Date: Tue, 13 Feb 1996 20:38:50 -0500 Reply-To: LNagy10434@AOL.COM Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: "Lawrence E. Nagy" Subject: THE JOURNEY OF JEREMY KELLER 2/? Following is the next part of my Highlander Universe Story. It follows new chacters, but may meet up with familiar chacters in the future. This is a work in progress, any and all discussion, comments and critique are most welcome and appretiated. Enjoy Larry lnagy10434@aol.com THE JOURNEY OF JEREMY KELLER "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday" Part 2 The circle of police cars in the mall parking lot grew quickly. Agent Ropper was the newest arrival. Her car was a plain brown sedan and she glided slowly into the circle. Around her local officials continued to race up to the scene with sirens blaring and tires sliding on the damp black top. Agent Anita Ropper approached the circle of yellow tape and flashed her badge and ID to an officer. He looked at the credentials then called his captain over. "Anita," Captain Jonathan Weller said as soon as he saw her. "To what do we owe the honor of your company?" Agent Ropper ducked under the tape then looked up at the captain. "Probably the same thing that pulled you out of bed this miserable morning." "And what might that be?" Ropper pointed her gloved hand at the sword laying in the goo of blood that surrounded the covered body. "Perhaps we both see a connection to other similar situations." "Perhaps," Weller answered "but we're both out of luck, this one wasn't beheaded, like the rest." "Really?" she pushed through the circle of people around the body "what was the cause of death?" she then motioned for someone to move the cover. The man tending the body hesitated but the captain nodded his compliance. The canvas was lifted briefly giving Anita a complete view of the body. She swallowed hard but did not turn away. "Cause of death is very similar." Anita said after turning back to the captain. "It still may be worth investigating. Its not like swords are all that common in twentieth century America. Do you have an I.D. on him yet?" "Not yet, but we do have this." Weller motioned to an officer who produced a small plastic evidence bag. In it on a gold chain was a small high school class ring that read "NorthVille High" on one side and '97 on the other. On the inside was the name "Julie Coyle" "Have you found her yet." "Our men should be at the school now." Weller then checked his watch classes don't begin for half an hour. I assume your on way over there now?" "Of course." "I'll give my lead detective a call and tell him your coming." "Thanks." As Agent Ropper turned to leave Captain Weller spoke up "Anita." "Yes." "About that incident last year...." "Don't worry about it Jack, I knew you were only doing the political side of your job." Anita retreated quickly before he could rehash the disagreement anymore. Julie Coyle was a stereotypical teenager. Long curly blond hair, too much make up and a short skirt. She said that the boy's name was Greg Newbury and they were planning to get married as soon as he finished college in five years. The girl was extremely upset to hear about Greg's death but somehow didn't seem surprised. It also turned out that Greg was an emancipated teenager, his parents had been killed in an auto accident not long before Julie met him and now he lived on his own. Julie was too distraught to tell the investigators were Greg lived, it turned out she didn't know the address, just how to get there. The school of course had the address and all were soon on their way. The house was small in a middle class neighbor hood. As expected, no one answered their knocks so let themselves in. The house was clean and sparsely furnished. A few cheap paintings hung on the walls and no knick knacks occupied and table space. The bedroom was very richly and tastefully furnished. "Well I guess this is where he spent most of his time." Agent Ropper said to herself. "Are you surprised, Agent Ropper?" Detective Ficsher said from behind her. Detective Ficsher was a heavy man in his late forties or early fifties. He had short graying hair except for the bit he kept long to comb over his widening bald spot. An unlit cigarette constantly dangled from the man's lips, but Anita had never seen him light it. "Not at all, Detective. In fact, I would have been surprised if we had found a standard teenager's room with a single twin bed." She stepped in to the room looking around but not touching anything. "Hello, what's this?" She carefully picked up an envelope from the motor vehicle department. It was the receipt for the registration of a 1994 Cammero Z28. Was there a Camero at the crime scene. She asked knowing the answer but wanting to double check. "No ma'am." Ficsher replied. Agent Ropper handed the detective the envelope. He immediately gave it to a uniform and issued some orders. "There just isn't enough stuff." Anita said as she continued her slow pace through the house. "Nothing in storage, no boxes no filled closets, the basement is nearly empty." "What are you getting at?" Detective Ficsher asked as he made his own observations in her wake. "Where is the rest of his stuff? Where are the memories the pictures of parents and friends? Where are the school books and old papers? This looks like a very sterilized movie set. There's no life here." Ficsher looked around again "Your right, it does look like a front." "That's it, a front. Like he was playing the part of a high school student. I think its time we initiated a very thorough search of Mr. Newbury's background. I'd also like to find out where else he used to spend his time." As she spoke, Agent Ropper pulled a cellular phone out of a coat pocket and dialed up her own people. =========================================================================