Walk the Wire

Chapter 62

One phone call found Hugh Dawson at his home. Kelly, Decker, and Jamison arranged to meet him out there that night. They didn’t tell him why.

The maid led them to his office, where he rose from behind his desk to greet them.

He looked anxiously at Kelly. “Is it true? Is Stuart really dead?”

“How’d you hear about that?” said Kelly imperturbably.

“Hell, it’s all over. My maid told me. She heard it from her boyfriend who works for McClellan.”

“It is true,” said Decker.

“How’d he die?”

Decker said, “He was found dead in his car. Looks like carbon monoxide poisoning. The same way your wife died,” he added, drawing sharp looks from both Jamison and Kelly.

Dawson plopped back down in his chair. “Holy Lord.”

“We understand you had dinner with McClellan last night,” said Kelly.

“That’s right, at Maddie’s.”

“Did he pick the place?” asked Jamison.

“Uh...” He glanced at Kelly.

“I know about the deal,” Kelly said.

“Okay. To answer your question, it was his idea. Now that he owns it.”

“And have you told Caroline yet?” asked Kelly sternly.

“I’m going to meet with her and tell her.”

“Can I ask why you sold out?” said Kelly. “Jamison said you told her you just wanted to cash out. Last time I was here you were upbeat about things. Buying properties. Caroline opened her restaurant and everything.”

“I also talked about the downsides to fracking. And I’m just tired, Joe. Been doing this for nearly forty years.”

“What are you going to do?” Kelly asked.

“Buying a place in France. Only a lot bigger than the one I had before. Got a guesthouse for Caroline large enough for the kiddies when they come along.”

“I wouldn’t count on that,” said Kelly. “You basically sold out her life from under her.”

“I don’t see it that way,” he said crossly.

“Then you’re choosing not to see.”

“I know you were very close growing up — hell, there was a time there when I thought you two would walk down the aisle. But this is none of your damn business.”

“Okay, then let me get back to what is my business. When was the last time you saw McClellan?”

“When we left the restaurant.”

“Give us the details.”

“It was around eleven. He got in his car and I got in mine. I drove back here.”

“Can anyone corroborate that?” asked Decker.

“No. Everybody here had gone home long before then. It was just me.”

“So nobody can vouch for your whereabouts?” asked Kelly.

“Wait a minute. Are you implying—? Why the hell would I want to kill Stuart McClellan? He just paid me a great deal of money.”

Jamison interjected, “We’re just trying to learn about timelines and alibis, Mr. Dawson. It’s all routine.”

“Well it sure doesn’t come across as routine. Where was Stuart found? At his place?”

“No,” said Kelly.

“And you said it was carbon monoxide poisoning? Could it have been an accident? Like Maddie?”

Decker said, “No, it was clearly deliberate. Can you think of any reason why he would commit suicide?”

Dawson considered this for a few moments. “Not a single one. He stood to make a great deal more money now that he had combined his businesses with mine. He could merge the back-end offices, eliminate redundancies, and increase his cash flow. He was sitting pretty. So why would he kill himself?”

“Then it looks like murder,” said Decker. “Unless we’re missing something. Do you know why anyone would want to kill him?”

Dawson looked warily at him. “I don’t like making accusations against anybody.”

“Let’s call them suggested persons of interest,” said Decker. “It goes no further than this room. But if you have names we can check them out.”

“Stuart was a hard-nosed businessman. He drove tough bargains. Left some with nothing.”

“These people have names?” asked Jamison.

“None of them are still around here. And the one that I might have named has been dead about a year.” He paused and looked uncertain.

“What?” said Decker quickly.

“Look, I like the boy fine. I really do. Fought for his country and all. But Stuart was merciless to him.”

“You mean Shane?” said Kelly.

“I know you are buds.”

“We were friends growing up. And we’re still friends, but not as tight as before. Do you have anything more concrete than his abusing Shane?”

“Not really, no. But you asked and so that’s what my answer is.”

“And Shane would inherit his father’s fortune, of course,” said Jamison.

“As far as I know. You’d have to check with the lawyers on that. Stuart could have made a will leaving it to anybody he wanted.”

“But if he did that and Shane didn’t know, he could still have a motive for murdering his father,” pointed out Decker.

“I don’t think I know anyone less in love with money and business than Shane,” noted Kelly.

“Shane told us you and he weren’t as close as you once were,” noted Jamison. “And you just said the same thing.”

“High school was high school. Then life came along. We went our separate ways. But I knew the guy back then, and that guy hasn’t changed. Hell, he could have stayed here and sat on his ass and let his father pay him. But he joined the Army and risked his life for his country. He came back with medals and he never talks about any of it.”

Dawson smiled. “You two were the best football players this town ever turned out.”

“Decker played for the Cleveland Browns,” said Jamison. “After starting for Ohio State.”

“Wow,” said Kelly. “That is damn impressive.”

“Well, you’re certainly big enough,” said Dawson, eyeing Decker’s huge frame.

“Yeah, if it were only about size I’d be in the hall of fame,” noted Decker wryly. He looked at Kelly. “We still have to check it out.”

“I know we do,” said Kelly brusquely. “And I’ll keep an open mind, but I think that’s the wrong tree to bark up.”

“Well, if Shane has an alibi, then that will settle it,” said Jamison.

Kelly eyed Dawson. “You might want to talk to your daughter sooner rather than later. You don’t want her finding out about the sale from somebody else. That would not be good.”

“You let me worry about that, Joe,” snapped Dawson.

“So you’re going to live in France with Caroline?”

“That’s right.”

Kelly smiled grimly. “And what, maybe she’ll meet some Frenchman, fall in love, and have a bunch of kids?”

“That’s up to her, not me.”

“And if she doesn’t want to go, will you give her a stake to start her own business?”

“I don’t know. I... I’m not sure I’m ready to be separated from her. I lost her mother. I don’t want to lose her.”

“Well, be prepared to do just that,” said Kelly.

“She can start another restaurant in France,” said Dawson dismissively. “She was ready to move last time. What’s the difference now?”

“Well, I guess you’ll find out one way or another,” said Kelly.

“What do you care?” demanded Dawson. “Don’t tell me you’re still in love with her?”

“It’s not a crime to care about somebody, Hugh, even if they make decisions you don’t agree with. Especially if they’re family. But maybe you don’t think that way. I mean, look at what happened to your son.”

Dawson’s face grew red. “You can just get the hell out of here.”

“Don’t worry, we were leaving anyway.”