“She wouldn’t do that. Wow, well said! You have about summed up our opinion of you, so far that is.”
“The thing is, I want to change. Its not going to be easy but I want to try. DA Jefferies came down on me pretty hard when I screwed up that Roger Jenkins’s murder. My attitude and demeanor toward you and JJ was uncalled for and I acted like a chauvinistic pig in particular while dealing with you. That whole thing was a real low point in my life and it caused me to take a good look at my, so far, brilliant police career.” Mercer said with quite a bit of sarcasm on the brilliant part.
“So, you’re telling me this, why?”
“You can help me change and I’m sure I can help you, in your investigation I mean. I’ve been following it in the news and at headquarters.”
“I’ll tell you what, you give me your personal cell number and I will give this some thought. I will also run it by the office here and get their opinion on this. You’ll hear from me soon on our decision,” Megan said as she stood, “I’ll show you out, oh, do you have a business card that has your personal cell on it?”
He did have one and he gave it to Megan as he was shown out the door. Megan stood at the open lobby door and watched him leave before she closed the door and returned to her office to think about this.
Chapter Twenty Four
The Heir, The Lawyer and The PI
“Ok, let’s deal with the elephant that was in this room a short time ago.” Megan said as all had gathered in the conference room again.
“It wasn’t an elephant, it was an Ass,” JJ put in to the appreciation of Christine.
Megan spent the next few minutes bringing both up to date on what Mercer had asked of them. She added her own opinion by saying, “I thought he was sincere in his wishes to change but, I’m not sure someone can actually make that change just by wanting too.
“I don’t know if I buy it at all.” JJ said.
“There are some things that a police or sheriff detective has access too that we don’t and that access may mean the difference between solving a crime or not.”
“I guess you’re right but, he could just be out to take credit in case we can prove Mr. Logan’s death and Megan’s fall were the results of some criminal activity.”
“Well, we won’t know the answer to that unless we give him a try,” Megan then asked the question, “any real strong reservation on bringing him in to help?”
There was little objection so Megan told JJ he could run the attack video for them after she called Detective Mercer and had him come back to the office. They would then all watch it together.
JJ took the lull in that case, while waiting for Detective Mercer, to try to find out some info on Mrs. Betsy Myers. He logged onto his computer and typed in the name and then selected one of the Betsy Myers that lived in an area that might possibly migrate to the Shady Elms Rest Home when necessity demanded. There were actually three and after looking at the age of each he determined that the elderly one was a better choice than the other two, both being in their mid forties.
First thing he noticed on the details of Betsy Myers life was the date of her birth not followed, as he expected, by the date of her passing. He thought that maybe this wasn’t the right Betsy Myers but he wouldn’t rule it out until she was thoroughly looked at.
JJ typed in PeopleFinder.com to see if he could get a history on this Betsy Myers. When the program came up he typed in her name then selected the block necessary for a full background check and resident history on the Betsy Myers with the Shady Elms address. He paid for the report with the office credit card.
The report was extensive and went back many years. It did list her current address at the Shady Elms Rest Home. The previous address was what JJ was after. It wasn’t as expected being out of state and some distance away. A previous telephone number was listed and after looking up the area code he found that it matched the address given. Nothing to lose he dialed that number just in case the house still belonged to Mrs. Myers and was being lived in by a relative while she was in the rest home.
“Hello,” came from the ear piece when the third ring was answered.
“Hello, this is James Jacques of M&M Investigation. May I ask to whom I’m speaking.”
“I’m sorry, who is this?”
“M&M Investigations looking into the affairs of Mrs. Betsy Myers. Is this a relative of Mrs. Betsy Myers?”
“Well yes, I’m her grand niece, I’m Carla Myers. Actually, I’m her only living relative.”
“Hi Carla. My partner, Megan, and I would like to get together with you as we have some question that you may be able to answer.”
“Answers? I’m not sure I have any current answers. It would be best if you contact her doctor as I haven’t been able to speak with her for some time. I’ve tried but there has always been some minor reason, she’s sleeping, she is having respiratory distress or there’s some kind of treatment she is currently receiving, thereby preventing my contact by phone.”
“I’ve spoken with her doctor, Dr. Charles Helton, is that who you have spoken too also?”
“Dr Helton, yes he is the one. I feel really bad about not getting up there to see her but I am tied to my business here and it has been so demanding I am afraid to take any time away.”
“We really need to see you and get these things settled as it is imperative that this is taken care of as soon as possible,” JJ said.
Carla agreed to their meeting her tomorrow at her office. Anytime would be fine and she will just have to set things aside for the time they need to answer the questions they have.
Once JJ looked up the address that Carla had given him he realized it wasn’t as far as he had expected and he and Megan could make the trip in about 3 hours, not allowing for traffic.
Placing Christine in charge for the day JJ and Megan hit the road early. A quick stop at Starbucks and they were on the way. JJ set the cruise at five miles above the posted speed limit, hoping this would not alert any highway patrols and it should get them there a few minutes sooner than the GPS unit suggested their arrival time would be.
They parked right in front of the office and were met at the door by Carla Myers, who introduced herself to the two PIs.
After they were seated in Carla’s office she spoke, “So, you have some questions about the affairs of my Aunt Betsy?”
JJ took the question after handing her the info and photo he had printed out from that web site, “Is this your Aunt Betsy and could you tell me the last time you actually got to speak to your Aunt at the Shady Elms Rest Home?”
“Yes, that is her, good picture. It has been years since we’ve spoken and I really have little excuse for not visiting, I’m so ashamed of my actions. I love my aunt and it’s not like me to always find a compelling reason for not taking a trip to see her. I have always been assured that she was well taken care of by Dr. Helton.”
“Who takes care of her finances for the stay at Shady Elms Rest Home, if you don’t mind my asking?” Megan asked.
“That was set up by our lawyer and is on an automatic payment plan which keeps the cost at a set rate, thereby, preventing cost of living adjustments.”
“Can you check to see if those payments have been made and that there are no delinquent payments? Just want to make sure that she is current and up to date,” JJ asked.
Carla turned to her computer and after typing a few entries she turned the screen around so JJ could see. The payments were up to date with the last payment deposited electronically in the Shady Elms account earlier this month.
JJ looked at Megan who shrugged her shoulders as if she was giving the go ahead and tell her. “We hope we are wrong but we have some info that leads us to believe your Aunt Betsy Myers passed away some years ago and wasn’t reported by the good doctor at Shady Elms for some unknown reason. This is the answer we need to clear up as soon as possible.”
“I don’t know what to say. Is this true? Why would anyone do that?” Carla was up out of her chair pacing
behind her desk, her eyes had filled with tears almost to overflowing. “How can we prove this or disprove this would be better? Are you sure?”
“Well, no we aren’t sure. We think the best way is to go see your aunt at her place of residents. Do you think you and your lawyer could go with us back to the Shady Elms to have a look see and set the record straight either way,” Megan asked.
Carla was on the phone for some time before she turned back to Megan and JJ as she hung up. “We, my lawyer and I with the necessary paperwork, will meet you tomorrow at your office around 10 am. We need this time to get things together because, if you are right, they aren’t going to just open the doors to us without some proof of who we are.”
Megan gave Carla her business card. Carla shook hands with both the PIs with a, “See you tomorrow,” as they left.
On the way home Megan called Detective Mercer and filled him in on the Shady Elms investigation and asked if he would accompany them in his official law officer capacity. He assured her that he would do that and would meet them at their office around 10 am tomorrow morning.
Chapter Twenty Five
Robin Hood Conspiracy
It took a little time for JJ to bring everyone up to speed on the results he would like. He was hoping to make sure that Shady Elms did not get closed down and that his client, Joe Johnson, wasn’t out of a job. As far as he could tell the residents were the priority at Shady Elms and they were treated well by a caring staff. With this in mind he, and now Carla, just wanted to know the status of her Aunt Betsy Myers.
Once Ms. Sarah Ames notified Dr. Helton that M&M Investigation was there again, this time with a party that included a lawyer, a policeman, a relative and the two PIs he humbly responded and showed all into his office.
“First thing, this whole thing is on me. I alone did it and I lied to you, Ms Carla, about the status of your aunt,” Dr. Helton took his seat behind his desk and continued, “I’m sorry is all I can offer.”
“That’s not all I need, I need to know about my aunt,” Carla said.
“Your aunt was a really great person and she did not deserve to die like she did but it was just a careless accident by a caretaker. It was a critical time for care facilities around here and I was afraid we would be shut down and we wouldn’t be allowed to care for these folks that needed us,” Helton supplied.
“A critical time? I don’t understand, something more important, the death of one of your residents would seem to be the most critical item?” JJ asked.
“One of the care facilities in a nearby town was shut down due a similar situation and it was all over the news. All the facilities were scrambling to protect themselves and then your aunt dies when a caregiver let a gurney tip over while she was being taken to the clinic for a routine checkup.” Helton stood and began to pace in the small space behind his desk, “I let the caregiver go and I took care of your aunt. I signed the death certificate but didn’t do the other paperwork or the reporting I should have done and this is where we are now.”
“It seems you didn’t stop the monthly financial allowance coming from Mrs. Myers account either.” Carla’s lawyer put in.
“Yeah, how about that? I have no excuse for that but I did put it to good use supplementing some of our less fortunate residents who are staying here,” Helton explained. “Your aunt had a very nice funeral too, all her friends here attended.”
“You are a regular Robin Hood, taking from the rich and giving to the poor. I’m surprised you haven’t received a Nobel Prize for your thoughtfulness,” Detective Mercer sarcastically added as he left the room already on his phone as he dialed Assistant DA Jefferies to inform her of the malfeasants committed by Dr. Helton.
Megan, JJ, Carla, and Carla’s lawyer all left the room and proceeded out to their waiting vehicles. There was nothing else they could do as the next actions would be taken by the legal system.
Hand shakes and goodbyes were done and said all around. Detective Mercer said he would join them back at the office after he had personally briefed the DA.
Back at the office, Megan filled Christine in on the meeting they had with the Shady Elm’s Dr. Helton then she turned to her partner. “Well JJ, you want to change the name of this now closed case or are you satisfied with the one you suggested?”
“You know what?” JJ held up his index finger. “I’m going to wait until I see what legal action DA Jefferies takes and the probable future of Shady Oaks before I consider this one closed.”
“Sounds like a plan. Oh and,” requested Megan, “Please have that video ready to go when Mercer gets back.”
“You got it boss.” JJ replied as he headed to the conference room.
It took an hour and a half for Mercer to get thing turned over to the DA. Dr. Helton was escorted out without resistance. He wasn’t handcuffed when he left but that might come later after charges are pressed. Cora Anderson was simply in shock when this all took place. Dr. Helton and she were adamant on her role in this affair. She discovered the checks from Social Services, that kick off this tangled web, but was unaware of the failure of Dr. Helton to follow up on the necessary notification in the untimely death of Mrs. Betsy Myers.
After a lengthy look at the entire operation and the status and well being of residents, DA Jefferies placed Ms Anderson in charge until upper management got on board and made the selection for a permanent director.
“You guys come up with the absolutely best cases, I am in awe,” Mercer said as he sat down in the conference room, “got popcorn for the movie we are going to see?”
“You wish, the movie is too short for popcorn but the characters deserve a Oscar for their participation,” JJ turned to Megan as she and Christine came in and sat down. “ready?”
“I got the lights,” Christine said as she turned the control to lower the lights for best viewing.
The picture was a little jittery at first then it became much steadier as JJ evidently propped against the window he was filming from. The area was quiet and Megan made her way up the sidewalk in front of the apartment building that paralleled the street. Everyone heard the roar and tire squealing before JJ swung the camera back to the left. The white van was already on its way and gaining speed every foot of travel. All could see it swerve as it turned toward Megan’s side of the street. There was the sound of a large truck horn as the nose of this big green vehicle stuck out across the sidewalk just in time to take a severe blow from the speeding white van.
All could see Megan with her back pressed against the building as she tried to make herself small to avoid the approach of that speeding juggernaut. Her eyes were wide open as the van suddenly pitched into the air turning and spinning as it flew. The doors were pulled open by centrifugal force as the van spun and all could see the drivers area and all were sure no driver was on board. The roll down the street wasn’t filmed as JJ had immediately left his post and headed to where Megan was.
“Holy shit, damn, you are one lucky bug. JJ, I couldn’t see everything I was so entranced on Megan. Would you run it again, if you don’t mind,” Mercer said.
“Go ahead JJ, I was on set when this was filmed so I know how it ended, I’m going for coffee,” Megan said as she rose and left the room.
“That is one tough lady, I would still be under a doctors care probably in a rubber room. The fire escape and now this attack, what the hell is next?” Mercer said as he turned his attention back to the flat screen as the recording started again.
Chapter Twenty Six
The Boys in Blue
“Megan, I’m pretty sure I am wasting my time on this but did you see anything else while you were under attack?” Mercer asked Megan when she returned with coffee for every one.
“Yep, you are wasting your time, I was simply in a panic and thought this might be where I kick the old bucket, so to speak.”
“Well I want to show everyone something that I picked up on the third running of this excellent piece of video evidence. I had JJ stop the video right where he
had turned the camera back toward the speeding vehicle,” Mercer said as he approached the large flat screen.
“I turned that way when I heard the engine roar and the squealing tires,” JJ explained.
“I fully understand because that is exactly what I would have done, but look at this. Now from JJ’s angle, on the third floor across the street, he could see just a bit around the corner on that cross street. This would be hidden from Megan point of view. Look over the roof of that speeding van and what do you see, right there,” Detective Mercer put his finger on the screen. “that is another white van sitting there and it looks like there is someone behind the wheel just waiting.” Mercer turned to JJ, “can you zoom in on this spot with your equipment here?”
“Not really, I can change the screen to vertical zoom or all directions zoom, but it isn’t much of a change, just takes some of the picture off the edge of the screen and moves in just a little.” JJ adjusted the screen and it wasn’t much of a change as it didn’t improve the view of the other white van.
“Ok, here is what I want to do. I want to take this video to our lab and let the boys in blue take a look and see if they can improve the picture quality and zoom in on this white van.” The detective looked at each person in the room, one at a time. “Is this ok with you guys, I will take maximum diligence to insure the video is safe. I’ll have them make a copy first so the original isn’t touched.”
All around were in agreement and thought this was the best avenue to take.
“There is something else we want your boys in blue to do if possible. We want to have someone view the street cams in that area and try to track these white vans that have been showing up close to anywhere Megan happens to be located. Maybe we will be able to backtrack them to their lair. Oh and JJ, tell Harold about the bug you found on my car,” Megan said as she gestured at JJ.
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