The Murder Trail: The Audrey Murders - Book Three

by Leonie Mateer

  Steve was lying on his bunk bed staring into space. His lawyer, Rick, had told him that since he was representing Ben; he could no long represent him, as it would be a conflict. He would recommend another lawyer for Steve. What the fuck does that mean exactly? Why now? What made Ben a conflict? Was he doing a deal with the cops? He looked over at Fuckface who was talking about his time with Cobras. He used to run a meth ring but had heard that coke was the next big thing. Steve played dumb. The last thing he needed was the Cobras knowing his business. What he did know was that if Ben was doing a deal then he would be left sitting in prison for the good part of twelve years. And, that was not going to happen if he could help it.

  C H A P T E R 4 2

  My mother is dead! Dead. Staci looked at her perfect reflection in the mirror. Her mother had always been an embarrassment to her. Not because of her appearance but because she had no class whatsoever. Her mouth was foul and her manners were nonexistent. Growing up with a solo mother in a poor neighborhood was bad enough but it was the sordid environment that motivated Staci to leave home at only fifteen. Prostitution was the only work she had ever known. As soon as it became legal, Staci’s dream was to own her own brothel. Circumstances a couple of years ago enabled her to do just that. Now her establishment was one of the most successful in Auckland. When her mother informed her she had financing to create a national chain of high-end salons she was shocked. Where she obtained the money she never knew, until now. Obviously she was funded by drug money.

  Her mother had been so evasive about her business plans. She only had a couple of conversations with her in the past year. Both were uncomfortable and unloving. Now she would never talk to her again. Her mother’s body would not be released until the coroner has completed the post mortem. It is pretty obvious that a bullet to the head was the cause of death. What else do they need to know? Staci wondered if the police would put a hold on her mother’s insurance policy and the transfer of ownership of the brothels. It was no surprise when she heard from her mother’s lawyer, Rick Painter, that she was the sole beneficiary. She was, after all, her only living relative and her mother was not one for making close friends.

  Staci needed to obtain access to all Frankie’s accounts. She would check both her home and her office computers and familiarize herself with the financial situation of the business. She didn’t know if it was a blessing or a curse being the new owner of the biggest chain of brothels in New Zealand. I guess I will find out.

  When she arrived at her mother’s lakeside home she saw yellow police tape surrounding the whole property. Damn. What now? She called the local police station and was put through to Detective William Wiley. He was abrupt and almost contemptuous when she enquired about accessing her mother’s home. “I am sorry but you cannot enter the property until forensics have completed their investigation.”

  “When do you expect that to be?” she enquired patiently.

  “I cannot say. Maybe in a day or two.”

  “I need to collect my mother’s laptop and access her business computer. Is that going to be a problem?”

  “Yes. All her computers have been confiscated along with all her business files and records.”

  “What am I supposed to do?” she asked getting increasingly frustrated.

  “That is not my problem,” he said.

  Well fuck you! “I see. Thank you detective for all your help.”

  C H A P T E R 4 3

  Audrey and Joan were in high spirits. Their plan had worked perfectly. If only the cops knew they had spent the day driving around with three hundred million dollars of cocaine in the back of their car. This time the bags would be lowered into the water tank with the ropes attached so they could be removed at a moments notice. They knew it would be unlikely that Tiromoana would be searched again. It was the safest place, until they could come up with plan B.

  Audrey considered her options. Selling the stash at a discounted price to one of the gangs was a possibility. But which gang? The Cobras or the Headhunters? Both gangs already had a distribution network for meth and could easily add cocaine to their inventory. But what would prevent them from simply taking the stash and eliminating the both of them? Another option was to set up their own distribution, but that would take time and Audrey knew time was of the essence. If the drug cartel found out they had possession of the coke, they would be dead meat for sure – unless they could offer them the same deal as Frankie and the guys got.

  The fewer people that knew she had the coke, the better. Already Joan was an accomplice – both to stashing the drugs and to murder. Audrey trusted Joan. She felt happier than she had in a long time. She was in love.

  Joan on the other hand, had her own thoughts on the matter. She knew that Audrey was falling in love with her. She also knew the relationship was destined for failure. Joan had waited seven years for her freedom and she wasn’t about to let anybody get in the way of her newly found independence. She was already planning her move back to Auckland where she could begin a completely new life. Audrey had given her just what she needed – a way out of her financial predicament.

  C H A P T E R 4 4

  Detective Bromley was at a loss. They had come up empty handed in the search and the Super was putting the pressure on to solve Frankie Perkins’ murder. There was a common belief a Mexican drug cartel was responsible but proving it was going to be difficult. The Lopez brothers held on gun charges were almost two hundred miles away at the time of the murder. Williams, Mills and their gang were already locked away. It could only mean there was someone else who wanted Frankie dead? Was it drug related, business related or personal?

  They had searched through Ms. Perkins’ computers and there was no evidence of any drug related crime. Her business was profitable and the income was solely derived from customers. Her investor, Jose Serrano, was an Australian businessman who specialized in the high-end sex business in Sydney. He had invested in her business two years ago and Ms. Perkins was making monthly interest payments. They had tried to contact Mr. Serrano to no avail. His office said that he was away on business and they had not heard from him for almost a week. They did a background search on him and nothing significant came up. They asked his office to have Mr. Serrano contact them when he returned.

  Bromley hoped their undercover guy would come up with some information. He had been in Steve Mills’ cell for a couple of days now. So far Mills wasn’t talking. Maybe he needed a push. If Mills found out that his mate, Ben Williams had done a deal it might be enough. He made a note to get a message to their guy tomorrow.

  It was late when Bromley left his office. As he locked the door he heard the phone ringing. It can wait.

  Staci hung up the phone without leaving a message. It had been a couple of years since she last spoke to Detective Bromley. She had helped him out of a sticky situation. He, in return, was her benefactor. It had been mutually beneficial. Now she needed his help. This time she had nothing to offer in return. Or did she?

  C H A P T E R 4 5

  Steve was pissed off! Fucking Ben! What a wanker! Took a deal and gabbed!

  It was the talk in the yard. They were saying it was one of the biggest cocaine hauls ever. Only trouble was. The stash was missing. To make things worse it was all over the news Frankie was found shot to death at her home. There was no doubt in his mind that it was the Mexican cartel behind her death. He didn’t want to be their next victim. He had heard that two Hispanic guys had arrived at the prison a couple of days ago. They were found with an arsenal of weapons. Gossip in the yard indicated they were tied up with a Mexican Cartel and were looking for the missing drugs.

  There was no one he could talk to. Frankie was dead and Ben was working with the cops and his lawyer had stopped representing him. Steve removed a scrap of paper from his pocket with the name of his new lawyer, Michael Slater. He would talk to him about doing his own deal. He knew something Ben didn’t know. He knew about his wife, Joan.

  Within in a few hours Steve had set up
a meeting with his new lawyer. The meeting did not go as expected. He returned to his cell and realized he was completely fucked.

  C H A P T E R 4 6

  Staci finally managed to gain access to her mother’s files and set about studying the financials. The business was doing surprisingly well considering she was paying interest and principle on the loan. Staci thought her mother had given shares in her company in return for the capital invested. That wasn’t the case. She was paying off the loan every month and within a year or two she would be debt free. The loan was from a Jose Serrano who was the owner of a chain of brothels in Sydney, Australia. Staci sent him a quick email to break the news of her mother’s death and to introduce herself as the new owner of the business. She hoped she would have his support.

  She hadn’t decided if she wanted to continue to run the business or sell it as a going concern. It was a big responsibility and she already had her own business to take care of.

  The manager knocked at the office door and said there was a phone call for her. She picked up the phone and was surprised to hear a familiar voice. “Why Detective Bromley, how nice to hear from you. Thank you. Yes. My mother’s death was an awful shock. Are you calling to tell me that you have found who did it?” Oh, I see. No, I am sorry I cannot help you. My mother and I were not close. We rarely spoke. Yes, I too, didn’t think our paths would cross again. How is your daughter? Really, I am pleased to hear that.” I bet this makes you very uncomfortable.” She listened to what the Detective had to say. ”Yes, lets talk again soon. Bye, detective.”

  Staci thought about their conversation and knew she had a lot of decisions to make.

  Another call came in. It was the one she had been waiting for. She closed the door to her mother’s office and lowered her voice. “Darling. I have missed you so much. You sound so far away. When are you coming back?”

  The conversation lasted only a few minutes but Staci knew all her problems would soon be solved. She breathed deeply and felt relaxed for the first time in days. She had not expected her mother to get murdered. That was unfortunate but now she thought her death might work to her advantage.

  C H A P T E R 4 7

  Bruce Bromley looked at the dead body washed up on his beach. It looked as though the man had been dead for some time. A red rope was wrapped around his bloated body. He looked Hispanic. Bruce called Jimmy. Detective Bromley said he was on his way. “Don’t touch the body.” Of course I know not to touch the body. But he couldn’t resist checking his pocket. There was a soggy Air New Zealand baggage claim slip from five days ago. He put it back in the man’s pocket feeling guilty.

  Within thirty minutes the beach was swarming with police. Forensics, drug squad and local police cordoned off the beach and Bruce watched with interest from the deck of his house. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the two Hispanic men who hired my boat who were responsible for the death of that man.

  It wasn’t long before he saw a news helicopter flying overhead. News sure travels fast these days, he thought. Now we are not going to get any peace around here. He watched as the coroner’s van arrived and parked down by his beach. An hour or so later the coroner and police left his property and quietness fell once again to the Hihi peninsula.

  He saw her approaching from their adjoining driveway. She looked as though she had lost weight since they last met. Her hair was shorter and her clothes were more sophisticated. He wondered if she had met someone. She seemed pleased to see him.

  “Bruce,” she said slightly out of breath. “I heard an awful commotion over here. Sirens, cars coming and going up your driveway, helicopters overhead – What is going on?”

  “A body washed up on my beach. They think it might have something to do with the cocaine bust. Looked as though he had been in the water for days. An awful sight.” Bruce confided.

  “Do they know who it is?” she asked

  “He had some identification on him apparently. He looked Hispanic. But it was hard to tell. The body was pretty bloated. Wrapped up in a rope. Definitely murder.”

  “How awful.” Audrey sympathized. “And on your beach. I will be glad when all this drug business is over. I have just got my business back to normal again and don’t need the police running all over the place.”

  “Unfortunately I don’t think it is over yet. Would you like a glass of wine?” Bruce hoped she would say yes. He always had the hots for his next-door neighbor.

  “I’m sorry, Bruce. But I have a full house over there. Every cabin is booked and I need to get back. Some other time.” She turned and waved.

  She is looking really good. I don’t know why - but trouble seems to follow her wherever she goes.

  C H A P T E R 4 8

  Audrey and Joan listened intently to the six o’clock news. “An Hispanic man’s body was washed up on a Hihi beach in the far north this afternoon. The police cannot release his name until next of kin are notified. It would appear the man arrived in the far north from Sydney almost a week ago. The police are investigating the possibility that the man was an associate of Frankie Perkins whose body was found at her lakeside home on the North Shore only two days ago. Both deaths have been confirmed as homicides. An ongoing investigation is underway into both crimes. As yet the police have no suspect or suspects. “

  There were photos of Bruce Bromley’s beach from the air and a photo of Frankie. Superintendent Peter Barton was interviewed. He confirmed they were following a number of leads in the case but, at this time, they cannot confirm or deny the deaths are in any way linked to the recent Hihi cocaine heist or the arrest of the two Hispanic men found to have a large collection of guns and ammunition in the same area.

  “What the fuck?” said Joan. “Audrey do you know anything about this guy?”

  “How the hell would I know anything?”

  “Was he the same guy who checked into the cabin next door from me? Remember him, that seedy looking Hispanic guy? You said he had checked out the next day. Maybe he was tied up with all of this. Who the hell would have killed him? Do you think the cops will know he stayed here?

  “I’m sure it isn’t the same guy. Just because he was Hispanic looking doesn’t mean that it is him.” Audrey replied. “Lets not jump to conclusions.”

  “Well it just seems strange that an Hispanic guy checked in here about a week ago and that is how long they say the body has been in the water. Also he was washed up on the beach next door. Now that is too much of a coincidence don’t you think?”

  Audrey was getting annoyed. Why was Joan being so damned dogmatic about it all? Does she think that I murdered him too? “Honestly, Joan, I don’t know anything about it. Give me a break!”

  “Well it just seems like too many people are dying around here. It is giving me the creeps. I think, maybe, it is time for me to get back to Auckland. I have things I have to take care of. “

  “What things?” Audrey asked shocked at her sudden change of mood.

  “I am going to put my house on the market and file for divorce. I have lots of loose ends to tie up now that Ben is in prison.”

  “When will you be coming back?” Audrey asked hopefully

  “I don’t know, Audrey. My life has turned upside down. You have been wonderful and I don’t know what I would have done without you. I was planning on leaving tomorrow and I was going to tell you tonight. Honey, let’s make it a special night.” Joan reached over and opened the bottle of wine and poured two glasses. “Cheers,” she said. “To our futures.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” said Audrey adding “And to your speedy return.”

  C H A P T E R 4 9

  Staci checked her image in the full-length mirror one more time. Today was an important day. She had chosen a short black skirt, black strappy high heels and a crisp white collared shirt. Her long black hair was worn up in a twist exposing small drop diamond earrings.

  She wasn’t disappointed. They were all there. Hundreds had turned out to say their last goodbyes to her mother. It looked more like
a gay pride celebration than a funeral. She always knew her mother was gay even when she was just a little girl. Her mother didn’t look like other mothers. She didn’t wear dresses and lip-gloss. She wore trousers and ties and big clumsy shoes. Although her mother had no close friends, she had hundreds of acquaintances - sex workers, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders. Today they were out in colorful force.

  News travels fast in the sex industry. Especially when one of the biggest names in the business is murdered in her own home. As she stood at the door of the church to welcome the mourners she realized that her mother was at least respected if not loved.

  As the service began she saw a group of policeman enter the church. She recognized Detective Bromley as he took a seat at the back with the others. They exchanged glances of acknowledgment. He is curious to see if the murderer attends the funeral.

  After the funeral she had made an open invitation for anyone to stop by after the funeral for drinks and a BBQ at her mother’s lake house, which, thank goodness, was no longer a designated crime scene. The invitation did not extend to the police and she was pleased to see them depart immediately after the service.

  By late afternoon the guests had left and Staci had time to walk the property and enjoy some quiet time alone in her mother’s house. I should sell my apartment and move in here. She checked her phone and scanned through the list of messages pausing on the one that she had been waiting for. She texted back; “I’m at my mother’s. Meet me here. Luv u.” Opening the fridge and finding only beer and cheap wine she grabbed her coat and left for the corner store. Tonight we must celebrate with French champagne!