by R L Dunn
"What's wrong? Where's Marty?"
"Come, please?" He guided her to the door.
Elizabeth walked into the warmly furnished room. Tate and Zach stood with Paul Young and Wilbur Blake. The solemn faces of the two detectives warned her. "What happened to my father?" Her tone was flat.
"Dr. Reed, please sit," Young said.
"So, Detective, you aren't going to blurt out the gory details?" she cracked.
"Dr. Reed, I regret to inform you that your father is dead."
Elizabeth took a breath. "What happened?"
Young sounded sympathetic, "He was shot to death in his home. His friend Hal Dufour was also killed. I'm sorry. We need you to make a formal identification."
"Did you catch the person?"
"We placed someone into custody," Blake said.
"Hailey Ullman or Pietra Hahn?"
"No, the man we believe responsible for their deaths is Martin Bailey. I'm sorry," Young said.
The world collapsed beneath her. “Thank you, Detectives. Where is my father? I will make the identification." Then she turned to Julian. “Could you come to the morgue with me and then take me home? I want to speak to Seth. Tate, would you do me a favor and call Steven and Patrick? Tell them what happened, and I will call them later."
"Sure, Beth," Tate said.
Elizabeth walked into Lola's room. "Seth, tell Tucker I'll see him tomorrow. My father is dead. I need to identify him," her speech was robotic.
"I'm so sorry, Elizabeth. Please let me know if there is anything I can do."
Elizabeth leaned over and kissed Lola. "I'll make sure you get your second chance."
Martin couldn't clear his foggy brain. The harder he tried, the more he came up empty. Louella and Patrick walked in with dour faces. "Mr. Bailey, your toxicology screen is positive. There is a high concentration of an opiate in your system," Louella said.
"Opiates? I don't take drugs. I swear!"
Murray and Emerson moved closer. "Bailey, take it down a notch," Emerson demanded.
"Our lab is trying to identify the substance. I'm going to give you naloxone to negate the last of the effects." Patrick drew up a syringe. "Lieutenant, we will hold Mr. Bailey for an hour. If all goes well, he will be medically cleared."
"Doc, is that irritation on my calf from the drug?"
"I believe so. The lab results on the tissue will be back in a few days. I cannot say whether or not you injected yourself. And, if you were out, as you say, how long the drug lasted. Lie back." Patrick swabbed the port on the medication lock the nurse inserted earlier and injected the anti-opioid. "How are you?"
"Exhausted. A little clearer." Martin reached his hand to his mouth. "Oh God, I need to puke." He threw up into a bucket.
Patrick handed him a cup of water. "Sorry, the medication can create that effect."
"I want to take some hair, not that you have much length, and I want another saliva, blood and urine sample. It will give us a better idea of how long you've been using opiates," Dr. Miranda said.
"How long? Dr. Miranda, I didn't take any opioid by choice."
"I'm a doctor, Mr. Bailey; patients lie. The hair can rule that out."
Martin banged his head against the stretcher at her words.
At 23:00, Kieran Chase's plane touched down at the Silverton airport. Mike, Tate, and Ford waited to bring him to the hotel. Inside the truck, the more volatile Chase brother detonated, "How the hell did this happen?"
"We aren't sure," Tate answered. "Surveillance confirmed Reed was home alone. As planned, surveillance pulled back on Martin's approach."
"Where did they pull back to, China?"
Mike frowned. "Martin told them to pull out of sight. They never saw him go in. Coach and Shaun Murray were patrolling the area. Coach told me that twenty minutes after Martin went in, a no-response 911 call came from the house. The 911 operator reported hearing four shots. Pellegrino and Forrester beat our guys to the scene; Coach said they had to know the call was coming. Their usual sector was ten minutes from the house. They arrived in two. We are tapping into SPD’s GPS system."
Kieran rolled his eyes. "You saw Martin, was he that unhinged?"
Tate pinched his brows. "Determined, focused, yes. Unhinged? No. He was prepared. Calm. This was his operation."
"Humor me. If Martin wanted those two men dead, would we be in this position?"
Mike shook his head. "You'd never find the bodies."
"That's settled. We had a plan. We brought Murray into the loop. Farmer was to break the order of protection when Reed answered the door. He wasn't to cross the threshold, just being there was enough to put him into the system. They'd release him on bail, and he would be in a position to manipulate Brynn. Now, he's going to be remanded for a real crime. We won't be able to protect him. He'll be put in protective custody, which will leave him at the guards’ mercy. What did we miss? Someone else was in that home.” Kieran huffed out a breath. “How's Elizabeth? How's the baby?"
"Lola is doing well. Elizabeth is another story. She's all business. When Young told her Martin was under arrest, she acted like she’d never heard of him," Tate said.
"Call her friends, Joyce and Ruth. Call her partner, Keys. We need their help.”
Every man and woman jumped to attention the second Kieran entered. "As you were. We have an operational nightmare. In the morning, Martin is going to be charged with capital murder and aggravated capital murder." A collective groan went up. "The only way we can help him is to find out who killed Talbot Reed and Hal Dufour. Where is the Bailey family on this?"
"I spoke with them," Zach said.
"Ford, as soon as we’re finished here, you’re assigned to the Baileys. Zach, find out everything you can about their evidence. Ask Shaun Murray and Paul Young if they will talk to us off the record. Murray knew the original plan, but with the deaths, he can't afford to show kindness or favoritism. Martin is in danger. We have six men inside now. TJ and Josh, I want the two of you to work with tech. You’re joining the jail staff. We keep our PAs on Lola and Lissa 24/7. Tighe, PICU is yours. Bring the floor operators and PAs into the loop.”
Kieran took a bracing breath. "Viper updated me en route. At 21:30, Greece's heart stopped. This time, the staff was able to start it again. Viper is planning to return to the OR with him in the morning for more surgery. Greece remains in a medically induced coma in critical condition. Viper said the prognosis is grim. If he lives, he may be paralyzed from the waist down. The termination of his charges is in the pipeline. Sam and Kenny, you’re the newest patient care aides at Horizon—a full medical team for a prisoner will cause suspicion. Viper will brief you after our meeting. Buck and Fox found him during a lockdown. We need to find out why this happened. Mike, as soon as they come off shift, debrief them."
The room got very quiet, and Kieran's blue eyes softened. "We are a family. Families pull together.
"Tighe, we have one conscious witness. I hate to push a child but try. People talk in front of kids." He looked at the overwhelmed personnel. "Everyone hit the rack until 06:00."
The group clambered to their feet. "Yes, sir."
After a cold, clinical look, she identified her dead father at the medical examiner’s office, then Julian walked Elizabeth into her home. She refused to go back to the Bailey farmhouse. She went upstairs to her bedroom and closed her door. Everything was the same, with two exceptions: her mother's letter and Martin were gone.
Curling up on the bed, she wrapped herself around a pillow and stared at Martin's picture. I need you to trust me. Trust in us. I love you. Today and always. The words played in her head on repeat.
"I do, Marty. I will. No matter what." Too exhausted to think anymore, she fell into a deep sleep.
The door to Martin's cell opened, and Shaun Murray walked in. "How are you doing?" He brought him a turkey sandwich and a container of milk.
"Thanks for treating me with fairness." Martin sat up. "I shouldn't ask, but take care of Austin for me. It didn't
go down as planned." Martin knitted his brows. "The letter. Pink stationery. I placed it in my pocket."
"Thank you for cooperating. With your skills, you could've escaped anytime." Shaun surveyed the area around them. "I shouldn't tell you this, but they found the letter. It points to motive. They also found a P228 with your prints. There was GSR on your hands and shirt. I hope you didn't play me."
"Shaun, I swear I didn't do this." Martin put his head in his hands.
Shaun whispered, "I'll talk to Austin. This isn't his fault." He got up. "I'm heading out. No one is assigned yet to bring you to court in the morning."
Martin jumped at the hollow sound of the lock engaging.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Wednesday, August 26th
Dawn broke on another gloomy, rainy day. Elizabeth sat at her kitchen table sipping a cup of tea when Julian opened the front door for Joyce and Ruth, stepping out as they entered. "Tell us what you want us to do, Beth," Ruth said.
"Honey, we’re so sorry. I can't believe Marty did this. Patrick told me the police brought him into the hospital for lightheadedness and nausea. They found opiates in his system," Joyce broke the privacy laws.
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around herself. Time felt like it was slowing down as her stomach churned, but she projected a steely demeanor. "Thank you. My father's assistant Melinda is meeting me at my father's home to help plan the funeral. She knows all the protocols. She's been sleeping with him for years. I need you to keep her out of my way. Let her choose the funeral suit."
"We’ll do anything, honey. Did you tell Julian about her?"
She rocked on her toes, "Not yet. I need to think a few things through."
"What are you looking for?" Ruth asked.
Elizabeth put her cup in the dishwasher. "I'm not quite sure yet."
Police kept guard at the Reed home to prevent looters. Elizabeth, with Julian at the lead and her friends on either side, walked up the porch steps. Melinda sat waiting on the porch swing. "Julian, where did my dad die?"
"The den." Elizabeth walked with purpose down the center hall until she stood on the threshold. "Chère, the area hasn't been cleaned up."
"Mr. Dupart, I've seen blood before. Melinda, Mr. Dupart is my assistant; if you need anything, speak to him. Now everyone, leave me be." Elizabeth entered the den and engaged the lock behind her.
Alone, Elizabeth put on a pair of gloves. She looked at the blood-spattered furniture and walls. Rolling her shoulders, she started a precise search of the room, beginning at the desk. She opened the two file drawers. Each contained paperwork about running the home. She found a copy of his will, the same version she had in her files. "I guess you assumed I would be dead first."
A mark in the corner of the lower drawer caught her eye. A false bottom popped as she pried into it with a letter opener. Inside was a key. A key to what? The police missed it. Judging by the dust in some areas, she figured the police missed a lot.
Checking the bookcase and running her hands around every piece of art and every window molding, she found nothing. The fireplace mantel held no surprises. Her fingers dug deep inside the firebox. Pushing on a depression, a hidden door in the bookcase snapped open. "Gotcha, you bastard." A turn of the mysterious key revealed a digital camera. Without thinking of any ramifications, Elizabeth dropped it into her purse.
Julian banged on the wood. "Elizabeth, open this door."
Elizabeth opened the door to find Julian ready to kick it in, his facial expression fierce, his eyes fixed over her shoulder. The room was the same as when she went inside.
Elizabeth smiled. "I'm fine, Julian. I found a copy of my father's will. I'm sure his attorney has the original. Melinda?" She thrust the papers into her hands. "You'll find what my daddy wanted inside. Julian, can we go to court for the arraignment? I need to look Daddy's murderer in the eyes."
Julian pressed his lips together. Elizabeth ignored his perplexed body language.
The Silverton County Courthouse was an old building. The gleaming mahogany-accented courtroom harkened more to a Western than a contemporary trial. Mike and Kieran sat behind the defense table, and Martin's parents and family sat between Tate and Bruce in the next row. Julian escorted Elizabeth to a seat two rows behind them. The gallery was loaded with media and gawkers. They listened to the arraignments of a burglar, a shoplifting case, and a DUI case before the judge took a ten-minute recess.
Current traveled through the room. Murmurs echoed, and more reporters filled the remaining seats. Cordelia Snow, flanked by Zach and two assistants, moved to the defense table. Two Silverton police officers escorted Martin, dressed in street clothes but wearing shackles, to stand beside his legal team. Cordelia whispered something to him, and Martin mouthed, "I'm sorry," to his parents and Kieran. He turned to his side and froze.
Elizabeth's eyes pierced him. Trust me. Trust in us. The words arced between them. His lips pressed together, and she placed her hand on her heart in return.
The bailiff stood and spoke, "All rise. The court of Woodbury County is now in session. The Honorable Judge Ronald M. Weese presiding."
Judge Weese, dressed in black robes, took to the bench. "In the matter of the People of the State of Iowa versus Martin A. Bailey. Counsel, please state your appearances."
"Jacob Krebs for the state, Your Honor."
"Cordelia Snow for the defense, Your Honor.”
Judge Meese turned to Martin. "Mr. Bailey, if at any time during these proceedings there is anything that you do not understand, please stop me so either the court or your attorney can explain it to you. Mr. Krebs, will you please state the charges being brought against the defendant in this case?"
Jacob Krebs, dressed in black with an American flag tie, spoke with command, "Mr. Bailey is charged with two violations of Iowa code 707.2."
Cordelia whispered, "Capital murder. Krebs used the penal code numbers. Going armed with intent, harassment in the first degree, and violation of a no-contact protection order."
Judge Weese nodded. "It is my understanding that the defendant is ready to plead to the charges brought by the People. Mr. Bailey, do you understand your rights?"
"Yes, Your Honor.”
"Mr. Bailey, do you have any questions?"
"No, sir."
"To the charges, what is your plea?"
Martin answered loud and clear, "Not guilty, Your Honor."
"The court accepts the defendant's plea of not guilty. We must now schedule a preliminary hearing within the next ten days."
Cordelia spoke, "Your Honor, in the matter of the application for bail..."
Judge Weese cut her off, "Mr. Bailey, the severity of the charges and your training and expertise lead me to believe that you are indeed a flight risk and a danger. Therefore, I am remanding you to the custody of the Silverton Jail until your next court date. Court adjourned."
"Martin, I'll meet you at the jail," Cordelia said.
The devastation was apparent on Martin’s face as he was escorted from the room. Elizabeth stood and turned her back on him, then Julian wrapped an arm around her and guided her, crying, from the room. Bruce Steele hustled the Bailey family out a side door while Kieran and Mike followed the group to the courthouse steps.
Cecile Dufour walked out of the courthouse with her sister, Celine, and their brother, Thibodaux Spooner. Reporters mobbed them. "Do you have a statement, Mrs. Dufour?" One thrust a microphone into the widow's face.
In a performance fit for an award, she removed her sunglasses to reveal swollen eyes and tear-stained cheeks. "Martin Bailey callously shot my husband and Governor Talbot Reed in a murderous rage. May he rot in hell." She clutched her chest, replaced her glasses over her eyes, and climbed into a waiting limo.
Kieran and Mike took in the scene. "The crowd is against Martin. With any luck, the killer made mistakes." Kieran was dialing Ian when a plaintive cry drew his attention.
Elizabeth sobbed loud enough for others to hear her. "How could he do this?"
&n
bsp; The reporters pursued her. She grabbed Julian's arm to stop him from blocking the press's access. "Dr. Reed?"
"Dr. Reed, a statement please," another reporter called to her.
"I want to thank you, everyone, for the outpouring of condolences and concern for my wellbeing. I extend my condolences to Mrs. Dufour for the loss of her husband, but request that, unlike Mrs. Dufour's call for vengeance, we let the legal system sort this matter out without a rush to judgment. My father believed in the law. I am my father's daughter. I would like to request your respect for my privacy so I may oversee his proper burial." She held one hand up and grabbed Julian's arm with her other.
Kieran arched his brow as a microphone was thrust into his face. "Mr. Chase, how does this factor into Martin Bailey's appointment as the new CEO of Chase Security International?"
"The offer to Mr. Bailey to become our CEO is rescinded. His position with Chase Security International has been terminated as per the terms of his contract. I will make no further comment on this matter. Please focus on the families of the victims."
Two sheriff's officers walked Martin into the Silverton Jail prisoner intake area. It reminded him of a bus station. Once inside, they removed the shackles. "You're going to cooperate?" the deputy asked.
"I have no intention to cause trouble," Martin spoke in a placating voice.
"Come this way. Hands against the wall.” A deputy performed a pat down.
The next stop was in front of a female deputy sitting at a computer. After she asked a bunch of personal questions and cataloged any tattoos, piercings, and scars, he was sent to answer a nurse's medical questions. She noted the healing scab on his forehead. "How did that happen?"
"Explosion. I was out for a while. Have cracked ribs as well. And stitches in my left calf."
"Do you have any headaches? Chest pain?" Martin shook his head. "All right, Mr. Bailey, we will find you an accommodation."