She dialed Ken’s cell. He picked it up.
“Hey, I didn’t think you were coming back anytime soon, so I left,” he said. “I ran into Teresa Kelsey on the way out and chatted for a minute. She’s looking for Allen. Said he wanted to speak with her. I just said I hadn’t seen him. What do you think that’s about?”
Ignoring his question, she took a deep breath. “Did you happen to see a yellow business envelope under my sweater on the chair?”
“No, I didn’t. Honestly, I don’t really remember seeing your sweater, either. Observant right?”
An uncomfortable silence settled over the call.
“Wait, Sara, do you think I took your envelope?”
“To be honest, it crossed my mind.”
“Why? What the hell was in it that I would steal?”
“Let’s talk about it later. I have to go?”
“Sara, really?”
Click.
Chapter 75
“Is she taking visitors today?” Allen Manning asked Randall, trying one more time to speak with Teresa Kelsey.
“I don’t believe she is in. Do you want me to give her a message for you?”
Allen had enough of her trying to avoid him.
“Please tell Mrs. Kelsey that Officer Manning is here to speak with her on official business pertaining to her husband’s death. If she doesn’t comply with my request then perhaps I should make this an awkward official visit. Do you understand what I am saying? Now ring her and tell her I am here.”
Randall lifted the handset and pushed the button to Teresa’s suite. “Uh, Mrs. Kelsey? Officer Allen Manning is here to see you. He said it’s official business.”
“I see. Tell him I will be down in a few minutes. I need to get dressed.”
Allen took a seat in the lobby to wait for her appearance. What a pain in the ass, he thought. She really thinks she is something special and doesn’t have to abide by any law except her own. He was furious that he had to give her an ultimatum. After twenty minutes, still no Teresa. Allen was fuming. He stormed up to the desk.
“Dial her suite, I will speak with her myself this time. This is bullshit.”
Randall let the phone ring several times then dialed her again. Still no answer.
“Randall, I want to see her immediately. Show me to her suite.”
“I can’t just let you into her apartment. Not without good reason.”
“The reason is called obstruction. Now do I get a warrant for her arrest? Maybe I should get one for you as well. Am I making myself clear?”
Randall escorted Allen to the suite. No answer. Another knock, same results.
“Open the door.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Then I will break it down. She might be in trouble. Maybe she fell. That’s probable cause. Open the damn door!”
Teresa Kelsey was nowhere to be found. She obviously left through the back entrance.
“You knew she left, didn’t you?”
Randall kept quiet.
“I will deal with you later. You can bet on it!”
Allen contacted Detective Clayton and let her know that Teresa gave him the slip.
“I think she knows something about her husband’s murder. I’m going to Judge Canton for a warrant.”
“Good. I think she knows more about it, too. Hopefully we’ll be back by Thursday. Until then, anything you find, call one of us.”
Chapter 76
The cameras were set up in different areas of the court room to record the continued questioning from all different angles. Court officials, including Judge Orrick, Dr. Brickman, both detectives, both attorneys and the accused Timothy Cole, were all present.
Reese began, “Mr. Cole, did you murder your entire family? Two sisters, two brothers, your mom and your dad?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Why?”
Tim was sitting in a chair across the table from Reese. He was handcuffed with his legs shackled. He began playing with each one of his fingers. First licking them and then curling them up as if he was holding a gun and pointing in the direction of Reese. He noticed a pen lying on the table. He knew if he could reach it, he could put the tip right into the detective’s eyeball and push it right through to her brain. Just like he pushed the knife through the hearts of his family. Watching them gasp, blood trickling at the corner of the mouth, eyes as wide open as they could get. Feeling sexually satisfied when he finished killing them all. He then flashed Detective Clayton a huge smile, baring his rotting teeth and red, swollen gums. “I don’t really like this orange color suit, do you?”
“Just answer my question, Mr. Cole.”
“They were mean to me and wanted to send me back to that place. Mom loved me though.”
He was trying for the same reaction he always got when he mentioned his family, insanity.
“I see. Did you also kill Donald White in his own taxi?”
“He wanted to take me somewhere I didn’t want to go. I asked him to leave me in Jade. I know my way around here. He tried to stop me from getting out of the car by turning the wheel fast and hitting the brakes hard. I put my knife to his neck and sliced through it. He won’t be doing that again.”
Tim’s eyes started to glaze over.
“Now, Mr. Cole, what about the Saturn mental facility? Did you burn that down as well?”
“Your Honor,” interjected Mr. Schmidt, “my client already admitted to these crimes. Does Detective Clayton plan to continue to waste our time with this line of questioning? My client has been evaluated by a psychiatrist and we are requesting Mr. Cole be placed in a secure mental institution for the rest of his life.”
“Mr. Schmidt, you are here to observe the questioning by the detectives,” Judge Orrick reprimanded. “You’ll have ample time to defend your client.”
“But Your Honor, I feel my client’s rights are being abused now.”
“What might those rights be? He has admitted to these crimes, yes. But we are looking for confirmation on other charges in Cromwell. Continue, detective, and get to the point.”
“Detective Lake, would you take over the conversation, please?” asked Reese.
“Mr. Cole, you reside in Cromwell, South Dakota is that right?” Lake asked.
“Y... Ye...Yes.” Tim stuttered.
“Then why were you coming back to Jade?”
“I wasn’t. I told you the cab driver wanted to take me someplace else.”
“And why would a cab driver want to take you somewhere you didn’t want to go?”
Tim was becoming agitated. His legs were restless rattling the chains that shackled his ankles. His wrists were twisting to try to release the cuffs.
“Because, he was told to.”
“Tim, who told him to do this to you? And why would a cab driver want to take you somewhere you didn’t want to go?”
“I don’t remember, I guess.”
“Did you know it was wrong for this cab driver to take you somewhere you didn’t want to go? Is that why you killed him?”
“Yes!”
Tim started banging his cuffed hands on the table, standing up and then sitting back down, knowing there was no where he could go. As soon as he stood, there were police ready to stop him.
Eve Dawson stood in front of the judge. “Your Honor, if I may. The accused has just admitted he knows right from wrong. That makes him capable to stand trial.”
“I hear you, Ms. Dawson. Detective Lake, please continue.”
“Thank you, Your Honor,” Lake said before turning to address Cole again. “Timothy Cole, who hired that cab driver to take you where you didn’t want to go?”
“The Boss! I don’t want to talk anymore. I’m tired. I need a shower.”
“Mr. Cole, you just had a shower before we came here.”
&
nbsp; “I need a nap. I need to speak to my mom. I love my mom, you know.”
“Your Honor, just a few more questions. Mr. Cole, do you know the name of the person you call the Boss?”
Tim put his cuffed hands to his lips and made a zipping motion.
“Your Honor,” Schmidt stood up. “Clearly, my client is upset and in need of rest. How much longer will this questioning go on?”
“Not long at all, Mr. Schmidt. Mr. Cole will be remanded to jail without bail until such time as arrangements can be made for me to oversee his sentencing in Cromwell, South Dakota. Transfer granted. 24/7 surveillance granted. Guards, remove Mr. Cole from this hearing room. I will want copies of this entire video sent to my office at once. Copies should be sent to both attorneys as well.”
He stood up from his chair. Everyone else stood in response. Except for Tim Cole. He sat stone-faced in his chair glaring at the judge with a look that sent shivers down his spine. He wrapped his robes around himself holding it tight as he exited the chambers.
Reese slumped down into her chair.
“Well, we didn’t get much out of that did we?” she mumbled to Lake.
“We need to get a look at Cole’s cell phone,” Lake whispered back. “Whoever the Boss is could certainly be listed in the contacts.”
After securing Cole back in the Jade lockup, Reese retrieved his phone from the evidence locker. Signed out. By the book. No mistakes. She handed it to her partner, who started scrolling through the recent call history.
“Holy crap! This phone certainly does have numbers in it. This is going to shock you.”
“Why? Do we know these people?”
“More than know them. Look.”
Reese leaned in over his arm and glanced down at the screen. “Oh shit!”
“We have to report this to the captain. Set things in motion back in Cromwell.”
He gave Reese a half smile and made the call.
“Captain, we will be back in Cromwell soon, in the meantime we need warrants.”
He then explained why and who.
Captain Brown paused for a second to grasp the gravity of the situation.
“Not a problem, detective. They will be waiting when you arrive. Watch your backs extraditing him here.” After hanging up, she thought this may very well be the biggest case they ever had. And all of it happened right under their noses, starting with the rape of a young woman who was basically held hostage for most of her life. She never knew she could or should walk away and get help. One for the books.
It took two days to coordinate Cole’s transport back to Cromwell. As he was being led to the armored police van fitted with heavy mesh and metal bars, Cole saw Reese and let out a loud, “Ha! Well little lady, I see you’re not driving this time. Just along for the ride, Honey? Did you bring some hot coffee for us? Did ya?”
“No, darlin. But I do have a gun. A big one.” Reese sneered.
The Jade police officer shoved Cole in the back of the van and slammed the double doors. Reese sat in front with an officer while Emerson sat in the seat behind with his weapon on his hip. Prepared for whatever this sick bastard might try. Leading the procession was a police cruiser escort and in the rear were two-armed officers driving the detectives’ vehicle. Tim had planned on getting rid of his escorts with one squeeze of their necks, but he did not plan on having this many people guarding him. All he could do now was wait for a different opportunity to arise.
Once back in Cromwell, they were greeted by the media and members of the community, all wanting to get a look at Tim Cole. A large WDC 23 news van with its satellite antenna extended to the fullest sat outside of the Cromwell police station. As soon as the procession pulled up, reporters swarmed the armored vehicle, their microphones at the ready for any answers they could get. Flashes from cameras popped. Everyone was talking at once. This was indeed the biggest thing to happen in Cromwell ever. And right there in the thick of the frenzy was Brenda Charles.
The officers threw open the back doors of the van revealing Cole in his bright orange jumpsuit, hands cuffed and ankles still shackled. It was the perfect scene. Flashes from cameras and the bright lights of the video cameras illuminated the street. Tim began playing his role as an abused victim.
“I didn’t know what I was doing,” he wailed. “I want to see my mom. I love her. I didn’t mean to kill her. I know she loved me. I just know it.”
Reporters were writing as fast as he was speaking. The detectives pushed him through the crowd as quickly as they could, never letting go of him for an instant. Brenda managed to get close and began to rattle off her questions to the accused, not getting anything but the same rant. Brenda then shoved the microphone into a detective’s face, but immediately regretted that move.
“Emerson,” she gasped pulling the microphone away.
Shocked to see her, Lake’s eyes met hers for a brief second, but he instantly returned his attention back to the prisoner. There was not nearly enough police presence to break up the crowd, but they managed to get Cole into the station. The media stayed outside for hours waiting for just one comment or one more photo, with the exception of one. Brenda entered the news van and left the gaggle of reporters behind.
The captain and the other officers were gathered inside to watch as Cole was escorted back into the station. Once in his cell, Cole spotted Ken Sorenson.
“It was him!” Cole shouted. “He knows I didn’t mean to hurt anybody. You...you know me. You helped me. Am I right?”
Ken spun around and glared at Tim in disbelief.
Detective Lake grabbed the cell phone in his pocket and, sure enough, near the bottom of the list was a number with just the name Ken. Lake never once thought of connecting the two.
“Detective Clayton, would you escort Officer Sorenson into the interrogation room please?” Lake asked. “Officer Sorenson, please hand over your badge and your weapon to Detective Clayton until we straighten this out.”
“Are you kidding me?” Sorenson yelled. “Are you accusing me of something, Detective?”
“An admitted murderer suddenly recognizes you and claims you helped him. What do you think?”
“Just wait a minute,” Ken pleaded. “I do know him and I did help him, but not with a murder. I saw him sleeping on a bench in the park near the playground. He said he was homeless. I kept an eye out for him now and then and saw where he would sleep and as long as he wasn’t bothering anybody, I left him alone.”
“Why wouldn’t you bring him in? Can you explain that to me?” Lake was furious. His cheeks reddening with each passing moment.
“Why would I? He wasn’t breaking any laws. He was just sleeping. I asked him to leave the playground and he did. He was homeless and I could relate. I was homeless once, but I made it through because of two people that saw the good I could do. Teresa and Martin Kelsey. They helped me, so I decided to pay it forward. Now, unless you think I am guilty of anything more than being a human being, then I have reports to file. Otherwise, arrest me!”
“Officer, your name and number are in this man’s cell phone. Do you care to explain?”
“I gave him my number when I met him. In case he needed help. And, yes, Detective, I felt sorry for him. It appears you don’t believe my side of the story.”
Captain Brown stepped in, “Officer Sorenson, I suggest you stop talking and get yourself representation. Do you understand what I am telling you?”
“Yes Captain,” Ken replied with a nod. He handed Reese his badge and removed his gun from its holster. But instead of handing it over, he put his finger on the trigger. Immediately, six different cops drew their weapons and aimed right at Ken.
“Nice way to ruin a person’s career,” he said, staring directly at Lake. “Fuck all of you.”
He lifted the gun to his head and pulled the trigger.
Chapter 77
Sitting
in his cell, Tim Cole looked solemn. A little tearful even. He began talking to himself to get the attention of Detective Clayton. He began to cry real tears yelling, “What have I done? What have I done?”
Reese told the officer guarding Cole’s cell to take a coffee break. “I’ll keep an eye on him until you get back. 15 minutes, got it?”
Tim was now sobbing uncontrollably. Then it was like turning the gas off on the stove. He began to laugh hysterically, staring directly at Reese. Deciding to ignore him, she just sat and waited for the officer to return.
“You guys are no better than me,” Tim said through the laughter. “No better than me for sure.”
“What the hell is your problem?” Reese snapped back. “Sit on your cot and shut-up!”
“You just don’t want to hear the truth do you, Detective?”
“And just what might that truth be?” she asked, holding her hand on her firearm.
“You and your partner just allowed a man to kill himself for doing nothing.” Tim let out a sinister laugh. “That cop was telling you the truth. He did nothing, but try to help me. First time ever anybody gave a shit about what happened to me. Everything he said was true. He even said if he heard of anybody looking to hire some help, he would let me know. That’s why the phone number. If you look in his phone, mine is there.”
“And did he find you a job?”
“Yeah, sort of. Some lady wanted me to follow her old man around to see if he was cheating. You know take pictures and all that.”
“Can you tell me the name of this person that hired you? Or the name of the person you were following?”
“What’s in it for me? Why should I help you when you are the reason the only person who treated me right killed himself?”
Now Say You're Sorry Page 18