Color of Murder

by John Foxjohn

  * * * *

  David, driving with the chief in the front and Melissa in the back, led the procession of twelve cars that pulled into the front of the sheriff’s department. When they marched in, the receptionist’s eyes grew as large as manhole covers. She reached for the phone, her eyes never leaving David’s. Her hand froze when he shook his head.

  “We’re here to see the sheriff and several others. There is no need to bother you. We will announce ourselves. If you pick that phone up, consider yourself under arrest. Do you understand?”

  Her throat bounced up and down as if she tried to swallow and nod at the same time.

  The group separated, with David visiting the sheriff and Chief Spears going to Spivey. Both had wanted the sheriff and they had to settle it by flipping a coin.

  Spears’ assistant chief went to Post’s office and the chief of detectives to Bevin’s. Melissa headed the group who would conduct the searches, seize evidence, and tag it all.

  David didn’t bother to knock on Peterson’s door. When he marched in, the sheriff leaned back in his seat and talked on the phone. He slammed it down and bolted from his desk, his face the color of a ripe plum. “I’ve had enough of your shit.” As he rounded the desk, he grabbed at David with his right hand. David knocked the hand away with his left arm. He stepped in, rotating his shoulder and hips—driving the palm of his right hand into the sheriff’s solar plexus. He put everything he had into the blow.

  Peterson must have appreciated David’s efforts. He fell to his knees and threw up on the carpet.

  David almost felt sorry for him when the sheriff, gagging, heaving, and gasping at the same time, dropped face forward in his own vomit. He didn’t waste his pity on a man who had disgraced his badge for drug money, and left his face in the vomit while he handcuffed him.

  He pulled the sheriff up by the cuff chains and threw him back in his chair. As the sheriff gasped, trying to suck in air, David slapped the arrest warrant on the desk. He leaned forward, but not too close to the gunk on the sheriff’s face. “I haven’t made an arrest in a long time that gave me this much pleasure. This one is for Justin.”

  David dragged him from the chair and escorted him into the main lobby. There, employees stood around, whispering. When David brought the sheriff out in cuffs, everyone gasped.

  He gave Peterson to an officer who stood by. The officer would transport him to the station. As Peterson trudged out, he regained his breath. He jerked around. “I shouldn’t’ve listened to that stupid Spivey, I should’ve killed your ass.”

  David smiled, but realized the door was open and cameras from TV rolled outside the door. Instead of replying, he waved the patrolman out with the prisoner.

  Lights flashed as the officer escorted Peterson out, and David didn’t know how the news had gotten a hold of the story this fast. Every word Peterson shouted about killing David would replay on the news for weeks to come.

  David, Chief Spears, and County Judge Joe Ned Bailey stood by the front door as the other three sheriff’s employees trooped out in handcuffs.

  Bailey turned to David. “Someone is going to have to talk to the vultures.” He indicated the flock of news media swarming the front.

  David took a deep breath. He’d done this before and hated every second of it. If he had his way, he’d pass this off. Straightening his suit coat, he paused before speaking. “Judge, I think you should. You’re the county’s elected official. It would be better for you to tell them about the sheriff’s replacement. That way it won’t appear that the federal government is taking over the county.”

  With a sour expression, as if he had gas, Bailey nodded. “I want you with me in case they ask things I don’t know.”

  David figured Bailey wouldn’t go out there by himself, and he knew without asking that Spears wasn’t about to. He didn’t want to, but didn’t see a way out of it. Instead of replying, he gave him a disgusted nod.

  Besides, he had other things to consider. He needed to interview at least one of the four arrested. He’d considered which one before the arrest, and believed he still needed one to talk. He had a solid case with the evidence they had and Spalding’s testimony, but one of the four would make it stronger.

  He’d debated which one in his mind, but when they trooped by him, he knew it would be Post. Spivey marched with his head up, glaring at anyone who came into contact with him. He’d be a tough nut to crack. He wasn’t about to offer Peterson a deal, but Post came by, head hung and blubbering.

  As soon as they had them out of the building, David phoned John at the police station telling him to make certain that Post didn’t come into contact with the other three.

  Judge Bailey approached David. “If we don’t make a statement soon, the damn media is going to storm this building.”

  David rubbed his face. “Fine. Let’s do it.”

  When they slogged out the front door, cold wind assaulted them and sleet fell. David closed his overcoat as the press surged around them, the ones with cameras bludgeoning a path to the front.

  A barrage of questions flew at them. Bailey held up his hand and when he had their attention, he said, “We’ve had an unfortunate incident here that is unprecedented in this county. The FBI arrested the top four law enforcement officers in our county on various criminal charges. I cannot go into what those charges are. All I can tell you is the evidence is overwhelming and there is no doubt that a grand jury will true bill them for trial. The FBI hasn’t arraigned them yet so I have no information on bail or any of that. Are there any questions?”

  David almost groaned at the last part. Hell yes there would be questions and he was freezing his butt off. He wondered how Melissa made out with the evidence collection. He didn’t worry about her. Knew she’d do a good job, he just wanted to be inside with her and not out here in this mess.

  “Who is in charge of the sheriff’s department, now?”

  Bailey swelled up like a possum and grinned. “I’m glad you asked that.”

  I took all of David’s control to stop from rolling his eyes. Bailey had transformed right in front of him. He was no longer the county judge, but a politician in his element—cameras, questions, all that. This was enough publicity to elect him two more times and he wasn’t about to pass it up no matter what he’d said inside.

  “Special Agent David Mason,” Bailey indicated David, “approached me yesterday with the evidence they had and what they planned to do. Acting in my official capacity, I called an emergency session of the county commissioners. Unanimously, we voted to re-instate former sheriff Milt Menifee as sheriff until the next election.”

  David’s head dropped against the wind and moisture. He jammed his hands into the pockets of his coat. He didn’t bother to mention the promotion Bailey gave him—believing the less he said, the better.

  Questions poured in and Bailey stood like a bantam rooster answering them and even encouraging them. David tuned them out. He had other things on his mind. Who led the other group—the one who killed Justin? How would he find them?

  More importantly, who leaked information to them—and there was no doubt in his mind that they were somehow getting information. It also appeared as if it came from his team, but after thinking about it, he no longer believed it had.

  He also needed to prepare himself for his impending battle with Melissa.

  * * * *

  Handcuffed, Post sobbed with his head drooped when David entered the interrogation room. The deputy jerked his head and road map eyes up, but averted his gaze.

  David sat across from him but didn’t say anything. He’d learned when interrogators had someone scared, let the scared person start the conversation. He also knew Post would. He just needed to wait him out. He let the deputy sweat while he planned what he wanted to do. He needed a confession, but couldn’t let Post know that. He had a risky plan, and it could either scare him into talking, or scare him so badly he wouldn’t talk.

  He’d talked to Andy earlier and both believed his l
ittle scheme was worth the try. He sat back in his seat with his arms crossed. He probably should have brought Andy in with him, but they hadn’t worked together enough. Times like this David missed Henry. The two of them worked well in interrogations. Henry was the master at intimidating a suspect—getting him agitated so David could move in for the kill.

  As minutes passed, David crossed his leg, removed his spiral and made notes to himself.

  “Why don’t you say something?”

  David glanced up at Post, not surprised he’d spoken. He set his pen and spiral on the table, crossed his arms, and his smile caused the deputy to squirm in his seat.

  “Gene, there’s not much to say at this point.” David used his first name on purpose, hoping the familiarity would help loosen his tongue. David reached into his pocket, pulled out his Miranda card and read the deputy his rights. Post didn’t utter a word when David asked if he understood his rights.

  David shifted tactics. He leaned forward and his tone changed to hard. “Deputy Post. Do you understand the rights that I read to you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good. You aren’t the first one of this little group I’ve talked to.” He reached into his pocket, slapped a plastic jar of Vaseline on the table. The deputy’s gaze glued onto the jar. David let his voice become quiet. “This is a present for you. You’re going to need it. Do you have any idea what they do to ex-cops in the joint?”

  Post knew, and with David’s scheme working, an hour later, they had a full statement. He’d saved his ace, a pardon in exchange for his testimony. David had the papers ready for the deal with the Attorney General, but didn’t use them because he didn’t need to.

  At eleven-thirty that night, David and his team of walking zombies trudged out of the police station. They would arraign the three in the morning.

  With bags under her eyes, Melissa gave David a tight smile and asked, “You have any plans for the rest of the night?”

  David rubbed his face. “Yep, I do. Some sleep. Anyone object?”

  Although no one said anything, she didn’t believe the agents would object to that plan. They’d fall asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow, like her. She needed to talk to David, had gone over in her mind all day what she wanted to say, practicing her words, actions, but now she believed she was too tired for a rational conversation. She wanted to get this over with, but she needed her faculties in order. She couldn’t push David too much.

  She wondered what went on in his mind. Would he initiate the conversation? Did he count on this late night of postponing what had to come, or did it even enter his mind? As she watched him out of the corner of her eye, she believed he did. David thought things through, and if he wanted to talk to her about their problems, he would think about it first. In that way, as others, she envied him.

  Before she could say anything else, David groaned. She glanced up as a large man—flat-topped grey hair, khaki slacks and a white, tucked in shirt strode toward them. The Texas Ranger badge clipped to his front pocket gleamed from the streetlights.

  When the ranger stopped, his glance took everyone in, and then settled on David. “I know it’s late, but could we have a little chat?”

  David rubbed his face with both hands. His eyes burned and his feet hurt. He needed to have this talk, but didn’t want to do it now. What role Pateau or the Rangers had played in this mess bothered him and he planned to get to the bottom of it when he had time. He sighed. It might as well be now. He told the other agents he’d see them in the morning and without waiting for Pateau, turned and trudged into the police station.

  In the conference room, Pateau sat across from David. “I know you have questions and that’s why I came here to talk to you. Let me give you some background.”

  David took a deep breath wondering if he would get the sanitized version filled with hogwash or the truth.

  “As you know, the sheriff’s department called us in because the commission forced them to. Just like they did with the bureau. What you probably don’t know, we were already here investigating the sheriff’s department.”

  Pateau held his hand up again to stop David. “Let me finish.” He continued when David nodded. “We’ve received tips and information for several months about the sheriff’s department. We knew what they were up to, but not who was involved. At first, we thought it was Justin Milam.”

  David nodded, going on what Pateau said, as an investigator, if he didn’t know Justin the way he did, he would have come to that conclusion himself. The amount of arrests he made, the drugs he confiscated, would make him an initial suspect. David steepled his fingers in front of his chest, “What took you off Justin’s scent?”

  “James. I knew from the beginning he played a role. Just didn’t know how.”

  Things clicked in David’s mind like the missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle. He shook his head. “When I came in, you brought James to me to deal with.”

  Pateau leaned forward. “Listen. This wasn’t my decision. My boss talked to people in Houston about you. They informed him that if there were dirt to find, you would find it. My boss decided for us to step away and let you take it.”

  David smiled and chuckled. “You mean if any political bullshit fell on anyone it would be me and the bureau, not the Rangers.”

  Pateau didn’t answer and David didn’t expect him to, or need him to for that matter. The Rangers got what they were after without putting themselves in the line of fire.

  Fifteen minutes later, David left the station. His talk with the Ranger answered a question that had bothered him, but in the end did nothing to help him find Justin’s killers.

  CHAPTER 28

  Melissa didn’t talk on the way to the motel with the other agents. Without David here, she didn’t need to worry about saying something she would regret. Before, it infuriated her that he hadn’t said anything about the leak and her belief that he suspected her. After she fell apart, ran into the men’s room crying and he had to come get her out, she was embarrassed. Her actions didn’t reflect those of an FBI supervisor, but of a doddering female who couldn’t handle pressure.

  All she had accomplished, worked for, could fall apart in the next hours. David climbed out on a small limb to get her in the position he had. If she failed in this, she had no doubt she had a desk job awaiting, shuffling papers with other women.

  She said a brief goodnight and trudged to her room. A hot bath and sleep might return her to herself, if she knew who herself was.

  On second thought, she decided to sleep then get the hot bath. While she washed her face, she groaned when someone knocked on her door. She knew it was David and she wasn’t ready to face him in her mental state and the way she looked. Attempting to brush her hair with fingers, her hesitant steps padded on the carpet.

  When she opened the door, her mouth dropped open. She took a half step back with her right foot, ready to strike.

  Morgan held his hands out, palms toward her. “I wanted to talk to you for a moment. Just talk. I’ve learned my lesson.”

  Confused, Melissa stepped aside to let him in, watching her back, and shut the door behind him. He was the last person she’d expected to knock on her door this late, and she kept her distance, but pointed to a chair. “Want to sit?”

  He nodded, sat, and crossed his leg. He attempted to look comfortable, but she didn’t believe he was. She sat on the edge of the bed.

  “Listen Melissa—this may not be any of my business and if it isn’t tell me and I’ll leave.”

  “OK. Fair enough. What’s on your mind?’

  He crossed his arms. “The detective I was with today told me what happened with the supposed leak. You don’t believe David suspects us or you, do you?”

  She hadn’t known what to expect before he spoke, but if she’d guessed, this wouldn’t’ve been what she thought. “How did the detective know about it?”

  Morgan smiled. “I’ve dealt with cops for awhile. One thing I have found out—there are no secrets. Cops like to
talk. Is what he told me true?’

  Melissa caught her breath. She thought about telling him it was none of his business and get him out of her room, but realized he didn’t act like the condescending person he had in the past. Besides, he had a right as a part of the team and this affected him, too. She told him everything.

  He nodded. “It hurt your feelings because you believe he suspects you?”

  She dropped her gaze and said in a small voice, “I’m sure he does.”

  Morgan adjusted his coat. “You’ve known David a lot longer than I have—know him better.” He hesitated before continuing, “I could be wrong, but I’ve noticed something about him in a short time. When faced with a problem, David doesn’t side step it. He jumps in with both feet. Honestly, do you believe if he thought one of us leaked information to Whistlam he’d stand by and let it continue?”

  Melissa’s emotions had taken a constant ride on a Texas tornado in the last few days. Now she could add another one to the heap. Stupid. Morgan was right and she should have seen it herself. No way would David let something like that continue with people’s lives on the line.

  She closed her eyes. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Her biggest worry before they left Washington was whether the men could overlook the fact that she was a woman and follow her and give her the respect she believed due her. She realized that they had, but the problem with her gender came from her, not them. She’d worried so much about being a woman in a man’s world that it affected the way she did her job and the way she thought.

  She would never get men to accept her, respect her, follow her, if she didn’t respect herself, believe in herself.

  * * * *

  Groggy, David awoke at six, put coffee on, and hit the shower. He decided to let the agents sleep in this morning. He picked the phone up and called Beth, the one person he could talk to about anything without reservations, and he needed to talk to someone about Melissa before she confronted him—a confrontation he didn’t want.