Arid Sea by Norm Harris

Author:Norm Harris [Harris, Norm]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: the stand-in; legal thriller; murder; mystery; conspiricy; anti-trust; crime; native american; ltgbq; strong women; sisters; female protagonist; milit
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2021-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Sheriff Gus reviewed the crime lab’s fishing skiff photos. What would drive anyone to murder Alvin Joe? he wondered.

Although the murderer had used a sophisticated method, he had not taken great care to hide his tracks. Whoever the murderer was, both the tumbler and the skiff had his fingerprints on them.

Detective Boyd sat across from the Sheriff’s desk, watching him shuffle through the photos. “What are you thinking, Virgil?” he asked his boss.

“Have you ever had a case where you had this much evidence and no motive for the crime?” Virgil responded.

“Can’t say I have.”

“A murder is usually committed for a few reasons,” Virgil recounted, “lust, greed, passion, or jealousy.”

“Alvin Joe was not having an affair, and he had no known enemies,” Lonny said. “That eliminates the lust, jealousy, and passion motives.”

“What about greed?” Virgil asked.

“We looked at his bank accounts. Nothing unusual, no large cash deposits or pay-outs…nothing unusual about them at all.”

“What about off-shore accounts?”

“We couldn’t find any, Virgil,” Doug informed him. “Why? You think he might have been selling military secrets to the North Koreans, Iranians, or the Chinese?”

“Could be. But from what I know about Alvin Joe, he didn’t seem like the type. But then again, you never know.”

****

“Here’s my shopping list,” Fay said, handing it across their hotel coffee shop’s breakfast table to Gifford Champion.

He took the list and scanned it. “Two luxury sport utility vehicles, a suite at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, dresses, business suits, and jewelry, an American Bank checking account—a two hundred fifty-thousand balance,” he read aloud, before emitting a low whistle. “The business jet and the twenty thousand dollars in cash won’t be a problem.”

Gifford tossed her list on the table, looked at Fay, and grinned. “And what would you like for Christmas, Mrs. Gates?”

A sly grin formed on Fay’s lips. “I need to appear prosperous.” She lowered her voice. In her best Joey Stumpanado impression, she said, “Besides, what self respectin’ mob lawyer would be caught dead lookin’ anythin’ but well-to-do?”

“Roman Justine’s financial equal?” Champion teased.

“Hardly. He’s one of the richest men in America,” Fay replied. “I have to appear affluent enough to get his attention.”

Gifford surveyed the list again. “I’ll call the DEA. We can get your toys from their drug seizures inventory. We’ll have the vehicles licensed in Arizona and the jet licensed in Canada. Victoria, B.C. probably.”

“I’ll see if Bart Hay is available, Gifford,” Fay said.

“Your Secret Service pilot boyfriend?”

“Yes, sir. None other,” she confirmed. “When we locate the jet, we’ll have JP hook up with Bart. They can fly the jet to Phoenix.”

“I’ll get the guys at Langley working on establishing new identities for both you and JP. Law degree and grade transcripts from the University of Virginia Law School for you. Bar association, a few club memberships, Illinois State driver’s licenses, a luxury condo in Oakbrook,” Gifford listed. “Anything else?”

“No, sir. That should do it,” Fay replied. “What time does our flight to Phoenix leave tomorrow?”

“Out of O’Hare at 06:30.”

Fay noted the time.

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