Chapter 4 - Jason Leaves Through the Side Door
Tom opened the office door.
The hallway was empty.
At the far end, the chapel’s side door swung slowly inward.
Jason was gone.
Helen ran back into the sanctuary.
His coat remained over a pew.
The memorial guest book was open.
But his car had disappeared from the parking lot.
Tom called 911.
Officer Megan Shaw arrived with another patrol officer fifteen minutes later.
She listened without interrupting.
A closed-casket funeral alone was not suspicious.
A coroner’s case alone was not suspicious.
But an unfinished supplemental examination, a missing personal item, a rushed burial, and a husband fleeing before questions were asked formed a pattern.
Officer Shaw contacted the county medical examiner.
The response changed her expression.
“There is a legal hold on the burial.”
Walter’s face went pale.
“I was not notified.”
“You were. The notice was sent electronically at seven this morning.”
Walter checked his office computer.
The email was in the deleted folder.
He had not deleted it.
Only three people had accessed the computer that morning.
Walter.
His assistant.
And Jason, who had asked to use the office printer.
Officer Shaw ordered the chapel secured.
No one could touch the coffin.
Helen stared at the white lid.
Her daughter was only feet away.
Or someone was.
“Can you open it now?” she asked.
“Not until the medical examiner arrives.”
Tom placed an arm around her.
Officer Shaw searched Jason’s abandoned coat.
The pockets contained a wallet, car receipt, and folded hospital parking pass.
No phone.
The parking pass showed he had entered St. Catherine’s Medical Center at 11:18 p.m. on Monday.
Claire’s chart reportedly stated she had been admitted at 1:06 a.m.
Almost two hours later.
Helen looked at the timestamp.
“Where was she during those two hours?”
Officer Shaw did not answer.
Then Walter’s assistant entered carrying a padded envelope.
“This was delivered for Mr. Mason yesterday.”
The return address belonged to the county coroner.
The envelope had already been opened.
May you like
And whatever had been inside was gone.
👉 Jason had fled with his phone—and possibly the evidence the coroner tried to send him.
