Murder on the Mainline: another Mike Claymore Mystery Chapter 19

First some blatant advertising. I wrote most of this eight book series in the early 2000s. Publishers found it too racy for them to handle so I sought out an online publisher. You see, I already had built up an online fan base of a few hundred readers, so I came across the German publisher, BookRix. They were expanding into a worldwide market of online books with assorted authors and welcomed eroticism as a genre.

With them I have done moderately well since they make my books available through Amazon, Apple iBookstore, Beam, Google, Libri, Thailia and other lesser known online book stores.

So if you like what I write you will find my series under Mike Claymore Mystery series at the above web sites. Without further ado, here’s Mike…


CHAPTER NINETEEN
5TH SATURDAY

It’s an overcast morning as Mike calls Mr. Clive Reynolds. He explains he’s investigating the auto accident in which Mr. Reynolds was involved for ICBC. He asks if he might come around and have a word with him.

Mike drives to an area of new luxury homes built on the mountainside near the clay mines. He pulls in a long drive and proceeds past gates, lawns and shrubbery to a large stylish home. Two Dalmatians frolicking and playing in the yard near the house greet him. A tall balding man of about forty comes out to meet him.

“You must be Mr. Claymore. I’m Clive Reynolds, but everyone calls me CJ. Please come around on the terrace. It’s covered and so much more comfortable.”

“I’ll try not to take too much of your time. It does feel like rain, this morning.”

“Yes. A certain chill in the air. Please make yourself comfortable.” He has a tall pole with a cap and radiant gas heater operating near the patio table. “Would you care for a drink?”

“No, I don’t think so.” Mike puts his briefcase on the table and opens it as he says, “You certainly have a beautiful home and grounds here. I wish I could afford something like this. It must have cost a fortune to complete.”

“Well, It has cost a bit, but I have a thriving business and my good fortune was to have a large sum left to me by my mother. I think she would be pleased to see how I’ve put it to good use.

“Indeed. As a matter of fact I have a confidential report here of your financial position and I find your company has reported heavy losses for the last three years. You must be hiding your good fortune well, perhaps from the tax man?”

“Well, your sources must be reporting to you incorrectly. I certainly would dispute any such claim.”

“Yes. I suppose you would. I’m not so sure about your creditors, though. Did your major supporter, the Bank of Canada, not turn you down for a loan two months ago? I believe they have put you on notice that your loans could be called on thirty days. I also see in this report that two of your suppliers have cut you off, due to none payment. Not at all the rosy picture you first portrayed for me, is it?”

“I categorically deny any such dealings. I’m flabbergasted! Such lies! They make me sound like a man desperate for funds. How despicable!”

Mike pulls out his cell phone and says, “Let’s just call the bank manager and straighten out this affair once and for all. I have his number here in the report.” He starts to dial and Mr. Reynolds says to stop.

“What is it you want from me, Mr. Claymore?”

Mike puts the cell phone away. “Why CJ, I’m surprised you don’t know. I want the names and numbers of the men who helped you stage the phony auto accident. That should be easy. Just give me that and I’m out of your hair.”

Clive’s shoulders droop and he says, “So you know. He only told me his first name. It was Iilya. He sounded Greek on the phone. He gave me his number but told me to destroy it after the accident. I burned it.”

“And what were the names of the men who appeared on the scene to kindle the blaze?”

“I don’t know their names. They were waiting on the corner in a plain black van. I think the one called the other Carl, but I’m not sure. They hustled us out of our cars and were gone so quickly. All we had to do was follow the instructions given to us by Iilya.”

“Would you recognize those two men if you saw them again?”

“Most certainly, but I don’t ever plan to see them again.”

“You will likely be asked to identify them in court, Mr. Reynolds. I suggest it might be in your best interests to make a full statement to the police at this time. ICBC and the District Attorney may look favorably on your cooperation. The charges of Attempted Fraud may even be dropped if you cooperate.”

“Charges? Me? Oh God, I just followed what they told me to do. I didn’t commit any crime? It was my car.”

“And you tried to get money out of ICBC for it.”

“Fraud?” He breaks down. “My wife will divorce me. I’ll lose my business. I’ll lose everything. I just needed some cash to pay out some loans.”

“Take my advise, work with the police on this and you will come out a lot better than if you wait and are picked up when the crooks are. I’ll give you a number.”

On his business card, one of the new ones supplied by Trudy, he writes Ken’s number. He hands it to Reynolds.

“Don’t think about it too long. You’ll put it off until it’s too late. I expect to have these crooks in jail before the week is out. I’d advise you to call today.”

Reynolds picks up the card from the table. He looks defeated and cornered. He straightens himself up and says, “Thank you for your advice. I’ll call them. Whom should I ask for?”

“Ken Drydon. He’s with the Matsqui Police Department. He’ll give you a fair shake if you’re serious about cooperating. He’ll tell the DA just how much help you’ve been.”

“I’ll call him straight off this morning.”

“Good. I’ll have to be off now and catch those bad guys. You go ahead and make your call, I can find my way out. Good day, sir.”

Mike leaves and immediately calls Ken. He tells him about the call that will come from Reynolds. He leaves his cell number so Ken can get him when Reynolds makes his commitment. Then he calls Trudy and puts her into the picture.

Trudy says, “Your lucky you got through. The phone has been busy all morning and yesterday, too. I could start my own business on skip tracing alone. It seems to be in answer to a flyer I sent out to all the businesses and Government offices.