This is part 4 of a 4 part story. There is virtually no sex in this story. It has been a pleasure reading your previous comments. Good or bad, they are always welcome.
Chapter 14: Back to the present
By the beginning of the third day in Williamsport I was determined to see my children return home as soon as possible. Allie and Giselle cooperated by visiting with Adrienne briefly in the morning, then left for our home immediately thereafter. Gary and Drew rode with them. With last night's outburst fresh in everyone's mind it took very little effort to persuade them to leave.
I was avoiding any discussion of Adrienne's camping exploits until I was better prepared both factually and emotionally. Having to confront her was not something I looked forward to; but it would happen on my own schedule, not someone else's.
I had to see her in the hospital each day so the safest approach was not to be alone with her. Using my family as a buffer was a little distasteful to me, but I did it in such a way that I hoped it was not obvious.
In the early afternoon I called Lieutenant Havlechek to see if I could get my wife's things out of impound. It was very soon after the attack, but I had a feeling it was possible. My purpose was two-fold: to obtain her possessions and to assess the all the items she and Jane had brought along with them. I was betting on the State Police having made a thorough inventory of everything found at the campsite.
The Lieutenant met me at the barracks impound a short time later and quickly ushered me into the evidence room. I took note that he dismissed the trooper in attendance once we were situated. The move piqued my curiosity. As he watched his colleague stride down the long hallway I queried him.
"Lieutenant, are you originally from this area?"
"All my life."
"Hmm, I have a brother-in-law from up this way. Perhaps you know him, Chris Borash?."
There was a short pause before her responded, "How'd you know?"
"You might not realize it but you somewhat favor Chris and that got me to thinking. I recalled seeing your picture at their home. Plus you've been exceptionally helpful; telling me about what Rudman said certainly wasn't necessary, but you did it anyway. Then Julia got a text message the first night she was here. Someone was picking her up from the hotel. I assume that was you?"
He merely smiled his agreement.
"I can sense when my older sisters are running cover for me, and no one does that better than Julia."
"That she does. She is a fine woman, your sister. Our family thinks the world of her and would do anything for her. She gave us back Chris, saved him when everyone else had given up on him. It was the least I could do to assist when she asked."
"Thank you." I added, before offering my hand.
"Let's get your wife's things."
Within a few minutes I was able to obtain all of Adrienne's personal effects, including one overnight bag that was improperly identified as being hers. When I asked about seeing the inventory list I checked off those things I wanted to inspect.
I saw that they had recorded that the bag contained mainly underwear and some personal hygiene items in a side pouch. That pouch was also found to have contained a vibrator. "So much for that one 'overtly' sexual item Havlechek mentioned", I thought.
Searching further it was obvious to me that the contents were not Adrienne's. While I mused that she would have looked great in the somewhat plain cotton bra and panty sets, they could not have been hers. The bras were a 34B and they were oddly padded in one cup. Adrienne's ran more to a 36C.
I scanned the list again and spotted several other items of interest, three scented candles. When I asked to look at them I saw that one had been used and the others were still in their original wrapping. That left but one item that seemed out of place, a piece of jewelry.
I was presented with a felt box, hinged on one side; of a type you might find containing a watch. Upon opening it I found a tennis bracelet composed of square-cut gems. They might have been diamonds, but not being up on jewelry I couldn't tell. However, it's what was inside the box that caught my eye. The filling was cloth with the logo of Samsom Street Jewelers, the name of Howard's store!
Gloria was known for giving gifts from Howard's. He designed many of his own pieces and had the practice of putting his cloth in with his original work. That had been my sister's idea many years ago, which is why I recognized it so easily.
Jane could not afford this bracelet, but would Adrienne have bought it for her? That did not seem to fit either. Could it have been Gloria? She had the money, time and association with Howard. But why would she? Did she have some direct relationship to Jane?
The questions kept coming while the answers remained elusive.
As I was preparing to leave, Havlechek gave me a brief update on the investigation. The bullets collected were still being evaluated but a determination was expected very soon. More importantly, the second man now had a name, Charles Rudman, the brother of the confessed killer.
Like his brother, Charles had priors. He was in the system for a number of minor offenses and was currently on parole for a domestic disturbance. The good news was that his picture was being circulated. The bad news was that his whereabouts were still unknown.
I found Julia standing in line in the hospital cafeteria upon my return.
"Were you able to get Adrienne's things from impound?" She said.
"Yes, I got all of them"
"Any insights?"
"A few, Matt was very helpful." I said, giving her a knowing look.
"I knew he would be", she replied with a small smile. Then turning to me she said, "That man Rudman lied about them being naked you know. That's not how they found them."
I simply nodded in agreement.
