Smash Cut (29 page)
Authors: Sandra Brown
Tags: #Legal, #Suspense, #Fiction, #General, #Georgia, #Thrillers, #Rich people, #Atlanta (Ga.), #Trials (Murder), #Legal stories, #Rich People - Georgia
I cant believe it of Julie, Sharon Wheeler said as she spread butter onto a cheese biscuit.
Doug pushed his plate away, his lunch virtually untouched. I
dont
believe it.
I do. I never trusted her. Creighton motioned for Ruby to refill his glass with iced tea. There was something
off
with her and Uncle Paul.
Off?
Yes, Father. Off. I never could figure what it was. But it was definitely there. Rubywith undisguised attitudesloshed tea into his glass. He grabbed her other hand and kissed the back of it. She snatched her hand away and waddled off, grumbling under her breath. Thank you, he called to her in a singsong voice.
Not even the maids surliness could affect the lighthearted mood hed been in since hed turned on the television in his bathroom this morning and heard that Billy Duke had died in the home of Julie Rutledge, apparently of a fatal stabbing.
The news had given him a hard-on.
Billy Duke had gone to Julies house. Julie had stabbed him. He was dead, and she was under investigation.
Perfect! Priceless!
Was he brilliant, or what? He had laid the groundwork. The button off her blouse, easily dropped on the floor of the motel room kitchen. The strand of hair placed in Billys car. Hed planned on the police finding Billy dead in the Pine View Motel, murdered, with the trail leading straight to Julie.
But this was even better. This scenario made her look even guiltier and had much more entertainment value.
From the beginning, Billys fate had been sealed. Creighton had never intended to let him go on living once hed held up his end of the bargain. However, he had decided it was only fair to let Billy live long enough to see his former girlfriend die the gruesome death she deserved.
But then Billy had forced Creighton to rethink the timing. First, hed come to Creightons building to deliver the note. That was stupid. His heartfelt Shes just a kid. And I wasnt exactly fair to her, ei ther, and so forth, had convinced Creighton that Billy, despite how many times hed bad-mouthed the girl for testifying against him as a character witness, was, indeed, pussy-whipped. A man in that state of mind didnt think clearly and was capable of doing something rash. Like confessing.
So, bye-bye, Billy, nice doing business with you.
Luckily, Creighton had gone to the Pine View Motel prepared. Billy liked beer. He was too immersed in his misery to notice how long it took for Creighton to uncap the bottles. He hadnt suspected a thing.
Creighton wondered if, later, maybe in the middle of the night, when his insides began to cramp and he started to feel sick and disoriented, hed guessed.
Maybe he thought the ham had gone bad. Or the cheese. Maybe he thought hed caught a stomach virus.
But, actually, killing Billy hadnt provided Creighton the least bit of thrill. He hadnt got to witness the end. Maybe if he had, it would have been more exhilarating. As they shared Billys last meal, he kept telling himself that he was killing the man, that he was as good as watching him die.
When, honestly, it had been a yawn. It hadnt been as exciting as, say, seeing blood geyser from that dogs severed artery.
But it had been effective, and one couldnt have everything.
Creighton had planned on returning to that disgusting motel one last time, before Billys body started to stink, and searching for the stolen jewelry, because he knew the greedy son of a bitch was lying through his teeth about having thrown it away. The gun he probably had disposed of as hed said. Because even Billy was smart enough not to risk getting caught with a murder weapon. But the jewelry, there was profit to be made from that, and Billy had enjoyed flashy clothes.
Creighton had been spared the unpleasant cleanup problem when, for reasons that would remain forever unknown, Billy had gone to Julies house. Creighton would probably never know Billys motivation for doing it. Obviously Billy had been trying to get rid of the evidence linking him to the holdup and murder. But why take a chance on getting caught?
Ah well, what did it matter now? Billys dying in Julies house had worked out in Creightons favor, and that was all that really interested him. He was in the clear, and Julie looked guilty as hell.
Tee-hee.
This morning, to celebrate this fabulous turnabout, as soon as he was out of the shower, Creighton had placed an emergency call to a madam, whod sent over one of her girls right away. His father had actually phoned while she was giving him expert head. It was tough to hide his elation when hed told his father, yes, he had heard the news about Julie, and wasnt it positively dumbfounding?
Doug had told him that it was important that the family maintain a unified front and suggestedmake that
ordered
that Creighton not talk to any media. As if he would anyway. Rather than going to the office, Doug had said, why dont you spend the day here with your mother and me? We must regroup and decide the position were going to take regarding this.
Creighton had had no intention of going to the office, as his father well knew, but he was so full of bonhomie he didnt quarrel with his old man about circling the wagons.
After issuing one brief statement to the reporters whod assembled on the street in front of the estate, Doug had retreated to his study to go over some paperwork. Sharon had spent the morning planning a dinner party for when all this is finally behind us. Creighton had worked on his backhand with the ball machine, then taken a swim. Ruby had asked if theyd like lunch served on the terrace, and Creighton had said that sounded like an excellent idea.
It was pleasant outside, not too hot, and they were lingering over the meal.
His mother said, Creighton, you truly believe that Julie and this Billy Duke plotted to have Paul killed?
Thats what it looks like, doesnt it? Mmm. I swear, nobody makes chicken salad like Ruby. He looked at his fathers plate. Not hungry?
No.
Julie and I never had much in common, Sharon observed as she absently played with her strand of pearls. She declined when I offered to put her name under consideration for membership in my garden club, but she was very nice about it. And she did seem to love Paul.
She did love him, Doug declared. Im sure of it.
Creighton rolled his eyes. You always take up for her.
Im not taking up for her. Im stating a fact. No matter how it looks, Ill never be convinced that Julie conspired with a a
criminal
to have Paul killed. Our stance on this, unanimously, he stressed, looking at Creighton, is going to be that we hold Julie Rutledge in the highest esteem, that by all indications she was as devoted to Paul as he was to her, and that were certain that, following a thorough investigation, shell be cleared of all suspicion. Understood?
Sharon reached across the table and touched his hand. Of course, darling.
Having had his say, he pushed back his chair and stood up. Ill be in the study.
Hes still grieving, Sharon said to Creighton once Doug had gone inside. Any reminder of Paul sets him off. Id better go talk to him. She left the table and followed her husband into the house.
Creighton stretched and yawned, looked up through the branches of the live oak that shaded the table, and wondered what he would do with the rest of his day, now that he didnt have to go back to the Pine View Motel and search for his uncle Pauls Patek Philippe.
He even felt a little aimless and downcast now that it was all over. It had been such an intricate plan, inspired by one of his favorite films, and perfectly executed. Pardon the pun.
It began on the day his tennis coach had taken extra time with another player. Initially Creighton was irked by having been kept waiting, but it turned out to be fortuitous. He rarely read a newspaper. Things he imagined were always more interesting than actual events. Real-life drama paled in comparison to what his mind conjured.
But even the country clubs practice backboards were occupied that day, and there was nothing else to do while waiting for his coach, so hed picked up the newspaper that someone had left be hind and was thumbing through it when he noticed an obscure story about a young Atlanta woman whod been subpoenaed to appear in court in Omaha, Nebraska, to testify against a man on trial for extortion.
What Creighton had found most interesting was that the prosecutions case hinged on the testimonies of the Atlanta woman, a former lover of the man accused, and that of the widow he was charged with blackmailing.
Poor sucker
, Creighton thought.
I bet he wishes they were dead.
He didnt stay for his tennis lesson.
Instead he switched out his Porsche for the Land Rover hed bought on a whim but driven only a few times. He went into a Wal-Mart for the first time in his life and bought the ugliest clothes he could find, a pair of reading glasses with minimum correction, and a package of temporary hair dye.
It took him two days to drive to Omaha, where he checked into a motel under an assumed name. He was at the justice building the following day just as court was convened. The widow was surrounded by local news crews as she arrived. Basking in the glow of her notoriety, she looked bleached, blowsy, and world-wise, and, in Creightons opinion, poorly cast as a victim of deceit.
Billy Duke wore an unconvincing smirk of complacency.
Creighton pored over the local newspaper stories about the trial and watched every newscast on his motel TV. It was reported that the young woman from Atlanta had blubbered her way through her testimony. Shed been called as a character witness, and the portrait shed painted of the accused wasnt flattering.
She admitted to having been in a sexual relationship with Billy Duke. Hed led her to believe it was true love that would ultimately result in marriage. All the while he was making matrimonial promises to her, he was screwing the widow.
Billy Duke was a scoundrel and a heel. Whether or not he was a criminal would be decided by the testimony of the widow, and she was coming to court mad as hell and gunning for him.
For two days, Creighton tracked her every move, waiting for his opportunity.
On the evening of the second day, she stopped at a supermarket. When she came out, as she approached her car, Creighton walked up to her and, wearing his most disarming smile, asked if she was the woman hed been seeing on TV. Flattered, she smiled, fluttered her false eyelashes, thrust out her enormous bosoms, and said why yes, she was.
Stupid cow. She revolted him. He tried to avoid touching any part of her except her throat. Other than that, it was amazingly easy.
By the time the jury got the case, he was sick to death of Omaha, his off-the-Wal-Mart-rack clothes, and his dark hair.
Shortly after Billy Dukes acquittal, Creighton showed up at his front door and introduced himself as the person to whom Billy owed his life. He then told the dumbstruck man what he must do for him in return. Billy was so impressedor intimidatedby Creightons audacity, and so grateful for his freedom, he was easily persuaded. The hundred thousand dollars helped mitigate any lingering reservations, moral or otherwise.
Billy had been cunning, in his way, but he wasnt in the same league as Creighton. Not even close. There was also a poignant footnote: Billy had had a soft spot for the sweet kid all along. He had pleaded for her life.
Right up till the bitter end.
Whats that, dear? Creighton didnt realize that hed spoken aloud until his mother rejoined him, bringing with her a demitasse cup and saucer. Espresso?
No thanks.
Your father is on the phone with Pauls lawyer.
She continued prattling, but Creighton tuned her out. He didnt have an attachment to the sweet kid like Billy did. And he didnt like loose ends. If Billy had been calling her house, who knew what he might have said, intentionally or not, about Creighton Wheeler?
One of the news vans left tire tracks on the lawn outside the gate, his mother was saying. They have absolutely no respect for other peoples property.
Besides, it would be
fun. Abruptly he stood up. Excuse me, Mother. Ive got to go.
Go? I thought you were spending the day with us. Doug expects you to. Hell be angry.
Hell get over it.
What should I tell him? Whats so important?
Creighton bent down and kissed her cheek, then, as he pulled back, he winked. I have a date.
Doug pushed his plate away, his lunch virtually untouched. I
dont
believe it.
I do. I never trusted her. Creighton motioned for Ruby to refill his glass with iced tea. There was something
off
with her and Uncle Paul.
Off?
Yes, Father. Off. I never could figure what it was. But it was definitely there. Rubywith undisguised attitudesloshed tea into his glass. He grabbed her other hand and kissed the back of it. She snatched her hand away and waddled off, grumbling under her breath. Thank you, he called to her in a singsong voice.
Not even the maids surliness could affect the lighthearted mood hed been in since hed turned on the television in his bathroom this morning and heard that Billy Duke had died in the home of Julie Rutledge, apparently of a fatal stabbing.
The news had given him a hard-on.
Billy Duke had gone to Julies house. Julie had stabbed him. He was dead, and she was under investigation.
Perfect! Priceless!
Was he brilliant, or what? He had laid the groundwork. The button off her blouse, easily dropped on the floor of the motel room kitchen. The strand of hair placed in Billys car. Hed planned on the police finding Billy dead in the Pine View Motel, murdered, with the trail leading straight to Julie.
But this was even better. This scenario made her look even guiltier and had much more entertainment value.
From the beginning, Billys fate had been sealed. Creighton had never intended to let him go on living once hed held up his end of the bargain. However, he had decided it was only fair to let Billy live long enough to see his former girlfriend die the gruesome death she deserved.
But then Billy had forced Creighton to rethink the timing. First, hed come to Creightons building to deliver the note. That was stupid. His heartfelt Shes just a kid. And I wasnt exactly fair to her, ei ther, and so forth, had convinced Creighton that Billy, despite how many times hed bad-mouthed the girl for testifying against him as a character witness, was, indeed, pussy-whipped. A man in that state of mind didnt think clearly and was capable of doing something rash. Like confessing.
So, bye-bye, Billy, nice doing business with you.
Luckily, Creighton had gone to the Pine View Motel prepared. Billy liked beer. He was too immersed in his misery to notice how long it took for Creighton to uncap the bottles. He hadnt suspected a thing.
Creighton wondered if, later, maybe in the middle of the night, when his insides began to cramp and he started to feel sick and disoriented, hed guessed.
Maybe he thought the ham had gone bad. Or the cheese. Maybe he thought hed caught a stomach virus.
But, actually, killing Billy hadnt provided Creighton the least bit of thrill. He hadnt got to witness the end. Maybe if he had, it would have been more exhilarating. As they shared Billys last meal, he kept telling himself that he was killing the man, that he was as good as watching him die.
When, honestly, it had been a yawn. It hadnt been as exciting as, say, seeing blood geyser from that dogs severed artery.
But it had been effective, and one couldnt have everything.
Creighton had planned on returning to that disgusting motel one last time, before Billys body started to stink, and searching for the stolen jewelry, because he knew the greedy son of a bitch was lying through his teeth about having thrown it away. The gun he probably had disposed of as hed said. Because even Billy was smart enough not to risk getting caught with a murder weapon. But the jewelry, there was profit to be made from that, and Billy had enjoyed flashy clothes.
Creighton had been spared the unpleasant cleanup problem when, for reasons that would remain forever unknown, Billy had gone to Julies house. Creighton would probably never know Billys motivation for doing it. Obviously Billy had been trying to get rid of the evidence linking him to the holdup and murder. But why take a chance on getting caught?
Ah well, what did it matter now? Billys dying in Julies house had worked out in Creightons favor, and that was all that really interested him. He was in the clear, and Julie looked guilty as hell.
Tee-hee.
This morning, to celebrate this fabulous turnabout, as soon as he was out of the shower, Creighton had placed an emergency call to a madam, whod sent over one of her girls right away. His father had actually phoned while she was giving him expert head. It was tough to hide his elation when hed told his father, yes, he had heard the news about Julie, and wasnt it positively dumbfounding?
Doug had told him that it was important that the family maintain a unified front and suggestedmake that
ordered
that Creighton not talk to any media. As if he would anyway. Rather than going to the office, Doug had said, why dont you spend the day here with your mother and me? We must regroup and decide the position were going to take regarding this.
Creighton had had no intention of going to the office, as his father well knew, but he was so full of bonhomie he didnt quarrel with his old man about circling the wagons.
After issuing one brief statement to the reporters whod assembled on the street in front of the estate, Doug had retreated to his study to go over some paperwork. Sharon had spent the morning planning a dinner party for when all this is finally behind us. Creighton had worked on his backhand with the ball machine, then taken a swim. Ruby had asked if theyd like lunch served on the terrace, and Creighton had said that sounded like an excellent idea.
It was pleasant outside, not too hot, and they were lingering over the meal.
His mother said, Creighton, you truly believe that Julie and this Billy Duke plotted to have Paul killed?
Thats what it looks like, doesnt it? Mmm. I swear, nobody makes chicken salad like Ruby. He looked at his fathers plate. Not hungry?
No.
Julie and I never had much in common, Sharon observed as she absently played with her strand of pearls. She declined when I offered to put her name under consideration for membership in my garden club, but she was very nice about it. And she did seem to love Paul.
She did love him, Doug declared. Im sure of it.
Creighton rolled his eyes. You always take up for her.
Im not taking up for her. Im stating a fact. No matter how it looks, Ill never be convinced that Julie conspired with a a
criminal
to have Paul killed. Our stance on this, unanimously, he stressed, looking at Creighton, is going to be that we hold Julie Rutledge in the highest esteem, that by all indications she was as devoted to Paul as he was to her, and that were certain that, following a thorough investigation, shell be cleared of all suspicion. Understood?
Sharon reached across the table and touched his hand. Of course, darling.
Having had his say, he pushed back his chair and stood up. Ill be in the study.
Hes still grieving, Sharon said to Creighton once Doug had gone inside. Any reminder of Paul sets him off. Id better go talk to him. She left the table and followed her husband into the house.
Creighton stretched and yawned, looked up through the branches of the live oak that shaded the table, and wondered what he would do with the rest of his day, now that he didnt have to go back to the Pine View Motel and search for his uncle Pauls Patek Philippe.
He even felt a little aimless and downcast now that it was all over. It had been such an intricate plan, inspired by one of his favorite films, and perfectly executed. Pardon the pun.
It began on the day his tennis coach had taken extra time with another player. Initially Creighton was irked by having been kept waiting, but it turned out to be fortuitous. He rarely read a newspaper. Things he imagined were always more interesting than actual events. Real-life drama paled in comparison to what his mind conjured.
But even the country clubs practice backboards were occupied that day, and there was nothing else to do while waiting for his coach, so hed picked up the newspaper that someone had left be hind and was thumbing through it when he noticed an obscure story about a young Atlanta woman whod been subpoenaed to appear in court in Omaha, Nebraska, to testify against a man on trial for extortion.
What Creighton had found most interesting was that the prosecutions case hinged on the testimonies of the Atlanta woman, a former lover of the man accused, and that of the widow he was charged with blackmailing.
Poor sucker
, Creighton thought.
I bet he wishes they were dead.
He didnt stay for his tennis lesson.
Instead he switched out his Porsche for the Land Rover hed bought on a whim but driven only a few times. He went into a Wal-Mart for the first time in his life and bought the ugliest clothes he could find, a pair of reading glasses with minimum correction, and a package of temporary hair dye.
It took him two days to drive to Omaha, where he checked into a motel under an assumed name. He was at the justice building the following day just as court was convened. The widow was surrounded by local news crews as she arrived. Basking in the glow of her notoriety, she looked bleached, blowsy, and world-wise, and, in Creightons opinion, poorly cast as a victim of deceit.
Billy Duke wore an unconvincing smirk of complacency.
Creighton pored over the local newspaper stories about the trial and watched every newscast on his motel TV. It was reported that the young woman from Atlanta had blubbered her way through her testimony. Shed been called as a character witness, and the portrait shed painted of the accused wasnt flattering.
She admitted to having been in a sexual relationship with Billy Duke. Hed led her to believe it was true love that would ultimately result in marriage. All the while he was making matrimonial promises to her, he was screwing the widow.
Billy Duke was a scoundrel and a heel. Whether or not he was a criminal would be decided by the testimony of the widow, and she was coming to court mad as hell and gunning for him.
For two days, Creighton tracked her every move, waiting for his opportunity.
On the evening of the second day, she stopped at a supermarket. When she came out, as she approached her car, Creighton walked up to her and, wearing his most disarming smile, asked if she was the woman hed been seeing on TV. Flattered, she smiled, fluttered her false eyelashes, thrust out her enormous bosoms, and said why yes, she was.
Stupid cow. She revolted him. He tried to avoid touching any part of her except her throat. Other than that, it was amazingly easy.
By the time the jury got the case, he was sick to death of Omaha, his off-the-Wal-Mart-rack clothes, and his dark hair.
Shortly after Billy Dukes acquittal, Creighton showed up at his front door and introduced himself as the person to whom Billy owed his life. He then told the dumbstruck man what he must do for him in return. Billy was so impressedor intimidatedby Creightons audacity, and so grateful for his freedom, he was easily persuaded. The hundred thousand dollars helped mitigate any lingering reservations, moral or otherwise.
Billy had been cunning, in his way, but he wasnt in the same league as Creighton. Not even close. There was also a poignant footnote: Billy had had a soft spot for the sweet kid all along. He had pleaded for her life.
Right up till the bitter end.
Whats that, dear? Creighton didnt realize that hed spoken aloud until his mother rejoined him, bringing with her a demitasse cup and saucer. Espresso?
No thanks.
Your father is on the phone with Pauls lawyer.
She continued prattling, but Creighton tuned her out. He didnt have an attachment to the sweet kid like Billy did. And he didnt like loose ends. If Billy had been calling her house, who knew what he might have said, intentionally or not, about Creighton Wheeler?
One of the news vans left tire tracks on the lawn outside the gate, his mother was saying. They have absolutely no respect for other peoples property.
Besides, it would be
fun. Abruptly he stood up. Excuse me, Mother. Ive got to go.
Go? I thought you were spending the day with us. Doug expects you to. Hell be angry.
Hell get over it.
What should I tell him? Whats so important?
Creighton bent down and kissed her cheek, then, as he pulled back, he winked. I have a date.
CHAPTER
25
W
HILE KIMBALL WAS INTERVIEWING ARIEL WILLIAMS AT the company where she worked, Sanford was at the Fulton County Medical Examiners Center observing the autopsy of Billy Duke. The detectives had decided to split up for the sake of expediency. A coin toss had determined who would go where.
Sanford lost.
He carried two packs of Doublemint in with him and gave several sticks of it a workout while Billy Dukes organs were removed. When done, the deputy ME left the sew-up to an assistant and moved to a sink to wash his hands. Sanford, glad it was over, asked for a preliminary opinion. He bled out, right?
The knife wound definitely had the potential of being fatal. Hed have bled out. Soon. The pathologist shook water off his hands and pulled two paper towels from the dispenser. But my understanding is that the EMTs arrived at the scene within minutes of his sustaining the wound.
Thats right. Weve got a tight timetable from when the 911 came in.
If the victim had received immediate attention at the trauma center, he could have survived the stabbing.
Meaning?
Meaning he died before he bled out. He died of something else.
Like what?
Ill let you know.
Sanford arrived at the police station just ahead of Kimball, who carried in a sleeve of saltine crackers and set it on his desk. Whatre these for? he asked.
Youre always queasy after an autopsy. Crackers help.
Thanks. He ate two right away. What did the girl have to say?
Kimball recapped her interview with Ariel Williams. My impression, shes telling the truth. Shes a bit sketchy on the personal aspects of their relationship, but it couldnt have been easy for her to talk about. She hasnt been working at this place for long. All her co-workers were gawking. She looked scared and innocent and said she knew it sounded heartless, but she was glad Billy Duke wasnt around to cause any more grief.
Sanford ate another cracker. Did she say anything about Julie Rutledge? Had Duke ever mentioned her?
Never.
That would have been too easy, he groused. His desk phone rang, and he answered. Hey, Doc. That was quick. Yeah, lay it on me. He listened, then said, He died of
what
? Leaning forward, he grabbed a pen and notepad, scribbled something, then pushed the tablet across to Kimball.
He listened another full minute without interruption. Then, Any idea on the time frame? Um-huh. Um-huh. Okay. Will you be around today if we need you to answer some questions? Great. Thanks for getting back to me so soon. He hung up.
Hepatic necrosis due to toxicity, Kimball said, reading what hed written down on the tablet. He was poisoned?
The docs guessing an overdose of acetaminophen.
Tylenol?
More likely acetaminophen combined with propoxyphene, something you cant buy over the counter, like a prescription pain reliever.
Are you sure?
Dont you read the pamphlets were getting all the time on street drugs?
I know youre right about that, Kimball said crossly. How does the ME know thats what killed Billy Duke? He hasnt had time to do a complete toxicology workup.
Educated guess. Says he saw this a lot when he worked the ER. Because the drugs are so available, its a popular form of suicide. He lost one patient to it. A guy changed his mind about ten hours after taking a whole bottle of Darvocet, like thirty, forty tablets. Called 911 and was transported to the ER. He was treated with the accepted antidote, which usually works if administered in time. But this was such a huge overdose, and the guy waited too long. The effects couldnt be reversed. He suffered acute liver failure and died. The ME says hell put Dukes organs through the required tests, of course, but hes pretty sure hes right.
So Billy Duke was dying when he got to Julie Rutledges house.
Looks like. Sanford flipped open his spiral notebook and read his notes. According to Grahams team, they found vomit on Ms. Rutledges bed, on the bathroom floor and commode. Appears Billy Duke was there for a while before she came home and discovered him. Doc said he would have been growing increasingly groggy and generally feeling like shit.
Was the overdose intentional? A suicide?
If so, whyd he drag himself to her place?
He must have been compelled by something awfully important. Kimball sighed. Whatever, she wasnt lying about him looking sick and in need of help.
All the same, Sanford said, slapping closed his notebook, Id like to know if she ever had a prescription for a pain reliever.
HILE KIMBALL WAS INTERVIEWING ARIEL WILLIAMS AT the company where she worked, Sanford was at the Fulton County Medical Examiners Center observing the autopsy of Billy Duke. The detectives had decided to split up for the sake of expediency. A coin toss had determined who would go where.
Sanford lost.
He carried two packs of Doublemint in with him and gave several sticks of it a workout while Billy Dukes organs were removed. When done, the deputy ME left the sew-up to an assistant and moved to a sink to wash his hands. Sanford, glad it was over, asked for a preliminary opinion. He bled out, right?
The knife wound definitely had the potential of being fatal. Hed have bled out. Soon. The pathologist shook water off his hands and pulled two paper towels from the dispenser. But my understanding is that the EMTs arrived at the scene within minutes of his sustaining the wound.
Thats right. Weve got a tight timetable from when the 911 came in.
If the victim had received immediate attention at the trauma center, he could have survived the stabbing.
Meaning?
Meaning he died before he bled out. He died of something else.
Like what?
Ill let you know.
Sanford arrived at the police station just ahead of Kimball, who carried in a sleeve of saltine crackers and set it on his desk. Whatre these for? he asked.
Youre always queasy after an autopsy. Crackers help.
Thanks. He ate two right away. What did the girl have to say?
Kimball recapped her interview with Ariel Williams. My impression, shes telling the truth. Shes a bit sketchy on the personal aspects of their relationship, but it couldnt have been easy for her to talk about. She hasnt been working at this place for long. All her co-workers were gawking. She looked scared and innocent and said she knew it sounded heartless, but she was glad Billy Duke wasnt around to cause any more grief.
Sanford ate another cracker. Did she say anything about Julie Rutledge? Had Duke ever mentioned her?
Never.
That would have been too easy, he groused. His desk phone rang, and he answered. Hey, Doc. That was quick. Yeah, lay it on me. He listened, then said, He died of
what
? Leaning forward, he grabbed a pen and notepad, scribbled something, then pushed the tablet across to Kimball.
He listened another full minute without interruption. Then, Any idea on the time frame? Um-huh. Um-huh. Okay. Will you be around today if we need you to answer some questions? Great. Thanks for getting back to me so soon. He hung up.
Hepatic necrosis due to toxicity, Kimball said, reading what hed written down on the tablet. He was poisoned?
The docs guessing an overdose of acetaminophen.
Tylenol?
More likely acetaminophen combined with propoxyphene, something you cant buy over the counter, like a prescription pain reliever.
Are you sure?
Dont you read the pamphlets were getting all the time on street drugs?
I know youre right about that, Kimball said crossly. How does the ME know thats what killed Billy Duke? He hasnt had time to do a complete toxicology workup.
Educated guess. Says he saw this a lot when he worked the ER. Because the drugs are so available, its a popular form of suicide. He lost one patient to it. A guy changed his mind about ten hours after taking a whole bottle of Darvocet, like thirty, forty tablets. Called 911 and was transported to the ER. He was treated with the accepted antidote, which usually works if administered in time. But this was such a huge overdose, and the guy waited too long. The effects couldnt be reversed. He suffered acute liver failure and died. The ME says hell put Dukes organs through the required tests, of course, but hes pretty sure hes right.
So Billy Duke was dying when he got to Julie Rutledges house.
Looks like. Sanford flipped open his spiral notebook and read his notes. According to Grahams team, they found vomit on Ms. Rutledges bed, on the bathroom floor and commode. Appears Billy Duke was there for a while before she came home and discovered him. Doc said he would have been growing increasingly groggy and generally feeling like shit.
Was the overdose intentional? A suicide?
If so, whyd he drag himself to her place?
He must have been compelled by something awfully important. Kimball sighed. Whatever, she wasnt lying about him looking sick and in need of help.
All the same, Sanford said, slapping closed his notebook, Id like to know if she ever had a prescription for a pain reliever.
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