DEAD ON ARRIVAL: Angie Bartoni Case File # 14 (Angie Bartoni Case Files)

by Marshall Huffman

  “Oh no, not really. Actually we are pretty sure that you are the real murderer. You had the strength to kill Meyers. You were with Megan at the banquet as her ‘sister’ from Ohio.”

  “You can’t prove any of that.”

  “Actually we can prove more than you realize. The paint on your car matches the paint on King’s Corvette. You will be charged with attempted murder of police officers, namely Dan and I, as well. The list of charges against you are going to land you in jail for years and years,” I told her.

  “You only think you know what this is all about.”

  “We know alright.”

  “You stupid bitc…”

  “Shut up. Shut your mouth right now or I will accidently sit on your leg,” I warned her.

  “You cops. So smart. And Megan. Poor dumb Megan. She actually thought I was in love with her. How pathetic,” Lisa said.

  “What? Lisa. What are you saying? I love you.”

  “Yeah, like I care. This wasn’t for you. I just did what I had to do to get the alpha material. You were the only one that I could get to go along with my plan. You were going to be the big CEO. You dumb twit, they would have never have made you CEO. You’re not smart enough or strong enough,” she said hatefully.

  Tears were running down Megan’s face and she was starting to sob again.

  “Yeah, go ahead and cry. That’s what you do best,” Lisa said.

  “You are the one who talked me into this. You said you would help me become the Chief Executive Officer. I believed you,” Megan wailed.

  “You poor dumb kid, this wasn’t for you. It never was.”

  “So who was it for?”

  “That is none of your business,” she said.

  “It’s okay. We already know. We have people on the way to arrest Pike as we speak.”

  “What?”

  “Did you think we couldn’t figure it out? The dumbest thing you did was not get the job done on King. He was able to recognize you and give a description of the car you were driving. How do you think we knew to come to Megan’s house?” I asked.

  “He is alive? That stupid King is still alive?” she said getting worked up.

  “Yep. You and Pike are so cooked.”

  “How did you know I was helping Pike instead of Megan?” she asked.

  “I didn’t until just now,” I said smiling.

  I took out my cell phone and dialed.

  “You can go ahead and arrest him. I just got confirmation.”

  “What? You…you…”

  “Easy Lisa or I’ll break your other leg. You do not want to test that theory,” I warned her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Sometimes things just end well. Pike tried to lay the blame on Lisa. She of course said it was all his idea. Poor Megan was a dupe but she still participated by getting the original Alpha material to start this whole sordid affair.

  Of course Pike was the real brains behind the whole thing. It turns out Lisa actually was in love with Pike and he used her willingness to seduce Megan to further his chances of becoming the CEO. It didn’t bother Lisa going both ways.

  When you get right down to it, it was a case of greed and ambition. I am always amazed at what people are willing to do to get ahead. They will turn on their friends, lie and at times, even kill.

  It took us two more days just to sort through our notes and make a full report. I was more than happy to turn the whole thing over to the DA’s office. They could sort it out. All I cared about was that it was off the Big Board and we were caught up with all our paper work. Of course we would have to testify at the trial but that would be a long time from now.

  By Thursday the captain was still not back and I was really worried. I know that Baker said it was not my job to stick my nose into his affairs but I care about him and I was starting to have a very bad feeling. Finally I decided to go to his house.

  Kayla answered the door and was obviously surprised to see me standing there.

  “Detective Bartoni, I wasn’t expecting anyone.”

  “I know Mrs. McGregor but to tell the truth, I am worried about the captain.”

  “I see.”

  “Is everything all right with him?”

  “Detective Bartoni…”

  “Angie, please.”

  “Alright. Angie, Dennis is just fine. He is trying to make a hard decision at the moment and he has really struggled with it. There is nothing physically wrong with him.”

  “That’s great.”

  “And no, there is nothing wrong with our marriage or the girls.”

  “I wasn’t going to ask,” I stammered.

  “No, I realize that but I also know that you were curious about both of those things,” she said.

  “Holy smokes, you are as good as the captain,” I said trying not to laugh.

  “The apple never falls far from the tree. Dennis has gone to the cabin to work out his options. It is what he does when he has a difficult decision. It’s his man cave, so to speak.”

  “Alright. I’m sorry to have taken up your time. I let my imagination get the best of me at times.”

  “And that is why you’re the best detective on the force. I know the captain thinks very highly of you Angie. He has told me many times what an asset you are to the force,” she said.

  I could feel my face getting red.

  “No need to blush Angie. I know it’s true. You make his job easier and for that I am grateful as well,” she said extending her hand.

  I shook it and then walked back to my car. I hadn’t asked what the big decision was but it wasn’t my place to ask. I doubt she would have told me anyway.

  When I got back to my place Garrett was sitting on the porch with a bouquet of flowers. Angie, you are in such big trouble. Oh the hell with it, in for a penny, in for a pound. I ran up to him and kissed him long and hard. It seemed right to see him here.

  - CASE FILE CLOSED -

  Marshall W. Huffman did not begin writing until after he retired from teaching. He decided to start with a trilogy based on a cataclysmic event. Marshall’s first trilogy is THE EVENT and consists of THE END, THE BEGINNING, and THE REVELATION. With THE EVENTS success he decided to write a second trilogy that is a frightening look at the events that could lead to THE SECOND CIVIL WAR. It is made up of: Book I – A NATION DIVIDED; BOOK II – A NATION AT WAR; BOOK III – A NATION HEALING.

  Marshall was born in Bainbridge, Georgia and grew up in Indiana. After spending eight years in the Navy, he attended Ball State University, earning a B.S. degree in Business.

  During and after college, he was involved in the restaurant business and spent the next twenty-five years in all types of venues, eventually owing his own fine dining restaurant. After years of long hours, he decided on a career change. He attended Eastern Illinois University earning a MBA. Because of his business background, Eastern Illinois University asked him to teach in the hospitality management program. He was recruited from Eastern to Parkland College and soon took over as the Program Director for the Hospitality Program. During his tenure there, he became a chef and had a television show called Cooking around the World with Chef Marshall and taught a series of Gourmet cooking classes for Continuing Education as well.

  Professor Huffman retired from teaching along with his wife, Dr. Susan Huffman, to the Tampa Bay Florida area.

  You can find his e-books or in paperback under: MARSHALL HUFFMAN at Amazon.com.