by Millie Mack
“That sounds like most of the guys in this room, including myself,” piped in Bill Owens. Everyone laughed, and the building tension in the room was broken.
Carrie was pleased that Officer Reynolds reported the additional information. She liked him, and now she knew he had integrity, too. Carrie next told the group Stephen Beeker’s theory that an expert swimmer wouldn’t dive in the water where Jamie’s shoes were found. She produced her photographs to support the theory.
“You can see in these shots what Stephen meant.” Carrie spread the pictures out on the table for everyone to see. “The yellow tape between the two pilings marks the spot where Jamie went into the water. Here’s the issue. If Jamie decided to go for a swim, he would dive in from the end of the pier, not between two pilings, where the chances of hitting his head were greater.”
“Ms. Kingsford, someone with alcohol in his system doesn’t always follow the rules,” said Becker.
“These aren’t rules, Captain Becker. They are the instincts of a good swimmer. Jamie would have done this without any thought. Plus, Stephen doesn’t think the alcohol in his system was sufficient to impair Jamie’s judgment.” Carrie was annoyed and lashed out at the good captain. “Captain Becker, why won’t you admit that murder is a distinct possibility?”
“Contrary to what you may think, Ms. Kingsford, I believe murder is a real possibility. However, I’m a cop. I need proof. There’s insufficient evidence to prove murder and many more facts to support accidental death. Give me something that says murder, and I’ll be all over this case.” Becker looked at each person sitting around the table.
Becker had effectively stopped the process. No one spoke.
Finally, Charles broke the silence. “Why don’t we take a quick break? But let’s come right back to the table. Since I believe Jamie was working on a story, I’d like each of you to remember the last conversation you had with Jamie that might tell us what he was investigating.”
As the participants stood and headed for the restrooms or the refreshment table, Captain Becker approached Charles. “I was serious about what I just said. I need evidence, and so far all I’ve gotten from this meeting is more anecdotal information.”
“I understand, but perhaps we’ll learn more from the last conversation each person had with my brother,” Charles said.
“All right, I’ll stay a little bit longer, but then I need to get back on duty.” Becker turned away and joined the group refilling their coffee cups.
Within a few minutes, the group reassembled at the conference table, and Charles asked for a volunteer to start.
Joseph Swatski cleared his throat. “Seeing your photos, Carrie, reminded me of the last conversation I had with Jamie. He told me he was thinking about doing a feature on the docks. Asked me if I could spare some time to take pictures. I asked what he wanted. He said nothing special just shots of the activities at the docks.”
“Did you take those pictures?” asked Charles.
“No, I didn’t, but there was a reason. Jamie gave me the name of a particular ship he wanted included in the pictures. I didn’t want to make two trips, especially since this wasn’t an official assignment.” He looked over at Bill Owens and then said, “I was going to do all the photographs the day the ship docked.”
“What was the name of the ship?” asked Becker.
“It’s a ship registered in Poland. I can’t pronounce the name, but I have it written down at my desk.”
“I’d appreciate it if you could give me the name before I leave,” Becker requested.
Charles also made a note in his journal to get the name of the ship from Joseph, and then addressed Bill and Jonathan. “Did Jamie mention this story idea to either of you?”
“Jamie wouldn’t come to me,” said Stone. “He would go to Bill for story approval. I only get involved after stories are assigned or if there is some issue concerning the content.”
“He never mentioned it to me,” defended Bill, “but then Jamie wasn’t officially working. Maybe he was going to flush out the idea and present it when he started back to work.”
“He kind of mentioned it to me, but in a different way,” said Linda quietly, as she brushed her bangs away from her glasses. “The last time I saw Jamie, he told me he was using his time off to start work on a spy thriller. He said the book was about the smuggling of military secrets, and he was going to have the thriller center around the shipping industry. He said it probably wouldn’t take place in TriCity, but he would use our docks as a reference. He asked me if I could gather information about local shipping companies, types of shipments coming into TriCity, people he could contact and any other general reference material.”
“Did you gather the material?” Becker jumped in.
“Yes, I gave him several folders about two weeks before his death. They were all labeled as to type of information”
Becker turned to Carrie. “When you were sorting Faraday’s papers, did you find these folders?”
“No, I didn’t. There was nothing on the docks.”
“Carrie dear, you probably didn’t have time to find it before the fire destroyed everything,” suggested Suzanne.
“I just learned of the fire this morning,” offered Becker as he looked at Charles. “I’m sorry, that there was another loss for your family.”
Charles thanked him and made a brief comment about the fire to others who hadn’t heard about it.
Captain Becker continued, “Do you know anything about this story, Ms. Redmond? I understand you helped Mr. Faraday with research.”
“Jamie told me he might write a mystery centered in London, but that book had nothing to do with docks,” Suzanne said. “I know he was considering different ideas and hadn’t decided which story to write.” Suzanne looked around the room for agreement on her comment.
Becker stared at Suzanne for a moment and then turned back to Linda. “Ms. Morton, can you tell us more about what was in the folders?”
Linda reviewed the type of materials she sent Jamie, including types of ships, countries of origin, types of goods imported and the inspection process. When she finished, Linda added, “It’s not my job to ask the writer about the focus of his story. I simply provide research information, so I really don’t know what Jamie was going to do with the materials.”
Carrie barely heard Linda’s list of folders. She was thinking about the note card she found during her first trip to the studio. Did that card represent some of Jamie’s notes from Linda’s information on importing? More importantly, what happened to the files? She was sure Linda’s files were not in the studio prior to the fire. Between the card and Jamie’s journal, Carrie now believed he was writing a story and not simply gathering ideas, as Suzanne suggested.
31
The meeting ended shortly after Linda presented her information. Carrie followed Suzanne and Charles down the hallway to his office. It was obvious they weren’t going to get rid of Suzanne and have time alone.
“I’m hungry. How about we have some lunch?” suggested Charles.
“Oh, yes, that sounds great,” Suzanne answered and then added, “There’s a lovely new French café just two blocks away. We could all go there for lunch.”
“That sounds very nice, Suzanne, for some other day. Today I don’t have the time. I need to catch up on a couple of items here, and then I need to get home to meet with the insurance guy. How about we order something and eat here?”
“I guess, if that’s our only choice,” answered a disappointed Suzanne.
Charles buzzed Sandy on the intercom and asked her to bring a menu from a local eatery.
After everyone made their selections, Sandy said, “You know there’s going to be a long wait for delivery at this time of day. How about if Suzanne and I run over and pick up the food?”
“Good idea. Suzanne, would you help Sandy with the order?” asked Charles.
“I think Carrie should help us, too,” Suzanne answered quickly.
“I think you
two can manage the lunch,” Charles said. “Besides, I can show Carrie our photographic studio, and you’ve already been on tour and seen our entire operation.”
A disgruntled Suzanne followed Sandy out to get the lunch.
“Did you and Sandy plan to get Suzanne out of here, or was this spur of the moment?” asked a smiling Carrie.
“It wasn’t planned. It’s just that Sandy knows how Suzanne is always hanging around me, and Sandy does her best to run interference. Did you want to see the photo studio?”
“Yes, but not at this moment. I’d rather spend our Suzanne-free moments with you.”
“Let’s sit down.” Charles guided her to the far side of his office, where three small sofas of a light beige color were placed around a large, low, circular table. Charles and Carrie sat on the same sofa facing one another.
“First I want to ask about that incident in the parking garage. Why didn’t you mention it? Was it because you were concerned Joel had something to do with it?
“That thought initially crossed my mind, but then I realized anyone in Simpson’s office knew where I would be. Then after being chased and the fire I had temporarily put that incident from my mind until today.”
“Hmmm,” Charles said out loud.
“What are you thinking?”
“If you were being tracked from that first day it makes me wonder…”
“You’re thinking there must be a leak from someone close to the family,” Carrie finished his thought.” There was a moment of quiet between them and then Carrie asked, “What did you think of the meeting?”
“I was pleasantly surprised by Captain Becker,” Charles said. “He seemed more receptive and cooperative, like when he provided the new information from Officer Reynolds. Maybe I’ve misjudged the good captain. What do you think?”
“I thought it was nice of him to even show up. It proves Becker is still interested in the case. However, we are still facing the same problem.”
“What’s that?” asked Charles.
“I don’t mean to dampen the success of the meeting, but Becker wants hard evidence. While we did get two important pieces of information, we still don’t have hard evidence. That reminds me, I didn’t say anything about this in the meeting, but I did find one of Jamie’s note cards in the studio with a short list of questions on importing and exporting. I think it’s now clear Jamie was researching a story about the docks, even if we don’t know who or what he was investigating. And a story about the docks also explains why Jamie was down at the harbor.”
“There’s still a problem with that theory,” Charles said. “The dock that ships use for loading and unloading goods is on the opposite side of the harbor from where Jamie was found.”
“Maybe Jamie’s meeting was on the harbor side so as not to be seen by someone from one of the ships. We don’t know who this person is or how that meeting resulted in Jamie’s death, but for the first time, I feel like we’re closer.”
Charles still looked dejected. He thought for a moment and then asked, “You said we learned two important pieces of information. What else?”
“We’ve zeroed in on two of the men involved. Our description fits two of the three men spotted by Officer Reynolds. It describes one of the two men I saw in the garage. It clearly fits the two men who chased me from the Admiral’s Saloon, and…” Carrie stopped herself, remembering her promise to Christopher to allow him to tell his uncle about what he saw last night. She needed to find time for Christopher to talk with Charles away from Suzanne.
“And…” prompted Charles.
“And I don’t want you to be dejected.” Carrie took Charles hand. “The meeting was a great success. I think it’s a real possibility Jamie was murdered by one of those men. We know Jamie was working on a story about importing, which probably means he discovered a smuggling operation. The good news is we’re continuing to gather puzzle pieces, and soon they will form a complete picture.”
Charles nodded his head in agreement. They sat for a moment, and then Charles asked, “What about our friend Joel. He’s doing something so important he can’t make the meeting?”
Carrie didn’t get a chance to express her thoughts about Joel because Suzanne entered the room carrying a bag of sodas.
“You two look cozy,” Suzanne said sarcastically, as she plunked her bag on the low table between the sofas.
Suzanne looked for a moment at the sofa Carrie and Charles were sharing to see if she could squeeze between them. Before Suzanne could make her decision, Sandy entered with a cardboard box containing salads and sandwiches.
“Suzanne, I think lunch would be better served at the conference table. Could you bring over the sodas?” suggested Sandy.
“That’s a good suggestion, Sandy.” Charles jumped up to help Sandy sort the food order. Suzanne took Charles’s position on the sofa next to Carrie.
“That didn’t take long,” Charles whispered to Sandy.
“At the speed Suzanne was running through the carry-out line in the restaurant, I’m surprised it took this long. Sorry, I was trying to go as slowly as I could. By the way, Jeanette took a call from your mother a few minutes ago. She thought you were still in your meeting, so she took a message instead of putting the call through.”
“No problem. I’ll call Mother right after lunch. Sandy, won’t you have your lunch with us?”
“No, thanks. I promised Jeanette I’d have lunch with her. Besides, I think two women are enough to handle at one lunch.” Sandy smiled at Charles and left the room.
Suzanne monopolized the conversation during lunch, talking about restaurants and sights in TriCity and suggesting that the three of them go sightseeing. Carrie and Charles listened politely to her chatter.
After lunch, Charles called his mother. When he returned to the table, he turned to Carrie. “Mother would like you to join her for tea this afternoon.”
“Oh, that’s lovely, tea with the girls,” Suzanne responded.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Suzanne. Mother wants to meet with Carrie alone. After all, you’ve enjoyed tea with Mother several times.” Charles had a way of making the rebuke quite gentle.
Charles took care of his messages while Sandy gave Carrie and Suzanne a brief tour of the building. Then the trio needed to leave so Carrie could meet with Mrs. Faraday. Suzanne once again grabbed the front seat, which left Carrie with her own thoughts in the back seat. Tea with Mrs. Faraday was one occasion when Carrie would have liked Suzanne’s company. The thought of having tea alone with Mrs. Faraday wasn’t something Carrie relished.
32
Carrie arrived at Mrs. Faraday’s room just as Mary arrived with the tea tray. Upon entering, Carrie was immediately charmed by Mrs. Faraday’s rooms. The front room was soft and soothing, with a gentle feminine touch that Carrie didn’t associate with the woman.
Mrs. Faraday was seated at a library desk in the corner of the room angled between the window and the opening to the bedroom. The top portion of the antique desk held a glass-enclosed bookcase, and the lower portion had four wide drawers. When the lid of the desk was lowered, it provided a writing surface and revealed several small drawers and pigeonholes for storage. The women stood for a moment until Mrs. Faraday spoke.
“Mary, don’t stand there holding the tray. Please put it down on the coffee table. Carrie, please take a seat, make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right with you.”
Mary lowered the tray onto the coffee table that was centered between the sofa and two occasional chairs. Carrie chose one of the two mauve chairs and tried to relax as she gazed around the room. She could see the wallpaper in the bedroom was highlighted by a small rose pattern, which formed a narrow stripe against a white silk background. The solid wood furniture in the sitting room was a deep cherry color and covered with a fabric of a muted flower pattern in rose, mauve, and gray that enhanced the deep burgundy plush carpet.
“Would you like me to pour the tea, Mrs. Faraday?” asked Mary.
“No, not today, Mary. I�
��ll take care of it. Thank you very much.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am,” she responded, winked at Carrie, and left the room.
Carrie watched as Mrs. Faraday folded a sheet of paper, placed it in an addressed envelope, and sealed it. She rose, crossed over to the sitting area, and sat on the sofa across from Carrie. She wore a two-piece nub gray suit with a mauve-colored bow blouse. Her outfit blended perfectly with the room. She sat on the edge of the sofa as she placed a cup on a saucer and poured two cups of tea.
“Carrie, how do you take your tea: sugar, lemon, milk?”
“Just a spoonful of sugar,” Carrie answered, and suddenly the lyrics from the Mary Poppins song played in her head. She turned her head away and looked around the room to avoid breaking into laughter.
Mrs. Faraday handed Carrie her cup of tea and offered a plate of cookies.
Carrie accepted her teacup carefully, holding the saucer with one hand and the cup with the other. She refused the cookies in order to give her full concentration to balancing her china teacup.
Mrs. Faraday fixed her own cup of tea. She took several sips that she savored before placing her cup back on the table. Carrie also took a sip from her cup and then successfully placed it on a small table next to her.
“This is a very comfortable room, Mrs. Faraday.”
“Thank you. I like it. It gives me a place to get away and find a little peace of mind.”
“I can understand. The colors are very calming,” Carrie added.
“The room may be calming, but I’ll tell you that I’m not calm. In fact, this is why I asked you to join me for tea, to discuss how I’m feeling. I have this great overwhelming feeling of dread within me. I’m worried sick about what is going on, and I’m concerned for the basic safety of my family and my home. Can you understand that?”
“I can because I’m also frightened for the people involved with this case, especially you, Charles and Christopher. And what’s worse, I know I’m responsible for some of the recent activity, but I don’t know why these things are happening.”