Sammi Evans and her husband Dave Patterson delve into the world of murder and mystery as seen through the eyes of a Down syndrome boy. The clues point to his mother as the murderess, but he knows she's innocent, although he has no concrete proof. Can they help this child and save his mother?
Sammi Evans and her husband Detective Dave Patterson take on the perplexing world of murder and mystery as seen through the eyes of a Down's syndrome boy, who's horrified when his mother, Lily Caulkin is accused of murder. The clues all point to Lily, but Sammi, with her special hidden talent, knows she is not guilty. Where do they begin to prove her innocence? In addition, one of Detective Patterson's fellow officers is accused of killing two young boys to prevent them from testifying against him. Can they solve this double dilemma? And how are all these people connected? The ending will surprise you.
Thoughts Can Be Deadly: A Sammi Evans Mystery is available for order from Amazon.com and www.buybooksontheweb.com.
Excerpt
Entering the office of Joey Larson was like walking into the world of a mainly disorganized and scattered mind. He met Sammi and Dave at the door with his arms full of files, a pencil behind his ear, something resembling a toothpick in his mouth and wearing horned rimmed glasses. He wasn't more than five feet nine inches and slight of build. His light blond hair and deep blues eyes didn't help him to be taken seriously, as he looked like someone who should be designated for a magazine cover. He ushered them to the two chairs in front of his desk, but they looked at each other and back to him as they saw two seats fully occupied with more files.
"Oh, I'm sorry; I'm so disorganized right now. Let me get those files out of your way."
In an attempt to clear a pathway for his visitors, he accidentally dropped all of the files in his arms and watched passively as they went in several directions. He stood there for a moment wondering what to do or what to say. He looked at them sadly and said, "I'm not always like this, but I haven't been on my own for more than six months and can't seem to find any workable system yet."
"Where were you before this?"
"I was in a corporation and worked with several other lawyers constantly in some type of litigation. But it wasn't what I wanted to do so I went out on my own."
"Have you had any cases yet?" asked Dave.
"Yes, I've had five cases so far. Two were plea bargained satisfactorily for my clients. One was a hung jury and the decision hasn’t been made as to its future fate. The last two cases were dismissed, so my record really isn't too bad."
His concerned look connoted he must be wondering what they were thinking about him, no doubt a disheveled, bumbling idiot. Sammi almost felt sorry for him. His outward appearance came across as a total incompetent, but she knew from his thoughts that his mind was organized and shrewd. He needed to get himself together in order to convince others of his capabilities. Although she knew why Lily didn't have much confidence in him based on his outward appearance and style, she thought he would prove to be valuable if given a chance.
After they were finally seated, he poured everyone coffee, spilling his own on yet another file. But, when he began to speak about his new client he showed serious interest in Lily's case.
"So you two are friends of Lily and want to help her?"
"No," said Sammi, "Actually I'm a friend of Billy and he asked for my help."
He smiled. "Oh yeah, Billy; he's a great guy and smarter than he seems."
Sammi couldn't resist. "I think you are, too."
He smiled. "Thanks, but it doesn't seem like it today, and I think Lily thinks I'm a total nitwit. I can't blame her, but I have been looking into her files. I know there's not much there at this time, but we need to follow up on several leads that haven't been investigated yet. I only got this case last Wednesday so I haven't had a lot of time to get anything done."
"What's your take on it?" asked Sammi.
"I can't believe she had any real motive; his wife seems like a stronger suspect to me, but for some reason no one is targeting her and you have to wonder why. I tend to believe Lily's story. Guilty people usually make up extravagant reasons and alibis for their innocence. Lily pretty much tells it like it is. If she were guilty, it would surprise me that she didn't even take the time to think up a good reason for her innocence. No, no, I'm convinced that she didn't do it. But the police seem to think …"
"So what road do you plan to take?"
"Right now I have to get out and talk to people. I'd like to get over to talk to those two buddies of his at that Premier Tenner place where he worked. What was this Matthew person all about? We know that he was a well-known womanizer, which means his wife had the biggest motive. However, maybe he was involved in other shady things, too. I heard he had a rather big ego."
Sammi sat back in her chair. She looked over at Dave who seemed surprised that this bungling, cluttered human frame sitting before them seemed to have a sharp mind after all. Sammi gave him a look that he understood; she felt this lawyer would be good. Lily had a positive surprise coming her way.
Dave said, "We'd like to work with you if we could and see what we could turn up together."
"I'd like that. What do you think you could do?"
Dave then told him that he was a police officer, which could open doors to a certain point. Joey was thrilled.
"Yeah, maybe you could find out what evidence they have against her."
Dave produced a folder that he knew would be of interest to Joey.
"I've been waiting for this. I've requested it twice and haven't received anything yet."
"I know; there are many reasons for delays."
"This is great and at least we'll know what to prepare against."
They told Joey where they were staying and he gave them his card. Sammi thought that although his outward appearance would deceive some it might prove to work to his advantage. She knew his mind was sharp and his wit was clever while his capability was above average. She hadn't figured out his clumsiness or his awkwardness, but he could be first rate if he put his mind to it.
"I plan to make it out to his place of employment tomorrow. And I want to talk to that Rodney Belford you mentioned and see if I can find out anything about a Don somebody or other. They could tell us about his other activities. He may have had some sheltered interests going on that few knew about. Your closest friends always know."
"That's true," said Dave who was now becoming increasingly impressed by Joey the longer they talked to him"We want to get out and talk to his wife, if we can. She may have some information as well."
"Great, maybe we could meet later in the week and compare notes. I do have a bail hearing for Lily later this week so I'll have to work around that. I need to get her out of jail."
As they left his office, Dave had to comment. "I sure do have a better impression of him now than when we first arrived."
"Yeah, but did you notice how clumsy he was just before he shook your hand. His thinking process is getting in the way of him being smooth and more reserved in his physical world. I wonder why."
Dave thought about it. "It really is strange, because his mind is sharp. He can talk and discuss like any of the pros, but there’s a total difference between his mental world and his physical world."
Sammi said, "And you know that there's got to be a reason for that. Anyway, as long as he’s a good lawyer and does well by Lily, I don't care. He may catch others off guard with his double demeanor."
"That's right. I'd like to be in court on … what did he say? … Wednesday … and see how he does in action."
"I would, too. I'd like to see how he performs in court surroundings."
THOUGHTS CAN BE DEADLY: A Sammi Evans Mystery now available for order at Amazon.com and www.buybooksontheweb.com.
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