Witness to a Murder

by J Hamilton-Fford

  A deep scar on the side of his face, close to his left eye, registered something in the back of my mind, a recollection of a newspaper photograph perhaps. I might have imagined it, I don't really know.

  'What I would like you to do is give my offer some serious consideration. If only to safeguard the safety of your children and grandchildren,' he said. He looked my way once more and stood in front of me, confident and self-satisfied.

  My legs said, 'Run!' My heart wanted to take my children and grandchildren and move somewhere out of his reach. I began to tremble and felt physically sickened by his veiled threats, worried that he might kill them if I did not take him seriously.

  'You are not here simply because you think you may have witnessed something, a murder as you call it. Far from it, as I have already told you I am a businessman, someone who knows from experience when certain ventures deserve the right backing. Besides that, I promised your husband I would look after your interests,' he said.

  A bomb had just exploded in front of me. I gasped. I was caught in the fall-out, the shrapnel was cutting through my brain like a thousand little knives and I forced myself to breathe. I would not succumb to this man and his games.

  'What does my husband have to do with this?'

  'Did you really think he was coming to New York to see Max Menotti, my dear? Max is a mutual acquaintance. Your husband was coming to do business with me. He knew of your dreams and wanted to put them in place. I promised him then that I would look after your interests. Ironic, isn't it? How odd and unfortunate things befall so many?'

  'How did he know? I'm sorry, but now you have me so confused that I still don't know just what it is that you are offering me,' I said. I had a million and one thoughts in my head competing for my attention and my fears returned to my children.

  'I am prepared to offer you a helping hand, a chance to begin this Foundation of yours, to see it work and to ensure that your clientele visit your establishment time and time again,' he said. He walked across to the window.

  'And in return for your generosity? What do you expect of me?' I asked.

  'Your ideas are important to me, as is your success. It would be unwise of you to meddle in my affairs or involve the authorities,' he replied. 'I would naturally feel upset, simply because I, like you, would like to see your venture flourish. I would also have to rethink my offer to help you succeed and perhaps rescind my offer of protection to your family.'

  A pregnant pause spoke volumes. I couldn't speak.

  'My dear, how many famous faces have you seen this evening? Do you think they come to my gatherings out of fear?' he asked. 'I think not. These people are part of the family, they owe their success to me, and yet, in reality, they owe me nothing. I do not pressure them, yet they would gladly defend my standing within the community before that of their own wealth and happiness, of that I can assure you. So, no more thoughts of veiled threats or of gifts to endorse your silence. As I have already stated, your silence could be arranged at a moment's notice,' he said.

  'I'm sorry. Obviously I've misjudged you and I apologize,'I said, unsure of what to say to make amends. His threats were very real. I could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice and witness it in his body posture. He was in control of the whole situation and he knew it.

  'Then we are both apologetic. I am hopeful that we will soon be celebrating a success and, please forgive my words, a new beginning within the family,' he said. His tone demonstrated his eagerness to lift the conversation and dispel the obvious animosity I felt towards him. 'Select the premises for your venture and let Rota know all that you require to get the Foundation started. I will provide the backing. All you need do, for your part, is to provide the expertise to make the business work,' he said.

  'You know I can never repay you for these clothes, jewels and backing the business,' I replied.

  'You will repay me three-fold by the first month of business and, as for profits, you will become a very wealthy woman in your own right and certainly without any help from me.' He walked away from the window and sat on the corner of his desk to face me.

  'But where would I begin? Where do I begin to look for premises? I had no intention of remaining in New York, let alone start a business here,' I said.

  'We have several ideal locations. As for living in New York, I can think of many locations where you would think you were at home in the country. Your home in Gilford need not be the only one you use.'

  'My home?' I was stunned by the fact that he actually knew just where in New Hampshire I lived.

  'It's a nice setting, so close to the lake,' he said. He passed me a photograph of the house and another of the children in the boat we owned. 'It appears that everyone is having so much fun together. But then looks can be deceptive, as can happiness.' He sighed another deep sigh.

  'Fun... yes,' I said. The photos shook in my hands as I began to tremble.

  'That will be all for now. Thank you,' he said, smiling that Cheshire Cat smile. Our meeting was now at an end. He rose from the corner of the desk and fingered some papers laying on top of it. 'Enjoy my hospitality, ask the questions you feel appropriate, and let Rota know what you require to take that first step towards your future happiness,' he said. He sat down and began writing as if I were no longer in his presence.

  A death-like, icy cold enveloped me as I knew my fate was sealed. Tears silently erupted and my mind raced as I walked down that avenue once again towards the heavy ornate oak door. What could I do?

  PART TWO

  CRACKS

  Family

  As that massive oak door closed behind me, the music stopped and everyone turned to look in my direction. I felt like I was trapped. Rota made her way through the gathering toward me.

  She smiled up at me and took hold of my hand. She handed me a handkerchief she had tucked in her sleeve. 'Pull yourself together, Louise. Let's get through this evening.' She stroked my arm and gave me a hug. Trembling, I was almost rigid with fear. She turned me towards a painting on the wall to allow me a moment to wipe my face. 'Come on now, my dear. Let me introduce you to the Senator and his wife,' she said.

  My feet and legs felt heavy. I had to consciously move, one step at a time, across the floor. Everything seemed to be in slow motion and I forced myself to breathe and smile.

  'I knew I shouldn't have come tonight,' I said.

  'He would have killed me had you not attended. Carl is a very powerful man,' Rota replied. 'He has influence over a great many things, including people. He can be quite intimidating at first, but very generous, especially when he's happy,' she said. She gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

  We stopped for a moment as a waiter came to us. I asked him for a glass of mineral water and he left to retrieve it.

  'I'm worried, not so much about me, but more for my children,' I replied. My eyes began to water again and I shivered. It felt like someone had just walked over my grave. 'He even knows where I live.'

  'Yes, I know,' she said. 'He just wanted to be sure that he could protect you, keep an eye on your home while you help set up the foundation.'

  'Protect me from whom? Who would want to harm me?' I asked.

  'You might unwittingly harm yourself and your children,' she replied. She turned to look directly into my eyes. 'I will do my utmost to ensure that no one harms you or your children. Just help Carl get this project off the ground and, once it's up and running, you will be able to retire on the profits and enjoy watching your grandchildren grow old.'

  'I will?' Relief flooded through me. I wanted to believe what Rota was telling me. The waiter returned and I drank the mineral water and returned the empty glass to him. 'Thank you,' I said. He nodded and walked away. I wiped the remaining tears from my face.

  'Now, let's put that smile back on your face so that you can feel relaxed and be able to enjoy the evening,' Rota said.

  'I'd like that.'

  'Let's find the Senator and his wife.' Rota spotted the couple from the mass of people in the roo
m.

  There were just too many famous people to meet and, before long, I was all laughter and smiles. Everyone had a great deal of adoration for Carl and they were eager to share their stories with me.

  Night turned to early morning and Rota informed me that I would need to leave the party first or no one else would. They would stay as long as I did. This party was in my honor, after all.

  She gathered our things and I made my way to the front door. The limousine was waiting and, as we pulled away from the well-wishing crowd, I began to wonder if I had been mistaken about Carl. Did I really see him on that rooftop? Could it have been someone else?

  Changes

  'Ms. Deveraux, how wonderful to see you this morning,' the manager of the hotel said. 'And Rota, I am so glad you will be staying with us. All of the changes have been made and Juanita is awaiting your arrival in the penthouse suite. She will assist you.'

  'Assist me?' I asked. I stood with my mouth agape. Surprised that these 'changes' had been made.

  Rota touched my chin to close my mouth and turned to the manager. 'Thank you, Raymond,' she said. 'You really must greet Ms. Deveraux by her first name, Louise. After all, she will be a guest here for some time to come.'

  'Of course,' Raymond replied. 'Louise, should you need anything, please ring down and we will attend to you posthaste. I hope your stay with us will be enchanting.'

  'Thank you, Raymond,' I replied. Rota touched my elbow to get my attention.

  'Come along, Louise,' she said. 'You and I both need a good night's sleep. What's left of it, that is.'

  The full length mirrors in the elevator offered me a chance to see myself as others had seen me. I could still turn a few heads, that's for sure. I felt like someone returning home after being nominated prom queen.

  They must have called up to the penthouse because Juanita was waiting for us. She was excited and eager to hear how the evening went but Rota quickly contained her exuberance.

  I slipped out of the gown with Juanita's assistance and slipped into the comfortable negligee I had unpacked the previous day. That's when it hit me. I had been in New York City for less that 48 hours and my whole life had been turned upside down.

  I watched Juanita put the necklace and earrings in the room safe and made a mental note to put them in the hotel safe in the morning. My head hit the pillow and I was fast asleep.

  The telephone was ringing. I could hear it plainly and, at first, I thought I was dreaming. I reached over to answer it only to knock the receiver onto the floor.

  'Ms. Deveraux, Ms. Deveraux?' The concierge repeated my name a few times before I answered him.

  'Yes,' I replied as I picked up the receiver. I wiped sleep from my eyes and sat up.

  'My apologies for disturbing you, but there are two men in the lobby waiting to see you,' the concierge said.

  'Who exactly are they?' I yawned and brushed my fingers through my disheveled hair.

  'Excuse me one moment,' he replied.

  'Ms. Deveraux, you don't know me, but Mr. Carbinicci has asked me to show you a property for the Foundation,' a male voice said.

  'You're right, I don't know you.'

  'Shall we say twenty minutes?' he asked.

  'What! You have to be kidding me. I'm not even dressed yet!' I said. 'I need to shower, dress, eat breakfast, do a whole manner of things before I'll be anywhere near ready.'

  'Twenty-five minutes, then. Might I also be so bold as to suggest you wear slacks.'

  'Don't push your luck,' I replied. I slammed the phone down on its cradle and placed it back onto the nightstand.

  The nerve of that man! What time was it anyway? I grabbed my watch from the bedside table and tried to focus through tired eyes. It was either 9:30a.m. or 3:00p.m. Either way, it was still too early to start traipsing around a building site looking at an empty property. I needed at least three cups of strong coffee before I could even face myself, let alone the world.

  'Who is it?' I shouted in answer to a knock on the bedroom door.

  'Juanita, madam.'

  'Come in, Juanita.'I said. 'How did you know I was awake?' I asked.

  'The concierge called me to let me know, madam.'

  'Please, Juanita, if you and I are going to be working together, please call me Louise.'

  'Oh, no, madam. I couldn't.'

  'I insist,' I said. 'Is Rota here?'

  'No madam, I mean, Louise. Rota has already left as she had some errands to run. She said to let you know that she would catch up with you a little later. She also wanted me to let you know that Murray would be your driver and watching out for you today.'

  'Very good,' I said. 'Now, do you know where they have stored my clothing?'

  'Yes, Louise. You have your very own walk-in closet.'

  'I don't have that many clothes, Juanita,' I said. I laughed in an attempt to help her relax.

  'Over here, Louise,' Juanita said. She gestured to a pair of French doors.

  The doors opened to a closet filled with wardrobe: gowns, dresses, suits, slacks, furs, coats, hats, nightgowns, shoes and, in the middle, an island filled with lingerie, scarves, belts, brooches, and ornamental jewelry. I found handbags hanging when I turned around. I was completely shocked by it all.

  'Oh my, goodness,' I said.

  'Louise,' Juanita said. 'You have fifteen minutes to get dressed and downstairs.'

  That brought me back to reality. I would have to wait to have a panic attack. 'Right,' I replied.

  'Breakfast is served in the other room,'Juanita said, 'Perhaps you would like to eat something while I get your wardrobe ready for today?'

  'Yes, thank you, Juanita. I'll be back in five minutes.'

  'Madam, Louise,' Juanita replied. 'You might want to wear this.'

  'Oh, yes, of course,' I replied. I took the robe from her hands, tied it around my waist and went to find breakfast.

  It didn't take long for a light breakfast as a fresh, delicious green smoothie was made for me. I jumped quickly into the shower and washed my face before donning the sensible, stylish and comfortable outfit Juanita had chosen for me. She brushed through my hair while I applied eyeliner and lipstick and the essential gear of watch, earrings and necklace completed my ensemble. Walking shoes were the order of the day and they fit perfectly. I was ready to face the world in under fifteen minutes.

  I had no idea of what to expect once I'd stepped out of the elevator, but I did heed their advice and wore slacks.

  The concierge nodded toward the two characters who were waiting my arrival. 'Thank you,' I replied, walking across the lobby to the two seated gentlemen.

  'Ah, Ms. Deveraux, my name is Andrews, we spoke earlier.' He rose from his seat and grasped my hand as if I were a long lost relative. 'This is my colleague, Morgan Finch,' he said. He pointed to someone who resembled Lurch, the Addams' Family butler.

  He merely nodded, his deadpan expression fixed and immutable, his hands crossed in front of his waist, legs apart, unmoved by my smile. He said little and made my blood run cold whenever he looked at me. To be truthful, he gave me the creeps.

  Neither of them spoke during the drive through the city although Lurch did develop an irritating whistle each time he inhaled and exhaled through his nose.

  Murray parked the limo and acted as my bodyguard as we toured the building site, offering his arm for support as I struggled to negotiate rubble and detritus. I did not consider myself to be 'at risk' but, being surrounded by a hoard of construction workers and in the company of two complete strangers could certainly be risky. With Murray at my side, I felt comfortable, protected and secure.

  The building was ideal for my purposes. I could already visualize how best to use the available space and turn the shell into a thriving business.

  'May I keep a copy of these?' I asked. I pointed to a set of floor plans.

  'Be my guest,' Andrews said. He rolled up the plans and slid them into a tube. 'I take it that you're happy with our suggestion?' he asked.

  'Oh ye
s, this will be most adequate for what I have in mind,' I replied.

  'Good, then we're done here,' he said.

  Murray and I started to walk back to the car while Andrews and Lurch hung back. Andrews answered a call on his mobile and offered all kinds of threats to whoever had called him. He stopped momentarily to address us, 'We'll make our own way back.' He waved his hand at us as we retraced our steps back to the limo.

  I'd no sooner climbed into the car when the in-car phone began to ring.

  'That will be for you,' Murray said. His eyes reflected in the rear view mirror directed mine toward the ringing telephone.

  'Hello,' I said as I placed the receiver to my ear.

  'Louise, its Carl. So tell me, how's your day going?' he asked. He had a cheerful ring in his voice.

  'It's going okay. I've just finished looking around the building actually.' His voice resonated inside my head and triggered flashbacks of the threats he'd made towards me and my children.

  'Have you eaten yet?' He sounded genuinely interested.

  'Well, no, not really. Just a smoothie for breakfast,' I replied.

  'Tell Murray to head straight for Luciano's. I will phone ahead and ensure you get a table. Have a nice meal and I'll try and catch up with you later,' he replied. I could hear that Cheshire Cat smile form on his face.

  'Okay, oh and thank you,' I said. 'Murray, please head for Luciano's.' The slight nod of his head confirmed that he had heard me and accepted my command.

  I had absolutely no idea where we were or where we were heading and trusted that Murray knew how to get there. As it was, we were not too far away from the restaurant and had soon stopped. Murray was quick to leave the driver's seat and open the door, holding out a hand to steady me.