As Mira approached the front door, she saw Kurt standing in the living room. Without a word, she walked out and headed for her car, and within minutes, was well on her way to her destination.
Approximately a half-hour later, she pulled up to the police headquarters, stopping at the security gate. A middle-aged, uniformed officer approached the driver’s side door. “Can I help you, ma’am?” he asked.
“Good morning, officer. I’m here to see the detective working on the Jacobs’ case,” she said.
He quietly looked at her for a few moments.
“Kurt Jacobs—the man who’s suspected of murdering his family.”
“Right! That’ll be Detective Frank Matheson. Just pull into that spot over there…” he pointed, “…and take the elevator to the second floor. Let the receptionist know who you’re there to see.”
“Thank you, officer,” Mira replied.
She drove ahead into the space and proceeded to the main door where she noticed an elevator directly to her left.
The police headquarters was in a brand-new building and there were obviously new protocols put in place, including checking in at the security gate. It was where the Chief of Police office was, as well as their Criminal Investigation Unit. Other stations in Mizpah did not have the same structure.
Walking into the elevator, Mira sighed. She had no idea how her meeting with Detective Matheson would go even if he agreed to see her.
The doors parted ways and Mira stepped onto the second floor. It was a wide-open space with multiple cubicles where officers worked. She went over to the reception desk.
“Good morning. I’d like to see Detective Frank Matheson please,” she said to the young female sergeant.
“Is he expecting you?” she asked behind a pair of thick, round eyeglasses.
“No. I’m afraid not.”
“What is this concerning, ma’am?”
Mira thought for a moment, then reluctantly said, “I would like to speak with him in reference to the Jacobs’ case. I have some information that might be of use to him.”
“What’s your name?” The officer pulled a blue register over.
“Mira Cullen.”
The woman looked up. “Dr. Mira Cullen?”
“Yes.”
“Just a minute, Dr. Cullen.”
She got up immediately and hurried over to an office at the far end of the room. Then moments later, Mira saw her advance with a man dressed in a white dress shirt and grey trousers. The sergeant was talking to him while they looked in Mira’s direction.
The two quickly came over and while the sergeant returned to her desk, the man extended his hand. “Dr. Cullen. I’m Detective Frank Matheson.”
Mira shook his hand.
“I was told you have some information for me?”
Mira glanced at the sergeant and then back at him. “May I speak with you in private, Detective?”
“Sorry. Yes! Please follow me.”
He led the way over to the office where Mira had initially spotted him.
“Please sit down.” He offered, while making his way to his chair. “Before we get into it, I’d like to say that we’ve heard some really amazing things about you here at the headquarters, Doctor. Truly amazing things.”
“Thank you, Detective.” Mira felt a bit awkward as she didn’t expect to be so highly regarded by the police force. “I came to see you because I’ve seen news reports where there’s speculation that Kurt Jacobs had killed his family and himself.”
“Yeah. The quality of the media for the most part around here have gone to the dogs.” Matheson shook his head. “Seems like they now use their platform to publicly convict people without them having the dignity of a trial. Not that we can try a dead man.” He grinned. “But yeah…I’ve seen the reports.”
“Does the police department agree with those assertions about Kurt Jacobs?” she asked.
He sighed heavily. “To be honest with you, since none of the parties involved are still alive, we have to rely on information derived from those who knew them well.”
“So, you’re saying you believe those assertions?” She pressed.
“I guess so.”
Mira wondered what kind of answer that was coming from a detective. She also wondered if they had the wrong guy dealing with the case.
“What about the gunshot wounds on the bodies of the couple?” she queried.
Matheson leaned forward. “How do you know about that? We hadn’t revealed that information to the media as the autopsy report isn’t even ready yet.”
“You said you heard about me, Detective. That should explain how I know.”
He leaned back in his black leather chair again and crossed his legs. “Dr. Cullen…although the autopsy report isn’t ready, we’ve seen the body and that’s how we know about the gunshot wounds, so you obviously know what you’re speaking of in that regard. And with that said, it’s clear to me what happened in the car that night…Kurt Jacobs and his wife must’ve gotten into an argument as they reportedly always did and in the heat of the moment, he pulled out a gun he obviously had with him and shot his wife. Realizing and probably regretting what he’d done, he then shot himself and the car veered off the cliff. Case closed.”
“That’s not what happened,” Mira said.
“It’s not?”
“Did you locate the gun?”
“Yes…we did,” he replied.
“Was it a .38 caliber pistol?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yes. Yes, it was.”
“Kurt Jacobs didn’t own a .38 caliber, but Mrs. Jacobs did. Did you check for fingerprints on the gun?”
He uncrossed his legs and shifted in his seat a bit. “What’re you getting at?”
“Did you check for fingerprints on the gun, Detective?” Mira repeated.
There was a slight pause. “No. We haven’t checked the gun, Dr. Cullen. There’s no need for us to check the gun. We know that Kurt killed everyone, including himself,” he replied.
“That’s where you’re wrong: Kurt did not do this. It was his wife, Donna, that shot him, then shot herself. If you check for fingerprints on the weapon, you’d find hers and not her husband’s. She’s the one who committed this horrible, selfish act, denying her own baby the chance to grow up and live his own life. Kurt Jacobs should not be vilified for such a heinous deed. I urge you and this department to do your jobs, Detective, and after that to reveal the truth of your findings to the media. If you don’t, I will go to them myself and insist that they investigate this department for failing to conduct a proper investigation and to report the facts—the real facts pertaining to this case.”
Matheson sighed again. He seemed perturbed by the obvious threat. He placed both hands on the desk and interlaced his fingers. “I guess I can’t argue with you based on the reputation you have. I give you my word, Dr. Cullen, that we’ll look into this and get the forensic evidence we need. If it turns out that you’re right, we’ll get the truth out there.”
“I appreciate that, Detective.” Mira got up. “Thank you for your time.”
He stood up as well. “My pleasure, Doc. And thanks for coming by. Please allow me to walk you out.”
The sergeant at the reception desk steadily looked on as Mira and Frank Matheson walked past her toward the elevator.
“What’d she say?” she eagerly asked Frank after he’d seen Mira off.
Leaning slightly forward against the desk, he replied, “She thinks Kurt Jacobs wasn’t the one that committed the murder-suicide.”
Grimacing, she said, “Who does she think it was?”
“The wife.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Nope. Claims the proof is on the gun. I’m gonna get to the bottom of this because by all accounts this lady usually knows exactly what she’s talking about.”
The sergeant nodded as Frank walked off. She tended to agree.
* * * *
Bobby was outside on the carport washing his truck when
Mira pulled into the yard in her silver Toyota Camry. That car was the satisfactory exchange she’d made for her recent trade-in at the car dealership since the other had reached its fifth birthday. Bobby glanced up at her, then continued focusing on his truck. Mira could sense he was a bit ticked off at her and the thought of him looking like a puffed-up spoiled child caused her to smile.
“You look so adorable when you’re upset,” she said, stepping out of the car.
He didn’t look her way, neither did he bother to respond.
She went over and wrapped her slender arms around his waist.
“I’m busy,” he said, abruptly, failing to pay her the courtesy of a simple glance.
“I’m sorry, honey, but I was in a rush earlier. We’ll talk when you come inside, okay?”
He shook his head slightly and she headed for the front door.
Fifteen minutes later, Bobby walked in; his white tank top soaked in front with sudsy water.
Mira was sitting on the couch with her knees elevated and both feet flat on the soft cushion. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think the truck was the one doing the washing.” She joked.
“Really?” Bobby replied, as he lifted his shirt over his head. “I’ll tackle your jalopy tomorrow.”
“Jalopy, huh? That jalopy is newer than that truck you’ve been holding onto now for the past decade.”
Bobby managed a grin. Mira knew he couldn’t stay mad at her. He walked down the hallway, took a left into the bathroom where he tossed his shirt, and when he emerged moments later, he was putting on a clean tee shirt.
“So, what was the big secret?” He plonked onto the couch next to her and gave her a pat on the knee.
As Mira looked into his eyes, she still felt butterflies in her stomach. Years ago, she never imagined she’d someday have those feelings for Bobby. For so long, pursuant to her first encounter with Karlen Key and Andy Anderson, she’d convinced herself that no other couple could possibly have the kind of love for each other that they shared and certainly, the possibility of her having a fairytale love life seemed impossible. She couldn’t help but be enormously thankful that Bobby never gave up on her.
She turned and set both feet on the ground. “You have a house guest,” she blurted.
“A house guest?” Bobby grimaced.
She looked at him silently.
“You mean… a ghost?” he asked, reluctantly.
Mira nodded. “I’m sorry. You had to know when you invited me to live here that others would join us as well.”
“So, who is it and why are they here?”
She shifted a little more his way. “Remember that guy Tammy had shown us the article about? The guy who ran his car off the road with his family inside?”
“Don’t tell me it’s him.” Bobby’s heart sank.
“Yep.”
His gaze went straight ahead. “Is he here now? Do you see him?”
“Not right now,” she answered. “Listen, Bobby… Kurt Jacobs is not responsible for the death of his family as people allege. The guy’s innocent.”
“Really?”
“Uh-huh.” She went on to explain.
“That’s why I had to go to see the detective working the case this morning. They hadn’t checked the gun for fingerprints.”
“The gun?”
“There was a shooting before the car crashed.”
Bobby shook his head and Mira gave him the whole story.
“Unbelievable,” he replied. “So now, what does he want?”
“Vindication,” she said. “Imagine that you were in his shoes and everyone was saying you killed your wife and infant son. Just because people die doesn’t mean they’re really gone or that they no longer have feelings. They’re a living soul; only their body has died. You and I are gonna be like that someday; I just hope we don’t linger in any dark place like many find themselves in.”
He put his arm around her. “I’m sure we won’t. There’s something wonderful out there waiting for us as it was for your dad, and Karlen and Andy…”
“Yes.” She smiled, then noticed a tear had snuck down her cheek. Turning away slightly, she quickly wiped it.
“Are you crying?” he asked, concerned.
“’Course not!”
He shifted her head gently. “Mira…what’s the matter?”
“Nothing.” She cleared her throat.
“You’re a terrible liar, you know?”
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about Bobby. You really need to stop being so sentimental.” She got up and went into the kitchen for a glass of water and Bobby kept his eyes on her the entire time. He knew something was off, but couldn’t put his finger on it.
She rested her glass on the counter after taking a gulp. Their conversation had evoked those feelings again—feelings of loss for the one man she’d ever loved in a romantic way. Within that moment, Mira felt like she might not be as strong as she thought she was, as breaking down in front of Bobby was unacceptable. How could she ruin the time they had left with sorrow?
“Are you okay?” Bobby asked her.
She nodded quickly. “I’m fine. I swear something was stuck in my eye.”
“You’re lying.”
“Why would you say that to me?” She pretended to be hurt.
“Come, sit down.” He patted the chair.
Picking up her glass again, she walked back into the living room, took a sip of water and rested the glass on the little side table before sitting next to him.
He turned to her. “Honey, you know you can tell me anything, right?”
“Yep.” She nodded, unenthusiastically.
“What’s on your mind—aside from this ghost deal?”
“Nothing, Bobby. Nothing’s on my mind. Why are you insistent on finding something wrong? If I say everything is fine, you need to believe me.”
He sighed, nodding. “Okay.”
There were a few moments of silence in the room, then Mira reached over to the table for the remote and switched on the television.
“So, this Kurt guy should soon be vindicated, huh?” Bobby tried to recapture the lighter atmosphere that had been lost just prior to Mira’s sudden shift in demeanor.
“Once that detective does his job,” she responded.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll see to it that he will.”
She managed a half-smile.
Bobby took her hand and they sat together for a while looking at the television screen; their minds a million miles away.
7
_________________
The night of Mira’s high school reunion ball was fast approaching. Two weeks had flown by since she’d met with her former schoolmates and she was actually looking forward to the big day.
She and Bobby had returned to work; life was pretty quiet and Kurt Jacobs had remained in their home, appearing to Mira at least every other day.
“So, you’ve managed to convince Bobby to tag along with you?” Sara asked as she folded her legs atop her large brown towel.
The matriarch of the Cullen family was approaching seventy, but her slender build had graced her with a fairly youthful look, despite her obvious wrinkles. And even though her husband, whom she adored had long since passed away, she still kept herself in good shape, exercising regularly. She knew the importance of taking care of herself, particularly since she’d worked as a nurse for many years and had seen firsthand what self-neglect and bad choices had done to so many people.
“I wouldn’t put it quite like that,” Mira answered her mother. “I asked if he’d join me and he graciously accepted.”
Smiling, Rosie brushed off a few crumbs that had fallen from her partially eaten donut.
It was a sunny Saturday morning in Meadows Park where the Cullen family had decided to have a little picnic. Sara, Mira and Rosie were all dressed in thin sleeveless blouses, shorts and sandals. The birds were chirping all around them and butterflies hovered above flowering plants nearby. People were scattered throughou
t the picturesque park; some strolling casually with their dogs and others watching or pushing their children on the swings or down slides.
The atmosphere was refreshing and each member of the Cullen family felt a distinct appreciation that day for being alive and well, and for being together as a family. As Mira sat there looking at her mother, she was grateful to still have her around and so proud of her for being the strong and supportive mom she’d always been to her and a loving grandma to Rosie.
“Pardon me, my dear,” Sara replied. “It’s good to know that your wonderful husband was invited and isn’t a tag along. My! Have things changed since you two have tied the knot.”
“Mom!” Mira gave her a reprimanding look. “I’m not ashamed to say that Bobby, my husband, is the love of my life.”
Sara and Rosie glanced at each other—Sara raising her eyebrow and Rosie chuckling.
“Come on, Mom! You knew I was only playing hardball before I actually realized how good a guy he was and that he was right for me.”
“I know, Sweet Pea. I’m only teasing. You two have a beautiful relationship and I’m so glad you’ve tied the knot and decided to spend your life together.” She paused for a second. “I don’t know if I ever told you this, but when you and Bobby started dating, it reminded me of all those wonderful, bubbly feelings I had when your dad and I first started dating. I could never forget how every day, all day he was in my thoughts; I could barely concentrate on anything else! I was attending nursing school at the time and I can tell you…it’s a miracle I passed any of my courses. My mind was consumed with my handsome Michael.”
Mira and Rosie could see how excited Sara was just reminiscing.
“You had it bad, Nana,” Rosie said. “I can’t see myself being head over heels like that over any boy.”
“Oh! You’ll see one day,” Sara told her. “When your prince charming arrives on the scene, he’ll be all you can ever think about—at least for the first few months.”
“I surely hope not!” Mira chimed in. “Rosie’s focus needs to be on her schoolwork and not on boys. She has plenty of time for that. Besides, I don’t think it’s healthy to be as consumed with anyone the way you were with dad.” Mira’s mind had drifted back to the days when she was a child watching how her mother doted on her father as he showed her very little interest in return. She hated seeing how emotionally unavailable he was and had wondered why she’d ever put up with him. She’d only noticed a change in him when she was a teenager after their experience with Cornelius’ haunted house and Karlen Key, the slave girl who’d inhabited it.
The Cornelius Saga Series (All 15 Books): The Ultimate Adventure-packed Supernatural Thriller Collection Page 87
