Murder in the Dorm

by C. G. Prado

  Charlie thanked Baynes, told him about Giacomo’s hearing, and ended the conversation. He told Kate what Baynes had told him and they decided to celebrate Sommers’ apparent exoneration by going out to dinner. Any excuse would do.

  Over dinner they talked about the case and Kate summed things up in what Charlie found a rather depressing way.

  “Okay, so where we’re at is that Kelsey and McDermott are dead, Berger isn’t the third party, Sommers isn’t the third party, the money is missing, and we don’t even know how much. Aside from the hearing tomorrow, you’ve got zip by way of prospects.”

  “Beautifully put.”

  “I take it you are going to the hearing tomorrow?”

  “Definitely. Whatever else I’ve got on I’ll adjust. This is my last shot.”

  “Don’t expect too much, Charlie. I doubt you’ll hear anything new. It’ll probably just be Giacomo admitting to what he did to get as much leniency as he can. Even the public defender he’s got now would press him to accept the deal the other lawyer made.”

  “Oh, I don’t see him suddenly pleading his innocence. I’m just curious to hear what he does say, especially if they moved it up and this is his allocution.”

  “As long as you’re not setting yourself up for a big disappointment.”

  Charlie and Kate dropped the case and turned to their respective books. That night Charlie slept surprisingly well.

  Chapter 31

  The Fifteenth Wednesday

  Charlie woke early on Wednesday, glad he had no class that day. He had breakfast, showered, shaved, and went back to the kitchen for another coffee. Kate was still asleep. He mused a bit about that afternoon. If the hearing was going to be the scheduled one, the main thing would be Giacomo’s allocution. His previous lawyer had obviously cut a deal: Giacomo would admit to the killing of McDermott and expect lenience because of his admission and the circumstances. The public defender now handling Giacomo’s case would have no reason to change the arrangement. He had apparently cautioned Giacomo against doing so because Giacomo had no idea of the identity of the person who told him about McDermott and offered to pay for his lawyer and his sons’ tuitions.

  At his office, Charlie dealt with his email and then tried to work up interest in working on his new paper. He ended up staring out the window until he went to lunch.

  Conversation at the Club table was somewhat distracting, but Charlie kept looking at his watch and anticipating the afternoon’s main event. Eventually it was time to go to the courthouse. Charlie was early, but that was good because he ran into Dingwall at the entrance and was led to the right courtroom. He was surprised at the sparse attendance. Aside from a group of some eight or ten seniors who no doubt spent a lot of time listening to trials and hearings, there were only three or four people there. Dingwall went to sit with one of them, so Charlie assumed she was a reporter, too. He took a seat a little ahead of Dingwall, wanting to be sure he didn’t miss anything. Promptly at two-thirty an officer of the court entered and announced the judge’s entry.

  The judge turned out to be a woman in her early sixties who looked like she was strictly business. As soon as everyone was seated, Giacomo was brought in and sat next to his public defender, a man that looked to Charlie to be barely twenty years old. The court officer went through the routine procedure and finally Giacomo was asked by the judge to stand.

  “Mr. Giacomo, this hearing has been advanced at your request. You seemed rather desperate to have it sooner than the scheduled date and I’m wondering why. Your attorney doesn’t seem to know either. Would you explain?”

  “Your honor, I wanted to have the hearing sooner because of some information I am now willing to give to the police. I did not discuss this with my previous attorney, but did with my present one and he felt I needed to inform the court prior to my allocution.”

  “I see. You do realize that you may be worsening your situation?”

  “I don’t think I am, and I think you’ll agree when you hear what I have to say that the information will be of use to the police.”

  “All right, but before we get into whatever you have to say, we need to be straight about your allocution to the killing of Mr. Lawrence McDermott. I am aware of the circumstances that prompted your action and the alleged fact that you have no knowledge of the identity of the person who informed you about Mr. McDermott’s actions and where Mr. McDermott could be located. You then claim you attempted to frighten Mr. McDermott without intending to hurt him but shot Mr. McDermott in anger. Will any of those factors be changed by what you have to say?”

  “No, your Honor; none of that will change.”

  “Fine, then. Proceed.”

  “Thank you, your Honor. What I want to add is that I did take Mr. McDermott’s computer. I’d been instructed to do so in an email I deleted. I was also warned that if any of the data on it later emerged it would be worth my life. I did not mention this to the police because I assumed I would be charged with destroying evidence. I am admitting it now because after discussion with my new attorney, we decided that the value to the police of not trying to find the computer outweighed the risk of a further charge against me. My attorney also pointed out that since I neither tried to access, nor probably could access anything on the computer, I didn’t know it was in fact evidence. In any case, I destroyed the laptop thoroughly.”

  “I see. I will consider your admission with respect to sentencing. Proceed with your allocution.”

  Giacomo was then given a sheet of paper by his lawyer and he proceeded to read his allocution. The judge heard him out, wrote something down, and then looked at him.

  “All right, Mr. Giacomo, as I said, I have to consider your admission. I do admit that this information will likely be of use to the police. I will inform your attorney when we will meet for sentencing.”

  The court officer called the next case, Giacomo was led out of the courtroom, and Charlie hurried out, catching up with Dingwall. When he did, Dingwall had his cell out and motioned to Charlie to give him a minute. Charlie waited and heard Dingwall give his editor or whoever was on the line the gist of what had happened in court. After listening a moment and agreeing with something, Dingwall closed his phone and turned to Charlie.

  “That was a surprise, but I don’t think it’s as big a deal as Giacomo thinks. All it does is let the cops stop searching for McDermott’s laptop. I know you’ve got something of an ‘in’ with DeVries, so here’s what we’ll do. If either of us learns anything more about this development, we share the info. Okay?”

  “Certainly. Let’s hope we do.”

  Dingwall went off to his car and Charlie stood on the courthouse steps for a minute or two wondering what to do. He decided he’d go back to his office and call DeVries. As it turned out, that was the right thing to do because she hadn’t yet heard about the destruction of the computer. She thanked Charlie and promised that if anything came up, she’d let him know. Charlie went home and told Kate what had happened. He opened a bottle of a hard-to-get but excellent pinot grigio from a tiny California boutique winery and they sat down to talk.

  “What I don’t get, Charlie, is why the third party, and that’s who it had to be, didn’t want McDermott’s computer. After all, there might have been something interesting on it. And from what you’ve told me, Kelsey’s computer is still missing.”

  “Well, McDermott may have taken Kelsey’s and destroyed it, too. I suspect the third party knew he or she wouldn’t be able to get into McDermott’s computer and believed she or he knew everything that was on it of importance. A major reason was not risking even indirect contact with Giacomo to get the laptop. But the really important thing is that the third party’s lack of interest in McDermott’s computer means the third party has the money or knows where it is. At this point, that’s the only truly important information that could have been on the computer.”

  “That’s right; so Kelsey and McDermott must have been channeling the money to this third party. That also makes
better sense of those files showing the different amounts. They had to keep track of their cuts because they didn’t have the money.”

  “I think that’s right, but you realize this makes finding the third party that much more difficult? He or she won’t be caught red-handed with McDermott’s computer. In fact, I don’t see that there’s anything the police could use to charge, much less convict the third party unless they track down how the money was moved around. Giacomo is useless as a witness to the murder-for-hire part because he never saw or even talked to the third party. No, whoever it is planned well. Even to the computer; better to have it destroyed than to risk picking it up.”

  After a bit neither had more to say and they went to bed.

  Chapter 33

  The Fifteenth Thursday

  Charlie woke early. Over coffee and some surprisingly good muffins from the local supermarket he tried to organize his thinking about the third party. McDermott and Kelsey, or perhaps only one of them, had to have had fairly regular contact with the third party. The third party’s lack of interest in McDermott’s computer implied he or she knew about and didn’t need what was on it. Also, knowing McDermott’s expertise, she or he likely had no illusions about being able to access the files on the laptop even if it were obtained. McDermott roping in Berger was probably more a time saving move than a crucial component of the scam. The money was key, now. The third party had it.

  Charlie got to his office a little before his class, which went well. When he returned to his office, on his way to lunch, he had a call from DeVries.

  “Charlie. Now that we don’t have to look for McDermott’s laptop and the forensic accountants are doing what they can about the money, it looks like Guy and I are done with the case. I wanted to let you know so you wouldn’t think I was cutting you out of the loop by not calling. We certainly have enough to do and I don’t see us getting anywhere with this case. Do let me know if you learn anything new.”

  “I certainly will, but I was thinking this morning that it looks pretty hopeless. I take it your techies haven’t had any luck tracing any of the emails?”

  “None at all. Whoever was sending them knew what he was doing. Okay, have to go. Take care.”

  Charlie put the phone down and started in on his emails, suddenly feeling fed up with the case. Eventually he went to the Club for lunch.

  The first thing Charlie noticed was that Baynes was at the Club table with Jones. He quickly went over and snagged a seat next to Baynes and joined in the conversation about student entitlements or what students perceived as such. When lunch was pretty much over, Jones announced he had a class to prepare and left. By then Charlie and Baynes were the only ones left. Charlie offered brandy but Baynes insisted it was his turn. When they were served Baynes asked if there was anything new on the case. Charlie told him about Giacomo’s allocution and his admitting he’d taken McDermott’s computer and destroyed it. He added that DeVries and her partner were off the case unless the forensic accountants came up with something.

  “They won’t. I’ve heard about that sort of thing. They’ll dig around and contact Interpol and who knows what other agencies and it’ll come to nothing. The banks are being more cooperative, but mainly with tax situations and when it’s governments that are doing the pressing. If the money is all that the police have to work with, your third party is free and clear. Even if the police got a lead, it would be years before anything came of it. Looks like this one got away from you, Charlie.”

  “There were two murders involved.”

  “Well, yes and no. I understand McDermott killed Kelsey, so that’s a write off. And they have McDermott’s killer, Giacomo. The fact that someone put him up to it is basically only his claim. He has no evidence.”

  “What about his first lawyer and his sons’ tuition being paid?”

  “He could have done that himself, claiming someone else did it.”

  “I guess you’re right. In the end, the only real evidence for a third party is the money being gone and those files McDermott or Kelsey kept about the split.”

  “Either Kelsey or McDermott could have moved the money around; they certainly had the know-how. As for the files, the three-way split could have been a ruse McDermott or Kelsey pulled on the other.”

  “I’m still convinced there is a third party. I even had poor Janice Sommers cast in the role.”

  “I thought that was a nonstarter. I couldn’t see Janice involved in a scam. No, she left because of the promotion thing, period.”

  “What would you do in my place?”

  “Honestly? I’d drop the whole thing. I don’t see you getting anywhere, or the cops for that matter. Now it’s just a distraction. Forget it, Charlie.”

  “I’m glad you’re paying for the brandy because all you’ve done is depress me.”

  “Look, Charlie, last time around you were dealing with a case where you knew the parties involved and some of the background. This is different. It’s all outside your department and you didn’t know any of the people involved. I wouldn’t feel bad about admitting that, with nothing to go on, you’re not going to get anywhere. All you’re going to do is frustrate yourself and probably irritate Kate. You’ve been at this for months. Let it go.”

  After three or four minutes of silence, Baynes excused himself and left. Charlie was in a foul mood. He could find nothing wrong in Baynes’ thinking. He had to admit that he had zero to go on. He also felt some shame that he seemed to care as much about not solving the case as that someone was getting away with a lot of money and prompting a murder. Charlie also realized that he’d enjoyed Kate’s interest and participation. Now they both had to give up. It was also true that he was likely starting to irritate people with his interest. Baynes had struck him as tired of the whole matter as he’d left. There were no doubt others that saw his interest as a tedious obsession. Well, he had nothing to lose, really, if he packed it in, and that’s what he should do. In fact, probably after a bit Kate would be relieved, too. Okay, then; no more case. Charlie finished his brandy, got up, and was on his way out the main door when he ran into Jones just coming in.

  “Charlie. Left my briefcase. At least I hope I left it here. Did you and Richard solve the case?”

  “Hardly. In fact, I think Richard is fed up with it. He left a little abruptly after telling me more than once that I should just drop it.”

  “Well, I haven’t been following it, but from what I’ve heard it does sound to me like you’re dealing with a hopeless situation. Perhaps in time the police will come up with something.”

  “Oh, I think that unlikely. The detectives I know are now done with the case. All the police have is a faint hope of finding the money, which seems unlikely.”

  “That’s too bad; I think Richard was counting on you to come up with a solution. He may feel bad about McDermott and would like to see the loose ends tied up.”

  “Why would Richard feel bad about McDermott?”

  “Well, I saw them together a number of times when I went to Richard’s office to pick him up on our way down here for lunch, so I assume he felt bad about McDermott being killed. But I’m sorry; I really have to look for my briefcase.”

  With that Jones hurried into the Club and Charlie was left to absorb what he’d just heard.

  Chapter 34

  The Last Friday

  Charlie woke with the same thought in mind that he’d had when he went to sleep: Baynes knew McDermott. He hadn’t mentioned it to Kate the night before because he was afraid of blowing the point out of proportion. After all, Baynes was in computing and had been head, and McDermott had been in computing. When Charlie first met him, he recalled Baynes saying he’d spoken with McDermott only a few times. He also remembered Baynes saying he was dubious about the sort of questions McDermott had asked. Now Evan Jones was saying he’d seen them together a number of times, clearly enough times that Jones thought Baynes would feel bad about McDermott’s death. He’d think up a pretext and call Jones; he certainly wasn
’t going to ask Baynes.

  Charlie arrived at his office in plenty of time to sort out what he needed for his class. He was there promptly at nine and the class went well and distracted him. Back in his office, Charlie called Jones.

  “Evan, this is Charlie. Are you going to lunch at the Club and did you find your briefcase?”

  “Charlie; good morning. Yes, I found it, but no, I’ve got too much to do for this afternoon. Was there something you wanted?”

  “It’s just a quick question. I was talking with Richard yesterday and I think I riled him a bit. We were talking on about the case. I just wanted to check with you whether you think Richard might have been offended by something I said or implied about McDermott. From what you told me yesterday, it occurred to me Richard might have known him better than I thought.”

  “Oh, I don’t think he’d take offense. As I told you, I did see them talking fairly often, but I don’t think Richard was close to McDermott. I saw them together when I went to collect Richard to go to lunch and usually in the corridor outside of Richard’s office, though sometimes in the office. I wouldn’t worry about it, Charlie.”

  “Okay, Evan, thank you. It just niggled at me. See you next time.”

  On his way to the Club Charlie decided that given what Jones had said, there was a definite discrepancy between Baynes’ claim that he’d only spoken to McDermott a few times and Jones’ comments. But did it matter? Only to the extent that Baynes had played down their connection, and that might be important.