The Crawford Chronicles - Book 1

by Clayton Conrad

  After the good-natured display was over, the men settled back down to go about their business, as if nothing had happened. A few men went around and picked up the trash that had been thrown, and all was forgiven.

  “Does this go on all the time?” Clayton asked, in pure wonderment.

  “No. Are you joking? This is my compared to sometimes.”

  “Unbelievable.” Clayton grinned.

  “Well, that just about covers it. No wait… Let me call the animal shelter and see what they have to say,” Richards said, as he picked up the phone and punched the number from memory. “Yeah, Jackie,” he said into the receiver. “Yeah, it’s me all right. Yes I know all about it, but that’s not my fault, just a slight misunderstanding.”

  He paused for a moment and listened to the woman’s tirade on the other end of the line. He covered the mouthpiece with his hand and looked over at Clayton. “A private matter,” he said. “Nothing to do with anything.” Then, looking at Roland, he added “don’t you have something to do?”

  Roland didn’t move, he only shrugged his shoulders. “There’s a lot I can do, Carol, but this is getting real interesting. You don’t mind if I just hang around a you? I mean the day is still young and I have a feeling everything is going to –“

  “Roland, if you are not gone by the time I counted three, I’m going to kill you.”

  “Okay, okay Carol, I can take a hint you know. After all, I didn’t just get off the boat.”

  “Yet!” Richards said, in a deadly calm voice. “No, no Jackie, not you, I need to talk to you, it’s this poor kid Roland. I tell you he’s killing me, the kid is killing me. No, what I need from you is some information. Yes, some information.” He paused again to listen to her for a moment. She seemed to be winding down somewhat.

  “About a month ago you got a call from us about an abandoned dog over on the east side. When you got the address no one was there, I mean my boys had to leave on an urgent call.” Another pause. “Yes, that’s the one. Whatever happened to that report? Yes I’d like it as soon as possible, just to confirm that your people went out there but couldn’t get in. No, I’m not blessing you out, honest. Okay then, Jackie, I’ll be watching for it.” Another pause. “Yes, I understand, but listen Jackie, when we going out for that drink?”

  Richards turned to Clayton after Jackie had slammed the phone down in his ear. “She’s really a nice girl, in love with me you know, poor kid. So, anyway gist of it is that there was a glitch in the system, a screwup. There was no follow-up. The whole thing fell through the cracks.”

  “Well, I have some news for you detectives. I went to the Driscoll house myself just yesterday and found that dog half dead. I took it to the vet and he’s being cared for as we speak. The place was a real mess, filthy from one end to the other. But just taking a quick look around, it doesn’t seem that Driscoll was planning to go anywhere for long. Shaving gear and aftershave still there, and other things lead me to believe he just didn’t decide to take an unscheduled vacation. No, I believe something happened to him. A man with the dog would just go somewhere and leave the animal to start like that. The poor thing was more dead than alive when I found it. It might still die, that wouldn’t say one way or the other.”

  “Well, that puts a whole new light on the matter. I’ll get out an APB on him today, but my hands are tied until something turns up or we find him. There’s just nowhere to go with it. By the way Mister Crawford, just how did you get into the Driscoll house? I hope you’re not guilty of breaking and entering.”

  “No, the parents approached me, asked me to look around, gave me the keys to his house. And I doubt you’re going to find Driscoll, alive anyway.”

  “This is no longer a simple missing persons case.” Richards looked directly at Clayton. “This is a serious police matter, now that I know about the dog. And you are right, something is really wrong here and I’m going to find out what it is.”

  “Oh, by the way,” he continued, “I have some things here that belonged to your wife. Personal effects.” Richards reached into his desk drawer, fished around a minute, and took out a large envelope.

  “There was a purse, a ring, and what was once a golden locket, and her wallet. You have to sign for them, and that should conclude our business.”

  Chapter 14

  Leaving the cool comfort of the police station and stepping out into the heat was like opening the door of a blast furnace.

  “Shit!” He said as he reached into his breast pocket and realized he had left his sunglasses in the penthouse. Looking around and shading his eyes from the sun the best he could, he spotted Henry across the street in the parking lot. The day was going to be a scorcher all right. It was only 10:30 in the morning and already it was 90°. It must be a record heatwave. After waiting for the traffic to clear he trotted across the street and by the time he reached the cabbie he could feel the sweat ran down his back, soaking his shirt to the skin.

  “Cowabunga! It’s a hot one today,” he said.

  “Never run in this kind of heat Mister Crawford, it will kill you sure. It isn’t like the heat in California, where you have the ocean breezes. Here we have nothing but heat and believe me, it’s a killer.”

  “Geez Henry, are we back to the Mister Crawford already? I thought we had gone over all that once,” Clayton said, as he slipped in the passenger’s seat.

  “Yeah, I guess it’s just a force of habit. I’ll try to remember and you better,” Henry said and started the car.

  Clayton reached in his wallet and took out Rachael Downing’s business card. He flipped it over and studied her cell phone number on the back. Should he or shouldn’t he Russian Mark she was certainly a nice-looking woman and lots of fun to be with. He’d had a real nice time with her the other night. It was a week ago. It seemed like everything was happening so fast it was hard to keep track. Maybe he’d give her a call, she said to call her anytime.

  “Na,” he mumbled to himself “I’d better not get involved. Besides, I’ll be leaving in a day or so anyway. Clayton old boy, you’re dumber than a stump.”

  “Where to?” Henry asked, shaking him out of his thoughts.

  “That’s a good question, my man, a good question indeed. Before I head back to the West Coast maybe I should go see the Senator. You know, just to get his take on everything. Do you know where his offices are?”

  “Sure, he’s over in the ivory tower on 36 and state. Everyone calls it the ivory tower because all the bigwigs are located there. All the really big powerful brokers, the ones that really have the juice. Well most of them anyway. He has the whole sixth floor, and if I’m not mistaken, the seventh too. It’s really a neat set up, got his own express elevators and everything. But I think you need an appointment to see him, this being an election year.”

  “Well, let’s go over there anyway. You know the old saying, ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ I’d like to see what he really thinks without all the backslapping and handshakes, if that’s possible. Besides, I think Michelle’s father has his offices there. I might drop in on him too, if he’s back in town that is.”

  On the drive over Clayton took out Rachael’s card again and held it for a long time, trying to decide whether to call her or not. Well, he didn’t have to decide right this minute, did he? But this time, instead of putting it back in his wallet he put it in the breast pocket of his shirt for easier access.

  The ivory tower was a five-star high-rise office building that seemed to reach the sky and was located in the heart of the business district. Once through the front entrance on State Street, the grand lobby stretched out before him. He found himself standing in a huge atrium with high vaulted ceilings, hanging chandeliers, marble walls and granite tiled floors. Coffee shops, hair salons and boutiques lined the walls and on a raised area in the center of the room stood a U-shaped reception counter and security station.

  Henry waited in the coffee shop while Clayton studied the directory mounted near the information desk. The senator
had his office on the sixth floor all right. Time to pay the good senator visit, Clayton thought to himself and walked toward the elevators.

  The doors open wide as he stepped out into a large reception room with potted plants set about the room. Soft comfortable furniture, a coffee stand and a male secretary was sitting behind an impressive looking desk. He had a long thin face, a balding palette, eyes set close together with dirty event classes, the lenses as thick as the bottom of a Coke bottle. He had a skinny neck with a bobbing Adam’s apple when he talked, and narrow shoulders. Clayton wanted to laugh at the sight before him but better manners were instilled when he was a child.

  “May I help you, Sir?” The man asked.

  Clayton noticed a nameplate on the large desk. “Is it herald?” Clayton asked. “Well, Harold, I’d like to have a few minutes of Senator Harding’s time if I may. By the way herald, that suit fits you to a T; you must give me the name of your tailor before I leave.”

  Harold smiled a shy quiet smile and even blushed a little. “Thank you,” he said, “it’s nothing really.”

  “No?” Clayton asked, pretending shock. “But it really looks like it was tailored for you, and I can tell fine close when I see them. It’s just your color to.”

  “You’re too kind, really,” Harold replied, and by this time he was in full blush from head to toe. “You say you would like to see the Senator, Mister –, what did you say your name was?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry Harold, seeing you I completely forgot my manners. I’m Clayton Crawford. You may tell the Senator that it is in regards to Michelle Crawford’s car accident and untimely death.”

  “I’m terribly sorry Mister Crawford, of course I’ve read all about it in the newspapers and may I now offer you my sincere condolences. I’ll bring the Senator at once.”

  “Yes, I have a Mister Crawford here to see the Senator. He says it’s in regard to Michelle’s accident.” There was a pause while Harold smiled back at Clayton, listening to the reply from the other end.

  Can I pick them or not, Clayton thought to himself and waited for the reply.

  “Right,” Harold said into the receiver, before hanging up. “I’m sorry Mister Crawford, but the senator was called away on an urgent matter, but Mister Howard is here and he would be more than glad to see you.”

  “That’s a shame,” Clayton said. “I was counting on speaking to the senator. Tell me Harold, just who is this Mister Howard?”

  “Why, he’s the senator’s Chief of Staff,” Harold replied. “Of course, you being from out-of-state, had no reason to notice.”

  At that time a young woman entered the room during other door that obviously led to the inner offices.

  “Hi,” she said cheerfully, and with a pleasant smile. “My name is Nancy, one of Mister Howard’s secretaries. If you will come with me, Mister Howard will see you now.”

  She was in her 20s, and there was a world of difference between her appearance and that of Herald’s. She was beautifully dressed in a tailored blue pinstriped business suit with skirt just above her knees. Her white frilly blouse was talked under her snug fitting jacket. She had auburn hair pinned up in a French twist, soft green eyes, an oval shaped face and just the right amount of makeup. Clayton couldn’t help but notice she was a knockout, with a perky little figure to match.

  My, Clayton thought, as he took her information to toe, things are certainly looking up.

  “This way please,” she said, and led him down a narrow hallway with glassed-in offices on either side. Walking beside her Clayton stole a quick glance and could smell the faint scent of her perfume.

  “I must say that you are a pure delight and a big improvement over Mister Harold at the front desk.”

  “How do you mean?” She asked with a pixie smile.

  “More pleasing to the eye, of course.”

  “Why Mister Crawford, you’re flirting with me?”

  “Just a general observation,” he answered, then paused a brief moment and thought. “Well, I might be at that… Yes, I guess I am.”

  “Well if you would like to take me out I think I’d like that, yes… I’m sure I would.”

  Clayton laughed, “you come directly to the heart of the matter, don’t you?”

  “Why not? Life is too short to waste time with smalltalk. I say a girl has to strike while the iron is hot. Well, I guess were here,” she said, as she stopped and late on a closed office door.

  “Come,” said a voice from the other side.

  Mister Howard was a tall angular man in his early 50s, well-built, and he looked physically fit. Dark wavy hair, friendly eyes, a pleasant smile. He was dressed in a very expensive designer suit, blue silk shirt and matching tie. He wore a Rolex watch that must have cost 10 grand, in a multi-carat diamond on the little finger of his left hand.

  “Please come in, Mister Crawford,” he said as he rose from behind his large mahogany desk. He came around to greet Clayton with a firm handshake. “I’m Mister Howard, Lester Howard, but for some reason all my close friends call me ‘Spud’. I’m Senator Harding’s Chief of Staff. And I’m terribly sorry, but the senator had to step out for a while. I’d be more than glad to be of help to you if I can. Please, sit down, make yourself comfortable, and that will be all, Nancy,” he said in an overly friendly voice. “Please close the door behind you.”

  All goodness and light, Clayton thought to himself, as he sat in a very comfortable cushioned chair that Lester Howard indicated. This guy can’t be for real, can he? What’s going on here?

  “First and foremost, I want to say how dreadfully sorry I am for your loss,” Lester said in the sincerest voice he could muster. “She was a remarkable young woman, and what a terrible tragedy it must be for you.”

  “That’s quite all right, Mister Howard, and I appreciate your kind words and thank you for the beautiful flowers your office sent.”

  “Nonsense,” he replied. “And please comment spud, all my close friends do. Sending the flowers was the least I could do. We simply loved her here, each and every one of us. She was a ray of sunshine in this otherwise drab office. She indeed will be sorely missed.”

  A quick and easy smile, flip and eager handshake, all marks of a practiced politician, Clayton thought with a slight smile.

  “I hope you will excuse me, if I seem to be in a hurry, but you know this is an election year and the things are quite hectic right now. It seems everything is happening at once and I’m the man that tries to hold it all together and keep it on track.”

  “That’s okay, Mister –“ Clayton stopped in mid-sentence and corrected himself, “Spud. That’s okay Spud. I’m certainly glad that I’m not the only one who runs into a mess from time to time. My offices in California can get pretty “harem-scarem” him at times, also, please don’t concern yourself over that.”

  “Good, then let’s cut right to the chase. My instructions are to give you all the help I can, so please tell me what we can do for you.”

  “Okay then,” Clayton said, “you see, Spud, I’m a little confused about a few things and I’d like your take on them. See what you think.”

  “I’m listening,” Lester said with a helpful smile.

  “Well, it’s about Michelle’s last days here, more or less.”

  There was a pause between the two men facing each other.

  “I still don’t know how I can help, but please go on.”

  “It seems I’m getting conflicting reports about Michelle’s last days, her frame of mind, so to speak. I’ve heard that she was really upset about something. She thought she was being followed. That she acted nervous and afraid of something or someone and that she was even afraid for her life. I was just wondering if you could comment on that or give me something I could hang my hat on, you know, to help me put this thing to rest?”

  “Well, I just don’t know what to tell you, Mister Crawford. All that sounds pretty absurd. Michelle was only recently promoted to be the senator’s private secretary. Quite a big step for someon
e who’s only been with this office a year or so. Then there’s that big pay raise, something like $25,000, every six months, not to mention all the perks that go with that position. She got a new car every year, a very large expense account, the keys to our private dining room… I could go on but you get the idea, I’m sure. There’s no earthly reason she should have been upset about anything, believe me.”

  “Without her frame of mind on the job? Did you notice anything that was different about her actions? Did she seem upset about anything?”

  “I truly don’t know what you are looking for, or wanting to hear. All I can tell you is that she was really happy with her job. She was looking forward to working for the senator. She was always upbeat and joking with everyone. We all thought the world of her. I’d say whoever is telling you different, simply didn’t know her. She was far from being upset. No, she was her normal self. Ask anyone here and they will tell you the same. She was the type of person that people just warmed to. She drew people to her, she couldn’t help it, it was just the way she was. And as far as having any enemies… I can’t think of one person he didn’t like her.”