Scene of the Crime

by M. J. Williamz

  Cullen was drop-dead gorgeous and had been even as a high school sophomore. Her easy smile, twinkling eyes, and laid-back manner had had Julia fantasizing about her years ago. And now they were older, more mature, and had enjoyed spending time together. Like, really enjoyed it. And while Julia didn’t delude herself into thinking Cullen was at all interested in her, she still missed her, even though they’d only hung out a couple of times.

  She wondered if, once Sara was in prison, Cullen might be willing to pursue something more than friendship. She hoped Cullen didn’t think she was too butch. She wasn’t, really. She just had to dress and act the part for work. Sure, she didn’t wear skirts and dresses, but she was all woman and could be soft when she wanted to. She just needed to figure out how to convey that to Cullen.

  Julia was fantasizing again. She needed to get her head clearly in reality. She’d have plenty of time to deal with the future once it arrived. She opened her laptop and went to work. The first thing she did was reread the statements of the witnesses from the day Montague was shot. No one saw a thing except Sara talking to him, but Julia knew Sara couldn’t have shot him since he was shot in the back. She carefully perused each statement in case she’d missed something. Had anyone seen a car? A suspicious person down the street? No. She was left with nothing but Sara talking to him, presumably warning him to keep his mouth shut.

  Feeling like she’d never catch a break and not wanting to give up, she checked the records of Montague’s arrest. His attorney’s name was Robert Allen. How could a college kid afford a high-level attorney like him? Unless Mommy and Daddy were footing the bill. But something about Allen’s name struck a nerve with Julia. What was it?

  She pulled up Sara’s arrest. Sure enough, Robert Allen was her attorney, too. He wasn’t known for defending low-level drug dealers, yet there he was. He usually defended millionaires and the like. If Julia could peg Sara as Montague’s drug dealer, she might be able to get her for accessory to murder for the young man, Bruce Payne, who’d died of an overdose of cocaine that started this whole mess.

  Julia smiled to herself. This was a good thing, a very good thing. She made a note to call Robert Allen first thing Monday morning. She had to find out who was behind his defending two regular people. Someone with a lot of money obviously. She just needed to find out who.

  She thought about how good it would feel to bust a drug ring. That would be a feather in her proverbial cap for sure. But still, it would pale in comparison to locking Sara up for murder. That was her main goal and she couldn’t lose sight of that.

  Chapter Eight

  Sunday morning dawned cool and crisp. Tired of eating out all the time, Cullen and Sara were going to go grocery shopping. They had planned out the week’s meals, and Cullen hoped against hope that Sara would eat some of the food instead of just snorting her life away.

  Cullen had spent the last couple of nights at Sara’s house. It had been nice to get back into their routine. It was killing her to sleep with Sara without getting physical, but she was sticking to her guns. No sex until Sara was good and clean.

  They were walking through the aisles at the grocery store with a million other people when Sara brought up the subject of her addiction.

  “I think I’ll need help,” she said.

  Cullen simply looked at her.

  “I mean, you’re great and all, but I think I might need professional help.”

  It was time to broach the subject Cullen had been too nervous to mention.

  “There are lots of treatment facilities in Portland. I think we should look into one of them.”

  “Or a few. You know. Compare and contrast sort of thing.”

  “True. Find the one that’s the right fit.”

  “You’d really stick by me if I chose to do that? You wouldn’t think I’m a loser?” Sara said.

  “Never, babe. I’m here to help, and I think a treatment facility is just what you need.”

  “Great. So, next week, we’ll look together?”

  “You’ve got it.”

  Cullen was walking on air as they put the groceries away. Life was looking up for them, and she couldn’t stop smiling. When everything was put away, they snuggled together on the couch while Cullen watched her beloved Seahawks destroy the Patriots.

  When the game was over, it was time to get ready for the wine and food festival going on in Portland.

  “Please shower with me,” Sara said. “Please?”

  “No can do.” She took her hand. “As much as I’d love to, you know the rules. I think waiting motivates both of us to help you get the help you need.”

  Sara pouted.

  “But I promise to do that. Please?”

  Cullen patted Sara’s ass.

  “Nope. Now, get in the shower so I can take mine.”

  Cullen washed their breakfast dishes while Sara showered, then took her turn. When she walked out to the bedroom after with her towel wrapped around her waist, she found Sara at her dressing table.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Just waiting for you. I’m putting on my jewelry and brushing my hair. Do you think I should wear makeup?”

  Her speech was hurried, and Cullen felt the pit of her gut clench.

  “Sure,” she said. She walked over and placed her hands on Sara’s shoulders, loving the feel of her cashmere sweater. What she didn’t love were the dilated pupils and the white residue around her nostrils. Damn, would she ever be able to trust her? “Maybe we should think about getting you into treatment right away. Maybe tomorrow?”

  “Please, Cullen. Don’t even joke like that. I’m not ready yet. But I will be. I promise.”

  “Fine. Wipe your nose and let’s finish getting ready.”

  Sara teared up.

  “I’m sorry, Cullen.”

  “No need to cry. You’ve got an addiction, a serious one. And I know you’ll break it. I just wish it was easier.”

  “Me, too.” She placed her hands over Cullen’s and leaned back into her.

  Cullen exhaled heavily and squeezed Sara’s shoulders.

  “We’ll get through this. I’m going to get dressed now. Are you ready?”

  “I think I will wear makeup. I’ll be ready in a minute.”

  And just like that, things were back to normal. Cullen’s new normal where she was in a relationship with a coke addict. She wished she could just leave her, but she cared far too much for that. She slid into her black blazer and straightened her kelly green tie and felt Sara wrap her arms around her from behind.

  “I’m crazy about you, Cullen.”

  “I feel the same. You ready?”

  “Let me just use the restroom and we can walk out.”

  Cullen walked out to the entryway to wait. She hated that she questioned whether or not Sara was using the facilities for what they were designed for or if she was snorting coke to boost herself for an evening out. Cullen was pretty sure she knew the answer and it made her sick. Yes, she’d sworn she’d be there for Sara, but that didn’t mean she had to like her cocaine abuse.

  They walked into the Heathman downtown and were surrounded by women. The annual lesbian event to help raise money for Pride was one of Cullen’s favorites. She loved how everyone dressed up and how the reception hall had been decorated with pumpkins and leaves of every color. It felt like fall and that was Cullen’s favorite season.

  Cullen and Sara sampled wine and fare from several different places. Cullen was surprised how many people knew Sara. Cullen saw many old friends, but it seemed every time she turned around, someone was hugging Sara and dragging her off. At first Cullen wondered how Sara knew so many people, but then an unpleasant thought hit her. Was she dealing to these women? She wondered but didn’t really want to know. She wanted to believe the best in Sara. She hoped she’d learned her lesson about selling cocaine even if she hadn’t quit using it.

  It was one of these times that Sara had been pulled away that Cullen heard a familiar voice.

  “Fancy
meeting you here.”

  Cullen turned and saw Julia dressed in a blue pantsuit that really brought out her eyes. She looked stunning.

  “Hey, Julia. How are you this evening?”

  “I’m doing well, thank you. Where’s Sara? Or are you stag?”

  “I don’t know.” Cullen let out a rye laugh. “She’s here somewhere. She knows more people here than I do.”

  Julia’s smile disappeared.

  “Interesting.”

  “Not really. She just knows a lot of people. Let it go.”

  “I don’t know if I can.”

  Cullen motioned to the glass of wine in Julia’s hand and arched an eyebrow.

  “Looks to me like you’re off duty.”

  “Fair enough. I’ll let it go. You look very nice tonight, by the way.”

  “As do you.”

  “Hey, sweetheart.” Sara walked up. “Who are you talking to? Oh, never mind.”

  “I was just setting off to mingle,” Julia said. “Please excuse me.”

  Cullen watched her walk off before turning her attention to Sara.

  “What can I get for you, babe? More wine? More food? Just name it.”

  “Let’s sample some more wine.”

  “Great.” Cullen took her hand. “Are you having fun?”

  “I’m having an absolute blast. Thank you for thinking of this.”

  “I’ve been coming for years. I have to ask, though, how do you know so many people here?”

  “I was a single lesbian for years before I met you, Cullen.”

  “I suppose that’s true.”

  Let it go, Cullen told herself. Don’t pick a fight. Not here, not now. But she knew Sara hadn’t lived in the metro area that long, and she could dig deeper when they got home. If she really wanted to know the truth.

  They got to the wine sampling and were helping themselves to a local red when Julia walked up. Sara whirled on her.

  “Stop stalking me,” she hissed. “Leave us alone.”

  “Look, I didn’t come here to run into you. I’m here just like you, trying to relax and have some fun. So, back off.”

  Sara took her wine and stormed off. Julia and Cullen stared after her.

  “I’m really sorry,” Julia said. “Maybe I should leave.”

  “Why? You have as much right to be here as we do. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

  Julia watched Cullen go after Sara. Her heart ached. She hated to see Cullen mixed up with a criminal. A drug dealer was bad enough, but Julia knew Sara was a murderer as well. Cullen needed to disentangle herself from Sara, the sooner, the better.

  She thought about going home but didn’t want to give Sara the satisfaction. Instead, she kept her focus out for Cullen and Sara, ostensibly to avoid Sara, but deep down she couldn’t complain about watching Cullen.

  Still, after a couple more hours, she’d had enough fun and took off. She drove home and stripped out of her getup. Cullen had said she’d looked good. Had there been any deeper meaning there? She needed to stop. It was her idea to quit hanging around with Cullen rather than to see where things might go, so she needed to get a grip and accept life as it was.

  The following morning, Julia was at the station early, researching every news article and website she could find that discussed Robert Allen. As she’d expected, his website was perfectly done and well presented and she didn’t learn much from it.

  She did, however, learn much from the newspaper articles she found. Allen rubbed elbows with Portland’s elite, from politicians to athletes to actors and actresses. He’d represented a ton of people, and he usually won. But she couldn’t find any history of him representing a murder suspect. Maybe it would be unchartered territory for him; maybe he’d refuse to represent Sara. Only time would tell. Assuming she could gather enough evidence to try her.

  At nine o’clock, Julia called Allen’s office. She explained who she was and asked to set up an appointment for later in the day. She was put on hold and was preparing herself to get mean when the receptionist came back on the line and said Mr. Allen would see her as soon as she could get there.

  Julia thanked her lucky stars that Allen’s office was not far from the station. She checked her reflection in the rearview mirror, adjusted her collar, and went into the high-rise. Allen’s office was on the tenth floor, and Julia wasn’t surprised to find the reception area decorated with leather furniture and rich, colorful paintings. It reeked of money, money she assumed was dirty.

  “Detective Stansworth?” The receptionist had opened the door to the back offices for her. “Would you like to come back? Mr. Allen will see you now.”

  “Thank you.” Julia was nervous and excited. She was nervous because if Robert Allen had agreed to see her so readily, she figured he was up to something. She was excited because, well, she just might learn something.

  The receptionist led her down a long hallway to a conference room where a fifty-something-year-old man sat in a dark suit and red power tie. He looked completely at ease.

  “Mr. Allen?” Julia said.

  “Yes. Detective Stansworth?” He stood and they shook hands. “Please have a seat. Can I have Nadine get you anything? Coffee? Water?”

  “I’m fine, but thank you.” She sat across the table from him.

  Allen nodded his dismissal to Nadine, who closed the door behind her.

  “How can I help you today?” Allen said.

  “I’m investigating the murder of Donald Montague, and by extension, that of Bruce Payne.”

  “I don’t believe Bruce Payne was murdered.”

  “Someone sold him the coke he OD’d with.”

  “Stores sell guns all the time. They aren’t charged with murder.”

  Julia stared at Allen. She had a feeling she wasn’t going to get anywhere with him.

  “Be that as it may. I couldn’t help but notice you represented Montague and are currently representing his presumed drug supplier, Sara Donovan.”

  “And?”

  “I’m more inclined to believe Donovan can afford you, but don’t believe Montague could.”

  “Your point?” Allen said.

  “I want to know who was paying you.”

  “You know I don’t have to tell you that.”

  “You don’t have to, but I think you should. I’m going to find out, so you should just make it easy on us both and tell me.”

  “I’m not going to make anything easier on you, Detective. That’s not my job and it certainly isn’t in my best interest.” He stood. “I think this meeting is over.”

  “One more question. Are you going to defend Donovan on a murder charge?”

  “I didn’t know she’d been arrested.”

  “It’s only a matter of time. Thank you for your time, Mr. Allen.”

  “Good day, Detective.”

  Julia left disappointed but not disheartened. She didn’t know what she’d expected from Allen. She knew he wouldn’t give up who was paying him. It had to be a big-time drug lord, but she’d hoped he’d give her something to go on.

  She got back to her desk and put her head in her hands. She’d had so much more she’d wanted to ask Allen but had gone for the jugular too soon. She should have paced herself and now she wouldn’t get another chance.

  She watched the video from the hospital for the umpteenth time as she still felt like she was missing something. There was something about the shoes that should have given her a clue. What was it? The shoes. Sara’s shoes were in the evidence locker. She needed to get them tested.

  Julia went to see Marge.

  “Good morning, Detective. Let me guess. You want to see the hospital evidence again.”

  Julia smiled at her.

  “No, today I want the shoes that I brought in the other day.”

  “Okay, sign your life away and I’ll be right back.”

  Marge returned and handed Julia the baggie that contained Sara’s shoes. Julia took them to the lab where Mike was working on a project already.

&
nbsp; “Good morning, Mike.”

  “Detective. Let me guess, you, too, have a rush job.”

  “Not really a rush job. I just need these shoes tested when you have a chance.”

  “Tested for?”

  “Morphine in particular, but I’ll take any residue of saline as well.”

  “Testing shoes for morphine? That’s an odd request.”

  “I’m hoping some morphine might have dripped onto them in the completion of a crime.”

  “I understand,” Mike said. “I’ll try to get to them this afternoon.”

  “Thank you.”

  Julia was just sitting down to work on the case some more when her phone rang.

  “This is Stansworth.”

  “Detective, we’ve found a body. We need you to come investigate it.”

  “Where?”

  She jotted down the location in the Mount Tabor neighborhood. She grabbed her jacket and headed out.

  Chapter Nine

  It was rainy and cold when Julia pulled up at the scene. She wished she’d brought a coat but was hoping to check things out then delegate work and get out of there. She walked up to a uniform.

  “So, what happened? Fill me in.” She had to shout to be heard over the wind.

  “Not sure really. Victim was apparently killed by a blow to the head, but no weapons around, not even a big rock. It’s probably a robbery gone wrong. There’s no money on her at all. No purse, no wallet, no nothing.”

  Julia surveyed her surroundings. It was a nice park that was empty, presumably due to the weather.

  “No eyewitnesses, I suppose?” she said.

  “Not a one.”

  “I wonder why she was down by the water on a day like today. I’m curious if she was meeting someone.”

  “Maybe, I don’t know.”

  “Thanks for your help. I’m going to check out the body now.”

  She walked down to where the crime scene investigators were working.

  “You got anything I can go on?” Julia said.

  “Not yet. Looks like an altercation that went a little wrong. Maybe a robbery victim who wouldn’t give up her purse? I’m guessing the murderer picked up a rock and hit her in the temple with it.”