I was up early Wednesday; John hadn't stirred all night, but he was sounding uncomfortable as I woke. I went to his bed and found him grimacing and moaning. A simple touch revealed that his bladder was painfully full and he was struggling against waking up to tend to it. I pulled back his covers, carried him to the bathroom and removed his sleeper bottoms placing him on the toilet. Once he was relieved I returned him to his bed and tucked him in once again. Being a big brother might be more involved than I thought.
I sent a message to Chase asking if he wanted to take a walk and he replied in the affirmative. I met him at his front gate and we walked Northwest this time.
Chase checked his phone for the time and asked, "Would you like to see Alki Beach? It's pretty nice, there's logs to sit on and the seals are fun to watch."
"That sounds like fun, how far is it? I left a note but didn't say when I would return," I asked.
"It's a long walk but the bus should be along and there's a stop just ahead. Do you have your Orca card?" Chase inquired.
I pulled on the caddy I wore around my neck which had my card in an old employee badge holder my dad used to wear.
"Hey, that's cool, where can I get one of those?" Chase queried.
"I have a few others, but this one has a slide button that ejects the card when you need it and I won't lose my pass," I pointed out.
"You know we have to wear our school I.D. on campus, it works like a key for doors and the gates. Plus it's also your library card. It's a major violation to mess with anybody's I.D. card. Most of us have neck tethers like yours but some use a retractable leash on their belt. You have to remember to put it out of sight off campus. Some jerk might snatch it. The school says with the chips and stuff in them it's a felony theft if someone takes it," Chase explained in detail.
"We just wore ours on a plastic tether around our necks and they were just cards, they didn't do anything special. You just had to show them entering and leaving school," I compared.
"I've only heard of one that was stolen, the school went after him and made an example of him and then sued his parents for all the costs involved. It was on all the news shows and the paper. I guess it worked," Chase informed me.
"I guess that makes sense. It seems harsh but if the guy got away with it, it would probably have happened again," I opined.
The bus arrived and whisked us to the stop across from Alki Beach.
"Are all the beaches pebbly around here?" I asked
"No, just this part here, further down the beach is wider and sandy. Puget Sound isn't the ocean and there's no waves unless there's a storm. The Sound joins the Salish Sea and heads out to the Pacific. If you go south it has all sorts of branches and bays. It's a mix of saltwater and fresh. Rivers empty into it and so does the runoff from rain." Chase lectured.
"Cool, I think I'm going to like it here, it's so different from California."
We walked about half the seven miles of beach and took the stairs to the bus stop. A bus with Lincoln Park as a destination arrived and we hopped aboard. Chase pushed the button for the Cormorant Cove stop and from there it was a short walk home. We stopped in at Chase's and found Jeff getting ready for his commute. Carter was in his room playing with his Legos.
Good Morning Jeff, do you think it would be okay if my mom took Carter along shopping with John? She plans to take him into town for some nice clothes. He loves the ones Carter gave him by the way."
"I'm glad to hear he likes them; I don't see any reason he can't go and you and Chase can have a quiet day together. Perhaps you could try out that new bike I heard about."
"It's pretty cool Dad, and we were thinking about something like that. I think we'll wait until the Ferry traffic dies down. Some of those people aren't even awake," Chase added.
"That's very true, they've had more than one sleepy driver drive off the ramp into the sound. That's why they put in those bollards," Jeff replied.
"Really, people drive into the water? How sleepy do you have to be. Didn't they have a gate or a chain?" I giggled.
"They used to have both, but it still happened once in a while. The only death I know of was a chihuahua, the driver was rescued," Jeff added.
"Poor dog, I don't like chihuahuas but that is sad," I put in.
"Well, I have to go, let's go up and tell Carter and I can say goodbye," Jeff suggested.
"I came downstairs all by myself John crowed when I saw him in the kitchen. Then he caught sight of Carter, jumped down from his chair and the two hugged."
"Would you like half of a cinnamon roll Carter? I can't eat a whole one, they're really big."
Carter looked up at Chase who nodded and Carter climbed into the chair next to John and Mom brought out the other half of John's cinnamon roll.
"Would you boys each like one?" Mom asked.
Chase and I both declined choosing to eat a bowl of cereal and fruit first. I sliced a couple of bagels and put them in the toaster. Then I placed the peanut butter and the cream cheese on the table and invited Chase to pick out a cereal.
"Jeff said Carter could go shopping with you and Chase and I are going to ride the trails at Lincoln Park."
"Yes, he just called and said the same thing, but thank you for making sure I knew. Please be careful, some people don't drive very well. You have all your safety gear don't you?"
"I sure do, There's a bike lane both ways but we're not taking any chances," I assured her.
****
"Good Morning Scott," Mike said as he entered the Undersheriff's office.
"Good to see you Mike, I'm not one for dancing around the issue so I'll just ask you, what did you decide?"
"I've decided to accept your offer, there's a few things we need to discuss before I'm sworn in but after a lot of thought I decided I was tired of drawing airplanes," Mike informed him.
"What will the folks at Boeing have to say about that?
"I think they'll be okay; I will be speaking with them today and outline the reasons for my change of mind."
"Well it's good news for me. I was getting desperate. You mentioned a need to discuss a few things?"
"Well yes, this case that I stuck my nose in is one that I am interested in for personal reasons, also there is the matter of a large sum of money that I will hand Detective Talbert to book into evidence with the rest of the money we found in the locker. If that money can't be tied to a criminal enterprise I will have my attorney make a claim on it on behalf of the nephew of the victim. That child is now living with us and we are pursuing adoption. I just wanted that out in the open before I get to work."
"I appreciate that Mike, and as you say if there is no association with ongoing criminal activity, then I agree the money should go to the survivor. I have to ask; what do you think of Herb's theory that we have a serial killer on our hands?"
"Herb's pretty sharp, he's methodical and he has good sense. I'm inclined to agree with him unless evidence comes in that takes us in another direction," Mike declared.
"I'm afraid you might be right, it's the last thing we need, but if that's what we have then we'll have to put some more people on it. Well then, any other concerns?" Scott asked.
"Not at the moment, when do you want to process me?"
"What are you doing this afternoon?"
Three hours later Mike and Scott were standing in the Sheriff's office with three other division commanders. The Sheriff administered the oath, hands were shaken and Scott walked with Mike to the Central C.I.D. bureau.
Mike greeted the command staff of the bureau. And he and Scott returned to Scott's office.
"Is there a reason all the command staff for the bureau have their offices here and not at the Bureau office?"
Initially it was because the former Sheriff liked it that way, there's no real reason I know of to keep it that way and if you want to change that then I'm fine with it. Actually I kind of like the idea," Scott opined.
"Good, how's our equipment budget, I've noted a few things the guys could make use of," Mike asked.
Give me a list of your needs and I'll make as much of it happen as possible. The budget is pretty healthy, but let's take a ride to the Tech services building and see if some of those needs are already being met."
"Sounds good to me, is there enough space in the station to accommodate all the command staff and possibly a few others?" Mike asked.
"The whole second floor is vacant so there's room for quite a few people up there. Are you thinking clerical support?" Scott inquired.
"That and possibly a few others. I don't have a fixed plan yet, but I plan to make a few changes that will maximize the detectives available time."
"I look forward to hearing what you have in mind, it sounds like you're more of a leader than a boss," Scott offered.
"I suppose, it has always served me well and I see no reason to change. I can give orders when I need to but cooperation builds better morale," Mike explained.
"Well let's get over to Bruce's place so you can see the tech side of things. I've already reserved a unit for your use, um, do you want a driver?" Scott asked.
"I'm not sure, I'm a pretty quick learner as far as finding my way around and I have GPS so unless I run into trouble I'll drive myself. No point in using a sworn officer as a chauffeur as far as I'm concerned," Mike replied.
"I guess we'll see how it goes, I don't use one most of the time but there are times when I need to be on the phone and in the car so I use one on occasion.
The pair took the elevator to the garage, beginning the journey to Technical Services.
Mike was glad to see that the building was utilitarian unlike other tech buildings he had encountered. The medical examiner and the morgue were on the same campus as well as the Aero Bureau. Another building was under construction and Scott informed Mike that it would be the home of the Detective bureau in about eight more months.
"We plan to reopen the station your guys are currently using while a new patrol facility is built on the site of the current station."
The bland exterior completely belied the well-lit clean interior. Scott and Mike were met by Bruce Hannover the Chief of the technical services division.
"Good afternoon gentlemen, welcome to our facility. This is the best equipped bunch of labs in the Northwest. Everything from Laser ablation to the latest generation of DNA processing. We boast a state of the art fingerprint capability and a chemical I.D. group. Drugs or explosives, if it's a chemical compound we'll get a tag on it and trace its origin. So what would you like to see first?"
"Hold up Bruce, I need to introduce our new CID Chief, Captain MacGregor," Scott insisted.
"Oh sorry, welcome aboard er,"
"Mike, just call me Mike."
Nice to meet you Mike, sorry I get a little excited to show off our people and capabilities. All our people are top notch.
"Your chemical ID group sounds interesting, I presume they are all cross trained in other disciplines," Mike speculated.
"Yes Mike all but a few specialists are well versed in other forensic sciences and we can shift people to meet demand," Bruce answered.
In the chem lab Mike was introduced to Dr. Singh who was running tests on some material found in an abandoned house. By the landlord.
"Looks like someone was trying to make their own plastic explosive," Mike said looking at the residue.
"They were not successful, this stuff will barely burn, It's more like badly made Semtex. Do you have experience with Semtex sir?"
"Yes Dr. Singh, we encountered a lot of it in the gulf. Quite a bit of the in country made stuff too. They rarely got it right and often blew themselves up in the process," Mike supplied.
"Yes one of the men in the lab here has told me of this, it is very difficult to get right. Temperature control is most important."
"Dr. Singh, are you able to identify chemical residues like deodorant or hair products?" Mike inquired.
"Why yes sir, we can tell which brand and where it was manufactured, meaning which plant. Um why do you ask?"
There is a case we're working that it may become a factor.
Where do you do your vehicle inspections Bruce?" Mike pressed on.
"We have a crew doing an inspection now in the automotive bay number one, it's a homicide case. The body of a woman was found wrapped in a blanket in the rear of an older minivan. Do you wish to observe?"
"I do," Mike replied.
"Hi Herb, I wondered if we might find you here, any word yet on the currency or computers? Mike greeted.
"Oh you know each other?" Bruce inquired.
"Yes we do, that's why I asked to see this area. I have an interest in this particular case."
"Morning Scott, Morning Mike, Bruce's guys are taking a look at the computers found under the rear seats at your direction" Herb affirmed.
"Jem was able to find out that both Tammy and John had computers and they were usually under the back seats in a storage compartment. Also I have a sheet of paper that appears to be routing numbers, account numbers, usernames and passwords. We need to print this and we might also print John and Jem for exclusion. If there are more than three sets of prints on that sheet."
"Herb, I think I should let you know I hired Mike here to head CID, I hope you will give him your full cooperation," Scott announced.
"That's great Mike or should I address you as 'Chief'?"
"Mike will do fine, I prefer a less formal environment."
"So Herb, you're the only one here that has practical experience with Mike here, what's your honest opinion?"
"Well so far he's advanced this case quite a bit and saved me a ton of time. He's not afraid to work outside the standard model and he's damn good with witnesses."
"That's kind of what I expected and I don't want to embarrass Mike but I have a contact in his old department that told me what I could expect. He's already got me moving command staff into the second floor of your station," Scott supplied.
"Is there a room we can use to speak privately Scott? I mean the four of us," Mike asked.
"I think so, how about it Bruce?"
"Sure right down the hall here, we've got a small conference room. It should be free at the moment," Bruce offered.
With the four men sitting at the table Mike addressed Herb.
"Do you think we're wasting time following the money Herb? I know you had some concerns of this being part of a series of killings."
"To be honest yes, But without the Medical Examiner's report or the trace analysis from the van, we have nothing to compare to the other deaths. It's early yet but the body dumps have been nearly identical. They've all been in different jurisdictions and all have been at or near a ferry terminal."
"Then I think maybe we should talk to some passengers and show Tammy's picture around and see if she was noticed. Be sure to check with the crew too and take another detective that can watch the people you talk to when you walk away."
"Um, why watch them from a distance?" Scott asked.
"Ah yes, we can see if I strike a nerve. Maybe I'll do the observing and let a partner canvas witnesses," Herb agreed.
"Great, meanwhile I can ask Scott to exert a little pressure on the M.E. if it's needed."
"Well you won't need any pressure with me, I'll make the case a priority," Bruce vowed.
"Thanks Bruce, it could save some lives and head off a media storm," Mike replied.
"We can go right over there once we're done here and speak with Jasper. I doubt if he'll offer much resistance," Bruce supplied.
"Great then, the only other thing is the currency I have in my case. It was hidden in the shack that Tammy was living in, it's ninety-five hundred dollars in twenties, fifties and hundreds. We can head out and get it and turn it over to an evidence tech for a count. It's part of the evidence until we find out if it's relevant. Oh yeah, can I get a DNA collection kit for Tammy's nephew? It will help Child Services verify if the name on his birth certificate is actually his father."
"Sure Mike, do I understand correctly that you have Ms. Reardon's nephew in your home?"
"Yes, he was abandoned in a park around the time of Ms. Reardon's death. Child services requested that we consider taking him since at the time they didn't know his last name. The boy didn't either," Mike explained.
"And that's how you got involved in this case? That's wild. I guess it's fortunate because I have to say Mike, you really impress me," Bruce lauded.
"Say Scott, is there any point to my keeping Mike's appointment quiet?" Herb asked.
"Probably not, but I'd like to know if someone spills it before the announcement is made tomorrow. Usually people that spread that stuff around want you to know they have connections. It will also indicate who the leak is. Not a critical thing for this issue. But if this is a serial case, leaks must be contained," Scott advised.
Mike and Scott retrieved the cash and got it checked in and recorded it. They received the news from Bruce that all the previous currency had been run and only one bill had been involved in a crime and that was twenty years old.
"I think we'll run it all, the twenties, fifties and hundreds are recent currency so we'll check them too. Probably from Ms. Reardon breaking hundreds wherever she could. If she was spreading marked money Secret Service people would have probably sounded off by now, Bruce opined.
"Good point, let's go see Jasper and get a handle on his status regarding this case," Scott suggested.
"Oh Mike, I'll make sure the techs take swabs and aerosols to see if there's any remnants of after shave or cologne in the vehicle," Bruce added as the trio left.