The Man in White- Pt. 3
Laura Colson and I have some history. We've crossed paths once or twice, worked on cases together or sometimes been at odds with each other. Laura has a certain sharpness and intuition that makes her one of the best Private Investigators around. She always has a wry knowing smile, guarded by locks of blonde hair.
John has the longest history with her, which is why he's waiting outside her office.
Pushing open the door she greets me with her smile.
"Here for business or pleasure?" she says, laughing slightly. "Although I think I could guess."
"Business, sadly. Although we could try pleasure first..."
"Same Thomas Lavell. How've you been?"
"Confused, although I've gotten used to it by now. How's tricks?"
She shrugs slightly.
"You know the deal Tom. Same bastards in and out of my office. Same types of people. Sometimes I swear there are only a few molds that people are formed from. So what are you here for?"
I explain to her the nature of my case and try to explain the possible connection.
"So what you're saying is that because of the victims had similar occupations the murders are connected. It's a pretty weak link if you ask me." she tells me after hearing everything.
"Of course the information I'm missing is what you've found out. Care to fill me in?"
"Of course. First of all, I was hired by the victim’s wife to find out what happened. As you know he was found brutally murdered outside his home. Ran over repeatedly. A few witnesses said they saw the car but not person inside."
"So far it sounds like a normal hit and run. As strange as it sounds, and as much as we'd like it to be false, random acts of violence are not uncommon. However this was until I examined his work place. It's filled with books."
"Books? How many?"
"I have no idea, but to give you something of an idea most of the stacks were taller then I was. I figured he must have been researching something in there. The majority of the books were ledgers, as far as I can work out. Financial records."
"Financial records. If we work with the theory that the two cases are connected... then logically he would be looking for signs of corruption."
"I wish I could confirm your theory but before I could get a better look the police booted me out of there. Now they won't let anyone in because they're looking for evidence and because the information in the books is confidential. And from what I've heard illegal."
"A nice coincidence. I might have to pay a visit."
"If you insist. I don't really want to go back there myself. Someone could have hidden a body under all the books and it take weeks to find it. That and the book smell overpowers everything. No I intend to follow up a lead I have- I've been in contact with someone related to my case, but he is afraid to come forward. If I got any more relevant information I'll tell you."
We said our goodbyes and I left. John walked over with an anxious look across his face that suggested he was about to ask a question. I pre-empted him.
"No John she didn't mention you." He visibly sagged. "In all fairness I got the feeling she wanted me to bring you up during the conversation just so she could talk about you. I'm sorry but that's a conversation that should only be between you two. I really shouldn't listen in."
Previous...Next
For the Wordmongers' Masque