by A. C. Mason
George took a seat in the recliner, which Caleb figured was the one George customarily used. Caleb removed his jacket and sat in the wing-back. He threw the jacket over the chair’s arm.
“My daughter gave me that fireplace. I’m surprised how much heat that thing puts out.”
Yeah, in fact it is hot as hell in the room. Beads of sweat formed above Caleb’s lips.
“You said on the phone you wanted to talk to me about my time at the sheriff’s office.” George eyed him with curiosity. “Anything in particular?”
Caleb cleared his throat. “More like two individuals in particular and any event that might be connected to them.”
George looked cautious. “Okay, ask away.”
“Is there anything that happened between Sheriff Roy Marino and Robert Blanchard?”
The older man held Caleb’s gaze for a long moment before he averted his eyes. “Before I tell you anything, I need to know how this information is gonna be used.”
Caleb leaned closer. “If you’re implicated in any way, I’m not interested in your involvement. I need to know why Rick Marino has it in for Blanchard and his family.”
“There’s been bad blood between those two families that goes way back. I’m not even sure what started the feud.” He paused as if to pull facts from the back of his eighty-something year old memory bank. “What I remember most was an incident regarding a raid on a strip joint called the Bayou Club.”
“Why did they raid this club?”
“Supposedly there was prostitution on the premises…also what’s referred to these days as exotic dancers. An upstanding citizen and devout Christian reportedly complained about such activities.” George let out a short guffaw. “How did this upstanding person know what went on in there?”
Caleb chuckled. “I see what you mean.”
“Anyway, my opinion is Sheriff Marino only claimed that his office received complaints. He wanted to destroy Robert Blanchard’s lucrative business.”
Whoa! Caleb sat up straight. “You mean Blanchard owned that joint?”
George grinned. “Yes, indeed. Quite a change from his on-the-up-and-up business dealings of today.”
“I’ll say. At least his current dealings appear to be legit.” Caleb knew there had to be more to the story. “So what happened after that?”
“I can’t say for sure, but Blanchard apparently had something on Sheriff Marino, because shortly after that raid the sheriff resigned. The scuttlebutt was that Blanchard had help in convincing Marino to quit.”
“Do you know who provided this help?”
With his elbow resting on the chair arm, George covered his mouth with his hand for a while. Caleb waited, silently willing him to give up that person’s identity.
“His name is why I asked about how this info would be used.”
“Like I told you, I’m only interested in the reason Rick Marino has been hell bent on convicting Adrien Blanchard of murder. And why Darnell Baker has suddenly switched his position. ”
“You’re a smart fellow, Caleb. Looks like you already figured out a connection.” He leaned back in his chair. “Baker has always been Blanchard’s flunky. I personally believe Blanchard sent Baker and a couple of other scumbags on his payroll to beat Sheriff Marino up where his bruises wouldn’t show.”
“Jeez, I can’t picture Chief Baker beating up anybody.”
“Keep in mind this all happened some thirty years ago. Rick Marino got his build from his daddy. The sheriff was a beanpole. Baker was quite a bit more robust back then.”
“And he wasn’t the chief of police.” Did Robert Blanchard have a hand in Baker’s selection as chief?
“That’s correct. Roy Marino recovered from the beating, but started drinking heavily. He died about a year after he resigned as sheriff.” George eyed Caleb with caution. “You’re not going to go to some higher ups like State Police or FBI, are you?”
Caleb rose from his chair. “I don’t know yet what I’m going to do with this, but I promise you, your name will be kept out of the mix. Thanks for everything.”
George simply nodded.
He shook hands with the old man. “I’ll show myself out.” Time to go pay a visit to Robert Blanchard.
Forty-eight
Caleb backed out of George’s driveway with the intention of going to see Robert Blanchard. A gut feeling told him to head back home. His cell phone rang and verified his ominous feeling. The display indicated a call from his alarm company. In fact, his friend, David Tillman, the company’s owner was on the line.
“Caleb, we just got a signal that the power shut off at your house. I checked with Enco and was told they weren’t aware of any problems in your area.”
“I’m heading home right now. Don’t call OPPD. If it’s a false alarm, I don’t want officers to make an unnecessary call. I’ll notify patrol if there’s a situation.”
As soon as he stepped out of his truck, he knew for sure his intuition was right on. The door was ajar.
He removed his gun from the holster and nudged the door open. Slowly moving into the house with his weapon drawn, he saw the wreckage inside.
The living room was a mess. He made his way through papers and books strewn about on the floor, checking to make certain the intruder wasn’t still inside. Kitchen cabinet doors were open. He exhaled, trying to keep from losing his temper.
Where’s Bud? The dog hadn’t come out to greet him. So help me if that sumbitch hurt my dog, I’ll kill him.
If it weren’t obvious from conditions in the front of the house, a quick glance in his bedroom confirmed that this guy had been looking for something. Dresser drawers had been dumped and cabinet doors in the bathroom thrown open.
A scratching noise at the back door caught his attention. Thank God. He swung open the door and was greeted by a more subdued Bud, although he did wag his tail.
Caleb checked the dog over as best he could to make certain he didn’t have any wounds. He appeared to be unharmed. Whoever the intruder was, he had apparently made friends with Bud, then put him out in the yard. Bud was too friendly for his own good and sorely in need of guard dog training.
An inspection of the electrical breaker box revealed the switch had been flipped to turn off power. He left the switch as it was in case fingerprints might be obtained.
Caleb wanted to have the break-in on record. He made the necessary calls and waited for an officer to arrive and make a report.
A uniform showed up about fifteen minutes later, followed by Ron Cavalier, head of Burglary shortly afterwards. Results of the inspection were disappointing, but not unexpected. No fingerprints or other evidence were found other than Caleb’s fingerprints.
The officers left after completing their investigation. Caleb restored power to his house and half way straightened the wreckage. He’d take care of the remainder when he returned. His visit with Robert Blanchard couldn’t wait.
Caleb bent down and rubbed Bud’s head with both hands. “Boy, I know you’re not going to like this, but I’ve got to leave you again.”
The Lab gave a little whine.
“I doubt our burglar will be back.” Hopefully he won’t.
What was he looking for? He couldn’t think of any reason someone would be searching his house unless… maybe the ring he’d found at the scene of James Branson’s murder.
“Whoever you are, you won’t find your ring here,” he mumbled. If he weren’t so mad he would have laughed. He had stored the piece in his safe deposit box at the bank for safe keeping since he couldn’t officially place it in evidence.
He thought a moment. Like the proverbial light bulb turning on in his head, he realized who owned the ring, but he needed to verify his suspicions.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and punched in Alisha’s number. “Doesn’t Marino wear a ring?”
“Yeah, he did. Why…”
He didn’t have time to go into a long story. “Did, as in past tense?”
“He wasn’t wear
ing it yesterday or today. I heard Bergeron ask him about it. Marino told him he lost one of the stones and he’d taken the ring to a jeweler for a replacement. Why? What’s going on?”
“I’ve been at George Haydel’s house getting the skinny on a few things. My intention when I left was to pay a visit to Robert Blanchard, but my gut told me to go home first. Somebody ransacked the place.”
“Damn. Did they take anything?”
“Not that I can tell, but I’m pretty sure I know what he was after.”
“You think Marino broke into your house? What does that have to do with Blanchard?”
“I don’t have time to explain right now. I’ll fill you in as soon as I can. Right now I’m not certain what’s going on, so I might need some back-up later.”
“You know you can count on me, baby.”
With more questions racing though his head, Caleb sat for a moment after ending the call. How would Marino know he had found the ring? He either saw me nosing around the area or else Bergeron is burning the candle at both ends. Or was his intruder Chief Baker?
Forty-nine
Caleb didn’t know exactly how he would play his visit to the business executive, but talking to him was worth a try. If nothing else, he could make the video evidence known and let the chips fall where they may.
Blanchard’s office seemed out of place in a small town like Oak Pointe. Six stories high with a front exterior entirely of glass, the building looked more like a workplace located in a larger city like Baton Rouge or New Orleans, or even a more influential city like Atlanta or Miami.
Caleb entered the building and after perusing the directory, took the elevator up to the fifth floor.
An auburn-haired receptionist sat behind a small oak desk. A brass nameplate identified her as Janine Dufour. She greeted him with a pleasant smile. “Can I help you?”
Returning her smile, he showed her his badge and introduced himself. “I’d like to speak to Robert Blanchard.”
Her congenial smile evaporated. “He’s in a meeting at the moment and can’t be disturbed.”
Caleb took out his note pad and jotted down a message. He handed the paper to her and forced a smile. “Give this to him and I’m sure he’ll discover he can spare me a few minutes.”
Ms Dufour glanced at the note. “Wait here, I’ll be right back.” She quickly set off down a short hallway and disappeared behind a set of polished wood doors.
Shortly she came back with another woman. “This is Eva St. Cyr, Executive Secretary for Mr. Blanchard.”
Ms. St. Cyr was a classy blonde, tall, maybe five ten or eleven, professionally dressed in a black skirt, a matching jacket over a lacy white blouse. Her gold jewelry was simple, but likely didn’t come from Walmart. Caleb would bet his last paycheck she was more than a secretary to Blanchard.
“Mr. Blanchard asked me to speak with you,” she said. “He is on a conference call at the moment.”
He met her gaze. “I’ll wait until he’s completed his call.”
Her forehead furrowed. “You may have a long wait.” Irritation was evident in her voice.
Caleb stepped closer to her. “I’ve got nothing but time.” He lowered his voice. “What I have to say is for Robert Blanchard’s ears only. If he doesn’t want his son to go down for a murder he didn’t commit, he’ll find time to hear what I have to say.”
She took a step back, her face paling. “I’ll give him your message.”
“Oh, and tell him he doesn’t need his lawyer present. I’ll be doing all the talking.”
Ms. St. Cyr whirled around and walked quickly back through the double doors, her high heels clicking on the marble floor of the reception area. Only a few minutes later, she returned. “Mr. Blanchard will see you now.”
Caleb followed her into another waiting room. He figured he’d be asked to wait a little longer. To his surprise, Ms. St. Cyr opened the door to Blanchard’s private office and motioned for him to go inside.
After he entered, she left the room, closing the door behind her.
Blanchard sat behind a large mahogany desk that dwarfed any other office furniture Caleb had ever seen. He made an impressive figure with his silver gray hair, entitlement written all over his face.
An aura of ruthlessness emanated from him, the self-made man. Robert Blanchard was indeed a big fish in a little pond.
He scowled. “Okay, what is this so-called evidence you have proving Adrien’s innocence?”
“I assume you’ve heard about the five hundred thousand dollar life insurance policy Joanna supposedly took out with your son as the beneficiary?”
“Adrien claims he knows nothing about any policy.”
“He probably doesn’t. I received a clip from a security video outside the insurance agent’s office that purports to show Adrien, Joanna, and another man who served as a witness. None of the people in the video are who they claim to be.” Caleb leaned closer. “I showed this video to Darnell Baker, who immediately dismissed the idea that the man in the video isn’t Adrien. Rick Marino was also present and backed Baker.
“I was removed from the serial murders cases and told to take leave time. Shortly after that Marino arrested your son.”
“You have a copy of this video?”
“Yes, I do.”
“What do you want for this video?”
“I’m only informing you of its existence. I plan to go to State Police, show them the video, and request their assistance. Baker and Marino are determined to charge Adrien with murder to get back at you for some grievance. I don’t suppose you know why they have a problem with you, do you?”
Blanchard rubbed his hands together. “Marino yes, Baker no.”
Caleb cocked his head slightly to one side. “Care to tell me why.”
A frown creased Blanchard’s forehead. “I believe you already know the story regarding my problems with Marino and his family.”
“You’re right, I do know all about your dealings with the former sheriff Roy Marino concerning the old Bayou Club.”
“You don’t have to get State Police involved in this.”
“For my sake I do. If they investigate Marino and Baker, my name is cleared of any wrong doing.”
“I can take care of them for you without getting State Police mixed up in this.”
Caleb eyed him sternly. “You can’t solve everything with your money and muscle. Besides, those two aren’t involved in the actual plot to frame Adrien.”
Blanchard looked confused. “You know who is?”
“I have an idea, but I’d rather not say. You can do whatever you want with the information. Baker might try and tell you I never showed him any video or that one may not exist. There’s a detective with the Baton Rouge Police Department who can back me on the existence part. So if you can’t convince your boy Baker to drop charges against Adrien, State Police can, once they investigate.”
“But even if I do get Baker to drop the murder charges and free Adrien, you’re still going to go higher up.”
“That’s right.” Caleb studied Blanchard’s face intently. “There’s corruption in OPPD that needs to be wiped out.”
“Obviously you believe I have some part in that corruption.”
“Your words, not mine. Also you might note if either Baker or Marino turn up dead or disappear, I know who to send the authorities to.” He delivered a mock salute. “Have a nice day.”
Caleb left the building and got in his truck. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and played back the recording of his entire conversation with Blanchard. Now he just had to wait and see what transpired before he went to LSP with his evidence and suspicions about corruption and maybe even the murder of James Branson.
But he needed more evidence to prove murder other than a ring left at the crime scene. Without a true chain of custody, Marino could say he lost it at the time he investigated the scene. The ring remained worthless as evidence and most likely wouldn’t be allowed in court.
An hour after
his visit with Robert Blanchard, Caleb’s phone rang. Chief Baker’s number appeared on the caller ID display. Ah, the wheels have started to turn.
“Chief, this is a surprise.”
“Cut the crap, Bourque,” Baker snarled. “Meet me at the old levee landing ASAP.”
“For my safety, you should know other people have access to the video and my attorney has a copy.”
“Just get the hell over there.”
Fifty
Caleb parked his truck and trudged up the levee. His hand rested on the butt of his .357. He wasn’t taking any chances. He could be walking into an ambush. From the top of the levee he spotted Baker pacing up and down at the water’s edge.
The chief moved closer to meet Caleb halfway. “Let me get right to the point. As you expected, Robert phoned me about that damn video. He wants it put into evidence.”
“Do you blame him? He doesn’t want his son to go down for a murder he didn’t commit.”
Baker shifted his weight uncomfortably. “Nothing has to come out about my past dealings with Blanchard. Let sleeping dogs lie. You can come back to work and continue leading the investigation of the women’s murders.”
“I doubt Marino will let those dogs lie. He wants vengeance for his father.” Caleb eyed him sternly. “If I come back to work without Branson’s real killer arrested, my life will be a living hell. Marino will see to that.
“I believe he shot Branson and is trying to make it look like I killed him. But I can’t prove it. There is an item I found at the crime scene that belongs to Marino, but it’s not enough.”
Baker took a deep breath. “I think I know a way. Bergeron has been distancing himself from Marino lately. I’ll be willing to bet he’s privy to more about the murder than he’s letting on. I could speak to him.”
“We can speak to him,” Caleb said with force. “I’m sure Robert Blanchard has an empty conference room we can use. Just make sure Marino doesn’t get wind of the meeting.”
