A Long Road to Redemption

Chapter 16

Detective Taylor walked into the station after watching the events of the Lewis case unfold. The feeling that things were amiss in the case bothered him. His efforts to return to the crime scene had also been blocked, not by any official reason, but through several events that were too coincidental. He began to feel he was being stonewalled and purposefully kept from the investigation.

"Chief," he began as he entered Butler's office, "I need to speak with Ms. Lewis about the Pierson murder."

"No, can do, Taylor. The investigation is closed as of a few minutes ago."

"What? How?"

"She is taking the deal made to her by Cooper. The investigation is officially closed."

"Chief, that's insanity. There are so many things wrong with the case against her that the defense should have a field day with the prosecution. Why would she do that?"

"I don't know Roger, but it's not our job. DA says shut it down, so we shut it down."

"Since when do we take orders from him? We have a duty to..."

"Don't lecture me on our duty, Taylor. I know what's expected of us. It's over. I know you've been trying to bust the Piersons for years. You even got your FBI buddy to investigate them a few years ago. I know how bad you want them and that you thought that girl could help you. I even hoped you were right. It's over, though. It's time to let it go."

"Damn it, Chief, they are going to slip away again. How can we sit here and let it happen?"

"Roger, you have to let this go. Live to fight another day. This one is a dead end. Let it go."

"Let it go? This department has been letting it go for years, and Pierson keeps getting away with murder. This girl could be the best lead we've had in years, and you're telling me to let it go?"

"No, Taylor, I'm ordering you to let it go. This war between you and Pierson is going to consume you, Taylor. It has to stop. We've lost this round. Let it go."

Taylor stormed out of the office and sat at his desk, seething. He looked at the official reports on the case and noticed several inconsistencies. Details that didn't coincide with the notes and pictures he took at the scene jumped out. Yet there was nothing he could do. Why did she take the plea? He left the office to do some investigative work on an open case, but he really wanted to be alone to think. Brooding might be a better way to put it. There was little he could do Without evidence and the ability to collect that evidence.

That evening, Roger went to a local tavern. He sat at the bar nursing a beer, still seething over the case. "I thought you might be here," came the voice of George Sullivan. "Mind if I join you?"

"When have I ever, George?"

"You want to talk about it?"

"Nope."

"Roger, how long have you been here, an hour? Maybe two. I bet that's the same beer you ordered when you got here?"

"You got a point, George?"

"Roger, we both know Pierson is a creep. Lawson got what he deserved. That could be something. A small victory."

"Is that what you're going to tell that girl's parents? Is that what you plan to tell all the people Pierson will keep on hurting? You and I know what he does, and you want to talk to me about moral victories?"

"What do you want me to say, Roger? You are too much of a boy scout. You always have to be the hero, but there ain't no heroes. It's just guys who do a job and keep the public safe. That's what we do, not this boy scout crap."

"Sure, George, sure. I'm going home; thanks for coming to cheer me up."

"Dammit, Roger," Sullivan said as Taylor left. "You're letting this get personal." Sullivan doubted Roger heard him. He decided to have a drink before going home.