Innocent Blood

By Betty Waltermire

This is a fictional book set in Torrance County, New Mexico. A rash of commercial tractor trailer thefts leads to murder of an innocent truck driver when he attempts to defend his cargo from being stolen. This leads the Torrance County Sheriff's Department into a world of drugs, thugs, and killers for hire, and that is just the good guys. When they find the mastermind behind the scene, he is in their midst and attempts to lead the investigation down a one-way path.

This book focuses on the strong women in lead roles of a New Mexico county sheriff's office. There is no backing down from anything for these women are intelligent, cagey, and strong-minded.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781503510715

Betty Waltermire

Betty Waltermire served in the military for six years and enjoyed the experience. B.A. has been in some form of law enforcement—whether security, corrections, or investigations—and currently holds an associate degree in Criminal Justice and in the process of completing the bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies. B.A. currently lives in New Mexico with his life partner, six Chihuahuas, one Golden Retriever, one Shih Tzu, five Shih Tzu–Terrier mix, and chickens. Farm life sure is busy at times, especially during meal time.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Deputy Danny Scott was driving his patrol car on Interstate 40 going west bound he was ready for a cup of coffee and something to eat. He took the ramp slowly yet the patrol car fishtailed as his headlights cut through the foggy, misty night like a hot knife through butter. The roadway was already beginning to have a thin coat of ice making the roadway slick and hazardous. The night had been filled with a light mist of snow, sleet, and freezing fog. According to the radio station he had been listening to, it was going to start snowing heavily later in the morning, accumulations were supposed to be between eight to ten inches.

In a couple of hours these roads would be an ice skating rink or closed. At least he would be home in a couple of hours and not have to deal with angry drivers or accidents. Accidents would be happening faster than officers could respond. The officers would be responding to accidents with injuries first. No doubt there would be more than enough to do.

You could always count on the drivers who were traveling in the East Mountains to try and get to work in Albuquerque when the weather was bad. If they did make it to work without an accident then they would have to try and make it home late in the day. Some would have to get a motel room and stay over but only if they could. The ones who had children or animals could not stay over. They would either have to leave work early or just turn around and come back home to make sure they could get home. It would be worse coming back climbing Sedillo Hill.

Deputy Scott pulled his patrol car into the travel center parking lot. He was thinking about the rash of trailer thefts that had been detailed in the department briefing. City, county and state law enforcement would be on high alert pertaining to all parked commercial vehicles. The vehicles that were parked in secluded or very dark areas were the most vulnerable. These trailers had seemed to vanish into thin air.

The mystery of it was the thefts were only from one company. This narrowed it down and almost sounded like an inside job. The trucking company was the one who had reported the trailers missing. So the inside job theory was not out of the picture.

The tractors had been brought back to the truck stops where the driver had originally parked. The tractors were parked and the keys were left in the ignition and the doors were not locked. Numerous fingerprints including the drivers were on the vehicle inside and out. There been no clues as to what had happened to the trailers.

He maneuvered through each row of tractor-trailers, motor homes and campers shining his spot light between each vehicle. He thought he saw something maybe a pair of shoes, clothing or maybe it was a person lying on the ground between two tractors and trailers. He thought to himself that if it was a person maybe had a medical condition or they had been assaulted.

Danny Scott stopped his patrol car in the front, driver side of the red Freightliner, with his spot light angled back toward the rear of the trailer. He grabbed his flashlight off the seat, stepped out of the car and walked slowly toward the back of the trailer. He observed a young man on the ground, top of his head toward the rear of the trailer. His head was facing to the left.

He was clad only in a pair of blue jeans, navy and white striped polo shirt, and white tennis shoes lying on the ground not moving. It was too damn cold to be dressed only in a polo shirt and laying on the ground. Upon closer inspection he observed a pool of blood near the man’s head. The body and the pool of blood were starting to collect a fine mist of snow. Deputy Scott without touching anything walked back to his car and radioed the dispatcher.

Yes, Scott what can I do for you? inquired the female voice on the other end of the radio.

Jan, you had better wake the sheriff, the detectives, the Medical Examiner and anyone else you can think of. I have what appears to be a male person who is no longer among the living at the travel center in Moriarty, replied Deputy Scott.

You are kidding, aren’t you Scott? Jan asked.

No, I am not kidding. said Scott. This time Jan heard the urgency in his voice.

Alright Scott, hang in there and I’ll get everyone notified, just hang tight.

Deputy Scott turned off his emergency red and blue overhead lights, turned his headlights off, left his emergency four way flashers and parking lights on. He thought to himself, I just wanted a sandwich and cup of coffee and would have been off duty in a couple of hours. Now who knows how long I will be here.

In Chief Investigator Alexis Lancaster’s bedroom the phone ringing jarred her body’s subconscious awake before her alarm went off. She woke up startled and whispered under her breath, Someone had better be dead for anyone to call me before I’ve had my coffee and shower.

She turned on the lamp and picked up the phone, I don’t care who this is, but, someone better be dead if you are calling me this early. It is only 4:45a.m. She heard Jan’s voice on the other end.

Sorry for waking you this early but Deputy Scott is at the Travel Center in Moriarty and he has a body that is not moving and unresponsive possibly a truck driver. I have already called Chief Darling and she said you were to be notified. Do you want me to call anyone else for you?

No not right now, tell Deputy Scott to cordon of the area and let no one in or around the area until I get there. Also if it is snowing I want the body protected with the blankets. stated Alexis Lancaster. What’s the weather like this morning? inquired Alexis.

The temperature is 31 degrees, light snow but falling fast, high for today is 31 degrees, with snow fall expectations of eight to ten inches, stated the dispatcher.

Thanks let Danny know I will be there as soon as I can. Damn my thoughts, she looked skyward and mumbled under her breath Lord, forgive me I really didn’t mean it. She hated being waked up that early, that was the perks of an investigator to be awaken any time day or night. It would not be right to dump the week end or night duty on all of the other investigators and not put herself on call as well.

Deputy Scott cordoned off the area, with yellow plastic tape with the words crime scene written on it, as he was taught to do and stood by his patrol car. He walked to the rear of his patrol car opened the trunk and pulled two yellow colored heavy plastic blanket from inside. He placed it in a tent shape over the body and between the two trucks. He managed to make the blankets tall enough to where a person could walk inside by ducking slightly and yet cover the ground and body so that no more snow would get near the body. This was about all he could do until the investigator arrived.

He pulled out a pack of Marlboro’s and shook one out of the pack and lit it. Damn he muttered under his breath I only wanted a cup of coffee and breakfast. I was only two hours away from getting off duty, now I am going to be tied up here for who knows how long. He thought to himself that he needed to write some of these things down in his notebook. He wrote down the time he arrived, discovered the body, notified the dispatcher and cordoned off the area. Now he had to wait God knows how long until the detective, medical examiner and his relief arrives.

He stood outside in the cold air to make sure nothing would be disturbed around the crime scene. It seemed as if the air was getting colder instead of warming up. A heavier snow was beginning to fall on everything. At least the body was protected by the yellow heavy plastic sheet and was between two tractor trailers.

The wind had also shifted to the north east and was blowing the snow. This was going to make driving extra difficult with the blowing snow cause visibility problems as well. It could quickly become almost like a pinball game only with cars and trucks.

It was too cold to stand outside until everyone arrived. He opened the door and sat down in the patrol car, at least it was warm. He kept the window down slightly. The radio station was advising persons who did not absolutely have to travel to stay home. That sure would help if they would stay home. Glad they were putting it out on radio and probably television too.

The weather conditions were only going to get worse and not better throughout the day.

A truck driver from somewhere to the rear of Deputy Scott’s patrol car and the west side of the victims truck said Good morning, looks like your day may be starting out bad or ending bad. Don’t guess it’s any of my business as to what’s going on. Bet you could use a cup of coffee.

Deputy Scott said good morning, yes I could use a cup he offered to pay the driver.

The driver waved and continued walking toward the restaurant saying nothing more. The deputy stayed there in his car and several other drivers spoke to him on their way into the restaurant.

The first driver who had walked into the restaurant came back and handed the deputy a cup of black coffee and a handful of sugar packets and creamer.

Didn’t know how you took it, but sure looks like you are going to need it. You try and have a good day there deputy.

Thanks for the coffee. I really did need it. By any chance did you hear anything last night or early this morning? Scott asked.

No I sure didn’t. I pulled in here about eight forty five, I went straight to bed and didn’t hear anything until my alarm went off. I am parked three slots west of this truck. I will need to leave in about two hours. Can I still get my rig out of here? questioned the driver.

I am not sure of that, will have to check with the investigator first. Also you may want to recheck the weather and road reports. Which way are you heading? asked Scott. The driver told him he was heading east bound.

Scott stepped out of his vehicle and stood there talking to the driver for a few minutes and advised him, The highways and Interstate have just been closed due to accidents related to the weather. No one will be going anywhere until they reopen the roads. Interstate 40 is closed from Arizona, New Mexico state line to Amarillo, Texas. Interstate 25 is closed from Colorado- New Mexico state line to Socorro. The snow is falling faster than they can plow. We will just have to wait it out until the snow slows down or stops and that may not be until tomorrow or the next day. Guess you had better just count on relaxing and not be in a hurry to go anywhere.

Upon Danny Scott hearing this over his police radio he knew it was going to take extra time for the Investigator to get there. He could only wait and hope for the best. There was going to be no rush in going anywhere. Now that the roads were closed everyone was stranded. Travelers were getting off the Interstate and pulling into the hotels and motels in town to get rooms and wait out the storm. This was good for the economy at least, they had to sleep and eat. These were the smart ones that actually did get off the Interstate.

CHAPTER 2

Alexis Lancaster, Chief Investigator for the Torrance County Sheriffs Department dragged her five foot seven inch, one hundred forty five pound body out of bed and walked into the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror, she growled at the red hair and green eyes sleepily staring back at her. Her reflection growled back at her. She turned on the water in the shower, tossed her oversized sleep T- Shirt back to the bed and stepped into the water. She stood in the shower in the warm water, letting the water run over her body. The water felt soft yet invigorating. She finished her shower and threw the towel across the towel rack, walked into the bedroom made her bed.

She hated to leave home without the bed being made and everything cleaned and put in its place. She checked the outdoor thermometer for the temperature. It was going to be a cold one today, the thermometer read thirty degrees and the high for today was supposed to reach thirty-one degrees.

She pulled on a pair of black panties, a pair of Danskin thermals tops and bottoms (the thin ones skiers use) a white long sleeved turtle neck, a pair of white calf length cotton socks, black jeans, black and tan long sleeve button up western shirt and her police tactical boots.

She pulled her badge and holstered 9mm from the bedside table and clipped them both to her belt. She walked out of the bedroom, down the hall into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee and realized that she had not set it up the night before. She had not counted on having to get up early. Hardly ever an investigator was called out on a week-end. She had planned on sleeping late and having a leisurely breakfast.

She grabbed her imitation black leather flight jacket, reflective vest and baseball cap with the sheriff’s department wording and logo, keys to her department Jeep Grand Cherokee and drove out of the driveway and turned northbound. Her tires slid on the icy roads but did finally get a grip and straightened out.

It was snowing and blowing snow too. Visibility was highly reduced. This would be slow going. She turned on her red and blue emergency lights as well as her four way flashers. She turned on her radio and tried to contact Deputy Scott to inform him that she was on her way but would be slow going. He acknowledged the transmission and told her to be careful.

Chief Investigator Alexis Lancaster pulled in front of the patrol car, stepped out of her jeep and walked around to the driver’s side of the patrol car.

Hi, there Danny, what do you have for me this morning? she questioned.

Deputy Scott relayed all his information and asked what he could do to help?

Here she pulled a couple of dollars out of her jeans pocket and handed it to him. You can go get us both one of those, as she pointed at the coffee cup, make mine black, she said.

The deputy hurried off. He had to go to the restroom because he had already drank one of the large coffee’s. He walked into the restaurant ordered and came back with two large coffees. He handed Alexis her two dollars back, The waitress said no charge. I also advised the fuel desk and the restaurant about the road conditions and that everything was closed from the New Mexico, Arizona border to Amarillo, Texas. The snow plows are not able to keep up with the amount of snow falling.

Chief Elizabeth Darling, a five foot eight inch, salt and pepper black hair and dark brown eyes lowered her driver side window of her unmarked sedan and asked What do you have so far Alexis?

Alexis walked over to the chief’s car. Just got here myself a couple of minutes ago haven’t had the chance to get anything started.

Is there anything I can do to help? You’re other detectives and Matt Gordon should be here shortly or at least as soon as they can with this weather. stated Sheriff Darling.

I have everything in hand for now. I will get started on this to see how much I can get done before the investigators and Matt arrive. When everyone gets here and the body has been cleared from the scene, Deputy Scott, Matt Gordon and I will join you for breakfast.

Daylight was starting to break, the sky a smooth grey, sliver, off white, light pink heavy low hanging clouds that looked as if they were about to fall on someone’s head. The clouds sure were not letting much light come through. It was still very thick clouds and almost appeared to be dusk instead of daylight. It did not appear it was going to get any lighter any time soon.

Alexis started walking to the back of her jeep, stopped and looked at Scott and told him, If you are waiting on an invitation to help, you can forget it. She motioned with her index finger for him to follow. He followed her to the back of the jeep. She opened what looked like a very large fishing tackle box. She opened the top, reached in, grabbed a pair of latex gloves for herself and