Murder Never Sleeps

by Douglas Hall

  “She has never been to Canada and asked me a lot of questions about it when I visited her at the Bain farm. What would you say if I took her back with me and let her stay in my two-bedroom apartment until this is all over?”

  “She would need a passport to cross the border and documentation to allow her to stay in Canada until the trial which could be months or years away,” King said.

  “What about it, sheriff? Could you use your good office to get her what she needs to get into Canada for an indefinite stay,” suggested West.

  Culpepper thought for a moment, “Such as?”

  “You could write a letter explaining that she is a primary witness in an upcoming capital offense trial and under your protection because she could be in danger,” began West.

  “Next you could get a letter from the judge supporting the request and a letter from King’s chief confirming that she will be under his department’s protection while in Canada. Adding that he will order King to deliver her to Moody Brook to testify on behalf of the prosecution should do the trick.”

  “I just had another idea,” said Mandy. “We have been talking about hiring someone to help me out in the office. Why not Thelma Jean? She is a bright young girl, and it would be the ideal place to keep her under our eye especially if she was living with me. It would also look good on the application if there was a job waiting for her.”

  West thought for a moment then asked, “Why not?”

  Culpepper knitted his brow and said to King, “Start the ball rolling by calling your chief.”

  “On second thought, sheriff, it would have more weight if you called him.”

  “It sounded to me, when I talked to him, that he held you in high esteem.”

  “Nice to know, but if the suggestion came from you, he wouldn’t have questions about me trying something unorthodox. He can be a bit testy when one of us try to talk him into something unorthodox.”

  Culpepper laughed, “It takes devious minds to come up with something like this,” and added, “I’ll miss you both.”

  “Then you’ll do it?” West asked.

  “I will if you will get out of here and let me get to it.”

  WEST AND KING were seated at the table in the jail’s interview room, along with Brunson who was on the other side beside an empty chair. There was no conversation while they waited for Brockhurst arrive from her cell in the custody of a female guard.

  She was in handcuffs and shackled when she shuffled into the interview room. To further impact the moment, the officer only removed one handcuff and attached it to a restraining bar on the table. Satisfied that she was secured the officer moved to the rear of the room and sat down on a chair by the door.

  The county jail had not been kind to Brockhurst. With lack of sleep, dressed in an orange jump suit, and without her makeup or jewellery, she was a far cry from the woman everyone knew and admired for her striking appearance which completely belied her age.

  King set up the interview by stating the date, time and names of those attending for the benefit of the ceiling recorder and camera. He turned on his recorder that was on the centre of the table and nodded to West to begin.

  “We will try to make this as time sensitive as possible, and with your cooperation, we shall try to succeed. I am sure counsel has fully briefed you on the charges you are facing and why bail was not granted?”

  Brockhurst nodded.

  “We have a number of questions for you. Are you agreeable to answer them?”

  “Only if I agree to let her answer,” Brunson instructed.

  “Of course,” West replied, but not convincingly.

  “You understand that anything you may say will be recorded.”

  “Yes,” Brockhurst responded.

  “To begin, I want it on record that neither deputy King nor I have any licence to offer you any incentive or promise in return for answering our questions.”

  Brunson nodded and Brockhurst said, “Yes.”

  “Do you also understand that in a situation such as this, a positive report from us to the district attorney stating that you, of your own volition, cooperated with our investigation might weigh in your favour should counsel make an appeal for you to be released on bail. We tell this to everyone we interview.”

  Brunson leaned and whispered in Brockhurst’s ear.

  “Shall we begin,” Brunson said making no reference to West’s preamble.

  “A murder took place on the grounds of Sammy Pines,” began West, "and we believe it was in the boathouse. Everything points to a body being dismembered in the upper room and the parts disposed of in large ceramic flower plots on the veranda of the administration building.

  "Forensic examination of the remains and comparison of the DNA with the DNA of Cindy Madison, or Ashley Kirk as you knew her, revealed a match.

  "The DNA of the small droplets of blood, and tissue, found on the teeth of an electric hand saw, which was hanging on the wall of the boathouse, also matched the DNA of Cindy Madison.

  "Before I ask Deputy King to begin with Interpol’s history going back to Pastor Sammy Proctor’s money laundering scam, which resulted in a ten-year penitentiary sentence, I think it is only proper for me to set the background for his questioning.

  “After we examined the documentation Mandy Perkins, or Bethany Walker, uncovered while working the business office of Sammy Pines, we drew up a list of questions for this interview which we shall follow unless something you might tell us triggers a follow-up question.”

  Brunson clicked his pen and interrupted. “This is the first time I have heard of a Mandy Perkins. Would you please identify just who she is and how she fitted into your investigation?”

  “Gladly,” West replied, "Mandy Perkins is my executive assistant and works in the office of Paul West Private Investigator. Bethany Walker was the name I gave her to use when she went undercover at Sammy Pines. I thought it prudent to give her a new identity which couldn’t be traced including a new name.

  “She was hired by Miss Brockhurst, with Pastor Proctor’s full knowledge and approval, to work in the business office and was given full access to all computer files. She was able to provide us with invaluable documentation to support the case we have built for money laundering and fraud.”

  “Are you saying she stole records?” bellowed Brunson.

  “She stole nothing! I sent her on a fishing expedition with the full knowledge and permission of Sheriff Culpepper; she was just following my orders.”

  Brockhurst was aghast. She made no attempt to hide her outrage, “I trusted that woman and all the while she was digging up damming evidence to use against Pastor Paul, Sammy Pines and me. Is there no level too low for you to stoop in this witch-hunt?”

  “Not when it concerns the murder and dismemberment of a beautiful, young woman.”

  Brunson had a whispered word with his client, “And just what did you uncover, Deputy West?”

  “I shall let Deputy King take over and answer that question.”

  “To begin with Miss Brockhurst, will you please explain where the initial deposits into the Lichtenstein bank came from and who authorised the monthly six-figure deposits into Sammy Pines general account, and I might add the personal account of Pastor Paul, with no explanation.”

  Before Brockhurst could open her mouth, Brunson spoke up, “My client will not answer any questions pertaining to what you call money laundering.”

  King smiled and shrugged, “That’s is her right, but I am sure she will have to be more forthcoming when under oath and in front of a judge.”

  Pulling no punches King said, “Miss Brockhurst, you are sitting here in shackles and handcuffs because you have been charged with being an accessory to murder and performing an indignity to a dead body. Has counsel fully explained just what you are facing or, to put it another way, what you could be facing if Pastor Paul is convicted of murdering Cindy Madison and disremembering her body?”

  “You tell me!” spat Brockhurst.

 
Brunson patted Brockhurst’s arm.

  Brockhurst shook him off. “I want to hear it from him.”

  “I shall get right to the point.” King replied. “At the moment we have nothing to place you in the boathouse during the actual murder of Cindy Madison or the dismemberment of her body, but there is strong suspicion that you were there for one or both.”

  “Just a moment,” protested Brunson, “you are going too far with your unfounded speculation.”

  “This is not speculation,” countered King, “your client has been charged with being an accessory after the fact, and before we are done, I think we can prove it.”

  “Proceed,” Brunson said condescendingly.

  “If Pastor Proctor is convicted of the charges, he will probably go to prison for the rest of his natural life if not to the gurney and lethal injection. If that happens, Miss Brockhurst, you could very soon join him. The State of Alabama does not treat accessory before or after the fact lightly when it comes to murder or performing an indignity to a dead body.”

  Brockhurst went white and stared straight ahead avoiding eye contact with either West or King.

  King took over and asked, “Has council explained this to you?”

  Brockhurst shook her head and said, “We haven’t discussed anything like that yet.”

  “Permit me to read to you the legal definition of what you have been charged with.”

  King flipped pages in his notebook, “Ah here it is.”

  Brockhurst stiffened noticeably and the air crackled with tension.

  “Accessory After the Fact is when someone assists another who has committed a felony. That individual does not necessarily have to be a participant in the felony, but they can be found equally guilty and face the same penalty.”

  Brockhurst shifted her body. The shackles made an unpleasant intrusion.

  “I believe I have made it clear. My client will not answer any questions, or offer any information, until I have had the opportunity to speak to her in private.”

  “That’s unfortunate because we would hate to include that in our report to Sheriff Culpepper, and we are sure he would pass it along to the district attorney. I am sure you would agree it could have a negative result in possible future considerations prior to Miss Brockhurst coming to trial.”

  West had cleverly thrown out a negotiating bone.

  Brockhurst sat straight up and eyeballed West, “Are you saying that if I answer your questions, it could influence the outcome of my trial and possible sentence?”

  Brunson placed a hand on Brockhurst’s arm once again, “Don’t say anything further. Now is not the time.”

  Brockhurst leaned over and whispered in Brunson’s ear.

  The whispering went back and forth and stopped when Brunson asked, “Could I have a few moments in private with my client?”

  “Take as long as you wish. We’ll be out in the hall. Just ask the officer to call us when you are finished.”

  West and King headed for the coffee vending machine. After agreeing that it was no better than the vending machine coffee at headquarters, they headed back to the interview room door. The coffee was finished and cups deposited, in the wastebasket, when the door opened. “They are ready for you,” the officer said.

  Brunson was the first to speak, “My client has instructed me to seek a deal for reduced charges plus immediate bail with the district attorney.”

  “Will your client agree to become a witness for the prosecution?” King asked.

  Brockhurst mumbled.

  “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes, I will testify for the prosecution.” The reply was loud and firm.

  West made a note of the time and said, “I ask a follow-up question for the record. Are you agreeable to plead guilty to all charges and save the state the cost of a lengthy trial?”

  In a firm and controlled voice Brockhurst answered, “Yes. I have told Mr Madison that I would agree to this condition as well.”

  “A wise decision, Miss Brockhurst. Now to get down to the other reason for this meeting. Please take us through the steps when a sizeable deposit is made into a numbered Lichtenstein bank account and transferred into the Moody Brook Agronomy Bank account of Sammy Pines only to be immediately withdrawn without identification followed by a monthly amount into Paul Proctor’s personal account also without identification as to depositor.”

  “I would like to have the district attorney’s agreement on the foregoing before I advise my client to proceed,” Brunson replied.

  “You can accept my assurance or call Sheriff Culpepper for confirmation, but he had a conversation with the DA prior to this meeting and question of a deal possibly being made. It contained all the conditions outlined. The deal you outlined was pre-discussed and confirmed, but comes off the table within 24 hours if not accepted.”

  “That man is renowned for covering his bets. That’s why he is such a formidable poker player,” Brunson said…more in conviction than jest.

  “With that said, we might as well proceed and wrap up this interview,” King suggested.

  “Well on with it, we haven’t got all day,” Brunson snapped.

  It was Brockhurst’s turn to place her hand on Brunson’s arm, “I have all the time in the world, and this is preferable to sitting in a cell facing three brick walls and a steel door.”

  “Please, speak slowly so every word is clearly recorded,” King instructed as he checked the recorder. West reopened his notebook.

  “If you will, Miss Brockhurst, I am sure Sheriff Culpepper will want a list of names of those who were complicit. The rest is up to him as we will be finished in Moody Brook after Pastor Proctor and Jayden Mayfield have been interviewed,” said King.

  “I assume that this will complete your duties as Alabama deputy sheriffs as well?” Brunson asked with an almost eager tone.

  “If all goes well, it should be our last assignment for Sheriff Culpepper, and we shall be turning in our deputy badges.”

  “Once I resume my duties as homicide detective, I shall be contacting Interpol and giving them a full report of our money laundering investigation, along with the names and contacts we have compiled, so they can take the necessary steps to have the numbered accounts frozen and the IRS advised. I am sure Interpol will conduct their own investigation, and you and the sheriff will be hearing from them.”

  Brunson thrust out his lower lip, “Please advise when you will be conducting your last two interviews and I shall be attending.”

  “We would expect nothing less and look forward to seeing you again shortly.” West replied without giving specifics.

  Brunson made a move to stand up and resumed his seat when West said, “There is something more I’d like to ask your client in closing.”

  “And what is that?”

  “I ask this on behalf of my colleague and Sheriff Culpepper. It is more just to satisfy our curiosity than add substance to this questioning.”

  Brunson was mystified and made his uneasiness known. He was well aware that everything past, present and future was being recorded and found West’s caveat, “Just to satisfy our curiosity,” not only curious by disturbing.

  Brockhurst noticed Brunson’s frown and said, “I have nothing more to hide.”

  “Very well, madam,” replied Brunson, “it is your decision, but I have voiced my reservations in front of witnesses and on record.”

  “What is it that you want me to tell you?”

  “Sheriff Culpepper told us a while back that he thought you were very fortunate in not being charged as an accessory along with Pastor Sammy Proctor when his house of cards collapsed and he went to prison. Would you agree with that?”

  Brockhurst nodded, “I am eternally grateful that he made sure I was not implicated in money laundering and was just an innocent who followed orders which ended up being sufficient to have you charged.”

  “One would think I should have known better second time around.”

  “One would think so, and it begs
the question which I know my partner is itching to ask.”

  West flipped a page in his notebook and began, “Back in Pastor Sammy’s days when he was riding high tele-evangelists like him owned the networks and believe me he did, I checked his ratings. You must have been proud to have been associated with such a successful purveyor of the gospel? Tell me what caused it to come crashing down?”

  Brockhurst began in a controlled voice, "Pastor Sammy could see the end coming when the world of tele-evangelism was shaken by the excesses, which included sex and conversion of money, of some high-profile evangelists. He figured, and rightly so, it was just a matter of time, when the luxurious life he had become accustomed to enjoy including two mansions, a private jet and Caribbean island would disappear overnight when the faithful stopped their support.

  "He decided to salt away money to sustain his retirement any way he could. When he was presented with a way to do it, in a relative short period of time with no apparent risk, he didn’t wait he jumped at it.

  “All it took was for him to allow certain people access to his personal and corporate accounts with no questions asked and to be well rewarded.”

  “From what we have ascertained, which I am sure will come out at trial, this is precisely what Pastor Paul Proctor allowed to happen with Sammy Pines general account and his own personal account as well. Money was allowed to flow in and out of the accounts with no identification in return for a hefty reward every month…again with no questions asked.”

  “I must insist you say no more,” interjected Brunson.

  Brockhurst turned on Brunson, “Why shouldn’t I? I have agreed to tell all. These men know as much as if not more about what happened than you or I. You advised me when we talked privately that my only chance not to die in prison would be to be forthright. This is precisely what I am doing.”

  Brunson raised his hands, palms up, in defeat.

  Ignoring the gesture Brockhurst asked, “Where were we?”