The Kerosene Killer

April 18th (12:00 - 6:00 PM)

12:30 PM

American Quality Tires (AQT) Plant

Frankfurt County

Shepard approaches the security window at the tire plant's gated fence. His car window is open, and he raises a hand with his badge in his palm, extending it out of the car. The security guard opens his sliding window. Examining the badge, he proceeds to make eye contact with Shepard.

"What can I do for you officer?" Guard

"I need to speak with the Plant manager." Shepard

"Sure thing, one second" the guard replies as he grabs the walkie sitting on the desk in his small guard shack. "Hey Aruther, I got an officer down at the gate, says he needs to speak with Mitch. Can you send him over to bay 16." the guard says into the walkie-talkie. Shepard can hear a muffled voice coming from the walkie-talkie but is unable to make out the words. "Alright, I'll let him know." The guard replied to the walkie. The guard spins his chair slightly to reach his hand under the desk stationed behind him. "Just park on your left there by the door that says bay 16, he said it'll be a sec" The guard stated as the gate rolled open.

Shepard waited outside his car chain smoking cigarettes, Thinking about this case. He remembered how close he felt he was to solving the peach tree murders, thinking about the man he felt was behind the fires but being told all evidence was circumstantial and not even being able to get close to an arrest let alone a conviction. His partner back then, Ray, was completely convinced it was the very same suspect. Ray didn't take the insufficient evidence "ruling" very well and was eventually fired for harassing an "innocent civilian." Shepard would think sometimes if Howard Cobbler truly was the Peachtree Arsonist, would he consider Ray one of his "Victims" simply because he is the reason Ray was fired. Shepard knew better than to believe that but making the joke in his head helped him from slipping further into his remorse for not getting the justice he wanted for the victims of Howard Cobbler.

For half an hour Shepard remembered more and more about what he tried so hard not to think about from his life in Atlanta. The door of bay 16 finally opened, and the ground at Shepard's feet was littered with cigarette butts. "Finally." He said the Detective threw another cigarette to the ground and stomped on it quickly, walking towards the door.

"You the officer?" Mitch asked

"Detective Henry Shepard." Shepard replied reaching out for a handshake. Mitch grabbed his hand and they both shook firmly.

"Well, Henry what can I do for you?" Mitch

"Detective." Shepard replied while still shaking his hand with a look of annoyance in his eye. Releasing Mitch's hand "I just need to see Jedediah Hayes's last shift."

"Oh, I can tell you that, He works Monday through Friday, 6am to 6pm. Some Mondays he'll stay until about 9pm, a little overtime, you know. Mitch

"And this last Friday, The uh...17th He was off at 6 or 9 that evening?" Shepard

"He left here bout 6 O'Clock." Mitch

"How would you describe Mr. Hayes's character?" Shepard

"Uhh... I mean he's hardworking, Never runs late, we ain't that close but he seems like an alright guy in my book." Mitch

"Alright, I figured as much, just had to do my follow-up, thank you, sir." Shepard said while scribbling in his note pad "Can you fax me his punches for the 17th, Here is my card it's got the precinct fax number on it. I'll need that today please; I'll get out of your hair, don't want to waste more time than needed"