Coulson's Reckoning

by McIntyre, Anna J

  “It’s a good thing they have the killer’s DNA. Of course, if there’s no match in the database, it won’t lead them to the killer. But if they have a suspect, then it will definitely help them get a conviction.”

  “They have a lead all right. I have no idea who they suspect. All I know is this person’s DNA is already in the database, so once they have the report back and their suspicion is confirmed, there’ll be an arrest this weekend!”

  “You forgot my Pepsi!” Angela whined when Joe returned to his house with the takeout food.

  “I’m sorry, Angela. Ran into Helen Adams at the Burger Shack, and we got to talking.”

  “Helen Adams? Is she the one who works at the police station?”

  “Yes. She was telling me something interesting.”

  “What’s that?” Angela popped a French fry in her mouth.

  “It seems Myrtle didn’t accidentally fall down those stairs.”

  Angela stopped eating and looked at her father.

  “What do you mean, Daddy?”

  “Apparently, the coroner found bruising on her arms consistent with someone grabbing her.”

  “That’s ridiculous. No one would want to kill Myrtle. She was a sweet, harmless woman. Plus, there was nothing in the paper about it. That Helen is just making up tales to make herself sound important.”

  “No, she was telling the truth.”

  “Then why wasn’t it in the paper?”

  “I imagine they didn’t want the information to get out.”

  “If someone pushed her, it must have been a robbery.”

  “No. According to Helen, Myrtle was wearing an expensive diamond when she was killed. The killer didn’t take it.”

  “A diamond? Where?” Angela frowned.

  “I think she said a necklace.”

  Angela took a bite of her hamburger and slowly chewed, considering what her father had told her. How did I miss the necklace? She swallowed then looked up at Joe.

  “It must have been Molly.”

  “Molly? Why would Molly kill her mother?”

  “Think about it, Daddy. Who else would have a motive? Molly will get her house, whatever Myrtle had. She is the only child. And why take the necklace when she’ll get it after her mother is dead? No, it has to be Molly. That’s the only explanation.”

  “All the speculation in the world is a waste of time. According to Helen, they have the killer’s DNA.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “They found skin under Myrtle’s fingernails. She must have struggled with the killer. They’ve sent it in for DNA testing. Helen said the results are due in late this afternoon and they expect to have an arrest by this weekend.”

  Angela thought about the scratches on her arm. She hadn’t noticed them until she got home and changed her blouse because of the torn sleeve.

  “What do you mean an arrest? Don’t they have to take DNA samples from suspects?”

  “Not if there’s a sample in the database.”

  “I don’t understand. What do you mean the database?”

  “Apparently, the suspect has been to prison, so they already have the DNA on file. If it matches, then they’ll make an arrest.”

  “What if they suspect the wrong person?”

  “They’ll still check the database. If the killer has ever been arrested, there’s a good chance he’s in the database. Of course, if he doesn’t have a criminal record, then I doubt they’ll be making any arrests soon.”

  Angela set her half-eaten hamburger on the napkin and looked at her father. Joe finished his burger, not noticing his daughter’s sudden silence.

  “Daddy, when does the bank close today?”

  “Five o’clock I think. Why?”

  “You need to go to the bank… but I don’t think you should wait until five. No, you should go now.” Angela stood up abruptly, her napkin and uneaten burger falling to the floor.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I had no choice, Daddy. I can’t go back to jail.”

  “Calm down, Angela. You aren’t going back to jail.”

  “You don’t understand. I just wanted to see what was going on between Adam and that girl. I wanted to see if she left her toothbrush at his house, had her clothes there.”

  “Angela, I know about you getting into Adam’s house and scaring Sophie. But Sam thinks she was dreaming. You don’t have to worry about it any more, but you do have to stay away from Adam so you don’t get sent back.”

  “I’m not talking about that night. I went over there on Sunday. I just wanted to look around. But Myrtle caught me in the house.”

  Joe’s face went ashen as he stared at his daughter. He shook his head in denial, unwilling to believe what she was saying.

  “Daddy, it wasn’t really my fault. You have to know that. But she would tell Adam I was in his house, and then they would send me back. You know I would never survive there.”

  “Please, Angela, don’t tell me you killed Myrtle.”

  “She was an old woman anyway, Daddy. It’s not like she was going to live a long time. And she didn’t suffer, I promise you. She died as soon as she hit the floor.”

  “Oh my lord, Angela…” Joe sat paralyzed in disbelief, trying to comprehend what his daughter was saying.

  “But we need to leave. Now. We could drive down to Mexico. I like Mexico. You have money, Daddy. We’ll go to your bank, get the money, and just leave today. We don’t have to take much with us. When the police show up here, they’ll think we’ve gone to the store or something.”

  Angela started dashing around the room, gathering up what items she wanted to take with her. When she noticed her father was not moving, just standing and looking at her, she paused.

  “Daddy, you aren’t going to let them take me are you?”

  “No, Angela, I would never let them take you again.”

  Breaking into tears, Angela rushed into her father’s arms and held him tightly.

  “You understand, don’t you, Daddy? I didn’t have a choice,” Angela sobbed.

  Joe held his daughter and gently stroked her hair, trying to calm her.

  “I tell you what, honey. I’ll grab a few things we’ll need for the trip. You go to your bedroom and pack some clothes. I’ll be right there. Okay?”

  Angela’s tear-filled eyes looked up into Joe’s face. She flashed him a smile, reminding him of the little girl who used to run to him when she’d skinned her knee.

  “I love you, Daddy. You always take care of me.” Angela kissed her father’s cheek and ran off to her bedroom to pack.

  Joe stood alone in the middle of the room, tears glistening in his eyes. He took a deep breath, walked to his bedroom, and opened the door to his closet. Taking a key from his pocket, he used it to open the small safe on the floor under his hanging shirts. From the safe, he removed his .38. It was already loaded, but he checked just to make sure.

  Chapter 43

  Fidgeting with the sheet of paper, Sam absently tapped its edge against his desktop as he glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was a quarter to five. Alone in his office, he considered what he had to do. A knock came at the door.

  “Come in,” Sam called out.

  Hal Barnes opened the door. “You wanted to see me, Chief?”

  “Yes. We’re going to bring in Angela Carter. I want two squad cars to come along, and I’m going, too.”

  “The DNA test confirmed it? She killed Scarlett?” Hal walked into the office.

  “Looks that way.” Sam glanced down at the sheet of paper in his hand.

  “I thought maybe you’d just have Joe Carter bring her in.”

  “Are you serious?” Sam looked up at Hal.

  “Well, I figured… He used to be the police chief… They did release her in his custody, so to speak.”

  “Yes, the condition of her probation was that she had to live with her father. Although, I never understood the wisdom of that, considering Joe’s history.”

  “I thoug
ht he was your friend?”

  “He lied to us, Hal. He told us he drove Angela up to Clement Falls that day—confirmed Angela’s story that it was all a misunderstanding with Sophie. I’m sure that was all a lie. And when Sophie said Angela was in Adam’s house, I believe she probably was. But that night, Joe swore she never left the house. Bring her in? If Joe knew we were coming to get his daughter, I have no doubt he’d take off with her.”

  “Do you think there’ll be a problem bringing her in?”

  “I prefer not to take any chances. Angela can be volatile. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tries to resist arrest, and if Joe thinks we’re hurting his daughter, there could be a problem.

  “Joe doesn’t have any guns anymore, does he?”

  “He’s not supposed to. But you know as well as I do how easy it is to get a gun. I doubt Joe would have any difficulty getting his hands on one. I’d like to handle this with kid gloves. I don’t want to underestimate the situation.”

  Sam stood up. “Damn the parole board. If they had done their job properly, Myrtle Scarlett would still be alive, and we wouldn’t have to be doing this right now.”

  The front blinds at the Carter house were open when the patrol cars arrived. Joe’s Toyota was in the driveway, and his Chevy pickup truck was parked in the street. It looked like he and Angela were home. Two of the officers went to the back of the house while several went with Sam to the front.

  The moment Sam reached the steps leading to the front porch he could hear the evening news blaring from the television. By all appearances, the windows seemed to be closed, so he assumed someone had cranked up the volume on the TV. He wondered if Joe or Angela was doing chores in another part of the house while listening to the news. Sometime Sam’s wife did that. It was possible Joe wouldn’t hear the doorbell, considering the volume of the television.

  Sam rang the doorbell and knocked. After a few minutes with no response from Joe or Angela, Sam looked into the front window. He could see through the living room to the kitchen and the back door, where two of his officers were standing. By their gestures, he knew they hadn’t spied Angela or Joe.

  Testing the doorknob, Sam found it unlocked. He gave his officers the signal to go in, guns ready in case there was a problem.

  “Joe, it’s me, Sam. I need to talk to you,” Sam called out when he entered the house. When there was no answer, he walked to the television and turned it off while the other officers moved silently through the house.

  “Joe.” Gun in hand, Sam called out again, no longer competing with the television set. “I need to speak to you and Angela.”

  Hal, who had silently gone down the hallway, returned to the living room a moment later, his expression solemn and his gun no longer drawn and ready.

  “Chief, you need to come back here.”

  Sam would never forget the gruesome scene. It would haunt him throughout his career, and if anyone were to ask him what was his worst moment as Coulson’s police chief, he would tell them it was the time he found Joe Carter cradling his daughter in her bed, both of their brains blown out.

  She’d been shot from behind. Sam doubted she ever knew it was coming. He could tell by the blood spatter and scattered brain matter that Joe had dragged Angela onto her bed, where he held her before putting the gun into his mouth and pulling the trigger.

  Sam’s only consolation was that he hadn’t thrown up at the sight, yet two of the officers had been unable to stomach the horrific scene. One managed to make it to the bathtub in the guest bathroom while another made it out the front door and onto the flowering vincas.

  It rained during the funeral service. Yet, as if on cue, the downpour stopped the moment the indoor service ended and the mourners—the morbidly curious along with those simply showing their last respects—stepped outside. Sunlight broke through the parting rain clouds, giving the promise of afternoon sunshine and partially cloudy skies.

  Only a few of those who attended the chapel service made their way to the gravesites. Adam Keller was not one of them. Silently, he stood off by himself, considering all that had transpired since he had first asked Angela Carter to be his bride.

  “Adam, are you all right?” Kim lightly touched Adam’s arm.

  Startled, Adam turned to her. She was with Nick. Before the chapel service had started, Adam was seated when he noticed members of his family and Garret’s coming in. Adam had sat next to Steve and Steve’s husband during the service instead of with his family.

  “I saw you coming in. I figured your grandfather would be here.” Adam glanced across the patio area to where Harrison Coulson sat in his wheel chair, surrounded by his sons and their families.

  “Yes, I doubt Nick and I would have come otherwise.”

  “I can’t believe the turnout,” Nick commented, glancing around at the impressive crowd. Most of the people were mingling, while others were heading to the parking lot.

  “Joe knew a lot of people,” Adam noted. He then spied Myrtle’s daughter, Molly, walking toward him.

  “Adam!” Molly hugged him. She then turned her greetings to Kim and Nick.

  “I’m surprised you came,” Adam told her after all hugs were exchanged.

  “I almost didn’t. If it hadn’t been a double funeral, if it was just for Angela, no, I wouldn’t be here. But I remembered my dad and Joe were good friends. And I really can’t blame Joe for his daughter’s actions. It’s so tragic he felt there was no other option but suicide. So sad.”

  Kim didn’t comment but listened quietly while Molly and Adam briefly chatted.

  “I certainly would not be so generous,” Kim said after Molly walked away. “Of course, I have a completely different view of Joe Carter.”

  Nick put his arm around Kim’s shoulder and pulled her next to him.

  “If there is such a thing as Karma, I think Joe got it full force,” Adam said.

  “How are you doing Adam, really?” Kim asked. “I understand the hell Angela put you through, but I remember you once loved her or at least thought you were in love with her. Either way, you once had feelings for the woman.”

  “I was thinking about that myself just before you walked up. You know, when we first started dating, she was really sweet. Oh, I knew she was spoiled and immature in some ways, but I think I found that, well, a little attractive at the time. And when I first got involved with the senator, she tried to talk me out of it. It wasn’t all bad, her and I. I wonder if I would have handled our break up differently…”

  “Adam, don’t do that to yourself,” Nick spoke up. “As tragic as it is, if anyone helped create the monster, it was Joe, not you. If you think about it, Joe had a pattern of enabling the wrong people. As far as I’m concerned, he’s just as guilty as Harrison Jr. for what was done to Carol. I suppose the difference this time, after he pulled the trigger to stop the monster he helped create; he turned the gun on himself.”

  “Wow, I thought I sounded harsh.” Kim cringed. “In the defense of some of the people here today, like Molly, who remembers a different Joe, they really have no idea all the things that went on over the years.”

  “I do feel sorry for Joe’s brother. What a horrible thing to deal with,” Nick said. “Did I hear someone say he was from Vegas?”

  “Yes,” Adam said. “I know Joe had two brothers; neither one lives in Coulson. I think the only one here is the one from Vegas. I met him once when I was with Angela.”

  “Hey, Adam, have you heard from Sophie lately?” Nick asked.

  “We FaceTime every day.”

  “You do?” Kim asked with a grin.

  “Then she knows about Angela?” Nick asked.

  “I called her right after I found out.”

  “I imagine her father will be a little relieved,” Kim said. “I know this is all very tragic and everything, but let’s be honest, none of us knew what Angela was going to do next. Tony was pretty shaken up after Angela threatened Sophie at the hospital, especially since he knew her history. He talked to Pop about it.
I suppose, in one respect, I do have some sympathy for Joe. I can’t imagine being in the situation where you feel your only recourse is to kill someone you dearly love. And one thing I don’t doubt, he did love his daughter.”

  “Any chance Sophie might be coming back to Coulson soon?” Nick asked.

  “I certainly hope so.”

  Later that afternoon, Harrison Coulson received a visitor at Coulson House. It was Sam Peterson. Harrison was alone in the sunroom when Mrs. Carpenter showed the police chief in.

  “Afternoon, Sam.” Harrison noticed Sam was carrying a small box.

  “Harrison, I believe this is yours.” Sam handed him a box of Cuban cigars.

  “I didn’t expect this, under the circumstances.”

  “Well, a bet is a bet. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get Cuban cigars in Coulson?”

  “You want a beer?”

  “Sure. I’m off duty.” Sam sat down.

  Harrison called for Mrs. Carpenter to bring them both a beer.

  “It was a good turnout today,” Harrison commented after Mrs. Carpenter brought the beers and left the room.

  “I wish Joe hadn’t done it. It was such a damn waste.” Sam took a swig of his beer.

  “I suppose I can understand.”

  “It does save the taxpayers a great deal of money. There won’t be a trial for Myrtle’s murder.”

  “What about Fred Garcia’s case? I heard his family didn’t have a funeral.”

  “No. He was cremated. Last I heard no one’s picked up his ashes.”

  “What about the case, Sam?”

  “I closed it yesterday. According to the report, it’s believed he was involved with Anthony Marino’s murder, and that’s why he kidnapped Sophie—so she wouldn’t pursue reopening the case.”

  “So… how did you determine that without DNA evidence?”

  “Can’t really run a DNA test on blood we don’t have. And no reason to waste Coulson Police Department resources trying to chase down the FBI over evidence that was removed over forty years ago. We already have a photo linking Garcia to Marino’s murder. That’s all we need.”