Cherry Two

Part 41

Chapter 39

Robert's condition had immediately outstripped the resources of Port Angeles' Olympic Medical Center. Within two hours he'd been flown by helicopter to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center for evaluation. He remained in deep coma. The medevac attendants on board the police chopper precluded any chance of Calley or Alain riding with him, not that the Port Angeles police would have allowed it anyway.

News of the carnage hit the streets later that day and major network hordes were converging on the town like vultures disguised as seagulls.

At the Port Authority terminal a middle-aged woman, just off the Victoria ferry, sat alone in a room under watch by US customs officers; marooned there until the frazzled Port Angeles police found someone currently unassigned to escort her to Police Headquarters. Confused, cut-off in silent solitude, Jobyna Benson could only imagine what this was all about.

Alain and Calley had already spoken to their respective parents. Keenan and Sonia were grabbing the next available Seattle flight after Sonia almost fainted. The news that Robert turned out to be the only family casualty hardly consoled her.

The children were calmer now. The dazed pair held hands in Captain Hollander's office and waited, just as Jobyna Benson waited, their lives temporarily on hold—a brief lull before the ongoing storm.

Calley spoke in sad tones to the empty chair from which Hollander would soon preside. "He killed her you know... Calley, I mean. They will find out. Now he's killed Uncle Bob, too."

Alain squeezed her hand a little tighter. "Grandpa's still hanging in; he only got part of the drug. We mustn't give up hope."

The office door opened. Captain Hollander and Chuck "Smokey" Bearden entered and took up their respective positions of authority with Hollander in the leather throne and Bearden perched on the corner of his desk hefting a wad of papers.

The sergeant opened up first, mainly talking to Alain. "The prisoner won't talk to us but we know who he is. His name's Jesus Benson, a Canadian citizen. He's being charged with accessory to a multiple homicide, including a police officer. The dead man is possibly his father, we're still checking. We may need special prisoner evaluation, as Benson shows signs of being somewhat retarded. First question: did either of you know this Jesus Benson or his father? Directly or indirectly?"

Alain found it difficult to answer in light of Calley's psychic pronouncements. Everything pointed to them knowing more than they did. What would mere country cops make of their bizarre story? He took a deep breath. "I've been conducting research into a cold case for some time. It's part of what I do... assisting my father."

Hollander nodded and held up his hand. "Okay, okay, we know who your father is, Alain. The Seattle Police Chief has been on to us already. We also received a call from Steve Cooley the LA District Attorney. You have friends in high places—we're impressed. However, we still need to understand this tragedy... I have one officer dead and three other murders to sort out. I'm sure you want to help."

Calley looked astonished. "Th... Three...?" she stammered.

Both cops glanced at each other. Clearly these two knew nothing about recent events at the farm.

"Ina and Joseph Benson and an investigator out of Seattle called Donna Sanford," Bearden said in a metered voice, disguising impatience. "Someone or something touched this rampage off and I want to know how and why; so let's get down to business."

***

By mid afternoon a WestJet shuttle landed in Seattle where the couple split up.