Page 38 of Chasing Justice
Coleman nodded; his arms remained tightly crossed. “We also found drug residue in the safe where you said the money was stashed. We tested that and it came back positive for Krokodil. This is unusual in the U.S. We have called the DEA and let them know what’s going on too. They will help with the drug trafficking investigation. We now believe that Officer Leyton was involved in drug trafficking and blew up the cabin as a possible suicide.”
“Doug would never kill himself,” Maya said, anger building. First Nana supposedly killed herself, and now Doug?This can’t be happening.“What about the other person at the cabin?”
“We’ve found no evidence that there was anyone else. Perhaps you hit your head, or maybe you’re making up a story to protect your friend. We’re not sure, but just know that if you have anything to add, now is the time to tell us. Not later.”
Maya took turns looking at the three men in front of her. It was hard enough to stomach that Doug was involved in this mess, but did they really think she was too? When her gaze arrived at Todd, he looked away. “I have told you everything I know. I do believe that Officer Leyton had a girlfriend, but I don’t know who it is. Maybe if you can find her, you can get more answers.”
“We did find some blond hairs at Leyton’s house.” Kessler spoke up. “The DNA belonged to two different people, but it was hair that fell out naturally and there wasn’t a root with it, so the only DNA we can get from it is mitochondrial, which just tells us it was two different people who weren’t related. We can’t get an ID from the hair. Maybe Leyton didn’t have one girlfriend, but rather two.”
“He’d never have two girlfriends, he wasn’t that kind of guy...” Maya said. But apparently he had become involved in drug trafficking and taking bribes, so she could see why they thought he might have more than one girlfriend. She clenched her fists by her side. If Doug were still alive, she’d arrest him herself. This was not how Maya wanted to remember her friend. Juniper stood up, her eyes staring intently at Maya, reading her feelings. “Doug was a good man and I’m sure there’s an explanation for this.”
“Look,” Coleman said. “We believe Leyton acted alone for the bombing. We believe he was using the national forest to traffic drugs and that part of the investigation will be turned over to the DEA and your local law enforcement, although I will get reports from them for our part. We believe Leyton set the bombs and detonated them to take his own life. Maybe you are involved. Maybe not. But we’re closing the investigation with the FBI since we can’t find any evidence pointing to you or any evidence pointing to another person. The only evidence is what I just told you. So, for our part of the investigation concerning the bombing, case closed. Leyton did it and we can’t prosecute a dead man.”
Maya unclenched her fists and sat down in a chair. She rubbed her forehead, hoping to relieve some tension.How could you do this, Doug?
Opening her eyes, she said, “I can assure you I wasn’t involved and there was another person at the explosion. I ask that you keep this case open for now. We passed a black truck that day. It belongs to a Roberta Lind, who I believe may be involved with the Ray family. The Rays are under investigation by the sheriff’s office. As you mentioned, we can work with the sheriff’s office because this seems connected to our case. And Roberta Lind is a blonde.”
“At this point, Thompson, we’re calling it done on our part. We can’t just go around serving search warrants to people because they’re blonde,” Coleman said.
Maya slumped back in her chair. There was more to this case than just Doug. She knew that, but how could she prove it without the evidence? She gazed down at Juniper, who was lying calmly on the floor by Maya’s feet. She had the best tool for gathering evidence. When she went back out on patrol, she would start her own investigation.They can’t scare me away from finding out what really happened.
Coleman and Kessler shook hands with Todd and then left. Maya heard the door close behind her. “Am I under any type of investigation or suspension?” she asked Todd.
“No. There’s no evidence supporting you being involved. Coleman is just covering his ass,” Todd said.
Maya wanted to add that Coleman was also a jerk. “I know that officially this investigation is closed, but with your permission, I’d like to see if I can find out more about the Rays and what the sheriff is investigating. It may not pertain to this case, but the Ray Ranch backs up to Forest Service land. If there’s another illegal operation going on, we should know about it.”
“Agreed,” Todd said. He sat down in a chair with a thump. “And for what it’s worth, Thompson, I believe you.”
“About what?”
“About the fact that there was another person.”
“Thanks.”
“I just can’t believe this. I completely missed the warning signs. I thought Doug was a good officer. One of my best.”
“If it makes you feel better, I was his best friend and I didn’t see it either.”
“I wish Doug would have talked to me,” Todd said, banging his fist on the desk. Juniper jumped to her feet and Maya settled her back down. Todd started to rub his temples. “I feel a headache coming on. Okay, if you see something, look into it, but there’s two stipulations.”
“What?” Maya asked.
“You keep me in the loop. If Doug was keeping something quiet, he shouldn’t have. That was a mistake. And be careful. I know you’re not certified with Juniper yet, but if you need her for backup at any point, use her if it means keeping yourself alive. I can’t find another officer out there anytime soon.”
“I’m touched, I think,” Maya said. “But copy. I’ll be careful and I’ll keep you posted.”
“Okay.” Todd tapped the table with his fingers. “We’re going to take a lot of shit about this. I mean with the investigation saying Doug was at fault, but we’ll deal with it.”
“Yes, sir,” Maya said. “Wouldn’t be the first time the Forest Service took shit about something.”
Todd laughed. “No, it isn’t.”
Maya stood up and Juniper was instantly by her side. “With all due respect, sir, I’m tired and ready to go home.”
“Me too,” Todd said. “Get out of here. I’ll lock up. I’ll be heading back to my office tomorrow.”
She nodded. “Have a safe trip home.”
