The Driving Passion Murders

by Gene Epstein

  Amanda checked out two hours early to have a surprise for Robert. She stopped at a flower shop and purchased yellow daffodils. She then went to a boutique women’s store and purchased a sexy Teddy. She then went to a sleazy adult video store on Race Street and purchased some sex tapes. Stopping at the local butcher shop she picked up two large well-aged sirloin strip steaks. Her last stop was to a local smoke shop where she purchased a bong. The last time she used one was years ago, at a party at one of the frat houses on campus at Temple.

  At home, everything was arranged for a night to remember.

  She placed the two steaks after rubbing them with olive oil and sprinkling them lightly with liquid Maggie in the oven to preheat. On the top of the gas range, she had a black cast-iron frying pan warming and waiting to accept the steaks once they reached the proper temperature. Two glasses of Burgess Cabernet Sauvignon 1974 vintage were one-third filled waiting to be consumed by the two lovers. On the record player was Cool and the Gang’s top recording, “Celebration.” In the center of the cocktail table was the Bong ready to be used.

  Amanda had notified the doorman to call her as soon as Robert pulled up. Her phone rang.

  “He just arrived.”

  She turned on the music having the volume very loud. She had inflated balloons that were tied together with ribbons. Robert entered and was stunned.

  “Is today July 4?” he asked rhetorically.

  “It's time to celebrate, Robert. You have been completely and irrevocably exonerated. The test results proved that your pistol was not involved at all in Mrs. Moore's death.”

  Totally relieved, Robert cast his legal books aside, grabbed Amanda by the waist, and started dancing in a circle as if they were at a gypsy wedding.

  He rattled off question after question from the excitement. “How do you know? Who got the ballistics test? Did they find the real killer?”

  Amanda calmed him down and explained receiving the envelope with the test results but no, they haven’t found a killer. She also was a little bit perturbed that neither of the detectives ever informed her and obviously they did not inform Robert of the ballistics report.

  Robert, seeing the balloons and hearing “Celebration” blasting, gave her the most passionate kiss in either of their lives. He knew more than ever how much he loved her and that she felt the exact same way. Amanda handed Robert the glass of Cabernet Sauvignon then reached into the oven to take the steaks and put them into the waiting black skillet. She looked at Robert and removed a lightweight outer jacket to reveal her voluptuous body ever so lightly covered by the delicate Teddy.

  “Mandy. Forget the steaks. I want to make you my meal.”

  “Just be patient, Robert. We're going to be celebrating all night long.”

  Walking around wearing barely anything, Amanda had the flames on the gas range set to high underneath the skillet waiting for the heat to rise. Robert just stood there watching her as his flames pulsated throughout his body. Then she placed the steaks into the pan which sizzled. Mandy had made her own sauce béarnaise and a pan of seared thinly-sliced potatoes in another skillet. She was trying to duplicate the meals that Robert talked so much about when he took Mrs. Moore to dinner at Blue Bell Inn.

  She made a small slice into one of the sirloin strips; it was rare inside and burnt on the outside. Just like they both wanted it.

  Dinner was served on the dining room table. Even though there was room to seat eight to ten people, the two of them sat opposite each other enjoying the meal and contemplating a wonderful evening of romance.

  Robert enjoyed the meal more than anything he had ever eaten before because this was something extra special. Amanda put her heart and soul into the meal so that Robert could enjoy it. After dinner, they curled up on the rug in front of the fireplace and Amanda and Robert inhaled the bong. Before long they were both giddy and totally immersed in each other.

  ***

  The following morning it was back to work for Amanda and off to law school for Robert. When Amanda arrived at her office there was a message for her to call Detective Harrison.

  Without hesitation, she called Harrison, who promptly answered the phone. He informed her that he just received the forensic results from ballistics and that he concurred that Robert was definitely not complicit in the murder of Mrs. Moore. Amanda felt that the detective actually sounded disappointed that it wasn't Robert.

  “Detective Harrison. What other leads are you working on and is there anything that I can do with the help of our office here in Philadelphia?”

  Harrison replied that he really thought that Robert did it and he's going to have to go over everything yet again with a fine-tooth comb. He updated her with information about Stasha's boyfriend, Alek, and said that Simpson was heading there again to fill in some blanks. He told her honestly that he's at a dead end.

  She asked what they found out, if anything, about the whereabouts of William Spaulding that evening. He told her they confirmed that he was home the evening of the homicide. She didn't mention anything about the relationship that Bill Spaulding had formed with Robert. She would confirm everything herself because she felt that the detectives were incompetent. Amanda never mentioned that she already knew the results of the ballistics test that was sent to her from the DAs office in Montgomery County.

  ***

  “This is Amanda Dillington calling from the district attorney’s office in Philadelphia to speak with William Spaulding Esquire.”

  Seconds later. “This is William Spaulding, may I help you?”

  “Mr. Spaulding. I have been told that you are also an artistic agent and that you represented one Robert Snyder for many years. Am I correct?”

  “Not just represented him but I've considered him a dear friend for many years. Is there something that I can do for you, Ms. Dillington?”

  “Yes, there is. In speaking with Robert he informed me that many years back he signed a representation contract with you and a couple years ago it was updated. I would like a copy of both of those contracts if that is possible.”

  “I'll have to see. He was one of the last few that I represented. But somewhere around here, I'm sure I'll find it. Is there a problem? Is Robert all right ?”

  “From my last conversation with him, he was excellent and enjoying his new classes at Temple. He speaks so highly of you. I'm a personal friend from back at Temple and I am certain that I must have met you a decade ago.”

  “Is there a problem?”

  “I certainly hope not. Just trying to help him out.”

  Amanda gave Bill Spaulding her mailing address and fax number asked him to please send her a copy of both representation contracts. He assured her that he would make a sincere effort to find them as quickly as he could.

  Amanda had put everything on hold regarding Robert since her department was working with the FBI on an investigation involving three corrupt politicians. She had to keep everything pretty close to her vest, as she was not certain who in her department might be feeding information to the politicians involved. It was a difficult situation for her since she would have loved to confide with others in her office but was uncertain who to trust. Many times she had meetings out of the office with FBI agents and simply gave excuses to be off premises.

  Chapter 30

  Simpson met with Aleksander and questioned him as to his whereabouts the evening that he worked till 9:54 p.m. He tried to think and told the detective that he really wasn't sure.

  “It was a vile ago. How I remember that long ago? Do you?” a very sarcastic Alek replied. “I probably go home. Maybe I stopped at bar and take two beers ?”

  “Look, Alek. If you don’t want to sit in jail until you remember, you better give me an answer now. If not I'm taking you in. I had enough of your sarcastic shit!”

  Simpson was out of character but getting aggravated.

  “I was with a hooker. I'll give you her name. It's on the back of dis card.” In pencil on the back of the business card from the body shop
that was the name Irene and a phone number. “$20 and all night. Good body. Good mechanic. You call her. She call me big boy.”

  Simpson asked how long he was with her. Alek said two hours maybe all night and he gave the detective her address. Simpson drove to a private home and knocked on the door and Irene opened it just a little bit, keeping the safety chain lock in place. He could see her wearing a housecoat and it was obvious she had nothing on underneath. He thought he’d find some old washed-up hooker but instead found a girl in her mid-20s that was not half bad looking and built very well from what he could see. Simpson explained that he is a detective I needed some information from her. He assured her that he has no interest in whatever she does. He explained that Alek gave him her name and address. After hesitating just a moment she closed the door and removed the safety chain.

  It turned out that Alek visits her weekly and she had dates circled on the calendar. There it was. The current calendar had last December and the night of Mrs. Moore's murder. He had been there all night.

  Irene asked him did he want to stay for a while. He thought about it then just shook his head no but thanked her.

  Once again frustrated, he headed back to headquarters.

  ***

  While Amanda was working with the FBI on a Tuesday afternoon she started to remember a case going back about seven or eight years before where a woman was murdered in her home in the Oak Lane section of Philadelphia off of Godfrey Avenue. The case was never solved. Something that Robert had said sounded familiar. The homicide victim’s husband had a car collection. That simple flash filled her mind and then she was back discussing their ongoing investigation involving the politicians.

  The title search came back and Amanda’s friend relayed the information. The ownership was WASP Principal Partners Inc. a private corporation whose actual owners are unknown. She then asked her friend to find out who filed the papers for the private corporation and to let her know.

  That evening back at her apartment she brought Robert up to date. He was shocked that the house is selling for two and a half million dollars, especially when his friend Bill told him to accept the $750,000 offer. Robert still defended Bill Spaulding by telling Amanda that Bill had said the house is selling cheaply but since the agreement said 30 days, Robert was forced to accept the deal.

  “I don't get a good vibe about your friend Spaulding. I think he's hiding something. When I asked him about getting a copy of your contract he made it appear that it's going to be somewhat difficult to find. I'm digging deeper.”

  ***

  A few days passed and surprisingly in Amanda's mail was a copy of the contract showing that Robert Snyder is represented by William Spaulding. For sums advanced and efforts extended to promote Robert Snyder, William Spaulding is entitled to receive one-third of any newly acquired income and or wealth within 30 days of receipt of such fund(s).

  “So he did have an interest in the demise of Mrs. Moore,” Amanda said out loud even though no one was there. “But that still doesn't mean that he had any involvement in her murder.”

  “Mr. Spaulding's office. May I help you?” Darlene, the secretary, answered the phone.

  “Good morning. This is Amanda Dillington calling for Mr. Spaulding. I wanted to thank him for being so prompt and sending me the representation contract. May I speak with him?”

  “I'm sorry but Mr. Spaulding took off today and is working on his old car again.”

  “Is he at his house in Bala Cynwyd?” Amanda inquired. “I’ll see if I can take a ride over to thank him personally. If not when you hear from him ask him to please call me.”

  Amanda left her office, taking the Schuylkill Expressway to Bala-Cynwyd. She knew the address on Monument Road since Robert had told her. It was easy to find the very beautiful Tudor-styled home. As she pulled into the driveway, to her left was the three-car garage. One of the garage doors was open and she saw that someone was working beneath an old Mercedes.

  From beneath the car, someone asked, “Who is it?”

  “Mr. Spaulding. I wanted to come personally to thank you for sending me your representation contract of Robert.”

  Bill, lying on his back, slid out from beneath the car looking very surprised. He reached for the Go-Jo hand cleaner in the container on the wall quickly wiping his hands so he could shake hers.

  “There was no need to come here. I said I would do it. It was nothing at all.”

  “Well, I really wanted to ask you something out of the office. Between us, how did you ever get Mrs. Moore to make Robert Snyder her sole beneficiary of everything that she owned?”

  “I didn't. She requested it. She had a couple of relatives that never ever called her during her many years. I believe one or two nephews and nieces. She told me how much she cared about Robert and her health was getting better which she credited Robert for. I suggested just give him a token amount but she insisted. I even can let you hear the tape recording of our meeting. I recorded it strictly because I wanted to have the notes to prepare an update for her will.” He continued, “If you give me a few minutes I'll have it for you. I brought the entire file home. It’s in my office in my house. Do you want to come in?”

  “If you don't mind, I'll wait out here. You have a very pretty car and I love your property.”

  Bill went into the house and Amanda just walked around the property keeping herself visible from the front door. She didn't want Bill to think that she was sneaking around. Moments later Bill came out with the tape recorder and played it for her. She was quite surprised. He told the truth. On the recording, he was suggesting that Mrs. Moore put aside a minimum amount for Robert but she insisted on giving him everything.

  Amanda pulled out the settlement sheet from the sale of Hampton Court.

  “By the way, Mr. Spaulding. It looks like you handled the settlement for Robert Snyder. Who was the purchaser?”

  “It's on there. Some investment group.”

  “So it looks like you received over $300,000 from the sale of the home plus Robert handed you $150,000 worth of automobiles which was your appraised value. Quite a hefty sum wouldn't you say?”

  “Ms. Dillington, I would suggest that you leave. I gave you all the information and I did not lie about anything. This discussion is over. From now on if you wish to speak to me do it at my office and not my home. You are not welcome here.”

  “Mr. Spaulding, thank you for your time. Next time will be at your office. And there will be a next time.”

  Amanda knew that he was a smart attorney. He has shown that he had covered all his bases. Possibly unethical but not illegal. She wasn't done. It only made her more determined to find out the real truth.

  The next morning she had an idea. WASP Principal Partners Inc. was incorporated in the State of Pennsylvania. Amanda called the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations to find out if they had the names of the principles of the corporation. After being switched from one person to another over the course of twenty minutes she did reach someone that was able to tell her that the corporation is a private corporation and that they could only supply the name the incorporator. It was William Aaron Spaulding, Esquire.

  “Got him,” she said to herself.

  “Mr. Spaulding's office. May I help you?”

  “Yes. I'm calling from the District Attorney's Office. This is Amanda Dillington, assistant district attorney. Please put William Spaulding on the line immediately,” she insisted.

  After a minute, the secretary got back on the phone. “Mr. Spaulding is too busy to speak with you now. Perhaps another time?”

  “Tell him I am on my way over to his office.”

  Even though there was rain in the forecast, Amanda walked from her office in City Hall to his office just a few blocks away. She went to Calhoun, Spaulding, and Feingold and met Darlene in person.

  “I am Amanda Dillington. Tell Mr. Spaulding I’m here.”

  Darlene buzzed his office and informed him of her presence. He was noticeably upset.

 
“Tell her I'm with a client and she'll have to wait.”

  Amanda sat patiently for nearly a half-hour. She realized he had to be pissed off that she’s at his office. But she was more than patient, realizing that he must be getting upset not knowing what was on her mind. Then Darlene informed Amanda that she could go in.

  “What is it that you want now ?” Spaulding sat back with his arms folded.

  “Well, Mr. Spaulding you told me that the property was sold to an investment group. I checked the records at the State of Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations and the buyer WASP Principle Partners Inc. was formed by you. You actually purchased the property that belonged to Robert Snyder but you never told him that you were the buyer. On the contrary, you told him it was an investment group.”

  “It was and is an investment group. So maybe I purchased the property cheaply. That's not against the law.”

  “It certainly is unethical not informing your client—whom you encouraged to sell the property—that you were the hidden buyer. I don't think that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Disciplinary Board would feel you did right by your client,” she said standing there with her hands on her hips.

  “Counselor. Are you threatening me?” he asked.

  “You will know, Mr. Spaulding when I am threatening you.”

  Amanda left the office. Since it was getting close to the end of the workday, she just walked home not worrying about the overcast skies. When she arrived she was surprised that Robert was already there.

  “Short day?” she asked.

  “The professor of my last class had an emergency and left early. So we all went home. What's happening with you?”

  Amanda went on to tell him that she felt that his good friend, agent, and attorney scammed him out of several hundred thousand dollars, if not more. Robert was shocked. He refused to believe it. Amanda laid out the facts and it finally sunk into his head that Bill used him simply to enrich himself.

  “But he would not have killed her. That is totally impossible. He may have conned me because I was susceptible but he would never do anything like that.”