The Morelville Mysteries Collection

by Anne Hagan

  “What’s this in regards to?”

  “The death of Terri Sweeting.”

  “I’m listing ma’am. Please don’t waste my time.”

  “Oh, I won’t. Listen, I’ve known Dana Rossi for a long time...since before she became a, quote, respectable Customs agent, unquote. I knew her back when she was working private security and screwing her way to the top.”

  “Screwing, huh?”

  “I know what you’re thinking, Rossi is gay and I’m a crackpot, right?”

  “Honestly? You sound a little young to have known Rossi for years. I make her to be in her mid-thirties. You can’t possibly be that old.”

  “Voice analysis isn’t your strong suit then Lieutenant. I’m older than you think and I can prove that what I know about Dana Rossi is true. You can get the information I have from me or you can get it from the press when I give it to them if you refuse to hear me out.”

  “I’m still listening ma’am. Keep talking.”

  “When Dana worked security it Chicago, she was living with Terri Sweeting. She was doing double time keeping her woman happy at home and screwing every man above her at work trying to climb the corporate ladder, so to speak. She was married to a man for several years before she came out Lieutenant. She knew how to play men like she was having a good time.”

  “Let’s just say she wore out her welcome among the wives of a couple of the men at the company that she worked for and she was given a referral to another security firm that worked her a lot less close to home and away from the corporate hierarchy.”

  “Dana being on the road so much pissed Terri off. They fought a lot. Terri was a hot head and very controlling. She was also a crook...only Dana didn’t know that going in. When Terri realized who some of the companies were that Dana was on the road consulting with, she let up a little bit and she cooked up a couple of schemes to use Dana’s access to divest them of some of their assets.”

  “Terri tricked Dana into helping her on her first big heist. They had a major row with Dana threatening to turn Terri over to the police. Terri convinced Dana that she was just as culpable for their crime. After that Dana got involved from the word go and she got in deeper and deeper.”

  “After several successful operations, Dana’s employer started to get an inkling that something was up. Terri decided it was time for Dana to lay low. She still controlled everything in their relationship and she ordered Dana out of the game.”

  “Dana was pissed. She quit her job and left town for several months. While she was gone, good old Terri moved on and got herself a new girlfriend. When Dana wanted to come back, Terri blew her off.”

  “Dana didn’t have much choice about what to do next. She was blackballed in the security industry. She had to go legit. She finagled her way into a Customs job and bided her time until she could get back at Terri for betraying her.”

  “Get back at her by killing her?” Nichols interjected.

  “That wasn’t her original intent,” the woman said. “She knew Terri was still running schemes. Customs agents don’t make much money and that was what Dana was really missing. She was going to run her own con on Terri for a cut, only Terri wasn’t biting. She’d lost interest in partnering with Dana physically and in a business sense and she wasn’t about to be conned by her.”

  “Dana told me she felt used, like she’d lost everything because of Terri and that now she was broke too and looking at losing her position with Customs. She called Terri down here to confront her.”

  Nichols interrupted again, “Why’d Sweeting come down? If she didn’t care, why didn’t she just blow her off?”

  “I told you Lieutenant, Terri Sweeting is controlling. She’d never back down from a challenge. She told Dana not only that she’d meet her here but that when she got here she’d make her new life miserable here for her too. That set Dana off into a state I’ve never seen her in before. It’s like...like she was possessed.”

  “So are you saying you know what happened the day Sweeting died, at least from Rossi’s perspective?”

  “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying. Dana killed her Lieutenant. She killed her in a fit of rage. Terri pushed all of her buttons in their first meeting and got the better of her. Dana called a second meeting to try and turn the tables. When Terri drug her feet, Dana went after her. She found her, enticed her into the woods to talk more privately since they were in a busy area and, when things got out of hand, she hit Terri with her crutch and then she shot her to finish the job.”

  Nichols sat back in his chair. The caller knew details that hadn’t been released at all yet. Unless she really did know Rossi and Rossi had spilled her guts to her, there’s no way besides a departmental leak that she’d know everything that she just told him.

  “If you’re so tight with Rossi, why are you telling me all of this?”

  “Nobody deserves to die like that Lieutenant.”

  He nodded to himself. “Okay; so where can I find Rossi?”

  The woman laughed, “You mean you don’t know? Why, you can find her wherever you can find Sheriff Melissa Crane.”

  ###

  Late Morning, Friday, June 20th, 2014

  Noland Troutman waited impatiently for word that a warrant had been issued for the arrest of Dana Rossi. His contact inside the Hall of Justice had been instructed to text him as soon as the warrant was signed. He had two of the local television networks committed to coverage of his 11:00 AM press conference with the promise of a big story. He was hoping to hit the noon news and by 6:00 PM to see a story of the folly of Sheriff Melissa Crane running on networks statewide. He wanted his press conference to hit the air waves before she even knew about the warrant to set her on the defensive.

  Troutman’s phone buzzed with four minutes to spare before go time. The warrant was signed and in the hands of the OSHP. It was time to put on a little dog and pony show and shoot his opponent down in flames.

  He headed toward the conference room of one of his father’s companies headquartered in Columbus. Kelly met him in the hallway.

  “I had to find out about this press conference from your father’s assistant Noland! When were you planning to tell me about it?”

  He whispered to her, “Why are you here? You know what needs to be done. I can handle a press conference on my own.”

  “I did what you asked me to do this morning. It’s done.” She laid her hand on his arm and locked eyes with him, “Don’t you think I should be by your side for public and news appearances?”

  He shook his arm free. “Not this time. I’m about to broil Crane over her involvement with Rossi.”

  “Noland, it’s too soon! If they even have a warrant yet for Rossi, they don’t have her. What if she runs?”

  “That’s not my problem now, is it?” He stepped around her, strode into the room, and took up a position behind the lectern at the front of the long conference table. Two cameras and all eyes focused on him. His father was seated at the back, watching him intently.

  “Good morning everyone.” He paused to look around the room slowly and make eye contact with a few key reporters. “I’m Noland Troutman III, a City of Columbus police officer. I’m currently on a leave of absence from the department because I’m running for the office of Sheriff of Muskingum County against the appointed Sheriff there, Melissa Crane.”

  “Most of you are aware that there was a brutal murder in Muskingum County at Lake Dillon, over the weekend. Dillon is state controlled. The investigative unit of our very capable OSHP is leading the investigation into the murder of Terri Sweeting of Chicago, Illinois.”

  He paused and looked around briefly. No one was taking notes. He was about to remedy that. “I got word just a while ago that a warrant has been issued for the apprehension and arrest of one Dana Marie Rossi, also of Chicago, in relation to the crime.” He watched as a few reporters made note of the name.

  “Dana Rossi is a United States Customs and Border Protection agent who was recently superficially w
ounded in the course of conducting an investigation that culminated in a major smuggling bust in Muskingum County. The word on the street is that she’s been hanging around in that area, milking her so-called injury while attempting to collect medical retirement and a settlement from Customs. Public and private evidence – some of which I’ve been privy to – has Rossi looking very good for this crime.”

  He had everyone’s attention now. His father leaned forward in his seat, a scowl on his face. Noland swallowed and continued, “I know what you’re all thinking: innocent until proven guilty, right?” Heads nodded around the room. He looked pointedly at his father and at several key reporters. “It will likely then interest most of you to know that Rossi is the live in lover of Sheriff Melissa Crane, my opponent in the August Special Election.”

  Troutman grinned inwardly but kept his face a mask of indifference as he listened to the sharp intake of breath rise in the room. He noted that all of the reporters were scribbling furiously now. He wasn’t done with them just yet.

  “A trusted source, who wishes to remain anonymous, has informed me that Melissa Crane,” he was now – again – refusing to refer to her as Sheriff, “accompanied Ms. Rossi to the area of the scene of the crime while Ms. Sweeting lay dead nearby.” Hands rose in the room and reporters started shouting questions. He held up his hands for quiet. When the hubbub died down, he continued, “It has been reported that Crane also showed up at the crime scene again during the official OSHP investigation which included the recovery of Ms. Sweeting’s body, her personal effects and crime scene evidence.” The room went into full uproar mode.

  Noland stood patiently for several long seconds while the reports shouted over each other. When the noise died down he stated, “Those are the facts as I know them. There is an ongoing investigation that I’m not privy to the full breadth of nor should I be. The OSHP is very capable. Melissa Crane’s actions are at minimum improper and, quite possibly, they should bear further scrutiny. Is Melissa Crane protecting her lover? What are they hiding?” He paused for just a moment and looked around the room again before adding, “Melissa Crane should recuse herself from her position while the OSHP investigation is ongoing.”

  The reporters in the room rose en-masse. Troutman walked out without a backward glance at any of them and hustled into the inner sanctum of his father’s office before he could be followed.

  “What the hell kind of grandstanding move was that?” Noland Troutman II glared at his son. “You just interfered in an official police investigation yourself to further your own damn cause! All of that crap would have come out on its own without you to help it along!”

  “Relax father. I know what I’m doing.”

  “Don’t you tell me to relax! I will not have you dragging the Troutman name and businesses through a dirty campaign! Where the hell is that high dollar campaign manager of yours that I’m paying? Did he put you up to this?”

  “I fired him! The election is as good as won now. I don’t need him and I don’t need to do any more appearances. Crane has dug her own grave!”

  Chapter 17 – Blow Back

  11:05 AM, Friday Morning, June 20th, 2014

  “Hey Mel, what are you doing for lunch?”

  Mel smiled into the receiver, “Is that an invitation?”

  “Sort of; I’m meeting Hannah at the park for a picnic. I’d love it if you’d join us.”

  “What time?”

  “I’m on my way there now. She’s probably already there, reading. She has to be on shift at 1:00 today so we’re doing this a bit early.”

  “You’re really getting close to this girl aren’t you babe?”

  “She just needs a little bit of reassurance and encouragement. She said she wanted to meet you.”

  “What do you think is going to happen when I show up there and she realizes that she already knows me and that I know her family?”

  “I’ll let you handle that Mel. I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”

  Mel grimaced. “Okay, I guess. I’m leaving now. I’ll be there in about 10 minutes.”

  “Great! Meet us in the gazebo.” With that, Dana hung up.

  Mel picked up her keys and walked down the hallway to the outer office where her assistant, Holly sat. “I’m meeting a couple of people for lunch Holly. I should be back in about an hour. I’ll have my cell and my radio if you need me.”

  “Okay Sheriff. Have fun!”

  Mel smiled. Holly had forwarded the call from Dana so she knew darn well who she was having lunch with. They’d been friends on the force long before Mel had taken over as the replacement Sheriff. She didn’t keep any secrets from Holly.

  ###

  Mel found the two of us spreading out lunch fixings out on a picnic table in the gazebo. She gave me a quick hug and then she turned to greet a blushing Hannah.

  “You remember me don’t you?” Mel held out her hand to Hannah but when she took it, rather than shake hands with her, Mel pulled her in for a quick hug too. “It’s good to see you and I’m glad to hear that you’re making your transition well.” She stood off from her a bit and looked her up and down, “You look good and you look happy. I’m happy for you.” Hannah grinned at Mel and I beamed. I thought she’d handled that well...not nearly as I had expected she might handle it but certainly well, all the same.

  Hannah said, “Thank you...uh...I’m so sorry, I don’t know what to call you.”

  “Everyone calls me Mel.”

  “Shouldn’t I call you Sheriff?”

  Mel laughed, “Only in an emergency! My friends all call me Mel.”

  “Okay, then I’ll call you Mel too.”

  At that, Mel turned to me, “So are we eating here or what?”

  “Yes ma’am! I brought stuff for sandwiches and we have fruit and chips; just the basics today for a last minute picnic.”

  “That sounds good to me!”

  The three of us made our plates and sat down to eat. We’d been munching and chatting for about five minutes when Mel’s cell phone started to buzz. She looked down at it.

  “It’s Holly. She knew I was going to lunch so this must be important or she wouldn’t be trying to reach me.”

  “It’s okay babe.”

  Mel got up and stepped out of the gazebo as she answered. She walked several paces away and then she went several more and kept her back to us. I couldn’t hear any of her conversation with the deputy who served as her assistant but her body language conveyed that it wasn’t about anything good.

  She hung up and came back to the table but instead of sitting down, she kissed my forehead.

  “Something major seems to be breaking but Holly isn’t sure what. I have to get back.” She looked back and forth between us, “Sorry ladies.”

  “Do you want to take your sandwich?”

  “Um, no. That’s okay. Why don’t you, uh, stay here for about a half hour and then call me through the office line?” She gave me a very pointed look.

  “Okay. Sure.”

  “I’m in my personal vehicle now and I can talk. Tell me what the hell’s going on!”

  Holly answered, “Apparently Troutman held a press conference at 11:00 AM where he publicly called for you to step down.”

  “What, why?”

  “I really don’t know Mel other than that it has something to do with Dana. I kicked a reporter out of here that got past the Desk Sergeant but he’s got several more of them that are camped out in the lobby and now TV vans are setting up outside. Whatever Troutman laid on them at his press conference was big. The phones are ringing like crazy. Everyone wants a comment from you before the noon news airs.”

  “Okay, I need to find out what the little turd said before I face those guys. It’s about 11:30. There’ll be some sort of teasers for the noon news airing by now. Turn on the TV and see what you can find out. Have someone watching for my personal vehicle at the back sally port. I’ll come in that way to avoid the reporters.”

  “Roger Sheriff.”

 
; “I’ll be there in ten.”

  “What were you able to find out? Anything?” Mel asked Holly as she strode back into the outer office.

  The seasoned Sergeant turned Sheriff’s assistant stood, “You’re not going to like it...”

  Mel threw her hands up, “Just tell me already!”

  “The breaking news teaser is that an Ohio County Sheriff ‘may’ be at the center of an OSHP murder investigation.”

  “What the fuck...where is that coming from? Get on it and find out what the hell Troutman’s up to.”

  The desk phone buzzed. Holly looked down at it, “Hang on, your official line is ringing through. I routed all the calls through dispatch to weed out the reporters.” Holly answered the phone and listened for a minute and then hung up. She sank down in her chair and stared at her boss.

  “Are you okay? What was that all about?”

  Holly swallowed hard, “Mel a search warrant was just executed on your house by the OSHP. They’re looking for Dana and for weapons.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense at all!”

  “Do you want me to call your campaign manager?”

  Mel shook her head no and threw up her hands again, “Why on earth would I want you to call him?”

  “Hon, you’re going to need to fight fire with fire here. You’re going to need to call a press conference and put a little spin on this to counter whatever it is that he’s claiming and to address the warrant.”

  “I’m not spinning anything. We’re not spinning anything that comes out of this office!”

  “That’s not what I meant...”

  Mel sighed, “I know what you meant and I appreciate you trying to help. I’ll handle this the way I handle everything else, face to face and as honestly as possible. Right now, I need to get Dana on the phone and I need a transcript of that press conference so I can see just exactly what I’m up against.”

  I’ll get Dana on the line and patch her through to your office and then I’ll try to get in touch with Emily at the Dispatch and see if they were invited to Troutman’s gathering today. If they were, she’s probably the one that went or she can get the lowdown from the reporter that did.”