Last Cup

FBI Regional Headquarters - New York, New York

The interrogation team working on Serial Killer Dennis Mendocino started to clamp down on him. No attorney so far has picked up his case due to his bizarre fixation on focusing on making sure the FBI refers to him as the "Love Machine Killer."

​Special Agent Tess Carnes-Verranazzo walked into the room that had been Mendocino's contact point. She looked at him chained to the table. She brought in a coffee for herself and placed it on her side of the table out of his reach.

"I have something to show you."

The FBI agent placed her phone on the table and put it in a holder so the serial killer could view it. She touched her smart ring, and a video began to play. It was a newscast from Boston that had aired the evening before.

He listened as the newscaster said, "The man who is under arrest and is charged with killing three Massachusetts women and one from New Hampshire is in F.B.I. custody in New York City and will soon be transported to Fort Devens for holding while awaiting trial. Dennis Mendocino is called The Mixtape Killer because of his habit of leaving mixtapes with 80's music at the scene of each crime...

Verranazzo stopped the video and then started another.

A reporter from one of the New York stations stood outside the F.B.I. building in New York with an umbrella over her head. She said, "The man accused of multiple murders in the New England area, Mr. Dennis Mendocino of Stamford, Connecticut, is soon to be transported from New York to the Boston area to stand trial in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, where his victims resided.  

Dennis Mendocino was about to see that the New York FBI was tired of his crap.

Verranazzo said, "There is only so much we can do about what the press calls you." 

"Your attorney will be the one to enforce our agreement with you, but it looks like folks in New England are leaning toward "The Mixtape Killer" instead of the one you want, "The Love Machine." We have lived up to our end of the bargain. Every communication with the press and other law enforcement agencies has made it clear your preference to be called The Love Machine."

We need to wrap things up with you in the next two days, and then you can contend with the folks in Boston who like calling you The Mixtape Killer. 

We can bring in a court-appointed attorney for you today after lunch, or you can continue trying to get an attorney.

"It's up to you."

​Dennis looked up at Carnes-Verranazzo and asked, "Can I get a coffee?"

Denise looked at him and said, "We're out until after lunch; I'm lucky I got the last cup."

As she collected her phone and folder and headed for the door, he called her a "bitch"

Crazy Big Ass Burritos - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

​Melinda Newsome is sharp. She is also wounded, and that was apparent as she played the video of her mother having a meltdown on the plane. I did not tell her that I already viewed it at least ten times. I was interested in her interpretation of what was going on.

"Look at my father sitting next to her, Mr. Allston." 

"He doesn't react, comfort, or console my mother once while she has a bad reaction."

"Trust me, Allston, this woman is like another person."

"My mother was so nice, and in all these years, I never heard her use language like this, and I have never seen her act like this."

We viewed the rest of the video, and I focused on Conrad.

Melinda is correct; most relatives would have consoled a person in distress, tried to calm them down, and kept them quiet.

Conrad did nothing like that. He just looked forward while the Flight attendants and the police contended with Rita Newsome.

This is extremely odd.

"Was your mother on any prescriptions?" I asked

"I have access to her phone and will check her pharmacy app. Can I forward you a list? Melinda said.

"Yes, please."

"Do you have access to your Dad's phone or computer?"

"We have not been able to crack his phone, but his computer passwords are taped to the underside of his keyboard."

"Can I come over later tonight to review your Dad's computer?"

"Of course."

"I welcome the company. All of a sudden I am all alone in a huge house."

"I can be there after six. Is it okay if I bring my dog?"

Route 101 East - Tango and Johnny Rivers In The Truck

Strier answered his cell, and I advised him that he was on speakerphone with Tango and me.

Ron started talking to Tango, "Who's a good boy? Tango is"

Tango started wagging his tail and sticking his head out the window despite it being just 40 degrees,

"Ron, I met with Melinda Newsome. What a lovely woman, and here is what I see...

It was bizarre that Conrad Newsome did not try to help his wife during her meltdown. "I'm going to dig deeper into this."

Strier said, "I knew you would." The Exeter P.D. only saw Murder-Suicide. It looks like more to me, but it's not my jurisdiction or budget to investigate it further."

"I'll talk soon. Poor Side Of Town is next."

Strier said, "The great Johnny Rivers!" "Talk Soon, Allston."