M. Forsythe - While Rome Was Sleeping

Joe looked up and down the road for some type of vehicle to flag but he realized he was alone. Getting back on the tractor he turned around and drove back home to call the Sheriff’s Department.

“This is Joe Kearney out here on Russell Road…, you know where the road goes by all those curves along the river? Well it looks like there’s been an accident and there’s a car down the bank in the river! And I don’t see anyone around.”

Responding to the call, the dispatcher said, “Stay on the line Mr. Kearney; I’ll be back with you right away.” Notifying the deputy closest to the Kearney farm the dispatcher patched Joe through to the deputy who got Joe’s address and told him he would pick him up.

When they got to the place where Joe had spotted the vehicle, both the deputy and Joe climbed down the bank to the car. It was evident that if anyone was still inside they were dead. The sheriff’s deputy took the license number and climbing back up the bank called in the number and called for a tow truck.

A short time later King County Sheriff Dan Halverson arrived. “There is an All Points Bulletin out for a Seattle cop this car is registered to,” he said dryly. “I’ve notified Seattle. We’ll wait for the Seattle PD to get here and probably the Coroner, too.”

Captain Martin arrived alone followed by Jim Savalza and Ed Peterson as the wrecker was pulling the car up to the surface of the road. The Coroner’s car was close behind them.

The windshield was shattered and Monte was slumped to the side, one arm and shoulder lying over the top of his briefcase.

Captain Martin looked dejected as he viewed the body of the late Detective Monte Maxwell. Jim and Ed were silent for a moment. The Captain gently removed Monte’s shield and the gun that was still holstered. The body was removed from the car and laid on the coroner’s gurney; the detectives could see a bullet had entered Monte’s forehead between the eyes.

The Coroner estimated that Monte had been dead about 24 hours but told Jim and Ed, “We can’t be sure until we’ve done the autopsy.”

Ed remarked as they went back to examine the car and briefcase, “Looks like an execution to me…, whoever did this wasn’t interested in anything in the car, only making sure Monte was dead.”

Jim agreed, “Yeah, that’s obvious. Monte didn’t suspect anything, he didn’t even have his weapon out,” Jim observed as he carefully opened the briefcase. They found it was full of money and there on the bottom was a wide black belt coiled loosely. Ed noticed the back of the belt appeared thicker than the ends. Upon closer examination he found it to have a zippered compartment holding thousand dollar bills.

“Whew,” Jim whistled. “Now we know why Monte swapped belts.”

Captain Martin who had come over to look at the car and was standing next to Jim, gave a tired sigh. “Nothing more we can do here; and we won’t have the whole picture until we have the Coroner’s report. I’d better see about notifying Dora,” he said grimly. “See you back at the Department.” Removing his cap and laying it on the seat beside him, he slowly drove away. He was thinking how glad he was that no reporters were there. “They’ll have a field day tomorrow.”

Sheriff Halverson was standing next to his car as the Captain drove past, forlornly raising his hand in a partial salute. The Sheriff said to Jim and Ed, “This is rough on you guys, and I’m sorry. Let me know if you need anything from us.”

The sky had clouded over and there was a chill in the air as Ed and Jim returned to Seattle. Ed had been looking out the window of the car and said finally, “I feel sorry for the ‘Old Man’, but you know, Jim, in some ways maybe this is a better solution to Monte’s problems; at least Dora will not have to know about—you know, Monte being involved in stealing and all that.”

“Yeah, Ed, and how are we supposed to avoid it?” Jim asked irritably. “I don’t like it either, but I don’t think that this is going to go away quietly. Internal Affairs is going to get into it; you can be sure of that.

“The Captain isn’t going to dodge either IA or the media. If he did they would crucify him and the Department and I’ll bet money that he’s leveling with Dora right now. Did you see the look on his face as he left? He looked like someone had kicked him in the gut. I would also bet that this will go all the way to City Hall before we’re done.”

Ed didn’t reply, just sighed and nodded as they drove into the police garage.

Ed unfastened his seatbelt and opened the door to get out, but Jim stayed behind the wheel not turning off the ignition. “I’ll be back later, Ed. Tell the Captain when he gets in. I think I’d better talk to Andrew Kincaid and let him know about Monte.”

Jim drove to the Seattle Times. He was sure he’d find Andrew there probably working on his Friday column. He stopped at the reception desk and Wendy looked up from her typing, surprised to see a smiling and rather attractive dark Hispanic man asking directions to Andrew Kincaid. Wendy, wanting to be diplomatic, swallowed hard before she said quietly, “Mr. Kincaid isn’t available to visitors right now, but I’d be glad to give him a message for you, Mr. ah, what did you say your name was..?”

“Sorry, Miss,” Jim showed his shield, “I should have told you right away—now if I may see Mr. Kincaid?” he said apologetically.

“Oh, yes, of course, Detective, in fact I’ll take you to him myself.” Wendy fluttered eagerly.

Andrew was at his desk, shirtsleeves rolled up, pencil between his teeth, typing rapidly; he looked up to see Wendy approaching with Jim in tow. He swiveled in his chair and rose to greet Savalza with a quizzical look. “Hi, what’s up?” He added, “Thanks, Wendy, for bringing Detective Savalza up.”

Noticing the moonstruck look on Wendy’s face as she left he grinned at Jim, “I see you have a fan,” nodding toward Wendy. “It must be that Latin charm.”

“Let it go, Andy, I’m in no mood… she’s just an impressionable kid… it’s the badge and all…”

“Yeah, well, I figure I owe you after the routine of the other morning regarding Charlene Thayer. I wonder what your wife would think about you dazzling our receptionist,” Andy added with a self-satisfied grin.

Jim came back, “I wasn’t entirely wrong though, was I? And don’t you carry any tales to Jean Ann. I can manage to get into enough hot water without your help. Look, Kincaid, I came here to give you some information and maybe even ask for your help.

“We pulled Monte Maxwell out of the Green River this morning. He‘d been shot through the head and the car had obviously been pushed into the river. It looks very much like an execution. His .38 was still holstered and a briefcase with lots of money was on the seat beside him.”

“Wow! Well that about wipes out all of the suspects connected with the Kelshaw killing doesn’t it? So how can I help you?”

“I don’t know that you can, but the “you-know-what” is going to hit the fan when word gets out about Maxwell’s theft and murder. The last thing our Department wants is a cover-up, but I don’t like to see us getting a major black eye and having this turn into a political feeding-frenzy either. The press will have fun with this; of course you know all about that. There will be a lot of digging. I just thought maybe your column or radio program might, you know, bring some perspective. Captain Martin is taking this hard,” Jim said somberly.

Andrew nodded and said reassuringly, “I’ll do what I can, I promise.”

“Thanks, Andy, and yes, the trail around Monte is cold right now, even so the case will remain open until we get some answers. I’ve got to do some thinking on this for awhile. You know there’s been a lot happening over the last two weeks. That Monte was in any way connected to a contract ‘hit’ is unreal to me, but there it is, and I believe that’s what got him killed,” he said flatly as he rose to leave.