Title: Revenge Can By Deadly- Chapter 3
Author: AngelGirl28 (AlexSloan@paxemail.com)
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Summary: See Chapter 1
Chapter 3
Steve Sloan looked over the scene carefully. After questioning the three witnesses whom had discovered the body, he had come up with a list as long as his arm of other suspects. And he had a lot to question yet. Three out of ten suspects wasn't bad, but he had his work cut out for him this case. He had never seen a case with so many suspects and little evidence. It also didn't help that his dad was sick with the flu.
A younger officer walked up to him. "Lieutenant, we should have a few visitors soon. Sergeant Michaels just called and to tell you that."
"Wonderful, more obstacles. Thank you for the warning, Johnson."
Just then four people entered. Two women and two men. All looked to be in their late 20's. "Identification please." Johnson asked them as he returned to his post by the door. Steve watched them produce badges and the look on Johnson's face told him that he recognized them.
"Who's leading the investigation of this murder?"
Johnson pointed to Steve and declared, "Over there."
The four walked over to where Steve stood. "Are you in charge here?"
"Yes. Steve Sloan, LAPD. And who are you?" Steve asked hostilely and showed them his badge.
"I'm Jeri Williams," Jeri stepped forward and showed him her badge. "And this is Ian Grant, Alex Mason, and Andrew Mason." Each produced their badges as they were introduced.
"Now to the nature of our visit, we have a very special interest in the victim, John Powers. I mean no insult when I say this, but I have come to see that this investigation is run thoroughly and correctly. Since you're assigned to this case I'm assuming you're one of the best homicide detectives the LAPD has. I have the authority to remove you or anyone off this case, but I hope that won't be the case. I could use the help." Alex said jumping into her role as the chief investigator.
"I hope I meet your expectations. Well to the point, what interest do you feds have with this man?"
"It's a classified secret, but I can tell you one thing. His case should be top priority for your precinct, Lieutenant Sloan. Who are your suspects as of right now?"
"Just a list the length of my arm of ten people, all of whom I am trying to determine their motives. I have already questioned three of them."
"I would appreciate accompanying you on the rest of this investigation. But before then tell me what you've got."
"Not much, I'm afraid. I 'm assuming you haven't seen the body yet, but he was shot three times with a .9 caliber handgun. We've found the gun laying in the trash can. Prints wiped and it turned out to be registered to the victim, so that was no lead."
"Damn! He told me he didn't want one, but I HAD to insist he get one and he finally gave in."
"How well do you know him?"
"That is none of your business at this point and I would appreciate if you would not ask me any questions about how I know him. Now, who's on your, supposedly very long list of suspects?"
"Lloyd Richards, Nick Lawson, Eric Stephens, Jean Picard--"
"Jean-Marie Picard," Drew corrected almost unconsciously.
"--Michelle Jacobson, Juliann Sinclair, Laura Tyler, and Mark Powers." Steve continued as if Drew hadn't said a word.
Ian started to wander around and poking into things causing some to spare a glare for him. "Ian! Get over here." Jeri called to him annoyed at him for causing trouble.
Drew watched amused and spoke quietly to Jeri, "Let him. He may just find something."
"I have to question them first. When I talked to Lloyd Richards, Jean-Marie Picard, and Michelle Jacobson they gave me reason to believe they all had a motive for murder."
"Well, probably half the people he's known have a motive, being a lawyer and all."
"That was considered at first but these are the ones who have contact with him every day and the investigation will go from there."
Alex started to wander through the office, moving with the grace of familiarity and purpose. She stridded over to one of the many bookcases in the room to examine it. With the want to look closer she removed two latex gloves from her jacket pocket and snapped them on in a few seconds. She pulled out a notebook marked "Case reports- Feb '99 - Jan '00". And started to look through it quickly, barely sparing enough time to make a mental note. Replacing it back on the shelf where she got it she moved over the desk and picked up the top folder and opened it. Steve walked over to see what she was staring at in the folder.
The first page was a sheet of loose-leaf paper with some strange characters on it. The handwriting itself was obviously written not by the victim, for the writing was much too neat and careful, as if belonging to a woman. She flipped the page glancing at several other ones below it with the same handwriting, and closed the folder and picked up the next one in the tall pile. This one contained a few typed notes and reports and was quickly set aside.
"What are you doing?" he asked her curiously.
"I'm investigating, if that is fine with you?"
"Perfectly, but don't you think it was overkill you being sent in to investigate? The LAPD is just as perfectly capable of investigating this case as a federal agent is."
"You're not going to leave me alone until I tell you what I am doing here, right?" she demanded her voice raised slightly and her words were as sharp as double-edged razor blades.
"Yes. I feel I should know exactly why and whom you are when you are on my murder scene. For all I know you could have killed the man for something and you came here looking for it with those clowns over there."
"You are one insecure man, Sloan, you know that. I could prove that I don't have a single reason for wanting him dead in the least, unlike most. The man had a wonderful personality, but you wouldn't know that. Now I think you should come with me and talk a little more privately if you want to have any more from me. I happen to know that all of the police in this room don't have the need to know our portion of us feds. Apparently if we are to work together you have to understand a few things about me and the others involved in this from this point forward."
"Fine. Where is there a place you feel comfortable telling me?"
"My apartment. I'll drive your vehicle if you wouldn't mind because my agents need a form of transportation."
"My car? There's no way you're driving that."
"Fine, you drive, but I warn you, if you ever try to visit unannounced you will regret the decision."
Alex and Steve walked out of the office building wading in anger and headed for Steve's car.
* * *
Alex paced a small area of the mammoth-sized living room in front of the immense black leather couch that Steve sat on. She paused long enough to survey her surroundings, and sat down on the large, heavy-looking, marble-surfaced coffee table set in a beautiful dark-red wood in front of the sofa. She looked down at the marble floor. Steve studied her carefully, hoping to get an insight on this young woman sitting in front of him, with apparently more experience and authority than him on a large number of things. She was dressed in a black T-shirt, a blue-denim jacket, a pair of tight-fitting, light blue jeans, and a pair of black combat boots.
"I'm going to get straight to the point. At the scene I was looking for my notes on the cases I was supposed to help John write the reports for. I do a bit of volunteer work for his firm. And that included decoding his notes and writing the reports. I knew John better than anyone you spoke to about him today, my brother included. We've both known him since we were two years old which was 24 years ago. You see he was my stepfather."
"Now I am beginning to understand why you'd take such a special interest in this case, but I don't understand why you would be assigned this case."
"I understand your confusion, but often having personal connections to the case makes your desire to see the murderer brought to justice stronger. And as to why the feds are in this, is classified itself."
"I guess I'll accept that for now, but could you tell me a little about the suspects."
"I would be happy to. First off is, John's brother, Mark. God, I hate that man… well the feeling is actually mutual, but that man is despicable. When my mother died, 10 years ago, he tried endlessly to get John to place Drew and I into foster care, but he refused to. Mark was against John and mom's marriage from the beginning, after he found out my mother had never been married to my father. He said, 'Mary is not the kind of woman I want in this family, I won't allow you to marry that woman!' It's been 23 years since then and thankfully I only have to talk to him every so often."
"And what about your father?"
"Don't know. I never meet the man. He could be dead for all I know."
"So what about the others?"
"Well Jean-Marie is a harmless woman, but has her share of problems. I can positively say, she could never kill anyone for any extreme reason, and neither could Nick. The man may be tough on the exterior but the man is a real softy and has a breakdown after hitting a squirrel while he is driving. He tends to wear his emotions on his sleeve. But Lloyd and Eric are totally different stories. Both are very secretive and are angered rather easily and you can never be sure what will push them off the deep end. Juliann is a very withdrawn woman and I personally haven't spoken to her much considering she reasonably new. Michelle and Laura are both very nice and are harmless, but could possibly resort to murder if the situation were that extreme."
"I can probably assume you are fairly good judge of character."
"I would agree with you, but don't take my word for it. John's kids are probably better at it then I am. Most of the time they are dead on with their feelings about a person after meeting them once."
"He has children?"
"Yeah, Terri, Jessi, and Shane, my half-brothers and sister. Sweetest little kids. When Drew and I turned 16 he re-wrote his will to give us temporary custody of the kids if he died or became incapable of taking care of them until they could be placed with a relative of choice. Originally they would have gone to Mark, but for the reasons I've already told you, he changed it. Could you be kind enough as to remind me at the end of the case to talk to my lawyer, so I can alter my will?"
"It's as good as done."
"Good. Why don't we go visit Mark now?"
"Okay. Ready?"
"Oh hold on. Before we leave I need to get Angel." She whistled twice and two cats followed by four dogs came running in.
"Hey! Calm down guys. Angel, come here girl. Sloan, this is Angel, my dog. She's coming with us." Angel trotted happily over to where Steve was now standing and sniffed him, meanwhile her tail wagged back and forth happily.
"Not in my car."
"Then we'll take mine."
"Didn't you leave it at the scene?"
"Not my SUV, my car," She responded as if it were obvious. "You see I have to maintain several cars. I own a car, a truck, and a SUV."
"Ah. Should have guessed."
They headed towards the door and Alex plucked the blue denim jacket hanging up and put it on. And they were out the door.
Next Chapter Coming Soon- pending the reviews
Author: AngelGirl28 (AlexSloan@paxemail.com)
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Summary: See Chapter 1
Chapter 3
Steve Sloan looked over the scene carefully. After questioning the three witnesses whom had discovered the body, he had come up with a list as long as his arm of other suspects. And he had a lot to question yet. Three out of ten suspects wasn't bad, but he had his work cut out for him this case. He had never seen a case with so many suspects and little evidence. It also didn't help that his dad was sick with the flu.
A younger officer walked up to him. "Lieutenant, we should have a few visitors soon. Sergeant Michaels just called and to tell you that."
"Wonderful, more obstacles. Thank you for the warning, Johnson."
Just then four people entered. Two women and two men. All looked to be in their late 20's. "Identification please." Johnson asked them as he returned to his post by the door. Steve watched them produce badges and the look on Johnson's face told him that he recognized them.
"Who's leading the investigation of this murder?"
Johnson pointed to Steve and declared, "Over there."
The four walked over to where Steve stood. "Are you in charge here?"
"Yes. Steve Sloan, LAPD. And who are you?" Steve asked hostilely and showed them his badge.
"I'm Jeri Williams," Jeri stepped forward and showed him her badge. "And this is Ian Grant, Alex Mason, and Andrew Mason." Each produced their badges as they were introduced.
"Now to the nature of our visit, we have a very special interest in the victim, John Powers. I mean no insult when I say this, but I have come to see that this investigation is run thoroughly and correctly. Since you're assigned to this case I'm assuming you're one of the best homicide detectives the LAPD has. I have the authority to remove you or anyone off this case, but I hope that won't be the case. I could use the help." Alex said jumping into her role as the chief investigator.
"I hope I meet your expectations. Well to the point, what interest do you feds have with this man?"
"It's a classified secret, but I can tell you one thing. His case should be top priority for your precinct, Lieutenant Sloan. Who are your suspects as of right now?"
"Just a list the length of my arm of ten people, all of whom I am trying to determine their motives. I have already questioned three of them."
"I would appreciate accompanying you on the rest of this investigation. But before then tell me what you've got."
"Not much, I'm afraid. I 'm assuming you haven't seen the body yet, but he was shot three times with a .9 caliber handgun. We've found the gun laying in the trash can. Prints wiped and it turned out to be registered to the victim, so that was no lead."
"Damn! He told me he didn't want one, but I HAD to insist he get one and he finally gave in."
"How well do you know him?"
"That is none of your business at this point and I would appreciate if you would not ask me any questions about how I know him. Now, who's on your, supposedly very long list of suspects?"
"Lloyd Richards, Nick Lawson, Eric Stephens, Jean Picard--"
"Jean-Marie Picard," Drew corrected almost unconsciously.
"--Michelle Jacobson, Juliann Sinclair, Laura Tyler, and Mark Powers." Steve continued as if Drew hadn't said a word.
Ian started to wander around and poking into things causing some to spare a glare for him. "Ian! Get over here." Jeri called to him annoyed at him for causing trouble.
Drew watched amused and spoke quietly to Jeri, "Let him. He may just find something."
"I have to question them first. When I talked to Lloyd Richards, Jean-Marie Picard, and Michelle Jacobson they gave me reason to believe they all had a motive for murder."
"Well, probably half the people he's known have a motive, being a lawyer and all."
"That was considered at first but these are the ones who have contact with him every day and the investigation will go from there."
Alex started to wander through the office, moving with the grace of familiarity and purpose. She stridded over to one of the many bookcases in the room to examine it. With the want to look closer she removed two latex gloves from her jacket pocket and snapped them on in a few seconds. She pulled out a notebook marked "Case reports- Feb '99 - Jan '00". And started to look through it quickly, barely sparing enough time to make a mental note. Replacing it back on the shelf where she got it she moved over the desk and picked up the top folder and opened it. Steve walked over to see what she was staring at in the folder.
The first page was a sheet of loose-leaf paper with some strange characters on it. The handwriting itself was obviously written not by the victim, for the writing was much too neat and careful, as if belonging to a woman. She flipped the page glancing at several other ones below it with the same handwriting, and closed the folder and picked up the next one in the tall pile. This one contained a few typed notes and reports and was quickly set aside.
"What are you doing?" he asked her curiously.
"I'm investigating, if that is fine with you?"
"Perfectly, but don't you think it was overkill you being sent in to investigate? The LAPD is just as perfectly capable of investigating this case as a federal agent is."
"You're not going to leave me alone until I tell you what I am doing here, right?" she demanded her voice raised slightly and her words were as sharp as double-edged razor blades.
"Yes. I feel I should know exactly why and whom you are when you are on my murder scene. For all I know you could have killed the man for something and you came here looking for it with those clowns over there."
"You are one insecure man, Sloan, you know that. I could prove that I don't have a single reason for wanting him dead in the least, unlike most. The man had a wonderful personality, but you wouldn't know that. Now I think you should come with me and talk a little more privately if you want to have any more from me. I happen to know that all of the police in this room don't have the need to know our portion of us feds. Apparently if we are to work together you have to understand a few things about me and the others involved in this from this point forward."
"Fine. Where is there a place you feel comfortable telling me?"
"My apartment. I'll drive your vehicle if you wouldn't mind because my agents need a form of transportation."
"My car? There's no way you're driving that."
"Fine, you drive, but I warn you, if you ever try to visit unannounced you will regret the decision."
Alex and Steve walked out of the office building wading in anger and headed for Steve's car.
* * *
Alex paced a small area of the mammoth-sized living room in front of the immense black leather couch that Steve sat on. She paused long enough to survey her surroundings, and sat down on the large, heavy-looking, marble-surfaced coffee table set in a beautiful dark-red wood in front of the sofa. She looked down at the marble floor. Steve studied her carefully, hoping to get an insight on this young woman sitting in front of him, with apparently more experience and authority than him on a large number of things. She was dressed in a black T-shirt, a blue-denim jacket, a pair of tight-fitting, light blue jeans, and a pair of black combat boots.
"I'm going to get straight to the point. At the scene I was looking for my notes on the cases I was supposed to help John write the reports for. I do a bit of volunteer work for his firm. And that included decoding his notes and writing the reports. I knew John better than anyone you spoke to about him today, my brother included. We've both known him since we were two years old which was 24 years ago. You see he was my stepfather."
"Now I am beginning to understand why you'd take such a special interest in this case, but I don't understand why you would be assigned this case."
"I understand your confusion, but often having personal connections to the case makes your desire to see the murderer brought to justice stronger. And as to why the feds are in this, is classified itself."
"I guess I'll accept that for now, but could you tell me a little about the suspects."
"I would be happy to. First off is, John's brother, Mark. God, I hate that man… well the feeling is actually mutual, but that man is despicable. When my mother died, 10 years ago, he tried endlessly to get John to place Drew and I into foster care, but he refused to. Mark was against John and mom's marriage from the beginning, after he found out my mother had never been married to my father. He said, 'Mary is not the kind of woman I want in this family, I won't allow you to marry that woman!' It's been 23 years since then and thankfully I only have to talk to him every so often."
"And what about your father?"
"Don't know. I never meet the man. He could be dead for all I know."
"So what about the others?"
"Well Jean-Marie is a harmless woman, but has her share of problems. I can positively say, she could never kill anyone for any extreme reason, and neither could Nick. The man may be tough on the exterior but the man is a real softy and has a breakdown after hitting a squirrel while he is driving. He tends to wear his emotions on his sleeve. But Lloyd and Eric are totally different stories. Both are very secretive and are angered rather easily and you can never be sure what will push them off the deep end. Juliann is a very withdrawn woman and I personally haven't spoken to her much considering she reasonably new. Michelle and Laura are both very nice and are harmless, but could possibly resort to murder if the situation were that extreme."
"I can probably assume you are fairly good judge of character."
"I would agree with you, but don't take my word for it. John's kids are probably better at it then I am. Most of the time they are dead on with their feelings about a person after meeting them once."
"He has children?"
"Yeah, Terri, Jessi, and Shane, my half-brothers and sister. Sweetest little kids. When Drew and I turned 16 he re-wrote his will to give us temporary custody of the kids if he died or became incapable of taking care of them until they could be placed with a relative of choice. Originally they would have gone to Mark, but for the reasons I've already told you, he changed it. Could you be kind enough as to remind me at the end of the case to talk to my lawyer, so I can alter my will?"
"It's as good as done."
"Good. Why don't we go visit Mark now?"
"Okay. Ready?"
"Oh hold on. Before we leave I need to get Angel." She whistled twice and two cats followed by four dogs came running in.
"Hey! Calm down guys. Angel, come here girl. Sloan, this is Angel, my dog. She's coming with us." Angel trotted happily over to where Steve was now standing and sniffed him, meanwhile her tail wagged back and forth happily.
"Not in my car."
"Then we'll take mine."
"Didn't you leave it at the scene?"
"Not my SUV, my car," She responded as if it were obvious. "You see I have to maintain several cars. I own a car, a truck, and a SUV."
"Ah. Should have guessed."
They headed towards the door and Alex plucked the blue denim jacket hanging up and put it on. And they were out the door.
Next Chapter Coming Soon- pending the reviews