"We're moving slowly Connie. One interesting thing we discovered is that the wife of Chief Lance has Alzheimer's disease. That was a bit of a shock. She's under the care of a Dr. Oday at a Native American owned assisted living complex here in Bandon. Apparently Lance provided for her for life if something happened to her. Right now she has nurse with her."
"I'm aware of the circumstances Stacy. We're paying the bills and will continue until she passes on. Do you think there's a connection between the complex and the murder?"
"Way too early to tell Connie. So far we've no idea who might be a suspect. The CSI team found nothing to give us a lead. The windows were shut and locked. The door was locked as well. The Chief's keys were in his pocket. He had only about twenty five dollars in his wallet. Meanwhile, Sam is downtown snooping around and loving the attention. One person who doesn't love the attention is my father. He knows he'll have to substitute again."
"I'll find someone temporary and then find a permanent Chief of Police."
"Okay, now here is what I need for an undercover job I've dreamed up. I think Ron Redflower is a good choice to go undercover at the Alzheimer's clinic. What I need is some medical paper work from a bona fide doctor stating his hopeless case. Can we do that Connie?"
"No problem Stacy. I'll have it faxed to you within a day or so. I think that is a good idea. You might have Rhonda run a back ground check on all the staff at the complex. Is that all for now?"
"Yes and thanks. We're going to need all the help we can get to solve this case."
She hung up the phone and looked at Rory who gave her thumbs up on Ron flying down. "He'll be here sometime this afternoon," he said while Ben walked in fully dressed in his usual natty dress: creased dress pants, open collar shirt and a sports coat. He looked exactly what one might expect of a seasoned homicide detective.
"Nice to see you all," he said while sitting down next to Rory as Stacy left her desk to sit at the conference table with them. Ben reached into his inside coat pocket and pulled out a small zip lock evidence bag. Inside were two black hairs. "This is all I found under the desk. Well not under exactly, but next to the desk where the chair is. I think they're arm hair. It might be that when the killer plunged the knife in, he rubbed his bare arm against the victim's shoulder. One has a follicle on the end of it. I think it's possible to retrieve DNA from a follicle."
"Indeed you can Ben. There's also a real possibility that one can get DNA from the hair itself, but it's best to have the follicle," said Stacy.
"What was the Chief wearing for a coat or shirt when he was killed," asked Ben
"He had on a sweater," said Rory.
"We need to carefully examine it for similar hairs. I'm sure the CSI team has done that part of the examination, but we should call them posthaste," said Ben.
Stacy passed the CSI leaders card and smiled at Ben. Stacy went on to tell him about their visit to the Chief's wife and to the Alzheimer's facility. He looked puzzled at the news. His frown lines were showing. Rory was thinking about lunch. "That's about it so far Ben."
"It's lunch time after you call Ben," said Rory. "I hope that is okay with all of you?"
Stacy nodded her head and left to see if her father was still here. She found him on the phone in the Chief's office where he would be ensconced for the time being. He hung up and said, "Fran is not so happy Stacy. However, she understands. I'm going home for awhile to put my shop on shut down order."
"Connie said she would send a temporary Chief soonest she could. Let's hope she finds someone quickly. Do you want lunch dad?"
"I'll grab something at home. Don't worry about me. I feel doubly bad that I really didn't get to know the guy. I should have been more helpful, but I was happy to leave the place is all."
"Don't beat yourself up dad. You walked out and was replaced by a complete stranger. He could have called you or made an effort to visit you, but as I see it, he was too busy tending his wife to be socializing very much."
"I wonder if any of the staff knew about her condition. I need to see Flo and see who was on duty yesterday and last night. Also to see if any messages came in or phone calls to maybe lead us to a suspect."
"Well, let me know if I can help. Sam is working the streets and knowing him, he'll have a bone for you to chew on. Unlike most rumor mongers, Sam is or makes sure his info is reliable. I'll get James to run me home."
Dan was off the phone and ready for lunch. Stacy chatted with Flo, and Rory waited at the door. They walked across the street braving a gusty spring day. After ordering Ben said, "I talked to Doug Warner, who was less than friendly, I might add. He reluctantly gave me some information on the sweater the victim was wearing. They too found some black arm hair. I asked about hair follicles and he mumbled something about not finding any. I said I'd deliver the samples I had. He hung up after that."
"Going up after lunch Ben," asked Rory.
"Yes and I'll see Captain Blane to give him a heads up on that CSI team leader."
Just as lunch arrived, so did Smiling Sam. He was bubbling over with enthusiasm. He sat in the only empty chair at the table. His head swiveled from person to person and finally settling on Stacy. He said, I heard that there's trouble at the Alzheimer's complex with the staff at the highest levels. It's rumored that somebody is fleecing the residents, but names never were mentioned. I'm told this place ranking up at the top for residents of high social status. After brow beating my friend, he mentioned that the accounting system needed looking at."
"Great work Deputy," said Stacy. "Now get something to eat. We're seeing some leads to pursue at this point."
Rory only half heard as his stomach was craving food. When his order arrived, Sam's eyes opened wider than Stacy had ever seen before. Sam looked at Stacy and she rolled her eyes. Sam ordered and waited while the others ate. He was in no hurry as he felt he'd done a good days work already. Besides, it was close to his nap time right after lunch.
While drinking tea and coffee after lunch, she told the team that she would have Rhonda run background checks on all the staff. However, even if someone was scamming the residents, why would that be motive for murder of the Chief of Police?
Rory thought he should go back and see the receptionist who thought Rory was a dream come true. He would figure out some excuse for asking questions. Dan left for North Bend to see his old Captain. Both he and Rory were once serving as State Police Detectives out of North Bend. That was when Stacy met Rory and Ben for the first time.
The meeting took place on Bandon's golf course on the Beach Loop Road. Stacy, then a Police Officer fresh out of the university, was looking for clues on the golf course when sexist Rory Caltex showed up wanting to know what a female was doing a man's job for. He accused her of disturbing evidence. To make a long story short, she made him eat his red neck words by solving the case while he stood back with an open mouth.
The irony is, he fell head over heels in love with her. She, for the next year made him suffer mightily for the words he had spoken when they first met. After he proved his sincere change of personality, she gradually let him into her life. He never made that mistake again.
Stacy, from the Alzheimer's brochure, obtained a list of the current staff members. She called Rhonda. Rhonda as always was right on top of the phone with a cheerful greeting. "Rhonda I've got a list of names and the place where they work for you to do some background checks on please."
"Fax the list and I'll get right on it."
"Flo is in the process right now of sending it to you. What time did Ron get away?"
"He called me as he boarded a twin that will be there in a couple hours."
"Thanks Rhonda. We've got a strange one on our hands. So far we're just shooting into the dark. No suspects and so far no motive for the murder of the Chief. Call me soonest you have something."
Stacy hung up and sat wondering where to go or what to do next. Then she remembered his messages and also to check his cell phone. Stacy walked to the front where Flo was ja
bbering on the phone to probably one of her talkative friends. Stacy smiled thinking there really was not information she could tell a soul.
Flo said goodbye and looked up smiling at Stacy. Stacy said, "Flo where are the records of the Chiefs' phone calls. Don't we keep records of the calls?"
"Indeed we do Stacy. Here it is all ready for you. The CSI team took his cell phone and his laptop. But as far as I know he rarely made any cell calls and I've never seen his laptop open, but he does carry it back and forth to work and home."
"Thanks and where is James now after he took the Chief home?"
"He called in to say he was having lunch and be back here in a short while."
"Have him see me if he calls in or comes in please."
-4-
Rory strode into the entrance looking like he owned the place. Miss Red Lips with the inflated chest smiled her widest to Rory as he came through the door. She instantly reacted by making sure her hair was in place. She fussed with some papers and kept looking at him. Rory said, "I hope you're not too busy to enlighten me about this fine establishment."
"Not at all Marshall. What would you like to know," she asked with touch of flirt in her voice.
"Well let's start at the top shall we. How is Dr. Oday to work for," he asked while making sure she saw him look at her deep cleavage.
"Oh he's alright, but my boss is Ms. Lewis the second in command here. She—'', while looking around, "is kind of a ridged boss. Like if you're one minute late to work or take an extra few minutes at lunch time – well, she will make sure you are aware of her preciseness."
"Sounds like my old Marine Sergeant from San Diego. He too was tougher than nails."
"I wonder do you have time to take me on a tour of the place?"
"If you can wait about fifteen minutes I can. Sonia is coming on shortly."
"I'll wander down to the nice plaza area where fountain is. I'll wait for you there." He strolled off and felt her eyes on his rather form fitting Dockers he always wore.
When he arrived at the fountain, he saw Dr. Oday talking to a resident. They had their heads together as if discussing something important. Rory stood watching, but tried not to be too obvious. He sat down at a round table with an umbrella over the top of it. The chairs were comfortable and others were sitting doing various things. One lady was reading a Kindle, another man was playing a game of chess by himself and another fine looking late middle age woman was knitting.
He glanced back and Oday and saw him rise, shake the man's hand and leave without ever seeing Rory. Obviously it was something serious. Rory got up and went to the resident senior who looked up and it confused. Rory introduced himself and showed the man his gold shield. The old man was impressed with the shield and said, "Nice, very nice Marshall. Have we met before?"
"No sir we haven't met before, but I'm just here looking around in case my father needs a place like this to retire at."
"He'll love it here. Dr – oh – my my -- anyway, the people here are very nice. He helps me with some money things."
"That's nice to have someone you can trust sir. Are you married?"
"Yes I am, but my wife is not here. She's at home. She comes sometimes to visit me."
Rory looked up and saw Red Lips bearing down on him. He said good bye to the man and followed her to have a tour of the place. The first place she showed him was the cafeteria or a facsimile of a dual purpose eating area. If you were unable to handle a tray, then you could order from a person or into a mic that would send the order to the kitchen. The residents always sat in the same place, if they could remember where that place was.
Rory saw from the earlier menu that the food was quality and he found out later quite nutritious from an onsite nutritionist. Rory was impressed to say the least. He hoped his father or mother would never need such a place, but if they did, this seemed like a pleasant and healthful facility.
Red Lips took him to some of the distant residences. Rory noticed that parked next to every door there was an electric cart to ease the burden of walking. Another thing he noticed that it seemed the staff were constantly roaming around. Back inside the square where the fountain was located, the patients were enjoying the sunshine but protected from the wind. A great design, he thought, as they went back to the reception area.
By now Red Lips was drooling over Rory. He felt slightly bad for having to leave her somewhat heartbroken, but he had his significant one elsewhere. He drove back to the station wondering what the doctor and patient were discussing so intensely.
While on his way back, his cell phone rang. It was Stacy telling him to pick up Ron at the airport. Rory acknowledged the instruction and turned south on Highway 101 to the airport just a short distance away.
Ron was standing there waiting with a large backpack on his shoulder. He also had a giant smile on his face. Rory knew he loved this kind of assignment. He seemed like a born actor. Rory was confident he would do what he could to see if anything was about of the ordinary and the assisted living facility.
Jumping into the passenger seat after throwing his pack in the back he said, "Nice place Bandon is. I've never been here before. Is there always a cold breeze off the ocean here?"
"Yes, but after awhile you kind of get used to it. Just dress appropriately. In your case, due to the assignment, probably informal attire, but let's see what Stacy thinks," as he drove north to the station.
Five minutes later they were inside the station in Stacy's situation room. She had made some notes on the whiteboard. She turned and said, hello and take a seat while I finish making some notes here."
"Fill me in Rory," asked Ron. "The paper said that Police Chief Lance Eaglefeather was murdered in the station house."
"What wasn't mention was the fact he was stabbed by a hunting knife and then scalped. What we don't know was it a Native American who killed him or was it a Whiteman who wanted to throw us a curve ball."
"I see and where am I to go undercover," he asked as Stacy sat down.
"Ron, nice to see you," said Stacy. "The local assisted living Alzheimer's facility here is owned by the Coquille Indian Tribe. They also have a casino in North Bend just north of here about twenty miles. Connie will fax us some medical reports explaining your disease. You'll check in and become a patient. Do you need time to study the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?"
"I'd like some more time to read about it if we have the time?"
"I think we can do that. We'll book you into a hotel up in Coos Bay where you won't be noticed. It's my idea to have Ben and Rory go to the casino to see if anyone recognizes a picture of the victim. Somewhere he offended someone to the point that murder was the only solution to the conflict."
Ben is up in North Bend at the State Police station looking at the evidence from the CSI team. The victim's cell phone might reveal a clue. We've very little to go at this point. A source tells us that there's a scam going on at the facility,'' said Stacy.
"Okay, I'll go study on my computer. I'm a little hungry and saw a restaurant across the street. Is it a good one?"
Rory said, "Yes, let me show you how good it is,"
Stacy rolled her eyes and Ron caught the drift right away."
Stacy said, "Rory, drive me to the jetty. I’m going for a walk on the beach. But first I need to go home and get my Gore-Tex coat and stocking hat. I can tell it's blowing hard on the beach, but it will be invigorating."
After getting decked out for the beach walk, Rory drove her, with Ron, to the jetty. From the parking lot it's right next to the sandy beach. She took off south into the wind. Ron said, "This is quite a scenic little town. I'm not sure I could take the wind all the time though. I love it when it's hot and dry, like Yakima where I'm from."
Rory said, "It's just a short eight of a mile to where Stacy killed a man who was trying to kill her. We had set a trap for him and I was hidden with a rifle trained on him. However, I was only to interfere if things turned ugly. She was quick and accurate. It was so fast I hardly saw the a
ction. She is one cool lady Ron."
Stacy, with coat zipped up to her neck, scarf wrapped around her face to keep the blowing dry sand from stinging her face, a pair of leather lined gloves, and she leaned into the wind ready for a refreshing hike on the beach. The tide was out so she hit the wet sand for better traction.
A few seagulls squawked over head circling the low tide for a straggler that might have missed the outgoing tide. Some beach combers dislike the smell of the ocean beach at low tide. It can be fairly pungent with decaying sea creatures and rotting kelp. But for Stacy who had grown up on the coast, it was not offensive. She continued her walk while beginning to think about the case.
Usually when Stacy went for a walk, which meant she was putting the case together and formulating how the murder was committed. Rory called it 'Zoning'. However, this time he would be dead wrong as Stacy had almost nothing to go on. No starting point and nothing to follow up on. The walk was meant to clear her head and fill her body with fresh oxygen. Frankly, it was quite a shock that a homicide happened so soon after their last case. On top of that, it happened in her home town at her former police station.
She kept going passing the two big sun bleach trees that had washed up eons ago during a severe storm. That was where she killed her assailant who wanted her dead. She set a trap and that was the end of him. Now she decided she would take a break and hide behind a big log from the wind. Over the years many beach combers and picnic goers would find such a place to be protected from the wind. A blackened fire pit was evidence of that place. Stacy found a small log to sit on and gaze out to the sea or just examine the sun checked drift wood.
Her immediate thoughts went to her mother who also liked to hike the beach looking for unique pieces of driftwood. When Stacy was older her mother would take her at low tide and show her the various colored starfish attached to the rocks. Also there were thousands of muscles hanging against the rocks. Small pools inside shallow dished rocks were filled with sea anemones.
Murder at Police Station Page 3