Dead Ball (the sequel to Sudden Death--Endorsed by John Lescroart) Page 3

  Reid and Jay left the boardroom and headed to the stadium. As they were driving in the cart, Jay said, “Do me a favor, just like you did when you were threatened. Start making a mental list of anyone you know that had any issues with Bob or you. Here use this.” He handed Reid a pen.

  “I can’t write them now. I’ll make the list later.”

  “It’s not a pen, it’s a recorder. Just push the button and speak near the top. It should help as things pop into your head as I’m sure they will.”

  Reid pushed the button, held the pen to his mouth and quietly said, “This really sucks!”

  He pushed the button on the other end and they listened to his recorded voice.

  “I agree,” Jay sighed.

  They pulled up to the stadium entrance and made their way to the door through the entering crowd.

  4

  About eighty percent of the campus was already seated and the remainder was filing in quickly. Reid and Jay joined Buck, Al, Art, Dave, and his men near the podium on the field. Jay looked up to see a huge video screen behind them showing whoever was at the podium.

  Buck spoke into the microphone. “Folks, we’re going to start as soon as everyone is here; it should be about five more minutes.”

  The crowd had hushed as he spoke and slowly their conversations resumed. Jay said to the group around him, “I’m going to be giving some instructions about how to handle the press as well as some other things. I think one of you should open it up, though.”

  “I’m going to open,” Reid said without hesitation.

  The others were quiet. Buck asked, “Are you sure you’re up to it?”

  Reid just nodded his head and walked to the podium. “May I have your attention, please?”

  Respectful silence immediately engulfed the stadium. “Thank you. By now I’m sure most of you have heard, Bob Thomas, our Chief Financial Officer and my dear friend, was murdered this morning.” Gasps were heard in different pockets of the crowd. “I know many of you were fond of Bob. He probably worked out with many of you at one time or another. I know it was one of the things he enjoyed most about AllSport. I will tell you that Bob often spoke about the time he spent with many of you. Your drive and determination always uplifted him. I’m sorry to drop this on you all in such an impersonal way, but there was really no other way to do it. Bob was a good man and I’m having some trouble understanding how and why this happened, but it has and now we have to deal with it. I’m going to bring Private Investigator, Jay Scott, up to the podium now. He, along with our local Police Chief, Dave Wheeler, will be running the investigation. I expect full cooperation from each and every one of you. Before Jay starts, I’d like everyone to bow their heads for a moment of silence in memorial to Bob.” Reid put his head down and everyone followed. Quiet sobs could be heard throughout the audience.

  Jay let some time pass and then walked over, put is hand on Reid’s shoulder, and relieved him from the podium.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m very sorry for your grief. I don’t like to give instructions in this manner, but I don’t have any choice. First and foremost, the press is going to be all over this. I know some of you would like to be on the news but, please, out of respect to Bob and ICSF as a whole, please do not give any interviews.

  “I will be holding press conferences daily and informing them of where we stand in the investigation. I would prefer if anyone approaches you, that you refer them to me, Reid, or Buck. I will also be setting up a team to interview each of you, one at a time. Please cooperate and be punctual. It will help us tremendously. If any of you have any information about the situation, please come forward immediately. If you have seen or heard anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, I’d like to know about it right away. By later today I will have an anonymous tip program in place. We will also be offering a financial reward for anyone with information that leads to an arrest.

  “I would appreciate if everyone on campus at this time would plan to stay on campus for the next week, at least. If you have previous plans to leave already in place, please see me after this meeting so we can schedule your interview before you leave. This includes any of you pro’s. I’m sorry for the inconvenience but we have no choice. My door will be open to all of you twenty-four hours a day. If you prefer to be discreet, feel free to call me on my cell. My business cards with my cell number will be handed out at the door on your way out. Before I dismiss you, let me quickly introduce Dave Wheeler, The Chief of Police.” He motioned for Dave to join him.

  Dave walked to the podium and Jay whispered to him, “Go ahead, say a few words, it’ll be good for your team to hear that we are sharing the lead on this.”

  Dave nodded then stepped up to the microphone. “Good afternoon, I’m Chief Wheeler. I know this is a difficult time for you all, so I’ll be quick. I want to thank you for your quiet attention at this briefing. As you heard, we will be around for a while, and in fact, we will be all over the campus. AllSport has done great things for this community and we would like to wrap this case up as fast as we can. To do so we will need your help. Please cooperate with anyone working on the case. It may at times interfere with your daily routine, but with your cooperation it will all be over quickly and we’ll be out of your way. Until then, expect to see security guards, police officers, and investigators everywhere on campus and around town. We’re on your side, please make sure you’re on our side. Thank you.”

  Buck walked up and took Dave’s place. “For any of you who don’t know me, I’m Buck Green. If you’re lucky, one day I’ll represent you, then you’ll know fame and fortune. I say this not as a joke, for this is certainly no time for joking. I say it to remind you of one thing: each and every one of you is extremely privileged. Your talent in your sport has resulted in your invitation by the ICSF to train here at AllSport. You need to remember that this is a privilege and you should be thankful for it. There is nothing any of us want more than for every one of you to achieve success. At that time, you can be as big a media magnet or star as you wish. If you don’t yet understand what I’m implying, let me be more direct. The media is going to be all over this as Mr. Scott has said. Some of you may see it as an opportunity to jump-start your career. Although a little on-air time might seem attractive, it is not. No one is to give any interviews or allow any filming without our involvement. If anyone thinks I’m not serious about this, you are mistaken. If any of you are found to have talked to the media in any fashion during this investigation, you will be finished at All-Sport. Please don’t make that mistake. Bob had a big role in helping AllSport become what it is today. In fact, without his help, most of you probably wouldn’t be here. Remember that as you remember him. As a last note, the camp psychologist, Dr. Haber, will be available around the clock if any of you just need to talk. We will be in touch with each of you. In the meantime, try to go about your regular training schedule. It will help us if everything remains as normal as possible on campus. Thank you for your time.”

  When the crowd started to leave the stadium, Jay said to Buck, “Will you come with us? I have to interview the accounting department and I’d like you and Reid with me.”

  “Sure I can do it, but let’s leave Reid alone for a while. He needs some time.”

  “I already recommended that to him. He insists on being involved,” Jay responded.

  Reid approached and said, “We better go; we’ve got a tight schedule and the interviews start in five minutes. That’s just enough time to get back to the boardroom. Have you guys eaten anything? I’m pretty hungry since I haven’t really felt like eating all day, but I’m starting to get a headache.”

  “I only had a light breakfast, so I’m kind of hungry,” said Jay.

  “Yeah, me too,” Buck replied.

  “What do you want? I’ll get Nancy to order from The Winners Circle,” said Reid.

  “How about a grilled chicken Caesar salad,” Buck suggested.

  “Sounds good, I’ll have the same,” Jay agreed.

  Reid radioed Nancy to place the order. “Hey, Nanc, are you doing OK?”

  “A little better, I guess. It comes and goes,” she replied.

  “Yeah, I know, I’d let you go home but we’re going to need you to handle calls from the press when they start coming in.”

  “We’ve had one already. The Channel Two reporter called looking for either of you. They’re on the way. I asked how he knew about this already. He said he got an anonymous tip.”

  “Great. So much for peace and quiet. Hey, do me a favor, and call Johnny and order a chef salad and two chicken Caesars. We’ll pick them up on our way back. We’re going to be using the boardroom for interviews all afternoon. If Lisa gets there before us, tell her we’ll be right up.”

  “She’s here already.”

  “Oh, OK, we’ll see you in a few minutes.”

  Reid said to Buck and Jay, “Well, word’s out. Channel Two is on the way now. We better give Al instructions on how his team should handle the press.”

  “Tell him to meet us in the office immediately,” Jay replied.

  Buck radioed Al, who said he was finishing up with Chief Wheeler and would be up as quickly as possible.

  “Tell him to ask Dave to come up too,” Jay added.

  After Buck gave Al the instructions, Jay said, “I need to handle Dave with kid gloves. I want his help, but as you saw with Samson, some of his guys are going to be pissed that I’m running the case. I can’t afford any dissension. So if it seems like I’m pussyfooting around with them, it’s because I am.”

  Reid stopped the cart in front of The Winners Circle, one of the campus restaurants. It was a favorite hangout for the athletes with colorful, futuristic décor and huge-screen TVs everywhere. A push of a button from either side of the dining tables raised a flat screen TV through a slot. Although satellite brought in live sports from all around the world, most athletes came to play QB1, or one of NTN’s many other interactive television games. Things became very active in the restaurant when people were playing QB1 during a televised professional or college football game.

  Autographed sports memorabilia covered the walls and ceiling. Jerseys, balls, racquets, helmets, skates, pucks, bats; it was all there. It was said that, if the equipment were sold at auction, it would probably raise about five million dollars. Every dish on the menu was named after an athlete who left AllSport to become a pro or Olympian.

  Reid picked up the salads and drove back to the office.

  5

  Lisa Difillipi, was one of Bob’s protégés. Along with being a financial wizard, she, unlike most accountants, had a very special way with people. She could speak with ICSF benefactors about making good on their pledges without offending them. She was an intense worker when in the office and a party animal when not.

  She was just hanging up the phone as Reid, Buck, and Jay entered the boardroom. She said, “That was Barry, my Accounts Payable manager. He just received a call from a News Seven reporter. Don’t worry, he didn’t answer any questions, he just referred the reporter up here.”

  “We’ve got about half an hour till the news vans are lined up at the front gate,” Jay said. “We need Art and Dave here as soon as possible.”

  Reid hit the intercom. “Nancy, please tell Art and Dave to come up.”

  “All right,” she replied.

  Jay walked over to Lisa and introduced himself.

  “I know who you are, Mr. Scott. I think everyone on campus does. This place has changed a lot since you took over security.”

  “I hope you agree that it’s safer than before?”

  “Well, before Reid’s threats, we never really worried about safety. AllSport had a very relaxed atmosphere. The worst thing that happened was an occasional fight between some athletes. With your guys around, there is little chance of that any more. Some of your guys get a little overzealous once in a while, and in fact, sometimes they scare the hell out of me.”

  “Oh, really?” Jay said with genuine concern. “Please tell me who is bothering you and how. They will be immediately dealt with.”

  “I’d rather not go into it right now. I’d really rather just answer your questions and get back to my office. The whole department is understandably on edge and emotional right now. And, quite frankly, everyone is a little nervous about coming up here. I need to be there to keep things from falling apart.”

  “Hey, where is Joe Spinelli?” Jay asked, looking at a list. “This list shows he’s not here. Isn’t he second in command of the department?”

  “He’s on vacation in Nepal. Reid put me in charge this morning, until he’s back. I tried to call Joe on his cell, but I just got his voicemail. Reid asked me to tell him to come back immediately, but I didn’t say that in the message. I just said it was important that he calls me as soon as possible. I doubt he’ll have any reception where he is. I think it’s a pretty sure bet that there aren’t many cell towers in Nepal.”

  “Nepal? What’s he doing there? Climbing Everest?” Jay asked with a grin.

  “You got it,” Lisa said.

  “Really? I was kidding. Climbing expeditions up Everest are pretty expensive.” Jay looked at Buck. “Spinelli’s got a big salary?”

  “No, not really.”

  “He’s always saving for his next vacation,” Lisa said. “He loves adventures. His last vacation was extreme skiing, before that was whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, and sky-diving. Makes the rest of our vacations seem kind of boring, huh?”

  “I’d prefer to call it relaxing,” Buck said.

  “I think we’ll try to get in touch with Joe,” Jay said. “It might be better coming from us. Besides, you are going to have your hands full with the rest of the department. I want to ask some quick questions before I let you go back, OK?”

  “Sure, that’s why I’m here, right?” Lisa said with a shrug.

  “First, I would like you to start making a list of anything out of the ordinary you may have seen or heard lately in accounting. Include any arguments or disagreements Bob may have had with anyone. Think hard about any strange phone calls that were made or anyone you don’t know that was in the office. If you can bring me back a list by the end of the day, I’d appreciate it.”

  “OK, but there are a couple of things I can tell you right now.”

  “Please do.”

  “Well, Bob was always arguing with Karen, his wife, and they fought all the time. I’m sure you know about their problems already.”

  “No, I don’t. Why don’t you fill me in?”

  “I figured Reid had already explained it, but if you want me to, I will.”

  They all looked at Reid who said, “Just haven’t gotten to it yet. Go ahead, Lisa, tell them.”

  “Well, about a year ago, Karen caught Bob having an affair. In fact, Bob’s girlfriend was living with him up here during the week. It was pretty messy. Bob ended the affair, but the only way Karen would take him back was if he put both houses and all their assets in her name. I guess he really loved her because he actually did it.”

  She looked over at Reid who was slowly nodding. “It gets worse,” he said. “She also made him take out a five-million dollar life insurance policy. She was understandably pissed off. To top it off, his ex-girlfriend made what I would have called idle threats when he dumped her. She really thought he was going to leave his wife and marry her. She basically stalked him for a couple of months. It was strange.”

  “So it looks like we have at least two prime suspects at the moment. I’ll get Joel to follow up with Karen. I’ll make sure he’s discreet in case she’s innocent. It’s difficult to investigate a spouse, because even when they’re guilty they always play up the fragile, grief-stricken role. It’s usually hard to tell whether the tears are real or forced. Joel is the best investigator I’ve seen at reading people’s emotions. As far as the ex-girlfriend is concerned, does anyone know her whereabouts?”

  “No idea. I know she moved out of the area but I have no clue where,” Reid said. “I think her family lives in New Jersey and has a summer house up here.”

  “What’s her name?” Jay asked.

  “Diane something,” Reid said, tapping the table with his fingers. “What the hell was her last name? Diane…Diane…Diane Powers, that’s it, Diane Powers.”

  “Good,” Jay said. “I’ll get Dave to follow up locally and Stu will check out the family in New Jersey.”

  Jay turned towards Lisa. “Lisa, thank you for your time; you’ve been very helpful. Please remember to work on the list for me. I’m sure things will pop into your mind as you go about your daily routine. I often get the best information after my interviews are over. By the way, is anyone else out today besides Joe?”

  “Yeah, a couple of our auditors are out. We always give them a break after an intense audit. They’ll be back the day after tomorrow.”

  “All right, we’re good for now. You can head back. Thanks again, Lisa.”

  “Glad to help,” Lisa said as she got up.

  Buck nodded at Lisa, saying, “We’ll keep you informed. Thanks again.”

  As she left, Reid pushed the intercom, “Nancy, will you call Art again and get him up here, please.”

  “He’s right next to me, Reid. He and Chief Wheeler have been waiting; they’re on their way in.”

  “OK, thank you.”

  Before Fornham and Wheeler even sat down, Jay began, “Gentlemen, I’m sure you’re aware that a media blitz is imminent. There is one news van already at the gate and….”

  “Make that three,” Art interrupted. “Two more showed up while you were meeting with Lisa.”

  “Shit…OK, I want a security escort with every news team that comes on site. Art, tell your guys to stay with them wherever they go. No one is to interfere with the crime scene. If they want to film it, they do it from behind the barrier. No athletes or trainers are to be interviewed. They can film as much of the camp as they want. When they want an interview, they can come see me. Absolutely no one else on campus is to speak with them. OK?”