Ian

by Denise Irwin

  “Did you get any names?”

  “Yes, the first call was from Robert Keane and the second call was from Mrs. Macgill who lives in Stonehaven, Scotland.”

  “Did they give you the name of the missing person?”

  “Yes, his name is Ian Macgill.”

  “Do you have Keane’s number?”

  Phil took the phone number with him into the examining room. “We just might end up with a name for our victim. I just hung up with the Baltimore City Police Desk Sergeant who said that he received two calls from different people reporting that an Ian Macgill is missing. I have Mr. Keane’s number. I’m planning to call it to see if he can come in and identify our victim. I’m gonna call him right now. If you want to wait and see if he shows up to identify that body, I’ll put another pot of coffee on.”

  While standing in the examining room, Phil dialed the number, when Bob answered the phone, Phil said, “Mr. Keane, my name is Phil Mason. I’m the Medical Examiner in the Baltimore City morgue. I understand that you placed a missing person call to the police this morning. We have an unidentified body and hope that you can tell us that it’s not the person you’re looking for.”

  “Mr. Mason, I’m on my way.”

  Phil put his phone in his pocket as he said, “Robert Keane is on his way here to ascertain if our victim is the missing person he reported to the police.”

  There wasn’t much conversation in the examining room. On more than one occasion, they were in the room when a family member arrived and identified the victim.

  A young man entered the room and identified himself, “My name is Bob Keane.” He looked young with short cropped red hair and at the moment had a pale face.

  Phil stepped forward, “Mr. Keane, my name is Phil Mason. I’m the Medical Examiner who spoke with you earlier. As I told you on the phone, I hope that this is not your missing person, but we need to make sure.”

  Phil gently guided him to the gurney and folded back the sheet just enough to show the victim’s face. Bob immediately started to sob, “That’s Ian. Oh my God, how am I going to tell his mother that her son is dead?”

  As Phil replaced the sheet, Bob asked, “How was he murdered and who murdered him?”

  Sam stepped forward, “My name is Sam Marksman; why don’t we go have a cup of coffee and talk before you call his mother.”

  He went with Sam without issue. Bob looked like a little boy who wanted to hold Sam’s hand as they walked. They walked into the coffee shop where Sam ordered two coffees. They sat at a table for two and Sam sipped his hot coffee while he waited for Bob to talk. He finally looked up and asked, “Mr. Marksman, will someone look for his murderer? I have to call his mother to let her know that her son’s dead.”

  “Bob, I can make that call. What I’m looking for is help. I need to know more about him so that we can come up with why he was murdered. What did you know about him?”

  “Just that he’s from Stonehaven Scotland and came to the US to attend the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Fuck, all of the citizens in Stonehaven paid for his tuition so that when Old Doc Balderston passed away he could be the doctor. Ian was an incredible person. He worked for me a couple of nights each week and volunteered at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He had taken a fancy to another volunteer and they went out for coffee on Thursday. I spoke with her and she hasn’t heard from him. My kitchen staff loved him. They loved him so much that they would tie off the garbage bags for him to carry out to the dump.”

  Sam knew that he had to ask one last question, “Bob, can you think of anyone who wanted to do him harm?”

  “No sir I don’t know who would do him harm. He was just the kind of guy that was upstanding and nice to everyone.”

  “I understand what you’re saying. I’m going to give you my business card and please feel free to call me any time of the day or night. Do you have his mother’s number?”

  “Yes, I’ll read it off to you so that you can plug it into your phone. Thank you for offering to call her.”

  “It’s not a problem. If we need anything more from you, I’ll give you a call.”

  Bob walked to his car while Sam walked back to the morgue. Everyone was still there, so he updated them with his conversation with Bob Keane and said that he’d promised to make the call to the victim’s mother.

  He ended his portion of the verbal report by saying, “We’ve got nothing to work with, but I’ll call when we have something.”

  Taggart nodded his head and then said, “We’ve had less to work with in the past. We’re going take this one step at a time.”

  “Well, I think that we need to get together and lay out some sort of a plan. You know that we can meet at my house, so just give me a call. I’m going home to see if my family still wants me.”

  He walked into the kitchen to see that his family was just sitting down to dinner. Jack said, Hi Dad, how was your day?”

  “It was good. Did Mom tell you that I went to work with Mr. Taggart?”

  “Yes she did. Mom also said that you might not be home for dinner, so Molly and I are really happy that you’re home to have dinner with us.”

  After the kids went to bed, Leona and Sam met in the kitchen. As he poured her a glass of wine he said, “Lee I have a phone call to make and then we’ll talk.”

  “Mrs. Macgill, my name is Sam Marksman. I told Bob that I would make this call. There’s no easy way to say this and I know that it’s harder to hear it. Your son was murdered and my team intends to find the person who did it.”

  He heard her crying and then a man was on the phone, “My name is Ian Macgill, and I am Ian’s father. What did you just say to my wife?”

  Sam told him what he said to Mrs. Macgill and then said, “I work with an investigative team, and we already have some evidence and will continue to search until we find the person who did this to your son.”

  When he disconnected the call with Mr. Macgill, he told his wife, “You are not going to believe what I tell you.”

  He told her about the victim being from Scotland and how the town paid for his education to become a doctor.

  She had one question, “Sam, do you have a suspect?”

  “No, not yet.

  <>

  Leona was preparing breakfast on Thursday morning when Sam came in after walking the dog. She asked, “What’s the weather like?”

  “I thought it was beautiful. Its fall and it feels like fall.”

  “I was wondering if the children should wear jackets or sweaters to school.”

  “Go with the jacket since it might get warmer during the day.”

  “Got it.”

  Molly and Jack came into the kitchen talking about some teacher that they both liked. They sat at the table and continued to talk about her. Jack finally realized that he had not greeted his parents. “Good morning Mom and Dad.”

  Molly said, “Mom and Dad, how are you doing today?”

  Sam told them, “Mom and I are doing great. It’s a bit chilly outside, so Mom’s gonna have you wear jackets to school.”

  After they left for school wearing jackets, Leona asked her husband, “Sam, what’s on your dance card today?”

  “I think that I’m gonna play with the dog so that I can clear my mind for tonight’s meeting. How about you?”

  “I need to put together the snacks for the meeting, but I have all day to do that. Can I play in the yard with you and the dog this morning or would that interfere with clearing your mind.”

  “Of course you can play with me in the yard. Let me help you with breakfast dishes and we’ll go out and play with the dog.”

  They took turns throwing the Frisbee for Vinny until lunch time. As Leona prepared lunch she said, “That was really fun.”

  After lunch, she checked her liquor locker and snack supply. She said, “Sam, we’re good on booze, but I need to get some adult snacks, so I’m gonna run out now.”

  She got back in time to put the afterschool snacks together and t
hink about what to have for dinner.

  During dinner, Leona said, “Dad’s having a meeting this evening and since you know everyone that’s coming, please come into the kitchen for just a minute and say hello.”

  Jack said, “Okay Mom, but we can still watch television during the meeting, right?”

  “Right!”

  Phil and Brian were the first to arrive. Phil said, “Leona I baked double chocolate brownies to go with the coffee.” As she took the container she said, “Thanks Phil. I’m sure that they are delicious.”

  Brian said, “I brought a bottle of wine. You thought that I was going to say that I brought Phil, didn’t you?”

  She laughed, “I did, because that’s exactly what you always say.” He handed her a glass of wine as he said, “I don’t want to get into a rut.”

  “Brian, what am I to do with you?”

  “Don’t ask that because I just might tell you.”

  Amanda and Stefan arrived and Amanda asked, “Brian, just what will you do?”

  “It’s a secret and I’m bound not tell anyone.”

  She laughed and then said, “Yeah right.”

  When everyone had their favorite beverage and sat at the table, Leona said, “Hold on for just a moment while I get my children.” She went into the living room and told them, “It’s time to come in and say hello.

  They entered the kitchen and greeted each person individually by name. Jack then asked, “Mom, can we go back into the living room?”

  “Yes you may.”

  Phil said, “The two of you have marvelous children.”

  “Thank you Phil. Sam and I think so too.”

  Gregory said, “Before we get started on this meeting, I would first like to thank out hosts. Next I want Sam to tell us where in the hell he’s been.”

  “Brian, no one wants to hear that, so let’s just do what you came here to do.”

  Amanda leaned forward and said, “I for one have no frigging idea what Brian’s talking about, so I’d like to hear what Sam has to say.”

  “Sam start this at the beginning.”

  He shot a look at Gregory, then started the story. “A woman by the name of Miriam Brennan looked my number up in the phone book and asked me to search for her daughter, Haley Brennan. Haley had been inducted into some fucking religious cult that turned out to be a human trafficking operation. The top dog on this one was Garret Marshall.”

  Amanda asked, “Sam, I have two questions, did her mother really look you up in the phone book?”

  “Yes she did.”

  “That’s just insane. Here’s my second question. Where did you find her?”

  “I met a young man who had driven one of the trucks, so he and I drove to Mexico City to find that Haley and the young man’s girlfriend had escaped and were walking to Berkeley, California when we found them.”

  Gregory said, “I told you it was a story worth hearing. That young lady stood in a conference room before an equal number of house and senate leaders to tell that story. Those two young women were on a mission to survive. We’re going to focus our mission on finding the person who killed Ian Macgill and why he was murdered. Grab a fresh drink and we’ll start with Amanda.”

  Amanda said, “This isn’t much, but I found a tire tread that matches the photo Sam took. Under the magnifying glass, it looked like an original installation when the truck was built. I have the knife, but it has no prints and the blood collected DNA belonged to the victim. Phil found a small patch of cloth on the victim during his examination. I took that piece of cloth and tried to match to the victim, but he was wearing a white shirt and the piece of cloth was brown. I tried to get a DNA sample off it, but didn’t succeed.”

  Leona said, “Amanda, if you want me to help with the tires, I can make some phone calls.”

  “That would be really helpful.”

  Gregory’s next question was, “Has anyone interviewed the woman that had coffee with him?”

  Sam said, “I don’t believe so, so I’ll call Bob in the morning and get her number.”

  Phil said, “Sam, now that we can release the body, do you want me to call his parents?”

  “No, I’ll call them.”

  Gregory then said, “Why don’t we meet again, once we have more to discuss. Leona, I’m more than sure that you prepared some snacks, so why don’t we have another drink along with the snacks.”

  Leona put the snack platter in the middle of the table while Brian took drink orders. Everyone sat at the kitchen table. Amanda was the first to speak. “Sam, did you say that Garrett Marshall was the head of this human trafficking operation that you were working on?”

  “That’s right. He had a kid from Perry Hall High School run the operation in California.”

  “So, what I’m hearing is that he ran the operation from the prison.”

  “That’s what I heard from the Bureau, which by the way, sent Helicopters to pick us up at the border.”

  Gregory asked, “Was that because of the media?”

  “Yes, as well as the fact that the girls had no ID on them.”

  “I have to say that is an amazing story.”

  Amanda asked, “Is that a standard poodle laying near the door?”

  “Yes, it is. Bailey passed away and we let Molly and Jack decide what they wanted to do. They told us that they wanted to adopt a dog who needed a good home. We went to the ASPCA center on Falls Road and they fell in love with Vinny. He’s two years old and served as a service dog. We’ve signed the kids up for a children’s class for dog agility training.”

  “That’s just amazing. Why was he brought the ASPCA if he was a service dog?”

  “The owner’s family moved the owner into a nursing home and no one wanted him, so he was dropped off at rescue center. He’s a great pet.”

  Phil asked, “Can Brian and I come and watch the class?

  “I don’t see why not.” Leona then gave him the dates, times and location for the class.

  Amanda asked, “Can Stefan and I watch the class?”

  “Sure.”

  When it was time to go, Amanda offered to help clean up.

  “There’s really not much to do. Sam and I will walk you out to your cars.”

  They waved goodbye as their guests drove away. It was now windy and leaves blew around the yard causing Leona to chuckle. “What’s so funny?”

  “You’re gonna go off and leave the dog and I to rack up leaves.”

  Chapter Six

  After the kids left for school, Sam dialed the Macgill’s number. Mr. Macgill answered the phone. “Mr. Macgill, the Medical Examiner has completed his examination and has released your son’s body. I don’t want to sound insensitive, but do you want us to ship him to Stonehaven or do you want to come to Baltimore and pick him up?”

  “Have you found his murderer yet?”

  “No sir, but we’re working hard to find the person. I’m going to try to meet with the last person your son spoke with. She may give us a lead.”

  “Sam, I hope that she does. We will come to collect our son’s body. I’ll call you once we are in the United States.”

  “I’ll called the Medical Examiner and let him know that you plan to come to the States and take your son home.”

  “Thank you and as I said I will call once we are in Baltimore.”

  Sam called Phil Mason, “Phil, I just hung up with Ian Macgill, the victim’s father. He and his wife are planning to fly to the States and take him home.”

  “Okay, thanks for the call.”

  His next call was to Bob. Sam dial the number and when he answered the call, Sam asked, “Bob, to you have Ellie’s phone number?”

  “No I don’t Sam, to get in touch with her I walked to the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Volunteer office and gave my card to Stella. Then I asked her to give the card to Ellie when she got off.”

  “Okay, I’ll do that as well. Do you know if anyone has looked into Macgill’s apartment?”

  “I didn�
�t, but I can tell you that he lived in the on the fourth floor of the Harbor Loft Studios on S. Paca Street.”

  “Thanks, I’ll let you know what I find out.”

  He had another cup of coffee with his wife so that he could tell her his plan.

  “Sounds good. Maybe the girl that he had coffee with can give you something to work with.”

  “I sure as hell hope so, because we don’t have much to work with so far. How is Buttons sending you the tire mark photos?”

  “I think that she plans to send them by e-mail. Sam, did anyone get a soil sample of the mud where the tire tracks were found?”

  “Give her a call and if she didn’t, tell her that I’ll grab a sample while I’m out.”

  He left the house and drove down to the Medical Center’s volunteer office. When he entered it, he asked if he could speak with Ellie Williams. The Volunteer Coordinator said, “Ellie is visiting with patients, is there something that I can help you with?”

  “Yes, actually there is.” He pulled out a business card and wrote Bob’s name on the back since she knew him. As he handed the card to the woman, he asked, “Can you give her this card when she gets off?”

  She looked at the card and then said, “I will do that, Mr. Marksman.”

  “Thank you.”

  Leona called, “Sam, Amanda said that she has the soil sample.”

  He left the medical center and since he had hours to fill he figured that he would look into Macgill’s apartment. He walked into the leasing office where a young woman stood to greet him. She was tall and slender with braided blonde hair that ran down her back to the top of her jeans. “Good morning, my name is Julie, is there something that I can help you with?”

  “Yes Julie, I believe there is. My name is Sam Marksman. I’m a private investigator looking into the disappearance of Ian Macgill. I would like to look in his apartment to see if I can find anything useful for the search.” He didn’t tell her that he was dead since he didn’t want her to crash on him.