LIVING ON THE EDGE

CHAPTER: 15

"Adriana's, sister-in-law, Amy, thought there was something Adriana was hiding?" Private Detective Sharon asked.

"Yeah, and she was friendly, unlike the rest of them. You want a lead to a chase, then better contact the sister-in-law," Police Detective Jackson advised Sharon. 

"Give me a feel for the family. How are they difficult?" Sharon asked.

"The Reed family is old money. The Davies are new money. Both families feel put out if you ask them uncomfortable questions, and because they are known for donating money to various charities and organizations in Nashville- Tennessee, including NPD-Nashville Police Department. We thus had to be very careful." Detective Mike Jackson rolled his eyes and used air quotes.

"What does 'careful' mean?" Sharon asked.

"This is what got Archie. We planned to dig into the backgrounds of both the families, thought it would be better to talk to everyone, you understand? In-laws, siblings, everybody. Well, we kept leaving messages for the Reeds, and Adriana's parents, but they would not call us back. Eventually, we stopped by Reed's office in Sweetwater and the receptionist had a fit. She told us they were not in the office that day, so we left. The next day, Archie had a sticky note on his desk," Mike informed Sharon.

"Discontinue the investigation, and halt?" Sharon asked. 

"That is right. No explanation or reason. It just said that the Reeds were irrelevant to the case. Of course, we argued that we could not say that until we spoke to them, but the boss told us to tone it down and leave them alone. Archie got really mad; went to their house one day when he was off. He should not have done it that way, but he had the right idea. He got written up, but we continued to try to pursue the case. We both decided to move forward with it, and we both became a lot less popular here at the precinct, but I tell you, it was worth it. We thought we might be on to something," Jackson told her.

"Were you?" she asked.

"Maybe, but we were stonewalled. We were not ready to give up. Instead, we switched to the Davies'. Once again we tried to schedule meetings, but they refused to meet. The mom sent us an email that said, 'No comment.' No comment on their daughter's murder? It seemed weird, but after contacting them a few times, we received a similar message on a sticky note," Jackson shared with Sharon.

"Did you challenge the idea that you could not interview people who were relevant to the case?" Sharon asked him.

"Yep. That is why Archie is now into organic farming, out there in the southwest. We challenged and they fought back. Eventually, some rumor conveniently got started about the infidelity angle. The media was beating down our door, and the boss wanted results. When we could not get cooperation from either family and it was clear that they hated one another, we were encouraged to let the rumor fester and take off. No one seems to care about a woman who cheats. We were pissed, but since we were told to leave it alone, yet again, we had no other option, and had to drop the case.

"From where did the rumor come?" Sharon asked.

"Ironically, it was started during an interview with the chief. He threw it out there as a possible scenario. The media loved that angle, and they ran with it."

"It means that the rumor was planted," Sharon stated.

"I cannot confirm nor deny, but it was strange that he would give them that bone to chew on. You, know how the media loves drama? After Chief threw it out there, it was a part of every news story," Jackson said.

Sharon wondered, why did the chief start the rumor? Why wouldn't Reeds or Davies talk with the police? She wondered if Chase would be able to get his parents to meet with her. Perhaps she could work through the friendly sister-in-law to get to Adriana's parents. They were definitely on her list of people to be interviewed.

"Any theories on why this needed to be a cover-up?"

"Not really. The Reed and Davies families have donated a lot of money and time to the cities of Nashville and also Sweetwater. Usually, that means that there is a push to solve the case unless there is a possibility of a scandal. If Adriana Reed was having an affair with a lowly person, it would have shamed the family. Maybe they knew that was going on, figured she was offered by a drug dealer and did not want that to tarnish their reputation," Jackson shared with Sharon.

"It does tarnish the reputation a bit... Loose morals daughter throws it all away for drug dealer boyfriend," Sharon said.

"But it is just a rumor; pure speculation at this point. The public should think that than for it to be proven. It also takes the pressure off NPD, which is an interesting angle, but I am sure that figured into the chief's speculation," Jackson stated.

"I am sure. Hey, what about surveillance videos? Did you guys collect anything from the store?" Sharon asked him.

"Yeah, but there was nothing in them. They were low quality and also they had been focussing on the front door and the back of the building. Unfortunately, you cannot see anything on the tapes. It is as good as nothing happened that night. The angles were intensely focused on the store, which makes sense, especially in that area," he replied.

"What about the gang angle? Allen Gray, the store owner, said that the gangs had been harassing him before Adriana's body was found, but they have not bothered him since the murder. Was there any evidence that pointed towards gang involvement?" Sharon asked him.

"No. It was strange that the attacks stopped after that, but I think that has more to do with what Gray did after that," he said.

"What did he do?" she asked him.

"He took a stand for the neighborhood. Instead of leaving or bad-mouthing the place, he really stood up for the people in the locality. I think he earned street credibility and that is why they left him alone," Jackson said.

"Hmm. Interesting angle," Sharon said.

"I know they are gang members, but they have Maury County pride in a way. To see someone stick up for their neighborhood makes them feel good," Jackson told Sharon.

She nodded, but in the back of her mind, she thought that there had to be more to it than that. "Interesting. Thanks for your time, Mike, and an insider's view. Dinner is on me one of these nights," Sharon said.

"Don't make promises you cannot keep," he said.

"For real. Dinner. Hey, can I get Archie's number from you?" Sharon asked.

Jackson hesitated. "Give me a chance to talk to him. I will give him your number and he can call if he wants," Mike replied.

"Fair enough. Okay, think about dinner. You pick the place and I will spend the night picking your brain," Sharon said.

"Deal," he said. They then shook hands and she headed for the car.