No one listens to me, said Clyde. Maybe if I didnt do this... He swept a hand across the empty beer bottles on the floor.
Please dont beat yourself up, said Ren. Were not doubting your memory. But I do have to ask you about your drinking that night.
I understand. I understand.
How much had you had to drink?
I did the job, sober, like I said, said Clyde. I prayed over Aarons body. Then I walked away from it. I was in a bad way. I had a bottle of vodka in my locker, I... I took a few swigs, maybe... drank half of it.
Fuuuck. Half of?
A liter bottle.
Fuuuck once more.
Can you really be sure of what you saw? said Ren.
One hundred per cent, said Clyde.
Why didnt you say it to Pete yesterday? said Ren.
I said it to Gil Wiley! said Clyde. When he was dragging me through the gates. And he told me to shut the hell up. I asked him to tell Pete. And he told me to shut the hell up again. I asked him could I tell Pete myself, and he said: If you mention one word to Pete Ruddock about this, youll be the one with the bruises. Then he said Pete couldnt stand the sight of me, that he was only ever nice to me because he had a reputation to protect, that Pete just pities me.
What an asshole.
He told me I was no different to any other alcoholic out there, said Clyde, except for the fact that Pete hated me the most. Then Wiley said if I dared to interfere in a police investigation, he would have me hauled up in front of a judge and I would be incredible.
Dont laugh.
An incredible witness, said Clyde. I mean, I wouldnt be considered credible. He blushed.
An incredible witness, said Clyde. I mean, I wouldnt be considered credible. He blushed.
Ugh: this is awful.
He said that would mean even more people not taking me seriously, said Clyde. Officially in a court of law. He told me if he had to do one page of paperwork because of my bullshit, that he would throw me into Lake Verny himself.
Let me talk to Wiley, said Ren.
Dont tell him I told you! said Clyde.
Could anyone else in the crowd have heard him at the gates, telling you to shut the hell up? said Ren.
Yes, said Clyde. He paused. Just... hell wasnt the exact word.
Ren laughed.
You know youre a lady, said Clyde.
A lady who says fuck more times than you know.
OK, said Ren, Well, I can let on to Wiley that someone else overheard this I dont have to bring you into it yet. And, Clyde just so you know, Pete Ruddock considers you a friend. He speaks very fondly of you.
Clyde gave a broad smile. Thank you, he said. Thats really nice to hear.
Ren leaned toward him again. Have you spoken to anyone else about this, apart from Wiley?
No.
Good, said Ren. Were going to need you to keep this to yourself, OK? I promise you that we are taking this seriously. Were going to go back to Tate PD right now to speak with Pete.
Clyde nodded. His face was a mix of relief and fear.
Someone is taking you seriously.
But even youre not sure if they should.
I know the feeling.
22
Back at Tate PD, Ren met Wiley on her way to the ladies room.
Wiley, could I have a word, please?
Wiley shrugged, stopped.
God, you hate me. I was wondering, said Ren, the other day with Clyde Brimmer... someone said that you told him to shut the fuck up about the bruise on Aaron Fullers back. He does seem to be a real nuisance, but I was just curious what the bruise was, and why you didnt give it any consideration.
Oh, I gave it consideration, said Wiley. Heres what I considered: is this man ever sober? And are drunk people reliable witnesses?
He swears blind that he wasnt drinking while he embalmed the body.
Swears blind drunk.
Come on, said Ren, give him a break.
Look, youre not from around here, you dont know the shit that goes on. You dont know Clyde, you dont know what a pain in the ass he is; nuisance sounds cute is an understatement, you dont hear the paranoid, conspiracy-theory shit he comes out with. Oh, the world is going to hell in a hand basket, according to Clyde. Lake Verny is haunted, the lake has secrets that the rain wants to tell Ive heard that a hundred times. The Pope has never and will never shit in the fucking woods. And on and on and on.
This wasnt about the lake being haunted, said Ren. This was him saying that Aaron was possibly hurt before he went into the water.
His look was a giant fuck-you. Sure, he might think he was hurt, but he still thinks the lake is haunted, said Wiley. He probably figured it would make him sound too nuts to say it to you. Its pretty simple: Clyde Brimmer embalmed a body while he was drunk. He was already freaked out, because of the haunted lake thing. Now hes got one of its victims lying right there in front of him. Think about it: does Clyde want his worst fears confirmed? That the lake itself is actually killing people? Or would he like to find some evidence on that body that, in fact, someone a person is responsible?
But, wouldnt a victim of the lake itself vindicate him? said Ren. Wouldnt it go a little way to have people believe his claims that the lake is haunted?
Yes, said Wiley, absolutely. Its just that, at that moment, it probably boiled down to what was more important for him to be terrified for the rest of his life, or for there to be a more rational explanation for Aarons death.
Hes not talking complete horseshit.
Look, said Wiley, he says he saw a bruise on Aarons back. You could look at that two ways: a) sure, there could have been a bruise if Aaron slipped into the water and hit something on the way in and b) there was no bruise, because it would have been picked up at autopsy. And c) does it actually matter at this point? The kid drowned. Its tragic, sure, but why would anyone intentionally drown Aaron Fuller?
Wow: where do I start with all that is wrong with that?
Dont start.
OK thanks, said Ren. Just one thing, though Clyde did admit that he drank only after he finished embalming the body. And I believe him.
Like I said, youre not from around here.
Missing out daily on you serving and protecting me, dickwad.
Ren and Paul gathered the CARD team and Ruddock together and filled them in on what Clyde claimed he saw.
Gary looked at Ruddock. You might want to look into getting an exhumation order. Im not saying this is connected to Caleb Veir, but somethings not right here.
Go, Gary!
Paul Louderback nodded. Yeah, I agree.
Ruddock nodded.
Sylvie paused. Im sorry, I dont. The guys a drunk...
Hes terrified, said Ren. Hes been fired. He could lose his license. And still, he came forward. Especially considering hes already in trouble, hes already marked out as someone who breached his professional code of conduct.
Oh. Hold on... Can you give me half an hour?
Gary looked at her patiently.
Well, thats a resounding no, said Ren.
What is it? said Gary.
OK... the guys breached his professional code of conduct by drinking. Hes already in trouble... what else might he have done that would get him in trouble if it got out?
Ooh quiz, said Sylvie.
Ooh miaow. He might have taken a photo on his cell phone after downing his vodka, said Ren. Id take a photo if I thought something looked suspicious. But as soon as I was sober, Id know that that would be a major breach of the whole respect, care, and dignity part of my code of professional conduct. And if that got out, Id be in serious shit for doing it. So Id be disinclined to fess up... especially to law enforcement.
Did he respond well to you? said Gary. If you asked him, do you think he would show you?
Of course he responded well to Ren, said Paul.
Jesus, Paul. I think we got along, said Ren. Let me talk to him. She turned to Ruddock. With you?
Sure, said Ruddock.
Is there any update on Franklin J. Merrifield? said Gary.
Theres been no sign of him, said Ruddock. Investigators have gone to all his former addresses, to the homes of his family, known associates, known hangouts. Theyre checking out whether theres anything in his personal life he might have wanted to get out for.
Merrifield has maintained his innocence throughout, said Ren. His appeal just got rejected. Say its true he is innocent. That means he got royally screwed over by his accomplice, got a longer sentence than him, and is now branded a rapist his first time with a sex crime conviction and hell be in prison for the rest of his life. Thats a man with nothing to lose. If something happened between Veir and Merrifield in BRCI... said Ren. She paused. Did anyone talk to the prison psychologists about Merrifields state of mind? Didnt one of their names show up on John Veirs phone dump? Lockwood, was it? Maybe its worth making a call to him. And isnt it worth talking to Seth Fuller about Merrifield, see if they crossed paths? Or if hes aware whether Merrifield and John Veir did? Veir might be too afraid to talk.
Ren left the meeting first, and walked toward the kitchen to get coffee. She felt someone coming up beside her and turned to see Wiley.
Now he shows up...
When we spoke earlier? said Wiley. I think you may have forgotten to tell me about Clyde Brimmer? That you and your buddy, Paul, had already gone to talk to him? Without a word to me or Pete?
You immediately checked up, you asshole!
Im sorry, said Ren. You can understand how I may have had concerns after your interaction with him yesterday.
Wiley snorted. Youre something else.
Oh, fuck off, Wiley. Im just doing my job, said Ren. Someone comes forward, I want to hear them out whoever they are. Why were you so adamant he would have nothing of value to say?
I told you already, said Wiley. But going over my head like that
What the fuuuck? Over your head?
Wiley stepped toward her.
This guy is nuts.
Ren leaned into him. Back the fuck up.
Without saying another word, Wiley turned and walked away.
Ren walked in the opposite direction, and saw Ruddock standing at the end of the hallway.
Shit.
Mind if I have a word? said Ruddock.
No problem, said Ren.
Firstly, I would like to apologize for whatever happened just there, he said.
Please, said Ren, theres no need.
Ruddock gave her a kind look. There are no excuses for Gils behavior, but... hes going through a rough time at home. Im not betraying any confidences here, its common knowledge his wifes got an alcohol problem, and its been getting a lot worse lately. Now, I know Gil came in this morning smelling of alcohol himself, but that is one of only a handful of times that has happened in all the years Ive known him. Usually, he doesnt drink. He cant stand it. Apparently, his wife had some kind of meltdown yesterday. It probably tipped him over the edge, with the stress of the investigation, the fact that she clearly didnt care about that. I just want you to know hes never late and never that unprofessional. He paused. I know Gil doesnt have the best manner in the world, but this is just who hes been since all this with his wife.