CHAPTER 8
Up above in the gravel-strewn parking lot of the Oak Hill cemetery, a non-descript mid-90s beige colored Chevy sedan idled quietly, overlooking the wide panorama of headstones dotting the verdant green landscape and meandering paths. A large man sat behind the wheel, a black ballcap pulled low on his head, with dark aviator sunglasses obscuring his eyes, his attention concentrated on the group of responders milling around the taped-off crime scene below.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDNEuXDKVq
Raising a smoking cigarette to his lips, the man took a long drag while his other hand gently caressed the steering wheel. Focusing on the tall man and the woman in the white coat who were talking quietly, he slowly exhaled a curling trail of smoke. “You won’t find anything, detective”, the man muttered to himself, “I’m too good for you.” He took a last puff, and flicked the butt out of his partially open window as he took a last searching look at the group down below.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVgZ7PYWNp
“Damn.” He growled, as he saw the detective detach himself from the group and head towards the Cutlass. He took one final look at the scene below, then as the detective started his car and began making his way up the hill, he shoved his gearshift into reverse, and began backing his car out of his spot.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M3UH57g9J
As he turned and accelerated towards the cemetery exit, the man took one last glance at the approaching undercover car. “See you soon detective,” he said, smiling to himself. “See you soon”.
CHAPTER 9
As I pulled into the parking lot from the cemetery path, I caught a glimpse of a tan car pulling out of the lot onto the main road. Automatically filing the information away, I circled around and pulled up in front of the main stone building with a wooden sign hanging from chains over the main door stating “Oak Hill Cemetery – Funeral Home”.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFAva3TrKA
Pushing the car into park, I turned off the engine, pocketed the keys and stopped to collect my thoughts. Alison Newton, dead and buried for six months from what has been assumed was a random act of violence or some type of meeting gone bad. Her background had turned up no red flags, and she had currently been leading, by all accounts a quiet, non-descript life. Yet now, six months later, her grave has been dug up and her corpse violently assaulted. No similar crimes have occurred at this cemetery, though I’ll have to check nearby areas. And on a weird note, there is some sort of substance placed on her forehead, ostensibly by the perpetrator.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s25hv3gRF
Gazing at the well-manicured front lawn of the funeral home I contemplated all of this, and my memory dredged up another lovely factoid of the day – in addition to this rather intriguing and morbid mystery, I have the pleasure of breaking in a new partner. I’ve been working alone ever since the day when both Alison and Anders were murdered in cold blood. I’d gotten used to being self-reliant and enjoyed being relatively independent in my detective work. Now, as an old tragedy rears its’ ugly head in a new form, I’ll have the pleasure of learning to work with a partner again. Anders was a great partner and a true friend who helped me through some tough times. He will be difficult, if not impossible to replace.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqrMn0DPqK
My cell phone began ringing, and I reached down and pulled it out of my pocket. Glancing at the caller ID, I flipped the phone open.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbPlgFXlSx
“Morning boss.” I said into my Motorola.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHHrXYVf3J
“What’s it look like?” Barnes replied, without any preamble.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAJ8DmqMll
“Pretty much exactly what you probably heard.” I replied “Alison Newton was dug up and violated. Somehow, Channel 6 has already heard about it, though I have a pretty good idea where the leak came from.”266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CLrRUo5Qm
“Damn, ok. Well you can brief me when you get back here. Is the M.E. there?” He asked, referring to Maya.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEJqwO9jyV
“Yeah, she’s here, as well as Cavanaugh. I left her in charge, while I’m about to go in and talk to the curator’s assistant. See if anyone has been asking about Alison recently.”266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lJBV3ZhD7
“Understood. Finish up as quick as you can. You’re new partner just came in, I’d like you to get them up to speed as soon as possible.”266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSSnaI8YNV
“Got it Chief. I shouldn’t be much longer.” I snapped my phone shut.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyJ6NLGxd9
Sighing, I glanced down at my watch, an old beat-up Timex with Roman numerals and a cloth band. Somehow it was already almost 10am, and it felt like the only thing that I’ve accomplished today so far has been creating more questions than answers.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSJbo6zXlw
Opening the door of my car, I stepped out onto the gravel of the parking lot. I closed my door and began making my way up the white crushed shell path that led to the dual glass doors of the building. Reaching the doors, I looked up and noted a security camera staring back at me. Turning around, I mentally traced the scope of the camera’s view. Probably out to my car, and maybe a few spots on either side, depending on the model, I thought. Worth a shot to check last night’s footage, but I didn’t feel particularly optimistic.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlY55PyuLr
Reaching for the brass handle, I paused as I looked at myself in the faint reflection of the glass.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdOQJZxse6
On the back end of forty-four years old, I had so far managed to hold off middle-aged weight gain. My dark brown hair was thinning, as evidenced by my forehead beginning to push my hairline slowly back. I hadn’t shaved this morning in my haste to get here, so I was sporting a light scruff in addition to my styled goatee and mustache. I had chosen a collared burgundy denim shirt and worn blue jeans. Not exactly a professional look, but the badge clipped on my belt and the shoulder holster I was sporting made up for it.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46nVTEJvDc
Pausing, I slipped off my rimless sunglasses, squinting in the morning sunlight.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpwrJiYX4C
Gripping the door handle, I opened the door and entered the foyer.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJsmnEALLR
Looking around, I took in what Oak Hill had to offer. I was in a well-lit circular room, with sunlight streaming in from tinted front windows on either side of the entrance, and two skylights in the shapes of crosses above. Soothing instrumental music played in the background, and the smell of cedar permeated the air. To my right were three open caskets, two wood and one that was wood and metal intertwined. Each casket had a display stand with what looked like descriptor sheets for each of the products. The floor was a light blue plush carpet, and straight ahead was a darker blue swath that led to a large ornate set of wooden doors.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitnxaST3k1
To my left was a desk where a woman who I took for Frannie, was sitting and speaking quietly into a phone. Next to the desk on one side was a low mirrored cocktail table with two leather chairs and a small sofa as its’ companions. To the other side of Frannie’s desk was what looked like a small podium with a glass screen embedded in it.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9Fer5uYck
The woman at the desk glanced over, took in my badge, then raised her finger, pointing first at her phone and then giving me the universal “one minute” hand sign.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaMekSuHgj
Nodding, I turned and wandered over to the first casket to take a look. This looked like their base model, and on first glance appeared to be very similar to the one that Alison was buried in. Approximately seven feet long, it was made of polished wood with what appeared to be stainless steel carrying handles and hinges. Inside, the casket was treated with a light pink satin lining with golden stitching and a small pink pillow for the deceased’s head. Looking at the display stand, it showed that this model came with different options for the handles as well as the interior. My gaze drifted down to the price line, and I blanched. Good thing I’m not planning on dying anytime soon! I thought. But then again, I’d be dead, so what would I care?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSLWs1Ri7X
I heard the click of a phone hanging up and began to turn around as the woman rose to greet me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFgD1TF9cx
“Good morning, Officer. My name is Frannie. What can I do for you?” She asked, holding out her hand.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRTWX5TqnM
Frannie was a large black woman who looked to be in her early fifties, with wavy shoulder-length black hair, framing a round face with puffy cheeks. She looked at me with smiling dark eyes with long eyelashes and purple eyeshadow, and a wide mouth with purple lipstick. Large hoop earrings, and a string of pearls that accentuated a white and lilac flower print dress completed her ensemble.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29e3wRe2jd
“Detective Jones ma’am, good morning” I replied. “I just need to take a few minutes of your time to ask you some questions relating to last night’s incident in the graveyard”, as I pulled out my notebook.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73EnXZ3zO1
“Certainly detective. What a horrible thing to do to that poor woman! Would you care to sit?” She asked, fluttering a hand and indicating the chairs.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbZzxWDBj3
“For a moment.” I replied, as we sat, me on the sofa, her in one of the leather chairs. “What time did you leave yesterday?” I began.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FU22hhmn9
“At five, like I do every day, unless there’s a late guest. Yesterday was a slow day, we only had a few people come in, outside of two appointments for Mr. Castriano” she responded.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYByEoKRRPr
“Anyone stick out as odd, or out of place?” I asked.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjzv5yHdN3
“Can’t say really. Let’s see, there were the Petermans, Mrs. Peterman’s mother just passed last week. And Mr. Desai, whose wife is nearing the end, bless her soul.” Frannie paused, and thought for a moment. “And a few others who came in and used the grave-search kiosk.” She nodded toward the podium I had noticed earlier. “But no, no one that I can see that would do…. that” she shuddered.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26MHaD2kW7
I took down the names anyway, though I was skeptical as well. “How about in the past week or so? Has anyone come in asking specifically about Alison Newton?” I offered.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM28BITDp6J
Frannie looked up at the vaulted ceiling, thinking hard. “Not that I can recall no. Come to think of it, I can’t remember anyone asking about her since she’s been laid to rest”266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYnBt3aU4c
“How about the kiosk over there.” I indicated with my head. “Does that unit save searches?”266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClgbx4QzZj
“Well now, I believe it does!” Frannie exclaimed and hopped up and bustled over to her desk. “I input the new grave-site entries as they come to us, but I do seem to recall that there is an archive….” Her voice trailed off as she sat down heavily and began clicking her mouse.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJimd5hU5v
I got up and sidled over to her desk as Frannie stared intently at her screen. “Yes. Here. Yes. Archives! And it looks like the system keeps searches for a year! So let’s see...” Frannie types in Alison’s name and clicks the search button266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImCBAfUMkj
.Her screen blinks, and she exclaims “Yes! Only one entry! Someone searched for her gravesite at 12:30 in the afternoon four days ago!”266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O5Fm4c3cN
I felt a surge of hope. “Do you have the searcher’s name?” I asked, hoping against hope.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayH83LGeH5
Frannie’s face fell. “Unfortunately not. That information is optional, and this searcher didn’t input anything”.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv16pTKwiIc
“How about camera footage?” I asked, nodding towards the camera over the large wooden doors that was a twin to the one outside. “How long is that kept?”266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXD4VSP1W0
Her face fell again, and she shook her head. “Those are only for show right now.” She explained “the system got fried a few months ago during a lightning storm, and Mr. Castriano never got it fixed.”266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLUHNQAPFe
Shit, I thought. “OK, how about you? Four days ago? Do you remember someone coming in and using that?” I indicated towards the podium.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx22BYeTz6
Again Frannie shook her head. “Not at 12:30, I was out to lunch at Josie’s diner, just like every day.”266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYheDCFUHzG
Which is exactly what the unsub was counting on, I thought morosely. Whelp, so much for the easy path.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4TD9JRXRE
I closed my notebook, and began to get ready to leave. “Thank you for your help Frannie. Here is my card, if you think of anything else.” I said, handing her my contact info.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7MHXDFj3L
“Your welcome Detective. I’m so sorry I can’t be of more help. I hope you find the awful person who did this.” She replied.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnNm2rsZ9Y
“Oh I will,” I promised “it’s just a matter of time. Have a nice day.” I turned to leave.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69aaCNWnuT
“Say,” I asked as a thought suddenly occurred to me. “Just curious, what did the person who came in this morning want?”266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZp7QCkTN0
Frannie looked up at me with a furrowed brow. “What person detective? You were the first person through the door that I’ve had this morning?”266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhuRK6XQ0X
A cold ball starts to form in the pit of my stomach. “I saw a car pulling out of the parking lot as I was driving up from the cemetery. The car wasn’t down at the crime scene, so I assumed they came in here…?”266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7svZ8bxjJ
Frannie slowly shook her head. “No detective, no one came in here before you this morning. They didn’t drive down to the crime scene?” I shook my head. “Maybe they were using the parking lot to turn around…?” She suggests questioningly.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqym3DQVPTj
“Hmm. Yeah maybe.” I look up as I head for the door. “Thanks again for your time Frannie.”266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWpWv9ko5h
Frannie gives me a small smile and a nod as I head through the door and back outside. Thinking furiously as I strode down the shell path towards the parking lot, I try to recall the license plate of the car I saw pulling away.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nUdB0CJ5c
It won’t come. Shaking my head in frustration, I walk over to where I saw the car pulling out of the lot. It’s a well-known view some people hold that a significant percentage of violent criminals, for a variety of reasons, will revisit their crime scene shortly after the crime has been committed. Whether it’s to relive the thrill, feel a surge of power and invincibility, to internally gloat and gain a feeling of superiority, or just for the pure emotional satisfaction, there is no shortage of documented reasons that caught criminals have alluded to.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMGHDUzWEk
Given the sheer brutality of this crime, I thought, I certainly can’t rule out the possibility that the violator had returned this morning to see how his hornet’s nest has been shaken. Stopping at the “Exit Only” sign of the parking lot, I look down. Sure enough, I can detect a tire tread trail in the gravel, possibly from a vehicle this morning. Turning around, my eyes follow the trail back into the parking lot. Walking hastily by the tread marks, I keep my eyes glued to the ground as I walk back the vehicle’s path.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRLYXDXWrN
A minute later, I trace the route back to a spot on the edge of the lot overlooking the cemetery, about fifty yards down from the main building. This position confirms what Frannie had told me, no one who was going to visit the funeral home would have parked this far away when there were at least a dozen spots closer that were available. Could someone have parked here and walked down to visit a gravesite? Possibly, I conceded to myself, as there was a separate path from the one that the crime scene team had taken that was only about ten yards away. But still, I reasoned, wouldn’t the average person park right at the trailhead to minimize walking distance?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHzv58VAXk
While all this was going through my head, I was walking around the parking spot, scanning the ground…, and what have we here? Crouching, I peer down at a cigarette butt nestled in the gravel. I gently touch the burnt end of the butt, it’s still slightly warm! I hustle back to my car, and reaching into the glove compartment, pull out an evidence bag and a pair of plastic gloves. Returning to the cigarette butt, I pull on the gloves and carefully pick up the butt, then deposit it in the glassine bag. Sealing it shut, I take out a pen and mark the date, time, and location, along with my badge number and initials. 266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsN3nK5QUx
This may turn out to be nothing, and it could very well have been a legitimate person visiting the cemetery, but my gut that had a cold stone feeling just a few minutes earlier was now feeling quite a bit better. If Trace can get DNA off of it, this could be my first lead.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkjUeGQbcI
Holding the bag carefully, I retrace my steps back to my car and get in. Time to return to the station and... oh yeah, my new partner. Great. Well, I thought to myself as I pulled out of the funeral home, baby steps Harper, baby steps.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtyem8yUUu
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