20th
08 -
2010
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4 comments »
“The customer you are trying to contact is currently unavailable.”
Detective David Moore frowned at the pleasant female voice on the other end of the phone.
“Is your girlfriend still not answering the phone?” David’s partner, Ray Sanyo squinted at the report he was typing. He’d never get used to the electronic forms. As usual, he had entered the wrong information into the wrong field. He cursed and jabbed the backspace a dozen times.
“She’s not available.”
“You mean she’s still avoiding your constant inquiries and you got her voice mail again?”
“No, I mean she’s not available.”
Ray glanced away from his monitor and across the desk. He sighed and saved the file. “Fine. Let’s go.”
They didn’t find Dana Spelman at her condo. The domicile was locked and Ray saw no indication that anything out of the ordinary had happened there.
That didn’t deter David. “I’m just saying, the grounds crew had been by. You saw them up the street. They could have cleaned up.”
“Cleaned up,” Ray repeated.
“They wouldn’t have known better. Crushed plants, mud on the steps.” David twisted the cruiser’s mounted computer toward him to peruse the morning’s calls. He shook his head. “I’m telling you, something’s up.”
“Or she dropped her phone in the toilet and isn’t available until she gets a new one.”
“I think it’s Benes. Benes is a loose cannon. You heard her say the same things I did.”
Ray shook his head. He had indeed heard the same answers from Dana Spelman.
Felix Benes had gone missing five days ago. Without explanation, he hadn’t shown up for his usual Thursday night dinner with his cousin Milos. Milos had a key to Felix’s apartment and was distressed by what he found.
To Ray and David, the apartment didn’t look like anything was out of place. According to Milos, the place was a mess. Felix’s laptop sat open and unplugged and had virtually nothing on it. That, according to cousin Milos, cinched it. Felix never left without his laptop.
The follow-up had led Dets. Moore and Sanyo to Dana Sullivan, a lawyer representing Felix in a case against Felix’s former employers. According to Spelman, the man had become increasingly unstable. His original claims of stifled research had become paranoid delusions. The last two meetings she’d had with him had concerned her. Well, David took her reaction as concern. To Ray, she had seemed perhaps too emphatic. She didn’t play it hysterical, but her fear for her personal safety didn’t quite ring true.
“I know what it is that bothered me,” said Ray as he eased their unmarked cruiser on to the I-15. “She sounded just like my ex-wife when she’d guilt me about the job being dangerous.”
“The job is dangerous,” said David.
“Yeah, but Marla would get this tone.” Ray shrugged. “I don’t know. Spelman had that tone. Anyway, I bet you lunch that she’s safe and sound in her plush, air-conditioned office.”
The receptionist at the front desk smiled with false cheer as she informed Ray and David that Dana Spelman was no longer employed at Devine, Chance and Merit.
David put his elbows on the counter and leaned forward. “Is there any other information you can give us? Like date of termination? Reason for termination? Forwarding information?”
Her glossy lips curved again. “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t have the authority to convey those facts. If I knew them.”
“Logically then, since we are the LVPD, you should point us to someone who can answer those questions.” He showed his badge. She was unimpressed.
“Just one moment.” She worked the phone and quietly explained her predicament to whomever she’d decided had authority. “Mr. Felts will see you. 5th floor,” she said finally.
“Thank you.” David’s smile didn’t meet his eyes either.
Mr. Felts let them wait ten minutes in his pseudo-lobby: three fairly comfortable chairs next to the desk of an older, steely-gazed, receptionist. While waiting, Ray perused the office bulletin board. An orange flier caught his attention. He read it twice before Mr. Felts showed them into his office.
“Detective Moore and Detective Sanyo, yes? I’m Richard Felts, a partner here at Devine, Chance and Merit. How can I help you? You are with the LVPD, yes?”
“That’s right,” said Ray.
Felts wasn’t more than five-ten. The color of his finely tailored suit matched his mouse gray hair. He was slim and fit for a man old enough to have hound-dog wrinkles.
“What can I do for you?” He congenially sat on the edge of his polished redwood desk. David and Ray took seats in gleaming leather chairs.
“We’ve been investigating the disappearance of Felix Benes,” David began.
“Dr. Benes, the cancer researcher.”
Both Ray and David nodded.
Mr. Felts went around his desk and shuffled several files. When he didn’t find what he was looking for, he checked files that lined a desk drawer. “I believe that we’re no longer handling that case, and that we’ve already been cooperative with the LVPD on the matter of Felix Benes.”
“Yes,” said David. “We spoke to Dana Spelman previously. Unfortunately, we need to do a follow up with her and we haven’t been able to contact her.”
“Oh?”
“We were informed by the young lady downstairs that Dana Spelman is no longer employed here,” said Ray.
“That’s correct. Ms. Spelman left our employment two days ago.”
“Was the Benes case reassigned before it was closed?”
“We closed it before Spelman left.”
“Was Ms. Spelman let go from the firm because of her performance on this case?”
“No, and she didn’t mention the case in her exit interview.”
“She left?” David asked. “I guess I was under the impression that Devine, Chance and Merit were the ones that terminated her employment.”
“No. Ms. Spelman received a better offer elsewhere.”
“Where?”
“I would tell you if I knew, but she was not under any obligation to share that information.”
Ray rose and dug a card from his wallet. “Well, my partner and I would like to talk to Ms. Spelman. If your HR department can help us out any further, we’d appreciate it.”
“Of course.” Felts pocketed the card without looking at it.
“I noticed,” said Ray, “a post on one of the bulletin boards. About a guy that’s been causing some problems for your security staff?”
Felts grimaced, for effect. “That.”
“Is there a reason you haven’t called us in to help out on this?”
“I think that the pride of our security chief is mostly the reason we haven’t turned to outside help. Rest assured, that man is fairly harmless. There’s been a mild case of trespassing. Nothing more.”
“Well, you have our card if you need us on that count too.”
In the elevator, Det. Moore shook his head. “It’s Benes. He’s schizo and he decided to kidnap Dana because she wouldn’t help him.”
“That’s your theory?”
“Yeah, so what’s yours?”
Ray waited until a young woman in a business suit left at the third floor.
“Everything Spelman said sounded like a lie.”
“Yeah, yeah. Like your ex. She’s a lawyer, maybe she just sounds that way.”
“No,” said Ray. “Spelman had something to do with Benes disappearance and now it’s getting a little too warm in Vegas and she’s skipped town.”
“And that’s your theory.”
“Yes.”
“You still owe me lunch.”
—###—
Yesterday, I posted my first version of this scene. Does this one work better? In any case, thank you all for reading!
19th
08 -
2010
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1 comment »
Process note: Mr. Luck isn’t the only one investigating what’s going on with Felix Benes. This is my first go at introducing the LVPD into the mix. But it doesn’t work. To quote Lenny Nero: “It’s a test pattern. Nothing happens. I’m snoring.” I knew it was not great before Eric pointed it out to me. We considered letting it sit a while as a place holder, but Eric came up with better characters. I plan on writing the replacement scene today and posting it tomorrow (08/20/10) for #FridayFlash.
In the meantime, what do you think? Does this work as a scene?
—###—
Detectives Raymond Sanyo and Beth Leveen arrived at Dana Spelman’s condo shortly after 1pm.
Det. Sanyo could still taste the garlic on his breath. “I can’t wait until lunch tomorrow. Pizza buffet. You asked for it.”
Beth rolled her eyes. “I’m sure your arteries are in shock after eating healthy.”
“How was that stuff healthy? Olives and greasy meat?”
“Olive oil is good for you.”
“And my breath smells like ass.”
Det. Leveen rang the bell and waited. Sanyo checked the address before Beth rang again.
“We have tried to contact her by phone, right?” Ray asked.
“Yes. No answer at any of her contact numbers. Left a message yesterday on her personal and work voice mails.”
Ray snorted, a noise the emanated from deep within the big man.
Det. Leveen leaned on the doorbell. “You think something is up?”
Ray shrugged. “Odd that she hasn’t called us back about an investigation involving one of her clients. Maybe she’s avoiding us.”
He turned his back to the door and surveyed the neighborhood. “Crap.”
“What?” Beth peered through the front window.
“This neighborhood is too damn new. No nosey little old ladies to question.”
“Little old ladies?” The entrance room was neat and tidy.
“Well, little old men too. They’re just as likely to peek from behind the blinds or water their lawn too long when something is going on. Never underestimate the hobbies of the elderly, Leveen. Young people, they keep too much to themselves.”
“I’ll remember that the next time we get a call and one of your old ladies has mistaken the sound of a video game for an actual crime being committed.”
“Hey, those teenagers had the volume way too high. That was disturbing the peace.”
Beth frowned at Spelman’s door and her verbose partner. The place was quiet. “No one’s here. Let’s go.”
“Just a sec.” He pointed at a landscaping truck parked in front of a section of condos up the street. Pointed the other way, the crew of workers had already taken care of Spelman and her neighbors.
Ray approached and greeted a Hispanic man gathering a blower from the truck’s trailer. He waited until Beth had caught before flashing his badge.
“Have you guys done any work on unit 26?” He pointed a thumb toward Dana Spelman’s condo.
“Uh… No, sir. We skipped it.”
“Any reason why?”
“Uh… I don’t know. Was told to skip it. Talk to Julio, he’ll know more.”
A bigger man in a work shirt and straw hat was already approaching. “Julio?” Ray asked.
“Si. Is there any problem?”
Ray flashed his badge again. “None at all. You guys skipped unit 26?”
“Yes, sir. The back gate was supposed to be unlatched for us. It wasn’t so we skipped it.”
“The woman that lives there forgot to leave it open?” Beth asked.
“Si.”
“Is she’s the forgetful type?”
Julio gave her a noncommittal shrug. “The HOA in this neighborhood… They’re pretty strict. No one is very forgetful.”
“Place looks great,” said Ray. “You do good work.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Have a good one.” Ray waved as they walked away and Beth nodded.
“Place of employment next?” she asked when they got back to the car.
“Yep. We can let her know that she’s going to get an HOA citation.”
The secretary at the reception desk wore the same suit as Beth, but at two sizes smaller and three inches taller, no one could really tell.
“I’m sorry. Ms. Spelman no longer works for Devine, Chance and Merit.” Her smile suggested that Dets. Sanyo and Leveen be satisfied with that and continue on with their day.
Ray leaned forward. “Is there any other information you can give us? Like date of termination? Reason for termination? Forward information?”
Her glossed lips curved, but the smile did not reach the receptionists eyes. “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t have the authority to convey those facts. If I knew them.”
“Logically, you should point us to someone who can answer those questions.”
“I suppose so. Just one moment.” She worked the phone and quietly explained her predicament to whomever she had decided had authority. “Mr. Felts will see you. 5th floor.”
“Thank you.” Ray’s smile didn’t meet his eyes either.
Five paces from the desk, he asked: “Isn’t she wearing the same suit as you?”
“Yes,” said Beth, “but I have better shoes.”
Mr. Felts let them wait ten minutes in his pseudo-lobby: three fairly comfortable chairs next to the desk of an older, though no less steely gazed, receptionist. Beth sat while Ray stood cross-armed and nodded to the aids and assistants that scurried by. Something caught his eye on a bulletin board. He investigated and was back before Mr. Felts showed them into his office.
“Det. Leveen and Det. Sanyo, yes? I’m Richard Felts, a partner here at Devine, Chance and Merit. How can I help you? You are with the LVPD, yes?”
Felts might have had an inch of height on Dana. His finely tailored suit matched his steel gray hair. He was slim and fit for a man with hound-dog wrinkles.
“That’s right,” said Ray.
“You both look like you’ve been out in the heat today. Can I get you anything?” He motioned to the bar and minifridge behind his desk. The windows of his office were comfortably tinted.
“Nothing for me,” said Ray.
“Water would be good,” said Beth.
Mr. Felt passed her a plastic bottle. He sat on the edge of his polished redwood desk. Ray and Beth took seats in the office’s gleaming leather chairs.
“We’ve been investigating the disappearance of Felix Benes,” Beth explained as she twisted open the bottle.
“Dr. Benes, the cancer researcher.”
Both Ray and Beth nodded.
Mr. Felts went around his desk and shuffled several files. When he didn’t find what he was looking for, he checked files that lined a desk drawer. “I believe that we’re no longer handling that case, and that we’ve already been cooperative with the LVPD on the matter of Felix Benes.”
“We had the name of the associate in charge of Mr. Benes’s case, but we haven’t been able to contact her yet,” Beth explained.
“Oh?”
“We were informed by the well-dressed young lady downstairs that Dana Spelman is no longer employed here,” said Ray.
“That’s correct. Ms. Spelman left our employment two days ago.”
“Was the Benes case reassigned before it was closed?”
“No. It was simply decided that our agency wasn’t the right one to be handling the case. Especially considering the circumstances.”
“Those circumstances being Mr. Benes’s disappearance?”
“In part.” Mr. Felts referred to the file. “There were many incompatibilities. Mr. Benes is an unstable man. His testimony in any suit would have been highly suspect.”
“Was Ms. Spelman let go from the firm because she didn’t share those opinions?”
“They weren’t among the reasons she gave for leaving.”
“She left?” Beth asked. “I guess I was under the impression that Devine, Chance and Merit were the ones that terminated her employment.”
“No. Ms. Spelman received a better offer elsewhere.”
“Where?”
“I would tell you if I knew, but she was not under any obligation to share that information.”
Ray rose and dug a card from his wallet. “Well, we’d like to talk to Ms. Spelman. If your HR department can help us out any further, we’d appreciate it.”
“Of course.” Felts pocketed the card without looking at it.
Ray was still sitting. “I noticed a post on one of the bulletin boards. About a guy that’s been causing some problems for your security staff?”
Felts grimaced, for effect. “That.”
“Is there a reason you haven’t called us in to help out on this?”
“I think that the pride of our security chief is mostly the reason we haven’t turned to outside help. Rest assured, that man is fairly harmless. There’s been a mild case of trespassing. Nothing more.”
To Beth, Ray didn’t look convinced. “Well, you have our card if you need us on that count too.”
