Survival Instinct
Page 20
“I need to phone my attorney, I forgot.”
“No problem, I’ll tell the desk sergeant, he’s busy just now.”
***
Hammond arrived at the station and called a meeting in the viewing room.
“Right then, we have him, so let’s talk tactics. He’s requested a telephone call to his attorney, so let him make the call. It’ll take his lawyer at least half an hour to get here, so let’s see if we can open him up before he arrives.”
“Yeah, fine by me. Do you want me to lead the questions?” Hogan asked.
“No, I have something else in mind. Do you have today’s newspaper?”
“No, but the desk sergeant will have one. Madge, be a good girl and do the honors.”
“Right away sir,” and off she scurried.
“Frank, go and bring our Mr. Jameson to the conference room and let him make his call,” asked Hammond.
***
The cell door opened and Frank led Jamie to the telephone. Jamie couldn’t hit the numbers fast enough.
“I’m sorry Mr. Jameson, but Ed’s in court. I can send one of the other lawyers.”
“Damn, I need Ed. Look, you can send someone else, but I need Ed as soon as he’s free. We’re going to need a transcript of a tape I gave him this morning.”
“Oh, it’s your tape. I’m on with it now. Don’t worry we’ll have someone there shortly.”
He put the phone down, desperately trying to think logically. His mind was in a panic that Ed wouldn’t be available. He entered the conference room. Sitting at the table was a clean cut guy that looked like he had been dressed from a tailor’s mannequin out of a shop window.
“Mr. Jameson, Special Agent Greg Hammond, FBI, please take a seat.”
Christ, FBI.
Madge popped her head around the door.
“Agent Hammond, there’s a telephone call for you.”
“Sorry about this, back in a minute. Here, here’s today’s newspaper.” He pushed the paper folded with the crossword facing upwards and left the room.
Jamie looked at the crossword. At least I have something to pass the time, he thought as he looked at the first clue.
“Do you have a pen, Frank, for the crossword?”
“Sorry, a pen could be used as a weapon,” he said. He took out a pencil and snapped it close to the end.
“Here, I doubt you could kill anybody with that,” said Frank with a chuckle. He passed him the stub of a pencil.
That’s what you think. I could take your eye out in a split second.
Contents
The interrogation
Hogan looked at Hammond as he peered through the two-way mirror at Jamie, who was busy working the newspaper’s crossword puzzle. It was like a big man looking at an ‘all you can eat’ buffet. He wondered what Hammond was thinking. The FBI had a whole different mindset. They didn’t see people, friends and neighbors, they saw perpetrators. The guy’s quick on the trigger, Hogan thought. What if this Jamie clown is innocent?
“What do you think?” asked Hogan.
“All it proves is he can work crosswords,” said Hammond, “but at least we’ll have his handwriting to check against what the Crossword Killer wrote on the mirrors.”
“Madge, do we have anything on his phone records?” asked Hogan.
“Yeah, he phoned his doctor the day after the murder. Nothing on the psychiatrist.”
Hogan’s cell phone rang.
“Chief, Mr. Jameson’s attorney is here.”
“Damn it, that was quick. Okay, I’ll be right down.”
When Hogan arrived at the desk, the sergeant introduced Jamie’s attorney, Gail Fletcher. Poor sod, looks like she’s fresh out of college.
“Ah, Miss Fletcher, Jamie Jameson is in the conference room if you would like to come this way?”
“No, I don’t think so, Chief Hogan. We wouldn’t want anyone to listen in would we now? If you don’t mind, I’ll see him in the duty attorney’s office, in private. Is there access to a computer and a printer? I’m waiting for some papers to come through.”
Cheeky bitch, who does she think she is?
“Yeah no problem, there’s one in the office. I‘ll arrange for an escort. Sergeant, show Miss. Fletcher to the attorney’s room.”
“Why did you bring Mr. Jameson in?”
“Suspicion of murder, for now just the one, Grace Frampton.”
“Really, you mean there could be more?”
“Possibly.”
“What evidence do you have?”
“Motive, opportunity, our investigation is ongoing.”
“So you don’t actually have anything?”
“You’ll have to talk to Special Agent Greg Hammond, FBI; he’s taken over the case.”
“Really, FBI. Is there someone here from the DA’s office?”
“Yeah, they’re standing by. Right well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll arrange for you to see your client.”
***
Jamie trudged down to the attorney’s office, his thoughts more concerned about how his children would take it if he was charged with murder and detained. When he saw his attorney, his heart sank further into despair. Oh my Lord, looks like a kid.
“Hi, Mr. Jameson, Gail Fletcher, don’t worry,” she said as she picked up sheets of paper from the computer printer as it stuttered to a halt. “We’ll soon have you out of here. Have you said anything to them?”
“No, I did like Ed asked.” He wondered if he would have been better off just telling the truth. Have me out of here soon? Christ, she doesn’t look like she could fight her way out of a paper bag, he thought. God knows how she can get me out of this mess.
“You look troubled. Listen, I said don’t worry. We’re going back to the conference room shortly. For now, you’re only a suspect, so we need to help them clear you as a suspect and not dig a hole for them to bury you in. Look at me every time you are about to answer a question, and I’ll nod to give the go ahead. Got it? If I don’t think your answer is going in the right direction, I’ll interject.”
“Gail, can I ask you if you’ve had any experience with murder suspects?”
“No, but I minored in criminal law. Listen, Jamie, the only worry would be the DNA, but from this transcript, you clearly didn’t have sex with the woman, so they aren’t going to have any forensics. Ed filled me in on my drive over, so I know the connection with Grace.”
Jamie was far from convinced she was up to the task.
“But the taped message couldn’t be used in a court of law?” said Jamie.
“You’re wrong there. According to the transcript Bill advised her that the answer machine was recording and she acknowledged, besides Sandra can hardly testify against her own words?”
“Okay, but can we just get this over with? I feel like they’ve already found me guilty.”
“All right then, let’s get to it.”
***
Hammond waited patiently with Hogan in the conference room. They had sent Jamie’s handwriting from the crossword through for analysis to an FBI handwriting expert. Hammond was sure it would all be sewn up today and Jamie would be charged.
Hogan expressed his doubts.
“I can see why Jamie was reluctant to give his DNA,” Hogan said. “I have to say I’m not one for securing a conviction at any price. I still believe in justice for all.”
“Shut up man, here they come.”
Frank entered the room and showed Jamie and his attorney in and they sat down.
“Before we start Jamie, can you just confirm in front of your attorney that we read you your rights, and you know why you’re here?” asked Hogan.
Jamie looked at Gail and she nodded.
“Yes.”
“Okay, Jamie, tell us what happened on the night you met Grace and Sandra?” said Hammond.
Jamie glanced at Gail and she nodded again.
“They came over to chat and bought me an orange juice from the bar. I went onto the dance floor with th
em, and at the end of the night, we left. After that it’s a bit of a blur because I am quite certain they spiked my drink.”
“How convenient,” Hammond said. “So you’re telling me they both went to the hotel room with you?” He chuckled.
Gail held up her hand in objection.
“He’s already answered that,” she said, pushing an envelope towards them. “I’m afraid you are wasting your time, gentlemen. There’s an original tape in there and a copy together with a transcript of the taped telephone conversation between Sandra Graham and William Davis. His telephone number and address is in there.”
Hogan and Hammond looked at each other in stunned silence. Hammond emptied the contents of the envelope and he read the transcript.
“I think that answers your question,” she said. “The transcript clearly sets out my client’s whereabouts and actions. Now, may my client go?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Hammond said. He looked at Hogan then back at Jamie. “That brings us onto our next question. Where were you between one and three this morning?”
“Is this relevant?” asked Gail.
Hammond bent over and looked her straight in the eye.
“Sandra Graham was murdered last night! Does that make it relevant? The woman on that tape could be anyone?”
Hammond turned to Jamie who looked shocked.
“Come now, Agent Hammond ‘anyone’? I think if you check the telephone records of Sandra’s cell phone and that of Mr. Davis, you will find a perfect match to confirm the time of call. You will also find a match with the length of the taped conversation to the second. As my client has nothing further to add, do you have any forensics linking my client to either murder?”
Hammond started to panic. He couldn’t figure where to go.
“No, but he was the last known person to see Grace alive,” Hammond said. “He had a connection to both of the victims and he had a motive.”
“Motive?”
“Yeah, we have a statement from the singles’ club that he made a complaint about both victims and now Sandra is dead and we can’t ask her, can we? So we would argue there was the opportunity.”
“Opportunity? If that’s all you have, then I think you’d better have a word with the DA. Now can my client go, because he has nothing further to add?”
“If you could just wait a moment, Miss Fletcher, we need a word in private,” said Hogan as he grabbed Hammond by the arm.
“I’ll give you five minutes,” she said with a stern look. “If you are not going to charge my client by then, we are leaving.”
Hogan and Hammond left the room and made their way to the DA’s office to see the duty prosecutor. That little twit, Hammond’s face contorted, she can’t talk to me like that. He started feeling a little uneasy with the prospects, and Hogan was giving him a funny look.
“You’re on shaky ground here, Hammond,” said Hogan rubbing it in.
“Not at all. Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he replied not willing to show any remorse.
“Are you sure you’re not trying to nail Jamie Jameson, at the expense of catching the killer?”
“What do you mean?” Hammond asked. He turned and grabbed Hogan by his shoulder.
“Agent Hammond, I am going to tell you this only once,” Hogan said, “now get off my back both literally and metaphorically.”
Hammond glared at him then released his grip. He flicked Hogan’s shoulder as if to wipe dust from his jacket.
“Look, we have to work together, Chief Hogan.”
“Not if it’s at the expense of justice,” he said. Shrugging his shoulders, they carried on.
Jim Baines, the duty public prosecutor greeted them as they arrived at his office.
“All right, let’s have a look at what you have,” said the DA.
Hogan gave him the envelope.
“He’s hung you out to dry on this one, boys. Even though she’s dead, the transcript will still be admissible. There’s not likely to be a DNA match according to this and you have no forensics or witnesses to link him to anything other than mere stupidity. So you’re going to have to let him go.”
“But, Baines, we. . .”
“Without this transcript, you already had a thin case. The only niggle here, is that the conversation gives both Jamie and this William Davis the time Sandra was arriving home. Maybe you should take a look at Davis?”
Hammond didn’t argue, he just grabbed the envelope and marched out of the room.
Hogan followed and didn’t hold back, “Maybe I can have my chair back?”
***
Hogan walked away with a big grin when his cell phone rang.
“Hogan, do you have a suspect yet?”
“We’ve just been interrogating someone, but the DA’s office says we don’t have a case. The FBI are here and they’ve named the murderer the Crossword Killer. Looks like all four victims are linked to a local singles’ club.”
“The Crossword Killer, huh? That’s all we need. Okay, but right now, this minute, you are interviewing a suspect.”
“Yes, but...” The phone went dead.
Hogan walked toward the conference room.
***
Jamie was worried sick. Things weren’t going well and he was stuck with this little girl of an attorney.
What am I going to tell my kids? He looked up and Hogan walked in the door.
“You’re free to go now,” Hogan said without hesitation.
“What? Is that it?” Jamie asked. He couldn’t believe it. He looked at Gail then back at Hogan.
“For now,” Hogan said, “we may need to see you again.”
Jamie was about to blow his top for all the trouble and worry, when Gail took him by the arm and ushered him out of the room.
“Come on, no point hanging around,” said Gail.
“I’ve got to tell you,” he said with a big smile. “I didn’t think you were up to getting me out of this mess.”
“Ha! I’ve got you tell you, Mr. Jameson, I had my doubts,” she replied. “That was my first attempt. I’ve only ever read it in books before today. You are my very first client.”
Jamie stopped at the machine for a coffee. He took a few sips from his cup and then the thought struck him. House and car keys, they still have them. Walking back to the conference room there was no one there. Making his way to reception, Jamie stopped at a room with the sign ‘Operations,’ he knocked on the door and walked in. The room was empty and he was about to leave when he noticed a huge notice board with photos of the victims. Then he saw the words, “hunting knife”. He was mesmerized. Under each photo of a victim was another photo with scribbled writing. On the first, it read,
‘If you’re up to it, Him so us wage.’ On the second, ‘It’s easy, if you use a pencil with some confusion. I am a maniac tau eta nu.’ The third read, ‘Try this, he a recluse?’ and lastly ‘It’s in the, eye, consult?’
Jamie picked up a pen and a sheet of paper and scribbled down the messages. Slipping the paper in his pocket, he was just about to leave when Frank entered.
“Jamie, what are you doing in here?”
“Sorry, Frank, but I was looking for Chief Hogan. I need my house and car keys.”
“Oh yeah, come with me, they’re with the desk sergeant. Did you give your cell phone number and email when you were booked in?”
“Why?”
“Just in case we need to contact you, that`s all.”
***
Chief Hogan walked into his office and faced Hammond sitting in his chair.
“Sorry, Greg, but I need my chair back. I’ll show you to a desk.” Hogan felt he had the measure of him.
“If you don’t mind, Chief Hogan, I’ve just being looking at the writing on the mirrors. Do you think he could’ve missed some words or letters in panic?”
“What do you mean?”
“Take the first one. ‘If you are up to it, him so us wage.’ Do you think it could be something to do with the U.S. waging war?”
Hammond picked up the file, a hint of redness in his cheeks and made his way to a desk.
Hogan picked up his stress ball, placed it in his drawer and called Madge.
“Madge, get me a list of all the singles’ club members and check if William Davis is a member.”
Contents
Better the devil you know
Jamie hailed a taxi and made his way down the freeway. Ignoring the small talk from the driver, he focused on how he would explain this mess to his children. Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted when he heard an interview over the radio.
“Mr. Mayor, what are the police doing to catch the killer now that we have four innocent victims?”
“You can rest assured, our police force is vigilant. They are doing everything in their power to apprehend the Crossword Killer.”
“Crossword Killer? That’s an odd name for a murderer. Where did that come from, Mr. Mayor? Do you have a suspect?”
“I spoke to Chief Hogan this morning. You’ll have to ask him that, and yes, we are interviewing a suspect. All four victims were female members of a singles’ club.”
“Can you give us a name? Have they charged the suspect?”
“Now ladies and gentlemen, you know better than that. The police department will issue a statement when they’re ready.”
The taxi driver started jabbering again.
“They should shoot the guy in the arms and legs,” he said, “and hang him out for the buzzards to peck out his eyeballs.”
God I’m going to be lynched if I’m not careful.
“Can you drop me off at the shopping mall?”
Jamie paid the driver and made his way to the coffee bar.
“Usual, sir? Coffee and a cream doughnut is it?”
“Yeah, please, make it a large coffee.”