by Alex Harris
Chapter 17
Oriole and Fred had divided up tasks to track down information on Janelle’s last night of life. Fred had phone records from Marlene and credit card receipts by way of an emergency subpoena. Oriole had decided to do some follow up on the Stutz case while waiting for the records, rather than make wasted phone calls if the information came through on any purchases or phone calls.
“We got him.” Fred’s exuberance burst forth. “He made three phone calls to Janelle’s cell phone. One Friday night and two on Saturday. What about the credit card?” He turned to Oriole.
“Friday, gas at the Express Stop. And lookee here. Dinner at Zeke’s Saturday night. $42.88, must be for two. Got that picture of Janelle and a driver’s license picture of Smith?”
“Right here.”
“Let’s go to Zeke’s. Want me to drive this time?” Oriole knew better, but couldn’t help herself. She had respected Fred’s and Marlowe’s privacy by not asking about the ‘date date’. But curiosity was killing her. She knew better than to broach it with Fred if he didn’t bring it up, so she’d have to wait and get it from Chalcey, Summer or God forbid, Marlowe. Fred did seem upbeat and happy. He had been humming all day a tune that kept repeating in her head.
“Could we talk to the manager?” Fred asked the waitress at the register.
“That would be me until Jim comes on at 5:00. What can I do for you?”
“This is Detective O’Neill, I’m Detective Wolfe. We’re with the sheriff’s office. Were you on duty Saturday night about 8:30 p.m?”
“Jim and I both were. Saturdays are real busy.”
“We’re trying to find anyone who can tell us if a couple were in here. I have what we call a photo lineup of six males and another of six females. Could you look at them and tell me if you recognize anyone?” Fred pulled the line ups from a file folder and had the manager read the admonition and sign it.
“That lady there was here with a guy. Let’s see they sat in section b, table 5 and had prime rib and chicken, beer and wine. She was wearing a real git up. Red and black. The guy she was with-a real looker but kinda rough. Yeh, that’s him #5. He ordered Corona and was kinda mean to her. I wanted to tell her to take a powder, that no guy that treats a woman like that is worth it, but I minded my own business.”
“The credit card says 8:30 p.m. did they leave right then or stick around for music?”
“They left as soon as I gave them the credit card back. He paid. He was in some hurry. She hadn’t even finished her wine and he was at the door. He’d spent most of the dinner on the phone. Rude. Some of the stuff we see.”
“Thanks. Can we get your name and contact information in case we need more from you?” Oriole’s excitement mounted.
Back in the SUV, Oriole put in a call to Joe. “Pay dirt. They were together at Zeke’s. Let’s wait to pick him up until we have just a little more. What about a search warrant for his car? We got hers. Let’s go over it with a fine tooth comb, see if anything shows up then maybe approach the county attorney for a search warrant for his car. Fred and I are on our way back to the SO. Maybe 10 minutes.”
“I’ll call the county attorney’s office for the on call deputy to see if we have enough for a search warrant. What else are you thinking about?”
“I don’t know. We have eye witnesses. Phone records. Credit card records. How about DNA? What about going over her place again for his DNA or fingerprints. Weren’t there a bunch that weren’t hers? Maybe that could at least tie him to the house.” Oriole was grasping for straws and knew it. There just had to be something solid to tie him to Janelle’s murder.” What about that second phone he had? Maybe I can call Marlene and get a lead on it.”
“I’ll call the technician and see about fingerprints. There was no skin fragments under her fingernails and no sign of recent sexual activity. There might be dna like in the bathroom or on the syringe. I’ll ask the tech when I talk to him. See you when you get here.