Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2015 11:41:48 +0100 From: Alain Mahy Subject: Tarot Cards and More 7 Please, please, please keep donating to Nifty as to keep this site free!!! Alex was more nervous than I had ever seen him. His natural patience was disappearing fast. He thought about his transfer to CSI, but was even more concerned with those five corpses without a real explanation. It was the first time in his career that he had to face such a failure as he called it. Five deaths in a row, without the slightest clue as where to look to find the solution to stop those deaths. ******* The substance the forensic had discovered in four of the five bodies was worrying Alex a lot. It was not a fatal dose they had found and at first sight it was not the cause of death. It was more the fact that another common point was showing. At first he had no common points at all and now he had several, but none of them was really having any meaning. I couldn't help him, as I am not a detective of any kind. That was his job. The only supplementary intuition I had, or better said image, was that of a man in a white doctor's blouse. Alex's frustration grew as quickly as his impatience. Every night, when he came home, he apologized for being so nervous. He said he wasn't very proud to put his nerves on me and that he normally seen didn't take his private problems to work and vice versa. But his frustration was getting to him. I did all I could to make Alex relax. Changing the subject of conversation was one of them, but not always really efficient, as he didn't disconnect easily from work. He always appreciated my efforts though and even more when I suggested a warm bath of a full body massage. That was, most of the time, the best way to make him forget his work. He said that my hands were doing some magic and that he felt my energy flowing through his skin. The constant rubbing of my hands over his body relaxed him and he even got to the point of putting his mind in blank and that was exactly what he needed. What he actually needed was to resolve the problem and take some days off, but that was not about to happen that fast he pretended. Nonetheless, I repeated my intuition and the vision of a man in doctor's blouse. - Our forensic doctor never wears a doctor's blouse, Alex said. Sometimes he wears a plastic apron and then he looks more like a butcher than a doctor! I didn't know what to answer. My vision was quite clear though. Or was there another doctor involved? I mentioned my doubt to Alex. - No, none of the victims was a doctor, he said. - I didn't mean that, or maybe I did, I said, but it could be that there is doctor involved but who is not a victim! Can you check if all of the victims had medical problems before they died? Or see if they were visiting the same doctor? Or if they had the same illness? I don't know! I have that vision, but it doesn't tell me why I see it or where I have to look. - I know Honey, and I appreciate your help. It is a clue that you give me, but I have to confess I don't know what to do with it. It is a fact that you just gave me a few ideas and I can assure you I will look into it. There is nothing to lose! All information is welcome and even though it doesn't lead anywhere, it is important to check them. I can't afford to ignore anything. I so much wanted to help him more, but my possibilities were limited. I could only use the logic part of my brain and think with good common sense. In my imagination I could do anything, but this was the real world. Alex was faced with five deaths and even if it could look like the work of a serial killer, there was no scientific proof it was like that. The only indication in that way was that all deaths were on Thursdays. Even though Alex's transfer to CSI was confirmed, it was postponed. Indeed, like he had thought, they were waiting for him to find a solution to the deaths. The advantage he had with the confirmed transfer was that he could really count on the help of CSI department and in particular the help of Captain O'Connor who was chief of the department. Captain O'Connor came to see him, welcoming him to the team although it was not physically done yet, and asked him how the investigation was going. Alex gave him a detailed report of everything that had been done so far, the similarities between the victims and his conclusions up till then. He also mentioned the fact he was going to ask for each victim's medical history to see if there was any common point there as well. O'Connor was clearly impressed with what had been done and the logic conclusions Alex had reached. It had taken some time to get the five medical histories, but Alex had them finally on his desk. There was indeed a new common point: all five were in perfect health! They had undergone a complete check-up in a period of one to two years previous to their death. Alex thought it was strange to have five deaths and that each of them had had a complete check-up. Not everybody was going willingly to hospital to have all the checks done, but those five had all done it. He just wondered why. Meanwhile I had finished my novel and sent it to my editor. He loved it and was sure it would become a best seller in very few time. That meant that I had to be prepared to travel to present my book in various bookstores in different towns and sign some books for fans. I left it in his capable hands to have a cover designed and to do the necessary publicity. I was surprised when he told me that I would also have to appear on a television program, specialized in new books and general literature. It would sure give a serious boost to the selling. According to his experience and the fame I was slowly building up, the first print would be of fifty thousand copies and the second print was scheduled just six month after the presentation of the book. The check he presented to me was substantial and I couldn't be happier. I was a little reluctant towards the tour my Editor had planned as I was going to be away from home almost two complete weeks. In the past it had never been a problem, but then again, in the past, Alex was not living with me. Apart from the fact that I would miss him like hell, I also thought that he needed my presence, supporting him when his nerves got the better of him and that his frustration got to a higher level. As long as the tour was taking me not too far from home, I could drive and come back the same day, but quite some presentations were farther away and needed airplane tickets and overnight stays. Eddy, my editor, gave me the list of the towns we would have to visit and where the contracts had already been signed. I suggested a few date changes so that I would never be away from home more than three days in a row. Eddy was not really pleased with the changes but accepted anyway. The day before the first trip, Alex came home early. He switched off his cell phones and had warned his colleagues that he needed the night off and to not disturb him except if it was a matter of life or dead. That night he took me out to a restaurant because he didn't want me to spend time in the kitchen. The little Spanish restaurant he had chosen was cozy and the food was exquisite. The wine was unknown to me, but I made a mental note to look for it at the local liquor shop. We talked about a lot of things except work, being it his or mine. We agreed that we both needed some time off. We wanted some quality time, far away from our daily environment and have a complete change of ideas. As soon as my tour was over and his current case was ended as well, we would definitely book a trip and have some time together. Since the day he came to live with me, we had been very busy and didn't live OUR lives, but our professional ones. After the restaurant we went to have a last drink in a gay pub close to home, but we realized we preferred to be on our own and not surrounded by a bunch of stranger although a few of them were quite nice to look at. There was even one who was clearly trying to seduce me. I pushed myself into Alex's arms to make the stranger understand we were an item. I also mentioned to Alex why I was pushing myself to him. He looked over at the guy. - I have the sensation I know the guy, Alex said, but I don't know from where or when. It will come back to me but probably in a day or two. I have to admit he is nice looking and I can't blame him to try to seduce the best looking guy in the bar. I guess that by now he knows you are with me, but as you know, for some guys it has no importance. They just chase for what they want and don't take a possible "no" for an answer. - I know, I said, it is just a lack of respect and that alone makes it all unattractive to me. Even if the guy is the most gorgeous one on the face of the earth, if he lacks respect, I don't even want to know him. As our drinks were empty, we were ready to go. The guy didn't insist. We reached home and went straight upstairs and undressed. I threw my jeans and shirt over the chair in the bedroom while Alex carefully hung up his suit on a hanger and dropped his shirt, socks and underwear in the laundry basket. We took a shower and it had the expected effect on us. Kissing and grabbing was the start of what promised to be a night of lovemaking. And it was. We were making love as if we would never see each other again. Being both versatile, Alex penetrated me and I penetrated him. We had various climaxes, being it anal or obvious ejaculations. Since the first time we made love, we had learned to please each other and multiple orgasms were not strange to us. It was rare we had simultaneous orgasms, but we always finished content and satisfied. The following morning Eddy came to pick me up and I was glad to hear that the sales of the book were going quite well. At the first bookstore we could see a row of people waiting at the door. That promised to be successful. The signing of books took a little more time than we wanted, but I wasn't about to disappoint my readers and fans. Instead of having a relaxed lunch after the signing, we had to hurry to be in time at the second bookstore where the same scenario repeated itself. Eddy was more than happy with the results of the first day and commented it over dinner at the hotel's restaurant. - I knew it would soon be a best seller Gerald, he said, and if the promotion tour goes on like today, I am sure we will have to go for the second print earlier than foreseen. We will wait to see how it goes tomorrow, but if it is like today, I will have to call the printer so that he can bring forward the second print. That was really good news and I decided to drop the bomb to Eddy that same evening. The book would have a second part and probably even a third. I wanted to make it a trilogy. Eddy was overwhelmed with the news and overjoyed. His job was of course to make money and the idea of a trilogy was something he was really looking forward to. He even ordered some nice brandy to celebrate. Once I was in my room, I called Alex. After some small talk I asked him how he was doing with his investigation. Was there any new information in the last twenty-four hours? - Unfortunately yes, Alex said. What day is it today? - Oh my! Don't tell me there is a sixth victim? - Yes indeed there is, Alex confirmed, and all the common points of the five first deaths are present with the sixth: it is Thursday, the victim looks a lot younger than its real age and there is are no signs of violence of any kind. I am waiting for the medical history to see if there is once again a complete check- up that has been done and the report of the forensic to see if the chemicals are present as well. I am afraid that if I don't find an answer to those deaths, I can wave my job at CSI goodbye although O'Connor says the contrary. He says he is as lost as I am. - You don't have to think that your job at CSI is in jeopardy. It has been confirmed already and besides, Tiffany said you were going to CSI. As far as I know, she never made a mistake with such affirmation. - Ok, thanks for that, I needed it. I could feel he was losing faith in his own capacities. I knew, and everybody else as well, that he was the best detective they had ever had. It was just a difficult case. His skills were highly valuated. I was convinced that finding the answers on this case would be very much appreciated by the complete police force. I knew there was probably one detail that he overlooked. That detail would give him the key to resolve the problem. But the question was: what detail was he overlooking? My two-week tour had been exhausting as we had signing sessions twice a day. The positive point was of course that my book was selling pretty well. Some bookstores had even ordered a second, and some a third load of books to be able to answer all requests. Eddy had already confirmed the second print and raised the total amount to over a hundred thousand. My novel was listed number one two weeks in a row in the best-seller's list and that was something new for me. I was overwhelmed and happy. The inspiration for the second part was flooding my mind and on the most unexpected moments I took out a little notebook and wrote down my ideas for it. While I was on the tour, I also got a new vision, or intuition if you prefer. Just in between of two signing sessions I called Alex. Although he was really busy, he picked up as he saw on the caller's ID that it was me. - Listen Alex. There is something that came to my mind and maybe it is worth looking in to it. Try to see if your six victims had a kind of agenda, being it the old fashioned one or electronic. Look if they had any kind of appointment just before their death with a common person. I really don't know why I am telling you this, but it came to my mind so strongly that I had to call. - I guess that we are telepathically connected, because I just ordered my men about two hours ago to do just that. Let's cross fingers that it will be useful. We hung up after telling how much we missed each other. When I got home after the tour, I found Alex asleep in the easy chair in the living room. He looked that peaceful and relaxed that I didn't want to wake him up. On the table next to him there was an open bottle of beer. I touched it and it was still cold which meant he hadn't opened it that long ago. Looking at my watch I realized he had probably just gotten home a bit early to welcome me, as he knew I was coming home that afternoon. I just brushed my lips against his, but even that didn't wake him. Knowing Alex was not really at ease in the kitchen I went to look what was still in the fridge and see if I could come up with something for dinner. On the counter I found some empty pizza boxes and some fast-food bags. I wasn't surprised with that, only that he hadn't put them in the bin once they were empty. I cleaned up and started dinner even though it was still early, but as I was going to make a beef stew, it had to simmer quite some time on the stove. One thing was sure: once the smells of the kitchen would reach Alex's nostrils, he would wake up. As soon as the onions hit the warm oil and the smell invaded the house, I heard some noise in the living room and Alex was soon wrapping his arms around my waist, kissing my neck and fondling my genitals. He clearly woke up horny. I finished up the stew with the necessary vegetables and meat to the point I had to wait for the time doing its work. I then took Alex in my arms and planted a sloppy kiss on his lips. Of course, his mouth opened and welcomed my tongue to dance with his. We didn't even try to reach the bedroom. Alex had me out of my clothes in less time than I realized it. He used his tongue and mouth all over my body and I was soon panting and gasping for air. It took him a split second to bring me to the point of no return and I filled his mouth with my juice. He then turned me around and rimmed me till I begged him to make love to me. The ever-present olive oil bottle on the counter came in useful. He lubed up my ass and his cock and entered me softly but with forceful determination. I could feel his cock-head rubbing my prostate and my cock came back to life although I had shot my load a few seconds previously. He was pounding my ass like a feverish beast and I just loved it. I knew this was only a prelude to our lovemaking that we would have once we were in bed. It was the urge we both had because of the temporary separation we had experienced. Alex filled my bowels while pinching my nipples and munching on my earlobes. When I felt the spasms of his manhood in my ass, it was too much for me and I spilled a second load that landed on the kitchen floor. Once we recuperated our breath and our heartbeats had come back to normal, I cleaned the floor and we went to sit in the living room. - So, how is your investigation going? I asked Alex. - Actually, we found something that hasn't given us any results yet. Three of the six victims had an appointment with a mysterious Dr. Krowatski. I say mysterious because there is not one Dr. Krowatski registered in our country. We haven't found any address or telephone number of that pseudo doctor. I say pseudo because he is not recognized as such. Maybe he is a real doctor, maybe not. We don't know yet, but I think it was indeed a good idea to check their agendas. The problem is that it is mentioned only in three of the six cases, but it is more than just a coincidence. The guys from the laboratory think, but have no proves yet, that the fact all victims are looking much younger than their real age and that we have a doctor who is not registered, could possibly be a good start. Too many people are so concerned about their appearance that we wouldn't be surprised this mysterious Krowatski is maybe a fraud, selling products that are legally prohibited. If it is the case, we have to admit his medicine works but has some really nasty side effects such as death. Maybe he knows it, maybe not. - Ok, I can understand what you say, but that doctor must have more patients and probably out of town as well. Maybe he isn't even in this town. I guess you did a massive search on this. Not only if there are more deaths, which at first sight are without explanation, in other parts of the country, but also if there is any clue as where to find that Krowatski guy. - Yes indeed, we did. First on Krowatski in other parts of the country, but also in the Interpol files. As for unexplained deaths in other towns or parts of the country, the search has been launched and we are expecting answers form colleagues all over the place. By the way, I had to mention your name. My direct boss asked me how I connected the first and the second death, and then the same for the second and the third. I couldn't avoid mentioning your input. His reaction was not exactly the best one. You know that in the police forces they wouldn't like that this information leaked out. We are supposed to be rational and only rational. The input of esoteric information is not something they are keen about. My boss was not angry, but he asked to keep it as secret as possible. - I understand, and please, don't worry about it. It helped you on the way, didn't it? And that is the most important part for me. What your boss thinks is not really concerning me at all. And besides, he won't be your boss a lot longer, will he? I guess that O'Connor will become your boss in a very short while. - You are still convinced about that, don't you? Alex asked. - Yes indeed. It is not only because Tiffany said it, but I also have a very strong feeling about it. It will take time, but I am sure that in a few years you will even be in O'Connor's place. Don't ask me when, because I don't know, but you can aim for that without the shadow of a doubt. - How do you know that for sure, Alex asked, but... no, don't tell me. I know the answer: "Intuition" I laughed at that because he started to know me too well. - And what about your tour? Was the expected success that Eddy announced? - Yes, indeed, it was! Well, you know most about it as we talked almost every night. At the end, Eddy decided to go already for the second print! I also promised him the second AND the third part of the book, as I want to write a trilogy about these characters. He is really looking forward to it. I already told you that for him it is all about figures in his accountancy. He is earning quite some money with me, and he deserves it. Without him and his team I wouldn't be where I am. - Don't underestimate yourself Gerald. If your writing was not good, even the best team in the world wouldn't be able to do anything for you. Now, as your writing IS good, whatever professional team would have brought you where you are. Don't misunderstand me: I don't mean to diminish Eddy's work, but he is not the only one who could do it. I kissed him to thank him for his words. Alex could pay me compliments even though what he said was apparently totally rational. In the end, we ate late. The stew had to simmer for several hours if I wanted the meat to be as tender as Alex's kisses. I wasn't going for less! Alex sure showed his appreciation for the home-cooked meal. He loved pizza and fast food, but my cooking was something he appreciated even more. I served the stew with some French fries and although I had thought I had prepared too much, it was all gone when Alex declared he was more than satisfied. - With such a full stomach you won't be able to make love, I said. - With you and a full or empty stomach, I can always make love, he answered. And he proved what he said as soon as we were between the bed sheets. That night we made love just the way we had he day before I left: passionate and feverishly as if there was no tomorrow. A lot of younger guys could have learned something from Alex. His stamina was exceptional. He could go at it for hours and I didn't stay idle either. It was not a question of labels and being top or bottom, active or passive. It was just a matter of pleasing each other, pushing all the necessary buttons. It was making the other scream in ecstasy. If we had recorded all our moans and groans, it could surely have been used in any porn movie as background sound. Our lovemaking was always exhausting, but it was a healthy tiredness. The most beautiful thing was that our orgasms were not only physical. It was always mind- blowing and satisfying. The emotional side of our lovemaking was a total bliss. It was the kissing that brought us to unbelievable heights. There was something about our tongues in each other's mouths that made it all so more intimate. We even realized that if we were not kissing, the ejaculation was almost impossible. Most of the time we would hold each other's faces in our hands and pulling the other even deeper into our kisses, breathing each other's air in and out till our heads were spinning. Making love was far more than a serious physical workout and a mind-blowing emotional connection. It was the perfect physical expression of what we felt inside. We fell asleep in each other's arms and I noticed Alex had not switched on the alarm clock. That meant that he was not going to rush out of the house in the morning. He had apparently taken the necessary measures to be able to sleep in. Alex was more relaxed. It seemed that the huge load he had on his shoulders had fallen down. It looked to me as if he knew that the case he was working on was coming to an end and I had an identical feeling about it as well. Nonetheless, it took them another two weeks to find the mysterious doctor that was mentioned in the agenda of three of the victims. Dr. Krowatski was not a doctor at all. His real name was Matthew Anderson. They had found him in the most simple and improbable way: Internet. A simple Google search had brought them in a blog of a woman who praised his services. The woman had been localized and Alex had gone over to see her in person. It hadn't taken him long, using all his charm and persuasion, to get the address and even a phone number. The phone number was a prepaid cell phone and when entering the address in the computer the real name came up. Another search with the real name of Matthew Anderson had shown that he had been accused of illegal medicine in the past, but not convicted, as there was a total lack of proof. The first visit to Matthew Anderson, alias Dr. Krowatski, had been a total set-up. From the information Alex had received from the woman who had written in the Internet blog, he knew that Dr. Krowatski was promising rejuvenating processes, providing his "patients" pills that were not even available at the pharmacies. He was using chemicals that were totally forbidden by the health services because of their high risks of secondary effects. That was why the pills were not available in pharmacies. Alex pretended he wanted to look younger than his age and the "doctor" had received him in a look-alike doctor's office. He was talking with a Russian accent and his fees were outrageous! Fortunately for Alex, it was the police forces that paid his visit. Alex came out of the doctor's office with the instruction to have a complete medical check-up and with a new appointment for two weeks later. At the CSI offices, they made up a health report that showed Alex as someone in perfect health. At the second visit at Dr. Krowatski, Alex received a bottle with five pills and paid another outrageous bill for the visit and the pills. As soon as Alex was back at the office, he gave the pills to the laboratory and they analyzed them. They found the chemical that was found in five of the six bodies! The judge immediately emitted a search warrant. Alex and eight men went over to Dr. Krowatski and rang at the door. It was the doctor himself who opened it and when he saw the uniforms, he tried to close the door again, but that was already far too late. He was arrested and taken to the police station while the police registered the house. With only what was visible in the office and adjacent "laboratory" there was enough proof to shut the man up for several years. The most important ones were illegal substances. A rough search through the man's computer was a source of valuable information concerning his financial transactions with his own account in the Caiman Islands. He never transferred more money than what was legal and therefor was never noticed by the bank's detecting fraudulent actions. During the interrogation, Matthew Anderson denied everything at first, till Alex came into the interrogation room. At that moment he knew he was lost, as he recognized Alex at once. He pretended of course that what he did was just helping people and even if he knew his practice of medicine was not legal, he said he didn't do harm to anybody. That was when Alex put the six pictures of the victims in front of him, plus the pictures of five more that came form police stations further away. Alex used his interrogation strategy the best he could. In this case he didn't say or ask anything after putting the pictures in front of Matthew Anderson. The silence in the room was deafening and Alex waited patiently till Matthew would break down. In the interrogation room there was a huge flat screen television and Alex switched it on. The eleven pictures appeared one by one in sequence and the sequence was repeated constantly. Everybody knows that movement attracts the eye and for Matthew there was no exception. At each change of picture he looked up at the screen, but didn't react. The computer guys, behind the double sight mirror then included the pictures that had been taken from the office and the laboratory. There was still no reaction. The last thing they added were pictures of the computer screen of Matthew, showing his financial actions. That was the turning point! Matthew started to admit quite a lot of things, except the deaths of "patients". As a matter of fact, Alex discovered afterwards that Matthew didn't have a clue about those deaths. Matthew was flabbergasted when Alex told him that at least eleven of his patients had died. He denied it. That was the perfect moment for the computer guys to include pictures of the forensic on the flat screen television. Matthew's eyes became as big as saucers. He was REALLY unaware that those people had died. When Alex asked him if he didn't follow-up his "patients", Matthew explained that once they had followed the treatment for about nine months, they received a bottle of pills that lasted for three months, so he wouldn't see those people on a frequent basis, but only once every three months. Alex wanted to puke at such a man who was more stupid than evil. But was stupidity not the worst of evils? In Matthew's computer they found a complete list of patients. All these people had to be warned and send to hospital before it was too late. Most of them who were still alive, denied firmly they knew Dr. Krowatski and that they were taking any pills, but there looks were indeed younger of the age mentioned on their identification papers. It was only after the police showed them the pictures of the victims, that some of them admitted following Dr. Krowatski's treatment and accepted to go to hospital. In the following two months, only two more died as a result of the secondary effect of the pills they had taken. The others needed serious psychological help. As they stopped the pills they had bought from Dr. Krowatski, the aging process kicked in at very high speed and suddenly they looked older than their real age! But at least they were healthy again. Matthew's trial was over in a very short time and he was convicted to life sentence. After all, due to his stupidity, thirteen people had died. The defense tried to convince the jury that it was nothing premeditated, but the judge wouldn't take any of it. On the contrary! The judge said that such a stupidity was why Matthew had never received his medical diploma. The day the trial was over and Matthew behind bars in a high security prison, Alex went to see his boss. - You certainly proved you are a very fine and good detective! CSI will certainly have a supplementary asset in their department. I hate it to see you leave us Alex, but I wish you the very best in your future career. By the way, you told me you had some help from ... Euh ... your boyfriend, isn't it? Alex answered truthfully to the question, acknowledging both the help and that I was his boyfriend. - Do you think your boyfriend would be interested in helping us more often? Alex was stunned by the question. He didn't understand it quite well. Only a few weeks previously, his boss had said to keep the outside help of an esoteric person as secret as possible and now he asked to have that same person's help almost officially. - I don't know, said Alex, I will have to ask. But don't expect miracles. Gerald works more than anything on intuitions. It is not that he can predict the future! - As long as it helps, I don't even want to know how he does it. Let me know what he thinks about it, and if he agrees, please arrange for him to come and see me. - Ok Boss, Alex said, but before we arrange that I would like to have some time off. I have been, as you know, working a lot of hours and they were nerve wrecking as hell. I really would like to disconnect a little. Do you think you can arrange that for me? - You start at CSI on the first of next month. What would you think to take time off till then? - That would be wonderful, Alex answered. When Alex came home that night, he first of all asked me the question his boss had asked him. I was surprised and said I would have to think about it. Alex looked straight in the eyes. - What would you think of having time before you answer? I mean like quality time of a bit less than three weeks, leaving your work behind and going to the sun, the beach and the sea? Somewhere as beautiful as the Caribbean? To be more precise, spend some time in the Bahamas? And thinking only about soaking up sun, swimming in crystal clear waters, eating fantastic food and have as many cocktails as you want? - What do you mean Alex? I asked. - Honey, I booked us a trip and we are leaving the day after tomorrow. To be continued if you guys tell me you like the story. All comments welcome at amahy1957@gmail.com