more of the book
Feb0
Not at all fazed, Sam yawned again. “Of course it’s being documented. This is a murder investigation and something you say now may help us later. It’s so easy to miss the tree in the forest. And, a couple of detectives are…” He pointed to the mirror. “I’d like to ask you a couple of personal questions if it’s alright.”
Robbie put on his best smile. “Doesn’t mean I’ll answer. You understand.”
Sam hinted at a quick smile. “You did have a physical relationship with Miss Mitchell.” Robbie stared straight ahead. “How long did it last or was it still going on?”
Robbie chuckled. “What we won’t do for friends.” He forced another chuckle. “That’s extremely personal don’t you think? But, my wife recently filed for divorce so I’ll answer. Physical relationship… yes, we had one of those and it was sweet. She was game for anything. And, I mean anything. She could have made some money in that area. Actually, she did, didn’t she? I kept her around.”
“You kept her around until the end, right?” It was easy to see that Sam realized he may have crossed a line with Robbie and softened the question. “What I mean is you gave her opportunities for employment and friendship… always.”
Robbie accepted that as a compliment, seemed less tense and rode with it. “I did. I gave her opportunities and friendship and she gave me…” He leaned back with his hands behind his head. “She gave me her charms. Life’s a two-way street Detective.
Whitey pushed his notepad in front of me. Piece of work, isn’t he? I enjoyed reading it, but it didn’t make me feel better. All I could think of was ‘How could Teri be with him… ever?’
Sam then turned his head and looked directly at the mirror as if he could see us.
Whitey leaned into me and whispered again. “Watch this. Sam’s about to spring.”
“How well do you know the guy she lived with in Orange County… the guy with the BMW’s?”
“I didn’t know him well at all. He didn’t really care for me.”
“Something against attorneys?”
Everybody laughed at that including Sam.
Robbie had his smug look now. “Against this one for sure.” Robbie fed off of Sam’s tell me more look. “She spent more time with me than him. She was there because of that big house and a new BMW. But, it was in Orange County and she detested Orange County. She found it all boring… business boring she said, including him. She used to call me and beg to go on a trip. She’d go anywhere anytime.”
“What about that last guy, the one before her husband. Saltz. What’d you call him… the salt shaker?”
more of the book
Feb0
“Her problem was that she wanted huge results but didn’t want to put in the work. I gave her a title of assistant, paid her a few bucks and made it easy… let her socialize, took her to parties, on trips; wrote her off as a deduction. She made it worth it, from that day in Pennsylvania to… well, for years. What can I say?” He had the identical gesture.
Sam looked at his notes. “It says here that she did some investigative work for you.”
“I didn’t mean to imply that she was totally invaluable. Teri loved to snoop and would spend hours in front of the computer trying to find dirt on someone. She thrived on it.” I realized that Robbie knew her quite well and he expanded. “She would find something on someone and it would thrill her. She couldn’t wait to tell it. I think it somehow made her feel like an equal. Actually, that kind of worried me at times. We all have a grain of dirt somewhere.”
“You were concerned that she would expose you? For what?”
“Come on Detective I was married for much of that time.”
“Yeah, of course.” Sam yawned. “I need some coffee. Can I get you something?”
“How long do you plan on having me here?” Sam gave an innocent almost apologetic look and used Robbie’s arms and hands up gesture. Robbie understood that the time was not definitive. “If it’s going to be over an hour maybe an order of sushi and water with a lemon… twist.”
“I’ll bring you some coffee. Black alright?”
Robbie nodded and cleared his throat as Sam left. He rose and walked around as if looking for something. Obviously he realized that the mirror is there for this purpose and this time didn’t do much more than glance at it.
I hadn’t taken any notes or thought of any questions, comments, or anything that I believed would help in the process and when two detectives entered and sat behind us I put something down anyway. Ash him if he’s sure of his sexuality. Whitey looked at it and immediately whispered, “Sam already has that down.”
Sam was back with coffee for two. “I could use an entire pot.” He handed one to Robbie. “Again Mr. Baron, we appreciate you coming down to help us and anything you can tell us about her may do just that.”
Robbie seemed to accept that yet now appeared fidgety. “This is being filmed right?” He pointed to corner camera pointing down and to the mirror. “And, who’s behind the mirror?”
Not at all fazed, Sam yawned again. “Of course it’s being documented. This is a murder investigation and something you say now may help us later. It’s so easy to miss the tree in the forest. And, a couple of detectives are…” He pointed to the mirror.
more of the book
Feb0
It didn’t take long for him to let Sam know he is from Harvard. And, if he was trying to display control and ease I felt it did just the opposite. Robbie was tense.
She approached me afterwards… actually she hung around to meet me. She waited for close to an hour and finally got the opportunity to introduce herself. She was hot and flirting. She asked me out for a drink and the rest is history. She said she thought I was a mover and shaker and that’s what she wanted. She always knew what she wanted and usually got it.”
“Getting that diploma from Harvard excited her?”
Robbie answered by correcting Sam. “Degree. I am a graduate of the Harvard Law School… J.D. (Juris Doctor) and am now General Counsel at our firm specializing in International and Tax Law.” He made a parenthesis with his fingers and hissed “s”… indicating laws. He tagged it with a shit-eating grin.
“Sorry I only went to high school and got a diploma. Ah, you two, you and Teri began a relationship lasting how long?”
“Listen Detective… ah… Gray, I’m here as a friend of the deceased, not a suspect or person of interest, correct?” Sam smiled. “The police have already established my alibi. I’m sure you have it right there. I want you to realize that I don’t find this line of questioning pertinent, however I choose to answer it. She was a bright, beautiful, young girl and I kept her around for as long I needed. She was a perfect piece of eye candy. And, she even thought she was contributing.” He leaned back, shrugged and put his arms and hands up in the ‘What can I say’ gesture.
Whitey emitted a groan. “He’s a fucking ego-maniac.”
“Her only problem was that she wanted huge results but didn’t want to put in the work. I gave her a title of assistant, paid her a few bucks and made it easy… let her socialize, took her to parties, on trips; wrote her off as a deduction. She made it worth it, from that day in Pennsylvania to… well, for years. What can I say?” He had the identical gesture.
more of the book
Feb0
He was escorted, offered a seat and the detective left. It was a situation that was intended to give the feeling of comfort… less like interrogation. Robbie sat and immediately rose and walked to the mirror. It was fascinating to watch him adjust his tie and then wink… to whomever was behind the glass. Whitey looked at me. “Must know you’re here.” I wanted to laugh, but thought it was inappropriate, especially that there were two other detectives entering, also with notepads. Whitey knew them and introduced us. They paid little attention to me.
Sam entered the room with Robbie and introduced himself and thanked Robbie for coming.
Robbie leaned back casually. “Anything that concerns Teri I am concerned with.”
Sam nodded his appreciation. “Just for the record Teri is Teri Ann Mitchell?”
“Kramer. Teri Ann Mitchell Kramer.”
“Of course. How long had you known Teri?”
“I had just graduated Harvard and was giving a presentation at the University of Pennsylvania where she was a undergraduate and was captivated by my work that day.”
Harvard. It didn’t take long for him to let Sam know he is from Harvard. And, if he was trying to display control and ease I felt it did just the opposite. Robbie was tense.
She approached me afterwards… actually she hung around to meet me. She waited for close to an hour and finally got the opportunity to introduce herself. She was hot and flirting. She asked me out for a drink and the rest is history. She said she thought I was a mover and shaker and that’s what she wanted. She always knew what she wanted and usually got it.”
“So, you began a relationship, ah lasting how long?”
more of the book
Feb0
Before I could respond Whitey had already hung up. My head was reeling with questions and didn’t want to become consumed with them so decided to work out, play the guitar, shower and relax.
At 2:45 I strolled into a place of recent familiarity, the North Hollywood Police Station and checked in at the front desk. Sam came out and brought me into a room behind see- through glass. He walked out just as quickly… all business. Whitey was seated and smiling. I knew this day would be interesting as hell. I was suddenly a part of the process… the investigative process I guess.
Whitey leaned in and spoke confidentially. “Make like you’re taking notes. There will be people walking in… this is an effort of the Beverly Hills Department and North Hollywood and it’s being recorded. Having you here is not typical procedure. Your little buddy Robbie is a recognizable attorney in some areas and is here on his own accord. But, he can’t be too fucking bright. His prints were found on your tapes and the boxes. Sam’s handling the interview and I know he’ll waltz around for a while until he spins and dips.” Whitey enjoyment was evident and he stood and made a waltzing move to the door. “Back in a minute with coffee.”
And, in about a minute he was handing me coffee. “It’s in the next room. And your buddy’s walking in and he looks like a million bucks.”
He was escorted, offered a seat and the detective left. It was a situation that was intended to give the feeling of comfort… less like interrogation. Robbie sat and immediately rose and walked to the mirror. It was fascinating to watch him adjust his tie and then wink… to whomever was behind the glass.
more of the book
Feb0
First thing I did was go to the computer, open a new Word page and type Same But Different. This article would be about love, one of my favorite topics. I had an in with a woman’s magazine that published one of my stories. The log line was :Love… incredible, one moment pure magic and five minutes later pfft. Tonight’s tale would evolve from the garden of love that needs to be nurtured. Its thirst satisfied, days warmed with sunshine and the weeds of temptation kept distant, and above all be allowed to grow. I was toying with thoughts such as: Without love we do not have the precious beginning of evolution. I wondered if a reader would discover the play of words. Something told me I needed more thought and was happy to hear my phone ring.
My heart pounded. “Hi Missey.”
“How’d you know it was me?”
“I programmed you in.”
Her pause carried weight. “I’m going to bed now and I feel uncomfortable even saying that to you.”
“I understand. It takes time for friendship to truly evolve. Thanks for calling. I won’t keep you up.”
“I work in the morning. Over the hill tomorrow.”
It was difficult not to say ‘be careful’ but I had to say something from the heart. “I’ll be thinking about you. Would you call me when you have the time?”
Again her pause had weight. “I suppose.” More weight. “Yes, sure. I can do that. I’ll call you at lunch.”
“Thank you. Goodnight Sweetie.”
“Okay.” She hung up.
My joy of a simple conversation was evident as I swung around in my chair like a child… that excitement… we never loose it. And, bed sounded good to me also. As I stood and stretched I noticed the list of unusual occurrences I had for Whitey… the last being the missing tapes. I felt that biting at me and I hoped it wasn’t going to become another headache and I rolled my head in a circle several times to relieve or only because it felt good… I didn’t know. That took me walking or pacing while saying “I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.” I looked at my guitar. Whitey put it out here for this reason. I picked it up, flipped on the tape recorder, fingered a few G and C chords and sang. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know. Anymore. Anymore. “ I clicked off the recorder and said almost as an aside: “I really don’t.” I played a couple of my favorites, Help Me Make It Through The Night by Kris Kristofferson and Life Turned Her That Way by Harlan Howard. I preferred my versions of both and I love Kristofferson. Enough. I put the guitar down.
Something was still bugging me and I suddenly realized what it was… my appointment book. I keep it on my desk unless I need it… addresses, numbers, directions, or whatever else. I looked and the last several times I saw Teri were listed and probably more, but what caught my eye was that I also noted that she gets a mani/pedi weekly at Salon in Beverly Hills. My God, that information is right on my desk. So was every other date, telephone number of women and addresses. My heart dropped from euphoria and I wasn’t sure why. It was similar to walking off the dance floor as an achiever, but with trepidation at my side.
My initial feeling was to grab a beer and think about it, however I decided to have some hot decaf tea and sleep on it… and I did except for the half dozen times I awoke flooded with thoughts.
Whitey called shortly after breakfast. “How’d you like to sit in on a little interview with your good buddy?” He realized that I wasn’t going to comment so he continued. “Sam is bringing in your buddy Robbie for a round of questioning. It involves you and I suggested that you could be of use, behind the mirror so to speak and that you’re a writer so it could be good research.” I could tell that Sam was not hippy-hi-aye for it, but he said okay. What’d you say?”
There was only one thing that I could say. “I’d love to.” Then the reality of what was happening hit. “Why is he being questioned? Is he a suspect now?”
“Maybe. Let’s wait and find out. You okay?”
“I’m fine, but I don’t like what I’m feeling.”
“Well, we can talk about that when you get here. He’s coming at 3:00. Be early. Oh, same place you had your prints done… just up the street. Bring a notepad. This should be fun.”
2-20-10 more of the book
Feb0
I wanted to comment ‘So do I’ but didn’t have to. He knew.
Two minutes later he was turning left on Colfax crossing Riverside and about to cross Moorpark when we noticed the road was closed due to bridge reconstruction. Whitey mumbled something I heard as “Same but different.” I told him to turn right and we’d go down Laurel Canyon.
He dropped me off and said: “Get some sleep and call Angel Eyes.” He knew where my thoughts were.
First thing I did was go to the computer, open a new Word page and type Same But Different. This article would be about love, one of my favorite topics. I had an in with a woman’s magazine that published one of my stories. The log line was :Love… incredible, one moment pure magic and five minutes later pfft. Tonight’s tale would evolve from the garden of love that needs to be nurtured. Its thirst satisfied, days warmed with sunshine and the weeds of temptation kept distant, and above all be allowed to grow. I was toying with thoughts such as: Without love we do not have the precious beginning of evolution. I wondered if a reader would discover the play of words. Something told me I needed more thought and was happy to hear my phone ring.
My heart pounded. “Hi Missey.”
“How’d you know it was me?”
“I programmed you in.”
Her pause carried weight. “I’m going to bed now and I feel uncomfortable even saying that to you.”
“I understand. It takes time for friendship to truly evolve.” Wow… I was liking this. “Thanks for calling. I won’t keep you up.”
“I work in the morning. Over the hill tomorrow.”
It was difficult not to say ‘be careful’ but I had to say something from the heart. “I’ll be thinking about you. Would you call me when you have the time?”
Again her pause had weight. “I suppose.” More weight. “Yes, sure. I can do that. I’ll call you at lunch.”
“Thank you. Goodnight Sweetie.”
“Okay.” She hung up.
My excitement of a simple conversation was evident as I swung around in my chair like a child… that excitement… we never loose it. And, bed sounded good to me also. As I stood and stretched I noticed the list of unusual occurrences I had for Whitey… the last being the missing tapes. I felt that biting at me and I hoped it wasn’t going to become another headache and I rolled my head in a circle several times to relieve or only because it felt good… I didn’t know. That took me walking or pacing while saying “I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.” I looked at my guitar. Whitey put it out here for this reason. I picked it up, flipped on the tape recorder, fingered a few G and C chords and sang. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know. Anymore. Anymore. “ I clicked off the recorder and said almost as an aside: “I really don’t.” I played a couple of my favorites, Help Me Make It Through The Night by Kris Kristofferson and Life Turned Her That Way by Harlan Howard. I preferred my versions of both and I love Kristofferson. Enough. I put the guitar down.
Something was still bugging me and suddenly I realized what it was. I keep my appointment book on my desk unless I have to take it with me… addresses, numbers, notes, directions, and whatever else. I usually noted when I was to see Teri and checked it. I had listed the last several times we met… and probably more, but what caught my eye was that I also noted she gets a mani/pedi weekly at Salon in Beverly Hills.
more of the book
Feb0
“Well, Sam said that according to her husband she double parked right here, went inside and told him she was going to get her nails done… a mani and a pedi. So, someone knew. The manicure place did. She had a weekly appointment there. Harris set it up as a gift to her right after they met. So she’s been there a half dozen times and you can bet your ass someone else knew it too. And, the cops are thinking the same thing. Sam said that three more men were assigned to him today and headquarters wants this solved as of now. It is officially no longer a car jacking. And, let’s not forget that her home is just blocks away. The cops canvassed that area talked to every neighbor or whoever and nobody recalled seeing a parked car or a stranger that seemed out of place. They said that Rodeo Drive lookie-loos, is that a word… park on their streets constantly.
We drove in silence for a minute or two and Whitey turned onto Beverly Drive and headed north. He made a sharp left to go over the hill on Coldwater Drive. We still hadn’t spoken, but our thoughts were evident as our attention was obviously not on the road in front of us, but the path we were taking. Traffic was not heavy and five minutes later we were coming to Ventura Boulevard, crossed it and continued to Magnolia.
Whitey finally spoke. “You ever see a cop on the stretch of Coldwater coming over the hill?
That was something that never entered my mind. “Not unless there’s been an accident. I don’t think it’s profitable for them. What’re they going to do, sit on a curve and radar speeders coming round the bend?” I thought about his question. “I see your point. But, it’s the same on Laurel Canyon. Except one time I was stopped in a DUI checkpoint.”
Whitey turned right on Magnolia. “It’s a tough drive on either. You have to pay attention… constant curves. How’d he do that with her probably hysterical or… something. She had to know him “
“Jesus Christ Whitey did you forget about fear? She had to be terrified. She wasn’t tough at all. She probably curled up like a baby.”
Whitey just nodded in agreement and continued to drive and all the while I was watching him think. I realize that doesn’t sound possible, but I could see him think. He had stopped turning his head to look at the surroundings and was like an arrow heading forward… making the lights at Laurel Canyon, Colfax and finally having to stop at Tujunga, but not moving his head. He started again, turned left at Bakman and eventually parked where Teri’s car was located. “She was dead. He shot her as soon as he pushed her in the car. Autopsy indicated the one to the head killed her and probably was the first shot. The remaining five were making a point and I’ll bet they were immediately after. Pow. Pow, pow, pow, pow pow. It was a statement of control, which I’d say is fucking personal.”
We sat for several minutes until Whitey broke the silence. “Leslie had her nails done at that joint tonight. She said they make stock comments such as ‘Next week. See you next Tuesday.’ Little chit-chats like that. Someone could have heard her confirm her following appointment.”
“Which would make it possibly a woman.”
“Possibly. But, she did say there was a guy there. Remember, this is Beverly Hills. Ah hell, I’ve had a couple of manicures. How about you?”
The thought of Whitey sitting and getting his nails done was worth a smile as I shook my head no. “But, I always had a file on me when I was playing the guitar.” Suddenly I felt good. “Thanks for bringing it out. It was about time.”
Whitey started driving again. “Yeah, well, I’m going to drop you off. I’m going to catch up with Sam. You know, I’m spending money on this case and I feel so goddamn good about it. Except I wish it wasn’t happening. I really liked that broad.”
“So did I.”
He turned right on Magnolia. “The older one’s better for you.” He played off my ‘get off it’ facial expression. “Angel Eyes. I like that broad.” He bobbed his head as he crossed Tujunga. “Yeah, I like that broad.”
I wanted to comment ‘So do I’ but didn’t.
more of the book
Feb0
It is officially no longer a car jacking. And, let’s not forget that her home is just blocks away. The cops canvassed that area talked to every neighbor or whoever and nobody recalled seeing a parked car or a stranger that seemed out of place. They said that Rodeo Drive lookie-loos, is that a word… park on their streets constantly.
We drove in silence for a minute or two and Whitey turned onto Beverly Drive and headed north. He made a sharp left to go over the hill on Coldwater Drive. We still hadn’t spoken, but our thoughts were evident as our attention was obviously not on the road in front of us, but the path we were taking. Traffic was not heavy and five minutes later we were coming to Ventura Boulevard, crossed it and continued to Magnolia.
Whitey finally spoke. “You ever see a cop on the stretch of Coldwater coming over the hill?
That was something that never entered my mind. “Not unless there’s been an accident. I don’t think it’s profitable for them. What’re they going to do, sit on a curve and radar speeders coming round the bend?” I thought about his question. “I see your point. But, it’s the same on Laurel Canyon. Except one time I was stopped in a DUI checkpoint.”
Whitey turned right on Magnolia. “It’s a tough drive on either. You have to pay attention… constant curves. How’d he do that with her probably hysterical or something. She had to know him “
“Jesus Christ Whitey did you forget about fear? She had to be terrified.”
Feb0
“How’d you get here?”
His question stopped me. “Yeah, right. Good question.”
Whitey began to drive around the area while he pondered and then spoke. “I figure it this way. Either he drove and left his car in a lot or someone dropped him off. Or he took a cab or lives near here. The possibilities are many.”
“But, how did he know where she’d be?”
“Sam said that according to her husband she double parked out back, went inside and told him she was going to get her nails done… a mani and a pedi. So, someone knew… the place she went did. She had a weekly appointment there. Harris set it up as a gift to her right after they met. You can bet your ass that someone else knew it too. And, the cops are thinking the same thing. Sam said that three more men were assigned to him today and headquarters wants this solved as of now. It is officially no longer a car jacking.
