Never Far Away
(Emily Series #5)
Prologue
April 1867
Detective John Briggs sat in his office in San Francisco, CA studying the report in front of him. The packet had just arrived from Chicago about a murder at an arena. They had a suspect and thought the person was heading West to San Francisco. He was flipping through the papers again to make sure he hadn't missed anything when Sergeant Myers walked in.
"You wanted to see me Detective?"
"Sit down Myers. You worked that murder case at the arena last month right?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Tell me about it." Briggs clasped his hands together and stared at the Sergeant across the desk.
"Well, sir, as my report said, the man was shot in the chest. Point blank, one shot. It was a small gun too, like a derringer."
"Who was he?"
"He was the trainer for the fighters there."
"I assume you haven't found the shooter yet."
"Uh, no sir. It happened when the man was alone. All the fighters had left for the day so there were no witnesses. Do you have some information that could help us?"
"Read this." Briggs handed the Chicago papers to Myers who scanned them quickly then looked at his superior with shock.
"Sir, it's the same thing, same method of death. Do you think it's the same person?"
"My gut tells me it is." Pointing at the papers he said, "He was alone, he was connected to professional fighters and he was shot the same way, but, one difference. They have a witness. This person heard two people arguing, then a shot. But the witness ran before the shooter came out. It also says the witness came forward later saying he was sure one of the voices belonged to a woman."
"Sir the Chicago murder took place nearly three months ago. That's long enough for someone to have traveled here. Do you think the person is still here?"
"I don't know but we need to find out. I want you to reopen the investigation and try to link these two cases together. Keep me informed at all turns."
"Yes sir."
Myers left and Briggs went back to studying the report. Something kept nudging his memory. Two murders, same method, both men connected to fighting. Gathering the papers, he stood and walked out to the file room. It was going to be a long night but he needed to figure out what it was he couldn't remember. His gut told him these murders were connected to an old crime. Briggs just needed time to figure out the connection.