Watson Manor Unfolding: Second Novel in the Watson Mystery Series (Watson Manor Mystery Series Book 2)

by Ronald Craig

  "We know the video surfaced when the Police were showing Karen's photo off the video around in San Jose, looking for a name. These two must have found the video. Where are they now?" he asked.

  "They're in the police station, Lew."

  "Shit! We need to move fast on this. I'll have this place sterile by tonight in case the local police want to come here. You stay with them. Find out who they are in the event they become more of a problem."

  "If the Marina Police already have the video, what kind of further threat could they be?" she asked.

  "We can shut the police down. These two are loose ends. They came to our office didn't they?"

  "I'll stay with them and call you later. You need to call him," she said.

  "My next call," he said, hanging up.

  *****

  "Hello Jacque, is the Chief in?" Jenny asked without breaking stride heading towards his office.

  "Yes, expecting you," Jacque called as they passed.

  "Come on in," Walker called. When they were seated he continued. "With confirmation on the photo of Karen Meyers from the service guy at Walter Mercedes and from Sam at the gas station, I called Santa Cruz PD. We sent them the fingerprints from the tape and both photo ID statements which both tie Karen to the car."

  "There's something odd going on at the Marina Professional Building. It's in a shut-down construction project and there is no 'Office Space Available' sign, but only one law firm is in it," Charlie said.

  "They were in a hurry to get us out of there," Jenny added.

  "You went inside?" Walker asked.

  "We told them we were seeking office space," Jenny said.

  "Jenny, need I remind you that Karen Meyers was murdered! You two really need to let go now, let us run with it. I realize it's my own fault for asking you to talk to Sam again."

  "I couldn't agree more, Chief," Charlie said.

  "OK. I get the message," Jenny conceded. "As long as we're here, did you find any other tie between Karen and Crown besides the car?"

  "We're waiting for her employment records from the IRS," Edwards said from the doorway. "We are hoping she started with Crown Storage in Klamath Falls."

  "Chief, you need to check out that office building, Marina Professional, the law firm," Charlie paused and reached for the business cards from Jenny. "Stewart & Richards Attorneys at Law, they're on the ground floor and only using half the space. The only way into the other half is through their office."

  "Our connection between Karen Meyers and Nelson Crown is too weak at this point for a warrant to search it. Once we can firm it up, it will be a place of interest," Walker said.

  Detective Edwards hung up the phone at his desk in the open bull pen area and walked to Walker's office door. They all looked at him when he appeared in the doorway. "I was promised the IRS report, at the latest, tomorrow morning," Edwards said.

  "Come in Edwards," Walker said. "I was telling them there's not a thing I found suspicious in researching Nelson Crown or his company." Walker turned back to face Charlie. "Let me see those business cards and see what comes up."

  Charlie handed him the cards and Walker turned to his computer and keyed in the first name. "Randal Samuel Stewart, Family law is listed in two offices, here and Salinas, where apparently he resides. Member of the California Bar for 12 years. No complaints filed with the bar."

  "We met the other one; Richards," Jenny said.

  "Allen Lewis Richards, Corporate…" Walker started to say.

  "Lewis, as in Lew on the tape?" Jenny asked.

  "Maybe, Jenny. Edwards let's get bank statements on Allen Lewis Richards."

  "Right away, Chief," Edwards said as he returned to his desk. They all froze and stared as two figures appeared in the office doorway.

  "Chief Rodney Walker, I am Special Agent Mills and this is Special Agent Downey, from the FBI's San Jose Field office. We have sent agents to Santa Cruz PD and we are here to gather your evidence in the Karen Meyers murder and the video portraying her involvement in human trafficking."

  Mills was a large man, over six feet tall and weighed about 230 pounds. He must have been in his late fifties with short-cropped, graying hair. He had flashed his badge quickly as he entered Chief Walker's office. Special Agent Downey was a woman, small build and easily ten years younger than Mills. She stayed outside Chief Walker's office but was very attentive to the transaction.

  "We are currently investigating this case…" Walker started to say.

  "We thank you for whatever you have discovered related to this matter. As we are assuming control of this investigation, we will need you to cease in that effort as it will possibly jeopardize our investigation already in progress." Mills handed Walker his card then added, "Please forward anything directly to me at either the email address or fax number listed there."

  "Edwards get the chain of evidence document going on the video tape for them to sign," Walker said.

  "Yes, Chief."

  "We will also need whatever reports and notes you have on this case." Mills looked down at Charlie and Jenny sitting in the chairs. "Hello, how are you two involved in this matter?"

  "We are Charlie and Jenny Watson. My wife purchased the used camera that had the tape in it," Charlie said.

  "Downey, get their contact information and names of anyone they have been in contact with concerning this investigation." Mills turned back to them and added, "Mr. and Mrs. Watson, please follow Special Agent Downey to an available desk and let me personally thank you for bringing this to light." Without a word Charlie and Jenny stood and followed Downey to a desk outside Chief Walker's office. They gave Special Agent Downey their address and phone numbers and discussed Jenny's notes in detail with her. After 20 minutes, Downey scanned her notes.

  "Thank you, I think that should do it," Downey began. "Now this is very important, I realize you two are feeling connected to this case but not only could your trip to Marina Professional this morning have alerted the traffickers, if it happens again, it will also be considered interference with a federal investigation."

  "You have a hell of a way of saying thank you," Charlie said.

  "Mr. Watson, we are professional investigators and you and your wife are emotionally involved here."

  "Will you let us know what happens?" Jenny asked.

  "We will contact you if we have any further questions. When, and I emphasize 'when' and not 'if' this goes to trial, you will probably be called as witnesses relating to the discovery of the video tape."

  "I can live with that," Jenny said.

  "Thank you again, Mr. and Mrs. Watson." Downey gathered her notes and joined Special Agent Mills who was waiting at the main department entry doors. Charlie and Jenny sat there a moment and just looked at each other.

  "I think the FBI losing the Chief and Edwards in this was a mistake," Jenny said.

  "Not to mention, what did Downey say? You're emotionally involved. Jenny, I can't say I'm not relieved you're out of harm's way."

  "Do you think they'll give it the effort it needs?"

  "Yes I do, and they have the resources. Let's go home Jenny." They stood, walked over and stuck their heads into the Chief's office on their way out.

  "I guess that’s a wrap," Walker said. "You two headed home?"

  "Yes, Chief. Jenny has our newest resident to spoil," Charlie said. "What are your thoughts on Mills and Downey?"

  "The Bureau must have a new friendliness policy. Usually they ride their high horses into the office and we are left to shovel out what they leave behind."

  "They did make it real clear they didn't want our help," Jenny said.

  "Being federal agents, Jenny, they will have everything you ever wanted to know about Karen Meyers, including her work history from the IRS that we are still waiting on, before they even get back to their office. So with that out of the way, what's our next investigation?"

  "Right, Chief, that's funny. For us, it's investigating how our furniture will best fit on the fourth floor of Watson Man
or," Charlie said as they headed toward the door.

  When they pulled into the driveway back at Watson Manor, Shadow leaped off the porch and ran to Jenny's side of the truck. She jumped out of the truck and gave the excited, wiggling mass a big hug.

  "We're home, boy and have some treats for you," Jenny said. Charlie grabbed the bags and dog bed from the truck and followed them into the trailer.

  The old Chevy Nova cruised past slowly and then drove off.

  Chapter 11

  Judy drove her Nova back to the law firm and parked in the lot. When she entered the office she saw Lew in the conference room with two people she had not seen before dressed in business suits. Lew looked up as she stood in the conference room doorway.

  "Judy, come in," Lew said. When she took a seat he continued," This is Frank, number two in Crown special projects and his wife Linda. They are from our Salinas operation." He laughed and added," Or should I say Special Agents Mills and Downey of the FBI."

  "Hello," Judy said clearly a little confused. She turned back to face Lew. "I followed them to a construction site; the sign said 'Watson Manor', Charlie and Jenny Watson."

  "Thanks, Judy, we will have to keep an eye on them," Lew said. "Frank was just telling me that shutting down the investigation at the Marina PD couldn't have gone smoother." He held up the recovered video tape and handed it to her, "Pull the tape out and run it through our document shredder."

  "What about Karen in Santa Cruz?" Judy asked.

  "That was a colossal mistake, she should have been fish food," Frank said. "Our regular guys were in Kansas City at the time. The morons we pulled in didn't even bury the body, expected local wild-life to do the work for them.

  "Is there a tie between Karen and Crown?" Lew asked.

  "There is no employment paper trail to Crown. Her being seen in the Mercedes with the Crown's Seal the Deal promotion plate was a fluke that the Watson's dug up," Frank replied.

  "Speaking of the Watson's, what does Crown want to do about them?" Lew asked.

  "They make him real nervous. If you see them snooping around let us know. We'll see about getting someone on the construction crew out there. With Marina PD shut down they've lost their investigative resource. If they're not smart enough to walk away from this… Let's just say there won't be bodies left behind this time," Frank said.

  "The studio here came down an hour ago, the truck just left for storage. As you requested, we will lay low for awhile." Lew said.

  *****

  Three weeks later.

  The smell of fresh paint lingered throughout the fourth floor of Watson Manor. It was early on Sunday morning and, to celebrate their first night in the new master bedroom, Charlie got up quietly to surprise Jenny by making breakfast as she continued to sleep. Shadow patiently watched Charlie at the stove turning the bacon in the pan, knowing one of those strips was soon to be his. Charlie filled two plates with scrambled eggs, bacon and hash brown potatoes. Then he dropped that awaited strip of bacon into Shadow's dish. He added a cup of coffee to the first serving tray and took it to the bedroom for Jenny. He found her sitting up in bed, rewarding him with a warm smile as he walked through the bedroom door.

  "Good first morning, sweetheart," he said setting the tray across her lap.

  "I didn't think it could get any better than last night, but this is a wonderful follow up, Charlie," she said, reaching for the coffee. She took a sip then added, "My man of many talents, thank you." He bent down and kissed her.

  "I had to mark our first morning, and love your kind words, but don't get the idea that our new residence comes with a role reversal." Charlie said, then went back to the kitchen and returned with his tray slipping into bed beside her.

  "This is wonderful, I didn't realize how hungry I was," she said. "You know, I never thought of us as having rigid roles before."

  "I guess you're right. Just wanted you to know it'd be ok with me if you beat me to the kitchen more often than not," he said smiling.

  "I can live with that," she replied returning his smile. "As long as an occasional surprise like this is not out of the question."

  "Works for me," he said. "I just really enjoy surprising you. If I did it all the time…"

  "Yeah, right, I get it," she said laughing.

  "We've been so focused on getting our floor ready, have you heard anything from the Chief or Edwards?" he asked.

  "I called the Chief, Thursday, I think. Nothing from the FBI, but he didn't expect to be kept in the loop and he is still very annoyed they tied his hands."

  "What bothers me is that nothing seems to be happening at Marina Professional. I could have sworn there was something wrong there," Charlie said.

  "Sounds like you've been driving by there also? I often see one of those big, UPS trucks there. How many package deliveries does a law firm get?"

  "Now that you mention it, I've seen them there as well. A big brown UPS truck in a residential area, even double-parked is a common sight. They are everywhere and as big as they are, they still have a way of blending in," he replied.

  "Hide in plain sight," Jenny said. "They must own the truck, bought a used one for cover. I would like to see if theirs has beds instead of package shelves."

  "That's what I'm thinking, but we're no longer involved, remember."

  "Seems to me, you're the one that brought it up mister."

  "You're right, but I'm driving by, not looking in UPS truck windows."

  "Maybe we can find something else to do on our first lazy morning in our new penthouse residence," she said.

  "I really like the way your mind works..."

  "I wasn't suggesting mental activity," she said.

  "As I was saying, I love our wordless communication."

  "Now you're talking. Come speak to me."

  They were in the new shower an hour later and Jenny pulling out of an embrace said," You know what I'd like to do today?"

  "It's only a fifty gallon water heater and only good of 20 minutes," he said.

  "There is that, but I'd like to pack a picnic lunch for us."

  "On the beach?"

  "You're going to be working tomorrow. I'd like to drive by Crown Storage in Salinas. You can't tell me you haven't thought about that place."

  "Jenny, the FBI is running with this. I hate what these people are doing as much as you do, but what could we possibly do they aren't doing?"

  "You said it yourself, why didn't we read about the big bust at Marina Professional if they are doing so much?" she said.

  "I could have been wrong there, maybe they are watching it. If the FBI is staking out the storage place in Salinas and see us, they could arrest us for interfering with the investigation."

  "We stay in the truck, a drive by, I promise nothing more."

  "The Lawyer knows our truck, if they are working together so will the people in Salinas."

  "It's been a while since you've fired up your semi rig. Don't you need to run it every so often?"

  "Hide in plain sight with CW Trucking painted on the door," he said.

  "They might know your GMC pickup, but they don't know our name or what CW stands for. Lord knows you kept me guessing a few days."

  "Considering Woefully," he told her.

  "No Crime Watchers. If it all looks legit there I'll back off, I promise."

  "If that crime scene photo of Karen Meyers, that I can't stop thinking about didn't bring you to see the risks here and I know you're crazy enough to go by yourself. I need your word after this to let the FBI handle it. Hell, if we see something, we can't even tell them. They'll ask what we were doing there. I think a picnic on the beach makes a lot more sense."

  "I see the next five little children standing on the auction stage," she said stepping out of the shower.

  Charlie shut off the shower, dried off and walked to their bedroom. Jenny was dressing and he sat on the end of the bed. "I hate these monsters too, but there will always be abducted children Jenny."

  "I know that. These mons
ters were given to us. We didn't see it on the TV news or read a newspaper article…We were given the tape."

  Charlie started to get dressed and after a few moments said, "Make my sandwich a simple roast beef, maybe some cheese but leave those foul sprouts in the fridge."

  "Thank you Charlie."

  Chapter 12

  Crown Storage in Salinas, California was a short 20 minute drive from Marina and backed up to Interstate 101. It was bordered on the right side by Main Street which was an over pass as it crossed Interstate 101 and split as the continuation of Main Street closest to Crown Storage and the southbound on ramp for Interstate 101 further away. On the left side of Crown Storage was a huge old steel building, three stories high, a hundred feet wide and twice as long. The building was centered on a cracked and weathered gray asphalt slab with a blend of weeds and small trees breaking through. Salinas Steel Supply once a bright red painted sign on the side of the building was a very faded pink. It was clear that life had left this business twenty plus years ago.

  Charlie passed the front of the storage lot slowly on Bentley Ave that was the entrance to the complex. A single story office sat in the center of the front lot area behind a small parking area with ten parking spots and two cars parked there. Ten foot electric sliding gates were on either side of the office with the right side having a sign marked entrance with a key pad. They could see three two story storage buildings behind the gates and office. The bright orange paint looked fresh, not more than a few years old and the buildings not more than ten years old. Driving past, the line of rollup doors could be seen along the side on the lower level, the doors alternating between six and twelve foot widths.

  "This place is a lot bigger than I expected," Jenny said.

  "I'm guessing at least three quarters if not a full acre," Charlie told her. "Let's get an aerial view from that overpass."