(2012) Cross-Border Murder by David Waters

Author:David Waters [Waters, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: thriller
ISBN: 9781475928501
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2012-09-09T06:25:27+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Captain Leclair’s office was in a new, one-story building on the outskirts of the City of Sherbrooke. I was led through a large room of computer terminals to his office. Leclair waved me politely to one of the seats in front of his desk. His computer was turned off, and the hum here came from the combined heating and air-conditioning system which was needed to protect the new investment in technology.

I handed him the photos of the Symanskys, Hendricks, and Gooden. We spoke in French.

“And so you think,” he sighed, “that one of these people may have been involved in Madame Bronson’s death?”

I nodded. As succinctly as possible I summarized the peculiar circumstances surrounding Professor Monaghan’s murder. I mentioned Gina’s determination to find out the truth, Naomi’s call to her, and the subsequent shooting at the motel. It would be too much of a coincidence, I suggested, if all these events were not related. He listened attentively enough but I don’t think I told him much that he did not know already.

“An interesting theory,” he acknowledged. He stared at the blank monitor. “So far the murder site has produced nothing to support your assumptions.”

“I’m hoping,” I said, “that there may be something definite in Ms. Bronson’s files to support my conviction.”

“Do you know,” he said, “how many negatives, contact prints, reels of film, not to speak of paper work someone like Ms. Bronson managed to accumulate over the years? We’ve gone through her files once. But,” he said with an angry sigh, “I’ll admit there was much that we did not have the competence to understand. Many of her files had to do with the gay rights movement.” He watched my face for a reaction. “Perhaps, you’re aware, the Montreal gay community is planning a massive memorial service for her this weekend?”

I wasn’t and I admitted as much. He nodded. “I’ve finally agreed to release the body for burial.”

“Who was her next of kin?” I asked, curious.

“We believe she has a brother who is alive but we haven’t been able to contact him yet. Her parents are no longer alive. In any case, her will left everything to her friend and room-mate, Francine Lemelin.”

“The one who discovered her body at the cottage?”

He nodded.

“Are Ms. Bronson’s possessions, in particular her files, being released to Ms. Lemelin along with the body?” My concern was obvious.

“Only some of her personal effects, but the files, no. At least not until I’ve decided they can be of no further use to the investigation.”

I felt it was time to press my offer. “I think Phil Ryan may have already suggested that it might be helpful if we had a chance to look through her files. If her death has any tie to what happened to her husband, we might spot something that might be relevant. Her husband’s death, after all, was his case.”

He did not respond at once, but swiveled his chair slowly to stare out the window.

“The problem,” he said finally, “is that I would have to have one of my own people present.

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