Naked Evidence: Crime Thrillers, page 12
“He’s the guy whose wallet you had in the metal box in your closet,” replied Mitchell.
“I didn’t pay attention to the name,” said Myers.
“You killed a man, took his wallet, and didn’t even look at his name?”
“I haven’t killed anyone.”
“How did you get his wallet?” continued Mitchell.
“I can’t talk about that.”
“About what? How you killed Alexander? Let’s talk about Melanie Gamble. You still like to rape young women, right?”
“Huh?”
“You heard me,” insisted Mitchell in a louder voice. “You like to rape young women.”
Myers turned toward Baez. “What is she talking about?”
“Melanie was a nineteen-year-old teenager who was raped and beaten to death. We found her necklace in your trailer,” shouted Baez. “Now answer her question.”
“Why did you rape and kill Melanie?” asked Mitchell.
“I’m confused,” replied Myers.
“Confused about what?”
“I don’t know why I’m here. I haven’t killed anyone.”
“You are aware of the three naked bodies found in the last half year, right?” asked Mitchell.
“Vaguely. I don’t follow the news much anymore. I’m tired. When do I get to go home?”
“You aren’t going home,” said Mitchell. “You are under investigation for three murders and maybe four.”
“Four murders?”
“Have you ever lived in Savannah, Georgia?”
“No.”
“We have DNA from Savannah as well,” warned Mitchell.
“I don’t know anything about Savannah. I’ve never lived there.”
“How did these items get into your home?”
“I can’t talk about that. I just need to get some sleep.”
Baez leaned over and whispered to Mitchell. “We’re not getting anywhere with this guy tonight, and it’s almost midnight. I think we have enough to hold him overnight. We can pick this up again tomorrow.” Mitchell nodded.
“We’re going to let you get some sleep. We’ll talk to you again tomorrow when your memory is fresher,” said Mitchell.
“You two have been at this all day and night,” said Benson. “Let me take him to jail. Just let me know when we are meeting tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” said Baez. “Let’s plan on being back in the office at nine o’clock. Is that okay?”
“Sounds great,” answered Benson.
“Good with me,” said Mitchell.
After Benson had left with Myers, Mitchell asked Baez how he was feeling.
“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“You look exhausted.”
“I’m tired, and this case is still bothering me. We need to get into the church connection tomorrow with Myers. Something is not adding up in my head.”
“The evidence we have is pointing to Myers. But I agree, it’s hard to imagine this dirty old man is smart enough and physically capable of doing what we think he has done.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” said Baez as he put on his jacket and walked out. As he walked to his car, he checked his cell phone. He had four messages from Carol. It was Friday night, and she had not heard from him all day. Baez called her.
Carol answered the phone. “Rick, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Just a long grueling day on this case. We made an arrest tonight.”
“That’s good news.”
“Maybe. Our suspect has something to do with the murders, but I think there is more to the story. I’m going to be working all weekend on this. Sorry, I won’t be able to come over.”
“That’s okay, Rick. I was just worried. Take care of yourself and call me tomorrow night. I don’t care what time you get done.”
“Okay, I will. Good night, Carol.”
“Good night, Rick. Love you.”
Whoa, thought Baez. She’s never said that before. How do I feel about this? I really enjoy Carol. I really like Carol. But do I love her? Am I ready for a relationship of love? I don’t need to be dealing with this right now. Just stay focused on this case. I can sort out my relationship with Carol another time.
Chapter 13
It was 6:10 am on Saturday when Baez was awakened by his cell phone ringing. He rolled over, still half asleep, and grabbed the phone off the nightstand beside his bed. He had trouble seeing who it was. “Hello?”
“Rick! Did you make an arrest on the serial killer case last night?”
Baez recognized the voice of PIO Stacy Wheeler. “What? Where did you hear that?”
“It’s the lead story on the early morning news. Why didn’t you call me? My phone is exploding.”
“It was after midnight, Stacy. Who gave it out to the press?”
“Are you kidding me? This is the most-watched investigation in Miami in years. It could have been anybody. Someone at the PD, the jail, a janitor, who knows?”
“Okay, what do you want from me?”
“Details! I’m getting all kinds of questions. Does the captain know?”
“Yes. I texted both the captain and Sgt. Marquez before leaving the PD.”
“We need to do another press conference, Rick. I’ve seen two news trucks pull into the parking lot already. In an hour, the lot will be full of newsies.”
“I can’t, Stacy. We are knee-deep in this investigation. I must interview our suspect this morning. I’m still not positive he’s the right guy or the only one involved.”
“There are more?”
“Stacy, please. Let us work through this. I’ll get dressed and come in early to type up some facts I’m okay with releasing. Ask the captain if he will do the press conference.”
“It’s probably better if he does it anyway,” agreed Wheeler. “The press likes to hear from someone high up the chain on cases like this.”
“Good,” said Baez. “We have a plan. I’ll be in by seven-fifteen.”
Baez got up, shaved, showered, and got dressed for work. He quickly made himself a cup of coffee for the road. After strapping his 9mm Glock to his belt, Baez put on his dark blue sports jacket and headed out the door. He decided not to call Mitchell. He figured she needed the sleep just as much as he did. While driving, he needed to dab his lower left chin with a tissue. He had been in such a hurry he nicked himself while shaving. Baez arrived at 7:10 am and noticed there were now about fifteen news trucks parked outside the police department.
Once at his desk, Baez quickly typed up some talking points for the captain. He was vague on the details by simply saying a search of Myers’ home revealed evidence linking him to the crimes. Baez emphasized in his notes that there was still much investigation to be done. Wheeler walked in just as Baez was reviewing his talking points.
“What do you have for me?”
“Good morning to you too,” replied Baez.
“I already said good morning on the phone.”
“No, you didn’t. You screamed in my ear asking if we had made an arrest.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” said Wheeler sheepishly. “Good morning. Sorry I had to wake you.”
“I understand. Here are my talking points. I don’t want to release more than we must. Is the captain okay with the press conference?”
“Yes, he was pleased we asked him. I think he enjoys doing them.”
“Yeah, all the bosses like to get their mugs on TV,” laughed Baez. “Tell him thank you for me, will you?”
“I will. And these talking points are good. Have we linked our suspect to Savannah yet?”
“Not yet. We will have to wait for more DNA testing.”
“Can we add that?”
“Let’s not get into that yet,” answered Baez. “There is a connection with Myers, but I’m not sure he is our killer. Just have the captain say we are still investigating.”
After his discussion with Wheeler, Baez had to get himself another coffee. He was still tired, and it would be a long day. As he walked to the break room, Baez looked out the window at the front of the building. He could see the circus of news trucks continuing to grow. He estimated there were now at least 20 trucks. While pouring another cup of coffee, Baez looked at the pastries in one of the vending machines. He found a glazed cinnamon roll sitting on the rack, waiting to be eaten. He didn’t normally eat junk food, but he hadn’t eaten since early yesterday. Baez put two dollars in the machine to get his $1.50 cinnamon roll. The machine whirred, the roll dropped, and two quarters fell into the change cup.
Baez returned to his desk, sat down, and unwrapped the roll. He took a bite, leaned back, and let out a sigh. For a packaged roll, he believed it tasted delicious. Then his phone rang. It was the captain calling.
“Good morning, Captain.”
“Good morning to you, Rick,” said Captain Jim Gonzalez. “And congratulations on your arrest.”
“Thank you, Captain. But we haven’t charged him with anything yet. We still have unanswered questions and a lot of work to do.”
“You, Leah, and Matt have done an outstanding job. The chief is very pleased.”
“Thank you.”
“I take it you don’t want me to be too specific with the media?”
“That’s correct, sir. Please, just stick to the generalities I gave to Stacy.”
“I can handle that for you. It’s not my first press conference,” laughed Gonzalez.
“Thank you, Captain.”
Baez returned to finishing his roll and coffee. As he sat, he again went over the questions in his head. Was Myers targeting members of his own church? He must have been a church member in Savannah at one time.
At 8:30 am, Mitchell walked into the detective bureau and over to Baez still sitting at his desk.
“What the hell happened?” asked Mitchell.
“Someone leaked the arrest,” answered Baez. “I was awakened early this morning by Stacy calling me asking about an arrest.”
“You only told the captain and chief, right?”
“Yes, but there were officers and people at the jail who knew about the arrest,” said Baez. “It could have come from several sources.”
“Are we still on to interview Myers?”
“Yes.”
At 8:52 am, Detective Matt Benson walked in. “I’ve got some more information from Savannah.”
“What is it?” asked Mitchell.
“According to Savannah PD, they cannot place Myers in Georgia. No driver’s license, no contacts, no state income tax records, nothing. They even contacted the current pastor at the church Pastor John was at. No one ever heard of Walter Myers.”
“Maybe he was only there for a few weeks,” suggested Mitchell.
“We need the results of the DNA comparisons,” said Baez. “That will answer the question.”
“Based on our interview last night, Walter Myers is not the sharpest tool in the shed,” said Benson.
“I concur,” agreed Mitchell.
“It’s almost nine,” said Baez. “The officers should have Myers in the interview room soon. Let’s go.”
When detectives walked in, Walter Myers and an officer were waiting in the interview room. Myers was seated at the table wearing his issued orange jail jumpsuit. His hair was still uncombed, and metal handcuffs were on his wrists in front of him.
“You can take the handcuffs off, Officer. Thank you,” said Mitchell.
After the officer left, Baez again introduced themselves to Myers. Myers nodded but did not speak. Baez again explained the purpose of the interview, stressing the point that they wanted the truth for the sake of the victim’s families. He reminded Myers of his Miranda rights. Myers said he understood.
“Tell us about your relationship with Luis Otero,” said Baez.
“I don’t know anyone by that name,” responded Myers.
“How about Renee Otero?”
Myers thought for a moment. “I don’t remember anyone by that name.”
“You knew Melanie Gamble,”
“I heard she got killed.”
“Yes, and you had her medallion in your bedroom.”
“I found that medallion.”
“You took it from Melanie, right?” asked Baez.
“No. I found it.”
“Where did you find it?”
“In the trees where someone found her.”
“Was this after you attacked her?”
“I didn’t attack anyone.”
“Walter,” said Baez, “you had items in your home that tie you to three murders. How do you explain this?”
Myers put his left hand to his head and rubbed his temple with his eyes closed.
“Walter, are you still with us?” asked Baez.
Myers groaned.
“What’s wrong, Walter?”
“I can’t talk about this.”
“You can’t talk about what?”
“The stuff.”
“Do you mean the stuff we found in your home?”
“Yes.”
“Why not, Walter?”
“I’ll be in trouble.”
“In trouble with whom?”
“God.”
“You will be in trouble with God?”
“Yes.”
Baez looked at Benson and Mitchell. They both shrugged their shoulders.
“Is that because you killed three people?” Baez continued.
“NO!” shouted Myers. “I DIDN’T KILL ANYONE.”
“Then why will you be in trouble with God?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did someone tell you God would be angry?”
Myers did not respond.
“Walter, did God talk to you?”
“No,” said Myers in a quiet voice.
“Then who told you God would be angry?”
Myers gave no response.
“Walter, you face life in prison. If there is something you need to tell us, now is the time,” explained Baez. “Why do you think God will be angry at you?”
“That’s what he told me,” answered Myers in a soft voice.
“God told you that?”
After a pause, Myers said, “Pastor John.”
“Pastor John told you God would be angry?”
“Yes.”
“For raping and murdering Melanie?”
“I didn’t kill anyone.”
“Then why did Pastor John tell you God would be angry?”
“If I told anyone about the stuff.”
“What stuff?”
“The medallion and other stuff.”
“Walter, God will not be mad at you if you tell us the truth. One of God’s commandments is Thou Shalt Not Lie. Do you remember that commandment?” asked Baez.
“Yes.”
“Then you are under obligation to God to tell us the truth, Walter.”
“Pastor John.”
“What about Pastor John, Walter?”
“He told me where to find the necklace.”
Baez saw Benson and Mitchell exchange looks from the corner of his eye.
“Pastor John told you to go to the grove of trees to find the necklace?”
“Yes.”
“How did he know where to look?”
“He said that was where she was killed.”
“What about the wallet belonging to Alexander Cullen? Did Pastor John tell you where to find that?”
“No. He gave me the wallet.”
“He gave you the wallet?” repeated Baez.
“Yes.”
“Why did he give you the wallet?”
“To keep it safe. He said the family would want it someday.”
“Where did Pastor John get the wallet?”
“I don’t know.”
“What about the book of matches?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Pastor John gave me those.”
“What were you supposed to do with the matches?”
“He just said to hide them in my home. He said one day these things would make the families happy.”
“Walter,” said Baez. “We are going to investigate these claims, but if you are lying about this, it will only make matters worse. Do you understand me?”
Myers nodded yes. “I didn’t kill anyone, Mr. Detective. And I didn’t rape that girl.”
“Were you there when she was raped?”
“No!” responded Myers quickly.
“If you lie, things will not go well for you.”
“I’m not lying, but I’m probably in trouble for telling you.”
“From whom?”
“Pastor John and God.”
“Did Pastor John tell you that?”
“Yeah.”
“You were told to hold the items for the families?”
“Uh Huh.”
“I don’t believe you, Walter. I think you killed and sexually assaulted Melanie.”
Tears welled up in Myer’s eyes. “I never even saw that girl.”
“All right, Walter. We’ll let you go back to the jail facility where you can rest. We will keep in touch.”
“Thank you,” Myers said softly.
Once they reconvened in the detective bureau, Mitchell spoke up. “I have to tell you, as crazy as he seems, I think he might be telling the truth.”
“I don’t know,” said Baez. “However, I’ve had a strange feeling about Pastor John for some time. The whole insurance angle seemed all too coincidental. Pastor John knows more than he is telling us.”
“I agree,” said Benson. “When do you expect the results of the DNA testing?”
“I put a rush on it, but being Sunday, it won’t be today,” responded Baez. “I’ll call the lab Monday morning and tell them we need the results asap.”
“With this new information, I’m going to re-interview Briana Cullen,” said Benson. “I want to know if she knows Walter. Then I will follow up with Savannah to fill them in on what we have here.”
“Great,” said Baez. “Leah and I will go talk to Pastor John again. I want to confront him with what Myers just told us.”
Before leaving, Stacy Wheeler walked in. “The press conference was like a feeding frenzy, but Captain Gonzalez handled it well.”
“Is the press leaving now?” asked Mitchell.
Wheeler laughed. “No. They will probably have someone hanging around the police department until all the details are known. When will Myers have his first appearance?”
“Monday sometime,” said Mitchell. “Probably early afternoon.”
