The Used Car Salesmen Murder by Maxine Flam, beer Maxine Flam

 

‘Hey Joe?’

‘Yeah.’

‘You still thinking about buying a used car?’

‘Yeah, I need another one. The wife is doing more with the kids. There are ballet lessons for my daughter and softball practice for my son. Even if she offers to carpool with one or two of the other moms, and on other days, I leave my car and you pick me, we can’t make it work.’

‘Where have you looked?’ asked Kelby.

‘Not too many places. A couple of lots near my house.’

‘Have you ever been to Cal Worthington*?’

##

*(a real life Ford auto dealership that advertised from the 1960s through the 1990s in the Los Angeles area. He was very popular with his dog, Spot, which usually wasn’t a dog but a tiger, monkey, elephant, etc. He had a popular jingle. If you need a better car, Go see Cal, It’s the greatest one by far, Go see Cal, Give the car to your wife, She will love you all your life, Go see Cal, Go see Cal, Go see Cal.)

##

‘No, in fact I hadn’t considered going there. And I see his ads all the time at night while watching TV. I still want to compare prices and financing. I really hate buying a used car. I know what I want but those pushy salesmen drive me insane,’ responded Miller.

‘Hey Joe, Bill, can you step into my office?’ said Captain Reno.

Joe Miller and Bill Kelby went their Captain’s office to see what he wanted.

Reno closed the door, looked at Joe, and said, ‘I couldn’t help hear you are considering buying a new car.’

‘Yeah, the wife and I are having problems sharing.’

‘Good because I have a case for the two of you.’

‘What is it?’ asked Kelby.
 

‘Someone is stabbing to death used car salesmen.’

‘Seriously?’ said Miller.

‘Yeah, the first one came in off the wire from San Francisco a week ago. Since it is out of our jurisdiction we didn’t give it a thought. It was at Ralph Williams’ Bayshore Chrysler Plymouth.**

##

 **another true dealership that sold cars and made commercials similar to Cal Worthington. This guy had a German Sheppard named Storm who slept on the hood of the cars while the TV camera rolled.

##

We didn’t link it to the one down here until they put out on the wire that someone appears to be targeting used car salesmen.’

            ‘Any clues?’ asked Kelby.

            ‘No fingerprints, and no copy of a driver’s license, which would be necessary if someone wanted to take a car for a spin. Absolutely nothing. The procedure is to ask for a driver’s license when someone wants to test drive a car but that didn’t happen. So we suspect the guy came in to talk to the salesman. And before a test drive could happen, he stabbed him. I want you to go to car lot and check everything out to see if this is true.’

            ‘Is there any other information you give us?  So he walks around the lot, finds a salesman, and stabs him? Does he make off with a car? If so, does he keep it?’ asked Miller.

            ‘Both murders were the same. He killed the each salesman with a knife in the common area of the dealership and then he took the keys and drove off in a car. He traveled about three miles and then abandoned the car. Cars were dusted for prints and they were clean. We put out on the wire to see if any other city in California has had any murders, plus neighboring cities including, Las Vegas, Reno, Phoenix, San Diego, and Portland and it came back zero. The motivation isn’t stealing the cars because he dumps them a few blocks from the dealership. He out to kill the salesmen but he’s showing his power by stealing the cars after killing the salesmen. And he leaves no fingerprints,’ said Captain Reno.

            Kelby and Miller walked out of Captain Reno’s office perplexed.

            ‘This doesn’t make any sense at all. We need to talk to Dr. Delmonico,’ said Joe Miller.

##

            ‘Hi Joe, Bill, what can I do for you today?’

            ‘Well, we have a bit of a perplexing case,’ stated Bill Kelby.

            ‘Lay it on me,’ replied Dr. Delmonico.

            ‘We have a person who is killing used car salesmen. He’s hit two places that we know of and we put it out on the wire to see if any of the other surrounding large cities had a murder. Maybe he goes from place to place acting out this…this behavior, but no,’ said Joe Miller.

            ‘I think what we have here is a person, more than likely a man, that had a tremendous loss in his life. Perhaps a wife or a girlfriend or even a child was killed or maimed in a car accident. It was the kind of accident that could have been avoided because in his mind he was sold a lemon. The car might have had brake failure or a tire blowout, or an engine fire. Maybe he bought a car that was on a recall list and he didn’t know it or worse yet the car wasn’t fixed in a recall because the original owners were sent letters that said there might be problems and they didn’t take it in, so because he wasn’t the original owner he wasn’t notified. Two cars come to mind: The Ford Pinto and the Chevy Malibu…It doesn’t matter why; it matters that he is going to keep killing used car salesmen until you stop him,’ replied Dr. Delmonico.

‘But unfortunately, we do not have the manpower to stake out every used car lot in every city in California,’ stated Bill Kelby.’

‘You may not have to. I think on this case you need to set a trap for him. Lure him to a specific used car lot with one of you as the bait,’ responded Dr. Delmonico.

            ‘Oh, no, I’ve had enough of being the bait for psychos to last a lifetime,’ said Joe Miller.

            ‘The only way to stop this man is to bring him to you. Two of the killings took place at flamboyant car lots advertising used cars. You need to create a third lot where you control all the circumstances. You said you haven’t heard about any other killings.’

            ‘No, the information on the wire is these two killings were it so far,’ said Bill Kelby.

            ‘That’s the key. So far. He’s just starting out and he will evolve. You must stop him before he really blows this out of proportion. I suggest you set the scene by steering this killer into one place.’

‘And just how do we steer this maniac into killing at a certain lot,’ asked Joe Miller.

            ‘You contact some dealerships in the area to see if they would be willing to go along with a plan of luring the killer to you. They need to set up a media campaign. Get the same networks involved that do the Cal Worthington commercials. A week’s worth of ads should be enough. If the dealership won’t pay for it, get the mayor to open the purse strings, but this is the only way. If you don’t, there’re going to be a lot of dead salesmen in the not too distant future. And one of you should be the announcer.’

            ‘Not me; it’s you’re turn after I spent the evening with Officer Jones,’ said Miller empathically.

            ‘Well whoever’s turn it is, you better do it soon.’

            ‘You are sure it’s a he?’ asked Kelby.

            ‘Pretty sure, I saw the autopsy report. It took a strong person to stab both salesmen. One man was attacked from the front and one was from behind. He stabbed both in the midsection, not in a fleshy area. The one in the front was stabbed in and upwards to the heart with such a force that the victim was dead before he hit the floor and the second was stabbed in the back in a powerful downward motion that nearly eviscerated him.’

            ‘That’s terrific and you want one of us to be the pigeon?’ replied Kelby.

            ‘It’s the only way.’    

‘Can you give an estimate of the suspect’s height?’ asked Miller.

            ‘Maybe 6’ to 6’2’. Beyond that no. Perhaps the Coroner can help.’

            ‘We asked, but he had nothing to add except what you said,’ said Kelby.

‘Work the profile that I have given you and you should be able apprehend this distressed individual before he strikes again but don’t wait too long.’

            ‘How can you say distressed? He’s a nut; he murdered two men,’ replied Kelby.

            ‘Because before he had this tremendous loss in his life, he was normal like you and me. He went to work, had a home life such as a girlfriend or wife, maybe a child and then it was all taken away. The man snapped pure and simple. He needs to be stopped, and hopefully not killed. If you can’t stop him, then you do what you must do,’ said Dr. Delmonico.

            ‘Thank you, Dr. Delmonico,’ replied both Miller and Kelby.

##

            ‘Well, Captain, that’s what the shrink said,’ said Kelby.

            ‘Then I will get with OK Used Cars and their camera crew and see when we can do about filming a couple of commercials and get the stations to air them for the next week. Bill, you or Joe need to figure it out who will be the spokesman.’

            Joe Miller shook his head looking at his partner and said, ‘I was the bait the last time. It’s only fair that you be it now.’

            Kelby cringed as he reluctantly agreed he would do it with Miller being his back up.

            The boys met the camera crew, went over the script, and shot two commercials. They were on the order of the Cal Worthington commercials except Bill did not have any animals. It was hard enough to get him to relax and read the copy printed on cue cards located beneath the camera.

##

            Since the murders happened at night, Kelby went to the dealership at 5 p.m. expecting the murderer would show up after dark. Miller wasn’t far behind sitting on the floor in one of the sales offices when he was inside and lying down on the front seat of one of the cars when he was outside.

Kelby wore a wire and a bullet proof vest as he strolled back and forth through the dealership. Only the maintenance man was on the lot acting like he was hosing down the outside pavement but he was actually a plain clothes detective named Roberts who was there to back up Miller. Across the street, on the roof, were SWAT officers which stands for Special Weapons And Tactics. They were called in to be extra eyes scoping out the area. The sharpshooters were poised to take out any potential threat on a moment’s notice. Everyone could hear a pin drop. The mic was attached to Kelby’s chest. Bill was surprised they didn’t hear his heart beating a mile a minute. He’d been on a lot of assignments but this one scared the absolute shit out of him to the point of him sweating buckets.

            Waiting…that was the worse…will he show up?  Will he take the bait?

##

            Bill Kelby walked into the showroom from the parking lot. A couple had been by to look at cars and left, so except for his partner and the maintenance watching his every move, he was alone. He had his .38 tucked into waistband and his .22 in his ankle holster. Maybe the perpetrator wouldn’t come tonight. Then he’d have to go through this tomorrow night and the night after that. Kelby didn’t know if he could take the stress. Miller made his way from the outside car to the inside sales department office, watching his partner’s every move.

            Kelby heard a door open and close by the service department. The service department was closed at 5 and everyone was gone. Oh dear God, this might be him thought Bill Kelby.

            ‘I hear something near the service department,’ whispered Kelby into his mic.

            ‘We don’t have eyes. We’re moving into position,’ replied the SWAT Captain.

‘Joe,’ said Kelby. ‘Joe, are you there?…Oh, for Christ’s sake…are you there, Joe???’ said Kelby practically shouting.

            ‘I’m here, Bill.’

            Cross traffic chatter was picked up on the mic.

            ‘Do you have eyes on Bill?’ asked the SWAT Captain.

            ‘Yes, I do,’ responded Miller. ‘Roberts, shut off the water and move closer to the showroom and keep your gun out,’

            ‘On my way.’

            ‘Roberts, tell me when you can see Bill,’ asked Miller.

            ‘Got him.’

            ‘What’s he doing?’

            ‘Walking around the showroom.’

            ‘Where exactly?’

            ‘On the driver’s side near the white Camaro in the showroom.’

            ‘Bill, Roberts and Miller are watching you, said the SWAT Captain. ‘Do you still hear footsteps?’

            ‘Yes…and now they are coming from the parts department heading my way.’

            ‘Miller, Roberts, do you copy?’

            ‘Yes,’ they said in unison.

            ‘Bill spoke in a somewhat shaky voice, ‘Is someone there?... Can I help you?’

            A voice shouted out, ‘You bastard…you can’t help me. You idiots are responsible for killing my wife and child. I went to buy a car because I saw one of your stupid commercials. You’re nothing but a bunch of liars. I’m going to rid the world of slime like you.’

            He came out of the shadows holding a six inch kitchen knife as he approached Kelby from the front.

            Kelby reached for his gun but was unable to get it out of his waistband before the man lunged at him. Kelby stumbled and went down and the man was standing over him.

            ‘Go, Go, Go,’ screamed Miller into the mic.

            ‘Beg for your life, you worthless scum. I want to hear you beg before I kill you,’ said the man dressed in black.

Just as he went to stab Kelby, Miller screamed, ‘Halt, police!’ and when he didn’t stop, shot the suspect three times in the back. Roberts came in from the side door with SWAT coming in the through the service department. As the man fell, he dropped the knife. Miller kicked the knife away from the suspect and turned him over. He was dead.

Miller went over to Kelby who was still on the ground.

            ‘Are you okay, partner?... Bill…?’

            Bill Kelby laid their unresponsive.

            ‘MEDICS,’ Joe shouted. His partner was in a state of shock. The ambulance pulled up, went over to Kelby, gave him oxygen, took off his jacket, bullet proof vest, opened his shirt and took off his tie. His blood pressure was dangerously high along with his pulse.

            ‘Bill, It’s Joe…you’re okay. He’s dead. The… guy… is… dead.’

            ‘I…I…couldn’t get my gun out the holster.’

            ‘It’s okay. Roberts and I were covering you.’

            ‘He’s in shock. We need to take him to the hospital for evaluation,’ said the paramedic.

            Captain Reno showed up as they were putting Kelby on a gurney.

            ‘I’d like to ride along,’ said Miller.

            ‘Go ahead,’ Reno replied.

##

            ‘Squad 43 to Base.’

            ‘Base bye.’

            ‘We have a 30 year old male, 6’ about 175, BP 180/110, pulse 120. He was part of a stakeout where he was nearly killed by the perpetrator. He appears to be in shock. We have administered oxygen.’

            ‘ETA to the hospital?’

            ‘Ten minutes.

            ‘Give him 2 mg of Ativan and recheck vitals. His blood pressure is too high. I don’t want him stroking out.’

            ‘Roger.’

            Kelby got the medication and it brought his BP down to 140/80.   

When Bill got to the emergency room, Joe told him what happened.

            ‘I think we just need to let him rest. He just had a great shock. The medication will cause him to relax. He should be good to go in about 4-6 hours,’ said the E.R. Doctor.

            Joe went over to his partner, grabbed his arm to give him a reassuring squeeze and said, ‘You rest. I’ll see you soon.’

            With that, Miller left and went back to the dealership to meet with Internal Affairs and do the report. The Coroner had just arrived and they were loading the body in the wagon.

            ‘What happened?’ asked Reno.

            ‘He had a problem getting his gun out of his waistband. The guy was on him like stink on shit. He was already sweating and was upset that he was the bait…Damn, I should have been it given how he felt.’

            Captain Reno put his hand on Joe’s shoulder and replied, ‘Nobody should have to be the bait…Come on, let’s finish up what we need to do here and go see Bill.’

About the author

           

Since becoming disabled in 2015, Maxine took up her passion for writing. She has been published several times in the Los Angeles Daily News, The Epoch Times, Nail Polish Stories, DarkWinterLit, BrightFlashLiteraryReview, OtherwiseEngagedLit, CafeLit, Maudlin House, and TheMetaworker.com. 

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