Major Crimes (10 page)

“What do you want, Chelsey?”

“Justice for Archie.”

“I would think any normal person would want that, but what do you want from me?”

“Did you know that I work for a private investigation firm now?”

“No.”

“Our firm is investigating Archie’s death.”

“I see.”

“May I please ask you a few questions?”

“Maybe you should’ve tried that approach yesterday.”

“You were so rushed, Drew. So short with us. I got moody. Let’s call it water under the bridge.”

“Funny how you stopped being a clerk and started being a jerk.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Do you know why I was so busy yesterday, Chelsey?”

I shrugged.

“Because it was Election Day. You do remember Election Day, don’t you, Chelsey?”

The June Primary Election had taken place the day before and I had forgotten. The first Tuesday after the first Monday every June. It was a day where clerks woke up at four in the morning to get showered and get into work by five to make sure the polls opened on time. It was the day where clerks worked until the polls closed and the results were in. That could’ve been by eight-thirty on a good day, but it also could’ve meant working until eleven at night or later. It was a rough day, putting out fires left and right, so to speak.

“I’m sorry. I was caught up in Archie’s case and I didn’t realize what day of the week it was. Can we start over?”

Drew nodded.

“Did you see anyone strange at Savoy’s the night of Archie’s death?”

“Not that I noticed.”

“No one following you around? No one close to your drinks?”

“The only people close to the drinks were us and the bartenders.”

“How well do you know Solar?”

“Sol? I just know him through Archie. Seems like a good guy.”

“How do you know Archie?”

“Archie was married to my sister.”

“Your sister? Who’s your sister?”

“Her name is Jennifer.”

Was Jennifer harboring ill feelings? Did Drew do something as payback for Archie cheating on his sister? Did Jennifer and Drew work together?
I thought I may have found a motive.

“Could you put me in contact with her so I can ask a few questions?”

Drew nodded.

“Why were you still friends with Archie after what happened with him and your sister?”

“My sister didn’t make the best choice in a husband with Archie. She realized that and didn’t hold any hard feelings. Archie and I became friends during their marriage and their breakup didn’t come between our friendship. It was an amicable divorce.”

“Why wasn’t Archie a good choice for a husband?”

“Everyone knew he was a ladies’ man. He’s calmed down in recent years, but back then…don’t get me wrong. Archie is a great guy. I mean,
was
a great guy. He wasn’t faithful, but that was his flaw. We all have flaws, so I can’t fault him.”

“What are your flaws?”

Drew gave me a dirty look, so I quickly changed the subject. “Do you recall what time Solar left Savoy’s the night of Archie’s murder?”

“I don’t know, I left before him.”

“And what time was that?”

“Around ten, I think.”

“Why did you leave?”

“I had something I had to do.”

“Why did you say you went to a baseball game?”

“Why are you so interested in where I went that night?”

“It’s just part of the investigation.”

“I told the police everything. I don’t need to speak to you.”

“I know, but…”

“This conversation is over. I have a lot to do today after yesterday’s election. Have a good day, Chelsey.” Drew went back into his office.

At least he didn’t call the police on me.
Although that was what he could’ve been doing as soon as he set foot back into his office. He didn’t want to talk about his whereabouts the night of the murder and he never gave me his sister’s contact information. I viewed those things as suspicious. Drew was quickly becoming my top suspect. I glanced up at the nearest exit sign and scurried out to the Kia, heading for the nearest library.

Chapter 12

Bryce

Geri had set me up in one of the spare bedrooms the previous night. Chelsey was in another. Frank was busy trying to tap into Archie’s security cameras when I left him to get some sleep. He was also trying to tap into the security cameras at Savoy’s, the businesses near Archie’s residence, and the businesses near Savoy’s. He said it wasn’t going to be easy to hack into the cameras, and there wasn’t any guarantee we’d be able to access footage from the night of Archie’s murder, but it was worth a shot.

Frank had so much equipment, there was no doubt in my mind that he’d find some sort of a lead. Surprisingly, I slept well and woke with a renewed sense of hope.

The bathroom was empty, so I took advantage of the opportunity and showered. My mind strayed to Chelsey and how I wished we’d slept in the same room. The scent of her hair, the look in her eyes. I stopped thinking when little Bryce started to rise. I didn’t need the virtual strangers in the house to see Captain Standish on my walk back to my room. I felt like a teenager living with my parents again.

I finished my shower while the house remained silent. Frank and Geri must’ve slept in. Back in my room, I dressed in the same clothes I had on. I planned on buying clean clothes at some point. I went commando rather than wearing a pair of scummy undies.

Seeing the door cracked to Chelsey’s room, I went inside. The bed was made and Chelsey wasn’t there. I searched the living room and kitchen—still no Chelsey. Stepping out of the front door, I walked down the street to see if the Tahoe was still where I parked it. It was.
Where was Chelsey?
I removed my cell phone from my pocket and called her. There was no answer.

My stomach growled. I wasn’t sure if I should leave in search of food or if Geri and Frank would be offended if I left without telling them where I went. For a second time in one day, I felt like I was living with my parents. As grateful as I was for the help, living in hiding wasn’t a wonderful feeling. My phone chirped. It was Freddy, saving me from making a decision about whether or not to leave. Walking back toward the house, I answered the phone.

“How are you hanging in, Bryce?”

“Not bad. Thanks for helping me out.”

“I have my people working on all the leads, and I found something interesting.”

“Oh?”

“Were you aware that Archie had a girlfriend?”

“Girlfriend? No. I wasn’t aware.”

“I have my top investigator checking into that lead. Seeing if she has a solid alibi for the evening he was killed.”

“Lovers’ quarrel?”

“The crime certainly seems like a crime of passion. I’m convinced it was someone close to him. The girlfriend may have had access. Maybe he didn’t want to leave his wife for her.”

“That’s viable.”

“This kind of discovery leaves me inclined to investigate Archie’s wife further.”

“I had the same thought.” I asked Freddy about the loose ends I had left. He filled me in on the conversation he had with the owner of Gabby’s Cabbies. He was sending an investigator to speak with the cab driver.

Freddy’s preliminary investigation of Solar revealed he had done a stint in prison for grand larceny. It was a long time ago, but so far, he was the only suspect I knew of with a criminal record.

Freddy said Drew’s history was squeaky clean. Not even a traffic violation. “The guy is a dandy do-gooder. He volunteers, he gives to charity, has tons of friends, is highly respected in his community. I don’t think it was him.”

I agreed with Freddy. I didn’t think Drew was a killer. Chelsey was convinced he was hiding something, and I also thought it was possible, but hiding something was a far cry from murder.

I was too antsy to sit around and do nothing while Freddy did everything. “What can I do to help?”

“You can stay put.”
Not the answer I was looking for.
“You’ll be arrested if you’re seen on the streets. With you staying out of sight, I have extra time to investigate. If you’re arrested, well, that gives me less time. And I’ve seen what they do to cops in county lockup. I wouldn’t want to see you jailed.” Freddy had a point.

“You don’t think I’d make bail?”

“Let’s not risk it. My brother will take care of you. Use his equipment. See if there are any useful videos out there. If you find footage that helps our case, let me know right away.”

“Will do. Thanks again for everything, Freddy.”

“Ten-four.”

I heard a shrill voice. “Frank! Bryce! Breakfast!” I silently blessed Geri for putting an end to my hunger. Feeling hungry after all I had eaten the night before was unexpected. My stomach must’ve stretched to accommodate the heaps of pasta and chicken that found their way inside.

Geri plunked something as large as a trash can lid onto my plate straight from the frying pan and told me to sit and “mangia.” I sat as commanded.

“I hope you like frittata.” Geri smiled with one hand on the frying pan and another on a spatula. Her apron was decorated with tomato sauce and olive oil stains.

“Thank you, Geri.”

Frank came into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and removed the King Kong-sized squeezable Heinz ketchup bottle. He slammed it in front of me. “Tastes great with ketchup.”

I shrugged. When in Rome….

“Thanks Frank. Did you find anything last night?” I made a smiley face on my frittata with the ketchup.

Frank shook his head. Not about his findings from last night, but about my ketchup face. “The only thing I found was a woman in a blue Ford Focus. She left the parking area of Savoy’s after you guys left.” He cut off a hunk of his frittata with a fork, dipped it in ketchup and stuffed it in his mouth.

“Bryce, would you be a doll and run out on the porch to get some cups?”

I smiled. “Sure, Geri.” I retrieved more cups from their porch like I did the prior evening. I handed one to Frank, placed one at Geri’s spot, and took one for myself. Geri retrieved a container of orange juice and handed it to me.

“Frank, next time you’re in the basement, bring up another orange juice. We’re almost out.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

It was no surprise to me that Frank kept a second refrigerator in his basement. Based on how much he cooked the previous evening for dinner, it didn’t seem like all the leftovers would fit in one fridge. Plus, I was sure he spent hours down there playing with his equipment. Umm, surveillance equipment, that is. Luckily, I hadn’t said that out loud.

“So the blue Ford?” I forked some frittata and placed it in my mouth.

Frank rinsed down his food with orange juice. “Don’t know if it means anything. Couldn’t see the plate. May only be a coincidence. But worth keeping in mind in case any of your suspects happen to drive that type of car. I did a search for those types of cars registered in the area of the crime, and there were hundreds. No point in searching all those when the perp could live outside the area. Could even be a rental. Heck, the Focus owner might not have been following you guys at all.”

It wasn’t much, but it was something. “Did you happen to see if there were only two of us getting in the taxi? Or were there more?”

“Just the two of you.”

That was interesting to me. It had meant that Drew and Solar hadn’t come home in the same taxi with Archie and me. “Do you think I could review additional footage from that night? I’m trying to see what times the two guys who were with us left the bar.”

“Sure. I have an errand to run this morning, but later this afternoon would be good. I’ll cue it all up, show you how everything works. Don’t worry your pretty little head. We’ll find something more.”

I was a little insulted at the “pretty” comment, but I let it roll off me. I wasn’t going to harbor ill will toward one of the only people trying to exonerate me.

* * *

After breakfast, I got directions to the nearest clothing store from Geri. I needed clean clothes. If I kept eating the way Geri served food, I was going to need a bigger size as well.

Geri also gave me directions to a nearby pharmacy. While Geri and Frank had everything you could imagine, I felt funny using their things. I didn’t want to take advantage.

On the way to the store, I called Chelsey again. She still didn’t answer. I was worried that something had happened to her, and I felt a little lonely without her. She knew what I was going through and when she helped me, I guess I didn’t feel so alone. I sighed.

Five minutes later, I swung into the parking lot and went inside Old Navy. A few moments later, my arms engulfed new shorts, boxers, socks, and T-shirts. I headed to the register. My phone rang. It was Freddy again. I asked him to hold while I handed the cashier a hundred. She gave me change, I left the store, then sat in the Tahoe to hear the news.

“One of my investigators tracked down the cabbie and found that only you and Archie got into his car. He didn’t see anyone suspicious. He did say the two of you looked drunk. He also confirmed the time of departure from Savoy’s as twelve fifty-four.”

All things I already knew.

Freddy continued. “I’ve got Chelsey looking into Drew and she’ll go to Savoy’s tonight to interview their employees.”

“I was wondering where she went; she left without saying goodbye this morning.”

“You two need to stay away from each other. You’re putting her in danger. I called in a favor to get the police off her tail, but if they see you with her again, they’ll arrest her too. I don’t think I need to explain to you that she has a toddler and can’t risk going to jail.”

“Understood.” Freddy was right. I was being selfish.

“I checked out Archie’s girlfriend. On the surface she seems clean. Passion can make a person act crazy, so she’s not off my list yet. Archie’s wife and daughter are being interviewed now by one of my investigators, I’ll report in later about that.”

“Anything else?”

“I’ve got no leads on the ring. It’s unique. My guys asked numerous jewelry stores about it, no one in the area sold it. There’s no way to figure out where that came from. You still have it though, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Give it to Frank. I’m going to have him deliver it to a lab I use for DNA testing. It wouldn’t hurt to have it tested. I’ll have them put a rush on it.”

“Will do.”

“Tina Liara was definitely out of the country on her honeymoon. You can cross her off your list of suspects. I’m still working on finding Solar to interview him. I should have all the reports back on Archie’s colleagues, co-workers, other family members, and any criminals he arrested by the morning. That should help me rule out a lot of people.”

“How about Archie’s new job? Did you look into that?”

“Yeah, I did. You can rule that out too. There were no other applicants for the job, so there should be no one who was jealous about him getting the job. One of my investigators interviewed the employees, most didn’t even know Archie’s name or that he was supposed to start working there, except the personnel office. There was nothing unusual about that place.”

“Did Frank tell you about the Ford Focus?”

“He did. I’ll check out the cars of all the suspects, but if someone was savvy enough, they wouldn’t have risked bringing their own car to the crime scene.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Keep reviewing surveillance footage with Frank. Something may turn up.”

I sighed.

“I know it’s rough right now, Bryce. Give me a few more days. I still need to find out what kind of evidence they have against you. There was a new court ruling—North Jersey Media Group v. Lyndhurst. It prevents me from access to any criminal investigatory records. I could get those in the past by submitting a simple Open Public Records Request to the Coral Beach Police Department. Now I can’t. I’m going to have to call in a few favors and see if I can get any info about the crime or any information that could tie someone to the murder or at least narrow down the range of suspects.”

“Thanks for your help, Freddy.”

“You’re not going to want to thank me once you see my bill.”

“Yeah, I figured as much. Do you take installments?”

“Sure thing, brother.”

“Keep me posted.”

“Ten-four.”

I sat in the car while pondering Freddy’s findings. Archie’s murder wasn’t related to his new job. It couldn’t have been Archie’s daughter, and in my own mind, Drew was innocent.
Who was left?

A random stranger wasn’t a good possibility. The crime was personal, passionate. Solar, Archie’s wife and his girlfriend.
Who else? Archie’s ex-wives? A criminal from Archie’s past? A co-worker that I hadn’t guessed?

I knew Freddy would have more answers for me come morning. Perhaps Frank would have more too. I thought about checking out Archie’s ex-wives, but my talking to anyone who might know something could be considered intimidating a witness and that wouldn’t bode well for my case. I wasn’t sure how to find either of them, however I knew who would. Maybe once I found one of the wives, I could pass the information along to Chelsey to check her out for me.