Killing The Blood Cleaner (24 page)

THIRTY-THREE

Jack arrived at the Sheriff’s office and sat on one of the vinyl black couches in the public area. It only took a few minutes for Fitz Davis to arrive and briefly enter the Sheriff’s administrative office to announce their presence to the secretary and then position himself on the couch near Jack. Jack watched various relatives of prisoners come and go to retrieve their loved ones, each stopping at the Sheriff’s Clerk’s window to pay a fine or sign some bond papers.

Davis leaned over and in a very quiet voice explained, “The Grand Jury has now indicted you for Involuntary Manslaughter. The previous charges are still pending. This manslaughter charge is much more serious. You have now been fired by the Warden and there is now a fine mess of a Contempt Action that has been filed in Judge Valentino’s Court by the lawyer for that inmate, Henry Kirk. I hear there is also a Medical Board Complaint. This all pretty much screws the deal I so carefully worked out for you. I am going to be doing real well to keep you out of jail until they try you which will be in about six months. I am sure we will be hearing all about this from the District Attorney and the Sheriff when we turn you in on the new charges in just a minute. Do you have any thoughts about your situation before we go in there?” Davis asked.

“Kirk threatened that inmate and that is why he changed what he said and refused the rape test. If the officers didn’t hear him, it may be on the tape from the hall. So there was a real sexual assault and having Kirk tested was appropriate,” Jack said quietly.

“Well then, what about sending the blood to the CDC and your being a world class porn star?” Davis responded.

“Doctors often get help from the CDC on difficult cases. I used to get samples from all over the world. It didn’t require the patient’s approval if a public health issue was involved. I have seen medical records that Dr. Bridge used to send the CDC samples herself,” Jack continued.

“That is a possibility,” Davis said, stroking his chin in a thoughtful way. “As to Tacy and me, we didn’t know the security cameras were on. The red lights were not lit. Also, the incident was long over when we got started,” Jack said.

“You did get some kind of briefing in orientation that the security cameras would work like that in an emergency. I know it is in the Court Orders somewhere,” Davis said continuing to ponder the information he was being given for some slight reed of advantage to his client.

“I really didn’t get a formal orientation since there was an emergency the minute I arrived. I got a tour of the prison and copies of the Court Orders. I mostly concentrated on the medical parts. Tacy told me that there was a memo about the security cameras being changed after Dr. Bridge’s death. But she mostly forgot about it and she thought it was only the cameras in the compound,” Jack continued.

“Also, have you figured out if you have any idea where Cindy’s flash drive went? That could change the whole picture. They won’t care about what you did if you have that,” Davis said.

“I remember something about Cindy chewing gum. I want to have another look at my car,” he said.

“We can probably get that. But I can assure you they have gone over what is left of your Mercedes very carefully,” Davis replied.

“What exactly are we doing here today?” Jack asked, somewhat confused about the various procedures of criminal law.

“You are turning yourself in on the new charge. Technically you will be arrested again. I think they will waive a new mug shot and fingerprints. Then we get to the issue of whether you go to jail until your trial or whether you get out on bond again. The Sheriff will want you in his jail. The District Attorney will go along with the Sheriff, but will not really care since he knows you will show up for trial. We will be doing an informal conference call with the Judge. It is not a hearing. He is attending a conference in New Orleans. He is going to be pissed at you for screwing up, but hopefully not to the point of making you sit in jail for six months. If he seems headed that way I will ask for a bond hearing as soon as the Judge gets back while you look for that flash drive. That may give everyone a chance to calm down a little.”

“So what if the Judge doesn’t want to do that?” Jack asked.

“Then you go to jail today. But he will probably at least give you a hearing. Jude Valentino is very fair. He also knows you will be there at the trial. He just doesn’t want to be picking up the paper when he has allowed you to be loose and see that you have screwed up again some way,” Davis said. “By the way, I am going to do all the talking today. Let’s go see the High Sheriff,” Davis said pointing to the door of the Sheriff’s administrative office. Jack followed Davis through the door into the office.

Once inside, Davis looked over at the secretary who was busy at her large teak desk. Behind her was a large oil portrait of the Sheriff in full uniform gazing majestically out into the room. “Ginny, could you tell the Sheriff we are here. I believe he is expecting us,” Davis announced as they took their seats on the red leather couch. The secretary stopped her work and disappeared into the inner office. In a few seconds she returned and motioned them in.

The Sheriff stood and shook hands with them from behind his huge antique mahogany desk and they sat down on another leather couch directly in front of the desk. On the floor was a large oriental rug similar to the one in Cindy’s trailer. At the side of the desk Major Knowles sat in a large red leather arm chair. In his hands was a large file. He had not bothered to rise when they entered.

“Major Knowles has some paperwork for the doctor to sign and then we need to talk about whether Dr. Randolph will be our guest until his trial. Fitz, I understand you have set up a conference call with the Judge, the Warden and the District Attorney on continuing the present bond. Of course, we think he ought to be in our jail beginning today. So, are we ready to start the conference call?” the Sheriff said as he began to dial the number without waiting for a response. Davis nodded his acceptance and the group listened to the speakerphone as the conference call was assembled. In a few seconds the operator announced that all parties were present. The Judge then took control of the call.

“Gentlemen, I am sorry we are having to do this call. I was saddened to hear of Cindy’s death,” the Judge announced in somber tones.

“Judge, we appreciate your taking time out from the Judicial Conference in New Orleans to talk to us. I understand you will be down there for a few days,” Davis responded.

“That is right. Maybe they can teach me something about all these computers we have in Court these days,” the Judge continued. “All right, I understand we have a new indictment for involuntary manslaughter against Dr. Randolph and we have the question of whether he is to remain out on bond. This is an informal conference to get everyone’s input and to see if we need to go to a formal hearing. Does everyone agree that is what we are doing?” he continued, setting the ground rules. “Mr. Lawson, as the District Attorney, you go first for the prosecution.”

“Your honor, we think Dr. Randolph should be incarcerated until his trial. While he may not be a flight risk, he is someone who could be a danger to the community. If he were to cause another wreck or do something illegal, the public would be rightfully questioning why he was allowed his freedom. This is especially true since you gave him an opportunity at Georgia Maximum Security Prison and he seems to have squandered that, both by abusing an inmate and by outrageous sexual misconduct on the prison grounds in the medical area itself,” the District Attorney asserted forcefully in a somewhat high pitched tone.

“I want you all to know that I previously received a call from the Warden about all of this. I will have him put that on the record if we have a hearing. Does anyone have a problem with me having discussed these matters with the Warden? It is our practice in the Class Action case involving the prison for him to give me a call when a problem arises,” the Judge stated. “Of course, the Warden is also on this call if anyone needs his participation or he wants to jump in.”

“Judge, we have no problem with you knowing exactly what is going on at Georgia Maximum Security Prison and talking to the Warden whenever either of you feels it is necessary,” Davis responded. Quickly, the other parties indicated their assent.

“I am here if you need me,” was the Warden’s quiet response.

“Sheriff, what are your thoughts? It looks like you would be keeping him for about six months until the next available criminal trial date,” the Judge continued.

“Judge, you worked with him and his lawyer to get him over to G-MAX. He has caused big problems over there. I don’t want to be explaining to the press if he causes some more problems,” the Sheriff stated as Major Knowles nodded his agreement.

Fitz Davis stroked his chin as he contemplated the Judge’s tone and the arguments of the prosecutor and Sheriff. Clearly they had a point, but perhaps a little more time might improve things for the home team.

“Judge, I appreciate the District Attorney acknowledging he is not a flight risk and I understand that the Warden has fired Dr. Randolph without any sort of hearing. The prison is planning to provide any needed medical coverage out of Augusta Medical Correctional Institution until a substitute can be found. We could make Dr. Randolph available on the grounds at his State house at the prison, so he would at least be available if there were an emergency. So I would ask that you give him a full hearing on this bond when you get back from New Orleans in a few days,” Davis said slowly with emphasis on medical coverage being handled out of Augusta which was about an hour and a half west of Lester. There was silence from the Warden on this point.

“The Warden didn’t mention they were covering medical out of Augusta. That is a long way from Lester. Other than these consensual sexual high jinks allegations, I am not hearing any problems with his doctoring, am I?” the Judge asked.

“There are also allegations concerning a wrongful use of force in obtaining a blood test where there was no sexual assault,” the District Attorney responded.

“Judge, that is exactly why we need a full hearing. There is no doubt that inmate, Henry Kirk, is a sexual predator. We think there is evidence that Kirk threatened and intimidated the victim. We need some time to gather that evidence,” Davis forcefully argued

“All right. This is not something we can do on a telephone conference. I am setting it down for a full hearing the day I get back which is three days from today. I will keep the doctor out on bond until the hearing. Fitz, if there is an emergency at G-MAX, Dr. Randolph will be available to help until then? I also expect that he will stay pretty close to that State house on the grounds and not be roaming around the countryside,” the Judge stated. Fitz Davis looked relieved. “Is that OK with you, Warden?” the Judge asked.

“We can handle Dr. Randolph for a few more days at least,” the Warden assented.

Davis pressed his advantage. “Judge, there is also the matter of Dr. Randolph’s auto from the crash. The Sheriff has had possession of it for some time now. We would like it returned so we can run some tests on it ourselves,” Davis continued.

“Any objections to returning the car?” the Judge asked. The Sheriff looked over at Major Knowles.

“We are all finished with our tests, Judge. He can have it. I will have it on our wrecker tomorrow wherever he wants it,” the Major responded.

“Good. I like to see everyone cooperating. Why don’t you take it to the State house at G-MAX. That is where he is staying. Dr. Randolph can move it from there if necessary,” the Judge said, concluding the matter.

“Thank you Judge,” Davis responded. He was again quickly joined by the others in courteously thanking the Judge. Jack was free for another three days.

THIRTY-FOUR

Jack and Slick, the dog, were awakened the next morning at seven by the roar of the wrecker depositing the remains of his Mercedes next to his State house. The Deputy knocked loudly on the door and Jack jumped out of bed to meet him.

“Sign here,” was the Deputy’s laconic command as he thrust a clip board with an acknowledgement of receipt clipped to it toward Jack. Jack took the pen and signed his name. He walked over to the auto as the Deputy returned to the wrecker and was on his way. Jack watched the wrecker make its way up the dirt road to the hard road before opening the crumpled door to the auto. Jack looked around, carefully checking to make sure there were no observers. He ran his hand underneath the dashboard on the passenger side. At first he felt nothing but then as he moved his hand forward he felt a hardened lump firmly attached. He pulled it off using his fingernails. Embedded in the now blackened gum was Cindy’s small, red, plastic flash drive. As he looked at it and dislodged it from the gum he finally had a clear memory of Cindy chewing the gum and putting it under the dash. Again, he looked around and walked back to the house.

Inside the house, Jack booted his laptop and inserted the drive. In a few seconds he had opened the drive and saw that it was full of spreadsheets and memos. There were also many saved emails. He clicked on one randomly and gazed at its contents. It was a deposit record from a bank in Panama. The account was in the name of a Panama bearer share corporation, Golden Ossabaw Corporation. It showed deposits in the past six months of two million dollars. He randomly clicked on an email. It was a confirmation of a user name and password for another Panama account for another corporation. He clicked on one of the memos. It showed payments, dates and amounts to a list of persons. He looked at the list and noticed the name of the St. Simons Coast Guard Commander, Stanford Dalton. His name showed a payment of one hundred thousand dollars. He clicked on one of the spreadsheets. It showed a cash flow analysis of recent purchases along with costs and payments. He clicked on another spreadsheet and it showed a list of accounts in the Bank of Lanier, along with the amounts deposited. The totals were in the millions. Jack closed his laptop and picked up his cell phone and dialed Tacy’s cell phone number. He waited for an answer and when the voicemail came up he left her an excited message.

“Tacy, this is Jack. Give me a call. I have found something that will get us both out of trouble!” he said, his voice vibrating. He then called her mother’s number. In a few seconds he heard Mrs. Crandall answer the call.

“Mrs. Crandall, this is Jack. Is Tacy around? I need to talk to her,” he said rapidly.

“She doesn’t want to talk to you! You have done her enough trouble already. Besides, she is not here. She was ordered to go to Judge Valentino’s Court in Brunswick along with that damned inmate Kirk and one of his murdering friends. She left a while ago. She is riding in the prison van with the officer up front. There is supposed to be a Glynn County Sheriff’s car following the van once they get to the Glynn County line,” she said in a rasping tone.

“That can’t be right. I know for sure that Judge Valentino is in New Orleans and won’t be back until for two days,” Jack said haltingly, digesting the information.

“How did she get notice of this?” Jack asked.

“The Warden’s office gave her a copy of a fax from Central Office in Atlanta. There was an Order signed by the Judge ordering them all to be produced for a hearing at 9:00 this morning in Brunswick. They should be loading the van now if they are going to be on time,” she replied as she hung up abruptly.

Jack looked at his watch and then shuffled through his Court papers to find the phone number of the Clerk’s office. “My name is Dr. Jack Randolph and I have a case in Judge Valentino’s court,” he said slowly. “Is the Judge having a hearing today at nine with prisoners from G-MAX? I understand he is in New Orleans.”

After an icy pause, the female voice at the Clerk’s office responded. “I know who you are. You were the driver with Cindy. There is no Court today. I shouldn’t be telling you this, but since you know, the Judge is in New Orleans. Why are you thinking there is a hearing today?”

“Because G-MAX got a fax of an Order from the Judge ordering them to bring inmate Kirk and another inmate, along with Nurse Tacy Crandall, to a hearing at nine today.”

“They didn’t get such an Order from us. I am the only one that does those and I didn’t send one like that,” the woman responded with irritation.

“Can you call G-MAX and stop that van?” Jack asked.

“You can have them call me to discuss it. I am not doing anything based on a call from someone who is charged with manslaughter in our Court,” she said crisply.

Jack understood from her tone there was no use arguing. He hung up and dialed the Warden’s office. He immediately recognized the voice that answered.

“Mrs. Cooper, this is Dr. Randolph. There is a van going to Court today. I just talked to the Clerk. There is no Court today because the Judge is in New Orleans. She also said that she never sent any Order for a hearing today. Can you please call her and confirm this? Tacy is supposed to be in that van. I think there is a problem here.”

There was a long silence and then an obviously irritated response. “Dr. Randolph, I don’t believe you have any business with our transports, even when you were a doctor in good standing here. That fax came from Central Office and not from the Court and I handled it myself. Maybe another Judge is handling it. Besides, the van is probably out the gate. I will give the Clerk a call and if you are right I will have the van radioed to turn around,” the Warden’s secretary icily replied without the slightest hint of urgency.

Jack hung up and looked around for something useful as a weapon. He saw a large knife on the kitchen counter and put it inside his coat. He then ran out to his car and quickly cranked it. In a few seconds he was on the dirt road and headed for the front gate of the prison.