“That’s a no-brainer. The catcher, Darren Flynn. He can hit the long ball like no one else on the team. He’s the best this school has had since Tram.”
“Tram?”
“Alan Trammell. Shortstop for the Detroit Tigers for nearly twenty years. He went to school here.” The young man yelled out to the field as the shortstop dived for a line drive. “Good catch.”
“That was impressive,” Sabre said. “What’s Darren Flynn like? Is he a good defensive player?”
“Yeah, he’s real good. Catcher is a tough position. I’ve played it some, but I don’t really like it. I’d much rather play third base.”
“What’s he like? Does he get along with his teammates?”
The young man looked up at Sabre curiously. “Are you some kind of scout or something?”
Sabre smiled. “No, I’m not a scout.”
He sighed. “Good, because I sure would be bummed if you were scouting and I was sitting here on the bench with my crutches.”
“That wouldn’t be good, but I assure you I’m no scout.”
“Darren’s an okay guy. He’s had a rough life. Grew up in the hood, so he’s got a chip on his shoulder sometimes. He’s got a quick temper, but most of the time he’s okay. Since he doesn’t do that well in his classes, a couple of us guys try to help him. He’s in my history class and so we study together or work on projects sometimes. It’s not easy for him and though he tries, he gets pretty frustrated.”
“That’s nice of you guys to do that.”
“It’s for the team.” The young man seemed almost embarrassed by his good deed. “If he doesn’t keep his grades up he won’t be able to play. And we need him.”
“Wasn’t that kid that’s charged with murder on this team?”
“Matt Durham. Yes.”
“That must be kind of strange. Did you know him well?”
“I didn’t hang out with him or anything, but I saw him at practice and games. And we had a couple of classes together. He didn’t really have that many friends. I kind of felt sorry for him. Now I think he was just crazy. I mean, you’d have to be pretty crazy to beat someone to death, right?”
***
Sabre walked over to the gym to see Coach Arviso, not sure what she had to gain by talking to him. She just wanted answers. She had to prove that Matt didn’t have his bat. That was the key. What if Matt didn’t do it? What if Darren stole his bat like Matt said, beat those kids to death, and was trying to pin it on her client? She had to find out.
When Sabre entered the gym area, she saw two male students walking toward her.
“Could you point me to Coach Arviso’s office?” Sabre asked.
“Right around the corner there. Turn left and it’s the second door on the right,” one of them responded.
“Thanks.”
Sabre walked to the office. The door was open. She stuck her head inside, but there was no one there. She took a few more steps down the hallway. Across from the coach’s office was an area with a large glass window looking into the hallway. She could see three small desks inside. Only one was occupied.
When she went inside the room, a slightly overweight, young Hispanic girl who looked like a student was sitting at the desk. She said, “May I help you?”
“I’m looking for Coach Arviso.”
“He had a doctor’s appointment today. He’ll be back tomorrow. Anything I can help you with?”
Sabre was impressed with her professionalism. “I’m not sure. I’m Sabre Brown, by the way. Do you work here?”
“Tracie Rodrigues. I’m a student worker.”
Sabre looked around. “This looks like an interesting job. How long have you had it?”
“I started working in this office at the beginning of last semester. I like it, although it smells a little ripe in here sometimes when all the guys come in from the fields. Before they shower, I mean.”
“I’ll bet. Do you know most of the players?”
“Sure. I see most of them every day when their sport is on the roster. Some of them play several sports. I know those players the best.”
The phone rang and Sabre waited until Tracie took the call. Then Sabre asked, “Do you know Darren Flynn?”
She frowned. “Yes, I know him,” she said with a note of aversion in her voice.
“I take it you don’t like him much?”
“He’s a jerk. Always fighting with somebody. He never smiles. I tried a few times to smile at him and say hello, but he just grumbles. I don’t know what his problem is.”
“Did you ever see him fight with anyone?”
“He’s a big guy and not too many people mess with him when he’s mad. But several times I saw him arguing with someone…well, maybe not arguing exactly…Darren would just be swearing at them. Except at the Poway game with Matt.”
“You were there?”
“Yes, I keep the unofficial stats for the games. Coach Arviso taught me. He looks for special things in the numbers. And I make sure the players stay in batting order.”
“What happened between Matt and Darren?”
“Matt was going on deck and Darren had his bat. Matt asked for it and Darren got all smart with him, but then he gave it to him. Matt walked up the steps and Darren crashed into him.”
“Then what happened?”
Tracie nonchalantly twisted her hair around her finger. “Matt just went up to bat and hit a home run and won the game. It was beautiful.” She looked starry-eyed.
“Are you and Matt friends?”
“Not exactly.” She shrugged. “Maybe, sort of.”
Sabre found it curious that this young woman would talk so much without finding out with whom she was talking. But she was young and she knew many adults who may have done the same. “Look, Tracie, as I said, my name is Sabre Brown. I’m Matt’s attorney and I’m trying to help him, so anything you can tell me may help us figure out what really happened.”
A look of concern appeared on her face. “You don’t think he really killed those other students, do you?”
“Matt says he didn’t do it, but the DA doesn’t see it that way. My job is to find out everything I can to prove his innocence. I can tell by the look on your face that you want to help him if you can.”
“Yeah, I do…if he didn’t do it. I can’t believe he did it. He was always nice to me.”
“Did you know him very well?”
“Not really, but he would come in all the time for practice. He’d smile sometimes.” She turned her red face down toward her desk.
Sabre recognized the signs of a young girl with a crush. How hard it must be for her to think the guy she cared about may be a murderer. “Tracie, how do the players go about filing the forms for missing equipment?”
“They come in here and get one of these forms.” She reached in her desk and took out a blank form titled Missing Equipment, and handed it to Sabre. “They fill it out and put it in this box on my desk, and then I file it in Coach Arviso’s office.”
“Do you remember Matt filling out the form the day after the Poway game?”
She shook her head. “No, but he might have done it when I wasn’t here.”
“Do you remember filing it?”
“Not really, but I might have. I file a lot of stuff. I really couldn’t say.”
“Does anyone else file the paperwork?”
“No, just me.”
Sabre reached in her briefcase and pulled out a business card and handed it to the young woman. “Please call me if you think of anything else that might be helpful, especially anything that pertains to Matt or Darren. Even if you don’t think it’s important, it might mean something to our case.”
Chapter 30
The King Case
Children: Devon King, age 2 (M), Kordell King, age 12 (M)
Parents: Father of Devon—Isaiah Banks, Father of Kordell—Clay Walker, Mother—Brenda King
Issues: Physical Abuse
Facts: Isaiah Banks beat his stepson, Kordell, wi
th a belt and his fist.
JP phoned his friend, Deputy Sheriff Gregory Nelson, to see if he could provide any information on Isaiah Banks. It bothered JP because if Banks killed Judge Mitchell, he likely did the drive-by shooting as well and Sabre may have been the target. He shared his suspicion with Greg, as well as his conversation with Brandon Bennett.
“I know he’s become more heavily involved with the Piru gang,” Greg said. “We’re pretty certain that he’s taken a leadership role with them, but why would he shoot at his girlfriend’s son? The best I can tell, he’s still pretty tight with Ms. King. He would have to have a damn good reason to go after her son.” He paused for a second. “It doesn’t quite compute for me.”
“Unless the bullet wasn’t intended for the kid. Or he may have ordered it but didn’t do the actual shooting. Whoever did it may have messed up.”
“In which case, the shooter is probably dead,” Greg said. “I’ll pass that on to The Gang Unit and to Homicide. They may not be aware of all the events in the juvenile case. I’m sure they’ll appreciate the information.”
“Thanks, Greg. If anything else comes up, I’ll let you know.”
***
JP hung up the phone trying to determine what his next step would be. He’d never forgive himself if Sabre was hurt because of this case. He wanted her to move in with him until everything settled down. She had done it once before when she was in trouble, but his house was a little full right now. Robin needed his shelter and protection. From the little information he had been able to gather, JP was convinced her husband was looking for her and that he’d kill her if he found her. His thoughts were interrupted when Louie bounded across the floor toward him, nearly crashing when he tried to stop.
“Hi, Buddy,” JP said, as he reached down and scratched behind his ears. Louie ran toward the back door. JP followed him, opened the door, and Louie darted out with JP closely behind. Louie ran across the yard to his designated spot, lifted his leg, and then ran back to JP with all the enthusiasm of a beagle pup. Although well over a year old, he hadn’t lost any of his “puppy” energy. JP picked up a Frisbee and tossed it across the yard. Louie zipped across the yard, jumped nearly three feet off the ground, and came down with the toy in his mouth. He proudly carried it back to JP and sat down and looked up at him with his big brown eyes until JP said, “Drop it.” The Frisbee hit the ground and Louie bounced around, wagging his tail, until JP threw it again.
JP turned as Robin approached carrying two coffee cups. She handed one to JP.
“Thanks, and good morning,” JP said.
“Is it? I’m not awake yet.”
JP entertained Louie for a couple more throws and then said, “Enough.” Louie nudged him with the Frisbee in his mouth, but after the second “Enough” command he dropped it and ran around the corner. JP accompanied Robin to the teak table and chairs where they sat down.
Robin circled the rim of her cup with her finger.
“Is everything okay?” JP asked.
“I’m just wondering how long I can stay here.”
“As long as you need to. And that’s until we know you’re safe.”
“I mean…I’m starting to get antsy. I need to go to work and start taking care of myself. I need some exercise. I need to do something before I start to like soap operas.”
JP appreciated the humor, but he didn’t smile. “I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy with the cases I’m working on that I haven’t had a chance to do much investigating for you. I’ve made a few calls, but I haven’t had the time to give it the attention your situation needs. I guess I just figure you’re safe as long as you’re here.”
“But I can’t stay here forever.” Her voice held a hint of frustration. “Please, I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. I’m not. I appreciate everything you’ve done. The truth is, I’d like to just hide away forever here. I feel safe and I’m sleeping better, but I can’t ask you to give up your life. You haven’t had one visitor since I’ve been here.”
“I’m not exactly a social butterfly.” He reached over and put his hand on hers. “As soon as I resolve this dead judge case we’ll figure out what to do. In the meantime, I’d rather not be worrying about you, too.”
“You’re right.”
“Look, I’m sure you feel like you’re being hidden in a basement like a crazy aunt, but it won’t be forever. I have done some investigating on this. I’ve alerted my friends in law enforcement. I’ve given them Cooper’s license plate number and the make and model of his car, and if he’s spotted in the area, I’ll be alerted.”
“Thanks. One minute I think I just need to face up to him and then the next I’m terrified.” She swallowed. “I talked to Sandy yesterday. Ty’s still not at home, which probably means he’s out looking for me.”
“But he’s not here and he has no way of knowing you’re here. So here’s where you’ll stay. He’ll have to surface eventually and then we’ll nab him.”
JP’s phone rang. It was Greg Nelson.
“I just spoke with Dave Lopez in Homicide. They found a body last night, a Piru gang member in a dumpster in the Valencia Park area. And get this: They think he was the shooter and they favor Isaiah Banks for ordering the drive-by.”
“Have they found any evidence connecting Isaiah?”
“Nothing solid yet, but he’s their number one suspect. I’d keep a closer eye on Sabre if I were you. We’re doing what we can from here.”
Chapter 31
The Wheeler Case
Children: Holly (F) and Bradley (M), age 9 years (twins), four other children
Parents: Father—Willie Wheeler, Mother—Debra Wheeler
Issues: Physical Abuse, Neglect
Facts: Dirty Home, drugs, alcohol, physical abuse, mental problems
It was nearly seven a.m. when Sabre arrived at the hospital to check on Dr. Heller. She went directly to her room and showed her ID to the policeman guarding the door. He checked his list and opened the door for her to enter.
Sabre sat down in the chair next to Heller’s bed. It appeared very little had changed since her last visit. The doctor looked paler than before and she lay just as still. A nurse came into the room.
“Has there been any improvement?” Sabre asked.
The nurse shook her head. “Not really. Her vitals are good and she has brain activity, but she just won’t wake up.”
“Is this unusual? For her kind of injury, I mean.”
“It’s hard to say. A blow to the head can affect the body in many ways. I’ve seen patients become conscious right away and others who never do.”
“I haven’t talked with her doctor recently. Do you have any idea what he expects?”
The nurse changed a bottle on her IV stand. “They won’t know any more until she wakes up.”
“Has the doctor been in yet this morning?”
“No. He usually comes in before now, so he must be hung up somewhere.”
After waiting for another half an hour by Dr. Heller’s side without Dr. Brister appearing, Sabre left.
***
Bob met Sabre at the front door of the courthouse. “How is Dr. Heller?”
“No change,” Sabre said as they walked inside.
“Sorry to hear that. She’s a good psychologist.”
“Mr. Clark, I do declare, you just said something good about a therapist. You must be feeling especially well this morning.”
“Maybe I should qualify that. I like Dr. Heller. She’s better than most and she tries to do the right thing. But I still think the whole therapy thing is a bunch of hooey.”
“And…he’s back.” Sabre laughed. “So, are you ready for the Wheeler trial?”
“Always.”
They walked together through the lobby. “Any chance we can settle this?”
“If you can talk some sense into that nubile little vixen.”
“The social worker, Heather Staples?”
“I’m going to tear her a new one when she takes the stand.”
Sabre smiled. She knew he could do it, too. Bob was quite adept at cross-examination and it was the social worker’s first trial. “What are you contesting?”
“This petition is moot now. The car engine has been removed from the living room. The house is clean. I went there myself and took pictures. The mother is attending drug programs regularly and dad is back in therapy.”
Sabre listened and then said, “And as for placement, I’m sure the parents want the children returned, but are they willing to leave them with the paternal aunt for a while longer? She’s back now and there’s no reason why these kids have to stay in Polinsky any longer, or go to a foster home, for that matter.”
“Maybe,” Bob said. “But I’m not sure you can convince that little twerp. How old is she, anyway? About twelve?”
Sabre smiled. “I’ll be back.”
Sabre walked toward Department Four. When she reached the courtroom she went inside. The court was not in session, so she approached the bailiff. “Have you seen Ahlers?”
“He just went upstairs with that cute little social worker that Bob loves to hate.”
Sabre went up the steps and found the County Counsel sitting at a small table with Heather Staples, the social worker on the Wheeler case. “Just the people I’m looking for.”
“Hi, Sabre,” Ahlers said. “What can I do for you?”
“Can we settle this case?”
“No,” the social worker responded quickly. At the same time Ahlers said, “Maybe.”
Heather’s face turned red and she puffed up. Ahlers raised his hand just slightly motioning her to stop. He turned to Sabre. “What’s your position on this?”
“I’ve been told they’ve cleaned up the house and the mother is in treatment. Is that correct?” She looked directly at Heather.
“Yes, but….”
“So, the real issue is disposition, am I right?”
Ahlers turned to the social worker as she answered, “These kids are in danger. This family has so many problems. The parents are not fixable.”
The Advocate's Ex Parte (The Advocate Series Book 5) Page 15
