Chapter 18

Tasha was not satisfied with the indictments.

“So after months of investigating a white robber, you now claim that Damon’s Black friends are responsible?”

“We go where the evidence leads, Mrs. Fields.”

“And you maintain that the robbers had nothing to do with Damon’s death?”

“Our current theory is that Damon was eliminated because of criminal activity at the Star Candy club. Activity that witnesses have testified to. Leon and Mark Pace, along with Damon, have been implicated in this investigation. Your husband was killed to cover up the Paces culpability, since they feared the release of damaging evidence from his blown safe.”

“I don’t believe it. There is more going on here! And how accurate have your theories been in the past!”

“The courts will hear the case and render justice. Once again, I realize this is not what you expected.”

Detective Jones understood that Tasha Fields would not be placated, regardless of the evidence or any explanation. Neither would her Black Lives Matter allies. They were on a righteous crusade. That was the political reality, and nothing would change it. There was no point in getting angry.

As he watched the aggrieved widow leave, he took solace in the fact that the Pace cousins would face justice. There was still no trace of the body, but under pressure, one of them might still confess. Who knew what evidence might be revealed as the court case wore on?

Meanwhile, the investigation into Matt Stevens death continued. While there was no evidence implicating Vandenburg, the police were now digging into Arthur’s known associates. Since his role in the robberies was suspected, they could dig into other historical thefts to see what involvement the Stevens/Vandenburg duo might have had in those cases. Perhaps a link might be found, particularly since the robberies were clearly an organized activity. Maybe other professional thieves lent a hand to this criminal enterprise. And what happened to the goods? Known fences would come under investigation as well.