Dead Catch, page 9
Hank noticed Judge Mays taking notes and occasionally glancing towards D.A Callahan. “This is all very interesting,” the judge said. “Please continue, Detective Moran.”
“Driscoll Furniture was the purchaser of one hundred thousand dollar life insurance policies on Peter and Leonard,” Hank continued. “The beneficiary on both policies was the surviving brother. It was a mutually agreed upon arrangement to cover their final expenses so as not to burden the families.”
“Now, it is true that Peter does not have a rock solid alibi for the evening of Wednesday the twentieth of October up until about ten p.m. when he arrived at home,” Hank conceded. “Peter said he was working late at the store, but as there are no security cameras from the office to the parking lot, we could not substantiate it. Peter did receive a cell phone call from Leonard at approximately five p.m. to inform him of a furniture delivery that had to be made the next day, so we do know that Leonard was still alive at that time. In the course of questioning Leonard’s neighbors we found two witnesses. The first will testify that she saw Leonard Driscoll leave with his boat on Wednesday afternoon. The second witness saw a person returning Leonard’s boat to the empty lot where he normally kept it at approximately three a.m. The witness also stated that the boat was not parked the way Leonard normally parked it and that she heard a small motorbike start up and leave the scene. We contend that the person who murdered Leonard Driscoll returned Leonard’s boat at that time and left on a small motorbike. That person could not have been Peter Driscoll, as he was at home and in bed at the time.”
“Well, Detective Moran, it seems you did a thorough job in refuting all of the Shreveport P.D.’s evidence against Mr. Driscoll. Detective Meyers, the information brought forth by Detective Moran implies that you did not do a very thorough investigation. Did you in fact question Leonard Driscoll’s neighbors about the boat situation?”
“No, Your Honor, that was on our list of things to do this afternoon,” Meyers replied.
“Well in my opinion that should have been done before Mr. Driscoll’s arraignment,” Judge Mays stated. “It is also my opinion that Mr. Peter Driscoll is free to go home. District Attorney Callahan and Detective Meyers, the next time you come into my court please have real evidence and not mere speculation as to the guilt of the accused!”
With the rap of his gavel Judge Mays declared, “Court adjourned!”
Court security removed the handcuffs from Peter and he was immediately greeted with an embrace from his wife. After releasing Peggy, Peter made his way to Hank. “Hank, I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough for the fantastic job you did.”
“Peter, I could not have done it without the help of my wife and partner, Mrs. Moran,” Hank replied. “She found the witness who saw the boat being returned. Now, if you don’t mind, we still have about a week left in our agreed upon ten day time limit. Once I start a case I like to finish it. I would like to continue the investigation into your brother’s murder.”
“Please take all the time you need, Hank. My name won’t be entirely cleared in the public’s eye until the real murderer is found.”
Hank was approached by Detective Meyers in the hall outside of the courtroom. “Hank, you really did a number on us in there. We thought we had enough to hold Peter over for trial and were planning to continue the investigation. We were not counting on him hiring you.”
“Where do you stand at this point?” Hank asked.
“I’ll have to talk to Callahan, but other than Peter Driscoll we have no additional suspects. Since the crime occurred over in Claiborne Parish, he just might claim it falls under the jurisdiction of the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Department.”
“Craig, Peter Driscoll wants me to continue my investigation into Leonard’s murder. Is there anything you might have that would help that you did not disclose?”
Craig Meyers smiled and said, “I have a photograph of a tire tread left by a small motorbike. The tread mark was found in the gutter directly behind Leonard Driscoll’s truck parked on the street in front of his house. If you give me your address I can email it to you.”
Hank gave Meyers his card and said, “My cell number is at the bottom. I always thought you were a stand-up guy and a gentleman, Detective Meyers.”
“Good luck with your investigation, Detective Moran,” Meyers said as they shook hands. “If you need any help from the Shreveport P.D. give me a call.”
“I’ll do that,” Hank replied.
Chapter 8
Helen could tell things went well at Peter’s arraignment by Hank’s beaming smile as he entered the Bounder. “Looks like you have good news,” Helen said.
“Peter is home free!” Hank replied. “After my presentation of our findings, Judge Mays ruled there was insufficient evidence to hold Peter over for trial. In fact, it looks like the Shreveport P.D. is dropping out of the case and leaving it up to the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Department to solve.”
“That’s great!” Helen replied. “I assume we are off the case and we can head home. I’m anxious to apply for my apprentice P.I. license.”
“Well, not so fast. Peter wants us to continue with our investigation. He said his name won’t be entirely cleared in the public’s eye until the person who murdered his brother is found. I agreed to continue. I just couldn’t walk away and let things hanging. You know me, once I start something I have to finish it.”
“That’s fine, but if we are planning to stay up here I’m going to have to impose on Ali to let me do some laundry.”
“Ahh, the necessities of life,” Hank replied. “It’s great to have an agency partner who can also do the laundry.”
“Uh huh, well one of these days you are going to apply for your apprenticeship in laundering, big boy!” Helen retorted.
“Great, I can just see me wearing pink underwear,” Hank replied.
“That’s the reason for the apprenticeship program. You will be taught how to sort the laundry under my strict, watchful eye,” Helen said laughingly. “Now, what is on the schedule as far as our case is concerned?”
“I planned to give Peter a few hours to settle in at home, after his stint in the city jail, and then pay him a visit. We need to question him further about Leonard’s social life,” Hank replied. “Following that, we need to make a quick trip up to Little Rock to have a talk with Mr. Hegemon.”
“Can’t we just make a phone call to Hegemon to ask about the three thousand dollars?” Helen asked.
“I’d like to interview Mr. Hegemon in person to get a read on him. You can’t very well tell if a person is telling the truth over the phone. You have to watch his reactions and mannerisms during questioning,” Hank replied.
“OK, let me get the laundry together. We can get a bite to eat on the way to Ali’s and after that head to Peter’s.”
Peter Driscoll lived in the same middle class area of south Shreveport as Ali and Preston. Peggy Driscoll answered the door to the modest two story colonial home. “Peter will be down in a minute. Please come in and have a seat,” Peggy said.
“Mrs. Driscoll, this is my wife and investigative partner, Helen.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Helen,” Peggy said as they lightly shook hands.
A few minutes later, Peter Driscoll came down the stairs and greeted Hank with a robust handshake. “Hiring you was one of the best decisions I ever made, Hank. I know you’ll find out what happened to my brother.”
“My wife, Helen, here found the witness who gave us the information about the motorbike. I’m sure that was the bit of information that finally convinced Judge Mays to release you.”
“Well, thanks to you, likewise, Mrs. Moran. Jail is one place I never want to experience again.”
“Peter, it appears that the Shreveport P.D. might no longer pursue the case,” Hank said. “Since your brother’s murder took place in Claiborne Parish they might just let Sheriff Pettibone have jurisdiction.”
“Oh,” Peter replied. Hank and Helen waited for him to continue. “I’m afraid that my brother’s case is going to fall through the cracks. I don’t know how much experience Pettibone has in murder cases. I don’t think there has been a murder over there since he was elected to office over ten years ago. Please promise me that you and Mrs. Moran will continue and find my brother’s killer.”
“We’ll give it our best shot, Peter,” Hank replied. “Now, there are some questions I need to ask about your brother’s social life. And Mrs. Driscoll, I don’t know how close you are with your sister-in-law, but some of these questions might be best answered by you.”
“Sure, Hank, go ahead, we’ll help in any way we can,” Peter replied. Peggy nodded in agreement.
“Were either of you aware of Leonard and Susan’s marital difficulties? I was told by Susan that she and Leonard had a scheduled meeting with a marriage counselor the Friday after Leonard’s disappearance.”
“I knew nothing about his marital difficulties until Peggy told me last month,” Peter answered.
“I called Susan to offer my condolences after you found Leonard’s body,” Peggy added. “She did mention that she and Leonard had been having difficulties and that they had scheduled a meeting with a counselor. She wouldn’t say what the actual difficulties were though.”
“Both Leonard and Susan were having extramarital affairs. Susan was seeing the plumber who lived across the street and Leonard was having an affair with a commercial artist named Lucy Chatham who did advertising work for the store,” Hank informed the couple.
“Leonard was having an affair with Lucy Chatham? Unbelievable!” Peter exclaimed.
“Do you know how Leonard and Ms. Chatham met?” Helen asked.
“Leonard met her through a mutual friend at a business seminar up in Little Rock,” Peter answered.
“Needless to say both Ms. Chatham and Mike Billings, the plumber, are on our list of suspects,” Hank said. “Peter, do you know if Leonard had a large life insurance policy other than the one owned by the store?”
“Yes, we both took out large policies on ourselves at the same time we bought the store’s policies. They were for five hundred thousand each. The reason for the large amount is because in our wills, the surviving brother gains full ownership of the store. The five hundred thousand would more than compensate the surviving family for not having any further interest in it.” Peter answered. “You don’t think Susan killed Leonard for the money?”
“Please understand I am only grabbing at straws and putting forth scenarios now,” Hank explained. “If Susan was involved she might have had help from her plumber friend. He admitted he owns a motorbike. Detective Meyers promised to email some photographs of tire treads he found near the back of Leonard’s truck. When I receive them I plan to compare the treads on Billings’ bike to see if they match.”
“So that’s why detective Meyers asked if I owned a motorbike! He sure looked disappointed when I told him no,” Peter said.
“Peter wanted to get one, but I wouldn’t let him,” Peggy added. “I told him in no uncertain terms that I would not take care of a paraplegic husband if he wrecked it and himself.”
“I’m with you one hundred percent on that!” Helen said. “I gave Hank the same ultimatum when he wanted to buy a Harley.”
“What are we going to do with these women?” Peter said laughingly to Hank. “They want to spoil all our fun!”
“Well, I think that sometimes they have a bit more common sense than us men. Soon after I wanted to get that Harley a good friend of ours laid one down on a slippery turn and shattered his right leg and arm. He never did fully recover. Still walks with a cane.”
“Ouch!” Peter replied.
“One more question before we go,” Hank said. “Peter, do you know the nature of a three thousand dollar payment that was made to the store from Hegemon Furniture Manufacturing up in Little Rock?”
“I saw that entry while checking the books after Leonard was killed. I thought the payment was odd because we usually paid Hegemon. I didn’t have time to follow up on it though. Do you think it might be significant?” Peter asked.
“It could be,” Hank answered. “Sometimes the seemingly insignificant things turn out to be important leads. We are going to head up to Little Rock tomorrow to have a talk with Mr. Hegemon.”
“If you want me to, I can call Earl Hegemon tomorrow and ask about it,” Peter volunteered.
“No, don’t do that. I want to talk with Hegemon personally,” Hank replied. “OK, we won’t take any more of your time, Peter. We’ll be sure to keep you informed of our progress.”
“Thanks again for your help, Hank. I am sure you’ll get to the bottom of all this.”
“Hank, let’s take the Bounder up to Little Rock. I would like to stay an extra day and see the Clinton Presidential Library,” Helen suggested as they drove back to the campground.
“Good idea!” Hank said unexpectedly. “I don’t see why we can’t mix a little sightseeing along with our investigation. You know that I was never a big fan of the Clintons like you are, but I would like to see the library for historical reasons.”
“Wonderful, I didn’t think you would agree! I’ll get online and make the reservations,” Helen happily replied. “What about our reservation here at Tall Pines?”
“Well, we’ll need to come back here after Little Rock,” Hank answered. “I’ll stop at the campground office on our way back to the Bounder to make additional reservations.”
“Then we need to head to Ali’s,” Helen added. “She wants to have us over for supper. She asked if we had another shoofly pie and I had to tell her that you ate them all.”
“Hey, it wasn’t just me. If I remember correctly you had a few pieces yourself,” Hank replied.
The following morning as they were passing through Hope, Arkansas on I-30, Hank’s cell phone chimed indicating he had received an email. He handed the phone to Helen and asked her to check it out.
“It’s an email from Detective Meyers. There’s an attachment with a photograph of the trail bike tread marks. I see he laid a six inch scale beside the tracks to give a size reference.”
“Good, I’ll have to call Craig and thank him when we stop at the rest area above Arkadelphia,” Hank replied.
“I always get uneasy pulling into rest areas since the murder of poor Mr. Soto at the rest area up in Indiana,” Helen said.
“That was the start of quite an unexpected adventure,” Hank replied.
“Won’t we ever see the end of racial hatred?” Helen asked.
“I am afraid we won’t see it in our lifetime,” Hank replied.
When they stopped at the rest area, Hank punched the speed dial for Detective Meyers, who answered on the third ring. “Shreveport Police Department, Detective Meyers speaking.”
“Craig, Hank Moran, thanks for the email with the tread pic.”
“No problem, Hank. Glad to help.”
“Craig, if you are still pursuing the case, you might want to check out the tire treads on Mike Billings’ trail bike. He’s the plumber who lives across the street from the Driscoll house. He and Susan Driscoll were having an affair. He wasn’t too cooperative when I tried to talk to him. I doubt he would let me see the bike.”
“Whoa, you’re way ahead of me, Hank. You say that he and Susan Driscoll were an item?”
“That’s right. Both Leonard and Susan were having extramarital affairs. They were scheduled to see a marriage counselor the Friday after his disappearance.”
“You think maybe this Billings guy didn’t want to lose Susan and eliminated Leonard from the playing field?”
“It’s a possibility, Craig.”
“OK, I’ll check him out. I might have to get a court order from Judge Mays to see the bike though.”
“Take a chance, Craig. He might be more cooperative when confronted by the police. If not, you can always go back with the search warrant.”
“OK, Hank, I’ll get back with you after I pay Mr. Billings a visit.”
The Downtown Riverside RV Park was directly across the Arkansas River from the Clinton Presidential Library. The RV Park was small but neatly maintained with all the expected amenities, including Wi-Fi. The site they were assigned was a back-in along the steep bank of the river.
“Look, you can see the Clinton Library across the river,” Helen said as they admired the scenic area.
“Looks like an interesting building,” Hank said. “I see they were smart enough to elevate the main floor in case of river flooding.”
Hank had called ahead from the rest area and made an appointment to interview Mr. Earl Hegemon at three that afternoon. After having lunch in the Bounder, Hank and Helen set out in the Honda to find Hegemon’s furniture business.
Hegemon’s Furniture Manufacturing covered about a half city block on Asher Avenue on the southwest side of Little Rock. Hank parked in a spot reserved for customers and he and Helen entered through the double glass doors into the reception area and walked up to the counter.
“May I help you?” asked the petite blonde, blue-eyed receptionist.
“We have a three o’clock appointment to see Mr. Hegemon,” Hank replied.
“Your names, please?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Hank Moran.”
“OK, please sign in on the register and have a seat. I’ll ring Mr. Hegemon.”
Hank and Helen did as the receptionist requested. Five minutes later they were greeted by a short, stocky, balding man in his late forties. “Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Moran, Earl Hegemon. I don’t believe I have ever had the pleasure to talk with anyone in your profession.”
“In that case we’ll try to make it a memorable occasion,” Helen replied with a smile.
