IF I FAIL Page 19

  “Why, she spoke about Shanna. She always speaks about Shanna, the great childhood they had. A typical childhood. They fought sometimes; of course they’d always make up later on. Meryl’s parents are the worst, both of them alcoholics. She spent a lot of time here. She really misses Shanna, like the rest of us.” A tear spilled down her check.

  “She didn’t speak of anything else? Or ask about anything in particular?” Jake pushed.

  Mrs. Wagner thought for a few moments. “Well, Meryl did ask me if she could lie down in Shanna’s room for a while. I thought it was strange. I asked her why. She said she had a headache.”

  “Did she come here a lot this past year?”

  “Come to think about it, no…no, only once or twice. She wanted to see Chloe. They got into an argument the first time. They stopped when they saw it upset me.”

  “When did they argue? What did they argue about?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Girls, you know; argue one minute, friends the next. I never knew what they argued about. Chloe wouldn’t tell me.”

  “Did they make up after they argued?” Louie asked.

  “I don’t think so. The second time she came, Chloe wouldn’t see her. I tried to talk to Chloe, ask her why—she wouldn’t say, told me to drop it.” Anna looked tired.

  “I only have a couple more questions. I promise we’ll get out of your hair. Okay, Mrs. Wagner?”

  “Alright. I miss Shanna terribly, you know. I know my girls aren’t perfect. Shanna was sweet, but a little too driven. She needed to be top of her class. A’s in everything. She wouldn’t accept anything less for herself. All I ever wanted for my girls was happiness. Now, none of us can be happy, because we’re incomplete.”

  “A little driven, Anna?” Joe smiled sadly.

  “I guess you’re right, Joe. A lot driven, that would best describe our Shanna.” She smiled back at him.

  “Mrs. Wagner, who do you think killed her?” Jake asked, watching Joe flinch.

  “I really don’t know, Lieutenant. I know it was no one in the family. We all loved her. I know you think she and Chloe didn’t get along, it’s not true. They had the sister thing going on—fight one minute, best of friends the next. I know they loved each other. Now that I think of it, they fought more when Meryl hung around. Odd it just occurred to me, isn’t it?”

  “No, sometimes things just pop into our heads. One last thing, how long was Meryl’s visit last week?”

  “Oh, sorry, I didn’t answer your question before. She was here about forty-five minutes before Joe got home. Maybe another thirty minutes after. In fact, we asked her to join us for dinner, but she declined our offer.”

  “Why?”

  “She wanted to leave before Chloe got home.”

  “Mrs. Wagner, one last question. If we find Shanna’s ring, will it go to Chloe?”

  “Why, of course. My grandmother gave me her jewelry. My mother gave her granddaughters her jewelry. I’ll give mine to my granddaughter, if I have one. It’s always been our family tradition. Why do you ask?”

  “I’m just curious, Mrs. Wagner. Thanks for your time.” Jake nodded at Louie; both stood up. Joe stood with them. When Anna started to rise, Jake said, “No, Mrs. Wagner, please don’t get up.”

  At the door, Joe asked, “When can I pick up Chloe? Why all the questions about Meryl?”

  “I can’t answer your questions at this time, Joe. Yes, she’ll need a ride. Give me an hour with her. I’ll call your cell when she can be picked up.

  “Okay, Lieutenant, I know Chloe didn’t do it.”

  “Take care, Joe.” Jake didn’t say anything else. He didn’t remind him of their conversation today at the pawn shop, when Joe thought Chloe killed her sister.

  They left the Wagners, drove straight to Captain McGuire’s house—he lived in the same neighborhood. Jake called before heading over. When they knocked on the door Shamus answered, led them directly into his study, by-passing the living room crowded with family.

  “It must be pretty important if you’re both here at this hour. What’s up?”

  “I’m not second-guessing myself, Shamus. I don’t want to hold Chloe Wagner in lock-up tonight.”

  An aggravated Shamus said, “I told you to tread carefully here, Jake. Why the sudden change of mind?”

  “Well, new information came to us. Chloe Wagner supplied the information. Before you interrupt Cap, I don’t think its bullshit. Shanna was gay. No one ever brought that side of her up when speaking with us over the past year. Plus, you know we already set appointments to re-interview the best friend and the ex-boyfriend tomorrow. I don’t know at this point who’s involved. I’ll have her watched tonight, see if she goes out or contacts anyone. I’ll keep the surveillance on her for the whole weekend.” Jake outlined the plan in his head as he spoke.

  “What’s the new information, Jake?” Shamus asked.

  “Well, no one ever mentioned before about Shanna being gay. Chloe said she didn’t want her parents to know. Shanna and Meryl dated for years. She got jealous when Shanna dated men. Chloe felt both Meryl and Mark were applying pressure to get Shanna to pick sides. She was confused, and she didn’t know where to turn for answers. The reason we decided to re-interview Meryl in the first place was she lied to us in the original interview. She told Kraus she saw Shanna the night she disappeared. Four days later, she told us she didn’t see Shanna all week because of exams. Tonight, Chloe let us know Meryl visited her mother last week. She claimed to have a headache and asked to lie down in Shanna’s bedroom. Now a week later, Mr. Wagner finds the ring in Shanna’s room.” Jake stopped, took a breath.

  “Who do you think did it, Jake?”

  “We don’t know at this point. I just want to re-interview everyone involved. Go from there. What do you think, Captain?” Jake switched between his name and his rank, without realizing it.

  “I think you should re-interview and like you said, go from there. I’ll be there tomorrow when you talk to the friend. Come to my office afterward. I’ll let you know my feelings about her.”

  “Thanks. You agree to let Chloe go for the night?”

  “Yes. Explain to her she’s still a person of interest and can’t leave the state. Also explain if she fails to report when summoned, she’ll be arrested. She’ll have to wait in jail, with no bail, until all parties are arrested or until the case is ready for trial. What do you say, Louie?”

  “Ah, someone remembered I’m here.”

  “Louis,” Shamus said, looking over the top of his glasses.

  “I agree with Jake. I think we jumped the gun. We’ll put a tail on Chloe tonight, and on the other two tomorrow, see what shakes out.”

  “Okay, get it done.”

  “One more thing, Cap,” Jake said. “Tomorrow night—I have a thing going on—I’m going to assign the night guys to watch them all.”

  “You’re in command, Jake, utilize your team. Good night,” he said, leading them to the door.

  “Good night,” they said in unison.

  Outside, Louie said, “The plot thickens.”

  “Go ahead, Louie, get it off your chest.” Jake could practically see the steam coming out of Louie’s ears.

  “What?”

  “You know what. How I didn’t listen. How I jumped the gun because she annoyed me.”

  “I didn’t say anything, but if I did, that would be part of it. I think the other part is you feel desperate to close this particular case because it hits too close to home.”

  “If you think I acted inappropriately Louie, call me on it. But leave my personal life out of it.”

  Mad. Louie’s comment hit the mark. He didn’t know how to deal with him. Jake drove in silence. At the station, they went right to booking. Explained what they were going to do. They got the order of release for Chloe. He gave Joe a call to pick her up. They went to see her in Room Two, explained her obligations in the matter. Jake let her know her father would be outside waiting for her.

  “You’re an asshole,
Jake. You did this to teach me a lesson.” Chloe shouted, shaking uncontrollably.

  “No, Chloe. I didn’t. The evidence points to you. Now it points to a couple of others. I follow the evidence. It’s not personal. We’ll see how this unfolds. Right now, I’m giving you a break, so you don’t have to spend time in lock-up with the hookers. So, say thanks and go home.”

  “Well, fucking excuse me for not being grateful, you bastard.” She stomped out. They trailed behind. Chloe went right into her father’s arms. They both cried.

  Mr. Wagner looked over Chloe’s shoulder, mouthing thank you to them.

  Nodding, Jake turned his back on them and spoke with the officer. “Did she give you any trouble?”

  “No, she’s scared. It dawned on her she could lose her freedom. She really believes you did this because she dated you. I’d watch your back with that one. She’s trouble. Good night, sir.”

  “Good night, Officer.”

  Jake watched her walk away—sound advice, he mused. He turned toward Louie.

  “Louie, sometimes a case just haunts you. This case haunts me. Not because of Eva. Everyone wanted a piece of this girl. She didn’t have a chance, being pulled in all directions. The cases are similar. You know what I mean? Both were so vicious. I’m sorry I jumped at you back there.”

  “It’s okay. It haunts both of us, Jake. It doesn’t help that we don’t like Chloe.”

  “I know. Let’s go over to dispatch, see who called.”

  “How would anyone know Chloe got arrested tonight?” Louie asked.

  “Now, that’s the question, isn’t it?”

  The dispatcher gave them the printout, complete with each caller’s phone number and name. Jake looked at it. “Well, well, well…”

  “What?”

  Chapter Twenty

  Still standing in front of the dispatcher, Jake handed Louie the printout. “Look at the list, Louie.”

  “Oh! How did she know?”

  “Good question. We’ll ask her tomorrow. I’m going to take your car, you take mine. I’ll stake out Chloe’s place tonight. Alright?”

  “You can’t do this alone.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because.”

  “That’s a stupid answer, one I’m sure you don’t accept from your kids, Louie.”

  “I’m not leaving you. This is a touchy situation, Jake. So CYA is important here. There goes my celebration.” Louie frowned.

  “I know how to ‘cover my ass,’ Louie.” He saw the look Louie gave him, added, “Okay, we’ll compromise. I’ll talk with Officer Jones’ supervisor. If he agrees, I’ll have her ride along with me. I liked her style tonight. Is that acceptable? This way you can get home to the celebration Sophia’s planned for you, Sergeant.”

  “Yes, that’s acceptable, Lieutenant. I’ll just walk down with you to the squad room, and say my hellos to Sergeant Kline.”

  “Don’t trust me, Louie?”

  “You’ve been known to go off by yourself. I stress, this is not the time.”

  “Okay, let’s go, Dad,” Jake joked.

  *

  Officer Jones’ sergeant cleared her for the ride-along. Jones got in the car with Jake and sat at attention. He took in all the details—her uniform freshly pressed, her shoes polished, holding a shine that could blind. Hat at the correct angle. A professional, Jake thought. Her skin was the color of polished cherry, her eyes were black as a moonless night and matched her hair, which she wore in a bun under her hat. At five-eleven, Jones carried her hundred-fifty pounds in a well-toned body.

  “Tara, you can take your hat off in the car. I know it gets hot with that on. It’s going to be a long night,” Jake said.

  “Thank you, sir,” she said, never making a move to remove it.

  “Please, call me Jake while we’re on a stakeout. Do you wish to be addressed by your rank or by your first name?”

  “Tara’s good, sir.”

  “Do you want coffee?” he asked, pulling to the curb at the donut shop.

  “Thanks, I take it black,” she responded.

  “Okay, any special kind of donuts you like?”

  “I can’t afford to eat donuts, sir. A minute in the mouth is years on my hips.”

  “You don’t look like you need to worry,” Jake said.

  “Because I don’t eat them.” When she smiled, it lit up her whole face.

  “You want a bagel or something?”

  “No, I’m good. The coffee’s enough.”

  “Okay, but I’ll guarantee you’ll be sorry in a couple of hours.” He got out of the car.

  “Sir, I’ll get the coffees.” She jumped from the car.

  “It’s Jake. And Tara, I’ll get the coffee. My mother raised me to be a gentleman.”

  He saw the look of confusion on her face, figured her partner made her get the coffee all the time. It was hard for a woman on the force. Add to that the fact she was a black woman, she probably fought harder for the respect she’d earned. The old prejudices never died here. Jake knew some of the other cops still thought women and minorities didn’t belong on the job. He wondered how they lived in this world with such prejudices. He couldn’t figure out how they passed the personality tests for the academy. Jake never took advantage of rookies or uniforms. He gave respect where it was earned, no matter what the rank or color. It’s why he was so well-respected.

  Jake returned to the car.

  “Here you go. One large cup of black coffee for you. For me I not only got a cup of coffee, I got a whole bag of donuts.” He laughed, opening the bag, sniffing its contents.

  *

  They pulled across the street from the Wagners’ house. Jake noticed Chloe’s car, along with Joe’s, in the driveway. He pointed to the red Honda.

  “That one’s Chloe’s.” He indicated the light in the window on the second floor in the left corner. “That’s Chloe’s room.”

  “Are we going to stay out here all night?” Tara asked.

  “No. It’s nine-fifteen now, so I figure we’ll watch until ten-thirty. You go off shift at eleven, correct?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Tara, it really is okay to call me Jake while we’re on the stake-out. Do you have a problem with me?” Something behind her formal manner bothered him. What did he ever do to earn her scorn?

  Jake studied her as she processed his question.

  “My relationship with the suspect is bothering you, isn’t it?”

  “Sir, it’s not my place to question you. You have rank over me and can make my life a living hell,” she said, an edge to her voice.

  “Is someone making your life harder than it should be, Officer Jones?” He switched to her rank, addressed her formally as she addressed him.

  “Politics, sir.”

  “Ah, politics—I hate politics. Normally, Tara…” He switched to her first name again. “I don’t explain myself to an underling. I will tonight because the situation’s unusual.” He stopped to gather his thoughts. Tired of telling his story, he wondered if the questions would ever end. Cops were the worse gossips. He wasn’t going to give Officer Jones the full story; rank had some privileges.

  “Tara, I had—note the past tense—had a personal relationship with Chloe Wagner last year, which could cloud the issues in this case.

  “Since the relationship has ended, she’s been harassing me. Recently, she started stalking me—a stupid act to perpetrate against a cop. I filed a formal complaint against her this week. I’m sorry if you’re uncomfortable working with me. I thought you’d appreciate a different duty to break up your routine. I heard you were a professional; discreet, and looking for a place in homicide. I’ll return you to the station, no hard feelings.”

  “I’m sorry I made you feel uncomfortable, Lieutenant. It’s not my place to question you. It just seemed odd how the suspect spoke to you. It’s also unusual to release a murder suspect.”

  “It’s an unusual case. There were several things that didn’t add up from the beginning. To
day we recovered an emerald the victim always wore. Tonight, for the first time, her sexual orientation came to light. Whoever planted the ring in the room made the first actual mistake in the case, giving us our first big break. Also, after reviewing all the interviews from last year, Sergeant Romanelli and I discovered discrepancies in her best friend’s statements. Sometimes, you can bang your head against a wall, then one day Lady Luck comes into play and the case takes on momentum. It seems to have happened with this one. So much so, we’ve already scheduled an interview with her best friend for tomorrow.

  “Every case, especially a homicide, has to be treated uniquely. They don’t always go by the book. The book’s there as a guideline, not as an absolute—one needs to use common sense. The officer who survives is the one who can pretty much stick to the book, yet be flexible enough to get results. Do you understand?”

  “I’ve been on the job now for three years. I know it doesn’t always go by the book. You have to admit, tonight’s one for the records,” she answered boldly.

  “Yep, I’ll admit it.”

  “So, why are we watching her?”

  “To see if she goes anywhere tonight. If she did kill her sister, she didn’t do it alone.”

  “Why do you say ‘if’?”

  “Because with this new evidence it doesn’t make sense that she killed her. This crime was overkill. Someone very angry at the victim, beat her to a pulp, almost like a lover’s quarrel. Love and hate aren’t that far apart for some. With no lovers in the picture, we went in the wrong direction. That’s the part we couldn’t figure out. She had no serious relationships, or so we were told. Now we find there were two. Tomorrow or Monday, we’ll verify what Chloe told us tonight. Search for the other women she dated at school. We can’t rule out Chloe. That ring’s worth over fifty thousand dollars—a real motive for murder.”

  “Fifty thousand dollars? For a ring?” Tara said, amazed.

  “Yes. Emeralds are worth more than diamonds, as I’ve learned. This ring flaunts both, increasing its value.”

  “I’d love to see a picture of a fifty thousand dollar ring.” She shook her head.