Capítulo 21: Jason Padalecki Case II

(cont)

Previously

"Dr. Singh, this is Dr. Gray. Please come to my office now." She said over the phone then turned to Levi.

"So, explain." She told the psychologist, Levi smirked at her. He could see she was in a foul mood, one of the rare moments. Levi explained the two cases he received in his agency and Sam nodded in understanding. She usually doesn't get involved in other pathologists's daily work, but seeing huge negligence on her medical staff was something she can't ignore.

Dr. Singh sat across from the director of forensics; he couldn't help but noticed the obvious annoyance etched on her face. He wonders what he could have done to receive such a reaction from her.

"Dr. Singh, you performed the post mortem exam for Ralph Coulson is that right?" Sam asked the man, "Aah." Singh expressed; it wasn't him who personally examined the body. He had passed the responsibility to the interns; however, it was still a mistake on his part considering he should have stayed to observe. But he didn't, because he went out drinking with the senior medical staff.

"What?" Sam says, seeing his torn expression. "I had the interns perform the autopsy, Director." The man rubbed the back of his head embarrassed. "Get me those interns." Sam orders, leaning back on her chair and sighing, she would have to address this matter to the others in their next staff meeting.

Moments later 2 young pathologists entered her office, shrinking at the glare she was sending them, Levi watched in amusement behind her.

"You two, why didn't you properly identify the body?" Sam almost demanded.

"Based on the extent of the burns on the face and the hands, we couldn't perform fingerprint and facial recognition, Dr. Gray." The tall one answered, Valid reason, yes.

"So why didn't you do DNA or dental?" Sam shot back.

"Well, Director it turns out Mr. Coulson hadn't been to the dentist for more than a decade. We couldn't find any records." The other one defended.

"I'm aware, but it was stated on the record that he lived in Wales, did you try contacting his dentist there?" Sam asked, brow arched. The two-intern remained silent. Sam was annoyed, what she hated most was laziness, simply wanting a job to be 'finished' is not enough in her standards.

"Not only did you not find a way to get his dental records, but you also failed to perform a DNA test! "

"There was a driver's license on the body." The short one mumbled, "YOU IDIOT!" Sam yelled at that; Elle jumped from her seat outside her boss' office. Boy, she knew the redhead was pissed. Dr. Singh elbowed the short one to shut up.

Sam took a deep breath, right then she knew she was preventing a murder simply by self-control.

"Not only did you fail to scientifically identify the body, but you also allowed the body to be released to the family. The body is now buried. Do you know how much trouble it is to have it exhumed?!" Sam spat, "Get out now, I'll deal with you three later."

When the three disappeared, Sam glared at Levi who was silently shaking in laughter behind her. She wanted to whack him, but instead, she called for Elle. Instructed her to pull some strings on both the Chief Superintendent of Criminal Investigation Departmentand the Court. And have a court order to exhume the body.

"Let me know when you get the court order," Levi says, exiting her office.

Sam sighed, calling over Elle once again, this time to make calls regarding dental records of Ralph Coulson from Wales, if it's not a match it would make the exhumation court process faster.

.................................................

2 days later

Levi lied on the bench behind bars in a Police station. Marco on the front desk paying his bail, Davies stood scowling at the psychologist from outside the small jail cell.

After finishing the papers, Marco scowled at Levi who started putting on his coat. "Why did you have to trespass a private property?" Davies asked.

Levi had gotten caught trespassing the garage where Ralph Coulson 'died'.

"I was trying to solve a homicide you missed, Sergeant," Levi answered with his signature grin, earning a groan from Davies. "It's an accidental death, Levi!" Davies roared, following the two tall men out of the police station.

"Based on the investigation it seems like the truck slipped off the jack while Coulson was working on the fuel filter underneath. Fuel spilled from the filter onto his clothes. The truck broke a fluorescent lamp and a spark ignited the fuel. Its accidental death written all over, Levi." He continued to explain, to get the message across to the eccentric psychologist.

"Guy's staff made a mistake; they didn't get a positive identification on Coulson's body. And I found something suspicious on the crime scene, the garage circuit panel was all in the Off position, meaning there was no way for the fire to start without electricity on the lamp where theoretically, had started the fire." Levi stated while checking his mobile phone for messages.

Levi cheered from outside the police station earning the two's attention, he showed the text message he received from Sam hours before.

"Dental records taken from the remains did not match with Ralph Coulson's record from Wales." It says.

"AWFUL GOOD!" Levi cheered, combing his hair with his hand before getting inside his blue Shelby cobra.

It was 2 weeks after that when Levi received a call from Sam, he smiled when her name appeared on his mobile's screen.

"You know I prefer to text," Levi answered, Sam could hear the smile on his lips knowing she was calling to inform him that the body had been exhumed.

"I'll be taking over Coulson's post mortem, I'll call you when I get

something," Sam says ending the call seconds later, eyes glued on the corpse.

..................................................

3 days later.

" Tests showed that there was an accelerant on his clothing, something more flammable than diesel fuel. Most likely a gasoline type." Sam tells Levi who was standing beside her in the morgue, Sergeant Davies present.

"It means someone poured gasoline on the body and set it on fire," Sam adds, looking at Davies.

"Melissa Padelecki provided the toothbrush her husband used. DNA matched. The body is Mr. Padalecki. This is homicide." She added watching Detective Sergeant Davies who grunting at the thought of paper works he would be facing after this.

"So, the likely scenario is Ralph offered Jason a job on his property, they went to the garage. It's likely he used chloroform since there were no signs of struggle on the remains. He stripped him to his underwear and changed him with his clothes. Left his wallet with his identification in the victim's pocket. Dragged him under the truck, knocked the Jack off crushing Jason underneath in the process." Sam explains.

"He then pours gasoline on him, sets the crime scene to make it look like an accident and sets the garage on fire. Most probably with a match since the breaker was turned off. So, he and his wife could get the insurance money" Levi added, grinning wildly.

Davies groans pulling his phone from his coat pocket "I'll get the search warrant" he says hinting on investigating the whole Family property.

Sam sat with Levi playing shogi 3 weeks after that, Sam was winning. Levi tore his hazel eyes away from the board when his mobile pinged on the table. He reached for it and read the message. He grinned at Sam.

"They tracked down Ralph Coulson. They're preparing for his arrest." Levi says, Sam nods making her move. "And the wife? She's the one who was supposed to receive the insurance money, she was obviously involved" She asked.

"She'll be charged as an accessory," Levi answers, making his move.

"Melissa Padalecki, I heard she doesn't have money to pay for your services." Sam comments, knowing full well Levi likes getting paid for his hard work.

"She'll be paying soon, she filed for a wrongful death civil lawsuit against the Coulson's for the death of her husband. I expect she will be awarded at least 8Mil." Levi started grinning.