I'm sure you will come to appreciate it about four hours into the trip. It's not optional in any case. You will put on the diaper and then you will dress in the Tyvek suit I'm holding now. The good people of Latah county offered to let you keep your thongs but we have a pair of slippers that will do a better job of keeping your feet warm. By the time you are wearing your transport harness and shackles you'll be warm and toasty.
Adam Mitchell gave up and stopped fighting it. He was on his way back to Washington although he had vowed never to return.
"Good morning, Gentlemen, I'm Captain Isusnacut, is everything progressing to your satisfaction?"
"Hello sir, I'm deputy Pinner um Dave Pinner and this is C.O. Jim Evans, he works the custody end of things.
"Nice to meet you both. Our deputy from Bovill has arrived with what may be evidence. We haven't cataloged it or searched it. Major Mac Gregor would like you men to bring it back. It was recovered from a shed where he had been staying,"
"I'll go secure it in the transport van and come back and help you get Mr. Mitchell loaded up. We wouldn't want to delay his arrival," Deputy Pinner grinned slightly. I'm sure the major has the warrant waiting at the other end so his people can look through it to see if it applies to this case or others, I'll be back soon and we can get underway.
Seven hours later Adam Mitchell was sitting in an isolation cell. It had been a very cool trip in a paper suit with one jailhouse blanket draped over him. He was allowed a hot shower and issued a set of orange and green coveralls. An Evidence technician had already done a swab of his cheek for a DNA sample. Another man from the forensics division had collected the six boxes of personal property and was on his way back to the facility so those boxes and their contents could be examined.
Ron Corrigan, Andy Watkins and Toni Putnam watched carefully as each piece was removed from the boxes and cataloged. They examined each item and sorted them into piles.
"You'll want to see this, guys," Ricky told the assembled detectives. "It appears to be your suspects photo gallery."
"There must be fifteen different boys here, including Evan. But it puts him in contact with the victim. I wonder what's the status of these other boys. Are they still living or are these the last photos of them in their young lives?" Ron uttered.
We'll have to find out, Ron, let's let the techs get prints off these photos and they can make copies and enlarged headshots to circulate to the media. Let's continue going through this stuff.
During the search, fifteen pairs of boys underwear were discovered in plastic bags. One pair was covered in dried blood. Ron was visibly shaken by the discovery and went outside to get some air. Andy accompanied him and the two tried to talk about something other than the case.
The decision was made to print everything of interest and then send anything that might yield DNA to the lab.
"He seems to have a thing for young Latinos," Toni remarked to Ricky.
"Maybe, it's hard to determine race from a photo but maybe they were just accessible. Not so much a preference as easy prey. This one blonde kid seems to be around five or six. He's apparently an Anglo and so is the pale boy Ron identified as Evan Peterson, You know I process gory evidence from unspeakable crimes every day of the week. But when kids are involved I lose sleep. I have to have some detachment to do my job properly but it's really difficult with stuff like this," Ricky muttered solemnly.
"I understand, It's always difficult when kids are involved," Toni agreed. "This bastard will spend the rest of his life behind bars because of what we're doing here today."
"Oh shit, look at this!" Ricky held up a photo that had slipped out of a book he was moving to a box for examination. It was a photo of Evan Peterson post mortem. Blood stained the small mattress. His genitals were missing and he had been tied to the bed hand and foot.
Ricky picked up his camera and photo'd the book and an old memory card that slid out at the same time.
"I used to have a digital camera that used a card that size, it's been more than ten years. We'll want to find a way to view whatever is on that card and print copies. Prints first and then computer lab for that. Bag that photo and don't let Ron see it right now, he needs to get some distance before he deals with that," Toni instructed.
You got it. Tim changed gloves and put the items in evidence bags and added them to the catalog.
"I think that's about it, but I'll go through it all again and double check. I know they're pushing all the related DNA evidence through on priority. We'll start getting answers in a couple of days. Has the suspect been printed?" Ricky asked.
"I'm sure he's in the system, it's standard practice upon intake at the jail," Toni affirmed.
Okay then, the print techs can get to work and we should see any matches sometime tomorrow.
Later on the ride back to the station, Mike spoke to Ron.
"We found something you need to know about, but I didn't think you would want to actually see. It was a photo of Evan post mortem which we presume was one of Adam Mitchell's trophies. I have a boy not much older than that and frankly I'd like to have a few moments alone with Mr. Mitchell. What I need to know from you is are you going to be stable in an interrogation room with this walking pile of shit?"
"I'll be fine, Mike, and this may seem a strange thing to say, but I don't want him falling down any jail house stairs or any other "Accidents". Once we convict this guy then fine, if the inmates kill him I won't lose any sleep, but he has to be tried on the evidence or what we do here is worthless," Ron uttered.
"Do you want to tell the family we have a suspect in custody?" Mike inquired.
"Let's wait until we get lab results. This will sound terrible but, if he killed any of those other boys I hope he did it in Texas or Arizona. They still have the needle. I'm told it's tortuous to sit through all the mandatory appeals, stays and such," Ron responded.
"True, but I'm hoping that Evan was his only killing. I know that's unlikely, once these guys get started they get a taste for it but we'll know soon enough," Mike speculated.