“They’re in the custody of the state police,” Angela said. “Having been on the force, can’t you get copies easily?”
“Unfortunately, no,” Calhoun said. “The state police tend to be inordinately guarded when it conies to evidence in their custody. I know because I used to work for a while in the crime-scene division up in Burlington. It makes for a kind of ‘catch-22.’ The state police with the expertise and the evidence aren’t motivated to expend a lot of time and effort on this kind of case because they take their cue from the local police. If the local police don’t care, then the state police let it slide. One of the reasons the local police don’t care is they don’t have the evidence to go on.”
“Another reason is that they might be somehow involved,” Angela said. She then told Calhoun about the brick through the window, the threatening notes, and the police’s response.
“Doesn’t surprise me,” Calhoun said. “Robertson’s on my list. He couldn’t stand Hodges.”
“I knew that,” Angela said. “I was told that Robertson blames his wife’s death on Hodges.”
“I don’t give that story a lot of significance,” Calhoun said. “Robertson’s not that stupid. I think the sorry episode about his wife was just an excuse. I think Robertson’s anger toward Hodges stemmed more from Hodges’ behavior which we know was less than diplomatic. I’d bet my last dollar that Hodges knew Robertson for the blowhard he is and never gave him any respect. I sincerely doubt that Robertson killed Hodges, but when I was talking with him, he gave me a funny feeling. He knows something he wasn’t telling me.”
“The way the police have been dragging their feet they have to be involved,” Angela said.
“Reminds me of a case when I was a state trooper,” Calhoun said after another long pull on his cigar. “It was also a homicide in a small town. We were sure the whole town, including the local police, knew who’d done it, yet no one would come forward. We ended up dropping the case. It’s unsolved to this day.”
“What makes you think Hodges’ case is any different?” David asked. “Couldn’t the same thing happen here?”
“Not a chance,” Calhoun said. “In the case I just told you about the dead person was a murderer and a thief himself. Hodges is different. There are a lot of people who hated him, but there’s also a bunch who think he was one of the town heroes. Hell, this is the only referral hospital in New England outside of the big cities, and Hodges was personally responsible for building it up. A lot of people’s livelihood is based on what Hodges created here. Don’t worry, this case will be solved. No doubt about it.”
“How will you manage to get copies of Hodges’ papers if you can’t do it yourself?” Angela asked.
“You have to do it,” Calhoun said.
“Me?” Angela asked.
“That’s not part of the deal,” David said. “She has to stay out of this investigation. I don’t want her talking to anyone. Not with bricks coming through our window.”
“There will be no danger,” Calhoun insisted.
“Why me?” Angela asked.
“Because you are both a physician and an employee of the hospital,” Calhoun said. “If you show up at the crime-scene division up in Burlington with the appropriate identification and say that copies of the papers are needed to take care of patients, they’ll make you copies in a flash. Judges’ and doctors’ requests are always honored. I know. As I said, I used to work there.”
“I guess visiting the state police headquarters couldn’t be very dangerous,” Angela said. “It’s not as if I’m participating in the investigation.”
“I suppose it’s okay,” David said. “Provided there’s no chance of getting into trouble with the police.”
“No chance,” Calhoun said. “The worst thing that could happen is they wouldn’t give her the copies.”
“When?” Angela asked.
“How about tomorrow?” Calhoun suggested.
“It will have to be on my lunch hour,” Angela said.
“I’ll come pick you up at noon in front of the hospital,” Calhoun said. He stood up, thanking them for the beers.
Angela offered to walk Calhoun to his truck while David went back in the house.