Dr. Snuff

Shannon was casually surfing the internet concealed by the darkness of night merged with the blackness of the small study in her apartment, with her laptop providing her only but sufficient light source, giving a bluish hew. While others slept soundly for another day at the office, she was intently on the prowl in the cyber world. While this is seen as a normal occurrence not just in the United States but worldwide, Shannon was shopping, but not for a pair of high heeled cork wedges or the latest Eat This Not That dietary guide, but something so illegal, that even surfing this obscure explorer in of itself was potentially felonious...she was browsing a list of assassins for hire on the devil’s internet: the dark web.

The website for these spine tingling rent-a-killers claimed as their tagline: “Seeking revenge? Desiring that fortune from a loved one? Perhaps you would like to wipe out your political opponent and gain office? Our professional assassins are ready and waiting to assist you for your personal gain and leave your target eliminated without a trace of evidence.” Prices ranged, depending on the target. If it were, say, a nephew of a wealthy uncle who is leaving you a million dollars in his will and you’re just too greedy to wait until he inevitably flatlines, the price could be $1,000 more-or-less. If you were a presidential candidate and would stop at nothing to become the leader of the free world, then the prices would be anywhere from $25,000 to over five million. These men were, in terms of the criminal realm, the cream of the crop. At least ninety percent of the lineup had extensive military background, mostly special forces, a few of them were well experienced detectives or law enforcement agents like Matthew Mcconaughey in Killer Joe. One stood out awesomely promising and Shannon didn’t spare a nanosecond assessing this particular profile which described and read:

Name: Dr. Noah Glazier M.D., A.K.A. “Dr. Snuff.”

Profile: Greetings potential client, I understand that my nickname appears to be akin to a cliched villain’s title you’d only read of in a comic book, but my services are anything but. I am a forensic pathologist and coroner who is scientifically and medically inclined, which makes me a trustworthy assassin, as I will leave no stone unturned and not a speck of evidence to be discovered, all that might remain, would be too difficult to determine and eventually, render the case cold. In addition to my medical science degree and experience, I am also a licensed peace officer who scored exceptionally in marksmanship and tactical firing. I own several firearms as well as suppressors, which I design, customize, and test myself. I also have training as a locksmith, therefore, I can pick any keyhole or hear for any combination with my eyes closed. I have twelve years of experience in the field with the Los Angeles police department, so far I have snuffed out nineteen targets, and I’m a detective in my own rite. I can make any elimination of your desired target appear as a suicide or an accident, my know-how is more than enough. Contact me via email where I will provide you my sideline number and as far as costs are concerned, we shall meet up and you can name your price.

The next morning, Shannon awaited his arrival at a local Starbucks. Around 10:30, a charismatic, casually dressed, and clean shaven gentleman in his late forties arrived and sat at her table. It was Dr. Snuff in person. He shook her hand like a business partner making a deal with one of those prestigious Japanese gentlemen to make a lucrative profit. Shannon’s target... was her ex-husband, Frank. They divorced over two years ago and as a consequence of being a heavy drinker, a cheating spouse, and occasionally becoming physically and emotionally abusive, Frank won custody of their two children: Sammy who was 8, and Melanie who was 11. She missed her children, even though she only wanted them for a status quo (yes, men aren’t the only ones who can play this game) and barely provide for them as she only cared about her social life and the number of guys who only cared for “wham bam thank you ma’am,” she would play soulmate with, further endangering her two children. Dr. Snuff agreed to the agenda behind making Frank her target, and the price was $30,000. Shannon promised to have the money ready for him within a month after Frank’s demise.

While Shannon was so preoccupied for an entire month with having over six cosmopolitans and dancing the next five hours away with half a dozen horny bachelors, Dr. Snuff was hard at work studying Frank’s methods, schedules, and usual whereabouts and watering holes, most of which were child and family friendly.

Finally, the big night had arrived. Shannon stayed in touch with the murderous and obviously corrupt physician and law enforcement agent like a boss does with his employees while chasing golf balls at the country club, except she was chasing a different set of “balls” at the nightclub. Dr. Snuff assessed and calculated the position like a stealthy leopard coming in for a quick and silent kill. He locked his target onto Frank as he came into his house. The stage was set. Dr. Snuff picked the lock and crept inside undetected. There were no children in the house, so that worked wonderfully in Dr. Snuff's favor. While Frank was heavily distracted listening to a livestream on his smartphone with a headset bud protruding out of each ear, which also worked in Dr. Snuff’s favor, he raised his hands and mapped out in his mind the speed and precision, and then... SNAP!!! He broke his neck in a fashion that wouldn’t seem automatically typical of a murder. Upon dumping his body down the stairs along with an overstuffed laundry basket scattering boxers, briefs, socks, and t-shirts galore, the crime scene looked like a genuine accident. A mishap involving a vision obstructing pile of clothing and a relatively long flight of stairs made for a case that even Colombo would call an accident. Target terminated. However, as Dr. Snuff stepped back into his Jeep, he spotted something that left him confused and shocked. An SUV pulled up beside his victim’s Toyota, and stepping out... was Frank and his two children! The entire plan had pulled an M. Knight Shyamalan... what a twist! All along, Frank had a twin brother! His name was Drake, and he was taking care of the house while his brother, nephew, and niece spent the entire day at Chuck E. Cheese, followed by checking out the next Marvel superhero movie at the theater nearby.

The unharmed target and his two children were shocked and saddened at the tragic discovery of Drake's dead body. An ambulance and a patrol unit were outside the house moments later. Just as Dr. Snuff expected, there were no signs of forced entry, a struggle, or even a murder. The none-the-wiser cops and emergency medical services believed it to be a freak accident and nothing more.

Dr. Snuff notified Shannon of this turn of events, and she was livid, but either way, he did his job, granted it was sort of botched. When bosses refuse to pay their employees, it usually results in an irate strike and a massive loss, but when a client refuses to pay someone hired off the deep web, the results are grave. With the deep web, when you hear the tune, you better pay the piper! Reluctantly, Shannon checked her account. She was -$227.67 in the hole! She didn’t have a cent to spare for this morbid service she voluntarily signed up for in an attempt to make her children passengers of her train wreck of a life. The truth of the matter is that lounge lizards flush away more money than they think, it’s just as costly if not more so, than gambling.

Dr. Snuff arrived to collect the cash upfront. Loan officers were the welcome wagon by comparison to his calm yet furious demand for the payment! Shannon stammered, placated, and pled for any shred of understanding, but it was like a drugged and semiconscious woman begging Bill Cosby while in his bed to not rape her! Too little, too late! There was however a different method of payment, and Dr. Snuff pulled it out of his pocket...a noose! He quickly coiled it around her neck like a grappling hook and with a smooth yet forceful pull, her neck was broken with a SNAP that resonated all around her study room. Deep web service payments are truly your money or your life. Dr. Snuff was the Muhammad Ali of hired professional killers; float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

The next day, when a couple of murder detectives came to her apartment to find out about the death of Drake, they found the aftermath of Shannon’s murder...disguised as a suicide by hanging as she dangled from the ceiling fan. The inquisitive and critical thinking detectives believed it was suicide as a result of departing from her children, but investigations to officially rule it out as concretely such were confusing at best and impossible to figure out at worst. No note, no witness, no rhyme or reason...and no trace! Her home showed no obvious signs of a break-in, nor was there anything left behind by the notorious doctor. Her laptop, was completely cleared of any and all history. Not even the slightest of hints that she had even heard of the deep web, much less browsed it. Frank and his children are shocked at the double deaths within their family, but they will continue to live full and happy lives as well as remain safe from anymore contacts from Dr. Snuff.

One year later... an adulterous husband who is battling a divorce as well as fighting over their precious alimony is seated at the patio at Chipotle. He appears innocent enough... until a professionally garbed gentleman with sunglasses in addition. "Mr. Glazier?" the soon to be ex-husband replies. The austere and yet alluring gentleman grins and replies as they shake hands with solicitous question, "That's me, I see you desire my service?"