Siblings

by K. J. Janssen

  Norm offered Wil a bottle of water. He could see that Wil was still uneasy. “You’re doing the right thing, you know.”

  “I guess. At this stage, I don’t see where I’ve got much to lose.”

  ***

  Norm and Byron met a half-hour later.

  “Well, that was informative. Wil picked out six faces. He was able to pin a name to four of them; the Abbotts and the two customers, Bodine and Hopkins. The two remaining faces belonged to the man who delivered the drugs to him at the gazebo and a man he talked to at Hopkins’ house the night of the raid.”

  Byron asked, “So, where does that leave us?”

  Norm said, “Here’s what we need to do. We’ll accompany Wil to Zeller’s office tomorrow morning and he’ll make the same IDs as he did with me. That will get him off of Zeller’s hook for now. With a positive ID on the gazebo man, your people might be able to pressure him into giving up George and Bobby.”

  Byron thought about it for a moment. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll meet you at Zeller’s office at ten.”

  Chapter 46

  Rousch sat in the office of Lt. Nate Nelson at the Wallington Police Department. With him was Charles Culbertson, Chief Claims Inspector at the All-American Insurance Company. All-American was the underwriter for casualty, fire, and theft insurance for the Symington Medical Center.

  Lt. Nelson got up and closed his office door.

  “Well, this looks like the day. I’ve got sufficient evidence to obtain warrants to search Dr. Hazleton’s office, his apartment, and his house. I have a man with the judge now. He’ll also be seeking a warrant for the Treasured Things showroom.”

  Rousch asked, “When are you planning to serve the warrants?”

  “If all goes well, around eleven-thirty today.”

  ***

  Marilyn arrived ten minutes early for her once a month Wednesday appointment at Dr. Hazleton’s office.

  Nancy Baker, Hazleton’s nurse, met Marilyn in the examination room for her ten forty- five appointment and remained in the room during the exam. After Marilyn dressed, she escorted Marilyn to the doctor’s office and closed the door behind her.

  “Well, everything is looking good, Lynn, although I do want you to keep an eye on your weight. It’s been creeping up for the last three months now, and you’re five pounds over the range that I set for you last year.”

  “I wasn’t aware, John. As long as everything fits okay, I don’t bother weighing myself. Of course I have been eating a lot of strawberries, chocolate, and whipped cream lately. Do you think they could be the culprits?”

  He smiled as he retorted, “Anything is possible. Promise me that you’ll keep an eye on that.”

  “I promise. So everything else looks good?”

  “Yes, just fine.”

  Suddenly, Marilyn rose, crossed the office, and locked the door.

  John looked surprised. “What’s up?”

  “You, I hope,” she answered as she started stripping off her clothes.

  “I thought we weren’t going to do anything here anymore.”

  “Are you saying you’re not interested in taking this slightly overweight body?”

  “My god, Lynn, of course I’m not saying that.”

  It took only him seconds to disrobe. As he approached her, she moved forward quickly and mounted him. They didn’t wait to find the semi-comfort of the alcove to do their lovemaking. The carpet where they first made love sufficed.

  “I couldn’t wait. I’m sorry.”

  “You’ve got nothing to be sorry about,” he said, as he fondled her breasts. “Did you know that they’ve done studies about the size of women’s breasts compared to their IQs? It seems that the larger the breasts, the higher the intelligence.”

  “And your point is?”

  “You must be very bright, gauging by these beauties.” As he spoke, his mouth was already headed toward her left breast.

  “Maybe if you suck long and hard some of my wisdom will transfer to you.”

  “It’s certainly worth a try.”

  “I wonder what horny bastard came up with that idea? Can’t you just see a lab technician proposing that test to his boss and volunteering to conduct the study?”

  “Shades of Masters and Johnson.”

  “My point exactly.”

  “Usually, when I play with your breasts the only thing I’m looking for is a slick ride to ecstasy. It works every time.” A few seconds later he was inside her and on his way toward the ecstasy he was seeking.

  Minutes later, when they came up for air, John said, “I’m glad we didn’t wait. I’m sorry I’m not prepared with champagne and strawberries.”

  “What’s your point?” she asked as she mounted him for another round.

  They were lying next to each other, catching their breath, when the lock on the office door snapped open and four men flashing police shields rushed into the room. Behind them was an exasperated Nancy Baker, who blurted out, “I’m sorry, Doctor, I tried to stop them.” She looked into the room, saw the doctor and his patient lying naked on the floor, and raised her hand to her mouth.

  “Dr. John Hazleton, we have a warrant to search these premises,” one of the officers said.

  Another detective picked up their clothes and dropped them next to the shocked pair. “Get your clothes back on and sit over there on the couch.”

  Lynn snatched up her clothes and slid into her skirt and blouse, leaving her bra and panties on the floor. John donned his shorts and pants, trying to maintain some dignity as he did. Under conditions such as these, it was difficult for either of them to maintain even a modicum of modesty.

  “Do something, John,” Marilyn implored.

  John finally recovered from the shock of their entry. “This is an outrage. You have no right to barge in here while I’m examining a patient.”

  The Lead Detective, Lt. Walter Brody took one look at Marilyn frantically trying to cover herself up and said, “Is that what you doctors call it these days?” He smirked. “Now do as the man said and get over there on the couch. I don’t want to hear a peep out of you while we’re conducting our search.”

  “What search? What are you looking for?”

  Lt. Brody handed him the paper.

  John scanned it quickly and handed it back. “Go on then and be quick about it. You’ll find nothing here. Don’t make a mess of my office either, or I’ll sue both you and your department.”

  “Okay, you’ve had your say, now get over on that couch and keep quiet.”

  “Not until I speak with my lawyer.”

  The detective flinched as he heard the words. “Okay, Doc, you do that, but when you’re finished get back over there and sit down.”

  John started to say something, but Marilyn touched his arm. “Do as they say, John. Don’t provoke them. It’ll just make matters worse.”

  ***

  He looked down at her, suddenly realizing the full import of the situation. How much worse can it get? How can we possibly get through this without Lorraine and Ron finding out? And Nancy, what must she be thinking? I’m going to have to figure out a way to smooth things over with her. John and Nancy Baker had had a very brief affair several years ago. She broke it off when she started dating her husband-to-be and it was never discussed since then. The look on her face when she came into the room and found Lynn and me lying naked on the floor was one of shock. Is it possible that she never suspected what went on in my office during these appointments? I guess anything is possible, but since she too has partaken of this font of manliness, I can’t believe she would begrudge anyone else the chance to experience nirvana. Regardless of how she feels, there is no way this isn’t going to spread throughout the Center. What the hell is wrong with me leaving myself open for this; just when things were going so well?

  John dialed the offices of Carrington, Barstow and Fleming. His attorney was housed in an office building just a block away. “Gene Fleming, please. This is Dr. John Hazleton. I need to talk to him im
mediately.” He held for a few minutes. “Gene, John here. I’ve got a situation at my office and I need you over here as quickly as possible.” He related what little he knew and listened to instructions about not saying anything unless he was present. He looked over at the Lead Detective. “My attorney wants to know your name.”

  “Sure. It’s Lt. Walter Brody. If he’s coming over, tell him to ask for me.”

  John relayed the information, placed the phone back on its cradle, and returned to the couch.

  He whispered to Marilyn, “My attorney advised that neither of us say anything to these men unless he’s present. He’s just up the street; he should be here in just a few minutes. For now he’s going to represent both of us. I’m so sorry about this, but we’ll get it all fixed.”

  Marilyn whispered back, “It’s not your fault. If I hadn’t been so horny, this would never have happened. We had such a perfect arrangement at the apartment. Why did I screw it up? Please forgive me, John.”

  Before he could reply, Ron stepped into the room. He spotted Marilyn, who was still adjusting her clothes. Her bra and panties remained on the floor by her feet. He looked at them and then at his wife. When their eyes met, he knew immediately what had happened. Despite the enormity of the situation, he felt bad for her. Turning to Lt. Brody, he asked, “What’s the meaning of this?”

  Lt. Brody walked over to Ron. “Who are you?”

  “Dr. Ronald Symington. I’m a partner here at the center and the CEO. That’s my wife sitting on the couch over there. And who might you be?” Of course, Ron was well aware of the search warrant, but had no idea that his wife would be caught up in the circumstances of its execution, and certainly not in the embarrassing manner in which she was currently involved.

  Brody flashed his badge. “My name is Lt. Walter Brody. We’re here to execute a search warrant for this office and adjoining rooms. This is tied to the investigation of the break-in here at the Center.” Gesturing to John and Marilyn, he said, “Your wife and the doctor were in the office at the time and we’re holding them until our job is completed.”

  Brody was being as tactful as possible under the circumstances. “I suggest that you leave now and let us do our work.”

  “Thank you, Lieutenant. I’ll be in my office on the first floor. Please stop by before you leave.” He glanced first at his wife and then his partner as he made his exit.

  “I’ll be sure to do that, Doctor.”

  Immediately tears began flowing down Marilyn’s cheeks. “Oh, John, how could this happen? Why are these men here?”

  John knew exactly why they were there, but he couldn’t let on to Marilyn that he did. I’ve got nothing to worry about. All the paperwork for my transactions with Treasured Things is hidden in the apartment. They can search my office and house all they want. When they’re finished, I’ll sue them for harassment. This thing with Lynn is something else. I hope that Gene can get the police to leave the details of how they found us out of their report. Ron’s another issue altogether. I don’t have any idea how Lynn will want to handle that. I could kick myself for letting this happen. Why wasn’t I stronger? Why didn’t I insist that we stick to our arrangement to meet only at my apartment?

  John smiled to himself. He didn’t exactly consider himself God’s gift to women, but he always felt that he was a cut above the normal lover because he took great care to assure that any woman he was engaged with was fully satisfied before he left her; sometimes even at the expense of his own pleasure. Things like this were bound to happen every once and a while.

  Gene Fleming barged into the office and demanded to see Lt. Brody. Brody stepped up and handed him a copy of the search warrant.

  “Why are you holding my clients?”

  “I’m sure you know, sir, that it’s standard procedure to detain anyone at the scene of a warranted search while the search is being conducted. That’s all that’s going on here.”

  Finding everything in order, Fleming asked Lt. Brody for a place where he could confer with his clients in private.

  “The examination room has been cleared, why don’t you use that?”

  One of the detectives escorted them to the room and stood guard by the closed door.

  ***

  Fleming spoke first. “From what I can tell this has to do with the break-in and robbery in the Center. They’re looking for items that were on the list of stolen goods. I’ll have to check downtown with the Chief of Detectives to find out what they used as a foundation for getting the warrant to search your office. This had to start somewhere. Is there anything you need to tell me about this situation?”

  “Not a thing, Gene. This is some sort of a witch-hunt.”

  “Okay, then. As for anything else, I’ll remind Lt. Brody that the situation he came upon in the serving of the warrant is extraneous to his investigation and that any recording or reporting of such would be a violation of your civil rights and would subject he and his men to a federal inquiry. Wait here while I discuss this with him.”

  Fleming returned several minutes later. “The Lieutenant understands your right to privacy and will be very discreet with regard to any records. I don’t know what to tell you about your office personnel. Do you want me to speak with your nurse?”

  “I don’t think that that will be necessary. I’ll take care of that.”

  “Okay. Now what do you want to do about the other locations?”

  “What other locations?”

  “Lt. Brody said that warrants have also been served at your house and the apartment you keep in town.”

  John’s face drained of all its color. He groaned. How did they know about the apartment? It isn’t common knowledge that I keep that apartment. “Can they do that?”

  “Well, of course they can if they have executed valid search warrants. Do you want me to go to either place and check the warrants?”

  “No, I’ll go to the apartment as soon as they let me leave here.”

  “That won’t be possible until they finish the search here. Brody wasn’t specific about how much longer it will take.”

  “Well, then, maybe it is a good idea for you go to the house and comfort Lorraine. She must be at her wits’ end.”

  “Okay, I’ll do that. Give me a call the minute they finish up here. Check with Brody about whether or not they’re taking anything. He’s obligated to give you a detailed list of anything they remove from the premises as evidence. If he gives you a hard time, call me. Also, once they’re gone, make a list of anything that you notice as missing that isn’t on his list. Give both lists to me. Sometimes, during the execution of search warrants, the police are sticky fingered. If that happens it’s best to deal with it immediately. I’ll get on over to your house now and check on Lorraine. Remember now, don’t volunteer any information.”

  ***

  Lorraine Hazleton was flustered by the invasion of her home. When Fleming arrived, the first thing he did was locate the lead detective and check the search warrant. It was broadened to include everything on the premises including the garden shack in the rear of the property that housed tools and bags of topsoil.

  “How are you holding up, Lorry?”

  “I’m okay, I guess, Gene. I always wondered what it must be like living in one of those police states where they can come into your home whenever they want and for any cause. Those men pounded on the front door. I thought they were going to break it down. They handed me the warrant and pushed me aside as they spread throughout the house. There must be at least twenty of them poking through our personal things. I feel so violated. What on earth are they looking for?”

  Fleming put his arm around her shoulders. “I’m not sure. It all has to do with that break-in at the Center.”

  “They certainly can’t think that John had anything to do with that. Why, his was one of the practices that was hit the hardest.”

  “I know, Lorry. When they’ve completed all three searches, I’ll go downtown and see what’s behind all this.”

&n
bsp; “What do you mean three searches?”

  “They have warrants issued for John’s office, here, and his apartment in town.”

  “His apartment? Why he hasn’t stayed over since last winter; the night of the big storm. Why on earth would they want to search there?”

  Lorraine’s voice tapered off as she suddenly thought of one possibility. She kept her suspicions to herself. John, my dear John, what awful thing have you done?

  Chapter 47

  Dr. John Hazleton stood calmly as the detective placed the handcuffs on his wrists. He was read his rights and refused to say anything other than that he wanted to see his lawyer.

  He was transported to police headquarters and placed in a holding cell with an inebriated homeless man that smelled of sweat, urine, and stale alcohol. Fortunately for John, the man had passed out and wouldn’t be bothering him while he thought about his predicament.

  He sat on the floor next to the bars, trying to get whatever fresh air he could. Occasionally he called out to remind whoever was in earshot that he wanted to see his lawyer. He was resigned to the fact that Fleming was at least an hour and a half away at his house and that this was going to be his best level of comfort for at least that long a time.

  John rested his head on the cinder block wall and started to go over his story to the police, assuming that Gene Fleming approved. He would plead not guilty of all the charges. From what he could discern form those conversations between the police and the ADA assigned to the investigation, he was being charged with conspiracy breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods. The first charge would be based on the Treasured Things documents listing several items and their location in his offices. Another document showed the receipt of three antiquities returned to him by Treasured Things that were included among the items listed as stolen that he gave to his insurance company. John had hidden the documents showing his dealings with Michael Parks, the proprietor of Treasured things. Michael was John’s main source for the antiquities that he’d begun collecting several years back.