Jun0
Whitey was out front having a cigarette. He doused it and we walked in together. The Ranch was packed. It was later than I thought. I should have realized that by the color of night, but I was operating on the energy of thought. Melanie spotted us and immediately, came around the bar arms open and hugged Whitey. His smile was infectious. She also hugged me. It was nice, but not quite as dear. She did enjoy Whitey and she was like a dart quickly setting an upside down shot glass in front of a customer and asking him to move down a stool to make room for us. The guy nodded his appreciation for the free drink, moved and acknowledged us.
Two beers arrived in post haste and without hesitation Whitey produced his list of names from Barbara Jean and Tuffy. I pulled out mine also. “I told you I didn’t recognize anyone, but maybe it’ll be like a crossword puzzle. Pick it up later and see something you didn’t before.” This time I noticed they were all female.
We went over each one. Whitey would say it and I’d repeat it. We were trying to stimulate memory or simple recognition. After the third pass at it I finally told him I felt like a kid staring at a ceiling discovering images that weren’t there. Just by repetition I began to sense recognition. We chose to drop it at least until we had more information about them.
Melanie was back asking if we needed anything. We hadn’t even touched our beers so we just smiled and shook our heads like little kewpie dolls. Then Melanie spoke, “My car was scratched last night… probably after I got home. It’s the first time in months I parked it on the street. Damn kids. That’s almost as personal as my art.”
Whitey suddenly vented loudly enough that patrons turned. “It is as personal as anything.” Melanie was a little taken a back, but Whitey didn’t apologize as he continued. “Hell, maybe I should be happy, without criminals I’m out of a job.” He took his first sip of beer and stood. “You have that car here?” She nodded. “Guess I should have a look.”
“White Land Rover out back. Can’t miss it.”
The scratch, on the passenger side, looked like a huge 7, which is two-thirds of the Z on Missey’s car. Whitey squatted and as he looked. “She said she didn’t hear her car alarm go off, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t. It went off. That’s why this isn’t finished. I’m calling Sam. He’ll have someone check her neighbors. Maybe someone saw something.” Whitey stood as he continued to stare at the damage. “This is connected buddy boy, which means you are connected and I knew it. Sensed it. It’s coming together I can feel it.”
I didn’t know what I was feeling, but I knew I didn’t like feeling connected.
We went back into the bar and Whitey questioned Melanie. She was adamant that she didn’t see anyone or hear anything. She was vegging out with her surround sound. She also said she brought out her shotgun and quickly added “And, yes I can use it.”
Whitey turned to me just as someone called a woman to the stage. It was karaoke night. “I give people a hell of a lot of credit for getting up there. And if it’s bad you can still always talk. Just like anywhere… there’s always something else going on. Take a look around and tell me anything suspicious.”
I looked and quickly responded. “Guy on the corner of the bar reminds me of the Unabomber with that hood. The biker at the pool table makes me think cautious just because of his tattoos, rings and that scary woman he’s with. But only the Unabomber makes me suspicious… the flower of deception.”
“That’s right poet, everyone is suspect even the cute little flower.” Whitey’s phone rang. He read the name and raised his eyebrows. “Yo. Fax came in right? No, we’re not there. Hold on a second.” He motioned to Melanie who came bounced right over. “Melanie, you have a fax here that we could use here?”
Melanie jotted down the number. “Sure, here.”
Whitey nodded thanks. “Okay, here we go. Yes, it’s a bar. Yes, I want you to fax something to a bar. If it will make you feel any better we’ll order food. Jealousy gets you no where.” He gave him the number.
It was interesting to hear one side of their little respectful banter and thought I’d be able to use some of it in my writings.
We were sitting close enough to the office area that we could hear the fax already arriving. Today’s technology still dazes me. I can’t even imagine investigating crime fifty years ago. We were still on the dial up telephone in the 60’s and the push button didn’t come into play until the 70’s and computers… it’s like they’ve replaced lungs… we can’t live without one. It’s all about information and information is what we need right now.
A minute later Melanie set a pile of pages in front of Whitey.
“Look at this. She starts out with guys. There weren’t any on the list.”
Somehow looking at male names and pictures seemed more appropriate, however there were only four and none were familiar, but Whitey spoke each name aloud to try to spur my recognition.
“They seem pretty efficient. This first guy, George Smith is a friend of the family an Arapaho Indian from Sheridan, Wyoming… flew out to do a seminar and rode back with Barbara Jean. They included him because they must be thorough.” Whitey put the picture out while talking. “You tell me if anything hits.”
I nodded in agreement and added: “Arapaho… that’s a strong word… makes a statement.”
The other three pictures and names of boyfriends meant nothing. All I was doing was shaking my head. “They all look like nice guys.”
“And so will the killer or thief… probably. Don’t forget Ted Bundy or Andrew Cunanan. Hell, they were considered nice and handsome as hell.”
“Cunanan was gay and killed only gays… Versace for one.”
“ Your point?”
Guess I didn’t have one so I just shrugged and looked at the pictures of the women. Nothing sparked. Several pictures were missing and Barbara Jean stated she would continue the search and if located, fax them.
“Alright we gave it a shot.” He picked up the papers. “You have these at your place. I’m running over to see Sam. Your buddy’s going to be there and I want to listen in on that. It’s going to crush his pants. Although he’s coming in on his own free will again.
Crush his pants? I decided not to ask.
more of the book
Jun0
“Oh my God, you’re questioning me as if you are a detective. You trying to turn me into a murder suspect here Harley? This is fun. Yes, I have guns… pistols… a couple, but they’re at my parents. Robbie wouldn’t have them in the house. Probably a good thing… I felt like shooting him a few times.”
I realized it was a sardonic comment, yet it made me wince.
“I told the police that same thing. Yes Harley, I spoke to the police again. They asked me about guns. They were aware that I was raised with them, so I figured that you must have told someone. Right? I don’t mind if you did that Harley. It means you must have been thinking and talking about me. And, it also means that you find out what’s what from your detective friend.”
Of course what she implied was only suspicion, but it was truth and I didn’t deny it. “I did talk to Whitey about you and somehow the conversation drifted off to you and your father and the hunting lodge or cabin or whatever it is.” She didn’t’ define what it was so I continued. “It was all positive.”
“I’m sure it was, but I think you owe me one here Harley.”
I happened to agree and told her, but added that I really couldn’t discuss anything until I asked Whitey. She was a deductive creature and used that. “So, you are involved and it does involve Robbie and or me?”
“Yes, maybe and I don’t know. Lilly I’m really sorry that I have to be evasive but I have to get back to you on this.” The sound of my fax machine made me jump. “Lilly I have to hang up. Bye.”
The fax was from Tuffy and Barbara Jean. My stomach reacted with the instinctual worry syndromes. It was three pages; cover sheet and two pages of names and numbers. I read each name hoping that I didn’t recognize anyone. I didn’t.
The phone rang and I knew it would be Whitey and didn’t even give him the chance to ask me anything. “No, I didn’t recognize any name.”
“Yeah, well this Tuffy guy said they’re going to go through pictures and will send what they can gather. She’s also going to note anything she thinks of for each.”
“You really believe that someone the daughter, Barbara Jean brought home with her stole that gun? It could be a coincidence the gun ended up in LA.”
“Those guns… two remember? And, yes I believe that. Cops don’t think too fondly about coincidence. But, this Robbie guy has his nose in there too. Is that a coincidence? Whitey took a pause before continuing. “I need a hug. It’s late enough isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I’ll meet you there.”
Whitey was out front having a cigarette. He doused it and we walked in together. The Ranch was packed. It was later than I thought. I should have realized that by the color of night, but I was operating on the energy of thought.
More of the book and short rewrite
May0
“You pulled a goddamn MacLaine on me.” Whitey was unsure of exactly what that comment meant, but he certainly understood its intention. Sam clarified and vented. “Out On A Limb. You put me out on a limb. What am I supposed to say if he comes in here and complains to the Chief. I know you’re one of the best, but you’re not licensed in California and you are certainly not on the force.”
Whitey gave me a ‘told you so’ look and then turned his attention to Sam and spoke calmly. “You’re mad at me.”
Sam laughed. “I’m not mad at you. Fuck… I expected it, maybe not exactly that, but something. So, tell me about it. How’d you get him over to Harley’s?”
The familiarity of that comment made me feel like part of the team. “He came on his own volition Sam.”
“Why?”
“He doesn’t want me to press charges for the sex tapes.”
Sam jumped on that. “He admitted he stole them? That’s good. That’s good news. Not that it’ll do any good because it wasn’t here and recorded and he could deny saying it. But, it’s good. It gives us another step.”
I stepped back because I could see that Whitey had much to say and I was surprised at the speed of his delivery… these comments had to be heard. “The way I got it figured is that this son-of-a-bitch is scared and that means he is in this deeper than he wants us to think. He’s willing to admit theft… off record of course… because he doesn’t want to be investigated. Now what’s that tell you?” Whitey glanced at Sam and continued with surprising energy. “Let me tell you. First he could have hired someone to kill her because he was probably jealous that she was still screwing Harley. Secondly, he doesn’t want his wife to know that he had some secretive interest or thing with her.” Again he looked at me. “Sorry Harley, he probably did.” His facial gesture supported that he was sorry but his enthusiasm kept his explanation going. “As I was saying, he doesn’t want his wife to know… especially now. And, third… maybe he just has some sexual needs he privately explores.”
Sam tried to hide a hint of a smile. “Don’t tell me how you know that.” Then he looked directly at me. “In other words he could have stolen the tapes just to see you in action.”
Whitey directed his attention to me. “You could be his type. You do make a cute couple.”
Sam laughed and shook his head in agreement and again I felt part of the team especially when he now made it obvious he was speaking to us both. “I’m going to do a little more work on his alibi. See if there is no possible time line. He’s prick enough to deserve a little of my aggravation. You don’t mind do you Harley?”
I actually bowed to Sam while chuckling. I didn’t mind Robbie getting hassled at all.
Sam then opened the door. “No need for you to stick around here Harley. When Tuffy calls I’m sure he’ll be sending a fax also. I can get you one in a heartbeat.”
“Cool. I’ll be at home writing. All this detective work is inspiring.” And, it was! I too felt so alive.
As I was driving home I was thinking about Missey. I hoped it would be a typical workday for her. She puts up a brave front, but I could tell that she was concerned if not worried about what had happened with her car. It did feel personal. And, the more I thought about it the more pissed off I became. And, the more I thought of Robbie the more I disliked him. He was trying to save his own ass while admitting theft, as if admission is punishment enough. And, then there was Melanie. Who the hell broke into her home and destroyed some of her work? Why would someone do that? Is she on someone’s severe shit list? And, least I forget… someone murdered Teri.
The more I thought the more fired up I became. In fact, it was as if a flame of light seared the words you are involved into my mind.
I took Colfax and cut through the alley behind CBS Radford. It saved me going a half block to Ventura and traffic. I was suddenly tired of people. But, it was a trade-off. I had to focus even more to avoid the potholes. Maintenance is a problem with back roads and this one gets its share of large trucks. Oh well, in three blocks I’ll be parking in my little space.
My phone was ringing as I unlocked the door. The name read Lilly and I really didn’t want to answer but I did. Lilly seemed to be panting and began telling her story of Robbie bursting into the house. She said that he was irate and pacing and breathing in gasps. “It was the only time I’ve ever been afraid of him. He kept screaming, ‘You’ll never walk away from me.’ I remained calm and told him that I was ready to call the police, get a restraining order or charge him with making threats. That settled him down somewhat. He told me he was in trouble and could even be disbarred and that we had to work together on this or I would lose anything I had coming.” I continued to listen. “He mentioned you. What’s going on Harley?”
“Lilly, I don’t know what to say?” The air was heavy between us. “Is he still there?”
“No, he asked me if he could spend the night and I told him that was a very good idea. He stood at the door for a minute as if he was before a jury and asked if I thought we could work it out. I just looked at him until he left.” There was another heavy air. “This has something to do with Teri, doesn’t it? Come on Harley I have a right to know.”
“Lilly, does Robbie have a gun? A pistol or something?” I suspected she wouldn’t like the question and perhaps hang up, but it didn’t seem to faze her at all.
“No, not that I know of. Remember I’m the shooter here. He’s afraid of them.”
The awareness, yet surprise of her blunt honesty seeped into my question. “Do you have guns?”
“Oh my God, you’re questioning me as if you are a detective. You trying to turn me into a murder suspect here Harley? This is fun. Yes, I have guns… pistols… a couple, but they’re at my parents. Robbie wouldn’t have them in the house.”
more of the book
May0
Whitey and Sam exchanged acknowledging, respectful and humorous glances. I had the feeling that we all liked Tuffy.
We all greeted Barbara Jean and Sam took over. “This 22 had to be stolen sometime in the last eight years.”
Tuffy interrupted. “Sorry Sam, but I made a mistake when speaking with the detective that initially called me. I actually won the Rod and Gun Club tournament with an identical 22… different serial number. I kept the one that was stolen in another cabinet. You see, I bought two of them hoping Barbara Jean would one day enjoy shooting.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Twenty years… for her eighteenth birthday. The 38 was in the same cabinet. I hadn’t opened that cabinet since I put the 22 in. Those two guns could have been stolen anytime since then.”
The looks of disappointment were evident, but not in Sam’s voice.
“Barbara Jean, could you write down a list of names and contact numbers of the friends who visited with you at your dad’s?”
“I can do that Detective, but be aware that I lived in Los Angeles for fourteen years, until I was thirty-two. And during that time I visited Dad at least twice a year and always brought someone along for the experience. Even a few days here can enlighten and rejuvenate a person. There’s so much to enjoy.”
“Well, that’s a lot of years so, let’s see… did you ever drive?”
Tuffy jumped in quickly. “That’s the problem Detective. Barbara Jean always drove. I wanted her to fly because driving took some of my time to see her.”
“Okay Dad, enough. Yes, I always drove. That was part of the experience. So often I felt like a tour guide. And, Dad always kept me in a new car. I’m one of the lucky ones.”
“Isn’t she sweet gentlemen?” Tuffy didn’t wait for a response. “I’ll tell you what we’re going to do. Barbara Jean and I are going to sit right down and get that list together and we’ll fax it to you. And my deductive thinking tells me that my gun thief was once my guest. And, that disappoints me. So, why don’t you patch me through to your front desk so I can get that number and we can get thinking.”
I could see that Sam was fine with Tuffy ending the meeting but tossed out a question. “Barbara Jean does anyone pop into your head as a possibility?”
“No, but I’ll include notes with the list. I always brought people I instinctively trusted and who I thought would be appreciative. The list will be comprehensive. We better get busy.”
Meeting over. She hung up. She was her father’s daughter.
Sam hit the table in frustration. “Goddamn it! Fourteen years of suspects… what’s that, twenty-eight, thirty… how many… how many trips each year? I thought we were getting lucky here.“ He took a deep breath, exhaled and relaxed. “Hell, maybe we are.” He looked at Whitey and out of the blue asked: “Where’s Leslie?”
“She got tired of me. Said it worried her that I made no advances.” I wasn’t sure I believed that or not, but I didn’t want it to be true I liked seeing him with a woman. Then he continued. “Her mother took her to Prague. That’s a fact. I don’t even know where that is.”
“Czech Republic?” It brought back instant memories.
“That’s right, you were there with Teri. Showed me pictures.” Whitey eyeballed me writing in my notebook. “Yeah, yeah, right Prague it’s old… very old. What’d you write?”
“Eternity is in love with the productions of time. It’s from William Blake. He could have written it with Prague in mind.” Then I added a quick thought.
Whitey was still interested. “Alright, humor us.”
“There is nobody going to think that you are more beautiful or your hand is more soft or that your heart is more deserving. I told her that in our rented flat in Prague. I want to use it in my book.” Then I remembered the letter from Angel and wrote that.
Sam looked at the blank walls of the room almost grunted. “What is this, a murder investigation or a writer’s conference?”
“No, Whitey told me to write down unusual occurrences. Not long ago I got a letter with a return address that was from Angel, Simi Valley, ah… Lookout Lane or Drive or something like that. Anyway, the letter was blank. I figured it was concerning one of my sex cartoons. Now I’m thinking it’s connected with the panties.”
That stopped Sam’s movement. “What am I missing? What does this have to do with anything?”
Whitey interjected. “I’ll tell you Sam, from day one something itched at me and you know what I’m talking about… that cop intuition. Something stinks about this whole fucking thing and part of this involves him somehow. First it’s a car jacking that’s not. A couple of his lady friends get vandalized.” He looked at me. “What else Harley?”
I was processing what I just heard and immediately thought that Whitey may be right because I had a sense also and explained. “Okay… I appreciate the unexplained or spiritual occurrences in life… you know spirits, etc. And, I’ve had many and thought that maybe the glass that fell from my cupboard was just an unexplained happening. Now I’m not so sure.” Sam had a confused look. “I opened the cupboard door and a glass fell out and nothing else was disturbed.” I gestured how it tumbled down and I caught it. Now, they were processing my words. “Someone could have carefully placed it near the edge, you know, a joke.” Sam’s nod indicated he was attentive but not sure where this was headed and I added more. “I’ve found panties on my truck antenna and not long ago the antenna was broken off. My gas was siphoned… almost forgot about that. I didn’t write down some things, but I know there were more. Plus I get the feeling that I’m being watched sometimes. Oh, the ice cube tray was on the wrong side of the freezer and the match in my door was missing.”
Sam now seemed zeroed in. “Let’s get back to that letter. “Lookout Drive or Street or whatever the hell it was… now that interests me. Do you still have it?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think so, but I’ll look. If I do it’s probably on my desk.”
Whitey clasped his hands on top of his head. “What interests me are those panties. Is that one or more?”
No wonder why English is considered so difficult to learn. Panty’s one of the inconsistent little touches of our language. Can you buy a panty, or must you buy a pair of panties from the panty section or from the line of panties. Must have something to do with the word pant… To purchase one, you must buy a pair.
Whitey dropped his hands off his head and brought me back into his world. “You mean you have to think about that.”
“No, I don’t. It was a couple of times.” I could easily tell from Whitey’s expression that he wanted me to elaborate. “They happened in the carport. Once Teri was with me. I was opening the door for her and we simultaneously noticed a pair of red panties hanging from the antenna. At first I thought she may have put them there, but her reaction told me no. She said almost accusatorial, ‘Little Babies who put those there?’ I told her I had no clue and asked her to take them off. She said, ‘Yuck! I’m not touching those.’ Then she added her theory. ‘Someone’s flirting with you Little Babies. Kinky.’ In the next few days she told enough people that I was sure she didn’t do it even for humor.” Whitey didn’t move a muscle as I went on. “It was an interesting scenario. On one hand it was provocative and I was kind of excited… like a teenager. You know what I mean.” His eyes and an almost imperceptible nod indicated he did. “And, it happened again not that long ago. Both were red and small. That was another reason I thought Teri may have done it… her size and one of her favorite colors.”
Sam broke into my story. “Don’t suppose you have those either.”
“No I don’t. I took them off the antenna with a stick and tossed them in the trash. They looked new although I didn’t do a smell test, but the size tag stuck out.”
Sam shook his head while talking. “He didn’t do a smell test.”
“Don’t you smell panties Sam? Teri said: ‘Smell them Little Babies, see if you recognize her.’ I loved that about her.”
We all laughed and Whitey added: “I always liked that broad.” He then changed his physical demeanor into a ‘what can I say’ look directed to Sam. “That guy Baron, Robbie stopped over to Harley’s some time after he left here and we had a nice long talk.”
Sam began to snarl. “You telling me you interviewed him there after you left here?”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m telling you I guess.” Sam was fuming as Whitey tried to soften the situation. “I knew you’d want to be there, but the process was already in process. And I do have some skills you know.”
“You pulled a goddamn MacClaine on me.” Whitey was unsure of exactly what that comment meant, but he certainly understood its intention. Sam clarified and vented. “Out On A Limb. You put me out on a limb. What am I supposed to say if he comes in here and complains to the Chief. I know you’re one of the best, but you’re not licensed in California and you are certainly not on the force.”
Whitey gave me a ‘told you so’ look and then turned his attention to Sam and spoke calmly. “You’re mad at me.”
Sam laughed. “I’m not mad at you. Fuck… I expected it, maybe not exactly that, but something. So, tell me about it. How’d you get him over to Harley’s?”
The familiarity of that comment made me feel like part of the team. “He came on his own volition Sam.”
“Why?”
“He doesn’t want me to press charges for the sex tapes.”
Sam jumped on that. “He admitted he stole them? That’s good. That’s good news. Not that it’ll do any good because it wasn’t here and recorded and he could deny saying it. But, it’s good. It gives us another step.”
I stepped back because I could see that Whitey had much to say and I was surprised at the speed of his delivery… these comments had to be heard. “The way I got it figured is that this son-of-a-bitch is scared and that means he is in this deeper than he wants us to think. He’s willing to admit theft… off record of course… because he doesn’t want to be investigated. Now what’s that tell you?”
“Let me think… First he could have hired someone to kill her because of jealousy that she was still screwing Harley. Secondly, he doesn’t want his wife to know that he had some secretive interest or thing with her.”
Sam looked at me as if I was an unexplainable phenomena. “Don’t tell me how you know that.” He seemed to try to hide a hint of a smile. “As I was saying, he doesn’t want his wife to know… especially now. And, third… he just has some sexual needs he privately explores.” Sam looked directly at me. “In other words he stole the tapes just to see you two in action.”
Whitey directed his attention to me. “You do make a cute couple.”
Of course Whitey was making humor, but it touched a nerve giving me an uneasy feeling that somewhere within there was a core of truth.
more of the book
Apr0
“He’s a bright son-of-a-bitch, calculating, plays the poor me I’m sorry rather well. I don’t like him and above all I don’t trust him. How about you?”
“I have no use for him. I thought he started to lie when he said he wanted to protect her and that her husband would be devastated.”
The doorbell rang and actually startled me. Whitey caught that and snorted just before he opened the door. Robbie, holding a key, stepped inside and placed it on top of the tapes. “I really apologize for this again. It was wrong.” Either he was a superb actor, or he was sincere.
He stepped back to the door and stopped. “You said her accounts were checked. Why didn’t you mention that the first account is virtually closed? She bought a two hundred fifty thousand dollar cashier’s check. Where did that money go?” With that he exited once more. I found that interesting. He left on his terms.
“I believed him there.” I walked over and picked up the key and offered it to Whitey.
He pulled out a small leather lock-picking holder and opened it quickly. “No need. I’d lose it anyway.”
Five minutes later we were walking into the station to meet with Sam. “I’ll fill him in about the Robbie conversation. He won’t be too pleased he wasn’t there. I know he doesn’t care for the prick either… wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t want to press charges on the tapes. Two hundred fifty big ones… I do wonder where that went.”
Five steps through the door Sam was leading us into an office. “The guy’s name is Torgerson, Frank. He goes by Tuffy. Tuffy Torgerson. Retired or semi-retired land developer… money up the ass.”
Just then a call came. Sam put it on speaker. “Detective Gray.”
“Detective Gray, Tuffy Torgerson. What a way to meet. Let me get right to it. I have a child’s lock on my gun cabinets. What that means is I don’t lock them. They have a hook that a youngster couldn’t reach and they’re in my den or study if you prefer. The people that come into my home are my guests. And, like I told someone before, I haven’t looked in those cabinets for years and was surprised that someone I allowed into my home would feel it was their right to take.”
“Do you have any thoughts as to who it could be?”
“Well Detective, I deal in real estate development that most would say is speculative, but I am a deductive thinker. One my pistols landed in Los Angeles and the others are still missing. My thoughts are in that connection. My daughter Kathy graduated from USC and visited us with friends a dozen times and each was a different friend.”
We shared a look of instant wheels working.
“Tuffy, you’re on speaker and listening in are Detective Boyle and Harlan Saltz, both involved in the case. So, if they have any questions I’m going to ask them to please jump right in… if you don’t mind. And this is being recorded… if that’s okay.”
“That’s all fine with me Detectives and Mr. Saltz.”
Whitey spoke immediately. “Tuffy, this is Detective Boyle, but please call me Whitey. How old is your daughter?
Barbara Ann is thirty-eight, married, two kids and a joy to her husband and me. And, she’s on with us Whitey. This is a conference call and I’m also recording it. If that doesn’t turn your turnip.”
more of the book
Apr0
Whitey had a shit-eating grin as he spoke. “Allow me to paint the picture. LA attorney questioned in murder of former mistress/employee… sex tapes possible motive. Concise and to the point, don’t you think?”
“We can talk, but off the record.”
This entire scene was borderline surreal and I felt it would forever affect my maturity. I would always be more… growth through tragedy… and that is usually a piss poor feeling. I was determined to keep my mouth shut and listen.
Whitey took the helm. “When you were alone how did you get in?”
“With a key, and I’ve explained that to Harley. Teri had a spare key. I made another and used it once.” He looked directly at me. “That was wrong and I apologize.”
As I suspected, Robbie was more than he appeared. He was smart. He was pulling me in a little. I almost wanted to say that it was alright and we all make mistakes, until I put it in perspective. The SOB entered my home and stole from me.
“Teri told me that you two made another tape just days before her wedding. That hit me hard, affected me and made me weak. I couldn’t let you keep it.”
His words seemed absolutely truthful and stream of consciousness until he leaned forward with forearms on legs, fist in hand. His behavior seemed now uncomfortable with fist changing to interlocking and rubbing fingers and if calculating. I sensed he was about to be creative with the following.
“If her husband somehow saw that tape he could annul the marriage and I knew she would be devastated.”
Whitey perked up. “How would he know when it was made?”
“She was wearing that huge engagement ring.”
That left little doubt that he watched it, which struck my anger chord and I huffed. Whitey’s subtle eye glance told me to take it easy. I followed instructions and grabbed a piece of celery, dipped it in peanut butter and chewed.
Robbie didn’t look at me but continued. “I wanted to protect her, so I took the tapes.”
“You also could have used them to blackmail her, couldn’t you?”
“Yes, and I know how that looks.”
“Well, it doesn’t look good Robbie. The police finally gained access to her banking records. Do you know anything about that?”
“Yes. I’m aware of something. She had two large deposits in two different accounts, one bearing her maiden name and one as Teri Mitchell Kramer. Both amounts were for two hundred fifty thousand dollars. They were gifts from Harris, one before the wedding and the other after. I’m the attorney for the business and authorized the checks. He wanted her to not want.”
I was astounded, but said nothing.
“Tokens of love, right?”
Robbie caught the significance of large deposits of money before and soon after her marriage. “Harris had no problem affording that.” He straightened up and spoke in a more formal tone. “This I know. I am the attorney for the business here and in South Africa. That is why it is imperative that my stupid and hopefully forgivable actions not be pursued.” Whitey’s deliberate analyzing stare made Robbie’s shoulders slump and his eyes drift toward the floor. After several seconds he focused on me. “Please.”
Whitey stood and held his hand out as if I was going to speak. “Mr. Baron, we’re not going to make charges about the theft of the sensitive material at this time, so feel good about that. However, if you become a suspect in her murder then that theft would certainly land on the prosecutor’s desk.”
Robbie stood and looked fairly relieved. “Thank you.” He walked toward the door, stopped at my desk and opened his case. He set down the two tapes. “Sorry.”
Whitey jumped on that. “So you didn’t destroy them… to protect her as you said.”
“No. I couldn’t. They weren’t mine.”
“Who do you think could have killed her?”
“I don’t know. I have no idea.”
“Have you had any vandalism happen to you, or anyone you know, recently?”
“No, why do you ask?
Whitey shook his head and gestured indicating for no reason. We both watched Robbie walk out.
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Apr0
That comment provided a glimpse of clarity and I jumped on it. “She made you feel like a stud.” He gave an almost imperceptible shrug of agreement and I could understand that so well. “She let you be you.” This time he acknowledged with a definite nod. “You didn’t have to hide with her.” His response was an unblinking stare that in seconds almost delicately drifted off. He just told me his secret.
Our conversation was interrupted by the ring of my cell phone. I read the caller ID… Whitey, so I picked up. “This is Harley.” I took the conversation out to the deck.
“Yo… ballistics was able to pull a full serial number off that twenty-two. Amazing what they can do today. Sam ran a check and it turns out it was registered… and reported missing a few months ago. But, the owner said he hadn’t looked for it for several years. As a matter of fact, the last time he recalled having it was eight years ago at a Rod and Gun Club tournament in Wyoming. He won with it and wanted to go out a winner and retired from competition. He put his energy in fishing.”
“He didn’t miss his winning pistol?”
“The man has forty-seven registered pistols and keeps them in several cases built as wall heating registers. He said they looked so real that he forgot the guns were in them. Turns out that six were missing… a 38, a 9mm glock, a 10mm and two 45’s.”
“That’s a lot of guns.”
“Yeah, and who knows when they were stolen, but the good thing is they’re all registered and we know one of them made it here. Seems like a nice guy according to Sam… agreed to a conference call in a couple of hours. Just curious if you want to sit in on this too.”
“I’d like to, but right now I’ve got company.”
“Why you whispering? It’s not Angel Eyes?”
“No. Male… guess.”
“Goddamn it Harley is it someone about this case?”
“Yeah.”
“If it’s not the husband it’s the lawyer.”
“Yep.”
“Five minutes I’m there.” He hung up and I walked back into the apartment.
Not to alarm Robbie I adlibbed some lines to the dead phone. ‘I’ll email you a copy. It won’t be until tomorrow. Just let me know you received them. So long.’ I put my phone on my desk and stalled for time by pouring more coffee. I didn’t know what I was doing in this conversation with Robbie and was happy that Whitey was coming and it couldn’t be soon enough.
I told Robbie that I had to eat something and sliced an entire stalk of celery and placed it in a water filled Tupperware container, then searched the refrigerator for peanut butter. I figured I consumed about four minutes and by the time I was placing it on the trunk near Robbie Whitey was at the door.
“Yo, I was in the neighborhood. Oh, you got guests.”
“That’s alright.” I introduced Whitey to Robbie and gave a little breakdown on each ending with: “We all have something in common, Teri.”
Robbie stood and uncomfortably moved toward the door. “I’ve taken up enough of your time Harley.”
Suddenly I felt the reason for him to be there… clarity. “No, you haven’t Robbie and I suggest you sit back down and talk to Whitey. That is if you want me to not pursue the theft of my sensitive material. Robbie sat and Whitey looked at me with wide eyes indicating to continue. So, I filled him in on everything Robbie talked about including having a key to my apartment.
Whitey then took over. “Actually he could deny any of that conversation and he knows that. And the reality is we should include Sam.”
Robbie blurted out. “I met with him an hour ago and I don’t want to again. The only problem I have is here in this apartment. And I want to clear it up now.”
“Whitey put on his surprised look. “Oh. Well, do you have any problem with me taping this conversation?” Before Robbie could answer Whitey was placing his pocket tape recorder on the trunk. “How about you Harley? Do you have a problem with this?”
Part of me had a major problem with it, however my trust of Whitey was more powerful and I opened my arms in a ‘not that I can see’ gesture. So Whitey continued.
“Mr. Robbie Baron, attorney how did you gain entrance to Mr. Harlan Saltz’s apartment the time of the missing tapes, aka sensitive material involving Harlan and Teri Mitchell Kramer?”
Robbie stood up, shook his head and walked toward the door. Whitey read the situation immediately turned off the tape player.
Robbie eased up a bit. “I’ve already discussed this with Harlan, so don’t play interrogator with me Mr. Whitey. You don’t have any facts to base anything on here. I’ve been here several times with Teri who lived here. I’ve touched things. Just because my prints were on the sensitive material doesn’t prove theft. You cannot prove that I was here alone.”
“You’re right. So, why are you here now?”
“Because I know how it could look.”
Whitey had a shit-eating grin as he spoke. “Allow me to paint the picture. LA attorney questioned in murder of former mistress/employee. Sex tapes possible motive. Concise and to the point.”
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Apr0
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“Is that supposed to be an insult for me?”
“It’s reality. If you found that insulting you are the only one who cares. Now why are you here?”
“You know I loved her, too.”
“No you didn’t Robbie. You used her. You wanted a beautiful companion. Or, as we’ve colloquialized… a trophy. When you love it’s all about giving… concern. Did you worry about her Robbie? That was rhetorical. I worried about her Robbie. I worried about her when she would work for you. She wanted so much to be on your level and it took only one party and one lunch for me to know that she would never be able to reach that plateau with you. She would always remain some kind of a pet for you. Yet, she didn’t mind taking your fifteen bucks an hour to be able to at least be in the arena and have six, seven hours a day to do her nails or research stuff on the computers. She loved finding dirt and I think she was in a perfect place for that. So, how does this feel? She used you too.”
Robbie’s eyes indicated surprise at my little jab and that gave me pleasure. However, a touch of my attitude toward him was somehow shifting. Perhaps it was because he seemed reduced and vulnerable. Years ago I wrote If compassion were to become a being it would surely be me for my heart’s deepest angers slowly shake my head with forgiveness. That was true once. Maybe it’s returning.
“So why don’t we be right up front here Robbie? What’s on your mind?”
“I was in your apartment.”
“When?”
“It was always on Tuesday during your writer’s group. The last time was right after Teri’s wedding.”
“I haven’t had a writer’s group in months.” I was trying to sound matter-of-fact.
“She didn’t tell me that.” He had a look of absolute horror from probably thinking that I could have come home at any moment and caught him.
“She didn’t know.” That old teenage in your face confrontation was biting at my soul, but I reined it in. “How many times have you been in my house Robbie?”
“I met with Teri three or four times.” He sounded like he wanted to continue but something held him back.
I helped him along. “The last time you were here you were alone, right?”
He nodded and I continued and I must say I was enjoying getting answers. “How did you get my key?”
“She had a couple and I took one of them and had another made. You have to understand… she used to talk about you all the time. Little Babies this and Little Babies that. She was probably trying to piss me off and it did. One Tuesday she showed me a tape the two of you made. Showed me how you had it hidden calling it Parenting.”
The thought of them watching that made me feel sick. Why would she do that?
“I’m an attorney Harley and there’s evidence here that I touched those missing sex tapes. That could be interpreted as motive… jealousy. A case could be built from that. He loved her and saw her screwing her old boyfriend even a week before she was getting married. So, he hired someone to kill her. People have gone to prison on weaker motives.” Robbie looked depleted and childlike.
“Did you kill her, Robbie?”
“No, of course not. I loved her.”
“Don’t go there. You didn’t love her.”
“I thought I did at one time, or at least I tried to.” He averted eye contact, took a beat, exhaled and continued. “When she was in college and we hung around. She would visit and I took her places and she thought I was someone important and listened to me. And, she used to do things to me… what I mean is she was wild, open.” He now looked at me. “Come on, you know what it was like. She made me feel like a man.”
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Apr0
“So explain.”
“A Detective Gray called and asked if I would meet with him and implied he was assigned to Teri’s murder investigation.” Questions seemed to suddenly fill Robbie’s face. “Do you know him?”
I nodded.
Robbie nodded as if in acceptance. “I went there thinking he would be asking me about Teri. You know, her past… personality… friends… anything that might help them discover a suspect. And, we did that. We talked about that and then he brought up you. They asked if I had ever been here, at your place. I told them I didn’t recall and if I had it certainly wasn’t when you were here.”
I had to admit, the SOB was telling me what he told Sam and I had the feeling that I was about to hear what he didn’t tell him… the rest of the story.
“When Detective Gray asked me if I’d been here, I told him I didn’t recall… I left that answer dangle so it could be truth. I just didn’t finish my thought… avoided answering it. If I had I would have said something like, I don’t recall… exactly when I was there… the hour or what day it was. I’m telling you this so you realize that I didn’t really lie to the police… not that you’d know, but you could find out.”
I couldn’t take it any longer and had to respond to his rambling. “You support my philosophy of truth.” Now it was Robbie’s turn to look. “The truth is often a creation. It’s often made up. It’s about how you think. It doesn’t remain absolute. It meanders.”
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Mar0
I sat in my desk chair with out-stretched legs, coffee cup in hand and waited… not worried about him physically, but not relaxed. I didn’t trust him and why was he here? I wanted to call Whitey, but I didn’t want to move. I was convinced that stillness and relaxation indicates strength and at the very least I have a thief in my house.
About a minute lapsed with Robbie more hunched forward and sipping coffee. I imagined him trying to conceive a summation for a losing case. Finally, he straightened and looked as if he would rise, you know, to take the power, to stand while your victim sits. However, during his movement of bringing his feet to the position to stand he caught my eye and seemed to give up and slump backwards into the sofa and made a moaning sound. “Ohhhhh, this was a bad idea. Harley, I came here to tell you that I am willing to do whatever I can to help in the investigation of her murder.”
I stared directly at him and spoke in a straightforward low, measured tone. “That’s a fucking lie. That’s not why you’re here.”
Something happened that I would never have expected, but Robbie exploded… lost his composure and control… and jumped up yelling. “Alright! Alright! I’m scared! That’s why I’m here. And I’m afraid you’re going to press charges. And, if you do I could lose my career… my reputation.”
