Evil in the First House: A Starlight Detective Agency (Starlight Detective Agency Mysteries Book 3)

by Mitchell Scott Lewis

  Lowell took out his keys and opened the door to the Starlight Detective Agency. Sarah went in first and turned on the light on her desk. She was followed by Mort and Lowell.

  “Mort, would you download those pictures for me now?”

  Mort nodded emphatically. He took the digital camera from his pocket. “I can do it easier on your computer.” He started walking toward Lowell’s private office. “David, have you got a beer? I’m dying of thirst.”

  “In the fridge in my office. I’ll have one too.”

  “Sarah?”

  “Sure. I’d love a cold one. Let me check the machine for messages.”

  Lowell waved his hand. “Forget it. Do it in the morning. Let’s just relax for a few minutes. That was an exhilarating experience.”

  Sarah smiled. She liked working for Lowell. He was kind and smart, and paid her twice what she could make anywhere else. Besides, where else could she dress up and play private eye games?

  Mort entered the inner office and turned on the overhead light. “Oh my God. David, get in here!”

  Lowell and Sarah hurried through the door. Mort pointed to the safe. The Modigliani print was lying on the ground and the door of the safe was ajar. “You were robbed.”

  Sarah gasped. “The million dollars.”

  Mort turned toward her. “That’s right. It was here.”

  The redhead nodded silently. “A million dollars!” She turned to Lowell. “What are you going to do?”

  Lowell didn’t seem all that upset. He tugged on his ponytail and shrugged. “There’s nothing much I can do.”

  Sarah looked downright miserable. “What do you mean? There’s got to be something you can do.”

  Lowell sat behind his desk, leaned back in the chair, retied his ponytail and smiled a sly grin.

  Mort looked at him for a moment. “You moved it, didn’t you?”

  His smile widened.

  Sarah pushed her hair out of her face. “You did? How did you know?”

  “There’s just something so wrong about this whole affair that’s made me more guarded. There’s a nasty aspect happening in the sky right now. Uranus, the ruler of sudden events is in square to Pluto, the planet of vengeance and hidden agendas, and that square is being set off right now by the Sun and Mars. I thought it would be prudent to use some extra caution, so I took the money to the townhouse last night. The security system there is much better.”

  Sarah sank into the couch. “Well, thank God that you did.” She took off her shoes and rubbed her feet. “Now I can really use that beer. This has been one hell of a day.”

  Sarah went to the small kitchen and prepared the drinks and then sat back on the couch. She raised her chilled glass. “Here’s to a million bucks and the smartest detective in New York.”

  Mort laughed. “Here, here.” They clinked their glasses together and each took a sip. “Are you going to tell Lieutenant Roland about the break in?”

  Lowell shook his head. “I wouldn’t want to go through the hassle. There’s nothing they can do about it anyway. And we didn’t lose the money. Frankly, I would just as soon not discuss the briefcase and its contents until I see how this case works out. Have either of you mentioned it to anyone?”

  They both shook their heads.

  “Good. Let’s keep it that way.”

  Mort took a slug of beer. “I know the world’s gone crazy and things aren’t worth what they used to be. But that’s still a lot of money to me.”

  Sarah smiled strangely. “Do you know how many pairs of shoes I could buy with a million bucks?” She stared off into space imagining row after row of Steve Maddens.

  “Who do you think did it?” asked Mort.

  Lowell did not look happy. “There was only one person outside of us who knew I had it.”

  Sarah nodded. “Williamson.”

  Lowell tugged on his ponytail. “Exactly.”

  “But why would he have someone try to steal it back?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe they were really looking for the computer files Karen’s uncle sent. And maybe the million dollars was just the carrot for the jackass that he hired to do this.”

  Sarah swigged her beer. “That’s some carrot.”

  Lowell nodded.

  “Well,” said Mort, “they didn’t get it.”

  “No,” said Lowell, “they didn’t. But that may not stop them from trying again. Hopefully this will all be cleared up tomorrow. In the meantime, Mort download those pictures. I’m going to need them right away. And Sarah, get me Dr. Martin Reed. You’ll find his number in my files.”

  Chapter Forty-one

  Sarah took her beer back to her desk. A few minutes later the intercom buzzed. Lowell picked it up.

  “I’ve got Dr. Reed on line one.”

  “Martin, it’s David Lowell.”

  “David, how nice to hear from you. Nothing serious I hope.”

  “Well, that depends upon your point of view. I’m fine.”

  “Is it Melinda?”

  “No, thank God. It’s about a client. I was wondering if you could look at some pictures and tell me what’s wrong with the patient.”

  “I don’t know until I’ve seen them. What’s this about?”

  “I’d rather tell you in person. I know it’s getting late. Do you have any time today?”

  “Just a minute, let me check my schedule.”

  He put Lowell on hold. Insipid elevator music played: “You Light up My Life.” Lowell put the phone on speaker and turned it down. Of all the annoying things in society, and this was very near the top of his list.

  After a few minutes Dr. Reed returned.

  “David, are you there?”

  Lowell picked up the phone. “I’m here.”

  “Good. I thought the music might have been too much for you.”

  Lowell laughed. “I almost gave up.”

  “Terrible, isn’t it? I’ve tried to get them to remove it, but everyone in the office tells me that without it people will think we’ve hung up on them. I’m pretty much done for the day. I’ve got some paperwork to take care of and then I’m heading home. But I’ll be here for a little while. I can see you in about thirty minutes. Does that work?”

  “I’ll be there. Thank you, Martin.”

  Lowell hung up and called Andy, who was waiting downstairs with the limo when Lowell exited the building. They nodded to each other as he got into the back of the car.

  “Bellevue Hospital, Andy.”

  “Having problems, Boss?”

  “Yes, but nothing a little Prozac couldn’t clear up.”

  “Shall I wait, or are you checking in?”

  Lowell laughed.

  ***

  Andy drove up First Avenue and pulled over at the hospital entrance. Lowell got out in front of the storied building.

  “I shouldn’t be long. They’ll probably make you move. I’ll text you when I’m ready to leave.”

  He entered the hospital, took the elevator to the fourth floor, and entered Reed’s office. He walked to the receptionist’s desk.

  “David Lowell to see Dr. Reed.”

  “He’s expecting you. Go right in.”

  When Lowell entered the office Reed was sitting behind his desk looking over some x-rays. When he saw Lowell, he stood and extended his hand.

  “David, how nice to see you. You’re looking well.” He looked at Lowell’s slight paunch. “Maybe too well.” He laughed.

  They sat.

  “Ah, the good life,” said Lowell, patting his belly. “How’s Barbara?”

  “She’s great. She started teaching again at NYU Medical Center and loves it. We’re running away for a week to Barbados at the end of September. I can’t wait. I haven’t had a vacation in two years.”

  Lowell smiled knowingly.

/>   “You too?” asked Reed.

  Lowell nodded. “Closer to four years, I think.”

  “Well, it’s time you got away. When Barbara hears that I saw you, she’ll have a dozen questions. How’s Melinda? Do you get to see much of her?”

  “Actually I do, lately. In fact I’ve hired her to help out on a case. She’s doing quite well in her law career and seems to be healthy and happy.”

  “You’re lucky. If I see my kids twice a year it’s a lot. One lives in Boston and the other lives in south Jersey. But they’re always busy. Grandkids and all, you know how it is.”

  “Not really,” replied Lowell, “but I can imagine.”

  Reed nodded understandingly. “Melinda’s still single?”

  “Yeah, I keep hoping she’ll find someone.”

  “Well,” said Reed, “I’ve known her since she was about five. She always was very independent, even as a child. And a bit of a tomboy.”

  Lowell smiled at his old friend. “Yes, that’s my little girl.”

  “Little?” Reed chuckled. “She was taller than you when she was eleven.”

  Lowell laughed.

  “So,” said the doctor, “tell me, what’s this all about?”

  Lowell took the pictures from his pocket and handed them to Reed. “Can you tell me what these machines are?”

  Reed looked at the pictures for a few moments. “Where did these shots come from?”

  “A private hospital in New Jersey. Why?”

  “This boy is very sick.”

  “I know that. But what’s wrong with him? Is it his kidneys?”

  “Kidneys? No, this isn’t a dialysis machine he’s hooked up to.”

  “Then what is it?”

  He told Lowell.

  “That’s what I was afraid of,” said the detective.

  “Of course, without seeing the patient and his records,” continued Reed, “I can’t make a definitive diagnosis. But I’m pretty sure. How old is he?”

  “Fourteen.”

  “How sad. Do you know if there’s a donor?”

  A chill went through Lowell. “Yes, I believe there is. Can you tell me what the risks are?”

  “With any transplant most of the problems have to do with the body rejecting the new organ.”

  “So I’ve been told. Who would be most compatible?”

  “Family members are the best, although with any transplant, the recipient would still need to take immune suppressant drugs, probably for the rest of his or her life.”

  Lowell nodded. “How about an identical twin?”

  Dr. Reed stroked his chin and smiled. “That would be a surgeon’s dream come true. The DNA of the two is identical and the body wouldn’t reject the new organ. Most likely the patient wouldn’t even need the drugs.”

  “And if one of the twins had a rare blood type?”

  “The other would have the same blood type. There shouldn’t be any discrepancy at all.”

  Lowell sat quietly for a moment. He glanced at the many degrees and various framed awards and other accolades that adorned the office walls. His old friend was one of the most highly acclaimed surgeons in America. Lowell had gotten the confirmation he’d expected, which complicated things greatly.

  Dr. Reed sat patiently for a few moments. Finally he spoke. “Is this your client?”

  “More or less,” said the detective. “It’s one of the parents.”

  The doctor nodded knowingly. “It seems to me that you’ve got a difficult road ahead of you.”

  Lowell stood. “Goes with the territory.”

  “Yes,” said Reed. “In a way our jobs aren’t that different. People only come to us when they’re in trouble.”

  Reed got up and walked Lowell to the door. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.”

  “Thank you, Martin, you’ve been invaluable. Please give my regards to Barbara and the boys.”

  Chapter Forty-two

  When Lowell was back in the limo he made a call.

  “Melinda, I think we’ve got a much bigger problem than I realized. I need you to do some work ASAP on who has legal rights in the medical decisions of the children of estranged parents.”

  “What’s going on, Dad? What do you need specifically?”

  Lowell’s mind was racing. He had to make it in time. “Can a parent prevent a medical procedure if he or she believes it will harm their child? And what if one parent wants to do it and the other doesn’t?”

  “Okay, hold on a second.”

  He heard her buzz her intercom and talk to her legal aide. “Victor, I need all the information you can get regarding parental rights in a medical emergency. Concentrate on estranged parents who disagree on the procedure…Hold on one second.”

  She came back on the line. “Dad, I assume this is in New Jersey?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, hold again…Victor, focus on New Jersey laws.”

  “Okay, Dad, I’m back. Now what’s going on?”

  “You have the Solar Fire software installed in your office computer?”

  “Yes,” said his daughter.

  “Good. I want you to punch in two birth dates.”

  “Okay, what names go on the charts?”

  “Edward Williamson. Both of them.” He gave her the dates and times, and then he waited. He could hear her fingers clicking on the keyboard.

  After a minute or so she said “I’ve got them both here. One is the birth information of the boy we looked at last week. What’s the other one?”

  “The other is the boy’s real birth information.”

  “You mean Williamson lied to you? Why would he do that?”

  “Melinda, do you remember the diagnosis we made for Edward?”

  “Of course. He has advanced kidney disease.”

  “And you remember how we made that diagnosis?”

  “Certainly,” she said. “You always said medical interpretation was one of the most important things in astrology and drummed it into my head pretty good. Venus is afflicted by Neptune and the Moon, which showed a propensity toward kidney disease of some sort. You didn’t seem surprised at that.”

  “Nor should I be. Now, look at the second chart.”

  He heard her rustling papers as she looked over the chart with the new birth information Gloria had provided.

  “Dad, this is a different date. And even a different year. What’s this all about?”

  “What do you see in the chart?”

  “Well, Venus is in square to Saturn, but it’s not nearly as afflicted as in the other chart you showed me.”

  “No, it isn’t.”

  “He might be socially awkward or uncouth in some ways,” said Melinda, “and there could be kidney stones, but that’s about all. There aren’t enough negative aspects to point toward life threatening kidney problems. But another planet is besieged in this chart.”

  “Exactly. And what does that other planet rule in medical astrology?”

  She told him.

  “You always were my best student.” His pride was obvious.

  “What does this mean?” she asked.

  “It means that I’ve been duped,” said the astrologer. “And if I don’t hurry, a terrible injustice is about to occur.”

  “You don’t think…” she stopped. “Oh my God. That would be monstrous. You can’t be serious.”

  “I have never been more serious about anything in my life.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  Lowell leaned forward in his chair. “I’m going to stop him. There’s nothing I can do tonight. Williamson’s not at the hospital. I’ll have to wait until the morning.”

  Melinda blew out a large breath of air. “What can I do?”

  “You can earn your retainer. Just keep y
our phone near you and on at all times. I may need your services at any moment. I’ll contact you. Did you go see Mrs. Williamson?”

  “Yes, she’s resting at the hotel.”

  “Good. Melinda, I need you to be up and alert very early tomorrow morning. There’s nothing I can do right now, but it’s imperative that we coordinate this all tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  He hung up. “Andy, drive me to the office.”

  Lowell then called Gloria and told her to be ready to leave the next morning at five-thirty.

  “Five-thirty? Why so early?”

  “I think it would be best.”

  Chapter Forty-three

  The next morning Lowell woke at four, showered and dressed, and was in the limo before five. When they got to the hotel he ran into the lobby and found Gloria sitting quietly in an armchair near the elevators.

  When she saw Lowell she stood up suddenly and rushed toward him. “Can you tell me why we have to be there so early? Has something gone wrong?”

  Lowell shook his head. Not yet, I hope, he thought.

  She followed him out the hotel entrance and into the limo.

  Andy had the radio tuned to 1010 WINS so he could hear the traffic report every ten minutes. He turned around toward Lowell. “The Lincoln Tunnel outbound is backed up. Tractor-trailer jack-knifed and it’s a long wait. As of right now, the Holland Tunnel’s the best bet. But it could bottle-up at any minute. We could go up to the GW Bridge, but that might take an extra hour in travel time.”

  “What do you think?” asked Lowell.

  “I’d take a chance on the Holland if we can get there soon.”

  “Do it.”

  Andy expertly maneuvered the limo through early pre-rush hour mid-town traffic, zipping through spaces only inches wider than the car. Getting across town wasn’t a problem. But when they reached the west side they could already see the cars backed-up going into the Holland Tunnel. Usually at this time of day leaving the city would be a snap, but the accident in the Lincoln Tunnel would screw things up for hours at all the Hudson River crossings.

  They got through the tunnel in about thirty minutes. Lowell kept glancing nervously at the time on his phone.