Fort Point (Maine Justice Book 2)

by Davis, Susan Page

  Harvey gazed at the photo. “Were she and Nadeau dating then?”

  “Oh, yes, childhood sweethearts. They were disgusting.” She laughed.

  Harvey frowned. “But they broke up later.”

  “They were married at least ten years. They had a couple of kids. She took them with her when they broke up.”

  Harvey looked at Eddie. The wheels were turning.

  “Does Tom Nadeau smoke?” Eddie asked.

  “Yes, he had a cigarette after lunch the day of the reunion.”

  “What brand?” Eddie asked casually.

  She eyed him keenly. “This isn’t just trivia, is it?”

  “You’ve got to keep quiet about it, Patricia,” Harvey said. “Please. Don’t talk to anyone, especially not the press.”

  “I won’t.” She put a few more cookies in the bag. “Marlboro, I think. The pack had red on it, anyway.” She held out the bag to Eddie.

  “Oh, I can’t take that, Mrs. Lundquist. Bribing cops, you know.”

  She laughed. “I’m not trying to bribe you, Detective Thibodeau. They’ll go to waste. Nobody’s buying. And you two look like you could use a few cookies.”

  Eddie looked at Harvey helplessly. Harvey took out his wallet and gave her two dollars. “Token payment.”

  She shrugged and put it in the cash register. “Enjoy.”

  *****

  Harvey set Eddie to tracking down the former Mrs. Nadeau and got on his computer with a program to help him identify the cigarette butts in the bag. No generics. That was good.

  Two Marlboro, a Camel, a Virginia Slims, and a Winston.

  Eddie soon reported that Cyndi Rancourt Reynolds didn’t have Nadeau’s ex-wife’s address. She only kept track of her own class, but she was sure Cathy Perkins Nadeau had remarried.

  “Great,” Harvey said. “She changed her last name again.”

  Eddie nodded. “No one seems to know what it is now. I did ask about her parents. Cathy’s mother is still in the area.”

  “Give it a try,” Harvey said.

  Arnie, meanwhile, had chatted with Nadeau’s secretary. Harvey heard him lie glibly, telling her he was a golf buddy of Tom’s and owed Tom a pack of cigarettes. He wanted to have it ready when he saw him on the weekend. Harvey wished Arnie hadn’t lied to her, but it hadn’t been too long since he’d been lying as a matter of course on undercover jobs. He didn’t say anything.

  “Marlboros,” Arnie told him when he’d ended the call. “Nadeau won’t touch anything else.”

  “Now how are we going to get the DNA samples?” Harvey asked.

  “How about waltzing in there with a warrant and emptying their ashtrays?” asked Arnie.

  Harvey thought about that. “Maybe we could. What do you think, Pete?”

  “Sure, get a warrant. But then we have to take the samples to the lab in Augusta.”

  Harvey called the judge’s chambers and was able to talk to His Honor, who was agreeable, so he wrote a note for Pete to carry to the judge with his signature. When Pete left for the courthouse, it was already after three.

  “It won’t happen today,” Arnie said fretfully.

  “We can’t sit on this until Monday,” Harvey said.

  “All right, as soon as Pete gets back, we go execute the warrants.”

  Harvey nodded.

  “I’ll run the stuff up to Augusta,” said Arnie.

  “You can’t be there by five. Even if we get the cigarette butts tonight, the lab won’t work on it until Monday.”

  “You’re right,” Arnie said.

  “Call them,” Harvey told him. “We can have a courier take it. Tell the lab it’s a rush job for them on Monday. They can have someone accept the package from the courier tonight.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Arnie said.

  Pete came back just before four o’clock with the warrants. Harvey sent him and Arnie to Murphy’s office and Eddie, Nate, and Tony to Nadeau’s. He stayed in the office and went over everybody else’s reports and typed up his own for the deputy chief, or whoever would read it eventually.

  At 4:50, the commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife called.

  “Just thought you’d want to know, Larson. A guide on the Allagash saw Mr. and Mrs. Browning at Umsaskis on Tuesday. We’ve checked the camp site, and they’re gone, but we’re looking in that area now, and down the Allagash. The guide had told Browning about a couple of good fishing spots. We’re going to try to check them before dark.”

  “Have you got your plane in the air?”

  “Yes, but we can’t spend too much aviation fuel on this. It’s not like a medical emergency.”

  “I know,” Harvey said. “Thanks for what you’re doing.”

  The men came back with their loot from the raids and tales of outrage from Nadeau and the secretary at Murphy’s office. They packaged and labeled the ashtray contents from each office and the trash from the bridge. The courier arrived and signed for it. Harvey sank into his chair feeling drained.

  They called it a day, and Harvey dropped Eddie off at his apartment.

  “Try to relax over the weekend, buddy.”

  “If you don’t mind, can I go to church with you Sunday?” Eddie asked. “We might need to talk about stuff before Monday.”

  “Of course,” Harvey said. “You can come there anytime you want. Are you sure you want to?” Eddie’s Catholic upbringing had made him leery of Harvey’s faith, and Harvey was surprised he hadn’t simply asked if they could get together in the afternoon.

  “Yeah.” Eddie didn’t quite meet his gaze.

  “Good,” Harvey said.

  He was dripping sweat when he went into his building. Mrs. Jenkins opened her door in the hall at the bottom of the stairs.

  “You got a new roommate, Harvey?”

  “Oh, yeah, that’s Jeff, my fiancée’s brother. He’s going to rent the apartment after Jennifer and I get married.”

  “He’s a handsome young man. Looks like his sister.”

  “You be good to him, okay, Rebecca?”

  “I will.” She smiled broadly. “We got the invitation. Thanks, Harvey.”

  “You’re coming to the wedding, aren’t you?”

  “Oh, my, yes. I was hoping you would keep living here.”

  “No, sorry. We’re getting a house a couple of miles from here.”

  “Well, maybe you’ll come back and visit once in a while.”

  “For sure. Especially with Jeff here.”

  He walked up the stairs. When he opened the door, the kitchen was cool and it smelled great.

  “Do I have the right apartment?”

  Jeff turned from the stove. “Hi, Harvey! I hope you don’t mind I brought an A.C. unit.” The air conditioner sat in the kitchen window, pumping cool air out over the sink.

  “Why would I mind? It’s great. You didn’t have to cook.”

  Jeff shrugged. “We cook all the time at the fire station. Thought I’d impress you tonight.” He’d made a chicken dish and mashed potatoes and salad. The table was set for two. Harvey washed his hands and sat down with him.

  “Do you want to pray, Harvey?”

  Harvey was surprised at the question but pleased. He asked the blessing and realized he felt like eating for the first time in days. While they ate, they arranged to see the landlord together to transfer the lease to Jeff.

  “I wanted to ask you something,” said Jeff.

  “Sure, what?”

  Jeff went into the living room and came back with a Bible. “I got enough time off Sunday to go to church with the folks. Took my lunch hour then. The preaching was about how everyone in the world is a sinner.”

  “Yeah?” Harvey said, surprised Jeff was going this route.

  “Yeah. Do you believe that?”

  “Sure.”

  Jeff opened the Bible to where there was a piece of paper stuck in it. “This is where he was reading.”

  Harvey looked at it. It was open to John 3. “I’ve studied that a little.”<
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  “So, do you think I’m a sinner?”

  “Well, Jeff, I’d have to say yes, not because of any particular horrible thing you’ve done, but because, like it says, we’re all sinners.”

  “Doesn’t that seem kind of … I don’t know, unfair or something? Do you think Mom and Dad are sinners?”

  “Well, yeah. We all fall short of God’s standard.”

  Harvey could see that thought made him uncomfortable. Jeff looked at the Bible and shook his head.

  Harvey said, “The first time I heard it, I wasn’t very happy, either. It took me a while to be ready to even think about it.”

  “Maybe I just need some time.”

  “Where did you get the Bible?”

  “Saw it at a yard sale. Fifty cents.”

  “Good deal.” Harvey helped himself to more chicken. He couldn’t wait to tell Jennifer that her brother was thinking deeply about his spiritual state. Their prayers were bearing fruit.

  His cell phone rang, in the pocket of the jacket he’d thrown over the back of a chair.

  “Harvey, it’s almost seven.”

  “Oh, Jenny, I’m sorry. I’ll be right there. I didn’t know how late it was.”

  “Just get over to the church, okay?” she said. “I’ll meet you there.”

  *****

  Harvey managed to get to the church only three minutes after their counseling session was due to start. Jennifer waited for him on the front steps, relieved when his SUV rolled in. He got out and walked over to her and gave her a kiss.

  “Sorry I’m late.”

  “So, Jeff got in okay.” Jennifer turned and tucked her hand in his arm as they walked down the carpeted hallway to the pastor’s study.

  “Yeah, that’s partly why I’m late. We were talking about God.”

  “You were? Oh, Harvey, I’m so glad!”

  “He just started right in on it. And he had a Bible.”

  “Fantastic.”

  Pastor Rowland was waiting for them. Harvey apologized for being late and told him about Jeff.

  “Let’s pray for him now,” said the pastor.

  When they finished, Mr. Rowland guided their discussion of wedding preparations and family life. The pastor read the command for husbands to love their wives. Not a problem, Harvey assured him.

  “Why doesn’t it say, wives, love your husbands?” Jennifer asked. “Aren’t we supposed to?”

  “Yes, but I don’t think you need to be told to do that,” the pastor said.

  Jennifer liked that.

  The pastor read a verse that said older women should teach young women to love their husbands. “Christian mothers usually give their daughters that example.”

  “My mom’s not a Christian, but I’m sure she loves my dad,” Jennifer said.

  “You have some examples here in your church family, too,” the pastor told her. “Any of the ladies here would be happy to help you if you have difficulties, I’m sure.”

  “Your wife is a great model for me.”

  They went over some more of the questions on the list. The pastor knew they were buying Mr. Bailey’s house, and he gave Harvey some advice on not letting the care of the house take over their lives.

  “And what about children?” the pastor asked. “Did you talk about that one?”

  “Uh, yeah.” Harvey glanced at Jennifer, and she caught a flash of panic in his eyes.

  She reached over and took his hand. “Harvey told me about some trauma in his first marriage, Pastor.”

  Mr. Rowland looked at Harvey. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Maybe. Yeah.” Harvey cleared his throat. “My ex-wife, while we were married, aborted a baby.” He sat still for a moment, then went on. “I didn’t know anything about it until it was too late. I wanted kids, and she didn’t, so she made sure it didn’t happen.” He breathed out a shaky breath.

  “You’ve been suffering over that for a long time,” the pastor said gently.

  Harvey nodded.

  “How are you dealing with this, Jennifer?” Mr. Rowland asked.

  She stroked Harvey’s hand, knowing that talking about it was a huge step for him. “I’ve thought about it a lot since he told me. It wasn’t Harvey’s fault. We both want children. I can’t see it being a problem in our marriage, but I think he could use some help coping with the painful memories.”

  Mr. Rowland nodded. “Harvey, I’d like to do a little research. Maybe I can find some resources for you. Would you meet with me, just the two of us, perhaps next week?”

  “Yeah. I mean, I’m pretty stressed at work right now, but. . .well, Jenny’s right. I would like to talk about it before the wedding, if possible.”

  They picked a time outside the regular sessions.

  “If it’s a comfort to you,” Pastor Rowland said, “I believe you have a child in heaven.”

  “And I’ll get to see it one day?” Harvey’s tears were close, and he clung to Jennifer’s hand.

  “I think so. Just don’t ever let this issue come between you and Jennifer.”

  “Never,” Harvey said.

  Jennifer nodded. “We can handle it.”

  When the hour was up, they left the pastor and went out to the parking lot. Harvey had parked beside Jennifer’s car.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “Come here.” He hugged her fiercely. “You’re too good to me.”

  “Don’t ever say that.” She looked up at him. “I love you.”

  Harvey said, “I’ll follow you home.”

  “Part of me wants to run right over to your place to see Jeff.”

  “You’ll see him tomorrow,” Harvey said.

  “You’re right. But you don’t need to see me home. Beth’s there. Go back to Jeff.”

  He put a hand up to her hair. “I love you. We’ll talk about this again.”

  “Yes. When you’re ready.”

  She held him for another moment, hoping she could be the one to give strength for once. This old wound might never stop hurting.

  “It’s all going to be good when we’re together, Harvey.”

  He pulled her tighter.

  The outside light on the front of the church went off, and the pastor came out. Harvey released her and waved to Pastor Rowland. He opened Jennifer’s car door and put her inside. When they drove out of the yard, she turned left and he turned right.

  Chapter 15

  Saturday, July 3

  Harvey helped Jeff unpack some of his things on Saturday morning. Whenever he emptied a box, Harvey put some of his books in it to move to the new house. When Eddie dropped in around ten o’clock, they were ready for a break. The three of them went over to the park and played basketball.

  “You seeing Sarah this weekend?” Harvey asked.

  “I don’t think so,” Eddie replied.

  “Why not?”

  “Well … I don’t want to get too intense,” Eddie said.

  “Looked pretty intense Tuesday night.”

  “See, that’s the problem. When I’m not with her, I think she’s a nice girl and I like her a lot, but I don’t want to commit, at least not yet. When I’m with her, sometimes I forget.”

  “Is she looking for commitment?” Jeff asked, taking a shot. He hadn’t met Sarah yet.

  Eddie went for the rebound and held the ball under his arm. “Maybe. This wedding mania with Jennifer is catching, I think. All the women at the P.D. are thinking diamonds right now.”

  “Sorry,” Harvey said. “I didn’t mean to cause problems for all the bachelors in the department.”

  “Are you praying for her?” Eddie asked. Jeff looked at him sharply.

  Harvey said, “Yes, we are. Jennifer and I. You want to give me any specifics?”

  Eddie dribbled the ball a few times and shot at the hoop. Harvey caught the rebound.

  “Her parents are divorced,” Eddie said. “She lives with her mom. Her sister lives with her dad. The two halves of the family fight all the time.”

 
Harvey tossed him the ball. “Why doesn’t she move out?”

  “She doesn’t want to leave her mother alone, I guess.”

  “Well, you don’t want to marry her and her mother, if you get my drift.”

  “She’s got a big grudge against her dad.”

  “Other than the divorce?”

  “I think so,” Eddie said. “She won’t talk about it.”

  Harvey shook his head. “Too much baggage.”

  Eddie frowned and tossed the ball to Jeff.

  “Do you think she needs help?” Eddie asked.

  Harvey went after Jeff, trying to steal the ball. When Jeff put it up, he said, “You mean psychological help?”

  “Well, you know.”

  Eddie got the rebound.

  Harvey said, “Sounds like she might need spiritual help. I’ll keep praying for her. And you.”

  “Eddie, do you believe in God?” Jeff asked, tossing the ball from one hand to the other.

  “Yes, but … yes.”

  “I’m starting to think I might,” said Jeff.

  Eddie considered that. “I’m going to church tomorrow with Harvey.”

  “With me, too, then.”

  Eddie slapped the ball away from Jeff and dribbled toward the hoop. They played a while longer, then Eddie left. Jeff and Harvey went home and showered and ate leftovers and did a little more packing-unpacking.

  “At least Jennifer didn’t rope me into being in the wedding,” Jeff said. He seemed to have an aversion to tuxedoes. “So, Harvey, her roommate, Beth. Does she have a boyfriend?”

  “Don’t think so.”

  “She’s a nice girl.” It was almost a question.

  “Yeah, very nice. But—”

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” Harvey figured it wasn’t his place. Beth could keep Jeff at bay. “Maybe you can run with Eddie and me if you move to down here.”

  “I’d like that, when I’m not on duty. They have a three days on/two off schedule. Are you going to keep running after you’re married?”

  “Going to try. We’ll be a couple of miles away. I’ll have to drive over, but it won’t kill me. I don’t want to lose that time with Eddie.”

  “He’s a good friend.”

  “Yeah.”