Dig One Grave, page 16
“Let’s check the back!” Grace yells.
Grace and Erin run into the backyard and stop. The gate is closing behind someone. They pull their pistols.
“Sheriff!” Grace yells.
“Stop!” Erin yells.
"They run to the gate and glance out into a dark ally.
"I hate this!" Erin says as she steps out and aims around with her pistol. Grace follows her out, aiming down the other end of the ally. There are a couple recycling dumpsters along one side of the alley. They keep their pistols aimed.
“You see anything?” Grace asks.
"Nothing," Erin says. "I keep telling myself to buy one of their small flashlights.
They moved toward the dumpsters. A car door slamming, followed by headlights coming on, makes them spin around.
"You got to be kidding me," Erin says.
The car engine roars. The headlights race forward. Erin ducks through an open gate. Grace climbs on top of a dumpster. The car sideswipes the dumpster, making Grace almost fall off. Grace rolls off the dumpster, takes aim, and fires two shots. The car's back window is shattered. Erin fires six shots after stepping out as the car passes. The side windows are broken. The car swerves and crashes into a wall. Several cinder blocks fall on the hood of the car and windshield. Grace and Erin run up.
“You okay?” Grace asks Erin.
"I'm great, but that moron is not going to be!" Erin says, sounding pissed and afraid.
Grace and Erin carefully walk toward the car with the pistols ready. The car is smoking. There are bullet holes in the car. They move to the driver's side. Erin aims and nods at Grace, who pulls open the door and jumps back. An older man in overalls slumps out. They look at the dead man.
“Who the hell is this?” Erin asks.
"Like I would know," Grace asks. "Maybe this guy is our killer."
"I would feel better if I knew who the hell he was," Erin says. She looks over at the burning house when sirens fill the air. "You think Wilford was in there?"
Another explosion rocks the house, making the two detectives jump back.
“You see the ice block?” Erin asks.
"Yeah. Twenty bucks say this is our guy." Grace says.
"No bet," Erin says. "Maybe we do have our killer."
"The boys at Watershaw will be glad to hear that," Grace says.
"Yeah, both of them," Erin says.
CHAPTER 43
Grace and Erin lean against the hood of a police unit, watching the firefighter haul away their equipment. Wilford's house is a black smoking hole. The entire house is gone. Police officers keep a crowd back behind the yellow tape. Sean and Tiffany are standing by a Porsche parked down the street. Dennis and Hilda walk down the street and join them by the Porsche.
A fire chief walks up and looks at the women. “You the cops that called it in?”
"That would be me," Erin says.
“Sorry, we're all out of marshmallows. Maybe next time.”
“We got a body in there?” Grace asks.
"No idea." He says. "The basement is too hot and dangerous to look at. You said you saw a small bottle. Then there was an explosion."
"Yeah, I don't know what it was, but it didn't look good," Erin says.
"My guess is some kind of liquid explosive. My guess is nitro. I saw the second explosion. It was definitely in the basement."
"Could the owner have been alive down there while the house burning?" Grace asks.
"Not for long. The smoke and heat would have gotten to the guy." He says. "But he was alive long enough to know he would die. We'll know more after the inspector goes through. Probably not for a day or two."
"Thanks, chief. Sorry about the marshmallow thing." Erin says.
“It's not like I haven't heard it before. I'll send you my report. Ladies.”
He nods and walks off. A Bronco drives up and parks in the middle of the street. Omar climbs out and walks over. He looks over the house and turns to his detectives.
“I assume Mr. Fowler is inside?” Omar says.
"We don't know yet," Grace says. "But good chance he was."
“And the killer is?” He asks.
"It might be Samuel Anderson," Erin says. "According to the license plate, he owns the car. Forensics won't let us touch the body. We need his wallet to confirm."
"He was fleeing the house," Omar says. "He was driving the car that tried to run you down?"
"Yes, sir," Erin says. "We just don't know what he was doing here?"
"Probably starting the fire and trying to kill you two," Omar says. He thinks for a moment. "Full background check. I am betting we find a connection between him and the accountants. We get motive. See what he was doing during the other murders. I bet we will get the opportunity. We got our guy. Then I get to say. Good job."
"We also got Sean Dunaway's DNA on a cigar found at one of the crime scenes," Erin says.
"Who says Dunaway was working alone," Omar says. "Maybe this Anderson was hired to help. Go talk to Dunaway. We need a motive. Juries love motives."
"Hello, look who just showed up," Erin says, nodding toward the street.
Omar and Grace look over at a limo parked by the curb. Aviv is holding the door open for Denise, in a dark suit with a turtleneck sweater. She steps out and looks over at the smoking hole.
“Why is she here?” Grace asks.
"How she learn about the first so quick," Erin says. "She is staying in Beverly Hills."
“Play nice," Omar says. "That lady has a lot of money. We don't want her mad at us.”
“I have a lot of money," Erin says.
"You got millions. Miss Kellogg has got billions and connections." He says. “I'm your boss. Tiptoe around the lady.”
“Captain, we'll make nice," Grace says.
“The M.E. with Anderson's body?” Omar asks.
"Everyone is back there but us," Grace says.
"One last thing," Omar says. "I will need your weapons. You know it is policy. You will be on desk duty for a couple days max. You do all that research we just talked about."
Grace pulls out her pistol, ejects a bullet, and removes the clips. She hands both to Omar. Erin hesitates. Then, he does the same.
Omar nods and walks off. Grace straightens up. They wander over toward Denise.
"Miss Kellogg, surprised to see you here," Erin says.
“I had a late appointment with Wilford," Denise says.
“Can I ask why you were meeting with Mr. Fowler?” Grace asks.
“No point in me keeping a secret.” She says with a smile. “As you know, the officers of my company had been embezzling my money. A large amount was sent out of the country into numbered accounts. Wilford was offering to give me the numbers.”
“In exchange for?” Erin asks.
"I help him make a deal with the prosecutors saving Wilford from prison," Denise says. "I get my money back."
“Well, it's a moot point now," Grace says. "You say Wilford was going to tell you where the money was hidden?"
“That was my understanding. Is there anything else?”
"So all that money goes bye-bye," Erin says.
"I will find it," Denise says. "You know how rich people don't like to lose money. Wilford was just saving me time. Did I just see you hand your pistols to your captain? Does this mean you are off the case?"
"We have to appear before the shooting board," Grace says. "We will be on desk duty until the shooting is declared justified."
"Two, three days tops," Erin says. "We are on the case. We now have time to do all the research we have been avoiding. Like finding out what the connection Samuel Anderson has with Watershaw Accounting."
Erin watches Denise for a reaction. There is nothing.
“Who is Samuel Anderson?” Denise asks.
“The name means nothing to you?” Erin asks.
"Should it?" Denise asks with a slight smile. "I am sure you will find the connection when you get this man into your interrogation room."
"I don't think it will take long to get some answers," Erin says, looking into Denise's eyes. They seem to twinkle.
"I wish you luck," Denise says and turns away. She takes a step and turns. "May I ask who you shot?"
"Good night, Miss Kellogg," Erin says.
"Good night, detectives." She says with a smile and nods. Denise walks back to her limo. Aviv pulls open the door for her.
"What you make of that?" Grace asks.
"I think she wanted to know if Anderson had been caught, or maybe she expected him to be dead," Erin says.
"She could have just wanted to see the end result of the fire," Grace says. "Wilford really liked the house and his wine. I couldn't get anything off her. That lady is cold as ice and a practiced liar."
"When I was in Vice," Erin says. "You learn real fast that hookers are very good at lying. But after a while, you learn to read them. I get nothing from her."
"I wonder where Wilford's wife is," Grace asks.
"Having a spot of tea with friends who can give her an alibi," Erin says. "I am sure she will show up and have a breakdown. Crying with tears and sobs."
"Burning your husband alive must break some rules of British etiquette rule," Grace says. "Even if you enjoying tea and biscuits. Biscuits. That's just a fancy way of saying cookies."
Erin smiles and says. “Let’s talk to Sean.”
"We can't," Grace says. "Desk duty."
Erin swears out loud.
"Please, my delicate ears."
CHAPTER 44
Erin and Grace are sitting at their desks. Both are working on their computers. Grace studies her screen while talking on the phone.
"I know you can't tell me about her record. I just need to know how to contact them. Her father passed away last night." Grace rolls her eyes. "Yes, I am really a police detective, and I am sure her father is dead. I was there. I don't want his daughter to find out her father is dead on the news."
Erin’s phone rings. She snatches it up. “Detective Connors. Oh yes, thanks for getting back to me. I just need the basics. I don’t need any details about the lawsuit.”
"That would be wonderful. Have the daughter call me back as quickly as possible." Grace says. "That's 213-555- 1212. Detective Epstein."
Both hang out at the same time and look at each other.
"You first," Grace says.
"Okay, Anderson was born and raised in New York City," Erin says. "He was building supervisor for over fifteen years. He had a wife, but she passed away ten years ago. That left him to raise his daughter on his own. He must have done a good job. She graduated with honors. Every school she applied for accepted her."
"She at Cornell now," Grace says. "Can a building supervisor afford to send a daughter to an Ivy League college?"
"I didn't get to the interesting part," Erin says, looking at her notes. "Granddad and grandma set up a college fund for their granddaughter. They won't tell me how much was in it."
“Was?” Grace says.
"It is an ongoing case, so I can't get any details," Erin says. "Three years ago, a couple of employees at the New York office of Watershaw Accounting got sticky fingers. They cleaned out several accounts and headed south."
"Was one of those Anderson's daughter's college fund," Grace asked.
"Yes. The good news is that the crooks got caught before crossing the border. Bad news, the money was sent out of the country." Erin says. "For the last three years, the thieves have been using the money as a bargaining chip to get a lesser sentence."
"Apparently, it was millions," Erin says. "Both cases involving a lot of money can drag on in the courts for years. These guys have been behind bars for three years. The impression I got was they were close to making a deal. Meanwhile, Anderson and all the other victims are suing Watershaw Accounting. That has been dragging on for years. Two Anderson moves out here. He was living down in Venice Beach. Apparently, he is not working but still living the good life. Where is the money coming from?"
"His daughter is at Cornell on a scholarship I have never heard of." Grace. "It is a full ride. It covers tuition, books, and living expenses. She even gets money for food and anything she needs. The impression I got was that she could even buy booze if she wanted to. This super scholarship has no time limit. She can stay in college for the rest of her life if she wants to.”
"It sounds like one of those scholarships that athletes get. But those are renewed year to year." Erin says. "I haven't heard of an open-ended scholarship. Where did she get this scholarship?"
"They won't tell me," Grace says with a smile. "Apparently, whoever set this up wants to remain anonymous. I am not sure if a warrant will do us any good. I got the impression the money was coming from somewhere in Europe."
"Denise?" Erin asked. "She makes a deal with Anderson. She takes care of him and his kid. He helps with the murders. Denise gets lucky. Anderson is killed."
“Could that be part of the plan?” Grace asks. “I mean him dying?”
“Would you give up your life so Allen can go college?” Erin says.
"I am hoping it won't come to that," Grace says. "I put all the insurance and settlement cash into a college fund. So I'm pretty sure he is set."
Irwin walks in and over to their desk. He is wearing a lab coat over his tee shirt and jeans. "Hey guys, here are the reports on that Anderson guy. I don't know if this helps, but he had cancer. Stage four. Lung and bronchial cancer. He was a smoker, and living in New York probably didn't help."
“He was dying?” Grace asks.
"He had a couple of months at the most," Irwin says.
"He was dying," Erin says. "He knows any money he gets is still years off. He is offered the money to care for his daughter and let him live a nice life at the beach."
“How did Denise find him?” Grace says.
"He was suing her company," Erin says. "Finding him was easy. There is one little problem."
"We can't prove if since Anderson is dead," Grace says.
"The captain and the brass will want to close this case," Erin says. "We will have two outstanding suspects. The woman we think did it. Is very, very rich."
"They are going to close it," Grace says. "Unless we get some real evidence."
"A friend once told me chess masters are always three, four moves ahead in any game," Erin says. "Denise could already have us checkmated, and we might not even know it."
Omar walks up, holding their pistols. "I hope you enjoyed your two days of desk duty. You have been cleared. The shooting was justified."
"Perfect timing," Erin says, taking her pistol. She automatically checks the magazine. Then, she puts it back into her gun.
Grace does the same thing. “You ready?”
"What do you think?" Erin says, clipping a holster to her waist. Then, she puts her pistol in it.
CHAPTER 45
Sean and Tiffany lead the detectives into a comfortable den. Queller and Hilda bring up the rear. Everyone finds a seat, but Queller stays by the door. Hilda saunters to a chair and slides her legs over the arm to sit sideways without looking at Erin. Erin gives her a quick smile.
"Does Tiffany need to be here for this?" Sean asks.
“It is all right. I can stay if you like.” Tiffany says.
"Actually, Miss Young, we won't need you," Erin says.
“Are you sure? I want to help.” She says.
"I'm sure you do, but we'll call if needed."
“Go on. I'll be right in.” Sean says.
“Okay.” She gives Sean a quick kiss and walks out.
Erin notices Hilda giving Tiffany a long look. Erin walks right up to Hilda. "Why don't you go play with one of those big, sweaty firemen?"
“A tempting offer...Is it an order?”
Hilda slowly gets to her feet and moves right into Erin's face. She closes her eyes and inhales deeply. Grace shakes her head while Erin just stares into her face.
"Go outside like a good little girl," Grace says.
I love a strong, commanding woman." Hilda says, looking at Grace. "Two are even better. The possibilities are endless."
Hilda returns her attention to Erin. She frowns and says. "Something has changed. I am not sure what it is, but something you are different."
Hilda stares at Erin briefly, turns slowly, and walks out like she is in a movie. Erin and Grace smile at each other. Then, they turn their attention to the two men.
"As you probably know, your partner was most likely killed in the fire," Erin says. "We won't be sure for a couple of days."
“We feared as much. But we also heard you shot someone. Was it the killer?” Dennis asks.
"A man named Samuel Anderson was killed," Grace asks. "Does his name sound familiar?"
"No," Dennis says.
Sean just shakes his head.
"It looks like he may very well be the killer," Grace says. "We just can't figure out why he would kill your friends."
“You sure you don’t know him?” Erin asks.
Dennis and Sean shake their heads. Erin leans forward and sniffs Dennis. “You smoke cigars, Mr. Dunaway?”
"Not as of late," Sean says, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
"Is that a yes or a no?" Grace says, coming up beside Erin. "That's a lot of cologne you are wearing. Is that to cover up the smell of a cigar?"
"I did, but Tiffany doesn't like the smell, and she says it makes my clothes stinky, so I quit," Sean says, now nervous.
“So you have no idea how one of your cigars ended up at the scene of a murder?” Erin asks.
"I don't understand," Sean says.
"It's quite simple," Grace says. "We found a cigar at Randy Wood's house. Your DNA was found on the cigar. You want to explain that?"
"Hand-rolled Cubans," Erin says. "Not something you come across every day."
"Fine. I have a box at the office." Sean says, "I smoke them on the roof."
“Why didn’t you just tell us that from the start?” Grace asks.
“They are illegal to have...I wanted to...” He starts to say.
“Not true. You can’t buy or sell Cuban cigars. It is not illegal to own them.” Erin says. “You can buy them outside the country and bring them home.”
