The Tipsy Gull, page 20
part #1 of Danny Barbosa Series
Alec scratched his nose before interrupting again. “Detectives, if any charges are pressed against Cory, I will file a lawsuit against Goldfinger’s for allowing an obvious minor in. Furthermore, they have a barbaric giant doubling as a bouncer who terrorized my son.” He looked at his watch. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, we have nothing further to discuss.”
Dismissed, Danny and Scott trudged back to their vehicle, watching Alec depart in the back of a town car.
“Well, that didn’t work out as planned.” Danny rubbed his cheek.
“What a pompous ass,” Scott said. “Ten bucks says he’s a lawyer.”
“I say politician and make it twenty.” Danny skimmed over the police reports, noticing half the boxes weren’t filed out properly. He handed it to Scott who reviewed it while they headed back to the office.
A mile down the road, Scott told Danny to stop, pointing out Cory’s date of birth. He turned eighteen years old today. Danny flipped a u, heading back to Torrey Pines. On the way, he told Scott about ‘the knock’.
Standing at the door, Scott poised his knuckles when the door swung open. Cory stood there with a hand in his pocket, looking nothing like his father. He was short, with fair-skin, blond hair, blue eyes, and a mild case of acne. He smiled, showing off braces.
“Hey, Cory. I’m Scott Shelton, a detective with San Diego PD. Can we talk to you for a minute?”
“I know who you are. I overheard what you said to my father. The bouncer didn’t scare me that bad. Anyway, it was worth it to see some titty.”
“I hear ya,” Scott said. “Oh, by the way, Happy Birthday, Cory.”
“Gee, thanks. My own father didn’t even remember. He’s always so busy with work.”
“What’s your father do?” Danny asked.
“He’s a sports lawyer for the Chargers.”
“Huh, that sounds pretty cool,” Scott said. “Did you hear that, partner?”
"Yeah, yeah. I heard.” Danny brushed past the teen, into the house. “You don’t mind if we come in, right?”
Scott winked at Cory and patted his arm. “Come on, let’s grab a seat, and get comfortable.”
The south and west walls were made of glass, allowing the natural sunlight to brighten the room. Scott and Cory sat on a sofa in the living room, while Danny perched on an ottoman. “Your parents have a beautiful home.”
“Uh, thanks. But I don’t think I should be talking to you guys.”
“You’re eighteen, today. That means you don’t have to listen to your father,” Scott said. "Don’t let him control your life. Of course, if you decide you don’t want to talk, that’s a different ball game. We’ll leave right now if you ask us to."
“I don’t know.” Cory stood and walked to the window. “I mean, what exactly do you guys want?”
“Look, we can put in a good word with the DA to drop all charges if you tell us where you got the ID,” Scott said.
“I don’t want to be a rat.” Cory returned to the couch. “Is it that important?”
“You could say it’s a matter of life or death,” Danny said.
“That’s a bit dramatic isn’t it?”
Danny shrugged.
Cory shook his index finger at Danny. “Wait a minute. I know you. You’re the detective from TV.” Cory’s eyes widened. “You’re trying to catch the San Diego Slayer, huh?”
“No, we’re Special Investigations. Trying to track down this counterfeit ring,” Scott said.
“Yeah, sure,” Cory said to Scott, before looking back at Danny. “Since this is important, I might tell you what I know. But what about my charges?”
Danny hesitated. “I’ll be honest with you, kid. Your dad’s right, no DA would touch this case.”
“I see, so either way, I’m probably off the hook.” Cory stared down at the hardwood floor, thrumming his fingers on his thigh. “I appreciate you telling me the truth. I want to do the right thing.”
Danny looked at Scott and winked.
Cory explained a skateboarder named Jake hung out at Recreation Park. When someone needed an ID made, they asked him for a smoke. A photo, to use in the counterfeit, along with fifty dollars, was deposited inside a cigarette pack. Two days later, the buyer met Jake in the same place to retrieve the counterfeit and pay the remaining fifty dollars.
Danny asked leading questions to fill in the rest of the picture.
They thanked Cory for his co-operation and headed to their car. Scott held his hand out. Danny scowled and slapped a twenty-dollar bill into it. “You’re a swindler.”
They were almost at headquarters, when Scott suggested a sting operation to catch Jake. Scott explained that when he’d been assigned to patrol, he was often pulled to assist vice with undercover stints due to his boyish looks. He said he’d excelled at it and that’s what helped facilitate his promotion to detective. Danny agreed and they decided to drive by and scope the place out.
At Headquarters, the Crown Vic was exchanged for Danny’s Camaro and they headed to Recreation Park. Danny pulled over about a block away and they used binoculars to scan the area. The park had a labyrinth of walkways bordering children's play areas, a dog park, and a fountain.
Scott spotted him. “There he is, over by the benches, on the north side.”
Danny focused the field glasses. “I don’t see him.”
“He’s sitting on the third bench. The sweatshirt’s around his waist and his shirt is dark blue.”
“Okay, got him.”
Jake was Caucasian, early twenties, about six-foot-one, with a stocky build, and shoulder length dirty blond hair, just like Cory had described. He stood and skated around, making a couple of jumps on the steps near a fountain, then sat back down, leaning against an old oak tree. A young-looking Asian male approached him.
“Looks like he has a customer,” Danny said.
Scott put the field glasses down and picked up a camcorder. “Yep, I’m recording it now. Check out the tattoo.”
Danny focused the glasses on Jake’s right forearm. A skull with a jujitsu black belt wrapped around its head. The only color was the red at the end of the belt. “I wish we could hear them.”
The Asian was squat and muscular with tattoos on both arms. When he said something, Jake looked around and stood, then turned to leave. The Asian grabbed his arm, and Jake used a martial art move to twist his arm free, while whipping out a switchblade. The glint of sunlight reflected off the blade.
“Shit, he’s got a knife,” Danny said.
“I see it. Do we go?” Scott asked.
“Keep recording. I’ll head toward that bench. If anything goes down, call it in and bring the car up.” Danny exited and jogged in that direction, staying close to the trees’ cover.
The Asian had his hand up and was talking animatedly. Jake nodded and put the knife away. Danny pretended to be talking to someone in a parked car, then headed back to Scott. The last thing he needed was to be seen before they could pull off the sting.
When he got back to the car, Scott told him that they’d exchanged the cigarette pack and the customer had deposited something into it. Scott packed up the recorder and commented on it being a good thing they found out their suspect was armed and dabbled in the martial arts.
“Look, maybe another one.” Danny pointed with his head. They pulled out their field glasses and watched.
Two high-school-age looking girls approached Jake. He handed them a pack of cigarettes and one girl pulled out two ID’s, handing one to her friend, who held it up. Jake said something to her, and she pocketed it and looked around. She mouthed the word, ‘sorry’.
As they drove back to the office, Danny suggested they do the sting on Friday so Jake would be in custody over the weekend.
CHAPTER 25
Claire yawned as Professor Dooley droned on, dressed in a purple vest with a matching bowtie. His brown toupee sat crooked atop his head, clashing with the lighter shade of his natural hair. Most of the students ignored him while they texted or doodled. Some even had their eyes closed.
I could kill him right now, and I’d be a martyr for my peers. Claire giggled out loud, causing Dooley to stop his pacing and face the class.
“Did somebody have a question?”
The classroom stirred. Students sat up straighter, more alert with the change in his tone. Dooley looked at his watch. “Oh, my goodness, I’m terribly afraid I have to cut this lecture short. I have another engagement to attend. Please don’t forget your essays are due next Wednesday.”
Claire joined the throng of students trying to escape before he changed his mind. It was cloudy and birds flew over the university headed toward the cliffs of the coastline less than a mile away. She was walking through the campus when a female voice behind her called out, “Cara.”
Claire continued on her way, but this time the voice was louder. “Cara! Wait up.”
Looking back, a tall blonde beckoned her, so Claire stopped to let the student catch up.
“Hi, I don’t know if you remember me, we had some classes together.”
“Of course, you’re Mila. I remember you from MCB 400—cell structure and function. It’s Cl…” Claire was about to correct her name, but her instinct stopped her. “…cloudy out today, I wonder if it’ll rain?”
Mila’s eyes flicked upward, and she shrugged. Then her blue eyes grew wide. “Did the police interview you? You know, about Professor DeVries’s research.”
“Police? I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” Claire’s heart raced. What did they know about DeVries?
Mila put her hand to her chest. “Oh my God, I was so scared. They assured me it was a random interview and not to stress over it. But, if they didn’t interview you, maybe it wasn’t random.” She nodded to a nearby bench. “Can we talk for a moment?”
Claire followed Mila. Inside, her body screamed and her mind raced. She took a deep breath. They sat on the bench and Mila set her backpack down. She tapped her hand against her leg.
“If they said they were interviewing everyone then I wouldn’t worry about it. What’d the campus cops question you about, anyway?”
Mila shook her head frantically. “No. They were homicide detectives with the San Diego Police.”
Claire smiled. “You’re pulling my leg, Mila.”
“No, I swear to God this is real,” Mila said. “I’ve been planning to talk to others from our class, to see if they were interviewed. You’re the first I’ve run across.”
Claire wrinkled her brow. “Somebody killed Professor DeVries?”
Mila took Claire’s hands in hers. “No, sweetie, DeVries isn’t dead.”
Claire pursed her lips. “Oh, thank God. Maybe you better explain from the beginning?”
Mila nodded. “They came to my house yesterday. Detectives Stone and McKenzie. That was the woman detective. I didn’t like her, she seemed kinda ditzy. Anyway, they said they were investigating a theft of school property. Apparently, some of DeVries research had been stolen. They said they’d planned to talk to all twenty students who worked in his lab at that time, and not to think they were singling me out. They asked if they could look around my place.”
“What’d you say?”
“I told them to go ahead. I didn’t do anything wrong. Anyway, after they left, I looked them up online. That’s when I found out they worked homicide. They weren’t there for stolen property.”
Twenty minutes later, Claire drove home. The detectives had traced the Batrachotoxin connection to DeVries, even though he’d stopped doing research over a year ago. She owed Mila big time.
***
Danny left work a bit early to catch his five o’clock appointment with Robert Preston at The Oceanaire Seafood Room, tucked away in downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter. He gave his name and the stately maitre’d led him towards a booth in the back. A tall, thin man sat near the edge of the booth with a portable oxygen tank beside him. He looked to be about eighty years old and wore a gray dress shirt and a pair of slacks with suspenders.
“Mr. Preston? I’m Danny Barbosa.”
“Ah, yes, Mr. Barbosa. Please have a seat.” Preston motioned to the bench across the table. “I apologize for not standing. It’s getting harder and harder to get around.”
“I understand no problem.” Danny shook the old man’s frail hand.
The man next to Preston was about half his age and forty pounds overweight. He introduced himself as Leo, Mr. Preston’s personal assistant. Leo explained they were from out of the area, and thanked Danny for meeting them here. Danny shook his hand, too. Preston invited Danny to join them for dinner and to order whatever he wanted.
While they ate, Leo asked Danny if he played football when he was younger. Although it was brought up casually, Danny sensed they were testing him and probably knew more about him then he did them. He nodded his head. “Yeah, I played a little ball.”
“Ooh, how exciting.” Leo said, taking a bite of his king salmon.
Danny put his fork down. “Look, I don’t know who you are, and my anxiety is pretty high. Can we cut through the crap and tell me what this is all about?”
“I apologize for the secrecy, Mr. Barbosa. My instructions were to meet you personally and assure that you weren’t some con man.” Preston wiped his hands on a napkin. “We have important papers to review, so it really would be best to wait until we’re done eating.”
Danny rubbed his brow and fidgeted in his seat. “Okay, we’ll eat first then.”
Preston nodded. “Thank-you. You can rest assured; you’re not in trouble or anything like that.”
Danny nodded and they made small talk during the rest of dinner.
Afterward, Preston said, “Time for business. Leo, would you get my bag, please.”
Leo placed a black leather satchel on the table, and the attorney ruffled through the contents. He pulled out an envelope and held it up.
“Mr. Barbosa, this will explain everything. Review the contents and then we’ll go over any questions.”
Danny gulped and reached for the envelope which had his name scrawled in black ink. He tore it open and withdrew a single sheet of paper. A silver key fell to the table with a clang. Danny glanced at it, then read the letter:
Dear Mr. Barbosa.
My name’s Henry Cooper, Charlie’s father. We haven’t met, but I’m sure you remember my parents, Stan and Marge. Words aren’t enough to explain the impact you had Charlie. I’m sure you figured that out once you saw his room and photo albums.
My parents were very religious and when they ran into you, they decided it was God’s doing, and decided to leave their house to you when they passed away. They wanted to return the joy that their grandson received from you, and I wholeheartedly agree with their decision.
Sadly, if you’re reading this letter, it means my parents are no longer with us. Their attorney, Mr. Preston, will fill you in on the details. I know this gift from them will be appreciated by you and your family. Your big heart and what you did for Charlie has come full circle. God speed and enjoy your new home.
Sincerely,
Henry Cooper.
Danny was speechless. Tears welled in his eyes. If he spoke, the tears would fall, so he took a moment to compose himself before asking, “What happened to Stan and Marge?”
“Marge died in her sleep, natural causes.” Preston’s eyes shimmered. He took a deep breath and his voice cracked. “Stan was despondent after losing his wife of sixty-seven years and died of a broken heart a few days later.”
Danny asked more questions about the Coopers, before Preston went into legal mode.
“There was no mortgage on the home, so it’s yours free and clear. There will be no Probate hearing because I filed it as a living trust, rather than a will. However, since you’re not a biological family member, or known friend of the deceased, any surviving heir has a legal right to contest this.” He waved it off. “Nothing to worry about though, Henry is the only survivor who meets the criteria, and he’s more than content with their decision. You’ll have to pay capital gains tax on the property. Taxes on the house will be computed after qualifying exemptions are deducted…”
Danny didn’t understand what the entire legal lingo meant. He quit listening after a while and sat dumbfounded. People don’t leave half-a-million-dollar homes to a man they barely knew. He picked up the key and stretched his hand out. “Mr. Preston, I can’t accept this.”
Preston rubbed his face. “Mr. Barbosa, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard those words. Usually from a family member too distressed with their grieving to initially accept it. Then there were those financially incapable of paying the taxes required before taking possession. From what I gathered, you and your wife were willing to put fifty-thousand down on the house, and the money required up front is less than half of that.
“Perhaps you’re thinking this is unorthodox and you don’t deserve it. Well, let me tell you, I’m not just a trust attorney, but Stan’s long-time friend since our college days. When you visited the hospital and gave Charlie the jersey off your back, they said it was one of the best memories of their very long lives.” Preston was in tears again.
“Marge was very religious and once she realized who you were, she knew God had sent you to them, so they’d have the opportunity to touch your family, like you’d touched theirs. Like Henry said, your good deed has come full circle.”
Danny was a loss for words again and nodded. He squeezed the key in his palm.
“Anyway, it’s late and I’m sure you’ll want to share this news with your family. Leo will give you my business card, the code to the house alarm, and Henry’s phone number, should you want to get in touch with him. I’ll start the paper work and you contact me when we can meet again. You’re welcome to walk through the house. I only ask that you don’t move anything in, until we’ve completed everything.”
Danny thanked them and left the restaurant. On the drive home, he thought about it. Both he and Tala had believed it was fate for them to buy that house. They’d been disappointed when the deal had fallen through and now this stunning news changed that. He fought the urge to downright jump for joy. The bittersweet conflict troubled him. It didn’t feel right after hearing about the Coopers’ death.
