Irrefutable (11 page)

Several small chuckles floated around the room.

“That, I believe, is his personality. But what about his background? With the lack of physical evidence other than semen, and I’ll address that shortly, I feel that he most likely has a background in medical or forensic sciences.”

There was muffled chatter around the room.

“He is of above average intelligence. He knows what investigators look for. And, the possibility that his victims were injected with some type of sedating drug, leads me toward the medical background. He is most likely in a position that gives him access to these medications. It also gives a clue as to his personality. A sedating drug would serve two functions. First, it would create the amnesiac effect that we have seen in the two victims, which would make it more difficult to for them give any type of description or report. Secondly, having his victims unconscious, would serve as a barrier to the reality that his victims are human. By sedating them he would not have to endure their pleading and negotiating, thereby, dehumanizing them. He doesn’t want to feel guilt.”

“Sorry to interrupt,” said Sean, “but on that subject, the tox screens came back negative. They were done on the blood of both victims. I’ve suggested a urine specimen if there is another case. A drug that is metabolized quickly and excreted in the urine won’t be evident in blood after only a few hours, but it may be found in the urine for some time, until the bladder is emptied, actually.”

“Exactly.” Liz said. “Thanks for your input. We cannot rule out the use of a sedating medication. Are there any questions so far?”

There was no response, so she continued. “This brings me to the most troubling part. Why would someone be so meticulous as to leave not a shred of physical evidence as far as hair, fibers, or other trace evidence, but still make no attempt to prevent semen from being found? He is obviously aware of DNA technology.”

No one spoke. It was as if the entire room was mesmerized by Liz.

“Arrogance.” She said, “He knows that his DNA is not in any database. He knows there is no way to identify him, because you can’t match the DNA found on the victims to him, without obtaining a sample from him directly, and to do that you must identify him. He believes he has us chasing our own tail, so to speak. Now…if my assessment is accurate, and I believe it is, these attacks will only pacify him for a short time, until the thrill is gone. For many serial rapists or killers, the thrill of the attack acts like a drug. It fills some need for him. You could use the analogy of a drug addict. As with any addictive substance, as a tolerance is built up over time, he must increase the dose to achieve the desired effect. With our suspect, the attack and control he exerts over his victims is his drug. He must increase both the intensity and most likely the frequency of the thrill or he will become bored. As he does this, a simple rape, in which he releases his victims afterward, will no longer satisfy his needs. He will have to
increase the dose
, if you will.” Liz made quotation marks in the air. “My fear is, if he isn’t stopped soon, he will increase the frequency of the attacks until they no longer achieve the desired effects. When that point is reached gentlemen…He
will
kill.”

The room was silent for several seconds

“When do you think he would reach that point?” Alex asked, finally.

“It’s difficult to predict. We can assume that this is his first series of attacks, unless of course, he has been active elsewhere and has just moved to this area. If these are his first attacks, they came in rapid succession, three days apart. This is alarming because it indicates a strong need within him. Things could escalate quickly.”

“Samuels,” Alex said, “check to see if there have been any similar cases anywhere else that have been unsolved over the past few months. If so, there may be DNA that we could match to ours. At least we’d know if there is a larger pattern that we haven’t discovered.”

“I’ll get on it.” Samuels said, “but, you know, listening to this kinda gave me the creeps. It almost sounds like that weird doctor in the ER. What’s his name? Levine?”

Alex pondered the possibility. “You know, now that you mention it, there are some eerie similarities. I’ll see what I can find on this guy.” Alex said. “Dr. Reynolds, thank you very much. You’ve been most helpful.”

Chapter Fourteen

Alex typed the name into the database. Levine, Jacob. Seven file summaries were displayed. Beside each was a police photo. “Hello doctor.” He said to himself. He clicked the file and read the history.

Levine, Jacob M. Date of birth 16 Sep, 1965

Arrested: 23 Mar, 1998.

Felony

Charge: 1. sexual assault on a minor.

2. Indecency with a minor.

Disposition: Dismissed 16 May, 1998, insufficient evidence.

His pulse quickened as he read. Having the charges dismissed meant that Levine would not be registered as a sex offender. He needed to find more information. He checked public records. Levine has lived at his current address since 2001. Married and divorced three times. Most recent divorce finalized three weeks ago. Maybe this was the trigger. Alex needed more. He needed DNA, but without physical evidence to connect him to the attacks, he knew he couldn’t get a warrant. He had to talk to him.

Samuels sat at her desk searching the state database for unsolved sexual assaults when Alex approached. “So far I’m coming up empty.” she said. “There have been several cases throughout the state but arrests have been made in all but two. I’ve contacted those agencies but the attacks don’t fit with our guy.”

“Keep at it. Check NCIC. Look for similar cases in other states. I’m going to the hospital. I want to talk to Dr. Levine and get a copy of his work schedule for the past week. If he was working when the assaults occurred, we can rule him out.”

Alex made the ten minute drive to the hospital in hopes that Levine would be there. He parked in the ‘physicians only’ lot adjacent to the ER.

He approached the sliding door at the ambulance entrance. The door didn’t open. He punched numbers into the security pad but still no response. Placing his hands on either side of his eyes, he pressed his face to the glass to get a look inside. Maybe he could get someone’s attention. He saw a nurse walk past the doors. He knocked on the door and held up his badge. She turned and walked toward the door which automatically opened.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“Hi, I’m Detective Mendez. Is Dr. Levine on duty?”

“Not right now. I think he comes in at three.”

Alex looked at his watch. Two twenty. “Could I speak with the doctor on duty please? I’m investigating two sexual assaults. I just have some technical questions.”

Alex leaned against the counter of the nurse’s station to wait. The doctor was sitting in front of a computer. The nurse approached him and leaned to say something in his ear. The doctor turned and looked at Alex, then stood and approached him.

“Detective Sergeant Alex Mendez.” Alex said, offering his hand.

“Martin Chambers. How can I help you?” He shook Alex’s hand.

“I just have a couple of questions. I’m investigating the two sexual assaults that occurred last week.”

“Let’s sit.” The doctor said as he led Alex to a chair beside his. “I just don’t want to be in earshot of the public.”

Alex sat. “Thanks. As I was saying, I’m investigating the two sexual assaults that occurred last week. We think it’s possible that the victims were injected with a drug of some kind, something that could render them unconscious and cause them not to remember the attacks.” Alex noticed a copy of the doctor’s schedule for the month posted on a board above the computer. He quickly scanned it as he spoke. “Is there a specific medication that could cause that type of effect?”

“Well, there are several actually. Any of the benzodiazepines would cause amnesia if given in sufficient quantities, but I would say Versed would be the most effective. It’s a very powerful drug, concentrated into a small volume of fluid. It would be very easy to inject a dose large enough to cause a loss of consciousness and amnesia.”

“How much would it take and how quickly does it take effect?

“That depends on the route. If it’s given IV, five milligrams would do it and it would take effect in seconds. If it was IM, or in the muscle, it would take longer, three or four minutes, but IM would take a higher dose, probably ten milligrams.

“And how long would it be detectable in the blood?”

“It’s a relatively short acting drug with a half life of roughly four hours. It’s eliminated by the kidneys so it would only show up in blood for maybe six, eight hours max.”

“What about in the urine?”

“It would show up in urine for several more hours unless the bladder has been emptied after the drug exited the bloodstream.”

“And how difficult would it be for a non-medical person to obtain?”

“Only a licensed health care provider or nurse would have access to it, legally. Although, it’s amazing what drugs show up on the streets.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“Am I to understand that you suspect someone in the medical field?” Dr. Chambers asked.

“Well, it’s a possibility. We don’t have confirmation that a drug was used at all, but it does offer an explanation for the loss of memory.”

“Good afternoon detective.” Dr. Levine said, as he placed a gym bag on the floor next to the chair.

“You’re just the man I wanted to see.” Alex said.

“Oh really? What did you need to see me about?”

“The two sexual assault cases. I know you were only here for one of them. I believe you ordered a blood test on her to determine if there were any drugs present. Do you remember what the results were?”

“Which one would that be? I’m bad with names.”

“Mrs. Dixon. The only one who came in on your shift.”

“Ahh yes, Mrs. Dixon. I believe the blood test was negative.”

“Did you order a urine drug screen on her?”

“I don’t believe I did. Why?”

Alex rubbed his forehead for effect. “Well, you told me that night, when I asked if she would be discharged, that you had done a CT scan because you wanted to rule out a head injury. You said the scan was normal but you were waiting to see toxicology tests to see if she could have been drugged. You were trying to find a cause for her memory loss. Do you recall telling me that?”

“Yes, I recall.”

“If you suspected the use of a drug, why wouldn’t you request a urine drug screen? I was just discussing the type of drug that may have been used with Dr. Chambers here. He said that… what was the name of the drug you suggested?” He asked, looking at Chambers.

“Versed.”

“Yes, Versed. He told me Versed would be the most likely to have been used. He also told me that it would be undetectable in the blood after six to eight hours, but it should show up in the urine for several more hours. Now, I would assume that you have as much knowledge about medications as Dr. Chambers here, so I’m wondering Dr. Levine, why would you not order a urine drug screen?”

“What are you suggesting detective?” Levine moved close to Alex’s face.

“I’m not suggesting anything. I just want to know why you, who I would
assume
to be a competent emergency room physician, would not order a basic toxicology test when he suspected the presence of a drug.”

“Who are you to question how I practice medicine?” Levine raised his voice. “I don’t like the implication of your questions and I certainly don’t have to explain my decisions to you.”

Alex had struck a nerve. The good doctor was off balance. “Why are you being so defensive doctor? I’m not implying or suggesting any wrong doing. I just have unanswered questions in my investigation. I have to follow all possible leads.” Alex looked him in the eye without blinking. “By the way, can you tell me where you were on the third, fourth, six and seventh of this month? You know, last week when these rapes occurred?”

“You know I was here when Mrs. Dixon was brought in.”

“I know you were here when she was brought in, but the attack occurred the night before. Can you tell me where you were?”

“Detective, this is not the place for this. You’re making a scene.” said Dr. Chambers.

“My apologies.” He said to Chambers, without taking his eyes off Levine.

“This conversation is over.” Levine said. “I don’t have to answer any of your questions.”

“No sir, you don’t, but it seems to me that someone with nothing to hide would be more cooperative.” Alex winked at Levine and walked to the sliding door. “I may have a few more questions for you later.”

“You will not come to
my
place of employment and interrogate me.” Levine glared at Alex.

“Fine,” Alex said as he walked toward the door, “If you prefer, we can do it at mine.”

Chapter Fifteen

Alex arrived back at the station at four forty five. After telling Samuels about his conversation with Levine, he instructed her to watch him. “He gets off work at eleven. I want to know where he goes and what he does. I need to figure a way to get his DNA.”

“I had plans tonight.” Samuels protested.

“Change them. You want to be a detective. It’s time to get your feet wet. Follow him, but don’t let him notice you. I don’t want him to know he’s being watched. You know what he looks like, right?”

“Yea. I’ll recognize him. What if he just goes home and goes to bed?”

“If he goes to bed, stay for an hour after he turns off the lights. But I want you to be there if he leaves in the morning. Be there by six. Don’t make contact with him. You’re a ghost.”

Samuels had a spring in her step, as she left the department. Alex felt a wave of dread wash over him. He hoped he was doing the right thing. The feeling of dread was soon replaced with a chuckle. Alex pictured her going to a sporting goods store, buying the most powerful pair of binoculars, and then stocking up on food and drink for her ‘stakeout’.

Her protest was for show. It was expected of her, but, it was obvious to him, that she was thrilled to be trusted with the assignment. Alex grabbed Liz’s profile from his desk and headed for the elevator.

“Mendez!” Phelps shouted from his office door. “My office.”

Alex stopped. He rolled his eyes as he turned toward Phelps. “Can’t it wait until morning?”

“Now” he snapped.

Alex walked toward Phelps’ office. “What now?” he grumbled to himself.

“Close the door.” Phelps said.

Alex closed the door behind him as he helped himself to a seat. “So, what’s so important?”

“Who knows about these cases outside this department?”

“Well now it seems as though everyone knows.” Alex smirked.

“You know what I’m talkin’ about, smart ass.”

“The only people that I know of are Dr. Reynolds and Rachel Summers from the DA’s office.”

“Well I think someone in this department has been leaking things to the press. I want to know who and why.”

“So, ask around. Maybe someone will confess.” Alex said. “What do you want me to do about it?”

“I want you to find out who it is. This is your case. You’re responsible for controlling information.”

“You want me to…” Alex stood, “Don’t you think I have a few things that are maybe just a little bit more important to be focusing on?”

“This unit isn’t that big. It shouldn’t be that difficult to figure out.”

“Fine I’ll ask around in the morning.” Alex sighed. “Anything else?”

“Yes. It seems that not only the connection to the dealership has been leaked but somehow, at least some of the names on that list as well. I got a call from Judge Pittman. He wants to know what we’re doing about it.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I told him I had our best man working on it.” Phelps paused for a moment. “Don’t let me down Alex.”

Alex looked Phelps in the eye, searching for a hint of sincerity. He had never received a compliment from Phelps before. He didn’t know the man was capable. “I’ll do my best sir.”

_________

Kathy Samuels parked in the main lot. She positioned herself in a row with several other vehicles and a clear view of the two cars in the doctor’s lot next to the ER.

As a light rain began to cover her windshield, it became impossible to see her target. She pushed the mist button and cleared the windshield. She looked at the clock on her dashboard. It was ten thirty. Dr. Levine was scheduled to get off at eleven. She settled in and waited for him to emerge.

An ambulance pulled under the covered drive and the crew wheeled a patient inside. After twenty minutes the ambulance left, only to be replaced by another, then a third, this time with lights and siren. It was followed shortly by a fire engine that pulled between her and the doctor’s lot.

“Shit.” Samuels said out loud. She couldn’t see. It was nearly time for Levine to leave. She had to reposition herself so she wouldn’t miss him. She started her car and backed from the parking space. She made her way to the outer drive that encircled the facility. She saw a small auxiliary lot nearer the doctor’s lot but it didn’t offer the cover of the main lot. Turning right, she slowly drove past the ambulance entrance. She could see Dr. Levine standing at the ambulance doors, holding a gym bag. He was talking to someone but was obviously ready to leave. She moved past the doors and turned back onto the main drive. She could see in her mirror as he ran through the rain to his car, a black Mercedes E-class. She watched as he exited the lot and drove toward the rear entrance. She followed at a distance. “Where are you going doctor?’ she said out loud.

He made his way through town toward the north-east side. He turned left on Maple Run then right on Palmetto Court. She watched as he pulled into a driveway on the left near the cul-de-sac at the end of the street. She didn’t dare drive past, she would be spotted. She turned around in a driveway and made her way back to Maple Run. She turned left and drove a block, to the first opportunity to turn around. She drove back toward Palmetto and parked fifty yards from the intersection. From here, she would be able to see if he went anywhere. She turned off the ignition and waited as the rain continued to fall.

_________

The rapping on the window startled Samuels. She was blinded as the flashlight beam hit her eyes. “Roll down your window.” the officer was saying.

“Oh shit.” She said to herself, as she opened the window a couple of inches.

“Sleeping in a vehicle on a city street is against the law.” the officer said. “Could I see some identification please?”

Samuels removed her badge from her waist band and showed it to the officer, along with her department I.D. “I’m on a stakeout.” She told him. “I must have fallen asleep.”

“Who are you watching out here?”

“I’m not at liberty to say.” She looked at her watch, two-forty AM. She had been asleep for a while. “I’m sure my subject has gone to bed so I’ll be moving on.”

“You know, you might want to try some coffee or something next time, Officer Samuels.” He said as he returned her badge and I.D. “You have a good morning.”

She had only three and a half hours until she needed to be back. She drove to the nearest convenience store for a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll then returned to Palmetto and parked at the far end of the cul-de-sac and waited.

_________

Alex sipped his coffee while he stared at the computer screen. On the Polk County public records page, he found the link for family court records. He typed: Levine, Jacob M. and his date of birth. The results were listed in two categories; Civil and Criminal. He searched the civil records and found the court documents for three marriage licenses and three divorce decrees.

The first License filed 18 June, 1989 and divorce decree filed 26 April, 1991. The second license filed 17 August, 1991 and divorce decree filed 8 March, 1993. The third license filed 14 September, 1994 and divorce decree filed 16 April 1998. He scanned the documents looking for the distribution of assets. The third marriage had resulted in one daughter, who was awarded to the mother. There were documents attached, including a record of arrest and subsequent dismissal of charges alleging sexual misconduct with his daughter. The dates coincided with the arrest record he found on his previous search. Alex wrote down the names of all three ex-wives and daughter.

“Merry Christmas.” Samuels said as she placed a small drinking glass on his desk. It contained what appeared to be a small amount of orange juice in the bottom.

“Happy New Year.” Alex said. “What’s this?”

“This is what you’ve been wishing for.”

“A leftover drop of OJ?”

“DNA.” she said. “I followed him home last night like you said. This morning he goes to a little café for breakfast.” Samuels slid the chair from her desk and turned it backwards in front of Alex. She sat facing him with her arms folded across the back. “I’m a little hungry, so I follow him inside. I sat at the counter and ordered a plate, so I would blend in. He ate his breakfast and left a tip on the table along with this glass. After he paid his check and left, I retrieved it.” Samuels let out a laugh, “I had to argue with the waitress but I won. I figure if he left it on the table it’s fair game. Now we don’t need a warrant to get his DNA.”

“I could kiss you.” Alex smiled

“You’re not my type.” She said, returning the smile.

“You might actually make a detective someday.” he said, “You just have to learn how to stay awake when you’re watching a suspect.”

“Hey Sleepy, how are the other dwarves?” one of the detectives joked as he walked by.

“Shit,” Samuels blushed, “news travels fast.”

“Anyway, good job Samuels. Let’s get it to forensics.”

Alex carried the glass to the forensics lab with Samuels following closely behind. “Sean, I have a rush.” He said across the room. “See if you can pull a DNA profile and a set of prints from this.”

“What is it?” Sean asked.

“It’s from my prime suspect in the rapes cases. I need to see if it’s a match for the DNA from the victims.”

“Okay, prints I can have in a couple of hours if there’s a match in IAFIS. DNA will be a couple of days.”

“Great.” Alex turned to leave. “What are you doing for lunch?” he asked Samuels as he returned to his desk.

“I’m meeting a friend. Why?”

“I was gonna treat you, but if you have plans, maybe some other time.”

“I appreciate it. Maybe tomorrow.” she said.

“Sure. I’ve actually got a lot to do today anyway. I need to find Levine’s daughter. I’ve got a few questions for her.”

“Do you need any help?”

“No. I’m fine. You go ahead and meet your friend.”

_________

Samuels parked in the street in front of the Village Herald offices. She looked around the parking lot and went inside. “I’m here to see Samantha Stone.” she said to the receptionist. “She’s expecting me.”

“One moment, I’ll let her know you’re here.” The receptionist dialed Samantha’s extension. “Ms. Stone, you have a visitor in the lobby.”

Samuels looked around the tastefully decorated lobby. She studied a case that contained framed articles from the past, along with industry recognitions of some of the reporters who had graced the pages of the Herald in its heyday.

“Hopefully, I’ll have a plaque in there someday.” Samantha said as she looked over Samuels’ shoulder.

“Hey baby,” Samuels turned and greeted her lover with a kiss