Chapter 17
THE RING
Bart made it home early for our shopping trip. He brought me a dozen red roses to get the evening off to a good start, he said. I felt like a school girl getting ready to go out on a prom date. Bart seemed more excited and happier than I'd ever seen him. He really did love me. I could see it in his eyes. As we got in Bart's car and headed for North Park, where our search for a ring was to begin, I felt very strange like I was in a dream that could be interrupted at any moment. I kept looking around, wondering when I'd be awakened.
North Park was crowded as usual but nothing could dampen my enthusiasm on this particular night. We browsed in the first two jewelry stores we encountered, but didn't find anything that struck our fancy. In the third store, however, I found a three-stone designer engagement ring that we both loved. It was expensive, but Bart said if I liked it, it was mine. Fortunately, they had one in my size, so Bart slipped it on my finger and I promised never to take it off again.
The rest of the evening was a blur. We had dinner at the Mansion, found a club afterwards where we were able to dance, and listen to great music. Then we went home and finished off the evening in each other's arms. The next morning was so blissful I didn't want to get up. We lingered in bed until almost nine o'clock when the telephone rang. It was Stan and he was upset.
"I've got to catch a plane to Washington," Stan said. "I wanted to let you know that I was going. I should be back tomorrow."
"Why are you going to Washington?" I asked.
"I've got to see Congressman Manning and get some answers."
"Answers to what?"
"Why he called a friend at the IRS and got them to release the Continental Exporters' bank account. The money is gone because of him."
"Why would he do that? What does he have to do with Continental Exporters?"
"I don't know, but I intend to find out."
"Be careful, Stan. Someone has already kidnapped Huntington. I don't want you disappearing too."
"Don't worry. I'm just going to visit a U.S. Congressman. How dangerous could that be?"
Stan's telephone call scared me. I had a very bad feeling about his sudden trip. Obviously he was in the middle of some serious business that neither of us understood. Even Detective Besch and the FBI seemed to be clueless as to what was happening. I wished I could have done something, but I didn't have the slightest idea what it would be. All I could do while I waited, was to focus on Jimmy Bennett's case. Hard work would keep my mind off Stan and the danger I knew was awaiting him in Washington.
When I got to the office, I reviewed the witness list and decided it was time to visit Don Bennett's wife, Margie. Fortunately, she was still dealing with Don's affairs and hadn't returned to the ranch. She agreed to see me that afternoon in their plush abode that made Jimmy's place look like servants' quarters. As I drove up to the place, I wondered why any human being needed so much space. I imagined Don and Margie arguing and hearing echoes billowing through the huge house.
Margie wasn't what I expected. She was homely if not downright ugly. She also wasn't the friendliest human being on the planet either. I counted three servants waiting on her but she never once offered me even a cup of coffee. I now understood why Don Baker didn't mind that she was off with her boyfriend at Buffalo Ridge most of the time.
"I just needed to ask you a few questions as part of my investigation," I said.
"I don't know what in God’s green earth I could tell you that would help."
"Well, I thought maybe you might know who your husband's enemies were. Perhaps Don told you something or you observed things that concerned you."
"The police have the right man. Jimmy's been looking for a way to get control of Don's money. I told Don he shouldn't trust that SOB. He's a two timin' snake."
"What did he do that made you hate him so much?"
"He married my daughter for starters. I forbid her to marry him, but she didn't listen. He's a snake charmer, that boy is. Don took to him like he was a long lost son, too. But, I could see right through him. Jimmy's a leach. Never did an honest day's labor in his life."
"I heard he did a pretty good job running Baker Construction."
"No. His brother's a good boy. A real Christian. He's the one that kept Baker Construction doing so well. Jimmy just likes to act like a big shot."
"Still, I sense there is something you're not telling me about Jimmy. What happened between you two to make you so angry?"
"Nothing. He's just a two-bit drug addict. Even Betty finally figured that out. It's about time she had the sense to divorce the asshole. I hope he rots in prison for the rest of his life."
Margie’s hostility toward Jimmy shocked me. I figured she wouldn't like him, but her emotional tirade made me think he'd hurt her deeply somehow. It was clear I wasn't going to find out what was going on between them from Margie. Jimmy himself would have to enlighten me.
Black Monday, A Stan Turner Mystery Vol 7 Page 17