Karma's a Bitch: A Short Story

by Michael Goffinet

  *********

  A week later, Detective Andy Meola knocked on Bob's door. Bob opened the door. "Can I help you officer?"

  "It's actually Detective, Mr. Sheppard. Detective Andy Meola."

  "Sorry, Detective. What can I do for you?"

  "Do you mind if I come in for a minute?"

  "No, not at all." They both strolled into the living room and sat on the sofa.

  "Well, Mr. Sheppard, I'm with the homicide unit, and we have officially moved your wife's death into the homicide category."

  Bob’s eyes widened. "Homicide! You think she was murdered?"

  "Yes, we do. Based on the coroner's report, she was asphyxiated."

  "What, how?"

  "There were no signs of a struggle, so it appears she was incapacitated and then asphyxiated.”

  “Do you know how she was incapacitated?”

  “We don’t know for sure. The only drug we found in her system was Ambien.”

  Bob interrupted, “She does take Ambien before bed.”

  “Well, that explains the Ambien. Unfortunately, we may never find out. There are a couple of drugs that can incapacitate someone quickly and won’t show up in the system after a couple of hours.” Bob nodded and both men were silent for a moment.

  “Mr. Sheppard can you tell me where you were that evening?"

  "Me? Are you saying I'm a suspect?"

  "Everyone's a suspect at this point."

  "I see. The first person you look at is the husband."

  "Something like that. So, Mr. Sheppard, where were you that evening?"

  "Um, I was in bed the whole night. I took an Ambien around ten that night and didn't wake up until the two police officers rang my doorbell."

  "You both take Ambien?"

  Bob raked his hand through his hair. "Yeah, neither of us sleeps well."

  "What time did you last see your wife that night?”

  "I guess, around ten. She was still up when I went to bed."

  "In the officer's report, they said you had a fight with your wife that night. What was that about?"

  Bob shrugged his shoulders. "Well, um, you know, just your normal married stuff. She was complaining that I wasn't pulling my weight."

  "I see. The report also said that your son blamed you for his mother's death."

  "Oh, that. That was just teenage hysteria. He thinks the fight was my fault. He believes that if I didn't cause a fight, she wouldn't have left the house that night and would still be alive."

  "Did you and your wife fight often?"

  "Not really."

  "Is it possible your wife was having an affair?"

  Bob was taken aback. "Well, I never really worried about that, so I don't think so, but I guess you really never know."

  "How about you Mr. Sheppard, are you having an affair?"

  Now Bob looked flustered, his cheeks blushed and his brow furrowed. "Of course not, Detective. Look, these are very personal questions. Do I need a lawyer?"

  Detective Meola lifted his hands. "Look, that's up to you, but I'm just trying to go down the list and eliminate suspects. I certainly don't mean any disrespect."

  Bob gave an audible sigh. "I'm sorry, I overreacted. You can imagine the last week has been very difficult for me and my son."

  "I understand Mr. Sheppard. I'm just trying to understand what your wife was thinking that night. Why would she leave the house?"

  "You know, I've been racking my brain for the last week. It's just not like her to leave the house so late."

  "Was she on any other medication?"

  "No, just the Ambien."

  Detective Meola retrieved a piece of paper from his briefcase. "Mr. Sheppard, here is a print out of the contact list from your wife’s iPhone. Can you review the list and circle the contacts that were closest to her?"

  "Sure," Bob said as he reached for the list. They sat in silence as Bob went through the list. He finished and handed it back to the detective.

  "We are currently going through her phone log to look for any unusual phone calls. We've already reviewed her texts and e-mails on the phone and didn't find anything unusual. Did your wife have a computer?"

  "Yeah, she has, I mean had a laptop."

  "Well, I would like to take it to the station and have someone review her e-mails for clues."

  "Sure, I'll go get it." Bob left and came back a minute later with the laptop. He handed it to Andy. "When will I get everything back?"

  "As soon as we're done with them; hopefully we'll be done soon. Do you have any questions Mr. Sheppard?"

  "No, sir."

  "Well, then. Have a good day." Detective Meola opened the door to leave, but paused. He looked back at Bob. "Oh, one more thing. Does your wife know anyone with red hair?"

  Bob’s eyebrows narrowed and then shook his head. "No, why?"

  "Well, we found a couple of red hairs in your wife's car."

  "My God, could they be from the killer?"

  "Could be, but they could also be a friend or maybe even one of your son’s friends." Bob just nodded in agreement. "Well, if I think of anymore questions, I'll call you." Andy opened the door and looked back. "Oh, and another thing. Does your wife wear a wedding ring?"

  "Of course she does. Why do you ask?"

  "There was no ring on her finger when she was found."

  Bob remained silent for a moment. "Maybe someone stole it. It was worth twenty-thousand dollars."

  Andy’s brow lifted quizzically. "Well, believe it or not that might help."

  "I don't see how."

  "I'll put out an alert for the ring. If someone stole it, they will probably try and pawn it at a local pawn shop." Bob nodded in agreement. "Can you provide a description of the ring Mr. Sheppard?"

  "Absolutely, we had it appraised a couple of years ago for the insurance policy. I have the appraisal somewhere in my desk. I'll fax it to your office. Oh, can I get a copy of the police report showing it was stolen? I'd like to get that over to the insurance company as soon as possible?"

  "Certainly, we want to make sure you get your money back," Andy said sarcastically.

  "I'm sorry Detective. I know it sounds callous, but that ring is worth a lot of money."

  Andy thought for a moment about this greedy son of bitch. "Did your wife have any life insurance?"

  "Well, um, no."

  "Okay, thank you for your time Mr. Sheppard." Andy walked out to his car and drove away. While driving to the station, he recalled his conversation with Bob Sheppard. He couldn't pinpoint it, but there was something about him that didn't seem right. He was hiding something. Andy entered the police station and strolled over to his desk. As soon as he sat down, Officer Clara Anderson approached him smiling. "Hi Andy, I got some information from the phone log of Mrs. Sheppard."

  "Well? Give it up."

  "It would seem that all was not well in the Sheppard household."

  "Come on Clara, tell me what you found."

  "Well, one of the calls she made was to a divorce attorney."

  His eyebrows arched in suspicion. "Wow. That does change things. That definitely gives us a motive. Look, I have a list of Mrs. Sheppard's friends. I'll contact them. Why don't you canvas the neighborhood and find out if anyone noticed anything suspicious at the Sheppard house that night."

  Andy met with the first three women and discovered very little, but his meeting with Cindy Sinclair was a gold mine. When he first met her, she claimed to be Karen's best friend. He gave very little credence to her claim since that was exactly what the first three women said. However, within the first fifteen minutes he realized she was the real deal. She knew everything. "So you knew about the divorce attorney?" Andy asked.

  "Oh, yeah, you don't really think he did it, do you?" she asked.

  "Do you think he was capable of such an act?"

  She bit her lower lip. "You know, he’s kind of creepy, but I don't know. Murder just seems so extreme."

  "Do you know why she was thinking of a divorce?"r />
  "Oh, you mean, you don't already know? He was having an affair with that little slut who works at the diner next to his office."

  Excitement ran down Andy’s spine. Another motive, he thought.

  She was thoughtful for a moment. "The name of the diner is on the tip of my tongue. Damn, I can't remember. You know the one I'm talking about, don't you?"

  "Chelsea's Diner," he said trying to curb his excitement.

  "Yes, that's the one. I knew it started with a C. Anyhow, he was having an affair with the waitress there."

  "Mrs. Sheppard knew this for a fact?"

  "Oh yeah, she went to his office to surprise him for lunch one day. His secretary said he went to lunch at Chelsea's. Karen went over there, and right before she walked in, she noticed the waitress stroking his hair and then touching his shoulder. She stopped dead in her tracks. She turned around, walked back to her car and waited. A couple of minutes later, Bob and this bimbo come strolling out hand-in-hand, like lovers on a romantic walk. It made Karen sick. She got out of the car and followed them. They walked to Bob's car. His car was parked in the underground parking garage, the one right on the corner. You know which one I'm talking about?" Andy nodded. "Well, the car was parked way in the back where it was empty. She walked back there and she could literally see the car rocking. He was screwing her right there in the garage! Can you believe the balls on this guy? Karen said a squirt of bile shot up her throat and she almost threw up right there!"

  "Wow, what did she do?"

  "Well, she was about to approach the little prick right then, but thought twice about it and realized it would be better to blindside the bastard with a divorce."

  "Why is that?"

  "She didn't trust him. He had money hidden everywhere. She wanted to find out where it all was before she told him."

  "What was she worried about."

  "She thought he might try to hide it from her. He was very greedy that way." Andy nodded in agreement remembering the incident about the ring.

  "Is it possible he found out about the divorce and decided to kill her?"

  "Or maybe, he hired someone kill her," she responded.

  His eyebrows lifted inquisitively. Maybe, he thought. "You have been very helpful Ms. Sinclair. I'll call you if I think of anything else." Andy left Cindy's house and called Clara. "Hi, Clara, it's Andy."

  "Oh, Andy, do I have some information for you," Clara said excitedly.

  "Wow, I was just about to say the same thing. You first."

  "Well, I found out two important things. First, the neighbor next door is a sixty-year old insomniac. Her name is Mrs. Wilson and every night she wakes up about two or three times, goes into her kitchen and drinks warm milk. Her house faces the Sheppard's house. She can see their garage from her kitchen window. She remembers that night because as soon as she turned her kitchen light on, she noticed the Sheppard's garage door opening. She swears there were two people in the Toyota Highlander. She couldn't make out who they were, but she claims there were two people in the front seats."

  "Oh my God, why didn't she call us sooner?"

  "She didn't know that Mrs. Sheppard's death was a homicide."

  "Wow, this is huge. You wouldn't believe what I just found out as well." Andy relayed his conversation with Cindy Sinclair.

  "Unbelievable! This guy is starting to sound like a real creep."

  "Yeah, I think Mr. Sheppard has some explaining to do. Call Judge Patterson and see if he is willing to sign a search warrant for Mr. Sheppard's house."

  "Will do. By the way, the other thing I found out was that Mrs. Sheppard had a $450,000 life insurance policy."

  "What! I just point blanked asked that S.O.B. if his wife had life insurance and he said no. Make sure to include that with the information to the judge. I'm going to talk to the Captain, but I think we may have enough to arrest him." They hung up. Well, Mr. Sheppard, it looks like you've made it to the top of the suspect list.

  That same night, Detective Meola and three officers arrived at Bob's house. Andy rang the doorbell. A shiver went down Bob's spine when he looked through the peephole. Bob ran back into his office and came back a minute later. He threw the door open. "What is the meaning of this Detective? Do I need to call my attorney and report this harassment?"

  "What took you so long to open the door Mr. Sheppard?"

  "I had to get dressed," he said defensively.

  "Uh huh," said Andy not believing Bob's excuse. Andy handed him two pieces of paper. "You know Mr. Sheppard, an attorney may be a good idea."

  Bob snatched the papers away from Andy. "What are these?"

  "It's a search warrant giving us permission to search your entire house and a warrant for your arrest. Mr. Sheppard you are under arrest for the murder of Karen Sheppard." Andy continued to read him is rights.

  "What? This is harassment, that's what this is! You come here with three other police officers and embarrass me in front of my neighbors. I'll have your badge for this."

  "Yeah, yeah, I've heard that before." Andy looked at the officer to his left. "Put him in the car." Andy and the officers searched the house. Two hours later they had bagged and tagged everything they found, including Bob's laptop and some jewelry. They brought Bob to the station. Andy let him call his lawyer and then booked him. Two hours later Russ Sulter entered the station. Russ was one of the city's top defense attorneys. They all sat at the rectangular wood table in the interrogation room. "Mr. Sheppard, just to let you know, this conversation is being recorded," said Andy.

  Andy pushed the record button. "Okay, let's start with the obvious question. Mr. Sheppard did you kill your wife?"

  Bob’s brow narrowed in anger. "Oh my God, of course not! I already told you that."

  "Well Bob, it turns out that you have told me a lot of things that have not been true."

  Bob stood up from his chair. "This is outrageous. I will not be treated like some hooligan."

  "Sit down, Mr. Sheppard," Andy said in a stern voice.

  Bob looked at his attorney. Russ gently pulled him back down to his chair. "Let's hear what they have to say Bob." Russ turned to the Detective. "Ask your questions Detective, but please leave the theatrics out of it."

  "Fine, let's clarify some, um, inconsistencies. First, you told me you weren't having an affair."

  "That's true."

  "Do you know a Julie Miller?"

  Bob's face drained of color. "Well, um, yes. She's a waitress at Chelsea's Diner."

  "We had a little talk with Julie. It took at bit of prodding, but she said you guys are having an affair."

  "Had an affair Detective. Had, as in past tense."

  "Well, yesterday you said you didn't have an affair."

  "No, I said I wasn't having an affair."

  Andy gave him a stern stare. "So, when did you break it off with Julie."

  Bob shrugged his shoulders. "Um, you know, I don't really recall."

  "Okay, let's ballpark it. Was it a year ago, a month ago, or a day ago?" Andy asked with sarcasm.

  "I guess it was recent."

  "Recent you say. According to Julie, you two are still an item."

  "Oh, well, she's mistaken."

  "Really, I have a witness from the restaurant that said you left with her two days ago."

  "Well, we're still friends."

  Andy rolled his eyes. "Come on Mr. Sheppard. Do you really expect anyone to believe that?"

  Russ interrupted, "Detective my client answered your question, so either move on with another question or my client is done here."

  Andy nodded in frustration. "Okay, let's put that aside for now. You also told me that your wife didn't have any life insurance."

  "That's true."

  "According to our research, she has a $450,000 life insurance policy."

  "She had a $450,000 policy. It was a five-year term policy and it expired three weeks ago."

  "Oh brother," Andy said with a heavy sigh. "Another has versus had issue."

  "My
English teacher used to always say that tenses are important," said a smug Bob.

  Russ interrupted again, "You see Detective. Right there is proof of my client's innocence. Who would kill their wife right after her life insurance policy expired?"

  "I would agree with you, if in fact, there really is no insurance money to collect."

  Russ threw up his hands in frustration. "Well, the policy expired, so of course there is no money to collect."

  Andy turned to Bob. "So Mr. Sheppard, are you telling me that you won't get any insurance money?"

  "Of course he won't Detective," Russ said, but Andy raised his hand to silence him.

  "Can you let Mr. Sheppard answer that question?" Now everybody in the room was staring at Bob.

  Bob sunk down in his chair, sweat beading on his forehead. "Well, um, there is a thirty-day grace period in which I can re-instate the policy."

  "Isn't it true Mr. Sheppard that you have already submitted the claim to the insurance company? In fact, you did it the day after your wife's death."

  "This is outrageous Detective. None of this proves anything. You and my client had a misunderstanding, but he has not lied to you. You arrested my client on this flimsy circumstantial evidence. This is ludicrous."

  "This isn't all we have counselor."

  "Fine, let's hear the rest."

  "Mr. Sheppard, would it surprise you to know that your wife visited a divorce attorney?"

  Bob looked genuinely surprised. He was speechless for a moment. "I don't believe it."

  "Well, believe it. She knew about your affair." Bob's eyes widened in shock. "Yes, that's right Mr. Sheppard. A friend of hers said that Karen actually witnessed you and Julie having sex in a car parked in the underground garage." Bob squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. "Very tacky, don't you think Mr. Sheppard?" Bob looked down at the table.

  "This still proves nothing Detective. My client already admitted to the affair. How and where he had sex is irrelevant," said Russ.

  "True counselor, but the fact that his wife knew about the affair and was in the process of divorce proceedings, certainly impacts motive."

  "You said his wife visited a divorce lawyer, do you have any proof that she actually started divorce proceedings?

  Now Andy looked a little uncomfortable. "Well, um, I guess not, but we have subpoenaed her attorney’s records."

  "Look Detective, it is common for a spouse who just found out their spouse cheated on them to meet with a divorce attorney, but most spouses don't go through with it. I still don't see justification for my client's arrest."

  Andy pulled an object out of a plastic bag and placed it on the table. "Do you recognize this Mr. Sheppard?"

  Bob took a big breath and then let out an audible sigh. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

  "Are you okay, Mr. Sheppard?" Andy asked.

  Bob regained his composure and cleared his throat. "Yes, I'm fine. That's my wife's ring. That's great, where did you find it?"

  "We founded it buried deep in one of your dresser drawers."

  "Wow, really. She must have taken it off before she left."

  "The interesting part was that the drawer had men’s shirts in it."

  "Well, I really don't know why she chose that drawer."

  "Can you think of any reason why she would take off her wedding ring Mr. Sheppard?"

  He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, maybe she was having an affair after all."

  Andy didn't want to mention the neighbor who witnessed two people leaving that night. He would save that for later. Right now, it was time to kick the apple tree and see what breaks loose. "Uh huh, isn't it just as possible that you killed your wife? You drove her to the Paris Club, left her there to be found in order to throw suspicion off yourself, but your greed got the best of you, didn't it Mr. Sheppard? You just couldn't let the ring go, could you? You took it off her finger so it would appear stolen. This way you had the ring and could collect the twenty grand from the insurance company." Bob's face turned bright red, he looked like he was going to burst into flames. He looked over at his lawyer.

  "This is outrageous," Russ bellowed slamming his hand on the table.

  But Andy continued, "Isn’t it true Mr. Sheppard, that you have already submitted a claim to the insurance company for your wife's ring."

  Russ looked over at Bob. Bob looked frazzled. "Yes, it's true, but only because I forget to do things. I try to do them the minute I remember. So I filed it the minute I got the police report."

  "Would it surprise you Mr. Sheppard to know that we have an eyewitness who saw two people, not one, but two people in your wife’s car that night leaving your garage?"

  Bob looked sick. His whole body was sagging and his face looked droopy. Russ quickly stood up. "This meeting is over Detective. I'm advising my client to not say another word."

  "Counselor, would your client be willing to submit to a lie detector test?"

  Russ chuckled, "Absolutely not."

  "If he's innocent, what does he have to hide?"

  "Come on Detective, we both know they aren't one hundred percent accurate. There's no benefit for my client. If he passes, you're not going to release him, and if he doesn't pass, it will somehow get leaked to the press and they will crucify him."

  Russ placed a comforting hand on Bob’s shoulder. "Don't worry Bob, I'll have you out on bail by the morning. Just hang in there." Bob didn't say a word. He just stared at the table. Russ was good on his word. Bob was released on bail the following morning. He walked out of the station and right into a horde of reporters. Cameras were clicking and reporters were shouting questions.

  "Mr. Sheppard, why did you kill your wife?”

  "Mr. Sheppard, how long have you been having an affair?"

  "Mr. Sheppard, was your wife having an affair?"

  The questions continued until he reached Russ's car. Russ drove him home where more reporters were waited. He dashed into the house and slammed the door behind him. He turned on the television. He was all over the news. The media had already found him guilty. How could this happen! He went to the refrigerator and read the note on the door. "Dad, I'm going to stay at a friend's house until this thing gets sorted out. J." Well, that was some good news. He wouldn't have to deal with his ungrateful son. He went into his room and lay on his bed. Everyone will be sorry when the truth comes out.