Page 7 of If She Remembered
"She was lying on top of the covers, fully dressed, like she'd just sat down and fallen backward.And she looked..."Jake struggled to find the words."She looked peaceful, but wrong somehow.Does that make sense?I called 911 immediately."
Kate made notes while Jake described finding his mother's body.His account matched what she'd observed at the crime scene, and his distress seemed proportional to the trauma of discovering a deceased parent.
"Jake, we need to ask about the security system," DeMarco said."It was disarmed when you found your mother.Do you know why?"
Jake looked confused for a moment, but the expression quickly turned to one of sadness."Yeah, actually.A few weeks ago, when I called to tell her about losing my job, she mentioned something about the security system not working right.She said he’d tried figuring it out on her own but had no luck.She said she wasn’t tech-savvy enough.I told her to call a technician, but she said she wasn’t too worried about it.Said she didn't see the big deal because her neighborhood was safe."
Kate exchanged a glance with DeMarco.This was the first mention of security system problems predating Jake's return home.But it also seemed very convenient for Jake… if he was the killer.
"Did she say what wasn't working about it?"Kate asked.
"Not really.Just that it had been acting up… sort of freezing.”
This information potentially changed the timeline of when the security system had been compromised.If Carol had been having problems with it weeks before Jake's return, it suggested the killer might have had longer to plan and observe the house's routines.
"Had your mother been acting differently lately?"DeMarco asked."Anything unusual in her behavior or routine?"
Jake considered this question carefully."Well, I guess she seemed happier since I moved back home, but also more anxious in some ways.Like she was worried about me finding work, worried about being a burden to me financially."His eyes teared up at this, and he added, "I think she was just so happy to have someone back in the house.I really don't think she quite recovered fully from Dad passing away."
"Was she seeing anyone professionally about her anxiety?"Kate asked.
"Her therapist, Dr.Chen.Mom's been seeing her since Dad died.Actually, she was supposed to have an appointment tomorrow, I think.She mentioned it earlier this week.Some sort of doctor specializing in empty nest-types."
Kate made a note of the therapist's name."How often did she see Dr.Chen?"
"Every couple of weeks, usually.Mom said it helped her process the grief and adjust to living alone."Jake's expression grew thoughtful."She seemed to really trust Dr.Chen, said she was one of the few people who understood what it was like to lose a spouse."
"Did your mother ever mention being concerned about anything?Anyone bothering her or making her feel unsafe?"
Jake shook his head."No, nothing like that.If anything, she seemed to feel safer with me back home.She kept saying how nice it was to have someone else in the house again."
Kate studied Jake's demeanor throughout their conversation.His answers were consistent, his emotion appeared genuine, and his cooperation was complete.He'd readily offered his phone records for verification and provided specific details that could be easily checked.
"Jake, is there anything else you think we should know?Anything unusual about yesterday or the past week or so that might be relevant?"
When he shook his head, the tears started to fall again, leaking from the corners of his eyes."Just that she was really happy," Jake said, his voice breaking again."She kept talking about how this was just temporary, that I'd find something good soon, and that she was grateful for the chance to take care of me again."He wiped his eyes."She said it reminded her of when I was little and she could fix everything with a home-cooked meal and a fresh load of laundry."
The image Jake painted of his mother was consistent with what Kate had observed at the house—a woman who found purpose and joy in nurturing her adult son during a difficult period.It seemed incompatible with someone planning murder for financial gain.
"We may have more questions later," Kate said."But for now, thank you for being so cooperative.I know this is an incredibly difficult time."
"You believe me, don't you?"Jake asked, looking directly at Kate."I know how it looks.I really do.I mean, just over a week back home and then this happening.The timing and all…it really sucks.But I would never hurt my mother.You…you have to know that,” he pleaded.“She was the most important person in my life."
Kate met his gaze and saw desperation mixed with hope."We're going to investigate thoroughly, Jake.That's all I can promise you right now."
“How much longer will I have to stay here?”
"It depends on how quickly we can prove you're innocent," DeMarco said."We'll have someone look into those interviews from yesterday, and that should be enough."
As they prepared to leave the interview room, Jake called out one more time."Please find out what really happened to her.She deserves justice…and peace.”Through a cracked and trembling voice, he added: “I need to know who did this."
Once they were outside the interview room, Kate and DeMarco walked in silence for several moments before Kate spoke.
"What's your read on him?"she asked.
"Either he's an exceptional actor, or he's telling the truth," DeMarco replied."His grief seems genuine, and his story is internally consistent.The interviews…the names he was able to give.I mean, what guilty party can just deliver that sort of stuff so easily?”
Kate nodded."I'm inclined to believe him, too.And if I were in charge of the local PD, I’d be having some serious meetings with whichever cops were in charge of his arrest.”
