When Grant and Penner pulled up to Elaine Jackson’s house in their patrol car, there were no other vehicles in the laneway. They went to the front door, rang the bell and waited. No one came. Grant tried the bell again, trying to peer into the side window. ‘Guess no one’s home,’ he said to Penner. They were walking back to their car when Penner paused and put her hand on Grant’s arm.
‘Do you hear that?’ Penner asked.
‘Sounds like music,’ Grant said, hearing rhythmic sounds coming from the back of the house. They followed a path leading to a wooden fence that blocked off the backyard. The music was definitely coming from the other side. Grant knocked as loudly as he could on the fence.
‘Sorry, I’ll turn it down.’ A young girl’s voice floated over the fence.
‘Police. We’d like to talk to you if we could,’ Penner called back.
‘What, police?! My music wasn’t that loud! Did that crazy old coot complain again?’ The gate opened and a teen girl was on the other side, wearing a bathing suit.
‘Are your parents home?’ Grant asked.
‘They’re working, I think. Look, I’m sorry my music was a little loud, but it’s the middle of the day! You don’t need to tell my parents, do you?’ The young girl looked at Penner hopefully.
‘Shouldn’t you be at school today?’ Penner asked.
‘P.A. day, no school,’ the girl said.
‘What school do you go to?’ asked Penner.
‘Sir Will. Look, I said I was sorry for the music.’
‘That’s okay, we just wanted to talk to your parents about something,’ Penner said. ‘Do you know when your dad is supposed to be home by any chance?’
‘He usually gets in around 4:30.’
‘Do you have a number where we can reach him? We’d like to talk to him before then,’ Penner said.
‘Yeah, give me a minute. I’ll go grab it.’ The girl turned and went around the corner into the house.
‘Should we tell her about her mom?’ Grant asked quietly.
‘No, I prefer to tell the other parent first. I find it’s easier on kids when their parents tell them something like this, instead of a stranger,’ Penner said, as the girl came back.
‘Here’s his card. He works security at some building down on Wellington, not sure which one. He usually does rounds in the afternoon so he may not be at his desk, but that’s his cell.’ The girl pointed to the number on the bottom of the card.
‘Thanks,’ Penner said, taking the card. ‘Enjoy your afternoon. And keep the music down,’ she added, closing the gate and following Grant down the path.
‘Man, I just feel awful for her. She’s just enjoying the sun and in a couple of hours she’s going to find out her mom’s dead and her life will be changed forever,’ Grant said after they were back sitting inside the car. ‘Doesn’t seem fair.’
‘Working homicides, you’ll learn real quick that life isn’t fair,’ Penner said, taking her phone out of her pocket. She dialed the number on the card.
‘Ed Jackson.’
‘Mr. Jackson, this is Detective Penner with the Ottawa City Police, I was wondering if we could meet up somewhere. I need to discuss a few things with you.’
‘Um, sure, I guess. About what?’
‘I’d rather discuss everything in person, if we could,’ Penner said.
‘OK, sure. I’m just about to do my rounds outside the building. You can meet me here, if you want. Or I can meet you somewhere when I’m done work.’
‘We can meet you now. That’s probably the best. Whereabouts?’ Penner asked. Grant took out his notebook to write down the address. ‘Bank of Canada, 234 Wellington? Right, we’ll be there in about fifteen minutes.’
‘Sounds good. See you then.’
Penner hung up. ‘Now we get to change another life forever.’