Murder on the Mainline: another Mike Claymore Mystery Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
7TH MONDAY

Mike’s early enough to help Trudy get Crystal off to school. Then they set out for POCO and Rita Harrison. Trudy is all primed to work on her. Mike says, “What did you find to do yesterday?”

“I finished another list of skip tracing for a finance company in Chilliwack. It’s in the mail. Don’t forget to call Ray’s lawyer this morning about the boots.”

“Duly noted. I’ll have you call later around ten. Did you play tennis?”

“No. I took Crystal out to the Flintstone Park at Bridal Falls. Cookie came with us. We had a good time. We had hot dogs and Coke. A lousy diet but Crystal loved it.”

“The young have cast iron stomachs.”

“Ain’t it just the truth?”

They chatter and the miles fly by and they are soon in POCO. Mike takes a minute to call Ray’s lawyer then joins Trudy for coffee.

Trudy says, “Did he know Ray could identify his boots?”

“Ray just called him before I did. He thanked me for picking up on that. Said it might prove useful. Ready for Rita?”

“Let’s go.”

They drive around to the posh Larkin Ave. address and pull in past the gates, into the courtyard. The Mercedes is in the garage with the garage door rolled up. Mike rings the bell and the maid answers. “Good morning, who should I announce is visiting?”

Trudy speaks up, “Just tell her its Mike.”

The maid looks down her nose at Trudy and turns, closing the door. Trudy lifts her nose and sniffs twice then giggles. Mike just looks pained.

In a moment the maid is back and ushers them into the library. “Madam will be right down. Would you care for some refreshments, sir?” Mike nods in the negative. The maid leaves, closing the door behind her.

Trudy looks at Mike and says, “Put your eyes back in your head. I bet you’d love to have her around working for you. She wouldn’t get any work done.” Mike grins.

Rita enters, immaculate as she can be, with her hair piled high and a twinkle in her eye for Mike. She glances at Trudy and frowns then flashes her smile back at Mike. “You came back. I expected you to come sooner, …alone.”

“Mrs. Harrison, there’s been some new developments in the Flo Hanson case that need clarification. If you would be so kind as to answer a few more questions for us, we’ll try not to detain you very long.”

“Oh please, call me Rita, Mike. Anything I can do for you will not be an imposition. Ask away. Please have a drink with me. Do you like Vermouth?”

“Only in a very dry martini, but it is far too early in the morning for me. You go ahead if you feel you want to, it won’t bother us.”

“How about coffee; Cafe au lait? Cappuccino?”

“Maybe two plain coffees.”

Rita pulls a bell cord and the maid appears immediately. “Two coffees, Marie.”

“Yes Ma’am.”

“So you say there have been some new developments in the case. Tell me what you can, Mike.” She puts her hand on his arm and leads him to a chair at a side table. Trudy follows along. The maid reappears and puts a silver tray on the table with coffee, cream and sugar in silver servers. She pours two cups in fine china. Rita sits down across from them with her glass of wine as they fix their coffee.

Trudy says, “Oh. Fresh cream. How delightful.”

Rita glances her way, “Of course.”

Trudy again, “Will Ronnie be joining us this morning?”

Rita goes, “Humph.” and looks back at Mike. She reaches out and places her glass on the table then puts both her hands on Mike’s, “Whatever did you want to ask me, Michael?”

“It’s painful for me to bring this up, but we have found out that your husband, Mr. Harrison, did carry on a clandestine affair with the victim, Ms. Florence Hanson and that you became aware of it shortly before her death. Why did you not bring this matter to our attention when we spoke with you previously?”

“It was too painful at that time for me to relate the details. You understand; Flo was the hired help. It was beneath Ronald to carry on in that manner. I was embarrassed and still somewhat put out with him then. I’m sorry if it inconvenienced you in any way.”

“You must admit it appears to give you a motive to kill the girl or have it done for you.”

“Not at all. I’m sure you know that Ron and I are swingers. Different partners for us is like changing beds would be for you. It was simply a matter of good taste. I harbored no ill will for the girl.”

Trudy cuts in, “Yet Ronnie felt strongly enough to argue with you over it, quite openly and loudly. Why don’t you cut the crap? You were furious with her! Changing partners is an equal proposition, but he stepped out of line for a pretty face and a better fuck than you or your friends, and more than once. He kept going back, didn’t he?”

“This is preposterous. I had nothing to do with Flo’s demise. I wasn’t even in town that night.”

“I know. You were at the Harrison Motel with the judge and…”

“Don’t say it! Don’t ever utter the names we were with. You’re very well informed for a guttersnipe, Ms. Garneau. Oh yes, I know who you are. I know a lot about you. Don’t try to cross sabers with me. You’ll be very sorry.”

“So you were out of town. That doesn’t mean you couldn’t have had it hired out.”

“Your right, of course. I could have but I didn’t. I was as shocked as everyone else, well maybe not as shocked as Ronald was. He was sick for days over her loss. I told him it served them both right. We did have bitter words over the trollop.”

Mike speaks up, “And if you were with the judge, where was your husband that night?”

“With his wife. He took her out to some friends of his. I think he said they played cards but I imagine they played more than that. I know I did. He often takes his partners to Tony’s and uses a private room for the night. He’s quite cozy with his friend, Tony.”

“Did he take Flo there as well?”

“No. He said Tony was sweet on Flo so he wined and dined her then took her to a motel. My God, when I think of how many people must have seen him with her!”

“You’re quite sure he was with the judge’s wife that night?”

“Certainly. We all met back here the next day.”

Trudy pipes up, “And compared notes?”

“We discussed some of our activities, yes.” Trudy arches her eyebrows at Mike and he can’t keep himself from grinning. He says, “I’m sorry if we have brought back bad memories. You’ve been most helpful and forthright. Thank you for your cooperation, Rita. We must leave now.” He gets up and Trudy does the same.

Rita rises as well and comes to Mike, putting both hands on his arm. “You are most welcome here anytime, Mike. Please come back to see me when you can.” Her hands slide down his arm and she slides one hand into his to scratch his palm with a manicured nail as she looks into his eyes and smiles. Mike smiles in return and bids her good day.

When they are out in the car, Trudy reaches over and takes his hand. She bats her eyes and openly scratches his palm as she says, “Please come back and see me anytime of the day or night, Michael.” She laughs and Mike grins.

When they get out on the street, Mike looks at his watch and says, “Can you find something to do for an hour or so. I’ll drop you at the mall. I have a commitment.”

“Oh God, Rita got you all hot and bothered and now Nina’s going to reap the benefits of it. It should be my turn. I put up with her hoity toity ways for the last hour.”

“Sorry, but I promised. I always keep my promises.” He swings into the Coquitlam Center.

“I’ll remind you of that.” She gets out of the car and waves as he pulls away.

When he pulls up to the detachment it is twenty-five after. He sees Nina watching out the window and she waves. In a few minutes she comes rushing down the walk and jumps into the car, sliding over against him. She turns and grabs his head in both hands to kiss him. She says, “Let’s go.”

When he brings her back her hair is messed up and she has grass stains on her skirt, but she looks like she’s won the lottery. She laughs and waves as Mike pulls away from the curb, watching him go out of sight before going in.

Mike drives to the mall and parks. He goes inside and heads for the food mall. There she is, munching on a baked potato. He sits down across from her. “Those things are fattening, you know.”

“I know, and I’m going to get fat and lazy. It’ll be all your fault. You let Nina get all the exercise and she probably doesn’t need it, but you neglect poor little me.”

“You get lots and you’ll get more later. Trust me.”

“You’re all fagged out. You won’t be of any use today. You want half?” She split’s the potato and pushes the plate to him. He picks his half up in his fingers, dripping sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, butter and green onion bits. He bites into it and says, “Mmmmm, all the right toppings. Now I’ll have the energy for you later.”

She digs into her half with a fork and says, “Oh goody!

They return to the car and Mike says, “I think it’s time we met Tony’s girl friend. What do you have on her?”

“Angela Barteloni, called Angel by her friends. She lives at 347-290 Larkspur Drive: an apartment block over by Birchwood Park behind the London Drugs mall. You know where you turn for London Drugs? Up there in behind. I think she has a roommate. Couldn’t get anything on her, except she’s there a lot.” She looks up from her little black note pad. “Your in the wrong lane. Get over one to make a left at the lights.”

“I’ll drive. You read.” He moves over one lane and turns on his left signal light. She grins. On the green arrow the battered Mustang convertible turns left and heads north on Coast Meridian Road.

“Catch the third street on the right and jog left. I think that’s it. Now jog left and right again. We’re on Larkspur. One of these blocks is 290.”

“I see it. Now where the hell do you park?” He finds ‘Visitor Parking’ and they go to the front doors. Trudy punches number 420. No response. She pushes 421. The buzzer sounds releasing the door lock as a woman’s voice says, “Who is it.”

“Pizza Delivery.”

“I didn’t order any Pizza.”

“Isn’t this 321?”

“No, it’s 421.”

“Sorry, Ma’am.”

They step inside as Trudy murmurs, “They do it every time. Hit the door release before they know who it is.” Mike just nods as they get into the elevator. They go to the third floor and look for 347. Trudy raps on the door and calls, “Angel, are you home.”

A distant voice comes back, “Just a minute.”

A thin brunette in a pink fuzzy housecoat opens the door and hesitates, looking at Trudy in surprise.