Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
“Of course. I’m sure you hadn’t mentioned a need to visit the restroom before, or these detectives would have taken you there immediately,” Grey suggested.
“I did ask. They told me as soon as I talked I’d be free to go,” Mack answered.
“Really?” Grey didn’t say more, but made a note. “Detectives, I’m sure you introduced yourselves to my client. Since I’m new to the conversation, could you tell me your names and badge numbers for my records?” He knew from Mack’s startled movement that the officers had not provided that information. Grey said nothing, but added those facts to his notes.
“I think we’re ready to begin,” Grey told them.
“Did you stay at 514 North Mulberry Avenue between these dates?” one asked before rattling off a couple of dates quickly.
Mack looked at Grey for permission to speak before answering. “I don’t remember the exact first day I moved in, but I could give you that information if I looked at my phone. I took a picture of myself sitting in the living room on the couch that first evening.”
“I can help with that, Mack.” Grey opened the folder he’d brought with him and pulled out that image. “Is this the correct one?”
“Yes. That’s it. I posted it to my social media, thanking John and Joanie for letting me stay with them,” Mack confirmed.
“Detectives, you will notice that it is date and time stamped. You can corroborate this from looking at Mr. Oliver’s social media account online,” Grey suggested. “The date is slightly after the date you stated.”
“But close,” one detective pointed out as he took the image.
“Yes, but not exact. Sometimes these details matter,” Grey added.
“And the end date?” the other detective asked.
Mack looked at Grey before answering, “Again, without my phone, I can’t tell you exactly. It was a Wednesday, if that helps.”
“How do you remember that?” the same detective asked skeptically.
“That’s John and Joanie’s trash day. I remember thinking that John must have stood up for me or Joanie would have dumped all my stuff out for the garbage men to pick up as soon as I left.”
“The date you listed is a Sunday,” Grey said quietly.
“What do you know about an heirloom vase that disappeared while you were staying at your friend’s home?”
“Nothing. It wasn’t ever in the living room. John texted me about it,” Mack reported.
“We’ll have to have an expert examine your phone,” the detective said.
“This may help.” Grey opened the folder and pulled out a series of screenshots from the device. He placed those on the table in front of the detectives. “You are welcome to verify the authenticity of these, but I’d like you to notice the value given changes over time in these messages. I would guess that the amount reported to you is different as well.”
The look exchanged between the two men told Grey a lot.
“To save you some time, I’ll share these pictures from social media, again with time stamps. You’ll see that Mr. Oliver was a frequent guest of John’s before and after Joanie moved in. Pay attention to the bookshelf. No vase. No vase. The vase appears. It looks more like a candle holder to me. Perhaps you can compare that to the description you received. It’s there for several months and then disappears in the next two photos. Each of those shots predates my client’s move into John’s house.”
Grey waited patiently for the detectives to make their decisions.
“You’ve come very prepared,” one suggested.
“Mr. Oliver shared his concern when the text messages arrived. The way they escalated in both accusation and price alarmed him, understandably. I had the claims investigated. You might also be interested in this.”
Grey pulled the final item from the folder, a thick packet. “This is the criminal report for Joanie Nichols. I’m sure you checked these before pulling my client in this morning.”
Again, that exchange of glances spoke louder than words. The detective who flipped through those pages shook his head before looking up at Grey. “I believe we’ve wasted your time. Mr. Oliver. We’ve received false information against you.”
“I would like a transcript of this conversation and a statement from each of you attesting to that fact. Will you investigate the false report for prosecution?” Grey asked.
“I will see that a report is sent to your office, Mr. Bradford. Thank you for being so organized. It has saved us from wasting more time investigating these allegations. As per the false report, it will be up to the police chief to decide whether to pursue that. I will tell you that will be my recommendation.”
The other detective nodded his head, confirming his support for that action.
“Thank you, Detectives. Mack, we can go.” Grey stood and waited for Mack to realize it was over. When the young man stood shakily, he fought himself from wrapping an arm around his Little’s waist.