Secrets in the Shallows (Book 1: The Monastery Murders) (40 page)

Satisfied, Ray smiled and closed the door behind him as he headed back to the lab. Peter smiled as he picked up his phone immediately and dialed the sheriff’s number.

“Sheriff Johnson here.”

Peter leaned back in his chair, basking in joy of the discovery. “Sheriff. Peter Balkan. I’ve got some news for you.”

“Did you find a match?” the sheriff’s voice elevated.

“Yes, sir. Mother Superior’s hair was a 99.8% match with the samples recovered from the pond.”

“And you’re completely confident in the findings, Doc?”

Peter smiled and replied, “Absolutely, sir. I’d stake my reputation on Coke’s findings any day of the year. He knows what he’s doing.”

“Get me your report ASAP, Doc. I need that to get the arrest warrant signed today while I have her in holding.”

“I’m on it, Sheriff. I’ll have it to you by lunch time.”

“That’s perfect, Doc. I’m supposed to be in court at 1300 hours. It would be great for you to bring the report with you so we can get everything taken care of while I’ve got the judge’s attention.”

“I’ll be there, Sheriff.”

“Thank you. I guess I need to make a few calls before I get to court this afternoon. I’m sure the D.A. will be very happy to hear this revelation. I’ll talk to you later,” the sheriff said as he hung up his phone.

Peter stood up and headed out of his office to further discuss the test results with Coke. Thoughts kept running through his mind as he walked in the lab.
Even after getting the test results, I still can’t see how that old woman did all of this. She just doesn’t seem the type. I guess it proves you can’t judge a book by its cover.

* * * *

Perplexed by Peter’s news, Sheriff Johnson took a sip from his travel mug as he drove past the Wattsville city limits sign on Route 17. With all of the evidence mounting against Mother Superior, his mind was flooded with concerns.
Even though all the facts point to Mother being the killer, I still can’t believe that she would do it. I have no choice but to arrest her for Timmy’s murder, even though in my heart, I just can’t believe it’s her.

Taking a deep breath, the sheriff grabbed his phone. Using his quick dial, he called John Smith.

After three rings, John answered. “District Attorney John Smith.”

“John, this is Johnson. We’ve got a DNA match from the nuns’ hair samples with the rope and the backpack.”

John’s voice rose slightly, “Oh, really? Who was the match?”

“I’m still completely confused by all the facts, but there is just too much evidence to ignore. It’s Mother Superior Mary Ellen, John.”

John gasped. “Oh, my god! Really?! How confident are you that it’s her? I mean, she
is Mother Superior,
and not some drug lord.”

“I know! That’s what I have been wresting with; but the tests are about as close to 100% of a match as we can get. There is no doubt. I have to arrest her for Timothy Fields’ murder,” the sheriff conceded.

“I will go ahead and get the paperwork taken care of before court this afternoon. At least I’ve got a couple of hours to do it. See you at 1:00?”

With a half-smile, Sheriff Johnson replied, “Yeah, I’ll be there. I’m going to grab a sandwich on the way into the office, so I can get my own paperwork taken care of. It’s will get busier too. Well, I need to go.”

“Yes, it is. See you there, Sheriff,” John said as he hung up.

Sheriff Johnson turned on to Main Street and pulled into a parking spot.
At least a delicious corned beef on rye sandwich from Kelsey’s Kozy Kitchen will make me feel better,
he thought as he got out of the car.

C
HAPTER
36

The bailiff stood silently by the judge’s bench, waiting for Judge Taylor to enter the courtroom. A short stenographer with curly red hair walked in, sat down, and then started to set up her equipment. A air of reverence permeated the room as everyone waited for the judge to come in. Sheriff Johnson walked into the room quietly, holding his investigation paperwork in his hand as he sat in a cushioned seat behind the railing on the prosecution’s side.

The courtroom doors opened quickly and smoothly. Holding his briefcase in one hand and a bottled water in the other, John walked in at an accelerated pace. Nodding to acknowledge Sheriff Johnson, he stopped in the aisle. “Hello, Sheriff. Did you get some lunch?”

The sheriff chuckled, “Of course. You know I can’t miss out on Kelsey’s corned beef sandwiches.” Lowering his voice, he asked, “Did you get everything done that you needed for the warrant?”

John leaned down to whisper in the sheriff’s ear. “I told you I’d take care of everything. Don’t worry. It’s all good.”

Sheriff Johnson smiled and said in a low voice, “I never doubted you could do it, John. Now, let’s get this court business taken care of so we can do our jobs.”

John smiled and replied, “We will. As long as the Greens show up, we’ll be able to get Tom’s body exhumed; and Mother’s arrest warrant is all ready to be signed by everyone. Don’t worry.”

Walking away towards the front of the courtroom, John headed to the prosecution table on the right, and set his briefcase down on top. Opening the case he rummaged through a few folders, and quickly spread some paperwork out in front of him before seating down.

Filled with anticipation, Sheriff Johnson’s mind was like a whirlwind.
Thank God, John was able to get everything done! Now, I can get Mother Superior’s arrest warrant signed too. I need to have Tom’s body exhumed immediately. I just hope the Greens show up soon. Where are they?
He looked around, searching for any sign of Tom and Helen.

As Judge Taylor entered the courtroom, the bailiff said, “All rise.”

Sheriff Johnson, John, and everyone else in the room stood up. Judge Taylor sat down in his chair and organized his paperwork at his bench. After taking a sip of water, he nodded to the bailiff.

“You may be seated,” the bailiff stated to the small crowd in the room, who then obeyed.

Sheriff Johnson fixed his eyes on the wall clock, as the judge whispered some instructions to the bailiff. With each passing minute, the sheriff became more and more concerned that he had not been successful in persuading the Greens to come. Unable to sit completely still, he fiddled with his hat.

Looking directly at the sheriff, Judge Taylor asked him, “Sheriff Johnson and Mister District Attorney. Can you both approach the bench, please?”

Immediately, the sheriff and John stood up and obeyed the request.

“Did you manage to get in touch with the Greens, Sheriff? Are they going to show?” the judge asked him quietly.

“Yes, I did, Your Honor. I am confident they will show.”
I pray they will, at least,
he thought to himself.

The courtroom doors opened and Peter quietly entered dressed in a dark blue fashionable business suit. He sat down on the front bench behind John’s table.

The judge, Sheriff Johnson and John turned around and acknowledged Peter. They watched as he sat down on the first empty seat near the aisle.

The judge glanced at the clock, which read 1 p.m. “Mr. and Mrs. Green haven’t shown up, I take it?”

“Nope, not yet. I even made a special trip out there to see them this morning. Mrs. Green assured me that she would be here, but I’m getting a little nervous, Your Honor,” Sheriff Johnson replied.

“Sheriff Johnson, I will give them ten minute, before I have to move on. I’ll look over some case updates while we wait; unless you have something else to discuss.”

“Actually, I do, Your Honor. Dr. Peter Balkan took samples from every nun on the monastery campus to compare with the hair samples from the crime scene. Several hairs were tangled in the rope found in the monastery pond, where Timothy Fields’ body was discovered. The same hairs were found in Tom Green’s backpack as well.”

“And what were Dr. Balkan’s findings, Sheriff?”

“Your Honor, the samples match Mother Superior’s hair by 99.8%. That is in addition to the other evidence I have told you about already. She was the last known person to have seen Timothy Fields alive, according to her own witness statement. The forensics team is still at the monastery collecting more evidence as we speak. There is no telling what they will find. I already have a lot of evidence to support a case against her for Timothy Fields’ murder. I just need the arrest warrant signed.”

“I tell you what, Sheriff. After this court session is over today, I’ll meet with you in my chambers to go over the evidence you have, and hear about what your team finds today. We can discuss everything then.”

Sheriff Johnson replied, “Very good, Your Honor. We have everything ready for you to sign. Thank you, sir.”

Looking at his watch, Judge Taylor replied, “No problem, Sheriff. However, it would seem that time has run out on the Greens to show up.”

The sheriff looked very disappointed as the judge grabbed his gavel; however, before he could slam it down on the mallet, the courtroom the doors opened. Tom and Helen Green, Sr. walked in, holding each other’s hand.

Judge Taylor stared at the couple a moment and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Green, so nice you could join us. I haven’t seen you in a while. Would you please take your seats while we get things started? Thank you.”

Turning to the sheriff and John, the judge said in a low voice, “Well, Gentlemen, it seems we have a body to get officially exhumed. You may return to the proceedings at hand.”

John hurried back to the table stacked with his briefcase, papers and folders. He quickly sat down and began to jot a few notes down on his planner. Sheriff Johnson quietly walked over to where the Greens were sitting. The couple shifted one seat down from the aisle to allow the sheriff to sit down at the end.

The corners of the Sheriff’s mouth curled up slightly as he whispered, “I’m glad you both made it. I was afraid you two weren’t going to show up. I was beginning to sweat a bit.”

Tom, Sr. shook his hand and whispered, “To tell you the truth, we almost didn’t. He lowered his eyes to the floor. “But, then, all I could think about was Herbert and Margie Fields and their son. If the killer who took Timmy’s life also took our Tom’s, then he needs to be caught.”

The sheriff leaned in and assured them, “I know it is hard on the both of you, but you’re doing the right thing.”

Tom nodded respectfully. “I know, Sheriff. That’s why we’re here.”

John turned around and smiled at the couple, nodding his head in acknowledgment. Sheriff Johnson smiled at the couple before returning to his previous seat.

The judge looked at John and asked, “So are we ready to proceed with the matter at hand, Mister District Attorney?”

Standing up, John replied, “Yes, Your Honor. As you can see, the Greens have arrived, and are willing to cooperate with us in this unusual request.”

Judge Taylor took a sip if water, put the glass back down, and then turned to the sheriff and asked him, “Sheriff Johnson, it is my understanding evidence was discovered to indicate that the death of Tom Green, Jr. may not have been a suicide, as previously determined?”

Sheriff Johnson stood to his feet. “Yes, Your Honor. We feel that Tom Green, Jr.’s body may reveal some evidence that could have been overlooked due to the previously determined cause of death.”

“And you would like the body of Tom Green Junior to be exhumed to investigate further, correct?”

“We feel it is necessary, Your Honor,” Sheriff Johnson spoke up.

Judge Taylor turned his attention to John. “Any objections, Mister District Attorney?”

John stood up buttoning his suit. “No, Your Honor. There is evidence of a direct connection to the death of Timothy Fields.”

“Is all the necessary paperwork in order for the exhumation to be authorized?”

John responded, “Yes, Your Honor. Everything is in order and ready for your authorization.”

Picking up a small stack of papers from in front of him, John gestured to the bailiff to retrieve it. The bailiff approached John and grasped the papers, then automatically handed them to Judge Taylor.

Taking the papers, the judge placed his reading glasses on his nose and studied several pages. His eyes rested on various sections of the document for extended moments. Organizing the pages, he set them back down in front of him on the desk, before taking a sip of water.