THE COTTAGE
CHAPTER 20
Another Body, Another Investigation
Before they left the Foodland parking lot, Tim took a moment to make peanut butter sandwiches and grabbed two apples and two bottles of water. Ned needed food. Actually, he did, too.
Inside their sedan, Ned was already nodding off. He perked up when he heard Tim get into the car. “I don’t know about the PBJ sandwich, Tim, but I will have the apple and water.”
“Be wise, Ned. You need protein. How about half a sandwich?” It wasn’t a question, but an order.
Ned heard the determination in Tim’s voice and decided not to protest.
Then Tim saw it. Ned’s pistol protruding from his sling. He looked into Ned’s eyes.
Ned saw the warning on Tim’s face . He immediately placed the pistol in the glove box.
“Thought it would make a good hiding place. Thanks for catching it.” He chortled nervously. “Heavens, I could have gotten us both arrested.”
“Ha,” Tim’s voice smiled. But he knew it wasn’t funny at all. It wasn’t like Ned to make careless mistakes.
Ned took a bite of the sandwich, tentatively at first. Then he gobbled it down. “Water, please, Tim.”
“With an antibiotic.”
“I guess I need it, after all. We have a lot left to do this evening before we search again for Caroline.” He looked into Tim’s eyes, his voice growing heavy with emotion. “Every hour we lose gives them more time to move her.”
Tim handed him the water and antibiotic. “Then you’d better stay on your feet.”
Ned swallowed the pill and finished the water. “Let’s go see Sergeant Blackstone.”
Moments later, they pulled into the parking lot of the RCMP detachment. Ned’s mind was already racing, organizing what he knew and what he needed to learn. He was anxious to meet the local man who claimed he had unknowingly bombed two cars, then fled into the forest to escape the RCMP.
“Are you ready for this, Tim?”
“You take the lead. After all, Blackstone is allowing us to sit in as a courtesy to you—as a trained investigator.” Tim paused, concern crossing his face. “I don’t know whether I should bring up my concerns about Dr. McLeod and the lab. Perhaps I’m worrying needlessly.”
Ned turned toward him. “What concerns? You mean there’s more than the mystery concoction in the vial?”
“Maybe. Something about McLeod bothers me. He gave me access to his lab without asking questions, then suddenly had a family emergency and disappeared.”
“And then you heard the man with the Russian accent at Foodland.”
Tim nodded. “Could be coincidence.”
“Could be,” Ned said. “But we don’t ignore coincidences. We follow them.”
Tim reached for the door handle. “Tell Blackstone?”
“Everything. Let him decide what matters.”
Ned exited the car unaided, but he was too wobbly to make it far. He came around the car, paused, then took Tim’s arm to steady himself as they entered the detachment.
Tim introduced them to the uniformed receptionist.
“Oh, yes, Sergeant Blackstone is expecting you. Let me tell him you’re here.” She smiled and disappeared down the hall.
“Are you sure you can handle this, Ned?”
He was exhausted, but he insisted he was fine.
Sergeant Blackstone appeared and motioned them toward his office. He was tall and fit, with a booming voice. His uniform was impeccable, as was his manner.
“I’m honored to meet you, Chief Investigator Sullivan. Constable Dan has brought me up to speed.”
He extended a hand. His grip was firm. Ned managed a smile, trying to hide a spasm of pain.
“It’s very kind of you to invite us to sit in. This is my friend, Dr. Tim Callahan.”
The sergeant extended a hand to Tim, but his eyes remained on Ned, who was leaning heavily against the desk.
Tim took the lead. “So, Sergeant Blackstone, Constable Dan told you about the explosion and the kidnapping?”
Just then Dan entered, smiling broadly. “It’s nice to see you gentlemen again, despite the circumstances.” His smile disappeared when he looked at Ned. “Yes, Sergeant Blackstone knows everything you told me.”
Blackstone said, “Our guest of honor is currently enjoying our nicest suite back there.” He pointed down the hall, his face breaking into a smile.
Dan added, “Oh, yes. Ronnie Burke is very well known in these parts. A real troublemaker, he is.” He looked at the sergeant. “Shall I go get him now?”
“No, wait.” Blackstone was looking at Ned.
“Chief,” he said.
“Call me Ned, Sergeant.”
“Ned, might I suggest we postpone until tomorrow? It’s getting late, and I’m sure we could all use a good night’s rest.”
He looked at Tim. Tim nodded. He understood. Blackstone was offering Ned a reprieve without insulting his dignity.
“But—” Ned began. He saw Tim’s expression and stopped. He looked at the faces before him. There was genuine concern in all of them. Finally, he relented. “Yes, that would be fine. Can you point us to a place to stay?”
The sergeant smiled. “We can do better than that. You can stay at our inn, right here.”
Ned looked puzzled.
“Don’t look so worried, gentlemen. We have an airy bunk room with a kitchenette. And unless someone has been nibbling”—he paused to look at Dan—“my wife sent in a salad and a lasagna in case I had to sleep over. You gents are welcome to it.”
Ned smiled. “You are most kind, Sergeant.”
“And after the day we’ve had,” Tim said, “I’m not turning down a bed or a lasagna.”
“Excellent.” Blackstone turned to Dan. “You are discharged, Constable.” Then he looked back at Ned. “Tomorrow morning at eight?”
Ned smiled weakly. “Eight it is.”
After a hearty meal, Ned retired immediately and was asleep within seconds. Tim went for a walk, trying to clear the cobwebs from his brain. He wandered past the pharmacy and the Foodland. Both were closed for the night.
He found a park bench and sat for a while. The storm had passed, leaving a brilliant sky. Stars dripped to the horizon, clear and bright.
Which one is yours, Millie? I miss you and Adam every day.
When he returned to the detachment, he found Ned snoring. For some reason, the sound cheered him. Tim settled into his bunk and fell asleep easily, lulled by Ned’s rhythmic snoring.
Late in the night, Tim woke suddenly.
Voices.
Distant and muffled.
Was he dreaming? He could have sworn one of the voices was Russian, low and guttural, but he couldn’t make out the words.
Then another man cried out.
“No! Oh, no! I did what you asked!”
Tim lay still, listening. Nothing.
Good heavens, I’m hearing Russians in my dreams now!
He waited another moment, but the detachment was silent. Finally, Tim drifted back to sleep.
When Tim and Ned entered Sergeant Blackstone’s office, Dan was already there. While Dan went to get Ronnie Burke, good mornings were exchanged along with the usual pleasantries. Then they moved to the interrogation room.
“Coffee, Ned? Tim?”
“No, but thanks, Sergeant. We’ve already had coffee. We’re anxious to get started.” Ned’s voice was strong. The hours of sleep had been just what he needed. Chief Investigator Ned Sullivan was back. Tim and the sergeant exchanged a smile.
Just then Dan appeared in the doorway. His face was red, and he was breathing heavily.
“I tried to revive him. Gave him Narcan. I knew it was too late. He was already stiff.”
“Who, Dan? One of our constables?”
“Sorry, Sergeant. Ronnie Burke. I found him dead in his cell. Drug paraphernalia beside him. Fresh needle mark. The ME is on his way.”
The room seemed to lose its air. No one spoke for several seconds.
Blackstone finally broke the silence.
“How could this have happened while he was in our custody?” His voice was hard, almost accusing.
“I don’t see how, sir. We took all of his clothing before he went into lockup. I personally took his boots. When he went in, he was wearing only the clothing we supplied. He was thoroughly searched.” Dan sounded defensive.
“Okay, Dan. I know the protocol. I’m not blaming you.” Blackstone paused, seeming to remember that Ned and Tim were still in the room. He turned toward them. “I promise you, Ned, we’ll conduct a full investigation.”
“I’ve certainly seen this kind of thing before, Sergeant, so I understand.” Ned paused. “Can I ask what time the station is locked at night?”
“The doors lock automatically at midnight. After that, you need a passcode to get in.”
“Is the passcode always the same?”
“No. We change it every day.” Blackstone studied him. “I don’t see how anyone could have gotten in. Unless you’re suggesting this wasn’t an overdose.”
Ned didn’t answer immediately.
Blackstone stopped pacing. “Are you suggesting murder?”
He sat down heavily. “Nothing like this has ever happened here.”
Ned replied, “I suspect there’s a serious criminal element here in Sheet Harbour, possibly Russian. And I’m beginning to think our presence here may have something to do with Ronnie Burke’s death.”
The sergeant stood abruptly, his hands gripping the table, his knuckles white.
“What the hell are you talking about, Ned?”
Tim interrupted. He told them how he had awakened during the night and what he had heard.
The look on the sergeant’s face changed.
“Explain how you could possibly be connected to Ronnie Burke’s death.”
Tim said, “This will take some time, but we have quite a story to tell.”
Ned added, “And once you understand everything that’s happened—the who, why, and how of it—we’re going to need your help.”
Sergeant Blackstone sat down, prepared to listen. “All I ask is that you start at the beginning and leave nothing out.”
Tim looked at Ned, then back at Blackstone.
“Here goes. It starts with me. I’m a whistleblower …”
Dear Reader,
I really hate to take a break at this pivotal point in the novel, but I must, just for a few weeks! I promise I will be back soon.
The plot of THE COTTAGE has built to this point, one clue at a time. When you return, I will reel out more answers to your questions.
Why was Caroline kidnapped?
What secrets does the vial contain?
Is Dr. Peter MacLeod somehow involved?
How will Caroline escape the forest? She is so cold, wet, and exhausted! The odds are not in her favor.
Why is Tim hiding out in Nova Scotia?
What exactly is Ned investigating? Can he trust his cohorts in the Attorney General’s office?
Was Caroline’s family murdered? And Tim’s family, too? Coincidence?
How is Jonathan involved?
Who are Ramon and Colonel Dmitri?
COME BACK TO UNRAVEL THESE MYSTERIES!
I can’t wait to tell you all! Expect surprises!
Elaine
PS: Mark your calendars now! On November 10, at 6 pm, will do a book reading/signing at Pottstown Library.🎉
Also in November, THE URN will be available on Audible!🎉