Page 76 of Buried Secrets

“Nothing actionable,” Agent Cook dismissed. “Look, if you’ve found significant evidence, I should be briefed immediately.”

“I’m aware of the protocols,” Matt replied carefully.

Another pause, longer this time. “See that you do.”

The line went dead. Matt stared at his phone, unease settling in his gut. Everything about the federal agent’s behavior was wrong. How long would it take to get the guy off the case? Granted, his conversation with the higher-ups was less than an hour ago. He knew the machinery of justice took time.

Matt had search warrants to secure and interviews to conduct. For the first time since the investigation began, he had solid evidence and clear targets.

Eleanor Holloway had challenged him to return with legal authority and detailed questions. Time to accept that challenge.

Matt started the engine and pulled onto the main road, Margaret Straub’s final testimony burning in the seat beside him. Justice delayed, but finally within reach.

Matt spread the warrant applications across his desk, the forms blurring together as he worked through the legal language required to search two properties connected to crimes committed thirty years ago. Additionally, it opened the door for questioning both Mrs. Holloway and Whitaker’s widow on a more official basis.

“Alice, I need you to call Judge Morrison’s clerk,” he called through his open door. “Tell them I’m bringing emergency warrant requests this afternoon.”

“On it,” Alice replied, her fingers already moving across her keyboard.

Deputy Collins appeared in the doorway, coffee mug in hand. “Search warrants for Eleanor Holloway and the Whitaker widow?”

“Both properties. We finally have probable cause that’ll hold up in court.” Matt signed the bottom of the first application.

Collins settled into the chair across from Matt’s desk. “Want me to coordinate with Portland PD for the Whitaker search?”

“Already in progress. They’re standing by for judicial approval.”

The phone rang, its shrill tone cutting through the morning quiet. Alice’s nervous voice carried from the front desk. “Sheriff’s office, this is Alice… Yes, sir, he’s in… I’ll transfer you.”

Matt’s stomach clenched as his desk phone buzzed. Only one person made Alice nervous. “Winters.”

“Matt, it’s Mayor Hartwell. We need to talk. Now.”

There was an edge in the Widow’s Point mayor’s voice. “Good morning, Bob. What’s the issue?”

“The issue is that I just spent twenty minutes getting my ass chewed by some high-priced Portland attorney representing Dr. Whitaker’s widow. Something about harassment of an elderly woman and resurrection of thirty-year-old scandals.”

Matt’s pen stilled on the warrant application. “The search warrant hasn’t even been approved yet.”

“Apparently an early morning visit from a Widow’s Point sheriff started it all. This attorney is threatening media attention, political pressure, the whole nine yards.” The mayor’s breathing was audible over the line. “Matt, I need to understand exactly what you’re doing before this blows up in all our faces.”

“That’s right, it is an election year for you, isn’t it? I’m investigating multiple homicides, Bob. You know that.” Matt sat back, his office chair creaking. Small town politics irked him at moments like these. “We’ve got solid evidence in a journal written by one of the victims before she was murdered. It specifically implicates Dr. Whitaker and Robert Holloway.”

Silence stretched across the connection. When the mayor spoke again, his tone had shifted from accusatory to concerned. “You’re certain about this evidence? What do you think you’ll find after thirty years?”

“This is as solid as it gets.” Matt sighed. “The search warrants will permit us to review any personal effects kept by either of the family members and interrogate them on an official basis. Both men made a lot of money from coercing pregnant women to give up their children.”

“Jesus Christ, Matt. Do you understand the ramifications if this goes public? Dr. Whitaker was a pillar of the medical community.”

“The fallout started thirty years ago when he started murdering women.” Matt’s voice hardened. “I’m not backing down from this.”

“And what would be the point? Both Robert Holloway and Whitaker are dead. There’s no one to put behind bars.”

“The point is closure, Bob. Answers. Truth.” He thought about Kaitlin, Marissa Lane, and the Straub family.

Another pause. “What do you need from me?”

“Political cover while we execute the warrants. The media may reach out as well. Keep things vague for now, without confirming any details. And maybe a heads-up if any other attorneys start making calls.”