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#Jim Cowie Single
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The Rose Slayer by Stephen Bentley
Six murders. Two detectives. More than four million LA residents. “That’s a hell of a lot of suspects,” Bill Pawson said. His partner, Sean Wells shrugged.
Pawson and Wells, Detectives First Class of LAPD Robbery Homicide Squad, had been working this homicide case for the past three years. It was cases rather than a case. It was clear to them, their Captain, the Chief of Detectives, the media, and the public there was a serial killer at large in Los Angeles. What wasn’t clear was the identity of the killer. The cops had no clue as to who it was or why.
The modus operandi told them it was the work of one person: all middle-aged female victims; all single or divorced, lived alone, only had a cat or cats as a pet, no dogs, and no kids.
All the vics’ homes’ rear windows jimmied, night-time entry believed to be between three to four in the early hours; cause of death identical in all cases: a .22 slug in the brain fired at not more than two-feet away, using a pillow to muffle the sound. A rose left on or next to the vics’ bodies. A single red rose the first time. Two roses on the second vic. Yeah, you got it – six roses on the sixth victim. The media called the perp, ‘The Rose Slayer.’
The crime scenes yielded no clues. No prints, no fibres, no DNA. No witnesses. Nothing. Nada. Before you ask: no, have you any idea how many florists there are in and around LA? Not to mention rose growers.
Casts were taken of the jimmie marks on the window frames and preserved in the evidence store. They were as useful as an Eskimo’s refrigerator. Without the bar used to force entry there was nothing for the CSI lab to compare.
Sure, there were the slugs recovered during the autopsies. They were all from the same weapon but where was that gun? Detective work is easy once you have the perp’s identity, search his place, find the bar and gun. He can lawyer up as much as he wants. The DA will have a field day in court. Juries love CSI.
“Hey Sean!” Pawson shouted, “wanna beer or three before we knock it off for the weekend?” The robbery homicide squad room was full of detectives’ noisy banter about the Lakers. Wells called back over the hubbub, “Yeah, sure thing. Just give me two minutes, will ya?”
Pawson impatient and sighing, pulled his Glock .45 and holster from a desk drawer, secured them to his waist belt and threw his jacket over one shoulder ready to leave. Moving his shield clipped to his shirt breast pocket, to his belt, he muttered under his breath. His partner had taken a new incoming call.
Wells listened while holding his free hand ramrod in the air. Pawson recognized that was a signal to wait. Over the next thirty seconds, they both realized the weekend was cancelled.
“Wait up,” Pawson heard Wells say as he listened to one side of the conversation.
“.22, okay, yeah could be.”
“Point blank in the head. Pillow?”
“Yeah sounds like our perp. Waddya mean, different?”
“Okay, be there ASAP. Depends on the freeway traffic.”
Wells grabbed his gun, holstered it, and threw on his jacket.
“What’s with the ‘different’?” Pawson said.
“He wouldn’t say. Just said, ‘you can see for yourself.’”
***
An Echo Park side street was the location of the single-storey home of Mary O’ Connell, a divorced woman aged forty-five years. The crime scene tape in place when Detectives Pawson and Wells rang the front door bell. A twenty-two-year uniformed veteran, Jim Cowie, opened the door. “Holy Moly, what brings Laurel and Hardy out here? Not seen you two for years.”
“Knock it off, Jim.” Pawson said.
“Please yourself,” Cowie snapped, “but let me tell ya this - when I saw the bouquet of 7 roses, I knew exactly who had murdered Mrs. O'Connell."
“What! Who?” Wells said and immediately regretted it.
“The Rose Slayer, is who.” Cowie guffawed.
“Go fuck yourself,” Wells said.
“Charming.”
Ignoring the uniform cop, the detectives walked through to the bedroom. They had witnessed a similar crime scene on six previous occasions. The ME spoke, “Thought it’d be you two. You got a seventh vic now but there’s a difference.”
Mike Nakamura, the ME, pointed at the corpse on the bed, “Looks like a .22 entry wound here. No exit as usual. I’ll dig it out for comparison later. And, there’s the pillow used to muffle the noise.”
Pawson moved over to the other side of the bed taking in her face and front of her body. “Holy crap!” Pawson said, “she has no fingers.”
“That’s what’s different. I was about to tell you,” Nakamura said, “if you look at her mouth, the perp cut them off and stuffed them down her throat.”
“Sick fuck!” Wells said.
“Time of death, detectives, was about three this morning. Three a.m.”
The phone on the bedside table rang. Wells picked up on the second ring. “Hello. Who’s this?”
“Uh huh. Uh huh. I see. Okay. Thanks,” he said before hanging up.
“Her boss. He called it in when she didn’t show for work this morning. Cowie caught the despatch and found the back window forced.” Wells said. He added, “the thing is, her boss asked us to check if her laptop is on the kitchen table.”
“What for?” Pawson asked.
“He says there’s a load of commercially sensitive info on it.”  
“Cowie!” Pawson yelled. “Go check the kitchen. Find me a laptop and bring it here. Put some gloves on though, won’tcha?”
There was no laptop in the kitchen or anywhere else. It had gone.
***
Captain Charlie Hills called a case conference for first thing Monday morning at the Robbery Homicide Squad’s downtown HQ office.
“Any of these other vics have laptops missing?” Hills said.
“No way of knowing. We can’t trace family or friends for any of them. Co-workers either said ‘yes, they had one, but, no, they hadn’t got a clue if it was missing or sorry, don’t know.’” Pawson said.
Hills said, “I’m sure this is the key to cracking this case wide open. Think. Let’s assume they all had something in common. Something that would be revealed in emails or on a website, even Facebook.”
“We don’t have the smartphones, laptops or any devices of these vics.” Wells said.
“No, but we have their details. Let’s get on to the service providers – the internet and telephone companies, and email providers. Check with them. I’ll get the DA on to it now. We’ll need subpoenas.”
***
Captain Hills pulled some strings in arranging for twenty academy recruits to scour through voluminous records provided under subpoena. It took them five days working fifteen hours every day to make the breakthrough.
He wrote down the essential piece of information, before summoning Pawson and Wells to his office.
“Here it is,” he said as he waved a sheet of paper in the air, “GreatReads.com!”
Pawson and Wells looked at each other, baffled. “So?” They said in unison.
“So, you go get a warrant right now. We got the “Rose Slayer.”
***
The front door of the apartment crashed inwards. Detectives Pawson and Wells shouted in unison, “Police! Robbery Homicide LAPD!” Fanning out, Glocks drawn, they both entered the first room off the small hall. The door was open.
A man, about thirty-five years’ old, swivelled on an office chair to face them. His hands left the computer keyboard as he raised them in surrender. “Don’t shoot,” Tommy Queen said.
“Where’s the piece?” Wells said.
“There. In the second drawer,” Queen said pointing at his desk drawer.
As Wells gave him his Miranda rights, Pawson pointed at the computer screen and asked, “What’s that?”
“My latest novel.”
“You’re a writer?”
“Yes.”
“On Greatreads?” Wells asked.
“No that’s just a place for authors and readers to hang. Readers leave reviews there.”
“Readers like Mary O’ Connell?”
“Yup.”
“So, tell me, Tommy. Why did you kill her?” Pawson said.
“I’m sure you’ll find out anyways. She trashed one of my books. Gave it a one-star review.”
“Why chop off her fingers?” Wells said.
“She refused to apologize.”
“For what?”
“For writing such lies about my book.”
“Are you saying all the others apologized before you shot them dead?”
“I am. They died happy, detective. Believe me. I saw them smile after I asked them to say sorry.”
“Sonofabitch,” Wells said.
“Enough, Sean, enough. Tommy Queen. I’m arresting you for the first-degree homicide of Mary O’Connell and six other of your victims. Do you understand?”
“Yes. I do. I am a good writer and now I’ll be famous. They were all liars, I hope you know that.”
As Wells snapped the handcuffs on Queen’s wrists, he noticed a single red rose in a vase on the writer’s desk. “Who’s that for?”
“Number thirty. There were way more than seven bad reviews. Detectives, you need to check my frequent flyer points.”
©2019 Stephen Bentley All Rights Reserved
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johnsimon · 5 years
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Lyme disease is an illness caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick. The disease has been reported in all 50 states and more than 80 countries. All ages are affected, but children aged 3-14 are most at risk, with 200 new cases every day. Early diagnosis and treatment are the keys to combating the disease. The Global Lyme Alliance (GLA) is also helping combat the disease with their annual New York City Gala. This year’s ceremony was hosted by FOX 5 Good Day New York co-anchor, Lori Stokes, at Cipriani 42nd Street. The gala raised over $2 million. The money supports the GLA’s mission to advance scientific research leading to a reliable diagnostic test, improved treatment options, and ultimately, find a cure for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Ramona Singer and Erin Walker were honored at the gala while the audience was treated to a show-stopping performance by Tony Award-winning Broadway and television star Sutton Foster.
Erin and Ramona both addressed the crowd in emotional testimonies of their experiences with Lyme and their dedication to raising awareness for finding a cure for this insidious disease. Jimmy Walker spoke to the crowd by way of video, thanking GLA and congratulating Erin. Singer Avril Lavigne recorded a special video message for the crowd, which was shown, announcing that she has officially accepted the invitation to join GLA’s Board of Directors, as well as details of the new strategic partnership between The Avril Lavigne Foundation and GLA. Avril’s new single, “Head Above Water,” is about her personal struggle with Lyme disease. Other evening highlights included a surprise performance by the Big Apple Circus and a menu inspired by Drew Nieporent of Myriad Restaurant Group, with sushi courtesy of Nobu.
The GLA gala was produced by co-chair and celebrated event producer Larry Scott of Lawrence Scott Events, who donated his event planning and design services towards the Global Lyme Alliance’s New York Gala for the fourth consecutive year. Showcasing his unique commitment to philanthropic causes, the spectacular and one-of-a-kind gala was an evening to remember for invited celebrities, business leaders, and top scientists alike. When asked about the inspiration for this year’s decor, Scott told us, “I went for more of a natural look, so you will find topiary and ferns mixed with lantern and tree lamps. The combination gives it more of earthy and glamorous look.” Scott also shared some holiday tips, saying, “The holidays to me are always about comfortableness and homeliness, but make it glamorous. Don’t hold back, the economy is great. If you’re making lasagna for two, make it for eight and share”.
Past GLA Gala honoree Yolanda Hadid spoke to guests about her Lyme journey and introduced a short video that illustrates the impact Lyme can have on one’s entire family.
The event was also attended by reality stars, Tinsley Mortimer, Sonja Morgan, Dorinda Medley, Luann de Lesseps, Kat Cunning and actor Chris Jones; philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, health and wellness influencers, Amie Valpone, Jacqueline Sposito, Adrienne Nolan, Jordan Younger, and freestyle soccer player, Skye Cowie.
The Co-Chairs for the event included celebrity event producer, Larry Scott of Lawrence Scott Events, Joseph Abboud, celebrated menswear designer and author; Charles Balducci, co-founder, Snyder/Balducci Group, Merrill Lynch; Chris Corrinet, senior VP, CBRE; Robert Kobre, vice chairman, Credit Suisse; Jarrod Nadel, chief product development officer, Tailored Brands, Inc.; Drew Nieporent, owner, Myriad Restaurant Group; and Peter Norley, COO, Credit Suisse Securities.
Honorary Event Chairs included Jay McInerney, Jim Miller, Mary Beth Pfeiffer, Mike Schneider, Victor Slezak, and Marisol and Rob Thomas from Matchbox Twenty.
Platinum Sponsors included Larry Scott of Lawrence Scott Events, Big Apple Circus, Credit Suisse, Nancy, and Bob Del Genio, David Nolan Foundation, Tailored Brands, and Withersworldwide.
Photos: Getty Images
  Larry Scott Produces the Global Lyme Alliance 4th Annual New York City Gala Lyme disease is an illness caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick.
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graffiti-vibe-blog · 7 years
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Los Angeles-based band, Eleven Dollar Bills have issued the first music video from their upcoming September EP release, "All Our People."
The video for "Waves" was released via VEVO and Youtube on June 27th, 2017.
"Completely impressed with these guys…not a single doubt in my mind that the stunningly accessible sound of Eleven Dollar Bills could go on to be a seriously huge hit with the people out there – this is just damn fine music…no argument could possibly be made otherwise." - Sleeping Bag Studios
Exploding onto the national scene via Los Angeles, meet Eleven Dollar Bills. Led by Berklee College of Music alumnus, the street-smart, Chicago born Jordan Casty, the Bills are cashing in at radio, with "Waves," the first single from their upcoming EP.
Now, Eleven Dollar Bills and Infinite Entertainment are happy to announce the release of the brand new music video for "Waves." Directed by Gordon Cowie and filmed in Los Angeles, the video was released June 27th. The video has already received over 16,000 facebook views, while accumulating more than 1800 likes on the social network. The band is just coming off a packed-house performance at the Viper Room in Los Angeles. Get carried away by "Waves" on VEVO at https://www.vevo.com/watch/QMAXQ1503637 and on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qbhPYTRJQo.
Produced in Los Angeles, by multi-platinum songwriter/guitarist Jim Huff, "Waves" was co-written with BMI Award-winning Danish songwriter, Rune Westberg. Says Casty: "Waves' is a summer jam about having fun at all costs and rolling with whatever life throws at you." So, roll with the tide, hang on tight, and ride the "Waves" with Eleven Dollar Bills...impacting radio and video outlets now!
"Waves" is taken from the forthcoming release, All Our People, scheduled for September 2017 release.
News story provided by MTS Management Group
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