Davenport Mysteries 03-Perfect Crime

by Varun Vashist

  “What?” James snatched the sheet from him and was equally confused. “But, she was held captive during this period.”

  “Thanks for pointing that out,” Jake said and took the sheet back. “Mr. Hansen had the phone with him the entire time—something he’s already confessed to.”

  “I have no idea who did this. Yes, the phone was in the house, but I didn’t use it. I didn’t even charge the phone since she went missing,” he said with surprise.

  “Yeah. Now who has a weak argument,” Jake said with a smirk.

  “What have you done?” James said in exasperation.

  “At least you should support me,” Shawn pleaded.

  “My support won’t save you,” James replied.

  “We believe he is also involved in the disappearance of Amy Brooks,” Jake added. “And, now we’re certain that Karl Bennett’s suicide is murder.”

  Shawn looked at Jake with disbelief. He felt as if life had been drained out of his body. He wanted to speak, but couldn’t get the words out.

  Carlson looked at Jake, who passed a glass of water to Shawn.

  “She … she’s in one of my houses upstate,” he said in a low voice while taking a nervous sip of water.

  “What?” Kiara and Jake asked together. Carlson moved closer to the table.

  “I did not get Cynthia Kidnapped. I … I’ll kill myself before even thinking of such a thing,” Shawn said and looked at them. “You speak to Amy—she will clear everything to you. Give me a pen and paper. I’ll write down the address.”

  Jake pulled a page from his journal and handed it over to Shawn.

  “So we were right, then,” he said while looking at James.

  “No, you’re not,” Shawn replied before James could’ve said anything, “Yes … I married Cynthia to advance my career, but over the years I have fallen in love with her. I did meet Lorenzo and tried to strike a deal, but I only offered him money and nothing else to leave me alone. I … I did transfer money to Amy’s account, but she needed it; that’s why. It’s unfortunate that the date coincided with Cynthia’s kidnapping. You go and speak to her. She will clear all your doubts.”

  “We will do that,” Kiara said and paused. “You understand that we have to tell everything to Cynthia if she or her family tries to put pressure on us.”

  “She knows everything,” Shawn said feebly.

  “That’s interesting,” Jake said, raising his brow.

  With that, he and Kiara got up. “I hope you’re not misleading us this time,” Kiara said before looking into Shawn’s eyes, which were welled up. He just shook his head.

  As they were about to leave, Carlson approached James. “You understand that we have to take Shawn under custody.”

  “Sir, I would suggest to keep him here tonight. Let’s get all the doubts cleared—ours as well as his—before sending him to the jail,” Jake suggested.

  “Okay,” Carlson nodded and looked at James.

  James nodded as well. “Do as you wish?”

  “Why are you talking like this?” Shawn pleaded with James. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  James stood up. “They’re right. You just hope that Amy brings something new to the light. I’m going to leave now. I’ll speak to Cynthia once Amy is found.”

  Carlson waited for Jake, Kiara, and James to leave, and then pulled a chair opposite Shawn.

  “A kidnapping, two murders, and hiding the key witness - Things haven’t gone as you’d hoped for, Mr. Hansen. I wonder how Wall Street’s going to react to this.”

  Shawn didn’t know what to say. He just kept staring at Carlson. Carlson took a deep breath and got up. He looked at Shawn one more time before stepping out.

  As the door closed, Shawn broke down and began to sob, “What have I done?” he cried.

  The place where Shawn had kept Amy was about thirty miles from the division. It took Jake and Kiara forty-five minutes to navigate through the city.

  “What do you think?” Jake asked as they entered the freeway.

  “Well, he’s right about one thing. Amy is an important piece of the puzzle. And, if he has guided us to her, then there’s something that she knows which he believes could help his cause,” Kiara replied.

  “Maybe, he’s right that someone is framing him. No one liked him in the Campbell family, and we know what Shirley Campbell feels about him. If it were up to her, she wouldn’t even have let this marriage happen.”

  “You’re right. But, we have to give credit to Cynthia. She put a brave face on during all this turmoil and is still supporting Shawn,” Kiara said.

  “Let’s see how long she keeps doing that. If he is convicted, he’ll be gone for life,” Jake said. “And, she will move on. All relationships are based on give and take. As long as you are getting something out of it, everything is fine…”

  Jake stopped midway as Kiara pointed at a house. It was a two-story house overlooking the hills. Kiara looked at her watch. The house was engulfed in darkness, taking them by surprise.

  “Isn’t it too early to go to bed?” she said.

  “Yup. Someone tipped her, I guess,” Jake said as they entered the gravel pathway.

  “Or maybe, that was part of Shawn’s plan,” Kiara said as she parked in front of the house.

  Jake took out his gun and came out of the car. Kiara followed suit.

  They looked around the garden area as they walked to the front door. Kiara pressed the doorbell while Jake tried to peek through the glass door.

  “Anything?” Kiara asked while repeatedly pressing the bell.

  “Nothing,” Jake said.

  “Let’s check the backyard,” she suggested.

  They walked to the backyard with the help of the light coming from the nearby houses. As they walked past the kitchen, Kiara stopped for a moment and walked to the window.

  “The smell,” she said.

  “What?” Jake asked with confusion.

  “Someone cooked food recently—the smell is still fresh,” she said while Jake looked around.

  “You’re right. I suppose that’s Amy’s car,” he said, pointing toward a car. “She’s inside.”

  With that, he rushed to the main door.

  “You think something happened to her?” Kiara asked while trying to catch his pace.

  “Well, I have a hunch. Maybe, she also committed ‘suicide’,” Jake said while making air quotes.

  “I hope we still have time,” Kiara said and pushed the door with all the power she had.

  Jake also tried a few times, but to no avail. He walked to the garden while Kiara tried opening the windows.

  “Step aside,” he said while holding a big piece of rock.

  Kiara moved aside at once. The whole window pane came crashing down as soon as the stone hit it.

  “Hold this,” Jake said, giving his gun to her.

  “Be careful,” Kiara said as he tried to get inside. He was careful, but a sharp piece of glass scraped his palm, making him groan in anger. He put a kerchief on it and pulled out his phone.

  With the help from his phone’s backlight, he found the power switch. In a moment, the hall bathed in light. He opened the main door for Kiara and then rushed to the adjacent bedroom. Kiara ran toward the kitchen and then scanned the bathroom hurriedly.

  “Any luck?” Jake asked as he came out of the bedroom. Kiara shook her head. With that, both looked toward the stairs.

  Kiara took her gun out and started walking upstairs.

  “Ms. Brooks,” she shouted as they reached the first floor, but there was no response from the other end. Jake switched on the lights of the hallway.

  There were two doors opposite to each other. With bated breath, Jake pushed the door on his right. To their relief, it opened with a gentle push, but the room was empty just like the remainder of the house. Both looked at the other door and then toward each other. Jake pushed it, but it was bolted from inside.

  Kiara knocked at the door. “Ms. Brooks, are you inside?” Still
there was no response. Jake had enough of the suspense by now. He brought a chair from the other room and hit the doorknob. After a few more hits, a chunk of wood fell from near the knob. Jake tried to turn it, but it was still intact. He hit it a few more times before it fell. He pushed the door and this time it flung open.

  He went inside at once. “Ms. Brooks, this is the FBI. Please don’t get alarmed.”

  There was still no response. He looked around and finally found the switch. As soon as he turned on the lights, his heart sank at what he saw.

  Amy was lying on the floor with foam coming out of her mouth. Kiara rushed toward her.

  “That bloody bastard,” Jake said in anger.

  “She’s alive,” Kiara said while checking Amy’s pulse.

  “What?”

  “She’s breathing,” Kiara said and got up at once. “We can save her.”

  “Oh my God!” Jake exclaimed and kept looking at Amy with disbelief.

  Jake and Kiara had left three hours back and each passing moment looked like an eternity to Shawn Hansen. He was already depressed, and the solitude wasn’t helping either. He tried to open the door, but it was closed from the other side. He tapped on the one-way mirror, but there was no response from the other side. His heart had started to sink, and his worst fear came true as the door finally opened.

  Carlson barged in with two officers.

  “What … what happened?” Shawn asked in a frail voice. “Is Amy all right?”

  Carlson ignored his question and looked at the officer on his right, who took out handcuffs and walked to Shawn.

  “What are you doing? What happened to Amy?” he shouted as he was taken into custody.

  “You won’t be surprised to know that she took a lot of sleeping pills,” Carlson said.

  “Oh my God!” Shawn said in fear. “Is she also…”

  “No, the doctors pumped them out of her stomach before it could have been fatal,” Carlson said.

  “But…It’s … it’s a good news.” Shawn’s face filled up with happiness.

  “You’re right, it is a good news because it has helped to bring closure to the case,” Carlson said firmly. “Mr. Shawn Hansen, we are taking you into custody for the kidnapping of your wife, the murders of Rafael Marconi and Karl Bennett, and the attempted murder of Amy Brooks. You have the right to remain silent…”

  “No, I won’t. If Amy is alive, then how can you arrest me?” Shawn was still in disbelief.

  “We’ve already recorded her statement. She has come clean about your affair with her; she has confessed to the money you gave to her, and also that you wanted her to go low profile till the dust settled on the case. You promised her that this would result in your divorce and clear the path for the two of you.”

  “She said that? I can’t believe it. It’s a bunch of lies!” Shawn shouted.

  “What about the sleeping pills?” Carlson shouted back. “Didn’t you get her the pills? The receipt is in your name.”

  “Yes … but she was under a lot of stress. She asked for them,” Shawn said in a frail voice.

  “How many had the doctor recommended?” Carlson asked firmly.

  “Two,” Shawn said immediately.

  “And, how many did you tell her to take?”

  “What?” Shawn didn’t understand. “Of course, two.”

  “No, you told her to take four, as they were mild and if she wanted, she could have a couple of extra pills. You even wrote it down on the prescription so that she doesn’t forget,” Carlson said sternly. “Luck was on our side that she thought of avoiding the pills one extra day. Had she taken those four pills yesterday, we would have thought of this also as a suicide. Mr. Shawn Hansen, you are going to rot in prison for the rest of your life. Take him away.”

  “She’s lying, just like everyone else,” Shawn pleaded as he was dragged out of the room.

  “Yeah, you’re the only truthful one,” Carlson smirked and came out of the interrogation room.

  “I’m being framed,” Shawn’s frail voice came as he was taken out the main entrance.

  “So that settles it,” Jake said as they stepped out of the hospital. “Amy is completely out of danger, and she has also put an end to all the open questions.”

  “Yeah,” Kiara said with relief in her voice. “I’m too exhausted by this case. I hope Carlson doesn’t come up with such a complicated case anytime soon.”

  “I’m also exhausted, but we have to get that report ready. Carlson isn’t going to extend that deadline beyond tomorrow,” Jake said while shaking his head.

  “Can we discuss this tomorrow morning?” Kiara requested. “I don’t want to work on it tonight.”

  “Okay. You want to grab a drink?” Jake proposed.

  Kiara thought for a moment. “Sure. Carlson isn’t going to disturb us tonight … I guess.”

  “Forget about him. Let’s go to my favorite haunt.”

  “Yeah, I need to check that too. I’ve been hearing a lot about it lately,” Kiara replied with a smile. “Let’s meet there in half an hour. We can’t take the official car.”

  “Well, some extra cash would take care of that, but it’s a good idea. The bartender knows that I am handling this case and going in the official car will be an open invitation for him to ask for some juicy tidbits,” Jake said thoughtfully.

  “Why would he know that you are handling this case?” Kiara asked, raising her brow.

  “Well…” Jake hesitated. “I might have boasted about it.”

  “That’s so not juvenile. Why would you do that?”

  “It’s nothing,” Jake tried to evade the question.

  “It sure is something,” Kiara said looking at Jake’s body language.

  “Well, they were showing it on the news, and he started telling me about who could be behind it and you know…”

  “Yeah, I know,” Kiara smirked. “You are such a limelight seeker; you need to grow up.”

  “I thought we were not going to discuss the case tonight?” Jake said ruefully.

  Kiara raised her arms. “Sadly, I agree with you this time.”

  “Okay, let’s meet at the bar in half an hour,” Jake proposed.

  Kiara nodded and got in the car. Jake heaved a sigh of relief and got inside.

  CHAPTER 12

  Jake was fashionably late, and Kiara had already finished one drink by the time he arrived. The bartender recognized him as soon as he entered.

  “Mr. Bond,” he said and winked. “Tonight, how many Bond girls?”

  “Only one, Tom,” Jake pointed at Kiara and winked back. She wanted to hit him but controlled it somehow.

  “What will it be today?” the bartender asked while staring at her.

  “Usual number one,” Jake said with a smile.

  “Whiskey on the rocks, right away.”

  “That’s some bromance,” Kiara mocked him.

  “What? Tom?” Jake said sheepishly. “No … no.”

  “So, why are you late?” Kiara asked, changing the topic.

  “I’m always late. I don’t know why,” Jake said unapologetically as Tom served the drink. “How long have you been waiting?”

  “Since they started flashing the news about our case again,” Kiara said ruefully pointing at the TV.

  “What are they saying now?” Jake asked.

  “Well, the media have already given their verdict: life term to Shawn. I suppose, James has already briefed the family. There are speculations that Cynthia is discussing divorce with him. There are no statements from Michael, and even Shawn’s parents have refused to comment.”

  “They can’t be blamed for that, but, Cynthia’s patience has to be admired. She held the fort until the last moment. And, with the alimony out of the question now, she jumped on to the divorce,” Jake said while taking a sip. “This is good.”

  “That’s your take on Cynthia and Shawn’s relationship?” Kiara asked.

  “I thought we weren’t going to discuss the case,” Jake complained. �
��With you shouting at me, even the whiskey isn’t working.”

  Kiara took a deep breath. “All I’m saying is that she loved him genuinely. She didn’t leave him when his affair came to light—that much she loved him. It took such a big betrayal for her to lose faith in him.”

  Jake nodded. “You’re absolutely right. Forgive me. Tom, get me another drink, will you?”

  Kiara knew Jake didn’t want to discuss shop. She turned her back to the television and started focusing on the light music instead.

  “So, what’s the plan for the weekend?” she asked.

  Jake looked at her and gave a wicked smile.

  “Okay, I don’t want to know who she is and what you are going to do to her,” Kiara said while raising her hands, but she knew Jake was not going to stop.

  “You’re wrong,” he said in a fake sensuous tone. “I wanted to have plans with you.”

  “Ew,” Kiara said in disgust. “Now you’re making my drink ineffective. Just go away.”

  “No, I thought we could have lunch together,” Jake said with an innocent face.

  “Just stop it.”

  “What’s wrong with lunch?” Jake asked in surprise.

  “Let me enjoy my drink,” Kiara said angrily. “Not a single word till we’re out of here.”

  Jake shrugged his shoulders. “As you wish.”

  “And, by the way, this place sucks,” Kiara said while looking around the bar.

  “You said no more words till we leave,” Jake said in exasperation

  “Starting now,” Kiara replied angrily.

  After so many days, everything looked peaceful to Kiara. After the cab had dropped her home, she threw her phone on the couch and went straight to the bed.

  The next morning, she was surprised to see that there were no messages for her. It was one of those rare mornings when she knew exactly what she was going to do with her day. Except the report, there was nothing else that needed her attention. She thought of checking with Jake what time he was going to arrive at the office, but then thought of not disturbing him so early in the day. He was right when he said that they should move on once the case was over.

  After getting ready, she thought of checking the news, but she had such a lovely morning being isolated from the world, she decided to live the moment a little longer. Finally, she took a decision of not thinking about the case till she reached the office.