SUICIDE OR MURDER

The prelude to the story you are about to read, is fiction.  However, I was inspired by a real event.  I changed the names, locations, and even the profession, to protect the family.

After reading the police reports, talking to some of the family members, I decided to write this story.  The event happened in the early 70's.  The family was well known in the small community, so the Police and Coroner accepted the husband's word of what happened.

However, several family members and friends still believe it was murder, so the question remains.

PRELUDE

   The flash of red lights brought the neighbors from their homes, away from their beds, as they lined the street, looking towards the parsonage.  Seeing the police cars sent a murmur through the crowd.

   Everyone was asking, "What is going on?  I wonder if someone is hurt.  Do you suppose it is one of the children?"  Questions, without answers, but the onlookers could not turn away.

   It was almost 1:00 am, but in this small town, nothing exciting ever happened, and yet here were two police cars parked in front of the parsonage, with their lights flashing.

   Soon, they could see a police officer coming out of the house.  One of the neighbors went towards him, but was told to stay back.  The neighbor asked, "What happened?  Is everyone all right?"

   The officer again told him to stay back, and proceeded to his car.  He got in, closing the door before picking up the radio mike.  "Unit 11 requesting the Coroner to this location."  He released the button, and waited for the response from the dispatcher.

   "Ten-four", came back to him.

   He sat there looking out the window over the crowd, knowing there would be more questions, but right now, this was a crime scene and an investigation.  They would have to wait.  He pressed the button on the radio, "Unit 11.  Better call the Chief to this location."  He waited for the response.  He got out, and fielded the questions as he re-entered the house.

   The other officer, Greg Harris, was inside questioning two occupants, Reverend Calvin McAlester, and his sixteen year old son, Caleb.  He noticed there was another man and a woman, seated in the living room, but would get their names later.

   He couldn't believe what they'd found, as he went back towards the bedroom.  Someone had pulled the sheet up over June McAlester.  He and Greg had been the first to arrive, and Greg said, "She is dead."  Jeff looked around the room, it was neat and orderly.

   Jeff Stewart had only been on the police force for three years.  This was the first time, he'd seen a shooting victim.  He looked over the scene while waiting for the Coroner to come.  He took a couple of pictures of June and the gun.

   When he and Greg arrived, they were met at the door by Reverend McAlester, who was visibly shaken, and told them his wife was in the bedroom.  As they proceded down the hall, Greg Harris noticed the Reverend had a .38 automatic pistol in his hand.

   When asked, Reverend McAlester said, "I didn't know what to do.  I took it."

   Greg asked, "Where was it located?  Can you show me?"

   Reverend McAlester placed the gun on the bed approximately eight inches away from his wife's hand.  He stood up, and asked if he could return to the other room.

   Jeff asked Greg, "What was he doing with the gun?"

   Greg replied, "I don't know.  Maybe he was in shock when he found her, and took it."  He looked at Jeff.  "You going to be okay?"

   Jeff told him, "Yes.  It is just the first time, and I'm trying not to look."

   Greg told him, "Put the gun into evidence, until the Coroner arrives."  He looked at it, and then realized it was still on automatic, and put the safety on.  He cautioned Jeff to handle it carefully, as there might still be a shell in the chamber.

   Greg went out to finish his questioning, and Jeff could hear voices.  Soon, the Coroner arrived, and took a look at June McAlester.

   He didn't say much, but looked at Jeff.  "You got the gun?", he asked.

    Jeff showed it to him, and he nodded.  He placed the sheet back over June's face, and left the room.  Two men with a gurney came in to remove the body.

   There was so much blood and brain matter on the pillow and bedding, and it flowed over onto the carpeting, as they lifted her from the bed.  Once inside the body bag, they zipped it, and strapped the body down and left.

   Jeff stood there watching, but in a state of shock himself.  It was so unusual for a woman to use a gun to shoot herself in the head, but June had a bullet hole in her right temple.  He thought it was strange, that she was in her nightclothes, and tucked into bed.  It was if she had gotten ready for bed, got under the covers, then placed the gun to her temple.  He shook his head, something just wasn't right, but he didn't have enough training to investigate further, and wished he did.

   He followed the mortuary people down the hall, seeing the coroner speaking to the Reverend, and also noticed the Chief had arrived.  He could overhear the Coroner say, "It is a case of suicide.  I'm sorry Reverend."

   The Reverend asked, "Do you have to do an autopsy?  June was always so adamant that she didn't want one, and I hate to subject her to it."

   The Coroner looked at the Chief, who said, "We will see what we can do."

   Greg finished his questioning, and they were getting ready to leave.  The Chief asked the Reverend if he planned to stay there.

   Reverend McAlester told him, "The Johnson's said Caleb and I can come to their house."   The Chief patted him on the back and left.

   Jeff nodded as he went by, and noticed the red headed woman sitting on the sofa.  She must be Mrs. Johnson, he thought, but was younger than her husband, who was telling the Reverend and Caleb to come along.

   He thought the boy looked like he was in shock, as was pale, and wasn't saying anything.  But then, this would be quite an experience for anyone, especially a child.  Jeff hoped the boy hadn't seen his Mother.

   As they left, Jeff noticed the crowd outside had left.  He didn't know what it was that brought people out to see something like this,but guess their curiousity got the better of them.  He got into his patrol car, and headed for the station to write his report.

   When he was typing up his report, the words of the Chief came back to him.  He wondered what he meant.  Greg came by, and asked if he was about finished.

   "Greg, what did the Chief meant, when he said, we'll see what we can do?"

   Greg told him, "The only thing I heard was that she didn't want an autopsy, and I guess they aren't going to do one.

   Jeff said, "But, I would think that would be standard procedure."

   Greg told him, "Ordinarily, but she is the minister's wife, and from what he said, she hadn't been well for a few months.  Despondent or something.  So, I guess the Coroner and the Chief didn't feel it was necessary.  He started to walk off, and turned back.  "Don't worry about it, just type your report, as we will send them over to the Sheriff's office.  If they think there is anything, then they can do the follow up."

   Jeff sat there thinking, there was something wrong, and he wished he could figure it out.  He looked back at the notes, and what he'd typed.  He finished the report, and turned it in at the desk.  He looked at Officer Harris's report, and saw the name of the woman, Sandra Gutherie.

   He had to get back on patrol.  But the sight he'd seen still plagued him, and he was going to have to try to figure it out.  Something was wrong.  Everything was to perfect.  Why did the Reverend have the gun, and carry it around, until they arrived to take it away from him?  And, who was Sandra Gutherie, if she wasn't Mrs. Johnson, as he first thought?

Author's note:  The details in the prelude were taken from the police reports, and officer's comments.  They also mentioned that the husband was given the gun back three weeks later, when he asked, telling them he and his son were going on a camping trip, which they never took. 

copyrighted (c) 2006 

No part can be printed or used without permission from the author.

REVIEW

What a great read!  I couldn't put it down, it was so compelling.

Calvin McAlester was a 'study' in psychology, that's for sure!  Sociopath?  Poor June!  She just didn't stand a chance.

Congratulations!!! You are a Fantastic Author!!

Amanda Burchell, Australia