by S. C. King
“What are his reasons?”
“He is a sadistic person with too much to lose if his son joins his brother's business. The whole story is about how he manages to convince everyone, except the mother, that he wasn’t the murderer.”
“Tell us more about it?” Davis insisted.
“He sends the mamba through the mail, drugs his son’s tea, and makes sure he is with other people, while the murder is taking place. As you can see, a lot of the details are similar to my son’s case.”
“Except for the fact that he was drugged with an injection, and there are still no clues of how the snake got here,” Wood expressed his opinion. From the moment he had read the book, Wood had started to wonder about the small differences. He couldn’t understand, why whoever killed Rick, used the book as an inspiration, and then did some of the most important things differently.
“Yes,” the father said. “I noticed that.”
Davis asked his old friend not to leave town, and asked Wood to let in the mother of the victim, Mrs. Jane Lowson. She had just arrived at the house from Fairbanks, where she was living with her new boyfriend. She entered the room looking devastated, with her makeup running all over her face and uncontrollable tears coming down.
“Jane, if you prefer, we can do this another time?” Davis offered, while helping her to sit down on a chair. They were conducting the investigation in one of the house’s rooms, as the detective decided that it would be easier to talk to all involved and keep an eye on the place.
“No, I want to do everything in my power to help you find the person who killed my son,” Mrs. Lowson said in a weak, but determined voice. “There is nothing I would not do for him.”
“Okay, then what can you tell us about Rick’s last few days, his work, his friends, and enemies?” Davis asked politely, sitting beside her and even taking her hand to offer some comfort.
“I haven’t seen Rick for over a week now, as he wanted some quiet place to work. We spoke on the phone twice during that time, and he seemed calm and happy with the progression of his case. I know little to nothing about his work, but he told me that the case was a big one, and that he had the necessary proof to win it.”
“We will make sure to find out more about it, Mrs. Lowson,” Wood said. “But, what about any enemies? The murder seems very personal, not like something a criminal would do, in order to dispose of a too clever attorney.”
“I have never seen Rick arguing or having fights with anyone,” the woman shook her head. “He is a very calm and understanding person... oh, God... he was...”
A crying fit interrupted her words, and Wood went to bring her a glass of water. “Can I do anything else for you?” he asked, concerned. Wood refused to sit down until she gained some composure.
“I am fine, thank you,” she tried to smile at him. “I don’t know anything about any enemies, but you should ask his friends, they are the ones who might know something.”
Davis thanked Wood for his help, and asked him to go and find Rick Lowson’s friends. Wood understood his words for what they were, and left them alone to talk about the pain of losing a son.
Chapter 5
The investigation continued with the interrogation of the neighbors and Rick’s friends. The first neighbor claimed that there had been nothing unusual in the house the last few days, and only an old lady insisted that a big white van had been parked in front of it the day before. Wood wasn’t sure what to make of her words, thanked her, and promised to look into it.
Rick’s friends, on the other hand, were more difficult to handle. All three of them had been in the house only two days before, and all three of them knew how to enter the house without being escorted in. They confessed that they have done it multiple times as kids, and all of them insisted that they had nothing to do with the murder.
“Rick was our best friend,” Mike Porter insisted. “We used to do everything together, even after his parents separated and he went to live with his mother.”
“He had no enemies,” Sam Kennel added. “Even back in school, he preferred to talk to people rather than hit them. I always admired that in him. Rick was a great man, a wonderful friend, and I am sure he would have become an excellent lawyer.”
“What about some love triangle or something of the sort?” Davis tried a different angle.
“He had a girl a while back, but even after the separation, they remained friends,” Tom Stuard said. “She was also a lawyer, and he thought that there might be too much pressure on their relationship, if they both were working in the same field.”
“When you met him for the last time, was there something unusual about him?”
“He was very excited about the case he was working on. Something about a drug company killing people...” Tom tried to remember the facts. “I think he had found something that was going to help him win the case.”
“Did he tell you what?”
“No, but he invited us all to attend the hearing, and give him our moral support. Actually, that is where we were when Mr. Lowson called with the tragic news.”
“What happened in court?”
“Nothing, Rick’s boss asked for time to find a replacement for him.”
“Therefore the case was put on hold for now?”
“That is right,” Mike said. “You don’t think they killed him just to save some money?”
“Everything is possible,” Sergeant Wood confirmed. “There have been similar cases in the past, but the way the murder was conducted is too personal, don’t you think?”
“You are talking about the novel,” Tom spoke again. “We all read it when it first came out, but you should know that there are book clubs and mystery enthusiasts all over the country, who love it, almost as much they love their Bible.”
“We are aware of that,” Wood once again took the initiative. “But what can you tell us about the killer in the book? You know it is the father, right?”
“Mr. Lowson is an excellent writer with a great insight into human psychology,” Mike explained. “When I asked him why the father, he said that only he made sense. If you read the book, you would see that the boy is completely free of any other allegation. The inspector was unable to find even a single valid reason for him to be killed – except too little love and too much greed.”
“But that is not our case,” Sam quickly pitched in. “Mr. Lowson loved Rick more than anything else in the world.”
“I know that,” Davis shook his head. “That is why we have to find the person who not only killed his son, but made it seem like his own father committed the murder.”
“Just another Alaska mystery, detective, just another mystery...”
Chapter 6
So far, the investigation had given no proof of any hostile doings or criminal element. Wood and Davis hadn’t been able to find even one viable suspect, and that was making their lives a living hell. Reporters from all over the country were coming into Stronghill looking for sensational news and possible suspects.
For the moment, Wood had managed to keep them away from the family, but they all knew that things would change quickly. The captain was insisting on some good leads and an interview, while Davis wanted to keep things quiet for the time being.
The next step of the investigation took them to Fairbanks, and the law firm where Rick Lowson had been working for the last two years. His boss was very helpful, and offered to help the police with whatever they needed.
“Can you tell us about the case Mr. Lowson was working on?” Davis asked.
“Actually, this is the biggest case our firm has ever handled,” Mr. Dowson started. “It is about the drug trials conducted by Medix International. The drug company is owned by Jack Stone, who insists that the company wasn’t aware of the dangerous effects of their drugs. We are trying to prove that the company is responsible for the deaths of five people.”
“Do you have a strong case against them?” The detective asked.
“We are working on it,” the la
wyer was sorry to say. “Rick was our hope, as he was very passionate about the case and two days ago called, saying that he had proof of Jack Stone being guilty.”
“What was that proof?”
“I have no idea. He was supposed to tell me right before we got into court... you know what happened next.”
“What can you tell us about the case?” Wood asked for more information.
“The drug company has been conducting the trials for five years now. During that time, five of their patients died due to severe liver damage. Although there is documented proof of how the experimental drug caused the disease, the company refuses to admit guilt. The families of the dead patients decided to sue, so that it could pay for what it did and prevent the company from harming other people.”
Both Davis and Wood started to see the light at the end of the dark corridor this case had been running into. If the case was so serious and the drug company was really so ruthless, then it was an easy guess to say that they had hired someone to kill the young lawyer who had the proof of their guilt.
“What can you tell us about Mr. Stone?” Davis asked the next logical question.
“Oh, Mr. Stone!” The man exclaimed. “He is one of those men who has no heart or desire to help others. As much as I can tell, the man is ruthless and willing to do anything to save his money.”
That had been three hours before. Now, Davis and Wood stood in the doorway to the court, their collars fitting a little tighter than they had before, finding out about the case and how the drug company actions had caused so much pain. There was something wrong. Something very wrong with the situation.
Jack Stone’s face was beaming. His eyes sparkled and his entire body seemed at ease, which was something Davis didn’t like at all. He had smiled when he had spotted the police, and came to ask if everything was okay, but gave no indication that he knew anything about the killing of Rick Lowson or the upcoming investigation.
They had to do something. Not the least of which was solving the problem of finding the young man’s killer. Davis watched Stone coming toward them, and decided that the first thing he needed to do was get him alone.
“Mr. Jack Stone, I was wondering if I could speak to you on a private matter.”
Jack Stone stopped and looked at him. “Is everything all right, Detective?”
Davis took a deep breath. “I was wondering if we could talk. I need to ask you a few questions. “
Stone smiled. It was a superior look, like he hadn’t seen anyone smile before. “Of course. We have almost an hour before I need to be back in court. Come, let us go someplace private.”
Davis sighed in relief. There was something about the man that made him feel uneasy and all sweaty. The last thing he needed was to make a fool of himself in public. Together, they walked the quiet halls that smelled of smoke, into a small library. Stone led them to a back corner where there were comfortable armchairs.
“Please.” he gestured to the chair, and Davis nodded. “You seem troubled, Detective.”
“Yes,” he said as he sat. “You can say so.”
Stone frowned. “Do I? I’m sorry. But, what are we talking about. I seem to have holes in my memory.”
Okay. Playing cool. Davis was familiar with that. “That explains a lot.” He tried to look sympathetic. “What have you heard about the murder of Rick Lowson?”
Stone shook his head. “Not much, as this is the first time I heard about it. I have been in here the whole morning.” He shook his head again. “My lawyer told me that they would be back eventually. In the meantime, he said, I should wait patiently.”
Davis nodded. “Because of the murder, everything was put on hold.”
Stone’s face instantly transformed from a frown to concern, his hand reaching out to touch his face. The policemen watched him acting all concerned. “I’m so sorry. However, I don’t understand why you are here?”
Detective Davis pulled a file out of his bag. “We came here to talk to you.”
“What for? I barely knew the guy and anyway, I have been surrounded by police for months now.”
Stone was frowning now, and Davis sensed he was losing him. “Mr. Stone, listen. The murder was particularly cruel and we have reason to believe it had to do with the case Mr. Lowson was working on.”
“My case?”
“Yes. This case is special. And you and your company would lose a lot of money if you lose it, right?”
Stone shook his head. “Maybe… but there is no proof of any wrongdoing, so?” He looked around them and back to the detective. “So… why kill him?”
“We know that Mr. Lowson had found real proof about your criminal behavior. Now, that sounds like a good reason for you to get rid of him.”
“You do know you sound crazy.”
Davis smiled his best disarming smile. “I am not so sure about that.”
The library door opened, and a young clerk padded softly over to Sam. “Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Stone.”
“No problem.” Stone said with a smile. “What is it?”
“Your lawyer sent me to see if you would need his assistance during the interrogation, sir. He is waiting outside the library.”
Stone smiled that sarcastic, superior smile that always made Davis mad. “Of course. Tell him I’ll call him shortly.”
“Why do you need a lawyer, Mr. Stone?” Davis asked as the clerk left them.
“What?”
“Are you guilty?”
Stone frowned and stood up. “Of course I am not.”
“Mr. Stone, please, listen to me.” Davis almost grabbed his shoulders and turned him so that they could face one another. “Listen to me. If you are involved in any way in the killing of that young boy, I will find out and then you would lose not only your money, but also your freedom for good.”
Stone stepped back and turned toward the detective. “I’ve already said I know nothing about this murder. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to prepare for court.”
Davis sank into the chair as Stone walked away. Coming here was one thing, but threatening a suspect was completely another. He sighed and tried to figure out a way to find the truth.
Wood was still standing right behind him, looking as if nothing strange had happened. “What do you think?” Davis asked him.
“He is guilty,” Wood said, before heading for the door.
Chapter 7
After leaving the courthouse, Davis and Wood headed for Rose Donahue’s house. She was one of the first victims of the drug trial. Rick Lowson’s boss had pointed to her husband as the perfect man to speak to about the case. Mr. Donahue, according to him, worked in a very close collaboration with the young lawyer, and was probably the only one, who knew about the proof Rick had found.
As it turned out, Robert Donahue was a young man in his late thirties, who had lost his wife two years ago, and still had to come to terms with the fact.
“They killed her,” he said the policemen. “They killed her, and would not even admit it.”
“We are sorry to bring you the news about Mr. Lowson’s death, but is there something you can tell us about his latest discoveries about the case?”
“I can do better,” the man said. “I have a copy of the tape he was going to bring to court yesterday.”
Davis gave Wood an excited look, before turning back towards the other man. “Can you tell us everything from the beginning?” he asked him. “You seem to be the only one in possession of all the facts.”
“I was working with Rick from the very beginning of the case, as it was me who found the pattern and the connection between the five victims.” Mr. Donahue began. “Here are all the documents, photos, medical exams, and so on I have found during the years. As you can see, they prove that Medix International is the reason for the death of all these people.”
Mr. Donahue spread the multiple pieces of paper on the table, and pointed out a few especially important ones. “However, the lawyers said that this is not enough to send them to jai
l, so Rick and I, we started looking for some more solid proof. That was how we found an ex-employee who was willing to speak in court and even gave us the tape.”
“What tape?” Wood asked the question that had been bothering him from the beginning. “We found no tape among Rick’s belongings.”
“Here it is,” the man said, and brought forward a small recorder. “Listen carefully.”
After some static, the three of them were able to hear a part of a board meeting of Medix International, during which one of the doctors was expressing concerns for the health of their patients, while Jack Stone was dismissing it and asking him to continue with the trials no matter what.
“So,” Davis concluded. “The company was aware of the danger from the very beginning, but decided to do nothing.”
“No, detective,” Mr. Donahue disagreed. “They decided cold-bloodedly to kill my wife and the other patients.”
“Mr. Donahue,” Wood asked. “Do you have some other place to go?”
“Why?”
“Rick was killed because of this tape, so it would be better if you go somewhere safe until we have the killer in prison.”
They could see him thinking about the situation, and then agreeing to do what they asked. “I have a daughter,” he said with a smile. “I will take her and we can go to live with my parents for a while.”
“That is a very good idea,” Davis smiled encouragingly. “Give us the address, and we will send a police car to watch the house.”
The man agreed and after assuring them that he was the only other person who knew about the tape, Davis and Wood left the house. Now it was time to pay Mr. Stone another visit, this time with much more information in their pockets.
Chapter 8
Back in the headquarters of Medix International, Jack Stone was contemplating his next move. He was intelligent enough to know that the police would return soon, and he feared that this time his lawyer would not be enough to save him.
