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New York Minute, Chapter 4

I walked into my flat on the northside of the city. It wasn't much, but it was home. Opening a beer, I walked over the phone and hit the machine. There was a messge. I almost threw the bottle against the wall when I heard it. "Hi, Jason? It's Alexandra. I uhh, wanted to know how you're doing. If you get a chance, gimme a call back."

The last thing I needed right now was a phone conversation with my ex. Alex and I had been together for a long time, but she was never comfortable that, as a homocide detective and as a NARC, I routinely put myself in the line of fire. She really hated the fact that I put all my energy into some cases too, like the current one with Harry and Emma. So, she left. And, a couple months later, I moved away as well. Ending up here.

Erasing the messege I sat down on the couch and turned on the tv, sipping my beer. I found some mindless sitcom on tv and allowed myself to drift in and out. The only thing I really understood about the show, due to my lack of attention, was that all the characters seemed to live in the same aparment building here in New York. One of the guys was married to the other, wussier guys sister. And the wussy guy had a child with his ex..and that's when I lose interest.

This case was really starting to get to me. If Louise wasn't the murderer...then it had to be either Harry, the doctor or the therapist. I couldn't see Harry intentionaly doing that. And why would a doctor or a therapist do something so heinous as well? But, it boiled down to the fact that it had to be someone who knew she was on medication, and knew that she would go after Emma if she lost control.

The group of friends on the television were now dancing in a fountain. I still didn't understand how any of this was supposed to be funny. So, I rubbed my forehead instead. The phone rang, it was Manchester.

"Jason. It's Manchester. I regret that I havent time for pleasentries. I've just finished speaking with Ms. Aldergaine, Louise Smith's sister."

I perked up instantly. "And? Do we get the info we need?"

It was quiet for a moment, then...."No. She refuses to waive privilage. She says her sister was a horrible monster. And medication doesn't change the fact that she was less than human and should be put down."

Ouch. I thought. Close to home. "So, whats the next course of action?" I asked.

"Quite simple, old chap. We simply demonstrate cause to a judge, and he gives us a warrant for any and all documents pretaining to Mrs. Smith. I have a meeting in Chambers tomorrow, counter Ms. Aldergaine's lawyer of course. But, any argument they make will surely show them to be....idiotic, to say the least."

"Alright. Thank's Winchester. Make sure you update Jessica. Yeah, I'll be there. Ok, yeah, bye." Why does this keep getting more complicated, I thought. ALL I want is to find out why a 4 year old girl had to suffer for someone elses problems and maledictions.

So, the next day I rose early showered, grabbed a quick bite to eat and a coffee and drove to the city courts where the case was being heard. Winchester met me at the door, and handed me another drink. He was a good guy, Winchester. I took a sip. Earl Grey. It would be tea, knowing him and he knew I liked the Earl Grey he had at home. "Thanks." I said, drinking the hot liquid, greedily absorbing the caffine.

"Not at all. If you'll follow me, we're already late." I nodded and swept after him, adjusting my trench coat to sit more comfortably on my shouders, so that it wasn't causing my shoulder-holster to dig into my chest. When we arrived in the Judges chambers.

Judge Elisha Edwards sat behind his desk. He was an impressive man. Tall, barrel-chested and broad across the shoulders. He had very dark skin, a shaved head and a neatly trimmed beared and goatee. He was one of the finest judges in New York City. Infact, he had been asked, several times, to move to the state and even federal levels, but he refused to leave the citizen of New York without the option of a fair, open minded and expidant trial judge.

Folding his hands, he leaned forward, gazing at Winchester and Ms. Aldergraine's lawyers. "I'm failing to understand the issue that Ms. Aledergaine has with waiving the Doctor Patien confidentiality. It would allow the prosecution and the detectives involved, he said gesturing to me, the chance to find out exactly why the little girl died." He had a deep, reassuring voice, that both calmed the soul but told you he would broker no argument or nonsense in his court.

Mr. LaVerne cleared his throat in a very pompus manner. "Of course, I didn't expect you would."

Edwards raised an eyebrow. "Be very very careful, council. I'm already irritated that this has to be brought to chambers. Don't make me hold you in contempt."

The upity lawyer cleared his throat again, and adjusted his glasses. "Regardless. My clients views have already been stated, and she believes, as exeuctor of the estate, that this is enough reason for you." He said, with his irritatingly nasly voice.

Winchster grinned. "Indeed. She said, and I quote, 'My sister is an animal and should be put down.' Hardly the kind of thing a family member with concern would say. Her neice was just killed, and she wants no answers."

"She has answers," the other lawyer continued. "The mother killed the child. Quite barbaric."

Winchester acquieced the point. "Quite so. However, her pills were replaced with placebos. Sugar pills. Which means there was something larger here. Something more than a murder. And, I believe somethind needs to be done about it."

"And to what effect, council, would releasing the files aid you in that?" Edwards asked.

"Simply put, your honor, we believe they may indentify the source of the placebos. To be frank, the extent of this conspiracy is mindboggling, and Ms. Aldergaine just adds to it."

"Meaning what? Do you accuse my client? Councillor, you should choose your next words very carefuly."

I stepped in. "I highly suggest you refrain from taking that tone with Mr. Charleston."

He sniffed derisively. "And, who are you?"

I flashed my badge. "Jason Tucker, Homicide Devision. I'm heading up the investigation."

He grinned. "Humerous. You initialy called for her execution. I can see that I've already won just by you being here."

I grinned back. "Actually. I'm the one who found the placebos and filed for the release of all medical documents. Mrs. Smith was not in control of her mind when she killed her daughter, and someone knew she would."

The lawer chuckled "And you're point?"

Winchester's voice was quite low when he answered." Qui Bono."

Edwards blinked, so did I. Winchester was smart, very smart. But at this moment, I loved him even more than usual. He continued. "Qui Bono, as I'm sure the esteemed council knows, is latin for "Who Benefits." And, perusing the will, as I am sure you know, Harry Smith's lawyers granted us access to, we discovered an interesting clause."

Mr. LaVerne's smile faultered. "And that would be?"

Winchester grinned wickidly, as he always did when he caught someone. "The clause says that, should anything befall the parents, the entire ammount of their estate, which is quite large I should say, passes to Emma IN TRUST of Ms. Aldergaine. HOWEVER, should something befall EMMA then Ms. Aldergaine comes into posession of ALL the estate. But, sadly enough for Ms. Aldergaine, there is a stipulation. it must be death."

Edwards looked at him. "Meaning?"

"Meaning," Winchester continued "That if any of the family still lives, even in prison or in a disabled state, the funds still belong to them in trust of whoever the lawyer appoints. He has yet to appoint someone, but, given the circumstances surrounding Emma's death, Harry's death and the current plight of Louise Smith, couple with the reaction from Ms. Alderagine, he assures us that he will appoint a government executor long before Ms. Aldergaine sees a penny of the money. "

I smiled. "So, yes, to answer your question, I think she may have quite a bit to do with the murder. But we don't have enough evidance to arrest her, or any of our other suspects. But, we think, that accessing the medical records will give us the lead we desperately need."

Silence reigned over the chambers of Judge Elisha Edwards, till he cleared his throat and spoke. "The files are in. Tell Ms. Aldergaine that she had best stay in at home for a while. She'll be needed for questioning soon, I'm sure."

LaVerne went red. "We'll appeal this."

The judge raised his eyebrow "To whom? We have a court reporter here. Everything is being recorded. The Court of Appeals will throw it out as soon as they look at it. The files are in. Get over it, Councilor."

"One last thing," I said, pulling a file folder out of my briefcase. I removed a set of photographs from the package. "Show these to your client, tell her this is her niece. Tell her I AM going to find who caused this. I will pursue them ruthlessly, doggedly and untiringly. I will hunt them down, and I will see them in court. Tell her that. And tell her, from me, that she can go to hell for trying what she did. Emma can't speak for herself anymore. So I'll speak for her. Aldergaine can go to hell."

I shook the judges hand, nodded to Winchester and left the room, LaVerne had gone white as a sheet.

TBC