“Did he say how Naomi was shot?”
“He doesn’t know. He said maybe someone came in after he passed out and Justin had left. Now that he knows about an affair, he thinks maybe it was the guy she was screwing around with.”
“Isn’t it more likely Ryan shot Naomi out of anger?”
“Hell no, he would never do anything like that. He is devastated by her death.”
“Is there any reason to believe Justin may have shot Naomi?”
“Why would he do that?” Rich responds with a surprised look. “Justin is Ryan’s friend and partner has been for a long time. He had no beef with Naomi.”
“Just have to ask,” says Masters. “Did you know Ryan owned a handgun?”
“Yes, he has a small revolver.”
“Does this look like his handgun?” asks Masters as he shows Rich a photo of the gun.
“Yes, it looks like the one he owns,”
“Okay Rich, thank you for your time today.”
“You don’t think Ryan shot Naomi do you?” asks Rich.
“At this point, we don’t know”, answers Masters.
“He would never hurt Naomi like that.”
“You’d be surprised what people will do when it involves relationships.”
“No, not Ryan.”
“Okay Mr. Cooper, thank you for your time today.”
After Richard Cooper had left, Tippen says to Masters, “Sounds like Ryan may really believe Justin was there the night of the murder.”
“He might,” responds Masters, “but it may just be a rouse. The evidence thus far points to Cooper. I’m anxious to get some results from forensics. If King was there drinking with Cooper, where is the extra glass? We should also expect to find his prints somewhere in that living room or kitchen.”
There is not much else for the detectives to do except wait until they receive some forensic results from the crime scene. The evidence may help answer some questions, and be useful in the re-interviewing of Ryan Cooper.
Both Masters and Tippen agree to take Sunday off to relax and recharge their bodies for what will likely be a long week.
“See you first thing Monday,” says Tippen as she walks out the door.
“Yep, have a good one,” replies Masters.
Following Week
On Monday morning, Masters fires up his computer and among his multiple emails is one from the Douglas County Coroner. He opens it up and attached is the autopsy report for Naomi Cooper. He scans to the summary.
Manner of death: Homicide.
Cause of death: Extreme penetrating trauma to the upper chest caused by two .38 caliber hollow-point bullets. Extensive damage was observed to the heart, right lung, aorta, and sternum.
Toxicology Report: No alcohol or drugs detected.
Justin King is back in the office at KC Spark Electric when he is advised by Lisa that Cooper has taken some time off to recover and plan Naomi’s funeral. She also informs him of numerous voice messages on the business voice mail system. Many are friends and associates expressing sorrow for Naomi’s death. Others are from clients wondering if the business will be able to complete current projects.
“Call them back Lisa and thank them, then assure them there will be no delays on their projects,” instructs King. “I’m going to need you to step up and do some of the accounting Ryan was doing. Can you do that?”
“Yes of course,” Lisa answers. “Justin, did you know about Naomi having an affair?”
“Huh? oh yeah, she told me almost two weeks ago.”
“Really? Did you tell Ryan?”
“No, Naomi said she was going to tell him. Why are you asking me these questions?”
“Just curious why she would tell you?”
Ignoring the question, King says, “I also need you to pull a copy of the partnership agreement for me, specifically the morals clause and dissolution of the partnership.”
“What are you thinking?” says Lisa.
“Nothing, just want to be prepared should Ryan be arrested and sent to prison.”
“You think he killed her?”
“Isn’t it kind of obvious?” retorts King.
As soon as they arrest Ryan, I’ll have grounds to start proceedings to dissolve the partnership and become sole owner, thinks King. So thankful Ryan insisted on adding that clause to the agreement.
Detective Tippen walks into the detective bureau with some good news. “I just got the gunshot residue results back from the lab. They found residue on Cooper’s right hand.”
“That’s a big piece right there,” says an excited Masters. “I’d call that probable cause to arrest.”
“Would you like me to get started on an arrest warrant affidavit?” asks Tippen.
“Yes, let’s get the body of the affidavit completed with what we know now, and then add as we get more information from forensics. No rush. Cooper may have killed his wife out of anger, but I don’t think he is a threat to anyone else. Oh, I forgot to ask, did the gun come back registered to Cooper?”
“Yes,” replies Tippen, “he is the registered owner.”
“That pretty much eliminates an intruder theory, don’t you think?” asks Masters. “Didn’t Cooper tell us his gun was hidden in his office?”
“Yes he did,” responds Tippen. “What do you make of his amnesia story?”
Masters laughs, “That’s bullshit. I’m sure he passed out from drinking after he shot his wife, but not having any memory of it? Nah, he just doesn’t have any other defense.”
Both detectives are growing more confident that as the evidence grows they will soon have this case solved.
Meanwhile, Ryan Cooper has become increasingly concerned over the police believing he killed his wife. Cooper has contacted an attorney, Chris Inglesby. Inglesby is a former Assistant DA in El Paso County, which includes Colorado Springs. He quit the DA’s office two years ago to open a private practice in Castle Rock. He had risen to the level of being one of their best homicide prosecutors. He did
