Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Friday afternoon, after a shopping trip where Fletch bought more food than he ever had, he settled into his home office and took a seat behind one of the desks.
His setup was similar to what Denny had.
With VPNs and browser extensions, Fletch had the ability to move about the web without leaving cookies or a digital footprint.
Peterson asked him a few questions earlier that had his mind racing.
Denny’s loss was felt by all, a fallen soldier in one of their many wars.
Members of the agency were currently in Nova Scotia.
Things were looking positive in the Wells boy’s case.
Denny’s service was one of the reasons Arrow hadn’t been reprimanded for bringing Chell to the complex and the agency.
He entered Chell’s name, Michelle Ellen Holdcraft, into a special search engine. Crime Daily Podcast was the first site to come up. An article in News Bulletin confirmed she was the person behind the pseudonym D. Valentine.
Fletch debated sharing that with Chell. He knew she wouldn’t be happy.
The Indianapolis Star was next with a story about the house explosion. Those were mostly expected. What wasn’t expected was the NewsBreak announcement of an upcoming press conference broadcasting from the Birch Bayh Federal Building in Indianapolis, Indiana, tonight at five thirty.
Fletch checked the time. It was nearly three thirty, which meant it was five thirty in Indiana.
“Chell,” he called.
Michelle appeared in the doorway, her sapphire eyes wide. “Is something wrong?”
A smile tugged at his lips as he scanned from her auburn hair to her sock-covered toes and everywhere in between.
The blue sweater made her eyes pop, and he approved of the way she filled out her jeans.
And then he remembered what was on his screen.
“I don’t know. There’s a press conference broadcasting from Indianapolis. Come watch it with me.”
She pressed her lips into a straight line, furrowed her forehead, and came closer. The citrusy scent of her perfume preceded her arrival by milliseconds. “What’s it about?”
“I’m not sure. It came up in a search about you.
” Since learning Peterson’s decision that Michelle could stay in the complex, Fletch sensed it seemed as if she appeared lighter, freer, or maybe just a little less burdened.
When he arrived with the groceries, her glee while removing them one by one in the kitchen was as if he’d presented her with a rare collection of crown jewels.
As he found the broadcast, he worried that whatever they were about to watch was going to take Michelle back to the trauma of the last week.
He reached over and rolled another chair beside him. “This is live.” He tilted his chin toward the large screen. “Let’s listen.”
“Is it about my house?”
The ticker on the bottom of the screen read: FBI and ATF joint press conference. Breaking news.
Michelle took a seat in the chair beside Fletch.
He turned up the volume.
The woman speaking from the podium stood in front of the Department of Justice symbol.
“Thank you for your attention. As most of you know, I’m Sandra Oaks, Attorney General of Indiana.
” She motioned to the people behind her.
“And this is Special Agent Miles Beuford with the FBI and from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Special Agent in Charge Bradley Goodwell.
My office is currently working in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts.
“We’re here to announce the formation of a grand jury in what my office believes involves multiple cases of homicide with the use of arson, specifically incendiary fires—fires purposely set to hide homicide.”
Michelle gasped. “They caught Sheriff Perkins.”
“The connection came to our attention after the house explosion that occurred early Wednesday morning south of the city. Thanks in part to the exemplary work of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and that of the Iron Falls Sheriff’s Department in Massachusetts, the convened grand jury will consider evidence and decide if Michelle Holdcraft should be formally indicted for the murders of Tracy Holdcraft and Dennis Holdcraft as well as for the incendiary fires that resulted in the recent house explosion, a house explosion eight years ago, and the recent fire in Iron Falls, Massachusetts, set to cover up Dennis Holdcraft’s homicide.
His cause of death has been ruled a gunshot wound. I’m willing to answer a few questions.”
Fletch clenched his jaw and turned toward Chell.
Her eyes twitched as she tried to make sense of what was being said. “Wait. What? How?” Michelle stuttered, as if her thoughts were spinning out of control.
A man’s voice. “Are you suggesting Michelle Holdcraft is a serial killer as well as a serial arsonist?”
Michelle held her fingertips over her lips as she stared in utter disbelief.
Attorney General Oaks replied, “I am not. I’m saying we believe we have enough evidence connecting three separate events to one person: Ms. Holdcraft. If the grand jury agrees, her guilt or innocence will be determined by a jury of her peers.”
A woman’s voice. “IMPD put out an APB on Ms. Holdcraft. Is she no longer missing? Have you located her?”
Chell’s voice was low. “No. No. No. Please…”
Fletch reached over, placing his large hand over Michelle’s blue-jean-clad thigh.
“No body was discovered in the aftermath of the explosion. Ms. Holdcraft is still missing. I’ll let the FBI discuss her whereabouts.” Attorney General Oaks stepped away from the microphone.
“Fletch?” His name came from her lips like a cry for help.
He scooted closer, cursing under his breath as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
Special Agent Miles Beuford stepped up. “We have evidence that Ms. Holdcraft willingly left the state and is evading law enforcement. She’s been wearing disguises such as sunglasses and hats to cover her hair.
We’ve contacted state police in multiple states and expanded our search.
Once she is found, she will be detained as a probable flight risk. ”
“Fuck,” Fletch growled.
“I don’t believe this is happening.”
Miles Beuford continued. “At this time, we consider Ms. Holdcraft to be possibly dangerous. If anyone believes they have any information about her whereabouts, please contact law enforcement. Do not approach her on your own.”
Michelle’s hands went to her stomach. “I think I’m going to be ill.”
Fletch tugged her closer, her back against his chest.
A man’s voice. “Wasn’t Ms. Holdcraft previously tried for the explosion that took her mother? And if so, wouldn’t trying her again be double jeopardy?”
“The original charges,” Miles Beuford replied, “were brought on by the State of Indiana as Attorney General Oaks can confirm. There was not a trial. The state prosecutor determined that he didn’t have enough evidence to convict.
As for double jeopardy, today we’re talking about state charges; however, depending on the evidence presented to the grand jury, and the decision of the Massachusetts’ attorney general, we could be looking at federal charges.
The Supreme Court ruled that a state conviction or acquittal doesn’t prohibit subsequent federal prosecution. ”
“This isn’t real. This can’t be real.” Michelle’s glassy eyes turned to Fletch. “What do I do?”
He lowered the volume on the streaming press conference and reached for her trembling hands. They were ice to his touch. “You stay here, with me.”
“And let everyone think I killed my parents—that I’m a serial arsonist.” She dropped her chin as her shoulders bowed forward. “I can’t.”
“Listen to me,” Fletch said, squeezing her hands in his.
“You didn’t do any of what they’re saying.
Hell, I’m guiltier than you.” The struggle in Michelle’s gaze filled Fletch with fury.
He let go of her hands, released her shoulders, and stood, his chair sailing backward at his sudden movement.
“I’m going to clear your name, Chell.” His volume rose.
“If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll clear your name.
If I go to hell, I’m fucking taking Sheriff Perkins with me. ”
She stood, her lip trembling. “They think…I killed...” Michelle shook her head. “I couldn’t. I wouldn’t.”
Fletch cupped her cheek. “I know that without a shred of doubt.”
“But...” She backed away, her eyes unfocused. “Eight years ago…” Tears fell down her cheeks. “…the accusations and questioning… it was horrible. I can’t go through that again.”
“You won’t.”
“Then it was Mom and now it’s Dad.” She inhaled. “You were in Iron Falls. You know I didn’t kill my father. I didn’t set the fire. Hell, if I had, I would have taken shoes.”
Fletch nodded. “I’ll go to Peterson right away. With the agency’s help, we’ll clear your name.”
“I should have admitted I was there when the sheriff called for me.”
“No,” Fletch said adamantly. “Chell, he would have killed you. I’m one hundred percent certain of that.”
“But I ran. That looks guilty.”
“Only because of the way they’re painting it. We will find the real evidence.”
Michelle clutched her chest. “The paper trail your associate made for me…what would they find if they check with Greyhound or American Airlines? Would they confirm my tickets and travel or is it another example to make me out to be more of a liar?”
“They’d find your tickets. If they scanned cameras and security, they wouldn’t be able to find your image boarding or deboarding.” Before she could speak, he added, “And that’s not unusual. There are a lot of people at those gates. The paper trail would be backed up by the manifests.”
She wrapped her arms around her midsection. “I hate that I lied. I’m afraid it will make me appear guilty when I’m not.”
Her wide eyes had the haunting shadows Fletch wanted to chase away.
Michelle let out a long sigh. “Can I...? I want to help clear my name. Tell me what to do.”
“First, we need to prove that someone else shot Denny.” He wiped a tear from her cheek before wrapping his arms around Chell and pulling her to his chest.