A Vintage Murder by Janet L. Smith

Author:Janet L. Smith [Smith, Janet L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths
ISBN: 9781941890110
Publisher: Epicenter Press
Published: 2018-06-15T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

The Dunkin’ Donuts coffee spilled across the Formica table as Shibilsky gestured wildly. Annie jumped up to keep the brew from dripping onto her lap. Shibilsky got the deputy to wait in the conference room with Harry while he asked Annie to step out into the hall.

“Look, MacPherson, I agreed to let you sit in because, and only because, the old guy insisted on it before he’d make a statement. I don’t remember giving you permission to butt in. I saw the crime scene with my own eyes, and this guy’s description is dead on. Now, unless some damn fool gave him a complete rundown on what the scene looked like—and I know none of my people would’ve done that—then we got a valid confession here. So, what are you doing messin’ with my case, huh?”

Annie waited a beat, then asked, “Are you through?”

Shibilsky was still red in the face and bouncing from foot to foot, but his breathing had started to slow. Annie was slightly taller than Shibilsky, and she knew it aggravated him to have to look up at her. “Yeah, I’m damn well through.”

“Good. Because it’s important to me that you thank Professor Braithwaite for his time in coming down here, and send him home. The man is innocent. I don’t know why he’s doing this, but if you accept his confession, you’ll be suborning perjury and destroying an innocent man’s life. I’m fully aware that this does not help my client, but I can’t let you arrest Harry.”

Shibilsky punched a balled-up fist into his hand. “I presume you’re going to tell me why?”

“Harry Braithwaite has just described the crime scene in extremely accurate detail, even down to the color of Steven Vick’s socks. You remember that I saw the crime scene as well, when Taylor’s brother and I went out there before your deputy arrived. Because of the amount of detail Harry was giving in answer to your questions, I think it’s highly unlikely that anyone described the scene to Harry. I’d be willing to bet that he saw it with his own eyes.”

“There, now you’re admitting what I just—”

“But he’s not describing the crime scene at the time of the murder.”

Shibilsky leveled his gaze at Annie. “And I presume you’re—”

“Going to tell you why. I am. Gerald North and I were the only ones that night to see the body before the sheriffs, department arrived. It was so dark, we could barely see the path to walk on, much less the color of Steve’s socks. Even with Gerald North’s cigarette lighter, I barely saw the blood on Vick’s face. The kind of detail that Harry was describing was only visible after the lights were turned on. The crime scene wasn’t visible from the main floor of the house, but it could be seen clearly from the second story, as you know.”

“But I had my men watching the stairs. Braithwaite never came to the second floor.”

“And were your men guarding the stairs to the Widow’s Perch?”

Shibilsky looked like he didn’t want to ask.

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