let you know if I run into any roadblocks.â
âSounds good.â Philly went back to sipping his coffee and began dictating reports into his mini cassette recorder.
Hearing his phone ring, Mac headed for his desk, which was situated in one of the small cubicles in the detectivesâ office. He caught a glimpse of the empty chair at Kevinâs desk as he walked past his open office door and felt an intense sadness.
âDetective McAllister,â Mac said as he hit the speaker button on the phone.
âOh good, youâre there.â
âMorning, Dana. Whatâs up?â
âJust wondering if it was okay if you picked me up to go to the courthouse in Columbia County instead of meeting you at the office this morning. I told Jan I wouldnât be able to make lunch. She suggested getting together for coffee in St. Johnâs, so she just picked me up at the OSP lot. I could make the meet on the way out west if thatâs okay with you. Iâll be at The Java House on Vaughn.â
âSure,â Mac said. âIâll just peck away on the warrant for a while and meet you there by 8:30.â
âAre you sure? I donât want to miss out on anything, but Iâve been trying to get some one-on-one time with Jan all week.â
âItâll be fine. You should go. Jan has a lot to offer.â
âThanks, Mac. Iâll see you out there.â
AT A FEW MINLTES TO NINE, Mac and Dana entered the stone World War II-era courthouse and jogged up the stairs to the second floor, where the county prosecutorâs offices were housed. Mac pressed the buzzer to the heavy metal door leading into the office. Almost immediately, the receptionist unlocked the electric door.
âHi, Mac,â the receptionist greeted the two detectives, smiling at Dana as they entered the office. âYou must be Dana Bennett.â
âThatâs right.â
âDarren said youâd be coming. Iâm Lila.â The women shook hands.
âIs Darren in?â Mac asked.
âHe is. You know where his office is, Mac; go on back.â
âThanks.â Mac led the way past her desk and down a long hallway to the third office on the right. âKnock, knock.â Mac pushed on the already open door.
âCâmon in, Mac. Good morning, Dana.â Darren stood up at his desk and gestured for them to have a seat in the two chairs facing him. âIâve already briefed the grand jury. I need for you to give a quick testimony before the jury, and weâll cut some subpoenas for Clayâs medical records and personal finance records so you donât have to write a warrant affidavit.â
âGood.â Mac appreciated the D.A.âs efficiency. âIs there a judge on the premises today? I have a warrant affidavit prepared for the house.â Mac set his briefcase on an empty chair, removed a file folder, and placed the packet on Darrenâs desk.
âIâll need the autopsy information and probably the lab work before the judge signs off on it, but itâs a starting point. Iâll review it this afternoon if I get the chance. I have trial all day.â Darren glanced at his watch. âIf youâre ready to give testimony before the grand jury begins hearing other cases, we can get subpoenas for financial companies today and get that medical information over to Dr. Thorpe.â Darren motioned toward the employee break room that doubled as a grand jury hearing room one week a month.
âTheyâre ready now?â Mac asked.
âReady and waiting.â Darren grabbed a pad from his desk. âIf itâs okay with you, Iâll hold off on testimony subpoenas for Dan Mason and the others. Letâs see what kind of reception they give you at the rail yard today.â
In Oregon, grand juries were mainly used as a primary charging forum for issuing felony indictments. Citizen jurors would listen to police testimony and decide
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