by Bo Widerberg
Grandpas Adventure
stories
A Delicate Case!
by
Bo Widerberg
All people in this story are fictitious,
and any resemblance to real person,
living or dead, is coincidental
©Widerberg©
All rights reserved
“Sorry dear,” he answered with his mouth full of that chocolate donut. “If I had known that you wanted this one dear, I would have taken another one. I will need a second donut to this coffee anyway, which one can I take Belle?” He said with an innocent smile.
“You can shove where ever they fit! I couldn’t care less for what you eat, or don’t,” said Belle, as the telephone rang, and saved any further arguing.
Trying to swallow a piece of his donut as quickly as possible, Jack coughed heavily before he answered, “Jack Lord here.”
The call came from his old friend police chief, William (Bill) Smart. “We are having some trouble down here at the precinct. Could you Jack, and Belle of course, come down here and take a look at our new problem?”
“Okay if we will show up in an hour or so?” Said Jack, looking at his assistant. And holding his hand over the phone speaker, he whispered. “Another job dear.”
“Sure,” answered Bill over the phone. “There is a problem, but I don't think the problem is that big or urgent. Take your time, and show up at any time through the day.”
“Let us get down to the precinct, as soon as we have finished our coffee …and donuts of course,” suggested Belle, as she took the smallest of the donuts. Looking at Jack, she added gracefully. “Jack, I didn't want you to get all upset, so I took the small one, okay?”
“A tad sarcastic today Belle, are we not?” Said Jack, as he finished his second donut. “But, Belle I agree with your suggestion, let's go down and see Bill after our little snack. The sooner we look at the problem, the sooner we might find an answer.”
“And I would like to say Belle, at the last two cases we solved. The Kidnapping of Mrs. Landly and the problem with, The Rose Gang. Your help surly made a heck of a difference. So, let us get cracking with whatever Bill can hand out to us.”
Down at the precinct, they had to wait for ten minutes while Bill finished a phone call. “Come in Guys,” he called out, and waived his hand at the two. “Morning Belle, how has this gumshoe been treating you lately?”
“I strongly feel that he would be treating me a lot better if we didn't share the same pad,” said Belle, and accepted the seat Bill offered her. “He is looking at me, as if we were married,” she added as she sat down.
“That was not fair Belle, and not true either,” said Jack, in his own defense. Turning to Bill, he added. “You mentioned something of some trouble anything that we can help you with?”
“Yes Jack, there is a case of a missing person. Unfortunately, the missing person is the only daughter of an extremely wealthy and successful businessperson. And a great contributor to the state, and local government. I know that missing people are not one of your favorites. However I do feel that your help will be needed to solve this case. The father of the girl has offered a huge amount of money for his daughter's return, or if we can catch the perpetrator. Would the two of you consider this case?” Said Bill and looked at the two.
“Yes of course we accept the challenge,” said Belle, without giving Jack a look.
“Do I have a say in this matter?” Jack asked, looking at Bill.
“Sorry Jack, this case was just accepted by your partner. If you have something else to do, do it. On the other hand, if you would like to assist Belle with this case, I would willingly accept your contribution in this matter,” said Bill in a proper business fashion.
“Do you have any information that can be helpful to us?” Jack asked, ignoring Bill's latest words.
“Yes, we know that she visited a pub last night, one she regularly frequents, The Blue Lagoon. She left at approximately eleven together with three boys, and another girl. We haven't had a chance to grill any of the four suspects yet. But, we do have their names and addresses of course. The missing girl, Susan Wills, is twenty-two years old. And we do of course have her home address. Her mother is willing to talk with the two of you; at least a starter,” said Bill, as he handed a paper with all the necessary information written down to Jack.
“Is it okay if I take care of the info?” Jack asked Belle, in a jokingly voice.
“Okay for this once, but don't make a habit of it,” Belle answered Jack, and continued looking at Bill. “Do we know if any of the four are known to this Susan? Old friends or just some people she met at the pub that evening?”
“No we don't know if they were acquaintances. But when you do speak with the mother, she should be able to answer your questions. Once you have shown her the list, I gave to Jack.”
“By the way, Bill,” said Belle. “Did the wealthy father mention any amount, or just the fact the purse would be great?”
“Yes Belle he actually did mention the amount. If it would make any difference when you start your hunt, or not. The amount is one hundred thousand dollar,” said Bill, with a smile. “I have the certified check here in my drawer,” he continued and took out the check, and waived it in front of Belle.
“I would say it should cover at least my assistant’s part of the deal,” said Jack, in a humored voice. “Let's get cracking Belle; I have the address to the mother. I believe as Bill said, she is our best starting point.”
The mansion the family Wills live in, surpassed anything Jack, or Belle had seen to date. “It is not only huge Jack, this building is absolutely beautiful. Think Jack how it would feel to have a home like this,” said Belle.
“Yes Belle, you also have to consider cleaning this house after a party. But, I have to say the groundwork is something out of this world. A big applaud to the gardener; this place outshines anything on the street. Now, let's knock at the door, and see what it looks like from the inside,” said Jack, as he walked up and knocked on the front door.
The butler opened the door, and asked for a business card from the visitors. “Sorry man, I left my business cards in my other suite,” said Jack. “We are the private detectives, here to solve a mystery about a lost young girl,” as Jack said this, he put one foot forwards, bowed deeply, and made a sweeping movement with his right arm.
“If that is the case Sir,” continued the butler without a single movement on his face. “Could I have your names for Mrs. Wills?”
“By all means, my name is Jack Lord, and my assistance name is Belle. The local police chief William Smart, asked us to solve a missing person case, and sent us here. Furthermore, Sir, not to be too forward, but what would be your name?”
“My name is James,” said the butler, and closed the door in front of the two. After a short while, he returned, and said. “Mrs. Wills will see you now Mr. Lord.”
The inside of this mansion was if possible more impressive than the outside. The pattern used on the marble floor in the foyer, would be the nicest mosaic tiles Belle had ever seen. Then the furniture’s and a huge wall tapestry, picturing a hunting scene. The rest of the walls were covered with oil painting from many of the old masters.
Mrs. Wills coughed lightly to make her known.
“Oh I am so sorry Mrs. Wills. The beauty of your house just overwhelmed us. We didn't purposely try not to be respectful,” said Belle, as she walked up to Mrs. Wills.
“Yes,” added Jack. “I am Jack Lord, and this is my assistance Miss Belle. We were asked, as I told James at the door, by the police chief Mr. William Smart, to come here to help you find your missing daughter Susan.”
“Before we st
art Mr. Lord, would the two of you like to have a cup of coffee, or tea? And, please sit down over there by the sofa table. James, would you please bring us some refreshments,” said Mrs. Wills, in a way showing that she was used to give orders.
“Coffee for me please, and I know that Jack prefers coffee as well,” said Belle, and sat down in the sofa. “Is this sofa made of velvet? It is so soft, but still firms enough to sit on.”
“Yes it is,” said Mrs. Wills.
“We have a list of people, given to us by police chief Bill Smart, that we have been told spent last night together with your daughter. Would you mind checking through the names, and tell us whatever you know about the four people that spent last night with your daughter Susan? We know there were three boys, and one girl. Here Mrs. Wills is the list,” as Jack said that, he handed the list over to Mrs. Wills.
As Mrs. Wills looked through the list, she said. “These are all good friends of Susan, they have all spent several nights here in the house as Susan's guests. I can hardly believe that one, or maybe two of these youngsters would have done something to our Susan, they are all good kids,” asserted Mrs. Wills.
“If what you say is the truth, then our job will be a little harder. You see Mrs. Wills, in nine cases out of ten; it is someone who knows the missing person that is the perpetrator. The perpetrator is almost never unknown to the family. Furthermore, I believe when we have settled this mess; you'll find that it most probably is someone fairly close to the family.”
"Please call me Ruth, Mrs. Wills sounds so, well old fashioned. So what you are telling me Jack, you do believe that one of these four is the guilty person?”
“Yes Ruth, either one of those four, or someone else in the neighborhood. Someone who knows Susan, and knows her timetable so to say,” said Jack, and started to sip on his coffee.
“Yes, I have to say that Susan was never out after midnight. It didn't matter whose party she went to, she would always come home before the twelve o'clock chime. You see, she had the idea that when she went to a party on, for example, Friday, she would insist that the party was on Friday. And, she needed to be home before midnight. Otherwise, the party would have been on a Saturday as well, and she would never accept that. She had some funny ideas, and she would never break a habit,” explained Mrs. Wills.
“That to me proves my point the perpetrator is someone that knew of Susan's habits,” said Jack, and was about to continue when James came in.
“Would our guests like some additional coffee, or something to eat with the coffee?” James asked, in a polite tone.
“An excellent idea James,” said Ruth. “Bring in something to dip into our cups. And a pot with some more coffee,” ordered Ruth, without looking at James.
“Would some cookies be enough Mrs. Wills? Or should I bring some slices of a cake?” Asked James, and again with his polite tone.
“Bring it all, we might need some more time for this discussion,” turned to Jack, she continued. “My husband will be home in half an hour, and I am sure he would like to speak with the two of you. When you told me, that there is usually someone from the neighborhood. Or from the immediate family and friends, being the perpetrator. How is the missing person usually found?”
“That is a hard question Ruth. When it comes to a young girl that is missing; there is usually a sex crime involved. And, I would say there is a fifty-fifty chance of her being found alive. But, if the perpetrator, on the other hand, is close to the family, her chances drops. However, if it is a buddy, or friend from the pub, she immediately has a bigger chance of survival. You should know Ruth that she could be with some friends, which have been giving her dope of some kind. And, she will come home when the effect wears off,” said Jack, to ease the pressure on Ruth.
“Thank you Jack, I needed the reassurance. You see I have an awful feeling that she is not with us at this moment. I have been trying to tell myself that she will be walking in through the door at any time. Even so, Jack, I honestly do not believe that will happen,” said Ruth, in a voice showing her sorrow. But, she held it steady as she was supposed to at this level of society.
“Whatever happened to you daughter, we will find her, and the perpetrator. That is a promise Ruth,” said Belle, and looked at the face that so hard tried to be straight. But, on the inside, was overwhelmed with sorrow.
At that moment, Mr. Wills came home, and joined in the discussion, he said. “Would it be possible for the two of you to have dinner with us tonight? It would make it easier to discuss our common problem.”
“A wonderful idea darling,” said Ruth, and rang for James. As James showed up, she ordered. “We will be four for dinner James, please inform the kitchen about the new situation.”
“Right away Mrs. Wills,” said James, and started for the kitchen.
"Those four people that spent last night with Susan. Are you going to interrogate them one at a time?" Ruth asked, while holding a firm grip of her husband's hand.
"Yes that is the idea. I would start with the girl, Lisa Glenn, then the boys, Glen Hold, Fred Keyes, and Kevin Moon. They seem to come from fairly well to do families. But, I would still have to speak with each one separate,” said Jack, as he accepted a glass of Cognac from Allan Wills.
“I believe in having a small drink before dinner. It keeps the digestion system working better,” said Allan Wills, as he rotated the glass before tasting the liquor.
“How many people are working in your household?” Belle asked, looking at Ruth.
“With the maids, the kitchen staff, James, and the garden crew there are nine people on the staff list. But, then we have a few that are working on an only part time basis. I do believe there are twelve all told,” said Ruth, still holding her husband’s hand.
“We will have to interview all of those twelve, plus of course the four youngsters that spent last evening with Susan. Sixteen possible perpetrators all told. I will accept your schedule when it comes to interviewing the staff,” said Jack, and nodded his head towards Allan Wills.
While they waited for dinner, Belle asked Allan. “What has given the two of you this beautiful home?”
“Oh, I have been fiddling in chemicals, mostly fertilizers. You people have no idea what kind of money, there are in chemicals. We get only a buck, more or less, per kilo. But, you have to figure that our customers buy it by the trainload. When I started many years ago, I owned one truck that I drew myself. And I supplied the tomato growers with cow crap. Doesn't sound like much, but that cow crap started the whole chemical business.” Allan said, as he drank the last drops from his gobbler.
At this time, James came in and announced that dinner was being served in the dining room.
During the dinner's small talk, nothing new came up as far as the missing person case was concerned. But, Ruth again asked if it would be necessary to include Susan's friends.
“Yes I am afraid without their knowledge of Susan's where about during the last minutes before twelve last night. We don’t have much to go by. Those four can give us the road map, and then it will be up to Belle and I to follow it.” Said Jack, as he put down his cutlery after finishing an excellent dinner.
“I would like to thank you for the dinner,” said Belle. “It was absolutely fabulous, you two are surly blessed. There is only this unfortunate story about Susan. But Jack, and I are going to find Susan, and, or the villain,” as Belle said this, and James came in order to clear the table, he didn't look too friendly at the two guests.
Ruth noticed the wry face James showed to her guests, and said. “James, after you have served us a complete setting of coffee. And, I mean complete, you can help the house cleaner clear the number one guest room for our distinguished guests.”
“One thing that just came to my mind, how many of your staff didn't work last night?” Jack said, looking at Allan Wills.
“Last night, to the best of my knowledge two of the house cleaners, and as far as I can remember the entire kitchen crew. And James of course, then the garden
crew, they have every night off. Would that cover it my dear?" Allan asked, looking at Ruth.
“Yes perfectly correct, they all had last night off. Does that mean to you, that they would have to account for their movements?” Ruth asked, looking at Jack.
“Yes, that is correct we will also very closely examine their alibi. We cannot leave any stones unturned,” said Jack, and smiled at the after dinner drink that Allan was handing out.
“Well, I don't know a drink before dinner, then wine to the dinner, and now another drink after dinner. I am afraid it is more than I am used to,” said Jack.
“What are you talking about Jack? Didn't you and your friend finish a whole bottle of scotch together. When we were checking for finger prints?” Belle said, in a jovial voice.
“True Belle, but there I was set on getting drunk, here I am not. There is actually a difference here, can you see it,” Jack explained, looking at his assistant.