Murder Mysteries #3

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  "I wish I could be more help, but I've no idea who did what. The two guys, who were friends and the big swillers of beer, were busy drinking and fishing. The others were rather quiet. The sneaky one was the lady called---let me think---oh, yeah, Joy. I saw her disappear many times into the galley area. Her eyes were always darting around. That's it; all I know."

  "If you and your crew friends think of anything else, call me at the station or just call the station. Thanks Steve and here is my autograph for your father." She scratched her name; handed it to him.

  "He'll love this," as he read what it said: "To an admirer, Stacy Foreham" in big swirling script.

  Aftermath with Dr. Stone

  The company staff returned to the motel where Bonnie had extended their stay for a day. She and Brad remained behind to chat with the coroner for a schedule to take the body back to Portland.

  In the meantime, Stacy, Rory and Ben gathered to compare notes briefly and then later they would go into detail. Now they met with Marsha who was happy to sit down and rest. She said, "I get motion sickness very easy. The passing boats made the charter boat rock and roll. I need to sit a bit and let my ears quit sloshing fluid around."

  "It's rather late in the afternoon now so I'm in favor of taking a break at the restaurant for a pre-dinner snack," said a grinning Rory.

  "For once I agree with you Tall Man. My head is spinning from this new homicide. I'll ask Dan and James to take back the table and chairs."

  "I'll talk to the daughter now," said Marsha. "I'll do the autopsy in the morning and she can have the body in the afternoon. Oh and by the way, no prints on the handle of the knife, but we're sending it to the FBI lab for any fragments or partials. Before the staff takes off for home, best get their prints."

  Stacy walked over to Bonnie and Brad who were patiently waiting for word. "Sorry we took so long, but that's part of an investigation process. You'll be able to take your father to Portland tomorrow afternoon. What we'd like is to have additional interviews in the morning at our police station. If any of your staff is nervous and wants a lawyer, that's their right."

  "Thanks for the update detective. Would 9 am be a good time for us to begin the second round of interview," said Bonnie.

  "That would be fine. I saw you had a van to go around in so you don't need a ride?"

  "No we're fine. We'll see you in the morning then," said a red eyed Bonnie who seemed to Stacy to just now feel the blow of losing her father regardless of his personality.

  Chow Down Time

  Stacy thought none really tasted the food as the thought the homicide was very complex in the idea of who did the deed. This was like looking under the Christmas tree, seeing a package with your name on it, wondering what was in it. Right now all they were doing was staring at the package without the name on it. The killer knew who he/she was and that would or should make the killer nervous not knowing if they were being moved up the suspect list to: prime suspect. However, all or most all of the case studies Stacy had read and her past empirical knowledge led her to believe killers can be very cool under stress. Additionally, over time they grow more confident that they will skate free. That's when over confidence reveals small mistakes by the perp. However, for now they must share information to determine whose name is on the gift under the tree.

  Rory, as usual, finished first and said, "We've got nine suspects and this is like the lotto trying to determine which number killed the old man."

  "You might make that a plural instead of singular, Tall Man," said Stacy.

  "Agreed," said Marsha. "This just might be a partnership crime. Sometimes one doesn't have the strength, but add a friend and off you go."

  "What I do know and feel," said Ben, "is the fact there're nine nervous suspects at the motel chewing their fingernails down to the quick. I don't mean to say they're not without some guilt as each of them probably thought about disposing of the old guy on more than one occasion. Not only thinking about it, but sharing their thoughts over coffee at break time. Now each probably wishes they'd kept their mouths shut."

  "I suppose we need to interview each one in an official interrogation room in Portland. We need to make sure they are read their rights beforehand. Let's not make any mistakes for a judge to throw it out of court when we finally press charges against the killer or killers," said a grim Stacy.

  Marsha was thinking how much Stacy had matured as a homicide detective inspector. By all rights she should be and was respected throughout the Pacific Northwest. She also thought that if Rory didn't or couldn't keep up, he'd be left in the dust. In her opinion he really needed to assert himself more. She thought he'd a good smart brain, but needed to focus it more with some deeper thinking.

  Ben on the other hand, was really Stacy better partner. He was a deep thinker with an eye for evidence and any clues regardless how small. But, alas, he was a family man that was happy in his present job and location.

  With a pre-dinner snack out of the way, the three detectives said good bye to Marsha. She went home and they went into the stationhouse to compare notes. Once in Stacy's office, she went to the white board and wrote down the first name. Let's take them one a time and give me your main points about what each suspect mentioned in the interview.

  Bonnie Igeres: daughter of victim. [Stacy interview]

  Motive: loss of wealth—husband out of work

  Brad Igeres: husband of victim's daughter. [Stacy interview]

  Motive: loss of job—loss of become CEO – robbed of future

  David Cornfield: Office Manager 10 year employee [Rory interview]

  Motive: too old find another high pay job—constant abuse from boss—stress

  James Button: Product Development: Five year veteran from Calif. [Ben interview]

  Motive: Loss of all assets from bankruptcy—high salary stops—stock in toilet—new management banks would refi him.

  Felix Munster: Product Development: Four year veteran from Calif. [Ben interview]

  Motive: loss of job, stock and probably be homeless – hated the victim.

  Joy Farmer: Programmer/Developer/Head of R&D: Three year veteran from Portland.

  [Rory interview]

  Motive: Sexual harassment—loss of stock—hard to find another position.

  Fran Whitmore: Private Secretary to the victim: Six year veteran [Rory interview]

  Motive: Sexual harassment –verbal abuse—stress—loss of stock.

  Ed Duncan: Marketing Manager: Ten year veteran [Ben interview]

  Motive: loss of reputation—loss of stock—financial ruin.

  Rufus Brown: CFO: Eight year veteran. [Rory interview]

  Motive: loss of job end of career as too old—loss of stock/salary—detested the victim--

  Financial ruin.

  "Okay guys, how's this look to you for starters," asked Stacy.

  "Looks good Super," said Rory. "What we need is take some off the list to make it shorter."

  "That's exactly right, Tall Man," said Stacy. "I think it's easier to take names off the list than to find just one or two that did the crime. Let's do this, and I realized this goes against my grain just a little. Let's make a three column list and fit a name into a respective title. Like this," as she drew a rectangle on the board and split the vertical into three columns:

  First column was titled: Prime. Second: Subprime. Third: Doubtful. "Okay let's begin with our list of names.

  First we have Bonnie Igeres the daughter of the victim. I interviewed her. Here's an overview of our interview: She was first into the sleeping cabin after Lois discovered the body. She and her husband Brad were in the galley drinking wine and just talking. The crux was she tried to convince her father to step aside and endorse Brad for the new CEO. He refused, she said. Next the company had a meeting with lawyers and bankers who all expressed their desire for him to retire. He again refused. Bonnie has a 20% stake in Extell. Her father has 52%. The old man would not retire at this point in time. Now I have to put her into the 'Subprime' colum
n."

  Next I had her husband and Executive VP Brad Igeres. He seemed relaxed and confident of his situation. His main point was that he was young, well educated and experienced; that he could find another company without much difficulty. But let's be clear here; he stood a lot to gain with the old man gone. I put him on the Prime list for now."

  "Rory, it's you turn in the barrel," said Stacy.

  "First suspect I had was David Cornfield the Office Manager. He's been there the longest at 10 years. He hated the victim, but at his age, it would be difficult to find another job that paid as much as he was making. After 10 years I felt he had the wherewithal to do the guy in. I give him a Prime rating."

  "My first was an angry James Button who was obviously three sheets to the wind. He's in Product Development having been there for about five years. He came from Silicon Valley with fine credentials and a big raise in salary with stock and stock options. He alluded that he's in financial trouble, but if new management; his creditors would refi. his whole situation. I'll go out on a limb here and lower him to Subprime. I think he's mostly a blowhard with any backbone to murder someone" said Ben.

  "Felix Munster was my next suspect. He's buddies with James. I got the impression if the company went belly up so would he. He's a quiet buy even with a snoot full. I'm listing him as Prime," said Ben

  "I was unlucky enough to get Joy Farmer," said Rory. "She's a little mysterious with a seemingly attitude of a man hater. She told me the victim was a dirty old man and when she threatened to file charges, he'd back off for awhile. She said her stock was her pension for her mother and her. I'm placing her as Subprime for now."

  "I interviewed Ed Duncan," said Ben. He's a ten year man with a lot to lose if the company goes down. It appeared to me he would face financial ruin losing his job and stock. He's too old and heavy to be on some bodies' short list of being a Marketing Manager. I'll place him on the Subprime column."

  "I did Rufus Brown. He's been there for eight years. He too is fairly old and on the heavy side. Long story short, if the company sinks, so does he. He's on my Prime list," said Rory. I saved Fran Whitmore for last. She could never look me in the eye. All she told me was what dirty old man he was. Hardly a day went by that he'd did relay some sexual innuendos to her. She was scared to quit as he might prevent her from getting another job. She's high on my list with a Prime listing.

  "Well I'm not sure we made the case any clearer, but we can see that all are suspects and that five are in our Prime column. I think we need a complete background check on all of the suspects listed. Rhonda in Portland did a great job on our last case. Rory send her our list please tomorrow. Meanwhile, let me add that my interviews with the crew noted one crew member saw Rufus whispering to Fran. Also, another crew member saw through the porthole Fran in the victim's room waving her arms in an angry way. He couldn't hear anything though.

  Prime Subprime Doubtful

  __________________________________________________________________________

  Brad Igeres Bonnie Igeres

  David Cornfield James Button

  Felix Munster Joy Farmer

  Rufus Brown Ed Duncan

  Fran Whitmore

  _____________________________________________________________________

  Rehash

  They decided that pizza would take the edge off. After that good night's sleep would set the world right for all three detectives. While they waited for the pizza to arrive, Ben said, "I've a sinking feeling we're in for a long case unless we catch a break somewhere."

  "I agree," said Rory. I know this sounds TV corny, but when we do an interview in Portland, the good cop, bad cop might help us just a little."

  "You might be right Tall Man. We need to frighten the killer or killers. At this point there's not much else we can do right now. I'm ready for my pizza and if I'm not mistaken, it's coming now through the front door. Flo decided to stay for pizza. Does that surprise anyone," asked a laughing Stacy.

  Next Round

  Ben was riding with Rory so poor love struck Rory had to wave bye instead of planting a lip lock on his treasure: Stacy. She waved and went home to see her father about his new crush at the Senior Center.

  Ironically, to a surprised Stacy, she found her father and his lady friend in the wood shop sanding on a project. To her it appeared they were enjoying themselves immensely. She got out of her SUV and walked through the open rollup door. Father looked up smiling like a kid in a candy store. Fran, on the other hand, looked a little scared of seeing or meeting the famous daughter of the man she thoroughly enjoyed being around.

  Stacy smiled walking up with her hand out to welcome Fran to their home. Fran's scared look disappeared replaced by a nice smile with eyes that were sparkling a bluish gray. Her silver hair was lovely and thick without the usual older person's hair falling out and never replaced. "Nice to meet you Stacy. I've heard good things about Ray's daughter in the last few years. I hope you won't mind me intruding into your space concerning your father."

  "May I call you Fran," asked Stacy. Stacy saw a nod and said, "You're not intruding one bit Fran. My father needs a companion. I'm so happy for both of you. I haven't told my father yet, but to both of you I'll say this: I'm going to accept the US Marshall's job. Please don't speak of it outside this house."

  "I think it’s a good move Stacy," said her father. "I think they'll open up a Eugene office. If so that's only a couple of hours away. Regardless, we're not far away. Fran and I've been talking and we're thinking of a RV of some sort. I don't relish the idea of pulling or driving a big rig around, but maybe we can have a place to park it in Arizona or some sunny place during winter time. Also, believe it or not, we're thinking of maybe opening up a restaurant that serves primarily good home cooked food. Fran has her home overlooking the ocean on Beach Loop with land to spare. It's a thought or two we're considering. Old folks need something to do and like this wood working stuff, its great fun and exercise."

  "You both have the right ideas coming forth. Regardless what you eventually decide, just enjoy life. For example, this homicide involves a 74 year old man with tons of money. He wouldn't retire because he'd nothing to do all day long. He was so narrow minded he died for his conservative thinking of what life really is. So, go with my blessings. I'm sorry to leave you but I'm rather tired from a long day. I'll see you in the morning." Stacy hugged her father and gave Fran a hug as well.

  "Ray, she is special that's for sure. I didn't see any jealousy only happiness from her. You're lucky guy and so am I. I wonder if she realizes we're not so old we can't enjoy a little romp in the hay," Fran said with a twinkle in her eye.

  Ray grinned and sanded so hard the sandpaper flew in pieces. "Let's go have something to drink and hit the hay Fran my dear."

  After a shower, Stacy called her best friend Vickie up in Coos Bay. She was so excited to share the news of her father and to inform Vickie that she was going to accept the offer if they office was going to be in Eugene. No way she'd live in Portland. "What do you think Vic," she asked.

  "First you father is a lucky guy to find a female friend to share their lives together. Your new job sounds like hard work to me. Where you're now is like easy street compared to working for a mega government with bureaucratic assholes running around thinking they're important. But, if it's an office in Eugene, that wouldn't be so bad. It will be especially at first with all new people; including you. Find a nice place to live so when you do go home it feels good."

  "What about my Rory guy Vic? He's going to be wondering what I'm doing and if we're still an item. He's a little insecure you know," said Stacy.

  "If he loves you, and make no mistake that he does, he'll have to adjust to the new circumstances. Maybe later on down the road he could transfer to Eugene or join the Marshall program."

  "Well, thanks Vic. I've, we've got a lu lu of a homicide staring us in the face. I'll be gone to Portland for a while. Now I'm beat. Talk later, be well and we love our dear friend Vicki."
<
br />   9 am Start Up

  Rory was on the job early. He'd faxed to Rhonda the list of suspects for a background check. After that he roared down to Bandon to have breakfast with Stacy at her house with her father. He'd stopped at the store for a lean chunk of ham, a dozen eggs, sourdough break for toast and a block of sharp cheddar. He knocked on the door at just past 7:30 am.

  Rory's mouth fell open when Fran opened the door dressed in her bathrobe. She smiled and said, "My name's Fran Parker and you're Rory Caltex the famous tall detective from Coos Bay. Come in and have a sit down." Rory followed her in searching for his anchor girl. Ray was in the kitchen drinking morning coffee with a smug look on his face. Rory shook his hand sitting down while Fran moved off to find a mug.

  Ray said, "Kind of a surprise huh Rory?"

  "More like a shock chief than a surprise. I'd no idea and Stacy had said nothing to me."

  "We're just now bringing it out into the open. Fran cooks at the Senior Center. That's where I met her. We're going to cohabitate," he said smiling with Fran laughing bringing the pot of coffee to the table.

  "I had to look the word up in a dictionary," said Fran sitting down with her cup of coffee. Just then Stacy walked in fresh from the shower. Rory could smell her from where he sat at the back of the table next to the window. He smiled, she winked and sat down.