Justice for Lydia: Detective Harriet Sullivan, #2

By Mike Herd

There are no suspects, no bodies, no motives and no evidence but Detective Harriet Sullivan of the SLCPD is convinced there is a serial killer loose in Salt Lake City.

 

 

 

Zsanett's eyes were closed and the head was tilted down slightly. Harriet shivered, it was undoubtedly a beautiful work of art but to her it seemed more funereal than a joyous occasion like a wedding. She seemed to have an expression of wistfulness, sadness and resignation, not unlike an obedient wife.'

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mike Herd
• Release date: Aug 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386679738

Book preview

2

Harriet looked through the two-way mirror at Xavier Mandereux who sat wearing a one piece coverall, wrists chained to the metal table. She hardly recognised him from the night before. His face was empty of expression, his eyes glazed, vacantly staring into space. A guard opened the door and let her in. She took with her the folder and two polystyrene cups. The door shut with a clang. She sat down opposite him and with care and deliberation laid the folder down and next to it the two cups. She slid one across to him, picked up the remote control and switched on the wall mounted camera to record. She sat back folding her arms and for the first time their eyes met. She studied him carefully. He returned her gaze looking at her and through her at the same time with bloodshot eyes. He was quite a good looking man in his late forties with shoulder length hair and although he had spent the night in a cell showed little sign of a stubbled chin. There were scratches to his neck and congealed blood filled one nostril. Harriet opened the folder still looking at him.

You know, she said as if in the middle of a conversation, I’ve never been to New Orleans.

His eyes dropped to the folder.

Do you want to tell me what happened last night?

Can I have a cigarette?

I don’t smoke. You’re a long way from Louisiana, why are you in Salt Lake City?

Mandereux picked up the cup and drank from it making a face.

What is this?

Tea, she said laying out photographs of the dead children emphasizing their ghastly injuries.

Why did you kill her, and her, and the little boy, and his brother?

She placed each successive photograph down accentuating her words.

He looked away. I didn’t.

Xavier, the evidence is overwhelming, if you fight this you’ll end up on death row. If you co-operate there may be a chance that it will be a lengthy prison sentence but eventually you could be released. You’re young enough...

...I killed Cosmo.

Mr Gauber?

Yes, his hand shook as he put down the cup, in self defense.

Start from the beginning, what were you doing in the Gauber’s apartment?

––––––––

Along the corridor was a holding cell with blue metal framed doors and triple laminated glass panels. Inside, concrete block walls were painted a glossy cream. Apart from a small air vent and a lighting panel on the ceiling well out of reach, it was completely bare. Gallo sat on a green covered waterproof mattress on a concrete slab. They had taken his jacket, watch, shoes, belt and the contents of his pockets. He was wearing a faded pair of dirty blue jeans and a green t-shirt with Thailand in large comic sans script. He closed his eyes and rested his back against the wall. His story was all lined up and knew it off by heart, he could provide an unshakeable alibi. The Motel clerk wouldn’t know who had gone into the room, he had checked for CCTV cameras and there weren’t any. He would be out of here soon enough. The confidence that he would be free soon made him relax and with an unmistakeable air of smugness he got up and banged on the door.

Room service!

––––––––

The flood gates opened, Mandereux was unstoppable and at the heart of his ‘confession’ was his total trust in this detective who seemed more like a friend, an impartial advisor, someone who would always have his best interests and sense of fair-play uppermost in her mind. As the words came freely Harriet listened intently and nodded reassuringly prompting him for more. Xavier was Cosmo’s brother-in-law and had come to Salt Lake City to ask for help to pay for his wife’s medical treatment. Medicare had deemed that her illness was likely to be long term and since there was no likelihood of improvement they would be stopping the funding. When he arrived at the apartment he was shocked to discover Cosmo’s wife covered in bruises and the children looking terrified. Cosmo scoffed at the idea indicating he had no money but his wife remonstrated saying he had invested in government bonds. Then a fight ensued between husband and wife and Xavier left the apartment. He found a diner, had a burger with fries and a cola. Then he went to a cinema and watched a movie

What’s the name of the diner?

It was strange hearing her voice ask the question and it surprised him.

Oh, he hesitated, I can’t remember, wait I think it was called the Happy Diner, yes that’s it. It would have been about seven.

Harriet made a note to check the CCTV of the diner.

Which movie?

Star Wars.

Then you went back to the apartment, why?

I don’t have much money and I had nowhere else to go. I thought I would stay the night and leave the following morning. I didn’t have a key so I knocked on the door. It burst open and Gabby...Gabriela was standing there holding on to the door handle then she was pulled inside by Cosmo. He was dragging her into the bedroom.

What did you do?

"I shouted and ran towards him and then he held up the knife he was carrying, it was covered in blood. Gabby was sobbing with fear, she seemed to be in shock, dazed. I followed them into the bedroom and tried to calm him down and then I saw the children on the bed and I froze and in that time he stabbed Gabby and she fell to the floor. The horror in me turned to anger and I launched myself at him. I was holding on to the hand that held the knife and he punched me on the nose and tried to grab my neck. We struggled for what seemed like forever. I hit him several times. He lost his balance and we both fell on the floor and somehow I still don’t know how the knife plunged into him. It could have been me. I’m not a brave person but I did try to stop him. Then the realisation of what had happened hit me and I don’t know maybe I went into shock or passed out, next thing I knew was someone shouting.

Harriet waited a full minute holding his gaze without saying anything but there was no more.

You’re right handed? she noted.

Yes.

So was the person who killed the family. Eighty-two percent of the population is right handed and so was Gauber. Xavier I’m going to be absolutely straight with you. You’re story is plausible but if I were you I would get yourself a good lawyer. Even if you were in the Happy Diner that proves you had a meal, that’s all and since there is no one alive who can say anything different, that doesn’t make you innocent. But the dead can give evidence through forensics. Harriet’s phone rang. Sullivan?...be right there.

––––––––

Harriet opened Stokes door without going in and leaned against it with arms folded.

How’s the hit and run? he asked rising from his desk.

I’m getting a statement from a witness who saw what happened.

Have you seen Mandereux?

Yes, claiming self defense, said he fought with Gauber after he killed his wife. The children were already dead when he got there. There’s a ring of truth in what he says and he doesn’t appear to have a motive. I checked him out, he’s clean apart from a speeding offence. However Cosmo Gauber had traces of Crystal meth and does have a record of violence. There are several misdemeanour A charges and he’s been in prison. I guess we’ll have to wait for forensics detailed report to make sense of it all.

What about Gallo?

I was about to speak to him when you called."

OK let Jeff handle the hit and run for now, go back down and speak to Gallo and when you’re finished with him I want you to go to Senator McGuire’s home and take a statement from him.

Regarding what?

His daughter Lydia, she’s missing.

Missing person? This is the homicide department Grainger don’t we have a whole office for missing persons to look into it?

We have and they have and they’ve drawn a blank. The report is on your desk. The Senator believes she has been murdered and wants homicide to investigate.

Why me?

Grainger sat down at his desk and shuffled some papers.

Grainger?

He specifically asked for you and you don’t turn a Senator down. Now go and work your magic on Gallo, be careful with him and don’t take all day, McGuire’s waiting for you.

I hate to say it Grainger but the firearms instructor says I need to go on an intensive course. He says my shooting is quote, woeful.

I know I got his email. You want to go to Artesia for a month’s firearms refresher course?

Not really, where’s that?

New Mexico. I would love you to go but that’s not going to happen, maybe when we’re up in strength. But at the moment I haven’t got time for that just now and neither have you. I might be able to find a week for you to improve your aim and by the way it’s not just about your own Glock?

––––––––

Harriet walked back to her desk and picked up the phoned. Ben, can I get a three day triangulation on a cell phone? It’s for the last three days, I’ll text you the number.

She switched on her computer, put in her password and typed Happy Diner in a search engine. Picking up the phone again she rang the number on the website.

Hi this is Detective Sullivan, SLC police department, are you the manager?

Yes, what can I do for you detective?

Can you send me a copy of your CCTV video from last night between six-thirty and eight.

No problem where do I send it to?

Homicide you’ll find the address on our website. Harriet ended the call and dialled an internal number. Sam?...Can you put Gallo into interview room two please and I don’t want him to have anything, no coffee, no cigarettes, nothing and chain him to the table, thanks.

Her email client pinged. She forwarded it to Jeff, stood up, stretched and walked over to his desk.

Jeff, I think I’m going to scream.

He stretched his arms and yawned.

Screaming’s good, he said. Releases endorphins, tensions, anxieties and exercises the lungs.

Her email arrived. What’s this?

It’s the witness statement on the hit and run.

Jeff let out a mock scream.

Just check it out, I’ll pick it up when I finish with the Senator. That’s after I check out Mandereux and interview Gallo, ciao.

3

Emile Gallo. said Harriet entering the room followed by a uniformed officer who remained at the door.

Why am I chained to a desk?

Harriet sat down and clicked record on the remote camera overlooking them.

I’m Detective Sullivan are you Emile Gallo?

Yes, look I’ve been in this police station forever and I need something to eat and drink and a cigarette.

Does this look like a hotel?

Basic human rights. I want out of here, where is my lawyer?

The statement you gave says that you were nowhere near the Sleepeazy Motel between ten and midnight and that you spent the time at the Italian Diner down town.

That’s correct.

Convenient since they have no CCTV. What did you have?

Excuse me?

At the diner.

It was pasta with fried garlic chicken, why?

And drink?

Look what is this?

Just answer the question.

Gallo sighed. Chianti.

Mr Gallo, I’m charging you with the murder of Sylvia Bartollo at the Sleepeazy Motel. You have a right to remain silent but anything you say will be used in evidence in court.

Gallo started laughing. I’ve got a witness who served me the meal, he made a sworn statement to the police.

Harriet turned over some pages. Oh yes, so he did, Seth Baker. Well a warrant will be issued for the arrest of Mr Baker. You were nowhere near that diner were you, why are you lying?

I’m not lying and what are you going to arrest the waiter for?

Obstruction.

Detective?

Sullivan.

Detective Sullivan let me just get my head round this, you are charging me for murder after questioning my eating and drinking habits, how on earth is that going to stand up in court?

Have you heard of finger print evidence?

He pulled at the chain and grimaced. What are talking about now. You’ll never find my prints anywhere near that Motel because I wasn’t there.

Of course. You were very careful, but finger prints not only identify individuals but it can tell us a great deal about the said individual.

Oh yeah, like what?

State of the art technology. Forensics uses a form of mass spectrometry on fingerprints and it can find molecular traces of all manner of things, like the kind of food and drink consumed within the previous twenty-four hours. It’s not just what is detectable through blood but even things that have been touched. When you were apprehended that night your prints were taken. I have your finger print report right here, she said looking at the file. Would you like to change your statement?

Gallo sat staring at her with his mouth open. The cockiness had gone replaced by fear.

Mass spectrometry can even detect traces of a condom that has been touched.

She let that sink in noting the expression on his face.

Impossible.

Science is catching up with fiction. You have no alibi, you knew the victim. In that Motel room you had gloves on but after you tied up Sylvia Bartollo you had to take them off to put on a condom and then you raped and strangled her. Mr Gallo since you have now been formally charged you may make a phone call and get a lawyer. However if you plead not guilty the judge will double your sentence for wasting the court’s time when all the evidence is heard. Do you have anything to tell me?

Gallo was beaten and he knew it. Ok I did it, I killed Sylvi. It wasn’t intentional, we had rough sex before only this time it went too far.

Then why the gloves? You knew exactly what you were going to do.

––––––––

He confessed.

What? Who?

Grainger Stokes looked at the clock on the wall and back at Harriet. He shook his head.

Gallo, said Harriet with a smile.

How the heck did you get a confession from him in less than half an hour?

You need to keep up to speed Grainger have you not heard about the latest finger printing technique?

You mean the mass spectrometry, yes I have and we don’t possess that technology in the States yet.

I know that, you know that but Gallo didn’t. I bluffed him and it worked.

Well done Sully. The Senator called again, he asked if you could see him after lunch.

She put the file on his desk and left him still shaking his head. On the way back to her desk she stopped at Jeff’s.

You look terrible Detective Blackwell isn’t there paternity leave or something?

Jeff snorted. I didn’t get much sleep last night Alva was wakening every couple of hours and Nancy’s always exhausted. She’s working too hard at the law firm. Her mother helps during the day. She should be on maternity leave but she’s ‘too valuable to the firm’. I see you’re still driving the Humvee, you don’t have to you know.

I quite like it now that they resprayed the desert camouflage to a delicate shade of green.  I’ve got used to it. I get a kick out of the reaction from the uniforms when I take up two parking spaces. I’ve been stopped three time by patrol cars.

By the way Mitch is downstairs, said Jeff picking up the phone.

Mitch?

Yup.

Harriet sighed. Oh boy, she said, her voice laden with guilt. Here goes.

She walked along the corridor and having a natural dislike for elevators went down the stairwell with an air of trepidation, wondering what he would look like.

Harriet thought the reception was unusually quiet as she went down the stairwell, she always tried to avoid the elevator.

Hi Mitch it’s good to see you, she said giving him a hug. You look a lot better than the last time I saw you in hospital.

He gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Well the only reason I still have the walking stick is for sympathy. he smiled, knowing he still needed it occasionally.

He looked deep into her eyes.

It’s been a while.

Yes. I’m sorry.

No, I understand, it’s Ok, we kinda went our separate ways.  I did send you some texts.

Oh, I lost my phone a long time ago I’ve been meaning to get a new one, I use the departments now and I’m not allowed to give out the number unless it’s business. Let’s go over to Jan’s. How’s your folks?

Since dad retired from the factory, they up sticks and moved to Phoenix. He inherited a condo there when his brother passed away. They’ve never had much so this was a chance to sell the apartment and live somewhere warm and financially more comfortable for them. They stuck around the hospital for a bit but I thought it might have been costing them too much so I insisted the go home. But they’re both in great shape. 

They crossed the busy road and entered Jan’s Diner. Harriet’s favourite table was occupied so they sat on high stools at the bar. Mitch hooked the walking stick on the rail.

I’m sorry we kinda lost touch with each other the last few months, said Harriet. It’s been pretty hectic in the department.

Hello Harriet, said Jan ignoring Mitch while taking out her order pad. What’ll it be?

I think I’ll have the special.

And for sir? she said without looking up.

Make it two. Jan, tell me is it Janet, Janice or Janine?

Just Jan, she said over her shoulder.

She still doesn’t like me, he whispered. Can’t you put in a good word.

Sure which one would you like? said Harriet smiling. She’s my surrogate mother hen clucking around me. Anyway how are you Mitch? I was worried about you, all bandaged up with tubes sticking out of you lying in hospital.

That seems a long time ago. I’m better, a lot better but I get flashbacks occasionally. They’re not so frequent but they’re still terrifying. But aches and pains here and there, heck I’m alive. They should have given you an award for what you did.

Just doing my job. Harriet smiled thoughtfully. "Who are you