Focus on Fraud: A Parker Photography Cozy Mystery by Suzanne Bolden

Author:Suzanne Bolden [Bolden, Suzanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781948064163
Publisher: Laughing Deer Press
Published: 2020-12-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“We met at your grand opening. Her name is Kay Whitlow. She owns the Bed & Breakfast in town. The Whitlow house. Have you met her?

I had to raise a napkin to my mouth to keep my choking covered up. You almost made a fool of yourself.

“You alright Jackie?”

I pretended to cough, giving myself time to recover my composure. “Just swallowed funny. Kay seems like a lovely woman. I did meet her briefly twice. Once at a Historical Society meeting and just this morning at Val’s. I promise I won’t say anything until I hear from you. But I don’t know how she could turn you down.”

Jeff blushed. “Now can I run some things by you about the Rick Ballard case?”

“Yes, please. I’ve discovered a few things I’d like to tell you about too,” I said. “First, I heard it’s no longer just considered a suicide? That there is a possibility he was murdered?”

“Well, there always is, I suppose, but yes, I release you of your promise not to talk about it being suicide. I don’t know why I ever assume things won’t get around in our little community. We’ve expanded our investigation further. Financial irregularities seem to be a good motive. It appears there was a great deal of cutting costs and corners. Certain safety protocol was not put in place. Lots of the workers were complaining about that when I questioned them. Plus, grumbling about paychecks being late. One even said his bounced more than once.”

“But wouldn’t that point more to suicide. That Rick was afraid his fraudulent maneuverings were discovered, and he didn’t want to face the music?”

“It might have been, but evidence at the scene told us there might be other possibilities. A blood spatter expert came in. He determined that the splatter patterns didn’t fit with suicide. But the only prints on the gun were Rick’s.”

“Whoa. That changes things. What did Alan have to say?”

“Now that’s what is so interesting. We haven’t reached him yet. The camera at the site shows Alan driving away shortly after we saw you leave on the security video, so that all jibes. The security camera at the Riverview Motel shows him pulling up in the parking lot. He goes to his cabin, comes back out, and drives off.”

“Which goes with what I was told. Are you sure it was him on the film?”

“Yes. Same basic build and that unusual limp. Plus, the timing fits. But then it’s like he disappeared. This is all very suspicious. We have an all-points bulletin out on his vehicle. It hasn’t been seen. I remembered you had some knowledge of him and his dealings in Chicago. Is there anything you can add that might help us find him?”

“I actually know little about him. Have you searched his cottage at the Riverview?”

“We did, and everything seemed normal. Wanda said he’d booked it for several days. I think his original plans were to check out on the weekend. His things were still in the cottage.

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