Page 47 of Justice for Samara

“Well, so, when we split, she…” Michael launched into the whole thing, exactly as he’d told Carter. James asked him questions along the way, but there was one thing Michael knew for sure. James would never doubt his word. When he finished, he said, “I told the sheriff I’d call you. We wanted to call the Post1 commander, but we were afraid he might tip our hand, and if this guy is guilty, we need to get him off the streets and behind bars.”

James was silent for a few minutes before he finally said, “Michael, I can’t believe…” Michael held his breath, terrified James was going to tell him he didn’t believe him. “…that his commanding officer doesn’t know at least some of this. He’s bound to. Damn, son. I hate this kind of thing. It makes all of us look bad. So she’s going to start investigating the assaults from the past cases and then check in other counties?”

“Yes, sir. She said she also thinks she needs to check the counties on the other side of the Post1 boundary.”

“Good thinking. So what do you need from me?”

“The only thing I really need is assurance that if we go forward with this, you’ll run interference for us with the post commander. We can’t afford to be denied KSP assistance if something big happens, and we’re afraid we’ll be blackballed and left to shrivel in the sun.”

“That willnothappen. Do what you have to do, and keep me posted along the way. I would like to do some damage control, so before you make an arrest, please get in touch. I’ll soften the blow.”

“Thanks so much, sir. I really appreciate it. I just… I want Samara to have some justice, and if he’s responsible for what happened to the other women, I want them to have some justice too.”

“I do too. And please, let me know what the medical examiner says. Do you really think it’s his wife? Your ex?”

“Yeah. I do. Almost positive. It’s a mess, but we’re trying to sort through it a little at a time.”

“Take your time, son. Be scrupulous in your methodology. That always pays off.”

“Yes, sir. It does.”

“We’ll come down as soon as we can. Want to do a little fishing?”

“I’d love to. We’ve got a deputy who has a boat. Might want to see if he wants to go so we can get out on the water.”

“Sounds great! Keep me posted and do your best. I know you will. Your dad would be so proud of you, son.”

“Thanks, James. Please say hi to Eileen and Katie for me. And Ben when you can find him!” he said with a laugh.

“Will do, Michael. Take care, son.”

The phone went dead and Michael sat there, barely able to breathe. Everything was on track. “SheriffMelton?” he called out from his desk.

“Yes, Chief DeputyEdwards?”

“Green light.”

“Got it. Thanks.”

It was a go. Their asses were covered and permission had been granted. Now to find a killer before he could hurt anyone else.

CHAPTER 7

By the timeSamara came in, she was sooty and smelled to high heaven. She showered and dressed in the department’s locker room, then headed out into the office to find a work spot.

To her surprise, a small desk had been set up in the conference room’s corner and it was stocked with supplies. “Whose desk is this?” she asked loudly.

She heard Michael’s voice call back, “Yours.”

“Thanks.” A smile spread across her face. It was nice to have somebody watching out for her.

It was almost time to go when the phone rang out front and she heard Gray yell, “Sheriff, line two.”

“Thanks.” She could hear him talking and clicking around on his keyboard. In a few minutes, she heard him hang up the phone. Before she could think, he stepped into the conference room, then leaned out the door and called out, “Michael, you need to see this too.”

He had a piece of paper in his hand. “What is it?” she asked, afraid of the answer.

“Preliminary medical examiner’s report. When he was told what kind of case this is, he expedited the preliminary.” He handed it to Samara. “Take a look.”

---