Chapter 3
Here come da police!
Everyone is talking at once, it is total mayhem and confusion, the police officers having just arrived on to the scene are trying desperately get everyone under control. After a few minutes of chaos one of the officers blows a loud whistle, making the already chaotic mess even louder and more confusing.
Captain Knotts comes strutting in all cocky and sure of himself. He has no problem yelling loudly to be heard over the din of voices and blowing whistle. Somewhat aggravated at not being noticed he throws the whistle blowing police officer a dirty looks while demanding even louder that everyone shut up and sit down.
Captain Knotts is rumpled and unkept looking more like an old man living on a park bench than a police officer. His appearance doesn't inspire a lot of confidence and his next questions don't either. " Whose in charge here. What on earth is going on, and why doesn't someone help that lady off the floor? Whats the matter with her anyway she looks a little blue". One of his deputies whispers in his ear. "DEAD, what do you mean dead?"
Lillian sitting as close to the dead body as she could, clears her throat, getting the captains attention, "It would appear, that Jessica has been poisoned in some form or another. We haven't touched a thing or moved anything but just from the look of her it is clear she consumed something that didn't agree with her."
"And what is your name Madam?"
"Mrs Lillian Cunningham, of the Boston Cunningham's" Standing up straight and tall looking over her short glasses and down her nose at the captain she already sees this person as a bumbling fool.
" Well Lillian" "Excuse me! you will address me as Mrs Cunningham if you please and you will kindly remove that hat when speaking to a lady."
With a sheepish grin the captain removes his hat and tries again, "Mrs Cunningham since you seem to be so well informed maybe you can tell me how and why this women was as you say murdered."
" Well if she was murdered or not is for you to say now isn't it Captain, you are after all the police. But if I were made to guess I would continue to say that Jessica was murdered and if it was murder it was poison of some kind causing her skin to discolor. As for who I haven't a clue, but I would have to assume we are all suspects and that we all have some reason for wanting Jessica gone, I really can't say for sure, all I do know for sure is", always the actress, Lillian pauses and looks around, before delivering her last words as dramatically as she can, "ONE of us is a murderer".
Already not paying attention to Lillian the captain dismisses her with a curt "Right right", and then turns to his officers"Go ahead and get everyones names addresses and phone numbers, and go ahead and take brief statements from everyone. Oh and inform everyone they shouldn't leave town."
George, sitting in a chair not far from where the captain stood, couldn't hold back the snort, "Right like we could go anywhere if we wanted, aint got no cars and no drivers licenses either, not even sure we still know how to drive."
Not one to be easily dismissed, Lillian steps up to the captain asking, "I suppose you will be setting up a room somewhere here on the first floor to do the interviews right?"
The captain Looks at Lillian kind of blankly and then stammers out "Oh yea yea right, I will speak to someone at the front desk right away. So glad I thought of that, we wouldn't want to have to taxi you all to the station just to get a few simple statements after all."
Mariam who is standing off to the side of the room, shakes her head in disbelief, as she says to no one in particular "A possible murder and a room full of suspects and he thinks it will be a few simple statements. If it weren't so sad I would laugh."
Lillian is standing near by and says nothing out loud, but looks over at Captain Knotts and sadly nods her head in agreement.
Chapter 4
The Interviews!
What appears to be an old broom closet is now set up as a make shift office there is plenty of room for everyone to move around easily, but even still the captain looked extremely uncomfortable sitting at the desk phone to his ear. "Yes Yes I understand, everything will be in order, there will be no mistakes this time." After cradling the phone he looks at the officer standing at the door and says I think we will start with that Miriam women, if you would be so kind as to fetch her. Miriam rather reluctantly comes in and slouches sexily down into the hard metal chair. She thinks it is sexy even if no one else does.
Without a hello or how are you the captain just jumped right in with the questions "Where were you when the murder happened?"
"Well how do I know, I have no idea when it happened?" A little put out at the cold and rude way in which the captain had greeted, or not greeted her, Miriam couldn't help adding a snarky retort "In fact I don't think you do either. What do you know?"
The captain is somewhat taken aback not only by the straight forwardness of her answer, but that she clearly had spoken the truth, stammers out a weak and inadequate answer, that is almost not heard. " Ah yes, I see."
"Okay what can you tell me about the victim? Was she a friend of yours?"
"Jessica a friend...... I am not sure you would say that. We weren't enemies but we weren't close. I still get acting offers, very few and always for the old women with no friends. She didn't, so she was jealous of me. flipping her hair and sitting slightly straighter looking at the captain, Mariam asks a question of her own. " Why are you running this investigation , don't you normally have homicide detectives just for that purpose?"
Captain Knotts is once again left stammering for words. Having just gotten off the with the his boss reminding him that he better not mess this up, Mariam's observation only served to make him even more nervous about the longevity of his job. " I I I , well our Mr Weekly who normally conducts investigations like this one is on vacation so the job falls to me. I may not do this kind of thing often but I have it all in hand. Yes yes I do I have it all handled I read the book after all and I passed the class, even if I had to take it 3 times."
"Oh that must be difficult to have so much pressure on you, to cover for someone that rarely makes mistakes or bumbles about like a fish, and be expected to be the same your first time out. Are you married, I bet not or your shirt would be ironed and it wouldn't be so dingy either. Well at least you won't be dealing with the added pressure of a nagging wife wanting you to be promoted or some such thing."
"No, no you are quite right I am not married, I have managed to dodge that bullet a good many years now. Mariam snickered slightly behind her hand as the captain told her that, hearing it the captain looks straight at Miriam and ask "Did you say something?" " No no just a yawn escaped me, it is after all getting late and we are all use to an early bed time."
After a few more questions are asked and Mariam answers with a few more questions of her own, Captain Knotts gives a slight shake of his head and declares the interview over. As Mariam takes her leave, the Captain bows his head and shakes it from side to side, as he realizes he was being interviewed more than he did any interviewing himself. " I am never going to survive this!"
After seeing Mariam leave the deputy enters the make shift office. " Who would you like to talk to now sir?"
Replying softly almost to himself " No one"
"Excuse me sir?" Confused he stares at the captain and asks again " Sir? Are we finished for the night?"
Straightening up lifting his head and rounding his shoulders, "No No No, I am sorry deputy I am tired and I guess it is showing. Please show in the one that called the police, I believe his name is Carlo.
While the deputy and captain were talking in their broom closet, Mariam , Lillian and Lazlo have all gathered back at the bar talking together about what had happened in the interview.
Lillian asks bluntly as always "Well what happened in there?"
I know for sure he isn't married! he is only filling in for someone named Weekly, and he doesn't have the slightest idea what he is doing. Oh and I believe he is on the hot seat with his bosses.
"That is interesting. What did you find out about the murder?" "Lillian don't you mean what did they find out about the murder?"No Lazlo, if Mariam knows all of that information, I am sure she found out more about the murder itself." "Actually I didn't find out much more than that. The captain seems to not have any real ideas and not had the chance to really investigate things. I tell you this though, with the questions he asking he may never know. I don't think he is very adapt at uncovering clues in a murder investigation."
The three of them break up going their separate ways. Lazlo and Mariam walk off together arm in arm and head tilted towards each other headed for the bars and a much wanted drink. Lillian heads in a different direction extremely deep in thought with a puzzled look on her face.
Carlo is now standing near the interview table, fidgeting looking nervous, almost sweating even though it is cool in the room.
"My name as you know is Knotts, captain Harold Knotts, and you are." Hesitating slightly as if he doesn't know, Carlos finally answers "I am Carlos Montalban," as he reaches out his hand to shake.
Captain Knotts returning the hand shake, Montalban really? One of my favorite TV shows. Carlos has a confused look, but laughs lightly anyway. Have a seat Carlos. Would you like anything to drink, water coffee?
" Whiskey neat would be nice."
" Yea that isn't possible, but I agree a cocktail would be nice right about now. Just a few questions and you can make your way back to the bar. Did you know the deceased well?
" Well...... we pretty much know everyone here pretty well. It is somewhat like living together, we all eat together, watch tv more often than not together, drink together and take field trips together . The only thing we don't do together is sleep together...... well maybe we don't all sleep together, but I think a few have broken that rule a time or two. Like Jessica and Lazlo, it was rumored that they were enjoying a little more than cuddle time if you now what I mean."
"I see, was the deceased prone to sharing others beds?"
"Would you stop calling Jessica the deceased , her name was Jessica Ann Bentley. And no she wasn't a floozy."
"Okay, okay, I am sorry, I didn't mean to offend you or show disrespect to Ms Bentley. You say you all knew one another well, and did you all get along? Where there those that didn't like Ms Bentley, had a problem with her?"
"We are people and at times we argue, but I don't believe anyone has had an issue with Jessica that would make them this mad. Even when Jessica and Debbie had a tussle over Lazlo, it got tense but not so much that anyone would hurt anyone else".
"Debbie? Who is Debbie, I don't remember that name being said while we were out front with the entire group?"
"Oh no Debbie isn't here anymore, she was moved into a less expensive home. Something to do with her SS and pension not being enough to cover this place until she dies. Her and Jessica were fighting right up till the day Debbie moved, but they were both still alive at the end of that day."
Looking down at his note pad and rubbing his cheek, the captain looks over what he has written, and says slowly without looking up "That's fine, thank you, that will be all for now, you can go."
Carlos leaves the Captain sitting at the table still rubbing his head like it hurts, shaking his head and mumbling to himself. The Deputy coming into the room somewhat concerned asks "Sir, Captain are you okay? without waiting for an answer he continues, "Would you like to see the next ...... witness now?
Leaning back in his chair taking a deep breath, the captain looks at the deputy and sadly asks, "Why did I pick today to stop smoking?" Looking for a moment like he might offer the captain a cigarette the deputy seems to think better of it, shrugs and just waits for the captains next order.
"I guess I might as well bite the damn bullet and get it over with, bring in that Lillian women, I mean Mrs Cunningham. I just know I am not going to like this."
The deputy leaves, The captain continues writing notes, stopping every few seconds as if in deep thought. Loud voices, suddenly erupt in the back hallway. It isn't possible to make out what is being said but it is clear it is an argument and a loudly unpleasant one at that.
A startled captain gets up from the makeshift desk and opens the door of his broom closet/office. Looking first to the left, and then quickly to the right where he stands for just a few seconds more before turning back into the room with an extremely puzzled look on his face.
The Deputy comes walking into the room with Lillian following closely behind, when The captain turns and abruptly says "I have changed my mind I want to speak to Lazlo, and then I will want to speak to George." Lillian is following along in total fascination not missing a word, and trying to blend into the wall paper so she can hear even more.
"Okay sir, should I have the 2nd gentlemen wait here in the hall or will you have me fetch him after you finish with Lazlo?"
"No no you can let George know he will be next and not to go to far, but be casual about it, and don't let"..... at that moment a slight movement catches the captains eye and he looks over at Lillian "Oh Mrs Cunningham, you can go for now. It may be tomorrow before I am able to finish all the interviews, I am sorry to say. So if you like you can go ahead and go to your room. I am sure you would like to get out of your formal attire and be more relaxed."
Slightly disappointed but only slightly, Lillian leaves the room with just a nod of her head and a thank you.
The captain and deputy now alone the captain continues speaking as if he had never stopped.
"And don't let George and Lazlo speak to each other. I just heard them arguing and I want to know why."
Without another word the deputy leaves to get Lazlo. As if deep thought the captain continues standing near the desk tapping a pencil on the note pad, waiting for whatever comes next.
The deputy walking into the main dinning area seeing everyone gather near the bar all in a tight circle whispering head directly for them and hears Lillian say "I don't know what happened but as soon as I walked in the room that bumbling captain changed his mind and decided he wanted to talk to Lazlo and George. At first I thought they were going to be interviewed together but the deputy asked...... seeing the deputy approaching, Carlos shushes Lillian.
Looking around the group, the deputy spots Lazlo "The captain would like to talk to you now." Then turning to George, he says "you will be after that and hopefully we can get to everyone else just as quickly as possible." George and Lazlo exchange a nervous almost guilty look and quickly let it drop, but not before Lillian sees it." It is getting late however and if some of you would like to go to your rooms and change out of you formal clothing, I am sure that would be okay." Most of the residence ignored the last part of what the deputy had to say, because it was for certain what ever was happening here was so much more exciting than any book or TV program in their room ever could be.
Lazlo and the deputy leave the room but not a single person moved from where they had been standing. Everyone starts talking at once, and no one is understanding a word anyone is saying.
As loud as she can muster Lillian shouted "Everyone just calm down, if we all talk at once we will never hear a thing. It seems the biggest question is why Lazlo and George? " Everyone turns and stares at George, stepping a little closer in case they miss what he might say. "Well George why you?"
"I haven't a clue, really I don't. I know as much as you."
Still convinced and still angry that George spilled the beans about her nephew Andrew, Miriam almost spits out her words as she replies to George "Well we all know that's true, because if you knew you wouldn't be able to keep it to yourself. Everyone knows you can't keep a secret right George! "
Embarrassed and angry for being falsely accused "Mariam I did NOT give your secret away. I swear I never told a single person. Ask anyone here, none of them can say I told them about your nephew coming here and why.
"Well you are the only person I uttered one word too so how do you explain" ....... At that moment the deputy walks back in the room. Looking around taking in the tense scene "I think you all should just go ahead and go to your rooms for now. I can find you when I need you and I am sure you would rather be comfortably reading or watching TV then just stand around waiting."
Reluctantly the residents head for the hallways leading to their rooms. It is clear they would much rather stand around waiting, then go to their rooms and tv. Nothing different or exciting ever happens here and this is both. Lillian is the last person leaving the dinning area and she is moving as slow as possible hoping to catch just a little crumb. George on the other hand was wasting no time heading for the stairs, the deputy noticing this calls across the room "Oh George you and I can wait here. I am sure it won't be that long and I know the captain wants to speak to you tonight if it is at all possible. "have a seat, I will be right back, I need to tell the Captain something."
"Hello I am Captain Knotts, Please come in and sit down. Is Lazlo your first or your Last name?
Lazlo Taking a seat answers somewhat nervously, or maybe he was just tipsy "It is my first name. My full name is Lazlo K Rider."
Knock Knock, the deputy puts his head in the door," it s important sir" The captain is annoyed and he shows it as he stands and walks to the door. In a stage whisper the Deputy says"Not sure exactly what, but there is tension between Miriam, and these 2 men. As I walked in the room she was clearly telling them off and they didn't want me hearing it."
"Thank you deputy, you are right that is the kind of information I need to know. Good job."
Re entering the office "Sorry about that, let's continue, so tell me Mr Rider where you and the deceased friends?" "The name is Lazlo if you don't mind, and do you mean Jessica, yeah you could call us that. We talked a time or two shared a drink maybe a few of those, and a story, if you call that friends then we were friends.
"Did you share more than a drink or two? Like maybe her bed?"
Catching him by surprise with that question, Lazlo almost fell out of his chair, but recovered quickly answering the question somewhat angrily "Now you just wait a minute, that aint no ones business and besides you can get kicked out of here for having relations like that with other residents. You don't believe me ask that broad Debbi."
"It is interesting that you brought up Debbi, I do want to talk to you about her, but first do you want to tell me what you and George were arguing about just now?
Lazlo with his head down acting slightly sheepish and squirming in his seat. Mumbles making it hard for the captain to hear him "Well... well, it is a little embarrassing to be honest, and it isn't really anything all that important", gaining confidence as he talks Lazlo lifts head and looks the captain in the face."It is just that I over heard something that was suppose to be secret and I repeated it to a few people and George got blamed for telling. Now he is mad at me, he wants me to tell Miriam it was me that spilled the beans."
"SECRET, what secret?
"Oh nothing big really, but it was Miriam's secret and you never cross the Queen, she can make life so unhappy for a person here. That is why I don't want to admit I told the secret, if she figured out that I was listening to her private conversation, I will never have a day of peace again. I mean she can remove me from the dinner table, my single room, and even from activi....."
" What is the secret?"
"Oh yeah yeah, It was nothing really, it was just, Her nephew Andrew was coming for dinner, and that he was going to pick a few of us for a movie project he is doing. We weren't suppose to know, so he could observe us in our natural habi haba habitat , kind of like aminals in a zoo. Like I said nothing really. In fact her nephew didn't even seem annoyed, he actually seemed to be enjoying himself."
"Thank you Lazlo, that will be all for now. I may have more questions later on, but for now I truly can't think of anything else. Oh Oh Oh yes, Debbi? You mentioned this women Debbi and her being kicked out. Are you saying she was removed for having sexual relations with another resident?"
"Yes"
"So not because she couldn't afford this place?"
"No No it was because she and George were sharing a bed and Mariam caught them. She turned her into the Admin, ad ,ad, administration. The only reason George is still living here is because Mariam told the administraaaa....tion she didn't see the mans face."
The Captain couldn't stop the little chuckle as he ended the interview "Ah I see. Thank you. Now that will be all for tonight."
As the deputy enters the office to ask about George, the captain quickly tell the Deputy "After you bring George in could you please get all the info you can on an ex resident named Debbi.""No problem sir, and I will be right back with George."
George seating at the table sweating and uncomfortable looks up as the Captain says "Good evening George, thank you for waiting up to talk to me. Can I ask your full name please?"
"I am George T Smith.
 |
| Carlos standing in for the captain during rehearsal. |
"It is nice to meet you. So let's just get started. I'm just gonna jump right in here and start with the hard questions first. Who is Debi?"
George, can't decide if he is embarrassed or proud, "She was a women that use to live here about a year ago, she transferred to a better facility"
"She wasn't removed for having relationships with a man in this facility?"
Extremely uncomfortable now, George is reluctant to answer this question "well yessss, but she did go into a better home."
"And was the man you? Why weren't you kicked out as well?"
George, pretty much sure by this point that at the very least he was about to lose his happy home, answered with a force even he didn't expect. "Yes yes it was me, and I am not sure why I got to stay, I just did.A good thing to because I can't afford any where else."
" What where you and Lazlo arguing about in the hallway a little bit ago?"
"Startled by the question, "uh we uh we well it was silly really, I want Lazlo to tell the truth about something so Mariam will stop being mad at me. She knows it was me in the bed with Debi and she holds that over me to get what she wants, and she can be very demanding, and mean when she is mad.
"Tell the truth about what?"
"Nothing at all really, just that he eavesdropped on a conversation and then told everyone what he had heard. Miriam is sure I told her secret and is super mad about it, and I want her to know it wasn't me."
Captain- "Okay I think we will call it a night. I WILL, be talking to you again."
As George leaves the room he looks worried and even a little angry.
Photos are not my own, they were taken by friends attending the play and rehearsals. Geri Koss and Glo Partida
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