“How do you know that? Did the victim tell you or Judy Carrier that, prior?”
“We found some papers on his desk, a draft complaint.” Mary dug in her purse, extracted a manila envelope, and handed it to Detective Krakoff. “Here are copies of the relevant documents, and you can look them over later.”
“You took these from the scene?”
“Yes. It was released early, so why not?”
“Where were they?”
“On his desk in the office.”
Detective Krakoff made a note. “How did you know they were there?”
“We didn’t.”
“How did you find them?”
“We looked.” Mary didn’t say,by accidentbecause it didn’t sound as good. “They support everything I’m telling you. Briefly put, it takes a long time to feed William because he has difficulty swallowing, and Shanahan wanted to put William on a feeding tube, which John felt was out of expedience rather than in William’s best interest.”
Detective Krakoff started taking notes, which encouraged Mary, so she continued.
“John intended to file a complaint with the Department of Human Services regarding mistreatment of his brother by Shanahan. A copy of the draft is in the envelope. There’s no doubt that the filing of such complaint and any subsequent investigation would’ve gotten Mr. Shanahan fired from his job at Glenn Meade. It might have even prevented him from getting a job elsewhere.”
“So you’re accusing Shanahan of murder?” Detective Krakoff looked up.
“I’m trying to cooperate with you in your investigation. I think these facts are very concerning, and they provide a motive for Shanahan killing John. I think that John may have told Shanahan that he intended to file a complaint, and Shanahan may have come to John on Saturday to discuss it. John would have let him in to talk, then there could have been a fight, and Shanahan was the one who killed him.” Mary kept going because he was taking notes. “And I don’t know if John discussed the fact that he was going to file a complaint withWilliam, but if he did, then William could be in jeopardy or even danger. If Shanahan really is the killer, then he might go as far as killing William too, to silence him.”
Detective Krakoff pursed his lips. “Have you met Shanahan?”
“Yes.”
“Did you confront him with this?”
“No, it’s new information to me. I’m asking you to follow up with him, as part of your investigation of John’s murder.”
“How do you know that the victim told Shanahan that he was going to file the complaint?”
“Because I know John. He was a prudent and fair-minded lawyer. He would have talked it out and tried to settle it with Shanahan before he filed. If he couldn’t do that, then he would’ve told Shanahan he was going to file because that’s what any good lawyer would do. I believe John told Shanahan and I bet if you asked Shanahan, he would not be completely surprised.” Mary kept her purpose in mind. “Detective Krakoff, Shanahan is somebody that you need to be investigating. I know that you guys decide who you ‘like’ and who you don’t, then confirmation bias sets in and before you know it, the wrong person has been suspected of murder, even charged. I will not stand by and let that happen to Judy Carrier, who is completely innocent.”
“So you think Shanahan killed John to keep his job at a group home in the suburbs?” Detective Krakoff leaned backwards. “That’s a stretch, don’t you think?”
“I did at first, so I asked Lou Jacobs, a former cop and our firm’s investigator, to do some legwork for me. Lou found out that Shanahan has a history of violence.”
Detective Krakoff’s dark eyes flared briefly open. “How so? A criminal record?”
“No, but Shanahan has had three protection from abuse, or PFA, applications filed against him by his now ex-wife, namedJody Shanahan. She alleges that he assaulted her and has anger-management issues. These three incidents took place within the past two years, though she filed for divorce six months ago, which is approximately when Shanahan took the job at Glenn Meade.” Mary gestured at the envelope. “A copy of the court docket is included in the packet I just gave you.”
“So was he charged?” Detective Krakoff set the notebook aside and opened the manila envelope.
“No, because his ex-wife dropped the application after she filed it, each time. That’s why Glenn Meade didn’t pick it up on a reference check before he was hired. We ran a basic computer background check, and he has no criminal record, so you may not have his fingerprints on file or in any database.” As Mary spoke, Detective Krakoff took the papers out of the envelope and started reading, so she kept going. “I strongly suggest that you investigate Shanahan and get some samples from him. It may very well be his fingerprints and other trace evidence that you find on the base of that lamp. Because I know it will not be Judy Carrier’s. And you’ll know that too, as soon as the lab analyzes the samples they’re taking now.”
Detective Krakoff turned to the docket sheets that Lou had printed off the computer. They hadn’t been hard to find, since court records were searchable by party.
Mary picked up her bag. “Detective Krakoff, the only thing I ask is that you give me prior notice before you go visit Shanahan.”
Detective Krakoff looked up sharply. “I don’t notify defense counsel of the steps I take in an investigation.”
“I’m asking out of concern for the safety of John’s brother, William.”
