CID Team Office in Precinct 23 - Part (2/2)

Constable McLamb braced against the wall as he kept downing one paper cup of water after another from the water cooler near the smart-wall. Leo shook his head and he filled one cup for himself, half cold half hot. Before he could take a sip however, McLamb swiped it out of his hand to gulp for the 10th time.

Leo stared at his empty hand, groaning. “What’s got into you? You look like you saw a ghost.”

“N-not a ghost, Leo, a nurse!” McLamb took a few deep breaths and refilled his 11th cup to calm down. “Mrs. Tucker k-killed someone!”

“...Hold on what? When was this?” Leo looked around to see if anyone was listening before leaning in. “How can that be possible? Jenny did a full criminal check on Sarah Tucker as well as Frank Tucker – both clean. If Sarah did kill someone, Jenny would have told us by now.”

“I-it’s not like a murder murder, hear me out!” McLamb coughed as he held up his hands, waving them to try and get his words out. “It-it was a medical accident. An old lady who practically lived in the hospital told me.” McLamb stole another gulp of water, choked and coughed, and cleared his throat before he continued. “Due to the Tucker’s constantly arguing, the wife Sarah started to lose focus and patience at her work. One night shift she was on the front desk phone complaining to a friend who worked at another floor, and she completely ignored any patient call bells. One of them had a heart attacked, tried to call for help, but Sarah never came and he ended up dying. The family wanted to sue Sarah for negligence.”

Leo folded his arms around his chest, curious “How come no arrest was made?”

“The hospital have their own internal investigation team. You know how to check to see if it was pure accident, negligence, or miscommunication. They also have their own uuh, how do I say it ‘court’ system with their own medical judges and lawyers.” McLamb tugged at the collar of his hoodie to vent some cold air into his body. “Sarah Tucker got off with a slap on the wrist, given less shifts, and had a slight demotion from team leader. The big brand hospital took care of the family, worked out a deal, and kept it under wraps – that’s why she has no criminal record in our system.”

“Typical.” Leo shook his head and rubbed at his chin. “So you’re suggesting her murder could be involved with the patient’s family? When was this?”

McLamb took in a deep breath to stand back straight. “Recent! About two months ago. Also, the old lady told me this: one of the patient’s family member, the son, was not happy about the compromise his siblings agreed to. Found out he returned to the hospital to threaten Sarah Tucker for the death of his father, even attacked her. Security were called.”

“Was a name ever give on who this guy was?”

“Jim Lawton. owns a butcher shop near Central.”

Leo’s eyes widened. “Cuts through bones.”

McLamb nodded with a grin. “Professionally!”