M. Forsythe - While Rome Was Sleeping

“Yes,” Andrew stated impatiently, “Yes, of course I have some insurance…” then suspiciously he asked, “How much insurance do I need, Jim?”

“Think about renting a car; I have to go, Andy. I’m going to interview Lyle Ramsey.”

“What about?”

“What do you think, Andrew? I’m going to ask Ramsey about Monte, that’s all. I have to go.”

“Jim, there’s more, I mean about Ramsey, but I shouldn’t really talk about it right now.”

“Oh man! Not again, Andrew…”

“No Jim I should talk to Klein first. I can tell you this, it will help you nail Ramsey.”

Jim stopped; “I have an idea, why don’t you come with me? It will give you an opportunity to watch and evaluate. I’ll pick you up and,” he paused, “I don’t want to hear anymore about your car, Andrew.”

Lyle Ramsey was surprised to find Harrison Carr waiting for him in his office at 7:30 AM when he arrived this Friday morning.

“Sit down, Lyle, we need to talk,” Carr said darkly, his voice deeper than usual. “I received an overseas call early this morning from Karel Schneiderman. It seems that Schneiderman was contacted by the GCI office in Bangkok about a major break-in that occurred approximately three months ago.

“That break-in could seriously compromise some of the contracts and projects that Ramsey and Carr have written and negotiated, not to mention a great many GCI activities in Southeast Asia.

“According to the Bangkok office, it is believed that the intruder gained access to a number of very sensitive files; GCI security identified the intruder, but failed to capture him and after weeks of searching it is believed he escaped the country.

“Schneiderman called me because someone on this side of the water assured the Bangkok office that the problem would be handled at this end. Since there has been no contact or word of closure with Bangkok, from Washington or Seattle, Schneiderman is deeply concerned… and so am I.

“Lyle, I want full disclosure of what you know of this matter; I want to know how much of this is connected to the recent visit of our contact in the Department of Defense and I want to know why I was not notified of this situation as soon as you knew.

“I want the report by three this afternoon at which time you and I will discuss it fully before I call Karel Schneiderman. Do you fully understand?” Carr stood tall as he walked toward the door casting a sideways glance at the portrait that looked back at him.

It was unthinkable that Harrison Carr would invade his office in such a manner. And it was unsettling. “Yes, Harrison, of course… there will be a full report,” Ramsey spoke defensively, uncertain of what he would tell Carr.

It was a little past eleven as Andrew Kincaid and Seattle Police Detective, James Savalza stepped out of the elevator into the reception area of Ramsey & Carr and approached the reception desk.

They were greeted by a well groomed young woman who looked up from her typing flashed a brilliant smile and said pleasantly, “Good morning, gentlemen, may I help you?”

Andrew appraised the posh surroundings as Jim displayed his shield and asked, “Is Lyle Ramsey in?”

“I’ll check for you,” she said picking up the phone and pressing an intercom button to Connie Porter. “Connie, there are two gentlemen here to see Mr. Ramsey, one of them is a detective,” and questioning she looked at Andrew.

“Oh, I’m Andrew Kincaid from the Seattle Times.”

“Connie, the other man is with the Seattle Times.”

An attractive, slender brunette in an understated designer suit appeared almost immediately, smiling as she approached the reception desk, stretching a manicured hand toward them she said, “Good morning, gentlemen, I’m Connie Porter, Mr. Ramsey’s executive secretary; is there something I can do for you?”

“Thank you, but no, Ms. Porter, this is police business; we must speak with Mr. Ramsey, personally,” Jim added while admiring Ramsey’s good taste in secretaries.

“Certainly,” she crooned, “Just a moment I’ll let him know you’re here,” she said picking up the phone and after announcing their presence to Ramsey, she turned, smiled again and beckoned to Jim and Andrew, “Please follow me,” as she led the way down a wide corridor to a richly appointed corner office that faced west. She tapped gently and opened the door stepping aside to allow the two men to enter.

Lyle Ramsey was seated behind his desk and rose to meet Jim and Andrew saying to Jim, “You must be Detective Savalza, I do know Mr. Kincaid. To what do I owe this visit Detective? Surely not official business or is it?” he asked while gesturing to two leather chairs facing the desk, “Please, have a seat.” Ramsey had returned to his chair behind the desk.

Jim leaned forward, “Yes, it is official; I’m sure that you’re probably quite busy, Mr. Ramsey, so I’ll get right to the point. A phone number was found in the suit coat pocket of the late Seattle Police Detective, Monte Maxwell. I dialed that number the other day and you answered on your private line. At first I thought it might be a mistake, but some things have surfaced that have caused me to reconsider.”

Jim’s dark eyes were glued on Ramsey’s face. “I don’t think it was a coincidence that I got your private line, Mr. Ramsey. And in a follow up on Maxwell’s activities before he died, we have discovered his erratic behavior started with a few phone calls.”

“What are you suggesting, Detective?”

“I’m not suggesting Mr. Ramsey, I’m telling you that we believe that Monte was working for you. As much as I don’t like the idea, I believe that Monte and the two window washers who fell from the Rainier Tower, were all connected to you and the attack and murder of George Kelshaw. Something went wrong and you had Monte killed.”

Andrew was surprised at Jim’s blunt accusation. He glanced at Ramsey, who seemed equally taken aback as Jim waded in for another punch, “I’m putting you on notice that we will continue to investigate until we can prove it.”

Ramsey shot back, “Prove what—I don’t even know who this George Kelshaw is! What could I possible gain by arranging for the murder of a person I don’t even know?”

“I’m equally sure that the motive will reveal itself, you see, Mr. Ramsey, Captain Martin remembers that you contacted him about the release of Kelshaw’s body.” Jim looked steadily into the cold eyes of Lyle Ramsey as he voiced his suspicions.

Ramsey smiled at the audacity of the detective, “That’s a very reckless accusation. You are setting yourself and your department up for a harassment charge, Detective. You may have even provided a witness in the person of Mr. Kincaid. By the way, why are you here, Kincaid?”

Andrew had been quietly observing Ramsey’s reaction to Jim’s accusations, noting his body language and facial expressions. At the beginning of the interview, the attorney had seemed preoccupied and slightly irritated. When Jim accused him of Monte’s death and later of George Kelshaw’s, the irritation had grown into anger and he had seen a momentary flash of fear cross Ramsey’s face when Jim mentioned Captain Martin’s recollection.

Choosing his words carefully, Andrew responded to Ramsey’s question. “I probably wouldn’t be a very good witness for you, Mr. Ramsey, since I’ve been working with Detective Savalza in the investigation of the death of George Kelshaw.

“I came today to discuss another matter… an interview with you and with Harrison Carr; I’d like to know more about your firm’s connection with Global Construction International.

“I was very impressed when I learned that Harrison Carr is on the GCI Board of Directors. The Times would certainly like a story and our business editor would love an exclusive on GCI.”