Alive After Friday (Sandy Reid Mystery Series)

by Rod Hoisington

  “We’re holding you until we see what the victim in the hospital says about you.”

  “He’s not the victim, damn it. I am.” Like talking to a wall. “Do you know Detective Harold Dominic with the West Palm police? He’s a personal friend. I want you to call him.”

  “Dominic is city. You’re arrested in the county, so you’re dealing with the sheriff.”

  “I know that but he’ll vouch for me.”

  “The vouching can wait until morning. You’re here at least overnight.”

  “What! You’ve no grounds to keep me overnight. What on earth can you charge me with? I didn’t touch that gun, except to kick it away from her. Even if I were a willing participant, sex isn’t illegal in this county is it?”

  “Don’t need any charge to keep you overnight. An ASA will decide what to do with you in the morning. I checked out your story about being a lawyer up in Park Beach. I phoned the police chief up there.” The sergeant looked at his notes. “Chief Stabler. He knows you. Said you’ve been known to make trouble. He was a little surprised when I mentioned the group sex.”

  “You told him I was arrested for group sex? Oh, thanks a lot. That means the entire city police force up there knows and soon the sheriff’s department.”

  “Don’t know about Park Beach, but that charge would make you popular around here. He wanted to know all the details. Said he wouldn’t put anything past you.”

  “What possible cause could there be to lock me up overnight?”

  “The ASA will sort it out in the morning.”

  “What’s to sort out? The sexpot and her perpetually erected boyfriend pulled a gun on me so they both could rape me.”

  “I suppose that’s one way of looking at it.”

  “That’s the way the law looks at it. Did you explain all that to your ASA?”

  “Been busy.” The cop screwed up his face. “Haven’t talked to him yet.”

  “You haven’t talked to him? Geez Louise. You’re holding me overnight, without a charge, without talking to an ASA?”

  “Well, I spoke to him, and he said to tell him about in the morning. Hey, look, I’m not the one prancing around bare-assed and shooting off guns.”

  “Running around naked in Florida isn’t even a crime. And I wasn’t naked and didn’t shoot off any gun.” She thought it a hell of a way to run a sheriff’s department, but attacking the guy would do no good. “Look, Sarge, I’ll come back in the morning with my attorney. Okay?”

  The sergeant shook his head and took her by the arm.

  “Let me make a phone call.” Martin would be the one to call.

  “Sure, but you’ve been booked, so you’re in for the night.” And then with a smirk, “Take my advice. Next time, why don’t you just put on a French Maid or Cheerleader outfit to do your sex thing? Leave the gunplay out of it.”

  Chapter Forty-one

  The next morning when Sandy came out through the last locked door at the sheriff’s detention center, she saw Martin and Mel waiting. She’d been miserable overnight in the jail cell with a chatty cellmate who unceasingly related her life’s story between interludes of sleeping off her drunk. Jail had happened once before to Sandy under much more uncertain circumstances. This time, at least, she didn’t have to trade her clothes for an orange jumpsuit and knew she’d be released in the morning.

  “How great to see two of my favorite people. We’ll skip the hugs until I get a shower,” she said. “Mel, what are you doing here?”

  “Just got here. Martin called and I drove down.”

  Martin said. “I thought maybe he knew a judge or someone who could get you out faster. I tried to reach you earlier last night. I didn’t know you were in jail until you phoned later.”

  She held up the phone. “Just got it back, along with my handbag. I know you’ve been worried.” She eagerly related her incredible Brad and Doreen story to the pair of sympathetic listeners; she ended by saying, “—anyway, Doreen would never jump into bed with just any couple who asks her. And Brad’s sex drive should be kept on leash.”

  “Unbelievable experience,” Mel said, “and that wild bullet could easily have hit you.”

  “I want to learn more about that terrifying episode, but my questions have to wait,” Martin interrupted. “I’ve good news and bad news.” He wasn’t smiling. “The good news is very good. I found out Gail hasn’t closed on that condo.”

  “You’re kidding! But she was already living there.”

  “One would assume that since she’s living in it that she owns it. I never thought of the possibility she was renting until the closing. Here’s what she said,” Martin explained. “Initially, they’d thought about closing in ninety days. Then Gail mentioned she’d be paying cash. Well, the seller loved hearing that, and they agreed to close as soon as both sides were ready. And part of the deal was they let her move in immediately and rent the place until closing.”

  Sandy said, “All along, I figured a big hunk of our money had already gone to the seller. I was hoping we’d recover what was left and sue her later for the balance. Halleluiah, if she hasn’t closed yet, then she still has all the money—or most of it.”

  Martin screwed up his face. “Maybe you should sit down before I tell you this...the closing is tomorrow afternoon at three.”

  “Geez, you mean we have twenty-four hours to find the cash?”

  Mel frowned. “I hate playing devil’s advocate. Gail might still have most of the cash for the condo purchase, but you don’t know if that money is yours.”

  “Then where’d she get all that cash?” Martin asked, “She admitted last night that there was no lawsuit with her ex-husband’s family.”

  “We believe she was aware of Boyd getting some money, went after it and probably shot him,” Sandy said. “No, let’s assume that money is ours and go for it.”

  “Last night, when she mentioned she was buying the condo with cash,” Martin continued, “I told her she couldn’t just put a stack of money on the table at closing. She laughed and said she knew that. She knew she had to take the cash to the bank and get a bank check.”

  Sandy’s eyes widened. “She actually said that? Like she hadn’t yet been to the bank as of last night?”

  “Yes, and my jaw dropped. I suggested that she let me help her. I would help her carry the money to the bank and go to the closing with her, as well.”

  “Martin, you’re a genius.”

  “Except she didn’t go for it.”

  “Then we must watch her every minute between now and tomorrow at three. She isn’t carrying all that money around with her. At some point, possibly tomorrow morning, she’ll get that money from wherever she’s hiding it and take it to the bank.”

  “I’ve been in her apartment and would have loved to search the place, but I never got the chance. Anyway, I don’t believe the money is in her apartment. She didn’t seem nervous about leaving me alone in the place while she left for the bathroom, for example.”

  “Something else didn’t work out,” Mel looked sour. “I phoned agent Hastings last night and asked if the FBI could intercept Gail at the bank or at the closing and take possession of the money until we straightened out everything.”

  “Great idea,” she said.

  “Martin’s idea. But Hastings phoned me this morning. It’s a no go. Said he didn’t realize you were in West Palm and has never heard of any Gail Holman. Said he can’t take it to his superiors. He was very upset with you, by the way.”

  “Geez, maybe I should have been working with him all along.”

  “I don’t think so, Sandy. We wouldn’t have been this far along. Between Agent Hastings and Detective Dominic, we’d been left sitting on the curb. And the FBI might not have agreed to confiscate her money anyway,” Martin said. “I looked up the listing real estate broker and phoned their attorney. I explained that stolen money was going to be used at the closing tomorrow. I asked for a delay. He was sympathetic but could do nothing without proof. As of right now, we c
an offer no proof that she’ll be using stolen money.”

  Mel spoke up, “Once the closing takes place it’ll take ten years of lawsuits to either get that money back, or get that condo out of her hands.”

  “In any case, time is running out. Let’s get going.” She checked her watch. “Martin will you run over to the Gardens Mall and be certain Gail is at work this morning? If she’s there then she probably didn’t have time to take that cash to the bank this morning. We’ll start following her this afternoon when she gets off work. We need to stick to her like bugs on a Florida windshield.”

  As they were leaving through the lobby, Martin asked, “What about the real Mrs. Powell? Anything about her?”

  “I don’t actually know,” she answered. “Someone said she was at the hospital last night. Probably yanking out Brad’s life support tubes, or at least checking to be certain he’s adequately suffering from his injuries. I know Gail Holman was seeing Brad at one time. Doreen told me they pulled the same game on Gail and she went along with it. Apparently, trying to get in touch with her inner whore.”

  “I hate to tell you,” Mel said, “Chief Stabler knows about this.”

  “Yeah, the sergeant told me. Stabler and his cronies will have some fun with it. News at eleven.”

  “Prepare yourself for some fascinating party invitations,” Mel said.

  “Okay, guys enough. I’m off to the Gardens Mall, I’ll phone you later.” Martin turned and left.

  “How is the investigation going up in Park Beach?” she asked.

  “That skinny kid you scuffled with in the Lagoon Park parking lot started cooperating. He admitted he found the new bike by the dead body at the park maintenance building and stole it. He was a minor they gave him a warning. They found Boyd’s prints on the bike, but nothing else usable.”

  “Meaning, that’s how Boyd got to the scene and why his vehicle was found in a beachside parking lot.”

  “The FBI hasn’t reported any activity to us lately. They’re still upset because they weren’t called in before you dropped the money. I’m not convinced they’re taking it too seriously. Meanwhile, I’ve kept our people busy putting together our case of prosecuting the hood responsible for Chip’s death. I’m asking for the death penalty.”

  “I’m not certain about the death penalty, just so he never gets out,” she said. “Are you in a hurry to get back?’

  Mel shook his head.

  “I have to get rolling. Will you take me to get my car? And if Brad happens to be there, I’ve something to say to him as well. We can talk on the way. I hope we don’t see anyone, I slept in these clothes. I’m worried about my car as well.”

  “Where’d you leave it?”

  “At a used car lot on Old Dixie Highway.”

  “Forget it. It’s been stripped down to the bare axels by now.”

  “Don’t even think that. But if there’s one scratch, I’m handing the bill to Brad Powell. I want you nearby when I talk with him and pick up my car. I don’t want any nonsense. A bandaged body full of hurt isn’t going to keep him from getting aroused. To hear Doreen talk about it, when he dies they’re going to have to beat his erection to death with a stick.”

  Chapter Forty-two

  Morning traffic had lessened on I-95 and a half-hour later, Mel pulled onto the lot of Brad’s Premium Cars. Sandy expected the worst and closed her eyes as they drove around to the back of the office building. However, her Miata MX5 was resting there untouched beside Brad’s Mercedes SLV.

  As they got out of their car, she was surprised to see Brad come out the rear office door. His shoulder was bandaged and his left arm in a sling. “I wanted to call you. I need to apologize.”

  “No shit.”

  “Come on inside. I need to explain something to you.”

  “Isn’t this where you smack your forehead with an ice cream cone?”

  “Okay, so it was a dumb idea, but you deserve to know something. It’s about—” He glanced at Mel. “Your friend can’t hear what I’ve to say. He stays outside.”

  “That’s absurd.” Mel said. “She’s not going in there alone with a sex offender.”

  “I’m not a sex offender. Where’d you get that? Offenders hurt women, I love them.”

  “And several at a time,” Sandy added. “Well, if not an offender, you’re certainly are a liar and a cheat.”

  “Well yeah, a liar and a cheat.” He held the door for her.

  Over her shoulder, she said, “Relax, Mel. I’ll be fine. Just some unfinished business.”

  Brad followed her in and closed the door.

  “I misjudged you. I was thinking, since you ran around with Gail, you were comfortable with her style and almost certainly had already knocked off a few hugs and giggles with her. You know, you did tell me you were close to her. You were giving off signals. You deny that?”

  “It was necessary to mislead you because I was carrying out a murder investigation. You were misleading me because you hadn’t had sex since noon.”

  He offered her a chair and leaned against his desk in front her. “I didn’t believe for a second your story about Gail owing you money. I thought that was just a pretense to get a look at me and get invited into the game. I was surprised when you left without accepting. Then when you phoned back later, I knew the game was on. What else was I supposed to think?”

  “You’re giving me an excuse, not an apology.” She stood slowly shaking her head. Some salesman, for an instant he had her thinking it was her own fault. “You are a first-class creep for pulling that stunt.”

  “Believe me, I’d never pull such a stunt on an innocent woman.”

  “Who am I, Shady Sadie?”

  “You didn’t sound innocent. Just the opposite, you sounded really with it. I sensed you were teasing me, playing hard to get to keep me interested so you could get what information you wanted from me. Sounds predatory to me. How is that different from someone on the make? So, which of us is the first-class creep?”

  He was correct about her not sounding innocent. She’d pretended to be someone else, which was always risky. She wasn’t going to explain about all that. “Even if I did mislead you, it doesn’t justify what you put me through. I didn’t appreciate having a deadly weapon pointed at me.”

  “It’s a bit oversized perhaps, but I wouldn’t call it deadly.”

  “I was talking about the gun, Casanova.”

  “Oh, of course.” He leaned toward her. “I do apologize. I’m so sorry about the entire episode and want to thank you for saving my life.”

  “I didn’t save your life. But the emergency responders probably did.”

  “No, you did. They told me at the hospital, if I’d lost another half-pint of blood, I’d be dead. I didn’t have enough blood left in me to keep a chicken alive. They said your fast thinking stopped the blood flow and saved my life. I’d have just bled out. So great the way you rolled me over and tried to plug up the wound.”

  “I’d have done the same thing for someone I liked.” She looked over at the wooden floor. Large bloodstains were still there. She remembered washing the blood off her hands last night. She examined them again. She still had a trace of blood under one fingernail.

  Then she had another thought and her face suddenly felt warm. “Wait, how did you know I rolled you over?” She stopped in mid-sentence. Blood was rushing to her head. She looked up around the ceiling and up and down the walls. Then stared fiercely at him. “You had a video running, didn’t you?”

  “No, absolutely not. Doreen must have told me you rolled me over. That’s not my thing. I don’t need to live vicariously. Other guys talk it, I live it.”

  She wouldn’t put it past him but it made no difference. She had remained fully clothed and had done nothing except bring it all to a halt. “If any of that ends up on the Internet, your life will be toast.”

  “I heard you were involved in a murder investigation. That gives me a problem. My wife has been screaming about this and really tore into
me. This morning she told me, if my name got in the papers over this, she was going to cut me off.”

  “Good idea, I’ll hand her the knife.”

  She said I shouldn’t get involved in your murder case in any possible way. I don’t know anything about Gail’s money anyway.”

  “I believe you do.”

  “I hinted that I knew something to lure you back here. I’m sorry I can’t help you. I’m truly embarrassed about the entire matter.”

  “It didn’t embarrass you to tell the sheriff’s department that I cooperated in the threesome.”

  “Oh that. Some police sergeant told me, if I said you volunteered, they couldn’t charge me with attempted rape. I know you wouldn’t want me charged with that, now would you?”

  “You don’t get it, do you? Playtime is over Brad. I not only want you facing charges, I intend to instigate criminal proceedings immediately myself, and see that you and Doreen are prosecuted. You two conspired in this. When the gun came out, it was assault. When you threatened me, it was assault. When you ordered me at gunpoint to strip, it was attempted rape. When you refused to let me leave, it was kidnapping. And there’s another charge I’ll remember in a minute.”

  “Sounds awful except you volunteered, honey. You just couldn’t believe I had the goodie Gail told you about. So you came around yesterday afternoon checking me out and lying about how you ran with her. Try denying all that under oath. You can deny being hot to trot, but then you’d still need to explain why you came back again last night. Doreen will back me up and it’ll be one of those ‘we said-you said’ deals.”

  “No, Doreen will cooperate in your prosecution to keep that cute tushie of hers out of jail. You have zero chance to prove I consented. I’ve been working this case with Detective Dominic, West Palm Beach police. He’ll testify I told him I was coming here last night. He checked before I came to see if you had any priors. There’s no question why I showed up. I hope your wife has lots of money because you’re going to need it to stay out of prison.”