Guilty Crime

by W L Knightly

  “Almost. Let me get the samples packed up and moved. I’ll go ahead and get Gary to get the body bag. You should ask a few of the men to help out. And we’ll need someone to get up there and cut the rope. I’ll need to bag it, so they should cut it very carefully.”

  One of the other officers who had been standing nearby stepped forward. “I’ll gather some men and do the cut myself.” He gave Jake a sympathetic look and then walked away.

  “This isn’t going to be easy on them,” said Kevin.

  “I’m going to help. The chief was my friend.” Jake hadn’t been able to say that about many of the men in the department. The chief had put up with a lot from him and had always been fair.

  A few more minutes went by, and Jo joined Jake while the other officers prepared to lift one of the others up to cut the rope. When they had him down, Jake stepped forward to help support his weight as they carefully moved him down to the body bag.

  “If you all could give me a minute. I’d like to collect a few more samples here at the scene.” Kevin looked around at every officer, and they all stepped away, giving him respect to do his job.

  Jake stepped up and looked down at the chief, and as he stared at his gut wound, something clicked in his mind. It wasn’t the chief in front of him anymore, but the lifeless body of little Emma Madden.

  He could see the house in his mind, walking up to it, the outdoor lights reflecting off of the blue shutters. He knew the house.

  He got up and stormed past the other officers, pushing his way through the crowd as he headed toward his car.

  Jo hurried to his side. “Where are you going?”

  “I think I know the house! I think I can find it!”

  “Wait,” she said, holding him back. “You can’t just storm over there and meet this man head-on. You don’t know what you’re walking into, and in case the past few scenes and your last encounter with this man didn’t teach you anything, you cannot underestimate him.”

  “We don’t even know if he’s there. But I remember.”

  “Then you also know that in a situation like this, we need a warrant.” Her voice was firm, and she pegged him with a hard stare.

  Jake put his hands in his hair and paced the ground. “Come on. You’re the one who brought it up. Let’s just drive by the house. I won’t stop.”

  Jo let out a breath. “Fine! But you do not storm in or try anything stupid. This is just a drive by, and we’re going back to the office to try and find out more information on every Madden in the state until we get this asshole.”

  “It’s a deal.”

  “I’ll just tell Sam we’re leaving and to keep us informed when everyone’s gone.”

  “I’ll be in the car.”

  “Give me your keys.” She held out her hand.

  “Are you nuts? You’re not driving.”

  “And I’m not giving you the chance to leave without me.” She waved her hand as if to tell him to cough up the keys.

  He reached into his pocket and put them in her hand, looking her in the eye. He was close enough to kiss her if he wasn’t surrounded by their peers and if he thought she wouldn’t punch him in the gut right after. Possibly during.

  As she walked away, he realized the car wasn’t unlocked, and he leaned against the door.

  The new chief walked over. “Thomas?”

  He turned around and saw her stepping carefully so she wouldn’t sink her heels into the soft ground. “Chief Milner.” He supposed he had better get used to that.

  “Call me Carla,” she said. “I know the whole chief thing is a little touchy at the moment.” She gave him a sympathetic look. “Have they cut him down yet?”

  Jake nodded.

  “Is he bad?” She put her hand over her heart. “I don’t think I could go in there and see him if he’s worse off.”

  “Then you should stay out here with me.”

  “Did I ever tell you me and the chief were friends?”

  “I think you mentioned it.” She looked as if she’d lost her best friend or more than that, perhaps. Her lover.

  “Yeah, we met just after he moved here. I was over in the next county then, paying my dues on the beat. We met at a meeting. He was a nice man. He even suggested that I be his temporary replacement when he learned what was happening.”

  “He was a good man. He liked helping others.”

  “He was one of the best friends I had in this department. He was pure of heart. Always willing to admit when he was wrong. Loyal to a fault, some would say.” She swallowed hard then caught her breath, wiping her eyes with a wad of tissue. “I was wondering if you’d mind calling his wife for me? She needs to know, and I haven’t found the courage. I’m afraid I might never.”

  Jake looked at her as her voice broke. “I think it’s the chief’s job to make that kind of call. You said he was your friend. I think he might prefer you do it.”

  She fidgeted with her collar and then looked away, holding a tissue to her chin. “I don’t think she’d want to hear it from me.”

  The shame in her eyes told Jake all he needed to know. She had been the other woman in the chief’s life. “You know, I guess I can make that call for you.”

  Her eyes lit up, but she did not smile. “I’d appreciate it.” She looked to the building, and when Jake’s eyes followed, he saw the body was being brought out to the ambulance for transport. “Thank you, Jake. Here is the number. I got it from his file at work.” Her voice cracked, and she turned and walked away.

  He wasn’t sure how he was going to tell Callie about her husband. He took a deep breath and waited on Jo to return.

  “Sorry, I didn’t want to walk over with Milner,” she said. “I could tell you two were having a private conversation.”

  “She wants me to call Callie O’Connor.”

  “Callie?” Her eyes widened as if she finally got it. “Oh. His wife.”

  “Yeah. The woman he was crazy about. You weren’t around enough to know it, but he adored her.” He wasn’t going to tell her what he had learned. Or at least, what he suspected. Hell, he wasn’t sure he even believed it. Callie was a nice woman. She had brought them cookies and pastries more times than he could count, and she had quickly won the hearts of the officers.

  “Do you need a minute?”

  “I need to be in the car. I’ll call Callie when we’re on the road. I’ll pull over to do it.”

  She gave a nod and unlocked his door. Then she went around as he got into the car and unlocked the other. When she was in, she handed him the keys. “Are you sure you’re up for this? You look a little down.”

  “I’m okay. Let’s get this over with. The sooner we get where we’re going, the sooner I can get this call over with.” He couldn’t believe he’d let the chief’s mistress off the hook, if that was what she was. But he’d mostly done it for Callie’s sake. She didn’t need to hear the news from someone who clearly had a thing for her husband. And if she knew about it? He wasn’t going to put her through that.

  Jo put her hand on his. “I’m sorry about yesterday and being upset with you today. I don’t want us to hold grudges. Life’s too short.”

  He wasn’t quite sure what to say. “I agree.” He looked into her eyes as he started the car and wondered if he might have a chance after all was said and done.

  Chapter 30

  Jake

  After pulling over to the side of the road and doing one of the hardest things he’d ever done, he needed a moment to collect himself. He got out of the car and walked around back, resting against his bumper and trying to block out the sound of Callie’s voice that was burned in his mind.

  He had asked her sister for information on the local sheriff’s department and then called one of the officers to go and be with her. He was glad she had her family surrounding her and promised to be in touch in a few days. He would go and see her when she got back into town. That was all he could do for now.

  Jo got out of the car and walked back to join him. “You did g
ood, Jake. You were compassionate, and I don’t think I could have handled it any better.”

  “I am so sick of people hurting. It’s the reason I wanted out of this job in the first place.” He pushed off the car. “If I’m lucky, this will be over soon, and I can figure out the rest of my life. I know one thing I want. To never deal with human suffering or the aftermath of it again.”

  “I had hoped you would stick around. I know the chief wanted you to.” She let out a long breath. “I want you to.”

  “You don’t need me to stay.” He shook his head. “Come on, Jo. Let’s go see this house and then get back to the station. The sooner we find all of the players, the better.” He went to get in the car, and she joined him.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t hold it together,” he said, pulling away from the road on his way to the neighborhood where the Madden murders had taken place. “I just hated to hear Callie so upset.”

  “Don’t apologize,” said Jo. “Do you remember the street name?”

  “No, but I remember how to get there, I think. The house had blue shutters and a big window in the front.”

  “Is there anything else you remember about it? Was the front door blue too? Did it have a lot of other windows? Was it a single story or two?”

  Her ticking things off wasn’t helping him, but he didn’t want to tell her that. “I think it’s on the right. There were flowers out front.” That was all he knew, and it would have to be enough. He knew once he saw the house, the memories would come flooding back to him.

  He slowed the car and turned into the neighborhood. “It’s a couple of streets away,” he said. “This is one of the older neighborhoods in the city. No one could believe it when the murders took place. Things like that didn’t happen here, you know?”

  She groaned as if she agreed. “That’s what they always say, isn’t it? Nothing horrible ever happens here. He just seemed like a nice, normal man. We had him over for barbeque and beer.”

  “Right? And now the victim, the all-American father, is the one stringing people up.”

  He took another turn, and Jo leaned forward to look at the houses. “There are a few houses that have blue shutters.”

  Jake shook his head. “This isn’t the street.” He slowed down and took the next right. “This is.” He saw the house and pulled over on the street. “This is it.” The house was boarded up and looked like it had been that way for years. The lawn was unkept, and there were no flowers growing along the walk to the front door.

  “He’s abandoned it.” He shut off the car and killed the headlights.

  Jo reached over and grabbed his hand. “You promised you wouldn’t get out of the car. Let’s go back to the office or to my house.”

  “Are you sure you want me to crash on your couch again? People are going to talk if they find out I’ve slept over a third time.” He turned and met her eyes.

  “I’m not worried about what they think. Do you really care? You don’t normally act as if you do.”

  “I really only care what you think.” He moved his arm and took her hand. “What do you think, Jo?”

  Her face fell, and she squeezed his hand. Just when he thought she was about to let him go, she looked up and seemed to search his eyes. “I want you to stay.”

  “Then I’ll stay.”

  “Not just the night, Jake. I want you to stay on the force. I know you’re sick of the ugliness, but we could fight it together.”

  “I’ve already made up my mind. Besides, you can always call me for help. I’m not going to abandon you.”

  She moved forward quickly. One minute, she was across the car, and the next, her mouth was on his. He deepened the kiss, and soon, his hand was in her hair, while hers was on his shoulder. They moved away, and she sank back in her seat, facing forward. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s okay. It’s been stressful.” He let out a breath, disappointed that two seconds after giving him what he had been wanting, she was regretful.

  “That was so unprofessional.” She put her hand on her collar. “I’ve just been so tense.” She turned to look at him, but while he felt her eyes on him, he couldn’t bear to look at her. She knew what a big mistake it had been. “I’m going to stop talking now. Maybe we should just go back to the station.”

  “That’s a good idea. I need to continue looking into my leads.” He opened his door, and before she could stop him, he got out and was across the lawn. He went to the door, and while it was boarded, he was able to remove them fairly easily.

  “You can’t go in there, Jake!” She looked over her shoulder as he pried away another bar.

  He turned toward her, wishing he didn’t have to look at her face. “I’m going. I’ve got to see it to remember. Get back in the car if you want.”

  He had the last board off, and then he tried the handle. It was locked, so he took out his pick set, and in less than a minute, he had the door unlocked.

  Jake pushed the door open and walked into the house while taking out his light. She hadn’t made a move for the car, and he could see the indecision in her eyes. “Are you coming?” He wasn’t going to sit and argue with her or beg her to follow. She had to make up her mind on this all on her own. He wouldn’t pressure her, knowing she was so against it.

  “Jesus. Remind me to never kiss you again. It makes you turn into a total asshole.” She shook her head and followed him into the house. “This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.”

  “Then you haven’t lived, sweetheart.”

  “Oh, great. You’re back to calling me that?” She had hated it when they first met.

  He shrugged. “You kissed me. I get to call you whatever the hell I want.”

  “Okay, so that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.” She followed Jake, and when he stopped, seeing the room much clearer in his mind, he found the light switch. The light came on, and he and Jo looked at each other before taking in the sight of his house.

  “This place hasn’t changed a bit,” said Jake. “It’s exactly the same.” He looked over into the living room where Emma’s toys were still scattered out of the toy box. “You’d expect two years of dust on everything. He comes here. Probably to remember.”

  “Do you remember anything?”

  Jake turned and looked down the hallway. There was an eerie feeling, not quite déjà vu, but close enough. He had taken those steps before down that long hall. Only the last time, there had been others around. He walked down the hall, and Jo reached out to stop him.

  “Jake. Don’t.” Jo grabbed his arm, her voice full of concern. “Let’s just go. We’ll go anywhere.”

  He pushed away from her and felt like shit when she stumbled. He gave her a look to let her know he was sorry. “I have to.” The things that were locked tight in his mind were still being held captive somewhere in the depths, and this was the only way to free them. He was finally on the right path to knowing everything. His doctor would call it a breakthrough.

  He stopped in the hall where a shadowbox held the Hangman’s military photo and medals. He had served his time and had finally come home for good, only for his family to get butchered. The tag on his uniform confirmed the name. “Madden.”

  He turned back toward the dark end of the hall, and when he came to the master bedroom, he turned on the light. Even though the bed was gone, he could still see it in his mind. “The killer left them there side by side.”

  Just then, his mind opened up to something else in the case. A walkthrough he’d taken a week after the crime. “He came here, took the weapons, and they walked in. Alyssa Madden found him in the closet. She tried to run, but he caught her.” Not just he. Kyle. “Kyle caught her.”

  “Kyle?” asked Jo.

  “That’s his name.” He remembered the kid had the balls to try and sell some of the stolen weapons. He had a terrible drug habit and had seen them leaving for the night while he was leaving a friend’s down the street. What was his name?

  “You’re remembering, aren’t you?” asked
Jo. “Think, Jake. Kyle who?”

  “His father was a senator.”

  Her face paled. “A senator? Do you remember? Are you sure that’s who it was?”

  He turned and looked at Jo across the room. He hadn’t realized he’d walked all the way into the bedroom until she spoke. He looked down where the bed was, no longer seeing the mother and daughter but an empty space. “Yes, I’m sure. Kyle Young. Son of Senator Young.”

  “And you’re absolutely sure of this?” She turned and walked out before he could answer. She hurried down the hall and out of the house.

  Jake followed. He had to catch up to her before she did something stupid like calling it in. “Wait!” He hurried to turn off the lights and shut the door behind him. She was stopped in the front yard, her hands on her knees. She was vomiting.

  He rubbed her back and brushed her hair away from her face to hold it back, but she slapped his hand away and began to cry.

  He had to give her some space. This had been a terrible fucking day, and it had just caught up to her.

  “Come on, Jo,” he said after she stopped and caught her breath. “Let’s get you home.”

  She nodded, and they walked toward the car. Once she had gotten in and put on her seatbelt, she turned and looked at him as he sat down beside her. “There’s something I should tell you before we go back to my place.”

  “No, it’s okay. Rest, and we’ll talk about it when we get there.”

  “No, it can’t wait. It’s about Kyle and Michael Young.”

  “Yeah?” He searched her eyes, and she looked up at him with an apologetic look. “Michael Young is my father. And that means the monster who killed Madden’s family is my half-brother.” She looked up at him with her big, green eyes full of tears. “My father is a monster too.”

  The End

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