Billy Palmer by Ronald Zastre
“Oh hell no, you’re probably the only woman that’s going to talk to me anyway.”
“I’m sorry, Sir, but these things do have a way of disrupting people’s lives.”
Christ, these people come from a mold. Manny recognized the condescending sneakiness, first noticing it in Swenson’s methods.
“What can I help you with, coffee maybe, for a starter?” Manny asked.
“No, I’ve had my fill, thank you. Too much and I’ll have sparks flying between my fingertips,” the deputy said.
“Ha, ha, that’s a good one, haven’t heard it before,” Manny returned, laughing. “What can I help you with, then?”
“I would like to look around house, as part of the investigation. If you don’t mind?”
“Don’t you need a search warrant?”
“Of course, if you don’t want me to? But, if you just give me your permission, then it’s okay. I’m kind of getting my feet wet in investigations, so the Sheriff felt this might be a good place to learn,” Carrie said, not indicating that to refuse would add any suspicion to her mind. “I’m just trying to see if anything can lead us to who attacked your wife. You never know what might be here”
The buggers, they want something to tie me to it. Well, let them look. Manny was angry, but the intrusions don’t look like they will dissipate for the near future.
Deputy Carrie headed toward the rear of the house, Manny following. He watched her, wondering what she’s looking for, interested to see how she goes about it.
“Is there something I can help you with Mr. Anderson?”
Manny can tell the deputy is uncomfortable with him watching.
“No, I can help ‘you’ deputy! You see this is ‘my’ house! I was going to help you find your way around. Any problems with that? Do you have any idea what may have started all this?”
“No, Sir, I don’t have the slightest idea.”
“Then, what the hell are you supposed to be looking for?”
“I guess, I won’t know, until I find it.”
“I don’t believe you fuckin people,” Manny shouted. “A crime’s committed, and you throw out a net so big you don’t know what you’re dragging in. I think a sense of responsibility might be called for, don’t you?”
“I was only instructed to—”
“By who deputy?” Manny interrupted. “Who’s your leader?”
Deputy Carrie just looked at him, either unwilling, or unable to understand what he’s asking. “Who’s in charge of the pod?” Manny finally resorted to cynicism.
“I’m sorry, Sir, my orders are to observe.”
“Who gave you the supposed technique?” Manny waited and got nothing. “Who told you how to observe?”
“Detective Swenson is an expert on evidence gathering,” Conner stated.
“Ah huh, and what makes Detective Swenson an expert?”
“He attended the FBI’s crime lab.”
“Bingo! Tell me Deputy, how many ‘big’ cases have there been around here, since Junior graduated from spy school?”
Deputy Conners said nothing, finally accepting the ribbing from Manny. He can tell, she doesn’t know how to continue.
“Look, Carrie, you want some insight on how this started, just ask me? Don’t presume that you are going to roam around my home, looking for something to dump on me with, because, I didn’t have anything to do with my wife’s attack. Pass that on to Swenson when you talk to him, tell him I’ll take a lie detector test, just for him.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Anderson, I’m just trying to do my job,” Carrie replied emotionally.
Geez I hope she doesn’t start crying. . .unless it’s all a trick to whittle me down”?
“Deputy, has anyone mentioned the name Billy Palmer to you?” Manny asked.
Conner, reached into her breast pocket and whipped out a note book, already back from the crisis. “The name was mentioned by your wife, I believe,” Carrie said, flipping pages.
Jesus, she’s got a book in there already. Manny thought, watching Conner check her notes.
“Yes, here it is.” Conner smiled proudly. “He was a Vietnam Vet, an old friend you were researching? Is that right?”
“Researching. . .yeah Deputy, I guess that would be right. He was an old friend and I was looking into his life. That’s how I came across Eddy Crane, does that name ring a bell?”
“Yes, Detective Swenson has gone to Phoenix to interrogate him.”
“Good, you’re on the ball. Now Billy Palmer’s life had a connection to this Mr. Crane, and I found out about it, and may have stirred something up. That is probably why you and I are talking here now.”
“I see,” Conner said, writing furiously in her note book. “Is there anything else I should know about this Mr. Palmer?”
“My wife was compiling some things in her computer, it’s in the office down the hall. Do you know anything about them?”
“Yes, Sir, that’s my specialty, data recovery.” Deputy Carrie was excited because they had moved into her area.
“Fine, you have my permission to have a go at the monster machine,” Manny said gesturing toward the office, as the phone rang. He followed Conner to the office, the closest phone being in there. Conners sat down at the desk, as Manny picked up the phone.
“Hello, my life is in the crapper, so dump away,” Manny said into the phone.
“Jiminy Manny, what the heck is going on?” Carl Andrews answered. “I just talked to Fred Maynard and he said you tried to kill Cassey? What the heck is he talking about?”
“Great!” Manny exclaimed, then hesitated, realizing how far this thing had really gotten already.” Look Carl, somebody attacked Cassey, or tried to, George got in the way—”
“Yeah, Fred said you killed the dog too,” Carl cut him off.
“You tell Fred to ‘can it,’ or he’s next.” Manny immediately regretted the comment because Conner looked up at him, but at least she didn’t go for the note book or her gun.
“I’m kidding Carl. It’s just one of those stories that’s gotten blown out of proportion. Marilyn Gwynn is involved, sucking up to Cassey.”
“Oh, Christ,” Carl rarely used anything even close to profanity, “not her!” Marilyn had been Carl’s first sexual encounter way back in high school, and Manny was sure it must have been traumatic for the inexperienced Andrews. Marilyn the Mauler had been her moniker back then.
“None of what I’m hearing is true, is it?” Andrews asked softly.
“Of course not! Jesus Carl, I can’t believe anyone would think I could hurt Cassey, but it’s a mess.”
“I know, I was just flabbergasted. How you doing?”
“Oh, all right, I guess, but I’ve got cops up my butt. Man, they sure steam roll the situation.”
“That’s their job Manny, so be careful. Don’t talk to them without representation.”
“Oh, I’ve got nothing to hide. There’s one here now, going through Cassey’s computer.”
“What, in your house?” Andrews’s voice went up many notches.
“Yeah, what’s the big deal?”
“Put them on the phone immediately.” Manny had never heard Andrews sound so authoritative.
“Oh settle down Carl, like I said I’ve got nothing to hide.”
“Manny, golldarnit, listen to me, please. Whoever is there, put them on the phone, now, do it!” Manny had also never heard Carl Andrews with such gusto, so he handed the phone to Deputy Conner. “It’s for you.”
“This is Carl Andrews, Mr. Anderson’s attorney, would you please identify yourself?”
“My name is Carrie Conner, Mr. Andrews.”
“And you are an officer of the court?”
‘Yes, Deputy Carrie Conners, County Sheriff’s Office.”
“Deputy Conner, quit what you’re doing, and stand back, until I get there. I am Manny Anderson’s legal council. Do you understand?”
“Mr. Anderson gave his permission, and I—”
“Stop what y
Carrie reluctantly handed the phone to Manny.
“Manny listen to me good. Do not say another thing until I get there, and get her away from that computer.”
“Carl, you’re over reacting—”
“Manny, shut up and listen to me,” Carl interrupted. “Don’t take any chances with those people. Don’t say another thing until I get there. It’ll be about fifteen minutes. You got me?”
“If you think it’s important Carl.”
“You never know, but just to be safe.” Carl hung up.
“Well, you heard my attorney, the party’s over,” Manny said, gesturing with his thumb for her to get up from the computer.
*
“Well, are you going to invite me in?” Carl Andrews asked standing at Manny’s front door.
“Oh sorry Carl, I’m just numb. Things are spiraling out of control.”
“That’s why I’m here Manny.”
“It’s like I told you, I have nothing to hide, why should I need a lawyer?”
“To keep it that way. I contacted that Detective Swenson on my way here, he’s really tight lipped. I think they are looking for a connection to you and some guy in Arizona. Want to tell me the story?”
Manny explained the situation as detailed as he could. When he finished Carl thought for a moment.
“I think you should do the following, Manny. I know a sharp young lawyer in Minneapolis, just got out of the prosecutor’s office.”
“Hold on Carl. I thought you were interested in saving my bacon, now you’re telling me about someone else.”
“Manny, I’m not a criminal lawyer, but I know enough to know when you need some good protection. Believe me, the Sheriff’s Department is going to be up your butt with a microscope, and you need someone to make sure that whatever they find is justified. You have no idea how out of control these investigations can get, especially if someone is out to make a name. You need someone to make sure that they cross their tees and dot their I’s. Swenson wants a meeting with you tomorrow afternoon, after five.”
“I’m sick of that guy,” Manny proclaimed.
“Look Manny, he’s in charge right now and he’s fired up, so play his game, at least until we know what he thinks.”
“I guess.”
“Good, I suggested we meet here at your house. You’ll be more comfortable, and it makes it look like you have nothing to hide, at least here.”
“Thanks Carl, I have nothing to hide period.”
“You know what I mean. Is there anything in that computer?”
“The one here?”
“Yes, the one you’ve been working on?”
“I don’t know, I don’t know much about—”
“No, no, I mean is there anything you’ve put in there, any work you’ve done that you don’t want anybody to see?”
“No.”
“Good, Swenson wants the machine, and if it’s clean, I’d give it to them.”
“Hey, they can have it. I don’t know how to do anything with it, and they’ll see that I was only working Billy’s life, like I said.”
“Good, that’s good, it will show Swenson that you’ve been square with him.”
Chapter 27
The next afternoon, late, it was getting dark outside, and Manny, Carl, Detective Swenson, Officers Auburn and Conners were all gathered in Manny’s kitchen, discussing the case.
“We contacted Yuma, PD and they went to Eddy Crane’s home, but he wasn’t there, can you imagine?” Swenson was chuckling. “They got lucky because a neighbor told them Eddy went to Minnesota. The neighbor said Eddy had called all disappointed and was coming home later that day. We checked the flights and got lucky again. Eddy was apprehended in the Phoenix airport at his connection to Yuma.
“That’s great, good work Swenson,” Carl Andrews cheered.
“Yeah, Cassey will be very happy,” Manny added. “I can’t tell you h—”
“I’ve got a problem, Manny,” Swenson interrupted.
“What can be wrong, you got Crane?” Andrews asked.
“Yeah, we’ve got Crane,” Swenson said, “and Crane was in a motel in Alexandria, but—”
“But what? What the hell else do you need? My god, the man came all the way from Yuma Arizona, to do what?” Andrews was getting flustered, and using profanity.
“I don’t know, but he has a story, and Mr. Anderson,” Swenson looked to Manny, “he has no dog bites, like I told you last night.”
“What the hell has that got to do with anything?” Manny shouted.
“Mr. Anderson, Manny, whoever was out there on that road with your wife left a blood trail from your SUV to his vehicle. The blood on George’s teeth, and that blood trail, match types. We’ll get a better analysis later, but for now the main thing is, we know that your dog did some serious damage to whoever attacked your wife. I went to Phoenix and I saw that Edward Crane has no wounds matching a dog bite. What are we supposed to make of that?”
“I don’t know, how could he possibly be hiding that?” Manny asked.
“He can’t Manny, he was examined by doctors, and I saw him in person, and I repeat, there are no dog bite wounds anywhere on that man’s body, period. We have a problem.”
“Then what the hell was he doing in Alexandria, fifty minutes from here? Have you considered an accomplice?”
“Yes, we’re working on that, but Eddy is not to sharp. He could be easily led,” Swenson used an accusatory tone, looking straight at Manny. “Eddy says he first got a call from an investigator. This investigator said that his VA benefits might be jeopardized. A Senator from Minnesota was involved, pushing for an inquiry. Then he said he got another call, a different man. This man said that he was the same man that spoke to him in person, days before, offered him money for his story. Know anything about this Manny?”
“That would be me,” Manny confessed
“Which one would you be, Manny? We’ve got a few characters in this plot.”
“I’m the one that called the Senator.”
“Who called Eddy Crane?”
“Not me,” Manny said defensively.
“You’re not leveling with me, Mr. Anderson,” Swenson said cynically.
“Yes I am! I called Mr. Crane on his military record. He’s a liar, and I was going to do something about it.”
“You did call him then?”
“No, no, a figure of speech. I saw Mr. Crane a week ago, in person, in front of his home in Yuma. Have you checked him out, he’s a double murderer? I told you that in the car.”
“We know all about Mr. Crane, don’t trouble yourself about that, but the problem is, Mr. Crane doesn’t appear to be involved in this.”
“What about accomplishes, somebody with him?”
“We’re working that now, but it doesn’t look good. Eddy says he got a call from that other man, asking him to come to Minnesota, to come and discuss a resolution to his problem. Eddy Crane remembers you, Manny, coming to his house, but he can’t say if the voice on the phone either time was you. And trust me Manny, we’re looking for any connections to Eddy’s itinerary. So far, there’s no other person, flight, rental car, hotel, etc., in Alexandria that doesn’t fit. Same for a radius out fifty miles. You know, for the accomplice you’re hoping for, but Manny, so far nothing. Eddy’s still screaming that he’s been framed. You know, he did nothing to hide the Minnesota trip. Makes it look like he’s telling the truth.”
“And phone records from Eddy’s house show he got one call from Minnesota and two from New York, prior to going to Alexandria,” Swenson continued. “Pay phones in the New York airport, the same day as your flight to New York, Manny.”
“It wasn’t me, I never called Crane,” Manny declared.”
“Then who did?” Swenson questioned.
“How should I know!” Manny answered, incredulously, annoyed.
“Click,” the detective made the sound in his cheek. ??
“What?” Manny responded, holding the detectives stare.
“I’ve got this tremendous training, and all this high tech stuff to fool with—” Swenson hesitated, still looking Manny down.
“Get to the point detective,” Manny interrupted.
“Very well, Manny.” Swenson looked away. “I will find out what happened, yes I will. Anything you want to tell me?”
“Yeah, find out who the hell attacked my wife!”
“Did you have anything to do with it?” The detective asked the question slow and deliberate, looking out the window. “Mr. Anderson?”
“I definitely did not!” Manny said equally as planned. “And I do not appreciate you alienating my family from me, Detective.”
“I know my job is supposed to be only solving crimes,” Swenson turned back to Manny, “but sometimes I dabble in crime prevention too, call it a hobby if you want.”
This guy thinks he’s a TV cop, playing the role of a lifetime. Hopes I might possibly be involved, and is going for the throat, just like prime time.” Manny thought, then fired off. “Hey Swenson, tell me, who do you want to play you in the movie? Any Nordic hunks moving on up, or do you figure this will be the launching role for some new face?”
“I take my job serious, Mr. Anderson.”
“Not serious enough Detective. If you did a little local investigating you would find that Cassey and I are happy together. She’s the soul mate in my life. Do you have one of those Detective?”
“People can change Mr. Anderson. You have been doing a lot of unwarranted traveling lately. No telling what has caught your interest lately.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Do you understand what a soul mate is.”
“It’s not relevant to my investigation.”
“You’re doing a wonderful job Detective Swenson, you’re right on top of our transition into the age of robotics, with gratuitous distinction.”
The detective finally had no answer, looking at Manny formulating.
Jesus, finally confused the bugger. I wonder what they feed these bastards. Man, I was wondering if his dogma was iron clad, or what, scary shit.” Manny decided to keep the advantage, saying nothing.
“I’m just doing my job.” Swenson finally said, leaving the advantage in Manny’s court.