A Predetermined Course Of Events by Robert F. Clifton (short novels in english .TXT) 📕

city does not trust the police in general, nor White police in particular. So, I will also need you to help me in regards to Police Community Relations. At the same time Detective Carol Myers is on vacation. I prefer a woman working on this investigation,”

“Why?”

“Often things arise that only a female officer can handle.”

“Are you asking me to be an Aunt Sadie?”

“Of course not. When you come on board you will see that I conduct my investigation without prejudice. If at any time I or any members of the unit accidentally or deliberately step out of line I want you to call me on it.”

Their conversation was interrupted when the waitress came to the booth.

“I'll have a corn beef special sandwich on rye and a cup of coffee,” said Wallace.

“Just coffee for me,” Woodson replied.

When the waitress walked away Woodson said, “I'm very happy in Juvenile. There, I'm in command. You're asking me to

take a backseat to you.”

“Nonsense. I'm offering you a chance to advance in your career. A successful assignment to the Major Crime Squad culminating in a successful homicide investigation will look good in your personnel file, not to mention any future resume's, “Wallace replied.

“Woodson smiled. “You make it sound so inviting,”she said.

“Then you'll come on board?”

“I'm still considering it.”

“Fine. While you do suppose you tell me what you know about Ethel Lamb.”

“Ethel Lamb? Well to start she was born mentally retarded. I believe her IQ is about sixty. Her father Henry Lamb is Black. He is also an alcoholic. Her mother Edith Lamb is White. She's hooked on heroin. They live at seven fourteen French Street. Being mentality slow as a result Ethel was to receive a special needs education by the State. However, she seldom arrived for classes instead began walking the streets because her parents never made her go to school. Often hungry she began stealing food from fruit stands. Then she shoplifted in Five and Dime Stores and clothing stores. That's when she came to our attention when finally complaints were made.

After several appearances in Juvenile Court I informed the judge that we had information that many wino's and homeless men were using her sexually in back allies and empty houses. I also asked that the court take her into custody and send her to a place where she would be safe and protected. The Judge ignored me. You have seen the results.”

“I see. Then I assume you have met and dealt with her parents?”

“Several times. One is either drunk or the other one high.”

“Still, you can talk to them.”

“I suppose so, yes.”

“Good, here comes our order. Now while I eat my lunch I want you to keep considering my offer.”

“I'll accept on one condition.”

“And that is?”

“If at anytime I want out I go back as head of the Juvenile Bureau.”

“Said and done. Here's my hand on it.”

Returning to headquarters Wallace went directly to Deputy Chief Sweeney’s Office. When he sat down Wallace said,

“I need Sergeant Woodson assigned to my unit.”

“For how long?”

“Possibly for the duration of the investigation.”

“And how long would that be?”

“Who knows.”

“Then I'll assign her to you thirty days at a time and that will be based on how the investigation is moving forward.

Hit a stone wall and she goes back to Juvenile.”

“Good, I can't ask for more then that,” said Wallace.

When he entered his office Wallace saw McKenzie seated at a desk. “Tom, when is the autopsy?”

“Ten o'clock tomorrow morning.”

“Good, I want you with me when we observe.”

“Why me?”

“Because as I recall you have never witnessed one.

Time to get your feet wet.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Two

Autopsy And Questions

 

At ten o'clock the next morning Tom McKenzie and Captain Wallace stood silently in the examination room of the city hospital morgue. The watched as the morgue attendant pushed the stainless steel gurney the held the remains of Ethel Lamb to the examination table. There, the attendant and Doctor

Abraham Rosenberg, the hospital pathologist and city medical examiner lifted the body from the gurney and onto the table.

The body was still attired in the same clothing as when it was found. Wallace watched as the assistant carefully removed the tennis shoes, then the jacket using large sharp scissors to cut along the seams. Once the jacket was removed he cut away the blouse and the skirt. The body now only contained a brasserie.

Wallace reached inside his blazer pocket and removed two cigars. He handed one to McKenzie.

“I don't smoke,”said the detective.

“I suggest you light it and puff on it. When the doctor opens the body cavity the smell of body acid some times is over whelming,” Wallace replied.

“I'll take my chances.”

“Suit yourself,” said Wallace as he lit the cigar he had in his mouth.

Using the scissors the attendant then cut away the bra. When he did hundreds of maggots were seen squirming on the dead flesh. McKenzie began to gag and rushed to a sink and vomited. When he was finished he washed his face and hands with cold water from the tap, pulled himself together and returned to stand beside the Captain. “Sorry about that sir.”

“Forget it. I did the same thing at my first autopsy.”

“It was the sight of the maggots that got me.” “Actually the maggots are a good thing. By the size of them they hatched about three days ago. That means that the girl was probably killed on November the fourteenth. Still, we'll wait for the pathologist to tell us when she died.”

“It doesn’t figure. It's November and cold. How can flies lay eggs in the cold?”

“They can and do. Cold weather only means that the larva hibernate. When the temperature warms they begin feeding again. Like right now.”

“If you don't mind I'd like that cigar now.”

“No problem. Just remember to puff and puff hard.'

The two investigators then stood and watched as the medical examiner using a scalpel made an incision from just under the girls sternum down to her pelvis. Wallace watched as McKenzie created a large cloud of blue cigar smoke.

After removing the liver Doctor Rosenberg weighed it then cut slices from it for microscopic evaluation later. The same thing was done with the heart and kidneys. Then using a small electric saw he began cutting around the skull cutting until he had made a complete circumference. Then with rubber gloved hands he pulled on the skull and removed it with a cracking sound as one shred of bone at the base of the skull gave way.

“Damn! I hate this part. The cracking sound gets me every time,” said Wallace.

When Doctor Rosenberg removed girl's brain he weighed it, took thin slices for microscopic slides and then removed the rubber gloves from his hands Wallace asked, “Can you give me an estimate when death occurred?”

“From what I have determined I'd say death happened four days ago. Death was caused by loss of blood from the wound in the neck since the jugular vein had been severed.

Unfortunately for the victim the trachea had been damaged resulting in the girl fighting to breath as she bled to death. Did you happen to notice the large contusion on her left cheek?”

“No” Wallace reached for his notebook and pen then added the information provided by Doctor Rosenberg. He also added, “Date of Death, November 13, 1978. Large contusion on victims left cheek.”

“You probably didn't notice it because of her dark skin but it's there, so is what appears to be a pubic hair on the inside of her left thigh. I'm sure you want that for evidence,” the doctor continued.

“What about those scabs on her abdomen?”

“It appears to be impetigo. A skin disease. Also highly contagious.”

When he returned to his office he saw Edwina Woodson seated at a desk next to the large windows that looked out onto the city street three stories below. Seeing Wallace Woodson asked, “Is it alright for me to use this desk or is it assigned to someone?”

“The only desks assigned in this unit is mine and Mildred's. However, since you're coming on board as a much needed hand in this investigation consider it your desk while you're here.”

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome. Now, I want you to go the Lamb home. Question them about anything they might know about just who Ethel was traveling with, where she went and with who.”

“If you don't mind I'd rather question them here.”

“Why?”

“Cockroaches.”

“That bad?”

“Worse than you can imagine.”

“Very well have the parents brought into the office.”

Turning to Sergeant O'Neil Wallace said, “Bill when ever you want to bring in the man that found the body I'm ready to hear what he has to say.”

“Fine, I'll take a ride out to the city dump and see if he's free.”

“Mildred, time for another report. Bring your pad and pen,” said Wallace.

An hour later Bill O'Neil walked into the office with

Edmond Hampton. “Captain. This is Mr. Edmond Hampton. He is the foreman in charge of the city dump,” said O'Neil.

Wallace stood and offered his hand. “A pleasure to meet you sir. So, you are the one that found the body of the girl.” he said.

“Actually, it was Homer who found the body,” Hampton replied.

“Homer? Who is Homer?”, asked Wallace.

“Homer be my mongrel dog. I keep him in my office at night to prevent anyone breaking in and stealing from me. Every morning when I get to work I let him out. Usually he will bolt outside and either lift his leg and piss or squat and shit.

That morning he bolted outside the main gate. I yelled at him to stop and come back but he wouldn't listen. I said to myself since I got to go get him I'm going to kick him square in the ass when I do. Any way I finally walk up to him and there he was standing next to that poor little girl. So naturally I went back to my office and called the police.”

“Did you touch anything?.” asked Wallace.

“No sir.”

“Did you see anyone around the area?”

“No. I get to work at seven in the morning and quit for the day at three in the afternoon. The two men that work for me come on at eight and quit at four. They weren't there yet it being bout seven fifteen in the morning when I found her.”

“Our information at this time is that the body was out there for three or four days. Why didn't your dog find it before today?”

“Don't know. Could be the wind was right for him this morning.”

“I see. What about those people who wanted to dump.

Or other people who comb the trash for valuables?”

“Weren't nobody there I'm telling you. Dumping hours are eight to four. Those junkers that come out to sort through the trash are usually homeless men staying in the missions. They stay at the mission to have breakfast then wander out to the dump to see what they can find. Cides. If there were any of them out there that morning I'd have run them off.”

“Have you ever seen any man with the girl on or near the dump?”

“Nope. Never been any kind of female out there at any time, girl or woman.”

“Alright Mr. Hampton. Sergeant O'Neil will take your statement. After you sign it you're free to go. We'll drive you back to your office,” said Wallace.

Turning to McKenzie Wallace said, “I want you to go to French Street bring in the parents of Ethel Lamb. I want to question them along with Sergeant Woodson.”

“Yes sir. On the way,” McKenzie replied.

“I doubt if you will find one of them sober this time of the day,” said Woodson.

“Maybe we'll get lucky,” Wallace replied.

Thirty minutes later Detective McKenzie walked into the office with Edith Lamb. “Here is Mrs. Lamb, Mr. Lamb was out cold on his couch,” said Tom.

“Hello Edith,” said Woodson.

“Hello Sergeant. It's been a while,” Edith replied.

“I'm so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. Now, she's in a better place.”

“Come and sit here at my desk.”

“Edith Lamb walked across the room and sat down in a chair next to Woodson's desk.

After taking a long look at the woman