Deranged: The Shocking True Story of America's Most Fiendish Killer by Harold Schechter Read Free Book Online Page B

lemonade glass to his mouth, a large diamond pinky ring glittered in the lamplight.
    The old man had just set his empty glass down on the side table when Beatrice returned with her brother Eddie and his best friend, Willie Korman, another compactly built teenager with an impressive set of shoulders. Mrs. Budd introduced the boys to the elderly visitor, who half-raised himself from his seat to shake hands, then settled back onto the cushion with a wince.
    As Mrs. Budd made room for the boys on the sofa, the old man proceeded to describe his situation. For many years, he explained in a quiet, almost whispery voice, he had worked as an interior decorator in Washington, D.C. He had done very well for himself. He had a good marriage and six wonderful children. Then, his eyesight began to fail. Taking the money he had made from his business, he had indulged a lifelong dream by purchasing a “nice little farm” out in Farmingdale, Long Island.
    His wife, however, had hated country living from the start, and within a year she had abandoned him, leaving him with the care of their children. He had been both mother and father to them for a dozen years. Life had been hard for them during that time, but his children, thank God, had all turned out well. “One of my boys is a cadet at West Point,” he said proudly.
    Moreover, he had managed to make the farm a go. With three hundred chickens and a half-dozen milk cows, the place provided him with a good steady income. At present, he was able to employ a full-time Swedish cook and five farmhands.
    One of his most dependable workers had decided to move on, however, and Howard was looking to replace him. Edward’s ad had appeared at a most propitious time. He smiled up at the boy. “You look strong enough to work.”
    “Yes, sir,” Eddie answered, leaning forward eagerly. “And I ain’t afraid of hard work, either.”
    Howard nodded approvingly. “I am prepared to pay fifteen dollars per week for as long as you can stay with me.”
    “That sounds good to me,” Eddie said, turning to his mother, who was sitting beside him with a look of perfect satisfaction on her face.
    A moment of silence passed, during which Eddie and his friend exchanged a glance. “We was wondering, Mr. Howard,” Eddie said, pointing a thumb at his friend. “My chum Willie here is also looking for summer work.”
    Howard turned his gaze to Willie, then asked if he would mind standing for a moment. The boy got to his feet, drawing himself up to his full height, while the old man looked him up and down.
    “All right,” he said after a moment. “I can use a fine, big fellow like you on my farm.”
    Grinning broadly, Willie plopped himself back onto the sofa.
    Reaching a finger into his vest pocket, the old manfished around for a moment, then pulled out a big stemwinder. He snapped open the lid and held the timepiece close to his face. “I must be on my way. I have a business engagement out in New Jersey.”
    Lifting himself gingerly from his seat, he told the boys to pack the “oldest clothes you have.” He would return on Saturday afternoon with a car and drive them out to Farmingdale.
    The boys, followed by Mrs. Budd and Beatrice, escorted their benefactor to the door, where Howard shook hands all around, thanked Mrs. Budd for her hospitality, and patted the little girl on her head. Then he was gone.
    No sooner had the door shut behind him than Edward and Willie began doing a little dance around the living room, as tickled as a pair of ten-year-olds who have just received a particularly profitable visit from Santa Claus. The classified that Eddie had invested in had paid off in spades. Mr. Howard’s offer seemed too good to be true.
    And so, over the next few days, Edward Budd and William Korman excitedly began making their preparations, while the little gray man who called himself Frank Howard set about, in a state of even greater excitation, making his.

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    Workers of iniquity, which speak peace to