Use every opportunity
to show our maturity.
For in each of us there is more depth of character
yet to be discovered.
To the depth of our character will be the height of our maturity.
They will match---
and when they do
what we say and what we do
will match, too.
Garrett stays at his sister's apartment for two weeks. Each day the news is filled with reports about all of the investigation and arrests going on throughout the city. The news even makes it to be reported on a national level. The headlines in the daily newspaper reads: No More "Guaranteed Confidentially Rule" Wire Transfers Allowed by Banking Commision to Start Immediately)
Gini: That's quite a headline. I think the whole worldwide organization operation has been affected in a big way.
Garrett: I do, too.
Gini: What are you thinking?
Garrett: Believe it or not I am thinking of a corn beef on rye with a touch of mayo.
Gini: What?
Garrett: This investigation has been so intense, so pressure packed that I am remembering the last time I really had a good laugh. It was at a restaurant and the waitress, named Tam, made me laugh. That felt so good and it was fun. I think I'm going for lunch there today. Want to come along?
Gini: No. How are you going out for lunch with police protection?
Garrett: I'm going to call Miles and tell him I don't think it is necessary for me anymore. They say there has been 32 arrests made and the city is looking normal again with video surveillance cameras back in place in most businesses.
Gini: Are you going back full time to manage your security business?
Garrett; I can't say for sure. The people in place are doing a good job and business is good and profitable. I'm beginning to think they don't need me. All of them have really stepped up to the plate and like getting a percentage of the profits in their paychecks each month. I tried to be fair with them for running a smooth operation without me.
Gini: I'm actually thinking of taking some time off. I would like to travel and take a break from my law firm.
Garrett: Looks like both of us are at some kind of crossroad in life at the same time.
Gini: Call Miles and tell him that we are thinking it is time that we don't need police protection. Tell him I am getting a passport and will be traveling for a couple of months.
(Garrett reaches for his phone to call Miles)
The End.
Hi Readers,
This concludes my two mystery blogs entitled: "Accidental Date with Fate" and "Chasing the Evidence Race".
I will be taking a holiday vacation and hope to be back after the first of the year with another mystery blog.
I thank you very much for reading my blog. There are over 1000 posts so please review and reread some of your favorite blogs.
Wishing you the very best.
Sincerely,
Susan Pearl
(An officer and Nate were setting at a table in the interview room. All the paperwork had been completed when Officer Miles and Garrett entered the room. The officer left the room closing the door behind her. Miles and Garrett sat across the table facing Nate. Nate refused to look up at Garrett)
Miles: I have asked Garrett Cummins to be with me for this interview. He has discovered some vital information about the Sylvia Quade murder case. Everything is being recorded and a videocam on the wall is also recording this interview. We know you have been informed of your Miranda Rights. I will ask Garrett to tell you about the new information and how it pertains to you, Nate. I know you have negative feelings towards Garrett but put them aside for now and listen. It could be in your best interest to hear what he has to say. (Miles turns towards Garrett. Nate does lift his head and does look at Garrett in a glaringly hostile manner)
Garrett. If the way you are looking at me could kill me, I would be six feet under. But this is very serious, Nate. Personally, in my opinion we may have saved your life by arresting you. I think if Maze was going to take you to the storage unit office, he would have but instead he drove on by. Now, I know you think you have nothing to fear at the next meeting of buddies in the organization. You think someone else is going down. I think that has changed and you are on the "take out" list and I'm not talking about restaurant fast food. Nate, you have become a liability to the organization and I'll tell you why. We know you had access to the personal computer of Cliff Bayne. A search warrant has been issued and as we speak the computer is being confiscated for evidence along with receipts and transactions from Automotive Restorations.
Nate: What does that have to do with my arrest?
Garrett: We believe the receipts and transactions will show you were at Automotive Restorations the last day that Sylvia worked there before she was murdered. You have already lied to me about not knowing Sylvia. You were a regular customer for buying car wax. You wax your cars a lot. You did all of your car wax transactions with Sylvia because that item was kept in the front of the store inventory and she did the sales work for the front items in the business. This will prove you did know Sylvia Quade.
Nate: So, what? It's not a crime to buy car wax.
Garrett: Did you buy car wax from Sylvia on the last day she worked?
Nate: Could have. I still don't know what this is leading to.
Garrett: We will know when we go through the transactions of that day if you had an opportunity to talk with her at the business.
Nate: What if I did?
Garrett: Well, Nate it may have been an opportunity for you to tell her you would take her to Max's house since his restored car was in for servicing. And the reason I am suggesting that is because we have a signed witness statement that a 1955 blue and white Chevy Belair was parked in front her house and drove away with a passenger at approximately 5:30 PM that day. That makes you the last person that we know of who saw Sylvia alive.
Nate: You really are boring me.
Garrett: You see, Sylvia had become a liability to the organization because she was going to contact the banking commission about money laundering being done from the Automotive Restorations place of business. When we go through the confiscated computer, we will find out everything we need to know and your involvement in any crimes, also. You are a liability to the organization just like Sylvia was and you know it. I know you do. Now, what are you going to do about it? Nate, we have it all. We have the computer. We have the transactions. We have an eye witness who is absolutely positive about the make and model of the car that was parked in front of Sylvia's house and drove away with a passenger. That person driving the car was you. Now is your chance to cooperate with us and make a deal. If you don't, your days are numbered to be very short in or out of the prison system. They are going to get you because of what you know. You have too much going against you with Lana's case and now involvement with Sylvia Quade's case. They are going to stop doing business with you and, in fact, they will keep the possibility of you exposing the organization from ever happening.
Nate: (starts rubbing his chin and looks like he is deep in thought and says) I am not a murderer.
Garrett: You may or may not be Sylvia's murderer. But my, Nate, aren't you something? Bringing not one but two passengers to a designated place for a plan to unfold that will take each of their lives. Was it easier this time, the second time? When did Sylvia realized she had been duped? If you picked her up to take her to Max's place, I think about the time you got fifteen miles outside the city limits she knew that this was more than just giving her a joy ride in your car. Who murdered Sylvia? Who was waiting there for you to bring Sylvia? Was the murderer hidden? You stopped to let her out. I think you told her you would let her drive your car back to the city. Then when you pulled forward telling her you were turning the car around, she waited thinking she would be getting into the driver's seat. You are so good at telling big fake lies. As you drove ahead, she was shot from behind in the back of the head. She didn't see it coming. And you know why you really pulled your car ahead? Because you knew what was going to happen and by driving ahead you wouldn't get any blood on your prized freshly waxed car. This is looking really serious for you, Nate, and it is coming together fast. Who's to say you didn't do it? Maybe you did. You've got to give us a lot more. Who was the person waiting to kill Sylvia and why? Speak up and do it now.
Nate: Can I have some kind of protection in jail if I tell you what you want to know? Because I know if I do tell you, I'm a dead man.
Garrett: You're a dead man if you don't tell us. Your options have run out and the sooner you recognize that fact the better off you'll be.
to be continued: Tomorrow (mystery blog #20)
(Garrett's heart sinks as he finds out Nate has been bailed out and he is no longer in jail.)
Garrett: I thought his bond was set for $350,000 dollars.
Miles: It was. We got notice of a wire transfer in that amount to pay Nate's bond. The wire transfer was under a "Guaranteed Confidentiality Rule" and the bank said everything was in order and the transfer was good. So we had no choice but to let Nate go.
Garrett: How long ago was that?
Miles: Almost an hour.
Garrett: Who picked him up?
Miles: I don't know. I saw him get on the back of a motorcycle and they road off.
Garrett: Was the motorcycle driver a real muscular man?
Miles: No, he looked average build. With the helmet and large sunglasses I didn't get to see his face. He had his leathers on and boots.
Garrett: I will find Gary Hansen and I will take his statement and have him sign it. I'll bring the signed statement to you as soon as I can.
Miles: With this new evidence I have just issued a BOL- "Be On The Lookout" for the motorcycle and stop it and bring Nate in to be questioned for possible involvement and transportation in the murder of Sylvia Quade. If they are still traveling it should work out. But if they have already stopped and parked the motorcycle somewhere it won't happen as fast. But I think the window of time is still open and in our favor. They shouldn't be that far away. With an all points bulletin for the BOL scanning the area that they should still be in; that area will be very well covered and keep expanding and corresponding accordingly to the time frame.
Garrett: They won't be on guard. They don't know we want Nate for questioning about the Sylvia Quade's case.
Miles: Wait a minute,,, it's being reported they have been seen. They pulled up by a police car while waiting at a stop light. The police person is following them and requesting back up. Word has it now that they are leaving the roadway and have entered a gas station plaza to gas up. I don't think it should be too long and we will have Nate back here for questioning.
Garrett: I am with Gary Hansen right now. I'll be right there with Hansen's signed statement. I want to be there for Nate's interview. I know this is a major break in the Sylvia Quade case.
Miles: I agree. I want you to lead the interview.
Garrett: I will and with you there I know we will make a strong team to get to the truth of the Sylvia Quade murder.
Miles: It can happen. We have the element of surprise on our side.
(Shortly, Garrett pulls into the police station parking lot. He goes into the police station and gives Hansen's signed statement to Miles.)
to be continued: Monday, November 22, 2021 (mystery blog #19)
(Besides doing other investigating work throughout the day Garrett has been doing his own stakeout at Sylvia Quade's house at the same time each day. He thought from 4:00PM to 8:00PM would be the best time to watch at a distance and see if something would happen that could be more information or a possible lead. While on his the stakeout Garrett notices an older man walking a dog regularly the same time each day in the neighborhood. The man and dog were directly across the street from Sylvia's house at approximately 5:30PM. That is the time that the witness said he saw Max pick Sylvia up in his blue and white restored car. Garrett thinks it is worth a try to interview the man walking his dog. Garrett sees the older man coming with the dog. Garrett gets out of his car and approaches the man by walking towards him on the sidewalk. Garrett smiles and says)
Garrett: Pardon me. (the man looks surprised but stops to listen) My name is Garrett Cummins and I am investigating the murder of Sylvia Quade. Sylvia lived in that house across the street. I have noticed you have a regular routine of walking your dog by here at approximately the same time each day. I would like to ask if you ever noticed anything unusual that gave you pause or made you wonder about because it was something unusual?
Man with dog: No, can't say I have. My wife and I just got back this week from a two week trip to see our children and grandchildren. My wife is busy getting things caught up after being gone and she isn't walking with us this evening. When she walks with us we go a different route because she likes seeing all the flowers. When I walk the dog I take this way because there is a guy you drives a restored '55 Ford Fairlane which is one of my favorite cars because I drove one in my younger years. It's a sharp car and once in awhile I see him driving it. That really makes may day.
Garrett: So you have been walking with your wife the other route to view flowers most of the time?
Man with dog: Yes, that's exactly right. She usually is on the walk except when she has some extra things to do. Now the week before our trip she didn't walk that week because she had lots to do in getting ready for our trip. She likes shopping and I think she got her walking in that way before our trip. She even bought presents for all the grandchildren and wrapped them just like it was Christmas or something.
Garrett: Thanks for your time. (Garrett does some quick math figuring in his notepad then says) The night I would want to talk to you about would have been the night before you left on your trip. That would be the exact time frame we're talking about. We had a witness say he saw Sylvia Quade picked up in front of her house by a blue and white '55 Ford Fairlane about 5:30PM. That witness was almost a half block away and has some vision problems. So I am trying to find someone who may be able to verify this witness statement.
Man with dog: Tell your witness that car was not a '55 Ford Fairlane. Tell your witness that car was a blue and white '55 Chevy Belair. I saw it and I remember it well. That restored '55 Chevy car was in front of her house the night before we left for vacation. I thought of it when we were on vacation. I hadn't seen one of them for a long time.
Garrett: Would you be willing to give a statement to that fact of seeing a blue and white '55 Chevy Belair outside of Sylvia Quade's house the night before your vacation?
Man with dog: I sure would. I know what I saw. I sure know the difference between a '55 Ford Fairlane and a '55 Chevy Belair. I know what I saw.
Garrett: What is your name?
Man with dog: My name is Gary Hansen.
Garrett: I'll tell Officer Warren Miles that you will be coming to the police station tomorrow to give a statement. Ask for Officer Miles and he will take your statement. Thanks a lot, Gary.
Gary: You're welcome. When it comes to cars from that era I drove them and I know what I'm talking about. I have no doubt that was a '55 Chevy Belair in front of her house that evening.
Garrett: Did you see her get into the car?
Gary: No I didn't see her get into the car but they drove by me and there was a lady in the passenger seat. I didn't know who the passenger was. I never met her. It all happened fast and I was distracted with the dog wanting to go back home. See how this dog is acting right now. All this whining and pulling on the leash are because of wanting to go back home. The dog starts barking at Garrett.
Garrett: I know how that goes and I better let you keep moving.
They smile and nod at each other . Garrett goes back to his car and writes down his notes in his notepad. He felt good about the evening and couldn't help but speculate who the driver of the '55 Chevy Belair could have been. He thinks it is a solid lead. Garrett calls Officer Miles to tell him of the new development. Officer Miles tells Garrett that Nate has just been bailed out and he is no longer in jail.
To be continued: Tomorrow
(The next morning Garrett goes to Automotive Restorations to follow up on his investigation. He walks into the business and steps up to the front counter. The ringing of a doorbell alerts those in the back garage that someone is waiting in the front part of the business. A young mechanic comes to the counter from the back garage area.)
Young Mechanic: Can I help you?
Garrett: I would like to talk to Cliff Bayne.
Young Mechanic: He's unavailable today.
Garrett: Will he be available tomorrow?
Young Mechanic: I couldn't say.
Garrett: Do you work here full time or part time?
Young Mechanic: I work here full time. Cliff has so many telephone interruptions and has to make so many calls to make I even get overtime most weeks.
Garrett: Is your name Roger Gains? The Roger Gains who gave a statement to the police that you could verify that Max Wellbrock's 1955 Ford Fairlane had not left this place of business on the last day that Sylvia Quade worked here? That Max's car was returned the following morning before hearing the news of Sylvia's death.
Young Mechanic: Yes, I'm Roger Gains. That's correct. I was here all day and with Cliff the last day that Sylvia worked here. Max's '55 Ford Fairlane was here all day and even overnight. Cliff returned the Fairlane after putting on a fan belt early the next morning before we opened the business. I followed him so I could give him a lift back to the auto garage. We had worked together all that day the last day. That is, except when he had his dinner break.
Garrett: What time is Cliff's dinner break.
Young Mechanic: It varies. He doesn't often take a dinner break. That day he took a whole hour from 5:30PM to 6:30PM. Sylvia had already left for the day. I got a sandwich at the deli and when I came back with it that is when Cliff left. We try to always have someone here on the premises anytime we are open.
Garrett: Do you know Nate Striker?
Young Mechanic: Sure I know Nate. He is a regular customer because he waxes his cars so much. He buys a lot of car wax. We keep products like that up front and the receptionist handles the transaction with store front stock items for sale. Nate, also, uses Cliff's private commuter because his own computer needs an update.
Garrett: Did Nate come in that day?
Young Mechanic: I couldn't tell you for sure. If he was in it was probably to buy some wax and Sylvia would have handled the transaction. As for using the computer, he comes and goes without even being noticed. He uses an outside walk-in door to Cliff's office. I didn't see him that day.
Garrett: Could you look up the transactions for that day and so I can check if Nate made a purchase? (Just then a man steps out from behind a partition to the garage and tells the young mechanic that his help is needed to work on a car in the back of the garage. The young mechanic leaves the counter and the man steps up to the counter and looks at Garrett saying)
Cliff: My name is Cliff Bayne. I am the owner and we have given more than enough of our time to answering questions. We have work to do. We can't get anything done working on cars and make any money if we are standing around the counter visiting. We've got to keep busy. That's just the way it is.
Garrett: I thought you were unavailable today.
Cliff: I am.
Garrett: Could have fooled me. You suddenly don't look unavailable to me.
Cliff: I'm not going to stand back and watch you ask or try to find out answers to questions that simply are not any of your business. So this conversation is over. Max and I have been through hours of questioning. Max's car was here. That's it. There's not anything else to say. (Cliff turns his back and walks away towards the garage)
Garrett:(calls out) I understand and I'll be leaving. You have work to do and I don't want to take up more of your time.
Cliff: (Stops and turns saying) I actually think you've get it.
Garrett: I do. (Garrett leaves and Cliff continues walking to the garage. Garrett is thinking as he is walking to his car of how his request for information about Nate had hit a nerve with Cliff. It seemed very important to Cliff that he quickly step in and stop any transactions from being shown that were made on the last day that Sylvia worked there. Garrett knows he did hit a nerve with Cliff. Garrett writes down some notes about this in his notepad. He knows a definite knee jerk reaction when he sees one. There was something that caused Cliff to have a reaction and want to break up the conversation between the mechanic and Garrett. Also, Garrett knows he has caught Nate in another lie as Nate told him he didn't know Sylvia Quade. Now Garrett has two details starting to show there is more to Nate and Cliff. It is like they are trying to protect each other. Nate denies knowing Sylvia and Cliff stops possible information about Nate to be revealed. In addition for Nate to have special access to Cliff's computer is very concerning. Garrett breaths a temporary sigh of relief knowing Nate is in jail but soon that will change.)
to be continued: Tomorrow
