Bring Me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton #2)(74)
After speaking to Wolfe, she strolled across the main floor, down the passageway, and through the door to the steps leading down to the cells. To her delight, Wolfe had made a few changes in the days since his arrival. He had changed a storage area into an interview room. It had an electronic lock complete with card entry, turning it into a secure area. She flashed her ID card over the scanner and held the door open.
She glanced at the lawyer seated at the large wooden table and sat opposite. “Before we begin, how open do you believe Mr. Rogers would be to waive the doctor–patient privilege?”
“It is not something we have discussed but from my dealings with Mr. Rogers, I can assure you he is of sound mind.” Jenkins’ thin lips turned down as he fussed with his leather briefcase. “This trumped-up charge is just that—pure fabrication and indication of more harassment from your deputy.”
The door opened and Kane’s blue gaze rested on Jenna for a few seconds before he ushered the handcuffed Rogers into the room.
She took in the prisoner’s disheveled appearance and the smell of unwashed sweat filled her nostrils. Her attention moved to the lawyer. “I would like to make it very clear, it is a prisoner’s choice to use the facilities or not. Mr. Rogers was offered a shower this morning but he refused.”
“After four days, we usually hose them down.” Kane dropped his huge frame into the chair beside her and his mouth quirked into a slight grin. “Health reasons, you understand?” He placed a folder on the table.
Jenna glared at him then cleared her throat. “I am switching on the recorder now; the interview will be sound-and video-taped. The time is five past three. In the room is Sheriff Jenna Alton, Deputy David Kane, attorney for the prisoner, Mr. Samuel Jenkins, and the prisoner, Mr. Steve Rogers. Deputy Kane will start proceedings.”
“Mr. Rogers, we have determined your whereabouts during the murders of Felicity Parker and Kate Bright.” As he slid three graphic crime scene photographs of the victims across the table, his expression turned to granite. “We have signed statements from witnesses who can place you in the area at the time of death of both these girls.”
“I didn’t do that. My God, do you think I am some kind of animal?” Rogers’ eyes bulged and a blue vein throbbed in his temple. “I know those two girls, they are my students. I’m a teacher at the high school, for God’s sake.” He pointed at Joanne’s image. “I’ve never seen her in my life.”
“The girls were savagely raped.” Kane’s hard gaze did not leave his face. “Then displayed to make them look like prostitutes. Animals might tear a person to shreds but I’ve never heard of one raping their victims first.”
“I couldn’t rape anyone.” Rogers’ cheeks pinked.
Jenna wanted to interject and ask about his potency; it seemed the perfect time but as she opened her mouth to speak, she caught Kane’s disapproving stare and leaned back to observe. He was using his skills to lead Rogers into confessing his virility.
“Really?” Kane’s large fists clenched on the table. “What is your opinion on prostitution, Mr. Rogers?”
“That question is totally irrelevant.” Jenkins’ dark eyes flashed in anger.
“Is it?” Kane moved his dark head slowly toward the lawyer then back to Rogers. “In my opinion, the killer has had dealings with prostitutes, perhaps suffered abuse as a child. Did you suffer abuse as a child, Mr. Rogers, is that why you killed these girls as revenge against your mother?”
“I want to answer the question.” Rogers’ face paled but he lifted his chin. “I don’t have an opinion on prostitutes. I wouldn’t go to one but how they live is their business.” He let out a long sigh. “As to my childhood. My mother is a compassionate, gentle, God-fearing woman.”
“So, nothing like your wife?”
“My wife?” Rogers scratched his head, making his hair stick up in all directions. “My wife could shred a man’s dignity with one lash of her tongue.”
“You mentioned you ‘couldn’t’ rape anyone and that’s normal, but most people would find a beautiful young woman attractive. Of course, the majority would not dream of touching an underage woman but to deny the victims were attractive has to be unusual.” Kane’s cold stare moved over Rogers’ face and Jenna could almost see the prisoner squirm in his seat. “Are you impotent?”
Jenna moved her attention toward Jenkins and waited for him to halt the interview but to her surprise, he was regarding his client with interest. Perhaps he had gleaned the notion if Rogers could prove he was impotent then he was innocent of murdering the girls.
“Why would you ask such a personal question?” Rogers’ cheeks glowed. “That is none of your business.”
“Ah, but it is a very relevant question.” Kane’s blue gaze narrowed. “Did you rape these young women?”
“Good Lord, no.” Rogers’ eyes filled with tears that ran down his cheeks. “I would never do such a thing.”
“Wouldn’t or couldn’t?”
“Both, okay?” Rogers wiped at his red-rimmed eyes. “I’ve been seeing specialists for years. Since moving here my records are with Doctors Littleman and Peters at Black Rock Falls General Hospital. I had an appointment two weeks ago. I had a skiing accident three years ago, damaged my lower back, and since then zip. My wife insisted there was nothing wrong with me and I was ignoring her and having sex with every woman in town.”