CHAPTER 2.
On the thirtieth anniversary of his father's murder, Anthony sat
in a hotel room in downtown Caesar city,
watching late night TV in the darkness.
Occasionally the room would be lit up by the flashing, blue lights
of police vehicles,
guarding the barricade set up around the body of John Spitter,
the Debudi bank executive Anthony had shot dead two hours earlier.
For Anthony it had been a routine hit both logistically and financially.
He had killed Spitter with a single bullet to the head, strolled
through the
snow to the nearest cash point, tapped in an anonymous pin number,
provided by his client,
Caesar Debudi, the President of Debudi bank, and collected his
fee.
He glanced down at the money on the table and a smile spread across
his dark, boyish face.
His emerald green eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
Real money paid by a real arsehole, he thought, running his hand
over his cropped, grey hair.
Just how I like it. He picked up the bottle of mineral water next
to his elbow and sipped it.
I'm so grateful I never get to meet these people face to face,
he thought.
Doin business anonymously has a lot goin for it.
Not that any of them would ever wish to meet me anyway.
The last thing they want is to become acquainted with the guy
who'se gonna do their dirty work
for them.
Sadly this cosy little arrangement is about to come to an end.He
checked his watch.
Time to watch Citytalk and see what Larry Feildman has to say
about tonight's killing, he thought.
He switched channels.
"Good evening on this very cold night," said the smiling,
sun tanned, be-suited host.
"I'm Larry Feildman and this CityTalk.
"He looked into another camera and the smile had been replaced
by a sober frown.
"I would've liked to come on tonight's show and thawed you
all out with stories
of compassion and humanity," said Feildman gravely.
"Sadly that is not to be so. Many of you will have already
heard about the tragic murder of
another Debudi bank executive.
According to police reports, chief executive, John Spitter was
fatally shot in the head outside
Debudi bank tower as he stepped into his car at eight this evening.
So far there have been no witness' to the murder and police are
urging anyone with information to come forward.
If you do know anything and for whatever reason would rather not
speak to the police,
you can phone us here at the studio on 4004000 and we'll pass
on the information without any questions.
And remember, all calls are free!"
Feildman turned to another camera.
"So here we are again, reporting yet another murder in the
business district of Caesar city.
As a result of this evening's brutal killing of a very talented
young man, the city's bastion of civility has been shaken to its
roots once again.
In light of this latest tragedy, people are asking what hope there
is for the rest of the city, when a place where crime was practically
non-existent, suddenly explodes with violence?
On tonight's show we won't be adding to the flood of speculation
surrounding the terrible murders of John Spitter and his four
colleges.
Instead we'll be focusing on the police's investigation process
and the criticisms it's received from people living in the city's
neighbourhood of Magnolia Heights.
They claim, rather indelicately I grant you considering the circumstances,
that there's a first and second class response to murders by the
police department. According to their assertion, first class involves
a whole department of detectives working around the clock to bring
to justice, the killer or killers of the murdered Debudi bank
employees. While second class allocates or rather doesn't allocate,
a junior detective to deal with the murders happening daily in
Magnolia Heights. Is this criticism justified or is it just the
ranting of a politically motivated minority with a grudge against
the police department and the city?"
The camera panned to a wider view and revealed three men sitting
behind Feildman.
"With me in the studio to discuss this issue," continued
Feildman. "Is chief of police, Elliot Randle. Bishop Cark
of the city's magnificent, Bronze jewel cathedral and Caesar Debudi,
President of Debudi bank and of course president of this great
city of ours."
The camera showed a muscular, crisply turned out, black police
officer in his late fifties, followed by a gangly, white bishop
with a benevolent, red, alcohol blotched face and thin lipped
mouth, through which a vivid purple tongue slightly protruded.
Lastly the camera showed a stocky, white, business executive with
intense, dark blue eyes and a rugged, stern face.The camera returned
to a solo shot of Feildman.
"But before we hear from our guests," he said. "I'd
like you, the viewers, to phone us here at the Citytalk studio
on 4004000 and vote on the following proposition.
It should be appearing on your screens now. Yes, there it is.
And the proposition is:
The city's police department provides a great service to all citizens.
So get calling right away. What you think counts!"
The camera once again panned to a wider angle and brought the
three guests into shot with Feildman.
"I'll begin tonight's discussion by putting the proposition
to you Chief Randle," said Feildman. "Does the police
department provide a great service to all citizens?"
"Yes, I'm proud to say we do," said Randle unequivocally.
"I can assure those people living in Magnolia Heights, that
we're very serious about catching the perpetrators of any crime,
anywhere. Although I must say, our attempts to fulfil this commitment
in Magnolia Heights is regularly hampered by a lack of witness'.
Unfortunately most people are too scared to come forward because
they fear reprisals from local gangs. That's why I'm constantly
asking for more officers to be deployed in the area. Once we smash
the hold of the gangs in Magnolia Heights, the murders will dry
up over night."
Feildman nodded agreeably.
"So you're saying the reason you're unable to solve Magnolia
Height's crime problem, isn't because the police department has
a two tear investigative process, but because local residents
fear the gangs so much, they're reluctant to come forward with
information."
"Yes, unfortunately that's correct," confirmed Randle.
"Thankyou Chief Randle," said Feildman. "I'll come
back to you later,"
He pressing his fingers into a thoughtful pose and turned to Caesar
Debudi. "Now I'd like to come to you President Debudi if
I may. Is there a perception in the business community that the
police department is giving preferential treatment to your murdered
colleges?"
"No!" said Debudi, scowling. "I've seen no evidence
of the police giving preferential treatment to the cases of the
five murdered bankers."
He checked himself and a tense smile replaced the scowl. He continued
in a more conciliatory tone.
"I think what we're experiencing is a lot of media and pubic
interest around these cases because the people involved held such
high profile positions within the community. Naturally it follows
that a whole range of issues will be explored, such as the terrible
problems occurring in Magnolia Heights. You see the murders of
the five bankers allows for a forum, in a way which perhaps a
murder in Magnolia Heights regrettably would not. I'd also like
to say that long before the murders of my colleges took place,
Debudi bank's executives donated a great deal of money to Magnolia
Heights for improved street lighting and other anti crime measures,
such as CCTV and neighbourhood watch schemes. I'm also proud to
announce that Debudi bank is setting up yet another fund to provide
money for extra officers to patrol Magnolia Heights. This fund
will allow the police to continue the great tradition of professionalism
they've always shown in the neighbourhood of Magnolia Heights
and Caesar city as a whole."
"Thankyou for that revealing insight mister Debudi,"
said Feildman.
He turned to Bishop Cark.
"Now I'll come to you Bishop Cark," he said. "You're
well known for your good work in Magnolia Heights. I know many
of your priests have set up youth clubs and extra curricula education
for the kids there, and of course raised large sums of money for
better housing and drug rehabilitation programmes. Considering
you know the community so well, would you agree the police are
a little too slow to act when someone is murdered in Magnolia
Heights?"
"Beflore I answer thle qulestion," said Cark, speaking
through his protruding tongue. "I'd like tlo slend out my
clondolences to tlhe family of Mister Splitter. You have our prayers
and deepest slympathies. Ilf any of ylou would like to talk with
me or any member of my sltaff, we'd be more than happy to receive
you at the cathedral. Now to your question Mister Feildman. I
believe the city's police department does provide a falir and
balanced investigative service in Mlagnolia Heights. I also blelieve
thle glood people of the area are doing their blest to help thle
police whlenever they're called upon to do so. Only a flew days
ago, on a vilsit to a St Lukes in Magnolia Heights, I was beilng
told by residents that tlhey have all the information the police
needs to catch local criminals. All thley relquire is for the
plolice to listen."
"Thank you Bishop Cark," said Feildman, turning to another
camera.
"Now we've heard what tonight's guests have to say.
Let's find out what you the viewers think, by joining Delores
Del, Debudi bank's Operations chief executive and her two researchers
Dick and Ed."
The camera switched to a tall, sophisticated, middle aged, black
woman standing behind two fresh faced graduates, working at laptop
computers.
"Thank you Larry," smiled Delores. "So far this
evening we've received over ten thousand calls, with a third of
those calls from Magnolia Heights.
Out of that number, 87% have answered YES to the proposition,
with the remaining 13% voting NO."
The camera switched back to Feildman.
"Thank you Delores. Now we're going to take a break. On the
other side, we'll be continuing our discussions and taking your
calls live.
So don't go away."Anthony switched off the TV and lit a cigarette.
I think it's time I did my duty as a good citizen and called Feildman,
he thought.
I'm sure he'll be pleased to hear some anonymous information about
the murder of John Spitter.
He dialled Feildman's mobile phone.
"Hallo!" Said Feildman.
"Good evening Mister Feildman," said Anthony. "I've
got some information about the murder of John Spitter for you.
Are you interested?"
"Yes, I'm very interested."
"Does your interest stretch to meeting me alone and at the
place of my choice?"
"Of course."
"Then meet me at St Lukes church in the centre of Magnolia
Heights at midnight."
"No problem," said Feildman. "How would you feel
about me bringing along a video camera?"
"I don't have a problem with that," said Anthony. "All
I ask is that you come alone."
"There won't be anyone with me," Feildman assured him.
"How will I identify you?"
"I'll be the only one in the church," said Anthony.
"I don't mean to be rude," said Feildman. " But
churches are public places and anyone could
walk in on us."
"Don't worry. I'll be the only one around."
He cut the connection and left for St Lukes church.