Probable Claws

21

January 25, 2017

Wednesday

“I’ve gotten the codes for 1984,” Harry told Cooper.

“What are you doing?”

“You’ve been tracking down Ducati XDiavels in the mid-Atlantic. I thought I’d save you time.” Harry pushed the paperwork across Cooper’s kitchen table as the cats and dog snoozed on the floor.

Cooper opened the folder. “Pages and pages of rules. God, I hate this kind of stuff.”

“That’s government. It’s even worse now.”

“Did you read all this?”

“I did, and I made a copy for me. Here’s the thing. I downloaded this. Right?” Cooper nodded so Harry continued. “Someone lifted the 1984 file from the rented car, and I am assuming whoever did that killed Gary. Could be wrong but it’s not a big jump. Why couldn’t they simply download this information?”

“There had to be something else in the file box.”

“Right? Contraband? A gold bar?” She held up her hand. “Bear with me. Drugs, which would be easy to hide, do not take up much space. Do I think he was a dealer, no, I’m just running with this. So what could it be?”

“Well, Harry, if we knew that we might nab the killer.”

“If it wasn’t something of material value then it has to be information.” Harry folded her hands on the table.

Cooper thought about this. “That makes sense but information about what? Was he a spy? An informer? Now don’t laugh. We are too close to Washington. And of course, Virginia and Maryland are loaded with retired foreign officers, diplomats, senior military officers, and CIA, always the CIA. What cracks me up is the CIA people think you can’t spot them. It’s not that hard. Nor is it that difficult for the FBI unless someone is in deep cover, and seems to me they ought to be in Chicago or Phoenix for that.”

“Why?”

“Organized crime. It’s everywhere but it is especially powerful in those cities. Anyway, I can’t see that in this case. Gary’s murder was so public. Organized crime is more intelligent than that unless it’s one of their own.”

“I really doubt Gary was one of their own. His murder was anything but hidden. Brazen. Absolutely brazen!” Harry clapped her hands for emphasis.

“Yes, it was.” Cooper inhaled. “You read the codes?”

Harry nodded. “Pretty clear. Now could a large construction company or, say, lumber supplier pay off city officials? Sure. Maybe Gary uncovered corruption, felt he would be in danger, resigned, and moved here.”

“Well, he wouldn’t be the first.” Cooper glanced down at Pewter. “She snores.”

“Yes, she does.” She looked down, had to crane her neck to see the rotund gray cat fast asleep. “She’s such a bad kitty at times but I really do love her. Can’t help it. Mrs. Murphy, on the other hand, is an angel. Well, anyway, back to this mess. What have you found out about Ducatis?”

“Sweeping the mid-Atlantic. Not many. Wherever I have found the DiavelX, or is it the XDiavel, I have contacted the police department, asked for records. Nothing much jumps out at me. If I can ferret out a connection to Charlottesville or Gary, that’s a different story.”

“This is what I think: The motorcycle was driven here in a closed van. Taken off. The job was done. Back into the van and driven to wherever home is.”

“Not a bad idea, but why use a motorcycle?”

“You can weave in and out of traffic. It’s easier to hide. There was no license plate, which is why I think it was taken off the road after the murder. Whoever it was knew his schedule, pretty much. Had it not been snowing, my hunch is they would have parked in the back, come in, killed him, and sped down the alleyway. The weather, all of us walking out onto the sidewalk, perfect. I bet he was heading for the back. Anyway, we’re not dealing with a shrinking violet.”

“Right.” Cooper dropped her head in her hands for a moment then looked up, sat up straight. “Back to the codes.”

“He must have kept paperwork about a violation, a payoff, or maybe an accident. I truly believe it’s information not drugs, diamonds, you name it. He saw something or knew something and kept a record. When your team sifted through the files, they found notes on building projects. It makes us hope there’s other information somewhere.”

“Well, if that’s true surely he didn’t tip his hand when he left.” Cooper blinked. “I would hope not, but then who figured this out? And why now?”

“Monday a part of a skull was found. You saw the televised reports. Accidents happen a lot in a job like that. Maybe someone was crushed by materials. Hit by a swinging crane. I don’t know. But what if Gary knew?” Harry said.

“Wrongful death.” Cooper hummed. “That’s a big jump. I can’t think this has anything to do with the murder here.”

“That’s the only thing I can think of.” Harry threw up her hands.

“If you’re right that information is the key, then his death isn’t as bizarre as it seems. The file box is the key.” Cooper inhaled deeply. “Now I’m getting as crazy as you are. If I had to take a bet, it would be payoff. Enough for Gary to retire.”

“But he didn’t retire. He went to work. And, Cooper, he was an honest man.”

“There is one other nagging detail. And yes, I think, I hope, he was honest,” Cooper remarked. “Whoever killed Gary was a good shot. You watch TV and films and it looks easy to kill someone. It’s not. People who aren’t good shots spray bullets everywhere. Often it takes more than one shot. This was one simple shot straight to the heart.”

Cooper warned her friend, “Gary is dead. The stakes are high. Few people kill for a thrill. I appreciate you getting the building codes, your thoughts. You are very logical but, Harry, you stumble onto things. Leave this to me and the department. None of us knows who, what, why, or how close the killer is. Don’t put yourself in danger. Yes, a dear man we all liked very much was killed in front of both of us. You are not going to avenge his death. We’re bumping around in the dark. Just let it alone.”

“I will.”