Seeing Kristy in her new dress, Emma pulled her aside after opening the door. As Matt went to the living room to find Jake, Emma whispered to Kristy. "You look amazing! I bet his eyes popped out when he saw you."
Kristy blushed, "Let's just say I think he liked the dress."
Locking arms with her, Emma led Kristy into the living room. "I'm so sorry we broke up your dinner."
Jake and Matt were talking animatedly, with Grace listening from her perch on the recliner. Matt left the room to call Sandra, smiling at Kristy as he left. Emma raised her eyebrows, but Kristy turned away to speak to Grace.
"Do you think they knew you overheard them?" he asked.
"I don't think so. Tad didn't say anything about it when we went over the paperwork for one of his cases this afternoon."
"Do you still have Jameson's calendar for July of 2012?"
"The CA's office archives all the calendars. I could pull it for you tomorrow if you like."
"Can you do it without calling attention to yourself? I think to be safe, you should let me come to the office and ask for it along with all of the other ACA calendars. It won't draw attention to you then."
"It's no problem, detective. Tad has to be in court first thing tomorrow so no one will notice if I run it over to you."
Matt thanked her and returned to the living room. "Blakely would have been nineteen in 1984. He was a freshman at South Dakota Western University in Rapid City. When did the Coroner think Katie was killed?"
"He couldn't be sure but he thought March or April," said Jake. "Months, not weeks and defiantly not years."
"Blakely is from Riverton," said Matt. "If he was home for Spring Break, he'd drive through Newcastle on his way back to school."
"I hate to sound like a defense attorney," said Jake, "but you have nothing. If Blakely was home for Spring Break and if Katie died on a date that correlates with Spring Break, which according to the Coroner is impossible to say. I could drive a truck though that much reasonable doubt."
Matt ran his hand through his hair. "I know, I know. I went through that box you brought back from Stockman. There was nothing there. I am mystified why anyone would bother to steal it, let alone twice."
"Because he didn't want there to be any chance of Katie's case being reopened," said Grace. "He would know that if anyone exhumed the body, the technology has advanced to the point the police would have a good chance of identifying her."
"You're thinking Katie was someone he knew and once we know who she is, the trail will lead to him," finished Matt.
"But there would still be no evidence. Even if you could establish she left town with him, Blakely could say he dropped her off in Casper or Wright. There's no evidence linking him to the murder scene," argued Jake.
"If your Mr. Blakely plans to run for Senate, he wouldn't want any chance of that case coming back to haunt him. Speculation about the murder is enough to convict him in public opinion and sink any chance he might have. He may not even be able to retain his current office." Grace sat back in her chair again, her eyes closed in thought.
"Why Jameson?" asked Emma. "If Blakely wants to keep it quiet, why would he bring Jameson into it?"
"Because Jameson must be working for Blakely and I don't mean just as an ACA. Blakely created the position then brought in Jameson, who Jacob tells us is not a competent attorney, to fill the position." Grace sat forward and looked at Emma. "What did Nancy say? Their offices have a connecting door and by right, Jameson's office should be occupied by the senior ACA."
"She said Carolyn didn't want it."
"Or Blakely made it clear to Carolyn he didn't want her in there so to save face she said she didn't want it and moved out. Carolyn was a stickler for rules and protocol. She wouldn't have walked away from the office she'd earned unless there was a reason."
"So you're saying that Blakely brought Jameson in as what? A henchman?" asked Matt.
"If that's what you call it," agreed Grace. "Blakely couldn't risk being caught bribing a county official or breaking into a storage locker. He needed someone to do those things and keep his own hands clean."
"Wouldn't he be afraid Jameson would turn on him if he were arrested doing any of those things?"
"Perhaps. There must be something we aren't seeing that gives Blakely assurance that his secrets are safe with Jameson."
"Back up a minute," said Matt. "You said Blakely bribed a county official?"
"Unless you think Adam Brinks is telling the truth. I think he was paid to conveniently look the other way when the files were stolen and possibly paid again to conveniently forget about it when we spoke with him."
"Matt, you should check his bank records," suggested Emma. Matt met her eyes, then looked away. "You already did!"
"You know I can't tell you that, Emma."
"So Blakely had Jameson bribe Brinks to make the files disappear, and they would have if Jameson hadn't thought it would be funny to sign them out with Taylor's name."
"That conversation is damning," observed Grace. "Sandra is in terrible danger if Blakely finds out she overheard them and went to the police."
"Could the connection between Jameson and Blakely be what Carolyn somehow stumbled onto?" added Emma.
"That's the million dollar question, isn't it?"
***
Sandra Birch was waiting for Matt when he arrived at his office the next morning. She handed him a large brown envelope and said she had to get back to the office before anyone missed her. "I appreciate it, Mrs. Birch, but I'm going to ask you to go home today."
"Why? Nobody saw me, detective. Nobody was in the office yet when I got there."
"I understand, and I don't mean to frighten you, but if Jameson and Blakely realize you overheard their conversation, you could be in danger."
Sandra hesitated, "All right. I'll go get my car and go home. I'll call later and tell them the baby's sick. How long do you think I'll need to stay home?"
"Only a few days. I'll call you or if you're unsure, just give me a call. Keep your doors locked and don't open them to anyone."
Sandra left and Matt took the envelope up to his office. In it, he found the original calendar Sandra had kept for Tad Jameson in July 2012. Looking at the entries for the 26th, he picked up his phone and called the Clerk of Court. He gave her the case names listed on that date and she agreed to pull the files and get back to him.
Next he called police tech Arty Thomes. "I need everything you can find on Bill Blakely and Tad Jameson. I'm specifically looking for any area where they may have crossed paths before Jameson came to Casper."
"I'll get right on it," said the young man, always eager to please. "When do you need it?"
"You know better than to ask me that Arty."
"Too true. I'll see what I can find."
Matt turned on his computer, grabbed his mug and headed for the break room. Pouring his coffee, he mused about all the things that would drive a man like Blakely to kill and whether there had been any victims between Katie and Carolyn Maxwell.
His phone was ringing as he got back to his office. Wednesday must be a slow day at the courthouse because the clerk had already pulled the four case files. "The two scheduled in the afternoon went off more or less on time. The two in the morning were postponed, one by the request of the prosecution, the other at the request of the defense. Notice was sent the day before."
"And Tad Jameson was definitely in court that afternoon?"
"He's listed in the record, yes."
Matt thanked her and hung up the phone. It was a five hour drive to Newcastle and back. It was a push, but if he left early enough, Jameson could have driven over and been back in time to appear in court by mid-afternoon. Since he knew in advance his morning would be free he might even have left the day before, stayed over in Newcastle and driven back the next morning. He'd ask Sheriff Irwin to check motel records.
He sent a quick email to Sheriff Irwin and received an immediate response along with an attachment with Adam B
rinks' account information from the Newcastle Credit Union.
He scanned the deposits. There was nothing in July 2012 except a payroll deposit but in early August, there was a cash deposit for $500. A similar deposit followed every month until the last one in December, totaling $2,500. Scrolling to recent deposits, Matt found a wire transfer deposit of $2,500 the day before Jake and Emma had paid Brinks a visit.
Matt called Thomes, who sounded a bit harried. "Hey, Matt, give a guy a break. I don't have anything yet."
"Not calling about that, I'm adding something to the list."
"What's that?"
"I need to find $2,500 in cash withdrawn by either Jameson or Blakely sometime between July and December 2012. Look for one big withdrawal in July or monthly $500 installments. Then look for another $2,500 withdrawal last week. Also look into a wire transfer deposit for Adam Brinks and tell me where it came from."
"I have bank records for the whole CA's office this year, Matt, but I don't have anything before that."
"Let me call the judge see if she'll extend the dates on the search warrant." He found the judge in chambers. It really must be a slow day over there, thought Matt. She listened to his request, asking a few questions, then agreed to amend the search warrant. Her clerk emailed Matt the amended order and Matt forwarded it to Thomes.
He'd had just replaced the receiver when the phone rang, startling him. Grace Russell wasted no time with pleasantries. "Matt, has Sandra Birch been to see you yet?"
"Yes, she was here first thing this morning. Is something wrong?"
"She isn't still there, by any chance?"
"No of course not. She was waiting for me when I got in this morning. She gave me the calendar and I told her to go home until further notice. She was going to call in sick."
"I just got a call from Nancy Keene. Sandra didn't show up for work and she didn't call. Nancy called Sandra's cell, but got no answer. She called Sandra's husband, who works from home. He said Sandra left early this morning and hasn't been back."
"I'm sure she's fine. I told her to lock her doors and not let in anyone from the CA's office so I'm sure she's just following my instructions. I'll stop by and check on her."
Matt drove to Sandra Birch's home on the east side of town and rang the bell. Her husband, after checking Matt's credentials, welcomed him in, but it was clear Sandra was not there. Matt left his card with Sandra's husband and hurried out to his car.
Back at the station, he headed to the captain's office. Matt quickly briefed him and the captain issued a BOLO for Sandra Birch. Rising, he told Matt, "Time to bring in the Chief."
15
Sandra left the police station, relieved that she'd been able to get the calendar out of storage and into the hands of Detective Joyner without being seen. She walked briskly toward the County Attorney's Office. Her car was parked in the lot next to the building. She'd pick it up and head straight home.
Passing the courthouse, she saw Tad walking down the steps on a path to intercept her. Her heart pounding, she pasted on a smile and greeted him. He met her at the bottom of the steps, a frown on his face. "What were you doing at the Police Station, Sandra?"
Sandra felt the panic set in and fought to keep it from showing on her face. Mindful that Joyner warned her not to let Tad know she was helping the police, she lied. "Paying a speeding ticket. What happened to your hearing?"
"Postponed."
Sandra resumed her walk and Jameson fell in beside her. She glanced casually around but there was little traffic and no one else on the sidewalk. Where, she thought, was the hustle-bustle of downtown Casper when you needed it?
"Why were you paying a speeding ticket during business hours?" Sandra thought she detected an edge in his voice she'd never noticed before.
"I went early," she said, walking as quickly as she could without signaling her distress. "I thought I'd be done before our office opened but would you believe there was a line?"
Jameson said nothing and Sandra hoped he would let it go. It was only one more block to the safety of her car. "Why are you walking so fast?" he asked, sounding annoyed.
"I always power walk. It's great for your health, especially when you spend all day at your desk."
Her answer seemed to reassure him. They arrived at the building and Sandra breathed a sigh of relief. She turned toward the parking lot, "You go on ahead. I need to get my lunch out of my car."
"I'll go with you."
Sandra started to feel a little panicked. "Tad, I'm perfectly capable of getting my lunch out of my car all by myself."
"Let's go."
She walked toward her car, thinking furiously how to get away from him without arousing suspicion. She fished her keys from her purse. She hadn't realized she was shaking until she missed the door lock twice, trying to control the trembling in her hands.
"Sandra, why are you so nervous?" asked Jameson. The sharp steel in his voice frightened Sandra. She tried her door again and dropped her keys. She jumped as they hit the asphalt at her feet.
Jameson bent to pick them up. Sandra cast a desperate glance around the lot but they were alone. "You're acting very jumpy this morning, Sandra. You're looking at me as though I were going to bite you."
"I...I don't know," she told him. Why couldn't she think of an excuse to get him away from her? She stammered, "It's my son. He had a fever this morning. I haven't been able to stop worrying about him. I think I should just go home." There, that was it! Surely Jameson wouldn't want to keep her from her baby if he were ill.
Jameson tilted his head at her questioningly. "Did you overhear my conversation with Bill Blakely yesterday? I pulled the door shut when I noticed it was open, but I wondered whether you heard us."
"I don't know what conversation you mean." Sandra cursed the tremble in her voice.
Jameson nodded. "I thought so. I was in the office when you took that calendar this morning, Sandra. I had an early appearance and stopped by to pick up my case file. Didn't bother turning on the lights because I just came in and out the side door, through the Boss's office. It doesn't really matter, you know. Once they realized it wasn't Taylor, they'd figure it out soon enough."
Sandra let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "I'm glad you feel that way."
"I do. Shame the Boss doesn't agree with me. He told me to kill you yesterday, but you'd already gone home and I didn't feel like killing your whole family. Even he doesn't have enough clout to make that go away." As he spoke, he took hold of Sandra's arm and forcefully guided her toward his car. Sandra resisted him, trying to pull away but his fingers gripped her with bruising strength.
"You killed Carolyn?"
"Boss did that himself. Don't fight me, Sandra. I don't want to kill you, so don't give me a reason. I just need your help to get out of Casper."
"How?" Sandra managed to get out. Her throat closed and she fought to breathe.
"Once the police tie me to those files, it's game over. Hate it when the Boss is right, but has to happen sometimes. If we leave now, I'm betting the police won't even start looking for us until we're half-way to South Dakota."
"How do I know you won't kill me once we're out of town?"
"You don't." He opened the back door of his car for her. Sandra realized with mounting horror that Jameson drove an old police patrol car. It had no interior door handles and there was a screen between the front and back seats.
Jameson started the engine and drove out of the parking lot and turned right, heading for the freeway. Sandra slumped in her back seat prison and wondered if she would ever see her husband and son again.
***
Grace called Emma as soon as she finished speaking with Matt. She told Kristy why she was calling and Kristy interrupted Emma's session with apologies to her client. The client offered to step down the hall for a few minutes while Kristy and Emma listened to Grace on the speaker phone in Emma's office. "Matthew thinks Sandra just went home and is hiding from everyone but Nancy's afraid someth
ing might have happened to her," Grace concluded.
"I worried too, both for Sandra and for Nancy. I don't think anyone's safe in that office right now."
"I agree," said Grace, her voice full of concern. "I told her to get out of there, tell them she was sick and had to go home. She thought that might be calling attention to herself."
"She may be right," said Kristy, listening on the speaker phone. "Nancy needs to lay low. Tell her to make sure she's not alone and keep her eyes open."
"That's what she said she was going to do. Oh, why did we let Sandra go to that office this morning?"
"Matt offered to go get the calendar, remember? He wouldn't have let Sandra go into work this morning if he'd thought she was in danger," defended Kristy.
"I know, I know," said Grace. "I just feel so helpless. I wanted to go see Nancy, to give her moral support, but she thought that would be a bad idea."
When Grace hung up, Emma and Kristy looked at each other and nodded. "Clear my schedule, Kristy. Could you call Matt and Jake while I finish up?"
"Consider it done." Kristy left Emma's office just as the client returned. Kristy started calling clients. With that done, she called Jake, then Matt. As much as they wanted to help, she and Emma didn't want to do anything that might make matters worse.
When Emma ushered her client out, Kristy was ready to go. "It's all set, we're meeting Jake and Matt at the police station. Matt says the Chief of Police himself is taking the lead on this but he thinks we might be able to help in the search for Sandra."
"I take it Matt's confirmed that Sandra isn't just hiding out at home?"
"No, she isn't. She left for work early and hasn't been seen since she left the police station. Matt says her car's in the CA's lot but Jameson's is gone."
They locked the office and walked to the police station. Jake was waiting in the lobby. "Is there anything new?" Emma asked after giving her husband a bear hug for dropping everything to join the search.
"I'll let Matt fill you in." Emma and Kristy followed Jake up the stairs. There was a hum of activity in the bullpen, the nickname the officers had given the police briefing room. They spotted Matt near the front of the room, conferring with other senior officers.
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