Mike, I've got visitors I'd like you to meet. This is Captain Dane Lewis from Amarillo PD and Lieutenant Wayne Harper from Potter county sheriff's department, The detective from Moffat county Colorado is currently swamped and can't leave," Frank began.
"Good to meet you gentlemen, I presume you're here for Adam Mitchel?" Mike smiled.
"Yes, once we read the bulletin, we had our samples from two child homicides run through the lab and they got a match to your suspect," Dane explained.
"That warms my heart, as you know, our DA will try him first and then once he's convicted, you guys can figure out the batting order on extradition. Wherever he ends up, he'll be in segregation. Convicts aren't known for following the rules. But most of them draw a line at killing kids," Mike told them. "I'm told that there isn't a judge in this state, liberal enough to give this asshole less than life. I do want to take care to shield his family members from unwanted scrutiny. They were very helpful and they don't deserve to be tainted by his conduct. I'd have to say that this is one case where the death penalty is warranted. We have to insure that this piece of crap, never breathes free air again.
Right now, my biggest worry is that custody will screw up and he'll get beaten to death by other inmates, before we get him tried and convicted.
I understand his MO got more violent as he went from west to east, is that correct?" Mike asked.
"Yes, I'm afraid so. He preyed on a lot of immigrant kids who were just looking to make a little change and help their family. The majority of our victims were Hispanic, with two black kids and a Caucasian kid that was snatched from a street corner early in the morning," Dane reported.
"I guess our next stop is our local DA's office. So if you're ready, let's hit the road," Mike suggested. "Ron, Mike, why don't you follow us over with the case file as we have it set up now?"
"Gentlemen, I'm Jim Shepherd and this is my boss Jack Kilroy," ADA Shepherd greeted the detectives.
"I will have to wait until Mr. Mitchel has been assigned an attorney before any other interviews can proceed. I would be willing to bet that Mitchell will ask for a deal that doesn't include extradition. He knows he's pretty well screwed in Texas and Arizona. And now Nevada and Utah are contacting me for verification. So it's going to be a busy couple years for Adam Mitchel. We will be prosecuting first. And then the batting order will be Texas, Arizona, Nevada and then Utah. And that's if he survives custody that long. I really doubt that even the most liberal of civil rights organizations will want to be associated with this case. They usually pick the battles they have a chance of winning. That at least, has been my experience.
"I think we're all in agreement here, and we'll be happy to fly him to Texas, once his challenge to extradition is laughed out of court. We have an agreement with several states and Washington is one of them. Our average stay on death row is about eleven years. I wish we still had the chair, but there's only five states that still have it," Capt. Lewis explained.
"So Mike, what about the initial match?" Jim Shepherd asked.
"Why don't I let Ron tell you about that one," Mike suggested.
"Yes sir, Our first move was when we recovered the sample from the old case storage. It was in some disarray, Lab personnel were the only ones to actually handle the DNA vials. The DNA service 23 & Me, was contacted and we supplied them with a warrant to provide any matches. They didn't argue and they responded quickly with results which identified Mitchell's uncles and aunts. And interview with the aunt turned up a sample of hair from the suspect and he was located by means of contacting the second uncle. We acquired Mitchell's trophy collection and everything was printed before we examined it. I don't believe that anyone could find any procedural errors. Mitchell's family was very forthcoming and volunteered statements about Mitchell's character. He had a bad rep with family. We contacted the Latah county authorities and they released him to us after Mitchell unsuccessfully appealed the extradition. The only issue that might come up is the fact that we did the interviews with the family before we were officially sworn back into the department. We did have a uniformed deputy doing the driving and he was present for the interview. I don't think it could be said that we stepped outside our authority, and the family is more than happy to cooperate at this point," Ron explained at length.
"I don't think that's an issue. There was a sworn officer present and that's really all we need. We have precedent established with Lab technicians asking pertinent questions while assisting detectives. The technicians aren't sworn. But let's verify that the interview logs indicate that the inspectors had a sworn officer with them, while interviews were conducted," Jack Kilroy agreed.
*************
"Hi Etienne, Carter chirped at me when the door opened.
"Hi Carter, are you and my brother done with your collaboration?" I asked.
"Is that like doing something together," Carter asked about the word I had used.
"Spot on, Carter, that's exactly what collaborate means. But Mom would like John to come home and get ready for dinner. We're having people Dad works with over for a celebration. I'm sure John would rather stay here and build with you, but it's kind of an important thing. It will probably be boring for John," I told him.
John walked home with me, while Chase stayed with Carter. Chase would join us once Jeff arrived home with Celeste. It was looking very much like Carter and Chase would have a new mom before the year was out. I had taken a reading and she was genuine. Janisse agreed with my impression and we watched the relationship grow.
I helped Mom with the banquet tables, we would have nearly twenty-four guests give or take extras.
Art and I had moved a substantial amount of furniture out of the dining room and set up the rented tables.
Herb Talbert and Antonia Putnam arrived first.
"Thanks for inviting us Minnie, are you sure you're okay with what we want to do?" Toni inquired.
"We'll all be honored," Mom told her.
People trickled in of the space of fifteen minutes and finally everyone had checked in and was seated. Mom had prepared prime rib and Dad carved. Art and I served and then made our own plates. We sat with everyone else and enjoyed the chatter as everyone enjoyed the meal. Chase and I passed out champagne flutes once all the dinnerware had been collected.
"There are a few bits of business that I need to discuss because of some information I received late today. I don't think it will be badly received, by this robust company," Dad began. "I received a notification from Jim Shepherd that Adam Mitchell has agreed to plea guilty. After several months of preliminaries, and dancing around the weight of evidence against him, Mitchell has given up. I fully expect that the Captain from Abilene Texas will be here within a week to begin extradition proceedings. Since there is an agreement between Texas and Washington, a judge will inform Mitchell's counsel that he has no recourse to avoid extradition. I was expecting another four or five months of trial, but that has changed. Even if Texas fails to convict, which is unlikely, there are two more states with cases to prosecute.
This could only have been accomplished by the team in this room. The cold case squad has been extremely productive with their activities and the conviction rate is nearly 92%. Our bureau, which includes Cold Case, has recovered itself from the terrible events that arose from corrupt command staff. Reyes, Miller and Alvarez are all residing in Walla Walla as guests of the state of Washington. They may not be there long. The Feds are looking to charge them and several gang leaders on RICO charges," Mike grinned. "So consider yourselves vindicated.
So, I would like to propose a toast to the Homicide bureau as a group, and the Cold Case squad in particular. So raise your glasses," Mike cheered.
"While you are all feeling cheerful, Herb Talbert has something he'd like to say, Lt. Talbert?" Mike indicated with his glass.
"Thanks Mike, It has been an honor to work so closely with some of this departments finest officers. This would not have occurred without Mike as the driving force behind our successes. But, that's not why I'm standing before you, I'm here to announce that Chief Inspector Antonia Putnam has agreed to marry me. You will all be notified as to where and when in due time. It will probably be sooner than later. We've agreed that we need nothing in the line of wedding gifts, so if you could make a donation to a favorite charity, that would be more than adequate. Merging households of two people who have lived single for more than a decade will be problematical. I'm sure we'll reach an equitable conclusion. Thanks to our hosts for allowing us to make our announcement here among the finest people this state has to offer," Herb grinned broadly.
Another toast to the promised couple and several tributes to Mike, Frank, Herb and several others. Everyone was feeling pretty good.
"Well Mike, that was a rousing tribute to the entire bureau and department," Scott remarked as they leaned on the porch rail.
"I thought it appropriate. The people inside and yourself are at the core of this bureau. Your support in the changes we've wanted to make has been exemplary. I think we've successfully mended fences between both forensics, patrol and even inter-departmentally. I'm pretty pleased with what we've achieved in the last eleven months," Mike pointed out.
"Retention of retirement age officers is up across all the bureaus, there's a lot less infighting over jurisdictional concerns. We're even getting better cooperation from SPD and the DA's office. I think as long as we can keep the management we have, we can continue improving the record of the whole department. By the way, we've selected a site for a south county forensic support facility. It's between Auburn and the county line. It used to be a pharmaceutical lab of some sort. So it's ideal for evidence techs. I just thought you'd like to know. Between you and Frank, we've made a lot of progress, I'm proud to have been part of it," Scott smiled and offered his hand to Mike. They shook and continued watching the street.
***********
Chase and I left the adults to chat about weddings and casework. We holed up in our room after we put John to bed. There would be a final hearing concerning the adoption in a week. School would be out and John would become Caelan Michael Mac Gregor. Both Dad and Grampa had signed off on the choice of names.
"So, do you think our wedding announcement will be met with such a wide acceptance?" I asked Chase.
"From those we know, no question. It's still a few years off, but I don't see those plans changing Etienne. I love you with every part of my being and I know you love me. I think we can be very happy together. Even Celeste is supportive. She's a wonderful person, and Dad really deserves someone like her. I don't see Janisse going anywhere either. Celeste has a very important job with the Port, Carter loves her to pieces and she's really grown on me. No, I think we'll be fine for a good long time to come, my love," Chase said with a kiss as emphasis.
I kissed him back, and thanked my fates for an opportunity to spend my life, loving this gentle soul.
The End