Chapter 5: The Prosecutor Who Knew Too Much
Richard Hale was a handsome man in his late fifties.
His silver hair was perfectly combed, his tie was expensive, and his smile was practiced enough to make strangers feel as though they were old friends.
He had served as Bellhaven County's district attorney for fourteen years.
Fourteen years was a long time to build relationships.
It was also a long time to build secrets.
"Judge Whitlock," he said, extending his hand.
I didn't take it.
"Mr. Hale.""
He lowered his hand without appearing offended.
"I sincerely apologize for this unfortunate misunderstanding.""
"Which misunderstanding?""
He glanced at Voss.
"The arrest. The confusion. I'm sure Sheriff Voss was acting on information provided to him.""
"By whom?""
Hale smiled.
"That's what we'll need to establish.""
I watched his eyes.
He wasn't looking at me like someone speaking to a judge.
He was looking at me like someone assessing a threat.
Marshal Greene stepped forward.
"Mr. Hale, we're preserving records connected to several criminal cases. We need you to identify your involvement in the evidence-release authorizations.""
Hale's smile disappeared.
"Those are prosecutorial records.""
"Some involve property controlled by the sheriff's department.""
"Then you should speak to the sheriff.""
"We already are.""
Hale glanced at Voss.
The sheriff gave him a barely noticeable shake of the head.
I saw it.
So did Greene.
"Interesting," Greene said.
Hale straightened his jacket.
"Judge, perhaps we should speak privately.""
"No.""
"Surely you understand the importance of discretion.""
"I understand the importance of transparency. Especially when evidence from criminal cases is involved.""
Hale's expression hardened.
"You're making serious accusations.""
"I'm asking serious questions.""
"Then perhaps you should start by understanding local procedures.""
I stepped closer.
"Mr. Hale, I have reviewed thousands of criminal records during my career. I know the difference between an administrative transfer and an unauthorized release of evidence.""
He looked away.
I continued.
"Twenty-three questionable transactions. Several involving cases where defendants remain incarcerated. One connected to a murder conviction.""
Hale's lips tightened.
"Which case?""
I studied him.
"Why? Are you concerned about a particular defendant?""
For the first time, he looked genuinely uncomfortable.
Voss interrupted.
"She's trying to trap you, Richard.""
I turned toward the sheriff.
"Nobody asked you to answer for him.""
Hale raised one hand.
"Dalton, stop talking.""
The sheriff looked offended.
I almost smiled.
The prosecutor had just revealed something important.
He was accustomed to controlling Voss.
And Voss was accustomed to obeying him.
"Mr. Hale," I said, "what can you tell me about the murder conviction?""
Hale took a slow breath.
"The defendant was Marcus Bell. Convicted twelve years ago for the murder of a local businessman named Thomas Avery.""
I remembered the name.
It had appeared in the anonymous complaints.
"Was the physical evidence preserved?""
"Yes.""
"All of it?""
"To the best of my knowledge.""
"Then why does the property log show that the murder weapon was released to Sheriff Voss after the conviction?""
Hale blinked.
"The weapon?""
"Yes.""
He looked toward Voss.
The sheriff shifted his weight.
"That was an administrative matter.""
Hale's voice became sharper.
"Dalton, you told me the weapon was destroyed.""
The room went completely silent.
Voss stared at him.
I looked at Greene.
He immediately took out his phone.
"Repeat that, please.""
Hale realized what he had said.
"I misspoke.""
"No," I replied.
"You didn't.""
He stepped toward me.
"Judge, you don't know the circumstances.""
"Then explain them.""
"That evidence was no longer necessary.""
"That doesn't answer my question.""
He rubbed his forehead.
"Marcus Bell was convicted. The case was closed.""
I looked directly at him.
"Mr. Hale, a conviction does not give the government permission to destroy evidence that may establish a defendant's innocence.""
His jaw tightened.
"Are you suggesting we framed him?""
"I'm suggesting that someone removed evidence from a murder case, and your office authorized it.""
He looked at the floor.
Then he said something that made my blood run cold.
"Marcus Bell wasn't supposed to appeal.""
I remained silent.
Hale seemed to realize the gravity of his words.
Greene stepped forward.
"Mr. Hale, what did you just say?""
The prosecutor swallowed.
"I meant the case was considered settled.""
"That's not what you said.""
Hale turned toward Voss.
"Dalton, get me out of here.""
Voss immediately moved toward the exit.
Greene blocked his path.
"Nobody leaves until the initial evidence inventory is complete.""
Voss exploded.
"You're not taking over my building!""
Greene remained calm.
"Nobody is taking over anything. We're preserving potentially relevant records.""
Hale pulled out his phone.
"I have a right to contact my attorney.""
"Of course," I replied.
He dialed.
But before the call connected, his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His expression changed.
He answered.
"Yes?""
A woman's voice came through.
I couldn't hear every word, but I saw Hale's face become increasingly pale.
"What do you mean?""
A pause.
"No. That's impossible.""
Another pause.
"Who opened it?""
His eyes moved toward me.
Then he whispered:
"Who has the original?""
He ended the call.
I watched him carefully.
"Something wrong, Mr. Hale?""
He put the phone away.
"Nothing.""
"That didn't sound like nothing.""
He looked toward the sheriff.
"Dalton, we need to speak.""
Voss shook his head.
"Not here.""
Hale leaned closer and whispered something.
But I caught the final words.
"The original evidence file.""
I stepped forward.
"Mr. Hale.""
He stopped.
"Where is it?""
He didn't answer.
Then Deputy Reed approached with a second document.
"Your Honor, I found something in the archive.""
He handed it to Greene.
It was an old evidence receipt.
The signature at the bottom belonged to Sheriff Dalton Voss.
But the date was different from the one in the property database.
Twelve years earlier.
The same week Marcus Bell was convicted.
And beside the sheriff's signature was a handwritten note:
*TRANSFER COMPLETE. ORIGINAL RETAINED.*
I looked up.
"Original retained where?""
Reed shook his head.
"I don't know.""
Then he pointed toward a small handwritten code beneath the note.
*B-17.*
Hale went completely white.
I turned toward him.
"Mr. Hale, what is B-17?""
His voice was barely audible.
"An evidence locker.""
"Where?""
He stared at me.
Then he looked at Voss.
"Under the old courthouse.""
Before anyone could ask another question, the dispatcher's voice came over the intercom.
"Attention, Sheriff Voss. There's an emergency call from the county detention center.""
Voss grabbed the microphone.
"What now?""
A frightened voice answered.
"Sir, it's about Marcus Bell.""
Hale closed his eyes.
May you like
The voice continued.
"He's missing.""
