Back from my involuntary sabbatical. Tree situation is back under control (for now). If that wind could move on now, that'd be great. Hope you are all staying safe. If I miss the chance later, please know everyone here at the farm wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with joy!
Mike pulled into an open spot along the park entrance shortly before midnight, grateful to see an assortment of vans with flashing lights lining the street and lighting up the area.
In a strange sort of way, it made him feel as though they were giving the locals hope that some form of law and order was slowly returning to the area- and with it, hopefully also the capture of a killer he was slowly circling in on.
Getting out of the LTD, Mike wrapped his overcoat tighter around his chest, noticing that the temperatures had dropped enough that he could see his breath rise toward the dark skies.
Then, with a determined pace, he headed toward the small outpost they'd created by the pedestrian sidewalk, consisting of little more than a small tent, two spotlights, a table, chair and several thermos canisters of warm coffee.
It didn't take long to spot Steve, who stood with his back toward the road, hands shoved into the pockets of his beige overcoat, eyes focused on a faint source of light coming through the trees where the lab guys were still gathering evidence at the murder site.
"Sorry this took a little bit longer, Buddy Boy.", Mike said, noticing his partner flinch at the unexpected company.
Turning around, Steve nodded, a slight shudder running through his body as he shrugged.
"That's alright. We had plenty of excitement here to keep me busy. You were right. Morris showed up flexing his muscles a couple minutes after the body was moved back to San Francisco."
"Did he say anything worthwhile? Or try something stupid?"
His comment made the young Inspector smile, then shake his head.
"Nope. He had a hard time concealing that he hates us meddling in his affairs, but that was about it. I promised to keep him informed of any headway in our investigation."
"You bet we will, although it may not be in the way he envisioned."
Stepping next to his partner until they were shoulder to shoulder, Mike cocked his chin at the woods.
"I am pretty sure Mears is our killer. He fits the figure we saw on the security camera and he is one nervous man. I pressed him a little here and there, but not too much yet. He's definitely lying."
"It would explain the Saunders not being concerned when he stopped by the night of the murder."
"Exactly. There is something else too…"
Fighting a shiver running through his body, Mike glanced down for a moment, trying to sort the many thoughts circling his busy mind.
"I called up his ex-wife, Morris's sister. She told me about their turbulent marriage, about anger problems and domestic violence. That and…a stillborn child that ended up being the breaking point of their relationship."
"Maybe that's why he hesitated killing Kevin initially. It reminded him of his own child. The violence streak is a good indicator too. Sounds like he is one troubled individual."
"I agree. But I had to admit, I find it strange that Morris wouldn't interfere, knowing that Daniel used to beat his sister to a pulp each time he had a bad day at work. The man is Captain of Homicide and he allows for her to marry him to begin with, then doesn't do anything when those rumors start coming up?"
"I take it she couldn't give you an explanation either?"
"I didn't want to pry too hard-yet. Not until we have more evidence.", Mike explained with teeth chattering, "The only thing she mentioned was that Morris and Mears are best buddies, that they used to hang out together a lot."
Steve fell quiet for a while, pondering on the peculiar situation while they watched a couple lab techs make their way through the forest back toward their glorified outpost. Eventually, the young Inspector let out a shuddered breath, never taking his eyes off the two figures approaching their position.
"So, if they like to hang out together, who's to say Morris isn't just covering for him…he might be in on the killings? Possibly the whole department?"
Sighing wearily, Mike reached over to put an arm across his partner's shoulders, then nodded.
"Unfortunately, that's what I am worried about the most at this point."