As they walked toward their cars, ready to go back to the hotel, Marlee overheard Dom and Jasper talking. “We did a good thing by letting them win,” Jasper said.
“Yeah, that’s our good deed for the week,” agreed Dom.
Marlee smiled as she listened to the face-saving conversation her students were having. The boys from The Right Trail had clearly beaten the college students fair and square without any pity or charity. Marlee decided to hold their class meeting in the parking lot at the group home since it was a nice evening and they would have their privacy since the boys were all moving toward their cabins.
“So did you guys enjoy yourselves tonight?” Marlee asked.
“Yeah!” chorused most everyone in the group. The students had been tired and grumpy earlier on, but now were all smiles after engaging with the boys in the residential program.
“What was your favorite part and why?” Marlee asked.
“The horses. I never heard of equine therapy until today. It’s really cool and I want to find out more about it,” said Paula.
“I liked the supper,” said Jasper and everyone started laughing. “No, not just because of the food. I liked talking to the kids at our table. They seemed really excited to talk to people from outside the program. Just to have someone listen to them and ask questions. It was an amazing experience.”
The rest of the students answered the question and Marlee was impressed by the depth of their answers. She was excited that they had a real chance to connect with the boys in a somewhat relaxed setting. The contact the students had with prison inmate panels, while informative, did not allow for the casual effect this program had. Students had questions and the group talked until it became too dark to see each other. At that point, they called it a night and drove their cars back to the motel.
Marlee no sooner reached her room than the phone on the bedside dresser rang. “Hello?”
“It’s Detective Ramos. I need to meet with you tomorrow.”
Once a door is opened, it can be difficult to close.
Chapter 11
Marlee tossed and turned much of the night. The bed was comfortable and she was relaxed from her nightly caffeine-free pop and rum cocktail. What was bothering her was her latest phone conversation with Detective Ramos. He wouldn’t say why he wanted to talk with her, just that it needed to be done the next day. The detective would be traveling two hours to Sioux Falls from Chamberlain. Marlee agreed to meet him at a nearby Perkins restaurant for breakfast at 9:00 a.m. The first tour the next day was of a juvenile facility and could be handled by Marcus. The second tour was at one o’clock at the State Penitentiary and she wanted to be present for that.
She finally fell asleep, only to be awakened a few minutes later by her travel alarm and then by the desk phone in the room. Once again, she felt beat to hell and was not sure how to get through the day. Fighting the temptation to reset her alarm for a half an hour later, she got up and walked zombie-like to the shower. She was ready in record time, deciding to let her wavy hair air dry and not putting on any make up. They would be staying in Sioux Falls again that night so she didn’t need to pack everything and haul it out to her car. Marlee grabbed her purse and went to the breakfast room in the motel and poured herself two large cups of coffee. This will at least wake me up a little, she thought.
The students made their way to the breakfast room, in better moods than they were at breakfast the day before. Once everyone was there, she told them about her meeting with Detective Ramos and that Marcus would be in charge for their tour of Dream Catcher, the juvenile residential facility which emphasized culture and education. She instructed everyone to meet in the parking lot at the State Penitentiary at twelve-thirty for their tour of the high security facility.
After slurping down two cups of coffee, Marlee went to the Perkins restaurant where she was to meet the detective. It was an hour before their meeting, but this would give her a quiet place to think and drink coffee until he arrived. She asked for and received a pot of steaming black coffee and a glass of water. She pulled a plastic baggie out of her purse and used the plastic spoon inside to scoop beige powder into her coffee. She preferred her own non-dairy, artificially-sweetened powdered creamer over the real cream and sugar that restaurants provided.
Marlee drank her coffee and placed a notebook in front of her. She had been writing notes of her conversations regarding Roxie’s death. She wanted to review her notes to help her think up additional questions to ask Detective Ramos. It was twenty minutes before their scheduled meeting, so Marlee was a bit startled when a handsome man in his late forties walked up and introduced himself. He had short, dark hair that was graying at the temples and caramel-brown eyes behind small framed glasses. He didn’t look anything like the grizzled old detective she’d been expecting. He looked like a professor. A very foxy professor.
The detective sat and the two made small talk waiting for the waitress to bring Ramos his coffee and then take their breakfast orders. “So you made really good time getting here,” Marlee commented.
“Yeah, I turned the lights on and drove like hell,” the detective said with a chuckle.
After they both ordered various versions of eggs, bacon, and toast, Marlee spoke. “I can’t take it any longer. Tell me why you needed to meet with me right away!”
“I was in Elmwood yesterday doing some interviews again and going through Roxie’s apartment. I got into her computer and found her diary that she keeps in a Word file. Did you know she had a child that she gave up for adoption?” Ramos asked.
“No, I don’t know anything about her personal life,” Marlee said, a bit disgusted that the detective was asking her questions she already answered for the officers on the scene.
“According to her diary, she had a child when she was a teenager. She didn’t mention how old she was when she gave birth. Somehow she figured out who the child was. Or at least she seemed convinced that she knew who the child was,” Detective Ramos reported and then paused for effect.
Geez, was this guy in community theater or what? Marlee thought. She raised her eyebrows and nodded to show him she was still listening.
“Roxie never referred to the child by name or even the child’s gender. She called the child ‘it’ and ‘X’. And you’ll never believe this…”
Again with the pauses. Marlee rolled her eyes and let out a deep sigh. “Just tell me!”
“Roxie thought the child she gave birth to was a student at MSU,” the detective said.
“What? How did she know that?” Marlee asked.
The detective shrugged. “We don’t know. Yet. Her diary doesn’t start until just a little over two years ago, when she was about to enter Midwestern State University. So what I’m wondering is: did Roxie seem focused on any particular student on campus? Did she try to get near anyone?”
“Whew… I really don’t know. This is only the second class she took with me, but she had general courses like biology and English too. Plus, she took some classes from other profs in my department. Honestly, I can’t remember her staring at or focusing on any one student in this class or Intro to Criminal Justice. I never really saw her other than in the classroom, so I don’t know what she did beyond that,” Marlee said, flustered at the information the detective just dropped on her.
“I’d like to talk to students who knew her, but really couldn’t find any on campus yesterday. I want to talk to the students in your class about her and see if any of them noticed anything suspicious.” Detective Ramos finished his cup of coffee and poured another. Marlee noticed he was not wearing a wedding ring and he noticed that she noticed.
“Uh, fine by me. We should be done with our tour of the State Pen by three o’clock if you want to talk to them then.” Marlee said. “We’re staying at the Red Roof Inn off of 41st Street and can be there after three until whenever you’re finished.” Marlee stumbled over her words, a blush creeping to her cheeks. Not only did Ramos catch her looking at his ring finger, but now she j
ust told him where she was staying.
“That’ll be fine,” the handsome detective said with a grin.
Marlee poured herself another cup of coffee and took the baggie of creamer from her purse. As she opened it up, Ramos said, “Coffee creamer, huh?”
“Nope. It’s cocaine. I thought we’d do a line.”
Ramos’ loud laugh at her lame joke made her smile. Some people just did not get her, or her attempts at humor. This guy did.
The two finished their breakfast and chatted until the coffee was gone and the waitress started giving them the stink eye for holding the booth too long. During the conversation, Ramos disclosed that his first name was Hector, that he was divorced, and had two adult children. Marlee talked about work, past and present, and life in the fast-paced city of Elmwood, population twenty-five thousand. Hector spoke about life in Chamberlain and how work prevented him from having a social life because every time he stepped out of his apartment, he was faced with people he had already arrested in the small town.
“Well, I suppose I should be going. I’ll have to meet the students in a bit at the Pen. I’ll see you later,” Marlee said, not wanting to leave.
When Marlee left the Perkins restaurant she decided to run back to her motel room to grab a light jacket. She was already planning to hurry back to the motel after the tour of the State Pen so she could freshen up a bit before seeing Hector Ramos again.
Wait, why am I thinking about Detective Ramos? I have a boyfriend. Marlee thought. Then she remembered Suzanne’s sleepy voice answering the phone at Vince’s house. Or do I?
It was nearing noon and Marlee called Vince at work, thinking he might be in his office. Her call was transferred to his voice mail and she hung up. She really could not think of what she wanted to say to him, but she knew she didn’t want to unleash her feelings in a message on voice mail. She called Vince’s house and after only two rings, the phone was picked up.
“Hello?” said the same sultry female voice that answered the last time Marlee called Vince’s house.
“Who is this?” Marlee demanded.
“Who’s this?” the sultry voice shot back.
“This is Vince’s girlfriend,” Marlee snapped.
“This is the first I’m hearing of a girlfriend,” the voice hissed. Then there was a click and the line went dead.
Everyone talks about lack of communication like it’s a bad thing. Sometimes it can be a blessing in disguise.
Chapter 12
Marlee slumped onto the multi colored bedspread. Her blood pressure had risen to the level where she could feel her heart beat in her eyeballs. A tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped it away with a sleeve of her light-green spring jacket. She did this in a quick motion, as if to make sure no one would see, even though she was alone in the room. Marlee was not a crier and she hated that she was reduced to tears. That asshole. He doesn’t even have the courtesy to break up with me. He lets his new girlfriend do it.
She felt like mixing up a large cocktail just to settle her nerves, but she knew better. Her reputation meant a great deal to her and she didn’t want to be known as the lush professor. Plus, alcohol could be smelled on her breath and she would not be allowed inside the prison if she reeked of rum. This break down would have to wait until after the tour of the prison.
It was starting to sprinkle and get chilly. In South Dakota there were as many cloudy, rainy days in May as there were warm and sunny ones. There was a local saying that rang true: if you don’t like the weather in South Dakota, just wait five minutes, it’ll probably change.
The clouds and the rain fit Marlee’s mood as she drove to the State Penitentiary. She parked near the car of one of the students. She needed to speak with them about Detective Ramos questioning them this afternoon, but didn’t want to have the conversation out in the rain. They made haste to the main building and, after passing through the screening process, were ushered into a waiting room. While waiting, Marlee addressed the students and advised them of the detective’s upcoming talk with each of them.
“But you said we had free time this afternoon and didn’t have to be back until our group supper and meeting tonight at seven o’clock,” whined Becca, stomping her foot.
“I know, Becca,” Marlee said with more patience than she felt. “But this can’t be helped. If a law enforcement officer wants to talk to you about an ongoing investigation that takes precedence over going shopping at the mall.”
Several students nodded in agreement, realizing the gravity of the situation. “Do we have to talk to him?” asked Bart.
Marlee glared at Bart Lamont. “Why wouldn’t you talk to the detective?”
“Oh, I’ll talk to him. I was just wondering the legalities. You know, can he force anyone to talk in this type of situation?” Bart said.
“No, of course he can’t force you to talk.” Marlee was tiring of the questions, attitude, and immature behavior. Her tone and expression must have conveyed that, because no other questions were asked until their tour guide approached them.
Major Marie Hawkins stood before the group in her tan uniform. She was over six feet tall and looked as if she could wrestle a bear and win. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight pony tail and her eyes revealed that she had already heard every story in the book and would not put up with any nonsense from anyone. The students sensed this and all stood a bit straighter and paid more attention when she spoke than normal. This lady commanded respect and the students in her presence knew she was not one to joke around with.
“Unfortunately, we’ll be cutting the tour a bit short today,” Major Hawkins announced. “Every staff member here is busy because we had an incident last night, and we’re dealing with numerous disciplinary hearings.”
“Can I ask what happened?” Paula squeaked, raising her hand.
“Some of the inmates made hooch and got drunk. One of the guys worked in the kitchen and stole some bread. Another guy took out orange juice every morning. They mixed it up and let it brew for a while. Last night they had a little party in one of their cells and sixteen guys got sick from it. Too high of an alcohol concentration. We’re still doing cell searches for contraband in many of the units and the guys who drank the hooch are all getting disciplined.” The major was very matter of fact in her reporting of the incident. This type of thing was not new, just a nuisance to the prison officials who had to deal with the aftermath.
“What kind of punishment will they get?” Violet asked, encouraged by her sister’s bravery in asking the first question.
“It depends on their level of involvement. Those that made the hooch are facing more violations because they had possession of contraband items in their cells to make it. Then, they brewed it and distributed it to others. Some of them might be looking at stint in the hole. Some might get moved back to the higher security unit of the prison.”
“What’s the hole?” Donnie asked.
“That’s solitary confinement. It’s one of the worst punishments an inmate can get because they spend all of their time alone in a cell. The only time they get out is for an hour twice a week to shower. Otherwise, they’re brought their meals and they don’t have contact with any of the other inmates. It’s a rough way to go and a lot of guys can’t handle it because there’s no television and they only get one book; the bible or whatever their preferred book of religion might be,” said Major Hawkins as she motioned them toward the stairs.
The MSU class toured the main building, the high security unit, and Admissions and Orientation where the new arrivals to the prison were housed until they could be fully assessed. The assessment process took about three weeks then the new inmates were assigned to a prison based on their level of violence, risk to others, past criminal history, and need for treatment. The major took them through the living areas of the prison and even the death chamber. The tour ended at the work shop where the inmates they saw were repairing bicycles to donate to the poor. Major Hawkins again reminded the class of the need to cut
the tour short and sent the class on their way without allowing for additional questions.
The class took their time walking back to their cars. It was no longer raining and the sun was peeking through the clouds, so there was no hurry. As they walked, the students asked questions about the upcoming disciplinary hearings, the bicycles in the workshop, and death row. Marlee answered as many questions as she could from memory. For those specifics she could not recall, she promised to find out and email everyone in the class the following week, hoping that by next week the students would forget the questions and wouldn’t be expecting an answer.
Before everyone got into the respective vehicles, Marlee reminded them of their meeting with Detective Ramos. “You need to be there no later than three. That gives you about an hour. Don’t be late. When you’ve each finished your interviews, you’re free to go do whatever. Just be at the restaurant by seven.” Marcus waved to Marlee and got in the car with Donnie, Jasper, and Dom. They planned to make a quick stop at a convenience store for snacks before returning to the motel.
Marlee drove straight back to the motel. For the last hour she had been able to keep her mind off of the phone conversation she had with Suzanne. Now it was all coming back to her. She was mad, sad, and felt like a fool too. Maybe this had been going on for a while and she was just figuring it out. Her face flushed as she imagined Vince and Suzanne laughing at her behind her back, thinking she was Vince’s girlfriend. The more she thought about it, the madder she got. She was afraid if she reached Vince on the phone that she’d start yelling at him and then become so upset she would begin to cry. She wouldn’t give him that kind of power over her. Marlee decided to contact Vince after the class dinner and meeting that night. Then she would knock back a few drinks, call Vince, and tell him off!
Murder to Go Page 11
