THE STITCHER FILE is a sequel to the first Gideon Marshall Mystery Series e-book, BE CAREFUL, DR. RENNER. Both are set in a small, upscale, liberal arts college in Iowa.
It’s
a very neutral male voice. Regardless of whatever behavior you might see on
television, I have yet to meet a discourteous law officer. These two are
standing just inside our front door, dripping snow melt on the mat Mykala puts
there in the winter. For some strange reason, I find myself worrying about
their cold weather gear. None of the officers I’ve encountered in the past few
hours have been wearing truly Arctic-quality parkas, although the ones kneeling
out on the UP tracks, trying to get Stitcher’s body up before the train
obliterated it, had on heavy jackets. Both of the men now inside our house are
standard uniformed law enforcement types, all covered in blue, leather,
patches, name plates, clubs, TASERs, Glocks, and microphones clipped to
epaulettes. Both are physically intimidating, obviously in great shape, broad
shoulders.
“Good
morning, Dr. Marshall,” says the taller one. His name tag reads Matthew Grimes.
“We’d like for you to come with us, but before you do, we need to make sure
you’ve been told your rights.” He takes out a card, holds it up in front of his
chest, and reads.
“Any
person taken into custody has the right to remain silent and must be informed
that anything that he or she says may be used against him or her in court. You
have the right to consult with an attorney and that attorney may be present
during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint
one for you at no cost.” He returns the card to his shirt pocket. “Do you
understand your rights, Dr. Marshall?”
“I’m
being arrested and taken somewhere for questioning?”
“It’s
just a precaution, Dr. Marshall. Would you please sign this receipt?”
The
other officer hands me a small clipboard with a form. By signing it, I’m
acknowledging that I have indeed been read my Miranda rights. I sign and return
the form; the officer, Michael Bradshaw, according to his name tag, signs it,
passes the clipboard to Grimes, who also signs, then rips off the top copy.
Mykala reaches around me and takes it. I didn’t realize she was standing there,
listening.
“Do
I get to put on my shoes?”
“One
of us will accompany you, Dr. Marshall.” This is Grimes speaking. “Sorry about
the snow, sorry about tracking water through your house, Mrs. Marshall, but we
really don’t have a choice. We need to stay with you now. We assume you will
come with us without having to be restrained.”
“He
does not need to be restrained,” Mykala assures them, but then can’t resist
adding “except maybe when he starts talking.”
(Watch for the third Gideon Marshall Mystery some time in spring, 2015.)
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