by J. Valentine
Notes were made next to each picture.
Maryam Cartwright
Body found: December 27th
Occupation: Lead Psychiatrist Red Arch Hospital
Cause of death: ?
Primary suspect: Maybe Barry Dillon
Last known living location: Home on waterfront
Body found: Forest - north towards Cartwright’s cabin
Barry Dillon
Primary suspect ?
Receives large (unwarranted?) inheritance
?????
Anna Cartwright
Wife of Maryam (Happy?)
Resentment post transition possibly?
Layla Cartwright
Daughter of Maryam and Anna
Resentment post transition possibly?
Too many question marks, Olivia thought to herself. She went to her computer and sat down on the couch after letting Alvi back inside. Alvi sat next to her on the couch, relaxing. Olivia was a bit envious of the well cared for dog. Wishing she had someone to look after her as well as Max looks after him. She caught herself fantasizing about Barry. His height, his clothing. His new found wealth. She wondered what Barry had been doing with the money. Definitely a question to ask him. Maybe he could explain exactly why he was left such a sizable portion of the will, even after leaving the deceased’s daughter. Not much of this case made much sense… yet. She looked over towards the cork board, and jotted down more questions to ask each of them. She’d have to build a full profile on each involved party.
Many tabs were open on the computer, and a docs page listing questions for Barry, Anna, and Layla. Olivia opened up all the socials of Anna and Layla. Anna had the typical baby boomer facebook page. No instagram or anything else. Minion memes, and a few posts in the “concerned citizens” group about local politics. A few photos from their vacation to the island of Ibiza off the coast of Spain. Must be nice, Olivia thought to herself. Barry was in the pictures as well. Olivia wondered who had paid for his ticket. A trip to Ibiza all the way from Canada would cost thousands. And the Euro exchange rate from CAD wouldn’t help.
Layla had a, pretty dead, facebook page, and an instagram account with five thousand followers. The bikini pictures and dancing tiktok videos she made seemed to help give her the modest yet decent following. Many pictures from Ibiza, and a few pictures of her with her transitioned father. She seemed to support her father transitioning, at least on social media. A family going through something like that could be very difficult, Olivia considered.
Alvi perked up, hearing someone pull into the driveway.
Chapter 5
Olivia looked outside the window to see a shiny new Subaru Forester. A perfect vehicle for the harsh Red Arch winters. Olivia was shocked to see Max step out of the driver’s seat, and wave to her in the window. She rushed to get her shoes on, and rush ed outside to congratulate her brother on his new car.
“What do you think?” Max asked her.
“It’s beautiful! You finally got rid of Grace?” Olivia laughed at the thought of the old run down civic.
“Huh?” Max asked, playfully.
“What do you mean “huh”? What's this for if you’re not getting rid of the civic?” She gestures towards the olive green SUV.
Her brother laughed, “It’s for you to drive while you’re here. I’ll keep driving Grace, and when you’re gone I’ll drive Penny.”
“You already gave it a name?” Olivia shook her head.
“Umm. Her, and yes, she’s called Penny.”
“You drive Penny. I’ll drive the civic until I leave.” She laughed again.
“Fair enough,” Max laughed, “I don’t think Stephanie would like the sight of my ass climbing over the middle console anyways.”
“Where is the civic anyways?”
“Back at the dealer, do you want to drive?” He tossed her the keys.
She caught them effortlessly. Olivia admired the interior of the vehicle. She was very impressed with her brother’s choice. She was also very happy that he was doing his best to progress with Stephanie. A relationship up here in the cold desolate Red Arch is exactly what he needs. Other than hunting, he didn’t get out much. Now only if she could get him to cut off that horrible beard and hair, she thought to herself.
The roads were beautiful today. The snowfall had let up, and hints of sun were shining through onto the frozen lakes throughout the town. The SUV handled amazingly, far better than the civic. Studded tires gripped the road with ease and there wasn’t a hint of slipping on the turns.
“She drives nice doesn’t she?” Max asked her.
“She really does.” Olivia smiled to her brother, “this must’ve costed you a pretty Penny.”
“Hey you got the name!” Max said excitedly.
“Of course,” she laughed with her brother at the silly pun.
Olivia gazed out over Red Arch lake. Looking at the lakehouse she recognized from Layla’s instagram account. Massive wooden pillars held up the dark green roof, and floor to ceiling windows reflected the evening sun. Almost like a posh lincoln log house. The boat house, and outstretched dock were of the same style. Dark wood, and green roofing to keep their vintage barrel back luxury boat secure behind the garage like door. Most of the house was hidden by old growth trees, towering over the beautifully constructed home. Whatever they say about the Cartwrights, you have to respect their taste, Olivia thought.
“God dammit,” Olivia said, just as the loud sirens disrupted their pleasant drive. The beauty of the lake, the house, and the handling of the car caused Olivia to forget to watch her speed. She looked at the speedometer to see she had cruised up to 20km over the speed limit.
Max laughed, “It’s okay Olivia. Happens to everyone. You probably aren't used to police being bored enough to pull over someone only 20km over.”
Max was right. In southern Ontario this kind of thing was rare. The population was dense enough that police would lose money for the city if they caught someone going 20km over. Chances are, if they wait another ten minutes they’ll find someone going 30km over which was a significantly more expensive ticket.
She pulled over to the side of the road disappointed in herself.
The mirrored aviators reflected the sun as he walked up to the car. Olivia, watching in the mirror thought to herself, what a douchebag. She wasn’t the biggest fan of cops. She had a deep respect for them, but they’d often get in the way of her investigations. Often, they wouldn’t take too kindly to a pretty girl coming into their towns, and taking work from them. And doing a better job to boot.
She unrolled her window in preparation for his knock.
“Olivia?” He asked her.
She looked up and saw one of the most attractive men she’d ever seen. All the emotions from high school came rushing back into her mind, and into her body. She felt like a high school girl again, looking at the Red Arch Wolverines. Brad Wilson. His hair was much shorter now. Quiffed to the side, and a short tight fade leading down into his clean shaven face. He had to bend down to get a better look at her, but Olivia could tell he must easily hit 6’3”. 6’5” on skates. His strong jaw line, and deep set strong browed eyes made him just as attractive as she’d remembered him.
“I’m sorry?” Olivia lied.
He twirled his sunglasses in his hand, “Brad, Brad Wilson, we went to highschool together. Remember? I was on the hockey team. You were a junior when I was in senior year.”
“Ohh Brad that’s right. I actually remember hearing that you were a detective now? What are you doing pulling people over?”
Max gave his sister a concerned look, trying to tell her with his eyes not to insult the officer.
“You know, small towns. If I see someone speeding, I might as well generate a little bit more revenue for the city. What are you doing back in town?”
“I’m working on a case actually. I thought I’d come give you guys a bit of help,” she laughed, teasing him.
“Lord knows we need it. The Maryam Cart
wright case? A lot of us still think it was the Barry kid, you should look into that,” he told her.
“I’m investigating every possibility,” she explained.
“Yeah. Yup. Anyways I can tell you’re probably in a rush. This is a beautiful SUV by the way, I was looking at getting something like this myself.”
“Thanks, it’s my brother’s actually.”
“Max, the man! I didn’t see you there buddy,” he waved to her brother, who nodded in return to the greeting.
“So does this mean we get let off with a warning,” she smiled to the detective.
“Yeah sure thing Olivia,” she loved hearing the way he said her name. “Say why don’t I take you out for dinner some time when you’re here?”
Olivia didn’t appreciate being chatted up by an active police officer, but the opportunity to get to speak with a detective was too tempting. “Yeah that sounds nice. Here’s my number,” she handed him a card with her information. He handed her his card back.
“I’ll call you. And please, drive safe out here. Those tires can handle a lot, but the ice can be dreadful this time of year. Take care!”
He walked back to the cruiser, Olivia watching him, and his rear in her mirror.
“Really Olivia?” Max asked her.
“Hey… no ticket!” She smiled.
***
They finished the drive to the dealership and swapped vehicles. The salesmen tried to get Olivia in the office to talk about a car for herself. The 0.99% interest rate was tempting, but driving the Honda would be perfect for her time in Red Arch. New winter tires, and well maintained by a loving driver. The salesmen giggled watching her climb over the middle console and into the driver’s seat. The steering wheel took a bit of strength to turn, and she wondered if there was possibly a power steering fluid leak somewhere under the hood. Maybe she’d ask Max about that possibility later.
The civic didn’t handle nearly as well as the SUV, but it was always a bit of fun to slide a bit, Olivia thought. And a manual transmission, and e-brake at her right hand, made e brake turns possible, after switching off the ABS traction control. The four cylinder japanese engine had quite a bit of pep to it, and she loved driving it to its full capability.
After getting back to the familiar home, Olivia took Alvi on a walk around the block. Memories of childhood came back to her, recognizing the homes of different families. Many of them moved out, some of her friends, now with children of their own. The high paying town gave its people enough freedom to buy plenty of toys you’d see in northern communities. New ATVs, new side by sides, new snow machines. Olivia always thought it strange how in the north they were known as ‘snow machines’, but calling them that down south would confuse the people who knew them as ‘snowmobiles’.
The dog was well behaved, and well trained. Walking next to Olivia, matching her pace, not pulling or falling behind. Enjoying the cold of the winter's snow and ice on his paws. The only time he was bad was when a squirrel was about. Then his attention would be drawn and he’d become distracted. Olivia had never seen another dog that could catch as many backyard squirrels as Alvi did. A well earned treat, once or twice per month. A terror to the squirrel community.
She thought it was nice to get this relaxing time with the dog. Upon arriving home, she set up bed, and let him sleep nuzzled up to her. She longed for the companion. Hoping that soon a man would take Alvi’s place cuddling up next to her in bed. Dreams of both Barry and Brad plagued her mind that night.
Chapter 6
The murderer hired Olivia Guilbault to investigate his ex girlfriend’s father’s murder. Insane. He is going to get what’s coming to him too.
Olivia Guilbault? That skank. She won't be able to find anything, as if anyone could trust her and her terrible ‘writing.’ An utter and total hack if you ask me.
The police here are terrible. They need all the help they can get, maybe Olivia can actually make some progress on the case.
Olivia shook her head at the nonsense on the “concerned citizens of Red Arch” group. Idiots, if you ask me, she thought to herself, as she sat eating her breakfast, drinking her brother’s amazing coffee, and scrolling through her feed.
“Can you believe what they’re saying?” She asked Max who was mid flip of an egg.
“I don’t know why you bother with that crap,” Max told her.
“It’s important for the case!”
“I can’t believe how mean they are. They know you’re in the group right?” He asked her.
“Uhhh,” she hesitated.
“You’re using a fake account?” He laughed.
Olivia raised her shoulders and lowered them, looking back down towards her phone, slightly embarrassed.
“Excited for your date with Stephanie later?” She asked her brother.
“Yeah. I'm a bit nervous. It’s been years since we’d spent time together. Who knows how much we’ve both changed.”
“I’m sure it will go great. What do you think about me cutting that hair, and you shaving that beard before you go?”
Max paused for a moment, and considered Olivia’s request. “You know what, lets do it, I think it’s time.
The brother and sister finished their breakfast, and drinking the gourmet coffee. The smell of bacon, eggs, and coffee filled the air. The kitchen had recently been re modelled. New cupboards, kitchen sink with nozzle, and a fancy new overhead light fixture overtop the glass kitchen table. A table more appropriate for breakfast than the large decades old oak table sitting in the adjacent dining room.
Alvi, Max’s black lab, looked nervous as Olivia draped her mom’s old hairdresser’s nylon cape around him, tying it tightly in the back, after applying a warmed dish rag along the back of his neck. She looked at the nervous dog, thinking at first maybe he was hungry, before realizing his love for his owner.
“Maybe let’s put him outside,” Olivia suggested.
“Yeah, maybe,” Max shared Aliv’s nervousness.
“Good boy,” she said after opening the sliding glass back door with a perfect view of Max’s large backyard. Perfect for a dog like Alvi.
She turned on the clippers, and started working. Giving him a short buzz on the sides of his head, cleaning up the mulleted mop on the back, and leaving a good amount of length on top. Careful, she watched her brother’s face, making sure the memories of their late mother didn’t come crashing down on him, sending him into a depressive state, or causing anxiety.
“This is coming out really nicely Max, you… and Stephanie are going to love it,” she reassured him.
She gave him a haircut similar to Brad’s after leaving enough on top for a quiff of his own. She applied barber’s wax to his hair, rubbing it in, massaging his scalp, styling his hair to the best of her abilities. Olivia was getting emotional as well, thinking back to when she was a child, complaining about her mom pulling her hair while brushing it for her. She let out a laugh, smiling at her brother as a tear came to her eye. Max was happy as well, spending the time with his sister.
“Okay I think we’re good,” she showed him the final result in the hairdresser’s mirror, doing her best to angle them to show him what the back and sides looked like.
“I really like it, Olivia. Thank you,” Max said, as he embraced his sister in a hug.
Max let Alvi back inside, as Olivia cleaned up the hair from the floor. “Come on, boy,” he said as they went to the front of the house. Max enjoyed bringing his dog along when he had to run his daily errands.
“Maybe we can go on a run or something later, before I get started on my remote work today,” Max asked Olivia.
“I think I’m going to be pretty busy with the investigation today, but I’ll definitely take a rain check. I’m not on vacation anymore since accepting the case, so I really shouldn’t be putting off exercise too much!”
***
Olivia thought of different questions she should be asking the Cartwrights during what would soon be their initial interviews. It was al
ways the most difficult part of her job. Dancing around different subjects, tip toeing around difficult questions. She’d have to be careful not to offend them. Losing a loved one is difficult, and Olivia didn’t know much about the trans community. Hopefully they’ll understand me asking questions about the transition, she considered.
She would need supplies. Most of her stuff was left down in southern Ontario at her too expensive apartment. Luckily, she’d be able to use equipment her PI father left behind, stored and labelled meticulously in their basement. Her father was always one to pay close attention to detail. James was a great private investigator, and for the most part fairly ethical, rarely crossing any lines. Sometimes difficult cases called for that kind of thing. When Olivia would question him he’d always tell her it was for the greater good. Olivia used to not understand that, but with more experience she began to realize, you can’t always follow the book. She’d have to sometimes be creative, just as her late father had been.
In the basement was her father’s desk. She crept down the rickety stairs, squeaking a little too much for her liking, and the handle to brace herself was probably about 6 inches away from making modern building code regulations. She made it down with ease, luckily. She thought about sending Max a text letting him know to update the stairs next, but thought it would be better to tell him in person later.
She saw the desk. Still with papers thrown about, atop the wooden frame. Olivia and Max’s mother hadn’t had the heart to throw all of this stuff out. Perhaps for the best, as laying in this pile of rubbish could be clues towards future Red Arch cases. Her father kept all the records from all his cases. They were stored in manilla envelopes, sorted into banker’s boxes, displayed in the open on cheap metal wire framed shelving along the wall next to his desk.
She took some time and cleared the desk, putting the papers into one of those unused banker’s boxes, and left it off to the side. Definitely worth saving these, she decided. Next to the landline phone, sitting on the large desk was another electronic device, seemingly decades old technology. Olivia realized it was the old phone recorder, with a blank tape inside, ready for the next phone call to be recorded. A very handy and necessary piece of technology for the time. Nowadays Olivia would just use an app on her cell phone to record clients, witnesses, and suspects. Attached to the recording were her notes about her interpretation and context of the call.