Chapter Thirty-one
Kate told everyone they should take a break. She had to pee herself and assumed everyone else did as well. She told them to take five and then meet back at the room.
When they were all back and seated comfortably, Kate laid the blackmail photo on the table. She asked, “Could the man in that photo be Vicky’s husband?”
Dorothy replied, “I guess anything is possible but I doubt it.”
Kate asked, “Why is it that you doubt it so much?’
Dorothy said, “For one, the build isn’t quite right, but the main thing is her husband Mark is gay.”
Kate and Cindy were both shocked. Kate asked, “Are you positive about that?”
Dorothy said, “I am as sure as I am about what my name is. It was common knowledge among the people who knew Linda. Vicky was a token wife to show off at business functions etc. Outside of that, they had an understanding. That guy in the photo was most likely one of her understanding guys.”
Kate asked, “Did she have a lot of those understanding guys?”
Dorothy replied, “I have heard she had a stable of those guys, but none of them were there that night.”
Kate was more confused than ever but she was getting a more complete image of the lifestyle of her victim and her family. She would certainly have to talk to Vicky again with the new information in her possession. She thanked Dorothy and told her she was free to go.
Kate didn’t know what to think of those revelations and Cindy looked just as confused.
Kate said, “I think we should talk to some of the other people at the party and see if they confirm what we heard today and then we can go to Vicky with what we have from multiple sources.”
Cindy replied, “I agree with that. The info is always more credible if it comes from multiple sources.”
Kate picked up her phone and called Fay Duncan, and asked her to come down and talk to them about the Halloween party. She agreed and told them she would be in town soon anyway, she could just drop by.
When Fay arrived, Kate had an interrogation room set up, just as they had for Dorothy. They made her the same offer for refreshments and they had the same photos laying out but they had removed the sticky note labels to see if she would give them the same names that Dorothy had provided.
Fay gave them the same names as Dorothy had provided and also knew that Vicky was wearing a wig at the party.
Kate asked, “Were you aware that Vicky’s husband was gay?”
Fay replied, “Oh sure, everybody knew that. It is common knowledge that she has male friends with benefits.”
Kate asked, “The friends with benefits thing is common knowledge or is it just rumor and speculation.”
Fay replied, “Vicky and I are friends. She told me over lunch about their arrangement. I was complaining about my husband wanting sex all the time and she said she could help me with him a couple of days a week. I laughed it off and told her I would handle it myself.”
Kate asked, “So she didn’t tell you her husband was inattentive and worked away all the time and she was so lonely she allowed herself to be seduced by someone she just met?”
Fay replied, “No, that is almost laughable. If there was any seducing being done, she was the one doing it.”
Kate asked, “Were there any men there at the party that gave Vicky any attention?”
Fay said, “No, she told me that was part of their understanding. When at public parties she has to behave and be attentive to him, at least for appearances. When he is gone and she is not in public, she is allowed to do pretty much whatever she wants.”
Kate wrote down what Fay relayed to her but she knew the video cameras recording the interrogation room would catch everything anyway. She excused Fay and decided she would talk to Maxine Wilson next to see how close her story matched the other women.
The arrangements were identical to the previous two women. Kate made the same offers for refreshments and she and Cindy took their seat across from Maxine Wilson. Kate had the photos out on the table, and once again had removed the sticky notes with names from the photo surface.
Maxine identified the photos just the same as the other two women had. Then Kate asked how well she knew Linda and Vicky.
Maxine said, “I was a college roommate to Linda and we remained friends after that. We went to each other’s weddings and other important events. I was very sad to hear what happened to her.”
Kate asked, “Did you know Vicky?”
Maxine replied, “Yes, I knew her. She came for visits with her sister at our sorority house. I always thought she was the spoiled younger sister who worked hard but never got enough attention.”
Kate asked, “Did you see her at the Halloween party?”
Maxine replied, “Yes she was there and I was cordial but not chummy.”
Kate asked, “What do you know about her relationship with her husband?”
Maxine responded, “You mean about him being gay?”
Kate replied, “Yes, I mean about him being gay. I just needed you to say it. I didn’t want to put words in your mouth.”
Cindy asked, “Did Vicky put any moves on your husband?”
Maxine responded, “No, I don’t think they do that in public. I had the feeling her husband would more likely put the moves on my husband.”
Kate asked, “Do you know anything about a stable of friends with benefits that Vicky has?”
Maxine replied, “I have heard those rumors but I don’t have any firsthand knowledge about it. When I went to spend time with Linda, we never talked about Vicky at all. I think Linda knew I wasn’t a fan of Vicky. She confided in me that Vicky was always doing things to get her in trouble. She hid drugs for her once and Linda said something about a safety deposit box and some blackmail photos she was keeping for Vicky.”
Kate asked, “So Linda mentioned the blackmail photos to you?”
Maxine replied, “Yes, she just said, Vicky got into trouble again.”
Kate asked, “If Vicky and her husband had an agreement, how could she be blackmailed for being with another man?”
Maxine responded, “I don’t know and Linda didn’t live long enough to give me the details.”
Kate was confused once again. It didn’t make any sense that there would be blackmail, if Vicky had an arrangement with her husband. There would be nothing to gain.”
Kate thanked Maxine and gathered her notes. She told Maxine she was free to go and her help had been crucial to the case. Kate escorted Maxine to the front door of the station and thanked her again as she left.
When Kate returned to her desk, Cindy was sitting there shaking her head. Cindy said, “Now what do you think? None of the things Vicky said are checked out, it all appears to be totally fabricated.”
Kate replied, “I agree and think we need to get Vicky back in here for a talk. I am just confused about the blackmail photos, unless whoever it was thought they were with Linda.”
Kate said, “Let’s go home and try to figure it out tomorrow. I am fried and need a drink.”
Cindy asked, “Do you want to go somewhere for a drink?”
Kate replied, “I just want to curl up on my couch and drink enough cocktails to put me to sleep.”