Alex Barclay - The Drowning Child

‘Ooh – quiz,’ said Sylvie.

Ooh – miaow. ‘He might have taken a photo on his cell phone after downing his vodka,’ said Ren. ‘I’d take a photo if I thought something looked suspicious. But as soon as I was sober, I’d know that that would be a major breach of the whole respect, care, and dignity part of my code of professional conduct. And if that got out, I’d be in serious shit for doing it. So I’d be disinclined to ’fess up... especially to law enforcement.’

‘Did he respond well to you?’ said Gary. ‘If you asked him, do you think he would show you?’

‘Of course he responded well to Ren,’ said Paul.

Jesus, Paul. ‘I think we got along,’ said Ren. ‘Let me talk to him.’ She turned to Ruddock. ‘With you?’

‘Sure,’ said Ruddock.

‘Is there any update on Franklin J. Merrifield?’ said Gary.

‘There’s been no sign of him,’ said Ruddock. ‘Investigators have gone to all his former addresses, to the homes of his family, known associates, known hangouts. They’re checking out whether there’s anything in his personal life he might have wanted to get out for.’

‘Merrifield has maintained his innocence throughout,’ said Ren. ‘His appeal just got rejected. Say it’s true – he is innocent. That means he got royally screwed over by his accomplice, got a longer sentence than him, and is now branded a rapist – his first time with a sex crime conviction – and he’ll be in prison for the rest of his life. That’s a man with nothing to lose. If something happened between Veir and Merrifield in BRCI...’ said Ren. She paused. ‘Did anyone talk to the prison psychologists about Merrifield’s state of mind? Didn’t one of their names show up on John Veir’s phone dump? Lockwood, was it? Maybe it’s worth making a call to him. And isn’t it worth talking to Seth Fuller about Merrifield, see if they crossed paths? Or if he’s aware whether Merrifield and John Veir did? Veir might be too afraid to talk.’

Ren left the meeting first, and walked toward the kitchen to get coffee. She felt someone coming up beside her and turned to see Wiley.

Now he shows up...

‘When we spoke earlier?’ said Wiley. ‘I think you may have forgotten to tell me about Clyde Brimmer? That you and your buddy, Paul, had already gone to talk to him? Without a word to me or Pete?’

You immediately checked up, you asshole!

‘I’m sorry,’ said Ren. ‘You can understand how I may have had concerns after your interaction with him yesterday.’

Wiley snorted. ‘You’re something else.’

Oh, fuck off, Wiley. ‘I’m just doing my job,’ said Ren. ‘Someone comes forward, I want to hear them out – whoever they are. Why were you so adamant he would have nothing of value to say?’

‘I told you already,’ said Wiley. ‘But going over my head like that—’

What the fuuuck? ‘Over your head?’

Wiley stepped toward her.

This guy is nuts.

Ren leaned into him. ‘Back the fuck up.’

Without saying another word, Wiley turned and walked away.

Ren walked in the opposite direction, and saw Ruddock standing at the end of the hallway.

Shit.

‘Mind if I have a word?’ said Ruddock.

‘No problem,’ said Ren.

‘Firstly, I would like to apologize for whatever happened just there,’ he said.

‘Please,’ said Ren, ‘there’s no need.’

Ruddock gave her a kind look. ‘There are no excuses for Gil’s behavior, but... he’s going through a rough time at home. I’m not betraying any confidences here, it’s common knowledge – his wife’s got an alcohol problem, and it’s been getting a lot worse lately. Now, I know Gil came in this morning smelling of alcohol himself, but that is one of only a handful of times that has happened in all the years I’ve known him. Usually, he doesn’t drink. He can’t stand it. Apparently, his wife had some kind of meltdown yesterday. It probably tipped him over the edge, with the stress of the investigation, the fact that she clearly didn’t care about that. I just want you to know – he’s never late and never that unprofessional.’ He paused. ‘I know Gil doesn’t have the best manner in the world, but this is just who he’s been since all this with his wife.’

‘Well, thanks for letting me know,’ said Ren. ‘That’s very sad.’

‘Back there – he was probably more angry with himself than he was with you,’ said Ruddock.

I don’t give a fuuuck who he’s angry with as long as he keeps it out of my face . But, Jesus Christ, how hard can it be, guys? Feel Angry at X = Get Angry at X. Leave Y the fuck out of it.

‘Wiley completely disregarded what Clyde Brimmer had to say,’ said Ren. ‘Do you think there could be anything else going on there?’

‘You mean – could Gil be involved in something?’ said Ruddock. ‘Absolutely not.’

Ren nodded. ‘OK – I had to ask. You can vouch for him.’

‘Of course I can,’ said Ruddock.

First flash of anger... or as close to anger as a man like Ruddock might get.

‘Are you ready to go?’ said Ruddock.

‘Sure,’ said Ren. ‘Let’s do it.’

Two hours later, following a consultation with the Medical Examiner, with Shannon Fuller, and on studying a cell phone photo provided by Clyde Brimmer, a Marion County judge issued an exhumation order for the body of Aaron Fuller.

Shannon Fuller sat in her living room, the same three words on a loop running through her head: rest in peace. It had been short-lived for Aaron, and here she was again, in a fresh hell. She couldn’t imagine who would want to hurt him. Maybe something happened at the dance – a fight, or maybe it was just an accident. Aaron was a sweet boy. She couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to deliberately hurt him.

But then, she figured most mothers would think the same way. She had a sudden thought that turned her stomach – most children know their abusers. She pushed the thought away, but a whole stream of names came into her head – the names of people who knew her, who knew Aaron.

She stood up and walked down the hallway to Seth’s door. She knocked.

‘Enter!’ he said.

She walked in, but stopped, hovering in the doorway. She looked at his sweet face. She didn’t want to say anything.

‘They’re taking my baby out of the ground, Seth...’ She started to cry.

‘What?’ he said. ‘What?’ He stood up.

‘There was a bruise on Aaron’s back,’ said Shannon. ‘He may have been injured before he drowned. Or... maybe he was drowned... deliberately.’

Seth started to shake. ‘What?’

Shannon nodded, sobbed harder. Seth went to her, put his arms around her. ‘Oh my God,’ he said. ‘Who would do that?’

‘I don’t know,’ she sobbed. ‘I don’t know.’

‘Why do they think that?’ said Seth.

‘Clyde... Clyde saw the bruise when he was embalming him. Apparently, a bruise won’t always show up right away, so that’s why the Medical Examiner didn’t see it. She’s going to do another autopsy.’

‘But why didn’t Clyde say anything to us?’ said Seth.

‘Would you say that to a grieving family?’ said Shannon. ‘She pulled back from him. ‘You’re shaking,’ she said. ‘You’re white as a sheet. Sit down.’

‘Don’t worry about me,’ said Seth. ‘You’re the one...’ He trailed off, struggled to catch his breath.

Shannon gripped his arms, and guided him to the bed, sat him down. ‘Are you OK?’ she said.

‘I... don’t know why someone would do that to Aaron,’ he said. ‘He was only a boy, only a little boy.’

Seth fell sideways on the bed, clutching his chest.