Secrets in the Shallows (Book 1: The Monastery Murders)

by Karen Vance Hammond

  Taking the last bite of his doughnut, John replied, “I hope so too. I’d love to have this case wrapped up and ready for trial as soon as the process will allow. So, when are you going to actually process her for the arrest?”

  “I have the forms that had to be filled out here, and I’m going over there as soon as they’re done. Heather is finishing those up as well. It won’t be long now,” the sheriff smiled as he leaned back and put a hand over his stomach. “Hope I didn’t spoil my supper with those doughnuts, but they were so good.”

  “Aren’t they? Well, I should get going. I suppose I’ll hear from you soon.”

  The sheriff replied, “Yes, Counselor. You’ll be one of the first people I call.” Wiping off his hands with a napkin, he threw it in the trashcan and stood up.

  “Have a good night, Sheriff,” John smiled.

  “I’ll be in touch,” Sheriff Johnson said as he left.

  CHAPTER 39

  After scanning his ID to release the security lock, Sheriff Johnson and Deputy Williams opened the door and walked through the hallway towards the main guard hub. A large balding guard leaned back in his chair with his feet propped up on his desk. Unaware he had an audience; he continued to watch the contestants spinning a colored wheel on his favorite game show. Balling his fist, he blurted out to the TV, “Pick a T!”

  Mortified to see Sheriff Johnson and Deputy Williams standing in front of him, he quickly removed his feet from the desk and stood up. His cheeks flushed red from embarrassment.

  “Sorry, Sheriff Johnson. I like this show.”

  Sheriff Johnson glared at the guard and said firmly, “I need to sign Mother Superior Mary Ellen out from her holding cell.”

  The attending guard reached for a clipboard and writing pen. Pushing it through the opening under the glass, he said timidly pointing to the paper, “Please, sign here and here. I’m sorry, sir. I’ll turn the tube off.”

  Sheriff Johnson signed the paper as instructed and then slowly pushed the clipboard back through the opening. With a gentle smile, he responded, “It’s all right, Deputy. I know it can get boring sitting there all day. Just be more vigilant in the future.”

  “Yes, sir,” the guard replied as he grabbed the clipboard and reached over to push the gate release. A loud buzzing sound blared through the room as Deputy Simms stood up from behind her desk. The corners of her mouth slightly rose as she said, “You need to get the nun again?”

  “Yes, ma’am, please,” replied Sheriff Johnson.

  “She’s popular today,” Simms joked.

  Johnson smiled and replied, “She’s about to get even more attention.” Deputy Simms followed behind, as the two gentlemen proceeded through the gate. The sheriff’s and deputies’ heavy footsteps resounded throughout the hallways as their jingling keys stirred up many of the detainees. Like clockwork, hands grabbed the bars as everyone watched the trio pass by. Above the whispers, they heard Rosie laughing loudly.

  Looking over at Deputy Simms, the sheriff asked, “Is she always like this?”

  Deputy Simms responded, “Yep.”

  They overheard Mother Superior Mary Ellen say, “If you confess your sins, the Lord will forgive you from all unrighteousness.”

  “I’m a lost cause, Sister. God gave up on me a long time ago,” Rosie leaned back laughing, as she mocked Mother Superior. Hearing the approaching sounds, Rosie turned and stretched her neck to try to catch a glimpse of who was coming down the corridor. Seeing the group, she yelled, “Hey, ya’ come to get me outta’ here?”

  Sheriff Johnson and the deputies stopped in front of Rosie’s cell. Shaking her head, Deputy Simms responded, “Not today, Rosie.”

  Deputy Simms turned around and approached Mother Superior, who was still holding onto the bars. She took a deep breath and said, “Mother Superior Mary Ellen, we need you to come with us, please.”

  Confused, Mother Superior asked, “Where am I going? Is my attorney here to see me again?”

  As Sheriff Johnson swiped the card, the door automatically opened. “This is a different matter, Mother. We’ll talk to you privately.”

  “Are the sisters here to see me?”

  Rosie began to laugh, “While you’re gone, Preacher Lady, I’m gonna’ repeat those prayers you kept sayin’. Now, all I need is some beads. Hey, any of you got some extra beads I can use?”

  Deputy Williams shot a warning glance at Rosie, who immediately retreated to her cot.

  “Just wantin’ some of those beads to pray with, Deputy.”

  He softened his gaze. “There are some rosary beads that are approved for confinement use, Rosie.”

  Rosie’s face lit up as she said, “Yeah, I’d like that.”

  “All right, Rosie. I’ll get them to you in a bit.”

  “Thank you. You’re not such a bad guy,” she smiled.

  Deputy Williams and Sheriff Johnson began escorting Mother Superior on both sides as they approached the gate. Williams gently held her elbows as they guided her down the hallway.

  Mother asked, “Where are you taking me?”

  Deputy Williams said, “We’re going back to the interrogation room for now, Mother.”

  Reaching the guard hub, the sheriff said, “Can you buzz the door?”

  “Yes, sir,” the guard said as the familiar buzzing noise resounded again.

  Opening the gate, Sheriff Johnson and the two deputies continued down the hallway. Reaching the interrogation room, Williams opened the door and gestured for Mother Superior to enter. Closing the door behind them, Deputy Simms moved into the corner. Williams grimaced as he looked at the sheriff, waiting for instructions. Sheriff Johnson quickly pulled out a chair and gestured for Mother Superior to sit down.

  Nodding at the sheriff, Mother’s eyes pleaded for help. Deputy Williams tried his best to give her a compassionate smile.

  “Mother, I have to tell you that we’re not here on a social call. We have enough evidence to put you away for the rest of your life. You can make it easier on everyone if you just confess to what you did to Timothy Fields ... and even Tom Green.”

  “Tom Green too? I didn’t kill anyone, Sheriff. I just don’t understand how I could be accused of something I did not do. I swear by all that I believe, and as God as my witness, that I did not hurt or kill either of those boys, or anyone else for that matter,” Mother said.

  Sheriff Johnson grabbed an adjacent chair and sat directly in front of Mother Superior. “Let’s put it this way, Mother. Your hair samples came back as a positive match to the hair that was found on the rope found in the pond where Timothy Fields’ body was found; the very rope that may have held his body down under water until he drowned. We found Tom Green’s backpack filled with bricks in the pond too, and your hairs were found inside.”

  He continued, “We even saw the morgue’s surveillance video with a nun stealing evidence from the morgue. That missing evidence was found in your office desk. In addition, we have the recording of the counseling sessions you had with Timothy that are quite revealing. Not to mention the fact that you had ample opportunity to kill each of those poor young men at the private Catholic school you oversee. Did I leave anything out? Do you want to confess and clear your conscious and soul, Mother Superior?”

  Tears gushed from her eyes as she rocked back and forth. “I have nothing to confess, Sheriff. I did NOT kill those boys!”

  “Look at me, Mother,” Sheriff Johnson demanded, trying to keep his voice low. “Everything we have shows opportunity, means and motive; therefore, we have what we need to arrest you.”

  Tears ran from the mother’s eyes. “Sheriff Johnson, I can’t stress enough that my only purpose in life is to serve the Lord.”

  Sheriff Johnson glanced at Deputy Williams slightly shaking his head. Making eye contact with her, he responded, “I hope your prayers are working, Mother.”

  Nodding his head once at Williams, Sheriff Johnson turned to look into Mother Superior’s eyes. “Mother, we’re placing you under arrest for th
e murder of Timothy Fields. We may not be far behind on doing the same thing for Tom Green’s murder too.”

  Mother Superior shook her head quickly from side to side. “No! No! No!”

  Deputy Williams helped her stand as he began to recite the Miranda rights, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”

  Mother Superior bent over at the waist crying, “No! No! I did not do that. I did not do that!”

  Deputy Williams continued, “You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.”

  Mother Superior’s knees weakened and she fell limp to the floor. Hopelessness and grief washed over her like a wave, as the reality of her circumstances overwhelmed her. In a vain attempt to console herself, she rocked back and forth methodically. Her tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably as her cries could be heard throughout the corridor.

  “I don’t understand! I want my attorney here right now. Why won’t you believe me? I did nothing wrong. I did not murder those two boys!”

  Gently reaching under her armpits, Deputy Williams hoisted Mother Superior to her feet. “Mother Superior, please cooperate. I don’t want anything to happen to you, but we have to do our jobs. I’m sure you understand doing your duty, and sometimes that requires doing things you don’t want to.”

  “The only purpose of my life is to serve the Lord,” she said, looking down at her balled-up hands.

  Sheriff Johnson asked, “Mother Superior, will you look at me, please?”

  Raising her eyes, she looked numbly at the sheriff. Mother Superior’s stomach churned, as nausea overcame her. “I’m going to be sick! I’m going to get sick! I don’t understand how they could have this evidence against me! This is not right!”

  “Mother Superior, you’re not going to get sick,” Deputy Williams raised his voice.

  In an instant, Mother Superior vomited all over Deputy Williams’ shiny black shoes. Her hands shook as she quickly grasped for a tissue from the table to wipe her mouth.

  Sheriff Johnson pulled several tissues from the box on the table and then handed them to Deputy Williams. The deputy stepped away from the mess she had made, and then wiped off his shoes with the tissues. “These are brand-new shoes, too. I’ll call custodians in here in a minute.”

  Embarrassed, Mother said, “I’m so sorry, Deputy.”

  “It’ll clean up all right, Mother. I’ve had a lot worse things happen to me,” Williams replied.

  Sheriff Johnson made eye contact with Mother. “You have one phone call. I suggest you call your attorney. I believe his name is Charles Posey, right? You’re going to need him soon. We already have your arraignment and bond hearing set for 9 a.m. Monday morning.”

  Mother Superior nervously began to repeat, “Yes! A phone call ... I need to make a phone call.” Still shaking slightly, she reached in her pocket and pulled out Posey’s business card, grasping it firmly.

  “Don’t worry. You’ll get your phone call, Mother,” the sheriff replied.

  Deputy Williams and Sheriff Johnson stood on either side of her and helped Mother Superior to her feet. Together, the three of them walked out the door towards ‘processing’ as Deputy Simms followed behind.

  * * * *

  Still sitting in his office, John picked up his CD copy of the counseling session between Mother Superior and Timothy Fields. Inserting it in the stereo, he pushed the play button.

  “What is it, Child?”

  “I know who killed Tom Green.”

  John leaned back in his chair and whispered under his breath, “This tape is going to help the case a lot. Without the hairs tying her to the murders, and the missing evidence in her desk, this wouldn’t be enough. This is like the cherry on the sundae to finish it off.”

  As the CD continued to play, John fixed his eyes on the speaker. Continuing taking notes on the counseling session, he whispered to himself, “I know I can win this case. All of the cards are stacking in my favor.”

  Pausing for a moment, he picked up his phone and was about to hit speed dial when Katy walked in carrying a long garment bag. John hung up the telephone quickly and greeted her, “Hey, baby! Where’s my kiss?” John reached out for her.

  Sashaying over to him, Katy gently laid the garment bag on a chair and playfully sat down on his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed her lips against his. Katy squeezed his neck firmly and smiled before looking him in the eyes. “So, baby, have you been busy today?”

  “I’ve gotten plenty done today. Actually getting Tom Green’s body exhumed tomorrow.”

  “Wow! Well, I want to hear all about it, but let me get your mind off of the case for just a minute. Want to see my party dress?”

  “Sure.”

  Katy opened the bag and she pulled out a full-length, blue sequin dress with a stylishly dipping neckline. Holding it up for him to see, she asked, “Like it?”

  “It’s beautiful, Katy,” John replied. His tone was less than enthusiastic, while he seemed to have his mind on something else.

  Katy put the dress down on the leather chair and smiled warmly at him. Walking over towards him, she sat on his lap again and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  In her sweet voice, Katy asked, “Did they find anything out about your big case yet?”

  “Actually, they are arresting Mother Superior as we speak.”

  Katy gasped. “Mother Superior? Really?”

  “Yes, it’s true; believe it or not.”

  Furrowing her brow, she replied, “I just don’t see how she could do something like that. She can be a bit crabby at times, but it’s just how she is. She’s not a murderer.”

  John slipped an arm around her waist and said, “Well, all of the evidence says differently.”

  “I guess you must be right then. Want me to take your mind off of everything for a while?” she asked him, patting his chest.

  John leaned forward, forcing Katy to retract her arms and stand up.

  “I’ve got a deadline to meet. I’m sorry, baby. It’s just not a good time right now. I’ve got the arraignment and bond hearing on Monday. I’ll need you to help me with processing some of the paperwork for this.”

  “All right, I can help you with it some tonight if you like,” she replied.

  “I understand. I’m on my way to see Emma. We’re going to go shopping for a bit. We hit it off when I bought that dress from her. Want to have dinner tonight after work?”

  “Glad you’ve met a new friend. Enjoy your girl time. How about we have dinner at your place?” John smiled at her.

  “Okay, I’ll let Mom know. What are you hungry for?”

  “Just tell your mom to fix whatever. I know it will be great!”

  Katy replaced the dress in the bag and zipped it back up. Picking it up, she slung it over her forearm before heading to the door.

  “Hey, where’s my kiss?”

  Katy walked over and looked John in the eyes. “I love you so much, sweetheart.”

  Leaning in towards him as she closed her eyes, Katy firmly pressed her lips against his. Nibbling his lower lip gently, she tugged at it slightly and smiled. After releasing his lip, she kissed him fully. Their mouths parted as their amorous passions began to build up within them. Releasing their oral entanglement, Katy pulled her head away and rested it on his shoulder.

  “How is that?” Katy asked teasingly.

  John leaned the side of his face on her head and gently rubbed her forehead. “Wonderful, thank you. Now, I’m going to have a hard time concentrating on work,” he chuckled.

  Katy smiled with satisfaction as she headed for the door. Looking back she asked, “I’ll see you tonight for dinner?”

  John managed to lightly pat her on her butt as she walked away. He smirked as he smiled at her. “You bet.”

  * * * *

  Mother Superior Mary Ellen looked at the camera as she held her identification numbers under her chin. Trying not
to cry anymore, she continued to pray silently as she went through the motions. Help me, God, please?! I need a miracle right now. Do my years of service in your name count for anything, or is this a test? Are you making me go through this? Give me a sign, please!

  “Okay, turn to the side,” Deputy Carol Baker barked. Her cropped brown hair and pudgy cheeks made her almost look like a bully you wouldn’t want to run into on any day.

  Mother flinched with each flash as photos were taken. Any time now, God?

  “I need to get your fingerprints. This will not take long,” Deputy Baker said with a sterile smile.

  Mother Superior trembled slightly as the deputy grabbed her hand for fingerprinting.

  “Just relax, Sister,” she said to Mother.

  “How can I relax? I’ve been labeled as a murderer, and I didn’t do anything wrong.”

  Baker drilled her eyes at Mother Superior. “Yeah, I hear that all the time. Blah, blah, blah,” she said shaking her head. “Though, I have to admit we don’t get too many nuns in here for murder. Okay, let’s go get you a new set of clothes.”

  The deputy went over to a stack of clothing and held up a hideous looking orange uniform. She held it out towards Mother Superior and said, “Here you go.”

  “I’m not going to wear that!” Mother said adamantly.

  “Sister, or whoever you are, you’re in jail now. Everyone, including you, must wear this attire. You’re no different from anybody else in this place,” the deputy said firmly.

  “I simply cannot wear that,” Mother Superior said, crossing her arms.

  Deputy Baker rolled her eyes and held out the uniform. “Go get dressed, before I have to get a big, bad guard involved here. You do not want that, I assure you. In addition, if you keep it up, “You’ll get a cavity check.”

  “I don’t have any cavities,” replied Mother. “I have dentures.”

  The deputy stared at Mother Superior, and in an instant, she let out a hideous laugh. “That’s not what I mean, Mother. Don’t worry; I’ll keep your habit nice and safe, in case you ever get to wear it again.”