"There was a heavy-duty black bag in the ditch." Young started to sweat.
Kyle moved from the corner, giving him a pen and pad. "Start writing."
Young shook his head. "At first I thought he didn't want to lose any time getting evidence to forensics. I was out of the office for the next couple days except to interrogate Elizabeth Reed. I realized something was up when I checked the evidence log. There was no bag listed. There was very little evidence collected. I overheard Lamb whispering to Mathias from SWAT and Danny Logan.”
Kip opened and closed his fists. "What did you hear?"
"Lamb said Austin was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I took it as he stumbled across the bad guys. I didn't want to believe they were covering something up."
Kyle asked the follow-up question, "The child found earlier?"
"I don't know. She wasn't my case. I swear."
"Do you have kids?" Kip wanted Young to be affected.
"Yeah. I do." Young closed his eyes.
Kip rapped his knuckles against the hardwood. "Tell me, when did you decide to frame her and, if that failed, kill Elizabeth Reed?"
"Wh...at? What are you talking about? I followed the evidence on Dr. Reed. She hated Knox, and she had words with Knox. After I interviewed her, I knew she didn't murder anyone. Read my report. Logan concluded otherwise. He was convinced when the forensics came back, and I'm not. Think, she remembers the exact time of day things happened, but she left evidence behind. The straws in both homes were the only ones in the places. What, she brought her own straws to the party? Too many questions."
"You were just going to keep quiet and let them arrest her?" Kyle said, "That was, if she didn't die."
Kip handed him the card and a picture of the basket. "Tell us about this?"
Young picked up the card. "I didn't send her anything. I wouldn't apologize for doing my job."
"Where have you been? The honey was poisoned. She's in critical condition at Horizon," Kyle told him.
"Hospital?" Young shook his head. "Logan must have found more evidence. He got the warrant. He was celebrating tonight. He knows she's sick?"
"He does," Kip said. "How did you miss this?
Young held his head in his hands. "I'm dying. Stage Four cancer. I'm trying to hang on three more months to hit my pension, so my family gets something.” He stared at the table. “Friday and Monday, I was at the cancer center for my radiation. It hit me hard. I crawled out of bed in time to go to the bar tonight for Locke. I learned about the warrant tonight. I didn't poison Elizabeth Reed.” He rubbed at his eyes.
"Damn, I'm telling you, she didn't commit any murder. She's too bright and organized. I can't believe you think I would try to kill her. Why? She's someone you want on your side. Consider what she did for Austin. The Locke family said she cried with them about Ralph. Here is the name and number of my doctor. I'll even void the stupid HIPAA thing if you want." He shook his head.
"Any ideas who would want to put the blame on you?" Kip turned the discussion back to the poisoned honey.
"Half of the people I put away. I'm a busy cop. I've made enemies. My guess is whoever killed those men hates Dr. Reed. I need to review my interview notes. My name was used to win her trust. It won't be difficult to prove I didn't harm her. Even if I was charged, any decent lawyer could postpone a trial until after I died." His breaths increased. Dark circles underlined his eyes, and his face was pale.
"I'm inclined to believe you, Young. Please stay here until we can view your notes. We’ll put you up in a room," Kip tried to make it sound like an offer.
"You're holding me. Fine. I got my meds." He pulled a bottle from his pocket. "I need a few more bottles of water and a place to lay my head."
Kyle stood. "Let's settle you into a room."
Chapter Nineteen
Pete relieved Jamie at 06:30, while Eric remained to care for Elizabeth. Joyce and Ruth rushed in on Pete's heels. "We heard about the bombing. How's Martin?" Joyce asked.
"Concussion. Broken ribs. Stitches. We admitted him." Pete hung another bag of blood pressure support for Elizabeth.
Ruth opened the chart. "Her heart rate should be picking up. What does Cardiology say?" She took a bracing breath.
"Eric, don't you need some sleep? You were here all last night too." Joyce put her purse down on a chair.
"I'm all right. Tuck is with Martin. Elizabeth needs four hands."
