Jim's haunted past

Chapter 4: compile evidence

im hurried up the cracked concrete steps of the police station, a thick manila folder tucked under one arm. His injuries from the greaser ambush still slowed him, but adrenaline overrode the pain. Beside him, Nell struggled to keep up on creaky knees.

"Easy there, son. These old bones ain't what they used to be," she panted.

Jim moderated his pace slightly. "Sorry, Nell. I'm just eager for Chief Pappas to finally see reason."

Nell nodded. "I know, me too. But don't get angry if he bristles. Some folks need time to accept an ugly truth staring them in the face."

Inside the worn lobby, the pair requested an immediate meeting with Pappas. The receptionist eyed them skeptically, but a stern look from Nell brooked no argument. Moments later, they were seated across from a displeased chief in his cluttered office.

"This better be important," Pappas grumbled. "I'm up to my ass in this murder case without you two pestering me about ghost killers."

Jim placed the overflowing folder on the desk with a definitive thump. "It's all in there—every bit of evidence linking the old and new cases. A blind fool could connect the dots."

Pappas scowled, but skimmed the contents. His bushy brows rose slightly at the comprehensive timeline and crime scene analysis that Jim and Nell compiled.

Jim held his breath, watching Pappas closely. He willed the man to finally grasp what was right in front of him.

After what felt an eternity, Pappas sighed and removed his glasses. "You two did your homework, I'll give you that. There are...certain consistencies."

Hope leaped in Jim's chest. "So you agree it seems like the same perpetrators?"

The chief held up a hand. "Now don't go putting words in my mouth. I said the evidence merits further investigation."

Nell leaned forward. "With all due respect, sir, we're running out of time. If we don't stop those boys, another innocent child will die."

Pappas rubbed his temples tiredly. "You know I can't just arrest someone on a hunch. But..." He met Jim's gaze. "Consider me open-minded to extreme possibilities. For now, we'll tighten surveillance on your suspects."

Jim let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. It wasn't an avowal of belief, but it was progress. The first crack had appeared in the dam of lies. Soon the whole ugly truth would come pouring through.

Outside, Nell firmly shook Jim's hand. "We're getting there. A foot in the door is all we need."

Jim nodded. "I owe you more than I can say, Nell. Your faith won't be in vain."

The sun glowed through dispersing clouds as he walked home, heart lighter than it had been in ages. The end of this nightmare waited on the horizon, he could feel it. Wayne would rest easier soon.

And then, perhaps so would Jim. Jim sat rigidly in the worn leather chair across from Chief Pappas, clutching the arms so tightly his knuckles blanched. Beside him, Nell was the picture of calm, scanning the numerous plaques and citations adorning the office walls.

Pappas leaned back in his chair, thick arms crossed. "I gotta say, when my secretary said you two were insistent on a meeting, I almost didn't believe it. But here you are, wasting my time again."

Jim took a slow breath through his nose. "Sir, if you'll just look through what we've uncovered, you'll see the connections are impossible to ignore any longer."

He slid the thick folder of documents across the desk. Pappas's bushy eyebrows rose slightly as he took in the extent of their research, but his expression remained stony.