She shared an office and a bed with him, but Angel Powers outranked Mason Steele.
Her feet touched the cold floor as he stirred behind her in the king sized bed.
"Time for work, big boy."
"Got a few minutes, honey?"
"No time, now."
"Murder never waits. I bar the shower first."
Angel strapped on her gun. Mason followed suit.
They drove to the police station.
"A murder has been committed, chief inspector, the police officer informed Angel. It was phoned in by an anonymous person."
"Thanks. Let's go."
"Where are we going?"
"The body was dumped in the City Park."
"Do you remember the time we were in Venice?"
"I recall the work load and your snoring!"
"You know how to make a guy feel wanted. Wish I could call you darling."
"There is a time and a place for everything."
"You are right, CI Powers."
The police officer first on the scene of the crime followed the right procedures to ensure that the evidence was not damaged in any way. He cordoned off the area and secured it.
The murderer had been in a mighty hurry, as the body that was wrapped in a blood stained sheet had been unceremoniously dumped in the park.
This was classed as a secondary crime scene as the murder hadn't actually occur at the park.
The crime scene investigators searched systematically for evidence , that would undoubtedly lead them to the primary scene where the woman was murdered.
They looked for trace evidence, such as gunshot residue, impressions, that are fingerprints, body fluids including blood, hair and fibres and cartridge casings, to work out what gun was used in the shooting.
The body and the surrounding area were photographed immediately and documented.
The crime lab processed all the evidence. This was done by the forensic scientists. They would look at the blood pattern identification.
The medical examiner came after the crime scene investigators were finished.
He was a licensed physician who was appointed to investigate violent deaths determining the cause of death. He did this objectively and scientifically.
The victim was a 25 year old young woman, known to the police. She had died in her home from a single bullet from a Glock, which was the standard gun issued to every police officer on the force. Angel was worried about this fact. To think that a policeman or woman was corrupt on her force.
Carmen Hasting's home was examined for evidence. The lock on the door was still intact. This told the police that the murderer was known to the victim. Rocky Macmillan was picked up for questioning. He was Carmen Hasting's ex boyfriend. He was a bodyguard for the Playhouse Club in town. Mr. Macmillian was released and warned not to leave the city.
Carmen's house was the primary crime scene. The whole place had been wiped clean. No fingerprints were to be found.
"Lunch?"
"Thanks, Mason."
"Will we be visiting Everett's grave this week."
"Yes. It is the anniversary."
When Angel had first brought up the subject to her father about wanting to be a police officer, Everett Powers had told her a firm no.
He had reached the rank of chief inspector, just as Angel was now. He would have been proud of her, she knew.
Everett had died in a hit and run accident. The perpetrator had never been identified. Everett had many enemy in his line of work. Angel knew the feeling.
Angel had one son Chad. He was a police officer, following in the family tradition.
When he had told her that he had joined the force, Angel was happy, but worried at the same time. Chad had never been in trouble with the law. He had a nice house, paid in full. Angel didn't get to see her son as often as she would like. He liked Mason and had a beer with him and enjoyed the footy on TV, when they were off duty. To become a police officer Chad had to have been physically fit. He was taught the latest in crime solving technology,when he studied for his Associate Degree in Policing Practice. Like all new recruits, Angel's son attended physical fitness and psychometric assessments. In the first year of being a graduate, Chad performed general policing duties as a Probationary Constable, working with experienced police officers. These duties included domestic situations, motor vehicle accidents, armed robberies and assaults.
Angel went through the same process. She had a degree in criminology and had done law enforcement training. Angel had years of experience as a police officer before she could become a chief inspector. She now had to oversee all the operations.
Another body was found in the early hours of the morning.
A young woman in her 20's, killed with a single bullet. From a Glock.
That concerned Angel.
Angel and Mason arrived on the crime scene at dawn.
"Will we have breakfast in bed, honey, CI?"
"No jokes, Mason."
Angel walked around the perimeter of the area that had been secured with tape.
"The same modus operandi as the first."
"Indeed."
"Body in bloodied sheet. Expensive brand, I might add. Must be using a silencer or suppressor on the Glock. The device has a spring loaded metal wedge that snaps into the slot in the gun's barrel, when the silencer is pushed onto it."
"You know your guns!"
"Thanks, Mason. I should."
"It is one of us, isn't it?"
"Looks that way, Mason."
The body was removed and the crime scene cleaned up. It is often too traumatic for the family members to clean up, after the investigators and the medical examiner are finished.
So a special company does the clean ups or Crime and Trauma Scene Decontamination, as it is sometimes referred to.
The bio-technicians employed were certified, psychologically stable, and physically fit. They had to be respectful when it came to the families of the victims.
Angel made a psychological profile of the killer in her mind. She calculated that it would probably be a male, Caucasian, 25-30 years of age. Killers murder for the thrill. Their man could have bipolar disorder and resent the world or even a loner shunning society, as they feel they don't fit in anywhere. On the other hand it could be a loving family man or a normal next door neighbour.
Both murders had been phoned in. Some murderers are sick enough to ring the police themselves.
"Psychologically this person feels no remorse and is very selfish. They feel powerful. We are dealing with a very dangerous character," Angel told Mason.
Angel had no witnesses yet.
Then another body was found in another park.
A man who was coming home from a party saw a hooded man dump the body. He quickly hid in the bushes, but got a good look at the man.
Angel needed this break through. Now they had to find a serial killer.
Same kind of gun.
Why dump bodies for them to find easily? Did the killer want to be discovered?
Was this a cry for help?
Daniel Crawley went to the police station to make a statement. He was breathalyzed and had a lie detector test or polygraph taken.
He passed both tests. He agreed to aid police. A police identikit image or face composite of the man was made using the information they received from their only eye witness. It would help their investigation immensely.
Angel was pleased.
The picture of the killer would be widely distributed. It had to jog someone's memory.
Angel enjoyed a few days off.
"Do you think that the photo looks a bit like Chad, Angel?"
"What kind of a joke is that?"
"I am not joking. I am serious."
"You are saying that my son is the murderer?"
"No, I am just stating a fact."
"I have to admit. There is a slight resemblance. Chad rang me from home around about the time that the last murder was committed. I could hear the TV and his blender. It is very loud."
"He's healthy."
"Yes."
"It's not him, Angel. Don't give it another thought."
"I will talk to him."
In the morning, Angel went to her son's house.
"Chad?"
"Here, Mum."
Chad had what looked like scratches on his face.
"I trimmed the rose bushes at last."
"Not a good look, son, take a look at this."
"What is it, Mum?"
"So, what am I looking at?"
"Do you think it looks like you?"
"A bit around the eyes and the hair colour."
"It's the killer."
"It is not me, Mum."
"Don't get upset, Chad."
"I am calm."
"I am not accusing you of anything."
"Don't come in here and throw this rubbish at me, Mum."
"I am not, Chad."
"You are!"
"I am leaving now, son."
"Don't come back until you apologise!"
Angel was shaking when she arrived home. Mason hugged her.
"He wasn't the Chad I know."
"He has been doing double shifts."
"Yes, that is it. He wants to travel soon."
"Let's sleep now, my love."
Lying in Mason's arms made Angel feel at peace. But her dreams were disturbing.
She dreamed that she was the woman in the blood stained sheet and Chad was standing over her with a gun pointed at her head.
She woke screaming.
Mason made them tea.
"It is not Chad!"
"We should take him in for questioning. You can't attend."
"I will be listening from outside the room."
"We have a search warrant, Chad"
Chad had to be forcefully removed from his place of residence.
His gun was taken for evidence.
"You can't arrest me! I want my lawyer."
Chad was brought to the police station and Angel was kept away from him.
"Where is my mother?"
"She will be here later, Chad."
"I am innocent, Mason."
"This is just normal procedure, Chad. If you are not guilty, then you have nothing to fear. We found these pills in your house. Are they yours?"
"Yes, why?"
"They are very strong sedatives. It seems as though you have been to several doctors for this medication. That is a very dangerous and irresponsible act on your part, Chad."
I need them to sleep."
"Are you addicted to them?"
"No."
"Also we found these as well in your abode. Hidden in your closet. They are usually prescribed for bipolar disorder."
"Are they?"
"Yes, Chad. A few months ago a pharmacy was broken into and a huge amount of these tablets were stolen."
"Now you are calling me a thief and a murderer!"
"Have you bipolar disorder?"
"I don't know."
"Have you seen a physician?"
"No. I had pain from my dental work. A friend gave them to me."
"What has happened to you?'
"I am still the same Chad."
"Are you? As a police officer, you should know better."
"Where is Mum?"
Angel entered the room.
"Mum, let me go, please."
"This is just routine, son. Nothing to be upset about."
"I can handle the pills, Mum."
"That's what all addicts say, Chad." Mason said.
"We want you to see the police doctor for assessment, Chad."
"I will do it for you, Mum."
"Good boy."
"He has bipolar disorder. Manic depressive. Angel." Dr. Arnold Parker told her.
"He has always been moody, doctor. Could he be the killer?"
"I can not say for sure."
"Thank you."
"Mum, I am fine. I want to go home now. Where is my gun?"
"Chad, you are under investigation. You will be on leave with full pay."
"Can I go home?"
"Yes, you may."
"Mum, will you come and visit me?"
"Yes, son. I will."
"Mason, I want Chad watched at all times. He might try and harm himself."
A police woman had volunteered to act as a decoy. It was very dangerous, if Chad was the killer or if someone else was responsible for the murders.
But doing police work meant being prepared for undercover assignments.
Sherry Gingers was fully trained in this area.
Chad was under 24 hour and 7 days surveillance. Angel didn't really want to do this to her son, but under the circumstances it was in his best interest and for all of the people around him as well.
Sherry Gingers moved into the vacant house next to Chad Powers. Unbeknown to Chad, she was the undercover policewoman planted by his mother.
The police had paid the owners handsomely and had even provided them with a brand new home in the same area.
"It must be hard for you, Angel," Mason commented, as he rubbed her tired shoulders.
"Yes, it is, but I am a strong woman."
"You are indeed."
They slept in each other's arms.
When Everett had died, Mason had been the one who comforted Angel and Chad. He had been a friend for years.
Angel wasn't ready for another relationship at first. Neither was Mason. He'd had a bad experience with his lady of 20 years.
They started out as friends and became very close.
Mason moved in with Angel. It had worked out perfectly for them both. They were still young to enjoy love and life.
Chad saw Sherry by the pool and was hooked.
She invited him over for a swim. He took his pills. Sherry offered him a non alcoholic beverage.
"I'm not good enough for your booze?"
"I don't drink."
"What do you do for a job?"
"I am a social worker at the hospital."
"You look after mental patients?"
"They are not mental. Just confused and needing guidance, Chad."
Sherry was wearing a concealed wire. She hoped he would behave.
They sat by the pool for a while.
Sherry covered her swimsuit with a sarong.
"Let's eat, Chad."
"Good idea."
"I will heat up the grill."
"Steak, onions and salad for you. Fish and salad for me. Roasted vegetables?"
"Anything thank you."
They ate their meal.
The pills calmed him. He was actually enjoying himself.
"How about a little fun, Sherry?"
"What kind of fun?"
"Men and women kind of fun."
"Sorry, I hardly know you, Chad."
The police were ready to swoop.
"That's your prerogative."
He ran at her. Sherry screamed. Chad grabbed her and threw her to the ground.
"You are a tease. Women need to be taught a lesson in manners."
Before she could answer him, he'd produced a gun.
Sherry rolled away and jumped up.
She turned her body sideways, away from him and Chad thought that she was off balance. Raising her leg high and bending her foot so that the curve of her instep was parallel to the floor, Sherry struck Chad with a sweeping motion of a Roundhouse Instep Kick. Right on target. Chad cried out in pain.
The gun went flying. Sherry drew her own Glock.
"Why did you do that? Do you know where you kicked me?"
"Yes, indeed I do. You deserved it."
The police officers stormed the place.
"What the heck?"
Angel and Mason arrived in their police car.
"You are a police officer! Mum did you know that Sherry was one of us?"
"I did."
"I will never forgive you. You'd better watch your back."
"Your house was searched again. Dried blood stains were found on the carpet of your room, Chad. The DNA from that blood matched Miss Hastings type."
"You are under arrest for the murder of Carmen Hasting. You have the right to remain silent. If you give up this right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to seek representation, if you can't afford a lawyer one will be appointed to you. You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defense, if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand these Miranda rights?"
"Yes," Chad answered in a shaky voice, that Angel didn't recognise as her son.
Angel stepped forwards. Mason held her arm.
"It will be alright, son."
Chad was led away.
"His attorney might decide to advice Chad that he is not responsible for his actions and plead not guilty by reason of insanity, for a lesser offense of manslaughter, Angel."
"Chad is not insane. He might use diminished capacity as his defense. The judge should accept drug intoxication as a mitigating factor, if it is presented convincingly. The sentence might be more lenient. The court will take everything into account."
"This circumstance of his drug taking will not exonerate Chad, but will reduce the penalty associated with the crime that he committed."
"Whatever the sentence is that the court hands down, Chad will get the professional help he obviously needs."
Chad was taken to hospital for assessment to test his capacity for facing court for the murder.
In a closed court, Chad's lawyer, Preston Noble, asked Dr. William Viner to take the stand.
"Put your right hand on the Bible. Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God."
"I do."
"State your name."
"I am William. S. Viner, the psychiatrist who examined Chad and did specific tests to determine the state of Chad Power's mind."
"What did you find and what are your conclusions?"
"On observing Chad, receiving the data from specific psychological tests and reading about the patient's social and biographical information, I can say that he has bipolar disorder, which has already been established. This might enable him to legally plead diminished capacity."
"Thank you, Dr. William Viner for giving us a forensic psychiatric assessment, or psychological screening. This will also be used as a risk assessment, to assess the risk of Chad re offending and committing any further violent offenses."
The judge wanted to question the star witness, Daniel Crawley.
He was brought into the courtroom. After swearing on the Bible he took the stand.
"Please state your name."
"Daniel Crawley,your honour."
"You were a witness to the body being dumped?"
"Yes, sir."
"What were you doing in the park?"
"As I told the police officer at the station, when I went to make a statement, I was coming home form a party. I observed the young man dumping a body."
"Isn't it dangerous to walk through that part of town at night?"
"Yes, your honour. But it is easier for me, as I live across the road from the park. So I go through the park instead of around the perimeter."
"I see. Wasn't it dark?"
"Yes, but I could see his face clearly from the street light and it was a full moon that night."
"Did he see you?"
"He did look in my direction. That is when the hood of his jacket slipped slightly and I was able to get a good look at his profile."
"Very good, young man. Do you see the murderer in this court room?"
"Yes, your honour," the witness, pointing to Chad Powers."
"He is lying, Mum!" cried Chad.
The judge Mallory Beaman, thought it best that Chad do his time in a prison hospital.
"Chad will be well cared for."
Angel went to see her son."
"Are you comfortable?"
"Yes, Mum. I am sorry for letting you down."
"You are not well."
"I didn't mean to hurt anyone, Mum."
"I believe you."
"Will I need medication all of my life?"
"Yes, Chad."
Angel went home to Mason.
"Try not to worry about Chad, Angel."
"At least the city can rest now. No more murders. The papers are having a field day. Son of chief inspector charged with murders."
"The hype will die down, Angel"
Life returned to normal for Angel. She was overloaded with cases.
"Let's go to Venice, Angel"
"I can't just take off."
"Why?"
"We need a break."
"Chad will feel as if I have abandoned him. I need to go every day."
"Just for a weekend in the country."
"Alright, Mason."
They arrived at the hotel.
"Let's enjoy the spa, honey."
They spent hours relaxing in the warm inviting water.
Dinner was romantic and wonderful.
Angel had needed this so much.
They arrived home. The phone was ringing insistently.
"Ms. Powers, we have been trying to reach you urgently."
Mason heard Angel's cry. He rushed into the room.
The phone was ringing again.
"Hello, hello. Are you there?"
Mason picked up the receiver.
"Yes, hello. This is Inspector Mason Steele."
"I am sorry to inform you that Chad Powers took his own life last night."
"I see. Thank you for the call. I will come and have the body removed for burial immediately.
"Angel, sit down, my darling."
"That is my punishment. I was so selfish to go away. Chad needed me."
"Angel, you can't blame anyone. Chad was a sick man."
"You are right, Mason. What would I do without you?"
"You will never have to."
Angel took the relaxing medicine that the Dr. prescribed. She didn't want to take anything, but she was thankful to Mason for insisting.
Angel woke up. as Mason touched her gently.
"A young woman was found murdered and left in the park in a blood stained sheet."
"I wish I was dreaming, Mason."
They drove to the crime scene.
"Probably a copycat murder."
The body was ready to be moved to the morgue.
"Poor woman."
"Yes, it is a shame."
"We have clear fingerprints, Angel."
(Fingerprints are the traces of an impression from the friction ridges, that are left behind on a surface by the natural secretions of sweat from the Eccrine glands.)
"Check them against the exemplar prints, or known prints, that we have on file." Fingerprint identification, known as Dactyloscopy, is the process of comparing two instances of friction ridge skin impressions. Everyone's fingerprint is unique. God is very wise."
"They belong to a known criminal Samuel "Killer" Brown. He was just released from prison."
"Put out an all-points bulletin (APB), Mason."
"Will do, CI."
"He'll be back behind bars soon."
Brown was located and arrested, much to Angel's relief.
The victim turned out to be his ex wife, who he'd threatened from his jail cell many times.
"Why didn't she ask for protection for herself and children?"
"I don't know, Angel."
"The children are now with their grandparents. Well, that wraps up the case once and for all."
"Let's go to Venice, Angel."
"We can go now."
They boarded the plane.
Venice welcomed them. They booked into the hotel overlooking the canal.
A gondola ride at sunset.
"Well, Angel. Are you happy?"
"Yes, I am, Mason."
"Good, I aim to please, my lady."
"So gallant a gentleman you are."
They retired for the night.
The next few days were full of fun and no murders.
Angel and Mason returned to the city.
The couple visited the cemetery. They stood together looking down at the place where Everett and Chad were laid to rest. Angel put fresh flowers in the vases.
"Thank you for being here with me, Mason."
Angel's pager went off.
"Leave it. By the way, there is no other place I'd rather be, Angel. You taught me to love and trust again. Angel smiled at the face of the man she loved."
"Hard on the outside and soft as a teddy bear inside, Mr. Steele."
"We make an excellent team, Angel Powers."
"We do indeed. Time to save the city," laughed Angel.
They linked arms and walked back to the car.
"Your turn to cook dinner tonight, CI."
"I cook every night, I."
Mason turned to Angel and kissed her.
They reached the vehicle and drove to the station.
Angel Powers was happy and blessed with her life at that very moment.
Angel had been lucky to have the job she loved to do and as an extra special bonus, she'd met Mason.
God was in heaven looking down on her and she felt He had sent His angels to protect her. What more could she need?
Nothing.
