Rip Tide by Robert F Clifton (small books to read .txt) 📕

“Then you accept?”

“Yes”.

“Excellent. Now, what time should I arrive at you residence and where do you prefer to dine?”

“Let's meet at seven o'clock at the Chelsea Apartments and I'll leave the restaurant up to you”.

“Seven o'clock it is. See you then”.

“Good by”.

At seven thirty eight P.M. Wallace escorted Doctor Emily Wescoat through the open door of the Beachcomber Restaurant held open by the doorman, Jimmy Collins. “Good evening Captain, said Jimmy as he tipped his hat to the Doctor”.

“Hello Jimmy. I'll see you on the way out”.

“Yes sir. Enjoy your dinner”.

The couple walked up to the Maitre d's stand. “Captain Wallace. How good to see you again sir. It's been a while. Your table is ready and I hope you and the lady enjoy your dinner”.

After they were seated and had ordered drinks Doctor Wescoat peered over the top of the menu she held in her hands and said, “It appears that you are well known here”.

Wallace smiled. “Here, there and everywhere. I was born and raised in this town and I have always enjoyed fine dining. As a result I'm known in most restaurants, doughnut shops and hot dog stands. So, before we order let's discuss your findings with the autopsy”.

Emily placed the menu on the table then, looking at Wallace said, “We both know that Pauline Harris was strangled. We easily came to that conclusion by the contusions on her neck and throat. My examination found definite signs of asphyxiation. There was pin point hemorrhages

in the skin known as petechiae. This can be found in the conjunctiva of the eyes and deep internal organs. Petechiae can also be found in any case of asphyxiation, hanging, drowning, profound depressant drug intoxication.

I have already informed you that I found no signs of drowning as the cause of death, even though the victim had been submerged in water.”

“You mention drugs, are you finished with the toxicology exam?”, asked Wallace.

“Yes. There are no signs of narcotics or alcohol.”

“What's next?”

“As you know in strangulation cases the assailant uses the pressure of the thumbs. The fingers therefore complete the full hand grasp. I found ligature abrasions about the neck”.

“Is that it?”

“No. I want to examine the hyoid bone and larynx”.

“What's stopping you?”

“Right now you are. I suggest that you have someone photograph the bruises on the throat. Once that is done I can surgically removed the larynx and hyoid”.

“Photographs were taken”.

“Yes, I know. I was there. Nonetheless, no close up photo's were taken”.

“Do you believe that the hyoid bone is fractured?”

“I don't know and won't know until I see it”.

“Anything else?'

“Yes. I found traces of skin cells under her fingernails”.

“I examined her fingernails myself. I didn't see anything”.

“I said traces of skin cells. One can only see them under a microscope.”

“Son of a bitch”.

“I hope you are not referring to me”.

“Of course not. I'm referring to myself for missing it'.

“Don't blame yourself. As I mentioned the cells are microscopic. Which brings me to another problem”.

“That being?”

“That being that I made two slides. Two slides that in all probability will be used as evidence in court if and when you make an arrest. I have naturally used fixation to preserve the tissue however, we're talking about very thin, glass that can be damaged. My question is do I give them to you, the prosecutor or hang on to them where I know they are safe?”

“I really don't know doctor”

“Emily, and I intend to call you Robert, unless we're in public”.

“That's a deal. Now, let's order dinner and while we eat you can tell me all about yourself”.

“Since you are the home town boy what do you recommend?”

“Are you in the mood for meat or fish or both?”

“Fish”

“Then I suggest the Crab Au Gratin”.

“Sounds good”.

“Wine?”

“If you want it”.

“You're very accommodating”.

“And, that's about as much accommodating as I'm going to get this evening”.

“Wallace laughed as he signaled the waiter.

After taking a sip of white wine Wallace said. So, Emily, tell me all about yourself leaving out the fact that you're a pathologist at the local hospital”.

“Well, I'll start by saying I was born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa.

After graduation from high school I enrolled at Miami of Florida University. Studied pre med, then medicine, graduated, was offered a professorship to teach medicine there but turned it down”.

“Why?'

“ Bad pay. The only benefit was a reduced price given to faculty members for football games. I took a position at the Veterans Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. There, I got interested in pathology so I went back to school so to say and caught up with what I needed to know about that branch of medicine. One thing led to another and when I saw an ad placed for a position here in town I applied for it. And, here I am”.

“And, that's it. Nothing more?”

“What else do you want to know?”

“Mother and father?”

“Both dead”

“Brothers and sisters”.

“I'm the only child”

“Husbands, fiance' and or boyfriends?”

“No husbands, no boy friends and fiance' killed in Korea”.

“I'm sorry”.

“So am I, but life goes on”.

“And, what do you think of life here on the island of Nautilus Beach?”

“Too crowded with tourist types. Most of all there is a complete lack of the arts. I miss concerts, dance and fine art museums”.

“Son of a bitch!”

“There you go again. You use that expression quite often”.

“Sorry. I was just thinking that I feel exactly the same when it comes to the arts here. I usually travel to Philadelphia or New York in order to see or hear something artistic. And, to find someone with the same outlook is great”.

“Then, I assume I'll have to do the same”.

“Perhaps I can introduce you to the concerts held in Hopewell”.

“Perhaps”

“Well. At least you didn't say no. What are some of your other interests?”

“Let's see. Walks in the woods in Autumn when the leaves on the trees are turning and there is just a hint of cold in the air. At times solitude alone with my thoughts, ideas, plans. A good book, trying new recipes. Things like that.”

“Interesting”.

“Really? I've always considered my lifestyle to be rather boring”.

“ On the contrary I would say that you lead a very full filling lifestyle”.

“And you base your opinion on what?”

“The fact that my lifestyle is practically the same”.

“Let's talk about you. How long have you been a police officer?”

“Fifteen years”.

“Then. I assume you enjoy it”.

“Everyday”.

“No adversity?”

“Oh yeah, politicians, news reporters, lawyers, the corruption in everyday life and the mistakes I've made and continue to make with my life”.

“Such as?”

“Such as getting shot”

“Oh dear. How bad was it?'

“Not too bad. The shot hit me in the hip. I can still walk”.

“Any complications?”

“The doctors seem to think that the pain I experience from time to time closely resembles sciatica”.

“Do you take any medication for it?”

“Two aspirin. If it's really annoying, two aspirins and a shot of whiskey.”

“I get the impression that you are very sure of yourself”.

“If you mean by that that I'm secure in my profession and life then you are correct”.

“That's exactly what I mean”.

“Then thank you for the complement”.

“You are quite welcome. Let's get back to the autopsy. I might need your help before I proceed”.

“In what way?'

“In order to remove and examine the hyoid correctly the larynx as well as the tongue must be removed. Should this information reach the parents of the victim I would need you to explain why the procedure is necessary”.

“Why can't you do it?”

“I've learned from experience that in many cases the pathologist is viewed as someone who takes great delight in dissecting the human body.

Case in point, think about how many families refuse an autopsy being conducted on loved one's that die accidentally or for unknown reasons”.

“How about taking the position of what they don't know won't hurt them?

“It doesn’t always work that way, The loved one's attend the inquest or trial. The pathologist is questioned on the procedures they preformed and when they hear for the first time what was done they take the view that the body was mutilated. I've seen it time after time”.

“Pauline Harris father is a lawyer. I'm sure that he is aware of the pathologist role in this investigation. I haven't met him yet, but if the subject arises I will explain what was necessary on the medical end of the investigation”.

“Thank you Robert”

“You're welcome. However, I have a question”.

“And, that is?”

“What happens if you find that the hyoid is not fractured?”

“Then, I look for what is known as cardiac arrhythmia. That's caused by pressure on the carotid artery nerve ganglion, causing cardiac arrest.”

“Interesting”.

“Do you really think so? Either way my examination should prove that strangulation was the cause of death. Now, if you don't mind let's eat. I'm hungry and the crab dish looks inviting”.

“Bon appetite”.

“And I'll have just a bit more wine”.

The next morning, as usual Wallace met with his staff. When no one offered any new information in relation to the Harris case he decided to move on with what information and evidence he had. Looking at those seated in his office he said, “ I want the women that are models for The Nautilus Beach modeling Agency interviewed. I want it done discreetly and in their homes if possible, not at headquarters”.

“Why the kid glove approach Cap?”, asked Stiles.

“Because we're dealing with high society types. I don't need to listen to a lot of horseshit from politicians or the news media saying how we are labeling these prominent housewives as suspects in a homicide investigation. At the same time bring one in and their lawyer will be sitting next to her in five minutes time. When that happens we get nothing. The others will do the same, fall back on their attorney's who will answer the door when you ring the bell. I want the interview and questioning done in their homes where they should be relaxed and not feel threatened. Be careful. Don't press any issues. At this time we and make that I, want to know about the two teenage women that were hired as models but quit. I want to know their names, address and most important where they are now and why they left. Myers is the lead investigator in this case. She'll co-ordinate who interviews which woman. If you run into any problems let me know. Incidentally Carol is their anything back on the Butlers yet?”

“No”

“Not even N.C.I.S.?”

“No sir”.

“Son of a bitch. Alright, all of you, get moving.”

Approximately a half an hour after the detectives left Captain Wallace looked up to see a well dressed man standing at the office door.

“Can I help you?”, asked Wallace.

“I'm looking for a Captain Wallace”, said the man.

“You found him. I'm Captain Wallace. What can I do for you?”

“Captain, I am Douglas Harris. I'd like to talk to you about my daughter”.

“Of course sir. Please come in and at this time may I offer you my condolences on the death of your daughter Pauline”.

“Thank you”.

“May I ask how your wife is doing at this time?”

“Not well. Not well at all”.

“That's understandable. Please relay my sympathy. Now, what can I do for you?”

“You can tell me who murdered my daughter”.

“Mr. Harris I have been informed that you are an attorney and I'm sure you know that cases like this take time. Right now your daughters case is just a little over seventy two hours old, but I can assure you that we are working diligently. As a matter of fact detectives are out in the field right now questioning possible witnesses relating to the investigation”.

“Is there anything that I can do?”

Wallace leaned back in the high back , black leather chair. “Yes sir. You can fill me in on certain things about your daughter. Her likes and dislikes, hobbies, boyfriends and girlfriends. Tell me who she associated with and how she became a model working for The Nautilus Beach Modeling Agency”.

“Pauline was a typical teenage girl. She liked romance novels and movies, rock and roll music, cheeseburgers and french fries dipped in apple vinegar.