Death on the Sound

by Wayne Saunders

  “I can’t believe it. Who would kill Desiree? She was loved by everyone.”

  “Mr. McConnell your name was in her calendar for a meeting last night at eight. Did you attend that meeting?”

  “No, I had to cancel.”

  “Why was that?”

  “I hurt my back lifting some items out of a closet yesterday, and I had to spend the evening with a heating pad on my back, getting old is a bitch.”

  “So I hear. So you never left your house at all last night, let’s say after five in the afternoon?”

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  Tom came wandering back in from somewhere down by dock area.

  “That’s some boat you’ve got down there. How often do you get out with her?”

  “Usually three or four times a week. I love the water. That’s one of the reasons I live where I do.”

  “No inference intended, but it’s what maybe fifteen minutes or less to Ms. Martin’s house from here?”

  McConnell eyes stayed focused on Tom as he replied; no shifting and no blinking.

  “Why, yes that’s about right. I guess I’ve never really timed it to the minute.”

  “Sorry to interrupt Abby.”

  Tom gave me his Cheshire grin, and I continued.

  “Mr. McConnell do you own a gun?”

  There was a pause while the wheels turned before his reply.

  “Ah, yes I do. Are you thinking I killed Desiree?”

  “We’re just asking questions for now. Would you mind if we looked around Mr. McConnell?”

  “I think I’ll need to ask you for a search warrant first.”

  “We can certainly do that Mr. McConnell.”

  “What time does your maid leave?” I asked.

  “She leaves at four. She’s usually here at seven in the morning to fix my breakfast.”

  “We may have more questions later, so please stay available.”

  Tom and I looked at each other as Garson nodded, and pulled his glasses back down. Tom and I walked out through the front door and were almost to the car before I spoke.

  “So, do you think Garson may have gone to Desiree’s in his boat?”

  “I think we should be able to scratch it off our list of possibilities.”

  We split up, I went down the north side, and Tom went down the south.

  Chapter 11

  An hour later we returned to the car and compared notes.

  “No luck on my side Tom. One house looked like it was shut up for the winter and the other two hadn’t noticed anything unusual on the night of the murder.”

  “I would’ve had a similar report until I got to my last house. It seems Mrs. Parker is one of Garson’s arch enemies. She had discovered what his club was about, and apparently had snuck over on one occasion to peep at the group going at it by his pool. In her words, “she was appalled”, and hopes he rots in hell, to use her words. Anyway, she apparently keeps close tabs on our friend Garson. Although she is two houses away, the curve of the lake gives her an excellent view of his dock area. It seems on the night in question, at about sevenish, she saw Garson leave in his boat, and head in the direction of Desiree’s house. We can’t really prove where he was going, but I think we’re good for a search warrant for his house to look for a gun, don’t you?”

  “Tom. give Mark Chalmers a call, and see if he can hatch a search warrant for us. We shouldn’t waste any time.”

  Tom pulled out his phone and called Mark, who is one of the many assistant DA’s in the city. He’s one of the good guys, and we count on them a lot to help us do our job. We sat for an hour, and finally a black and white pulled in behind us and the officer got out and walked to our car.

  “I think you’ve been waiting for this. Do you guys need some backup?”

  “Why don’t you just hang out in the rear while we present this? He does have boat out back, and I’d hate to have him make a break and get away, just in case he is the guilty one.”

  I flipped open my cell and called Maya. I had all sorts of things to say to her, but not in front of Tom.

  “Hey, Maya, Abby, we’re about ready to serve a search warrant, and I was wondering if you had the caliber of the bullet yet on Ms. Martin?”

  “Your timing is great Abby. I just pulled it five minutes ago. It’s a thirty eight, and I’ve got good markings, so if you get a gun I’ll be able to match it.”

  I updated Tom, and we started back up the driveway as Mark slipped around the side.

  We knocked, and Tom gave me a sharp poke. The curtain was rocking a bit at the edge of the front window. The door opened, but this time it was Garson who answered.

  “You two don’t waste any time do you?”

  “When someone is killed Mr. McConnell time is of the essence. Here is your warrant, which I believe, you requested. We shouldn’t be too long, and we’ll try not to mess things up too bad.”

  Tom and I split up. Tom went out to the boat first, which he’d requested be added to the warrant. I checked Garson’s bedroom, which is where Claire had said he’d gone to get his gun. I checked the two large dressers, and found a treasure trove of dildos, strap-ons, and other sex toys too numerous to mention. I checked under the mattress and nightstand and then moved to the closet. I checked the top shelf, and looked in every box, but found nothing. His closet was an orderly arrangement of suits, slacks, shirts, and jackets all in their appointed place. As I was closing the door, I noticed a jacket sleeve hanging out of alignment with the rest. It was very noticeable compared to the rest of his clothes. I slid the other door back, stood in front of the section, and then started to feel the material of each jacket, starting with the one out of place. My hands felt the solid feel of metal. I reached into the pocket, and pulled out a thirty eight, all bright and shiny with a pearl handle. I had it by the barrel, and laid it on the bed, so I could carefully open the chamber and remove the bullets. After it was empty and both the gun and bullets bagged, I walked out into the living room.

  Tom walked in from the boat.

  “Nothing in the boat Abby.”

  “Well, I seem to have found a thirty eight in one of Mr. McConnell’s jackets. Mr. McConnell you’re under arrest for the murder of Desiree Martin.”

  Tom read him his rights as Mark loaded him into his car for the ride downtown. I checked my watch, and it was five fifteen. I hoped we had set a new record for solving a murder. Some days you’re lucky, and some day's life just sucks. I gave Maya a call to see if she was still at work. She answered and said she’d stay until the gun arrived. Again, I wanted to say things to her, but not with Tom sitting three feet away.

  We got back to the precinct and booked McConnell while I took the gun over to Maya. It was now six ten, and Maya would have only two assistants present, unless I was lucky and they were all out on a call. I walked down the long hall with the evidence bags in my hand, turned into the morgue, and one more turn into Maya’s office.

  “Hi, kiddo, I’m here. Is it okay if I wait around while you do your thing?”

  Maya smiled and got up, walking by the large bouquet of roses on the corner of her desk, and came easily into my arms. Her warm, moist lips found mine as my arms went around her waist.

  “I’ve been waiting to do that all day Abby. Thank you for the flowers. They’re the first flowers anyone has ever sent me. I’m glad it was you.”

  “I just thought you needed some color in this drab place. Oh, and they’re from Felix too. He likes his name dropped whenever possible,” I grinned.

  That got me another kiss on the cheek as she grabbed the bags, and started across the large operating room and into ballistics. I stood and waited, watching her cute butt move sensually across the expanse of floor. I had a déjà vu moment like Tom as I stood and just stared.

  She was back in twenty minutes with a Jpeg print of the comparison of the bullets in question.

  “Well, Sherlock you’ve got your gun and your man, they’re a match.”

  “Thanks for hanging around
to do this. Now I can go back, and close this out tonight”

  I took the photos of the comparison and was ready to leave, not quite sure what my final words would be to Maya. I didn’t have to worry.

  “Abby, I’m afraid I’m becoming addicted to you. Do you want to get some dinner after you finish?”

  “It could be late Maya, but sure if you don’t mind waiting?”

  “I can wait Abby. Give me a call when you’re ready, and I’ll pick you up at the station.”

  I gave a quick glance around the area for lesbian spies, and when I saw none, I gave Maya a quick kiss and a pat on her cute butt.

  “I’ll see you for dinner.”

  I walked back down the hall, not so much hungry for food but for Maya. Ten minutes later my growling stomach overrode that idea. I got back to the station, and showed Tom the bullet comparison.

  “I think that about cinches it for Mr. McConnell,” said Tom.

  “Tom, the captain is still in his office. I’d like to run a trip down to Walla Walla, by him, for us to talk to Tate this week. Can you start questioning McConnell, and I’ll join you when I’m done?”

  “Gotcha covered Abby. Go plead our case.”

  I left Tom and spent the next twenty minutes with the captain. It didn’t take too much convincing, and he even called the warden to set up a meet on Wednesday. Tom and I would have to spend the night in Walla Walla for the trip back on Thursday. I put our name on the list for one of the larger cars for our trip. If I was going have to drive to Walla Walla, I wanted to be comfortable.

  I walked down the hall and joined Tom in the interview room. He wasn’t having too many problems getting Garson to talk with the bullet comparison lying on the table between them.

  “She and I had been partners for four years. We had sex even when we weren’t at the club meetings. She told me I was the best, and that I always satisfied her. A few months back I started to have problems in the aahhh erection area, and went to the doctor. He said I was healthy, and it may be an age thing. I have a slight heart problem so he wouldn’t give me Viagra. Desiree was forgiving for awhile, but then she got sullen after our bouts. I just couldn’t seem to perform. Finally, one day she said she was going to be seeing Carlton Dumont. Hell, he’s only five years younger than me. I blew up. My ego couldn’t stand the demotion. I left in a huff, and we only saw each other at meetings. I started going with Amy Jackson, but it wasn’t the same. I guess I loved Desiree. We all agreed when we started our club that it was just for the sex, and that we’d keep emotion out. I failed. It finally preyed on my mind so much that I just got more jealous and then mad. The more I thought about Desiree with Carlton’s pencil dick in her, the madder I got.

  She was naked when I arrived. Desiree likes to walk around naked in her house. The woman is obsessed with sex, but then so was I, I guess. As we stood by the pool, with her telling me I wasn’t good enough, and that she needed a man who could get it up, and that sex was what she wanted not a life partner. That put me over the edge, and I shot her.”

  Garson hung his head and started to cry. The finality of his decision finally sinking in, and the realization he’d never see Desiree again, ever. We had his statement typed up and signed by ten thirty. Tom was looking almost white. I told him not to drive home before he got some food in his stomach. He agreed and headed out to hopefully get a good meal, and not some gigantic pizza and beer. I called Maya and asked if she still wanted to have dinner. She sounded tired, and I suggested an alternative.

  I rode the bus home with myself and three other people. It was ten fifty five as I walked across the street to my parking lot. At eleven twenty five, the doorbell rang, and Maya was standing there with Chinese takeout and her clothes for tomorrow.

  “Thank you for being the go-for for our dinner, I owe you,” I said.

  “Yes, you do. I’ll take a kiss in lieu of a tip.”

  I gave Maya a kiss as she walked by me with our dinner. In what seemed like only minutes, we’d both consumed our Kung Pao Chicken, rice, and egg flower soup. I cleaned up, locked up, and we walked slowly up the stairs to bed. After our showers and a short conversation to top our day, I snuggled next to Maya as we both fell asleep, both exhausted from our long day.

  Chapter 12

  I was awakened with a kiss and a bit more, which was certainly much better than my alarm clock. After we both extracted pleasure from the other, we started to get ready for work. This was one time I was glad I had two sinks. Since, my makeup is on in ten minutes, I was done and ready to dress before Maya. I watched her for a moment marveling at how beautiful she was. She turned and smiled.

  “If you keep ogling me, you’ll never get to work.”

  “We all have our little pleasures in life, I’m just enjoying mine.”

  I leaned over, kissed her breast, and then a quick kiss to her lips to seal the deal. I dressed and had breakfast on the table when Maya came down the stairs.

  “I like this breakfast arrangement. Do you hire out?” she smiled at me.

  “Only for sexy Indonesian women, but I’m already spoken for, I think.”

  She walked up to me with her bright smile on high and gave my butt a squeeze as she sat down.

  “I think you are too.”

  We ate, and I told her about my upcoming trip the next day. She was sad that I’d be gone, but soon perked up when the promise of a weekend dinner to pay her back for her Chinese pickup was in the offing.

  With breakfast dishes in the washer, we both headed for our respective offices.

  “I’ll call you tonight, okay Maya?”

  “I should be home about seven thirty. Be careful on the road please.”

  “My safe driving techniques are legend at the precinct.”

  I smiled my biggest smile, and gave her one last kiss before she buckled up.”

  “You’re such a bullshit artist, aren’t you?”

  “Now that hurt.”

  I clutched my breast and hung my head. It was good enough acting to get a chuckle from Maya.

  I waved to a flapping arm outside her side window as the security gate lifted for her exit. As I sat on the packed bus, I thought about Maya, and where we were going with all this. I had to admit I was more than slightly committed to her, and I was sure she liked me more than just a little. I’d always tried not to get too tied down with my partners, male or female. But I had to admit Maya was a bit different. What started out as lust for her beauty turned into something a bit deeper. I knew she was serious, but hell we’d only been on one, well two dates if you count the Chinese take-out, but we’d also been out many times over the past two to three years, though not as serious as we were now. I did feel comfortable with her, and we talked about everything when we were together. I just needed more time to figure it all out.

  I walked in to find Tom busy researching the names and dates involved around the death of Tully McBain.

  “Morning Tom, what was for dinner last night? I kept you out pretty late, I’m sorry.”

  “Hey, it’s our job, and I had two Talapia and a salad. I was so good; I think I heard angels in the background serenading me as I ate.”

  “Jeez, I can’t take this too much longer. Do you sit around and catalogue these pitiful pieces of crap in your spare time?”

  “No, they’re just spur of the moment bits of wisdom.”

  We closed up Desiree’s case in the morning, and sent the package to the DA. I took Tom out for lunch because I felt guilty for not feeding him the day before. We met with the DA, Jamison McCord, and talked about what we could offer Tate for his testimony if he decided to work with us. There were no guarantees. We got back to the precinct, and I Googled the driving time to Walla Walla and found out it was only a little over four hours.

  “Hey, Tom it’s only a little over four hours to Walla Walla. I think we can do it in a day. How about you drive down, and I’ll drive back or we can switch half way each way?”

  “Yeah, I’d rather do a day trip than stay overnight. I
hate motels.”

  “Okay, its four fifteen. I’ll make sure we’ve got a car ready by six, and we’ll get on the road and be down there by ten thirty. Of course, the way you drive maybe ten.”

  “Okay, smart ass go check on the car, and I’ll see you in the morning at six, and I’ll drive first.”

  Tom waved back at me over his shoulder as he flipped his jacket over the other. I packed the information we’d compiled in my briefcase, and rode the elevator down to the garage. I had to fib a slight bit to make sure I got the best road car. I told the young recruit cop that I was driving the chief to Yakima for a meeting, and the chief didn’t want a piece of crap car.

  I rode the bus home and walked in the door at five oh five, to be greeted by Felix the wonder cat in full point for his dinner. I was followed upstairs and listened to a constant serenade of meows the entire time. With my uniform of shorts and T-shirt on, I was given a one cat escort downstairs to the Felix’s feeding station. Five minutes later, all that could be heard was smacking and chomping. Felix was not a pretty eater.

  I went through the mail and threw most of it in recycle and then poured a glass of wine and sat on my deck. It wasn’t raining which is all it takes to beckon me outdoors. As I sat sipping my wine and watching the lights come on around the lake, Felix jumped on the bench next to me licking and cleaning for all he was worth. Its nights like this that I like where I live. Sure it’d be nice to have it seventy degrees and calm, but look where you’d have to go to get it. Earthquake or tornado country; no thanks I’ll just stay here.

  Felix and I fixed dinner, his was already gone. He is a growing cat after all. After dinner and the dishes were packed in the washer, I looked at the clock. It was seven fifteen. I locked up and went upstairs to watch some mindless TV until I’d call Maya. It was a bad idea. I fell asleep and woke up at ten. I reached for the phone immediately and punched in her number. It rang three times, and she came on.