by Amy Shannon
“Is there a motive?”
“Not sure. Your men are looking at her apartment. Off the record, I only had a brief look around and snapped some photos,” she sighed. “I just thought you should know.”
“I did, and you probably know this, but she is connected to Oscar Stein and maybe even Friend. I think together, the three of them were lovers.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize,” Savvy said. “I assumed that Oscar and Avery were lovers and that he was also involved with Friend, but I didn’t know the three of them… does that even matter?”
“I think your brother is in something way over his head and doesn’t know how to get out.”
“But the other night,” Strick interrupted. “I’m sorry, but he tried playing on her sympathy, only to side with Oscar. He tried to say that his bruises from his sex play were from abuse.”
“Still, he’s in over his head. Ever since he came back, and Leonard refused him the first time, you know when Leonard first got involved with Baldwin, he’s always been off. I tried to tell Harry, but Harry thought giving him the job at the bar would keep him in line. Now, he’s out there, being a follower, just to find…”
“Find what?” Savvy asked. “Tim, what else is there about my brother?”
“He’s your brother?” Tim asked.
“No matter what, he’s my brother and yes, I know what I said. If he’s in trouble, I don’t know if I can help, but maybe I can try. If he needs help. If he’s just doing something wrong, then that’s his problem.”
“Well, I think he’s lost and looking for love. I know, sounds like an old 80s love song, but that’s what I think. I think it’s out of desperation and not loyalty or sexual intimacy. There are other ways to indulge sexual fantasies and not have to be in an abusive relationship to get it.”
“Well if he’s involved with Oscar and has participated in what Oscar has done, then maybe we can’t help him,” Strick said. “Maybe the only help we can give him is getting him a lawyer.”
Tim sipped his coffee. “Well if he’s in trouble, in that way, maybe that is the only thing we can do for him. As for Oscar, you have some ideas?”
“I think his actions have to do with my case I’m working on, but I also believe that he set the fire at Adler’s. He planned on Adler being dead.”
“I’ll look more into Oscar. You keep on your case and thanks for sharing.”
“I share,” she smiled.
“Not always,” he stood up and kissed her cheek. “I need to get back. I’ll point my men in this direction and check in with the fire marshal,” He drank down his coffee, set down his cup and headed out of the kitchen.
Strick kissed her cheek. “You did good, boss.”
“I can’t solve everything myself,” she smiled. “And speaking of solving something…”
“What’s that?” he kissed her mouth softly.
“Ready for a stakeout?”
“You got it, boss,” he smiled. “I’ll set up our bags.”
“Thanks,” She smoothed out her hair and unraveled her braids. She rebraided her hair, making sure the purple strands were accented properly.
32
Strick pulled the van toward the side of the road, across from the brownstone of Leif Gardner. He set the tripod on the dashboard and positioned his camera on the tripod. He got in the back of the van with Savvy, where she was setting up her computer, camera and binoculars. She removed the shade from the side window, which was disguised as part of the panel van. She positioned her seat toward the window as Strick positioned his next to her. She pulled her tablet out of her bag, along with her notebook. “I just got the background on Gardner,” she showed Strick the tablet.
He read through the notes on the tablet screen, “how in the world did he get access to be part of the board on the museum?”
“Well, when I talked with Angelica earlier, I asked her what she knew about him. She said that he was grandfathered in,” Savvy said. “I guess his father passed away last year. According to the board member bylaws, members can leave their seat on the board to a family member. Gardner’s father was Edwin Gardner, the philanthropist.”
“I’ve heard of him,” Strick said. “Yeah,” he grabbed his bag off the floor of the van and rummaged through his folders. “I brought my notes from my previous case.”
“Gardner was involved with the pawn shop robberies?” Savvy leaned back as she opened her thermos and poured them both a paper cup of coffee.
“He was dead by time the first robbery took place, but his name came up as one of the owners of the first pawn shop. The deed to the shop never changed. I don’t know why it was in his name. He was this big-time CEO of Gardner Acquisitions. I think,” Strick scanned the papers in the folder. “Yeah, the board of that is still open as the company requires that next-of-kin buy in and can’t just leave the position in a will or as an inheritance. It has to be purchased and vetted.”
“So, the son can’t just take over his father’s chair at the company, but he could as a museum member,” Savvy said.
“But he would need credentials, right?”
“Yeah and money,” she continued to read her background check. “He has an MBA. That may do it. Just needed money to back him up?”
“But his father was rich,” Strick said. “Maybe he didn’t leave him the money.”
“Or it’s in a trust. Sometimes with everyone having their hands when out a rich person passes, it takes forever to be released with probate,” She sighed. “Damn.”
“What’s wrong?”
“That’s why Angelica is doing what she’s doing,” she sighed.
“I don’t understand,” Strick said.
“I bet, and I don’t know for sure, that she’s leaving us something in her will. I also think that’s why she’s given us the block we live on and the buildings. She doesn’t want delays or whatever.”
“Or even having her current husband contest it.”
“That’s true, but I think she set him up pretty good. He took over Harold’s business and it’s continuing to be a success. I think that surprised them both,” She focused out the window. “Is that him?”
“Yeah, I wonder what’s in the silver case,” he said as they watched the man enter his building.
“Now that he’s home, go slide the tracker on his car,” she said. “I’ll connect to his wi-fi and see what we can get from his laptop webcam.”
“What would we do without Leonard?” Strick asked.
“I hope I never find out,” she said as her cellphone rang with I will survive playing. “Speaking of him,” She answered the phone. “Leonard, is everything all right?”
“Savvy,” he sighed. “They admitted Adler into the hospital. I’ve asked Tim if they could put a guard on him or something.”
“What did Tim say?”
“He said he would. I just had to file a complaint against Oscar.”
“Was he poisoned?”
“Yes, but it wasn’t rat poison, like you suggested. They think it was mercury poisoning.”
“Mercury? They do find that in some old antiques.”
“Yeah, not sure which one of his collectibles have it, or if Oscar has access to it, but that’s what it is. It had to be recent and it wasn’t a lethal dosage. I’m going to check Adler’s things at his new place and make sure it’s not in anything that we brought before his building burned down.”
“All right. We got a lead and we’re on our stakeout. Thanks for the updated tech,” Her eyes focused on the laptop that showed Gardner inside his brownstone.
“If you need me, just text me,” he said. “I’m at the hospital but will be at home later this evening.”
“We’ll all have dinner and talk,” she said. “Love you, honey. I hope he gets better.”
“Yeah, me, too,” Leonard hung up.
She eyed Strick. “Adler was poisoned with mercury, not rat poison.”
“Then it must be all about Oscar trying to get rid of his father.”
&
nbsp; “And there it is,” she pointed to the laptop. “Now, we just need to get that skull.”
“I have an idea,” Strick said.
“What’s your idea?”
“I bet he has a buyer all lined up,” Strick said. “Maybe he would be interested in another buyer.”
“Hold on,” Savvy’s eyes focused out the window. “I know that guy,” She pointed to the man walking toward Gardner’s front door.
“Who’s that?”
“Jarrod Johnson. The security officer at the museum. What the hell is he doing here?”
“Let’s just sit and watch,” Strick said. “I wish this had sound.”
“Hold on,” she texted Leonard. How do I access the mic on the inside laptop? She waited for her phone to ring, I will Survive. “Leonard, sorry to bug you.”
“Just follow my instructions,” he said.
After Savvy accessed the microphone on the inside laptop, her eyes focused on Gardner and Johnson. Gardner pulled Johnson into a strong kiss. He started undressing him. Johnson led Gardner to the sofa and pushed him on to it. He reached in his waistband. “Not a chance, lover,” he said, aiming his weapon on Gardner.
“Wait,” Leif put his hands up. “Why?”
“You ruined everything,” Jarrod said. “Everything. I knew you were responsible for everything that happened. Why? I let you into my bed and you betray me.”
“I love you, Jarrod. Loving you has nothing to do with my side job. I swear.”
Savvy eyed Strick. “I’m going in. Call Tim. We need back up,” she said.
Before he could answer, Savvy was already outside the van and heading across the street. Strick focused on the laptop, verifying that the record button was started and then he pulled his cell phone out of his bag.
Savvy rushed over to the front door and slowly turned the knob as she pulled her weapon out of its holster. She aimed the weapon down and slowly opened the door. She was prepared, not only from the webcam footage, but also studying the blueprints of the brownstone. She carefully entered the entryway and then positioned herself against the wall near the entrance to the living room. She peered around the corner and noticed Jarrod with his weapon still aimed at Gardner. “Jarrod, drop it,” Savvy entered the room, pointing her weapon at his back. Slowly, she moved toward the side of the sofa.
Gardner shifted his eyes to Savvy. “Help me, please.”
Savvy focused on Jarrod. “Jarrod, you don’t want to do this.”
“Why are you here, Ms. Macavoy?” he still focused on his trembling hands as he used both hands to grip his nine-millimeter Glock.
Savvy took a step forward, “Jarrod, you don’t want to hurt your lover, do you?”
“He betrayed me,” Jarrod gulped.
“What did he do?”
“He hired that woman to beat Gutenberg. He killed that lady and now, he’s going to kill all the board members. For what?”
“Well, that’s not the entire story,” Savvy said. “And what woman did he kill?”
“Avery,” Jarrod said. “I mean, Ms. Simone.”
Leif sat up slightly. “You know Avery?”
“Oscar’s girl? Yeah, sure I do,” Jarrod said, still pointing the gun.
“Jarrod, let me have the gun and we can all talk,” Savvy said.
“No, Ms. Macavoy.”
Savvy slowly holstered her weapon as she noticed Strick, around the corner, his weapon pointed toward Jarrod. She nodded slightly and then put her hand on the gun in Jarrod’s hand. “Let me have it. I think we all need to have a little talk,” She slowly removed the gun from his hand and placed it in her waistband.
Jarrod dropped down on the sofa, sobbing into his hands.
Strick walked into the room, aiming his weapon at Jarrod and Leif as Leif sat up. “Just sit right there where I can see your hands.”
“Who the hell are you two?” Leif asked, sitting up.
“I’m Savvy Macavoy, PI and this is my partner, Deklin Strickland. And we’re here to take back what you stole from Adler Stein,” She pointed to the opened silver case that displayed the skull they were looking for.
“Oh,” Leif sighed. “I didn’t steal it, but I did buy it. I didn’t even ask for it to be stolen. That’s not my fault,” He glared at Jarrod. “I didn’t betray you. I didn’t kill Avery and I didn’t steal anything.”
“Liar,” he sighed.
Strick sighed. “I killed Avery Simone in self-defense. You two have a lot to explain, but first, tell me where Oscar Stein comes into play.”
“He had his girlfriend get the skull, but that wasn’t enough, I needed more information, more collectibles to sell.”
“Who was your buyer?” Strick asked.
“Not saying,” he sighed. “And you wanted to kill me? You know all about Avery and you still wanted to kill me?”
“I didn’t sleep around. That was you, not me. I just wanted you, not your money, nothing,” Jarrod crossed his arms.
Leif stared at Savvy. “Now what?”
“I just want to take what’s rightfully my client’s. Is there anything else from Stein that you have?”
“I have a box in my closet. Oscar gave me some of his father’s things.”
“Oscar gave them to you, for what?” Strick asked.
“Yes, he said I could have them to sell. Then, we split the profit, 50/50 and he would even give me a bonus. But that’s private,” he focused on Jarrod again. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“He was going to let me in their ménage, well to watch. But don’t worry, I was going to have you there as well.”
Jarrod looked up. “Ms. Macavoy, what’s going to happen to me?”
“How were you involved in the theft or assault?”
“I looked the other way,” he sighed. “I didn’t know that Avery assaulted Mr. Gutenberg until you and I found him. I just left my desk when she entered the building. I thought it was just a private meeting. That’s what they told me.”
“They?”
“Uh, Friend Macavoy and Oscar Stein,” he sighed. “They came in the day before his assault. Friend tried using his brother’s name to get access upstairs, but his brother wasn’t there. Oscar told me that the next day to let Avery get in and go upstairs. Just to look the other way.”
“Why would you do that?” Savvy asked.
“He was my friend. Oscar and I are, were, friends, I thought. I met him last summer at a bar and we became friends. I thought he was interested in my work, but I realize that he asked for too many favors or inside information.”
“Was there something specific he seemed more interested in than others?”
“Mainly interested in collections that his father let the museum borrow. And, of course, there were other collections he was interested in. I’m sorry. Am I under arrest?”
Tim, followed by two officers entered the room, guns drawn. Tim slowly holstered his weapon. “Strick?”
Strick lowered his gun and holstered it. “There’s still a lot to sort out,” he sighed. “I think these two can help you nail Oscar Stein.”
“I’ll do anything you want,” Leif said. “I just wanted the money, not all this,” He pointed to the skull. “Take that. I don’t even want it in my home. Take the other box as well.”
Savvy focused on Tim. “I can’t sort through all this stuff, but I need to get my client back his property.”
“Did he file a stolen property report?” Tim asked.
Savvy shook her head. “No and Gardner bought it from Simone. That’s all I know, but Mr. Stein wants it back.”
“Take what you need, and I’ll get these guys to the station for their statements. Sunshine, this is bigger than you thought, isn’t it?”
“I was hired to do one job and found a bigger conspiracy. I just want to close my case. Oscar is responsible for a lot more than we even know,” she sighed.
Tim nodded to the officers. “Take them in and put them in separate interrogation rooms. We’ll decide on charges af
ter that,” He focused back on Savvy. “Take only the item you were hired to find. I want it documented, though.”
“I get that,” she sighed. “I can only tell you it’s the skull of Adolph Hitler.”
Tim shuttered slightly. “All right. I’m glad I’m not in your shoes.”
“Don’t you mean sandals?” she smiled.
He laughed. “Yeah, you always pick the most unique cases,” he smiled.
“They find me,” she smiled. “We’ll be out of your way,” She carefully closed the silver case and picked it up. “Strick, we should go,” The two left Tim standing in the room. “Kill the camera access now,” she whispered.
“Don’t worry. I set a timer on it and then send it to our private server.”
“Good,” she smiled. “We need to get this secured at the Agency,” She got in the passenger seat of the van as Strick got in the driver’s side.
33
Savvy placed the silver case in her large built-in safe and then locked it back up. She wheeled the shelf in front of the access to the safe. She sat down at her desk and stared at far wall, which was now plastic sheeting separating the two sides of the Agency. She watched as Strick walked into the Agency from the red doors, holding two mugs of coffee. He set her cup on her desk in front of her. “Thanks,” she smiled. “Do you know if Leonard is here?”
“I think he’s in his place. I noticed the door upstairs that leads to his hallway is open. I don’t know if he’s going to always keep it open or what.”
“Do you mind if it’s open?” Leonard asked as he walked out of the kitchen.
“No, it’s fine,” Strick said. “I just didn’t want to invade your privacy or anything.”
Leonard walked over to his desk and sat down. He set his cup of coffee on the desk and turned his chair toward his Strick. “It just leads to the hallway and if you don’t mind, I’d like to keep it open. I may be using that entrance the most. I know there’s one that leads to the other side of this plastic, but I don’t think I’d use that one much. unless you two are busy in the kitchen and don’t want to be disturbed.”