As expected, he arrives slightly after the Chinese food and she ushers him into her living room where she has taped her flow chart to the wall.
Steve sees where this conversation is headed and interrupts, “If this is going to be a working dinner, babe, I need a beer and some food first.”
“Well, the beer is in the frig and you can eat while I talk.”
“Lindsay, please, just let me relax for a moment. Let’s enjoy dinner first then I promise you’ll have my undivided attention for as long as you need it.”
“You’re killing me with this lackadaisical attitude of yours,” Lindsay says sharply.
“Sweetheart, I know you’re excited to share what you found with me, but I haven’t eaten all day. I need some food in order to concentrate on your discovery and it’s apparent you have been quite busy laying out your evidence, so I want to appreciate it completely.”
Lindsay gives in, and the two of them enjoy their dinner as much as possible with her being so anxious. Finally, Steve turns and says, “Now that I’ve eaten I feel better. Show me what you have discovered.”
Lindsay gets up and walks to the wall where she has a picture of Wendy Stevens. Surrounding this picture are the names and photos of all the individuals connected to Wendy through her clients, and when and how their spouses died.
“Here’s my theory,” Lindsay says. “While all the individual law enforcement agencies have closed their investigations in each incident, I don’t believe any of them have looked at all these deaths as a connected chain of events. The only agency capable of doing so correctly given all the jurisdictional issues would be the FBI.” She continues to explain, listing reasons why the people she has taped to her wall are connected and how it could all tie back to Wendy.
Steve patiently listens to her then says, “Okay, I see your point, but couldn’t all of these incidents just be an unfortunate string of events totally unrelated to Wendy Stevens?”
“I looked at that possibility. But honestly, how many people do you know of who have had ten people they are loosely associated die in the last year or so? What are the statistical chances of someone having such bad luck?”
“Interesting point. But, babe, Wendy Stevens is a domestic violence counselor and her clientele aren’t involved in the most stable of personal relationships.”
“I know that, too, and as hard as I have tried to do legitimate research, there aren’t any really valid statistics on offender suicides or deaths in general. I even interviewed Wendy about it, and she was very educated and articulate on this issue, but even she couldn’t really give me a viable excuse.”
“Okay then, let’s brainstorm a little. What would be the motive for Wendy being involved with orchestrating these deaths, given that most people murder for lust, greed, or revenge? There is absolutely no evidence she was in any type of sexual relationship with any of these people. She’s a multi-billionaire, so greed probably isn’t a factor. I can’t even see revenge being any type of real motive here. Even if you want to claim she was killing people to get revenge for her clients it doesn’t make sense, because Wendy would be losing money for everyone she killed because her clients wouldn’t need her any longer would they?”
“Well looking at it that way you could reverse the logic. She’s rich so she doesn’t need the money from her clients. Why would she be concerned about it?”
“What would be her reason for revenge, then, since that appears to be the only viable motivation? I think it would have to be a huge stretch. Jay Mather actually questioned her after Ricardo’s death and insinuated Wendy may have been somehow involved in it, but she ate from the same place. She just didn’t eat the same foods, and that’s why she didn’t get sick. When we checked out all the possibilities, the only logical conclusion was poor restaurant management practices which allowed the botulism to develop. In that case, it seems like it could have just as easily been Wendy that died and not Ricardo.”
“I can’t accept that! Jack had been a very successful restaurant owner for over twenty-five years and never had any type of heath standard or food preparation violation.”
“I know you don’t like it, but that’s exactly what happened. Perhaps one of his staff screwed up, who knows? But there is no doubt whatsoever that the botulism originated from his restaurant. We know for a fact she didn’t kill her brother because we got a confession from the actual sniper, and nowhere in our investigation was Wendy even suspected as being involved, although his death is the one that would make the most sense for her to be involved in, given her inheritance. According to the attorney that read and arranged Mark’s will, Wendy had absolutely no way of knowing her brother was leaving her any money. Jack Taylor killed himself, and that’s clearly documented because of his financial problems. The only connection there is Kimberly, and Wendy hadn’t been counseling her for almost two years.”
“So are you saying she isn’t involved in any way with any of these deaths?” Lindsay asks, frustrated.
“I’m not saying she isn’t involved. But she isn’t the cause, and it appears to be an awful chain of circumstances with her clients.”
“Come on! You can’t actually believe that ten people dying within a year that she is somehow associated with is explainable.”
“Yes, I can, because you haven’t offered any other viable possibility. Let’s continue with all the other deaths,” Steve says, getting up and going to the wall. “Okay, Arnold Davis. Other than counseling Nancy, we have no connection between Davis and Wendy. The only connection to Gayle Baxter is that Wendy was the person to find her and report it, and her story that Wendy went to the house at his insistence was confirmed by Gayle’s husband. Zach Rawlins died of a cocaine induced heart attack, and again, Wendy was only counseling Jill with no indication she even knew Zach. All we know about Kenneth Quan is that he drowned in his own swimming pool, and he couldn’t swim so that makes sense. Plus, there’s no connection other than one telephone call to Wendy to try to set up a meeting, which she refused. The only cases that would raise any suspicion are Harder Gould, Tyler Crookshank, and Jim Bush, and only because she one of the last people to see them alive. But again, Harder was a junky who died of an overdose, and Wendy isn’t associated with anything other than meeting with him at his wife’s request. Finally, neither one of us has any information on the deaths of Tyler Crookshank or Jim Bush.”
“You don’t find it odd that so many people associated with her have died?” Lindsay presses.
“Yes, I find it odd. But I don’t have any reason to question any of the investigations that have been conducted thus far, because each of these reports you have look very thorough and competent.”
“Will you at least look into the Crookshank and Bush deaths before you determine I’m out of line here, please? I just know something isn’t right.”
He sighs and rubs a hand over his face. “Okay, I’ll see what I can find out, but you know I can’t share any of it with you.”
“I know. Just tell me you have researched it, and if there is nothing there I’ll never bother you with this again.”
“I’ll look into it and let you know if it’s a closed discussion or if we are going to look further into the matter, but that’s all you’re going to get from me, period. And no seduction techniques like last time,” Steven warns.
“Deal. Now, do you have to go home or can you spend the night tonight?” Lindsay asks, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“I thought you’d never ask. I’ll spend the night but I’ll have to leave fairly early.”
“That’s fine, but I wouldn’t count on getting too much sleep tonight,” she replies with a smile, and they go to bed.
CHAPTER 23
fbi probe
Agent Davis arrives at the office early the next morning and calls the Placer County Sheriff. After a fairly detailed discussion of the facts surrounding the case, Steve requests a copy of the Tyler Crookshank suicide report be emailed to him at his office in San Francisco.
&n
bsp; Upon questioning by the Sheriff, Steve outlines his concerns about the ten individuals associated with Wendy Stevens, and that he just wants to take a more comprehensive look, since her name is also part of an ongoing FBI investigation.
The Sheriff says he’ll forward everything to Agent Davis in a couple of hours, including all dash cam videos and recordings, adding that this is a very clear-cut suicide.
Steve thanks him for his cooperation and then calls the San Diego Hospital. He finds the emergency room attending physician on duty the night Jim Bush was brought in, and asks for a moment of his time. The physician is available and able to discuss the medical circumstances surrounding Jim’s death.
“It was classic anaphylactic shock symptoms, which were later confirmed by the hospital’s autopsy. There isn’t anything suspicious here,” the doctor tells Steve.
Next, Steve is transferred to the records department where he requests records be sent to him. The hospital tells him if he wants the records today, an agent would need to pick them up personally.
He sighs. “Alright, I understand. I’ll have an agent drop by and pick them up in a bit,” he says, then calls a fellow agent in the San Diego FBI office and asks if they could retrieve the records for him and send copies to him. The agent agrees and he has the files within two hours.
After he analyzes the records and all the police reports, he requests a meeting with David Hill. In this meeting, he outlines everything that Lindsay brought to his attention and shows him the records she compiled.
Steve explains. “My initial reaction to Lindsay’s conspiracy theory was disbelief, but after receiving the two reports today, I found a few disturbing facts. Tyler Crookshank is Wendy’s office manager’s ex-husband, and Wendy had an estranged, intimate relationship with Jim Bush, according to the witnesses from the scene of his death. I think this could use some more investigation.”
SAC Hill authorizes Agent Davis to continue investigating his concerns as long as Agent Mather works side by side with him. SAC Hill calls SAC Hughes in the Boise office, updates him on Agent Davis’ follow-up investigation, and suggests Agent Davis assist Agent Mather, since he is the lead investigator on the case, and see where the facts take them.
SAC Hughes calls Jay Mather into his office and briefs him on the previous discussion, then tells both Davis and Mather to devise an investigation plan and keep SAC Hill and himself informed as to any progress.
After considering the files for a moment, he adds, “The key component you’re going to have to establish is motive, and although it is highly unusual for someone to have ten people they know or are associated with die in a year or less, that alone doesn’t prove culpability.”
The agents agree to keep each other informed, and then Jay tells Steve he’ll call Wendy Stevens and determine when and where they can get an interview with her.
“Also, if you would check with the San Diego Police Department’s forensic lab to see if they were able to identify the unknown latent fingerprint found on the bathroom medicine cabinet in the Davis home that might be a good idea. I know the latent examiner was on vacation and then became ill, so if they haven’t worked on it or made it a priority because this appeared to be a suicide it would be helpful if they could make it a priority now.”
“Good idea. I’ll call them as soon as we conclude here and get back to you,” Steve replies, making a note to do so.
“Thanks. Somewhere along the line, if there is a break to be had, we’ll need to get it.”
“Amen to that sentiment.”
Immediately after disconnecting with Steve, Jay telephones Wendy Stevens’ office, identifies himself to Mona, and is immediately connected to Wendy.
“Agent Mather, to what do I owe this pleasant surprise?”
“Well, I was wondering if you were going to be in Boise anytime soon?”
“I can be, depending on if this call is for business or pleasure.”
“While I appreciate the sentiment, it’s a business call.”
Wendy sighs. “In that case, I have to say I’m disappointed indeed. Why do you want to speak with me this time, and will your flunky be with you?”
“Agent Davis isn’t my flunky, but yes, we both have some things we would like to discuss with you when you’re available.”
“What sort of things? That’s a bit vague don’t you think?”
“Yes, it is and it was meant to be. We can go into everything when we meet.”
“Oh, very well. Jessica and Sean are heading to Boise to see about establishing a Beauty Boutique Clothing presence there next week. Let me see if I can get a ride with them, and I’ll get back to you. It will probably require a late evening meeting, if you can handle that.”
“If you can get to Boise, Agent Davis and I will accommodate your schedule.”
“Let me make a few phone calls and I’ll get back to you tomorrow, if that’s okay?”
“That will be just fine. Thank you for your continued cooperation.”
“Anytime. It’s always a pleasure to see you. As soon as I have an answer you’ll be the first to know.”
Almost as soon as they discontinue their conversation, Jay receives a call from Steve, who tells him San Diego hadn’t made the latent print a priority since the medical examiner’s report didn’t find anything inconsistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“I’ve ask they make it a priority and they said they would have the results by the end of the week,” Steve says.
“Great. I just got off the phone with Wendy, and she thinks she might be able to be in Boise next week sometime but she’ll get back to me tomorrow.”
They agree to reconvene tomorrow after Jay has heard from Wendy.
***
Wendy telephones Jay the next day. “You’re in luck. Sean and Jessica agreed to let me hop a ride to Boise with them next Friday, on the condition that I’m responsible for their dinner at the Parma Ridge Winery. We will land at three o’clock and drive to the winery for happy hour for Sean and Jessica’s business meeting, which is expected to finish by six o’clock. So you and junior agent boy can join me in a separate meeting for happy hour, or I can have Sean drop me off at your office by seven thirty. Which would you prefer?”
“Why don’t we all meet at my office? I’ll need to pick Agent Davis up at the airport. And he isn’t a junior agent, so let’s extend him the courtesy he deserves as an agent of the Bureau.”
“Oooh, I love it when you get that overprotective big brother tone. It’s actually quite stimulating. Don’t worry, I’d never say such a thing to his face, but really, what is he, maybe twenty-eight years old? If he has a graduate degree, he couldn’t have been in the Bureau more than two years. I’ll be respectful, but we both know he is terribly wet behind the ears. I’ll tell you what, why don’t we just keep this between you and me.? It can be our dirty little secret. By the way, you should probably check out Parma Ridge Winery. Their wine is tremendous and their food is fabulous.”
“I will go to the winery soon, because you’re not the first person to tell me it’s fantastic, but not next Friday. I need to pick up junior agent boy at the airport, remember?”
“Agent Mather, you’re such a naughty man,” Wendy replies with a chuckle.
“You’re a bad influence. I’ll see you next Friday in my office at seven thirty.”
“Yes you will, and it will be such fun I’m sure.”
“Carrying on a conversation with you is always such a challenge, but next time can you try to infuse just a hint of sincerity.”
“If that will make you happy Agent, then it will be my pleasure and sole desire.”
“Good day, Ms. Stevens,” Mather says with a smile.
“Ciao, baby,” Wendy replies in a purr.
After Jay hangs up the telephone he laughs, wondering how he would react to her flirtatious ways if they had met under different circumstances. Under different circumstance I would definitely pursue her vigorously, he thinks, then stops himself, remembering thi
s circumstance doesn’t allow any room for such a fantasy.
He picks up the telephone and calls Steve. “We have an interview scheduled in the Boise office with Wendy Stevens at seven thirty next Friday evening. My staff has booked you a flight leaving San Francisco International at one fifty-eight and landing in Boise at four forty-two on United Airlines. We will have time to grab dinner and strategize before the interview in order to determine our best approach. We have got to handle this carefully. Otherwise, as smart as she is, we may not get another chance.”
“I agree. Why don’t we both give it some consideration before dinner Friday? Do I need to make hotel accommodations or do I have a late flight out of Boise the same evening?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot, we have a cheap hotel by the airport for you since we booked an early morning flight out. I didn’t want to have to rush the interview in order to get you to the airport.”
“Perfect. All I need is a bed to sleep in and a shuttle to the airport.”
“Both have been arranged. I’ll see you next Friday in Boise and I’ll even buy you dinner.”
“Works for me, Jay,” and they end the call.
Steve calls Lindsay at her office and offers to buy her dinner. She readily accepts, and agrees to meet Steve at his apartment at six.
“So where are you taking me for dinner and what should I wear?” Lindsay asks.
“What you have on now should be fine, and I was thinking Italian in North Beach. Oh, and if you’re going to stop by your place before you head over to mine, grab an overnight bag.”
“I like the way this is sounding. What’s the occasion?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see,” Steve taunts.
“Oh, you know how I hate it when you tease me like this!”
“As opposed to the way you tease me?” he fires back.
“Okay point taken. I’ll see you at your place at six.”
Steve makes dinner reservations for two at seven o’clock at a quaint Italian restaurant he recently read about on Columbus Avenue, then returns to more mundane matters like filling out a travel reimbursement and miscellaneous expense reports, and putting a complete case file together on Wendy Stevens. He makes sure to upload it to Jay Mather before heading home to meet Lindsay.
Unrestrained Behavior: The Pleasure and Risk of Choice (The 'Un'missable Series Book 3) Page 22