Chapter 31
31
“Blood. There was blood on the mattress.”
Mark looked up at John as he approached Mark’s desk. “What?”
“The stains on the mattress in the mobile home of Carla Perkins.”
Mark tilted his head. “I didn’t touch the sheets and covers when I was in there yesterday. Fuck, I didn’t know there were blood stains.”
“When forensics came in and removed the covers, the bed had stains. More than just blood, but that was part of it. Not a lot, but still… to think that’s where the adults slept.” John shuddered.
“Fresh?”
“Some… they’ve sent it to the lab. We’ll know once it comes in.”
“There was no evident blood spatter,” Mark said, looking down at the photographs taken.
“It wasn’t a lot but did look fresh.”
“What else?—”
Colt stepped into the bullpen. With a lift of his head, he indicated he wanted to meet. They fell in line behind Brad as they walked to his office. Once seated, Colt asked, “What do you have for me?”
Mark began. “Carla Perkins. She’s known to us for having been arrested for public intoxication, solicitation of prostitution, and three speeding tickets. The judge threatened to take away her license last time because the kids were in the car. She used to work at a bar in Accawmacke County. Since then, she’s flown under the radar, but considering Marty said his mom works nights but doesn’t know where. I’d say she’s turning tricks.”
Colt lifted his brow. “Locally? We’d have heard something.”
“My guess is she goes north. Or to Virginia Beach,” John suggested. “I spent yesterday trying to find out what I could. She’s gotten one speeding ticket going across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel but nothing else.”
“Alan Solstein’s got a record in this county and Accawmacke. Marty also mentioned that Alan gives their mom pills when she’s sick . My guess is that he’s got her hooked on whatever the hell he’s dealing.”
John added, “Forensics found fentanyl and codeine. His fingerprints are on the bags.” He grimaced as he looked at Mark. “I don’t want you to think I was holding out on you about the blood. You had your hands full yesterday, and I thought it was best to wait until I heard something from the forensic team.”
Brad added, “We’ve got a BOLO out for Carla and Alan. We’ve got deputies checking their usual haunts. So far, none of their friends have seen them.”
“Would they give them up?” Colt asked.
“Those with a lot to lose would give him up in a heartbeat. It makes me think Alan is dealing outside the area.”
“Something is keeping him in the area,” Mark said. “Carla?”
“Maybe because she had a place for the kids and didn’t want to uproot them again,” John proposed.
“She was a shit mom,” Mark grumbled, scrubbing his hand over his face. “Although, if Alan was keeping her strung out on drugs, I guess she might not have known how bad things were there.”
“How are the kids?” Colt asked.
He’d already answered the question for the other detectives in the bullpen that had crowded around this morning, concern on their faces. Looking at his boss and friends, he gave the same answer. “They’re in a helluva lot better place as of yesterday. Karen opened her house and heart, her girls gave selflessly, and the AL and Auxiliary donated furniture, clothes, and food, so the kids had a good night.” He chuckled, then added, “I brought Benji and my dad over last night for a meal and to let the kids play some. Benji and Marty seemed to bond, and God knows that Karen’s youngest, Olivia, has never met a stranger. I think Zannie was in heaven last night.”
“What do they need?” Colt asked. “We can take up a collection or ask people for gift cards.”
Mark shook his head. “I gathered what I could from their home, and Karen washed everything salvageable. A few things were too old, worn, or stained, so she tossed those out. Let me check with her to see what they need.”
Colt nodded, then asked, “Were you surprised that Karen was a certified foster parent?”
A sound escaped Mark’s lips that he didn’t recognize—an incredulous scoff mixed with a chuckle. “Yeah, but when I got over the initial surprise, I could easily see it.” He shifted in his seat. “We’ve shared about our pasts… about our former spouses. We were both lucky to have had good marriages before. In many ways, we’re similar. Former military, widowed, single parents. She had just a few minutes to fill me in yesterday, but she said she and her husband were emergency foster parents, usually for a few nights until a more permanent placement could be found. I know that her being a nurse was good because if it were a case of an injured child, she would be excellent at taking care of them for a few days or weeks. She said that once they had Olivia, she pulled their names off the list. When she moved here, she kept her certification but hadn’t put her name on the official list, just feeling it wasn’t the right time.”
Brad smiled. “And yesterday was the right time.”
Mark nodded as he looked at the others in the room. “Yeah, it was.”
“Okay, back to what we have,” Colt said. “Brad, you and Elizabeth keep looking into the burglaries. Mark, you and John stick to the Perkins case. As much as you hate doing it, you need to see if the kids ever heard anything that would lead us to where Carla and Alan have gone or what they were up to with the drugs that were found. Even a first name or a description of someone would be good.”
“Karen has the kids in school today. I got a text from her just before I came into the meeting that all went well.” He looked at John. “I don’t want to interrupt their school day?—”
“No, you’re right,” John agreed, heartily shaking his head. “How about at Karen’s once everyone is home?”
“Damn, she said she was taking them to ShopMart. The kids need some clothes.” Mark looked at Brad. “If Karen is no longer a suspect in the burglaries, do you want to interview her again?”
Brad’s brows lifted to his forehead.
“Seriously,” Mark continued. “She said that yesterday, before the day went fucking crazy at Roscoe Jefferson’s place, she was trying to think through who might be unwittingly giving information.” He paused and sucked in a deep breath. “I think she was even coming up with some answers that made her uncomfortable… meaning she may have some vital information for us… sorry… for you .”
“I could use her insight now that she’s not so freaked about us interviewing her, but yesterday was a lot on her,” Brad said.
“We need that information,” Colt interjected. “Go for it. I think Karen can handle the pressure even though I’m sorry she must.”
“She’s taking today off, so she’ll be at home,” Mark said. “But I’d like Brad to let her know he’s coming over. I know her day was going to be busy.”
“That’s not a problem. In fact, you can give her a call,” Brad said.
Mark leaned back in his chair, then cracked his neck side to side. “Man, I thought yesterday was busy, but it looks like today won’t be much different.” He pulled out his phone and placed the call. As soon as she picked up, she greeted him with a soft, “Hey.”
As always, he felt it in his chest. “Hey, back. Listen, I’m at the station. Brad wants to talk to you again to get your take on some of the people you work with. Can he come by?”
“I’d rather come into the station if that’s okay,” she replied.
His chin jerked in surprise. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’ll be more prepared than I was last time. And I’d rather it not be here. I’d rather keep the house as my happy place if that makes any sense.”
“Absolutely. Whatever you want.” He looked over at Brad. “She wants to come here. When do you want her?”
“Now is good. Tell her thanks,” Brad said.
Mark relayed the information, then breathed easier when Karen seemed good with what they were setting up.
Within the hour, he was watching the interview on screen just so his eyes could be on Karen as Brad and Elizabeth interviewed her once again.
“Okay, Ms. Drummond. Since we last spoke, you have had a chance to observe your staff and others at the ESHH. Do you have new information for us?”
Karen had walked in confidently, but as soon as Brad’s question aired, Mark could spy her nervousness. She looked up, then sighed. “I know it’s my duty to cooperate fully with law enforcement, but I still find it stressful. Talking about my coworkers this way feels much like gossiping, and we all know how devastating gossip can be.”
“Ms. Drummond,” Elizabeth said, “I understand. Believe me, we deal with many witnesses like yourself who are afraid we will rush out to arrest someone just based on their words. But what you are doing offers us a glimpse of any inside knowledge you might have. We can take that, quietly look into it, and then only act on it if something comes to fruition. We are already checking into the other employees, so there’s a chance that what you say is something we already know.”
Karen held the other woman’s gaze, then nodded slowly. “Okay. Yes, I understand. First of all, let me just state that there are numerous employees of the ESHH, and that my staff is only part of that organization. Be that as it may, I have thought about why any of my staff would have a reason to be party to these thefts. While I still refuse to think they have, I cannot deny that someone could unwittingly give information that could be used by someone to perpetrate these burglaries.”
She sucked in a deep breath. “Selma Thompson has been with the ESHH for years as a nurse’s aide. She has a son who she has stated has trouble holding down a job but always seems to have money. She’s also mentioned that he’s into get-rich-quick schemes. I have no idea what that means, but there it is.” Letting out another long sigh, she said, “Plus, I just discovered that her son has accompanied her to at least one patient visit and was inside the home. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her about that. Rick Salvador has twin boys who are seniors in high school. He’s our counselor and told them they would need to start at a community college to cut higher education costs. He says one is applying to four-year colleges, claiming he can work to get the money. It seems ridiculous for me to mention this because to cast doubt on a young man willing to work hard is just wrong. But there it is.”
Karen dropped her head and clenched her fingers again. Brad and Elizabeth gave her a moment to gather her thoughts, but Mark stood in the other office, watching the screen with sweat dripping down his back. God, this was such the wrong time for this! She needs a break, not more stress. Kicking himself for agreeing to her being interviewed again, he tried to steady his heartbeat as she lifted her head.
“Patrick Bellows still has student loans, but other than work, he’s never mentioned anything that would lead me to believe he has anyone in his life who he would talk to about work. Like most of us, he has bills and works hard to pay them off. He and his wife have taken in her brother as a lodger to help defray costs.”
She rubbed her forehead and continued. “Miles Markowitz, an LPN, is dating our occupational therapist, Sharon Bundy. I sometimes wonder if she doesn’t have what’s known as champagne tastes.”
“On a beer budget?” Elizabeth offered.
Karen scoffed, then her lips quirked upward just slightly. “Yes. You’re familiar with the term. She’s come into the office with a few rings and jewelry lately, making me wonder if they’re real or just costume jewelry. Not that there’s anything wrong with costume jewelry,” she hastened to add. “But I know Miles can’t afford them, and I can’t imagine how she does. But then, what people spend their money on isn’t my business.”
“Anything else?” Brad said.
“Yes. I was at a larger staff meeting the other day and realized many people have access to patient records. That’s not unusual… it’s similar to a large doctor’s office where the receptionists, nurses, doctors, and coordinators can all log on to see information. So yes… there are others besides the ones I’ve mentioned who would have access.”
“But haven’t been in the homes,” Elizabeth said softly.
Karen’s shoulders slumped, and Mark cursed under his breath.
She nodded slowly, then looked back up. “You’re correct. Only me and those on my team have been in the houses you’ve mentioned.”
“Okay, that’s all we need for now, Ms. Drummond,” Brad said. “We know this has been a very trying couple of days for you, and we appreciate you coming in more than we can express.”
“I’ll walk you out again,” Elizabeth said, and Karen nodded.
Mark wanted to be the one to go to her and was determined not to hide the way he had to last time, so he stepped out of the room. Her gaze landed on him, but unlike her previous trip to the station, she offered a small smile.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he said, walking straight to her. “I’m so sorry about this.”
“It had to be done,” she said. “Someone is talking about clients. I can’t imagine who or why, but I feel it in my bones that something is happening.”
“You’ve still got a full day ahead.”
“This morning was busy. Marty was up and dressed, and just like always, he roused Zannie and took care of her. My girls were a little more active this morning, trying to help, but it was a zoo. Thankfully, I got everyone to school without any problems. I talked to the principal and the counselor.”
“Any problems there?”
She shook her head. “Lisa had already called the school to give them the updated information and to put Carla Perkins and Alan Solstein on a no-contact list. I talked to the counselor and their teachers. They’ll keep an eye on the kids and let me know if they see any problems. Oh, and by the way, I’m taking the kids to ShopMart after school. Looking over the kids’ clothes, they definitely need some new things.”
He grabbed the back of his neck and squeezed. “I really am sorry, Karen. It seems like you can’t catch a break.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “Mark, honey, it is what it is.”
The way the endearment of honey fell off her lips made him smile. “I’ll make it up to you. As soon as we can arrange it, my dad will babysit at your house so we can get a few hours at mine.”
“Oh God, yes,” she agreed, laughing. Glancing at Elizabeth who stood off to the side, she lifted on her toes and placed her palm on his chest. She kissed him lightly and said, “I’ll see you later.”
He nodded and watched as the two women headed down the hall, his hand lifting to gently rub over his chest where her palm had connected to his heart.