The Anniversary Man (6 page)
Read The Anniversary Man Online
Authors: R.J. Ellory
RMC:
No. I didn′t do anything to them. They had to be cleansed of the sexual things that had been done to them. Can I get a drink? Can I get like a drink or something? Can I get a 7-Up here or what?
No. I didn′t do anything to them. They had to be cleansed of the sexual things that had been done to them. Can I get a drink? Can I get like a drink or something? Can I get a 7-Up here or what?
WH:
We can get you a 7-Up in a minute, Robert.
We can get you a 7-Up in a minute, Robert.
RMC:
I′m thirsty. Wanna 7-Up here. Too much to freakin′ well ask for, is it? Can′t talk much if your mouth is full of sand and sawdust, right? Need a 7-Up . . . need a 7-Up . . . need a 7-Up.
I′m thirsty. Wanna 7-Up here. Too much to freakin′ well ask for, is it? Can′t talk much if your mouth is full of sand and sawdust, right? Need a 7-Up . . . need a 7-Up . . . need a 7-Up.
FG:
I′ll get you a 7-Up, Robert . . . you tell Detective Hennessy here what the deal was with the cleansing, okay?
I′ll get you a 7-Up, Robert . . . you tell Detective Hennessy here what the deal was with the cleansing, okay?
RMC:
Okay. [Note: At this point Detective Frank Gorman left the interview room for approximately two minutes.]
Okay. [Note: At this point Detective Frank Gorman left the interview room for approximately two minutes.]
WH:
So let′s get back to the cleansing, Robert.
So let′s get back to the cleansing, Robert.
RMC:
Right, the cleansing.
Right, the cleansing.
WH: So what was the deal with that?
RMC:
The deal? There was no deal, Detective Hennessy. I didn′t make any deal with anyone. It was just what had to be done.
The deal? There was no deal, Detective Hennessy. I didn′t make any deal with anyone. It was just what had to be done.
WH:
Okay, okay, okay, we′re getting away from ourselves here, Robert. Let′s just go back to what you were saying about how these kids had to be cleansed after what had been done to them.
Okay, okay, okay, we′re getting away from ourselves here, Robert. Let′s just go back to what you were saying about how these kids had to be cleansed after what had been done to them.
RMC:
After what had been done to them, yes.
After what had been done to them, yes.
WH:
So tell me again.
So tell me again.
RMC:
They had to be cleansed. [Note: At this point Detective Gorman returned and handed an opened can of 7-Up to the interview subject, Robert Melvin Clare.]
They had to be cleansed. [Note: At this point Detective Gorman returned and handed an opened can of 7-Up to the interview subject, Robert Melvin Clare.]
RMC:
Thank you, Detective Gorman.
Thank you, Detective Gorman.
FG:
You′re very welcome, Robert. Sorry to interrupt you. You were telling Detective Hennessy about something?
You′re very welcome, Robert. Sorry to interrupt you. You were telling Detective Hennessy about something?
RMC:
I was telling him about the cleansing.
I was telling him about the cleansing.
FG:
Right, right . . . so carry on with what you were saying.
Right, right . . . so carry on with what you were saying.
RMC: The things that were done were dirty things, you see? They were very dirty things . . . the kind of things that would blemish the mind and the soul forever. There is nothing that can be done to wash away that kind of dirt. You have to make them look different.
WH:
The kids?
The kids?
RMC:
Right, the boys and the girls. You have to make them look different.
Right, the boys and the girls. You have to make them look different.
WH: Why, Robert? Why d′you have to make them look different? [Subject is silent for approximately fifteen seconds]
WH:
Why, Robert? Tell us why you had to make the girls and boys look different?
Why, Robert? Tell us why you had to make the girls and boys look different?
RMC:
You don′t know?
You don′t know?
WH:
No, Robert, we don′t know. Tell us.
No, Robert, we don′t know. Tell us.
RMC:
So God wouldn′t recognize them. So he wouldn′t recognize them as the ones who did those dirty, dirty things.
So God wouldn′t recognize them. So he wouldn′t recognize them as the ones who did those dirty, dirty things.
FG:
And what would happen to them if God recognized them?
And what would happen to them if God recognized them?
RMC:
He wouldn′t let them into Heaven, would he? He would cast them down into Hell. But I cleansed them, you see? I made them look different and God didn′t recognize them.
He wouldn′t let them into Heaven, would he? He would cast them down into Hell. But I cleansed them, you see? I made them look different and God didn′t recognize them.
WH:
And so what happened to them, Robert?
And so what happened to them, Robert?
[Subject is silent for approximately eighteen seconds.]
FG:
Robert?
Robert?
RMC: They became angels, Detective Gorman. Every single one of them. God didn′t recognize them. They got in through the gates of Heaven. They got all the way into Heaven and became angels.
JERSEY CITY TRIBUNE
Friday, 7 December 1984
Hammer Killings Suspect Named and Charged
In an official statement from the Jersey City Police Department, Detective Frank Gorman, head of the Second Precinct Homicide Task Force, was quoted as follows: ′This morning we have charged Robert Melvin Clare, a resident of Jersey City, with the murders of Dominic Vallelly, Janine Luckman, Gerry Wheland, Samantha Merrett and Nadia McGowan. He has also been charged with attempted murder in the case of John Costello. At this time no formal request for representation has been made by Mr Clare, and a Public Defender will be assigned to afford him all necessary service as he prepares for trial.′
Robert Clare (32), a Jersey City native, currently residing in Van Vorst Street and employed as an auto mechanic at Auto-Medic Vehicle Repair and Recovery on Luis Muñoz Marin Boulevard, was reported by work colleagues to be ′kind of intense′. The owner of Auto-Medic, Don Farbolin, refused to comment beyond saying that ′just because I give someone a job doesn′t make me responsible for what they do when they go home′.
FG:
You truly believe that′s what happened to them, Robert? That they became angels and got into Heaven?
You truly believe that′s what happened to them, Robert? That they became angels and got into Heaven?
RMC:
Yes, that′s what happened.
Yes, that′s what happened.
FG:
All five of them? [Subject is silent for approximately twenty-three seconds.]
All five of them? [Subject is silent for approximately twenty-three seconds.]
WH:
Robert?
Robert?
RMC:
There were six.
There were six.
FG:
Five, Robert. The last one, the boy . . . he′s gonna make it.
Five, Robert. The last one, the boy . . . he′s gonna make it.
RMC:
Make it? That′s exactly what he will not do, Detective.
Make it? That′s exactly what he will not do, Detective.
WH:
Apparently so. Doctors say he′s gonna come through this.
Apparently so. Doctors say he′s gonna come through this.
RMC:
Doctors? I′m not talking about doctors. I′m talking about making it . . . making it in the eyes of the Lord. Making it into the Heaven. The five will make it. The sixth, unfortunately for him, will not. He is now cursed. He carries the curse. Always will.
Doctors? I′m not talking about doctors. I′m talking about making it . . . making it in the eyes of the Lord. Making it into the Heaven. The five will make it. The sixth, unfortunately for him, will not. He is now cursed. He carries the curse. Always will.
FG
: So tell us how these kids were chosen, Robert. Tell us about how that was done.
: So tell us how these kids were chosen, Robert. Tell us about how that was done.
RMC:
They all looked the same, didn′t they? They were all young and beautiful and innocent, and they were doing things that they shouldn′t have been doing. Doing things out in the street, in public. All of them. All of them were doing those things, and their faces had to disappear. I had to make them disappear, you see? I had to make them go away, and that was the only way they could ever get into Heaven.
They all looked the same, didn′t they? They were all young and beautiful and innocent, and they were doing things that they shouldn′t have been doing. Doing things out in the street, in public. All of them. All of them were doing those things, and their faces had to disappear. I had to make them disappear, you see? I had to make them go away, and that was the only way they could ever get into Heaven.
FG:
Did you choose them beforehand, or did you just go out at night with your hammer?
Did you choose them beforehand, or did you just go out at night with your hammer?
RMC:
It was not my hammer.
It was not my hammer.
WH:
Whose was it?
Whose was it?
RMC:
God′s Hammer. It was God′s Hammer. Have you not listened to anything I′ve said?
WARREN HENNESSY/FRANK GORMAN-ROBERT MELVIN CLARE INTERVIEWS. SECTION THREE (PAGES 93-94)God′s Hammer. It was God′s Hammer. Have you not listened to anything I′ve said?
FG:
Tell us about the first couple, Robert . . . tell us about Dominic and Janine. Did you watch them for a while? Did you select them, or was it something random?
Tell us about the first couple, Robert . . . tell us about Dominic and Janine. Did you watch them for a while? Did you select them, or was it something random?
RMC:
They were selected.
They were selected.
WH:
And how was the selection process carried out, Robert?
And how was the selection process carried out, Robert?
RMC:
They had to look a certain way, I think. I don′t know how they are chosen.
They had to look a certain way, I think. I don′t know how they are chosen.
WH:
Do you choose them, or does someone choose them for you? RMC: They are chosen for me.
Do you choose them, or does someone choose them for you? RMC: They are chosen for me.
WH:
And who does the choosing for you, Robert?
And who does the choosing for you, Robert?
RMC:
I don′t know.
I don′t know.
FG:
You don′t know, or you don′t remember?
You don′t know, or you don′t remember?
RMC:
I don′t know. I know that someone is sent, and someone shows me who has been chosen.
I don′t know. I know that someone is sent, and someone shows me who has been chosen.
FG:
Someone is sent?
Someone is sent?
RMC:
I am not saying anything more about that.
I am not saying anything more about that.
FG:
Okay, okay. So tell us what you remember about the first two you attacked.
Okay, okay. So tell us what you remember about the first two you attacked.
RMC:
I remember how she screamed . . . like she thought if she made enough noise someone might hear and come and help her. I hit the boy first. That was a mistake. I learned that you have to hit the girl first because they always make the most noise, but you have to be fast and hit the girl hard enough to silence her. Then you have to hit the boy before he has a chance to react.
I remember how she screamed . . . like she thought if she made enough noise someone might hear and come and help her. I hit the boy first. That was a mistake. I learned that you have to hit the girl first because they always make the most noise, but you have to be fast and hit the girl hard enough to silence her. Then you have to hit the boy before he has a chance to react.
FG:
And what did you do to her, Robert?
And what did you do to her, Robert?
RMC:
I cleaned her up real good, you know? I can call you Frank? Is it okay if I call you Frank, Detective Gorman?
I cleaned her up real good, you know? I can call you Frank? Is it okay if I call you Frank, Detective Gorman?
FG:
Sure you can, Robert.
Sure you can, Robert.
RMC:
Frank and Warren. Okay.
Frank and Warren. Okay.
FG:
You were saying?
You were saying?
RMC:
Yes . . . she got fixed up real good, Frank. That′s a good name. Frank. Frank is a good name . . . a good masculine name, simple, no mistaking Frank, eh, Frank?
Yes . . . she got fixed up real good, Frank. That′s a good name. Frank. Frank is a good name . . . a good masculine name, simple, no mistaking Frank, eh, Frank?
FG:
No, Robert, no mistaking Frank. Carry on telling us what happened to her.
No, Robert, no mistaking Frank. Carry on telling us what happened to her.
RMC:
She had on white socks, I think - and sneakers. Yes, white socks and sneakers. And there was blood all over her. A lot of blood, I think. But she had this expression like there was something hopeful inside of her, something that told her to make like she was enjoying herself, and she might walk away alive.
She had on white socks, I think - and sneakers. Yes, white socks and sneakers. And there was blood all over her. A lot of blood, I think. But she had this expression like there was something hopeful inside of her, something that told her to make like she was enjoying herself, and she might walk away alive.
WH:
But she didn′t, right, Robert? She didn′t walk away from it did she?
But she didn′t, right, Robert? She didn′t walk away from it did she?
RMC:
No she didn′t, Warren . . . she didn′t ever walk again.
No she didn′t, Warren . . . she didn′t ever walk again.
FG:
And then?
And then?
RMC:
And then nothing. I hit the boy, I hit the girl, everything was finished. I went home. I was gonna stop for pizza on the way back but I wasn′t really hungry.
And then nothing. I hit the boy, I hit the girl, everything was finished. I went home. I was gonna stop for pizza on the way back but I wasn′t really hungry.
JERSEY CITY TRIBUNE
Thursday, 20 December 1984
Editor′s Viewpoint The Death of Community
As the Editor of a major city newspaper I am constantly alerted to the fact that our society has dramatically changed. In my twenty-three year career as a journalist and newspaperman, I have seen the headlines week after week, year after year, and it seems that the job of reporting has now become less a matter of relaying the facts as a matter of stomaching the brutal truth of what human beings are capable of doing to one another.
It is a tragic comment on our community when a man has to apply to the District Attorney′s Office to protect his home and business premises from people he refers to as ′murder freaks′. (See Page 1 of this edition: ′Hammer of God′ Boss Instigates Legal Action Against Trespassers′.) Don Farbolin has lived and worked in Jersey City for nineteen years. His wife, Maureen, works alongside him at the company they own, a small but moderately successful car repair and renovation shop called ′Auto-Medic Vehicle Repair and Recovery′ on Luis Muñoz Marin Boulevard. Mr Farbolin has stated that his business has collapsed since the arrest of Robert Clare, currently being held in the State Psychiatric Facility in Elizabeth awaiting evaluation for fitness for trial for five recent murders. This collapse is due to loss of custom, the majority of this loss down to the fact that both his home and his business premises have been overrun by people seeking some sort of ′memento′ of Clare, a serial murderer. ′I don′t understand it,′ Mr Farbolin said. ′Who, in their right mind, would want to own something that belonged to a person like Robert Clare? The guy killed people. He was a bad person, it′s as simple as that. I feel like I′ve been targeted by people simply because I had the decency to give someone a job. It′s not right. This isn′t the American Way.′ (Continued on Page 23)
WH:
What happened then, after you went home, Robert?
What happened then, after you went home, Robert?
RMC:
I don′t know what happens right away . . . later, when everything . . .
I don′t know what happens right away . . . later, when everything . . .
WH:
Everything what, Robert?
Everything what, Robert?
RMC:
I don′t remember.
I don′t remember.
FG:
Tell us something you do remember.
Tell us something you do remember.
RMC:
The blood. I remember the blood. I remember the sound of the hammer when it hit the boy. Again when it hit the girl afterwards. That was the first time I did it, and for a little while it made me sick to my stomach, but I didn′t have a choice. I remember watching the first girl . . . the way her expression changed, you know? The things that were done to her . . . the way she became a woman before she was even old enough to understand what being a woman was all about. I saw those things. They made me crazy, Frank, really crazy. All that kissing and touching . . .
The blood. I remember the blood. I remember the sound of the hammer when it hit the boy. Again when it hit the girl afterwards. That was the first time I did it, and for a little while it made me sick to my stomach, but I didn′t have a choice. I remember watching the first girl . . . the way her expression changed, you know? The things that were done to her . . . the way she became a woman before she was even old enough to understand what being a woman was all about. I saw those things. They made me crazy, Frank, really crazy. All that kissing and touching . . .
FG:
And how did you feel later? You know, later, when you got home. How did you feel after the first one? [Subject is silent for forty-nine seconds]
And how did you feel later? You know, later, when you got home. How did you feel after the first one? [Subject is silent for forty-nine seconds]
FG:
Robert?
Robert?
RMC:
How did I feel? How would anyone feel after such a thing? I felt like the Hammer of God.
SECTION FIVE (PAGES 96-97)How did I feel? How would anyone feel after such a thing? I felt like the Hammer of God.
FG:
And what about the second one?
And what about the second one?
RMC:
The second one?
The second one?
FG:
The one after Dominic Vallelly and Janine Luckman? You remember them Robert? The 4th of October. Gerry Wheland and Samantha Merrett. RMC: I remember them.
The one after Dominic Vallelly and Janine Luckman? You remember them Robert? The 4th of October. Gerry Wheland and Samantha Merrett. RMC: I remember them.
WH:
Tell us what happened between the first attack and the second. RMC: Happened? Nothing happened.
Tell us what happened between the first attack and the second. RMC: Happened? Nothing happened.
FG:
You waited nearly two months to attack again. How come so long?
You waited nearly two months to attack again. How come so long?
RMC:
Everything was out of my control, Frank. Everything was way beyond my control by that point.
Everything was out of my control, Frank. Everything was way beyond my control by that point.
FG:
What d′you mean, way beyond your control?
What d′you mean, way beyond your control?
RMC:
Everything took on a life of its own. It was like something possessed me . . . something got inside of me and I couldn′t stop it. There they were - they were right in front of me - and there was nothing I could do to stop any of it happening. If I hadn′t done it then everything would have been so much worse. I can′t expect you to understand what it was like . . . you haven′t ever seen anything like the things I saw—WH: What you saw? Saw where?
Everything took on a life of its own. It was like something possessed me . . . something got inside of me and I couldn′t stop it. There they were - they were right in front of me - and there was nothing I could do to stop any of it happening. If I hadn′t done it then everything would have been so much worse. I can′t expect you to understand what it was like . . . you haven′t ever seen anything like the things I saw—WH: What you saw? Saw where?
RMC:
The night I went out again. The second night. In October. I thought it wouldn′t happen again, thought maybe two were enough. But that night I got the message again . . . the message to go out to work again . . .
The night I went out again. The second night. In October. I thought it wouldn′t happen again, thought maybe two were enough. But that night I got the message again . . . the message to go out to work again . . .
WH:
Where did the message come from, Robert?
Where did the message come from, Robert?
RMC:
I don′t know. Didn′t I already tell you I don′t know? I don′t know where the message came from . . . it′s all dark inside, dark all the time, like there are no windows, and I go down there and I can see them, and hear them crying and screaming like their souls are crying and screaming . . . like they know what they′re doing is wrong and they need to be cleansed, but they′re too afraid to do it for themselves so they need me to help them . . . and I could feel how afraid they were, and I knew the only thing that would stop them being so afraid is if they were wished all the way up into Heaven. The instruction comes, and you don′t ignore it, right? It was like a light came on above them and I knew they were the ones . . . And it proves beyond all doubt the compassion of God, that He loves all men regardless of what they have done.
I don′t know. Didn′t I already tell you I don′t know? I don′t know where the message came from . . . it′s all dark inside, dark all the time, like there are no windows, and I go down there and I can see them, and hear them crying and screaming like their souls are crying and screaming . . . like they know what they′re doing is wrong and they need to be cleansed, but they′re too afraid to do it for themselves so they need me to help them . . . and I could feel how afraid they were, and I knew the only thing that would stop them being so afraid is if they were wished all the way up into Heaven. The instruction comes, and you don′t ignore it, right? It was like a light came on above them and I knew they were the ones . . . And it proves beyond all doubt the compassion of God, that He loves all men regardless of what they have done.
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