The Devil in Maryvale
Page 25
"Can I have a word with you, counselor? Bring that statement with you."
Fields opened the door for him. "We can talk in the conference room," he led the way.
Settled at the expensive looking conference table, Cas touched the statement. "Let's work on this. The facts are what we need, not a lot of embroidery."
Fields positioned the statement where they both could see it comfortably. "Right. I need to ask you some things before the inquest, but we can take care of it now."
"What he said about her falling against him," Cas anticipated his questions. "The coroner's report bears that out, that it must have happened just as he said and the ankle and the top of the foot were bruised. I'll show it to you if you want to see it."
They sat side by side working on the statement, deleting all reference to the relationship between Denise and Darrell. The invitation to the meeting and being a partner for sex was left as stated, along with the reaction it had caused. Denise had laughed at the idea of an orgy and the invitation which included sex. They left in the part about Darrell's hurt and embarrassment at her reaction to the idea of being his partner or even attending the so-called orgy. His picking up the knife and her falling against him explained why the knife was wedged in so deeply. The turning of her ankle explained the bruises that were detailed on the autopsy form and verified the sequence of tragic events. The only thing left out was the thing both Darrell and the judge had tried so hard to hide. That Darrell and Denise were brother and sister.
It took only about twenty minutes for Laurence Fields to get the statement rewritten as Cas watched.
"Now, we'll get this typed up so Darrell can read and sign it."
Cas reread the typed statement as they walked back to make a copy. "The facts are all here. I don't see any point in adding anything else."
"And you had nothing to do with this, right?" Fields handed him a copy of the statement.
"Certainly not! It's not my job."
"Do you want to talk to them again?"
"Yes. I'll go back with you."
Fields sat down at the desk and handed the typed statement to the judge, his expression betraying nothing. "I'm sure you would like to read this before Darrell signs it."
Judge Spruce took the statement and started reading. He looked up in surprise a few seconds later, then continued reading.
When he finished the statement he looked up at Cas, trying to find words. "I don't know how I can thank you enough. I was prepared to take it years ago if this got to public ears but I had to protect my wife, she had a bad heart. And no one knew, about this relationship. I'm glad she never knew. I worried about her and then, no one knew after we came here, and we agreed to keep Denise and Darrell apart. We tried to keep from hurting anyone else."
Finding it difficult to speak he simply handed the statement to Darrell to read and sign.
"Sheriff Larkin, if I can ever do anything for you...."
"As a matter of fact, there is something you can do for me," Cas said decisively. "And the sooner the better." Cas had not sat down. He stood, underlining the urgency of his words.
"Of course." The judge stood up then and faced Cas, wondering what he would ask. But he was already committed and nothing would be too much compared to his first born. Spruce was in no position to argue.
"What do you want me to do?" The judge braced himself and waited.
"I want you to take Darrell to your family doctor. And if he doesn't see anything wrong, go to a heart specialist. Will you do that?"
Elated, Darrell had handed the statement back to Fields and stood looking from his father to Cas, wondering now why Cas wanted him to see a doctor.
"Yes, I'll do that if you say so. But why? What makes you think I need to?"
"He's not as strong as someone his age should be. There is something wrong, though I don't know what. When he left Denise there on that path, it was more than panic and wanting to get home that stopped him there. He couldn't make it any farther. He said so right there in that statement. You need to get him to a doctor. One who knows what he's doing. A heart specialist." Cas was intent enough to convince Spruce to do as he said.
Worried now, the judge held out his hand to Cas, who took it still looking grave.
"I'll call and make an appointment as soon as we get home. And thank you." He gestured at Darrell.
Darrell came to shake hands with Cas.
The judge and Darrell left and Fields put an arm around Cas's shoulder as he stood at the door with him. "This will wind it up. People can stop worrying about having a murderer in their midst. You've done an impressive good job, and a compassionate thing here."
"It's a relief to have it cleared up."
"I saw a picture of you and Cortez Lorenzo in the paper," Fields studied Cas's face. "You've more than earned your salary this quarter."
"You'd be surprised how fast people can forget things like that when it comes to underwriting the budget."
Fields relaxed, amused at the frugal budget he knew the county operated on. "I can sure testify to the truth in that!"
Cas smiled, relieved to have done with the case and turned his face toward home. Sanctuary.
Epilogue
The day of the inquest, Cas attended and watched as the facts were presented. The autopsy report corroborated the turned ankle and the force of the fall on the knife. The finding was death by accident.
Cas got up to leave, to get back to his office and his work.
Judge Spruce caught up with him going back into his office.
"Can you spare me a few minutes?"
"Sure, come on in." Cas pushed the door of his office closed behind the judge but did not sit down, glancing at two notes on his desk.
"I wanted to tell you I took Darrell to our family doctor and to the heart man he works with. He told us Darrell had rheumatic fever when he was a child. We didn't even know it. But he's on some medication now, temporarily, we hope, and we'll know how to take care of him now."
Cas spindled the notes and locked his desk preparing to leave as he listened. He took something from the safe and put it in his pocket before he straightened and turned back to the judge. He nodded approval of the trip to the heart specialist but the judge still had things to tell him, so he stood patiently listening.
"I'm glad the inquest is over and I'm grateful for your help. I've decided to retire. I wanted you to know before the rest of the county. I've turned in the papers and got the ball rolling on it. We're going to move to some property my wife has had for some time. Her aunt left it to her. Anyway, it's not too far on the other side of Fort Craig near Rainbow Cove on the river, and close enough for Darrell to live at home if he goes to the university."
He hesitated before adding, "Muriel has a good job and will have a good retirement when she wants it."
"That's good." Cas glanced at his cleared desk.
"I'll walk out with you, if you're ready."
Cas nodded and opened the door, the judge beside him still talking. He talked all the way out to the parking lot.
"I don't know how, with everything else there was going on at the time, you ever figured out Darrell needed to get medical help. Are you a magician, or have second sight?" The judge raised his eyebrows, his question half serious in spite of his smile.
Cas had his hand on his car door and one foot inside. "Yeah, second sight," he grinned back. "And it sure comes in handy around this county. By the way, this belongs to you." He handed something small to the judge and drove toward the exit of the parking lot.
Before he entered the stream of traffic, Cas stopped and looked in his rear view mirror.
The judge was standing where he'd left him, staring in wide eyed disbelief at the class ring in his hand, wondering just how much Cas did know about all that had happened so long ago.
The End
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THE NELSON SCANDAL
A Maryvale Cozy Mystery
Book Two
Excerpt from
The Nelson Scandal
A Maryvale Cozy Mystery
Book Two
by
Jackie Griffey
"Connie, is Cas there? This is Rhodes."
"No, Cas hasn't got home yet. I was about to call you. It's not like him not to call if he's going to be late. Do you know if he had to stop somewhere?"
"He went on one of our rounds on the way home. I'm going to check on him now. He may have had a flat or something. I'll call you back, don't worry."
Rhodes made record time and was getting closer to the bridge. He pictured it and the road as he hurtled through the dark, lights and siren heralding his approach.
He saw Cas's car's lights first. Gripping the steering wheel hard enough to hurt, he pulled off the road and looked down at the car. The open door stirred faint hope, but there was no movement.
Thankful the lights were still on, Rhodes half climbed, half skidded down to the car, holding to the tough underbrush and outcroppings of rock to ease his descent to the open care door.
He carefully touched the still figure in the driver's seat. Blood oozed from Cas's hairline. Rhodes searched for a pulse.
The Nelson Scandal
by
Jackie Griffey
~
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The Nelson Scandal
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Cozy mystery author Jackie Griffey likes to read as well as write mysteries and romantic suspense. She and her family, two cats, a Chihuahua, and a couple of wild bunnies live in Arkansas.
Jackie loves hearing from her readers. You can contact Jackie through her publishers at JackieGriffey@epublishingworks.com
Table of Contents
Cover
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
A Note from the Publisher
Excerpt from THE NELSON SCANDAL (A Maryvale Cozy Mystery, Book 2)
Meet the Author