Deadly Waters (A Sean McGhee Mystery Book 1)

by T. Alan Codder

  “Richard Spangler, attorney at law. May I help you?” the female voice, probably Jacquelyn, asked.

  “This is Police Chief McGhee. Is Rich in?”

  “I’m sorry, chief, he’s not in at the moment. Is there something I can help you with?”

  “Tell him I have one of his clients in my jail, and he’s in a lot of trouble. Have him call me or come by as soon as possible.”

  “Yes sir, chief. I’ll pass that along as soon as I hang up.”

  “Thank you.”

  Sean sat back and heaved a sigh. The shit was about to hit the fan now. He would hold Steve here for a while, to see if Spangler could get him out, before he started the paperwork to transfer him to county.

  While waiting on Spangler, Sean began the arrest paperwork on Steve. As he worked, he realized he was going to need the dash-cam video from his car to show that Steve backed into him. Then he realized he had no car to drive. He could have one of his officers take him home, and then he could drive his Jag for a few days, but it was now clear not having his own car wasn’t such a good idea after all.

  “Mayberry my ass,” he muttered as he returned to his paperwork, and then smiled to himself. It seemed like he was saying that more and more.

  Thirty-Three

  “Is it true?” Rudy asked as he stepped into Sean’s office.

  It was almost six in the evening. Spangler had been by earlier in the day and was working to have Steve released on bond. Sean was hanging around the station to see if he could pull it off.

  “It’s true.”

  Rudy swallowed hard. “Did he do it?”

  Rudy normally spoke in a booming voice, and the uncharacteristic meekness of his question made it clear he dreaded hearing the answer.

  “Not for me to decide. But I’m guessing he’s going to go away for a long time,” Sean replied.

  Rudy’s lips thinned and he seemed to sag. “For dumping or murder?

  “Both.”

  Rudy flopped into one of the guest chairs. “I still can’t believe it. I’ve known Steve for at least fifty years. There’s no other possible explanation?”

  “Not really, no.”

  “Can I see him?”

  Sean stood up and led Rudy back to the holding cells. He crossed his arms over his chest and stepped back against the wall, to give them a bit of privacy, but stayed close so he could keep an eye on things. He didn’t expect Rudy to try anything stupid, but Rudy wasn’t Steve’s lawyer and had no right to privacy.

  “Did you do it?” Rudy asked.

  “I’m innocent,” Steve said, his eyes pleading. “This is all just a big misunderstanding.”

  “Then why did you run?”

  “Yeah. That was a mistake. I panicked.”

  “What was there to panic over if you didn’t do it?” Rudy demanded.

  “They were coming to arrest me! I just panicked!” Steve said after a moment’s pause. “What would you have done if they’d shown up at your office to arrest you?”

  “I damn sure wouldn’t have run! I stood up for you! I stuck my neck out for you! You led me to believe Sean was targeting you for no reason! You gave the city a black eye! You were the one who suggested Maggie resign! And it was you the whole time! How could you?”

  “Rudy! I’m innocent! I swear! This is all just a big misunderstanding!”

  Rudy looked at Sean, his eyes questioning, obviously desperately wanting to believe his friend. Sean slowly shook his head.

  Rudy seemed to wilt as he looked back to Steve. “No more, Steve. No more.”

  “Rudy! Wait! They didn’t read me my rights!”

  Rudy looked at Sean again.

  “We only have to read the Miranda warning if we intend to question him and use his responses in court. We haven’t questioned him,” Sean explained.

  Rudy seemed to shrink a little bit more. He looked back to Steve as he backed away from the door.

  “I’m sorry, Steve. There’s nothing I can do,” Rudy said, all the vibrancy gone from his voice.

  He turned his back on the cell, his face troubled, his head hanging low, and trudged around the corner.

  “I’ll be right there,” Sean said as Rudy passed, and then stepped to the door. “You need anything?” he asked Steve.

  “No. Have you heard from Spangler? He said he was going to get me out of here.”

  “Nothing yet. I’ll give him another hour, but then I’m going to have to transfer you to county.”

  “No! Don’t do that! Let me stay here!” Steve begged.

  “Can’t do that, Steve. This is just a holding cell while you’re processed for transfer.”

  “Sean! Don’t do that to me. I’ll sign a waiver, whatever I need to do! Please!”

  Sean shook his head. “Sorry, Steve. My hands are tied.”

  “Sean! Sean, wait!” Steve called as Sean stepped away and walked down the hall.

  Rudy was slumped in a guest chair when he arrived in his office.

  “You okay?” Sean asked as he stepped behind his desk and sat down.

  “Yeah. I owe you an apology. I’m sorry I doubted you. You were right all along.”

  The defeat in Rudy’s voice was complete. Sean almost felt sorry for him and decided to be gracious and not rub it in. Much.

  “From now on, why don’t you let me handle the police work and you worry about running the city.”

  Rudy grimaced. “Yeah, you’re right. I guess I had that one coming, didn’t I? I still can’t believe it.”

  “Believe it, mayor. The DA is going to have an open and shut case.”

  Rudy nodded, his head drooping a little more. “Okay.”

  “I do need a favor, though.”

  “What?”

  “I need a car.”

  “Where’s your car?”

  “You didn’t hear? You’re buddy Steve tried to run over me. It’s in the city motor pool. The front end is bent all to hell and its leaking coolant everywhere. Does the city have something they can loan me until I get my car back?”

  Rudy gave his head a slight nod. “I can try find you something, or the city can reimburse you for mileage on your own car.”

  “That’s the problem. I don’t have my own car. Not one I want to drive every day anyway.”

  “Oh. Okay, I’ll see who has an extra one.”

  “Thanks, mayor.”

  Rudy stood up. “I have to go. This is going to cause a huge shit-storm. A city councilman accused of murder? I need to get a statement ready for the press in case they show up, and they will. You’re absolutely certain, and there’s no possibility of mistake?”

  “Absolutely certain.”

  “Murder and dumping?”

  Sean nodded. “Yes.”

  Rudy shook his head. “Damn. The Craftsmen on Main is coming up the last Saturday in April, too.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Big crafts show. We close Main Street and craftsmen from all over the area come in and setup booths. Woodworkers, potters, leathercrafters, jewelry makers, people like that. It’s put on by the Lion’s Club. It’s starting to turn into a big deal. Do you think this will be wrapped up by then?”

  Sean struggled to not roll his eyes. It didn’t appear Rudy would ever learn.

  “That’s up to the DA, mayor. I’ll turn the evidence over to him tomorrow.”

  Rudy grimaced again. “Damn.”

  -oOo-

  “Your bail hearing is set for tomorrow. The sheriff’s department should be here in a couple of hours to pick you up and take you to county. You need anything?” Sean asked.

  He’d just heard from Spangler. Rich wasn’t going to be able to get Locoste bailed out tonight.

  “I need to use the restroom,” Steve said.

  Sean unlocked and slid open a slot in the door. “Hands,” he ordered.

  “Is that necessary?”

  “It is if you want to go to the bathroom.”

  Steve meekly slid is hands through the slot and Sean snapped on the cu
ffs.

  “Step back.” When Steve stepped away from the door, Sean opened it. “Let’s go,” he said with a jerk of his head.

  His hand on Steve’s arm, Sean escorted the prisoner to the bathroom, waited while he relieved himself, and then escorted him back to the cell and reversed the procedure.

  “Someone will check on you in a couple of hours.”

  “Swell.”

  Sean managed not to grin until he turned away, and then walked back to his office to gather his stuff. It was long past his time to go home.

  “Hey, Michelle,” he said as he stepped into the dispatcher’s office. “County is sending someone to pick up Locoste. Make sure someone checks on him in a couple of hours if county hasn’t picked him up before then.”

  “Will do, chief.”

  “Can you have somebody give me a lift home?”

  “Sure. Hang on. Available unit, 10-25 to the station.” She paused, clearly listening, and then looked at Sean. “Paul is responding. He said ten minutes.” She grinned. “Terri told me all about it. It sounded like some wild stuff. Things sure have gotten interesting since you got here. How bad is your car?”

  “I haven’t heard. But it’s going to be at least a week, I’d guess.”

  “Are you going to be driving that fancy little car of yours that I’ve heard about?”

  He flashed her a smile. “I don’t know, maybe. It depends on if the mayor can scrape up another car for me. Which reminds me. Can you leave a note for the morning dispatcher to have a unit pick me up in the morning?”

  “I’ll log it in.”

  “Thanks, Michelle.”

  “You’re welcome, but will you do me a favor?” she asked, her eyes dancing in merriment.

  “If I can.”

  “The next time you’re going to get in a car chase, can you wait until I’m on duty? I missed all the fun.”

  Sean chuckled. “Sure, Michelle. I’ll see what I can do.”

  -oOo-

  “Thanks, Paul,” Sean said as he stepped out of the cruiser.

  “Any time, chief. Hey, do me a favor?” Paul asked as he rolled down the passenger window.

  “Next time I get in a chase, wait until you’re on duty?” Sean asked, bending over and looking back into the car with a grin.

  Paul laughed. “Yeah! How’d you know?”

  “Michelle asked the same thing.”

  “She stole my thunder!”

  Sean slapped the side of the car and stepped back as Paul rolled up the window and idled away. He had a good group of officers.

  “Hey, Marmalade. Miss me?” he asked after opening his door and stepping inside.

  Marmalade meowed that he had and then weaved around his legs, rubbing and purring.

  He picked the cat up and draped it over his shoulder, giving it a good scratch on the back of the neck while it purred and rubbed its head against his cheek, its eyes closed in contentment.

  He put Marmalade down, and after dropping off his computer and placing his weapon and badge on the dresser, returned to the kitchen and searched the cabinet, looking at the various cans of cat food.

  “Mmmm… Liver and chicken tonight. Yum.”

  He opened the can and dumped it into a bowl. He’d just stood up from placing the bowl on the floor, and was looking in the refrigerator for his own meal, when his cell rang. He smiled as he glanced at the display.

  “Hello, Maggie. What can I do for you?”

  “I just heard. Is it true?”

  “Is what true?”

  “That you arrested Steve Locoste this morning, and that he ran and you had to chase him down.”

  “Yeah, it’s true,” he replied, keeping his tone neutral.

  “Is that what had you down yesterday? You knew this was coming, didn’t you?”

  “I didn’t know he’d rabbit, but yeah, I knew this was coming.”

  “You okay now?”

  “Yeah. It was nothing personal. It’s not even the arresting of Steve.”

  “What was it, then?”

  “Some of the evidence got me down a little, that’s all. I’m fine now. In fact, better than fine.”

  “Good. It’s over now and the city is better for it.”

  “And your name has been cleared, too, in the whole fish kill thing. I have evidence proving Steve was dumping illegally into the Siouan River.”

  “Even better!” she said, and he could hear the smile in her voice. “Can you give me all the juicy details?”

  “No. I can tell you, though, that I wrecked my car trying to chase Steve down. I may be getting the Jag out sooner than I thought.”

  “Oh, no! Are you hurt?”

  “No, I’m fine. He backed over me with his truck. His truck was barely bent, but my car didn’t fare as well.”

  “At least you weren’t hurt!”

  “No. He wasn’t going very fast, but it still made a mess of my car. They had to haul it away on a rollback.”

  “If you need wheels, I can loan you my truck.”

  “The mayor is looking for something for me to drive.”

  “If he doesn’t find anything, I’ll let you use my truck. I can borrow the lab truck, or something, if I need to go somewhere I can’t go in my car.”

  “Thanks, Maggie, but I hate to take your truck.”

  “It’s not my truck, it’s the city’s truck, just like your car is the city’s car.”

  He grinned, conceding the point. “Okay, thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Oh, and you can stop testing the river now.”

  “I’m glad you reminded me. The lab will be glad to hear that. I’ll tell them in the morning.”

  I’ll bring another couple dozen doughnuts around tomorrow as a thank you.”

  He paused, gathering up his courage.

  “Would you like to join me for dinner tomorrow night to celebrate the wrapping up of my case and the clearing of your good name? I’ll pick you up about six.”

  “Is this a date?” she asked, her voice playful.

  “I think we can call it that. Since you’re no longer a suspect, I can ask you out on a date. It’s not supposed to rain tomorrow. I’ll bring the Jag.”

  “That’ll be great, but you better have the top up. It’s still too cold to be riding around in a convertible. People will think we’ve gone mad!”

  He chuckled. “I think I can arrange that. So, it’s a date?”

  “It’s a date. How should I dress?”

  “Since it’s a celebration, I’ll take you someplace nice, so dress up a little. I’ll wear a jacket.”

  “Oh my God! I can’t remember the last time someone dressed up and asked me out to dinner. I’ll wear a dress.”

  He smiled and sighed in relief. It had been years since he’d asked a woman out on a first date, and though he’d never admit it, he’d been nervous.

  He was looking forward to seeing her dressed up, and thinking about seeing her in a dress gave him that little thrill again.

  “I’ll see you at six, then,” he said, unable to wipe the smile off his face.

  “Okay, I’ll see you then. I’ll send you my address.”

  “That’d be helpful.”

  “I’m looking forward to it!”

  His smiled widened. “So am I.”

  Epilogue

  Our top story tonight, the anchorman intoned solemnly as he stared into the camera. Steven Thomas Locoste, former councilman of Brunswick, was found guilty today of the second-degree murder of Jonathan Boyd Thacker and one count of felony dumping of industrial waste, he read as his face was replaced by a clip of a court room sketch.

  Mr. Thacker had been involved in the recent controversy over fish kills in the Siouan River. Mr. Locoste is appealing the ruling. Brunswick Mayor, Rudy Klinger, had this to say after the verdict was announced.

  The station cut to a video of Rudy standing in front of Brunswick City Hall. Sean couldn’t help but smile. Rudy still looked like a car salesma
n from the 1970’s.

  “While I join with others in condemning the tragic killing of Boyd Thacker, I think this definitively clears the city of Brunswick of any wrong doing—”

  The picture cut back to the anchor. In other news, a—

  Sean pressed the power button on the remote, causing the television to fall silent.

  “My hero,” Maggie said, looking up from the snuggle, her voice dripping with teasing sarcasm.

  He shrugged, looked into her eyes, and smiled. “So long as he gets what’s coming to him.”

  She grinned. The arrest of Steve had caused a huge controversy in town. Everyone found it hard to believe that a city councilman, and one of the town’s leading citizens, had been involved in, not only illegal dumping, but the murder of Thacker as well. Steve’s friends and business associates had rallied to his side at first, but as the case progressed, they began to fall away one by one.

  Steve had lost everything, even his wife filing for divorce as the evidence of his misdeeds came to light, and the town had fully turned against him.

  The thing that made it so delicious from her point of view was, not only had the people turned away from Steve, but they had rallied around her and Sean. Where before people didn’t say much about the kills, they had started going out of their way to tell her how they’d never believed what people were saying about her.

  While people still made gentle fun of Sean’s Boston accent, they’d embraced him as one of their own, nodding and speaking to him as if he’d lived in Brunswick his entire life, not just the four months he’d actually been there. He was beginning to fit in, and she’d even heard him say y’all a few times instead of youse guys.

  He stretched with a groan. “I probably should go.”

  She sat up and took his lips in a leisurely kiss.

  “Do you have to?” she asked as the kiss slowly dissolved and she returned to the snuggle with a deep sigh.

  He smiled down at her. They had become quite the item around town, their blooming romance causing some tongues to wag. Not that he cared, but what little had gotten back to him was positive. People seemed to like that he’d arrived in town, cleared the good name of one of their own, caught the bad guy, and then swept the girl off her feet.