Don Scribner’s Blog Actor, Screenwriter, Songwriter, Singer

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“What about that last guy, the one before her husband?  Saltz.”

Robbie shook his head as he openly scoffed.  “Salt shaker?  We never got along either.  He’s a little more common than my usual associates.”

“Salt shaker, I like that.  Were you having physical relations with her when she was with him… too?”

“I’m nearing the end of the question and answer period Detective.  But, I don’t want to leave you with anything other than pure thoughts about our ‘physical relationship’ as you so deftly refer to it.  I introduced Teri to a wonderful world of physical freedom.  Now, you can interpret that any way you wish.  But, she loved it and she would have jumped at the opportunity to become Mrs. Baron.”

That piqued Sam’s attention.  “Why didn’t she?”

“She didn’t really fit.”

Sexually?”

“Sexually she was up for anything.  That’s what I loved about her.  She was my little marionette.”

Sam seemed to sense that he had only a few questions left.  “Mr. Baron, we appreciate your candor so much, but you skirted the question and we are trying to solve a murder here.  Mr. Saltz was her last boyfriend unless you were still sleeping with her.”

Wow.  I’m watching through this mirror and my heart is now pounding with anticipation of his response.  I truly didn’t like this guy and when he leaned forward and into the table I wanted to slap his arms off.  But, above that I wanted him to say no.

“No, Detective, I wasn’t.  I don’t know what she saw in him.”

“Well, he does seem sure of his sexuality… doesn’t he?”  That comment was delivered like a spear and Robbie’s eyes made a dart in our direction.  Sam continued.  “Even I can see that.”

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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?”

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“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.

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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.

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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?”