Book 2-Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

                                                                                        Chapter 8

                                                                         The Investigation begins

     Detective Burns said he had to make a couple of phone calls to finish up the case he had just closed, and ask the teens if they'd like some soft drinks and donuts located in the snack room while they waited?  Fletch was the first one to say, "Yes please, thank you," the detective laughed once, and then showed them the way into a small room two doors down where they could relax until he had completed his calls.

     He assured them that he would only be about fifteen minutes.  Then he hurried off down the hallway and the teens made their way to a counter top where a coffee maker held a fresh pot of coffee and vending machines containing various soft drinks sat in a corner and beside it a snack machine containing a variety of chips and candy.

     Alex and his friends each chose a soft drink and a donut and sat down at the conference size table.  Fletch took a couple of donuts and then joined the others.  "I'm glad Detective Burns told us how he felt about how Sandra's case was handled," Dawn said, taking a bite of her Bismark. "He was so upset after you told him we had our doubts about it being a suicide, I thought he was going to tell us to mess out of the whole thing."

     "I'm curious as to why they had to call in an Elkhart detective on the case,"  Nick said munching on his Eclair.  Anna grinned at him and said, "Because this police department only has one detective.  And he's a pretty old guy who's not as sharp as he used to be."  "Why would they allow a guy like that to remain a cop if he's losing it?"  Chet ask her.

     "Well, until my sister's death this was a really low crime town.  The worst thing that had ever happened here was harmless Halloween pranks.  And since Sandra's case there hasn't been a major crime in this city."  "I wonder what Detective Burns is doing here now,"  Matt said taking a drink of his Dr. Pepper. 

     "I'd like to know that too.  If fact I'll ask him when he gets back,"  Alex said, taking another chocolate donut from the box.  He had barely finished his sentence when the detective walked into the room.  "Are you all fed and watered?" he asked taking a seat at the head of the table.  Alex wondered if Detective Burns seat selection was to remind Alex and his friends that he was running the show.  But Alex answered the detective's question, "Yeah thanks for the treats," Alex told him.  "You're all very welcome Alex."

     "Hey Detective Burns, I was just wondering what you doing here?"  Sam asked.  Anna was just telling us that no big crimes hardly ever happen in this town."  "Anna is right,"  the detective agreed.  "And I'm not here on a case....yet," he said evasively.  Alex gave Detective Burns an irritated look and he laughed.

     "Oh, alright," Detective Burns said in a resigned voice.  "There was a "Break Out" in the Joliet Justice Facility."  Dawn, Glenna and Anna gasped in unison.  "Two men considered armed and dangerous escape last night by taking guns from two guards and then getting away via a laundry truck.  The authorities think they may be heading this way."

     The girls gasped again and the boys mouths dropped open.  Chet was especially upset.  This was the first time he'd joined the others to hopefully solve a crime, and he was suddenly concerned for Dawn's involvement in this so called "Hobby" of hers.  "I had meetings with the police chief here and in Elkhart last evening and the F.B.I. attended both of them.  And that's all I can tell you," he finished, taking a swig of coffee.

     Considering the stern way he'd voiced his last few words, Alex knew better than to push for more information, even though Alex knew there was so much more.  Besides, he was anxious to get back to Sandra's case.  "Well if you're all finished let's go back to the office and have a chat," the detective said rising from his chair.

     Fletch crammed the last bite of donut in his mouth and gave the box on the table a wistful look before he followed the group from the room.  When everyone was seated in the office again Detective Burns laid Sandra's file on the table before him.  "Okay.  What questions do you all have to ask me?"

     "Well now that we know you think Dave did it...."  "Just a minute Alex," Dawn said reaching into her blue denim bag, (which had served her well for many years now) and grabbing up enough spiral notebooks for everybody, and just as many pens and handing them out.  Everyone chuckled except Anna who just gave Alex a confused look.

     "Dawn's always prepared," Alex said simply.  Dawn wrinkled her nose at him and Detective Burns shook his head in amusement.  "There,"  Dawn said when everyone had what they needed.  "Go on Alex," she told him.  "Did I mention she can also be a bit bossy?"  Alex told Anna.  His comment earned him a punch in the arm and Anna had to try very hard not to laugh.

     So Alex continued with, "What was Dave's last name?"  "Clinton," the detective answered looking at the file in his hand.  Alex made a note and said, "Like I told you before, I'm not convinced this was a suicide....but if Dave did push her over that balcony wouldn't there have been marks on her arms, shoulders, somewhere to indicate that?"

     Then to Dawn and everyone's surprise Chet spoke up, "Hey!  That would support the murder theory wouldn't it?"  Alex gave him a nod and a small smile, "Yes Chet it would," he said looking at Detective Burns.  "I have the coroner's report right here," the detective said pulling the paper from a yellow envelope.

     "I'm gonna read from it,"  Detective Burns told them and then clearing his throat.  "The victim died as a result of blunt forced trauma to the scull and brain which is consistent with a fall from fifty feet or more."  "But there are other ways one could sustain that same kind of wound isn't there?"  Sam asked the detective.  "I would have to say yes to that," the detective agreed.

     "You said that Dave was frequently picked up for drunk driving...." lee said pensively and staring at the ceiling.  "What if he and Sandra were in a car accident...."  he paused again for a moment and then went on, "and Sandra, well...."  Lee gave an apologetic look to Anna before he continued, "died as a result of the accident?"

     "And Dave not wanting to accept responsibility placed her at the bottom of the hill to make it look like suicide," Lee ended.  "That would make him a monster!"  Glenna said in a horrified voice.  "It would mean that Dave knew this time someone had died because of his driving drunk and that was manslaughter even with a good attorney handling the case," Fletch said wisely.

     "And.... that all of Daddy's money couldn't save him this time,"  Detective Burns said in an angry tone of voice.  " What I'm gonna read now may back up your accident theory Lee.  Listen to this!  Aaron Ford, (Dave's best friend) Connie Carter and Jo Anne Stewart stated that they had all gone to bed at ten thirty pm that Friday night.  They all agreed that they had seen Dave and Sandra sitting on the rug in front of the fireplace when the three of them went to get ready for bed. ( Aaron, Connie and Jo Anne were sleeping in the living room that night.)  But Connie remembers hearing Dave say he and Sandra were going for a drive just before she left the room."

     Everyone in the room had an ominous look on their face after Detective Burns had finished reading.  "What time did the coroner say that Sandra died?"  Matt asked.  "Twelve o'clock am., the detective answered.  Then he turned to Anna and ask, "This must be very difficult for you.  Are you alright?"  "I'm fine," she said with a determined look on her face.  "I want to find out the truth of what happened to my sister."