Rooted in Lies

by Kasia Chojecki

  "Of course, I recognize the name," she said impatiently. "You asked if I knew her."

  "And you didn't?"

  "Not that I recall."

  Tyler went back to his notebook and slowly flipped through the pages. She watched him silently.

  "What do you think happened to the money?" he asked suddenly.

  "I beg your pardon?"

  "The money," he said again. "The three million dollars that went missing from your brother's company. The money Sharon Novak was accused of stealing."

  "How should I know, Detective Burnett?" she asked, but there was a bit of an edge in her voice this time.

  "Mr. Walker never filed a police report. You'd think that with such a large amount of money missing, he would want it back," he paused. "Embezzlement is a crime. He could have filed charges against Sharon Novak."

  Elizabeth watched him carefully. Her perfectly made-up face devoid of any sort of emotion. Tyler could sense that she did not appreciate his line of questioning.

  "I'm afraid that I can't answer that," she said flatly. "I don't get involved in my brother's business affairs. You'd have to ask him."

  "Any idea where I can find him?" he asked.

  "No," she said firmly. "Is there anything else?"

  "Not at this time. You've been very accommodating," Tyler said as he got up. "Thank you for your time, Ms Northam. I'll show myself out."

  Elizabeth watched him leave without a word. When he stopped at the door and turned to her, he saw another flash of anger, but it quickly disappeared.

  "Just one more question," he said. "When did your company acquire the Silver Clover property?"

  "My family has owned the property for quite some time," she said. "I'm sure someone on my staff can get you that detail. Now, if you excuse me, I have a meeting that I have to attend."

  Tyler nodded in acknowledgement and left. He could feel her piercing gaze following him as he walked away. It seems like he ruffled some feathers in Elizabeth's perfect life. He got on the elevator and stood silently in the back as people filed in and out on different floors. Delivery people, suits running to meetings and interns snickering at their supervisors. The corporate world never lacked entertainment.

  He thought about Sharon Novak. He didn't expect it to be easy when he took on this case, but the more he dug, the more curious he became. Nobody seemed to know anything. There was no evidence of any crime and no trace of Sharon or the money. Everything was very neat. A bit too neat, he thought.

  When he got to the station, Tyler found Ava waiting for him.

  ***

  "Hello, Detective," she said with a smile.

  "You should call me Tyler," he said. "What can I do for you?"

  "I wanted to thank you again for sending me the police reports," Ava said. "It's helpful to understand what was happening with the investigation when Sharon went missing."

  "It's the least I can do," he said. "As you have noticed, there is not a lot of information in those files. At least not as much as I would have expected."

  "You mean this is not the standard way to collect information during an investigation?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. She tried to keep the sarcasm to a minimum, but sometimes it took better of her.

  Tyler smiled, let the comment pass.

  "It sounds like you had quite the day visiting Frank Mitchell," Tyler pulled up the pictures she sent him on his computer screen. "Did you bring the note with you?"

  She dug the clear plastic baggie out of her purse and handed it over.

  "I don't know what you can do with this, but maybe you can get something useful off the note."

  Tyler examined the note. The message, printed in block letters using a marker, was pretty clear in its meaning.

  "Looks like your visit stirred some resentment," he said.

  "I don't know if it was Mitchell who wrote the note and left it, or someone else was there watching the house."

  "If Frank was the one who wrote it or touched it at any time, his fingerprints would be on the paper," he told her. "His are in the system, so we'll know soon enough if he was behind it."

  She told him about the black pickup truck that tore out of the parking lot while they were having lunch.

  "Unfortunately, we didn't get the plates."

  "Well, you couldn't have known. Besides," Tyler pointed out. "It might have been someone else, not connected to the truck."

  "You're right," she sighed. "We didn't notice any vehicle matching the truck when we went to see Mitchell, so we didn't think it was connected. Besides, I doubt Mitchell would be able to drive."

  "Why is that?"

  "Well," she hesitated. "I'm pretty sure he's a heavy drinker. He had three beers just in the short time we were there. He might have had more before we got there."

  "I see," Tyler knew from experience that drinking hasn't stopped many people from getting behind the wheel. Still, he didn't know Mitchell enough to tell whether Frank was one of those people or not. "Let me talk to him and see what shakes out."

  "Do you think he'll tell you more than he told us?"

  "It's worth a try."

  "You should keep an eye out for any black pickup trucks while you're there," she said.

  "I will. Meanwhile," Tyler said as he opened a drawer in his desk. "Do you know if Sharon had any safety deposit boxes, lockers or storage rooms?"

  "Not that I am aware," Ave thought about the possibility. "If she did, she didn't tell anyone."

  Tyler pulled out an evidence bag. Inside was a small key. He handed the bag to Ava.

  "What's this?" she asked.

  "I was hoping you could tell me," he said. "This was found with Sharon's remains. It's unclear if it belonged to her or to her killer."

  "I can ask my grandfather and my father if they know anything," she offered as she examined the key. "But I seriously doubt it. If she has anything like that, I'm sure someone would have contacted either one of them to ask for payment."

  "Well, it was worth a try," Tyler said and put the evidence bag back in the drawer. "I'll keep looking."

  "Have you talked to Sharon's old boss yet?" Ava asked.

  "No," Tyler said as he crossed his arms. "I'm still looking for him."

  "Maybe that's something I can look into."

  ***

  Ava checked her watch. She had a few more minutes to spare before her next meeting. She made her way down Broadview Avenue towards the coffee shop where she was set to meet Kevin Smith, the man behind the meetup group and the true crime community in Toronto.

  Since she was early, Ava grabbed a coffee and snagged a newly vacated table outside. It was a lovely day to sit outside without the stifling humidity. No interruptions, no expectations. Ava enjoyed moments like this when she could just sit and observe the world around her.

  "Ava?"

  She looked up at the sound of her name and waved to Kevin. He made his way over to where she sat and gave her a quick hug. He had a square jaw, shaggy blond hair and the look of a perpetual student.

  "So good to see you again, Ava," he said as he sat his saddlebag on one of the chairs. "I hope you haven't been waiting long."

  "Oh, no," she told him. "I got here early and thought I'd enjoy the view."

  "Can't blame you," he smiled. "I'm going to grab a coffee. Do you want anything else?"

  She shook her head and watched him go inside. Kevin was one of the true crime podcast fans she had met years ago. He was actively involved with the online community in Toronto. He organized many of any meetups or events she spoke at. He was also a huge supporter of her podcast and a great outlet to promote the new season of The Missing Voices.

  "Tell me everything," he said dramatically once he sat down again. "What's new and exciting? How is the new season going?"

  She laughed. Kevin was always so eager to help. He was intelligent, easy to talk to, and had connections to the local true crime community she needed. Ava also suspected he had a little crush on her. Thankfully, their relationship always s
tayed professional.

  She filled him in on the feedback on the latest season, the cases she wanted to highlight and how Lori's idea for a meetup came about. Kevin was on board and loved everything about it. That's what Ava liked about him. He was easygoing and got things done.

  They have done events together in the past, and they have always sold out. You could say that people couldn't get enough of death and murder. It always amazed her just how many people listened to her podcast. She often got emails from strangers telling her how the stories affected them. Most of them expressed sympathies for the families, others offered theories and, every now and then, someone actually had information related to a case. Those emails came less often and even fewer led to solving the cases. But those that did made all her work worthwhile. Especially if they lead to a break in an investigation.

  "This is great," Kevin said as he wrote down the details. "I think we can organize something next week. Would that be too soon?"

  "You think you can get it done in time?"

  "I don't see why not. We already had a tentative date set, and it was one of those that worked for Lori. Besides," he smiled at her. "The people love you. I" m sure they'll be eager to come out and hear you speak."

  "You're too kind."

  "I speak the truth," he said, then snapped his notebook shut. "Now, tell me, what's new with your mom's case. I didn't see you post any updates online."

  Ava sipped the rest of her coffee. She hadn't posted anything about Sharon since they found her remains. There just wasn't much to say. She had Nick sort through the comments and messages on the site to see if anyone left anything useful. So far, there was nothing.

  "There is no news to share," she told him truthfully. "I'm actually doing some research work on the original case, trying to find something useful."

  "Are you treating it like one of the other cases?"

  "Yes," she nodded. "I decided to dig deeper. I have an assistant who is helping me sort through everything. Two sets of eyes should be better than one."

  "Oh definitely. I didn't know you were looking for an assistant.," he pouted. "I would have totally loved to apply."

  "You're already busy," she said. "But I totally appreciate it."

  "Do the police have any leads?" Kevin asked.

  "Nothing concrete," Ave said. She definitely wasn't going to admit that her mother could have been a blackmailer. It was already bad enough that people thought she embezzled money. "I am working on some angles, but as you can appreciate, I can't share them right now."

  "Of course," he patted her hand. "I am here if you need me. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything. Or, if the assistant doesn't work out."

  Chapter 7

  Ava started the day with a workout. While kicking, punching, lifting and stretching helped relieve some of the frustration, she was still left with more questions than answers. She didn't like to think her mother was capable of blackmail any more than being a thief. Unfortunately, many things were pointing that way.

  Maybe she needed to talk to someone whose opinion of Sharon was less rosy. Someone who didn't just see the positive. Her father. Ava checked her watch and decided to call London.

  Michael answered after several rings, and his face filled the screen. Ava knew her father wasn't too keen on talking about Sharon, but she had to try since he could provide some answers. They exchanged the usual pleasantries before she got down to business.

  "I have some questions about Sharon," she said.

  "I don't know what I can tell you that you don't already know," he sighed. "You have let it go, Ava. I know she was your mother, but she didn't run away. You don't have to chase her anymore."

  She hated bringing Sharon up. He always looked pained when talking about her mother. He avoided the topic whenever he could, even with Stan.

  "Someone killed her, Dad. I want to know why."

  Michael pressed his fingers to his temples. Massaged them out of a habit. He could feel throbbing pain coming on somewhere inside his head. Even in death, Sharon's grip was strong and vengeful.

  "Ava," he said slowly. "Sharon was a complicated person. She did everything her way and didn't listen to reason. She was only concerned with what was best for Sharon. That's it. Many people didn't take kindly to that."

  "Do you think she was capable of blackmailing someone?"

  Something passed across Michael's face, but he didn't immediately respond. She could sense tension and anger but didn't know why.

  "Sharon liked to stick her nose in other people's business," he said. "Not everyone appreciated that."

  "What does that mean?"

  "It means your mother wasn't the selfless do-gooder your grandfather makes her out to be. He's put her on a pedestal, for god's sake, like some sort of a martyr. She was far from perfect. She knew how to get to people, exploit them," he paused as if trying to control the anger. "Blackmail? I wouldn't put it past her.

  "That doesn't mean she deserved to die," Ava said quietly.

  "No, of course not. That's not what I'm saying."

  "What are you saying, Dad?"

  He exhaled in frustration. He was so sick and tired of having to deal with Sharon Novak. The woman was a thorn in his side. One he couldn't get rid of no matter how much he tried.

  "Look, she was your mother," he said. "No matter how I felt about her, I know she loved you very much. When she disappeared, I was so angry with her. Angry with her for leaving you."

  "Did you think she left on purpose?"

  Michal shrugged. "I don't know. A part of me thought that maybe she did, and I hated her for it. But in a way, I was glad she was out of my life," he admitted. "I'm sorry, Ava. I truly am. I'm sorry you didn't get to know her. I'm sorry she is dead because that means she's not coming back."

  "But you're not sorry she is gone."

  When he didn't answer, she just stared, unsure how to respond. Ava never doubted that her father loved her. Growing up, he was always there for her, making sure she had everything she needed. He paid for horseback riding lessons, summer camps, private schools and shrinks without a single complaint. He sent her to spend summers with her grandparents and never complained if they wanted her to come any other time.

  She always thought it was to fill the void left by Sharon's disappearance, maybe even guilt. Now, she wasn't sure. Maybe he sent her away so she wouldn't remind him of Sharon. A painful reminder of the woman he couldn't stand to be around. Did he ever love her?

  "Did you talk to her before she went missing?" she asked.

  "Sharon didn't fill me in on the details in her life. We were barely speaking to each other, except when it came to you."

  "So you don't know if she was seeing anyone or if anyone was bothering her?"

  "No. Sharon could be very secretive when she wanted to be. There were always men hanging around her. She could have been seeing any one of them, but she never told me about anyone."

  "When did you see her last?"

  "It was a few days before she went missing. I dropped you off at your grandparents', and we had some words, then I went straight to the airport."

  Ave couldn't tell if he genuinely didn't know anything else or just didn't care.

  "You should let it go," he said and raised his hand when she was about to protest. "The truth, or whatever version of it you get, is not going to bring her back. You were looking for her for years, and now you've found her. Take that and move on. She's not coming back."

  After the call ended, Ava shut the laptop in frustration.

  ***

  It was always the same old thing. Ava thought as she paced around her office. To many, Sharon was a brilliant, charming and attractive woman with so much potential. To others, she was a persistent, self-righteous, pushy and scheming busybody. Was she all of it, or was she none of those things?

  "Ugh," Ava whipped the stress ball she's been squeezing against the wall. "Sharon, Sharon, SHARON."

  "Tough morning?" Tyler asked. He leaned lazily against the doorwa
y, watching the stress ball bounce off the wall and roll on the floor.

  He caught her off guard. Ava stared at him, her eyes blazing.

  "I see you finally decided to show up," she said. "Wild party last night?"

  "No party," he grinned. "I had a date. It ended late."

  He lifted the small paper bag he was holding to show her. "And before you get all twisted out of shape, I brought you coffee."

  She accepted the coffee cup begrudgingly and let it go. It wasn't his fault she didn't remember her own mother and had to rely on the opinion of others to understand her.

  "What do we work on today? he asked.

  "I went to see Tyler, I mean Detective Burnett," Ava said. "I gave him the note."

  "So it's Tyler now," he teased, giving her a knowing look. "I see."

  "Get your mind out of the gutter," she said. "We need to do some digging into Sharon's old boss. Adam Walker. Burnett can't locate him."

  "Well, then. Good thing for my superior research skills."

  "You found him?" she asked.

  "Not yet, but I did some digging into his family history," Nick said as he sat at the desk and opened his laptop. "You might find it interesting to know that the property where Sharon's remains were found belongs to a company owned by Elizabeth Northam."

  "Who's she?"

  "I'm glad you asked," Nick continued as he opened his notes. "Elizabeth and Adam are related."

  "What?" Ava asked as she leaned over his shoulder to take a better look at the screen. "How?"

  "The short version is that her father, George Elliot Northam, married his mother, Teresa Walker," Nick said as he tried to ignore her hair ticking his face. But she made no attempt to move.

  "That's it?" she asked. "Did you find anything useful about the family?"

  "Oh, ye of little faith," he said and moved her hair out of the way. She moved back then decided to sit on the edge of the desk as he pulled up the information." George, the patriarch of the Northam family, was the only child born to Mary and Henry Northam during the Great Depression.

  "His family made their money in shipping at the turn of the century and did quite well for the first two decades. When the Depression hit, Henry's entrepreneurial spirit kicked in, and he started to resell the goods he couldn't ship anymore from a storefront."