by Doug Walker
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
On the first return to Chapel Hill the arrival had been just after midnight in the main room of a Starbucks coffee shop. This time, Guy hoped the timing would be the same, but he varied his chant slightly and tried for the university campus. His effort met with success. He materialized on the 50-yard line of the stadium just before dawn.
He saw hardly a car as he made his way through deserted streets and entered his apartment. It was as he left it. A hot shower and a change of clothing, then a pot of coffee before he called Mary McKay.
“The police are looking for you,” came the frightened words.
“Why?”
“Suspicion of murder in Kellerman’s disappearance. The motive. He took your job, forced your resignation, and ruined your life.”
“Oh, well. One trouble after another. How’s Roberto?”
“Fine. Plump and sassy. Eating like a small horse.”
“Can you come over?”
“Sure. I’ll tell the sitter to take charge of Roberto. Be there in fifteen minutes.”
When she arrived, Guy explained the situation, asked her to talk with Doria and Frenesi about returning to Madrid. Then he gave her the coins. Her buyer had said he could handle any quantity she produced.
Guy had wrapped each carefully in parchment. “These are in great shape,” she said. “They almost look counterfeit.”
“But they aren’t.”
“No problem. The method and the gold content used back then can’t be duplicated. It’s been tried. I can get the money almost immediately.”
Guy laughed. “I may need it for bail. Should I report to the local police?”
“Yeah. Lieutenant Bliss has been by to see me more than once. He also asked about Doña María.”
“But not about Jesus?”
“I don’t think he knows about Jesus. You want to be a mass murderer?”
“I don’t have a chain saw.”
“There’s a sale at Home Depot.”
“I’ll call Bliss and tell him I’m coming down to see him.” He glanced at his watch, almost nine. “He should be in.”
Minutes later in Bliss’s office, Guy was asked, “Where’s Kellerman?”
“I believe he said he was going to Spain.”
“For what purpose?”
“He’s a Spanish scholar, the head of the department.”
“You two are on the outs.”
“We kissed and made up.”
“Oh, yeah. He took your job. You quit in a huff.”
“Not exactly a huff. I had other plans.”
“Like what?”
“I thought I’d go to Spain.”
“And why would that be?”
“I’m a Spanish scholar.”
“Everyone in Spain, eh. Very convenient. Where’s your wife, that Doña whatsherface?”
“She’s in Spain.”
“Are you a wise ass, or what? You can push me too far.”
“I’m sorry, lieutenant, but these are the facts as I know them. Of course with Kellerman, who knows. But I think I know right where he is in Spain. He mentioned a certain area. I’ll go find him if you like. I was planning to go there anyway.”
Bliss gave him a hard look. “You may think you’re funny, but I’m booking you on suspicion of murder.”
“Your evidence?”
“Strong motive plus opportunity.”
“You’re wrong. I’m no murderer.”
“We’ll give you time to think about that. Meanwhile the prosecuting attorney may want to chat with you.”
At least Guy was afforded a private cell. When an assistant prosecutor arrived, it seemed that President Shaft had put the police onto Guy’s trail. “Where were you on the night Kellerman disappeared?” was the initial question.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what night Kellerman disappeared. I probably shouldn’t talk to you without an attorney.”
“You have something to hide?”
“Nothing at all, but it seems you’ve already built a case against me. How was Kellerman killed?”
“I thought I’d ask you that question.”
“Why would you do that? I know nothing about it.”
“Where’s Kellerman’s body.”
“As I told Lieutenant Bliss, I think it’s in Spain. That’s where Kellerman said he planned to go.”
The conversation was much like the one with Bliss, traveling in circles. Two days later, Mary McKay was permitted to visit Guy and said she had the cash.
“Good, give some of it to Doria and Frenesi. Did you explain the situation?”
“Yes. Doria wants to return to Madrid to be with Jesus. Frenesi will stay here. She has a boyfriend.”
“Only one?”
“There’s a line, but she favors one. She’s a nice girl too. Not like her sister. Doria’s a great person, but a bit of a bawd.”
“I want you to get me a lawyer. I should have gotten one right away. There’s one I know, a Bob Crawford. He’s young, but aggressive.”
“And they’ve got nothing on you.”
When Crawford met with Guy, he agreed. “They’ve got nothing on you. Just this grudge thing promoted by Shaft. He’s a pompous fool. People like you don’t go around killing people like Kellerman because of a job conflict. You might hit him or something, but not kill him. Anyway, there’s no body. And you say he’s in Spain.”
“That’s where he told me he was going. My wife is there too. And I’d like to go over.”
“Well, tell me where Kellerman is and I’ll call him.”
“That’s it, Bob. I’m not certain. It’s a remote area, and I don’t know how you’d locate him by phone. Maybe if he has a girlfriend, she would know.”
“Apparently there’s no girl. His car was found parked by a gay bar.”
“Then maybe a boyfriend.”
“As far as Bliss can determine, Kellerman was never in that bar.”
“We’re back to square one. I repeat my offer to go to Spain accompanied by whoever and locate Mr. Kellerman.”
“I’ll talk to the prosecutor. I don’t know about this Spain trip, but they’ve got nothing on you. There’s no case. But I must admit that having both Kellerman and your wife drop out of sight is suspicious.”
“I’ll go to Spain.”
Guy was released with the caveat that he stay in town. He had time now to settle what affairs he had, talk with Doria and spend time with Roberto. He signed his condo over to Mary McKay with the provision that she would share with Frenesi until that young lady sought her freedom, or refuge with a partner. Mary was still keeping company with Courtney, who had been signed up by a troupe of Shakespearean actors. He was the star of the cast and could move easily from Henry V, to Bottom, to Hamlet, but resisted doing Puck.
