ONE OF THEIR OWN (Det. Jason Strong(CLEAN SUSPENSE Book 6)

by John C. Dalglish

  When Jason got back to the funeral home, he found Vanessa and her husband, Rob, standing with Sandy. Rob and Jason shook hands, and the four headed inside.

  The biggest funeral home in San Antonio was chosen for the viewing, and it was still full to overflowing. The main room, beige with dark oak moldings, was filled with row upon row of white canvas-backed seats. There wasn’t an empty chair. A brown carpet and low lighting added to the solemn aura of the occasion.

  At the front of the room, the black casket lay on a walnut pedestal, its top half open. Nina, laid out in her officer’s dress uniform, looked as if she could stand up at any minute.

  An American flag was draped over the unopened end of the casket, Nina’s officer dress cap lying on the flag. Standing at attention, by the foot of the casket, was an officer in full dress uniform. Tradition had it that someone would stand guard over their fallen comrade whenever the public was present.

  On both the left and right sides of the main hall, accordion doors had been pulled back, exposing more rows of seats. At the front, Jason spotted Lieutenant Patton sitting by Nate Jefferson.

  Nate was acknowledging people’s condolences, even though most of those who stopped were most likely strangers to him. To Jason, he appeared to be on a sort of autopilot, just struggling to get through it all.

  Patton stood when the four came up front, showing them to their reserved seats. Jason and Sandy sat holding hands and watching. Every few minutes, another group would come up, stand next to the casket, go over to Nate, and say a few words before leaving.

  They watched this process go on for nearly two hours. The mourners started to thin out, and Jason began to think Menendez wasn’t going to show. Just then, he came into the main hall.

  Menendez stopped at the guest registry, signed in, and made his way to the front. Jason watched the detective, who didn’t go to the casket, but instead went directly over to Nate.

  After saying a few words, he walked to the back of the hall, without ever looking at Nina. Jason felt himself beginning to stand, anger propelling him, but Sandy touched his arm. “Where are you going?”

  He looked at Sandy, giving her a smile, then back to Menendez, but he was already gone. Jason’s anger raged inside, but he remained seated.

  Not even five minutes. He couldn’t give her five lousy minutes.

  Sandy was watching him. “Do you want to get some air?”

  Jason decided they should leave. Sandy had been a champ, but it was time to get her out of there. They’d already been up to the casket a couple times, but Jason wanted to stop up there once more.

  After a few minutes, Jason and Sandy went over to say goodbye to Nate. They stopped in front of the young man, and Jason crouched down to look Nate in the eyes. “If you need anything, you call.”

  Nate nodded, managing a small smile. “Thanks, Jason.”

  Jason stood, taking Sandy’s hand, and they headed for the door. Vanessa and Rob were right behind them.

  When Jason got outside, he looked for Menendez, but he was nowhere to be found. Jason figured that was probably a good thing, for both him and Menendez.

  *******

  The next morning, Jason and Vanessa arrived to the station at the same time. They walked up to the main doors in silence. When they got into the station, Vanessa nudged Jason, pointing to the honor wall.

  A new picture of Nina hung below the Killed in Action heading. The photo was just how Jason remembered her. A big smile on a little face. They stopped to look at it for a minute before getting on the elevator.

  When they arrived on the third floor, they found Menendez and the lieutenant in conversation. Lieutenant Patton turned toward them as they got to their desks.

  “I was just telling Frank here, Captain Garcia has ordered extra range time for every detective.”

  Jason knew it was coming, but Vanessa didn’t, and she was surprised. “Why?”

  Jason grinned to himself, knowing the lieutenant was used to Vanessa wanting a reason for everything. It was part of what made her a good detective.

  John Patton smiled. “I thought you might ask that, Miss Layne. In light of what occurred with Nina Jefferson, the captain wants every detective at their best. You have forty-eight hours to do the extra work.”

  Vanessa pushed for more. “Does the captain feel more of us are at risk?”

  The lieutenant tried not to look exasperated. “Vanessa, I don’t know. I got the order this morning, and now you’re getting it.”

  Jason jumped in to change the subject. “Has the funeral been scheduled?”

  “Yes. It’s two o’clock this Friday.”

  Jason turned to Vanessa. “You want to go shoot now?”

  “Yeah, might as well get it done.”

  Jason looked at Menendez. “You want to join us, Frank?”

  He shook his head. “No, thanks. I’ll make time tomorrow.”

  Inside Jason was frustrated, but he didn’t let it show. “Suit yourself.”

  Jason and Vanessa got back on the elevator and rode it down to the basement. The whole way down, Jason wanted to tell Vanessa what was going on, but he decided to wait. Soon, he hoped, she would help him arrest Frank Menendez.

  Chapter 18

  Jason took both Wednesday and Thursday off. Sandy had an appointment with her obstetrician, so he used that as an excuse to get away from the station. He didn’t trust himself when he was around Menendez.

  Sandy and he were waiting in the doctor’s office after yet another ultrasound, and when the doctor came in, he was smiling. He sat behind his desk, folded his hands, and looked at Sandy.

  “You ready to have this baby?”

  Sandy rolled her eyes. “Am I ever!”

  “Well, good. You’re at four centimeters, and if you don’t go into labor by Monday, we’ll induce on Tuesday.”

  Jason smiled. “Sounds great to me, Doc.”

  Sandy elbowed him. “Sounds even better to me!”

  The doctor laughed. “Then it’s all settled.”

  *******

  At home that night, Jason and Sandy watched ‘Father of the Bride.’ It was one of their favorite movies, and had special significance now.

  Nina’s funeral was the next day, and the distraction was welcome. After the movie, Sandy wanted to know the schedule.

  “What is your plan tomorrow?”

  Jason rubbed his face, more tired than he could ever remember being, and gave her a sad smile.

  “I’ll be going into the station in the morning. At lunch, I’ll come home to get dressed. You and I can leave from here.”

  “What’s the weather tomorrow?”

  “Last I heard, a sunny and cool fall day. October is just around the corner.”

  Sandy put her head on her husband’s shoulder. “It should be a nice day for Nina. She’s going to be happy in heaven. We’re the ones who are left behind to deal with the sadness.”

  Jason smiled. “Have I told you how much I love you, lately?”

  She looked up at him, returning his smile. “Yes, but tell me again.”

  *******

  Jason arrived early on Friday. The door to Lieutenant Patton’s office was closed again. Vanessa was sitting at her desk and saw Jason coming.

  “You’re to knock and go in.”

  Jason could tell Vanessa was starting to get irritated by being left in the dark. “Okay, thanks.”

  “Apparently, I’m your new appointment girl.”

  That one stung. “Come on, Vanessa. It’s not like that.”

  “Really? What is it like?”

  He stood there for a second, trying to decide what he could tell her, if anything. Frank Menendez came out of the elevator, and Jason realized it was too dangerous. He walked over the Lieutenant Patton’s office, banged on the door, and went in.

  Patton, with a phone to his ear, suddenly quit talking, signaling Jason to shut the door. Once it was closed, he waited for Jason to sit down before putting the call on speaker.

  “Dete
ctive Strong is here now.”

  “Detective, this is Meyers. Good morning.”

  “Good morning, ma’am.”

  “I have some very good news, Detective. We obtained several bullets from the gun of Menendez. Doc Josie has confirmed them to be a match to the bullet found in Stan Magnus.”

  Jason’s heart started pounding a little harder. “Excellent. What next?”

  “I’ll be taking the case to the District Attorney and asking for an arrest warrant on Menendez.”

  “What charges?”

  “Murder One in the death of Magnus and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Nina Jefferson. The conspiracy charge is iffy, but the captain wants to go for it.”

  The lieutenant interrupted. “Jason, I’ve asked that you be included in the arrest team. Your good work has led to bringing this guy down.”

  Jason nodded. “Thank you, Sir. When do we hope to get the warrants?”

  Meyers answered. “Hopefully, later this afternoon or this evening.”

  Jason stood up. “I’ll be ready.”

  *******

  Roselawn Cemetery was west of downtown San Antonio. Like most of this part of the state, it was flat with too few trees. The forecast had been correct, and a cool breeze played with the flaps of the funeral canopy over Nina’s coffin. Uncountable headstones ran in every direction, glimmering in the late September sun.

  Jason and Sandy sat next to Vanessa and Rob, in the second row directly behind Nate Jefferson. Lieutenant Patton and his wife sat next to Nate.

  Officers in their dress uniforms spilled down from the road to the place where the flag-draped coffin rested. A large wreath of red roses sat propped on a stand next to the coffin, circling a picture of Nina smiling in her uniform.

  A police band stood off to one side, playing a series of hymns. The pastor of Nina’s church in Austin had come down to deliver the eulogy. Many members of the Austin Police Department had made the trip as well.

  Jason sat watching the events, all of it moving like some slow motion, pain-filled movie. Many of the officers, whether they knew Nina or not, had tears in their eyes. Jason knew why.

  There but for the grace of God go I.

  A trumpeter stepped forward and played Taps. The mournful tune echoed through the cemetery, unchallenged by other sounds. When he finished, seven riflemen marched until they stood at the top of a nearby rise.

  To the call of their sergeant, they loaded and fired a round. Even though she was expecting it, Sandy jumped. Jason looked at his wife and wondered if she was picturing herself in Nate’s place. The guns fired two more times, the sound dying off in the distance.

  Four officers, two on each side, performed the ceremonial removal of the flag, lifting it, folding it, creasing it. They repeated the maneuver several times, perfect unison in each fold. The highest ranking of the four officers marched the folded flag over to Nate and presented it to him. He saluted.

  A few minutes later, bagpipes began to play Amazing Grace as people started to file past the coffin. Some laid flowers, some saluted, and some just touched the casket before leaving.

  Sadness overwhelmed Jason in a way he’d never felt before. He’d been to many funerals, but he couldn’t remember any injuring him so deeply.

  Jason spotted Menendez leaving. The detective had stopped to talk to a couple officers, sharing a joke. Jason struggled with the thought of Menendez not answering for what he’d done. One way or another, Jason was going to make sure that didn’t happen.

  He thought about the District Attorney, Daniel Lusk, who Jason had met a handful of times. The D.A. didn’t lose many cases, partly because he only went to court with cases he was confident he would win, and partly because he didn’t like to lose.

  Jason had testified at cases on the state’s behalf in the past, and he’d always been impressed with the fiery, redheaded prosecutor. They should have the warrants by morning.

  Chapter 19

  Jason didn’t have any trouble getting up early on Saturday morning. Despite it being the weekend, he knew Shelly Meyers would be anxious to arrest Menendez. Jason was going to be ready to go.

  Sandy rolled over in bed and looked at him. “What are you doing up so early?”

  He sat down next to her. “The lieutenant asked me to come in this morning to help serve an arrest warrant.”

  “Why you?”

  “It’s a case I’ve taken special interest in and he wants me to be there. I’ll be home as quick as I can.”

  Still sleepy, she rolled back over. “Okay.”

  *******

  When Jason arrived at the station, Lieutenant Patton was waiting for him. “Come in here.”

  Jason went into the lieutenant’s office and closed the door. “Any news?”

  “Yes, but you’re not going to like it.”

  The lieutenant picked up the phone, dialed a number, and pushed the speaker button.

  “Meyers.”

  “Shelly, this John Patton. I’m here with Detective Strong.”

  “Good morning, Detective.”

  “Morning.” Jason didn’t like the feel of this conversation at all.

  “The D.A. has made his decision on the warrants. He is willing to go forward with the Murder One against Menendez in the death of Stan Magnus.”

  Jason could tell there was still another shoe to drop. “But?”

  “But he won’t charge Frank with conspiracy in the death of Detective Jefferson.”

  Jason sat silent for a minute, desperately trying to calm himself.

  “Why not?”

  Meyers, to her credit, ignored the tone of Jason’s voice.

  “District Attorney Lusk said the biggest issue is motive. There’s no evidence to suggest why Menendez would want Nina dead.”

  Meyers cleared her throat. Jason was beginning to think the throat clearing was a nervous habit.

  “If you can’t prove why he would have her killed, the rest of the connections are circumstantial, easily explained by Detective Menendez as normal communication with his source.”

  Jason looked at Patton. “What about Stan’s fingerprints at Nina’s house?”

  The lieutenant shook his head. “Doesn’t tie Frank to the murder, only Magnus.”

  “Anyway,” Meyers said, “I’m getting ready to go arrest Menendez, and I know you wanted to go. Can you meet me out front in ten?”

  Jason stood. “No.”

  “No, you can’t be ready in ten minutes?”

  “No, as in I’m not going.”

  Lieutenant Patton, who knew Jason as well as anybody at the station, was caught off guard. “Why not?”

  “I’m not interested in arresting Menendez for killing Magnus. When we can nail him for what happened to Nina, I’ll be first in line to get him.”

  Meyers cleared her throat. “I know you’re frustrated, but we can’t arrest him for something we can’t prove.”

  Jason walked to the door, opened it, then turned to the phone. “In that case, if you need me, I’ll be trying to find the proof to make that man pay.”

  He left the office and went straight to the elevator. He was going home, but first he had one stop to make.

  *******

  Vanessa opened the door, the surprise obvious on her face. “Hey. Didn’t expect you. What’s up?”

  “Can I come in?”

  “Of course.” She swung the door wide. “I just put Kasen down for a nap.”

  They went through the house and out onto the back deck. Jason accepted a soda from his partner, sitting down at the patio table.

  “Rob home?”

  Vanessa shook her head. “No, he’s working on a car he needs to have done by Monday. Are you okay? You seem a little on edge.”

  He gave her half-smile. “You know me too well. Actually, I’ve been better.”

  “You sick?”

  “No. I was forced to keep you out of the loop on part of the investigation into Nina’s death.”

  It was her turn to smile. “No
kidding! I knew something was up, but I figured you’d tell me when the time was right.”

  “Well, I don’t know if the time is right, but I don’t care. Here’s what you don’t know. . .”

  Jason spent the next half hour filling Vanessa in on all that had taken place. He went over the conversations with Internal Affairs, the plan to get Menendez’s bullets at the range, and the decision by the D.A. not to charge Menendez with conspiracy.

  When he was done, she sat staring at him, twirling her soda can on the table. “What did you say to them today?”

  “I said I wanted no part of arresting Menendez, and that I was going to work on proving his connection to Nina’s murder. That’s where you come in.”

  “Okay, how?”

  “I figure Nina must have had something on Menendez, something he was looking for when he tossed her home.”

  “Makes sense, but we went over that place pretty good, both before and after Menendez was there. Of course, we’re assuming he was the one who searched the house.”

  “I know, I know. Think about it, though. Nina was no dummy. She would have had it somewhere very secure.”

  Vanessa nodded. “Again, makes sense.”

  Jason leaned forward. “Go with me to Nina’s and search again. Let’s take as long as necessary to find it. I know it’s there.”

  “Okay, Jason. You know I’m in. When?”

  “Tomorrow, after church.”

  *******

  Shelly Meyers opened the door to Interview Room 3, and without saying a word, sat at the white table. She opened a folder and began to study some notes.

  Menendez sat across from her, cuffed in his chair. “Are these cuffs really necessary?”

  She answered without looking up. “I make all murderers wear them.”

  “Oh, I see how it is. You’ve already convicted me.”

  “Well, Frank, let’s talk about what we know.” She flipped a page in the file folder, still not looking at him. “First, we can place you at the same location as Stanley Magnus around the time he was shot. Second, we know your weapon fired the bullet that killed him. Third, we have testimony from another detective, putting you in possession of evidence at the scene. That evidence has disappeared.”