14. The Crisis is Resolved

 

Upon returning to Pineville Deputy Towner goes to see the sheriff with trepidation. He expects to get chewed out again. Towner says to the sheriff, “I screwed up, Sheriff. I should have kept a closer eye on Day. Has anyone spotted the black Ford Pickup?”

Towner hopes his question will divert the sheriff from berating him and it works. 

The sheriff says, “No, I haven’t heard anything. Do you have any idea where Day might go?”

“I expect he’ll return to Pineville. If he didn’t have the mental problems, he would probably go on the run trying to avoid trial for murder. Given his mental state, I think he’s more likely to return here. I suggest we watch for his return. Only a few roads are leading into our county. If he hasn’t already arrived here, we might intercept him.”

Sheriff Ericsson replies, “You may be right. It’s worth a try. You go south of town and watch for him to come from the South. I’ll have Wilson watch for him if he comes from the West. Keep watch until 10 or 11 tonight. I’ll contact the psychologist who treated Day. He may have an idea of what Day will do. We’ll meet here again in the morning.”

Towner agrees and leaves the sheriff’s office relieved he didn’t get chewed out again.

 

At the Saturday morning meeting Towner and Wilson report they didn’t see any sign of an old black Ford pickup coming into Pineville on the two main roads they monitored. Wilson says, “Jerry Day knows our area well. He could have come back via several different secondary roads without us seeing him.”

The Sheriff says, “You’re right, but it was worth a try. If we aren’t trying to catch him, we’ll hear about it. I talked to Day’s psychologist. He says Day is likely to return to this area but given his military background, he would stay out of sight. The psychologist thinks he may begin to hunt for people he thinks are evil again. I am now a likely target given Day knows I tricked him.”

Wilson asks, “Do you want us to search the county for Day?”

“No. I think that would be a waste of time. There are so many abandoned old barns he could hide the truck in or he could break into one of the homes of the snowbirds. I can’t imagine how many homes are shut up for the winter. Plus the forest areas are full of unoccupied hunting cabins. If he has decided we are now evil ones he could be watching for us. He might shoot anyone in a uniform that approaches a place where he is hiding. Searching for him would take days and might be dangerous for us. Let’s take a different approach. Let’s alert his daughters and the school principal. There’s a chance he’ll contact one of his daughters or a friend at the school. He doesn’t have any money so he may look for help when he gets hungry. Let’s suggest to the people we alert that they help him and try to find out where he is staying or planning to go. Maybe we’ll get lucky and learn where he is. Then we can decide on a plan to catch him without putting anyone at risk,” says the sheriff.

Towner asks, “Do you want us to patrol the county roads?”

“Yes, do your normal patrols but don’t take any risks. He may have decided we are evil ones and be watching for the opportunity to shoot one of us. We have to assume he found the gun that was in the truck. If you spot him or the black pickup call in and we’ll plan how we want to approach him.”

Wilson asks, “Shall we notify the State Police?”

“No, at least not for now. It would be embarrassing to have them know we let a prisoner get away easily.”

 

The following Tuesday when the sheriff returns from a morning patrol and lunch at the Dinner Pail Sue tells him she has picked up the Weekly Review during lunch and he’s not going to like what Mary Jane Bloom has written.

“I brought a copy back to the office. Do you want to read her article, Sheriff?”

“Not if I’m not going to like it. Just tell me the gist of it.”

“Okay, she says Jerry Day has escaped your custody, is armed and on the loose somewhere.”

“Oh my God. How did she learn that? Just like her to get everyone in an uproar again. Now I’m in a pickle. If we aren’t seen to be searching for Day we’ll be soundly criticized. If we do begin actively searching, I fear we are risking him shooting a deputy.”

“What are you going to do, Sheriff?”

“Nothing. I’m not going to risk one of our deputies being shot. Day must show himself soon. He can’t have any money and unless he has found food in some snowbird’s home, he’ll have to approach someone for help. My guess is he’ll approach one of his daughters. He won’t harm them and they are smart enough to either convince him to give himself up or let me know where he is hiding. Either way, we should be able to end this without anyone else being harmed.”

“I think that’s the right plan, Sir. I just hope this ends soon. I’m afraid someone might decide to hunt for Day themselves and that could lead to tragedy.”

“That’s a risk but I think a lower risk than him seeing us hunting for him.”

 

That Tuesday evening Jake Black goes to the VFW. He wants to thank the fellow veterans who helped him with his recovery from PTSD. He’s sitting at the bar nursing a beer and waiting for his friends to come in when Jerry Day comes in and approaches him. Jake sees Day coming and decides the best thing is to act as though everything is normal. He greets Day and says, “Can I buy you a beer Jerry. I owe you for helping me learn my PTSD wasn’t quite over.”

“Yes, Jake. I’d love a beer.”

They drink their beers and chat about the weather and sports for a few minutes. Then Jake says, “Jerry I need to call Jolene and let her know I’m here. I left home before she got home today and she doesn’t know where I am. I don’t want her to be worried. I’ll just be a minute. Don’t go anywhere. I’m enjoying talking to you.”

“Okay, Jake. I’ll be here.”

Jake goes to the phone by the restrooms and calls Pam Lafave. He says, ”Hello, Pam. I need your advice quickly. I’m at the VFW and Jerry Day is here. I’m having a beer with him and trying to act casual as though nothing is wrong. I know we have to get Jerry back in custody so he can get help but I’m afraid to call the sheriff. I read in the paper Jerry is armed. I’m afraid if the sheriff shows up here Jerry might start shooting. I told him I was going to call Jolene. What do you think I should do?”

“I think you are right, Jake. Go back and continue chatting with Jerry. I’ll call Eve Day and see if she can meet us at the VFW. I’ll come even if I can’t contact Eve. Maybe we can talk Jerry into giving himself up if we do it right. Hang in there. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Jake hangs up and returns to the bar and picks back up on his conversation with Day. They are almost finished with their second beer when Pam comes in and sits beside Jerry at the bar. She says, “Hello, Jerry. Good to see you. I have been thinking about you.”

“Hello, Pam. How did you know I was here?”

“I was talking to Jolene and she told me Jake was here talking to you. I decided to come to see you. I told Eve you are here and she is coming too. Have you had dinner?”

“No, and I am hungry but I don’t have any money.”

Jake then says, “That’s okay, Jerry. I’ll buy your dinner. I owe you at least that much. What would you like?”

“I’d love a hamburger and fries.”

“Me too, adds Pam.”

They order their meals, move to a table, and continue their casual conversation while waiting for the burgers. Just as the burgers are served Eve comes in and joins them. She says, “Hi, Dad. It’s good to see you. I’ve been worried about you.”

“No need to worry, Eve. Jake bought me a couple of beers and dinner. Will you join us?”

“Sure, I am concerned you may be experiencing some problems like you did when you first got home from the Army. Do you remember that?”

“Yes, I had a bad time then for a while, but I got help and the problems went away.”

“I think if Mom were still here, Dad, she would urge you to see the doctor who helped you then.”

“You could be right, Eve. I have been feeling strange. But I don’t want to be put in jail or handcuffs again. I think that the sheriff is one of the evil ones.”

“Would you be willing to go see the doctor who helped you before if you didn’t have to be in jail first or handcuffs?”

“I guess, but I don’t have money for gas.”

Jake says, “Don’t worry about that, Jerry. I’ll drive you if Eve will go along to keep us company.”

Pam adds, “That’s a good idea, Jake. That way Jerry can see the doctor and he won’t have to see the sheriff.”

“I’ll be happy to go with you, Dad,” Eve says.

They finish eating and Jake and Jerry go to use the men’s room before heading for Saginaw. Eve says, “Pam, I am so glad you and Jake didn’t turn Dad in to the Sheriff. That could have led to problems.”

“I agree, Eve. The sheriff doesn’t need to know until you’ve had time to get to Saginaw. Then I’ll let him know Jerry is heading for the doctor. Do you know the doctor’s name and how to find him?”

“Yes, I remember his name and he’s at the VA. We’ll go straight there. Please call them after we’ve left and let them know we are bringing Dad there.”

“I will, Eve.”

Jake and Jerry return from the restroom, Jake pays the bill and they all leave.

 

Pam goes home and decides to make a cup of tea. Then she changes her mind and has a glass of wine. She’s thinking of what she’s going to say to the sheriff when she calls him. She decides all he needs to know is that Jerry Day is going back to the VA. She calls the VA and lets them know Jerry Day is being brought there by his daughter and a friend. Then she waits an hour and a half and calls the sheriff’s office. A deputy on duty for the night answers, Pam identities herself and asks for the sheriff’s cell phone number. She tells the deputy she has information about Jerry Day she will only share with the sheriff. He gives her the sheriff’s cell number.

Pam calls Sheriff Ericson. When he answers she says, “Sheriff, this is Pam Lafave. I have some information on Jerry Day for you.”

“Hello, Pam. How did you get involved in the Day matter?”  The sheriff says gruffly.

“Jerry’s daughter Eve has talked him into going back to the VA. She asked me to tell you. They should be there by now. You can call and confirm Day is being taken care of.”

“Why didn’t Eve contact me as soon as she knew where her father was?”

“I think she was concerned Jerry might do something rash if he saw you. You know he’s had a relapse of his mental problems that causes him to see people as either good or evil.”

“Yes, I know. That’s why we haven’t been hunting for him. I was afraid he would see me and my deputies as evil and try to shoot one of us.”

“That was wise, Sheriff. You handled it well. Pineville can be thankful Jerry’s no longer a threat to anyone and will get the help he needs. Will you inform Mary Jane Bloom that Jerry Day is at the VA and be sure and claim credit for handling this situation the best way possible. You don’t have to tell her I was involved.”

“You can be sure I won’t tell her you were involved. Eve Day should get all the credit for making my plan work.”

Pam smiles to herself, says goodbye, hangs up, and decides to have another glass of wine.

13. Jerry Day is Found

 

Jake picks up Eve Day and they drive to the parking area in the forest near where McNeil’s body was found. When they approach, they see Jerry Day’s old Jeep Grand Wagoneer parked there. Eve says, “Let me talk to him first, Jake.”

As Jake parks Eve sees her father sitting in his Jeep scanning the forest with binoculars. She walks up to the car, smiles at him, and motions for him to roll the window down. When the window is down, she sees a puzzled look on her father’s face. She says, “Hi Dad. I’ve been looking for you. Are you waiting for an evil person to come by in the forest?”

“Yes, I’ve seen evil ones here before. I realized at breakfast this morning this is a good place to watch for the evil ones. Who is that with you?” says Jerry Day.

“It’s Jake Black. You know him. He’s a good person.”

“Jake? Yes, I know Jake. He is a good one. What are you doing here, Eve?” asks Day.

“I came to help you find the evil ones. I learned this morning the sheriff has a list. I talked to him and he said he will share the names and locations of the evil ones in our county. Let’s go see him and he’ll show you the list,” says Eve.

“Are you sure the sheriff will share the list with me, Eve?”

“I’m sure, Dad.”

“Did he have Coach McNeil on his list?” asks Day.

“Yes, McNeil was on the sheriff’s list.”

“He was one of the worst of the evil ones. I killed him first,” says Day.

Eve asks, “Is it okay if Jake rides with us? He can sit in the back seat.”

Eve signals to Jake and he gets into the back seat of Day’s Jeep. Eve gets into the front passenger seat and asks, “Is it okay if I put your rifle in the back with Jake? He’ll take good care of it. He was in the army like you Dad. He knows how to care for rifles.”

“That’s okay, Eve.” Day hands his rifle back to Jake and starts the car.

 

As they drive toward Pineville Eve says, “Oh, I forgot. I need to make a quick call. She calls Pam and says, “Hi, Pam. Please call Sue and tell her we are on our way to get the sheriff’s list.”

When they arrive at the sheriff’s office the sheriff is waiting for them. As soon as Jerry Day opens the car door the sheriff says, “Hello, Jerry. I have the list you need inside. Come with me.” He takes Day by the arm and steers him toward the door. As soon as they are inside, he leads Day to the jail and says, “I put the list in a cell to keep it safe for you. Let’s get it.”

Day follows the sheriff into the cell. The sheriff turns, leaves, and locks Day in the cell. He then says, “Oh, I just remembered. I took it out of this cell yesterday. I’ll have to go get it. Please wait for me here, Jerry.”

Day looks puzzled but says, “Okay.”

The sheriff goes back to his office and finds Eve and Jake waiting. Eve says, “I have called the VA. The psychologist who treated my father when he came home from the army is coming here to see him. I told him it looks like Dad had a relapse. He said it can happen. Can I take Dad home? I’ll make sure he doesn’t have his rifle. Jake Black will hold it for him.”

Sheriff Ericsson replies, “No, Eve. I’ll have to get an arrest warrant for Jerry. I have to keep his rifle as evidence. We have been looking for him. We discovered this morning it’s possible Coach McNeil was killed with Jerry’s rifle. Someone told Sue to tell me you were bringing him in and how I should treat him to get him in a cell peacefully. Did you tell Sue that?”

Eve replies, “No, Pam Lafave talked to Sue. Pam figured out what happened to Dad and how we could get him here peacefully.”

Sheriff Ericsson says, “I might have known that woman would get involved. She can’t keep her nose out of my cases. At least this time it was helpful. Anyway, after he’s arrested he’ll be arraigned. If you get your dad a lawyer and promise you or your sister will stay with him maybe Judge Hopper will let him out on bail while he’s being treated. I understand Day now sees everyone as good or evil.  Do you think it would help if I show him a list of local people he knows and tell him they are all good people? I can say my deputies have eliminated all the evil ones. If he buys my story and we tell the judge maybe she’ll believe he’s not a threat to anyone. We can hold off on the arraignment long enough for you to get a lawyer and for the lawyer to talk to Jerry.”

Eve says, “I’ll call Paul Waters. Dad knows him and I hope he will think Paul’s a good person. I’ll give my phone number to Sue. Please call me when you have a time for the arraignment. I want to be there.” Eve leaves the sheriff’s office, gives her phone number to Sue, and seeing it’s too late to go back to the elementary school she goes home.

 

Jerry Day’s arraignment is two days later. His lawyer, Paul Waters explains to Judge Laura Mae Hopper that the psychologist from the VA believes Day has relapsed to his previous mental illness. Waters tells the judge the sheriff’s plan to convince Day all the evil people have been eliminated and Eve and Dawn’s plan to stay with him if he is allowed bail. Judge Hopper says that plan is too risky. She rules Day be sent to the Saginaw VA Medical Center for treatment until he is able to stand trial for the murder of Coach McNeil. The sheriff takes Day back to jail until he can be taken to Saginaw.

 

The next morning Deputy Towner puts handcuffs on Day and places him in a patrol car for the trip to the VA hospital. An hour later Day asks Towner to stop at a gas station so he can use the bathroom. Inside the station, Day says, “Please take these cuffs off so I can get my pants back up after I use the toilet?”

Towner takes the cuffs off and Day goes into the bathroom while Towner waits. Ten minutes later Day hasn’t come out of the toilet. Towner gets suspicious and tries the door. It’s locked. He calls Day’s name. There is no answer. He gets the bathroom door key from the station attendant and opens the door. Day isn’t in the bathroom. Towner looks out the window but doesn’t see anyone. He tries the window and finds it opens easily. He goes outside looking for Day. There are footprints in the snow below the window leading to a bare spot where a vehicle had been parked during the night. Towner believes Day has taken the vehicle. He goes back to the station attendant and asks about the vehicle. He learns it belongs to the attendant and is an old black Ford pickup. The attendant says he left the keys in the car and it has a full tank of gas. He doesn’t remember the license number but tells Towner there is a .38 revolver in the glove compartment. Towner calls Sheriff Ericson and reports Day has escaped in a black Ford pickup. He says Towner may be armed if he discovers the gun in the glove compartment. After screaming at Towner, the sheriff says he’ll alert the State Police to put out checkpoints to find Day. Towner says he’ll return to Pineville and keep a lookout for Jerry Day.

12. Coach Day is Missing

 

Sheriff Ericsson comes to his office on a cold Tuesday morning whistling cheerfully. Sue greets him saying, “You are cheerful this morning, Sir.”

“Yes, I am. Everyone was much calmer over the weekend and yesterday. I think we’re all glad the investigation into Coach McNeil’s shooting is over.”

“I’ll have your coffee ready in a few minutes. Do you think Mary Jane Bloom’s column will avoid stirring up the town again?”

“I sure hope so.”

Twenty minutes later the sheriff is finishing his first cup of coffee when Sue tells him he has a call from Principal Swain.

The sheriff says, “Good morning, Ward. What can I do for you this morning?”

Swain says, “I am concerned. Jerry Day didn’t come in today. He doesn’t answer his cell phone. I checked with the kids in his shop class and they don’t know where he is but they said he was acting strangely yesterday. He hardly said anything but he stared at them. He made some of the kids uncomfortable. I’m worried. Would you look for him?”

“Maybe he’s sick. I’ll send a deputy to his house and check on him, if he’s not at home we’ll keep an eye out for his old Jeep.”

“Thank you, Sheriff. Let me know if you find him or if he’s sick.”

“Sure thing, Ward. Have a good day.”

When the sheriff hangs up, he sees Deputy Wilson in his doorway. He says, “Come in Wilson. What’s on your mind this morning?”

Wilson says hesitatingly, “We may have to take another look at the McNeil case, Sir. I learned Coach McNeill was an experienced hunter and wouldn’t have been sitting on the side of the tree where we found the 30-caliber bullet. When I checked the side of the tree where he was more likely to be sitting, I found another bullet. I took it to Towner first thing this morning and he says it’s a .243 Winchester fired from a rifle like the one Jerry Day owns. If it’s the bullet that killed Coach McNeil it explains why I didn’t find any tracks in the snow near the body. The big hemlock tree McNeil was found by is visible from the parking area. It’s about 250 yards. That’s an easy shot for an experienced sniper like Day. I know it’s a lot of speculation but it explains a lot. It even explains the unexpected results Towner got when he did the 30-caliber bullet test. Do you want me to go have another talk with Day?”

The sheriff bows his head and says quietly, “This day started so nice. Now it’s gone completely to hell. Sit down, Wilson. I’ve got to think. Ward Swain called and said Day didn’t show up at the high school this morning, he didn’t answer his cell phone, and he was acting strangely yesterday. Now you come in with more bad news. I was so hoping this case was over.”

“Do you want me to go to Day’s home and check on him? I can also check with his daughters if he’s not at home.”

The sheriff says, “If Towner says that bullet is a .243 Winchester and it was in the tree where McNeil could have been sitting, we have to talk to Day. Yes, go check his house, keep a lookout for his old Jeep, and go see his daughters if he isn’t home sick. I’ll have Sue tell Towner to watch for Day’s Jeep when he is on patrol this morning.”

“Yes, Sir. I’m on my way,” says Wilson as he gets up and leaves.

 

Wilson goes to Jerry Day’s house. There’s no answer to his knocks so he tries the door knowing it’s probably unlocked. Few local people bother to lock their doors in Pineville. It is unlocked. Wilson goes into the entryway and shouts Day’s name. There’s no answer and there are no lights on. He looks throughout the whole house in case Day is sick or is incapacitated. There’s no sign of Day. On a hunch, he checks Day’s gun cabinet and finds it unlocked and empty. Now Wilson is concerned. Going outside he sees the garage is closed. He tries the door. It’s unlocked but Day’s old Jeep isn’t there.

Wilson calls Sue and asks her to tell the sheriff Day isn’t home and he may have taken his rifle with him. He says he is going to see Day’s daughter Eve.

 

Wilson checks in with the receptionist at Pineville Elementary School. He tells her he’s there to see Eve Day. She gives him a temporary badge and directs him to Eve’s office. Reaching her office, he says, “Hello Eve. I don’t know if you remember me. I’m Deputy Wilson.”

Eve says, “Yes, I remember you. What can I do for you?”

“Do you know where your father is? He didn’t go to the high school this morning and he’s not at home.”

“No. He’s supposed to be at the high school. I saw him Sunday and he didn’t say anything about having to miss his classes today. He was acting strange Sunday, not his usual self. Now you have me worried.”

“I thought he was in a dark mood when I searched his home for rifles. Do you know why he’s been acting strange?”

Eve hesitates and then says, “No, unless Coach McNeil’s murder upset him.”

“Would he have gone to your house or Dawn’s house by any chance?” says Wilson.

“No, I don’t think so,” replies Eve.

“Okay, thank you. Here is my cell phone number. If you see him or hear from him please call me. I’ll keep an eye out for his Jeep while I’m on patrol today. I’ll call the school and leave a message for you if I find him,” Wilson says and then leaves her office.

 

In the early afternoon, Pam Lafave arrives at the elementary school for mentoring. When she passes Eve’s office on her way to pick up the two little girls she mentors Eve calls to her, “Pam, do you have a minute?”

Pam responds, “Sure, shall I come into your office?”’

“Yes, please.”

Eve closes her office door after Pam enters and says, “I’m worried about my father and would like your advice. He didn’t go to his classes at the high school today. Deputy Wilson went to his home and he’s not there. I visited him on Sunday and he was in a bad state. I didn’t want to share the details with Wilson but maybe you will have an idea of what is going on with Dad.”

Pam asks, “What do you mean by a bad state?”

“It reminds me of what he was like when he came home from the army. He had PTSD from his combat experience. The PTSD was complicated by the way he had coped with being a sniper and having to kill people. He was a marksman and was asked to be a sniper. He told us he agreed because he had witnessed some horrible atrocities. He believed the terrorists who committed these atrocities were so evil they deserved to die. When he had to shoot someone, he convinced himself the person was one of the evil ones and should be killed.”

 

“When he came home, he talked to us about how he had come to view people he encountered. He would assess them as being evil or good. It took him more than a year and psychological treatments at the VA to overcome wanting to judge people as evil or good. In time his PTSD got better as well. What disturbed me on Sunday was he said Coach McNeil was one of the evil ones. Then he talked about several of his fellow teachers as being good. It’s as though he has regressed to the state he was in when he came home from the army. I’m concerned that McNeil trying to sexually assault Dawn has triggered a mental relapse. I don’t know what I should do. I'm afraid he might have killed McNeil thinking he was evil. I thought with your experience as a detective you might know what I should do.” explains Eve.

Pam says, “I learned some things over the weekend about your father that concerned me. Then last night I learned more and now I am suspicious your father could have killed Coach McNeil. Hearing your story about his behavior I am more concerned. What you told me reminds me of a case I had in Grand Rapids. A man with mental problems repeatedly robbed the same store. We caught him and learned he had a mental illness.  Fortunately, in Grand Rapids, the police department could draw upon psychologists in such situations. After he became cured he led a normal life for 15 years. Then a stressful event triggered a relapse to his previous mental state. He began to relive his previous crimes and look for opportunities to repeat robbing the same store. With the advice of the psychologist, we were able to catch this man again before he did any serious crimes and got him help. You could be right, Eve. I’m not a psychologist but maybe the attempted sexual assault of Dawn triggered a return to Jerry’s previous mental state. There is something we can try that should work if that’s the case. It’s the approach we used in Grand Rapids for the case I think is similar.”

“What should we do? I don’t want to call the sheriff on my father,” says Eve.

“I don’t want to involve the sheriff either. It could backfire and cause Jerry to see one of the deputies as evil. If he has his rifle, he might even try to kill a deputy. Instead, we should try to have a person he’ll see as good approach him. If done carefully that person can convince him a deputy or the sheriff can help him find evil ones. I know this sounds weird but it worked for me before.”

Eve asks, “How can we approach him? We don’t know where he is.”

“If he’s returned to the mental state he had as a sniper, and if he shot McNeil, it’s possible he returned to where he was when he shot McNeil. He may be waiting for what he perceives as another evil person to appear. Jake Black knows where that is. Jake is a friend of your father’s. If you and Jake approach your father, he will likely see you both as good. Are you willing to go with Jake to see if your father has returned to that site?” asks Pam.

“Yes, if you think it may work,’ replies Eve.

“Good. I’ll call Jake and ask him to pick you up here if he’s willing to go. If he isn’t, he’ll tell us where McNeil’s killing took place,” says Pam. ``If you find your father go along with his wanting to find evil people. Tell him you know the sheriff has a list of evil people and will share it. Maybe you can convince him to go with you to the sheriff’s office. If you find him, call me and I’ll alert Sue Johnson, the sheriff’s secretary. She’ll prepare the sheriff so he can peacefully disarm Jerry and hold him in a cell until you can get a psychologist to talk to him. I'm glad you stopped me and shared your father’s background. I was concerned he might be McNeil’s killer but I didn’t have a plan. Knowing his history suggests what has happened with him and what we should do. I hope I’m right and we can get him help before he shots anyone else.”

Pam calls Jake and he agrees to pick up Eve day in 20 minutes.

 

11. Jake Talks to Wilson

 

On Monday Pam calls Jake. She tells him she has information that may lead to the sheriff reopening the investigation into Coach McNeil’s death. Jake wants to know why she’s telling him instead of the sheriff. She explains her concern that the sheriff will disregard information from her because he doesn’t want her interfering in his cases. She says the information concerns something he knows that the sheriff needs to know but she thinks it’s best if Jake talks to Deputy Wilson. She says if Wilson learns McNeil was an experienced hunter and wouldn’t have been sitting on the wrong side of the tree maybe he’ll go back and check the tree again. There may be a bullet in the tree on the side where McNeil was more likely sitting. If so it may not be a 30 caliber bullet. Jake says he understands what that could mean. He agrees to talk to Wilson.

 

After talking to Pam, Jake calls the sheriff’s office and gets Deputy Wilson’s cell phone number from Sue Johnson. He calls Wilson and invites Wilson to have lunch at the Corner Bar. Wilson agrees to meet.

 

During their lunch, Jake says, “When I played football for Coach McNeil, he took me deer hunting on St. Antler’s day when school was closed. I had hunted a little but didn’t know much. Coach McNeil showed me how to recognize a deer trail, where to sit to watch the trail depending on the wind, and whether it was morning or evening. He was an experienced hunter. Did you ever have a chance to hunt with him?”

Wilson replies, “No, I wasn’t a star player. I am surprised to learn he was experienced. The place we found his body and the bullet that killed him was not where an experienced hunter would have been sitting.”

Jake says, “What if the coach was sitting in the place a good hunter would have chosen?”

“An experienced hunter would have been sitting on a different side of that big hemlock where he could watch the well-used deer trail that’s 30 yards away. I didn’t check that side of the tree because I found the bullet in a different place. We assumed that it was the bullet that killed the coach. If I had known McNeil was an experienced hunter, I might have checked the other side of the tree,” says Wilson.

Jake says, “Pam Lafave thinks it worth reopening the investigation. Her belief is due to the possibility McNeil wasn’t sitting where you assumed and I think she knows something else she didn’t share with me. She won’t go to the sheriff because she’s concerned he wouldn’t pay attention to her.”

“She’s right about the sheriff. He can’t stand the idea of her helping with an investigation. He thinks it makes him look bad. If you think she knows something I’m going to take it seriously. I’ll go check that tree again. Do you want to come with me?”

Jake says, “Since the deer season closed yesterday, I can go. There won’t be any shooting now.”

 

Jake joins Wilson and they drive to the parking area in the National Forest near where McNeil’s body was found. When they get out of the car Wilson says, “The big hemlock tree where McNeil was found is only about 250 yards into the forest. You can see the tree from here.” Wilson points into the forest.

Jake says, “I wondered why Pam Lafave showed so much interest in the long-range shooting abilities of Jerry Day. I think she knows something she didn’t share with me. Where was Coach McNeil hit?”

“Right through the heart. It was a perfect heart shot. That made the M.E. suspicious. His suspicion plus the articles in the papers is what led the sheriff to start the investigation,” says Wilson.

“Jerry Day can shoot that accurately. But I can’t imagine he’d shoot the coach. He wouldn’t have had any reason,” Jake says.

“Day and McNeil were having some kind of disagreement according to what the principal told the sheriff. He didn’t know what it was about so we dismissed it when we found Day doesn’t own a 30-caliber rifle,” Wilson says then he adds, “if McNeil was sitting where he could watch the deer trail he would have been visible from here.”

Jake says, “Let’s go check that tree.”

When they get to the big Hemlock tree Wilson says, “See, here is the hole where we found the 30-caliber bullet. That’s why we thought Coach was sitting here. But you can’t see the deer trail from here.”

Jake says, “Let’s look at the other side of the tree.”

They walk around the tree and Wilson exclaims, “Oh my God! There’s another bullet hole. Coach McNeil could have been sitting here if he tried to stand up when he was shot and staggered around the tree before he fell dead. I should have looked here before.”

“Can you see if you can dig the slug out of the tree?  asks Jake.

“Sure, I will,” replies Wilson as he takes out a pocket knife and starts cutting into the tree bark.

When he gets the bullet out, he says, “I’ll take this to Towner. He’ll know what caliber it is and maybe what type of rifle it’s from. It seems smaller than the 30 caliber bullet we assumed killed the coach. If it is a .243 Winchester it’ll mean Jerry Day is a suspect again.”

Jake says, “It’s hard to believe Coach Day would kill anyone. He was my coach when I played JV football. He treated us well and taught me what I needed to know to be a star for Coach McNeil. I see him regularly at the VFW now. I have noticed though, he seems to have changed recently, especially since Coach McNeil was killed. He gave me a test to see if my PTSD was over enough for me to hunt this year. While we were at the range where he practices shooting, he said something weird. I asked if he practiced regularly so he could compete in long-range silhouette shoots. He said, “That and to be ready to eliminate evil’. I thought he was joking like he used to.”

Wilson says, “I noticed a change in his mood when I was searching his home for 30 caliber rifles. The first time he was happy and chatted with me. The second time he was in a darker mood. I thought he was happy the first time because he had won the big game with Oscoda. Now I’m wondering if living alone since his wife died is making him lonely and sad. Well, here’s the Corner Bar. I’ll let you off. Thanks for your help. It may change the sheriff’s mind if this bullet isn’t a 30 caliber. Towner is off this afternoon but I’ll take it to him first thing tomorrow morning.”

 

When he gets home Jake calls Pam Lafave and tells her what he and Wilson found. He also shares that Wilson has noticed Day’s dark mood. Pam shares that she’s more concerned than before that Day is the killer. She says, “If the bullet matches Jerry Day’s rifle the sheriff will know what to do.”