The Change of Time

CHAPTER 1

Elizabeth P.O.V

“Morning partner.” “Morning Jake, aren’t you joyful this morning?” Jake, smile and winked at me as I turn around to leave the kitchen with a cup of coffee in hand. I would rather not listen to what he got up to last night.

As I was approaching my office, I heard the Captain calling me and Jake to his office. “Morning Cap.” “What-sup Cap.” Jake said and earned himself a hard stare from the Captain. “Morning Elizabeth... Jake. Sit, I have a case that I want to discuss with you.” “Already...? Wow, the people here really never sleep.”

I just looked at the Captain as he went on ignoring Jake’s statement. “The Life Insurance company contacted me and asked if we can look into the death of Mr. Baker, they are suspecting foul play. Apparently, in the last fifteen years Mrs. Baker had four husbands and all of them passed away in some sort of accident.”

“Four husbands, wow... that is odd.” Jake said, having shocked expression. I was used to all the crazy things that we see and hear on the job. “Well, Jake, let’s meet Mrs. Baker. Shell we.” I got up and walked out of Cap’s office.

As we arrived at Mrs. Baker’s house, the door open and revealed a Mrs. Baker with a lot of luggage. “Good day Mrs. Baker, we are from the Ninth Precinct offices. I am Detective Williams and this is Detective Smith.” I introduced us.

“Sorry for your loss, but can we have a minute of your time? We need to ask you some questions?” Jake asked. “I’m actually going to stay at my sister's for a few days. She is helping me with the funeral arrangements.” “O and where does your sister live.” I asked, as this feeling inside me grew. She is not innocent, not innocent at all.

“She lives at the border on the Northside of town.” Mrs. Baker said. “Mrs. Baker, I am very sorry to inform you, but you can't leave town. The live insurance company has opened an investigation for the death of your husband.” I responded to her.

“But... but I don’t understand it was an accident, he... he slipped and… and...” She started crying and closing her eyes with her hands as Jake lightly took her by the arm and leaded her back into the house. As I followed them in, I notice that there were no pictures on the wall beside for them, so I guess they did not have any children and the furniture suggested that they were wealthy.

“Mrs. Baker can you please tell us how the accented with your husband happened.” I asked as I was standing behind the couch Jake was sitting on and I received a nasty look from him, but ignored it. Adeline Baker was an exquisite young lady, so I am guessing he thinks she’s innocent.

“Well, everyone knew my husband was not very young and that he often fell. I told him if he wanted something from the kitchen at night he must let me know and I will get it for him, but I was in the bath and I guess he didn’t want to disturb me so he came down to the kitchen and the next thing I heard was a scream and then a hard thump. I rushed down to the Kitchen and saw him lying there with blood coming from his head. I called for the emergency services immediately and went to sit next to him, but... but he was not breathing.” She started crying again, and Jake tried to calm her down. He is so gullible.

“Mrs. Baker, was all the doors and windows locked?” “Hmm... I think so... no wait the back door was still open we usually drink our tea on the back porch at night after I had my... my bath...” “And you are sure you did not hear anyone ells in the house after that.” “Yes I’m sure it was only me and...” O I wish she will stop acting like this, it’s working on my nerves.

“Well, that will be all for now, Mrs. Baker. Thank you for your time and we are sorry for your loss. Please, if there is anything you can remember, don’t be hesitant to phone me.” Jake said as he gave her his card.

“And Mrs. Baker, please put off all travelling arrangements until we completed the investigation.” “Of course, have a lovely day officers.” She replayed a little too cheerful.

As we got into Jake’s car, I had this notion he was going to give me a headache. “You really didn’t need to be so direct. She is clearly grieving.” “O please Jake, that was all an act. You are so gullible.” “No, I’m not. Did you see her face.” “Jake, it doesn’t mean if you have a pretty face that you cannot do awful things.”

“You think she is guilty, don’t you?” “Yes... I'm sure of that.” “And how is that?” “I can just feel it.” “In your gut?” “Yes Jake in my gut.” “Well where do we go from here.” “We do what we get paid for, we investigate.” “Well, partner, what do you want me to do?” “Get all the records you can find on her previous husbands. I will go to the Coroner and find out what her findings on Mr. Baker is.”

As I was walking to Lisa’s examining room, I replayed everything about Mrs. Baker in my head. Her house was spotless, everything in its place and not a dust particle to be found. It’s going to be hard to find evidence there, but I can’t shake this feeling... it’s as if I could see the blackness of her heart in her eyes. The moment I saw her, I knew she was guilty. Now we just need to prove it.

“Hi Lisa.” “O hey Elizabeth, here to visit Mr. Baker?” “Of course, what do you have for me and please keep it in English?” “Aw you no fun.” We both chuckled at that.

“Okay, so I found a few fractures in his bones. Some have healed, others are a little... fresher. I asked for his medical examinations at the hospital and it looks like he was becoming a regular there. He either broke a bone or got a few bruises and every time he fell against something or off something, but he can never remember what happened.”

“What about this last fall.” “Yes, so according to the paramedics, there was a slippery substance on the floor when they got there. I analyzed it and it came out that it was cleaning detergent, so when he slipped on it, he hit the front of his head against the corner of the kitchen island and that was the death blow.”

“You said a cleaning detergent?” “Yes, and let me guess you know who did this... don’t you?” “I got someone in mind.” “Its that young wife of his isn’t it, it’s always the wife.” “Ha ha ha, thank you Lisa.” “Anytime it’s always a pleasure to see you.” At that I turned and left.

“Jake you got anything yet?” “Yes I have all the info we were looking for.” “I’m going to get some coffee, then I will meet you in my office.” “Sure, bring me a cup as well... please.” He said before disappearing around the corner. After making us coffee and coming back into my office, I saw him busy on the board, putting up the pictures of Mrs. Baker’s deceased husbands.

“So what do we have so far?” "Well, husband number one, Frederick Greyston. He was seventy-four when they got married and died in a car accident.” “O sorry to disappoint you Jake, but it looks like she likes the old guys.”

“I’m going to ignore that. He received a call from the Security company stating his alarm was going off at his workshop and they are sending people out and if he wanted to look for himself he was welcome. Or... so he told his wife. As he was rushing over there, his brakes failed and he collided with a truck. He died instantly.”

“So they did an investigation on the accident and there was no foul play?” Yes and no, there was no tampering with the brakes, but the Security company verified that they did not call Mr. Greyson that night as the alarm never went off.”

“So they did an investigation on his beloved wife?” “Yes they did and they ruled the death as an accident as Mr. Grayson was apparently cheating on his wife with another young lady, according to their sources. The phone call made was from a burner cell so they could not trace it and they believe he was rushing to go to her.” “She verified this… yes.” “No, they could not find her.” “Of course not.”

“The second husband, William Riker, got married when he was eighty-one and died of a heart attack.” “No foul play.” “No, apparently they were being intimate when he had the heart attack and died instantly as well.” “What does the autopsy report say about it? Did he have any substance in his body?”

“Only his everyday medication, blood pressure and heart pills.” “So he had a heart problem... I’m sure his wife was more that happy to have learned that.” “How could she have known he would have a heart attack?” “O Jake, there is so much you need to learn.”

“Husband number three, who, where, when...?” “Okay, so husband number three, Josef Long-arm. He married her at the age of sixty-six. He died when his house burned down.” “Where was little wife?” “According to the report, she was visiting her sister, and the fire started because of a gas leak. I’m sorry Elizabeth, but it looks like she just has bad luck with husbands.”

“And… the fact that all her husbands are older successful men with no families and no children, has nothing to do with that.” “Like I said, she has bad luck.” “What about the fact that after every husband death, she and her sister and her sister’s son goes on nice and expensive holiday to some sort of exotic island.” “Well, you need to recuperate after the death of a loved one.”

“Whatever you say, Jake. By the way, where did her sister live every time she got married?” “According to the records I received, she moved to the outskirts of every town her sister was staying in. Maybe... it’s the sister killing her husbands.” “Seriously Jake.” “Well, think about it. It makes sense. She is all alone with her son and her sister gets all the fun with her husbands, she gets jealous and kills them. Making her sister run back to her.” “That can be Jake, but that is not the case here.” “But we will look into it, right?” “Of course, we will do our job properly.”

“Elizabeth...” “O... hey Lisa.” “I think I found something,” “What did you find.” “Well the tocsin screen came back, and it looks like he had a lot of Melatonin in his body.” “Melatonin?” “It is a drug that some old people used to help them sleep as the body does not produce as much when you get older, but compared to the normal dosage taken, he had about three times more in his body.”

“So someone definitely drugged him. Jake, please find out for me if he was the one purchasing this or was it his wife?” “Sure thing.” “Thank you, Lisa. I appreciate it.” “My pleasure.” She said, leaving my office.

I looked at the photos given to me, but couldn’t find anything that will link Mrs. Baker to a murder. Maybe Jake was right, maybe the feeling I have is wrong.., but it’s never wrong. I then watched the footage from the garage by the Northside of town, seeing if her sister actually comes into town. If my hunch is right, she will help her sister to get rid of her husbands so that they can have the money, and live wherever they want to.

After about twelve hours watching video footage, I’ve noticed that her sister never comes into town, only Mrs. Baker going to her once or sometimes twice a week. I think I had the wrong idea about her sister. I then looked at Mrs. Baker’s bank statements and she was making weekly deposits into her sister’s account as well. Now why would her sister not come into town to spend some of that money.....

“Hey partner, looks like you got something. I recognize that look in your eyes.” “Did you find out about the purchase of the Melatonin, and why did you take so long?” “Yes, Mrs. Baker was the one to pick it up witch is not unusual, she is his wife, but what puzzles me is that the prescription is made out to her. And I had some things to do.”

I looked at him for a bit, but he kept his cool and did not say anything further. “Okay so at least that is enough to get a warrant, so we can search the house, we will definitely find something there.”

“And what about you? What have you found?” “I think her sister is almost being held hostage by her.” “Now what would make you think that?” “Well, Mrs. Baker makes weekly deposits into her account, but yet she does not come into town to spend it and then she goes to her sister’s house at least once a week. I’m guessing, that she takes food to her.”

“Okay maybe her sister does not like to come into town, maybe she has Agoraphobia-Anxiety.” “Nope I looked through her medical records, nothing like that in there and you realize if she had it she couldn't have kill the husbands. I think that Mrs. Baker is afraid that if her sister meets n guy and they get married, she will lose her.”

“But why would her sister agree to something like that?” “Guilt... When she got pregnant her parents chased her away as she was under age and Mrs. Baker ran with her helping her raise her son.” “Okay now I’m catching on, but just one thing how did you get hold of there medical and banking records without a warrant?” “As I told you, there is a lot you still need to learn... newbie.”

“You are aware, we can’t use any of this in court now.” “We don’t have to. We are going to find all the evidence in her house. Someone like Mrs. Baker will always keep something as a reminder. Now let’s go get ourselves that warrant.”

“Good day Mrs. Baker, sorry to trouble you, but we have a warrant to search the premises.” “A warrant you say?” “Yes, Mrs. Baker.” “Well, come on in... you won’t find anything here.” I look at her and it was as if she was challenging us. Usually people say, that’s fine. I have nothing to hide, but no, she is definitely challenging us and I will win.

“Jake, you and three guys take the upper level. We will search down here.” Mrs. Baker went and sit on her couch with a cup of tea in front of her. After what felt like hours and turning the house upside down, we found nothing. As Jake came down the stairs, I asked him if he had anything and he replayed he couldn’t find anything up there and Mrs. Baker had a half smile on her face while drinking her tea.

“Fine, come with me. I want to inspect the upper level.” “Elizabeth, there is nothing. I searched everywhere.” “Jake, there is something here. I can feel it.” “Fine let’s go.”

As we were walking up, I had this knot in my stomach and I knew it was my gut telling me I’m on the right path. I walk slowly past each room until the knot in my stomach got so bad I nearly passed out. “Here, this is the room, there is something in here.” “How do you know? It is only a spare bedroom.” “I just do.”

We went in and I was looking everywhere for a hidden room or floor boards that was half loose anything and Jake was just sitting on the bed with a huge smile on his face, enjoying the fact that I have found nothing as yet. Then I saw the floorboards by the head of the bed, they were a little scraped.

“Jake, move your ass.” I said as I pulled him off the bed and moved the bed. “There you see that?” “See what exactly?” I moved a little closer to the boards that were slightly loose and looks a little warned on the edges. “That...” I pointed at the boards. “It looks like those can lift.” He went to start and lift them up.

“Good eye Elizabeth, I didn’t even notice that.” “Ya... I know.” He pulled out a little box that barely had any dust on it. “It has been open recently.” He said as he opened the box and there we found it, the mother load. Everything was in there, how she planned their deaths and how she would cover it up to look like accidents and even a few trinkets from all her husbands. “Shall we?” Jake said, gestured for me, so that I can leave the room.

“Mrs. Baker,” I said as we walked into the living room. As soon as she saw Jake with the box, she tried to run, but I was already by her side and two guys were blocking her way.

“Mrs. Adeline Baker, I am placing you under arrest for the murder of Mr. Kolbe Baker. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, the State will provide you with one under certain circumstances.” As I said that, I lower her into one of the officers’ cars and closed the door. “Well, that was an easy one. You want to go for a drink?” I declined. I just wanted to go home and shower, eat, and sleep. This was a long day.

“No.... No.... don’t! How are you here? I shot you, I shot you all!" "O come now Elizabeth, you can’t fight us all.” He said whale, grabbing me by the arm and the others grabbed the rest of my body. “Let me go!” I screamed as I was thrashing around in their hold. Then I felt the most horrible of pains that I have ever felt, as if someone was busy cutting my leg off with a butcher’s knife. I screamed so load, but yet no one heard me and that is when the knife came to my head.

I jumped up in bed with sweat covering every part of my body. Arg... another nightmare. They are getting worse as the years go on. I went to the department’s psychiatrist a few times, but it never helped and the pills just made it worse. I can’t do this any longer. I’m killing myself here. A choice has to be made and I know just what to do.

The next morning I didn’t go into the kitchen to make coffee as per usual and Jake, of course, pick up on that. I went straight into the Captain’s office with Jake tailing behind me, and I pulled out my gun and badge and set it neatly on the Captain’s table.

“What is this?” The Captain asked. “I’m sorry, Cap, but I’m done. I can’t do this anymore.” The Captain knew about by nightmares and he knew about all the things I had to do to catch the suspects. He didn’t even argue. “Are you sure?” is all he asked. I’m sure Cap. “Then I wish you all the best in the world Elizabeth and please look after yourself.” “I will Cap and thank you for the years I could have served under your command.” At that, I left the office.

“Elizabeth... Elizabeth! You going to leave just like that?” Now all eyes were on me, thank you Jake. “Jake please I have to and besides you are an excellent detective, you’ll be fine.” “But where are you going?” “I am going home Jake... I’m going home.”