gave a detailed account of what he remembered. We questioned him, he wrote it all down, went over it numerous times, and he signed it. Birdie wanted to make sure we got Joe early, so she headed to the hospital. He didn’t have a concussion and was patched up quickly. She talked him into coming with her so that we could go ahead and get his statement. They were almost identical up to a certain point and then the differences showed up.”
He looked at the timeline, noting that what Charlie had told Todd was the same as what he’d told Kyle at the site. It appeared Joe’s rendition followed. “Joe was driving. Accident on Market Street. They called it into Kilton, and we know they talked to Tammy Rutgers, who cleared it with her boss for them to alter their schedule. They also called the pharmacy and talked to the manager. They made their second delivery ahead of schedule and arrived at their third delivery, also ahead of schedule. They both reported that Joe stayed in the van, although Charlie said Joe told him to get out and ring the bell at the back of the pharmacy. They reported two men got out of the van, both with guns. One went to Charlie and the other one came to the driver's side pointing at Joe, telling him to get out. They lined up side-by-side with their backs to their van, one of the men held a gun to them while the other man went around to the side and began hauling boxes from the Kilton van and putting them into their delivery truck. All that’s the same.”
Birdie stepped around and pointed to the split in the timeline. “This is where the difference occurs. Charlie reported the man holding a weapon on them ordered them to get to their knees and face the van. He said Joe said something, but Charlie couldn’t understand what he said. The man standing behind them said, ‘Not now’. Charlie claims he had no idea what was going on at that time except he expected to die. He said Joe was grabbed by the arm, hefted to his feet, and taken around to the other side of the van. Charlie stayed put… on his knees, hands behind his head.”
“That’s exactly what he told me at the time,” Kyle said. “Heard voices from the other side of the van, couldn’t understand what they were saying. Then heard a sound and Joe crying out.”
“Not just any voices. He specifically said he heard Joe’s voice. Then footsteps running. He braced for the worst, but the truck doors slammed, the engine started up, and it pulled away. As soon as it was gone, he called out for Joe, got to his feet, and ran around, seeing Joe slumped to the ground, holding his bloody head.”
Stepping slightly to the side, Kyle’s gaze ran down Joe’s version, which deviated when the two men were on their knees. “Joe reports not saying anything, although he admits he might’ve mumbled, but he doesn’t remember anyone saying, ‘Not now’, and if they did, he couldn’t imagine they were talking to him.”
Alex stepped closer and pointed to the last part of Joe’s interview. “He claims when he got to the other side of the van the two gunmen were arguing, not him. He remained quiet, said they were arguing over what to do with him and Charlie. One whirled around and hit him with the butt of his weapon. Joe remembers crying out and dropping to the ground.”
“So, almost identical accounts except for who was talking on the other side of the van,” Kyle said.
“But is that enough to go on?” Alex asked.
Birdie swung her head around and pinned her dark brown eyes on him. “I’d say yes. That one discrepancy makes all the difference.”
“Charlie admits he was pissing his pants with fear. So scared he couldn’t even talk. Wouldn’t Joe have been the same way? Man’s got a gun on you… are you gonna argue? Talk back? Ask questions?” Jerking around, Kyle looked at the others. “I watched the interview with Charlie. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t seem confused. He reported without hesitation that Joe said something when they were kneeling and the man behind them said, ‘Not now’. And again, without hesitation, he said he heard voices, and specifically said one of the voices was Joe’s.”
“What if he’s lying to implicate Joe?” Birdie asked, lifting her brow.