Conversations in Real Time Read online

  Conversations in Real Time

  By Nicholas J. Finch

  1st Edition: Copyright 2016 Nicholas J. Finch

  2nd Edition: Copyright 2018 Nicholas J. Finch

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  Table of Contents

  Conversations in Real Time

  About Nicholas J. Finch

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  Conversations in Real Time

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Sent: 19 January 2016 09:32

  Subject: Research Study

  Dear Sir

  I am a Doctorate student at Kings College Oxford, studying Forensic Pathology and Biological Chemistry.

  Having read your case reports on the eight year old investigation into the murder of Annabeth Hicks, I am writing to inquire about the possibility of using your forensic findings as part of my research study into the development of new methods for cross matching mitochondrial DNA.

  Techniques for the extraction of such DNA from bones and teeth have advanced considerably in recent years, and I believe there is a distinct possibility that with the current science being developed here at Oxford, I may be able to assist your Cold Case Unit in its hunt for the perpetrator of this crime.

  Your reputation with the LAPD naturally speaks for itself, and while I am reluctant to lead you into believing I hold the key to your investigation I feel it would be remiss of me not to offer you the use of this new and exciting science.

  The University has many links with those whose work best befits the research carried out here, and I should certainly be grateful if you would allow me chance to further explain how my study may be of use to your team. Practical application would benefit my Doctorate, and I should be honoured to learn from your experiences as a Homicide Detective.

  I look forward to hearing from you soon.

  Sincerely in expectation,

  Daniel Scott

  * * *

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Sent: 20 January 2016 09:15

  Subject: Re: Research Study

  Mr. Scott

  I was able to get a look at the studies Oxford is conducting at the moment and I admit I'm very impressed with the advancements being made. Your thesis seems to have caught the attention of more than one Agency, as it should, considering the advancements.

  I've had one of my agents contact your professor about the possibility of using your ideas on a practical case. We document our findings as we go, and I will make sure you get all the necessary data you need for your paper.

  I was a bit surprised that a student from Oxford would have any interest in the Annabeth Hicks case. If I might inquire where you heard about the case in the first place, and the reason this one in particular interests you?

  And I have to wonder, Mr. Scott, what is your interest in Forensics? Just as a scientist to advance new ideas, or someone who wants to help those who have been forgotten? A student looking to get his degree, or someone who wants to help bring justice to Annabeth Hicks?

  I thank you for your interest and help with the Hicks case. I will keep you informed of any progress, and hopefully an arrest and conviction.

  I also want to wish you good luck with your studies.

  Lt. James Caldwell

  Cold Case Unit

  L.A.P.D

  * * *

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Sent: 20 January 2016 18:25

  Subject: Re: Re: Research Study

  Thank you kindly Lieutenant, for your timely response to my inquiries. I understand that Professor Davis has already been contacted by your agent, and the necessary information has been forwarded to you from the Professor’s administration team.

  I am available to answer any questions that you may feel necessary for clarification, and at the same time, I hope that you will appreciate my having a certain degree of possessiveness over this work given that it has consumed so much of my life for so many years.

  I was very pleased to learn that the work we’re doing here has attracted such widespread attention. Its application has proven to be remarkable in the extraction of DNA from very old sources and to have it put to use in a case that will ultimately benefit that little girl, is something that makes the long hours of effort feel very worthwhile indeed.

  I heard about the Hicks case through an old friend in the New York Police Department who has a professional interest in following work on Cold Cases, although I should probably explain at this point that I am American by birth, and not merely some over-romanticized English bookworm seeking the Hollywood glamour of Los Angeles.

  I was born and raised in Syracuse and my interest in forensic science developed from certain personal experiences in my youth and the desire to ensure that science is put to use to ultimately benefit those left powerless or disenfranchised by circumstances beyond their control.

  The media interest in Annabeth Hicks was dramatic and powerful, but once that interest no longer sells airtime or newsprint, there is still the need to ensure a dangerous felon is removed from the streets and those left behind can find a little comfort in seeing justice is finally done. Such things have contributed to my striving toward this thesis, along with my belief that there is always an answer if the scientist asks the right questions.

  I look forward to hearing of progress in your investigation soon and thank you again sir, for your assistance in my research.

  Kind regards,

  Daniel Scott

  * * *

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Sent: 1 March 2016 08:10

  Subject: Good News!

  Before it hits the airwaves I wanted to personally thank you for all the help you have provided us. If it wasn't for your research and for tirelessly helping my lab techs with their questions, this day would never have come.

  Not only were we able to find Annabeth's killer, but I can confirm that he was arrested this morning, and the District Attorney is sure we'll have a strong enough case to get a conviction.

  I can't thank you enough. There are times when I spend hours in the Cold Case Vault looking at the boxes of unsolved cases, so it feels pretty good to take one of those files and put it in the solved pile today.

  Professor Davis contacted me and informed me that the practical knowledge we provided from this case has given you the findings you needed to finish up your thesis and present it to the committee. Good luck to you on that. I have no doubt in my mind that you will go far in the field of Forensic Science. You have a personal drive to help those who can't help themselves. I can see it in your work, and with the dedication you gave to this one small case.

  I thank you, and so does Annabeth.

  I'm sorry I haven't been corresponding with you as much as I would have liked during the case, but duty calls and I have many unsolved cases on my desk that need attention. Mr. Kent gives nothing but high praise and practically worships your name. You made quite the impression on my youngest lab guy.

  I was looking back on some o
f our correspondence and I noticed you stated that you were from New York? I worked for a short period of time in Manhattan, and left an ex-wife up there when I moved out to Los Angeles. I was just wondering who your old friend was in NYPD? It might be a long shot, but then again it is very much a small world.

  James Caldwell

  * * *

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Sent: 1 March 2016 16:30

  Subject: Re: Good News

  I had to read your last email twice before what you were telling me actually sank in. That is THE most fantastic news! Professor Davis is stunned that this has had such a positive and remarkable impact. Congratulations Lieutenant! I just wish I was there to say that in person and share this moment with you and your team. Though to be truthful, I do feel rather like I’m living more on your time zone than my own, given the hours I’ve spent emailing back and forth with your technicians.

  It’s been an honour to be of service, and I’ve also learned a great deal from this experience in all that you have done to ensure I’ve been kept in the loop on developments. Please pass my regards to Charles Kent. His enthusiasm and dedication is most contagious, although he may be a touch premature with elevating me to godhood!

  Yes, my thesis is just about complete. It needs tidying, some serious transcribing and a lot of editing, but finally there’s light at the end of the tunnel. I have a couple of weeks now before I present to the committee and after that I have to consider the future. But, having read your email, I feel like celebrating a little earlier than I’d planned.

  Annabeth can rest in peace now and I raise a glass to her memory, but being of a restless mind I am tempted to ask what else you may have in your Cold Case Vault that I could turn my attention to!

  I do appreciate you’re busy. I can’t imagine the horrendous workload you must face, but each victory must be so sweet, no matter the hours put into achieving that goal.

  So you know New York too? You’re quite right when you say it’s a small world. Thanks to emails and messaging it feels a great deal smaller than it used to. I have to confess my friend at the NYPD is a traffic cop, although I don’t know if you’d be acquainted with Rick Franco. He’s been fascinated by Cold Case work for quite some time, but he’s still fairly new to police life. We went to the same High School, and our friendship has endured even though we’re many miles apart these days.

  Congratulations again! And many, many thanks for your time and consideration with my studies. I hope you’ll take your team out for a drink tonight. Though, wait...

  Is it morning where you are?

  Daniel Scott

  * * *

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Sent: 1 March 2016 08:40

  Subject: New York

  I know Rick Franco, he works with Kevin Lawrence, an old friend of mine. It never ceases to amaze me the small connections that link us all.

  So how did a New York kid end up in England? If you don't mind me asking. It's the investigator in me. Always trying to solve the puzzle.

  I hope your thesis is coming together and you’re not working yourself too much. I have a feeling you’re one of those types who won't leave the lab until the question is answered.

  I'm out of town for the next few days - a conference in New York. I'll stop by and say hello to Kevin. Maybe even see if I can grill Rick about his friend at Oxford?

  Have a good day, or is it evening?

  James

  (I sit back after hitting send, not really sure why I'm writing to him again. Technically we really have nothing more to discuss as the case is over and he's busy working on his thesis. Yet I just can't let it go, and find myself asking more personal questions and giving out information. I can't believe I mentioned my ex-wife when we were only married for six hellish months. Guess that taught me to get married for image sakes.)

  * * *

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Sent: 1 March 2016 17:02

  Subject: Re: New York

  You know Rick Franco? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Thanks to Kevin Lawrence I hear he’s doing very well for himself. He’s got a sharp mind, but if you get to meet him I reserve the right to deny any and all stories you might hear about us growing up together!

  I don’t mind you asking how I came to be in England. It’s complicated, but the short version is funding, or the lack thereof. I had to take a break in my studies too at one point, and scholarships aren’t too keen on that, so I started trading teaching hours for lab time and wound up across the pond when Professor Davis took me in. He calls me his ‘work in progress’.

  My thesis is just about done. I get to present it to the committee in just under a week. Part of me is glad to get it done, but there’s part of me that’s stopping to question what I could’ve done better. I’m reluctant to admit it, but you’re right. I don’t stop until I find what I’m looking for, and I’m not always entirely convinced that I’ve done the right thing in the right way.

  So much for solving puzzles, huh?

  Give my regards to the Big Apple when you get there. Enjoy your stay, and thanks for mailing me back. It was good to hear from you again.

  Daniel

  PS – I think we’re about 8 hours apart, so right now it’s early evening and I’m still studying. I really, really need a life…

  (What the fuck was I thinking? I hit send on reflex, re-read all that crap and cringed. I must be nuts telling him all that stuff. He’s going to think I’m some sad, lonely little geek with no friends. Oh wait I AM a sad, lonely little geek with no friends. Eurgh! I’m an idiot. He’s not going to be interested in this junk. And that reminds me, I need to clean out my delete box on this email before I leave the University, and I seriously need some sleep.)

  * * *

  (I smiled to see an email from Daniel in my inbox when I returned from New York. I'd been hoping I hadn't scared him off with the personal questions. Sipping some coffee as I read his email, I glanced at my watch. It was just past eight in the evening, so that's four in the morning for him.)

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Sent: 5 March 2016 20:09

  Subject: Decomp?

  Tell me did you really bring a decomposing pig into the science fair to show the various stages of decomp and how insects can give you time of death, or is Rick just pulling my leg?

  Though I freely admit my science teacher wasn't happy that I constructed a pipe bomb for mine! After I was questioned for hours by the Bomb Squad, they ended up recruiting me out of high school. But that's another story.

  You, my friend, need to get more sleep. The thesis will come together in time and be perfect. Tweaking it will just fry your nerves and the nerves of those around you.

  So tonight stop typing, take a long hot shower or a relaxing bath and then hit the pillows. You’re only young once. Go enjoy yourself now and then too, eh?

  JC

  (Okay what freaking teenager just took over my body? I sound like an idiot. JC? Oh God I signed it JC! Banging my head on the desk isn't going to help either, and besides, Eric is looking at me very weird. Deep breath. There are cases to solve. Though I can't help but hope there's an email waiting for me tomorrow morning.)

  * * *

  (When I didn’t hear back for a few days I figured James had already left for New York by the time I'd replied to his mail. This damn time difference is huge, but I still kept checking my inbox just to see if there was anything new from him. Stupid. I’m getting stupid. I mean it’s not like I don’t have other things to worry about right now. Then he answered, and I found myself grinning like a kid, while seriously wanting to throttle Rick Franco. He SO owes me a drink next time I get to go home!)