Murder on Easter Island by Gary Conrad

conference to let you know some very good news. For over six months Easter Island has been terrorized by a madman who has killed and mutilated many people. Now, due to some excellent investigative work by our detectives, we have our man, and the islanders can relax.”
    He paused as a muffled gasp went up from the crowd.
    Diaz cleared his throat and moved on, saying, “The killer is Roberto Ika, a mentally ill man who just yesterday confessed to all of the murders. He —”
    A cry came from an old Rapanui man standing in the back of the room. “It can’t be! Roberto is crazy, but he wouldn’t hurt a fly!”
    Diaz motioned to a small group of Chilean policemen. They escorted the thrashing man outside to a waiting paddy wagon.
    “As I was saying, he has already confessed to the murders, and not only that, his fingerprints match those from each of the crime scenes.”
    Daniel and José glanced at each other.
    Then an elderly woman next to José stood and spoke, “I am Roberto’s neighbor. He comes home early every night and watches television, and I’ve seen his lights on during the times the murders were committed. Why would he confess to crimes that he didn’t commit? Was he tortured?”
    Two more policemen appeared and ushered her to the exit.
    José whispered to Daniel, “Do you get the feeling that there are some raw feelings about how Chile has treated the people of Rapa Nui?”
    Daniel nodded.
    Diaz turned as red as a beet and yelled at the woman as she was escorted out, “He was not tortured! That hasn’t happened since the Pino —” he abruptly stopped before finishing the sentence. He cleared his throat again.
    “And I’m sure he fooled you into believing he was there by leaving the lights on. He is guilty, guilty, guilty !” he screamed into the mic, the sound reverberating through the small room.
    Diaz quickly regained his composure. In a lower, more compassionate voice, he said, “He is a sick man who needs professional help, and today he is being flown to Santiago for evaluation at a mental institution. Once he is certified insane, he will be locked up in a place where he can never hurt anyone again.
    “At this time, I also want to thank all of those who helped make this possible, especially Daniel Fishinghawk, from the New York City Police Department.”
    A smattering of applause rose from the audience.
    He glanced at Daniel and announced, “Thank you, Hawk, for all of your assistance, and I’m glad to say you are no longer needed here.”
    In other words, Daniel thought, he’s telling me to get lost.
    Diaz then flashed his biggest smile at the television cameras, his teeth glistening. “For all of you out there listening, you need to know that Easter Island is now one hundred percent safe, and you can once again travel to our Chilean paradise without fear or concern. We welcome you back.”
    He then glared at his audience, adding, “There will be no further questions.”
    With that, he and his bodyguard beat a hasty exit from the group of stunned onlookers.
    Daniel heard a reporter from behind him grumble, “What do you mean no further questions — there were no questions from the reporters — at all! ”
    As the crowd filed out, Daniel and José remained in their chairs.
    When Daniel was sure no one was within earshot, he said, “Can you believe Diaz planted the fingerprint evidence? There’s no way the ones at the scenes matched with Ika’s. And not only that, Tiare’s protection will now be stopped, and when the tourists return our killer will be back. Does Diaz believe he’ll just go away? What is he thinking?”
    José answered, “I can tell you what he’s thinking. Like I told you before, the almighty tourist currency is what’s on his mind, and he’s been told by his Chilean superiors to get the money flowing again, whatever the cost.”
    “And the cost will be enormous,” Daniel added. “I’m going to have to think about what I should do next — I can’t leave