Chapter 11: Beneath the Surface

Welcome to Chapter 11

Chapter 10 brought a quiet shift in the investigation—one made over Irish stew and soft memories.

As Detective Jean Lavallee paid a visit to the Green sisters—two respected, if eccentric, figures in Harris Bay—he didn’t expect much more than a polite recap. What he got instead was a window into Ian McLeod’s final evening: a man uncharacteristically at ease, even joyful, as if a weight had finally lifted.

The sisters spoke of warmth, laughter, and a strange sense of peace that didn’t match the grim end that followed. What had changed for Ian that day? What decision had brought him temporary relief—and ultimately, perhaps, his death?

More questions linger. Why was Ian planning to move forward? What had he made peace with? And why does Lavallee feel so uneasy when reminded of his own hidden ties to this town?

In Chapter 11, watch as new connections emerge, and old memories surface—because in Harris Bay, even the quietest voices carry the loudest truths.

Click here to subscribe for new chapter updates

Chapter 11

 

The Autopsy Report

 

The Next Morning – Day 3:

 

At the Sûreté detachment, Detective Jean Lavallee walked purposefully through the corridors, his mind already focused on the day ahead. Turning a corner, he crossed paths with George McLeod.

 

“George,” Lavallee greeted with a nod.

 

“Detective,” George replied, his tone polite but guarded.

 

They exchanged brief pleasantries before George continued down the hall, his measured steps betraying a flicker of unease. Lavallee watched him for a moment, his instincts on high alert, before proceeding to Sergeant Michael Gilbert’s office.

 

Gilbert handed him a file stamped with red ink: Autopsy Report. Lavallee opened it immediately, his eyes scanning the crisp pages.

 

Autopsy Report:

 

Victim: Ian McLeod

Date of Examination: March 9, 1988

Pathologist: Dr. Samuel Jacobs

 

Summary of Findings:

 

   •       Cause of Death: Three gunshot wounds to the head caused by a .22 caliber rifle. The bullets, due to the small caliber, did not exit the skull, causing fatal brain trauma.

   •       Stomach Contents: Partially digested Irish stew (potatoes, beef, and onions), consistent with a meal consumed within 3 hours of death.

   •       Additional Observations: No defensive wounds or signs of struggle, indicating the victim was ambushed.

 

Forensic Expert Analysis:

 

   •       The bullets recovered could be matched to a specific .22 caliber rifle through ballistic analysis.

 

Conclusion:

 

The victim was ambushed and killed by multiple gunshots, with no evidence of a physical altercation prior to death.

 

Lavallee’s brow furrowed as he read the section on stomach contents. He jabbed a finger at the page, his voice sharp with realization.

 

“Irish stew, Michael! Look at this—Irish stew!”

 

Gilbert, leaning back in his chair, raised an eyebrow. “So what?”

 

“This destroys the McLeod brothers’ story,” Lavallee said, his voice brimming with urgency. “Their father wasn’t on some hitchhiking trip across Northern Ontario. Ian McLeod was murdered within hours of leaving the Green sisters’ house during the early morning of February 5^th.”

 

Lavallee quickly laid out the timeline, explaining how the meal Ian ate at the Green sisters’ home matched the autopsy findings. The partially digested stew placed Ian’s death just hours after dinner.

 

Gilbert’s expression shifted as he processed the implications. “We’ve got them. I’ll call the Crown Prosecutor’s Office to request arrest warrants for Gerald and Jerome McLeod.”

 

“Good,” Lavallee said. “But let’s tread carefully. I also suspect George McLeod knows more than he’s letting on.”

 

Gilbert hesitated. “George was here earlier, asking if there were any updates. He’s an old school friend of mine. I told him nothing new had come up.”

 

“How’d he take that?”

 

“Calm. Friendly. But now I wonder if it was an act.”

 

Lavallee’s expression darkened. “Keep an eye on him. He’s a piece of this puzzle, even if he’s not the shooter.”

 

Meeting Constable Mannion:

 

Just then, a young constable entered the office. Tall and lean, he carried himself with a quiet confidence that at once caught Lavallee’s attention.

 

“This is Constable Murray Mannion,” Gilbert introduced. “Murray, this is Detective Jean Lavallee. He’s leading the McLeod investigation.”

 

Mannion extended his hand. “It’s an honour to meet you, sir.”

 

Lavallee shook his hand firmly, noting the energy in the young constable’s grip. “The honour’s mine. Sit down, Murray.”

 

Gilbert continued, “Detective Lavallee needs help on this case. I know you’ve expressed interest in investigative work.”

 

“Absolutely, sir,” Mannion said, his enthusiasm evident.

 

“Good,” Lavallee said. “Your first task is to get the farmhouse’s phone records from the telephone company. Look for any long-distance calls or unusual patterns—focus on the two weeks before and after February 5th.”

 

“I’ll get on it right away,” Mannion replied eagerly.

 

“Also, can you handle discreet surveillance?”

 

“I’ve got a grey ’85 Dodge Caravelle. Blends in well.”

 

“Perfect. And from now on, let’s keep it informal. You can call me Jean.”

 

“Yes, sir—Jean,” Mannion said with a grin.

 

Planning the Next Steps:

 

As Mannion left the room, Lavallee turned back to Gilbert. “I think we just added a strong hand to the team. Let’s see if we can crack this case wide open.”

 

Gilbert nodded. “With the autopsy findings, the phone records, and now surveillance, we’ve got a good shot. But what about the rifle?”

 

Lavallee’s jaw tightened. “That’s the missing piece. If ballistics match it to the bullets recovered, it’ll tie everything together. But until then, we need to focus on building a case that doesn’t rely solely on that connection.”

 

Gilbert leaned forward. “What’s your gut telling you, Jean?”

 

“That the McLeod brothers know more than they’re saying—and George McLeod is hiding something big. Let’s find out what.”

 

The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to fall into place, but Lavallee knew the hardest work was yet to come. With a motivated team and fresh leads, he felt the weight of the case pressing down on him, but also the faint stirrings of hope. The truth was out there, and now it was within reach.

Books.by/keith-landry-books.com