Our commander stormed into the bull pen and air jabbed his finger at each of us. “You four need to get out to Bixler Park right away. Jesse, take the lead and report back to me in an hour. I have a meeting with the chief that I can’t get out of.”
I pushed back my chair, happy to get away from the mounting paperwork on my desk that morning and be outside working a case instead. “What’s going on?” I buckled my shoulder holster, threw on my sport jacket, then grabbed my cell phone and tucked it in my pocket. I looked at Mills, Johnson, and Potter, and they mirrored my movements.
“Nothing good, that’s for damn sure. A mother took her toddler to the park a half hour ago with intentions of spending time at the playground but found a dead man sitting on a bench instead.”
I shrugged. “So why us? Maybe the guy had a heart attack.”
“Not likely. The man’s fingers were removed and his teeth were crushed according to the patrol units that arrived fifteen minutes ago.”
Henry rubbed his brow. “Shit. Isn’t that park-and-play lot only a few miles from here?”
I crossed the bull pen to the door. “Yep, and I know the way. Let’s go.”
Lutz yelled out as we took to the stairs. “Don and the forensic boys are heading there in a few minutes, and don’t forget to call me with updates.”
We arrived at the park five minutes later, Frank and I in one cruiser, and Henry and Shawn in the other. The entrances to the park were already blocked with yellow tape, and officers patrolled the sidewalk to keep looky-loos at bay. After Frank snugged the cruiser against the curb, I grabbed two pairs of gloves and jammed them in my pocket as I pushed open the passenger door. To our right, Tillson and Jefferson were talking to the woman who I assumed made the 911 call. She appeared distraught as she bounced a little girl in her arms. Frank and I headed their way while Shawn and Henry took the opposite side of the park and spoke to the officers at that entrance. As we walked, I glimpsed a figure on a nearby bench, covered with a standard-issue blanket kept in the trunks of most of our patrol cars. That had to be our vic. I jerked my chin in his direction, and Frank nodded.
I stuck out my hand as we approached Tillson and Jefferson. “What have we got, guys?”
Tillson took the lead. “This is Caroline Davis, the woman who discovered the body.”
“Ma’am.” I pushed aside my jacket and exposed the badge attached to my waistband. Mills did the same. “We’re Detectives McCord and Mills. Can you walk us through the course of events from this morning?”
She looked at her squirming toddler. “Lilly is getting restless.”
“Sorry, but it’s necessary, Mrs. Davis. Would you prefer talking over at the swing set? Maybe Lilly will be happier there.”
“Okay, let’s try that.” A look of relief spread across her face as she placed the child in the stroller and headed toward the playground. “Thanks for understanding.”
I asked for a second to speak with the officers. “You guys got a statement already? Her full name, address, phone number?”
Tillson patted the notepad that peeked out from the top of his chest pocket. “We did, but she was pretty rattled.”
Frank spoke up. “And rightfully so.” He looked down the street. “Don and Forensics should be rolling up any minute, so keep your eyes peeled for them.” He pointed toward Henry and Shawn. “If you guys need anything before we get back, talk to Johnson and Potter. We won’t be long.”
We headed over to the playground, where Mrs. Davis had already placed Lilly in a child-secured swing. She gently pushed her back and forth, and the toddler seemed content. The interview could go forward.
I led with the questions, and Frank took notes. “I realize these questions will seem repetitive to you, but as the detectives assigned to this case, we need more details than what the officers asked. Please bear with us.”
“Okay.” She took her eyes off Lilly for a second while she addressed me. “Go ahead.”
“What time did you arrive at the park, and from which direction did you come?”
She pointed at the entrance where Henry and Shawn stood with the officers. “I live over there.”
“And the time?”
“I always leave my house at eight o’clock. By that time, my husband has left for work, Lilly has been fed, and then we come to the playground for an hour before I put her down for a morning nap.”
“Was anyone else here when you arrived?”
She furrowed her brows. “Other than the dead man, I didn’t see anyone in the immediate area, but a guy did jog by on the sidewalk. It seems that most moms show up around eight thirty.” She shrugged. “Maybe it’s because my house is only a block and a half away. That was one of the reasons we bought in this neighborhood—plenty of parks.”
“Understood.” I glanced at the bench, where the body still sat covered. “What path did you walk once you arrived?”
“Well, I came in over there and usually walk directly to the playground. I noticed my sneaker was untied, so I pushed the stroller toward that bench.” She grimaced, and her eyes welled up with tears. “I mean, I saw an older gentleman sitting there, but I didn’t feel threatened or anything. As I got closer, I saw something was terribly wrong.” She coughed, and her voice caught in her throat, then she let out a grief-stricken sob. It was one I recognized from years of interviewing witnesses of horrific crimes, and it often took an hour or longer before the gravity of what they had seen actually hit them.
“Take your time, Mrs. Davis.”
She cleared her throat and shook her head as if trying to erase the image. “His hands were folded in his lap, but a blood pool was beneath him. I could see where the blood had stained his pants. I didn’t know if I should approach him or scream for help, but in that moment, I wasn’t sure he was dead until I moved closer. That’s when I noticed his mouth was bloody and his skin was a whitish gray. I pushed the stroller out to the sidewalk and called 911. I’ll admit, I was nearly hysterical. It was far from what I imagined a man asleep or dead from natural causes would look like on a park bench.”
“And then what did you do after calling 911?”
“I remained on the phone with the operator and stayed where I was until the officers arrived.”
“Did anybody come into the park while you waited, or did you see anyone watching from a distance?”
“I don’t know. I was terrified, especially for Lilly. I just wanted to go home.”
I pulled a tissue from the supply I always kept in my pocket.
She reached out and took it. “Thank you, Detective McCord.” She looked over at her daughter’s bobbing head. “Can we leave now? Lilly is falling asleep.”
I handed her my card. “Yes, go ahead, and please call if you think of anything else. I’ll have an officer escort you home if you like.”
The right side of her mouth lifted with signs of a slight smile. “Thank you. I’d really appreciate that.”
“Not a problem.” I called out to Tillson, who jogged over.
“What can I help you with, Detective McCord?”
“Escort Mrs. Davis and her daughter home. It’s less than two blocks away.”
“Sure thing. Are you ready, ma’am?”
“Yes.” With Lilly in the stroller, they exited the park and turned left.
I let out a long sigh. “That couldn’t have been easy to see.” I jerked my chin toward the bench, where Jefferson had taken over the watch, then I turned to Frank. “Okay, partner, let’s take a look.”