The Murder in Red Arch

by J. Valentine

***

  She found the keys, bundled up in an old snowsuit she found hanging in Max’s closet. Possibly belonging to her mother, but she wasn’t sure. She made her way through the almost knee deep snow to the ATV and started it up on the first turn. She took a moment to play with the controls, lifting the plow up and down, side to side, a few times, and got to work.

  Quickly she realized why Max had spent the money on the toy. It was probably good for his northern bush hunting as well, she thought, and it was a great deal of fun to use after a heavy snowfall. After about a half hour the driveway was clear, and she even worked up a bit of a sweat, her body forgetting just how cold the northern climate was supposed to be. She admired her hard work, and just as she was about to step inside she saw Penny, Max’s green subaru SUV pull up. She smiled and waved.

  “How was your night with Stephanie,” she asked him, once he got inside the door.

  “It was fun, we stayed safe. Did the power go out here too?” He asked her.

  “It did. Must’ve come on some time during the night, when we woke up the power was on.”

  “Yeah the power network guys are pretty good out here with outages. How was your night with Brad?”

  “It was fun. We lit some candles and went over the case together,” she smiled.

  Olivia could tell her brother was a bit embarrassed talking about the subject, his cheeks reddening. She let him get situated in the house, and get to the work he had been putting off lately to spend time with his new girl.

  ***

  “Held up well. Hope you guys are all okay over there?” Barry texted her back, finally.

  “Yup, all good here.”

  “That’s good to hear. What can I do for you?” He asked her.

  Olivia was glad that he was being forthright. She hoped she’d be able to get some honest answers from the man. “I was wondering if you’d be able to come by the house again some time today for a few questions?”

  “Yeah maybe I can come by around lunch? I’ll bring pizza ;)” he joked.

  “Sounds good Barry. 1pm?”

  “See you then!”

  Chapter 17

  Finding love on a case. It happens. Sometimes you get attached to the people you’re around. I’ve cried many a night, knowing that the time together would be cut short. Life on the road was difficult. It’s hard to lay down roots with people and grow together as a nomad. No, my life is full of short connections that are ultimately lost. I just hope to leave on good terms, and make the world a better place as I go. I know all too well that this lifestyle causes relationships to fall apart. I thought I had true love once, after calling off the wedding and prematurely ending my engagement, I just am not sure if I’ll ever find true love again. This. This is close.

  Olivia finished writing in her personal journal. This would be for her eyes only, not to be seen by anyone. She preferred to keep this type of writing to herself, for her eyes only, no matter how much she thinks her readers would love it. She was sure the community page would, and all her other critics would get a kick out of her loneliness causing sadness.

  Enough feeling sorry for yourself, Olivia, she thought to herself, there is a case to solve. The interview with Barry would be soon, and she took time to prepare herself. Writing down potential questions to ask the man, and going over her evidence board once again. She laughed, thinking about Brad’s reaction to the board. Maybe it was a bit silly to use the old tech, but it helped her view everything much easier.

  And it was fun to use her dad’s old PI stuff. She missed him greatly, just as she missed her mother. She never really took the time to grieve after the hit and run. Her grieving time was spent trying to solve the unsolvable case. Still, she thought about it often, hoping that maybe she’d come across some new lead to help solve the mystery surrounding her mother’s death.

  Losing track of the time, she heard the doorbell ring upstairs. Checking her watch, wow he’s actually on time today. She went upstairs, put Alvi up in Max’s room to avoid any unwanted growling at the man, and let him inside.

  “Afternoon Olivia.”

  “Afternoon Barry, glad you could make it,” she greeted him.

  “Anything I can do to help solve this case, and clear my name,” he told the scrutinizing PI.

  “Yeah I understand. I’ve made a lot of progress, I just have a few things that I need to clear up,” she explained.

  “Living room again?” He asked her.

  “Please.”

  ***

  “So I was wondering if you’d be able to tell me more about your relationship with Layla, and why you broke up?” She began. She sat in the same chair as before, a few inches above him. She poured him a glass of water with ice before she started, it sat in between them on the coffee table, Barry on the couch.

  “Well, I really loved her. It was a shame that we drifted apart.”

  “How did you drift apart?”

  “Well we both just wanted different things in life. She didn’t really like my lifestyle, or my friends,” he explained.

  “You’re referencing the cocaine use?”

  Barry’s eyes widened. Olivia realized her suspicions were accurate. “Yeah that was part of it,” he admitted.

  “It’s okay, a little bit of fun never hurt anyone. You can be honest with me about everything. Layla also told me that there was some cheating on your part?”

  He looked down at his feet, “I thought she might mention that.”

  “It seems like you may have a bit of an addictive personality. It’s not the end of the world, you have the resources to work on yourself now, and become a better person,” she did her best to soften him up.

  “Yeah that’s true. I think I may be a sex addict,” he relented.

  “It’s good to admit that Barry. I want you to be honest with me, and with yourself,” Now I’m getting somewhere, she thought to herself.

  He nodded his agreement.

  “Can you tell me more about your relationship with Maryam?” She asked him.

  He almost seemed rattled by the question, “she was always nice to me, we’d talk about stocks, financial stuff, golf, sports; she was a dear friend. I really cared about her.”

  “And you supported her being trans?”

  “Of course.”

  “Did your relationship with her ever go further than friendship?”

  “I take it you know the truth now?” He took a kleenex and wiped his tearing eyes.

  “Yes, I talked with the country club worker. He told me the truth.”

  “I didn’t think he’d ever say anything. I wanted to offer him money, but Maryam wanted to destroy him for what he’d seen,” he explained.

  The affair was confirmed. Barry, and Maryam. Olivia knew it was true, but didn’t want to believe it in her heart. She thought of Layla, and how heartbroken she must have been, if she were to find out. “Did Layla know about the affair?”

  “Yes. I think it’s why they hate me so much, and are so convinced I did it. They wanted to keep it secret though, they didn’t want to hurt the Cartwright reputation in Red Arch.”

  “Where did you put the harddrive?”

  “In Winnipeg.”

  The room was silent. His eyes widened. He hadn’t meant to tell the truth, but Olivia’s questions came so fast, and he was getting lost in the pattern of honest answers. They stared at each other. Barry in a full state of panic. Tens of millions of dollars jeopardized by saying two honest words. His body lurched forward in a fast cobra like motion to grab the recorder off the table. Olivia’s hands met his on the recorder, as they wrestled for the listening device. Barry’s strength and weight advantage got him the win as he pulled the recorder away from her, and pushed her with his body. She stumbled to the ground as he ran out the door.

  Max made it down stairs as fast as he could, abandoning his work. He was too late to help his struggling sister during the altercation, but he quickly wrapped his arms around her, helping her steady herself after the assault.

&
nbsp; “Olivia are you okay what happened?” He cried out.

  “I just got the biggest break in this case yet.”

  She heard the loud exhaust of his BMW as he drove away. Olivia reached in her pocket and pulled out her father’s USB pocket recorder, and smiled.

  Chapter 18

  He was a thief, but was he a murderer? Barry stole millions of dollars worth of bitcoin. The greed is astonishing to me. After being left 2.4 million dollars by an ex girlfriend’s passed away father, to steal more from the family. I need to speak with a detective as soon as possible to figure out my next move.

  “Brad!” Olivia shouted into the phone as he answered.

  “Olivia, what is it?” He knew the situation was dire, the panic stricken voice sent chills down his spine.

  “The bitcoin. Barry stole the hard drive from the Cartwrights. I’m not sure where he’s going, but he’s getting out of Red Arch as fast as he can. I have it all recorded. He has the hard drive in Winnipeg somewhere.”

  “I’ll radio dispatch. It’s going to be pretty easy to find a flashy BMW, speeding down the 105,” he hung up the phone in a rush.

  Olivia knew she had to talk to Anna and Layla before they found out from anyone else. She also had to tell them everything she had learned about the case. Tell them that she now knows about the Maryam / Barry affair. She also wanted to find out the extent of the proven domestic violence, and find out exactly what caused them to think it was necessary to lie to her about it. To lie to everyone.

  Max stood, staring at her, confused at the sudden turn of events. “What hard drive?” He asked, erratically.

  “Barry stole a bitcoin hard drive from Maryam at some point. Layla suspected it, but he just confirmed the suspicion,” she explained.

  Max’s expression changed to shock. Olivia realized that Max likely knew all too well about the currency. “How many bitcoin?”

  “Apparently hundreds.”

  His eyes widened further. “Do you know how much that’s worth?”

  “Tens of millions, I’ve been told.”

  “That all depends on the price. Some people say the price of bitcoin will increase to well over a hundred thousand. Some even say the market cap will be higher than gold’s one day. If he holds onto those for a while, they could be worth hundreds of millions.”

  “Wow I had no idea that was even possible. Do you have any?” She asked.

  “Almost half my investment portfolio is in crypto.”

  Olivia was amazed. Just how much money does my brother have? She wondered. “What would you do if you were in Barry’s shoes.”

  “Probably charter a plane to go get the harddrive, then leave the country.”

  She picked up her phone and called Brad. He answered on the first ring.

  “What is it?” Brad asked.

  “Make sure you check the airport!” She pleaded.

  “I’ll head there now,” he told her.

  Max looked on at her, proud of his sister and the work she was doing. “What are you going to do?” He asked.

  “I’m going to the airport,” she smiled.

  ***

  Olivia hopped in the Civic, and prayed that Grace would make it. The engine turned over on the first try, and she began to speed to the airport, just south of Red Arch. She made it to the highway in record time, hitting 100km/hr on the town’s main street running along the lake. All the police had begun their chase, so there was no one to stop her breaking the law herself.

  Minutes later she was at the airport, she must have arrived just after Brad had, because Brad and the pilot were talking. Arguing. The small town’s airport didn’t have much for security, they both drove in through the open gates, onto the tarmac. There was a small airport building to buy tickets directly, and get a cup of coffee while you waited. The tarmac runway stretched down and many different small planes sat parked on it ready for take off. Barry was on one of the smaller single engine prop planes that would get him to Winnipeg in just a few hours. Max was right, that this option was much better than the dangerous drive.

  Barry had attempted to charter the plane before being caught. The pilot had stopped the flight sequence just in time, as Brad had arrived with lights and sirens blaring. Barry stayed on the plane, and the pilot ran over to talk with the detective. Olivia met up with the pair.

  “Do you have a warrant for this man’s arrest?” The pilot asked.

  Brad, in his stern cop voice said, “no we don’t have a warrant but this man is wanted on suspicion of murder of Maryam Cartwright, assault of Olivia Guilbault, and theft of property from Anna and Layla Cartwright. We legally have the right to hold him for 24 hours so you can step away.”

  “Hey, fair enough,” the pilot walked back to his office, to watch the events unfold from a safe distance.

  “Olivia you shouldn’t be here it’s dangerous,” he calmly told her.

  “This is my case too Brad,” she quipped, smiling, knowing there was no chance in hell she’d be leaving the scene.

  “I should go get him.”

  “Maybe let me go. We don’t want him doing anything rash. We already have a rapport together,” she asked.

  No other cops were on the scene yet, so Brad thought it couldn’t hurt to let her try to talk him down. “Go ahead, just don’t get too close,” he told her.

  Olivia walked up to the small plane that was supposed to be headed towards Winnipeg right now to do her best talking with the erratic man.

  “Barry, It’s Olivia,” she shouted from outside the plane.

  “Olivia, I don’t know what to do,” he pleaded.

  “You need to come out, and talk with everyone. We can get this sorted out. You can afford a good lawyer.”

  “I didn’t kill Maryam. I loved her,” he said.

  Olivia wasn’t sure. Could this man be a murderer, was it him all along, she wondered. “I know you didn’t kill her. I’m still investigating. The police are convinced now because of the hard drive, and the attempt to flee, but trust me, I’ll find out the truth.”

  “I don’t think I have another option do I?” He asked her.

  “I don’t think you do.”

  “Okay. Tell them I’m coming out peacefully.”

  Olivia went back to the detective and told him to stand down. Barry would come of his own recognizance. No need for any violence today. Everyone was relieved.

  “Barry, step out of the plane with your hands on your head,” Brad shouted.

  “I’m coming!” Barry replied.

  Slowly he stepped down the steps of the plane, hands on his head. Brad put him in cuffs, and escorted him to the back of his cruiser, carefully guiding his head so as to not hit the top of the frame. Brad read him his rights, and arrested him on suspicion of murder. As he was doing this, other cruisers began pulling up to the scene, ready to search the plane, and assist in anyway Brad needed.

  “I’ll bring him down to the station. If you need to ask him any questions, let me know. I assume he’s going to lawyer up pretty fast. He will if he’s smart,” Brad explained.

  “I’ll go talk with the Cartwrights,” Olivia told him.

  Chapter 19

  I need answers. I’m still not sure if Barry did it, but I now know the police are going to be convinced it was him. They want to increase their solve rate, and help the department’s metrics. They’ll get more funding that way. I just hope they don’t charge him with the crime. He’s just arrested on suspicion now, so I still have time to solve this murder, clear his name, and save his shattered reputation. Right now though, I need to talk with the Cartwrights. I need the truth, and to give them these updates.

  She drove to the lake house. Thoughts racing through her mind, of what she would tell them. The poor family deserved to know everything. She just wished that she had the real answers to their most important questions. Who murdered Maryam? Deep in thought, she caught herself speeding again, and made sure to slow down, driving through the twisty Red Arch roads. She made it to the back road
leading down to the lake houses, and drove down the long driveway. Their cars sat in the driveway, she was happy they were likely home.

  She parked the old honda, and ran up to the door and began knocking erratically, hoping for an answer. She heard movement behind the door, and eventually Anna answered, glass of wine in hand.

  “Anna, I have news,” Olivia told her.

  “Come in, come in.”

  She looked dishevelled. Still stricken and full of grief for the late Maryam, and clearly fallen into the pattern of daily drinking. It was the afternoon, but she was still in her housecoat, braless showing a hint of cleavage, and old pajama pants. Olivia glanced down, and thought the woman had far too much faith in the clothing choice.

  “What is it?” She asked.

  “Maybe we should go sit down. Is Layla home as well?”

  “She is,” Anna told her.

  Anna called upstairs to her daughter, and led Olivia to the living room where they had had the initial interview. A few moments later Layla arrived to meet them in the room. Similarly dressed as her mother, in pajama pants, and a robe. Clearly the family had yet to figure out exactly what to do since the matriarch’s death. She looked again at the stuffed moose head, it’s shadow flickering on the wall from the fireplace illuminated room. Olivia sat in the chair above the two, who were sitting on the matching luxurious couch.

  “What is it? What news do you have?” Layla asked, eagerly hoping for the mystery to be solved.

  “Yes, what is it?” Anna asked in turn.

  “Firstly, I don’t want to get your hopes up, I still am not sure who killed Maryam,” Olivia explained.

  The excitement quickly left their souls as they were overcome with sadness. Anna reached over to hug her daughter, nuzzling her head into the girl’s neck, close to her ear. Olivia could see tears forming in Layla’s eyes, and she thought to herself that maybe she should have given them the warning not to get their hopes up sooner.

  “What is it then,” Anna asked, slightly angered at the overlook.

  “The police have arrested Barry on suspicion of the murder, assault of me, and theft of the harddrive,” Olivia said.