A 19 Y/o Mother Of Four Was Shot Dead Minutes After Giving Birth To Twins
…
Panic gripped the ward.
Screams, the sound of running feet, the howling of sirens.
The guards rushed to pursue the attacker, but he had already disappeared into the maze of hospital corridors.
Detectives Molly Stratton and Dr.ew Garner arrived on the scene 40 minutes later.
The hospital was swarming with police and forensics.
Yellow tape fenced off the entrance to the maternity ward.
Molly Stratton, a 36-year-old detective with 12 years of experience in homicide, was the first to enter the room.
Her dark-kinned face remained impassive, though inside she was seething with anger.
A young mother who had just given birth gunned down in a hospital.
It was beyond human cruelty.
Dr.ew Garner, her 29-year-old partner, followed her.
A former military man, he’d seen many deaths, but this scene made him grit his teeth.
Nicole’s body still lay on the bed, though it was now partially covered by a sheet.
Forensics were photographing the crime scene, collecting samples and evidence.
“What do we have?” Molly asked the forensics team leader.
Nicole Stanley, 19 years old, gave birth to twins about 40 minutes before the murder, the female CSI replied, holding up a clipboard with notes.
Two shots, one to the heart, one to the head.
Professional job.
Cameras caught the killer, but his face was obscured by a balaclava.
Witnesses, no one saw the face.
It all happened too fast.
A nurse in the next room heard gunshots, but when she looked out into the hallway, all she saw was the back of a man in black running away.
Dr.ew looked around the room.
Where’s the husband? In the waiting room under the supervision of an officer, the CSI replied, “He was in the hallway when the murder happened.
Several witnesses confirm it.
” Molly nodded.
“Let’s go talk to him.
” They walked to the small waiting room where Jude Stanley was sitting.
The young man looked lost.
His eyes were red from crying and his hands were shaking.
Mr. Stanley.
Molly addressed him softly.
I’m Detective Stratton and this is my partner, Detective Garner.
We’re very sorry for your loss.
Jude looked up.
Who Who could have done this? Who could have killed Nicole? His voice shook.
She had just given birth to our babies.
Our babies? They won’t even know their mom.
We’ll do everything we can to find the killer, Dr.ew assured him.
But we need your help.
Did your wife have any enemies? Anyone who wished her harm? Jude shook his head.
No, no one.
Nicole had been a housewife for the past 2 years.
Before that, she worked as a cashier at a supermarket.
She didn’t have any enemies.
“How about you?” Molly asked, watching his reaction carefully.
Jude looked puzzled.
“Me? I’m just a mechanic.
I fix cars at a machine shop.
No problems with anyone.
Were you and your wife expecting these kids? Were you planning on getting pregnant? Jude lowered his eyes.
Not really.
It was unexpected.
We already have two kids, but we were doing okay.
Nicole was a good mom.
Where are your kids now? With Nicole’s mom.
She took them when Nicole needed them.
Needed? His voice trailed off.
Molly gave him a minute to collect himself.
Mr. Stanley, we’re going to need to check your phone.
It’s standard procedure.
Jude tensed, but nodded.
Of course, anything that will help us find my wife’s killer.
While Dr.ew continued his conversation with Jude, Molly stepped aside to talk to the doctor delivering the baby.
Dr. Reyes, I’m Detective Stratton.
Tell me about the birth.
Dr. Reyes, an older woman with graying hair gathered in a tight bundle, shook her head.
It went well.
Standard second labor.
No complications.
The twins were born healthy.
A girl weighing 3 kg, 200 g, and a boy weighing 3 kg.
The mother was in good health.
I left when the nurses were taking the babies away for examination.
It’s uh this is an unbelievable tragedy.
Did anyone unusual come to visit Nicole before the birth? No, just her husband.
He seemed nervous, but that’s normal for young fathers.
Molly made a note in her notebook.
Where are the babies now? They’re in the neonatal unit under heavy guard.
We don’t know if the killer was only targeting the mother or if the kids could be in danger, too.
Good precaution.
Thank you, doctor.
Molly went back to Dr.ew, who was already finishing up with Jude.
Mr. Stanley, do you have a place to stay tonight? Jude nodded.
I’m going to my mother-in-laws.
Need to be with the kids.
Good.
We’ll be in touch if we have any more questions.
Dr.ew handed him a business card.
And please call if you remember anything important.
When Jude left with the officer, Molly looked at Dr.ew.
“What do you think?” “I don’t know.
” Dr.ew shook his head.
“He seems genuinely devastated, but there’s something about his behavior that makes me suspicious.
” “Me, too.
Let’s go look at the security tapes.
” They headed to hospital security where the head of security was already waiting for them with the tapes they had prepared.
Several screens showed different angles of what was happening.
“Here,” the head of security pointed to one of the monitors.
The camera in the corridor of the maternity ward.
Do you see it? A figure in black appears at 16 hours and 25 minutes, enters Stanley’s room, and 20 seconds later runs out.
Molly and Dr.ew watched the blurred figure on the screen intently, a man of medium height, wearing black clothing, his face hidden by a balaclava.
His movements are quick, purposeful.
And here is the footage from the camera on the stairs,” continued the security chief, switching to another monitor.
The killer comes down the stairs and goes out through the emergency exit.
Unfortunately, the cameras in the parking lot in that sector did not work due to maintenance.
“Can we tell if it’s a man or a woman?” Molly asked, staring at the screen.
The security chief shook his head.
“It’s hard to tell.
The build isn’t very large, but it could be either a woman or a man of small stature.
Send us all the tapes,” Molly asked.
“We’ll get them to the technical department for analysis.
” As they left the security room, Molly and Dr.ew stopped in the hallway.
“This wasn’t a random killing,” Molly said.
“It’s too well planned.
The killer knew the layout of the hospital, knew the cameras weren’t working, knew which room Nicole was in, and he picked the moment right after the birth.
” Dr.ew added, “It’s personal.
Very personal.
” Let’s start by checking Jude’s cell phone, Molly decided and talk to Nicole’s family and friends.
Someone needs to know what’s been going on in their lives.
Dr.ew nodded.
I’ll contact Tech about the phone and I’ll check into the Stanley family’s finances and I’ll go to Nicole’s mom’s house, Molly said.
I’ll see the other kids learn more about the family situation.
They were on their way out of the hospital when Molly noticed a security guard watching the security tapes at the hospital entrance.
Wait, she said, stopping.
Show me the footage from the main entrance an hour before the murder.
The guard rewound the tape.
Molly and Dr.ew watched the screen intently.
There, Dr.ew said suddenly, pointing to a figure entering the hospital about the same height as the killer, but wearing different clothes.
The man on the tape was in his usual clothes, jeans, and a hooded sweatshirt with a hood pulled over his face.
He moved purposefully, avoiding looking directly into the cameras.
Maybe it’s our killer before he changed clothes, Molly suggested.
He probably changed somewhere in the hospital.
We should check all the restrooms and utility rooms for clothing left behind.
Dr.ew was already on the phone with CSI.
We need to search every public restroom and utility room within a three-story radius of the maternity ward.
Look for discarded clothing, balaclavas, any evidence.
Molly went over the footage again.
Something about the man’s gate seemed suspicious to her, but she couldn’t say exactly what it was.
Send that tape, too, she asked the guard and checked to see if there’s any footage of this man leaving the hospital.
When they finally pulled into the parking lot, the sun was already setting, painting the Miami sky with orange hues.
The hospital was slowly calming down from the shock.
But for Molly and Dr.ew, the work was just beginning.
Somewhere out there was a killer who had taken a young mother’s life in cold blood, and they were determined to find him.
“Tomorrow’s going to be a tough day,” Dr.ew said as he got into the car.
“Yeah,” Molly agreed.
“But we’re going to find whoever did this for Nicole’s sake and for the sake of her children.
” The car sped off, taking the two detectives into the thickening dusk of Miami.
And at the hospital, Nicole Stanley’s four children were already starting their lives without their mother.
Molly Stratton arrived at the police station at 7:00 in the morning, even though her shift didn’t start until 8:00.
The night passed restlessly.
The image of her dead 19-year-old mother kept her awake.
She held a large glass of strong coffee in her hands, hoping the caffeine would help her focus.
Homicide was still nearly empty with only a few of the night shift detectives finishing up paperwork.
Molly turned on her computer and opened Nicole Stanley’s case file.
The crime scene photos were already loaded, blood on the white hospital sheets, the victim’s open eyes staring into nothing.
Molly sighed and started looking at the preliminary report from the medical examiner.
Dr.ew Garner showed up 20 minutes later just as sleepd deprived with the same glass of coffee.
“Good morning,” he said, sitting down at his desk across from Molly.
“Anything new?” The medical examiner confirmed the cause of death as two shots fired at close range.
First one to the heart, second one to the head.
The gun was probably silenced or the hospital would have raised the alarm sooner.
Professional work, Dr.ew remarked, turning on his computer.
Any results on Jude Stanley’s phone? The text promised by 9:00.
Forensics found the clothes in a dumpster on the third floor of the hospital.
Jeans, a hooded sweatshirt, and a balaclava.
They sent it to DNA, but I’m not getting my hopes up.
The killer was probably wearing gloves.
Dr.ew nodded and opened the folder of information on the Stanley family they’d started gathering yesterday.
Nicole Anderson, married to Stanley, born in a poor neighborhood in Miami, single mom, father unknown, got pregnant with twins at 16 by Jude Stanley, her high school boyfriend.
Dr.opped out of school to take care of the kids.
Officially married 2 years ago.
What about Jude? Molly asked, taking a sip of coffee.
Jude Stanley, 20 years old, also from a dysfunctional family.
Father’s in prison for armed robbery.
Mother died of an overdose when he was 14.
Raised by his grandmother.
Works as a mechanic at an auto body shop.
No criminal record, but a few priors for fighting when he was a teenager.
Typical story, Molly.
Let’s go to their apartment, take a look around.
Then we’ll talk to Nicole’s mother.
An hour later, they were already in Stanley’s small apartment in one of Miami’s bedroom neighborhoods.
The dwelling was modest, but clean and well-kept.
The children’s toys were neatly stacked in drawers.
Children’s drawings hung on the refrigerator and framed photos.
Nicole, Jude, and two small children stood on the table.
It looked like Nicole had tried to create a proper home for her children despite her limited funds, Molly remarked as she looked around the apartment.
Dr.ew nodded, opening cabinets and drawers.
Nothing out of the ordinary here, just an ordinary family on a tight budget.
Molly walked through to the bedroom.
A double bed, a dresser, a few more family photos on the walls.
She opened the top drawer of the dresser, neatly folded women’s underwear.
The second drawer, men’s t-shirts and underwear.
In the third, she found a stack of bills, medical records, and school pictures of Nicole and Jude.
Look, she said to Dr.ew, showing the school picture.
They were together back in high school.
Dr.ew took the picture.
Nice couple.
It’s a shame things turned out this way.
That’s when Molly’s cell phone rang.
Detective Stratton, she answered.
Yes.
All right.
We’ll be right there.
She turned to Dr.ew.
It’s the tech department.
They’ve got the results on Jude’s phone.
They say we need to see it.
30 minutes later, they were already at the technical section of the police department.
A young technician met them with a clipboard in hand.
Detectives, thanks for getting here so quickly.
We found something interesting on Jude Stanley’s cell phone.
First of all, a lot of deleted messages.
He tried to erase them, but we recovered them.
Second, strange activity on the day of the murder.
He handed them a tablet.
Here’s correspondence from a number saved under the name K.
Messages from the last 3 months.
Molly and Dr.ew started looking through the messages.
K, miss you.
When will I see you again? Jude, not today.
Nicole isn’t feeling well.
K, she’s always feeling bad.
I’m tired of sharing you.
Jude, I know, baby.
Just be patient for a little while.
K, you promised you’d leave her.
Jude, I remember it’s a hard thing to do.
K, is it because of the kids or do you still love her? Jude, the kids, of course.
You know I only love you.
K.
She’s pregnant again.
Are you kidding me? Jude, I swear I didn’t mean it.
K, you said we were going to be together and now there’s more kids.
Jude, it’ll be over soon.
I promise.
Then I’m going to leave.
The messages became increasingly tense until the day of the murder.
K, are you at the hospital? Jude, yeah, she’s in labor.
K, let me know when it’s over.
Jude, it’s born.
A girl and a boy.
K.
Congratulations.
The last message was sent 15 minutes before the murder.
This could be our killer, Dr.ew said slowly.
Kay was clearly jealous and angry about the new pregnancy.
We need to find out who this Kay is, Molly said, handing the tablet back to the technician.
Can you trace the number? Already did, the technician replied.
The number is registered to Casey Garris, 22 years old.
Here’s her address and place of employment.
Receptionist at the Blue Lagoon Motel in North Miami.
Molly and Dr.ew looked at each other.
Thank you, Molly said.
Great job.
Mail all the materials to me.
On the way to the Blue Lagoon Motel, they discussed the new information.
According to reports, Jude has been seeing this Casey girl for a while, Dr.ew said, and promised to leave Nicole and then Nicole got pregnant again.
Molly added.
That might have been the last straw for Casey.
She realized that with the birth of two more children, Jude would never leave his wife.
Motive enough for murder, Dr.ew agreed.
But we need proof.
Let’s watch her first before we show our faces.
The Blue Lagoon Motel was a shabby two-story building with a neon sign, half the letters unlit.
Molly and Dr.ew parked across the street, which gave them a good view of the entrance to the motel office.
How do we proceed? Dr.ew asked.
We’ll look at her first, then I’ll go in supposedly to get a room, talk to her.
You stay here and watch.
Through the glass office door, they saw a young, dark-skinned woman behind the front desk.
She was typing something on a computer, glancing at her phone from time to time.
That must be her, Molly said.
Matches the description in the database.
Dr.ew pulled out his binoculars.
Looks nervous.
Keeps checking her phone.
That’s when a car pulled up to the motel.
Jude Stanley got out.
Molly and Dr.ew tensed up.
“What the hell?” Dr.ew whispered.
His wife had been murdered less than 24 hours ago, and he was on his way to see his mistress.
Jude took a quick step toward the office.
Casey, seeing him, ran out from behind the counter.
Through the glass, the detectives could see them arguing furiously.
Jude waved his arms.
Casey yelled something back, then suddenly burst into tears.
Jude put his arms around her, stroked her head.
Interesting, Molly said.
It didn’t look like a meeting between killer and killer, more like a lover’s quarrel.
Or a great play, Dr.ew remarked.
Let’s take some pictures.
15 minutes later, Jude left the office and drove away.
Casey returned behind the counter, wiping away her tears.
“Now it’s my turn,” Molly said as she got out of the car.
“Stay in touch.
” She crossed the road and entered the motel office.
Casey looked up.
Her face was still tear stained.
“What can I do for you?” she asked, trying to smile.
“I need a room for one night,” Molly said, scrutinizing the girl.
Casey acted mechanically, clearly thinking about something else.
“Single or double?” “Single,” Molly looked around.
“Quiet place.
I’d like to rest.
” “All of our rooms are quiet enough,” Casey said.
I can suggest number eight on the second floor.
It has a nice view.
Molly nodded.
That’ll do.
She held out a credit card and a fake driver’s license in the name of Anna Johnson.
Rough day.
Casey looked up.
What? Your eyes are red.
I thought maybe it was a rough day.
Casey lowered her gaze again.
Yeah, a little.
Personal problems.
A man? Molly asked with an understanding smile.
Casey smiled weakly back.
It’s always men, isn’t it? They’re not worth it, Molly said.
Believe me, I know.
This one is special, Casey said quietly.
But he’s in a difficult situation.
Married? Molly suggested.
Casey was silent for a moment, then nodded.
Was his wife died yesterday.
Molly made a surprised face.
Oh, I’m sorry.
It’s unexpected.
Yes, for everyone, Casey said hurriedly, returning the credit card and holding out the key.
Your room is on the second floor, just down the stairs and to the right.
Check out by 11:00 tomorrow morning.
Thank you.
Molly took the key.
You know, I’m a counselor if you need to talk.
No, thank you, Casey said quickly.
I’m fine.
I really am.
Molly nodded and walked out.
Back in the car, she told Dr.ew about the conversation.
She knows about Nicole’s death and it bothers her.
Molly concluded.
But I can’t tell if she’s involved in the murder or if she’s just worried about the situation.
Let’s run a background check on her, Dr.ew suggested.
And put her apartment under surveillance.
We got the address.
Back at the station, they delved into Casey Garris’s life.
Born in Miami, grew up in the same seedy part of town as Jude.
Graduated from the same high school as him, but three years later, lived alone in a small apartment near the motel where she worked.
No criminal record, just one speeding ticket 2 years ago.
Could she have known Jude since high school? Molly suggested.
Maybe a longtime crush.
Maybe, Dr.ew agreed.
But what’s more interesting is that she has a license to carry a gun.
The registered gun is a Glock 1999 mm.
That’s the caliber used in Nicole’s murder.
Molly raised her eyebrows.
That’s a big clue.
We should check her gun, but it’s not enough for a warrant.
Why don’t we talk to Jude about Casey? Dr.ew suggested it.
See how he reacts.
Molly shook her head.
Not yet.
If they’re accompllices, he’ll warn her.
Let’s put her apartment under surveillance first and see what she does.
At that moment, Captain Harris entered the office.
“How is the Stanley case progressing?” he asked.
“We have a suspect,” Molly replied.
“The victim’s husband’s mistress.
We’re setting up surveillance, collecting evidence.
” “Good,” the captain nodded.
“Keep me posted.
This case is getting a lot of media attention.
A murder in a maternity ward isn’t something that happens every day.
” When the captain left, Molly turned to Dr.ew.
We need to see if Jude had insurance on Nicole’s life and who gets the insurance in the event of her death.
I’m on it, Dr.ew said.
You set up surveillance on Casey’s apartment.
By evening, surveillance was set up and Dr.ew returned with new information.
Nicole was indeed insured.
He said basic life insurance for $100,000.
The beneficiary was Jude Stanley.
Not a bad motive, Molly remarked.
especially for a young mechanic with four kids on his hands.
You know what else is interesting? Dr.ew continued.
I checked Casey’s social media.
She has an Instagram page that’s protected from outsiders, but our texts were able to gain access, and this is what I found.
He showed Molly a picture on his phone screen.
It showed Casey standing at the shooting range with a gun in her hands, smiling broadly.
The caption read, “Learning to shoot.
Soon to be an expert, Dr.ew read.
” The date was 2 months ago.
Molly looked at the picture carefully.
“She’s been preparing.
Maybe she and Jude planned it together.
Or maybe she was acting on her own, hoping to get rid of her rival,” Dr.ew suggested.
The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon when Molly Stratton and Dr.ew Garner gathered in the conference room of the police station.
A large whiteboard held photos of Nicole Stanley, Jude Stanley, and Casey Harris linked by red threads.
Next to them were crime scene photos, message printouts, and a timeline of events.
Captain Harris, a man in his 50s with a streak of gray in his shortcropped hair, scrutinized the board.
“So, what do we have?” he asked, turning to the detectives.
Molly pointed to Casey’s picture.
Casey Garris, 22 years old, the mistress of Jude Stanley, the victim’s husband.
They’ve been having an affair for at least a few months, according to reports.
Jude promised to leave his wife for Casey, but when Nicole got pregnant with twins again, plans changed.
“The motive is obvious,” Dr.ew continued.
Casey was obsessed with Jude and saw Nicole and the children as an obstacle to their relationship.
When Nicole became pregnant again, Casey realized that Jude would likely never leave the family.
She has a registered gun of the same caliber used in the murder, Molly added.
And she had been practicing shooting for the past 2 months, according to her social media accounts.
On the day of the murder, they were exchanging messages, Dr.ew said.
Jude informed her of the birth of the twins, and 15 minutes later, the murder occurred.
Casey was driving around town last night on unspecified business.
Molly continued, “She’s under surveillance in her apartment right now.
We want to get a search and arrest warrant.
” Captain Harris nodded.
“There’s enough evidence.
” “I’ll talk to the prosecutor.
” “What about Jude? Do you think he’s an accessory?” Molly and Dr.ew looked at each other.
“It’s not clear yet,” Dr.ew replied.
“His behavior is suspicious.
Instead of being with the kids after his wife died, he was seeing Casey.
But we have no direct evidence of his involvement in the murder.
Molly concluded.
Casey may have acted alone, hoping that Jude would be with her after his wife died.
Keep working, the captain said.
I want a clean break in this case.
No mistakes, no loopholes for the defense.
2 hours later, the prosecutor issued search warrants for Casey Garris’s apartment and car, as well as a warrant for her arrest.
Molly and Dr.ew assembled an arrest team and headed to the house where the suspect lived.
Casey’s apartment building was a dilapidated structure in an unprestigious Miami neighborhood.
The officers took up positions at all exits as Molly and Dr.ew made their way up the second floor to apartment number 23.
“Casey Garris, Miami, open the door,” shouted Dr.ew, banging loudly on the door.
Silence, not a sound from inside.
Casey Garris, we have a search warrant.
Open the door or we’ll force entry.
Silence again, then a barely audible rustle.
Dr.ew nodded his head to the officer with the battering ram.
He took two steps forward and slammed the door with a swing.
The door rattled but held.
A second blow knocked the lock off and the door swung open.
“Police!” Molly shouted, entering the apartment with her gun at the ready.
The small living room was empty, but there was noise coming from the bedroom.
“I’ll check the bedroom,” Dr.ew said, moving toward the closed door.
At that moment, the door swung open, and Casey Garris leaped out of the room with a baseball bat in her hands.
She swung it at Dr.ew, who barely had time to bounce.
“Casey, drop the weapon!” Molly shouted, pointing the gun at her.
“You’re only making your situation worse.
Get out!” Casey shouted.
Her eyes were wild, her face a mixture of fear and rage.
I didn’t do anything.
“We know about you and Jude,” Molly said calmly, not lowering her weapon.
“We know you were at the hospital the day Nicole was killed.
” Casey looked back at Dr.ew, letting her guard down for a second.
That was enough for Molly to quickly approach and knock the bat out of the suspect’s hands.
Dr.ew immediately intercepted Casey, pawing her hands behind her back and snapping on the handcuffs.
Casey Garris, you are under arrest on suspicion of the murder of Nicole Stanley.
Molly began to read her rights.
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
You have the right to an attorney.
Casey collapsed in Dr.ew’s arms, tears streaming down her face.
This is all because of him.
It’s because of Jude.
He promised he’d be with me.
As Dr.ew led Casey out, Molly and the other officers began searching the apartment.
In the bedroom under the mattress, they found a gun, a Glock 19.
“Ballistics will confirm,” Molly said, carefully packing the gun into an evidence bag.
“But I’m willing to bet it’s our murder weapon.
” In the closet, they found a black gym bag with clothes and $3,000 in cash.
Casey was obviously preparing to flee.
But the most important find was a day planner hidden under a stack of linens in the dresser.
Molly began leafing through it and froze when she saw pages full of obsessive entries about Jude.
Today he said again that he loves me, not her.
Soon we’ll be together.
There’s just a little bit of patience left.
Jude promised he’d leave her by Christmas.
I can already picture us spending the holidays together.
She’s pregnant again.
I can’t believe it.
He swore he wouldn’t touch her again.
Why? Why does he keep tying himself to her? Something has to be done.
I saw them together at the mall today.
She’s so fat and ugly.
What does he see in her? Why doesn’t he leave? I hate her.
I hate her belly with his kids.
Those kids were supposed to be mine.
I can’t wait any longer.
If he can’t solve the problem, I’ll solve it myself.
I found out which hospital she’s going to give birth in.
Soon, very soon, we’ll be together.
Molly sighed heavily, closing her day planner.
Here’s the motive.
In black and white, total obsession and jealousy.
An hour later, Casey Garris sat in the interrogation room of the police station.
Her eyes were swollen with tears, but she didn’t look so scared anymore, more like resigned.
Molly and Dr.ew sat across from her.
Casey, we found a gun in your apartment.
Molly began.
Ballistics will confirm if it was used in Nicole’s murder.
We also found your day planner.
Casey looked up.
Did you read it? Yes.
Dr.ew answered.
You were obsessed with Jude so much so that you decided to get his wife out of the way.
Casey shook her head.
You don’t understand.
We love each other.
We always have.
Ever since high school, I’ve been waiting for him for years.
And then this Nicole got pregnant and he felt obligated to be with her.
But they already had four kids, Molly pointed out.
Did you think he’d leave them all for you? He promised.
Casey exclaimed.
He said his mother would take care of the kids and we’d start a new life.
It was all set.
And then Nicole told him she was pregnant again with twins.
As if two kids weren’t enough for him.
And you decided that the only way out was to kill her, Dr.ew said.
Casey lowered her eyes.
I didn’t want to do that.
I just wanted her out of our lives.
But Jude said he’d never leave four kids.
Four? As if I didn’t matter.
So that was your decision? Molly asked.
Did Jude know what you were planning? Casey was silent for a long minute.
No, she finally said, “He didn’t know.
I didn’t tell him.
I just uh I just asked him to let me know when the labor was over.
” “And you went to the hospital,” Dr.ew continued.
with a gun.
Why? To talk to Nicole.
Casey chuckled bitterly.
Talk about what? I’m sorry.
I love your husband.
Could you please disappear? She shook her head.
I went there to to solve the problem once and for all.
Tell me how it all happened, Molly asked softly.
Casey took a deep breath.
I knew which hospital she was going to give birth in, Jude said.
I prepared myself.
Bought clothes I could easily take off.
A balaclava.
I already had a gun for self-defense.
I live in a bad neighborhood.
She paused, then continued.
I got to the hospital the morning Jude texted that Nicole was going into labor.
Waited in the cafeteria.
When he texted that the babies were born, I went to the restroom, put on a balaclava under my clothes, then found an empty back room, and changed completely.
“How did you know which room Nicole was in?” Dr.ew asked.
“It wasn’t hard.
I asked the nurse where Mrs.
Stanley’s room was, told her I was her cousin.
She said the number without even asking for ID.
” “And you went there?” Molly said.
Casey nodded.
“I uh I thought I couldn’t do it.
I thought I’d just scare her, make her sign the divorce papers, or I don’t know what I thought.
But when I saw her there lying on the bed so content, knowing she had Jude, the kids, everything I’d ever wanted, something in me clicked.
Tears streamed down her face again.
I don’t even remember the gunshot itself.
I just remember running out of there, changing my clothes back in the back room, throwing my balaclava and other clothes in the trash can on the third floor.
And then you just left the hospital? Dr.ew asked.
Yeah.
Nobody even looked at me.
I went out the side exit, got in my car, and drove home.
And then uh then Jude came to see me.
He was furious.
He said Nicole had been killed, that the police had questioned him.
He asked if I did it.
Casey laughed bitterly.
He was only thinking about himself even then.
He was afraid of being blamed.
“And what did you say to him?” Molly asked.
“That it wasn’t me, of course.
That I didn’t even know she was in the hospital.
He seemed to believe it or pretended to.
Said we should stop seeing each other for a while until things settled down.
” “Is that why you decided to run away?” Dr.ew asked.
Casey nodded.
I panicked.
Realized he’d never be with me.
Not even without Nicole.
He only cares about the kids.
Always just the kids.
Molly looked at Casey carefully.
Do you regret what you did? Casey was silent for a long time, then slowly looked up.
You know what the worst part is? I thought that when she was gone, I would finally be happy that Jude and I would be together.
But when I saw him after after what I’d done, I realized that he would never be mine.
Never.
So, yes, I’m sorry.
Not because I’m sorry for Nicole, but because I’ve lost Jude forever.
Molly and Dr.ew looked at each other.
Casey’s cold, calculating selfishness shocked even them, who’d seen a lot in their years on the force.
Casey Garris, you are officially charged with first-degree murder in the death of Nicole Stanley, Molly said, standing up.
You will now be transferred to cell.
Tomorrow, there will be a preliminary hearing where you will be assigned an attorney if you can’t afford one.
As the officers led Casey away, Molly and Dr.ew returned to their office.
“What do you think of Jude?” Dr.ew asked.
“Do you believe he wasn’t involved?” Molly shook her head.
“I don’t know.
On the one hand, his reaction to his wife’s death seemed genuine.
On the other, he was meeting with Casey, promising to leave his family.
It’s ambiguous.
But if he really didn’t know about Casey’s plans, Dr.ew said thoughtfully.
Now he’s alone with four kids, Molly finished.
It was ironic that Casey had killed Nicole to be with Jude, and as a result, she’d lost him probably forever.
Dr.ew nodded, and four other children were left motherless, two newborns who would never know her.
They worked late into the night filling out paperwork for the case.
Near midnight, they got a call from the ballistics expert.
Detectives preliminary results confirm the gun found in Garris’s apartment was used in Stanley’s murder.
You’ll have the report in the morning.
Thank you, Molly said, disconnecting.
Case closed, she added, turning to Dr.ew.
Almost, he replied.
Still need to talk to Jude.
Let him know about Casey’s confession.
In the morning, they called Jude Stanley into the station.
He looked haggarded with dark circles under his eyes and uncomed hair.
Mr. Stanley,” Molly began as he sat down across from them.
“We’ve arrested Casey Garris on the charge of murdering your wife,” she confessed.
Jude covered his face with his hands.
“Oh my god, I can’t believe Casey.
Are you sure?” “Absolutely,” Dr.ew replied.
“We have her confession, the murder weapon, and a lot of other evidence.
She said you didn’t know what she was planning,” Molly continued, watching Jude’s reaction carefully.
that she acted on her own because you promised to leave your wife, but then Nicole got pregnant again.
Jude turned pale.
I I didn’t.
He took a deep breath.
Yes, we had a relationship with Casey, but I never ever wanted Nicole to get hurt.
I loved her and the kids.
But you promised Casey you’d leave your family, Dr.ew pointed out.
Was that true? Jude lowered his eyes.
I said a lot of stupid things.
There was a time when I thought I could leave everything behind, start a new life, but then Nicole got pregnant again and I I realized I could never leave my kids.
“Did you tell Casey that?” Molly asked.
“Yes,” Jude nodded.
She was furious, screaming, crying.
“But I thought she’d just get over it, find someone else.
I never ever thought she was capable of.
” His voice trailed off.
Molly looked at him sympathetically.
Mr. Stanley, you must realize that you too could have been accused as an accessory.
But all indications are that you really didn’t know about Casey’s plans.
What What’s going to happen now? Jude asked.
Casey’s going to stand trial, Dr.ew replied.
She’ll probably be found guilty of first-degree murder.
That’s a life sentence, possibly even the death penalty given the extreme brutality of the crime.
and my children,” Jude asked.
“What will happen to them?” “That’s up to you,” Molly said softly.
“You’ll have to be strong for them, especially for the newborns,” Jude nodded, tears streaming down his cheeks.
“I will.
I have to.
They’re all I have left.
” When Jude left, Molly and Dr.ew were alone again.
“Do you believe him?” Dr.ew asked.
“Yes,” Molly answered after a pause.
“I think he really didn’t know.
The problem is that he got carried away, made promises he had no intention of keeping, and ended up paying a terrible price.
“So did Nicole,” Dr.ew added.
“And so did their children.
” Molly nodded, gathering papers from the table.
“Obsession is a scary thing.
Casey had been so obsessed with Jude that she’d lost touch with reality.
In her warped world, killing Nicole solved everything.
And in the real world, it only created new ones,” Dr.ew concluded.
That same day, they presented the entire case file to the prosecutor.
There was more than enough evidence to convict Casey Garris of first-degree murder.
The confession, the murder weapon, the diary entries, the texts, everything pointed to her guilt.
That evening, Molly stopped by the hospital to check on the status of the newborn twins.
The nurse said they were healthy and would be discharged home soon.
“Had their father come?” Molly asked.
“Yes, every day,” said the nurse.
He sits with them for hours, talks to them, holds them.
He seems so lost, but he tries for the children.
Molly nodded.
Good.
They’re going to need a father.
A strong father.
Casey Garris had been arrested.
The case solved.
The killer found.
The detective’s work was done.
But for Jude Stanley and his four children, the story was just beginning.
A story of life without Nicole.
A story in which they would have to find a new path despite the pain and loss.
