Las Vegas detective Ron Fletcher wasn't the least bit excited about having to circulate a composite picture of a homicide victim. His lieutenant told him this was important and make the effort. Ron knew better than to argue that he'd cases pending that were more important than a murder victim up in Oregon.
He struck out at the first hotel/casino. Even though it was only the middle of March, it felt like summer was already upon Vegas. With his a/c on full, he drove north of the strip to the Wynn Las Vegas; his favorite off duty place to hang out. He pulled up into the front entrance parking off to the side under cover. He was recognized by the door man, Barry Franks, a premature grey hair man who was the fixture of the hotel. Ron tossed his keys to the parking dude and with purpose, made straight for Barry. If there was anyone here that would recognize the picture it was Barry. He had a knack for faces and names: hence, his longevity around town. Ron said, "Morning Barry. You're looking dapper as usual."
"Indeed yes, Ron, that's my job. However, I wish Nike made some dress shoes as my feet are feeling the years of standing in front of a door. What can I do for you today," said Barry with a very smooth friendly voice.
"Here, take a look at this and tell me if you have seen or know this person," he gave the file to Barry who opened it up and Ron saw his eyebrows shoot up.
"Why yes, this is one of our dealers. Her name is Vicki Strom. Her friend and roommate is Diane Valdez who is also a dealer. Let's see," he stroked his smooth shaven chin with his long fingers, "she's working the swing shift this week I think. See the girl in the office and she'll give you her work schedule, address and phone number. May I ask why? Diane said she was taking a few days off and would be back soon."
"Sadly Barry, if she is identified as Vicki Strom, she's a murder victim up in Oregon. Damn, I think I remember her now. Nice looking and very friendly to the customers. Anyway, thanks Barry. I'll catch you later."
Ron wrote down the contact information. He called Diane Valdez cell phone. She answered seemingly out of breath. "Hello, sorry, just out of the shower and ran to the kitchen for my phone," Diane said
Ron identified himself and asked if he might come visit her as it concerned her roommate Vicki Storm. "I can't give you any details over the phone, but would 20 minutes be sufficient time to be ready to meet me."
"Oh God, has something bad happened to her. I told her not to go see that bastard. Shit; how bad is it?"
"I'll be there in a short while," Ron said hanging up. Even though Diane was just a friend and not family, sometimes friends took it harder than if it was kin.
Diane met him at the door of her apartment. She already had tears streaming down her face. Homicide detectives don't stop by to just visit. Diane had almost ten years of Vegas under her belt. She knew about violence and what powerful people could do if they so desired.
Diane led him into the small living room area which was nicely furnished. "She is dead isn't she?"
He showed her the picture and she confirmed it was Vicki. Ron saw her trying to regain control and not be such a cry baby. While she blew her nose, he dug out his notebook and prepared to take her statement. Diane didn't need any prompting, she said, "I told her not to go that it would only end badly. But she was determined to tell him she was with child."
"Sorry to interrupt, but who is him," asked Ron.
"His first name is Andy and I don't know his last name. She met him at the casino about a year ago. She told me he was from California and very rich. He told her the same old story that his wife hated him and he was going to get a divorce very soon. I think she knew deep down that it was all a ploy to get her panties off, but she was gullible. We'd been together for the last five years working at the same place. We know not to fraternize with the customers. She resisted for awhile and then next thing I know she fell in love with the asshole. By the way, did he kill her?"
"I don't know Diane. I was just handed this picture and told to pass it around. What else can you tell me? How did she get from her to Oregon?"
"He sent a plane ticket to Eugene, Oregon. From there she was to take a bus to Coos Bay and check into some motel."
"Did she tell the guy she was pregnant?"
"Yes, and she told me he was so happy because he didn't have any children with his wife."
"When did she leave and when was she planning on returning to work," asked Ron.
She left here, Thursday morning and was scheduled to return tomorrow; come to think about it. She was traveling light, with just a small pull bag with wheels. God, her parents are going to just have a fit. She's an only child from the Midwest somewhere; I forgot where."
Ron said, "I've very sorry. She sounds like a nice person to me. I see on the wall picture of the two of you. She's beautiful and so are you for that matter."
Diane blushed and said, "She wanted to be a dancing girl on the stage. However, she was such a good dealer, they ignored her plea. Shit. I can't go to work feeling like this. I've some time off coming. I think I'll call in and take a vacation day. Thanks for coming detective Ron. I've seen you around, but never at the tables?"
"I am too tight to let a rich tycoon take my hard earned money. I do like the atmosphere and the restaurants there at Wynn's. If, by the way, I've more questions is it alright to call you?"
"Perfectly alright. I hope they hang the bastard. It's always the good ones that die young; right?"
He left her sniffling and hated this part of the job. Next he stopped back by the casino and took down all of Vicki's information; including her parent's address in Iowa.
Back at the office, Ron reported to his boss that he found the girl in question. The lieutenant asked Ron to call the Oregon State Police in Oregon and report what he'd found out. He handed Ron a paper with the name of the detective in Oregon and his phone number.
Rory, Ben and Stacy were sitting around reading about the history of Andy and Dorothy Southwin. Stacy had his credit card usage for the last six months. He seemed to use it for everything. His limit was for special customers. Using a ruler, she went backwards from Saturday last when the murder occurred. In particular she was looking for lodging and transportation use. Just as she thought she found what she was looking for, the incoming call was for Rory. Stacy thought it might be the report from Dr. Stone, but no he sounded like he was talking to a man.
She went back to the long list of charges. Under her ruler was the charge on the 8th of March to a travel agent in San Jose, California. It was for a round trip from Vegas to Eugene, Oregon. Rory said, "Stacy, did you hear what I said? We ID the victim. A Las Vegas homicide detective called with a positive ID. Our victim is a 30 year old from Iowa. Her name is Vicki Strom. She's a blackjack dealer at Wynn Las Vegas Hotel. Her best friend Diane Valdez was her roommate for the last five years. Now, get this, the probable father is her boyfriend Andy with no last name. I see the noose tightening around Andy Southwin's neck; don't you?"
"Looks like we got lucky detectives. I've a credit card charge here for Vicki Strom round trip dated March 9 and return March 16th. Now if Dr. Stone calls and confirms the DNA from fetus to Andy, we've got a firm case I'd say," said a joyful Stacy.
"She probably took a bus from Eugene to Coos Bay. We'll, most likely, find a motel with a bogus name. He'd want to keep her under wraps, I'd guess. Also, we need to find out how she went from Coos Bay to Bandon,'' said Rory.
"I think we'll find that happened on Friday when he went to Coos Bay to pick up those tables," said Stacy. In addition, there're still lots of unanswered questions that need answers to. Did he drug her then later that night after the poker game, drive her in a golf cart to the back of the course and murder her?"
"You know what; this guy is not very smart. He uses a credit card to book airfare, probably motel too, knows she's pregnant, the best friend said she had told dandy Andy she was carrying his baby; and to top it off, he gives us his DNA," said a smug Rory.
"It all fits too nicely in my opinion," said Stacy. "It's a slam dunk. This guy will never see freedom again. He's
rich, has a wonderful new project going on and what does he do, get's some young lady pregnant and kills her."
While there're discussing the case, Dr. Stone made a phone call to the state police office. Rory takes the call. Listens and says very little. He gives her a big thank you and hangs up. He says, "Bingo kids. It's a match on the DNA. The drug screen says she had traces of a sleeping medicine eszopiclone under the brand name Lunseta. I say we go pick him up. Let me go see the captain first." Rory jumps up and nearly broke the captain's office door knocking so hard.
Silence is Golden
Stacy went back to Bandon while Rory and his partner waited for an arrest warrant. She wondered how Andy would take the charge of murder and what about his wife? She too must suffer the humiliation of her husband being booked on a murder charge. Even though it had only been a few days since the body was discovered, it seemed like a month ago. She was dog tired and needed some good sleep. Of course she wanted to witness the interrogation, but told Rory she would read the interview tomorrow.
Her father was waiting for her to come home. They lived on the hill behind the supermarket. Stacy couldn't remember any other house but this small, neat, two bedroom on a large lot. This location was named 'New Bandon' and down the hill sat 'Old Bandon next to the mouth of the Coquille River.
Parking her police car next to her father's car, she took her time walking into the house. What she did notice was it felt cooler now and maybe the special March weather was over.
Her father was reading the paper with the sound of the TV off but a game show program was on. He never watched anything but the news, but she guessed he felt with the TV on it was company even without sound. Her mother was a quiet person. She couldn't remember her parents ever having angry or loud words around the house.
He said, "Glad to see you back Stacy. I got a call from Captain Blane filling me in on the recent reports. He told me to tell you 'good work' and that I was lucky to have such a smart police officer on staff."
"I'll be right back dad. I need to change out of these clothes into something much more comfortable. By the way, have you had dinner?"
"No, I was waiting for you. The captain said you were on the way back to Bandon, so I thought we'd have something after you got home. How about some ham and eggs or an omelet?"
"Sounds good. I'll be back in a flash," said Stacy as she swiftly walked to her bedroom. Not that she was a neat freak, but she kept her room organized. In her book of life, there was always time to put your stuff neatly away. After tucking her pistol into her night stand, she jumped into the shower. Afterwards she put on sweats and was combing her hair when she walked into the kitchen where the smell of ham was cooking.
Her father was a good cook. In no time, while she made sourdough toast, he had a six egg omelet cooking. He kept it simple this night as no onions and only mushrooms were added. Stacy kept up a chatter giving him an overview of the case while they enjoyed dinner.
"Are you satisfied with the results Stacy," he asked while sipping some decaf coffee.
"I'm not sure. It all seems to pat to me. He's either the most stupid guy I know or he knows something we don't know. His credit card for travel, motel, and then the DNA seals the deal. He had motive and opportunity. The prosecution will be smiling walking around with a feather in their hats. If they give Andy Southwin the death penalty, he'll languish on death row until god knows when. Some of those sentenced to death have been there for a quarter of a century. Even if you waive the appeal, they still won't execute the person.
I don't know dad, maybe I'm reading too much into it. I know it would take a very strong minded person to kill a girlfriend who was carrying your baby. According to Vegas, Vicki was very happy and she told her best friend that Andy was happy too. Then we she gets here, he drugs her, loads her into a golf cart, after playing poker with his friends, takes her to the back of the golf course and slams a golf club into her head? I'm just not sure, what do you think Chief Foreham?"
"Like you my daughter, I've been considering all of the facts and what surrounds the case involving certain individuals. I'll refrain from comment until I hear what Andy has to say when the interrogation is complete. Now, before you tell me it's a cop out, think about it until the final die is cast," said a gentle father and policeman to his grown up daughter.
The next morning as Stacy was drinking her first cup of coffee, Rory called. He said, "You're not going to believe this, Andy Southwin never said a word; nada, pure silence. When I read him his rights he just nodded. Two hours later I told him he could make a phone and he shrugged his shoulders. We booked him and set a suicide watch. The watch said after about 20 minutes he was snoring. I think this one is for the books. Do you want to come up and see what happens this morning as we try again?"
"This I'd like to see. Let me ask the boss man and I'm sure he'll let me go," said Stacy.
Three hours later, Stacy witnessed total silence from Andy Southwin.
Enter the Wife
On the same day Stacy was at the county jail in Coquille, that same afternoon, Dorothy was allowed to visit her husband. With a guard close by, Andy sat on one side of a wooden table and Dorothy on the other. Both his hands and legs were shackled. He never smiled or said hello. She said, "Andy I've hired an attorney for you. He'll be here later today for your arraignment in front of the judge. He seems like a nice guy from Coos Bay. I've heard that you haven't spoken a word since they arrested you. Why is that?"
First he looked at the guard, then at his hands and after that he looked her in the eye and said, "I've nothing to say. Case closed. Good bye." He stood up and nodded at the guard to take him away. Dorothy had big alligator tears running down her lined cheeks.
What followed was the Coos Bay attorney, Doric Muller to see his client Andy Southwin. Once again Andy was led to the visitor's area. He didn't bother shaking hands with Doric Muller. Andy listened to Muller's spiel about what would take place and so on. Then he said, "Any questions, Mr. Southwin?"
"I've none; and it's my plan to plead guilty as charged; end of story. Good bye Mr. Muller."
A shocked Doric Muller sat there with a blank yellow legal pad. On the way over from Coos Bay to Coquille, a distance of around 18 miles, he'd been counting his money from the displaced Silicon Valley client. Now the best he could hope for was a little pocket money for gas.
The Arraignment
The next day Andy Southwin stood in front of the judge for his arraignment. The judge asked, "Are you Andrew Southwin of Bandon, Oregon?"
"I am Andrew Southwin of Bandon, Oregon."
"Are you represented by an attorney?''
"No I'm not. I want to represent myself."
"That's not advisable Mr. Southwin. However, you appear of sound mind,'' said the judge.
"I must inform you that you're charged with murder in the first degree," said a stern faced judge. "I now ask you for the record how you plead guilty or not guilty."
"I plead guilty, for the record," said a placid faced Andy.
"Sentencing will take place two weeks from today," said the judge. He stood up and said, "Bail is denied by law and court is adjourned."
It was a mad scramble for the reporters getting out of the court room to send 'breaking news' to their respective media outlets.
A Rehash of the Case
Stacy, the two state police detectives, Rory and Ben, along with Chief Raymond Foreham, sat around the small lunchroom at the Bandon Police Department discussing the latest news about Andy Southwin regarding his guilty plea.
Rory said, "This will save the state a lot of money with him pleading guilty. I for one commend him for taking it like a true man. By the time April showers are over, he'll be sitting in Salem twiddling his thumbs."
Stacy said, "I still have a funny feeling there's something missing here. Andy doesn't seem to me as a mental case or a wacko. However, to violently kill his girl friend by the method we witnessed beats the heck out of me. Does anyone feel the same as me?"
&nbs
p; Rory looked at Ben and then to the chief, and said, "Not really Stacy. People do funny things when angry and at strange times. He made a plan long before he met her in Coos Bay. He took sleeping pills from his insomniac wife, probably crushed them before putting in a cool drink. It wouldn't take long for her to nod off. He places her in the back of his pickup truck with a canopy on it. No doubt he put a tarp over her. From his wife he had empirical knowledge from his years of being with her regarding her sleeping habits. Then he drives from the poker game to the golf course. Loads a groggy girlfriend into a golf cart. He drives to the number 5 tee box. Ties her up so she can't move. Maybe he slaps her to wake her up as we saw a look of fright on her face. He's pissed off she got pregnant. He takes the stolen nine iron and hits the mark. Case closed."
Chief Raymond shakes his head. He says, "I realize it's an open and shut case with the perp admitting guilt. However, I'm like Stacy thinking we might have missed something here."
"Thanks Chief," said Stacy. "In my thinking an opinion, he's protecting someone; like his wife. I'd bet a dollar to a donut she did it. Now I have to get her to confess to save an innocent man."
"Okay Stacy, said Rory, "how did she do it and when did she have opportunity?"
"Before you answer that," said Ben Razor, "I agree with you. If memory serves, she too had a long trip to Coos Bay that Friday before Vicki was murdered."
"Thanks Ben. Yes, she had plenty of time to meet Vicki Strom, drug her and place her in the van she drives while doing golf business. We only have her word for what she did on Friday night. Now going back to Friday she stated she left for Coos Bay shopping late in the morning arriving at lunch time. After lunch she goes shopping for groceries arriving back to the golf course around middle of the afternoon. Now, I know you want to hear how she met up with Vicki at the motel or somewhere in Coos Bay. Here's one thought. Maybe she got Vicki's phone number off Andy's cell phone. Maybe she called the credit card company for his latest charges. A devious mind will find a way to locate the husband's girlfriend. She also finds out she is pregnant which would make her even more angry."
Murder Mysteries Page 5