Mistaken Identity Crisis: Death On The Cable Car (Braxton Campus Mysteries Book 4)

by James J Cudney

  “I don't have enough to do anything other than bring in Krissy for questions at this point. Yes, she has knowledge of electrical construction. Yes, she might've visited Quint's bedroom and taken something from it. Yes, you overheard that Imogene can place her near the cable car that night,” April explained, the frustration in her voice clear and deep.

  “Can you put a tail on her?” Nana D suggested, pacing the room. “Stop her from leaving town?”

  “We have to do things in the right order, Mayor Danby. As soon as we're done here, I will speak with Detective Connor Hawkins about his previous interviews with Imogene and Krissy.” April explained verification of Tiffany and Helena's attendance at a midnight movie while Quint was being killed.

  With alibis for the time of Quint's murder confirmed for Siobhan, Nicky, Helena, and Tiffany, we were left with Gabriel, Krissy, Paul, and Imogene as the only other potential suspects. “We know Gabriel didn't do it even if no one can verify his whereabouts when Quint had been strangled. Paul and Imogene are a possibility even though it's not likely based on Lara Bouvier's input. I suppose if Paul had found out Quint was the one who accosted his fiancée, he might have sought revenge.”

  Nana D agreed to be more patient and wait until the following day before asking for an update. She knew April and I had to focus on the nine o'clock Castigliano trade-off. Once she left to meet with her staff, April and I finished chatting about the evening's approach.

  “Cristiano will call at eight thirty to tell me where to meet him. He's watching, so you can't be anywhere near me,” I said, worried that a slip could cause monumental failure in the plan.

  “You're going to carry this tracking device.” April handed me a new pair of glasses. “My FBI contact had a chip embedded in the frame.”

  “Wait! How did you get the details of my prescription? Oh… how clever, you stole my glasses the other day at The Big Beanery.” My mouth dropped open in shock.

  “Never underestimate me, Kellan. I'm a determined woman.” April stood and removed my current pair of glasses. I could smell the new lavender body wash on her skin as her fingers brushed against my ears. “They're an identical match.”

  As April leaned back, I gently cradled her wrist. “I don't know how to thank you for doing this my way. You're not whom I expected, based on the day we first met.”

  “Neither are you,” April replied, her hand quivering against mine. “You can be arrogant and stubborn sometimes, but there's also this incredibly ador—”

  “Excuse me, are you two going to be leaving soon? I've got to clean up in here for Mayor Danby,” a deep voice boomed from the doorway.

  April turned around and told the assistant with inordinately bad timing that we were finished. While she was looking away, I closed my eyes and accepted the truth. I was developing feelings for the woman even with everything we'd been through together in the last few months. This was not a complication I could focus on until everything else calmed down in my life. I bolted from my chair and hurried to the other side of the room. “Sorry, we were working on a case together.”

  April and I left the office, pretending the moment never happened. An awkward and distant dance followed us from the silent office to the elevator, where we listened to light music and ignored each another. When we reached the lobby, she said, “I can track you wherever you are as long as you're wearing those glasses. Cristiano won't suspect we've done anything to them.”

  “I hope so,” I mumbled, looking around the front entrance, certain a Vargas henchman followed me. “That's why we couldn't get the FBI involved or wire me. He'll check as soon as I show up. He's quite clever.”

  April opened an app on her phone and showed how she was able to track me via GPS. “It's extremely sensitive, so we'll be able to get to the address or building, but not specifically where inside. You'll need to drop breadcrumbs if you can, but don't be obvious.”

  “What about the fake storage device? You were creating false documents and files in case he checked the size of content.” I waited for April to scan the lobby.

  She slipped a large thumb drive into my coat pocket. “That's what you'll give them if they ask for something before I show up.”

  Our plan was straightforward, but there was little room for chance or error. There never was in a situation like this. Neither party trusted the other, and someone would always do something unpredictable. If I stayed the course, we had a solid chance of escaping unharmed.

  I'd finish teaching my class tonight, then head home and wait for instructions from Cristiano. Once he told me where to meet them, I'd repeat it aloud on a recording device she'd already concealed in my living room. Someone from April's team would dial in to listen to the location as a fallback in case the GPS device in my new glasses failed to work. I'd drive to the meeting point and try to delay the handoff, assuming I could demand to see proof that Francesca was alive before handing over the storage device. Hopefully, it would give April's team enough time to surround the building and ensure a safe rescue. It could turn into a hostage situation if Cristiano checked specific files, but we expected that he would trust us once I handed over the signed agreement turning over fifty-one percent of Castigliano International to him. As he walked out of the building, April would nab him. If he sent Francesca and me out first, then the cops would enter the building for the capture.

  “Call me after you get everything from the Castiglianos. I'm going to apprise Connor of what he needs to follow up on with the Quint Crawford case.” April left me standing in the building with a dark cloud hanging over my future, and maybe the beginnings of a much brighter one down the line.

  I headed to campus where the Castiglianos would be waiting. When I arrived at Diamond Hall, I found them sitting on a bench just outside the back entrance.

  “You better not mess this up,” Cecilia warned, a scathing look of judgment cast in my direction. “You've abandoned my daughter before, and I promise you, if that happens again tonight, you will suffer the consequences.”

  Vincenzo hushed his wife and suggested we recommence the conversation in my office behind a closed door. I let them sit first, then asked, “Why are you willing to hand over your company so easily? I've got a sneaky suspicion you're keeping information from me.”

  “You've got strong instincts, Kellan,” Vincenzo said as he handed me the storage device and the folder with the signed agreement. “Some of the contents of this drive could get my company and family into trouble, but it's nothing my lawyers can't make go away. As for this so-called agreement—”

  “It's not valid, and any court will throw it out the window. We've been coerced into signing the contract,” Cecilia scowled in repugnance. “We're doing what we have to do to get our daughter back. Rest assured, we are not simply complying without our own equally injurious plan in place.”

  “You can't do anything to hurt her,” I shouted, then soothed my voice so no one overheard us. All I needed was Myriam listening in and getting herself involved. “What kind of game are you playing?”

  “Silence, Kellan,” Cecilia replied, narrowing her gaze in my direction and forming an ominous smile I wouldn't soon forget. “Tonight will go as planned. You will turn over what Las Vargas has demanded. Meanwhile, Vincenzo and I have evidence of our own that we plan to disclose this evening. It might just convince Cristiano Vargas to release Francesca and return the storage device back to you.”

  “But he specifically said you cannot show up,” I reminded them, thinking about his vicious threats and direction on how the evening would proceed. “How will you know where to find them?”

  “We have our ways, Kellan. My wife will not do anything foolish, but I promise you that we will win this war.” Vincenzo grabbed Cecilia's hand and led her through the hallway.

  As they walked down the front staircase, Myriam poked her head out of her office. “Didn't we recently have a conversation about the type of visitors you've been having lately, Dr. Ayrwick?”

  I wanted to rip into her,
but I knew misplaced anger only exacerbated a problematic relationship. She'd also addressed me for the first time with a full title, something I hadn't expected. “You're one-hundred-percent right, Dr. Castle. This will be the last time you ever see those two again. I am done with this circus family and the self-absorbed drama they bring with it.”

  * * *

  The end of my lecture arrived quickly. I spent most of it analyzing every decision I'd ever made since Francesca disappeared from my life over two-and-a-half years ago. In the first half of class, the students completed the pop quiz I'd designed. In the second half, they worked in pairs to compare and contrast distinctive styles of documentaries. Krissy Stanton never showed up, and Raquel was a little standoffish when I attempted to talk to her on break. Eventually, she admitted that she thought I was angry with her over Manny's potential relocation to Las Vegas. I assured her that I understood married couples needed to do what was best for their future and that I harbored no ill feelings. I cautioned her to be gentle when telling Eleanor of their final plan.

  I collected my satchel and headed toward my office to drop off the quizzes. Before I reached the hallway, Imogene called out. When I looked back, she stood near the doorway with her fiancé.

  “Dr. Ayrwick, I've been asked to introduce you to Paul. He was waiting for me outside Diamond Hall and wanted to meet you,” Imogene said, holding his hand and resting her head against his shoulder. She stood several inches shorter than her fiancé, clutching her purse and tablet with reddened knuckles, embodying someone who'd rather be anywhere but right there.

  Although I needed to check if April had located Krissy, a minor delay wouldn't impact my plans. I walked toward them with my hand stretched out to greet Town Councilman Dodd. “Good to make your acquaintance, Paul. I believe you and my brother, Gabriel, have been friends for a number of years.”

  “Yes, unless you count those eight years where we lost touch,” he added with a brief but hearty laugh. Paul had jet black hair, broad shoulders, and a shiny complexion, one more polished than Nana D's silver collection. His duds must've cost more than my first car, and that was saying a lot since I'd saved up for three summers to buy a five-year-old Honda in prime condition.

  “Congratulations on your new role. I'm confident you will be a stronger and more effective leader than your predecessor,” I pointed out, throwing the strap of my satchel over my shoulder. “I'm also very sorry for the death of your friend, Quint Crawford.”

  “I'm still shocked we've lost him.” Paul sighed and dipped his head toward Imogene. “Life must go on. Thank you for the praise. I'm excited to work with your grandmother for the benefit of Braxton.”

  While I had them both, I asked a few more questions. “From what I understand through Krissy, Quint's tirade against Marcus might've sunk his run for mayor. Have you heard anything like that?”

  Paul leaned back on the heels of his feet and rocked back and forth. “Quint was a good guy, once upon a time. Ever since he returned to Braxton, he was a changed man. Darker. More troubled. I'm afraid to say, there's a rumor he might be the thief who attacked my poor Imogene.”

  Imogene made a small guttural sound. “Let's not speak ill of the deceased, Paul.”

  “You might want to be careful what you say, Councilman. The sheriff might ask where you were the night Quint died,” I quipped, ensuring I laughed at my own statement to keep the conversation light.

  “I'd like to see them try. I was at home with my fiancée. Besides, didn't Quint accidentally electrocute himself?” Paul asked, retrieving his phone and opening a new app. “In case you don't believe me, look through my photos from that day. I'm not even sure exactly what time he died.”

  “About midnight,” I said, recalling Imogene claimed to be near the cable car an hour before then. If she'd been at the cable car, why would Paul say she was with him at home? Who was lying?

  Imogene grabbed for the phone but missed. “Dr. Ayrwick doesn't need to. He trusts us, right?”

  “Let him decide for himself. I'm working with his grandmother, so there can't be any doubt in his mind. I've heard how much of a snoop he can be,” Paul replied, then turned to me. “I'm selling my house to find something bigger and better for Imogene. We took these for the real estate listing that night before we both went to bed. Imogene got home about eleven fifteen that evening, I believe.”

  I nodded hesitantly, took the phone from Paul, and shuffled through the photos, focusing on the timestamp as each one flew by my eyes. He had various shots of rooms in his house, starting shortly after eleven and ending at twelve fifty right about when Quint had been killed. Imogene was in many of the pictures too. While Paul or Imogene could've had something to do with the earlier electrocution attempt, neither could've gotten to the cable car station to strangle Quint and returned home to take those photos. Imogene had probably seen Krissy there at eleven, then gone home to Paul. I supposed the photos could've been a doctored alibi, but Lara was certain they were both innocent.

  “Good luck with the sale, it's a beautiful home,” I replied, hoping to keep the conversation flowing. “Have there been any updates on the burglary? I assume no one's returned your tiara.”

  Imogene shook her head. “It's missing, and I'm probably never going to get it back. Paul wants the sheriff to search the Crawford house, but they haven't gotten a warrant.”

  I convinced myself I could push harder, even prompt Imogene to reveal if she was the woman who'd gone to see Bertha earlier that week. “Why don't you visit Mrs. Crawford and see if you can find anything in his room? She'd love the company, I'm sure.”

  “We'll give it some thought. Thanks, Kellan.” Paul wrapped his arm around Imogene's shoulder. “We should be going, honey. You have to prepare for that dinner. Don't want to be late, do we?”

  Imogene smiled sheepishly. “Krissy won't be there. I could use the break from that woman.”

  My ears perked up. “I notice she skipped class this evening. Are you two still not getting along?”

  Paul replied, “They are not. Krissy was at the bank earlier today. I saw her in the room with the safety deposit boxes. I had to get added to the town's account to authorize future spending, so I stopped in after lunch but before Imogene's class started. Krissy must've skipped the lecture, and she's probably about to skip town. I say she should get a failing grade if nothing else, right?” He led his fiancée to the door with a sycophantic grin while wishing me a good evening.

  Chapter 18

  If Krissy had been in town earlier, she might not have left Braxton. I checked my watch to confirm I had more than enough time before Cristiano's call. I could stop at Marcus Stanton's house to convince Krissy to tell me what she knew about the jewelry thefts. If she was Quint's accomplice, I would appeal to her sense of friendship to protect Gabriel from any blowback. By the time I reached the parking lot, my cell phone rang. I jumped, thinking it was Cristiano calling earlier than he'd indicated. It wasn't the phone he'd assigned to me that was ringing. “This is Kellan.”

  “It's Connor. Sheriff Montague is here with me, and she asked me to give you a call.”

  “Everything on track for tonight?” I asked, uncertain if she'd told Connor anything about Francesca's return. We'd agreed to keep it between us, but if she needed help to coordinate, she might have enlisted him.”

  “What's tonight?” he asked.

  “Never mind, I had my dates mixed up. What can I do for you?”

  “Marcus Stanton showed up at the sheriff's office a few hours ago claiming Gabriel had broken into his house and stolen jewelry and cash. Your brother is in custody. We thought you'd want to know.” Connor's voice was flat. I knew he hadn't wanted to deliver the news but figured I'd prefer to hear the unsettling information from him.

  “He didn't do it. You can't believe that scoundrel Stanton,” I shouted, feeling an increasing desire to drive to the man's house and harangue both him and his daughter.

  “That's what we believe too. Only one problem, though.” />
  “What now?” If my life didn't calm down, I'd be a prime candidate for an early heart attack.

  “I visited your brother just over an hour ago to ask him some questions. We met in the parking lot at Braxton before he was heading out for the day. I'm not sure how to tell you this, Kellan,” Connor began in a hesitant voice. There was something strange about how calm he was before finishing his statement. “Gabriel had some of the missing jewelry with him. Not everything, but a few pieces that had been stolen in the last month were in a backpack on the passenger seat of his car.”

  “You've got to be kidding me. This is a setup. Gabriel wouldn't be stupid enough to leave stolen jewelry in his car,” I exclaimed. Paul saw Krissy at the bank; she must've been storing it there for safekeeping but realized we were closing in on her. How could I convince Connor?

  “April and I talked about it. Unfortunately, she's busy on another case but told me to work directly with you on this one. She wants me to put your brother in jail for the night.”

  This nightmare was withering my last nerve. “Have you found Krissy? I'm driving to the Stanton's place to confront her. I'll make her admit what she's done.” It had to be Krissy. There was no one else in the group who was still close with Quint and had been to his room to get the stolen items.

  “Kellan, I need you to trust me. We have reasonable cause to put your brother in prison for twenty-four hours. April agrees, someone is setting him up to take a fall,” Connor pleaded. He explained that the jewelry Marcus claimed Gabriel had stolen from him wasn't in the backpack. If Gabriel was trying to sneak out of town, he would have had all of it together.

  “What are you going to do to stop it? He's my brother, Connor.”

  “Listen to me for a minute. If Krissy is the thief, she's trying to implicate Gabriel tonight. Then, she'll skip town with the jewelry she stole from her father's safe. I have no idea what's going through her head, but I'm convinced we've found Quint's killer.” Connor begged me not to interfere with their plan. “If your brother is in jail, and we catch Krissy leaving with her father's money and jewelry, then we can prove Gabriel is innocent. I won't let anything bad happen to him.” Connor paused to speak to someone else in the room. When he returned to the call, he said, “Gabriel says he's okay and to let me do what I have to do.”