"Charlie, with Gracie out of the way, James is as good as dead."
"I know, but it would be a lot safer for Margret to think she can buy, Gracie off, than to risk another family accident." He called the Phoenix Kinko's back and set up the transfer from Margret to the San Diego office. "Let's call Margret and see what she sends for Gracie to sign. Then we'll know what's going on."
"Then we need to convince Gracie she can trust us," she said.
"I have a thought on that. Let me get Margret content that her plan is moving along smoothly." He picked up his phone to call Margret's number.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Margret. This is Charlie, with good news. We're in Phoenix and have located Gracie. If you're ready to fax the trust fund release, we'll show it to her and let you tell her about her father's condition."
"That is good news; where is she?"
"In the dorms at Arizona State University. We are just off campus at the University Kinko's. Their fax number is 602 555-1212."
"Thank you, I'll send it right now. When will you talk to her?"
"Today, if we can, tomorrow at the latest. We'll let you talk to her when we do."
"I'll be so much happier when Gracie has her trust in hand," Margret said, attempting sincerity.
"Ok, we'll look for the document and be in touch. Goodbye." He disconnected the call and turned to Jenny. "Let's get over to the local Kinko's."
It took them ten minutes to drive to the Kinko's office and it surprised them that they still had to wait 15 minutes for the fax to come through. He checked the time stamp from Margret's end and she had waited 20 minutes to send it.
The document was five pages long and, as they had expected, it promised the one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to Gracie immediately upon signing, with an annual allowance of fifty thousand dollars a year, paid monthly, for signing over to Margret the Power of Attorney of Gracie's interest in Wentworth Software's current and future assets.
"So, for a hundred and fifty thousand, Margret finishes James off and has control of 25 million. We need to find that kind of return on investment," he said.
"Let's go find Gracie and get her out of this mess."
"One more call I need to make while we have access to a fax machine." Charlie pulled a card out of his wallet and showed it to her. "I'm hoping we can get some help at this point." He called the number on the card.
"Detective Eberhart."
"I'm so glad you're in. This is Charlie Watson; I don't know if you remember me, but..."
"Hello Charlie, of course I remember you. In fact, I wanted to call you this week and update you on Cindy's case. The computers we found in Robert Porter's house were gold. Five more arrests and 10 new leads. You and Jenny did a very good thing."
"We've been in touch with Cindy and her family; we're honorary aunt and uncle now. Cindy is doing remarkably well."
"I've heard that also. So what's up?"
"Have you got a minute?"
"Why does it sound like you've put your P.I. hats back on?"
"I knew you were a great detective. Is the fax number on your card the best one to send you something?"
"Yes, I'll watch for whatever you're sending. What's the story here?"
Charlie gave the card to Jenny and asked her to get the document faxed to the detective, then returned to the phone. "It's on its way. Jenny got a call from a, Margret Wentworth, wanting us to find her step daughter, Gracie, and present her with the document we just faxed to you. We did some checking into Margret and didn't like what we found. To make a long story short, for now, I need two favors from you."
"I have the Power of Attorney in my hand. What do you need?" she asked.
"One, we've located Gracie but have not made contact yet, I was hoping we could have her call you, like a reference for us."
"I'm in your fan club, no problem. What else?"
"Ok, two, here's our hunch. Gracie's father, James Wentworth, is in Mountain View Hospice. Jenny and I believe, Margret Wentworth, is trying to get control of Wentworth Software by having Gracie sign this document. Now, hear me out. We think, she has been poisoning James just enough to keep him in a coma, until either, Gracie signs this or is taken out of the way."
"That's a mighty big hunch. What in the world, are you basing that on?"
"First, according to the nurse, Margret goes to the hospice every other day and doesn't stay long. However, Margret told us she sits there for hours talking to James. She'll be going there again on Wednesday, as she just went there today. We think she'll have a dose of whatever she is using with her. Secondly, Gracie's mother, Constance Wentworth, died in a single car accident in May of 93, and Margret married James Wentworth a year later. We believe that Margret was formally Janise M. Harris from Boise, Idaho, whose husband Franklin and son died in a climbing accident. He had a few bucks also."
"I remember the accident of Constance Wentworth. As I recall, she fell asleep at the wheel which, was confirmed by witnesses. It would be a stretch to pin that on Margret. I'll check out the Harris case and let you know what we find."
"If you don't think there is enough evidence to warrant searching Margret on Wednesday, is there some way you can get Mountain View to isolate him from all visitors to see if not having her there makes a difference in his recovery? We were told by his doctor, Rosalyne Hunt, his condition was cyclical."
"So you've already talked to his doctor?" Eberhart asked. After a moment, she added, "Good idea. It'll answer the question, without showing our hand. Have Gracie, call me and I'll get right on this. Keep me informed with what's going on."
"It just occurred to me. When we speak to Gracie, she'll probably want to see her father, so we need to allow that."
"I understand, I'll be in touch. Where are you now?"
"We're in San Diego, but Margret thinks we're in Phoenix."
Detective Eberhart got up from her desk and drove to Mountain View Hospice. She met with the director of the hospice, Dr. Steve Canada, who called Dr. Rosalyne Hunt into the meeting. Detective Eberhart only told them that they needed to have James Wentworth completely isolated from all visitors, including Margret, for the next three days. The only exception was his daughter, Gracie. Maybe move James to a different wing, or something, if that was possible. Detective Eberhart promised to explain later and told them she appreciated their keeping this quiet. After Detective Eberhart had left, both doctors faced each other.
"Rosalyne, the police think Mrs. Wentworth has something to do with his illness," Dr. Canada said.
"It makes sense and would explain why his condition is cyclical. I'm going to check the visitor log against his hematology reports immediately," Dr. Hunt said, running out of the room.
Chapter 24
They were parked in the rental car they had picked up at the Phoenix Airport, across the street from the University Kinko's and watched the store for Charlie and Jenny to exit with the documents. John picked up his phone and dialed.
"We arrived at the University Kinko's, ten minutes after your call. It's been an hour now. They never showed, Mrs. Wentworth."
"Give it another 30 minutes, John. Maybe they went to find Gracie," Margret told them.
"Will do, are you sure this is the right place?" John asked.
"2935 University Way, Phoenix, is what I have," she replied. "Are you sure they didn't spot you in San Diego?"
"You hired the best. Have we ever let you down before?" John replied.
"Call me back in 20 minutes and stay out of sight," Margret instructed. After pacing for 15 minutes she was concerned and called John back. "This doesn't feel right. Go inside and see if the fax came in, say you're, Charlie Watson, and are there to pick it up. Call me back right away." she ordered.
Ten minutes later John called Margret back with the update. "Mrs. Wentworth, we were told the fax was forwarded to San Diego, as I, Charlie, had requested. The original was already put in the mail," John reported.
"Damn, they're smarter than we gave them cred
it for." she screamed. "Get back to San Diego fast. They're in the way now. I want them taken out. Nobody will be looking for them, so make them disappear."
"That wasn't in the original plan. I'm thinking, an additional ten grand here, apiece," John answered.
"Take them out by tonight and you'll get 25," she said slamming her phone down. She dialed another number, and when the call connected. "We have a problem."
Chapter 25
"I think as long as we're in town we should stay in this car, but before we go meet Gracie, I want to move the truck," Charlie said.
"I agree." Jenny stayed on the driver's side of their rented Nissan and drove out to the airport short term parking lot where Charlie got out at the exit.
"Be right back. Follow me to long term parking."
"I'll follow you anywhere mister."
Margret was capable of just about anything, he remembered Jenny's earlier comment about tracking devices and when he approached the truck, took the time to see if there was one attached underneath it. He almost missed it, as they had placed it high up beside the spare tire. Crawling under on his back under the rear of the truck, he found and removed the small box held to the frame with a magnetic base. He turned to the car parked beside him and attached it to the frame of that car. "Sorry buddy, you may have company soon," he said, brushed himself off and got into his truck. He paid the parking fee and Jenny pulled right in behind him to the long term parking lot, a mile away.
She followed him into the parking lot this time and after he'd found a spot was pleased with her decision. "Thanks, that was thoughtful." He slid into the passenger side.
"That's the kinda' gal you married." She looked closely at his jacket. "Did you have a fight with a parking attendant over the rate?"
"Margret left a gift under the truck. She wanted to keep us close, what a dear she is."
Jenny drove to the house they'd found the night before and parked two houses down on the opposite side of the street. Both cars, the red Camaro and white Audi, were in the driveway. It was almost 4 pm, the street was quiet and the front drapes on the house the girls lived in were open.
"Looks like we got a break here, both girls are home," Charlie said as they walked towards the front door. Charlie stopped and took one more scan of the neighborhood, looking for the black Ford Taurus.
They knocked on the door, heard the dead bolt release and it was opened exposing the security chain that was still attached. Stefanie peeked through the opening.
"Hello Stefanie. My name is Jenny and this is my husband, Charlie. May we come in? We need to talk to you and Gracie." Stefanie looked them over very closely from behind the screen door.
"What's this about? How do you know us?" Stefanie asked, guarded.
"I know you don't know who we are, but this is very important," Jenny told her. She pulled Detective Eberhart's card out of her purse and continued, "We'll wait out here. Please call Detective Nicole Eberhart with the San Jose Police department right away." Stefanie took the card through the gap between the door frame and the screen door, then quickly pushed the door shut and locked it. Charlie and Jenny sat on the steps. Five minutes later they heard the door unlock and both girls were standing inside.
"Please come in," Gracie said, handing the card back to Jenny. The girls sat close together on the couch and Charlie and Jenny took the open chairs facing them.
"Gracie, Charlie and I were contacted by Margret to locate you and..." Jenny began.
"That witch! First she can't wait to get me out of the house and then she wants to find me," Gracie said.
"We know about her, Gracie. We're here to help you. We need to walk you through this and our only concern is your safety," Jenny replied.
"My safety?" Gracie asked. "It's not enough for the bitch that I am out of the house?"
"Gracie, please hear us out. We couldn't agree with you more about Margret. She wanted us to get you to sign this," Charlie said, handing her the document. "It's basically her way of taking control of your father's company and assets."
"She may have my dad wrapped around her finger, but he'd never let that happen!" Gracie started reading the document. When she was half way through it, she looked up slowly, with tears forming in her eyes. "This reads like a will. Where's my father?" Gracie reached over to hold Stefanie's hand.
"Gracie, your father is alive, but he's in a hospital," Jenny answered. "We think Margret is involved. She doesn't know we have Detective Eberhart in place at the hospital watching over him."
"I've got to get up there," Gracie shouted.
"We want to take you to see him," Charlie told her.
"I can drive, I can leave right now," Gracie replied just short of hysterics.
"Please let us help," Jenny said. "We were being followed today in town. We gave them the slip and they think we're in Arizona, that we found you there, but they'll come back, and we don't think you girls are safe here now."
Gracie turned toward Stefanie. "Will you come with me Stef?"
"Of course Gracie, yes."
"Why don't you two pack for a few days and we'll take you to San Jose, to see your father," Charlie offered.
"I can still drive and just follow you," Gracie said.
"They know the cars you girls are driving. We think whoever was following us is working for Margret. It'll be safer if you leave your cars here. When this is over, we can either drive or fly you back before Christmas break is over," Charlie told them.
"I remember Detective Eberhart from my mother's accident. She said we can trust you, so I guess we will."
"Go pack, and we'll leave town right away. We are going to get our things and we'll be back in an hour," Jenny said. "Here is my mobile phone number." They exchanged numbers with the girls and stood to leave.
"Ok," Gracie said, running towards her bedroom.
Charlie drove to the motel first to get their bags and then to the airport to return the rental car and pick up his truck. While driving back to get the girls, Charlie shared his thought. "Should we have kept the rental? They've seen this truck."
"Maybe, but we're not going to be driving around town in it. Lord willing, they're still in Phoenix."
"I wish we knew that for sure and could stop looking over our shoulders."
"Yeah, I know. As self-appointed guardians we have the girl's safety to worry about now." They stopped to fill up the tank with gas and Charlie decided to touch bases with Detective Eberhart.
"Detective Eberhart… oh, hello Charlie."
"Anything new on your end?" Charlie asked.
"We're covered at Mountain View. I pulled the files on Constance Wentworth and will study them again. There's no evidence of foul play, as I said, but I'll look closer."
"Good. Thanks for getting us in the door with Gracie. We're headed back there now to bring the girls to San Jose. I told you about us being followed. I found a tracking device on the truck."
"That concerns me. They are readily available, but it indicates that you're dealing with some pros down there."
"We'll be on the road shortly. It's almost five already, so we'll spend the night half-way back, I guess."
"Keep your eyes open, and me posted. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon. Oh if you find another tail, call me with a plate number."
"The call broke up a bit, you must be in your car. What was that last part?"
"Call me if you get their license plate number," she repeated.
"Will do, thanks for the help." Charlie ended the call. He took the fuel nozzle out of the truck and joined Jenny inside the truck. They drove back to the house to pick up the girls.
"This doesn't look good," Jenny said, as they pulled up to the house. "Stefanie's car is gone."
He went to the front door and knocked. The drapes were drawn closed and there was no answer at the door. He turned to find Jenny standing right behind him. "I was afraid this might happen," he said. They quickly got back into the truck and Jenny called the number Stefanie had given her while Charlie drove qu
ickly toward the Interstate.
"What were you thinking?" Jenny screamed into the phone.
"I'm sorry. Gracie went nuts and was intending to drive herself. All I could do was insisting that I drive."
"I understand. We just got on the freeway, where are you?"
"Passing San Clemente, about 30 minutes ahead of you?"
"Keep your eyes open, Stefanie, and don't stop until we've caught up with you. If anything looks funny, call me back."
"Ok, Jenny, I wanted to wait but…"
"How's Gracie now? Do not let her call Margret."
"She wanted to, but I convinced her it was a bad idea."
"Ok, I won't ask you to stop and wait for us. We should catch up in a few hours if you stay under the speed limit."
"Tell them to stay on interstate 5," Charlie told her, and she relayed that before disconnecting.
*****
The black Ford Taurus was racing through San Diego, headed toward Interstate 5. Dan was driving and he turned to John beside him. "You'd better call Wentworth, give her an update."
"Shit, like I want to talk to her," John said, picking up his phone. When he'd heard her greeting he spoke, "I think you underestimated these two, Mrs. Wentworth. When we got back to our car in San Diego, we found one of the transmitters across town. He must have found it and put it on another car."
"They were recommended for this. Wait, you said, one of the transmitters?" Margret asked.
"Like I told you, you hired the best; we always plant two."
"Have you found them?"
"Not yet, but we'll intercept them shortly. The other transmitter is moving, looks to be leaving town."
"Hopefully it's not on another decoy. This is getting out of hand. We don't know if they've found Gracie yet, but we have to assume they have and figured something out by their actions. Don't do anything except follow them until they are out of town."
"It's getting dark, so we'll be harder to spot. We just got on the Interstate and he is only 10 miles ahead of us. We'll confirm the transmitter is actually on his truck, then back off and follow."
Watson Manor Eventually (Watson Manor Mystery Series Book 1) Page 16