Dig Two Graves: Revenge or Honor Read Free Page A

“In this analysis report,” he waved the manila folder in the doctor’s face, his voice steadily rising, “is evidence of a stab wound at the base of the sternum. You missed that. There is a wound in the chest cavity also missed by you. Finally, Dr. Frisco, they found a significant wound in the bottom of the left ventricle. You missed the biggest clue of all, the cause of death. The ME in Miami showed me photographs, Dr. Frisco, and I can see the wounds! What are you going to do about this?”
    AJ slapped the folder on the medical examiner’s desk with a hollow thud.
    Staggered and wide-eyed, Dr. Frisco was frozen in his chair. Finally, he stammered, “Well, I will, ah, consider your evidence, and we um, will reopen the case. Thank you, ah, for bringing this to our attention.”
    Leaning on the front of the hapless man’s desk, his voice just above a whisper, AJ said, “Don’t give me that, Doctor. I know your history. Sloppy work. You’re getting on the phone right now. You will call the chief of police and let him know there’s a month old homicide that’s getting colder by the minute. Do you hear me?”
     
    AJ entered the Boston Police Department’s headquarters on New Sudbury Street, a short walk from city hall, just after 1 p.m. He identified himself to the desk sergeant who escorted him to the Homicide Division and the office of Captain Richard Coffey.
    “Mr. Pantheras, I truly regret your loss and that the justice system hasn’t responded as appropriately as it should,” Coffey said, once they were settled in his office. “The Chief of Detectives has directed me to reopen the investigation into your father’s death. I hope you will agree recriminations are pointless at this time. I’m sure there will be repercussions, but we aren’t concerned with that now, are we?”
    AJ nodded, “I agree Captain, for now. There will be, as you put it, repercussions. What I expect now is action.”
    “Point taken. Ah, here are the two men I’m assigning to the case,” Coffey motioned for the two detectives to enter just as they appeared at the door. 
    “Mr. Pantheras, I’m assigning two of our best men to this investigation. This is Detective Stan Lamb, and Detective Carl Reinhardt,” Coffey indicated as the two came through the door. “I have briefed them on the missteps that have occurred and directed them to use every means at our disposal to resolve this case.”
    AJ had never seen two men more different, a true Mutt and Jeff pair. Stan Lamb, tall and wispy, looked as if a good puff of wind would send him flying. His ruddy cheeks, set in a long face, seemed to glow; every sandy hair on his perfectly coiffed head looked as though it knew better than to be out of place. He wore pressed khaki slacks, a crisp pressed shirt, and brightly shined shoes. Detective Carl Reinhardt, in contrast was short, round and dour. A frown covered his face, and the sour look continued as his clothes were in the same sort of disarray as the rest of him.
    AJ stood and shook hands with each man as he came in and decided he would deal with Lamb. 
    “You will not find better homicide detectives,” Coffey continued. “Why don’t you go with them, bring them up to speed? Call me if you have any concerns.” Coffey turned to Detective Lamb and said, “Stan, here is a copy of an independent ME analysis Mr. Pantheras provided, here is the original ME report, and the report from the patrol officer on the scene,” Coffey said. “I’m depending on you two to make up for lost time. We’re coming to this case late. Make it work. Work it hard. Mr. Pantheras will fill you in on his father’s activities.”
    The ruddy-complected Lamb turned to AJ, and said, “Mr. Pantheras, we’re sorry for your loss, and the mistakes. Can we go over the information you have now?”
    “Let’s get started,” AJ said, turning to leave and trying to sound positive.
    “Captain, is there anything else?” Lamb said as he turned to