Blood Bath

Chapter 20

When Trooper Steve saw Colton's father drive away, he walked up to Colton and before he could ask who Doyle was, Doyle extended his hand and with a voice of authority he said, "Trooper, my name is Albert Doyle, a retired Detroit Homicide Detective. I am here at the request of my friend, Colton. After calling the police he remembered that I lived just a few houses west of here and felt a need to have someone, of knowledge, help him during this horrible time. I'm sure you understand how disturbing discovering a dead body is."

"I do understand but I need to speak with Colton, alone. Colton, come with me so we can talk in the patrol car."

Doyle stepped closer to Trooper Steve, and with his face inches away he said, "Officer, you will not interview Mr. Blackwell without and adult, such as myself or his parent, in his presence. Is that understood?"

The trooper stepped back. Colton could see rage flash across the Troopers face. "We'll see about that, Sir."

Trooper Steve turned and walked back to his vehicle. Colton could see he was shouting on the radio with someone. Perhaps his commander? When he returned he apologized to Doyle for any misunderstanding and suggested the three of them sit in his patrol car to talk.

Colton grinned all the way to the patrol car where he told Trooper Steve what he saw when he drove up to the house. He explained that he didn't touch or move anything. He explained how he knew the victim from school. Colton also advise the Trooper he and Lacie had seen Jenny and her boyfriend, Luke Hadderton, fighting in and around school.

"We saw Luke hitting Jenny. We think he was abusing her, but she wouldn't get help when we suggested she should," Colton added.

Trooper Steve typed notes as he asked questions. Doyle stopped Colton only once when Steve asked why he felt a need to call Mr. Doyle.

"That's not a question you need to answer, Colton."

"Oh, I think Trooper Steve knows why. Doyle, the trooper has a problem with teenagers. He suspects we are guilty of something. Perhaps he is imprinting his own personal experiences as a youth, onto all teenagers," Colton said with a chuckle.

"Smart ass," quipped the trooper.

"That's enough, trooper. You needn't call my friend vulgar names," responded Doyle.

Colton watched as the EMS workers moved Jenny's body into the ambulance. Deputy Ned and his partner strung police tape around the hot tub. The yellow tape reminded Colton of all the murder mysteries he'd watched and listened to.

"Doesn't the Coroner have to come down to the scene?" he asked.

Trooper Steve and Doyle started to answer. "Go ahead, Steve," suggested Doyle.

"Around here, the Coroner only comes to the scene when needed. This is likely a suicide, so the crime scene investigators will be here later to sweep the area. Photographs get taken of the scene and any evidence gets tagged, bagged, and sent for processing"

The Trooper continued, "For now, you both can go home. If we have further questions, we will call."

Doyle thanked the trooper and walked with Colton to his car. Together they watched the ambulance drive away. Deputy Ned approached Colton and then stopped when he saw Doyle.

Colton said, "Ned, this is Albert Doyle. He's a retired Detroit Detective and a good friend of mine."

Doyle smiled at hearing Colton's description. "Yes, a good friend."

He shook Ned's hand and complemented him on his good work. Laughing he suggested that he could find him a job in downtown Detroit.

"Hell, NO! We may have some crime in our county, but at least when we go home, we feel safe."