Book 2-Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

Alex Bishop in Follow That Mystery

                                                                                       Chapter 17

                                                                                      Conclusion

     As soon as Aaron was cuffed and pulled to his feet Detective Burns read him his rights and  then asked, "Do you want to make a statement?"  "I will say nothing until I speak to an attorney."  "I think that's a wise decision son," the detective said, and then handed Aaron over to the Police Chief Lenny Finny to escort him to a cruiser waiting in the driveway.

     "Oh Lenny!"  Detective Burns called.  The Police Chief stopped in his tracks with his hand on the door knob.  "Yeah!" he said.  "Would you send a couple of officers back in to put David Clinton Sr. and Mr. Brandon Gunn, our former Police Chief under arrest?  Have the guys read them their rights and then we'll charge them when we get them down town."  "We'll do!"  Lenny called.

     "You may go along with your client,"  Detective Burns told Mr. Clinton's attorney, Bradly Berger.  "Oh!  Thank you very much Detective,"  Mr. Berger said, sarcastically.  Before the men left with the two officers a few minutes later with the attorney following after them, Dave jumped to his feet again, after having rested on the sofa for a few minutes and faced his father's retreating back, just as one of the escorting officers was about to exit the open front door with his charges in tow.

     "Could I say something to my father?"  Dave asked the detective in a quiet voice.  Detective Burns nodded and the officer at the door turned Mr. Clinton around so he was facing his son.  Mr. David Clinton Sr. didn't look as though he wanted to hear anything his son had to say.  It was evident by the scowl upon his face.

     "So you went to a lot of trouble stealing files and bulling the Police Chief and Coroner to save your good name Dad.  And to come to find out....it was just an accident."  Dave told him in an even voice.  But even so, his father remained indignant and angry.  "And Then you bribed everyone to keep quiet about what you had done."

     "And you tampered with evidence!"  Dave's father spit at him.  "On your orders Dad,"  Dave's said, still in a normal tone.  "But you're right.  It was wrong.  I knew better.  And I'll take whatever punishment is due me," Dave said, giving Sandra's parents an apologetic and repentant look.  At this point, Alex and nearly everyone else wanted to stand up and cheer for Dave.  "But I learned at my Father's knee," Dave told his dad, as a tear trickled down his cheek.

     His father was not moved by what Dave had said, and Mr. Clinton sneered at his son as he said, "Like you said before, "There goes Harvard!"  "Oh.  I don't think so," Detective Burns put in with a sly grin on his face.  "Dave will have some charges for tampering with evidence, but I'm sure a good lawyer can get the charges reduced to probation and community service, because of extenuating circumstances."  The detective finished, with a glare at Dave's father.

     Dave gave Detective Burns an "I can't believe it"  wide eyed look.  And the detective threw an arm around him and gave his shoulder a squeeze.  "I think you should be able to return to Harvard by next September.  So not too much time wasted," the detective said, smiling at him.  David Clinton Sr. made an angry gutteral sound.

     "Have you said all you want to say Dave?"  Detective Burns asked him.  "Yes sir,"  Dave answered, then bowing his head as another tear fell.  "Okay guys!  the detective shouted, "Take them out!" he said in a disgusted tone.   After they had gone Fletch said, "I don't know about anyone else, but I'm starved!"  Everyone at the table in the dinning room broke out in laughter, as well as Bert, Detective Burns, Connie and Jo Ann.