Wrong Turn

by Diane Fanning

  ‘We had an agreement, lieutenant.’

  Lucinda nodded and walked out of the room. She couldn’t sit down. She paced the room, one side to the other lengthwise, then shifted to walking the width of the room.

  When the door opened, Lucinda’s mouth dehydrated in a flash. She held her breath. Dr Craig handed her the recorder and said, ‘Thank you for using restraint. You didn’t act like a cop and that’s what he needed. I think it went rather well. Well, I need to get back to him but he’s ready to testify. I think he needs to do it to resolve his feelings of guilt. And you need to make sure he survives to do that.’

  ‘Thank you, doctor. I will do everything in my power to protect Trevor and with the information on this tape, I am certain I will have the full support of the district attorney. Phillips’ message to Trevor has made him a flight risk – that should be sufficient to revoke his bail. Please tell Trevor not to delete that text.’

  Dr Craig nodded, turned, went back in the room and closed the door.

  Lucinda was buzzing. She got out of the building and pressed the play button. She had to make sure the recording really was still there. She heard Trevor’s voice and wanted to shout – she settled for one, slightly subdued, fist pump in the air and a quiet, ‘Yeah, me!’

  Climbing into her car, she called Jake. ‘I’ve got it, Jake, I’ve got it.’

  ‘Trevor?’

  ‘Yes. He has a vivid memory of Gloria’s accident and Patty’s death and he wants to testify. His shrink even said it would be good for him.’

  ‘And good for you, too. This is going to please the DA. You’ll be his new best friend.’

  ‘I doubt that, Jake, I haven’t told you about this morning yet – I’ll catch you later for that. But at least now, I don’t have to worry about the DA running me over in the parking lot after work.’

  TWENTY-SIX

  Jake sat at his desk getting more frustrated by the moment. His review of the reports on the search for Mack Rogers didn’t generate a single idea of where he should look, what he should do next. His phone gave an in-house call buzz and he picked up the receiver. ‘Tell me you’ve got some good news.’

  ‘Look sharp, agent. The press is on line two for you.’

  ‘I don’t want to talk to a reporter right now.’

  ‘You rate higher than that, sir, it’s a producer calling.’

  ‘Thanks. But no thanks.’

  ‘She says she can help you find Mack Rogers.’

  ‘Yeah and I’ll help her find Elvis.’

  ‘Sir, you don’t want her telling everyone that she tried to assist the FBI but they wouldn’t even talk to her.’

  ‘Crap. OK. I’ll take the call.’ He disconnected the in-house line, cleared his throat and punched the button two to reach the outside call. ‘Special Agent Lovett.’

  ‘Hello, sir. This is Jeanne Jacobs, producer of Virginia’s Most Wanted for Eyewitness News.’

  ‘I was told you believe you can help me with the search for Mack Rogers.’

  ‘Yes, indeed, sir. We’ll allow you to come live on our program this evening and make a personal appeal for tips. We’ll have a hotline up and running and you can help man the phones.’

  ‘No offense, Ms Jacobs, but Rogers could be anywhere in the country by now. Your show is local – what good will that do?’

  ‘Sir, one of our other guests on the show is a criminal justice professor from Radford University. He makes a very compelling argument that Rogers would still be here in the state. In fact, he believes he would be within our viewing area so that he can keep track of the excavation at his former home.’

  ‘Good for him.’

  ‘Oh, sir, please don’t be negative about this. You are vital to the show tonight. We have found in the five years we’ve been on the air with this program that the response from the public has been far more vigorous when we have had an investigator or sheriff here on the set to talk about his efforts to find a dangerous criminal.’

  It was tempting but Jake knew that his supervisor was always looking for an excuse to give him grief. And he knew she’d never approve it if he made a request. ‘I’ll have to run this by my regional director,’ he said.

  ‘Sir, you and I both know what the FBI bureaucracy is like. If they cooperate at all, they’ll send a spokesperson. That is just not as effective as someone really involved in the case. People with information are far more likely to call the hotline if the guy in actual pursuit of the criminal is waiting to take their calls. And if he’s watching, it would seem a lot more serious if an FBI agent is talking about him instead of one of our announcers. It might push him to do something . . .’

  ‘Like kill another woman? Is that what you want?’

  ‘Oh my heavens, sir. Not at all. But he might feel the heat. It might make him move from wherever he’s hiding out, worried that you’re getting too close. And I’ve always been told that it’s easier to find a fugitive when he’s on the move. And sir, if you’re hesitating because you are not familiar with our work, I can give you the name of a few sheriffs who have had very positive results from appearing on our show.’

  Jake had no leads to follow. He needed something. Sure, Director Goodman would be pissed but he could grovel for the wicked witch’s forgiveness later. If he did get results, she could do nothing but chew on his butt for a while – what’s new? ‘OK. What would you want me to do if I agreed?’

  ‘We’ve already written script for you.’

  ‘You want me to read a script? I don’t think so.’

  ‘Oh no, sir. It’s just a guideline to help you follow the show’s point of view.’

  ‘I don’t care if I follow your point of view or not, Ms Jacobs. I need to be able to say what needs to be said without any constraints.’

  ‘Well, of course you can, sir. You’re the expert. We just want to make you comfortable.’

  ‘When is this show?’

  ‘Tonight, sir, right after the eleven o’clock news.’

  ‘That’s sudden.’

  ‘We wanted to make sure we had everything in order and we were ready to proceed with the other guests, the background, the hotline volunteers and a strong promotional effort. We didn’t want to waste your time if we could not pull it off tonight.’

  Jake suspected that she didn’t want to ask him before now because she didn’t want him to have time to cause problems with any other aspect of the production. ‘All right. When do you need me?’

  ‘Come to the studio tonight at ten thirty or a little before. We can do a walk through, get you familiar with the set, fine-tune the blocking and make sure the lighting is appropriate to make you look your best.’

  Jake wasn’t certain what all of that entailed but he’d just go there and do as he was told. ‘I’ll see you at ten thirty then.’

  He ran down the price he’d pay if it didn’t go well tonight: grief from Goodman, punitive action from her or maybe even dismissal. He chuckled. Nah, she won’t fire me. I’ve got a friend in the media right now. If I get canned for appearing on her show, Jeanne Jacobs will make sure everybody knows and Goodman despises bad press. Now, what will I say?

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  Returning to the Justice Center, Lucinda went straight to the sixth floor, carrying the recorder as gently as if it were a fragile antiquity. She leaned against the door trim of DA Reed’s office waiting for him to look up and notice her.

  ‘What do you want, now, Pierce?’ he snarled.

  ‘I come bearing good news.’

  ‘Forgive me for being dubious about your definition of good.’

  ‘On this tape, I have an interview with Trevor Phillips, done in the presence of his psychologist and with the permission of his legal guardians.’

  Reed’s eyes squinted as he stared at her. ‘More proof of prosecutorial misconduct, Pierce?’

  ‘No, sir. Not at all. It’s a confirmation that you did the right thing when you prosecuted his father. He distinctly remembers his first stepmother’s so-called accident
and his second stepmother’s murder. He witnessed both.’

  ‘Are you shitting me?’ he said rising from his chair.

  ‘No, sir. It’s all here along with a good reason to have Phillips’ bail revoked.’

  ‘Really? Come in. Sit down,’ he said, gesturing to the comfortable sitting area off to the side, away from his desk. He stuck his head out in the hallway and shouted, ‘Cindy, could you get us some coffee?’

  Lucinda remained a bit wary. She knew he’d be happy after listening to the tape but how long would it take to remember that he was still supremely pissed at her about the Sherman situation?

  They listened to the tape together. Reed sat at the edge of the chair, the smile on his face broadening every minute. He pressed the pause button after Trevor finished his recollection of Gloria’s plunge down the stairway. ‘You know we can’t charge him in that case – he’s already been acquitted.’

  ‘Yes sir, I know that.’

  ‘OK,’ he said with a nod. ‘Just wanted to make sure that was clear.’ He pressed the play button. When Dr Craig’s voice came out of the speaker praising Trevor for the good job he’d done, Reed reached for the stop button.

  ‘No sir, keep listening. There’s more.’

  Reed listened to Trevor talk about the text message and bounced to his feet. ‘Is that it?’

  ‘Yes, I think that’s enough.’

  Reed jammed his hands in his trouser pockets and rocked on his heels. ‘Yes, indeed. Yes, indeed.’

  ‘Sir, we need to rearrest him to protect Trevor.’

  ‘It’s past business hours on a Friday, Pierce. The judges have all gone home for the weekend.’

  ‘Say that it’s an emergency.’

  ‘Can’t do it, Pierce. He has not made a direct threat. And he hasn’t said that they’re leaving this weekend. I’d just tick a judge off for bothering him with something that could wait till Monday.’

  Lucinda jumped up from the chair. ‘Reed, there is no knowing what Phillips will do. There’s no way to know that he won’t act this weekend.’

  ‘If he did that, we’d lose a witness.’

  The man’s priorities exasperated Lucinda. ‘For God’s sake, Reed, the fact that an innocent boy’s life is at risk is the important issue here.’

  ‘Oh, chill, Pierce. I know that. I’ll call the chief and tell him that we’re about to take action and need eyes on Phillips round the clock. If he goes anywhere near the boy, they’ll stop him in his tracks.’

  ‘Fine. But if it even looks like he might be thinking about going near him, I want a call. Immediately.’

  Reed nodded. ‘I’ll let the chief know.’

  ‘Are you going to want me to testify at the revocation hearing on Monday?’

  ‘No, Pierce. I’ve got the tape. I can handle it.’ A coldness filled Reed’s eyes and his facial features hardened. ‘I don’t want you anywhere near a courtroom on Monday.’ He jabbed his finger in her direction. ‘Is that clear?’

  Lucinda’s jaw clenched tight. She forced it apart and said, ‘I understand what you want, sir. You’ve been very clear.’ She turned and walked towards the door.

  ‘You’d best not play any games with me, lieutenant.’

  Lucinda turned around and faced him, enunciating each word distinctly. ‘I do not play games, sir. Not with anyone.’ She spun back around and walked away, knowing if she stayed a second longer, she might say something she’d regret.

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  Jake went over to Mack Rogers’ former home to check up on the progress of the evidence search and collection. All the human remains discovered had been removed but the stench of rotting flesh still filled the interior. It made him wonder if there might be more bodies yet to be found.

  The upstairs of the home bore little resemblance to its appearance when he’d entered the first time. Some of the drywall had been torn down, exposing the bare framing, and the section of the original wood flooring above the crawl space, piled up in a stack on the side of the room, revealed the floor joists and the underground space beneath. Here and there he saw yellow flags sticking up from the dirt.

  ‘Agent Lovett, how are you?’ a woman’s voice called out.

  ‘Spellman?’ he asked. ‘Marguerite Spellman?’

  ‘Sure is, sir.’

  ‘Are you working for us now?’

  ‘No sir, I haven’t gone over to the dark side yet.’

  ‘The dark side, Spellman? C’mon, give us a break.’

  ‘I have worked with Lieutenant Pierce on many cases – certainly things are bound to rub off,’ she said with a smile. ‘You’ve got to admit, she’s a strong personality.’

  ‘No doubt about that,’ he said. ‘So, why are you here?’

  ‘The lieutenant wanted me to keep an eye on everything you all do. I was afraid I’d just be standing around watching the dig, which moves so slowly, it’s about as stimulating as watching a carrot grow. Fortunately, the forensic anthropologists and the lead forensic tech both decided they could use another pair of hands. So I’ve been pretty busy helping out wherever I was needed.’

  ‘I’d guess that means you have a pretty good overall view of the progress here.’

  ‘Pretty much,’ Marguerite agreed.

  ‘Get me caught up – like what’s the deal with the walls and the floors?’

  ‘We started tearing that up today after an evidence tech pulled on a loose piece of baseboard molding. Behind it, he found a box filled with newspaper clippings from Martha Sherman’s trial.’

  ‘That’s a good find.’

  ‘Yes,’ Marguerite said with a smile. ‘And I had one myself as well. I stepped on a spot in the floor and it didn’t quite feel right – sort of loose and not quite as secure as it should be. I pulled it up and found another box. It was filled with candlelight vigil announcements and missing posters. There were more different missing women in that collection than we’ve found victims.’

  ‘More bodies in the basement?’

  ‘The anthropologist doesn’t think so. The dirt’s packed too hard below what they’ve already excavated. They’re still finding little bits of jewelry, scraps of paper and things like that but she doesn’t think we’ll find anything of any size. So they decided to bring in the ground-penetrating radar equipment and check the back yard, see if he planted anyone out there, particularly in the garden patch that the landlady said he’d used for years.’

  Marguerite crumpled up her face and said, ‘And she told me he grew the biggest and best tomatoes and really spectacular watermelons. Thinking about what might have fertilized those crops made me swear off fruits and vegetables for a while.’

  ‘Yuck. Not an appetizing thought. Well, thanks, Spellman. Appreciate the update. I’m going to muck about downstairs a bit.’

  ‘Be careful, the anthropologist is a bear about the integrity of her dig – don’t take a step without her approval or she’ll bite your head off.’

  ‘Thanks for the warning.’ Jake descended the stairs and stood in the landing looking through the doorway to the crawl space. The small brushes and trowels used to remove every bit of dirt with slow deliberation made it all appear so tedious. He knew he didn’t possess the patience for that kind of work.

  He walked down the three remaining steps and over to the sifting area where three people stood over fine screens combing carefully through each small bucket that emerged from the hole. With a magnifying glass they studied each and every solid thing that remained on top – from teensy pieces of rock to even tinier bits of bone. He gave one last look at the hive of busy workers in the crawl space and went up the stairs.

  Outside, he went out in the back, looking over the terrain, trying to guess where they might dig outside of the garden space. He wondered if the yard would yield resolution for any other families with missing loved ones. He wondered if any other people were sitting in prison for a crime they hadn’t committed.

  Lost in thought, he kicked at clods of dirt in the tilled garden area without any awar
eness of what he was doing until his cellphone rang. He looked down at his feet, and then pulled out his cell. ‘Lovett,’ he said.

  ‘Jake, it’s Lucinda.’

  ‘Hey, how did it go with the DA?’

  ‘He was quite excited and it wasn’t until the end that he remembered that he was still pissed at me.’

  ‘You never got around to telling me about that. What’s the problem?’

  She explained her run-in with him over the prosecutorial misconduct she’d uncovered in the Sherman case.

  ‘But he didn’t even prosecute that case. He wasn’t even District Attorney then. What’s his problem?’

  ‘The former DA was his mentor. He feels he owes the man for where he is today. On top of that, Andrew Sherman is a major contributor to his campaign and old Andrew does not want Martha released from prison.’

  ‘But he has to know she didn’t kill his daughter.’

  ‘Jake, I think he knew that all along. I think he pushed the investigation in her direction simply because he wanted to be rid of her at a minimum loss of assets that a typical divorce would have gotten him. But with her in prison for killing his daughter, she got next to nothing out of the marriage. And once she was gone, he was free to marry the wealthy Dora Canterbury, who, by the way, he was already involved with before the death of his daughter.’

  ‘Oh, dear, a high society scandal.’

  ‘Yeah, and he’s willing to sacrifice Martha’s life to keep the dirt away from his door.’

  ‘Nice guy.’

  ‘I wish I could think of some way to charge him with something. But he looks as if he went up to the line of obstructing justice but never crossed it.’

  ‘Too bad.’

  ‘Yeah. It’s been a hell of a week – for both of us. Why don’t we have a little down time without talking about any of the cases? I could pick up carry-out from that nice Italian place up the street – shoot, I’ll even grab a couple of bottles of Chianti to set the mood. And after dinner, you could spend the night.’

  ‘You mean, like, tonight?’ Jake asked, the dread of the bad timing rising like gorge in his throat. He’d been waiting for an invitation; it had been a while. Why did she ask tonight?’