“Definitely.” Mac stood up and handed him a business card. “If you think of anything that might help in our investigation, I'd appreciate a call.”
Dr. Kennerman led Mac and Dana back to the front door and promised to call them once his legal department advised him on the employee list and ricin logs.
While on the way to the car, Mac pulled his cell phone from his pocket and dialed the office. “Kevin paged me during the interview,” he said to Dana as the phone rang. After a short conversation, Mac slapped the phone shut.
“What was it?” she asked.
“The lab got a quick hit on those prints in the car. Allison was able to put Jacob Mullins in the car with a partial latent on the inside of the car and a full print on the outside. We'll have to wait for the positive ID, but it looks like our case against Shaw is getting stronger. Kevin also had some initial return on Jacob's bank accounts. The guy didn't have two pennies to rub together. If he was in on his father's death, he hadn't received any monetary compensation yetâthat's assuming he would put the money in the bank.”
“What now?”
“Now we pay a visit to Clay's daughter and see what she has to say for herself.”
D
ANA DECIDED TO CHECK IN with Allison at the lab while Mac drove toward Copper Mountain and the Cassidy residence. After a brief conversation, Dana ended her cell phone call and turned to Mac. “Peter verified the call Allison made to Kevin. He says based on his visual comparison of the evidence, there was at least one latent recovered in the car that belonged to Jacob Mullins. He identified ten points on one of the latents with his microscope. I'd say that's a match. He's submitted the latents through the AFIS computer as well, but the conclusive results aren't in yet.”
“Has Allison had a chance to review the contents of the vacuum evidence?” Mac asked.
“No, but he promised to leave her a message that I called.” She slipped the cell into her pocket.
“The other evidence isn't so important now that we have that print. Two eyewitnesses coupled with that flare cap and the latent print just put a few more nails in Shaw's coffin. Unfortunately, Shaw probably won't roll over. We're going to have to build a strong case in court to prove his guilt. We still have a ways to go to tie him to Jacob's murder.”
“And nothing concrete so far to charge him with Clay's.” Dana sighed.
“What we're lacking,” Mac said, “is the intent proof on Shaw.”
Dana nodded. “We know he had access to the home, but proving he planted the ricin and figuring out when he would have done so is a reach. We know he had something to do with Clay's death, but proving it is another thing.”
“I still think Kelly is involved. Her medical ties sure put her out front.” Mac flipped down the sun visor and turned on the air conditioner. The day had turned into a nice one, for March, anyway, and he wished he could get to a beach somewhere to take advantage of it. “Another thought. Her husband is a doctor at the university hospital. They do all kinds of research up there.”
“True, but Kelly seemed genuinely saddened by her father's death. I'm having trouble seeing her as a cold-blooded killer. And to suggest a doctor might be involved in poisoning someone . . . I don't know. Besides, it isn't like Kelly and her husband need the money.”
“Nothing surprises me anymore, Dana. People have killed over a great deal less.”
“How do you want to work the interview?” she asked.
“We need to lock Kelly and her husband into a timeline if they are willing. Dr. Cassidy had an alibi for the night of Clay's death, being out of town on that conference, but now our window of opportunity has expanded. The only problem with that is we never have him going to Clay's house, at least not according to any of our witnesses. I think we ought to focus on Kelly for right now. She's a family member and could very well hold the key. Of course, Jacob and Shaw could have been the only players. Unfortunately, if that's the case, Jacob paid the price for his greed big-time.”
“Should we split Kelly and her hubby up?” Dana asked.
“Splitting them up would be ideal, but I don't think they'll stand for that. Not with her being an attorney. We still need to keep them on our side if possible, try not to offend them by pushing Kelly too far. I think we better lay our cards on the table, play up Shaw's involvement with her brother's death. We won't go into too much detail, but we'll give her enough to know we've been making progress. We'll have to gauge her emotional state. Hopefully they're home and willing to talk to us.”
They arrived at the Cassidy's luxurious home shortly before 5:00. A lawn and garden service was dumping grass trimmings in the back of an old Chevy truck as the detectives pulled into the driveway and exited the car. The workers went about their business, loading up their equipment and moving on to their next client's home in the posh neighborhood.
“I still can't believe how amazing this house is,” Dana said as they walked up the steps. “I can definitely see myself living in a place like this.” She switched her briefcase's shoulder strap from her right arm to her left, instinctively leaving her gun hand free.
“You better get another job then, or marry someone with money. This place must be worth over a million bucks. Not something I could afford on my salary.”
Dana rang the doorbell then turned to Mac. “I'd never marry a cop. All of you guys are way too cocky and self-involved.”
Self-involved!
Mac was just about to object when someone came to the door. He had a feeling Dana had planned the hit-and-run comment, not wanting to give him an opportunity for a rebuttal.
“You think we should have called first?” Dana whispered as the deadbolt clicked.
“We'll find out soon enough.”
“Well, hello.” Kelly smiled as she answered the door. She'd apparently been working today as she was wearing a power suit: a black skirt and jacket with a crisp white blouse. The image was toned down a bit with an expensive-looking scarf. She looked tired, Mac noted, and there was wariness behind her smile.
“Good evening, Mrs. Cassidy. Sorry to drop by without calling.” Dana took a step forward. “We were hoping to have a word with you and your husband about the investigation.”
“No problem, I was just fixing some dinner for myself. Unfortunately, Ray is at the hospital all night. We thought his promotion years back to an administrative position would lessen his workload, but he's working more than ever. He has to deliver some evaluations to interns tonight. Please come in.”
Dana made brief eye contact with Mac as they followed Kelly into her living room.
Mac was glad they would have the opportunity to interview Kelly alone. But not having her husband here meant another trip. They might have to make a trip up to pill hill and seek him out.
“I can't get over how beautiful your home is. This is truly one of the most amazing homes I've ever seen.” Dana looked around the room at the lavish furniture and decorations.
“Thank you. It's been a labor of love. I've been involved in almost every aspect of the building and design. Please, have a seat. May I offer you something to drink?”
“I'm good; thank you, though.” Dana stepped into the great room and glanced around, finally choosing a mauve chair.
Mac also declined the offer.
“Please have a seat then. I'll just turn off the stove and get my drink.”
Since Dana had established a rapport with Kelly, even if her interest in the home was genuine, she'd be the best bet for the interview. Mac made mental note of Kelly's willingness to talk about her home for an extended period of time. So far, she'd given no indication that she planned to ask them why they were there.
Kevin had taught him to view this avoidanceâa person's not wanting to get down to business when confronted by law enforcementâ as a possible sign of guilt. In this case, however, he needed to consider the source. With an elegant host like Kelly, the delay might just be good manners or an outgoing personality. After what Mac felt was endless small talk, Dana asked, “How are you coping with your losses, Kelly?”
She took a sip of the dark red wine in her glass. “All right, I guess. It's not easy.”
“We've made some significant steps in the investigation during the past couple of days and wanted to bring you up to speed.”
“Really?” Kelly sat up in her chair, placing her wineglass on the coffee table.
“We've made an arrest in the murder of your brother. Last night we charged your father's attorney, Addison Shaw, for the murder of Jacob and the arson of your father's home.”
Her jaw dropped. “No kidding. I can't believe it. Shaw? I mean . . . I knew he was a sleazeball, but murder?”
“That's right.” Dana nodded.
Kelly picked up her drink again. “I never did like him.”Taking a sip, she said, “I didn't know if it was a personality clash or professional differences, but I always had a bad feeling about him. How did you come to make the arrest? Did he confess?”
“Not exactly.” Dana glanced at Mac. “We can't disclose the details or items of evidence in the caseâbeing an attorney, I'm sure you understand. But we are confident we'll be able to prove his involvement in your brother's death. He's being held without bail at the Columbia County jail. I can tell you that we have an eyewitness and forensic evidence that puts him at the scene of your father's home the evening it burned. We also have information that he and Jacob arrived at the home together, though only Mr. Shaw left the home.”
Tears gathered in her eyes. “Poor Jacob.” She closed her eyes, dabbing at the tears with a forefinger.
Dana looked over at Mac for an indication of how far she should take this.
Mac answered for her. “When we spoke before, we told you your brother had been murdered. We believe Jacob was dead before the fire was set. We intend to prove that Mr. Shaw killed or incapacitated Jacob prior to setting the home on fire.”
“I'm confused. Why would Jacob be with Shaw?”
“We don't know the specifics.” Mac rubbed at the beginnings of stubble on his chin. “The case is complicated even for us. Since we now have a suspect in the arson case and your brother's death, we're focusing our attention back on your father's case. We know now that your father was murdered; his death was not accidental or related to natural medical complications.”
“Dad murdered? But he was hit by a train.” She frowned. “Soâ so what are you saying? Did Shaw kill my father too? Was my brother in on this?”
“That's what we're trying to find out, Kelly. We don't have the evidence to charge Shaw with your father's death just yet. I'm afraid that proving or disproving your brother's involvement will take some time, if we ever are able to make that determination.”
“How did my father die then, if it wasn't the train?”
“We believe your father was poisoned some time before the train accident and that he was heading for the terminal to get help. The poison was well on its way toward killing him. If he hadn't been hit by the train, he would have been dead within a few hours.”
“What kind of poison? Did he eat something?”
“We're keeping our cards pretty close to the chest on this one,” Mac said. “I hope you understand, the fewer people who know the better it is for your father's case.”
She took another drink and eyed the empty glass. “I see. Have you talked to Mrs. Gonzales?”
“Yes, and we have reason to believe she was not involved in your father's death or any of the other crimes involved.”
Kelly got to her feet and began to pace. “This is crazy. You tell me my father was murdered and my brother's killer was arrested last night, but you can't give me any details. I don't know how to react to this.”
Mac could see he was losing the interview and sat back in his chair. Dana picked up the subtle clue and went on with the interview. Mac was impressed; this was almost as good as working with Kevin.
“Kelly,” Dana soothed. “Please understand that we have to treat this like we're starting all over. We owe it to your father not to compromise the investigation. The information about the poison has expanded our timeline prior to your father's death, and we have to look at all the possibilities.”
“Like what?” Kelly sat back down, elbows resting on her thighs. Dana was silent for a moment and Kelly heaved an exasperated sigh. “Oh, no. You think I had something to do with this, don't you?” She pinched her lips together as though reining in her frayed emotions. “Do you really believe I would kill my own father? I loved him.”
“I believe you did love him,” Dana said. “I'd bet a month's pay Addison Shaw is the culprit here, but we have to look at all the angles if we're going to put him away. That's why we need to ask you a few questions. Naturally, our duties require your statement to eliminate you from our investigation.”
Kelly ran a hand through her now disheveled hair. “Go ahead.”
“The poison used by your father prior to his death is rather rare, and we believe it may have been delivered to him by someone he trusted. This still fits the bill for Addison Shaw, but we have to ask you about your visits to his home. As you indicated earlier, you pick up and deliver your father's medications to him.”
“Yes.” Kelly stood up again and walked to the sliding-glass door leading to the deck. Arms folded, she stared out at the waterfall. “You're saying the poison was in his medication?” She thought for a moment. “Not the blood pressure capsules. It's possible, but it would be too difficult and time consuming to open them. The insulin vials were in a box. I'd have noticed if they were tampered with . . .” She hesitated. “I don't remember checking. I picked them up from the pharmacy, and they were in a paper bag. The insulin. I'm right, aren't I? Someone put poison in his insulin.”