Steve’s Shorts: You Know I’m Watching (continued)…
You Know I’m Watching
A “Detectives Chen and Castilblanco” Homicide Case
Copyright 2018, Steven M. Moore
Chapter Five
Old Joe slammed the door in our face when he saw our creds through the partially opened door. I kicked the door down.
“Fire escape!” I said over my shoulder to Chen. She took off down the stairs. I ran to the open window. Old fellow was moving fast down the fire escape’s iron stairs. Saw me, whipped out a gun, and fired. I’d already ducked back into the apartment. Looked back out when there were no more shots.
He dropped the four feet to the alley’s pavement and turned to make his escape, only to receive the knockout blows from Chen. One, two, and down.
Chen picked up the gun. I called for backup.
CSIs found the rifle tucked behind some dining table inserts in Joe’s hall closet. Too bad we didn’t have the bullet that killed Sharon Hill.
Case closed? Had a funny feeling as we headed back to the precinct to interrogate old Joe.
***
Had to wait while Joe consulted with his lawyer, a public defender we’d provided. When we finally interviewed Joe, it didn’t take long.
“I want a plea deal,” Joe said.
Looked at the lawyer. He nodded. “Cut him some slack, and he’ll confess.”
“Depends on the DA’s office,” said Chen. “He’ll still die in jail.”
Joe hung his head. “I wish New York state had the death penalty. I killed a lovely woman.”
I nodded. “Why?”
“She found a discrepancy. I was hiding some profits.” He looked at his lawyer and smiled, and then turned back to me. “Not much, mind you, but enough to make her nervous. Wanted to report me. Do you know how hard it is to make a living in this city, Detective?”
“You did well enough to have three employees, counting Sharon.”
“Rent’s high, I pay city, state, and federal taxes, and my VA benefits are no great shakes. I often wished I’d died in ‘Nam. Many buddies did.”
Nodded again. “Terrible war. So you killed Sharon to keep her from reporting you?”
“She said she could lose her license. I said no one needed to know.” He hung his head.
“What about your stalking her?” said Chen.
Joe looked up at her. “Stalking her? I never did that.”
Couldn’t get him to admit to the stalking.
“We’ll see what we can do with the DA,” said Chen to finish the session.
(This novella ends tomorrow.)
***
Comments are always appreciated.
The Collector. #5 in the “Detectives Chen and Castilblaco Series,” the crime-solving duo is assigned a case concerning the murder of a SoHo art dealer. Does the case have a connection with artwork stolen from the Gardner Museum in Boston? Mr. C. learns a bit about art and that stolen artwork can be used to finance other activities, in this case human trafficking and illegal porn. As the case evolves, it becomes more complicated. Who has the paintings, if anyone? And where are they? Scotland Yard Inspector Esther Brookstone, of the Art and Antiques Division and protagonist in Rembrandt’s Angel, makes her first appearance in this novel. This ebook is on sale now at Smashwords for $0.99, but only for a week.
Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!
