Chapter Twenty-five
Kate liked Cindy's work ethics and job skills even if she didn't agree with her lifestyle. She figured what Cindy did after work was her business and she didn't want to get involved. Kate wasn't shy about expressing disapproval but not in a confrontational way.
Kate asked, "Do you pick a guy and then check his marital status to see if he ”qualifies” for you? Do you ever think about the consequences to the husband's family?"
Cindy replied, "I can see it from that angle I guess, but I have never really thought about it. I figure what happens between the husband and his family is a matter for them to work out. I am not trying to steal him away, like I said I just want to borrow him for a time. I just want to land the plane, I don't want to pave the runway."
Kate thought it best to discontinue their line of conversation and concentrate back on police work. It was clear they had a very different outlook on morals and relationships.
After lunch Kate said, “I guess we need to talk to the last guy on the contact list. There are some women there too and we may go back and interview them but they don’t have the strength to do what was done to our victim. They may have relative information though. By the way, since you run in the mornings, do you want to come over in the morning and run with me?”
Cindy replied, “That sounds perfect, I will plan on it.”
Kate said, “I run at about five thirty A.M. over at the park across from my house.”
Cindy replied, “I know exactly where that is, I googled you.”
Kate just smiled and said, “I expected no less. I know where you live too.”
Kate and Cindy drove to their last contact list interview with James O’Neil. He was a multiple-lot car dealer who evidently gave a lot of money to the victim’s charities as well as providing cars leased out to the whole family.
Cindy said, "So this guy owns a LOT of car lots? Maybe he will try to bribe us with a new sports car, red with leather."
Kate gave Cindy that disappointed look and Cindy said, "I was only joking."
Kate and Cindy went into the downtown offices where James O'Neil ran his empire of car dealerships. There was a receptionist at a desk in the entry office.
The receptionist asked, "Is there something I can do for you ladies."
Kate replied, "We are here to see Mr. O'Neil. I talked to him on the phone and he said to just stop by."
The receptionist asked, "May I ask your name?"
Kate held out her badge and ID. The receptionist looked at the ID closely and then went into an attached office. When she came back she escorted the two women into the large very masculine office. Lots of wood and leather. Kate and Cindy both took note of the lavish surroundings. The wood desk was not a “cheap put together yourself particleboard one” from a big box store. It was solid wood, Kate figured probably oak. The large chair Mr. O'Neil sat in, it was very nice leather.
Kate noted the chairs they sat in were genuine leather. The wood floors added to the amount of brown in the office. Mr. O'Neil himself was dressed in a suit that probably cost more than either woman made in a month. The Rolex was pretty easy to spot on his wrist.
Kate introduced herself and Cindy and explained the reason why they were there.
Kate asked, "How well did you know Linda Miles?"
Mr. O'Neil replied, "She and her family were good customers for starters and have been for a number of years. I have leased cars to Linda, her husband and her sister. I did most of the deals with Linda, her husband was always away working so she would convey his wishes even for his car."
Kate asked, "Did you have other contact with the victim?"
Mr. O'Neil replied, "She arm twisted me a lot to donate to some of her charities and I usually did. Like I said, she was a good customer. Her causes were mostly about children even though she had none of her own. I got the feeling she was sad about not having any children."
Kate asked, "Was that the only contact you had with her?"
James answered, "I ran into her from time to time, we travelled in similar circles and I think that is inevitable."
Kate asked, "Did you know anything about the couple, what kind of marriage they had?"
James answered, "I never saw her husband much, but from what I witnessed she seemed to be more of an arm ornament than anything else. He would parade her around when he went to work related parties and events and the rest of the time he stayed away from her."
Kate handed James her card and said, "I appreciate your time and I may have more questions later. If you think of anything you believe to be important, please call."
Kate and Cindy walked to her car and once inside Kate placed the folder and notes in the back seat.
Cindy asked, "What do you think about his story?"
Kate replied, "I believed it, he had nothing to do with it and I don't think he even knows anything."
Cindy said, "Okay, can you please elaborate? I am still learning."
Kate responded, "Well first, did you note his demeanor? He remained calm, that is hard for civilians to do when talking to a cop, it is natural to sweat a little. Not a drop seen on him. The next thing is Linda is a cash cow for him, he has made a lot of money off of her. He has no visible motive."
Cindy asked, "Who would you pick at this moment, since you have talked to all of those contacts?"
Kate answered, "It is early to be making a judgment but the personal trainer seemed really suspicious to me, if I can't figure out how the husband did it."
Cindy asked, "What is our next move?"
Kate replied, "I thought we might implement your plan for getting into the safety deposit box."
Cindy said, "I could just go in and pretend to be a family member at the storage place. We have the key."
Kate responded, "When the defense attorney attacks your method of obtaining that evidence and the judge throws it out, how would that help you. We want whatever is found to be admissible."
Cindy replied, "Okay, I get it and thank you for taking the time to explain. I have things to learn and am grateful for this chance to work with you."
Kate said, "Let's drive by the storage place and find a spot to keep an eye on the entrance. Then we will go talk to Linda's sister, Vicky. I think they are close and if anyone knew Linda had a safety deposit box, she would be the one."
The drive by revealed a parking lot angled across from the building housing the safety deposit boxes.
Cindy said, "I can use my car since no one knows it, back it behind a tree on the corner and watch without anyone suspecting. Since it is a paid parking lot, we might need some clearance from the owner."
Kate responded, "Let's get that permission first before we ever go and talk to Vicky. Then we will have everything in place."
Kate arranged permission and they drove Cindy's car and parked it in the spot where they wanted it. The lot owner waived the parking fee since this was for a murder investigation. Kate could drop Cindy off at her car while she parked a couple of blocks away and walked over.
Kate said, "Let's go and talk to Vicky."
They made an appointment with Vicky, who seemed less than enthusiastic in hearing from them. They made the appointment for later that day.
Kate asked Cindy, "If you had a sister that was murdered, wouldn't you be anxious to help solve that murder?"
Cindy answered, "I certainly would be, in fact I would be demanding more to be done."
The time arrived and they soon found themselves across from Vicky. Kate showed the safety deposit box key to Vicky.
Kate asked, "Did you know Linda had a safety deposit box?"
Vicky replied, "Yes I knew. There were some things she wanted to keep from Richard. She told me about it in case something happened to her, but I have never seen what's in it. How did you find out she had it?"
Kate responded, "It was part of her belongings in her gym locker. Would you go with us to open the box and see what's there? We want a family member there."
Vicky asked, "Would her husband know what's there?"
Kate replied, "Not if it didn't pertain to him. We just want to solve Linda's murder."
Vicky replied, "I will go with you, but my schedule is tied up for a few days. Let's go on Friday and I will meet you there at three."
Kate and Cindy thanked Vicky and went back out to their car.
Kate asked, "Did you notice the difference between Vicky and our car guy. She was visibly shaken when we talked to her. She was nervous, I saw sweat beads on her forehead and her breathing was labored. She didn't know we had the key and she didn't like it when she found out."
Cindy replied, "I did notice her behavior. She knows something. She looked like me when I saw her boyfriend's wife at the grocery store. I imagine they know something. Vicky may have those same feelings. I predict she will be going to the safety deposit box soon to get rid of anything there she doesn't want you to see."
Kate responded, "You are catching on, her makeup was starting to smear from the sweat. Let's get something for dinner and go sit in your car."