While Rome Was Sleeping

by M. S. Forsythe

  “No, nothing,” Monte answered hastily. “It’s—its personal, just something I was looking into on my own,” he responded lamely, “but thanks, anyway,” he added.

  “Maybe you should go home,” Ed told him. “I can hold things down here.”

  “Yeah, maybe I will after awhile,” Monte agreed. He had made a couple of routine calls and then pushed away from his desk. “I’m going out for awhile; gotta’ meet a guy,” he told Ed, who by this time was buried in writing reports.

  Ed just shook his head thinking, “There he goes again.” He didn’t even raise his eyes from the desk. “Yeah, okay.”

  Monte decided he had to call Ramsey. He couldn’t put it off any longer. Instead of using a pay phone downstairs, he left the building and walked a couple of blocks to another public telephone booth and dialed Ramsey’s private line. He heard the cold, formal voice,

  “Ramsey.”

  “It’s Monte, Mr. Ramsey.”

  “I’m very eager to hear your good news, Detective Maxwell.” He said dryly.

  Monte felt sick to his stomach. His belly was on fire and his mouth was dry.

  “I’m waiting, Detective.”

  “Well, you see, Mr. Ramsey the news isn’t so good. The merchandise cannot be found.”

  “Explain that, please.” Ramsey’s voice became even colder.

  “The men searched the Center, but there wasn’t anything there. I even went and searched their room; I thought they might be holding out on me. There was nothing in the room so I waited for them and beat the crap out of them, but even then, they swore they hadn’t found anything of Kelshaw’s and I gotta’ believe them.”

  Ramsey was silent for a minute or two. He sighed, “That is too bad for you, Monte.”

  Monte was coming apart. Wiping his face with his handkerchief, he started to shake. “I’ve got to make one last stab at this,” he thought. “Listen, Mr. Ramsey, we might be looking in the wrong place, maybe even at the wrong guys,” he paused.

  “Go on,” Ramsey said with forced patience.

  “Well, our two guys maybe didn’t have time to get the merchandise when they hit Kelshaw. I guess the priest came running out pretty quick. The guys barely got away. Maybe the priest got the stuff and hid it some place besides the Center.”

  “And if that’s the case just how do you plan to retrieve it and when? My client is getting impatient and so am I.” Ramsey emphasized.

  “I have a plan, Mr. Ramsey,” Monte went on nervously. “See, I plan to call on this Father Ben Lee in a professional capacity. I mean I’ll just have a little talk with him about Kelshaw and the merchandise he was carrying. I want this Father Lee to be aware that by keeping the merchandise he is in danger of obstruction of justice and it will not bode well for hi... ”

  “Don’t be an idiot!” Ramsey interrupted. “You can inquire, but don’t try to intimidate a priest, for the love of... ”

  “But, Mr. Ramsey, he could have hidden it some where other than the Center,” Monte insisted, his anxiety escalating.

  “Why would he do that, Monte? I repeat, DON’T BE AN IDIOT!” Ramsey raised his voice in exasperation.

  “You’re right... you’re right... what if I ask him if Kelshaw might have left something behind or said something to him about something?” Monte babbled on in desperation.

  “Now you listen!” Ramsey cut Monte off, his words came slow, deliberate, and venomous. “I don’t give a damn what you ask, but I want whatever possessions, that’s everything, that Kelshaw had on him. Is that clear?? I want it and I want it NOW! Do you understand me?”

  Ramsey with forced self control continued the verbal attack on Monte in a final instruction. “I want you to consider Andrew Kincaid as another possibility. Oh yes, and you get rid of your other two loose ends! Today is Thursday; I’m giving you until next Monday to come up with the rest of the deal. I expect to hear from you before then. Don’t disappoint me!”

  “I... ” Monte began, but Ramsey had hung up. “He didn’t let me finish,” he muttered to himself. He had to come up with something... soon. He thought about the money, he only had half and that was likely all he would get. Maybe he could get out of town, out of Ramsey’s reach if he could just get his hands on more. Jake and Leo may not have spent all the cash they had but he didn’t find it when he tossed their room. What did they do with thirty thousand dollars? “They won’t need it.”

  Thoughts were running like rabbits through his brain. Monte knew he had to pull himself together. “I’ve got to focus on getting that merchandise. The priest and Kincaid; they’re the ones that are left. Has to be one of them,” he told himself, firmly.

  Monte went back to his office. “I’m going home, Ed, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  10:15 AM

  He decided the Center should be his first stop. He would roust the priest. “It’s an opportune time since the place was just broken into last night,” he thought; but seeing the police still on the scene and spotting Jim Savalza, Monte’s plan was quickly deflated.

  He parked and watched for a short time. He noticed Savalza talking with a man outside and identified him as Andrew Kincaid. Monte badly wished that he could hear the conversation but could only hear the din of the traffic on the Alaskan Way Viaduct overhead.

  He decided to wait until Savalza and Kincaid had left and then he would drop in the Center and see what was happening. While he waited he rehearsed in his mind how he would approach Father Lee. With Ramsey’s words ringing in his head he dismissed any thought of a heavy approach, although that would have felt more natural to Monte.

  In a few minutes he was gratified to see both men leave. Waiting five or six minutes, he casually entered the front door of the Center. Even Monte was blown away by the mess; Jake and Leo had been thorough in their search. Seeing Father Ben speaking with a male volunteer, he nodded and Father Ben concluded his conversation and greeted Monte apologetically. “I am so sorry to have a visitor see our Center in such chaos.”

  “Monte quickly reassured Father Ben, “It’s all right, Father, I’m with the Police Department,” showing his badge. “I just have a couple more questions. I just saw Detective Savalza so I know he covered almost everything, but I need to know if the victim left any of his possessions here before he was killed. It might help the Department get a better line on what the motive might have been.”

  Ben was somewhat surprised and before accommodating Monte he saw Davey approaching them. He said quickly, “Davey, I have some letters that need to go out today, would you kindly take them to the box on the corner?” He wanted Davey out of the Center until he knew what this Detective really wanted. “No, Detective,” he responded cautiously, “Mr. Kelshaw did not leave anything here; he did not even have a duffel bag or anything like that with him. From the look of his clothing, I would say that his personal possessions were practically non existent.”

  Ben added firmly, “In fact Detective, if you will look around you will notice the Center is still in disarray after it was broken into last night. As you can also see, the contents of everything were upset and thrown on the floor and even the desk in my office was violated, drawers were emptied onto the floor, the file cabinet broken into and also emptied onto the floor. Everything was left in a terrible state of confusion. If Mr. Kelshaw had left anything of value here it would probably have been taken by whoever broke into our Center. What in particular are you looking for?”

  Monte sat for a moment while his thoughts settled. Without answering Ben’s inquiry, “One more question, Father. Since Andrew Kincaid was with you and Kelshaw at the hospital, do you think it is possible that he gave Kincaid anything to hold for him?”

  Ben looked squarely at Monte. “No,” he said carefully. “I am certain that Mr. Kelshaw did not give Andrew Kincaid anything; again I ask you, Detective, what exactly are you looking for?” This interview didn’t feel right.

  Monte was on the spot replying quickly, “Nothing specific, Father. We just need something to help us with the
identification.”

  “You have his name and whatever possessions he may have had were with him when he left the Center. I don’t believe his attackers had time to rob him. But I have already given much of this information to Detective Savalza Detective ah...” Ben paused,” I don’t believe I heard your name.”

  Monte barely audible, responded, “Maxwell, Monte Maxwell.”

  “As I was saying, Detective Maxwell, Detective Savalza has much of this information, perhaps you should speak with him.” The question regarding Andrew raised Ben’s level of discomfort. “I’m sorry I cannot help you more than what I have told you. I must continue with the clean up and I have some appointments. Detective Savalza will be checking in on us later today, I’ll mention that you asked.”

  Monte wilted inside. “Oh, that’s fine, Father, no need ... since Kelshaw didn’t leave anything here no need to bother Savalza with this. I’ll—I’ll catch up with him later. Thanks for your time,” Monte mumbled.

  Ben watched the big detective lumber toward the door and waited until he was outside before picking up the phone and dialing Jim Savalza. “Jim, this is Father Ben, after you left today another detective stopped by to ask some questions. I thought you should know.”

  “Oh? What detective? What did he want?” Jim’s curiosity was clear.

  “He wanted to know if there were any items belonging to Mr. Kelshaw that might have been left behind at the Center. He said his name was Detective Maxwell.”

  ✽✽✽

  In the car Monte was thinking fast and furiously about his next move. It had to be Kincaid. He thought about Ramsey’s deadline, Monday, only until Monday. He decided if Kincaid had anything that belonged to Kelshaw he would probably have it stashed at home and not the Times or KGM.

  Finding Andrew’s address Monte proceeded to acquaint himself with the apartment house and neighborhood. He then determined to wait for the right opportunity to access the apartment in Andrew’s absence. “I’ve got the weekend,” he told himself.

  By this time, down deep Monte didn’t really believe that Kelshaw carried anything of value, but he knew he would never convince Ramsey. He needed another plan. His mind went back to the money. “Unless the merchandise turns up I won’t get the other hundred thousand, but what about Leo and Jake’s dough? They each got fifteen thousand; they haven’t had time to spend it so they must have it, somewhere. Tomorrow they won’t need any money where they’re going; then I’ll visit the St. Croix again. Maybe I missed something. I can take my time, they won’t be coming back,” he laughed to himself. “If I can find that money I can get out of town before I have to talk to Ramsey again. On the other hand if Kincaid has something of Kelshaw’s I can collect the other hundred grand, and,” he ruminated greedily, “the other half of Jake and Leo’s take too.”

  ✽✽✽

  Andrew followed Charlene’s request dropping her at the garage to pick up her car. She assured him that she was fine and he took her word for it knowing he would be calling her later just to make certain. He actually found his parking space clear. Entering the lobby of the Times he saw Wendy at the reception desk. As she was about to hold out her hand to offer a stack of messages as he hurried past, Andrew surprised her. He took the messages and stopped, “Thank you, Wendy. You know, you really do a heckuva’ good job here and you may not know it, but I for one appreciate you!”

  Wendy looked stunned. Andrew couldn’t help but laugh and added, “See I can still surprise you, but I do mean it.” He left Wendy looking after him with her mouth still open.

  Looking at his messages he spotted one from Jim Savalza. At his desk he quickly dialed Jim’s number, “Hey, it’s Kincaid, what’s going on?”

  Jim held the phone against his shoulder while grabbing a pen, “Yeah, thanks for getting back so soon. We got some good prints from the desk and the file cabinet that match a couple of illustrious citizens of our fair city. I know this is short notice, but can you come down and have a look at a couple of mug shots? I’d like to get these guys before they know we’re hot on their trail.”

  “That was fast! You guys are really on the ball,” Andrew said enthusiastically. “Sure, I’ll come. My day is essentially shot full of holes anyway. Have you called Ben?”

  “No, not yet, I thought I’d give you the first opportunity since these might be the same two you helped throw out yesterday,” Jim answered.

  “Thanks, I’ll be there shortly.” Hanging up; he laid aside the mostly written column started on Tuesday, grabbed a note book from his desk drawer and headed for the Public Safety Building. Finding Jim Savalza at his desk filling out paperwork, he interrupted the Detective’s concentration with, “Now I know why I didn’t become a cop, I hate filling out forms!”

  “You probably don’t have the mental capacity for it,” growled Jim good-naturedly. “Come on; let’s have a look at the family albums.” He led the way to a desk and seated, Andrew began turning pages in the first mug book, then, there they were both on the same page, Leo Tanner and Jake Schultz. Jim stood next to Andrew, “You’re sure?” Andrew nodded. He recognized Leo even with the long stringy hair in the mug shot. “Absolutely! Neither of them have changed that much. You know beauty is timeless.”

  The detective chuckled, “Okay, it’s a match with the prints. These are our guys, at least the ones who trashed the Center. Let’s have a look at the rap sheet. Yeah,” he said mostly to himself, “They’ve both been out of the can for awhile, but...,” Jim seemed puzzled, “Schultz did hard time for assault with a deadly weapon and was paroled last year. Tanner’s record is mostly for petty theft and breaking and entering. This stuff at the Seamen’s Center doesn’t match the usual Method of Operation. He looked at Andrew, but there was no reaction other than a nod of agreement.

  “You’re right about the MO, but they are the guys we threw out of the Center and the fingerprints have nailed them down. Right?” he queried.

  Jim nodded and then added, “Yeah, but there is a piece of the puzzle that doesn’t fit; motive! What was their motive? They had to be looking for something. I don’t suppose you have a theory about that, or do you?” he asked doubtfully peering at Andrew. Not waiting for him to answer, Jim concluded, “Never mind, we’ll find out when we pick them up.”

  Andrew gave a sigh of relief, “Then we’re done.”

  Chapter 5

  Friday, September 19, 1980

  5:30 AM

  Friday dawned clear and balmy; Andrew opened the sliding door to the balcony of his apartment and stepped out into the early morning. Resting his hands on the rail he breathed in the fragrant salty air.

  This is one of the things he loved about living in Seattle. One day it could be blowing a gale, raining cats and dogs, and the next, you wake up to a beautiful calm morning like this. Looking west he could see Elliot Bay and the Space Needle. Off to the right he could see some early morning haze on the water in Lake Union that seemed to be drifting after a couple of boats heading out. He stood looking appreciatively, wondering what this day would hold.

  Back inside the small kitchenette he brewed himself a pot of strong coffee and thought of Charlene Thayer. He would call her later to set something up; perhaps they could finish their talk over dinner. He chuckled to himself as he thought about his conversation with Jim Savalza regarding Charlene. He wondered what she would think if she knew.

  After a short run and quick shower he dressed and decided to drop in at the Seamen’s Center before going to the Times. Driving to the Center he thought about the packet residing in the desk drawer at his office and the possibility of meeting Neil Klein, soon, he anticipated.

  Arriving at the Center Sister Ruth captured him with a neck squeezing hug, Saying, “Andrew, I hope and pray they get those hoodlums that broke in here and made such a mess.

  Officer Reilly has stopped by the last two days to check on us and make sure everything is okay. I won’t sleep a wink until they’re caught. I know they threatened you! God takes a dim view of people who mess
with his work and his people,” Ruth’s rosy countenance was warming to the possibility of a sermon.

  “Now, now,” Andrew said holding up his hands, “I’m not getting into that. Let’s just be glad that we found out who did it. Tell Father Ben to call me at the Times when he gets in. By the way where is he?”

  Ruth responded, “Oh Andrew, he had to visit one of the ships this morning. He took Byron with him. He is doing a communion service for a crew that wasn’t allowed to come in.”

  “Just tell him I stopped and I’ll call him later. Hey, Sister,” Andrew paused and looked toward the pleasant faced, blue and white garbed nun, “You are one swell lady!”

  Ruth beamed as she watched him bound out to his car. “You’re not so bad yourself,” she mused.

  At the Times Andrew devoted his energy to the stack of mail on his desk that was growing. He was working on his column when the phone rang; he picked it up and casually responded, “Kincaid”

  “Good morning, Andrew, this is ‘Evan Scott’. I just arrived at the Washington Athletic Club. The accommodations are very nice; thank you. When can we get together?”

  Andrew recognized the deep, pleasant voice of Neil Klein and responded, “Good to hear from you ‘Evan,’ and I’m glad you found your way to the WAC without any trouble. I’m open for the better part of the afternoon. I assume that you want to meet with Father Ben Lee as well; am I right?”

  Neil answered affirmatively, “Definitely, the matter with Aunt Martha has some affect on Father Lee as well.”

  “Let’s see its 10:25 now,” Andrew responded, “I’ll call Ben and make sure he can join us. We have been expecting you so both of us have tried to keep our times flexible. I’ll get back to you in a couple of minutes to confirm a time.”

  A short time later Andrew called back confirming lunchtime meeting at 12:30 in the WAC dining room.

  “How will I find you?” Neil asked.