Dig One Grave, page 6
"Hi!" Bianca says, looking disappointed. She has a slight accent that suggests she might be from somewhere in Europe. "You're not delivering Chinese food, are you?"
"Nope," Erin says, holding up her badge.
“Is Greg in trouble?” Bianca asks.
"We want to come in and look around," Grace said, holding up her badge.
"Do you have a warrant?" Debbie asks.
“A warrant?” Erin asks.
"Don't let my looks and the bikini fool you," Bianca says. "I have a bachelor's in Math. I working on my master's. Warrant?"
"Is that the food? I am starved." Luiza asks, coming up behind her sister. She is identical to Bianca except for wearing shorts and an oversized top that leaves one shoulder bare."
"No, it is the police," Bianca says. "They were about to show me a warrant or leave. My sister Luiza. She is working on her MBA."
"I am sorry. You're not what we expected." Grace says, pulling out a warrant and handing it to Bianca.
Bianca takes it and hands it to Luiza. She opens and studies it. "They got the right to come in, look around, and take anything they deem as evidence."
"Oh, I see," Bianca asks the detectives. "You have met Greg."
"They were expecting bimbos," Luiza says. "That would be a good assumption. Greg, as you probably figured out, is not very bright. But he is wealthy. We needed him to get us permanent visas and to pay for our education."
"He was traveling in Romania," Bianca says. "The moment he saw us. He wanted us. So we played the part of giggling bimbos."
"It was demeaning," Luiza says. "But it got us here."
"He must know you going to college," Erin asks.
"I got my bachelor's in Romania," Bianca says. "Luiza was already halfway to her degree. Greg is so self-involved he has no idea what we are studying at UCLA."
"He's really that...dumb," Grace says. "How long have you been doing this?"
"Almost three years," Luiza says. "Greg is at the office all day. Most days, he goes to the penthouse. We are not supposed to know about that. You know about the penthouse?"
"Yes," Erin says. "So you just have to giggle and fawn over him a few hours daily."
"Less if we slip something into his wine," Bianca says. "We know that is illegal, but you need Greg to press charges. His male ego wouldn't allow him to do that. Being made a fool of for some years. That is a secret he would want to keep."
"I am impressed," Erin says. "Don't really care about the drugging."
"He probably needs the sleep," Grace says.
"Open-minded police with a sense of humor," Bianca says. "Come in, detectives. I assume you are here about the embezzling."
"Yes, how did you..." Grace says but stops. "BA in Math and working on your MBA."
"Look at this house," Luzia says. "And you haven't even seen the backyard. Huge pool with a waterfall. A stream that runs around the entire yard and a coy pond."
Erin and Grace follow the twins into a large room. It is furnished with wood and black leather furniture. A large stone fireplace dominates one wall. Several artistic nudes decorate the walls. There is a wet bar in the corner. Simona, identical to her sisters except she is wearing glasses, is sitting on a sofa. She is reading a thick physics book with her feet on a coffee table. The young woman chews on a yellow marker. She is wearing yoga pants and a loose tee shirt. Simona looks over. "Who is this?"
"Police," Bianca says in a casual tone.
"Triplets," Grace says. "Greg must have thought he died and went to heaven."
"Welcome to our home," Simona says with a nod. "Feel free to look around. My sisters and I had expected this day would come. You will excuse me. I am doing research for my thesis."
"Of course you are," Erin says. "Grace, I don't think we need to look around. We found what we needed. Unless Greg has a huge safe filled with cash."
"He does," Bianca says. "We know the combination, but it would best you get a warrant for the safe. Just to be safe."
Grace and Erin just stare at the woman.
"Greg was so out of his league," Erin says.
CHAPTER 15
Sean's house is a beautiful two-story ranch-style house. White with blue time. A white picket fence surrounds the lawn. A small flower bed and one large tree are off to the side.
Erin and Grace walk around a nicely furnished house. Erin peeks in the kitchen while Grace goes down the hallway. She comes back a second later.
"Nothing," Erin says.
“Perfectly normal house. Nothing kinky in the bedroom. “I guess Sean is stashing his cut.”
The door opens. Tiffany Young, all of nineteen, comes into the house carrying several shopping bags. She is stunningly beautiful with green eyes, a cute nose, perfect cheekbones, and full lips. She wearing a short, shoulder-less dress that hugs her young, luscious body. A red mane of curls falls to her slender waist. Tiffany stops and jumps back. Then, she gathers herself. Then, she says in a thick Russian accent. "Oh Goodness, you scared me. Who are you? Friends of Sean? It's just like him not to tell me we were having company. Can I get you a drink? Please sit, sit. Just let me put these down. I found these real cashmere sweaters. They were to die for; I couldn't decide what color, so I bought one of each, except three black. I look good in black. Say, is that an Armani?"
Tiffany drops the bags and moves toward Erin, who pulls out her badge.
"Yes, it is Armani, and I am a cop," Erin says.
"Wow, who would have thought? A policewoman. Wearing Armani. Do they pay you police officers better here than in my country? Not that you don't deserve it. Risking your lives every day. Oh my God, where did you get those shoes? They are to die for."
"Daniel's in Beverly Hills," Erin says, annoyed
"I got mine at the Foot Locker. And you are?" Grace says.
"Oh, sorry, Tiffany Young. Sometimes, I just go on and on and on. My mama used to say I would have talked her to death if she didn't stick food in my mouth." Tiffany says.
“You're Sean's girlfriend?” Erin asks.
"Fiancée," Tiffany says, extending her hand to show off a massive diamond ring. "We're getting married in Hawaii, on the beach. It will be so romantic. My whole family will be there and then off to Europe, Japan, France...
"France is in Europe," Grace says dryly.
"Oh, that's right. We're still going there."
“How long have you known Sean?” Grace asks.
"Two years, if you count the year of letters and phone calls." She says, still looking at Erin's clothes."
“So, you're from Russia?” Grace asks.
"Ukraine," Tiffany says. "I am fortunate to get out before the war started."
“Tiffany Young is not your real name?” Erin asks.
"No, Sean helped me change it to something more American. It was Olga Tonkovich."
“He had you change it to Tiffany Young?” Grace asks.
“Tiffany because I am so precious and Young because...
“We can figure that one out.”
"So, for this wedding, Sean will fly your whole family from Russia to Hawaii," Erin asks.
"Yes, it will be wonderful to see my mama," Tiffany says. "She was not happy at first. Sean is older than me, and she was concerned..."
“You're how old?” Grace asks.
"I just turned nineteen. Sean gave me the most wonderful party," She says. "Oh yes, my mother wasn't happy, but Sean came over and talked to her, and now everything is fine."
"Sean, give her any presents?" Erin asks.
"Some clothes, a new winter coat, and boots for her and Papa. Oh, and a new water heater."
"Nothing seals a deal like a new water heater," Erin says.
"You speak excellent English," Grace says.
"My mama teach me when I was young," Tiffany says. "I learn Russian and English at the same time. My mama says it was very important to learn English."
“Why is that?”
"There are not many jobs for women in my country, especially in my small town. So you must leave to get work. So you go to the big city. Work was hard to find there. Best place is America. And the only way to get to America..."
"Is to get a husband," Grace says.
"You stay married for two or three years and get divorced. Find job. But to tell you the truth, I wanted to have a rich husband because I really don't want to work. I get lucky. Sean is a nice guy and rich."
“So, you're going stay with Sean?” Erin says.
"We see," Tiffany says. "You can't tell the future, but you being here makes me think Sean has done something bad. Divorce might not be needed."
"If he goes to prison," Erin says. "You stay married and get all this and his money."
"How did Sean meet you?" Grace asks.
"I put my picture on a web page," Tiffany says. "I get over three hundred hits the first day. By the end of the week, I was, how you say, swamped. It took a while to settle on ten and then even longer to pick Sean. But he showed he was serious about getting married.
“And how did he do that?” Grace asks.
"He sends me three dozen red roses, a big box of chocolate, very nice perfume, and soaps. A gift card with almost a thousand dollars on it. Along with the cutest card. It was very romantic. I knew he was the one."
“This was before or after you ran a credit check?” Erin asks.
"First thing I did," Tiffany says with complete innocence. "I can't waste time with losers."
"Just between us girls," Erin says. "You saving yourself for the honeymoon."
"That is a very personal question." She says. "But I am a good Christian girl."
"Wow," Grace says. "You know anything about Sean's business."
"I know nothing," Tiffany says. "That his business. Once we are married. I will take care of house and Sean like any wife should."
"Tiffany," Erin says. "I think you are playing dumb to avoid us asking any questions."
Tiffany just smiles, looking completely innocent.
"Well done," Grace says. "We will find our way out."
"Goodbye, detectives," Tiffany says in a lower voice.
They look back, smile, and leave.
CHAPTER 16
Erin and Grace stand outside the house while watching the people walking around. Most were walking dogs, but all looked at them suspiciously, or maybe it was Erin's bright green sports car.
"So we got a car freak, a wine snob, an art nut, a playboy wanna-be, and a...a...a," Grace says.
"Pathetic loser who sends away to Russia for a teenage bride," Erin says. "I wonder what Arnie was into. I didn't see anything that stuck out."
"Maybe that's it. Maybe Arnie wasn't in the club. Maybe he found out, and they all killed him."
"That was on well-thought murder. That took a lot of nerve. None of our guys fit that profile. Grace, did you notice these guys all have hot-looking babes for wives or girlfriends?"
"So why the club?" Grace asks. "We got five of everything. Was Arnie the guy on the outside?"
"Maybe Arnie was in and wanted out," Erin says. "He just married a blonde from Sweden. So he had no need for the penthouse."
"Wait a second," Grace says. "They all got married in the last two years. Maybe they stopped using the penthouse except for Greg. Maybe they were shutting it down."
"It still doesn't explain why Arnie died or who did it."
"The ice block. Arnie had cold feet, but what about." Erin says. "Our killer is sending a message."
"We agree the motive is probably revenge," Grace says.
“But revenge for what? We figure out the why. We will know the who? Let's go talk to the boys.”
CHAPTER 17
Erin sits across a table across from Sean. The table is bolted to the floor. A bar mounted on one side suggests a suspect could be handcuffed to the bar. They are in a small dingy room with a dirty white tile floor and walls that may have been light green at once. There is a large mirror mounted on one wall. Sean has taken off his jacket and loosened his tie. Sweat beads on his forehead.
"I met the little woman," Erin says. "We both know you can't support her on your salary. So you start embezzling from the boss. But the boss doesn't notice. Why wouldn't the boss notice millions of dollars going out of her trust?"
“I know it looks bad, but we...” Sean says.
"Bad? Bad? Sean, this ain't bad. Not yet. We haven't even reached bad yet. We've got a dead body. The one guy who was not in your little boy's club?
Grace sits across from Randy in a similar room. He is sweating badly. There are noticeable wet spots on the armpits of her shirt. His jacket is on the back of the chair. He keeps mopping his face with a handkerchief.
"Randy, the only guy not dipping into the boss' trust, is dead," Grace says. "Don't you see how that looks?"
“We were not stealing...” Randy says with a whimper.
"Right, I saw your little art collection. Monet, Degas, Pollack on your salary? I don't think so, and let's not forget Tara. Sweet little blonde, you got there. We know your partners really got pissed after you bought the paintings. One thing is taking a few million for nice cars and good wine. Hundreds of millions for paintings. That something Miss Kellogg would notice."
"Tara and I...The painting was an investment." Randy says, mopping his face again.
"An investment for who?" Grace says. "Randy, your little scam is falling apart... the first one who talks gets the sweetheart deal."
Dennis loosened his tie and sat across from Erin in the small room. She is leaning, looking into his eyes.
"You're the one who will go down the hardest," Erin says in a friendly tone. "You were the family friend. Her parents trusted you...Hell, your own father trusted you. He left you in charge. And how do you thank him? Stealing from the daughter of his friend to buy some cars? Really, really nice cars, but still cars."
“It may look like we have taken liberties with Denise's money, but she is fully aware of our purchases.” Dennis trying to sound calm.
"Is she now? So, you talk to her often?" Erin says, leaning back.
"At least once a week." He says, licking his lips while pulling his tie loose."
"Give us the phone number, and we will call her and straighten this out. You can be home for dinner."
“That would be difficult.”
"Why?" Erin asks, putting her elbows on the table.
"She travels," Dennis says and thinks a moment. "I meant to say she calls us."
"Travels?" Erin says, opening a file on the table. "Tell me this. If she is traveling, how does she do it without a passport?"
"Pardon me?" Dennis says, looking surprised.
"We pulled her passport. It hasn't been used in years. She's not traveling, and she doesn't call. Do you know why? Because she's dead! You and your buddies killed her, hid the body, and started living the good life!"
Grace is really in Greg's face. He tries to look calm, but sweat is running down his face.
"That's right, she's dead!" Grace snarls. "Then poor Arnie found out, and you killed him!"
"No! No! It wasn't like that!" Greg sputters.
Erin and Grace are both going to Wilford, who looks like hell. His bowler hat is on the table, along with his tie. His vest is unbuttoned. The jacket is on the back of his chair.
“It wasn't like that!” Wilford sputters.
"How was it, Fowler!?" Erin asks in an icy voice. Tell us how you didn't kill your boss so you could reinvent yourself into a proper English gentleman. Get nice suits and hats. Then, get a wife who can help with the transformation. Your wife is one classy lady. I bet the whole collecting wine was her idea."
"Face it," Grace says. You killed your boss to get yourself a classy wife and collect overrated grape juice."
"Then you killed Smith because he was about to turn you in," Erin says.
"No! No! Denise is alive!" He sobs.
"No one has seen her in over five years since she took that trip to Europe," Erin says. "You and your five buddies follow Miss Kellogg to Europe. You figured the cops over there would never connect you to the murder. The other guys are already thinking about a deal. You killed her."
“No, we didn't!” Wilford. “The last time I saw Miss Kellogg. She was alive and sipping some wine.”
"We pulled your passports," Erin says. "You and the guys were in Romania at the same time as Denise."
"Only Denise didn't come back. You did!" Grace snaps.
"Then that same week, you start dipping into the trust fund," Erin says mockingly.
"Face it, Wilford, you are going down!" Grace says. "We already got a call to the police in Romania. We want them to start looking for a body."
"The DA will go easy on the first one who talks. If you tell us where the body is. You might be able to walk away from this."
"I want a lawyer! I want a lawyer right now!"
CHAPTER 18
Erin and Grace sit at their desks facing each other. Erin's desk is neat. File neatly stacked. Notepads, pens, and forms are arranged on the desk. There is a small waterwheel fountain sitting on the corner of the desk. Grace's desk is a mess, but there is some order to the mayhem. There are two framed pictures of a young boy sitting in the corners. There is a toy with hanging steel balls that will bounce back and forth forever.
Omar and David stand by the desks. Everyone looks disappointed.
"They all lawyered up," Grace says. "Even Dennis."
"We still have enough to hold them," Erin says. "A few nights in a cell might encourage them to talk."
"More than enough," David says. "I would really like a body. The Romanian police want to help but need a place to look."
"We got a body," Erin says.
"I mean Denise Kellogg's body," David says. "Let them go home and sweat. Put some men on them. They do anything suspicious. I want to know."
"These guys are going to run," Grace says. "They are all scared. Put them in a cell."
"No, they're not. I have already frozen all of their assets. You can only run with the money. These boys are used to having money. So are they wives."
