"Did you hear or see anything that might lend us a hand in finding the killer?"
"I think we take what we hear with a grain of salt. But I did hear Sean and Sam talking about what Phillip did to both of them back in high school. I couldn't catch it all, but Sam was complaining about being screwed for working on Phillip's car. Sean was lamenting the fact that Phillip had destroyed a science experiment he had spent hours on in Lynn Aspen's class. It's up to you Blake to determine if what Phillip did years ago or recently is up to you to decide if that was or is motive enough to kill."
Blake asked Sean to find Sam Polly. Sam walked in from the outside and while passing the bar finished off his drink placing the empty glass on the bar rather forcefully. He took the chair facing Blake and glared at him. Blake ignored the attitude and said:
"Sam, tell me about your movements from around 11 pm until 11:30."
"I was outside most of the time. It was friendlier out there away from dip shit Phillip. Anyway, he came out once and Nellie kind of made him a bit humble. Let's see-- around 11pm I went around back and took a leak on the edge of the parking lot. No one was around, but when I zipped up and started back, I thought I saw a shadow over by the back door. I blamed it on too much to drink and hurried back to my classmates."
"I think it might be a good idea Sam if you emptied your pockets onto the table please. We're going to search everyone, including the women, so please do as I say."
Sam gave Blake a hard stare and stood up reaching into his pockets. Keys, change, and from his back pocket came his billfold. Slowly he reached into his coat pocket and produced a switch blade knife. He looked a little guilty and shrugged his shoulders. He sat back down.
Blake picked up the switch blade knife and asked, "I haven't seen one of these in years Sam. Now why would you have this on you at a high school reunion?"
"Okay, I'll come clean as they say in the movies. I was going to threaten Phillip and make him pay for the work on his car forty years ago. The bastard stiffed me and owes me. It's been boiling in me for years. I was going to use it on his dick. However, someone beat me to it."
Nellie was next and Sean had told her to see Blake. Sean then went to the crime scene to talk to the medical examiner. He found him zipping up the black morgue bag. He told Sean that Phillip had expired around 11:30 give or take a few minutes. The bullet never exited the head and would be retrieved at the autopsy. Also he never ejaculated, if that means anything to your investigation. We'll run a drug test for poison, but that is not what killed him. I touched nothing so you can fingerprint all you desire. Now, Chief, I'll do the autopsy Monday morning. Good night."
Sean went back to the interview table. Nellie was just finishing up and nodded to Sean. Blake made a few notes and then told Sean the facts of Nellie's report. "She told me Phillip had been pestering her for weeks now. She told him to leave her alone or she would get a restraining order against him. While I was interviewing her, she dug out of her bag this small pistol. She'd told me she used it for protection because she was scared Phillip would attack her. As to her where abouts around 11:30 pm, she said she'd been sick and was in the restroom around 11pm. After that she returned to the table where she relaxed with some out of town classmates."
"Do you suspect her Blake," asked Sean.
"I suspect them all except me as I was home in bed. You folks were all here and had opportunity, motive and liquor to fuel the hatred for the victim."
Sean motioned Lynn Aspen to come over and interview. Lynn had been sitting on a bar stool, back against the bar, watching the interviews chatting with Gus behind the bar. He quickly walked over and sat down shaking Blake's hand as they had never met before tonight.
Blake asked why he was here as he appeared older than the rest of the classmates. Lynn told him he was a former teacher and that explained it. "Mr. Aspen, can you remember where you were around 11:30pm?"
"Yes, I was outside with the group catching some fresh air. The only thing I saw unusual was a car with its lights off parking way down the hill. I thought no more of it, but it wasn't long after that we heard the woman scream. Naturally we all went inside so if anyone came out the back door, I'm afraid no one saw anyone, if, indeed, someone did leave."
"Do you know of any reason why someone might want to murder Mr. Street?"
"That's a loaded question detective Blake. I will say this; Phillip Street was not an ideal student or person. He made a lot of people miserable in his lifetime. I'll not say anything at the present time, but if it comes to light, I will share with you a confidence. No amount of persuasion is going to make me tell you more detective. I was never anywhere near the restroom from 11pm onward. The pervious classmates you interviewed with tell you I never left the area."
Sean watched his old science teacher leave and sit back down at the bar. Blake asked for Loren Ripple.
Loren was sitting at the same table as Veronica and her daughter Jill. Sean walked over and asked her to join them at the interview table. She smiled at Sean and followed him over to the table.
The formalities over Blake asked, "Please tell me what you did or where you went from around 11 pm till 11:30."
"At around 11 pm I went outside to get some fresh air. There was a group of classmates laughing and having fun outside. Some were sitting at a table and some were standing. I chatted with them for awhile and then went to the restroom. I relieved myself and washed my hands. Then I returned to the table with Veronica Street and some others. I didn't want to interrupt so I went to the bar for a refill."
"Did you see anyone in the restroom?"
"No, but I thought I smelled something funny. It wasn't the usual smell of disinfectant or urine, but a strange smell."
"You say, Ms Ripple, you went back to the table and then to the bar. Did you stay inside the building or did you walk around outside and come in through the front door?"
"Oh, I forgot. I went out the back to get away from that strange smell. I walked around and went in by the front door."
"What was your relationship with Phillip Street. In other words, did you like him as a classmate and tonight did you chat with him?"
"My relationship was one of hate detective. It's bound to come out anyway so here goes. Phillip made me pregnant in high school. I had to go to an unwed mother's home and give the baby up for adoption. He claimed it wasn't his and he did nothing to help with the expenses. He ruined my young life. I'm glad the bastard is dead. I'll say no more without a lawyer present."
Sean wasn't shocked as the rumors at school were rampant about the missing Loren Ripple. However, from what he could glean, she was the prime suspect until a uniform policeman came with a clear zip lock bag with a small pistol in it. He gave it to Blake and said, "I'm sorry Chief, but we found this under your seat in your car."
The Plot Thickens
On Monday a charge of murder was filed against Chief of Police Sean Pastor. Bail was granted and Sean sat in his office with Blake discussing the case.
"Look Sean, I know someone is trying to frame you, but who? It's out of my hands and the prosecutor is looking to bolster his image. The DA is bordering on senility and Jon Ashworth is aiming high for the office. Now here is my review of the interviews last Saturday night. First Veronica had a vile of strychnine in her bag. We're waiting for the tox screen to come back. A handgun was offered up by Nellie Pond, but hadn't been fired recently. It would appear Sean, that any of the classmates could have killed Phillip Street. What we need is a real professional to assist us. If I asked the county, they would pass it on up to the state. God knows what we might get. Have you any ideas Chief?"
Sean was thinking about what he and his wife Wendy had been talking about. Sean had befriended a detective back in the Midwest a few years ago. They'd met at a conference and hit it off. They'd remained friends through the e-mail and the last Sean had heard, he'd retired and moved to Arizona where he was working as an investigator for a large security firm. Wendy had asked him to send an e-mail asking for his h
elp. Sean reluctantly agreed. Now he sat in his office waiting to hear back from his friend Moss Adams.
"Blake, I've asked a detective friend of mine to help us. I'm expecting a return message or phone call any time now."
"Well, this case is full of suspects and needs unraveling. The autopsy will be done today and then we can, hopefully, match the bullet to the gun. The suspect that shows the most hatred is Sam Polly. I'm going over there now and see if he remembers anything more. From there I'll go around to the others I think have a motive. I'll be back around noon Sean."
Sean waved good bye. He needed to stretch his legs. Also, he needed a lawyer badly. As he started out the door, his phone rang. Sean hurried back to answer the land line and found his old friend Moss Adams on the other end. Greetings and small talk out of the way, Moss asked how he could help.
Twenty minutes later he finished the story. Moss said, "It's obviously a plant with the hand gun. Many innocent people have been found guilty by being framed. Sean, I talked to my boss and my partner Lee here in Arizona. There's nothing hot and heavy right now so I'm flying out of here to Portland this afternoon. I realize no airports are close by so I'll rent a car and drive down to see you. It appears that it's about a four hour drive from Portland to your town. If all goes well, I'll be there around 8pm your time. Hang in there my friend. The white knight is coming."
Sean laughed for the first time in days. He thanked Moss and called his wife to get the guest room ready company was coming.
The White Knight Arrives
Moss Adams arrived in Riversville at 9pm. He'd gotten hung up in traffic coming out of Portland. Wendy had kept dinner warm for him. In no time Moss felt at home with Sean and Wendy Pastor. Mostly they chatted about Moss and his retirement from the police force and his subsequent move to Arizona. Sean's eyes opened wide when he heard the news Moss was living with a woman with whom he had only met a few months ago. They worked together and she too was a retired police detective.
So much for the chatter and they all went to bed knowing an early get up was forthcoming.
The next morning, before the sun reared its smiling face, Sean and Moss were drinking coffee in the kitchen. Moss asked for the complete story from high school through the reunion. Then he said, "Sean, start with you and leave out no detail. All of us have a skeleton in our closet and now is the time to bare your soul."
"I've never shared this with anyone Moss. As you probably don’t know my father was a catholic priest. Seems strange as our last name is Pastor and he was known as Priest Pastor. Anyway my senior year was coming up as it was summer time, I was… we were, parked out in the country. I making out with Nellie Ponds. We had the windows down and, God help me here…………Nellie was on top of me and we were hot and heavy when a camera flash occurred. I remember it blinding me and then I heard laughter. By the time we got decent, all we heard was Phillips Chevy roaring off. Well, I was working at a service station that summer and he came in a few days later with this photo. He blackmailed me and I had to do his math homework that year. He tried blackmailing Nellie but she told him to buzz off."
"I'm sorry to hear that Sean, but if it came to a court hearing, it could be used against you as motive, regardless of how long ago it was.
Anything else that you can remember or how about your classmates that you recall had a motive to cause harm to Phillip Street."
"Sam the mechanic was really pissed off that after all the work he did on Phillip car he never got paid. Sam is a person who would hold a grudge. Phillip was a schemer and had the intelligence to overcome any obstacle in his way. There're rumors that he'd made Loren Ripple pregnant and she was away from school most of her senior year. He denied it of course.
Then his wife has been abused repeatedly over the years. It turned her into an alcoholic. She was never a strong person and made even weaker by Phillip. She came from a wealthy family and he used her money for the start of his law career. We found a bottle of poison in her bag at the reunion. I'd doubt if she had the back bone to shoot Phillip, but her daughter Jill is of a strong mind and body.
The owner of the local newspaper almost certainly is hiding something about his relationship with Phillip Street, but I've no idea what it might be. Let's meet up with Blake Edwards this morning and you can review the file with him."
Wendy came in looking fresh as a daisy. In no time she had bacon sizzling and hash browns ready to fry. Wendy was a country girl and she was taught to make sure her men folks and guests were well fed. Moss expressed his gratitude and made Wendy blush a little.
The Office Meeting Turns Foul
Sean had called Blake and the medical examiner for a meeting first thing Tuesday morning. For some reason Sean felt some apprehension about the coming meeting and day. Some of it was from Moss when he said being framed is not a new phenomenon. Who put the pistol under his seat; and someone was smart enough to not leave any prints on the weapon. Now with an eager prosecutor nipping at Sean's heels, the day looked rather gloomy.
Blake was waiting for them to arrive. He had the file and pictures for Moss to look at on the conference table. The medical examiner, Ed Lewis, with his file under his coffee cup, smiled and shook Moss's hand with vigor. Brenda, the Chief's secretary had a fresh pot of coffee waiting. All were a bit strung out thinking their Chief might be framed for murder.
Blake handed Moss his file and began his summation of the case. New to Sean was the second interview with Sam and his questioning of his helper, Dwayne Putz. Sam was more than happy Phillip was dead and gone. But he adamantly denied killing the guy. Blake argued that the switch blade he carried was going to be used to cut his gentiles off. Sam smiled and said that would have been a damn fine idea. Dwayne told Blake that Sam was determined to see Phillip pay for what he'd done to Sam years ago.
Moss asked, "Blake, I know it's not ethical to speculate about who might have committed the crime, but surely you must have a short list?"
"I think someone is setting the Chief up, but who, is unclear. All on the first page Moss are prime suspects. The wife is among those, but even though she had a bottle of poison, Ed here can enlighten you on the drug screen. I've called each one informing them that further interviews would be taking place starting today.
I might add that the son of Phillip Street, Joel is unable to confirm his whereabouts Saturday night; as a matter of fact, no one knows where he is. He'd told his parents he would be out of town, but nobody has come forth with an alibi for him. It appears with the back door open; anyone could have entered and put a bullet to his head."
"Dr. Lewis, give us your autopsy results please," asked Moss.
Ed opened his file and said, "Death was the direct result of the shot to the head. The bullet never left the skull. I understand ballistics has determined it's a match to the pistol found in the Chief's car. So as not to confuse the issue, someone shot in the head can die with an erection. However, I did find traces of salvia on his penis, but not enough to do a DNA test. Regardless, he never ejaculated. A slight trace of strychnine was found in his blood, but a long ways for being toxic. It would be up to the prosecutor to file charges of attempted murder against his wife Veronica Street. Other than that, he was fairly healthy with some noticeable liver damage. His heart would need a bypass operation in a few years. That's all."
"I see by the photographs, Dr. Lewis that a look of shock or fear was on his face before he died. Could we assume he was really surprised at who was about to kill him?"
"I can't say for the record Mr. Adams, but usually a man receiving sexual pleasure has a pleasing appearance on his face. Off the record, Phillip Street was totally shocked at who pulled the trigger; regardless whether male or female"
Moss turned to Sean and asked, "Try to remember back Sean and when you saw the dome light on in your car, did you see any car leaving or coming into the Elks Club?"
"No, I saw nothing and I'll drive you out there today. It's about seven miles from town off the main highway. A narrow county road wi
ll take you to the Elks Club about a half mile off the highway. The county road runs along the golf course. The Elks Club sits on hill overlooking the golf course. At night it's dark with only a few parking lot lights to show the way. A car could very easily park down the hill a ways and never be seen. A short walk up the hill could only take a few minutes. A killer could park and hide in the shadows easily enough."
"Okay, let's look first at the crime scene and then we will begin interviews after lunch. Blake, could you call and see who is home or not at home for the afternoon. We hope to see at least three or four before dark. I'd like to start with the wife, daughter and son. I wonder have they read the will yet. Well, never mind, we'll get to that soon enough I'd expect."
In the Chief's car Matt asked, "Sean, this is a really small town so I wonder, how does an upscale rich lawyer make his money?"
"Moss, this is the county seat. Before the new highway was built, all travelers had to pass through here to go either north or south. Like a triangle, they cut off this small town to accommodate the tourists. You came through Baycity before turning off to Riversville. Back when we were in high school three small towns sat next to each other on the coast. They merged and became one small city: Baycity. Then to the south of Baycity, a small town sits on the beach. It's became a great tourist site. The first thing investors did was build a championship golf course that sat on the ocean beach. It became like the New World St. Andrews. Condos sprang up; restaurants and world class shops dotted the waterfront. Anyway, Phillip Street's law firm specializes in real estate."
They turned off on the small county road to the golf course. "You can see the Elks Club on the far hill Moss. Just below the club house you can see a line of trees that separate the parking lot from the golf course." Moss drove slowly and turned off the county road into the drive way parking lot of the Elks Club.
Deadly High School Reunion Page 3