Beverly Connor - One Grave Too Many

“Tell her not to worry.”

“I will. I see you’re using the computer. How do you like it?”

“So far it’s great. I haven’t done much. But it’s a really nice model.”

“It is, isn’t it? I’m not fond of the name, but it’s a great machine. Do you know you can drop it as far as four feet and it won’t sustain any damage?”

“That will be good for field work.”

He stood up. “Look, I promised not to talk about computers, so I’ll be going. I just wanted to put in a word for Alix.”

“Thank you for coming in.”

Diane watched him leave. She shook her head. This was what, the third story? Intervention is tricky business. The best she could say about the mess was that she’d learned a lesson.

She pushed her new computer aside and looked at the reports Ben Florian had brought her. Her theory on the plastic had panned out. The plastic was from the kind used for soda bottles. The gunpowder residue on the inside surface was a strong indicator that a plastic bottle was used as a silencer. Frank would be glad to hear it.

She looked at the bloodstain report and compared it to the autopsy reports. No blood except George’s and Louise’s. Too bad; she’d love to have had some perp DNA.

She matched the identification of George and Louise’s bloodstains to the sets of medium-velocity spatters on the walls to see which blow struck George and which one struck Louise. She double-checked it with the autopsy report of the number of times each were struck. It matched with the scenario she laid out for Frank.

She had a lot of information, neatly organized, neatly fitting together, but not enough to clear Star. There was nothing to do now but wait to see if anything came of the missing persons inquiry.

She was about to stop and have some lunch and visit Frank when Andie announced Chanell Napier. Chanell, dressed in a dark green suit, came in and sat down in the chair in front of Diane’s desk, clasping her hands in front of her.

“Thanks for coming,” said Diane.

Chanell smiled and looked as if she didn’t quite know what to say.

“I wanted to know if you’re interested in the job as head of security here at the museum. It would mean a substantial raise in pay. It would also mean taking some classes we’d set up for you.”

Chanell put her hands to her face. She looked like she’d just won the lottery.

“I take it you’re interested,” said Diane.

“Yes, oh, yes, ma’am. I’m interested.”

“Good. Andie will give you the details and tell you where to go to fill out some forms.” Diane stood up and held out her hand. “Congratulations.”

Chanell took her hand and shook it. “Oh, thank you, Dr. Fallon. I’ll do a really good job for you. I will.”

“I’m sure you will. You can start today.”

As she was congratulating Chanell, Diane heard Leonard Starns in Andie’s office through the crack in the partially open door.

“Payroll called and said I had to pick up my check from you.”

“Yes,” said Andie. “This way.” She led him into Diane’s office.

“How you doing, Leonard?” said Chanell.

He looked from Diane to Chanell. “What’s this about?”

Diane picked up the envelope with his check in it. “I’ve just made Chanell head of security. One of the things she’ll be investigating is who’s been forging my name to order over a hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of supplies and exhibits.”

Andie and Chanell were both completely caught off guard. But not Leonard. He stood, stiff and frowning, in front of Diane’s desk.

“Was anything actually stolen?” he managed to say.

“An attempt was made to steal over a hundred and fifty thousand dollars from the museum through fraudulent purchases. That carries with it more impact than simple mischief. I intervened in the middle of one attempt and prevented it. I suspect the purpose was actually to deprive me of my job.”

“Do you have my paycheck?” Leonard’s lower lip stuck out like he was about to pout. Diane smiled. “You think that’s funny?” he said. Leonard was becoming belligerent.

“Considering I was paying you to guard the place, yes, I do. Were you also involved in the break-in of the conservation lab?”

“You can’t prove anything.”

“I just sent a set of fingerprints off to the crime lab.”

Leonard grinned broadly. “You can’t prove anything.”

To Diane, that was like an admission of guilt. But, unfortunately, an inadmissible one. She opened a drawer to her desk and pulled out a pair of surgical gloves and pulled one on over her hand and held it up.

“What I think, Mr. Starns, is that you made those fake orders, and you did it for your son, who works for Mark Grayson. Were you helping him get some brownie points?”

Leonard’s attention was focused on the gloved hand.

“I think you were involved in the break-in,” said Diane. “You used the master key to let whoever it was in. If you were alone, you wouldn’t have bothered to wear these gloves. You could just say you were checking things out if we found your prints. Was it your son?”

“You can’t prove anything.” He was sounding like he was caught in a loop.

“Did you know that this kind of glove fits so tight it can leave fingerprints through the latex? I lifted some from the break-in, didn’t I, Chanell?”

“She sure did. Nice clear prints too.”

Leonard’s smug expression started to collapse.

“If your son’s prints are anywhere on file and there’s a match, I will prosecute, vigorously.”

“You think this place is so important. It’s just a collection from somebody’s attic. There’s other things more important, and you’re too stubborn to see it.”

That was quite a long speech for Leonard. And another bit of admission.

“Like the bonus your son would get if he brings Mark Grayson my head on a platter?”

Diane could see the uncertainty in him. The snide facade was cracking under the gentlest pressure she was putting on him. She could almost read his thoughts in his eyes as his gaze darted from one point in the room to another. Indecision-say something to defend his son, or stay quiet until he could get advice? Leonard was a follower, not a leader, and she suspected it was his son who was doing the leading.

“You going to give me my paycheck?”

“Yes, Leonard, I am. We’ll just see what happens when the report on the prints gets back. Don’t think for a minute I won’t follow through.”

“What do you want?”

“I want to know why the conservation lab was broken into.”

“You’ll have to ask Mrs. Grayson.”

“Signy Grayson?”

“You’ll have to ask her. I don’t know anything and neither does my son.”

“How about the attempted break-in at the faunal lab last night?” asked Chanell.

This time Diane was caught by surprise. So, it seemed, was Leonard.

“What? You can’t pin that one on me or my son. I don’t know anything about that-I don’t. Maybe Mrs. Grayson knows about that too.”

“Would you mind holding out your hands and arms so that I can see them?” Diane said.

“What?” Leonard pulled his hands to him reflexively and seemed to step back on his heels.

“Whoever attacked me three nights ago received considerable damage to his hands and his arms. Could I see yours, please?”

Leonard pulled up his shirtsleeves and held his hands out before her, turning them palms-down and then palms-up for her to see. “I didn’t have nothin’ to do with no attack on you.”

He had no swollen fingers, and there were no bruises or bite marks on his arms that would be on her attacker. Diane handed him the check.

“Chanell, I want you to start changing all the locks in the museum.” She spoke to Chanell, but she didn’t take her eyes off Leonard Starns. He turned abruptly and left the room.