Murder in San Francisco

by Dianne Harman

  He understood exactly how those men felt, because he’d been one of them. There had been no reason for his spur-of-the-moment trip to Cabo San Lucas, other than his third divorce had just become final, and he was glad to get rid of his burdensome wife, although the hefty amount of alimony her attorney had managed to get for her would keep him busy delivering babies for a long time. But when he saw Lupe, whatever the circumstances were that had led up to their meeting on the beach, it was worth it. Skin the color of caramel, the largest brown eyes he’d ever seen, a shiny mane of dark black hair that a man could get lost in, and a bikini that barely covered a body that was meant for one thing – pleasure. He instantly knew he had to have her.

  He remembered calling his office manager and telling her something had come up, and he had to take some extra time off from his busy ob-gyn medical practice. He’d spent the time off convincing Lupe that while the movies were intriguing, her chances of making it big were minimal, and that as his wife he would give her everything she’d ever want. Lupe was no fool. The old saying “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” made her think twice about her future, and along with a little, no, a lot of urging from Dr. T, she was on the plane with him as his wife when he returned to San Francisco ten days later.

  Sometimes you make a deal with the devil, and Dr. T’s part of the deal was to keep her in the manner to which she wanted to become accustomed, no matter what the cost. In the year since they’d become man and wife it seemed like he and his bookkeeper were meeting almost hourly about his financial situation which was becoming more dismal by the day. Lupe had completely ensnared him, and there was no way he was going to tell her he couldn’t afford to buy her whatever she wanted. The answer to this dilemma was that he had to find a way to get more money.

  Shortly after he’d returned from Mexico, he’d read about a new California law that had been enacted regarding women who had artificially conceived a child using the sperm of a donor who had previously died. Apparently the new law was needed, because a number of military servicemen who had been assigned to dangerous combat tours of duty, and weren’t sure whether they’d make it back alive.

  They’d donated their sperm to a sperm bank so their wives could have their children in the event of their death. In such circumstances, under the terms of the new law, the deceased father was deemed the parent of the newborn child, even though the child had been conceived after the father was deceased. Privately, he thought that was kind of strange, but from the number of women who had taken advantage of the law, he realized he was in the minority.

  The new law further provided that such a child was entitled to all of the same legal benefits as an heir of the deceased father’s estate in spite of the fact that the child was neither conceived nor born until after the father’s death. Dr. T realized that having a sperm bank business in conjunction with his medical practice would be a natural, and so it had proven to be. It had certainly helped to pay the huge bills Lupe had mindlessly incurred, but he was still in a constant state of not being able to balance his finances.

  When Michelle D’Amato had come to his office that afternoon for her annual examination and told him how much she wanted to have a child by the man she was seeing, light bulbs began going off in his head, and he knew he might have the answer to his financial plight.

  She’d mentioned that the man’s name was Bernie Spitzer. Like practically anyone in San Francisco who read the papers or listened to the news, Dr. T. was well aware of who Bernie Spitzer was. He was also well aware of the vast fortune Bernie Spitzer had amassed. It wasn’t a large leap to think that if Michelle could convince Bernie to donate his sperm enabling her to have his child after he was deceased, Dr. T. could use it as leverage to get some of the money that Bernie’s child would be entitled to, and which Michelle would control. He didn’t think $500,000 would be an unreasonable sum to expect, and it certainly would make his life a lot easier.

  The only problem was that Bernie Spitzer was alive, he was healthy, and he wasn’t showing any signs of being eligible for admission to a mortuary anytime soon.

  Well, sometimes for things to happen, they need a little help, Dr. T decided, and this might be one of those times.

  Funny how opportune life can sometimes be, like having Michelle come to his office and giving him the opportunity to solve all of his financial problems. He hadn’t wasted any time telling her how happy he’d be to take care of everything if she could convince Bernie to come see him. Having been Michelle’s doctor for several years, he was certain she’d be able to do her part, and then the rest would be up to him.

  CHAPTER 10

  “I understand from the owner of our favorite diner that you and Michelle went there for lunch today. How did you get along with her?” Roger asked as he walked into the kitchen at the Red Cedar Lodge.

  “Absolutely great. She’s got quite a life story,” Liz said as she handed him a glass of wine. “Sit down, and I’ll tell you about it.”

  When she’d finished, he looked at her and said, “Kind of makes you thankful you didn’t have to go through what she’s had to endure. I admire her for doing so well, although it sounds like she regrets not having had a stable marriage or children.”

  “Definitely.” Liz took a sip of her wine. “But looking at where she came from, I’d say she’s done quite well for herself. I really liked her. I don’t know why, but for some reason, I felt a strong bond with her. I’d love to see her again, but it’s pretty rare that I ever see a guest once they leave the spa. I just wish her well.”

  “From what Walter tells me, she’s managed to land one of the wealthiest men in San Francisco, even if she isn’t married to him. I guess monetarily he treats her like a queen. I asked Walter if she was going to inherit some of his wealth when he died, and he told me that Bernie Spitzer was his only legal failure.”

  “That’s a term I’ve not heard you ever use. I’ve heard of bad judges, unfair verdicts, and things like that, but a legal failure? Why?”

  “Evidently Bernie is worth a fortune. Walter said he’d been trying to get Bernie to set up a trust or at least a will, for quite a while. He said the last time they met Bernie walked out of his office and said he was through with all of that. Said he’d be dead when the wrangling over his estate started, and he’d let Walter earn his money.”

  “So, am I correct in assuming because he hasn’t set up a trust or a will that Michelle will get nothing when he dies?”

  Roger nodded. “That’s correct. I said the same thing to Walter and he told me that other than the jewelry, the condominium, and the car Bernie has given her, she wouldn’t inherit anything. He’d tried to make that clear to Bernie, but Bernie had said he’d given her plenty of cash over the last few years, and if she’d been smart, she should have invested it. Walter asked him if she had, and Bernie said he didn’t know. That was the end of that.”

  “Wow. Seems kind of cold after a mutually loving relationship that’s lasted for several years.” Liz wondered if part of the earlier sadness she’d sensed from Michelle was due to the fact that Bernie didn’t seem to care what happened to her after he was dead.

  “Yeah, I agree, but on the other hand you have to look at what he’s been through. He spent millions in legal fees during the time the hostile takeover was a threat to his company and millions more when the papers had to be drawn up for the sale of his company. Walter also said he’s spent a bundle of money in attorney’s fees for various things he’s had to bail his son out of. Sounds to me like he’s just sick of dealing with money other than enjoying it, and in some ways, I can understand his position. I don’t anticipate having that problem, but I understand.”

  “Poor Michelle. Somehow it doesn’t seem fair that she’ll be left out in the cold, so to speak, when he dies. It seems to me that Bernie should have done something for her.”

  *****

  “Michelle, you look terrific,” Bernie said as she walked into his condominium after returning to San Francisco from the Red
Cedar Lodge and Spa. “Evidently the few days you spent at the spa agreed with you. Would I be right?”

  “Yes, it was wonderful, and I really liked the owner, Liz. We went to lunch one day and it seemed like the two of us really connected. I’d like to see her again, but I know it was probably just one of those moment in time things.”

  “Yes, those things happen. Here, try this,” he said as he handed her a glass of Blanc De Blancs Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger 2002. “I just opened it to celebrate your return. My wine consultant said it’s one of the best champagnes that has ever been made and, trust me, it wasn’t cheap, but you’re worth it. Let’s toast to your spa excursion.”

  “This is wonderful, Bernie,” she said as she took a sip. “Your consultant certainly knows his wine.”

  “For what I pay him, he should, but I look at it as a good investment, plus I have the luxury of opening whatever bottle appeals to me whenever I want. You can’t actually taste many investments, which is probably why I’ve chosen to collect wine.”

  “I missed you, Bernie.” Michelle stepped closer to Bernie and bent down to kiss him on the lips. “It’s good to be back here with you.”

  “Me too, Michelle. By the way, you’ll be happy to know that I got in touch with your doctor, and if you ever decide to have our child when I’m gone, a part of me is in his sperm bank. I have to tell you that as good as I feel, I think you’ll be well past the age of childbearing when I go.” He winked at her and grinned.

  “That would be a very good reason not to ever have a child, Bernie. Let’s toast to your continued good health and longevity,” Michelle said smiling as she lightly touched the rim of her champagne flute to his.

  CHAPTER 11

  One morning, about four months after Michelle had been a guest at the Red Cedar Lodge and Spa, Liz’s cell phone rang. “Hello. This is Liz Lucas. Is that you, Michelle? Your name popped up on my screen.”

  “Liz, I’m so sorry to bother you,” the voice at the other end said. Liz sensed she was crying.

  “Michelle, what’s wrong?”

  “Oh, Liz, everything is wrong. I don’t know where to begin.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but why don’t you start by telling me everything that’s gone on since you left the spa. I’ve thought about you often the last few months.”

  “Well, I might as well get the two biggest ones out first. Bernie’s dead, and I’m pregnant.”

  “Good grief, Michelle. You’re right. Those are huge. When did he die?”

  “It happened a couple of weeks after I came back from your spa. I went up to his penthouse, you know he bought me a condominium two floors below his, and when he didn’t answer the doorbell, I let myself in. He was a private man, and although he’d given me a key, I always rang the bell twice, and he’d immediately open the door. This time there was no answer. I called out, but he didn’t answer, and since we had plans to go to a charity dinner for one of the organizations he supported, I was surprised when he didn’t greet me.”

  “Oh, Michelle, I’m so sorry. So, I guess where this is leading is that you were the one to find him.”

  “Yes. He was dressed in his tuxedo, so he was definitely planning on going to the gala, but when I found him he was lying on the floor. I tried to administer CPR, but it was too late. I called 911. When the police and the paramedics came, all heck broke loose. The police questioned me for a long time. I finally told them I wasn’t going to answer any more of their questions without my attorney being present. Bernie always told me that having an attorney at your side when dealing with the police, or anyone who might be an adversary, was critical.”

  “Do you have an attorney?” Liz asked.

  “Only the one who handled my divorces, but fortunately I didn’t need one.”

  “Why?”

  “The police told me I could go. They said given his age and with no visible signs of trauma to his body, he probably died from natural causes.”

  “Michelle, I’ve been involved in a couple of murder cases, and usually an autopsy is performed. Did the coroner perform one?”

  “No. When he came, he said there had been three homicides that night in the Tenderloin District as well as a ten-car accident on the Golden Gate bridge. Evidently several people died in the accident. Anyway, he said with no visible signs of trauma, he was going to sign off on the death certificate and indicate Bernie’s death was due to natural causes.” She started to cry again.

  “Michelle, take your time. I’m here for as long as you want to talk to me.”

  “Thank you. Give me just a moment.” She was quiet for several minutes then she resumed speaking. “When I got back from the spa, Bernie told me he’d been to Dr. Throckmorton, my doctor who also owns a sperm bank, and that if I wanted to have a child by artificial insemination, he’d authorized that I could, but only after he was deceased.”

  “And that’s how you got pregnant?”

  “Yes. I waited two months, and they were the worst two months of my life. Sure, I know a lot of people, but I really don’t have any close friends, and as I told you, I have no family that I’m aware of.”

  “Did Bernie have children? If he did, maybe they could be your family? Surely you could share your mutual grief.”

  “Bernie has two ne’er-do-well children. Those are his words, not mine. They were somewhat estranged from him, and I know he’d been thinking about disinheriting them. I guess he died before he got around to it. At least that’s what his attorney, Walter Highsmith, told me. He’s my attorney now.”

  “He’s the one who called Roger and recommended the spa, isn’t he? Why do you need an attorney?”

  “The answer to your first question is yes. The answer to your second question is somewhat complicated.”

  Liz glanced at the screen of her phone. “Michelle, I see that my husband is trying to call me. I better take it. I’m supposed to meet him in the city this evening, and we were planning to spend the night in San Francisco. There may have been a change in plans. Let me take his call, and I’ll get right back to you.”

  “No problem. I have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon. I get to see the baby for the first time because Dr. T is going to do a sonogram, and I’m really excited to see him or her. Other than that, I don’t have anywhere to go and nothing to do but let this baby grow, so I’ll be here,” she said as she ended the call.

  CHAPTER 12

  “Hi, Roger, has there been a change in plans for tonight?”

  “No, but I just talked to Walter Highsmith, and he wants to meet with me this afternoon. He told me that Bernie Spitzer died recently, and there are some complications concerning his death. I guess he died of natural causes, but I thought you’d want to know because of your relationship with Michelle. Somehow I must have missed it in the papers.”

  “It’s ironic that you’d call with that information just now. You won’t believe it, but I was just talking to Michelle on the phone when you called. I had no idea. Do you know what Walter wants to talk to you about?”

  “No. The only thing he mentioned was that I might have a new client.”

  “Did he mean Michelle? And if he did, I wonder why, since your area of expertise is criminal defense.”

  “I have no idea, but I just wanted to let you know I might be a few minutes late. Rather than meet me at the restaurant, why don’t you come to my office and wait here? Hate to have to fight my way through a bunch of guys sitting at your dinner table if I’m late. I’m told that’s what happens when attractive women eat alone.”

  “Flattery will get you anywhere, love. Thanks for the compliment, but I think those days have long gone by, if they even were. I’ll go to your office and wait for you. I told Michelle I’d call her back, so I may have some information for you.”

  After ending her call with Roger, Liz promptly called Michelle back. “I’m sorry, Michelle, but there was a change in plans for tonight, so it was a good thing I took the call.” She didn’t mention that Walter Highsmith h
ad requested a meeting with Roger. “I had to leave our conversation before you had a chance to tell me why you needed an attorney.”

  “Liz, this whole thing has become surreal. Walter called me and told me it would probably be a good thing if I returned the key I had to Bernie’s condominium. He asked if I could come to his office. We agreed on a time and I met with him. While I was there I mentioned that I was pregnant with Bernie’s baby, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to make ends meet. I told him, which he knew, that Bernie had bought my condominium, given me my car, and a lot of very nice jewelry along with some money, but since I was pregnant, I couldn’t work. My doctor told me that getting pregnant at my age was going to require that I be very careful not to overdo things. He recommended that I spend a lot of time just resting.”

  “I’ve always heard the same thing about mothers who are a bit older the first time they’re pregnant.”

  “I’ve been a model pregnant woman, but the lack of money was really worrying me. Bernie had paid my health insurance for the year, but the baby was going to be born after that, and even though I’ve invested the money Bernie had given me over the years, I knew I was going to be strapped for cash at some point. My doctor’s the doctor for all the VIP people in San Francisco and he doesn’t come cheap. I’d been in touch with the jeweler who had sold Bernie the pieces of jewelry he’d given me, but he told me I could only expect to get about fifty percent of what Bernie had paid for them.”

  Liz sighed and said, “I wish I could say I was surprised, but I’m not. I’ve heard the same thing about a new car once it’s driven off of the car dealer’s lot. It sure doesn’t seem fair.”

  “No, it doesn’t, but I guess that’s just the way it is. Anyway, I told all that to Walter, and he said that since I was pregnant with Bernie’s child, not only was the child entitled to a share of his estate, Walter could go to court and petition the court for a family allowance. In other words, the baby and I are eligible to get living expenses while I’m pregnant.”