The Power of Faith: Science Fiction Faith Ferguson Series Book 3

by Andrea M. White

  “Meet you there,” Ed said. Then looking at Faith he said, I’m going over.”

  Faith walked him to the door, and they embraced.

  “Hate to leave you,” he said.

  “Hate to see you go,” she said flashing her large green eyes at him.

  ******

  When he left, Faith grabbed a cup of tea and went back in to watch the rest of the news. Covered in her favorite faux fur throw, her eyelids became heavy, and she was about to drift off to sleep. This exquisite feeling was interrupted by the words ‘murder’ and ‘Haverland Theatre.’

  Interested in any developments in Ed’s case, Faith forced herself to sit up and become fully awake. She turned up the volume and listened intently to the reporter standing at the scene. He announced that Devin Nance, an actor currently performing at the Haverland Theatre, had been found in the alley earlier that evening. The reported also said that it was the second death connected to the theatre in the past week, and that the police had yet to release any further details. Faith wondered how the reporter knew the identity of the deceased.

  She was about to turn the television off when she caught a glimpse of her boyfriend in the background. Faith couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him and decided to test her ability to travel.

  Making herself comfortable, once again, Faith closed her eyes and took a spiritual trip to Harrison Avenue. She found Ed and Paul discussing the case, looking for potential witnesses, and securing the scene. She followed Ed who was looking for the answer to the very question that she had, which was how did the reporter know the name of the victim?

  Ed walked over to the reporter, who was standing next to his network’s satellite van.

  “Detective Sinclair,” Ed said flatly.

  ‘So professional,’ Faith thought as she stood behind him.

  “Detective,” the reporter answered, quickly waiving at his cameraman to get the shot and turning on his mic. “Thanks for coming over.”

  Before the zealous reporter could continue, Ed put the kibosh on his efforts for an interview. Flashing his badge, once again, Ed said, “I have questions for you, and you can answer them here or at the station.”

  The reporter had no intention of being bullied, but rather than being taken away from the murder scene, and out of curiosity, he acquiesced and turned off his mic.

  “Who told you that the deceased was Devin Nance?”

  “We got an anonymous tip. That’s how come we were first on the scene.”

  “Did you touch anything?” Ed asked.

  “No, the police were already here when we arrived.”

  “Have you got a tape of that call?”

  “We do, but you’ll need a subpoena.”

  The reporter was young and obviously trying to make a name for himself, so Ed didn’t respond, he just walked away ignoring the reporter’s pleas for an interview.

  Faith followed along, more floating than walking, although her spiritual form did have physicality. She thought it was amusing that she seemed to be wearing the same clothing that she’d had on at home. As she was road testing her recently acquired skills, she tried to mentally change clothing and found it fascinating when that didn’t work. She made a mental note to ask about that the next time she was with the Divine and decided to try something else.

  “Hi, Ed,” she said aloud.

  His head swung around so fast it almost broke his neck. Faith laughed at his shock and said, “I’m at home. Turns out that my spirit can travel at will. I saw you on the news and thought I’d drop by.”

  Ed did not respond. Instead, he found a secluded spot and asked, “Can anyone else see you?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “How long have you been able to do this?”

  “Just tonight. I mean we knew that I could travel to the other realm. This is just part of that, I guess.”

  “Well, it’s creepy as hell.”

  “Oh, it is not. You’ll get used to it. Could be useful. It certainly would have been, last year, when I was kidnapped.”

  “That’s true enough,” Ed said still whispering.

  “Why don’t you just pretend that you’re on your phone,” Faith said.

  Quickly pulling it out of his pocket, Ed said, “Your right, I was just so rattled for a second. I’ve really got to go, Love you.”

  “You too,” Faith said, and her spirit returned to her human form.

  At the crime scene, Ed and Paul looked over the still form of the young, fit, and decidedly dead, young man.

  “There’s precious little blood around him,” Paul said.

  “No question he’s been moved,” the medical examiner said.

  “Well, we know he has a very active social life,” Ed said. “I wonder if he hooked up with the wrong woman.”

  Looking up at the walls of the alley, Paul said, “Maybe. But this could be related to Claire’s murder. No windows, and it’s just big enough for a car to pull in here. My bet is no witnesses.”

  “Let’s go have a look around,” Ed said.

  Walking out to the sidewalk, the detectives found several onlookers and directed the uniformed officers to interview them. One of the officer’s told them that the body had been found by the manager of a convenience store which sat on the corner of the alley.

  They entered the store and approached the register, identifying themselves.

  “I’m the one who called it in,” the night manager said. “I was coming on for my shift and thought I saw someone lying on the ground. It’s not uncommon to find drug addicts passed out down there, so I keep an eye out. When I went back to take a look, it was obvious that he was either dead or close to it. I didn’t touch him, though. Just dialed 911.”

  One of the officers came in and interrupted them, saying that he had a witness. The detectives quickly followed him back outside.

  A young woman from an apartment across the street had come down to say that she saw a car drive out of the alley.

  “I just happened to glance out the window, and saw a car back in. At first, I thought they were just turning around, but they didn’t come right back out. I thought that was strange because nobody parks in there. It’s pretty narrow, I’d say barely enough room to open a car door. Anyway, I watched for a few minutes. Finally, the car pulled back out. I think they scratched their car over here,” she said. Walking over to the wall.

  Ed pulled out his phone and flashed a light on it. They could see that she was probably right. There appeared to be dark paint scratches. Although, considering all the graffiti and chipping paint it was hard to be sure what might have caused the few scratches.

  “Can you identify the car?” Ed asked.

  “No,” she said with a small smile. It was dark, and I’m on the third floor. It was some type of minivan. I think it was a dark color.”

  The detectives took her contact information and thanked her.

  “We need to get paint samples,” Ed said pointing at the wall. “Then let’s hope we can find a car with scratches. I’m thinking Devin’s rental.”

  “Let’s go visit Mimi O’Brien and see if he was at her bar tonight,” Paul said.

  They found the Blue Moon in full swing, and Mimi in animated conversation with a patron as she held court at the bar. Recognizing the detectives, she walked out to talk to them.

  “Did you see Devin tonight?” Ed asked.

  “No. He was in last night, just for a drink, but not tonight, why?”

  “He’s been killed.”

  Mimi looked genuinely shocked.

  “Any thoughts?” Paul asked.

  “He didn’t say much, but – his lifestyle. He was decent enough to me, but it sounded like he was a player. He said there was a girl that he was going to put in her place. When has that ever ended well.”

  “He didn’t say who,” Ed said.

  “No. No hint at all. He was angry, and I asked him what was wrong. That’s when he said it. I was busy, like tonight, so I left him at the bar and went about m
y business. I am sorry, though.”

  “Thanks, Mimi,” Ed said.

  It was two a.m., as they headed toward their cars, and Paul said, “Let’s start fresh in the morning.”

  Chapter Six

  “I wonder if there’s some connection between Claire and Devin,” Ed said.

  “The affair,” Paul said, as he continued to search through Devin’s phone.

  “I mean other than that. Some old boyfriend of Claire’s or something like that.”

  “A stretch, and besides, he’d already dumped her,” Paul said.

  “What we do know is that he was shot twice in the chest and moved, so whoever shot him meant business,” Ed said.

  “I’m looking at his texts,” Paul said. “There’s a ‘Trevor94’ who doesn’t seem too happy with him.”

  “What does it say?”

  “The gist is that Devin slept with his wife,” Paul said.

  “That’s a motive. Threatening?”

  “Oh, yes.”

  “But, is he in Massachusetts?” Ed asked.

  “I don’t know. The last email’s from yesterday.”

  “Let’s get the tech folks to track him down,” Ed said.

  “And, we need the forensics,” Paul said. Then, sitting back in his chair, he looked uncharacteristically frustrated.

  “What?”

  “We need to get over to Claire’s estate lawyer. We have got to find out why she was killed, and, like you said, maybe it will help us with Nance,” Paul said. “Although, somehow I think Nance is separate. Different weapons and he was moved.”

  “I don’t disagree.”

  “Let’s go update the captain and then head out to see Claire’s lawyer.”

  “We also need to get over to Devin’s hotel room,” Ed said as they headed to see their boss.

  ******

  They arrived at offices of McDermott, Fisher, and Khole, walked up the stately marble steps, showed their badges, and asked to meet with Attorney Martin Khole. He was there, and they were sent up to the fifth floor to meet with him.

  “Does your firm take up the entire building?” Ed asked as they entered Khole’s office.

  “Yes, we own it, but it’s not all lawyers. We’re an auction house, and we do appraisals on property, art, and jewelry.” So, in truth, there are four separate firms under our umbrella.”

  “It’s really impressive,” Ed said with genuine admiration.

  “Not bad for three middle-class kids who met while they were working their way through law school.”

  Ed smiled in appreciation but got down to business. “We’re here about Claire Spencer. Were you her attorney?”

  “I was, we were doing some appraisal and estate law for her.”

  “She had that kind of property. She did, well, sort of, it was family money.”

  “Family in the UK?” Ed asked

  “No. This involved local family.”

  “Can you tell us who they are?” Ed asked.

  Martin sighed. “I really don’t see much of a reason not to, but I’d be more comfortable talking with her parents first. Their flying in on Friday. If you can’t wait until then, just get a warrant, I’ll be happy to comply.

  Then thinking for a moment, he said, “I can give you their contact information if you don’t already have that.”

  “Oddly, we don’t. There weren’t any contacts on her phone, and she didn’t give any to the theatre company,” Paul said.

  “I don’t believe that they were close,” Martin said. “When we spoke, they seemed far more interested in the estate issues than her death.”

  “What did you think of her?” Paul asked.

  Martin looked at him, and said, “I didn’t like her much, but I’m not going to elaborate. I can say that I don’t have any idea who killed her.”

  “Could it be related to the work you were doing for her,” Paul asked.

  “I don’t think so. It did involve a lot of money, but …”

  “But what?” Paul asked.

  “Get a warrant and come back. That way, we’ll both be on solid ground.”

  The detectives agreed and left.

  “This could be something,” Ed said.

  “Right let’s get on it.”

  ******

  When they returned to the station, there was news about the murder of Devin Nance.

  Reading from his computer, Paul said, “The techs tracked down ‘Trevor97’. The guy’s Trevor Lawrence. He’s from LA. I’ve got his number here. I’m going to use Devin’s phone to call him.”

  “I’m coming for you,” was Trevor’s greeting when he answered his phone.

  “Where are you?” Paul replied.

  Luck was with him because Trevor had never spoken to Devin and so he kept talking.

  “I’m in Boston, and I’m going to fuck you up.”

  “You’re gonna try,” Paul said. “If you’re really here. Meet me at Wilson Field in an hour.”

  “Where’s that?” Trevor asked.

  “It’s two blocks north of the Haverland Theatre. Show up there or get over it.” Paul hung up and said, “Let’s go see if he shows.”

  “Didn’t sound like he knew Devin was dead,” Ed said.

  “Maybe he thought he was being clever.”

  “Let’s go to Wilson Field and see if he shows. Why’d you pick that location?” Ed asked.

  “It’s deserted. Too much junk dumped there for kids to use it. I figured if any trouble broke out, nobody would get hurt.

  “You think he’s really in Boston?” Ed asked.

  “We’ll find out.”

  “We can have the call traced,” Ed said.

  “Let’s just see if he takes the bait. And we should get some backup.”

  The arranged to have a couple of cars nearby and went to retrieve their suspect. At the appointed hour, Trevor Lawrence appeared wearing jeans and a shirt. Ed walked in his direction, while Paul stayed in the car.

  “Trevor?” Ed asked.

  “What?” Trevor said. While never having spoken to Devin, he had seen his picture. That coward send you?”

  Ed flashed his badge.

  “He called the cops? Man, that is so lame.”

  “Devin’s dead,” Ed said.

  Trevor was not a stupid man. He was aware that if they had Devin’s phone, he was a suspect. His texts had been violent and unrelenting, and yet he still couldn’t hide his joy at that news.

  “Really?” he said, smiling. “Somebody else’s man must have got to him first.”

  “You seemed to be his only current pen pal,” Ed said.

  “What’s a pen pal?”

  “The only one texting him threats,” Ed said.

  “He nailed my wife. I was not happy about that.”

  “What were you planning today?” Ed asked.

  “To beat the fucking shit out of him,” Trevor said.

  “You came all the way to Boston for that?” Ed asked.

  “He fucked her, then he dumped her. Now, she’s heartbroken. Thought she was going to be with this bigtime actor. She’d seen him in some shows.”

  “You’re mad he dumped her?” Paul asked having now joined them.

  “I’m mad for me, and her. I love my wife. She got seduced, that’s all.”

  “Where were you last night?” Ed asked.

  “In LA, I just got in this morning.”

  He pulled out his phone and showed them his ticket information.

  “Know anyone in Boston?”

  “No. I don’t even have a hotel room yet.”

  They went with him to his rental car and searched it. It appeared that he was telling the truth. He had a small bag with him and no weapons.

  “Come with us to the station while we sort this out,” Paul said.

  “You arresting me?” Trevor asked.

  “Doubtful,” Paul said, “but before we send you back to LA, I want to be sure about exactly where you were when Devin was shot.”

  They deposited Trevor in
an interrogation room and proceeded to check out the information he’d given them on the ride back.

  When Paul called Trevor’s wife, he found a soft-spoken woman who, upon hearing that Devin was dead and that Trevor was in Boston, immediately defended him.

  “He wouldn’t hurt a fly,” she said.

  “Are you sure. His texts to Devin were really aggressive.”

  “He was furious, but I don’t think he’s ever been in a fight in his life.”

  “But he came to Boston,” Paul said.

  “I imagine that he wanted to confront him. He’s a guy, after all, but he never would have killed him. Let me ask you, did give you any trouble when you confronted him?”

  “No,” Paul said.

  “Send him home to me,” she said calmly.

  Paul proceeded to check out his whereabouts at the time of Devin’s murder and confirmed that he was actually on the flight he’d shown them. Then he and Ed went to speak with their guest.

  “I spoke to your wife.”

  “She okay?”

  “She’s fine. It’s not my business, but your wife seems to care about you. Maybe it’ll work out.”

  Trevor nodded.

  “Normally, I’d say don’t leave town, but – you – go home. If anything changes, we’ll find you.

  Trevor stood, shook his hand and left.

  “I’m going over to the morgue and talk to Max,” Ed said.

  “I’ll go check on our warrant for Martin Khole.”

  “I’ll wait for you at the morgue,” Ed said.

  ******

  “You got the warrant?” Ed asked as Paul walked into the morgue.

  “No, and I’m itching to get it. If there’s anything that spells murder, it’s trouble over money.”

  “Hey, Max, what’ve you got?” Paul asked.

  “Well, he was shot through the chest twice at close range. One shot was right through the heart. Died almost instantly.”

  Max also showed them that Devin also had multiple bruises.

  “These are post-mortem,” Max said. “Likely from his being dragged and thrown around. Other than that, nothing remarkable. No evidence of drugs, but his liver was already showing some damage from alcohol abuse.”