Murder Most Complicated

By Susan M. Lee

A young woman survives an attempted murder in Sudbury, Ontario, and Detective Inspector Vincent Powell is assigned to the case. However, nothing is as simple as it first appears. The investigation develops a life of its own, and Vincent finds himself working with police teams on both sides of the Atlantic. FBI-trained profiler and criminologist

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: Mar 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781648953613

Susan M. Lee

Susan Lee worked in the legal system for many years and is married to a former career police officer. She and her husband live in Canada, close to their children and grandchildren.

Book preview

Dedication

With grateful thanks to my husband, Dan, for his unfailing help, encouragement, and technical support.

And with deep gratitude to my friends who provided me with much-needed feedback and advice to help to bring this book to fruition.

And special thanks to Joanne Longo, Regina Caverson, Jacqueline and John Rauh, Sandra and Brian Donnelly, and Roseanne Lyons for the laborious task of reviewing my draft manuscript in whole or in part.

Characters

Characters

Dr. Anthony Ryan - married to Megan Ryan

Megan Ryan - married to Dr. Ryan

Brian and Chantal Bouffard - Megan’s parents

Maree Ryan, née Sime - Dr. Ryan’s first wife

Sheila Ryan, née Ross - Dr. Ryan’s second wife

Amelia Ann Hamilton - sibling of Andrew; daughter of Stewart and Gillian

Andrew Hamilton - sibling of Amelia; son of Stewart and Gillian

Stewart Hamilton - married to Gillian; father of Andrew and Amelia

Gillian Hamilton - married to Stewart; mother of Andrew and Amelia

Jessica Powell - forensic accountant; daughter of Mac and Mary McDonald; married to OPP Detective Inspector Vince Powell

Mac (PI) and Mary McDonald - parents of Jessica Powell

Candace Hopkins - married to Dr. Gary Hopkins

Witnesses

Adrian Thomas

Jackie Julian

Interviewees

Ava Grey - sister of Stewart Hamilton

Ines Olson - Dr. Ryan’s childhood neighbour

Eddie Olson - Dr. Ryan’s childhood friend

Dr. and Mr. Kerr - Dr. Ryan’s childhood neighbours

Dr. Julianne Kerr - Dr. Ryan’s former teacher (primary school)

Dr. Michael Lenart - Dr. Ryan’s former professor (university)

Mae Williams - Hamilton siblings’ aunt

Nancy Jones - Hamilton siblings’ cousin

Jillianne (Annie) Prendergast - Hamilton siblings’ cousin; married to Iain

Ontario Provincial Police Team

Chief Superintendent O’Brien

Superintendent O’Leary, Regional HQ

Detective Superintendent Lindsay, Director CIB, General HQ

Detective Inspector Vince Powell, Deputy Director CIB, GHQ

Dr. Gary Hopkins - OPP Criminalist seconded to the Metropolitan Police (UK)

Staff Sergeant Sheppard

Detective Constable Trish McNeil

Acting Detective Sergeant Simon Drake

Acting Detective Constable Tom Braden

Joanie Novick - Receptionist

UK Police Team

Dr. Patricia Somerville - consultant to the Metropolitan Police

Superintendent Hodge

Detective Chief Inspector Neal Ferris

Detective Inspector Tim Rofe

Detective Sergeant Brendan Davies

Detective Constable Nate Dalhousie

Detective Constable Art Braithwaite

Detective Constable Sam Hewitt

Detective Constable Phil Denney

Constable Johnny Thompson

Constable Mary Martin

Constable Reggie O’Donnell

Fire Services

Fire Marshal (OFM)

Fire Chief

Fire Captain Keith Thompson

Fire Investigator Mick O’Shea

Medical Team

Dr. Skinner

Dr. Wilson

Ambulance Service

Supervisor

Senior Paramedic Rudy Balfour

Paramedic John Kingston

Defence Attorneys

Lee Bonhomme - for Amelia Hamilton

Stanley Murray - for Andrew Hamilton

Cornelius James - for Dr. Ryan

Fred Simmons - for Mae Williams

Jono McCarthy - for Nancy Jones

Acting for the Crown

Jan Lancaster - the Crown Prosecution Service for England and Wales (CPS)

Hugh Naylor - Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for Scotland (COPFS)

Murder in the murderer is no such ruinous thought

as poets and romancers will have it;

it does not unsettle him,

or fright him from his ordinary notice of trifles;

it is an act quite easy to be contemplated.²

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Chapter

One

Finally! The time had come. It would be crucial to stick to the plan. Any error, any slipup, and the consequences would be too dire to contemplate. Of course, experience was the best teacher, and this wouldn’t be the first murder or the last, but the hardest part, the meticulous planning, was complete.

The next step should be low risk with little more required than a simple follow-through. A bit of alcohol here, a lit wick there, and nirvana. Fire. Success. And a death deemed accidental. And even if nothing went to plan, well, there was always plan B. However, there was no need for concern. Every contingency was accounted for.

The trick was to aim for perfection. To leave nothing to chance and achieve at least one perfect execution and possibly two. However, nothing could change without some impetus or impetuses—or was the plural impeti? Whatever! That X-factor so necessary to kickstart the play. But now, with everyone in position and everything in place, it was time for action.

The anticipatory sweet smell of revenge was intoxicating. Exhilarating! Every step closer to the kill brought a deep sense of satisfaction and a quiver of excitement. Murder was a process, but everything from conception to completion was gratifying, if not enlivening. Odd, that. Death enriched life, providing change and much-needed excitement, and the risk of an all-or-nothing existence. What a silver lining!

Chapter

Two

It was approaching twilight when Anthony Ryan backed up his black SUV and drove swiftly out of the CoffeeHaven car park. He was a man on a mission, intent on taking a short detour to join his wife at the lake. This was to be a conciliatory meeting. At this precise moment, he was supposed to be joining his hunting buddies for their annual trip to Manitoulin Island, but he couldn’t leave without first seeing Megan.

An argument earlier that day had left them both upset, and while the situation was not resolvable in favour of either of them, he still wanted to reach some measure of understanding with her. They would have to agree to disagree. After all, they were both entitled to their opinions. The simple fact was that he liked to hunt while his wife didn’t approve of blood sports. As neither was likely to change, they would have to give each other space. Surely, they should be able to manage that.

Anthony glanced at his watch: 5:55 p.m. He was already fifty-five minutes behind schedule. His buddies would not be impressed, but they had a standing arrangement—half an hour late, and you’re on your own.

He sighed and accelerated. The SUV engine roared in response. For once, he regretted his dual exhaust system. It made an awful racket and drew too much attention to his driving. He felt all eyes upon him and eased off the accelerator. It made no sense to get a speeding ticket.

He texted a message to his friends. The illegality didn’t bother him, but being late did, and he knew his pals would be annoyed. However, his marriage was more important than a hunting trip. They should surely understand that. After all, he was practically a newlywed. He planned to catch up with them later.

Anthony turned left onto Bill Lake Road. Beside him, his wife’s specialty coffee sloshed about in the thermos. He crested the hill and was relieved to see her white compact parked on the shoreline.

Chapter

Three

As it happened, the Ryans weren’t the only couple at the lake that evening. It was close to 6:20 p.m. when Adrian Thomas and Jackie Julian drove to the highest point on Bill Lake Road. They arrived just before sunset and were awed by the blanket of autumnal colours spread out before them, highlighted by the fiery sun.

Bill Lake was sparsely populated and ringed with evergreen trees, colourful maples, and white birches. The vibrant green, yellow, red, and orange leaves were spectacular, especially when contrasted with the deep blue lake water. There were no quads about and no boats either. Adrian stopped the car so they could drink in the view and enjoy the silent sanctity of the moment.

He was surprised to see that, despite their remote location, they were not alone. Some two hundred yards down the hill, two vehicles were parked side by side at the lakeshore. One was a small white compact and the other, a black SUV. Adrian didn’t join them. Instead, he backed his vehicle off the roadway and onto the grassy flats high above the shoreline. Their car fitted in neatly amidst the trees, largely hidden from view. It was important to Adrian that he and Jackie have their privacy. He wanted this to be a moment for them both to remember.

Jackie opened her window to listen to the birdcall and the chatter of the chipmunks, and Adrian followed suit. The peace of the twilight washed over them. Adrian had specifically chosen this time and place. He had his sweetheart by his side and a ring in his pocket, and he intended to propose. He gently drew Jackie in towards him and leaned in to kiss her.

The roar of an engine startled them, and the couple sprang apart. Adrian looked for the cause of the commotion. He saw the SUV charge back onto the roadway, spinning gravel in its wake.

What an idiot, he murmured, moving closer to Jackie. Who speeds out of paradise?

Jackie snuggled into his shoulder. She felt comfortable and comforted. It was sheer bliss to be out in nature watching the deepening dusk. The colours sparkled across the water like jewels. Oranges, pinks, and purples, all glittering under an orangey-red and increasingly pearlized sky. Then, as suddenly as the colourful array peaked, it faded and died. Night fell, and an inky blackness enshrouded them.

The couple sat quietly. It had been a hectic week, and Adrian did not want his proposal to be tainted by any sense of frenzy. He breathed in deeply and sighed, and Jackie moved closer. She loved being in his embrace. It gave her a deep sense of contentment.

Chapter

Four

The setting was perfect, and the timing was right. Adrian was reaching for the ring when he and Jackie became aware of smoke. It was pervasive. The couple looked about them for the source, and a small flash of light on the lakeshore caught their attention. It seemed to leap and dance in the dark. They realized that they were looking at a car on fire.

Adrian turned his key in the ignition and threw his car into gear, but lost precious seconds in executing a turn to get back onto the roadway. Beside him, Jackie scrambled in her purse for her cell phone and placed an emergency 911 call.

After driving down the hill at breakneck speed, Adrian stopped a short distance from the burning vehicle. The engine compartment was alight, and he could see the driver slumped over the steering wheel. He ran to the driver’s door; it was locked. He tried each door in turn, but they were all locked. It was futile. He yelled at Jackie to get his tire iron. The flames were beginning to spread underneath the engine and, assisted by the car’s high polish, along the hood. The heat was already intense. Thick foul-smelling smoke was changing from white to black and spewing everywhere. Adrian fought his instinct to run to safety.

While Jackie was frantically ransacking his trunk for the tire iron, Adrian remembered his recent purchase of a crowbar. He retrieved it from his back seat and smashed it against the driver’s window of the burning vehicle. To his relief, the glass shattered. He was able to unlock the door and haul the driver out onto the ground. It wasn’t easy; everything he touched burned his hands, and his sleeve caught fire. He beat the flames out but felt no pain. The air was hot and suffocating around him.

The driver was unconscious. He grasped her under her arms and dragged her backwards away from the car. She was a dead weight, and they fell heavily onto the grass. Adrian was momentarily winded as she landed hard on his chest.

Seconds later, the flames burst through the bulkhead to the car’s interior, and Adrian started to shake. It had been a close call for both of them. But they had to move; they were still in danger. He pushed the woman off him, and she rolled onto her stomach. Adrian staggered to his feet, and Jackie helped him to drag the victim down the embankment towards the lake. Throughout it all, she remained unresponsive.

My God, you got her out in the nick of time. Will she be all right? Jackie asked.

I don’t know. I don’t know what more we can do, Adrian said worriedly. At least she’s breathing.

Maybe we should turn her over, Jackie suggested. It might be easier for her to breathe if her face isn’t squashed into the ground. They gently rolled her onto her back.

In the light of the flames, the woman’s burns appeared to be mostly superficial. The imprint of the steering wheel was lightly scorched into her face, and her hands were red and blistered. Additionally, her hair was singed and smelled awful. Although her breath sounds were slow and not laboured, Adrian was concerned that she could choke if left on her back.

Try her on her side, then, Jackie suggested, and once again, they rolled the woman over. This time, Jackie repositioned the woman’s legs to stabilize her body on the ground.

Adrian started to feel ill. The smells around him were intense, and he felt nauseated. There was a horrible combination of burning fuels, plastics, and singed hair. It was too much for him, and he threw up. Jackie placed a cool hand on the back of his neck.

It’s shock. Don’t worry. The worst is over with, and I’m sure the paramedics will be here soon.

It had taken only seven minutes for the flames to engulf the car. Adrian worried that the gas tank would explode and send fiery shrapnel their way. Once again, he enlisted Jackie’s help in dragging the unfortunate woman over the stones to safety.

Then, satisfied that they were all out of harm’s way, Adrian checked on his vehicle. He realized that it was far too close to the fire. He took the time to move it down the roadway and then returned to help Jackie.

Before repositioning the victim onto her side, Jackie treated her burns. Adrian dunked both of their jackets in the lake, and she used the cold, wet material to bathe the woman’s face and hands. Then she loosely wrapped the victim’s singed hair with one jacket and covered her blistered hands with the other. Jackie left the woman’s face exposed to the air so she could breathe freely and hoped that, in her unconscious state, the victim would be oblivious to pain.

Suddenly, two sounds rent the air, followed seconds later by two more. To the shocked couple, they sounded like gunshots. At the first short burst, Adrian immediately threw himself protectively over the injured woman and landed hard. He felt her body sag and crack under his weight. Jackie also dived to the ground but, in trying to avoid the other two, landed on rougher terrain, grazing her arms and knees. Minutes passed, and the couple remained in position with their heads down. Nothing happened. Jackie looked up; there was no one there. The explosions were caused by the tires blowing out sequentially. She began to giggle. It was a nervous reaction.

It was only the tires, Adrian. Get up. You’ll squash her.

Adrian gingerly levered himself off the victim’s prone body. What had he done? Had he hurt her? Or broken her ribs? He was sure he’d felt them crack. The victim offered no reassurance. Instead, she lay silent and still. Her face was expressionless, doll-like, and plastic.

Adrian hunkered down beside her with his head sunk into his hands. He had never felt more useless in his life. He heard the sirens in the distance and breathed a sigh of relief. Help was on the way.

The paramedics were the first responders to arrive, followed closely by the fire department and the police. While the firefighters attended to the burning car, the paramedics rushed to assist the unconscious victim. They had lots of questions, but the young couple could provide few answers.

Adrian was upset. He worried about everything—if he had done the right thing, whether he had done enough, and even more concerning, whether he had made things worse. The police arrived in time to hear his description of events.

I threw myself down on top of her, he said. I landed hard and heard something crack. I didn’t think. I reacted. I thought it was gunfire. I’m scared that I might have hurt her.

Don’t sweat it. She’s alive, thanks to you, the senior paramedic reassured him. Just look at that fire. Without you, she could be stuck in the middle of that!

As the paramedics strapped the victim onto the stretcher for transport by ambulance, the police sergeant leaned in to snap a photo.

She smells of scotch, the paramedic informed him. Her clothes are drenched in the stuff.

Adrian and Jackie were stunned. Neither had noticed.

As the ambulance pulled away, the two officers introduced themselves as Sergeant Simon Drake and Constable Tom Braden. Simon asked Jackie and Adrian whether they could stay at the scene to answer a few questions, and the young couple were only too happy to comply. They were feeling the shock of the moment and didn’t have the strength to go anywhere. Despite the sodden grass, they sat down where they were.

The sergeant nodded to the constable and then strolled down to the shoreline to make his calls. Tom squatted down beside the couple. He knew better than to sit in the wet. He opened his notebook and began his inquiry.

First things first, he said. Please tell me who you are, why you’re here, and everything you saw leading up to the fire.

Adrian rallied and acted as spokesperson. He succinctly answered Tom’s questions.

I’m Adrian Thomas, and this is Jackie Julian. We’re both graduate students, and we live in residence at the university. I brought Jackie here tonight to propose to her.

Jackie reached for Adrian’s hand. The proposal was news to her.

But unfortunately, the fire derailed my plans, Adrian continued ruefully.

So what did you see? Tom pressed him.

Adrian took a moment to collect his thoughts. When we arrived, there were two vehicles parked lakeside. This compact and a black SUV. The SUV left suddenly and a little while later—certainly no more than fifteen minutes later—this compact caught fire. We drove down to assist, and Jackie called 911. We pulled the woman out just before the whole car went up in flames.

You pulled her out, Jackie corrected him. I spent the whole time looking for a tire iron to break the windows.

Why was that? Tom asked.

She was locked in and unconscious, Adrian explained.

All four doors were locked?

All four doors. And all four windows were shut as well.

And where were you parked when all this happened? Simon asked, as he rejoined the group.

We were parked at the top of the hill, Adrian said. We were off the roadway under those trees. Then we drove down here, but we were too close to the fire, so I re-parked our car.

Simon looked up at the treeline. Would you be visible from here? he asked.

A red car amongst red maples?—probably not. I suppose you might see us in the daytime if you knew we were there. However, we arrived a little before sunset, so I’d have to say no, Adrian surmised, looking at Jackie for confirmation. She nodded in agreement.

Okay, let’s start at the beginning. You were parked at the top of the hill. You saw the flames. Then what happened? Simon prompted. And Adrian laboriously filled the officers in.

And what can you tell me about the other vehicle? Were these vehicles together, do you think? Simon asked, as Tom continued recording Adrian’s answers in his notebook.

They were parked alongside each other when I first saw them, but I couldn’t really say. I wasn’t focussed on them.

But that SUV did take off suddenly, very suddenly, spinning gravel, and then all this happened a short time later, Jackie added.

And where did the fire start in your view?

The engine was on fire when we got here, but the fire spread rapidly, Adrian said.

And you noticed the smell of alcohol?

No, we didn’t. Or I didn’t anyway.

Jackie agreed, and Adrian continued.

I noticed her burned hair, which smelled horrible, but I was so focussed on getting her out that I wasn’t thinking about much else. We made it to safety with moments to spare.

Was her car engine running when you arrived?

No.

Did you happen to notice the make of the SUV?

No. From where we were, it was barely visible. It was on the far side of the compact. I saw it more clearly when it drove off and then only for a second or two. And those vehicles all look the same.

Is there anything you can add? Simon asked Jackie.

She shook her head. She felt quite jittery and no longer trusted herself to speak. Besides, Adrian had given quite a comprehensive report.

Do you have a number where we can reach you?

Yes. I already gave the constable our phone numbers, Adrian confirmed.

Tom nodded. We have everything we need, sir.

Then we’ll be in touch, Simon said. You should probably have those burns seen to at the ER.

Adrian looked at his hands. He hadn’t realized they were so bad. Large blisters had formed, and he had a growing awareness that his right arm was beginning to throb.

Simon requested that the couple not discuss the incident with anyone. If this was an attempted murder, the police didn’t want the perpetrator hearing that the victim had survived.

Adrian was still overwhelmed by self-recrimination. I hope I didn’t hurt her when I landed on her, but those tires sounded like gunshots.

And you tried to protect her, Simon reassured him. Don’t beat yourself up about that. Going into a burning car like that was a brave thing to do, and trying to protect her from gunfire, whether real or not, was exceptional. She’d be dead without your intervention, and if she’s got an extra bruise or two or even a few broken ribs, that’s a small price to pay. At least she’s alive. Without you, she wouldn’t be, and that’s a fact. Look at that car. It’s a burned-out shell.

Adrian stood up and reached out to shake the officer’s hand, but Simon held back.

No. You’d better get those hands seen to, he reminded Adrian. If they’re not painful now, they soon will be.

Adrian was surprised to find that his hands were shaking. And when he looked at Jackie, she was crying. Not with deep, heartfelt sobs, but silently, with big tears rolling down her cheeks. He drew her towards him and put his arm around her shoulders, and together they moved off to their vehicle. They still needed a moment. Neither had the energy to drive anywhere, and any thoughts of a marriage proposal were gone from their minds. Finally, at Jackie’s suggestion, Adrian scooched over, and she walked around to the driver’s side and took the wheel. It was time for her to drive him to the ER.

The fire captain joined Simon at the roadside, and Tom left to photograph the scene.

So, tell me, Keith, how does this look to you? Simon asked him.

"Definitely suspicious. The car is still too hot to work with and will need to off-gas, but according to the witnesses, it was parked for some time before it caught fire. I’ve notified the Fire Marshal’s Office.³ They’ll likely order a forensic workup."

Were you aware the victim was unconscious and her clothes were doused in alcohol?

No. Then I guess this could be an attempted murder, Keith surmised.

It appears so.

"Okay, let’s get this scene secured until the OFM⁴ checks it out. If they share our concerns, they’ll flatbed the wreck to the FSCC complex⁵ in Toronto," Keith said.

Simon nodded. It was time to get to the hospital to see what more he could learn from the victim. Before leaving, he asked Keith to implement a news blackout and instructed Tom to run a licence plate check and help to secure the scene.

Sarge, the plates are badly burned.

We can spray them down for you, the captain volunteered. The rear plate won’t be a problem.

Simon left, and Tom set about identifying the owner of the vehicle. He would join Simon later.

Chapter

Five

At the hospital, the medical staff worked quickly to assess the victim. They cut away her alcohol-soaked clothes, and Dr. Skinner ordered blood tests and a tox screen. His patient was still unconscious, and he needed to understand why. Her injuries did not seem to warrant that.

As Simon was driving into the hospital lot, Tom phoned with the name of the car’s registered owner and, at Simon’s request, copied him with her photo. Simon went directly to the registration desk and requested access to the treatment area. Once there, he explained that he needed to confirm the identity of the Jane Doe brought in by ambulance. He was shown into cubicle 3. There, he checked the woman’s features against the licence photograph.

Well, now at least we know her name, he said to the nurse accompanying him.

And that is?

Megan Ryan.

Anything else? the nurse asked, with her pen poised.

Yes. I have an address and a request. We need an information blackout for this young woman. Someone may want her dead.

I’ll flag the file. The nurse made a notation on her clipboard.

A young doctor opened the curtain and entered the cubicle. The nurse introduced him as Dr. Skinner. He looked more like a twenty-two-year-old student than a mature man, but there was no mistaking his air of competence and authority. Simon asked for an update on the victim’s status.

You know that I have an ethical and legal obligation not to disclose that to you without patient consent, a court order, or a warrant, the doctor replied.

I do. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that patient confidentiality may be breached if the patient is at imminent risk of serious bodily harm or death.⁶

And the operative word is imminent, the doctor argued. Simply being unconscious isn’t reason enough for me to breach this patient’s right to privacy.

We believe that an attempt has already been made on this woman’s life, Simon persisted.

Belief and fact are not synonymous, Officer. I’d appreciate that warrant.

Fine. In the interim, do you object to having an officer posted outside Ms. Ryan’s cubicle for her protection?

Not at all. It’ll be fine so long as hospital practices and procedures aren’t interfered with.

Good enough. Simon pulled up a chair and sat down to wait. Although he had not admitted as much to Dr. Skinner, the search warrant was already a work in progress. Simon’s first call at the scene had been to his superior, Staff Sergeant Sheppard. Because of Megan’s unconscious state, Simon realized that she would be unable to give her consent, so he requested a search warrant. The warrant was date and incident-specific and addressed:

Megan’s status upon admission to the hospital.

Her blood and toxicology test results.

Information related to her next-of-kin.

Seizure of her clothing and shoes for forensic analyses.

Simon placed a follow-up call to Sheppard to check on the status of the warrant. They were in luck. Judge Murphy had approved the request, and the warrant was on its way.

When Dr. Skinner was satisfied that the legalities were met, he became more forthcoming with Simon.

You know about the alcohol, of course, he said.

We do. Was she drunk?

Not at all. Her blood alcohol is zero. No, this stuff was poured on her. What’s the story here?

Simon brought the doctor up to speed on Megan’s rescue.

She’s fortunate to be alive, he concluded. Her car’s a write-off, and because she appears to be the victim of an attempted murder, we’re requesting an information blackout for her.

The doctor agreed. She was admitted as a Jane Doe.

Yes, but someone may still inquire…

I appreciate that. That’s why she’s in the system as Sandra Rosa, but that can only be a temporary fix, you understand. There are insurance considerations involved here.

Of course. Thank you. Now what about her clothes and shoes?

They’re ready for you at the desk, and I’ll keep you posted on her medical results.

The medical team arrived to treat Megan’s burns, so Simon moved down the hallway and placed a few calls. The first was to Sheppard to update him and the second was to Tom. He needed him to take over Megan’s security detail.

Then it occurred to Simon that as a Sudbury resident, Megan might already have a file at the hospital. He returned to the nurses’ station to ask. He was in luck. The nurse manager informed him that while they had no file under Megan’s married name, one of the nurses knew her by her maiden name of Bouffard. Armed with that information, the hospital rechecked their records and located Megan’s old file. It had her parents’ names listed as her next of kin.

Simon was finishing his notes when Tom arrived, so he briefed him and left for the office.

Chapter

Six

Ten minutes later, Simon arrived at the ambulance depot, where he requested a news blackout for Megan. From there, he drove to the Ontario Provincial Police detachment. This case would now be referred to the Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB). To facilitate the transfer, he needed to finalize his report to update his immediate supervisor, Staff Sergeant Sheppard, and prepare his brief for the detectives assigned to the case.

Simon entered his notes on the computer. Then, as Tom’s shift was ending, he made arrangements for him to be replaced at the hospital. Sheppard assigned a plainclothes officer to Megan’s security detail with instructions to photograph and interview anyone visiting Megan other than police or medical personnel. Although she was now listed under a pseudonym to deter visitors, Simon felt the added precaution was necessary.

When his replacement arrived, Tom returned to the office to add to Simon’s brief. As the two were finishing up for the night, Simon received a call from Dr. Skinner informing him that Megan was awake and asking questions. Although their shifts were over, Simon and Tom immediately returned to the hospital. They were interested to hear what Megan had to say, and their reports had to be up-to-date for handoff to the new investigative team.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, a major shuffle was in progress. Following Simon’s earlier calls to him, Staff Sergeant Sheppard swung into action. He contacted Superintendent O’Leary, his regional supervisor in North Bay, who reached out to Detective Superintendent Lindsay at General Headquarters in Orillia. Lindsay was the director responsible for the OPP’s Criminal Investigations Branch. As the north east region’s crime unit was already involved in a joint task force investigation with the Greater Sudbury Regional Police, O’Leary recognized the immediate need for additional manpower in Sudbury.

Lindsay assigned the deputy director of CIB, Detective Inspector Vincent Powell, to oversee the case and instructed him to work with Sheppard to assemble a new team of Sudbury investigators. Sheppard wanted both Simon and Tom to be part of that task force and said as much to O’Leary.

Detective Inspector Vince Powell was well-known outside his home detachment of Orillia. As a mature fifty-one-year-old, he had overseen many of the OPP’s high profile cases over a period of fourteen years. These days, he often worked with his wife, Jessica, a forensic accountant. Vincent was a by-the-book investigator. His cases were always well-prepared, and his team was exceptionally well-trained. He was strict but fair and didn’t suffer fools lightly. For this assignment, he elected to work with Trish McNeil. Vince was mentoring Trish’s career. She was an impressive officer. Not only was she detail-oriented, but she had great instincts. And while instincts could not be taught, in Vince’s experience, they could be nurtured and enhanced.

Simon Drake had already met Vincent and had great respect for the man. The two arranged to meet in Sudbury the next day when Simon would bring Vince up-to-date on the case. He had no idea that he was being reassigned to Vince’s team. Sheppard had not told him; he left it up to Vince to inform his new team.

At forty years old, Simon had fifteen years on the force and a few areas of expertise under his belt. He was a diver, a breathalyzer officer, and a radar instructor. He was generally recognized as being a quick study and an exceptional communicator. While he had done little detective work in the past, Sheppard knew that he would be up