Final Act by Dianne Yetman (best free ebook reader .TXT) 📕

“I dispense favours faster than a bubble gum machine for the likes of you.  How can I be of service?”

Kate smiled.  “I knew I could depend on you.  I’m at the hospital.  Hanya has had a bit of a rough time.”

“Is she alright?”

“A bit shaken, but she’ll be fine.  I don’t want her spending the night alone and I still have some work to do.  So, I ....”

“Of course she can stay the night.  We’ll be waiting.”

“Thanks Susan.”  She hung up the phone, headed back towards the examining room and saw shaken, bruised Hanya standing outside the door looking forlorn.

“So what’s the report?”

“I’m fine, will be stiff and sore for a bit that’s all.  Can you give me a lift to my digs?”

“I’ll give you a lift but not to your place.  If you’re a good friend and care about my welfare, you will spend the night where two good people are expecting you.  If you, then it’s on your conscience if I’m killed in the line of duty tomorrow because I couldn’t get any sleep because I was worried about you being alone.  Savvy?”

“Savvy, Kate, take me where you will.”

***

Early the next morning, Kate and Shirley sat the two metal chairs in Gordon’s cramped office, sipped coffee, discussing the events of last evening.

“So, we have an attempted murder on our hands. Any news yet?”

“Forensics is still working the scene”, Shirley said, “Should hear something on the gun by this afternoon.”

“It’s connected to Camira’s murder”, Kate said.

“Do you have evidence it’s connected?”

“No, not yet.”

“Then what makes you think there will be, Kate”, Gordon asked.   Makes no sense, I mean, modus operandi is different, no poison, no drugs.  Maybe somebody didn’t like her last homily or one of her students didn’t like their mark.”

Kate told him about Hanya’s plan.

“Dams those civilians who think they can play with killers. Why didn’t I hear about this Kate?”

“I should have told you but I didn’t think she’d go through with it.”

“Yeah, well, it’s over and it’s most likely linked. You and Shirley will supervise.  I’ve got more bodies on board, so delegate, hear?  And what about the Reverend?  Reckon she’d agree to protective custody in case the wacko tries again?”

“I suggested a long visit with her grandmother.  She didn’t like it when I presented it to her this morning but has agreed. The reserve is 100 miles or so from the city, anyone new trying to get on the reserve would be as noticeable as a whale in a pond.”

“Right.  The girls and the pedophile connection – any progress?”

“We have two persons from the sex crimes unit on it.  Shirley gave the photos of the two girls, fingers crossed they’ll come up with a match.”

“Good.  Now for my news.”  He brought the two detectives up to date on Roger’s conversation with the homeless woman.

“Sent officers out ten minutes ago to round up the thugs that jumped Roger.  Here’s hoping they can give us the woman in the red wig.  We can wrap up the attack on Roger in one swoop.”

“Where’s Roger”, Kate asked.

“At home watching the races, I assume.”

Shirley passed a copy of her report on her interview at G&M with the Production Manager and waited until they had finished reading.

“So, Brenda, Stone’s protégé, is married to a Jim Parsons, the Plant Manager.  Now that’s an interesting fact.   And this husband of hers says there is no way anyone can gain access to the drug that was used to poison Stone, right?”

“Yes, that’s what he said.  On the surface, the place looks impenetrable, underneath the surface, there’s a beehive of activity.  The plant’s executives can bring their wives, kids or what not through the plant on tours as long as they book with Brenda’s husband in advance.  I believe the perp got a hold of the drug at the plant on one of these tours.  I’m recommending we get a warrant to seize the company’s visitor log – they refused to voluntarily hand it over - look at the dates, names, times, and hopefully we can zero in on our murderer.”

“Good, get on the warrant and get on the phone to the CEO, the other’s one’s husband, the cold looking broad, ah, Eleanor, and arrange an interview with him.  Grill them, Shirley, make them feel the heat.

“Yes, sir.”

“Okay.  That’s it for now.  Kate, stay behind for a few minutes.  I need to talk to you.”

Once the door closed, Gordon cleared his throat, put both hands on the table and leaned towards her.

“I was at a media conference with the Commissioner the other day. Got talking with this freelance photographer, tall, good looking black man. Enjoys sports, car racing being his favourite.  He had an interesting story to tell. Gave a good description of a woman who accosted him, roughed him up, accused him of stealing his own briefcase.  Should I go any further or would you like to fill in the blanks?”

“I made a mistake.  I assumed he was carrying Roger’s briefcase.  I searched Roger’s office after the attack and didn’t find it.  I had no idea it was locked away.  My behaviour was unacceptable, inappropriate.  It’s haunted me ever since.”

“Is that it?  Is that all you have to say.  It was a mistake.  During those haunted moments, did you give a thought at all to the colleague who was with you?”

“Yes, I knew that if it ever came to light, she would be implicated as well.”

“Your damn rights she would have been.  Not only did you terrify a law abiding citizen, you put a colleague’s career at risk.  A woman who has the stuff it takes to be a good police officer, who worked hard