“Whoa, you’re about to run into a beam,” Sam says, pulling me towards him. “Not good to walk and read at the same time.”
Too engrossed in what I just discovered, I reply, “We have to take another detour.”
Chapter Twenty-Four.
According to the guards at the building where Hunt Projects are located, Ollie Hunt is having a meeting with the mayor of Exeter at City Hall. He’s not the reason why I’m here. I tell them who I want to see, and the guard that escorted me the last time asks me to follow him once again, where we travel up to the tenth floor.
When the doors open, I notice there are a lot more people than before, and they’re all standing around in small groups. They have drinks in hand. None of them are talking loudly, but they’re dressed up and very happy. Classical music permeates the room. Looks like Sam and I have crashed an office party.
Georgia spots us from a group of men, and she excuses herself, making her way to us.
“Detective Kipling,” she replies with subdued surprise. “If you came by to speak with Ollie, you’ve missed him by an hour or so. He’s at the Mayor’s office.”
“I’m here to see you, and I think you know why.”
She clears her throat and glances around the room to see if anyone is watching or listening. With extraordinary grace, she asks us to follow her to her office. She makes the guard wait outside of the door. He does so without fuss.
I turn on the recorder and get directly to the point. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew Ruby Taylor?”
“You never mentioned her when you first stopped by.”
“But you were asked about Finley Price’s employment records. You knew that Finley was dating Ruby’s sister, and you knew Ruby. She asked you to hire him, didn’t she?”
Georgia swallows and closes her eyes. She shivers from nervousness. “Yes, she did.”
“You should have said something when I was here the first time.”
“I didn’t want Ollie to know about my involvement with her.”
“Your involvement?” I repeat with raised interest. “What does that mean?”
“Ruby and I are close friends. If Ollie found out, he would have rescinded the offer as a construction inspector to her.”
“She was dead, Georgia. There was no need for secrecy at that point.”
“I was scared. I decided it was just better to keep my mouth shut about Ruby, and only answer the questions you ask. I figure it was no big deal anyway.”
“No big deal? You should have told me you knew her, bottom line.” I huff, thinking about how much time Georgia could have saved me if she simply told the truth. “How close were you two? Were you acquaintances? Best friends?”
“We were dating. We’d been together for quite some time.”
“How did you meet her?”
“As typical as it may sound, I met Ruby in a bar. We started talking. I bought her a drink. She was her beautiful, cute self. I think I fell in…Sorry.” She blushes and chuckles. “We became very close after that. I loved her.”
Sam is uncomfortable with the conversation, but I’m unphased. Her proclamation doesn’t pin down who killed Ruby.
“When was the last time you saw her?”
“Sunday afternoon.”
“Where?”
“At my house. She came over after church and spent most of the day with me. She was supposed to stay all day and night, but she wanted to go to a party and go home. Ruby promised me that she’d come back after she checked on her sister, but she never did.”
“Did you call her when she didn’t return?”
“I fell asleep around midnight. At the time, I figured I would call Ruby after I got to work on Monday.”
“How did you find out that she was dead?”
“A note was slipped under my front door. I found it when I came downstairs early that morning.”
“A note?” I wasn’t expecting her to say that. “What note?”
“It was brown with blood on it.” Georgia sobs, “Someone had written that she was dead in Sable Alley.”
“What did you do after you found it?”
“I called a friend on the force.”
“And who is this friend you have on the force, Georgia?”
“Maisie Green.”
I look at Sam, who is just as shocked as I am. DS Green gave me the case. But why wouldn’t she tell me this bit of information? She must have known I went to Hunt Projects, and that I would eventually find out about her connection to Georgia Knight.
“How do you know DS Green?”
“We tend to travel the same circles and have the same friends.”
“I see,” I reply, knowing what she means.
Georgia wipes the tears from her cheeks. “I’m sorry I didn’t say something when you first came by. Honestly, I thought since you were focused on Finley Price that he had murdered Ruby, and it didn’t matter that I knew her. I truly loved Ruby. It might not seem that way, but I do.”
“You proved Finley Price didn’t kill her. He’s illiterate. He couldn’t have written the note.”
“Oh,” she says, slumping down in her chair.
“I know you’re a little beside yourself right now, Georgia, but I have to ask you more questions.”
“I’ll answer everything this time.”
“Were you paying for her education?”
“Yes. I wanted Ruby to have every opportunity afforded to her.”
I figured Georgia did, especially after she professed her love for Ruby.
“Why didn’t you let Ruby move in with you? Did you know she lived in a slum neighborhood?”
“She stayed with me most of the time. Many of her belongings are at my home, but sometimes she would spend the night in her apartment in the Crow Building. She was taking care of Erin and Finley.”
“Did Ruby have problems with anyone at work, home, or school?”
“Ruby mentioned that she thought someone was following her last week.”
“Did she describe to you what he or she looked like?”
“No, I didn’t even bother to ask. I thought Ruby was being dramatic. I mean, who follows people around like that?”
“Stalkers,” I point out. “People who want to kill other people.”
Georgia covers her mouth. Tears escape her eyes. “God,” she sobs. “I had no idea she was in danger like that. I had no idea.” She pulls tissue from a box off her desk and wipes her face. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for not coming forward sooner, Detective. I was selfish. I was scared.”
“Georgia, listen to me. Is it possible that Ollie found out about your relationship with Ruby?”
“No, there’s no way possible. We were very discreet.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. Ollie had no idea.”
“When she was hired, did she sign a nondisclosure agreement?”
“Yes, it’s a requirement of her position.”
“I only found the last page at the crime scene. Is that all you gave her?”
“Ruby had a complete copy of the agreement after she was hired. I printed them out. I gave them to her myself.”
“Okay, Georgia, I don’t have anything else to ask you right now.”
“Am I under arrest?”
“Did you kill Ruby?”
“No, I would never hurt her.”
“Then, no, you’re not under arrest. If you think of anything new that could be helpful in the investigation, call me. I’m out of District Three, or you can get in touch with DS Green, and she’ll get in touch with me.”
“I will.”
I leave Hunt Projects, feeling like I haven’t made any progress. Georgia Knight, Harrison Shaw, Reece Pearson, and Pastor Ashton Murray are all persons of interest. But I have zero evidence connecting them to Ruby’s murder, and I still don’t have the murder weapon.
The guy in the video footage at the Hyde-Chapman platform doesn’t fit anyone I’ve met during this case. Finley Price is too small. Ha
rrison Shaw is short as well, and Reece Pearson is much bigger with a gut and has a beard, which doesn’t fit the guy in the video at all. When it comes to Pastor Murray, he seems to be too small too, and I can’t see him hurting a homeless woman for a baseball bat.
When Sam and I are finally in the car, I cover my head with my hand. I’m missing a connection. Maybe, I’m not asking all the right questions, and the possibility exist that I’m not putting on the pressure like Robinson said I should. Out of everyone I’ve spoken to, one of them has to be the killer.
“That was eye-opening,” Sam remarks, breaking the silence.
“Is that how you describe it?”
“Finding out that Detective Sergeant Maisie Green is a lesbian. Yeah, that’s exactly how I would describe that meeting.”
“Being gay or lesbian doesn’t matter. What matters is that DS Green didn’t tell me that she knew Georgia Knight and that she gave her the note. Why wouldn’t she give me all the details? I don’t get it.”
“Maybe, she killed Ruby Taylor, or she had someone do it.”
“Sam, that’s ridiculous.”
“They travel in the same circles. That’s what Knight said. It’s very possible DS Green liked Knight, and she got rid of your victim so they can be…you know…together.”
“How far do you think you’re going to get accusing a woman way over your paygrade of murder?”
“I’ll be fired,” he admits without hesitation.
“Yeah, I’m glad you realize that.”
“But it doesn’t mean it’s a farfetched idea.”
“That wasn’t DS Green in the video at the train station.”
“No, but she might know who it was, and she could have paid him to kill Taylor.”
“The guy was talking to Ruby. They knew each other.”
“Maybe,” Sam says casually. “Maybe not.”
“There’s no proof DS Green had anything to do with killing Ruby, and you’re not going to repeat this conversation to anyone else.”
“Believe me, I planned on taking this to my grave, but if we find proof that DS Green was involved, you and I better look out. She’ll come after us and bury us alive.”
I have no doubt. Stepping carefully from this point on will be my primary goal.
Chapter Twenty-Five.
Robinson calls me just as we’re about to turn onto the street where Molly Kahn lives. He wants us to come back to the station right away. At first, I’m not inclined. I have three more stops I need to make today before the sun sets. I have to download all the interviews, review the footage and emails from Exeter Metro Transit, and then I want to go home and go to sleep.
Sam convinces me that Molly Kahn isn’t going anywhere. Ruby’s professors will definitely stay put, and more than likely, we can make a-go of those three tomorrow.
I agree to go back to the station. I can talk to Robinson and get his take on what I’ve learned. His expertise may sprout better ideas on how I can move forward in the investigation, or he can tell me if I’m going in the right direction.
Robinson is at his desk when I arrive.
“Hey,” I speak as I take my seat across from him. “What’s going on?”
“I got bad news.”
“Okay, what is it?”
“Erin Mitchell is dead.”
Speechless and stunned, I stare at him. Why did Robinson have to be so blunt like that? My heart hurts from the sudden announcement, and I find myself almost in tears.
“Kipling, are you okay? You’ve lost all the color in your face.”
“Yeah, I…I’m okay. How did Erin die?”
“Dr. Turner determined she died of hypothermia. It got below twenty degrees last night.”
“Where was she found?”
“In a kiddy park on Audley Road. Her body was near the woods.”
“I drove by there last night. I didn’t see her.”
“She probably showed up afterward.”
“Where is Finley Price? Has he been located?”
“No, and we have no idea where he is.”
“Who found her?”
“Kids saw her late this morning when they were ditching school.”
I shake my head with disgust, wondering why the landlord had to throw them out. Couldn’t he have let them stay until they found another place to live? I’m so angry. She didn’t have to die that way.
“Just so you know, Kipling, her death isn’t a homicide.”
“I know.”
“I was only trying to make sure you keep a straight head. I know Erin Mitchell was important to you.”
“I looked for her last night. I searched all over District Three. I didn’t even think to check that park on Audley Road. It looked empty when I drove by it last night.”
“Don’t beat yourself up, Kipling. You tried to save her.”
“Do you realize both sisters died out there in the cold? Both of them.” I sigh with despair and stand up. “Sorry, I can’t talk about this anymore. I need a break. I’m going home.”
As I gather my jacket, DS Green calls my name. I forgot about her and what I found out. I thank Robinson for the news before going to her office.
“Close the door,” she says.
I’m not sure what this is about, but I’m not ready for this talk either. “What’s going on?” I ask, standing behind the chair.
“I got a call from Father Butler from Sacred Heart Catholic Church.”
“Yeah, about that. I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful to the pastor or his church.”
“He told me what happened, and I explained to him you had every right to question Pastor Murray.”
I’m surprised she took up for me. Not that she had to before and refused, it’s just I expected her to side with him.
“You did good,” DS Green says with a subtle smile. “The other detectives would have arrested him based on the fingerprint evidence alone, but you did the smart thing. You got the handwriting sample, and you didn’t embarrass him in front of his congregation.”
A compliment about my work, and all this time I thought I was doing awful.
“You were thinking I was going to write you up?”
“After you said you got a call from Father Butler, I was worried you might fire me.”
“You’re doing your job, Kipling. I would have done the same thing.”
Since she's extraordinarily nice right now, should I ask her about Georgia Knight? Or is that off limits? Probably best to leave that subject alone.
“Also, one more thing,” she says, “how did the meeting go with the citizen auditor? I hope you don’t mind me asking. I’m curious as to what the government wants with you after all this time.”
“He’s updating my profile. Certain details were left out.”
“Like what?” DS Green is way too interested, but I’ll tell her. It’s not like she can’t access my background.
“He wanted to know where I came from, and who were my biological parents.”
“The government is serious about finding the members of Mutiny.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“Do they think the tribe you came from are part of them?”
“No. Every member of my tribe is dead, but I did make it known that Mutiny could be natural born citizens.”
“You said that to a government official?” DS Green is amused and shocked by my frankness.
“Yes, I did.”
“Sometimes you have to watch what you say.”
“I wasn’t about to hold my tongue. He was blaming my people, and they’ve been dead for years.”
DS Green sees my point and says nothing.
Feeling emboldened, a little bit pissed, and wanting to move on from my past life, I say to her, “I was wondering something. Do you know a woman named Georgia Knight?”
“Yes, she gave me the note about Ruby,” she answers unconcerned as if it’s no big deal.
“I didn’t know that.”
“It’s in your case notes.”
>
“I’ve read over them several times. There isn’t an entry about Georgia Knight giving the note to you.”
“I must have forgotten. I’ll add it in right now.” She starts typing on her computer.
“Georgia also said that she knew you. You two have the same friends.”
She stops typing and looks me right in the eyes. “What are you getting at, Detective Kipling?”
“I’m trying to solve this case with nothing to work with because you didn’t give me all the information I needed. That’s what I’m getting at.”
“I gave you the note. That should have been enough.”
“Do you realize I went to Hunt Projects yesterday and interviewed Georgia Knight? She said nothing about that note, and she did not tell me she knew you or Ruby Taylor. After I came at her with what I discovered today, that’s when she was more forthcoming. You should have told me first, from the very moment you assigned the case, about your connection.”
“You’re right, and I apologize for keeping those details from you. But you have to understand why I had to do it. I’m black, and I’m a woman in a position of power. I have men, who work for me, that think I don’t deserve my job because of those two characteristics, and if they find out, I’m a lesbian. Well, that’s more of a reason, in their backward ass minds, that I should be fired. We are in a state where my sexual preference will end my career quicker than my gender and the color of my skin, and you better believe, Kipling, you are in the same boat as I am.”
“I get what you’re saying, but a young woman lost her life.”
“And I’m trying to save mine.”
“You did this on purpose, didn’t you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You put me on this case, with less than two months of training, hoping I would fail. It’s inevitable, right? I mean, what in the hell will I accomplish with zero experience?” I chuckle with disappointment and disbelief. “You don’t want this case to be solved, do you?”
DS Green will not admit what I said is true, and that’s okay. She doesn’t have to.
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