Murder in eagle cove, p.37
Murder in Eagle Cove, page 37
“Night, Brad”
Dave and Candice left and returned to the hotel. When they arrived, they found the parking lot full. Almost every vehicle there was from one police agency or another. Cars and SUVs from Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut crammed the lot. The memorial would be the tribute Joe and Ty deserved. The agents both had lumps in their throats as they exited the car and walked into the hotel. Exhausted, they went to their respective rooms, agreeing to meet for breakfast at eight.
Noah parked his car in the driveway and pondered how to tell his parents of his frightful experience at Logan. If he didn’t tell them soon, they’d hear it from someone else, and that was the last thing he wanted. Stepping out of his car, he walked to the side garage door, unlocked it, and entered the kitchen. To his surprise, his dad and mom sat at the small kitchen table drinking tea, waiting for him to come home.
“Holy shit. What happened to your face?” Larry asked.
“I took a punch from a guy the size of a compact car when we were escorting Candice out of Logan. The dude thought he would walk up and snatch the case containing the Bitcoin wallet from her.”
“I assume he didn’t get it?”
“No. Neither did the other guy that tried. We got them both. One is in jail, and the other is in the morgue.”
“Oh, my. Do you know who they were?”
“They both worked for Viva Bank, their security director and investigator. I shot and killed the director of security, Dad.” Noah began to shake as the adrenaline rush returned. “He busted the car window and jumped over me with a gun, trying to grab the attaché case from Candice. He pointed it right in my face, and I had to make the awful split-second decision to kill or be killed.”
Sandra leaped from her chair and took Noah in her arms, hugging him as if she needed to be sure he was intact. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, Mom. Thank you. I’m just scared, and I can’t seem to stop shaking from the adrenaline.”
“You need some rest. We can talk about all of this in the morning. Did you guys wrap up the case?”
“It’s all over but the reports. I assume we’ll do them on Sunday. Multiple government agencies searched Viva Bank and closed it down this evening. The entire board of directors is now in jail. They also caught the guys who set fire to the house on El Dorado Avenue. They said the bank president hired them to torch it.”
“You’ve had one of the worst days I’ve ever seen in all my years of police work. Why don’t you head upstairs to shower? I bet your mom will bring you an icepack for your face.”
“Thanks. Love you guys.”
Noah went upstairs and removed the borrowed clothes. He grabbed some sweats and clean underwear before taking a long, hot shower. Weak with exhaustion, he sank into the tub while the water poured on him. He trembled as he watched the water, pink from the residual blood on him, flow down the drain. He scrubbed every inch of his body, trying to wash away the awful thought of the dead guy’s blood and brains splattering him when he took the shot. Noah was thankful he shot first, or this day would have ended much differently. He dried himself and put on the fresh clothes, taking in the scent of the fabric softener. He felt fresh and clean, but his mind was cluttered with dark thoughts from the day. He emerged from the bathroom, where he met his mom. She gave him another hug and handed him a fresh ice pack. Following him into his room, she sat on the edge of the bed. “Are you okay? I’ve never had to have this conversation with your dad, but I know a lot goes on in your head after a traumatic event. Regardless of the time, I’m here for you if you need to talk. The department is going to send you for psychological counseling. You need to go. You’ll need to talk through all of this. We love you, Noah.”
“Thanks for not getting all freaked out, Mom. I’ll be okay.”
Sandra left the room, and Noah never remembered his head hitting the pillow.
SATURDAY
The doctor came in early to check on Brad. After a thorough exam, he decided to release him. “I want to see you first thing Monday morning,” he said. “I’m not even going to tell you not to return to work because I know you won’t listen. It would be best to take it slow and easy for a few days. Drink a lot of water and eat well-balanced meals. It would be best if you didn’t carry a weapon until you’re off the medication and painkillers. I’m putting it right here in the release documents. Is that clear, Agent Simmons?”
“Thank you, Doctor. My team wrapped up the case we were working on, so I can help with the paperwork and take a few days off.”
“That’s a great plan. I’m ordering you some breakfast. You’ll need to stop downstairs on your way out to sign the release. The nurse will let you know when it’s ready. I assume one of the other agents will be picking you up?”
“Yes. I’ll give them a call now to let them know.”
The doctor left the room, and Brad picked up his phone to call Candice. She answered before the first ring finished. “Morning, Brad. You doing okay?”
“The doctor just released me. Once the paperwork is done, I’ll be able to leave.”
“Dave and I are just finishing our breakfast. I have to drop him off at the tire shop. His car got new tires yesterday after the arsonists slashed his in front of the El Dorado house. I’ll drop him and come for you. Do you need anything?”
“Yes. I need new clothes again. I rummaged through this bag Noah brought yesterday, and there’s nothing in it but new briefs.”
“I’ll get a key card for your room and bring you some of your things,” Candice said with a chuckle.
“Make sure you bring socks, shoes, and a belt too.”
“I will. Do you have anything suitable for the memorial service in your room?”
“I have a white shirt, dark pants, and an FBI windbreaker in my room. It’s the best I’m going to be able to do. Make sure you don’t forget the belt. I have a feeling my pants will be loose after this hospital stay.”
“Will do, Brad. I’m afraid after the week we’ve had, we will all be slightly underdressed. Maybe we’ll have time for a quick shopping trip this morning.”
Dave laughed when she hung up. “I have a suit hanging in my room. You’re never going to get Brad to go shopping.”
“I’ll take him to Walmart really quick when we leave the hospital. He can buy a blazer, and I can grab a pantsuit. None of us will be underdressed.”
They finished their breakfast and returned to their rooms. They agreed to meet in the lobby at nine. While Candice went to Brad’s room for the requested clothes, Dave showered and dressed for the memorial. They met as planned in the lobby and took off in Brad’s SUV. Candice dropped Dave off to collect his car and went to pick up Brad from the hospital.
Noah woke at six-thirteen a.m., screaming and soaked in sweat. He’d been having a nightmare more violent than any movie or video game he’d ever seen. It became clear to him that he’d have to see a counselor. I’ve been a cop for less than a week and need counseling.
Sandra raced into the room to calm him down. His heart was beating out of control; he was hot and red in the face. She helped him out of bed and paced with him in his room until the feeling passed. “I’ll be all right, Mom. Let me take a cool shower, and I’ll be down for breakfast. I haven’t eaten since McDonald’s yesterday afternoon. Will you make some pancakes and sausage this morning?”
“I’d love to do that. Your dad will like that too. You sure you’re okay?”
“I just had an awful nightmare.”
Sandra left the room, and Noah went to use the bathroom. Once he had retrieved his new uniform from the entry closet, he made his bed and laid the uniform out. When he returned to his room after a calming shower, he dressed in his new uniform, shoes, belt, and hat. The only thing missing was his holster and weapon. He’d been advised he couldn’t carry a weapon until the investigation was completed. His gun would be returned to him at that time. But he wouldn’t need it to work traffic at the memorial service. Many reserve officers were never issued a weapon before taking a full-time position.
He could smell breakfast cooking downstairs when he had finished showering and dressing. He inhaled the enticing scent of pancakes and sausages as he descended the stairs and entered the kitchen. His dad was sitting in his usual place at the little kitchen table while his mom cooked. “Well, don’t you look snappy in your new uniform,” Larry said. “Isn’t it a little early to be dressed for the memorial?”
“I thought I might feel better all dressed in my new uniform. I have to be at the station for instructions at ten. After breakfast, I figured I’d go in and do one last update on the crime board. We will have to do a review and complete all the reports tomorrow. A review may flush out anything we missed.”
“That’s one heck of a shiner you got,” Sandra said. “Why don’t you and I go upstairs after breakfast and see if I can’t put a little concealer on it so you don’t look so beat up?”
“It’s okay, Mom. I kinda like the battle-beaten look today. It makes me feel like there’s a means to an end.”
“You know we’re proud of you for saving lives last night,” Larry said.
“Thanks, Dad, but that does little to change the fact I also took a life.”
“You’ll need to talk to a professional counselor to help you through all that.”
“Yes, I know. The nightmare this morning made that clear.”
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help, Son.”
“I won’t,” Noah said, looking thoughtfully at his parents.
As Katherine entered the kitchen, Sandra began scooping pancakes and sausage on their plates. “That sure does smell good,” she said, eyeing her brother. “You look like you took a beating. What’s the other guy look like?”
“Let’s just say one of them is safely locked up, and the other is in the morgue,” he said, looking away. He didn’t feel like making eye contact or explaining it to his little sister.
“Other than your face, you look handsome in your uniform. You got initiated into law enforcement quickly.”
The family ate together around the small kitchen table, intentionally keeping the conversation light. “Are you going to the memorial service this afternoon with us, Katherine?” Larry asked.
“Yes. Noah will be working, but I hope we can go together as a family. Stacy wants to go, too. Is it all right if she goes with us?”
“Absolutely,” Sandra said.
When Sandra finished her plate, she took Noah’s and Larry’s dishes to the sink, returning with a cold icepack for Noah’s face. “You need to ice that one more time before you leave.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Katherine finished her breakfast and took her plate to the sink, leaving her dad and brother to talk. She helped her mother clean up the kitchen and load the dishwasher.
Larry and Noah talked a little about how the investigation had wrapped up. Noah gave his dad the details surrounding the arrest of the Viva Bank board of directors. “The Secret Service and IRS guys took the Bitcoin wallet and a truckload of documents into evidence. They’ll cooperate with the murder investigation. Chief and Derrick think the smaller players will implicate the rest of them in the murder.”
“I have no doubt they were all involved to some degree,” Larry said.
“The guys who burned the house on El Dorado yesterday afternoon fingered the bank president. I’m sure they were trying to destroy evidence.”
“You guys did recover a cell phone from the attic, however. Did the crime scene team identify the owner yet?”
“I’m not sure. I’m confident it belonged to the board treasurer, Robert Moore. He was the one who clobbered you with the stairs last Saturday. His blood was at the scene, on the victim, and in the victim’s car. After killing him, we think he moved Blunt’s car into the garage.”
“Makes sense.”
“I’m going to get going,” Noah said, returning the ice pack to the freezer.
He left through the kitchen door and drove to the station, which was quiet. Chief Armstrong sat at his desk in his full-dress uniform. The conference room was dark and empty.
Candice breezed into Brad’s room just as he finished his breakfast. She carried a bag containing the fresh clothes he’d requested. Brad was disconnected from all the monitors, leaving the room silent. He looked up at Candice, releasing an appreciative sigh. “You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he said, his soft tone cracking with emotion. “The doctor said I could go when you got here.”
“I brought the clothes you asked for. Why don’t you go shower and get dressed? It would be best if you had a blazer and I need something to wear. We’ll quickly stop at Walmart before going into the station.”
“I hate Walmart.”
“I know, but it’s the best place to go quickly where we can both get something to wear. We’ll make it fast.”
“Okay,” Brad agreed, standing and walking into the bathroom. He showered and dressed as quickly as only an FBI agent could. When he came out of the restroom, Candice had gathered his belongings into a bag and was waiting to leave.
“Shall I call an orderly for a wheelchair ride to the car?”
“Sure. We must stop at admissions and sign my discharge papers. I feel like a new person,” he said. “I’ll have to follow up with the doctor on Monday, and I’m not allowed to carry a weapon until I’m off the medication and pain meds. Once we complete the reports here, I will take some time off.”
“You certainly deserve it,” she said.
Riding the elevator down to the first floor, they continued silently until they reached the admissions office. The orderly pushing Brad’s wheelchair rolled him inside while Candice sat in the reception area. When he emerged, discharge papers in hand, they continued out of the hospital and on to Walmart. Candice headed to the women’s department, and Brad went to the men’s. He found a blazer that fit perfectly for the memorial and coordinated with the trousers Candice had brought him. Candice selected a respectable pantsuit with a blazer to conceal her weapon. Together, they went through the checkout, charging their purchases on their government expense cards.
Noah was busy updating the board and reviewing the evidence when Derrick entered the room to join the effort. “How are you doing this morning?” he asked.
“My face is still throbbing from the punch.”
“It looks like you already updated the board this morning. Did you have any trouble sleeping last night?”
“Yes. I had an awful nightmare. I woke up sweating and shaking like a leaf.”
“You know you don’t have to be here today? Make sure you talk to the chief about some counseling before the end of the day.”
“I will. I know he has a lot on his mind with the memorial this afternoon. I’ll talk to him after it’s over.”
Dave came striding into the conference room, jingling his keys and throwing Noah a look. “I got brand new tires. It feels great to have my wheels back.” He took another look at Noah and whistled. “You sure clean up nice. How’s your face feeling?”
“I’m sure I’m not the first police officer to take a punch, but it sure does smart. You clean up pretty well yourself.”
“Thanks. Fortunately, I had a suit packed. Brad and Candice will be here shortly. They had to stop for clothes suitable for the memorial.”
“Brad must’ve gotten sprung from the hospital?” Derrick asked.
“Yes. Candice picked him up.”
“It’ll be great to have the whole team back together.”
“Looks like somebody spent some time this morning bringing the board up to speed,” Dave said.
“Noah was here at the crack of dawn working on it,” Derrick said.
“Candice will be proud. She couldn’t have done better herself. I hope you weren’t working on this instead of sleeping.”
“Actually, no. I slept fairly well except for one horrible nightmare, which woke me early.”
“You will be sent for a psychological evaluation on the officer-involved shooting incident. Don’t refuse it. I’ve been, and it helps to talk with a neutral professional,” Dave said.
“You had an officer-involved shooting?”
“Yes. And I took a bullet at the same time. It haunted me, and I refused to talk about it. They threatened to suspend me before I decided to go. I admit now that talking to the counselor was the best thing I could’ve done. If you need to talk, please let me know. I’ll be there for you. I feel bad we put you in this situation. The important thing to remember today is that you saved lives last night. Noah, you’re a hero in my eyes.”
“Thanks, Dave. I appreciate your kind words. I’m already facing the reality that I need to talk to someone. I’ll put up no resistance. They tell me I can’t have my weapon back until the investigation is complete. I assume it will include an evaluation.”
Brad and Candice came through the door, and Candice made a beeline to Noah. She embraced him in a hug that lasted much longer than he expected. When she broke the embrace, she held him at arm’s length, staring into his eyes. “Your face looks painful, Noah,” she said, gently reaching out and putting her palm against his swollen cheek. “I owe my life to you, Officer Saunders. I am taking you to the best place in town for a steak tonight. You’re my hero, and I’ll never be able to repay you.”
Noah’s blush was barely noticeable under his swollen, red, bruised cheek. “You’re too kind,” he said, pulling away and breaking eye contact.
With everyone’s attention focused on Noah, Brad moved over to the crime board to review what he already knew and update himself on what he’d missed. This team did an impressive job bringing the matter to a conclusion.
“This board’s perfect. You guys have done a great job. I want to be the first to say it has been a pleasure working on this with each of you.”
Chief Armstrong strode into the room a few minutes before ten. “Noah,” he said. “It’s time for us to meet with the rest of the crew working the memorial. They’re all in your dad’s office waiting to begin. You sure you’re up to it?”
