by Rayna Morgan
Toby took his time responding. “I’ll address your question in generic terms without admitting collusion.”
Warren waved impatiently. “Yes, yes. We take note of your disclaimer. Now, proceed.”
“Dealers may sell counterfeit coins containing only a fraction of gold or silver content. Or take buyers’ money without delivering the coins, assuring clients their purchases are held safely in their vault.”
“That was your ploy in handling my copper penny. After selling the original, you substituted a coin of lesser value.” Warren’s voice became louder. “Much less value.”
Toby glanced at Maddy. “Don’t take it personally. It had nothing to do with you.”
Warren was fed up with Toby’s cavalier attitude.
“The coin isn’t the only thing of no value you’ve given us. There’s more to this than you admit, and you haven’t revealed the person in charge.”
Warren pivoted on his heel and headed for the exit.
“C’mon, Maddy. We’ll turn over the information we have to my friend at the Commission.”
“Wait!” Toby ran to stop them. “I’ll tell if you promise to help me with the authorities.”
Warren crossed his fingers behind his back. “I’ll do what I can.”
For the next several minutes, they listened to the rest of Toby’s story.
PART TWO
MURDER INVESTIGATION
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
An hour after viewing the security tapes the morning following the murder, Tom seated himself in the conference room of the Conley Austin Detective Agency.
“There’s something I want you to see.”
He inserted a flash drive in a computer on the table and rotated the screen in their direction.
They watched with growing concern as scenes unfolded at the storage facility where Toby’s body had been found.
The first sequence showed the exterior of Building D where a familiar car parked behind a sleek black sports car. The people who emerged from the vehicles were clearly identifiable.
Toby escorted Warren and Maddy into the building where an interior camera showed them enter unit six.
A short time later, the three retraced their steps to the parking area. After several moments of conversation, Maddy got into Toby’s car and both vehicles exited the lot.
Maddy squirmed, but made no attempt to explain.
Tom advanced to a place on the tape stamped ten minutes after five the following day. The same sports car parked in front of Building D. Toby got out and disappeared inside.
The next picture showed Maddy’s car move slowly past the building. She got out, ran down the alley, and hid behind a dumpster. She was wearing a safari jacket, dark glasses, and a baseball cap.
Maddy groaned and slouched in her chair.
Tom glanced her way, but quickly returned his attention to the screen.
The camera showed Toby emerge from the building carrying a velvet case and drive away.
A moment later, Maddy entered the building. She stood in front of unit six randomly tapping the keypad, but the door failed to open.
She turned and walked toward the exit.
With a startled look at the camera, she pulled the baseball cap down and hurried out.
“I can explain,” Maddy said, meekly.
Tom held up a finger. “There’s more.”
The next shot, bearing a time stamp the morning of the murder, showed Warren and Maddy follow Toby into the storage room.
Moments later, a visibly shaken Toby emerged and got in his car. In contrast, an elated Warren and Maddy gave each other a high five before entering their vehicle and driving away.
“In case you’re wondering, the original tape is on file at the police department marked as evidence in the Toby Turner homicide investigation.”
“We were shocked to hear of Toby’s murder,” Maddy exclaimed. “The police can’t consider us suspects.”
“No, but you’re considered to be persons of interest in the case. The tape clearly marks you as two of the last people to see the victim alive. You’re lucky I didn’t summon you to headquarters for this interview.”
“We appreciate you coming here to talk with us, Tom,” Warren acknowledged. “It wouldn’t be good for public relations if the police carried us off in handcuffs.”
“When the chief learns of your involvement, he’ll yank me off this case faster than you can blink. You better come up with a good explanation, or it won’t be me you end up dealing with.”
“Don’t worry. You have our full cooperation.” He turned to his daughters for confirmation. “Right, girls?”
“Absolutely,” Lea exclaimed.
When Maddy failed to respond, Tom looked at her. “Maddy?”
Without meeting his eyes, she murmured assent.
He turned back to Warren. “You can begin by explaining your dealings with Toby Turner.”
Lea and Warren apprised him of the scam involving Marge Winston and Toby’s sale of the coin placed in his hands for safekeeping. Maddy described her surveillance of Toby which resulted in her being caught on camera. They finished by describing their final visit to the storage room.
At the conclusion, Tom stared at Warren in disbelief. “What were you thinking expecting Toby would lead you to the mastermind behind the investment scam?”
He waved a hand in front of the sisters. “I could understand these two being involved in a hare-brained scheme like that, but you know better. You should have turned the whole matter over to the Commission.”
Warren bristled at the suggestion. “You know as well as I do how long it takes government agencies to accomplish things. I advised Marge to inform the Commission with the hope they can restore a portion of her loss. In the meantime, I went after proof the Commission needs to shut down Integrity.”
Tom towered over the table, glaring. “I know you, Warren. Always looking at the bigger picture. Tell me what you were really after.”
Warren spoke in a careful, unhurried manner. “I felt from the beginning there was more behind the scam than we were seeing. Perhaps, an ulterior use for the money.”
Tom resumed his seat. His anger shifted slowly to comprehension.
“I get it! You suspect the gold and silver operation is used to launder money.”
“It’s a common subterfuge for that kind of business,” Warren said.
“Why didn’t you bring this to me earlier?” Tom asked, his anger rekindled. “Your actions may have resulted in someone being killed.”
Warren met anger with anger. “Don’t blame me or my daughters for Toby’s death. You have no idea of the motive. We don’t know whether the scam had anything to do with his murder.”
Tom spread his arms. “Who else would you consider to be suspects?”
Before Warren had time to respond, Pat Fisher burst in.
“Sorry I’m late, boss. I just got your message to meet you here for this interview.”
Scanning the room, her eyes landed on Lea and Lea shook her head. Tom took note of the nonverbal communication.
As Pat backed away, he motioned her to take a seat. “Come in, detective. I have a feeling you have something to add.”
In the absence of an empty chair, Pat leaned against the wall.
No one spoke for several moments.
“If you want my help, you better come clean before the captain kicks me off this case,” Tom warned them.
Pat nodded at the sisters. “I’m sure my situation has no bearing on this investigation, but you have permission to disclose the details.”
Lea and Maddy took turns filling Tom in on Pat’s stalker and the steps they had taken to learn the person’s identity.
Tom’s interest peaked when he heard about Ronnie’s gambling and the neighbor’s identification of Mickey Flynn. “Sounds like your old nemesis has resurfaced, Pat. Maybe we’ll have another chance to get that guy behind bars.”
Warren looked across the desk. “Would it help to know he’
s the mastermind behind the gold and silver business?”
Tom’s excitement rose to fever pitch. “Mickey Flynn is the name you got from Toby?”
Warren nodded. “If Mickey found out Toby cheated him on the sale of the copper penny or if Toby threatened to reveal the money laundering, Mickey’s a candidate for Toby’s murder.”
He paused and looked around the room. “Has it occurred to anyone besides me that we’re dealing with separate cases, but we’re all after the same man?”
Pat held up a hand. “Hold on. I agree Mickey had motives, but he’s not the only one acting suspiciously. Lea, tell them what you saw when you followed Cranston.”
After Lea’s recitation, Tom whistled. “It’s hard to believe Cranston is involved with that scumbag, considering Mickey’s a fugitive from the law.”
“I’m not so sure, boss,” Pat said. “When Cranston confronted me in the hall, he mentioned settling a debt. I was afraid he was referring to me, but he may owe money at the club.”
“It doesn’t prove he knows Mickey. Still, a possible connection between Cranston and Mickey bears looking into.” Tom threw up his hands. “There’s no shortage of suspects in this case.”
“Don’t forget anyone who was fleeced by Toby as badly as Marge,” Warren added. “Revenge is a common reason for murder.”
Tom issued a warning. “If the chief assigns this case to someone else, you and Maddy will be added to the growing list of suspects.”
“You must be kidding!” Maddy sputtered.
“Not at all. With regard to the coin, you were victims of Toby’s cheating. I know you aren’t capable of such an act, but a disinterested third party won’t see things as I do.”
“In that case, we should do everything we can to find the guilty party before our reputation is muddied,” Warren said.
Tom rolled his eyes. “That wasn’t what I was suggesting, but I know better than to expect you to stay clear. At least take my advice to be careful.”
“I’ll get right on it,” Warren said as he hurriedly left the room.
Tom handed the flash drive to Pat. “Take this back to the station. I’ll see you there.”
He faced the two remaining people in the room.
“In case you’re interested, the safe was empty.” He heard Maddy gasp. “Yeah. Someone cleaned it out. Supposedly, Toby’s murderer.”
“You know what that means,” Maddy whispered to Lea. “The coin collection is gone.”
Lea groaned. “You better tell Dad.”
“Why me?”
“I told him the last time we got in trouble.”
Hearing the argument, Tom pulled a quarter from his pocket. “Which of you wants heads?”
After losing the coin toss, Lea went to deliver the bad news to their father.
Maddy brushed past Tom on her way out.
He grabbed her arm and twirled her to face him. “This may be your idea of respecting boundaries, but it’s my idea of keeping secrets.”
She froze. “You said you understood.”
“You sometimes require more understanding than I’m capable of.”
He turned and stomped out the door.
• • •
Warren took the news better than Lea expected.
“Aren’t you worried about losing the Commission’s coins, Dad?”
“Don didn’t let me take the collection before insuring against such contingencies. He and I know things go sideways in operations like this. I never thought I’d end up in the middle of a murder, but we anticipated losing the coins somewhere along the way. That’s why I made sure you got the copper penny away from Toby as soon as possible. It’s the only coin of value. The rest are fakes.”
“Weren’t you concerned Toby would discover the substitutions?”
“He wouldn’t have known until such time as I instructed him to sell.”
“What a relief! I was afraid we were in hot water with the Commission.”
“I hope this demonstrates why I preach to you and your sister about the importance of adequate preparation.”
“Believe me, my eyes have been opened to the hazards of flying by the seat of our pants. What’s our next move?”
“Maddy and I will go to Integrity to hear their plans to deal with Toby’s absence. They’ll probably lean over backwards to assure us the police will recover my collection. But the company is vulnerable now which provides an opportunity to learn more about them.”
“What can I do?”
“If Mary didn’t send the threats to Pat, we need to know who did.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
When Warren and Maddy arrived at Integrity, an emotionally shaken receptionist pointed toward the owner’s office.
“Go on back.” She sniffled. “Mr. Swanson is waiting for you.”
The owner introduced himself before pointing to a tall, thin woman leaning against a filing cabinet.
“This is my daughter, Danielle.”
The woman appeared to be in her late twenties. She was dressed in a black leather skirt, a blouse with purple roses, black leggings and stiletto heels. Gray eye makeup and dark lipstick completed her Gothic look.
“Danielle, meet Mr. Conley. He’s one of our new clients.”
She did little more than nod as her painted nails flew over the keyboard of her phone.
Ignoring his daughter’s lack of manners, Ed continued. “I’m sorry we’re meeting at such a terrible time. We’re all in shock. You never think it will happen to someone you know.”
He paused for an appropriate length of time.
“But things must go on. I’m confident the police will recover your coins. In the meantime, I’ve put your account in the hands of our best broker.”
He moved around his desk and grabbed Maddy’s arm. As he steered the clients out of his office, he chuckled.
“Second best broker, according to Toby. In Toby’s mind, he was always the best. The numbers usually bore him out, but not always. Rest assured, Phil is as good as Toby or better.”
As they walked past Toby’s desk, Warren noticed personal items had not yet been removed.
A man with a receding hairline and slightly sagging jowls stood to greet them. Of average height and slim build, his nondescript appearance made one think he should be accounting for investments rather than making them.
“Phil, I told you about the Conleys,” Ed said. “I let them know you’re taking over their account.”
He looked at Warren. “If you’ll excuse me, I have things to take care of. I’ll leave you in Phil’s capable hands.”
With those few words, he and Danielle beat a hasty retreat.
• • •
Phil handed Warren a business card and moved two chairs in front of his desk.
“Please, have a seat.”
As Phil resumed his place, Warren jotted a note on the back of the card and dropped it in Maddy’s lap.
She read it quickly and nodded.
“What’s your story, Phil?” Warren asked. “Been in the gold and silver game for long?”
Phil gave a brief personal background before starting on a history of the company.
Maddy interrupted, pointing toward the coffee urn in the back. “Mind if I get coffee?”
“Of course. Forgive my lack of manners.” Sweat glistened on Phil’s forehead. “News of Toby’s death has rattled us all.”
Warren expressed sympathy. “I understand. Maddy will get coffee while you and I discuss where we go from here.”
Phil turned to papers on his desk, relieved to get down to business.
Maddy went to the counter where she filled a cup and added two packets of sweetener. She returned to Phil’s desk and placed the coffee in front of her father.
The men were heavily involved in a discussion of gold prices. As Phil pointed to pie-shaped charts on his computer, Maddy moved across the aisle.
At one end of Toby’s desk was a stack of manila folders.
Beside the desk phone was a
calendar open to the previous day. A shiver ran up Maddy’s spine when she saw Toby’s first entry.
Client called. Needs copper penny.
Beneath it was scribbled, Let M know?
And a final entry for the day.
7:00 Storage facility.
“Is there something you need?”
Phil’s cutting tone made Maddy jump. She spun around in time to see her father’s eyes roll. Flustered, she bit her lower lip.
“It’s terribly rude of me. Strike it up to a morbid sense of curiosity.” Her eyes hovered over the desk. “I was looking for pictures of Toby’s family.”
“Toby wasn’t married.” Phil looked thoughtful. “I suppose that’s a blessing, considering what’s happened.”
Maddy moved back to Phil’s desk. “That doesn’t surprise me. He was a flirt, scarcely the type to settle down.”
Phil relaxed enough to laugh. “Toby considered himself God’s gift to the fairer sex. I’m not speaking ill of the dead. He took pride in his attractiveness to women. Said it served him well in business.”
“No steady girlfriend?” Warren asked.
“Toby was careful not to get involved. He didn’t want distractions to keep him from the future he mapped out for himself. He was very focused that way.”
“A person can’t always control when they fall in love,” Maddy quipped.
“Toby could. If he thought a woman was getting too serious, he backed away.” He stroked his chin. “The only time I saw him waver was with the owner’s daughter.”
“Danielle?”
Phil nodded. “They were an item for nearly a year. I was beginning to think Toby met his match.”
“What happened?”
“He cheated on her. Some women forgive a man’s wandering eye, but not Danielle.”
“She ended the relationship?”
“For all appearances, yes. Personally, I felt Toby intentionally sabotaged their relationship. He had things in mind other than a wife and family. Besides, it went against his grain to be involved with the boss’ daughter.”
“Did Danielle survive the breakup well?” Maddy asked.
“It’s hard to tell with her. She doesn’t show much emotion. The split occurred a month or so ago. I haven’t seen her with another man, but I hardly pay attention to those things.”