Cold Case True Crime

by Denise N Wheatley

  Gregory pulled his car into the alleyway where Jacob’s body had been found and let up on the accelerator. “True. But before the employees could gain permanent employment, they had to complete a one-week second-chance program. If they didn’t get through that and pass random drug tests during their three-month probationary period, then they weren’t officially hired.”

  “Please.” Samantha snorted as the detective crept toward a pair of rusted-out green metal dumpsters. “Do you really believe that?”

  “Yes. I do. Westman’s has been applauded by the entire community of Gattenburg for their efforts to help recovering addicts stay clean and obtain job opportunities. The mayor even honored the factory’s efforts last month with a community impact award.”

  Samantha slid toward the edge of her seat and pointed up ahead. “It looks like those dumpsters are the only two in the alley. This must be the crime scene.”

  Gregory craned his neck and eyed the entire length of the passage. “I think you’re right.” He parked the car off to the side near a garage door. “Let’s hop out and take a closer look.”

  A chill swept through Samantha as she opened the camera app on her cell phone. She stepped out of the car and took several pictures of the waste containers, moving back and forth in an effort to capture every angle.

  “So wait a minute,” she said, bending down and shuffling in closer. “Jacob’s body was found in this tight little space in between these two dumpsters?”

  “From the looks of the crime scene photos, yes.”

  While Samantha examined the cement walls located on either side of the bins, Gregory found himself once again unable to tear his gaze away from her long, lean legs.

  She placed her hand on her curvy hip and tilted her head to the side.

  “Judging from the snug proximity of the dumpsters to these walls,” Samantha continued, “there’s no room for them to be moved farther apart. So I agree with you in that Jacob had to have been shoved in between this space by somebody else. There’s no way he could’ve ended up here on his own. Especially if he was high on drugs, as law enforcement would like for us to believe.”

  Just as Samantha began taking close-up photographs of the area, a loud engine roared down at the end of the alleyway. She and Gregory simultaneously jerked their heads toward the thunderous rumble.

  “What the...” the detective uttered.

  He stood up and tried to get a better look at the vehicle. But before he could catch a real glimpse, its tires screeched and skidded down the block.

  “Got it,” Samantha said while staring down at her cell phone.

  “Got what?”

  “A few pics of that vehicle. Looks like it was a white van with some sort of blue and orange signage along the side.”

  “Hmm,” Gregory grunted. “Interesting. Sounds like it may have been some sort of business vehicle, then?”

  Samantha stared up at him, nodding her head knowingly while holding up her phone. “The photos are a bit blurry. But if I’m not mistaken, I spy an orange letter R and a blue letter Y. Wanna take a wild guess as to what company in Gattenburg has blue and orange signage on their white vans, with that lettering in their name?”

  Gregory took the phone and scrolled through the fuzzy images.

  “Westman’s Automotive Factory,” Samantha blurted out before giving him a chance to respond. “Do you see it?” she asked, frantically tapping her fingertip against the phone screen. “Right there. Can you make it out? Because I can.”

  “Yeah, you’re right,” Gregory replied smoothly in an effort to keep her calm. He could tell by the shrill tone of her voice that she was getting worked up.

  Samantha threw her arms out to her sides and kicked up a few rocks with her black ankle boot. “Good to know that it’s not just me. You see what I see.”

  “No, it’s not just you.” The detective scrolled back to the clearest photo and enlarged it. “I definitely see the end of Westman’s company name here.” An uneasy twinge pulled inside his chest. “Hey, would you mind texting those photos to me?”

  “Of course not.” Samantha took the phone and pulled up his name in her list of contacts. “It looks like the only number I have saved for you is your work phone down at the station.”

  “Really? I could’ve sworn I’d given you my personal cell the night we ran into one another at the community center fundraiser.”

  “Nope,” she chirped. “You didn’t.”

  He held out his hand. “Here, let me program it in for you. I’ll give you my personal email address, too.”

  Samantha handed him the phone, her eyebrows rising curiously.

  “You know,” Gregory quickly added, “in the event that you ever need to send me something.”

  “Mmm-hmm,” she muttered, her tone filled with skepticism. It seemed clear to her that the detective was slowly getting more involved in Jacob’s case than he’d initially intended. “Well, I appreciate that. From the looks of things,” she continued, pointing toward the alleyway entrance where the Westman’s van had appeared, “I just may be needing you.”

  Gregory stopped typing his email address into the phone and glanced up at her, wondering whether she was referring to more than just the investigation. He couldn’t quite tell from the tense, faraway look in her eyes.

  “So,” Samantha continued, “don’t you find it odd that the factory’s vehicle was creeping past the crime scene like that? Then the driver revved its engine like a complete maniac once he saw us?”

  “I don’t know,” he said, not wanting to make her fearful. “The factory is located a couple of blocks away from here. So the drive-by could’ve simply been a coincidence.”

  Samantha crossed her arms tightly in front of her. “Nah, I’m not going for that. I think there’s more to it. And you know what they say—criminals love returning to the scene of the crime.”

  Gregory saved his information in Samantha’s phone and handed it back to her. “That is what they say. But when it comes to this case, I don’t want to jump to any unsubstantiated conclusions.”

  She twisted her lips warily. “Come on. Seriously? That was no coincidence. But anyway, I’m texting the photos to you now. I can’t wait to show these to Ava and tell her about how you and I came out here and—”

  “Hey,” Gregory interrupted, holding out his hand. “Let me say this. I’m not trying to control whom you discuss your personal investigation into this case with or anything. But I’d like for you to refrain from telling anyone you’ve been talking about it with me. You know I’m new on the force, and I’m all about following the proper code of police conduct.”

  “Okay,” Samantha replied coolly, shrugging her shoulders as if the request didn’t bother her.

  But when the detective noticed her pink-glossed lips turn downward, he knew that it had.

  “Look, I hope you can understand why I don’t want you to—”

  “I do,” she interjected before he could finish. “So no worries. I get it.”

  Gregory turned around and eyed the alleyway entrance again. “Well, now that we’ve both gotten a look at the crime scene and you’ve taken your photos, we should probably get out of here.”

  “Good idea. I don’t want to be here if that van comes back around. Thanks for bringing me along to check it out. Between my meeting with Ava and these pics, I’ve got some great new leads to post on Someone Knows Something.”

  “No problem. Glad you were able to join me.”

  The pair climbed inside the car. As Gregory headed back to the deli, Samantha began cropping and brightening the photos she’d taken at the crime scene.

  Just when the detective began to wonder whether he needed to tone down his involvement with her and Jacob’s case, he heard Samantha’s cell phone ping.

  She stared down at the screen for several moments before squealing loudly.

&nb
sp; “What’s going on over there?” Gregory asked.

  “I just got a text message from Ava. She worked her magic and landed me a meeting with a woman named Kenzie Stevenson, who works at Westman’s. Kenzie was really good friends with Jacob, and Ava thinks she’s got some insight into the shady dealings happening inside the factory.”

  “Really? That’s great. But I’m surprised to hear a current employee is willing to talk to you.”

  “Well, she’s only doing so under one condition. I have to keep her identity anonymous. Kenzie’s actually terrified of Collin. And like Ava and me, she’s convinced he had something to do with Jacob’s murder. We all agree that his enabling father, Chief Wentworth, helped him cover it up, too.”

  In spite of the chilly breeze blowing through the cracked window, Gregory felt beads of sweat forming along his hairline. He swiped his hand across his forehead and turned down Madison Street.

  “Don’t worry,” Samantha continued as she slipped her cell phone inside her handbag, “I know the chief is your boss. So I don’t expect you to agree with me on that.”

  “My views on this case aren’t based on the fact that I report to Chief Wentworth. I know I’m a by-the-book kind of guy, but I do have a mind of my own,” he told her before pointing up ahead. “Is that your convertible parked on the right?”

  “It is. So, um...listen. Ava has arranged for me to meet with Kenzie tomorrow night after her shift at Westman’s. We’re getting together at seven. She wants to meet at Barron’s Bar and Grill. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of it, but it’s located on the outskirts of town, near Peoria.”

  Gregory pulled his car over and parked behind Samantha’s. “Barron’s, Barron’s... Oh yeah, I’m familiar with it. Why are you all meeting all the way out there?”

  “Because Kenzie doesn’t want to risk running into someone from Westman’s. There are a good number of people in this town who know that I’m reporting on Jacob’s case. So to put it bluntly, she doesn’t wanna be seen with me.”

  “Okay, well, all things considered, I guess I can understand that.”

  The detective watched as Samantha zipped her handbag and grabbed the door handle. He was surprised at the buzz of disappointment that fizzled in his head, knowing their time together was coming to an end.

  “Thank you again for taking me to the crime scene,” she said. “I really appreciate it. I’m feeling good about the headway that I’m making in this case.”

  “You’re welcome. Thanks for riding along with me. I look forward to keeping up with your progress. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for your updated blog post.”

  “Do you have your new-post notifications turned on?” Samantha asked, pointing over at him playfully.

  “I don’t,” Gregory chuckled, “but I’ll be sure to turn them on the first chance I get.”

  “Good.” She opened the door, then suddenly turned to the detective. “Hey, why don’t you come out to Barron’s tomorrow night and meet with Kenzie and me? I’d love for you to be there to hear what she has to say and get your take on everything from a detective’s point of view.”

  Gregory put the car in Park and stared straight ahead, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. While he did want to see Samantha again, he didn’t want to do so during another investigative outing.

  “I’m sorry, Samantha, but I can’t. I—I just...”

  “I understand,” she sighed after his voice trailed off. “You don’t want to get pulled into this case any further. But if you change your mind, you know where we’ll be. And you have my cell phone number now, too.”

  “I do,” he told her right before a surge of temptation came over him. But the detective resisted the urge to give in to it.

  “I guess I’ll see you around then,” Samantha responded quietly. “Thanks again for this afternoon.”

  Gregory cringed when Samantha slammed the door. He cracked his knuckles while watching her strut in front of his car and climb inside hers. He longed to jump out and embrace her. Tell her how sorry he was that he couldn’t get more involved.

  For a brief moment, Gregory considered showing up at Barron’s simply to protect Samantha. The meeting with Kenzie could be some sort of setup.

  But he quickly pushed that thought out of his mind and forced himself to stay put, knowing he was doing the right thing. His instincts were telling him Kenzie could be trusted. Plus, the last thing he needed was a repeat of what had happened back in Chicago, where he’d made the mistake of getting heavily involved in a case that put both his livelihood and heart on the line. He’d wound up getting burned, badly, after the situation ended in disaster.

  No good deed goes unpunished, his mother always told him. In that instance she was absolutely right. But not only had Gregory been punished, he was practically destroyed.

  That experience was a part of his past he seldom discussed. It was too painful. Maybe one day he’d explain it to Samantha so she would understand why he’d chosen to keep his distance.

  Chapter Three

  Samantha glanced down at her cell phone. No new text messages or missed calls. She sighed heavily and took another sip of her merlot.

  Samantha looked around Barron’s Bar and Grill. The place wasn’t too packed. A few groups of college students dressed in their sorority and fraternity paraphernalia were scattered around the bar area. Several jocks hovered over a pool table while a cluster of rowdy construction workers stood nearby, guzzling beers and waiting on them to finish their game.

  She and Kenzie had been there for over an hour. While Kenzie stepped away to take a phone call, Samantha scanned the notes she’d been taking. She tried not to appear as appalled as she felt when Kenzie shared one wild Westman’s story after another.

  Samantha practically jumped out of her chair when her phone buzzed. She grabbed it and peered down at the screen. Her chest thumped with disappointment when she saw it was an email from her editor.

  “Ugh,” she grumbled, opening the message to find out whether her calendar organization article had been approved.

  Samantha couldn’t deny how disappointed she’d felt when Detective Harris shut down her offer to meet with Kenzie. She was hoping he’d be an ally in helping get to the bottom of Jacob’s murder. But Samantha now realized that she and Ava were in this fight alone.

  “Oh well,” she whispered before reading her email from Regina.

  Hey Sam! Great job on your latest piece. I only have a couple of suggestions that I’d like you to include. Do you think you could break down potential differences between a working mom’s schedule versus a stay-at-home mom’s? I’m thinking that could affect how their calendars are organized.

  Also, please include a paragraph or two on how a family could work together to maintain one large calendar that they can hang in a designated area in the home. Once you send those additions to me, I’ll approve the article. Thanks! Reg

  “I don’t have time for this, Regina,” Samantha mumbled before hitting the reply button. She knew she had a lot of nerve giving her editor attitude considering her writing job with Elevate helped to maintain her lifestyle. But all Samantha could think about was Jacob’s cold case, especially now that she’d received a slew of intriguing new intel from Kenzie.

  Sure, Reg, Samantha typed. I’ll work on those changes and get them back to you tomorrow. Have a great evening. Samantha.

  She sent the message, then glanced outside, wondering what was taking Kenzie so long to come back. Samantha caught a glimpse of her pacing the parking lot, her tight jet-black curls whipping around her face as she appeared to be yelling into the phone. Judging from her crumpled expression and wild hand gestures, it was not a pleasant conversation.

  Samantha closed her notebook and slid it inside her handbag. From the looks of things, it appeared as though she and Kenzie were done.

  Just as she scooted her chair away from the
table and stood up, Samantha noticed a black Chevy with black-tinted windows pulling into Barron’s parking lot.

  She froze. Her heart suddenly thumped so hard in her chest that she trembled, causing the pearlized buttons on her cream silk blouse to rattle.

  It can’t be, she thought.

  But when Detective Harris stepped out of the car and strutted toward the bar’s entrance, Samantha realized that, indeed, it was.

  After he swaggered through the door, she raised her hand in the air and waved, immediately catching his attention. The detective nodded his head and flashed a smile that caused a wave of lust to roll through her stomach.

  Calm down, girl, Samantha told herself, taking a deep breath and straightening her shoulders. The last thing she wanted was for Detective Harris to know just how thrilled she was to see him. But as he slowly approached her with outstretched arms and an even broader grin, it appeared as though he was just as excited to see her.

  “I bet I’m the last person you thought would walk through that door tonight,” he said, running his hands along her waistline, then clenching them against the small of her back.

  “To say that is an understatement would be putting it lightly,” Samantha murmured. She wrapped her arms around him, inhaling the sandalwood cologne pulsating off his neck. The pair embraced for several seconds before simultaneously pulling away from each other, as if on cue.

  “Well, before we get into just how surprised you are to see me, I’m gonna go grab a beer from the bar.” He pointed at the empty chair next to Samantha. “Hey, where’s Kenzie? She didn’t leave already, did she?”

  “No, she’s still here. She’s out in the parking lot on a phone call.”

  “Okay, cool. What are you drinking?”

  “Merlot.”

  “I’ll grab you another one. Be right back.”

  Gregory took a few steps away from the table without taking his eyes off Samantha. She had to admit, she liked the detective after dark. He was much more relaxed and even flirtier than he’d been yesterday afternoon.

  Detective Harris turned around coolly and flagged down the bartender. Samantha observed his smooth demeanor, watching as he pulled off his black leather biker jacket. Well-defined biceps bulged from underneath his fitted white T-shirt. When he leaned into the bar, his flexing deltoids caused palpitations to stutter inside her chest.