The Norsemore Murders

The Norsemore Murders
Claud Lowe
August 2005
Word Count: 5378
On a hill stood the old house, abandoned for many years. Kids entered it, sometimes at night, on a dare. Some said it was haunted while others laughed at that. No one knew who owned it now nor why it was left to ruin. All the windows were broken, the pain peeling away leaving the bare wood exposed. Those that passed by looked askance and never entered the property.
Twenty years before, it had witnessed the gruesome murder of the Norsemore family yet no one had ever been arrested. Thus, the case had remained unsolved. Inspector Norse had reinvestigated the case several times and visited the site as he looked for new clues, anything that would help him solve the murder.
The facts were few. A friend had come to visit and found the father, mother, and daughter slaughtered, blood everywhere. It appeared that there had been quite a ruckus yet no one had heard it, even though every neighbor was questioned extensively. The problem was that neighbors lived almost a quarter mile apart, so seldom heard what occurred “next door”, so to speak. From the crime scene report, it was learned that the father had died first in the living room, the mother second in the kitchen, and the daughter, eight year old Tina last, in the hallway. It appeared that the mother had frozen in terror and that Tina had began running down the hall. The was no sign of forced entry, so it must have been someone they knew or someone that didn’t raise alarms with them.
What kind of monster would do such a thing was anyone’s guess. The Norsemores were well liked and considered honest, hardworking people with no known enemies. Why then had this happened? The investigation lead to only one suspect who was found to have an airtight alibi for that night as he was out of town.
Inspector Norse sighed and put down the thick folder. He leaned back and sat thinking.
“Let me see,” he said to himself, “They were surprised and Mike Norsemore fought back. Julie ran to the kitchen and panicked and Tina ran for her bedroom at the end of the hall. A large knife was used but never found. Where is the murder weapon?”
That question had haunted him all these years. The weapon had never been found anywhere yet had to be somewhere close to the scene of the crime. There had to be something that he had missed all this time but what? As he reviewed his investigation, he wondered why the motive could possibly be. Was it greed? Not likely since the Norsemores weren’t rich and had no truly valuable items. Was it some burglar that had been surprised, since the family had been out to eat earlier? Possibly. Was it just someone that was thrilled with the idea of murdering someone? That was a possibility, though there was no evidence for it. He had checked, at the time, and found no known felons living in the area, so that was out. Well, he would solve it one day, he hoped. If not, then another detective or inspector would take over.
On Tuesday morning, two days later, he got a call from Bernice Truedoor.
“Inspector, Please come immediately.”
“What is it Bernice?”
“I fell through a bad floorboard and, well, I want you to see what I found.”
“What was it,” he asked, calmly?
“Please come and see. I’m frightened.”
“Very well. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Thank you and please hurry.”
Wondering what was the real truth, he rose and gathered his coat. He walked outside and got in his old car and drove the two miles to Bernice’s home.
The door flew open as he arrived and she hurried out to meet him. He could see fear in her eyes and he grew very serious.
“Inspector, please come,” she said tensely.
He followed her inside and found a gaping hole in her floor. He pulled out his pocket flashlight and turned it on and peered inside. There appeared to be a large space beneath her floor. He kneeled down and peered more closely and found what appeared to be a large underground room.
“See,” she began, “What is it?”
“I’m not sure but you’d best wait outside with me as I want to do nothing more until I can get some help.”
“Why,” came the fearful reply?
“I’m not sure yet,” he replied but thought, there has to be something down there as he had noticed some boxes on one side of the underground room.
He radioed Sinda, his assistant, to call Mark Dobson and Jack Habbon, his part time assistants, since he didn’t have the funds to pay full time people. Mark and Jack did volunteer work for him and were very good at finding out information he needed to know.
Within twenty minutes, they arrived and he instructed them on what to do.
“Now, I want you to cut a large hole in the floor and put a ladder down so that I can find out what’s there.”
Mark queried, “Something important?”
“Maybe but I’m not sure yet.”
The men got saws, a ladder, and some rope and went inside. Inspector Norse waited outside with Bernice.
“What are they doing to my house,” she asked worried?
“Just preparing a way to get inside that hole. I want to know what’s there.”
Bernice was an elderly, retired teacher, so had little funds to repair any damage to her house and that worried her. Inspector Norse seemed to sense her problem.
“Don’t worry, we’ll repair it when we’re done.”
She relaxed, visibly, and spoke, “Do you think something illegal is going on? After all, I’ve only lived here for five years.”
“I don’t know Bernice but I’ll find out.”
Thirty minutes later, Mark exited, “It’s done Inspector.”
“Good, now I want you and Jack to wait next to the opening just in case.”
“Okay.”
Inspector Norse entered to find a three foot, square hole in the floor and a strong ladder and rope waiting. He looked down and saw what appeared to be a dirt room.
“Here Inspector,” Jack said handing him a large lantern.
“Thanks,” he replied and descended.
Once down, he looked all around and was surprised. The room was about twenty by thirty feet with large wooden beams that reached upward. It appeared that these supported the house above and he wondered just how long this room had been here. There were stacks of long crates along every wall. He moved between them and noticed lettering that appeared new.
“Electronics Components”
Somehow that didn’t fit so he turned and climbed the ladder.
“What did you find,” Jack asked, “If ya don’t mind telling us?”
“Crates of something. Look, I need a pry bar. I have to know what’s in them.”
Mark felt intrigue. What had Inspector Norse really found? He, being curious by nature hurried to his pickup and returned with a large pry bar and hammer. Inspector Norse sensed his question.
“I want you both as witnesses for this. Please follow me,” he said descending the ladder.
They followed and, once in the room, stared at the quantity of crates. Inspector Norse went to the first stack of crates and worked the pry bar under the lid and pried. It creaked as the nails came up. Then the lid popped up and he laid the pry bar aside. He lifted it cautiously and looked inside, then dropped the lid in place, as he inhaled.
“What is it Inspector?”
“Go upstairs and I’ll explain in a few minutes. Plus, I want this house secure. No one is to enter it for any reason,” he said as they went to the ladder.
Both men climbed up and waited on the floor above until he climbed out.
“Sir, is something wrong?”
“Oh yes, a lot and it may explain some many things. I want you both to guard this house until I return. Do nothing else and stay away from down there. That’s very important. Let no one inside for any reason. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Without another word, he departed and quickly drove to the police station. Mark and Jack wondered what he had found but didn’t have time for any questions. They stationed themselves outside the front door. Bernice started to go inside but Mark stopped her.
“Sorry Bernice but the inspector doesn’t want anyone inside for any reason.”
“Why ?”
“He found something down there and he said it might explain some things. I don’t know what he means but let’s wait until he returns.
Almost an hour later, Inspector Norse returned followed by a blue van that read US Navy Recruiter. The drive, Ted Barker got out and followed the Inspector inside without saying one word. Mark and Jack became worried. Why would Ted be here? What was going on?
After several minutes, Ted and the inspector came out.
“Keep everything secure,” Ted ordered and went to his van.
“I’ll do that, just hurry,” Inspector Norse said.
Then he turned to the three outside.
“None of you are to say one word about this to anyone, you understand?” he ordered solemnly.
The men nodded and Bernice hesitated.
“Bernice,” the inspector began, “This has to do with National Security and no one must know anything. It may also help with another case I have. I’ll be back within the hour. Mark come with me.”
Mark with the inspector and they drove to the Norsemore house and got out.
“Inspector, would you please tell me what’s going on?”
“Mark, I know you won’t talk about this. Still, I can only tell you a little. Those crates contain weapons.”
“What!”
“Weapons as in military. I’ve never seen anything like them and it appears they are stolen. That’s all I can say for now. However, come on. I want to check something out.”
Mark was stunned by the news and wondered who had a hand in such a thing. To him, it spelled black market.
They went inside the old house and Inspector Norse went to the kitchen. He knelt down and knocked on the floor. Then he began to move outward, knocking as he went. Finally, in one corner, he knocked and it sounded hollow.
“Just as I thought. Mark, get me a pry bar and hammer from the trunk of my car, please.”
Mark obeyed and returned within a minute. Inspector Norse hammered the pry bar between into a crack between to floor boards and pried. The boards creaked and then broke. He pried one loose and removed it. Pulling his flashlight out, he shined it inside and nodded as his idea had been confirmed.
He rose and spoke seriously, “Mark, I believe there is another room under this floor and maybe more. I must report this to Ted as well, as he is now involved.”
“I understand.”
The inspector smiled, “Don’t worry. I believe that you and Jack will be very involved from here on.”
“Thanks.”
“Now, I want to know if you have any idea of anyone that you can think of that, well, seems to disappear at times.”
Mark thought long and hard, before answering, “Not really, unless you count Roy Forfield and Betty his wife. They seem to go somewhere pretty often but I don’t know where.”
That gave the inspector pause, as Roy had seemed very curious about the Norsemore murders. Now that he thought about it, Roy had been overly curious.
“I believe you may have hit on something, though I must be sure of things.”
Mark got an idea, “Say inspector. I think I have an idea.”
“What’s that?”
“Well, you might let it be known, “by accident”, that you found something suspicious here. You wouldn’t have to say what.”
“Yes, very good Mark,” the inspector nodded, “If they are the ones involved, they will know what I found and it might well provoke them to do something rash.”
“Something like running?”
“Not quite. Something like trying to get rid of the evidence quickly.”
“I see.”
“Mark, I need at least five or six people that you know and can trust to be silent to watch both houses tonight.”
Mark thought, for a moment, “I know just the ones.”
“Good. Now let us return to Bernice’s house and have Ted meet us there. We have planning to do.”
Mark grinned, “Yes, we do.”
They arrived at Bernice’s and got out. Jack and Bernice met them.
“What did you find out,” Jack asked, very curious?
“Well, it seems as if there are other clues to be found,” was all the inspector said.
Ted arrived, at that moment, and walked over, “No one is to touch anything until a team arrives.”
“Ted, this is now a murder investigation,” Inspector Norse stated and Ted looked at him.
“What do you mean?”
“Come and I will explain,” he said pulling Ted aside.
Once out of ear shot, he spoke softly, “I believe this and the Norsemore murders are connected.”
“Why?”
“We have just come from the Norsemore house and we found another underground room there.”
Ted’s eyebrows rose, “Really?”
“Yes and I believe we can catch the culprit red handed with what’s in there.”
Ted was interested, as he despised those that betrayed their country, “What do you have in mind?”
“Well, I have an idea, only an idea, of who is involved though I suspect there may be others and I want to set a trap for them.”
“And. . .”
“I must keep that to myself for the moment though I need you to do something special for me.”
“Inspector, I don’t know what you have in mind but. . .”
“No buts. If you do this thing, you might understand what is going on.”
Ted thought a moment then nodded, “All right. What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to “accidentally” mention that I have found something suspicious at the Norsemore house and be sure Roy Forfield or his wife hears you. . .”
“You don’t mean, you suspect them,” Ted asked shocked as the Forfield’s were prominent, wealthy, citizens?
“Yes, I do. Will you do this for me as if I do it or Mark, Bernice, or Jack do it, it might sound suspicious? If I am wrong, I will apologize publicly.”
“Okay, when.”
“As soon as possible. I prefer this morning if you can.”
Ted pondered the situation. He had been ordered to keep everyone away from the crates yet he wanted to catch the culprits red handed if possible and, since it was now a part of a murder investigation, he felt he had to let Inspector Norse continue.
“I’ll do it. I see Roy every morning over at Todd’s store. I’ll let it slip that you found something suspicious and we’ll see what happens.”
“Very good. I’ll be in my office after eleven.”
“I will and I hope we catch whoever is responsible.”
“So do I. Now I must investigate the Noresmore’s house more closely. There has to be a way to move the crates to a hidden location.”
“I agree. I’ll see you after eleven.”
“Good.”
They shook hands and Ted left while the inspector walked over to the others.
“Inspector Norse, what’s going on,” Bernice asked worried?
“Bernice, I can only say that there is something illegal going on and I must ask you not to say one word just yet. If I am right, you’ll know by tomorrow.”
“I will,” she asked, very curiously?
“Yes, now I will have Mark escort you to Irene’s home and there you must stay until I advise you otherwise. Is that clear?”
“Yes but please do something soon.”
“I will. Mark, please take her to Irene’s home and come back here. There is much to do and quickly.”
He and Jack went to the Norsemore house and cut a large hole in the floor. After placing a strong ladder in the hole, they climbed down and looked around. Light from above lightened part of the large room and they found more crates and a tunnel.
“Ah, just as I thought. Now I wonder where this leads,” he said and started down the dark passageway.
Jack followed as they moved cautiously along. A few yards in, they found the tunnel mostly blocked by rocks. That puzzled them until Jack reached down and picked one up and almost banged his hand on the ceiling.
“They’re fake,“ he exclaimed!
The inspector picked one up and felt it, “Foam rubber, painted to look like a rock. Ingenious, very ingenious.“
“Now what?“
“Help me move them and we shall explore further.“
They shoved them asked quickly and found some kind of track that appeared to be from a small cart of some kind and followed it until they entered another large underground room. There, they found a long cart and a platform that appeared to be an elevator.
Suddenly, voices came, “Idiot! We don’t do anything until tonight. If the inspector has found the merchandise, then he will wait for the government to respond.”
“Why would he do that. He might well explore and come here.”
“I doubt it as I blocked the tunnel and they have no way of knowing the rocks are fake.”
“I don’t like this,” Irene state.
“Don’t worry. We’ll move everything tonight and then there is no evidence. We’ll take it to the warehouse.”
“All right but I still don’t like it. If we’re caught, it’s prison.”
“We won’t. We’re too smart for that. Besides, we’ll have help.”
“If you say so.”
“I’m going back to town and see what I can find out, if anything. You stay here and do nothing yet.”
“Hurry.”
“Don’t worry, by morning, we’ll be far away and on our way to Jamaica.”
“If he finds out, he might harm us.”
“He won’t. Besides it was his idea.
“Ron, I don’t like this. We didn’t ask for this in the first place.”
“I know but we’re in too deep to get out now.”
They listened as the two discussed a few more things and then the inspector motioned Jack to move back down the tunnel, which he did. Once far enough along, the inspector stopped.
“Now we know but not everything. I wonder who else they were speaking of.”
“I don’t know but I’d like to.”
“As would I.”
“Perhaps, we should let slip something else to others in town. I think the word would spread rather quickly given the size of our community.”
Jack agreed, “Yeah and I know just who to tell it to.”
“Do that and I’ll meet you at my office after eleven. We must plan things very carefully.”
“I agree. You know, inspector, I think I know someone that just might be able to spy for us and not be noticed.”
“Who?”
“Kathy.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Inspector, she knows everyone and it’s normal for her to walk by their house several times a day.”
“I don’t know.”
“I do. She’s good at noticing things without being noticed.”
“I just don’t want to endanger her in any way.”
“We won’t. I’ll go see her as soon as we get back.”
“Very well, but tell her to stay away from any danger.”
“I will.”
They replaced the “rocks” where they had found them so as to appear that they hadn’t been disturbed.
“That’s good. Now, let us go,” the inspector stated.
They arrived in the Norsemore kitchen and went back to Bernice’s to join Mark.
“We will meet in my office just after eleven. Mark, bring the others as we must act quickly and we must try to capture the criminals, all of them,” the inspector said.
The men nodded and left, the inspector to his office, and the others to do what they needed to do.
Several minutes later, a young girl entered.
“Hello Kathy. What can I do for you?”
“Inspector, I saw Irene throwing her suitcase in their car and driving away in a hurry.”
“Thank you Kathy.”
The girl smiled, “Yes sir.”
After she left, he dialed the state police and asked them to detain Irene immediately.
Mark went to Todd’s Grocery and entered and found, as he hoped, Kitty there.
“Hi ya Mark.”
“Hi Kitty. How’s business?”
“Slow today but okay as it lets me get more done.”
“Good. Oh, did you hear that the inspector has found an underground room at the Norsemore house.”
“Really,” she asked, very curious, “What else?”
“Well, I’m not sure but it looked like it had been used recently and there was a tunnel going out both sides. The inspector is calling in state investigators to help out as he feels there is more than just a room involved, though I don’t know why.”
“Really,” she posed?
“Yep. Well, I gotta go eat some breakfast, so I’ll see ya around.”
“Okay. Let me know what else you find out.”
“I will. You take care now.”
“I will. Bye.”
He walked outside and grinned. He made himself a bet that it wouldn’t be an hour before most of the town knew about it as she was the biggest gossip in town and couldn’t wait to pass rumors along whether they were true or not.
Sure enough, he was right when he entered the inspector’s office to find Gerald Darnells there.
“What did you find inspector?” Gerald asked, trying to hide his curiosity.
“Oh, just a room and not much else. I’m waiting for the state boys to arrive but they won’t be here until tomorrow.”
“I see. Well, I must be going.”
“Have a nice day Gerald.”
“Same to you,” Gerald said and left.
Jack arrived along with six other men and the inspector outlined his plan. They grinned and agreed to help. He deputized them and told them to meet him down the street from Bernice’s home just after dark. They agreed and left.
As he sat, he thought over all information. Perhaps tonight would solve more than one crime. He, also, knew that Ron and Irene could not be the only ones involved but who else was it. They would have to be careful tonight, very careful. Desperate people would do desperate things, even murder.
He leaned back and took a nap, wanting to be refreshed for what might lie ahead.
Just after dark, the group met about a quarter mile from Bernice’s house and waited.
“Now, I want Jack, Phil, Tom, and Arthur to go to the Norsemore house and enter from that end. Mark, you, myself, Paul, Butch, and George will enter from Bernice’s. If we are lucky, we can catch all of them red handed. Let’s go.”
The men had armed themselves just in case and went their separate ways to their assignments. Jack’s group entered the Norsemore house quietly and put the ladder into the hole. They eased down and gathered at the bottom. A noise from the blocked tunnel made them hurry to the sides of the tunnel, hoping they hadn’t been seen.
Apparently, the group approaching were too busy and in too much of a hurry to notice them as it continued on up the tunnel.
“We have to hurry,” Ron said.
“Shut up. I give the orders here,” another man said, “Come on. We don’t have much time.”
After they were out of hearing range, the group moved up the tunnel after them.
The inspector waited by the hole and, suddenly, a noise was heard. He motioned the others to hide as he stepped behind the refrigerator. A moment later, a head popped out, Roy’s, and he looked around. Then he went back down.
“It’s clear.”
“Good. Now get this stuff loaded. We want to be gone quickly.”
“Hey, you can help,” Roy retorted.
“I’m the boss and don’t you forget it,” the angry voice said.
“Just because you blackmailed us into helping doesn’t mean I can’t think for myself,” Roy said flatly.
“If you don’t do what you’re told, I might decide you’re a risk, if you catch my meaning,” the man said again.
The voice sounded familiar to both the inspector and Mark but they couldn’t place it yet.
“Come one. Get a move on.”
The inspector moved over and peered into the hole. He saw six men and two women in a far corner. He gave the signal and he and his group eased down the ladder. They moved behind crates, so as not to be seen and then closer to the group. Then came a tiny noise and everyone froze.
“What was that?” the boss asked.
“I don’t know,” a strange voice replied.
“Go find out.”
“Okay.”
A man moved toward the inspector then froze, “Intruders,” he shouted and the group dove for cover.
Unfortunately, for them, most chose to dive behind crates where the inspector’s group waited. The boss pulled his gun and looked for a target. Then came a blast and it was knocked from his hand and he yelped in pain.
There was fighting all over and then Jack and his group entered and ran to assist the others. The criminals, realizing they had no chance, gave up and were moved into the light. The inspector and his men were shocked as the boss was revealed to be Harry Morton, the mayor. Along with him were Duglas Stone, Mr. Who’s Who in town, Wesley Thompson, the local car dealer, Betty Morgon, the richest woman around, and Clarice Pollace, a wealthy farmer’s wife.
“I believe we have you all now. You are all under arrest on suspicion of gun smuggling and murder.”
Betty yelled, “I had nothing to do with that. That was Harry and I . . .”
“Shut up…,” screamed Morton.
“You’ll have time later to tell me about it, Betty. Now, please put your hands against that wall and do not move as there are some here that might have an itchy trigger finger.”
They obeyed and were handcuffed in pairs and then taken upstairs and placed into vehicles for transport to the police station.
It took about three hours to get all of them booked, fingerprinted, and get mug shots taken. Just after eleven, they had been secured in separate cells and the captors stood in the inspector’s office.
The telephone rang and the inspector answered, “Hello, Inspector Norse speaking.”
He listened for a few moments, then grinned, “Oh, she did. Excellent. I’ll be over to get a statement from her tomorrow morning.”
He listened again, “You did. Why thank you Officer Lark. You don’t know how much that’s appreciated. I’ll pick it and her up tomorrow. Goodbye.”
The other waited. Then the inspector smiled with satisfaction.
“It seems as if Irene is the weakest link. She has made a notarized statement about everything and signed it.”
“Great,” Mark said, “That should make things easier.”
“Yes. She told me where the Norsemore murder weapon is.”
“She did?”
“Oh yes, she fears getting life in prison as she’s a coward at heart.”
“Where is it?”
“Wrapped in a waterproof bag in their well. It seems as if they haven’t had time to dispose of it like they intended to do. Jack, would you mind going over and getting it for me. Just leave it in the bag.”
“Okay. Oh, where is it in the well?”
The inspector laughed, “Taped to the bottom of the bucket of all things.”
“You don’t say,” Jack gaped.
“Yes.”
Early the next morning, a small convoy of military vehicles arrived to remove the weapons. The man in charge spoke with the inspector.
“We appreciate what you’ve done for us. If these had gotten out of the country, it could have been disastrous.”
“I know.”
“Thanks again.”
“Oh, is it possible to retain one of the crates or the part that has the writing on it as I need it to prove cause for the Norsemore murders.”
“Of course. Sergeant, cut out the lettered part of one crate and give it to the inspector.”
“Yes sir.”
“Inspector, we may need you to testify.”
“If so, please let me know.”
“Thank you. Now we must be on our way as we have to get these secured asap.”
“Have a safe trip.”
“We will.”
After they left, the inspector drove to the town of Rafford and took charge of Irene, along with her statement. She cried most of the trip yet said nothing more. She had said enough and she knew it.
Four months later, the Norsemore Murder Case was reopened and tried. The defense attorney, hired by the mayor and his cronies tried every way possible to get the evidence thrown out without success. Thus the trail lasted just over six hours. The prosecutor was very good and the jury believed him.
“We, the jury, find Harry Morton, Duglas Stone, and Clarice Pollace guilty of capital murder and conspiracy to commit capital murder. We find Wesley Thompson, Betty Morgon, and Roy Forfield guilty of smuggling weapons and accessories to murder after the fact. We find Irene Forfield guilty of accessory to smuggling.”
The criminals all swallowed. Every crime meant prison and they had yet to face federal charges which were as bad as treason.
“Very well. Now, you will retire and determine the fate of each accused. You will be given guidelines concerning the punishments allowed. You will follow them exactly.”
They nodded and went out. The courtroom buzzed, as most wondered what would happen to them. Irene had been placed to one side as she had testified for the state. She was frightened of being placed in prison with the others and hoped that would not be the case. She, herself, hadn’t actually done anything but she knew about it. She was saddened as she realized that the rest of her life had been ruined by her actions.
Less than an hour later, the jury returned, all solemn.
“Court is in session. Forman of the jury, have you determined the appropriate sentence?”
“We have your honor. We, hereby, sentence Harry Morton to death by injection. We sentence Duglas Stone to not less than sixty years, nor more than life. We sentence Clarice Pollace to death by injection. We sentence Wesley Thompson and Betty Morgon to not less than twenty years nor more than forty years in prison. We sentence Ronald Forfield to five years. We sentence Irene Forfield to one year in the county jail and five years probation.”
“Thank you ladies and gentlemen of the jury. I hereby impose the adjudged sentences to be carried out immediately and since other charges are pending, I release these prisoners into the custody of federal officers. Court is adjourned.”
Everyone rose as the judge left. Irene wept happy that she would be able to rebuild her life somewhere else. I got less than I deserve, she thought.
Federal officers took them all into custody and they were transferred to a federal facility to await trail in federal court.
Outside, the inspector and his group met.
“Well, inspector, it seems as if the loose ends are tied up,” Mark said, satisfied.
“Yes. It’s unfortunate that innocent people died because of other’s greed. Well, I must be off as the US Attorney wishes to borrow my evidence or part of it. I’ll see you later.”
“See ya later inspector,” they replied and dispersed, each going back to their normal routines.
The trial was the talk of the community for many months and then died down as such things do. The inspector was given a special award by the government for services above and beyond the call of duty. He retired some fifteen years later and spent the rest of his life puttering around his garden.
Every once in a while the new Inspector, Kathy Rueburg, would come by and ask for his advice, which he gladly gave. Kathy was very good, he felt. Not one case went unsolved and she seemed to know just how to get the right evidence to catch the criminals. Because of that the crime rate was less than one per cent per year there which made everyone but the criminals happy.
Life went on and people went about the normal lives.