A Long Road to Redemption

Chapter 32

Though the three of them were working on the case together, this was their first time meeting as a team. Luke arranged the take-out meals he bought for the group, almost like he was hosting a party. It felt strange to him having the three of them together in the same room. It was a risk he knew but one he thought worth taking. It was doubtful that anyone was watching the office, but it couldn't be completely ruled out. Detective Taylor, by now, was checking the outside area to see if anyone was suspicious outside, just in case. Shelia was on her way down and would be there any minute.

Satisfied that it was safe, Taylor entered the law office. The two shook hands and took a few minutes to catch up. "Detective, I don't think we've spoken about the case since I was last in the police station with Sidney. I'm glad you're on board, but I have to admit I'm not sure why you're doing this." He had to be sure. There was too much on the line to take a risk now.

"To be honest, Mr. Brady, I'm not sure myself. When I questioned her, I could just tell there was something different. Then everything moved so fast, and the DA's office killed the investigation. There are too many loose ends, and there must be something more. And maybe I believe her."

Luke thought for a moment. He knew that Taylor had a reputation as a shrewd investigator and not someone corrupt. Brady needed allies, but he had to be careful who he trusted. Pierson could not be trusted to keep his word, and while it may be difficult to get to Sidney while she was in prison, it was not impossible. He had to be careful with every move.

"I think you're right about loose ends," Brady replied, "I've filed several legal briefs to the court trying to keep the case moving, but without hard evidence, it's slow going."

"How is she holding up?" Taylor asked.

"Pretty good so far. I think she has a cellmate that she gets along with, so that's good. I still warn her whenever I see her not to talk about the case, even with her cellmate. So far as I can tell, she hasn't."

"That's good," Taylor said. "Luke, I need to talk to her. She may know more than she thinks."

"No. Sidney needs to be kept as much as possible in the dark about this investigation, and if Pierson finds out you're investigating...."

"She's screwed," said Shelia as she entered the office, placing her purse aside. "Oh, you got take out how sweet. How's it going, boys?"

"You know you could have announced yourself before just barging in," Taylor said as Shelia sat beside him.

"Well, if a bad guy barged in here, you would both be dead since you left the front door unlocked. You sure you're a cop?" she scolded Taylor.

"You're in a good mood. I hope that means you have good news," Brady interrupted.

Shelia spent the next few minutes recounting her recent trip to Seattle and meeting Jamie Carter. She also told about how she had dug into some of the leads she had on other women Lawson and friends spent time with. She believed from the conversation with Jamie that other videos existed and that Leonard Pierson was doing his best to keep any evidence of the videos secret.

None of this came as a big surprise to Brady. Sidney told him in one of their conversations that Leonard Pierson said as much on the night he visited her. Yet, the point of the investigation was not to ruin the reputation of Lawson Pierson but to find a way to get Sidney out of the situation she was in as quickly as possible.

Taylor was the next to speak. He told about finding the original death certificate, which verified at least part of Sidney's side of the story. What he said next, though, was the most concerning. He told about confronting Jim Cooper over the false certificate and how he promised to expose his part in falsifying the cause of death and tampering with evidence. Brady looked worried.

"You've both done a great job, but I don't think it was wise to provoke Cooper. If he is in league with Pierson, he's probably told him everything you two discussed."

"Luke, that's what we want. We have to turn up the heat so that they get nervous. That's when they will make a mistake," Taylor said.

"Yeah, and what if that mistake is killing Sidney? Can you live with that? I sure as hell can't," Brady said, almost yelling at Taylor.

"Okay, boys, let's bring this down," Shelia interjected quickly. "Luke, he's right. We have to move on what we have, or else we will never get anywhere." She quickly looked at Taylor, "And you should have told us you were going to confront Cooper. We are in this together, and if we don't communicate, we will get nowhere." The mood calmed, so Shelia continued, "We have to trust each other. No Lone Ranger stuff. Got it, Taylor?"

"Got it."

Shelia looked at Luke. "Do you trust us to do our jobs?" she asked him. Brady sat down again and let the tension in the room ease. Shelia held her determined face. She knew this moment might make or break this investigation, so she stood her ground.

"I think it's time to put all our cards on the table now," Luke said as he broke the silence. "I have something you both need to see, but it's not here. Let's meet again tomorrow, and I'll tell you everything."