Why Not Murder

32. Warning

32. Warning

Maya was on the train going to the city. A dusting of snow had fallen during the night and covered the forest. It was warmer. The birds were happy and she could see them flying about chattering excitedly one to another. She was heading to Tara Jones' place, the woman with three children (Cathy, Bobby and Ray) she had met the last day she had seen Angry-Dog. It was a Saturday and they were all home. Maya was invited in. She said she had been isolated geographically due to the snow and wanted to know how they were getting on.

"So much has happened since we saw each other last," Tara said, "I was taken into custody by the police. They barged in the office where I worked and pulled me out, embarrassing me completely. They didn't tell me why or even let me get my coat. They cuffed me and took me to the station. There, they said it was to do with emergency measures the government had enacted. Meanwhile my house was searched. Thank God Cathy and the boys were out, otherwise I believe they would have taken Cathy into custody as well and put the boys in social services. It was four days before I could make a call and reach Cathy. She had already found out what happened from the next-door-neighbour. I was in custody for two months before they let me go and Cathy looked after the boys and the house. I didn't know why they let me go any more than I knew why they took me in. All rights are suspended under the emergency measures."

"That's awful," Maya exclaimed, "Were you questioned?"

"After I was there for a month, alone in a cell," Tara answered, "they began questioning me every day. It was psychological torture and I was punched in the face and kicked a number of times. Then one day they let me go. They kept my ID which I had to replace. Meantime, I had lost my job at the law firm because they didn't want a suspect working there. I said I'm innocent and they said that it was a matter of confidence and reputation. I'm a lawyer but they had me in a job doing nothing but secretarial work, not even research!"

"Do you know Angry-Dog, also known as Dog-In-Chains?" Maya asked.

"We left the ancestral lands before the oil spill, before it was realized that the water and soil were contaminated and making people sick," Tara said, "I met him after I was released. I heard through Buck Nightowl that Angry-Dog was in custody and was not being released like the rest of us. Angry-Dog needed a lawyer and there was no one who would take his case. So I did. So now I'm working as a real lawyer and representing Angry-Dog."

"Why hasn't he been let go?" Maya asked.

"I'll let you in on what I know provided that you promise on all things sacred that you will keep what I say confidential," Tara said. Maya solemnly promised.

Tara continued, "I heard from Angry-Dog that you are an investigator and used to be on the police force until your investigations into XX Fuel and the treaty brought you into a certain conflict and they found pretense to fire you."

"That's true," Maya said.

"I could use your help in the investigative capacity," Tara said.

"I will do everything I can to help, free of charge," Maya said.

"I'm so glad to hear that," Tara said, "I'm also working free of charge."

"Now, about Angry-Dog," Tara continued, "He looks awful and is being kept in a solitary cell and is never allowed out. He has lost a tremendous amount of weight and I'm very worried about him. They will not let me bring him food or anything and I can only see him once a week."

"They accuse him of being the ring-leader," Tara said, "On the basis of what I have no clue, I'm waiting for the required disclosure of police records. I'm told they are redacting so I doubt it will tell us anything."