"Chasing the Evidence Race" by Susan Pearl ( Wednesday, mystery blog #1)

(Garrett returns to the tattoo parlor to talk with Patrick.  Every effort at the local police station,  contacting mortuaries, cremation services and coroner reports had turned up empty.  There isn't even a death certificate for Gus on file in the state's vital statistics.  How could there have been a memorial service without any death certificate records anywhere? Garrett wants to talk to Patrick about the memorial service.  Maybe a bar patron who liked Gus provided the cremation service out of state.  Garrett goes into the tattoo parlor and asks Patrick if they can talk in the back office,)

Patrick:  Sounds serious. What's on your mind?

Garrett:  A lot.  I have a lot on my mind.  I want you to tell me about the memorial service for Gus. Did anything seem unusual or has made you wonder about since the service?

Patrick:  No, I thought it was a very nice memorial for Gus.  We I drove up to the field and there was a white table with a white bib apron laying on the table like Gus wore and a white bar towel like the one Gus always had on his shoulder.  There were ashes holders on the table that were 100% biodegradable and eco friendly to the environment.  The holders for the ashes were made out of leaves and had a leaf on the top.  There was a note on the table instructing that those in attendance should take an ashes holder and go to any area in the field and spread the ashes.  Also, the ashes holders should be left on the ground.  There wasn't any music or a minister.  It was unique and seemed just right for Gus. It was easy, simple and no fuss.

Garrett:  Was there anyone there representing a funeral home.

Patrick:  No.  We came at 10:00 AM.  The time was known just by people calling and telling each other.  Kind of like a family gathering would be organized for everyone to know about.  After spreading the ashes we all left and drove away.  The table was left in the field.  There were a few ashes holders left.  I thought that other people may be coming later or throughout the day and it was thoughtful to have ashes for them to spread, each in their own personal way.  At the memorial service some people went by a big shade tree to spread ashes. Others went to the center of the field to spread the ashes.  I did half of his ashes by the tree and the other half of his ashes in the full sunlight. It was quiet and peaceful. I thought it was very respectful and meant a lot to have that moment remembering Gus.

Garrett: Do you know who set up the table and then removed it.

Patrick:  I heard Nate did it.  Someone had asked him to be in charge of setting things up.  Then he came and went during the time the group was there.  He must have been checking if things were going alright.

Garrett:  I would like to speak with Nate.  Any ideas where I might find him?

Patrick: No, I don't know anything about him and really I don't know of anyone who does know Nate.

Garrett:  Thanks for your time, Patrick.  Appreciate it.

Patrick: Sure, any time.

(Garrett left and sat in his car for awhile. He was wondering if he should let things rest like letting Gus rest in peace or should he try to find proof of death  Had Gus been murdered and then buried and this whole memorial service was just a roux?  Without a death certificate could he be alive?  Garrett decides to talk to Officer Miles about his suspicions.)

to be continued: Tomorrow

"Accidental Date With Fate" by Susan Pearl ( Tuesday, mystery blog #22)

(Miles and Garrett spend several hours discussing several issues that seem suspicious. They leave the police station late.  The next morning Garrett checks out the area banks and that turns up nothing.  Too many regulations, privacy rights in place that he would need a lot more paperwork to find out anything. He decides he wants to talk to Gus about who Nate is and where Nate lives.  When he parks in front of the bar and grill it is closed with a big black bow on the entrance door.  Garrett notices that the A-Maze-Ing Tattoos is open.  He goes in and sees Patrick is in back reading a book.  Garrett goes to Patrick. Patrick looks up and sees Garrett coming and says)

Patrick: I don't know a thing about Maze.  Haven't heard a word.  I decided to clean things up and so far business has been good again.  I think I am making a good manager and I am starting to be in demand for giving some great tattoos again.

Garrett:  That sounds good.  I wanted to talk to Gus. What's going on? What's with the black bow on the door?

Patrick:  You haven't heard?

Garrett:  Heard what?

Patrick: Gus was found dead and they think it was a heart attack.  No one was with him when he died.  He was found dead laying on the floor behind the bar.  What a thing to walk in on.  I felt sorry for Nate.

Garrett: For who?

Patrick: For Nate Striker. He's the one who found Gus dead.

Garrett: Who is this Nate Stricker?

Patrick: I don't know.  I would see him once in a while at the bar but we never spoke.  He always sat alone at the bar.  And usually if someone else came and sat at the bar while he was there he would just get up and leave right away.

Garrett: Did Gus have family? 

Patrick: The bar was his life and family.  When he died it actually felt like a family member had died. He wanted his ashes to be spread in a open field in the country and there were about thirty five people there. 

Garrett: Was Nate there?

Patrick: Yes, he came late and left early and stayed off by himself while he was there.

Garrett: Were any EMS, police or a coroner called to the bar when Nate found Gus?

Patrick:  I didn't see any activity. Must have just been the coroner.

Garrett: An unattended death should be investigated.

Patrick: I don't know anything about that.  I just heard it probably was a heart attack and to meet at the field for the spreading of ashes.

(Garrett expresses condolences and leaves.  While driving away he is thinking that Maze must be in hiding.  Garrett reasons that Maze figured out that Hanna had killed Lana and tried to make it look like one of the Dover brother's had committed the murder.  Maze, also, knew that Hanna had killed the Dover brothers. That fact, is what made him panic, grab the envelope and run for his life. Maze knows the brutality she is capable of and he knows the revenge she holds for him because he did not come forward with the letter from Lana that would have vindicated her. Garrett decides to put the word out on the street that if Maze hears it Garrett would like Maze to know there is help available and to call him.  Meanwhile, Garrett is going to stay focused on Nate. He drives to the closest police station in the bar's location thinking that surely there must be some information about Nate since he was the one who found Gus dead behind the bar.  Garrett wants to find Nate and ask what Nate knows and more importantly who Nate's knows. The chauffeur was important enough for Lana to want him in a picture. WHY? This detail could lead to finding out important information. Garrett is now chasing the evidence race, a fast paced and intense chase because he wants to catch up to any evidence as fast as he can.)

This (mystery blog #22) is "THE END" of "Accidental Date With Fate" (mystery blogs, series 1---        written by Susan Pearl)

The mystery will be continued as "Chasing the Evidence Race"  (mystery blogs, series 2-----                  written by Susan Pearl)

To be continued--tomorrow-- as "Chasing the Evidence Race" ( Wednesday, mystery blog #1) 

Thank you,

Susan Pearl

"Accidental Date with Fate" by Susan Pearl ( Monday, mystery blog # 21)

 (Garrett concentrates to not show any emotion as Hanna gives him a piercing stare.  The tape recorder was still taping and a video camera mounted on a nearby wall continued to tape everything happening. Hanna had no problem signing a release for her requested visit to be recorded.  Her confession to killing Lana was officially taped and court admissible.) 

Garrett:( referring to the text from Gini he had just read)  I'm glad to read that things are finishing up well in a very interesting way. (He puts his phone away.)

Hanna: I'm done here.  I want to go. Just know I am the only one who can take credit for stopping the nightmare that has paralyzed this city for two years. You should thank me for explaining everything to you, spoonful by spoonful, like feeding a baby.  I knew I didn't have time for you to figure it out on your own--- just as if you really could--which I doubt very much. I'm expecting some good plea deals and you better believe me when I tell you I know exactly what I am doing.  That wasn't a text about things finishing up well.  We are just beginning. Do you hear me?  We are just beginning.  Like I said you don't have a clue what you are up against. In fact, I think it would be beyond your comprehension.  You can't even put together and figure out that the company's missing $800,000 was filtered into the Dover brothers personal checking accounts to cover extra expense.  Lana was that extra expense and she had been for eight month. They were giving her $100,000 a month plus so much more.  She took them for all she could.  This is all going to come out.  I confronted her that the murders and her blackmailing had to stop and she attacked me.  It was self defense.  I had to kill her.  I was the one who stopped the murders and I know people are going to identify that I put my life on the line to help free this city from these corrupted people.  (On the way out she stops and turns towards Garrett and says) Tell your sister that to pay off my bill was very important to me. 

Garrett:  Don't be so sure of yourself.  That's all I have to say.  Hanna, you have now admitted you have some inside information about a bank wire that happened just this morning. Would you tell me this? Since the Dover brothers were big players in this untraceable money wire organization and you have told us there is a chain of command inside this organization: Did someone above the Dover brothers in the organization have you execute them.  That would give you an instant ranking and good standing for doing that. Did the organization ask you or tell you to kill the Dover brothers and you took advantage of a big opportunity to get in with the organization?  

Hanna:  I take the fifth. (She smirks as she continues to be escorted out of the room.  Officer Miles and Garrett decide to go to the police station and sort out some of their thoughts. Each of them, on the way to the police station stops for takeout meals for two.  Each one didn't know the other was getting the other a meal.  When they got back to the police station and met in the office of Officer Miles they laughed that both of them had bought a surprise meal for the other.)

Miles:  I think we have enough food here that we could work way past midnight and not be hungry.

Garrett: I'll say.  That's probably the way it will go.  We have a lot to go through for getting answers to so many questions. I knew there was something very important about the envelope. I kept going back to my note that Patrick had heard Lana say to Maze that she considered the envelop her "insurance policy".  I knew it was important and I knew Lana had written something down that she could use. It was like having an ace up her sleeve only she wanted the brothers to know she had that ace to play and she didn't have to be there to play it.  When Maze took the envelope with him that solidified the envelope importance to me.  Also, that she had signed across the seal of the manila envelope the letter had been put into.  That seemed like an extra effort to make the envelope to hold up legally for authenticity.  Also, Maze had commented about having his DNA on the envelope by licking it to seal it.  I knew that meant Maze was part of the legal authenticity of the contents of the envelope.  That would show he was entrusted with the letter and would have legal evidence to prove it.. Lana had put a lot of thought into the letter she wrote and the way it could hold up legally if she wasn't there.   But I still have some questions about Lana.

Miles:  What do you have in mind?

Garrett: Why did Lana Daltine want to take a photo of the necklace while buying it.  That was the picture of the necklace that was used in the newspaper.

Miles:  I'd say that cropped picture was of a lot more than the necklace. It showed the storefront door and the front windows with traffic driving by. I know if I was taking a picture of a necklace I would take a close up. But in this picture you can barely see the necklace. The newspaper had to use a lot of magnification to get the necklace enlarged enough and clear enough for it to be printed in the newspaper.

Garrett: When I was going through all the files I only saw the newspaper clipping. So, I haven't seen  the original picture. I just assumed that was the picture exactly as she had taken it.

Miles: That picture of the necklace was cropped and the necklace was only a small part of the original picture.

Garrett:  My, I'd like to see the original picture.  Where is it now?

Miles:  It has to be with the evidence.  Do you think you overlooked it?

Garrett: It's a possibility, I suppose.

Miles:  Maybe it was put into a different file, an active file that is currently being worked on.  I'll check  that file.  (Miles leaves the room and then returns with the active file.  He opens the the file and goes through some things.  Then says,) Yes, here it is. It was put in the active file because we were trying to identify the chauffeur. (Miles hands the photo to Garrett. Garrett looks intensely at the chauffeur who is standing by the front door of the store in the photo.)

Garrett:  Wait a minute.  I know this person. Well, I don't know him but I know his name.  His name is Nate.  That's all I know.  I saw him briefly in the bar and grill located beside A-Maze-Ing Tattoos. Gus, the bartender, called him "Nate".  That's all I know.

Miles: That's more than we knew. This is being a productive session.  Let's keep going.  What else do you think should be checked out.

Garrett: Now that I know about this picture of the chauffeur I think it is a real possibility that Lana was trying to give us a clue.  She may have sensed things were going wrong.  I'm going to concentrate on finding the chauffeur.  By looking at this picture it is apparent she stepped back far enough from the necklace that the picture would include the chauffeur.  He is on the top edge. Also, I'm wondering how did she have access to such a large amount of cash each month.  I'm going to check banks in the area.  

Miles: It seems like you are shifting your focus to be still on Lana.  We know she was killed the night she bought the necklace. Her body was found in a freezer in a cabin in the woods.  Vandals said they noticed the padlocked door had been kicked in. They decided to go in and see if there was anything they could take. They had a big surprise when they opened the freezer to see the contents, Trying to use only their flashlights in the middle of the night, it was a fright for them. We got a frantic call from them and they waited to tell us that they had not done the forced entry. They were so shook up we let them go right away after taking their statements. The crime scene investigators reported Lana was wearing the same dress as that night in the jewelry store. The body, of course, was well preserved. The autopsy report estimated it had been close to two weeks since her time of death. Her purse had been placed under her. It was obvious to us whoever did it wanted to keep the body well preserved and wanted us to know her identity. Lana was such a recluse at her apartment. All services available only came when she called for them to come.  So there was no missing person report ever filed.  The inhouse kitchen said that she did have her times of just eating fruit. She would have big bowls of fresh fruit delivered to her room and then she would go days without calling for a meal to be delivered.   At the crime scene her phone was found under the freezer.  It must have dropped out of her purse and was accidently kicked under the freezer. The pictures were on her phone.  We have two pictures that were taken that night. One picture is the distant view of the necklace and the other is a selfie of her wearing the necklace that same night.  So, I think that, with Hanna's confession, we can finish up Lana's case. 

Garrett: I read all about those findings in the case files but I think there are more answers to find. There is something so wrong going on.  Have you ever seen so many untraceable money wires?  Could the Dover brothers have been involved in a world wide underground invisible cash wiring syndicate?

Miles:  One thing we now know is why Richard told Hanna that "it didn't have to be like this".  Richard and Henry, somehow, realized that Hanna had killed Lana.  Maybe they knew from Lana about Maze and at the same time knew Hanna was seeing Maze.  Richard found out about Lana's murder from Henry and it was purposely done to look like the serial killer.  I think that enraged him.  He and Henry knew there was a letter Lana had written and upon her death the letter would tell how she was the one who got away and would name the serial killers as the Dover brothers.  They had gone out of their way to keep her quiet and I don't think they had any intention of killing Lana. It was a total surprise to Richard and Henry that Lana had been murdered.  They were very angry because they were going down because of Lana's letter.  They had no idea that Maze would not come forward with the letter because he must have loved Lana too much and didn't want to help Hanna in any way.

Garrett;  Lana must have told the Dover brothers about the letter and that was her leverage.  I think they decided to leave her alone because the letter would take them down.  Hanna was enraged with jealousy and knew Maze was going to leave the country with Lana in two days.  I think Hanna's intention was to stop at any measure or in any way Lana and Maze from being together and that is exactly what she did.  I don't think Hanna murdering Lana had anything to do with trying to stop the blackmail and had everything to do with having Maze all to herself.  But then there is some sort of chain of command that opens the possibility a person of higher rank than the Dover brothers ordered their execution and asked Hanna to do it.  That person would offer all sorts of fringe benefits and favors for following through on the brothers assassinations.  Maybe, the Dover brothers had become too big of liability to the organization especially if Hanna had leaked some information she knew about the serial murders.  

 

to be continued: Tomorrow

"Accidental Date with Fate" by Susan Pearl (Friday #20 mystery blog)

(Hanna's formal request to speak to Garrett and Officer Miles is granted  Miles and Garrett are called to meet with Hanna at 9:00 AM the next morning.  Garrett stayed up until 4:00 AM going over and over his every note of the investigation.  He sets the alarm for 7:30AM, goes to bed but doesn't sleep. He gets up to go through his notes again and is sitting at his desk when the alarm goes off.  Garrett and Miles each arrive at the waiting room outside of the visiting area at the prison. Hanna is escorted into the visiting area and she is secured in place behind a table.  Garrett and Officer Miles enter the visiting area and sit, side by side, across the table facing Hanna.)

Hanna:  You are probably wondering what this is all about.  Let's just say I want to know how soon I can get out.  With finding the jewelry at Richard's man cave it is obvious he and Henry together did the serial killings.  It is, also, obvious that the one necklace that wasn't at Richard's place had to have been planted at my apartment.  That proves they had an agenda with me to have me set up for the murders.  I am expecting all charges to be dropped against me.  I have been in this jail far too long already.  It was self defense because they were setting me up to take some sort of fall for them.  I want there to be some kind of ruling that the Dover brothers are the serial killers and that they did it together or took turns and that alone should be the total center of attention.  I shouldn't even be in here with the evidence found now at Richard's place.  It doesn't make sense.  A trial totally against them should come first and declare them guilty dropping all charges against me.

Miles: Hanna, it can't be like that. Garrett has discovered some evidence and there may be additional charges against you.

Hanna:  More charges against me?!!!!against me?!!!!!How could that ever be!!!! Against me?!!!!! More charges!!!! I can't imagine!!!!What could they be?!!!! I'm shocked!!!!!!

Garrett: I have some things I want to talk to you about.  Hanna, there are details that don't line up. The other day I stopped by Dover Enterprises to randomly talk to the employees.  I interviewed seven employees asking them if they could remember anything out of the ordinary that had happened no matter how small.  One part time employee said he remembered a meeting he attended that was a little unusual. He said that during the meeting the alarm sounded several time on Richard's wristwatch.  Richard was embarrassed and got very frustrated. In fact, this employee assisted Richard in turning off the alarm system on the wristwatch so it wouldn't keep sounding.  It interrupted the meeting.  The next day Richard thanked him for his help and assured him it wouldn't happen again because Richard had gone to the jewelry shop where he had bought the watch and had the mechanism for the alarm system completely disconnected.  I went to that jewelry shop and, sure enough, they have a receipt about that transaction.  That receipt is dated before the morning you said you heard the watch alarm in the vault.  So I have been thinking that your story can't be right and why would you lie?

Hanna (no response)

Garrett:  Now, the Dover brothers did not like any type of surveillance cameras.  But the apartment where you live has lots and lots of surveillance cameras. There is no surveillance of Henry or Richard ever being at your building,-- none, nothing.  So I ask myself, how could either one of them plant the necklace when both were not ever at your apartment building? The phone records did show a conversation from Henry to Richard during that time frame of Henry being late for work. But the morning that Henry was a half hour late for work had nothing to do with him planting the necklace at your apartment.  It has everything to do with finding out the serial killer had struck again. There are witnesses saying that Henry had to sit down for awhile after reading the morning newspaper's headlines at a local coffee shop.  Henry bought a daily newspaper and a specialty coffee at a coffee shop on his way to work each day.  He got his newspaper, his specialty coffee and he would leave immediately. That was his routine.  Witnesses at the coffee shop that morning say that his reaction to the newspaper was obvious as he stumbled to a table and sat down.  He called someone on his phone. Some people say they don't think that Henry was capable of walking to his car after reading the headlines.  So, we know that Henry and Richard did talk that morning as we have phone records verifying the call was made from the coffee shop to  Richard's phone and it was a six minute conversation. We know and can prove that the Dover brothers did not plant the necklace in your apartment.  We, also. know that only when the news had been released to the general public that the Dover brothers learned of Lana's death.  The news was a surprise to Henry and that was why he called Richard from the coffee shop. There are witnesses ready to testify they heard Henry tell the person on the phone that Lana Daltine had been murdered and it looked like the characteristics left at the murder scene was like those of the serial killer making her the ninth victim. People will also testify the person on the other end of the phone was screaming after hearing that news but it wasn't audible.(Hanna glares at Garrett) 

Hanna So??? It was probably all an act. Their plan of framing me had already been set in motion and how very convenient to be in front of an audience at the coffee shop. (Garrett gets out the printout of Maze from a folder and places it on the table in front of Hanna.)

Garrett: Do you know this man?  There is a lot of surveillance tapes showing him coming and going from your apartment and several times spending the night.  But there is no surveillance of him at all the entire week of Lana's death.  You know where this is going don't you?

Hanna: (Nods affirmative)

Garrett: Hanna, did you do this for him? Did you know that he and Lana were making plans of leaving the country together.  She had an alias name of Yvonne Langley.  Lana had purchased a property in Europe and that is where they were going to go and live.

Hanna: (stares at the floor--mumbling) Yvonne was my mother's name.  How dare she?

Garrett: Hanna, you killed Lana.  That is the additional charge.  You wanted to stop them and have Maze all to yourself.  You thought that Maze would think it was one of the Dover brothers who killed Lana.  After all, you made it look her murder had been done by the serial killer.  So, Hanna, tell me how did you feel when Maze didn't come forward with the envelope with the letter from Lana stating that if anything ever happened to her it would be one of the Dover brothers.  That both of them together made the serial killer.  How did you feel after you had killed the Dover brothers and Maze didn't come forward with the envelope. The contents of that envelope would have totally proven your statements and testimony to be true.

Hanna: Terrible. (mumbles)

Miles: What? Repeat that. How did it feel when Maze didn't come forward with the envelope that had contents that would have exonerated you.  Hanna, he had evidence that would exonerate you and he didn't come forward with that evidence.  How did that make you feel?  Rather, how does it make you feel right now? 

Hanna: (stamps her feet and screams) Terrible!!!!! It feels Terrible!!!!!

Miles:  Why didn't he come forward?

Hanna:  I don't know.  Maybe it was for the money.  Lana had blackmailed the Dover brothers for months.  They even wired her a title to a villa and property in Europe. That's where they were going, to the blackmail villa with blackmail money!!! That is so low.  She didn't care if there would be more killings by Richard and Henry. She had recognized Henry the night he was stalking her and she blackmailed them. She didn't care about anyone or anything but herself.  The ultimate epitome of selfishness and greed.  Lana sickened me.

Miles: Why did you kill Richard and Henry?

Hanna:  Well, dah!  I killed them to STOP them.  The people of this city will thank me. I eavesdropped enough to know that Henry used a knife.  He liked blood.  And he did one strike directly through the heart.  Richard used a rope and suffocation. I knew Henry killed first. I knew that they took turns.  One was right handed. The other was left handed.  They would come to work and one would have lots of scratches. One time Henry even had a black eye and told people he had eye surgery.  I didn't fall for it.  I called his eye doctor and there had been no surgery or knowledge of any surgery or a need for any. So I knew when it came to the ninth victim it had to be done with a knife.  You know, Officer Miles, my information is first hand for accuracy and now the public can know it all, thanks to me. This is a huge case and I can play a key role for evidence.  I want plea deals and I want lesser charges especially any murder charge for killing Lana.  When the public hears that she knew who the serial killers were and withheld that information to blackmail them.  She did that just so she could live the exquisite life she had dreamt of.  Now the public can know her lifestyle meant more to her than taking those monsters off the streets.  The public will be repulsed about Lana. They will thank me, especially, when they find out I confronted her to reveal the truth or I was going to reveal her blackmailing scheme.  When Henry was close to attacking Lana she called 911 but she recognized him and she made a deal with the devil.  People will think I am a hero as I stopped the serial killers and I stopped the one blackmailing them. A blackmailer ready to leave the country not even caring if they would kill again.

Miles: Explain more.

Hanna: I was forced to kill her because she told me she was going to take me out and kill me rather than give up her gravy train.  I try to do things with some sort of a conscience, after all, these people had to be stopped.. But I was glad to get rid of her so Maze and I could be together. Now, Maze has let me down in a worst way. (sobs)  I know I am on my own through all of this and I've got to do what I've got to do. He may not even be alive. or someone in the chain of command is telling him what to do.

Miles: Chain of command?

Hanna:  I'm not talking military.  But you have no idea.  You haven't even scratched the surface of this world wide invisible untraceable wiring sophisticated crime organization. They say, money talks; well, guess who really is speaking right now over a worldwide microphone.  You don't even have a clue.  You know my demands and I want to hear back in a week.  My new attorney will be contacting you, I told you all this so you know what an important and intricate part I am to proving the Dover brothers guilty in the serial murders which has been paralyzing the city for over two years. I want my plea deal and my lesser charges in writing.  In fact, more than that, I even want all charges dropped against me. Until that happens I am going to take the fifth for every question. The city is waiting for this case to be solved and there has been tremendous pressure on the police and city officials to solve this case and name the serial killer, or killers in this case. I am the only one who can help you with that to give it finality, but you know what my demands are.  The ball is in your court.

(Garrett's looks at his phone and brings up a text message from Gini.  It reads;   "I just received notice from my Law Firm's bank that a wired money amount was put into our account this morning with a memo that Hanna's account is now paid in full.  I had not sent a bill. In fact, I was not going to send a bill. So I had my office bookkeeping add up what the amount of a bill would be.  The total is the exact amount of the wired money and that includes some restaurant receipts from our investigators and covers your full expenses to the penny for the entire cost of finding the jewelry..  I am baffled.  How could they know this amount before we do?) 

to be continued: on Monday, October 18th, 2021

"Accidental Date With Fate" by Susan Pearl ( Thursday #19 mystery blog)

 (Garrett spent the evening calling every x-ray technician he knew.  Finally he got the third technician to commit to the endeavor.  He had gotten information on where to rent the equipment needed and reserved three portable radiography minimum density x-ray machines.  He ordered some extra supplies because didn't want to be short on anything.. He made arrangements for everything and told the rental company he would pick everything up at 1:00PM. The rental company expressed appreciation to have all morning to get everything ready because it was an adequate amount of time to have everything in order and operational.  Garrett rested well that night knowing that this was one detail that needed to be followed up on and it would soon be done. The next morning Officer Miles called.)

Garrett: Hi, how are things going Officer Miles.  I have caller ID.

Miles:  These are the rules we have to follow.  The attorney has to, also, be present and nothing can be touched or moved. 

Garrett:  I think we can live with that.  Tell the attorney that is exactly how it will be done.

Miles: I will.  I'll see you and the crew at 2:00PM.  The wife does want to have her husband completely  vindicated in every way but says she is sure this is a wild goose chase.

Garrett: Well, it wouldn't be my first one but it has to be done to know for sure.  Thank you for your call.

( Later Miles and Garrett pull up in front of the house and after getting out of their cars they decide to wait inside the house)

Miles;  What ever made you think of such an idea to x-ray the statures?

Garrett: Radiography is becoming more popular because there have been some old statues that x-rays have shown a hidden message or another figurine inside the statue.  Now some artists are putting a hidden statue inside the statue and then when selling the statue the artist displays the statue along with an x-ray picture of the hidden feature.  It really can be fascinating. But the down side for this project is instead of doing one statue at a time the technicians will have to be more at a distance and take large group pictures of the statues.  There is absolutely no risk of radiation up to a certain point and they will remain way below that recommendation.  The technicians will wear special x-ray lab clothing.  They think that with three technicians they should be done within one hour.

Miles:  I guess I didn't realize what all was going to be involved.  Hope the attorney agrees to it.  He will probably need to sign off on a form of some sort to show they have permission to x-ray the statues. 

Garrett: Well, we'll find out soon.  The attorney is pulling up in the driveway and beside him is another car. Looks like all three technicians came together.

Miles:  Before they come in I want to talk to all of them together in the driveway and make sure the attorney is agreeable to proceed.  He knows we were going to x-ray the statues.  He told the wife we were going to x-ray the statues.  This shouldn't come as any surprise to see that some safety precautions need to be taken. 

Garrett:  I'll go with you. (Garrett and Miles meet everyone in the driveway. They all are in agreement to get started.  Everyone came in the house and looked around and examined the equipment that Garrett had rented.)

Technician: Looks like you got everything we need..  (The technicians are led through the house by the attorney.  The technicians divide up the rooms and specify which technician will take pictures in which room.)

Technician 2:  Sounds good. Let's get started. This should take ten minutes a room.  We each have five rooms including the basement. (The technicians put on their protective lab clothes) We ask that the others wait for us on the front porch.

Miles: Did you bring an extra set of lab clothing. I gave my word I would be present and I intend to keep my word. ( A lab technician hands Miles the protective clothing and Miles puts it on. Garrett and the attorney go to the front porch.  Garrett is felling nervous.  The next hour passes slowly.  He and the attorney were silent like waiting for a verdict while the jury is out.   After one hour all three technicians and Miles come out onto the front porch.)

Technician 3:  Here are all the x-ray photos and everything checks out fine.  There are not any masses or densities in any of these statues.  They were easy to do because this is very fine artwork.  Any type of thickness or mass of any kind would have easily shown up.  We are confident that there is not anything hidden in any of the statues.

Garrett:  Thank you for coming.

Technician 1:  Can we help you load the equipment?

Garrett:  I would appreciate that. ( The technicians remove their outer protectives clothes.  As they are coming out of the house with the equipment to load into Garrett's car Garrett notices a van pulling into the neighbor's driveway.  On the side of the van is an advertisement reading that the services provided were for "Plumbing and Heating".  Garret stops and the others are unsure why he isn't loading the equipment he had carried to his car.)

Garrett: Wait a minute.  I am thinking we may have overlooked something.  The statues aren't the only things made of porcelain in this house.  I want all of you to go back in and take an x-ray view of every sink and stool tank. 

Attorney:  What?  This is absurd.  Stool tanks and sinks?  Are you kidding?  No way.

{Garrett remembered Marla's words that the tokens and souvenirs would be kept close and the closer the better.) I can understand your frustration and I'm grateful we were allowed to x-ray the statues.  Would you agree to have one more picture taken of one sink.

Attorney:  You want one more x-ray picture and you want it of a sink? 

Garrett: That is what I am asking and that will satisfy me.

Attorney: If one more x-ray picture will satisfy you I'm not going to say "No".  I'll allow it.  Which sink?

Garrett:  I want an x-ray picture of the bar sink that is in Richard's man cave in the basement.

(Miles and one technician return to the house with the one piece of equipment and put on their protective clothing again.  Garrett, the attorney and the two other technicians go to the porch to wait. After a half hour Miles comes to the door and asks the other two technicians to come in.  The two technicians go into the house and join the other technician and Miles. Tension gets thicker and thicker on the porch as more time passes.)

Garrett:  You would think they would know what an x-ray of one sink shows by now. This is taking entirely too long.

Attorney;  I think so, too. (At that very moment the technicians and Miles come out of the house and stand in front of Garrett and the attorney.)

Technician 1:  Here is the one allowed x-ray picture of the bar sink in the man cave.  We all have visited and we all have concurred that there is definitely some sort of fake porcelain base in the basement bar sink.  That is the bar sink in the man cave.  We are, also, certain that there are several items inside that fake base. The fake base is attached flawlessly to the true base of the sink but this photo does show and entry area right here.(The technician shows a hairline crack on the back side of the fake base to Garrett and the attorney.)

Miles: I'm calling in the the crime investigation unit right now and ordering a search warrant..

Attorney:  We have to.

Garrett: We have to know what has been hidden inside the fake base of the basement bar sink. (The technicians leave and within a half hour the crime investigation crime team come with a search warrant and begin investigating the man cave bar sink. Garrett, Miles and the attorney look on)

Crime scene investigator 1:  I've got the opening to the fake base removed. I'm putting my hand in and I am feeling several items.  Each item seems to be wrapped and tied in velvet.  I'll bring them out one by one and lay them on the evidence tray. (The crime investigator removes eight neatly velvet wrapped items and places each one on the evidence tray.)

Garrett: I think that may be them, the eight souvenir tokens.

Miles:  The crime unit will take it from here on their own. We will call you when appropriate even if it is late tomorrow. (Garrett and the attorney leave. Miles stays with the crime unit,  Garrett drives to his apartment and emotions upon emotions are all racing and running through him and his thoughts. When he thinks of the families being called to identify the piece of jewelry of their loved one, and how hard it would be for them, he couldn't hold back his tears. Then when he thought of the arrogance of the Dover brothers to play their fantasy games with the lives of others he became angry and clinched his fist.  His phone rings. It is Gini calling)                                                                                                                      

Garrett: This is Garrett go ahead Gini.  I've got you on speaker phone and I'm the only one here.

Gini:  Is it true about finding the jewelry?

Garrett:  I'm putting everything on hold until we formally hear the crime investigation team findings.  If the jewelry requires accurate identification it could take a day or two.  There is a need for great sensitivity right now.

Gini:  Guess who sent me a certified letter with a return receipt that I had to sign twice for just about five minutes ago. 

Garrett:  I have no idea. Who?

Gini: Hanna.  She sent me a letter to inform me that I am fired! She does not want to see me again.  She says she has different legal council who will start immediately.

Garrett:  Why?  What more could you have done for her?

Gini:  I don't know and I'm not going to waste my time trying to find out.  It is over. We are all removed from the case as of five minutes ago. So, knowing that, you may not even get called about the findings of the crime investigation team.  That call will go to her new attorney.

Garrett:  This is stunning. I don't know what to say.

Gini: I have heard she has put in a formal request to speak to you and Miles tomorrow.

Garrett:  What in the world can that be about? 

to be continued: Tomorrow

"Accidental Date With Fate" by Susan Pearl (Wednesday, #18 mystery blog)

 (The next morning Garrett went to the police station.)

Miles: I'm surprised to see you.  We've already boxed up all of the files. I thought you said you were done.

Garrett: I am done going through all of the the paper work. Can we talk in private? 

Miles: Yes, The same room is available so let's go in there. (They both go in the nearby room and each take a seat on opposite sides of the table facing each other). So, what is on your mind?

Garrett:  I've got some ideas and possibilities. I want to talk to you about them. Since I can only put these ideas into actions with your approval I need to convince you these actions are needed to further this investigation.

Miles: Alright, what are we talking about.

Garrett:  We are talking about the possibility that Richard Dover and, possibly, his brother, Henry Dover, together formed a conspiracy to commit the serial murders.  These actions would help dispute or prove this possibility. I think this possibility will come up during the trial. I'm asking we check out a big part of this possibility now.

Miles: Come again?  You know that Hanna's statement of seeing Richard with a necklace in the vault is going to come under intense scrutiny at the trial.  Besides that, the necklace has been found in Hanna's apartment.

Garrett: Yes, I know that, but if, the jewelry tokens and souvenirs taken from the previous eight victims could be found in Richard's house we would have indisputable evidence that Richard and perhaps along with his brother, Henry, were involved in the killing of the previous eight victims.  We know where the the necklace of the ninth victim was found.  If the other taken jewelry items could be found at Richard's house that would insure the fact that the necklace of the ninth victim had been planted in Hanna's apartment by them. 

Miles: I don't think this meets the approval requirements for a search warrant to be issued. 

Garrett:  I agree, but we don't need a search warrant.  You already have permission from the wife that if something needs to be checked at the house that you have permission for that to be done as long as you are present to supervise.

Miles: I'm listening.

Garrett:  I have learned that Richard was very much involved in making porcelain statues.  I know this for a fact.  All I ask is that we go to the house. I'll have a professionally educated x-ray crew with portable equipment take x-ray pictures of the statues.  By doing that action we will know if any contents has been hidden in any of the statues.  Every statue is in the open area for everyone to see.  We won't even have to touch the statues. There is either going to be something hidden inside of the statues or not. We will know with confidence either way.  I think it needs to be done to advance the investigation. What do you say?

Miles:  My name is Miles and people tell me that I am willing to go the extra mile.  I think I will agree to this one and check out the possibility.  I think it would help in the investigation of this trial but I will need to talk to Richard's wife and the attorney first.  If we do find evidence we want to make sure it is admissible evidence.  We will have to have all our T's crossed and i's dotted.

Garrett: Let me make a few calls and see when I can get an x-ray crew there.  There may be over one thousand statues so I think we would need at least a three person team.

Miles: This is unchartered water but I think we are within all guidelines on her signed permission form.  I know it would be out of line to search through things. But, if what we want to investigate is out in the open areas without even opening a cupboard door I know we are alright.

Garrett:  Good.  Just let me see what I can come up with.  Would tomorrow afternoon about 2;00 PM work out for you to meet there?

Miles:  I think so but if I have to leave everyone has to leave.

Garrett: I understand.

Miles;  I will contact their attorney to make sure all open areas of the investigation are within the signed agreement.  If there is a problem I'll let you know. The wife should be consulted and verify her approval.

Garrett:  I think she will want all avenues of vindicating Richard pursued and this would be a great way to eliminate a suspected possibility.  It would be to Richard's favor to have this resolved before it would ever become an issue. 

Miles:  Leaving no stone unturned eliminates surprises.  Speaking of surprises.  I was surprised when I recognized Maze Aman from that printout I gave you to be the man in the surveillance tapes of Hanna's apartment.  It was one of those situations where I thought I knew who it might be but couldn't really remember for sure.  After seeing the printout I remembered for sure.  Maze was coming and going from Hanna's apartment for awhile.

Garrett:  I noticed that, too. I haven't confronted Hanna about it.  Lana Daltine was supposed to have given Maze a letter to save for her and no one knows where he or the letter is right now.

Miles:  Sounds like more unturned stones.

to be continued. Tomorrow

"Accidental Date with Fate" by Susan Pearl ( Tuesday, #17 mystery blog)

 (The next morning Garrett returned to the police station and continued his review of statements and records. He purposely didn't say anything to Officer Miles about the necklace being found in Hanna's apartment thinking that there would be time for that later.  For now, Garrett wanted to have total focus and concentration on the pages and words to be read so he wouldn't miss any details.  Once again, the day passed quickly.  Once again, he had a very quick peanut butter and jelly sandwiches late afternoon lunch.  Garrett leaves the room and motions Officer Miles to come.  Officer Miles walks the short distance to Garrett)

Garrett:  I surprised myself and finished up a little early.  I'm through.

Miles:  Very good then.  I'll lock the room and tomorrow we will box everything up again.

Garrett:  One thing that caught my eye is Richard's friend after being interviewed called the station and wanted it written into the record that he did not want to be called to be a character witness for Richard.  He said that they had a falling out about two years ago and hadn't been friends since.  At one time they had been very close friends but that had come to an end.  I wrote down his name and it is Lloyd Stall.

Miles:  Yes, I remember that.  I don't know what the falling out was all about.  But I remember it gave me pause and seemed strange.

Garrett: Me, too.  I think I will talk with him on my way home.  Thanks a lot for all your help.

Miles.   Sure.  Anything I can do just let me know.

(Once getting in his car Garrett checks his GPS for the Lloyd Stall residence.  Garrett shakes his head and thinks "wouldn't you know it.  This address is completely on the other side of the city."  Garrett was feeling tired and hungry but he decided to follow through and add three to four more hours onto his day.  Once parked in front of the house he notices a man on the front porch swing reading a newspaper.  Garrett goes to the front porch.  The gentleman was still reading the paper.  Garrett said loudly)

Garrett: Hello.  Are you Mr. Lloyd Stall?

Lloyd:  You startled me.  Guess I was deep in thought while reading.  Yes, I am Lloyd Stall.

Garrett:  I am a private investigator and I just finished reviewing all the records for a case concerning Richard Dover.  I couldn't help but notice you had been good friends with Richard and then had a falling out.  I was going to ask if you would talk to me about that falling out.

Lloyd:  Oh, this has been hard on me. Because I went to the funeral and then I thought was it really that big of deal?  Did I make too much of something to end a friendship?  It's been keeping me up at night.  I just don't know if the falling out was worth ending the friendship.  I am second guessing myself for becoming so upset.(pause) We can go inside and I'll tell you about it.  Maybe it will do me good to get this off my chest because I let such a silly thing  ruin my friendship with a good man. (Lloyd opens the door and he and Garrett enter the house)

Garrett:  Nice house.

Lloyd:  Thank you.   Have a seat at the dining room table. (They each have a seat then Lloyd asks) Can I get you an iced tea?

Garrett;  No thank you.  I'm fine.

Lloyd,  I better have something to drink. I have been having trouble getting dehydrated.  I'll get my water bottle. Excuse me for a second.(Lloyd goes to kitchen to get his bottle of water out of the refrigerator and returns.)

Garrett: I know what you mean.  I carry bottled water with me all of the time in my car.

Lloyd: A person has to with this heat.  The only way I remember is to have it with me and have it in sight. I'm really a coffee person and I like all these new blends.  It is like a coffee buffet each day.

Garrett:  That's kind of catchy.  Kind of like a blended coffees slogan.  (They both smile.  Lloyd takes a big drink of water. Clears his thoughts and says)

Lloyd:  I don't know where to begin.  It was serious to me, very serious.  I had found out earlier in the day when all this happened that I may had fathered a child in my younger years.  I called Richard.  I asked him to please come over that evening I had something important that I wanted to tell him that I just had found out. At 7:00 PM the doorbell ran. And I let Richard in and we went to my library where I told him the possibility of my life to soon be changing and why. I was excited about it and happy, too, but apprehensive.  To learn there may be a child or young adult by now and to think I am the father is stunning. Then the doorbell rang again.  I went to answer the door and there stood Richard.  They had played a trick on me.  Henry had dressed like Richard and wore a toupee and duplicate glasses and he was the one I had confided in.  They were laughing about it and I got so angry about it.  I wouldn't have told such a personal thing to Henry but yet I had.  They just kept laughing saying they always knew I had been a real romance man in my early days.  I came upset and asked them to leave.  I told Richard the next time we had something to say to each other would be when I had something to say first.  I just didn't have anything to do with him after that.  I just didn't ever speak to him again.  It was over. I felt betrayed. (wipes tears from eyes)

Garrett:  I can understand your feelings.

Lloyd:  Well, that's the way it went.  The friendship was completely over for me.  Within a week I found out the adult child wasn't mine.  He had been adopted and had found his birth mother.  He wanted to know who his father is and she told him she had been dating two men at that time.  I was one of them. But it was the other guy she was seeing who fathered him.  I thought, maybe, I had jumped the gun. That maybe I should have waited a week and not even said anything.  I've looked at it all, over and over again, and each time I keep thinking I made too big of deal of their trick.  Nothing was known for sure.  It's hard to explain but I do blame myself for the end of our friendship.  I just couldn't take their joke on that particular day about that particular subject.. But I do keep a picture of Richard and me during the good times and I see it several times a day..  Let's go in the next room and I'll show it to you.  It is hanging on the wall at the bottom of the open staircase. (They both get up and go into an adjoining room)

Garrett:  Sure, I see it.  My, you guys must have been at a fancy place with all these statues in the background.

Lloyd:  Oh, that picture was taken at Richard's house.  Richard made porcelain statues.  Beautiful, beautiful statues because he did incredible work.  He did the whole process in his basement.  Mixed up the stuff and poured it into the molds.  He had a special piece of equipment that fired the pieces and it could get to over 1400 degrees. I wouldn't want to have paid their electric bill.  He really got into it and kept a project going most of the time.  He didn't give any of the statues away or as gifts.  Each one was special to him.  He kept every one of the statues on display all of the time.  He told that they were to be enjoyed and they couldn't be enjoyed in a box somewhere in storage.  His wife asked if he would rotate the statues by having half of them out for display for half of the year and then have the other half out for display the next six months. But he told her "no". Everything was out on display all of the time. It did feel a little overdone but he was a very talented man and that's the way he wanted it.

Garrett:  These statues look like fine art.

Lloyd: Exactly.  His work had a very unique and specialized look, almost recognizable.  He even made his own molds for some of them. He signed and dated those statues he designed and only made one.

Garrett:  I better go.  Thank you for visiting.  If it means anything to you coming from me, don't be hard on yourself.  At the time it was the right thing to do. Their fun meant more to them then having empathy for a friend and that is what ended the friendship.

Lloyd:  Thank you.  I'm actually kind of glad you came by.

Garrett:  Me, too.  (They shake hands and Garrett leaves.  He has a long drive home but he felt his efforts to interview Lloyd were more than worthwhile.  In fact, he had some brand new thoughts coming to mind that could possibly provide the big answer in solving the case.)

to be continued: Tomorrow