All the Deadly Lies Read online

  “Yes. Why am I here? I know you arrested Chloe yesterday. And let me say, it’s about time,” Meryl said.

  “How do you know we arrested Chloe yesterday, Meryl?” Jake asked.

  “Her parents told me.” She shrugged.

  “When did they tell you?”

  “It was last night, when I stopped in for a visit.”

  “No, they didn’t, Meryl. Chloe’s parents didn’t know she’d been arrested until well after you left,” Jake said, pinning her with a look.

  “What can I tell you? They’re the ones who told me,” she insisted.

  “What else did they tell you? What time were you over there visiting?” Jake asked

  “I got there around six o’clock. I left around eight. What do you mean, ‘what else did they tell me’?”

  “Did they tell you anything else?” he asked again, watching her process his question. He didn’t want to lead her on, so he didn’t mention the ring. He waited for her reply as silence filled the room. Over the years he had found silence often unnerved a suspect and she didn’t disappoint.

  “No, they didn’t,” Meryl said.

  “When they told you about Chloe’s arrest, they didn’t tell you what generated the arrest?”

  “You mean evidence?” she asked.

  “Yes, or a statement, something like that,” Jake said nonchalantly.

  “I can’t remember. I’ll give it some thought,” Meryl baited him, treating the interview as if it was a joke. Well the laugh was on her. It was obvious she couldn’t wait to see Chloe locked up for good.

  “Okay, what did you mean when you said, ‘it’s about time’ we arrested Chloe?” Louie asked.

  She looked over at Louie, who stood by the door. “We both know she wanted Shanna’s ring. Chloe knew her grandmother gave the higher value piece of jewelry to Shanna. Chloe’s a jealous woman. My God, it’s not only beautiful, it’s worth a fortune.”

  “How do you know the value, Meryl?” Jake asked.

  “Shanna told me, and after Shanna died, Chloe mentioned it. Chloe asked me if Shanna wore the ring the last time I saw her.”

  “When did she ask you that, Meryl? Give me dates.”

  “Oh, I saw Shanna the night she disappeared. We hung out.”

  In Meryl’s expression, he could see her mentally going back in time. Her black empty eyes filled with tears. False tears? Who knew? Either way they didn’t affect him. As they fell, Drake continued to wear the smile she had plastered on since she’d walked in the door.

  Meryl gave him his lead-in to the next line of questioning. Jake opened the file in front of him. Louie took the seat beside him.

  Jake asked, “Meryl, I have your original statements to both the Sergeant and me here, along with your statement to Detectives Kraus and Brown. Detective Kraus asked you two days after Shanna went missing if you saw her the day she disappeared or anytime within the week. You answered, ‘Yes, we hung out on Friday night and went for pizza and beer with some of her friends from the dorm.’” Jake handed her a copy of her statement.

  She read it and agreed. “Yes, I remember giving a statement. I don’t remember what I said. Should I?” She frowned.

  Ignoring her question, Jake continued. “Here’s a copy of your statement four days later to us. I’ll read it to you.” He handed her a copy of her previous statement. “Is this your statement to us after we found Shanna?”

  “Yes. I remember speaking with you. Again, I don’t remember what I said. Why are my statements so important, especially now if you have Chloe in custody?”

  Jake ignored her. “In your statement to us, you said you didn’t see Shanna the week of exams. Your statements, each within days of each other, are contradictory. Which one’s correct? When someone lies to us we have to ask ourselves why, right, Sergeant?”

  “You got that right. Meryl, the lieutenant asked, why did you lie? Which one is correct?” Louie’s cold, hard stare could scare a gorilla into turning over his bananas.

  Meryl sat in silence for a few minutes before answering. “I told you, I don’t remember what I said.”

  “Look at the copies I gave you and read each one out loud,” Jake demanded.

  Meryl picked up the copies but didn’t look at them. “I’d never help Chloe kill her sister. You’re nuts. I wouldn’t do anything to help Chloe or hurt Shanna.”

  “I don’t remember saying anything of the kind, Meryl. Please read both statements. When you’re done, we’ll reread your statement from today.”

  Meryl went silent again and then after a few minutes began to read the statements aloud.

  Kraus: Did you see Shanna the week she disappeared?

  Drake: I saw her on Friday night.

  He stopped her there. “Now please read the second set of sheets I gave you.”

  Meryl put the sheets aside and grabbed the other stack. She looked it over first, before she read aloud from it:

  Carrington: Thanks for coming in, Meryl.

  Drake: Anything I can do to help. It doesn’t seem real that she’s dead. Heavy crying noted here.

  Carrington: I’m sorry for your loss, Meryl. When did you see her last?

  Drake: The week before exams, I’m sure. The following week we both stayed at our own dorms to study.

  Carrington: You didn’t see her at all last week?

  Drake: No.

  Before she went any further he interrupted her. “Meryl, which one of these statements is correct?”

  Meryl thought for a few moments. Shrugging her shoulders, she said, “The first one I gave the detectives, Kraus and Brown, and the one I gave you today.”

  “Why did you lie when we interviewed you a few months ago?”

  “I didn’t lie. My emotions were all over the place. You had found Shanna the day I spoke to you. I always thought she’d be found alive. I thought she needed her space. I was confused, definitely upset and grieving. I’m still in shock over her murder. I didn’t lie on purpose, I must’ve forgotten.”

  Louie jumped in, changing tactics. “Were you and Shanna lovers?”

  Ah, a question that wiped the damn smile off her face, Louie thought. The one she’d worn since she entered the room, even when she cried.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I thought the question was self-explanatory, Meryl, but I’ll repeat it. Were you and Shanna Wagner lovers?” Louie pressed, leaning across the table, inches from her face so she focused on him.

  Meryl whispered, “Yes.”

  “Did you and Shanna quarrel on the Friday night she disappeared?” Louie asked.

  “Yes,” she whispered again.

  “Meryl, please speak up. I can’t hear you,” Jake said.

  “I said, yes. Yes, we were lovers. I loved her,” she shouted.

  “Did you kill her?” Louie asked.

  “No.”

  “What were you doing at her parents’ house last night?” Jake jumped in, switching it up again.

  “I went to visit them. I miss them.”

  “Why did you want to get into Shanna’s room last week? What did you put in there?” Jake continued his line of questioning.

  She gave Jake a calculated look. “I had a headache. I asked if I could lie down. Why would I put something in there?”

  “You surprised the Wagners with your request. It shook them. When Mrs. Wagner asked why it was only then that you said you had a headache. Correct?” Jake asked.

  “No. No, I had a crushing headache.”

  “Meryl, that doesn’t answer my question. Mr. Wagner said he told you he thought your request to go into Shanna’s room was odd. It was after he said that is when you mentioned your headache, not before. Now, I’ll ask again.” Jake’s voice hardened as he pounded the point home. “What were you doing in Shanna Wagner’s room last week?”

 
“I want a lawyer,” Meryl said.

  “Meryl, once you lawyer up there’ll be no deals on the table. We’re breaking the interview, subject has requested a lawyer. Time is twelve-ten PM on May ninth.” Jake stood, gathered his file, and reached out to take the statements back from Meryl.

  “No, wait. What do you mean deal? A deal for what?” she asked.

  “Sorry, Meryl, you requested a lawyer. This interview has ended.” Jake continued packing up his files.

  “No, wait, I don’t want a lawyer. What deal?”

  “You’re requesting we continue this interview without your lawyer, Meryl?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “Yes. Yes. What deal?” she asked, clearly aggravated.

  “Okay, Meryl Drake has requested this interview continue without her lawyer,” Jake read into the record.

  “What deal?” Meryl repeated.

  “If you know anything about Shanna’s death, this would be the time to tell us. Give us the details, like it happened while you were fighting, not preplanned or premeditated. Meryl, lovers quarrel all the time, sometimes an argument gets out of control and you can’t take it back.”

  “What deal?”

  “We’ll talk to the D.A., see if he can offer manslaughter in the first degree, instead of murder in the first,” Jake said.

  “That’s it?”

  “What were you expecting? I can’t make a recommendation until I know your involvement in Shanna’s death. I need details before we speak with the D.A.”

  “I’ve changed my mind, I want a lawyer. I didn’t kill Shanna. You’re not going to trap me. I’m not stupid, you are.” She violently pushed back her chair, knocking it to the floor, and stood.

  “Interview has ended at twelve-twenty PM.”

  “You got nothing. You’re—”

  Jake interrupted her. “You ended this interview, Meryl. Remember, anything you continue to say is being recorded. It will be used against you in a court of law. You’ve been warned. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.” She continued to walk to the door then turned back to them. “You guys are fishing. You’re like the cops in those comical police movies.” She walked out the door.

  “Well, Ollie, wasn’t that fun?” Louie foot shuffled his feet from side to side, imitating the Keystone Cops of the silent films. Jake started laughing.

  “Yeah, we pushed some buttons. What time’s Cavilla’s interview?”

  “Two o’clock. Let’s grab some lunch. I’m starved.”

  * * * *

  Their interview with Mark Cavilla didn’t turn up anything new. Cavilla remembered his answers verbatim. They had seemed rehearsed then and now. His arrogant attitude stayed until they asked their last question.

  “Mark, did you know Shanna was a lesbian?” Jake asked, gauging Mark’s reaction.

  Mark flew to his feet, his fists clenched, and took a step toward Jake. Louie walked around behind Cavilla and applied pressure on his right shoulder until Cavilla sat.

  “You don’t want to do that, son, sit down,” Louie said.

  “I won’t let him label her,” Cavilla shouted.

  “It’s not a label if it’s true, Mark,” Louie said quietly.

  “She’s not a queer,” he said adamantly.

  “The new term is LGBTQ, Mark. We have it from reliable sources she was,” Jake said.

  “She never gave a hint… I mean, we made love. I would know if the girl was gay,” Mark said. “Which one told you this nonsense, Meryl or her sister? They were both jealous of her sweetness, her brains, and especially her looks.”

  “It doesn’t matter who told us, Mark. She was. Do you know who killed her?” Jake asked.

  “No. If I knew who killed her, I’d kill him.”

  “I’d watch what you say, Mark. Someone will take you seriously,” Jake offered.

  “It’s the truth. I loved her. I wanted to marry her. Are you any closer to finding her killer?” Mark’s eyes don’t hold the passion of his words, Jake thought.

  “We have some new leads we’re following. The investigation’s ongoing.” Jake gave the standard answer.

  “You’ll let me know?”

  “Not if you intend to kill whoever did it,” Jake said.

  “It’s a figure of speech. I’ve been so empty since she died.”

  “I thought she broke up with you, Mark?” Louie asked.

  “She did. She wanted to wait until she graduated, got settled into a job. She would’ve come around.” It bothered Louie that Cavilla used pronouns instead of Shanna’s name.

  “You didn’t know there was something between Shanna and Meryl?” Louie asked.

  “Not what you’re implying. They were close, best friends since childhood. A sick mind would come to your conclusion.”

  “Do you think her sister Chloe knew?” Jake asked.

  “If she did, she wouldn’t have been happy about it. She hates Meryl. She always felt Meryl controlled Shanna’s life. I’ve kept in touch with Chloe. She’s lost without her sister.”

  “Anything else you can offer, Mark?” Jake asked.

  “No. I want to go home. Why would you even bring this up?” Mark asked.

  “It needed to be discussed, Mark. It could be a motive. We needed to see if you knew,” Jake said.

  “Because she dated me?”

  “No, it’s not about you, Mark.”

  “Am I done here?” Cavilla asked, pushing to his feet.

  “Yes. If we need to ask you any more questions, we’ll give you a call.” Jake gave him the same spiel, asking him to contact them if something or someone came to mind.

  They watched Cavilla leave. His shoulders hunched, tears washing down his face. Jake hated when the job crushed the innocent, though sometimes it was the only way to find out the truth. He wondered how Cavilla would regard Shanna in the future.

  Louie turned off the tape and said, “Okay, did Mark, or didn’t he know Shanna was gay?”

  “I couldn’t tell. He seemed upset. Could you date a woman and not know if she’s gay or bisexual?”

  “Can’t say. We weren’t given radar on something like that.” Louie said.

  “I guess you’re right. The question is, did she tell him? It had to be hard to keep it a secret like that.”

  Chapter 23

  “Let’s head up to the UConn campus at Storrs. Re-interview the girls on Shanna’s floor in her old dorm. When we get back into town, we’ll interview Meryl Drake’s friends. This way we’ll be in town for end of shift,” Jake said.

  “Have big plans tonight?”

  Jake didn’t answer. Louie smiled at him and then headed to the car.

  * * * *

  They did the recanvas of the dorms and hit pay dirt when they talked to a girl they’d missed in their first sweep back in March. Jake knocked on the door of room 4-15. A petite, five-foot-tall brunette who couldn’t have weighed more than ninety pounds if she weighed an ounce, greeted him. She had a fine-boned, sculpted face, sloe-brown eyes with long, dark lashes. She wore no makeup. “Yes?” she asked.

  “I’m Lieutenant Carrington and this is Sergeant Romanelli with the Wilkesbury Police Department. Were you here a few months ago when Shanna Wagner was killed?” He held up his shield.

  “Yes, please come in.” She stood back to let them in. She sat at her desk and offered them a seat on her bed. He and Louie chose to stand.

  “And you are?” Jake asked.

  “Donna Star.”

  “I don’t remember interviewing you before.” Jake ruffled through his notes.

  “No, you didn’t. I had to go home for a family funeral.” She grabbed her calendar. “I left for home on the Monday after Shanna went missing. I didn’t come back to school for over two weeks.”

  “Who died?” Louie asked.

  “My father,” she s
aid quietly.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” Jake said. “Did you know Shanna?”

  “Yes. We hung out sometimes. Are you any closer to finding out who killed her?”

  “We are. Did you hang out with her on the night she disappeared?”

  “No, she asked me, but I didn’t feel up to it. My mother had called earlier in the day to tell me my father was in a car accident. I didn’t want to be with anyone.”

  “It must have been a shock,” Jake said, not indicating which event he thought had shocked her the most.

  “It was. Some idiot drunk driver killed him. My father was forty-four years old.”

  “Did you know they found Shanna before you got back to school?” Louie asked.

  “Yes, my roommate called. I was devastated. First my father, then Shanna—it was too much.”

  “Did you know anyone who ever bothered Shanna?” Jake asked.

  “I know the guy she used to date from work hung around all the time. Shanna humored him to avoid arguing with him. I mean, wherever we went, he was there.” She frowned.

  “You mean Mark Cavilla?” Jake’s brow creased.

  “Shanna only introduced him as Mark. She never gave a last name.”

  “Would you recognize him, if you saw him again?” Jake felt the buzz in his blood. Knew they were getting close. Maybe this was the lead they were looking for.

  “Yes. He was completely shocked when she dumped him. He had a ‘no woman dumped him’ attitude, like he was something special, and he wasn’t, take my word for it.”

  “Why?”

  “Why, what?”

  “Why wasn’t he something special?” Louie asked.

  “I don’t know. It’s hard to put your finger on. He’s one-dimensional, like he bought a magazine, picked out the outfit, read an article, and then quoted it verbatim. Not original in his words or actions, almost like he was a robot. He had a superiority complex, as if it made him a big man because he had already graduated. The guy’s a real a-hole. Shanna said he was a bossy son of a bitch. It’s the main reason she blew him off.”