There were a few people in the same waiting area. Two were pacing and another was flipping through a magazine. I started shivering and noticed goose bumps on my arms and felt them sprout up over my whole body.
A nurse walked by carrying two bags. She stopped by my chair, looked at my uniform, stripped of its brass, and appeared confused. “Aren’t you Sergeant Aleckson?”
“Yes.”
“Are you all right?”
“Not exactly. I think I’m in shock.” My teeth chattered, distorting my words.
“Let’s get you into a room. I’ll get a wheelchair.”
“Not that kind of shock . . . had a shock.”
“I still think we should have you looked at.”
“That might not be a bad idea.” Edberg stepped in beside the nurse.
I shook my head. “Maybe a blanket.”
The nurse called to another nurse who was close by, and she brought me a heated blanket a minute later and laid it over me. The warmth helped, but I continued to shiver.
Edberg went to the desk, signed for Eric’s things, then sat next to me with the property bags. “Dawes is on his way here to pick you up. I’ll stay here at the hospital until everything is arranged and they come to get him. Eric.”
“Okay.”
Edberg opened the clear bag that held the contents of Eric’s pockets. He pulled out the cell phone and punched buttons. I couldn’t watch, but noticed from the corner of my eye that he was writing on his memo pad. “Got them. Mom. Dad. Parent Home.”
“Tell them how sorry I am.”
Edberg reached over and laid his hand on my arm. “We’ll do that.”
Some minutes later, a solemn looking Smoke walked through the doors. My tears started again. He reached behind my shoulder to help me out of the chair. “Let’s get you home.”
I slipped out of the blanket and handed it to Edberg. He nodded and tried to smile. Smoke put his hand on my waist and walked me to his car that was parked near the exit.
Aside from the tears that continued to spill from my eyes, the rest of my body felt paralyzed. Smoke offered words of comfort, support, and sympathy, but I don’t remember what they were. I clung to the hope I would someday accept what happened, but I didn’t know if that was possible.
Eric was dead. How could that be true?
“Your mother will be at your house. And I’ll stay, too. As long as you need me.”
I’ll always need you, Smoke. I nodded and the tears continued. The wet tissue pile on my lap was building.
It took forever to get to my home, some fifteen miles away. My mother came rushing out and opened my car door. She leaned in and kissed my cheek, her own tears mingling with mine. As only a mother can do, she grabbed the used tissues and bunched them up in one hand and offered the other to me. I appreciated the support getting out of the car and into the house.
The words spilled out of my mouth. “It happened so fast. We were at the door and I suddenly had a terrible feeling that something was wrong, and I got Eric out of the way, and was going to draw my gun and move beside him, but he was there before I could. Eric threw himself at him and he shot him. Eric sacrificed his life for mine.”
My mother unsuccessfully attempted a brave face. “He was a such nice young man. And now we owe him everything.”
“I should have called the Engens before we went over there. Made sure it was really them.”
“There was no reason to suspect it wasn’t,” Smoke said.
“I’m the one who should have died.”
“Corky, if Eric hadn’t done what he did, you both would have died. After Parker shot you, he would have shot Eric. Eric must have known that and did what he could.”
I hadn’t thought of that, but my brain had been sluggish since the shooting. It was true, Parker would have shot me, then Eric. Both of us would have died. And Mother was right, we owed him everything.
“I brought over a casserole I had in the freezer. It’s warming in the oven. Why don’t you go soak in the tub for a while and I’ll get supper on the table.”
“I can’t eat.”
“At least a bite or two.”
My feet were heavy on each step up to the upper level where my bathtub awaited. I used the railing for needed support. I took off my clothes then turned on the water faucets in the tub. I climbed in and ran the water to the top before I turned the faucets off. I forced myself to scrub my body and head, and soaked a while longer. My arms were like lead and it was difficult to dry off and dress in pajamas, but I managed. I pulled my cell phone out of my pants pocket that was lying on the floor. Fourteen missed calls. Eight new messages.
When I joined Mother and Smoke in the kitchen, I handed my phone to Smoke who was sitting on a stool on the counter. “Will you see if I need to do anything about these calls?”
He frowned slightly, accepted the phone, and started jotting names and messages on a notepad. He glanced up at me. “Lots of concerned colleagues. Sara, of course.”
Mother raised her hand slightly. “Oh, I talked to Sara. She called me when she couldn’t get ahold of you. She wanted to come over, but I said tomorrow would be better. I hope that’s all right.”
I wanted my friends around me, but I didn’t at the same time. I needed time to mentally process everything that had gone down and didn’t have the energy to talk about it. Mother set out plates and flatware, got the casserole from the oven, put it on the counter, and stuck a spoon in it. Goulash, one of my favorites. I managed to eat a small portion, but my taste buds were off and it was tasteless.
“I’m going to go help Gramps get settled in for the night, then I’ll be back. Are you sure you can stay, Elton?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
My mother left, and Smoke put our dishes in the sink then took me by the hand to the living room and settled me on the couch. “Where’s that afghan of yours? The one your gram made.”
“In my office closet.”
He left, and when he returned, he put the colorful afghan across my lap. “Shouldn’t you be at the scene?” I asked.
“No, Sheriff T wanted to take over. Oversee it all.” He sat down next to me and tucked the afghan around my shoulders.
My brain was clearing a little. “What about the body in his trunk? I can’t believe Langley Parker convinced someone to trust him. With his criminal history.”
“You don’t have to tell me. Weber, Carlson, Mason, LeVasseur were gathering all the evidence. And the BCA should be there by now. Sheriff thought we’d better get them involved for two reasons: the officer-involved shooting and the dismembered corrections officer. The FBI will likely share in that part. The BCA will be talking to you, get your statement. We’ll still be conducting our own investigation. It’s open and shut as far as I’m concerned, but it doesn’t hurt to have our butts covered.”
“Why did it have to happen?” I moved my arms out from under the afghan.
“It’s one of the terrible things you’ll probably never know the answer to. Bad people do bad things. We see it all too often.”
Another wave of sadness hit me and the tears started again.
“You want anything? Warm milk, wine?”
I shook my head. “I just want it to go away. I want to start the day over, to go on patrol without Eric. I want to know that when I went to the Engens’ house I’d need the S.W.A.T. team.”
Smoke gave me a gentle nudge. “I know it’s going to take a while, but you’re going to have to stop beating yourself up about this. Concentrate on the fact that Langley Parker can never hurt anyone again, and that you’re the one who stopped him forever.”
I leaned my head against his chest. He moved his arm around to my back and pulled me closer. “Thanks for always being there for me and for caring so much.” He squeezed a little tighter.
CHAPTER 28
Eric’s funeral was the last place I could ever have imagined meeting his parents, sister, ex-fiancée, and the rest of his family and friends. I had my own family, friends, a
nd colleagues with me for support. I’m not certain I could have made it without them.
I had spoken with his parents and sister the day before the funeral, and they assured me they in no way blamed me for what happened. I found that difficult to believe, but when I met them, they were gracious and kind, despite their intense grief.
The irony of it all continually hovered around me. Langley Parker, and I—to a lesser extent—were the reasons Eric Stueman left his family’s law firm to pursue a career in criminal prosecution as an assistant county attorney for Winnebago County. And it was that professional change that sparked a series of events that resulted in his life being ended so abruptly, so tragically.
People filled the large Minneapolis church to pay their final respects to Eric Stueman. The hopes and dreams his family and friends had for him had suddenly ended. We all tried to come to grips with the fact he was really gone. Refreshments were served following the service, but it was too painful for me to be with his family for very long. My head told me I had not caused his death, but my heart believed I had, and their grief-stricken faces intensified my guilt.
CHAPTER 29
Nora Leder, Rennie Leder, and Bridget Regan all showed up for their second appearances in court. The Omnibus—pretrial—hearing. Each had been advised by their attorneys to plead not guilty and take their chances with a jury’s verdict rather than a judge’s ruling. But none of them—to their credit—took that advice. The county attorney had offered each of them a plea bargain of a minimum sentence if they agreed to plead guilty, which they all accepted. Each was called to step before the bench to enter her plea. After each woman pled guilty, the judge asked if she understood she was waiving her constitutional right to a trial. Each said she did. The judge read their individual plea bargains then called for a one hour recess to review the evidence, their signed statements, their pretrial interviews, and recommendations of both their defense and prosecuting attorneys.
I sat in the back row of the courtroom with Smoke and Bob Edberg during the proceedings. As I looked at the people in front of us, the friends and families of the accused—and of Gage Leder—I wondered what each one thought. Morgan Leder. Lea Regan. Dustin and Aaron Leder, and their mother, Sheila Walker. Donna and Willie Noding and their kids. Chip and Gina Ashland. Even Larry Vaccaro was there, as were others from the community.
People filed out of the room for the recess, and I heard a few comments, mostly in support of the three women who were their friends or relatives. Donna hugged Morgan, telling her again how sorry she was about what Gage, her own father, had done to her. And what her mother had done because of it.
Smoke, Bob, and I headed to the break room in the sheriff’s department for a cup of coffee. “A simple phone call to the sheriff’s office would have saved a whole lot of grief. Now two moms are going to be away from daughters. Three successful women gave up their careers for revenge. Gage Leder should be the one behind bars for what he did,” Edberg said.
“They are all like mama bears more than mother hens, and couldn’t help themselves, I guess,” Smoke said.
“What they did started out bad and went downhill from there. But I actually feel a little sorry for them. Like you said, they gave up nice lives for a yahoo who would have been spending years in prison for his crimes,” I said.
Bob cleared his throat. “Corky, I haven’t had much chance to talk to you. How are you holding up?”
I looked at the ground, not knowing what to say. My life would never be the same. Eric’s violent death had changed it forever. “It’s been the worst few weeks of my life. Of course. I still have nightmares about Parker. And Eric.” I looked at Bob then at Smoke. “I’m not giving up my career, but I’m content to help in the office for a while. Maybe a long while. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get back on patrol again. My psychologist is my new best friend.”
Bob reached over and squeezed my shoulder. “Take your time. We’re all here for you.”
I nodded, willing the tightness in my chest to ease. “I’ll see you guys back in court.”
Smoke caught my eyes in his. He lifted his brows, but didn’t speak. I knew he was wondering if I needed someone with me. I shrugged slightly and headed to the cubicle the sheriff had assigned me, to check the status on piles of warrants.
When I returned to the courtroom, Smoke and Bob were sitting in the same row. Judge Adams was behind the bench, and Nora, Rennie, Bridget, and their attorneys were standing in front of it.
“I am ready to pronounce sentence on Nora Leder, Rennie Leder and Bridget Regan. The county attorney recommended that your charges be reduced from felonies to gross misdemeanors. I have carefully reviewed each your cases, and have taken the circumstances, and the fact that all of you are upstanding citizens, with no prior criminal records into consideration.
“I have decided to follow the recommendations, and hereby sentence each of you to one year in the Winnebago County Jail, with nine months stayed, and probation for a period of five years. You must remain law abiding and meet regularly with your assigned probation agents. Do any of you wish to speak?” The three stunned women shook their heads.
“I remand you into the custody of the Winnebago County Sheriff. Bailiff . . .”
We didn’t stay for the final words, or to watch the women get handcuffed and taken into custody. The emotions in the courtroom were spilling from the crowd, but everything was under control.
“Adams was more than fair,” I said when we were in the outer corridor.
“I guess,” Bob agreed.
“I think the fact that the judge has teenage daughters worked in the defendants’ favor,” Smoke said. “Hey, it’s Friday night. Either of you have plans?”
Bob blew some air out through his lips. “You know I have no social life.”
“Sara’s coming over. It’s take-out and movie night. A comedy.”
“What time?”
A funny question. “Seven.”
“Then I think the three of us should grab a beer after work. We were in the thick of the Leder case together. You’re not too old for a little socializing now and then, Bob.”
He shrugged. “I’m not? Then, what the heck.”
Smoke bumped my arm with his elbow. “How about it, Corky? You up for a light libation with a couple of old farts?”
“You know, when you put it that way, how can I say no?
Also by Christine Husom
Murder in Winnebago County follows an unlikely serial killer plaguing a rural Minnesota county. The clever murderer leaves a growing chain of apparent suicides among criminal justice professionals. As her intuition helps her draw the cases together, Winnebago County Sergeant Corinne Aleckson enlists help from Detective Elton Dawes. What Aleckson doesn’t know is that the killer is keeping a close watch on her. Will she be the next target?
Buried in Wolf Lake When a family’s golden retriever brings home the dismembered leg of a young woman, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department launches an investigation unlike any other. Who does the leg belong to, and where is the rest of her body? Sergeant Corinne Aleckson and Detective Elton Dawes soon discover they are up against an unidentified psychopath who targets women with specific physical features. Are there other victims, and will they learn the killer’s identity in time to prevent another brutal murder?
An Altar by the River A man phones the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department, frantically reporting his brother is armed with a large dagger and on his way to the county to sacrifice himself. Sergeant Corinne Aleckson takes the call, learning the alarming reasons behind the young man's death wish. When the department investigates, they plunge into the alleged criminal activities of a hidden cult and the disturbing cover-up of an old closed-case shooting death. The cult members have everything to lose and will do whatever it takes to prevent the truth coming to light. But will they find an altar by the river in time to save the young man’s life?
A Death in Lionel's Woods When a woman’s emaciated body is found in a hu
nter’s woods Sergeant Corinne Aleckson is coaxed back into the field to assist Detective Smoke Dawes on the case. It seems the only hope for identifying the woman lies in a photo which was buried with bags of money under her body. Aleckson and Dawes plunge into the investigation that takes them into the world of human smugglers and traffickers, unexpectedly close to home. All the while, they are working to uncover the identity of someone who is leaving Corky anonymous messages and pulling pranks at her house. A Death in Lionel’s Woods is a unpredictable roller coaster ride to the electrifying end.
Secret in Whitetail Lake The discovery of an old Dodge Charger on the bottom of a Winnebago County lake turns into a homicide investigation when human remains are found in the car. To make matters worse, Sheriff Twardy disappears that same day, leaving everyone to wonder where he went. Sergeant Corinne Aleckson and Detective Elton Dawes probe into both mysteries, searching for answers. Little do they know they’re being closely watched by the keeper of the Secret in Whitetail Lake.
The Noding Field Mystery Page 26