Chapter 4
1169 Words
Chapter 4
The next morning, Keplar called Knutson from the station and filled him in. “I’m going over to the house after I hang up.”
“Want any company?”
“Not necessary. I’ll call again after I check it out. Besides, there must be some crime taking place in Minneapolis that needs your attention.”
“Funny man. We’ll talk later.”
Shouting, “Hey, Trish, how’s the research on this guy?”
“What have I told you about the intercom? Please stop the shouting, and yes, I think I have who you are looking for on Oak Street. It’s not Dorian, but Dorland, first name Bishop, address Twenty-Three Oak.”
Standing in front of her desk, “Interesting, two last names. I’m heading over there now. Thanks, Trish, I can always count on you.”
“By the way, your mother called and expects a drop by and she told me to keep an eye on you.”
“Two moms, just what I need,” he whispered as he headed out into a light snowfall.
“What was that?” Trish nearly shouted.
The roads were getting packed down with snow, making driving a bit of a challenge. Given the driving conditions and the short distance he had to travel, it took less than ten minutes to pull onto Oak Street.
Finding Twenty-Three Oak on the left, he realized the boy had it right, white stucco and green trim. The snow in the driveway was at least six inches deep, so it was obvious that no one had been here for at least a couple days.
He parked out front against a three-foot wall of snow left by the plow. Stepping over it, he walked up the driveway, pushing through the snow. The front door was to the left. Reaching it, he rang the doorbell, not expecting anyone to answer. He couldn’t hear it ring, so he rapped on the aluminum screen door. This time he heard movement inside and stepped back as an elderly lady opened the inner door.
“Hi, I’m Chief Keplar. Is this the Dorland residence?”
“Why yes, it is,” she answered with a quizzical stare.
“Is Bishop home?”
“No, and I’m getting worried cause I haven’t seen him for a couple days. He’s my son.”
Stomping his feet, “It’s cold, any chance I could come in?”
“Of course, Chief,” she said, stepping aside to let him in. She then closed and latched the door. “Please come in and sit down.” She led him to a small comfortable living room.
Taking a cushioned chair across from the sofa where she sat down, Keplar asked, “What kind of car does your son drive?”
“I believe it is a dark colored Studebaker.”
“Do you have a recent picture of him?”
Concern showing on her face, “Has something happened to Bishop?” Pulling a framed picture off the mantle, “This was taken last Christmas.”
Studying it, Keplar knew it was the victim. “I’m sorry,” pausing to find the words, “I’m afraid, your son was killed, night before last. We found him in his car parked on Twin Lakes.”
Breaking down in tears, she choked out, “I have no one else. What am I going to do?” She stood and stumbled across the room. Keplar stood and reached out to make sure she didn’t fall. Motioning him away, she fell into her chair.
“Is there anyone you can call to come over and be with you?”
Regaining some composure, “No, no family.”
“How about a neighbor?”
“Mr. Rosen next door, sometimes checks on me, but I’m sure he’s at work now.”
“I’ll need you to come downtown to identify him. When would you like to do that?”
“I don’t know. There’s no way I could get the car out.”
“How about I clear a path to the road and take you there?”
“You would do that?”
“Of course, just tell me where I can find a shovel.”
Pulling a tissue out of her dress pocket to wipe her nose and eyes, “There is one standing beside the front stoop.”
Stepping out into the cold, Keplar found it. Ten minutes later, he led her to his truck and they were on the way. They were no sooner settled when Mrs. Dorland began to sob quietly.
A short while later, “Did Bishop have any enemies that you know of?”
Shaking her head, “Not that I know of.”
“Do you know who he hung out with?”
“He never brought anyone home. I saw him meet a couple guys a few days ago. When they arrived, he simply ran out and they drove off.”
“Did you notice what kind of car it was?”
Pausing, “No, but it looked new. It was big.”
“Did you notice the color?”
“Only that it was dark.”
By this time, they were pulling in behind the ME’s office. Getting out, he walked around to open the door for her. “Be careful not to slip. Let me hold your hand.”
Holding her hand out, “Thank you.”
Entering the office, Keplar asked the lady sitting behind the desk, “Is Doc Armstrong here?”
“Yes, let me find him.”
Mrs. Dorland stood back against the wall, shaking a little while wiping her nose.
Keplar stepped back and took her hand. “It will only be a few minutes.”
“I don’t know if I want to do this.”
“I know how difficult this can be, but it will be over shortly,” he said, squeezing her hand lightly.
Doc Armstrong walked out a minute later. “Hey, Chief, what’s up?”
“This is Mrs. Dorland. She may be the mother of the man brought in yesterday. I’d like her to identify him.”
“This is a bit unusual. You should have called in earlier to set up a time.”
“I know and I apologize, but this happened a short while ago.”
“Give me about five minutes to get the body prepared.”
“Is there somewhere we can wait?”
“Second door on the right is a small conference room. There are chairs and a table there.” He then walked off.
Keplar got Mrs. Dorland into the room and seated. “It won’t be long.”
She nodded and looked away.
About ten minutes later the doc came to the door and said, “Follow me please.”
Halfway down the hall, she stopped, “I can’t do this. If it’s him, I’ll know he will never come home again. I need some time.”
“Here, let’s go back and sit down a bit,” Keplar said and led her back to the room. “Please have a seat until you are ready.”
Instead of sitting down she went to the lone window in the room and looked up at the sky. “I need time to pray.”
“Of course. I’ll be right outside,” he said and softly closed the door behind him.
Moments later and without a word, he led her to the viewing room where the doc stood on the other side of the sheet-draped body. “Are you ready?” he asked.
With a soft yes and a nod, she looked at her son’s face as it was slowly revealed and reached down and patted his cheek. “Yes, that’s my boy.” Her whole body began to rock as a flood of tears spilled out.
Keplar nodded to the doc, and then led her out to his truck. She had kept her coat on the whole time. It was now wrapped around her tightly as she buried her face in the collar. Nothing was said on their trip back to her home on Oak.
- Writer
