Murder in eagle cove, p.33
Murder in Eagle Cove, page 33
“What went on at the crime scene?” his dad asked.
Noah hesitated but decided he’d better level with his parents. “While we searched the attic, someone came into the downstairs and doused the house with gasoline before torching it.”
“How’d you guys get out?” his mom asked.
“One of the neighbors put a ladder up to the upstairs bedroom window, and we climbed down. The fire department came immediately, but I don’t think they could save the house. It burned quickly. Whoever did it slashed the tires on the police and FBI vehicles parked out front.”
“Anyone see anything?” his dad asked.
“The lady across the street said she saw a couple of plumbers show up in a white van but thought nothing of it. She said they were only there for a couple of minutes. We found a cell phone in the attic, Dad. We think it may have been what Robert Moore was looking for.”
“If it was his, it proves he was involved in the murder.”
“Yes. The odd blood sample the coroner identified was his. It was also his blood in the victim’s car.”
“I haven’t looked at the crime board photo yet,” Larry said. “I need to put it on the computer to blow it up big enough to read, and I haven’t had the energy. Sounds like you got a bunch more evidence that wasn’t on the board.”
“Yes. Final reports from the coroner, DNA lab, and crime teams came in this morning, along with the reports from the search of Tiffany Strait’s and Robert Moore’s apartments.”
“It sounds like Robert Moore was up to his eyeteeth in this thing.”
“Yes. Derrick is executing a search warrant for his garage and personal vehicle this afternoon. Candice is on her way back from Zurich with the Bitcoin wallet. She lands at a little after eight tonight.”
“You guys are doing great detective work, Noah.”
“Thanks, Dad. I need to get back to the station. Don’t plan on me for dinner, Mom. We’re going to try to wrap things up this afternoon. I know the chief will be happy to have things resolved before the memorial service tomorrow. See you guys later.”
By the time the fire department had the fire extinguished, it was well after two o’clock. They remained on the scene to extinguish hot spots. The former home of Harold Blunt was nothing more than a charred pile of smoldering, stinking, burned rubble. Nothing salvageable remained. Chief Armstrong and the fire chief spoke briefly. The fire chief informed him that the fire was arson. Chief Armstrong shared that the canvass had uncovered a witness who saw two men driving a plumber’s van. The men had entered the residence briefly before the fire was reported.
“We have an APB out for the van, but I doubt it’ll return any result,” Chief Armstrong noted. “The witness didn’t get a license number or the company's name. She said the logo on the door was shaped like a toilet. It was probably a magnetic sign.”
When the fire marshal arrived, he met with the fire chief and Chief Armstrong before walking the site. He hardly had anything to investigate with so little left of the structure. Based on the eyewitness report, the rapid acceleration of the fire, the description of the smell, and the black smoke, it was a slam-dunk arson. On top of that, the chief told him four Police officers were upstairs at the time of the fire, so it should be considered an attempted murder. The fire marshal determined the accelerant was most likely plain old gasoline.
With little left to do other than monitor the scene for rekindles and hot spots, the chief and the fire marshal left. The smoldering remains of what once was a stunning home lay in the capable hands of the fire department. Chief Armstrong hitched a ride to the station with the fire marshal, who dropped him at the door.
The crime scene team and Derrick showed up at the apartment of Robert Moore to execute the search of his garage and personal vehicle. Derrick went to the apartment manager’s office and presented the search warrant. He gave her the option of opening the garage. Otherwise, they would force the lock on the walk-through door. The manager accompanied him to the small garage across the parking lot from the apartment where they searched previously. She produced a master key and observed while they entered the garage. It was in an attached row of identical garages, each with a walk-through and an overhead door. It was hardly big enough for more than one car. Inside, they found his late-model Ford Escape SUV. In front of the Escape, a row of shelves held neatly stacked and labeled boxes. They raised the overhead door, turned on the light, and began their search. The car wasn’t locked, and the keys were in the center console. The techs photographed the vehicle in place, and one put on a Tyvek suit before entering the car to back it out of the garage.
Several techs started going through the boxes while others combed through the vehicle. Derrick observed as they opened the back hatch. Under the retractable cover of the cargo area, they discovered a suitcase and computer case. This may be the smoking gun, Derrick thought.
The tech photographed the items and carried them back into the garage. He put them down on the floor and called Derrick over. “This may be what you were looking for,” he said.
Derrick slipped on latex gloves and examined the luggage tags, finding they belonged to the victim. He popped the latches and opened both cases, where he found clothes and a computer belonging to Harold Blunt.
“Yes,” he said. “This is exactly what we’re searching for.”
The techs continued to search the vehicle, discovering a disposable cell phone in the console and blood stains on the seat. “We need to take this vehicle to the lab for a closer examination,” he said.
He called the crime lab and ordered a flatbed wrecker to transport the vehicle to the lab. The lab expedited his request, and the flatbed arrived within a half hour. Meanwhile, the crime scene techs bagged the cell phone, suitcase, and computer belonging to the victim. Searching the rest of the garage didn’t uncover anything else of interest. While the wrecker crew loaded Moore’s car, the techs placed the evidence in their vehicle, thanked the apartment manager, and left.
The lead tech had assured Derrick that the cell phone would go to an electronics tech to recover a log of calls and texts. I wonder if I should’ve also given them the cell phone we discovered in the attic.
He opted to hold onto it for the time being. The apartment manager watched everyone depart before closing the overhead door and locking the garage. Derrick checked his messages while sitting in the chief’s SUV. A message from the chief stated he could keep the vehicle as long as necessary.
Marty Blake and the other deputy were returning to the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department. Given the events of his morning, Marty faced a considerable amount of paperwork. While helping with the attic search, the crime scene he was protecting had burned to the ground, along with his county vehicle. This day has turned from a complete bore to a shitstorm. I only hope they apprehend the responsible party. That will validate what I’m going to write in my reports. Deep in thought, Marty checked his email on the ride back, paying little attention to the surrounding traffic or the radio. The deputy driving him was still on duty for the remainder of the day. Suddenly, a radio dispatch came on with an APB for a white van with a cracked windshield and front body damage on the driver’s side.
“The driver and occupant are wanted for questioning in connection to an arson fire in Eagle Cove,” the dispatcher’s voice announced. “At last report, the vehicle had a magnetic sign shaped like a toilet on one side.”
“Holy shit,” Marty exclaimed. “Someone must’ve found a witness to the perpetrators of the arson.”
“Check it out,” the deputy said, pointing ahead. “That white van in front of us matches the description. Let’s stay with it for a minute to see if it has a magnet on the side or body damage.”
“We couldn’t get that lucky,” Marty replied.
“Stranger things have happened.”
At the next intersection, the van turned left, possibly attempting to evade the cops tailing him. Once he completed the turn, both sheriff deputies could see the damage to the left front-quarter panel and the magnet shaped like a toilet on the driver’s door.
“That’s enough coincidence for me,” the deputy shouted as he turned on the lights and sirens.
The driver did not attempt to escape the scene, pulling over when he had a safe opportunity. The two sheriff deputies pulled up behind the vehicle, and Marty called in the stop, asking for backup. He drew his weapon and stood at the vehicle's rear while the other deputy approached the driver’s window. The deputy immediately smelled gasoline and instructed the driver to exit the van. The driver complied.
“What’s this all about?” he asked.
“Your van was reported in the area of a fire in Eagle Cove. Did you see anything suspicious?” he asked.
“You must be wrong,” the driver said. “We haven’t been to Eagle Cove today.”
“I need to see your driver’s license and registration.”
The man produced the documents while Marty continued standing behind the van. The passenger fidgeted in the front seat, where Marty could see him in the large side-view mirror.
“Why do your clothes smell like gasoline?” the deputy asked.
“Um, I spilled gas while I was filling my generator,” he stated, his eyes darting around as sweat beaded on his brow.
“I see. Are you a plumber?”
“Yes.”
“Why does a plumber need a generator?”
“The job site doesn’t have power.” The man began swallowing deeply and brushing at his face.
“Where are you working?”
“Have I done something wrong? Why are you questioning me?”
Suddenly, the passenger bolted from his seat, running from the scene. The deputy heard the door open and saw the van shake as he jumped out. Marty gave chase and tackled the man to the ground. Although the suspect reeked of gasoline, Marty hardly noticed the odor over his smoky clothes. He took cuffs from his belt and clapped them on the man’s wrists. “You’re under arrest for arson and attempted murder,” he shouted. “I was in the house you burned down this morning along with three other cops.”
He pulled the suspect to his feet and walked him to the back of the van. Meanwhile, the other deputy cuffed the driver and locked him into the back of his cruiser. Marty deposited his suspect into the back of the responding backup deputy’s vehicle that had just arrived. The three officers met between the two police vehicles to discuss the situation. Marty called in the arrests and asked for a crime team to pick up the white van. Next, he dialed Detective Zabavski. “Derrick, we just arrested the guys we believe burned down the house this morning.”
Derrick’s face lost color, and his knees buckled as he attempted to process his colleague's words. “Where are you now?”
“We’re halfway between Eagle Cove and Plymouth. I was catching a ride back to County when we spotted the van. We have two individuals who smell like gasoline. We’re waiting for a flatbed to pick up their van.”
“Can you separate the two guys and transport them to Eagle Cove for questioning?”
“I don’t see why not. It’s technically Eagle Cove’s case. They have an entire team working on this crime.”
Marty hung up and resumed his conversation with the other deputies. “We’re transporting both to Eagle Cove for questioning.”
The deputy, who had responded as backup, glanced at his cruiser and the suspect sitting in the back. “I would just as soon get the smelly bastard out of my car as soon as possible. Mind if I go ahead and transport him now?”
“Not at all,” Marty said. “They want us to keep them separated anyway. That’ll give them some time with him before we arrive with the other guy.”
Marty called Derrick back and told him the van's passenger was on his way. “We will be transporting the driver as soon as the crime scene team picks up the van.
Knowing his boss would want an update, Marty called Sheriff Patrick and gave him a condensed version of his day. “We’re transporting the two arson suspects to Eagle Cove station for questioning. The house they burned this morning was the scene of the murders last week. Detective Zabavski is waiting at the Eagle Cove station to question them.”
“Thanks for the update, Deputy Blake. Sounds like you’re going to have four hours of paperwork to complete today.”
“Yes, sir.”
The crime scene team arrived and removed the white van from the scene about forty-five minutes later. Marty and the other deputy stood outside the cruiser and let the suspect stew. They had no desire to sit inside with him while they waited. Once the van was gone, they took off for Eagle Cove with their suspect.
Derrick arrived at the station just before the deputy transporting the first suspect. He filled in the rest of the team, including Chief Armstrong, and asked for Noah’s help setting up the recording equipment in the interview rooms. Officers escorted the first suspect into one of the rooms and handcuffed him to the ring in the center of the stainless-steel table. Noah checked all the equipment to be sure everything was working correctly before leaving the interview room. While there, he didn’t speak or make eye contact with the man but noticed the suspect smelled like gasoline.
Derrick left the suspect sitting in the interview room for over thirty minutes before returning to conduct the interrogation. He checked in with Noah, who played the interview room video on the closed-circuit television monitor in the conference room. “The recording equipment is working perfectly,” Noah reported.
Derrick thanked him and went in to speak with the suspect.
“My name is Detective Derrick Zabavski. What’s your name?”
“Fred Tribble.
“Mr. Tribble, do you understand your rights?”
“Am I under arrest?”
“We have just a few questions right now. If you help us out here, we’ll see what we can do to resolve this matter and get you on your way.”
The man shook his head in disbelief. He knew this wasn’t going to end well.
“Tell me where you were this morning.”
“I was working a job over near Plymouth.”
“What’s your occupation?”
“I’m a plumber.”
“Would you mind allowing me to look at your pocket card with your plumber’s credentials?”
“Why do you need that? I don’t have it with me.”
“The law requires you to carry your pocket license on your person. How come you aren’t carrying it?”
“I don’t know.”
“We don’t have to make this difficult. A witness saw you and your partner park in front of a home on El Dorado Avenue in Eagle Cove this morning. They stated you slashed the tires of three police vehicles before going into the house, dousing it with gasoline, and setting fire to it.”
Derrick stopped speaking and observed the reaction of his suspect. The man was shaking, and his nose was beginning to run. He was avoiding eye contact. Derrick paused just long enough to give the guy time to start sweating.
“We don’t believe you and your partner just decided to go burn a house down this morning.” He tried to make eye contact without success. “It may be your lucky day. Your partner isn’t here yet, so you can come clean first. Maybe the prosecutor will go easier on you.”
“We didn’t burn anything.”
“Our witness is sure it was you. The crime scene team is taking your van to the lab now. Are you certain the crime techs won’t find one thing linking you to the fire?” He looked again at the suspect, expecting a response but getting none. “Who hired you to burn that house?”
Derrick again paused, looking for any sign of emotion from the suspect.
“If you don’t talk to me, I’ll get the witness over here and have them identify you and your partner in a lineup.” Still, no response other than sweat, shaking, labored breathing, and a red face. “Then I’ll take the witness to the crime lab and let them identify your van. This is a slam dunk. The prosecutor will bring charges of attempted murder of four police officers, destruction of police property, and arson. As I said, if you cooperate, we may get him to drop the attempted murder charges since none of us died. You were lucky nobody was hurt fighting the fire you started.”
“It wasn’t me. I knew nothing about what was going down.”
“What are you telling me here? You went to that home in a plumbing van with gas containers in the back, but you had no idea why?”
“Jeff didn’t tell me anything before we parked in front. When we got there, he told me to slash the tires on the cars in the street so they couldn’t come after us while he went in with the gas.”
“Who did you do this job for?”
“I just work for Jeff. We do odd jobs for different people every day.”
“So, you aren’t a plumber but a handyman?”
“Yes. We do odd jobs all over the area.”
“Do your odd jobs often include illegal activity?”
“Just plumbing and fixing things.”
“Burning down a house is very different from fixing the plumbing. Is business slow, or were you looking for a bigger payday?”
“Jeff handles all that. I do what he tells me.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere. Who was Jeff working for today?”
“He didn’t say.”
“Okay, Fred, I’ll see if they brought Jeff in yet. I’ll talk to him and see if he wants to be a little more help. You boys made a big mistake this morning.”
Derrick exited the room, leaving the suspect cuffed to the table and the video camera recording.
Meanwhile, Marty and the other deputy brought their suspect into the station and turned him over to Chief Armstrong. He took the suspect into the other interview room and cuffed him to the stainless-steel table. The suspect was shaking and whimpering like a baby. “What’s this all about?” he babbled between sobs.
Chief Armstrong left the room without a word. Dave came back to the station after he had rented a car. He met with Chief Armstrong and Noah in the conference room to learn about the new development. Together, they watched Derrick conduct Fred’s interview. Noah had split the viewing screen so they could watch the van driver, who was stewing in the other interview room. Noah was glad he’d had time to shower and put on fresh clothes. He couldn’t help but notice Derrick, Dave, and the chief reeked of smoke. The whole station smelled like the fire scene. The odor was revolting. In the interview rooms, the stink of gasoline on the suspects mixed with the smoke odor on everyone else.
