Tribes of Time, page 13
“The clerk said Terrance was with you, where’s he at?” Milford was still steaming over his interaction with him at the airport and didn’t feel like explaining it to Vernon; so he just kept walking into the office. Vernon then asked Milford’s assistant.
“Where’s Terrance?” the assistant informed him that Terrance and Milford had some type of fight out at the airport and Milford left him stranded. Vernon reached for his cell phone and dialed Terrance’s number.
“Hello” Terrance answered the phone in a harsh manner still indicating he was angry as well.
“It’s me Vernon. What the hell happened out there?”
“Your cousin has been treating me like a red headed step child every since he’s been here; and I basically told him as much. I also told him he can keep his racial sentiments to himself.”
“Oh…” Vernon replied. He then called Terrance.
“Stay put I’m coming out to pick you up, I kinda feel like this is my fault.”
“How is this argument your fault Vernon you weren’t even here?”
“Earlier I called him out for going all kumbaya on me, and asked if he turned in his membership card.” Vernon didn’t know his little derision had gotten under Milford’s skin.
“If you’re coming to get me then hurry up cause the taxi service said it’s going to be 30 minutes before they have a coach available.”
Vernon said he was already en route to pick him up. While driving he was trying to figure out how he was going to squash this rift between Milford and Terrance, he knew it could be detrimental to their case. Vernon’s cruiser swung around to the front of the airport terminal, he waited a few seconds before Terrance emerged from inside. During the drive back into town neither man really spoke to each other, they just listened to Kenny Chesney on the radio.
Back at the Prosecutor’s Office Milford was meeting with the Pathologist and was briefing them as they were reviewing the Cumberland County’s Medical Examiner’s autopsy reports. He then reviewed the new search warrant with the Serologist and some of Vernon’s Deputies.
“Do you think there would be enough blood evidence left after this many days?” Milford inquired of the Serologist.
“Most definitely if there’s blood evidence there. DNA will last almost indefinitely if there isn’t anything to erode it.”
“Okay then, now that everyone’s been briefed on their task, all we have to do is wait for Vernon to get back into town.” Milford had his assistant drive the Pathologists over to the Medical Examiner’s office to assist them in completing second autopsies on the bodies.
“Get lots of pictures of the bodies. That always helps in convincing the jury and tugs on their heart strings.” Vernon and Terrance eventually arrived at the Office and walked in just as the meeting was breaking up and everyone was leaving. Milford wouldn’t even make eye contact with Terrance.
“Winston hold up, we need a word with you.” Vernon said to stop Milford from leaving the room.
“What is it Vern, we’re moving out to execute the warrants.”
“I’m with you on that, but we gotta clear the air before this thing between you and Terrance gets any deeper.” Milford knew Vernon made good sense on that aspect and decided to stay behind. Vernon decided to be the mediator or placatory, if you will.
“I feel everyone here is feeling the pressure to solve this case and it’s fraying all of our nerves; I’ll be the first to say that. I can see how Terrance if feeling shoved into a corner in his own jurisdiction by an outside office. I can also see how you’re feeling Winston by not getting the same treatment you’re accustomed to in the capitol. I say we all put our egos and positions aside and just be team players; regardless of our roles.”
Milford was the first to extend his hand in a cease fire.
“I apologize Terrance, I didn’t realize how condescending I came off out at the airport. I sometimes forget my manners when in someone else backyard.”
“Apologies accepted. I apologize in the delivery of what I said; but not the content of what I said. I hope you can understand that?” Milford still had a sour taste in his mouth, but he did have to admire the stones on Terrance for standing up to him. Both men shook hands and made an uneasy peace.
“Now let’s go nail these motherfuckers.” Vernon said feeling like King Solomon. Milford led the group to three Suburban’s parked out front for the ride to the Davies farm. As the caravan wove its way out of town, anyone within sight of it stopped to gossip among themselves. Milford had the caravan stop about a quarter mile away from the Davies home, then sent a scout to surveil the property. The Deputy returned and reported that Ella was home and she was out tending the green patch.
“Alright everybody, mount up and let’s hit it!” The vehicles resumed its march towards the Davies home. Ella could hear vehicle approaching down the lane and stood up to see who could be coming this early in the morning. After watching the vehicles encircle her home, she placed down her trowel and walked out of the little gated area. She was no longer afraid of the authority of Vernon.
“Morning Mrs. Davies, I’m Winston Milford.” Extending his hand, but she did not reciprocate in kind.
“I know’se who you are, I’ve known your family for years.” Milford then reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the search warrant and handed it to Ella.
“I know we’ve been out here already looking for evidence, but we forgot to include some areas in that initial warrant.” Ella read the warrant, and then gestured towards the house for them to enter.
“Where’s Cyrus and Haines at right now Ella?” Vernon asked as he looked around the property.
“They’se went on some errands about three hours ago, but should be returning soon.”
While Vernon and Milford were talking with Ella, the forensics team was already inside luminoling the showers and sinks of every room. The Serologist then blacked out the room with tarps he had brought with him. The bathroom in the room where Haines occupied fluorescenced a bright purplish blue; indicative of the presence of blood after luminoled. After discovering the presence of blood, he dismantled the shower drain, the sink and swabbed every inch of the pipes. He placed the samples inside of specimen tubes and labeled where each had come from. The Serologist then luminoled the interior of Haines’ car; which also showed traces of blood on the door handle, steering wheel and gear shift. Vernon, Milford and Terrance approached the Serologist as he was placing the samples in a chill box in the rear of the Suburban he arrived in.
“So do we have anything Doc?” Terrance inquired.
“Oh yes, we have several viable specimens and one Caucasoid strand of hair from the bedroom near the bottom of the stairs drain.” Vernon turned and gave Milford and Terrance a high fives.
“Don’t get too excited, I’ve yet to run sequences on them and I don’t have any comparison DNA.”
“Don’t worry; the Pathologists are over there now getting those as we speak.” Milford assured him. Milford walked back towards Ella and instructed her to give the warrant to the attorneys when they returned with Cyrus and Haines.
“Be sure now to give them the warrant, otherwise I just may take it they’re trying to hide something.” The posse of people with Vernon packed up their equipment and left for town. Milford instructed the driver to head straight for the State Crime lab about 80 miles away.
“They can sequence this shit tonight.” He said to no one in particular. He then called Vernon on the phone whom was riding in another Suburban with Terrance, and told them to wait in town to hear from Cyrus’ attorneys.
“You guys wait in town for them boys to call, if you don’t hear from them in three or four hours; put an All Points Bulletin out for them. We’re gonna head straight over to the State Crime Lab. Also, when the Pathologists finish what they’re doing, have one of your Deputies bring those sample to me as well.” The whole time Milford was talking, all Vernon could say was “yes or got it” before Milford hung up.
“I guess it’s you and I holding down the fort, Winston went to Knoxville with the samples. He said for us to give them three or four hours to contact us to make arrangement for their DNA samples.” Terrance was more than pleased to be rid of the capitol suits for a while, the arrogance nauseated him. They stopped by the Medical Examiner’s office in La Grande; which was still quiet; no one knew the bodies were being housed there.
“Vernon you stay outside while I go see how far along they’ve gotten.” “Am I being punished or something?” Terrance knew the bodies had been dissected even further since the new Pathologists arrived.
“Not even close Vern; I don’t want you seeing your family and friends in the condition they’re in right now. I’m looking out for your best interest.”
Vernon thought for a second, and then conceded.
“I suppose you’re correct. Regardless of what Winston says about you.” Vernon then added “just kidding, go ahead inside I’ll be waiting right here for you.”
CHAPTER 17
DOWN ON THE BOONDOCKS
C
yrus was on the banks of the slough coaching Roderick on the proper technique of reeling in his catch.
“Wait…Wait…let him take the bait, don’t be in a rush.” Cyrus whispered as they watched the bobber slowly make little circles, then a miniscule dunking bob.
“He ain’t took it yet, wait for it to go under and you’ll feel a sharp tug on the line.” Roderick looked at Cyrus for further instructions.
“You see how he’s playing with the line, that’s a catfish. They play with the bait before swallowing it whole; then they run with the line.” Cyrus and Ella were experienced fishermen and could tell what type of fish was on the line by their method of striking. Everyone was engrossed in watching Roderick’s line, and when the bobber dunked under quickly, they all said “Hook him!” Roderick yanked back in the opposite direction of the line to set the hook. The pole had a good size bend indicating the fish was of substantial size. Roderick fought the fish for about four or five minutes taking care not to snap the line.
“Don’t let him get under that snag over there, he trying to take you in that direction. Walk along the bank and pull him with you; don’t reel the line while doing it. Let him tire himself out.” Cyrus further instructed Roderick while still sitting on his bucket fishing. Haines and Nilsson were following Roderick as he was walking along the banks in mortal battle with his adversary. Nilsson was cheering on Roderick and was ready to dive in after the fish.
“You can’t let him get away Rod, you can do it!” Nilsson cheered. Haines was a little more reserved, but he too was excited to see what was brought up out of the water. Cyrus was watching the water when he saw the familiar ripples of a fish rising close to the surface.
“Here he comes, start reeling in slowly.” Cyrus instructed. A few minutes later the silhouetted outline of a fish appeared at the surface with a splash of the tail. Nilsson carefully crept down to the water’s edge and dipped the fish net under the fish and brought him to shore.
“Holy shit! Look at the size of this monster.” Nilsson exclaimed as he brought the fish to shore.
“How much would you say he weights Cyrus?” Cyrus got up from his bucket and went to the truck to remove a fish scale. He then clipped the scale to the gills of the fish. The scaled bounced around for a few seconds and stopped on eight pounds three ounces.
“That’s a big channel cat you got there, there’s some bigger ones in there though.” Cyrus then instructed Roderick to go put the fish in a bucket of fresh water to filter it out. He said it helps to reduce the musky taste since the fish is a bottom feeder. The men continued fishing throughout the morning; ending up with a sizable catch for the day. Michaelson having caught enough fish decided to go exploring the sloughs. He was gone for approximately an hour or so before he returned to the trio still fishing. When he returned he had several questions that were perplexing him.
“You guys know that this river doesn’t have a headwater.” Cyrus looked over at him and began explaining that it wasn’t actually a river.
“Well, it’s actually called the state ditch, not really a river. Many of the families that live along it are named Elmer’s; that’s how it got the name of Elmer Slough.” This only further piqued Michaelson’s interest.
“If it’s a ditch, then it must start and stop somewhere, is there an artesian well feeding it?”
“The whole system is about three miles long, and it intersects with two other sloughs. It was created in 1915 to train troops for trench warfare in WWI. It was part of the old Marine Corps base of Camp Alabaster; when the war ended they decommissioned the base in 1931 and leased the land to the State. The state uses it to drain the low lying parts of the County.”
The men continued talking about the colorful history of Cumberland County and how the man made furrows were transformed into a sustainable ecological and levy system. They had been out on the slough for about four hours and decided they had enough fish for a hearty fish fry tonight.
“If y’all ready to go, we can head back to the house; we still have to clean these fish and I still have to do my chores.” Everybody thanked Cyrus for taking them fishing; they had been so consumed in their daily professional lives they’d forgotten the simple pleasures of life. Cyrus got behind the wheel of his truck while the rest of the men jumped in the bed; they wanted to feel the breeze and sun on their faces. During the drive back they were boasting amongst themselves on who had caught the biggest fish. Nilsson contended his was the largest, but everyone reminded him only the ones landed counted; and his slipped off the line and slid back into the murky water. In all, it was a beautiful day that everyone enjoyed and no one came back empty handed. Cyrus pulled around to the back of the house and began unloading when Ella emerged looking very disturbed.
CHAPTER 18
REJUVENATION
T
he Pathologists at the State Forensics laboratory was working feverously to complete the DNA sequences on the sample recovered from the Davies home. They completed the process in a relatively short time of eight hours. The lead Pathologist phoned the Medical Examiner’s office in Ocelia and informed them that samples recovered from the bodies matched some taken from the Davies home. The Medical Examiner contacted Vernon and informed him of the news. Vernon smacked his hands together with a “hot damn!” He briskly walked outside and looked for Terrance who had stepped out to make a personal phone call.
“We got them! The lab just called and said they had a match on the DNA samples. We can go lock them up. I got to go call Clara and tell her the news.”
“Wait a minute Vernon; don’t go getting all ahead of yourself. We don’t have all of the facts yet, just that some DNA matched.” Vernon looked at Terrance with his face all scrunched up and exhaled air through his teeth.
“That’s your job, mine is to arrest them and provide evidence putting them at the scene.” Terrance told the person he was talking to that he would have to get back with them because something urgent just came up.
“Vernon I think we better confer with Winston before we do anything rash. After all he is sitting first chair on this.”
“Now you’re all cuddle buddies with him, I recall not too long ago you were at each other’s throats.” Terrance was tempted to bitch slap him, but thought it best not to strike the Sheriff. The men continued discussing which avenue to take; either to arrest Haines and Cyrus or wait until Milford returned. Vernon could be bull headed at times, but it was eventually impressed upon him that it was best to await Winston’s decision. Terrance dialed up Milford and inquired what they should do back in Ocelia.
“Have you met with that Haines guy and Cyrus to obtain their DNA yet?” Milford asked.
“Not yet, they haven’t come in yet. You want us to go back out and check again?”
“No, I’m on my way back now. All we have at this point is that the DNA matches some samples from the bodies. What we need to do is match their specific DNA with the recovered samples. I want to conclusively place them at the scene.” Milford continued in informing Terrance to keep Vernon grounded and focused.
While Cyrus was unloading the truck, Ella blurted out that the Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney had come out with a bunch of men in white suits and had searched the house again.
“Did they show you a warrant Miss Ella?” Roderick asked as he walked towards her. She reached into her apron and produced a tri-folded bundle of papers. Roderick read through the warrant and stopped at the portion stating it included obtaining samples from Haines and Cyrus.
“It says here that Haines and Cyrus are required to give DNA samples.” The rest of the group dropped what they were doing and surrounded Roderick as he continued reading aloud verbatim. Haines looked over at Cyrus and could see fear creeping up on his face.
“Cyrus don’t you worry now, if anything comes of this; we’ll be going with the plan we discussed. Roderick said it would be best to go down and submit samples rather than to have them come back out to arrest them for not complying with the warrant.
“Well let’s go into town and get this over with.” Haines stated as he went inside to shower before going into town. Everyone mounted up in Roderick’s rental vehicle and headed into town.
“When we get there don’t say anything, just submit for the DNA sample. Is that clear?”
“You don’t have to tell me more than once.” Cyrus muttered to himself. Roderick parked the car and the quintet entered the Sheriff’s Office to submit for testing as stipulated in the warrant. Roderick approached the front desk, but before he could ask the Deputy a question he was stopped.
“The Sheriff will be right out to meet with you.” Apparently the front of the building has an eye in the sky watching the front entrance. After about five minutes Terrance, Vernon and the Serologist exited from a side door with a medical kit.
“This is a very simple procedure gentleman. We’ll need to do cheek swabs and take hair samples from your head, chest and genital area with the roots intact. Please follow us.” They were escorted into the conference room where everyone could be fitted comfortably. Haines volunteered to provide samples first and just nodded at Cyrus that everything was going to be okay. When it was Cyrus’ turn, the door opened and in walked Milford in.
“Where’s Terrance?” the assistant informed him that Terrance and Milford had some type of fight out at the airport and Milford left him stranded. Vernon reached for his cell phone and dialed Terrance’s number.
“Hello” Terrance answered the phone in a harsh manner still indicating he was angry as well.
“It’s me Vernon. What the hell happened out there?”
“Your cousin has been treating me like a red headed step child every since he’s been here; and I basically told him as much. I also told him he can keep his racial sentiments to himself.”
“Oh…” Vernon replied. He then called Terrance.
“Stay put I’m coming out to pick you up, I kinda feel like this is my fault.”
“How is this argument your fault Vernon you weren’t even here?”
“Earlier I called him out for going all kumbaya on me, and asked if he turned in his membership card.” Vernon didn’t know his little derision had gotten under Milford’s skin.
“If you’re coming to get me then hurry up cause the taxi service said it’s going to be 30 minutes before they have a coach available.”
Vernon said he was already en route to pick him up. While driving he was trying to figure out how he was going to squash this rift between Milford and Terrance, he knew it could be detrimental to their case. Vernon’s cruiser swung around to the front of the airport terminal, he waited a few seconds before Terrance emerged from inside. During the drive back into town neither man really spoke to each other, they just listened to Kenny Chesney on the radio.
Back at the Prosecutor’s Office Milford was meeting with the Pathologist and was briefing them as they were reviewing the Cumberland County’s Medical Examiner’s autopsy reports. He then reviewed the new search warrant with the Serologist and some of Vernon’s Deputies.
“Do you think there would be enough blood evidence left after this many days?” Milford inquired of the Serologist.
“Most definitely if there’s blood evidence there. DNA will last almost indefinitely if there isn’t anything to erode it.”
“Okay then, now that everyone’s been briefed on their task, all we have to do is wait for Vernon to get back into town.” Milford had his assistant drive the Pathologists over to the Medical Examiner’s office to assist them in completing second autopsies on the bodies.
“Get lots of pictures of the bodies. That always helps in convincing the jury and tugs on their heart strings.” Vernon and Terrance eventually arrived at the Office and walked in just as the meeting was breaking up and everyone was leaving. Milford wouldn’t even make eye contact with Terrance.
“Winston hold up, we need a word with you.” Vernon said to stop Milford from leaving the room.
“What is it Vern, we’re moving out to execute the warrants.”
“I’m with you on that, but we gotta clear the air before this thing between you and Terrance gets any deeper.” Milford knew Vernon made good sense on that aspect and decided to stay behind. Vernon decided to be the mediator or placatory, if you will.
“I feel everyone here is feeling the pressure to solve this case and it’s fraying all of our nerves; I’ll be the first to say that. I can see how Terrance if feeling shoved into a corner in his own jurisdiction by an outside office. I can also see how you’re feeling Winston by not getting the same treatment you’re accustomed to in the capitol. I say we all put our egos and positions aside and just be team players; regardless of our roles.”
Milford was the first to extend his hand in a cease fire.
“I apologize Terrance, I didn’t realize how condescending I came off out at the airport. I sometimes forget my manners when in someone else backyard.”
“Apologies accepted. I apologize in the delivery of what I said; but not the content of what I said. I hope you can understand that?” Milford still had a sour taste in his mouth, but he did have to admire the stones on Terrance for standing up to him. Both men shook hands and made an uneasy peace.
“Now let’s go nail these motherfuckers.” Vernon said feeling like King Solomon. Milford led the group to three Suburban’s parked out front for the ride to the Davies farm. As the caravan wove its way out of town, anyone within sight of it stopped to gossip among themselves. Milford had the caravan stop about a quarter mile away from the Davies home, then sent a scout to surveil the property. The Deputy returned and reported that Ella was home and she was out tending the green patch.
“Alright everybody, mount up and let’s hit it!” The vehicles resumed its march towards the Davies home. Ella could hear vehicle approaching down the lane and stood up to see who could be coming this early in the morning. After watching the vehicles encircle her home, she placed down her trowel and walked out of the little gated area. She was no longer afraid of the authority of Vernon.
“Morning Mrs. Davies, I’m Winston Milford.” Extending his hand, but she did not reciprocate in kind.
“I know’se who you are, I’ve known your family for years.” Milford then reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the search warrant and handed it to Ella.
“I know we’ve been out here already looking for evidence, but we forgot to include some areas in that initial warrant.” Ella read the warrant, and then gestured towards the house for them to enter.
“Where’s Cyrus and Haines at right now Ella?” Vernon asked as he looked around the property.
“They’se went on some errands about three hours ago, but should be returning soon.”
While Vernon and Milford were talking with Ella, the forensics team was already inside luminoling the showers and sinks of every room. The Serologist then blacked out the room with tarps he had brought with him. The bathroom in the room where Haines occupied fluorescenced a bright purplish blue; indicative of the presence of blood after luminoled. After discovering the presence of blood, he dismantled the shower drain, the sink and swabbed every inch of the pipes. He placed the samples inside of specimen tubes and labeled where each had come from. The Serologist then luminoled the interior of Haines’ car; which also showed traces of blood on the door handle, steering wheel and gear shift. Vernon, Milford and Terrance approached the Serologist as he was placing the samples in a chill box in the rear of the Suburban he arrived in.
“So do we have anything Doc?” Terrance inquired.
“Oh yes, we have several viable specimens and one Caucasoid strand of hair from the bedroom near the bottom of the stairs drain.” Vernon turned and gave Milford and Terrance a high fives.
“Don’t get too excited, I’ve yet to run sequences on them and I don’t have any comparison DNA.”
“Don’t worry; the Pathologists are over there now getting those as we speak.” Milford assured him. Milford walked back towards Ella and instructed her to give the warrant to the attorneys when they returned with Cyrus and Haines.
“Be sure now to give them the warrant, otherwise I just may take it they’re trying to hide something.” The posse of people with Vernon packed up their equipment and left for town. Milford instructed the driver to head straight for the State Crime lab about 80 miles away.
“They can sequence this shit tonight.” He said to no one in particular. He then called Vernon on the phone whom was riding in another Suburban with Terrance, and told them to wait in town to hear from Cyrus’ attorneys.
“You guys wait in town for them boys to call, if you don’t hear from them in three or four hours; put an All Points Bulletin out for them. We’re gonna head straight over to the State Crime Lab. Also, when the Pathologists finish what they’re doing, have one of your Deputies bring those sample to me as well.” The whole time Milford was talking, all Vernon could say was “yes or got it” before Milford hung up.
“I guess it’s you and I holding down the fort, Winston went to Knoxville with the samples. He said for us to give them three or four hours to contact us to make arrangement for their DNA samples.” Terrance was more than pleased to be rid of the capitol suits for a while, the arrogance nauseated him. They stopped by the Medical Examiner’s office in La Grande; which was still quiet; no one knew the bodies were being housed there.
“Vernon you stay outside while I go see how far along they’ve gotten.” “Am I being punished or something?” Terrance knew the bodies had been dissected even further since the new Pathologists arrived.
“Not even close Vern; I don’t want you seeing your family and friends in the condition they’re in right now. I’m looking out for your best interest.”
Vernon thought for a second, and then conceded.
“I suppose you’re correct. Regardless of what Winston says about you.” Vernon then added “just kidding, go ahead inside I’ll be waiting right here for you.”
CHAPTER 17
DOWN ON THE BOONDOCKS
C
yrus was on the banks of the slough coaching Roderick on the proper technique of reeling in his catch.
“Wait…Wait…let him take the bait, don’t be in a rush.” Cyrus whispered as they watched the bobber slowly make little circles, then a miniscule dunking bob.
“He ain’t took it yet, wait for it to go under and you’ll feel a sharp tug on the line.” Roderick looked at Cyrus for further instructions.
“You see how he’s playing with the line, that’s a catfish. They play with the bait before swallowing it whole; then they run with the line.” Cyrus and Ella were experienced fishermen and could tell what type of fish was on the line by their method of striking. Everyone was engrossed in watching Roderick’s line, and when the bobber dunked under quickly, they all said “Hook him!” Roderick yanked back in the opposite direction of the line to set the hook. The pole had a good size bend indicating the fish was of substantial size. Roderick fought the fish for about four or five minutes taking care not to snap the line.
“Don’t let him get under that snag over there, he trying to take you in that direction. Walk along the bank and pull him with you; don’t reel the line while doing it. Let him tire himself out.” Cyrus further instructed Roderick while still sitting on his bucket fishing. Haines and Nilsson were following Roderick as he was walking along the banks in mortal battle with his adversary. Nilsson was cheering on Roderick and was ready to dive in after the fish.
“You can’t let him get away Rod, you can do it!” Nilsson cheered. Haines was a little more reserved, but he too was excited to see what was brought up out of the water. Cyrus was watching the water when he saw the familiar ripples of a fish rising close to the surface.
“Here he comes, start reeling in slowly.” Cyrus instructed. A few minutes later the silhouetted outline of a fish appeared at the surface with a splash of the tail. Nilsson carefully crept down to the water’s edge and dipped the fish net under the fish and brought him to shore.
“Holy shit! Look at the size of this monster.” Nilsson exclaimed as he brought the fish to shore.
“How much would you say he weights Cyrus?” Cyrus got up from his bucket and went to the truck to remove a fish scale. He then clipped the scale to the gills of the fish. The scaled bounced around for a few seconds and stopped on eight pounds three ounces.
“That’s a big channel cat you got there, there’s some bigger ones in there though.” Cyrus then instructed Roderick to go put the fish in a bucket of fresh water to filter it out. He said it helps to reduce the musky taste since the fish is a bottom feeder. The men continued fishing throughout the morning; ending up with a sizable catch for the day. Michaelson having caught enough fish decided to go exploring the sloughs. He was gone for approximately an hour or so before he returned to the trio still fishing. When he returned he had several questions that were perplexing him.
“You guys know that this river doesn’t have a headwater.” Cyrus looked over at him and began explaining that it wasn’t actually a river.
“Well, it’s actually called the state ditch, not really a river. Many of the families that live along it are named Elmer’s; that’s how it got the name of Elmer Slough.” This only further piqued Michaelson’s interest.
“If it’s a ditch, then it must start and stop somewhere, is there an artesian well feeding it?”
“The whole system is about three miles long, and it intersects with two other sloughs. It was created in 1915 to train troops for trench warfare in WWI. It was part of the old Marine Corps base of Camp Alabaster; when the war ended they decommissioned the base in 1931 and leased the land to the State. The state uses it to drain the low lying parts of the County.”
The men continued talking about the colorful history of Cumberland County and how the man made furrows were transformed into a sustainable ecological and levy system. They had been out on the slough for about four hours and decided they had enough fish for a hearty fish fry tonight.
“If y’all ready to go, we can head back to the house; we still have to clean these fish and I still have to do my chores.” Everybody thanked Cyrus for taking them fishing; they had been so consumed in their daily professional lives they’d forgotten the simple pleasures of life. Cyrus got behind the wheel of his truck while the rest of the men jumped in the bed; they wanted to feel the breeze and sun on their faces. During the drive back they were boasting amongst themselves on who had caught the biggest fish. Nilsson contended his was the largest, but everyone reminded him only the ones landed counted; and his slipped off the line and slid back into the murky water. In all, it was a beautiful day that everyone enjoyed and no one came back empty handed. Cyrus pulled around to the back of the house and began unloading when Ella emerged looking very disturbed.
CHAPTER 18
REJUVENATION
T
he Pathologists at the State Forensics laboratory was working feverously to complete the DNA sequences on the sample recovered from the Davies home. They completed the process in a relatively short time of eight hours. The lead Pathologist phoned the Medical Examiner’s office in Ocelia and informed them that samples recovered from the bodies matched some taken from the Davies home. The Medical Examiner contacted Vernon and informed him of the news. Vernon smacked his hands together with a “hot damn!” He briskly walked outside and looked for Terrance who had stepped out to make a personal phone call.
“We got them! The lab just called and said they had a match on the DNA samples. We can go lock them up. I got to go call Clara and tell her the news.”
“Wait a minute Vernon; don’t go getting all ahead of yourself. We don’t have all of the facts yet, just that some DNA matched.” Vernon looked at Terrance with his face all scrunched up and exhaled air through his teeth.
“That’s your job, mine is to arrest them and provide evidence putting them at the scene.” Terrance told the person he was talking to that he would have to get back with them because something urgent just came up.
“Vernon I think we better confer with Winston before we do anything rash. After all he is sitting first chair on this.”
“Now you’re all cuddle buddies with him, I recall not too long ago you were at each other’s throats.” Terrance was tempted to bitch slap him, but thought it best not to strike the Sheriff. The men continued discussing which avenue to take; either to arrest Haines and Cyrus or wait until Milford returned. Vernon could be bull headed at times, but it was eventually impressed upon him that it was best to await Winston’s decision. Terrance dialed up Milford and inquired what they should do back in Ocelia.
“Have you met with that Haines guy and Cyrus to obtain their DNA yet?” Milford asked.
“Not yet, they haven’t come in yet. You want us to go back out and check again?”
“No, I’m on my way back now. All we have at this point is that the DNA matches some samples from the bodies. What we need to do is match their specific DNA with the recovered samples. I want to conclusively place them at the scene.” Milford continued in informing Terrance to keep Vernon grounded and focused.
While Cyrus was unloading the truck, Ella blurted out that the Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney had come out with a bunch of men in white suits and had searched the house again.
“Did they show you a warrant Miss Ella?” Roderick asked as he walked towards her. She reached into her apron and produced a tri-folded bundle of papers. Roderick read through the warrant and stopped at the portion stating it included obtaining samples from Haines and Cyrus.
“It says here that Haines and Cyrus are required to give DNA samples.” The rest of the group dropped what they were doing and surrounded Roderick as he continued reading aloud verbatim. Haines looked over at Cyrus and could see fear creeping up on his face.
“Cyrus don’t you worry now, if anything comes of this; we’ll be going with the plan we discussed. Roderick said it would be best to go down and submit samples rather than to have them come back out to arrest them for not complying with the warrant.
“Well let’s go into town and get this over with.” Haines stated as he went inside to shower before going into town. Everyone mounted up in Roderick’s rental vehicle and headed into town.
“When we get there don’t say anything, just submit for the DNA sample. Is that clear?”
“You don’t have to tell me more than once.” Cyrus muttered to himself. Roderick parked the car and the quintet entered the Sheriff’s Office to submit for testing as stipulated in the warrant. Roderick approached the front desk, but before he could ask the Deputy a question he was stopped.
“The Sheriff will be right out to meet with you.” Apparently the front of the building has an eye in the sky watching the front entrance. After about five minutes Terrance, Vernon and the Serologist exited from a side door with a medical kit.
“This is a very simple procedure gentleman. We’ll need to do cheek swabs and take hair samples from your head, chest and genital area with the roots intact. Please follow us.” They were escorted into the conference room where everyone could be fitted comfortably. Haines volunteered to provide samples first and just nodded at Cyrus that everything was going to be okay. When it was Cyrus’ turn, the door opened and in walked Milford in.
