Secrets in the Shallows (Book 1: The Monastery Murders) (25 page)

Dr. Grant returned the greeting. “Hello, Jim. Well, it seems some personal effects that were with a body are missing. These are important evidence for a murder case, so we need to give the surveillance videos for the past twenty-four hours to Sheriff Johnson. If you want to save the files to a flash drive or something, that’s fine, but he needs to have the original timestamp on them so we know there wasn’t any tampering.”

Jim furrowed his brow. “Do you have a warrant?”

“Listen, we just found out the items are missing, and the longer we wait, the more chance there might be that the evidence could be altered or disappear for good. I’m trying to solve a young man’s death. He wasn’t even out of high school yet. Can’t you please help me?”

Taking a deep breath, Jim studied both of their faces for a moment. Half-joking, he said, “I’ll need you both to sign the appropriate paperwork. I don’t want my boss to get on my case for not doing my job.”

Sheriff Johnson said, “We’ll do whatever we need to. I must have copies of those videos as soon as possible, though. I can wait while you get the paperwork filled out. Just tell me where to sign.”

“Very well. It may take a few minutes. You can wait in those chairs if you wish or I can call you when they’re ready if you have other things to do.”

Dr. Grant said, “I need to get back to the morgue and talk to Dr. Balkan. Why don’t you just call my extension when they’re ready, Jim?”

“That’ll be fine. I’ll call you as soon as I’m done,” Jim promised.

The doctor turned to Sheriff Johnson and asked, “Does that suit you? We can discuss the autopsy more while we wait.”

The sheriff replied, “That will work.”

“Thank you, Jim,” Dr. Grant said.

Jim smiled at him and said, “My pleasure, Doc.”

Dr. Grant and Sheriff Johnson headed back to the hospital morgue, anxious to find out what had happened to the missing items.

* * * *

When Dr. Grant and Sheriff Johnson returned to the morgue, Barb greeted them warmly. “I have the transfer paperwork filled out and ready for your signatures. I’ve already had Dr. Balkan sign it.” She held up a clipboard with all of the necessary paperwork attached.

“Seems that is becoming a habit around here,” the sheriff chuckled.

Barb handed the clipboard over to Dr. Grant for his signature. The doctor scribbled his name on the line and then passed it over to the sheriff. Sheriff Johnson signed his name and then passed it back to Barb.

“I think that will do it,” the sheriff said.

Barb smiled and said, “I’ll get some copies made for everyone and bring them in when I’m done.” She walked to the copy area as the men headed in the examination room.

Upon seeing Peter in the lab, Dr. Grant asked him, “Find everything you need so far?”

“Doing great, Doctor. Your assistant got the autopsy report for me and said that the transport order just needed your signature.”

“Already signed it. She’s making the copies now,” Dr. Grant replied. Picking up the folder, Peter said, “I read your report, Dr. Grant. Seems pretty cut and dry, but I still always like to run my own tests and examination.”

“I understand. Will someone be at your lab later today?”

“Yes, I need to get back to my lab when I’m done here. I also have one of the best forensic specialists in the state at my office ... Ray Hugh. He’ll be there, even if I’m not.”

“Oh yes,
Coke Bottle Ray,
” Sheriff Johnson interjected. “I’ve heard of him.”

“Yes, that’s the one!” Peter chuckled as he started putting away his camera and other items.

Dr. Grant pulled the sheet back over the body. “I’ll have him transported immediately.”

“Thank you, Dr. Grant. I appreciate all of your cooperation. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

Dr. Grant said, “I am so disturbed by this murder. I can’t imagine who could’ve done this.”

“A monster,” replied Sheriff Johnson. “By the way, Dr. Grant, I will need to put you on our witness list when we get to the trial phase. We need to figure out who did this first, of course.”

“Of course, Sheriff. I’ll help any way I can,” Dr. Grant said.

“Thank you, Doctor. We’ll be in touch,” Peter said as he finished putting up his things. He removed his gloves and disposed of them in the biohazard container. Then, picking up his case, he added, “Sheriff, I think I’m done here when you are.”

“I’ll check and see when those videos will be ready. Once I have those, we can head out. I’m going to get Williams reviewing the footage as soon as I get back. Hopefully, we’ll see who took the evidence,” the sheriff replied.

Just then, Barb entered the lab, holding the transport order copies. Handing them to Dr. Grant, Dr. Balkan and Sheriff Johnson, she said, “The security officer, Jim Thompson, just called and said the surveillance videos are copied, and the flashdrive is ready for you to pick up.”

“Perfect timing!” the sheriff exclaimed. “It’s nice that something is going right today.”

Dr. Grant asked the sheriff, “Do you need me to lead you back, or do you remember the way?”

“I think we can manage. I won’t take any more of your time, Doctor.” Sheriff Johnson smiled.

“Okay. Let me know if either of you need anything else. Good luck,” Dr. Grant said.

Peter shook Dr. Grant’s hand and said, “Thank you, Doctor.” Glancing at the sheriff, Peter continued, “I’ll follow you out, Sheriff. We can form our battleplan.”

“Have a good day,” Sheriff Johnson said as he shook Dr. Grant’s hand. He waved as he headed out the door. Peter followed him down the hallway to pick up the evidence.

C
HAPTER
23

Herbert and Margie Fields sat in
Interrogation Room 1,
which contained a table and four chairs. On the table, a stack of paper cups were set beside a small pitcher filled with water. The grieving couple remained quiet, as the older man held his wife’s hand and squeezed it gently.

Without a warning, Sheriff Johnson walked in with a manila folder, a pen and a legal pad. He tossed the items on the table and sat down. Deputy Shamberg strutted into the room after the sheriff, and then stood near the door.

Sheriff Johnson greeted the couple without any obvious emotion. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Fields. I appreciate you coming in to answer some questions. Can I get you some coffee?”

The couple replied, “No, thank you.”

“What is this about, Sheriff?” Herbert asked.

Sheriff Johnson took a deep sigh, “I need you ask you some questions, Herbert. Margie, I think it is best for you to go wait in the other interrogation room.” Turning to Deputy Shamberg, he continued, “Will you take Mrs. Fields in
Interrogation Room 2
and question her?”

Margie picked up her purse by the handles and quietly stood up before following Deputy Shamberg out of the room. The door closed slowly behind them as their footsteps faded down the hallway, followed by a door closing in the distance.

Herbert looked directly at the sheriff. “Okay. What is it?”

The sheriff stared Herbert in the eyes and said, “Herbert, I am trying to solve your son’s murder, so anyone involved is a suspect until we determine otherwise. I need you to answers some questions before I can rule you out.”

Herbert’s face grew taut as he replied, “I get it. But, you know me, Sheriff. We’ve been friends for years.”

“I know, Herbert. I don’t want to believe it was you, but if so, I will have to arrest you. If not, then please answer any questions I ask. To start with, tell me about your finances.”

Confusion filled Herbert’s mind. “Why do you want to know that?”

“Are things good for you, Herbert?”

Herbert looked at the Sheriff. With his arms stretched out, “You still haven’t told me what this is about, Sheriff?”

“You’re a lobster man.”

“Yes, so what? Most of us are in Wattsville. You know that, Sheriff.”

“Has fishing been good to you this year?”

Feeling uneasy with the interrogation, he shifted his weight in his chair, “It’s been fair, but not great. It’s been that way for everyone.”

Sheriff Johnson nodded his head. “I see.” He paused and then continued, “Do you have any big bills to pay?”

Herbert leaned up on his elbows, “What are you getting at, Sheriff?”

Sheriff Johnson opened up the manila folder and removed a piece of paper. He tossed it over to Herbert. Herbert picked it up, still confused.

“Tell me about this policy, Herbert?”

He lowered the paper and replied, “It’s the life insurance policy I took out on Timmy to help him in the future. It’s a whole life policy so he could have money if he ever needs it. It gains interest on a percentage of the premiums. I was trying to help him, especially after I am gone.”

Sheriff Johnson sat back in his chair for a moment. “You took out a policy for one-hundred thousand dollars, which you can bank now that Timmy’s dead.” The sheriff looked directly at Herbert.

Glancing at the paper, Herbert replied, “So what? Lots of parents take out policies on their kids. I don’t see the connection. You think I killed my only son over an insurance policy? What kind of parent do you think I am?!”

The sheriff looked up toward the ceiling and let out a long, deep breath. “It happens all the time, more than you might realize.”

Herbert sat back in his chair. He could feel the heat rising in his neck and ears. Knowing he had to keep his composure, he cleared his throat. He grabbed the glass of water and drank it quickly. White knuckled, he held onto the glass. Through his teeth, he said in a low voice, “I could
never
do such a thing.”

“How much would you estimate the payoff for your house is? Does it equal the insurance payment you will get as the direct beneficiaries?” Sheriff Johnson commented.

“I would have to call about the exact payoff, but it’s around ninety-thousand dollars; but I would never do anything to harm our son. I’ll work 100 years to pay off my debts rather than harm anyone I love.” Herbert’s eyes welled up as his heartfelt words spilled out of his soul. “My child is dead, Sheriff, and I can’t replace him. I would give you my life if it would bring him back. I would never kill my boy!”

“I’m not saying you did, but I have to get answers to my questions in order to rule you completely out. Go ahead and tell me everything you can. Where were you on the day that Timmy went missing in the storm?”

“I knew the storm was moving in, so I didn’t bother to take the boat out. My wife can vouch for the fact that I was home with her all day. I would never destroy our family. You know that, Sheriff.”

Sheriff Johnson smiled and relaxed slightly. “I know you love your family, Herbert. I just have to ask you the questions. I also need you to stay in the county until I rule you out. Do you understand?”

Herbert looked back at the sheriff, completely filled with sadness. “Yes, Sheriff. Are we done?”

The sheriff nodded as he stood up. “Yes, Herbert. That’s all I need to ask you for now. I may have more questions as the investigation continues.”

Herbert stood and said, “I hope you catch the real killer soon, Sheriff.” Disgruntled, he straightened his coat as he walked through the door and down the hallway.

Just as Herbert passed
Interrogation Room 2
, Deputy Shamberg was finishing up asking similar questions to Margie, with results similar to the sheriff’s meeting with Herbert. As he reached the waiting area nearby, the door opened and a pale Margie emerged with Deputy Shamberg. Herbert walked over and wrapped both arms around her shoulder as he hugged her.

“Margie, let’s go home.”

Margie nodded silently and put on her winter coat. She walked beside her husband towards the entrance. Arm in arm, they left the building and walked out into the cold winter’s day.

* * * *

After returning to his office, Sheriff Johnson leaned back in his chair as he spoke on his phone. “Thanks, Jerry. I appreciate you getting the dive team ready to go in the morning. Will 10 a.m. work for you?”

Jerry Talbert, from Maine’s State Police Search and Rescue Team replied, “That would be better than earlier, since it is supposed to get so cold tonight. I will have them bring their dry suits that have warm water flowing through them. That way they should be able to keep somewhat warm in that freezing water. The forecast showed that it will be sunny tomorrow too; so that should help also.”