Critical Pursuit

by Janice Cantore

  Jack read everything over a couple of times, then studied the photos. After he finished, he found Lopez.

  “So you have questions?” Lopez asked, leaning back in his chair.

  Jack nodded. “The autopsies are missing.”

  “Feds have them. The lab tech being investigated worked for the coroner at the time.”

  “Do you remember how Pearce was identified?”

  Lopez rubbed his chin. “Simple blood typing. There weren’t any dental records. Pearce’s parents were off-the-wall survivalists. They didn’t believe in doctors or dentists. Pearce grew up in the mountains, just above Running Springs in a place called Green Valley Lake. We visited the Pearce cabin after the fire. It was a one-room hovel with an outhouse in the backyard.”

  “Is there a problem with the identification? Is that why the Feds are involved?” Jack studied Lopez, and the uncomfortable feeling that there was more to the incident than what was in the report began to tug at his thoughts.

  Lopez shrugged. “I can remember thinking something was wrong. But I never questioned anything.”

  Jack frowned and set the folder down on the desk. Lopez wouldn’t meet his gaze. “Sounds like maybe there were a lot of loose ends.”

  “It was a mess,” Lopez said, pulling the file toward him. “First, why are you interested so many years after the fact?”

  Jack explained about the copycat.

  “Whoa.” Lopez folded his arms. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”

  “Why? Is there something missing from this report?”

  Lopez stood, walked around his desk, and closed the office door. He paced, walking to his window before answering Jack. “Man, ten years ago I was a fresh-faced kid, new on the job with a wife and family to support. My training officer was a lazy old-timer, counting the minutes until retirement.”

  “I’ve met my share of those. But what does this have to do with Pearce?”

  “The perimeter was never secured properly.” Lopez sat, hands folded in front of him. “I always felt there was a possibility Pearce got out. When it was all over and they confirmed Pearce was dead, I relaxed. But you hear things.”

  “Like what?”

  “The bodies. When I saw them, you couldn’t tell much. Later, I heard that when they got them to the coroner, all five had their hands and feet tied with wire hangers. And they’d been shot.” He stopped as if giving Jack time to understand the importance of what he’d said.

  Jack didn’t need time. “Pearce couldn’t tie himself up like that and then shoot everyone. But if what you’re saying is true, how could the coroner identify one as Pearce?”

  “That’s what the Feds are trying to figure. Ten years ago the coroner’s office was a disaster. There was a big case going on at a nursing home where they believed a nurse was murdering elderly patients. A bunch of bodies were exhumed, tying up the entire senior office staff. Right now the wires are whispering that an unqualified tech was performing autopsies, telling cops what they wanted to hear, and if evidence didn’t exist, he was making it up.”

  Jack felt his jaw drop. “So Pearce could have walked away free and clear.”

  Lopez nodded. “Yep. Not only that, defense attorneys are lining up. Every case this dirty cop and this lab tech touched will be reviewed. Chances are, some other guilty guys will walk simply because of the appearance of impropriety.”

  “And what is the motive in all this?”

  “Best guess is that a couple of people decided they’d be judge, jury, and executioner all by themselves.”

  Jack felt his face redden as he thought of all the little girls who’d fallen prey to Pearce over the years, girls sacrificed to the god of pride or whatever it was that caused a person to lie and manipulate truth.

  44

  THE SMELL OF ANTISEPTIC and disinfectant hit Brinna like a wave of murky water as soon as she and Brian stepped into the hospital.

  “I hate hospitals,” she grumbled as they boarded the elevator. Memories of being brought to the emergency room after Milo found her jabbed at her through the murk, and goose bumps rippled across her arms. She remembered feeling violated all over again in that place. “Nothing good happens in them.”

  Brian smiled and threw an arm over her shoulder. “People get better in hospitals, most of the time.”

  “Dad’s not going to get better.”

  Brian sucked in a breath and removed his arm. “I almost forgot how to-the-point you always are. Maybe he won’t get better physically, but we can pray he’ll improve spiritually.”

  “You haven’t even been home an hour and already you start with that. He’s dying. Why go in there and fill his head with that stuff?”

  Brian smiled sadly and shook his head. “I don’t want to argue with you, Brin. I want to give Dad comfort. I firmly believe that if he’s at peace with God now, then when he dies, he’ll be in a better place.”

  Brinna shot him a disgusted glare. Thankfully, Brian shut up for the rest of the walk through the hallways.

  Their father’s room was on the fourth floor. The closer they got, the more claustrophobic Brinna felt. They were halfway to the room when Brinna’s cell phone chirped.

  Sighing with relief, Brinna stopped and grabbed her brother’s arm. “I have to answer this; give me a minute.” She turned and fled to an outdoor patio and flipped the phone open without checking the number. “Caruso.”

  “Brinna, what’s going on? I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for a while.” Maggie’s familiar voice was like a life vest thrown to a drowning person.

  Falling onto a bench, Brinna relaxed. “Hey, sorry. Yeah, there’s a lot going on. I don’t even know where to start. My dad’s in the hospital.”

  Wanting to delay her entrance into that hospital room, Brinna poured her heart out to Maggie about everything going on in her life.

  Maggie listened. That was what Brinna loved and appreciated about Maggie—she was a great listener. It was after Brinna calmed down and came up for air that Maggie spoke.

  “I don’t know how you’re standing. I know Milo was like a father to you.”

  “I can’t think about it right now.” She swallowed hard as a lump formed and fought to keep her voice from breaking. Inside, she wrestled emotions overflowing her heart. “Milo was no coward.”

  “I know. He was a great guy. But things change, Brin. Terminal cancer is a gut shot. I’d bet Milo couldn’t deal with losing his independence if things got bad. Lung cancer can do that to people.”

  “I wish he would have said something.” Brinna took a deep breath.

  “You want some moral support at the hospital?”

  “That would be awesome. You don’t mind coming down here?”

  “Not at all. I always liked your dad. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  Brinna flipped the phone shut and stood. The patio overlooked a courtyard in the center of the hospital complex. She paused at a railing and stared down without really seeing anything.

  Of all the turmoil swirling around her, it was what Brian had said about Milo talking to her mother that puzzled her the most. There was no rhyme or reason to why Milo would want to talk to Rose and not to Brinna. He’d told Brinna more than once he thought Rose was carried away with religion. True, during the odd conversation they’d had that day she visited his house, he’d mentioned doubts. Doubts about his instincts, doubts about whether or not he’d been correct denying the existence of God all his life.

  But to turn to my mom at the time of his most dire need?

  A burst of anger flared up in her mind like a Fourth of July firecracker. Anger focused on Milo. Brinna was angry that he confided in her mother and not in her, and absolutely furious that he’d never given her the chance to change his mind or even say good-bye.

  “Brinna.”

  She turned.

  Brian stood at the door. “You can’t hide out here all day.”

  Blowing out a breath, Brinna walked toward her brother. “I’m not hiding. Magg
ie called. Talking to her got me thinking about Milo. I was woolgathering.”

  Brian nodded. “I know this is hard for you for a lot of reasons. But Dad is weak. He won’t be awake much longer.”

  Shrugging, Brinna pushed past Brian. “Okay, okay.”

  Once they reached the room, Brinna let Brian enter first, taking a deep breath and reminding herself that no matter what, the Kevlar around her heart would keep her emotions safely in check.

  Rocky Caruso had a bed by the window. As Brinna made her way across the room, she wondered if her father’s yellow pallor was a result of the sunlight or his sickness. She tried to think of the last time she’d seen him. It had probably been last Christmas, she thought, frowning at her inability to remember seeing him since then.

  “Brinna, I’m glad you’re here.” Rose gave her a tight hug as she approached the bed. “He’s dozing right now. The medication makes him sleepy.” She leaned over the bed and wiped Rocky’s forehead.

  Studying her mother, Brinna saw that she appeared to have aged noticeably since just a few days ago. Her hair was impeccable today, but worry lines tugged at Rose’s eyes, and there were dark circles underneath. Yet there was vitality in the eyes. Brinna realized it was hope. Her mother probably had hope that Rocky would get better.

  Swallowing down unexpected emotion, she turned her attention to her father. He seemed to have shrunk and looked small and frail lying in the bed. Brinna struggled to remember him alive and strong, before the bottle got him, and she couldn’t.

  “Brian and I prayed for him. I think that gave him some peace, and he slipped off to sleep.” Rose reached across the bed and straightened the bedcovers.

  “He really wanted to talk to you, Brin,” Brian said.

  Brinna sucked her teeth and said nothing.

  There was a knock at the door and Maggie poked her head in. “Hi. Mind if I come in?”

  Brinna deferred to her mother and Rose nodded. “Sure, Maggie. Rocky was always fond of you.”

  “I’m sorry my visit has to come at a time like this.” Maggie stood by Brinna. “I remember some good times with your dad.”

  “Like what?” Brinna asked, raising an eyebrow at Maggie.

  “Remember when he took us down to the docks to watch the circus unload the animals? I think we were about ten or eleven.”

  Brinna frowned at her dad. “I do remember that. It was fun. Dad was sober for a few hours.”

  “I remember it too,” Brian jumped in. “You two let me tag along. We had a great time.”

  Maggie and Brian began reminiscing. Brinna stared at her father and wondered about the man she’d been embarrassed by for most of her life. Cancer—he had cancer just like Milo. But her father wasn’t going to bail out. Her father was facing the same thing her idol faced, but he was hanging on and he wanted to talk to her. Why hadn’t Milo at least extended the same courtesy?

  45

  JACK PACED from one end of his living room to the other. For the first time in a year his restlessness was not caused by dreams of Vicki.

  He’d called Chuck and filled him in on what he’d learned from Gabe Lopez. Chuck promised to check into the investigation going on in San Bernardino and call back as soon as he learned anything. Jack felt compelled to call Brinna but hesitated. Finally he picked up the phone.

  She answered after one ring. “Caruso.”

  “It’s Jack O’Reilly. Are you busy right now? I’ve got something new on Nigel Pearce.”

  “A little. I’m at the hospital with my dad.”

  Jack slapped his forehead. “Hey, I’m sorry. I forgot. This can wait.”

  “No, that’s okay. What’s up?”

  “I don’t want to go into it over the phone.”

  “Then I’ll meet you somewhere—say in about an hour down at Second and Bayshore. You know where people rent kayaks?”

  “I do. Are you sure? I don’t want to interrupt time with your dad.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you in an hour.”

  Jack set the phone down and checked his watch, hoping Chuck had something to tell him before he met with Brinna. He went into the kitchen to make some lunch and opened the refrigerator door to find it empty. When he closed the door, the calendar with the circled date of the sentencing on it caught his eye.

  He realized that he hadn’t thought about Bridges or the sentencing for quite a while, and guilt stabbed. Chewing on his lip while he gathered his wallet and car keys, he decided that in spite of himself he was emerging from his fog of grief, and he liked the feeling.

  46

  AFTER JACK’S PHONE CALL, Brinna caught the accusation on her mother’s face.

  “What?” Her forehead scrunched and she crossed her arms, matching her mother’s glare. “I’ll be here for a while longer. Dad’s still asleep.”

  Rose simply shook her head. “I’m going to get some coffee. I’ll be right back.”

  “What was the call about?” Maggie asked.

  “Jack said it had something to do with Nigel Pearce.”

  “The guy who kidnapped you?” Brian stared at Brinna. “I thought he was dead.”

  Brinna sighed, not wanting to get into everything with Brian and wondering if it was a mistake to meet with Jack. What possible new information could he have?

  She stepped closer to her dad’s bed and nearly jumped when she saw he was awake and watching her.

  “Dad! You’re awake. How do you feel?” Suddenly self-conscious because of the lame question, Brinna fidgeted with the railing on the bed.

  Brian and Maggie stepped closer, on either side of her.

  Rocky shrugged weakly. “It’s always work with you.” Watery, accusing eyes held hers.

  “Brian’s here too,” she said, pretending she didn’t hear the irritation in his voice and trying to hide the irritation in hers.

  “That job—it’s no work for a girl,” Rocky rasped.

  Brinna felt her face flush. So this is why he wanted to talk to me. To continue a lecture I’ve heard for more than six years?

  “It’s what I do. It’s what I love, and it’s what I’m good at.” Brinna’s jaw tightened. The last thing she’d wanted to do with her father when she walked into the room was argue with him.

  Rocky raised a hand and waved dismissively. “You’re a spectacle in the newspaper; that’s what you are.” A coughing fit began.

  Brinna stepped away from the bed. “It was good seeing you too, Dad,” she said as she turned for the door.

  “Brinna.” Brian grabbed her arm.

  She jerked away. “You talk to him. He’s obviously proud of you. I’ve got a meeting to go to.” Brinna passed her mother returning with coffee as she left the room, Maggie on her heels.

  “That could have gone better,” Maggie said as they got on the elevator.

  Brinna sighed. “Don’t you start with me. You saw how it went. He couldn’t wait to get after me.”

  Maggie held her hands up. “I’m not taking sides. I just made an observation.”

  “With all the stuff going on right now, the last thing I need is my father berating me again.”

  “He’s sick. Cut him some slack.”

  The elevator doors opened and they stepped off. Brinna took a deep breath and stopped, holding Maggie’s gaze.

  “I know he’s sick. I didn’t go in there expecting to pick a fight with him. He always does that to me.” She pounded her palm with a fist. “Why can’t I just ignore it?”

  “Sometimes the people we love the most are the hardest to talk to. I’ve watched you for so many years.” Maggie stepped close. “All the approval you got from Milo, you really wanted from your dad. Trouble is, now Milo’s gone and your dad is not far behind. You do a great job, Brin, whether he notices or not.”

  Brinna looked away, throat thick. “Since when did you become a psychiatrist?”

  “You’re my friend. I can’t imagine dealing with what’s on your plate right now. I want you to know I’m here for you.”

&nbs
p; Wiping her eyes, Brinna sighed. “Thanks, Maggie, thanks. Right now I don’t want to talk about my father.” She started for the door and Maggie fell into step with her.

  “Then what’s up with O’Reilly?” Maggie asked when they reached the parking lot.

  Brinna told Maggie about the abduction and rescue of Jessica and the similarities to her own abduction.

  “Do you think it’s a copycat?”

  “I don’t know what to think.” She groaned and stretched. “I just don’t want this guy to hurt any more kids.”

  “He doesn’t have a chance with the Kid Crusader on his trail.”

  Brinna managed a chuckle. “I hope you’re right, Sister Mary Sunshine.”

  “I am. Try not to be so pessimistic. I’ve got your back.”

  * * *

  Brinna stopped at home to pick up Hero, knowing he’d appreciate a trip to the beach. Besides, it felt good to hug the furry dog, whose tail wagged furiously because he was happy to see her.

  At least somebody was.

  The dog bounded out to the truck, and Brinna felt her spirits lift. Maggie’s words about her father’s approval had struck a nerve and she worked hard to push the confrontation with him from her thoughts.

  Her phone rang twice on the way to Second and Bayshore. The first was from Janet Rodriguez, telling her that the shooting board had picked a time and date to convene.

  “Umm, okay,” Brinna said. “I know it’s better to get it out of the way, but I’ve got so much on my mind.”

  “Once all the facts are reviewed, it may stick a sock in Hester Shockley’s mouth. Monday night after squad meeting.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  The second call brought even more sobering news. It was from Milo’s son, Will.

  “Brinna Caruso. This is Will Milovich, Milo’s son. I wanted to call and tell you about the memorial service for my dad. His wishes were clear. He didn’t want a dog and pony show. So we’re just going to have a small service out at that park near his house in Santa Clarita. It’ll be on Sunday, about noon. I hope you’ll be there.”