Act Normal, A Stan Turner Mystery Vol 9

by William Manchee

got on to this story. It doesn't seem all that exciting on its face."

  "You're right about that. It was by accident if you really want to know the truth. They were having a parade in downtown Ft. Worth and I got caught in the traffic. I was nearly an hour late for work and by the time I got to the assignment's desk, this was all that was left."

  "So, how did it become your big obsession? I've read nearly a dozen of your stories about the rivalry with these two companies."

  "Well, I believe in making the best of a situation, no matter how distasteful it may appear. Even though it didn't seem like much of a story in the beginning, when I started digging into to it I discovered a fascinating world of political intrigue. The more people I talked to the more curious I got about how it all worked and who were the important players."

  The waiter brought our entrees and poured us some wine. Barber raised his glass and said, "Here's to a profitable relationship."

  I nodded, raised my glass and smiled. "Yes, and to discovering the truth."

  After he'd enjoyed a few bites of his meal, I continued my questioning. "Do you know anything about Chester Brown's history?"

  "Sure, the basic stuff. I know he was a genius and that Stout was very upset when he went to work for TI. There's not a lot known about him. As I recall he disappeared for a long time and nobody seems to know where he went."

  I told Barber what Paul had dug up on Brown and then asked, "Do you think Stout would have someone killed if he thought it would get him a lucrative federal contract?"

  "Sure, if he was certain he could get away with it. Fear of getting caught would be a serious deterrent, though. I'm not sure he could afford to take that kind of a gamble. He has a lot more to lose than to gain."

  "So, you're saying the stealth technology contract wasn't worth killing someone over?"

  "Stealth technology? How did you know that? The contract specifications were supposed to be classified."

  "Oh, right. Well, it's amazing what information you can get from a pissed off ex-employee."

  "Which employee?"

  "Ah. I think I'll keep that to myself right now. Later on I'll tell you if it looks like we're going to be able to substantiate our theory."

  "All right. Well, if Brown was the key to the successful completion of the contract, then that would be a good motive for his death. Still, killing him would be very dangerous. If anyone ever found out it would be the end of Stout and Almatech."

  "That's why I want to be sure Stout is responsible, before I start leveling accusations. Just suggesting that he might have done it would cause him grievous harm."

  "What, an attorney with a conscience? I can't believe it," he teased.

  I shrugged. "Well, I'll do what I have to get my client off, but reckless accusations have a way of coming back at you. It's important to at least look like you're searching for the truth."

  "So, what can I do to help you find the truth?"

  I told him about Stout's security team and told him we were searching for a way to prove they were at Brown's house. I told him about the sophisticated triggering mechanism which started the fire and made it spread so quickly the Brown's couldn't get out.

  "I have a source inside Almatech that might help us."

  "Who's that?" I asked.

  "You don't need to know. I'll make contact and with them and see if I can get any information that might be helpful."

  "Great. If we can show that anybody from the security team was at or near the Brown house the day they were in town that would be enough to justify suggesting in trial that Stout and Almatech were involved in the murders."

  "Yes," Barber said, "and justify a front page story. I'd want it to come out the same day that you disclosed it to be sure nobody beat us to the newsstand."

  "No problem," I replied excitedly. "Just get me that link."

  "Don't worry. If anybody from Stout's team was there, I'll get you the proof you need."

  Simon Barber's assurances that he'd find the evidence I needed was nice to hear, but I wasn't going to get my hopes up. Actually, I was a little disappointed with what little information I'd gathered during our meeting. I wondered who this source was that Barber was going to contact. I hoped it wasn't a love-starved secretary that he was jumping. We'd need someone up higher in the Almatech hierarchy to get the kind of information we needed.