Page 43 of Silent Road

"That's not really appropriate to discuss," Tommy began, but his stern expression softened at Star's crestfallen look."But I can tell you that solving cases isn't like TV.It's mostly long hours of checking facts and following leads that don't pan out."

"But you caught him!He ran and everything!"

"We caught a thief," Sheila corrected."Nothing more."

"Yet," Star added hopefully."You'll get the real killer."

Sheila studied Star, surprised by this optimism.What had happened to Star's earlier belligerence?She seemed excited, happy.Why?Because she was interested in detective work, or because Sheila was including her?

Or both?

"Sheriff Stone?"A uniformed deputy appeared at the end of the hall."Morton's lawyer is getting pretty insistent about that meeting."

Sheila checked her watch.They'd kept the lawyer waiting for hours."Tell him we'll be right there."She turned to Star."This time, you actually stay in the break room.I mean it."

"But—"

"No buts.This is serious."

Star's shoulders slumped."Fine.Can I at least get another soda?"

Tommy dug in his pocket and pulled out some change."Here you go.Watch out for the sugar crash."

"You don't have to bribe her," Sheila said as they walked toward the conference room.

"Not a bribe.Just trying to make a rough day a little easier."

Sheila gave Tommy an appreciative glance.Even though Star wasn't Sheila's biological child, she nevertheless felt a maternal protectiveness toward the young girl—which was part of the reason she'd been so upset about finding out about Jake.It also meant she had a soft spot for anyone showing Star kindness.

The lawyer waiting for them was younger than Sheila had expected.He wore an expensive suit that seemed at odds with his boyish face."Mr.Messing," he said, extending his hand."Thank you for finally meeting with me."

"Sheriff Stone.This is Deputy Forster."

"Now," Messing said as he settled into a chair, "about the evidence you have against my client."

"We're not here to discuss our evidence."

"No?"Messing smiled."Then why are we here?"

"You requested this meeting."

"Indeed I did."He opened his briefcase and removed a folder."Because I need to know what evidence you think you have before I prove it's all worthless."

"That's not how this works."

"Actually, it is.Because my client has an alibi.A rock-solid alibi that makes any evidence you might have completely irrelevant."He slid a document across the table."Mr.Morton is enrolled in an intensive outpatient program at Clearview Recovery Center.During the day, he's permitted to maintain his work schedule and community obligations, including his Sierra Club activities.But every evening, he checks in at 7 PM for mandatory group therapy, individual counseling, and overnight monitoring.He hasn't missed a single night in the past thirty-two days."

The paperwork was meticulous: check-in logs, counselor signatures, security camera stills showing Morton entering the facility each evening.Most importantly, there were detailed records for the nights of both murders.

"You can verify everything," Messing continued."Call the facility.Check their security footage.Interview the staff and other patients.My client was securely in the facility from 7 PM until 7 AM the past two nights—which, if I'm not mistaken, clears him of both murders, as it's my understanding that the murders took place sometime during the night."

Tommy clenched his jaw, a subtle sign of frustration."And the harassment complaints?"he asked.

"Mr.Morton doesn't deny his inappropriate behavior toward students.That's precisely why he entered the program—to address those issues, among others.But he categorically denies any involvement in these murders, and I've just handed you proof that he couldn't possibly have committed them."

Sheila studied the paperwork, looking for holes, inconsistencies, anything.But the details were too specific, too verifiable.

"Now," Messing said as he closed his briefcase, "unless you have any evidence that somehow contradicts these facts, I expect my client to be released immediately."

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