Death Came Calling by Donald Webb

Author:Donald Webb [Webb, Donald]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626390171
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2014-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-eight

Tanaka called and made an appointment to meet with Prescott Harrington. After welcoming Tanaka into his paneled inner sanctum, Harrington settled back in his huge black leather chair. He was the quintessential corporate man. His smoothly combed gray hair and three-piece dark-blue pinstriped suit wouldn’t look out of place in any of the world’s financial centers, Tanaka was thinking when he gingerly took a seat.

“I was glad to hear you had agreed to help Winifred, she’s the salt of the earth,” Harrington said. “Is there any substance to her claim of foul play?”

“I haven’t finished my investigation yet, but I’m convinced her nephew’s death wasn’t accidental.”

Harrington raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t expect that. I thought you’d probably find Winifred was overreacting.”

“I also assumed that at first, but there are too many inconsistencies surrounding Warren’s death. There weren’t any signs of a struggle in his suite, so I don’t think he was killed in a rage. No, I’m sure it was premeditated murder.”

“Do you have any suspects in mind?”

“Yes, but it’s still too early to start naming them.”

“What about the police? Have you got them involved?”

“Not yet, but I will when I have some specific evidence to present to them.”

Harrington nodded. “Was there something specific you wanted to speak to me about?”

“I’m trying to find out if Warren had any life insurance, and if he did, who stood to gain?”

“Good point. I’m not personally aware of any insurance he had, but I’ll see if we had a policy on him.”

He picked up the phone and asked someone to check. “Ironic, isn’t it?” Harrington said after he’d hung up. “Usually you’re investigating insurance fraud for us, and now you’re investigating a murder that leads you right back to us.”

“Let’s hope Warren didn’t have any insurance with your company.”

The phone rang. Harrington listened intently and made some notes. “Well, well,” he said after he disconnected. “He did have a policy with us.”

“How much?”

“Five hundred grand. However, the kicker is that there was a double indemnity clause, so we could be out a million.”

“Who’s the beneficiary?”

“It’s a spousal life insurance policy on the lives of both Margaret and David, with the surviving spouse named as the beneficiary.”

“So, that means if Margaret had died Warren would’ve benefited, but with him dying Margaret is the beneficiary?”

“That’s right. Given the current death certificate, Margaret will be paid the million.”

“Is there any way to prevent her from receiving that money?”

“We could prevent the money being paid to Margaret if she has acceded to the status of survivor by killing David.”

“Any other way?”

“I’ll have to discuss it with our legal experts. It’s a bit strange, really. The policy may be null and void because they were legally divorced; however, I doubt it because she was apparently still keeping up the monthly payments.”

“It sounds like you haven’t paid Margaret yet?”

“No, we haven’t. You think she killed him?”

“Let’s put it this way. She’s definitely on my list of suspects, so if you can delay paying her, it would be a good idea.

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