An Unladylike Murder, page 6
part #1 of Jessica Sloan Mystery Series
“Ben’s my older brother.”
Since iPoirot wasn’t fully operational yet, Sloan used her cell enabled iPad to log into the SFPD Data Base. It held records and reports for things like warrants, arrests, convictions, known associates and probation status.
She found that Carl had the identical record as his older brother.
Several altercations.
No arrest record.
No known gang affiliations.
After questioning Carl for ten minutes, Cutter must have decided that Carl had nothing new or significant to add to what his brother had said.
“Tell me again what you did after Jill went inside the restroom.
“I just stood outside the entrance. No one went in after Jill did.”
He was almost sure that three women left after the victim went inside, but couldn’t describe any of them. “I didn’t look at them. I was only concerned with someone entering, not leaving.”
“Alright Carl, we’re done.” Cutter stood up and opened his palm showing Carl the door.
Finding another uniformed officer, Cutter said, “Please take Carl Lopez here to the Forensics team and have him fingerprinted and a DNA sample taken.”
“Copy that.”
“Meanwhile, do you know if the Orpheum manager is still around?”
“Hold on.” The uniformed officer spoke into his microphone.
“He is… Wait here. He’s on his way.”
After Cutter and Sloan shuffled the guard out of the office, Cutter half whispered, “I think Ben’s the brighter of the two.”
Sloan kept her nose in her iPad doing research.
Two minutes later, a short and unhappy looking middle-aged man appeared. He wore a bright ascot.
Cutter asked, “Are you the manager of this theatre?”
“Since you’re in my office, yes I am.” The manager was smug.
“I’ll make this quick. Did anyone leave the theatre after the intermission?”
“How the hell would I know? Probably. During most performances, someone’s always being paged, or has to leave for one reason or another. I never pay any attention.”
“Why don’t you have security cameras in here?”
“Cost and the simple fact that nothing criminal ever happens in here.”
“Since when is murder not a crime?”
The manger sneered, then looked away.
“Any questions for this man, Sloan?”
She shook her head.
Cutter spoke again. “Before the Forensics team leaves tonight, they will give you a list of what they’ve removed from your theatre. He’s my card in case you learn anything pertinent to our case.”
As they left the manager alone in his office, Cutter whispered to Sloan. “Let’s go notify the parents.”
Chapter 14
Sloan realized they had forgotten to interview a potential suspect. “Hold on, Cutter. Why aren’t we interviewing the limo driver?”
Cutter realized he’d slipped up. “I wanted to see how sharp you really are… Why do you feel the need to talk to him?”
Sloan contorted her face. “He knew Jill was in the theatre. He could have slipped in, changed into a female disguise and killed her. He could have been the older lady, Ben told us about. While we interview him, we should have forensics go through his limo looking for a female wig and clothing.”
“Good thinking, but you should have asked Dale Lint for the limo driver’s phone number while we were interviewing him. Do it now.”
Sloan wanted to say something nasty to her new partner but decided against it. Since she already had Dale’s number, she called it.
It turned out Dale was being driven home in the limo.
“I need you and the limo driver to turn around and return to the theatre right now. We’ll meet you out front.”
It was still mayhem as the audience was still exiting the theatre.
Ten minutes elapsed before the limo pulled up to the curb.
Sloan thought the limo driver and Dale seemed more curious than anxious.
She greeted the driver. “You must be Jill’s limo driver.”
“I am for this evening. My name is Agi Bogdani.”
“We need to talk to you in private.”
“Sure.”
“Dale, you best grab another ride home.”
Dale frowned as he left.
“Agi, I need you to come inside. I’ll have someone park your limo for you.”
Cutter had a member of the Forensic team slip into the driver’s seat and drive the vehicle away.
Sloan, Cutter and Agi re-entered the theatre and made their way back to the manager’s office.
It was empty.
Cutter took charge. “Who hired you for this evening, Agi?”
“The secretary for David Coyne.”
“Has his office hired you before?”
“Many times, mainly to pick up important people at the airport.”
Sloan listened as Cutter asked for his identification, then about Dale and the bodyguards.
“When and where did you pick them up?”
He explained that he picked up Dale at his home, then Jill at her home and finally dropped them both curbside in front of the Orpheum.
“Have you ever driven Jill Gillberry anywhere before?”
“No, sir.”
“What did Jill have to say while in your limo?”
Agi told Cutter about the words exchanged at the protest.
“Where did you park while you waited to pick Jill and her entourage up?”
“There’s a parking garage about a block away. Here’s my receipt.”
“Did you leave your vehicle?”
“I did. It’s a nice night so I went for a brief walk.”
“Did anyone see you?”
“I doubt it.”
After fifteen minutes, Cutter received a call from the Forensic investigator. “I’ve been through the limo. There’s no evidence of any female paraphernalia. Do you want me to take the limo back to the lab for a more thorough search.”
“No, just pull up to the front and I’ll have the driver take it.”
Cutter disconnected. “Agi, you’re free to go for now. Your limo will be out front in a moment. If we need to talk again we’ll call you.”
“Thank you.”
After Agi left, Cutter said, “Unless there is anyone else you feel the need to interview we should get going.”
Chapter 15
As they once again exited the theatre, they saw several members of the Forensic Unit still videotaping the stragglers of the two thousand patrons.
The snippets of the conversations Sloan overheard were mainly about the performance.
Most don’t realize they were present at a murder scene.
Cutter tapped Sloan on her shoulder and pointed.
Lieutenant Brown was walking towards them. With her was her boss, the Criminal Investigations Supervisor, Matt Craven.
Cutter muttered. “Be careful of Supervisor Craven. He’s got a personal agenda.”
Before Sloan could ask Cutter what he meant, Brown spoke to them. “Cutter, Sloan, what do we have here?”
Cutter said, “Before I answer, the press are standing just over my shoulder and have their cameras out. So everybody please just nod and smile as if we’re all in agreement.”
For a moment, they all did as told.
Then Cutter gave them what little he knew.
Lieutenant Brown said, “As soon as you can, notify the next of kin.”
Cutter replied, “That’s where we’re heading next.”
Supervisor Craven spoke with authority. “Before you go, I’m here because I was informed the victim is a well-known technology CEO. Given the tension between the tech industry and the rest of San Francisco, may I suggest that you and Sloan solve this case post haste. With all the protests going on, the press is going to have a field day pouring salt into our festering wounds until you do. Someone killing the Chief Executive of a technology company could incite all kinds of bad things.”
Cutter tried to sound sincere. “We understand.”
“How are you approaching this case?”
Cutter wanted to punch him instead of answering such an asinine question. “The same way I always do. We’ll follow the most logical line of investigation.”
“Which is?”
“Find out who she was with, who she was dating, who benefited from her death and who wanted her dead.”
Supervisor Craven leaned into Cutter. “You need to up your game Cutter. Jessica Sloan is your chance to do that. Listen to her when it comes to using iPoirot. It will speed up your investigation.”
Then Craven turned to Sloan. “Since you’re new Sloan, perhaps I should tell you that you’re investigating a very sensitive matter. I’m sure you must realize that the future of San Francisco depends on our technology companies. The Pentagon relies on Silicon Valley and the technology we create. The United States economy depends on Silicon Valley. I hope you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
Craven turned back to Cutter. “So, Cutter, you can see why I’m going to want regular updates from you.”
Cutter bit his tongue and didn’t respond.
The Supervisor and Brown turned to leave.
Sloan and Cutter were both glad to see the Supervisor and their Lieutenant finally step away to talk to the Lead Forensics Investigator.
Cutter muttered to his partner, “Let’s get out of here.”
The media were waiting to ambush them.
Their car was surrounded.
Microphones were thrust in their faces while questions were being yelled and video cameras were capturing everything.
John Cutter barked at them. “I’m sorry, but we can’t comment on an ongoing investigation.”
Chapter 16
It was turning into a Zombie shift.
Since it was after eleven at night, the traffic was light as they crossed the Bay Bridge.
As Jessica had expected, the Caldecott Tunnel had no traffic backup either, so they were able to make the Walnut Creek exit off Highway 24 before midnight.
Cutter had his eyes glued to the road even though Sloan was driving. “I think that death notifications are the worst part of our job. We have to tell husbands, wives, and parents that their children or spouse won't ever be coming home again.”
“Why do we need to do it tonight?”
“I’ve always believed we should do it before the relatives hear about it on the morning news or from a well-meaning friend. It’s never easy for a parent to hear that their child, no matter how old they are, is dead.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“You're perceptive, Sloan. Once you tell someone their loved one is dead, it’s as if a switch flips and they can become an emotional train wreck. If that happens, they may not be in any shape to answer any questions. Besides, their defenses may be down, and they’ll tell us something useful.”
“That makes sense.”
“I’ll take the lead telling Jill’s parents but I know I don’t come across as the most compassionate guy in the world, so let me tell you where I think you can really help us as a team. It’ll be by your providing emotional support to whoever needs it.”
That’s sexism, if I’ve ever heard it.
Jessica bristled. “I see. But can’t it also become more than a notification; can’t it become an interview of possible suspects like when it’s a spouse?”
“Exactly.”
It turned out that Jill Gillberry’s parents lived in a golf course country club community in the East Bay near Walnut Creek.
The guard on duty was sitting in a tiny box of a building reading a paperback when the Taurus pulled up to the lowered gate.
Like a cashier at a fast food drive-through, the guard slid his side window open as Sloan lowered hers.
Sloan introduced herself and flashed her badge.
“What’s so important that two San Francisco detectives are venturing into my enclave so late at night?”
“That’s none of your business. However, we do need directions to the Gillberry house.”
The directions proved to be good.
As Sloan pulled to the curb she counted four double garage doors.
I wonder if they think having more garage doors tells everyone that they’re rich.
When they had left the city, the temperature had already dropped to forty-five degrees. The Taurus readout said it was still sixty-one inland.
Other than the street lights, the area was cloaked in darkness, and other than address signs and the occasional porch light, all the homes were dark for the night.
Cutter found the doorbell and pushed it. He knew he was waking someone up and about to destroy any chance they had of their getting a good night’s sleep.
Out of respect, he resisted the urge to push the bell again.
A hallway light finally came on.
Each second dragged.
An angry face appeared in a side door window to see Cutter holding his badge.
A man with salt colored bed head opened the door. “Do you know what time it is? What do you want?”
From her days doing traffic stops Jessica thought of him as a Q-tip. The hair and the bags under his eyes made him the right age to be Jill’s father.
“I’m afraid we do, sir.” Cutter and Sloan introduced themselves and asked if they could come inside.
The father let them into a large foyer.
He turned on ceiling lights and pointed towards a sofa in a grand sitting room bigger than Cutter’s apartment.
“What’s this all about detectives?”
A well-coiffed woman appeared clutching her housecoat.
Trophy wife.
Sloan was surprised by how somber Cutter’s tone was. “I’m afraid we have bad news.”
Dread crept onto the parent’s faces as they sat on a love seat across from Cutter and Sloan.
Cutter maintained control. “Do you have a daughter named Jill Gillberry?”
“Yes, yes, we do.”
“I’m sorry to advise you that earlier this evening your daughter was found dead in the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco.”
The mother turned to look at her husband and stared blankly.
The husband’s face paled making him look even older. “This must be a mistake. Jill doesn’t go out much. Perhaps it was someone who worked at her company.”
“No sir, I’m afraid that it’s Jill. We’re very sorry for your loss.”
The husband caressed his wife’s hand with the pad of his thumb.
After ten seconds of gathering himself, the father asked, “What happened?”
“That sir, is what we’re investigating. When did you last speak to your daughter?”
“She’s very busy, so we try not to bother her.” The father turned to his wife.
The woman seemed in total control of her emotions. “It was about two weeks ago. You have to understand that she was married to her company and had no time for us, or friends or anyone else.”
“Do you know if she had any enemies?”
The parents exchanged glances. The father spoke. “No, so why would anyone want to harm her?”
“That’s what we’re trying to discover. Did Jill take any drugs?”
“No, of course not. Why would you ask that?”
“We need to check all the boxes, Mister Gillberry. Do you know if Jill had a will?”
The mother started to weep while the father squeezed her hand, then took a deep breath before he answered. “She did. A portion goes to several charities like a local animal rescue foundation… The rest goes to us.”
The father noticed that Cutter’s eyes were now fixed on him. “I’m well off and retired, so we don’t need her money if that’s what you’re asking.”
“What should we know about Jill?”
“She was always a straight A student and top of her class. On the one hand, she was typical of her generation in that she liked having a schedule. On the other, she was apparently open to being coached by her main investor… She was autocratic when it came to dealing with others.”
“In the morning we would appreciate it if you could meet one of us at the Medical Examiner’s office to identify her.” Cutter passed the father a card.
The father nodded. “Detective Cutter, I’ll call you in the morning and set up a time.”
“One last thing. Do you have a picture of your daughter that we can use?”
“Certainly.” Jill’s father walked over to a sideboard and selected a framed print. “Here you go.”
“Thank you. We’ll show ourselves to the door.”
The night sky was clear and the stars were visible. Sloan was glad it was over.
Cutter said, “Give me the keys. I’ll drive.”
They settled into the Taurus and headed back over the Bay Bridge into San Francisco.
Cutter was quiet so Sloan spoke. “Her parents will inherit her fortune or what’s left of it. My gut tells me they didn’t do it.”
“The rich get richer and the rest of just scrape by.”
Sloan was surprised. “Is that how you really feel?”
Cutter didn’t reply for a long minute. “Some days I get fed up with being a servant of the rich and powerful.”
Jessica nodded. “I can identify with that. So what do we do next?”
“There is still so much we don’t know. We still don’t know how she was murdered. Was it a poison? If so where and how was it purchased? Was a credit card used? In the morning, we’ll visit her company and find out why the company’s in trouble. We need to find out more about the people threatening her. Then we’ll talk to her main investor. The one who set up the entire evening and hired the actor and guards. We need to know why he asked her to go to the play. The whole thing doesn’t make sense to me yet.”
Jessica yawned. “Your plan sounds good to me.”
“You’re going to need to get used to working late.”
“Why?”
“Most murders take place in the evenings and early mornings, so do the math. It’s after 1 a.m. now. I’m heading back to Headquarters. When we get there, you head on home. I’ll do the paperwork for a warrant to search Jill’s home, then leave. I’ll meet you in the squad room at 9 a.m. After I hear from her father about seeing her body, we’ll go to her home.”
